USA > Ohio > Noble County > History of Noble County, Ohio: With Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 56
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Methodist Episcopal Church .- The Methodist Episcopal class at Mount Ephraim, was organized prior to 1830, and first met in school-houses and cabins. Among the early mem- bers were, Joseph Graham, class- leader ; Benjamin Keller, Aaron Vor- hies, Adam Smith, Thomas Nichol- son, Sr., Abraham Rich, George Sha- fer, Aaron Morris, John Rich, James Beatty, Richard Coen, Abraham Mi- ley, Irvin Kennedy (local preacher), Conrad Shafer, Henry Morris and Levi Lyons. A frame church was erected in 1844, on the site of the present. The new church, 38x46 feet, was erected in 1880, at a cost of $1,800. The present mem-
bership is 120. The present pas- tor is Rev. Hunter, of Sarahs- ville.
Bates Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1887, by Rev. William Danford. The origi- nal members were, J. H. Wilson and wife, H. Bates and wife, John Meighen and wife, and others ; class- leaders, J. Meighen, F. E. Danford; stewards, J. II. Wilson and P. HI. Danford; trustees, Isaac Danford, Eli Bates and Patrick Bates. The church edifice was erected in 1885 at a cost of $800. It was built for a union church, free to all denomina- tions; during the winter follow- ing its erection a revival of great in- terest took place, conducted by J. Meighen, and Rev. William Dan- ford. After the close of the meet- ings a class was formed under the leadership of Mr. Meighen. In the autumn of 1886 the class was strengthened by the addition of the Glady society, and the church is now without connection with other ap- pointments. It has a membership of fifty ; Sabbath-school, fifty-six pu- pils; pastor, Rev. Morris Floyd.
Mt. Ephraim Christian Church .- The church of Christ, or Christian church, at Mount Ephraim, was par- tially organized in the fall of 1839, by John Burnett, evangelist, and Timothy Bates, a local preacher. In June, 1840, an organization was ef- fected by George B. Craft and John Baird; Enos Rinehart and Levi Glo- ver were the first elders. David S. Craft was ordained elder in 1840, and still holds that office. Among the original members were, Enos Rine-
Jacob Rick
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hart, Levi Glover and their wives, Timothy Bates, Margaret Glover, Margaret Dobbins and many others. In 1842 a meeting-house of hewed logs, some 30x35 feet in dimen- sions, was erected. Ephraim Vor- hies donated the lot for the church and graveyard. In 1879-80 the pres- ent church was built at a cost of about $1,500. It is a frame build- ing 30x40 feet. The present mem- bership is about thirty-seven. The pastors have been Revs. Asbury, Gardiner, Charles Van Vorhies, John Flick, - Harvey, John Moody, Joseph Thomas, Berkley Poulton, J. W. Arnold ; David S. Craft and John Wilson, are the present elders.
THE RICH FAMILY.
The Rich family are of German and Scotch extraction. Jacob Rich, the progenitor of the family in this country and the father of the pioneer Abraham Rich, was born in Germany and came to America with a brother about 1740, settling in Massachusetts, where the brothers separated never to meet again. Jacob removed to Greene County, Pa., and settled upon the farm, where he died. He was a successful man and acquired a well won competency. He married a Miss Craft. Their children were Thomas, George, Daniel, David, John, Abra- ham, Peter, Ann, and Catherine. Abraham was the youngest of the family and was born in Greene Coun- ty Pa., in 1792. When two years of age he was taken to Miami County, Ohio, with his brother's family. There he remained only a short time when he was taken by anoth- 31
er brother back to Pennsylvania. His brother returned by way of Columbus and Zanesville, swimming the Muskingum River at the latter place, with Abraham upon his back. Where Zanesville now is there was then but one log cabin. In 1810 he came with his brother John to what is now Buffalo Township, Noble County, where he remained a short time and had many rough experi- ences. He was drafted in the War of 1812, but before reaching the seat of war, peace was declared. In 1813 he married Annie Thompson and settled in Seneca Township. By this union he was the father of ten children, five of whom are living-Jacob, William, Thomas, Abraham and Me- hitable. His wife died in 1844; she was a member of the Presbyte- rian church. After her death he vis- ited the place of his childhood in Miami County, Ohio, and in 1848 he married Mrs. Catharine Stevens (nee Johnston). Their children were Johnston, Jessie, Louis and Catha- rine. Abraham Rich, Sr., was a hunter in early years. He was a successful farmer and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1873. Ilis widow still lives upon the homestead. He entered in Seneca Township 160 acres of land, on sections 20 and 31, to which he added until he had 432 acres in this county and 276 acres in Guernsey County.
In many respects he was more than an ordinary man. He was of medium height, but possessed of an iron constitution and wonderful en- durance; he was thought to be a man
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of excellent judgment and unspotted integrity. He was a peacemaker, and was consulted on all import- ant matters. He was one of the early Methodists, and contributed liberally to religious and educational projects. He built saw-mills and insti- tuted many substantial improve- ments, especially the opening and development of roads. He died in 1873 and was buried on the old farm. He had a family of ten children: James, Ann, Rebecca, Jacob, Will- iam, Mary, Thomas, Abraham, Mehit- able and Elvira A. The latter died in infancy. Jacob, the oldest son of Abraham Rich now liv- ing, was born in a log cabin in Seneca Township in 1824. Early in life he was inured to all the priva- tions and hardships of pioneer life.
After the death of his mother he was the eldest of the children, and the care of the family devolved upon him. In this school of toil and hard- ship he was reared. At the age of twenty-six he married Miss Jane, daughter of Abraham Miley, one of the pioneers of this township. His children are Mary I. (Miley), Will- iam H., Rachel (Talbott), and Abra-
ham M. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Rich has been class-leader for forty years.
Mr. Rich commenced upon 120 acres, which is a part of his present farm. The land was only slightly improved, all of which he was in debt for. To this he added from time to time until he was the owner of 600 acres of valuable land. In 1862-3 he made an extended trip to the far West, visiting Nebraska, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington Territory, Idaho, Mon- tana, British America and California. He traveled over 3,000 miles and had some lively adventures. On one occasion he was captured by Indians, and came near losing his life. On the Borsha River his boat was cap- sized, and by his presence of mind and courage he rescued some of the party that otherwise would have been lost. He had a similar expe- rience on the Platt River, where he again came near losing his life. The culmination of his misfortunes was a shipwreck on the Pacific Ocean. He is a Republican in politics, and one of the representative men of Seneca Township.
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ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP - METES AND BOUNDS - EARLY ELECTIONS AND ELECTORS - POLL BOOK LIST FOR 1820 - TAXES IN 1822 - AN EARLY INDIAN TRAIL - FORMERLY A PART OF BUFFALO TOWNSHIP - THE MEMORABLE ELECTION OF 1816 - THE FAMILY OF JOHN NOBLE, SENIOR - DIFFICULTIES OF PIONEER LIFE - THE " COLD PLAGUE"- MENTION OF EARLY AND PROMINENT FAMILIES - JOSEPH LIPPITT - AN IRISHMAN'S TRICK - A BEAR STORY - PROGRESS OF IMPROVEMENT AND SETTLEMENT - EARLY SCHOOLS - PERSONAL SKETCHES - VILLAGES - HIRAMSBURG, HOSKINSVILLE, ROCHESTER, BELLE VALLEY AND AVA - CHURCHES.
N OBLE TOWNSHIP was organ- ized in 1819. At that date it became a township of Morgan Coun- ty, and so continued until the forma- tion of Noble County. May 1, 1851, the county commissioners changed the boundaries of the township, mak- ing them as follows:
"Commencing at the southeast corner of section 34, in township num- ber 7, of range 9; thence north to the northeast corner of section 3, in said township number 7, range 9; thence west along the township line to the northwest corner of section 1, in township number 7, of range 10; thence south along section lines to the southwest corner of section 36, in said township number 7, range 10; thence east along the township line to the place of beginning ; contain- ing thirty sections."
At an election for township offi- cers which was held in Noble Town- ship, Morgan County, on April 3, 1820, forty-three votes were polled. Andrew Millslagle, Asa Burlingame and Joseph Franklin acted as judges of election; and Josiah Burlingame
and John Fogle, clerks. For justice of the peace, Peter Fogle had thirty- five votes and William Ralph eight. The names of the voters were Charles McKenny, James McKee, Elijah Day, Samuel Noble, James Noble, John Davis,' Alexander McKee (still living), George Dye, David Devolld, William Hamilton, Isaac Warpingba, Samuel Halley, John McKee, Jonas Ball, Linus Moore, Lambert Newton, Daniel Ball, John Noble, Elly Moore, John Clowser, Michael Fogle, Benjamin Thorla, Benjamin Severance, Jacob Fogle, Robert Hellyer, Charles Posten, Ephraim Bates, John McGarry, John Ralph, Solomon Brown, Joseph Lippitt, Sylvester Westcott, Isaac Covalt, John Fogle, Josiah Burlingame, Joseph Frank- lin, Andrew Millslagle, Asa Burlin- game, Peter Fogle, Armstrong Johnston, Ezekiel Bates, William Ralph and James Dye.
At the general election held on October 10, 1820, Asa Burlingame, Andrew Millslagle and Peter Fogle acted as judges of election; and
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Josiah Burlingame and Sylvester Westcott, as clerks. Only twenty votes were cast. For governor, Ethan A. Brown had eighteen votes ; Robert Means, two. For representative to the legislature, Alexander McConnel, two; William M. Dawes, fifteen; Amzi Stanley, three. For representative in Con- gress, David Chambers, twenty. For county commissioner, David Fulton, fifteen ; Andrew Wharton, five. What can be said of the political enthusiasm of that day, when an election for a justice of the peace called out more than twice as many voters as an election for State officers?
From the tax-list of Noble Town- ship for the year 1822, made out by Josiah Burlingame, lister, and Lam- bert Newton, appraiser, it appears that the township contained ninety- six property holders, and ninety-nine horses and one hundred and four neat cattle were listed for taxation. Upon this list appear the following names in addition to those upon the poll-book for 1820:
Richard Albury, Amos Bates, Benjamin Barry, James Barry, Edward Beck, Andrew Brawton, Dexter Brown, Benjamin Cox, Jarrett Cox, Ezekiel Cole, Richard Chillcott, Daniel Devolld, John Devolld, Samuel Dennis, Thomas Davis, Walter Downey, David Frakes, Robert Frakes, George Frakes, Lemuel Fowler, Royal Fowler (still living), Jacob Fogle, Calvin Franklin, John Griswold, John George, Samuel Gookins, George Hellyer, Joshua Holster,
John Jones, Jeremiah McMahan, John Mead, Martha McKee, John Moore, David McGarry, Andrew Millslagle, Lambert Newton, Jo- seph Posten, Charles Parsons, Jane Ralph, William Rees, Joseph Reed, John Reed, Sr., James Reed, William Smith, Jr., William Seevers, John Seevers, Benjamin Severance, Jr., William P. Willey and Enos Wheeler.
Along the West Fork of Duck Creek was an Indian trail which had evidently been much traveled by the red hunters prior to the settlement of the valley by white people. The stream seems to have been a favorite resort for the elk, deer and buffalo, and was doubtless an attractive hunt- ing-ground for the Indians. The buffalo paths, in many places deeply worn into the earth, were distinguish- able long after the white settlers came into the valley. For some years prior to the War of 1812, the Indians devoted themselves to the destruction of the larger wild ani- mals of the forest, apparently for the sole purpose of thwarting the white hunters, as they left the car- casses to rot upon the ground. The Duck Creek Valley was frequented by the Indian hunters almost up to the time of the war, but never after its close. Mr. John Noble, who came to his present farm in 1812, states that an Indian camp, evidently erected only a few years previous, was then standing on the bank of the creek, a short distance above his present residence.
Buffalo Township, Guernsey Coun- ty, was organized in 1810, and then
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A J Wilcon Boston
John Noble.
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included all the northwest part of the present County of Noble, extend- ing south to the old line of Washing- ton County. In 1816 Olive Town- ship was formed from part of Buffalo. We have no description of its boundaries, but it probably in- cluded the greater part, if not all, of Noble. In 1819 Noble Town- ship, Morgan County, included town- ship 7 of range 9 of the original survey.
Old residents recall an election that was held at the house of the Jordans, in the vicinity of where Hiramsburg now is, in 1816. This being the first election, the event was celebrated in a manner charac- teristic of the pioneer days. Some enterprising citizens succeeded in getting a barrel of cider from some point on the Muskingum River, and after "doctoring" it to their satis- faction with stronger liquors, put it on tap on the day of election. Cider being an article which the settlers of Duck Creek seldom had an oppor- tunity of tasting, all partook freely, and as a consequence, nearly every man there became gloriously ine- briated before the day was over. The more sober ones placed their intoxi- cated neighbors upon their horses, and started them toward home, some of them sitting, or rather lying, upon their horses, as inert, and apparently as lifeless as bags of meal.
The first entry of land on the West Fork of Duck Creek was made in 1806 by a man named Bain, near where Belle Valley now is. Richard Fletch- er made an entry of land in the
same year. The Mckees came in 1811, and the Nobles in 1812.
John Noble, a Pennsylvanian by birth, settled in 1812 on the farm which his son John now occupies. A family sketch will be found else- where in this chapter.
In the early years, the settlers found it very difficult to keep stock of any kind. Aside from the danger that it might be destroyed by wolves or bears, there were other obstacles to encounter. Cattle died of murrain in large numbers. On the bottoms along the creek cattle were permitted to run at large, get- ting their own living at all seasons. Many wintered on the bunch grass found along the creek, without ever being fed at all. Hogs were also allowed to pick up their living as best they could in the woods. John Noble, Sr., brought a herd of twenty- five young hogs to his farm when he settled here, but the first season the bears made such havoc among them that but three were left. The old ·hogs were usually strong enough to defend themselves from their enemies, but young swine were never safe.
The climate was by no means healthy. A variety of chills, known as the "cold plague " attacked many, and those suffering from this disease found it impossible to get warm. Many died. Bleeding was then con- sidered the sovereign remedy for nearly all the ills that flesh is heir to, and that process doubtless hastened the exit of many invalids from the world. Richard Fletcher was an early settler on the creek, on land now owned by James Carr. His
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wife, Jemima, was an Enochs, a daughter of the pioneer settler of that name.
Charles McCune and John Reed were both Irishmen and early set- tlers. Reed was a very worthy citi- zen. He came in 1813. His sons, Joseph, John and James, lived here and reared families.
Joseph Lippitt was one of the few pioneer settlers that had money. He was considered a rich man in his day. He bought and settled upon a whole section of land north of where Belle Valley station now is. He was from New England, and had the trading faculty which is popu- larly supposed to be inherent in all Yankees. In early days he kept a few goods at his house, and would give a yard of muslin for a day's work. His father had an interest in a cotton-mill in one of the Eastern States. Mrs. Lippitt was a woman of good judgment and shrewdness, and was an excellent manager. Lip- pitt died here, and after his death the farm was sold, and the family be- came scattered. The Lippitt family were among the very earliest per- manent settlers in the township, and among the earliest on Duck Creek.
Solomon Brown, a blacksmith, was among the early settlers. For a number of years he made salt on the creek, on a part of the John Noble farm. The well was 130 feet deep. A deer-lick near the spot had been much frequented before the country was settled.
Lambert Newton was a Yankee who lived where his son Lambert now resides. Joab, another son,
lives on part of the old Lippitt farm.
There were many eccentric and peculiar characters among the early residents. Such an one was an Irish- man named Crawford. One day he came to John Noble, who, then as since, was an excellent, thrifty, or- derly farmer, and wished to obtain some seed-corn. Mr. Noble sent him to his corn-crib, and told him to help himself to any that he liked, except some choice speckled corn, which Mr. Noble had placed by itself for his own use. Later, it was discovered that the speckled corn had all been removed by Crawford, who had piled some ears of the common variety in its place, and that the Hibernian was retailing among the neighbors what he called "a very foine arti-kel of calico cor-rn."
Another Irishman came to Mr. Noble to borrow a scythe in the days when those instruments were scarce and valuable. Not wishing to lend, Mr. Noble told him he hadn't any. The Irishman's shrewd- ness then became apparent. "But," said he, " didn't I see it hanging up?" " Well, go and take it then, but be careful of it," returned Mr. Noble. "And where will I find it, sor !" asked the borrower.
Andrew Brawton was the first set- tler where Hoskinsville now is. He and two other New Englanders made the first clearing there at an early date.
Benjamin Thorla, from New Eng- land, settled where Belle Valley now is.
Some of the early elections were
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held at the house of Jarrett Cox. Later they were held at his brother Benjamin's.
John Clowser, a Virginian, settled where his son Benjamin now lives.
John and Thomas Davis, Virgin- ians, settled in the north part of the township. Their descendants are still numerous here.
Lemuel Fowler, a New Englander, was among the early settlers. His son, Royal Fowler, still living (1886), is among the oldest residents of the township.
John McKee was commissioned justice of the peace May 1, 1817, two years prior to the organization of Noble Township and Morgan County. His authority was derived from Guernsey County. His com- mission, record of which still exists in Morgan County, expired May 1, 1820. Peter Fogle, the first justice chosen in Noble Township, was com- missioned April 24, 1820.
Benjamin Severance, a Yankee, and his sons, Benjamin and Rodney, were early settlers near Hiramsburg, Rodney was for some years engaged in the making of salt on the Muskin- gum River.
The Fogles were a numerous and respectable family. They were natives of Virginia, but came here from Washington County, Pa. There were three brothers, Jacob, Michael and Peter, who settled in the same neighborhood. Jacob and Michael came first, and a year or two later Peter settled on the farm where he lived and died. He came about 1818. He was the first justice of the peace in the township, and
held the office about twenty years. He was also an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1875, at the age of eighty-nine years. The Fogle brothers were all married before they came to Ohio. Jacob lived and died in Noble Township. His son Jacob still lives here. He and Mrs. Mary Merry Caldwell, are the only children of Jacob Fogle now living in the county. Michael moved from Noble Township to Enoch, and died there. He left no family. Peter Fogle was twice married. His first wife was Eliza- beth Salliday, and their children were Mary, Eliza, Sarah and Mar- garet, all living, the oldest two in this county. For his second wife he married Phebe Stevens. Their children were Rachael (Rucker), who lives on part of the homestead ; John, Illinois; Lucretia, Kansas; Anna, dead; Annary, Vinton County, Ohio; James, Colorado; George, Kentucky, and Peter, Cald- well. Peter lived on a farm until 1879, and then engaged in hotel- keeping in Caldwell. Since 1880 he has been in the business of undertaker and furniture dealer in Caldwell, owning a large and fine store. He has a German Bible, printed in 1590, which has been in the Fogle family nearly three hundred years.
Joseph, Calvin and Nathan Frank- lin were early settlers and good men. Calvin had an early mill, run by horse-power. Joseph was a wagon-maker. He built and ran a mill near Hiramsburg station.
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George, Robert and Thomas Hell- yer were early settlers. George was a tailor. The others were stone- inasons. Robert was the first aud- itor of Noble County.
Joseph, Zachariah and Wesley Cooper lived in the north part of the township and operated a dis- tillery. Samuel Thompson, a tanner and Methodist preacher, was somewhat eccentric character, who lived in the same neighborhood. Richard Thorla was another early distiller.
Among other interesting memora- bilia in the possession of George Burlingame, of Belle Valley, is a tax receipt signed by treasurer of Morgan County. It is dated Sep- tember 19, 1835, and shows that Josiah Burlingame's tax on 166 acres of land was one dollar, ninety- six cents and nine mills, and his tax on personal property, one dollar, eighty-four cents and eight mills. The valuation of the land was then $179. It is the present Chris. McKee farm, one of the best in the valley.
In 1816 Josiah Burlingame and family were living on the present farm of Chris McKee. The bears and panthers were still frequently found in the valley. On one occa- sion, Mrs. Burlingame was away from home, and a neighbor by the name of Edmond Burton was staying with Mr. Burlingame. In the night, they heard loud noises proceeding from a pig-pen near the house. Sur- mising the cause, Burlingame seized a large hand-spike and Burton an axe, the only one about the house, and proceeded to investigate. They
found a large bear attempting to devour one of the pigs. Mr. Bur- lingame used his weapon with such good effect upon the bear that he finally caused him to desist; but Burton was so alarmed by the fierce actions of the bear, that he did not attack him, and he was allowed to make his escape.
Andrew Millslagle was an early settler, and served in the War of 1812.
After the war closed, farms were taken up and occupied quite rapidly, although times were very hard for poor people. There was a great scarcity of money, and those who were compelled to hire it were obliged to pay exorbitant interest. But settlers came pouring in from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Belmont County, so that it was not long be- fore all the land was taken up, and the work of clearing and improving it was inaugurated. There has been steady and constant progress ever since. The township now contains many fine farms, good residences and a thrifty population.
In the western part of the town- ship is one tier of sections running from north to south which belonged to Brookfield Township, before the erection of Noble County. Among the carly settlers in this part of the township was Hugh Nickerson, father of Sparrow Nickerson, who settled on the farm now occupied by the latter, in 1817, coming from Massachusetts. He was a prominent man, and served eighteen consecu- tive years as justice of the peace in Brookfield.
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Rev. Sparrow Nickerson says that when he came to the township with his father, John Noble was the near- est settler east of him. The West- cotts, Scotts and Browns were the nearest neighbors. Mr. Nickerson used to go, when a boy, to Benjamin Bay's mill, on Will's Creek, eight miles distant, passing only three houses on the way.
In the spring of the same year Christopher Westcott, from Rhode Island, settled on the farm now occu- pied by his son, Lewis C. Westcott. Dexter Brown, also from Rhode Island, settled in 1817. IIe was one of the commissioners of Morgan. County, 1833. His son Andrew now owns the farm. Erastus Hoskins, after whom Hoskinsville was named, came from Connecticut in 1818. IIe was an influential citizen and in the early years was colonel of a regiment of the Morgan militia. He repre- sented his county in the legislature two terms, 1831-2 and 1832-3.
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