USA > Ohio > Noble County > History of Noble County, Ohio: With Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 65
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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
habited woodland. ITis circuit was that of Connellsville, Pa., and his salary $100 per year. He preached thirty-three times every four weeks, and rarely missed an appointment. He studied books of theology as he rode from one place to another. Ile soon gained the sobriquet of "The Abolition Preacher," and never ceased to labor for the freedom and eleva- tion of the colored race. From Con- nellsville he was sent to Parkersburg, in western Virginia, and there, in the slaveholders' own country, continued with unabated energy fearlessly to denounce the "institution." While on the IIarrison circuit, in Virginia, in 1834, he married Arah Courtney, of Irish descent. Her womanly cour- age and Christian patience cheered him in his dangerous and difficult work; and with him she shared the joys and sorrows of life until called peacefully away, October 14, 1883 She was the mother of ten children, who reached mature years.
Mr. Phillips continued to labor in the Master's vineyard in Virginia
and Pennsylvania until 1844, when he came to Cambridge, Ohio. The unpopularity of his opinions and ut- terances on the slavery question were among the causes that brought him to this State. After laboring at Cam- bridge, Mr. Phillips was assigned to Sharon. In 1846 the family removed to Summerfield; and, in 1847, to a farm in the wild and then sparsely settled country near Mount Tabor church in Stock Township, Noble County. In 1873 he sold the farm and removed to his present residence near Dexter City. Since 1864 he has held a superannuated relation to the church, but has continued to preach at intervals. His mental faculties are still clear, and in all respects he is a remarkably well-preserved old man. Ile has probably ridden 125,000 miles on horseback, preached 14,000 sermons, and the influence of his work has added to the church be- tween 10,000 and 12,000 members. To him belong all the " honor, rev- erence and good repute" that follow faithful service.
CHAPTER XXIX.
ENOCH.
ORGANIZED AS A TOWNSHIP OF MONROE COUNTY IN 1822-EARLY TAXES FOR THE TOWNSHIP - PROPERTY HOLDERS IN 1833 - RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP IN 1851 -CHANGE OF BOUNDARY - DERIVATION OF THE NAME- THE PIONEER SETTLERS AND HOW THEY LIVED - HUNTERS AND HUNTING - ANECDOTES - EARLY ELECTIONS -EARLY MILLS - THE GERMAN SETTLEMENT - THE PIONEER GERMANS - HOW THEY MANAGED TO PAY FOR LANDS - HARDSHIPS AND DIFFICULTIES - ECONOMY AND THRIFT BRING PROSPERITY - LATER GERMAN SETTLERS - NEWBURG - ITS RISE AND DECLINE -FULDA -ITS ORIGIN AND GROWTH - MERCANTILE - SCHOOLS- CHURCHES -ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
E NOCH TOWNSHIP is first mentioned on the records of Monroe County in 1822, and was doubtless organized in that year. It embraced original township 6, of range 8, or portions of the present townships of Enoch, Stock and Jef- ferson. In 1822 the county levy for Enoch and Union together was $28. In 1823 the amount of the tax duplicate of Enoch was $17.30. Samuel Powell was the lister, and was allowed $2 for his services. In 1824 the total tax for the township was $19.40 ; Elisha Enochs, collector. In 1833 the tax was $42.53 on real estate and $35.39 on personal prop- erty; total, $77.92. Valuation for the same year: real estate, $3,781; per- sonal property, $3,146; total, $6,927.
The following names of property holders in Enoch Township, in 1833, appear upon the Monroe County tax duplicate for that year: *
David Cunningham, section 31, 98 acres, value $111; same, 1 mill, $80; William Craig, section 27, 80 acres, $91; Stephen Harris, section 8, 80 acres, $100; Francis Headley, section 8, 80 acres, $100; George Harris, section 18, 97 acres, $106; Francis Hupp, section 28, 97 acres, $100 ; same, section 35 (in Jefferson), 159 acres, $182 ; same, section 27, 60 acres, $68; Philip Hupp, section 27, 50 acres, $57; Samuel Powell, section 7, 95 acres, $119; Isaac Powell, sec- tion 18, 96 acres, $120; James Powell, section 18, 96 acres, $120; James Row- land, section 31, 29 acres, $55; Robin- son Sanford, section 31, 29 acres, $55; David Taylor, section 27, 51 acres, $57.
The following were owners of per- sonal property in Enoch Township- in its entire territory -in 1883, in addition to those already named :*
John Armstrong, Obed Ackley, Samuel Craig, Jeffries Cunningham,
*We have here given the names of only those whose land lay within the present limits of the township. Those belonging elsewhere are given in the histories of the townships in which the lands are now included .- ED.
*Many of the persons named among the owners of personal property were residents within the present limits of Stock Township.
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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Washington Cunningham, Ebenezer Cunningham, Elisha Enochs, Henry Enochs, Widow Enochs, Widow Gran- don, Philip Gates, Enoch Grandon, Iliram Hupp, Alexander Hupp, Henry Hupp, Daniel Hupp, Morgan Harris, John McMillen, William McBride, John McBride, George McClure, James Rowland, James McClure, Mary Rufus, Alexander Sweeney, George Sweeney, Barton Wells, William Young, Richard Warfield.
Enoch Township was named for Elisha Enochs, who was one of its most prominent citizens. He located on section 1, below Carlisle, and was one of the first settlers on the East Fork. He held the office of justice many years. He was also treas- urer, and afterward commissioner of Monroe County.
On the 1st of May, 1851, the county commissioners established the bound- aries of Enoch Township as follows:
"Commencing at the southwest corner of section 31 in township 6 and range 8; thence east along said township line to the southeast corner of section 33 in said township and range; thence north along the section line to the southwest corner of sec- tion 27 in said township and range; thence east along the section line to the southeast corner of said section 27; thence north along the section line to the northeast corner of section 10 in said township and range; thence west to the northwest corner of said section 10; thence north to the northeast corner of section 4 in said township and range; thence west along the township line to the northwest corner of said township
number 6 and range 8; thence south along said township line to the place of beginning: containing twenty-two sections."
The first justice of the peace in Enoch Township, after the formation of Noble County, was Alfred Ogle, who qualified April 15, 1851.
June 6, 1855, on petition of Jona- than Echelberry and twenty-seven others, the county commissioners or- dered that sections 31, 32 and 33 be struck from Center Township and attached to Enoch. September 3, 1855, on petition of Abraham M. Bryan and others, the northern half of section 31, township 7, range 8, was attached to Center.
The township contains a great number of never-failing springs of pure water. There is an abundance of coal of good quality, but so far none has been mined except for local supply. A seven-foot vein has been worked for years on the Hohman farm.
The township derives its name from the Enochs family, who were pioneer settlers on the East Fork of Duck Creek, near Carlisle. While the township retained its original boundaries, Elisha Enochs was one of its foremost, citizens.
The Harrises were among the early settlers in the western part of the township, where their descendants still live. Morgan, Stephen and George IIarris were the sons of Eli- jah Harris, a pioneer of Olive Town- ship. George Harris was considered a good hunter in his day. He lived on the farm now owned by his son, Sampson. Morgan lived on the
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ENOCH.
farm now owned by Alfred Harris. Stephen Harris, still living in West Virginia, at the age of eighty-nine, settled on the August Dimerling farm. George Harris had a camp on Middle Creek prior to 1812. IIe left it and went into the war against Great Britain. A stream which ran past his camp is still known as "George's Run."
George Harris was a very skillful hunter. He was able to imitate the noise inade by a deer with such accuracy as to deceive the animals themselves. He would secrete him- self and repeat the call until the deer had approached within easy shooting distance, then his rifle would speak with fatal results. On one occasion he had been away from home, and on his return was informed by his wife Betsy that a bear had killed one of his hogs. She knew where the car- cass of the hog lay, and George promised to get up early in the morn- ing to hunt for the bear. Knowing the habits of the animal, he felt sure the bear would return for a breakfast of pork. Betsy, equally as interested in the destruction of the bear, routed her husband out long before day- break, and they proceeded together to the spot where the dead hog lay. The bear was there, too, and as he stood up erect at the sound of ap- proaching footsteps, Harris shot, and wounded him fatally.
Samuel, James and Isaac Powell were brothers, who settled early in the western part of the township. Samuel was a prominent man, and held the office of justice of the peace early. He sold his farm to Robert
Lowe, who in turn sold to William Manifold. Samuel Powell died in Wisconsin. He was a preacher in the United Brethren church. The wife of Samuel Powell was Hannah, daughter of Elijah Harris, Sr. Her sister Ann was the wife of Isaac Powell.
Francis Headley, who sold out to Henry Miller, had a good improve- ment on the creek where he was an early settler. He went to Iowa, where he died.
Philip Hupp, another early resi- dent, went west, and is still living. Daniel Hupp lived on the creek. He was a brother of George Hupp, an early settler of Jefferson Township, and a brother-in-law of Francis Hupp.
Ephraim had a brother Manasseh, who delighted in playing practical jokes. By some means he became possessed of the rattle of a rattle- snake, and once when out in the huckleberry bushes, produced it and began shaking it in order to have some fun with "Eph." The latter, hearing the noise, asked what it was, to which Manasseh replied, "-, Eph, here's a rattler !" Manasseh afterward related the incident in his own inimitable way, and declared that " Eph" jumped as high as the tops of the bushes around them.
William Craig and Francis Hupp were among the earliest settlers on the "little creek "- Middle Creek. Francis Hupp was rough but honest. He was a leading Methodist. He gained a large amount of property, and was highly respected. His son Ephraim was something of a char-
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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
acter. On one occasion he went to Zanesville to enter a tract of land, and was asked where it lay. "Lays jest up alongside of dad's big med- der." " But what range and town- ship is it in ?" "I don't know what township it's in, but it is the best range you ever saw; ridge weeds and pea vines up to your waist! " or words to that effect.
David Cunningham was a pioneer on the place where Captain Moseley now lives. He had one of the early horse-mills of the county, which was in operation several years. His sons, Washington and Jefferson, occupied the farm after him. Both are now dead.
Robinson Sanford was a New England Yankee, a shrewd, intelli gent man. His son Dwight was justice of the peace several years, and one of the early probate judges of the county.
James Rowland, a prominent, early settler, lived in the southwest corner of the township. He was an earnest Democrat and always alive on polit- ical subjects.
The early elections of Enoch Town- ship were held on the creek known as Otterslide, on the Rice farm. The Rices were pioneers, who came here from Marion Township - William Rice and his sons William, Harrison and George.
Lebbeus Fordyce was one of the prominent early settlers of this town- ship. Ile came from Waynesburg, Pa, where he was born in 1797, andr vhere he passed his youth and early man- hood, and where he also studied law and surveying; he became a practi-
cal surveyor and came to what is now Beaver Township about 1815; he surveyed the village of Batesville and in 1838 removed to Enoch Township, where he purchased a large tract of land near the present village of Fulda, which he afterward sold to German settlers. He became one of the prominent and influential citizens of that region. Jabez Belford, after- ward a prominent lawyer and his son-in-law, lived with him for many years, and with him began the study of the law. Mr. Fordyce lived in Enoch until his decease, which oc- curred in 1860. He had a family of ten children, only four of whom, Clar- rissa (Belford), Abigail (Rathbone), Mary (Deurth) and Lebbeus, are now living.
John Smith was an early settler in the northern part of the township. James Lincicum is an old resident in the same locality.
Morgan Harris built a grist mill on Middle Creek, on the farm now owned by Chris. Rice, as early as 1836. It was a small affair, but neverthe- less very useful.
John Wickham was a prominent, early settler in the northern part of the township. He removed to Iowa with his family. He had an early horse-mill. John Cunningham, in the southern part of the township, had an early distillery, which was well patronized. He left the country and was never again heard from.
Charles W. Moseley, a native of Tennessee, was reared in Winchester, Va. He came to Summerfield, Ohio, about 1825, and erected the first cabin there. He was a bricklayer
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ENOCH.
and plasterer. He settled in Enoch Township in 1840. He was the father of Captain William L. Mose- ley, of this township. He was a good man, but somewhat excitable. IIe was a firm Methodist, and was the leader of the first class formed in Summerfield. Wesley Neptune says he once found Mr. Moseley praying for grace to keep from whipping one of his neighbors, who was a pro- nounced secessionist.
James Moore, a shoemaker, who came from New York City, was the first settler on the place now owned by Moses Armstrong, in the western part of the township. James Arm- strong, father of Moses, came from Belmont County, and purchased the place of Moore in 1841.
The German settlement began in 1837, and has steadily progressed ever since, until now the native-born Americans, descendants of the early settlers, are comparatively few in the township. The German settlement began in the vicinity of Fulda. It has since spread over nearly all of Enoch Township, and over portions of the neighboring townships of Stock, Elk and Jefferson.
Valentine Weaver, or "Felty" Weaver, as he was called, was the first German to secure title to a piece of land in Enoch Township. He was a Protestant from Bavaria, but all the other early comers were Catho- lics. They came principally from the German state Kurhessen (Hesse-Cas- sel). Few came directly from Ger- many, but most of them had been in the country a few years, working at various occupations in different cities,
so that they had become somewhat acquainted with the English language and also with American customs. The tax list of 1833, elsewhere given, will show that at that date the ter- ritory now comprised in Enoch Town- ship had very few settlers. Those few had been here, some of them for twenty years, but their improvements were so small and so far apart that the township was practically a wil- derness. Its surface is rough and very hilly, and though the soil is good, the country was not of the nature to attract the native pioneers, and thus the scarcity of settlers is accounted for. But when the pioneer Germans came and found land cheap and abundant, to be procured either at first hand at government price, or very cheaply when purchased from those who then owned it, a new epoch began in the history of Enoch Township. The first settlers wrote to their friends scattered here and there in Germany and America, and advised them to come. And soon there was a thrifty settlement of in- dustrious, frugal and prosperous peo- ple. Soon they had religious serv- ices and schools, and their prosperity has been steady and constant ever since. The township is now among the most populous in the county, and most of the citizens are property owners and have good, comfortable homes. In fifty years, the German settlers have accomplished more than the same number of native Ameri- cans would have accomplished in a century. All the pioneers of this race were poor at the start, and came here with barely enough money to
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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
enter forty or eighty acres of land. But they were all diligent workers, and thoroughly versed in the art of economy. They lived upon corn- bread and the simplest food, and were unceasing in their efforts to im- prove the condition of their prop- erty. Many of them were unaccus- tomed to farm work, and to all, the work of farming new land was a new experience. But all made a living, and many acquired large estates. Buying piece after piece of land, and paying for it in small installments ; assigning every member of the fam- ily, boy or girl, work suited to their age, making every cent count, almost every German prospered in spite of disadvantages and obstacles which would have been insurmountable to a less courageous people.
Jno. Hohman and Leonard Schoepp- ner came to America from Hesse in 1835. Mathias Schockling, a French Alsatian, came to this country earlier. In the year 1837 these three, with "Felty " Weaver, made a settlement in Enoch Township, all bringing their families in that year except Schoeppner. Weaver located on sec- tion 4, Schockling on the same sec- tion, Hohman on section 9, and Schoeppner on section 8. John Schoeppner came from Wheeling to the farm on which his son Leonard lives in 1837, and built a house, to which he removed his family in the following year. In the second year he met with a serious misfort- une, getting his leg broken. His children were Eve (Snyder) and Leonard. He died in 1875 in his eighty-seventh year. In 1839 Valen-
tine Sailing and John Warner came from Philadelphia and settled in the southern part of the township, near Middleburg. In 1840, also from Philadelphia, came August Dimer- ling, Francis Ebert and Michael Blake. Other early German settlers, without regard to date, some of them as early as those already men- tioned, were two by the name of John Hill, John Gharst, who died in 1885, aged eighty-five years, John Yaeger, John Michael, Adam Shafer, Michael Shott, John Arnold, Joseph Miller, Henry Huffman, Nicholas Kohlman, Ferdinand Hupp, Henry Hupp, Philip Snyder, Conrad Craft, Joseph Crum, and others elsewhere mentioned.
From 1840 to 1850 immigration was largest. Probably sixty or seventy families located in the town- ship and vicinity during that period. Some became discouraged and left after a few years of struggling in the wilderness. But by far the greater number stuck to their work with true German perseverance, and by hard work made themselves good homes. The early settlers found game quite abundant, and it formed no unimportant part in the scant list of household supplies. As soon as they had been here long enough to learn the process, or in three or four years after their coming, most of the Germans engaged in raising tobacco, deadening the trees and burning off the leaves, then plowing the ground if it could be plowed, and if not, digging it over with a hoe. The virgin soil thus treated yielded good crops. The tobacco industry is still
John B. Hill
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND BILDEN FOUNDATIONS M
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an important one to the farmers of the township. For their tobacco market, in early years, they went to New Lexington, Colorado, Summer- field and Middleburg. Of late Fulda has become an important tobacco- packing village. Nearly every farmer had a patch of flax, which was worked by hand into linen and linsey-wool- sey goods for family use. At first there was a great scarcity of horses, and those who were so fortunate as to own them "changed work " with their neighbors who had no teams. Oxen were also used to some extent in farm work. There was also a scarcity of wagons, which were in- deed well nigh useless in a country without roads. It was a frequent sight to see a farmer going to mill car- rying a grist upon his shoulders. But in an incredibly short time the Ger- mans equipped themselves with every requisite for successful farming, made roads, built school-houses and a church, and attained such prosperity as only persevering industry, rigid economy and well-directed efforts can win. The leading idea of the Germans who came here was to make a home and enjoy the blessings of liberty. They bravely endured toil and hardship, inspired by the thought that their sons and daughters would grow up in a country where the people make their own laws and are not subject to burdensome taxes to keep up a large standing army and add to the wealth of petty princes and rulers.
John Hohman, called Doctor Hohman, came to the township with his family in 1837, removing from
Wheeling. IIe had some knowledge of medicine, and practiced for several years in the German settlement. His sons, Joseph, Magnus and John S., then single men, came to the township with him. Another son, Maurice, came in 1845. Dr. Hohman induced many Germans to come by writing to them of the advantages of the country. His son, John S., be- came a very prominent business man. Joseph Hohman is still a resident of the township, and one of the few remaining early settlers.
Adam Brahler was born in Ger- many in 1810, and came to this country in 1837, and settled near Wheeling, W. Va. In 1845 he came to Fulda, where he followed farm- ing and his trade, that of a carpen- ter. He owned eighty acres of land, a part of which now belongs to his son, John. He was a devout Cath- olic. He died in 1873, his wife in 1871. John, son of Adam, was born in 1837, in Wheeling, W. Va. He married, in 1859, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Mary Shaub. They have had twelve children. He has filled all the offices in the gift of his fellow townsmen. For twelve years he has been a magistrate, and for twelve years he has been post- master. He is a worthy member of the Catholic church.
The first German school in the township was taught in a log school- house, which stood near Rupel's. Maurice Hohman and John Grass were the first German teachers. English was also taught in the neighborhood. Joseph Cleary wasan early teacher in the English schools.
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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
Newburg was once a place of some pretensions, supporting a store, a tavern, a blacksmith shop and other industries. Now it consists of about half a dozen houses, and has no stores, and no business except John S. Parker's wagon shop. The build- ing of the railroad removed the business to Dexter City.
The first store in Newburg was started about 1847, by Eber Brooks and John Brown, the former furnish- ing the capital and the latter having charge of the business. For ten years or more Brown (now living in Sharon Township) did considerable business, dealing in general merchan- dise, and buying and shipping tobacco to Baltimore. Later, James Thomp- son carried on the mercantile busi- ness. A. J. Ogle commenced in 1860, and continued six years. George A. Smith was the last merchant at Newburg.
South Olive postoffice (Truman Ransom, postmaster) was removed to Newburg in 1862, and remained there until removed to the present location after the completion of the Duck Creek Railroad.
John S. Parker kept hotel several years. For ten or twelve years he was engaged in the manufacture of wind-mills here.
Daniel Sanford and son, Robinson, came from Maine, and settled near Dexter City about 1817. Robinson Sanford was a well-known old settler and an honest, honorable man. He was a leading member of the Bap- tist church. He died in 1876. His children were William, Phear (1st), Dwight F., Gabriel, Salome, Phear
(2d) and Mary. Dwight F. Sanford was for many years a justice of the peace. In 1854 he was elected pro- bate judge and held that office at the time of his death in 1856. He was born in Maine in 1813. Hle married Lucretia A. Ogle and was the father of thirteen children.
Dwight L. Sanford was born in this township in 1837. He took part in the pursuit of Morgan in Ohio. In 1860 he married Martha A., daughter of Matthew Scott, of this county. Children : Stephen A., G. B. McClellan, Ida B. (deceased). Lafayette, Susan (Mosler), Winfield, Edward, Wayne, Samuel J. and Frank. Mr. Sanford resides upon the old homestead. He has held various township offices.
James Hesson came from Belmont County quite early, and settled on the place now occupied by Solomon Hesson. The latter was born in 1828 in Belmont County, and has resided on his present location ever since the family came to the county. James Hesson was the father of eleven children, all still living : Eliza A. (Hupp), John, Elizabeth (Hupp), Jane (Moseley), Matilda (Clark), Sarah (Sullivan), Nancy (Heiddleston), Lucinda (Archer), George, Francis and James.
Cephas Lindsey, son of Samuel Lindsey, was born on the place which he now occupies in 1843. His father came to Ohio from Bed- ford County, Pa., in 1810, when but four years of age, his parents locat- ing in Belmont County.
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