USA > Ohio > Noble County > The county of Noble; a history of Noble County, Ohio, from the earliest days, with special chapter on military affairs, and special attention given to resources. > Part 13
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.2,021
Thurman.
1,973
1869
Hayes .2,006
Pendleton
.1,914
1871.
Noyes
.1,974
McCook
.1,926
1873.
Noyes . 2,065
Allen 1,992
1875
Hayes 2,088
Allen
1,987
1877
West.
.2,058
Bishop
.2,037
1879
Foster
2,317
Ewing
2,008
Powell.
127
THE COUNTY OF NOBLE.
Of the towns Caldwell had a population of 602 in 1880; 1,248 in 1890; and 927 in 1900. Batesville 327 in 1890, and 312 in 1900; Summerfield 435 in 1880, 582 in 1890, and 511 in 1900; Sarahs- ville 249 in 1880, 306 in 1890, and 279 in 1900; Dexter City 278 in 1890 and 217 in 1900. The estimated population of Caldwell in 1903 was 1,500.
In 1900 the census department required that in taking census of towns that the work be confined within the corporate limits. This rule was not so rigidly enforced in 1890. This accounts for the apparent falling off in the population of Caldwell.
TABLE showing the principal points of interest in the county, the township in which each is located, the general direction and distance from the county seat.
Town or Village.
Township.
Direction.
Distance.
*Ava.
Noble
North
8 miles.
Batesville
Beaver
Northeast
20 miles.
* Belle Valley
Noble
North
4 miles.
Carlisle
Stock
East.
11 miles.
Crooked Tree
Jackson
South.
9 miles.
* Dexter City
Jackson
South
8 miles.
Frederickstown
Elk
East
12 miles. 7 miles.
Fulda .
Enoch
East
Harrietsville
Elk
Southeast
15 miles.
* Hiramsburg
Noble
North
6 miles.
Hoskinsville
Noble
Northwest
6 miles.
Kennonsburg
Wayne
Northeast
16 miles.
Middleburg
Jefferson
Southeast
9 miles.
Mount Ephraim
Seneca
Northeast
10 miles.
Newburg
Enoch
Southeast
8 miles.
Renrock
Brookfield
Northwest
9 miles.
*Sarahsville.
Center
Northeast
7 miles.
Sharon
Sharon
West
3 miles.
*South Olive
Olive
South .
6 miles.
*Summerfield.
Marion
Northeast
18 miles.
*Whigville
Marion
Northeast
14 miles.
* Distance by railroad.
Although one of the first counties settled, Noble is the youngest of the eighty-eight counties constituting the State of Ohio. More than a hundred years have elapsed since the first hardy pioneers penetrated the wilds of the Northwest Territory and founded settlements in what is now the great State of Ohio, and over half a century has passed away since the county of Noble was erected. What changes have come in that time! The sturdy forests have disappeared under the woods- man's ax, and where they once grew in their majesty is now seen the fields and orchards of the husbandman. The wild beasts that roamed through these forests in search of their prey have also disappeared and
128
THE COUNTY OF NOBLE.
in their stead have come the flocks and herds of domestic animals that mark the progress of civilization. The log cabin has been supplanted by the more pretentious residence of modern times; the self-binder has taken the place of the old fashioned cradle and the steam thresher has relegated the flail to oblivion. Through the valleys, once untrod- den by the foot of civilized man, is now heard the whistle of the loco- motive, while from the hills come the merry chimes of the school bells, calling the youth to the preparation of their duties as citizens in later years. The post-rider has been displaced by the magnetic tele- graph, and the long distance telephone places the people of the county in direct communication with all the important cities of the State. And while the people enjoy all these advantages of modern civilization much of it is due to their own heroic efforts. In peace or war the record of Noble county is one of steadfast devotion to duty. In the foregoing pages it has been the aim to note the development of the county's resources and the establishment of her institutions. In the second part of this work will be found some special mention of the men who have materially aided in this development, and from that part of the work the reader can gain some idea of the magnitude of the business interests of the county.
Biographical Sketches.
CASSIUS O. DYE .- Ezekiel Dye was the first of that name to settle in what is now Noble county. He was born in New Jersey, removed to Westmoreland county, Pa., and in 1804 removed once more to Ohio, settling in what is now Brookfield township, then a part of Morgan county. He took up land from the government, the deed being signed by President James Madison. The place is still known as the "Old Dye Settlement," and a portion of the original land purchase still remains in the possession of the descendants. Ezekiel Dye was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, taking prominent part in the battle of Monmouth. He was married twice, the first wife being Betsy Cox, of Pennsylvania, and of the same family as "Sunset" Cox. She bore him ten children : Thomas, Ezekiel, Vincent, William, John, Amos, Rebecca, Polly, Sarah, and Acha, all of whom are now deceased, leav- ing descendants in Eastern Ohio. The second marriage was to Mrs. Sarah (Egbert) Paul, and to them were born nine children : Joseph, Louis, James, Furman, Morgan, Betsey, Lucinda, Charlotte, and Cynthia, all of whom are now deceased except Furman, the youngest. Mr. Dye was a nephew of Anthony Applegate, of Revolutionary fame, who was shot in his own door by the Tories. Furman Dve was the youngest child of Ezekiel Dye, and was born in March, 1820, at the old homestead near Renrock, now Noble county. He was reared in that vicinity, and has spent his entire life in Morgan and Noble counties. He received a good education and taking up the study of medicine, prepared himself for that profession, but never practiced. He has always been a man of note in the section of the state in which he lived, taking a prominent part in public affairs as a political speaker. He was married to Lucy McElroy, a native of Noble county, and a daughter of Samuel McElroy, of Irish descent and an early settler of Eastern Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Dve were born seven children : Laura, now Mrs. Carr, of Coshocton ; Wayland, a physi- cian, now deceased; Henrietta, deceased ; Courtland H., deceased ; Georgia, wife of J. A. Mcclellan of Cumberland ; Cassius O .; and Forrest R., city editor of the Zanesville Signal. Furman Dye and wife are both living and enjoying their old age in the village of Ren- rock. Cassius O. Dye was born in Morgan county, on November 28,
9
130
THE COUNTY OF NOBLE.
1866, and was reared and educated there. He began his career as a teacher, and followed that vocation for about eight years, in the mean- time reading law. In 1892 he came to Caldwell and continued his studies in the offices of J. M. McGinnis, and in March, 1893, he was admitted to the bar, beginning to practice immediately, and contin- uing to the present time. In the spring of 1895 he was elected mayor of Caldwell, serving one term, and in the spring of 1899 he was again elected to that position, serving another term. In the fall of 1897 he was the Democratic candidate for Representative in the state legisla- ture, and although the county is about six hundred Republican, he was beaten by only eighty-eight. Mr. Dye was married in 1888 to Florence Thorla, daughter of F. W. Thorla, an old resident of Brookfield. Four children have been born to them, Valerie Ethel, Dorothy Edith, Donald Leslie, and Florence Muriel. Mr. Dye is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being district deputy Grand Chancellor for the counties of Noble, Washington, Morgan and Monroe. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
HON. ALFRED M. MORRIS .- Isaac Morris, the first of the family of which the Hon. Alfred M. Morris is a descendant, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in an early day. He located in what is now Stock township, Noble county, then a part of Monroe county, and was a man of distinction and prominence and of great influence in his community .. He was the father of a large family, of whom James Morris was one of the sons. James Morris was born in Stock township in 1823, was reared and educated there, and was a farmer by occupation. During the Civil war he served as a private, taking part in the Virginia campaign, the siege of Vicks- burg and Sherman's March to the Sea. At the close of the war he returned to Noble county, remaining there the rest of his life. In 1844 he married a Miss Archer, of an old family of Noble county, and to that union were born four sons and five daughters, of whomn three sons are living: Martin, of Michigan; Simon, of Carlisle ; and Stephen, of Texas. The oldest child, Albert, now deceased, was born December 25, 1845, in Stock township, was reared, educated and lived the most of his life in Noble county. He was engaged the most of his life in the mercantile business. He served as a private about eighteen months during the latter part of the Civil war, taking part in the battles around Chattanooga, and from there to Atlanta. He was married in 1866 to Martha Moore, daughter of an old resident of Noble county. They were the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Alfred M., Jennie, wife of Jacob Claypool of Guernsey county ; and Minnie, wife of Charles Hayman of Licking county. Mr. Morris married for his second wife, Belle Clark, and to them was born one child, Charles Roscoe,
131
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
who with his mother survive Mr. Morris who died January 7, 1901. ยท Alfred Maywood Morris, the subject of this sketch, was born at East Union, Noble county, January 1, 1869. He was reared in Noble county, was educated at the East Union schools until he was sixteen years of age, and at the Normal School at Caldwell. At the age of fourteen he received a teacher's certificate, and at the age of sixteen began teaching, following that vocation for ten years. During the last three he read law with James M. McGinnis, of Caldwell, and in December 1892, was admitted to the bar. Mr. Morris began the practice of his profession at once, and in the fall of 1893, was elected prosecuting attorney of Noble county, and re-elected in 1896, serving until January, 1900. Two years later he formed a partnership with his former tutor, James McGinnis, which still continues. He was married in 1890 to Mariba Harris, a daughter of Sampson Harris, an old resident of Noble county. Four children have been born to this union: Ronald, deceased ; Opal, Lucy, and Geneva. Mr. Mor- ris is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Knights of Pythias.
MARTIN B. ARCHER .- In the very first years of the nineteenth century, five families from northwestern Virginia and western Penn- sylvania settled in what is now Noble county, the place of settlement being known as the "East Fork of Duck Creek," lying between Crum Town and the source of the stream. The history leading up to this settlement is very interesting. At the close of the eighteenth century, Patrick Archer and his brother came from Ireland to this country, Patrick locating at Waynesburg, Pa., and the brother at Baltimore. It is impossible to follow the history of the brother but suffice it to say that a number of the leading men of Maryland in after years were his descendants. Patrick Archer had a very large family, only one of whom ever came to these parts-James ; he had a family of six sons and four daughters, most of whom in turn were married and had families; these were the first of the Archer name to settle in what is now Noble county. The names of the children were: James, Jr., Michael, Simon, Jacob, Joseph, Nathan, Rachel, Nancy, Betsy, and Polly. Most of the sons served in the War of 1812. James Archer, Jr., was born in Pennsylvania, was a farmer by occupation, following that all his life. He married Rhoda Enochs, a daughter of Captain Enoch Enochs, an officer in the Revolutionary war. Howe in his history reports him to have been killed in a battle with the Indians near the Ohio, but this is a mistake, as he came to what is now Noble county with his family, and died there. Mr. Enochs was a Hollander and a man of remarkable force of character and broad intellect. He had several noted descendants, among whom was General William H. Enochs, of Civil war fame. James and
132
THE COUNTY OF NOBLE.
Rhoda (Enochs) Archer were the parents of James (3), Amy, Cynthia, Stephen, Henry, Enoch, Joseph, and Jacob, and two daughters, one of whom married John Dye and the other Mr. Dailey. James Archer (3), was the oldest son of the family, and was born in Virginia in 1800, coming to Ohio with his parents when but a child. He received a good education, was a farmer all his life, and besides that was a local preacher in the Methodist church for a number of years. He was a man of great influence and integrity, and was commonly known by his friends as "Preacher Jim." He married Cynthia Morris, daughter of Isaac Morris and they became the par- ents of George, Jonas, John W., Stephen M., Isaac, Celia, and Cynthia. Stephen M. Archer was born in what is now Stock town- ship, in 1837, received a common school education and has always lived in Noble county, engaged in farming, stock raising and tobacco dealing. He married Rachel Matheny, daughter of Cyrus Matheny, a Methodist minister and old resident of Noble county. Mr. and Mrs. Archer are still living in Noble county, the parents of six children living, who are: Martin B .; Rosa, wife of W. T. Hague; Cicero M., a farmer in Marion township; Eastman W., in the mer- cantile business at East Union ; Esther, wife of Charles Craig; and Stephen M., Jr., principal of schools at Maple Grove, Seneca county. Martin B. Archer, the subject of this sketch, was born in Stock township, August 26, 1860, was educated in the common schools and at the Normal. Upon reaching manhood he engaged in farming until 1890, when he entered the mercantile business at East Union for three years. In 1887 he was the Republican candidate for county treasurer but was beaten in the convention by five votes. In 1893 he was unanimously nominated for Probate Judge, elected, re-elected in 1896, leading the presidential ticket by one hundred fifty-two votes. In the fall of 1900 he was upon the Republican state electoral ticket for the fifteenth district, and was elected. He has frequently been a delegate to conventions of his party. In 1897 he was admitted to the bar, and after the expiration of his term as Probate Judge, he began the practice of his profession. Mr. Archer was married November 30, 1887, to Arabella Rutherford, daughter of Joseph Rutherford, an old resident of Center township. Five children are the fruits of this union : Bertie, Jessie, Katie, Howell C., and Grace. Mr. Archer is a member of the Masonic Order.
JAMES R. KEENAN .- James Keenan was the first of the name to settle in the territory now comprised in Noble county. He was born in Waynesburg, Pa., was reared and educated there and engaged in the occupation of a stock drover. He came to Ohio in 1838, locating at the head waters of Captina Creek, probably in Franklin township. Mr. Keenan died there and the family remained until 1847, remov-
133
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ing to Quaker City. Thomas and Margaret (Rinehart) Keenan were the parents of four children, Thomas, Hugh, James, Jr., and Alice, all but one of whom are living. Thomas Keenan was born in Waynesburg, Pa., in 1832, coming to Ohio at an early age. Ho was educated in the common schools and in Meadville College, Pa., working his own way in the latter case. He followed teaching for a number of years, then took up farming, continuing until his death in 1888. He was a Captain of the Home Guards at Quaker City, his especial duty being to guard a trestle on the B. and O. Road between Spencer Station and Barnesville. This he did and pro- tected it when Morgan made his raid through Ohio. Mr. Keenan was twice married, in 1860 to Tamar Reed, by whom he had one daughter, Clara N., now a resident of Beaver township. He was married the second time to Maria Reed, a cousin of the first wife, and a daughter of James P. Reed, a native of Virginia, and to them were born seven children: Emmett and Emma, twins, the former principal of the high school at Batesville; the latter wife of Philip Kreamer of Somerton; Ella, wife of Thomas M. Burrough; James R. ; Martha, the county superintendent of schools of Custer county, Idaho; Margaret, now Mrs. McGowan; and Thomas, of Shenandoah, Iowa, where he holds the position of vice-president of a Normal College and is professor of higher mathematics ; he was a student of the State Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., and at the age of nineteen, through the recommendation of the faculty he secured the position of professor of higher mathematics in the Lin- coln State Normal School, at Lincoln, Nebraska, holding that posi- tion until the buildings burned and the institution was abandoned. The mother died March 3, 1895, at Batesville. James R. Keenan, the subject of this sketch, was born in Batesville, September 15, 1868. He was reared and educated there, spent some years on the farm, and then three years in the oil fields. He was married in 1893 to Bertie Gebhart, of Batesville, who died in 1898, leaving two children, Pauline and Thomas. Mr. Keenan was married the second time to Florence Robinson, daughter of John W. Robinson, an old resident of Caldwell. In 1894 Mr. Keenan began the study of law under F. B. Dondna of Quaker City, and in 1897 was admitted to the bar. He entered at once upon the practice of law at Batesville, where he remained until 1900, removing then to Caldwell. Mr. Keenan is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in religious matters affiliates with the Methodist church.
ROBERT C. DOWNEY .- Thomas Downey, the grandfather of Rob- ert C. Downey, was the first of that family to locate in what is now Noble county. He was born of Irish parents in Maryland in the latter part of the eighteenth century, was reared in that state, received
134
THE COUNTY OF NOBLE.
a common school education and adopted farming as an occupation. In the early part of the last century he removed to Ohio, locating for a short time in Harrison and Belmont counties, and coming to Noble county in 1822, where he took up land from the government. Thomas and Margaret (Tracey) Downey were the parents of fourteen chil- dren, eleven sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to maturity, but are now among the silent majority. Their names were: Bazel, Walter, Merriam, Joseph, Enhraim, Thomas, Doctor, John. Elza, Jacob, Chloe. Margaret, and Rebecca ; four of these having descend- ants in Noble countv. Doctor Downey was the seventh son of Thomas Downey, was born in Maryland in 1807, received a common school education, and was fifteen years of age when his parents located in Ohio. He followed the vocation of a farmer, and was supervisor of Noble township for twenty-five consecutive years. He was twice married, in 1831 to Elizabeth Hellver, a native of Virginia, who became the mother of six children : Lucinda, deceased : Robert C .: Rachel, wife of Perry Davis: John G .: Hiram J., deceased ; and Nancy Jane. wife of Isaac MeLaughlin, of Franklin, Ind. Mr. Downey died February 28. 1891. Robert C. Downey, the subject of this sketch, was born in Noble townshin May 11, 1834. He received an academic education, taught school and followed farming a number of years, and in 1859 took up the study of medicine. He spent two years in the medical department of Michigan University and graduated from the Sterling Medical College at Columbus in 1863. Immediately after his graduation he entered the service as assistant surgeon of the Thirteenth Ohio volunteer cavalry, remaining with them until after the surrender at Appomattox. after which he returned to Noble county and began the practice of his profession at Sarahsville. Dr. Downey came to Caldwell in 1884. and for the last ten years has conducted a dinsomania cure. He filled the office of Coroner of Noble county for four years. Dr. Downey has been married four times ; first in 1853, 10 Jane Bugher, who died in 1855, leaving one son, Luther U., now a practicing attorney at Gasport, Ind. The second marriage was in 1860 to Mollie E. Noble. daughter of John Noble, an old resident of Noble county, who died in 1863. The third marriage was in 1867 to Mrs. Lizzie (Tones) Ball, a daughter of Elias B. Jones, an old resident of Noble county: she passed away in 1883. Dr. Downey was married in 1884 to Angie L. Swank, of Brooklyn. N. Y. Dr. Downey is a member of the Masonis order, being a Roval Arch Mason. also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a supporter of the Methodist church.
WILLIAM C. OKEY .- A history of Noble county would certainly be incomplete without mention of this venerable gentleman, whose well known form is familiar to nearly every man, woman and child in the
135
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
county. In deference to his years and long and successful experience as an attorney and counselor at law, he is familiarly known as "Judge" Okey, though his life has been spent in private practice and he has seldom given a thought to the honors of office. Judge Okey was born in Woodsfield, Monroe county, August 24, 1828. His entire life has been spent in the vicinity of his birthplace, and his early years were given to labor upon the parental farm. The environ- ments of those days were such as to inure him to the hardships and privation of pioneer life, and develop that sturdy manhood which has followed him through a long career of usefulness. His father was James Okey, a typical pioneer of Monroe county, a citizen of prominence and usefulness, serving the people in the capacity of a magistrate for twenty-one years, and twice as a representative in the Ohio legislature. Mr. Okey, the subject of this review, attended the district schools of his neighborhood, usually only a few months during the winter seasons, and devoted the balance of his time to the labors required on the undeveloped home farm. By close application to his work in the subscription schools, he was enabled to pursue the higher studies in an academy, and in time was qualified to teach school. While thus employed and during vacations he took up the study of the law under private tutors, and made rapid progress in this direction. In 1849 he entered the law office of Nathan Hollister at Woodsfield, continuing his studies with only temporary interrup- tions, until 1851, when he was admitted to the bar. A year following he opened an office in Sarahsville, which was then the county seat of the recently formed Noble county, the firm name being Hollister, Okey & Hollister. Mr. Okey made rapid strides toward a position of prominence in his profession and was early recognized as a capable, honest and trustworthy young attorney. But even the most experi- enced in the profession did not find the law a source of great recom- pense in the early fifties ; and Mr. Okey was induced to accept an appointment as clerk of the courts of Noble county, in 1855. He was his own successor at the following election, and after serving about three years voluntarily retired to resume his law practice. By the expressed will of the people, the county seat was removed to Cald- well during Mr. Okey's term as clerk, and he followed the seat of government to the new location, being thus one of the first settlers of Caldwell. When the war cloud darkened the land, he promptly laid aside personal considerations, and volunteered his services in Com- pany E of the Ninety-Second Ohio volunteer infantry, and was chosen to the second position in command of his company. The exposures of camp and field, and the arduous duties of those stirring times, impaired his health and he was obliged to retire from the service in 1863, receiving an honorable discharge by reason of dis- ability. He soon resumed his professional work and has continued
136
THE COUNTY OF NOBLE.
a prominent and honored citizen all these years. In 1866 he formed a law partnership with Jabez Belford, a prominent attorney of the county, and this continued until the death of Mr. Belford in 1882. Mr. Okey has never been an office seeker, but has always manifested a deep interest in politics, local and general. He has been a firm and unwavering supporter of the Democratic party, though not at all times in full sympathy with some of the principles advanced by that time honored organization. In 1870 Mr. Okey accepted the nomination of his party for the office of Judge of the court of Com- mon Pleas, and while the district was known to be overwhelmingly Republican, he entered the contest to lead a forlorn hope. His defeat was a compliment to himself in that he succeeded in reducing the majority polled for his competitor, to a very small margin, and car- ried his own county by a majority of three hundred fifty. This was the only time in his history that he would consent to enter a political contest, and possibly had he been assured of success, he might have reconsidered this action. In recent years Mr. Okey has relaxed some of his former professional energy and ambition, and has allowed the mantle of his well earned popularity to fall upon the shoulders of his son, Joseph A., who wears the dignity with becoming honors. Mr. Okey has been twice married, choosing for his first companion in 1851, Miss Julia Ring, of Monroe county, who lived but ten years, and then Miss Ruth Caldwell became his wife, and the mother of his two sons, Joseph A. and Edwin Forrest. The former is a grad- uate of Ohio Wesleyan University and of the Cincinnati Law School, and is a well known and successful attorney in Caldwell. The other son is a telegraph operator, located at Woodsfield. Mrs. Okey is a daughter of Joseph Caldwell, one of the first settlers in the vicinity of Caldwell and a family well and favorably known throughout the county. Though well past the "three score and ten years" allotted to man Mr. Okey is still in the enjoyment of a fair degree of health, and in possession of all the natural faculties. For many years he has been a communicant in the Baptist church, and has taken an active interest in things spiritual. He has been a member of the Masonic Order from early manhood. Such in brief is the life, full of years and replete with good works, and when the final summons shall come to lay aside the weapons of this world's warfare, the record of a well spent life should be a passport to the well earned rest.
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