OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - HISTORY: Chapter 17(1) [HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY Chicago, 1884) 
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                     Chapter XVII.
          Porter, Clay and Harrison Townships.

                     Porter Township
  This township has the honor of being the first settled in Scioto County, claiming Sam'l 
Marshall, Jno. Lindsay, Isaac Bonser, Uriah Barber, as its first settlers. Lindsay and 
Bonser married daughters of Mr. Sam'l Marshall. Mr. Marshall first settled on Congress 
land, but after making considerable improvement left it and leased a school section, and 
made excellent improvements and secured the land. Porter Township has an Ohio River 
front of fully ten miles, and has also the fertile valley of the Little Scioto within its 
borders for a distance of five miles, and at the point it then turns north, is but a trifle over 
two miles from the Ohio River. At its junction with the latter, it has a wide and fertile 
bottom, extending some two miles back, on account of quite a large bend in the Little 
Scioto, about one mile from its mouth. From its long river front and the peculiar richness 
of its soil, its prolific yield and ease of cultivation, that part of Scioto County embrace 
within the limits of what is now Porter Township rapidly settled. For many years it kept 
the lead in population, and at this day, with the exception of Portsmouth, which now 
covers Wayne Township, it has the largest population of any township in the county, with 
Bloom ranking as a good second, and Brush Creek not far behind.
  In the year 1840 Porter had a population of 1,013; in 1850, 1,674; in 1860, 1,873; in 
1870, 1,965; in 1880, 2,274. These gains or increase in population have not been great 
since 1850, but it has been a steady one, and better the last decade than the two decades 
previous, showing a more enterprising spirit. The wealth of the township is pretty evenly 
distributed among its inhabitants, and while not as great in proportion to some has a 
better average to the citizen.

                     Area and Valuation.
  In regard to size Porter Township is the smallest of the fifteen townships, outside of 
Portsmouth, comprising the municipal divisions of the county. It has assessed upon the 
tax duplicate 12,196 acres of lands. Washington Township is taxed but upon thirty-seven 
acres more, and Rush comes next, with 758 acres more, but with only a trifle over half of 
Porter's assessed valuation.
 The valuation was given in 1882 on real estate at $240960; chattel property, $183,629; a 
total of $424,589. The increase in chattel property of 1880, two years, was $33,106, the 
greatest gain of any township in the county. As it lies upon the Ohio River, it follows the 
bend, and the Western portion is rather a narrow strip; thence east some three miles, 
when it takes the form of nearly a square lying east of the bend of the Ohio and running 
north to the Harrison Township line. Its average width is about four miles, which lies on a 
line east of the bend. It is bounded on the north by Harrison Township, on the east by 
Vernon, on the south by Greene and the Ohio river, and on the west by the Ohio River 
and Clay Township. It is principally watered by the Little Scioto in the southern and 
eastern portion, which crossed the township in a northwesterly direction, emptying into 
the Ohio. There are also a few small tributaries, all giving the township an abundance of 
water. On leaving the valleys the country is somewhat broken and hilly, but taken 
together may be considered one of the best agricultural townships in the county, only 
exceeded, if at all, by Clay and Valley townships. Coal and iron ore are found within its 
limits, and fire-clay in such quantities as has caused it to become one of the leading 
industries of the township, fire brick being made in large quantities. Tilling is another 
industry which is growing.

                     When Formed.
  When the county was organized, in 1803, the present territory of Porter was a part of 
Wayne and Greene townships, and it was not until 1814 Porter became a separate 
municipality. The order forming it was made Dec. 6, 1814, as follows:
  "Ordered, That the petition for a new township by sundry persons of Wayne and Greene  
townships be granted, and that the following be the bounds: To begin at Ira Hitchcock's 
upper corner; thence on the river up the Ohio to the mouth of the creek; thence to Hale's 
Creek so fat that a due west line will strike the lower back corner of the grant; thence 
with the line of Bloom Township and Madison Township so far as to strike a due north 
line drawn from the place of beginning, called Porter Township."
  Later a change seems to have been wanted, and a petition was presented to change the 
township line. This was granted by the commissioners, and the following order made:
  "Beginning at the mouth of Hale's Creek; thence up the said creek with the meanders to 
where it strikes the French Grant, lots Nos. 54 and 66; thence a northeasterly course with 
line of the French Grant to lots Nos. 78 and 90 to the southeast corner of fractional 
section No. 21, range 20, in township No. 2; thence north with the original surveyed 
township line to the northeast corner of section No. 36, in range No. 20, in township No. 
3; thence west with the original section lines to the northwest corner of section No. 36, in 
range No. 21, in township No. 2; thence south to the Ohio River; thence up the Ohio 
River with the meanderings to the beginning for the boundaries of Porter Township."

                     Early Settlers.
 There are the names of many of the old pioneers of Porter Township entered among the 
list of old settlers given in the history of Scioto County, and among those who were born 
here, or came in childhood's days and are yet living, are: Madison Price, Elias Marshall 
and Levi Smith, of Sciotoville; Jonathan Hurd, James Littlejohn and Theodore Bliss, of 
Wheelersburg; and Isaac Fullerton and John Baccus. Among the oldest couples living 
are: Mr. and Mrs. Gibbens, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hurd, all of whom are over eighty 
years of age, with the prospect of several more years of a quiet and peaceful life.

                     Items of Interest.
 Porter Township was named after the son of Major Porter Wheeler. The first election 
was held in 1803, at the house of Samuel Marshall, Sr., and after organization at the 
house of Jesse Marshall.
  William Price kept the first tavern, just below the mouth of the Little Scioto.
  William Morrison was the first wagon-maker in Porter Township.
  The Baccus School-house, the first in the central portion of the township, away from the 
river, was erected in 1816. Walter Beloat was its first teacher.
  The first church was erected in 1817, and was under the charge of the Rev. Rufus 
Cheney – Free-Will Baptist.
  The first public school built was on the property of Daniel Young. Jesse Y. Whitcomb 
and John Young were teachers.
  At their first Fourth of July celebration, at Major Samuel Bonser's, a cannon was used 
made out of a gum-tree, strongly strapped with iron bands. It was made by Samuel B. 
Burt.
 Jessie Marshall opened the first store in Portsmouth Township in 1812, at the point now 
known as Wait's Station. It was before the township was organized, and was known for 
some years as the Vinton Price place.
  William Brown started the second in the front room of his house in 1835. These were 
the only two stores in the township at that time.
  The Portsmouth Branch of the Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore Railroad enters the 
western side and passes through the northern part of the township for some seven miles, 
and the Scioto Valley Railroad, from Sciotoville southeast about eight miles, to the 
southern boundary of the township. Wheelersburg is on the latter road, and Wait's is on 
the branch. Sciotoville is the dividing point of the two roads, one going northeast and the 
other southeast from that village.

                     Another Change.
  The county commissioners made another slight change in the boundary line of the 
township in 1836, and the last. It reads:
  "Whereas, William Montgomery having made application to be attached to the township 
of Porter, upon examination of the said application, and upon due consideration of the 
same, it is 'Ordered', That the said Wm. Montgomery be attached to the township of 
Porter, beginning in the line between sections 23 and 26 in township No. 2, range 20, 
fractions where Hale's Creek crosses said line, and thence up the creek, with the 
meanderings thereof, until it strikes said line again, so as to include within the limits of 
Porter Township the said William Montgomery." Dec. 7, 1836.

                     Sciotoville.
  Sciotoville is not the oldest known town in the township, but at this time it has the 
largest population. It lies at the mouth of the Little Scioto, on its west bank, and on the 
bank of the Ohio River, and is the converging point of the Scioto Valley and the 
Portsmouth Branch of the C., W. & B. railroads. It has become quite noted as a 
manufacturing point, its principal production being fire brick and tile. Its location is high 
and dry, and it has both valleys to give it a generous support. It is handsomely laid out, 
nearly due north and south, some six miles from Portsmouth, and may be said to be a 
thriving and growing town. It first came into existence and was laid out in 1841, being 
surveyed Jan. 25 and 26 by J. Riggs, for Messrs. Jas. Taylor, Jr., and Chas. Moore. The 
record of that survey was recorded Feb. 18, 1841.
 The town site of Sciotoville has a history. The original purchaser of the plat was Colonel 
Edwards, who located the property, a fractional section, paid one-fourth the purchase 
money down as required, received his patent, and then turned around and sold it out in 
small lots, cash down, and left for Kentucky. Those who could not pay the Government 
their share of the three-fourths left lost their land. The Government subsequently made up 
to those were alive in 1820.
  The village was named after the Little Scioto River, which flows into the Ohio on its 
eastern border.
  The first residences put up after the platting of the village were by Madison Price, Uriah 
Bonser and Jacob Bonser. Wm. Brown's residence was already there and his store, which 
opened, as before mentioned, in 1835.
  Elias and Luther Marshal opened the first store after it was laid out, under the name of 
Marshall Bros. It was a grocery store and was located on the lot No. 31. A few months 
later Elias bought his brother out and added dry-goods, in fact keeping a general store, 
which he continued for many years.
  Bonser & Correll started the first wagon shop; Wm. Courtney, the first blacksmith shop, 
and David F. Upp, the first shoe shop.
  Dr. White came in the year 1846, and was the first resident physician. The first hotel 
was erected in 1843, with Madison Price landlord and proprietor.
  In the early part of the year 1847 Messrs. Taylor, Decker & Co., put up and ran the first 
iron foundry, but had the misfortune to have it burned down the same year by act of an 
incendiary. The flouring mill and edgetool manufactory was run by Elias Marshall and 
erected in 1851. This constituted up the that time its business interests.
  The postoffice was established in 1844, and James Bynn was appointed Postmaster. He 
was succeeded by Elias Marshall until 1852, since which time it has changed hands 
several times. James H. Halliday is the present Postmaster. Registered letters are sent by 
it is not yet a money-order office.
  An effort was made in 1877 to make Sciotoville an incorporated village, but there was 
enough opposition started to defeat the plan. The town is growing and has now a 
population of nearly 800, and its manufacturing interests are developing fairly. There 
have been several additions to the village, the last in 1868, being three additions besides 
the original plat. They also conformed to that plat by being laid out at right angles, the 
streets running north and south, and east and west, or nearly so.

            Its Business Interests, 1883.
  Oregon Eakins, dealer in dry-goods, groceries and notions.
  Walter Beloat, dealer in dry-goods, groceries and notions.
  Dr. Halderman & Co., dealers in drugs and medicines.
  Sciotoville Saw Mille and Lumber Co.
  G. W. Salladay, dealer in groceries, etc.
  L. Marshall, proprietor of Marshall House.
  L. Marshall, drugs and medicines.
  J. D. Mathiott, proprietor of Mathiott House.
  A. Brase, tin, stoves, hardware and housefurnishing goods.
  Alfred Yost, cigar manufactory and dealer in tobaccos.
  August Cook, wine and beer saloon.
  Adam Ault, blacksmith, wagon-maker and wheelbarrow manufacturer.
  George Batterson, harness-maker.
  Wm. Nickls, blacksmith and horseshoer.
  Wm. Duveneck, wagon manufacturer.
  Gus. Zuicker, blacksmith and horseshoer.
  Geo. M. Marshall, physician and surgeon.
  S. S. Halderman, physician and surgeon.
  Marten Taylor, physician and surgeon.
  Mrs. D. Westwood, milliner and dressmaker.
  Henry Meeks, brick-layer.
  Richard Goodrich & Son, plasterers and cistern builders.
  L. Marshall, Justice of the Peace and Mayor of Sciotoville.
  Mrs. Alma Hitchcock, milliner and dressmaker.
  John Taylor, barber.
  Sciotoville Saw-mill and Lumber Co.'s store.
  Henry C. Sheward, shingle manufacturer.
  "Scioto Lumber Company" was established in 1875 by M. J. & J. W. White. They deal 
in all kinds of sawed lumber, shingles and lath, and the output of their mill is 2,000,000 
feet annually, and can turn out 15,000 feet daily. Located on the river, their boats land at 
their dock and load up, and the railroad switch runs into their yard. The logs are 
purchased up the river and floated down, West Virginia and Kentucky furnishing a large 
part of them. Oak, walnut, and all kinds of hard timber are purchased.
  "Fire-brick Manufactory".-This enterprise was started in 1861 by Reese Thoms. He 
commenced in a small way in an old building which had been used as a saw-mill. He 
managed it so successfully that after holding the trade for four years other person were 
induced to embark in it. In 1865 Messrs. Watkins, Porter & Co. started another yard. The 
demand for brick being very great, Farney, Murray & Co. opened the third yard, and 
named it the Salamander. These yards continued until 1870, enlarging the area of their 
trade, and building up each a splendid business. The above year the three firms 
consolidated under the firm name of the Scioto Fire-Brick Company, which it still 
retains. From the small beginning of Mr. Thoms has arisen one of the largest 
establishments of the kind in the State. The output is 32,000 brick daily, and gives 
employment to several hundred men and teams. It is now an incorporated company with 
a capital of $100,000. Its officers are: President, Russell Tewksberry; Secretary, Samuel 
Reed; Superintendent, C. P. Loyd; Bookkeeper, Chas. Turner, Manager, and John J. 
House, Storekeeper.

                     Wheelersburg.
  Wheelersburg is a thriving village located near the center of the township, north and 
south, and is the oldest settled in the township. It was first settled about 1820; was named 
Concord, and laid off by the Rev. Daniel Young and his brother, John Young, being 
surveyed by Samuel Cole, June 15, 1824. Its present name of Wheelersburg was given it 
in honor of Major Wheeler, an early settler, a noted Indian fighter, and a soldier in the 
war of 1812. Besides the turnpike road which passes through it, called the Portsmouth 
pike, the Scioto Valley Railroad depot is within about one-quarter of a mile of the village. 
It is pleasantly and even handsomely located, not far from the bank of the Ohio, and is 
the official headquarters of the township, it being the only voting precinct. It has a 
population of about 500; is a thrifty, enterprising place, with some neat residences, good 
business houses, and a growing manufacturing interest.
  The town of Concord remained as such about two years after it was platted, or up to 
1826, when its name was changed to Wheelersburg. In 1822 Daniel and John Young 
erected the first cotton factory. The machinery was first put up in Greenupsburg and 
brought from there to Portsmouth, being run by David Gharky and his partner from the 
year 1818. In 1822 Mr. Gharky, having become sole proprietor, sold the machinery to the 
Young Brothers and went out of business in that line. The Messrs. Young erected their 
building in what was then Concord, and on the corner of what is now Broadway and 
Center streets, where the Gerding House now stands. It was sold in 1835 to Edward 
Cranston, who moved it to its present site and changed it into a woolen-mill. The first and 
only Postmaster of Concord was John Young. He removed from the State, and Samuel 
Gould was appointed in October, 1826. Its name was then changed to Wheelersburg, and 
Mr. Gould was the first Postmaster after the name change. He held it a number of years 
and was succeeded by Seymour Pixley. Since then there have been other changes until 
the Postmaster at this time is H. T. Hall. The first school-house built in the village was in 
1822, and John Young was the first teacher who taught within its limits.

                     The Business of 1883.
  The business interests of Wheelersburg in 1883 show a prosperity that is encouraging. It 
has three churches and three schools, three general stores, one hotel (the Gerding House), 
one grocery store, three blacksmith and wagon shops, one blacksmith shop, one saddlery 
and harness store, one tailoring establishment, one boot and shoe shop, one undertaker, 
one woolen-mill, one tile factory, two flouring mills, one cabinet shop, one saw-mill, one 
express office (Adams), two carpenters, two physicians.
  The woolen-mill above referred to was purchased by Edward Cranston from Daniel 
Young in 1835, who continued to run the mill by house-power until 1867, when they 
purchased steam-power. Jeremiah Cranston, son of Edward, became a partner in 1848. 
The mills are now owned by the son, the father being deceased. They are now 
manufacturing jeans, flannels, blankets and yarns. It is the oldest woolen-mill in 
Southeastern Ohio.
  The Tile Manufacturing Company of Wheelersburg was started April 28, 1871, the 
incorporators being L. Salladay, Jeremiah Cranston, O. H. Glidden, Wm. Crichton, A. P. 
Osborn and J. P. Merrill. They secured a practical workman and business man in the 
person of Wm. Denis for Superintendent. Jan. 1, 1883, Mr. Denis made a proposition to 
the owners to purchase the remainder of the works, he having before purchased an 
interest, and was accepted. He has a fine trade in al the adjoining States, ships as far south 
as Louisiana, and the largest manufacturing interest in the town. His son, Wm. H. Denis, 
is now a partner, and the business is conducted by Wm. Denis & Son.
  The assessed valuation of the chattel property of Wheelersburg in 1882 was placed at 
the handsome sum of $132,193.
  
                     Societies.
  "Western Sun Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M.", is a flourishing order, which holds its 
meetings weekly, at the northeast corner of Broadway and Center streets. The 
membership numbers fifty in good standing. The officers the present year are: S. M. 
Osborn, S. W.; H. Eakman, J. W.; Geo. Marshall, S. D.; L. Salladay, J. D.; T. Prather, 
Treasurer; Jas. Baker, Secretary, and Joseph Rogers, Tyler.
  "Orient Lodge, No. 337, I. O. O. F.".-This order is one of long standing and has a hall of 
its own, located on the corner of Broadway and Center streets. The lodge is out of debt, 
and their hall, which is handsomely finished, is paid for as well as the building. Their 
meetings are held every Saturday night, and they have a membership of thirty-eight in 
good standing. The present officers of the lodge are: Henry Beeler, N. G.; Walter Beloat, 
V. G.; Jerry Scranton, Secretary; Sidney Patton, Treasurer.

                     Wait's Station.
Is on the Portsmouth Branch of the C., W. & B. Railroad, about ten miles northeast of 
Portsmouth. It was named after Benjamin Wait, a native of Vermont, who settled in the 
county in 1814. The station was located by the railroad company in 1851, and Benj. F. 
Wait, son of Benj. Wait, appointed station agent, which he held some nine months, when 
the station was removed nearly one mile east to a place named Slocum, and was there 
kept by Joshua McStry. A postoffice was established and the first Postmaster was Dennis 
Emory. Emory resigned and Thos. M. Carroll was appointed. Then John Ashley 
succeeded him after two years, and the office was vacated during his term. The station 
and the postoffice, which was re-established, is still called Wait's Station and Postoffice. 
Joshua McKinstry was appointed station agent in 1871, and was also appointed 
Postmaster, and in connection keeps a grocery store. While the location is still at Slocum 
the name of station and postoffice is called "Wait's," as above. Mr. McKinstry was born 
in Athens County in 1816; came to Scioto County in 1851, and to the station in 1862. The 
town of Wait's has ten families within its limits, and one church, size 24 x 34 feet, owned 
by the denomination of Free-Will Baptists. This covers the hamlets and the business 
interests of Porter Township, except farming and stock-raising. There are many fine 
farms and orchards in the township, and, as a class, the farmers are all well-to-do, and 
unencumbered with either debt or despondency.

                     Schools.
  Porter Township has eight school districts, or sub-districts, but in reality it might be 
called thirteen, as it takes that number of teachers.
  The "Sciotoville District, No. 1", is a neat and substantial brick structure of four rooms, 
the grounds covering about half a block on Market street, in the town of Sciotoville. The 
Principal of this school is Prof. P. F. White; Mrs. Emma Duvendeck has charge of room 
No. 2, Miss Luella Meeker of No. 3, and Miss Frankie Beloat of room No. 4.
  "Sub-district No. 2" is on the turnpike, about two and a half miles southeast of 
Wheelersburg. It is a new frame building, and the school the coming winter has been 
placed in the hands of Miss Ida Oronton, a successful teacher.
  "Sub-district No. 3" is a frame structure located on the Ohio River, at a point called 
Hayport. The teacher is Sam'l Barrett.
  "Sub-district No. 4" is on the Sciotoville and Webster Turnpike, some two and a half 
miles from the former place. Frame building, with J. H. Mooney as instructor.
  "Sub-district No. 5".-This school is situated on Dogwood Ridge, on the Wait's Station 
road leading from Wheelersburg, and one and a half miles from the latter place. L. H. 
Moseman has been secured as teacher.
  "Special School District, No. 6", is located at Wheelersburg. It is a handsome brick 
structure of four rooms, pleasant grounds, with three rooms occupied. Prof. Aaron Grady 
is Principal; Geo. Osborn has charge of room No. 2, and Miss Searls of room 3.
  "Sub-district No. 7" is located two and a half miles southeast of Wheelersburg, on Lick 
Run. The building is of frame, and Miss Jennie Camp has been secured as the teacher.
  "Sub-district No. 8" is one and one-fourth miles west of Sciotoville, on the turnpike 
leading to Portsmouth.

                     Churches.
  "The Porter Free-Will Baptist Church" was organized Sept. 6, 1817, in a schoolhouse on 
Ward's Run, near the residence of Benj. Wait, by Elder Rufus Cheney and others. Eli 
Kelsey was Clerk. Transient services were held occasionally, and Revs. David Dudley 
and Markus Kilborn held services as they passed through. Rev. R. Cheney was the first 
preacher of this denomination in Scioto County, in the year 1816. The present minister is 
the Rev. J. H. Carr.
  "The Little Scioto Quarterly Meeting" was organized May 18, 1833, at the house of 
Solomon Monroe, in Harrison Township. The ministers officiating were the Revs. Harry 
Branch, Jas. M. Shurtleff and Sam'l Low. The church was represented at the meeting 
from Porter, Madison and Harrison townships, the delegation from Porter being Benj. 
Wait, Benj. Dean; Harrison, Aaron Pool and Ephraim Low, and for Madison, James Low. 
Porter members numbered thirty-seven, Madison twelve, and Harrison seven. At that 
time the Free-Will Baptists had no church building of their own in the county.
  "The Free-Will Baptist Church", of Wheelersburg, was organized May 17, 1851, by the 
Rev. Isaac Fullerton. The present pastor is the Rev. H. J. Carr; Trustees, Jas. Littlejohn, 
T. J. Gibson, and one vacancy.
  "The Free-Will Baptist Church", of Sciotoville, was organized Feb. 20, 1857, the Rev. 
Isaac Fullerton being its first pastor, and Lafayette Clifford, Silas Candill, and Thos. 
Marshall the Trustees. The Rev. Alva Crabtree is now in charge, with Frederic 
Ranshahouse, Jesse Purdy and Aaron Stockham, Trustees.
  "The Methodist Episcopal Church", of Wheelersburg, was organized in 1822, by the 
Rev. Daniel Young. The original members were: John Young, Hannah Gould, Josiah 
Merrill and wife, and John Hurd and wife. The next minister was Rev. De Lay, who 
preached at the house of Mrs. Hannah Gould. Their first church was built in 1838, which 
has been recently torn down, and a new church building is now in the course of erection, 
to be completed by Christmas, at a cost of $4,000. The church is in a flourishing 
condition under the earnest and able pastorate of the Rev. Geo. Cherington. The present 
Trustees are A. Grady, Wm. Duis and Jas. L. Taylor.
  "The Baptist Church", of Wheelersburg, was organized in 1879 by I. N. Clark. The first 
minister in charge was the Rev. J. H. Roberts. The church has grown and prospered, and 
is now under the pastoral charge of the Rev. A. K. Murphy. The Trustees are Harris 
Dodge, Levi Smith and Jno. C. Malone.
  "The Sciotoville Christian Church" was established in 1880, and their church was 
dedicated Sept. 4, 1881. The Elders are John Grubbs, Ira Correll and Wm. Fullerton. At 
present they have no regular minister. Protracted meetings are held four times a year, and 
last from four to ten days each.
  "The Methodist Episcopal Church", of Sciotoville, was organized in 1848; the Rev. 
Murphy was its first pastor, and the Trustees, Jas. Taylor and Uriah Bonser. The present 
officiating clergyman is the Rev. Geo. Cherington, and its Trustees, C. P. Loyd, David 
Combsand and E. W. Turner.
  "The Zion Church", German Methodist Episcopal, was organized some years since with 
the following original members: Frederic Messner, Geo. Smith, Jno. Holt, Michael Reif, 
Frederick Gable and Geo. Messner. The first minister was the Rev. John Phetzing. Mr. 
Leger, of Portsmouth, built their church in 1858, and it was dedicated in September of the 
same year, the Rev. John Bier officiating. Trustees are Fred. Messner, Gottleib Fritz, 
Michael Reif, Fred. Gable and Jno. Helt. The church is a frame one, 28 x 40 feet in size.
  "The Church of the United Brethren" was organized in the year 1851, and is located 
about one and a half miles east of Sciotoville. It is a one-story frame building 30 x32 feet 
in size, plainly but neatly finished. It was erected the same year of its organization. The 
Rev. Alt and the following names were those who joined as original members: Matthias, 
Andrew, John and Jacob Lillik, and their father, given name not known, Mr. Felkil, and a 
few others whose names were forgotten, as no record was kept. The Rev. Stripk is the 
present pastor, and the church has a membership at this time of forty.
  "Catholic Church".-This church was organized in 1846 by the Rev. Father Jos. O'Mally. 
The original members were Garret Railf and wife, Eberhart Frisky and wife, Jno. Kendall 
and wife, Jno. Reaper and wife, Jos. Moseman and wife, Michael Delebar and wife, 
Patrick Flanagan and wife, Christian Flanagan and wife, John Timering, and Henry 
Lipker and wife. The church was erected in 1849, Father Emanuel Tinpon in charge, and 
the Trustees, Henry Lipker and Eberhart Frisky. It then had a membership of forty-five, 
and at this time some sixty members, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Father John 
Ritter. Service is held every other Sabbath. The church is located on the northwest quarter 
section 13, township 2, range 20, and is valued at $1,500.

                     Township Officers.
  The township officers for 1833 were: Trustees, Pattengale, Bonser and Powers; Clerk, 
Wm. Enslow; Assessor, Mr. Cole; Treasurer, Mr. Hall; Constables, Patton, Thompson 
and Williams.
  For 1883, half century later, they are: Trustees, Wm. Reif, Jas. Pucker, and Geo. A. 
Osborn; Clerk, Jas. H. Halliday; Treasurer, C. W. Ehrlich; Assessor, Jno. W. Merill; 
Justices of the Peace, Thos. M. Correll, Luther Marshall and Smith Littlejohn; 
Constables, Wm. Fullerton, and one vacancy; Notary Public, Luther Marshall. Politically 
speaking the township of Porter is Republican.

                     Biographical.
  "C. M. Albert", engineer, was born Nov. 24, 1850, in Medina County, Ohio, and left 
there when twelve years of age, for Richland County, Ohio, where he remained three 
years. He then lived a year in Lawrence County, Ohio, after which he spent eighteen 
months in Carroll County Mo. While painting a house in the latter place he fell from a 
scaffold, which almost caused his death. He was brought to Ashland County, Ohio, where 
his people then lived, where he lay for two years unable to work. After his recovery he 
was employed at the Cooper's Works in Hardin County, Ohio, for two years. The 
following two years he ran a saw-mill in West Virginia, after which he ran the engine on 
the C. & O. R. R. for fourteen months, and while acting in that capacity met with an 
accident that disabled him for six months. He then moved to Meigs County, Ohio, where 
he ran an engine in a grist-mill at Letart Falls, after which he worked in a stave and 
cooper shop in Lawrence County, Ohio. Since 1879 he has been engaged in running the 
engine for the Fire-Brick Company in Sciotoville, Ohio. He was married July 4, 1869, to 
Fatima Greely, a native of Ashland County, Ohio. Four children have been born to this 
union-E. G. A., Stella M., M. E. and Claud G. Mrs. Albert is a member of the Methodist 
church.
  "S. D. Argo" was born in Adams County, Ohio, July 15, 1827. Then twenty years of ate 
he went to Lawrence County, and in 1849 helped to lay out the town of Ironton. He built 
the third house in the place, and lived there till the fall of 1854. He was married in 1849 
to Mary Jane Lambert. They had a family of six children, five now living-Thomas, Elias, 
James, Frank and Emily. Mrs. Argo died in November, 1863. In 1864 Mr. Argo married 
Fannie H. Hopkins, of Dayton, Ohio. She was born in Portage County, Ohio, June 11, 
1830. They have one child – O. A., born Dec. 14, 1866. Jan. 26, 1880, Mr. Argo came to 
Scioto County, and located at Pine Creek Landing, where he has twenty-six acres of good 
land. He is a member of the First Baptist Church at Ironton. He is a member of the Good 
Templar's lodge at Wheelersburg, and of French Grant Grange, No. 648. Sept. 14, 1861, 
Mr. Argo enlisted in Company G, Fourth Ohio Cavalry. He was promoted from First 
Sergeant to First Lieutenant of Company D, and was placed in command of the company. 
He was wounded at Kennesaw Mountain by his horse falling on him, and again, April 2, 
1865, by two musket balls passing through both shoulders. He was left on the field as 
dead, but the regimental sutler picked him up the night after the battle, and took him to 
the house of the rebel General Smith, at Selma, Ala., where the Union prisoners were 
kept to keep the forces from burning the house. Mrs. Smith was very kind to Mr. Argo, 
and when he was convalescent tried to dissuade him from again taking up arms again 
against the rebels. When General Steel with the gun-boats from Mobile sailed up the 
river, General Smith asked Mr. Argo what it was best to do. Mr. Argo told him if General 
Steel came into Selma he would destroy the city, including General Smith's home; but if 
he would surrender, as he suggested, he would vouch for his safety and for that of his 
property on account of the 
(picture of Joshua Wheeler)
kind attention he had received. General Smith took his advice, and a yawl with the white 
flag was sent down the river. Although this has not been a matter of history, the surrender 
of Selma was planned by a Union soldier, and that soldier is Mr. Argo.
  "John S. Baccus" was born in Scioto County, Ohio, July 18, 1811, a son of James and 
Nancy A. (Smith) Baccus, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1806, locating 
in Scioto County. Six of their eight children are still living. His father died in 1840, and 
his mother in 1864. John S. was reared and educated in his native county. He worked 
three years at the furnaces, and seven years at the carpenter's trade. In 1842 he 
commenced farming on the farm where he still resides. He owns 121 acres of land-one of 
the best hill farms in Scioto County. He was married in 1836 to Flora E., daughter of 
Anthony C Vincent, of Scioto County. Mrs. Baccus is a member of the Presbyterian 
church.
  "George Bahner" was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 26, 1826. He came to America 
in 1839, landing at New York, and in the fall of the same year came to Portsmouth. He 
remained in Scioto County three years, and the following seven years resided in 
Lawrence County, Ohio. In 1855 he was married to Margaret Ammon, a native of 
Bavaria, born about 1828. They are the parents of five children-John, Anna E., Augusta, 
George and David. In 1855 he came to Porter Township, Scioto County, where he owns a 
farm of 100 acres of good land on section 8. He and his wife are members of the 
Lutheran church. Our subject's father, John Bahner, was a native of Bavaria. He was in 
the war with Napoleon Bonaparte. He died in Scioto County, in 1879, aged eighty-four 
years. Elizabeth (Dorsch) Bahner, mother of our subject, was also born in Bavaria. She 
died in Porter Township, Scioto County, in 1878, at the age of seventy-four.
  "John Hatch Barrett" was born in Scioto County, Ohio, Jan. 9, 1818, a son of Henry and 
Elizabeth (Hatch) Barrett, his father a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of New 
Hampshire. His parents came to Ohio in 1808 and settled in Scioto County on a farm. In 
1819 they went to Portsmouth, where his father manufactured brick three or four years. 
He then purchased another farm and engaged in farming till his death in 1858. His wife 
died in 1872. They reared a family of five children-Lavina B., Abigail B., Thornton, 
Henry and John H. The latter is the only one now living. After reaching manhood he went 
to Kentucky and purchased a farm. In 1856 he returned to Ohio and bought a farm of 
Colonel William M. Burke. He owns seventy-five acres of fine land. He was married in 
January, 1849, to Ruby G., daughter of Thomas and Sophia Hatch, of Scioto County. 
They have five children-Thornton, Orrin G., Thomas H., Henry and Kate H.
  "John F. Basham", farmer, was born Dec. 16, 1853, in Porter Township, Scioto Co., 
Ohio. He was educated in his native county, and was engaged in farming on his father's 
farm. Sept. 6, 1880, he went out to Montana, where he remained till August, 1882. On his 
return home he remained at Loghman, Mich., for a short time, engaged in sealing or 
measuring timber. Sept. 27, 1882, he was married in the Second Presbyterian Church of 
Portsmouth, by Rev. H. A. Ketchim, to Lolie L. Taylor, born in Lewis County, Ky., May 
14, 1862. After his marriage he returned to Michigan, but February, 1883, he returned to 
Ohio, and is now working on his father's farm on section 12, Porter Township. Mr. and 
Mrs. Basham are members of the Second Presbyterian Church, at Portsmouth, Ohio.
  "Walter Beloat" was born in Sciotoville, Porter Township, Scioto County, Ohio, Dec. 6, 
1854. He was educated in the district schools, and has always resided in his native 
county. He commenced his present mercantile business in 1882. Fourteen months 
previous to this he was employed as clerk for the Scioto Fire-Brick Company. He had 
formerly followed the river, keel-boating and steam-boating. He was married Dec. 7, 
1881, to Caroline Gates, born in Scioto County, in 1858. They are the parents of one 
child-Lydia Z., born Sept. 21, 1882. Mr. Beloat is a member of the Orient Lodge of Odd 
Fellows, No. 337, Wheelersburg, Ohio. His wife is a member of the Lutheran church.
  "Samuel Bonser", son of Isaac and Abigail (Burt) Bonser, was born in Northumberland 
County, Pa., Sept. 30, 1795, and when one year old was brought to Ohio by his parents. 
His father was a millwright by trade, and in 1797, with the assistance of his neighbors, he 
built a grist-mill on Bonser's Run. He died in this county in 1849, aged eighty-three 
years. His wife was a native of New Jersey, and died near Sciotoville in 1853, in her 
eighty-third year. Our subject was married to Hannah Mead, Aug. 5, 1819. They were 
blessed with thirteen children, of whom nine are living.
  "Adolph Brase", manufacturer of tinware and dealer in hardware, house-furnishing 
goods and musical instruments, was born in Newrode, Prussia, Jan. 10, 1837. His father, 
Joseph Brase, was a soldier in the Prussian army, and fought under Blucher in the battle 
of Waterloo. He received, as a reward for his valor, a medal, which is now in the 
possession of his son, Adolph. He died July 4, 1876. His wife, Barbara Brase, is still 
living in Germany. Adolph is their only child. After his arrival in America, in 1859, he 
worked at the machinist's trade in Philadelphia till 1860 and then removed to Portsmouth, 
working at his trade several years, and afterward was an engineer on the river steamboats. 
He was a soldier in the Union army in the late civil war. He was enabled, by economy 
and business tact, to save money, and after the war started in business for himself in 
Sciotoville. In 1871 he moved his business to Oak Hill, Jackson County, leaving his 
family in Sciotoville and has since been engaged in his present business. He has taken out 
four patents, all of which have proved successful. He was married in 1859 in York, 
England, to Martha Bosamworth, a native of that city, born May 29, 1839. They have had 
seven children, six of whom are living-Joseph, Martha, Alice, Gladdy, Emma and 
Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Brase are members of the Protestant Episcopal church. He is a 
member of the Western Sun Lodge, No. 91, A. F. & A. M., Wheelersburg, Ohio.
  "Benjamin J. Bratt", a native of England, was born June 5, 1819, a son of Moses Bratt, 
who came to America and after locating a home sent for his family, they arriving in 
Philadelphia in August, 1822. His father was killed by being thrown from a buggy by a 
runaway team, his wife having both her lower limbs broken at the same time. Benjamin J. 
worked in the iron mines till twenty-one years of age. In 1847 he came to Ohio, locating 
at Hanging Rock, Lawrence County. In 1856 he went to Portsmouth and for sixteen years 
was manager of Gaylord & Co.'s rolling-mill. In the spring of 1870 he bought the farm of 
150 acres, where he now resides, near Wheelersburg. He was married in 1839 to Mary 
Williams, a native of England and a daughter of Joseph and Mary Williams. Of their nine 
children but four are living-Maria E., Anna L., Joseph W., and Benjamin C. Mr. Bratt 
was a member of the Council while in Portsmouth and has served as Trustee of Porter 
Township. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
  "Joseph S. Brown" was born in Scioto County, Ohio, Oct. 26, 1826, a son of Thomas H. 
and Mary (Webber) Brown, natives of New Hampshire. His father died when he was an 
infant and he was reared by his grandfather, Rev. John Webber, an Old School 
Presbyterian minister. His grandfather was a thorough scholar, and was one of the most 
prominent ministers of his day. He was well known in Ohio and universally respected. He 
finally located in Dayton, Ohio, where he died in 1858, aged ninety-three years. Joseph S. 
accompanied his grandfather to Dayton and remained with him till his death and then 
returned to Scioto County. He was married in 1853 to Harriet M., daughter of James and 
Hannah Gibbons, early pioneers of Ohio.
  "Benjamin E. Cranston" was born in Porter Township, Scioto County, Jan. 17, 1833, 
and was reared and educated in his native county. He has followed farming all his life, 
and at present owns 170 acres of good lade and a residence on section 16, Porter 
Township. He was married Nov. 14, 1861, to Frances Jane Elick, born in Portsmouth, 
Ohio, Nov. 27, 1841. They have had a family of fourteen children-Catherine S., Ruth, 
Anna N., Edward B., Jeremiah, David and Jacob (twins), Abigail E., George F., Mary A., 
John S., Francis A., William H., and one deceased. His father, Edward Cranston, was a 
native of Rhode Island. He came to Ohio in 1815 and died in Porter Township, Oct. 26, 
1864. His mother, Sallie (Whitcomb) Cranston, was a native of New Hampshire, and died 
in Porter Township. They were the parents of nine children, our subject being the fifth 
child.
  "Frank E. Cranston", the eldest son of Jeremiah and Abigail Cranston, was born in 
Wheelersburg, Ohio, April 15, 1851. He was educated in the common schools and 
afterward attended the Iron City Commercial College at Pittsburg, Pa. He then formed a 
partnership with his father and younger brother in the factory. In 1875 he went West and 
remained until spring of 1877. In 1877 he moved to the farm where he now resides, 
engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns 173 acres of well-improved land with 
good buildings. In April, 1881, he married Sophia Dold, a daughter of Stephen Dold. She 
died June 11, 1883, leaving two children-Joseph V. and Mary A. The latter died Aug. 18, 
1883.
  "Jeremiah Cranston", woolen manufacturer, was born in Scioto County, Ohio, Aug. 5, 
1827, and was reared and educated in Wheelersburg. His father was a native of Rhode 
Island and by trade a machinist. He built a small carding machine in Wheelersburg where 
he did county carding. In 1847 he put up a woolen machine and commenced the 
manufacture of cloth from the raw wool, enlarging the business from time to time. Our 
subject became a partner in the business in 1848, in which he has since continued. April 
1, 1883, his son James commenced to take the entire control of the business. Mr. 
Cranston was married Jan. 30, 1850, to Abigail Deautrumont, born in Delaware, Dec. 24, 
1827. They have six children-Francis E., Mary N., Benjamin, Louis D., James J., and 
Charles S. Mr. Cranston has held the office of Justice of the Peace three years and 
Township Trustee several terms. He is a member of the Odd Fellow, Orient Lodge, No. 
337, to which he has belonged twenty-seven years. Mr. Deautrumont, father of Mrs. 
Cranston, has always been an active working man, and now has 300 acres of good land in 
Washington County, Iowa.
  "Horatio N. Davidson" was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, Sept. 17, 1835, a son of 
John and Ruth (Bryson) Davidson, his father a native of Ohio, and his mother of 
Pennsylvania. His parents were married in 1822, and had a family of five children, but 
two now living. His father died in 1839, and his mother afterward married Charles 
Kelley, who died in 1857. H. N. Davidson was reared on a farm, and when nineteen years 
of age went into his stepfather's mill, and was employed there until the breaking out of 
the Rebellion. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry and served four 
years. He participated in the battles of Corinth, New Madrid, Island No. 10, and many 
severe skirmishes. He mustered out in September, 1865, and returned home. In 1817 he 
rented a farm. In 1876 he bought a half interest in the Grand Oak Mill, one of the oldest 
mills in the county, built in 1816. The machinery is new and in good order, and they do a 
good business, making an excellent grade of flour. In 1854 Mr. Davidson married 
Rebecca Hudson. Of eight children born to them but six are now living-James E., Charles 
N., Cora B., Maud M., Ada M. and Harry C.
  "Michael Delabar", a native of Germany, was born in 1813. He was educated in his 
native country, and in 1846 came with his wife and four children to the United States. He 
came immediately to Ohio and settled in Porter Township, Scioto County, where he still 
resides. He has dealt extensively in real estate, and has been engaging in both farming 
and merchandising. He now owns a fine farm of eighty-seven acres. He has a family of 
eight children, five sons and three daughters. His second son, Safford, was born in 1839. 
In 1861 he enlisted in the war for the Union, and was mustered out in 1865. He 
participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the Rebellion. After his return from 
the war he spent some time in Tennessee, then returned to Ohio, and is now engaged in 
farming on the old homestead; he was married in 1874, to Mrs. Mary Harmon, widow of 
White Harmon. They have three children. Mrs. Delabar has one child by a previous 
marriage.
  "William Duis", manufacturer of drain tiles, is a native of Prussia, born Aug. 18, 1833. 
He came to America at the age of twelve years, landing at New Orleans. From there he 
went to Cincinnati, and in 1845 came to Lawrence County, Ohio. Here he was employed 
at the iron works till 1860. Since then he has lived in Scioto County, where he followed 
farming till 1871, when he commence his present business, in which he is having an 
extensive trade. Until the last year the tile factory has been an incorporated body of which 
Mr. Duis was President; but January, 1883, he bought out the company, and is now sole 
proprietor. He was married Sept. 11, 1853, to Mary Ann Verigan, born in Lawrence 
County, Dec. 29, 1833. Their children are-Rosina, William H., Lida V., Lizzie O., Anna 
M., John and Winnifred. Mr. Duis and wife and most of his family are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He has 122 acres of fine land in Porter Township, and a 
residence near Wheelersburg, Ohio.
  "Minerva C. (Correll) Farney" was born in Scioto County, Sept. 3, 1838. She was 
educated and has lived all her life in this county. She was married Sept. 30, 1860, to Van 
Buren B. Farney, who was born near Charleston, Va., March 21, 1836. He came to Ohio 
in 1838, and spent the remainder of his life in this State. He died Nov. 5, 1872. They had 
a family of five children-M. C. Rena, born Aug. 30, 1861; Ella W., born June 30, 1863 
and died April 2, 1878; William L., Oct. 16, 1865; Ira C., Nov. 23, 1867, and Hattie A., 
born Oct. 24, 1869. Mrs. Farney resides on section 8, Porter Township, where she has 
forty-six acres of good land. She and her daughter, M. C. Rena, are members of the 
Christian church. Mr. Farney was also a member of that church.
  "Christopher Flanagan" was born in Nauen, County Meath, Ireland, Dec. 24, 1818, a 
son of John Flanagan, a merchant and miller of that country. His early life was spent in 
his father's store and mill, and in 1845 he came to the United States, landing in New 
York. He spent a year in Maryland, another in Pennsylvania, and in 1847 came to Ohio, 
and was employed by John Gould at the Franklin Furnace eleven years. He then 
purchased a farm near the furnace. In 1862 he sold that farm and bought the one where he 
now lives. He has 203 acres of valuable land. He was married in 1845 to Margaret, 
daughter of Richard Timmons. They have had a family of thirteen children, but six now 
living-Richard, Sarah, Margaret, James, Thomas and Mary.
  "Henry Frische" was born in Scioto County, Ohio, Sept. 9, 1840, a son of Eberhart and 
Agnes Frische, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1836, and located 
in Scioto County, Ohio. His father worked at Union Furnace till 1839, and then entered 
land from the Government and commenced clearing a farm, on which he resided until his 
death in 1882. His mother died when he was quite small. They had a family of five 
children, but two now living-John, a wagon-maker at Pine Grove Furnace, and Henry. 
The latter was reared on the home farm, and after attaining his majority went to work at 
Howard Furnace. In 1881 he moved to the farm where he now resides. He has 137 acres 
of fine land, and makes a specialty of wheat-growing. He was married in 1871 to 
Elizabeth, daughter of John Davis. They have had seven children, but five now living-
John, William, Mary C., Emma T. and Margaret E. Mr. and Mrs. Frische are members of 
St. Peter's Catholic Church.
  "Jacob F. Fritz" was born in Maryland, Feb. 25, 1845, a son of Gotleib and Christina 
Fritz, natives of Germany, who came to the United States about 1830, and to Scioto 
County, Ohio, in 1856, locating on a farm near Wheelersburg. His father died in 1882. 
His mother is still living. Jacob F. was the eldest son, and was therefore obliged to 
depend upon himself at an early age, receiving a limited education. He was married in 
1869 to Louisa, daughter of Frederick and Sophia Griver. They have six children-George 
W., Charles, Albert, Emma, Minnie and John. Mr. Fritz owns a good farm of sixty acres, 
and is one of the enterprising men of the township. In the late war of the Rebellion he 
enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fortieth O. N. G.
  "Rev. Isaac Fullerton" was born in Virginia, Feb. 15, 1809, a son of John and Susannah 
(Smith) Fullerton, who came to Ohio in 1818, and settled in Jackson County, near 
Winchester, the next year removing to Portland, where they lived seven years. In 1826 
they came to Scioto County and settled in Madison Township, where they both died. Mr. 
Fullerton was reared a farmer, following that occupation till 1834, when he was ordained 
a minister in the Free-Will Baptist church, and for nearly fifty years has preached the 
gospel in connection with farming. He at present is not in charge of any church, 
preaching only occasionally to fill a vacancy. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, and 
was appointed Captain of Company G, Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry. He served eighteen 
months, and was obliged to resign on account of physical disability caused by typhoid 
fever. He was married in 1829 to Elizabeth Mead, who died in 1874, leaving five 
children. June 12, 1875, he married Mrs. Melissa Slocumb, daughter of Martin Finney, 
and widow of Martin Slocumb, by whom she has five children. Mr. Fullerton has a farm 
of fifty-five acres, where he now resides.
  "Frederick Gabler, Jr.", eldest son of Frederick and Christena Gabler, was born in 
Scioto County, Ohio, Nov. 24, 1849. He was reared on a farm and received a common-
school education, and after attaining his majority purchased his farm, which now contains 
ninety-six acres of well-cultivated land. He was married in 1872 to Mary, daughter of 
Peter and Anna Bowers, of Scioto County. They have had five children-Anna C., John F., 
Katie M., Rosa S. and William W. Mr. and Mrs. Gabler are members of Zion Methodist 
Episcopal Church.
  "James Gibbens" was born near Parkersburg, Wood Co., W. Va., Feb. 1, 1799, and was 
married April 16, 1819, to Hannah Kittle, who was born in Randolph County, Va., Dec. 
25, 1797. In the spring of 1821 they came to Ohio and settled on a farm near 
Wheelersburg, where he farmed three years. He is a house-joiner by trade, and has 
followed that occupation most of his life. He has held township offices for many years, 
and he was ordained Deacon of the Free-Will Baptist church about 1835, to which church 
he has belonged over fifty years. His wife is also a member of the same church. They 
were blessed with a family of eleven children, of whom six grew to maturity. Two of his 
sons were volunteers in the late war-Cyrus H., who was killed at the battle of Atlanta by 
the explosion of a shell, and Randolph, who went South in 1860, and is supposed to be 
dead. Mr. Gibbens held the position of Deacon till within the last six years, when he 
resigned. He is in his eighty-fifth year, and they are the oldest couple living in Scioto 
County.
  "Frederick Ginhiemer" was born in Germany, Sept. 27, 1839, a son of Windel and 
Sophia (Hoffman) Ginhiemer. His parents were married in 1826, and in 1843 came with 
their family, to the United States. They came direct to Portsmouth, Ohio, where his father 
was employed at the Mt. Vernon Furnace over twenty years. He then bought a farm of 
123 acres, moving his family to it in the fall of 1865. It is not well improved, with good 
and substantial farm buildings. There is a family of four children-Frederick, Francis, 
Elizabeth and Catharine. Mr. and Mrs. Ginhienmer are both members of the Methodist 
church. Frederick received a good English education in the district school, and when 
about sixteen years of age began working at the furnace. In 1861 he enlisted in Company 
B, West Virginia Cavalry, and served till the close of the war. He participated in the 
battles of Lynchburg, Winchester, and many other severe battles. He was captured by the 
rebels, but soon after escaped. After his return home he began work at the furnace, but 
removed to the farm with his parents, still residing there. He was married in 1866 to 
Sarah Cotle, a native of Scioto County. They have five children-Eli T., William F., John, 
Sophia A. and Nora.
  "George Gleim" was born in Germany, Jan. 11, 1819. In 1844 he married Anna Wittig, 
and in 1852 they came to the United States; landed in New York City, and came, "via" 
Buffalo and Cincinnati, to Ohio. They went to Powellsville, where he obtained 
employment at the Howard Furnace. In 1856 he purchased the farm where he now 
resides. He has 173 acres of good land, and is engaged in grain and stock raising. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gleim had a family of five sons and two daughters, the daughters now deceased. 
The sons are-John, Adam F., George, Peter and Andrew. George is now carrying on the 
farm. He was born near Empire Furnace in 1854. Oct. 19, 1880, he married Sophia M. 
Kuchner. They have one son-George W.
  "Frank M. Glidden" was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in March, 1850, a son of O. H. 
and Lyncha (Blair) Glidden, his father a native of New Hampshire, born Dec. 25, 1814, 
and his mother of Kentucky, born in January, 1821. Frank M. has charge of his father's 
farm. It contains 161 acres of fine land, a large part of it lying in the Ohio bottoms. His 
father came to Ohio with twenty others, and formed a colony near Wheelersburg. He for 
several years was engaged in teaming for the furnaces. In 1838 he, with others, 
established the Junior Furnace, and in 1847 built the Empire Furnace, but in 1865 sold his 
interest and purchased a farm. He died in 1879, and his wife Jan. 7, 1880. They reared a 
family of five children-Laura A., John M., Ruth H., Frank M. and Jesse B. Laura married 
W. L. Sickles, a steamboat captain, in 1863. He died Jan. 6, 1872, leaving four children-
Perl R., Bertha H., Cora G. and W. L., Jr.
  "Aaron Grady" was born Aug. 30, 1848, in Benton Township, Pike Co., Ohio. His 
parents were Americans, of Irish and English descent on his father's side, and German on 
his mother's. They were poor, but by industry and economy managed to make a good 
living and sent their children to the district schools during the winter months, though the 
schools often lasted but two or three months. He studied hard during the hard winter 
evenings and rainy days throughout the year, and when nineteen years old commenced 
teaching, and has continued in the business ever since. He is now regarded as one of the 
most successful teachers of the county. He is Superintendent of the Wheelersburg graded 
schools, and has filled the same position for the past five years with marked success, and 
to the entire satisfaction of all. He is also a member of the Board of County School 
Examiners, which position he has filled for nine years. During the summer of 1870 he 
attended the Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, a school well calculated to fit young 
men and women for teaching. While there his desire for learning increased, and since that 
time he has been a faithful student, and by industry and undergoing many privations, on 
account of his poverty, he has become quite well acquainted with the higher mathematics, 
philosophy, physiology, rhetoric, and has read Latin some. He has taught graded schools 
since 1876, and during that time has taught three large select schools, composed for the 
most part of young lady and gentlemen school teachers. As a result of early pious 
training, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Superintendent of the 
Sabbath-school of the Methodist Episcopal church of Wheelersburg, Ohio. In September, 
1876, he took charge of the Sciotoville schools, and while there made the acquaintance of 
Miss Hattie, daughter of Captain William and Frances Allard, and married her July 3, 
1877. They have three children-George Otto, born May 26, 1878; William Earl, born 
Dec. 6, 1879, and Clare, born Feb. 11, 1883.
  "Friedrick Griver", a native of Germany, born in 1820, and when a young man came to 
the United States. He located at Pine Grove Furnace, where he was employed twenty-five 
years. He then bought a farm, moving his family to it in 1863. It is now a well-cultivated 
productive farm, containing 160 acres. He was married at Hanging Rock to Sophia 
Ranchahouse. Eleven children were born to them, only nine now living. Mr. Griver died 
in 1875. He was an enterprising and industrious man, and was universally esteemed. He 
was a member of Zion Methodist Episcopal Church.
  "John J. House", foreman of the Scioto Fire-Brick Yards, was born July 6, 1849, in 
Allegheny County, Pa. He received his education in the schools of Pittsburg, Wheeling, 
Va., and Sciotoville. In 1865 he commenced to work at the yards, and in 1880 he was 
appointed to his present position as foreman. Sept. 6, 1869, he was married to Nancy J. 
Ellison, a native of Jackson County, Ohio, born Dec. 18, 1845. They have been blessed 
with six children, four of whom are living-Lilly, Edward, Nellie and Mary. Mr. House 
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Odd 
Fellows, Wheelerburg Lodge, No. 337. His father, Jacob, was a native of Germany. He 
was killed near Pittsburg, P., in 1849 by the slate from the top of a coal bank falling on 
him. His mother, Margaret Horton, was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 25, 1829, and is at 
present living in Ashland, Ky. They have three children living-James, John and George.
  "Mrs. Frances (Lasser) Hudson" was born in Switzerland, Feb. 26, 1821. She came to 
America when fourteen years old and landed at New York. She went immediately to 
Jackson County, Ohio, and lived on a farm nine miles west of Jackson. She was married 
Oct. 16, 1860, to Samuel Hunsinger, born Oct. 1, 1826, in the canton of Hargo, 
Switzerland. He came to America at the age of eight years and lived on a farm near 
Jackson. After his marriage he came to Porter Township, Scioto County, where he 
followed farming till his death, Nov. 27, 1868. He was buried at Wheelersburg. They had 
a family of two children-Cornelia E., born Sept. 14, 1861, and Samuel A. L., Aug. 7, 
1864. Our subject was married a second time to Joseph Hudson, Oct. 26, 1871. He was 
born in Kentucky in 1818. Mrs. Hudson has 105 acres of good land on sections 17 and 19 
and a residence on section 17, Porter Township. She and her daughter Cornelia are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
  "Rezin R. Kennedy" was born in Massac County, Ill., Oct. 5, 1852, a son of John and 
Catharine (Oaks) Kennedy, his father a native of Scioto County, Ohio, born in 1818, and 
his mother a native of Marietta, Ohio. His parents were married in Illinois and resided 
there till 1859, when they came to Scioto County and settled on the farm where Rezin R. 
now lives. In 1875 they removed to Wheelersburg, where they still reside. His 
grandfather, Robert Kennedy, came to Ohio from New York in 1816 and died here in 
1873. Rezin R. received a common-school education and afterward taught six years. In 
1875 he began farming and is now regarded as one of the most intelligent and 
enterprising farmers of the township. He was married in 1875 to Caroline, daughter of 
George and Margaret B. Smith. Three children have been born to them-John R., George 
O. and Maggie M. Mr. Kennedy has served as Trustee of his township. He and his wife 
are members of the Methodist church.
  "Smith S. Littlejohn" was born in Jackson County, Ohio, June 18, 1858, a son of James 
and Cynthia (Smith) Littlejohn, his father a native of Porter Township, Scioto Co., Ohio, 
born in 1820, and his mother a native of Greenup County, Ky., his parents are residents 
of this township. They have raised a family of seven children, all now living. Smith S. 
received a common-school education, and attended one term at the National Normal 
School, Lebanon, Ohio, and when nineteen years of age began to teach. He works on a 
farm in the summer and teaches in the winter. He is one of the best disciplinarians and 
instructors in the county. In 1881, he married Amelia S. Ranshahous, a native of 
Portsmouth, Ohio. They have one daughter-Addie A. Mr. Littlejohn is Justice of the 
Peace of his township.
  "Charles P. Lloyd" was born June 10, 1840, at Portsmouth, Ohio, and attended the 
public schools of his native place till fifteen years old, after which he attended the 
Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, for five years, graduating from there in June, 
1860. He then read law at Portsmouth six months and in the spring of 1861 he went to 
Iowa, and for three years was engaged in farming in Muscatine County. He then returned 
to Portsmouth and engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business under the firm name 
of R. Lloyd & Sons, which was afterward changed to Lloyd, Tracy & Co. He finally sold 
out his business and in 1876 was elected Treasurer of the Scioto Fire-Brick Company, 
and the following year was appointed President and General Superintendent of that 
company, which position he still holds. He was married Feb. 26, 1863, to Laura J. 
Bentley, born at Hanging Rock, Ohio, Feb. 23, 1843. This union has been blessed with 
two children-Richard Bentley, born Dec. 13, 1863, and Genevieve, born Nov. 14, 1880. 
Mr. Lloyd and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a member 
of the Aurora Lodge of Freemasons, No. 48, and a Knight Templar, Commandery, No. 
13.
  "James M. Montgomery" was born in Wheelersburg, Ohio, May 3, 1841, a son of 
William and Nancy (Belote) Montgomery, natives of Scioto County. His father was a 
miller, but the latter years of his life lived on a farm. He died in April, 1870, aged 
seventy-five years. His mother is still living, aged eighty-two years. Of a family of seven 
children but three are now living. James M. was reared and educated in his native county. 
In 1861 he enlisted in the Twenty-third Ohio Infantry and served three years. He was 
wounded in the right wrist, which resulted in the loss of the use of his hand. He was 
mustered out Dec. 24, 1864, and returned home and has since lived on the old homestead, 
his mother, sister Mary, and a niece, Annie, residing with him. The farm contains seventy 
acres of well-cultivated land.
  "James J. Moore" was born in Scioto County, Ohio, Feb. 19, 1815, a son of William and 
Sarah (Norris) Moore, natives of Kentucky, and early settlers of this county. His mother 
died in 1850 and his father in 1857. They had a family of thirteen children, eight living 
till maturity. James J. was reared a farmer and has always followed that occupied. He was 
married in 1843 to Martha A., daughter of William and Amelia Freeman. She was born in 
Virginia, Dec. 23, 1815, and came to Ohio with her parents when seventeen years of age. 
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moore moved to Greenup County, Ky., and in 1859 
returned to Ohio and bought their present farm of sixty-four acres. They have three 
children-one son and two daughters. They are members of the Christian church. Mrs. 
Moore's parents had fourteen children, eight of whom lived to be men and women, but 
Mrs. Moore died in 1848 and her mother in 1859.
  "Thomas Powell" was born in South Wales in 1831. He was married in 1851 to 
Margaret Nichols, and the same year came to the United States, locating first in 
Norristown, Pa. Three years later he removed to Wheeling, W. Va., thence to Ashland, 
Ky. He enlisted in 1861 in the Fourteenth Kentucky Infantry and served three years and a 
half. He was in many severe battles under General Garfield the first year, and was then 
detached from his regiment and assigned to the Engineer Battalion, Twenty-third Army 
Corps. He was at the siege of Knoxville and battle of Atlanta, General Burnside 
commanding. He was discharged in February, 1865, and soon after located in Sciotoville, 
and engaged in the manufacture of fire brick. In 1883 he purchased sixty-one acres of 
land is now engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have two daughters-Mary A., now 
Mrs. Z. Beloat, and Sarah J., now Mrs. George Mathiott.
  "E. Powers", farmer, was born Oct. 9, 1828, in Scioto County, where he was reared and 
educated, and in his younger days followed brick-laying and plastering. He now 
possesses 181 acres of good land on section 9, Porter Township, on which there is to be 
found a large quantity of fire clay. He has a fine land for pasturing and has turned his 
attention considerably to that. Nov. 30, 1851, he was married to Sarah Dean, a native of 
Scioto County, born in 1829. She died Oct. 6, 1868. They were the parents of three 
children-Frank, Horace and Kate. He was married to his second wife, Mary Bagley, May 
25, 1873. She was born in New York in 1835. They have one child, John, born March 26, 
1874. Mr. Powers is a member of the Orient Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 337, 
Wheelersburg, Ohio. His wife belongs to the Free-Will Baptist church.
  "George Rife" farmer, was born in Scioto County, O., July 17, 1845, where he was 
educated, and followed farming till his marriage Caroline Duis, March 12, 1867. She was 
born in Lawrence County, Ohio, Feb. 9, 1850, and is a daughter of H. and Louisa 
(Todrant) Duis, natives of Germany. The former was born Nov. 29, 1825, and the latter 
Sept. 24, 1829, and at present are living in Ironton, Ohio. Mr. Rife lived on his farm on 
section 9, Porter Township, until the fall of 1880, when he moved to his present residence 
on section 9, which is known as the H. Duis place, consisting of 116 acres of fine land. 
He and his wife are members of the German Methodist church. Their family consists of 
six children-Willie W., born July 27, 1869; Rosa E., Dec. 25, 1871; Frank, Oct. 2, 1874; 
Clara B., April 9, 1877; Louisa H., March 16, 1880; Maggie M., Aug. 3, 1883. Michael 
and Barbara (Messer) Rife, parents of our subject, are natives of Germany, and are living 
at present in Wheelersburg, Ohio. Elizabeth Messer, our subject's grandmother, was born 
in Germany, Sept. 9, 1801. She came to America in 1830, and has resided in Porter 
Township about fifty-three years. She is a member of the German Methodist church, and 
is one of the oldest emigrant citizens of the Scioto Valley.
  "Edward Rowley", son of William and Nancy (Dillon) Rowley, both of whom were 
born in 1801 and died in 1880, the former a native of New York. They had a family of 
four boys and eight girls, our subject being the sixth child. He was born March 11, 1829, 
on section 9, Porter Township, Scioto County, Ohio, where he still resides. He followed 
flat-boating in his younger days and also worked at brick-making. At present he has an 
excellent farm of sixty-four acres, which is worth at least $3,000. He was married Jan. 18, 
1857, to Elizabeth Ann Deaver, born in Kentucky, Feb. 23, 1838. To them were born ten 
children-Hugh, Virginia, Hannah, Jennetta, Elizabeth, Edward, Frankling, Ernest, 
William and Harry. George Deaver, father of Mrs. Rowley, was born in Maryland in 
1811 and died in 1869. Her mother, Jennetta (Thomas) Deaver, was born in Kentucky in 
1812 and is still living. Mrs. Rowley was the third child of a family of four boys and 
three girls.
  "Levi Wheeler" was born in Scioto County, Ohio, June 11, 1823, a son of Luther and 
Rebecca (Hastings) Wheeler, natives of New Hampshire, who came to Ohio in 1820, and 
located near Wheelersburg, where his mother died in 1857 and his father in 1858. They 
reared a family of four children-Nathan, Isaac, Martha and Levi. When fifteen years of 
age Levi Wheeler went to work in the Scioto Furnace. He worked at different furnaces till 
1856 and then bought the Pine Creek Mill. Eight years later he sold the mill to his brother 
Nathan and removed to a farm, but after two years bought the Scioto Mills at 
Harrisonville. In connection with milling he owned a general store, but in 1879 sold both 
mill and store, and in 1881 bought the store of Lemuel Salladay at the Giant Oak Mills, 
and is carrying on a general mercantile business in connection with his farm of 500 acres. 
He was married in 1847 to Joanna, daughter of T. M. Bennett. They have eight children-
Thomas, Levi, Isaac, William, Ulysses G., James, Lucretia and Minerva. Two children 
died in infancy. Politically Mr. Wheeler is a Republican. He has held the offices of 
Deputy Sheriff, Treasurer, and Trustee of his township.
  "Hans C. Williamson", a native of Denmark, was born May 25, 1842. He was educated 
in his native country, and when sixteen years of age began to learn the carpenter's trade, 
working at it three years. He then engaged as sailor on a merchant ship running between 
Denmark, England and France, and in 1864 sailed for America, landing in Quebec, 
Canada. From there he went by rail to Boston; thence to Virginia, and settled in Wise 
County, where he followed his trade. In the fall of 1882 he removed to Scioto County and 
settled on a farm on Lick Run. In 1867 he married Martha L. Vanover, a native of 
Virginia. They have six children. Mr. Williamson is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
  "Frederick Woolford", son of David and Susanna Catherine (Arnst) Woolford, was born 
Nov. 3, 1798, Bath County, Va. He came to Ohio with his father in 1802 and settled in 
Scioto County, on the place where he still resides and where his father died, Feb. 18, 
1851. Susanna (Arnst) Woolford was born in Virginia and died in Illinois in 1835. 
Frederick Woolford was engaged in piloting salt boats along the coast of the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers for many years. He was married in 1833 to Mary Dillon, who died in 
Scioto County, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1842. They had a family of four children-Rachel, Mariah, 
Frank and Mary, all deceased. Frank was married to Christina Rust who bore him one 
child, Mary Alice, born Dec. 19, 1870. He was killed by the explosion of a boiler near 
Wheelersbu