KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XXXII]

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A History of Knox County, Ohio, From 1779 to 1862 
Inclusive: Comprising Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes and 
incidents of men connected with the county from its first 
settlement: Together with complete lists of the senators, 
representatives, sherriffs, auditors, commissioners, 
treasurers, judges, justices of the peace, and other 
officers of the county, also of those who have served in a 
military capacity from its first organization to the 
present time, and also a sketch of Kenyon College, and 
other institutions of learning and religion within the 
county. 
By A. Banning Norton.

Columbus: Richard Nevins, Printer. 1862
Entered according to the act of Congress in the year 1862 
by A. Banning Norton, In the Clerk’s office of the Southern 
District of Ohio.
     ____________________________________________

CHAPTER XXXII.

HOWARD TOWWNSHIP.

IN the general reorganization of March 9th. 1825.
this township was formed. The land is generally rolling and 
well watered by Owl Creek and the Jelloways, which afford 
considerable water power. The Kinderhook Mills, in the 
days of Elliott, Warden & Co., did a fine business, and the 
village of Kinderhook was quite a noted place.
Howard had 590 population in 1830, and 14,586 acres 
of taxable land. In 1840. the inhabitants numbered 990 ; in 
1850, 1,002 ; and in 1860, 870.
The Porters emigratcd from Maryland in 1816 Thomas J. 
died in his 83d year. Of his nine children, the living are 
Henry T., who married Eliza Ann Hedington, Samuel, 
Michael,  Harriet. wife of Hiram Critchfleld. Old Squire 
Porter was an honest and intelligent man, who was highly es-
teemed by all who knew him. For nine years he served his 
neighbors as a Justice, and died universally lamented. Dr. 
Lewis R. is residing in Clinton township, much respected for 
his intelligence and worth.
The name of Critchfield has been common in this and the 
adjoining townships, and will continue so. Nathaniel, 
William, Joseph, John and Isaac. five brothers, emigrated 
from the neighborhood of Cumberland, Md., to Owl Creek 
in 1806. Isaac died shortly after. The others load been 
soldiers in the Revolutionary War, and drew pensions until

their death. Nathaniel married Christina Welker he died 
about 1837, and she in July, 1840. They had thirteen 
children, of whom the following have been generally known, 
viz: William, Susannah, wife of Jacob Lepley, Joseph, 
Catharine, wife of Peris Sprague, Jesse, Sally, wife of 
Jacob Lybarger, Benjamin, Mary, wife of Meshac Casteel, 
and Isaac, who died. Wm. Critchfield, Sr., died in 1848. 
His second wife, who was the Widow Barcus, survives. 
Their children were - Reuben, Samuel, Betsy Thatcher 
Drusilla Thomas, Keziah Maghers, Sally Critchfield, and 
James and Benjami Barcus. Joseph Critchfield married 
Peggy Sapp; he died in 1843. Of their nine children, we 
have time following moranda Mary was the second wife of 
Col. John Greer ; Elizabeth married Robert Waddle; 
Catharine, George Lybarger ; Phoibe, Wm. Beckwith ; 
Alvin and William are in Indiana ; Isaac in Hardin county ; 
John in Mt Holly Joseph died in Indiana.
William, son of Nathaniel, married Elizabeth Troutman, of 
Somerset co., Pa ., and begat 13 children. Charles, 
Reuben, Sam., Hiram, Enoch, who married Maria Dixon ; 
Jesse, Mary Horton; Dr. S. T. Mary Porter, of Allegheny 
co., Md. ; William Jackson is dead ; Lucinda married 
Lewis Lybarger; Matilda married John Cassel; Delilah 
married Dr. Mast, and Catharine is at home. Hiram and 
Jesse are dead.
From the loins of these old soldiers have sprung a numerous 
tribe of athletic and hardy people. The old set were good 
marksmen, industrious husbandmen, thorough going 
yeomen, who endured

great hardships and perils in the " times that tried mens 
souls," and left to their hundreds of descen- dants the light 
of good example, and a just pride in their well spent lives.
Uriah Tracy, Marvin Tracy, James Logue, Jas. Wade, 
Paul Welker, Ben. Ellis, Philip, George., jr., and Isaac Dial 
were of the first settlers. George Lybarger, sr., George, jr., 
and Andrew. were among  the first voters in this township. 
Ludwick Lybarger and his sons--Sam., Georgee, Lewis, 
Joseph and Jacob, have long been residents. "Old uncle 
George" moved west many years ago, and is now dead ; he 
was a kind-hearted man of the pioneer stamp.
	The Dawsons and McFarlands, from Washington co., 
Pa., have resied in thus township since 1835, and have 
been excellent citizens. Henry Eckenrode, a native of 
Adams co., Pa., settled in this township in 1833, and has 
helped people it. John Hull has been here since 1820. Here 
too, have lived a numerous family of" Durbins, the Trol-
ingers, Horns, Whites, Nicolses, Marlows, Millers, 
Magerses, Berrys. and other most excelent people.

SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

1822. Joseph McMahon.     1841. H.H. McArtor 
1822. Martin Engle.       1844. H.H. McArtor
1825. Martin Engle.       1847. H.H. McArtor
1826. Amos Workman.       1850. H.H. McArtor
1829. Amos Workman.       1853. H.H. McArtor
1831. Ben Hedington.      1846. Ben Ellis. 
1832. Thos. J. Porter.    1849. E. Marshal. 
1835. Thos. J. Porter.    1852. J. T. Beum. 
1838. Thos. J. Porter.    1855. J. T. Beum. 
1832. William Williams.   1858. Sam. Cake. 
1835. William Williams.   1859. A. J. Ellis 
1838. William Williams.   1858. Paul Welker 
1840. Ben. Ellis.         1861. Paul Welker