Resources & Prospects. The village is purely agricultural and has no ambition to be anything but what it is. The rural population that surround it look to Jerusalem to supply their wants and buy their surplus produce. Butter and eggs form no insignificant item in the commerce of the place, and being within two or three hours ride of a good market, always bring good prices. Splendid orchards afford most years a large surplus of fruit that is a consideralbe source of revenue to the farmers, and so brings money to the tills of the merchant and tradesmen of the village. The two great staples are wool and tobacco. The tobacco bought and packed here, furnishes employment to many hands for the greater part of the year and the money it brings adds much to the wealth of the country and to the trade of the merchants. "Sheep are shod with gold," and some of these, the finest flocks of the country are raised near the place. Add to these, the splendid crops of wheat, corn and hogs, produced in the neighborhood and you have, with the cattle and sheep annually shipped to market, all the elements for a prosperous community, and just in proportion to the prosperity of the farmers is that of the thriving little village built up at their demand. The outlook for the place is that these resources will increase with better cultivation of the lands and the increase of the rural population, reacting on the village in its steady growth and its increase of wealth and broadening of its limits. It will never be a great city and it has no such ambition. It were a pity to replace it with a noisy town, where red nosed policemen were necessary, walking the streets at night to care for its property or arrest its disorderly citizens. These things are incident to the mixed population of large towns. Here they can never have anything of the sort. Each man has known all his neighbors from infancy and has no suspicions of them. Generations have come and gone here, as many more will come and go, still Jerusalem will be only its ancient self, grown a little larger, along with its evergreen, that will for a long time shade the dwellings of the children of the people who now live here and cultivate a laudable pride in the beauty, order and contentment of their pretty village on the "divide." The Schools On the highest point in the town stands a little white cottage, with several gables. It has a porch on the front and the cornices and window frames are painted a dark color. The large grounds about the house are enclosed with a white picket fence. Well kept walks lead up to the doors, and the balance of the ground is covered with a sward of blue grass. The grounds are ornamented by several handsome Juniper trees. In summer flowers bloom in the door yard and in winter glimpses of geraniums and fuchsias blooming in the windows greet the eye of the passer-by. Nearer the street stands a smaller building, painted like the house but wanting its surrounding. You can see these from the depot at the railroad, and if you have not time to visit the town this house will serve as a type of a great many other houses just behind the eminence on which it stands, only, here the evergreens have not grown so large as some you will see on Church street. That is the house on the top of that knob and it is the residence of Dr. G. W. STEWARD and the small one to the left is his office. Dr. STEWARD is a native of Monroe county, just in his prime at 38 yrs of age. He was educated in the common schools of the county, and read medicine with Dr. McCULLOUGH, of Beallsville, graduated at Charity Hospital, Cleveland, in 1869. He first commenced practice in Stafford, Monroe county, Ohio but came the same year to Jerusalem. he represented Monroe county in the Sixty-fourth General Assembly. The doctor has eschewed politics and devoted all his time to his profession in which he has attained eminence. Dr. S.D. GRIFFITH Dr. GRIFFITH is a native of Virginia, and during the war entertained sentiments on political questions that were somewhat unpopular in his state. His father served in the Union army and on his return his neighbors made it unpleasant for him, so he came to Ohio the home political freedom. The doctor read medicine with his present partner, Dr. STEWARD, and has recently graduated at Sterling Medical College. He is just entering on the practice of medicine, with bright hopes and good promise of success. Eagle Mills. Milhone and Latham are proprietors of the flouring mills under the above name. Mr. MILHONE the senior member of the firm is a native of Belmont county and was born thirty-eight years ago. he learned his trade of miller with Henry MILHONE, on Captina, and came here in 1884, and built the mill he owns and operates in partnership with Jas. LATHAM. Mr. LATHAM learned what he knows of milling since his association with MILHONE here in 1886. Heis a Belmont county man and is in the prime of life. The engineer in the mill where he is now employed. The building stands in the little depression you cross in going to town from the railroad and on the west side of the street. It is a three story frame building 26 x 15 feet. The power to run the machinery is furnished by a 20 horse power engine. The machinery consists of two run of buhrs, one centrifugal reel and two flour bolts. The mill makes a speciality of custom work, buys wheat and grinds flour for the market found in the near by towns along the railroad. This is a valuable peice of property, for it is never idle and never will be so long as they maintain the excellent reputation for first-class work already established. The Merchants. J. C. GATCHELL, is a son of Robert GATCHELL who settled in Jerusalem in 1847, and has ever since been in trade here as a grocer or dealer in produce. A. J. C. GATCHELL is now only 45 years of age, he must have been but a small boy when his father started a grocery on Church street about forty years ago. Fifteen years ago he bough out A. WILEY who was doing business where W. J. MOORE now is, and began business as a merchant on his own account. Four years afterwards he took as a partner W. J. MOORE and they continued the business together for five years. Five years ago he began business at the depot on his own account. he was burned out in 1883, but rebuilt on a more expensive plan and took Mr. THRALL as a partner. He held the office of Postmaster 16 years, retiring in December, 1885, owing to a little difference of opinion on politics between himself and Postmaster General VILAS, of Washington, D. C. Mr. THRALL has lately withdrawn from the firm of GATCHELL & THRALL so that again James is thrown on his own resources. But he is equal to the emergency and with the experience of so many years is able to push forward to renewed success. The building he owns and occupies is a two story and basement frame, 40 x 50 feet. The room in which he keeps a stock of dry goods, notions, hats, boots, and shoes, is 20 x 40 feet. the ware-room, used for storage purposes and for goods in transit, is the same size except a small room in one corner is used as an office. The family lives upstairs over these two rooms and in the basement is kept the heavy goods, such as slat, lime, plows, and farm machinery generally. Long familiarity with the wants of the people enables Mr. GATCHELL to keep just what is wanted and his obliging manners secures him his share of the trade. Part #3 to follow

Is anyone aware of any books, websites, etc. that gives information, tombstone information, etc. on Oaklawn Cemetery in Woodsfield? I believe I have a number of ancestors buried there and am trying to get more information on them. Thanks! Larry Shafer North Canton, OH

>From the book Nine Communities of Monroe Co., Oh: A History JERUSALEM NOT THE HOLY CITY; BUT JERUSALEM, MONORE COUNTY, OHIO, A PLACE THAT GREW TO BE A BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE WITHOUT INTENDING IT ______________________ WHERE IT IS, WHAT IT IS LIKE, WHAT BUSINESS IS DONE BY ITS INHABITANTS, ETC., ETC. Few towns or cities but have had a founder. the proprietor in most cases has hired a surveyor, and while he was laying off the streets, avenues and building lots, the owner of the ground has leaned listlessly against a tree, or other support and mentally calculated the amount of the fortune to accumulate in his pockets, by the sale of corner lots. His imagination pictures smoking factories, palatial residences and gorgeous stores arising from the ground on which he is even now planting the seeds of a great city. In most cases these dreams prove to be dreams only, but are none the less pleasant, no doubt, to the ambitious dreamer. No such visionary presided at the birth of Jerusalem. It was never born. Its existence was never formally inaugurated. No one seems to have designed its existence. It is a clear case of spontaneous generation. When Wm KENNARD entered the gound on which it stands, it is not likely he ever even thought it would be the site of a thriving and beautiful village. When he paid his debt for labor done by James VERNON by deeding him the forty acres on which Jerusalem stands, it never occured to him that here was to be a town. When in 1825 James VERNON married the love of his youth, and built a house in the woods on his small farm, it had not yet been spoken of as Jerusalem. The house he then built is still standing, and is the residence of Mr. R. L. MORRIS, one of the oldest citizens of the place. But the people of the neighborhood were Friends and they were not all orthodox. The orthodox portion of them built a church in what is now the north-east part of the town, and the Hixites built a church near what is now Ozark. Then John POWELL called one Jerusalem and the other Jericho; and so it got its name. Still there was no promise of a town, but in about 1838 Noah STEVENS, still living in Beallsville, built the second house. Then the land passed into the hands of Elihu TIPTON, who built a blacksmith shop at the junction of the two roads where Moore's store now stands. He subsequently moved the shop across to near the other corner and built the tobacco house. Meantime, however, Isaac BROWN built, in about 1846, the small house opposite the end of Church Street, and opened the first store in the place. Mr. Robert GATCHELL took up his residence here in 1847, when there were but three houses in the place. He shortly afterward began a grocer's business on Church street. In 1849 a postoffice was established, and the place has since been officially known as Jerusalem. TIPTON continued for some years to be the leading spirit of the place, and thuogh he nor any other person ever formally laid out a town, little by little, it continued to grow. People who desired to locate here could easily procure ground on which to build. The main street of the town was at that time one of the leading roads to Powhatan Point where all produce had to be hauled and stock driven from the surrounding country. Droves of cattle and hogs trudged over it from points farther west and north-west on their way to the river. A blacksmith shop and a store together, made a sort of halting place for teamsters and drovesters. The Quakers moved away in time and their church was moved from its site, remodeled and additions made to it till now it serves as a hote. However, as late as 1854, there were not more than five or six houses in the place. The uses of the Quaker church were changed about 1860. School was taught in a log huse about a mile from the hamlet, and this house does not seem to have been built till abut 1857. TIPTON continued for some time to be the leading man at the forks of the road but was finally succeeded by Geo. BECKET, who remained in business but a short time. Since his departure several firms have occupied the building on the corner. J.C. GATCHELL buying out Mr. A. WILEY fifteen years ago and four years later taking as a partner, its present occupant and owner, W. J. MOORE. In 1860 the village contained twelve or fourteen huses and a population of about sixty. When the war came it found the people of the little hamlet ready to meet the issue and fight the battles of constitutional liberty. Several persons from the town entered the army, and among them Levi LUPTON who held a commission as first Lieutenant in the 116th Ohio Infantry. He had been promoted to a Captaincy when he was taken prisoner and perished in a Southern prison. The Friends of the vicinity having removed, they were gradually replaced by Methodists and Presbyterians. In 1852 the following twelve persons were organized into a class at the residence of Jacob LAWRENCE, near the village, by Rev. J. J. McKILLIER. John W. LAWRENCE, Jacob LAWRENCE, Rebecca LAWRENCE, Catharine LAWRENCE, Levi LUPTON, Elizabeth LUPTON, Isaac GARRISON, Sophia GARRISON, Catharine PREBSCO, John NEPTUNE, and a Miss SWAN. For eight years services were regularly held at the house of Jacob LAWRENCE, and additions were made to the society. The wilderness had been subdued and the population became more dense, so that by 1860 the society had gained sufficient strength to build a church and Jerusalem had become a sufficient center of population to determine its location. In that year, the church on Church street was begun, and completed in 1861, when it was dedicated by Rev. John MOFFETT. For many years there has been a sprinkling of Presbyterians in and about the village, but they have never built a church. Now they feel their need of a place of worship and their ability to build it, so that the preliminary arrangements are making to farther adorn the town by adding to it a new church. From the building of the blacksmith shop by TIPTON, and the opening of the store by BROWN, the place has had a steady growth. It has never enjoied any pronounced boom. No artifical means have ever been employed to attract population, still it has gone steadily increasing in size. Men like Joseph McCRACKEN who have retired, find it a pleasant place of residence. Mr. McCRACKEN is a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania. He came here in 1854, buying a farm in the suburbs of the village. Here he continued to reside till 1884 when he sold his farm and took up his residence on Church street. He owns a farm in Belmont county, besides land in the west. He finds the village a pleasant place of residence and is devoted to its interests. Additions to the popluation like this and Mr. W. J. WILEY, who is a wealthy dealer in real estate, have brought the population up to more than two hundred at this time. The village whose growth has thus been briefly sketched is situated on the divide between Captina and Sunfish creeks, in Malaga twp, Monroe county, Ohio. The streams that head near the town, north and east, find their way into Captina, Death's or Dearth's fork heading west of the village, empties into Sunfish creek, while south, or south-east, the broad ridge that divides the waters of the two creeks stretches in gentle undulations, whose surface is highly cultivated farms, adorned with good houses, barns and fences, while the fields are flecked with fine sheep or cattle. The main street of the town wasmany years ago, before the days of the railroads, the thoroughfare that led to the river, passing south-east through Beallsville. Where the village stands it runs north, deflecting to the east at the point where church street turns to the west. This street runs up a gentle slope, at the top of which stands the school house, the most conspicuous building in the place. Along this street, lined by a good sidewalk, stand handsome frame residences, bright with new paint. The ample grounds surrounding these are enclosed with neat picket fences. The lawns are adorned with evregreens and shrubbery and the grass is kept short. The Methodist church occupies a conspicuous place on this street. It is a well proportioned frame building thirty by forty feet, comfortably seated, the seats being arranged in the old fashioned way, with a single aisle running up the center. A low platform occupies the end opposite the door. This is covered with a bright carpet, wheile on the walls are hung various mottoes and texts for the use of the Sabbath School. Since the church was dedicated in 1861, the congregation has been regularly supplied with some of the best ministers of the church. The Sunday school has always been regularly attended and is a means of much good both to tht old and young. The membership of the society has steadily increased, with the growth of the village till now it numbers over one hundred. A year ago the a successful revival add several to the membership. The present minister, Rev. R. W. GARDINER has just closed a successful series of meetings, the net result of which was an addition of seveteen names to the list. Rev. GARDINER is a very young, boyish looking individual, small of stature, but quick and energetic. He is a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, and graduated at Scio college, in 1880. He entered the ministry in 1886 and was given care of this place, along with the churches at Malaga, Miltonsburg, and Calais. His ministry has been successful and his excellent social qualities makes him a general favorite. Along the other street of the town the general appearance of Church street is maintained. Bright houses, planted well back from the street, have green lawns in front, adorned with a profusion of ever greens and shrubbery. The town having never been laid out on the precise rules that usually govern as to the size of building lots, location of alleys, etc., more scope for taste was possible and variety of surroundings to the buildings is the result, with the general result of more ample grounds and more freedom of location. The outcome is the most picturesque and beautiful village in the county. Standing on any of the elevations that overlook the place, a general view of the masses of pines, cedars, arborvitae and other evergreens, out of which peepsthe bright cottages presents a landscape unique in its characteristic features, there being no town that resemble it in this part of the state. Up to the time of the building of the B. Z. & C. railroad, which passes the place about a half mile south of the center of the village, it was confined to the cluster of houses about the forks of the street, or showed a tendency to expand in the direction of Church street. Since the building of the railroad there is a tendency to build towards the depot. Two stores and a blacksmith shop have been built near the station while dwellings and the mill straggle along the whole distance between the original town and the railroad. The visitor to almost any small town, if he keeps his eyes ipen, sees some red noses. Indeed he cannot avoid blundering on two or three specimens of this sort hanging listlessly about, utterly devoid of occupation, dirty and ragged, their noses, the color of a parboiled lobster, their eyes bleared and glassy, and only showing signs of intelligence when there is an apparent chance of being treated to a drink of the favorite poison. These landmarks of most towns are brought into bold relief by the sight of squalled, dirty faced starved looking children whose food has for years gone down the throats of wretched fathers in the form of bad whiskey. Jerusalem is almost alone in not having such an exhibition. There has never been a chance to develop purple noses and rags here. No saloon ever took root here and the beautiful aspect of the town, it wide reputation for morality, its thrifty business and its well dressed men, women, and childre, five the lie to the oft repeated saying that "a saloon or two is a help to any town." Part # 2 to follow

Can someone tell me the name of a cemetery in Woodsfield? It is located on Rt. 800 just as you enter Woodsfield coming from the North (e.g., from Barnesville). Coming south it would be on the right hand side, right at the curve, right before entering Woodsfield. Thanks! Larry Shafer North Canton, OH

The men of those times carried in their hearts the unquestioning faith of the early followers of the Wesleys. They were perhaps a little rough, but honest and enthusiastic in their religious belief. It must be supposed that while there were but a few of them, they worshiped in private houses and were conseled and exhorted by the conscientious preachers of those days by their own firesides. But when they grew more numerous, they felt the need of a "meeting house," and as memers of the community died, of a place near a church to bury their dead. Accordingly about 1836 they built on the spot where now stands the handsome modern church, a log structure which was grand in its day, no doubt. It had windows and a door, seats with no backs to them and at the rear end a pulpit elevated about four feet above the floor, and enclosed with a wooden wall with a tightly fitting door at the top of the four or five steps that led up to it. This enclosure was high enough to strike the average man about the third button of his waistcoat and left little more than the head and shoulders of a short man visible to his audience. the "women" (old fashioned term) occupied one side of the house and the men were confined to the other. "No silks rustled there." Here the gospel was preached with vigor. Crimes of all grades were called by their proper names and the penalty for committing them more than casually alluded to. Earnest men talked to earnest men and women in a way that would be delightful to hear now a-day. When this church was completed it was dedicated by the Rev. John SWAZEY, and named in his honor, Swazey Chapel. A long line of notable men of their time occupied the pulpit in this log church before it gave place to its successor. Among these may be named about in their order Wlater ATHEY, Robert BOYD, noted for his strong opinions on the slavery question and who only a few months ago died in Barnesville, Ohio; John HARE still remembered for his eloquence in the pulpit by the older people and whose widow still lives in Summerfield, Ohio; Jeremiah PHILLIPS who was in entire sympathy with BOYD on the slavery question, and who at nearly 88 yrs of age still lives in Dexter City, Ohio, and loves to recall his ancient friendship with BOYD; Henry WHARTON was contemporary with PHILLIPS & HARE; then followed Dr. McGEE and others down to the time of G. G. WATERS; when the old church having grown too plain and small for the times and the congregation, it was replaced by the present temple in 1858. The new church is a little beauty surrounded by a handsome cupola in which hangs a fine bell, and article not thought necessary fifty years ago when clocks were not so plenty as now, but which is regarded as a prime necessity in modern times. At the entrance there is a small vestibule with three doors; one opening into the center aisle, the side doors leading to narrow aisles next to the walls. A platform at the opposite end from the door with a book rest has taken the place of the ancient pulpit. Back of the platform is an empty niche in the wall bordered by a colored moulding. The seats are here but they are comfortable and have backs to them. The aisles are covered with matting and the platform or alter with green woolen carpet. Everything is near, clean and comfortable. When this house was dedicated more than twice the people that could get in it were here and overflow meeting was held in the school house that only accommodated a part of the surplus. Now it is generally well filled and often packed, as on Christmas last by as orderly and intelligent a congregation as can be gathered anywhere. Rev. Geo. M. WILSON, a lineal descendent of one of the oldest settlers on the Little Muskingum, is their Minister. In the great free West the free schools and the church have traveled hand in hand, and they have together grown in symmetry and culture. Here the school house preceded the church but not worship. As early as 1825 school was taught in a log house that stood near the creek just at the mouth of the first little stream that puts into it from the east side below the church. We may well believe this was a primitive arrangement. It is easy to imagine the few scholars there swinging their feet as they sat on backless benches unable to touch the floor, conning over Webster's spelling-book, their backs badly bent with fatigue. The familiar hickory, which has long since disappeared, was stuck in a crack where it could be readily reached. The children's hats and bonnets, of coarse texture, were hung on pegs driven in the wall along one side of the house and their lunch, or perhaps corn bread and apples or pork, tied up in carefully preserved remnants of worn out garments, or in small home made baskets were arranged on a bench behind the door. The "Master" had a goos quill pen stuck over his ear and doubtless lorded it over the small boys to chop and carry in the wood to replenish the large open fire that occupied half of one side of the room. But woe to the master when Christmas came. Then he was a very coward. Treat he must or suffer terrible punishment, such as a ducking in the creek, after the ice had been broken for that purpose. Yet out of the schools, crude as they were, came boys, who as men, became eminent. This primitive school-house served its day and about 1838 was replaced by a better one on the spot where the present one is, just in rear of the church. This one had better seats and a stove (at least in the latter years of its existence) and we may well believe a black-board. This house was in its turn soon outgrown to be replaced by the present one in about 1856. The site is a beautiful one, surrounded by a grove of forest trees. Just above the house a spring gurgles from the hill side and runs past the house. Inside are all the modern fixtures, patent seats, large balck-board on which to diagram sentences, solve algebraic problems or demonstrate geometric propositions. The "three R's" no longer absorb the whole attention of the youth. At least on teacher (and probably many) who have taught here have become eminent. J. W. HAMILTON, who taught the school in the winter of 1860-1861 has since built and is Pastor of the People's church, Boston, Mass., and had the good sense some years ago to refuse the honarary degree of D. D. tendered him by an eastern college. This school is a good one and always supplied with a good teacher. This farm just in front of the church and this hamlet are the property of Capt. Wm. GIBSON. Young and Thomas are said to have been the first owners of the 100 acres of land now owned by the Captain which at one time would not sell for $300. That sum would scarcely buy five acres of it now. Wm. GIBSON is son of John B. GIBSON, a soldier of the War of 1812. He was a native of Maryland but came to Barnesville, Ohio, where William was born June 1834. William came here thirty-two years ago and farmed till 1862, when he entered the army in Company "D," 92nd Infantry, returning in June 1865. He began merchandising in the spring of 1866 in an old log-house that stood just below where this cluster of houses now stand. The building was of the ancient pattern with a large fireplace on one side. Here he did a business for several years that required the annual purchase of about $17,000-$18,000 worth of goods. But he was too near the creek and a flood entailed on him a loss of $300 or $400. That was about eighteen years ago. Warned by this he built the small brown house just below his white cottage, in which he did business till 1883 when he removed to his new rooms across the street and a little farther down stream than his residence. During seventeen years he bought each year abuot 175 hogshead of tobacco and packed it in that large frame building at the lower end of the hamlet. His present quarters built in 1883 is a one-story frame building 40 x 27 feet. By the way he was largely influential in having the postoffice established which is now served with a daily mail. His stock like most country stores, attempts to comprehend the whole circle of human wants and he has nearly accomplished it. there is probably no more complete, nor as complete, and nicely kept country store in the county. The Captain has prospered all these years and continues to prosper. In a corner of the sotre stands his old sword. the boy with us caught sight of it and asked to see it, when, with pardonable pride he handed it to the boy telling him, not boastfully, where it had traveled, from Nashville, Tenn., to Hoover's Gap, Chicamauga, Mission Ridge, Dalton Buzzard Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and was at the taking of Atlanta. How it crossed Georgia to Savannah, then to Columbia and Goldsboro, and was at the surrender of JOHNSON. How he carried it to the Statue of Washington in that city. How he carried it to Washington City, and there in the grandest review the sun ever shown upon. He is evidently going over it all in his mind. The God-like column passes in review before him; the weary marches in swamps, or over mountains; the sturggle in the day of battle and the grand triumphs marred by the thoughts of missing names on the muster roll. The boy says, "it is a handsome blade and has traveled much." Then he resumes possession of it and replaces it in its accustomed corner, and the conversation turns to the subject of LOGAN's death. O well, the Captain is only a type of a rapidly diminishing crowd who alone can penetrate his thoughts and understand his mood at such moments. He did not make the trip with his sword alone and he never forgets it. But here his sword rests in peace, and troops of friends attend its owner in his hamlet of brown houses, barns, stables, etc., decorated by the one white cottage in which he and his amiable wife love to dispense their hospitality and live in the contenment, plenty and peace, typical of the whole population of the valley. A. R. P. The Monroe Gazette, Woodsfield, Ohio Friday, January 7, 1887 Volume XIV, No. 25 Sincerely, J.L. http://www.y2kfoods.homepad.com

In a message dated 5/9/99 3:17:51 PM Central Daylight Time, OHMONROE-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: > >From the Book: Nine Communities of Monroe Co., Oh: A History J.L., I want to thank you for all the work you are doing to make this part of the country a bit more real for all of us out-of-staters. Even though I have visited in OH back in the '60s, a great deal of what I saw has been lost. Your work is making me remember a lot, and for that which I was unaware, I thank you even more. This is the area in which I father was born, nurtured and grew to manhood. While he was considered an orator and had very descriptive tales to tell of the area, it remained a mystery. These little bits of history are helping to shed some light on some of the stories he used to tell. Since he was born in 1880, in the area of Greysville, Washington Township, OH, the timing for the transcription is perfect and the subject matter is even more perfect. Thank you again for all the service you render this list. In my opinion, you are a very valued and valuable member. Maryann Dixon Moseby Proud Rootsweb Sponsor and M c E l r o y Listowner mdmgen@aol.com for M c E l r o y dixlan2@aol.com for General e-mail AOL Instant Messenger: Dixlan2 ICQ: 1631995

>From the Book: Nine Communities of Monroe Co., Oh: A History SWAZEY WHERE AND WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT GREW. If ever you should visit Swazey, take the train on the B. Z. and C. railroad, get off at Pryor and cross the sharp divide between the waters of Wills Creek and the head waters of the Little Muskingum. Descending the hill and following the valley down will bring you there in due time. In the western part of Monroe county, Ohio, on a little bluff or foot-hill to the main ridge that forms the east side of the valley of Little Muskingum stands a neat frame church and a school-house. Standing on this little elevation near them and looking down the valley you see the gray hills in great rolling swells rise toward the top of the divide between this stream and the waters of Duck Creek. Lateral streams putting in from the west out the face of the ridge into hollows that widen towards the mouth having their heads near the top of the divide. these corrugations render the face of the general slope somewhat broken. The creek bends to the east just below where we stand and a high promontory a short distance below shuts off a farther view of the valley in that direction. The curve in the valley almost immediately shuts off the view of the hills to the left. A short distance below comes in from the left the valley in which the late Alex. PICKENS resided. Looking up the stream the view is somewhat interferd with by a fringe of sycamore, elm and walnut trees that adorns the banks of the stream wheich curves slightly to the west as you go up the creek. To the right from the standpoint at the church, Richard GIBSON's house just peeps above the intervening swell that almost hides it from view. It stands a little back from the small bottom that borders the creek, on a genteel slope near the mouth of the stream that here puts into the creek. The white frame residence of George REED stands well up on the hill side and farther up stream where it contrasts stongly with the old barn and residence owned by his father so many years. The spur from the main ridge of hills on which REED's house stands, shuts off farther view in that direction except the distance trees farther up the valley. Dr. J. B. WILLIAMS' fine residence stands behind that grove of timber and just at the foot of the divide. The Doctor was once a practicing physician, an active politician and held the office of State Senator from the 19th district in the 62nd & 63rd General Assemblies, but he is retired now and living in comfort and contentment. The hills on the west side of the creek crown in close to the stream and are cut through by numerous small streams but are not rough for Monroe county, and are very fertile. The valley is part of the Egypt of the county, where its best corn grows. Looking at the valley now it is gray or brown. Winter's hand is on it. Large flocks of sheep graze in the fields or cluster about the hay stacks in the meadows. Fine cattle stand about the barns chewing their cud in contentment. Fat hogs painfully labor their way to the feeding place, while the small pigs riot in the fodder shocks near by. A framehouse standing nearly opposite the church from the chimney of which the smoke, this chilly winter day, curls to the sky, and the smell of frying sausage floats on the air. A boy urges his bare backed horse at a sharp trot through the covered bridge below us, the sharp clatter of the ironed hoofs ring out clear on the frosty air, while just around the point to the left is heard the voice of someone calling his sheep. The little cluster of houses just at our feet show no sign of life except the curling smoke from the chimneys of the white cottage amid the group of brown or weather-beaten houses surrounding it. About us stands a grove of oaks shading the church and the school house through which the twilight when we turn to the "city of the dead" just by the church where the "silent majority," -- the past inhabitants of the valley have gone to rest to be followed by those who brought them here. Such is the valley about Swazey as seen of a winter evening. it is beautiful in its winter garb but "see it in June and then die." It is then superb. Fields of clover so full of bloom that the surface is a mingling of red and green that defies the artist to reproduce. Meadows of green grass, fields of rustling corn, millions of flowers in bloom loading the air with fragrance; bees humming among the flowers in and birds singing in the grove about the church. Summer clouds coning up the valley from which anon, comes a flash and thunder; then a shower of rain in a few moments passed and everything glittering with rain drops, bright in the setting sun, then the robin perched on a tomb-stone near by breaks forth in melody that cannot fail to attract by its earnestness and its beauty the dullest intellect. Seventy-five years ago these hills were covered with heavy forests. Nature had her sweet will in everything. The hand of amn had not begun to destroy what it had taken ages to produce, and to replace it by her aid wiht what we now see. About that time one Frederic CROW invaded the valley and took up the land now owned by George REED. here in the wilderness he hewed out a home, lived and died, and his bones lie buried on the land that was his. Then came Edward REED and Woodman OKEY, who succeeded CROW in the ownership of the land about 1827. OKEY occupied it for some time, removing later to the vicinity of Stafford when REED became the sole owner of the property, living here to a good old age, dying possess of 700 acres of this fertile valley, the richest man in it. Contemporary with CROW was Rare BEAN or Uriah BEAN who became the first owner of the farm now owned by John REED, lying up the hollow back of George REED's farm, and about the same time, Rev. John GRAHAM, father of Mrs. John PHILPOT, of Summerfield, became the owner of the farm now owned by Richard GIBSON. Richard GIBSON the present owner of this farm was born in Maryland, January 1817, and came to Barnesville, Ohio, in 1833. He married a daughter of John R. GIBSON, came to this valley and bought the farm he still owns from Benjamin THOMAS in 1842. Here his wife died in 1879. Mr. GIBSON is a central figure in the society of this valley, highly respected by all and a leading man in the church, liberal with his means and heartily seconding anything that promises to contribute to the happiness of those about him, and expecially the young by whom he is held in high esteem. James YOUNG, or Ireland, about 1822 occupied the land in the hollow right hand side of the creek about half a mile below the church and set up a horse mill where he ground corn for the people of the vicinity. Jacob WISE, grand-father of Mrs. W. FARLEY, of Summerfield, Ohio, and of Samuel WISE moved to the farm where the latter now lives on Wills Creek, two or three miles west of Lewisville, in 1820. Jacob WISE came from Pennsylvania. Some years later about 1830, his son Jonathan WISE moved to the neighborhood where he remained several years removing finally to Jackson county, West Va., where he died. Further down the valley a Mr. WELLS from Virginia bought land on which he settled his sons in law, Shedrick KING, Wm. MORRIS, and Solomon FORSHEY. Below here about the line between the farm of Miles MALLET and the HUGHES farm was buried the first man who died in the neighborhood. His name was Joseph HINES and his coffin was made of puncheons, slabs split from a tree and hewn down for the purpose. His funeral occurred in 1820. He was buried so near the creek bank that by 1848 it had washed away the earth till the coffin was exposed when the remains were removed to the church yard. John ANTLE came into the valley about 1831 and took up 80 acres of land not far from the church. John B. KEAN whose children and grand children are to be found in the county came here abut the same time from Philadelphia. He was a cabinet maker and subsequently removed to Stafford where he lived to a very old age dying only a few years ago. hes residence while here was near the church. Wm. CASEY joined the settlement about 1837 living here till 1862, the time of his death. These families formed the body of the colony of pioneers in this beautiful valley. They and their families have made it what it is. This handsome church did not arise in a moment out of the ground. The wilderness was not subdued and made to bloom with beauty without many sturdy persevering blows. Part 2 to follow.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THIS DAY APPLIES TO!!!! Always, J.L. Dry Goods. N. E. HOGUE, son of Isaac HOGUE, the senior member of the firm of which he is the successor is 25 yrs old and began business for himself here in Nov. 1885. The rooms he occupies are in the Masonic building on the corner. His front room is twenty-five by thirty feet. Back of this are two rooms, one eighteen by eighteen used for clothing and one eighteen by fifteen used as a ware-room. To the right as you enter is the dry goods and notions. The other side is occupied by queensware, glassware and groceries, the surplus of these goods, above what are on the shelves being stored in the room to the rear of that side - in the room to the right rear as you enter, will be found the stock of clothing which is well selected and full. Mr. HOGUE also handles hardware, plows, etc. He has started in with vim, and intends to stay right here. He proposes to kkep what is wanted by the people and to sell at prices that will be fair to both the buyer and seller. Success awaits him no doubt for he is attentive to business and courteous to all. Being among the people with whom he has grown to manhood, he has an extensive acquaintance which brings him trade. F. ULLMAN & Son Mr. ULLMAN, the senior member of the firm, came from Germany to the United States in 1836. He was in Harriettsville for some years, coming to Stafford in 1868. Was in business with his brother here till last September, when the brother retired and Mr. ULLMAN took his son E. J. as a partner. The rooms occupied by this firm are in the old STEEL property and are commocious and neat. The front room is 20 x 36 feet and has a counter on each side and across the rear end. Here is found the dry goods, notions and a part of the stock of groceries. A well furnished show carse occupies the counter on the right as you enter. Back of this room is a small private room and a ware room 25 x 18 feet, given over to such goods as are usually found in these rooms. The upstairs is used for clothing, hats, and caps and other bulky goods. During the years ULLMAN has been here he has bought and packed an average of about 200 hogsheads of tobacco annually. The trade derived from this one source is no inconsiderable item in any business. Experience has made a good merchant of Mr. ULLMAN. He is a careful buyer and his long acquaintance with the wants of the people make it easy for him to meet them and have no dead stock on his hands. Prosperity attends him and though he is gowing old he is active and cheerful and believes in the ultimate greatness of Stafford. George W. ROBINSON. Son of Hugh ROBINSON, a wealthy farmer who lives a short distance north west of town was born here 34 years ago. Raised on the farm he began mercantile prusuits in 1872. To the room built by J. W. BARNETT he added twenty feet in length making it 22 x 50 feet and back of this is still another addition 20 feet in length. This is divided into two equal rooms the one on the right being used for clothing and the one on the left is the wareroom. A cellar is under the building. The shelves, show-cases, and a good part of the counter on one side of the front room are filled with a stock of dry goods, notions, groceries, hardward, etc., besides a large table between the counters toward the rear of the room is heaped with blankets and such other bulky goods. The clothing room is well filled with a handsome stock of seasonable clothing. The cellar, ware-room, and a part of the shelf room are taken up with a stock of groceries and hardware. He makes a special drive on farm machinery and this year has sold more Champion machines than any other man in the district. A considerable portion of his trade comes through the purchase of tobacco; he handles annually about 200 hogsheads of the weed. He also looks after a coal mine that puts out about 25,000 bushels each year. Fourteen years of experience has not been lost on George, though it has not made him old. He is full of life and vigor and always absorbed in business. He is a close buyer and keeps his stock full, thereby attracting custom. It is too late to say he will succeed, for he has already succeeded. Merchant Tailor. C. P. BURGBACHER, formerly of Woodsfied, is a young man who learned his trade of tailor with his father at Matamoras, Ohio. Worked at St. Marys, West Virginia, in 1880 and 1881. He came here at the request of HOGUE and TANNER in 1882, expecting to remain but a short time. But business grew on him till he could find no chance to get away and now the desire to leave is gone. He is therefore permanently established in a small shop next to ULLMAN's Hotel, where he furnishes goods and makes suits to order. He guarantees fits, and is always busy. Tobacco and Wood Dealer. Thomas B. DAY commenced life 59 years ago at Washington, Guernsey county, Ohio. He came to Monroe county forty-five years ago and lived near Lebanon where he has dealt in leaf tobacco for thirty years. His annual pruchase average 250,000 or 300,000 pounds. His packing place has generally been Lebanon. During these thirty years he has accumulated a fortune. Of late years he has also been dealing in wood, buying 25,000 pounds per annum. Seven years ago he removed to Stafford and occupies as a residence the large brick house at the north end of the village. Millinery. Miss Carrie BELL, the Milliner, a daughter of the late Dr. BELL, who came here in 1867, dying in 1885. In 1886 Miss BELL turned the front room of the homestead in Carmichel's addition into a millinery store. She keeps a handsome stock and has already a good trade. Her excellent taste in matters of this sort is of value to those who want fashionable hats nicely trimmed. Mrs. Mattie BOWEN. She was raised almost in sight of Stafford and is a member of the well-known HAWKINS family. She began the millinery business some time ago and by here approved good taste in such matters, has built up a good trade in ladies' hats, bonnets, and trimmings. Her business has so increased that she will build a new shop before the spring trade opens and increase her facilities for supplying her growing trade. At present her shop and residence is on Main street, just west of the corner, south side. Jewelers. J. A. BELL, son of the late Dr. BELL, deceased, repairs watches, clocks, and jewelry at his father's former residence, and furnishes watches, clocks or jewelry on order. Chas. GATCHELL of Graysville learned the trade of jeweler with Kisar of Woodsfield. He came here April, 1886, and opened a confectionary establishment where he also sells watches, clocks, etc., and repairs watches and clocks. His room is just east of Eaton's Hotel. Saddlers & Harness. W. A. BARNETT, son of J. W. BARNETT, so long a successful merchant of Stafford was born here in 1853. He learned his trade of harness maker with Hugh BROWN, beginning in 1877. He runs the shop from the start and has become thorough master of his trade. he keeps on hands saddles, whips, etc., and always has the material from which to make anything ordered in his line. His shop on north cross street, is altogether too small for his business so that he intends to enlarge it in the spring. An honest job of work is done here for an honest price. The Shoemakers. James S. EATON came here with his father Shepherd EATON, about 1857. Here he has grown up. Here he learned his trade of shoemakerm and here he works in his shop by the Eaton Hotel till late at night, to try to keep up with business. he is an expert in his trade. T. M. SWARTWOOD. T.M. is 48 yrs of age and his head is silvered over with the frosts of many winters. He is a skilled shoemaker and learned his trade in Antioch, O. Came to Stafford in 1858. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I 25th Ohio Infantry, and it came near being the last of him. He was wounded at McDowell, Va., and carried on a stretcher for fifty miles. Coming home in June 1862 he was carried in the same way from Spencer station to Stafford. But he survived it all - a monument of gray headed pluck - he is. In 1872 he occupied as his own the house formerly owned by Hugh BROWN and does business in his old shop. He works himself and employs two hands sothe shop turns out a great amount of first class work. The whole force is kept busy, and to a man who has been here as long as he has this is sufficient compliment. He will enlarge his business in the spring. Albert TOPLE. Albert has lived here 26 yrs and he has never lived any place else. He learned his trade here and worked from 1879-1885 with Tom SWARTWOOD. Began business for himself June last. His shop is at the north end of the village opposite the big brick residence. Here he works steadily and has all he can do and does all his work in good style. He keeps on hand the necessary stock to fill orders with neatness and dispatch. The Blacksmith. Peter ULLMAN, a native of France, came to the United State in 1836. Began work at his trade in Harriettsville in 1845, coming to Stafford in 1860. Peter has a large, well furnished shop, there being two forges and tools for two workmen. Though he is growing old it is generally admitted these old fellows are reliable, and so Peter is kept busy. The Cabinet Maker. Charles YOCKEY came from Germany when he was three years old, which wa 54 years ago. he came to Stafford in 1850 and it is safe to bet that there is furniture in the neighborhood, standing squarely on its pins, that he made about that time. He has been in his present residence and shop since 1866, and still works at his trade, and what he does is neat and strong. The Undertaker. J. W. EATON has been a resident of the town since 1857, and of course is well established. He is a tobacco packer by trade and works at it regularly. He, however, began the undertaking business in 1882, and uses a room in the rear of Dr. BELL's drug store, for storage purposes. He has here perhaps a much larger stock of coffins and caskets than can be found in any of the neighboring towns. To meet the circumstances of all classes it is necessary to keep a great variety of styles and sizes as well as prices. This requires a considerable outlay of capital, but he can always be depended upon to have what is wanted, be it plain or expensive. Drug. G. W. MASON and son began the drug business in 1879 in a room on Main street, long occupied by the elder doctor and near his residence. Their room is not large, but in it will be found a complete stock of pure drugs, patent medicines, stogies, fine cigars, and jewelry. here the postoffice is kept. Both proprietors being physicians, they know the value of pure drugs, and prescriptions are sure to be filled without mistake or substitution. Dr. J. C. BELL Dr. BELL has a neat drug store opposite the Eaton Hotel, where pure drugs are dispensed on prescription. These two stores make a very creditable showing for their branch of business, and are in competent hands, which is an important item. The Hotels. Peter ULLMAN in 1862 in addition to his blacksmithing business opened the ULLMAN HOUSE, northeast corner of the cross streets. He has here a good building with twelve rooms well furnished and kept in prime order by Mrs. ULLMAN. ULLMAN's is a good place to stop. Eaton House. Shepherd EATON did a hotel business here from about 1857 till the time of his death which occured in 1876. His widow, Mrs. Sarah EATON, has continued the business from that time till now in the red brick building next to ULLMAN's store. I stopped with them in 1858 and again in 1886, and the place still maintains its standards of excellence. The Doctors. Dr. G. W. MASON is the oldest inhabitant of Stafford, or rather the man who has been here the longest. Born in Woodsfield, Ohio, Dec. 1826, he attended Woodsfield Academy in boyhood finishing his education at New Athens, Harrison county, O., read medicine with M. W. WARFIELD of Fairview, Ohio, from October 4th, 1844, to October 4th, 1847. Attending Sterling Medical College 1847-1848. Graduated at the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati. Came to Stafford April 1st, 1849. He has practised medicine here ever since that time accumulating a comfortable fortune and enjoying all these years the respect of his fellow-citizens. He was appointed postmaster Sept. 1885. Office at drug store on Main street. Dr. J. C. BELL Dr. BELL is the son of the late Dr. BELL of this place. He read medicine with his father, afterwards graduating at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1883. He commenced practice here the same year and is gradually working his way forward. Office in his drug store opposite Eaton House. Dr. Jas. L. MASON Jas. L. is the son G. W. MASON, born in Stafford Nov 20th, 1854. He was educated in the Stafford schools, finishing at Dennison College; studied medicine with his father and graduated at Ohio College of Medicine, Cincinnati, in 1877. Practiced for some time at Middleburg, Noble county, when he came here entered into partnership with his father in the drug business, and also in the practice of medicine. Office at drug store. Dr. A. L. CURTIS Dr. CURTIS, physician, was born in Noble county thirty-nine years ago. He is a son of Liberty CURTIS, for many years a prominent citizen and wealthy farmer of that county. After finishing his education he studied medicine with Dr. G. W. MASON in 1869-1870. Graduated at the Medical College of Ohio in 1872. Practiced at Carlisle, Noble county, from 1874-1880, when he came here, and lives in the house built by his father in the grove south of town. He is a sucessful physician, but his health not being good, he amuses himself buying and selling fine horses, and boasts he has now some of the best horses in the county. The Ministers. The M. E. Church is served by two ministers, and the charge includes seven churches. Rev. H. H. WESTWOOD is the senior preacher. He is a graduate of a classical institution. He joined the Baltimore conference in 1872, which fives him fourteen years experience, and is spoken of as a man of great ability. Resides in Carlisle. Rev. Robert DAVIDSON, the junior M. E. Preacher, was born in England. Began work in a pottery at ten years of age. Attended night school and improved his time in study. Came to this country in 1877, and resided for a time at Trenton, N.J., coming later to Wheeling, where he first entered the ministry four years ago. He has made himself what he is by dint of pluck and hard work. He is highly spoken of as a preacher. There you have my showing of Stafford, with all its imperfections for what it is worth. Stafford, Ohio December 26, 1886 A. R. P. The Monroe Gazette, Woodsfield, Ohio Friday, January 7, 1887 Volume XIV, No 25 Sincerely, J.L. http://www.y2kfoods.homepad.com

Looking for info on a William L. BISHOP born 9-2-l868 Malaga, Monroe Co. Ohio. Married a Cora Florence Uptegraph who was born in Indiana 12-15-l874. Had three daughters. Lived in Peru, MiamiCo, Indiana for awhile, then Mingo Junction Ohio. Heart Attack at the Baltimore MD train station and died 9-23-l942. Buried in Mingo Junction Ohio.

Hello, Several weeks ago we started tracking my (Gregg) husband's great grandfather, Salavia Bowen, a police officer killed while on duty in Wheeling, WV in 1902. After hearing from various Bowen kin, here is what we have pieced together for this Monroe Co. Bowen family. Please be aware that there may be errors (and we'd welcome knowing about them) because we haven't done the research ourselves (except census review) and are relying on our contacts. We were initially thrown off track by the newspaper reports of Salavia (Lafe) Bowen's death which had family names wrong in almost all cases (so the advice of "don't believe what you read in the paper" is quite real in genealogy.) We'd love to hear from any other cousins out there and hope this helps someone. Also, thanks to all the cousins who helped us put this together so far. Susan Clanton Simpson Descendants of Daniel Bowen (I did a cut and paste from FTM and sometimes get some added numbers or other characters so keep that in mind) Generation No. 1 DANIEL2 BOWEN (Maybe CLIFTON1 was his dad?) died 1839. He married ELIZABETH KNIGHT October 17, 1811 in Washington Co., OH, daughter of THOMAS KNIGHT and ELIZABETH. Children of DANIEL BOWEN and ELIZABETH KNIGHT are: . i. ELAM3 BOWEN. . ii. JOSEPH BOWEN, b. 1813. iii. MAHALA BOWEN. Generation No. 2 ELAM3 BOWEN (DANIEL2, CLIFTON1). He married MARY ANN WRIGHT. Children of ELAM BOWEN and MARY WRIGHT are: i. SOPHRONIA4 BOWEN, b. July 25, 1842, Ohio; d. December 06, 1922, heart disease. ii. NANCY BOWEN, b. 1844, Ohio. She had no children; m. JAMES MAIENKNECHT, December 11, 1877. More About NANCY BOWEN: Burial: Locust Grove Cemetery, Jackson Twp. Residence: last 2 yrs. with Charles Dennis of Rt. 3, Sardis, OH iii. ROBERT BOWEN, b. 1846; d. 1906. iv. SARAH ELIZABETH BOWEN, b. February 02, 1849, Ohio; d. January 13, 1895. v. LEMUEL CURTIS BOWEN, b. January 1854; d. February 20, 1927. vi. NICHOLAN BOWEN, b. 1854, Ohio. He never married.; d. May 15, 1934, Tyler Co., WV. JOSEPH3 BOWEN (DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born 1813. He married JANE KNIGHT, daughter of BLANCHE HARWOOD. More About JOSEPH BOWEN: Occupation: miller Residence: 1860, Tyler Co., WV More About JANE KNIGHT: Obit: teacher Children of JOSEPH BOWEN and JANE KNIGHT are: . i. JOHN4 BOWEN, b. 1835. ii. ANN BOWEN, b. 1840. iii. MELISSA BOWEN, b. 1842; m. JAMES O. SOLES. . iv. ALEXANDER BOWEN, b. 1845; d. 1914. v. ANGELA BOWEN, m. SAM EDWARDS. . vi. HENRY BOWEN, b. July 1858. MAHALA3 BOWEN (DANIEL2, CLIFTON1). Children of MAHALA BOWEN are: i. SARAH4 BOWEN, b. 1839. ii. ARTHUR LINSLEY BOWEN, b. November 17, 1842; d. January 07, 1903. iii. NANCY BOWEN, b. 1853; d. 1924. Generation No. 3 SOPHRONIA4 BOWEN (ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born July 25, 1842 in Ohio, and died December 06, 1922 in heart disease. She married (2) JOSEPH DENNIS. Child of SOPHRONIA BOWEN is: i. SALAVIA5 BOWEN, b. July 1863, Ohio; d. December 24, 1902, Wheeling WV. (believe that Salavia (nicknamed Lafe, also seen as Salavie) was the out-of-wedlock son of William Kirkland) Children of SOPHRONIA BOWEN and JOSEPH DENNIS are: ii. LAVERNA DENNIS. iii. CHARLES DENNIS. ROBERT4 BOWEN (ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born 1846, and died 1906. He married ELIZABETH FAGERT August 28, 1871. More About ELIZABETH FAGERT: Burial: Sardis Cemetery, Lee Twp. Children of ROBERT BOWEN and ELIZABETH FAGERT are: i. HENRY S.5 BOWEN, b. 1872; m. (1) JENNIE; m. (2) VALLA MCMULLEN, August 09, 1920. ii. ELOM P."BUD" BOWEN, b. 1878; d. 1905. iii. ANNA L. BOWEN, b. 1873, Ohio. She never married & was a nurse; d. 1948. . iv. RALPH W. BOWEN, b. March 1883; d. December 13, 1913. v. MAUDE BOWEN, b. January 1889. vi. CHRISTIE A. BOWEN, b. November 1891, Ohio. She never married. vii. ELSIE BOWEN. SARAH ELIZABETH4 BOWEN (ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born February 02, 1849 in Ohio, and died January 13, 1895. She married NOAH BILLITER. Children of SARAH BOWEN and NOAH BILLITER are: i. MARY LUCINDA5 BILLITER, b. 1869. ii. WILLIAM BILLITER, b. 1872. iii. GEORGE BILLITER, b. 1875. LEMUEL CURTIS4 BOWEN (ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born January 1854, and died February 20, 1927. He married (1) ELIZA JANE COLVIN September 24, 1883. He married (2) CORA ROSENLEIB ROWLES February 21, 1900. More About LEMUEL CURTIS BOWEN: Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Bellaire, OH Children of LEMUEL BOWEN and ELIZA COLVIN are: i. SALAVIE CURTIS5 BOWEN, b. 1884. ii. LUTHER BOWEN, b. December 1884. iii. BERTHA BOWEN, b. February 1889; m. ELMER MILLER, October 06, 1909. iv. BOSTLOU BOWEN, b. February 1889. v. NOAH B. BOWEN, b. October 05, 1889; d. 1954. vi. CHARLES H. BOWEN, b. September 1892. JOHN4 BOWEN (JOSEPH3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born 1835. He married ELIZABETH ANN. Children of JOHN BOWEN and ELIZABETH ANN are: i. BELL5 BOWEN. ii. NANCY JANE BOWEN, b. 1867. iii. ELIM P. BOWEN, b. December 1869. iv. JAMES E. BOWEN, b. February 1884. ALEXANDER4 BOWEN (JOSEPH3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born 1845, and died 1914. He married ELIZABETH MCGUINESS. More About ALEXANDER BOWEN: Burial: Pioneer Cemetery, Tyler Co., WV Children of ALEXANDER BOWEN and ELIZABETH MCGUINESS are: i. ARTHELIA5 BOWEN, b. 1871; m. GEORGE YONKERS, December 12, 1894. ii. ANGELA BOWEN, b. 1872. HENRY4 BOWEN (JOSEPH3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born July 1858. He married SARAH A. MOORE January 30, 1879. Children of HENRY BOWEN and SARAH MOORE are: i. CLARENCE5 BOWEN, b. June 1880; m. FANNY A. HALL, June 07, 1902. ii. CHARLES ROSS BOWEN, b. June 1883; d. July 11, 1975; m. LYDIA HALL. iii. ALEXANDER BOWEN, b. October 1886. iv. HENRY BOWEN, b. 1888; m. ETHEL B. MCCAMEY, April 18, 1909. ARTHUR LINSLEY4 BOWEN (MAHALA3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born November 17, 1842, and died January 07, 1903. He married MARY JANE WRIGHT September 19, 1867. More About ARTHUR LINSLEY BOWEN: Burial: Locust Grove Cemetery, Jackson Twp. More About MARY JANE WRIGHT: Burial: Paden City, WV Children of ARTHUR BOWEN and MARY WRIGHT are: i. WILLIAM T.5 BOWEN, b. September 09, 1868; d. February 05, 1892. ii. JOSEPH W. BOWEN, b. 1871. iii. MARGARET BOWEN, b. 1872; m. JAMES MATHES, May 20, 1892, Tyler Co., WV. iv. SHEDRICK LINDSEY BOWEN, b. February 16, 1877; d. January 06, 1926; m. ADALINE MCGUINESS, 1902. More About ADALINE MCGUINESS: Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Tyler Co., WV v. SHERMAN DICKEL BOWEN, b. 1878; d. 1961; m. SARAH OLIVE LUMBATIS. vi. ROY BOWEN, b. May 13, 1883; d. February 25, 1888. More About ROY BOWEN: Burial: Locust Grove Cemetery, Jackson Twp. vii. SAMUEL K. BOWEN, b. May 13, 1886; d. June 07, 1903. viii. EDITH BOWEN, b. February 18, 1882; d. 1953; m. ALBERT E. ADKINS. More About ALBERT E. ADKINS: Burial: Pioneer Cemetery, Tyler Co., WV ix. ROSE BOWEN, m. UNKNOWN ANDERSON. x. FRANK L. BOWEN, b. 1894; m. EUNICE J. WADE, January 29, 1913. NANCY4 BOWEN (MAHALA3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born 1853, and died 1924. She married LEVI SOLES November 03, 1872 in Monroe Co., WV. Children of NANCY BOWEN and LEVI SOLES are: i. ERASTUS5 SOLES, b. 1873. ii. CHARLEY SOLES, b. 1876; m. DAISY BEAVER, May 28, 1909, Washington Co., OH. Generation No. 4 SALAVIA5 BOWEN (SOPHRONIA4, ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born July 1863 in Ohio, and died December 24, 1902 in Wheeling WV. He married SARAH CAMPSADEL MYERS, daughter of GEORGE MYERS and SARAH KENT. More About SALAVIA BOWEN: Fact 1: called Lafe Fact 2: was a Wheeling policeman Fact 3: killed on the job More About SARAH CAMPSADEL MYERS: Fact 1: brother Elwood or Ed made violins Fact 2: inherited land from grandparents Fact 3: Gregg's parents have a letter from brother Children of SALAVIA BOWEN and SARAH MYERS are: i. HAROLD6 BOWEN, b. June 05, 1889; d. June 07, 1891, Monroe Co., OH. More About HAROLD BOWEN: Burial: West Union Cemetery, Perry Twp., OH ii. LOIS HANNAH BOWEN, b. September 12, 1901, Woodsfield, OH; d. October 15, 1985, Bridgeport, OH. RALPH W.5 BOWEN (ROBERT4, ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born March 1883, and died December 13, 1913. He married SUSAN JONES March 20, 1907, daughter of OLIVER JONES and MARY SMITTLE. Children of RALPH BOWEN and SUSAN JONES are: i. ROBERT O.6 BOWEN, b. July 10, 1912; d. October 20, 1968; m. ELIZABETH MILES. ii. RUTH BOWEN. MARY LUCINDA5 BILLITER (SARAH ELIZABETH4 BOWEN, ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born 1869. She married ELSOM HISSOM. Children of MARY BILLITER and ELSOM HISSOM are: i. NOAH6 HISSOM. ii. OPAL HISSOM, m. HUBBARD. WILLIAM5 BILLITER (SARAH ELIZABETH4 BOWEN, ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born 1872. He married ELIZABETH DUVALL. Children of WILLIAM BILLITER and ELIZABETH DUVALL are: i. CORA6 BILLITER, m. MARCE ROMICK. ii. CLARENCE BILLITER. GEORGE5 BILLITER (SARAH ELIZABETH4 BOWEN, ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born 1875. He married FLORENCE GIVENS. Children of GEORGE BILLITER and FLORENCE GIVENS are: i. FLOYD6 BILLITER, d. sled accident. ii. ONWARD BILLITER, b. March 21, 1908. NOAH B.5 BOWEN (LEMUEL CURTIS4, ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born October 05, 1889, and died 1954. He married BLANCHE DUNLAP November 14, 1910 in Belmont Co., OH. Child of NOAH BOWEN and BLANCHE DUNLAP is: i. JOHN6 BOWEN. Generation No. 5 LOIS HANNAH6 BOWEN (SALAVIA5, SOPHRONIA4, ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born September 12, 1901 in Woodsfield, OH, and died October 15, 1985 in Bridgeport, OH. She married EARL WILSON SIMPSON January 04, 1912 in Belmont Co., OH, son of FRANCIS SIMPSON and MARY FLANNAGAN. Children of LOIS BOWEN and EARL SIMPSON are: i. HAROLD7 SIMPSON. ii. JACK SIMPSON. iii. KENNETH NYLE SIMPSON CLARENCE6 BILLITER (WILLIAM5, SARAH ELIZABETH4 BOWEN, ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1). He married WILMA MARTIE. More About CLARENCE BILLITER: Census: 1920, can tell he's a son but name is blurred Children of CLARENCE BILLITER and WILMA MARTIE are: i. EARL7 BILLITER. ii. MARY LOUISE BILLITER. ONWARD6 BILLITER (GEORGE5, SARAH ELIZABETH4 BOWEN, ELAM3, DANIEL2, CLIFTON1) was born March 21, 1908. He married MYRTLE BOLEN 1933. Children of ONWARD BILLITER and MYRTLE BOLEN are: i. JANET7 BILLITER. ii. ROSELLA BILLITER.

The Societies. The A.F. & A.M. have for many years had a lodge in the village. During the first years of its existence it met in the room over Robinson's store. They have since 1872 occupied more commodious quarters and better furnished rooms on the second floor of the building on the southeast corner of the cross street. The lodge built and owns this building, renting the lower rooms for business purposes. This society embraces in its member ship many of the best men in the town and vicinity. Its flourishing condition is a pointer to the social and moral condition of the community. The Odd Fellows. After the Masons vacated the room over Robinson's store it was occupied by the lodge of Odd Fellows with a considerable membership. This society, a branch of the largest benevolent associations in the United States, so well represented here, shows that its moral teachings and its benevolent designs find sympathy here. The Grand Army of the Republic. The old soldiers were until recently organized in a sort of itinerant Post, which met a part of the time in Lewisville. Lately they have set up for themselves and are prospering. This is the sort of last man's society which must in the nature of things eventually fade out till the last man who comes to the last meeting alone, must break the last bottle of wine in silence, and drink to the memory of his departed comrades. While it lives it's influences are for good and the village is to be congratulated on the new lease of independent life the society has taken on. Resourses. The great staple is tobacco. The soil of the surrounding farms produces tobacco in quality equal to any in the State. South, east, and west it is produced in great quantities and is brought and packed here. This furnishes employment to amny hands a greater part of the year. When packed it enters the market, brings the best prices received for Ohio tobacco, because the soil being of such a nature that it produces a tough fibered leaf that readily takes on birght colors in curing, making a quality of tobacco much sought after at better prices than are obtained for darker leaves of a coarser texture. Stafford is underlaid by the Cumberland vein of coal which varies in thickness from four to five feet, rising in places to more than the latter figure. The coal crops out of the hill side west of the town on Road Fork and is easily mined. East of the village on the Little Muskingum it is below the surface but not at a depth to prevent its profitable mining even here. The quality of this coal is superior to anything in this part of the state if we except perhaps Zanesville coal, which has hardly the hardness to bear shipping, while the Stafford coal is an excellent shipping coal. It has less sulphur than the Captina coal being almost entirely free from the great blocks of that mineral found in all the mines in this stratum. It burns clear, produces abundant heat, leaving a very small quantity of white ash free from incombustible lumps. It is claimed it would make good coak, and for all the purposes for which coal is used it is in every respect the equal of Pittsburgh coal. There is thousands of acres of this bituminous coal underlying the hills in the immediate vicinity of Stafford. It is about 18 miles to Warner, on the C. & M. Railroad, and all the way a valley route over which a railroad can be built at a very small cost per mile. Reaching Warner it is but a short distance to the river, when perhaps Marietta will some day wake up to a realizing sense of its natural advantages and want more coal, or the river once reached the lower river markets are open to Stafford. It is only a question of ____________- the time is soon to come when ________ will begin to realize on its b____ wealth in this coal field. As it is the town consumes annually about 100,000 bushels. 25,000 bushels are mined by the Robinson's alone. Much of this goes east of here to the farmers about Lewisville, and to that place, while Woodsfield burns coal from Stafford. A large amount of territory east, north, and south draw their supplies of coal from these mines. Several mines are worked within about a mile of the village, but then the present mining operations will dwindle into insignificance by comparison with what is yet to be done. Iron oar of excellent quality is found scattered on the surface over a large extent of country about here, but it has not been discovered in any great bodies. These scattered fragments would seem to encourage a search for the place of their origin. Should that be found, all the conditions necessary for manufacturing cheap iron are here. Oil. Two attempts to develop the oil and gas deposits of the neighborhood have been made by a company at the head of which was B. F. PENN, of Carlisle, Ohio. A well was bored on Flag Fork, a short distance from town by this company. This well passed through a sand seven feet in thickness and after a short break, through another stratum sixteen feet thick. This well produces immense quantities of gas, equal in quality and amount to any well in or near the Macksburg field, or indeed to any in the state. A second well, one mile west of the village on Road Fork, was drilled through a twenty-two foot sand of excellent quality as compared with other oil bearing sands. The well had not gas sufficient to cause it to flow, but yields five barrels per day to the pump. this oil is of superior quality. The sand in both these holes gives excellent promise of recompense to the future "wildcater." It is pronounced by experts equal in quality to that found in other oil fields. The relative position of these wells and their distance apart demonstrates the existence of a large bed of oil bearing sand. In it there must be a pool or pools. Who will be the lucky discoverer? The uncertainties of striking it rich have so far deferred farther search but the conditions developed by these two wells will attract some venturesome person who will be lucky enough to make a strike that will insure his fortune and that of many others. In these three things, the coal, the oil and the gas lie buried the hopes of future greatness for Stafford. these furnished substantial hopes for the future. who is to exhume these elements of greatness? They are bound to come to the surface and he who devises a way to utilize them will not only win a future but confer on the inhabitants of Stafford a great boon. There is another item of capital belonging to the town that cannot be measured by dollars and cents, yet it is an essential element in the prospeerity of any town. Dead towns do not have it. If you ask a native whether they have good schools he will answer you proudly, "none better." If you ask him whether they have prosperous churches, Sunday Schools, and moral community he will say and say truly "we are above the average in these things." If you ask whether they need a saloon you are told no. If you ask of their merchants and tradesmen you are told they are alive and do work or sell goods at reasonable prices. Ask them if they think the town has a future and they will point to the things out of which a great future is to be made. Ask if their town is dead and they exhibit signs of anger and answer emphatically "no." In a word they talk their town up and not down, and are delighted at the prospect of anyone coming to reside among them. They do not propose to sit on their own corpse and pronounce it dead. When they reach that point decomposition will have set in. It is the infallable sign. It is not seen here. With a population of about 300 and these resources in sight, two mails per day and daily papers to read, the village has the following business houses and professional men. Planing Mill. Blair and Flowers run this institution. D. BLAIR the senior member of the firm is a Noble county man who learned his trade as carpenter with Tanner and Yockey. J. F. FLOWERS is from Jerusalem, Monroe Co., Ohio. they commenced the business in 1873, the mill at that time standing in the south part of the town. It has since been moved and stands in the eastern suburb. Their main building is 24 x 60 feet. In this is their surfacer and other machinery, dry lumber, benches and tools for manufacturing door frames, window frames, etc. By the side of this is a shed 60 x 14 feet which covers their saw mill and the engine and boiler used in running it and the planer. They saw, dry and dress lumber, manufacture door and window frames and furnish all the wood work that enters into the building of a frame house. They also make a specialty of iron and Asbestos roofing. Carpenter. Randolf TANNER is a native of Fulton county Pennsylvania. He came to Stafford in 1850. Went to California in search of gold, returned after two years. Since then he has stayed here and attended to his legitimate business of carpenter. He is industrious ingenious and reliable, and is generally busy. The Mill. Okey and Sloan own and operate the mill half a mile east of the village. This mill was built in 1838 by Woodman OKEY, father of one of the present owners, Edward OKEY. Edward OKEY has lived in Monroe county all the 62 years of his life. He came into possession of the mill in 1866 and has every since operated it. Three years ago he took as a partener a Mr. SLOAN, and the new firm put in a 30 horse power engine to supplement the stream which goes nearly dry. The mill proper is a three story building 36 x 48 feet. It is furnished with three runs of buhrs and all the machinery necessary for manufacturing first class flour. Attached to the flouring mill is a saw mill 80 x 20 feet, where first-class lumber is manufactured. For nearly half a century this old mill has stood, doubtless having all its machinery changed in that time, yet it is the same reliable old institution. Buggies and Carriages. J. T. MARTIN was born in Belmont county, O., 36 years ago. He learned the blacksmith trade and worked in Lewisville from 1868-1870. He afterwards worked with Peter ULLMAN. Learned carriage making and began for himself here in 1875. The building occupied by his shop is on the top of the hill, north side of main street. In the first room, which is 30 x 36 feet there are two blacksmiths forges and complete set of tools. Here the iron work is done and he does not hesitate to tackle anything in that line. In the second room the wood work of the carriages, wagons, etc. is done. The machinery here is an engine and boiler for power. To the engine are attached one buzz saw, one jig saw, one shaving machine, one sand belt, one boring machine and one mortiser. The third room is occupied by lumber and partly finished work. Up stairs is a drying room, where timber is dried by steam; the balance of the large upstaris being used for a paint shop. A planing machine is to be added to the machinery immediately. This shop employs five or six mechanics and turns out popular and reliable makes of buggies, etc. The two vehicles he has on hand are models of symmetry and staunch make, while he has discovered the secret of giving them the brilliant finish so seldom seen outside of large shops. Part #5 to follow

Hi Sallie, Hunter Christian Church is located in Wayne Twp. The description says: This church and cemetery is on Co. Rd 92 at the Goshen Twp border in the village of Hunter. The village was laid out by N. Anderson in 1849. It was named for W. F. Hunter of Monroe Co., Oh., congressman from this district 1849-1851. Sincerley, J.L. http://www.y2kfoods.homepad.com -----Original Message----- From: Sallie Cleave <sallie@vol.com> To: OHBELMON-L@rootsweb.com <OHBELMON-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Friday, May 07, 1999 2:27 PM Subject: [OHBELMON-L] Cemetery Records >Hi All > >Does anyone have any knowledge or info on the Hunter Christian Church >Cemetery in respect or where old records might be stored or how to >contact the church? I have been trying for many years to locate my >gg-grandparents place of burial. His death cert states Wayne Twp. >However, as they lived their lives in Hunter, Wayne Twp., Belmont Co. >I'm pretty certain they must be buried somewhere in the area. Their son >Andrew is buried in this cemetery, so I thought they might be also. >Their names and date of death are: George Byers b. 1820 or 1822, d. May >25, 1890. His wife was Malinda (Moore) Byers b. 1821 (?), d. July 11, >1890. > >Any information and/or help will be greatly appreciated > >Sallie >

Hello Lists, I received this message from Jesse Hall and I have been given permission to forward it to the list for general interest in Monroe County. Sincerely, J.L. http://www.y2kfoods.homepad.com -----Original Message----- From: Jesse F. Hall <jfhall@newwave.net> To: J. L. <fmlyfndr@email.msn.com> Date: Thursday, May 06, 1999 1:07 PM Subject: Re: [OHMONROE-L] Communities of Monroe Co., Oh - Brownsville >J. L. > > Boy, was I surprised to find the History of Brownsville you had on the >OHMONROE-L Rootsweb. I already had a copy of that History. I lived in >Brownsville from 1931 to 1944. I.e., from age 4 to 16.5 years. My father >was born and raised in Brownsville and my mother at Pine Ridge near >Wannamaker. > I am very familiar with many of the names in the write-up; especially, >later generations. > I can add some later history to the write-up. The two story school was >blown down by a cyclone in May of 1912. Also the United Presbyterian >Church was blown down. The school was replaced with a one story >building in which I went to grade school. It was one room with a small >room in the front left corner that was a township office and voting place. >Sometime in later part of 1930's, the one room school at Pine Ridge was >placed on the school land for two school rooms. then 2 or 3 years later an >addition was added to the original one room school for a total of 3 rooms. >The school was abandoned, I think, in the 60's. > In 1913, there was a fire that burned out most of the businesses >on the east side of Main St. between 3rd and 4th Street. this was most >of the businesses mentioned in the write-up and nothing was built >back.. As far as I can tell, Saunders was the only one that reopened in >a different building on the east side of Main St. between 2nd and 3rd St. > Also the church for the Reformed Presbyterian Church and for the >German Lutheran church were.no longer their when I was a kid. The church >located on Main St. east of the German Lutheran cemetery has been the >Church of Christ as long as I can remember. We were all members of the >Methodist Episcopal Church. A new church was built on the northeast side >of town, I believe in the 1970's. It is the Harmony Hills Baptist Church. > My grandfather Hall bought the log house north of the United >Presbyterian Cemetery around 1906-07 from people by name of Canary,. >I believe. My Grandfather Hall died in 1922 and my Grandmother Hall died >in 1966. The property was sold after that and the house moved about a mile >north of town on the Jericho Road on the John Hensel farm. > As a young teenager, I mowed and took care of the United Presbyterian >and German Lutheran Cemeteries. I have four generations buried in the >United Presbyterian Cemetery (my father's side of the family) and four >generations buried the German Lutheran Cemetery (my mothers side of >the family). AS you can see, my roots go back to Brownsville. > Our family lived for a time in the Dr. Wilson house which is now the >Grange Hall. Then we also lived in the Barnes house straight across the >street which later became the Bovard house. This house was torn down in >1993 or 94. > I guess I need to quit rambling on but it sure was nice to know someone >else is interested in Brownsville. My Aunt still lives in Brownsville in the >Buegel house. I have other relatives that live near but not in Brownsville. >Best Regards, >Jesse F. Hall, son of Ralph Enoch Hall, grandson of Jesse Oscar Hall, great >grandson of Enoch Austin Hall, etc. > >

-----Original Message----- From: J. L. <fmlyfndr@email.msn.com> To: OHBELMON-L@rootsweb.com <OHBELMON-L@rootsweb.com>; OHMONROE-L@rootsweb.com <OHMONROE-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Friday, May 07, 1999 1:03 AM Subject: Stafford, Ohio 1887 Part #2 > In 1850 several notable events in the history of the village occurred. >CARMICHEL's addition was laid out and consists of that part of town on Cross >street north of Main. The road leading to Summerfield was changed from >where it turned to the northward west of the town and run directly east, >making a right angle north of the town, thus joining on the road from the >sourth and forming the Cross street. Lots were laid out on this street and >several of them built on. The Wesleyan Methodists built the church next to >G. W. ROBINSON's store that is now falling into decay. The same year >thirty-six colored people from Rockingham county, Va., on their way to a >more hospitable country fuarther north found themselves so well treated here >that they permanently located. Some of the older of these had been slaves. >These formed the nucleus of the considerable colored population in the >neighborhood. Many of them are in comfortable circumstances and are good >citizens. Several of them served with credit in the army during the war of >the rebellion. > About this time came J.W. BARNETT who was to occupy a prominent place in >the history of the town for some years. He was born at Smyrna, Harrison >county, Ohio, and came to near Stafford with his father John BARNETT. As a >young man he clerked for James SHANKLAND at Lexington, now Novle county, >afterward for John M. ROWND and also for Charles HARE at Summerfield. From >the store of Mr. HARE at Summerfield he went to Lebanon, this county, where >he did business a short time. Comint to Stafford he was at first associated >with HAWKINS. In 1852 he built a part of the storeroom occupiec by G. W. >ROBINSON, and also the two story dwelling next west of it. He also built >the tobacco house. He was very successful in business, accumulating a >fortune. In 1863 he built the large brick north of town now owned and >occupied as a residence by Thos. B. DAY. He died January 10th, 1864, worth >$40,000, before he had removed to his new residence. His widow and some of >the children are still in the village. > In 1850 Steel built the brick building now occupied by ULLMAN & Son and >occupied it as a store room. these cover the principal improvements up to >1854. > > In 1854 the school house was built. It used to stand in the eastern >suburbs amid a grove of oaks near the cemetery. > During the years following this time the population of the village >received considerable additions. Among these was Benj. HUGHES: Mr. HUGHES >was anative of Washington county, Pa., who came to Monroe county, O., near >Woodsfield, in 1837; came to near Stafford in 1848 and lived here aboutthis >time. Died near Stafford in 1879 at some 70years of age. Mr. Hughes was >noted for his strong intelligence, unfaltering integrity and for his >unrelenting hostility to slavery. For many years, both while at Woodsfield >and afterwards near Stafford his house was headquarters for runaway slaves. >He and Steel were co-laborers in the same political vineyard and took active >interest and strong action in the heated political discussions that preceded >the war, doing much to shape public opinion and sowing seeds in that field >that still continues to reproduce men oflike habits of thought. > Mr. STEEL became involved and retired from business, going to Pittsburg, >and leaving some bitterness behind him as a matter of course, butthis should >not obscure his unquestioned merits, or prove his want of honest intentions. >From Pittsburg he went west, finally dying in Portland, Oregon about 1884. >he was succeeded in the brick store by HAWKINS, who soon retired and went >west in 1863. > W. S. WAYthen occupied the same room in 1857 and for two years had with >him Mr. Fred ULLMAN now occupying the same property. Capt. J.W. M. BROCK >was employed with WAY for some years, entering the army in 1861 as Lieut. of >Company "D" 27th Ohio Infantry, where he distinguished himself, returning at >the close of the war a Captain to resume his old place which he held for >many years with WAY and his successors. He still remains a much respected >citizen of the village. > The gathering storm of 1861 raged in Stafford in common with other Ohio >villages and she was not wanting in patriotism when the tug of war came. > Joseph BALL was at the beginning of the war running a harness and >saddler shop just south of ROBINSON's store in the building for some time >occupied by Charles WELLS as a dwelling and grocery, afterwards occupied by >Lewis SHIPLEY, formerly of Woodsfield, as postmaster. WELLS was the third >husband of STEEL's mother-in-law. WELLS & BALL were contemporaries. Ball >was among the first to enlist, a considerable number going with him into the >25th Ohio Infantry. He held a commission as Lieutenant. Three companies >were organized in the town. Milton WELLS being Captain of the one assigned >to the 27th Ohio Infantry. Wm WHEELER who had been the second teacher in >the new school-house was Captain of Co. D, 92nd, and A. G. HUGHES entering >the army as a Private was in a short time promoted to a Lieutenancy. The >neighborhood was represented in various other organizations the enlistments >making in the aggregate all that was asked of them. Capt. Thos. WILSON >still living near town also distinguished himself. > The mention of the officers as an index to the number ofenlisted men who >went forth from the neighborhood and on all occasions the men of Stafford >were equal to the demands made on them. During the war the patriotism of >the village never faltered but backed the most radical measures for the >suppression of the rebellion with enthusiasm. > After the death of J.W. BARNETT, C. W. HARE occupied his place and >continued the business for some time, when he was succeeded by Hare and >Hughes, the members of the firm being Charles HARE, of Summerfield, and >Capt. A. G. HUGHES. A. G. HUGHES is a son of Benjamin HUGHES. Born in >Jefferson county, Ohio, he came to Monroe county with his father. Before >the war he was a farmer. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted as a >private in Co. K, 92d, Ohio Infantry and a short time afterward was promoted >to a Lieutenancy, coming out of it a Captain. He managed the affairs of the >firm of Hare & Hughes successuflly until about 1871, when he quit the dry >goods business and has since been a successful farmer and dealer in stock >and wool. He has accumulated a competence and is still identified with the >interests of the village. > The town has long had a Masonic Lodge. In 1872 they built the building >at the southeast corner of the cross streets, and occupy the second floor as >a lodge room, renting the ground floor for business purposes. The lower >rooms were for many years occupied by HOGUE & TANNER, the present occupant >being a son of the senior member of the firm he succeeds. > The old school house was burned in October, 1871 and for some time >school was taught in the churches. In 1873 the village was made an >independent school district, and a new school-house erected that year. It >is a building about 60 by 24 feet, tow stories high and stands sough of Main >street, just at the bink of the hill where it begins to drop off to the >east. > In 1872 the Christians built a handsome church in the south part of the >town, east side of the street, close to the beautiful grove that adorns the >southern suburb. It is a frame building and has seating capacity of about >400. > The town has steadily though not rapidly improved. Carmichel's addition >has been pretty well built up in the years since it was laid out. T.G. >HOLLAND's wagon shop has disappeard, or rather buisness as done by him, and >HOLLAND farms in West Virginia. The tan yard has fallen into disuse, which >is to be regretted. The shophas been replaced by a larger one, but there is >not consolation for the loss of the smell from the tan yard. > The planin mill was started about 1872, and has been removed from the >south part oftown to the eastern suburb. > In 1884 the M.E. Church replaced their old sturcture in which they had >worshiped so many years by a more handsome and costly structure. And so the >conservative little village goes on improving year after year slowly, but >with sufficient manifestation of interest in their town to give the >assurance of a determination to stay with it till its future ripens the >furit of its glory still in the bud or the bloom. The town has never been >incorporated because there is no need ofit so far as preserving order is >concerned, but a nervy administration that would build pavements, would add >much to the appearance of the place and to the value of its property at a >small cost. > Looking south from the most elevated protion of the town the hills fall >off somewhat in height and are crowned here and there with farm or tobacco >houses, while the cultivated lands are fringed with blets of timber making a >very attractive landscape in summer. East across the Little Muskingum the >less elevated hills gradually rise above one another in swells that increas >in height in the distance, and are nearly all in cultiviaation dotted with >farm houses and laid off in fields by the old fashioned "worm fence." >Nearer on the gentle slope that leads down to the creek east of the town is >the oak grove where stood the old school-house whose associations come back >to me and many others perhaps, awakening thoughts and the echos of feelings >long dormant and thought to be dead, while through the intervals among the >trees gleams the marble stones that mark the spot where lies buried golden >jhopes unnumbered gone down with the dead of the generations who have on >succession inhabited this peaceful village. > North are the same sort of hills that lie east taken from a different >point of view. Here the view is a leteral one of the divide between Duck >Creek and Little Muskinum. You cannot look down on them for they are as >high or a little higher than your standpoint. Sothe finges of timber to a >great extnet hide the improved land but you can distinguish to the north >west the beautiful grove in which the people were wont to hold camp meetings >and enjoy a good social time. > West the view is down the valley of Road Fork of Duck Creek which finds >its way toward the west between hills aburpt and high. Steep as they are >they are cultivated to the top, and the white houses of prosperous farmers >are to be blundered upon amidst its fastnesses at the most unexpected >points. Looking over rather to the north-west the hills about Mt. Tabor >church are in plain view, and houses five miles away are easily >recognizable. It was not always so. When Stafford was young neither Mt. >Tabor nor any of its surroundings could be seen for the forests that hid >them. Now the hills are bare of trees except orchards, and the destestable >hound no more hunts after the fox amid the hills along Flag. Taking the >whole landscape in at a glance one is lead to reflect that this must be the >home of liberty for "the mountains are always free." > Approaching the town from any direction the most conspicous object is >the landscape is the symmetrical church on the highest gound in the place. >The houses are generally bright and fresh looking and give evidence that the >town is alive and active. > >Part #3 to follow > >

The Churches. The Disciples of Wesley were the religious __________ of the West. _________ Church was planted in the wlderness by its enthusiastic preachers at an early day. At Stafford it was the first to occupy the field and still maintains its lead. In the early years of the place the people worshiped in a log house near the site of the present handsome church. As time went on and the organization increased in numbers and wealth a better building took the place of the old log structure. This continued in use until two years ago, when it was replaced by the present buildning. The building is a fram 60 x 35 feet and is built in the true proportions required by the rules of architecture. At the north east corner of the building stands a tower that rises above the roof terminating in a gothic spire. The north end is nearly all occupied by a window of stained glass. The windows on the sides are gothic and beautifully proportioned. The outside appearance of the building viewed as a whole, affects one pleasantly. There is nothing in its form to jar on one's notions of proportion. The entrance is through the tower, in which there is a staircase leading to the gallery. This is seated with chairs and a partition dividing it from the main room is so arranged that it can in a few moments be removed, adding the lecture room to the church. The second door to the right leads to the main audience room. Over the altar in this room is a painting of a female figure clinging to a cross. The painting is a copy from a chromeo familiar to almost every person, but it is fairly well executed, and serves to relieve the walls of the blankness so common in churches. the floors are carpeted and the seats are in walnut. The inside appearance of the church is striking. It is a revelation to find so handsome a church in a rural village. there is room to seat about 600 people. Here the congregation meet every Sunday to worship and also to keep alive the Sunday Schools that have from time immemorial been maintained in the Village. The society has a membership of over 100. Having completed the church they are negotiating for the adjoining lot on which to build a parsonage. If they build as artistic a dwelling as they have a church the two will form a notable group that church committees everywhere can study to advantage when intending to build. The Wesleyan Methodists were formerly here in sufficient force to build a church, but in the death of L. CURTIS and others, and the departure of STEEL, it lost its financial support and has fallen into decay. The abolition of slavery having removed the principal cause of difference between it and the M.E. Church, those who adhered to it formerly, find a congenial home with the Methodists. There has always been a considereabe sprinkling of Disciples or Christians in the neighborhood -- the curhch that boasted of the great GARFIELD as one of its members -- the only distinctively religious man, who preached the gospel, that was ever elected President. The society belonging to this church here, in 1872, built a handsome frame building whose spire rises among the oaks in the south part of town. Dr. MASON and others contributed liberally to the erection of this building and for a society small in numbers it is a very creditable monument to their pluck and an ornament to the town. Though not occupying so conspicuous a site as the M.E. Church it does not fail to attract its share of attention as one of the most elegant buildings in the place. It is surrounded by a beautiful grass plot and is the perfect picture of a quiet rural church. Its shaded surroundings invite to a loll on the grass in summer or the rustle of the leaves in "God's First Temple: so near by soothes the mind into a state of dreamy speculation as you sit listlessly by the open window and absorb the preaching within along with the sermon always preaching without. At present this congregation is in charge of Rev. O.W. THOMPSON, of Quaker City. He preaches to the congregation once in four weeks and is spoken of as a very able man. The Schools. From the earlist days of the village special interest has been taken in the schools. The real, always sustained excellence of them, dates however, from the building of the frame school house in the grove east of town in 1854. This was more than an average school house for its day. It contained two rooms of unequal size, both well furnished. In these were taught the higher mathematics and the dead languages at a date when such a thing was unheard of in the rural districts. Public funds were not sufficient to run the schools more than a few months each year. The time was pieced out with subscription schools, laterly called "normal schools, " for no good reason I think. The high standard set up then has never lowered. A short study of the list of teachers who have been employed since 1854 shows the character of the talent it has been the constant policy to employ. First on the list is A. J. SUTTON, who, at the time he was employed stood among the foremost educators of the county. Then came W. WHEELER, who for many years maintained high standing as a progressive scholarly teacher. He still gives his time to literary pursuits in his Kansas home. Next came L.K. EVANS, up to this time perhaps the ripest scholar who had taught here. He not only held up the standard established but took advanced ground. After leaving Stafford he was for many years a successful journalist. Then came Milton WELLS who was here till 1861. He was school examiner of the county and has since been prominent in church and politics in West Va. Capt. Thomas WILSON was principal of the schools 1865-1867. He is so well known as to only need mention. Rev. Geo. M. WILSON, now of Summerfield, succeeded him. He was in turn followed in 1873 by Rev. T.C. RYAN. Then came Enoch MARTIN, 1875 and 1876. Then Jas. A. MARSHAL, W.P. MASON, and then Marshal again who was followed by John ARCHER in 1878. Rev. N. HINES who now has charge of the Richmond Institute, Richmond, Va., succeeded Archer. HINES has established a wide reputation in his present place. A.W. GRIZZEL who now runs an educational institution of some repute in Pattersonville, Iowa, followed HINES in charge of the the schools. The principal of the schools at present is T. E. WILSON, son of Capt. Thomas WILSON. He is the fourth generation from Wm. WILSON, who settled here in 1818. He was educated here and at Mt. Union College and by his skill, scholarship and industry, steadily supports the dignity of his position. Space will not admit of a longer review of these men. It is sufficient to say that with scarecely an exception they were all eminent as scholars and teachers. To such men as these has been committed the building up of Stafford schools, always jealously guarded by the people. The result is flattering, both in the output of well trained scholars and the well earned reputation of the schools for excellence. The present school-house is larger than is really necessary to accomodate the children of the district. The four airy rooms give ample room for the normal schools that are annually taught in their pristine vigor. These schools furnish at a small cost excellent educational facilities to the youth of the neighborhood. Part #4 Next

-----Original Message----- From: Jesse F. Hall <jfhall@newwave.net> To: J. L. <fmlyfndr@email.msn.com> Date: Friday, May 07, 1999 8:17 AM Subject: Re: [OHMONROE-L] Communities of Monroe Co., Oh - Brownsville >J.L. > I don't have a problem with you forwarding my message to the >general list. Might stimulate someone else's thoughts. > By the way, Norma Antill, a writer of the Rinard Mill's news for >the Monroe County Beacon is trying to find out if there is an >interest in holding a reunion of former students of the Brownsville >School. It would be held this year, probably at the Grange Hall in >Brownsville. Don't know when yet. One of the teachers, Helen >McHugh Dye Drake is still living and interested in that. I had her >for a year or two. Her first husband was Glenn Dye (now deceased) >whom I had for the other years. > I read your info on Stafford with interest. I am not personally familiar >with Stafford and didn't recognize any of the names. > I live in Charleston, WV. After we moved from Monroe County, we >lived in Steubenville, OH then Weirton, WV. After my father retired >from a job here in the Charleston area, they moved back to a cottage >they had built near Brownsville, on the Brownsville/Trail Run Road. >I have lived in the Charleston area since two years after I got married. > Many thanks for your name. Where do you live?? What is your >genealogical connection to Monroe County?? > >Best Regards, >Jesse F. Hall > >

In 1850 several notable events in the history of the village occurred. CARMICHEL's addition was laid out and consists of that part of town on Cross street north of Main. The road leading to Summerfield was changed from where it turned to the northward west of the town and run directly east, making a right angle north of the town, thus joining on the road from the sourth and forming the Cross street. Lots were laid out on this street and several of them built on. The Wesleyan Methodists built the church next to G. W. ROBINSON's store that is now falling into decay. The same year thirty-six colored people from Rockingham county, Va., on their way to a more hospitable country fuarther north found themselves so well treated here that they permanently located. Some of the older of these had been slaves. These formed the nucleus of the considerable colored population in the neighborhood. Many of them are in comfortable circumstances and are good citizens. Several of them served with credit in the army during the war of the rebellion. About this time came J.W. BARNETT who was to occupy a prominent place in the history of the town for some years. He was born at Smyrna, Harrison county, Ohio, and came to near Stafford with his father John BARNETT. As a young man he clerked for James SHANKLAND at Lexington, now Novle county, afterward for John M. ROWND and also for Charles HARE at Summerfield. From the store of Mr. HARE at Summerfield he went to Lebanon, this county, where he did business a short time. Comint to Stafford he was at first associated with HAWKINS. In 1852 he built a part of the storeroom occupiec by G. W. ROBINSON, and also the two story dwelling next west of it. He also built the tobacco house. He was very successful in business, accumulating a fortune. In 1863 he built the large brick north of town now owned and occupied as a residence by Thos. B. DAY. He died January 10th, 1864, worth $40,000, before he had removed to his new residence. His widow and some of the children are still in the village. In 1850 Steel built the brick building now occupied by ULLMAN & Son and occupied it as a store room. these cover the principal improvements up to 1854. In 1854 the school house was built. It used to stand in the eastern suburbs amid a grove of oaks near the cemetery. During the years following this time the population of the village received considerable additions. Among these was Benj. HUGHES: Mr. HUGHES was anative of Washington county, Pa., who came to Monroe county, O., near Woodsfield, in 1837; came to near Stafford in 1848 and lived here aboutthis time. Died near Stafford in 1879 at some 70years of age. Mr. Hughes was noted for his strong intelligence, unfaltering integrity and for his unrelenting hostility to slavery. For many years, both while at Woodsfield and afterwards near Stafford his house was headquarters for runaway slaves. He and Steel were co-laborers in the same political vineyard and took active interest and strong action in the heated political discussions that preceded the war, doing much to shape public opinion and sowing seeds in that field that still continues to reproduce men oflike habits of thought. Mr. STEEL became involved and retired from business, going to Pittsburg, and leaving some bitterness behind him as a matter of course, butthis should not obscure his unquestioned merits, or prove his want of honest intentions. >From Pittsburg he went west, finally dying in Portland, Oregon about 1884. he was succeeded in the brick store by HAWKINS, who soon retired and went west in 1863. W. S. WAYthen occupied the same room in 1857 and for two years had with him Mr. Fred ULLMAN now occupying the same property. Capt. J.W. M. BROCK was employed with WAY for some years, entering the army in 1861 as Lieut. of Company "D" 27th Ohio Infantry, where he distinguished himself, returning at the close of the war a Captain to resume his old place which he held for many years with WAY and his successors. He still remains a much respected citizen of the village. The gathering storm of 1861 raged in Stafford in common with other Ohio villages and she was not wanting in patriotism when the tug of war came. Joseph BALL was at the beginning of the war running a harness and saddler shop just south of ROBINSON's store in the building for some time occupied by Charles WELLS as a dwelling and grocery, afterwards occupied by Lewis SHIPLEY, formerly of Woodsfield, as postmaster. WELLS was the third husband of STEEL's mother-in-law. WELLS & BALL were contemporaries. Ball was among the first to enlist, a considerable number going with him into the 25th Ohio Infantry. He held a commission as Lieutenant. Three companies were organized in the town. Milton WELLS being Captain of the one assigned to the 27th Ohio Infantry. Wm WHEELER who had been the second teacher in the new school-house was Captain of Co. D, 92nd, and A. G. HUGHES entering the army as a Private was in a short time promoted to a Lieutenancy. The neighborhood was represented in various other organizations the enlistments making in the aggregate all that was asked of them. Capt. Thos. WILSON still living near town also distinguished himself. The mention of the officers as an index to the number ofenlisted men who went forth from the neighborhood and on all occasions the men of Stafford were equal to the demands made on them. During the war the patriotism of the village never faltered but backed the most radical measures for the suppression of the rebellion with enthusiasm. After the death of J.W. BARNETT, C. W. HARE occupied his place and continued the business for some time, when he was succeeded by Hare and Hughes, the members of the firm being Charles HARE, of Summerfield, and Capt. A. G. HUGHES. A. G. HUGHES is a son of Benjamin HUGHES. Born in Jefferson county, Ohio, he came to Monroe county with his father. Before the war he was a farmer. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 92d, Ohio Infantry and a short time afterward was promoted to a Lieutenancy, coming out of it a Captain. He managed the affairs of the firm of Hare & Hughes successuflly until about 1871, when he quit the dry goods business and has since been a successful farmer and dealer in stock and wool. He has accumulated a competence and is still identified with the interests of the village. The town has long had a Masonic Lodge. In 1872 they built the building at the southeast corner of the cross streets, and occupy the second floor as a lodge room, renting the ground floor for business purposes. The lower rooms were for many years occupied by HOGUE & TANNER, the present occupant being a son of the senior member of the firm he succeeds. The old school house was burned in October, 1871 and for some time school was taught in the churches. In 1873 the village was made an independent school district, and a new school-house erected that year. It is a building about 60 by 24 feet, tow stories high and stands sough of Main street, just at the bink of the hill where it begins to drop off to the east. In 1872 the Christians built a handsome church in the south part of the town, east side of the street, close to the beautiful grove that adorns the southern suburb. It is a frame building and has seating capacity of about 400. The town has steadily though not rapidly improved. Carmichel's addition has been pretty well built up in the years since it was laid out. T.G. HOLLAND's wagon shop has disappeard, or rather buisness as done by him, and HOLLAND farms in West Virginia. The tan yard has fallen into disuse, which is to be regretted. The shophas been replaced by a larger one, but there is not consolation for the loss of the smell from the tan yard. The planin mill was started about 1872, and has been removed from the south part oftown to the eastern suburb. In 1884 the M.E. Church replaced their old sturcture in which they had worshiped so many years by a more handsome and costly structure. And so the conservative little village goes on improving year after year slowly, but with sufficient manifestation of interest in their town to give the assurance of a determination to stay with it till its future ripens the furit of its glory still in the bud or the bloom. The town has never been incorporated because there is no need ofit so far as preserving order is concerned, but a nervy administration that would build pavements, would add much to the appearance of the place and to the value of its property at a small cost. Looking south from the most elevated protion of the town the hills fall off somewhat in height and are crowned here and there with farm or tobacco houses, while the cultivated lands are fringed with blets of timber making a very attractive landscape in summer. East across the Little Muskingum the less elevated hills gradually rise above one another in swells that increas in height in the distance, and are nearly all in cultiviaation dotted with farm houses and laid off in fields by the old fashioned "worm fence." Nearer on the gentle slope that leads down to the creek east of the town is the oak grove where stood the old school-house whose associations come back to me and many others perhaps, awakening thoughts and the echos of feelings long dormant and thought to be dead, while through the intervals among the trees gleams the marble stones that mark the spot where lies buried golden jhopes unnumbered gone down with the dead of the generations who have on succession inhabited this peaceful village. North are the same sort of hills that lie east taken from a different point of view. Here the view is a leteral one of the divide between Duck Creek and Little Muskinum. You cannot look down on them for they are as high or a little higher than your standpoint. Sothe finges of timber to a great extnet hide the improved land but you can distinguish to the north west the beautiful grove in which the people were wont to hold camp meetings and enjoy a good social time. West the view is down the valley of Road Fork of Duck Creek which finds its way toward the west between hills aburpt and high. Steep as they are they are cultivated to the top, and the white houses of prosperous farmers are to be blundered upon amidst its fastnesses at the most unexpected points. Looking over rather to the north-west the hills about Mt. Tabor church are in plain view, and houses five miles away are easily recognizable. It was not always so. When Stafford was young neither Mt. Tabor nor any of its surroundings could be seen for the forests that hid them. Now the hills are bare of trees except orchards, and the destestable hound no more hunts after the fox amid the hills along Flag. Taking the whole landscape in at a glance one is lead to reflect that this must be the home of liberty for "the mountains are always free." Approaching the town from any direction the most conspicous object is the landscape is the symmetrical church on the highest gound in the place. The houses are generally bright and fresh looking and give evidence that the town is alive and active. Part #3 to follow

>From the book Nine Communities of Monroe Co., Ohio put out by the Monroe County Historical Society JOHN JONES CALLED IT BETHEL NOW IT IS STAFFORD, THE METROPOLIS OF FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY, OHIO. IT HAS GOOD SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES AND GREAT RESOURCES, OUT OF WHICH ITS FUTURE GREATNESS IS TO BE MANUFACTURES. IT HAS ENTERPRISING BUSINESS MEN AND PATRIOTIC CITIZENS, WHO BELIEVE IN ITS FUTURE. ALL OF WHICH FACTS ARE SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING COLUMNS BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. An Irishman who answered to the euphoneous but familiar name of John JONES, became in the early part of the present century the woner of the southwest quarter of section eight, range seven, in what was then Bethel twp, Monroe Co., Oh. This portion of land is situated on the watershed between the Little Muskingum and the waters of Road Fork, a tributary to the east fork of Duck Creek. It is probably impossible to form a correct estimate of the sort of man JONES was. The many little incidents in his life that might have served in making up a fair estimate of his character have been obscured by a single one that has served to keep his memory green. It seems JONES was a hunter, and was on one occasion watching a deer lick waiting for a chance to shoot a deer, when being overcome with fatigue and much watching he fell asleep to be rudely awakened by a wild cat springing on his head and proceeding to the business of scalping him. John JONES arose from the struggle with scars about his head that lasted him all his life. Worse than these, in his estimation he found himself imortalized as the horo of an epic poem written in that jungling style that catches the pepular fancy at once. Thomas MARTIN wa the poet and his literary effusion is still preserved in various forms more or less corrupted by tradition. The poem refered to related the particulars of JONES' encounter with the wildcat in graphic style and was for many years famous, not so much for its literary merit perhaps, as for the effect it had on its hero. It was repeated all over the country by everybody and laughed at as something funny till it worked JONES into a state of passion that scarcely ever slumbered and broke out violently whenever a mischievous boy from a safe distance would shout at him a choice extract like th opening lines of the dity: "Old Jone down on the turnpike breaking up stone Along came a wildcat and jumped on Jones." Jones it seems had a son Morgan and a daughter named Polly, and the small boy delighted to yeall at the old fellow these lines: "Polly with mush-stick Morgan with the ladle Laid on the wildcat as long as they were able." The Jones family finally destroyed the wildcat according to the veracious bard, but Jones was left blind of an eye and his head was marked with great red scars. Though the wildcat was killed the poet could not be so easily disposed of and his rhymes in the mouths of children were a constant source of annoyance and the cause of a vigorous profanity from old Jones. This particular Jones family had emigrated, and this story of the wildcat is about the only thing tradition has handed down to us to preserve their memory. This peevish Irishman in 1835 founded on his farm a village, and called it Bethel. The road that might lead from Woodsfield to Marietta via Harriettsville crosses the little Muskingum east of the site of the town, and where it stands runs east and west. The slope up from the creek is gentle, and in the half mile up which you must go to reach the site of the town, the grade is uniform and easy. The bed of the Little Muskingum is much higher than Road Fork, so that after passing over the ridge the road descends much more rapidly and is soon lost to view in the sinuosities of the narrow hollow of that stream. A road turning squarely to the south, east of the real top of the ridge, was made the center of the town. West of this fork of the road perhaps one-third of a mile and on the Duck Creek slope of the ridge another branched off to the north, leading to Summerfield, the nearest town in that direction. The ridge in the town is indented by a gently sloping shallow hollow or depression that leads to the South gradually growing into a small stream that turns to the eastand empties its waters into the Little Muskingum. The higher part of the ridge is west of this depression and Main street runs straight up the face of this and plunges into the narrow valley of the Road Fork, and so leads on the way to Marietta. North a short distance from the center of the village the ridge is cut into by a deep ravine from the east that causes it to abruptly deflect to the west, so that directly north there was a limit to suitable building ground. This land was owned by James CARMICHEL who came from Virginia and settled here in 1820. He was for many years an honored citizen and held the office of Justice of the Peace. He was a son of John CARMICEL, who was a soldier of the revolution and fought at the battle of Bunker Hill, losing an eye by a bayonet thrust in that engagement which did not prevent his fighting it through till the end of the war. He lies buried in the Stafford cemetery. Carmicel's land extended down to the rear of the lots on the north side of Main street. At this time the country was but thinly settled and the hills to be seen from the elevated position occupied by the youthful village were for the most part covered by the primeval forests. these were only broken hereand there by small clearings. Bethel has no mention in the "Ohio Gazetteer" published in 1837. the twp of the same name contained thrity-four square miles and was bounded on the north by Franklin and Wayne, east by Washington and Wayne, west by Elk and south by Washington county. These boundaries were subsequently re-arranged I believe when Noble county was formed in 1851. The population of the twp was 260 in 1837. Among the early settlers in the neighborhood at that time and whose families are still represented near the village was William WILSON, grandfather to Capt. Thomas WILSON and Rev. Geo. WILSON, now of Summerfield. He settled near here in 1818, and representative of the fourth generation from him in direct line is now principal of the Stafford schools in the person of T.E. WILSON, son of Capt. Thos. WILSON. The SOUTHERLANDS, Thomas MARTIN, Wm. BONAR, and Woodman OKEY belong to this list. Okey settled near here in 1827, having first come from Belmont county, the place of his nativity, to Woodsfield, in 1813. He was for thirty years a Justice of the Peace and spent the closing years of his life in Stafford, dying in 1865, at the age of 73 years. he was an uncle of Judge W. OKEY, of Woodsfield. the family is numerous and influential in the county. Of the names mentioned none seem to have been residents of the town in its earliest history. Three or four log cabins comprised the whole town one of which is still standing next to YOCKEY's dwelling on Main street, and another on the north west corner of the cross street. JONES kept the postoffice, tradition has it, but the spot is not pointed out with certainty. Bethel, under the administration of its founder, did not prosper. It was in danger of fading from the map. Perhaps five or six houses and a log church would have covered the whole business when Wm. STEEL took up his residence here in 1845. William STEEL was a Scotchman, cousin to William E. GLADSTONE the great English Statesman, and had in his make-up many of the strong points of his illustrious relative. he was a man of learning and had with it a good share of the Scotch strong common sense and the love of liberty and morality characteristic of his race. He was of courteous manners but in the sharp encounters of the times he took his own views and maintained them with a courteous firmness and an intelligent offer of reasons for his opinions that won the respect even of those who differed from him. He had a high sense of honor and was fearless in maintaining what he believed to be right without regard to the expediency of enforcing his views. He was stern moralist and a striclty temperate man who enforced his views on these subjects by all the means at his command. He believed the Declaration of Independence in defining human rights laid down a platform broad enough to hold the whole human family without regard to race. Profanity disgusted him and he sternly checked any ebulitions of it in his presence. he loved his adopted country and steadily labored for its good. He believed all men should be free and hunted for opportunities to confer that boon on slaves escaping to Canada, and boasted that no one was ever recaptured on the line that had one of its important relays at his house in Stafford. He was strongly in favor of popular education, and encouraged it to some purpose. He was endowed with such energy that he made his presence felt. He had the strength of character to impress his individuality on his surroundings. it is indisputably true that he gave to the village of Stafford the leading characteristics that distinguish it from other villages of this part of the state. It has always been a temperate town. It has maintained since the days of Steel schools, superior to most villages of its size, while any stanger will be struck with the absence of loud profanity among men and boys on the street as compared to other towns. It is fair to say he was not appreciated in his day but as time goes on the older men who knew him speak of him with constantly increasing respect and some at least speak of his helpfulness to them when they were beginning life, while his bitterest enemies will hardly dispute the qualities attributed to him. The urchins of Stafford sing or repeat ribald rhymes in derison of the founder of Bethel, but no such indignity attaches to the memory of the man who changed Bethel to Stafford and impressed his individuality on the new town to take on a new life under its new name. STEEL came to the United States in early life; was engaged in merchandising at Barnesville and afterwards at Woodsfield, removing here in 1845. He was appointed Probate Judge by Gov. CHASE in February, 1857, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of J.W. OKEY. Of Steel's sons one is cashier of a bank in Portland, Oregon; another was Supertendent of Mails in the Portland postoffice, and another State Senator and Chairman of the Republican State Executive Committee of Oregon. Such was the man who in 1845 built the frame dwelling now occupied by F. ULLMAN and began the dry goods business in a one-story frame that for many years stood with its end to the street opposite ULLMAN & Son's present place of business. Associated with him in business either as a clerk or partner was John GIBSON, who had formerly been in business in Barnesville. He was a courtly, nice old gentleman of the old school; and is spoken of with respect by those still remaining in the town who knew him. He occupied the log house still standing next to YOCKEY's residence on Main street. Among the first things to be done by Steel was to change the name of the postoffice and town to Stafford, giving it a name doubtless associated with his boyish recollections on the other side of the Atlantic. The same year he took an active interest in building the church on the hill, since replaced by a better one, it having replaced a log structure. About this time, 1847, Reuben HAWKINS began a mercantile business on the corner where C. YOCKEY now lives in a building which has been removed to the west end of Cross street, and is occupied as a dwelling. He also built the tobacco house on the same street and dealt in tobacco. Part of ULLMAN's hotel was where it now is. W.L. MORTON occupied the dwelling house now owned and occupied by DR. G. W. MASON as a residence. Dr. G. W. MASON came to the village fresh from medical college April 1st, 1849, and is now the only inhabitant in the place who was here at that time. Dr. Edward ELLIS was also here at that time, remaining till the beginning of the war, when he entered the army. He died at home on furlough in 1861.

The following Cem reading was taken out of the Yarnall book "Somerton Area Heritage:..." Bruce Nelson VARNER PRIVATE CEMETERY Varner private cemetery located in Section 4, Somerset Township. The cemetery is approximately 30' x 40' in size and was established about 1825. The Varner family was early settlers to the area. There are about fifteen creek stones that mark graves and may at one time had names, initials, or dates cut into them, but today are worn and decayed. To reach the cemetery one must go to the bottom of the hill on Twp. #32, Flatrock Extension, near its southern intersection with SR 800. At this point follow Flagg Run easterly about one-quarter mile. The cemetery sits on a bluff on the North side of the creek and can be identified by a few large pine trees. The plot is cared for by the Somerset Township Trustees on an annual basis and is in poor condition. The last burial was made in 1923. Varner, Maria d. 7-2~-1~34, ae. 25y Varner, Barbary d. 1830 _____ d. 1836 _____ d. 1831 Copeland, Lucy C. Varner Byers 1838-1916 Varner, Dan 1813-1888 Varner, M.V. 1816-1887 Varner, O.W. no dates Varner, Armstrong M. 1828-1900 Laving 1826-1913 McElroy, Jonathan S. 1846-1916 Irene E. 1845-1923 McElroy, Ida N. 1876-1884 Coulter, Alva O. dates not legible (GAR)

>From the book: Nine Communites of Monroe Co., Oh Brownsville, Ohio 1886 Written for the Monroe Gazette. Having written an epitome of our town for the centennial anniversary of 1876, which was afterwards published, (a copy of which is on file in the Library of Congress, and also one in the New York State Library at Albany), but finding it to hae been full of errors, I have rewritten it and added such items as I consider of importance to those interested. We cannot perhaps trace the history of the peaceful town of Brownsville as far back as to the time of the first permanent settlement in Ohio at Marietta, April 7th, A.D. 1788, nor to the time, Feb. 19th, 1803, when Ohio was enrolled as the seventeenth State in the Union; neither to the year 1804, when the first settlement was made in the territory now comprised in Benton twp by John CLINE, Joseph CLINE, & William BROWN. The town of Brownsville is in 1st 98 deg. 34 min. N. and long. 81 deg 9 min. W. from Greenwich; population 100; situated in sections 18 and 24, township 2, range 5, 18 miles from the county seat and 5 miles from Cocransville, on the west bank of the Ohio river. The Indian trail from Cochransville, on the west bank of the Ohio river. The Indian trail from Fort Harmar to Fort Fincastle (in 1777 the name was changed to Fort Henry in honor of Patrick Henry) went over the ridge where the town of Brownsville is now situated. When Brownsville was laid out it was located in Grandview Twp, Washington County, march 3rd, 1840. Jolly twp, which was taken from Grandview twp, was organized and remained so until 1851. When Novle county was formed a part of Washington county was added to Monroe county. Benton twp was organized March 27th of the same year, then Brownsville became located in Benton twp, Monroe County. The original part of Brownsville and the first addition extend from South street to Third street on the North. The second addition is situated north of Third street. Brownsville was surveyed by B. F. STONE, then county Surveyor of Washington County.. Main street runs north and south and is 90 10-11 links wide; the other streets are 50 links wide, the alleys 16 links wide, the lots 91 links wide, 275 links long and contain one-fourth of an acre. The original plat of Brownsville was surveyed April 6th, 1834, for Israel BROWN, proprietor, and is situated west of Main street. Leonard CHALK with his wife and daughter, Julia A., (widow of Corbin AMOS) were the first permanent settlers in Brownsville, March 16th, 1826, and lived on lot No. 1. The first addition to Brownsville was surveyed January 6th, 1838, for Alex McWILLIAMS, proprietor, and is situated east of Main street. The first house was built on lot No. 6, by Peter FULLMER, who bought said lot June 14th 1838, for $30.00, and this lot is at present owned by Christian SAUNDER. The second addition was surveyed for Israel BROWN, proprietor, on the same day when the first addition was. Description of the business portion of Brownsville: C. SANDER and Son, general store, established October 1863; POOL & SCHMIDT, general store, established April 1881; S. STEWARD, physician, established December 1883; Geo. SCHMIDT & Son, shoemakers, established May 1858; C. SWITZER, blacksmith, established 1886; Geo. S. ALGEO, dealer in leaf tobacco, established 1857; C. SANDER, Notary Public in his sixth term; Aug. MEYER, Justice of the Peace, in his second term, also twp clerk in his eleventh year. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Brownsville was organized one mile south of town A.D. 1883. (although there was preaching by M.E. Ministers as early as 1825.), and was known as LINN appointment, which was one of the twenty-one appointments on Woodsfield Circuit, Wesley BROWNING was the Presiding Elder, R. ARMSTRONG and H. BRADSHAW were the preachers in charge. In 1834 they built a log meeting-house which was also used for a schoolhouse. Nov. 6th 1838 they bought three lots, No 21, 22, & 23 E. of the S. E. corner of the town, north of South street and east of Main Alley. Shortly after they commenced to build a log meeting-house 22 x 24 ft. which was finished in the following spring. In 1856 Brownsville circuit was organized. In the summer of the same year they built a frame meeting-house 26 x 40 ft., which was dedicated the following Octover by James HENDERSON, Presiding Elder. In 1855 the name of Brownsville circuit was chnaged to New Matamoras. Christian SANDER has been the Recording Steward for 22 years. August 25th, 1883, was held the Semi-Centennial Picnic of the organization of the M.E. Church. Present membership 85, S. CUMMINGS, pastor. The Sabbath School conducted with the above society has an average attendance of 68. Christian SANDER is the present Superintendent, he has filled the position since May 1859. The United Presbyterian Church was organized A.D. 1852 by Rev. Alex. YOUNG with eight members. In 1853 they built a frame meeting-house on a lot west of town. At present they have occasional preaching. Membership 44. The Sabbath School conducted with above congregation has an average attendance of 25. L.C. McWILLIAMS is the present Superintendent. The Reformed Presbyterian Church was organized in 1851, Rev. Thomas HANNAH preached the first sermon. In 1861 they built a large frame church. At present they are without a Minister but have occasional preaching. Membership 11. The name of the Postoffice is Jolly. So named from the township of Jolly in which Brownsville was located, when Jolly Postoffice was established, July 8th, 1842. William AYERS was the first postmaster. Ben. AMOS was appointed Jan 12th, 1833; Fred SEMON, Dec 21st, 1843; Jos. WILSON, April 28th, 1847; Francis WILSON Feb 3rd, 1848; Alex. McWILLIAMS, April 8th, 1848; George S. ALGEO, Dec 19th 1855; Chris. SANDER, Jan 4th, 1864; J.M. POOL, Aug 19th, 1885. The cause of education has not been neglected. A two story school house was built in 1874, 27 x 44 feet. The lower story is divided into two rooms, the smaller or ante room is used for public business, and the larger for the common school. The second story is one room now occupied by Prof. Jere. W. HAWKINS, of Scio College, who is teaching a Normal School. This school has given satisfaction to all. There is an increased attendance of 55 per cent over last year, and the interest and advancement have grown accordingly. Aside from the common branches he has in school Primary and Higher Algebra, Geometry, Trighonometry; Philosophy, Physiology; Phonography. The citizens of Brownsville and vicinity are taking an active part in building a school here, and we hope Normal now organized may be permanent. Centennial Cracked Liberty Bell of 1876. Previous to the 4th day of July 1876, the Brownsville, M.E. Sabbath School met to make arrangements to celebrate the grand Centennial Anniversary of American Independence, when our forefathers met in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on the 4th day of July 1776, when they passed the celebrated Declaration of Independence by which they forever threw off their allegiance to the king of Great Britain. It gave birth to a nation, changing a dependent people into a free and Independent Government; and a down trodden country into a land of liberty. What a thankful people we should be for these heave grandet privileges. C. SANDER was chosen President for the occasion. W. L. WEST., M.D. was appointed to ring the school-house bell at daybreak to let the people of Brownsville and vicinity know that the great Centennial Liberty Day of 1876 had dawned. The Doctor rang the bell for some time with great vigor, when lo! it cracked. All appreciated the excerises of the day and we hope that in the century to come our Republic will have made greater progress than in the one past. We think this bell likely to be the only Centennial cracked bell in the world. It is owned by C. SANDER who highly appreciates the treasure. Description of the business portion of the town of Brownsville as it was July 4, 1876. there were four stores of general merchandised owned by the following persons: Christian SANDER, Corbin AMOS, Josiah WILSON and Aug. MEYER; Geo. W. SANDER, tinner, and also dealer in stoves and hardware; W. L. WEST and Josiah WILSON, physicians; G. S. ALGEO, dealer in leaf tobacco; Geo SCHMIDT and John TRAVIS, shoemakers; Charles SWITZER and Geo. W. FULTS, blacksmiths; Christian SANDER, notary public; Geo. S. ALGEO, Justice of the Peace, and Aug. MEYER, twp clerk. by Christian Sander The Monroe Gazette, Woodsfield, Ohio Friday, September 17, 1886 Vol XIV, No. 9