GREEN TOWNSHIP
JACOB AFFOLTER, Sr. –
is a resident of Greene township, being engaged in farming and the dairy
business. He came to this county in
1833, having been born in Switzerland, Apr 27 1822. His father was Jacob AFFOLTER, deceased Dec 9 1879, and
his mother, Mary KASSERMANN, deceased Jun 24 1873. They came to Monroe county in the year
1833. The wife of Jacob AFFOLTER,
Sr. was Margaret PALMER, to whom he was married in Switzerland township,
Monroe county, OH, Jan 15 18--. Mrs. AFFOLTER
was born in Switzerland, Sep 20 18--.
Mrs. AFFOLTER’s parents were Henry PALMER, deceased, and
Margaret FOX, who died Jan 27 1873.
They came to Monroe county in 1833.
The children of Jacob & Margaret AFFOLTER are as follows:
Jacob, born Jul 8 1852, lives in Greene township, Monroe county; Elizabeth GRANT,
May 9 1854; lives in Greene township; John, May 20 1857, lives at home; Mary,
Nov 11 1859, at home; Samuel, Feb 3 1863; Margaret, Apr 27 1866; Rachel, Mar 30
1870; David, Jul 21 1873. Mr. AFFOLTER
was elected treasurer of this township in 1864, and served in that office seven
years continuously. He was also trustee
for two years; was elected commissioner of the county in the fall of 1877; was
reelected in the fall of 1880 – is one of the present incumbents. His term of office will expire in the fall
of 1883. Mr. AFFOLTER’s cousin,
Jacob KASSERMANN, was in the late war, in the 77th OVI; was
taken prisoner and died in prison. He
made his home with Mr. AFFOLTER before going into the war. Mr. AFFOLTER’s father came from
Switzerland and settled in the southern part of Switzerland township, Monroe
county, in the year 1833; he took out letters-patent for a farm and went into
the woods and cleared a place to build a house upon. He cleared up his farm and raised his family of four children. Jacob AFFOLTER, the subject of this
sketch, was the oldest, being then a lad of 11 years when his father settled
there. He assisted his father
materially in clearing up the farm and tilling it. Mr. AFFOLTER, Sr., lived on the farm he entered until his
death. He lived to reap some of the
benefits of his labor in this county at an early day, and died at the mature
old age of 81 years. He was honored and
respected by all who knew him as a man of truth, integrity and good habits. Jacob AFFOLTER, the subject of this
sketch, came to Greene township in 1853, and located where he now lives, in the
northern part of the township. By
frugality, economy and strict attention to his business affairs, he has
prospered in this world’s goods. He
started out in the battle of life with only his hands. He mastered the carpenter’s trade, and is
now the possessor of 300 acres of valuable land. Mr. AFFOLTER and his two son, Jacob & John, are also
engaged in saw-milling; they are owners of a portable mill, which they move
from place to place. There were no
roads in Switzerland township when Mr. AFFOLTER’s father settled in
it. They had to cut a road through the
land when they located it. There were
no churches or schools, nothing but woods and wild animals. Mr. AFFOLTER, the subject of this
sketch, attended one of the first schools organized in this township. It was taught by John YENNE, in the
year 1834. Mr. AFFOLTER’s
address is Laings postoffice, Monroe county, OH.
RICHARD ANGUS – is engaged in the
occupation of farming and stock-raising in Greene township, Monroe county; was
born in the same township and county, Nov 16 1836. His father was John ANGUS, who died Jun 18 1870, and his
mother was Louisa J. McBURNEY, who died Feb 3 1878. They came to this county in the year
1834. Mr. ANGUS was married in
Ohio township, Monroe county, Nov 11 1858, to Annie M. KASERMANN, who
was born in Switzerland, Mar 15 1838.
Mrs. ANGUS’ parents were Stephen KASSERMANN, now living in
Greene township, and Elizabeth KASSERMANN, who died Mar 18 1861. They came to Monroe county in 1841. The children of Richard & Ann ANGUS
are: Elizabeth J., born Jun 30 1859, lives in Lee township, Monroe county, OH;
Abigail A., Jan 18 1861, died Jul 4 1879; John William, Sep 16 1862, died Mar 5
1865; Martha J., Jul 7 1864, died Oct 2 1880; Caroline, Jul 18 1866, died Sep
18 1866; Emma, Jan 24 1868, lives at home; Letitia, Oct 19 1869, at home;
Margaret A., Feb 12 1872, at home; Joseph, Feb 16 1874, died Jun 30 1875;
Christine, Feb 19 1876, at home; Adam, May 28 1878, died Feb 28 1879; Mary E.,
Jul 6 1881. Mr. ANGUS had one
brother, John, in the late war; he served about eight months, and was honorably
discharged. Mr. ANGUS’
brother-in-law, Jacob KASSERMANN, a member of the 35th OVI,
served with the regiment during the whole of the Rebellion, participating in
all the battles that it was engaged in; he was honorably discharged at the
close of the war. Mr. ANGUS has
held the office of trustee of this township for about 12 years; has also held
the office of school director for 20 years continuously in school district No.
1. Mr. ANGUS’ ancestors came
from Scotland and settled in Guernsey county at a very early date. His father, John ANGUS, was raised in
that county, and married the daughter of John & Louisa J. BOWERS McBURNEY. He then came immediately to Monroe county,
Greene township, and entered 80 acres of land, moved upon it, cleared it up,
and raised a family of six sons and three daughters, of whom seven are still
living. Richard, the subject of this
sketch, lives in Greene township; John, the second son, in Lee township, this
county; the others reside in Virginia.
Mr. ANGUS’ father spent his whole life on the farm he had entered
and improved. Both he and his wife were
members of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and were universally respected. They both lived to a mature old age, and
were mourned by all their acquaintances at their deaths. Mrs. ANGUS’ parents came from
Germany, and settled in this township when it was comparatively new. They accumulated a liberal share of this
world’s goods, and were among the substantial farmers of that township. Mr. KASSERMANN having lost his wife,
will make his home during the remainder of his days with Mr. ANGUS. Mr. Richard ANGUS’ address is Morton
postoffice, Monroe county, OH.
JOSEPH CONNOR – is a son of Jeremiah CONNOR
and Elizabeth DENNIS, the latter now deceased. He was born in Greene township, Monroe county, Nov 9 1836, and is
now engaged in the business of farming and dairying. His wife was Barbara A. KASSERMANN. She was born in Switzerland, Jan 15
1836. They were married in Ohio
township, Monroe county, OH, Feb 9 1860.
Their children are: Stephen A., born Nov 11 1860, lives at home; Rebecca
J., Jun 2 1871, lives at home; John W., Jun 6 1872. Mrs. CONNOR’s parents were Stephen KASSERMANN &
Elizabeth KASSERMANN. They came
to Monroe county in 1841. Mr. CONNOR
was a member of the 116th OVI during the war. He enlisted at Clarington, Aug 22 1862, was
mustered in at Gallipolis, OH, Sep 16 1862.
His company, E, was organized at Clarington, OH under Captain John VARLEY,
and encamped at Marietta, OH, five days with the regiment, and then left for
Parkersburg, WV by rail; they remained there until Dec 19 1862. While in WV he took part in the Lynchburg
raid under General Hunter, fighting three battles, and marching 600 miles,
during which time the command had no rations, and had to forage to procure
food, and on the return engaged the enemy at Winchester, Cedar Creek and Fisher
Hill, in which the regiment charged for five miles, carrying all before
them. After leaving WV they came to the
Army of the James by transport and encamped, Feb 18 1865. Mr. CONNOR was wounded at Lynchburg,
VA, Jun 19 1864. He was in the
following battles: Moorefield, Jan 3 1863; Winchester, Jun 15 1863; New Market,
May 15 1864; Piedmont, Jun 5 1864; Lynchburg, Jun 18 and 19 1864; Snicker’s
Ferry, Jul 18 1864; Winchester, Jul 24 1864; Berrysville, Sep 3 1864;
Winchester, Sep 19 1864; Fisher’s Hill, Sep 22 1864; Cedar Creek, Oct 19
1864. Engagements: Strausburg, May 15
& 25, 1863; Tomahawk, VA, Oct 15 1863; Lexington, Jun 11 1864; Martinsburg,
Jul 25 1864; Cedar Creek, Aug 14 1864; Charleston, Aug 21 1864; Halltown, Aug
26 1864; Cedar Creek, Oct 13 1864. They
were afterwards in the battles of Richmond and Appomattox Court-house. Mr. CONNOR was mustered out at
Richmond, VA, Jun 14 1865. He is one of
the present trustees of this township.
Address, Morton postoffice, Monroe county, OH.
JOHN CLEGG, Jr. – a merchant of Greene township, Round
Bottom. He was born in Seneca township,
Monroe county, OH, Jan 9 1844. His
parents were Samuel CLEGG & Catherine GRIENER, who came to
this county in the year 1831. Mr. CLEGG
was married in Greene township, Apr 11 1867, to Margaret SAWYERS, a
daughter of Andrew SAWYERS & Elizabeth FULTON, now
deceased. Mrs. CLEGG was born in
Greene township, Oct 24 1850. Their
children are: Clement L., born Feb 2 1868; Charles F., Jul 29 1870; Emma O.,
Aug 11 1872; Laura B., Dec 3 1875. Mr. CLEGG
has held the office of trustee for two years in this township. He was a member of the 116th OVI
in the late war. He enlisted at
Cameron, OH, Aug 25 1862, was mustered into the service at Gallipolis, OH, Sep
18 1862. He was a member of Co. E,
which was organized at Clarington, OH by Captain John VARLEY. He encamped five days at Marietta, OH, and
then went to Parkersburg, WV, where they remained until Dec 19 1862. They went from there by rail to Clarksburg,
thence to Buchanan, thence to Beverly, and from there to Webster, and then to
Martinsburg, where they joined the army of the Shenandoah valley; fought under
General Milroy at Winchester, and General Siegel at the battle of Rood’s
Hill. They were then transferred to the
command of General Hunter, and fought their first battle under him at Piedmont,
VA. They went from there to Staunton,
VA, and from there they went on the Lynchburg raid, which is famous in the
annals of the rebellion. At Lynchburg
many lives were lost, and on the retreat a vast amount of government property
was sacrificed. Many of their men
starved on that trip, as they had no rations, and the country was so devastated
that they could not forage any. Mr. CLEGG,
the subject of this sketch, lost 50 pounds in weight while on said
retreat. The regiment was reorganized
near Charleston, VA, and then fell back to Point Pleasant on the Ohio
river. From there they returned to
Parkersburg, WV, and went by rail from there to Martinsburg, and were then put
under the command of General Philip Sheridan.
They then fought the battles of Berrysville, Sep 3 1864, Winchester, Sep
19 1864, Fisher’s Hill, Sep 22 1864.
This was one of the hard fought battles, and one that crippled the
Confederacy badly. Mr. CLEGG was
honorably discharged May 29 1865. Mr. CLEGG’s
address is Round Bottom, Monroe county, OH.
JOHN DEVAUL – a resident of Greene
township, is engaged in farming, and is one of the old pioneers of Monroe
county, having settled here in 1823. He
was born near Waynesburg, Greene county, PA, Nov 28 1811. His parents were Conrad DEVAUL &
Mary McMANHAN, both now deceased.
They came to this county in 1823.
Mr. DEVAUL’s wife is Elizabeth CONLEY, who was born in
Greene township, Monroe county, May 22 1825.
They were married in Greene township, Jun 11 1856. Mrs. DEVAUL’s parents, Isaac CONLEY
& Elizabeth HICKMAN, came to Monroe county in 1823. The former died in 1853 and the latter in
1865. Mr. DEVAUL’s older
brother, Conrad DEVAUL, served five years in the war of 1812. Mr. John DEVAUL, the subject of this
sketch, started out in life a poor boy, and by industry and economy has
accumulated a liberal quantity of this world’s goods. He is the possessor of 360 acres of valuable land, and never had
a mortgage against any of it, and in all his business transactions never failed
to come up to his contracts. He is a
man of strictly temperate habits, never having taken a drink of spirituous
liquors, or smoked or chewed tobacco.
He is living at the mature old age of three score and ten. He remained a widower seven years before he
married a second time. Mr. DEVAUL’s
father came from Greene county, PA, and settled in this township when it was a
wilderness, there not being over 25 families in the township. He helped build the first school-house in
the township. There were no roads here
then, only bridle-paths through the woods.
Mr. DEVAUL’s father entered 80 acres of land about half a mile
west of the present site of Newcastle.
Mrs. DEVAUL’s parents came from Greene county, PA, and settled in
this township when it was an unbroken forest.
They entered land in the eastern part of the township, and went heartily
into the work, built them a home and raised up their family of five sons and
five daughters, who have since married off and sought homes elsewhere. Mrs. DEVAUL was born in this
township, married on the same farm on which she was born, and has been a
resident of the township for 57 years, never having lived outside of it. Mr. DEVAUL’s first wife was Elizabeth
HENTHORNE, daughter of James & Elizabeth Rachel HENTHORNE. There were born of this marriage: Rebecca FISHER,
now a resident of Washington township, Monroe county; Conrad, a farmer in
Greene township; James, a resident of Greene township; and a school-teacher by
occupation; Perry, deceased at the age of three years; Simon J., a resident of
Newcastle, and a physician by profession.
Mrs. DEVAUL died Jun 3 1850.
Mr. John DEVAUL’s address is Laings postoffice, Monroe county,
OH.
JOSEPH FOX – is a farmer and
wool-grower of Greene township, and settled in this county in 1828. He is a son of James W. FOX, who died
Sep 5 1865, and Susanah MYERS.
They came to this county in 1828.
Mr. FOX was born in Greene county, PA, Jan 16 1823. His wife is Maria RUBLES, who was
born in Belmont county, OH, Nov 5 1819.
Mrs. FOX’s parents were William RUBLE, died Jun 16 1857,
and Nancy GILLESPIE. They were
married in Greene township, Monroe county, OH, Feb 18 1847. Their children are as follows: James W.,
born Feb 6 1848, resides in Switzerland township, Monroe county; William R.,
Apr 15 1849, resides at home; John A., Oct 1 1857; lives in Clinton county, MO;
Isaac H., Aug 16 1853, lives at home; Thomas J., Jul 26 1855, lives in Perry
township, Monroe county; Nancy WRIGHT, May 8 1857, lives in Greene township;
Catherine L., May 24 1860, lives at home; Joseph McClellan, Jul 1 1862, lives
at home. Mr. FOX’s parents came
from Greene county, PA, and settled in the southern part of Greene township,
Monroe county. He took out
letters-patent for his land, the township being at that time a wilderness, he
having to cut roads through his land.
There were no school houses or churches, and but few public roads. Wild animals, such as bears, wolves, etc.
were very numerous. They had to build
large pens to keep their sheep in at night, to keep the wolves from carrying
them off. Mr. Joseph FOX, the
subject of this sketch, had the weight of caring for the family, etc., on his
shoulders. Mr. FOX commenced
this world with only his hands, a strong will and a vigorous frame. By industry and economy he has accumulated a
sufficiency of the world’s goods. He is
the possessor of 530 acres of land.
Mrs. FOX’s parents were among the very earliest settlers of
Belmont county. Settling on Captina
creek at a very early age. Mr. FOX’s
grandfather, Joseph FOX, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, serving
seven years. He was also in the war of
1812, and drew a pension for both wars.
He lived to the extreme old age of 103 years, and died in Greene county,
PA. Mr. FOX had two brothers,
Frederick & Mathias FOX, in the late war. Frederick was a member of the 15th WV Volunteer
Infantry, served three years, and was taken prisoner twice, but was successful
in escaping each time and went back to his regiment. He was in 18 hard-fought battles, and was never wounded. He was honorable discharged. Mathias served about six months, and was
also honorable discharged. Mr. Joseph FOX’s
address is Laings, Monroe county, OH.
HENRY HICKMAN – is a farmer of Greene
township, and settled in this county in the year 1822. He was born in Greene county, PA, May 15
1822, his father being William HICKMAN, his mother, Mary GREENE,
now deceased. They came to this county
in 1822. Mr. HICKMAN’s wife was
Susan CONNOR, who was born in Monroe county, Dec 9 1830. They were married in Monroe county, Mar 30
1848. Her parents were Jeremiah CONNOR,
deceased, and Elizabeth DENNIS, also deceased. They came to Monroe county about 1824. The children of Henry & Susan HICKMAN were as follows:
John M., born Jul 24 1849, died Nov 27 1871; Mary E., Mar 20 1851, now living
at home; Becca J., Sep 7 1853, died Oct 26 1881; Harriet M., Feb 29 1856,
deceased Dec 3 1862; Louisa A., Apr 14 1858, lives at home; Isabell, Feb 27
1861, lives at home; Minerva E., Mar 7 1868, lives at home. Mr. HICKMAN had two brothers, James
& Peter HICKMAN, in the late war.
James was a member of the 77th OVI, and was taken prisoner
near Little Rock, AR, and was held 10 months.
He served during the war, and was honorably discharged at its close. Peter was a member of the 116th
OVI, and enlisted at Woodsfield. He
served three years, and was also honorably discharged. Henry HICKMAN also had a
brother-in-law, Joseph CONNOR, in the war. He was a member of the 116th OVI, and was in all the
battles the regiment was engaged in. He
was twice hurt by pieces of shell, and was honorably discharged at the close of
the war. Mr. HICKMAN’s father
was a native of Pennsylvania, and married a daughter of John GREENE
& wife, who were residents of Greene county; came to Monroe county near the
central part of the county, and made a settlement, in the fall of 1822. Greene township was at that time an unbroken
wilderness. They would have to gather
for miles around to get enough to raise a cabin. The country was then full of wild animals, such as wolves, bears,
panthers, and deer by the drove. Mr. HICKMAN
entered a farm of 80 acres of land, and went into the woods and cleared up his
farm. He afterwards entered several
tracts of land and improved them. He
raised a family of 10 children, of whom three are still residents of Monroe
county. The others have sought homes
elsewhere. Mr. HICKMAN’s parents
came from Greene county, PA, and settled in the eastern part of this township,
where there were but a few settlers in the township. There were no schools nor churches nor public improvements, only
a cabin here and there through the woods.
They also took up land and cleared a farm, and helped to lay the basis
of our thriving county. Mr. HICKMAN
still has in his possession the first and only spelling book he ever used. It is of the United States series, and was
published in 1826. He values it highly
as a relic of his early school days.
His name was written in it by his first teacher he ever attended school
to, being over 50 years ago. Mr. HICKMAN’s
address is Laings, Monroe county, OH.
JACOB IMHOFF – of Greene township, came
to this township in 1857. He was born
in Switzerland township, Monroe county, OH, and was the son of Nicholas IMHOFF,
deceased, and Mary BURE. Mr. IMHOFF’s
wife was Elizabeth STEINER, to whom he was married in Switzerland
township, Monroe county, OH, Oct 2 18--.
Mrs. IMHOFF was born in Monroe county, OH, Switzerland township,
Mar 16 1834. Her father was John W. STEINER,
deceased, and her mother Charlotte ANSCHUTZ. The children of Jacob & Elizabeth IMHOFF were:
Charlotte C., born Oct 15 18--, deceased; Jacob, Nov 2 1857, deceased; Mary J.,
Feb 16 1860; Caroline E., Aug 26 1862; Jacob N., Jan 31 1865; Eugenia A., May
18 1867; Josephine S., Jun 6 1869; John W., Jan 26 1872; Mary A., Jan 26 1872;
Ella, Nov 16 1874. All of the children
who are living are at home. Mr. IMHOFF
had one brother, John IMHOFF, in the late war, a member of the 77th
OVI. He was in all the principal
battles in which the regiment was engaged until taken prisoner, and endured for
10 months all the horrors of a southern prison. Being exchanged he was honorably discharged, after serving three
years. Mr. IMHOFF’s parents came
from Switzerland, and settled on Captina Hill, Monroe county, OH, at a very
early date. That portion of Monroe
county was very wild, there being only a cabin here and there through the
woods. Mr. IMHOFF entered a farm
of 120 acres, and went into the woods and cleared it up, and raised his family
of five sons and four daughters. His
family have sought homes in different portions of the United States. Mr. IMHOFF lived on the farm that he
entered and cleared up until his death, which took place in his 73rd
year. Mrs. IMHOFF’s father also came
from Switzerland, and her mother from Frankfort, Germany, settling in Monroe
county, near Powhattan. They took a
farm of 120 acres, and going into the woods assisted in making Monroe county
what it is today. They were among the
influential citizens of this locality, and were universally respected by all
who knew them. They reared a family of
one son and three daughters, who all reside in Monroe county, except Mrs. FRAILY. Mr. IMHOFF is engaged in farming and
the dairy business. Address, Round Bottom,
Monroe county, OH.
GEORGE McKELVEY –
is one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Greene township, being a
son of Robert McKELVEY, now deceased, and Nancy BOYD. Mr. McKELVEY was born in Tyrone
county, Ireland, in the year 1815, and came to Monroe county in the year
1845. His wife was Mahala COLEMAN,
a native of Belmont county, where she was born, Aug 24 1827. They were married in Belmont county, Nov 11
1854, by Rev. Samuel WALLACE.
Mrs. McKELVEY’s father was Samuel STONEBRAKER, now
deceased. The children of George McKELVEY
& wife are: George C. and Martha E.
Mr. McKELVEY’s son-in-law, Lewis SYKES, was in the late
war, having been a member of the 77th OVI. He served five years; was taken prisoner and held several months,
and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mr. McKELVEY came from Tyrone county, Ireland, and settled
in Belmont county about the year 1835.
He there married his first wife.
Belmont county was at that time very new. He remained there about six years after he was married, and then
came to Greene township, Monroe county, and located in the eastern part of the
township. Mr. McKELVEY was among
the hardy pioneers that came into the woods in Monroe county, and helped make
what it is today. He is living at the
age of 67 years on the farm he cleared up.
Mr. McKELVEY’s first wife was Eliza FULTON, daughter of
George FULTON and Belle McCLARN.
They were married in Belmont county, Apr 11 1838. Born by this marriage: Margaret and David,
both resident in Greene township; Mary A. WALTON, a resident of
Washington county; Nancy IMES, a resident of Ritchie county, WV; Belle SYKES,
living in Monroe county, OH; Emily HOLMES, resident in Tyler county, WV;
William F., in Monroe county, OH; Violet C. AYERS, deceased. Mr. McKELVEY’s postoffice address is
Round Bottom, Monroe county, OH.
EDWARD NORRIS – is a resident of Greene
township, and came to this county in 1829, being engaged in farming and the
dairy business. He was born in Fiat [typist
note: possibly Fayette] county, PA, Jan 17 1822. His father was Robert NORRIS, now dead, and his mother,
Ann DORSEY, who died Feb 2 1879.
They came to this county in 1829.
Mr. NORRIS’ wife was Jane JACKSON, who was born in Centre
township, Monroe county, Feb 28 1821, where they were married Jan 23 1842. Mrs. NORRIS’ parents were Abraham JACKSON
& Mary LEONARD, both of whom are now dead. The children of Edward & Jane NORRIS are as follows:
William L., born Oct 19 1842, lives in Greene township; Martha A. HOSKINSIN,
Oct 5 1847, lives in Lee township, Monroe county; John W., Feb 2 1851, lives in
Greene township; Isaac H., Jun 10 1853, lives at home; George T., Dec 12 1855,
lives in Harrison county, OH; Mary E. WRIGHT, Oct 10 1858, lives in
Greene township. Mr. NORRIS has
held the office of trustee in this township for 10 years. His oldest son, William L., served three
years in the late war. He was in all
the battles his regiment, the 116th OVI, was engaged in, coming out
with two slight wounds. He was
honorably discharged at the expiration of his time. Mr. NORRIS’ father was raised until the years of manhood
in Fiat county, PA, when he married Ann DORSEY, the daughter of Aquilla DORSEY
& wife. He then came to Harrison
county, OH, and settled near Cadiz, where he remained two years, and then came
to Centre township and settled in the southern part of it. He then entered 80 acres of land, proceeded
to clear it up, built himself a house, and reared a family of four sons and
three daughters. Edward NORRIS,
the subject of this sketch, was the oldest in the family, and assisted his
father in clearing up the farm. Centre
township was then very new, there being but about 10 houses – log huts – now in
the present thriving town of Woodsfield, the county seat. There were but few families in that part of
Centre township, the JACKSONs, the GRIFFITHs, the PIATTs
and the JEFFERS, were all there were south of Woodsfield until one came
to Antioch. There were no schools, no
churches and no public highways. Mr. NORRIS
attended the first school in that part of Centre township. It was taught by John DAVIS in the
winter of 1834. Mr. NORRIS has
been one of the useful and enterprising men of the county, and has an ample
share of this world’s goods gathered together.
He remembers often of having to climb saplings, when a boy and out
hunting the cows, to get away from the wild hogs. Mrs. NORRIS’ parents, the JACKSONs, were among the
earliest settlers of Centre township, coming into it when it was a wilderness,
and infested with wild animals, such as bears, wolves, panthers, etc. They went through all the hardships incident
to a settlement of a new country. Mr. NORRIS’
address is Laings, Monroe county, OH.
WILLIAM L. NORRIS –
of Greene township, is a son of Edward NORRIS and Jane JACKSON,
who emigrated to Monroe county in 1829.
He was born in Monroe county, Oct 19 1842, and on Feb 7 1867, was
married to Cordelia A. WISE, who was born in Summit township, Monroe
county, Nov 20 1848. Her parents were
Washington W. WISE & Elizabeth J. BUCHANAN. The children of William & Cordelia WISE
are as follows: George W., born Jan 27 1868; Martha M., Sep 22 1869; Harvey C.,
Aug 7 1871; Oliver E., Sep 18 1875; Forest P., Feb 14 1878; Odessa J., Feb 27
1879; Clara A., Oct 23 1881. Mr. NORRIS’
grand-parents came from Cadiz, OH, and settled in Centre township, in the
southern part, on Crane’s Nest creek, when that township was comparatively a
wilderness. There was but one cabin
here, and that in the woods. The JACKSONs,
GRIFFITHs, GRANTs, and JEFFERS, were all the settlers in
that part of Centre township at that time.
He took out letters-patent for his land, went into the woods and
proceeded to build him up a home, and raised a family of eight children, of whom
Edward NORRIS, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the
oldest. He assisted his father largely
in clearing up and tilling the farm.
Mrs. NORRIS’ grand-parents, William & Mary BUCHANAN,
were among the early settlers in the vicinity of Louisville, Summit township,
in this county. It was then (1823)
known as Centre township. There they
endured all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life in a new country. Mr. NORRIS has held the office of
trustee of this township for two terms; was also elected a justice of the peace
in 1878, and has held the office continuously ever since. He served three years in the late war,
enlisting in the 116th OVI Aug 19 1862, at Antioch, OH. He went immediately to the front, and was in
the following battles: Moorefield, WV, Jan 3 1863; Manchester, WV, Rude Hill,
May 9 1864; Piedmont, Jun 5 1864, and others.
He was slightly wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Halltown. He was also with General Sheridan’s command
in the battle of Winchester WV. Mr. NORRIS
is engaged in farming. Address, Laings,
Monroe county, OH.
JOHN H. WILLIAMS –
was born in Wellsberg, Brook county, WV, Jul 10 1805, and is the son of Ephraim
& Mary CONGLETON WILLIAMS.
The former died Apr 3 1839, at the age of 64 years; the latter died Apr
5 1849, aged 75. They settled in this
county in 1812. Mrs. WILLIAMS’
parents were Samuel & Catharine MOSER LANDIS. They settled in this county about 1830. The children of John H. & Sarah WILLIAMS
are: Daniel S., born Sep 16 1835, resides at Belleville, Wood county, WV;
Melissa, Mar 15 1837, died Feb 24 1864; Luvina, Mar 28 1839, died Aug 20 1861;
Leander, Dec 27 1841, lives at Round Bottom, Monroe county, OH; Eliza Jane, Oct
23 1843, postoffice, Irish Ridge, Monroe county; Mary J., Mar 12 1847, Laings
postoffice, Monroe county; Isabel, Apr 10 1850, Belleville, Wood county WV;
Emily, May 3 1854, died Jun 14 1875; William M., Apr 19 1856, Round Bottom,
Monroe county. John H. & Sarah were
married at Clarington, OH, Oct 2 1834.
Mrs. WILLIAMS was born at Washington, PA, Jun 6 1818. Mr. WILLIAMS is a carpenter and
farmer in Greene township. His oldest
son, David S., enlisted in the late civil war, under Captain W. E. STEPHENS,
at Marietta, OH, Nov 9 1861; at Camp Texas.
Reenlisted at Little Rock, AR, Dec 20 1863. The whole brigade was captured at Mark’s Mills, AR, Apr 25
1864. Regiment was commanded by A. W. McCORMICK,
and was in 11 engagements. William M.,
son of the subject of this sketch, is a school-teacher, has taught 20 terms,
and his object in subscribing for this revised history of Monroe county, is his
anxious desire for knowledge. He
married Mary E. SAWYERS, at Chapel Hill church, Dec 26 1877. They have one child: Fred. L., born Jun 13
1881. Address Mr. William M. WILLIAMS
at Round Bottom, Monroe county, OH.
MICAJAH G. WOOD – was born in Centre township, Monroe county, OH,
and is the son of Thomas WOOD and Mary A. STROSNIDER, who came to
this county in the year 1826. Mr. WOOD
is a resident of Greene township. His
wife was Lucy LANTZ, who was born in Perry township, Monroe county, Jul
1 1836. They were married in Perry
township, Monroe county, OH, Aug 31 1856.
Mrs. WOOD’s parents were Alexander LANTZ, deceased Sep 24
1876, and Elcy SHRIVER. They
came to Monroe county in 1836. The
child of Micajah & Lucy WOOD is Thomas A., born May 25 1857. Mr. WOOD had one brother, Simon, in
the late war. Mr. WOOD’s father,
Thomas WOOD, came from Greene county, PA, when a young man, and located
at Woodsfield, OH, and there followed the occupation of a wheelwright. In 1830 he went back to Greene county, PA,
and married his wife. He afterwards
came back to Monroe county, and located in Jackson township. He lived there one year, and then went to
Centre township, remained there two years, and came to Greene township, and to
his present residence. He was among the
early school teachers of the county, and taught many a term at ten dollars per
month. Mrs. WOOD’s parents were
married in VA, and removed from there to Greene township, Monroe county. This portion of Monroe county was very wild
at that date. They cleared up a farm,
and went through all the inconveniences incident to a settlement in a new
country. Mr. WOOD’s occupation
is farming. Address, Antioch, Monroe
county, OH.
SIMON P. WOOD – a son of Thomas & Mary
A. WOOD, is a resident of Greene township. He was born in Greene county, PA, in the year 1832. Simon P. WOOD and Mahala MATTHEWS
were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony in Greene township, Monroe county,
OH, on the 25th day of Oct, 1877.
Mrs. WOOD’s parents are Abraham & Priscilla MATTHEWS. She was born Jul 1 1844, in Monroe county,
OH. They have one child, Simon S., born
Oct 27 1881. Mr. WOOD’s parents
were among the earliest settlers of the county, coming here when the whole
country was a wilderness. Mr. WOOD
has been married twice. His first wife
was Mary A. AGIN, born Oct 3 1855, died Jan 9 1875. The children by this union are: William T.,
born Feb 7 1855, resides at home; Sarah J., May 30 1857, lives at home; James
F., Dec 6 1860, lives in Greene county, PA; Micajah E., Jan 23 1864, lives at
home; Lucy C., Jul 29 1866, died Mar 5 1867; J. L., Dec 17 1868; Asher M., Jun
12 1870; Mary A., Dec 31 1874. Jacob
& Phoebia AGIN were among the first settlers of this county. They settled near Antioch about the year
1825. Simon P. WOOD has held the
office of justice of the peace for five years and resigned; was assessor four
terms. Address, Laings Postoffice,
Monroe county, OH.
THOMAS WOOD – is a son of Micajah WOOD, who died at 81 years of age, and Jane MASON, who died at the age of 78 years. They both died in Greene county, PA. Mr. WOOD settled in this county in 1826, having been born in Greene county, PA, Oct 15 1806. His wife’s name was Mary A. STROSNIDER, who was born in Greene county, PA, Nov 15 1809. They were married in Greene county, PA, Sep 9 1830. Mrs. WOOD’s parents were Jasper STROSNIDER, now dead, and Sarah CYPHER, also now dead. They died in Greene county, PA. The children of Thomas & Mary WOOD are: Simon P., born Jul 16 1831, living in Greene township, Monroe county, OH; Micajah G., May 18 1833, living in Greene township; William M., Jan 17 1835, died Dec 19 1855; Michael S., Aug 27 1836; living in Green township; Francis M., Jan 27 1838, died Nov 15 1855; Thomas J., Jun 18 1841. Mr. WOOD has been justice of the peace in this township for three years, also clerk of the township for a number of years, and trustee for several years. He had one son, Simon, in the late war. Enlisted at Antioch OH, got crippled from a cut such as to unfit him for duty, and was discharged in consequence, Oct 16 1862. Mr. WOOD’s father was a native of MD, going when a young man to Greene county, PA, where he met and married Jane MASON, daughter of William & Mary MASON, and who emigrated from Tyrone county, Ireland, to PA, and took up land in the vicinity of Waynesburg. They went into the woods and cleared up a farm, and reared a family of four sons and five daughters, of whom Thomas WOOD, the subject of this sketch, was the third child. He came from Greene county when a young man, and located at Woodsfield, and there followed the occupation of a wheelwright. In 1830 he went back to Greene county, PA, married his wife and came back to Monroe county, lived in Jackson one year, and removed to Centre township, remaining there two years, then came to Greene township, where he has resided ever since, 48 years. Mr. WOOD was one of the early school teachers of this county, and has taught many a month for 10 dollars and boarded himself. He has been one of the useful men of the county, spending a large portion of his life instructing the young. His occupation is farming. Address, Laings, Monroe county, OH.
Transcribed by Dr. Shirley A.
Harmon, e-mail: Shirley Harmon
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