Martin & Zelda Capehart Genealogy Website
©copyright 2009 by Zelda Capehart all Rights Reserved
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The information on this website has been compiled from many sources. We have tried to document and verify all information as much as possible and will continue to do so. If you find an error or have additional information please contact us.
Creations by Zelda
The Martin & Zelda Capehart Genealogy Website
Athens, Athens County, Ohio
Athens county is located in the southeastern part of the sate of Ohio and was formed from Washington County on March 1, 1895. Athens, which became the county seat of Athens County on March 1805, is situated on a commanding site on the Hockhocking river, 75 miles southeast of Columbus. Ohio University is located here. Because the original state university was founded there in 1804, the town and county were named for the ancient center of learning, Athens, Greece.
The county is hilly with intervals of rich bottom lands. The hills have very fertile soil with a heavy growth of trees. The county had extensive deposits of iron ore suitable for smelting and salt production, its first large-scale industry, produced 50,000 barrels annually between the years 1848 and 1868. Coal mining, which has declined dramatically from its peak years, and timber harvesting played major roles in Athens county's economy. The coal industry has declined rapidly from it peak years and the only company still mining cola is Buckingham Coal in Trimble Township. Forestry still contributes to the counties economy, gravel and limestone are mined at several quarries and acitve oil and nautral gas wells are found in low numbers throughout Athens County. Farming and market gardening continue to thrive in the area with the largest farms specializing in beef and dairy production.
During 1796 flat boats or "broad horns" as they were called, traveled through what is now Athens County on their way to more attractive regions of Southwestern Ohio. In 1797 many newly arrived emigrants assembled in Marietta, eager to obtain land and form settlements. The townships of Athens and Aelxander had been selected in December 1795 for the benefit of Ohio University. Early settlers were encouraged to settle on college lands and make them attractive and productive. This begun the formation of a fund for the university. Margaret Creek is named after the first white woman who reached this central point in the county.
Alexander Township, Athens Co., Ohio
Pleasanton M. E. Church
Alexander is one of the 4 townships that Athens County was divided into originally. It was located and surveyed in 1795. Athens and Alexander were considered the college townships and since Alexander lay south of Athens it was for a long time known as "Southtown". In Alexander townhsip, the Methodists were the pioneer church and at a very early day they built a meeting house at "Centre Stake". In 1851 the Pleasanton M. E. church was established. It disbanded in 1946. The church still stands by the Pleasanton Cemetery, near Pleasanton, OH.
Pleasanton Cemtery, Pleasanton, Ohio,
Also known as Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Pleasanton Cemetery, also known as Pleasant Hill Cemetery, is located 0.54 miles NW of Pleasanton and is in easy walking distance. From Pleasanton head north on County Rd 21/Pleasant Hill Rd towards E. County Rd./Pleasanton Rd. Turn left onto E. County Rd 16/Pleasanton Rd. The cemetery appears to be a little south of the road.
Robert McCullough
b. 1756 - d. June 19, 1823
Photo by Carol Turnball
Turnball
maps
Pleasanton M. E. Church
Pleasanton M. E. Church Plaque
.jpg)
Pleasanton Cemetery
Photo by Carol Turnball
Turnball
Photo by Sandra Brown
Turnball
Photo by Carol Turnball
Courtesy of Skip Magyar
Captain Mahlon B. Briggs
b. ? d. July 2, 1863
Son of Benjamin B. & Maria O "Mary" (Capehart) Briggs
Capt of Co D 75 Regt OVI who fell at the battle of
Gettysburg in the 26th year of his age
His old tombstone had been toppled and broken and replaced with a new stone which is true to the original inscription. "Mahlon entered the service on 21 Oct. 1816 and was appointed 1st Sergeant on 16 Dec. that same year. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 24 Mar. 1862; to 1st Lieutenant of Company H on 06 Oct. 1862 and to Captain on 18 Jan. 1863. The Roster of Ohio Soldiers says he died on 03 July 1863, which is one day later than the date on his gravestone."
Source: Skip Magyar on his My Family.com website (This website no longer exists.)
Benjamin B. Briggs
b. Oct. 4, 1806 -- d. Nov. 20, 1866
aged 60 Yrs., 1 Mo., 16 Dys
Husband of Marie "Mary" (Capehart) Briggs
Buried beside his son Mahlon B. Briggs
~~ Pleasanton Cemetery aka Pleasant Hill Cemetery,
Alexander Township, Athens Co., OH ~~
