This township lies in
the north-west corner of the county. It
was organized Jan. 2, 183, by taking a territory
from the west side of Scott, four by six miles,
and from the north end of Wayne, four by two
miles, making an area of thirty-two square
miles. It was called Winchester, from the
village of that name embraced within its limits.
SURFACE.
Its surface is
moderately rolling, but somewhat hilly along the
water courses. the soil is a clay of
medium fertility, that in early years, produced
fair crops of corn and wheat, which were the
farmer's principal reliance for money.
This continued cropping of grain after awhile
began to exhaust the soil and other methods of
farming became necessary. For the last few
years more attention has been paid to stock
raising, and with good results. commercial
fertilizers have, also, been successfully
applied to the lands. with more attention
to stock raising, and proper methods of farming,
this would be a good agricultural township.
CREEKS.
The principal stream is the west
branch of brush creek which passes nearly
centrally through it from west to east. It
received its name from the original forests that
lined its banks.
LIMESTONE,
Which underlies the
whole area of the township, crops out in endices
quantities all along the banks of Brush creek,
is of easy access, and when burned in kilns
makes a superior quality of lime for plastering
and other mechanical purposes.
EARLY SETTLERS.
It is generally more
or less difficult to ascertain with certainty,
who were the first settlers in a community, or
just when, or where they located. As near
as can be gathered it is probable the first in
this township came about 1805. It is
supposed that McIntire was the first man
who settled within its present limits. He
came in 1805, and located about a mile and a
half south of where the village of
Winchester now stands. Israel Rhodes
and Andrew Clemmer came in the same year,
and located in the same neighborhood.
FIRST CHURCHES.
The first
church built in the township was the M. E.
church, erected in 1830.
The second one was the Baptist, built in 1831.
This was a brick edifice, and is now used as a
wagon shop. The society, however, retains
an organization, and has another house of
worship. The third church was built by the
Presbyterians in 1839.
THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.
The first
school house was log cabin, that stood where the
village cemetery is now located.
FIRST TEACHER.
The first teacher
was Richard Cross. He taught in the
above mentioned log school houses.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The following is a
list of the Justices of the Peace, who have
served since the organization of the township;
William McNeal, Samuel Homes, Rezin T.
Fowler, Richard Ramsey, (Mr. Ramsey, who is now
acting, has served in that capacity 27
years), William Long, Turner Osborne.
A. Mr. Thomas was elected, and served
a few months in 1861, and resigned.
FIRST MILLS.
The first mill was
built in 1809 or '10, by Richard Cross,
near the north-east corner of South Winchester.
It was propelled by horse power.
The second one was a tramp mill, located on Main
street, erected by Ezra Sparks in 1820.
The first water mill was started on Brush creek in
1820, by Joseph Mariatt, and the second
one by Stephen Tolle, in 1835, on Elk
Run.
The first saw-mill was built by Joel Bailey, in
1825, on Elk Run, a mile an a half east of the
village.
There are at present but two grist mills in the
township: Thomas M. Young's steam mill in
the village, and James M. Rees', situated
on Brush creek, 2˝
miles east of Winchester. It runs by water
and steam.
FIRST PHYSICIANS.
The first physician
to locate in the village was Dr. Mahan,
who came in 1832.
The second one was Dr. A. C. Lewis, who came in
1835.
SCHOOLS.
The township
exclusive of the village, is divided into seven
sub-districts, with a school enumeration in
1878, of 261 children of school age, as follows:
White males, 150; white female, 109; colored
males, 2.
[Page 55]
INDEPENDENT AGRICULTURAL
AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION OF ADAMS, BROWN AND
HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO.
This is a joint stock
company, incorporated under the laws of he State,
in1859.
Moses J. Patterson, Edward E. Wilkins, George
H. Dixon and I. H. deBruin were the
incorporators. It has a paid up capital of
$3,985. The original subscribed stock was
$6,000, in shares of $5. It owns twenty
acres of land, one-half mile south of the
village of Winchester, arranged with all the
necessary conveniences, where its annual fairs
are held.
It held its first fair, Oct. 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th, 1860.
Its usual attendance is from 8,000 to 15,000
people. The first dividend to stock
holders was made in1865, since which, there ha
been annual dividends, amounting in all to
$1,241 on the paid up stock. It is in a
Flourishing condition, well managed, and
profitable to the association.
CHURCHES
There are in
the township seven churches, four in the
village, and three in the country.
Those in the village are; One Methodist Episcopal, one
Disciple, one Presbyterian, one Baptist.
In the country are: One Methodist Episcopal,
called "Centennial;" one Methodist Protestant,
called "Calvary;" one Christian church, called
"Oakland."
WINCHESTER VILLAGE.
This is the
only village in the township. It was laid
out by Joseph Darlinton, Nov. 8, 1815, on
a plat of 70 lots. Mr. Darlinton
came from Winchester, Virginia, hence the name
of his new town.
The first sale of lots was at auction, Nov. 28, 1815.
On the 10th and 12th days of August, 1833, Joel
Bailey surveyed and laid off an addition of
82 lots, with a public square, containing 80
square rods. This addition is known as
South Winchester. Richard Cross was
the surveyor.
The village was incorporated in 1865, and is now
governed by corporation laws, with officers to
execute them.
FIRST HOUSE.
The first house in
the limits of the village, was built by Mr.
Mcintire in 1807, before the town was
laid out. It was of hewed logs; was
weather-boarded by Hamilton Dunbar in
1832; is still in a good state of preservation,
and at this date - 1880 - is owned by occupied
by David Young as a dwelling.
FIRST STORES.
The first store was
opened by James and Joseph Bailey in 1818
or '19. It was on lot 44, opposite the
Post office. The property is now owned by
Mrs. M. J. Snodeker.
The second one was
started by - Cunningham, on the
east side of Main street. The building in
which it was carried on, has long since been
removed.
OIL MILL AND CARDING MILL
In 1831, Levi
Sparks built an oil mill and carding mill
where he made flax seed oil and carded wool.
They were operated by Milton Cutter until
1840, when the manufacture of oil became
unprofitable and it was discontinued. The
carding was, was continued, and the mill passed
through several hands until 1852, when M. J.
Patterson became proprietor, who built in
connection with it a flouring mill, which he
carried on until in the fall of 1863, when the
mill, carding machinery and tannery adjoining,
were all consumed by fire.
Mr. Patterson was a member of the Legislature in
1860-61. He entered the army early in the
war. He died on Cheat Mountain in 1862.
HOTELS.
Joseph Eyler
started the first hotel in the village about
1810. It stood on the north-west corner of
South street. The property is now owned by
John Erthal.
The second tavern
was owned by Lindsey Gossett, about 1830.
It stood on the opposite side of the street from
the first one.
The third one was started by Mr. Goldsbury in
1834, in a brick building now owned by A. L.
Robbins.
There are at the
present time four hotels, kept by the following
proprietors: D. F. Wilson, John
Bradley, William Long, Mrs. Stevenson.
TANNERIES.
The first tannery
was started in 1812 by Joseph Eylar, by
whom it was carried on until near the time of
his death in 1851. It was soon after
discontinued.
The next one was started by Andrew Davidson,
about 1835. L. H. de Bruin has
owned this establishment for several years, and
worked it until within a few months past.
It is still in complete order, though at present
idle.
POST OFFICES.
There are two post
offices in the township, Winchester and Emerald.
WINCHESTER.
Was established about
1820, and called Scott, from the name of the
township in which it was then being a part of
Scott. The office retained this name until
Apr. 1, 1830, when it was changed to Winchester.
The first Postmaster was Joseph Eylar, who
served until 1841, when he was succeeded by
James Sparks; the third was Isaac
Prutzman; the fourth, John Frow,1847-61;
the fifth, Jos. Eylar, 1862-64; the sixth
and present incumbent is
Aaron Shriver.
EMERALD.
Was organized June1,
1875, under the auspices of Bro. H. Sly,
M. W. Grand Master. The charter members
were:
Dr. R. Bryant, C. W. Clowe, J. C. Boltin, Alex.
Gilfillen, J. L. Massie, S. G. Masssie, S. E.
Parker, John Sereight.
WINCHESTER LODGE I. O. O.
F., NO. 503,
Was organized June 1, 1875, under the auspices
of Bro. 11. Sly, M. W. Grand Master. The
charter members were:
Dr. R. Bryant, C. W. Clowe, J. C. Bolin, Alex.
Gilfillen, J. L. Massie, S. G. Massie, S. E.
Parker, John Seright.
This lodge has passed through varied changes, and
suffered by removals, expulsions, sickness and
deaths, but has weathered the storms, and
retains an efficient organization with 27
members at this time, July, 1880. The
present officers are:
J. A. Frow, N. G.; C. S. Carboy, V. G.;
James Rea, Treasurer: Rev. J. C.
Boltin, Chaplain; A. F. Shriver, R.
S.
WINCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
By Prof. W. A. Clark.
The history of the Winchester public schools
extends over a period of seventy-two years,
during the first fifty-seven of which it existed
as a sub-district, first of Scott, then of
Winchester township. A correct chronology
of the events of this period would be difficult
to obtain. No certain record can be found,
and we are forced to rely solely upon the
personal recollections of individuals.
For thirty years prior to the organization of
Winchester township in 1838, the school was a
sub-district of Scott township. From 1838
to 1865, it was known as "District No," of
Winchester township. In 1865 it was
organized into a special district. Under
this new organization, which was that of schools
in corporate villages, it had six directors and
a board of examiners. This special board
of examiners was discontinued several years ago.
The first school house within the
present limits of the village was a log house
built in 1808, upon a little eminence east of
town. This knoll is now the cemetery
grounds; and the graves of Judge Eylar
and wife mark the site of the building.
This house was used for school and church
purposes for eighteen years. In 1826
another building for school purposes was erected
on the “public square.” This was also a
log structure, and is still standing in the rear
of the residence of J. A. Lemons.
It was occupied until 1848. In 1839 the
Legislature by a special act authorized the sale
of the building, together with the ground upon
which it stood, Col. Wm.
Robbins, H. I. de Bruin, Esq.,
and Dr. N. D. Thompson were appointed
commissioners for that purpose. They
effected a sale, and applied the proceeds to the
erection of a new building. A lot of land
was bought of J. M. Darlinton, on the
west side of town; and on it was erected a
one-story brick building of one room, the third
school house built for the district. This
building was used for school purposes until
1855, when it was found to be insufficient for
the accommodation of the district, and was sold.
It is now occupied by David Fisher
as a private residence. Thos.
Ramsey was the contractor for the new
building, and received “eight hundred dollars
and the old house” for building the new one.
This house is a frame with two rooms, and a
hall, and was built upon a lot “13 rods square,”
purchased of James Dunlap for
$30.50. It was occupied until 1871, when
the present building was erected.
The present house is the fifth
school house built for the district. It is
a two-story brick, 32x68, containing [four
commodious rooms and hall ways, and cost $4,000.
The frame house after being sold and passing
through several parties hands, was finally
purchased by the school board, and is now used
for the colored school,
|
The first teacher who taught in
the district - in the log cabin on the cemetery
grounds - was Richard Cross.
This school was taught in 1808. For forty
years following that time one teacher seems to
have been sufficient, but he undoubtedly had at
times “a full school.” In the records of
1847, is found the following:
“Report of Quarter of Schools,
commencing Aug. 2d. and ending Oct. 22d, 1847:
No. in
attendance ...........95
Males ........................50
Females .....................45
Average daily attendance 60 1-6
Oct. 23, 1847
A. C. Di_old,
Teacher."
One man taught this school
for less than $25 per month! From 1848 to
1855, the date of the building of the fourth
school house, two teachers were employed for the
schools, with one or two exceptions. Since
the year 1855, the number employed in the while
schools, has in one or two instances reached
four. The following persons have held the
position of principal teacher since the
organization of the special district, in 1865:
John B.
Campbell.........1865-66
John Rea.......................1866-67
C. L. Bennett................1867-68
L. J. Fenton.................. 1868-69
G. F. Mead .................. 1869-70
John A. White .............. 1870-71
L. J. Fenton ................. 1871-72
J. F. Fenton ................. 1875-76
B. W. Fenton ............... 1876-77
William Stevenson ....... 1877-78
W. A. Clark ................. 1879-_
The present organization of the school board (June,
1880), is as follows:
Wm. Adams, Term
Expires, 1881
Wm. Smith, Treas. "
"
1881
J. H. Bradford,
" "
1882
N. R. Thompson, Clerk, "
" 1882
J. W. Rothrock
" "
1883
A. L. Robins, Pres., "
" 1883
The enumeration for the year 1879, shows a school
population of 181, of which 14 are colored.
The schools are in session about eight months in
the year.
HISTORY OF THE WINCHESTER
BAPTIST CHURCH.
By The Pastor.
The history of this church
cannot be given as fully as is desirable, owing
to the fact that there are several breaks in the
records of its earlier transactions; we give,
however, its history, with as much regularity
and consecutiveness as the records will permit.
The first church meeting, of which the records give
account, was held at the house of Spencer
Records, south of Fincastle, Brown county, O.,
Sept. 18th, 1813. At this meeting Elder
Chas. B. Smith was called to the pastorate
of the church, and Brother Records was chosen
Deacon, and Brother Laycock, Clerk of the
church. On the 28th of August, 1814, the
church held a meeting at the house of Brother
Records, at which, the church chose to be known
as the “Regular Baptist church at Brush creek,
in Adams county, State of Ohio;” and adopted the
Articles of Faith. The constituent members
signing the Articles of Faith at that meeting
were as follows:
John Murphy, Mary Murphy,
Solomon Sparks, Catherine
Sparks, Spencer Records,
Elizabeth Records, John
Pile, Rebecca Pile, William
Laycock, Mary Barngrover,
Abraham Thomas and Rachel
Bailey.
Brother Thomas was the first person
baptized by the church, his baptism occurring in
June, 1814. From this date to 1818, the church
met very irregularly and with but little
success, Elder Chas. B. Smith continuing
with them as Pastor. On the 23d of May,
1818, the church dissolved, and on Jan. 28th,
1820, a meeting was held at the house of Bro.
Spencer Records, at which time a
reorganization of the church was consummated on
their former Articles of Faith. There were
present at this reorganization of the church,
Spencer Records, Deacon; Wm.
Laycock, Clerk ; Solomon Sparks,
Abraham Thomas, Henry
Pile, Elizabeth Records and
Catherine Sparks. At this
meeting the church dismissed b\ letter
Brother and Sister Records, and Brother
Wm. Laycock. From 1826 to April 20th,
1828, the church failed, “through various
causes,” to have meetings. Elder H.
Johnson began to preach for the church about
this time, whether as pastor or not, the records
do not state. During the time that
Elder Johnson preached for the
church, there were received by baptism 18, and
15 by letter and experience. The Strict
creek Association held its first session with
this church, August, 1829. In 1830, the
church began to build a meeting house, and
appointed John Wallace, Salomon
Sparks and Nathaniel Cloud,
Trustees, to attend to the building of the new
church house, to be erected on a lot in
Winchester, purchased of Samuel
Bawldrige. Brother Rhoads was
also afterward appointed as Trustee of the
church. The church had no pastor, so far
as His records show, until 1832, but during the
interval Elders Johnson, Smith,
Spohn and others, preached occasionally
for them. Elder Hiram Bennett was
called to the pastorate in June, 1832, and
continued his labors with the church about nine
years. During his pastorate about 150 were
received by baptism, 60 dismissed by letter, and
15 excluded.
Elder Wm. Allgood was called to take charge of
the church in Sept. 1841, and entered upon his
pastoral labors Nov., 1841. He resigned in July,
1848, the church having received during his
pastorate, 5 by baptism, 9 by letter, dismissed
by letter, 25, and excluded 9.
At the September meeting, 1848, Elder Eli Fry
was called, and partial arrangements made, but
were dissolved at the next meeting. In
Nov., 1851, the church called Elder James
Gabri c to the pastorate, who began
his labors at once, and continued to
Page 56 -
serve the church
until 1863. While Elder Gabriel was
pastor, the church received 28 by baptism and 13
by letter; dismissed by letter, 37, and excluded
6.
Elder Gilman Stone, a licentiate of Providence,
R. I., was soon after called, and was ordained
in July, 1853. He resigned in April, 1854,
and th3 church immediately recalled Elder
Gabriel, who continued until Sept. 1855.
During the pastorate of Elder Stone
and the second pastorate of Elder
Gabriel the church received by baptism, 3;
dismissed by letter, 17; excluded 1.
On the 27th of February, 1830, the church agree
to build a brick church in Winchester, 30x40
feet, and the building committee report the
house completed Jan., 1833.
In Oct., 1855, Elder Huson took charge of
the church, and at their meeting the following
month the church resolved to build a new meeting
house, 36x54 feet, with 14 feet to ceiling.
The building committee consisted of Samuel
McNeil, Ezra Sparks, Jas.
Carson and B. C. Colburn, who were
instructed to sell the old house and lot, and to
purchase a new site for the new building.
This, the second house of worship built by the
church, was dedicated the 29th of March, 1857.
During the time that Elder Huson was
pastor, the church received 5 by letter, and
dismissed 4 by letter. Elder
Samuel Wallace next took charge of
the church in 1857, and resigned March, 1861.
While he was pastor the church received 55 by
baptism, 15 by letter, and excluded 5.
Elder A. B. White was called, March, 1861,
and began labor in May, 1861. He was
ordained in June following, and while he was
with the church, 7 were received by baptism and
4 by letter; 9 dismissed and 7 excluded.
In April, 1864, Elder G. W. Taylor was called,
and continued with the church about one year,
during which, 1 was received by baptism, 4 by
letter; 2 dismissed by letter, 7 excluded.
Elder F. C. Fear was called Sept., 1865,
and continued until Nov. 1867. While he
was pastor the church received 2 by baptism, 4
by letter; 10 dismissed and 1 excluded. Elder
Wm. Haw was called Jan., 1868, and continued
as pastor until Dec., 1872. During his
pastorate the church received by baptism, 13; by
letter, 8; dismissed 10, excluded 4. No
pastor from Dec., 1872 to Oct., 1873, but had
occasional preaching by Elder D. Trichler.
Elder G. W. Thompson was called Oct., 1873, but
resigned March, 1874. Charles A.
McManis was licensed to preach Nov., 1873,
and was ordained in March, 1874, the church
having called for his ordination in February
previous.
Elder Joseph Smith was called to the care of the
church April, 1874, and closed his pastorate
April, 1879. During the time he served the
church, 5 were received by baptism, 3 by letter,
2 restored; and 8 dismissed by letter, 1
excluded.
From April, 1879, to Nov., 1879, the church had no
pastor, but occasional preaching by Elders
Joseph Smith and S. G. Lindsey.
During this interval the church received 1 by
baptism and 1 by experience.
In Oct., 1879, the church called Elder L. H. Denman
to the pastorate, who is now acting pastor.
He entered upon his pastoral duties Nov., 1879,
and from that time to the present (July, 1880)
the church has received by baptism, 6; by
letter, 8; dismissed by letter, 3.
The total membership at present is 71. The church
has had in all 11 Deacons, 9 Clerks, 9 Trustees,
and 6 Treasurers, during her existence of over
66 years. And in that length of time, 15
different ministers have been in the pastorate,
an average of a little over 4⅓
years to each pastorate.
May thorough consecration and an unwavering faith mark
her future course and progress, and success
crown her every effort for God's glory!
BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES
JOHN N. DARLINTON.
The grand-father «f
this sketch, Joseph Darlinton, one of the
oldest and best known citizens of Adams county,
was Clerk of the Court over forty years.
At an early day he bought 1,000 acres of land,
on a part of which he laid off the village of
Winchester in 1815. The remainder of
this land was divided among his children.
One of these children, John M. Darlinton,
married Folly Beard. Jan.
27, 1818, and in March of the same year, moved
on his new home, a part of the thousand acres,
where his wife died some ten months after their
marriage. Mr. Darlinton
married for a second wife, Mary Naylor,
Feb. 10, 1820. By this marriage there were
born unto him six children, three of whom
survive, Harvev A. Darlinton, Newton
M. Darlinton and John N. Darlinton.
The last named, who is the subject of this
sketch, was married Feb. 28, 1872, to Rachel
A. Smith, by which marriage they have three
children, George Edward, Mary Nancy,
George Wilson. Mr. Darlinton
occupies a portion of the old farm adjoining the
village of Winchester.
JAMES DOYLE
The subject of our
sketch was born in Washington county, Penn., in
1807; came at the age of thirteen to Highland
county, O. In 1823, he settled in Decatur,
where he learned the blacksmith trade. He
removed to Winchester in 1825, where he started
a drug store, which he carried on until his
decease, October, 1879. He was for many
years a member of the Christian church.
GEORGE W. DOYLE.
Son of the above named
James Doyle was born in Winchester.
He is the oldest citizen now living in the
township, that was born in it. He is
engaged in the manufacture and sale of wagons,
carriages and buggies. He has been engaged
in this business from early life. He does
a prosperous business.
DR. JOHN GROSSMAN
Was born in Union county, Pa., in 1806, came to
North Liberty in 1845, resided there three or
four months, then removed to Brush creek,
Winchester township, where he stayed from April
to October, 1847, from thence he went to
Youngville and stayed a year, and from there
settled near Winchester, where he lived until
his decease in 1877, in his 73d year. His
widow still survives, and resides with her son,
William A. Grossman, on the old
homestead. Mr. Grossman reared a
family of three children, two sons and one
daughter, Ira A., Mary E. and
William A. Grossman. Ira A. was killed
by the Indians at Sweetwater Ridge, Nebraska, in
1863. Mary E. married John B.
Campbell, and now lives in Kansas.
William A. married Sarah B. Denning,
Dec. 13, 1870. They are the parents of two
children, John Eldon and William A.
Grossman. Mr. Grossman owns and
occupies the old homestead, one-half mile west
of the village, engaged in farming.
JESSE HALL
Came to this county in
1816. In 1827 he married Sarah M.
Cochran. They are the parents of ten
children, only two of whom are now living.
Among the sons of this family three were
physicians, one a bookkeeper, one a professor of
languages in some institution of learning.
The oldest son, J. M. Hall, is a
practicing physician. The daughter,
Mrs. E. J. Anderson, lost her husband, J.
K. Anderson, in the service in the
rebellion. He died of sickness. Mrs.
Hall’s father, Mr. Cochran, was a sea
captain. He was also a soldier in the war
of 1812.
REES HIATT
This gentleman’s ancestors were natives of
Virginia. His grandfather and father both
came and settled in Highland county where the
grandfather died. Rees Hiatt was
born near Leesburg, Highland county, Ohio, Sept.
6, 1840. In 1863 he married Ellen
Greathouse. They have had horn unto
them four children, two of whom are dead.
Soon after his marriage, he settled one and
one-fourth miles north of Winchester, where he
still resides. In 1874 his wife died, and
he married for a second wife, Elsena
Alexander. Mr. Hiatt has
a farm of 120 acres of good land. He makes
a speciality of thoroughbred stock. He has
at great expense procured a herd of short-horn
Durham cattle from the best herds in Kentucky,
which he cultivates with great care and good
judgment.
DAVID M. KANE.
Stephen Kane, the grandfather of David
M. Kane, emigrated with his family from
Penn., in 1808, and first settled on Beasley’s
Fork. He served in the war of 1812, and in
1814, moved to Cherry Fork, and located about
two miles above North Liberty. Here he and
his wife both lived and died. He married
Mary Kirker. They reared a
family of children, one of whom was named
James. This son was four years old
when his parents came to Adams county. He
spent his early life at home, helping to clear
and improve the farm. By untiring industry
and
|
perseverance,
he obtained a farm near Eckmansville, where he
settled and still resides. He married
Mary Gaston. These are the
parents of David M. Kane, the subject of
this sketch. David M. Kane
was born Aug. 12, 1834. He received such
an education as the scholars of that period
afforded. At sixteen his prospects for a
finished education were good, but these
prospects were blighted by the death of his two
older brothers. In 1855, he bought the
farm on which he now resides, and has improved,
adorned and beautified it, until to-day there is
no more comfortable or prettier residence in
Adams county. In 1860, he married Sarah
J. Moreland, daughter of Thomas
Moreland, who was a native of Ireland.
Mr. Moreland came to this country
at an early day, and in 1826 married in Green
county, Ohio, Miss Anna Reed,
who was a native of Penn. David M. and
Sarah J. Kane are the parents of four
children; Rosa M., Dora A., Willie M.,
and Jennie Maud. The Kane
family are cultured and refined, and we
record with pleasure that Mr. Kane
takes an interest in education, which is rapidly
placing his family in the front ranks of
education lovers in the country. Rosa
M., is already in the teacher’s
profession, and the other children are given the
benefit of the best educational advantages in
the country.
A. C. LEWIS,
M. D.
The subject of this sketch was born in Herkimer,
N. J., June 17, 1709 - came to Gallipolis, Ohio,
in 1828 - studied medicine with Dr. S. S.
Fowler, of Cincinnati, and graduated at the
Miami Medical College in 1855. He married
Miss Eveline Tweed, in
Williamsburg, Clermont County, Ohio, Nov.
14,1834, came to Winchester July 16, 1835, where
he commenced the practice of his profession,
which he has since followed. He reared a
family of three children, Alice, Emma,
and Annie. His wife died Feb. 7,
1857. He married for a second wife
Francis A. Hopkins, of Greene county, Ohio.
There is but one person now living in Winchester
that was here when Mr. Lewis came
to the place in 1835. At that time there
was but one church in the village, the Baptist
Church, which is used by W. T. Hughes as
a wagon shop. A small log school house
stood on the public square. It had a few
small windows in it, and slab seats. There
were then but two regular physicians in the
county; there are now thirty. Mr.
Lewis is the oldest resident physician in
Adams county.
T. M. YOUNG
Was
born in Wayne township, Adams county, in 1835, was married
in 1855, followed farming until his marriage, when he
commenced the milling business which he has since followed.
In 1873 he bought the flouring mill of James Rees, in
Winchester, which he has continued to run to the present
date. This is one of the boat mills in the county, and
under the management of Mr. Young is doing a large
business. It was built by Mr. Rees about 1868.
W. R. DUFFEY
—The ancestors of W. R. Duffey wore natives of
Ireland. His grandparents, both paternal and
maternal, lived near Londonderre. His paternal
grandfather, Michael Duffey, was horn in 1753,
and died in June 1838, and his maternal
grandfather, Thomas Ramsey, was born in 1749,
and died in Sept. 1833. They came to America
about the year 1772, and both were soldiers in
the Revolutionary War. They both married in 1779
or 1780, and settled in Fayette county, Pa.,
near New Genava. His grandfather Duffey married
Nancy Cross. They raised four children,
James,
William, Francis and Elizabeth.
Mr. Duffey and
all his family emigrated to Ohio in the spring
of 1807. They came down the river on a
flatboat - there were no steamboats then - and
landed at Manchester. From there they went to
Brown county, Ohio, and settled about three
miles northwest of Winchester, where his wife
died, he married for a second wife Mrs. Nancy
Boatman. By this marriage he had a son named
Michael, who is now living in Hendricks county,
Indiana. Of the four children by Mr.
Duffey’s
first marriage we know but little. James died,
leaving a widow who still survives. She is now
in the 89th year of her age and in reasonable
good health. William served in the war of 1812,
and he died in Brown county, Ohio, aged about 70
years. Elizabeth died in Scott township, Oct.
5, 1877, in her 92d year. Francis was born in
Pennsylvania in 1784. He married Miss Elizabeth
Ramsey, Jan. 3, 1806, and came with his
father's family to Ohio in 1807, and settled in
the same neighborhood in Brown county that his
father did. Francis and Elizabeth Duffy were the
parents of thirteen children. Mary,
Agnes, James, Thomas R.,
Michael, Levinah, Eliza,
William R., (the subject of this sketch.)
Rebecca C., John C., Tabitha R.,
Elizabeth J.,
and Martha A. Mary never married.
She died Apr.
27, 1864. Agnes married Daniel
Sharp, Aug. 11,
1855, who died in February 1875. The widow still survives,
James never married. He died Dec. 24,
1832. Thomas R., died, aged 5 years.
Michael
married Jane Cross, Dec. 7, 1837. They are the
parents of eight children. Levinah married
Samuel Smith, Oct. 10, 1837. They have reared a
family of eight children. Eliza married
Andrew McManis Oct. 10, 1837. They reared a family of
three children. William R. married
Catherine Moore, late of
Washington county, Penn., Apr.
11, 1853. Rebecca C., married James Duffey, Dec.
6, 1849. They have had seven children but two of
whom survive. John C., married
Martha A. Patton,
Aug. 27, 1851. His wife died Sept. 9, 1857, leaving three children. He was again married in
Aug. 1860 to Satyra Waite. By this marriage were
born unto him three children. His second wife
died in July 1870, and in Sept. 1872, he married
for a third wife Mrs. Druzilla J. Wallace. In
1875 Mr. Duffey died, and his last wife still
survives, living at the pleasant home with her
parents near Winchester. Tabitha R., married
John M. Humes, Dec. 16, 1852. They were the
parents of five children. Mr. Humes died a
soldier in the Union army in May 1862. Elizabeth
J., married John B. Breckinridge, May 30, 1857. She died leaving one child, May 20, 1858.
Martha
A., married James Bierley in March 1865. They
live in Manchester, Ohio, and have had two
children, one survivor. Thomas Ramsey, the
maternal grandfather of W. R. Duffey, married a
Miss Elizabeth Cross. They were the parents of
eleven children, William, Samuel C.,
Rebecca C.,
Charles, Thomas, Isabel, Joseph.
Robert W.,
Elizabeth, James C., and one that died an
infant. Of these children we can gather but
little. Thomas and Charles died in the army in
the war of 1812, and Elizabeth married Francis Duffey, who were the parents of
W. R. Duffey. Thomas Ramsey’s first wife died, and he
afterwards married for a second wife Mrs.
Elizabeth Mears, who survived him several years.
Mr. Ramsey and both his wives died in Penn., on
the farm where he first settled. In 1825
Francis Duffey bought of James Wells, of
Wellsville, Ohio, a farm in Wayne township, now
Winchester, two and a half miles southeast of
the village of Winchester and settled on it, and
there lived until his decease, Mar. 1, 1846.
His widow continued to occupy the old home
until her death, July 5, 1856. This old farm was
originally settled by Nathaniel Patton in 1801.
Mr. Patton cleared up a considerable portion of
the land and planted an orchard on it over
seventy-five years ago, some of the trees of
which are still living. The first school house
in the neighborhood was built on this farm.
The large elm tree seen in the engraving in
front of the house, was but a small shrub when
the settlement was first made. In the eighty
years that have since passed by, it has grown to
be a tree of three feet in diameter. In
April 1872. this tree was struck by lightning and
considerably shattered, but it is now regaining
its former vigor, and promises to be good for
another century of healthy growth. Mr.
Patton,
who bought this land of Beasley and
Ellison,
found his title defective and lost most of his
labor. He left it and moved to Indiana in the
full of 1824, where he
Page 57 -
again settled in the
wilderness. W. H. Duffey who is the principal subject of this sketch, and eighth in
the family of Francis and Elizabeth
Duffey, was
born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1820. married
Catherine Moore as before staled.
He now owns and occupies this old farm - the homestead of his
father. He is a gentleman of good taste, an
original thinker, and farms intelligently. For
the last twenty years he has been more or less extensively engaged in sheep-raising, keeping
from 100 to 400 heads and with satisfactory
results, he thinks sheep and cattle are the
most profitable stock for a farmer to raise to
improve the soil of the land; more grass and
less grain is his motto, he is from experience
a strong advocate for the use of fertilizers to
improve the productive properties of the land,
though it pays a good percent, to set the hind
in grass alone. Mr. Duffey has a taste for
keeping a pair of good horses in saleable
condition with fine harness, and saddles for
them. He says a team will eat loss grain in good
flesh than when in poor condition, and will
always be readier sale and command better prices
than in poor condition. In politics he is a
straight Republican from conscientious
convictions of duty and right. His sentiments
were anti-slavery from his early years, and he
advocated and voted that ticket, apparently
unsuccessfully until 1860, when Abraham
Lincoln
was elected to the Presidency. He has
voted with that party since, and thinks that
under Republican management every branch of the
Government has been admirably successful, and
that financially it stands the second nation on
the globe, that the financiers of the world
concede this, and that they are not likely to he
mistaken. Mr. Duffey and his wife are kind, good
people, always ready to aid the poor and relieve
the needy; none are ever turned from their door
hungry or in want. After Mr. Humes lost his life
in his country’s service, the widowed mother and
her orphan children were kindly provided with a
comfortable home on Mr. Duffey’s farm, and have
since shared his hospitalities. Of Mrs. Hume’s
five children two are dead, the other three,
John M., Martha E., and Mary B. Humes are all
married. John M., married C. A. Freeland, Dec.
21, 1876. He lives on Mr. Duffey’s farm, is a
Republican, and prospering financially; has
one child named Thomas Clyde.
Martha E. married
R. S. Black, Sept. 11, 1878, and resides at
Unity, Adams County, Ohio. Mary B., married
N.
M. Brown, Oct. 1, 1879. They reside at Unity,
and have one child. Although never blessed with
children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Duffey have
generally had children about them. Martha C.,
the youngest daughter of John C. Duffey is now
living with them and is quite a pleasant girl.
ISAAC ROBERTS
Stephen Roberts, the grandfather
of the subject of this sketch, was born in Bucks
county, Pa., Apr. 29, 1702. He came with
his father to what was then Fairfax county, now
Louden county, Va. He married Deborah
Williams, whose ancestors came from England,
and were members of the society of friends, some
of her relatives being opposed to war remained
loyal to the British Crown during the
Revolution, and with others got the appellation
of Tory, which perhaps was no undeserving.
Miss William’s relatives settled
at the same place and about the same time that
Mr. Roberts did. The fruits
of their marriage was eight children, six sons
and two daughters all of whom married, raised
families and have since died except John
Roberts, who was the third oldest, being
born on the 22d of August, 1792, and who is the
father of the subject of this sketch. War
having been declared by the United States
against Great Britain in June, 1812, he, on the
13th of April of the following year volunteered
for six months in Capt. Landen
Osburn’s Com___Fifth Regiment, Va.,
Militia, and served out his time of e___ment in
the vicinity of Norfolk, and was honorably
discharged. Again in the following year,
1814, came a general call for all able take up
arms, as the British were threatening the
Capitol, and to this call he responded, and was
on his way to gain his company which, by some
means had got in the advance of him, but before
our troops had reached the Capitol it had been
fired, and the light of the burning buildings
could be distinctly seen, he also served one
month in the vicinity of Baltimore, which city
the American troops were shielding from. Gen.
Ross, who after burning the Capitol
determined on its destruction, but in the
skirmish which ensued Gen. Ross
was killed, and before day the campfires of the
British were extinguished by throwing hides of
cattle over them which they had slaughtered, and
in the darkness moved off and took shipping near
North Point, and the d___ of Baltimore was at an
end. This ended Mr. Robert’s
military ___. In the fall of 1835 he came
to Adams county, of which he has been a citizen
since. An anniversary scene occured in the
haying season of this year - 1880. If the
passer-by had chanced to look into the meadow he
could have seen this man who has seen the sun of
eighty summers out with his old-time ___, while
his son Isaac and grandson Samuel
were each laying the grass behind them with the
improved mower; and what was more interesting
was the ages of the parties at work.
Samuel, 29: Isaac, 62, and John
Roberts, 88. Isaac
Roberts the subject of this sketch, was born
Aug. 36, 1818, in Loudon county, Va., and as his
parents possessed little of this world’s goods
Isaac was early learned to labor, and
after becoming quite a large boy has worked for
12˝ cents
per day. In the summer __ 1835?, while
working on a farm for the enormous sum of $5.50
per month, he formed the acquaintance of a
millwright by the name of Joshua Harlen,
who lived in Washington county, Maryland, and
contracted with him to learn the trade. He
was to serve as an apprentice for three years
for the sum of $50 per year and to clothe
himself, which, by close economy he did, and
never received all of his money at that.
Having finished his apprenticeship he worked as
a journeyman two or three years then went into
business for himself and met with good success.
On the 18th of Oct. 1846, he married Lucinda
E. Wince, of Loudon county, Va. She
was the daughter of Phillip and Catherine
Wince, whose maiden name was Shaffer,
and who was from the above county.
Phillip Wince was born in Pa., on the
Delaware river near Phila. These parents
are buried in Loudon county, Va. Mr.
Roberts remained in Va., and followed his
trade until two children were born to them.
He being away from his children much of the time
he decided to change his occupation.
Having friends in Ohio, he in the fall of 1850
brought his little family and located in Adams
County. There has been eleven children in
all born to them, six sons and three daughters,
but in the month of Jan. 1865, three children
were taken from them two sons and one daughter;
their ages being four, five and eleven years.
The remaining children are all at home except
the oldest who is married and lives in the
neighborhood. The home of this family is a
pleasant one, adorned by flowers and surrounded
by ornamental trees and foliage as can be seen
in the engraving.
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