This township is situated on the extreme northeastern corner of the county.  The historic Yellow creek flows through the entire length of the township and enters the Ohio river at Linton postoffice.  Along the banks of this creek for ages the dusky red men trod the warpath, and over this now peaceful ground has many a weary captive toiled towards a horrid death at the stake, or a scarcely more desirable life of captivity among those who had no mercy on the white race.  It was at the mouth of Yellow creek that the massacre of the Logan family took place by Greathouse's band, a full history of which is given in another part of this work.
     An Indian trail formerly extended along Yellow creek for five miles from its mouth, at the end of which there was, years ago, indications of an encampment, and stones have been unearthed which bear the marks of fire upon their surface.
     The wild and romantic beauty of the scenery allured the red men of the forest, and the clear waters of Yellow creek and its tributaries, for which the township is justly noted, furnished numerous watering-places for the deer and other wild beasts, which were pierced by their arrows as they wandered to the bank to drink.  The speckled trout darted through the brooklets, which were seemingly inexhaustible depositories of food, and the beaver sported in his meadow, inviting capture:  All that uncultivated nature ever furnishes in this northern climate was produced in abundance, and it may be supposed the Indian here found enjoyments adapted to his rude tastes, and as elevated as he was capable of appreciating.

SETTLEMENT.

PRE-HISTORIC.

HAMMONSVILLE.

[Page 582]

IRONDALE.

PORT HOMER.

LINTON POST OFFICE

SCHOOLS.

COAL AND IRON ORE.

[Page 583]

CHURCHES.

     There are two churches in this township, both being in Irondale.  One is a Methodist Episcopal and the other a Presbyterian.  They are both of recent build and are probably as nice building of the kind as are in the county, outside of Steubenville.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

     W. H. WALLACE - The subject of this sketch was born in Canada in 1811, and came to this country with his parents when an infant.  His father located in Philadelphia, where he lived until 1821, when he came to Ohio.  Mr. Wallace received only a common school education, and when he arrived at the age of manhood, set out to make a living for himself.  He entered the mercantile house of Richardson & Sons, of New Lisbon, as clerk, where he remained until 1831.  He then moved to the mouth of Yellow creek, and commenced the mercantile business on his own account, with Jacob Groff as partner.  In 1839 he moved to what is now Port Homer, and started a store and postoffice, where he remained until 1851, when he moved to Hammondsville, where he established a store and postoffice, and also commenced coal mining on a large scale.  Mr. Wallace has established three postoffices, and built up a large trade in the mercantile business.  He ahs been postmaster for forty-nine years, and railroad agent twenty-seven years, and has accumulated a large fortune.  In 1835 he married Matilda Nessley, daughter of John Nessley and they are noted for their hospitality, and it is a well known fact that their house is always open for their friends, and no deserving stranger ever leaves their door without partaking of their good cheer.

     R. B. PARKE, M. D. - Dr. Parke is a native of Allegheny county, Pa., and was educated in his native state, and after completing his classical education, entered the study of medicine and became a student of Jefferson College, Philadelphia, at which place he graduated with honors.  Dr. Parke is a skillful physician, and has been very successful in his practice.  He located in Irondale in its flourishing days, and has still remained there.  He is a strong advocate in educational matters, and takes the head in all the enterprises in the neighborhood.  All measures or movements contributing to its prosperity, or the welfare of his fellow men, always receive his hearty support, and find in him most efficient aid.

     A. G. CRAWFORD was born in Mercer county, Pa., in 1807, and came to Jefferson county, Ohio, with his parents, in 1809.  He was reared a farmer and educated in the common schools.  He is one of the oldest citizens of Saline township, having spent almost his entire life here, and is an energetic farmer and an excellent neighbor, and has done all in his power to make his family what they are, respectable members of society.

     REV. D. A. PIERCE.  Rev. Pierce was born in Pennsylvania, and received his education in his native State.  In his early life he manifested a great desire to study for the ministry, and accordingly entered the study of theology for the purpose of becoming a minister of the gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church.  After completing his studies he entered upon this labor, and has been successful thus far, and is one of the most active workers in his conference.

     ANDREW DOWNER was born in Saline township, Jefferson county, and is a descendant of one of the pioneers of this part of the county.  Mr. Downer learned the blacksmith and wagon making trade, and, after ending his apprenticeship, located in Hammondsville, where he still remains, carrying on both branches of the business.  Mr. Downer is an energetic and enterprising man and a good citizen, being always first in his native town to engage in any good work.

     W. E. ALLISON, M. D. - This gentleman was born in the Pan Handle of West Virginia and educated there.  After completing his education he manifested a desire for the study of medicine, which he entered upon, and, after completing his medical course, engaged in practice in his native state, where he remained until 1878, when he moved to Hammondsville and engaged in practice.  Dr. Allison is a skillful physician and a perfect gentleman.

     A. W. BRANT - Mr. Brant was born in Jefferson county, Ohio.  He was reared a farmer, and received a common school education in Saline township.   At the age of manhood he engaged in the mercantile business at Port Homer, where he still resides.  He is postmaster and railroad agent at this place, and also is in the mercantile business and carries a large stock of merchandise, consisting of dry goods, groceries, hardware and other goods pertaining to a general store.

     A. G. DE SELLEM - This gentleman was born in Jefferson county in 1822.  He is a connection of the Nessleys, a pioneer family of Saline township.  Mr. De Sellem was reared a farmer and received a good education; he is a self made man.  Having been a hard worker, he has accumulated a comfortable fortune.  He is one of the wealthiest farmers in the county and has a splendid farm, finely improved.  His residence is near Port Homer station, on the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad.

     SAMUEL VANTILBURG as born in New Jersey.  He came to to this county in 1796, and located in Saline township, where a number of his descendants now live.  Mr. Wantilburg was of German origin, and was one of those hardy, vigorous kind of men, so common among the Germans.  He came here when all was a wilderness, and built his cabin, cleared his land and suffered all the privations of a pioneer settler, and finally, though not until he had seen the forests cleared away and fine farms springing up, he paid the debt of nature in 1856, respected by ail who knew him. His  sons still live in Saline township.

END OF SALINE TOWNSHIP.