OLIVE was organized as a township of Morgan County in 1819.  In 1851 the commissioners of Noble County altered and established its boundaries making them as follows: 
     "Commencing at the southeast corner of section 36, in township number 6 of range 9; thence north to the northeast corner of said township number 6 of range 9; thence west along said township line to the northwest corner of the east half of section 5 in said township number 6 and range 9; thence south through the center of sections number 5, 8, 17, 20, 29 and 32 to the southwest corner of the east half of section 32 in said township number 6 and range 9; thence  along said township line to the place of beginning - containing twenty-seven section."
     "Olive Township, Guernsey County, was organized June 3, 1816, from a part of Buffalo Township, which was erected in 1810.  The Guernsey County line, prior to the erection of Morgan County in 1819, ran east and west through the center of what is now Olive Township.  The original Olive Township probably extended westwardly and northwardly several miles.  No description of its boundaries can be found.
     The following is a list of the holders of real estate in Olive Township in 1826, taken from the Morgan County tax duplicate for that year: Theodocius Armstrong, Samuel Allen, John Allen, James Archibald, William Boon, Thomas Boyd's heirs, William Boyd, William Bell, Israel Blake, Benjamin Blake, Simeon Blake, Robert Caldwell, John Caldwell, Jesse Cunningham, Sherebiah Clark, Aurelius Clark, Joseph L. Clark, Isaac Devore, Levi Davis, Joseph Davis, Charles Davis, William Free, Matthew Grimes' heirs, Jefferson Glidden, Dennis Gibbs, John Glidden's heirs, William Glidden, Alexander Greenlee, Isaac Hill, Elisha Harris' heirs, Joseph Hutchins, Jr., Hollis Hutchins, Daniel Hutchins, Daid Hussey, James Hatch, James Hughes' heirs, William Jacobs, Hollis James, James Kyle, Lewis Keith, Samuel Long, Jonathan Long, Joseph Matheny's heirs, David McGarry, William Miller, Samuel McWilliams, John Noble, William Ogle, James Ogle, Edward Parrish, Edward Perkins, William Perkins, George Padgett, John Pidcock, John Rhodes, James Rainer, Israel Spencer, Michael Shriver, Shubal Smith, Lewis Shirley, John Shirley, George Shirley, Elisha Spencer, John Smoot, Lewis Smoot, Samuel Shaw, Peter Shackle, William Scoggan, Thorla & McKee, James Tuttle, Mary Tuttle, William Tilton, Hebron, Tilton, Benjamin Tilton, Joseph Tilton, Jr., Davis Tilton, Elizabeth Wagoner, John Wiley (of Belmont), Thomas Wiley, James Webber, James S. Warren, William Warren, John Wiley, Benjamin Wickham, John Wickham, Jr. Frederick Yerian.  Number of acres 9,532½; value, $10,973; total tax on land and houses, $109.73.  Included in the foregoing list were the inhabitants of six half-sections and six full sections now belonging to Sharon Township.
     Very few names on the foregoing list are those of non-residents.  The township was much larger in territory then than at present.  This list may be regarded as an authentic record of the pioneer settlers of Olive Township in the year 1826.  By far the greater number of families came from New England, chiefly from Maine.  A few came before the war of 1812, and the rest immediately after its close.  They were nearly all poor but generally intelligent, Honorable and honest.  Few of the families moved directly to Duck Creek from New England, but most of them came here after spending a few years within the present limits of Washington County.  No part of Noble County had worthier and better citizens among its early settlers than the Township of Olive.  The population was also permanent, and the present inhabitants of the township are mainly the descendants of the pioneers whose names are given above and of those who moved in a few years later.  Nearly all of the first settlers located along the West Fork of Duck Creek, and that part of the township was considerably improved before much land was taken up elsewhere.

     Robert Caldwell a Pennsylvanian, came from Washington County, Ohio, and in 1809 settled upon the farm on which the town of Caldwell is built.  He was one of the very first settlers in Olive Township, and the name of Caldwell has been conspicuous in the annals of Duck Creek Valley ever since he settled here.

     Joseph Caldwell, a son of Robert now living in the village of Caldwell, was born on Duck Creek, in Washington County, near where Caywood now is, in 1798, and has spent his long life in this valley.  He is now the oldest resident of Olive Township.  He has a number of relics of the olden time, among which is a carpenter's vise which his father obtained when a wagoner in Pennsylvania during the time of the Revolutionary War.  Mr. Caldwell stopped at a tavern for the night, and during the night the Hessian troops were passing continually.  In the morning when he arose he saw a couple of Hessians sitting upon a log, eating their breakfast.  Mr. Caldwell and two other men went toward them, but the Hessians immediately ran, in their haste leaving behind the vise, which has secured, and which has since been kept in the family.

     Samuel Allen, the pioneer miller of the valley, was the next settler below Wiley. Joseph Matheny, who came from the vicinity of Marietta, settled near Allen.  Others who lived further down the creek were Joseph Chapman, Richard and Gillias Doane and the Hutchinsons, all of whom came before 1812.

     Sherebiah Clark was one of the most prominent early settlers of the Valley.  He came from Kennebeck County, Me., where he had previously served as a representative to the Massachusetts Legislature before Maine became a State.  He was a man of wide views and good intellect.  In religion he was a Universalist.  He came here with a family of grown up children, in 1818.  His sons, Joseph and Aurelius, resided in the township.  On the organization of Morgan County in 1819, Sherebiah Clark became one of the associate judges of that county, in which office he served for three years.  Judge Clark died in 1852 and his wife in 1853.  Their children were Aurelius, Joseph, Zipporah, Louisa, Elvira and Polly.

     Hollis Hutchins, from Maine, was a Revolutionary soldier, and was among the first settlers.  His sons were John, Hollis, David, Joseph and Daniel, all of whom lived in the county and reared families.

     Captain Simeon Blake was one of the earliest settlers in the valley.  He was a native of Maine, and one of the early immigrants to the West.  He served in General Wayne's expedition against the Indians in 1794-5.  He lived near where Dudley now is.
     The earliest mill in the township, and in all probability the earliest in the county was erected at the locality since known as Socum as early as 1812, by Samuel Allen, assisted by the few scattering settlers then in the valley.  Although the mill was usually inactive a part of the year, owning to scarcity of water, it was a great convenience to the settlers, and for many years did a good business.  A sawmill was also in operation at the same place, erected about the same time with the gristmill.  A few years later William Free put in brush, and by the aid of the drift easily constructed a dam a short distance above Allen's mill.  His mill was in operation only a few years, and "never amounted to much.

     William Free, who lived above Socum, was one of the early justices of the peace in the township.  He was a smart man, but unscrupulous, it is said that he was sent to the penitentiary for stealing; and that when a resident of Washington County he was once publicly whipped at Marietta for some offense, before the whipping-post had been abolished.  It is also said that Free was not his name, but Hamilton; and that after he received his whipping, he shouted, "I'm free! I'm free!" and called himself Free ever after.

     Joseph Tilton and his sons, Joseph W., Benjamin and Davis, all lived together on a half-section in the western part of the township.  Hebron Tilton, a relative, lived on a quarter-section adjoining.  His children are Matthew, Alden D., Freeman, Smith, Rufus, Eliza, Rebecca and Diadema.

     William Tilton was born in Kenebec County, Me., July 14, 1790, and is now living in Jefferson Township, past ninety six years of age.  He is probably the oldest man in Noble County.  Mr. Tilton settled in Olive Township with his family soon after the war of 1812, and resided here until recently.
     Simeon Tuttle was an early settler on the west side of the creek, and died here in 1816.  His family remained in the township, and some of the name are still here.

     In 1812 Charles Davis and his sons, Charles, Joseph, Levi, and Enoch, and his daughters, Sarah (Cunningham), and Rhoda (Morris), came from Maine and settled in the southern part of the township.  All lived here and reared families, and their descendants are still numerous in the county.  Enoch moved to the northern part of the State.  Mrs. Cunningham is still living, in Kansas.  The Davises were all leading members of the Baptist Church, and good citizens.

      John Glidden, a native of Maine, came from Washington County, Ohio, and settled on Duck Creek about 1814, where he died a few years later.  He was a doctor, having studied medicine under Dr. Jett, at Marietta, but it is not known that he practiced his profession after coming here.  He was the father of Sidney and John Glidden, still living in this township.

     Silas Thorla, from Massachusetts, brought his family to his new home, where Olive now is, in 1816.  He had been here for about two years previously, engaged in salt-making.  Mr. Thorla was a man of good general information, and by profession a surveyor.  He was one of the early justices of the peace, and served also as county surveyor of Morgan County.  His son, Benjamin Thorla who came into the Duck Creek Valley when a small boy, is still living at Olive, and has a vivid recollection, of pioneer times.

     George Padgett, Edward Wheeler, Allen Woodford, and Charles Chandler were all New Englanders, and raised on section 16 in early years.

     William Miller, noted as being at the time of his death the oldest Mason in the United States, settled early on the farm where the Caldwell Fair Grounds now are.  He came from County Antrim, Ireland, and was a worthy man.  His children were Jane, Ann, James, William, Mary and Margaret.  James lives on part of the old place.  William Miller was born in County Antrim, Ireland, June 6, 1783, and died at the home of his son, near Caldwell, Feb. 8, 1882, aged ninety-eight years.  He came to America in 182, and to Ohio in 1818, settling first in Columbiana County and afterward on the farm where he died.  He married Mary Reed, of New Jersey.  He was a weaver by trade, but followed farming after coming to Ohio.  In religion he was a Presbyterian.  Mr. Miller was made a Master Mason in 1801, a Royal Arch Mason in 1804, and a Knight Templar later.

     The Ogles were another Irish family.  William, James, Robert and George are brothers.  All were early settlers and good citizens.

     The Perkinses, Edward and William lived on Duck Creek, and were worthy representatives of the universal "Yankee nation."  Edward removed to West Virginia, but William remained in the township until his death.
     In 1818 James Webber, from Vienna, Me., moved to the township with his family, consisting of his wife and eight children, and settled where South Olive now is.  The journey was made with a wagon and occupied eight weeks.  The family moved into a log cabin, surrounded by a small clearing, which had been made by a former occupant.  Mr. Webber died here about thirteen years later.  He was the father of eleven children.  William, the eldest, lives in this township.  Robert and John are also living in the West.  William Webber was born in 1806, and well remembers the journey across the mountains from New England to the Ohio wilderness.  Mr. Webber states that at the time of his arrival a road had been cut out through the township from the Olive salt works to Marietta, but had not been improved.
     In 1814 William and Hannah Warren came to Marietta from Massachusetts, and a few years later settled on  Warren's run, near South Olive.  William Warren was a descendant of General Joseph Warren, who fell at the battle of Bunker Hill.  His sons who came here were William, now a resident of Marietta; A. I., now in Iowa; and James S., who died in Olive Township in 1886, at the age of eighty-one years.  His daughters were Sophia, Priscilla, Nancy and Caroline.  Caroline (Webber) lives in this township and Sophia in Indiana.

     Silas Thorla and Dennis Gibbs were the first justices of the peace in Olive Township, Morgan County.  There were commissioned August 18, 1819.  Thorla resigned Sept. 4, 1821; Gibbs served until the expiration of his term.  The early township elections were held at Gibbs' house, near the present site of Dudley.

     Dennis Gibbs was among the earliest settlers and most prominent citizens of the township.  In 1819 he was justice of the peace, and from 1821 to 1826 he was one of the commissioners of Morgan County.  He was a native of Cape Code, Mass., and came to Olive Township in 1814, settling three miles south of Caldwell.  He was a carpenter by trade, and coming to Ohio without means, was obliged to leave his wife and two small children alone at home to go to distant points to work at his trade to obtain money with which to pay for his land.  His industry and good management enabled him to secure a competency, in spite of many drawbacks and hardships.  His wife was Mary Dudley, who was born in Maine, of Quaker parentage.  Of their children, only two are now living in Noble County - Mrs. Julia Tilton and Judge Dennis S. Gibbs.  Dennis Gibbs removed to Lowell, Washington County, where he died in 1872, at the age of eighty-two.  He was originally a Whit, but became a zealous abolitionist and one of the projectors and managers of the Underground railroad.  In religion he was first a Methodist, and afterwards became a member of the Christian church and a preacher of that denomination.  His house was the meeting-place for the early Methodists of the township.  Dennis Gibbs built and operated the first carding mill in this section.  In company with others he helped to build the first school-house in the neighborhood.

     Judge Gilman Dudley was one of the earliest settlers and foremost citizens.  He was born in Maine in 1793, settled in Ohio in 1815, and resided in the State until his death, Dec. 6, 1875.  He was a soldier in the war of 1812.  In 1823 he married Mrs. Glidden.  He was not only a pioneer as regards settlement, but also in all the reforms of the day, always for the right and against wrong.  He was capable and honest and filled many positions of trust and honor.  He reared an unusually bright and intelligent family, most of whom were school-teachers.  The children were Erwin G., Edwin, James, Mary, Ruth and Maria.  The family trace their ancestry back to the Dudleys of Dudley Castle, Staffordshire, England.

     Israel Spencer and his brother Elisha, William Waggoner and Michael Shriver were early settlers in the same neighborhood.  The Spencers came from Pennsylvania.  Israel carried on distilling for some years.  Elisha moved west.  William Waggoner died here about 1830.  Michael Shriver operated a still.  Whisky making was one of the most profitable of the early industries, and many engaged in it.  In 1830 five distilleries are known to have been in operation in the township, the two already mentioned and those of Israel Blake, Isaac Devore and William Free.  Nehemiah Spear soon afterward engaged in the same business.
     A well-known old settler was Ebenezer Cunningham, who died in 1851, at the age of sixty-one years.  He was a soldier of the war of 1812 and as is stated on his tombstone, "one of the survivors of the flagship Lawrence, under Commodore Perry at the battle of Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813."
     Cunningham was a carpenter and millwright.  He built and kept in repair many of the pioneer grist-mills that were run by horse-power.

     James Lowe was the name of the first settler at or near Olive.  He was attacked by a fit while crossing the creek, fell into the water and was drowned, in the summer of 1814.
     As a question of the manner in which some of the pioneers did business, the following contract between Samuel Caldwell and David Gorby, for the construction of a sawmill, is presented.  The document, however shaky its orthography may appear in these days, was sufficiently strong and binding:
     "An article of an agreement made and entered Into by David Gorby of the first part of Noble Township Morgan County Ohio & Samuel Caldwell of the Second part of Olive Township & County & State aforesaid, the Sd Gorby doath on his part agree to build the sd Caldwell A sow Mill and grist mill forebay he is To take the timber from the Stump The timber is to be got out in first rate Stile, The poasts of the Lower part of the Mill to be 12 by 12 inches Squair, he is to Fraim the Mill & put in the running Geers in first rate workmen Like manner  Hefurther agrees to make a mill that will Saw as fast as anny other man can with the Same head of or if he dont he is to Have nothing for dowing Sd work, the Sd gorby is to have the timber hewed by the 25th of June next & the mill Fraimed by the first day of August next And The mill redy to Saw by the first of Nov. Next
     "the Sd Caldwell doath on his part agree to Pay The Sd gorby one hundred Dollars As soon as the Mill performs as he has Agreed to make her perform the Sd Caldwell is to do all the hawling & to Furnish Plank for  The forebay and other uses about the mill allso brases, 2 Shute Pieces timber for Saw gate We have boath here unto set our Hand and Seals this 9 of May A D 1836
                              DAVID GORBY (Seal)
                               SAMUEL CALDWELL (Seal)

Attest
     WILLIAM LANAM"

[ PORTRAIT OF JOSEPH CALDWELL ]

     The mill was duly erected and "she performed" satisfactorily to the owner and the millwright.
     A paper in the possession of Fulton Caldwell records the fact that on the 28th of June, 1828, a school meeting was held at the house of John Rodes for the second district, Samuel Caldwell was appointed clerk; John Wiley, William Miller and Joseph Caldwell, directors, and Hiram Caldwell, treasurer for the district.  It was also agreed that a school-house should be built "at the southwest corner of the east half of the northeast quarter of section 4 in township 6 and range 9, said land belonging to Hiram Caldwell."  On the same paper are various endorsements showing that corn was used instead of currency in building the school-house.  For the year 1827 the directors received from Sherebiah Clark, Joseph Tilton and H. Hutchins, trustees of section 16 seven bushels, three pecks and four quarts of corn.  In 1828 they received from D. F. Harper, J. Scoggan and H. Hutchins, trustees of the school section, an order for fifteen bushels and twenty-four quarts of corn.  In 1829 they received an  order for $1.90, and $1.98 in a year not mentioned.  April 6, 1830, "Received of Joseph Hutchins thirty-eight and one-half bushels of corn."  John Wiley and Samuel Caldwell received eight bushels "for drawing said corn;" Samuel Caldwell eight bushels, for cutting school-house logs; John Wiley, six bushels, "for chinking and daubing said house," and Joseph Caldwell, six and one-half bushels "for making clapboards for said house."
     In 1848 Socum school district (No. 4) in this township had twenty-four families living within its limits who came principally from the State of Maine, and were among the early settlers.  The heads of these families* were David McGarry, John Caldwell, Joseph Schofield, John Clymer, Henry Woolf, Zephaniah Zoller, John Camden, Thomas Rogers, Aurelius Hutchins, Francis Blake, Simeon Blake, Dennis Gibbs, Boling Hatton, Joseph Hutchins, Harrison Kellar, Levi Friel, Michael Kellar, Mrs. Woodford, Mrs. Woodward, Ebenezer Phipps, W. F. McIntyre, Gilman Dudley, and two others.

     Boling Hatton was the grandfather of Frank Hatton, of the Burlington Hawkeye, late Assistant Postmaster-General.  He died June 1, 1874, at the age of ninety-five.  He was an 1812 soldier and one of the pioneers of Duck Creek Valley.
     The old road to Cambridge, which crossed the creek at Caldwell, near the present residence of Fulton Caldwell, was used as a race-course in the early years.  An accident which occurred in 1837 put an end to the sport.  A young man named Thomas Taylor, a general favorite in the neighborhood, was thrown from his horse where C. Foster's house now stands, and striking head foremost upon a fence was rendered insensible.  He did not regain consciousness, but died twenty-four hours later.
     Prior to 1840 Joseph Schofield had a carding and spinning mill at Socum, run by horses in a tread-mill, similar to that now used in sawing wood.  He did a brisk business for some years.  Later John Clymer had a water grist-mill on the site of the old Allen mill.
     The early settlers, and particularly the New Englanders, used oxen chiefly in plowing and other kinds of farm work.  The plows were called "hog nosed," and were constructed from a forked stick, shaped into some semblance to a mold-board and covered with strips of iron.  Many of the plows used in this township were made by Joseph Caldwell, still living, James Davis doing the iron work.  Hoes, forks and similar implements were very rude implements made by blacksmiths.
     Among the early blacksmiths of the township were James Davis, who worked in Olive, and Frisby Davis, both Yankees; James and Matthew Garvin, from Pennsylvania, and James Hopper from Belmont County.
     April 22, 1811, a petition was presented to the commissioners of Guernsey County, for a road from Cambridge "to strike Buffalo Fork of Will's Creek at or near the mouth of Muddy Fork, thence on the same direction to strike the south boundary of Guernsey County, at or near the center of the sixth township of the ninth range."  The viewers met "at the house of Thomas Stewart, innkeeper," on the first Monday in April and viewd the same.  The plot was signed by James Cloyd, Dnaiel Bean and William Talbot, viewers; George Archer and John Waller, axeman.
     October 26, 1818, on petition of Robert Caldwell and others, teh commissioners of Guernsey County ordered a road to be surveyed "to commence at or near the twelve-mile three on the road from Cambridge to the Washington County line; thence nearly a south course to Benjamin Thorla's, on Duck Creek; thence to Robert Caldwell's, to intersect the New Philadelphia road, to the Washington County line near Captain Blake's"  James Thompson, Esq., Martin Crow and John Keller were appointed viewers, and George Metcalf, surveyor.
     In the commissioners' journal of Guernsey County, under date of June 1, 1818, it is recorded that "James Archibald† presented the petition of himself and the other trustees of Olive Township in behalf of the citizens of the township 6, range 9, praying that said township be organized agreeably to an act to incorporate the original surveyed townships; and the board being satisfied that there are twenty electors in said township, ordered an election for trustees of the school section and a treasurer, to be held at the house of Samuel Allen, the last Saturday of June, 1818."
     John Wiley, Samuel Allen, David Hutcins, Doan and Chapman, Anthony Perkins, Joseph and Levi Chapman, Robert Gard, and others were among the first settlers of the township.

     John Wiley settled on the present Shafer farm, west of Caldwell, in 1810.  He was born on the Susquehanna River, near Harrisburg, Pal.; came to Ohio in 1795, and located at Cedar Narrows, above Marietta, where he remained until he came to Duck Creek.  His father, William Wiley, was a pioneer settler where Sharon Village now is, and died in 1816.  John Wiley married in Washington County, Charity Severs, a native of Massachusetts.  They both died on the homestead farm, near Caldwell, Mr. Wilely at the age of ninety-two and his wife at the age of seventy-three.  Their children were WIlliam, John, Abraham, David, Tomas, Jacob, James, Hamilton, Polly, Ann (Marshall), Betsey (Gray), Margaret (Moreland), and Charity A. (Woodford).  Mrs. Woodford is the only one now living.  All lived to have families except John and Polly.  David, Thomas, James and Ann died in this county.  The others lived here many years and then went west and south.

     Thomas Wiley was born in Washington County in 1809, and came with his parents to this county.  After attaining his majority he entered 160 acres of land where Archibald Wiley now lives.  There he remained until 1861, when he removed to the old homestead of his father, where he died in 1869.  He married Maria Scott, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born near Hagerstown, Md.  She died in 1878.  They had eight children - Emeline, Delilah, Archibald, Eliza J. (deceased), Margaret (deceased), James, Dunlap and Mary E.  Those living are all residents of Noble County.  Archibald Wiley served in Company I, Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from June 26, 1861, to August 26, 1864.  James enlisted in the Fourth Battalion, six months' cavalry, Aug. 1, 1863, and was mustered out with the company.  Dunlap was in the hundred days' service.

     James W. Wiley, born in 1841, has spent most of his life in this county.  He is now a guard in the Ohio penitentiary at Columbus, and has held the position since June 1, 1886.  He married Rachel A. Matheny in 1868.  They have five children living, one deceased.

     Archibald Wiley lives on the land entered by his father, and is a prominent farmer.  He was born in Olive Township, Sept. 14, 1835.  He was reared a farmer and has followed that occupation chiefly.  He received a fair common-school education, and by natural aptitude and shrewdness has been successful in life, and has an enviable reputation in the community.  He takes a deep interest in politics and is a firm Republican.  He went as a private in the first company raised in Noble County - Company I, Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry - serving from June 26, 1861, to August 26, 1864.  Among other engagements he was in the battles at Allegheny Mountain, Slaughter Mountain, Va., Second Bull Run, and Gettysburg.  In the last named battle he received two slight wounds; his regiment was in the thickest of the fight, and at its close only seventy-five men were left uninjured and uncaptured, a second lieutenant commanding.  Mr. Wiley was captured, but being left asleep among the wounded, escaped.  After the battle he was employed in hospital service until the following Christmas, when he rejoined the regiment at Folly Island, S. C.  There, on the reorganization of the regiment, he was transferred to the Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until mustered out.  After his return, Feb. 16, 1865, he was married to Mary E. Brown, whose parents were early settlers of Noble County.  Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have no children.

     Captain Simeon Blake, one of the earliest pioneers of Duck Creek, came from New England to Washington County, and thence, in 1812, to the farm, on which he lived and died.  There was a large family.  The sons were Benjamin, Israel, Alfred, Simeon (still living in the West), Francis; the daughters, Mahala, Sybil, Lucinda, Frances and Lovina.  Israel died in this township, in 1873, at the age of seventy-four.  He married Elvira Clark, a native of Maine, and after her death was wedded to Triphena Tomley, of Washington County.  He had a family of twenty children: Nicy, Moses, Sardine, Polly, Olive, Oliver, Alfred, Joseph, Elvira, Israel, Jr., Martha, Daid, Asenath, Andaline, Cydnor T., by his first wife.  The offspring of the second marriage were: Julius A., Josiah, Jasper F., Hortense and Julia A.
     Benjamin also lived and died in this township, and reared a large family.  The Blakes were worthy people, generally Universalists in belief.
     Captain Simeon Blake died in 1834.  He was a native of Providence, R. I.  His wife, nee Lovina Beck, came from Providence, R. I.  He was one of the early militia captains.  In his religious belief he was a Free-Will Baptist.

     John Caldwell, one of the early settlers, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a member of the Caldwell family elsewhere mentioned.  His son, David, who lives on the homestead, was born in 1830.  In 1861 he married Adelaide Sanford, by whom he has had one child - Octavia M.

     Andrew C. McKee, son of Dr. William McKee, elsewhere mentioned, was born in 1843.  After receiving a common-school education, in 1859 he began the study of medicine, under his father's tuition.  In 1864 he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at the expiration of his term of service.  He is a member of Noble Post, Grand Army of the Republic.  In 1865, Mr. McKee married Serene E. Daniel, of Caldwell.  Three children - Cora M., Lura N., and Helen M.  Since his marriage he has been engaged in farming.

     Thomas McKee, son of Alexander McKee, was born in Noble Township, in 1834, and remained at home until 1869, when he married Susan Ogle, of Olive Township.  By this union he has had five children, all still living - Gilead A., Morris, Joseph O., Leoda L. and John W.  Mr. McKee has followed farming and stock-raising.
     One of the pioneers who came prior to 1812 was Elisha Harris, from Fauquier County, Va.  He was a Revolutionary soldier, and had served three "tours" in the army.  He and his sons were noted hunters and trappers.  His wife died at the age of over one hundred years.  Among his children were Stephen, Morgan, George and Elijah.  All except Elijah settled in Enoch Township, where their descendants still remain.  George was a successful and widely known hunter.  Stephen moved to West Virginia, where he is still living at an advanced age.  Elijah remained on the old homestead in Olive Township.  He died in 1844.  He married Elizabeth Powell, also a native of Virginia.  She died in 1882.  Their son, David A., now occupies the farm.  He enlisted in 1862, in Company K, Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in December of the same year on account of wounds received at Antietam.

     Joseph Tilton and his wife and three sons came from Martha's Vineyard, Mass., to Olive Township about 1818.  His sons were Benjamin, Joseph W. and Davis.  Joseph W. married Mary D. Lund, of Washington county, and reared nine sons and two daughters.  He was a Presbyterian, and one of the early school-teachers.  He died in 1870.  His widow lives on the homestead with her son, Franklin A.

     Allen Woodford and wife (nee Woodruff) with a family of five children came from Connecticut to Marietta in 1817.  Five children were afterwards born to them, and all are still living, viz.:  Andrew, Lydia A. (Wheeler), Aranda M., Helen (Colbig), Harry, Mary (Wiley), William Hiram, and Elvira and Elmira (twins).  The family came to Olive township in 1818, where the parents died some years later.   Aranda M. Woodford, a prominent farmer, lived at home until his marriage with Mercy Wheeler, by whom he had eleven children.  His wife died in 1881, and he afterwards married Elizabeth McWilliams.  One child has been born of this union.  Mr. Woodford is a member of the Baptist church.

      In 1825, Benjamin Weekley, with his wife and eight children came from Belmont County and settled in this township.  Of the family, two sons and two daughters still live in Noble County, and two children are deceased.  In 1835 Benjamin's father, William Weekley, originally from Virginia, came here from Belmont County.  William Weekley died in 1856, and his wife in 1848.  Benjamin died in 1866; his wife in 1848.  William Weeklely, the oldest son of Benjamin, was born in Belmont County in 1816.  In 1836 he married Margaret Harris, and settled on a farm adjoining his father's.  He is the father of eight children by his first wife, four of whom are living.  Mrs. Weekley died in 1856.  In 1857 he married Miss C. B. Archer, fo this township.  To them have been born six children.  George Weekley, son of William, was born in 1842.  He is at present one of the infirmary directors of the county.  He married Emily Archer, and is the father of six children, five of whom are living.  All of the family are Methodists.

     Levi Weekley was born in Belmont County in 1823, and came to Olive Township with the family in 1825.  In 1848 he married Maria Fogle.  To them have been born eight children, five of whom are living.  Mr. Weekley is engaged in farming.  The family are Methodists.

     William Cain and family came from Pennsylvania to Ohio at an early date.  They reared nine children, two of whom are living in Noble County - one in Sharon Township and one in Olive.  Nathaniel Cain was born in Morgan County in 1826.  At the age of seventeen he began learning the cabinet-maker's trade with James Hellyer, and followed that business for twenty-five years.  He has since been engaged in farming.  In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican war, but was discharged two weeks after his enlistment.  In 1847 he married Rebecca Willey.  Of their seven children six are living - William H., Valentine H., Sarah J., Catharine (Ward), Mary A., and Elizabeth C. (Heddelston).  Mr. Cain has served as township trustee and in other local offices.

     David Radcliff is an old settler, and a very worthy citizen.  He was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1813.  At the age of seventeen he came to America with two brothers, landing in Quebec.  In 1830 he came to Olive Township, where he entered eighty acres, which is now a part of the far of Samuel Ackley.  The place was then unimproved.  Mr. Radcliff worked alone until 1837.  He then married Jane Miller, of Noble township.  They had seven children, four of whom are living -- William, who married Eliza Shriver (who is now deceased), Martha (Davis), Ann (Willey) and David H.  Mr. Radcliff is a Universalist and a Mason.

     Samuel Ackley, a representative farmer, was born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1831, and in the same year came to Olive Township with his parents.  He remained at home until 1852, when, with eight or ten others, including the McKees, he left for California, crossing the isthmus.  The journey occupied about forty-one days.  Mr. Ackley remained in California five years, and while there worked most of the time in the Nevada mines.  Returning to Noble County he bought the farm on which he now lives, and in 1858 returned to California for a year to settle up some land interests.  In 1861 he married Melinda Ogle, of this township.  Six children were born of this union, one of whom died in infancy.  Those living are Francis W., W. Walton, Charles M., Alma and Bertha.  His wife died in 1883, and in the following year he married Sarah McGarry - one child, Clyde.  Mr. Ackley is a Universalist.

     Basil Morgareidge was born in Olive Township in Olive Township in 1835.  He followed farming, and in the later years of his life was in the mercantile business at Caldwell, and afterwards at Dudley, being two years in each place.  He died in 1883.  Mr. Morgareidge was a member of Sharon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Universalist church.  He married Asenath Blake, in 1859, who is still living in Dudley, and owns the store property.  Three children are living - Edgar, Ollie and Mary.  Edgar was married to Mary J. Hutchins, in 1882, and lives on a part of the Hutchins place.

     Joseph Parrish, one of the eleven children of Edward Parrish, who located in Sharon Township, in Sharon township, in 1819, was born in Belmont County in that year, and came to Morgan (now Noble) County with his parents when but three months old.  In 1842 he was married to Nancy Boyd, daughter of one of the early settlers.  By this union he had two children, one of whom is living - Wiley Parrish, who served in the late war in Company D, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.  Mrs. Parrish died in 1867, and in 1870 he married Mary R. Lowe, of Sharon Township.  To them were born two children, one of whom is living - Stella.  His second wife having died, in 1886 Mr. Parrish married Kate Smoot, also of Sharon Township.  Mr. Parris is a prominent farmer.  The family belong to the Methodist church.  He was reared on the farm of his father, received a common-school education, and has devoted his life to farming, and is one of the reputable citizens and farmers of the township.

     Elwin T. Gouchenour was born in Olive Township in 1847, and is a farmer, living upon the homestead where his father settled.  In 1871 he married Nancy J. Elliott, of this county, by whom he has had two children - Jesse and Minnie M.  The former died at the age of four years.  Mr. Gouchenour is a member of the Methodist church.

     Nathan J. Ramsey was born in Pennsylvania in in1825.  In 1836 he came to Harrison County, Ohio, and in 1848 to Olive Township.  In the following year he married Margaret Steen:  two children - Mary A. (deceased) and David.  The latter married Hannah Francis and resides in Olive Township.  The first Mrs. Ramsey died in 1863, and in 1864 Mr. Ramsey married Ellen Gore, who died in 1878.  In the following year he married Hannah J. Hutchins.  The family are members of the Disciples' church.  Mr. Ramsey ahs served several years as township trustee.

     Martin D. Poling was born in Guernsey County in Guernsey County in 1823.  In 1847 he married Martha McKee, a member of one of the old Noble County families.  They have five children - Ezra, Mary, Abbie (Dais), David and Ira.  Mr. Poling is engaged in farming.

     Easton W. Daniel was born in Loudon County, Va., Jan. 5, 1809.  He came to Belmont County, Ohio, at the age of seven years, thence removed to Brookfield Township, now in Noble County, in 1837, and began the work of clearing and improving a farm.  He remained in Brookfield seventeen years.  In 1833 he married Elizabeth Edwards, of Belmont County, who died in 1882.  Of their five children, three are still living.  Serene, his daughter, is the wife of Andrew C. McKee.

     William Ross was born in Westmoreland County in 1835, and in 1849 came to Ohio with his parents, Clemenet and Jane Ross, who settled in Sharon Township.  William lived in that township twenty years, and in Jackson Township eleven years, coming to his present farm in Olive Township in 1880.  Mr. Ross has followed farming, and at present is devoting much attention to horticulture, making a specialty of small fruits.  He was one of the first in Noble County to introduce strawberries and raspberries, and has been successful in their culture.  In 1856 he married Nancy Ann Bell, of Morgan County.  They have had eleven children, ten of whom are living.  Mr. Ross is a member of the Presbyterian church.  In politics he is a Republican.  He served as county commissioner in 1875-8, and was instrumental in furthering the adoption of an improved system of roads in Noble  County.

     John and Susan Haga came from Allegheny County, Pa., and settled in Sharon Township in 1820.  Mrs. Haga died in 1855, Mr. Haga in 1873, at the age of seventy-four.  Their son Paul married Caroline Cooper, whose parents, Solomon and Mary Cooper, came from Hampshire County, W. Sarahsville, where he followed tanning.  May 1, 1845, the tannery was burned and Mr. Cooper died May 24, from over-exertion at the fire.  His widow is still living.  H. J. Haga, son of Paul Haga, is a resident of this township.

     Henry R. Seaman, the son of Milton Seaman, once a wealthy and prominent merchant of McConnelsville, was born in Malta, Ohio, November, 1, 1829.  He went to California in 1852.  In 1855 he returned to McConnelsville, and there married Miss Mary A. Porter, by whom he had three sons and two daughters.  After being in the mercantile business in McConnelsville several years, in 1867 he removed to Sharon, where he followed the same business.  In 1871 he removed to Caldwell, where he died Sept. 4, 1882.

     Aaron Haines was born in Jackson Township in 1827; his parents were early settlers in that locality.  In 1849 he married Hannah, daughter of Rev. Benjamin Blake.  The latter is said to have been the first white child born at Marietta.  They have four children.  Mr. Haines is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows and Grand Army of the Republic.  He enlisted in 1861, in Company F, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served one year, and was discharged on account of partial blindness.

     John W. Green was born in Woodsfield, Dec. 11, 1846.  His father, William R. Green, was a native of Maine and a seafaring man; he came to Monroe County, Ohio, when twenty-four years old; died in hospital during the late war.  John W. Green enlisted in December, 1862, in Company G, Seventy seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in December, 1865.  He was in engagements at Little Rock, Mark's Mills, Jenkins' Ferry, Spanish Fort, Blakely and Mobile; wa an orderly on special and dangerous duty.  He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a Republican.  Mr. Green was married in 1880 to Sarah J. Lamp, of Middleburg.  Children: Carrie M., Isaac M., Chauncy E. and Ada F.  He is a farmer and carpenter.

     William Tilton, one of the few pioneers still living, was born in Maine in 1790.  In 1815 he removed to Olive Township, where he entered 160 acres of land.  He married Zephorah, daughter of Judge Sherebiah Clark.  Their children were Lovina, Sherebiah C., Asenath, Albert, John C., Benjamin B. and William.  Mr. Tiltonis a Republican and a strict Baptist.  He now lives with his son Albert, near Dexter City.
     On the present James Ogle farm Jefferson Glidden kept a small store, as far back as 1830, for a short time.  This was probably the earliest mercantile establishment in the township except Robert McKees, at Olive.

     David Radcliff, a settler of 1830, has favored the writer with many interesting reminiscences.  He remembers when there were only three wagons in his neighborhood, and few, if any more, in the township.  These wagons were owned by Michael Morrison, Sr., William Scoggan and his son John, and James ARcibald.  They were large cumbrous affairs, requiring four or six horses to draw them, and were known as Pennsylvania road wagons.

     The first winnowing mill was brought to the township by  Hebron Tilton and John Bell, and jointly owned by them.  It was sold by Murduck & Jenkins, who lived near McConnelsville.
     In the fall of 1837 Allen Stevens, who lived on Meigs Creek, near McConnelsville, bought the first threshing machine into the township.  He first came to Benjamin Thorla's, and thence to David Radcliff.  The machine was run by treadill or "endless chain" power, one horse only being used.
     The young people in early times had a resort to many expedients in order to be decently and becomingly dressed.  Few could afford anything better than homespun and homemade garments.  Incidents are related of young men borrowing a suit, or a part of a suit of clothes in order to make a favorable impression when calling upon some particular lady friend.  Frequently young men went barefooted, carrying their shoes in their hands until near their destination, in making such calls.
     The first justices of the peace in this township, after its reorganization as a part of Noble County, were John C. Headley and Jonathan D. Gibbs.  The former entered upon the duties of his office July 7, 1851, and the latter July 14, 1851.
     The earliest school in the township, and perhaps the earliest in the county, was taught in the Socum district, as early as 1816.  The Yankee settlers had not been here long before then erected a school-house and sought and provide instruction for their children.  The old log schoolhouse stood on the present McAtee farm, then the land of Joseph Hutchins, Jr.  Among the early teachers were Barnabas Crosby, Asa Burlingame, and Joseph Westcott.  The scholars came from all the country from three to four miles around.

OLIVE

     To one unacquainted with the history of the place, it would scarcely seem possible that the dilapidated and antiquated village of Olive, now bearing within itself all the evidences of decay, was once a most prosperous and thrifty town.  Yet such is the fact.  But since the younger village of Caldwell sprang into being, growing steadily and substantially, Olive has been as steadily and as constantly declining.  Two small stores and a blacksmith's shop are all that remain in the way of commercial and industrial interests.  And the streets of the village, which once resounded with the tread of able lawyers, editors and politicians, are now as silent as those of Goldsmith's "Sweet Auburn."
     Long before any town started here - as early as 1820 - Robert McKee opened a store and engaged in the mercantile business, at first in a very small way.  Prior to that time all the settlers of the vicinity had been accustomed to go to Marietta for the few articles of merchandise used in their families.  McKee's goods were brought from Barnesville, through the woods, on pack horses, a distance of thirty-one miles.  Benjamin Thorla, who frequently made the trip to bring goods to Mr. McKee, says there were but four houses between Olive and Barnesville, and that the road, for the greater part of the distance, was a mere path through the woods.  Robert McKee continued the mercantile business many years, and accumulated a good property.  His son David succeeded him in the store.
     Not long after McKee's store was started, a postoffice, doubtless the first in Noble County, was established at Olive and supplied with a weekly mail from Marietta.  Robert McKee was postmaster.  The old office is now discontinued.
     The town of Olive, Robert McKee, proprietor, was surveyed and platted by John F. Talley, surveyor of Morgan County, in February, 1839.  The plat was recorded July 17, 1841.
     Robert McKee's addition (lots 13 to 21) was made in 1857, and Jasper McKee's addition (lots 21, 22 and 23) in 1871.
     Among those who first located in the village were Dr. William McKee, John Headley and Frisby Davis.  James Davis, from Washington County, started the first blacksmith shop, and in a few years nearly every variety of business usually carried on in country villages had its representative.
     The buying of tobacco and hauling it to the river for shipment became an important business in Olive.  Robert McKee was the first shipper.  A second store was opened by John and Joseph Wehr, the third by James McCune; Joseph Wehr sold out to J. W. Tipton.  The business of the place was very large, compared with its population, as with the exception of Sharon there was no important trading point anywhere in the territory now forming the western portion of Noble County. 
     The first tavern was started by Benjamin Thorla, where he now lives.  He continued the business many years.  Another tavern was started a little later.
     The only mill ever in the place was a steam flouring mill, erected by James McCune.  It is still standing but disused.
     The old Methodist church, in which the first Court was held, in 1851, is still standing, now degraded to the use of a cow stable.  Plainly, the glory of Olive has departed.
     The village of Matrom was laid out by George Bell, surveyor, for Joseph Schofield, proprietor, Mar. 25, 1846.  This palce never grew to magnificent proportions, and only a few dilapidated houses mark its site.  Even its name has passed away; and, instead of high-sounding "Matrom," plebeian "Socum" has taken its place.  "Socum" is supposed to have been derived from Soak'em, which title was fastened upon the place on account of the bibulous and whisky-selling habits of its inhabitants.
     Socum once had stores and whisky shops and some other kinds of business.  The first mercantile establishment was opened by Henry Wolf soon after the town was laid out.  From 1850 to 1858, Sidney Glidden kept store there.  Wilson F. McIntire was another early merchant.  Of late Socum has been going down hill and it now appears not far from the bottom.
     Moundsville was laid off into twelve town lots by Isaac Davis.  The plat was recorded May 21, 1861.  The place never attained to the rank of a village.  It was best known as "Fiddler's Green," from Rufus Hall, now in Indiana, who lived here, had a small mill on the creek, and whiled away all his spare time drawing a "concord of sweet sounds" from his violin.
     Moundsville has now barely a half-dozen houses, scattered along the road for such a distance that some have suggested "Stringtown" as an appropriate name.  The building of the railroad, and the consequent transfer fo business of South Olive, effectually blighted its prospects.  The first store in the place was started by Abraham Young in 1865, and in the following year W. P. Warren became his partner.  They were succeeded by W. D. Guilbert, who removed to South Olive on the completion of the railroad to that point. 
     The village of South Olive was surveyed and platted Aug. 15, 1871, by David Miller, surveyor, for Welton B. Ostrander, proprietor.  The original plat contained thirteen lots.  Four additions have since been made by William Kirkbride, increasing the number of lots to forty-five.
     The first building erected was the railroad depot, and in it W. D. Guilbert opened the first store.  The next was erected by Rice & Martin and occupied as a grocery store.  The postoffice was established with W. D. Guilbert, as the first postmaster.  Guilbert, Gouchenour & Moore and Peter Taylor are among the ex-merchants of the village.
     The present population is about twenty families.  The business is represented by O. J. Wood, E. A. Davis and William Kirkbride, general stores; Leslie Crooks, sawmill and planing mill; Richlieu Belford, blacksmith.
     In 1883 the grist-mill at this place was burned, involving a loss of several thousands.  The building was first erected as a tobacco packing house by Gouchenour & Guilbert.  It was converted into a mill by Jacob Purcell in 1880.  The stopping of the salt works, the dying out of the oil excitement, and the burning of the mill, all have had an injurious effect upon the prosperity of the village.
     A new industry has just been started - the first organized effort of the kind in the county - and bids fair to be successful.  The South Olive Creamery Company was organized Sept. 16, 1886, with a capital of $5,000, and the erection of a building at once begun.  The stockholders are David Gouchenour, John Stevens, J. K. Haines, Charles Huffman and John Swayne.  Similar enterprises are very successful i other parts of the country and it is to be hoped that this industry will prosper here.
     Dudley, a flag station on the C. & M. railroad, is a hamlet of modern growth, containing about a dozen buildings.  The first store was started here in the railroad depot in 1871 by J. P. Arnold.  About six years later village lots were laid off.  William Graham, who succe3eded Arnold in the mercantile business, built the first house, excepting that owned by Sylvester Cunningham, which has been standing for years.  The next building erected was the Universalist church.  The grist-mill and sawmill of Edgar Morgareidge was bult by him in 1885.  At present C. L. Harris carries on the mercantile business here:  William Tuttle has a blacksmith shop, and Sylvester Cunningham a cabinet-maker and wagon maker's shop.

CHURCHES.

     South Olive Methodist Protestant Church  - This church was organized by Rev. George Willis.  The house of worship was erected in 1881 at a cost of about $600, on a lot donated by William Kirkbride.  The membership was small at first, but there is now a large congregation.  The pastors have been Revs. Schuman, Orr, Wert, and Baker.

     New Harmony Baptist Church - This congregation is an old one, the first organization having been in 1825.  In 1843 the church was reorganized and called New Harmony.  Elder William Davis was chairman of the first council and G. W> Drake of the second.  The organizing members were: Rev. Joseph S. Clark, pastor; Hollis Hutchins, clerk; John Hutchins, John Morgareidge, Robinson Sanford, Joseph Davis, Joanna Hutchins, Betsey Davis, Jane Sanford, Rhoda Hutchins, and John Cunningham were members of Harmony church, and Joseph Davis, Levi Davis, Betsey Davis, Dorothy Tuttle, Rhoda Ann Davis and Susan Tolman, original members of New Harmony church in 1843.  The present church, a frame building thirty-five by forty-five feet, was erected in 1856, at a cost of about $1,200.  The church now has 112 members, and the Sabbath school fifty scholars.  The pastors have been:  Revs. Joseph L. Clark, B. B. Blake, John Skinner, G. W. Glass, Henry Lyons, L. McPherson, H. Lyons, W. A. Blake, J. S. Covert, Jesse Lieurance, J. Hurlbert, William McPeek, J. G. Whittaker, H. M. Prince, William McPeek and J. G. Whitaker.

     Universalist Church - The Universalist church at Dudley was built in 1878, and dedicated August 25 of that year.  It is a frame building thirty by forty feet.  Among the leading members who assisted in building the church were:  William Cunningham, Alden Tilton, William Spear, Moses Blake, J. L. Rowlands, Ansel Blake, James Ogle, James Warren, W. P. Warren, Samuel Ackley, David Radcliff and David Radcliff, second.  At the time of the organization there were about one hundred members, but the number has been considerably reduced since owing to various causes.  Rev. J. W. McMasters, who has preached for many years in the neighborhood, has been the only regular pastor.
     There were may who favored the Universalist faith among the early settlers.  Conspicuous among these were Gilman Dudley, John Allen, Israel Blake, Aurelius Clark, Joseph Clark, Daniel Tuttle, Hebron Tuttle and David Radcliff.  Joseph Clark preached in the woods on Daniel Tuttle's farm (where William Spear now lives), as far back as 1840, and the Universalists have had preaching more or less regularly ever since.

     United Brethren Church - The Olive Chapel United Brethren church, in the western part of the township, was erected in 1879.  It was a neat and commodious frame building.  There was preaching in this neighborhood for some years before the meeting-house was built.  The congregation is not large, but good interest is manifested.

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* From a paragraph in the Republican, Jan. 15, 1876.
† Archibald lived in what is now Sharon Township.