Page 335
West.  All the others, so far as is known, died in Noble County.

     The first entry of land in the township was made in 1809, on section 12, by Ephraim Bates.  James Dye made the next entry of land.  He came form Greene County, Pa., and also settled in the township in 1809.  He removed to Illinois.

     Ephraim Bates and his sons were among the earliest settlers of Noble County.  He was born in New Jersey May 24, 1744.  He served in the Revolutionary war, and was one of the first settlers west of the Allegheny Mountains in Fayette County, Pa.  He died in Sarahsville Jan. 2, 1834.  His wife, Susannah, lived to an advanced age.  Their children were Isaac, who lived many years near Sarahsville, but died in Indiana; Polly, who married John Vorhies, and lived in Noble County; William, who settled in Guernsey County, and thence went west; Anna, who married William Dilley, and lived in Cleveland, Ohio; Timothy, one of the pioneer settlers of Seneca Township; Ephraim, also lived in Seneca Township; Daniel and Ezekiel, who lived in Center Township.
     Ephraim Bates, Sr., had one of the earliest orchards in this part of the country, and some of the trees planted by him are yet standing.  He built the first mill in the township - a "corn-cracker" of a rude sort, but a great convenience to the settlers nevertheless.  The mill was in operation in 1814.  Ezekiel Bates, son of Ephraim, was the founder of Sarahsville.
     John and Amos Bates, sons of Ephraim, were drafted into the service, in the war against Great Britain, soon after their arrival.
     Before Bates' mill was erected the people of the township depended mainly for their flour and meal upon two horse mills, owned respectively by Elisha Fogle and Thomas Barry, and situated only a short distance apart, in the southwestern part of the township.
     Isaac Bates erected a mill  upon his farm, which was so arranged that it could be operated by horse-power when there was a scarcity of water.  After the early mills had all fallen into ruin or disuse, a steam mill was erected at Sarahsville by a company of citizens at a cost of $4,000.  The company sold out to Frederick Secrest and the mill was burned.  Mr. Secrest then erected a grist-mill and sawmill, which he still owns.
     Jacob Bates was born in what was then Guernsey County, in 1810.  In 1815 his father, Isaac, removed to the farm now owned by William McWilliams, where he was the first settler.  He died in the township in 1883.  He was a very reputable man and reared a family of eight children.  His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Davidson, was a native of West Virginia.  Her parents were among the pioneers; four of the family reside in the township.
     Shortly after the Indian war Daniel Devolld and family emigrated from Washington County, Pa., to Belmont County, Ohio.  In 1814 the family, consisting of wife and six children - John, Isabella, Nancy,

Page 336 -
Betsey, Richard and Rachael, came to what is now Noble County, and settled in Center Township.  Here he purchased from government 160 acres of land for which he paid $2 per acre, that being the price of government land at that time.  On this farm the elder Devolld died at the extreme old age of ninety-two.  Levi Devolld was born in York Township, Belmont County, Ohio, in 1804, and came to Noble County with his parents.  At the time of his father's emigration he states that the nearest neighbor in the north was Mr. Ephraim Bates, who came about the year 1812 and settled where the fair grounds now are in Sarahsville.   Mr. Devolld further states that in 1814 there was only one road in the township, called at that time (1814), the Federal Road; all points north or south from this road had to be cut through.  Marietta and Zanesville were the nearest places from which supplies could be obtained.  In 1819 Mr. Devolld says that he packed four to Marietta on a horse for which he obtained $1.50 per hundred.  In 1828 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Smith, who settled in the township about 1814.

     Levi Devolld is probably the oldest resident of the township, having resided here continuously since 1814.  He has been one of the pushing, energetic citizens, and has prospered accordingly.  He has always been a farmer, and for a time was also engaged in buying and selling live stock, carrying on the tanning business, etc.
     When the Devollds located here, their nearest neighbor on the west was James Lowe, about where Olive  now is; on the east James Archer, at East Union; on the northwest Benjamin Thorla, at Belle Valley, and other pioneers of Duck Creek Valley; and on the south Elisha Harris.  According to the personal recollection of Mr. Levi Davolld in the fall of 1814 all that portion of Guernsey County which now forms the townships of Noble Olive, Sharon and Brookfield, voted together in one election precinct.  Daniel Devolld brought the kettles which were used in Thorla and McKee's salt works, which were established the year that he came.  The Devollds were fond of hunting and were successful woodsmen.  Levi Devolld, soon after becoming of age, made a trip through the wilderness to the lake, finding few whites and many Indians in that region.
     A tannery was started by Levi Devolld, in the southwestern part of the township about 1846 and was in connection with it Mr. Devolld manufactured boots, shoes, harnesses, etc.  Some rascals stole about $500 worth of stock, and caused him to abandon the business.
     In the southwestern part of the township were the following early settlers; Ambrose Merry, David Devolld, Thomas and Benjamin Barry.

     The McGarrys were among the most prominent early families.  The father, John McGarry, was an Irishman, who moved to Ohio from the vicinity of Philadelphia.  His sons were Samuel, David, Reed and

Page 337 -
 John.  Samuel read law, became probate judge and was a prominent man in the early history of the county.  David died on the old homestead.
     David McGarry, one of the best known citizens of Center Township, was born October 19, 1819, within the present limits of Center Township.  He passed his early life amid the scenes of pioneer days, clearing land and farming.  His educational advantages were very limited, yet through self-cultivation he became well informed.  In 1843 he married Catharine Richey.  Seven children were born of this union - John C., Thomas R., Andrew, Jane, George M., Margaret and Frank.  All are living except Jane, who died in infancy.  Mr. McGarry was one of the foremost men in bringing about the organization of Noble County, and spent much time and labor in effecting that result.  He was an active Democrat until the formation of the Republican party, then joined that organization and remained a firm supporter of its principles.  IN 1847 he was elected treasurer of Union Township, an office which he held nine years.  In 1871 he was nominated to represent Noble County in the legislature.  B. F. Spriggs, Democrat, was his opponent.  The result of the contest was a tie vote.  In March, 1872, a special election was held and Mr. Spriggs was elected.  In 1880 Mr. McGarry was appointed census enumerator for Center Township.  He died Mar. 7, 1881.  George M. McGarry is a prominent farmer of Center Township.
     Township 7 of range 8 of the original survey was organized as Union Township in April, 1822, by order of the county commissioners of Monroe County.
     Prior to the formation of Noble County the territory now included in the limits of Center Township belonged to Noble Township, Morgan County, and to Union Township, Monroe County.  Union Township was the seventh township of the eighth range, and its territory now forms portions of Center, Marion, Stock and Enoch.
     James Archer was lister of Union Township in 1822, and the amount of its county tax, together with that of Enoch, was only $28.  In 1823, the total tax for Union was $37.34.  Daniel Bates was collector.  In 1824 the tax was $40.29, Oren Lane, collector.
     In 1833 the following persons were owners of real estate in the eastern portion ** of Center Township, then Union Township, Monroe County.

Page 338 -

     At that date Union Township was one of the richest and most populous townships of Monroe County.  Its valuation was as follows:  Real estate, $10,000; personal property, $6,958; town property, $423; total, $17,681; total tax, $198.91.
     Among the owners of personal property in township 7, range 8, in 1833, were the following, in addition to those already named:
Thomas Bolis, John Bryant, George Chinch, Robert Crawford, William Davidson, Benjamin Kain, Cramlin Ferens, Henry Haughton, Jonathan King, Meshack King, Adam Kindel (Kendall?), Robert Large, Nathan Lincicum, James Lemmax, Brooks Lanam, John Lanam, Andrew Milslagle, Balaam Merrow, Arthur Porter, Daniel Pettay, Thomas Young, William Roberts, George Ross, John Stewart, ____ Weakfield, John Snider, Benjamin Street, John Stone, Benjamin Teachenor, Thos. Walker, Hugh Waybrandt, Benjamin Wolf.

     The early settlers in the immediate vicinity of Sarahsville were Ephraim Bates, John Jones, Isaac Bates and Daniel Bates, all prior to 1820.

     Jonas Ball, from Alleghany County, Md., settled in 1818 west of Sarahsville on the farm adjoining that on which his son, James Ball, now lives.  Jonas Ball was a soldier in the War of 1812.  Jonas Ball, an ex-county commissioner and a prominent citizen, has lived all his life in the township, and has a vivid recollection of the pioneer scenes among which he was reared.  He recalls the time when the county was so full of wolves, that sheep had to be penned up securely every night, or some of the flock was almost sure to be missing in the morning.  In the neighborhood where Mrs. Ball lives were the following early settlers: James Noble, James Dye and Levi Lyons.

     Matthew Ball, entered 160 acres near Sarahsville, and settled upon the tract in 1818.  He died in few years later.  He was a man of means, having been successfully engaged in the

Page 339 -
tanning and milling business in Maryland before he came to Ohio.  His son Jonas died here.  Two other sons, Daniel and John, also settled here.  The former died in Iowa and the latter in Illinois.

     James and George Dye were early settlers.  George had a mill on the old McCleary farm on the road from Hiramsburg to Sarahsville.  It was a small affair and was erected by John Farley, millwright, as early as 1833.  Dye sold to Cramlett and he to James McCleary.

     James Dye originally owned the farm on which the Children's Home is located.  He became quite wealthy, sold out and moved with his sons to Illinois.  Dye and his sons were all hunters.  In the winter they made enough money on the furs which they captured to enter 160 acres of land where Rochester now is.  They always kept about a dozen hounds, and hunted and trapped throughout the surrounding country.  James Noble was also a trapper, and a very successful one.  In some way he incurred the enmity of the younger Dyes, who committed many depredations upon his property, and on one occasion fired bullets through his door.  After years of lawing he succeeded in lodging some of them in jail. Elias Gilpin, a Marylander, who married a sister of Jonas Ball, and Jonas Gilpin, his son, were also among the noted hunter

     Alfred Morrison and his brothers, George, Arthur and Sanford, and their father, John Morrison, came to this township about 1818, from Maryland.  George removed to Illinois.  The others remained here, and left numerous descendants.

     Abraham Miley and Andrew Nicholson were early settlers in the western part of the township.  Two of Andrew Nicholson's brothers, John and Thomas, also settled in the county.

     Andrew McCollum one of the early justices of the peace, a man of prominence and ability, lived in the eastern part of the township.  His descendants are still here.

     Joseph Davidson, a Virginian, came in 1819, and was a pioneer on the farm now owned by William Arnold.  He married Jane Cooper, who came from Maryland.  They had a family of nine children, all of whom were born in this county.

     Elisha Fogle, a native of Pennsylvania, came with his father Jacob to Center Township about 1818.  He married Miss Miranda Merry and reared a family of ten children, five boys and five girls.  The elder Fogle entered a farm on section 26.  He was by trade a miller, and for a time operated a horse mill which was one of the first.  Elisha entered land adjoining his father's where he lived until he died, aged seventy-three years; he was a millwright and farmer, and an honest, worthy citizen.  Thomas Fogle, was born in Center Township in 1830.  He married Miss Matilda Peggs.  Mr. Fogle is a prosperous farmer and an enthusiastic pisciculturist.  He breeds the German carp, and is the pioneer is this industry in the county.

     Andrew Secrest, where Hugh Cox now lives, was an early settler, and

Page 340 -
manufactured gunpowder which he sold to the pioneer hunters for miles around.  He reared a large family, all of whom moved west.

     Thomas Gourley settled near Secrest and died here.  He was a Christian and a good citizen.  He was twice married and reared a large family.
     In early years Isaac Bates had a distillery and a saw mill.  He taught the oxen to drink whisky, using a coffee-pot to pour it down their throats.  When the roads were muddy and the load seemed to go hard, Bates would bring out his coffee-pot, the oxen would eagerly evaluate their heads, receive their dram, then pull with courage and strength renewed.
     At the old-time huskings it was customary to divide the corn-heap into two parts, and the huskers into two parties, each of which chose a "captain."  Whichever party first finished its task would life their leader upon their shoulders and attempt to carry him around the heap, the other side at the same time attempting to prevent this.  The visitors also challenged men from the other side to wrestle, and frequently there was an interesting contest, which sometimes terminated in a fight.  Whisky was always furnished freely and abundantly at these gatherings.

     The Salladays, who bought out James Dye, on the Children's Home farm, were a prominent family.  Elias settled in Guernsey County, and Joseph and George in Center Township.  None of the name now live here.  George resides in Illinois.

     James Stranathan, now living in Senecaville, settled quite early on the Henry J. Young farm.  While at work clearing on that place he was severely injured in handling heavy logs, and never entirely recovered.

     Calton Merry, youngest child in the family of Ambrose Merry, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Sept. 27, 1817, and died Jun. 27, 1878.  The elder Merry immigrated from the State of New York to Belmont County in the spring of 1817.  The journey was made by wagon.  The family consisted of nine children - Rufus, Rouse, Benson, Calton, Samantha, Maranda, Amanda, Betsey, and Hannah - all born in New York State excepting Calton.  For a time he was employed upon the national pike, them being constructed, and in 1819 came to this township, settling south of Perryopolis, where he lived until his decease, which occurred in 1864, at the age of ninety- four.  He was a typical pioneer, and it is said that he had the first bearing orchard in what is now Noble County.  The Merry family are noted for longevity; his father-in-law died at the age of one hundred and six; his second marriage occurred at the age of one hundred and two.  Calton Merry entered his first tract of land on section 29, in 1837.  He erected his cabin, and, like many other pioneers, found, when his land was surveyed, that his house was on the wrong side of the line.  On this farm he lived until he died, experiencing the trials and privations inci-

Page 341 -
dent to life in a new country.  He was obliged to find other employment, in order to support his family and pay for his land.  The Muskingum River improvements were then being constructed, and upon the locks he worked until the farm began to yield a return for the labor invested.  Although his education in books was limited to four days in a subscription school, still, by reading and observation he acquired a fund of valuable knowledge.   He was a consistent member of the Christian church, which he joined at the age of twenty-five.  In political belief he was originally a Whig.  His last presidential vote was cast for Hayes.  Aug. 11, 1836, he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Weekley.  By this union there were eleven children - Mary, Margaret, Sally, Josephus, Andrew J., Abby, Levi D., Ada, Maria, Jacob M., and Benjamin H.  Feb. 21, 1863, Mrs. Merry died, and in 1864 he married Mrs. Isabella McWilliams.  Two children - Rufus E. and William D. - were the children by this marriage.  Of the children, five were teachers - Levi D., Ada, Maria, William D., and Jacob M.  Andrew J. was a member of Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died June 23, 1865.  Levi D., the present county surveyor, was first elected in 1881, and re-elected in 1884.  He married Sue L. Neyman, of Senecaville: three children, all boys.+

     Samuel Anderson, from Virginia, came to Belmont County, and thence in 1817 to a farm two miles east of Sarahsville.  He was the father of Dr. Anderson, of Sarahsville.  William Stretchberry, and Jacob Daily were early settlers in the same neighborhood.

     Arthur Morrison came to this county about 1830.  He was born in Loudoun County, Va., 1790.  He went to Cumberland, Md., about 1815, and in 1830 settled in what is now Noble County, where he bought a farm and remained until his death in 1875.  He was a prominent citizen, and reared a family of six sons and two daughters.  Only one of the children - Andrew - is now living in this county.  His son Joseph married Jane, daughter of John McGarry, one of the pioneers, and reared two sons - David M. and Charles.  The father was a thorough and successful farmer.  He took a deep interest in political matters.  He served as justice of the peace for many years.  He died in 1883.  Of his sons, the elder is the present probate judge of Noble County.   Charles is a farmer of Center Township.  Both are enterprising men and good citizens.

     James N. Hedge, one of the substantial farmers and prominent citizens of Center, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Mar. 12, 1830.  In 1862 he came to this township and bought the farm where he now resides, and which attests his skill and thrift.  For thirteen years he has served his fellow townsmen as trustee, besides officiating as infirmary director one term.  He married Miss Hannah, daughter of Henry Moore, of Indiana; five children - three sons and two daughters.  He

Page 342 -
is a worthy member of the Christian church.

     In 1826 Samuel Stewart and family (consisting of wife and three boys William, Allen and Phillip), came from Belmont County and settled on a new farm in the township of Sharon, where the elder Stewart resided until his decease, which occurred in 1845.  His wife, nee Rebecca McGrew, is still living at the advanced age of ninety-two.  In 1842 William came to Sarahsville, and is at this time the oldest living resident of the village.  He was born in Belmont County in 1821.  He has been a successful business man, a reputable citizen, and a worthy member of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal church.  He has been twice married.  His first wife was Matilda Boyd; his present wife, Mrs. Mary E. Day, he married in 1882;  Two children - Norton O., and Harry C.

     In 1833 David Gray, with his family of eight children, removed from West Virginia to Noble County, and settled on Dog Run, Noble Township, where he purchased one hundred acres of unimproved land.  On this farm he remained until his death, which occurred in his eighty-first year.  He was in every respect a worthy citizen.  The old homestead is owned by his son, Clark E., the present efficient superintendent of the County Infirmary.

     Joseph Russell, a native of Frederick County, Va., came to Belmont County, Ohio, where he died in 1820.  His widow, Elizabeth Russell, came to what is now Noble County in 1823.  She died in 1837.  The family consisted of nine children.  Mrs. Russell not only assisted in clearing the farm, but worked at weaving and spinning.  Frequently the food of the family consisted of "roasting ears" of corn ground on a grater.  The hand-mill and "hominy block" were also brought into use to furnish a substitute for meal.  John Russell, who was born in Belmont County, Feb. 2, 1813, has lived in this county since he was ten years old.  He was been a deacon in the Baptist church several years. 

      Elijah Phelps was one of the pioneers of Guernsey County.  John H., a son, was born in Maryland in 1828, and when a child, removed with the family to Harrison County, Ohio; thence to Tuscarawas and to Noble County in 1850.  In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the war.

     Robert Robertson, from Loudoun County, Va., and settled in Belmont County in 1826.  The family consisted of the parents and ten children.  In 1837 they settled in Center Township, where  Daniel Robertson now resides.   Here the elder Robertson died.  Daniel was born in 1814 and has been a resident since 1837.  He married Elizabeth Hayes, whose parents were early settlers in Belmont County.

     Frederick Secrest was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1824, and came to Noble County in 1855.  May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was made

Page 343
second lieutenant.  He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Sept. 2, 1864. He built the mill at Sarahsville.  In political and religious belief he is a Republican and a Methodist.

     Perry Kemp was born in Morrow County, and came to Noble County in 1850.  In 1864 he enlisted, and was assigned to the One Hundred and Thirty second Indiana Regiment.  He served until the close of the war and was mustered out at Indianapolis May 8, 1865.  He is now proprietor of the Sarahsville mill.

     Francis R. Perry was a member of Company F, Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He enlisted in 1861; became a veteran in 1864; was taken prisoner at Atlanta, Ga., and confined in Andersonville.  After his release he rejoined his regiment.  He participated in many of the prominent battles of the war, among them the second battle of Manassas, Antietam, South Mountain, Mission Ridge and Vicksburg, beside fifteen other minor engagements.  He was discharged Aug. 13, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.

     Hugh Cox was born in Ireland, from whence he emigrated to the State of Maine, where he lived until his removal to this county.  He bought the farm on which his son Hugh now resides and there resided until his decease in 1875.  He was a successful and prosperous farmer and accumulated a well won competency.  His son Hugh owns one of the largest farms in this section and is one of the thrifty and successful agriculturists of the township.

     Abijah Rossiter came from Pennsylvania to Guernsey County about 1813, where his father, Samuel, entered a tract of land.  Abijah was a soldier of the War of 1812.  In 1843 he came to Noble County and settled where James now resides.  Here the old people died at advanced ages, the father aged seventy-two, the mother, sixty-five.  Thomas  was born in Guernsey County, in 1821, and has been a resident of the county forty-three years.

     Daniel Pettay, a native of the province of Quebec, was born in 1796.  In 1825 he came to Belmont County, where he remained six years, when he removed to what is now Noble County.  He settled near Sarahsville.  The senior Pettay was a minister, and was beside a lawyer and teacher, which vocation he frequently followed.  Possessed of varied attainments, he was regarded as an oracle in most matters.  He was an ardent politician, and attached himself to the Whig party, and was one of hte prominent leaders of the projectors of the underground railroad in Noble County.

     John Miller was from Pennsylvania, and in an early day settled near Lexington, Noble County.  He died at the age of eighty-six.  Isaac, one of hte sons, married Miss Jane Moore, and reared a family of four children.

     William, John and Henry Miller were in the service.  William and John were in the Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Henry  was a member of Company I,

Page 344 -
Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  John was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, and died at Tyler, Tex., in 1863.

     Philip McWilliams was one of the early settlers of Center Township.  He was born in Ireland and came to this country in 1794.  He first settled near Wheeling, but in consequence of the destruction of  his crops by storms, he remained but a short time, removing to Richland Township, Guernsey County, in 1808, when he entered land near Gibson's Station.  In 1833 he came to Center Township, and bought the farm now owned by his son, William McWilliams, upon which he lived the remainder of his life.  He was the father of twelve children.  The elder McWilliams was a representative farmer and a prominent citizen.  He was the first treasurer of the county, and in every respect a Christian gentleman.  William McWilliams was born in Guernsey County in 1826, and came to Noble with his parents.  He is one of the leading farmers, and has held the office of county commissioner.  He married Miss Louisa McComb.  They have five children.

     Allen Rutherford came from New York in 1837, and settled in Marion Township, whence he removed to the place where he died.  He had a family of seven children.  Two of his sons, Robert and James, were members of the Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; the latter never returned.

     William Davidson came from West Virginia in 1826, and settled on section 16.  Two sons, Robert and Joseph, came with him.  The latter still resides in the township.  He has been identified with the county for sixty years.

     S. C. Rogers was born in Washington County, Ohio, Dec. 19, 1838.  His father, John W. Rogers, came from Pennsylvania in early life, and settled on the Muskingum River.  He reared a family of ten children.  He was a soldier in the Mexican war.  After his decease his widow moved to Noble County, where she died in 1885.  S. C. Rogers enlisted in Company I, Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, and served five years, lacking five days.  Among other engagements, he was in the battles of Bull Pasture Mountain, Cross Keys, second Bull Run, Gettysburg, Greenbrier, Lookout Mountain, Chancellorsville, Cheat Mountain, etc.  While he was in the service he was wounded in the right arm.  Mr. Rogers has served as class leader in the Methodist Protestant and United Brethren churches.
     The conduct of the citizens of Center Township during the war of the Rebellion was such as to demonstrate fully their unswerving patriotism and strict fidelity to principle.  After the first draft, in which a small number were conscripted, the citizens, by organized efforts and the raising of bounties, managed to fill their quota every time.  Many of the best young men of the township volunteered and fell martyrs to their country's cause.  Many more were spared and returned to their homes after yeas of hard service.

Page 345 -

[ PORTRAIT OF G. W. TAYLOR ]

     Center Township has long been prominent in the tobacco industry.  Commencing about 1835, the raising of tobacco attracted more attention year by year, becoming most important and most profitable in the war times.  Those who engaged in the business and stuck to it generally made it pay, if they were good managers.   Sarahsville was quite a center for the tobacco trade, and large quantities are still shipped from there.

SARAHSVILLE.

     Sarahsville, in addition to the distinction of having been the first county seat of Noble County, can also claim the honor of being one of the oldest villages in the county.  It was surveyed and platted June 19, 1829, by Benjamin Thorla, for the proprietors, John Devolld and Ezekiel Bates, and the plat was recorded in Morgan County, Sept. 28, 1829.  Additions have since been made as follows:  By Samuel Aikens, in 1841, and by James M. Rownd, in 1851 - surveyed by George Bell, June 25, 1851.  The latter addition, consisting of nearly seventeen acres, was made to provide for the expected immigration to the place consequent upon the location of the county seat there.
     Sarahsville was named by John Devolld in honor of his wife.  John Devolld was the oldest son of David Devolld, an early settler in the township.  He was the first merchant of Sarahsville, keeping a small stock of goods in a cabin which stood near the site of G. W. Taylor's store.  Devolld's cabin was the first building erected in Sarahsville, excepting only the two-story brick house in the lower part of the town, which was erected by Ezekiel Bates as early as 1825.
     Devolld was not very successful in the mercantile business and discontinued it after a few years.  The second merchant was John Rownd, who had a store on the lot now occupied by W. R. Kirk.  In partnership with him was a man named Shankland.  Henry J. Rownd succeeded his father in business.  Both did a large business.  Next came Henry Taylor, and later Benjamin F. Young and G. W. Taylor, the latter still in business.
     George Richey had an early store and for a time was in partnership with Henry Taylor.  Other merchants have been Jonathan Dilley, Jonas and Samuel Danford.  Thomas and William Young, and others, most of whom did a large business.
     The first tavern in the town was kept by John Beamer, and not long afterward another was started by George McWilliams.  Whisky was sold freely and a bar was considered an indispensable necessity.
     William Stewart, who is still a resident of the place, came to Sarahsville in 1842 and began work at his trade, blacksmithing.  According to his recollection, eight families then comprised the population of the town.  These were the families of James Rownd, Henry J. Rownd, merchant; George Richey, minister; James F. Capell, physician; John Beamer, taern keeper; Richard Beamer shoe maker; William Kirkpatrick, blacksmith; Ezekiel Bates, farmer.

Page 346 -

     In 1854, according to Lippincott's Gazetteer, Sarahsville had a population of 800 and was a thriving business place, with four general stores and a variety of shops representing various industries.  There were then two hotels; the county officials and nearly all the lawyers of the county, as well as several doctors, resided in the town.  A few years later witnessed the transfer of the county records to Caldwell, and immediately the town began to decline in population.  But it remained a good business place, and its merchants probably transacted a greater amount of business than those of Caldwell until after 1871, when the building of the C. & M. railroad further diverted business toward the county seat.  Sarahsville is surrounded by a fine country and its merchants are still prosperous.  The population of the town was 256 in 1870, and 249 in 1880.
     A small school-house was erected in the village about 1843, afterwards replaced by the building destroyed in the fire of 1884.  The present school building was erected in 1885, and cost about $2,000.  The school, in two departments, is in charge of H. B. Williams, principal.
     At about five o'clock on the afternoon of the 20th of August, 1884, fire broke out in the heart of the business portion of Sarahsville, and before its progress could be stayed, nearly every place of business in the town was destroyed, with the exception of G. W. Taylor's store.  In all, about thirty-five buildings were burned, including stores, dwellings, stables, etc.  Among the most valuable structures destroyed, in most cases with nearly their entire contents, were one dry goods store, one grocery.  Hester's hotel, two drug stores, the school house and the Masonic hall.  At least $25,000 worth of property was burned, and there was only about $5,000 insurance on the whole.  This fire was a serious blow to the business interests of the town, and the people have not yet fully recovered from its effects, though now buildings are constantly rising to replace the old.
     Sarahsville has also been the scene of several painful accidents in recent years and one occurrence in particular was startling and terrible.  May 14, 1886, the boiler of the engine in James Herron's saw-mill exploded, killing Mr. Herron, Edward Hill, Nathan Butler and Lewis Bates, all men with families.  Lafayette Tuttle had a leg broken, and was other wise badly injured.
     Following are the names of the principal business men and firms of Sarahsville in 1886.

     General merchants:  G. W. Taylor, Mrs. E. Danford, C. R. Snyder, grocers; J. W. Smith, C. L. Hellyer.
     Druggist: Joseph Johnson
     Planing mill:  T. H. Bunting
     Grist-mill and saw-mill: Frederick Secrest, proprietor; Kemp & Son, lessees.
     Shoemaker:  L. Weaver.
     Blacksmiths:  W. R. Kirk, A. N. Dilley.
     Wagonmaker and undertaker: W. Pettay
     Hotels:  Joseph Mercer, Mrs. William Van Meter.

Page 347 -
     Physicians:  W. S. Spriggs, J. D. Aldridge.
     Milliner:  Fannie Robinson

CHURCHES.

     Sarahsville Methodist Church - This church was probably founded as early as the town of Sarahsville, if not earlier.  The first meeting-house erected by the congregation stood at the old Nicholson cemetery, (erected for the Presbyterian denomination, about 1845 or 1846, but never occupied by them) which served for its accommodation until 1873.  Then the present house of worship, a neat frame building with steeple and bell, was erected.  Among the early members of this church were Thomas Barry and William Shaw, leaders; John Iker, Anderson Jearls, Thomas Gourley Andrew Nicholson, Daniel Bates, Jeremiah Brown, Alfred Morrison, Philip McWilliams, Thomas Large, James Rownd, George Richey, Henry Taylor, and their families.  The church now has a memberhsip of 108, and there is in connection an interesting Sabbath school having about one hundred pupils.
     The Free Methodists of Sarahsville have recently organized and are about to erect a church.

     Wesleyan Methodist Church. - The Wesleyan Methodist Church at Sarahsville was organized in 1842, and the house of worship, a small frame building, erected the following year.  Among the earliest members were Philip McWilliams and wife, Alfred Morrison and wife, and George Richey and wife.  The first preachers were George Richey and Joseph Markee.  Other early preachers were Richard Horton and Evan Thompson.  The church has maintained regular preaching ever since it was organized.  Formerly it had quite a large membership, but death and removals have so reduced the number that at present there are only about thirty members.

     Pleasant Hill Methodist Protestant Church. -  Near the county infirmary in the northwestern part of the township, a church belonging to the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination was erected as early as 1845 through the efforts of George and Joseph Salladay.  For a number of years preaching was maintained by that denomination; but the church having become reduced in members, the United Brethren next organized and occupied the building.  Recently the Methodist Protestants have organized, and in 1885 they erected a neat and commodious frame building to take the place of the old church.  They have about seventy members.  The present pastor is Rev. Salisbury Dollison.

     The Methodist Church. - There is a Methodist church near the line of the western part of the township.  The original organization was Methodist Protestant, and by that denomination the house was built about 1861.  Thomas W. Barry was the chief organizer of the church.  Recently the church has dropped a part of its name, becoming simply "Methodist."  The membership is small.

Page 348 -

     Fredericksdale United Brethren Church. - The United Brethren of Fredericksdale have maintained an organization for a number of years.  In 1884 they erected a neat frame building in which the congregation now worships.  The membership is small.  The congregation was organized about 1838, and among its leading members were the Kessner, Byers, Burton and Bates families.

LODGE.

     Olive Lodge, No. 210, Free and Accepted Masons of Sarahsville, was chartered Dec. 4, 1851.  The charter members were J. Y. Hopkins, W. M.; L. S. Dilley S. W.; J. B. HEaton, J. W.; M. Beatty, D. Gay, William Tracy, W. R. Gay, James Morrison.  The lodge is in a fairly prosperous condition, has a good lodge room and is out of debt, notwithstanding the fact that the hall and all of its contents was destroyed in the fire of 1884, only the lodge record being saved.  The present officers are Dr. W. S. Spriggs, W. M.; Wm. J. Johnson, S. W.; Wm. Price, J. W.; J. W. Powelson, S. D.; Levi Davis J. D.; J. T. Davis, secretary; Ezekiel Dye, treasurer; W. R. Kirk tyler.

     The Noble County Agricultural Society was organized in 1852.  Its incorporators were Levi Devolld, W. Stewart, John McGary, Jonas Ball, Samuel and Jonas Danford, Fred. Secrest, James Ball, and others, whose names were not obtainable.  The first meeting of the society was held in Sarahsville, in the autumn of 1852.  Hiram Danford was the first president.  Present officers are W. S. Spriggs, president; J. W. Pettay, vice-president and treasurer; Joseph Johnson, secretary.

BIOGRAPHICAL:

HON. WILLIAM J. YOUNG

THE BROWN FAMILY

JOHN W. ROBINSON *

THE BALL FAMILY

HON. WILLIAM VAN METER

-----------
* No doubt intended for section 28; but section 38 it stands upon the record, and there is no such section.
** The names of early taxpayers in the western part of Center will be found in the chapter devoted to Noble township.