John Delong was among the first settlers, coming prior to 1812.  He located at the forks of the creek.  His sons, Thomas, William and Nathan lived here after him.

     Nathan Mills, from North Carolina, came about 1812, and lived in the township many years.  Some of his children went to the western part of the State; he made them a visit and died while coming home.

     The Reed family was among the pioneers - John Reed, and his sons, James and Thomas lived and died in the township.

     John Ross, a Revolutionary soldier, came quite early and was miller at House's mill for seven years.  He had seven sons, who scattered to various parts of the country.

     Francis Miller and Moses Ball early settlers, were soldiers in the War of 1812.

     John Starr settled in the township in 1811, and remained until his death.  He was an upright and honorable man and a leading Methodist.  His sons, John and James, also lived there.

     Nathan Mills lived on the Wyscarver farm early.  John Croy and James Edgar lived on a farm together.  They came soon after 1812.

     John Joy and his sons, Absalom and Amos, were among the pioneers of the township.  They came from the vicinity of Wheeling, and before coming to Beaver lived a short time in Seneca Township.  After a number of years they removed to Federal Creek, Morgan County, where the village of Joy was named for them.

     John Cline, an early settler on the creek below Batesville, was the first blacksmith in the settlement.  His son Peter afterward worked at the same trade in Batesville.

     In 1824 Isaac Cooper came from Virginia, bringing his family and his household goods in a two-wheeled cart drawn by two horses hitched tandem.  His son, W. K.  Cooper, is now a carpenter in Batesville.

     In 1818 William W. Finley came from Belmont County with his family and bought a farm, on which his son-in-law, James Reed, laid out the village of Batesville, which for many years was known as Williamsburg.  He had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are now living.  He died in the township in 1836, his wife in 1874, at the age of eighty-five.  the second daughter, Margaret, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1811.  She married James Reed who came to the county about 1827 or 1828.  He followed teaching for a livelihood.  He was the first storekeeper of Batesville; his stock ($160) was hauled from Wheeling, Va., in a one-horse wagon.  He did business for about five years, when he bought a farm in Buffalo Township, where he lived until 1832, when he removed to Senecaville.  In 1852 he purchased the farm now owned by his son, Sylvester, in Center Township.  Here he lived until his deceased, in May of 1872.  He had a family of six children: Lovina (Rich), Ellen A. (Vorhies), Isabella (Williams), Caroline (Arndt), Rebecca A. and Sylvester.  Mr. Reed was a good citizen and an exemplary man in all respects.  In politics he was a Republican; he belonged to the Methodist church.

     Jacob Brown, a native of Virginia, came from Belmont County to this township in 1819.  He son, Squire Brown, born in 1807, is among the old residents of Batesville.

     William Williams, Robert Smith, George Whetsel, Thomas and Moses Ball, Nathan Belas, John House, Phillip and Daniel Wendall, John Joy, William Finley, John Cline, John Starr, George Morgan, Francis Miller, William Murray, John Delong, Edmund Gallagher, John Jeffries, settled in the township as early as 1820.

     Timothy Cleveland, an enterprising, intelligent, honest Yankee, came from Maine, and settled north of Batesville prior to 1820.  He raised apple trees from the seeds.  Some of the trees he distributed among his neighbors, who set them out.  Many of them are still producing fruit.  Mr. Cleveland removed to the vicinity of Summerfield.

     It is related of John House, the early magistrate of the township, that he kept no docket, but recorded his transactions on slips of paper, which he stuck into the cracks in the walls of his dwelling.  He was a very honest and worthy man - and the same may be said of his son, Nathan, who is still living.

     John S. Jeffries was born in 1792.  In 1815 he emigrated from Chester County, Pa., and settled on the farm on Beaver Creek, where he died in 1872.  He was a man greatly esteemed in the community, where he spent the greater part of his long life.  He left a large number of descendants.

     Beaver Township was established June 3, 1816, from part of Seneca and Oxford Townships, Guernsey County.  The township was reorganized on the formation of Noble County in 1851.
     On the petition of twenty-two inhabitants of township 8 in range 7, on the 2d of June, 1817, the commissioners of Guernsey County ordered an election to be held at the house of Philip Wendell for the purpose of choosing trustees for the school section.  This record probably shows nearly the whole number of male citizens then residents of the township.

     July 20, 1818, David Gray applied to the commissioners of Guernsey County for a lease of the school section in township 8 of range 7.  Michael King, William Thompson and Samuel Rogers were appointed appraisers.
     On the tax duplicate of Guernsey County for the year 1830 (the oldest now on record), are the names of the following owners of real estate in Beaver Township, with the number of acres owned by each and the valuation of the same.  The list may therefore be regarded as an authentic record of the early settlers of the township; Thomas Arnold, section 6, 40 acres, value $55; Isaac Atkinson, section 15, 79 acres, $100; same, 79 acres, $100; Jesse Bailey, section 6, 64 acres, $87; Timothy Bates, section 31, 145 acres, $198; same, 145 acres, $198; Moses Ball; section 32, 127 acres, $203; Thomas Ball, section 20, 158 acres, $180; William Benton, section 10, 156 acres, $213; Charles Bucy and N. Dawson, section 15, 79 acres, $90; Joseph Burson, section 32, 198 acres, $145; same, section 33, 79 acres, $144; Loftus Beal, section 29, 79 acres, $100; Isaac Cooper, section 15, 79 acres, $100; Michael Creighton, section 15, 79 acres, $100; Joseph Carpenter, Jr., section 8, 40 acres, $64; Joseph Carpenter, Sr., section 8, 119 acres, $187; Matthias Croy, section 10, 159 acres, $1217; same, 23 acres, $31, and 23 acres, $31; Richard Croy section 4, 80 acres, $120; William Campbell, section 5, 159 acres, $253; John Carpenter, section 9, 160 acres, $291; John Cline, section 21, 159 acres, $281; Allen Cook, section 24, 104½ acres, $143; Thomas Carpenter, section 26, 81 acres, $85; Michael Dunham, section 32, 58 acres, $67; Peter Danford, section 25, 160 acres, $182; Isaac Depew, section 24, 33 acres, $46; same section 18, 71 acres, $98; Amos Day, section 34, 130 acres, $177; William Edgar, section 11, 160 acres, $218; Jesse Edgar, section 27, 158 acres, $251; Bernard Edgar, section 27, 160 acres, $218, and 156 acres, $284; James Finley, section 14, 79 acres, $89; Samuel Fordice, section 4, 50 acres, $80; Libbeus Fordice, section 2, 40 acres, $46; Ann Flood, section 4, 159 acres, $238; John Flood, section 4, 80 acres, $120; Edmund Gallagher, section 10, 142 acres, $194; same, section 17, 158 acres, $216; James Gourley, section 4, 110 acres, $167; John House, section 21, 159 acres, $289; James House, section 23, 80 acres, $91; Samuel Hastings, section 15, 79 acres, $100; John S. Jeffries, section 3, 161 acres, $257; William Jeffries, section 32, 64 acres, $80; Absalom Joy, section 34, 70 acres, $87; John Mounts, section 2, 80 acres, $91; Nathan Mills, section 32, 86½ acres $118; same 92½ acres, $106, on section 33; John Martin, section 22, 79 acres, $100; William Purdy, Jr., section 6, 80 acres, $85; John Perry, section 28, 79 acres, $85; Nathaniel Piles, section 11, 160 acres, $225; Joseph Patton, section 2, 40 acres, $46; John Reed, section 12, 104 acres, $142; James Reed, section 5, 159 acres, $217; same, section 6, 53 acres, $73; John Reed, section 6, 52 acres, $60; John Rhine, section 28, 79 acres, $100; William Smith, section 5, 79½ acres, $100; Robert Smith, section 14, 79½ acres, $91; John Stewart, section 33, 45 acres, $62; same, 69 acres, $126; John Starr, section 33, 128 acres, $233; same, section 26, 81 acres, $111; Gideon Vore, section 24, 52 acres, $71; Jonathan Warne, section 24, 19 acres, $25; Daniel Wendall, Sr., section 15, 79½ acres, $108; Thomas Winteringer, section 9, 160 acres, $291; Rebecca Williams, section 20, 79½ acres, $90; Daniel Wendall, Jr., section 26, 81 acres, $110; Isaac Wood, section 25, 160 acres, $182; William Waterhouse, section 18, 30 acres, $40; Isaac Waggoner, section 10, 100 acres, $137; John Walsh, section 22, 79 acres, $100; same 79 acres, $100, and 79 acres, $100.  Total number of acres, 13,809; value $20,396; total tax, $208.52.
     The following persons were taxed as merchants in Beaver Township, Guernsey County, in 1830:

     John Hall, capital $500; William Smith, $900; Richard Elliott and James Reed, $300; Abraham Brown, $200; John Berry, $50; Blackstone, & Price, $1,000.
     The following were the owners of lots in Williamsburg, in 1830, according to the tax duplicate for that year:
     Abraham Brown, George Cline, Abraham Cline, Robert Carpenter, John Elliott, Richard Elliott, Libbens Fordice, William Finley, William Grant, William Gray, Andrew Johnson, Zephaniah Johnson, William Jones, John Merrew, Joseph Morrison, John Piles, George Peters, Simeon Rhinehart, Samuel Rogers, Jr., Joseph Reed, Isaac Waggoner, Adam Wiemer and Thomas Winteringer.
     The boundaries of Beaver Township, as established by the commissioners of Noble County, May 1, 1851, were thus described:
     "Beaver Township, altered so as to include and he composed of the following territory, to wit:  Commencing for the same at the southeast corner of section 1, in township number 8 of range 7; thence north along the range line to the northeast corner of section 6 in said township and range; thence west along said township line to the northwest corner of the east half of section 30 in said township and range; thence south through the center of said sections 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, and 25, to the southwest corner of the east half of said section 25 in said township; thence east along the township line to the place of beginning; containing 27 sections."

     Samuel Gebhart was the first justice of the peace in the township after the organization of Noble County.  He entered upon the duties of his office Nov. 11, 1851.

     On petition of William H. Eagon and twenty-four others, on the 3d of March, 1852, the county commissioners ordered that the following territory be taken from Wayne Township and attached to Beaver:  The west half of sections 25, 26 and 27; and the east half of sections 31, 32 and 33.

     John Hail, who is mentioned on the tax list of 1830 as a merchant, kept store on his farm near the present line of Guernsey County.  He came from one of the Southern States and was in comfortable circumstances.  After Quaker City was founded, the store was removed thither by his son Isaac, who became wealthy and prominent.  Isaac Hall died in 1886.

     John and James Reed were probably the first permanent settlers of the township.  They were from New Jersey, and settled in 1804.

     James B. Reed lives on the farm entered by his grandfather.  His father was born on the same farm in 1808 and died in 1869.  He was thrice married and was the father of seventeen children.

     James B. Reed was born Apr. 6, 1837, and has followed farming and stock-dealing.  He was married in 1858 to Harriet C. Fowler of Belmont County.  Their children are Mary Arilla and Clara Alice.  Mr. Reed and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  He is a Democrat and has held several township offices.

     Joseph Carpenter, the pioneer, was a native of Virginia, and for two years served in the Revolutionary War.  He lived near Moundsville, and he and his family encountered many dangers from hostile Indians.  He came to Belmont County, Ohio, about 1806, and a few years later removed to this township, where he died in 1849.  His son Robert was born in Virginia in 1796, and came to Ohio with the family.  He was a pioneer, settler on the farm now owned by his son, J. Wesley Carpenter.  He died in 1881.  He was a member of the Methodist Church for thirty-five years.  He was prominent as a farmer and stock-raiser, and excelled in raising tobacco.

     J. W. Carpenter was born in Beaver Township August 31, 1848, and is among the leading farmers and breeders of fine stock.  Since 1883 he has been engaged in breeding fine Merino sheep and graded Poland-China hogs.  Mr. Carpenter is a leading member and officer of the Methodist Episcopal church.  He married Mary M. Garvey of this county, in 1873, and has three sons and three daughters.

     Daniel Wendall was a Virginian, of German descent.  HE moved from Shenandoah County, Va., to Ohio in 1819, settling with his family on the farm now occupied by his son Harrison.  Philip Wendall, an older brother of Daniel, had settled in the township some years previously.  Harrison Wendall was born in Virginia and came to this county with his parents.  He aided his father in clearing up the farm on which he now lives.  He married Melissa E. Hopkins, of Batesville, in 1841.  Children: Lucy, Daniel, William and Mary (deceased), Joseph, John K., Charles, Franklin and Hattie.  Mr. and Mrs. Wendall belong to the Lutheran church.

     Samuel Wycarver, from Greene County, Pa., settled in this township in 1828, and his son Jacob in 1830.  The latter is one of the leading farmers of the county.  He made his first purchase of land (seventy-three acres) in 1843.  To this he has made additions, so that he now owns about one thousand acres of the best land in the county.  He has upon his land five dwelling houses and the best of improvements.   In 1839 Mr. Wyscarver married Rhoda, daughter of Daniel Wendall, an early settler.  They have had twelve children, eleven of whom are living.

     Samuel Hastings, from Frederick County, Va., was of Irish descent.  He came to Belmont County in 1822, and two years later entered the land on which his son Hiram now lives, and removed to it in the fall of 1824 cutting his way through the wilderness.  Having built a cabin, the family moved in before there was any floor or chimney; afterward he made a floor of puncheons and built a chimney of sticks and mud.  When Mr. Hastings entered his land at Marietta he had only $1.50 left, and with this he purchased three bushels of wheat.  Until a crop could be secured the family lived chiefly on corn bread.  In spite of hardships and difficulties he succeeded in securing by his labor a comfortable home.  Mr. Hastings died in 1863 in his sixty-sixth year.  He was one of the organizers of the Lutheran church at Batesville and was a friend of public improvements.  He was the father of two sons and two daughters.

     Hiram Hastings, a well-known and prominent citizen, was born on the farm where he now lives, Apr. 23, 1829.  He has held several township and church offices, and is an active, energetic and respected citizen.

     William Deal came from Calvert County, Md., about 1835, and settled on the farm now owned by John H. Deal. He was the father of two sons and eight daughters.  Nine of his children are still living.  Mr. Deal died in 1880 in his eighty-fourth year.  He was a leading Methodist and an anti-slavery man.  John H. and William are his sons.  The former was a captain of militia during the Morgan raid.

     James Lowrey was born near Winchester, Va., in 1811, and came in 1845 to the farm on which he now resides.  He is a blacksmith by trade and for many years had the only shop in his neighborhood.  In 1831 he married Sarah Hall of Belmont County.  They have had nine children, seven of whom are living.  He is a Republican and has held several township offices.

     Lewis Hunt, a prominent farmer, is the son of Henry Hunt, and was born in Belmont County in 1844.  He came to the farm he now occupies in 1845.  He has followed farming and stock-raising and dealing in stock and wool.  In 1865 he married Julia A., daughter of James M. Griffin, of this township.  They have had three children.  Mr. Hunt is a member and officer of the Methodist Episcopal church.

     William Douglas was born in Ireland in 1792, and died in Noble County in 1871.  He settled in Pennsylvania and there served in the War of 1812.  He came to this township in 1833.  He held several township offices and was justice of the peace.  He was elected to the legislature in 1842.  He was an earnest friend of churches and schools and a leading Methodist.  He was the father of twenty-one children by two wives.  Seven are still living.  Vachael Douglas, a prominent farmer, was born in Beaver Township in 1833.  He married Sarah A., daughter of James P. Reed, in 1856 and has three children living.  Mr. Douglas is a Methodist.  He has served in several township offices.

     William Douglas, son of William, Sr., was born in this township in 1840.  In 1863 he married Sidney A. Finch of Belmont County.  They have four sons and eight daughters, all living.  Mr. Douglas has held several township offices and is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church.

     Richard Coultas came to this township in 1828, from Pennsylvania.  He died in 1872 at the age of eighty-two.  His son Robert is one of the successful farmer of the township.  He married, in 1847, a daughter of William Dement, one of the pioneers of Monroe County, who carried the mail form Wheeling to Cincinnati in 1810-15.

     John Hague, from Fayette County, Pa., settled in Wayne Township about 1812, and died about 1842.  His son, Joseph, came to this county when about eight years old, and has since resided here.  He is now eighty-one years old.  Taylor Hague, of Beaver Township, was born in Wayne Township in 1831.  He married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Marlow, and they have four children living.

     Thornton D. Petty is of Virginian parentage.  His father and mother came from Jefferson County in that State, settling in Beaver Township in 1821.  T. D. Petty is one of a family of eight children, two of whom are dead.  He was born Feb. 14, 1832, and is still living on the farm entered by his father.  In 1858 he married Eleanor D. Harris, of this township who died in 1876.  They had one child: Mary Emma, who is living.  Mr. Petty is a Republican.  The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  Rev. Ludwell Petty, well known in this county as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, was his brother.  His mother was a cousin of General Robert E. Lee.

     Isaac Cooper, a native of Virginia, settled in this township in 1824.  He was born in the Shenandoah Valley in 1799.  He died in Vinton County, Ohio, in 1882.  He was a substantial farmer and a worthy citizen.  He was the father of Sarah (Hastings), William K., Isaac N., Azariah C. and William K., reside in this county.

     Azariah C. Cooper was born in Beaver Township in 1841. He was reared on a farm and learned the carpenter's trade.  In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served four years.  In 1883 he was elected county treasurer, and was re-elected in 1885.  He married Miss Lucy Gebhart, and is the father of eight children.

     Hon. Abraham Simmons was for many years a prominent citizen of this township and county.  He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland in January, 1816.  In 1833, when a lad of seventeen, he came to Barnesville on foot, and after remaining there a short time, he became a resident of Batesville and followed the tobacco business.  He was afterward quite extensively engaged in the mercantile business. 
     Mr. Simmons was a thoroughly self-made man.  At the age of seventeen he had never attended school; but by his own efforts he became well informed and a good man of business.  He was a Republican and took an active part in politics.  In 1856-7 he represented Guernsey County in the legislature and was regarded as an able and efficient member.  In 1868-9 he was State senator from the Fourteenth District, composed of Washington, Morgan and part of Noble Counties.  From 1861 to 1865 he was treasurer of Noble County.  Every worthy public interest found in him a zealous friend.  He was one of the most prominent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and took a deep interest in religious matters.  He married Nancy, daughter of William Anderson, of Beaver Township, in 1839, and reared seven children.  Two of his sons gave their lives in defense of their country: William C., the elder, died at Bolivar, Tenn., in 1862; Thomas V. was captured near Cumberland Gap, and died at Belle Isle prison in 1864.  Soon after the death of Thomas, a daughter, Rachel, was thrown from a horse and killed.  The loss of these children was a severe blow, from the effects of which he did not recover.  Mr. Simmons died Apr. 27, 1875.  Three of his children are living:  Mrs. C. Foster, Clarence C. and Anna (Glidden)

     George Robert Atkinson, merchant, is the second of a family of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. George B. Atkinson, who were natives of eastern Virginia.  George R. came to Ohio with the family in 1836, settling near Morristown, Belmont County.  He taught school in early life, but since arriving at manhood has been engaged in the mercantile business.  In 1879 he was elected to the legislature from Belmont County.  In 1881 he removed to Batesville, his present location.  HE is a Democrat, and has recently been appointed postmaster.  In 1874 he married Mary Wendall, of Batesville, who died in 1877.  In 1882 he married Viola M. Reed, of this township.  They have two children: Mary C. and Carrie L.

     Frank M. Atkinson was the third son of George B. Atkinson who came from eastern Virginia.  He was born in Boston, Belmont County, Ohio, in 1837.  In 1882 he married Josephine Sharkey, of Batesville, who died in the same year.  Mr. Atkinson was a man of rare ability as a speaker, and of the most agreeable social qualities.

     Hon. F. M. Atkinson, for many years one of the most prominent and enterprising business men of the county, was a native of Belmont County.  He came to Batesville in 1869, and built up a flourishing business as a merchant.  He was one of the principal organizers of the Batesville bank, and was its first president.  For several years he was greatly interested in railroad matters.  He served as president of the Cincinnati, Wheeling & New York Railroad, and secured the extension of that road to Campbell's Station.  He was a Democrat in politics, and in 1880-1, served as State senator from the Nineteenth District.

     D. C. Goodhart, merchant, is of Virginia parentage.  His father and mother were born and married in Loudoun County, Va.  His father settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1835.  D. C. Goodhart came to Batesville in 1846.  He has followed tailoring and the mercantile business, and is at present engaged in the latter.  HE married, first, Mary A. Van Horn, of Monroe County, who died in 1853.  By this union he had two children, both of whom are deceased.  For his second wife he married Mrs. Mary A. Sullivan of Batesville.  Children:  Willeann wife of Jerome Shively; Emma L., and Jerome Henry Clay.

     R. A. Powelson, merchant of Batesville, was born at Sarahsville in 1854.  His father, a native of Pennsylvania, settled here in 1850, coming from Guernsey County.  R. A. Powelson taught school previous to entering the mercantile business.  In addition to his business he is also studying law.  He married Maria E. Douglas in 1873, and they have three sons and one daughter.

     William Wells was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 24, 1825, and came to Guernsey County, settling near Quaker City.  He married Elizabeth Higby, in 1878; three children, of this union are living.  In 1880 he married Sarah McCune they have three children.  Mr. Wells is a Democrat and a member of the United Presbyterian church.
     As early log school-house stood near what is now the south end of the village of Batesville.  A man named Reinhart and Cookson Murray were early teachers there.  Matilda Wendall was among the early female teacher.
     Beaver is the best and richest agricultural township in Noble County.  The surface is drained by Beaver Fork and its tributaries.  The bottom lands are wide, rich, and productive.  Away from the streams the surface is hilly, but everywhere the soil is good and under a high state of cultivation.  It bears every appearance of being a thrifty agricultural region; yet a dark cloud has been thrown over the prosperity of the township.  Many of the wealthy citizens are financially embarrassed, and some have become bankrupt.  In 1869-71 the wealthy farmers living within two miles (on either side) of the Summerfield and Batesville turnpike were taxed heavily for the building of that road.  This drain was met, though not always uncomplainingly.  But there came before the people a greater project - the building of a railroad; the extension via Batesville of the old Eastern Ohio, or "Calico," road; the heaviest property holders invested largely; the railroad enterprise was a failure, and the affairs of the company are still in confusion.  Many rich and prominent farmers were also interested in grange co-operative store, which failed, causing serious losses.  these have been serious blows to the progress and prosperity of the town and township.  But with such a soil and such an intelligent, enterprising population as Beaver has, it requires only time to adjust the difficulties and restore a healthy financial condition.

     George T. S. Patterson enlisted in the Twenty-second Ohio Battery of Light Artillery, and was mustered into the service June 6, 1863, and remained on duty constantly with the battery until July 15, 1868, when he was mustered out of service.  When he enlisted he was fifteen years of age, and was a resident of Batesville.  He entered the West Point United States Military Academy July 1, 1868, and graduated June 14, 1872; assigned as second lieutenant in the Fourteenth United States Infantry; regimental quartermaster from April 23, 1879 to June 30, 1886; promoted first lieutenant Mar. 15, 1883.  At the present time he is first lieutenant Company A, Fourteenth Infantry, stationed at Fort Townsend, W. T.

     H. M. Roach enlisted in Company G, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Batesville, IN November, 1861.  He was in the engagement at Fort Donelson, Tenn., and participated in all the battles in the South, under Grant, Sherman, McPherson and Logan, up to the 4th of September, 1864.  He was then made a prisoner of war and sent to Andersonville, Ga., where he remained in prison for eight months, being released at the close of the war.  There are inscribed on the banner of his regiment thirty-six battles and skirmishes, among which the following are the most noted, and in all of them Mr. Roach participated:  Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Iuka, Vicksburg, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Kenesaw Mountain; Atlanta, July 22 and July 28, 1864.
     On the 22d  of July, in front of Atlanta, the Seventy eighth Ohio was engaged, the Rebels being massed in their front and making repeated charges, determined to cut through and annihilate the Seventeenth Army Corps; but they were repulsed and driven back just as many times as they made assaults.  The regiment's loss in this one engagement was 125 men.

     BATESVILLE is a thrifty and prosperous village, situated on Beaver Fork of Will's Creek, in the midst of one of the best agricultural regions in southeastern Ohio.  The town is neatly built and contains a far greater number of good buildings than are often seen even in much larger places.  The main street is the Summerfield and Batesville turnpike, with good sidewalks on each side.  The general appearance of the place betokens that the people have good taste and an enterprising disposition.
     Batesville was formerly called Williamsburg.  It was so named from its founder William Finley, who settled in the township as early as 1818.  The name Batesville was first used to designate an early post office, kept at Timothy Bates'* mill, near the present line of Wayne and Seneca Townships.  The location of the office was afterward changed to Cornelius Bryan's, where Lewis Groves now lives, and thence to Batesville after the latter had become something of a village.
     The town was platted as early as 1827, Lebbeus Fordyce, surveyor, but the some years there were no stores or houses of importance.  The first house was built by Nathaniel Piles, who also kept the first tavern.  His house stood on the lot now occupied by Elias Wehr's residence.
     The first store was established about 1828, by Richard Elliott and James Reed, who came from Pipe Creek, near the Ohio River.  Abraham Brown had a small store in 1830.  He remained but a short time.  After Elliott & Reed, the next mercantile establishment of importance was that of Abner Johnson, who for several years did a prosperous business.  Johnson first kept store on the creek about four miles below Batesville, serving as clerk for a man named Blackstone†, who owned the establishment, but lived at Mount Pleasant, Jefferson County.  At Batesville he carried on business for William Shankland, of Barnesville.  Besides conducting the mercantile business, he bought and packed large quantities of tobacco.  Prior to 1835 Benjamin Davenport and Frederick Biedenhorn, in partnership, started another store.  They had a good trade and remained many years.  They also bought tobacco and carried on the business of pork-packing on quite an extensive scale.  Davenport was from Barnesville, Biedenhorn was a German.  Among later merchants have been the Hochspringer brothers and the Atkinsons.  The latter are still among the prominent business men.
     Thomas Winteringer, a bachelor and a hunter, who was not fond of work, but had a penchant for trading and "swapping," was among the early settlers of the village, and lived in a hewed log house which he erected.  He had previously lived on a farm below the town.
     Peter Cline was the first blacksmith.  He sold out to Samuel Gebhart, who followed the business many years.
     "Jerry" Brown, a large, fat, good natured fellow, famous as a squirrel hunter, was the first shoemaker in the village.  He was better at hunting than in his trade.
     One of the earliest industries of the village was a tannery, started about 1830, by Adam Wiemer.  After a few years he sold out to George and John Dillon, who carried on a prosperous business for many years, finally selling out and removing to Missouri.
     Reuben Carpenter, who worked at carpentry and cabinet-making, erected the first brick house in Batesville, about 1837.  It is now owned by Frank Clucas.  The present residence of Harrison Wendall - at the lower end of Main street, almost in the village - was erected by his father, Daniel Wendall, in 1830, and was among the first brick structures in the township.
     Henry Wehr, a tailor by trade, settled in the place in 1834.  For some years he ran a horse-mill, which was liberally patronized.  It was no usual thing to see twenty farmers there at a time, a waiting theirs turns with their grists.  Mr. Wehr erected the second brick house in the town.  It is still standing, and is now owned by Daniel C. Goodhart.  Elias Wehr, son of Henry, is the oldest resident of the village.
     Michael Hendershot, a hatter, came to the town in 1835, and is still a resident.  He followed his trade a number of years.  He is now an aged man, but still remarkably active.
     The town grew very slowly, and made but little progress during the first twenty years.
     James M. Robinson, was the first cabinet maker.   He died in the town.
     Batesville is among the largest of village in Noble County.  In 1870 it had a population of 213; in 1880, 369.  The present population is nearly 500.
     The First National Bank of Batesville was organized in December, 1874, with the following board of directors:  F. M. Atkinson, W. E. Gibson, Hiram Hastings, H. F. McVickar, J. C. Israel, W. H. Atkinson and B. F. Carter.  Capitol, $60,000.  The first officers were F. M. Atkinson, president; and A. P. Spencer, cashier.  W. H. Atkinson succeeded Mr. Gibson as vice president; and on the death of F. M. Atkinson was chosen president, in which capacity he still serves.  J. C. Israel succeeded W. H. Atkinson as vice-president, and holds that position at present.  W. W. Elliott, the present cashier, succeeded A. P. Spencer.   The present board of directors consists of W. H. Atkinson, G. R. Atkinson, H. Hasting, H. F. McVickar, W. K. Cooper, B. F. Carter and J. C. Israel.
     The flouring-mill in Batesville, one of the best in this region, was built in 1874 by a joint stock company, at a cost of over $12,000.  It is first-class in all respects.
     In 1877 a telegraph line was built from Batesville to Spencer Station, and has since been operated by the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Company, a special arrangement with that corporation.  It was a private enterprise of the citizens of Batesville.  The principal capitalists interested were the Atkinson brothers, Henry Miller and the First National Bank.
     About the time the town was laid out, a log school-house was built.  Lebbeus Fordice was the first teacher in the school, and in 1856 the present school-house, a two-story frame building, was erected at a cost of about $1,500.  This is now too small for the wants of the school, and the lower floor of Temperance Hall is now being used as an additional school-room.  The schools of the town are well conducted.
     The business interests of Batesville early in the year 1887 were as follows:
     General merchants:  Carter & Atkinson, D. C. Goodhart, Shively Bros., M. E. Powelson.
     Tin and hardware:  G. R. Atkinson (postmaster)
     Cigar manufacturers:  Gallagher Bros., Dickerson Bros.
     Grocer:  H. M. Roach
     Harness-maker:  S. T. Van Meter.
     Shoemakers:  J. H. Morgan, Thomas Morgan
     Blacksmiths: Alfred Shepard, T. P. Doudan, W. H. Goodhart.
     Wagon-maker:  T. P. Osler.
     Flouring-mill:  Beaver Mill Company
     Bank:  First National; A. H. Atkinson, president.
     Physicians:  Dr. T. S. Rosengrant, Dr. Frank James.

SOCIETIES:

     Sons of Temperance - The oldest temperance society in Noble County is the Williamsburg Division, No. 234, of the Sons of Temperance.  It was instituted June 10, 1847, and since that time no regular meetings have been missed excepting two or three.  Michael Hendershot is the only charter member, holding an undisturbed membership since 1847.  In 1858 a two-story hall was built at a cost of $1,500.  The society is still flourishing, with a membership of thirty.  The charter members of this division were A. Simmons, W. B. Stotler, M. Hendershot, John Conner, John C. Alton, James Watkins, J. K. Casey, J. M. Joseph, Carolus Judkins, David Mercer, B. Davenport and Joseph Stillwell.  The present officers are Lucy A. Cooper, W. P.; James Roach, W. A.; W. C. Atkinson, P. W. P.; G. W. Roach, F. X.; Flora Atkinson, treas.; Capitola Roach, R. S.; Maggie Cooper, A. R. S.; Mattie Roach, C.; Frank Wendall, A. C.; T. P. Osler, O. S.; Sallie Atkinson, I. S.; W. K. Cooper, chaplain.
     Odd Fellows. - Batesville Lodge, No. 382, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted August 23, 1866, with the following charter members and first officers; W. G. Duffy; Noble Grand; Chalk Mercer, Vice-Grand; P. A. Petty, recording secretary; W. K. Cooper, T. D. Petty, V. T. Mercer, J. T. Mercer, G. H. Cline, Isaac Hay, I. H. VanMeter, E. Wehr, Isaac Eagon, George Wyscarver, Isaac Kaylor and W. Miller. The lodge room, over the First National Bank, is valued at $1,000.  The present officers are John M. Dickerson, Noble Grand; Edward Douglas, Vice-Grand; G. W. Cooper, recording secretary; W. K. Cooper, permanent secretary; Hiram Hasting, treasurer.
     Sons of Veterans. - William C. Simmons camp, No. 136, Sons of Veterans, was organized September 20, 1886, with ten charter members:  G. R. Carter, captain; John H. Morgan, first lieutenant; J. E. House, second lieutenant; Thomas Morgan, John House, Frank House, W. A. Cline, A. E. Cline, H. M. Roach and David Watson.  In November, 1886, there were thirteen members.

CHURCHES.

     The Methodists here, as elsewhere in the pioneer settlements, were among the first religious denominations to organize and hold regular services.  For many years there was preaching at private houses.  Near where Jacob Wyscarver now lives a log meeting-house, free for all denominations, but oftenest used by the Methodists, was erected prior to 1825.
     Soon after 1834, the Methodist church edifice was erected.  A class had been formed many years earlier.  The Methodist church is still prosperous, with a good membership.
     Lutheran. - Mt. Hope Episcopal Lutheran church, of Batesville, was organized by Rev. William G. Keil, in 1828.  The original members were John Cline, Samuel Hastings, Isaac Cooper, William Finley, Robert Stewart, Daniel Wendall, George Peters, Abraham Weimer, William Gladfelder, Peter Gladfelder, Samuel Colliflower, George Cline and Daniel Finley.  The first church edifice, a log building, 24x30 feet, was erected in 1833.  The present church (frame, and 36x46 feet), was erected in 1858 at a cost of $1,800.  The pastors have been Revs. William G. Keil (until 1842), Peter P. Lane, I. Sells, Thomas Corbett, Logan Gilbreath, G. W. Elser, J. W. Hower, E. Minter and J. B. Miller.  Present membership, 24; Sabbath school scholars, 30.
     St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. - The first congregation (called St. Dominic's) was organized about 1819 by Rev. Edward Fenwick, a native of Maryland, who was one of the first priests who labored in this section.  Among the original members were Edmund Gallagher, Colonel John De Long, John S. Jeffries and others.  In 1825 a log church was erected, being 26x36 feet in size.  In 1853 a brick building, 45x85 feet, took its place.  Its cost was about $8,000.  The pastors have been Revs. James Reid, James Quinlan, William Murphy, Edward Brummer (who built the present church), J. M. Jacquet, Joseph Laffen, T. Howe, C. M. Erry and J. G. Montag (1886, present pastor).  The church has four hundred members; Sabbath school, eighty scholars.
     In 1810 the Dominican fathers bore the cross into Ohio, near the present town of Sommerset, where mass was said by Bishop Flaget in 1812.  He found them already projecting a church.  The Catholics of Beaver Township were attended in their spiritual wants from Somerset for a long time.
     Wesleyan Chapel. -  This church is located in the northeast part of Beaver Township, and was organized in 1822 with the following members; Jacob Arick and wife, James Reid and wife, John Stewart and wife, Daniel Mead and wife, Mary O. Potter, L. Petty, Sidney Petty, Cloe A. Arick, John Arick, Mary Reed, Joseph Stewart and Cyntha Stewart.  James Reed was the first class-leader.  The first sermon was preached by Ludwell Petty in 1828.  The first church was of logs.  It was erected in 1828 by volunteer labor.  The present edifice was built in 1857, and cost about $2,000.  The succession of pastors has been Revs. Green, Rucker, Waddle, Drummond, Brown, Murray, Graham, Tipton, Callender, Dempsey, McLeany, Mills, Cook, Taylor, Peter Taylor, Athey, Minor, Taylor, Leaper, Hair, Wharton, Devina, Magee, Petty, Cross, Worthington, Hamilton, Jackson, Mapple, Watters, McGinnis, Cowen, Dallas, Cortright, Ellison, Perahing and others.
     Present membership, eighty; Sabbath school attendance, forty.
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* Timothy Bates was a Whig.  After Jackson began turning Whigs out of office and appointing Democrats, he became indignant, and sent in his resignation as postmaster.
† Probably the firm of Blackstone & Price, listed as merchants on the tax duplicate of 1830.