HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY

CHAPTER XVIII.

AMES TOWNSHIP ---A TOWNSHIP THAT HAD A HISTORY TO RECORD.

tion. He died at Baltimore, Md., April 25,1879. He had been twice married, and left a son and two daughters.---Appleton's Annual, 1879. George S. Anderson was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Nov. 11, 1811, where he lived till he was sixteen years of age. In 1827 he went with his father to Guernsey County. When he was eighteen years of age his father died, and, being the eldest son, the care of his widowed mother and the management of the farm devolved on him, which duty he performed faithfully until his mother's death. He was married June 6, 1833, to Sarah Smith, a daughter of English parents. They had twelve children, all of whom lived to be men and women, and ten still survive. His wife died Sept. 17, 1870. He was again married July 3, 1871, to Amanda Beal, a native of Ohio. They have three children. He is a member of the Univer- salist chucrh, and his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Anderson has held many local offices of trust, hav- ing held the office of Township Trustee for thirteen years, and the office of Justice of the Peace for nine years. He came to Ames Township, Athens County, in 1873. George Beasley, farmer and stock raiser, was born Oct. 15, 1811, the eldest son of John and Elizabeth Beasley, who came from Vir- ginia and located in Bern Township, in 1823, where our subject was reared on a farm and received his education in the subscription schools, living with his parents until he was nineteen years of age. He was married April 15, 1830, to Mary A Gardner, a daughter of Thomas Gardner, a pioneer of Ames Township. By this union There were twelve children, eight of whom still survive---Rosanna, Elizabeth, David, John J., Adeline, Sarah E., Calley M. and Charles M. His farm contains 204 acres of improved land under a high state of cultivation. In his chosen avocation, that of a farmer, he has been very successful. John J. Beasley, farmer and stock-dealer,was born in Ames Town- ship, Athens Co., Ohio, April 5, 1847, is the third son of George and Mary (Gardner) Beasley. He was reared on a farm and re- ceived his education in the schools at Amesville. At the breaking out of the late civil war, though only a boy, he went in defense of his country, enlisting in Company G, Fifty-third Ohio Infantry, in which capacity he participated in many hard fought battles, served until the close of the war, and received an honorable dis- charge Aug. 13, 1865. After the close of the war he returned to his native village, and the subsequent year he was sick and una- 516

ble to attend to active business. After he recovered he engaged in the mercantile business for several years, after which he engaged in the live-stock business, which he has since followed with marked success, and has for several years been identified with the leading stock dealers of Southern Ohio. He was married Aug. 15, 1871, to Mazeppa Hill, daughter of Soloman Hill, a pioneer of Athens County. They have one child---Austin. Mr. Beasley is the owner of a fine farm containing 235 acres of good land under a high state of cultivation, admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is used--- that of raising stock. His residence is in the village of Amesville. 517

Henry H. Curtis, farmer and stock-dealer, born in Ames Town- ship, Athens Co., Ohio, is the oldest son of Moses and Sophia (Henry) Curtis. He was born June 15, 1837, and reared on a farm, and received his education in the common school. Shortly after 521

he reached his majority his father died, leaving the management of a large estate to our subject. He was first married Sept. 9, 1860, to Jane Sundland, of Maryland. By this union were two children, one still living---Edwin C. Antie C. died Jan. 15, 1865. Mrs. Cur- tis died Sept. 23, 1869. He was again married Oct. 4, 1870, to Miss Sarah E. Sundland, a sister of his first wife. They have one child---Effie B. Mr. Curtis is the owner of 380 acres of good land which is admirably adapted to the purposes for which it is used. His residence is beautifully located in the suburbs of the village of Amesville. Nathan W. Dean... B.A. Ellis... 522

dred and Sixty-fifth regiment, where he served for four months, and in 1865 re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Regiment, where he served until the close of the Rebellion. He participated in many severe skirmishes but in no regular engagement. After the close of the war he returned to Amesville and attended school for two years, working on a farm a portion of the time, after which he engaged in painting. which occupation he followed for four years. He was married March 16, 1871, to Lois S., a daughter of Moses and Sophia (Henry) Curtis, who were prominently iden- tified in the early settlement of Ames township. By this union were two sons and one daughter---Frank and Fred (twins), and Edna May. After his marriage Mr. Ellis engaged in farming, which occupation he followed until the spring of 1880, when he accepted a position as clerk in the establishment of John Patterson, where he has won many friends and gained the confidence of his employer. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he has ever been an ardent worker in the temperance cause. Walter G. Finch was born in Washington County, Ohio, Sept. 15, 1823. He was reared on a farm and received his educa- tion in the common schools. He was left an orphan at the age of eight years and thrown on his own responsibility. He found a home with Gulliver Dean, of Ames Township, with whom he lived until he reached his majority. He was married Nov. 1, 1849, to Miss Juliette Smith, a native of New York City. They have seven children---Charles, Sarah, Alice, Nina, Edward, Juliette and Will- iam. Mr. Finch purchased his present farm in 1855, where he lived for three years, when he sold out and six years later again purchased it. He has 200 acres of good improved land. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace since 1871. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. , Amesville Lodge, No. 278. Daniel Fleming, farmer and stock-dealer, born in Athens County, Ohio, in 1822, is a son of John and Christina Fleming. John Fleming was born in Germany in 1777, and at the age of fifteen years came to the United States and located in New York, and at an early age engaged in the coal business, in which he met with marked success. In 1819 he came to Athens County, Ohio, and purchased an interest in the Ohio Land Company's grant. He hav- ing considerable means contributed liberally by his influence and from his personal means to improve the country, which was then a wilderness. After remaining about six years he returned to New York, but still retained his interest in the Ohio lands. He was 523

married March 11, 1806, to Christina Smith, a native of New York City. By this union there were eleven children, six of which lived to be men and women, and three still living---Martin, Jane and Daniel. John Fleming died in New York City in 1841, and his wife died in Ames Township in 1863, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. Our subject was reared in New York City, his youth being spent in attending school. At the age of twenty- two years he returned to the place of his birth, where he has since resided, and since his arrival in this county he has followed assid- uously the avocation of farming and stock raising and dealing, and by good management he has met with remarkable success. He was married May 16, 1846, to Lucy P. Gardner, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Smith) Gardner, who was born in 1824. Thirteen children were born to them, eight of which still survive--- Joseph, William, John, Theodore, Lincoln, Lucy, Julia and Edith. A. J. Frame, Auditor of Athens County, Ohio, the eldest of nine sons and ten children of John and Mary (Nesmith) Frame, was born at Coolville, Athens County, Aug. 21, 1834, where he was reared and educated in the public school and the Coolville Seminary, attending the latter four years. In 1856 he became associated with his father in the mercantile business and so con- tinued until 1865, when his father retired from business. His brother, A. P. Frame, then became associated with him, he himself retiring from the business in 1874. In 1875 he was elected Treas- urer of Athens County, and re-elected in 1877, holding the office four years. In 1880 he was elected Auditor of Athens County, and re-elected in 1882. Besides being a county officer he has held the office of Treasurer of Troy Township for many year's. Politi- cally he is a Republican. July 14, 1856, he was married to Har- riet Smith, of Racine, Meigs Co., Ohio, who died May 31, 1882. They have three children---R. A. and J. F., both telegraph oper- ators on the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, and E. C., attending school. Mr. Frame is a member of the Athens Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templars. John Frame, deceased, a pioneer of Troy Township, Athens County, was born in Crawford County, Pa., Sept. 20, 1807. Although born and reared on a farm he as an apprentice learned the tailor's trade, serving six years. In 1832 he emigrated to Ohio and settled at Coolville, Athens County, where he followed his trade until 1840, when he engaged in general merchandising and also dealt in wool, grain and produce. In November,1833, he was married to Mary Nesmith, of Dover Township. They were blessed 524

Loren Hill, farmer and stock–raiser , was born in Ames Town- ship, Jan. 21, 1837, the second son of Amos and Mary Ann (Miner) Hill. He lived with his parents on the farm during his minority, receiving a common-school education. April 28, 1875, he married Lucinda, daughter of Nelson and Lucy McCune. They have four children---Herbert H., Luella M., Carny C., and an infant. After his marriage Mr. Hill bought a farm and lived on it till 1879. He then returned to the old homestead, where he has since resided, taking charge of the farm. Mrs. Hill is a member of the Presby- terian church. 527

them on the old homestead, which was purchased by his father in 1825. He has added to it until he has now 260 acres of good land. He has been extensively engaged in raising stock and sheep of the higher grades. He was married March 13, 1844, to Miss Ellen P. Mitchell. They are the parents of four children, all daughters--- Alice A., Margaret J., Emma L. and Florence A. Charles Mathew Henry, farmer and sheep-raiser, was born in Ames Township, Athens County, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1842, the youngest son of Mathew and Mary (Park) Henry. He was married Sept. 16, 1867, to Elizabeth C. Goble, daughter of Thomas L. and Mary J. (Law) Goble. Her father was born in Athens County and her mother in Guernsey County, Ohio. By this union there are two children---Herbert, born Jan. 11, 1869, and Lizzie Alma born March 27, 1873. He has a fine residence in Amesville, built on the foundation of the old home where he was born, in 1877. His farm is a part of his father's original purchase, containing 210 acres of improved land. He has taken great interest in the raising of fine sheep and has been to great expense in the importation of blooded stock, having a large flock of thoroughbred sheep. Mr. Henry is a member of the Presbyterian church and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Amesville Lodge, No. 278. James Henry, farmer, section 3, Ames Township, born in Wash- ington County, Ohio, in 1807, is a son of John Henry, who emi- grated to the United States, from Ireland, settling in Pennsylvania for a short time, and in 1781 came to Ohio and settled in Washington County, and in 1817 came to Athens County, where he purchased of the Ohio Purchase Company 640 acres of land, and here our subject was reared and educated. Mr. Henry was first married Oct. 29, 1835, to Sophronia Goodspeed, a native of Massachusetts, but her parents were among the pioneers of Athens County. By this union there were three daughters---Sarah E., Mary J. and Flora E. His wife died Nov. 11, 1871. He was again married June 2, 1875, to Mrs. Sarah C. Rolston, who was a sister of his first wife. Mrs. Henry has one daughter by her former marriage---Miss Fannie Rolston, a young lady of rare intellect and refinement. Henry has held many offices of trust, and by his honorable and up- right dealing has made many warm and true friends. He has a fine residence situated about one mile from Amesville, and his farm contains 175 acres of improved land. He has by industry accum- ulated a large property. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church 528

John Henry, the second child of Robert and Mary Henry, was born in Derry County, Ireland, in March, 1763. His mother's maiden name was Woodburn. He came to America in 1788, landing at Philadelphia, near where he remained about three years, working most of the time on a farm in Chester County. At this time he concluded to return to Ireland, and hoping to add something to his scanty means he decided to invest his earnings in flax-seed. With this merchandise he sailed for Ireland to join his family but on the coast of that island, in sight of his home, the vessel was wrecked and his flax-seed went to the bottom of the ocean. By this accident he lost nearly all of the fortune he pos- sessed. After remaining there about two years he again sailed for Philadelphia, bringing with him his wife and youngest son, leav- ing his eldest son, John, with his father. John remained in Ire- land until he grew to manhood, when he came to Nova Scotia and there engaged in farming. As no communication between him and the rest of the family has taken place for many years it is not known what became of him. Mr. Henry, after arriving in Amer- ica the second time, settled in Chester County, Pa., and remained there until 1801, when he came to Washington County, Ohio. Here he rented a farm in Newport Township and remained on it about five years, when he bought a farm on the Ohio River, five miles below Harmar, to which he at once removed and spent a number of years in improving. He had, when a young man, learned the trade of a wheelwright, and after he came to Ohio was able to turn this knowledge to profitable account, there being a good demand for flax-wheels among the early settlers, where al- most every family used one for the manufacture of its own cloth, and by industry he could make two wheels a week, which were worth $4 each. The high water in the Ohio River in 1815 decided him to sell this farm, and in the spring of 1817 he removed to Athens County, having already bought section 33 in Bern Township. Here he lived until the time of his death which occurred Feb. 27, 1854, a few days before he was ninety-one years old. During his long life he was a continuous example of industry and economy. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Rachel Henry, whom he married in Ireland in 1787. She died in 1809. In 1811 he married Miss Margaret Mc- Nutt, who survived him about three years. His children by the first wife were five sons and four daughters, and by the last, four sons and six daughters, in all nineteen children; one daughter died 529

in infancy, but the remaining eighteen Mr. Henry lived to see grow to manhood and womanhood. Mr. Henry is the progenitor of many children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. At the time of his death he had nearly sixty grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren living, the latter number having since been raised to nearly ninety. These do not include the children and grand children of John Henry, Jr., who lived in Nova Scotia The de- scendants of Mr. Henry are pretty generally farmers there being only a few exceptions. They are industrious and in good circum- stances and as a class are good and useful citizens. R. B. Henry, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ames Town- ship, Athens Co., Ohio, May 15, 1840, the fourth son of Mathew and Mary (Park) Henry, who came to Athens from Washington County in 1839 and located in Bern Township, and the subsequent year moved to Ames Township and settled on the farm near the vil- lage of Amesville, where our subject was reared and educated. He was married Oct 17, 1865, to Eliza, daughter of Moses and Sophia (Henry) Curtis, who were prominently identified with the pioneers of Athens County. She is a lady of refinement and culture. This union was blessed with four children, two of whom are living--- Edward Payson was born July 31, 1866, and died May 16, 1876, after a severe illness of typhoid pneumonia; Alice Glazier, born Sept. 4, 1870, died Oct. 26, 1878, when eight years of age; Vesta Curtis, born June 5, 1877, and Jesse Louis, born Nov. 29, 1880. Mr. Henry has a fine farm, a part of the old homestead; containing 182 acres of improved land adjoining the village of Amesville, on which he makes a specialty of raising sheep of the higher grades. His residence in the village was erected in 1876 and has all the conveniences of a modern house. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Nathaniel P. Hoisington, farmer and stockraiser, was born in Ames Township, Nov. 19, 1819, the youngest son of Joab and Annie B. (Green) Hoisington. His father was a native of Vermont and came to Athens County in 1804, and his mother a native of Massachusetts and came here in 1802. Our subject was reared on a farm and received his early education in the common schools, living with his parents until he reached his majority. He then took charge of the old homestead until the death of his parents. He was married Dec. 3, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Weis, daughter of Jacob and Rosanna (Stalder) Weis, who came from Newburn, Switzerland, about the year 1818. They have had a family of eight 530

children, seven still living---Dudley W., Rose, Mary, John B., Lou William P. and Kittie. Jacob L. is deceased. Mr. Hoisington purchased his present farm in 1857. It contains 230 acres of ex- cellent land and is one of the best farms in Athens County. He has held several offices of trust in the township. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Amesville. Mrs. Ann M. Johnson is the daughter of James Cook. Her grandfathers, Thomas Cook and James Reaves, were both soldiers in the Revolutionary War. She was born in Fairfax County, W. Va., March 6, 1812. She was united in marriage Feb. 14, 1835, to William T. Johnson, born in the same county, April 14, 1808. In 1838 they came to Ohio and settled on a farm in Washington County where they lived until 1843, when they came to Athens County and settled on a farm in Ames Township, belonging to William Cutler. Although Mr. Johnson was a hard-working man he was unable to provide his family with anything more than the necessaries of life, and Feb. 19, 1847, he died, leaving his widow and five small children in almost destitute circumstances. Being a woman of remarkable energy, she supported her family by her daily labors, and for several years walked a distance of two miles, did a hard day's work and returned home. In this way she educated her children so that as they grew up they were all able to teach school. When the late civil war broke out, her only son, William Thomas Johnson, then little more than a boy, went out in the defense of his country. Ho enlisted in July, 1861, in Company B, Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and was engaged in some of the hardest fought battles of the Rebellion. He served his country faithfully for four years, never flinching from his duty, and at the close of the war received an honorable discharge and returned to his native home, and two months subsequent, Oct. 14, 1865, died, leaving his widowed mother and four sisters and a large number of his old comrades to mourn his loss. Mrs. Johnson is an ardent worker in the cause of Christianity, having united with the Meth- odist Episcopal church in 1842. L. F. Junod was born in Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Sept. 1, 1853. He was reared on a farm and received his early education in the common schools, finishing at the Ohio University at Athens, living with his parents until he grew to manhood. He was married March 7, 1878, to Alice Southerton, of Athens County. They have one child---Ida Mabel. Mr. Junod and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a fine farm of 275 acres of improved land. 531

Kilion Kasler, deceased, was born in Norwich Vt., Aug. 27, 1788, and married Mandana Pembers, who was born in Poultney, Vt., Feb. 27, 1793, and in 1818 they came to Ohio, having only 12 1/2 cents when they arrived here; but by industrious and eco- nomical habits they were able to accumulate a large property. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom still live. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and both lived to an advanced age. Their youngest son, Andrew J. Kasler, was born in Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio, April 3, 1831. He was reared on a farm and received his educa- tion in the common schools. He lived with his parents until the death of his father, when he succeeded him to the homestead and cared for his aged mother until her death. He was married Oct. 4, 1855, to Mary A. Rathburn, of Ames Township. They have had five children, only four of whom are living---Marvin M. (deceased), Lillie D., Lewis W., Asa A., Sally A. Mr. K. has a fine farm of 150 acres of good land under a high state of cultiva- tion. Frederick P. Kasler was born in Clinton County, N.Y., Aug.29, 1817, and when one year old came with his father's family to Ohio, and settled in Ames Township, Athens County. He was the second son of Kilion and Mandana Kasler. His youth was spent in assist- ing his father in clearing and opening up their frontier home, and attending school. He was married April 10, 1843, to Jane L. Minor, a daughter of Nathan L. and Hannah L. Minor, who were prominently identified with the early settlers of Ames Township. Seven children were born to them, six now living---Kilion, Royal P., Ellen, Alice, Warren V., Georgiana, and Charles (deceased). Mr. Kasler has always followed assiduously the avocation of a farmer, having moved on his present farm in 1843. He has accu- mulated a good property, and by his honest and upright dealings, has won the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He has held many local offices of trust. His wife died Feb. 20, 1871. His farm contains 153 acres of improved land on which, in the year 1881, he erected one of the best farm houses in the township. Seth Linscott, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ames Town- ship, Athens Co., Ohio, Aug. 2, 1836, a son of George and Sarah (Davis) Linscott, and a grandson of Israel Linscott, who was one of the early settlers of Ames Township. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools, residing with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. He was 532

married Jan. 10, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Morris, of Athens County. They have had twelve children, of whom ten are living---George I., Perley J., Harvey L. D., Sarah C., Daniel S., Charles O., Nora M., Adeline D., Alonzo V. and Emmit. Mr. Linscott has always fol- lowed the avocation of farming, and by his own industry and exer- tion has accumulated a large property. His farm contains 200 acres of improved land, under a high state of cultivation. He and his wife are active members of the Church of the Disciples. John Matheny, farmer, was born in Athens Township, March 20, 1841, the son of John and Rebecca Matheny. He was reared on a farm, and has during his whole life followed that occupation. On reaching his majority he purchased a farm in Athens Township on which be resided about eight years. In 1867 he came with his family to Ames Township and purchased his present home, which is a fine farm containing 122 acres of improved land. He was married April 17, 1862, to Miss Mary E. Boyles. They are the parents of three children---George G., Minerva E., and Electa F. Mr. Matheny has been very successful through life and uses his ac- cumulated wealth in surrounding himself and family with the comforts of life. Mrs. Matheny is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. A. Matteson, Ames Township, Ohio, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Bennington County, Vt., Sept. 14, 1843, a son of Leland and Livia Matteson. Our subject was reared on a farm and re- ceived his early education in the common schools and finished at the Mt. Auburn Seminary. He was married in 1869 to Miss Sarah Wilmarth, a daughter of Ambrose, who was the only surviving son of Rufus Wilmarth, who emigrated to Washington County in 1815, settling near Plymouth, where he passed his remaining days. Ambrose Wilmarth purchased the farm now occupied by A. Mat- teson in 1840. He was married in the fall of 1833 to Miss Sarah E. Larue. By this union was one child, a daughter. His wife died in 1862, and he was again married in 1866 to Miss Laura Pugsley, of Hocking County. In 1867 Mr. Wilmarth moved to Clinton County and remained until 1870, when he returned to Athens County, purchasing the property where he still resides, near Salina. Mr. Matteson since his marriage has resided on his pres- ent farm, where he has been engaged in raising fine stock, in which avocation he has been highly successful and gained a wide reputation. They are the parents of four children, of whom three are still living---Orson S., Livia G. and Sarah E. His farm con- 533

J. B. Potter was born in Wheeling, W. Va., Sept. 7, 1836, and when three years of age went with his parents to Perry County, Ohio, where he was reared. His father, being a blacksmith he was early put to work in the shop, which avocation in connection with farming he followed until 1865. During the late war he engaged extensively in buying horses for the Government, meeting with 539

good success. He was married Aug. 15, 1858, to Miss M. J. Gift, a native of Morgan County, but at the time of her mar- riage a resident of Perry County. They had seven children, five of whom are living---Bertha J., Perley A., Ida B., Blanch A. and Willie. Mr. Potter came to Athens County in October, 1872, and purchased his present farm, which contains 270 acres of im- proved land. In 1880 he met with a serious loss by fire, having his residence and contents entirely consumed. Mrs. Potter is a member of the Methodist Church. 540

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