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 depradations 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 hunters.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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 famer and an enthusiastic pisciculturist. He breeds the German carp, and is the pioneer in this industry in the county.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Andrew Secrest, where Hugh Cox now lives, was an early settler, and manufactured gunpowder which he sold to the pioneer hunters for miles around. He reared a large family, all of whom moved west.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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In early years Isaac Bates had a distillery and a saw-mill. He had also a yoke of lareg oxen which he ysed to draw logs to his mill. He taught the oxen to drink whiskey, 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 elevate their heads, receive their dram, then pull with courage and strength renewed.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Calton Merry, youngest child in the family of Ambrose Merry, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, September 27, 1817, and died June 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, Roase, Benson, Calton, Samantha, Maranda, Amanda, Betsey and Hannah - all born in New York State except Calton. For a time he was employed upon the national pike, then 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 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 incident 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. August 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. February 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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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. He 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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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James N. Hedge, one of the substantial farmers and prominent citizens of Center, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, March 12, 1830. In 1862 he came to this township and bought the farm where he now resides, and which attests his sill 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 is a worthy member of the Christian church.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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 fmaily 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, February 2, 1813, has lived in this county since he was ten years old. He has been a dacon in the Baptist church several years.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Robert Robertson, from Loudoun County, Va., 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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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 second lieutenant. He was honorably discharged at Columbus, September 2, 1864. He built the mill at Sarahsville. In political and religious belief he is a Republican and a Methodist.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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 August 13, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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 and the mother sixty-five. Thomas was born in Guernsey County, in 1821, and has been a resident of the county forty-three years.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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 the prominent leaders in the anti-slavery cause, and one of the projectors of the underground railroad in Noble County.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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 the 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,Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. John was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, and died at Tyler, Tex., in 1863.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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 Volunteers Infantry; the latter never returned.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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S.C. Rogers was born in Washington County, Ohio, December 19, 1838. His father, John W. Rogers, came from Pennsylvania in early life, and settled on the Muskingum River. He reared a fmialy 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, Chear 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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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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.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Hon. William J. Young, one of the prominent and successful men of Noble County, was born in a little village called Lippit's Factory, six miles from the city of Providence, R.I., in the year 1815, March 27. His father, William Young, was a manufacturer of cotton goods, and was an operative in the first cotton manufactory erected in the United States. His father was of Scotch nativity, and the progenitor of the Young family in this country, whither he immigrated some time before the war of the Revolution, settling in Rhode Island. In 1825 William removed to the "Ohio country" with his wife and seven children. He settled in what is now Stock Township, where he entered a section of land. The early life of the family in the new country was replete with privations and hardships, which was attributable, in a measure, of doubt, to their being destitute of any knowledge of pioneer life or agricultural operations. William J. at the time of the family's emigration, was a strong, robust lad of ten years; he was possessed of a large amount of vitality, and even then evidenced the possession of those qualities which in after years contributed so largely to his success. Up to the age of twenty-two he hd formed no definite plans for the future, turning his attention to whatever venture presented itself, and invariably he was successful. He was principally engaged, however, in farming and stock dealing during his residence in Stock, where he lived until 1845, when he removed to Sarahsville, where he engaged quite largely in merchandising and the tobacco trade. In the latter he was very successful. He was a man of sound judgement and keen perception, with confidence in his own ability, and all his undertakings were financial successes. In a few years he found himself possessed of a competency, which afforded him an opportunity for relieving the wants of his less fortunate neighbors, and for a time he did an extensive business as a broker, and it can be said to his credit that he never took an advantage of a distressed debtor. Shortly after the erection of the county he began to take quite an active interest in political matters, and soon became one of the leading members of the Whig element of the county. Upon the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks, but in 1861 he became a pronounced Democrat, and was an influential member of that organization until his decease. He was not a politician, however, in the present definition of the term; he did not court political preferment, his efforts were solely for what he deemed to be the best interests of the people. He was one of the leading spirits in what is now known as the People's Convention, held in Sarahsville, in 1851, which was the first political movement of prominence after the erection of the County of Noble.

During the war of the Rebellion he took a deep interest in the cause of his country. His money and time were always at command in the furtherance of any war measure or in the raising of volunteers. Neither did he forget the "brave boys in blue" after they had left their homes, but with a fatherly care he looked after the interests of their families. In 1872 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Noble County in the convention to revise the State constitution. As a member of this convention he evidenced that tact, judgement and sterling good sense which were the salient features in everything he undertook. Judge I.D. Campbell, of Hamilton, Ohio, one of the prominent members of that convention, spoke of him as "one of the useful and efficient members of that body." Mr. Young was married, in 1836, to Miss Jane McCann. The result of this union was a family of thirteen children, of whom ten are living: Simon K., Martha (Dudley), Elizabeth (Danford), Mary (Ijams), Sarah (McGuire), Nancy (Berry), Jane (Finley), Ella (Ijams), Charles and Maria (Brown).

William J. Young was in many ways a remarkable man, physically as well as mentally, and had he had the advantages of education and the adventitious aids accessible in an old country, would have made his name illustrious in almost any calling. He was possessed of a large amount of versatility. While he never studied law, he was a lawyer. He never had the benefit of a business education, either theoretical or practical; still, he was a business man in all that the word implies. Uneducated, still but few men had a larger share of general information. He was finely poised; his brain was as massive as his body. He was a man of powerful physique and fine presence. Socially he was extremely affable and agreeable, and never failed to interest a large circle of listeners. He had a large personal following, which was attributable largely to his broad charity and kindness of heart, and his death, which occurred May 25, 1882, was everywhere regarded as an irreparable loss.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Henry J. Young was born at Lippit's Factory, R.I., October 12, 1819, and came to what is now Noble County with his father's family in 1825. His youth and early manhood were spent in the wilds of the new county. His father was in limited circumstances, and he learned to rely upon his own resources at an early age. By dint of energy and economy he acquired a sum sufficient to purchase forty acres of new land, and soon after (1842) he married Miss Mary A. Davidson, who is a native of Washington County, Pa.

In 1846 he removed to the farm, where he now resides. Mr. Young has been engaged in farming and dealing in tobacco, and is one of the most successful men in the county. In his religious affiliations he is a Methodist, and for a time was a local preacher. He has reared a family of ten children, seven of whom are living; all have received liberal educations, three of the sons being collegiates.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Thomas J. Young was born at Lippit's Factory, R.I., in 1813. He was the eldest of the family of William Young, and immigrated with the family, in 1825, to what is now Noble County. In 1835 he married Miss Mary Stotsburg, and commenced life on a small piece of new land, which he improved. He was successful in business as a stock dealer, merchant, and in the tobacco trade; in the latter he was quite largely engaged. He was in trade in Sarahsville until 1876. In 1857, through the perfidy of a partner, he lost heavily. He died on his farm, in Center, in 1885. He was a kind father, a generous friend, and a worthy citizen. His children were: Adaline (Spriggs), Mary A. (Alexander), Margaret (Teeters), Isabella (Michaels), Ellen (Young), Thomas H., Arnold, Edmund and Dora.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Jeremiah Bateman Brown was one of the prominent early settlers. He was born in New York State, of Scotch-Irish parentage. He served in the War of 1812, and after its close removed to Pennsylvania and thence to Ohio, locating at Zanesville, where he worked in the first glass factory ever established west of the Alleghanies. About 1820 he settled within the present limits of Center Township, Noble County, on a piece of unimproved land which he had entered from the government. He married Miss Nancy Gillotte, and reared a larged and respectable family.

He was a warm Union man during the late war, and at the time when the Morgan raiders were spreading terror through Ohio, though then over seventy years of age, he shouldered his squirrel rifle and joined in the pursuit of the guerrilla. His widow reached the advanced age of ninety years, and died in 1885. The sons were G.W., Admiral N., Jeremiah B. (deceased), and Jason Whitney. The daughters were Sarah A., Eliza J. (deceased), Margaret A. and Mary A. (deceased). The oldest son, G.W., served in the late war in Lanphere's Michigan Battery, and was wounded at Chickasaw Bayou. The fourth son, Jason W., served in an Indiana regiment during the war.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Jeremiah Byron Brown, third son of Jeremiah Bateman Brown, was born in Zanesville. He married Miss Isabella C. Harris, and reared six children: Mary E. (Smith), John H., better known as Judge Brown, of Caldwell; LeRoy D., of Alliance, Ohio, late State school commissioner; Orra A. (Lamley), Amanda (Grim), and Warren B. - the latter a student at the Cincinnati College of Medicine. The father, like his father before him, was a most earnest and zealous friend of schools, and gave his children the best educational advantages that his means afforded. The sons and daughters have been successful teachers, following that useful vocation for many years, and one of the sons has filled in a highly creditable manner the highest educational office within the gift of the people of Ohio.

Jeremiah Bateman Brown died in 1880, while on a visit to his former home. He was a farmer and lived the greater part of his life in Center Township, removing thence to West Virginia in his later years. His widow is still living.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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