Alfred Smoot, Esq., is one of the old residents, and his recollections of pioneer events have added much to the interest of this chapter. Mr. Smoot was born in Fauquier County, Va., December 25, 1809. In 1817 he came to Ohio with the family, his father, Lewis Smoot, settling near the present town of Sharon. His father cleared and improved the farm on which he died in 1850. Alfred worked at McConnelsville, when a young man, and in 1836 returned to Sharon Township, settling on a farm, from which he removed to his present residence in Sharon in 1870. He has had three wives and is the father of nine children, six of whom are living. He has held the offices of justice of the peace and notary public.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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James Kyle settled in 1817, coming from Belmont County. He died here at an advanced age. His children were Eliza (Bell), Jane (Morrison), Rebecca (Smith) and Lucinda (Kusan). Eliza was an early school-teacher.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Thomas Boyd, of Irish descent, came from Belmont County, settling about 1818 on the farm now occupied by his son Robert, and was a prominent early settler. Arthur Boyd, born in 1852, now resides on the homestead farm of his father.

Robert Lowe, who married Bebecca Boyd, is still living where he settled quite early. His parents located at Olive, among the first settlers on Duck Creek.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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William Bell first settled and made a small improvement near Caldwell, afterwards removing to this township. He was an Irishman. His sons, William, David, and John, also lived here.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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When Samuel Long and wife came to this county Mrs. Long rode upon a horse, which also carried the household stuff of the family. Mr. Long walked the entire distance. Shortly after their arrival here Mr. Long took his horse and returned to Belmont County to bring out a spinning wheel. It was cold weather and there was snow on the ground. Before starting on the return trip he was given some luncheon and a piece oflighted punk-wood, the then universal substitute for matches. When Mr. Long desired to rest and eat his dinner, he kindled a fire in the trunk of a dry tree by means of the punk, and after warming, eating his dinner and feeding his horse, resumed his journey. He found it no easy thing to carry a spinning wheel on horseback, but he succeeded and brought it safely home. Mr. Long worked at shoemaking for Samuel Sailor, the pioneer hunter, and was pain in bear meat and venison. Long was no hunter himself, but used to relate with a good deal of interest how he shot his first and only deer. He was at a raising after a good fall of snow, when the sun came out brightly and the snow began to melt. At once all the others who were present left their work, seized their guns and started for the woods, knowing that the conditions were favorable for securing some venison. Not to be out done, Long went with the rest to the woods. He had not proceeded far when he saw a fine deer, and immediately he had an attack of "deer ague," a disease which often attacks amateur hunters. He was so excited that he scarsely knew what he was doing; but he fired his gun and the deer fell. Not stopping to see whether he had killed the deer, he again loaded and fired; then approaching, found that the animal was dead. When the hunters returned, some of them unsuccessful, he was much congratulated on his skill as a marksman, but declared on his part that it was only by good luck that his aim had been true.

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


Francis Aduddell was born in Guernsey County January 1, 1829. His father, who was a soldier of 1812, was born in Baltimore, Md.; his mother was a native of Ireland. The family came to Noble County in 1826 and Francis has since lived on the same farm. Mr. Aduddell was married in 1863 to Ellen Lyons, of this county. They have had eight children, four of whom are living, viz.: Thomas, Annie F., Melton and Harley.

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


Winfield Archibald was born in Sharon Township in 1855, and is a farmer. In politics he is a Democrat. His grandfather, Archibald, was born in Ohio; his maternal grandmother in Virginia. His father, born in Sharon Township in 1827, died in 1875. His mother was born in Guernsey County in 1825, and is still living. They reared four children.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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George A. Bell is descended from a family of pioneers. His grandfather was a soldier of 1812. His father was born in Belmont County in 1804, and in 1827 married and settled in Manchester Township, Morgan County, where George A. was born May 19, 1838. He is one of a family of ten children, seven of whom are living. He was married in 1860 to Rachel M. Daniel, of Caldwell; children: Thaddeus H. and Nettie I. The family are Presbyterian and Republicans.

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


Robert Bell is of Irish and Scotch descent. Both his grandfathers were in the Revolutionary War. His parents were both born in Belmont County, whence his father removed to Morgan County in 1837. His mother died in 1837, and his father came to Noble County in 1869. Robert was born in Belmont County in 1837, and came to Morgan County with his parents. He was the oldest of five children, the others being Agnes A., Mary J., Nancy (who married Oliver Keyser), and Alice. Mr. Bell is a farmer. He has served as justice of the peace. He is a Democrat in politics.

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


W.B. Boyd, a prominent farmer, was born in Sharon Township in 1856. Mr. Boyd has 366 acres o land, and is largely engaged in breeding fine stock. Mr. Boyd was married in 1875 to Helen L. Carr, of Sharon. They have two children. He is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Protestant church, to which his wife also belongs.

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


Joseph Bigley was born September 30, 1826, and resided on the farm which his father entered in 1821. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania; his father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and came to this township from Belmont County. The family consisted of four daughters and two sons, all living except Jacob, who died in 1844. Joseph was married in 1858 to Catherine Ijams, of this county; children: James I. (deceased), John R., Mary M., Wiley H., Jefferson W., Amy C., Joseph V. and Hettie M. Mr. and Mrs. Bigley are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Bigley's father died when he was but seven years of age and the widow and family were left to brave the hardships of pioneer life alone. The mother was a brave woman, well fitted for her position. She once killed a large rattlesnake, alone and unaided, and on another occasion killed a deer; the animal, pursued by dogs, jumped into the creek; she seized a rail, threw it upon his horns and drowned the deer, by getting upon the rail and holding his head under water.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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John Brown was born in Belmont County in 1815, and has been a merchant and farmer during life. Formerly he was in the mercantile business at Newburg, in this county, where he did a large business, bying and shipping tobacco to Baltimore. He has been twice married and is the father of nine children, all of whom are living.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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William Brown was born in Belmont County, in 1842. His father and mother were also born in the same county. They came to Newburg, Noble County, and thence to Sharon Township. William enlisted in the Ninth Ohio Cavalry and served during the war, taking part in the battles of Big Creek Gap, Tenn., siege of Knoxville; Athens, Florence and Decatur; Rousseau raid; East Point, Ga., Atlanta, Jonesboro, Nashville, Aiken, Columbia, Fayetteville, Rockingham, Averysboro, Bentonville and Raleigh. Mr. Brown was married in 1871 to Lizzie Dye; children: Emmet, Nora, Minnie, Dora and Fulton. He is a Republican. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Baptist church.

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


John Brownrigg and family came from England and settled in this township among the early pioneers. He died in 1856. Mary Brownrigg, daughter of John, married George Walters, whose parents came from Pennsylvania to Belmont County. George Walters settled in Sharon Township. He followed farming; died in 1869, his wife in 1862. Peter J. Walters, son of George, was born in Sharon Township, June 7, 1838, and is now a farmer in Noble Township. He married Theresa A. Brown, daughter of Edmond G. Brown and granddaughter of Dexter Brown, an early settler, who came from Rhode Island. Edmond G. Brown married Elmy McFerren, whose parents came from Pennsylvania and settled in Noble Township in 1835. Edmond G. Brown died in 1874; his widow is still living. Peter J. Walters was enrolled as corporal of Company I, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, June 24, 1863, and served until July 25, 1865, when he was discharged at Knoxville, Tenn.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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B.F. Burlingame was born in Noble Township, October 16, 1830, and is the son of one of the early settlers who came from Rhode Island. Mr. Burlingame is a Republican in politics, and has followed farming and shoemaking as his occupations. He was married in 1861 to Sarah J. Early, a native of Ireland, and has one son, - Sidney.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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James Caldwell, merchant at Olive Green, was born near the site of the town of Caldwellin 1830, and is one of a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. He has followed farming and mercantile pursuits. He is perhaps the oldest postmaster in Noble County, having served in that capacity for thirty-one years. He is a Republican, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Protestant church. He has been married twice, first to Mary J. Long, of Wyandot County, Ohio; and second, to Agnes Parrish, of Olive Township. Mr. Caldwell is the father of six children, all living except one daughter.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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John H. Delaney, a prominent farmer, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, May 19, 1831. He was one of twelve children, eight of whom are still living. His father came from Pennsylvania and his mother from Maryland. Mr. Delaney has followed farming. He is a Republican in politics. He was married in 1851 to Miss Cordelia Wilson, of this county; children: S. Ellsworth, Ulysses S. (deceased), Frank L., John H., Urilla T. and Sarah F.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Samuel Danford, Sr. was born in New Jersey in 1774. His wife was a native of Virginia. They were married in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1800, and reared a family of sixteen children. Samuel Danford, Jr., of Sharon Township, the twelfth of these children, was born June 28, 1818, in that portion of Monroe County now forming a part of Noble. He was married in 1840 to Jane Adair, who died in June, 1846; again in December, 1846, to Isabella Humphrey, who died in January, 1864; and a third time to Maria Delaney, in April, 1864. Mr. Danford is the father of eleven children, of whom seven are living. He signed the temperance pledge at the age of eighteen, and never broke it. He was formerly a Whig, but has been a Republican since the formation of the party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has held several church and township offices.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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James Danford was born in Marion Township, Noble County, in 1833. His father, a native of Virginia, and his mother, who was born in Pennsylvania, were early settlers in that township, and reared six sons and five daughters. Mr. Danford married Margaret A. Kapple, of Morgan County, and is the father of four sons and two daughters. He is a Republican, and a Past Master in the Masonic fraternity.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Ralph Essex was born in Muskingum County in 1808, and came to Noble County in 1820. His wife, a native of Scotland, was born in 1820. They were married in 1841, and reared four sons and four daughters. Ralph Essex, Jr., the seventh child, was born September 30, 1856, on the farm where he now resides. He received a common-school education, and has followed farming. In 1881 he married Phema M. Phelps, of Morgan County. They have one child - Jennie G. Mr. Essex is a Republican. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Three of his brothers were in the late war: two were shot, one of them fatally.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Frank M. Gill was born in Sharon in 1852, and educated at the Academy in his native place, and has followed teaching. Mr. Gill was married in 1878 to Sarah Davidson, of Hiramsburg, and has two children. He is a Democrat. Mr. Gill served as school examiner for nine consecutive years.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Conrad Harmon, of German descent, was born January 27, 1843. His grandfather Harmon came from Germany about 1771, and served in the Revolutionary War, receiving a would at the battle of Germantown. He died in Morgan County. Conrad's father was born in Pennsylvania, and is still living. Conrad Harmon entered the service of the United States in 1862, in Company K, Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged August 25, 1863, having participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Re-enlisting in Company G, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he served until July 25, 1865. In 1869 he married Electa W. Robinson, who died in 1871. In 1873 he married Mary E. Thompson; children: Charles D., John F., Hannah E., Owen G. and Omer H. (twins). Mr. Harmon is a farmer by occupation and a Republican in politics.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Rufus P. James was born in Muskingum County in 1820, and is of Welsh and Irish descent. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. James has been twice married and is the father of ten children, five by each wife, of whom six are still living. Dr. Frank James being the only child unmarried. Mr. James belongs to the Baptist church, and is a Republican in politics.

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


The Keysers are of English and German parentage. The father and mother of Andrew Keyser were born in Pennsylvania and were early settlers in Belmont County. They had five sons, all now living except Oliver, who was a representative to the legislature from Noble County and a draft commissioner during the Rebellion. He died in 1882. Another brother, John, was in the legislature at the same time with Oliver. Andrew Keyser, of Sharon Township, was born in Belmont County in 1815. In 1837 he married Miranda Luellen, in Belmont County, by whom he had eight children, five of whom are living - Jesse, Isaac, Oliver, John and Jacob. Mr. Keyser is a Democrat amd a Methodist.

Oliver Keyser, son of Andrew Keyser, was born in Sharon Township in 1847 and has followed farming. In 1875 he was married to Lida Bell; children: Effie A., Nora P. (deceased), Nellie B. and Herbert H. Mr. Keyser belongs to the Methodicst Protestant church and his wife to the Presbyterian.

Isaac Keyser was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1817. He settled in Noble County in 1864, and is now engaged in farming. He was married in 1850 to Miss Monica Porterfield, of Belmont County. Their children are five sons and one daughter. Four of them are still living. One of the sons is six feet and eight inches in height. Mr. Keyser and wife are Presbyterians. He is a Democrat in politics.

Isaac Keyser, Jr., was born in Belmont County in 1844 and came to Noble County with his parents. He was married in 1864 to Elizabeth Ijams. Their children are Anna Albertine and Andrew J. Mr. and Mrs. Keyser are members of the Christian church. In politics he is a Democrat. He served as land appraiser in 1880.

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


Samuel Long was a prominent early settler, a man of intelligence and an exemplary citizen. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1786, and was of Scotch descent. He came to Ohio with his parents, who settled in Belmont County about 1800. In 1810 he married Mary Wiley and soon afterward settled near the site of the town of Caldwell, where he remained a short time, then removed to the farm in Sharon Township on which he died in 1868. His first wife died in 1824. She bore six children (three sons and three daughers). In 1825 Mr. Long married Mary Olephant, of Morgan County; she also had six children (five sons and one daugher). She died in 1852, and in 1853 Mr. Long married Hannah Read, of Muskingum County, who survived him a short time.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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William Long, second child of Samuel and Mary (Olephant) Long, was born in this township October 28, 1827, and is a prominent and successful farmer. He has been identified with every public interest calculated to promote the welfare of Noble County, and is a friend and encourager of education and religion. He has served in several township offices, and has held the office of county commissioner two terms. Mr. Long is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. He has been married three times - first, to Mary Ross, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1870; second, to Lucretia Phipps, of this county, who died in 1876; and in 1878, to his present wife, nee Mary J. Bell, of Noble County. Mr. Long is the father of nine sons and three daughers, all living except two daughers (Mary J. and Sarah K.) and an infant son. On the farm of Mr. Long is a frame barn, built in 1824 by George Morrison, which is believed to be the oldest in Noble County.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Robert Lowe, is an old resident. He was born in Virginia in August, 1803; came to Washington County, Ohio and thence, in 1814, to what is now Noble. During life he has been a farmer. He was married in 1824 to Rebecca Boyd, and is the father of eight sons and four daughters; eight children are still living. Mr. Lowe is a Democrat and a Methodist.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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John Lowe, son of Robert, was born September 18, 1829, on the farm where he now lives. He married Catherine Amelia O'Donovan, from Londan, England, and is the father of four sons and four daughters. Three of the children are dead - Philip C., Rosa J. and Mary R. (Parrish). Mr. and Mrs. Lowe are members of the Methodist Protestant church, in which he has held several offices. He is a Democrat.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Alonzo B. Lowe, son of Robert Lowe, was born December 3, 1849. He married in 1885, Anna S., daughter of William McGee, of Noble Township, and has one child, Lulu Belle. Mr. Lowe is a Democrat and a farmer.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Joseph E. Marquis, merchant at Sharon, is the son of John E. Marquis, a prominent citizen, whose parents were among the early settlers, and Mary Perrin, his wife. He was born July 6, 1854, and has followed mercantile pursuits. For twelve years he has served as postmaster at Sharon. Mr. Marquis is a Democrat, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was married in 1875 to Venora E. Gill, of Sharon, and they have five children: Carrie May, Frank M., Herman H. and Bernard B. (twins) and Lillie M. Mr. Marquis is a Methodist; his wife a Presbyterian.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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A.H. McFerren, a prominent farmer, was born in Noble County Mary 10, 1849. He was educated at Sharon Academy, and followed teaching several years. He is a Democrat, and has served as clerk and assessor of the township. In 1872 Mr. McFerren married Lydia E. McKee, whose grandparents were among the earliest settlers of Sharon Township. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Sharon.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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The McKee family is represented in Sharon Township by William McKee, who was born on Duck Creek, in Noble Township, in 1825. (see sketch of McKee family in Noble Township). He is a Democrat in politics, and a successful farmer. Mr. McKee was married in 1851, to Maria Gird, and is the father of seven children, five of whom are living.

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


William M. Morrison is of Scotch and Irish descent. His father, a native of Maryland, came to Belmont County in 1817, and thence to this township. The elder Morrison as the father of ten children. William M., the ninth child, was born in 1826, on the farm where he now lives. He has followed farming. In 1850 he married Martha Gaston, of Knox County. They have but two children living. Robert A. died in 1852, in his second year; Joseph F., in 1863, aged seven years; Asa V., in 1875, aged fifteen years; Charles M., in 1883, aged thirty years. Two others died in infancy. Mr. Morrision and wife belong to the Presbyterian church, in which he is a deacon. In politics he is a Democrat.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Charles Nichols was born in Elk Township, Noble County, in 1864. His father was a native of this county, and his mother was born in Ireland. Mr. N. is a farmer, and a Democrat in politics. He was married in 1883 to Annie Stout, of Sharon Township. They have one child, Ernest I.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Edward Parrish, a prominent early settler, was born in Maryland in 1781, and came to this township from Belmont County in 1819, arriving on the 19th of August. Edward Parrish was the father of Hon. Isaac Parrish, a lawyer and member of Congress, whose biography appears elsewhere; and of William Parrish, who served as sheriff of Morgan County. The family consisted of six sons and five daughters. Stephen Parrish, a prominent citizen, is a member of the same family, and was born January 22, 1816. He has followed blacksmithing, farming, and stock-dealing. Mr. Parrish was married to Ann Boyd in 1839, and is the father of six sons and three daughters. Robert, the oldest, volunteered in the Fourth Iowa Regiment of Infantry, and was honorably discharged after two years of service. He died at Grand Junction, Ill., while on his way home. Mr. Parrish is a prominent Democrat.

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


Thomas W. Parrish was born in McConnellsville, Ohio, in 1843. His father, William Parrish, son of Edward Parrish, who settled in Sharon Township in 1819, was then serving as sheriff of Morgan County, which office he held from 1841 to 1845. T.W. Parrish has followed farming and the mercantile business. He enlisted February 12, 1862, in Company D, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and by re-enlistment served until the close of the war, and was discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 8, 1865. He was in the engagements at New Madred, Island No. 10, Iuka, Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Resaea, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, and other battles of Sherman's march to the sea. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of the Grand Army of the Republic and Odd Fellows. He was married in 1877 to Susannah B. Wiley, of Sharon; children: Helen M. and Henry S.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Riley Parrish, son of Stephen and Anna Parrish, was born in the village of Sharon in 1841. He was engaged in farming until 1872 when he met with a severe accident by which he was rendered lame. He has since been engaged in making brooms and brushes. He was married in 1862 to Miss Ellen Orr of Zanesville; children: Robert W., Ira L. and Stephen R. Mr. and Mrs. Parrish are Presbyterians. He is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic order. He has served in several township offices.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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The father and mother of Samuel Patterson were Pennsylvanians, and came to Morgan County, Ohio, where they were married. His mother's maiden name was Hannah L. Davis. Mr. Patterson was the fourth of ten children, five of whom are living. He was born in 1848 in Sharon Township and is a farmer and carpenter. In 1872 he married Sarah Fidora Swank, of Olive Green; children: Tempest W., Charlie and Maple F. Mr. Patterson is a Democrat; his wife is a Baptist.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Adam F. Pickenpaugh was born in 1848. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Virginia to Ohio and about 1826 married Jane Phillips, of Guernsey County, by whom he had nine children. The grandfather of Adam settled in Noble County in 1825. He was killed by the falling of a limb from a tree while at work in his field. Adam F. Pickenpaugh was married in 1875 to Miss M.J. Tidrick, who died in 1884. He is a Republican, an Odd Fellow and a Baptist. Four of his brothers were in the war of the Rebellion, and two of them, George C. and Jonathan R., died of typhoid fever while in the service.

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