The McKees were of Irish descent, and came to Ohio in the latter part of the last century, from Lycoming County, Pa. The family consisted of David McKee, his wife and several children. They remained a number of years in Washington County, in the vicinity of Marietta, and in 1809 came up the West Fork of Duck Creek, settling on the farm near Caldwell, now owned by Alexander McKee. They were among the very earliest families in the valley, and for several years had but few neighbors and no trading point nearer than Marietta. The father died in 1815, and the widow and her children were left to get along as best they could in the arduous labor of pioneer farming. Mrs. McKee died in 1848. There were nine children in the family, most of whom were born in Pennsylvania. Their names were John, Robert, William, David, James, Alexander, Annie (Caldwell), Margaret (Caldwell) and Ezra.
John was a farmer, a prominent citizen, and passed his life in Noble County. He died in 1873, at the age of eighty-five. Robert was the pioneer salt-maker at Olive, and was a leading business man in this section for many years. He was born in Lycoming County, Pa., December 8, 1791, and came with the family to Duck Creek in 1809. He stamped his name on all the prominent events in the early history of what is now Noble County. He was the discoverer and pioneer salt-maker of the valley, a busines which he continued until the competition of the various salt works on the Muskingam reduced the price to fifty cents per barrel. While drilling some of the first wells, he was obliged to to to Marietta to get his tools repaired. After the salt business became unremunerative he built a log structure in Olive, where for many years he did a successful business as a merchant; his was the first store within the present limits of Noble County, his nearest competitor being at Barnesville. His first stock of goods was packed in on horse from Baltimore over the mountains. He was also the first to handle tobacco, in which he engaged quite extensively for many years. He was a man of deep religious convictions, and built the first church in the county; in this enterprise he evidenced his accustomed liberality. After deciding to build a church, he deputized a man by the name of Peter Lady to solicit subscriptions. After several weeks, Lady reprted $45 as the sum collected. McKee, disappointed by the lack of interest in the matter, said to him that if he would return the money he would build the church himself, which he did. The date of erection, as near as can now be ascertained, was 1828. About 1855 he began to the feel the weight of advancing years and retured from active business, and devoted his attention to his farm, and loaning the accumulations of former years. He died of Bright's disease September, 1863. He was married in 1813 to Miss Ruth Thorla. She died in 1830, and in November of the same year he was again married to Elizabeth Willey., who died in 1887. By the first marriage there were six children: Mary A., Margaret (Morse), Susannah (Ogle), David, Rhoda (Rownd) and Martha (Ogle). By the second, seven: Columbus, Leonard, William, Robert, Ruth E. (Caldwell), Jasper and Worthington. Robert McKee was a man of great foresight, enterprise and industry, and his name, where known, was a synonym for integrity and honor. No man was more prominent in the early history of Noble than he, and no one is held in more grateful remembrance by the people.
William removed to New York State when a young man, and spent the greater part of his life there. He died in Indiana. David was engaged as a boatman on the Mississippi River and died of cholera at Little Rock, Ark., when a young man. James was a farmer and resided near Hoskinsville. He died at the age of eighty-seven. Alexander is still living on the old homestead. He was born in Marietta in 1798. He married Rhoda Thorla and reared a family of six sons. Annie became the wife of Joseph Caldwell and is still living.
Hon. Ezra McKee was one of the best and most influential citizens of Noble County, the establishment of which he was among the foremost in securing. He was born in Washington County in 1802, and came to the county with his parents. His educational advantages were limited to four month's schooling, but a good mind, sound judgement and keenness of observation made up for this deficiency. In 1825 he married Abbie Westcott and purchased the farm adjoining the old homestead. His children by this union were Delia (Davis), Martha (Polling), David and Sylvester, all living. His wife died in 1836 and he married Almay Westcott, a cousin of his first wife. She was one of the early school-teachers of the county. To them were born four children - Manly, who died when one year old; Mary (Newton), deceased; Christopher and Manly. In 1837 Mr. McKee was elected to the legislature from Morgan County, in which his township was then included; and again in 1850 he was chosen to fill the same position. During the succeeding session of the legislature, the project of the erection of Noble County, which had been constantly agitated for five or six years preceding, was brought to a successful consummation. He was not only instrumental in securing the organization of the county, but he was also among the foremost of those who sought and finally succeeded in making Caldwell the county seat. He erected the first building in Caldwell, which was used as a temporary court house. He served about twenty years as justice of the peace. Both in public and private life he was regarded as an able, honest, honorable man. He died April 4, 1876. His widow resides with her son, Christopher.
David E. McKee is the oldest son of Hon. Ezra McKee. He was born in Noble Township, August 15, 1833. He is a quiet, unassuming man, and sustains an excellent reputation for probity and intelligence. Mr. McKee has contributed to the press some poetical effusions of more than ordinary merit. He was principally engaged in farming until 1862, when he went with his brother Christopher to the Pacific coast, where they remained for three years, engaged in mining and ranching, in which they were quite successful. In 1867 he married Margaret Powell, of Wisconsin, whose paternal great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier. Her great-grandmother on her father's side lived to be one hundred and four years old. Mr. and Mrs. McKee have three children: Burton, Abbie and Lawrence. Mr. McKee is a Democrat. He had held the offices of township treasurer and land appraiser.
Christopher McKee, one of the leading farmers and most prominent citizens of the county, was born in Noble Township in 1840. He spent his boyhood on the farm, receiving a common-school education. In 1862 he wetn to Oregon in a party of twelve men, among whom was his brother David. This journey occupied about three months, Mr. McKee driving an ox-team. On the Pacific coast he engaged in mining for a time, and afterward went to Idaho. He remained at Centerville in that territory until June, 1863, engaged in packing supplies to the miners. He next went to the southern part of the territory, where David and he located a mine, which they worked until the fall of 1865. The mine proved a good one and yielded many thousand dollars' worth of ore, but owing to the cost of
living and of working it, they could save but a small part of their earnings. During one winter the snow was so deep that it was piled up six feet higher than their cabin. The brothers left for home in September, 1865, on horseback and reached here in November. On the way they were caught in a Rocky Mountain snow storm, and rode all day through the blinding snow, arriving at night at Fort Halleck. To feed their horses they paid seventy-five cents per pound for corn and twenty-five cents per pound for hay. At the sutler's Mr. McKee bought a pound of crackers, a box of sardines, and a small bottle of bitters, for which he paid $15. In December, 1865, he married Miss Martha A. Scott. They have had four children - Louis W. (deceased), Irvel K., Cora B. and Mirley. Mr. McKee has followed farming, and has also been engaged in various other enterprises. He has furnished the C.&M. Railroad Company with over five million feet of lumber, and is
still engaged in supplying timber to that road, and the B.Z.&C. In 1877 he again went west to the Black Hills; but after an examination of that region, concluded to settle down to farm life. Mr. McKee is a public-spirited citizen, an enterprising sagacious and successful man of business, and his worth is appreciated in the community.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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James Carr, the subject of this notice, was a leading farmer and a prominent and successful business man. James Carr was born in Brooke County, W. Va., in 1824. He was the second child and the oldest son of a family of eight children. His father's name was Joseph Carr and the children were Mary (Wheeler), James, Joseph (who died in West Virginia), Eliza J. (Hearld) whose husband died at Pittsburg Landing while in the service of his country; Sarah A. (Kirk), Parmelia (Wheeler) and Maria (Morgareidge). The mother, whose maiden name was Eliza McCleary, died in 1833, and Mr. Carr afterward married Nancy Wheeler, by whom he had seven children: Elizabeth, Lemuel N., Ellis C. (deceased), Julia A. (Koons), Henrietta (Gallatin), Taylor and Ethelinda (Balderson). Of the sons, Lemuel, who now lives in Cumberland, Ohio, was a soldier in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was a prisoner at Andersonville for eight months. Ellis was also in the service and received a wound from a piece of shell. Although he served through the war, he died immediately after reaching home.
The Carr family came to Ohio in 1835, settling in Bristol Township, Morgan County. The father was a farmer, and died in 1878. His widow is still living with two of her children upon the homestead. James passed his boyhood upon the farm until 1842, when he started out to make his own way in the world. He went first to Belmont County and thence to Allegheny City, Pa. He remained in Pennsylvania two years, driving through the country selling clocks and "Bee-palaces." In 1844 he got the "western-fever," and emigrated to Iowa and from there to California. He located at Sigourney where he was engaged in the mercantile business and the loaning of money, doing a very successful business. Here, in 1847, he married Miss Helen L. Pinkerton, who bore three children, Inez Iowa (deceased), Charles S., who is married and resides in Nelsonville, Athens County; and Helen S. (Boyd), Sharon Township. Mr. Carr's first wife died January 20, 1856.
In 1857 Mr. Carr returned to Ohio, and bought the farm now owned by Mr. Lovell, in Malta Township, Morgan County. In the following year he married Miss Martha J. Noble. They continued to reside in Morgan County until 1868, anf from that time until his decease made their home with Mrs. Carr's father, the venerable John Noble.
Mr. Carr was prospered admirably in his business relations, his good judgement, courage and tact serving him in good stead. Although he was an invalid for several years before his death, he maintained his native cheerfulness undisturbed. Thankful for the favors which fortune granted him, he rejoiced that he was no longer under the necessity of a continual striving after the "almighty dollar." He was one of the prime mover in organizing and securing a charter for the Noble County Bank, and
was identified with other important home enterprises. He was a man of good general information, a fluent conversationalist and of agreeable social qualities. He died January 31, 1887 amd was buried with Masonic honors.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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Rev. Sparrow Nickerson - Col. Hugh Nickerson, the father of the venerable pioneer whose name heads this article, was of Irish descent, and was born in Chatham, Barnstable County, Mass., in 1782. He was a man of intelligence and ability, and during the War of 1812 commanded a regiment of infantry. The Nickerson family at this time were sea-faring people, an occupation to which Mrs. Col. Nickerson was very adverse, and fearing that her sons, as they grew up, would resort to that occupation for a livelihood, persuaded her husband to immigrate to Ohio. In the spring of 1817 the family, consisting of the parents and five children - Mahala, Eliza, Sparrow, Lurana and Joseph - left their native town by vessel for Baltimore, Md.; thence they came by teams across the mountains to Pittsburgh, Pa., where they embarked on a flat-boat for Marietta. The journey was without incident worthy of mention, and on their arrival, the boat was traded for a Chickasaw horse. From Marietta they came to Mrs. David McKee's, where the family remained until a rude cabin was prepared for their reception on the farm now owned by his son, Sparrow. They had to find their way by blazed trees, and during the winter suffered greatly from exposure and poverty. The cabin was without a chimney, door, loft or floor, and frequently wild animals would come close to the house. Their surroundings were such that had it not been for the mother, who was a resolute woman, the family would undoubtedly have returned to their eastern home. The return of spring brought partial release from pioneer hardships. The father found employment at his trade, that of a carpenter, in Zanesville, and in this way supported his family and paid for his land. He built for Augustus Hoskins the first frame house erected in what is now Noble Township. He was a man of force and stamina, and identified himself with early church history. He was a Methodist in belief, and was one of the organizers of the Methodist Protestant church, and with others, founded the Brookfield library, which was probably the first in the county. His wife, nee Rebecca Blanchard, was born in Boston, where she lived until her marriage, in 1803. Her children, aside from those above mentioned, were Hugh, Rebecca, Simon and Celestia. The father died in 1846; his wife in 1835. Rev. Sparrow Nickerson was born in Chatham, Mass., March 7, 1812. He was reared on the homestead farm, and being the eldest son, was denied the limited advantages for education afforded by the occasional subscription schools of that dy, but in that other school, in which the teachers are observation and experience, he has been an apt pupil. By extensive reading, aided by a retentive memory, he has acquired a fund of valuable knowledge. In political belief Mr. Nickerson was originally a Whig, and advocated the election of James G. Birney for President. Next he became a "Free Soiler," and was nominated, in 1845, for lieutenant governor of Ohio. On the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks. He is now, however, a Prohibitionist, and has been the candidate of this party for senator and representative. In ante bellum days he was an abolitionist, and on that ticket ran for State treasurer. In 1850 he was ordained for the ministry, and for two years was a circuit preacher. In 1835 he married Miss Helen Byers; by this marriage there were three children: Joseph, Thomas and John; the latter was a member of the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served through the war. His second wife, Miss Betsey Sawyer, was born near St. Albans, Vt., in 1815, and came to Ohio in 1823. She is the mother of six children: Elizabeth (Allen), Levi M., Sarah M. (Bell), Simon S., Hannah R. (Love) and Hugh G. Sarah M. is deceased.
Mr. Nickerson is a typical pioneer, and but few men have attained to a
greater share of public esteem than he. He is now enjoying the full fruition of a well-spent life, and in a few more years will leave to his family that priceless legacy, an unspotted reputation.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
Noble
George E. Geddes - This gentleman, one of the prominent citizens of Noble Township, was born in Manchester Township, Morgan County, Ohio, March 6, 1833. His father, James Geddes, was one of the early settlers of this township, was born in Philadelphia County, Pa., in 1788, moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, aobut the year 1800, and from thence to Morgan County, Ohio, in 1817. He was of Scotch parentage, and was a soldier of the War of 1812 with Great Britain. He served under Gen. William H. Harrison, and died in 1853.
George E., the subject of this narrative, started in life a poor boy, with poor health, having inherited by nature a very frail constitution. By industry, economy and good business habits, he has placed himself among the most successful farmers of the county. He received a good English education, having studied surveying and the higher mathematics; followed teaching from 1854 to 1862; was elected justice of the peace in Noble Township
in 1859, and re-elected in 1862. On July 4, 1863, he was commissioned, by Gov. Todd, captain of Company H, First Regiment Ohio Militia, and on September 4, 1863, was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel, by Gov. Todd, of the First Regiment Ohio Militia. In 1878 he was the Greenback candidate for Congress in the Fifteenth Congressional District, composed of the counties Monroe, Morgan, Washington, Athens and Noble. His name has frequently been mentioned in connection with offices of trust and responsibility in the county. In 1855 Mr. Geddes was married to Miss Mary A. Brown, a lady of rare good common sense, and of excellent family, but handicapped, like her husband, with a frail and weak constitution. Her father, Edward G. Brown, came from Rhode Island. Two sons were to Mr. and Mrs. Geddes: James Kennon and Edmond Burns. James K. married Miss Irene Young, of Chandlersville, Ohio; Edmond B. married Miss Effie M. rummer, of Lowell, Ohio. Both of these
young men are surveyors and civil engineers, who have beomc conspicuous in their profession. George E. was raised and educated a State-rights Democrat, but the late civil war, with its threatened disintegration of the Union, revealed to him the fact, that the right of a State to withdraw from the Union at pleasure, was fatal to a general government. He is now a strong Protectionist, believing it to be the duty of the general Government to foster, encourage, develop and protect our home industries. He is an extensive reader, well versed in the politics of our country. Progressive in thought, he stands well abreast in all the political, social and religious reforms of the country. Though raised a Methodist, he believes strongly in the decrees and ordinations of God. Socially, Mr. Geddes is gentlemanly and agreeable.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
Noble
George Alonzo McClure - George McClure, father of the immediate subject of this biography, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1823; his father, William McClure, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and his paternal grandfather served in the War of the Revolution. He was a staff officer and distinguished himself in many of the hard-fought engagements of that great struggle. After the war, Congress gave him, in consideration of his service, a tract of land, where Frankfort, Ky., now stands. This land was occupied by squatters, who disputed his claim. Serious complications arose and he finally lost the property.
William McClure immigrated to Ohio in 1827, and settled near Gaysport, Muskingam County, where he resided until his decease in 1837. He was twice married; his first wife was a Miss Anderson; two children were born of this union: George and William. William went to California in an early day; he was a thrifty business man and acquired a large property in real estate. George was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio with his parents. He was reared in Muskingam County and when a boy entered the employ of Chapman & Stevens, with whom he remained several years. In 1847 he came to Hiramsburg and engaged in merchandising under the firm name of Stevens & McClure. The firm did a successful busines until 1855 when Mr. Stevens retired.
In 1869 he was succeeded by his son, George G. McClure, who has since that time done a highly successful business. George McClure was a thorough busines man and a valuable citizen. He was twice married; his first wife was Miss Susan T. Gibbs. Two children were born to them: Francis L., who died young, and George Alonzo. He was born in Hiramsburg, October 13, 1851. He grew up in his father's store, and received a thorough education in books, and a practical business education. He is one of the rising young business men of the county, and is highly esteemed not only
for his sterling honesty and business enterprise, but the advanced position he takes on all questions in which the moral or religious welfare of his community is involved. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, in religion a Methodist. He married, in 1872, Miss Mary B. Davidson, grand-daughter of Philip Burlingame, a pioneer settler of Rhose Island; they have two sons and three daughters.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
Noble
In the year 1807 Edward Ward and family came from Pennsylvania and settled in this township. He died in 1843 in the eighty-third year of his age. His widow lived to be nearly one hundred years old. With them came also their son John and his family. John served in the War of 1812 as first lieutenant. He took several English prisoners near Sandusky, and among them was a silversmith who engraved Mr. Ward's name upon the hilt of his sword. The sword is still in possession of the fmaily. The guard of it is of silver. Mr. Ward died in 1818. His son Edward is among the old residents of Seneca Township. Another son, Joseph, lives in Wood County, Ohio.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
Wayne
James Law settled in this township about 1809. He purchased 480 acres of land, on which he made a good improvement. He died in this township. He was the father of twelve children, who lived to mature years and had families, but only three are now living. David Law, of Beaver Township, married Maria, daughter of Amos Day, an early settler. They have six children living.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
Wayne
In 1809, Thomas Richey, with his wife and two children, settled upon 160 acres of land where his son Andrew now lives. Mr. Richey was a native of Ireland. He first settled in Fayette County, Pa.., and thence removed to Jefferson County, Ohio. He died in this township at the age of seventy-four years. When he came the entire region was a wilderness. He was a leading farmer, and by continually adding to his land, at his deceased he owned about six hundred acres. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his family also belonged.
Andrew Richey was born in September, 1821, on the farm where he now resides. He is a prominent farmer and breeder of sheep. Mr. Richey was married in 1850, to Helen C. Hammond, of Jefferson County, Ohio. Six children have been born of this union: Melville, George M., Charles W., Carrie, Harry B. and Lucerne A. The family are all connected with some branch of the Methodist church. George
Richey, brother of Andrew, has been a minister for forty years.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
Wayne
William Lowrey came from Fayette County, Pa., in 1810 or 1811, and settled on a half section of land, where his son, Rev. William D. Lowrey, now lives. The family began housekeeping in a cabin without a floor, and with a table made of puncheons. In 1826 Mr. Lowrey built the house at present occupied by his sons. He was a prominent citizen, and served as justice of the peace and county commissioner several terms. He was also an elder in the Presbyterian church until 1835, and afterward held the same office in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He died in 1861, at the age of eighty-one years. He was an earnest anti-slavery man; a Whig, then a Republican.
William D. Lowrey was born December 22, 1815, on the farm where he now lives. In early life he taught school and in 1846 was ordained a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and has been in the ministry of that denomination ever since. In 1848 he married Lydia Ann Vernon,
of Monroe County; children: Ezbon F., Catharine S., William C., Lydia A. and Tyndall W.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
Wayne
Hon. Thomas C. Williams, the present representative of Noble County in the legislature, was born in Wayne Township, on the farm he now occupies, May 13, 1848. His father, Abner Williams, was a native of New Jersey, and one of the early settlers of the county. His mother was a native of Virginia, and was the mother of nine children: Alvin, Lydia B. (Day), Amy S. (Kinzie), Louisa M. (Brill), Edith G. (Stoneburner), Phebe E. (Stoneburner), Aaron W., Annie E. and Thomas C. Aaron W. was a member of Company G, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in Memphis, Tenn. Alvin W. is a farmer of Wayne, and Amy S. and Annie E. are deceased. Thomas C. was reared on the homestead farm and received a thorough common-school education. He read law with the intention of making it his life's profession, but the death of his brother necessitated his return to the farm, since which he has devoted his energies to agriculture and politics. He has identified
himself with all matters of public import and holds a foremost position among the best citizens of the county. In the legislature he is regarded as an efficient member. He married, in 1870, Miss Mary J., daughter of William Henderson, of Guernsey County, Ohio. They have a family of three children.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
Wayne
Isaac W. Danford, the present clerk of courts of Noble County, is a son of Eli Danford, and was born near Mount Ephraim, Seneca Township, April 11, 1856. Adverse circumstances gave him only small educational advantages; he attended the common schools and worked on a farm to pay his expenses. For several years he was a successful teacher. He then turned his attention to mercantile business, and from 1882 to 1887 was a merchant at Kennonsburg. He served three years as postmaster at Kennonsburg, and was township clerk for six years. In 1886 he received the Republican nomination for clerk of courts of Noble County, was elected, and is now discharging the duties of that office. He married Margaret M. Stitts of Wayne Township. Her father was a soldier in the Union army in the late war and was killed at Vicksburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Danford have been born five children: Carl S. and Charlotte, dead; Clyde F., Birdie May and Eli, living.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
Wayne
Charles Arndt came from Washington County, Pa., in 1836 and settled near Sarahsville, where he entered 160 acres of land, to which he added eighty acres. He disposed of his farm and removed to Greenwood in 1861, where he died in 1864. He followed the vocation of a carpenter and cabinet-maker. He was an exemplary man and an elder in the Presbyterian church. David, a son, was born in Pennsylvania in 1831. He learned the trade of a carpenter, which, in connection with undertaking, he followed many years. 1859 he married Betsey, daughter of Edward Ward. They had four girls and one boy; a daughter, Alice, is a teacher of reputation.
Texana is a graduate of the deaf and dumb institute of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Arndt, like his father, is a very reputable citizen. For three years he has been trustee of the township. In his religious belief he is a Presbyterian, in which he is an elder. His brother was a lieutenant in the Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, and died from disease contracted in the service. Charles, another brother, was a member of the Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The family are of German extraction.
History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887
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