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

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM R. KIRK was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1835, and came to Sarahsville in 1854. In 1862 he enlisted as private in Company E, Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. By virtue of his unimmpeachable record as a soldier he roese from a private to the lieutenancy of his company. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland, and he participated in all the notable battles in which it was engaged. He was mustered out with his company at the close of the war, and returned to his home in Sarahsville, where he now resides.

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

JONATHAN F. KNOUFF was born in Belmont County, Ohio, August 28, 1829. When ten years old he moved to what is now Noble County, his father, Henry Knouff (a native of Maryland), settling in Beaver Township, where he followed farming until his death. The subject of this notice received a common-school education, and when a young man engaged in teaching, which occupation he followed for twenty-two years. He was elected county auditor, and by re-elections served three terms. In 1878 he engaged in the hardware business in Caldwell, in which he continued until April, 1882, when he sold out to Kane Brothers & Wright. In February, 1883, he purchased the hardware store of Taylor Brothers, and carried on that business until February, 1886. Originally a freesoiler in politics, he has acted with the Republican party since its organization. In 1858 he was married to Margaret E. Sproat, a native of Guernsey County. Their children are Angeline, Cora M. and Oliver M. Mr. Knouff is a member of the Odd Fellows' order.

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

A.P. JENNINGS, the senior proprietor of the Caldwell Press, was born in what is now Center Township, Noble County, February 17th, 1834, and when only two years old moved with his parents to a farm about one and one-half miles north of the site of the present county seat. He received a common-school and academic education, and early devoted his attention to teaching, and to mercantile pursuits. In 1854, he was married to Sarah L. Archer, with whom he lived happily until her untimely death in 1867. In 1868, he was married to Mary A. Hellyer, who died in 1887. In 1861 he was a candidate for County Treasurer, and subsequently for State Senator on the Democratic ticket. Each time he was nominated against his wishes and the party majority against him was too large to be overcome. In 1875 he was elected probate judge, being the only Democrat elected in the county in that campaign. He was not a candidate for renomination or re-election. He has three children living - David Alonzo, Bertha May and Cora. Two - Mary Viola and Rosetta A. - died after they had reached the years of womanhood. Mr. Jennings is a present not actively engaged in business.

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

JUDGE JONATHAN DILLEY is an old and well-known citizen. He was born on the Potomac River in Virginia, about thirty miles from Washington, in the year 1809. His early life was spent in Shenandoah County, Va. In 1839 he came to Ohio, and in 1841 to Cumberland, Guernsey County, where he clerked in the store of John E. Boyd. In 1843 he removed to Sarahsville and engaged in the mercantile business, at the same time dealing in tobacco. He continued a resident of Sarahsville for twenty-seven years. In 1869 he was elected probate judge, and in the following year he removed to Caldwell, and entered upon the duties of his office. In 1872 he was re-elected to the same office. He has since served two terms as deputy probate judge. He married Margaret Nicholson, and is the father of five children. Judge Dilley is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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

JOHN W. TIPTON, the oldest merchant in Caldwell, and for many years one of the most prominent citizens of the county, is a native of Harrison County, Ohio. He was born December 28, 1825. His father was Reverand William Tipton, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family consisted of two sons and four daughters. The other son, Thomas W., studied law, and was admitted to the bar. After practicing his profession for a time in his native State he went to Nebraska before the war, and from there went into the army as a chaplain. On the formation of the State government he was elected one of the first United States Senators from Nebraska, and served with honor in that position for eight years.

John W. Tipton received a common-school education, and at the age of fifteen began earning his own living as a clerk in the store of Joseph Hare, at Fairview, Guernsey County. Here he remained about five years, acquiring in the meantime a thorough knowledge of the mercantile business and forming those habits in life which have since made him successful as a business man.

In 1854, prior to the founding of Caldwell, Mr. Tipton came to Noble County, and located at Olive, becoming the partner of John Wehr, in the mercantile business. This relation continued until 1858, when having been nominated and elected county auditor Mr. Tipton left the store to assume the duties of that position. Subsequently he was twice elected to the same office. He was an able, efficient and popular officer. After the close of his third term as auditor he formed a partnership with William W. Glidden, and kept a general store where the Exchange Hotel now is. Mr. Glidden retired after two years, and Mr. Tipton has since carried on business alone. In 1870 he built his present store, and removed his stock of goods to it. He has one of the best stores in the county, and does an extensive business. Two of his sons, J.W. and Charles F., assist him in the business.

During the war Mr. Tipton warmly espoused the Union cause, and served as a member of the military committee of the county. He takes a deep interest in the affairs of his town and county, and is an honored and useful citizen. He is one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Tipton was married, in 1848, to Miss Elizabeth J. Richards, of Guernsey County. His children are William E., John W., Charles F., Frank M., Edgar R. Mary and Lizzie.

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

DAVID MILLER, one of the most prominent and enterprising business men of Caldwell, was born in Beaver Township, in 1845. His grandfather, William Miller, was one of the early settlers of this township, to which he came with his family, which consisted of his wife and one child, William, Jr., in the spring of 1833. The elder William was of English birth, and came to this country in 1816. He first settled in Maryland, from whence he removed to this county. William Jr., father of David, was a man of prominence; he took an active part in the organization of the county, and was quite prominently identified with local politics. He married Miss Sarah, daughter of John Perry, whose date of settlement in Beaver dates back to 1826. He reared a family of six children, Henry, David, Ann E., Oscar, Edgar and Ellen, all of whom are living. David was reared on the farm; he obtained a good English education, and commenced life as a school teacher. He studied surveying, and for two terms occupied the office of county surveyor. In 1880 he was elected sheriff. He filled the office acceptably to the people, and was re-elected, serving two terms. About this time he became quite extensively engaged in real estate and building. His operations were extensive, and it is said that during this time he did much to advance the interests of the village. He was prominent in the organization of the Caldwell District Fair Company. In fact, he was in some way connected with almost every enterprise having for it's object the advancement of the village interests. He married, in 1866, Miss Mary E. Roach; of Beaver, to whom have been born three children - Clara, Berta and Walter.

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

GEORGE A. SMITH, who for many years was one of the most prominent business men and financiers of Caldwell, was born in Olive Township in 1835. His father, Shobul Smith, came from Martha's Vineyard in 1817, and was one of the pioneers of the county. George A. was for a number of years a merchant in Dexter City. In 1873 he was elected county treasurer, and the year following came to Caldwell. In 1878 he became the cashier of the Noble County National Bank, which position he retained, until ill-health obliged him to retire.

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

CHRYSOSTOM FOSTER, the present mayor of Caldwell, is among the oldest residents of the town, having come here in 1862. He was born in Washington, Pa., Jan. 2, 1840. When five years old his parents came to Wheeling and in 1853 to Belmont County, Ohio. In 1859 the family removed to Batesville. The elder Foster was a shoemaker; he died at Quaker City in 1858, leaivng five children: Charlotte, Hannah, Chrysostom, Mary M. and D.A. The latter went into the service in 1861, in the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served through the war. He died in 1874 from disease caused by a wound received from the bursting of a torpedo at Fort McAllister in 1864.

After coming to Caldwell, Mr. Foster was for a time the clerk in the office of the county treasurer; in 1865 he was elected county treasurer, and by re-election held the office until 1870. Since that time he has been in the mercantile and livery business in Caldwell. He is a prominent Republican. In 1861 he married Cynthia J., daughter of Abraham Simmons, at that time on of the leading citizens of Noble County. Five children have been born of this union, three boys and two girls.

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

W.D. GUILBERT, the present county auditor, was born in Guernsey County in 1844. His father, H.E. Guilbert, was a farmer and removed to the western part of the State about 1846. The subject of this notice received an academic education, and in 1869 came to South Olive, where he was engaged in salt making and the manufacture of staves until his election to the office of county auditor in 1881. He was re-elected in 1884, and is still discharging the duties of his office. Mr. Guilbert is a Republican, and takes an active interest in political matters.

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

TIMOTHY CLEVELAND was born in Maine and settled in Beaver Township in 1819. He married Miss Sarah W. Pierce, who was a native of the same State. They had a family of seven children, three of whom, Mary T. (Gale), Frank G. and Thaddeus S. are living. The latter was born in Somerset County, Me., August 31, 1818. He has been twice married. His first wife was a Pennsylvanian lady; his second wife was Miss Mary, daughter of William Dement, a Virginian, who was one of the pioneers of Wills Creek, Monroe County, where he settled in 1806. He was prominent in the early affairs of that region, and carried the first mails from Wheeling, West Va., to Cincinnati, Ohio, in a canoe. He was possessed of a good education and for years was a prominent magistrate and an influential citizen. By the last marriage there were three children: Wellington, Benjamin and Henry J. The latter was born in Calais, Ohio, in 1853. He came to Noble County in 1880, settling in Elk. In 1885 he was elected sheriff, which position he now (1887) holds. He married Miss Emma A., daughter of Thomas Foster, of Summerfield.

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

BENJAMIN B. WALLER was born in Guernsey County in 1823, and came to Noble County in 1858. He was a carpenter by trade, but after his removal to Noble he became indentified with political matters, and held several official positions. For many years he was postmaster of the vilage, receiving his first appointment in 1863; reappointed in 1870, and held the office until September, 1885. From 1872 to 1878 he was deputy sheriff. In 1863 he was commissioned county recorder; was re-elected and commissioned in 1866. In August of 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Thirtieth Ohio Volunteers; was wounded at the battle of South Mountain, and discharged for diability February 5, 1863. His death occurred March 22, 1886. Mr. Waller was married in 1847 to Miss Margaret Stuart, who was born in Belmont County, Ohio. He was a valuable citizen and an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Olive Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Noble Post, Grand Army of the Republic.

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

W.H. BUSH was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1848. In the spring of 1853 the family came to Noble County, and settled in Renrock, where the elder Bush built a woolen mill, which he operated until 1865, when he removed to McConnelsville. In 1875 W.H. assumed control of the McConnell mille at McConnelsville, which he operated very successfully until 1880, when he purchased the Island mill at Beverly, Ohio. In 1886, to obtain increased facilities and better power, he removed to Caldwell, and in company with P.M. McVay, established the Caldwell woolen mills. Mr. Bush is the pioneer woolen manufacturer in this section, and having been reared to the business, no one is more conversant with its details than he. He married Miss Ella Carroll in 1873. They have two children, Lester and Media.

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

The name of CALDWELL has been conspicuous in the annals of Duck Creek Valley from the earliest history of that region, to the present day. The progenitor of the Noble County Caldwells was Robert Caldwell, a native of Chester County, Pa. He was a man of much natural ability, and of great force of character, these traits being inherited from his Scotch-Irish ancestors. He served as a teamster in the Revolutionary War, married and settled in Pennsylvania, and in 1795 emigrated to the Northwest Territory, settling in Washington County, Ohio, where were then the chief settlements in the territory. He explored this section of the county, and by advise of General Putnam, made a selection of land on which he afterward located. In the year 1808 he came up the west fork of Duck Creek with his sons and began an improvement on the present Caldwell farm. He was, therefore, among the earliest pioneers of the valley, and the first to make a clearing where the town of Caldwell now stands. Robert Caldwell died in 1831. His wife's maiden name was Jane Fulton, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, and a niece of Robert Fulton, the pioneer steam inventor. Their children (several of who were born in Pennsylvania), were Robert, John, Joseph, Samuel, Hiram, Jane, Polly, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Matilda and Nancy. Their sons are all dead except Joseph. They were all prominent farmers, and resided in Noble County. Of the daughters, Jane married Rodney Severance, and died in Morgan County. Polly married James Logan, remained in Pennsylvania and died there. Elizabeth, the widow of David Archibald, is still living in Noble County. Rebecca (deceased) was the wife of John Noble. Matilda, the wife of John Brownrigg, is still living in Noble County. Nancy became the wife of Samuel Price, and died in Morgan County.

Joseph Caldwell, the oldest living resident of the county, was born in Caywood, Washington County, Ohio, in the year 1798, and came to what is now Noble County in 1809. He has witnessed the transition of a wilderness to one of the fertile and productive regions of this section of the State, and in his person typifies many of the causes which have produced this great change. Benearth his observation, like a grand panorama, the forests have disappeared and fertile fields have taken their place. Villages and hamlets have sprung up as if by magic. The iron horse rushes over the same route that he traveled when a boy by blazed trees through an almost impenetrable forest. To-day he lives in the full possession of his mental faculties, one of the last survivors of a race the like of which will never be seen again.

His youth and early manhood were passed upon his father's farm, where he shared the privations of a pioneer family. At the age of twenty-six he married Miss Margaret, daughter of David McKee, whose personal history will be found in the chapter devoted to Noble Township. Shortly after their marriage the young couple commenced life upon the farm where he now resides, which is a part of the tract entered by his father in 1808, and which by his time was unimproved with the exception of a small field where is now the Caldwell school-building. Like his brother, Samuel, he identified himself with nearly all the events in the history of this section of the county. He was one of the pioneer salt-makers of the Duck Creek Valley, and was one of the parties who sank the second well bored in the valley; in this well petroleum was discovered, and it can be said to have been the first oil well in the United States. The life of Joseph Caldwell has been comparatively uneventful. His experiences have not been unlike those of most of the pioneer farmers of his time. With him the desideratum has been the welfare of his family and the acquisition of that priceless legacy, an unsullied reputation - and the full fruition of his desires has been attained. His aged helpmeet was born near Stanlyville, Washington County, Ohio, in the year 1800. She has been to him a wife in all that term implies, and the mother of four children: Rhoda A. (Coffy), Milton, Ruth (Okey) and Joseph. The latter resides on the farm where he was born in 1843. He married Miss Melissa, daughter of Jefferson Glidden, one of the pioneers of Olive Township.

Samuel Caldwell was in his lifetime one of the most active, prominent and best-known citizens of the county. He was born near Lower Salem, Washington County, Ohio, in 1800, came with his parents, and passed the remainder of his days on the farm entered by his father. Brought up as a pioneer farmer's son and subjected to the rigid discipline of that life, he had few educational advantages, though, perhaps, more than many of the youth of that day enjoyed. He attended school for one term in Marietta, and soon afterward finished his education in the pioneer schools of the township. He was active, as a young man, in all the sports of the early days. He held some offices in the State militia, and was widely known as "Colonel," though he never attained to that rank. He followed farming and stock-raising and was successful in those pursuits. He was one of the leading citizens in advocating the formation of Noble County and in securing the county seat at Caldwell. For the latter purpose he donated several acres of ground to the county. He may justly be regarded as the founder of the town, which was named after him. He was a prominent member of the Democratic pary, but never sought or held any important office. He was once a candidate for representative to the legislature from Morgan County, but his party was defeated and he failed of an election, although he ran in advance of his ticket. He was a member of no church, but was a strictly honest, just, God-fearing man, who was universally respected. He died in 1869. He was married in 1827 to Sarah Brownrigg, who was born in Westmoreland County, England, in 1801, and came to this country with her parents about 1817. Of this union ten children were born: William B., Jane (Ogle), Joseph (deceased), Fulton, Mary, who died young; Sarah (McKee) and Mary (Young), twins; Happy (McKee), John W. and Hannah (Belford). All live in Noble County, except William B. and John W., who are located in western Dakota, and Hannah (Belford) in Toledo.

William B. Caldwell, the oldest of the children of Samuel Caldwell, was born on the homestead, and resided in the county until about 1880. For twenty years he was probably the most extensive dealer in live stock in the county.

Fulton Caldwell, now a prosperous farmer and a leading citizen, was born on the Caldwell homestead in 1833. He was brought up a farmer, and has followed that occupation principally. His educational training was such as other youth of his day obtained while attending at the old log school-house and its successor, "the old red school-house." He was engaged in mercantile business four or five years, and for about two years was a stock-buyer and drover. With these exceptions he has devoted his time and attention to farming, stock-raising and dairying. For ten years he has been engaged in the dairy business, keeping an average of fifty cows and raising Jersey stock of high grade. He was married in 1860, to Ruth E., daughter of Rober McKee. They have but one child, Charles C. Mr. Caldwell is a member of the Masonic order. He was among the first oil operators in the Duck Creek field, and, as is elsewhere shown, was the means of bringing this field to the attention of oil men. He took a prominent part in securing the two railroads of Noble County, probably doing as much to forward those enterprises as any other man in the county. He has also been identified with many other important undertakings calculated to advance the interests of the town and county. He is enterprising and public-spirited and bears and honorable name in the community, where he has always resided. In connection with his brother, J.W. Caldwell, he has an interest in western land and in a stock ranch. These brothers sent to the Black Hills in 1876 the first steam sawmill ever operated in that region. This mill was set up at Deadwood, and it was but a brief time before it had many competitors.

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