ITS EARLY HISTORY DOWN TO THE PRESENT, INCLUDING AN INTERESTING SKETCH OF ANCIENT MINGO TOWN.

     Among the several townships in Jefferson county, though at present possessing much the smallest civil township area, Steubenville ranks about the foremost in importance.  Not alone from its containing the county seat and the largest town, but by virtue, also, of its growth, enterprise, facilities and population.  We learn from the old township minute book that

STEUBENVILLE TOWNSHIP WAS ERECTED.

May 30, 1803, then embracing also what is now Island Creek, Cross Creek and Salem townships - the two former being taken away June 4,  1806, and the latter June 3, 1807.*  The following minute (the first recorded) will be read with interest:  "Agreeable to an act of the legislature in general assembly for the state of Ohio, met on the 18th of January, 802, in order to regulate township meetings, an election was held at the court house in the town of Steubenville, for the township of Steubenville, when the following township officers were elected:  Zacheus Biggs in the chair, and then proceeded to elect by ballot as the law directs: John Black was chosen as township clerk

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* The first government survey was made in 1801, by Alexander Holmes, under authority of the United States authorities, when only sections were laid out.  In 1802, however, Benjamin Hough, for the government, laid it off in quarter sections, and these are the only surveys made of it by order of the authorities.

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and Zaccheus Biggs, James Dunlevy and James Shane were elected as trustees or managers for said township, as also Richard Johnston and Jonathan Nottingham overseers of the poor.  Thos. Hitchcock, Wm. Engle and Richard Lee were elected fence
MORE TO COME

A PEEP INTO THE PAST

THE TOWNSHIP AT PRESENT

INTERESTING RECOLLECTIONS OF NINETY YEARS AGO.

WHAT OUR LOG CABIN WAS LIKE.

THE LOT OF LADIES IN THOSE DAYS.

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THE OLD TIME MEETINGS.

HOW THEY INDULGED SPIRITUAL CONSOLATION.

THE FIRST PUBLIC PREACHING IN STEUBENVILLE

A FEW OLD TIME RECIPES

LOVELY PICTURES THAT HUNG ROUND OUR HUTS.

HOW THEY MANAGED WITHOUT DOCTORS?

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HISTORICAL AND OTHERWISE

FARMERS AND EXTENSIVE LAND OWNERS IN STEUBENVILLE TOWNSHIP TO-DAY.

THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS

     The trustees are:  Richard Archdeacon, John McMurray, and Edward F. Bond; treasurer, H. H. Ferres; clerk, Geo. Ficks (who has efficiently filled the same office for over eighteen years); constables, Douglas Cahill and Joseph Conley; supervisors, Edward Mulholland and J. Vankirk; justices of the peace, Geo. G. Wright and Henry J. Spence; assessor, Geo. R. Kneff.

THE PRINCIPAL TOWN IN THE TOWNSHIP

THE ANCIENT MINGO TOWN.

WASHINGTON AT THE MINGO TOWN IN THE FALL OF 1770.

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MINGO BOTTOM,

"MINGO JUNCTION,"

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MINGO ISLAND

     Though the records of time, and the present oldest living inhabitants, have little of historical interest to hand down about this once romantic spot, which stands out in the river directly opposite Mingo junction, yet when we assure the reader that from thirty to fifty years ago, it was decked with fine foliaged trees, produced crops of corn and yielded abundant grapes, it will readily be conceived that still earlier it must have been a favored spot of the red skin, as he paddled around it in his bark canoe, in testive sport.  We find it frequently referred to in history as "Mingo Island," though we are assured that for some years after the Rev. L. Potter located on a farm opposite, it was commonly called "Potter's Island."  Such a perversion of its correct name was, however, unwarrrentable.  It really belongs to Virginia, and since the floot tides, and dashing waves from passing steamers, have divested it of everything in the shape, trees, herbage or even sub-soil, leaving only a large sandy shoal - it can furnish little discomfiture to the state of Ohio when she has to admit that "it's none of her concern."

BURIAL GROUNDS IN THE TOWNSHIP

     It is the privilege of this township to boast of one of the finest cemeteries in the county, just outside the corporation limits of Steubenville, known as the "Union Cemetery," and referred to at length under the head of "Ecclesiastical Records, Burial Grounds &c.," in our chapter on Steubenville.  Outside of this much frequented mortuary we find it is no uncommon thing  for farmers to have a private burial ground of their own, set apart on the farms.  How far such a primitive custom is desirable or becoming we will not debate, but clearly comprehend that under such auspices the necessity for expensive monuments and tablets is dispensed with, without one's sympathy for departed ones, (in a financial point) being brought into comparison with that of their neighbor.

RELICS AND CURIOSITIES.

     Quite a number of rare geological, mineralogical and anatomical curiosities have been exhumed in this township, Mr. Frank Wells, Mr. Tarr, and numerous other gentlemen possessing rare collections.  During the excavation of the foundation at Mingo Iron Works, Mr. Kneff's son found several immense bones and teeth, and Mrs. Kneff also found some extraordinary teeth in George's Run.  Mr. Tarr has recovered quite a number of Indian relics on his farm, including pieces of pottery and singular specimens of petrifaction.  In the course of our canvass we have been shown endless specimens totally beyond our conception and it would seem that other curiosities are still disclosing themselves regularly.

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BUSKIRK'S FAMOUS FIGHT

THE LAST FORMIDABLE ENCOUNTER WITH INDIANS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

DEATH OF MRS. LAWSON VAN BUSKIRK.

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STEUBENVILLE TOWNSHIP BIOGRAPHIES

     HENRY ADAMS - The father of the subject of this sketch, George Adams, was born in Maryland, in 1772. and came to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, with his father when quite young.  Here he grew to manhood, or until he was seventeen years of age, when he volunteered as a soldier in Gen. Wayne's expedition against the Indians.  He served for three years.  He helped to build Fort Recovery, and was stationed there for quite a while, was there at the death of Gen. McMahon.  At the close of the war he returned to his home where he remained until about 1796, when he settled on section 32, in this township, where he remained until his death in 1856.  His wife, Miss Rhoda Nottingham, was born in 1779.  They reared a family of eight children, all of whom are dead but three.  Our subject was the fifth son of George Adams, and was born in 1811, on the farm he now owns, and where he has always lived.  Was married in 1848, and has reared a family of seven children.  Was in the River Trade for about twenty years, making 49 trips to New Orleans.  Quit the river in 1850 and since then has been engaged in farming and stock raising.

     ISAAC LINDUFF, was born in Cross Creek township, Nov. 6, 1836, where most of his life has been spent.  Was married Apr. 15, 1860, and has reared a family of five children.  He was a member of Company I, 53d Regiment O. V. I.  Enlisted Nov. 26, 1861, for three years, but was discharged by reason of re-enlistment as a veteran, Jan. 1, 1864.  Was discharged Dec. 31, 1864, by reason of wounds received on July 22, 1864, before Atlanta, Georgia.  Was First Sergeant of his company.  Was wounded by a minnie ball, just below the left eye.

     MICHAEL WHITAKER was born June 7, 1853, in Jefferson county, Ohio, where he has always lived.  Was married May 13, 1874.  Has been connected with the Union Cemetery with his father, Sept. 1, 1878, he was appointed superintendent in in his father's stead.

     GEORGE H. CURRY was born in August, 1843, in Jefferson county, but shortly after his parents moved to Brooke county, West Virginia, where he grew to manhood.  He was married in 1863 and has a family of three children.  By profession he is a dentist, but he is now engaged in farming and gardening.

     JOHN F. MURPHY was born in the state of New York, but came with his parents to Jefferson county when about one year of age, and since then his life has mostly been spent in this county.  He was a member of company A, 25th regiment O. V. I.; enlisted Mar. 7, 1864, and served until after the close of the war.  This company was formed in Belmont county, Ohio.  He was married in 1870.  In 1873 he commenced the manufacture of cigars, in which he is now operating, and produces about 250,000 cigars annually.  His factory is No. 533.

     JOHN HOLROYD was born in Trumbull county, O., in August, 1826, and came to Jefferson county in 1834, where he has ever since lived; followed steamboating on the Ohio river for nearly twenty years; is a cooper by trade; was married July 3, 1851, and has reared a family to ten children, four sons and six daughters.

     J. B. MOONEY was born in Ireland in 1820, where he grew to manhood; left Dublin, Ireland, May 28, 1847, and came to New York city, where he lived for five years; came to Jefferson county in 1852, where he has since lived; was married February 28, 1861, and has reared a family of five sons.

     ALEXANDER WALKER was born Apr. 4, 1832, in Jefferson county, on the farm where he now lives, and where his father, John Walker, first settled.  Alexander was married in 1834, to Miss Workman, of Jefferson, by whom he reared a family of ten children, all living.  His father was one of the first settlers of this county.

     ALBERT W. CONNELL was born in Jefferson county, on the farm where he now lives, July 6, 1850; was married in December, 1876.
SHARON WICK'S NOTE:  1880 Census - Steubenville, Jefferson Co., Ohio lists Dwelling 84  Family 89 - Connell, Martha W., 74, b. Penn., fath. b. Ire., moth. b. Penn; Joseph W., 48, brother, b. Ohio, fath. b. Penn., moth. b. Ohio;
Dwelling 84  Family 90 - Connell, Albert W., 29, Farmer, b. Ohio, fath. b. Penn., moth. b. Ohio; Ella J., 26, keeping, b. Ohio, fath. b. Ohio, moth. b. Ohio; Willie, 3, b. Ohio, fath. b. Ohio, moth. b. Ohio.

     W. H. CONNELL, the father of Albert W., came to Jefferson county with his father, William, in 1808.  William was drowned in 1810.  He had a family of eight children.  W. H. reared a family of children.  He died in 1871, in his sixty-fifth year.

     ROBERT CONNELL, the father of Albert W., came to Jefferson county with his father, William, in 1808.  William was drowned in 1810.  He had a family of eight children.  W. H. reared a family of five children.  He died in 1871, in his sixty-fifth year.

     WILLIAM ROE was born in Jefferson county in 1849, where he has always lived.  Was married in 1873.  Received just a common school education.  Was a member of Company B, 52d regiment O. V. I., in the three years service.  Enlisted Aug. 17, 1862, and was discharged with company June 20, 1865, at close of the war.  Received a flesh wound at Atlanta, Georgia.

     JOHN MOORE, a native of Ireland, came to Jefferson county in 1805, and settled in Cross Creek township, where he remained until his death.  He reared a family of three children.

     WILLIAM MOORE, the oldest son of John Moore, was born in Ireland, in 1798, and came to this country with his father in 1805, where he grew to manhood and spent the greater part of his life.  He married Miss Marian Oliver in 1821, and reared a family of nine children, all of whom are living but one.  He died in 1842.  John Moore, Jr., O. C. Moore and William Moore, sons of William Moore, Sr., were members of the 151st Ohio National Guard, and served about four months.  Henry Moore was a member of Company E, 162d regiment, O. V. I.  Enlisted in November, 1861, and was out about two years, when he was taken sick, and came home, only to die.

     JAMES C. MOORE was a member of Company E, 52d regiment, O. V. I.  Enlisted September, 1862, and served till close of the war.

     BARTLY MOORE was a member of Company E, 52d regiment, O. V. I.  Enlisted Sept., 1862, and was discharged at the close of the war.  Thus it will be seen that all of the Moore brothers responded to their country's call.

     JOHN SCOTT was born in Fayette county, Pa., and when he was quite small his father removed to Washington county, Pa., where he grew to manhood.  Came to Jefferson county in 1812, and settled upon the farm where his sons, Charles and John W., now live and there spent the balance of his life.  Bought land from Hans Wilson, a merchant of Steubenville - 125 acres.  Was a cooper by trade and for several years after his settlement he worked at his trade and for several years after his settlement he worked at his trade, but the latter part of his life was devoted to farming.  He was married in 1811, before leaving Washington county, Pa., and reared a family of ten children, all of whom are dead but four.  He was a strict member of the M. P. Church.  He died Sept, 1864.

     JOHN LOYD, SR., was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1782, where he remained till coming to Jefferson county in 1806, where he settled on the farm now owned by his son, John.  He married a daughter of John Miller, Miss Mary, in 1809, and bought his farm from Mr. J. Miller about 1812.  He reared a family of six children of whom only two are now living.  He was a member of the Baptist church.  He died in 1857, in the 75th year of his age.

     JOHN LOYD, JR., son of John Loyd, Sr., was born in 1817, on the farm where he now lives and where he has always lived.  He was married in 1840, and has raised a family of ten children, of all whom are living.

     JAMES WILSON was born Jan. 23, 1843, in Jefferson county, where he grew to manhood or until he went to the army.  He went out at the first call with Capt. D. Cable in the three months service.  He enlisted Apr. 22, 1861, and was discharged Aug. 23, 1861.  Re-enlisted in the spring of 1862, in Company G., 30th regiment, O. V. I., and served until his death, Feb. 18, 1863, at Gayaso hospital, of consumption, at the age of twenty years.

     JOHN WILSON was born in county - Down, Ireland, in the year 1808, and emigrated to America when he was about ten years of age, in company with his mother, sisters and brothers, and settled in Steubenville township, on the farm now owned by the Wilson heirs.  His father died previous to the family leaving Ireland.  His mother died at the age of forty-eight years.  Our subject was married to Miss Susannah Loyd, Apr. 25, 1842, and they reared a family of four children, all boys, two of whom are deceased. John Wilson died in 1851; his wife died in 1850, May 19th.

     HENRY WILSON was born Sept. 10, 1846; was married to Miss H. Adams, daughter of Henry Adams, Nov. 28, 1878.

     JAMES HILL, residing at "Walnut Hill" farm, is a son of the late Robert Hill, who came from Pennsylvania to this county in 1806 and died in 1845.  The old gentleman located on the farm at present occupied by our subject, and conducted by his son.  Our subject is a native of Jefferson county, was born in 1809, and succeeded to the old farmstead and still resides there.  Our subject was married in 1838 to Maria, daughter of Benjamin Kneff, of Mingo Bottom, who came here about 1811, from Franklin county, Pa.  Their son, Benjamin, at present residing at home, takes charge of the farm; while they have an accomplished daughter, Miss Rose Hill, who also lives at home, though they had a larger family of whom the balance are scattered.  The late Joseph W. Hill, brother to our subject, born 1817, and who died in 1877, was married to Miss Mary Ann Sherrard, and who died in 1877, was married to Miss Mary Ann Sherrard, and resided adjoining the old family farmstead, where his widow still lives.  A sister of our subject, born in 1799, and who came here with her father in 1806, was married in 1817 to James S. Irwin, who died in 1850, and the old lady still lives hale and hearty, having had a family of sixteen children, and never experienced a day's sickness in her life beyond such incidental to her increasing family.  Mr. James Hill's farm is one of the most desirable and well cultivated in the county, and presents all the attractions of the most desirable country residence.

END OF STEUBENVILLE TOWNSHIP