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CONGRESS.

     The members of Congress elected from this county, with their terms of service have been:

     Joseph Morris, since deceased, from 1843 to 1847
     William F. Hunter, since deceased, from 1849 to 1853.
     James R. Morris, 1861 to 1865
     The present Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Hon. John W. Okey, although not a citizen of the county at the time of his election was born here, and was elected probate judge and common pleas judge while a resident of Woodsfield.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

     The zeal and labor of the early ministers, the long and toilsome journeys they made, in summer's heat and winter's cold, would form an interesting chapter, in which many instructive lessons and many amusing incidents might be narrated; but whatever of interest, connected with the religious history of the county, and the first church buildings therein, that might be  here recorded, will find a more appropriate place under the headings of the several townships.  Without more space to devote to this subject, and the danger of trespassing upon its proper treatment elsewhere, it is deemed only necessary here, to say, that as early as the year 1804, and probably before that time, occasional religious services were held by Baptist and Methodist ministers; but as no churches were built for many years afterwards, such services were conducted in some settler's house in winter, and in barns and groves in summer.
     The number of church edifices now in the county, as near as can be ascertained, is about one hundred, divided among several denominations, as follows:  Methodist Episcopal, 43; Christian, 15; Presbyterian, 11; Lutheran, 8; Roman Catholic, 6; Congregationalist, 1; Anabaptist, or Mennonite, 3; United Brethren, 5; Methodist Protestant, 3; Baptist, 5.  There may be, and very probably are, errors in the foregoing, but the writer has not at hand any means of giving a more correct list.

FIRST GERMAN AND SWISS SETTLEMENTS.

     In April, 1819, ten German and Swiss families embarked on a flatboat on the river Aar, at the city of Berne, under the leadership of Jacob Tisher.  They descended the Aar to the river Rhine, and thence down the Rhine to the city of Antwerp, where they shipped on board the Eugenius, a French vessel, for New York.  After a passage of forty-eight days they landed at Amboy, New Jersey, where they purchased teams, and six of the families started overland for Wheeling.  The little colony now consisted of Father Jacob Tisher, Abraham Tisher, Jacob Tschappat, Daniel Fankhouser, Nicholas Fankhauser, Jacob Marti, and their families, and Jacob Nispeli, single.  After a tedious journey they reached Wheeling, and again embarked on a flatboat - their destination being the Great Kanawha river. 
     Landing at the mouth of the Captina, they there found two Pennsylvania Germans - George Goetz and Henry Sweppe - who informed them that there was plenty of Government land in Monroe county, near by, and a part of them were induced to remain - house room not being obtainable for all.  On the 15th of September, Father Tisher, and a part of his little band continued farther down the river, and landed sixteen miles below, at Bare's landing.  Jacob Bare, a Marylander, and an early settler, who could speak the German language, received them kindly and persuaded them to settle there.
     Thus this little colony, in two bands, simultaneously began the first German-Swiss settlements in Monroe county, the one party in what is now Switzerland township, the other in Ohio township.  On the hill in Switzerland (then Salem) township, near where Jasper Mallory lived, one Daniel Mallet had built a log cabin.  This improvement was purchased by Jacob Tschappat, Sen., who moved into it the same fall.  The others settled on Congress land the following spring.  At that time the township was almost a wilderness; only a few small improvements, back from the river, had been made.  On Big Run, the Blares, Hendershots, Lemleys and Smiths had settled.
     In Ohio township, there were then no settlements back from the river except on French Hill, back of Buckhill bottom, by Mozenette and Harrison; on the Opossum creek, by Jacob Dennis, and on the hill south of Bare's Run, by James Ferrell, Shortly afterwards Christian Regsegger, a Swiss, settled on the hill back of Baresville.  The balance of the township was an unbroken forest.  Immigration now fairly set in from Germany and Switzerland, and these fertile hills became the happy hoes of an industrious and prosperous people.  Prior to these settlements the improvements were mostly confined to the river bottoms.

WAR RECORD.

     It is much to be regretted that there are no obtainable records, at least not within reach, which will show the names of all the men who entered the service during the late rebellion from this county.  By the following sketch it will be seen that several companies entered the service of West Virginia, and neither the county nor State has received the proper credit therefor.  All the promotions that occurred during the continuance of the war cannot be given for reasons above stated.  Many who entered the service as privates became in time, line officers, and many captains and lieutenants became field officers.  Because these promotions cannot be here given, in full, it is thought best to give only the names of those who were the line and the field officers from this county when the regiments were organized.  Justice to the privates who displayed the same bravery and gallantry as their commanders, would dictate that the names of all should be given.  To do this, at present, is impossible.  It is to be hoped that at no distant day, some one will undertake this task, and enroll, in permanent form, the name of every soldier, whether officer or private, who was mustered into the service from this county, and the battles in which they were respectively engaged.  If such a record should be made, the children and children's children of these brave men, could point with pride to "the deeds their fathers done."

     25TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. -

     At the first outbreak of the rebellion, two companies, for the three months' service, under the first call of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers, were soon raised, but before they could be mustered into the service Ohio's quota, under that call, was full.  These companies - B and C - were afterwards mustered into the 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as three years' men.  Of this regiment, William P. Richardson was the first major, was promoted lieutenant-colonel and colonel, and before the regiment was mustered out, was breveted brigadier-general.
     Jere. Williams was promoted from captain to major, and then lieutenant-colonel.
     Dr. William Walton served as assistant-surgeon and surgeon.

     The two companies went into the service officered as follows: 
     Company B -
     James Washburn, captain;
     Charles B. Jones, first lieutenant
     John D. Merryman, ,second lieutenant.
     Company C: -
     Jere. Williams, captain;
     William P. Richner, first lieutenant;
     Frank M. Sinclair, second lieutenant.

     The regiment was organized at Camp Chase, June 28, 1861, and was mustered out June 18 1866, having been in service five years.

27TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

     The regiment was organized in August, 1861.
     Company E from this county, had for its first officers,
     Henry R. West, first lieutenant; and
     Samuel D. Hopper, second lieutenant.
    Lieutenant West became, by promotion, captain, lieutenant-colonel and colonel.  When, in September, 1865, the 62d and 67th regiments were consolidated - retaining the name of the 67th - Colonel West became lieutenant colonel fo the new organization, and was breveted colonel and brigadier-general.  The regiment was mustered out December 12, 1865, after a service of four years.

77TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

     This regiment was organized in the fall of 1861.
     Company A,
     William E. Stevens, captain;
     Harvey Anderson, first lieutenant
     Joseph S. Steenrod, second lieutenant, was recruited in this county.
     Nearly another company was raised, but when the regiment was organized the men were taken to fill up other fragments of companies. 
     William P. Richner was commissioned first Lieutenant
     Captain Stevens was promoted major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel.
     Drs. James W. Warfield and Pardon Cook, former citizens of the county, were surgeon and assistant surgeon.
     On the 8th of March, 1866, the regiment was mustered out of service, at Brownsville, Texas, and at Columbus, on the 25th of March, was finally paid off and disbanded.

92D OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

     In this regiment were two companies from this county. 
     Company C,
     John C. Morrow, captain
     Milton Patton, first lieutenant
     Company K,
     Thomas Wilson, captain;
     A. G. Hughes,first lieutenant;
     John D. Smith, second lieutenant.
     The regiment was organized in the months of August and September, 1861, and was dicharged June 19, 1865.

36TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

     In August, 1861, this regiment was organized.  The officers of company D, this county, were
     Warren Hollister, captain;
     William R. Ford, first lieutenant, and
     Jonathan N. Patton, second lieutenant.
     After a service of four years it was discharged Aug. 1, 1865.

2D VIRGINIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

     About the same time a company was recruited in this county for service in West Virginia, and was mustered into the 2d Virginia Volunteers, of which
     Simpson Hollister was captain, and
     Hamilton B. James, one of the lieutenants.
     Who was the other is unknown to the writer, nor does he know the date of discharge, but believes the company was in service the full term of three years.

7TH VIRGINIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

     In this regiment there were two companies from this county.  Of one
     Solomon Spangler was captain;
     John A. Fleahman first lieutenant, and
     John W. Denny, second lieutenant.
     Of the other,
     Isaac B. Fisher was captain,
     James Watson, first lieutenant, and
     John W. Eddington, second lieutenant.
     The regiment was in service three years.

116TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY..

     This regiment rendezvoused at Marietta, Aug. 25, 1862, and was mustered into the service September 18th.  Companies A, C, D, E, and F were from this county.
     James Washburn was commissioned colonel, and
     W. T. Morris, major.
     The company officers were:
     of Company A,
     Charles W. Ridgeway, captain;
     Robert Wilson, first lieutenant;
     William M. Kerr,  second lieutenant.
     Company C,  
     Fred'k H. Arkenoe, captain;
     James P. Mann, first lieutenant;
     David M. Lupton, second lieutenant;
     Company D,
     William Myers, captain;
     Henry Okey, first lieutenant;
     Richard Chaney, second lieutenant.
     Company E,
     John Varley, captain;
     Peter Dillon, first lieutnant;
     John C. Henthorn, second lieutenant.
     Company F,
     Matthew Brown, captain;
     Henry McElfresh, first lieutenant;
     Wilson F. Martin, second lieutenant.
     This regiment was mustered out of the service on the 23d day of June, 1865.

2D VIRGINIA CAVALRY.

     On the 8th day of November, 1861, a company from this county was mustered into the 2d Virginia Cavalry.
     Thomas Neal, captain;
     Jeremiah Boyd first lieutenant; and
     William Church, second lieutenant.
     The regiment was discharged Dec. 4, 1865.

4TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY.

     A company of six months' men for this regiment was recruited by the
     captain, James S. Algeo.
     Who were the other officers of the company is not remembered.  The regiment entered the service in the summer of 1862.

12TH OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY.

     On the 28th of November, 1863, this regiment was mustered into service 
     Henry H. Lohmire having recruited a number of men in this county for this regiment, was commissioned first lieutenant.  The regiment was discharged Nov. 23, 1865.
     A number of men were recruited in this county for a company in an artillery regiment, by George Davenport, of Washington county.  What was the number of the regiment is not remembered; perhaps Battery H of First Ohio Light Artillery, commanded by James F. Huntington of Marietta.

186TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

     In March, 1865, this regiment was organized.  A number of men were recruited for it at Beallsville and Graysville.  It was disbanded Sept. 25, 1865.
     Many citizens of the county were members of regiments from this and other States. 
     William F. Hunter was captain,
     John J. Brady, first lieutenant in the 92d Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
     Others that out to find a place in their county's history, cannot no be called to mind.
     Many of the brave boys are "sleeping the sleep that knows no waking," embalmed in the hearts of their families, their friends, and their countrymen.  Many are still surviving, suffering from wounds and diseases that will have no end until they are called to join their companions in arms, in  "that undiscovered country, where wars and rumors of wars shall be heard no more."  Many a happy wife was left to mourn.
     "Lone, all alone - not one to cheer her;
     Lone, all alone - not one friend near her;
     No ear, but God's, could hear her,
     As she mourned, lone, all alone."
     Many others survive the toils and dangers of that fearful conflict to rejoice in a united and prosperous country - their prayers continually ascending to the God of Battles that no such terrible calamity shall ever again afflict them or their posterity.
 

MISCELLANEOUS

     There is but one railroad in the county - the Bellaire & Southwestern - extending from Bellaire to Woodsfield, a distance of forty-two miles.  The name of this road, however, had been recently changed, and is now known as the Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati Railway.  Its extension from Woodsfield to Caldwell, Noble county, is now under contract, and the work is being rapidly pushed forward.
     POPULATION. - The population of the county in 1820 was 4,645; in 1830, 8,768; in 1840, 18,521; in 1850, 28,351; in 1860, 25,741; in 1870, 25,779; in 1880, 26,476.  The apparent decrease from 1850 to 1860 was caused by the erection of Noble county in 1851.
     The population by townships, in 1880, was compared with 1870, showing the increase and decrease in the decade, is as follows:

     By this table the increase in population in ten years is shown to be 717.  The decrease in some of the townships is owing to the fact that many farmers, as they become able, buy the lands of their adjoining neighbors, who move westward in search of larger farms.
     MARRIAGES - BIRTHS - DEATHS. - The number of marriages in the county for the year ending March 30, 1881, were 200; number of births for the same period, 703; and number of deaths, 263.  For the year ending March 31, 1882;  Marriages, 224; births, 804; deaths, 284.
     Number of made inhabitants in the county in 179, as returned by the township assessors, above the age of twenty-one years, 5,605.
     LIVE STOCK - The number of horses returned by the assessors of the several townships for the year 1881, was 5,321; cattle, 16,218; mules, 267; sheep, 40,359; hogs, 12,602.
     FARM PRODUCTS. - Number of bushels of wheat, crop of 1880, was 257,331; corn, 626,228 bushels; rye, 5,308 bushels; oats, 139,274 bushels; buckwheat, 2,538 bushels; barley, 294 bushels; potatoes, 57,763 bushels; timothy hay, 16,154 tuns; clover hay, 666 tons; tobacco, 2,067,246 pounds; butter, 485,878 pounds; cheese, 685,662 pounds; sorghum syrup, 35,410 gallons; eggs, 302,103 dozens; grapes, 73,510 pounds; wine, 7,480 gallons; apples, 474,918 bushels; peaches, 9,253 bushels; pears, 721 bushels; cherries, 4,960 bushels; plums, 1,351.
     In giving the history of the several townships in the county, in place of giving them in alphabetical order, it is thought to be more appropriate to give them in the order of their organization.  As has already been said, four townships were organized at the first session of the commissioners, to-wit:  Salem, Seneca, Centre and Jackson.  Before this county was erected,, Salem township was one of the townships of Belmont county, under the territorial government, and at the first term of the court for that county, November 24, 1801, the boundaries of the township were fixed as follows: "To begin on the Ohio river, at the southeast corner of York township, thence with said township line west to the western boundary of the county, (being the present county line between Belmont and Monroe); thence south fifteen miles to the southern boundary of the county; thence east with said boundary line to the Ohio river; thence up the river to the place of beginning, to be called and known by the name of the township of Salem."  The court, on the 24th of February, 1802, ordered the election to be held for Salem township at the house of James Henthorn at the mouth of Sunfish.
     The court and other records of Belmont county, furnish many items of historic interest to the people of Monroe, some of which will be referred to under the proper township headings.  The Salem township of Belmont county covered about three-fourths of the territory of the present county of Monroe.

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