David McGarry, one of the best known citizens of Center Township, was born October 19, 1819, within the present limits of Center Township. He passed his early life amid the scenes of pioneer days, clearing land and farming. His educational advantages were very limited, yet through self-cultivation he became well informed. In 1843 he married Catharine Richey. Seven children were born of this union-John C.. Thomas R., Andrew, Jane, George M., Margaret and Frank. All are living except Jane, who died in infancy. Mr. McGarry was one of the foremost men in bringing about the organization of Noble County, and spent much time and labor in effecting that result. He was an active Democrat until the formation of the Republican party, then joined that organization and remained a firm supporter of its principles. In 1847 he was elected treasurer of Union Township, an office which he held nine years. In 1871 he was nominated to represent Noble County in the legislature. B. F. Spriggs, Democrat, was his opponent. The result of the contest was a tie vote. In March, 1872, a special election was held and Mr. Spriggs was elected. In 1880 Mr. McGarry was appointed census enumerator for Center Township. He died March 7, 1881. George M. McGarry is a prominent farmer of Center Township.

Prior to the formation of Noble County the territory now included in the limits of Center Township belonged to Noble Township, Morgan County, and to Union Township, Monroe County. Union Township was the seventh township of the eighth range, and its territory now forms portions of Center, Marion, Stock and Enoch.

James Archer was lister of Union Township in 1822, and the amount of its county tax, together with that of Enoch, was only $28. In 1823, the total tax for Union was $37.34. Daniel Bates was collector. In 1824 the tax was $40.29, Oren Lane, collector.

In 1833 the following persons were owners of real estate in the eastern portion of Center Township, then Union Township, Monroe County.

John Clevenger, section 19, 83 acres, value $104, according to the tax duplicate for that year; William Capell, section 17, 82 acres, $103; John and James Lanam, section 21, 81 acres, $101; Lemuel Anderson, section 8, 85 acres, $48; same, 50 acres, $70; Daniel Ackley, section 31, 60 acres, $65; Jeremiah Brown, section 5, 80 acres, $105; Isaac Bates, section 7, 122 acres, $167; same, section 8, 31 acres, $42; John Ball, section 18, 166 acres, $190;

*The names of early taxpayers in the western part of Center will be found in the chapter devoted to Noble Township.

Jonas Ball, section 18, 166 acres, $227; Matthew Ball, section 5, 40 acres, $46; Daniel Ball, section 7, 127 acres, $173; same, section 5, 40 acres, $45; Eli Curtis, section 7, 81 acres, $101; same, section 8, 83 acres, $104; David Davis, section 20, 82 acres, $102; James Gibson, section 18, 166 acres, $206; Thomas Gourley, section 19, 165 acres, $200; David Jennings, section 6, 10 acres, $12; John Keller, section 9, 82 acres, $93; Levi Keller, section 9, 82 acres, $93; Jesse Lanam, section 31, 30 acres, $32; Philip McWilliams, grist-mill and saw-mill, $200; Elisha Morris, section 29, 82 acres, $103; Jacob McCollum, section 28. 163 acres, $200; Sanford Morrison, section 6, 70 acres, $80; Ambrose Merry, section 30, 83 acres, $95; Andrew Nicholson, section 18, 160 acres, $218; John Roberts, Jr., section 28, 81 acres, $103; John R. Stone, section 18, 82 acres, $123; James Stranathan, section 17, 80 acres, $100; Andrew Secrest, section 19, 165 acres, $206; William Stretchberry, section 7, 40 acres, $56: Nathan Wickham, section 31, 55 acres, $60; William Willey, section 7, 160 acres, $200.

At that date Union Township was one of the richest and most populous townships of Monroe County. Its valuation was as follows: Real estate, $10,300; personal property, $6,958; town property, $423; total, $17.681: total tax, $198 91.

Among the owners of personal property in township 7, range 8, in 1833, were the following, in addition to those already named:

Thomas Bolis, John Byant, George Chinch, Robert Crawford, William Davidson, Benjamin Kain, Cramlin Ferens, Henry Haughton, Jonathan King, Meshack King, Adam Kindel (Kendall?), Robert Large, Nathan Lincicum, James Lemmax, Brooks Lanam, John Lanam, Andrew Millslagle, Balaam Merrow, Arthur Por ter, Daniel Pettay, Thomas Young, William Roberts, George Ross, John Stewart, -Weakfield, John Snider, Benjamin Street, John Stone, Benjamin Teachenor, Thos. Walker, Hugh Waybrandt, Benjamin Wolf.

The early settlers in the immediate vicinity of Sarahsville were Ephraim Bates, John Jones, Isaac Bates and Daniel Bates, all prior to 1820.

Jonas Ball, from Alleghany County, Md., settled in 1818 west of Sarahsville on the farm adjoining that on which his son, James Ball, now lives. Jonas Ball was a soldier in the War of 1812. James Ball, an ex-county commissioner and a prominent citizen, has lived all his life in the township, and has a vivid recollection of the pioneer scenes among which he was reared. He recalls the time when the country was so full of wolves that sheep had to be penned up securely every night, or some of the flock was almost sure to be missing in the morning. In the neighborhood where Mr. Ball lives were the following early settlers: James Noble, James Dye and Levi Lyons.

Matthew Ball, entered 160 acres near Sarahsville, and settled upon the tract in 1818. He died a few years later. He was a man of means, having been successfully engaged in the

tanning and milling business in Maryland before he came to Ohio. His son Jonas died here. Two other sons, Daniel and John, also settled here. The former died in Iowa and the latter in Illinois.

James and George Dye were early settlers. George had a mill on the old McCleary farm on the road from Hiramsburg to Sarahsville. It was a small affair, and was erected by John Farley, millwright, as early as 1833. Dye sold to Cramlett and he

to James McCleary.

James Dye originally owned the farm on which the Children's Home is located. He became quite wealthy, sold out and moved with his sons to Illinois. Dye and his sons were all hunters. In the winter they made enough money on the furs which they captured to enter 160 acres of land where Rochester now is. They always kept about a dozen hounds, and hunted and trapped throughout the surrounding country. James Noble was also a trapper, and a very successful one. In some way he incurred the enmity of the younger Dyes, who committed many depredations upon his property, and on one occasion fired bullets through his door. After years of lawing he succeeded in lodging some of them in jail. Elias Gilpin, a Marylander, who married a sister of Jonas Ball, and Jonas Gilpin, his son, were also among the noted hunters.

Alfred Morrison and his brothers, George, Arthur and Sanford, and their father, John Morrison, came to this township about 1818, from Maryland. George removed to Illinois.

The others remained here, and left numerous descendants.

Abraham Miley and Andrew Nicholson were early settlers in the western part of the township. Two of Andrew Nicholson's brothers, John and Thomas, also settled in the county.

Andrew McCollum, one of the early justices of the peace, a man of prominence and ability, lived in the eastern part of the township. His descendants are still here.

Joseph Davidson, a Virginian, came in 1819, and was the pioneer on the farm now owned by William Arnold. He married Jane Cooper, who came from Maryland. They had a family of nine children, all of whom were born in this county.

Elisha Fogle, a native of Pennsylvania, came with his father Jacob to Center Township about 1818. He married Miss Miranda Merry and reared a family of ten children, five boys and five girls. The elder Fogle entered a farm on section 26. He was by trade a miller, and for a time operated a horse mill which was one of the first. Elisha entered land adjoining his father's where he lived until he died, aged seventy-three years; he was a millwright and farmer, and an honest, worthy citizen. Thomas Fogle, was born in Center Township in 1830. He married Miss Matilda Peggs. Mr. Fogle is a prosperous farmer and an enthusiastic pisciculturist. He breeds the German carp, and, is the pioneer in this industry in the county.

Andrew Secrest, where Hugh Cox now lives, was an early settler, and

was obliged to find other employment, in order to support his family and pay for his land. The Muskingum River improvements were then being constructed, and upon the locks he worked until the farm began to yield a return for the labor invested. Although his education in books was limited to four days in a subscription school, still, by reading and observation he acquired a fund of valuable knowledge. He was a consistent member of the Christian church, which he joined at the age of twenty-five. In political belief he was originally a Whig. His last His last presidential vote was cast for Hayes. August 11, 1836, he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Weekley. By this union there were eleven children Mary, Margaret, Sally, Josephus, Andrew J., Abby, Levi D., Ada, Maria, Jacob M., and Benjamin H. February 21, 1863, Mrs. Merry died, and in 1864 he married Mrs. Isabella McWilliams. Two children Rufus E. and William D.- were the children by this marriage. Of the children, five were teachers Levi D., Ada, Maria, William D., and Jacob M. Andrew J. was a member of Company G, One

Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died June 23, 1865. Levi D., the present county surveyor, was first elected in 1881, and re-elected in 1884. He married Sue L. Neyman, of Senecaville: three children, all boys.

Samuel Anderson, from Virginia, came to Belmont County, and thence in 1817 to a farm two miles east of

Arthur Morrison came to this county about 1830. He was born in Loudoun County, Va., 1790. He went to Cumberland, Md., about 1815, and in 1830 settled in what is now Noble County, where he bought a farm and remained until his death in 1875. He was a prominent citizen, and reared a family of six sons and two daughters. Only one of the children Andrew- is now living in this county. His son Joseph married Jane, daughter of John McGarry, one of the pioneers, and reared two sons-David M. and Charles. The father was a thorough and successful farmer. He took a deep interest in political matters. He served as justice of the peace for many years. He died in 1883. Of his sons, the elder is the present probate judge of Noble County. Charles is a farmer of Center Township. Both are enterprising men and good citizens.

James N. Hedge, one of the substantial farmers and prominent citizens of Center, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, March 12, 1830. In 1862 he came to this township and bought the farm where he now resides, and which attests his skill and thrift. For thirteen years he has served his fellow townsmen as trustee, besides officiating as infirmary director one term. He married Miss Hannah, daughter of Henry Moore, of Indiana: five childrenthree sons and two daughters. He