ing. The present pastorate, that of Rev. Thomas J. Dague, began October 1, 1883. During this time twenty-one members have been added, and the society is in a very prosperous condition. LODGES. Masonic.-Sharon Lodge, No. 136, F. and A. M., was instituted March 26, 1846, with the following charter members and first officers: Rev. Patrick K. McCue, W. M.; Dr. Jesse M. Stone, S. W.; Samuel Fowler, J. W.; B. M. Leland, Oliver Keyser, Robert Thompson, Conway Garlington and Jesse Stewart. Of these, B. M. Leland is the only survivor, so far as is known. The past masters have been Rev. Patrick K. McCue, Dr. Jesse M. Stone, Robert Thompson, Stephen Burlingame, Josiah Burlingame, Dennis S. Gibbs, David C. Aiken, B. M. Leland, J. P. Gill, Stephen Parrish, J. Danford, William Lowe, D. H. Schofield, R. Burlingame and Ross Elder. The lodge once had over one hundred members, but many have withdrawn, joining newer lodges. The present membership is seventy-four. The lodge is in good financial condition, and owns a good two-story building containing the hall, which was built in 1857, at a cost of $1,400. The present officers are Ross Elder, W. M.; George E. Willey, S. W.; Thomas Love, J. W.; Richard Burlingame, S. D.: Joseph W. Jones, J. D.: A. H. McFerren, secretary: Thomas Boyd, treasurer; Alfred Smoot, tyler. Odd Fellows.--Gem Lodge, No. 552, I. O. O. F., Sharon, Ohio, was instituted July 23, 1873, with the following charter members: Frederick Yerian, John Aikin, George A. Bell, A. F. Pickenpaugh, E. W. Daniel, George Walters, James H. Stewart, James Thompson, John Preston, Joseph W. Jones and John E. Marquis. The lodge now has forty members and is in a flourishing condition. It owns one of the finest halls in Noble County-large and well furnished. The officers in October, 1886, were T. W. Parrish, N. G.; Wm. Yerian, B. G.; Thomas Boyd, treasurer; James Kane, secretary. BIOGRAPHICAL. THE BROWNRIGG FAMILY. John Brownrigg, Sr., was one of the prominent early settlers of what is now Sharon Township. He was born in England, where he married. Five children were there born to them: Elizabeth, William, Sarah, Mary and John. In 1818 he immigrated to this country with four of his children, Elizabeth, the eldest, remaining in her native place, the mother having died. The family landed in Baltimore, Md., thence they came to Pittsburgh, and from there to Steubenville, Ohio, in a flat boat. Here the family spent the winter, the boat being their home. The following spring they voyaged to Marietta and from thence to the place where the family now reside. Here the elder Brownrigg entered 640 acres of land. He was a thorough and energetic farmer, and soon after his arrival built a log house, 36x40, and two stories in height. In 1820, the year following his settlement, he when his father settled in Sharon, built a barn which was the admira-, that Silus Sailor was their nearest tion of the pioneer farmers for miles neighbor, and that they occupied his around. This structure, the walls of stable until they could erect a cabin. which are still standing, was one He married in 1829 Miss Matilda, hundred feet in length; the floors daughter of Robert and Jane Caldwere puncheon and are still in good well. Four children were the result repair. He died in 1856, aged eighty- of this union: Jane (Swank), Elizafour years. He was an Episcopalian beth (Ellison), who died in 1887, in religious belief, and for many William and Sarah (Kildrow). Willyears one of the leading citizens of iam, the only son, was born in the township. Of his children, John, Sharon Township and resides on the Jr., is the only one living. He was homestead farm. He married Miss born in England, May 15, 1807, and Nancy G., daughter of Samuel and is one of the few who have witnessed Jane Norris. They have six children: the transition of a wilderness to a Emma (Jones), Lewis M., Mary (Bozfertile and productive country. He man), John W., May and Lillie. The remained with his father until his fertile fields and substantial imdecease, at which time he received provements attest Mr. Brownrigg's 240 acres of the paternal estate. He skill and success as a farmer. He has been a thrifty and prosperous is a member of the Masonic frafarmer, and at one time owned 1,100 ternity and a pronounced Demoacres of valuable land. He says that crat. CHAPTER XX. MARION. ORIGINAL TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION - TAX-PAYERS IN 1833- MARION TOWNSHIP ERECTED IN 1851 - EARLY SETTLERS- THE PIONEERS FROM DELAWARE - OLD SETTLERS STILL LIVING THE IRISH SETTLEMENT -NAMES OF THE PIONEER IRISH AND SCOTCH SETTLERS - PROMINENT EARLY FAMILIES - MOSES HORTON, THE FOUNDER OF SUMMERFIELD DRAWBACKS AND DISCOURAGEMENTS ENTERPRISE AND INDUSTRY EARLY SCHOOLS - LEXINGTON, AN EXTINCT VILLAGE — GINSENG DIGGING DEER HUNTING A NOVEL MARRIAGE CEREMONY - PERSONAL MENTION THE "DUTCH INDIANS" AN AMUSING TRIAL — THE VILLAGE OF FREEDOM - SUMMERFIELD — ITS EARLY SETTLERS INDUSTRIES, MERCHANTS, ETC. GROWTH AND PROGRESS CHURCHES THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. PRIO ORIOR to the organization of Noble County, the territory of Marion Township was included in Union and Seneca Townships, Monroe County. The former was organized in 1822, and included township 7 of range 8. The latter was first erected in 1815, but did not extend west to the county line, as it was afterward made to do. In 1836 a description of its boundaries shows that Seneca Township embraced township 7 of range 7. The twelve eastern sections of Marion therefore came from Seneca Township, and the twelve western ones from Union Township. Among the names of owners of real estate appearing on the tax duplicate of Monroe County in 1833 were the following whose lands lay within the present limits of Marion: George Brown, section 24, 162 acres, $184; Samuel Craig, section 13, township 7, range 7, 81 acres; Joshua Craig, Jr., section 1, same township and range, 82 acres, value, 1 appears on the Enoch Township tax $103; Michael Danford, section 1, 80 acres ; James Lemmax, section 11, 78 acres, $98; same, section 12, 78 acres, $98; William Osborne, section 12, 80 acres, $90. These names duplicate, the reason probably being that the owners of the lands described resided within that township, which as then constituted was the sixth township of the eighth range. On the Union Township tax duplicate for the same year were the names of the following owners of real estate in the twelve sections of the seventh township of the eighth range, now included in Marion: Joseph Archer, section 22, 80 acres, $100; Joshua Craig, section 13, 162 acres, $184; Michael Danford, section 1, 80 acres. $80; Alexander Franklin, section 12, 80 acres, $100; William Heiddleston, section 11, 81 acres, $100; James Lemmax, section 24, 164 acres, $182; William McClintock, section 12, 158 acres, $200; William Osborne, section 12, 100 acres, $113; same, 9 |