1812. He purchased a large tract of land on East Paint; he died in 1824. Captain Zophas Squire, father of William, was in the French war of 1755. Nathaniel Squire is a large farmer and stock raiser. His family record is Amanda, Justice, James, William, Jane, and Madison. Justice served in the late war, under Captains Robinson and Jones. William and James were in the first call; Lizzie, Ann, Maggie, and Ella at home. Mrs. Squire's maiden name was Allen, and she was married to Mr. N. Squire September 26th, 1826. There is an ancient relic in the shape of a powder-horn, made by Captain Z. Squire in 1755, and handed down from sire to son, and is now the property of N. Squire, the variety of dates, cuts, letters, and curious engravings yet visible. THE HERMIT OF FAYETTE Was an early pioneer of 1803, and built his cabin on the west bank of Compton creek. His costume was made of deer skins. He had served in Dunmore's war of 1774, and in the war of 1776, and was a daring, fearless hunter. His cabin was lined with elk, deer, bear, and other skins. He had means, and grazed herds of horses and cattle. When he left for the West, he took a large drove with him. Rumor says that he was killed in the Black Hawk war of 1832. BY REV. DICKEY. Rev. William Dickey, first preacher, was born December 6th, 1774, in York District, South Carolina, and died December 5th, 1857, aged 83 years, lacking one day. His birthday was the day of his burial. He lost his mother when but two years old. His father, Robert Dickey, was a soldier in the revolution, and Rev. William Dickey had to fly before Cornwallis' army, whose encampment was on his father's farm. He then five years old. After the war he removed to Kentucky. William, when a grown man, obtained an education at Nashville, Tenn., and was licensed to preach on the 5th of October, 1802, by the Presbytery of Transylvania, at Springhill. He was soon elected a member of the General Assembly, which met in Philadelphia. He went in a plain suit of home spun; he made an odd appearance among the broadcloth parsons there assembled. There was preaching every night; one of the aristocratic preachers suggested that Brother Dickey had not preached yet; a smile passed around the company at the idea; he consented, and preached to a large audience, and preached a sermon that surprised all present, and all were highly pleased and gratified. Many of his hearers were in tears. It is related of him that while in attendance at this session, he placed his straw hat on the window-sill of the church window, it being raised; the wind blew it out into the yard, and a cow ate it up, so he was hatless; the people of the city made him a present of a fur hat, and also a fine suit of black broadcloth, so well were they pleased with the backwoods preacher. Rev. W. Dickey emigrated to Fayette prior to its organization, ond became the pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in now Washington. His members built him a cabin; he also organized a small church in now Bloomingburg, November 22d, 1817, where he preached part of his time. About this time he purchased 16 acres of land of Mr. Walker, of Chillicothe, near Washington. As the day of payment drew near, he found he could not make his payment. He wrote to Mr. W. to take it back. The return mail brought Mr. Dickey a deed, to his great surprise. Mr. Dickey, prior to his death, sold it for $2,000, which enabled him to purchase 100 acres near Bloomingburg, where he spent the latter part of his days, leaving it to his children. But to return, the church at Bloomingburg desired his entire time; he therefore moved to Bloomingburg, and preached for this church 40 years. He spent his latest breath in commending to his hearers the blessed Master whom he had served. In regard to his labors as a minister, I need not pen them here. Their history is written in the characters and in the hearts of the entire community. He baptised the people, and received them to the communion; he married their children, and buried their parents; he has sat at every fireside, and prayed in every family. Rev. Wm. Dickey served God in the ministry for 55 years. He lived to bury all his father's family, and at last he comes to his grave at a full, ripe age, like a shock of corn, fully ripe. For God was there, and round his bed His rod and staff sweet comfort gave, The author was well acquainted with Rev. Wm. Dickey, and must say that pen fails to give a true and just tribute to the memory of this honest and pious pioneer preacher. His place can never be filled. MADISON TOWNSHIP. Madison Township is one of the original townships of Fayette County, 1815. The soil is rich and productive; the streams passing through it are the north fork of Paint and its head branches. Among its first settlers was Gen. Beatal Harrison; (given in by William Harrison, his son, and taken from MSS.) Gen. Beatal Harrison was born in the State of Virginia, in the year 1780. His father, Captain Benjamin Harrison, served as a Continental officer in the revolutionary war of 1776, under General George Washington. The Harrison family are descended from the brave Major Benjamin Harrison, one of the heroic veterans who feared not to place his name upon the scroll of fame, the immortal Declaration of Independence. He was the honored father of General William Henry Harrison, late President of the United States. General Beatal Harrison emigrated to the Northwest territory in 1798, and settled in now Belmont County, where he resided until 1811. He was among the first pioneers to that locality. He emigrated to Ross County, and in the fall of 1812 was commissioned by James Madison, who knew his bravery and qualifications, Second Lieutenant in the 19th Regiment of Infantry of the United States, dated July 2, 1812, and served with ability and distinction in said office until March 17th, 1814, when he was commissioned by President Madison Captain of the Second Company of Riflemen, United States Regular Army. He served in this office until peace was declared in 1815. After the close of the war he married and emigrated to Fayette County in the wilderness, and located a large tract of military land in now Madison Township, on the waters, of Paint creek, and erected the first cabin in that section of the country, which yet stands in good preservation. By industry, he had, in a short time, a large portion of his land improved and in good condition, and one of the best stock farms in the county, it being well watered by the heads of Paint creek. General Harrison, during his life, was a large stock dealer. For many years he drove cattle and hogs to Baltimore and other Eastern markets. General Harrison was elected by the Legislature in 1817 as Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Fayette County. In this honorable and important office he served seven years. He was also elected several terms by his district as a Representative to the Ohio Legislature. He made an efficient member of that body, and exerted a great influence among its members. He was a powerful writer and a good thinker. His loss as a benevolent and useful citizen is irreparable. General Harrison died in 1857 full of years and honors, leaving a name worthy of the imitation of the rising generation. Hon. William H. Harrison, named after the lamented William H. Harrison, late President of the United States, and son of General Beatal Harrison, the subject of this brief record, is the proprietor of the second homestead, and occupies the house in which the General died in 1857, a year long to be remembered by the General's family and friends. William H. Harrison has been unfortunate in his family; out of nine children he has but two. He has recently lost his excellent lady, Mrs. Harrison, and is a lone widower. General Harrison was elected and commissioned Brigadier General in 1838, and served until the repeal of the militia law by the Legislature. The following are the names of General Harrison's children: Benjamin Scott, William H., David N., Joseph, and Mary M. All are living but John, who was in Company D, 114th Regiment O. V., and died in the last war. Scott was a captain in the last war. David was lieutenant of the militia. Benjamin served one term as commissioner for Madison County. The following are the names of the first pioneers of Madison Township: BY WILLIAM H. HARRISON. Leonard Jefferson, occupation, farmer and first tanner, a useful citizen, &c. Isaac Moore was a farmer and a man of influence in society. David McCarfatty, a working, industrious tiller of the soil, and very social. Edward Clarridge, |