BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP.
When this township was organized, the honor of naming it was given to the then oldest resident of the region, who was Wm. Speaks, a Revolutionary soldier, and he named it Bethlehem.
Very early in the century, say about 1801, Wm. and Samuel Morrison, Ira Kimberly, and James Craig lived in what is now Bethlehem township. The first three were from Virginia. Craig, after a few years, moved to Coshocton, where he and all his family died, about 1814, of "Cold Plague." John Bantbam and Henry Carr came to Bethlehem about 1806-the former from Virginia, the latter from near Baltimore, Md. The BurreIls were early settlers in the township. Joseph Burrell died in the township in August, ] 874, being about eighty-eight years of age. Benjamin Fry, occupying the land about "Fry's Ford," was also an early settler. Adam Markley, about 1808, came in with a large family-eight sons and four daughters. They were all farmers, and nearly all have been buried in this county. Barbara Markley, in her ninety-first year, and probably the oldest person now living in the township, is the widow of Wm. Markley. John Markley, killed by Geo. Arnold, at an election in Coshocton, in 1816, was of this family; also David Markley, now living at Lewisville. Samuel Clark came from Virginia to Coshocton county about 1801, settling a few years later in Bethlehem, and there dying, a few years since, at a good old age. He was a justice of the peace during nearly all his active life; was also county commissioner several times. Gabriel Clark came about same time. Three sons of Samuel Clark (William, John, and Gabriel), with many descendants, are still living in the county.* Michael Hogle, John Merrihew, and David Ash settled in the township, April, 1814. They were aU from Vermont. Michael Hogle raised a family of nineteen children; removed to Illinois in 1845, and died there in June, 1846.
The first mechanic (blacksmith) in the township was Albert Torrey, about 1814.
The first school (in a log house) was taught by Charles Elliott, afterward the famous Methodist preacher, editor, and college president.

* William Clark died, April 14, 1876, of lung fever, at his home in the township. He had been for some time a justice of the peace. Was sixty-five years old.

* See" Biographical Sketches."

Historical Collections of Coshocton County Ohio 1764-1876 

William E Hunt, 1876

CHAPTER IV  NOT'ICES OF SOME OF THE EARLIEST SETTLER8, AND OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST PERTAINING TO EACH TOWNSHIP.

Transcribed by: Sandy Payne 

© copyright 2004 Sandy Payne