James Le Retilley was born in the Isle of Guernsey, in 1788.  He came to this country in 1806, settling in Guernsey county, where was a settlement of people from the island of the same name.  Removing to Muskingum county, at a point about ten miles below Coshocton, he engaged in the manufacture of salt, along with George Bagnall.  They made about six bushels a day at three dollars a bushel, or exchanged a bushel for twelve bushels of wheat.  Their salt was carried to remote points, some of it by canoes and pirogues up the Killbuck almost to Wooster.  In 1825, the Kanawha and lower Muskingum salt coming into market, largely rendered the business of Retilley & Bagnall unprofitable, and they removed to Caldersburg (Roscoe). Retilley and William Wood set up a dry-goods store (in a log-cabin), the first in the place.  After a few years Wood retired, and the firm become Bagnall & Retilley, and for years was very prominent in trade circles, doing a very large  business.

Mr. Retilley was one of the associate judges of the county, and an active adherent of the Methodist church in Roscoe.  He died in December, 1850, aged sixty-two years.  He was twice married.  His second wife (the daughter of T. Emerson of Keene), now resides in Granville.  His descendants are still well known in the land.

Source:  Historical Collections of Coshocton County Ohio 1764-1876
Author: William E Hunt, pub. 1876