These early experiences paved the way for those first brave men and women who built their homes in the wilderness and
braved the dangers of an unknown forest.
The first settlement was made in 1805 by James Downing, the Indian Scout, who had been in this territory in 1793. With him
came his son-in-law, Isaac Van Metter, and wife from Brooke County, Virginia. They made their settlement near the present
John Elson farm. Their outfit consisted of a few cooking utensils, a few tools, a little bedding, and some provision carried in
pack saddles. A small piece of ground was cleared and with the help of a few friendly Indians a log cabin was erected. Their
furniture was just that could be made in the wood with an ax and Augur. A garden was soon made.
The winter of 1805-1806 passed without their seeing a white face, for they were too far away to associate with their nearest
neighbor.
In the spring of 1806 Downing, who had gone back to Virginia, returned with his family. Soon after his two sons-in-law,
John Cuppy and Isaac Miller settled on the west side of the Sandy near this village. Miller opened the first house of
entertainment and kept a ferry boat to take emigrants across the Sandy Creek near the Wesley Farber home.
When the ferry proved unsatisfactory, he built a wooden bridge for the people who used it. This was the first bridge across
the Sandy.
Later another wooden bridge was built which lasted until 1875 when a ‘half-moon arched iron bridge” was built. It was
replaced a few years ago by the present iron bridge.
During all this time many new settlers were coming to the valley, land was being cleared and homes were being built.
The first white child born was John Van Meter, son of Isaac and Susan (Downing) Van Meter, June, 1806, in the Downing
cabin. The first child became as well-known citizen and a man of great strength, which was characteristic of our early
pioneers. It was said of him that “he never found a man who could lay him on his back or beat him in a foot race.”
In 1808 William Knotts settled on what is now the present Hugh Knotts farm. Along with him came his half-brother, John Van
Emmon, and their mother, Mrs. Van Emmon.
The death of Mrs. Van Emmon was the first in this vicinity. She was buried in what is now known as Knotts Cemetery.
These early pioneers and for a number of years later, depended almost entirely on wild game for their food, this section
abounded with wild turkey, duck, quail, deer, and other game.
Captain Bill Knotts, the son of William, told of going hunting with his father near here. Before the fire was built, two deer had
been killed.
Some of the other early settlers were the Klines, Rileys, Lewises, Hibbels, Koontzes, Newhouses, Whitacres, Greers, Elsons,
Baldens, Brothers, Bowmans, Dales, Loughlins, Rineharts, Caspers, Chaddocks, Camerons, Hatfields, Webbs, Downes, and
Caziers.
| SETTLEMENT |
