Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1926-06-24
The Glass Reunion

I Inc dIDUunCeUl6HL was maze
some time ago of reunion TO be
/ held at the old home of the late
James and Mary G. Glass, in Union
/ township, near Rosseau, on June II,
! 1925. On that day about 100 peo-
! pie gathered to celebrate the Tooth
anniversary of the settlement of the
land, S4 Of these being descend
! grandchildren, great grand
children and great, great grandchil-
dren-
James Glass, WREN comparatively
a young man, came over alone from
/ Belmont county and bought this
land Of the government, the deed
/ being made on sheep skin and sign
ed by John Quincy Adams. This
was in March, 1926. Later he own
ed 400 acres of the best land in I'm
ion township. Several of his sons
owned large farms adjoining his.
Mr.. Glass came to Morgan county
when it was all wilderness. Malta
was but ten years old al that time,
and consisted of 10 or IL houses.
He felled the first stick of timber
that was felled on this tract of land.
Going into the dense woods with
his ak, mattock and rifle. he went
to work. Soon he erected shanty
where the great barn now stands,
and cleared a patch of ground, plant
ing corn and a truck patch. Going
back in June to Belmont county, he
/ brought his wife and two children
( in the sooner wagon, through the
wilderness, to their new home in
the clearing. At that time there
were but three houses between Nal
| ia and the little cabin in the wilder
ness. No roads had been laid out,
and a blazed trail had been made in
order to go through in safety. Wild
animals of all kinds We're plentiful,
and often a wandering Indian stop
ped at the cabin door and was never
refused a bite to eat or a nights
| ing-much to the terror of the
| children. The home where the re-
union was held was erected in
1888 and 1884, and was noted far
and wide for its hospitality, the
latch string being always out to
friend and stranger alike. Later
the barn was built with its great
beams from 40 to 65 feet in length,
/ it taking 40 men three days to raise
! the barn. Much stone was used in
] the foundation and pillars AT sew
eral entrances from the public high
way, stone gate posts still stand on
j either side Of the gate way, as firm
4 ly as when placed there nearly half
century ago-monuments of a
time long past, when the strength
of man knew no limit. Yet the great
stone posts still stand, and all who
planned and helped in their erection
have long since passed from earth.
The 50th anniversary of the set
tlement of the land was celebrated
in June, 1876. At that time James
Glass, wife, children and grandchil
ing in attendance. During the SO
years but five deaths had occurred.
At the time of the Tooth anniver-
sary, J. L. Glass of Joy made
careful survey of the family history,
finding the living descendants OF
James and Mary G. Glass numbered
I248; II deaths have occurred in 100
years Twelve of the grandchildren
were present at the Tooth anniver-
sary, who were present at the seth.
While the home at this time is
occupied by strangers, the latch
string was still out, as in days of
old, and all who attended the reun-
ion were given hearty welcome.
At the noon hour a table nearly the
length of the long front porch, was
spread-loaded with veritable
feast, which all enjoyed-thel
thoughts of many going back to 9th
er days when the family now all
were, present and enjoyed life to-
gether.
James Glass was remarkable
man, always interested in every i'm
provement, believing thoroughly in
education and advancement-a man
ahead of his day. Mary Glass, POL
ly," as she was sometimes called,
was no less remarkable; being a
daughter of General Dunn and COM
ing from a home of wealth to the
little cabin home in the wilderness,
she displayed great courage and
bravery and never shrank from any
duty that came her way. Her father
General Dunn was not onl)A man OF
wealth, but influence. He was a
member of congress for II consecu-
tive terms. He was often heard to
say he owned "all the land in sight
and over the hill" Many interest
ing stories have been handed down
of his coming through the wilder
ness to visit at the home of his
daughter, always riding black
horse.
James and Mary c. Glass were
the parents Of IL children, two dy-
ing in early childhood, ten living to
good old age-Nancy, wife of Will
liam Henderson; William, who mar
ried Mary Parsons; Margaret, wife
of Matthew Boyd; John, who mar
ried Mary Lent; Caldwell, who mar
ried Matilda Lees; Samuel, who
married Elizabeth Mccall; James
who married Sarah Chappelear;
Thomas, who married Nancy Davis,
and Elizabeth and Ruth who never
married. James Glass and wife each
lived to be S3 years of age. Several
of their children lived to be past
rxoro nua, IN rb fhoy