Massie's Station was the first permanent white settlement within the Virginia Military District, built along the Ohio River in 1790. It was built near three islands. Native Americans used these islands to attack settlers traveling down the Ohio River. Numerous whites lost their lives to native attacks. The community was named after Nathaniel Massie, a land speculator who helped survey the Virginia Military District. Massie offered nineteen men property if they would settle in the town. He used the settlement as a base for his survey work in the district. In 1791, Massie's Station became known as Manchester, Ohio. Massie named the community after Manchester, England. It was the fourth permanent settlement established in the Northwest Territory. By 1791, residents had completely encircled the community with a stockade to provide protection from Native Americans. This was the last town in what would become Ohio to be enclosed by fortifications. Manchester served as the county seat for Adams County from 1797 to 1803, when residents moved local government to West Union.

Located on the Ohio River across from the slaveholding state of Kentucky, Manchester proved an important community along the Underground Railroad. African-American slaves hoping for freedom in the North commonly found aid among the town's residents during the first part of the nineteenth century. The town also prospered during this time period as a stop for steamboats as they traveled along the Ohio River between Portsmouth and Cincinnati. Most industries in the community were affiliated with agriculture. During the nineteenth century, a tobacco warehouse, pork-processing company, a buggy manufacturer, a mill, and a nursery operated in Manchester for varying lengths of time. By the 1840s, Manchester had become the largest town in Adams County.

During the twentieth century, Manchester's prominence declined. In 1908, the Manchester Button Factory began operation. It was located in the town due to the abundance of mussels in the Ohio River, which could be used to manufacture the buttons. At its peak, the plant employed 125 men. In 1934, Alfred Holbrook College moved to the town from Lebanon, Ohio. It operated for only seven years. Manchester remains a relatively small community today. In 1990, just over two thousand people resided in the town. The town's days as a prosperous river community have ended. Residents still hold to the past though. In August, Manchester hosts the "Kinfolk's Landing Days," a festival that celebrates the town's heyday as an important stop on the Ohio River.

Heidi Huron                   CLERK                2/13/09-03/31/12

Roy Carpenter                COUNCIL        1/1/10-12/31/13

Noah Schiltz                  COUNCIL        1/1/10-12/31/13

Laura Reaves                COUNCIL        1/1/08-12/31/11

Jerry A. Jones             COUNCIL        1/01/08-12/31/11

Deborah Clinger            PUBLIC AFF.            1/1/10-12/31/13

James R. Bowman          PUBLIC AFF.            1/1/08-12/31/11

Mark Morgan               PUBLIC AFF.                         1/1/08-12/31/11

Peebles is a rural village surrounded by some of the most beautiful farmland in the Ohio River Valley. The foothills of the Appalachian Mountains add grace and beauty as travelers are required to slow down and enjoy the scenery when they trek the back roads in this area.

In it’s early years Peebles was a booming place. It was platted in 1881 and named in honor of John G. Peebles, the man who persuaded the Cincinnati and Eastern Railway to cross Zane’s Trace (State Route 41) here.  Local citizens saw opportunities to create businesses and Peebles came into it’s own. By 1906 the village was so progressive that Chautauqua Days were held and drew many visitors for public lectures, concerts and other cultural events.

In 1957, the fifth annual World’s Plowing Match and Conservation Exposition was held on 2,500 acres north of the village. Fourteen nations participated. A monument commemorating this great event stands in the center of the village.

The 1970’s brought more exciting changes. With the completion of the four lane Appalachian Highway that crosses Zane’s Trace on the south end of town, Cincinnati and its amenities are only an hour away. Another great change was the purchase of farmland by Amish families. These fine folks appreciate the local rural heritage. Their farms, businesses, and families remind us to enjoy the slower pace, much like our ancestors enjoyed in this area.

PEEBLES VILLAGE – PEEBLES, OH 45660

Norman L. Newman                 MAYOR          1/1/08-12/31/11

Sheila Browning                        FISCAL OFFICER      non elected position

Robert E. Wallace                    COUNCIL      1/1/10 -12/31/13

Jeannie Gordley                        COUNCIL      1/1/10 -12/31/13 

Wayne Setty                             COUNCIL     1/1/10 -12/31/13  

Larry Shiveley                           COUNCIL       1/1/10 -12/31/13

Victor L. Warfe, Jr                    COUNCIL       1/1/08-12/31/11

Richard W. Hoop                      COUNCIL        1/1/08-12/31/11

David L. Wheeler                   MAYOR          1/1/08-12/31/11

Edith Wiggington   CLERK           Non Elected Position               

David W. Hughes            COUNCIL        1/1/10-12/31/13

Leigh Ann Sims                   COUNCIL        1/1/10-12/31/13

William Shelby                    COUNCIL        1/1/10-12/31/13

David Merfert                    COUNCIL                      1/1/10-12/31/13

Bill Shreffler                    COUNCIL        1/1/08-12/31/11

David Hancock               COUNCIL                      1/1/08-12/31/11

Sandra Grooms            PUBLIC AFF.       Apptd      1/1/10-12/31/13

Barbara Butler              PUBLIC AFF.            1/1/08-12/31/11

John Campton             PUBLIC AFF.                          1/1/09-12/31/11

Established in 1804, West Union is the county seat of Adams County, Ohio. The original county seat was Manchester, located on the Ohio River. In 1804, the seat of government moved to West Union, located in the middle of Adams County, to provide all residents with easy access.

William C. Foster   MAYOR  /1/08-12/31/11

Darceen Swartz COUNCIL   /1/10-12/31/13

Wayne Edingfield  COUNCIL /1/10-12/31/13

 John Rickey      COUNCIL   /1/08-12/31/11