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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO - 491 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. COLERAIN TOWNSHIP. David S. Adams, one of the prominent citizens of Colerain township, was born in Washington county, Penn., January 2, 1820, son of Dr. David and Eliza (Stewart) Adams. The father was born in Pennsylvania, where he educated himself in the practice of medicine, and was a successful practitioner for several years. He remained in Pennsylvania till his death. The mother was born and reared in Pennsylvania and was of a very noted family. Our subject grew to manhood in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in 1838. He received a good common school education. In 1841 he married Margaretta C. McNeely, daughter of William and Eliza McNeely. He was for a number of years cashier of the old St. Clairsville bank, and served two terms as auditor of Belmont county. To this union six children were born, all living: William, Charles, Mary, wife of L. Danford, Stewart, Ella Lee and Thomas. The mother was born and raised in St. Clairsville. This wife died while he was in the late war, and in 1866 he married Mrs. Isabella Robson, wife of John Robson (deceased). They have two children, Mark A. and Anna. The mother was born in Ohio, W. Va., and came to Ohio when three years of age. In June, 1863, he went out as a lieutenant, and on January 24, 1865, he resigned his position and was discharged on account of disabilities. He was under Col. Wallace, Fifteenth Ohio regiment. He also had two sons in the war, William, who enlisted in 1861, Company E, Fifteenth regiment, under Capt. Danford, and Charles D., enlisted in 1862, and was in the navy in what they called Mississippi flotilla. Mr. Adams has always taken an active part in politics, and was one of the organizers of the know-nothing party of Belmont county. He was at the head of the movement in St. Clairsville, from which point the whole county was organized. Along in the '50's he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the clerk's office of Belmont county caused by the death of William R. Carroll, and after serving out that time he was nominated by the republican party, and was elected over J. R. Mitchell by a handsome majority, and served 492 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. out his second term with credit to himself. He was the first wool buyer who bought and shipped wool in Belmont county. Dr. Isaac G. Cope, a leading 'practitioner of Colerain township. was born and raised in Farmington, where he now lives. He was a son of Caleb and Mildred Cope. The Cope family has been connected with the history of Colerain township since the year 1804, at which time George Cope removed to Concord settlement from Frederick county, Va. A member of the Society of Friends and opposed to the institution of slavery, he sought a home in young and free Ohio. He was married in 1790, to Abigail Steer. They had nine children, three of whom were residents of this township, viz.: Joshua, George and Caleb H. Joshua Cope owned a mill near the source of Glenn's run. It was the first and only mill in Concord settlement. His residence was noted for being one of the southern termini of the Under Ground railroad; and in spite of the danger attendant upon such a course, he helped many a forlorn and destitute fugitive on the way to liberty. George Cope, about the year 1829, started a store in the town of Farmington, which was for many years the only store in the place. He was an active member of the Society of Friends, and especially noted for his adherence to principle and unbending rectitude. Caleb H. Cope was born near the town of Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson Co., Ohio, in which town he pursued the study of .medicine and commenced practice. In 1834, he removed to the town of Farmington and continued the practice of his profession. He was for more than thirty years the only physician in the township. The doctor was a man of fine natural ability, and although in youth deprived of all advantages of education, except those generally afforded by early settlers, he by his own efforts acquired a good education, and always took an active interest in the educational advancement of the country. Our subject was raised in Colerain township, and studied medicine with his father and attended medical college at Nashville, Tenn., and located at his old home where he began the practice of his chosen profession, and has now a large business, and is regarded as a very successful physician. In 1865, he married Elizabeth Dungan, and to this union were born three sons: Herman, Ellis, Isaac G., and seven daughters. Ellis is now studying medicine with his father. The doctor was raised in the Society of Friends, and besides being one of the leading doctors of the county, he is also one of the leading citizens. David Cowan, a farmer of Colerain township, was born in Pennsylvania, 1847, and removed to Wood county, W. Va., when six years of age, with his parents, where he remained till 1865, when the family removed to Ohio, settling in Belmont county. He was a son of Robert and Margaret (Bowels) Cowan. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania. Robert Cowan's father was an early settler of Pennsylvania, where he remained till his death. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and when he crossed the mountains he carried all his possessions in a red cotton handkerchief.-- He settled in a new country, but by hard work and close economy he made a great deal of money and died quite wealthy. He lived to the good old age of eighty-nine BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO - 493 years. Our subject's father died when he was only three years of age. He received a good common school education through his own exertions. At the age of thirteen years he began life for himself. In 1872 he was married to Aggie R. DuBois, who died in 1876, and to this union was born one child, John A. In 1882 he married Catherine Warner. Their marriage has been blessed with four children: Jesse, Albertha, Carrie and Blanche. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In 1882 he was elected trustee of Colerain township, and has served in all seven years, and acquitted himself with credit to himself and constituents. He began in life without anything but now owns seventy acres where he lives, and a two-thirds interest in 129 acres with his brother. He is one of the leading citizens of the township and is well respected: David Hawthorne, one of the pioneers of Belmont county, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, January 24, 1824, and came to Belmont county when he was twenty-six years of age. He was a son of John and Martha (Boggs) Hawthorne. The father was born February 26, 1786, in Ireland, and was brought across the sea when ten weeks old, and was fourteen weeks crossing. He was a son of William and Hannah (Bigham) Hawthorne, who were both natives of Ireland. He was born May I, 1751. She was born February, 1759, and emigrated to America in 1786, and first settled in Washington, Penn., where they remained until 1810. They removed to Ohio, settling in Jefferson county, where he remained until his death. Our subject's father was raised in Pennsylvania, and came with his parents to Ohio in 1810, and his father gave him i00 acres of good land, but it was all in the woods at that time, which he cleared into a beautiful farm. He was married to Martha Boggs, January, 1814. Their children are: Hugh B., William, Eliza J., Samuel J., David, Hannah, Mary A., Martha, Sarah, Margaret and John B., of these children, six are now living: Hugh, William, David, Mary A., Margaret and John B. The mother was born in Belmont county, 1792. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served through the war. Our subject was raised in Jefferson county, receiving a very limited education in the pioneer log school, and after reaching his majority he attended school and finally began teaching, and followed that about three years. In 1849 he was married to Margaret E., daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Lemon) Major. They have four children, three now living: Martha E., wife of George W. Chandler, of Chicago; Rebecca J., former wife of W. S. Barton, who is now dead; Archibald M. and Adda V. The mother was born in Belmont county on the old Major homestead farm. Archibald M. married Mary Oxley. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, likewise all the family. He served as justice of the peace of his township fifteen years. He now owns 119 acres of good land which is well improved, and he has placed all the improvements upon the same. He 1s a worthy citizen and representative farmer of Belmont county, and is well respected by all who know him. Jacob McMillan, a prosperous farmer of Colerain township, was 494 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. born and raised on the farm where he now lives, son of Jacob and Sarah (Vale) McMillan. The father, born in York county, Penn., in 1796, died in 1884. He was a son of Thomas McMillan, and grandson of John McMillan, a native of Scotland. The mother, born in York county, Penn., in 1800, daughter. of Joshua Vale, a native of Wales. Our subject's parents had five children: Mahlon, deceased; Eli, died 1890; Sarah A., Elizabeth, Jacob and Ira V. Jacob was raised in Belmont county, receiving a common school education in the old log school-house. He and sisters own 101 acres of the old homestead farm, where his father settled and remained till his death. He and family were members of the Society of Friends. Sarah A. McMillan, wife of Eli McMillan (deceased) , who was one of the leading farmers of Colerain township, was born in Pennsylvania, October 29, 1827, died Junuary 5, 1890. He was a son of Jacob and Sarah (Vale) McMillan. He was raised until about twelve years of age in Pennsylvania, came to Ohio with his parents and settled in Colerain township, where he grew to manhood. He received a good common school education. In 1865 he married Sarah A., daughter of Abner and Mary (Dillon) Stillwell. The father was born in Maryland, and came to Ohio in a very early day when St. Clairsville was yet in the forest. He first settled in St. Clairsville, and for several years followed teaming for a living. He began in life without anything, but by hard work and close economy, he accumulated considerable money, and at one time owned over 500 acres of land. He lived to be nearly ninety years of age, a respected and honored citizen. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. McMillan eight children were born: Sarah V., Mary L., Ira S., Isaac N., Albert E., Ina B., Edith O. and Ethel E., twins. The mother was born and raised in Belmont county. Jacob was a member of the Society of Friends and of the Masonic order. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was an exceptional son. His father bought a farm, and while the other members of the family left home he remained with his parents till he was forty years of age and paid out for the farm and placed all the improvements upon the same. After marriage he purchased sixty-two acres which he left to his family, also five-eighths interest in sixty-two acres more. They are living in a stone house that was built in 1824. His family is well respected by all. David K. Naylor, a farmer of Colerain township, was born in Smithfield township, Jefferson county, May 28, 1818, son of A. G. and Ruth (Hammond) Naylor. The father was born in Maryland, son of John Naylor, also of Maryland, and came to Ohio in 1812, and settled in Smithfield when it was in its infancy. He bought several farms and gave to all his sons. He was a slave holder in Maryland, but on coming to Ohio set them free. He had in his family nine children, five boys, our subject's father being the youngest. The mother was a daughter of George and Deborah (Hutton) Hammond, natives of Virginia, and was of Irish descent, and in 181-I settled in Smithfield township, where he remained until death. The grandparents on both sides were very strict Quakers. Our subject was raised in Smithfield BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO - 495 township, received a common school education, beginning in the old log school-house. He first began life by working in a stone quarry. He afterward traveled in the mercantile business for five years, and then established a store in York where he afterward lost all he had formerly made. In 1852 he married Margaret Smith, daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Parkinson) Smith. Of their six children, three are now living. Elizabeth, Ida M. and Harry A. The mother was born in Belmont county, where she lived till her death, September 24, 1879. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.. He is also a member of the same church. After he lost his property in York, he removed to Belmont county, and was then fifty dollars worse off than nothing, but by hard work and good management he has done well, and now owns ninety-two acres of good land, which is well improved, with good and substantial buildings. He served two years as justice of the peace and resigned his office. He is a thoroughgoing farmer and a worthy citizen. Isaac Vickers, a citizen of Colerain township, was born in Chester, Penn., son of Jesse K. and Margaret (Penrose) Vickers. The father was born in Chester, Penn., son of Thomas Vickers, who was also born in Pennsylvania, and a son of Peter Vickers, a native of England. Our subject's father was born in 1795, died in 1889, and all were members of the Society of Friends. The mother, born in Montgomery county, Penn., daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Roberts) Penrose. Our subject was raised in Pennsylvania till thirteen years of age, and came to Ohio with his father's family, crossing the mountains in wagons. He received a good common school education. In 1842 he married Rachel, daughter of Isaac and Deborah (Wisenan) James. To this union six children have been born, five living: Leander, Albert, Morris, Edwin, Samuel and Willis. Morris died when three years of age. The mother was born and raised in Belmont county.. They are members of the Society of Friends. He is a man that began life without, anything, but by hard work and good management he has done well, now owning 115 acres, besides a store house in Morning View, where he does a general mercantile business. In 1856 he established his store and has done an honest and lucrative business since that time. In 1867 he was appointed postmaster at Morning View, a position he has held since that time, but when Cleveland was elected they tried hard to find some irregularity in the office, but failing he was allowed to retain the same. Josiah Watson, one of the pioneers of Colerain township, was born in New Jersey, December 23, 1798, son of William and Sarah (Ackley) Watson. The father was a native of New Jersey, and was a militiaman during the Revolutionary war, belonging to what was known as the Jersey Blues. He was of English descent. Our subject came to Philadelphia when a boy about sixteen years of age, where he grew to manhood. He received a limited education and was bound an apprentice to a tailor, where he served five years, and he then entered the post-office at Philadelphia, as letter carrier, where he remained twelve years, when he resigned his position and came to Ohio in 1837, 496 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY, and settled on the farm in Colerain township, which he had bought in 1835. This he cleared and converted into a beautiful farm. In 1833 he married Julia E., daughter of Edward Parker. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and for many years was engaged in the publishing business. Two children (twins), have blessed this union, only one living, Charles H., who has been connected with Weatherl & Bro., in the manufacture of white lead, where he has been engaged for over thirty years. He is a man that began in this world without anything, but by close economy he did well and at one time owned 10614 acres of good land.. He is now in the ninety-second year of his age and in good health. Milton Yost, a prominent agriculturist of Colerain township, and a descendant of an old and influential family, was born and raised in Harrison county, Ohio, the son of John and Mary (Wilson) Yost. The father was born near Winchester, W. Va.; his father, Michael Yost, was born November 3, 1766, died in January, 1865, was the son of John Yost, a native of Germany, who first settled in Chester county, Penn., from there going to Frederick county, Va., now W. Va. Mary (Wilson) Yost was born in New Jersey, the daughter of John and Sarah (Atkinson) Wilson. John Wilson was born in New Jersey, the son of Alexander and Nancy (Kennard) Wilson. Alexander was an Irishman by birth. To John and Sarah Wilson five children were born, named: Charles, George, William, Mary and Sarah. They all reared families. Charles had one child: William C. George was the father of four children: Charles, Sarah, George and Jane; Mary had four children: Rachel Ann, John W., Lemuel A. and Milton; Sarah was the mother of three children: Emily, John W. and Catherine. Michael Yost was the father of the following named children: John, Elizabeth, Fannie, Elisha, Isaac, Hannah, Mary, Elias, Elijah, Sarah and Margaret. John Yost emigrated to Ohio, in May, 1806, and settled in Harrison county, where he remained until his death. He was prominently identified with the educational and general improvement movements of the county, having served for two terms as a county commissioner, and was a representative member of the whig party. When the family moved to Ohio they bought land which was at that time in its natural state. From this they made fine farms and became prominent in agricultural circles. Milton Yost received a common school education, and in October, 1874, was united in marriage to Ellen C. Hall, daughter of David and Amy (Smith) Hall. David was the son of Thomas and Mary (Patterson) Hall. To Milton and Ellen Yost seven children have been born: Mary Rachel, Sarah Amy, Edith Lora, Myra Kate, Florence Wilson, Clara C. and Frederick Michael. Mr. Yost came to Belmont county in 1886, and located where he now lives. His farm, consisting of 106 acres of land, is one of the most improved farming properties in the county. It is finely stocked, and under the highest state of cultivation. Mr. Yost makes a specialty of the dairy business. |