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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO - 615

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.

Dr. John Alexander, a veteran physician, who has practiced medicine at St. Clairsville during half a century, is still an active and honored member of this profession. He was born near Belfast, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish descent. At the age of nineteen years he left his native land, and came to the United States, landing at Baltimore. He was first employed as a teacher in country schools, and then, in the course of extensive travels, came to St. Clairsville, where he became acquainted with Dr. Carroll, of that city. The doctor, noticing that the young man was very studious, loaned him his books, and finally directed his efforts to the study of medicine, in which the young student was soon deeply interested. This early love of books has never left him, for the veteran doctor has one of the finest libraries in the county, and his table is always amply supplied with the current medi-

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cal literature. In this way he remains abreast of his profession with all its wonderful advancement in his half-century of practice. Young Alexander studied his profession also in the Medical college of Ohio, teaching meanwhile at intervals, to obtain the needful means. In 1832 he embarked in the practice at Flushing, and in the autumn of 1839 he made his home at St. Clairsville. His practice in those days was of an arduous character, partaking much more of dangerous and devoted service, irrespective of remuneration, than is known in present times. His calls came from all parts of the wild and extensive country, and to reach the suffering he was compelled to ford streams at day or night, travel unfrequented and dangerous roads, and often risk his life. By the falling of his horse and other causes, his legs and arms were broken on seven different occasions while he was making professional visits. His self treatment on one occasion of the kind illustrated his remarkable courage and skill as a surgeon. His fractured bones having been united improperly by the physician who had been called to his assistance, he requested the former to re-break the limb and perform the operation anew, and upon the refusal of that person, he called on his friends for the necessary appliances, and sitting up in bed, himself renewed the fracture, and set the limb in a way that insured proper recovery. Physically, his great exertions and many accidents have had their effect, but he is, nevertheless, still remarkably active, and enjoying good health, finds himself able to do much business and answer the frequent demands upon his long experience and remarkable insight into the mysteries and ailments of the human frame. It is pleasant to note that the doctor's practice, besides being extensive, has also been lucrative, and that the gratitude of the people of the county has followed him through his entire career. For over thirty years he has been a member of the Presbyterian church. He was wedded in 1842 to Lucy, daughter of Gen. Hoey, of Washington county, Penn.

Conrad Ault, a venerable farmer of Richland township, is a native of Washington county, Penn. He was born April 10, 1809, the son of Frederick and Mary Ault, and when he had grown to the age of twelve years, he came with his parents to Richland township, where he grew to manhood on the farm. His education was received under the disadvantages of pioneer life, but naturally intelligent and active in mind as well as body, he had become well informed on a wide range of topics, and has served his district six years as school director. He is comfortably situated on a good farm of seventy-one acres. Mr. Ault was married, in 1837, to Jane Campbell, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1809, and died in 1853. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Campbell. Seven children were born to this wife, three of whom are living: Eliza and Lucinda, twins, and Rebecca. In 1855 Mr. Ault was married to Louisa Kinney, the daughter of Marshall and Elsa Kinney. Three children were born to this union, Marion J., Neutellas and Joseph M. Mr. Ault and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Daniel Ault, of Richland township, well-known as one of the

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well-to-do farmers of Belmont county, was born in that township April to, 1820. He is the son of Philip Ault, a native of York county, Penn., who there married Elizabeth Lowe, of German descent, and in 1801, removed to Richland township. He settled upon a farm in Richland township, and there lived until his death. Daniel Ault was reared on the old homestead, and educated in the common schools. The schooling then received, however, he has supplemented by wide and varied reading, and he is now one of the well-informed men of the county. Beginning his career as a farmer without means he now has a well-improved farm of 16o acres, and a comfortable home. Among his neighbors he is influential and popular. For three years he has held the position of assessor of the township and as school director, he has served twenty.years, and more. In 1844, Mr. Ault was married to Lucinda Wilkinson, daughter of William and Anna (Billingsley) Wilkinson, by whom he had three children: Elizabeth A., Addie and William E. She died, and in 1854 he was married to her sister, Ruth, who was born in 183o. They have had ten children, nine of whom are living: Mary B., wife of Charles Winans, died in 1886; Philip, Emma, Ella, Flora, Jennie May, Amfro, Daniel B., Nina R. and Henry.

Joseph Ault, a well-known farmer of Richland township, is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Lowe) Ault, early settlers of the township. He was born in the house where he now lives in 1823, and here was reared and educated in the duties of the farm and in such educational ways as the old log school-house afforded. Though the schools of his day were primitive, he made such good use of them that he was the favorite of his school district in later years as director, and after he had served sixteen years, his neighbors elected his son, Henry H., to his place, and the latter is serving his third term. He began his career as a farmer with little, but is now comfortably situated, and he owns 133 acres of the old homestead. In politics Mr. Ault has always been a democrat. In 1851 he was married to Anna B. Wilkerson, a native of Belmont county, and a daughter of William Wilkerson. To this union five children have been born: Henry H., Louisa, Agnes, Mary and Joseph W. Mr. Ault and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

John F. Baldwin, of Loydsville, who has his home upon his handsome farm of fifty-eight acres at the south line of Loydsville, was born in Washington county, Penn., in 1830. W hen he was quite young his parents died, and his life in his childhood and youth was one of struggle and privation. In 1855, he was married to Mary Allison, by whom he had two children, of whom one, Andrew, is living. His second marriage occurred in 1868, to Margaret Eicher, who died in 1870, and in 1872, he was united to Priscilla White, by whom he had one child: Mary E. In 1855, Mr. Baldwin removed to Ohio, and settled in Harrison county. On August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth regiment Ohio infantry, under Col. R. M. Lyons, and served in his command in all its engagements until he received an honorable discharge, January 7, 1865. On

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May 6, 1864, during the second day's fight in the Widerness, he received a wound in his left arm, which caused its amputation, and for this injury he now receives a pension of $45 a month. His career has been an honorable one, and he has always met the call of duty. He and his wife are highly esteemed members of the Society of Friends, she belonging to the Hicksite branch, and he is a comrade of Drummond post, G. A. R., of St. Clairsville.

Henry Beam, a well-known and popular resident of Richland township, was born in that township, February 10, 1818. He is the son of Benjamin and Margaret (Taylor) Beam, the former of whom emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio with his parents at an early day in the settlement of the northwest territory. The father of Benjamin died on the way to this country. Benjamin was a prominent man, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Henry was born in a little log cabin on the farm which his brother, Washington, now occupies, and was reared there going to school in the log cabin devoted to that purpose. Growing up, he began an independent career without assistance, and by manly and industrious habits, has prospered, having now a farm of seventy-seven acres, well improved, and a comfortable home, which is still shared by his wife, who has been the partner of his life since 1854. Her maiden name was Mary J. Powell, and she was born in Belmont county, in 1830, the daughter of Levin and Mahala (Whaley) Powell. She is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beam, but one of whom survives, John W., who was married in 188o to Ella Bogg.

Washington Beam, of Richland township, who was born April 26, 1823, on the farm where he now lives, is one of the most industrious farmers of the county. He has a good farm of seventy-eight acres, which is well improved, and to the cultivation of his land and the duties of good citizenship he has devoted his life, never having traveled more than sixty miles from the land which was his birth place and the scene of his labors. His father, Benjamin Beam, a native of New Jersey, came to Ohio with his parents when quite young. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. He married Margaret Taylor, who became the mother of Washington Beam. In 1851 Mr. Beam was married to Amanda, daughter of John Barker, and by this union he had nine children, of whom six are living: Julia A., Margaret, Mary 0., John H., Joseph and Minnie. Mrs. Beam's father was a son of John and Rachel (Jordon) Barker, and is of German descent. Her mother, Judith A., was a daughter of Joshua and Mary (Bell) Shurley, the former of whom was a son of Thomas Shurley, a native of Virginia. Judith A. Barker, who was reared in Kentucky, is still living, in her eighty-seventh year.

Solomon Bentley, a prominent citizen of Richland township, was born in St. Clairsville, in 1826. He is the son of Solomon Bentley, who was born in Jefferson county, Va., was a grandson of Solomon Bentley, the first of the three of -that name, who was born in the Old Dominion, March 16, 1754, and died November 2,

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1838. He was the son of William and Margaret Bentley. The wife of the first Solomon was Rebecca Wood, daughter of Joseph and atharine Wood, and the mother of the subject of this mention was Margaret Nichol, the daughter of John and Anna Nichol. The first Solomon Bentley was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his son, the father of the subject of this sketch, served in the war of 1812 with such gallantry that he was promoted major, a title by which he was afterward known. Maj. Bentley came to St. Clairsville in or about 1804, and established a blacksmith shop, which he continued until 1829, when he bought and removed to the farm his son now occupies. He was one of the most prominent public men of the county, a leader in the whig party, and was never unsuccessful in any candidacy for office except once, when the county was strongly democratic and he made no contest. He served on the board of equalization, and held the offices of recorder, sheriff, two terms, auditor, treasurer, commissioner, and representative. He was born July 25, 1783, and died May 7, 1865. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm he now holds, and on February 12, 1850, was married to Ellen Thompson, who was born in 1826, the daughter of James and Margaret (Clark) Thompson. By this union he has had eleven children, nine of whom are living: Anna M., James T., Elizabeth E., Sarah J., Agnes B., David Ross, Samuel E., Solomon, M. and Frank T. Mr. Bentley and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder. In 187o he served as land appraiser. Mr. Bentley is a successful farmer and owns a fine farm of 163 acres.

Among the enterprising farmers of Richland township, Dunham M. Berry is highly deserving of mention. He is a native of Belmont county, born in 1828, the son of Jacob and Jane (Martin) Berry. His father was born and reared in Maryland, and came to Ohio in 1798 with his parents, John and Elizabeth (Ham) Berry, the former of whom was born in England and came to the colonies before the revolution. Three of his sons, Daniel, John and Thomas, served among the continental troops. The subject of this mention was reared in Belmont county, and since his youth has given his attention to farming. He is the owner of a fine farm of 120 acres one-half mile northwest of St. Clairsville, which is handsomely improved. In 1852, Mr. Berry was married to Martha A. Norris, who was born in Belmont county in 1832, the daughter of William and Ann (Smith) Norris. Of their twelve children, eleven are living: Anna, Alvin, Jacob and William, twins, Jane, Julia, Elizabeth, Lucy, Isaac, Thomas and Jesse.

Hiram Boroff, one of the leading business men of St. Clairsville, now retired, was born at that place in 1823. He is the son of Henry Boroff, a native of Hagerstown, Md. The latter was well educated in English and German, and then taught the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed for many years. He was married at Martin's Ferry, to Elizabeth McCarty, and in 1814 or 1815, they came to Ohio with their family, and settled at Warren, whence soon afterward, they removed to St. Clairsville. He was a partner of William Brow for a

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short time, in the blacksmith shop, but soon became sole proprietor, and continued so until 1849, when he turned over the shop to his son, Hiram, who like all his four sons, had been taught blacksmithing, and made good mechanics. The father then engaged in the grocery business during the remainder of his life. Hiram, above named, received his education in the common schools, and from study at home. At the age of fourteen years, he began work as a blacksmith, and at twenty-one years of age, became one of the proprietors of the business. He was so engaged until 1849, when he contemplated joining the gold seekers who were journeying to California, but was detained by his father turning over to him the whole business, as has been stated. He followed this business twelve years, until the sickness of his brother, who was conducting the grocery, turned his attention to that trade, a half-interest in which he purchased upon his brother's recovery. They did a flourishing business until 1883, when he sold out to his brother, and has since then engaged in no branch of business, but has had his time occupied by attending, to his property interests. Mr. Boroff is an enterprising and valuable citizen, and has always worked for the welfare of the town. During the construction of the St. Clairsville & Northern railroad, he was one of the main supporters of the enterprise and gave liberally of time and means to its advancement. He also was indefatigable in his efforts for the cause of his town during the conflict between Bellaire and St. Clairsville, over the location of the county seat. He is one of the most notable land holders of the county, having 459 acres of valuable land, aside from his dwelling place. His success in life has been due to his own untiring industry and business capacity, and from the honor and credit of it, no one, such is his standing in the eyes of those who knew him, has any desire to detract.

William Boyd, one of the oldest citizens of Belmont county, was born in Ireland, February 2, 1801. He remained at the home of his parents, James and Margaret (Emock) Boyd, until July II, 1823, when he sailed from Belfast, and after an eleven weeks' voyage, landed in Maine. He then proceeded to Pittsburgh, and thence to Shepardstown, where he remained until 1825. There he was married to Margaret McFarland, a native of Ireland, who came with her father to America in 1812. After his marriage Mr. Boyd rented land for two years, and then bought fifty-eight acres of new land. This he settled on and began to clear, and by, years of skillful husbandry he amassed considerable property, first adding eighty acres to his land, and finally increasing it to 240 acres. He began at the bottom of the ladder, having worked on first coming to the United States for $5 per month as a weaver. About 1839 he experienced an accident which rendered him unfit for farming. While going through a clearing one day he stopped near a log heap to cut away a small stump, when one of the logs became loosened and rolled over him, inflicting serious and permanent injuries. Barring the results of that accident, he is, despite his great age, in excellent, health. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and has been a member of the session and an elder for

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fifty-seven years. In politics he is a republican. Nine children were born to him and wife, of whom six are living, Andrew Mc., William, Ann Jane, Margaret, Isabel, and Catherine,

William Boyd, Jr., son of the above, is one of the progressive farmers of Belmont county. He was born in February, 1842, and was reared on the old homestead farm. He remained with his parents until he was thirty-two years old, when -in 1874, he was married to Emily, daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Shahan) Brannen, both natives of Ohio. She was born in 1853. In 1862, Mr. Boyd enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served one year; when he was taken sick and honorably discharged on account of disability. He then settled on the farm where he now lives, surrounded with the comforts of life. He has a good farm of ninety-six acres, and a great variety of stock. He is well-known and influential as a citizen. By his marriage, above mentioned, Mr. Boyd has two children, Joseph B. and Hattie H. He and wife are both members of the United Presbyterian church.

George Brown, the oldest jeweler of St. Clairsville, Ohio, and one of the prominent business men of Belmont county, was born in Ireland, October 13, 1816. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His father, James Brown, was a weaver by trade. In 1818 he came to the United States with his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Welch, and four children. They landed at Baltimore. From there he came to Harrison county, near New Athens, Ohio, and settled in the woods in a log cabin, which was the home of the family for several years. He then moved to New Athens, and kept a hotel for several years. Afterward he bought a house and forty acres of land adjoining the town. He died in New Athens in 1856, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. His wife, who was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, died in New Athens in 1862. Of their seven children four are now living: Joseph Brown, of Flushing, Ohio; George Brown, of St. Clairsville, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Rankin, of Farmersville, Mo., and Mrs. Sarah A. Hughes, of New Athens. George Brown received his education in the pioneer log cabin and New Athens college. In 1834 he went to Steubenville, Ohio, and learned the watch, clock and jewelry trade with Arundel Hill, where he remained until 1841. In September of 1841, he came to St. Clairsville and established the watch and jewelry business, known now as George Brown & Son, and is the most prosperous jewelry store in St. Clairsville. He was one of the organizers and has been connected with the National bank for twenty-five years, and has been its president four years. He is considered one of the solid men of the town. In 1844 Mr. Brown was married to Mary W. Sutton, who died in 1855, leaving one child, J. Ella Johnson, three children having died within one month previous. In 1856 Mr. Brown was married to S. J. Sutton. Their three living children are: J. Ella, George V. and Anna L., and one grandson, William Barkley Johnson. Mrs. Brown is a daughter of Lewis and Eleanor (McWilliams) Sutton.

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Thomas Burtoft, a prominent farmer of Richland township, Belmont county, was born at West Wheeling, September 2, 1846, son of Charles and Drusilla (Walker) Burtoft. His father, a son of George Burtoft, a native of England, was born in that country in 1813, and in 1839 came to America. He lived at Bellaire a short time and then removed to West Wheeling, where he established a lime kiln which has been in operation since with slight interruption. He came to America without money or education, but by industrious application acquired both, and became a valued citizen of the county. In 1854 he removed to a farm near Wheeling, and in 1858 to the Abraham Lash farm between St. Clairsville and Bridgeport, and thence in 1862 to the farm north of St. Clairesville, where he died in 1865. His wife was born near Bedford, Penn., in 1816, and came to Ohio with her parents about 1821. Thomas Burtoft received his education in the common schools and the business college at Wheeling, and in 1864. enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Seventieth regiment Ohio volunteers, and though then hardly more than a boy served faithfully, never missing roll-call and being one of the very few of his command who were able to stack arms after the forced march from Boliver Heights through the pleasant valley of Maryland. After the war he remained at home until 187o, when he made an extended and protracted tour through the west, spending one year in Iowa, four in Texas and five in Arizona. Then returning to West Wheeling he embarked in the grocery business, at which he was engaged five years. He was also the first postmaster of the town, serving two or three years. In 1883 he was married to Caroline Kelsey, daughter of James and Mary (Boyles) Kelsey. Her father was a son of James Kelsey, Sr., who came to this country about the year 1800, and settled three miles west of Bellaire. Here Mrs. Burtoft's father was reared and given an education much above the average of those times. He was the tax collector in the days when it was customary to ride through the country and convey the collected taxes in saddlebags. He also served as a justice of the peace forty years, an office which his father held before him. He died in this county in 1885. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Burtoft they made a tour of nine months, to the Yellowstone park, and through Oregon to Glacier bay, Alaska, returning by steamer to San Francisco, and thence by Los Angeles and Galveston to New Orleans, and thence home by the river. He then purchased a beautiful place of 127 acres, upon which he has erected one of the most handsome and completely appointed dwellings in this region. Mr. Burtoft is a member of the Masonic order, of the degree of Knight Templar, and also of the I. O. O. F.

Samuel Campbell, a well-known livery man of St. Clairsville, was born in Wheeling township, July 23, 1838, the son of John and Maria L. (Irwin) Campbell. His father was born in 1806, a son of William and Mary (Smith) Campbell, the former of whom was a native of Scotland. John Campbell was reared in Belmont county, and followed the carpenter's trade until his marriage, after which he engaged in farming until his decease, which occurred in 1863. By his first mar-

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riage he had one son, the subject of 'this mention. The mother of the latter was born in 1816, and died in 1845. In 1847 the father was married to Cynthia McCullough, and by this union had five children, three of whom are living: Sarah, W. V., and Robert M. Samuel Campbell was reared on a farm near Flushing, where he received his early education in the common schools, afterward attending Franklin college during two terms. In 1869 he was married to Isaline M. Sharp, who was born in 1839, in Wheeling township, the daughter of William and Caroline (Harrah) Sharp, and they then began house-keeping on a farm near Loydsville, which he cultivated until 1884. At that date he removed to St. Clairsville and established the livery business he has since conducted with much success. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and are highly esteemed in the community.

Robert Carlile, one of the prosperous farmers of Richland township, Belmont county, is a native of Ireland. He is the youngest of eleven children of John and Mary (Marrow) Carlile, and of these children three others, James, John and Elizabeth, survive. Robert was reared in his native land, and in 1848 he emigrated to America. Settling first at St. Clairsville, he was employed in farm work at $100 per year, and was so engaged for two and a half years. In 1851 he was married to Helen, daughter of Hugh and Mary (Martin) Marrow. Her parents were natives of Ireland, and resided there until their death. She came to America in 1847, and made her home in St. Clairsville. By this marriage there were born four children, two of 'whom are living: John T., who now resides with his parents, and Hugh H., who is engaged in the lumber business in Washington state. Mr. and Mrs. Carlile are both members of the Presbyterian church, and are highly respected for their good qualities of heart and mind as well as for those traits which have made their career in life one of success. When they were married they began house-keeping on rented land, and it was not until twelve years were past that they bought forty acres north of St. Clairsville. Four years later he rented a. large farm on the Warnock pike, and nine years after that he sold the forty acres he first bought and purchased 192 acres where he now resides. This is land of fertile qualities, and is supposed to be underlaid by bountiful supplies of oil or gas, as there is an oil well at the distance of a mile and a half. There are also underneath it immense beds of coal.

One of the prominent citizens of Belmont county, in early times, was. William Chambers, who came to the county in 1812, and settled in Richland township. He was a leading politician on the side of the democratic party, and filled several township offices, and served with credit in the legislature as representative of the county in 1835. He lived to the age of eighty-two years. He was a son of Alexander and Rachel (Mays) Chambers, who emigrated from Ireland with their family in 1798.. In the next year they settled in Jefferson county, and had their home in a log cabin in the woods, about two miles east of the site of Mt. Pleasant. In the year 'Soo this ancestor hired out to,

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chop wood at $8 a month, and at about the end of that period, finding himself in urgent need of salt, had to pay $7 for fifty-six pounds. The family there passed through all the hardships of the life of frontiersmen, having to go fifteen miles for what corn they had ground. William Chambers married Jane Vincent, a native of Ireland, and to them was born in 1825, William Chambers, who at present resides on the land his father cleared in Richland township. He was reared in this county and in 1855 was married to Adaline Anderson, who was born in 1825, on the Richland township farm of her parents, Joshua and Sarah Anderson. They have one child living, John W. Mr. Chambers and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder, and was one of the building committee for the erection of the new church at St. Clairsville. He was also a contributor toward securing the public buildings at the present county seat. He is prominent in township matters, having held several offices and served as trustee four years. His farm of 115 acres is a valuable'and productive one.

Col. James F. Charlesworth, of distinguished military career, and one of the leading attorneys of Belmont county, was born in St. Clairsville, November 25, 1826, the son of Richard and Jane (Porter) Charlesworth. His father was one of the business men of the early days of the town, having removed thither from Baltimore about 182o. James F. engaged in business with his father after completing his education at Granville college in 1844, but at the outbreak of the war with Mexico, he and his younger brother, Richard W., left home, which was then at La Salle, Ill., and enlisted in Company H First regiment mounted rifles, in the regular army. The brothers enlisted without their father's knowledge, but he, acceding to their wishes, forwarded his consent. Col. Charlesworth saw active service in Mexico, under Gen. Scott, and received a slight wound at Contreras. The colonel of his regiment performed the functions of mayor of Mexico city after the entrance of the United States troops, and the regiment was detailed for police duty there during nine months, and until after peace was declared. He then returned to La Salle, Ill., but having decided to study law, he remained there but a short time, coming then to St. Clairsville, where he began the study under Gen. Weir. He was admitted to the bar in 1851, and was engaged in the practice until it was interrupted in 1854, by his election to the office of auditor of Belmont county, as which he served two years. His competitor for this position was David Allen. In 1857 he purchased the Independent Republican, of St. Clairsville, which he edited and published until the outbreak of civil war called him again to the field. He raised the first three years' company for the government which was entered on the records of the state adjutant general, and of this was commissioned captain July 12, 1861. His previous military services made him at that day, when the north was deficient, comparatively, in military men, of exceptional value to the country. Going into the field, he was active in the struggle. In the fall of 1861 he received a slight wound at Allegheny Summit, Va., and on the 16th of May following

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he was promoted major of his regiment. Soon afterward, June 8, 1862, he was severely wounded at the battle of Cross Keys. A minnie ball entered the abdomen about two inches to the right of the umbilical cord, and came out at the same distance from the spinal column. This wound, ordinarily fatal, caused the paralysis of the colon, but his life was fortunately spared. On July 30th, following, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel, and on May 18, 1863, he resigned, further service being impossible. His resignation received the following endorsement from Brig.-Gen. N. C. McLean, at the headquarters of the first division, eleventh army corps, at Brooks Station, Va., May 13, 1863: " Approved and respectfully forwarded. Whilst regretting the resignation of Lieut.-Col. Charlesworth, I approve, as I personally know him to be disabled by an honorable wound." The ball which passed through his body on the battle-field, Col. Charlesworth still possesses, it having been picked up on the spot where he fell, and the vest which shows the direction of the wound he still treasures, as 'a memento of honorable service. On his return home he entered upon the duties of clerk of the Belmont courts, to which he was elected while in the army by a majority of over ',c00 votes, over D. S. Adams, a worthy and popular man. In 1864 he also served as colonel of the First regiment of Belmont county militia. On the expiration of his term as clerk, he was appointed master commissioner of the court of common pleas, a position he held nine years. Among other prominent services it may be mentioned that during the troubles incident to the building of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, then called the Central Ohio, Col. Charlesworth, was at the request of Sheriff J. C. Nichols, appointed and commissioned a captain to organize the celebrated Washington Guards, which were on duty during three or four years. Also, during the famous contest between St. Clairsville and Bellaire for the county seatship, Col. Charlesworth was prominent among the advocates of St. Clairsville, and by laboring at the state capital with the legislature for several weeks, he and his associates succeeded in having the magnificent county buildings erected at their present site. He is very prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic, and is now the commander of the Belmont county battalion. In the Masonic order also he is conspicuous as a member of Belmont lodge, No. 16, Chapter No. 17, and Hope commandery, No. 26, K. T. In politics he is prominent as a democrat, being a delegate to the convention which nominated James E. Campbell for governor, and vice-president of the state central committee, and a trustee of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home. Col. Charlesworth was married July 4, 1855, to Laura A., daughter of William Tallman, deceased.

Robert Clark, a prominent farmer of Richland township, Belmont county, was born in 1833, the son of Hugh and Deborah (Eckles) Clark. The father, a native of county Down, Ireland, was born July 4, 1802, and immigrated to America in 1821, settling in Ohio, where he remained until his death in 1846. He was married in 1827 to Miss Eckles, who was born in Pultney township in 1809, and by this union had eleven children, four of whom are living: Robert

40-B.

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John, Drennen and Isabella. After his marriage he came to the land which his son Robert now occupies, and this he cleared and cultivated. To purchase it he went in debt, but, by unceasing toil, paid for this original tract and added to it until he had 240 acres. But hard work broke down his constitution, and he died at the age of forty-four years. Robert Clark grew to manhood on the old homestead, and attended the log school-house of olden times, walking . two miles for such education as he could there obtain in the winter season. In 1856 he was married to Nancy, daughter of William and Eliza Sissel, who was born in Steubenville in 1832. To this union six children have been born, of whom four are living: Charles F., William H., Robert E. and Laura B. Mr. Clark is the owner of 156 acres of the homestead farm, and is comfortably situated. He ranks among the leading citizens of this township.

Thomas E. Clark, contractor and builder of St. Clairsville, was born at Morristown, Ohio, in 1836. His father, John Clark, was the son of James and Hannah J. Clark, natives of Ireland, who came to America in the year 1800, and settled in Pennsylvania. James was a brave soldier of the war of 1812. John Clark was born in Pennsylvania about 1808, and when a child removed with his parents to Ohio, settling on a farm near Cadiz in Harrison county. Not long afterward they removed to within a mile of Morristown, where John Clark learned the vocation of a brick and stone mason, which he followed through the remainder of his life. He was an influential man, and served as justice of the peace several years. About 1833 he was married to Elizabeth Heed, by whom he had nine children, eight of whom are living: Thomas E., John, James A., Elizabeth, Amelia, Catherine, Sarah J. and Loretta A. The parents were members of the Baptist church. Thomas E., the eldest child, at seventeen years of age began to learn the trade of his father, and after four years' apprenticeship he went to Cincinnati, where he worked one summer. He then came to Belmont county, where, on December 9, 1859, he was married to Anna E. Smith, who was born at Uniontown, Penn., in 1835, the daughter of James and Mary Smith. Immediately after this marriage he moved with his wife to Cadiz, where they lived four years, coming then to St. Clairsville, which has since been their home. He continued to be occupied with his trade until 1876, when he assumed the management of the National Hotel at St. Clairsville, which he conducted until 1885. He then resumed contracting. Among the many buildings erected by him may be mentioned that of the bank of St. Clairsville, the school building, the infirmary, Judge Cowan's residence, Troll's business house and the Methodist Episcopal church. In the famous contest over the location of the county seat he was a tireless worker for the cause of St. Clairsville, and when the fight was decided he was appointed by the commissioners to superintend all the buildings. Under his careful and able supervision the court house, sheriff's residence and jail, with sidewalks, fence, gas and water works, were completed for $283,000, and they are admitted to be among the most economically built in the state.

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For this acceptable result, Mr. Clark deserves a large share of the praise. By his marriage above mentioned, Mr. Clark has five children living: John W., Charles E., Mary, Emma and Loretta A. The wife and daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William J. Clark, of Richland township, is a son of Alexander and Eleanor (Downs) Clark, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1801, and settled in Lancaster county, Penn. They started with three children, two of whom died during their thirteen weeks' voyage to this country. In Pennsylvania, ten children were born to them. One of these children, Alexander D.. Clark, who received his first schooling in a pioneer log cabin, and rose to be a doctor of divinity, was graduated at New Athens, with the first honors, in a class of twelve, which included Rev. David Craig, A. M., Edgar Cowan, LL. D., Rev. William Davidson, D. D., and Samuel Armer, M. D., LL. D., and among his fellow students were Joseph Ray, M. D., Hon. William Kennon, Sr., Hon. William Wilson Shannon, Hon. John A. Bingham, A. F. Ross, LL. D., William Lawrence, LL. D., and Rev. George C. Vincent, D. D. William J. Clark was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and brought by his parents to the farm on which he now lives when six years old, and was there reared, and pursued his early studies seated on the puncheon seats of the log school-house. But his main education has like his material property been gathered by industrious application through all the years that have followed. He is one of the substantial and valued citizens of his township. During eight years he has served as school director of his district. When the county seat fight was on he lent all his aid and influence to the cause of St. Clairsville. In 1859 Mr. Clark was married to Elizabeth King, a native of Belmont county, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Blackburn) King, and by this union has had six children, five of whom are living: Thomas A., Samuel U., John H., Carrie J. and Lizzie E. Mr. Clark and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church.

Thomas A. Clark, eldest son of the above, was born September t0, 1860, and was reared on the old homestead. On September 16, 1886, he was married to Luella McFarland, who was born June 7, 1861, daughter of Andrew J. and Margaret McFarland, of whom mention is made in this work. By this union he has had one child, Zilla A., who is deceased. Mr. Clark is one of the leading young farmers of the county, has an excellent and well-kept farm of 160 acres, with a fine two-story frame dwelling, which stands on a beautiful hill of t0o feet elevation above its surroundings.

William E. Clark, the second son above named, is one of the progressive young farmers of Belmont county, and has his home upon a farm of 141 acres, which he has handsomely improved. He was born September t t, 1864, was reared on the old farm, and given a good common school education. On September 7, 1882, he was married to Lizzie G. McFarland, who was born in 1859, the daughter of Andrew J. McFarland, who is elsewhere mentioned. To this union have been born three children: Margaret L., June 4, 1884; Francis B., April 20, 1886, and Samuel Mc., July 11, 1889.

628 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

Samuel C. Clark, son of the above-named Alexander and Eleanor Clark, was born in Pennsylvania in 1817, and came to this county with his parents in 1824. He was reared on the old homestead, and received the meager schooling of his days. In 1850 he was married to Frances A. Bennett, a native of England, and daughter of Capt. John Bennett, of Blairsville, Penn. During the war of the rebellion Mr. Clark participated in the pursuit and capture of the guerrilla, John Morgan. He is one of the influential men of Richland township, of which he has served efficiently as trustee for four years. During the long-continued contest over the proposed change of the county seat he was active in the cause of St. Clairsville and donated liberally of time and money for the cause. In brief he is an enterprising and valuable citizen, and as the possessor of a valuable farm of 550 acres, he is widely known as one of the solid men of the county. Mr. Clark has five children: John A., William E., Lizzie E., Lucy J. and Bruce.

William N. Coffland, who is well-known as one of the influential men of the democratic party of Belmont county, was born in Goshen township of that county, in March, 1848. He is the son of George W. and Martha A. (Wadsworth) Coffland, the former of whom was born in Belmont county, the son of James and Margaret Coffland, and the latter was also born in Belmont county, being the daughter of John Wadsworth. William N. Coffland graduated from the commercial college at Pittsburgh in 1867, and immediately engaged in the mercantile business at Hunter. He was subsequently in business two years at Newcastle, at Rockhill six months, and then at East Richland formed a partnership with J. W. McFarland, and conducted a general store until 1873, when he became deputy auditor of Belmont county, under W. E. Stamp, and held that position during two terms. In 1877 the law having been changed so as to make the term of the auditor three years, he was nominated by the democrats, and elected by a majority of 1,315. He was afterward re-elected and served six years with notable efficiency. After leaving this office he engaged in merchandise and wool buying, and is now devoting his entire attention to the wool business, at East Richland. In 1889 Mr. Coffland was nominated against his desire as senator for Belmont and Harrison counties, and without any effort on his part ran about 200 ahead of his ticket, though there was a democratic gain in the district of about 1,000 on the whole ticket. In 1879 Mr. Coffland was married to Anna M., daughter of John and Margaret (Fitzrandolph) Lochary, the former of whom was an early merchant of St. Clairsville, and one of the original stockholders of the bank. To this marriage four children have been born: Sherwood M., Margaret, Mary and Beatrice. Mr. Coffland is a Mason of the rank of Knight Templar.

Alexander C. Danford, of Richland township, was born in Belmont county, November 21, 1831, the son of Michael and Mercy (Danford) Danford. His father was born and reared in Belmont county, of which he was a prominent citizen, serving as commissioner in 1854 and 1857. Michael was the son of William and Elizabeth (Moore)

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Danford, the former of whom was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1812. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. Mercy Danford, mother of the subject of this mention, was a daughter of Ambrose Danford, who was born in Maryland; when fifteen years old he crossed the mountains with two half-brothers, Samuel and William, and settled on the Bend, fork of Captina creek, when the country was a wilderness. The boys reared a cabin, and Ambrose was left to guard it while the brothers returned to the old home for their father In 1812 and 1813 he was elected, by the whigs, representative of Belmont county. He was a leading politician. Beginning a poor he grew to be one of the richest farmers in the county, owning at the time of his death 2,200 acres of land. Alexander Danford was reared in pioneer times and was educated in the old log-house of those days, studying his letters from a slip pasted on a paddle. He is now one of the county's progressive and enterprising farmers, and has taken the lead in introducing fine stock. He was the first to bring Leicester sheep to this county, buying them in Canada curing the Fenian trouble, first brought on Shropshire sheep in 1876, and first introduced Jersey cattle in 1868. He is influential as a citizen, has served as infirmary director seven years, is a member of the I.O.O. F. and of the Masonic order, Royal Arch Degree. October 8, 1853, Mr. Danford was married to Nancy, daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Ward) Frost, who was born July 26, 1838. They have four children: Martha J., born September 3,1854; Miriam L., born November 15, 1857; Mercy, born January 21, 1863, and Michael D., born January 16, 1869.

Hon. Lorenzo Danford, well-known among the senior members of the bar of Belmont county, has for many years been prominent in the public affairs of the upper Ohio valley. He was born in Belmont county, October 18, 1829, the son of Samuel Danford, a prosperous farmer of the county, who was a conspicuous figure in his day, and served the people in various official positions. At the farm home of the latter, Mr. Danford was reared and received his rudimentary education in the neighboring school, then studied at the Waynesburg, Penn., college, and at twenty-three years of age entered the law office of Carlo C, Carroll, as a student of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1854, beginning at that date a long and successful career 4. as a jurist. Almost at the same time he embarked in that career as a public man which has made his name one of the familiar ones of the country's history. During the closing days of the whig party he espoused its cause with great vigor, and was one of the candidates for elector of the Fillmore ticket in Ohio, in 1856. Soon afterward he became a zealous member of the new republican party, and in 1857 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Belmont county. To this office he was re-elected in 1859, but before the expiration of the second term he found a more urgent duty before him as a patriotic citizen, and resigned his office to shoulder a musket as a private in the Seventeenth Ohio volunteer infantry. At the expiration of the three months' service, he assisted in raising a company for the

630 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

Fifteenth Ohio, of which he was chosen second lieutenant. He was subsequently promoted first lieutenant and then captain, as which he served until August 1, 1864, when he resigned on account of impaired health. In political life meanwhile he had been active as a republican and had been one of the electors of the state of Ohio, casting the voice of that state for Abraham Lincoln. After the close of the war he remained true to his party, and in 1872 was nominated few congress, from the sixteenth district, and was elected. He served in the forty-third congress, and subsequently in 1874, was re-elected, and again chosen in 1876, but after his third term in congress he declined further honors in that direction. He had the distinction of succeeding to the seat filled by John A. Bingham, and the trusts reposed in him were ably and honorably filled. As a c0ngressman, an orator upon questions of politics and statesmanship, and as a lawyer of breadth and power, he is one of the distinguished men of eastern Ohio. Since his retirement from congress Mr. Danford has devoted himself to the practice of law, which is so extensive as to fully absorb his attention. In the criminal practice, his fame is particularly widespread as one of the foremost in that branch of his profession. Mr. Danford was first married on October 7, 1858, to Annie H. Cook, of Jefferson county, who died October 24, 1867. On October 27, 1870, he was married to Mary M. Adams, of St. Clairsville.

A. C. Darrah, one of the leading citizens of St. Clairsville, was born at that place June 4, 1849, the son of William Darrah. He received a liberal education in the town schools of that day, and afterward was engaged in teaching in the common schools for several terms. Deciding to adopt the profession of law, he entered the law office of Danford & Kennon, to pursue his studies, and at the age of twenty- one years he was sufficiently advanced for admission to the bar. He continued to teach, however, to assist him in the struggles of a young attorney, during the winter seasons until he was twenty-three years of age. At this time, in 1872, he was united in marriage with Martha M., daughter of David Harris, the first probate judge of Belmont county. Mr. Darrah soon became prominent in public affairs, and in 1875 he was elected by the democratic party as justice of the peace of Richland township, as which he served until 1878, when he was elected to the position of clerk of the courts of Belmont county. This office he filled to the entire satisfaction of the public during one term, and was then re-elected, and he held the office two terms, proving to be a most efficient public servant. Mr. Darrah is one of the most enterprising citizens of Steubenville, and has rendered the town great service, particularly in connection with the St. Clairsville & Northern railroad. In 1880 the town began the building of this road, and completed it on the narrow gauge plan. With this construction the road proved a failure, and lay idle one winter. In 1882 Mr. Darrah interested himself in the matter, and organized a stock company which obtained a lease of the road for thirty years. The track was then changed to standard gauge, and an active business was begun with Mr. Darrah as president of the company.

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Its subsequent history has been one of unqualified success. All the indebtedness of the road has been paid, and its gross earnings will now amount to about $7,000 per year. Since the completion of the road, the company, of which he is president, has also been engaged in the mining and shipping of coal, of which their average product is about 6,000 tons per annum. In social life Mr. Darrah and his estimable family are highly esteemed. By his marriage above mentioned, he has three children, Homer C., Gertrude and Charles D.

A notable early settler of Belmont county was William Denham, a native of Ireland, who emigrated in 1789, setting sail from Belfast, May 15. The receipt for 8s, 3d, which he paid as passage money to Capt. Mark Collins, of the ship, " St. James,' is still preserved by his descendants. His ship was six weeks getting within sight of land, and a storm then kept them out from shore for three weeks longer. William proceeded to South Carolina, where he was married to Rebecca Sargent, a native of that state. Soon afterward they came on horseback through Kentucky to Ohio, and settled in Belmont county. On the way one of the party became very sick and one of his friends thereupon went out to hunt for game for food for him and happened to see an Indian. Returning to camp he reported the fact, and there was a rapid mounting, in which, remarkably enough, the sick man was the first in the saddle with his gun ready for battle. After their arrival in Belmont county, John Denham, son of the above, was born, October 22, 1802. He received the benefit of the pioneer schools, and was reared to a life of industry. He was apt and intelligent, and, though never apprenticed to any trade, following farming all his life, he was a natural mechanic and framed all the buildings he erected. He was influential among his neighbors, and at one time held the rank of captain in the Ohio militia. He died, leaving to his heirs a valuable farm of 160 acres. His wife, Elizabeth, to whom he was married April 22, 1830, is now the oldest living member of the St. Clairsville United Presbyterian church. She was born in West Virginia, April 2, 1813, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Morrison) Geffen. Her father was born in Scotland, 1774, and came to America with his parents when two years of age. He and wife were in Fort Henry at the time of the siege of 1782, when Elizabeth Zane performed her famous exploit of carrying powder past the Indians. Mrs. Denham's mother, a daughter of William and Mary (Henry) Morrison, was on one occasion in the fort when the Indians drew out all the men but one, who was too old for battle, into an ambush, and killing them, left the women and the one man to defend the garrison. The heroic women, of which Elizabeth Morrison was one, by loading the guns rapidly, with the old man's assistance, managed to repulse the savages. John Denham and wife had twelve children, of whom eight are living: Sophia J., William, Elizabeth A., wife of Samuel Wiley; Emily, wife of Joseph A. Hall; May, Mary R., Sarah A., wife of William Hall; Joseph H. and Maria.

Josepa H. Denham was born and reared on the old homestead. On March 11, 1873, he was married to Louisa Ault, who was born

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January 5, 1854, the daughter of Joseph and Ann (Wilkersoh) Ault. They have had nine children, of whom eight are living: Charles A., John M., Joseph C., Mary R., David W., Frank I., Clara L. and Martha F. Mr. Denham and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and are highly regarded.

The first white child native to Pultney township, Belmont county, was James Dixon, born in 1797, whose son, Henry Dixon, is now one of the influential people of the county. James was the son of Andrew and Rachel (Dulap) Dixon, the former of whom was born in Ireland in 1744, and came to America in 1764. He first settled in Pennsylvania, but in a short time removed to West Liberty, W. Va., and thence, soon afterward, to the territory now included in Pultney township. He died there in 1800. He was drafted for service in the continental army during the revolution, but excused by order of Gen. Washington. The mother of Henry Dixon was Elizabeth Neff, a native of West Virginia, of German descent. Mr. Neff received his early education in the pioneer schools of the country, and was occupied in labor on the farm of his father. He settled in Belmont county a poor man, and he lived for many years in one of the log cabins characteristic of those days, with his nearest neighbor at Bridgeport, five or six miles away. He was compelled to go to West Liberty to mill, and when the river was impassable, the only recourse was to pound corn for food. The land that this worthy ancestor gained the title of was afterward owned by his son James, and here the subject of this mention was reared. The mother of the latter was Elizabeth Neff, a native of West Virginia, and of German descent. Mr. Neff received his education in the pioneer schools of the county, and was occupied in youth upon the farm of his father, which subsequently became his. He is now the owner of ninety-seven acres of good land, and is in prosperous circumstances. In 1857 he was married to Narcissa Thompson, who was born in Pease township in 1835, the daughter of James and Sidney (Petit) Thompson. Her father was a native of Pease township, and a son of Thomas Thompson, of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have one son, James A., now a prominent physician of Bellaire. Mr. Dixon and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and are highly esteemed.

Andrew Douglass, a venerable citizen of Richland township, Belmont county, was born in Ireland in 1813, son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Agnew) Douglass, both of whom spent their lives in their native land. At eighteen years of age Andrew came to America, and at once proceeded to Ohio, where he found employment as a laborer. He continued to be so employed until 1835, when he bought and settled on a part of his present farm. He purchased some seventy- eight acres at first, slightly improved with an old log cabin, to which he brought his young wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Tate, and to whom he had been united in 1833. The story of the years that followed is one of unremitting industry, that sort of patient life which lays the foundations of the prosperity of counties and states. A true pioneer, he can remember when he worked at $9 per month, or mowed

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for fifty cents per day, and cradled wheat at $1 per day. By good business principles he succeeded, and now has 281 acres of valuable land, well improved. He gives considerable attention to sheep raising as well as agriculture, and makes a specialty of the Southdown breed. By his wife, above named, who was born in Ireland in 1805, he has seven children: Hugh, John, Randall B., Mary J., William, Emma E. and Margaret. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

William Estep, M. D., one of the oldest physicians in the practice in Belmont county, was born in Washington county, Penn., son of John and Sarah Estep. The father was a blacksmith and farmer, in straitened circumstances, and at an early age William was called on to assist his father in the smithy. He had, however, when eight years old, decided to be a physician when he had grown, and he would assume that character in his childish games, and when called on to help his father he w0uld manage to work so poorly that finally in exasperation the father drove him from the forge with an injunction never to return. He at once entered Franklin college and attended three years, when a lack of funds compelled him to stop his studies. He then worked awhile until he had money enough to complete his course and in the same way managed to gain his medical education. In 1840 he settled at Loydsville, and began a practice which has ever since continued. In this protracted period he has always had the confidence and respect of the community. He is now one of the directors of Franklin college. In 1862 he enlisted in September as surgeon of. the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio regiment, and served two years, when he was compelled by sickness, terminating in heart disease, to accept an honorable discharge at Annapolis in 1864. He was captured at Martinsburg, Va., and was a prisoner of war for seven weeks. He is one of the authors of the law for the board of pension examiners, and he was appointed a member of the board in June, 1888. The doctor is a member of the Masonic order and was a member of the I. 0. 0. F. In his practice he has instructed many pupils, who have all made a success of their profession. Dr. Estep is a lover of fine horses, and has done more to introduce thoroughbreds than any other man in Belmont county. He has now a very fine imported Cleveland bay stallion, and has kept other horses, among them Sir Charles, two Morgan horses, a Norman, a Clydesdale, Hiatoga, Harry Clay, Bayswater and Judge Spofford.

Amos Fawcett, an influential farmer of Richland township, Belmont county, Ohio, was born in 1826, on the farm which he now occupies. The first of his family in this country was Thomas Fawcett, a native of Ireland, who came to the province of Pennsylvania in 1750, and thence removed to Virginia. He was the first to be interred in the Mt. Pleasant cemetery of Frederick county, Va. His wife was Martha Clevinger. Their son, Thomas, married Rachel Vale, and had ten children: Joel, Rebecca, Simeon, Levi, Nathan, Amos, Martha, Edward, Thomas, and a Thomas who died in infancy. This family was reared on the farm which the grandfather, Thomas Fawcett, set-

634 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

tied upon in 1814, and Amos, the subject of this mention, with the other children, enjoyed such educational advantages as the old log school-houses afforded. In 1848 he was married to Charity Sutton, daughter of Zachariah and Nancy (King) Sutton. She is a native of Richland township, and is a granddaughter of Jonathan Sutton, of whom mention is made on another page of this work. To this union five children have been born: Zachariah, Mary E., Esther, Harry H. and John A. Mr. Fawcett and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the trustees. He has a valuable farm of 112 acres, finely improved.

Francis B. Ferrel, prominent among the farmers of Richland township, was born in the year 1820, in the little log cabin which was the home of his parents, on the farm which he now owns. He is the son of James and Sarah (Boggs) Ferrel, the former of whom was born in West Virginia, the son of Joseph Ferrel, and came to Ohio early in the century, and settled in Richland township. His wife was a daughter of Francis and Margaret (Caldwell) Boggs. Her grandfather was a soldier of the revolution, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. Ferrel, the subject of this mention, was reared on the old farm, and received his early education in the country schools. Beginning with this slender foundation he has by a liberal patronage of books and papers, become well-read and thoroughly informed. He is now one of the influential citizens of the county, a member of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs, and his farm, one 0f the best of the region, includes 154 acres of valuable land. In 184o, Mr. Ferrel was married to Martha, daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Mowery) Holmes, of this county, and to them ten children have been born, of whom the following are living: William, Charles, James, Francis E. and Emma. His first wife died, and in 1871, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Amos and Anna Roscoe, of this county, by whom he has three children living: Irena, Maude and Garfield L.

James W. Frasier, a leading liveryman of St. Clairsville, is a descendant of two of the early families in eastern Ohio. His father, William P. Frasier, was born in Loudon county, Va., December 31, 1815, the son of James and Sarah (Evans) Frasier, who came to Ohio in 1813, with their family and settled in the woods in Belmont county. The father remained upon the farm until 1866, when he moved to St. Clairsville and embarked in the hotel business, at which he was occupied for nineteen years. He then sold his hotel and retired, and his death occurred in December, 1885. In 1844 he was married to Nancy, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Colley) Woodmansee. Her father was born in New Jersey, January 31, 1799, and the mother was born October 10, 1800. They were married October, 1819, and by this union had ten children, seven of whom are living: Nancy, Eliza, Sina S., Harrison, Galena, Thomas J. and Kate, and three dead, Peter, Lewis, Menerva. After their marriage they remained with Mr. Woodmansee's parents about Dive years, and then in 1824 came to Ohio, and settled near Mt. Pleasant. Five years later they removed to a farm on the old National pike, about four miles east of St. Clairs-

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ville, where Mr. Woodmansee was for thirty-five years engaged in keeping a hotel. He kept one of the finest houses in the county, and built the large two-story brick building used for the hotel. In 1864 he sold out and bought a little farm near St. Clairsville, which was his home until his death in 1879. He was a member of the Masonic order and with his wife was associated with the Presbyterian church. She is still living, in her eighty-ninth year, and makes her home with her daughter Nancy. James W. Frasier, the subject of this mention, was engaged with his parents in the hotel business, and then embarked in the livery business, which has continued to be his principal occupation. In 1870 he was married to Emma Patton, who was born and reared in St. Clairsville, and is a daughter of John and Arabella (Sharpless) Patton. To this union two children have been born, of whom one survives: John P. Mr. Frasier is one of the successful and popular business men of St. Clairsville.

William Fulton, an enterprising farmer of Richland township, was born October 6, 1845, in Pultney township, the son of Andrew and Margaret (Gay) Fulton. Mr. Fulton was reared in this county and was given the educational advantages of its excellent common schools in his youth. He was reared on the farm of his parents, and naturally chose the same vocation as his own, and not unwisely, as he is now reckoned as one of the best farmers of the township, and has a good farm of seventy-nine acres, which he has improved handsomely. He was married September 5, 1876, to Anna E. Workman, who was born in this county in 1847, the daughter of Amos and Hannah (Milligan) Workman. Their home has been blessed with five children: Edgar R., Inez Mary, Albert E., Mary L. and Hannah N. Mr. Fulton is a member of the United Presbyterian church, with which his wife is also affiliated.

Hon. Isaac H. Gaston, judge of the probate court of Belmont county, was born at St. Clairsville, July 6, 1858, and is descended from a family conspicuous in the history of Belmont county since the dawn of the century. His great-grandfather, Dr. Alexander Gaston, a native of Washington county, Penn., settled on a farm near St. Clairsville in i800, and died at Morristown in 1825. After removing to Morristown his practice covered the territory reaching to Freeport, Middlebourne and Woodsfield. Dr. Ephraim Gaston, Judge Gaston's grandfather, was one of the most distinguished physicians of his time. His professional life covered a period of forty years, commencing in 1828. He was one of those rare men who practiced for the love of the profession, rather than for the money produced by it. Early in his professional life he was persuaded to represent the people one term in the legislature, but he gladly returned to a profession which he afterward greatly adorned, and clung to it with fidelity and zeal until compelled to abandon it on account of cataract of the eyes, dying about two years afterward. Samuel W. Gaston, father of Judge Gaston, was born at Morristown in 1831. In early manhood he taught school at Wheeling, improving his time meanwhile reading the law. He located at St. Clairsville in 1855, and the following year was elected

636 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

clerk of the courts. He was a fine scholar and a matchless orator. He died at the early age of thirty-one, the most brilliant and promising young man of his time. Mr. Gaston married Margaret F. Hazlett, of Morristown, July 9, 1857, who has the satisfaction of seeing her only child leading a life of usefulness and honor. Mrs. Gaston resided at Morristown after the death of her husband, and Judge Gaston received his early education in the public schools of that town. He entered Washington-Jefferson college in 1876, and was graduated from that institution in 1879. Thence he entered the law office of Hon. L. Danford, and in 1884 was elected probate judge, and reelected in 1887. When first elected he was the youngest man ever chosen to that office in this part of Ohio, but its duties were discharged with such dignity and ability that at his second election his majority was more than doubled. Judge Gaston is a stalwart republican. He takes much interest in public affairs, and occupies an influential position in the councils of his party.

Selden George, by birth one of the pioneers of Belmont county, and the son of early settlers, Traverse and Esther (Sinclair) George, was born February 14, 1819. He was one of two sons, and was reared on the farm, assisting his parents in the work of early days on the farm, and attending school somewhat in the pioneer log school-house. His life has been an industrious and useful one, working at home with his father until the latter's death December 6, 1859 (he was born February 28, 1779). He now owns t00 acres of the old homstead and fifty-four acres adjoining, and is in prosperous and comfortable circumstances. October 7, 1847, Mr. George was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua and Susan (Lucus) Pryor, and by this union were born two children, William L. and Susan E. The mother was born in Smith township, August 8, 1824, and died July 5, 1889. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. George has served on the school board about twenty-five years, and has nearly always held the position of clerk.

Seldon T. Haines, an energetic farmer of Richland township, was born in Columbiana county, April 12, 1845, the son of Joseph and Mary (George) Haines. His father was born in Ohio, and was the son of Nathaniel and Rachel Haines, both natives of New Jersey, who came

with to Ohio about 1802. Seldon T. accompanied his parents to Guernsey county, whither they removed when he was quite young, and they remained there until he was twelve years old, when they came to Belmont county, and settled where- he now lives. Here the father died

in his seventy-third year. Seldon T. was reared on the farm, and received a common school education. In his nineteenth year he answered the call of his country, and enlisted in December, 1863, in Company H, Ninth Ohio cavalry, under Capt. Stough, and served with Gen. Kilpatrick's forces in the march through Georgia. His service was a gallant one, and at the close of the war he was honorably discharged in August, 1865, at Lexington, N. C. He is now doing well as a farmer, owning over fifty acres of the homestead farm. In December, 1873, Mr. Haines was married to Isabella, daughter of

BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO - 637

William and Nancy (Cash) Satterthwaite, and by this union he has four children: Wallace E., Mary A., Laura B., and William S. Mrs. Haines was born in this county, July 1, 1846.

Robert Hall, a native of Hall's-turn, Ireland, born February 8, 1813, was married in this country to Ann McMullen, who was born in Armagh county, October 15, 1800. In 1841, they came to America with those of their children then born, poor in property, but endowed with energy and perseverance that made them successful in the new land they sought. They came on the good ship " Columbus," which landed at New York on Christmas eve, and came on to Belmont county, Ohio, where they made their home for four years, and where the remainder of their children were born. They then removed to Monroe county, Ohio, where they had been two or three years, when the father was killed by the explosion of a steamboat boiler. Ten or eleven years later, the mother and children removed to Wetzel county, W. Va., where they lived eleven years, coming then to the farm in Richland township, Belmont county, Ohio, where the mother died in 1886. The parents were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. To them were born five children, as follows: Joseph A., October 15, 1838; Robert S., February 11, 1840; Margaret A. April 8, 1841; William Q., June 3, 1842; John M., May 16, 1845. A., and John are deceased. Joseph A., the eldest child, was born in Ireland and came to this country when three years of age. He was reared on the farm, and in early manhood, in the year 1862, answered the call of his country and enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio volunteers,' and served with his company until the close of the war, being always on duty, except three months, when he was a prisoner of war in Libby prison, and two months while disabled by a wound. From this, he has always suffered since, but receives a pension of only $2 a month. Mr. Hall was married February 6, 1879, to Emily Denham, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Giffin) Denham. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church. Robert S., the second born of the children of Robert and Ann Hall, was reared on the farm and has given his entire attention during his life to agriculture, and with some success. With his two brothers he owns 229 3/4 acres of very valuable land in Richland township, and ranks among the most substantial and influential men of the county.

William Q. Hall, the youngest of three brothers, who own jointly a farm of 229 3/4 acres in Richland township, spent his youth in Monroe county, whence, in 1862, he enlisted In Company E, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, the same company in which his elder brother served. After serving with his company a year and seven months, he was put on detached duty, in the pioneer corps, and he served in that arm of the troops from April, 1864, until the close of the war. With the exception of three weeks in the hospital with measles, he was always at his post of duty, and conducted himself as becomes a brave citizen soldier. After the war he returned to West Virginia, and resumed farming. After coming to Richland township he was married in 1877, to Sarah A. Denham, who was born in this

638 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

township in 1848, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Giffen) Denham. Mrs. Hall is a member of the United Presbyterian church. He is prominent as a landowner and as a good citizen.

Alexander C. Hammond, a progressive farmer of Richland township, was born in the township of Wheeling, September 5, 1837. He is the son of Robert Hammond, who was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Robert and Jane (Castle) Hammond. The senior Robert Hammond was a native of county Down, Ireland, and was a member of the Seceder church, of Ireland. He came to America at an early day, and after residing in Pennsylvania several years, removed to Ohio, settling in Wheeling township. The maiden name of the mother of the subject was Hannah Clark. Mr. Hammond was reared on the farm in Wheeling township, and after attending the common schools spent one year at Athens college. In 1864 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Seventieth Ohio infantry, under Capt. A. W. Lee, and after a service of 100 days, received an honorable discharge at Columbus in September, 1864. He enlisted as a private, but was soon promoted to first corporal. In 1870, Mr. Hammond was married to Maggie G. Thompson, who was born in 1842, and died in 1875. She was a daughter of Thomas B. and Eliza Thompson. To this union one son was born, Harry E. Beginning his career as a farmer with thirty acres, he now owns T00 acres of good land, well improved, with a two-story brick dwelling and other improvements.

The Hardesty family is one of the most notable among the pioneers of the valley of the upper Ohio. Their ancestors removed to this region, then the Indian frontier, soon after the war of the revolution. Richard Hardesty and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Lamb, in about 1793, removed to Wheeling to obtain protection from the red men, and Richard had been a brave soldier in the war of the revolution, and was, by his service, entitled to land in the northwest territory. In 1795 they crossed the river into Ohio at the site of Martin's Ferry, and having lost their horses to the Indian marauders near there, they made their way with ox team and sled, being compelled to cut their way much of the distance to a place known by the hunters as " Round Bottom," in what is now Richland township. There were no neighbors to their little home nearer than St. Clairsville, and but few cabins there. Richard lived there to the age of ninety-seven years. He had three sons, Robert, Samuel and John. The latter, who was born at Martin's Ferry, in 1791, is supposed to be the first white child born in Belmont county. All the sons served in the war of 1812, and during that period of conflict, Robert took part in the battle of Kirkwood Cabin. On January 5, 1809, Robert was married to Nancy McMillan. Their son, John Hardesty, one of the honored representatives of this pioneer family, was horn in Richland township, January 26, 1820. He received a limited education in the log school-house of his day. On June 16, 1864, he was married to Mary J. Coats, a native of Belmont county, and daughter of David and Mary Coats. To this union five children have been born: Robert, Samuel, Ada Luella, William Ross

BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO - 639

and John G. Mr. Hardesty is one of the leading land owners of the county, having 225 acres of valuable land.

Alexander G. Hawthorn, a prominent business man and postmaster at Loydsville, was born in Jefferson county, in June, 1846, the son of William and Mary A. (Lemon) Hawthorn. The father was born and reared in Jefferson county, and lived there until 1852, when he removed with his family to Harrison county and settled on a farm, where he now resides. In the latter county the subject of this men- tion was reared from his sixth year. On December 17, 1863, he en- listed in Company B, Ninety-eighth Ohio infantry, and served with his company in all its engagements until he was wounded on August 7, 1864, before Atlanta. A piece of shell which weighed a little over three-quarters of an ounce entered his jaw, and was so imbedded that he carried it for seven years before it was removed. It almost entirely destroyed his hearing, but for this great injury he is allowed only the insignificant pension of $4 a month. Mr. Hawthorn was discharged at Columbus, in September, 1865, and on his return home engaged in farming in Jefferson county for two years, after which he embarked in general merchandise at Adena. After doing business there four years he removed to Loydsville, and opened a dry goods and general store, and has an extensive custom. He is one of the worthy citizens of the place, and his recent appointment as postmaster gave general satisfaction.

Peter W. Helpbringer, a well-known and successful farmer of Richland township, Belmont county, was born in 1846, the son of John and Tamazin (Wolf) Helpbringer. His grandfather, Frederick, the first of the family in America, came to America about the year i800, from Germany, his native land. He settled in Virginia and there raised a family, among whom was John, the father of the subject of this mention. John, in about 1830, removed to Ohio, and made his home in Guernsey county, afterward, however, in 1846, removing to Smith township, Belmont county. He then settled on a farm, on which he remained until 1882, when he and wife made their home with their son, Peter W. He was a successful farmer, and also conducted a flouring- and sawmill. He lived to the age of seventy-eight years. His wife was the daughter of Peter and Clarissa (Ridgeway) Wolf, of Scotch-Irish descent. She and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Peter W. was reared on the farm, and has engaged much of his time in the mills of his father. He received his education in the common schools and at Duff's Commercial college, at Pittsburgh. In 1878 he bought of his father what was known as the Helpbringer mill, and after thoroughly refitting it continued to operate it. On April 22, 1880, was married to Jane L., daughter of Henry and Matilda (Hall) Neff. He and wife commenced house-keeping on the Helpbringer farm, and continued to operate the mill until the spring of 1882, when he rented the mill to W. T. Minnameyer, and commenced to erect the buildings on the farm, where he now resides, in Richland township, near Glencoe, on B. & 0. R. R., finishing and occupying them in October, 1883. In the years that have elapsed, how-

640 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

ever, he has been prosperous in his undertakings, and now has 310 acres of valuable land, well improved, and has a comfortable and pleasant home, which has been blessed by the presence of five children, four of whom survive: Albert S., Clara M., Ralph E. and an infant son, James Nelson. Mrs. Helpbringer was born in 1850, in Smith township, and she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Helpbringer is a member.

John Henderson, one of the worthy pioneers of Belmont county, was born in Washington county, Penn. September 14, 1815. He is the son of Andrew Henderson, son of Penn.,        Henderson. His father came to Ohio in 1815 and settled in Harrison county, but in the following year made his home in Belmont county, buying a section of land in Wheeling township, from A. Patterson. This tract was in a very wild condition, with no improvements but a log cabin, and in reclaiming and improvement of this farm the senior Henderson, as well as his son, endured many hardships and saw many a day of untiring toil. Here John Henderson was raised, availing himself of such educational advantages as were offered in those days. Growing up as a farmer, he passed through the days of the sickle and flail into the modern period of improved agricultural implements. Yet, after taking up with the cradle he used it until he left the farm in 1879. In the latter year he removed to Wooster to educate his children, and four and a half years later came to St. Clairsville, which has since been his home. He still owns 103 acres of the old homestead farm, and has one of the handsomest residences in Steubenville, which is one of the attractions of the city. In 1847, Mr. Henderson was married to Mary J. Hammond, who died not many months later. In 1853 he was married to Mary A. Willis, who was born in Guernsey county in 1830, daughter of John and Jane (McCannon) Wallace. By this union he has had eight children, six of whom are living: Samuel M., Ella J., Ulysses M., John W., Willis H. and David E. Mr. Henderson has given all his children a good education, three having attended the university at Wooster, and one being now at Athens college.

Joseph A. Henderson, a prominent young man of Belmont county, who ,received in November, 1889, the high compliment of an election as auditor of the county, in opposition to the usual political majority, is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this region. His grandfather, Andrew Henderson, came to Belmont county before, the admission of the state into the Union. He was the son of a native of Ireland. Andrew settled in Wheeling township, where his son John was born, in 1810. The latter married Margaret Shepherd, who is of a family prominent in early times, her great-uncle being a colonel in the war of 1812. To these parents Joseph A. Henderson was born September 15, 1858. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. At the age of seventeen years he began teaching in the common schools, and after following that vocation five years, he entered the Lebanon Normal college. He attended one term there and another at Hopedale, and then he took up the study of

BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO - 641

stenography. After this he resumed teaching, and achieving a reputation for thorough work, was in 1882, appointed school examiner for Belmont county. He served on the board of examiners four years, and in 1883 accepted the position of deputy auditor under Ross Barrett, which he held until his election as auditor. In 1887 he was appointed court stenographer for the district of Belmont and Monroe counties, and has discharged the duties of that position in connection with the deputyship. His election in 1889 as auditor, by a majority of 171 on the democratic ticket in the face of an opposing majority of 356 on the general ticket, is a high compliment indeed. He was one of two county officers elected on his ticket. Mr. Henderson was married January 21, 1885, to Iona Metcalf, who was born in 1863, daughter of Oliver G. and Mary A. (Hamilton) Metcalf, and he has two children, William C. and Lawrence 0. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is affiliated with the Masonic order and Knights of Pythias.

A. H. Hewetson, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Belmont county, was born in that county October 5, 1837, the son of Joseph and Isabella (Hanna) Hewetson. His parents were both of Scotch birth, and were married in that country. The father was a graduate of both the art and medical departments of the university of Edinburgh, and after leaving college was for two years an assistant in the Dumfrieshire infirmary. He then began the practice of his profession at Wigtonshire, but after a residence there of four years he and wife came to America. They settled two miles south of St. Clairsville, where the father intended to engage in farming exclusively, but he was soon called upon to practice his profession. Dr. A. H. Hewetson attended the common schools in childhood and youth, and then received his medical education at Miami college, at which he received his degree. In 1858 he began practicing at St. Clairsville, and, except four 'years at Allegheny City, has spent all the subsequent time at this place. He occupies a high rank both professionally and socially. On June 26, 1860, he was married to Mary Ross Templeton, of this county, and they have four children: Josephine, Halle Lincoln, William and Sarah E. The eldest son is a physician at Omaha, Neb., and demonstrator of anatomy at the Omaha medical college.

Christopher Hinkle, well-known as one of the aged surviving pioneers of Belmont county, was born in Jefferson county, but was brought by his parents within the limits of this county one month later. He was born January 16, 1804, a son of Christopher and Sarah (Keyser) Hinkle. His father, a miller by trade, and a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1802, a poor man. By industrious application to his trade he accumulated enough to buy fifty-four acres of land. in which "there was not a stick amiss," which he cleared into a farm, on which he reared a family of nine children. Six of these are now living, five of them being over eighty years old and one seventy-two. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812. He died at the age of eighty-four years and his wife at the age of seventy. Their son, whose name first appears above, was reared in the pioneer days of the county, receiv-

41-B

642 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

ing his education in the log school-house of winters, and working on the farm in summer. At nineteen years of age he began to serve an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, at which he worked as a journeyman for ten years. In 1829 he was married to Margaret, daughter . of John and Martha (Giffin) Allen, both of Scotch descent. She was born in 1809, and is still living. He then began housekeeping on the farm of his wife's father, but two years later bought the wood-land tract which he has since made into his present farm, and there reared his family in a little log cabin. To pay for this land he sold 160 acres which he had bought before marriage, by working at his trade, and he continued to add to his new home until he accumulated 359 acres of fine land, which he now has well improved and supplied with good buildings. His life has been one of enduring industry, but though now in his eighty-sixth year, he is still in the healthful possession of strength and faculties to enjoy the fruits of his well-spent life. By his marriage he had nine children: Martha, deceased; John A., Sarah A.,, Isabel, William, James, Margaret, deceased; Andrew and Mary J. He and wife are venerable members of the United Presbyterian church.

W. D. Hoff, a well-known attorney of St. Clairsville, was born in Barbour county, W. Va., the son of H. L. and Ann Hoff. He was reared in his native state, and came to Ohio in 1857, for the purpose. of obtaining an education. He attended the McNeely school at Hopedale about two years, and the Eclectic institute at Hiram one year. In the spring of 1861 he returned to Virginia, and commenced the study of law. He took a part in the local work of organizing the restored and loyal government of Virginia, and in August, 1862, enlisted as a private in the Fifteenth Virginia regiment. He was during his. term of service at one time a prisoner of war, and had the unpleasant distinction of being held in close confinement at Libby prison as a hostage. Mr. Hoff was mustered out as lieutenant in June, 1865. He resumed the study of law and was admitted to the bar in West Virginia in the summer of 1866. In the following autumn he went to Stockton, Mo., and there engaged in the .practice of law until 1880. During his residence in Missouri, he met with success in his professional career, and was honored with various positions of trust. Returning to Ohio in 1880, he was a resident of Cadiz a short time, and then removed to St. Clairsville, where he has since made his home and has been engaged in the practice of law, becoming one of the influential citizens of the county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the G. A. R. Mr. Hoff was married, in 1870, to Mary, daughter of Isaac Lewis, a merchant of Georgetown, Ohio, and they have four children: Lewis, Eldridge G. Luella and Carl P. Mrs. Hoff is a member of the Society of Friends.

James Hutchison, an old and highly regarded farmer of Richland township, is a son of David Hutchison, one of the earliest settlers. The latter was born in Chester county, Penn., and remained in that state until 1803, when he came to Ohio and settled in the woods of Richland township, using the bed of his wagon as a shelter until he could erect a rude log hut. Previously he was at Wheeling when the

BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO - 643

only buildings there were the court-house and two dwelling-houses. He was a son of Robert and Nancy Hutchison, natives of Ireland, who left that country in the time of religious persecution, and coming to this country in 1740, settled in Pennsylvania, where the father resided until his death. David Hutchison, son of the above, married Jane Smith, who was born in Ireland, and came to this country at the age of thirteen years. They had eleven children, eight of whom are living: Rebecca, Nancy,- James, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph and John. James Hutchison went through the early toil of the pioneer, and obtained his education in the old log school-house, by the light which straggled through its little windows of greased paper. But these surroundings, stern and unlovely as they were, developed sturdy and independent characters, and among the worthy.. men who remain to us from those days, none are more highly esteemed than Mr. Hutchison. As a member of the Presbyterian church he is active in good works, and has been a member of the session for thirty-seven years, and in every way is a good and valuable citizen. His land possessions are extensive, including 325 acres, and his later years are passed in comfort.

John S. Hutchison, a successful farmer of Belmont county, is a son of David and Jane Hutchison, of whom mention is made in another connection. He was born in 1825 on the farm he at present owns, on which he was reared, and resided until the year 1880, when he erected the handsome two-story residence of stone in which he now resides. He began his education in the rude school-house of pioneer days, but being a liberal patron of books and papers has become a well read and highly intelligent man. He began his career as a farmer as a renter, but after his father's death, bought out the other heirs to the homestead, and now owns 280 acres, of which 180 is the same that his father bought in 1805, and lived on during the rest of his life. Mr. Hutchison was married in 1866 to Sarah J. Rose, who was born in 1838, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Kelsey) Rose, of Guernsey county. To this union have been born four daughters, Lizzie J., Mary R., Ella M. and Eva. Mr. Hutchison and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He was on the building committee for the church in St. Clairsville, and donated liberally to that enterprise, besides giving liberally of his time. Mr. Hutchison has served as school director of his town about ten years.

George Jepson, a leading grocer of St. Clairsville, is a son of John Jepson, who was in the same trade, a successful business man of the city for many years. John Jepson was born in Lancashire, England, in 1794, and was married in that country to Hannah Hunt, with whom and family he immigrated to this country in 1825. They settled first at Utica, N. Y., where he followed his trade as a weaver, until 1835, when they removed to Belmont county, and settled on a farm, the Humprey property, which he tilled until 1844, when he was severely injured by an accident in the raising of a barn. He then removed to town, and was engaged in the grocery business until 1880. He died in 1884. He was successful in business, and amassed con-

644 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

siderable property, and was withal an honest and good man. Of the First Presbyterian church he was an elder, and his estimable wife was also an active member. Of the eleven children born to them, four survive: Nathaniel H., a jeweler at Washington, Ind.; Hannah E., George, and Samuel L-., one of the leading physicians of Wheeling, W. Va. George Jepson was born August 28, 1839. At the age of fourteen he began working in his father's store, and remained there until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army, in Company B, Ninety- eighth regiment Ohio infantry. He served with his company three months, when he was detached for duty in the adjutant general's office, where he remained until discharged June 1, 1865, at Washington, D. C. He did honorable service to his country, and was with Sherman in the march to the sea. On his return home he resumed the grocery business, in which he has since been successfully engaged. In 1871 Mr. Jepson was married to Rebecca E. Grove, by whom he has two children, Nellie and Lucy. Mrs. Jepson is a daughter of John A. Grove, who was born at Oldtown, Va., in 1796, the second son of Michael and Elizabeth (Booker) Grove, with whom he came to Belmont county in an early day, and built the third house in St. Clairsville. He began a prosperous business career as a clerk in a dry goods store. He was for forty years a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, of which his wife was also a member. His death occurred in 1873. His wife was Caroline V. Anderson, who was born in Washington county, Penn., in 1816, daughter of John A. and Rebecca (Byers) Anderson, the former of whom was a minister of the Presbyterian church, in Pennsylvania, for over thirty-five years.

James Johnson, a prosperous farmer of Richland township, was born in Ireland, in 1829. Ten years later he came to the United States with his parents, William and Jane Johnson, with whom he remained until their death, in the meantime receiving an education in the common schools of the county. He is one 0f the leading citizens of Richland township, and has served four years as school director. Mainly through his own industry and good business talents, but assisted also by his father, he has acquired a fine farm of 147 acres, pleasantly situated, and substantially improved. In November, 1866, Mr. Johnson was married to Nancy J. McFarland, who was born in 1839, the daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Marshall) McFarland. To this union have been born six children: Anna, Mary, Ella and Bella (twins), Thomas and William. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, and are highly regarded by the community.

John Johnson, one of the leading citizens of Richland township, was born in Ireland, in 1824. He is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (McFadden) Johnson, the former of whom was a native of Ireland, and came to the United States in 1849. He was a son of Thomas and Jane (Richmond) Johnson, natives of Ireland, and was a member of the Seceding church in that land. His wife, Elizabeth, the mother of the subject of this mention, was a daughter of John and Sarah (Kerr) McFadden. She is now, though in her eighty-ninth year, in apparent

BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO - 645

good health. John Johnson came to America at the age of twenty- four years, having received his education in his native land. He landed in this country quite a poor man, but since then his undertakings have been crowned with success, and he has now 196 acres of valuable land, and a comfortable home. He was married in 1853, to Elizabeth Giffen, who was born in York township, Belmont county, in the year 1832, the daughter of William and Isabel (Reed) Giffen. To their union have been born nine children, five of whom are living: Jane, Margaret, Elizabeth, Robert and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are consistent members of the United Presbyterian church.

Thomas Johnson, a prominent and successful farmer of Belmont county, came here with his parents from Ireland, his native land, in 1839, being then sixteen years of age. He is the son of William and Jane (Campbell) Johnson, who came to this country with a capital of about $400, with which they made a first payment on seventy-three acres of land which they occupied, and lived there first in a little primitive frame house. They prospered and added eighty acres more ,to their farm, upon which they lived during the remainder of their days. Both were devoted members of the United Presbyterian church. The father died in 1854 at the age of seventy-one years. Ten children were born to them, of whom five survive: Thomas, James, Jane, Mary and Isabel. In the early days of their farm life in this county, the bulk of the work fell upon the sturdy shoulders of the eldest son, the subject of this mention. He remained with his parents until their decease. In 1854 he met with an accident which disabled him for life. A vicious horse that he was holding seized him by the wrist and crushed both bones. In 1859 Mr. Johnson was married to Isabel Boyd, who was born in Richland township in 1834, the daughter of William and Margaret Boyd. To this union ten children were born: William, Margaret J., Robert J., John A., Thomas E., Samuel B. Alexander C., Mary I., Emma I. and Harry E. He and wife are boil members of the United Presbyterian church. He has prospered in his undertakings, and is now one of the leading farmers of the county, influential and respected, and owns 154 acres of valuable land.

Newell K. Kennon, a prominent young attorney of Belmont county, was born in St. Clairsville, April 8, 1855. He is a son of William Kennon, Jr., who was born in Ireland in 1802, and came to Belmont county, with his parents, when a child. He received his education in the common schools of the county, and afterward studied law with Hon. William Kennon, at St. Clairsville. In 1833 he was admitted to practice, and four years later was elected prosecuting attorney, an office he held until 1841. Though a pronounced democrat, and in a county and district that was largely whig, he was elected to the thirtieth congress, and served with distinction in 1847 and 1849. Subsequently he was elevated to the bench, and served as judge of the court of common pleas of the district comprising Belmont- and Monroe counties, from 1865 to 1867, when on account of poor health he resigned his commission. He died on the i9th of October of the year last named.

646 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

He was a lawyer of remarkable ability and strength, and during his connection with the Belmont county bar had few if any equals in the courts to which his practice called him. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Kirkwood, and a granddaughter of Robert Kirkwood. Their son, Newell K., the subject of this mention, began his school days at St. Clairsville, and in 1874 began an attendance which lasted three years, at the Ohio Wesleyan college, at Delaware, Ohio. After completing his studies there he decided to enter the profession of law and with that purpose began to study with Judge R. E. Chambers, an eminent lawyer of St. Clairsville. On his twenty-fourth birthday he was admitted to the bar, and began a career as a lawyer which has been both brilliant and lucrative, and a credit to his name, which is so prominent in the history of the legal profession of the upper Ohio valley. In 1885 Mr. Kennon was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney of Belmont county, by a majority of one vote, he being the only successful candidate on the democratic ticket, in the face of an adverse majority of 400 or 500.

William Kennon, LL. D., born in Fayette county, Penn., May 15, 1793, died at St. Clairsville, November 2, 1881, was a jurist and a legislator, whose fine attainments adorned the legal profession of Ohio and the law-making bodies of the state and nation. He came to Ohio in 1804 with his parents, who settled on a farm near Barnesville. There he attended the common schools, and by further private study prepared himself to take up the profession which he had chosen. After attending Franklin college two years he entered the law office of William B. Hubbard, then the ablest practitioner at St. Clairsville, where he studied until 1824, when he was admitted to the bar at Chillicothe. He then formed a partnership with Mr. Hubbard, and rapidly acquired a lucrative practice and an enviable reputation for ability and manly honor. So rapid was this advancement that in 1828 he was nominated by the democratic party, of which he was a member, to congress. He was elected, and in 1830 re-elected, and though defeated in 1832, by James M. Bell, was again elected in 1834, serving until 1837. His service in this capicity was brilliant and valuable, and he took an active part in the discussion of the important questions of the day. In 1842 he went upon the bench, having been elected judge of the common pleas court of the district comprising Monroe, Belmont, Guernsey, Jefferson and Harrison counties. To this position his habits of mind and fairness and decision of character peculiarly adapted him, and during his service as judge, which covered seven years, he had no judgments reversed by higher courts. Among his most notable public services was that as a member of the constitutional convention of 1850, to which he was elected a delegate of Belmont and Guernsey counties. He served as chairman of the judiciary committee, and was a member of the commission appointed to frame a code of civil procedure, the work of which was ratified by the legislature without amendment. In 1854 Judge Kennon was appointed by Gov. William Medill to the supreme court to fill the unexpired term of William B. Caldwell. He held the office under that appointment

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one year, and was then elected to the office of supreme judge, but he resigned the place two years later and resumed his practice at St. Clairsville. In 1870 he was retained by the contestants in the celebrated contest over the will of Alexander Campbell, deceased, in the circuit court of Brooke county, W. Va., in which Judge Jeremiah Black and James A. Garfield, were counsel opposing him. The venerable Judge Kennon made special preparation for this case, making greater effort than he could then endure, and during the excitement incidental to a proposition by Judge Black to adjourn the case, he was stricken with paralysis, a blow from which he never fully recovered. Judge Kennon was, prior to the civil war, in politics a democrat, and also a strenuous advocated of the preservation of the Union; after the war he remained with the republican party during his life. For a quarter of a century he was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which also belonged his wife. She, Mary Ellis by maiden name, is still living in November, 1889, at an advanced age.

Hon. Wilson S. Kennon, a present distinguished citizen of St. Clairsville, is the only surviving child of the above. He was born at St. Clairsville, December 15, 1826. After attending the common schools he entered Bethany college in 1846, where he remained three years. He then entered the law office of his father, and soon afterward became his partner, continuing as such until 1861. When the war broke out he and his father espoused the cause of the Union, and he was elected to the legislature in 1861 by the Union party, he being the first man to carry the county against a democrat for that office for many years. After he had served a short time he resigned to enter the army, but was called by Gov. Todd to the duties of secretary of state of the state of Ohio. After serving out the term he applied to Secretary Stanton for a commission in one of the Ohio regiments, but was appointed by the secretary a paymaster in the army, with the rank of major of cavalry. In that position he served four years, and then resigned, remaining in Cincinnati, where he embarked in the practice of law in partnership with Judge John W. Okey and Hon. Milton Sayler. After five years' residence in that city he was called home, his father having been stricken with paralysis. In the fall of 1871 he was elected by the republicans as state's attorney, an office to which he was three times elected in succession. He had also served, prior to that, four years as master commissioner in chancery.

John C. Kintner, of St. Clairsville, is widely known as the owner of some famous horses, and as a breeder and dealer in thoroughbred running and standard-bred trotting horses. He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1854, and was there reared to manhood. In 1876 he went to Cincinnati and became the traveling agent for a company engaged in the manufacture of buggies, with whom he remained four years. He then removed to Mansfield, Ohio, where he organized a company for the manufacture of carriages and buggies, of which he was president until 1882. At the latter date he sold out his interests, having become very much interested in the breeding of thoroughbred

648 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO. VALLEY.

horses, and came to St. Clairsville, where he engaged in his present business, in connection with which he conducts a livery stable. His farm, two and a half miles from the city, is the home of a number of fine specimens of horse-flesh, and is known far and wide among the lovers of that favorite animal. The principal attraction is his great race horse, Irish King, a magnificent runner, son of the celebrated Longfellow, out of a sister to, and a relative of, Ten Broeck. During his day on the turf, Irish King met and defeated some of the best running horses. Other animals here are, Longglen, Bonnie, Hurrah, Lithesome, Mollie R., Bessie B., Petronilla, King Scotland among the runners, and the trotters are represented by Dr. George. Mr. Kintner intends closing out his trotting stock, and will keep only thoroughbreds. Mr. Kintner, the genial proprietor of this farm, is a son of John C. and Eliza (Fish) Kintner, who are now living in Carroll county. On December 1, 1880, Mr. Kintner was married to Frankie E., daughter of William S. and Jane (Allen) Campbell, and they have two children, Jennie and John C. Mrs. Kintner was born in 1863, in the house which is now their home. Mr. Kintner has served as infirmary director for two years. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is a Mason of the degree of Knight Templar.

William Knox, a prominent farmer of Richland township, Belmont county, was born at Wheeling, W. Va., July 24, 1826. He is the son of James Knox, who was born in 1801, in county Derry, Ireland. The latter's parents were William and Eliza (Johnson) Knox, who were people of great influence in Ireland. James Knox was married to Nancy Flemings in 1822, and one week later they sailed for the United States. They first settled at Wheeling, but soon afterward removed to Marshall county, W. Va., where they made their home upon a farm, and raised a family of nine children, of whom four are living: Elizabeth, Hannah M., John and William. The father retired from the farm after living there a considerable period, and removed to Wheeling, where he died in 1881. The mother then lived with her son until her decease in 1885. They were both members of the Seceding church in Ireland, in behalf of which the grandfather, William, took part in the war at the time of the persecution in that land. The subject of this mention was reared in Marshall county. In 1858 he was married to Mary, daughter of Andrew and Eliza (Blackwood) King. She was born in 1835. To this union eleven children have been born, eight of whom are living: Andrew K., a minister of the United Presbyterian church; Mima, James T., Lizzie B., John, Mary, Carrie and Maggie. Mr. Knox and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church. They are widely known and highly regarded, the Knox family being considered one of the leading ones of the county.

Albert Lawrence, a well-known attorney of St. Clairsville, was born at Washington, Guernsey Co., Ohio, September 15, 1854, of a family distinguished in the history of Ohio. His father, William Lawrence, was born September 2, 1814, at Washington, Ohio, and in 1835 was

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graduated at Jefferson college, Penn. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in 1842 was nominated by the democrats of his county and he was defeated by one, which it was ascertained was cast against for representative to the general assembly. The vote was very close

him by a negro, not then entitled to the franchise, but Mr. Lawrence refused to contest, and in the succeeding election, being renominated, he was successful by a majority of eighty. He was elected a member of the constitutional convention of 1851, which framed the present constitution of the state. In 1855 he was the democratic nominee for senator for Guernsey and Monroe counties, and was successful, though this was the era of " Know-Nothing" ascendancy, and he was one of the lonely five democrats in the senate. In 1856 he resigned his senatorship to accept the nomination for congress from his district, and was triumphant by a majority of 2,000 votes, although the district had given a majority of 2,000 adversely in the previous election. He served one term with distinction, and was tendered a renomination, but declined, as Noble county asked the privilege of selecting the candidate. Thrice he has been on the electoral ticket of the state, first in 1848, when he was elected and cast his vote for Lewis Cass, and in 1872 and 1884. In 1867 he was nominated and elected to the state senate again, contrary to his desires, and in 1885 he was elected to the same office. During the administration of Gov. William Allen he was chairman of the board of prison directors of the state. He is a prominent member of the Presbyterian church. By his wife, Margaret E. Ramsey, who was born at Carlisle, Penn., March 25, 1820, he had seven children, four of whom are living: William, connected with the Zanesville Signal; James, attorney at Cleveland, and attorney-general of Ohio under Gov. Hoadley, though only thirty-three years of age at his election; Mary and Albert. The latter, with mention of whom this sketch opened, after going through the preparatory school, entered Kenyon college, where he studied two years. He then finished his collegiate course at Wooster university, being graduated in 1877. In January of the following year he began the study of law in the office of White & Campbell, and in 1879 he went to Cleveland, where he finished his studies preparatory to his admission to the bar, which occurred in 1880, in the supreme court. He opened an office at Cleveland and remained there until January, 1885, when he came to St. Clairsville, where he is in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice. He has twice been elected city solicitor, an office he now fills, and is also master commissioner of the court of common pleas. He is an earnest advocate of the principles of the democratic party, and when he had been a resident of the county but two years, led his ticket, which was unsuccessful, as candidate for representative. Mr. Lawrence was married April 19, 1883, to Kate W., daughter of Gen. H. H. Dodge, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Benjamin M. Loper, of Richland township, is one of the progressive farmers of the county, and though having started out at his marriage without any property and in debt $100, he now has a fine farm of fifty and one-half acres and is surrounded with the comforts of life.

He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, December 18, 1842, the son

650 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

of Joseph M. and Sarah (Sommers) Loper. His father was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Benjamin Loper. The latter removed to Richland township when Joseph was a small boy. He hired a man to haul his goods from Bridgeport to the farm, where Henry Pickering now lives, and then had just fifty cents left, which was preserved and is now in the possession of his grandson Benjamin. The latter was reared until fifteen years of age in Harrison county. August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-eighth Ohio infantry, under Captain Cordner, and served gallantly with his regiment in all its engagements except that of Chickamauga, at which time he was on the sick list. He marched with Sherman through Georgia, and returning to Ohio at the close of hostilities was mustered out at Cleveland, June 8, 1865. He is notable as a farmer and stock-raiser and was among the first to introduce the noted breed of sheep, National Delain, in Belmont county. In 1866 Mr. Loper was married to Emma Lott, was born in Harrison county, October 4, 1846, the only daughter of Henry and Dorothy (Peterman) Lott, natives of Reading, Penn. By this union he has four children: Joseph, Edwin M., Charles C. and Minnie May. Mr. Loper and wife are members of the Disciple church, of which he is a deacon.

Andrew McFarland, a well-known citizen, was born in this county October 17, 1824. He was the son of William McFarland, a prominent man in the early history of eastern Ohio, of whom detailed mention may here appropriately be made. William McFarland was the son of Robert, who was a native of Ireland, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Malcolm Ferguson, and both their parents were born in Scotland, but were expelled from that country during the reformation. William came to America from Ireland, his native land, with his parents, in 1789, and settled in Washington county, Penn., where he remained until 1800, when he came to Ohio, and cleared a farm in Colerain township, Belmont county. William attended school at Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson county, walking a distance of three miles, and was compelled by poverty to borrow a book of a neighbor boy in order to study surveying. This convenience being soon refused him on account of his superior progress, his father made a trip to Washington, Penn., to obtain him a book of his own. At the age of thirteen years he began teaching school, and he was thus engaged during the winter months for about eight years. Soon becoming prominent and well-known, he was elected to the legislature in 1843, as the representative of Harrison county and the nominee of the whig party. In 1845 he was appointed by the governor associate judge with Thomas Lee, and he served in that capacity at the time that Messrs. Cowan and Kennon were president judges. Having to prospered as a farmer, and accumulated considerable property, he became one of the early stockholders of the bank of St. Clairsville, and at the organization of the Harrison National bank at Cadiz, he was one of its directors, as which he remained until his death. By a robbery of this bank in 1866, he suffered a loss of $14,000. During

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the war he served as deputy provost marshal of this district, and sent four sons and two sons-in-law to the field, all of whom returned save Capt. J. S. Cready, who fell in the battle of the Wilderness in defense of his country. William McFarland, was a member of the United Presbyterian church and an elder, and also an elder in the associate organization, prior to the Union. Andrew McFarland, son of the above by his marriage to Elizabeth Henderson, was taken in A. D. 1825, by his parents, to New Athens, Harrison county, when he was one year old. He attended Franklin college over three years, and was engaged in teaching in 1846-47. He then took up the study of medicine, with Dr. Mills as his preceptor, and after reading with him three years, he went in 1852 to Wheeling, and continued his studies with Dr. S. P. Hullihan, until 1856, from which time he has had a home practice until the present writing. Dr. McFarland was after , ward connected with the school board of Athens township, of Harrison county, for thirteen years, and of Franklin college from 1871 to 1887. After his marriage he was engaged in farming and wool growing. In 1864, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Seventieth Ohio regiment, and as soon as he reached the front, was sent to the hospital to care for sick and wounded, at Fort Mansfield, and for awhile to Fort Sumner, and the remainder of his time was in actual service. In 1880, he sold his farm and stock, and made his home in St. Clairsville, Ohio. He is now one of the prosperous and successful citizens of St. Clairsville. He is the manufacturer and proprietor of a catarrh remedy which is in great demand, and an AEsculapian compound for pains, etc., and also a cough medicine which is quite popular. Mr. McFarland was married in 1858, to Margaret A. Smith, daughter of Joseph B. Smith, and has three children: Elizabeth G., wife of William E. Clark; Louella M., wife of Thomas A. Clark, and William S., a graduate of Franklin college, also of a medical college of Baltimore, and the Polyclinic of New York, and now practicing medicine at Colorado Springs. The mother, who was born in Wheeling township, Belmont county, October I I, 1836, died in May, 1873, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1875 he was married to Martha (Coe) Lyons, widow of Capt. Richard Lyons, who fell at the Wilderness. She was born at Wintersville in 1831, and is a member of the United Presbyterian church.

Among the prominent farmers of Richland township, is Elijah McFarland, whose grandparents, William and Margaret McFarland, natives of Ireland, settled in Belmont county many years ago. When they came to this state, their son William, the father of Elijah, was seven years of age. In early manhood William married Charity Sutton, the mother of the subject of this sketch. Elijah McFarland was born in the year 1833. He was reared on the .farm which he at present occupies, and received his education in the log school-house characteristic of those days of privation. His efforts through life have been along the lines of industry and good citizenship, and prosperity has attended him, so that he now has a fine farm of 150 acres, which he has substantially improved. During three terms he has served as

652 - HISTORY. OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

school director in his community. In 1856 Mr. McFarland was married to Jane Gable, who was born in 1833, the daughter of Peter and Margaret Gable. To this union twelve children have been born, of whom ten are living: William, Mary, Joseph, Levi, Lucy E., Van- Dorn, James, Albert, Emma and Bertie. Mrs. McFarland is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church.

James McFarland, an old and highly esteemed resident of Richland township, was born in Ireland in 1806, the son of Andrew and Nancy (McFadden) McFarland, both natives of county Tyrone. These parents were members of the Seceder church in Ireland, and in 1812 came to America, settling first in Philadelphia, where the father worked in a factory for four years. He and family then removed to Wheeling township, Belmont county, and made their home upon the farm of sixty-one and a half acres, which they sold fifteen or twenty years later. They then bought a farm of 100 acres near Bellaire, where the father passed the remainder of his days. James McFarland remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, assisting them and attending the pioneer schools. On January 8, 1835, he was married to Susan Porterfield, who was born October 3, 1810, and died April 9, 1871. They began life together with little property, but by years of patient industry, became prosperous, and Mr. McFarland has now an excellent farm of 115 acres, and is comfortably situated. He and his family are members of the United Presbyterian church. To his marriage were born five children, as follows: Nancy, April 21, 1836; John, March 28, 1838; Andrew, November, 1840; George, November 5, 1842, and Margaret, October 3, 1848. George enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth regiment Ohio infantry, under Capt. William Kirk, and served gallantly during three years of the war for the Union. He received a gun-shot wound in the ankle, for which he received a small pension.

A. T. McKelvey, a distinguished citzen of Belmont county, Ohio, was born in 1844, of Scotch-Irish parentage, near Belfast, Ireland. He was brought to America by his parents in 1850, and they made their home at Wheeling, where he grew to manhood, and obtained a common school education. At sixteen years he entered the service of the Western Union Telegraph company, with which he was associated in its military and commercial service for ten years. For a considerable period during the exciting days of civil war he held the responsible position of manager of the Wheeling office, which was for two years the headquarters office of the army of West Virginia. All the important messages relating to the military plans and movements of McClellan's first campaign and subsequent campains in West Virginia were either transmitted from or repeated at this office, so that his duties were not only responsible and arduous, but in relation to the government of a highly confidential character. Mr. McKelvey's health was greatly impaired by the close confinement and long hours of service which the stress of war entailed, and in 1870, he was obliged to resign his office and seek restoration of health. In that year he pur-

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chased a fruit farm near St. Clairsville, Ohio, where he has since resided. Since 1875 Mr. McKelvey has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Belmont county, having been for a number of years a member of the board of the county agricultural society, and for two terms president of that organization. He was one of the original members of the Belmont County Farmers' club, and has served that association both as president and secretary. He has also been active in promoting the cause of agriculture through the instrumentality of farmers' institutes, and like organizations. In the church he is an active worker, also, and for thirteen successive years he has been chosen superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school of St. Clairsville. In 1886 Mr. McKelvey was elected to represent Belmont county in the general assembly of Ohio, and upon the expiration of his first term he was nominated and elected a second time. Mr. McKelvey was married, in April, 1869, to Julia S. Irwin, of Wheeling, and they have five sons. Mrs. McKelvey is a granddaughter of Hannah Fawcett, a daughter of Jonathhn Zane, one of the heroic defenders of Fort Henry during its memorable siege, and one of the first settlers of the upper Ohio valley.

John McNiece, an aged and respected citizen of Belmont county, was born in Ireland, June 17, 1818, the son of James and Belle (Boyd) McNiece. He came to America from his native county of Tyrone, with his parents, starting April 14, 1839, and landed in New York, May 27. The parents, not having enough money to take all their children with them west, left John in New York while they and four children proceeded to Ohio. He found employment in a milk stable at $io per month, and then began hoeing cabbage at $12, and in two months had enough to enable him to join his family. He began work on the national pike, and was engaged for three years. In 1843 he was married to Sarah, daughter of John and Mary (Dixon) King, and immediately afterward he rented land, which he worked until 1846, when he became an independent land owner, purchasing sixty-six acres, upon which he settled and which he found but slightly improved. In 1858 he traded this land for 130 acres, giving $3,400 additional consideration, and in 1871 he went to York township and bought 226 acres for $10,225. Selling this, he bought 196 acres in Smith township for $12,000, to which, in 1872, he added ten acres for $1,000. In the following year he lost his house and contents by fire, and subsequently he purchased twenty-four acres of land for $4,500. In 1885 he sold a portion of his land in Smith township, and bought acres in Richland, where he now lives. His life has been a prosperous and successful one, and he now ranks among the solid men of the county and its influential people. For six years he served as justice of the peace in Smith township, and has acted as school director twenty years. His first wife, Mr. McNiece lost in 1858, and December 27, 1859, he was married to Caroline Gladden, who was born in 1833, and died July 24, 1867, leaving three children, Mary B., Nancy E. and William Thomas. On April 27, 1869, Mr. McNiece was married to Belle Bigger, who was born September 17, 1837.

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They have six children, Samuel W., Margaret R., Robert J., Sarah E., John G., and Martha Jane. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church.

Jesse B. Magee, a venerable old settler of Richland township, was born November 15, 1819, on the farm where he now lives. He is a son of Jesse Magee, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1780, and came to Wheeling when about sixteen years of age, where he became the first apprentice at the trade of cabinet-maker in that town. In 1802 the elder Jesse came to St. Clairsville, and conducted a cabinet shop - until 1808, when he went upon the land which his son now owns, and cleared him a farm, which he tilled until his death in 1866. He was married to Elizabeth Coleman, a daughter of Jacob and Sallie (McCullough) Coleman. Jacob Coleman, a native of Virginia, removed in 1777, with his wife and two children, from Kentucky to Short Creek, coming up the river in a pirogue and keeping the center of the stream to avoid the Indians. A short time later they removed to Ohio and lived in Richland township several years, then going to Indiana, and making their home near the site of Terre Haute, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was the first sheriff of Belmont county, and was at one time surveyor, engaged in marking out the roads. During the revolution he served through the war, and at one time he was surprised by Indians while out milking in the morning, and received seven bullets in his body, but his remarkable constitution enabled him to survive. Jesse Magee, Jr., now a leading citizen, was married in 1847, to Catherine B. Lauck, who was born in 1823, the daughter of Simon and Mary (Beck) Lauck, the latter of whom was a daughter of Capt. John Beck. Of their five children born, three are living: Coleman L., Francis A. and Mary E. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

John Marshall, a leading farmer and stock-dealer of Belmont county, was born in Monongahela county, W. Va., in 1826, the son of Hezekiah and Athe (Neal) Marshall. The father was born in Maryland in 1760, of Irish parents. During the war of the revolution his father's team was pressed into the use of the army, and he accompanied it, and at the battle of Trenton, he received a wound in the thigh, for which he afterward received a pension. After the war he settled in West Virginia in the woods, and was engaged in many skirmishes with the Indians. He and his father were hardy frontiersmen and suffered the hardships and experienced the horrors of Indian warfare. On one occasion the red men burned down their 'house with all its centents and killed his brother-in-law and his sister, leaving an arrow sticking in each breast of the latter. Undaunted, Hezekiah Marshall continued to hold possession of his frontier post, and though suffering many hair-breadth escapes survived the thrilling scenes through which he passed. In this West Virginia home, John Marshall was reared to the age of sixteen years, receiving, meanwhile, nine months of schooling of the. most primitive kind. In 1847 he was married to Margaret Cowan, who came to this country at fifteen years of age. She was the daughter of William Cowan, a shepherd, who died in Scotland.