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JEFFERSON COUNTY, OHIO - 201 SALINE TOWNSHIP. William Banfield, a prominent manufacturer of Irondale, Jefferson county, received his first introduction to metal-working, in which he has been so successful, as an employe of a tin mill in Monmouthshire, 202 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. England, where he was born in 1854. His father, Charles Banfield, a native of England, came to America in 1872, and is now a resident of Leechburgh, Penn. In the fall of the same year, William joined his father, and the two became engaged in starting the first tin mill operated in the United States. This institution, which was located at Leechburgh, was soon compelled to suspend operation on account of a reduction of the tariff 0n tin plate, and it was then devoted to the manufacture of fine sheet iron. It was operated under the name of the Siberian Iron Works, by Rogers & Burchfield, afterward Kirkpatrick, Beal & Co., Limited. Here Mr. Banfield worked for thirteen years, and at the end of that period he came to Irondale, in October, 1885. The Pioneer Iron Works, for the manufacture of galvanized sheet iron, had been started at Irondale in 1868, and were first operated by Morgan & Hunter, with Pittsburgh partners, but the works changed hands several times, and when Mr. Banfield arrived, the plant was purchased by the Irondale Rolling Mill company, composed of Wallace, Banfield & Co., Limited. This company is engaged in manufacturing fine grades of black and galvanized sheet iron and soft sheet steel, and have at this time about $100,000 invested, and employ about 175 hands. The plant has been doubled since they took charge, and they now have two sheet mills, one bar mill and one galvanizing shop. They have a lease to a vein of coal, and enjoy in all respects the wonderful natural advantages of the site. J. C. Wallace. the senior member .of the firm, was born near Belfast, Ireland, and came to America when a small boy. He was a clerk at Pittsburgh for several years, and then embarked in merchandise for himself. He went into the iron business at Leechburgh, Penn., in 1876, as the partner in Kirkpatrick, Beal & Company, and is still interested in the works there. His home is at Leechburgh. William H. Banfield, employed in the Irondale rolling mill, was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1858. He is the son of George and Sarah Banfield, who were born in England, he in 1814, she in 1813. George Banfield was engaged in a tin mill in England, and becoming an expert workman, came to America in 1873, and worked in the mill in Pennsylvania, at which the first tin plate ever manufactured in America was produced. He and wife are still living at McKeesport, and are in excellent health considering their great age. William H. Banfield was about fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to America, and when they settled at McKeesport, he attended school there for some time. He then went to work in the tin mill, and remained there until the works closed. Since then he has been employed in iron and steel mills at Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and other places, and in 1886, came to Irondale and assisted in the establishment of the mill at this place. In this establishment he has since remained, being employed at first as head roller, and recently as shearer. John W. Brant, the well-known proprietor of a general store at Irondale, Jefferson county, is a native of that county. He was born in 1852, the son of Henry Brant, who was born near Port Homer about JEFFERSON COUNTY, OHIO - 203 1832, and is still living at Wellsville, Ohio, being now engaged in the railroad shops at that place. John W. received his education in the common schools and in his younger days was employed at farm work, in brick yards, etc., and was engaged in railroading for six years. Subsequently he engaged in merchandise at Port Homer for three years, and during that period also held the office of postmaster. He then removed to Yellow Creek, and remained in the same business for six years, also serving as postmaster. At the end of that time he bought property, and removed to Irondale, where he has since conducted a business in dry goods, groceries, etc. Beginning his business career without capital, he has by industry and fair dealing, built up a good business and has some $5,000 invested. He is a member of the Masonic order, of the Knights of Labor, and of the Junior Order of American Mechanics. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Brant was married in 1879, to Sarah A., daughter of Dr. T. L. McLain, a prominent physician, who makes a specialty of cancers, now residing at New Somerset. Mr. and Mrs. Brant have six children, Clement, Thomas, Amanda, Susan, Olive and Lulu P. William Downer, a prominent business man of Irondale, Jefferson county, has devoted his life since fifteen years of age, to the brick manufacture, and few men are as thorough masters of the business. He began as a laborer in a yard at Hammondsville, and worked until 1866, after which for a few years he engaged in house painting, but subsequently came to Irondale, and bought an interest in the brick works, with which he has since been connected. These works were established in 1867 or 1868, by Minor, McBane & Co. The firm subsequently became Wallace, Minor & Co., then Wm. H. Wallace & Sons, and is now R. G. Wallace. At first but $4,000 was invested, but the capital now is over $12,000; about twenty-five men are employed,. and the annual product is a million and a half of brick, and about 4,000 tons of manufactured clay. Cleveland is the principal market, but large shipments are also made to Canada, New York, and the west. For the last eight years Mr. Downer has not owned any interest, but has held the position of general manager. Mr. Downer was born at Hanover, Columbiana county, Ohio, March 12, 1849, the son of Zadock and Phoebe (Hart) Downer. The father was a blacksmith in early life, but for twenty years prior to his death, which occurred July 3, 1869, was in the hotel business in Columbiana and Jefferson counties. His widow is still living at Minerva, Stark county, Ohio. Mr. Downer was married October 14, 1869, to Mary J., daughter of George and Lydia R. (McCarle) Dyal, the former of whom died at Irondale, November 10, 1886. He was in early life a farmer, but later in the dry goods trade. His widow is still living at Iron- dale. Mr. and Mrs. Downer have six children: Franklin C., Clara Olive, Harry C., William Dyal, and Lydia Evaline and Helen Madge, twins. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a member of the Masonic order and in politics a republican. H. T. Duff, one of the partners and secretary of the firm of Wal- 204 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. lace, Banfield & Co., Limited, above named, was born in Allegheny City, Penn., March 25, 1856. He is the son of Col. Hugh Duff, a prominent farmer and merchant, and resident of that city, who died in July, 1865. Mr. Duff, after receiving his education in the common schools of his native county, and at the academy at Oakdale, engaged in teaching, and organized the Leechburgh Classical and Normal school, in April, 1878, which he conducted for six years. During the same period he was principal of the public schools of that place. After this he engaged in mercantile pursuits for two years, and then came to Irondale, becoming one of the partners in the iron mills above referred to. He is one of the enterprising and progressive young men of the county who are doing much for its advancement. Matthew Love, of Irondale, has been a resident of Saline township for nearly forty years, and has become well-known and highly esteemed throughout the county. Since 1878 he has served as a justice of the peace, filled that position ably and impartially, and for ten years or more, has served as trustee of the township. Mr. Love was born in Washington county, Penn., February 29, 1820. His father, James Love, a native of the north of Ireland, came to America when a young man, and settled first at Washington county, Penn., where he was married to Sarah Russell. A few years later he removed to this county, buying a farm which he cultivated the remainder of his life, passing away in the fall of 1860, aged about eighty-three years. His widow survived a few years and died at the age of ninety. Matthew Love received a good education for the early days, and afterward taught school for a few terms. Agriculture has been his life work, and he spent thirty years upon his ,farm in this county, which now consists of about 300 acres, some of excellent quality and underlaid by a valuable vein of coal. In 1880 he left the farm and removed to Irondale. Mr. Love was married August 28, 1845, to Mary Russell, daughter of Robert Russell, of Irish descent, and two children, now living, were born to them. This wife died December I f, 1867. In 1868 he was married to Maggie Smith, who died a year later, leaving a child. In 1876, Mr. Love was married to Mrs. Janet McIntosh, who now shares his home. He and family are members of the Presbyterian church; he is interested in politics, having first been an old line whig, and voted for Henry Clay in 1844. William McConnell, a prominent merchant of Hammondsville, Jefferson county, was born in country Tyrone, Ireland, about 1838. When about fifteen years of age he came to America, and after spending six months in Westmoreland county, Penn., and a few months on the Monongahela river, he came to Hammondsville, reaching here in the summer of 1855. At this place he has since resided. Previous to the war of the rebellion he engaged in coal mining, and continued at that until 1864, when he assisted in raising a company for the service. In this company he was elected lieutenant, but the company becoming divided, he with about half of the organization joined the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio infantry, with which he went to the front as a private. After n honorable service, which included par- JEFFERSON COUNTY, OHIO - 205 ticipation in the battle of Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg, he was mustered out at Columbus, in 1865, with the rank of corporal. Returning home, Mr. McConnell engaged in merchandise, beginning with a small capital, and has prospered so that he now has several thousand dollars invested. In 1873 he also engaged in the oil business at Smith's Ferry, but in a short time found the business unprofitable. Mr. McConnell is a well-known and popular citizen, has served his township several years as constable, and for fifteen years as treasurer. He is a republican in politics, having cast his first vote for Lincoln, is an elder in the Disciple church, and is a comrade of the G. A. R. Samuel N. McCullough, a prosperous farmer and land owner of Jefferson county, was born in the house which he at present occupies, August 7, 1830. He is the son of William McCullough, who was born, it is believed, in Pennsylvania. The latter spent much of his life on the river, but in later years settled on the farm near the mouth of Yellow creek, now owned by his son. Here he built the residence referred to, a substantial brick edifice, in 1825. The father followed farming and also engaged in the salt business, until his death in 1857. His wife, the mother of the subject of this mention, was a daughter of Jacob Nessley, one of the earliest settlers. She died in 1879. Samuel N. McCullough received his education in the common schools of this county; and at the Steubenville academy, and completed his studies at Jefferson college, where he was graduated in 1849. He has been engaged in farming all his life, operating also a coal mine. In these pursuits he has been successful, and he is one of the extensive land-holders of the county, having an interest in 1,300 acres under which coal and fire clay is found in abundance. James E. Paisley, attorney at law, of Irondale, is a native of Richmond, Jefferson county. He is a son of Samuel and Lavina (Parsons) Paisley, both of whom were born in this county, the former in March, 1809. The father was a blacksmith by trade, but was for twenty-five years a justice of the peace, and practiced law to some extent. He died in September, 1872, and his wife passed away in December, 1882. James E. was born May 27, 1844. He received his education in the common schools of the county and at Wellsville, Columbiana county. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty- sixth Ohio infantry, and served his country until July, 1865, when he was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. During this period he participated in the battles of Martinsburgh, W. Va., Gettysburg, and was with Grant from the Wilderness to Appomattox. In the battle of the Wilderness he received a painful wound in the left hand. He was promoted sergeant, and during the absence of his superior officers had command of his company about six months, during which time he took part in the battle of Cedar Creek. After .the close of the war he came home and followed the trade of carpentry until 1878, reading law at night and in the winter months. In 1879 he was admitted to the bar and has since given his entire attention to the practice. He has filled the office of township trustee eight years, from 1874 to 1882. 206 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In October, 1872, he was married to Katie A., daughter of Daniel McClain, formerly one of the leading farmers of Columbiana county, and by this union had two daughters, Alice and Jay S. This lady dying in September, 1882, Mr. Paisley was married in November, 1888, to Rebecca, daughter of Joseph M. Beard, a well- known farmer of this county. David W. Roberts, engaged in the grocery business at Irondale, was born in North Wales, May q, 1835, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Wynne) Roberts, both of whom were natives of Wales. In 1849 the parents removed with their family to America, and settled in Jackson county, Ohio, where the father engaged in farming, but in a few months removed to Meigs county, where he was in the butcher business a short time. He subsequently removed to Oshkosh, Wis., and died at Wyandotte, Mich., in 1871. His widow died at Ironton, Ohio, March 3, 1882. David W. was fourteen years old when he reached America. He farmed with an uncle for some months, and then went to Coal Port, Meigs county, where he worked in the coal mines in the winter and assisted his brother in the butcher business at Ironton in the summer seasons until December, 1854, when he went to Wellsville, reaching there January 1, 1855. He engaged in the coal mining, and he and his brother leased some coal land near Wellsville, and mined coal for three years. Subsequently he worked in the railroad shops and on the road for nearly six years, after which he bought a small farm near Salineville, to which he removed in 1865, and remained there for five years, then opened a meat market; he conducted that until April, 1887, when he began the grocery trade at Irondale, in which he is now occupied, doing a good business, which is constantly increasing. Mr. Roberts was married April 24, 1858, to Elizabeth Duncan, who was born in Scotland, March 11, 1837, daughter of John and Marian Duncan. The father died at Wellsville, December 23, 1876, but the mother is now living at St. Paul, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have ten children, Robert F., John D. David, Marion G., Elizabeth W., Mary J., Thomas R., Catherine H., Lydia Hyde and Edith. Mr. Roberts and family are members of the Presby- terian church, and he is a republican, having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. Isaac Robinson, a leading grocer, of Irondale, is a son of James Robinson, who was born in Pennsylvania, near Carlyle. He served seven years in the Revolutionary war, and afterward fought in the Indian wars under Gen. Harrison, the hero of Tippecanoe. He was married twice, and by the first marriage had two sons, William and John, and by the second marriage had five children, James L., Isaac, the subject of this sketch; Enoch, Daniel and Benjamin. The latter is deceased, and the oldest, of whom there has been no news for years, is also thought to be dead. The father died about 1840. Isaac was born in what is now Lawrence county, Penn., September 22, 1822. He was educated in the common schools, and having grown up found employment as a farmer. While still a resident of Pennsylvania, he JEFFERSON COUNTY, OHIO - 207 was married to Rachel, daughter of Orrin Newton, a native of Pennsylvania. They had seven children: James N., Serelda, now dead; Edwin, Dessa, wife of Dr. Tate; Carleton, Rachel and Chauncey. After the birth of all the children, Mr. Robinson removed to Iowa, where he was engaged in farming four years, and he also spent three years in Kansas, in the same vocation. He then came to Irondale, and embarked in the grocery business, at which he is still engaged. He is a highly esteemed citizen, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. T. Eliot Tate, M. D., a leading physician of Irondale, was born May 14, 1849, at Greenwood, Ontario county, Ontario. He is of Irish descent, his grandfather; Thomas Tate, having spent his entire life in Ireland. John Tate, son of the latter, was born in county Antrim, in 1816, and came to America in 1844, settling in Ontario, where he was engaged as a miller. He is now engaged in farming in Monroe county, Iowa. He married a daughter of Francis Mahon, who was a son of Francis Mahon, a commissioned officer in the British army who took part in the suppression of the Irish rebellion. This lady was born in county Antrim, in 1816. Dr. Tate received his early education in his native country. At the age of thirteen the family removed to the United States. They engaged in farming in Kansas, where he assisted his father until 1870, when he entered Lane university, where he completed the scientific course in 1873. Then he spent one year in the State Normal school at Emporia, Kas., after which he taught one year in that state. Removing to Iowa, he was principal of the Lavilla and Hamilton public schools for three years. In 1877, he began the study of medicine and took a course in the Keokuk medical college in 1880. Subsequently he practiced medicine for three years, and at the end of that time entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Des Moines, where he was graduated in 1884. He practiced his profession one year in the city of Ottumwa, Iowa, and then came to Irondale, where he is meeting with success and rapidly enlarging his practice. In 1874, he was married to Dessie, daughter of Isaac Robinson, and they have three children, Francis E., Mabel and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Tate are members of the Congregational church. He is a member of the Masonic order, the I. O. O. F., and the Knights of Pythias. |