500 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. the Shriver Grays, Company G, Twenty-seventh Virginia infantry, Stonewall brigade. Two years later his time of enlistment having expired he joined the Twentieth Virginia cavalry, Col. Arnett's regiment, and was second lieutenant of Compny I until the close of the war. Subsequently studied medicine at the University of Virginia during the session of 1866-7, and began the practice at Triadelphia in June, 1867. In 1871 he removed to Elm Grove, where he is now enjoying a lucrative practice. He was appointed physician to the county infirmary in 1872, and has ever since held that position. The doctor was married in 1875 to Mary, daughter of Abner Key, of Elm Grove, and they had four children, one of whom, a daughter, is deceased. Dr. Cracraft is a prominent citizen, a Presbyterian and is generally esteemed. Joseph A. Dimmey, a prosperous citizen of Ohio county, engaged in the dairy business, came to the United States from Germany, his native land, in 1847, and in making the journey experienced dangers and hardships that made that chapter of his life a thrilling one. He landed from the ocean steamer at New Orleans, and took a river boat up the Mississippi. When opposite Baton Rouge, the boat was suddenly discovered to be on fire, and Mr. Dimmey barely escaped with his life by swimming to shore, all of his property being destroyed. His lot was a hard one, penniless in a strange land, but he was determined to proceed to Wheeling, his destination, and boarded the next boat, for Cincinnati, and worked his passage. Taking another steamer at Cincinnati, he proceeded in the same manner to Wheeling. Arriving here, he found employment in the lumber business for thirteen years. In 1862, he removed to a place above Wheeling, on the Ohio river, and established a dairy at first on a small scale, and remained there for seven years. Having prospered he removed subsequently to his present location in Triadelphia district, and has gradually increased his business until it is now quite extensive. Mr. Dimmey was born September 8, 1821. In 1850, he was married to Rosina Bachman, by whom he had twelve children, of whom three sons and five daughters are living. Mr. Dimmey and family are members of the Catholic church at Wheeling. G. R. E. Gilchrist, a prominent attorney of Wheeling, was born at Beaver, Beaver county, Penn., January 8, 1857. He received a thorough academic education, and completed his literary studies at Wooster university, chic), where he was graduated in 1879. He then began preparation for the profession of law, and pursued a course of study in that department for two years, 1880-81, in the University of Virginia, at Charlottesville. In July, 1881, he was admitted to the bar, and he then formed a partnership for the practice of his profession with Hon. E. G. Cracraft, of Wheeling, with whom he was associated until the death of that venerable gentleman and distinguished practitioner. Among the attorneys of Wheeling, which Mr. Gilchrist has chosen as his field of labor, he now occupies a creditable place, and has in a notable degree, the confidence and esteem of the community. He is at present one of the commissioners in chancery for OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 501 the circuit court. Mr. Gilchrist has his residence at Elm Grove. He was married April 25, 1883, to Jennie E. Murphy, of East Liverpool, Ohio, and to this union two daughter have been born, Ethel, October 16, 1884, and Mabel, January 5, 1888. Mr. Gilchrist is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church of Wheeling. Joseph M. Gonter, a well-known citizen of Elm Grove, is a son of Adam and Catherine (Fanning) Gonter. Adam Gonter was born at Waynesboro, Penn., in 1794, and his wife was born April 7, 1801. The former was a wagon-maker by trade, and followed that vocation through life. He had ten children in all, seven sons and three daughters, of whom five sons are now living. Joseph M. was born at Shepherdstown, Jefferson county, W. Va., March 14, 1835, and there received his education, and subsequently learned the trade of painter and paperhanger, at which he has since been engaged. On September 23, 1860, he was married to Catherine Rupp, of Wheeling, who was born February 9, 1841. The war breaking out soon afterward, Mr. Gonter enlisted in Company G, First West Virginia infantry, having previously been rejected from Battery D, First artillery, on account of disability. His last enlistment was in 1864, and he then served until the close of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Gonter's marriage has been blessed with seven children, three of whom are living. Mrs. Jane McCormick, the oldest, resides in Wheeling, and Martha C. and George B., reside with their parents. Mr. Gonter is a worthy citizen, a member of the Evangelical church, of Wheeling, of the G. A. R., and of Mystic lodge, No. 24, K. P., of Elm Grove. J. R. Greer, one of the old citizens of Ohio county, and leading business men of Wheeling, came to that city in 1834, and embarked in the hardware business, in which he has continued to the present time, meeting with exceptional success. The wife of Mr. Greer is a daughter of Rev. John Armstrong, who came to Wheeling in 1820. This notable divine was the founder of St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal church, and ministered to the same until his death on June II, 1827. His son, William Armstrong, succeeded to the pastorate after a period of three years during which the vacancy was filled by Rev. J. T. Wheat. Rev. Jan Armstrong continued as minister of this church during a period of twenty-five years. G. F. Hartlieb, of Elm Grove, has been since 1884, the proprietor of the Elm Grove Hotel, one of the best places of entertainment in the valley. He was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, May 15, 1849, and is the son of Jeremiah Hartlieb. The latter removed from his native land to the United States in 1853, and after making a stay of nine months in Philadelphia, removed to Ohio county, where he has since made his home upon a farm and followed agriculture as his occupation. G. F. coming to this county in childhood, sought his education in the Wheeling schools, and subsequently was occupied upon the farm with his father for a considerable period. On October 26, 1871, he was married to Rosina Schroeder, of Ohio, who was born in that state, September 25, 1853. He and his wife lived upon the farm until April 1, 1884, when he purchased the Elm Grove hotel. He 502 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. and his wife have had eleven children, of whom eight are living: William F., born July 8, 1872, died January 27, 1882; Mary R., born November 9, 1874; Anna C., January 11, 1875; Katie, July 21, 1876, died January 30, 1882; Lizzie C., born February 23, 1878; Lena, November 26, 1880, died February 13, 1882; Emma, born March 11, 1882; Frederick, September 26, 1883; Nellie M., May 20, 1885; Nicholas J., November 4, 1886. Mr. Hartlieb is a member of the German Lutheran church, and of the Odd Fellows lodge, of Triadelphia, and of Germania lodge, No. 7, K. of P., of Wheeling. J. L. Kimmins, a leading citizen of Elm Grove, was born at Haneytown, W. Va., January 9, 1851. His father, A. H. Kimmins, who was in his day a prominent farmer and engaged extensively in stock-dealing throughout Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties, W. Va., and Washington county, Penn., was born September 18, 1815. He married Mary Chambers, who was born November 2, 1816, and to their union were born three sons and one daughter, two of whom survive, J. L., of Elm Grove, and E. L., of Denver, Col. The father died March 10, 1889, but the mother is still living. J. L. Kimmins received his early education in the common schools and then was a student for a limited time at the college at Waynesburgh, Penn. Leaving school, he found employment in an auction store at Wheeling, and while there he was married to Louisa Kerston, of that city. During, the year after his marriage he was engaged in farming, and he subsequently became the proprietor of a planing-mill and carriage shop at Dallas, W. Va., also managing in this connection, an undertaking establishment. Selling out in a short time he removed to Elm Grove, and again engaged in the manufacture of carriages, and adding an undertaking establishment a year later, he conducted this business for six years. At the end of that time he sold out, and during one year traveled extensively throughout the United States. On his return he purchased and conducted for one year a steam flouring mill at Moundsville, which was destroyed by fire, causing him a loss of over $5,000. Returning to Elm Grove he built a stone building and engaged in business, but he was compelled by ill health to remove to California, after two years. In the fall of 1888 he returned to Elm Grove and rebuilt this store, which had been destroyed by the great flood of 1888, and since that time he has lived a retired life. Mr. Kimmins is a member of Mystic lodge, No. 24, K. of P. He has five children: Harry, born May 24, 1874; Ollie, born July 20, 1876; Sallie, born May 25, 1878; Mary, born August 28, 1881; and John A., born January 18, 1889. The superintendency of Wheeling park was intrusted in August, 1889, to Ernest Krieger, one of the leading young men of Triadelphia district. He is the son of John and Caroline (Wedmond) Krieger, both of whom are natives of Germany. The father was born in 1832. In the fall of 1862 these parents, with their family, came to the United States and settled at Wheeling, where the father engaged in gardening near the city, and pursued that vocation for four years, being at the end of that time employed as night-watchman for the Belmont OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 503 Iron mills for several years. Subsequently he was again engaged in gardening for five years, after which he removed to Monroe county, Ohio, where he is now living. His son, Ernest Krieger, was born in Germany, September 14, 1862, but being brought to Wheeling soon afterward, grew up there, and was educated in the public schools. He adopted his father's calling, and was engaged in gardening until 1884, when he entered the employment of the Wheeling Park association, with which he has ever since remained. Mr. Krieger was married on January 13, 1887, to Amelia Craft, and they reside near the park of which he is general superintendent. Robert B. McLain, deceased, formerly a prominent business man of Wheeling, was one of seven children (five sons and two daughters), of J. G., native of Scotland, and ,Eliza E. (Baird) McLain, native of Ireland. John G. McLain was prominent for a considerable period as the senior editor of the Wheeling Argus, a newspaper at Wheeling, which has since been discontinued, and his son, Robert, after leaving school, was employed in the office as a printer for a short time. At the age of fourteen, however, he chose another occupation, and engaged in the drug business with his second brother, Henry B., and youngest brother, Thomas B., as partners. Subsequently, the second brother retired from the business, and a younger brother took his place in the firm. John G. became a partner, and the firm so continued until the death of Robert B. McLain, which occurred February 13, 1889. At a considerable period before this, however, in 1880, Robert had retired from active participation in the business. Arrangements are now made by which John G. retires from the business, and Mrs. L. A. McLain, widow of Robert, goes into business with her brother, L. B. McLain. Mr. McLain was a worthy man, a prominent member of the Reformed Episcopal church of Wheeling, and was a consistent Christian throughout his life. He was married on November 22, 1866, to L. A. Fisher, who was born in New York city, and is the daughter of John F. and Caroline M. Fisher, of New York. Their marriage was blessed by three children: Louise Elenor, born September 12, 1867; Henry F. B., born November 26, 1869; Robert B., Jr., born August 16, 1877. J. D. Rice, proprietor of a leading grocery store at Leatherwood, Ohio county, was born in Marion county, W. Va., October 30, 1861. His father, M. D. Rice, was a prominent farmer of Marion county. until 1878, when he engaged in railroading. In 1887 he removed with his family to Wheeling. He was born October 25, 1835, and in 1859 was married to Arah A. Horner, who was born February 2, 1837. To this union were born six sons and two daughters. The fourth and fifth, being a boy and a girl, are deceased. J. D. Rice came to Ohio county, in 1878, his father coming here to engage in railroading at that time, and he became employed at Hobbs' Glass works, where he remained three years. At the end of that time he engaged in the market business, and at Hutchinson's feed store, until in 1888, when he purchased the grocery store which he is now conducting with much. 504 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. success. Mr. Rice is a young man of integrity and is held in high regard by the community. Thurston H. Rowles, one of the most skillful and well-informed teachers of Ohio county, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, October 12, 1850, the son of Thomas J. and Mary I. (Thurston) Rowles, of Belmont county. The father is a blacksmith by trade and still follows that vocation. Thurston H. Rowles was educated in the schools of his native county, and began teaching there in 1872. After following his profession in Belmont county for seven years he removed to Ohio county, and in the schools of the latter county he has ever since done faithful and valued service. Mr. Rowles was married October 16, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Brice, daughter of Thomas B. and Adeline (Ragen) Brice, of Belmont county, and their union has been blessed with five daughters: Maude C., born July 15, 1876; Addie B., born September 24, 1879; Ilma G., born May 21, 1881, and Grace and Alice, born July 5, 1889. Mr. Rowles is a member of the Masonic order at Powhattan, Ohio. Charles Seibert, a leading ice-dealer of Wheeling, who resides at Elm Grove, was born February 12, 1858, the son of Conrad and Catherine Seibert, of whom mention is made elsewhere. Mr. Seibert received his early education at Beech Glen school, and attended St. Vincent's college one year. He then took a business course at Frazier's Business college, where he was graduated in 1874. On leaving school he became general superintendent and book-keeper for his father, and a little latter, in 1885, he and his brother purchased the ice business from the father, and managed it in partnership until 1888. In the latter year Charles Seibert purchased his brother's interest, and he has since managed the business alone, and has a prosperous and lucrative trade. Mr. Seibert was married November 22, 1882, to Otillie Schaefer, a native of Germany, who at the time of her marriage resided in Iowa. Three children have been born to them: Albert W., born N0vember 5, 1883; George, born October 22, 1885; and Rhea,. born April 10, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Seibert are members of St. John's Protestant church, and are held in high esteem by their many friends. Seibert's Garden, one of the most popular resorts near Wheeling, is owned and managed by George Seibert, a well-known young man, who is a native of Ohio county. His father, Conrad Seibert, a native of Germany, was married in that country to Catherine Zeigler, and they afterward came to the United States in 1856. He was a bookbinder by trade, but on corning to this country engaged in the business of paper hanging at first, and subsequently started a dairy, which he managed for eleven years. He then embarked in the ice trade, which he followed for thirteen years, finally turning the business over to his two sons. George remained in the ice business five years, and then rented the place where he now is, from -his father, erected a. handsome establishment, beautified the grounds and has made it a very attractive spot. It is in great favor, and its management by Mr. Seibert leaves nothing to be desired. Mr. Seibett was born at. Wheeling, October 1, 1862. On March 31, 1887, he was married to OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 505 Elizabeth Schuman, daughter of Frederick Schuman, of Wheeling, born February 7, 1863. To this marriage have been born two children: Harry Leroy, born January 16, 1888, died July 14, 1888, and Archie, born February 25, 1889. Mr. Seibert is a member of St. John,s church of Wheeling. A. L. Simms, one of the leading young business men of Elm Grove, Ohio Co., was born in that county, December 2, 1861, the son of Matthew and Ruth (Lytle) Simms. His father, Matthew Simms, was born in Greene county, Penn., in 1881, and removed to Ohio county at an early day, where he followed his trade as carpenter, with good success, and was known as a worthy and influential citizen. He and his wife, above named, had ten children, five sons and five daughters, seven of whom are living. A. L. Simms is the sixth born of these children. He received his early education in the public schools of the county, and then entered Frazier college, at which he was graduated May 15, 1884. After leaving college he worked as a clerk for several years, until November 5, 1887, when he and his brother, A. J. Simms, formed a partnership in a general store, at Elm Grove. In this business he is still engaged, having met with gratifying success. John N. Thornburg, a well-known citizen of Elm Grove, is a grandson of Ezekial Thornburg, one of the earliest pioneers of Ohio county. The latter was the third settler on Little Wheeling creek, taking possession of his farm in 1774-5 and was a prominent man in the days of old Fort Shepherd, and the era of Indian wars, and was a fiend of the Wetzels and other worthies of that time. He married an adopted daughter of Col. Shepherd. His son, David, who was born June 3, 1796, succeeded to the old homestead. The latter was married June 15, 1826, to Sarah Martin, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1802. He died March I0, 1881, having survived his wife, who died July 15, 1880. To these parents eight sons were born, of whom three survive: John N., Daniel S. and D. M. John N. received his education in the common 'schools, and was reared as a farmer. He has given his attention principally to agriculture, but has also since. April, 1883, in partnership with his two brothers, been engaged in the business of undertaking at Elm Grove. In January, 1884, Mr. Thornburg was appointed surveyor of public roads, an office he holds at the present time. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at the forks of the Wheeling, and is highly esteemed by the community. In. December, 1869, he was married to Anna Smith of Missouri, who died July 9, 1874, leaving one son. He was subsequently united, November 22, 1883, to Anna Jones, of Elm Grove, by whom he has one daughter. WASHINGTON AND RICHLAND DISTRICTS. Robert L. Ashbrook, M. D., a successful and popular young physician of Fulton, Ohio county, was born in Washington county, Penn., March 13, 1865. He is the son of Absalom and Sabina (Allion) Ashbrook, the former of whom was born in 1813 and the latter in 1815, 506 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. and who were married in 1845. These parents had eight sons and five daughters, and eight of their children survive. Dr. Ashbrook received his early education in the common schools of Washington county, and subsequently he studied at Ada, Ohio, and California, Penn. After teaching school six and a half months he attended the college of physicians and surgeons, of Baltimore, where he was graduated in the spring of 1886. He at once began the practice of his profession in Marshall county, W. Va., and after eighteen months came to Fulton, where he has now a good practice in the town and surrounding country, and has promise of a successful and honorable career as a physician. During the past year he improved his professional education by a post graduate course in the Polyclinic institute at New York. The doctor is a stockholder in the Nottingham Iron and Land company, of Alabama. He was married October 17, 1888, to Lena Dorsey, who was born in Marshall county, September 29, 1867. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fulton. W. E. Criss, a leading business man of Greggsville, Ohio county, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was brought by his parents to this county when quite young. He was born in Washington county, November 27, 1855, the son of J. C. and Anna E. (Hill) Criss, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They rem0ved with their family to Ohio county in 1856, and were highly esteemed residents of this vicinity. The father died March 20, 1884, but the mother is still living, with her home near Wheeling. The subject of this notice received a limited education in the common schools, but has well improved all the other opportunities for general information and business training. After leaving school he was occupied in mining until 1882, when he went into the dairy business for two years. At the end of that time he opened a general store at Greggsville, in which he had considerable success. Mr. Criss is a member of the Odd Fellows, lodge No. 699, of West Alexandria. James W. Downing, teacher in the public schools of Richland district, Ohio county, was born February 15, 1869, a son of Joseph and Anna E. (Whiltingham) Downing. His father was born in Marshall county, W. Va., September 23, 1844, and his mother is a native of the same county, born August 7, 1848. By their marriage, which occurred April 18, 1867, were born two sons, the subject of this mention and Thomas F., the latter of whom was born October 13, 1872. The parents, who are still living, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and highly esteemed citizens. The subject of. this mention was educated in the common schools of Richland district, and subsequently for a short time at the Linsly institute, after which he attended the State Normal school at West Liberty, and was graduated there in the class of 1889, with first honors. He had taught somewhat before graduation, and he is now engaged in the same profession in Richland district. Mr. Downing takes considerable interest in the militia of the state, and is a leading member and first sergeant of the West Liberty light guards. OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 507 Robert P. Glass, a prominent young citizen of Clinton, Ohio county, was born in Allegheney City, March 21, 1858. He is the son of Robert P. and Anna (Walker) Glass, the former of whom was born at Pittsburgh, March 25, 1825, and died at Allegheny City, June 1, 1864. Anna, his wife, was born in Brooke county, March 8, 1831. Four children were born to them, of whom the subject of this mention was the third. Montgomery W. was born April 24, 1854; Harry H., March 2, 1856, and Alexander, December 18, 1860. Robert P., Jr., was, educated in the public schools of Brooke and Ohio counties, and in the State Normal school at West Liberty. After his school days were passed, he,engaged in farming in Brooke county, and continued in that vocation until January 1, 1877, when he entered the employment of John Gardner, of West Liberty, as a blacksmith. He remained there eight months, and then was with William Smith for a like period. Going to Wheeling, he was engaged with Jacob Eidamiller for a time, and then after another short engagement at West Liberty, he came to Clinton and opened the shop he is at present conducting with much success. Mr. Glass was married July 9, 1883, to Mattie Gibson, who was born August 19, 1862, the daughter of John and Jane. (Smith) Gibson, of Ohio county. They have one son, Robert G., born June 1, 1884. Mr. Glass is a member of the Knights of Pythias, lodge No. 24, of Elm Grove. Ferdinand Jenny, a prominent resident of Fulton, Ohio county, is a native of Switzerland. He was born December 25, 1832. In [863 he came to the United States, and first made his home at Wheeling, where for a number of years he was proprietor of a cigar manufactory. Finally he removed from Wheeling to Parkersburg, and did business there a short time, and thence he removed to Fulton, in April, 1889. Here he established a cigar factory, which is doing good' business, and he also conducts a hotel, which is winning a good patronage. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Switzer society, and is a popular citizen. He was married in 1864, to Mary. Hofer, a native of Switzerland. Robert M. Lazear, a prominent farmer of Richland district, Ohio county, was born in Brooke county, January 12, 1843, and is a son of Jerome B. Lazear, of whom mention has been made on another page. Robert was educated in the common schools of his native county, and then began farming there, and remained in Brooke county until 1874. He then came to Richland district, which has since been his home. On February 20, 1868, he was married to Margaret Glass, of Brooke county, and by this union had three children: James J., born March 16, 1869, died November 27, 1871; Lulu, born July 16, 1870; Minerva, born December 11, 1872. His wife, Margaret, died October 7, 1873, and on January 12, 1876, he was married to Juliet Morgan, who was born in Ohio county, November 10, 1846. By the latter union three children have been born: Margaret, July 19, 1877; Joseph E., January 6, 1878, died December 25, 1880, Mary E., April 7, 1883. Mrs. Lazear is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church 508 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. of Short Creek. Both she and her husband are highly esteemed by a wide circle of acquaintances and friends. James Ridgely, a well-known citizen of Richland district, Ohio county, W. Va., was born October 4, 1825, on a farm near Girty's Point. Mr. Ridgely is a grandson of Peregrine Ridgely, an early settler of this region, who was born December 25, 1765, and was married to Mary Ann Gray, August 6, 1789. Peregrine Ridgely died Feb-. ruary 18, 1852, and his wife passed way March 12, 1824. James Ridgely was reared at his native place, and then moved to a farm near West Liberty, where he remained until 1870, when he came to the farm where he now lives. He has never married. Mr. Ridgely is one of the substantial people of his district and is highly regarded by all. J. B. Shannon, postmaster and proprietor of a general store at Short Creek, Richland district, is a son of N. W. and Mary J. (Wiley) Shannon, the former of whom is a well-known stock dealer and prominent citizen of this district. The father was born in Wayne county, Ohio, September 22, 1822, and his wife was born in Harrison county, Ohio, January 8, 1820. She died December 30, 1887. By their marriage, which occurred March 25, 1852, five children were born, three sons and two daughters. The subject of this mention was born December 2, 1862. He and his brother, N. W., are twins, and the youngest of their parent's family. He was reared in Richland district, where he received his early education. He then attended the State Normal school at West Liberty, and was graduated there in the class of 1886. After his graduation he taught school for two terms near his home, and then embarked in his present mercantile business, which is quite prosperous. He is an enterprising citizen, and it was through his efforts that the postoffice at Shannon was established at Short Creek in July, 1889. He was appointed postmaster, and on October 28 the first mail was received at the office. Mr. Shannon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Short Creek. Michael Stein, the first mayor of Fulton, Ohio county, was born in Germany, November 21, 1833. At seventeen years of age he emigrated to the United States, and landed at Baltimore, May 18, 1850. He proceeded directly to Belmont county, Ohio, but after a short residence there returned to Fulton in the fall of 1851. He endeavored to find employment at his trade, which was that of a wagon-maker, but not obtaining work he took up the vocation of a butcher, and was engaged with Mr. Zeigler until 1858. He then did business for himself one year, and at the end of that time returned to his original trade, at which he continued until 1884, when he again went into business. He established a wagon and carriage shop which his two sons succeeded to and are now carrying on. Mr. Stein is one of the popular and influential men of the township and has held several offices of importance. In 1873 he was elected a member of the board of education of Fulton, and he has been connected with the board ever since, being the president. In 1880 he was elected one of the board of THE PAN-HANDLE - 509 commissioners of Ohio county, and this important office he held during four terms, and is at present a member of the board of health. At the first town election of Fulton, July 3, 1889, he was elected mayor. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church of Wheeling, and he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Turner's society, and the Order of Red Men, in which he has held the highest office, that of great sachem. On June 8, 1858, Mr. Stein was married to Eleonora Kreuder, who was born in Germany, July 3, 1835, and they have had six sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. CHAPTER XIII. EDUCATION - EARLY SCHOOL TEACHERS - SCHOOL-HOUSES-THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM - PREJUDICE AGAINST IT-SOME PROMINENT INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING-EARLY RELIGIOUS HISTORY. THE EARLY SETTLERS of the upper Ohio valley were not indifferent to the importance of the subject of education, especially was this the case among the Scotch-Irish portion of the population. The first school of which we have any knowledge (which is exceedingly limited) that was established in Ohio county, and, indeed, the only one in the Panhandle, was located in the vicinity of West Liberty, and was taught by the grandfather of the late Thomas Ewing, of 'Ohio, the distinguished politician and statesman who supplemented his mental with his manual accomplishments, being in the habit of using his leisure hours in the laudable task of mending and cobbling the shoes of his neighbors, in the performance of which he turned many an honest penny. This was not unusual among the teachers of this early day who were prone to eke out a scanty living by moving about from place to place seeking such employment as might tend to contribute to their support. Hence in the intervals of " keeping school," they manufactured the shoes and garments of their friends and patrons. Their learning, as a rule, was quite limited, as it generally extended no further than the rule of three in arithmetic, and in orthography to the spelling of words in three syllables. They had great faith in the use of the rod and applied it assiduously enforcing discipline by coercive measures which won for them a distinct notoriety. The school-houses were architectural buildings of the most primitive simplicity, being built of unhewn logs and containing sometimes one and sometimes two windows, with a clapboard roof and a door of the same material which swung on wooden hinges, with rough benches of split logs, which being destitute of any support for the back pre- 510 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. vented the pupils from indulging in any lazy lolling and compelling them to sit bolt upright in their places. Here would gather the boys and girls from miles around carrying their dog-eared Dilworth's," and their much worn and blotted copy books, these latter often made of coarse brown paper, but which for all practical purposes were as useful as if made of taie finest letter press. But with a later day a decided improvement was visible. The teachers were more competent, and progress was made in the curriculum of studies which were adopted, and gradually better and more comfortable school-houses were erected, and better accomodations provided. Schools and academies began to multiply, and the attention of the people began to be more directed to their value and importance. They were not, however, fostered by the state, but principally by private means. It was not until the year 1846 that the state of Virginia passed an act for the establishment of a district public school system, which among other things provided that where one-third of the qualified voters of any county should petition the county court, who at the preceding election had voted for delegates to the general assembly, that it was the duty of the court to certify the same to the commissioners of election for the county, when at the succeeding election the commissioners were required to open a register for the votes of the electors qualified to vote for delegates. In this register two columns were required to be kept, one in favor of the establishment of district schools, and the other for those opposed to it. It required two-thirds of the legal voters to adopt. The school commissioners were made a body corporate by this act, and the general curriculum was to consist of reading, writing and arithmetic (and where practicable), English grammar, geography, history (especially of the state of Virginia, and of the United States), the elements of physical science, and such other higher branches as the school commissioners might direct; and all white children, male and female, resident within the respective districts into which the county was divided under its provisions were entitled to receive tuition free of charge. Three trustees were to be appointed annually for each district, two by the qualified voters of the district, at the annual election for school commissioners, and one by the board of scho0l commissioners at the first meeting after the election. Teachers were required to keep registers of the names and ages of pupils, the names of parents and guardians, dates of entrance and leaving the school, and daily attendance, etc. At the end of the term this register was to be delivered by the teacher to the clerk of the board of school commissioners. The penalty for failure was one-fourth of the compensation of the teacher. The expenses of school-houses, furniture, etc., was to be defrayed by the inhabitants of each county by a uniform rate of increased taxation upon the then existing subjects of the revenue tax and the county levy. This was styled in the act the general system, which also included THE PAN-HANDLE - 511 another known as the special system. As will be perceived the act of 1846 was optional in its character, hence to remedy this, and with a view of making the public system obligatory on all the counties the general assembly passed the act of 1852, which provided for districting all of the counties of the state, appointing commissioners, fixing their duties and compensation and giving to the county courts the power of rearranging the districts, etc. Under the act of 1846, Ohio, Marshall and Kanawha counties were the only ones which adopted it, but this was all they did, and they went no further, except in the case of Ohio county, which not only adopted it, but put the law into operation and organized under it. Hence the first county in the southern states to adopt and put into operation the public school system was Ohio county, and the first public school established in the south was the Third ward public school in the city of Wheeling. But this was not accomplished without an effort. A decided opposition was manifested upon the part of a respectable minority of the citizens of the community, composed principally of those financially able, which nominally took the ground that the increased taxation necessary to support the system was unjust and oppressive. If the prejudices of some of these against the general and public character of the schools could have been successfully met they would have found no difficulty in giving to the system their approval. The prejudice of others led them to base their opposition to it on the foolish pretense that it was a Yankeeism, and therefore was un-Virginian. They enforced their respective views by the fallacious argument that it was unfair as well as unjust that they should be taxed for the education of others who were too poor or too straitened in their circumstances to confer this boon on their offspring, and that it was an invidious distinction which discriminated in favor of a large class at the expense of a few. But this spirit of selfish opposition did not prevail, yet it lingered in the communities for a long period after the successful establishment of the schools, and while it ceased to be demonstrative, yet its latent and baneful influence was felt upon all opportune occasions. In the present it has entirely ceased, and we doubt whether among those surviving in the different counties where it was most strenuously opposed one can now be found who would acknowledge their opposition. In the four counties composing the Pan-handle no more intelligent, moral and virtuous people can be found than their inhabitants, and certainly none who esteem more highly the blessings of education. Among some of the most prominent institutions of learning in these counties we may name Bethany college, founded by the late Alexander Campbell, the Linsly institute of Wheeling, and the Wheeling Female college. The first-named institution was established in 1840.. The establishment of this claimed the labors of Mr. Campbell through many years, who devoted his untiring energies to the herculean task of establishing an institution which should attract and gather together the youth from all portions of the country. And in 512 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. this he met with great success, and before his death saw his pet project no longer an experiment but a fixed and permanent institution. North and south, east and west, are hundreds of its alumni occupying some of the highest and most important positions of a social, literary, religious and political character who to-day point with pride to Bethany college as their alma mater. The old building was destroyed by fire in the year 1857, but was rebuilt during the succeeding year by one of attractive appearance and magnificent dimensions. In this connection we would also call attention to the fact that as early as the year 1799 an academy was incorporated in Brooke county, called the Brooke academy, three years after the organization of the county. In 1862 the corporation was revived and Hugh W. Crothers, Danforth Brown, Sr., David Fleming, O. W. Langfitt and Samuel George were appointed trustees. In the year 1858 West Liberty academy was opened under favorable conditions, and its public opening the writer who was present well remembers, the interest shown in its success by the presence on the occasion of some of the ablest and best educators of the day, among whom were Bishop Campbell, Rev. R. V. Dodge and Prof. A. F. Ross, this latter being the principal of the institution. It is now one of the normal schools of the state. The Linsly institute, located in Wheeling, was chartered in 1814, and was endowed by Noah Linsly, Esq., a benefactor of Wheeling, who should be held in lasting remembrance. He donated the ground for the building and also a perpetual fund. For many years the philanthophic object of the institution- was defeated by bad management, but subsequently the institution was revived and improved under a board of more judicious trustees, who have made it a useful institution. It is mainly supported by tuition fees. The Wheeling Female seminary was chartered in 1848, and went into operation in the winter of 1850. At the time it was regarded as a great accession to the educational interests of this section of the state. The successful projection of this institution was attended with difficulties. The late Rev. William Wallace, D. D., was, however, untiring in his efforts to secure its establishment. Nor were they in vain. It opened under the management of D. W. Telford, and the degree of excellency and efficiency which it subsequently attained, gave assurance of what it was intended to be, one of the best female seminaries. During its existence it has turned out 278 graduates up to the present time, six of whom have become missionaries in the foreign field. The present president, Rev. H. R. Blaisdell, has contributed much to its improvement. He is a gentleman of fine executive abilities, and a born educator. Under his direction we think there is a grand future before this institution. He is assisted by a competent corps of teachers, seven in number, who appear to worthily second his efforts in making an institution of which West Virginians may well be proud, and one where their daughter can receive a first-class education. But we have neither time nor space to give to the consideration of THE PAN-HANDLE - 513 the educational institutions of this portion of our state, but suffice it to say that these are so abundant and of so high a grade that none need send their children out of the state to obtain an education. Early Religious History of the Upper Ohio Valley.— In shaping the moral and religious character of the upper Ohio valley, Presbyterianism had much to do. It was among the earliest religious denominations to enter the field. As early as the year 1782, which was the year following the organization of the Presbytery of Redstone, Rev. John McMillan was appointed at a meeting held October 16, to supply at Ohio Court House (West Liberty) on the third Sabbath of November following. A year afterward Rev. Joseph Smith was sent to supply the same place, under another name, however, viz.: Short Creek,. which continued to be the name of the church for perhaps fifteen or twenty years, when it was called West Liberty. Revs. John Brice and James Hughes, were two of four candidates who were licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Redstone. Brice settled at Three Rigges (West Alexander, Penn.), and the forks of Wheeling, known as the Stone meeting house, about six miles east of Wheeling, and Hughes, at Short Creek and Lower Buffalo, and the last-named was installed pastor on the 21st of April, 1790. In these congregations Hughes labored for upward of twenty-four years with encouraging success. He resigned his charge on the 29th of June, 1814. He was an early and decided friend of missions and an active member of the board of trust of the Western Missionary society, for a number of years. In July, 1775, Rev. John McMillan, D. D., preached at Chartiers, on the fourth Sabbath of August, and on the Tuesday following at Pigeon Creek, now in Washington county, Penn. At the meeting of his Presbytery in April, 1776, he accepted a call which was presented to him from the congregations of Chartiers and Pigeon Creek, and was dismissed to connect himself with the Presbytery of Donegal, then the most western Presbytery, but did not remove his family to the west until the year 1778, on account of the unsettled and disturbed condition of the country and the exposure of the frontier settlements to the hostile incursions of the Indians. He, himself, however, visited his congregations as often as practicable, ordained elders, baptized their children and performed such other acts of pastoral labor as circumstances would permit. He was the first minister who settled as a pastor west of the Allegheny mountains, and was one of the original members of the Presbytery of Redstone, and was its first moderator. In the month of October, 1802, there was a great revival and a wonderful manifestation of God's presence, in which great mental misery and bodily weakness was experienced by many by reason of conviction of sin. Owing to the scattered population of the country and the scarcity of church buildings, it was customary for the Presbyterians to hold camp meetings in different portions of some of the counties now composing the Pan-handle, where great numbers would congregate and listen to sermons all day, and these gatherings often lasted for days at a time. 33—A. 514 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. The Presbyterians were followed by the Methodists. The numbers and influence of the latter, though not so great as the first named, soon worked its way into notice, overcoming many difficulties in its progress. Itineracy was a marked peculiarity of this sect. The eccentric Lorenzo Dow was one of these early traveling preachers passing through the sections of which we write, in the year 1806, preaching as he went. He was a man of shrewd wit, and ready speech, and quite eccentric. Another Methodist minister of these early days and a man of very eccentric character was Jacob Ruber, sometimes called Jacob Gruber.. He was born in the Cumberland valley, Penn., and came to this section of the state in the early years of the present century. For some years he was the presiding elder of the Short Creek. circuit. One of his peculiarities was especially manifested in the matter of apparel. In those early days the Methodists, as a rule, were as pronounced in their style of dress as are the Friends of the present day. The fe male members of the denomination wore caps destitute of frills or ruffles, which fitted closely to their heads, and a bonnet in pattern much like a scoop, and by which name they were denominated. Nor did they adorn themselves with those vain ornaments, rings, ear-rings or other articles of jewelry, while the males wore broad-brimmed hats and straight cut coats with standing collars and other dress corresponding thereto, and all cultivated gravity of speech and demeanor, and were circumspect in their conduct and actions. What a contrast between the past and the present. Now the members of a Methodist church discard the simple fashions of the past and are undistinguishable from the members of other denominations so far as garb and appearance are concerned. The subject of our sketch was frequent and emphatic in his denunciations of any departure from the regulation dress, and did not hesitate on any occasion when it was infringed upon to reprove the offender publicly, as well as privately. As illustrative of this peculiarity of his, if such it can be called, an anecdote, is related of him as being in point. On one occasion, while he was attending a camp-meeting in the vicinity of Philadelphia, where he was a visitant, in passing along, he came across a company of females richly attired in silks and satins, who were at the time engaged in devotional services, whom he joined and engaged with them in singing. The couplet of one of the hymns runs as follows: " I long to reach my heavenly home And rind my long sought rest." On reaching this portion of the hymn he surprised and confounded them all by rendering the couplet " I long to reach my heavenly home And find my long silk dress." The females became indignant and at once withdrew, but their places thus vacated were immediately filled by others who were clothed in the more subdued and less costly raiment of their profes- THE PAN-HANDLE - 515 sion, when they continued the singing of the same hymn, he uniting with them in the use 0f the correct words. Among the early Methodist preachers of that day and subsequent were Rev. James Finley, Page West Waterman, young Bascom, Hudson and others, who were mein of piety and faith, and zealous laborers in the vineyard of the Master. We may be pardoned if in this connection we mention an incident which occurred in the Methodist church in Wheeling. Bascom, whose fame as a preacher always attracted large audiences, was announced to preach in Wheeling. He was a person who was very neat and rather precise in his dress, and took pride in appearing in a well cut and fitting garb. He was in the habit of carrying in his hand a small rattan cane. On this occasion as was usual he had with him his rattan, and carried it with him into the pulpit. This act of his at once created an unfavorable impression upon the part of his congregation. But when he arose to open the services, preparatory to doing so he capped the climax by drawing from his pocket a white cambric handkerchief and proceeded to brush his face with it, it was looked upon by those assembled, in an ostentatious manner, which aroused a feeling of the most pronounced disgust on the part of his congregation, which was not entirely overcome by his wonderful and effective eloquence, so foreign were these things to the habits and usages of Othodox Methodists. The next denomination in this section of importance were the Baptists. They, like the Methodists, in the inauguration of their efforts for the building of their cause were required to overcome opposition and prejudice, which they eventually succeeded in doing, and they became quite strong in numbers and influence. The denomination, however, in a few years separated into different sects. The indefatigable efforts of Rev. Joseph Doddridge, who alone and by his single handed labors, endeavored to build up the Episcopal denomination, must not be overlooked. Although time and again promised material aid by his brethren in the east, yet they kept the promise to the ear only to break it to the hope. His earnest zeal in the cause so far as they were concerned went unrewarded. He succeeded in collecting a small congregation at West Liberty, where he held services regularly, also in what is now-Brooke county, also in Charlestown (now Wellsburg), and also in Jefferson county, Ohio. He also held occasional religious services at Steubenville, Grave Creek and Wheeling. This worthy man was devotedly attached to his church — her forms and ordinances. The following extract from his memoir shows the position which he held as an out-post of Episcopacy in this western field. "Although for nearly twenty-five years he occupied the cheerless position of an advance guard in her ministry, yet he faltered not in his labors, but untiringly exerted himself to promote the growth and prosperity of the church, and to awaken an interest in the trans- 516 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. montane dioceses by appeals to their bishops in behalf of the scattered members of the fold, who in the vast regions of the west were as sheep without a shepherd, destitute of that nourishment and fostering care essential to their spiritual growth and happiness." CHAPTER XIV. SETTLEMENT' OF WHEELING - ORIGIN OF THE NAME - POPULATION AT DIFFERENT PERIODS - BROOKE COUNTY - IDENTIFIED LOCATIONS -PATRIOTISM OF THE PEOPLE - MARSHALL COUNTY - TOMLINSON, THE FIRST SETTLER- EDUCATION- CHURCHES - BENWOOD - REMARKS OF A TRAVELER IN 1807- HANCOCK COUNTY - EARLY INHABITANTS - FIRE CLAY INDUSTRY - STATISTICAL- GAS AND OIL- WOOL - IRON AND STEEL - GLASS MANUFACTORIES - POTTERIES - CIGARS AND TOBACCO -THE WHOLESALE TRADE - CONCLUSION. WE PROPOSE in this chapter to mass together in an abbreviated form, that which refers to the counties composing the district known as the Pan-handle, preparatory to doing which, however, we shall give a brief account of the inception and growth of the city of Wheeling. The settlement of Wheeling was begun in 1769, when Ebenezer Zane, Jonathan Zane and Silas Zane, three brothers, at the time living on the south branch of the Potomac, moved further west, with the intention of locating and settling on lands supposed to be more desirable. The settlement was made during the peace and friendly intercourse existing between the whites and succeeding the treaty of Col. Bouquet, and almost simultaneously with other settlements in this region and along the borders of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, which were then free from Indian depredations. Prominent among the early settlers, were the Wetzels, McCollochs, Poes, Boggs, Mills, etc. Several origins are assigned for the name of Wheeling. One is that it was derived from the circuitous course and abrupt wanderings of the creek which flows through the city, another, that it took its name from a Catholic priest by the name of Wheelan, who was reputed to have been a missionary among the Indians, the orthography having been changed to Wheeling, and still another, and which is probably the correct one that it was derived from the bloody significance of a murdered individual who had been shot through the head, which was placed on a pole which was erected at the mouth of the creek. The Delawares when asked where they had shot an animal (if in the head) would say Weeling. This was subsequently THE PAN-HANDLE - 517 corrupted into Wheeling. The existence of Wheeling as a town, dates back to 1793, when the first lots, 112 in number, were laid out by Col. Ebenezer Zane. The original town composed the territory lying between North Eleventh and Seventh streets. A number of additions have since been made which are all within the corporate limits. The plat of the Island known at the time as the town of Columbia as laid out in 1836, has been all changed, the lots which were sold, having all been bought back by Daniel Zane, Esq. Wheeling was incorporated as a town in 1806, and as a city in 1836. In the year 1796 it contained about forty houses, all of them built of logs or frame, scattered along at intervals from what is now Eleventh street and extending up about as far as Ninth street. Col. Ebenezer Zane's house stood on the brow of the hill, now the corner of Eleventh and Main streets. Fort Henry was situated immediately opposite on the high bank of the river, on the site of the present row of store buildings on Main street, above Eleventh street. Where the old Northwestern bank formerly stood, and which has since become the residence of George K. Wheat, together with the ground adjoining, there was a graveyard. The entire space between the fort and the creek was used as a meadow and cornfield, and as late as 1810 there were but few buildings erected there. Where the site of the Second Ward Market house now is, was an orchard, and Centre Wheeling was covered with forest trees, with here and there a corn field. This is the description of Wheeling in brief at the commencement of the present century. An indication of its progress, may be presented by the following statement of its population at different periods: In 1800 the population was about 500; in 1810, 914; in 1820, 1,567; in 1830, 5,221; in 1840, 8,793; in 1850, 13,161; in 1860, 20,000; in 1870, 23,000; in 1880, 30,000; in 1890, estimated between 40,000 and 45,000. Notwithstanding the social and financial disasters through which she has been compelled .to pass, resulting from bankruptcies, monetary difficulties, frequent depressions and effects of the rebellion, her growth has been sure, if slow, and in its manufacturing, commercial and financial interests, it has made certain progress. But as already indicated, we now turn our attention to the consideration of the entire territory, of which this history treats as a whole. We do this not because there is not much of interest which it would be profitable and instructive for us to treat in detail, but, as already intimated, we have not the space, as it would easily require a large volume of many hundreds of pages to do full justice to its civil, political, manufacturing, agricultural and other interests and then come far short of exhausting all that might be said in the presentation of these subjects. The first county carved out of the original territory of Ohio county was the county of Brooke, in the year 1796. A brief sketch of its early settlement has been kindly furnished us by Hon. Eugene Tarr, of Wellsburg, as follows: " Among the early settlers on the western border of Pennsylvania, then an almost unbroken wilderness, many tales are told of a land of 518 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. wondrous beauty and fertility that lay away off to the westward. Around their cabin fires at night, hunters, and the more daring of the settlers, pictured to the imaginations of their comrades the beauty and loveliness of this " land of promise." More particularly did the fancy of the hunter dwell on that portion of this El Dorado which constituted the valley of the " Big River " that lay buried in the depths of the forest. Here he had pictured a land most favored by the Creator, and which was crowned with everything that could contribute to the comfort and happiness of man. The soil on the banks of the unknown river was of fabulous depth. Tall oaks, of wonderful symmetry for building purposes, grew on the hillsides and the upland glades, while in the bottoms and along the banks of the streams, giant walnuts and sycamores stretched out their broad arms, and from their branches the wild grapes hung in tempting clusters which, through all the seasons, had ripened in the October sunlight, awaiting the coming of the settler. In the recesses of its untrodden wilds roamed, unmolested in security, the wild bear, the deer, and the elk, and rested themselves in the shade of the tall trees, undisturbed by the sound of the settler's axe, or the crack of the hunter's rifle. In search of this paradise of hunters on a bright September morning in the year 1772, three men left for the old settlement at Brownsville, Penn. They were Jonathan, Israel and Friend Cox. Each of them carried a rifle, an axe of small size, a blanket and sufficient ammunition, in the shape of powder and lead, to last during the supposed time of their expedition, trusting entirely for their subsistence to the game which they might secure on their way. After following a well defined trail, made by hunters coming to the' settlements, for a few miles they boldly struck into the woods to the westward, aiming to keep along the high ridges, for the purpose of being better able to cross the streams they might find in the course of their journey, and also to enable them more readily to discover the approach of danger from any direction on their route. For many days they kept their course to the westward, anxiously looking for signs of the " Big River," until almost discouraged. They resolved, however, to travel one more day in the direction they had been following and then, if no signs of the valley appeared, they determined to retrace their steps to their home at Brownsville. In about an hour after leaving camp, on the following morning, after making their resolve, the party stopped on the hill overlooking the present site of Wellsburg, and their hopes were fully realized. In speaking of it afterward to one of their descendants, they described their halting place as having been on the big hill east of town, and most likely from the impression from their description, it was the hill owned by John Lewis, Esq. After feasting their eyes on the panorama spread out before them, they prepared to descend. Picking their way carefully down the hill-side they came to what was then a deep and wide ravine covered with an almost impenetrable thicket of willows and wild plum bushes. This ravine commenced at the creek and extended up to where the present run .is west of the railroad, and THE PAN-HANDLE - 519 reached to where the Episcopal church now stands. Circumventing this by crossing above it, our party found themselves on the river bank about 200 hundred rods above the mouth of the creek. Here it was decided to camp for the purpose of exploring the valley which seemed all that they could desire; and here the first log cabin ever built on the site of the town of Wellsburg, was erected in the month of September, 1772. It stood about the end of the present Washington street, and about eighty rods west of Water street and the river. It was built of round logs with no implements but the small axes carried with them, and it served as a protection against wild animals, and to some extent against the weather. Taking the mouth of the creek as a starting point, the hunters prepared to lay claim to this land which was so desirable. They blazed the trees up the river bank to a point opposite the mouth of Queen street, and then turning east followed about the course of that street to the base of the hill, aiming to strike the ravine coming down just north of the pike, thence turning to the right they followed the base of the hill to the creek, making the creek the south line, the hill the east, and the river the west, and the line mentioned above the north. This constitutes the first claim ever made by white men to the land on which the town now stands. In the following spring of 1773, the three brothers again made their appearance in the valley; this time with the intention of making it their home. They improved their cabin, and more firmly defined the boundaries of their land. The fame of the new settlement had been carried back by them to Brownsville, and others began to turn their attention in the same direction. About this time a party of hunters, headed by the Tomlinsons, who were famous hunters, struck the Ohio river at Grave creek and established a camp there. Other adventurous spirits had located at Wheeling, and the fame of the Ohio valley soon spread all over the east. Sometime after this, George Cox, a cousin of the three brothers named by us, came out and took up a claim under the tomahawk right, extending up the river bottom almost to Cross creek. A few years went by and the war of the revolution was over, and many adventurous spirits who had taken part in that contest began to find their way into the valley and take up claims under a tomahawk right, allowing 400 acres to each settler. Cap. Van Swearingen came out and traded a rifle for part of the claim held by one of the Coxes, and which constitutes the present fair ground and homestead of J. G. Jacob, Esq. And here one word in favor of the trio of brothers whose adventurous daring first led the way to the valley. One was surprised in his camp while hunting along McIntyre creek in Jefferson county, Ohio, and killed. He was buried in the creek bottom just below Plumer's mill. Another was killed some distance down the river on the Ohio side in a fight with Indians. One alone remained to die in his cabin and he, if I mistake not, was the ancester of the present Coxes, Squire, Friend, Dr. Elsey and others now living on the waters of Buffalo Creek in this country. The Van Swearingen log cabin stood on the bluff back or a little 520 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. north of the spring on J. G. Jacob's property. Van Swearingen was a person who was much looked up to by the settlers. He was a man of powerful frame, bold and daring in manner, and the leader in many of the border scouts. He had commanded a company in Morgan 's celebrated rifle corps during the war of the revolution, and boasted that many a red-coat had crossed the dark river at the crack. of his deadly rifle. He was buried in a gravelly knoll a few feet behind the brick house and to the right of the road going up to the Freshwater homestead. The Van Swearingen house stood facing the west; it was a double cabin with a passage way between. In this passage way was hung on pegs driven into the logs, the saddles, blankets and various articles belonging to a hunter's outfit. This cabin was supplanted in the course of time with a large oaken frame building built by Gen. Connell in 1808, and it in turn gave way to the present mansion of J. G. Jacob, Esq., which was built by William Farr in or about 1848. At the foot of the bluff was the spring. This spring in early days was a famous place of resort. A beech tree of uncommon size spread its-sheltering branches above the water and beneath its cooling shade, hunters often met to recount the deeds of the past and talk of their plans for the future. On the rough bark was carved the names of many distinguished in border history, such as Brady, McColloch, Van Swearingen and Buskirk. The oldest recognizable date was 1792. The two Wetzels often visited at Van Swearingen's. The old tree stood until about 1840, when age and decay having wrought their work it fell to the ground and today not a vestige of it remains. The old block house stood on the bank of the river, west of the Van Swearingen mansion. At that time and for a long time afterward, a pond of water about an eighth of a mile in length and about twelve rods in width, extended north and south parallel with the river. At the lower end of this lake stood the block house surrounded with palisades. It was never regularly garrisoned, but was built more for a place to retreat to in case of a raid by the Indians. It went into the water about the year 1802. If standing now it would be almost exactly on the northwestern corner of what is now within the corporate limits of the town. Old Maj. McMahon, so called, took up a right of 400 acres on the land now owned by S. Jacob, Esq. His cabin stood about 200 rods east of the Jacob's mansion on the left of the pike where there is a spring and at present writing a small grove of locust trees. When Gen. Anthony Wayne organized his expedition against the northwestern Indians, he invited McMahon to join his army in the capacity of a scout or guide. He had been with Wayne at Stony Point and promptly responded to the call of his old commander. He was killed in the battle which took place with the Indians during that campaign. Valentine Mendel took up a claim to the lands now constituting the farms of Henry Mendel, Clarence Farr, Kelly Park and the old Park homestead, reaching to Panther run. He devoted himself entirely to clearing lands and establishing homes for himself and children. George Cox was a man of some education, and was much more de- THE PAN-HANDLE - 521 voted to the arts of peace than war. In this he differed greatly from his more adventureous cousins. He came from western Maryland and brought many slaves with him. He built a large log house a few feet from the brick mansion now owned by Thomas Everett, Esq. He also built cabins for his colored people, and while they deadened the timber on the bottom and cleared out the brush, he, as became the old-time Marylander, spent his days in ease and idleness. Of these daring men but little is left to tell. On hillsides, in the corners of deserted pasture fields, in the tangled and briar-grown thickets, in unknown and nameless graves sleep the pioneers of those early days. History has done but little and the nation still less to preserve their memories or record their deeds. Tradition alone is left to tell how they watched and toiled and fought that their descendants might enjoy the grander type of civilization with which we are now surrounded. New means of transportation and a new market had to be found in distant regions for our surplus products. Hence the broad-horn and flat boat were brought into requisition and our enterprising traders — the Bradys, Tarrs, Marshalls, Palmers and others were the first in every southern market with the products grown on our soil, while the Doddridges, Edgingtons, Wrights and Hammonds dispensed the law from the bench or pleaded in the forum. But not alone did our county excel in the arts of peace, but when the mutterings of the storm of the second war of the revolution was heard, and a call was made in behalf of the public defense, more than fifty of her chosen riflemen flew to the rescue. Of the spirit which prompted these brave men in defense of the flag much might be said. They had been born and raised mostly in the primitive log cabins of that early day. Innured to hardships from their earliest days, many of them having been revolutionary soldiers, the spirit of emulation ran high. Their chivalrous Captain Cougleton had been a captain of the revolution. Many a tale the old hero told them around the camp fire at night of the stirring scenes of revolutionary history, of Monmouth; of the retreat on Long Island, and how the young French general, Lafayette, became so excited at Brandywine, that he swore terribly at the American soldiers because they could not understand his commands given in broken English, and how Washington himself, reproved the young Frenchman in the presence of the soldiers, for his profanity. Of these grand old heroes none now. remain. A few, Miller, Moran, Tarr and Stephens, lingered along down to the time of our civil war, and then passed away. Marshall County.— This was the next county taken off the territory of Ohio county. It was organized in the year 1835. The act establishing this county made Elizbethtown the county seat. In the year 1770, Joseph Tomlinson accompanied by his brother, Samuel, both of whom were Marylanders, settled on the Flats of Grave creek," and built a log cabin near the site of the late Judge Caldwell's residence. The entire country was a wilderness abounding in the finest timber, and an abundance of game. Samuel returned shortly to his Mary- 522 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. land home where he died, but Joseph settled and spent his life in the valley of Grave creek. The name of his wife, whom he married in Maryland, was Elizabeth Harkness, and she was the first white woman who took up her residence in Marshall county. The names of other prominent early settlers of this county are the Wetzels, the Bakers, Parrs and Shepherds. The soil of the county is very fertile and productive. The surface of the county is hilly, but nowhere mountainous, and the tops of the hills are as rich as the soil in the valleys and bottoms. The people of the county have a reputation for generosity and hospitality, which is proverbial. Since the inauguration of the free school system the schools have made great progress, and the improvement made in the mental and moral character of its population gives evidence of the success which has attended them. Moundsville, the present county seat, is located on one of the most beautiful bottoms which can be found on the Ohio river from Pittsburgh to its mouth, and affords room for a city of two or three hundred thousand people. Its original name was Elizabethtown, so called after the name of the wife of its founder, and was laid out by Tomlinson in the year 1831. The first school taught in this county was by one William Ransom, .an Irishman, in a small log cabin, and the first regular school-house was built in 1833. A society of the Methodist Episcopal church was formed here at an early day. It was, however, not made a station until the year 1842, before which time. it was attached to the Grave Creek circuit. Rev. R. J. White was the first stationed minister. The Presbyterian house of worship was erected in 1835. The first Presbyterian minister called was Rev. John Knox. However, as early as 1802 Grave Creek was reported to Synod as one of its vacant congregations, and as early as 1796 supplies were asked for by Grave Creek from the Presbytery of Ohio. About the year 1874 the Disciples church organized a society. The Catholic church was built in 1854, but no society was formed until after the building of the B. & O. R. R. An Episcopal church was erected about 1850. The society is, however, small, but lately it has made progress, especially since the erection of its new edifice of worship. These constitute the number of religious societies, among which should be included the organization known as the Young Men's Christian association, which promises to become a large and influential institution. The first newspaper printed in what is now Marshall county was established before the organization by Dennis Parriott, who was its editor and proprietor, and was called the West Virginia. The state penitentiary is located at Moundsville, which is a fine stone structure of excellent architectural taste and proportions. It is under the charge of a board of directors appointed by the executive. Several branches of industry are carried on within its walls, such as wagon-making, shoe-making, whip-making, etc. It is not self-sustaining, but is a source of necessary expense to the state. THE PAN-HANDLE - 523 An important manufacturing point in this county is the town of Benwood, situated four miles below the city of Wheeling, and next to Moundsville the largest town in the county. It is an important suburb of Wheeling, and is connected with the latter by a line of electric cars. There are other small towns in this county such as Glen Easton on the B. & O. railroad about twelve miles east of Moundsville, Dallas situated in the northeastern part of the county and near the Pennsylvania line, also Bellton and Board Tree, all of which are small villages. An important point for trade in this county, is the town of Cameron, situated on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, about twenty-eight miles east of Moundsville. Situated in the midst of a rich country it is the center of a large business of miscellaneous character. We quote from a writer who visited Grave Creek in the year 1807, who thus speaks of the Mound: " Mrs. Tomlinson obligingly permitted one of her sons to guide us to what is called the Indian grave, which is a short quarter of a mile to the southward of the house. It is a circular mound, like the frustrum of a cone, about 180 yards in circumference around the base, sixty around the flat on the top, and about seventy feet perpendicular height. In the center of the flat top is a shallow hollow like the filled-up crater of an old volcano, which hollow or settle is said to have been formed within the memory of the first neighboring settlers, and is supposed by them to be occasioned by the settling of the earth on the decayed bodies. The whole mound appears to be formed of clay, and from its regularity is evidently a work of art, though I am not of opinion that it has been a public or a general cemetery, but either a mausoleum raised over, and in memory of some great Indian chief, a temple for religious worship, or the site of a fortification, or citadel to serve as a place of retreat from a superior foe. About three years ago the neighbors perforated the north side, at about half the elevation, digging in horizontally about twelve feet without any other satisfaction to their curiosity, than the finding of a part of a human jawbone, the bone rough and honey-combed, but the teeth entire, and the surrounding clay of a white chalky consistence. " There are four or five small mounds, all within a few hundred yards of the great one, each about thirty feet in diameter, much lower in proportion than it, all rounded over the tops, and like the great one showing their antiquity, by the size of the trees, plants and shrubs which cover them, and having more than it the appearance of tumuli. The bark of the trees which crown this remarkable monument is covered by the initials of visitors cut into it, wherever they could reach, the number of which considering the remote situation is truly astonishing." The father of Capt. A. O. Baker, the present clerk of the circuit court of this county, was born in Tomlinson's fort. His name was John Baker. In 1791, he removed to Round Bottom, where he bought a tract of land at the lower end of the Bottom, where he 524 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. lived and died. His oldest son, John, intermarried with Elizabeth, the daughter of Jonathan Roberts. In other portions of this history have been recorded numerous incidents occurring at localities within the present boundaries of this county, to which the reader can refer if curious to learn concerning them. We now proceed to give some attention to the next county in the Pan-handle, that is to say: Hancock County.— This county was organized under an act of assembly passed January 15, 1848, out of the northern end of Brooke county. The act establishing the county provided for the appointment of justices by the governor, the establishment of a county court, a place for holding the same, etc. The first county court was held on the 10th of April, 1848, at the house of Samuel C. Allison, in New Manchester. The court was composed of the following justices, viz.: John Pettinger, David Pugh, Andrew Henderson, John Gardiner, David Wylie, William H. Grafton and John Mayhew. John H. Atkinson, Esq., was elected clerk; Robert Brown, prosecuting attorney; Josiah A. Adams, commissioner of the revenue; Thomas J. Hewitt, surveyor, and the followiug named persons as commissioners of election: For New Manchester, James Hewitt, George Baxter, Thomas Elder, Robert Herron, David Pugh. For Holliday's Cove: Greenbury Wilcoxson, William Beall, Isaac Van Nostrand, James Gardner and James Campbell. David Wylie and Joseph Cameron were appointed-to hold the first election. The levy for county purposes for 1848 amounted to $157.13. As soon as convenient after the organization of the county measures were taken looking to the erection of a court house. At the election held under the act establishing the county, to decide upon the county seat, New Manchester was selected by a majority of one vote. The following rise and progress of the fire brick business of this county is inserted by permission of John H. Atkinson, Esq., who compiled it: " Prior to the manufacture of fire brick, there were not fifty individuals to people the space lying between the mouth of King's creek and extending to the head of Black's Island, and these were living in less than a dozen houses of the rude construction of the early settlers. At the mouth of King's creek was found a large log dwelling known as the ' Ferry house,' part of which is still standing. Mr. Philip Beall lived in a brick house, which forms part of the one at present near the brick yard of Thomas Anderson. A large log house at the mouth of Holbert's run upon the site of the Freeman Brothers' brick yard, served for a tavern and ferry house, while Mr. John Gamble lived a few rods from the river upon said run, and had opened the first fire clay vein in this region. A mile further up the river was found a log house known as the Black Horse tavern, and ferry, now the Black Horse brick works. The site of New Cumberland was then covered with a dense forest, except where small openings had been made by the grandfather and father of John Camp-