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http://www.telmohenriquesstudio.com/buy-essays-online-secure-page/ buy essays online secure page BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO
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http://www.captainconso.com/writing-letter-services/ writing letter services WILLIAM A. ALLEN was born in 1858, on the farm where he now resides in
Belmont county, Ohio. Was the son of John and Sarah (Greenlee) Allen,
both natives of Ohio. John Allen was the son of John and Martha J.
(Giffin) Allen, who came from Scotland to America some time before
the Revolutionary war. William has, since his birth, been living on
the farm formerly owned by his father, where he still resides. His
education has all been received from the common schools of the county.
He was married in 1888 to Miss Annie Warrell, a daughter of William
and Margaret J. (Mealy) Warrell, of Washington, Penn. They are not as
yet blessed with any children. Mr. Allen by industry and perseverance,
bids fair to follow in the tracks of his worthy father. John Allen,
father of William, was born 1814, on his father’s farm in Belmont
county, on a part of which his son still resides. His life was principally
spent on the farm of his father, and in the early part of it
got an education from the common schools. He married in 1848, a Miss
Sarah Greenlee, born 1822, a native of this county, and a daughter of
James and Sarah Greenlee, who, from all the facts obtainable, were
from over the sea. By his first wife he was father of seven children,
only one of whom is living: Margaret A., Martha J., James, John, one
died in infancy, William, Lizzie B. William is the only living
representative of this family. Mrs. Sarah Allen died in 1861 on the
homestead farm, and at her death the family lost a kind mother and
loving parent, and the community a good citizen. John, the father
remarried in 1877, a Margaret McGregor, daughter of James McGregor,
a native of Pennsylvania. There were no children by the second
marriage. The second wife died after a short Illness. John Allen died
in 1886, and in his death the family lost a loving relative, and the
community one of her best citizens. He was always a strong supporter
of all educational matters, and a man who was always respected and
looked up to by his neighbors. The son, William, has by industry and
good management, maintained the family name and honor and is already
recognized as a man of much ability and resource in the community in
which he lives. He with his wife occupy the home of his ancestors and
has a fine, well improved farm and a pleasant residence.
Page 522.
http://www.csq.cz/?fight-club-essays fight club essays JOHN ARMSTRONG, of Martin’s Ferry, one of the pioneer business men of
the upper Ohio valley, was born near Enniskillen, county of Fermanagh,
Ireland, February 15, 1806. His parents, Andrew and Mary Armstrong,
were married about 1804, and had five children, of whom John is the
only survivor. The father emigrated to Canada, and soon afterward
died there. John Armstrong was reared in Ireland, receiving a limited
schooling, and was engaged in farming until he was about thirty years
old, when in 1837 he came to the United States. He landed at New York,
but not finding employment there, he went to Pittsburgh, where he found
various employment until he secured the position of porter in a carpet
store, where he remained for some time working up to the position of
book-keeper. He came to Wheeling in 1845 and was engaged as a book-
keeper for two years, with Prior, Clark & Co., after which, in 1852,
he embarked in business in the Fifth ward. He conducted this quite
successfully for ten years, and since then has not been actively
engaged in business. He has made judicious investments, however, and
is interested in various manufactories, being a stockholder in the
Standard Iron works, the Benwood and AEtna works, and also has an
interest in the Ohio Valley and National banks of Wheeling. In 1870
he came to Martin’s Ferry, which has since been his residence, and
in 1882 he, in company with William R. Ratcliff and others, organized
the Exchange bank of this city, of which he was elected president. Mr.
Armstrong is one of the pioneers in business in this region, and his
successful career, rising from poverty to a commanding position among
men, is one highly deserving of notice. He was married in October, 1856,
to Jane Hunter, of Pittsburgh, and they have two children: Jennie, the
wife of Dr. Harvey, and Margaret. Mr. Armstrong and wife are members of
the Presbyterian church.
write my narrative essay Pages 522-523.
http://noordinarycamps.org/best-essay-writing-service-us/ best essay writing service us F. BAYHA, of the firm of Bayha Brothers, was born in Fulton, W. Va.,
in 1860. He learned the blacksmith, carriage ironer and horse-shoer’s
trades in the city of Wheeling, where he worked for ten years prior to
the establishment of the factory at Bridgeport, Ohio. His brother,
Andrew A. Bayha, also a skilled carriage maker and wood worker, was
born in Fulton in 1863. He acquired his knowledge of the business in
Wheeling, becoming an expert workman. After working in Wheeling for
eight years he, on November 1, 1887, formed a partnership with his
brother. Since this date they have operated the wagon and carriage
shops on Main street in the city of Bridgeport. This firm manufactures
on quite an extensive scale for so young a concern, and bids fair to
become a very large house. They manufacture all sorts and kinds of
wagons, buggies and carriages to order, and also carry a large assortment
of manufactured vehicles. They at present employ ten skilled
workmen in their shops. Besides the manufacture of carriages, Bayha
Brothers have a large trade in horse-shoeing. They make a specialty
of the latter industry, shoeing horses on scientific principles.
They also carry on a funeral repairing and jobbing business in all
departments. Enterprising and progressive as they are, it is only a
question of time until they will be obliged to enlarge their works, to
employ more men and to extend their business generally, providing the
same energy and wisdom is employed in the future as has been in the past.
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http://vcc.org.nz/manage-quality-customer-service-essay/ manage quality customer service essay JOSEPH BIRD, of Martin’s Ferry, general manager of the blast furnace at
that place, was born at Briher Hill, Staffordshire, England, in April,
- He is the son of Stephen Bird, who was an iron worker by occupation,
and did a great deal of work by contract, employing workmen, and also
owned and managed a small farm. He died from cholera in 1832. He was
twice married and had twelve children. His second wife, the mother of
the subject of this sketch, was Maria (Shakespeare) Shakespeare. Joseph
Bird had no educational advantages. In his childhood and when quite
young began working at an iron furnace, and continued to be so employed
until he came to the United States in 1851. He landed at New Orleans
after a voyage of three months, and then came up the Mississippi to St.
Louis, where he found employment at Brennan’s iron mills a short time.
Proceeding then to eastern Pennsylvania, he settled in the Lehigh valley,
where he remained some five years. Subsequently he went to Rochester,
NY., where he blew the first furnace in that city, thence went to
Pittsburgh and remained two years, and in 1875 came to Steubenville,
Ohio, which was his residence until 1879, when he settled at Martin’s
Ferry, and entered the employment of the Benwood iron company, as manager
of the blast furnace at this place. He is an acknowledged master of his
important business in all its many details, and is a competent and
successful manager. He was the first to make iron exclusively from
cinders, and though the process he discovered was no source of great
profit to him, he was the means of bringing about a great change in
iron working. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and
he is in politics a republican. Mr. Bird was married in 1850 to Susannah
Scriven, who started with him from England, and died on ship board and
was buried in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1852 he was married to Mary Jones,
of Pennsylvania, and they have had ten children, of whom these survive:
Mary J., Hanna and Clara.
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BENJAMIN F. BRADY, of Martin’s Ferry, a leading dry goods merchant, is a
native of Ohio, born in Jefferson county, February 7, 1843. He is the son
of Robert Brady, a native of Cannonsburg, Penn., who there learned the
tailor’s trade, and after coming to Ohio, when a young man, followed it
at Knoxville, until his death, about 1855. About the year 1841 he was
married to Elizabeth Clare, a native of Ohio, who is still living at
Knoxville. To this marriage were born seven children, five of whom are
living. Benjamin F. Brady was reared at Knoxville, and after his school
days were over, was engaged in clerking in various stores at that place
until the outbreak of the rebellion. In 1861 he enlisted under the first
call in Company I, Twentieth Ohio regiment, and served three months in
West Virginia. He then re-enlisted in the Second Ohio for three years,
and served in the army of the Tennessee, participating in the battles
of Lookout Mountain, Stone River, Mission Ridge, and other important
engagements. After the battle of Perrysville, he was promoted from the
ranks to second lieutenant, and after Stone River, to first lieutenant,
as which he was mustered out in the fall of 1864. After the war he re-
sided at various places until 1875, when he opened a general store at
Irondale, Ohio, which was his place of abode until 1882, when he came
to Martin’s Ferry. Since then he has conducted a dry goods, notions and
millinery business with much success, and is known as an active and popular
business man. He is a member of the Masonic and G. A. R. fraternities, and
in politics has been active as a republican. Mr. Brady was married in 1872
to Catherine McDonald, of Hammondsville, and they have one child, Elizabeth.
Mrs. Brady is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
http://www.sharon-zarabi.com/web/theatre-company-business-plan/ theatre company business plan Pages 524-525.
comment faire intro dissertation philo GEORGE W. CHESSELL, of Martin’s Ferry, a successful business man, was
born at Belmont in 1843. His grandfather, George Chessell, Sr., a native
of England, came to the United States and settled near Smithfield, Jefferson county,
where he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed for many years.
He is still living, a resident of Hendrysburg,
Belmont county. His son, George the father of George W., was born in
England. He was married to Ann Davis, who died in 1887, and by this union
had twelve children, five of whom survive. The subject of this sketch received
his education at Hendrysburg. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted,
in 1861, in Company K, Fifteenth Ohio regiment, with which he served four
years and two months. During this period he passed through many great battles,
such as Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, and saw much severe
service. He was mustered out as quartermaster sergeant, at San Antonio, Texas,
in 1865. On his return to Ohio he engaged in the grocery business, at Hendrys-
burg, until 1874, when he was appointed postal clerk on the Baltimore & Ohio
road, running from Columbus to Grafton, and afterward from Newark to Chicago.
He remained in the employment of the government until November, 1888. On July
23, 1889, he had, in company with M. F. Earp, purchased the Gem laundry at
Martin’s Ferry, and to this business he has since given his attention. This
institution is well-known for the excellence of its work, and is quite popular
throughout the surrounding country. Mr. Chessell is a member of the Masonic
order, the I. O. O. F. and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a re-
publican. He was married, in 1866, to Sarah J. Hogue, of Jefferson county,
and they have three children: Alma, George W. and Harry E.
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http://www.societas.si/?how-to-assign-static-ip-address how to assign static ip address MATTHEW A. CHEW, general superintendent of the nail department of the
Laughlin nail company’s works, is a native of Pittsburgh, born March 14, 1857.
He is a grandson of Richard Chew, a native of England, who, before coming to
America in 1826, was a soldier in the British army. After coming to this
country he followed his trade as a nailer until his death in 1835. His son,
Matthew J., the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Trenton,
J., and received his education in the Catholic schools at Pittsburgh. He
learned the trade of a nailer at New Castle, Penn., and in 1858 came to
Wheeling, where he was engaged with the Belmont iron company. In 1864 he
became a stockholder in the Belmont iron company and removed to Ironton,
Ohio, but in 1866 he returned to Wheeling and was employed in the old Top
mill. His death occurred in 1878. By his marriage to Annie Adams, a native
of Pennsylvania, who survives, he had eleven children, seven of whom are
living. Matthew A. Chew, when fourteen years old, spent three months as
an apprentice with Bell, Atchison & Co., nail manufacturers, and then completed
his trade with his father. After this he worked uninterruptedly at
his trade, with the exception of seven months as a clerk in the store of
Joseph Graves, at Wheeling, until 1885. At the time of the strike in that
year he was elected national secretary of the U. N. N. and R. association,
and served in that capacity until the close of the strike in 1886.
He then purchased a half interest in the News Letter, at Wheeling, and was
connected with that paper until July, 1888. Resuming his trade, he worked
at the Spaulding nail works at Brilliant Ohio, until November, 1889, when
he was tendered his present position. He is widely known for his skill-
fullness, energy and enterprise. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Chew
was married in August, 1878, to Annie, daughter of Joseph Graves, of
Wheeling, and they have one child, Ella B.
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http://www.blog.friskbrisrc.com/thesis-help-writing/ thesis help writing WILLIAM CLARK, of Martin’s Ferry, an old resident of that place and
vicinity, is a native of Scotland, born at Kirkrubert, August 13, 1820.
His father, Hugh Clark, came to America with his family in 1822, and for
five years resided in Washington county, Penn., being then engaged in
brewing. In 1827 he came to Wheeling, and became a partner of Henry
Moore, for many years a prominent business man of that city. In 1842
he dissolved this partnership, having some time before acquired a tract
of land on the island, where he then engaged in gardening until 1852,
when he turned over the business to his eldest son, William, and made
a trip to Scotland. Returning in 1854, he died December 25, 1856. By
his marriage to Mary Manson, a native of Scotland, and a descendant of
John Maitland, one of the conclave who adopted the confession of faith,
together with shorter and larger cathecisms, and all the solemn leagues
which have successfully governed the great Presbyterian church all these
years, since the sixteenth century. He had six children, three of whom
survive. The mother died about 1867. The subject of this sketch was educated
at Wheeling, and then aided his father until as has been stated he
took entire charge of the gardening business on Wheeling Island. This
he conducted until 1859 when he come to Martin’s Ferry, and farmed and
gardened until 1874. In that year he and others organized the Ohio City
Nail company, of which he was elected president. To this enterprise he
donated twenty acres of ground, the present site of the nail works, also
gave 100 acres of coal in return for stock. About three years later the
company made an assignment, and the works were afterward bought by the
Laughlin Nail company. Mr. Clark was one of the greatest losers in the
old company, to the amount of about $120,000. He has throughout life been
enterprising and liberal in his relations to the public. In 1873 he
donated to the county the land on which the Ohio valley free pike was
built, and to the old Wheeling steel company, of which he was a director,
he gave eight acres, now the site of the Elson Glass works. In 1872 he
made an addition to the town, known as Clark’s addition, now mostly built
He has also been interested in banking, and with George H. Jenkins,
John Armstrong and others, organized the Ohio City bank, now known as the
Exchange bank, of which he was vice president. For several years Mr.
Clark has led a retired life. Of the Presbyterian church he is an active
member, has been elder for several years, was superintendent of the
Sunday-school of the First church of Wheeling some time, and actively
engaged in other Sunday-school work, and for many years superintended
a mission school and almost entirely supported it financially and
otherwise, and in 1883 was a commissioner to the general assembly of the
church at Saratoga. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Clark was married
September 26, 1849, to Margaret G. Culbertson, who died in May, 1870. To
this union eight children were born, of whom there are living: Clara G.,
Mary M., Sarah A., Thomas C., who is now a minister of the gospel of a
Presbyterian church near Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; Martha A., and Phoebe R.
In 1875 Mr. Clark was married to Annie E., daughter of Edward Mansfield,
of Jefferson county, Ohio.
shape homework Pages 526-527
homework help online english JUDGE JOHN S. COCHRANE, a distinguished citizen of Martin’s Ferry, was
born In Belmont county, Ohio, September 9, 1841. His family in this
country, prominent in the early settlement, is descended from William
Cochrane, who was a native of England, and a cousin of Sir Thomas
Cochrane, Earl of Dumdonald, a British admiral. William Cochrane came
to America about 1765, and settled near West Liberty on what is now known
as the Jacobs and Dexton farms, which he acquired possession of by
tomahawk right. He lost his life at the hands of the Indians during that
savage raid, one incident of which was the famous leap of the frontiersman,
McCullough. He was shot after a desperate chase, just as he was in sight
of the block house at West Liberty. His companion, William Boggs, was
captured but made his escape and returned to his home at Wheeling, where
some of his descendants are still living. William Cochrane had three
sons, Thomas, James and Robert. The latter, grandfather of Judge Cochrane,
was born in 1770, and reared near West Liberty, but when quite a young man
he crossed to Ohio about the beginning of this century and settled near
Burlington, Belmont county, where he acquired a large tract of land, which
he resided upon until his death in 1860. Of his sixteen children, four are
living. His son, Robert, Jr., father of the subject of this sketch, was
born in Belmont county in 1814, and passed his life on a farm near Martin’s
Ferry, being one of the leading citizens of that vicinity. He died in 1863,
from fever which he contracted in a southern hospital while trying to save
the life of his son, Watson, then a prisoner of war. He was married about
1835 to Susannah Davis, by whom he had thirteen children, eleven of whom
were reared. Six of the seven sons served in the Union army, but all
escaped death, though two were severely wounded. When the father went
south he left the large farm in charge of his wife and four daughters.
In the midst of a severe winter, and they were compelled to haul feed
through fifteen inches of snow to save their live stock with but slight
assistance from others. Their heroic efforts sufficed, however, to prevent
any loss until the arrival of one of the sons, who secured a discharge
and came home. They managed the farm until it was sold. The widow of
Robert, Jr., is still living. Judge Cochrane was reared in Belmont
county, and at twenty years of age, he enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth
Ohio regiment, in the fall of 1861, with his brother, R. H. Cochrane,
elsewhere mentioned. After one year’s service he came home and administered
on the estate of his deceased father. After the close of the war he
determined to adopt the profession of law, and studied three years with
Hon. William Kennon, judge of the supreme court of Ohio. He then began
the practice at St. Clairsville, but soon afterward removed to Sedalia,
Mo., where he followed his profession with success for ten years. He was
elected prosecuting attorney and served one term, and in 1868 was
elected judge of the court of common pleas, a position he filled with
credit until 1872. In 1876 he removed to Wheeling, and practiced there
until 1882, when he removed to Martin’s Ferry, where he is still in the
practice of law. He has always taken an active part in public affairs,
and has been public-spirited and enterprising. In the republican party
he has been quite prominent, and in 1888 was elected by his party as
elector for the seventeenth congressional district. Judge Cochrane is now
president of the Electric Light company of this place. He was married in
1867 to Mattie W. Weldin, of Wheeling. He and wife are members of the
Presbyterian church, and he is a member of the Knights of Honor, the
Maccabees and the National Union fraternities.
Dissertation Speech Language Pages 527-528
Marketing College Papers B. CRAWFORD, postmaster and grocer of Blaine, Belmont county, Ohio, is a
son of William F. and Harriet Crawford, of whom mention is made elsewhere
in this book. Mr. Crawford was born April 5, 1852. His early life was
passed in Bridgeport, where he received a common school education. After
obtaining his schooling he engaged in the grocery business, first with his
brother in Bridgeport. After remaining with his brother for five years he
sold his interest in the business and removed to Richland township, where
he entered the dairy business. Four years later, Mr. Crawford returned to
Pease township, and operated a farm for three years. Subsequently, in 1887,
he established the grocery business, which he now conducts, having met
with marked success. He was appointed postmaster at Blaine, July 10, 1889,
and took charge of the office July 23, 1889. Mr. Crawford has been a school
director of the township, serving to the satisfaction of all concerned. In
1881, he married Miss Fannie, daughter of Edward and Catherine Simpson. Mrs.
Crawford was born March 3, 1863; the mother, Catherine Simpson, was born,
December 25, 1843, and the father November 27, 1841. The following named
children have been born to them: Carl E., born March 19, 1882; Gertrude,
born March 20, 1884; Harriet C., born April 16, 1885; David R., born July 29,
1887, and Francis H., born December 3, 1889. Mr. Crawford is a member of the
Masonic Order of Bridgeport, and Mrs. Crawford is a regular communicant of
the Presbyterian church. W. B. Crawford is a man who has gained the respect
and esteem of his fellow townsmen, and is regarded as a business man of much
foresight and ability.
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Monster Resume Writing Service Reviews REV. DR. FRANK S. De HASS was born in Washington county, Penn., October 1,
- The family was originally German, being known by the name of Von Hass,
and having three distinct branches. The family were Protestant Huguenots,
emigrated to Holland, and in 1772 some portion of them came to America and
settled in Pennsylvania. Gen. John Philippy Hass, of Revolutionary memory,
was an immediate ancestor of the subject of our notice. Dr. De Hass was
educated at Washington college, Penn., and was licensed as a Methodist
preacher in 1843. His first appointment was at Leesburg, Ohio, in connection
with the Pittsburgh conference. He was ordained deacon in 1845,
and elder in 1857. In 1845 he was stationed at Murrysville, Penn.; in 1846,
Weston, Va.; in 1847-’48, Wheeling; in 1849-’50, agent of Allegheny college;
in 1851-’52, Wesley college, Pittsburgh; 1853-’54, secretary of “Tract
Society,” in Methodist church; in 1855-’56, Trinity church, Pittsburgh; in
1857-’58, again secretary of Tract Society; in 1859-’60, Seventh street, New
York; 1861-’62, Washington street, Brooklyn. He was appointed to the Pacific
Street church, Brooklyn, in 1863, and three years later went to the Metropolitan
church, in Washington city, where he remained three years. Among the
attendants at this church were, President Grant, Vice-president Colfax,
Chief Justice Chase and many other distinguished individuals. Two years
were then spent with Trinity church, Cincinnati, and two subsequent years’
travel in Europe, Egypt and Palestine. In the Holy Land he secured a rare
manuscript of the Book of Moses, found in a tomb supposed to date a century
before Christ. April 1, 1872, he was appointed to the Lexington Avenue
church, New York. He received the degree of D. D. from Michigan
university, in 1870. Dr. De Hass enjoyed considerable reputation as an
eloquent speaker. Various sermons at camp meetings were spoken of as grand
in the extreme. On one occasion he chained the attention of 10,000 persons
for one hour and twenty minutes. He attended the general Sunday-school
convention held in London, in 1862, and at one of the sessions made a
speech of marked beauty and power. His publications are principally sermons.
At the time of his appointment to the consulate at Jerusalem, Dr. De Hass
was pastor of the Lexington Avenue Methodist church, New York city, which
charge he resigned soon after. A gentleman of high social culture and of
varied learning and accomplishments, he was amply qualified for all the
requirements of his office and made a worthy representative of our country
abroad. In addition to his consular duties Dr. De Hass devoted his leisure
hours to biblical researches in and around Jerusalem. After his return
from the Holy Land and the last years of his life were spent principally
in travel. Some ten years before his death he came to Martin’s Ferry, where
he owned some property, and on account of his mother living here. Three
years before his death symptoms of cancer began to appear on the lower
part of his face, and was ultimately the cause of his death, which
occurred December 8, 1889. He never took an active part in politics, but
was ever identified with the republican party. He was also a member of
the Masonic order.
Page 529
JAMES H. DRENNEN is a native of Steubenville, Ohio, was brought up on a
farm from his fifth to his fourteenth year, at which time he went to
Pittsburgh to serve an apprenticeship to a cabinet and chair maker whose
place of business was corner of Third and Smithfield streets. In 1837
he went to Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson Co., Ohio, to work at his trade. There
he married, and purchasing a farm in Pease township, three miles distant
from Martin’s Ferry, where he continued to reside till the care of the
News requiring all his attention, he removed to Martin’s Ferry, where he
has since resided. Since he has had control of the News, the place has
grown from a village of 1,800, to a city of 7,000 to 8,000 inhabitants;
from one railroad, the Cleveland & Pittsburgh, it has two in operation,
and another nearly completed, which will open up additional communications
with the entire country, and give several other railroads access to the
city and the east via the splendid railroad bridge connecting the city
with Wheeling, which will be completed in June. During the existence of
the News, manufacturing of iron and glass has been firmly established in
the little city where it is published, for which that paper is certainly
entitled to a due share of credit, as it has always given prominence to
all enterprises which Mr. Drennen believed would tend to building up the
town of his adoption. While the News has never been a partisan sheet, it
has always contended for a protective tariff, and while Mr. Drennen remains
in control, it may be depended on to favor any policy which will create and
foster a diversified industry.
Pages 529-530
GEORGE DUNCAN, of Martin’s Ferry, a prominent attorney, was born in Allegheny
county, Penn., May 11, 1841. He is the son of Thomas Duncan, a native of
Pennsylvania, who was reared in Allegheny county, and learned the trade of
wool-carding. He became the owner of a carding mill about ten miles north
of Pittsburgh on the Allegheny road, which he operated about forty years.
Disposing of this in 1862, he purchased a farm on which he resided until his
death. November 19, 1864. He was married in 1838, to Nancy Herdman, by whom
he had six children, of whom three besides the subject of this sketch, are
living. The mother also survives. George Duncan received his early education
in the common schools of Allegheny county, and in the Valley academy, and
when about nineteen years old began the study of law with Thomas Howard and
John D. Mahon, of Pittsburgh. Removing subsequently to Columbiana county, Ohio,
he completed his studies with J. D. King, and in November, 1865, he was
admitted to the bar of Mahoning county. While pursuing these professional
studies he had followed teaching in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Beginning the
practice in Columbiana county, in 1867, he remained there seven years, and
then went to Norwalk, Ohio, which was his residence until he removed to
Martin’s Ferry, in the spring of 1878. Here he has attained a creditable
place in his profession, and is widely known as a learned and successful
lawyer. Mr. Duncan was married in 1863, to Maggie Hall, of Allegheny
county, by whom he has three children: Thomas M., Nannie V., and Lottie.
Page 530
WILLIAM K. ELSON, of Martin’s Ferry, one of the most enterprising manufacturers
of the upper Ohio valley, was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 27, 1833.
He is the son of John and Harriet Elson, the former of whom died when the
subject of this sketch was but nine months old. In 1837 the latter came to
Wheeling with his mother, and in that city attended the then indifferent
schools until he was twelve years old, after which he entered the employment
of Barnes, Hobbs & Co. He then learned the trade of a glass blower, and became
a master of that craft. He did not leave the employment of this company until
he was about twenty-nine years of age, when, in 1863, in company with John
Oesterling, Peter Castle, James Leisure and others, he started a small
factory at Wheeling, which has since developed into the Central Glass works.
He remained with this glass manufacturing company until January, 1878, when
he became associated with the Belmont glass house, of Bellaire, and remained
there five years. In 1881, he joined with M. Sheets and others in the
organization of the Elson Glass company at Martin’s Ferry, of which he has
acted as president, and now holds the position of general. manager. W. H.
Robinson is now president of the company. Mr. Elson’s residence at Martin’s
Ferry began in 1885, and though a comparatively recent comer, he is accorded
a prominent place in business and social circles, and is highly esteemed by
all. His political affiliation is with the republican party. Mr. Elson was
married in 1855, and has three children. Mrs. Elson is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
Pages 530-531
HENRY FLOTO, president of the Northwood Glass company, of Martin’s Ferry,
was born in Brunswick, Germany, in 1839. He is the son of Lewis and Caroline
(Frohme) Floto, natives of Germany. The father, who died in 1850, was a
shoemaker by trade, and also engaged in farming. The mother is still living
in Germany. Henry Floto received a limited education in Germany and learned
the craft of a glass-blower, at which he was engaged until he came to the
United States in 1863. He found employment at Steubenville about one year,
then worked at McKee’s Glass works at Pittsburgh, afterward at various
places, and in 1866 came to Martin’s Ferry and entered the employment of
Sweeney & McCluny. Soon afterward he and his brother purchased the bakery
establishment of J. Ensley, and this he still conducts. He is also a
stockholder and president of the Northwood Glass company. He has been
highly successful in business, and is one of the most enterprising men
of the town. No less than thirteen residences and other buildings have
been erected by him in Martin’s Ferry, and he is active in the public
interests. Mr. Floto also owns large tracts of land in Tennessee. He was
married in 1866 to Margaret Roller, of Steubenvile, and nine children
have been born to them: George, Hattie, Frank, Henry, Christian, Emma,
William, Minnie (deceased), and Charles. He is a member of the Lutheran,
and his wife of the Catholic, church.
Page 531
W. GILMORE is a native of Ohio, born in the town of Smithfield, Jefferson
county, that state. His parents, John and Elizabeth, were both natives of
Maryland. In 1869 he moved to Bridgeport, Ohio. Some five years after his
removal to Bridgeport, he entered the grocery business, and still occupies
the stand where he commenced trading. The business, urged on by his thrift
and foresight, has steadily increased, year by year, until at the present
time he ranks among the leading grocers of Bridgeport. Mr. Gilmore is a
member of Belmont lodge, K. of P., of Bridgeport. Politically, he is a
“liberal” democrat.
Pages 531-532
THOMAS L. GLESSNER, president of the Laughlin Nail company, is a native of
Zanesville, Ohio, and a son of Jacob Glessner, one of the pioneer
publishers of eastern Ohio. Jacob Glessner was born in Somerset county,
Penn., where he learned the printer’s trade. In 1834 he removed to St.
Clairsville, Ohio, and, in company with his brother, purchased the St.
Clairsville Gazette, which they published about five years. He then went
to Zanesville, and published the Aurora, the leading democratic organ,
for six years, after which he established a family Journal, known as the
Zanesville City Times, which he conducted for over twenty years. In 1867
he sold the paper and purchased the Zanesville paper mill, which he managed
until 1886, since when he has been retired from business. While at St. Clairs-
ville he was married to Miss Laughlin, of Wheeling, and five children have
been born to them, of whom one is deceased. Thomas L. Glessner, after
receiving his education at Zanesville, entered the Benwood Iron works,
and there remained six years, having charge of the Benwood office. In 1878,
in company with his uncle, Alexander Laughlin, he purchased the Ohio City
Iron and Nail works, at Martin’s Ferry, and organized the Laughlin Nail
company, of which he acted as secretary until the death of Mr. Laughlin
in 1885, when he assumed his present position. The works were partially
destroyed by fire in 1882 and again in 1886, but each time were rebuilt
and enlarged, and they are now the second largest nail works in the world.
Mr. Glessner is also president of the Laughlin and Junction Steel company,
which built and operates the Bessemer Steel works at Mingo Junction. He has
been a resident of Wheeling since 1872, and is regarded as one of its
foremost citizens. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and
he is in political matters a republican. He was married in 1879, to a
daughter of George R. Taylor, elsewhere mentioned, and one child, Mary,
has been born to this union.
Page 532
F. HANDEL, the subject of this sketch, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany,
August 28, 1840. Four years later his parents came to the United States and
settled at Pasco Station, Ohio. Learning the printer’s trade in Wheeling,
he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until the
outbreak of the late war. Heeding his adopted country’s call, he was among
the first to enroll himself on the roster of the Ninth regiment of the
Ohio volunteer infantry, whose fortunes he bravely followed through the
trying scenes of the battles of Rich Mountain, Fairfax Ferry, Mills’s
Springs, Shiloh, Perryville, Chickamauga and Resaca. Having been honorably
discharged in the year 1864, he went to New York, where he followed his
trade for one year, after which he returned to Ohio and established a
grocery business at Pasco, his father’s old home. Mr. Handel remained at
Pasco until 1871, then removed to Wheeling, where he became a member of
the firm of Klein & Handel, wholesale dealers in notions. In 1883 he
again moved, this time to Bridgeport, Ohio. He established a grocery
house here which he still presides over, and under his guidance does an
increasingly prosperous business. Mr. Handel married Miss Elizabeth
Breidenstein in 1870. Miss Breidenstein was the daughter of Caspar
Breidenstein, one of the most prominent and honored of Bridgeport’s
Pioneers. Two sons, Willie and Albert, are the result of this union. The
qualities that made him a true, courageous soldier, a successful business
man and an upright citizen, won him the regard of his fellow townsmen, and
in 1886, their vote placed him in the city council. A member of the republican
party, yet respected by all parties. The family are members of the German
Lutheran church of Wheeling.
Pages 532-533.
JOSEPH T. HANES, of Martin’s Ferry, a prominent business man, was born at
that place, July 7, 1839. His father, James Hanes, a native of Pennsylvania,
came to Martin’s Ferry in 1855, and was one of the first settlers, erecting
one of the first dwelling houses. His occupation was marble-cutting, which
he followed until his death in 1862. In 1827 he was married to Rebecca
Hadsell, a native of Pennsylvania, who died July 18, 1889, aged eighty-ejght
years. These parents had eight children, all of whom are living. The subject
of this sketch received his education in the old log school-house on Lucas
street, and in the Union school, and then took a commercial course with the
intention of starting a commercial school, but this was prevented by the war
of the rebellion. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, of the Fifteenth Ohio
regiment, and served until 1865. He was captured at the battle of Chickamauga,
and for over sixteen months was confined at Andersonville and other military
prisons, at one time almost suffering death from scurvy. When exchanged in
November, 1864, he was completely broken down and required crutches to move
about. After the war he took up his father’s business, which he carried on
until 1874, when failing health compelled him to abandon it and he engaged
in the real estate business. In this he does a considerable business, and
is also interested in building associations, one of which, the Franklin, he
started in 1879. He also acts as a notary public and insurance and steamship
agent. He has taken an active interest in politics as a republican, and has
been influential in municipal affairs, having, as councilman, been instru-
mental in securing water works. He is a member of the Presbyterian church,
and of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and National Union
fraternities. Mr. Hanes was married in 1869 to Anna Clyker, of Wheeling,
by whom he has had three children, Gertrude C., Lyman S., and James W.,
deceased.
Page 533.
CHARLES A. H. HELLING, of Martin’s Ferry, Ohio, secretary of the Northwood
Glass works of that city, was born in Derenthal, province of Brunswick,
Germany, March 24, 1847. He is the son of Henry and Sophia Helling, who
came to this country about 1849. They remained at Wheeling some two years,
and then came to Martin’s Ferry, their subsequent residence. Henry Helling
was one of the leading men of his day, being for many years the leading
coal dealer of Martin’s Ferry, and interested in nearly all the enterprises
of the place. He was a member of the Ohio City Nail mill company, now I
known as the Laughlin Nail mill company, the Buckeye Glass company, the
Martin’s Ferry Stone company, and was one of the organizers of the old Ohio
City bank known as the Exchange bank at present, and of the Northwood Glass
company. In other business channels he also acted as a public-spirited man,
and was one of the organizers of the German Lutheran church. He died May 27,
1889, but his wife survives. They were the parents of five children, one of
whom is deceased. The subject of this sketch after attending the schools of
Martin’s Ferry in his youth, went into business with his father as book-
keeper, a position he held until January, 1888, when he took the position
of shipping clerk. In 1889 he was elected secretary of the company which he
now efficiently serves. He and wife are members of the German Lutheran church.
He was married December l0, 1872, to Kate Dorsch, of Martin’s Ferry, who died
in 1873, leaving one child, Charles G. In October, 1874, Mr. Helling was
married to Annie Burk, daughter of Frederick Burk, born in the Province of
Wurtemberg, Germany. They have three sons and three daughters, one son having
died.
Page 533.
WILLIAM E. HERVEY, M. D., a successful physician and surgeon of Martin’s
Ferry, was born in Ohio county, W. Va., October 2, 1855. He is a grandson
of William Hervey, one of the early residents of the state of West Virginia,
a farmer by occupation, and an influential citizen. Thomas H. Hervey, son
of the latter, and the father of Dr. Hervey, was born in Ohio county. He
followed farming and stock-raising and was a prosperous and worthy man.
By his marriage in 1851 to Rachel A. Maxwell, he had eight children, all
of whom are living. Dr. Hervey was reared in Ohio county, and was educated
at the West Liberty Normal school, the academy at Cannonsburgh, Penn., and
at the Washington and Jefferson college, where he was graduated. In 1879
he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. T. Carter, of Triadelphia, and
in the following year he entered the medical college of Ohio, at Cincinnati,
where he was graduated in 1882. He opened an office at Martin’s Ferry in
the same year, and has since then been actively engaged in the practice.
He is held in high regard as a physician and as a citizen. The doctor was
married in October, 1886, to Jennie, daughter of John Armstrong, elsewhere
mentioned. They have one child, Margaret A. Dr. Hervey and wife are members
of the Presbyterian church.
Page 534.
JAMES L. HIGGINS was born in Bridgeport, Ohio, April 20th, 1854, of Irish-
American parentage; his father being a native of Ireland, and his mother a
native of Ohio. Mr. Higgins’s early life was passed in the public schools
of Bridgeport. He filled various situations satisfactorily until the year
1881, when an opportunity for entering the grocery trade offered itself,
which he accepted. Having succeeded to the business of Joseph Waterman,
he brought to it the energy and uprightness which had always characterized
him, and which have made him the successful business man that he is. He
has since added to his grocery business by establishing a line of transfer
wagons, which are run in connection with the C. & P. railroad. Mr. Higgins
is an acceptable member of the following secret orders: K. G. E. Washington
castle No. 5, of Bridgeport; Belmont lodge, No, 109, K. of P.; and also the
Knights of Labor and Knights of Maccabees. In politics he is a republican.
In 1885 Mr. Higgins was married to Azelia Rosa, of Wheeling, a communicant
of the Methodist Episcopal church. Two sons, Arthur and Paul, have blessed
their union.
Pages 534-535.
THOMAS HILL – One of the most skillful machinists of Bridgeport is Thomas
Hill. Mr. Hill is an Englishman by birth, having been born in that country,
July 6, 1840, in Dunstairs, Elton township, Lancashire. His parents were
John and Rebecca Hill, also natives of England, John Hill was born in the
year 1817, and his wife 1819. They reared a family of four sons and two
daughters, one of the daughters is now deceased. Thomas Hill, the principal
of this biography, lived in England until he had reached manhood. He learned
the machinist’s trade in his native land. May 24, 1861, he was united in
marriage to Sarah A. Leach, daughter of James and Elizabeth Leach, both
English born. Mr. and Mrs. Hill and one son emigrated to this country July
6, 1863. After their arrival, Mr. Hill worked at his trade in Massachusetts
for three years, then returned to England, but in one year came back to the
United States and took up his residence in Bridgeport, Ohio. Until the
spring of 1870 Mr. Hill was employed in the shops of Spence, Wiley & Gray,
machinists of Martin’s Ferry. At this time he started the shop which he now
occupies. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have had five sons and six daughters, seven of
these children are now living. Mr. Hill is a member of the Masonic order,
Knights of Pythias, and Sons of St. George; he is also an active and influential
communicant of the Presbyterian church, and is very prominent in
M. C. A. work. He is always ready to give of his means and time to any
public improvement, or to aid the needy and afflicted.
Page 535.
STEPHEN HIPKINS, Jr., proprietor of the Novelty Model works, of Martin’s
Ferry, was born in England, July, 1841. His father, who bore the same name,
was a blacksmith by trade, and after coming to this country, followed his
trade for a number of years, being for some time in the employment of the
Ohio Central railroad, and afterward in business for himself. He resided
successively at Philadelphia, Zanesville, Ohio, and Bellaire, living in
the latter place from 1859 for fifteen years. Since then he has resided
upon a farm. He was married in England to Eliza Brown, who survives, and
they had ten children, seven of whom are living. The subject of this sketch
was eight years old when he came to this country, and when about fourteen
years old, became an apprentice in iron working with H. & P. Blandey, of
Zanesville, and after removing to Bellaire, entered the employment of the
Central Ohio railroad, and completed the trade of locomotive machinist.
He served as a foreman with the company until 1861 or 1862, and then was
engaged a year at Zanesville, after which he entered the service of the
Cleveland & Pittsburgh road at the Wellsburg shops. Soon afterward he
removed to Bellaire and established a shop, in connection with which he
made glass molds for the Belmont glass company, an occupation to which
his attention was turned while working for some years with George Barnes,
who was employed in that manner. After working at Wheeling for Hobbs,
Brockunier & Co., he came to Martin’s Ferry, to take charge of the mold
department of the Buckeye Glass works. This position he resigned in 1884
and engaged in a limited way on his own account in the manufacture of
glass molds, with the assistance of his sons. By hard work and per-
severance this business has grown to be the largest of the kind in the
valley outside of Pittsburgh. The reputation of his goods is wide spread,
and they have a ready sale. He is a public-spirited citizen, takes an
active part in municipal affairs, having been a member of the city council,
and now holding the office of president of the water works board, and in
politics he is an earnest republican. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and of the Masonic, Knights of Honor, Odd Fellows, and
A. R. fraternities, having been qualified for membership in the latter
by service in Company I, One Hundred and Seventieth Ohio infantry. Mr.
Hipkins was married in 1862 to Maggie H. Heatherington, of Bellaire, and
they have eight children: Bertie, George, Howard, Emma, Jessie, Laura,
and Frank and Flora, twins.
Pages 535-536.
ROBERT T. HOWELL is the son of one of those old stalwarts whose footsteps
can be traced upon the pages of pioneer history so long as men remain true
to the past, and do not forget the teachings of their fathers. David E.
Howell came to this country from Wales, at the time when the infant
Republic was most in need of true sons. He settled in Bridgeport in its
early days, where he engaged in the wagon and carriage business, afterward
becoming a grocer. He served as justice of the peace of Pease township,
for twenty-eight years, and was postmaster at Bridgeport for eight or nine
years. He married Susan Marders, a native of Mississippi, by whom he had
thirteen children. After a life of usefulness and probity, he died in the
city of his adoption, having lived there for forty-five years. Mrs. Howell
is still living. Robert Howell came into this world November 22, 1841.
After receiving a practical education in the Bridgeport common schools
he became connected with his father in the hardware business, the name
of the firm being D. E. Howell & Son. He continued with his father for
six years, when he sold his interest to him and went into the produce
business, engaging in this for some fifteen years, after which he
entered the insurance and real estate business, which he continues to
the present time. In 1885 Mr. Howell was elected justice of the peace
of Pease Township, which position he still occupies. On May 7, 1867, he
married Rebecca L. Worthington, a daughter of the Rev. N. C. Worthington,
a Methodist minister of Bridgeport, at that time, now located in Muskingum
county, Ohio. Five children have come to bless their lives, all of them
living. W. W. holds a position with the Warfield Grocery company, of
Quincy, Ill.; Charles W., Frank, Maggie and Susie still remain at home.
Mr. Howell is a member of Bridgeport lodge, No. 181, F. & A. M.; Belmont
chapter, No. 141, also of Bridgeport lodge, No. 109, K. of P. He served
his country bravely during her struggle, as a member of Company A, One
Hundred and Seventieth Ohio volunteer infantry Politically, he is a
staunch republican. Mrs. Howell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and a worthy companion of her husband’s life. John C. Kehrer, of
Martin’s Ferry, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany; in 1831, the son of John
Kehrer, who was a gardener and grape raiser, by occupation. He died in 1853,
and his wife 1851. Mr. Kehrer received good educational advantages in
Germany up to his fourteenth year, when he was apprenticed for three years,
to a stone mason. Subsequently he followed his trade in that country two
years, as a journeyman, and then, in 1849, came to the United States. On
landing, he came directly to Wheeling, and followed his trade there until
- He then took a tour through the west, visiting all the large cities,
and on his return, crossed to Martin’s Ferry, and in partnership with
others, purchased a tract of thirty-one acres, upon which he began the
culture of grapes. As soon as the vineyard was producing, they provided
a cellar, and under the firm name of Scheele & Kehrer, began the production
of wine. This was the first wine cellar in the valley, and the qualities
of the soil for wine production was not yet known. The experiment has,
however, under the skillful management of Mr. Kehrer, proved to be an entire
success, and the product of their vineyard finds a ready market in all the
cities of the land. The firm now has about fifteen acres of land devoted
to vineyard, and produces four to five thousand gallons of wine per year.
Mr. Kehrer is recognized as one of the most competent wine producers of
the valley, and as a citizen, he is highly esteemed. He is a member of the
German Lutheran church, has been a Mason since 1856, and is a republican.
He was married in 1851, to Matilda Cook, of Wheeling, and they have had
six children: Jeannette, Albert, Matilda, Emma, Lizzie and Clara, the two
latter being deceased.
Pages 536-537.
JOHN C. KEHRER, of Martin’s Ferry, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany;
in 1831, the son of John Kehrer, who was a gardener and grape raiser,
by occupation. He died in 1853, and his wife 1851. Mr. Kehrer
received good educational advantages in Germany up to his
fourteenth year, when he was apprenticed for three years, to a
stone mason. Subsequently he followed his trade in that country two
years, as a journeyman, and then, in 1849, came to the United States. On
landing, he came directly to Wheeling, and followed his trade there until
- He then took a tour through the west, visiting all the large cities,
and on his return, crossed to Martin’s Ferry, and in partnership with
others, purchased a tract of thirty-one acres, upon which he began the
culture of grapes. As soon as the vineyard was producing, they provided
a cellar, and under the firm name of Scheele & Kehrer, began the production
of wine. This was the first wine cellar in the valley, and the qualities
of the soil for wine production was not yet known. The experiment has,
however, under the skillful management of Mr. Kehrer, proved to be an entire
success, and the product of their vineyard finds a ready market in all the
cities of the land. The firm now has about fifteen acres of land devoted
to vineyard, and produces four to five thousand gallons of wine per year.
Mr. Kehrer is recognized as one of the most competent wine producers of
the valley, and as a citizen, he is highly esteemed. He is a member of the
German Lutheran church, has been a Mason since 1856, and is a republican.
He was married in 1851, to Matilda Cook, of Wheeling, and they have had
six children: Jeannette, Albert, Matilda, Emma, Lizzie and Clara, the two
latter being deceased.
Pages 537-538.
ROBERT KIRKWOOD, the subject of the following sketch, was born near Newark,
Del., in 1756. His ancestors were Scotch, but in the latter part of the
seventeenth century a branch of the family removed to the north of Ireland.
In this Scotch settlement, near Derry, about 1731, lived two brothers,
William and Robert Kirkwood, both born in Ireland. These are the first
names in the connection that have come down to us. William, some ten or
twelve years the senior, died in Ireland, leaving a widow with two
children. Robert, the younger brother, the father of our subject, when
a very young man, concluded to emigrate to America. He set sail about 1732,
with the widow and children of his brother William, and landed in Newcastle,
Del., some time in the year. They soon made their way to a farm two miles
northwest of Newark. Mr. Kirkwood, though in reduced circumstances at the
time of his arrival, by dint of industry and economy became in a few years
the owner of this farm on which he had found his first American home. He
married a Miss McDowell, a member of the Society of Friends. Their family
contained an only son, and he was given his father’s name – Robert. With a
view to his preparation for the Christian ministry he was given a classical
training in the Newark academy. But the commencement of hostilities with
Great Britain aroused the patriotism of the youthful student; he enlisted
in the Delaware regiment commanded by Col. Hazlett, and was made a
lieutenant at the early age of twenty. Kirkwood was with the army of
Washington at New York, participated in the Long Island campaign, and was
in the battles of Princeton, Trenton and Brandywine. After the death of Col.
Hazlett, who fell at Princeton, he was appointed captain, an office in which
he served until the close of the war. It has been asked why a soldier of
Capt. Kirkwood’s merit was never promoted to a higher rank. Suffice it to
say that in the disastrous battle of Camden the Delaware regiment was
reduced from eight to two companies, and required, therefore, no higher
office than a captain. The soldiers who had been under Hazlett’s command
were taken to South Carolina by Gen. Gates in 1780. Capt. Kirkwood bore
an honorable part in the battles of Camden, the Cowpens, Guilford, and
others. “During all that southern campaign,” it has been said, “he was the
first in the British lines, and also in their works. Nine of the enemy’s
fortifications were successively taken, and in them our hero was always
the first to place a foot. For his great services he repeatedly received
thanks from Generals Greene, Morgan, and Smallwood. His individual
exertions obtained a peculiar renown for what remained of the Delaware
regiment. At the close of the war, Capt. Kirkwood, through the influence
of Washington, was brevetted a major. He returned to his native state,
and was received by his fellow-citizens with distinguished honors. His
friends in Delaware numbered almost the entire population.” Major Kirk-
wood married a Miss England, and their residence was for some time at
Cantwell’s Bridge, now Odessa, Del. About 1788 or ’89, he removed to Ohio,
immediately west of Wheeling, Va. He was said to have been the first
white man to fix his home in that section of what was then the north-
western territory. His house, built chiefly by his own hands, was a log
cabin, covered with bark. He was exposed to the attacks of neighboring
Indians, who, as he soon learned, were designing to make him a captive.
On being informed of their intentions, he secured the assistance of a
few soldiers from Wheeling. Armed with muskets, they awaited the attack,
which was made near midnight. The Indians, finding the door barred, set
fire to the bark roof. At Kirkwood’s order the roof was knocked off with
the butts of their muskets, the assailants, seen by the light of the
burning roof, were fi,red upon and pursued. Several Indians were killed,
the rest fled, and the major with his party escaped unhurt. During the
first years of Washington’s administration great depredations were com-
mitted by the Indians in many parts of the northwest territory. To repel
these savages and afford protection to settlers, an army was raised in
1791 and placed under the command of Gen. St. Clair. In the memorable
defeat of that year (November 4), Kirkwood fell, mortally wounded. All
we know of his last moments is stated by Col. Slough, a fellow officer,
is a letter written thirty. years after the event. He said: “Capt.
Kirkwood had been sick for several days previous to the 4th of November,
but was always ready for duty. At the dawn of day, that morning, after
the advanced guard was attacked and driven in.. I saw him cheering his
men, and by his example, inspiring confidence in all who saw him. When
he received the wound, I cannot say. I was at a distance from him, and
busily engaged in attending to my own duty. About 8 o’clock, I received
a severe wound in my right arm, just above the elbow. As it bled very
much, and our surgeon was in the rear, I was advised to go and have it
dressed. On my way to re-join my company, I found my friend Kirkwood,
lying against the root of a tree, shot through the abdomen, and in great
pain. After calling to the surgeon, and commending him to his care, I saw
no more of him until the retreat was ordered, I then ran to him, and
proposed having him carried off. He said, “No, I am dying; save yourself,
if you can, and leave me to my fate. . . . I see the Indians coming, and
God knows how they will treat me.” Some weeks after the battle, the
ground was visited by American soldiers, to make such disposition as
was possible, of the killed, left on the field. The body of Maj.
Kirkwood was recognized by a pair of Indian moccasins, known to have been
in his possession. Many years afterward, as the present writer was
informed by Hon. John M. Clayton, the people of Delaware would have
given his remains an honorable burial in his native state, but their
identification was no longer possible. Maj. Kirkwood left but two
children, a son, Joseph R., and a daughter, Mary. The latter married
Mr. Whitely, of Delaware. Her son, Robert Kirkwood Whitely, was educated
at West Point, and became a captain in the United States army. The son,
Joseph R. Kirkwood, married Miss Gillespie, a descendant of Rev. George
Gillespie, the first pastor of White Clay Creek, and head of Christiana
churches near Newark, Del. They removed at an early day, to Bridgeport,
Ohio. Their only son died in infancy, so that the name of Kirkwood, in
this branch of the family, is now extinct. The name in another branch is
by no means rare. The numerous descendants of daughters, however, bearing
the names of Alexander, Allen, Large and McConahey, are well-known and
highly respected in the upper Ohio valley.
Page 539.
KOEHNLINE BROS. is one of the very best firms doing business in the
vicinity of Bridgeport. The business was founded by John M. Koehnline,
who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1816. Coming to America in 1838
he located at Bellaire, Ohio; where he carried on a coal and ice business
for four years, shipping coal to the southern markets. Moving to Marshall
county, W. Va., he remained there until 1863, at the expiration of which
time he went to Bridgeport, Ohio, where he died in 1875. While living at
Bellaire he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Klemm, a native of Baden,
Germany. They were the parents of six children, four of them surviving:
Elizabeth, now the wife of N. Zimmer; Henry, William and John. William,
the subject of this sketch, is the junior member of the firm of
Koehnline Bros. He was born April 4, 1858, in Marshall county, W. Va.
After obtaining a good education in the public schools of, Bridgeport,
he worked for his father in the coal and ice trade until the death of
the latter. In 1878 the firm of Koehnline Bros. was formed, and still
exists, doing a very large coal and ice business at Bridgeport. November
17, 1889, he married Miss Rachel Fox, of the same city. Mr. Koehnline is
a prominent member of Belmont lodge, No. 109, K. of. P., of Bridgeport,
and an acceptable member of the Lutheran church. Three different times
this energetic, successful young business man has been honored by an
election to the Bridgeport council, of which he is a member at the
present time. A thorough republican in politics, yet he has always
conducted himself with such uprightness and wisdom that those of all
parties honor and respect him. John, the senior member of the firm, was
born March 14, 1841, in Marshall county, W. Va. He was educated in
Marshall county schools, and has done his share towards making the
reputation of the firm what it is.
Pages 539-540.
AUGUST F. KOEHRSEN, of Martin’s Ferry, a prominent hardware dealer and
roofer, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, August 28, 1864, the son of
Peter F. and Emma (Walters) Koehrsen. His father served seven years as
an apprentice to the trade of cabinetmaker, which he followed in
Denmark until 1865, when he came to the United States. He resided
successively in New York, New Jersey, at Richmond, Va., and then came
to Wheeling, where he resided until 1871, when he made his home at
Martin’s Ferry, where he has since lived, being engaged with the
Buckeye Glass company. By his marriage, which occurred in 1857, he
had seven children, three of whom are living. Their mother died at
Wheeling, February 6, 1871. The subject of this sketch at the age of
sixteen began an apprenticeship of two years with James Clayland, of
Bridgeport, as a roofer, and then worked as a journeyman four years.
In May, 1887, he established a small business at Bridgeport, borrowing
the money with which to buy the necessary tools. He remained there
until January, 1889, when he removed to Martin’s Ferry, where his
business has steadily prospered and increased until he now occupies
the three floors of his business site. Mr. Koehrsen is one of the
most successful young busine5s men of the place, and has the good
will of all. He was married December 24, 1884, to Mary E., daughter
of William E. Freese, deceased, of Terre Haute, Ind., and they have
had two children: Newton S. and Charles O., the latter having died
in infancy. Mrs. Koehrsen is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He is a member of the order of the Golden Eagle.
Page 540.
CHARLES W. KUCKUCK, a prominent merchant of Martin’s Ferry, was born
in Belmont county, Ohio, December 1, 1866. The subject of this
sketch received his early education at Martin’s Ferry, and sub-
sequently attended the business college at Wheeling. Before attending
college he was engaged with the Buckeye & Union Glass Co., as shipping
clerk, and after completing his education he engaged in the hat
business, purchasing the busines then conducted by Mr. Swartz. This
business he has since continued, and enlarged by the addition of
clothing and furnishing goods, and his establishment is now conceded
to be the leading clothing and hat establishment in the city. His
enterprise and sagacity in trade have fairly earned for him a leading
position among the business men of the place, and his public spirit
has made him one of the town’s valued citizens. In 1889 he, in company
with Messrs. Ong and Swartz, began the erection of one of the largest
business blocks in Martin’s Ferry, a part of which is in use as an
opera house. Mr. Kuckuck takes an active part in fraternity matters
and is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Knights of Pythias, the
American Mechanics and Foresters.
Pages 540-541.
JOHN W. LANE, a prominent business man of Martin’s Ferry, was born
near Williamstown, Wood county, W.Va., January 15, 1861. He is the
grandson of Samuel Lane, who settled in Upshur county, W. Va., in
an early day, and engaged in stock-raising, dying in 1886, and the
son of Perry Lane, who was reared as a farmer at the home of his
father, in Upshur county, and is engaged in that calling, in Wood
county, where he settled about 1856. The latter was married about
1860, to Susan Mail, and seven children were born to them, of whom
one is deceased. John W. Lane was educated in the common schools at
his home, and at the commercial college at Parkers- burgh. At seven-
teen he became an apprentice of Cole Bros., plumbers, machinists and
steam fitters, of Parkersburgh, and served four years. He then worked
at his trade one year in the Baltimore & Ohio railroad shops at that
place, after which he was engaged at Wheeling and Pittsburgh until
1,867. In the latter year he established his present business at
Martin’s Ferry, starting in partnership with his brother, O. B. Lane,
who remained a partner until July, 1889, since when the business has
been entirely in the hands of the subject of this sketch. His well-
known skill and talent for business has led to the building up of a
large and lucrative trade. Mr. Lane is a member of the I. O. O. F. and
Knights of Pythias, and in politics is democratic. He was married in
June, 1885, to Mary E. Murray, of Wheeling.
Page 541.
WILLIAM B. LEWIS, manager of the Laughlin Nail mill, of Martin’s Ferry,
was born at Wheeling, W. Va., August, 1842. His father, Thomas E. Lewis,
a native of Monmouthshire, England, was a mill-wright by trade, and on
coming to the United States in 1825, first settled in Baltimore, where
he resided several years. Removing then to Wheeling, he erected the
first two rolling mills at that place, the old Top mill, and the mill
which stood where the Baltimore & Ohio passenger depot now is. In
1850 he took a contract for removing a rolling mill from Cincinnati
to St. Lous, but died in Cincinnati May 11, 1850. He was married in
1838 to Emily Tyson, a native of Fredericksburg, Va., daughter of James
and Mary Tyson, a soldier of the war of 1812. She is still living with
her son. The children born to this marriage were six in number, and
three are now living. The subject of this sketch received his education
in the night schools at Wheeling, and when only seven years old began
work in the Top mill, where he continued until the mill was destroyed
by fire in 1852. He found employment in various mills until he was
twenty-one years old, when he went to Cincinnati, and until 1873 was
manager of the Cincinnati Railway Iron works. At the time of the panic
he went to San Francisco, where he was engaged in rail making two years.
During that period he had partly contracted with the Chinese govern-
ment for the running of a rolling mill in that country, but the death
of his wife compelled him to give up the project. Returning to
Moundsville in 1876 he remained there until 1878, when he entered the
employment of the Laughlin Nail company as a roller. In 1884 he became
a member of the joint stock company which erected the rolling mills at
Brilliant, and he was manager of the forge department of that estab-
lishment until January, 1889, when he accepted his present position
with the Laughlin company. Mr. Lewis is one of the most skillful iron
workers of the country, and as a manager he is very highly valued. In
social and public affairs he takes an active part. He is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church, and of the I. O. O. F. and Knights of
Honor and National Union fraternities, and has served the community
three years as a member of the school board. Mr. Lewis was married
in 1865 to Camilla Carpenter, of Wheeling, who died in 1878. By this
union he had five children, William F., who represents his father’s
interests in a furniture store at East Liverpool; Laura C., deceased;
Thomas E.; Emma, deceased; and John, deceased.
Pages 541-542.
S. LOE, the well-known citizen and grocer of West Wheeling, Ohio,
was born in Old Philadelphia, Penn., February 22, 1832. His parents
were Robert and Catherine Loe, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to
Ohio in 1838, and settled on a farm owned by John Fink, where they
resided for about two years, they then removed to Bellaire and re-
mained there for a short time. Finally taking a farm on Gravel Hill
the father and his six sons operated a farm there for several years.
S. Loe was the recipient of an average common school education,
such as was obtainable to the young of those days. He went to the
“Old Stone Schoolhouse ” just below the present city of West Wheeling,
situated on Whiskey run. After leaving school Mr. Loe became a brick-
layer, having acquired the trade from his elder brother. For several
years the Loe brothers, six of them, followed the brick-layer’s trade
at Wheeling, W. Va. Mr. Loe worked in the Riverside mill for nine
years after abandoning brick-laying, and during all these years he
lost but twenty-four days from his work. In 1883 he embarked in the
grocery business and has since continued in this business, having
met with much success. He is classed among the enterprising citizens
of the place, and can be relied upon to aid any movement promising
benefit to the community. Mr. Loe and Miss Janes Boyles were joined
in marriage in the year 1852 and their union has resulted in the
birth of five sons and three daughters, one son and one daughter
being deceased. Mr. Loe is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
his wife and sons are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Pages 542-543.
CONRAD LONG, of Martin’s Ferry, a successful business man, was born
at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, in April, 1836. Before he was two
years old, his father and mother died, and he was left in the care
of other relatives. At fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to
a tinner, with whom he worked until he was eighteen years old, when
in the year 1854, he came to the United States, in the company of an
uncle and aunt, who settled in Virginia. He came on to Wheeling, and
entered the employment with George W. Johnson, with whom he remained
two years. He then made his home at Martin’s Ferry, in 1856, and for
one year was in the employment of Mr. Dunlevy, whose business he
subsequently purchased. He was one of the first tinners in Martin’s
Ferry, and laid the first tin roof in the town and in eastern Ohio.
His services were consequently in great demand at various neighboring
places, and he built up a large business in tinning, to which he gave
his personal attention until 1884. His business grew rapidly from the
start, and in 1859, he purchased a lot on Washington street, and in
1880 erected a business block on Washington street on the site of
his old shop. To this he added a large store- room in 1887. His
hardware stock has been enlarged until he now has one of the leading
establishments of the kind in the valley, and also carries a large
line of agricultural implements. In 1884 his stock was considerably
damaged by the flood, but he has since repaired his losses. Beginning
as a poor orphan boy in a foreign land his career is one highly
deserving of consideration. Mr. Long is a member of the I. O. O. F.,
lodge and encampment, and in politics is a democrat. He was married
in 1858, to Kate, daughter of Ebenezer Clark, and granddaughter of
Elizabeth Zane. They have six children: Capitola, Charles, Howard,
Louise, Mattie and Elizabeth Z. Mrs. Long is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Page 543.
ALEXANDER LYLE was born in Mercer county, Penn., December 13, 1848, the
son of Alexander and Janette (McCarty) Lyle, natives of Scotland, who
emigrated to the United States in the year 1847, and settled in Mercer
county, Penn., where they lived for several years, subsequently moving
to Ohio. Alexander, Sr., was a contractor on the C. & P. railroad. After
the completion of the road, he was chosen foreman of the river division,
a position he filled for many years. Finally, retiring from railroading,
Mr. Lyle purchased a farm where he resided until his death, February 15,
- Alexander, Jr., attended the common schools of Belmont county
until fifteen years of age, at which time he began working in the
Belmont Rolling mills, and was occupied in this pursuit for twenty
years. After leaving the mills he was employed in various capacities,
but returned to his trade and worked in the mills at Brilliant, Ohio,
for one year. Abandoning the iron mills once more, he established a
grocery business October 12, 1887, purchasing the business from Parks
Loe. January 1, 1873, he took Anna Retta Worls to be his wife. She is
a daughter of Milton Worls. One son and one daughter have been born to
them, named: Harry A. and Anna, respectively. Mr. Lyle is a Mason. Mr.
Lyle has so conducted himself in his business and private life as to
command a large circle of warm friends, and to gain the respect of all.
His business prosperity fully attests his ability and integrity.
Pages 543-544.
WILLIAM B. McCLURE, M. D., a successful physician of Martin’s Ferry,
was born at Pittsburgh, July 4, 1848. He is the grandson of Judge
McClure, one of the pioneer lawyers of Allegheny county, and judge
of its court for a considerable time. This distinguished gentleman
lived to be about one hundred years old, and was hale and hearty at
that age, his death being caused by the breaking of a limb. Alexander
McClure, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born at
Pittsburgh, and was there educated. For a long time he was engaged
in civil engineering, particularly underground surveying for drainage,
but the later years of his life were spent at McKeesport, where he was
engaged in the mercantile business. He died in 1880. His wife was
Margaret, daughter of William B. McClure, a native of Pennsylvania,
and for many years clerk of the court of Allegheny county. He was a
member of the board of commissioners which let the contract for the
building of the second court house of that county, which was burned
several years ago. Alexander McClure and wife had six children, who
are all living. Dr. McClure received his early education at McKeesport,
graduating from the school there in 1868. He then studied medicine
two years with Dr. Hall, of Pittsburgh, after which he practiced
three years as a disciple of the old school of medicine. At the end
of that time he began study under Dr. E. W. Dean, the leading
homeopathist of Braddocksfield, and subsequently engaged in the
practice of homeopathy in Allegheny county. In 1880 he entered the
Pulte medical college, of Cincinnati and graduated in 1882. After
practicing a time in Allegheny county he came to Martin’s Ferry in
1883, where he has since resided. He is one of the leading prac-
titioners in his school of the profession, and has an extensive
clientele. The doctor is active in social and public affairs, is
a member of the Presbyterian church, and of the Knights of Pythias,
the American Mechanics and the Maccabees fraternities, and in
politics is a republican. He was married in 1875, to Rebecca M.
Fleming, of Pittsburgh, and they have three children: Ray F.,
George C. and William A.
Pages 544-545.
JAMES McCUM McCONAHEY came to Bridgeport, Ohio, about 1840, and
was the first resident practitioner of Bridgeport. He came to
Bridgeport immediately after having graduated from the old Miami
medical college of physicians and surgeons. His marriage to
Catherine Steele Kirkwood, took place in May, 1845. The result of
this marriage was five sons and one daughter; two of the sons,
George G. and Robert Kirkwood, and the daughter, Mary M., survive.
Mrs. McConahey was a daughter of Joseph Kirkwood, who was one of
the pioneer characters of Kirkwood. His father was Col. Robert Kirk-
wood, commander of the Delaware troops in the Revolutionary war. He
was killed in action, at the battle in which St. Clair was defeated.
While Dr. McConahey resided in Bridgeport he did more for the ad-
vancement of the town, than almost any other man, and was repeatedly
requested to accept some of the offices of prominence, local and
state, but he preferred to follow his profession. His public spirit
led him to assist in any legitimate enterprise for the good of the
community, but his modesty kept him from accepting any other reward
for his labors than the esteem and good-will of his neighbors. Dr.
McConahey was also very active in religious matters, and was one
of the first to suggest the building of the Presbyterian church,
and he magnanimously mortgaged his own personal effects to secure
money with which to aid in the erection of this edifice. His
property was seized by the sheriff, to satisfy this mortgage, and
he only recovered it by paying a large portion of the church debt.
He was a sufferer from white swelling, from his boyhood, and while
his own pain was great, he never was heard to complain, and was
ever ready to alleviate the suf- ferings of others, to his own
physical detriment. He was one of the founders of the Belmont
County Medical society, and was the co- editor of its journal
for several years. His fame as a physician was not confined to
the town in which he lived, his services being sought by the
sick, allover the county and in the city of Wheeling. His death
occurred June 9, 1870, aged sixty-one, and was a great calamity
to the neighborhood. He left a host of friends and acquaintances,
his funeral being one of the largest ever held in Bridgeport. His
wife died May 30, 1887. George G. McConahey, a native of Kirkwood,
Ohio, born January 6, 1848, was educated in the public schools and
in the Linsley institute, of Wheeling, and was graduated from
Washington and Jefferson college in 1869. After studying law for
one year, circumstances beyond his control compelled him to abandon
this project and he has since been engaged in teaching. At present,
Mr. McConahey is teaching in sub-district No. 12, of Pease township,
Belmont county. Ohio, near Martin’s Ferry, this being his third year.
Margaret E. Payne, daughter of Mahlon and Jane Payne, became his wife
in 1882. Mrs. McConahey was born November 16, 1859. The result of
this union is two daughters: Felicia, born August 9, 1886, and Lucia,
now deceased, born July 12, 1883. Mr. McConahey is undoubtedly a
successful teacher, his record is unstained by any dishonorable or
mean act, either in private or public life.
Page 545.
T. McCUE – A popular liveryman of Martin’s Ferry, Ohio, is G. T. McCUE,
who is a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he was born September
16, 1854, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Gardner) McCue. The father was
born in Jefferson county, Ohio, April 24, 1824, and his wife, in
Tuscarawas county, in April, 1824. Robert McCue’s father was James
McCue, an Irishman by birth, having immigrated to this country. He
was a very prominent man in his day, having been the colonel at the
muster of Jefferson county during the war of 1812, he was also at one
time the wealthiest man in the county. His ultimate financial failure
was caused by the dishonesty of his so-called friends. James McCue
raised a family of ten sons and four dau~hters, five of the children
are still living. Robert McCue now resides near Mt. Pleasant, Ohio,
where he is engaged in the production of fine fruits and berries.
His seven children are living. G. T. McCue, the subject of this
sketch, was educated in the schools of his native town, and also
at Rehobeth, Jefferson county. After leaving school Mr. McCue worked
for a man by the name of James Russell, remaining with him for seven
years or more. August 2, 188o, he took Miss Samantha V. Carter to
wife. She is a daughter of Nelson and Mary Carter, and was born
June 9, 1855. After his marriage he engaged in farming in Jefferson
county. March 8, 1886, Mr. McCue and his brother established a
livery business in Martin’s Ferry, which they conducted until March
10, 1890, at which time he purchased his brother’s interest, and
now operates the business himself. He is noted for his stylish
driving horses, and also for his fairness to all. Mr. and Mrs. McCue
had one child, Jessie H., born May 17, 1887. He is a prominent member
of the I. O. O. F. lodge of Martin’s Ferry, and both he and his
wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
are much respected by the community at large.
Pages 545-546.
DANIEL Z. McSWORDS, of Martin’s Ferry, a well-known retired druggist,
is a representative of one of the early families of this region. He
is the grandson of Archibald McSwords, a native of north Ireland,
who came to America during the Revolutionary war, with British
troops, but as soon as possible, after landing, joined the con-
tinental army, and served in its ranks until independence was
secured. Then coming west, he settled in VirgLnia and was engaged
for several years in the manufacture of Iron at Mooresfield. Sub-
sequently he came to Brooke county, W. Va., and engaged in farming
and stock-raising until his latter years, which were spent with his
son at Martin’s Ferry. He died in 1855. While at Mooresfield, he was
married to a Miss Moore, who died in 1815, the same year of the
birth of their only son, Amon, the father of the subject of this
sketch. Amon McSwords became in youth, a clerk in a dry goods store,
at Wheeling, and several years later, went to Wellsburg, where he
conducted a general store and acquired an interest in the glass
works there. About 1850, he removed to Bridgeport and engaged in
merchandise there, and on Wheeling Island, and several years
later, he embarked in the same business at Martin’s Ferry, in
company with Mr. Cable, in partnership with whom he also conducted
a meat market and a slaughterhouse. Before settling at Bridgeport
he had also been engaged in trading on the river, between Wheeling
and New Orleans. Being greatly interested in the culture of small
fruits, he spent his declining years upon a farm near the Ferry,
and was not engaged in business for some fifteen years, before
his death, April 16, 1874. He was married in 1837, to Indiana,
daughter of Daniel Zane, a relative of the celebrated Elizabeth
Zane, and three children were born to them: Orville C., Alexis A.
and Daniel Z. The subject of this sketch was born September 3, 1840.
He was educated at Martin’s Ferry, and at the West Liberty academy,
and then, in 1847, engaged in the drug trade at Wheeling. Sub-
sequently he removed to Martin’s Ferry and conducted the same
business here until February, 1888, since when he has been retired.
His was one of the leading drug establishments of the place, and
Mr. McSwords was decidedly successful in business. He is regarded
is one of the leading influential men of the town, and is socially
popular. He and wife are members of the Episcopal church, and he is
a member of the Senior Order of American Mechanics, the Maccabees
and Foresters. Mr. McSwords was married in 1883, to Laura Barnhill,
of Bellaire.
Pages 546-547.
WILLIAM MANN, of Martin’s Ferry, a prominent manufacturer, was born at
Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland, October 28, 1845. His parents,
James L. and Elizabeth (Walker) Mann, were both natives of the shire
of Fife, Scotland, and the father was for over twenty-five years
engaged with the Summerlea Iron company of Coatbridge, in the black-
smithing and carpentry department. He brought his family to the
United States in 1876, and was occupied for a short time in farming,
but at present resides at Little Falls. His wife died in 1889. They
had six children, five of whom are now living. The subject of this
sketch received his education at his home in Scotland. He served
an apprenticeship of five years in pattern making in the Summerlea
Iron works, and then took a position in the Atlas foundry and machine
shops, where, after six months’ experience, he was promoted foreman,
a position he held for three years, and until his immigration to
America. Soon after reaching this country, he became engaged with the
firm of D. M. Ford & Co., of Chicago, and soon afterward removed to
Pittsburgh, where, for three years, he held a position with Dixon,
Marshall & Co. Coming to Martin’s Ferry in about 1874, he entered the
employment of Culperston, Wiley & Co., as pattern maker, and remained
with that house until 1879, when he leased the works, and embarked
in business on his own account. Subsequently he became the sole owner
of the works, now the largest foundry and machine shop in Martin’s
Ferry. Besides this important property, Mr. Mann is a stockholder in
other larger manufactories and is widely known as a successful and
prosperous business man. His success in life is owing to his own
industry and business skill, as he began in this country without
capital. He is a public spirited citizen, and active in social
enterprises. He and wife, whose maiden name was Janet McGilvray,
are active members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a
republican.
Page 547.
EBENEZER MARTIN, founder of Martin’s Ferry, born November 9, 1791,
on what is now the site of the Benwood blast furnace, died January
15, 1876, was one of the most widely known pioneers of eastern Ohio.
He was the son of Absalom Martin, a native of New Jersey, who
assisted in the earliest government surveys of Ohio, and received
therefor a grant of 640 acres near the site of Martin’s Ferry, on
the west side of the river. During the war of the revolution he had
been a gallant soldier, and he held the rank of captain. He settled
upon his grant in the latter part of the last century and died there
in 1800. In 1789 he was married to Catherine, daughter of Ebenezer
Zane, and they had two children, a daughter, who died young, and
Ebenezer, the subject of this sketch. The spirit of the latter may
be judged by the fact that he traveled on horseback from his Ohio
home to Princeton, N. J., to obtain an education. On his return home
he took charge of the farm and continued to manage it during the
remainder of his life, and after his father’s death also conducted
the ferry which the elder Martin established over the Ohio river,
and retained control of this until 1840, when he sold it to Hugh
Nichols. In 1835 he layed out the town which was known until recent
years as Martinsville, but now as Martin’s Ferry. He devoted his
life to the care of his property, and devoted considerable time to
fruit raising, having one of the best orchards in the valley. To
this, such was his charity and kindness, all poor people had
free access. His faith in human nature was imposed upon by many
dishonest rogues, and most of his property had passed out of his
hands before his death. His good deeds were beyond number, and
all mourned his death. His religious affiliation was with the
Methodist church, to which he gave a lot when he platted the
town, and in politics he was a whig and afterward a republican.
Mr. Martin was first married in 1809, to Hannah McLaughlin, a
daughter of Elizabeth Zane, and by this union he had nine children,
of whom one survives: Catherine E. In 1837, his first wife having
died, he married Minerva, daughter of Isaac Zane, and they had ten
children: Isaac, Rebecca V., wife of Mr. Van Pelt, of Lansing, Mich.;
Ebenezer, of Lake Harbor, Mich.; Edith M., deceased; Leonidas, of
Lake Harbor, Mich.; Antoinette, of the same place; Annie M., wife
of William H. Wood; Lucian B., of Fostoria, Ohio, and two who died
in infancy. Three of the sons by the first marriage were soldiers
in the war of the rebellion. Absalom died in a hospital at St.
Louis; John M., a transport pilot, and Ephraim, who died from
disease contracted in the service. Ebenezer, Jr., also served
in the First Virginia regiment.
Pages 547-548.
JOHN P. MAYWOOD, manager of the Hotel Maywood, of Martin’s Ferry,
was born in Philadelphia, May 30, 1832, the son of William and
Dorcas (Paul) Maywood, both natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather,
William Maywood, a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, came to America
previous to the revolution and settled at Philadelphia. He was a soldier
of the war of 1812. William Maywood, born at Philadelphia about 1785,
was a bricklayer by trade, and was extensively engaged in contracting
in that and other cities. He also served in the war of 1812, and died
while engaged in building at Pittsburgh, in 1832. His wife died in 1839.
Of their four children, three are now living. The subject of this sketch
received his education at Philadelphia, and then served an apprenticeship
of five years in carpentry, a trade which he followed until recent years.
At the outbreak of the rebellion he was one of the first to enlist in
Baker’s regiment, which afterward became the Seventy-first Pennsylvania,
and he served while with the army of the Potomac, in all its battles
until the battle of Antietam, when he was wounded in the hip, and dis-
charged from active service. Afterward re-enlisting as a carpenter he
was promoted to overseer and aided in the construction of all the bridges
between Nashville and Atlanta. Returning home after the close of the war
he followed his trade until 1888, when he took charge of the old Hanover
hotel at Martin’s Ferry, the name of which he changed to Hotel Maywood.
This he has made an inviting and well-kept establishment. Mr. Maywood was
married in 1862, to Caroline, daughter of Joseph Kim, a well known pioneer.
She died in 1871, leaving three children: Joseph J., Jennie F. and Maggie
She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. In 1874 he
married Rebecca Woler, his present wife. Mr. Maywood is a member of
the Presbyterian church, and of the Masonic fraternity, and the democratic
party.
Pages 548-549.
THOMAS J. MEARS, of Martin’s Ferry, a prominent manufacturer, was born
at Wellsville, Ohio, August 9, 1848. His father, Thomas Mears, a native
of Ireland, came to America in 1836, and settled at Montreal, Canada,
which he left, however, two years later to come to the United States.
His occupation at that time was road contracting, Going to Defiance
in 1839, he secured the contract for digging a part of the Maumee
canal, on which he was occupied two years. He then made his residence
at Wellsville, and graded two miles of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh
railroad from that place to Yellow creek, also graded the road through
Martin’s Ferry. Another of his works was the pike road from Martin’s
Ferry to Mt. Pleasant. He died while working on the contract for
railroad construction through Martin’s Ferry. By his marriage to
Jane Callahan, who survives, he had four children. The subject of
this sketch, after receiving his education at Martin’s Ferry, learned
the cooper’s trade, which he followed about ten years. In 1873 he
started a small factory in company with William Houge, George Watson
and John Bowen; but this enterprise was short lived. In the following
January he again embarked in the business in company with D. Park, on
the site of the works. In 1878 their works were destroyed by fire,
but immediately rebuilt. On the death of Mr. Park in 1881, Mr. Mears
became sole proprietor, at which he still remains. His establishment
is the most extensive manufactory of casks, barrels, kegs and boxes
in the upper Ohio valley, and its prosperous development is the most
eloquent commentary upon the business ability of its founder. Mr.
Mears has still other important interests, being one of the organizers
of the Northwood Glass works, and a director of the same, a stockholder
in the Crystal Glass works of Bridgeport, also in the Junction Iron
works at Mingo Junction, the Elson Glass works, and he manages a
factory at Bellaire in connection with his factory at this place,
and owns a general store on Washington street. His investments at
Martin’s Ferry are many and important, and he is regarded as one of
the notable and influential men of the place. He has taken no active
part in politics, though he has served upon the council and as
township clerk. He is a member of the Catholic church of Wheeling.
Mr. Mears was married in 1882 to Emma, daughter of William Watson,
of this place, and they have four children: Emma, Jane P., Inez A.
and Lucy B.
Page 549.
SAMUEL MILLIGAN is one of ten children born to George and Mary
(Pasters) Milligan, his birth occurring October 3, 1829, on Short
creek, Jefferson Co., Ohio. George Milligan was born in Ireland.
Emigrating to the United States at an early date, he settled in
Jefferson county, where he raised his family of four sons and six
daughters, three of the sons and four daughters survive. Samuel
Milligan attended the common schools of Jefferson county, and at
the age of eighteen years entered the butcher trade at Warrenton,
Ohio. Mr Milligan moved from Warrenton to Martin’s Ferry, where
he entered the meat business, but subsequently was engaged in
boating on the Ohio river, continuing in this occupation until
1853, when he returned to Martin’s Ferry and again embarked in
the meat business, which he still conducts. His marriage to Mary
Allender took place in July, 1853, shortly after his return to
this city. Mrs. Milligan’s parents were Robert and Margaret
Allender. Mr. and Mrs. Milligan have been blessed by the birth
of five sons and seven daughters, seven of these children are
still living, forming a very happy home. Mr. Milligan is a member
of the Martin’s Ferry lodge of the I. O. O. F., and is held in
high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact. His business
is one of the largest of the kind in the city, and has been made
so only by the honesty of its owner and by his business ability.
Pages 549-550.
MATTHEW C. MITCHELL, ex-mayor of Martin’s Ferry, was born near
Mt. Pleasant, Belmont county, July 22, 1840. Of that county
Thomas Mitchell, his grandfather, was one of the early settlers,
purchasing at an early day a large tract of land at Scotch Ridge,
from the government, and farming there until his death, about
- John P. Mitchell, a son of the latter, was born in 1802,
and was reared upon the farm, where he lived and engaged in
agriculture until 1873, when he died. By his wife, Mary M.
Theaker, to whom he was married in 1839, and who is still
living, he had five children, two of whom are living, besides
the subject of this sketch. The la,tter, after attending the
common schools, entered successively Haysville and Oberlin
colleges, and after completing his studies there he accepted a
position in the United States patent office, under the commis-
sioner, Thomas L. Theaker, his mother’s brother. He remained
there until 1869, and then returned home to take charge of the
home farm. In 1876 he removed to Martin’s Ferry, and embarked in
the grocery business in which he was successfully engaged until
- Having taken an active part in municipal affairs, and being
a public-spirited and popular citizen, he was elected in 1878 to
the offices of justice of the peace and mayor. The former office
he held six years. The mayor’s office he has occupied ever since,
excepting two years in which he was compelled to give his attention
to his private affairs. During this period he acted as assistant
manager of the stove foundry, of which he was one of the directors.
At the end of that time he was again elected mayor. Mr. Mitchell
is a leader in the republican party, and was one of the delegates
to its last state convention. In 1889, he served as chairman of the
senatorial convention of Belmont and Harrison counties. At the
centennial exposition at Columbus he represented Belmont county as
commissioner. He is prominent in several fraternal organizations,
being a Knight Templar in the Masonic order, and a member of the
Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. He and wife are members of
the Presbyterian church. Mr. Mitchell was married September 20,
1877, to Mary E. Kennon, granddaughter of Judge William Kennon,
and daughter of Ellis Kennon. By this union he has five children:
Kennon, Ellen S., Mary T., Sarah B., and Ruth M. He tendered
his resignation as mayor, to take effect March 31, 1890, to accept
the position of postmaster to which he was appointed by the
president, March 7, 1890.
Pages 550-551.
ROCKWELL B. MITCHELL, the present mayor of Bridgeport, was born in
Bridgeport, Ohio, January 6, 1857. His early youth was spent in the
public schools of Bridgeport, and also at the Cannonsburg academy,
at Cannonsburg, Ohio. After leaving school he worked on a farm some
time. Nothing suiting him better than the useful occupation of a
farmer, he has always been connected with farming more or less, Mr.
Mitchell has figured prominently in the politics of his section,
having been elected to fill the responsible position of township
treasurer, and serving two terms as corporation treasurer of Bridge-
port, also two terms as assessor. In. the spring of 1888, the
democratic party nominated him for mayor of his native city. The
good esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen was attested
by his election. He is a member of the Belmont lodge No. 109, K.
of P., also Golden Eagles, Washington Castle No. 5, American Mechanics,
and Knights of the Maccabees. His father, Vincent Mitchell, was also
a very prominent man in his time. He was a native of York, Penn., as
was also his first wife, Nancy. Both of them were of Scotch-Irish
descent. Vincent Mitchell received a very liberal education. After
leaving school he worked upon a farm until he accepted a situation
with his brother as a clerk in the latter’s general merchandise
store, in which capacity he continued until he purchased the
business. He carried on the business for some twenty-five years,
at the expiration of which time he sold out his store and moved
to Bridgeport, Ohio. Here he, with others, built and started a
foundry undes the firm name of Thacker, Mitchell & Co. The business
was continued for four years. His first wife having died he married
Miss Susanna Hogg, by whom he had three children, all of whom are
living: Miriam, Jennie and John T. Mrs. Mitchell died in 1840.
Ten years later, on March 14, he was again married, this time to
Josephine Kirkwood, a daughter of Joseph Kirkwood, who was one of
the founders of Bridgeport, at which place he settled at a very
early date. He was a son of Robert Kirkwood, of Revolutionary fame,
having served with great distinction under General George Washington.
When Joseph Kirkwood came to Bridgeport, then Canton, he owned and
operated a farm on the tract of land which is now known as Kirkwood.
He continued as a farmer until his death, which occurred in 1856.
His wife was the daughter of Rev. George Gillespie, the famous
Scotch divine, who was sent to England by parliament. Ten children
were born to Margaret and Joseph Kirkwood, four of them are still
living: Capt. R. Kirkwood was killed in the battle at which St.
Clair was defeated; Sarah E., who married Joseph Large; Elizabeth,
the widow of William Kennon, Jr., at one time a prominent attorney
of St. Clairsville; Margaret, who married Rev. James Alexander,
of the Presbyterian church, then stationed at Martin’s Ferry, and
Josephine, the wife of Vincent Mitchell, who is now deceased. Eight
children blessed the marriage of Vincent Mitchell and Josephine
Kirkwood, seven of these are living: Margaret G., the wife of Shields
McCurdy, a Methodist minister now living at Crafton, Penn.;
William, Harriet L., Emma and Euna, twins, Walter, and Rockwell B.,
the present mayor of Bridgeport. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are active
members of the Presbyterian church, and raised their large family
of children in that faith. Seldom is a family seen that has kept
its record cleaner than has this’ branch of the Mitchell family.
Pages 551-552.
JOSEPH B. MONTGOMERY, one of the leading business men of Martin’s Ferry,
was born at Benwood, W. Va., in 1844; of that part of the county, his
grandfather, Thomas Montgomery, a native of Ireland, was one of the
early settlers. He made his home first at Sheppardstown, Va., but
afterward removed to Marshall county, where he lived the remainder of
his life. He was a farmer by occupation. His son, William Montgomery,
the father of Joseph B., was born near Sheppardstown, in 1815. His life
has been devoted to farming, an occupation in which he has been quite
successful. He is still living at Wheeling. About 1859 he was married
to Elizabeth Blakemore, who died in 1888, and they had ten children,
two of whom are deceased. The subject of this sketch was educated at
Wheeling, where his parents removed when he was ‘six months old. Until
he was twenty-three years, he was occupied as a cooper, and he then
engaged in farming, which he followed until 1884, when he came to
Martin’s Ferry, and erected the first business house in that part of
the city, known as the orchard.” Here he began, on a small scale, a
grocery and provision store, out of which his enterprise and talent
for business has developed one of the most successful retail establish-
ments of the city. Since coming to the city he has thorouhhly identified
himself with its affairs, and he is regarded as one of its most valuable
citizens. He has particularly devoted himself, and with much success,
to the advancement of that part of the city in which he is located. In
1887, he was elected to the board of education from the Third ward,
and through his efforts the new school-house was located in that ward.
In 1888 he was elected to the city council from the same ward. In
politics he is a republican. He is a member of the Methodist church,
and of the I. O. O. F. In 1864 Mr. Montgomery enlisted in Company I,
Fifth Ohio cavalry, and served until the close of the war, under
Kilpatrick, in Sherman’s march to the sea. Mr. Montgomery was married
in 1867 to Elizabeth Caswell, of Wheeling, and they have two children,
Robert C. and Howard D.
Page 552.
HARRY NORTHWOOD, general superintendent and manager of the Northwood
Glass works of Martin’s Ferry, was born in Staffordshire, England,
in 1860. He is one of nine children of John Northwood, of Wordsley,
Staffordshire, one of the leading glass manufacturers of England,
and one of those who, in 1870, produced the work which received the
grand prize of the Legion of Honor. He is a very skillful and
artistic glass carver, and at one time produced a vase which was
valued at $25,000, and was sold to Tiffany & Co., New York. The subject
of this sketch, at the age of fourteen years, entered the glass factory
as an apprentice and served seven years in that capacity. He then came
to the United States, on a venture, hardly expecting to remain, but
coming on to Wheeling, he entered the employment of the Hobbs Glass
company as manager of the etching department, a position he held for
eighteen months. He then held the position of designer for the La Belle
Glass works, of Bridgeport, until the flood of 1884, when he went to
Phillipsburg, and for a year was engaged with the Phoenix company. The
La Belle works by that time were again in operation, and he accepted
the general management of the same, filling that place until the
establishment was destroyed by fire in 1887. In December of that year,
in company with Henry Helling, Henry Floto, William Mears and Thomas
Mears, he organized the Northwood Glass company, now one of the important
manufacturing corporations of the valley. Possessed of unusual mechanical
skill and knowledge, as well as tact as a manager, Mr. Northwood has
already, though comparatively young, achieved notable success in life.
He is active and enterprising in social affairs, and public spirited,
and is one of the lessees of the opera house, a favorite institution
of the place. He is a member of the Episcopal church, the Masonic
fraternity and Knights of Pythias, and is a republican. He was married,
in 1882, to Clara E. Beaumont, of England, and th~y have two children:
Clarence and Mabel.
Pages 552-553.
ALBERT R. ONG, M. D., physician and druggist, of Martin’s Ferry, was
born in Jefferson county, Ohio, near Smithfield, October 9, 1847.
He is a descendant of one of the oldest and best known families of
Jefferson county. His father, Moses Ong, was born in that county
December 20, 1810, and in 1831 was married to Anna Cain, by whom he
had fourteen children, ten of whom, besides the subject of this
sketch, survive. The mother died in 1874, but the father, whose life
has successfully been devoted to farming and stock-raising, is still
living, aged seventy-nine years. Dr. Ong received his early schooling
in Jefferson county, and subsequently entered Allegheny college, at
Meadville, Penn., where he was graduated in 1872. Soon afterward he
was called to the chair of mathematics and astronomy and the vice-
residency of Richmond college, Jefferson county, a position he held
for three years. Then determining to adopt the profession of medicine,
he pursued the study under Dr. Clancy, of Smithfield, with whom he
remained three years. In 1875-6 he attended the Ohio medical college,
of Cincinnati, and in 1876-7 he attended at the Columbus medical
college, where he was graduated in 1877. In the same year he began
the practice at Smithfield, but in the following year removed to
Martin’s Ferry, and here purchased a small stock of drugs and opened
on a limited scale a drug store which he has developed into one of the
finest establishments of the kind in this region. Abandoning his
practice during the past few years, he has devoted his efforts entirely
to business, in which field his talent for affairs has made him
eminently successful. As a citizen he is highly popular. An evidence
of his public spirit is the opera house block, the finest building of
the city, erected by him and Messrs. Swartz and Kuckuck. He has served
as a member of the pension examining board since removing here. Dr.
Ong was married April 9, 1884, to Catherine Anderson, of Martin’s Ferry,
and they have one child, Frances H. Mrs. Ong is a member of the
Presbyterian church. The doctor is a member of the Society of Friends,
and of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities.
Pages 553-554.
CAPT. WILLIAM H. ORR, of Martin’s Ferry, was born near Abingdon, Washington
Co., Va., 1815, the son of William and Mary Orr. HIs father came to this
land from Ireland, his native country, about 1770, with his parents, and
settled in Virginia, where he farmed until the outbreak of the
Revolutionary war, when he enlisted in the continental army and served
until independence was achieved. He died about 1820. Three children were
born to him, of whom William H. is probably the only survivor. Capt. Orr
was reared upon the farm of his parents, and at seventeen years of age
began an apprenticeship at carrrage making, which lasted six years, after
which he followed the trade as a journeyman for a considerable period,
also engaging in stock dealing, traveling over the greater part of the
south. He removed to Wheeling in 1848, but soon crossed to Martin’s Ferry
and found employment in his trade with Wells Brothers, wagon builders.
Two years later he entered the employment of Hoyle & Griffith, man-
ufacturers of threshing machines, and when Mr. Hoyle established a
separate business, he went with him and held the position of foreman
over seventeen years. At the outbreak of the rebellion Capt. Orr, though
he had been reared in a slave state, promptly espoused the cause of the
Union, and was the first man at Martin’s Ferry to open a recruiting
station for three-year enlistments. He signed the roll September 2,
1861, the first on the list, and soon had forty men for the First
Virginia regiment, who were organized in Company C, with him as first
lieutenant. At his first battle, at Winchester, under Gen. Shields, he
was severely wounded, his shin bone being split by a bullet. In the
spring of 1862, Capt. Millhouse was captured, and Lieut. Orr succeeded
to the command, and served as captain until his discharge in 1864, at
expiration of period of enlistment. The record made by Capt. Orr as a
patriot and soldier, is one highly deserving of commemoration. On his
return to Martin’s Ferry, he resumed his position with Mr. Hoyle for one
year, and in 1866 he was appointed United States inspector and gauger of
spirits, a position he held for two years. Being elected mayor of Martin’s
Ferry in 1868, he served two years, and at the expiration of that time
established a bakery, which he conducted until he was wrecked by the
great flood of 1884. Since then he has been engaged in the real estate
and insurance business. He also acts as health officer of the city,
managing trustee of the cemetery, as which he was elected in 1889, and
is secretary of the Ohio State Saving and Loan company. He has lived a
life characterized by industry, patriotic devotion and public spirit,
and is highly esteemed by all. The religious and other organizations
with which he is affiliated, are the Methodist Episcopal church, the
A. R. and D. of R., and the republican party. He was married in
1852 to Jane A. Waters, and they have had three children: Alice W.,
Eva J., and Marian, now deceased.
Pages 554-555.
DAVID PARK, one of the pioneer merchants of Martin’s Ferry, was born
in county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1815, and is the only survivor of ten
children of Robert and Margaret (Reynolds) Park. The father, a farmer
by occupation, died in 1862, and the mother died in 1828. The subject
of this sketch received a limited education in Ireland, and assisted
his father on the farm until he was about eighteen years old, when he
spent two years as a clerk in a store. In 1838 he came to the United
States and settled at Pittsburgh, where he began as help in a whole-
sale grocery house, working his way up to a position in the office.
After working there four years he was assisted by a member of his
firm to establish a small store at Martin’s Ferry in 1842. He started
on a lot now owned by Conrad Long, and continued to do business on
Washington street until 1881. His business gradually increased, and
his devotion to trade, and talent for the occupation, enabled him to
become one of the leading grocers of the city. He took an active
interest in public affairs also, and for thirteen years served the
township as treasurer, and for nine years was a valued member of the
school board, serving at the time the old Union school was established.
He has also served on the city council. Though never an active politician,
he has been a steadfast member of the democratic party. For some time
he has been retired from business, and as one of the oldest citizens of
the town, is resting from an active and prosperous career. He was married
in 1838, a few months before immigrating, to Eliza McIvor, of county
Tyrone, by whom he had ten children: Sarah P., Eliza, wife of Rev.
Barnatz, lately of Wheeling; John R;, David, William H., Ross, Mary M.,
Fred J., secretary of the North Wheeling Glass works, and two who
died in infancy. Mr. and.Mrs. Park are members of the Presbyterian church.
Page 555.
OLIVER C. PARKER, a well-known citizen of Martin’s Ferry, was born in
Pease township, Belmont county, March 24, 1829. His father, Joseph
Parker, one of the early settlers of eastern Ohio, was a native of
North Carolina, and a son of Jacob Parker, who was born in the same
state, and passed his life there. Joseph Parker was a farmer by
occupation, and in 1805, crossed the Ohio and settled in Jefferson
county, near Harrisville, whence he removed several years later
and settled near Martin’s Ferry, where he lived the remainder of his
days, dying in 1855, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was
married October 21, 1801, to Mary, daughter of James Judkins, of North
Carolina, and by this union, had ten chlldren, of whom but two are now
living. His wife died in 1871, at the age of eighty-four years. The
subject of this paragraph, received his boyhood education in the then
limited schools of Pease township, and then engaged in farming, which
he carried on successfully, until he was compelled by a sunstroke,
received in 1872, to retire from active.affairs. He was one of the
most enterprising and thorough farmers of the county, and is now a
prosperous and highly esteemed citizen. During the term of four years,
he served the people of the township acceptably as trustee. In politics
he is a republican. Mr. Parker was married in 1864, to Martha J. Van
Pelt, who died in 1877, and in 1879, he re-married, his bride being
Mary K., daughter of Dr. S. B. West, elsewhere mentioned. She is a
member of the Presbyterian church. To this marriage there is one child,
Simon W.
Pages 555-556.
RHODES FAMILY – Perhaps no family has figured more prominently in the
settlement and growth of the upper Ohio valley, than the RHODES family.
Among the most worthy and noted citizens of Bridgport, the decendants
of this family take rank. In about 1800, Moses Rhodes moved from
Virginia, to Canton, Ohio, now Bridgeport, with his aged father. Moses
Rhodes was born near Morefield, Va., in 1784, and died in. Bridgeport
in 1871. While living here he married Nancy Martin, the daughter of
Col. Martin, who was one of the most prominent, as well as one of the
wealthiest men of what was then Virginia, now West Virginia. He was a
public man, and was a member of the Virginia senate at the time of his
death. Nancy, his daughter, was left an orphan at the age of twelve
years and was taken into the family of her guardian, Presley Martin,
who was a half-brother of her father, Col. Martin. Presley Martin was
also a noted politician and citizen of the vicinity In which he lived,
his home being at New Martinsville, which town he laid out and which
was named in his honor. Nancy Rhodes died in her seventy-third year.
Moses Rhodes was among the first to open a tavern in the upper Ohio
valley, having established one in what is now Bridgeport, at a very
early date. He also owned a ferry, and a boat yard, and speculated in
produce, which he bought for the New Orleans market and carried down
the river on a flatboat. Several times he made this, then, perilous
trip, walking back the entire distance to Bridgeport, carrying his
silver-money on his back in a sack. The return route lay through the
territory of the Chickasaw and Chocktaw Indian nations in the states
of Mississippi and Tennessee. The sturdy pioneer on two different
occasions sailed from New Orleans to New York, returning on foot to
Bridgeport. Later, he erected the Rhodes block, and two warehouses
in that town, and for years conducted a large grain and produce
business, also running a lumber yard at the same time. In 1852 he
retired from active business with an ample fortune, owning consider-
able real estate in Bridgeport and vicinity, and thereafter lived a
quiet and retired life until his death. In politics he was an old
line whig, and always took a decided interest in public affairs.
Although the Rhodes family were originally Quakers, he became an
acceptable member of the Presbyterian church, in which faith he died.
His estimable wife was a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal
church. This happy marriage was blessed by seven children, three
of whom are living. Martin died in 1828; Elizabeth P. and Caroline
S., the wife of Christian Ogleby, died in 1875. Lucinda, is the
widow of Luther l-farrah, a me~ber. of one of the first families
of Belmont county; Charles, who died In 1865, and Mary, now the
wife of William Thomas, of Pultney township, Belmont county, and
Elizabeth, who married William B. Kern of Middlebourne. W. Va.,
she died in 1861. It was of such stock that Ebenezer Rhodes, the
principal of this biographical sketch, came. He was born in
Bridgeport, June 26, 1818, and has since resided there. It has
been his privilege to see the place grow from a mere hamlet to
an important city, throbbing with industry, the seat of several
large iron mills and other manufactories, several of which he has
been active in establishing and maintaining. He received a good
education in the common schools, and afterward in Franklin college
at Athens, Ohio. Early in life he became connected with his father.
In the commission business, and under his wise tutelage laid the
foundation for a practical business education. Upon the retirement
of Moses Rhodes, his father, he and his brother-in-law, Ogleby,
succeeded to the business. Soon afterward they gave up the commission
business and engaged in the wholesale grocery trade. Eight years
later Mr. Ogleby retired from the firm, and Charles Rhodes became
a partner. About four years later, Charles was obliged to dis-
continue business on account of poor health, at which time W. S.
Warfield was taken into partnership. Some time after, Mr. Rhodes
bought Mr. Warfield’s share and took his son Charles into the
firm. In 1875 he turned the business over to his sons, C. M.
and O. T. Rhodes. Several years later Mr. Rhodes obtained an
interest in the Diamond flour mill, which he now owns exclusively.
This mill is one of the most valuable properties in eastern Ohio.
He owns considerable real estate in Bridgeport, and has been
identified with the various improvements in that city and
vicinity, being one of the originators of the First National
bank, and for twenty years its president. He was also for several
years president of the La Belle Glass works, also one of the
builders and directors of the AEtna Iron works. The citizens of
his native town honored him for twenty years by making him a
member of their school board, two years of which he was its
president. Mr. Rhodes was one of the directors of the Tuscarawas
Valley railroad from the beginning to its completion. On August
3, 1843, he took Caroline Townsend, of New Brighton, to wife. She
also descended from one of the oldest and most prominent Quaker
families of western Pennsylyania. She was laid to rest September
17, 1888. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes, eight children have been born,
seven of whom survive. He is an active member of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Bridgeport, and no one excels him as a good
and loyal citizen, and an earnest promoter of every good and
moral movement for the improvement of his fellow-men.
Pages 556-557.
CHARLES SEABRIGHT is one of the prominent contractors of Martin’s
Ferry. He handles some very large contracts, and is also a stock-
holder in the Spence, Baggs Company’s stove foundry. Mr. Seabright
was born in Germany, December 5, 1825, and lived there until 1849,
at which time he emigrated to the United States, and settled in the
City of Wheeling, W. Va. There he followed the trade of a stone
mason for two years, and in 1851 came to Martin’s Ferry, and engaged
in contracting. Mr. Seabright has been a contractor ever since, with
the exception of a few months spent in the meat business. June 18,
1850, he espoused Louise Myer, also a native of Germany. Louis,
Charles, William, Emma, Amenia, Louise and Lizzie are the children
of this marriage. The mother died in 1884, leaving a home bereft
of a tender mother and a loving wife. Mr. Seabright is a prominent
member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the K. of P. lodges of
Martin’s Ferry, and is a communicant of the Lutheran church. No man
in the city is more ready to aid any deserving charitable or
municipal enterprise than Charles Seabright. He is a public
spirited, progressive business man and citizen.
Pages 557-558.
HIRAM W. SMITH, vice president of the Commercial bank of Martin’s
Ferry, was born in Washington county, Penn., March 23, 1821. He is
the son of Henry and Barbara (Everly) Smith, who had four children,
of whom Hiram W. is the only survivor. The father was born in
England, and came to the United States at an early day in the
settlement of the Ohio valley, locating in Washington county, Penn.,
which was his home until death, which occurred in 1839, in his
fifty- fourth year. He was in early life a school teacher, but
became one of the pioneers of the coal business on the Monongahela
river, continuing in that trade during the remainder of his life.
The subject of this sketch when but fifteen years of age, having
received a slight education in the public schools, became engaged
in the coal trade with his father and brothers. In 1838 he formed
a partnership with his brothers, Jehu P. and Lewis E., under the
title of Smith & Bros., and they continued in business until the
death of Lewis in 1872, after which Mr. Smith and his surviving
brother kept up the business until 1879, when the latter died,
and Mr. Smith disposed of their steamers and barges and leased
their mines. During a good portion of the time while in the coal
business, Mr. Smith acted as captain and pilot between Pittsburgh
and New Orleans, and gained an extensive knowledge of the lower
river. Having been a director in the First National bank of Bridge-
port, Ohio, from its organization, and acquired some knowledge of
banking, in 1872, in company with James A. Gray, he established
the Commercial bank of Martin’s Ferry, of which he served fifteen
years as cashier before being elected to his present position. In
1886 George H. Smith and James A. Dixon became partners, George H.
Smith was chosen cashier, and Dixon, assistant cashier. Mr. Smith
is one of the leaders in business of the town, popular with all,
and prominent in the various avenues of social activity. For
several years he has served as a member of the town council. He
and wife are active members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Smith
was married in 1844, to Martha, daughter of George Sharpless, who
was one of the first settlers of Belmont county, and by this union
had eight children, six of whom survive. This wife died in 1865,
and in 1867 he was maried to Angeline Lash, and widow of Platoff
McNeely, by whom he has two children: Ernest J. and Howard F.
Page 558.
THOMAS J. SMITH, one of the leading business men of Pease township,
Belmont county, was born in that county in 1824, the son of Col.
James M. Smith, one of the early settlers. Col. Smith was born in
Loudon county, Va., in 1790, the son of Thomas Smith, of English
descent, who served in the war of the revolution. Col. Smith was
a farmer and a cooper by occupation. He served one year in the war
of 1812, and then, in 1813, came to Belmont county, settling within
a mile of Burlington, where he lived upon a farm until his death in
- He held the rank of colonel in the state militia of Ohio. He
was married in 1809, to Mary Berry, who died in 1875, and by this
union had eleven children, four of whom are now living. The subject
of this mention was reared upon the farm of his parents, and became
engaged as a farmer, raising with his brothers, large quantities
of grain, which they disposed of by trading along the river. In
1854 he turned his attention to gardening, which he followed until
1879, when he purchased the stock of goods at Burlington, then
owned by Goodhue Bros. This he added to, and has since conducted
business on a larger scale than before known in the place, meeting
with considerable success, and acquiring a reputation as a skillful
business man. Burlington is one of the oldest trading points on the
river, a store having been established here over sixty years ago.
In 1881 a postoffice was established, known as Don, of which John
Smith was postmaster until July, 1888, since when the subject
of this mention has held the office. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, of the Masonic order, and of the democratic party.
He was married May 23, 1854, to Lucinda Jump, a representative of
one of the pioneer families, and they have had eight children:
Mary E., John J., Emery L., deceased; Amanda J., deceased; Louisa,
Kate E., Theresa L., deceased, and James W.
Pages 558-559.
H. TILTON is a leading citizen of Pease township, Belmont county,
Ohio. Mr. Tilton was born May 8,1846, the son of Joel and Cynthia A.
(Hartzell) Tilton. Joel Tilton was born March 10, 1813, in the state
of Ohio, Jefferson county. Cynthia Hartzell first saw the light in
Somerset county, Penn., November 4, 1811. Joel Tilton’s, father was
Joseph Tilton, who was born near the headwaters of the Buffalo, in
the state of Pennsylvania. His wife, Mary, was also a native of the
same place. Joseph came to Ohio with his parents in 1775, and settled
in Warren township, Jefferson county, Ohio. Here he went to work in
the woods, and by great toil and energy he acquired one of the finest
farms in the county, consisting of 640 acres. He was exposed to all
the hardships incidental to a pioneer life, often after laboring all
day in clearing his land he would be obliged to keep watch at night
for the approach of hostile Indians. The Yorkville coal works are now
situated on this farm. Joseph and Mary Tilton were the parents of
twelve children. The father died at the age of ninety-three years
three months and eleven days. His first permanent residence still
stands as a monument to the enterprise of this man; it is over one
hundred years old. Joel, the youngest child born to these parents,
was raised in Jefferson county, and was educated in the old piopeer
log school-house. His father deeded his brother and himself a part
of the old homestead. In Belmont county, the deed being dated
December 10, 1838, the witnesses being Dr. S. B. West and John Zane.
The instrument was drawn up by John Beazle. He was married to Cynthia
Hartzell, December 21, 1834, and their marriage was blessed by
the birth of five sons and two daughters, named: Noah J., born
May 3, 1836; Mary McKin, now living in Kansas City, was born August
19, 1838; Indiana (Darrah) was born March 10, 1841, now a resident of
Jefferson county; Joseph was born November 2, 1843, lives near Bethany,
Va.; John H., born May 8, 1846; Francis H., born November 28, 1848,
lives near Tiltonsville; George W., born June 25, 1851, he lives on the
farm formerly owned by J. West. The dividing line between Belmont and
Jefferson counties runs through his house, so that he can vote in either
county. Joel Tilton died February 3, 1873. His son, John H., was ap-
pointed administrator of the estate. The wives of Joel, Noah J., and
John H., reside on the Joel Tilton homestead, and the sons, John and
Noah, operate the farm. They raise large crops of grain, and are
prosperous and thorough agriculturists. The family stand very high in
the community.
Pages 559-560.
JOHN M. TODD – One of the early pioneers and physicians of Bridgeport,
Ohio, is Dr. John M. Todd, who was born in Fayette county, Penn., January
26, 1826, son of Samuel P. and Susan (Kerr) Todd, natives of New York
and New Jersey, respectively. The father was one of the early physicians
of Belmont county, Ohio, having practiced at St. Clairsville at a
very early date. Samuel and Susan Todd had eight children born to
them, all of whom are living, six boys and two girls. He died at Union-
town, Penn., May 30, 1846, at the age of forty-four years. Mrs. Todd
died at Claysville, Penn., February 23, 1884, at the age of eighty-six
years. The subject of this sketch received a common school education
which he obtained in the public schools of Washington county, Penn. At
the age of eighteen years he began the study of medicine, but before
he completed the study he entered the Mexican army under Capt. George
McCook, of Steubenville, and shared the fortune of occupation under
Gen. Taylor. After returning he continued his studies under the precep-
torship of R. F. Biddle, of Monongahela City, until he received his
finishing training in the Jefferson medical college, at Philadelphia.
In 18S2 he began the practice of medicine at Holliday’s Cove, Hancock
county, W. Va., remaining here until 1855, when he moved to the county
seat, remaining there for four years, when he left because of the want
of educational advantages. He then moved to New Lisbon, Ohio, where
he remained until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he took the
commission of surgeon in the field regiment, Sixty-fifth Ohio volunteers,
serving until 186S. Having resigned on account of a severe injury
received at Atlanta, Ga., came to Bridgeport and engaged in his
practice and also the drug business, he having continued the practice
until the present time. Dr. Todd has been surgeon of C. & P. R. R., in
which capacity he has served for twenty-three years. He was married
April 17, 1855, to Mary E. Wilson, daughter of Alexander Wilson, of
Monongahela City, Penn., a very prominent citizen of that city. They
are the parents of two children, both daughters, Ida V., who married
Frank P. Zimmer, of one of the prominent families of Wheeling, September
19, 1883, now residing at Omaha, Neb., and Eva May. The family are
members of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Todd is a member of the Branum
post, No. 271, G. A. R. Dr. Todd has acted as postmaster of Bridgeport
for eight years, beginning with Grant’s last term. He is an active
republican in politics.
Page 560.
W. TWEEDY, one of the leading citizens of Martin’s Ferry, Ohio,
was born in Mt. Pleasant township, Jefferson county, Ohio, February
2, 1842. His parents were William and Sarah (Worrel) Tweedy, both
Ohioans. Mr. Tweedy received a common school education in the
Jefferson county schools. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company B,
Fifty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, and for nearly three years he
endured all the hardships and dangers incident to a soldier’s life.
He was mustered out of service in June, 186S, and at once returned
to his home,where he engaged in tilling the soil. Subsequently he
embarked in the livery business at Mt. Pleasant, and continued in
this until the spring of 1890. He then sold his business and came
to Martin’s Ferry, where he now operates a large livery and feed
establishment on Walnut street, between Third and Fourth. He was
married September 20, 1867, to Miss Hannah T. Ong, by whom he has
had three sons and one daughter, they are: William A., Libbie M.,
George W. and an infant yet unnamed. Mrs. Tweedy is the daughter
of Abram and Elizabeth Ong, and was born September 27, 1847. Mr.
Tweedy has met with fair success in his business, and is a man of
strict integrity, and, although a shrewd business man, he is just
to all.
Pages 560-561.
THE HON. DAVID WAGENER, proprietor of the Buckeye Paper mills, was
born in Franklin county, Penn., October 10, 1827. His parents were
John and Elizabeth Wagener, both Pennsylvanians. David Wagener was
reared in Pennsylvania, living there until he had reached the age
of sixteen years. While still living in Pennsylvania, Mr. Wagener
learned the saddle and harness business. Coming to Ohio in 1843 he
worked in the paper mills during the evenings and at the carpenter’s
trade in the day time. In the spring of 1844 he and his brother
came to West Wheeling and built the paper mill now owned and
operated by the subject of this sketch. Mr. Wagener figured very
prominently in the politics of his state, having been elected to
the Ohio state senate in 1877, taking his seat as senator in 1878.
He served for two years, and after two years of retirement, he was
elected a member of the house. His term of office expiring, Mr.
Wagener retired from political life, and has since given his un-
divided attention to his business. He was a prominent stockholder
in the Wheeling Street railways, and was one of the originators of
the Wheeling Hinge factory. Miss Jane Clemens became his wife in
- She is a daughter of Mrs. Ann Clemens. Five children are the
fruit of this union. Mr. Wagener is an influential member of the
Presbyterian church, and one of the most progressive and broad-
minded men in the community. His public and, private career give
evidence of great ability and of strict integrity: As a senator
his vote and influence was invariably cast on the side of morality
and public improvement. As a business man he is regarded with the
utmost confidence by all with whom he comes in contact. A fine
specimen of a true American citizen and representative of the people.
Pages 561-562.
VAN WAGENER, M. D., was born in North Wheeling, May 3, 1853, of
American parentage, his father, David, being a native of Pennsylvania,
and his mother, Jane Clemens, a native of Ohio. Both of the latter
are still living. David Clemens was an early settler of West Wheeling,
where he was engaged in the manufacture of wrapping paper. In his
youth, Dr. Wagener attended the public schools, rounding up his
preparatory education at the Lindsay (Linsley) Institute, afterward
entering the noted old college at Washington, Penn. After leaving
college he went into his father’s paper-mill as a paper maker, which
he continued for two years. As surely as water will find its level,
so surely will the well balanced man find the position best suited
for him to fill; the young man was eminently fitted for the profession
of medicine, both on account of his education and natural abilities,
so he left the mill to take up the study of medicine, which he began
under Dr. W. S. Fischer, of Bridgeport, with whom he remained for
three years. Having received a thorough preparation in his chosen
profession, at the Ohio medical college, from which institution he
graduated, the young medical student attended a course of lectures
at Bellevue hospital, New York, in the years of 1876 and ’77.
Locating in the thriving city of Bridgeport, Dr. Wagener at once
began to build up the enviable reputation and practice which he
now possesses in no small degree. He is at present the county
physician, and also the assistant surgeon of the river division
of the C. & P. railroad. He is an honored member of the Belmont
County Medical society, also of Belmont lodge, No. 109, K. of P.,
of Bridgeport, and of the Charles L. Plinny Lent, No. 140, Knights
of the Maccabees. In 1879, Ada S. Harrah, daughter of Mrs. Lucinda
Harrah, became his wife. Dr. Wagener is a useful, honored citizen
of Bridgeport. The democratic party receives his vote and influence.
Page 562.
HENRY WARWOOD, of Martin’s Ferry, was born in Staffordshire, England,
February 23, 1823, the son of William Warwood, a skillful tool maker
who was employed during his active life in the Brades Steel works,
one of the oldest factories of the kind in England. He died in 1858.
By his marriage to Sarah Harrison, whose death occurred in the same
year as his own, he had nine children, of whom three are deceased.
The subject of this sketch received a limited education during his
childhood in England, going to night school while employed in the
factory where he began work at nine years of age. Coming to the
United States in 1848, he remained at Pittsburgh some time in the
employment of the Lippincotts, but was compelled by failing health
to give up that situation. Then starting a small tool factory at
Brown’s Coal works, he worked there until 1854, when he came to
Martin’s Ferry, and started in the same business on a small scale,
in the block where the post office is now situated, on the site now
occupied by Thorngate’s hardware store. He engaged in the manufacture
of garden rakes and miners’ tools, being among the first to
manufacture rakes in this country. The excellence of his work soon
gave him a widespread reputation, and his business increased until
in 1868 he purchased property on First street and erected a large
factory. He has for some time abandoned the manufacture of garden
rakes, and now produces miners’ tools exclusively, and these are
sold in every part of the United States where mining is carried on.
His coal pick is regarded among miners as the standard of excellence.
He is in all respects a self-made man, and his remarkable success
is wholly due to his talent as a business man, skill as a workman,
and the honesty of his goods. He and wife are members of the
Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a republican. During the
war he was actively engaged in recruiting men for the Union army.
Mr. Warwood was married in 1849 to Mary Bradshaw, a descendant of
John Bradshaw, a distinguished family of England, and they have four
children: William, Sarah J., Maria and Emily H.
Pages 562-563.
SIMON B. WEST, deceased, one of the pioneer physicians of Martin’s
Ferry, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1812, the son of Henry
West, one of the early settlers of that county. Dr. West spent his
early years on the farm, and began the study of medicine, about 1833,
with his brother, Dr. Henry West, then practicing at Bridgeport. He
completed his professional studies at the Ohio medical college, at
Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1836. Coming to Martin’s Ferry
in the same year, he began a practice which he continued in for
exactly fifty years, then retiring, and devoting to rest his
remaining years, which were terminated by death in 1885. He was one
of the most eminent men in his profession in this region, and is
also remembered as one of the most enterprising of the citizens of
Martin’s Ferry, ever ready to aid in enterprises for the advancement
of the material and social interests of the place. He was one of the
directors of the Ohio City Nail company, and interested in various
other projects. Dr. West was married in July, 1838 to Mary Zane Martin,
daughter of Ebenezer Martin, and she died in 1882. Of their eight
children there is but one survivor, the wife of Oliver C. Parker.
Page 563.
BRADY O. WILLIAMS, M. D., a leading physician of Martin’s Ferry, is a
native of West Virginia, born in Wetzel county, November 13, 1847. He
is the son of Francis E. Williams, who was born in West Virginia,
August 18, 1809, whose life was mainly devoted to farming, though
in his earlier life he was occupied in selling produce on the river.
This gentleman, a worthy and highly respected man, died May 18,
- By his marriage, in 1844, to Ann J. O’Neill, also a native of
West Virginia; who died August 29, 1878, he had ten children of whom
five survive besides the subject of this sketch. Dr. Williams in his
childhood attended the schools at his home, New Martinsville, and
afterward studied at Mt. Union college, Ohio. He then spent three years
as a school teacher, during the same time reading medicine with Dr.
H. Cummins, of Wheeling. During the winters of 1871-2 and 1872-3,
he attended medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, at
Philadelphia, where he was graduated in March, 1873. In May of the
same year he opened an office at Martin’s Ferry, where he has since
remained. In the years of practice since elapsed Dr. Williams has
gained an honorable reputation as a skillful physician, abreast with
all the advancement of his profession, and devoted to the interests
of his patients. He has taken a due interest in social and municipal
affairs, is a member of the Presbyterian church, and has served
three years as a member of the school board. The doctor was married
in 1881 to Mary, daughter of Mrs. Caroline V. Grove, of St. Clairsville,
and they have three sons: Brady G., Phil F. and J. Forest.
Pages 563-564.
JOEL WOOD, of Martin’s Ferry, one who has by the promotion of various
important enterprises, rendered this part of the Ohio valley great
service, was born in Smithfield, Ohio, August 22, 1814. He is the
grandson of William Wood, a native of Pennsylvania, who was for
some time a resident of Frederick county, Md., and settled in Jefferson county,
Ohio, about 1810, becoming the first merchant of
Smithfield. About 1815 he engaged in farming, and his death occurred
June 3, 1844. This well-known and worthy pioneer was the father of
eight children, all now deceased. His son, Joel, Sr., the father of
the subject of this sketch, was born in Maryland, and there received
his education. He soon after removed to Ohio and engaged in business.
He died in 1814. By his marriage in 1804, at New Market, Frederick
Co., Md., to Elizabeth Poultney, who died February 8, 1844, he had
five children, all of whom are deceased but the subject of this
sketch. Both parents were members of the Society of Friends. Joel
Wood, the subject of this sketch, spent his early years in Smith-
field, Ohio, receiving such education as the various private schools
afforded, there then being no public schools provided bylaw. During
1829 and 1830 he attended the boarding school of Joseph Gibbons at
Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, and in 1831 and 1832, the school or college of
John Grummerre, at Burlington, N. J. The years following, before
location in Martin’s Ferry were spent in teaching school and in
merchandising in Baltimore, Md. On the 4th day of July, 1837, he
came to Martin’s Ferry and went into the mercantile business. On
the 30th day of August, 1837 he was married to Elizabeth Carr
McGrew, granddaughter of James Carr, first settler and proprietor
of Smithfield, Ohio, in Friends meeting house at Smithfield,
according to the customs of Orthodox Friends, of which society
they were members. About the year 1843 he sold out his mercantile
business and engaged extensively in the nursery and fruit growing
business until 1852, when he became interested in railroad enterprises,
and was appointed right-of-way solicitor for the Cleveland
& Pittsburgh railroad; remained with that road as their representative
in Martin’s Ferry, until 1871. In that year he associated with
himself Joseph Bell and Chester Hubbard, of Wheeling, and several
other gentlemen of Ohio, and organized the Wheeling & Lake Erie
railroad company. Elected as its first president, he served in
that capacity for five years, and afterward as a director for many
years. He was the pioneer of this road, which is now building into
Martin’s Ferry, and it will be a monument to his forethought and
enterprise. Mr. Wood has always been prominently identified with
the material advancement of Martin’s Ferry, being an early advocate
of plank roads and turnpikes. He was also one of the incorporators
and a director, continuously until 1890, of the Wheeling &
Harrisburg railway, subsequently called the Wheeling Bridge &
Terminal railway company. From early life he has taken a deep
interest in the cause of public schools, and in the moral reforms
of the day; especially those of anti-slavery and temperance. Soon
after coming to Martin’s Ferry, he was made a member of the board
of education and inaugurated the first steps which resulted in the
establishment of the union, or free school system, in 1853, and
which position he held for over thirty years. While yet a very
young man his interest was deeply enlisted in freeing the slaves,
and in 1837 he became a member of that hated organization, the
abolitionists, and at once took an active part in the work. He
cast his first vote for James G. Birney. Was made one of the vice
presidents of the Ohio Anti-Slavery society, and was sent as a
delegate from Belmont county, Ohio, to the national convention
held in Buffalo} N. Y., in 1848, where was formed the Free
Soil party, and Martin Van Buren nominated for president. Both
before and after coming to Martin’s Ferry, he was the agent of the
Underground Railroad, and helped many slaves to gain their freedom,
oftentimes at great personal risk. In 1830 he become interested in
the temperance work; took an active part in the Washingtonian movement,
and has been ever since interested in all movements for the
suppression of the liquor traffic. For the past ten years he has
been identified with the prohibition party, and was a delegate to
the national convention held at Indianapolis in May, 1888, which
nominated Clinton B. Fisk for president. Five children were born
to Mr. Wood: George R., Mary C., William H., Oliver Russell and
Lucy J., the first and the last being deceased. Mr. Wood has always
enjoyed the highest standing for honesty and integrity. Although
starting in life with little, he has by strict integrity and
attention to business, accumulated a considerable portion of this
world’s goods.
Page 565
WILLIAM H. WOOD, of Martin’s Ferry, general agent of the Cleveland,
Lorain & Wheeling railroad, was born at Martin’s Ferry, in 1847, the
son of Joel Wood, a notice of whom appears in this chapter. Mr. Wood
received a thorough education, preparing for college at Martin’s Ferry,
and pursuing his collegiate studies at Earlham college, Richmond, Ind.
On his return home he entered the employment of the Cleveland &
Pittsburgh railroad, and was in the service of that company twelve
years. When his father resigned the position of agent at this place,
the subject of this sketch was appointed to the position, which he
held until 1875, when he resigned. He then gave his attention until
1886 to the manufacture of brick, and since the last named year has
held the position of agent for the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling road.
He has spent the greater part of his life as a railroad man, and is
thoroughly informed in all the details of the business. His courtesy
and efficiency render him one of the most popular of railroad
officials. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He is in politics a prohibitionist, and he is affiliated with the
Knights of Honor, National Union and I. P. A. fraternities. Mr. Wood
was married in 1870, to Annie Martin, daughter of Ebenezer Martin,
noticed elsewhere, and to this union four children have been born;
Roy G., Charles M., Alice L. and Archie.