USA > Ohio > Washington County > Belpre > A history of Belpre, Washington County, Ohio > Part 20
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families of Belpre Township who had a leading part in the formation of a State in the wilderness. He selected dentistry as his chosen profession in life and opened an office in Parkersburg, West Virginia where he had a suc- cessful practice for about eighteen years. He gave his ser- vice freely and generously to many deserving children par- ticularly those in the Children's Home of Parkersburg. He resided several years in Belpre Village where he was a pub- lic spirited citizen and gave an earnest support to every enterprise which benefitted the community.
He was married in 1904 to Bernice A. Smith of Belpre to whom two sons were born, John Austin, and Henry Starr.
Dr. Curtis was a charter member of the Belpre Ma- sonic Lodge No. 609, and also a member of Parkersburg Lodge No. 198, B. P. O. Elks. On July 8th, 1919, Dr. Curtis and his son John Austin were instantly killed on a grade crossing at Little Hocking. They were on their way in an automobile to the Curtis farm in Newbury which they frequently visited. As there were no witnesses to the accident it cannot be described. It was a great shock to the whole community and a loud call for better safeguards at our railway grade crossings.
John Austin, eldest son of Herbert S. and Bernice A. Curtis, was born in Parkersburg, May 20, 1906. He was a quiet, lovable boy, a favorite with his companions, a diligent scholar and an omniverous reader. At the time of his death he was a pupil in the Parkersburg Junior High School and gave promise of a bright future career.
OLD ORGAN
December 25th, 1844, "The Ladies Sewing and Educa- tion Society" of the First Congregational Church of Mar- ietta decided that they would devote their energies to the work of raising money to purchase a pipe organ for the church. This gave an impulse to their work for the next three years. In addition to their regular semi-monthly meetings they indulged in suppers, fairs, and concerts. They purchased the organ of Mr. L. P. Bailey of Zanesville, Ohio in 1845, though the last payment was not made until the following year. The amount paid at that time with the
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help of about one hundred dollars donated by the gentlemen is given as follows :
For the organ and all the expense attending it, freight
traveling expenses, organist from Zanesville, etc. $825 Expenses on the church, whitewashing, painting, etc .... 35 For presents, organ blower, etc. 40
$900
This organ gave great satisfaction to the church and congregation and was used for forty-three years or until 1889 when another was purchased. It was thought by the members of the Marietta Church that the organ was still capable of furnishing music which would be helpful in Christian worship and they donated it to the Congregation- al Church of Belpre where it has rendered very acceptable service for nearly thirty years and is still in use.
If not the oldest it certainly is one of the oldest church organs in Southern Ohio and deserves a place in this his- tory.
PRESENT DUTIES
The early history of Belpre embraced a period when individuals and families removed here to establish homes and develop the resources of the land, that they might oc- cupy it as farms; as a result an agricultural community was developed and the tide of emigration continued until the land was cleared of forest trees, fruit orchards planted, and the fields prepared for cultivation. The time neces- sarily came when immigration decreased and a little later emigration commenced. This changing condition is exper- ienced in all farming communities. With a normal in- crease in population, there will soon be more boys and girls than can be employed on the farms, and the growing vil- lages and cities will continually need such young men and women as the farms produce. The introduction of im- proved farm machinery nearly compensates for the increas- ed labor of intense farming. As a result of these facts census reports show that the population in rural communi- ties either remains about stationary or decreases. We know that Belpre was very fortunate in the character of the first settlers who were educated in New England and strengthened in character by the stirring events of our
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Revolutionary struggle. These pioneers were character- ized by intelligence, industry, and morality. While they diligently developed their farms and homes, they were just as faithful and consciencious in establishing schools and churches, by which they so educated their children that when they reached mature years they were prepared to continue the characteristics of their home town whether they remained here or removed to establish homes in other places. Emigration from Belpre commenced only a few de- cades after the first settlement and has not only continued until the present but must continue. In some cases de- scendants of pioneers have continued to occupy the original farms for several generations, some even to the present time. In such cases those who remain represent only a single line of the descendants; in most cases many more have removed to other places. While there may have been an occasional exception, as is likely to be true while the world is so full of temptations, most of these emigrants have been an honor to their families and to their home town. These men and women have disseminated the sterling prin- ciples of the pioneers and of their Belpre homes in hun- dreds of communities in various portions of our country. Almost every branch of business as well as of the various professions are represented by men and women from Belpre It is true of a community as of an individual that none can live for itself alone, and so Belpre not only has perpetuated the industry, intelligence and morality of its founders, this work must continue to be carried on by those now active in the affairs of human life.
It is true we now have an organized village, with a population which is in some measure different from those we usually designate as farmers. Causes are quite likely to arise in the future which will increase the population and employment of the inhabitants of the village, but this, as also the rural districts, must continue to contribute to other communities some of their most valuable products, namely, men and women, and the character of these must depend very largely upon the homes of their childhood and the schools and churches in which they are educated. We some times hear persons complain of the heavy burdens imposed upon them to support schools and churches, if any such shall read these pages we would ask them to consider
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how much the Belpre of today is indebted not only to the characters of the pioneers but also to the institutions they established and sustained. Schools and churches caused even greater sacrifices and self denials then than now.
We, who now enjoy our great privileges, needed the labors and self-denials of our ancestors, and our descend- ants will just as truly need our self-denials and sacrifices. Freely we have received, we should freely and willingly give. As the pioneers of a century ago were laying up treasures for us so we are laying up treasures for these who shall follow us.
It is also true that the relation of Belpre to Parkers- burg should be an inspiration to improve our community. Ohio and West Virginia are not only adjoining States, they are vitally connected with each other. During the early days of the Civil War it was claimed by the advocates of the doctrine of "State rights" that troops from one State had no right to invade the territory of another state, but Governor Dennison of Ohio thought differently, and an- nounced that "He would permit no theory to prevent the de- fense of our State, but we would defend her where it cost least and accomplished most, above all we will defend her beyond rather than on her borders." In May, 1862 loyal citizens of Parkersburg appealed to Governor Dennison to send troops to occupy the town against the approaching Confederates, which appeal was successful and effective. The campaign which won for the Union twenty-four of the Western Counties of Virginia and resulted in the organiza- tion of the separate State of West Virginia was accomplish- ed mainly by the militia of Ohio under the lead of General George B. McClellan who was commissioned by Governor Dennison. During subsequent years Ohio has contributed much to West Virginia. A Governor and two United States Senators were originally Ohio men. West Virginia has also made very valuable contributions to Ohio.
Though Parkersburg and Belpre are in different States they are really separated only by an imaginary line. Their business, social, educational, and religious relations are mutual, and in many respects identical. Many business and professional men in Parkersburg either were Belpre boys or are descendants of Belpre families.
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Most of the marketable products of Belpre farms and gardens either pass into or through Parkersburg. A large portion of the trade and banking business of Belpre is done in Parkersburg, and hundreds of people cross the Bridge every day going to and from their business. When trolley cars run across the bridge, as it is supposed they will soon do, entertainments can be attended by the people of Belpre almost as conveniently as by those of Parkersburg.
It is evident that these two communities have a mutual dependence on each other, which creates a mutual responsi- bility for each others welfare and so it is the duty of the people in each place to make the most possible of their pos- sibilities.
When we consider the improvements which have been made in business, social, family, and individual life, the multiplication of books, periodicals, and libraries, the bet- ter adaptations of our schools and churches to the needs of all classes of people, it certainly is not too much to call upon each individual to aim to be at least a little wiser, a little more useful, and a little better than those who have gone before us.
The world is making progress. This progress will con- tinue and each one of us should feel some responsibility for it. If all the people improve the community as a whole will advance. We therefore counsel every man, woman and child who is permitted to enjoy a good Belpre to aim to be and do something which will help transmit to the next generation a better Belpre.
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INDEX
Adams, N. B., 172 African Methodist Churches, 187
Agricultural Society, Prizes, 105 Alarm at Night, 53
Allen, Mr. "Old Charon", 100
Alston, Governor, 98
Amherst, Rev. Gray, 185
Amusements in Farmers Castle, 48
Ames, Cyrus and Sarah P., 223 Ames, Dr. Frank P., 123, 132, 223 Andre, Mr., 6%
Andrews, Prof. of M. R. 52
Antoinette Marie (Queen), 5
Armstrong, John, Family Mur- dered, 57
Armstrong, William, 229
Armstrong, Mrs. Nancy Porter- field, 171, 228.
Arnold Benedict, 52
Atwater, Caleb, 159
Baldwin, Jonathan, 39, 167 Baltimore & Ohio R. R., 160
Barker, Judge, Notes from, 10
Barkley, Samuel, 101
Bartlette, Harry Gray, 119
Baptist Church at Little Hock- ing, 181
Bancroft, Capt. Edward, 34 Barnes, Dr., 42
Barkley, Governor, 126
Barkley, Mary, 172
Barkley and Downer Tannery, 163
Battelle, Col. Ebenezer, 18, 70, 179.
Battelle, Services conducted by, 40
Bell, James M., 169
Benedict House, 85 Belpre, Origin of Name, 9 Bennett, Joel, 101
Big Bottom Massacre, 18
Blennerhassett Island, 8
Blennerhassett, Harman, 93, 96 Bower, George Howe, 226
Bradford, Maj. Robert, escape from Indians, 29
Biographical Sketch, 78 Brown, Mr. and Mrs., Settlers at Newbury attacked by In- dians and Mrs. Brown and child murdered, 37, 38
Brown, C. A., 172
Brown, L. D., 177 Browning, Miss C. circulates Temperance Pledge, 114
Browning, Miss Abbie 122
Browning, A. H., 162
Browning, A. W., 171
Browning, Parks S., 172
Browning, William, 179
Browning, Frank, Belpre's Martyr, 221 Bull Brothers, 80
Bull, Harlow, attacks Indians 29
Butler, Gen. Richard, 4
Brough, Col. C. H., 111
Burr, Aaron, 93, 95, 97
Buell, Gen., 95
Buell, Timothy Contract for Rations, 102 Burroughs, Jarvis, 101
Burroughs, William, 101
Burgess, Rev. Dyar, 113
Butler, Gen. B. F., 140
Buchanan, Pres. James, 139
Burns, J. J., 175
Burial of the Dead, 189
Byington, Rev. Cyrus, Mission- ary to Choctaws, 230 Byington, Mrs. Sophia Nye, 231
Cass, Hon. Lewis, 203 Canada, French Settlement in 1603, 3 Caldwell, Jas., Ranger, 41
Celeron, French officer, 3 Centennial Church, 186 Chase, Hon. Salmon P., letter from, 129 Choctaw Mission, 230
Chamberlain, L. H., Surveyor 162
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Christopher, Corp. John Ken- neth, Belpre's Martyr, 221, 229 Chillicothe, Indian Town, 50 Chateau Thiery, 215 Clough, Aaron, 80 Clemenceau, M., 216 Confederate State of America, 136, 139 Corwin, Hon. Thomas, letter from, 138
Cook, Pardon, 101
Cook, Johnson, 84
Cook, Charles, 171
Cooper, Lemuel, 101
Congregational Church, organ- ized in 1827, 181
Cox, Prof. E. S., 172
Covert, Way, 1
Cotton, Miss Willia unveils Monument, 200
Colville, Andrew, 111
Collins, John, 169
Crotte, Mrs. Andrew, 200
Cutler, Judge Ephraim, 10'7
Secures Aboilition of Slavery, 87 Diary, 107 etc. Curtis, Capt. Eleaser, 80 Curtis, A. L., 131
Curtis, Horace, 131 Curtis, Judge Walter, 81-186
Cushing, Col. Nathaniel, 64
Cushing, Captain of Silver Grays, 100 Cutler, W. P., 125, 161
Cunningham, Leander, 185 Cunningham, E. E., 185 Curtis, Dr. H. S., 232 Curtis, John A., 233
Dana, Capt. William, 43, 63 Dana, Edward B., 100, 189 Dana, George, 101 Dana, Edmund, 20 Dana, George Jr., 163, 171
Dana, Mrs. Mary B., 32
Dana, Miss Mary W., 114 Dana Canning Co., 163 Davis, Moses, 130 Davis, Jonas, Murdered, 57 Davis, Jefferson, 140
Delano, Cornelius, Ranger, 41
Dennison, Gov. William, 136, 158 Devol, Capt. William, 36, 44, 50
Devol, Capt. Charles 101 Devol, Charles, Account of Famine, 11
Daughters of Rebeckah, 206 Deshler, Mrs. William G., 200 Dilley, Joseph, 101 Dickinson, Mrs. S. W., 228
Dunham, Amos, 176
Dunham, Persis, Murdered by Indians, 37 Duncan Falls, 10
Dunham Township, 6
Emerson, Caleb, 129
Eaton, Hon. John, Commission- er of Education, 175 Ellenwood, Daniel, 184 Ellenwood, Miss Elizabeth, 188
Farmers Castle, 18, 19
Famine in Belpre, 11
Farmers Club Organized, 165
Farson, Joseph, 1
Finch, L. J., 185
Floating Mill, 35 Fleehart, Joshua, 30, 41
Foutz, Mrs. Kate Browning 6
Foster, Peregrene, 82
Ferry Established, 87
Frost, Elam, 101
Free Masons, Early Lodge, 202 Foch, Marshall Ferdinand, 275 Fort Harmar, 48
Galissoneire, Marquis DeLa, 3 Gay, Frederic Wife and Children (slaves), 123 Garner, Daniel, 125
Gibbs, D. S., 133
Gilman, B. I., 60, 67
Gilbert, F. E., 199
Gilbert, Mrs. Lucy E., organized Sunday School, 182
Girls Missionary Society, 188 Glazier, Hon. A. W., 223 Glazier, Potter and Rathbone, 163 Goodale, Maj. Nathan, 20
Goodale, Removes to Garrison, 44
Goodale, Kidnapped, 45
Goodale, Biographical, 74 Goss, Daniel, 112, 121, 185 Goodno, Dr. Charles, 172 Grange, Little Hocking, 208 Green, Griffin, 17, 61, 36, 49
Guilford, Nathan, 169, 170 Guthrie Brothers, 79 Guthrie Erastus, 112 Great Britain, War with, 1812, 99
Haskell, Maj. Jonathan, 67 Harris, Thadius M., 86 Hurris, William L., 140 Hale, Edward Everett, 102 Hall of Mirrors, 216 Harry (a freed slave), 131 Henderson, Josiah, 185 Harwood, Mr., 123 Harwood, George, 124 High School Commencement, 173 Hildreth, Pioneer History, 7 Hoge, James, 169 Honor Roll, Civil War, 144 Honor Roll, European War, 219 Howe, Perly, 79, 121, 179, 181 Howe, Perly and William, 112 Howe, George A., 224 Howe, Mrs. George A., 196 Howe, Miss Persis Putnam, 199 Hubbard, Edna, 172 Hulbert Benoni, Murdered, 30 Hulburt, J. B., 171
Indian Mound on land of Jesse Pride, 1 Indian Mound opened and con- tents described, 1 and 2 Insurance, Mutual, 35 Intelligencer, Marietta, 128
Jefferson, Pres. Thomas, 95, 96, 63, 87 Jackson, Pres. Andrew, 102 James, John, 58 Jamison, Maj. 62 Johnson, C. H., Druggist, 163.
King, Capt. Zebulon, Murdered, 10 Kitt, (Christopher Putnam), 24 Kenawha River, 3 Kerr, George, 41 Kingsbury, Rev. Addison, 181, 113 Kincheloe, Mr., 131 Kilborne, Hon. James, 200 Kissel, Harry, Grand Master Mason, 205 Knights of Maccabees, 206
Knights of Pythias, 207 Knowles, James 81
Lawton, James, 101 Ladies Aid Society, 188 Leaden Plate found at Marietta, 3 Leading Creek, 52
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Lewis, Samuel, 171 Lewis, Perry, 124 Lewis, Frederic and Mary, 185 Leisure, Calvin, 185 Little, Nathaniel, 28 Little Hocking, 4-8
Little Hocking Mill, 17
Little Hocking Bridge, 109 Little Hocking Methodist Church, 183 Little Kenawha, 8 Little, Rev. Jacob, 181 Lincoln, Pres. Abraham, 135, 136 225 Loring, Oliver Rice, 112, 222
Loring, Daniel, 222 Loring, Maj. F. H., 114 Loraine, Creighton, 125
Low Gap, 6
Louis XV of France, 3
Marietta, Origin of Name, 5
Madison, Pres. James, 99
Mason & Dixon's Line, 116
Marietta & Cincinnati, R. R. 161
Marsh, Crandal & Co., Pump Factory, 163 McGee, John, 45
McClellan, Gen. G. B., 236
McComas, Judge, 129
McDowell, Governor of Vir- ginia, 126 Mayo, Daniel, 39, 167
Meeker, Col. Forest, 46
Methodist First Preachers, 163
Methodist, First Class, 183
Methodist Meeting House, built,
184 Methodist Meeting House at Village, 185 McNeal, C. L., 202
McNeal, Mrs. C. L., 202
McGee, Miss Cornelia, 199
Miles, Capt. Benjamin, 29
Miles, Large Cattle Killed, 78
Mexican War, 111
Misner, Absalom, 101
Mixner, Peter, 57 Methodist Meeting house Raised Without Liquor, 213
Mills, John, 161 Miles, Benjamin H., 181
Morse, Nehemiah, 101 Moore, Mrs. Lydia L. 122 Mustapha Island, 5, 131 Murders at Newbury, 37
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Newbury, Lower Settlement, 8 Neils Station, Two Boys Mur- dered, 16 Neal, George, 119 Neal, William, Slave Owner, 131
Newspapers in Belpre, 164 New Orleans, Battle, 102
Nicholson, John, 54 Nigger Run, 131
Northrup, W. W., 172 Nye, Anselm T., 99, 125, 189
Oaks, Joel, Ranger, 41 Odd Fellows Lodge, 205 Odd Fellows Lodge, Colored, 208
Ohio Land Co., 4 O'Neal, Colbert, 185 O'Neal, Joseph, 184 Orton, Edward, 175 Ordinance of 1787, 117
Orr, Rev. J. W., 186 Old Organ, 233
Parkersburg, 129, 124, 142 Parkersburg, Relation to Belpre, 236 Patterson, Benjamin, Ranger, 41 Partridge, Daniel, 123 Peach Brandy, 86 Peacey & Son, Flouring Mill, 163 Pierce, Isaac, Librarian, 176 Phelps, Col. Hugh, 96
Polk, Pres. James K., 111
Pillars, Isaiah, 175 Pomeroy, Rev. Augustus, 181 Potter, Miss Alice K., 200 Porterfield, Congregational Church, 182 Pork Burned, 26 Preston, Mrs. Laura Curtis, 4, etc. Preston, H. S., 133 Pride, Jesse, 1 Providential Escape, 54
Putnam Family Library, 175
Futnam, Col. Israel, 71, 85
Putnam, Aaron Waldo, 28, 72
Putnam, W. B., 101
Putnam, David, 123 Putnam, Douglas, 161
Rations, War of 1812, 102 Red Stone, Young men sent there, 26
Religious Services in Farmers Castle, 40.
Reid, Dr., Dedicated Methodist House of Worship, 185. Red Cross Society, 213 Revolutionary Soldiers buried in Belpre, 191
Rouse, Miss Bathshebah, 39, 167 Robbins, Rev. Samuel P., 163 Robbins, Rev. Thomas, 180
Roberts, Martin, Ship Builder, 163
Rogers, James, Ranger, 28 Ronaine, Rev. 123
Roman Catholic Churches, 188 Rush, Dr. Benjamin, 112
Salt Spring Discovered, 52 Saionj, Baron, 217
Sargeant Winthrop, 74
Scarlet Fever, 38
Schools in Farmers Castle, 39
Seebert, Prof. W. H., 118
Shaw, John L., Escape, 27 Shaw, Mrs. Dora, 173
Shotwell, Titus, 125 Sheep, Introduced in Belpre, 85 Silver Grays, 100
Signing Peace Treaty, 216 Small Pox in Farmers Castle 41 Smith, Joseph, a British Pris- oner, 62 Smith, Joseph, of Vincent, 130 Simrills Ferry, (West Newton, Pa.) 168 Shepherd, John, Ranger, 41 Sowers, Rev. J. E., 185 Snow, John, Grand Master Mason, 204 Spencer, Dr., Raised Cotton, 44 Spies and Rangers, 40 Sproat, Col. 41 Steadman, Capt. Bial, 100
St. Clair, Governor, 75 Straus, W. M., 200 Stones Garrison, 44 Stone, Capt. Jonathan, 73
Stone, Jonathan, 142
Stone, Capt. John, 99, 121
Stone, Capt. John, House Moved, 110 Stone, Mr. John M., 122
Stone, Melissa, 122 Stone, Lorin E., 171 Stone, B. F., 180 Story, Rev. Daniel, 40, 179
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Stanton, Burdon, 125 Sunday School Organized, 182 Sunday School in Warren, 183 Swornstead, Rev. LeRoy, 184 Suspension Bridge, 165
Taylor, Israel, 95 Temple, Miss Hannah, 171 Tiffin, Governor of Ohio, 95 Thomas, Mordacai, 125 Temperance Pledge, 114 True, Dr., 42 Tuttle, J. W., 132 Turkeys, Abundant, 15 Tyler, Comfort, 95
Underground Railroad, 118 Universalist Churches, 186
Vansan, A Violinist from Galli- polis, 48 Vickers, Pilots Fugutives, 132 Vinton, Hon. Samuel F., 128 Vinton, Hon. Samuel, letter from 129
Villars, Dr. and Wife, 187 Village, Incorporated, 152 Vinegar Factory, 163
Wallcut, Thomas, 120 Ward, Nathan, 125 Washita River, 94, 97 Washington, George, 4 Washington,s Bottom, 4 Warren Township, 6 Wayne, Gen. Anthony, 28, 56 Waterman, Sherman, 58 Wells, Randal S., 132 West Virginia a Separate State, 142 Whitaker, Mrs. 46 Williams History of Washington County 1, 4
Wilkinson, James, 97 Williams, Isaac, Furnished Corn 12 Wolf Creek Mills, 18 Wolf Hunt, 104
BOUND TO SEP 12 1938 H
PLEASE
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