A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 10

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612

USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 10

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

On June 16th, 1846, Tomlin died ; and council attended the fun- eral officially. He is buried near the Elijah Glover lot at Greenlawn cemetery, Portsmouth, O., and his grave is marked. If he was noted for anything, it was for mediocrity in office. His widow married again and left Portsmouth.

Abijah Batterson

was born January 8th, 1787, in Wyoming, Luzerne County, Pennsyl- vania. He moved to Tioga County, New York, where he was married April Ist, 1817, to Sarah Taylor, who was born February 7th, 1798, in Canajoharie, Montgomery County, New York. Their son, Frank- lin, was born April 12th, 1818, and on October 13th, 1818, they with two other families started to Ohio. They came by way of the Ohio river and landed at the mouth of the Little Scioto River, December 3rd, 1818. Soon after his arrival, Abijah Batterson bought the farm on the Little Scioto, on which his grandson, Addison Batterson now resides, and moved on the same place February 3rd, 1819. There his son, Addison Batterson, was born February 27th, 1820. Judge Bat- terson had no other children, but the two sons. From 1839 to 1846 he was one of the Associate Judges of Scioto County. . He was a Ist Lieutenant in the T. H. Rifle Company, First Regiment of Riflemen, Fourth Brigade, Second Division, Ohio Militia, appointed September 14th, 1844. He was a respectable citizen, and was a strong Demo- crat, time tried and fire tested, and never fell from grace with his party. His son, Franklin, had the following children : John, Addison, Aaron, William, George, Charles, Abijah and a daughter, Sarah, who never married. The Judge's son, Addison, had a son, Oliver, whose children are Arthur R., Edith M., Earl T. and Beatrice P.

Edward Cranston,

One of the most forceful characters who ever occupied the stage of pub- lic affairs in Scioto County was Edward Cranston. He was born February 2nd, 1790, in Rhode Island. He came to Portsmouth some- time prior to 1820. In that year he was the Captain of an Artillery Company in Portsmouth, which held its meetings at the Court House, so that he was a leader among the young men of his time. It seems he worked for John Thornton in his blacksmith shop connected with his carding mill, where now stands the Elk restaurant.

One Aaron Jones had built a carding mill in 1816, which ran with a sweep. In 1820, he decamped in the night with what effects he could carry away with him in an open boat. William Lodwick a creditor seized and sold his mill and it was bought in by David Gharky and Edward Cranston, who became partners and conducted a carding mill in Portsmouth for some time thereafter. These partners were par excellence the two most self-willed persons in the County, at that time, or at any other time, but so far as posterity knows, they got along pleasantly. Cranston knew more about the business and he

WILLIAM GIVENS. [PAGE 70.]

JOSEPH MOORE. [PAGE 73.]

ABIJAH BATTERSON. [PAGE 76.]

EDWARD CRANSTON. [PAGE 76.]

ASSOCIATE JUDGES OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHIES OF JUDGES.

tore out the sweep and put in a large inclined wheel to operate the mill. This was before the day of steam engines. February 2Ist, 1821, Cranston was married to a Miss Nancy Cole by Phillip Moore, Justice of the Peace. He reared a large family.

He moved to Wheelersburg in about 1828 and continued to re- side there the remainder of his life. There he conducted a carding business and a woolen mill, in which he associated his sons and which has been conducted to the present time by members of his fam- ily.

On June 21st, 1830, he became Commissioner of Scioto County, succeeding to the unexpired term of Samuel B. Burt, who had left the County. He was re-elected in 1832, receiving 687 votes, and without opposition. He was re-elected in 1835, and served until 1838, when he was succeeded by William Salter. During the time he was Commissioner, the present Court House was built by Gen. Wm. Ken- dall. The Little Scioto Bridge was let out June 17th, 1831, to Henry Jeffords, but was not completed until May the 20th, 1834. The Court House was let September 17th, 1835, at $12,650, to Gen. William Kendall. A new Jail was also built while he was Commissioner. October 14th, 1837, the Court House was completed. From 1846, to 1851, he was an Associate Judge of Scioto County. He was in the period of his activity one of the principal Whig politicians in Scioto County.

Jacob P. Noel.

The historian of Scioto County will find abundant labor and trouble when he begins to investigate the Noel family. There are so many of them and the earlier ones among them obeved the eleventh com- mandment so assiduously that they puzzle the historian.

If any one will take the pains to read all about the Noels in this book, they will find that the subject of their devotion to religion or piety is elided. While good citizens they were not as a tribe char- acterized by religious fervor. Jacob P. Noel has long since gone to his reward and left no descendants, and if we should attempt to find fault with his life or character, we could not do it on account of this. He was the best of the Noels, beyond any question, and was noted for his piety. It was 18 carats fine every day in the week. To speak the truthi of Jacob P. Noel, no one could speak except in commendation. He was the fourth child and son of Philip Noel, who was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1765. His wife Susannah Putnam was born in Virginia in 1767. After his marriage, Phillip Noel located in Hampshire County, Virginia, and there on December 20th, 1791, our subject was born. In 1798, he located in what was then Adams County, and engaged in farming and also kept a hotel for thirty-four years. He died April 12th, 1849. He had thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters.

Phillip Noel located about three miles north of Portsmouth and cleared the first land in the Scioto bottoms. In 1806, Jacob P. Noel

HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

at the age of 15 years, was in Portsmouth and worked in Henry Shee- ley's brickyard, at off-bearing brick. In 1809, he was apprenticed to Elijah Glover to learn the hatter's trade. Apprenticeship in those days meant the apprentice to live in the family of the Master. Elijah Glover had a daughter Ann, and the usual result followed. On Sep- tember Ist, 1815, our subject married Ann Glover. He served his apprenticeship with Elijah Glover and concluded it by enlisting in the Company of Captain David Roup to go into the war of 1812. There were only seven Noels in the Company, Daniel Noel, Fourth Corporal ; John Noel, fifer; John Noel, sr., Peter Noel, Nicholas Noel, Phillip Noel and our subject. Four of these, Peter, John, Phillip and Jacob P. were brothers. The latter was mustered in this company May 7th, 1812 and was in Hull's surrender. They were out five months. When Jacob P. Noel returned from the war, he set up a hat shop of his own, and conducted it a number of years.

In 1819, he was a member of the Town Council and in the same year was on the Committee on Streets with William Kendall. In April, 1821, he was elected an Overseer of the Poor of Wayne Township. In June of the same year he was elected a Justice of the Peace of the same Township. He seemed to have a fondness for that office for in 1843 and 1846, he again held it. In 1824, he was Super- visor of the westward, and again in 1827. In 1827 he carried on a grocery at Jefferson and Front streets, and for a number of years af- terward. He and his nephew, John Glover, for some time conducted a dry goods store at Franklin Furnace. In 1830, he and Dr. John Glover, his brother-in-law, with three others built the upper rolling mill, better known as the Gaylord Mill.

He built the Sam Tracy home on Front street and sold it to Mr. Tracy. Afterwards he built the house where Counselor Frank Finney now resides on Sixth Street. Then he bought three acres of land where the Portsmouth Range Works now stands and resided there for some time. In 1834, he was a Trustee of the Methodist church and he and his wife were, all their lives, devoted and faithful members. When Methodism was first organized in Portsmouth in 1813. Ann Glover was one of the first seven to enroll their names. Were we to make a roll of the Methodists of old time in Portsmouth, Father McDowell would come first and Jacob P. Noel second.

In 1846, when the first Poor House Directors were chosen, Ja- cob P. Noel was one and served three years. In 1848, he was a School Director of Portsmouth. He was a Whig, while the Whig party lasted, and after that was a Republican.

In 1850, he was elected an Associate Judge and served till the Court expired in September, 1851.

In 1867, he was elected a Trustee of Wayne Township, and in 1868, he was appointed by the Council as one of the three City In-

BIOGRAPHIES OF JUDGES.

firmary Directors. From 1850, he lived in the Country for several years, but tiring of rural life came back to Portsmouth and engaged in the grocery business. He was a man of excellent judgment both in public and private affairs. Everyone had confidence in his honesty, integrity and christianity. His old age was filled with a conscious, ever present sense of duty well done, and his memory leaves a sweet incense. He died March 27th, 1872, of a cancer of the face leaving his widow surviving him.

John James Harper

was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 6th, 1834. His father was Alexander Harper, a native of Berkeley County, West Virginia. His mother was Jane (Cunningham) Harper, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. His father was a farmer and for some time a Justice of the Peace. When his family were grown he moved to Peoria County, Illinois, where he died in 1858 and his wife died in 1881. Our sub- ject received a common school education and qualified himself for a teacher, which vocation he followed in Fairfield and Pickaway Coun- ties. In 1853, he purchased an interest in a photograph outfit with one Horace Ellis, and together they came to Portsmouth, where Mr. Harper continued to reside until 1886. Ellis left the business to his partner who continued alone a few years. In 1856 Mr. Harper mar- ried Miss Emily Jones, of Portsmouth. Their four sons were John Ellis, who is a lawyer in Denver, Colorado; William A., a resident of Portsmouth ; Samuel G., who is a Civil Engineer and the youngest Joseph H., who is a lawyer in Washington C. H. Our subject be- gan the study of law in Portsmouth, in 1858, under Hutchins and Gaffy and was admitted to the bar April 25th, 1860. The office of Prosecuting Attorney in Ohio was created for the benefit of ambi- tious young lawyers and Mr. Harper was of that class. He began his political career as a Republican, and in 1861 was the nominee for Prosecuting Attorney on the Republican ticket. His opponent was George O. Newman, who had just returned from three months mili- tary service and he defeated Mr. Harper by a majority of 183. The vote stood George O. Newman, Democrat, 1640, Harper, Republican, 1457. In 1863, Mr. Harper was again a candidate for his party and Mr. Newman was on the Democratic ticket at that time. Judge Harper was on the War ticket and Mr. Newman's ticket was sup-

porting Vallandigham for Governor. The vote stood Harper, 2208; Newman, 1795; majority 413. May 2nd, 1864, our subject enlisted in Company G, 14Ist O. V. I. and served until September 3, of the same year. In 1865, he was again the candidate of his party for Prosecuting Attorney. This time against Andrew J. McFann. The vote stood Harper, 2116: McFann, 1901 ; majority for Harper, 215. . On January 3rd, 1867, he formed a law partnership with the late Colonel Henry E. Jones, under the name of Harper and Jones, which continued until February 9th, 1870. In January, 1868, he retired

HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

form the office of Prosecuting Attorney, and in the fall of that year was elected Presidental elector for his party. On February 9th, 1870. he formed a law partnership with F. C. Searl, which continued until December 27th, 1871. In the summer of 1871, he was nominated for Common Pleas Judge, and was elected over John Plyley, who was on the Democratic ticket. He received the phenomenal majority of 1696 in his county and 2168 in his district, composed of Scioto, Pike, Lawrence, Jackson and Vinton Counties. He was re-nominated and re-elected in 1876, and served until February, 1882. In that year, he formed a partnership with Hon. John K. Richards, now Solicitor General of the United States, which continued about one year. In November, 1884, he formed a partnership with John C. Milner and F. C. Searl as Harper, Searl and Milner, which continued until 1891. In 1874, his wife died. On June 22nd, 1875, he was married to Miss Anna Eliza Robinson of Washington, C. H. In 1886, he removed to Washington, C. H., where he now resides. Soon after moving there, he formed a partnership with Thomas W. Marchant, which continued until 1889. In 1892, his son Joseph, was admitted to the bar and was at once associated with his father in business, under the name of Harper and Harper. Judge Harper was always a believer in bimetalism. In 1896, he supported Bryan and Sewell, and in 1900, he also supported Bryan, for the Presidency, and has since been a sup- porter of the Democratic platform of 1896. As a lawyer, Judge Har- per has been very successful. He examines his cases thoroughly, ob- tains and analizes all the facts and informs himself of all the law bear- ing upon it and when he presents a case to a court or jury. he presents it with all the force of his intense nature. He is noted for his super- ior qualities as an advocate. He is a great believer in the ethics of the profession. When once he accepts a case, his client can rest as- sured of his best effort and service and that no labor or pains will be spared to present his case in the very best manner. During his resi- (lence in Portsmouth, he was frequently employed in important cases for the county and city, and once he was employed by the city to re- vise its ordinances. His standing is among the ablest lawyers of the state.

In personal appearance he is tall, erect, above the average height of fine manly and gentlemanly appearance. He always wears a silk hat and is most fastidious in his dress and personal appearance. His linen is always immaculate and his clothing of the best and most fash -- ionable. He was always the best dressed lawyer at the Portsmouth Bar. While he was in politics he always had the support of his county for Congress, and might have been in Congress, had he had the ability to make political deals. That he scorned and hence he missed the hon- or of representing his District in the National Legislature. He enjoys the respect of the members of his profession throughout the state for his legal attainments.

HON. JAMES W. BANNON.

BIOGRAPHIES OF JUDGES.

James William Bannon

was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, September 22nd, 1841. His father was Edward Bannon, who came to Portsmouth April 7th, 1837, a native of County, West Meath, Ireland. His mother was Bridget Dervin, a native of Dublin, Ireland. His parents were married in Ireland. He went to school in Portsmouth, until he was fifteen years of age. Among his teachers were Miss Rankin, Prof. Dodge, James H. Poe, John Bolton, Jennie Wheelock, and Prof. E. E. White. At the age of fourteen, he went into the employment of Emanuel Miller, and was a boy about the store. He remained with him until he was twenty-one years of age. While in Mr. Miller's employ he began the study of law under the direction of Judge Peck, then on the Supreme Bench. He read under Judge Peck for thirteen months. He went into Judge Towne's office January Ist, 1863, and was admitted to the bar, March 15th, 1864, on a certificate signed by Judge Wm. V. Peck and H. A. Towne. He enlisted in Company "E", 140th, Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, May 2nd, 1864, for one-hundred days, and was mus- tered out September 3rd, 1864. He was the First Sergeant of the Company. After he came back from the war, he went into partnership with Judge H. A. Towne, for three years, until February 9th, 1869, and soon after formed a partnership with T. C. Anderson, under the name of Bannon and Anderson, which continued until 1878.

He was Common Pleas Judge of his subdivision from October, 1884, till February, 1887, and administered the office with great cred- it, but declined a re-election. He practiced alone until 1891, when he formed a partnership with his son, Henry T. Bannon; and during that same year his son Arthur H., was admitted to the bar, and be- came a member of the firm. He is in partnership with his two sons under the firm name of Bannon & Bannon. He was a member of the City School Board from 1874 to 1877. He has been President of the First National Bank since 1893. He has been Counsel in Ohio for the Norfolk & Western Railroad since it purchased the Scioto Valley, and held the same position for the Scioto Valley several years before. He is a Director of the Portsmouth & Kentucky Fire Brick Company, and in the Drew, Selby Company. He operates a farm of 1000 acres, and is engaged in the general practice of law with his sons as before stated. He was married April 24th, 1866, to Mary E. Smith, daughter of Josephine M. G. Smith. His sons are: Henry Towne and Arthur Hurd, who are his law partners; a daughter, Charlotte a teacher in the Portsmouth High School; and James W., an employe in the Drew, Selby Shoe Factory.

Judge Bannon has been remarkably successful in his career He stands at the head of his profession as a lawyer, and has been equally successful in business enterprises. Any orginization in which he has interested himself has prospered. He is generous and liberal to every worthy cause. He has always taken a great interest in pol-

HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

itics, but has never been ambitious for himself. Socially, he is a most charming companion and his delineations of Irish character and humor are true to life. He is always at the command of his friends and the community in general desires to be in that class.

Noah J. Dever

was born August 15th, 1850, in Madison Township, Scioto County, Ohio. His father is William Dever and his mother's maiden name was Louisa McDowell. He is the only son of his parents, and the first born, but has eight sisters. His maternal great grand-father Bennett was a soldier in the war of 1812. His father was and is a farmer, and he was reared on his father's farm, until the age of 15 years, when he attended the Jackson High School. In 1867, he began teaching in the Common Schools, and taught and attended school at Lebanon alternately until 1871. In that year he took a Commercial Course in the Iron City Commercial College at Pittsburg, Pa. In October, 1871, he began the study of the law in the office of Messrs. Harper and Searl, in Portsmouth, and read law under their instruc- tions until October, 1872, when he attended the Cincinnati Law School that fall and winter. In April, 1873, he was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Hamilton County, and immediately began the practice of law in Portsmouth. In May, 1873, he was appointed one of the School Examiners of Scioto County, Ohio, and held the office for twelve years. He was prouder of this appointment than any with which he was ever honored, because it was his first, and during the whole time he held the office, he was associated with the Reverend and Venerable Dr. Burr, as one of his colleagues on the same Board. It was a great honor for anyone to be associated, officially, or other- wise with Dr. Burr, and so Judge Dever regarded it. In April, 1873. he formed a law partnership with Judge F. C. Searl, as Searl & Dever, which continued until January Ist, 1879.

He then formed a law partnership with the Hon. Dan J. Ryan, as Dever & Ryan, which continued until February, 1881. In the fall of 1879, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Scioto County, Ohio, for the period of two years.

At his first election his majority was 144. During his first term as Prosecuting Attorney, the term was made three years, by the law of April 20th, 1881, Volume 780, O. L. 260. In October, 1881, he was re-elected by a majority of 1250 for three years. He discharged the duties of the office with ability and fidelity. In the fall of 1886, he was elected a Common Pleas Judge of the Second sub-division of the Seventh Judicial District. This election, in the fall of 1886, was the first state election held in Ohio, in November.

On April 21st, 1896, the County of Adams was taken from the first sub-division of the Fifth Common Pleas Judicial District and placed in the second sub-division of the Seventh Common Pleas Jud- icial District. This law took effect September Ist, 1896.

HON. WILLIAM W. JOHNSON.

BIOGRAPHIES OF JUDGES.

On Feb. Sth, 1897, Judge Dever retired from the bench at the close of his second term and was succeeded by Hon. John C. Milner. Judge Dever's record on the Common Pleas bench compares favorably with a number of his able and distinguished predecessors. He pos- sessed great executive ability and as a Judge, kept all his business well in hand. He never allowed his dockets to get behind. Since his re- tirement from the bench he has engaged in the practice of the law, with great success.

On July 27th, 1876, he was married to Miss Lydia Austin of Ironton, Ohio. She lived but a short time and on July 4th, 1878, he married Miss Mattie Gilliland of Jackson County. Of this marriage, three daughters have been born. Louisa, the eldest attended the Ohio State University from 1897 to 1899. She entered Mt. Holyoke ( Mass .. ) Seminary in September of the latter year and was graduated therefrom in 1901. She is at present employed as a teacher in the Portsmouth High School. Martha, the second daughter is a student in the Portsmouth High School, and Alice, the third daughter, is in the Grammar School.

William W. Johnson

was born August 17th, 1826, in Muskingum County, Ohio, the son of Solomon Johnson and Elizabeth Wartenbe Johnson, his wife. His father was a native of Litchfield, Conn., and his mother of Ohio County, Virginia. His father and ancestors had been farmers, and so our subject was raised on a farm in Muskingum County. As a hoy he was a diligent student and a tireless seeker after knowledge. He attended the Muskingum College at New Concord, one term. At the age of seventeen he began teaching, and continued this vocation at intervals until he was twenty-three years of age. He then began the study of law in the office of Charles C. Convene at Zanesville; and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He immediately located in the city of Ironton and began the practice of law. He took an active part in the formation and organization of the Republican party. In the fall of 1858, he was elected to the office of Common Pleas Judge, the first additional Judge in the Second sub-division of the Seventh Judicial District. He served until October 24th. 1867, when, owing to his resignation on account of the salary being only $1500, he was defeated by Martin Crain, in the Democratic landslide that year. He was re- appointed May 8th, 1870, and re-elected that fall for a term to expire February 9th, 1874. His election was unamious, as the Democratic party declined to put any candidate against him ; but he resigned the office on March 28th, 1872, on account of ill health. In 1874, he was nominated for Supreme Judge by his party, but was defeated. In 1876, he was appointed on the Supreme Court Commission for three years. In 1879, he was re-nominated for Supreme Judge and elected. He was re-elected in 1884, and resigned on account of failing health November 9th, 1886. On October 24th, 1854, he was married to

HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

Miss Ella Blocksom, a daughter of Judge Blocksom of Zanesville. They had two sons: William, born March 3rd, 1865, and died Octo- ber 6th, 1865; Henry Blandy born March 4th, 1867, and died June 21st, 1883. He died March 2nd, 1887, at Ironton, Ohio.

The editor of this work had the good fortune to begin practicing law in Scioto County under Judge Johnson; and entertained for him the greatest admiration and respect for his judicial abilities. Judge Johnson was a natural born Judge. He had all those qualities which go to make up a learned and impartial interpreter of the law. On . one occasion when he was about to enter into the trial of an impor- tant case, and was opposed on the other side by counsel of not long experience, his client suggested that he have the aid of older counsel. The writer said to this client that a case would try itself befor Judge Johnson, and the event so proved, and even handed justice was admin- istered in the decision of the case, though the plaintiff was represented by a beginner at the bar, and the defendant by counsel of thirty years experience. In the choice of principles which govern the decision of a case, Judge Johnson had the happy faculty of applying those which would meet the judgment of the ablest of his profession. Without any exceptions, he was as able a judge as ever occupied the Common Pleas Bench in Scioto County. The following additional character estimate has been furnished by the Hon. W. T. Spear, one of the pres- ent Supreme Judges of Ohio, with whom Judge Johnson was associ- ated in his lifetime.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 10

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913 Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans Number of Pages: 1612

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612