A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 116

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 116

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He was for a time employed on the turnpikes of Scioto county in con- nection with Captain Gibbs, and with that gentleman prepared a very ex- cellent map of the county. In 1872 and 1873. he had charge of the survey of the Ohio University lands, and after they were ready for market was engaged in selling them, and also in various other matters pertaining to his profession. On February 25, 1858, he married Miss Mary Jane, daughter of William Mad- dock of Portsmouth, but originally from Wales. Captain Barton was a Master- Mason, and has been connected with the order for a quarter of a century. In politics, he was a strong adherent to the principles of the republican party.

In 1867, he was the republican candidate for county Treasurer. He was defeated by Aaron Noel and contested the election. Noel won in the contest. In 1873. he was elected to succeed Andrew O'Neill as a member of the Water Works Board. The latter had been removed by impeachment. Captain Barton was elected to take bis place and re-elected in 1875, serving five years. For the same length of time he was a member of the city council and was its president in 1881. He also served as a member of the Board of Education. He was a useful man and citizen wherever placed. He served on the city Board of Equal-

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

ization of Portsmouth for several years. He was a member of the city Board of Trade and took great interest in it. He was its secretary at the time of his death. He and Captain F. C. Gibbs laid out the Barton and Gibbs addition to the city, and in 1883, they published a map of the county. He was agent for the Ohio State University lands for several years. He was a public spirited citizen, and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was a man who should have had no enemies. If he had them, they did not make themselves known. He was always in favor of public improvements and laboring to secure them. He died June 28, 1888.

James G. Basham

was born April 11, 1862, near Empire furnace, Scioto county, Ohio. He is a son of John W. Basham and Florence Hansford Basham. His parents were born and reared in Kanawha county, West Virginia, came to Scioto county in 1861 and settled near Empire furnace. His mother was of English descent and his father of Irish descent. He was reared on a farm until he was ten years of age. His mother died when he was hardly a year old and he was reared by his grandparents. He moved to Sciotoville, Ohio, in 1872, started to school at the age of ten, and received a teacher's certificate at the early age of sixteen; but continued in school until eighteen years of age, when he ac- cepted a position as clerk in a grocery store in Ironton, Ohio. This position he held for three years. At the age of twenty-one, he purchased a grocery store at Ironton, Ohio, but owing to the depression of business generally, dis- continued business at the close of the same year. Soon after, he came to Scioto county, and taught school, until 1885, when he was appointed post- master at Sciotoville, Ohio, under President Cleveland's administration. Dur- ing his term as postmaster, he was elected clerk of Porter township by the largest majority (98) ever given a democratic candidate. In 1898, he was - elected Justice of the Peace in Porter township by a majority of 53. His prominence as a democrat gradually grew, until he was selected by that party, as their candidate for Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas against F. L. Sikes, but was defeated. In 1899, he was the democratic candidate for Probate Judge: bnt was defeated by Harry Ball.

He is a prominent member of the Church of Christ at Sciotoville, Ohio, at various times, holding the most important offices of that church. He married Rose E. Evans, October 2, 1892, who died December 27, 1894. He was again married to Lula Pierce, Jannary 8, 1898, by whom he has two chil- dren: J. Frank born March 10, 1899, and Bertha M. born May 30, 1900. Mr. Basham is well informed and keeps in touch with current events. He enjoys the confidence of the community in which he resides to the fullest extent and is regarded as one of the best citizens of the county. His example and in- fluence is uniformly for the public good and for progress.

Thomas Jefferson Basham

was born January 3, 1842, where he now lives near New Boston. His father John Basham, was born near Gepharts, Scioto county. His grandfather, An- derson Basham, came to Gepharts from the salt regions of West Virginia near Charleston. His mother was Mary Moore, daughter of William Moore who liv- ed in Sciotoville, Ohio.

Our subject received a common school education. He attended school three months in the year from the time he was ten years until he was thir- teen and set on the old style benches made of a slab with legs to it. He has been a member of the Board of Education of Clay township for the last twenty years with the exception of three years, and secured the construction of what is known as the Star yard school house. He has never been active in poli- tics and has never held office, but is a "dyed in the wool" democrat. He is not a member of any church.

He was married December 16, 1862, to Nancy Rowley. Five children were born to them, all boys. Four of them died before reaching the age of five and one is now living: Thomas Edgar, born May 20, 1868.

Captain George Anderson Batterson

was born in Harrison township, September 19, 1874. He is the son of John Batterson and Sarah ( Richardson) Batterson. His paternal grandfather was

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Franklin Batterson and his grandmother was Mary (Stockham) Batterson. His great grandfather was Abijah Batterson. His maternal grandfather was Edward Richardson and his grandmother Mary (Blair) Richardson, born in Ireland.

Our subject is one of five children: Edward R., Frank J., attending the Drew Theological Seminary and is going to Montevidio, South America. as a missionary of the Methodist Episcopal church; Mame A., teacher of the Hav- erhill High School; and Sallie L. at home. The father died when our subject was five years old and the mother still survives a widow. He was raised on a farm and attended the country schools until 1894, when he entered the Ohio University at Athens, Ohio. He completed the junior year and entered on the senior year and continued with his studies till the Spanish war broke out, when he enlisted in Company B, 7th O. V. I. at Athens, Ohio, April 1. 1898, and was transferred to Company E, 4th O. V. I. at Columbus, Ohio. and served during the war as a Corporal. He took part in the capture of Guyama, Porto Rice and another engagement in the mountains; and was discharged February 1, 1899.

In 1900, Mr. Batterson raised a company of infantry for the Ohio Na- tional Guard in Portsmouth and it was mustered in July 27 of that year as Company K of the Seventh regiment. He was chosen its Captain and is at this time the head of the company. (See page 627.)

In March. 1899, he registered as a law student with George M. Osborn of Portsmouth, Ohio. He attended the law school at Ann Arbor during the winter of 1899 and 1900 and again the following year, and is still a student. He went in as a partner with his brother in the Ed. R. Batterson Dairy Com- pany, in the spring of 1900. became sole owner of the business October 15, 1901 and conducted it until 1902, when he sold out. He represented Ohio Uni- versity in a debating contest in 1896 and was commencement orator in 1897. He was president of the Webster Literary Society at Ann Arbor. While vet at the threshold of his career Mr. Batterson has that persistent determina- tion that insures success. His inheritance combined the habits of industry with several generations of cultivated intellect of much more than ordinary power. He is by nature a leader of men and has been at the front in all or- ganizations and movements with which he has been connected. He gives promise of becoming a leader in his chosen profession.

John Christian Bauer

was born February 17, 1863. in Portsmouth. Ohio. His father was John Fred- erick Bauer. and his mother's maiden name was Anna Wolf. His parents came from Hanover. Germany, of which place they were natives. They had eight children, of whom John C. was the third and only son. Our subject attended the schools of Portsmouth until seventeen years of age. He then went into the Burgess mill and worked until he was twenty years of age. Af- ter that he worked at Zottman's soap factory. From 1885 to 1888. he was employed in the Portsmouth Wagon Stock Company as book-keeper and salesman. In September. 1888. he went to work for M. B. Gilbert as a sales- man, and has been in the employ of that house from then until the present time. The business was incorporated January 1, 1900. and since, he has been its secretary and a director.

He was married June 4. 1890, to Mary Zoellner. a daughter of Philip Zoellner. They have two children, Irma and Marie. Mr. Bauer is a democrat in his political views. Je is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the United Commercial Travelers. He is highly regarded by all who know him as a first- class business man.

An associate in business says of him: "He is an honorable, energetic and reliable man, perfectly familiar with his business, and he has been very suc- cessful in his undertakings. During the time he was connected with the Gil- bert Grocery Company as traveling salesman, he succeeded in working up a trade that placed him far in the lead of his competitors. This was accom- plished by his courteous treatment to every one, and close attention to his business. He is of a very jovial disposition. has excellent habits, and has hosts of friends in this and surrounding counties."

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

William Ray Beatty,

son of William R. and Armina (Remy) Beatty, was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, August 11, 1874. He came to Sciotoville with his parents, when he was only six years of age. Here he attended school during the winter months and worked in the clay mines during the summer months until he was nineteen. By this time he had fitted himself for a teacher in the country schools. He is still engaged in this profession and during this time has taught four years on the west side of the county and four years on the east side. At present he is employed at the Briggs school on Chillicothe pike in Clay township. He is a loyal republican and a member of the Free-Will Baptist church of Scioto- ville. He was married July 19, 1898, to Della A. Moore, daughter of Alfred and Tabitha (Hill) Moore.

William Robert Beatty

was born July 10, 1840, at Brush Creek furnace, Jefferson township, Adams county, Ohio. His father Rynard Carlyle Beatty was a collier at the furnace. His mother was Elizabeth Howe Taylor. His father was married twice. There were five children of the first marriage and four of the second. Our subject was the second child of the first marriage. When William R. was two years old, his father moved to Elizabeth township, Lawrence county and in two years more moved to Green township, Scioto county, not far from Powellsville. Young Beatty went to school there and attended school of winters till he was twenty years of age. He remained with his father till his majority.

On September 3, 1861, he was mustered into Company E of the First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He had enlisted in the July previous He served in the same campany and regiment until September 13, 1865, and was Corporal of the company when mustered out. His command was in twenty-one battles, to say nothing whatever of skirmishes. The list begins with Booneville, Mis- sissippi, May 30, 1862, and ends with Columbus, Georgia, April 16, 1865, a week after Lee's surrender at Appomattox The principal of these were Per- ryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862, Stone River, December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, Chickamauga, September 19 and 20, 1863, and the Atlanta campaign. Mr. Beatty saw his Colonel, William Millikin killed in battle at Stone River. Tennessee, December 31, 1862. He saw a rebel aim at Colonel Millikin and tried to shoot the rebel first but the latter was too quick, his aim was true and Col. Millikin was shot dead off his horse. Mr. Beatty was taken a prisoner at Cortland, Alabama, July 23, 1862, and held as such until September 23, 1862. when he was exchanged. During the time he was a prisoner, he was confined at Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi. He was taken prisoner the second time in the fall of 1863 near Pulaski, Tennessee, by Guerillas, deserters from both armies. They could not hold him, and they took a vote whether to kill him or let him go. He was set free by a single vote.

During Sherman's March to the Sea, he was with General Wilson's Cavalry Corps and was in the famous Wilson's raid. His command was set to capture Jeff Davis and to do so a detachment of which he was one, was dressed in Confederate gray.

He came to Scioto county after the war. Then he went south one year. but returned in 1866. Since that time he has been mining ore and coal, but owing to his age, can no longer follow that occupation. He has been married three times. He was married first to Armina Remy, of Powellsville. His children by this marriage were: Thomas Carlyle, City Solicitor of Portsmouth. Ohio, who has a sketch herein; Harrison Taylor, died January 11, 1895, aged twenty-five years; Orpha Alma; William Ray, a teacher. Mr. Beatty's first wife died July 4, 1887. He was married the second time to Sophrona Hessler, of Wheelersburg. She died June 29, 1892 He was married the third time, May 24, 1893 to Margaret Smith Gamberline. They have one child, Bessie Florence, born June 14, 1901.

Mr. Beatty is a democrat in politics. For many years he has been a member of the Free-Will Baptist church, in Sciotoville. He is not a frater- nity man. He is remarkably well informed for his opportunities and under- stands himself as well, if not better, than any one mentioned in this book. He knows his own abilities and will not attempt more than he can do. Like all old soldiers, he is a good citizen. He understands his duty to the state

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and is not amiss in its performance. He is well read and a good conversation- alist. He is fond of discussing complex problems. He is original in all his ideas and withal he is industrious.

James Bell,

the father of Robert Hunter Bell, was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1784. He was the son of Joseph Bell, born March 8, 1758, in Ireland. Joseph Bell, his father married Anna Hezlep, February 7, 1779, in Ireland. She was born June 7, 1759. They came to New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1784. James Bell, their son, located in Circleville, in 1810, when there were but three houses in the place. He carried on a shoe and leather business and had one tanyard located at Circleville and one at Perry. He also carried on a broom factory at Circleville. He made his home in Portsmouth for six years prior to 1861, when he went to Circleville on business and died and was buried there. He was a prominent Mason and member of th old school Presbyterian church at Circleville. The following constituted his family: Robert Hunter, deceased; Anna, married Nathan White, deceased; Lemira, married Samuel E. Brown, deceased; Nancy, married Silas Chipman Newton, deceased; James W., a physician; Joseph Hezlep, deceased; John Lynn, deceased; Lucy, married Joseph Willis Collins; Mary, married Melancthon Hicks Curtis, deceased, and Eleanor Emma who has resided in Portsmouth since 1856, and conducts a kindergarden on Washington street, between Third and Fourth streets.

Robert Hunter Bell

was born August 20, 1815, at Circleville, Ohio. His father was James Bell, and his mother Mary Hunter. James Bell, his father, was a native of New Cas- tle, Pennsylvania, and his wife of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His father. Joseph Bell came from Ireland, in 1784, and settled in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Robert Bell as a boy in Circleville, Ohio, was brought up to the shoe business. He also had a broom factory which he and his father conducted. He came to Portsmouth July 1, 1850, and engaged in the shoe business. He was the pio- neer of boot and shoe making in Portsmouth. He started the first shoe factory in Portsmouth August 21, 1850.

Frederick Drew, Irving Drew's father, was Mr. Bell's foreman for many years. All the shoes were made by hand until March, 1869, when machines were first used. After 1869 they made 200 shoes per day and employed 40 hands. 15 were women and they stitched and bound the shoes. Each bench of five men made six pairs of shoes in one hour. Mr. Bell went into the wholesaling of shoes with W. H. Ware and Joseph Vincent under the firm name of Bell. Ware & Vincent, afterwards R. Bell & Company. He went out of the shoe business in 1874 and went into the insurance business. On April 4, 1876, he was elected a member of the board of cemetery trustees for three years. In 1873 he was elected a school trustee for three years. He was elected clerk of the Courts October 8, 1878 and re-elected October 11, 1881.

He joined the Presbyterian church in Circleville, in 1834, and was an elder in that church for many years. He was superintendent of the Sabbath school of the Presbyterian church of Portsmouth, Ohio, from 1856 to 1883. He was Clerk of the Trustees of the Children's Home of Scioto county for a number of years. He was married March 4, 1850, to Miss Dorcas Currie, of Lithopolis Ohio. His children are as follows: Mary Elizabeth, wife of John Glidden; Charles Bruce, died in infancy: George Henry, living in Florida. Lucy Margaret, wife of Captain Richard P. Rifenberrick of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Bell departed this life December 2, 1883. He was a public spirited man, al- ways ready with time and means to assist in any laudable enterprise. He was a lover of children and knew a great many of them. If a teacher or scholar was absent from Sunday school, before he went to his place of business Mon- day morning, he called to ascertain the cause of their absence. He was one of the most useful men in his church and in the community.

Benjamin Franklin Bennett

was born in Scioto county, Ohio, October 11, 1829. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812. In 1818, he emigrated from New York and settled on the

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Little Scioto river, in Scioto county, Ohio. The son received a limited edu- cation in the country schools, which he enlarged by reading and study in after years. He was taught the business of milling and as a millwright, and for some years carried on this business. On March 11, 1849, he was married to Miss Sarah Ann Snodgrass, of Scioto county. On December 4, 1855, he moved and settled on Tygart creek, in Greenup county, Kentucky, at the Globe Iron Furnace. He here erected the first flouring mill ever built in Greenup coun- ty. This, and a corn mill which he built and has operated ever since, are known, as "Bennett's Mills." While a citizen of Ohio, he was twice elected Assessor of his township, and township Clerk.

On the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, while Kentucky stood neu- tral, he crossed to Ohio and enlisted in Company G, of the 56th Ohio Infantry, September 12, 1861, and was made Sergeant. After the seige of Corinth he fell sick and was sent to the hospital at Camp Dennison, treated through a long spell of illness and discharged from the United States service in August, 1862, on account of disability. He remained at home until August, 1863, when he be- came Deputy Provost Marshal for the Ninth Congressional District of Ken- tucky, and served as such until the close of the war. He was admitted to the bar of Kentucky in 1866, and opened an office at Greenup. He has been one of the most successful attorneys in the state and Federal courts in northeas- tern Kentucky. He was Road Commissioner for his county, for four years, from 1866 to 1870. In 1890 he was elected a delegate to the state Constitutional Convention, in which body he served with ability and credit to himself and constituents. While yet in this service, the people of his county elected him to represent them in the General Assembly. Mr. Bennett may be best char- acterized as a man of strong and vigorous mind, with positive convictions and a frank and open expression of the same. Behind a manner somewhat abrupt at times, his kindly and accommodating spirit makes him a general favorite among his friends of all parties. He is as well known in Portsmouth and Scioto county as he is at home. He is and always has been a republican in his political faith and practice.

Jacob Bennett

was born April 1, 1860 in Bloom township, Scioto county, Ohio, son of Amaziah Bennett and Sarah Quenn his wife. He was the sixth of a family of eight children. He was brought up a farmer, but has been a miner for ten years. He had a common school education. He was married November 3, 1883 to Mary Alice Fulk, daughter of John Fulk. There were three children of this marriage: Margaret, Sarah and John. His wife died February 14, 1892. He was married April 5, 1896 to Melissa Johnson, daughter of John Johnson. There are two children of this marriage: Nellie and Bessie. Our subject is a republican but was never a candidate for office. He resides near Bloom Switch. Mr. Bennett is a young man of pleasing address and good habits. He tries to do the best he can for himself under any and all circumstances and that is the best any one can do. He is a good friend, a good neighbor and a good citizen.

John Gordon Bennett

was born November 1, 1846, in Scioto county, Ohio. His father was William H. Bennett, a farmer, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth T. Beauchamp. He attended school in Pike county, near Stockdale. He en- listed in the Eighth Company of Ohio Independent Sharp Shooters, October 22, 1862, and served until July 19, 1865. Since the war he has been a farmer in Pike county, near the Scioto county line. He was married first in 1872, to Harriet E. Norris, daughter of James Norris, of Pike county. There were four children of this marriage: Stella Grace, the wife of Harry Bierley of Portsmouth, Ohio; Edith Magnolia, the wife of Stanley Allard of Stockdale, Pike county, Ohio; Laura Ellen died at the age of seven years; Lewis Ells- worth resides with his father. His first wife died in 1882. He married in 1883, Charlotte J. Kirkpatrick, daughter of Thomas Kirkpatrick. There are two children of this marriage: Dwight Merrill and Nora Alice. Mr. Bennett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a republican in politics.

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Lewis Smith Bennett

was born March 22, 1849, in Madison township. Scioto county, Ohio. His father was William H. Bennett. He was born in Madison township. His mother was Elizabeth Beauchamp, daughter of John Beauchamp of Pike county. His grandfather was John Bennett. Lewis Smith was the third of his father's nine children. There were three sons and six daughters. He received a common school education.

He enlisted February 22, 1864, in Company G, 91st O. V. I. as a recruit for three years, when he yet lacked one month of being fifteen years of age. He gave his age on the roster as eighteen and signed his mother's consent to his enlistment. His father was already in the service in the 8th Ohio Inde- pendent Company of Sharpshooters, having enlisted November 3, 1863 for three years. He was transferred to Company D, 15th V. R. C., December 21, 1864, and mustered out August 4, 1865. Our subject's brother, John was in the same Company, having enlisted October 22, 1862, for three years, at the age of six- teen. He served until July 19, 1865.

Our subject was wounded at the battle of Lynchburg. being hit in the back of the neck by a piece of shell which bursted over him. On September 19, 1864, at the battle of Opequan, he was wounded three times by minie balls. One ball struck him near the right knee and plowed through his thigh. He was in the hospital three months on account of it.

After his return from the war, he went to work on his father's farm and remained there until April 7, 1870, when he was married to Lottie E. Brown, daughter of John H. Brown, now deceased. After his marriage, he went to farming on 80 acres of land in Pike county and lived there fifteen years. He bought the Noble farm in 1889 and has resided there ever since. He was a Trustee of Marion township, Pike county, Ohio, for six years. He was a member of the school board in the same township for three years.

He has had five children, four of whom are living: Florence Viola, wife of Bertie A. Crabtree, resides near Flat, Pike county, Ohio: John B. married Allie, daughter of W. M. Coburn, and lives near Nairn, Ohio; Sarah M. wife of Eli S. Wilson, lives near Scioto P. O .; William D. died at the age of fifteen months; Libbie May is at home.

Mr. Bennett is a republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a Knight of Pythias. He is a man of good character, honorable in all his dealings, of exemplary habits and a first class citizen.

Rolla E. Bennett,

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A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 116

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