A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 134

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 134

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In 1850, he married Hannah Darlington. In the spring of 1854, he rented the Marsh farm and farmed on it for twenty-six years. In 1880, he bought the farm where he now lives on the Canal opposite Lucasville. His wife died in April, 1886, leaving seven children, as follows: Sarah Ann, de- ceased; William H. living on the old home place; Benjamin F., a resident of Portsmouth; Mary E., deceased, wife of John Marsh; Daniel L., at home; Charles M., a member of Company A, 9th Regiment, United States Infantry now in the Philippines; Ida B., the wife of William T. Dever, residing on the Dever farm opposite Lucasville.

In November, 1888, he was married to Emma Double, a daughter of William and Margaret Double of Sedan, both natives of Butler county, Penn- sylvania. Her mother's maiden name was Margaret Alsworth. Mrs. Har- wood was a teacher in the public schools for six years and attended one term at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1881. In 1877, she was united with the Salem Regular Baptist church and in 1896 transferred her membership to Bethany Regular Baptist church at Rushtown, Ohio.

Mr. Harwood's father was a Jackson democrat, but to use his own lan- guage, "he was born a republican" and has always been one, never voting any other way. He is a man who is outspoken and pronounced in his views on any subject. He is kind to his family and accommodating to his neighbors. His home is the stopping place for his many friends and not even a tramp was ever turned away hungry. Generous to a fault he is always ready to donate to any one in need.

Francis Edward Hayward

was born May 13, 1848, in the Little French Grant. His father was Eliphaz Hayward, son of Moses Hayward and his mother was Mary Cadot, daughter of Claudius Cadot. Moses Hayward and Claudius Cadot both have sketches herein. His childhood and boyhood were spent at the place of his nativity. He attended the common schools and took a course in Duff's Commercial College in Pittsburg, which he completed in 1870. The first actual business he engaged in was selling sewing machines for George D. Selby in Jackson county, Ohio. This he regards as the most successful effort in business he

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

has ever engaged in. Subsequent to this, he spent three years in the Mercan- tile department of the Los Gatos Manufacturing Company, Los Gatos, Cali- fornia.

He located in Ironton, Ohio, in the retail grocery business in the spring of 1874. He followed that for 26 years and merged it into the exclusively wholesale grocery business, March 26, 1900 with Drake S. Murdock at Iron- ton, Ohio. For twenty years, he has been a stock holder in the Ironton Fire Brick Company. He was its secretary and treasurer for eighteen years, and has been its president for the past two years. He has been a director in the First National Bank of Ironton for about ten years and has been vice presi- dent of the bank for the past six years. He is also secretary of the Lawrence Telephone Company. He is an uncompromising republican.

He was married June 28, 1874 to Julia A. Work. Their children are: F. R. now assistant superintendent of Siegel, Cooper & Company's house in New York; Claude C. a practicing attorney in Ironton, Ohio; Mary Elizabeth at home. Mr. Hayward is one of the most respected business men of Iron- ton. He is a power and a force in every enterprise with which he is connec- ted.

Alonzo Wesley Hazelbaker

was born near Otway, Ohio, September 5, 1876. His father's name was Wil- liam Hazelbaker, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Thompson. Our subject was one of five children. He was brought up at Otway, and was a farmer's boy. He attended the common schools near his home, and at Lebanon one term, in 1893. He taught school from 1893 to 1900. In 1899 and 1900, he studied telegraphy, and was appointed agent at Newtown, Ohio, in August, 1900, and remained there until November, 1900. He has been agent at Otway since November, 1900. He is unmarried, and is a democrat in his polit- ical views.

John Heer

was born Feb. 2, 1854, in Chillicothe, Ohio. His father was Samuel Heer, and his mother's maiden name was Catharine Wilhelm. His father was a native of Bavaria and his mother was from Hesse, Germany. Our subject is the old- est of six brothers and three sisters. His father moved to Portsmouth when he was four years of age, and from the age of six attended the public schools of Portsmouth until he was fifteen. He then went into the employ of Rum- sey, Rhodes & Reed, wholesale dry goods. He was with them until 1873, and then was engaged with Voorheis, Miller & Co. When they moved to Cincin- nati in 1874, he went with them, and remained in ther employ sixteen years. He left this firm in 1890, and was with Henry Giershofer & Co., for one year. He then came to Portsmouth, and opened a clothing house at Nos. 307-309 Chillicothe street, and has been engaged in that business ever sincee.

He was married Nov. 8, 1880 to Jessie L. Miller, a daughter of William Miller of Hillsboro, Ohio. He is a member of the Masonic bodies in Ports- mouth, Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery and is an Elk.

Mr. Heer is one of the most energetic, enterprising and industrions business men of Portsmouth, and a man of the highest character and standing in the community. He believes in strictly attending to his own business, and does not seek public attention in any way. He is regarded as one of the successful merchants in the city, and one of the most valuable citizens.

Frederick Held

was born January 19, 1831, at Colmar in Alsace. His father was Frederick Held, and his mother's maiden name was Hauser. His father and mother had five children, four sons and a daughter. Frederick was the second child. His father was a weaver by occupation. Young Held had no ambition to serve in the French army and so he left the country privately, and determined to go to America. He sailed from Havre in the French sailing vessel "Liberty." After forty days he landed at New York, and then went to Cincinnati, and from there to Barboursville, Virginia, where he remained for eighteen months working at the cabinet maker's trade. Then he went to Ironton and worked at his trade there, and from there he went to Clifton furnace and dug ore.

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Among other places he visited Portsmouth and stayed a short time, and went to Scioto furnace. He was married here to Christina Graffer, in August, 1855. He worked about the furnace until 1855, when he went to Bloom fur- nace, and was there when the war broke out.

He enlisted October 18, 1861, in Company B, of the 56th, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed a Corporal and afterwards made a Sergeant. He is a firm believer in the idea that thirteen is an unlucky number. He participated in twelve engagements, and the thirteenth was the battle of Champion Hill, May 16, 1863. There his good right arm was shattered, and was so mangled that it had to be amputated close to the body. For two weeks after the battle, he was on the field where he was shot. He was then taken to the hospital at Memphis, and from there to Jefferson City. Subse- quently he was sent to the government hospital in Indiana. There he ob- tained his discharge, November 5, 1863. He was in every battle and engage- ment participated in by his command until he lost his arm. He came back and located at Gephart's, where he has ever since resided.

He has eight children: Kate, the eldest daughter, is the wife of John Doll, who lives on the west side near Union Mills; his second daughter, Mary, is married to George Jenkins, and lives on the west side; his son Herman is a farmer near Gephart's station; his son William works in the car shops at Huntington. W. Va .; his sons John and Fred, are at home and single; his son Charles is at work in Wheeling, W. Va .; his daughter Anna Cordella is at home.

Since his injury in the military service, he has necessarily been com- pelled to live a life of retirement, but no one enjoys himself any more, and no one is more independent and respected. Mr. Held, of course, receives a pen- sion for his injury. He works a little, as he is able with his one arm. He is a republican. When asked regarding his politics, he said that he voted as he shot. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is faithful and diligent in his profession.

George W. Helfenstein

was born in London, Ohio, March 20. 1836. His father moved to Jackson, Ohio, when he was a child. He came to Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1854, and be- came a clerk with R. Bell & Co. Then he clerked for Jefferson & Kepner, C. D. Elden, and James M. Ramsey, and was for a short time at Jackson Fur- nace. He went into the employment of C. A. M. Damarin & Co., and re- mained with them for over twenty-one years. He became a member of the First Presbyterian church on locating in Portsmouth. He was superintend- ent of its Sunday school for many years. On January 28. 1863, he married Miss Frances E. Spry, daughter of Richard Spry. They had one daughter, Grace, born in 1864, who grew to young womanhood and died December 25. 1887.

He entered the 173 O. V. I. Company D. as First Lieutenant, and was ap- pointed Adjutant December 21, 1863. He was mustered out June 26, 1865. About 1878, he went into partnership with John Richardson in the grocery business, and remained in that until his death. No truer man ever lived. His great-grandfather, Peter Helfenstein, was Major of the 8th (Ger- nian) Virginia regiment, in the Revolutionary war. He had a son William, and his son Henry, was the father of our subject. The revolutionary ancestor died February 4, 1778, from the hardships of the service, and is interred at Winchester, Va.

Here under the green grass of the lovely valley of Virginia rests the mortal part of the brave and good major, guarded by the hazy wall of the Blue Ridge on one side, and the towering Alleghany on the other with the Massunutten looking over from the south. And in the valley of the Ohio. guarded around by the silent, everlasting hills, with the river like a thread bf yellow gold between. lies the mortal part of his grandson, our subject, whose life was likewise cut short by his service to his country. George Helfenstein lived a pure, honest and honorable life. His whole career illustrated his re- ligious profession. No one could know him without respecting, admiring and loving him for his noble qualities of mind and heart. It could never be

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

said that his profession and his life were inconsistent. He was of the salt of the earth, and all his life he acted on principle and conscience.

Emil John Helt

was born January 29, 1875, in the city of Portsmouth, Ohio. His father is George Helt and his mother was Barbara P. Herder, a daughter of John M. Herder. His parents were both of German ancestry, but born in Scioto county. Emil attended the Portsmouth schools until he was of the age of eighteen. He dropped out of the B class in the High School, and went into the grocery business, at 513 Chillicothe street, in 1893. He did not like it and gave it up in six months. He clerked in the same business for C. Mas- ters & Company and F. B. Clark, and then engaged in the wholesale commis- sion business until 1896. Since that year, he has been in the huckster bus- iness, buying and selling produce. Mr. Helt would never be selected for a handsome man. In fact, he is the very reverse, but he knows everybody and is generally liked. He is not ashamed to work and to keep at it. He is a hustler and has a voice just modulated for the crying of his wares on the street. He is a republican, a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and an Odd Fellow. He was married December 30, 1897, to Miss Norah Lewis, and has two sons, Emil C., and George O. He is a whole-hearted, whole-souled, liberal minded citizen and believes in doing his best every day in the week.

George Allen Henry

was born May 9, in Gallia county. His father was Charles W. Henry, and his mother's maiden name was Susan Burnett, daughter of James Bur- nett. He received a common school education in Gallia county. At the age of twelve years he went to work on his father's farm, and continued that until he went into the army. He enlisted in the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery, Company F, February 25, 1864, for three years, and was mustered out with the company August 23, 1865. After he came home from the war he went to work on his father's farm, and continued that until September, 1868.

He was married April 12, 1868, in Mason county, W. Va., to Miss Jane Kyle, daughter of George and Nancy Kyle. They have had eight children: Albert F., married, resides in Green township on a farm; Mary Ellen, mar- ried Albert Feurt, a farmer, resides on the Chillicothe pike; Florence, mar- ried John Butterfield, a farmer, resides near Haverhill, in Green township; Nan- nie J., married Henry Goddard, a farmer, resides near Wheelersburg; George P., a farmer; Millard, clerk in a hardware store at Ironton; Perry, at home; Willie, died at the age of five years. In 1868, he rented a farm and farmed in West Virginia for nine years. In 1877, he went to Kentucky and farmed a year. He then moved to Scioto county, Ohio, and rented a farm near Haverhill, and is still engaged in farming. He is a republican, and a member of the Methodist church. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Wheelersburg, and of the Gand Army of the Republic.

Meshech Herdman

was born January 5, 1836, near old Steam furnace, in Adams county, where his father Michael Herdman, who came from Pennsylvania, had set- tled. Michael was in the war of 1812. He received a land warrant which he traded for a piece of land in Adams county. The mother of our subject was Jemina Downing, of near Locust Grove, Ohio. His brothers and sisters were: Philip, William, Rebecca, Susan, John, Sarah, Joseph, Elizabeth, Robert and Ruth, all of whom grew to maturity, were married and raised families. Our subject lived with his father on the farm until he was twenty years of age, when he came to Nile township, where he has since resided. On coming to Scioto county he learned the carpenter's trade. Besides work- ing on houses, he built flat boats for A. F. Givens. For seven or eight years, he worked at flat boating for Givens. He afterwards became a contractor and built several wooden bridges for

the county and number of school houses. He formed a partnership with D. C. Givens in 1883, in the

REV. JOSEPH D. HERRON.

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saw mill business. After several years, he bought Givens out and has since been in business by himself. He built a saw and grist mill near McGaw P. O. in 1889, and buys timber and saws it into lumber. He was a trustee of Nile township from 1884 t 1887, and served a number of terms as school director. He is a democrat of the "dyed in the wool" sort.

He was married February 1, 1866, to Mary J. Givens, daughter of Wil- liam and Elizabeth Givens. Their children are: Nora, died June 5, 1883; George; Alfred; Elizabeth, wife of Robert Jeffreys; Clara; Fred; Harry; John and Clyde. Mr. Herdman has the natural qualifications of a good citizen, honesty, industry and thrift. He always stands for the right, is a firm be- liever in religion and has raised a large family of respectable children. He possesses a large amount of mechanical genius.

Rev. Joseph D. Herron

was born in Kirtland, Lake county, Ohio, November 4, 1853. His father was Samuel Herron, a native of Scotland, and his mother's maiden name was Martha Dunkley. She was born in Northampton, England, and her early home was in London. The Dunkleys were originally Norman-French. The subject of this sketch was the last of five children, and the only son. When he was six years of age, his parents moved to Carrollton, Missouri, where he lived until their death in 1864 and 1865. For six years he made his home with a married sister in Newcastle, Pennsylvania, and in Marietta, Ohio. During this time he completed the upper grades of the public schools at New Castle, attended St. John's Academy, Camden, New Jersey, for one year, and clerked for three years in the dry goods store of Bosworth, Wells & Company, Marietta, Ohio. At this time, his talent for music, which he inherited from the Dunkleys, played an important part in his career. Through a former classmate at S. John's Academy, he was offered the position of organist at St. Stephen's College, Annandale, New York. He accepted, as a way was thus opened to secure a college education. He was graduated, with the degree of B. A., in 1876, secundus, and metaphysical prizeman of his class.

He then entered the General Theological Seminary, New York city, graduating in 1879 with the degree of S. T. B., and receiving the degree of M. A. in course from his alma mater. During this time he was a member of the New York Choral Union, a musical society of 300 voices which was led by P. S. Gilmore. He was also choir master at the Church of the Transfiguration (The little church around the corner). He was ordained to the diaconate at his final graduation, by Bishop Horatio Potter, on Trinity Sunday. His first ministry was in Trinity Parish, New York city, as curate of S. Augustine's. In 1882, he was called to Trinity church, New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he served for fifteen years. Here, for three years, he was a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese and for six years, chairman of the Com- mittee on the state of the Church. In 1897, he was called to All Saints church, Portsmouth, Ohio, his present charge. Here he organized and drilled a vested choir of boys, girls and young men, which now numbers sixty voices, and is one of the best in the diocese.

While an opponent of state rights, and a "stalwart" in the days of Grant and Conkling, he has voted the Prohibitionist ticket since 1884. Mr. Herron is a clear, easy and fluent speaker. He is one of the best sermonizers in his diocese. His words are well chosen and easily understood and his thoughts are carefully considered before expressed in words. Whatever he has to say is interesting and instructive. He is a teacher in the very highest sense of the word. He is an earnest and persistent worker, always active and full of nervous energy. He is passionately fond of music and of teaching it. He has composed and published a number of pieces of sacred music. Mr. Her- ron's sole aim and object in life, to which everything bends, is to do his whole duty in the position he occupies.

Harry D. Hibbs

was born November 15. 1865. in Portsmouth, Ohio. His father's name was Jacob C. Hibbs, and his mother's name was Barbara Ann Williamson. He attended the public schools of Portsmouth until he was fifteen years of age.

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

He then engaged in the hardware business with his father, and has been en- gaged in it ever since, except one year. From 1880 to 1889 he was connected with Hibbs, Angle & Co. From 1889 to 1890, he was connected with the Woolen Mills Company at West Superior, Wisconsin. In 1890, he returned to Portsmouth and again engaged in the hardware business. In 1899, the firm be- came a corporation, and he became general manager.

He was married January 26, 1888 to Miss Sadie Watkins. They have one child, Marjorie. In his political views, he is a republican. He is a member of the following Masonic bodies: Knights Templars, Council, Chapter and Blue Lodge, and of the Elks. In social life he is an excellent entertainer. His hu- mor is ever bright and sparkling. He is the soul of any social function. As a business man, he is energetic and tireless. He has built up a large and suc- cessful business and understands every detail of it. While he has done won- derfully well in his own matters, he has at the same time done well for the public. He always favors and promotes public enterprise and will always be found in the front in every measure for the public good.

Jacob C. Hibbs "

was born April 3, 1830, in Union township, Scioto county, Ohio. His father, Jacob Hibbs, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother's maiden name was Rebecca Lucas, a native of Virginia. Our subject was reared in the county and attended the common schools. He took a partial course at the Dennison University, Granville, Ohio, in 1852. He resided on his father's farm until 1860, and in that year he entered the service of his brother, Gen. Joseph Lucas Hibbs, as salesman in a hardware store at Portsmouth. He remained with him as an employe until 1866, when he became a partner. In January, 1870, he went into the hardware business on his own account and continued until 1873, when he took in Mr. Wm. H. Angle as a partner, and the business was conduc- ted as Hibbs, Angle & Co., for a period of twenty-one successful and prosperous years. In 1894 he bought out his partner Wm. H. Angle, and continued the bus- iness alone. In the spring of 1899, the business was incorporated as The J. C. Hibbs Hardware Company, capital stock, $60,000. He became the president of the corporation, and has remained such ever since. Owng to Mr. Hibb's poor health he is compelled to spend the winters in a warmer climate, usually El Paso; but his business is successfully attended to by his son Harry D. Hibbs, in his absence.

He was married April 30, 1857 to Barbara Ann Williamson of Washington township, Scioto county. They have the following children: two died in in- fancy, and those surviving are: Flora E., wife of Edward R. Peebles, a sales- man in the city of Portsmouth; Lou Grace, wife of Alva Agee, a lecturer of the Farmers' Institutes; and a son, Harry Dixon, conducts the J. C. Hibbs hard- ware store in Portsmouth.

Mr. Hibbs was brought up a democrat and remained as such until 1860, when he became a republican. The same year he joined the Baptist church, and has been a faithful and active working member ever since. As a business man he has had a wonderfully successful career and has richly earned that lei- sure in his old age which he is now enjoying.

William Lois Hitchcock

was born in Muscatine, Iowa. December 12. 1866. His parents were Charles and Alma (Lee) Hitchcock. His father died before William was seven years old and he came to Sciotoville and worked in the Fire Brick Works before he was twelve years of age. He received a common school education in the Sciotoville schools. In politics, he has always been a republican. In 1886, he married Lily Purdy. He has served in nearly every capacity as a firebrick worker, beginning at the bottom of the ladder and working his way to the top. He is now superintendent of three yards: Scioto Fire Brick Company, Webster Fire Brick Company, and the Blast Furnace Fire Brick Company.

To begin as a day laborer and at thirty-six to be a superintendent of three separate businesses is a career to which any young American could proudly aspire. It demonstrates what can be attained by a close study of and application to business.

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John Hogan

was born March 3, 1843 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father was Cornelius Hogan, who lived and died a resident of New Orleans. His mother's maiden name was Mary J. Lee, a native of New York state. His parents emigrated to New Orleans from the state of New York in the early thirtys. Our subject was the oldest child of the family. His father died when he was twelve years old, and his mother died when he was thirteen years of age. His father had been a soldier of the Mexican war from Louisiana, had been wounded in the knee, in one of the battles, and died from the effects of the wound. Our subject attended school in New Orleans. One John Adams was his guardian, and he sent him and his sister to the Ironton schools about 1856. Their aunt Cath- arine Payne came along and took charge of him. He went to school in Ironton about two years, and then ran away from his home and located in the French Grant and worked for Travis Herrel. From there he came into the Scioto valley and worked among the Noels, as a farm hand, until the war broke out.

He enlisted August 5, 1861 in Company "A," 33rd O. V. I., and served un- til July 12, 1865. He was promoted from private to Sergeant November 1, 1864, in the Atlanta Campaign. July 2, 1863, he was wounded twice at the battle of Stone river. In the same battle he was lying down and a ball struck his right elbow, and then passed into his right thigh where it has since re- mained. July 5, 1864, at the battle of Chattahoochee river, he was wounded in the right thigh in the same place as the other wound, only the ball went through. March 16, 1865, when the war was almost over he was wounded in the left foot at Averysboro, North Carolina. He was the first man to be inside the line at Savannah, Ga., and he was at the surrender of Gen. Joe Johnson. He was mustered out July 12, 1865.

December 6, 1865, he married Maria J. Noel, a daughter of Peter Noel, the oldest son of Philip Noel, who died in 1850. Our subject has had seven children, four of whom died in childhood. His surviving children are William Everett, a practicing physician at Frederick, Mahoning county, Ohio, who mar- ried Abigail Groniger; his daughter Martha Jane, who married Frank Ford of Portsmouth, Ohio; his son Edwin Winfield is a farmer residing near his father. Mr. Hogan was a democrat until 1877, when he became a repubican, and has continued such ever since. He belongs to the Aurora Lodge, Mt. Ver- non Chapter, Solomon Council and Calvary Commandery, Masonic bodies in Portsmouth. He was a school director in his district for nineteen years, and trustee of the township for sixteen years. Mr. Hogan is one of those who can always be depended on. He gravely considers before he gives his word, but once given, he will live up to any agreement made by him. He is always good company and knows how to entertain his friends.

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A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 134

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