A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 176

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 176

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He served as County Commissioner for a time. He represented Gallia county in the Legislature from January 4, 1880, to April 19, 1883. As an evi- dence of the confidence of his fellow-citizens, it is mentioned that he held the office of Treasurer of his township for a period of about twenty-five years. He was a loyal man during the war. On September 18, 1864, he was made Quartermaster of the 173d Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of First Lieutenant and served until June 26, 1865. He had the talent and ability to have filled the same position for the entire army of the United States. Mr. Beaman had the faculty of doing everything well, which he undertook, and it never had to be done over again. If he had a humble duty before him, he per- formed it just as well as though it was the most important. No details of bus- iness, or duty, were ever neglected by him. His motto might well have been, "Whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well." Mr. Beaman was never a member of any fraternity or lodge, but managed to be on good terms with every one. He was not a member of any church, but aided those about him. He had the faculty of being a valuable aid and assistant to any body or organization with which he was connected. He was a strong and ardent republican.

His counsel, advice, and assistance was always of great value to his party. His services to his county, as Commissioner and as a legislator were most valu- able to it. He could suggest needed reforms, changes, and improvements, and they would be adopted. When adopted, if it fell to him to carry them out, he did so, most successfully and without friction or opposition. His judgment on all subjects was most valuable. He did his own investigating and reasoning, most quietly, but when he reached a conclusion on a subject there was no bet- ter and no other. His judgment would be accepted at once as the best. His knowledge on subjects he investigated was most accurate and thorough. He never made any boasts of it, but acted on that intuitive instinct he pos- sessed by nature, and the facts he had acquired by observation and study. He was of the very best type of the sturdy New England Yankee, possessing all those qualities which have made the citizen of the United States known and respected in every part of the world. He would never undertake what he could not do and whatever he did undertake, succeeded, because he would un- dertake only what he could do. Of course he had a wonderful knowledge of human nature. He not only had it, but utilized his knowledge with the very best results. To have accomplished what he did in a county community where everybody is supposed to know his neighbors affairs, was most remarkable.

There are but few instances of this kind.

He was married soon after he came to Ohio to Margaret Kellar, daughter of Abram Kellar and Susan his wife. She survived until August, 1896, They had six children: Fred, the youngest died in infancy; Jessie, the wife of James F. Morgan, died in August, 1884; Parnie, the wife of Dr. Jehu Eakins, died in June, 1897, without issue; Ida B., the wife of Rees W. Thomas, of Jackson, died November 14, 1900. She left six children, Mrs. David Armstrong, Jr., of Jackson; Madge, Helen, Luther Beaman, Stanley, and George. Mr. Beaman left one son, Matere, who resides at Centerville. He married Margaret, the daughter of Da- vid D. Morgan, of Centerville, and has one son, David, aged fifteen years. Mr. Beaman died sudenly March 12, 1901, of cancer of the bowels. Since his death, his bank has closed its business. All deposits were paid and the charter sur- rendered. His career was beneficial to the community in which he dwelt and he aided many worthy men to success.

William Biggs, Senior,

was born October 19, 1800, at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, the son of Andrew and Judith (Robertson) Biggs. Andrew Biggs was engaged in business there, keeping a tavern, but failing when his son William, was thirteen years of age, he removed to Greenup county, Kentucky. The son was early thrown upon his own resources, and when quite young carried the mail from the mouth of Big Sandy to Greenup and from Mt. Sterling to the mouth of Big Sandy and return,

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and by good management soon became a land holder. His farm being heavily timbered, he kept a woodyard on the bank of the Ohio river and also ran a line of keel boats on the Ohio and Big Sandy rivers. He could relate many thrilling incidents of early days. He was a shrewd business man of sterling character, being noted for his keen sense of justice to all men. He became iden- tified with the business interests of Portsmouth about 1850, when he bought a hotel, since called the "Biggs House." Mr. Biggs was a large slave holder until 1862. He was a kind and indulgent master. In the thirties, his slaves would cross the Ohio river, and work in the state of Ohio, but they did not attempt to run away.

He as a whig during the existence of the Whig party and afterwards be- came a democrat and remained such the remainder of his life. In the last twenty years of his life, he was a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife was Lucy Bragg Davis, daughter of Captain George Naylor Davis, a sol- dier of the war of 1812. She was also a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Biggs enjoyed good health all of his life. He never had a spell of sickness except in 1868. He was exact in his business methods, and was always prompt about his obligations and arranged his business to pay cash, but at the same time, was lenient and indulgent to those who owed him. He extended the ut- most confidence to those in his employ, and they never abused it.

His family consisted of the following children: Andrew, William and Robinson, twins; Thomas; James Davis, of Wurtland, Greenup county, Ken- tucky; Anna Eliza, who married James Hockaday, both deceased; Susan, who died at the age of eighteen; Romulus, a physician in Greenup, Kentucky; George Nicholas, engaged in business in Huntington, West Virginia; Lucy, wife of Doctor Andrew Beardsley, of Huntington, West Virginia; Samuel, deceased; Lola, deceased wife of Judge William Thompson. Mr. Biggs began with nothing and left a colossal fortune at his death. His wife died June 13, 1889, and he survived until July 24, 1897. .

Francis Campbell

was born at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1792. He was a descendant ot Duncan Campbell, of the lineage of the noble branch of Breadalbane, born in Scotland, but removed to Ireland after his marriage in 1612. His son, John Taylor Campbell, lived and died in Ireland, but his son, also named John, emi- grated from that country to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, bringing with him his family. Among them was Francis Campbell's grandfather, born in 1692, and also called John. This John was educated in England. He was married and had four children, the youngest of whom, John, was the father of the subject of our sketch. He was born in 1740; and married to Miss Ellen Parker. The eldest brother of our subject was the Rev. John Campbell, so there were five generations in which the same name of John appeared.

Francis Campbell, our subject, obtained but slight schooling in his home, but left there and branched out in the world, determined to be the architect of his own fortune, confident in his success. He went to Baltimore and as- sociated himself with John T. Barr, a prominent merchant there, and remained with him about two years, during which time he developed such attention to business and so much capacity in that direction, that Mr. Barr, who had ar- ranged to establish a general merchandise store at Chillicothe, did so, and gave Mr. Campbell a partnership. The business was conducted under the name of Barr & Campbell, and the latter had sole management and control of the estab- lishment. Their store was opened in 1814, and ultimately Mr. Campbell became one of the most prominent merchants in that part of the state. The business was continued until 1832, when Mr. Barr, who resided in Baltimore, became financially involved. Mr. Campbell had endorsed for him to a large extent and was a great sufferer. He lost all the money lie had accumulated to that date.

Mr. Barr then retired from the firm, and two of the brothers of Mr. Campbell, James and Samuel, who had been connected with the business some time previous, were taken into partnership, and the style of the new firm was James P. Campbell & Co. The same business was continued with increased success for seven or eight years when James retired and the firm was then changed to F. & S. D. Campbell, (Francis and Samuel D.), and was continued until 1852, when Francis Campbell retired from active work, although the firm

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remained in existence for several years after. Mr. Campbell also identified him- self with the business enterprises of Chillicothe. He was ever ready to pro- mote the interests of his town. He was a director of the old Chillicothe Bank and the old Valley Bank, subsequently changed to the First National Bank, of which he was one of the projectors and original charterers. He was actively engaged in the organization and construction of the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad and other projects of a public nature.

He was a very large land owner in the city of Portsmouth, and sold fif- teen acres just east of Campbell avenue, running from Gallia street to Jackson. He also owned various portions of additions in the city of Portsmouth and did a great deal of business in Portsmouth. He was a member of the First Pres- byterian church of Chillicothe. He was a man of great integrity of character and purity of purpose. He was noted for his kindness of heart and affection. He was never married, but resided with his brother. Samuel D., where he died on the 17th of June, 1873.

Franklin Carel

was born in Paris, France, December 16, 1795, the son of Rene and Madelaine (La Roux) Carel. He came with his parents to Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1803. He was named for Benjamin Franklin and had a good education in both English and French, as he was the eldest son. He succeeded his father in the mercan- tile business, which he successfully pursued for many years. He often walked to Philadelphia to purchase goods for his store, which were brought across the Alleghany Mountains, in big covered wagons, drawn by four or six horses, to Pittsburg, and then loaded on keel boats, or batteaus, and floated to their des- tination. He and his brother, Virgil, erected the first steam salt mill in Gallia county, also the first iron foundry, which was managed by them for many years. He was also interested in the first saw mill operated in Gallipolis.

He was Justice of the Peace for twenty years and Notary Public for fifteen years, a long time city recorder, township clerk, etc. He was trustee of Gal- lia Academy for nearly fifty years and treasurer of the Board for thirty years. He was Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Gallia county,. from February, 1850, to September 1, 1851. He was a charter member of the Morn- ing Dawn Lodge, F. and A. M. of Gallipolis. He was a man of much ability, and held many important offices. He was noted for his honesty and integrity of character and was widely and prominently known.

He was married in December, 1819, to Miss Rosina Devacht, daughter of Joseph W. Devacht. They had two daughters: Madelaine, the wife of Captain James Newton, a steamboat captain, and Rosina, the wife of David Y. Smithers, also a steamboat captain. He was married a second time to Sallie Whitney, by whom he had six children: Franklin and Charles, both photographers; Mary, the wife of H. Felix Woods, who was engaged as clerk in a large dry goods store; Henry; Josephine, the wife of L. Z. Cadot, who has a separate sketch herein; and Frederick, a printer. Franklin died at the age of thirty-three years and Henry at the age of two years. His third wife was Susan Berthelot. There were no children of this marriage. After a long, useful and busy life, he died on the 13th of April, 1883.

Rene Carel

was born in the province of Normandy, in the north of France. He went from there to Paris, where he established a book store and also owned a mill for the manufacture of silk. He was married about the year 1793, to Madelaine La Roux, who came from the south of France. In the year 1803, owing to the dis- turbed state of France, caused by the Napoleonic wars, he emigrated to the United States. He disposed of his business interests and in the spring of 1803, set sail from Havre for the United States, with his wife and two sons, Frank- lin and Virgil. They landed at Baltimore, Maryland, after a voyage of fifty- nine days. From there they came overland to Pittsburg. He had letters of in- troduction to a French family residing there, but being unable to speak English, could not find the family.

He had intended to buy property and settle in Pittsburg, but determined to locate either in Cincinnati, Ohio, or St. Louis, Missouri, which at that time

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was a French town. He had a flat boat built and he and his family embarked and started down the Ohio. After a voyage of several days, they landed at Gallipolis to buy provisions, but finding the village was a French settlement and everybody speaking the French language, he gave up the idea of going on to Cincinnati, and decided to locate in Gallipolis. He engaged in the mercan- tile business and carried that on for some years, or until his son, Franklin, be- came old enough to manage the business, when he retired. Being a man of means, he purchased a large amount of real estate in and about Gallipolis. He had three sons, Franklin and Virgil, born in France, and Aristides, born in this country. His wife died in 1833, and he died March 27, 1843.

Charles Peter Clough

was born March 10, 1849, in Waverly, Ohio. His father was Dr. George Wash- ington Alexander Clough, of Chillicothe, and his mother's maiden name was Sarah M. Steenbergen, one of the Pioneers of Pike county. He was the eldest of the two children of his father's first marriage. Dr. Clough's second wife was Mary McNeal. They nad six children. Charles P. received a common school education at Waverly. At the age of nineteen, he became a farmer and lived a mile and a half above Waverly. In 1874, he moved on the Steenbergen farm, just north of Waverly. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Overman, February 19, 1895, the daughter of Henry W. Overman, of near Hillsboro. Her mother was Mary Warne. The children of this marriage are: Sarah, aged seven and Charles Edwin, aged five. Mr. Clough died November 3, 1900, of heart disease. He was a republican and a Knight of Pythias. He was a man of generous build and strong sympathies. He was a man who endeared himself to all who knew him, and was a good neighbor, and a true citizen.

Daniel Lot Davis

was born May 30, 1815, in Cardiganshire, Wales, and came to America 1838. His father was John Lot Davis. His mother died at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the way from Wales. The family came to this country in 1841. He learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at Ohio, Mt. Vernon and Buckhorn furnaces, in Ohio, and Hopewell and Hunnewell, in Kentucky. In 1850, he locted on a farm, in Gallia county, Ohio. He resided there until 1863, when he removed to a farm at Waterloo, Gallia county, Ohio, and resided on it until 1890, when he removed to Cincinnati, and died there in April, 1900. He was married in 1850, in Gallia

county, to Elizabeth Morgan, a native of Wales. His children were: David Da- vis, late Judge of the Hamilton county Court of Common Pleas; Mary A., wife of Charles A. Passmore, of Cincinnati; Richard, died at the age of twenty-seven; Lot born November 8, 1856; Hannah, wife of Fred G. Leimann, of Norwood, Ohio. He had two children to die in infancy. His wife died in 1898. He was a republican and a member of the Welch Congregational church.

Francis D'Hebecourt

was born in Epernay, Province of Champagne, July 28, 1768. When old enough he was placed in a military school in Paris, to fit him for a command in the army. While at school he formed the acquaintance of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was a fellow-student. So close was their intimacy that, when both had graduated with honor and received their grade, Bonaparte as sub-lieutenant of artillery, and D'Hebecourt sub-lieutenant of infantry, they both determined to go to America, and to found a colony. When the two young men were ready to go, the family of Bonaparte persuaded him to remain in Paris, but D'Hebecourt came on, landing in Gallipolis, October 21, 1790, and for several years after, his life was one of constant hardship, and often great danger. He was ap- pointed Captain of a Company, May 6, 1791. He was also appointed the first postmaster of Gallipolis, October 1, 1794, which he held until July 1, 1798. He was married on September 16, 1795, to Felicite Marret. In 1799, our subject was in business in Marietta, but not being successful, removed to New Orleans, in 1802, where he opened a school for young men. He remained here until his death, which occurred on November 22, 1832.

EDWARD DELETOMBE.

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Edward Deletombe

was born in Barboursville, Virginia, (now West Virginia) January 14, 1821. His parents were Francis Tuissant Deletombe and Natalie Loyn Deletombe, na- tives of Lille, France, the former born in 1778 and the latter in 1784. They came to America in 1820. two years after their marriage, accompanied by Marie Pela- gie Loyn and Auguste Loyn, sister and brother of Madame Natalie Loyn Dele- tombe, sailing from Havre for New Orleans, reaching there after a voyage of ninety days. On board ship was one C. W. J. Jerome who was in charge of a party of colonists from France who were to settle in the "French Grant." Discovering that Mons. Deletombe and his brother-in-law were possessed of means, Jerome induced them to join his colony in the El Dorado. On reaching the promised land they found that they had been deceived in the titles of land they had purchased, Mons. Deletombe moved on to Barboursville, Va. where his only child, Edward, subject of this sketch, was born.

In 1823, hearing from the French settlement in Gallipolis, the family moved there, where Mons. Deletombe laid the foundation of a substantial for- tune for his son, in the face of many hardships and difficulties in the early years of that settlement, in great contrast to the condition of affluence they had enjoyed in France. Mons. Deletombe was engaged in mercantile business in Gallipolis, and died January 2, 1857 at the age of 73. His wife died July 18. 1856, aged 72. Edward Deletombe was married to Laura M. Steinmann of Lan- caster, Ohio, May 14, 1850, and was the father of six children, three sons and three daughters, namely: Clara, Alice, Frank, Charles, Edward and Laura. The sons are deceased; Edward having died in 1870, Frank in 1884 and Charles in 1886. Besides his wife and three daughters who survived him, he also left a grandson, Edward, the only child of his eldest son Frank, who is now the only male representative of the family name.

He continued in the mercantile business established by his father until 1863, when he became President of the First National Bank of Gallipolis, at its organization, which position he held until his death, September 5, 1891. This bank had much to do with the interests and prosperity of the town and through its President became widely known. It was he who first suggested what is now known as the Hocking Valley railroad and through his enterpris- ing efforts whichi met the interest and co-operation of his friend, Mr. William H. Langley, the road was built. Mr. Deletombe was a man of strong character with a marked individuality that left its impress on all he met. He was dis- tinguished for his sterling qualities of mind and heart and was particularly noted for his friendships which were lasting. Once a friend, always a friend, was an inviolable principle with him and his generous manifestations of sympa- thy and interest in the welfare of his fellowmen, was through the abundant means he possessed, a source of grateful remembrance in which his name will ever be held. Yet he never did anything for display, and was in every way unostentatious, but was ever ready with open purse and willing heart to aid the needy and unfortunate and further every worthy enterprise.

During the Civil War, he rendered the Government valuable services through the means at his command, having furnished the money to equip the troops for what was known as "Hunter's Raid' in 1863. and at all times proving himself a friend to the soldiers and to his country. His life was in jeopardy in his own town, through upholding fearlessly the principles of a true Union man and a citizen of the Republic, and unarmed. he walked forth in his path of duty as much a hero as if on the battlefield. A friend once said of him, "Once he saw the truth and right, nothing could prevent him from declaring and doing it." His whole character was laid on the foundation of Christian principle. His charities were many, practical and effective. Those who knew him most intimately, loved and revered him most. He was a man of great re- serve with strangers, yet with intense feeling and always had the strength and courage of his own convictions.

His memory was simply wonderful. Of dates, events and interesting anecdotes of the early days of Gallipolis, he was an encyclopedia of knowledge. He could enumerate upwards of 600 steam boats which had plied the waters of the Ohio from his childhood, the first one he remembered being the "Mechanic," when he joined the crowd that greeted Lafayette as the boat landed a moment

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at the wharf with her distinguished passenger in 1825(?). Through his energy ability and constant attention to business, he became wealthy and was at one time the largest tax-payer in Gallia county, owning through inheritance valu- able property that was in the family over three-quarters of a century; among it a piece on which stood a log-cabin where the exiled king, Louis Philippe lodged during his brief sojourn there. It is to be regretted that the last years years of this remarkable citizen was marked by great suffering from asthmatic troubles and in addition to the loss of his three sons, two of whom having died in early manhood but a few years preceding him, the fortune he had earned should be entirely and suddenly swept away through misplaced confidence in others. He left a wife and three daughters and one grandchild, son of the eldest son, Frank, to bear tribute to his memory, which will live as the memory of all that is noble and just will live, when stone and mortar have crumbled to dust.

Joseph Guilliame Devacht

was born at Inpres, Flanders, in 1763. After he obtained his education, he was employed as a scribe. and at the age of twenty-two he left Flanders and came to Paris, where, during the seven years which intervened between his leaving Flanders and his embarkation for America, he became a very ingenious silver- smith. With the other French emigrants, he embarked in one of the ships which sailed for America, February 3, 1790, arriving at Alexandria, May 3, They remained there some time, and he formed such strong attachments to some of the people, and they to him, that he came very near staying there; he did not, however, but came to Gallipolis with the French colony in October, 1790. He opened a silversmith shop there, and his reputation soon became so great he had work from all parts of the country, receiving much delicate work from all the cities. So great was his skill in fixing watches, the people had a saying that in order to make a watch run well, it was only necessary for Devacht to look at it.

In March, 1798, Monsier Devacht married a widow lady of fine education, whose name was Madam Jean Frances Parmentier. She was born in Paris, January 15, 1775. Her first husband died September 15, 1797, and she and our subject were married five months after, Robert Safford, Esquire, of Gallipolis, officiating. They had the following children: Joseph W., an old bachelor; Emile: William D .; Eliza, the wife of Doctor Felix Regnier; Rosina, the wife of Franklin Carel; Virginia, the wife of Julius Regnier; Josephine, the wife of Albert S. Oakes. and mother of the late Mrs. Josephine F. Buskirk of Ports- mouth; Fanny, the wife of Captain Jefferson Donnally. Our subject died May 12, 1845, respected by all who knew him. His wife survived him a number of years, dying on January 17, 1856.

Joseph Drouillard

was born at Wellsburg, Virginia, September 1, 1796. He was the son of Pierre Drouillard, a pioneer and Indian trader. His father was a Frenchman and his mother a Kentuckian. There were three children older than Joseph, Drusilla, Hannah, and Simon. When our subject was four years of age, the family moved and settled on the Ohio side of the river, twenty-five miles below Gallipolis, where Millersport now stands, deriving its name from Miller, his grandfather. Here he lived on a farm until the War of 1812, when he went out as Fife Major of a regiment. He volunteered when sixteen years of age at Gallipolis under General Edward Tupper. He afterward received a pension for his service in the War of 1812. He came to Gallipolis after the War of 1812 and was employed in the Clerk's office of Gallia county in 1817. In 1835, he was appointed Clerk of the Common Pleas and Supreme Courts, in place of Francis LeClercq, re- signed. He held that office by appointment and election until 1858. He was elected Treasurer of the county in 1827 and served until 1844. He was Treasurer, Auditor and Recorder of the county, at a time when they were embodied in one office. He was Postmaster of Gallipolis from July 1, 1861 to December, 1865. September 1, 1820 he was married to Sarah Bowen, daughter of Joel Bow- en, at Marietta, Ohio. They had nine children: Anthony Wayne, deceased; Susan Miller married James Harper; Harriet married D. S. Ford, and deceased;

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A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 176

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