Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 12

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 12

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In 1886 her health became seriously im- paired and she had to return home, but in the four years when on the invalid list, some of her best work was done. In passing through Eng- land she had visited the Mildmay missions and deaconess work, and became interested in adapting it to her work in India, so she became a deaconess, giving up half her salary and open-

ing up the work in Cincinnati that has grown into such proportions since.

She stipulated that she must have one hand free to work for India, and while this was true, no other interest was allowed to suffer.

In 1890 she returned to India. The school at Lucknow now occupied three buildings but for the college another was needed. She lived to see this built, and its cost provided for. To provide for it, she made another visit to America, with Miss Lilivarti Singh, and both were honored with much attention wherever they went. They made a notable impression at the great Ecumenical Conference in New York. Sailing for India immediately after, she took up her work as principal of the Lucknow Woman's College.

She died September 2, 1901, of cholera, and was buried in Lucknow Cemetery, leaving a name that will not be forgotten, and a work that will not die.

SENATOR WILLIAM WINDOM.

The population of Ohio probably represents more nearly than that of any other State the people of all the older sections of the Union, and no fair estimate of the magnitude of Ohio's contribution to the Union can be made without considering the names of the many illustrious. statesmen and soldiers born in Ohio whose val- uable services have been accredited to other States.

In the galaxy of illustrious names that have rendered the nation invaluable service at a critical period in its history, none shine brighter than that of Senator William Windom.

This great financier and statesman, was born in Richland township, Belmont County, May 10, 1827, in a little home just opposite the val- lage of Loydsville. Born in humble walks of life, his carly surroundings were plain and un- pretentious. Removing to Knox County, Ohio, he obtained an academic education and studied law at Mount Vernon and was admitted to the bar in 1850. In 1852 he was elected prosecut- ing attorney of Knox County, and after serv-

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

ing his full term removed to Minnesota in 1855, where he immediately entered upon an active public career that continued until his (leath.

In 1859 he was elected to Congress, a po- sition he filled with great credit and ability for JO successive years, acting as chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs and also chairman of the special committee to visit the Western Tribes in 1865.

In 1870 he was appointed to the Senate to fill the unexpired term of Senator Norton, de- ceased, and was subsequently elected and re- elected for 12 years.

In the Senate he gained national prominence, in the discussion of great financial questions and upon the election of General Garfield to the Presidency, he was chosen as the Secretary of the Treasury.

After the death of President Garfield, and the accession of President Arthur, he retired from the cabinet, and was again chosen United States Senator, where he served as chairman of the committees on Appropriations, Foreign Af- fairs and Transportation.

Upon the election of President Harrison, in 1888, Mr. Windom was again called to the Treasury portfolio and was in the midst of his term when, on January 29, 1891, he was an invited guest at the annual banquet of the Board of Trade in New York, and at the close of an eloquent and impressive address upon his favorite topic, finance, he dropped dead.

As an evidence of the esteem and popularity in which Mr. Windom was held we might men- tion that his name was four times presented at national conventions as a candidate for Presi- dent, and it is believed that but for his un- timely deatlı that honor would have been con- ferred upon him.

WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS.

Perhaps the foremost writer of fiction in America today and a man who is well known and honored in literary circles throughout the world is William Dean Howells, who was born in an humble brick cottage in Martin's Ferry on

March 1, 1837. Mr. Howells learned the printing business in his father's office when but a child, and continued in his employ for 12 years, working daily until late at night and then rising early to distribute his papers. When the enterprise failed, Mr. Howells se- cured employment upon the Ohio State Journal, and contributed freely of his limited means to the support of his father's family. About this time, his literary talent began to develop, and his poems in the Atlantic Monthly, then the foremost American magazine, began to attract the attention of the literary world.

A campaign history of Abraham Lincoln was enthusiastically received by loyal men at the outbreak of the Civil War. Later in conjunc- tion with John J. Piatt, a fellow compositor who likewise attained distinction as a writer, they wrote a work entitled "Poems of Two Friends."

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. How- ells was appointed American Consul to Venice, a position he filled with great credit to the nation until 1865.

On his return he joined the staff of the Nation, a new magazine of great promise. But in July, 1871, he became the controlling editor of the Atlantic Monthly, a position which he held for 10 years.

Aside from his contributions to all the lead- ing American magazines he issued such popu- lar books as "Venetian Life," "Italian Jour- neys," "No Love Lost," "Suburban Sketches," "A Chance Acquaintance," etc., etc.

Mr. Howells was of Quaker stock and Welslı origin, and his remarkable literary talent was inherited from a long line of literary ancestors.

On the occasion of the Centennial Celebra- tion of Belmont County, Mr. Howells was not able to attend in person but contributed the fol- lowing charming letter descriptive of his ap- preciation of the beautiful hill country in which he was born :

My Dear Sir :

I should like greatly to be with you on the centen- nial anniversary of Belmont County, and I am very sorry that I cannot. I am no speaker, and I have not the time to prepare any sort of address.

My life began in Belmont County, and I wish I could

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go back to it, if only for a day. I think I left it too soon, but at three years one's judgment is not per- fectly formed, and I must plead this in exeuse for that early mistake. The first of my recollections reach back to the little coal-smoky village by the Ohio River, and where so many of my kindred lived and died, and some are living yet ; but Martinsville is seareely more to mie than St. Clairsville, which I know from my father's talk of it quite as well. Long after I had so familiarly known the place and now also long ago, I had the great pleasure of seeing it on a visit to my cousin, Cope, and of feeling in it a sort of old world eharm. With its brick houses set close together upon that noble National Road, which served as its principal street, it was more like an English than an American town, and in the Sunday quiet of the day I spent there, I fancied there would be more of that safety from change, which we long for, the older we grow. I dare say that by this time you have electric lights and trolley cars and city water and sewerage and typhoid, and all the other modern advantages; but then St. Clairsville was an idyl of repose, "a home of ancient peace," and I wished to stay there on and on. It was another of my mistakes that I did not, and I cannot plead nonage in exeuse for this second and last of my errors. But I have never been absent altogether from my native county, for I know its history perhaps as well as some of you who have always lived there, and I am quite as proud of it. In my boyish day dreams, I fought the In- dians all over its beautiful hills, and in my night dreams was sealped and tomahawked by them, and only a few years ago I had occasion for one of the books I am always writing, to revisit the scenes of those exploits in its fascinating annals.

Again I wish I could come to you for your centennial ; ask me to our millenial, and I will not refuse. I shall be younger then and I hope not so busy. Yours sin- cerely, W. D. HOWELLS.

To A. T. McKelvey.

GEN. BENJAMIN RUSH COWEN.

One of the noted men in Ohio today, whose mental and physical vigor are still unimpaired, is Gen. B. R. Cowen of Cincinnati. General Cowen was one of the distinguished circle of Ohio statesmen and soldiers that contributed so much to the preservation of the Union and the pre-eminence of the Buckeye State in the great struggle for national existence.

Gen. Benjamin Rush Cowen was born Au- gust 15, 1831. His parents, Benjamin Sprague and Ann ( Wood) Cowen, were natives of Washington County, New York. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph Cowen, a native of Gloucester, Rhode Island, was a Rev- olutionary soldier, and the paternal grand- mother, Phoebe Sprague, was a daughter of

Ebenezer Sprague, who was a member of the Rhode Island Ilouse of Delegates during the Colonial and Revolutionary period.

General Cowen was brought to St. Clairs- ville in 1832 when but one year of age, which was his residence until 1857.

He was educated at Brooks' Institute and at two other classical schools in St. Clairsville, kept by Nathan R. Johnson and A. Clark Wil- liams, respectively, local institutions of much influence and merit in his day.

After completing his studies, he learned the printing trade which he followed as compositor, pressman, publisher, editor and proprietor of the Belmont Chronicle until 1857. A complete edition of Swedenborg's works and other works of less magnitude, were stereotyped and printed by him.

While working at the case, two years were spent in the study of medicine and surgery in the office of the late Dr. John Alexander.

In 1857 he removed to Bellaire and engaged in mercantile business until the outbreak of the Civil War.

January 1, 1860, he was elected chief clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives and the same year was appointed engineer in chief with the rank of colonel on the staff of Governor Dennison. That being a peace appointment and Mr. Cowen being without technical knowledge to enable him to discharge its duties in war time, on the outbreak of the war he resigned the position and enlisted as a private soldier in Company C, 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., Capt. William Wallace. Before the regiment was mustered into the United States service Mr. Cowen was appointed Ist lieutenant, and com- missary of subsistence, and June 1, 1861, was appointed paymaster U. S. Army, by President Lincoln, with rank of major. In this latter capacity he served in the Army of the Potomac, in West Virginia, and in the Shenandoah Val- ley.

With Maj. Fayette Brown of Cleveland, Ohio, he was instrumental in preparing the legislation enabling soldiers to send their money to their families through the State and county treasurers, and himself collected and forwarded

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

over $200,000 under that plan, without a cent of loss or expense to the soldiers or to the State.

In January, 1864, Major Cowen took a leave of absence from the army, without pay, and accepted the appointment of Adjutant General of Ohio, from Gov. John Brough, being reap- pointed to that office in 1866 by Gov. J. D. Cox.

The brevets of lieutenant-colonel, colonel and brigadier-general were conferred on him by the President for his services in organizing the "Hundred Days Men" in 1864. That service consisted in consolidating, organizing, equip- ping and forwarding 42 regiments of 35,982 men in 14 days.

From the spring of 1864 until the close of the war, General Cowen was inspector of mili- tary prisons in Ohio, by appointment of the Secretary of War, without extra compensation.

In 1861, while in the Army of the Potomac, Major Cowen was nominated and elected Sec- retary of State of Ohio, resigning that office in May, 1862, and returning to the field.

In 1869 General Cowen was appointed super- visor of internal revenue for the district com- prising California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona, with headquarters at San Francisco; trans- ferred in 1870 to the Southern District of Ohio, with headquarters at Cincinnati; April, 1871, appointed Assistant Secretary of the Interior by President Grant which office he held till the close of Grant's term. In October and Novem- ber, 1871, he was a special commissioner to appraise the lands in the Indian Territory, west of 96 degrees West Longitude; in 1872 he went as commissioner to the hostile Sioux under Sitting Bull, in Montana, made a treaty and established Fort Peck Agency; in 1873 he surveved and fixed the boundary lines of a new Indian reservation in Northern California, removed the Modoc and other Indians from the Round Valley Reservation to the new reserva- tion, and appraised the lands and improvements on the Round Valley Reservation. In Septem- ber, 1874, by order of the President, he visited New Orleans, in company with the late Admiral Rodgers, at the time of the trouble between the "White Leaguers" and the milita under General

Longstreet, and made a report on the troubles ; in March and April, 1875, during the Mormon troubles, by direction of the President, he vis- ited Utah and made a report on the Mormon situation.

He was editor of the Ohio State Journal until November, 1884, when he was appointed clerk of the United States Circuit and District courts for the Southern District of Ohio, which position he still (1902) holds.

Politically he was a Whig, and cast his first vote for General Scott for President in 1852. He was active in the organization of the Repub- lican party, and was secretary of the first Re- publican State Convention in 1854, and of many subsequent State conventions and of the national convention of 1868, and was a dele- gate to the national conventions of 1856 and 1868. He was a member of the State central and executive committees from 1864 to 1868, chairman in 1866 and 1867, and a member of the National Republican Committee from 1866 to 1876.

General Cowen is a 32nd degree Mason; president of the Society of the Past Masters (1902) ; past commander of the Ohio Com- mandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion; past colonel, Union Veteran Legion and chief of staff to the national commander ( 1901-02) ; member of the G. A. R .; president Ohio Chapter, Sons of the Revolution ( 1901- 02) ; vice-president of the New England So- ciety ( 1901-21) ; member of the Ohio Society of the War of 1812; ex-president of the Cin- cinnati Literary Club; by appointment of the Governor, member of the commission to assist the Archaelogical and Historical Society in conducting the Ohio Centennial Celebration in 1903, and of the board of trustees to erect a memorial building to the soldiers, sailors and pioneers of Hamilton County, Ohio.

ITe is an official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a delegate to the Lon- don Ecumenical Conference in 188t and for the most of his mature life has been, and still is, a Bible teacher in the Sunday-school.

Col. Sidney D. Maxwell, late superintendent of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, and

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Merchants' Exchange, who was a fellow mem- ber of Governor Brough's staff, speaks of Gen- eral Cowen's characteristics as follows :

"General Cowen has a rare combination of strong points in his character. Combined with an excellent judgment are unusual executive abilities and a fearless spirit which has emi- nently fitted him for the public places he has so honorably filled. During the year 1864, while Adjutant General of the State of Ohio, Gov- ernor Brough found in him a lieutenant to whose great ability and courage the eminent success of the call for the Ohio National Guards, the far reaching value of which at that juncture in the Rebellion no one can measure, was largely traceable, and in all places, both before and since, he has displayed the rare qual- ities to recognize great things and to provide for their successful attainment. To these are to be added a quiet demeanor and an elevated moral tone, which is never lowered and which temptation does not disturb. A singularly use- ful, but quiet member of society; a very vig- orous thinker ; a forcible writer ; a citizen thor- oughly posted in all matters of public interest, and one who is abreast of the times ; a man ca- pable in every public position to which he has been called, and especially fitted for public serv- ice, yet warmly attached to the domestic circle, he presents a rarely symmetrical character."

At the advanced age of 71 years, he is yet active, vigorous and efficient in the discharge of his official duties as he was 30 years ago and as keenly alive to public affairs and interests. He is in much demand as a lecturer on many topics.

General Cowen married Ellen Thoburn of Belmont County, September 19, 1854. She is a daughter of Mathew and Jane Lyle Tho- burn, natives of County Antrim, Ireland. Gen. Joseph Thoburn, division commander, killed at the battle of Cedar Creek in 1864; Maj. T. C. Thoburn of Kansas, and Bishop J. M. Tho- burn, Missionary Bishop of India and Malaysia are her brothers. Her sister, the late Isabella Thoburn, first missionary of the W. F. M. S. of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was or- ganizer and principal of the important girls'

school at Lucknow, India. Mrs. Cowen has been corresponding secretary of the Cincinnati branch of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church since its organization (33 years), excepting during a few years' absence in Washington.

Whitelaw Reid, in his history of "The Hun- dred Day's Men," in "Ohio in the War" said of General Cowen :

"The Adjutant General of Ohio was a man who had been trained to matters of detail, and had long displayed a special aptitude for such executive work. He thoroughly understood all the minutiae of the military system. He was singularly accurate and comprehensive in his grasp of details; was incapable of being con- fused by any sudden pressure of business; was not liable to lose his judgment or his coolness under the bewildering rush of exciting matters ; not to be discouraged by difficulties, not to be swerved from his straight path by any represen- tations of hardship or clamor for exemptions, an officer of clear, strong common sense.

"Governor Brough well knew the man upon whom his unexpected dispatch was to throw this sudden weight, and he assured the Secre- tary of War by the time he could get back to Columbus he should find the great movement well begun. He was not disappointed."

GEN THOMAS THOMPSON ECKERT.

One of the most honored and distinguished men in mechanical and professional life that the country has produced is Gen. Thomas Thompson Eckert, the late president and gen- eral manager of the largest telegraph system in the world.

General Eckert was born in a humble home on the lot in St. Clairsville now occupied by George Jepson's residence and store. His par- ents named him after one of Belmont County's honored citizens-Maj. Thomas Thompson. Removing from St. Clairsville when a boy he learned the art of telegraphy when it was in its infancy and was connected with the telegraphi service for upwards of half a century.

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

Of this distinguished man the New York Sun said before his death :

"General Eckert is one of the men whose age has not become a burden. It is now 77 years since he was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Only when he sits among his old friends and pulls out the threads of his varied career does it occur to those who listen that General Eckert has passed the time allotted by a sacred writer. His appearance does not indicate his age. Those little things which so often betray men who are trying to dodge the Time-keeper are not in evidence in his manner. Those who know him best and who have known him long, do not recall that he ever showed any signs of pre-senility.

"The physical and mental equipment of Gen- eral Eckert has aided him in appearing as he is. His temperament was always alert. He was an athlete in his prime. He is a physical giant in his retirement. Obstacles with him have been stepping-stones to higher things. In some way, notwithstanding his share of the concerns of life, he has determinedly lived on the sunny side of the street.

"When he succeeded Dr. Norvin Green as president of the Western Union, General Eck- ert had already accomplished the labor of the average man of business. He took up the executive direction and management of the cor- poration, the business of which required appli- cation, precision and judgment. No one who knew him thought that he was to be a figure- head. The day after his election as president of the company, in 1893, he was at his desk at 9 o'clock, and it is the recollection of the office force that he stayed until after 6 o'clock p. m., that he did not go to luncheon, and that the day was one of the busiest in the building. It was not a case of new broom. From that day until his retirement it has been the same story when General Eckert was in the city.

"In the summer his home was at Long Branch, but he did not go to the Highlands station until the last boat in the afternoon. He was always one of the early arrivals in the city the next day. When the season was over and he returned to his home in Fifth avenue, he was

more methodical. He frequently reached his desk before the office boy was ready for him. There is served every day in the Western Union building, in the room of the directory, what is known as the free lunch. It is free only to the directors, of course. It is not an elaborate spread. General Eckert often went to this quick repast when he was rushed, and it is said that it was at these noonings that he and Rus- sell Sage formed the strong personal liking that is maintained by them.

"'Don't eat so fast, Sage,' General Eckert used to say at this feast. 'You'll die of dys- pepsia before your time.'

"On one occasion Mr. Sage replied: 'If you don't quit wearing such fine clothes, you'll be a bankrupt.'

"This sally at General Eckert's dress had for its foundation the fact that the former pres- ident of the Western Union is correct in his raiment. He has always been so. He said one day to a friend: 'I believe in good dressing, clear through. I wear the best I can buy of everything. My suspenders constitute my hobby. If I was dressed like a prince and realized that my suspenders were not of the finest texture, I should feel uneasy. A man should never sit down to dinner if he can get to his room in time, unless he has fully changed his attire for the day-everything.'

"His suspenders hobby is said to have start- ed the story that he wears solid gold buckles on them, and gold chains for fastenings. This, however, is denied by one who is in close touch with him.

"If General Eckert's hobby is correct dress, his pleasure is fine horses. There is no time in his life when he will not stop to talk horse, or look at one if it is near by, or buy one if its pedigree is made attractive. He owns 12 blooded animals; some of these he has never seen ; they are in Kentucky in good hands. One of the stories told of the owner is that he writes personal letters to those in care of his pets, making inquiries of them and offering sugges- tions. A few of his horses are kept in this city. or at a convenient distance. Ile is a good whip, and the cares of the day are considerably light-

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cned if he can end them by a drive. The in- vited guest must understand horseology if he expects to be invited again. General Eckert's horses never appear on the turf. He is not a sport.

"Good clothes, fine horses and a chat with a veteran of the army round up a good time for General Eckert. He is interesting in his recol- lections. His ideal is Lincoln. When the name of the first martyred President is men- tioned, General Eckert's eyes glisten and his voice softens. It was Lincoln who sent him to the campaign on the Peninsula, as superin- tendent of the military telegraph system of the Army of the Potomac. He was attached to McClellan's headquarters.

"In New York General Eckert is an active member of the Riding Club, where he is a com- manding figure in the saddle. He is also a member of the Union League, the Atlantic Yacht and other New York clubs, and a mem- ber of the Geographical Society and of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is a club man to this extent-that he loves to be the center of a group of 'old cronies' who delight in the talks of other days. The story that Gen- cral Eckert is oftenest asked to repeat is that of his capture in North Carolina in 1861. His adherence to the Union did not suit the 'Tar- heels.' He was convicted of disloyalty to the Confederate cause and sentenced to death ig- nominiously on the scaffold. He barely es- caped and made his way north.

"General Eckert's history, varied and inter- esting as it is, containing lessons as it does, must of necessity be abstracted. He learned telegraphy in 1848. In 1849, when he was postmaster at Wooster, Ohio, he opened the first postal telegraph service in this country. He was afterward made superintendent of the Union lines being extended from Pittsburg via the Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad. He re- signed in 1859 and went to North Carolina as superintendent of a gold-mining company. Col. Thomas A. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War, called him to Washington in 1861 and placed him in charge of the military telegraph. Ile had the title of captain and A. Q. M. He

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 12

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490