USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 44
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where the shaping of various products is done, and the constantly increasing business has rendered it necessary to build the follow- ing buildings, which are under construction: A machine shop, 70 by 108 feet; a stock building, 100 by 108 feet, and three dipping and drying rooms, 60 by 180 feet. This great industry employs 220 workmen and distributes, a large amount of money. Its railroad facilities are excellent, having the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad tracks on one side and the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks on the other. The largely increasing trade of the Enterprise Enamel Company is handled through the large wholesale and jobbing house of Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Com- pany at Chicago, Illinois-that being the dis- tributing point.
Mr. Strong was born with executive tal- ent, but he deserves credit for the manner in which he has developed his faculties and handles the great business problems which come into his every-day life. His family con- sists of wife and daughter, who are connected with the Christian Church. Mr. Strong's fraternal relations are cordial with the Masonic bodies and he is a member of Bel- laire Chapter.
HON. PAUL B. WORTHINGTON. One of the leading merchants and most prominent citizens of Barnesville, Ohio, is Paul B. Worthington, member of the Gen- eral Assembly, who is also the owner of much valuable city property.
Mr. Worthington was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, December 2, 1862. Hle is a son of Dr. William M. and Eliza (Lynn) Worthington, and one of a family of three children born to them. Dr. William M. Worthington was reared in Ohio and be- came a prominent citizen of Jefferson County in both professional and public life. During 1858-59 he served in the Ohio Leg. islature. He was identified with the Repub- lican party. His death occurred in 1864.
ALFRED H. MITCHELL.
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His widow resides with her son, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Worthington supplemented a good common-school education by a practical course in the Columbus Business College, from which he graduated in 1883. Im- mediately afterward he became interested with his brother in the hardware business in Holmes County. In 1885 he located in Barnesville and was employed as a salesman until 1889, when he embarked in the general merchant-tailoring business. Mr. Worthing- ton enjoyed success from the start, and in 1895 erected his present fine quarters, known as the Worthington Block. Mr. Worthing- ton's business has expanded with the spirit of the times, and he carries a complete stock of clothing, shoes and gent's furnishings, be- sides devoting a large portion of his store to the business of merchant tailoring. He has the most extensive business of the kind in the city.
In politics Mr. Worthington has always been active in the Republican party, and his worth was recognized by his election to the City Council for six years. He was elected to the Legislature in 1901 by a majority of 1,661 votes over his Democratic competitor, C. C. Cutshaw. Since taking his seat he has displayed a degree of good judgment often lacking in older legislators, and will fulfill the pledges made to his constituents. He will work hard for his section, keeping in view in the future, as he has in the past, the best interests of every part of the State.
On October 2, 1894, Mr. Worthington was married to Myra Kemp, the accom- plished daughter of Dr. G. H. Kemp, one of the oldest physicians of the vicinity, and a member of one of the most highly honored families of Barnesville. Two children have been born to this union, namely, Helen Lynn and Katherine Kemp. Mrs. Worthington is a devoted member of the Christian Church. Mr. Worthington was reared in the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. He is fraternally as- sociated with the Masons and Knights of Pythias. The subject of this sketch is gen-
erally regarded as one of the most enterpris- ing young men of this city, and enjoys a de- served popularity.
ALFRED 11. MITCHELL, senior mem- ber of the legal firm of A. II. & W. Mitchell, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, is one of the city's leading citizens and representative attorneys. neys.
The birth of Mr. Mitchell took place in Richland township, Belmont County, Ohio, May 31, 1849, and he is a son of David and Anna (Hatcher) Mitchell, who settled in Bel- mont County in 1830.
Nathaniel Mitchell, his great-grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and for three years belonged to that cordon of officers who formed the body guard of Gen- eral Washington. Nathaniel's son, James, was a farmer in Pennsylvania, in Washing- ton County, where his son, David Mitchell, was born in 1805. In 1830 David Mitchell settled in Richland township, Belmont County, where he engaged in farming, and where his death occurred in 1802. He mar- ried Anna Hatcher, who lived to the age of 72 years. They had a family of seven chil- dren, as follows: Elizabeth, Johnston, Jesse P., Joshua, Alfred 11., Wilson, and Emmett D. Elizabeth is the wife of T. W. Bentley, of Loydsville, Ohio. Johnston was killed in the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, September 1, 1864. Jesse P. resides in Columbus, Ohio. Joshua died at an early age. Wilson, who was born in 1851, taught school for eight years, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1877, and is the junior member of the legal firm mentioned above. He practiced until 1899, and was then made cashier of the Dollar Savings Bank, in which capacity he still serves. He married Ella Hewetson, and they have two sons, Alfred IL .. Jr., and Da- vid W. Emmett D. is a resident of Kinsley. Kansas.
Alfred 11. Mitchell received an excellent common school education, and grew to man-
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hood with those attributes which have devel- oped an admirable type of man. For four years after completing his studies he taught school and at the same time studied his law books, under the supervision of Capt. Lo- renzo Danford and E. E. Kennon, of St. Clairsville, with such effect that he was ad- mitted to the Belmont County bar in Sep- tember, 1871, and since that time has en- joyed a lucrative practice in St. Clairsville.
Mr. Mitchell was married September 23, 1875, to Mary A. Wilkinson, a daughter of William Wilkinson, of Smith township, Bel- mont County, and they have one son,-Her- bert W. Mr. Mitchell has been recognized as one of the leading members of his pro- fession, and served the county as prosecuting attorney from 1880 to 1885. His business enterprise has been shown in a number of instances, notably in assisting to found the Dollar Savings Bank, of St. Clairsville, which was organized in 1895. His political opin- ions are in accord with the Republian party. Fraternally, he is a Mason. Mr. Mitchell belongs to a high type of citizenship, and is thoroughly representative of the best ele- ment of the community. He is a man of honor and integrity, and one who serves the town and county to the best of his ability.
ISAAC N. CECIL, president of the City Council of Martin's Ferry and a substantial, prominent and representative citizen, was born in Marshall County, West Virginia, July 15, 1867. The parents of Mr. Cecil were Morrison and Mary (Wade) Cecil, the former of whom was born October 10, 1820, in Mar- shall County, and the latter in Wheeling, (West) Virginia. The occupation of Morri- son Cecil was farming, and in 1884 he lo- cated in Martin's Ferry and for two years cultivated a part of the J. W. Seward farm. During the period of the Civil War he only participated in the struggle as a civilian. ITis religious interest was in the Methodist Church, which he liberally supported until
his death, which occurred February 21, 1888. His wife survives him, aged about 61 years, and is a valued member of the Methodist Church and a respected and esteemed resi- dent of Martin's Ferry. The first marriage of Morrison Cecil was with Jane Manning, and 13 children were born to this union, six of whom still survive. Nine children were born to the second marriage of Mr. Cecil, the names of those who survived infancy be- ing as follows: Henry T., who is a resident of Martin's Ferry, employed in the sheet mill; James A., who is also employed in the sheet mill; Isaac N., of this sketch; Cora, who died at the age of 14 years; R. M., who is employed in the sheet mill; Rebecca (Mrs. Fred Eberling), of Martin's Ferry; Jeanette, who resides. at home, and Hester, who died at the age of 19 months.
Isaac N. Cecil acquired his education in the country schools, and through boyhood as- sisted on the farm. Ilis independent career began with a clerkship in a store at Marion. West Virginia, where he remained for three years. In 1886 he moved to Martin's Ferry, where he entered the rolling mill connected with the American Sheet Steel Company's Aetna plant, finishing his trade as sheet roller in 1892, since which time he has fol- lowed it.
Ever since attaining his majority, Mr. Cecil has been actively interested in politics and has been prominently identified with the Republican party. In 1899 he was elected to the City Council, was re-elected in 1901, and the value of his services was recognized by his election as president of the Council in 1002. Mr. Cecil is an influential member of the various committees and displays com- mendable zeal in pushing those enterprises which he feels confident will benefit the com- munity.
On December 22. 1880. Mr. Cecil was united in marriage with Mary Davis, a native of Monmouthshire, England, born July 22, 1870, who came with her parents to America when 11 years of age. She was a daughter of Alfred and Charlotte Davis, the former of
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whom died January 15, 1901, at the age of 63 years. Alfred Davis was a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Davis is an honored resident of Aetnaville, and a devoted member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mrs. Cecil was one of a family of eight children, their names being as follows: Bessie, who married William Davis, died at the age of 32 years; William and Alfred, both employees of the rolling mill, reside at Martin's Ferry; Mary became Mrs. Cecil; Alberta married David Lewis, an employee in the rolling mill; Anna, who married Albert Haines, resides at Homestead, Pennsylvania; Lillie married W. A. Clark, a mill employee, and Augustus, who also is employed in the rolling mill in Martin's Ferry. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil, four of whom survive, namely: Clyde M., Alma B., Isaac N., Jr., and Alfred D. Little Anna H., born Sept. 10, 1896, died June 26, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil are members of the Methodist Church.
Fraternally, Mr. Cecil belongs to the Uni- form Rank, K. of P .; to the I. O. O. F., and also to the Vigilant Hose Company, ex- tended mention of which organization will be found on another page. Mr. Cecil has in many ways proved himself a useful citizen of Martin's Ferry. Ile belongs to the opti- mistic school and is confident that a great future awaits the city. If such be the case, Mr. Cecil will be no small factor in its ac- complishment.
WILLIAM H. SEABRIGHT, proficient in the fulfillment of his duties as foreman of the Spence-Bagg Stove Company of Mar- tin's Ferry, Behnont County, Ohio, has been with the company since 1896. Ile is a son of Charles and Louisa (Myers) Seabright, natives of Germany, and was born in Belmont County September 19, 1857.
The father of our subject was a stone con- tractor and bridge builder by trade. Much of the work of this kind done in Belmont
County, such as filling and grading, and building of bridges of all kinds, has been the work of his hands, especially that on the Colerain Pike. Upon coming to the United States he settled first in Wheeling, where he followed the trade of a butcher until his re- moval to Martin's Ferry, after which he fol- lowed contracting and farming. He and his wife were married in the old country, and they were parents of eight children, seven of whom are still living today: Louis, Charles, Emma, William H., Minnie, Louisa, Lizzie and Albert, who died when seven years old.
Louis Seabright resides on the old home farm, and for years drove many teams and farmed as his father did before him. lle owned a vineyard of seven acres and at one time sold the grapes as high as seven cents a pound. Charles Seabright resides in Mar- tin's Ferry. Emma married William Helling, and also lives in Martin's Ferry, where Mr. Helling is in the coal business in connection with farming. Minnie became Mrs. Henry Rothermund. Louisa married Louis L. Scheehle, of Martin's Ferry. Lizzie married George Floto, a butcher.
The father of these children died June 28, 1891, at the age of 66 years, 6 months and 3 days, and his wife's demise took place when she was 63 years and 16 days old. They were members of the German Lutheran Church, and Mr. Seabright was a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He was a good man and was of a hard working, serious turn of mind.
The public schools of Martin's Ferry sup- plied our subject with his education. After leaving school he entered the Ohio City Mill as a puddler; the name of the mill has since been changed to the Laughlin Mill. Until the death of his father in 1891 he stayed at the mill, and then settled the estate and fol- lowed farming and gardening at a later date, previons to entering upon the responsibilities of his present position as foreman.
Mr. Seabright was united in marriage with Fredericka Dame, a daughter of Frederick and Fredericka Daume, both now residing in
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Martin's Ferry. She is a native of Belmont County. They have three children- Albert William, Wilbert Carl and Dorothy L. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church and they live comfortably in their home at No. 306 North Fifth street.
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Daume are still living at the respective ages of 72 and 70 years. They were married in Hanover, Ger- many, and landed in this country in 1859. Their home was first made in Wheeling, after which they located at Tiltonsville, and in 1872 settled in Martin's Ferry, where they have since resided. Their 10 children are all living, making a record to be proud of. The record follows: Hannah (Mrs. Charles Miller), of Wheeling; Edward, a real estate man of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Wil- helmina (Mrs. Charles Seabright), of Martin's whose husband is a millwright at the American Tin Works; Fredericka ( Mrs. William Seabriglit), wife of our subject; Mary ( Mrs. Louis Frederick), of Wheeling; Aurelia (Mrs. Charles Rosel), whose husband is now deceased-she lives in Wheeling; Lewis, a real estate agent of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Louisa, the wife of Carl Becker, a glass manufacturer of Mar- tin's Ferry; Frederick, employed in the shoe store of E. C. Boyd in Martin's Ferry, and Caroline, who still enjoys single blessedness. The German Lutheran Church is the prefer- ence of the family, and all but two are mem- bers of that denomination.
AMOS McBRIDE, who comes from one of the most worthy families of Belmont County, Ohio, is the leading blacksmith and wagonmaker of St. Clairsville, Ohio. Ile was born in Belmont County March 10, 1855, and is a son of Jonathan and Mary (Ilarrison) Mc Bride.
Jonathan McBride was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and came to Belmont County at an early day. He was a blacksmith and did all kinds of repairing. His death occurred
in 1859, at the age of 49 years, 11 months and 10 days. He married Mary Harrison, who was born in England in 1811, and died in 1879. She came to this country with her parents in 1827. Her marriage with Mr. McBride resulted in eight children, namely: William II., who lives on a farm near St. Clairsville; Sirena, the wife of Franklin- Ayers; Elizabeth, the wife of llenry Piper, a glazier and paper-hanger; Robert H., a farmer, of McPherson County, Kansas; Daniel H., who is in the implement business in St. Clairsville; Benjamin S., who is engaged in the grocery business; Mary Ann, deceased; and Amos, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. McBride was a very re- ligious woman, and for many years was an active worker in the Presbyterian Church, as there was no Episcopal Church in the community when she settled there.
Amos McBride attended the public schools of Belmont County, and learned the trade of a blacksmith and wagon-maker under his brother, Robert, and also under John Car- lile. Hle began business for himself in 1876, doing general blacksmithing and wagon work. Ile often sends specimens of his work as far as Pittsburg and Wheeling, and has an extensive trade in the last-named city. Ile employs 20 men throughout the year, and his business is undoubtedly the largest of its kind in Belmont County. Mr. Mc- Bride is a very influential man, is possessed of unusually good business ability, and is ranked among the foremost citizens of the county.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, October 4, 1803. with Josie A. Humphrey, a native of St. Clairsville, and a daughter of AAlexander Humphrey. Her father was a farmer in Belmont County for many years. Mrs. McBride's brother, Ben- jamin C. Humphrey, lives in St. Clairsville. as well as her sisters, Martha and Maggie. Mr. Mc Bride and his wife have two children, namely: Mary Gray and Benjamin .A.
Mr. and Mrs. McBride are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McBride is
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a Mason, and a member of the blue lodge, in which he has held office. Mr. Mc Bride has been twice a member of the City Coun- cil; being opposed to saloons, he was elected on the local option issue. He stands very high in the community, and is admired for his steadfastness of purpose and excellent principles.
JOSEPH W. DARRAH, M. D., a lead- ing physician and surgeon of Martin's Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio, is also one of the city's most progressive and public-spirited citizens. Dr. Darrah was born in Belmont County, February 5, 1858, and is a son of William and Louisa 1. K. (Finney) Darrah, both natives of Belmont County.
William Darrah was born June 11, 1835, in St. Clairsville, and is still an honored resi- dent of the county. For many years he has been one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church, as was also his wife, who was born in June, 1835, and died Feb- ruary 1, 1876. Our subject is the eldest of a family of five children, the others being: James A., a farmer of Belmont County; Lizzie May, who married William S, Tweed, of Steubenville, Ohio, and died at the age of 29 years; Walter IL., a druggist at Indian- apolis, Indiana; and Nevada A., who married Athelbert Pickens and resides at Scotch Ridge, in this county.
The early education of Dr. Darrah was secured in the public schools of the county, and then he began his medical reading under the late Dr. A. J. Alexander, of Scotch Ridge. Entering Western Reserve Med- ical College at Cleveland, Ohio, he gradu- . ated there in the class of 1882, and began practice at once at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, remaining there for one year. In 1883 he located at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, where he has remained ever since. For 15 years lie has conducted a drug business in connection with an office practice, and has been very successful. Dr. C. B. Probst, secretary of the State Board of Health, made our sub-
ject health officer of this city, and his choice has been justified by the close care taken and the careful sanitary conditions maintained for the past seven years. But for the excel- lent condition in which the city was found, the late siege of smallpox might have be- come epidemic. Dr. Darrah is a valued member of the Ohio State Medical Asso- ciation and is serving at present as a mem- ber of the School Board of Martin's Ferry.
It was Dr. Darrah who organized the vol- unteer fire department of Martin's Ferry and an associate order known as the Inde- pendent Racing Hose Team, this team be- ing very successful in contests, having won 11 successive victories. They in fact hold the world's record, won at Sandusky, which demonstrated their ability to run 231 2-3 yards and lay 200 feet of hose, break con- nections and screw on nozzle ready to throw water, in 29 seconds. This record is sworn to by the three judges, three timers and three starters. This same company, on Oc- tober 11, 1895, won the world's record and received the "Diamond Belt," worth $1,000, studded with diamonds and $250 worth of gold, which was competed for by companies from many States. This was received at the Cotton States Exposition at Atlanta, Georgia, The team has 20 members, all of them from Martin's Ferry. The feats of this team have advertised the city probably more than any one enterprise. They re- ceived a great ovation at Atlanta, and while there they organized the "Ohio Association of Atlanta." As no tippler is allowed in this company, their success may in part be attributed to their temperate habits. It has been in operation for 14 years, and during all this time our subject has been the fore- man and leading spirit in it.
Dr. Darrah is president of the Martin's Ferry Board of Trade, which was organized in 1902. He was one of the incorporators and is a director of the German Savings Bank of Martin's Ferry, recently organized, and is justly regarded as one of the city's most energetic and prominent citizens.
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The marriage of our subject took place March 11, 1880, to Mary Agnes Blackford, a native of Belmont County, being a daughter of Hamilton and Maria ( Paden) Blackford. The two children of this union are: Ethel, a graduate of the Martin's Ferry High School in the class of 1901; and Lawrence A., a student at that institution, in the class of 1904. The family attend the Presbyterian Church. In Masonic circles the Doctor is well known, belonging to the blue lodge, F. & A. M .; Belmont Chapter, R. A. M., and Hope Commandery, No. 26, K. T., in which he is past commander. He has rep- resented his lodge at Toledo and in the grand lodge at Springfield. Dr. Darrah en- joys fraternal associations and is devoted to their interests. He has been found at every meeting of the Northeastern Ohio Volun- teer Firemen's Association except two, and is the president of the same. Few men in Martin's Ferry are better known, more pop- ular or more generally esteemed.
JOHN W. VICKERS, sexton of the Riverview Cemetery at Martin's Ferry, comes of old Northumberland County, Eng- land, stock, although born in Meigs County, Ohio, June 4, 1858, a son of John W. and Sarah (Heslop) Vickers, both of whom were born in England.
John W. Vickers, the father of our sub- ject, began as a child of five years to work in the mines, and he followed that occupa- tion for some 60 years. With the Heslop family, he immigrated to the United States in 1844. He worked in the coal mines at Bridgeport, Ohio, and in the Laughlin Nail Mill as long as strength permitted. Ile died Jannary 29, 1894, at the age of 71 years. In the Methodist Church he was highly es- teemed, for his life career was one of probity, industry and usefulness. Ile was a promi- nent Odd Fellow for many years and be- longed to Lincoln Lodge, No. 49, of Ben- wood, West Virginia. The mother of our subject died in March, 1859, and was sin- cerely mourned as a good, Christian woman,
a devoted member of the Methodist Church. Her father died in Bridgeport at the age of 60 years; prior to coming to the United States he was a mine boss; he married his wife, Bettie Dixon, in England, and the children born to John and Bettie (Dixon) Hleslop were the following: Richard, who died in England at the age of 21 years; Jane, who married Edward Southern, lived in Benwood, where her husband conducted the oldest hotel in the place, during the Civil War; Betsey, who married Ralph Robson, became the mother of 16 children, one of whom is Richard Heslop, of Bellaire; Mar- garet married George Anderson and both are deceased; Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Robson; Susan, who is Mrs. Robert Heslop, of Mason County, West Virginia; Sarah, who became the mother of our subject; John, who is deceased; and Cuthbert, who is deceased.
The six children born to the parents of the subject of this sketch were: John and Thomas, who died in infancy; Richard, who died at the age of six years; Elizabeth and Jane, both of whom died in childhood; and John W., our subject, the only survivor.
Mr. Vickers' education was acquired in Martin's Ferry. His mother died when he was but nine months old and he was taken to the home of his uncle, John Heslop, by whom he was reared until he was of age, and with whom he remained until he was 24 years old and founded a home of his own. At this time he was an iron worker in the Laughlin Nail Mill, where he continued to work until the manufacture of steel nails revolutionized the nail business. Mr. Vick- ers then was employed as boiler in the Aetna Iron Works and remained there from 1885 to 1802, when the great output of steel nails from the Carnegie Steel Works practically closed the business at the Aetna plant.
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