USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 45
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In 1893 Mr. Vickers was made assessor. At this time came the great business de- pression which caused many formerly pros- perous men and firms to suffer. Mr. Vickers attended to the duties of his office and en-
HON. JESSE W. HOLLINGSWORTH.
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gaged in every form of honorable work that came in his way. He served on the board of trustees of the cemetery one month and then was made clerk and secretary of the board, serving as such ever since. In 1898 he was elected a member of the School Board and was re-elected in 1891. For sev- eral years he has been a member of the Lib- erty Hose Company, No. 3, of the fire de- partment.
On October 18, 1882, Mr. Vickers was married to Missouri White, the adopted daughter of George White, of Martin's Ferry, and to them seven children were born, as follows: Sarah; John, who died at the age of eight months; Frederick G., Edna May, Harry W., George Dewey, and Clar- ence C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vickers are consistent members of the Methodist Church and are carefully rearing their chil- dren in the same faith. For 23 years Mr. Vickers has been an officer in the Odd Fel- low lodge, and is now filling the position of past chief patriarch and is captain of the degree staff. He has always taken an intel- ligenit interest in politics and supports the Republican party. Mr. Vickers is also con- nected with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and is a past officer in the same. lle is regarded as a man of worth in his community, honest and upright and thoroughly reliable in everything he un- dertakes. He has a wide circle of acquaint- ances and many friends.
HON. JESSE W. HOLLINGSWORTH, a gentleman who has attained high distinc- tion as a member of the legal profession, is judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Belmont County, Ohio, and has been a prominent citizen of St. Clairsville for many years. He was born in Flushing, Ohio, Au- gust 8, 1849, and is a son of John Hollings- worth, a farmer and stock raiser.
After completing the prescribed course of study in the public schools, Judge Hollings-
worth attended Mount Union College, at Alliance, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1872. Having early in life determined upon a professional career, he entered the law office of Judge D. D. T. Cowen, under whose excellent preceptorship he diligently devoted his time to mastering legal princi- ples, in the meantime gaining much prac- tical experience, which proved of incalculable value to him- in later years. He continued in this office for three years, and in October, 1875, was admitted to the bar. Between 1875 and 1882 he was engaged in various en- terprises, and in the latter year he opened a law office and engaged in practice at Flush- ing, Ohio. In 1887 he received the Repub- lican nomination for the office of county at- torney, and was elected by a majority of 400,and in 1890 he was re-elected by a ma- jority of 100 more. Upon the expiration of his term, he resumed the practice of law as a partner of James M. Rees, an association which continued until January, 1897, when Mr. Hollingsworth assumed the duties of judge of the Court of Common Pleas, to which office he was elected in 1896, by a majority of 1,471 votes over his Democratic opponent. Ilis comprehensive knowledge of law, his utter impartiality and high sense of justice render him an invaluable public servant. His popularity was again evidenced in 1901, when he was re-elected judge by a large majority for the term expiring in 1907. He has always been an enthusiastic worker for Republican success, believing the prin- ciples promulgated in the platforms of that party to be sound and just. lle has fre- quently been sent as a delegate to State and county conventions, and in each campaign since 1885 has stumped the county in the interest of his party.
Fraternally, Judge Hollingsworth was made a Master Mason in Flushing Lodge No. 298; he is a member of Belmont Chap- ter, No. 30. R. A. M .; he was created a Sir Knight in Hope Commandery, No. 26, K. T., of which he has held the office of emi- nent commander; he is a member of the Uni-
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form Rank, Knights of Pythias; and of the United Order of American Mechanics. With the attributes which bring distinction in pub- lic life, he combines simplicity in private life, and his true worth and sterling character have endeared him to the citizens of Belmont County to a remarkable degree.
THOMAS L. LEWIS, national vice- president of the United Mine Workers of America, is a man of powerful and original individuality, and in the labor circles in the country is known as one of the best organ- izers. He was born at Locust Gap, Penn- sylvania, July 25, 1865, a son of Thomas and Mary J. (Jones) Lewis, both of whom were born in Wales.
The paternal grandparents of Mr. Lewis were Thomas and Margaret Lewis, natives of Wales, who reared a family of nine chil- dren, two of these still surviving. The grandmother died in Wales, and the grand- father at the age of 71 years married a sec- ond time and immigrated to America.
Thomas John Lewis, his son and the father of our subject, was born in South Wales, May 15, 1834, and died February 7, 1883. Until he was 18 years of age he fol- lowed farming, and then became a miner, continuing in that occupation through life. In his native country, on February 13, 1860, he married Mary J. Jones, and in 1864 they immigrated to America, locating first at Lo- cust Gap, Pennsylvania, where they lived two years, and then moved to the coal re- gions of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. In 1879 Mr. Lewis moved to Perry County, Ohio, and died at Shawnee, in the Hocking Valley coal district, at the age of 49 years, leaving his widow with 10 children, eight sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living. Mr. Lewis was a member of the Methodist Church and a man of industrious life and exemplary habits. .
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On October 7, 1889, the family removed to Martin's Ferry. With the assistance of
her two eldest sons, Mrs. Lewis had under- taken the task of rearing this large family to honorable and respected maturity, and nobly did she accomplish it. It would be a pleasant task for the biographer to place before the readers of this volume a record of the achievements of this most estimable woman. She has been permitted to see the reward of her sacrifices and self-denials in the establishment of this family of father- less children in respected and, in some cases, in prominent positions in life. Her 14 chil- dren bore these names: William T., Mar- garet, Thomas L., Ann, Lewis C., John H., Margaret, Llewelyn (1), Llewelyn (2), David, Isaac, Mary J., Stephen and Elias. Of these, Margaret died an infant in Wales; Llewelyn (1), Daniel and Mary J. also died in infancy.
William T. Lewis, the eldest son of the family, who is now a successful attorney in Columbus, Ohio, for many years was very prominently connected with labor move- ments not only in Ohio and Pennsylvania, but through many of the other States. His ability brought him to the front in the earlier organizations, and during the period when he occupied the position of general master workman of District No. 135, Knights of Labor, he was chiefly instrumental in com- bining and bringing about the consolidation of mine-working societies into the union which is known to the world as the National Progressive Union of Mine Workers. He was selected as national secretary. On ac- count of his peculiar fitness, he was selected to make a tour of this country in the inter- ests of the miners, serving thus for six months. lle then resigned in order to be- come a member of a commission formed to represent the miners' interests at the Paris Exposition. This was known as "The Scripps-McCrea League Expedition," and was composed of 40 representatives of American labor organizations, its object be- ing to study, investigate and compare the conditions of laboring classes in England, France, Germany and Belgium, with those
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of the United States. This commission was productive of satisfactory results. After his return in 1888, Mr. Lewis was admitted to the bar, having previously been thoroughly prepared. In 1892 he was appointed by Gov. William McKinley, labor commissioner in Ohio, and served in that capacity for four years, organizing labor forces later, in the interests of the Republican party, in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, a part of Wiscon- sin and a portion of Kentucky. In the same year that Mr. Mckinley was defeated for Congress, Mr. Lewis suffered the same fate in the Thirteenth Congressional District.
Ann, the eldest living daughter of the mother of our subject, married Thomas W. Ashton and resides in Athens County, Ohio. Lewis C., John II., Isaac and Stephen are mill workers at Martin's Ferry. Llewelyn is vice-president of the Amalgamated Asso- ciation of Iron, Steel & Tin-Plate Workers, of the 2nd District, and resides in Martin's Ferry. Margaret is Mrs. Thomas Johns, of Martin's Ferry. Elias, the youngest of the family, is a music teacher in Martin's Ferry.
In the lad of tender years, who earned his daily pittance in the mine and acquired his education at night, were to be found those attributes which have elevated Thomas L. Lewis to his present influential position. The steady application, the plodding indus- try, the assumption of responsibility,-all contributed to the formation of a self-reliant character. Seven fruitful months were passed at the Lebanon (Ohio) Normal Uni- versity, but with that exception, Mr. Lewis had but the opportunities for educational advancement offered by the night schools. lle continued to work in the mines until 1897, when he was elected secretary of the Ohio miners' organization. He filled that position until January, 1900. At that time he was elected to his present position as vice-president of the United Mine Workers of America. During 1896-97 he served as president of the Ohio Federation of Labor, which organization was composed of the va- rious trades unions in Ohio. When the fam-
ily removed to Martin's Ferry from Perry County, Mr. Lewis moved to Bridgeport. He has taken a deep interest in various en- terprises of his city, and was elected to fill an unexpired term on the School Board, and later became a member of the City Council.
In his connection with labor troubles, Mr. Lewis has always favored intelligent reason- ing between -employers and employees, ad- vocating strikes only as a last resort, ad- vancing many sensible arguments in favor of his position, declaring that after a strike is organized both factions are more arbitrary, and it is then harder to come to terms of agreement, and that a compact finally reached under such conditions lacks perma- nence. In his efforts with the workers he has always exerted his best endeavors to avoid strikes, for so frequently they do not reach the trouble and are sure to beget hard feeling. In his responsible position Mr. Lewis is called upon to display qualities which but few men possess,-an organizing faculty combined with a calm judgment and wise discrimination which enables him to not only readily come to the root of a mat- ter, but to be able to convince others. His personal magnetism is such that a leader of men requires. He enjoys the confidence not only of employees, but also the respect and esteem of those who employ.
On December 28, 1892, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Sarah Jenkins, a native of Wales, who came to America when a child with her parents, William and Mary Jenkins, the former of whom followed the trade of molder in Wales, but became in- terested in mining in America. Some 10 years were passed in Maryland, but in 1882 Mr. Jenkins removed with his family to Bridgeport, Ohio, and there both he and his wife died. Their family numbered nine chil- dren, as follows: Esau, Sarah, Hannah, William, David, Edith, Victoria, Mollie and a child, the eldest of the family, who died in Wales at the age of six years Esau is an expert mill worker employed at Martin's Ferry and David resides with him and works
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in the mill, as does William also. Hannah died in Maryland at the age of two years. Edith and Victoria reside at Plymouth, Pennsylvania, with an uncle, Rev. Jacob Davis, a Baptist minister. Since the death of her parents, Mollie resides with her sister, Mrs. Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have a lovely home in Bridgeport, its chief and most valued adornments being two beauti- ful daughters, Mary E. and Margaret E. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Lewis' fraternal connections are with Lodge No. 181, F. & A. M., of Bridge- port; the Foresters of America; the Knights of Pythias, Ohio City Lodge, No. 54; the Knights of the Golden Eagle; the Macca- bees, and the Elks. In politics Mr. Lewis is a Republican. His life interest, however, is centered in his great work. Few men have known more of the inside life of a miner than he. Born and bred one, he knows their needs, their trials, their limita- tions and their just rights. His influence among them is far reaching, and it is reason- able to suppose that he cherishes the hope that the day is not far distant when the troubles between mine workers and mine employers will be things of the past.
JOHN W. TERRILL, ex-postmaster of Martin's Ferry, Belmont County, is now en- gaged in newspaper work at No. 512 West Washington street in that city. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 28, 1858, a son of George W. and Amanda (Hopkins) Terrill, the former a native of Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio, where his birth oc- curred February 11, 1831, and the latter a native of Florence, Pennsylvania, born May II, 1837.
Our subject's father was united in mar- riage with Amanda Hopkins September 24, 1857, and they had eight children, John W. being the eldest. The others were: Walter, now of Homestead, Pennsylvania; Carrie
(Mrs. Henry Kries), who resides with our subject's mother; Lida, a saleslady in the store of George E. Stille, of Wheeling, for many years; George, still single, who resides with his mother and is a glass worker; Mollie, the wife of Irwin McKelvey, a son of A. T. McKelvey; Aldin, living at the old homestead, a steel worker by occupation; and Wilbur, also living at home, timekeeper at the steel works. The father of these chil- dren died September 15, 1891, but his widow still survives.
John W. Terrill, our subject, obtained his education in the schools of Covington, Ken- tucky, and subsequently engaged in work at the rolling mills at Wheeling and Martin's Ferry, and also in Pittsburg, his first posi- ·tion being secured at the last mentioned place, Ile was in the rolling mills until 1887 and then for some time followed paint- ing, which trade he learned during the time he worked at the mills. After abandoning this, he took up, newspaper work, and has continued along journalistic lines to the present time.
In 1890 Mr. Terrill became interested to some extent in politics, and his first office was clerk of Pease township, in which he served two terms,-from 1890 until 1894. During President Cleveland's administra- tion he was appointed postmaster of Mar- tin's Ferry, and served from 1894 until 1898, the last two years under President McKin- ley. Mr. Terrill always takes an interest in the actions of the Democratic party, with which his preference lies. Since 1898 he has been engaged in painting, and later in news- paper work to the present writing. He was a resident of Wheeling from 1870 until 1880, the date of his removal to Pittsburg, and spent but two years in the latter city before making his home. permanently in Martin's Ferry, Ohio.
April 3, 1879, our subject was united in marriage with Margaret Mellenry, a daugh- ter of Josiah and Angeline (Coss) Mellenry, and a granddaughter of David Coss. The Mellenrys are one of the old families of
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Belmont County, and were contemporary with the Zanes. Mr. McHenry was pro- prietor of the ferry for years after Mr. Mar- tin had ceased to run it, and was marked as a man of integrity and ability. Mrs. Terrill's father was a native of West Virginia, and was for many years foreman and manager in the mills of Martin's Ferry. His wife was born in that city and both were honored by all in their community. They reared a family of six children, Mrs. Terrill being the eldest child.
Mr. and Mrs. Terrill have been blessed with nine children, namely: Nellie M., still at home; Mary Angie, a clerk in the Post Office: Chester W., a graduate of Parkview School, West Virginia, in the class of 1901; Jennie G .; Walter L., a painter; Percy M., a clerk; John Ross, Lida Marie and Marga- ret A. Mary Angie became a clerk in the Post Office during her father's term of office there, having just been graduated from the Martin's Ferry High School at the age of 16 years, completing both classical and scien- tific courses. At the present time she is money order clerk, and is efficient in her work. Walter I. is now engaged in the painting business. Percy M. is now a sales- man in one of the stores of Pleasant Valley
Mrs. Terrill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family also at- tend that church. In fraternal circles Mr. Terrill has passed through all the chairs of the Knights of Pythias organization, and is one of the charter members of Welcome Lodge, A. O. U. W. Both our subject and his wife are widely known and well respected in Belmont County.
JOSEPH G. WILSON, M. D. Among the physicians and surgeons who so ably sus- tain the professional character of Belmont County, Ohio, is Dr. Joseph G. Wilson, who gave efficient medical service during the Spanish-American War. Since the war he has been residing at Colerain, where he is
actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession.
The birth of Dr. Wilson took place June 23, 1874, in Guernsey County, Ohio. He is a son of Benjamin and Mary Wilson, the former of whom was born in Guernsey, and the latter in Columbiana County, Ohio. In 1875 Benjamin Wilson located in Belmont County, and now resides in Flushing, where he manages a. dairy farm and supplies his locality with choice dairy products. He is about 52 years of age and his wife is slightly younger. They are members of the Society of Friends, and are most highly esteemed residents of their community. The four children comprising their family are the fol- lowing: Joseph G., the subject of this biog- raphy; Mabel, who married Albertus Hoyle, an electrician, resides in Philadelphia, their three children being William, Benjamin and Eleanor; George J., who is connected with the Provident Life & Trust Company, of Philadelphia, married Sarah Hoffman, and their one child is George Hoffman; and John F., who is attending college.
Dr. Joseph G. Wilson was reared on the home farm and received his primary educa- tion in the Friends' Private School, at Flushing, and at the Friends' Boarding School at Barnesville, Ohio, after which he entered Westtown Boarding School, of Pennsylvania. He graduated from West- town in 1804. In the same year he entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was gradu- ated in 1898. Six months were spent as resident physician in St. Christopher's Hos- pital for Children, in Philadelphia. After this and during the war with Spain, he en- tered the army, where he was made Acting Assistant Surgeon. After serving at the 2nd Division Hospital at Camp Meade. he was transferred to Puerto Rico, with the 16th Reg., Penn. Vol. Inf., and remained with that regiment until it returned to the United States. He was then transferred to the United States General Hospital located at Ponce, Puerto Rico, and from there was
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assigned to duty with the 7th Light Art., U. S. Army. He served with this command as Post Surgeon for nine months, being sta- tioned at first at Ponce and later at San Juan. In June, 1899, Dr. Wilson resigned and returned to the United States, in order to engage in private practice.
On July 26, 1900, Dr. Wilson was united in marriage with Carmen Yriarte y Kop- pisch, at San Juan, Puerto Rico. Mrs. Wil- son is a daughter of Rafael and Hortensia Yriarte, the former of whom is a member of The J. T. Silva Banking & Commercial Company of Paris, and San Juan and Agua- dilla, Puerto Rico. One little daughter, Martha, has been born to this union.
JOHN MILTON LEWIS. Among the leading citizens of Belmont County, Ohio. John Milton Lewis occupies a prominent po- sition. As president of the First National Bank of Barnesville; as the founder, secre- tary and general manager of the Barnesville Window Glass Factory; as one of the pro- moters of many of the public-spirited enter- prises of the city, and as an influential and social figure, Mr. Lewis has been conspicu- ously identified with the progress and de- velopment of Barnesville for the past 30 years.
Mr. Lewis comes of Welsh ancestry. Ilis family record reaches far back into the past. From a history of Delaware County, Penn- sylvania, compiled by George Smith, we learn:
"Henry Lewis emigrated to Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, from Wales in 1682, bringing with him his father, Evan Lewis, supposed to have been born in 1622, and his son, Henry Lewis. Henry (1) was known as the friend and correspondent of William Penn. He was foreman of the first grand jury that ever sat in Philadelphia."
Henry Lewis (1) settled on a tract of 600 acres of land in the northeast part of Haverford township, Delaware County,
about six miles from what was then Phila- delphia. This property has long since passed out of the hands of the family. It was once owned by the grandfather of Gen. George B. McClellan, and in 1878 by a Philadelphia merchant by the name of Ashurst.
Henry Lewis (1) died in 1688. His three children were: Henry (2), Samuel and Elizabeth. Henry Lewis (2) married a daughter of Joseph Hays in 1693, and their five children were: Isaac, John, Elizabeth, Samuel and Jacob. John Lewis, son of Ilenry (2), married Catharine Roberts, daughter of Abel and Mary Roberts, at Rad- nor Monthly Meeting, near Philadelphia. Their seven children were as follows: Abel, Mary, Samuel, Rachael, John, Evan and Elizabeth. Samuel Lewis of this family married Catharine Hoag and died in 1810. They had eight children, namely: Henry, Samuel, Jacob, John, Isaac, Jehn, Elizabeth and Beulah.
Jacob Lewis, the third son of Samuel and Catharine (Hoag) Lewis, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1760, and died October 8, 1829, at his home at Lewis' Mills, Belmont County, Ohio. Mary Lewis, wife of Jacob Lewis, was a daughter of Joshua Bundy and was born near New Bern, North Carolina, April 10, 1777, and died November 7, 1859. They had a family of seven children, namely: Ilannah. Rachael, Ira, Abel, Reece, and two children, Evan and Mary, who died in infancy.
Abel Lewis, son of Jacob and Mary Lewis, and Lucinda M. Gregg, daughter of Stephen and Asenath Gregg, Friends' ceremony in Plainfield Meeting were married by House early in 1835. To them were born four children, namely: John Milton, Reece G., Stephen Albert and Juliet C., all of whom were born on a farm near Lewis' Mills, where all grew to maturity except Stephen Albert, who died December 20, 1861.
Abel Lewis was born in Mount Pleasant township, Jefferson County, Ohio, June 2, 1810, and died while on a visit at the home
IION. ISAAC H. GASTON.
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of his daughter, Juliet C. Dove, in West Liberty, Iowa, on December 21, 1866. Ilis remains were brought to his home at Barnes- ville, Ohio, and interred in the Southern Cemetery.
Lucinda M. Lewis, the mother of our sub- ject, was born May 17, 1807, and died De- cember 22, 1861, two days after the death of her son, Stephen Albert, and both lie buried at Plainfield, Ohio.
A second marriage of Abel Lewis took place on August 26, 1863, at Flushing, Ohio, by Friends' ceremony, to Hannah W. Hirst, who died October 22, 1886.
Rebecca B. Holloway, daughter of Sam- uel and Sarah Holloway, of Flushing, Ohio, was united in marriage to John Milton Lewis November 16, 1858.
Three children were born to this union: Alice Holloway, Estella Z. and Mary Sharp, all born in Belmont, Ohio, where our sub- ject and his wife located after marriage, he engaging in the dry goods business.
From 1865 to 1871 Mr. Lewis was en- gaged in the wholesale grocery business in Philadelphia, and from 1871 to 188t was in the same business in Barnesville, Ohio. In 1883 he, with others, organized the Barnes- ville Window Glass Company, with which he has been since connected in the capacity of secretary and general manager.
Mary Sharp Lewis, daughter of John Mil- ton and Rebecca B. Lewis, was married to Robert Ross Watt, June 11, 1891. They have since lived in Barnesville and he, at present, is president of the Watt Mining Car Wheel Company.
HON. ISAAC H. GASTON, ex-judge of the Probate Court of Belmont County, Ohio, is not only a distinguished member of the bar, but also a leading and public-spirited citizen of St. Clairsville, Ohio, where his home is the center of a pleasant social and professional circle.
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