Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 47

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

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Inf., and saw hard service until the close of the war. At that time this regiment, which was a part of Gen. George 11. Thomas' famous 14th Army Corps, was actively en- gaged in the Tennessee campaign, and par- ticipated in the battle of Chickamauga, to- gether with the hardships at Chattanooga, where the brave soldiers stood fast until the Bragg siege was raised by the successful bat- tles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. The gallant 94th took part in Hooker's battle above the clouds, and left many of its brave men on the field. Mr. Lane also participated, in the summer of 1864, in the capture of Atlanta, and marched under Sherman to the sea. Resting for a short time at Savannah, the regiment's ac- tive work was resumed, and the march was continued through the swamps of the Caro- linas, in constant rain; but, nevertheless, it safely reached Washington and took a con- spicuous and deserved part in the final grand review. It was mustered out June 5, 1865, although out of the 1,000 brave men who had loyally marched away but three years be- fore, only 238 men, battered and travel-worn, but honored, remained to tell of the horrors of war, and to congratulate each other on a safe return.

Since the close of the war, Mr. Lane has been chiefly engaged in the railroad service, and has held many positions of responsi- bility. For a time, he was in a railroad office at Bellaire; he was chief bookkeeper of a wholesale house; he was for a time in Co- lumbus; and for several years he was secre- tary and treasurer of one of the large iron companies of Portsmouth, Ohio. Since 1878 he has been the trusted agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Barnesville, and is held in the highest esteem by the officials of that great line.

On February 18, 1868, Mr. Lane was united in marriage with Mary A. Warfield, a daughter of the prominent citizen and noted surgeon, Dr. J. W. Warfield, who won dis. tinction as surgeon of the 77th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was also made brigade and di-

vision surgeon. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lane, namely: Rufus H., Fred W., Jessie, and Isaac. Rufus HJ. entered the United States Naval Academy, in 1887, and graduated from that institution in the fall of 1881. He served through the Spanish- American War on Admiral Sampson's flag- ship, the "New York," and after the war was promoted to be a captain. Ile is now sery- ing on the U. S. battleship "Kentucky," in Chinese and Japanese waters. Fred W. com- pleted a course at the university at Wooster, Ohio, and graduated from the medical de- partment of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1893. He is now one of the leading phy- sicians and surgeons of Cambridge, Ohio. Jessie and Isaac have passed through the city schools. The family is connected with the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Lane has been a lifelong Republican in politics and is ac- tively interested in the success of that party. lle has taken part in many public enterprises and has served in many civic positions. For three years he was a trustee of the Belmont County Children's Home; for two years a member of the Barnesville City Council, and for six years the very useful president of the Board of Education. He was honored with an election as commander of G. A. R. Post No. 220, and was a delegate from Ohio to the national encampment held in 1886, in San Francisco.

Mr. Lane fulfills the ideal of a first-class citizen. In his business he is honorable and upright, in public life he is conscientious and painstaking, and in social life he takes a prominent position on account of his genial disposition and pleasing personality. The family is held in the highest esteem in Barnesville.

WILLIAM F. RICHMOND, who is suc- cessfully engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business in Barnesville, Ohio, was born on June 9, 1867, in Zanesville, Ohio, and is one of a family of 13 children born to

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his parents, Matthias and Anna (Taylor) Richmond. Matthias Richmond was a glass worker in Zanesville, and continued in that line as long as he lived.

William F. Richmond received an excel- lent common-school education in Zanesville, where he was engaged in business. Later he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and on September 3, 1901, located in Barnesville. Mr. Richmond handles a great deal of valua- ble property in both city and country; buys, sells and exchanges, makes loans, and also represents many of the leading insurance companies. Ilis honorable methods, as well as his close and careful attention to business, have gained him the confidence of the pub- lic, and he bids fair to become one of the leading men in his line in this part of the county.

In 1890 Mr. Richmond married Minnie A. Hammond, a daughter of Adam Hammond, both of whom are natives of Ohio. Two children have been born to this union-Loren and Elson. Mr. Richmond is a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and is popular in both orders. Ile and wife are leading and valued members of the Meth- odist Church, and their active interest is shown in the benevolent and charitable work of that denomination.

Among the insurance companies which are represented by Mr. Richmond are those covering life, fire, accident, plate glass, boil- ers and live stock. He also acts for the Fi- delity Bond Company. His pleasant and courteous manner makes many friends, while his expeditions and efficient mode of con- ducting his transactions has given him a high business standing in the city and vicinity.

JOSIAH W. DOUDNA, secretary and treasurer of the Eastern Ohio Glass Com- pany, is one of the leading and representative citizens of Barnesville, Ohio. He has been prominently identified with the various pro- gressive movements which have given this

city a leading position in the county, and lias contributed time, advice and means to the furtherance of permanent enterprises of bene- fit to the community.

The birth of Josiah W. Doudna occurred in Warren township, Belmont County, Ohio, in September, 1849. He was one of four children born to Joseph F. and Belinda (Hobern) Doudna. The father is one of the oldest farmers in the county. He is also a native of Belmont County, where he was born 78 years ago, and is still living in War- ren township, a short distance from the city limits.

Josiah W. Doudna attended the common schools, and was afterward a pupil in the Friends' School at Westtown, Pennsylvania. For a number of years he was engaged in business in Barnesville, and was well and widely known in this connection. Progress- ive in spirit, it was Mr. Doudna who intro- duced the first telephone system into Barnes- ville, and later a company was formed, includ- ing E. F. Doudna, I. L. Smith and T. W. Branson. This company was organized in 1895 under the name of the Barnesville Tele- phone Company, and the enterprise has proved to be of the greatest benefit to the public and a financial success to the stock- holders. For three years it was successfully conducted, but in February, 1898, the sys- tem passed into the control of the Bell Tele- phone Company. Three months later all of the apparatus of the former company was destroyed, a short distance from town, by fire. The new company provided another equipment, and in September, 1898, the long distance accommodation was established. Of this system Albert H. Doudna, a son of Josiah W., located at Bridgeport, is the gen- eral manager operating in Belmont County. At one time, in association with his brother, Edwin, the subject of this sketch was inter- ested in several well-drilling machines. For a number of years Mr. Doudna has been one of the directors of the People's National Bank of Barnesville, and a member of the executive board of the Independent Glass

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

Company, of Pittsburg. The Eastern Ohio Glass Company, in which Mr. Doudna is sec- retary and treasurer, is one of the leading industries of Barnesville. It employs 225 men and has the largest and best equipped factory in this part of the State, and sends finished goods over a good part of the world. Their excellent quality and fine finish have made them desirable wherever introduced, and caused a great demand for them.

Mr. Doudna was married to Ruth Bundy, a niece of llon. William Bundy, of Warren township, and a daughter of John Bundy, one of the oldest residents of Belmont County. Two sons and two daughters were born to this union. Mr. Dondna is social by nature and enjoys an active membership in the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. He belongs to and is State representative in the encampment in the latter, and is a member of the chapter and commandery of St. Clairs- ville in the former. llis political affilia- tion is with the Republican party, although he has never consented to accept political office. The family is held in the highest esteem in Belmont County.

RICHARD HEALEY, manager and su- perintendent of the Barnesville Creamery, of Barnesville, Ohio, is one of the capable, self- reliant and successful young business men of this city, of which he has been a resident since 1805.

Mr. Healey was born in Butler, Indiana, on November 10, 1866, and is a son of John and Hannah ( Irwin) Healey. John Healey was born in Massachusetts, January 1, 1838. In his earlier years he followed the coopering trade, but later became extensively interested in the timber business, and was thus engaged until his death, May 13, 1808. Hannah (Irwin) Healey died July 27, 1881.

Richard flealey was one of a family of three children born to his parents, and was reared and schooled in Ohio, his father hav- ing located at Lima and engaged in the man-

ufacture of stoves when Richard was seven years old. As he grew to manhood he also became interested in the timber business, but later was employed by a creamery con- cern. Ile represented a large supply house on the road and traveled through the West. In 1898 he accepted his present responsible position with the Barnesville Creamery, and since that time the business has been in- creased many per cent. Hle is also interested in the commission business. Mr. Ilealey's knowledge is practical, and his meth- ods and management have demonstrated his ability as superintendent. The average monthly business under Mr. Healey's charge amounts to from $1,800 to $2,000, and it is constantly growing larger. All modern ap- pliances are in use calculated to increase the value and quantity of the output, with a minimizing of expense, the consequence being that this industry is one of the best paying ones in the city.

The first marriage of Mr. Ilealey was to Sarah Abplanalp, in 1884, and one child, Margaret, was born to them. Mrs. Healey died July 28, 1895. In 1899 Mr. Healey was married to Mary Taylor, a daughter of J. A. Taylor. In fraternal affiliation Mr. Healey is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Foresters. He is prominently identified with the Democratic party. The religious connection of the fam- ily is with the Christian Church.

NATHIAN M. BOSWELL, of the well- known marble and granite firm of Colpitts & Boswell, in the thriving city of Barnesville, Ohio, has been connected with this industry for years. Its junior member has done his share in establishing its present high reputa- tion. The firm does a larger business than any other of its kind in the Ohio Valley.

Mr. Boswell was born June 9, 1864, and comes of one of the pioneer families of Barnesville, where he has spent the greater part of his life. His father, William Boswell,

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born April 16, 1819, saw the place grow from a wilderness to a prosperous and flourishing village. Ile was reared in Belmont County, where upon reaching manhood he engaged in agriculture. He continued thus throughout his active career. He was an honest and hard working man, and won the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He made his home in the county until he died, in De- cember, 1891. During his early manhood he married Hannah Briggs, and they had five children. Mrs. Boswell survived her hus- band two years, dying in 1893.

Nathan M. Boswell received the ordinary rearing of a farm boy, attended the district schools for a few months each year, and put in his spare time in hard manual labor. Upon reaching manhood he became interested in the marble and granite industry conducted by Colpitts Brothers, and established as early as 1875. August 12, 1887, he purchased a half interest in the business, and has since worked strenuously for its success. The firm attends not only to the cutting and preparing of marble and granite monuments, but also to the making of statuary, and in both lines has established an enviable reputation in point of excellence. It has always been noted for square dealing and honesty, and is held in the highest estimation wherever it is known.

In June, 1894, Mr. Boswell married Della Burson, daughter of James Burson, a promi- nent agriculturist, and they have had two children, Leah L. and William. The family occupy a high position socially, and belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Boswell has always evinced a keen interest in public affairs, and as a Republican is influen- 'ial in politics.

MOSES W. EDGAR, a veteran in the lumber business, to which his whole life has practically been devoted, is a highly esteemed citizen of Barnesville, Ohio. Ilis interests have been identified with Warren township since January 31, 1867, when he became con-

nected with the Watt Brothers, who are well known as manufacturers on a large scale, and whose business was then in its infancy. Mr. Edgar took charge of their sawmill before they moved to their present quarters, and is still engaged in the same connection. He enjoys the reputa- tion of being the oldest lumberman in the section, and as the purchasing agent of Watt Brothers is very valuable to the concern, being considered an expert on lumber ques- tions.

Mr. Edgar, like his father, is a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, where he was born June 20, 1838. His father, Moses Ed- gar, was a millwright by trade, and during his early manhood followed that occupation diligently and successfully in his native State. He afterward moved to Monroe County, Ohio, where he followed the same vocation for a time, but subsequently engaged exten- sively in agricultural pursuits. He and his wife had seven children. Both parents have been deceased many years, the beloved mother having passed away in 1870.

Moses W. Edgar, the subject of this narra- tive, while a small child was brought to Mon- roe County, Ohio, where he grew to man- hood. llis youth was spent upon his father's farm, and he attended the public schools of that county, where he obtained the rudi ments of an education that has proved of great value to him. He has been twice mar- ried. Ilis first union was contracted with Catherine Clegg, a daughter of Richard Clegg, a substantial citizen of Monroe County. Their union resulted in one child, Hester J., who is now the wife of J. Craft. On June 5, 1860, Mr. Edgar was called upon to bear the loss of his beloved companion.

In 1862 the subject of this sketch enlisted in the Union Army as a member of Com- pany C. 116th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Col. J. Washburn and Capt. J. Mann. He participated in about 18 battles and mmer ous hot skirmishes, and received an honora- ble discharge in the summer of 1864, having served throughout with an unblemished

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record. After the war Mr. Edgar returned to Barnesville and again engaged in the lumber business. In addition to his duties as pur- chasing agent for the large manufacturing concern with which he is connected, he owns a portable engine and sawmill and covers large contracts each season. In 1867 he mar- ried Sarah M. Watt, a daughter of the late Joseph Watt, and their union was blessed with six children, of whom two, Leona M. and William O., are deceased. Those living are Joseph E., Clara R., Ina, M. and John Watt. Joseph E. is a member of the I. O.O. F. organization. He married Emma Wright. Clara R. married J. R. Shry, one of Barnes- ville's most enterprising and up-to-date mer- chant tailors. Her brother, John W., is also identified with the same line of business in Cambridge, Ohio. Hle affiliates with the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Ina M., the remaining sister, is the wife of J. R. Fitten, of Bellaire, Ohio.

Mr. Edgar is one of the most public spirited and substantial citizens of Barnes- ville. The Edgar family are well known throughout Belmont County and occupy a coveted position in social circles. They are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Edgar has served as a class leader for several years. In politics he is a pronounced Republican, and at all times uses his influence for the success of his party. Mr. Edgar has led a busy and useful life and is rightly considered one of the mainstays of Barnesville.

FRANCIS MOORE is a well-known and highly respected citizen of Barnesville, Ohio, who conducts a first-class blacksmith shop in this city. He was born in Barnesville, August 7, 1856, and is a son of William R. and Mary E. (Hall) Moore.

William R. Moore, who died on March 3, 1875, belonged to that body of excellent mechanics which in the early days of the city did so much for its permanent development.

The names of John Francis, Robert Crozier, William Kline, Joseph Capstack, Jolm Mc- Domell, J. P. Cox, James Sproat, George Hall, John Seals and William R. Moore, re- call to the older citizens men of energy and brawn, who were not only good mechanics and blacksmithis, but were also among the best and most reliable citizens. In 1857 Wil- liam R. Moore erected a hominy mnill in Barnesville ' on the corner of South and Chestnut streets. For many years he oper- ated this very successfully, and it was fol- lowed in 1854 by a sawmill, which he located on South Chestnut street, and which, after years of successful operation, was bought by Ifilles Brothers. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Moore was one of the loyal men who responded to the call for volun- teers. Hle enlisted in Company C, 9th Reg., Ohio Vol. Cav., and served faithfully until 1865. His marriage to Mary E. Hall was blessed with the following children: Owen, who gave his young life to his country at the battle of Stone River; John W., Lurestine P., George and Francis.

Francis Moore was reared and schooled at Barnesville, but in early manhood started out for himself, turning his steps to the great Northwest. There he learned the blacksmith trade and was thus employed at Minneapolis, Minnesota. He followed the same occupa- tion in the regular army, with which he was connected for two years, and during that time, under command of General Miles, par- ticipated in several engagements with the Indians. In 188t he returned to his old Ohio home and opened up his present quarters, where he has been very successfully em- ployed ever since. Mr. Moore is an expert horseshoer and is known for his special work in the shoeing of race-track horses. ITis establishment is the leading one in Barnes- ville.

Mr. Moore was first joined in marriage in 1875 with Annie B. Hummer. His second marriage occurred in 1881, when he wedded Annie B. Kircher, who died, leaving one daughter, Etta K. Mr. Moore formed a third

JOHN K. REED.

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union with Cora B. Rimer in 1893, which has resulted in no children.

In politics Mr. Moore is identified with the Democratic party, while his fraternal connec- tion is with the Odd Fellows. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moore are highly respected by all who know them, and they have a wide circle of friends.

JOHN K. REED, an extensive farmer in Warren township, Belmont County, Ohio, and one of the substantial, prominent and representative citizens of the county, was born in Warren township, June 27, 1827, a son of James P. and Sarah (Kent) Reed.

The father of our subject, James P'. Reed. was a son of John Reed, one of a family of eight children. John Reed, with his family, migrated to Belmont County, Ohio, from Loudoun County, Virginia, in 1802, settling so far in the timber that he was obliged to cut a road from Barnesville to his farm, four miles west of that settlement. He cleared up a farm of 133 acres in Warren township, and upon that tract James P. Reed was reared from the age of one year. He lived until 1886, aged 84 years, a man respected by his neighbors and much beloved by his family. The Reeds were indeed pioneers. coming to Warren township while it was nothing but a wilderness, with scarcely any sign of civilization in the way of highways, schools or churches. The mother of our subject also was a daughter of a pioneer William Kent, formerly of Wills Creek, Noble County, Ohio, where he was a large and successful farmer.

Jolm K. Reed grew up on his father's farm and attended the district schools. From assisting his father he gradually began to ac- cumulate land of his own to cultivate, and the large farm he now owns is one of the very best in Warren township. It contains 108 acres of well-improved land, partly lo- cated in sections 25 and 26, his comfortable residence being in the former. An air of

thrift pervades the place and gives testi -. mony to the excellent methods pursued by the owner of these fertile acres and attrac- tive buildings.

The first marriage of Mr. Reed was to Martha Price, a daughter of Nelson Price, in February, 1850, and three children were born to this union, the one survivor being Mrs. Dora J. Blakemore, whose husband is one of the progressive business men of Barnesville. The second marriage of Mr. Reed took place April 11, 1896, to Anna Griffen, the accomplished daughter of Douglas Griffen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reed are consistent members of the Methodist Church, and, like his father, he is identified with the Democratic party. Mr. Reed is justly regarded as one of the county's most substantial citizens, and has been one of the directors of the People's National Bank of Barnesville ever since its organization. His character is one of integrity, and in all en- terprises looking to the growth and de- velopment of Belmont County he has taken a deep interest.

JAMES II. DARRAH, a well-known citi- zen of Bellaire, Ohio, now identified with the steel business, was for many years connected with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad service. He was born in 1837 in Richland township, two and one-half miles south of St. Clairs- ville, a son of William and Letitia (McFar- land) Darrah.

William Darrah, the father of James H., was a capable and energetic business man and is still remembered both for his integrity and for estimable personal characteristics. He was born in County Antrim, near Belfast, Ireland, and immigrated to the United States, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, prior to 1824. coming to Belmont County, Ohio, in the fall of 1832, during the administration of President Andrew Jackson, for whom he entertained feelings of admiration and from whom he imbibed Democratic principles to

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which he adhered through life. He was a man of quick wit and shrewd knowledge of human nature. A little incident, remem- bered by those who heard its relation at a later date, occurred during his long voyage of five months across the Atlantic, which dis- played in him a keen understanding of men and motives. A passenger discovered that he had been robbed, and to the council, called to formulate some plan by which to discover the thief, Mr. Darrah proposed that straws be prepared to the number of souls on board the vessel, and that each one should draw and that the one who obtained the longest straw should be deemed the thief. This unique plan decided the matter; the thief, in his anxiety to escape the longest straw, bit off a part of his own, making it the only short one in the bunch, for they were originally all of one length. Consequently, the thief was caught and ducked.

William Darralı was accompanied to America by his brother Robert and his sis- ter Jane, the latter of whom married Wil- liam Gow and resided near Martin's Ferry. Mr. Darrah removed his family to St. Clairs- ville about 1844, where he engaged for some time in a butchering business, and was later appointed postmaster by President Pierce through Governor Shannon, who was then Congressman, keeping the office in connec- tion with a grocery business in which he con- tinued until his retirement from activity, dying in November, 1870, aged 72 vears. His wife, who was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, survived until August, 1872, dying at the age of 66 years. Mr. Darrah was a man of fine physical presence, weighing some 300 pounds, and of pleasant, genial disposition, . capable of winning attached friends. By a former marriage he had two sons and a daughter born to him, while nine sons were born to his latter union with the mother of our subject. These were: John, deceased, the father of D. H. Darrah, ex-postmaster of Bellaire, of whom extended mention may be found in another part of this volume; Rob- ert, who has been deceased some 20 years;

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 47

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