USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 63
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December 4, 1878, Theodore Neff was united in marriage with Nancy J. McKelvey of Mead township, and they have three chil . dren, namely, Edney D., aged 22 years, who has for the past five years engaged in the insurance business with his father; Jacob H., who is 18 years old and lives at home, and Carrie L., aged 16 years. Religiously the family attends the U. P. Church.
JULIUS II. HAYS, superintendent of the carpenter and construction gang at the Bel- laire plant of the National Steel Company for the past twelve years, is one of the oldest employees of the plant. his term of service ranking second. Mr. llays is highly esteemed by his employers for his efficiency and long years of faithful attachment to their interests.
Julius II. Hays was born in 1852 in Germany, and alone and dependent upon his own resources he came to America at the age of 15 years. In Germany his father operated a large wind-power flomring mill,
COL. JAMES F. CHARLESWORTH.
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but the youth believed he could better his condition in a new country. A sister, Mul- der, resides in Texas. Being willing, ener- getic and pleasant in manner, he soon se- cured employment in New York as clerk in a store at $8 a month and continued there for two years, and then went to Wheeling, West Virginia. There he. learned the carpenter trade with William Bitmeyer, and followed the same in Wheeling, later being one of the builders of the Aetna Standard Mill. In 1884 he came to Bellaire and began work as a journeyman carpenter with his present em- ployers, and by careful and thorough work gained his promotion in 1890 to the posi- tion of superintendent of all of the carpen- tering and construction of the heavy rigging of the steel works with a force of from 40 to 50 men under his charge. During his sev- enteen years' connection with this plant Mr. Hays has seen many changes. When he came here in 1884 three carpenters only were required where now fourteen, with helpers, are needed, and the mules which used to pull the cars have been replaced by twelve loco- motives. The single blast furnace, where 60 tons of pig-iron was a large day's work, has been superseded by furnaces with a capacity of 350 tons.
Mr. Hays has a beautiful home at No. 4754 Jefferson street, containing eight apartments and surrounded by a fine lawn. The house was erected by him in 1888. He has a most interesting family, which is well and favora- bly known in the city. His marriage was to Carrie Backer, daughter of Peter Backer, who came to Wheeling 52 years ago from Germany and was engaged for 28 years at the La Belle coal mine. Mr. Backer at the age of 81 years is still vigorous and but lately returned from an enjoyable visit to his na- tive land. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Tlays were: Anna, at home; Alberta, the wife of Augustus Stellars, of the Novelty Stamping Company; John, a clerk and as- sistant mechanical engineer at the steel works: Nellie, a stenographer in the office of
the steel works, and George, receiving clerk at the National steel works.
In political sentiment Mr. Hays is an ardent Republican, and he is fraternally con- nected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In his religious views he is very liberal, seeing good in every denomination, but his family attend the Episcopal Church, and this he liberally assists. From the posi- tion of a poor German lad without friends, Mr. Hays has made his own way in the world and now possesses ample means, many friends and is well deserving the high esteem in which he is held by those who know him best.
COL. JAMES F. CHARLESWORTH, who has attained a high degree of success as an attorney-at-law of St. Clairsville, Ohio, was born in that city, November 25, 1826, and is a son of Richard and Jane ( Porter) Charles- worth. His father was one of the early busi- ness men of St. Clairsville, having come to Bel- mont County from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1820.
James F. Charlesworth was educated at Granville College, where he completed the course in 18.44, and then engaged in business with his father. At the outbreak of the war with Mexico, he and his younger brother, Richard W., left home and enlisted in Com- pany II. First Regiment Mounted Rifles, now the 3rd U. S. Cavalry. They saw active ser- vice in Mexico under Gen. Winfield Scott, and Colonel Charlesworth was wounded at Con- treras. The colonel of his regiment performed the functions of mayor of the City of Mexico after the entrance of the United States troops, and the regiment was detailed for police duty for a period of nine months, quitting the city after the declaration of peace. Shortly after the war, Mr. Charlesworth returned to St. Clairsville, and entered upon the study of law under the supervision of General Weir. After lis admission to the bar, in 1851, he success- fully engaged in practice until 1854, when he
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was elected to the office of auditor of Belmont County, and served as such for a term of two years. In 1857, he became proprietor and edi- tor of the Independent Republican, a paper which he published until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he felt that duty to his coun- try called him to the field. He raised the first three years' company entered on the records of the adjutant general, and of this was com- missioned captain, July 12, 1861. His previ- ous military service made him of exceptional value to the country at this time. He was active in the field, and in the fall of 1861 re- ceived a slight wound at Alleghany Summit, Virginia. His ability as a soldier and leader attracted the attention of his superior officers, and he was rewarded by promotion as major of his regiment, May 16, 1862. On June 8th, of the same year, he was severely wounded at the battle of Cross Keys, a minnie ball enter- ing the abdomen, and coming out about two inches from the spinal column. On July 30, 1862, he was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel, and on May 18, 1863, resigned because of physical disability, further service being im- possible. His resignation received the follow- ing indorsement from Brig .- Gen. N. C. Mc- Lean, at the headquarters of the First Division, Lith Army Corps, at Brooks Station, May 13, 1863: "AApproved and respectfully forwarded to Lieut-Col. Charlesworth; I approve as I personally know him to be disabled by an hon- orable wound." Colonel Charlesworth still possesses the ball which passed through his body, and was found where he fell. He also has in his possession the vest then worn by him, showing the direction the ball took. These relies he treasures as mementoes of hon- orable service.
Upon his return home Colonel Charlesworth entered upon his duties as clerk of Belmont County, to which office he had been elected while in the service. In 1861, he served as colonel of the Ist Regiment, Belmont County Militia. On the expiration of his term as clerk, he was appointed master commissioner of the Court of Common Pleas, and served in that capacity for nine years. During the
troubles incident to the construction of the Central Ohio Railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, he was appointed and com- missioned a captain, to organize the celebrated Washington Guards, which were on duty about four years. He also rendered valiable service to St. Clairsville during the county seat contest with Bellaire, and he and his asso- ciates succeeded in having the Legislature make appropriations for the present magnifi- cent county building. Ile is a Democrat, in politics, and has been an enthusiastic worker for party success. He was a delegate to the convention which nominated James E. Camp- bell for governor; he has served as vice-presi- dent of the Democratic State Central Com- mittee. and as trustee of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home. His fraternal associa- tions are with Lodge No. 16, F. & A. M .; Chapter No. 17, R. A. M .; and Hope Com- mandery. No. 26, K. T. Ile is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was formerly commander of the Belmont County Battalion.
Colonel Charlesworth was married July 4, 1855, to Laura A. Tallman, a daughter of William Tallman, deceased.
J. R. ANDERSON, superintendent of the public schools of Belmont County, Ohio, a man of scholarly attainments and personal popularity, is an Ohio product, born at Bel- laire in 1863, a son of Isaac C. and Mahala J. (Lashley) Anderson, the latter of whom be- longs to an old county family which located southeast of the city of Bellaire as early as 1830.
The Andersons were natives of West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, and there Isaac C. Anderson was born 76 years ago. A notable occasion was the celebration of the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac C. Anderson, which took place at the family residence, No. 612 Vine street, Bellaire, in October, 1001. Alr. Ander- son is a veteran of the Civil War. and he and his estimable wife are the
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central figures in a large family of children, namely: William, who is engaged in business in connection with the Bellaire Foundry & Machine Company; Mrs. P. R. Myers, who resides at Quincy, Illinois; Mrs. N. J. Mc- Donald, who resides in Bellaire; Newton, who is also connected with the Bellaire Foun- dry; J. Albert, who resides at South Bend, Indiana; J. R., who is the subject of this re- view; Mrs. Maria J. Simpson, who lives in Bellaire; Mrs. O. C. Henry, who is a resident of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Charles, who is associated with the subject of this sketch in the ownership of the Bellaire Foundry & Machine Company plant.
The primary education of Superintendent Anderson was obtained in the public schools of Bellaire, and his degree of M. A. was se- cured after doing collegiate work at Bethany, West Virginia. Mr. Anderson's services were immediately secured in the public schools of his native city, and for one year he was principal of the Second Ward school and for ten years was assistant principal of the Central building, in 1898 becoming superin- tendent, filling the position with the same efficiency which has marked his whole pro- fessional career, bringing the schools to a high standard.
The Bellaire Foundry & Machine Com- pany, with which enterprise our subject is financially connected, was established in 1895 by Charles and J. R. Anderson and Clarence Simpson, the last named withdrawing after three years. The business is now the prop- erty of the Anderson brothers and is located at the corner of 33rd and Hamilton streets, where a large business is done, requiring the aid of a number of skilled foundrymen and machinists. It is one of the successful indus- tries of Bellaire.
The marriage of Prof. J. R. Anderson was to a daughter of John Wood, who came some thirty years ago to Bellaire, and for thirty years has been one of the leading contracting carpenters in this vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Wood reside at Shadyside. The seven chil- dren born to our subject and wife were as
follows: Edward, Clarence, Walter, Robert, Bertie, Ethel and Raymond. Our subject was reared to believe implicitly in the princi- ples of the Republican party, of which his father has been an adherent from its organi- zation, and is active in its interests. Fra- ternally he is associated with the lonic Lodge, F. & A. M., of Bellaire, the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. The Chris- tian Church has long been the religious body with which both the Anderson and Wood families have been identified, and our sub- ject is one of its deacons and liberal support- ers. Ilis standing as teacher and citizen is unquestioned, and his personal attributes have brought to him a wide circle of friends.
ROBERT McDONALD, a competent foreman to the superintendent of the con- verting and blooming mill of the National Steel Works at Bellaire, Ohio, is a veteran in the steel business, having done his first work in that line in 1875. At that time he entered the Edgar Thompson Steel Works, a part of the Carnegie plant, and has labored faithfully in developing the steel industry ever since. He spent nine years in the Du- quesne mill, resigning his situation there to accept his present position at Bellaire, where he located in April, 1898. From 100 to 200 men are employed in the departments under his charge, and as Mr. MeDonald has worked his way through all the lower and inter- mediate departments, he is well fitted to ful- fill the duties devolved upon him.
Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania and has one brother, J. Il. McDonald, who is superintendent of the department at the steel works of which the subject of this sketch is foreman. The residence of Mr. McDonald is at No. 4260 Noble street. Three years ago he was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who was a Kentucky lady. Five chil- dren blessed their union. The eldest daugh- ter, Bertha, who is eighteen years old, man- ages the home for her father and looks after
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the younger children, Clifford, Flora and Esther, whose ages are, respectively, thirteen, eleven and eight years. Foster, the eldest son, who is twenty years old, is employed at the steel works.
Mr. McDonald is a faithful adherent to the Republican party, and uses both his vote and his influence to advance its interests. In fra- ternal organizations he is allied with the Masons, being a member of both blue lodge and the chapter of Bellaire. In his religious opinions he favors the Presbyterian Church, but his children prefer to attend the United Presbyterian.
R. SMILEY NELSON, proprietor of the United States Dairy, conducts the leading business in that line in Bellaire, Ohio. He was born in Pultney township in 1856, is a son of Matthew G. and Mary Ann (Keyser) Nelson, and grandson of Robert and Mary (McGregor) Nelson.
Robert Nelson was a native of Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania, and located in Belmont County in 1812, purchasing at that time a 160-acre farm in section 25, Pultney town- ship. He cleared this farm and upon it fol- lowed agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, March 5, 1857. He was 69 years and six months old at the time of his death. His wife survived him for many years, and only two of her children lived to witness her death, which occurred November 21, 1881, she being in her 86th year. Eight children were born to her and her husband, namely, John, Robert, Elizabeth, Matthew G .. Thomas, Alexander, Benjamin Franklin and Margaret.
John Nelson was born in 1819, and died in 1902 in Illinois. Robert resides on the old home farm in Pultney township. He was born October 8, 1822, and married in 1849 Emeline Cummings, a daughter of Joseph and Anne (Prescott) Cummings. His wife was a native of Kennebec County; Maine, born in 1825. They have five children, as follows: Helen, wife of Warren Holgate, a ranchman
of Manhattan, Montana; Annie; Edwin, a merchant in the State of Maine; Frank, who resides in Pultney township, and Margaret, wife of Rev. Ashbel Lane of Fremont, Ohio.
Elizabeth Nelson was born in 1825 and died soon after her marriage with Edward Gill.
Thomas Nelson was born in 1829 and died in 1859.
Alexander Nelson was born in March, 1831, and during his active life was a physi- cian and surgeon at Martin's Ferry. He died in 1874.
Benjamin Franklin Nelson was born in 1835 and followed mercantile life in Bellaire until cut off by death in 1864.
Margaret Nelson was born in 1837. She married John Hinkel and passed to her final rest in 1867.
Matthew G. Nelson, the father of our sub- ject, was born January 28, 1827, in Pultney township. He followed farming and died in 1871, but two months before his 45th birthday. Ilis widow is still living, being now 79 years old. She resides with our sub- ject. Five children were born to her and her husband. Of these, two, Ella and Wil- liam, died young. One daughter, Lizzie, re- sides in Pultney township with our subject, while Frank K., our subject's only brother, has a family and resides on Wheeling Island, being an employee of the Aetna Standard Mill.
We now take up the lfe or our subject, R. Smiley Nelson. He was reared on his father's farm in Pultney township, and during his youth he attended Rock Hill School. He followed in the footsteps of the grandfather and father and confined himself to agricul- tural pursuits until about eight years ago. At that time he believed he saw a good busi- ness opening, and his effort during the inter- vening years have proved the correctness of his judgment.
Hle established the United States Dairy at Bellaire and does a thriving business in that prosperous city. Ile runs two wagons, which cover regular routes daily, and about 100 gal-
ROGER ASHTON.
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lons of milk and cream are required to supply regular customers. Mr. Nelson keeps 40 good milch cows, many of them thorough- breds-Jersey, Holstein and Durham breeds. The constant attention of four men is re- quired to handle the business, which is con- ducted on a well-paying basis.
Mr. Nelson has a finely improved farm His residence is large and comfortable, while many other convenient buildings are found on his place.
His marriage with Cordelia H. Robinson resulted in the birth of three daughters and one son. The latter, John G., drives one of his father's milk wagons. The other children Gara, Estella and Rachel, are also at home. Politically, Mr. Nelson is a stanch Repub- lican. He is public spirited and charitable. He is a member of Rock Hill Presbyterian Church.
ROGER ASHTON, a prominent citizen of Martin's Ferry, councilman from the First Ward, superintendent of local mines, and a stockholder in the German Bank, was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, September 11, 1845.
The parents of Mr. Ashton were John and Mary ( Clayton) Ashton, who lived in Wales all of their lives. John Ashton was a wool carder by trade and followed the occupation through life. He lived to be over 82 years of age, surviving his wife many years, her death occurring at the age of 65 years. Both parents were members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, the five survivors being the following : John, who is a merchant in Wales; Richard, who is a miner in Wales : Thomas, who resides in Hocking Valley, Perry County, Ohio; Wil- liam, who resides at Little Falls, New York; the fifth being Roger, of this biography. The members of the family who have passed away are: Edward, who died at the age of 23; Eliza- beth, who lived to the age of 60; Benjamin, who died when 23; David, who died at the age of 30: and Mary Ann, who died when nine
years of age, all passing away in Wales except David, who died in Alabama.
Mr. Ashton had absolutely no, early educa- tional advantages, his first opportunity for at- tending school presenting itself when he was 23 years of age. At that time he was even ig- norant of the letters of the alphabet, but he made excellent use of his six months at school, made such rapid progress, especially in mathe- matics, that his knowledge surpassed that of his teacher. After this period of schooling was passed he began business as a coal weigher, following that occupation for the succeeding nine years, at which time he came to the Unit- ed States. Mr. Ashton began his business ca- reer in this country as a miner, digging coal in the very mines which are now being operated under his superintendence. They are located within the corporate limits of Martin's Ferry, and are owned by the American Sheet Steel Company. It is a testimonial to the ability and efficiency of Mr. Ashton that he has risen from one of the most subordinate positions to his present one of responsibility, and has so satis- factorily filled the same for the past fifteen years. The high esteem in which he is held by the company is well deserved and very gratifying.
The first marriage of Mr. Ashton was in his native land to Margaret Evans, who died March 19, 1891, at the age of 42 years. A family of 12 children was born to this nion, all of whom died in infancy with the exception of David R., who is a tin worker, unmarried. and a resident of Martin's Ferry. The second marriage of Mr. Ashton was on August 3. 1891, to Margaret Meredith, a native of Wales, who came to America in 1889, a daughter of Gwenllyn Meredith. The children born to this imion were as follows: Roger; Edith, who died at the age of seven months; Mary; John, who died at the age of one year ; and Margaret. Mr. Ashton has accumulated ample means, and owns three houses and one valuable lot within the corporate limits. Ile has taken an active part in the political life of the community and his election as councilman on April 7, 1902, was not only a triumph for
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the Republican ticket, but also a testimonial to his personal popularity as his majority was nine over three to one against his opponent. Fraternally Mr. Ashton belongs to the Elks.
A review of the career of Mr. Ashton gives an excellent illustration of the success which awaits those who come to America resolved to live a life of industry, to become integral parts of this great Nation and become its use- ful citizens. At the same time it may be noted that Mr. Ashton is a worthy representative of a country whose sturdy sons have contributed, in no small degree, to the prosperity of many sections of their adopted land.
A. O. MELLOTT, ex-mayor of Bellaire and senior member of the firm of Mellott & Son, undertakers and furniture dealers, owns the finest establishment of its kind in Bel- laire and for many years has been one of the most successful merchants of that place. About 30 years ago he purchased the store of the Marietta Chair Company, which at that time was entirely new, having just been rebuilt after a destructive fire. Mr. Mellott restocked the building and added the under- taking department.
The building in which his business is con- ducted is located on the corner of 33rd and Belmont streets, is 40 by 120 feet and is two stories high. The undertaking parlors are located on the second floor and first-class work in this line is guaranteed by Mr. Mellott, who is an expert embalmer. The furniture department contains a complete variety of up-to-date furniture at moderate prices, and the quality of goods is not sur- passed anywhere in the city.
Mr. Mellott was born in Richland town- ship, near Glencoe, in September, 1830. His father, William Mellott, was a native of Eastern Pennsylvania, and the year 1800 marks the date of his birth. About 18og he was brought to Belmont County, Ohio, by his father, John Mellott, who located the first year on a tract now known as the Dixon
farm. Later, he removed to the farm near Glencoe, which he purchased, and which is still in the possession of the family, being, at the present time, owned by James Mel- lott, a brother to our subject. The grand- father and father both followed farming as an avocation, and the former died in Mon- roe County when about 72 years of age. The latter died -in 1885 at the great age of four score years and five. Both were stanch Democrats in politics. .
The mother of our subject was, before marriage, a Miss Ault, and was also a native of the Keystone State. She is also deceased. Her father, Frederick Ault, moved to Bel- mont County between 1820 and 1825, and two brothers, Frederick and George, reside near Belmont. Mr. Mellott has four broth- ers and one sister, as follows: Frederick, a farmer in Monroe County, Ohio; Isaac, a farmer of Mead township, Belmont County, Ohio; Sarah, who married a Mr. Manches- ter, a farmer and railroad man of Mead town- ship; David, a farmer of York township; and James, who resides on the home farm near Glencoe.
The subject of this biography was edu- cated in the schools of Richland township and in the Barnesville Academy, and for the following 18 years he engaged in teach ing school; then he followed agricultural pursuits for about five years. In 1867 he removed to Bellaire, and his interests have been identified with that city ever since. He operated a general merchandise store on Union street and carried on a successful business there for three years. Disposing of his business at a fair profit, he embarked in the manufacturing business with the Bel- laire Stamping Company, being one of the organizers of the same, also serving as di- rector. Then followed a prosperous period. during which he served as mayor and as justice of the peace, previons to engaging in the vast business enterprise which still claims his attention.
Mr. Mellett was joined in marriage with Phoebe Jane Myers, a daughter of Dixon
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Myers, a distinguished citizen of Mead township, and she was a descendant of one of the oldest families of Belmont County. Mrs. Mellott was born in 1837 and passed to her final rest in February, 1897. Three children were born to our subject and wife. William 1)., the eldest son, is the junior member of the firm of Mellott & Son, hav- ing been admitted into the business in 1884. Alice, the only daughter, married Aaron Smalley, of Indianapolis, Indiana. James F., the youngest son of our subject, is an expert accountant and bookkeeper and for the past 14 years has served as bookkeeper of the First National Bank of Bellaire. He is mar- ried and resides in that city. The family favor the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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