Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 69

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

USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 69

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November 4. 1870, Mr. Medill was united in matrimony with Mary A. Gray, a native of Bridgeport and a daughter of James A. Gray of Martin's Ferry. They have three children;

namely, James G., secretary of the Laughlin Tin Mill at Martin's Ferry; Martha M. Cnow Mrs. John S. Goodwin), of Fast Liverpool, Ohio, where Mr. Goodwin is engaged in the pottery business,-they have on child, James ; and George F., boss roll turner at Cambridge, Ohio. The family attend the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Medill are members, the former having been trustee for many years.

Mr. Medill served as township treasurer for nine years, being elected every year and was nominated for the tenth year, but declined. In politics he votes for the man who will be the best for the position.

Mr. Medill affiliates with the Masonic fra- ternity, being a member of blue lodge, chapter and commandery.

EUGENE M. WILKES, city clerk of the city of Barnesville, Ohio, and who is also in- terested in the Globe clothing establishment of this city as leading salesman, is one of the en- ergetic and successful business men of the younger generation.

The birth of Mr. Wilkes was on November 12, 1873, in Noble County, Ohio, a son of Cy- rus A. and AAmanda ( Moseley ) Wilkes, the former of whom is an extensive farmer and respected resident of Morgan County, Ohio. A family of five children was born to the pa- rents of our subject, three of whom still sur- vive.

Mr. Wilkes secured the greater part of his excellent education in the common schools of Noble County, but at the age of 15 years he came to Barnesville, and has been identified with this city ever since. For 12 years he was the efficient clerk and bookkeeper in a grocery establishment, and at the same time took an ac- tive part in politics. Both lines brought him reward, the former close attention to business and display of activity making him a desired acquisition to the Globe clothing establishment, and the latter furnishing the Republican party

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

with a most excellent citizen for the position of city clerk. His connection with the Globe dates from January, 1902, and with the civic posi- tion, from April, 1902.

On September 8, 1887, Mr. Wilkes was united in marriage with Katie Hackett, and two children were born to this union, namely : 1. Wauneta and Helen B. Mr. Wilkes is so- cially inclined, and is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias and the Jr. O. U. A. M. Although young in years, he has shown so much interest in party matters and has dis- played such excellent judgment that it is the opinion of his many friends that the future holds more rewards for his party integrity and activity.

JAMES F. DuBOIS, a young business man of Bellaire, Ohio, whose enterprise and ability have placed him in the forefront of a number of substantial enterprises in Bel- laire, is one whose success may rank him in the future with other captains of industry.

James F. DuBois was born near Bridge- port, Belmont County, Ohio, in 1865, and is one of six sons born to John Du Bois, who is well known in the lumber and planing- mill business. Morris DuBois, a brother to James F., served for a period as city treas- urer of Bellaire. When. about 12 years of age our subject came with his parents to Bellaire, and entered his father's planing-mill as bookkeeper, remaining there for several years. Later he became teller of the Dollar Savings Bank, where he remained for three years. As an organizer his ability was first shown in the forming of the Enterprise Enamel Company, of which he was sec- retary for some time. He then served for six months as secretary of the Novelty Stamping Company. Experience teaches, and through a number of business ventures and successes Mr. DuBois reached his present responsible position of secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Bellaire Brick Company, a Delaware corporation, recently formed. This busi-

ness was established in the spring of 1900 by our subject, in conjunction with S. IT. and 11. H. Criswell, all being stock- holders. In 1901 the business was incor- porated under the laws of the State of Dela- ware, with the following officers: S. HI. Criswell, president; 11. Il. Criswell, vice- president, and James F. Du Bois, secretary, treasurer and general manager. The busi- ness site was bought from J. A. Gallaher and Crozier Brothers, but the buildings have been almost entirely erected by the present company. Ten and one-half acres of ground are utilized, the clay and other ingredients being found on the place. The product is red brick, the capacity of a 10-hour day be- ing from 35,000 to 40,000 bricks. The burn- ing of the brick is done with coal, but nat- ural gas is used for drying.

A notable invention belonging to and used by this company is the result of ideas of Mr. DuBois, which enables the company to take the wet clay from the bank, mold it into bricks, burn the bricks, and load them on the cars ready for shipment in 72 hours, and with but one handling. This is some- thing entirely new in brick-making, and the invention is being rapidly developed to per- fection. From 15 to 20 men are given em- ployment.

The Enameled Steel Tile Company is a re- cently incorporated business enterprise of Bellaire, its articles of incorporation bearing date of June 25, 1902. The industry is for the manufacture of metallic tile, enameled. for use in bath-rooms, for hearths, ceilings, in all colors and designs, with a finish which is guaranteed to be durable. The plant for this great industry will be located on lower Union street, and will have a capacity of 3,000 square feet of ceiling per day of 10 hours, and will give employment to a large number of people. It has been incorporated with a capital of $50,000, and its of ficers are the following substantial citizens. James F. Du Bois, president ; E. J. A. Dren. nen, of Martin's Ferry, vice president ; J. W. Garber, secretary and treasurer; and William

THOMAS T. FRASIER.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Landkrohn, manager. Mr. DuBois is a tire- less worker, and he has ever at heart the best interests of those organizations with which he is connected.

Our subject was married in 1895 to a daughter of Alexander Heatherington, and a granddaughter of Jacob Heatherington. Jacob Heatherington is one of the most ven- erable residents of Belmont County, to which he came in 1832, and is nearing his goth birthday. During his business career he was a very prominent coal operator. Mr. and Mrs. DuBois have one son, John Alexander. The family residence is located at No. 1766 Belmont street. The family are members of the Christian Church, although Mr. DuBois is liberal to all denominations. In politics he is a Republican, and is fraternally prominent as a Knight of Pythias and a Mason, being a member of Bellaire Lodge, F. & A. M., and also of the chapter and council of Bellaire.

THOMAS T. FRASIER, a retired builder and contractor of Bridgeport, Ohio, is a sub- stantial and esteemed citizen of Belmont County, and is also a representative one in his line of activity. Mr. Frasier is a man of en- lightened views and liberal ideas, many years of his life having been spent in most useful en- deavor in various parts of the country, and he was no small factor in the progress and ma- terial development of some portions of it.

The birth of Mr. Frasier occurred in Bel- mont County, Ohio, on July 23, 1832, a son of Townsend and Elizabeth ( Bailey) Frasier, the former of whom was a native of Loudoun County, Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. Townsend Frasier started for Ohio in young manhood, making the trip on horseback, riding behind another man, His business and occupa- tion was that of bricklaver, but like other com- petent men of his time he was equally skilled in other trades, It was his hand that drove the first stake on the National Road on this side of the Ohio River, and it was his horse that first crossed the Ohio, on what was then the

new bridge, the rider of the horse being Daniel Zane. Mr. Frasier on account of the excellence of his work was employed to make the most of the bricks used in his locality and he did much of the work on many public buildings, one of these being the first bank built in Bridgeport, which he did by contract. For some years he conducted the old Stone Tavern, where our subject was born, but later removed to the farm of 108 acres where his son now re- sides. This land was originally the property of the Zanes. and Mr. Frasier was employed by them to lay off farms. This was his home until his death, at the age of 80 years. Few men were better or more favorably known in this locality than Townsend Frasier. His many years of consistent life in the Methodist Church made him acceptable in all of the offices of the laymen, and by example and precept he lived up to his professions. Mr. Frasier was mar- ried in St. Clairsville. Mrs. Frasier also was a devout member of the Methodist Church. She died at the age of 82 years. They were both known as pioneers of the county and were most excellent people, and though gone their many good deeds and acts of kindness afford pleasing memories to many who are yet living. In cases of sickness, distress and other emer- gencies, they were always found where they could do the greatest good. Their nine child- ren were the following : Alfred, who died in- married at the age of 20 years; Charles, who died at the age of oo years, was a farmer; James, who died when abont 30 years of age, went with a party to California, in 1849; Ade- line, who first married John Huss, and second, Jason Pool, died at abont 50 years of age; Eliz- abeth, who married Amos Osborne; Thomas, who is the subject of this biography; Joseph, who is deceased ; Wesley B., who resides in this county ; and William, who is also a farmer in Belmont County.

Thomas T. Frasier was 18 years of age when he completed his school days and then be- gan to learn the building trade under his broth- er-in-law, Amos Osborne, later going to Bu- reau County, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for one year and then was one of a party

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

of four who went to lowa, to lay off land war- rants. He remained during one summer at Newton and then went to Leavenworth, Kan- sas, finding plenty and remunerative work there at his trade, for eight years. Mr. Frasier then began his adventurous career as a freighter, making the trip to Denver, twice a year, with ox-teams. This business he followed for live years and during this time made nine trips, his preparations for the tenth being interrupted by active Indian hostilities. With his teams he returned to Leavenworth and there loaded up with government goods for Fort Gibson. However he was able to get no farther than Fort Scott as the escort got too far ahead, and that winter the train had to camp there. In the spring of 1866 he took the overland route to Montana, with ox-teams, and was 103 days on the way, fording streams, crossing gulches and over almost impassable roads, at last mak- ing the great crossing of the Platte, at Jules- burg. Mr. Frasier saw many wild adventures and witnessed many thrilling incidents, at all times doing his part toward the peaceful ad- justment of differences. At Fort .Carney this expedition halted for a short time, but finally reached the intended destination and delivered the goods.

Mr. Frasier remained for three years in Montana, during which time he engaged in prospecting and did some mining, returning then to his home. The great West attracted him again, resulting in a second visit to Mon- tana, in 1868, and during the succeeding thirce years he became much interested in gold min- ing, and finally became the owner of a claim which he later sold to an English company. During this period, in company with 16 others, Mr. Frasier started from Deer Lodge, and visited the section which is now the great Na- tional Park, enjoying its beauties and wonders before art had done anything to spoil nature's own handiwork in that grand canyon. In the fall of the same year, our subject returned to Ohio, his travels and experiences having given him an education which whole libraries could not have bestowed.

Since locating permanently in Bridgeport,

Mr. Frasier has done a vast amount of work in the line of his trade, and has also been inter- ested in other activities. He has erected many dwellings, and has erected all the tipples for the Wheeling Creek Coal Company, also at Crescent and at Barton. One of his private en- terprises has been the building of a number of comfortable cottage homes, suitable for the families of miners, and which are sold to them as their means permit them to buy. This has been a much appreciated charity and has en- couraged many a struggling but honest miner to better his condition. This is what Mr. Fra- sier believes to be true philanthropy, to help others to help themselves. For many years he has shown deep interest in educational matters by service on the School Board and has been a very liberal supporter of public-spirited enter- prises. For a long period he has been a trustee in the Presbyterian Church. As a financier he has been a conservative vice-president of the Dollar Savings Bank of Bridgeport. He was a charter member of the Linwood Cemetery AAssociation and is one of its officers. M ... Frasier is an ex-officio justice of the peace of Brookside, which is a suburb of Bridgeport.

In 1882 Mr. Frasier was married to Sarah E. Enlow, who was born in Belmont County, & daughter of John and Mary ( DuBois) Eu- low, and the two children born to this union are : M. Margaret and Thomas Townsend.

WILLIAM KOEHNLINE, a contractor, builder, and real estate man of Bridgeport, Ohio, has led an active life since his early years. Ile is a son of John M. and Elizabeth ( Klem) Koehnline and was born in Benwood, Marshall County, ( West) Virginia, April 1, 1858.

John M. Koehnline was a native of Wurtem- berg, Germany, born in 1816, and in 1838 left his native country and came to the United States, being on the water four months in a sailing vessel. Bellaire became his home upon his arrival in this country, and some time later he removed to Marshall County, West Virginia, previous to locating permanently in Bridge-

HON. CAPELL L. WEEMS.

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port in the winter of 1863. There he bought coal mines and shipped the coal from them as far sonth as New Orleans. He made a success of his business and was respected by all who knew him.

Ile chose for his wife Elizabeth Klem also of German nativity, and claiming Baden as her birthplace. They had a family of six children, who were as follows : Elizabeth married Nicholas Zimmer, and died in hier fifty-eighth year. John was engaged for twenty years in partnership with our subject, William, in the coal business and his death took place recently, April 14, 1902, at the age of sixty-two years. Ile served his country valiantly for four years as a private in one of the com- panies recruited in West Virginia. Before the close of the war he was severely wounded by a shell and up to the time of his death it caused him trouble and pain. Jacob, who enlisted in the war about the same time as his brother, was in a different regiment and served nearly four years also. His death at Carlton, Kentucky, in 1866, was caused by cholera after a sickness of about five hours. Catherine B., who was Mrs. William Conway, is now deceased. Henry resides in Bridgeport. William, subject of these lines, is the youngest in the family.

Alr. Kochnline's death took place in 1875 and his widow survived him until she attained the age of eighty-one years and five months and then also departed this life, on the 5th day of February, 1899. Both parents were mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church.

William Kochnline received his education in the public schools of Bridgeport, and subse- quently embarked in the coal and ice business, in partnership with his brother, John, under the firmi name of Koehnline Brothers, continuing for twenty years when he engaged in business as a real estate dealer and a contractor and builder, in which he has continued to the pres- ent day. Success has crowned his efforts and lic is esteemed as a good citizen who is public- spirited and enterprising. He served as school director seven years, and for eleven years was councilman, serving during the period when the city progressed rapidly and built the sew-

erage and water works as necessary improve- ments to its welfare and advancement.

November 17, 1889, our subject was united in marriage with Rachel Fox, a daughter of Jacob and Christiana Fox, and a native of Bel- mont County. She was one of a number of children, seven of whom are now living, as fol- lows: Lizzie, now Mrs. Lewis Cook ; William ; Fred; Rachel, wife of our subject; Henry; Mary, employed as cashier for the Bell Tele- phone Company ; and Edward.

Our subject and his wife have five children, four of whom are attending school. They are as follows: William, Irvin, Mabel, Eliza- beth, and an infant. The family are all faith- ful members of the German Lutheran Church. In fraternal circles he affiliates with the F. & A. M. He is considered one of the substantial and essential citizens of Bridgeport and cer- tainly does his part to help in its advancement.

HON. CAPELL L. WEEMS. One of the leading citizens of Belmont County, Ohio, is Capell 1. Weems, who has made an honorable record, both as legislator and prosecuting at- torney for the county.

Mr. Weems is an Ohio product, born in No- ble County, July 7, 1860, being a son of David L. and lester A. Weems, the former of whom was born in Maryland, and the latter in Ohio. Their residence is now in Summerfield, Noble County, and they are aged respectively 6o and 60 years. For a period David L. Weems was well known in the tobacco packing trade, and later as a reliable carpenter and builder. For some years he has lived retired from activity. Mrs. Weems is a member of the Methodist Church in Summerfield. They reared four children, Capell L. being the eldest, and the others as follows: Mason O., an educator and county superintendent, in Ohio, who is now taking a post-graduate course at Ada, Ohio; William H., who is a stenographer in the em- ploy of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and Dora A .. whose husband is superintendent of an artificial ice plant, at Memphis, Tennessee, she having

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for some years been a nurse in a private sani- tarium in the same city.

The carly education and training of our sub- ject was that which the average American boy of the day receives, in the public schools, ex- cept that he earlier than usual began a career as educator. Taking a short course in the nor- mal school, he started out at the age of 16 years and not only succeeded in the country dis- tricts, but was soon promoted to higher posi- tions and was finally made superintendent of the Senecaville schools, filling this responsible position, notwithstanding his youth, until he left it to enter upon the practice of law, the study of which he had been pursuing in the meantime. His preceptors were McGinnis & Dalzell, of Caldwell, Ohio, and there he was admitted to the bar in October, 1881 and began practice in 1883. Our subject entered upon his law course in partnership with Mr. MeGinnis, and the firm style adopted was that of McGin- nis & Weems which continued until 1889, at which time Mr. Weems removed to Cleveland to accept a partnership there with William T. Clark and R. D. Updegraff.

In May, 1800, Mr. Weems removed from Cleveland and located at St Clairsville, Ohio. Prior to this, in 1884, while still one of the youngest members of the bar of Noble County, his ability was so manifest that he was elected prosecuting attorney, and his career in this of- fice increased public confidence in such a mea- sure, that before the expiration of his first term he was nominated and elected a member of the House of Representatives. It was no small honor for the young member to be placed upon the judiciary committee and the esteem in which he was held could have been no more fit- tingly shown, than it was by his selection as a member of the joint committee of the two houses, which met in the recess of 1888. This committee prepared the constitutional amend- ments that were submitted to the people of the State in 1880, and on account of his legal learn- ing and merring judgment, nich of the work fell upon Mr. Weems. I 1893 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Belmont County, al- though his opponent was an older resident and

more widely known, but his vigorous adminis- tration during his first term gave him a popu- larity that was exhibited at his second election, when he ran far ahead of the general and na- tional ticket. Since residing in St. Clairsville, Mr. Weems has carried on his large practice alone and has covered a wide field of work. Ilis interest in political questions is always ac- tive and during important campaigns his ser- vices are placed at the command of his party leaders, his oratorical powers making him a valued speaker.

On November 6, 1883, Mr. Weems was united in marriage with Mary B. Nay, a native of West Virginia, and a daughter of P. G. Nay, who is engaged in the silver-smith busi- ness at Knightstown, Indiana. The three children born to this union are: Chester N., Milton M. and Lillian A. Mrs. Weems is very actively connected with the Methodist Church and is the president of the missionary society of that body. Mr. Weems is a man of genial, social nature and his fraternal connections are with the blue lodge, F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. Mr. Weems has been prominently before the public for a number of years, lie has borne the lime-light of criticism as all public men must do, but his record as a good and efficient officer and as a true and worthy citizen is before the world, and he can easily abide by its verdict.

THOMAS R. MORROW. superintendent and sexton of the Northern and Southern Cem- etery, at Barnesville, Ohio, was born in Guern- sey County, Ohio, April 2, 1831, and was a babe of five weeks when he was taken by his father to Barnesville, where he was reared and educated. His parents were John and Evelyn (Peck) Morrow, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, in 1806. He learned the trade of carpenter and followed it through life. his death occurring on August 23, 1881. He was an intelligent and well educated man and left many friends to mourn his loss.

Our subject was one of a family of seven children, having one brother and three half sis-

WILLIAM A. SHARP.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

ters and two half brothers. When he selected his life work he chose the vocation of black- smith and had his training at the forge under William Il. Moore, and followed the business until 1862. llis next work was as baggage master at Barnesville, with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and he remained in that ca- pacity for three years. In 1875 he was ap- pointed to his present position and has most efficiently performed its duties ever since. His taste and care have made the cemetery under his charge a very beautiful spot.

On October 4, 1853, Mr. Morrow was united in marriage with Julia A. Gardner, a daughter of Joseph Gardner, formerly of Barnesville, and three daughters were born to this union. Mr. Morrow is identified with the Democratic party, and for many years has been in affilia- tion with the order of Odd Fellows. With his family he attends the Methodist Church and is one of its leading members. Mr. Mor- row is one of the oldest residents of Barnes- ville and enjoys the esteem of a wide circle of friends. Despite his advancing years he pos- sesses eyesight that might be envied by those much younger, while his memory reaches back to the days when many of the modern comforts of life were still unthought of in the little town which now is the bustling city of Barnesville.

WILLIAM A. SHARP, a representative farmer and respected citizen of Wheeling township, Belmont County, Ohio, was born May 14, 1858, on the farm which he now owns and occupies, this being land entered from the government by his grandfather, George Sharp, in 1806. The latter was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and was evidently a man of foresight and excellent business ability, for he not only secured 64o acres of land in the newly opened territory, but later increased it. Hle resided upon this farm and spent his life clearing and improving it, and here reared a large family.

William Sharp, son of George, and father of William .A., was born in 1800, and inherit- ing his father's large estate, followed farming

through life and died May 18, 1859. On No- vember 14, 1838, he married Caroline Harrah, who was born on January 22, 1814, on a farm near Lafferty station, where her father, Alex- ander Harrah, had settled in 1802. The birth of the latter was on July 7, 1779, and his death occurred July 15, 1859. His wife Jane was born October 17, 1780, and died March 8, 1861. The mother of our subject died October 20, 1886. The children born to William and Caroline Sharp were these: Isoline, born Oc- tober 5, 1839, married Samuel Campbell May 19, 1869, and they reside at St. Clairsville; Agnes, born June 16, 1841, married Alexander C. Patton, who is deceased, and she resides near Springfield, with two children; James Alex- ander, born February 21, 1843, died June 11, 1848; George, born March 23, 1845, married on May 20, 1874, Mary J. Walker, and they live at Mutual, Ohio, and have eight children : Joseph L., born May 28, 1847, was married November 30, 1876, to Susanna Frater, and lived on the home farm until both died, leav- ing five children,-Harry, born June 10, 1879, George and Caroline, twins, born September 7, 1883, and Samuel and Isoline, twins, born May 12, 1893, who make their home on a part of the old Sharp homestead; Gri- zella Jane, born September 2, 1849, was married June 28, 1877, to John M. Finney, and lives near Cedarville, having five surviving children; Ethelinda, born No- vember 15. 1851, was married November 15, 1871, to M. C. Brownlee, and they live at Co- luinbus, Missouri, and have eight children ; and William A., who is the subject of this record.

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 69

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