Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 70

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 70

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Mr. Sharp was educated liberally, attending both Wooster University and Franklin Col- lege. He has devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, having charge of the old homestead farm; has been very successful in raising fine cattle, his herds of Aberdeen-Angus cattle be- ing among the most valuable in the county. He also owns and operates a portable sawmill, and also is interested in the movements looking to the development of the coal and oil interests of Belmont County. For several years he was a member of the Uniontown Band, but has sey-

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

ered official connection with it. Ile is a man of business and active in its promotion, but takes little interest in political matters. Mr. Sharp is rather liberal in his religious views, but inclines to the body of United Brethren to which his good mother belonged. He is most highly esteemed in Wheeling township where his family has so long had an honorable rec- ord.

ISAAC NEWLAND, mayor of the city of Martin's Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio, justice of the peace, a leader in the contracting and building trade, and a progressive, public-spirit- ed citizen, was born in Kirkwood, a suburb of · Bridgeport, on December 29, 1841.

The parents of Mayor Newland were John K. and Jane M. (Sims). Newland, both of whom were born in New York and married in Wetzel County, ( West) Virginia, coming to Belmont County, Ohio, in 1837. Mr. Newland opened the first lumber yards in Belmont County, locating them in Bridgeport, and did an immense lumber business for many years all over the county, in which he became well known and relied upon. Mr. Newland's knowl- edge of lumber was complete and although he dealt in it individually, he also at times had partners, and one of these was John Nelson, an old and esteemed resident. Mr. Newland was connected by bonds of friendship with such men as Ebenezer Zane and with the latter was interested in many progressive enterprises for the development of Belmont County. His death occurred in 1867, at the age of 66 years, a member of the Christian Church, in Whering. His dow passed away in 1881 at the art of 68 years, a woman of character and virtu one who ravely endured the priv tions of pio eer life.

:mily moved to Martin's Ferry " ne sprin .; 1 1857. Mr. Newand pure ved

and from Both Zane, a son of [. :1,

he mat De meyand having sol

grapes, mais vineyard was rent

'oct and his brother from the . r. and w the carly spring of 1800 the des

promised well. However, a terrific hailstorm on May 29th of that year tore down the vines and destroyed all hope of grapes. In the follow- ing year, however, this loss was made up, as during 1870 the family picked and sold 65 tons from the rested vines, at Sioo a ton. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Newland were : William, Archimedes, A. D., Isaac, John K., Mary and Jennie.

The primary education of Mayor Newland was acquired in his native place, and later he entered the public school in Martin's Ferry. After finishing his education he began to farm and operate the vineyard and garden on the home place. From these rural and peaceful employments he was aroused by President Lin- coln's call for troops, and in April, 1861, en- listed for a four-months' service. At its close the men were paid in full, and he received his pay in gold, at the old Rhodes Hotel, in Bridgeport. After a visit at home he re-en- listed, first entering Capt. Frank Buell's bat- tery, but later was transferred to the 11th Ohio Cavalry, and his command was sent to fight the Indians in the Western territories. Prior to this he had participated in the battle of Cross Keys and other engagements, in West Vir- ginia, and his later service consumed two and one-half years, making his full term four and two-third years. During his Western service the duty was principally to keep open the road for the Overland Mail to California. During his residence in these regions he met Buffalo Bill, whose name is well known in this and other countries, and he also belonged to the party that accompanied the Grand Duke Alexis when, during his visit to the United States, he shot buffalo through our Western lands. Mayor Newland assisted in taking about 700 Indian ponies & the Little Big Horn, near where the brave General Over met death in ISTO Later these ponies are sole. of Fort Lagarde, by the government During all hi S neve wound perilons service, our subject ed o aken pris I pon his return to Ohi encart in builder and co ting. kip : : 1

specialty of schrei building.

although falls

CAPT. BURGET MeCONNAUGHTY.

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handsome residences in this vicinity testify to his skill as a builder. In May, 1900, Mayor Newland was elected justice of the peace, and the duties of this position made it necessary for him to withdraw from other activity. Al- though he has been an interested Republican, he has never been a politician in the sense of an office seeker, and the office of mayor was given him by appreciative friends and fellow-citizens.

Mayor Newland returned from the army in August, 1866, and in the fall of the same year was married to Laura Moore, a native of this county, a daughter of James and Anna Moore, who came to Ohio from New York. Mr. Moore was a native of England, an old resi- dent of Belmont County, and at one time ow ned a large woolen factory.

The five children born to Mayor Newland and wife were: Frank, who died at the age of 18 months; Hally B., a contractor in Mar- tin's Ferry, who married a Miss Burney, has two children-John K., and Gene; Annie, who married Robert Harper, resides in Pittsburg and has one son-Richard; Mary, who died at the age of one year; and Margaret, who is a student in the High School.

CAPT. BURGET McCONNAUGHTY, a re- tired coal dealer of Bridgeport, Ohio, and an extensive property owner, was born November 17, 1828. He is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Glass) McConnaughy, who were among the most prominent citizens of Bridgeport, Ohio.

Joseph McConnaughy was a native of Mary- land and his birth dates back to October, 1801. In early manhood he located in Jefferson Coun- ty, Ohio, and was employed for many years at Moore's Salt Works. In 1831 he came to Belmont County, but the following year re- turned to Jefferson County to escape the rav- ages of the cholera, which was quite prevalent in Bridgeport for several months. Returning, he engaged in the manufacture of brick and also became an expert bricklayer. He was a contractor and built many of the old time residences and edifices in the vicinity, among them the Methodist Episcopal Church at

Scott's. He also took contracts for excavat- ing and road building and in that capacity worked upon the old National Road, furnish- ing stone, etc. He filled many large contracts for hauling, for bridges, buildings, etc. He was a very prominent man in the community. Ile was one of the organizers of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Bridgeport, and was among the most active members of that church. He donated the lot upon which the church was built in the west end, which is in his first addition to the city. He also served as trustee of his township during the war. His useful career was cut short by his death, January 19, 1887, when he was in his 86th year. He laid out his farm into city lots and in this way he made five additions to Bridgeport, covering a period of 52 years. His wife was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she died in 1876, aged 76 years. Ten chil- dren were born to this worthy couple, namely, Mary, who married William Taylor; Eliza- beth, who married Amos Davis ; Milton, a resi- dent of Kirkwood: Burget, the subject of this biography : Matilda, who married J. C. Dun- can; James; Joseph; William; Martin L., a resident of Bridgeport; and Emma S., who married James Cochran. All are now deceased except our subject, his brothers, Milton and Martin 1., and his sister, Elizabeth.

Captain McConnaughy was educated in the public schools of the west end of Bridgeport and also attended a private subscription school. While still in his youth, he began teaming for his father, and at the early age of 17 hauled bacon, lard and tobacco over the old National Road across the mountains to Cumberland, Maryland,-a distance of 132 miles. From nine to ten days were required to make the trip each way, and he brought dry goods, etc., back with him. Five horses were used by our subject in making this trip, and his brother Milton, who did similar teaming, drove six horses.

November 21, 1848, when 20 years old, Captain MeConnanghy was united in marriage with Elizabeth De Noon, a native of Belleville. Pennsylvania, and the only survivor of a large family. Her father was Elias D. De Noon.

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One brother, William, served in the war for three years. Another brother, Benjamin, died in the State of New York. A sister, Tabitha, married Miles Hutchinson.

After his marriage Captain McConnaughy continued in the transfer business, also pur- chasing coal from his father, which he sold and delivered to his customers, and made a very fair income. In the fall of 1860, with his brother Joseph, he loaded coal into boats, in- tending to go to New Orleans. They started on September 12th, and upon reaching Louis- ville, Kentucky, the river suddenly fell and they were compelled to lay there until October. They then proceeded on their way together to Helena, Arkansas, where they separated, our subject taking one boat and his brother the other. At St. Joseph, Missouri, and Helena, Arkansas, they began selling coal by the barrel. As they neared New Orleans they exchanged coal for sugar and molasses, and upon reaching that city were compelled to sell out at half price. It was then January 8, 1861, and the climate was uncomfortably warm for Northerners in more ways than one. Hastily disposing of his cargo for what he could obtain, Captain Mc- Comnaughy returned to Cairo, Illinois, his brother following three weeks later,-each. a sadder and wiser man, having lost $600 apiece on the trip.

The Captain has a war record which is sec- ond to few in this section. He is a veteran who carried the gun and sword for more than five years and took part in many of the lead- ing engagements. As a soldier of the Army of the Potomac, he made a record that all his descendants can point to with pride. June 5. 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company .1, 25th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., which was put in the 11th Army Corps just prior to the battle of Gettysburg. The first battle in which he took active part was at Green Brier, West Vir- ginia. This was followed by the battles of Chancellorsville, Second Bull Run, and the great battle of Gettysburg. During the latter every commissioned officer in his company fell, with the exception of one, a second lieutenant. In all, our subject took part in more than 20

important battles and he was also in about 70 skirmishes. January 1, 1863, he re-enlisted in South Carolina, and then went home on a 30 days' furlough, returning at its close to Hilton Head, where he was stationed for six months. November 31, 1864, during an engagement at Honey Hill, South Carolina, he was severely but not dangerously wounded in the thigh. Captain McConnaughy served five years and thirteen days and did not receive his discharge until June 18, 1866, over a year after the sur- render of Lee. Enlisting as a private, he was soon made corporal and two years later was promoted to sergeant. Promotion again fol- lowed and he became second lieutenant, serving as such, however, only one day, and that at Gettysburg. From first lieutenant he was made captain of Company G, 25th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and as such received honorable dis- charge.

Captain and Mrs. MeConnanghy have reared four children, two sons and two daugh ters, and have lost two, Dorcas and William. Those living are Joseph, Emma, Elias, and Anna. Joseph has been twice married. Ils first union was with Mary Birdsall and his second with Mrs. Sarah Radcliff. Hle has three children, Charles, Harry, and Lottie, and has lost four. Emma has also been twice mar ried. Her first marriage was contracted with Robert Mccullough and one child, Burt, who still survives, was the issue. She is now the wife of William Willians. Elias married Jen- nie Nichols, and they have seven children. Anna, who is the present Mrs. John Oxentine, was first wedded to George Shafer, by whom she had one son, Edward.

Captain MeConnanghy is a valued member of Branum Post, G. A. R., and is now serving as senior vice-commander. He was quarter- master of the same for four years. Before the war he served one term in the City Council. Since the war he has served as trustee of Pease township for 13 successive years. lle was elected a member of the School Board and has served 19 years, and his service in that capacity has proved most beneficial. He is on the committee for repairs, painting and building.

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The Captain has also been director of the Bel- mont County Infirmary for four years, filling one long term and one short term. He has been presiding judge in the Second Ward ever since the Australian ballot system has been in use, and is filling that position at the present time. Some time since he was elected presi- dent of the Home Building & Loan Associa- tion, and served as such for nine consecutive years. That organization has recently squared up all accounts and has gone out of existence.

Religiously, our subject is a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. No- vember 10, 1872, he was made a trustee and subsequently became steward. Politically, he is an ardent Republican. However, he did not vote for President Lincoln when he was first elected President on account of being away from home, being at that time in Louisville. In 1864 he made his vote count, being then at Folly Island, South Carolina, when he served as judge of election. He was with Capt. Charles Worth, when that gentleman was shot by a sharpshooter.

Upon his return from the war, Captain Mc- Connaughy purchased 25 acres of land, upon which he opened a coal mine in the following August. By October seven men were at work in the mine, which goes to prove the hustling qualities of our subject. For 16 years this mine was successfully operated, and at the close of that time the land was sold at the same price as the purchase money, having yielded its owner a fair income for all those years and returning him the original sum of investment.

JAMES W. WISE, senior member of the basket manufacturing firm of Wise & Dewees, of Barnesville, Ohio, proprietors of the exten- sive industry known as the Barlow Basket Company, is one of the city's most progressive business men.

The Wise family is one of the oldest in Bel- mont County, the grandfather of James W. having been born here in 1817. He passed away in the spring of 1902, when almost 85

years of age. The subject of this sketch was born in the vicinity of Bellaire, Ohio, on his father's farm, August 25, 1871, and is a son of John A. and Mary ( Williams) Wise. John A. Wise is well known as a skilled and suc- cessful gardener.

James W. Wise attended the common schools in his vicinity, and for a number of years was connected with the canning industry. He acted as manager of a large canning estab- lishment in Barnesville for a considerable pe- riod, and is now working in the same capacity with the E. C. Flains Company, which pur- chased the canning plant. In 1898 he ac- cepted a similar position in an extensive es- tablishment in Carthage, Indiana, where he remained one year. His business ability made him desire to enter into an industrial line of his own, and this he was enabled to do by the purchase of a half interest in the Barlow Basket Company. This is the only concern of its kind in Barnesville, and is equipped for the manufacture of fruit and vegetable baskets, packages and crates of 30 different styles. The company ships its products extensively to Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Maryland and Penn- sylvania. It has a capacity of 20,000 baskets daily, and employs during the busy season about 35 hands. The receipts aggregate from $7,000 to $8,000 annually, and the plant covers a space of half an acre, being valued at $6,000.

Mr. Wise was married in December, 1899, to Inez Barlow, a daughter of Amos Barlow, a prominent business man of Barnesville, who established the basket company in 1887, under the style of A. Barlow & Son. The elder Bar- low withdrew from the company in 1899. Mr. Wise succeeded him in the concern, his partner being W. Il. Barlow, and the business was thus conducted until 1902, when Mr. Barlow sold his interest to Samuel Dewees, and the enter- prise became known as the Barlow Basket Company.

In politics Mr. Wise is identified with the Republican party. He and his wife are valued members of the Methodist Church. His abil- ity as a business man has been in evidence since he has become associated with the Barlow Bas-

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

ket Company, and not only his products but his methods have marked him as worthy of the esteem of the community and the confidence of the trade.

SAMUEL A. CLEMENS, who is a leading business man of Bridgeport, Ohio, operating one of the most complete grocery stores in the city, and who is also a most highly esteemed citizen, was born in Belmont County, January 20, 1830, a son of Augustus and Ann ( Carna- han) Clemens, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.

Augustus Clemens was a ship carpenter by trade and this occupation he followed through life. After locating in Ohio he engaged in the building of boats for the Ohio River trade, many of these being for the transportation of coal. lle died in 1852, at Bridgeport, of the cholera, which at that time was epidemic. Many of the people had fled and it was most dif- ficult to procure help to decently dispose of the dead. He consented to prepare one Bloom- field for burial, and two hours later succumbed to the dread malady himself. He was known as a most worthy, kind-hearted man, one who was always ready to extend assistance, and his death was doubly sad on this account and because it left his wife and three children prac- tically without means of livelihood.

The mother of our subject was one of those noble, courageous women whose lives of self-denial and devotion command the reverent attention of all who learn of them .. She was born on January 23, 1803, and was a daughter of Robert and Ann Carnahan, who were na- tives of Ireland. They came to America and settled in youth in the State of Pennsylvania, were married there and reared a family of seven children, among whom were: Thomas, John, Margaret, now Mrs. Jolm Bailey, Mary, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Watkins, and Mrs. Clemens. The latter lived until' Decem- ber 20, 1802, a devout member of the Methodist Church. After the death of her husband she faced the world with three small children, one of these being a babe

but eight weeks old, and by her good manage- ment, thrift and care, reared them to respect- able maturity, receiving no assistance from friends or relatives. Very often in those early years it taxed her heavily to provide for and to educate her little flock, but she managed to do it and is remembered with grateful affection by these children. Our subject was the second member of the family and had two sisters, one of these, Jane, is the wife of Hon. David Wag- ner of West Wheeling, now retired, formerly an ex-State Senator; the other, Cornelia L., was Mrs. D. B. Kirk, who died in 1892.

Our subject was "the only son of his moth- er," and she being a widow, he early began his efforts to contribute to the support of the fami- ly, entering an establishment to learn the carpet trade as soon as he completed a course in a private school. This trade, however, he never followed, later beginning work in a paper mill on the Wheeling side of the river. There our subject spent 30 years of his life, an expert in the business and was known as a finisher. When Dr. Todd became postmaster of Bridge- port, during the administration of President Grant, he looked about for a reliable man for his assistant and selected for the position Samuel A. Clemens, and three years were passed in that office. After the close of his official life, Mr. Clemens went to work in a planing mill known as Baggs' mill, and re- mained there over five years, and during that whole period lost but five and one-half days. Ilere he was engaged in making boxes for use in the glass houses. Changing his business at that time, our subject then bought out the grocery store of James Clark, which was then located on the present site of Dent's drug store. Three months later he purchased the new well- appointed grocery store which he now occu pies, and since that time has steadily enlarged and expanded his business until he now leads in the grocery line.

When President Lincoln made his. call for 75,000 men in 1861, our subject was one who loyally responded. He gave four years of service to the government, in the quarter- master's department under Col. 11 C. Ransom.

ANDREW JAMES NEFF.

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in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. At first Mr. Clemens was engaged as a teamster, at $20 a month, but Colonel Ran- som was a very good friend to him and was a classmate of General Grant. The Colonel was glad to have a quiet, industrious, reliable man, with a good record about him, and instead of giving our subject a team he put him at other work requiring ability and when the war closed the latter was drawing and earning a salary of $80 a month. During the campaign in Ken- tucky he was wagon-master and had charge of the teams of General Granger's command and these teams through all the dangers and dis- advantages incident to storms, bad roads and marauding parties, succeeded in getting pro- visions to the sokliers, a very necessary part of the great game of war.

The marriage of Judge Clemens, for he has long served as a most efficient justice of the peace, being now in his fourth term, took place December 26, 1854, to Catherine Loe, a native of Belmont County. To this marriage these children were born : Ella B., who married Mil- ton B. Morgan, and has two children, Earl and Milton; and Harry A., who is his father's efficient clerk. The mother of these children died February 23, 1862, aged 33 years, while our subject was in the army. She was a devout member of the Methodist Church.

The second marriage of our subject took place on October 15, 1865, to Mary E. Horn- age, a native of Belmont County, a daughter of George Hornage. No children of this mar- riage survive. She was born February 10, 1837, and died February 10, 1899, a good Christian woman, and a consistent member of the Methodist Church. The only members of the family of his wife who still survive are David Loe, of West Wheeling, and Robert Lowe, of Wood County, Ohio. A sister of the second Mrs. Clemens, Margaret A. Hornage, has made her home with our subjeet for many years.

Mr. Clemens is one of the most enterprising and substantial citizens of Bridgeport. In his official position he has been a great peacemaker, settling many disputes without litigation. . He

is one of the trustees of the Methodist Church and has filled many positions on its official board. Fraternally, Mr. Clemens is a blue lodge Mason, and politically he supports the Republican party. Ilis long residence has made him familiar to almost every one in Bridgeport, and it is a testimonial to his worth that he is held in such general esteem.

ANDREW JAMES NEFF, who owns sev- eral fine farms in Belmont County, Ohio, re- sides upon the home farm in section 17, Pult- ney township, where his birth took place in 1850. Ilis life has practically been spent upon that place. This farm contains 214 acres, is finely improved with handsome residence, sub- stantial barns, granaries, etc. The house itself was built by Mr. Neff's father in 1842, but many of the improvements have been added by our subject. In addition, our subject owns a 137-acre farm in the valley south, and a 120- acre tract in Mead township, in all about 500 acres. Most of this land is under lease, but the home farm is operated by Mr. Neff, who makes a specialty of raising fine fruits, espe- cially peaches. Some attention is also paid to stock raising and a glimpse into his stock pens and pastures reveals the presence of some choice breeds.

Andrew J. Neff is a son of Andrew, Sr., and Jane ( Alexander) Neff. His mother was a daughter of Robert Alexander, one of the pioneer settlers of Belmont County. He was a blacksmith by trade and was an expert work- man in that line, conducting for many years a shop near St. Clairsville Junction. He pur- chased a farm in that vicinity, and cleared much of the land himself. Subject's father also followed agricultural pursuits , and fur- ther mention is made of his life in the more complete history of the Neff family given in another part of this volume. He had three sons, Jolm W., a resident of Richland town- ship; Alexander, of Pultney township, and Andrew James, the subject of this narrative.

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 70

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