Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 71

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 71

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Andrew J. Neff attended public school in

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

his native township and also a private institu- tion of learning near Bethel. His life has been devoted almost wholly to farming in its va- rious branches, and success has met his efforts. Ile is the proud possessor of the ancestral homestead, which he obtained by purchasing the interest of the other heirs His marriage with Mary A. Brannen, a daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Shahan) Brannen, of Pultney township, has resulted in four children. Two of these died young,-one an infant yet un- named, and the other, Charles A., who was seven months old at the time of his death. The surviving children are Herbert B. and Hazel J. The former is attending commercial col- lege in Bellaire and the latter is a student in the St. Clairsville schools. Mrs. Neff's parents were among the early settlers in Pultney town- ship and are still highly esteemed residents of that community.

In politics Mr. Neff is a faithful advocate of the Democratic party. He takes a becom- ing interest in both national and municipal issues. He is largely concerned in various busi- ness organizations in his section and at the present time is serving in an official capacity for several. He stands well in social and re- ligious circles, being an active member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church.

JAMES MITCHELL BLACKFORD, M. D. Among the prominent men of Martin's Ferry, Ohio, who stand high in professional and social life, is Dr. James Mitchell Black- ford, who was born in Pease township, Bel- mont County, Ohio, on January 24, 1837, a son of Joseph and Isabella ( Latimer ) Blackford.

Joseph Blackford was a son of Robert Blackford who served as a soldier in the War of 1812 and whose wife was given a pension after his death, in 1832, in this county, of Asiatic cholera. Joseph Blackford settled on his farm which he purchased in 1832, and lived there until his death, which occurred on February 20. 1880, when over 82 years of age, his birth having taken place in Ohio County, ( West) Virginia, in 1797. He was a leading man in

his township and most prominent in the Pres- byterian Church, a charter member of the church in Martin's Ferry, having previously been an elder in the church at Mount Pleasant in Jefferson County. For 35 years he was an elder in the Martin's Ferry church and one of its most substantial members and strong sup- porters. Mr. Blackford was for many years a stanch Democrat, 1 ut his attitude in regard to temperance laws made him an carly mem- ber of the Prohibition party. Ilis farming was carried on in the days when the rule of the neighborhood in which he lived, was to supply his assistants during the heavy summer work with intoxicants ; he, however, after noting the effect would not observe the custom and took a firm stand against it. In this he was seconded by his friend and neighbor, Joshua Steele, a worthy Quaker, and they were the first men to succeed in having their harvesting done withont the dispensation of whisky. It was probably due to the high personal charac- ter of these two men that so little trouble arose when they thus dared custom and public opin- ion, but they succeeded by their firmness in checking a growing evil, and finally turning the tide in favor of temperance. A brother of Joseph Blackford, Robert by name, located on a farm in Pease township in 1841, and lived a quiet, unassuming life, was known as an excel- lent blacksmith and as an exemplary citizen. lle died in 18or, at the age of 79 years. His son Josiah, fell into the hands of the enemy at the battle of Chickamauga and his fate was never learned.

The mother of our subject was a daughter of William Latimer and was born in 1805, the youngest of a family of eight children, all of whom have passed away. In 1800 William Church. A family of six sons was born to Latimer came with John Wiley, from Pennsyl- vania, and settled on a ljoining sections of land in Belmont County on what is now known as the Colerain Pike. One son of Mr. Latimer named William was killed in the War of 1812. Mrs. Blackford died at the age of 66 years. She was long a member of the Presbyterian Church. A family of six sons was born to

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Joseph Blackford and wife, namely: William 11 .. deceased, who farmed the old homestead, died Sept. 14, 1902, aged 75; Rev. Alexander Latimer, D. D., who for 30 years was a mis- sionary in Brazil, died during a visit to the United States in 1800 of yellow fever at At- lanta, Georgia, at the age of 62 years; Rev. Robert Allen, who was a minister for 13 years at Clarksburg, West Virginia, and died in 1896; Rev. John H., a Presbyterian minister for many years, and has been stationed since 1897, at Slatelick, Pennsylvania; Dr. James Mitchell, who is the subject of this biography; and Joseph Anderson, who died at the age of eight years. All of these sons that grew to maturity have become prominent in profes- sional life, testifying in the strongest degree the tendency given by early moral surround- ings.

Dr. Blackford acquired his literary education at Miller Academy, and later pursued a higher course at Vermilion Institute. His preceptor in medicine was that eminent physician, Dr. John Campbell, of Uniontown, Ohio, of whom Dr. John Cook, formerly of Bridgeport, was also a pupil. Dr. Blackford still further pur- sued his studies at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and completed his course at Starling Medical College, at Colum- bus, in 1865. He began practice at Morris- town, Ohio, removing in 1873 to Martin's Ferry, thus being the second oldest practitioner in this city, being preceded by Dr. Williams. Dr. Blackford has always held a large practice, his learning and skill making him prominent through the county and a very valued member of the Belmont County Medical Society, of which he has served as president. He is a ready writer as well as deep thinker and his contribu- tions to medical journals have been regarded as worthy of extended notice and discussion. lle has been the medical examiner for insurance companies and has been health officer a mim- her of times. No more judicious selection could be made on the School Board than Dr. Black ford, as his interests have always been engaged in the cause of education, and he has served for six years. While Dr. Blackford is

a close student and careful observer in his own profession, and an interested promoter of civic progress, he takes no active part in politics, being only concerned that the most capable men be elected.

On January 16, 1866, Dr. Blackford was married to Catherine Reid, who was born in Ireland, coming to the United States at the age of ten years. She is one of ten living children and the eldest born to her parents.

The four children born to Dr. and Mrs. Blackford were: Robert A., Mary R., Joseph E. and John Latimer, the last named dying at the age of five years. Robert A. graduated from Washington and Jefferson College, in 1889 and from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in the class of 1899. also from Washington College in 1899. then taught two years in the grammar schools of Martin's Ferry and for three years was prin- cipal of the High School, served for two years as physician of an insane asylum, at Warren, Pennsylvania, and one year at the hospital at Pottstown, in the same State, and is now per- manently located in practice with our subject. Joseph E. has been for the past 10 years the Martin's Ferry correspondent of the Wheeling Notes; he married Anna Bell Hobbs and their two children were named Edward, who died at the age of five years, and Kathryne. Mr. Blackford is regarded as a rising man in the newspaper profession.

Dr. Blackford is an older in the United Presbyterian Church and his two oldest chil- dren are also members. The family is one of the most highly regarded in the social circles of Martin's Ferry and its head enjoys uni- versal esteem.

REV. FATHER JOSEPH A. WEIGAND. pastor of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, of Bridgeport, Ohio, was born in Baden. Ger- many. June 8, 1866. His parents were Felix and Genevieve ( Schmidt ) Weigand, the form- er of whom was an extensive farmer, a man of general knowledge and one whose influence was directed continually to enterprises for the

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betterment of the church and his community. Hewas a zealous worker, was widely known and deservedly respected. His death occurred on July 7, 1895, from an attack of "la grippe," this being the first sickness he ever had. The motli- er of Father Weigand died when he was a small child.

Father Joseph Weigand was one in a fami- ly of 12 children born to his parents, all of whom were given educational advantages. Preparatory study is very thorough in Ger- many and this foundation results in that coun- try's producing the most scholarly men of the times. After this preparation, Father Wei- gand entered the gymnasium at Tauber-Bisch- ofsheim, where he took a course of study requiring attendance for three years, and then came to America. He was but 12 years of age when he entered St. Vincent College, complet- ing there his classical training, and then en- tered St. Mary's Seminary, at Baltimore, Mary- land, where he completed his theological course and was there ordained by that distinguished dignitary of the Church, Cardinal Gibbons. Father Weigand was but 23 years of age, the youngest of a class of 53, and carried off the highest honors, and received the books, prem- iums and medals. His first work was assigned him under Father White, at the Cathedral at Columbus, Ohio, but within six months he was appointed to the Bridgeport pastorate, taking charge January, 1900. As assistant he has Father Roderick MeEachen, a native of Shaw- nee, Ohio, who was ordained August 10, 1901, by Bishop Moeller, in Columbus. Father Mc- Eachen studied theology at Inspruck, Austria, and was appointed here in September, 1901.

Father McEachen returned to Europe in the fall of 1902, in order to take a special course in the Sclavonic languages, for the purpose of fitting himself for work among the Slavonic people in the Columbus diocese. St. Anthony has a congregation of 1oo families, aside from a great number of single communicants who find a home in Bridgeport. This is an un- usual showing for a town of its size. No less than 12 nationalities are represented in the con- gregation. The day school is in charge of the

Sisters of Charity, of Nazareth, Kentucky, and the attendance varies from 100 10 150. Excel- lent advantages are afforded the pupils and a course of study is followed as prescribed for the State and public schools.

Father Weigand has still another school un- der his charge, conducted by the same Sisters, located at Maynard, a mining district, the pu- pils being about 75 Slavonic children. At that point the school has been in existence for some four years and soon a fine school build- ing will be erected. Father Weigand is filled with the zeal of the early Fathers, and his suc- cess in pioneer fields is worthy of all commen- dation. The great truths of his teaching have changed a mass of ignorant, neglected people into self-respecting, law-abiding citizens, and his work is heartily commended by all resi- dents of Bridgeport, entirely irrespective of doctrinal belief. Personally he is both beloved and esteemed.

Father Joseph Wittman of Troy, New York, has been assisting Father Weigand since the departure of Father Mc Eachen.

CHARLES FOWLER, a well-known con- tractor and farmer of Barnesville, Ohio, was born February 12, 1852, a son of Sammuel and Eliza (Groves) Fowler, the former of whom was a native of Maryland, became a skilled me- chanic, and for a number of years superintend- ed the gravel trains on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Barnesville. His death took place here early in the "seventies," and his widow passed away in 1898.

Charles Fowler was one of a family of seven children. all of whom were reared to be in- dustrious and were afforded good, common school educations. When about 21 years of age, our subject learned the carpenter trade, and his close application and thorough work soon brought him promotion and enabled him to enter upon contracting and building on a large scale. He also owns a farm in the vi- cinity of Barnesville, where he demonstrates

JOSEPH KIRKWOOD.

VINCENT MITCHELL.

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that he is as successful an agriculturist as he is a contractor and builder.

On September 29, 1879, Mr. Fowler was married to Ilulda Greeneltch, a daughter of one of the highly respected families of Monroe County. She is a lady of great capac- ity and has shown her business ability by her successful management of the Fowler Hotel, which she conducted from the spring of 1899 and finally purchased. Under her management the hotel is not only a financial success, but it is also one of the best regulated hostelries of the city.

M1. Fowler has been a life-long Republican and a useful citizen.

MRS. J. (KIRKWOOD) MITCHELL, so highly esteemed and beloved by the people of Kirkwood, Belmont County, Ohio, was born in that town and ranks among the oldest residents. She is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret ( Gil- lespie) Kirkwood, granddaughter of Robert Kirkwood, and was born September 15, 1827.

Our ubject's paternal grandfather, Robert Kirkwood, was deeply interested in his studies for the ministry when the Revolutionary War broke out. Ile immediately dropped "Euclid" and shouldering his musket marched to the ser- vice of his country. Ile started as captain, raised a company in Newark, Delaware, his native State, and afterward served as an officer of high rank under the illustrious Washington. Hlis two children, one daughter and one son, were: Joseph, the father of our subject ; and Mrs. Whitely, who after her first husband's demise married Mr. Boyer,-she had two child- ren, Robert 11. and Mary A. by her first mar- riage, and her children of the second marriage are now deceased. Robert Kirkwood died at the age of seventy-two years.

Joseph Kirkwood was born March 25, 1784, and chose for his wife Margaret Gillespie, who was born July 6, 1785. Both were natives of Newark, Delaware, and both attended the same schools there when children. During his early youth, Mr. Kirkwood worked as bookkeeper

in his uncle's store in Newark, but after his marriage crossed the Alleghanies on horseback and arrived in BelmonteCounty, Ohio, during the early part of the last century. Ile settled in Canton (now Bridgeport ), and immediately turned his attention to farming and there re- mained until his death, June 9, 1856. In 1812 he served in the war but would not receive a pension or warrant for his services. He and his beloved wife had a family of to children : Hannah M. (Mrs. James McCune), born in 1807 and died 1849; Sarah ( Mrs. Joseph Large) ; Robert, born in 1810, and died in 1811; Ann S., who was born February 28, 1812, married David Allen, and is now de- ceased; Adeline, who married Dr. Henry West and died July 8, 1854: Mary, born in 1817, and died in 1838; Elizabeth, born February 5, 1818, and died in the "nineties"; Catherine S., born August 24, 1820, married Dr. James McCona- hey, and died in the "eighties"; Margaret A., born May 27, 1823, is now a resident of Kirk- wood, the widow of Rev. James Alexander of the Presbyterian Church; and Mrs. Mitchell, our subject, who is the youngest in the family and who, with Mrs. Margaret A. Alexander, is the only living member of the once large family. Mrs. Joseph Kirkwood's death took place at the advanced age of 84 years, February 14, 1866. She was a life-long member of the Pres- byterian Church, and a pioneer with her hus- band, both knowing well the hardships, dan- gers, deprivations, and difficulties of early Ohio pioneer life.

Mrs. Mitchell is the widow of Vincent Mit- chell, who was a native of Mount Pleasant, Jef- ferson County, Ohio, where he was profitably engaged in mercantile business until 1849. when he removed to Kirkwood. He and our subject were united in matrimony, March 1.1. 1850, and their union was blessed with eight children, as follows: Margaret A. : William V .: Rockwell B .; Ada and Lee, who died young; Clara E. and Carrie E., twins; and Walter. Margaret A. is the wife of Rev. Shields M. Macurdy, one of the leading men of the Pittsburg Conference, highly respected by all and a charming singer. They have six

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children; Josephine, Vincent, S. W., Britton, Elder, and Errat. William V. is as yet un- married and resides at home, as does also Rock- well B., the latter having served several terms as mayor of Bridgeport, of which Kirkwood is a part. Clara E., one of the twins, is now Mrs. D. Myers of Wheeling Island; her twin sister, Carrie E. ( Mrs. George Robinson), also of Wheeling Island, is now deceased, having left two children, Josephine and Martha L. Walter Mitchell married Daisie Adams of California, and has one daughter, Alphia.

Vincent Mitchell died at the age of 77 years, October 25, 1881. Ile was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Mitchell has been a member since her 16th year. In politics, he was a Democrat, glad to be of ser- vice to his party whenever it was possible. Be- fore his marriage with our subject, Mr. Mit- chell was united in marriage October 11, 1830, with Susanna Hogg, who died October 19, 1845, leaving three children, Miriam, R. Jane, and John J: Miriam Mitchell was the wife of R. B. Boyd, and died at the age of 40 years. R. Jane Mitchell resides with her step-inother, the subject of this biography. John J. Mitchell married Margaret Guyton, but is now deceased, having left seven children to mourn his loss, namely : Myrtle E., Harry, Alonzo L., Alma, Ollie, Rose E., and Lulu G.

LINDLEY P. BAILEY. The dairy inter- ests are important ones in Belmont County, Ohio, where natural conditions are so favorable to success, and intelligent operators engage in the industry. Dairies and creameries are found in every township, but very few of them reach the high standard demanded by the criti- cal and fastidious public. The Belmont Stock Farm Dairy fulfills every condition and is owned and operated by Lindley P. Bailey, a prominent dairyman, who is also well known as a breeder of fine, Jersey cattle, and who is the able president of the Ohio Dairymen's As- sociation.

The birth of Mr. Bailey occurred on March 8, 1850, in Goshen township, Belmont County,

one of seven children born to Jesse and Ase- nath ( Patterson) Bailey, three of whom sur- vive. Jesse Bailey was also born in Belmont County, a son of Jesse, Who was a native of North Carolina. The Barley family has been noted for its agricultural success and its mem- bers have belonged to Belmont County's best class of citizens. Jesse Bailey spent his whole life as a farmer and reaped ample results from his excellent methods and intelligent manage- ment. In the country schools of his locality, Mr. Bailey was given his elementary educa- tion, which was supplemented by attendance at the Friends' Boarding School, at Mt. Pleasant, Ohio. After seven years devoted to teaching. during which time he gave much intelligent at- tention to agricultural matters, Mr. Bailey de- cided to follow the family vocation and become a farmer. After making a successful trial on rented land, he went into debt for a tract of 66 acres of good land, gave it close attention, put into practice modern methods, and pros- pered from the very first, gradually adding to his possessions until he now owns 240 acres of choice Belmont County land, with excellent in- provements and fine, modern buildings.

In 1881 Mr. Bailey made his first experiment with Jersey cattle, trading a threshing machine for his first herd, and has succeeded far beyond the average, although he has met with some reverses, as is the ease in almost every kind of business, in 1885, losing about $3,000 in shipping. In 1888 he erected his present creamery, at a cost of $1,000, and this estab- lishment has gained a wide reputation for the quality of its products, manufactured under the careful eye of its owner, with the assistance of one expert and four helpers. Between 60 and 70 head of cows contribute the milk sup- ply. Believing in the advantages that accrue from concentration of effort, Mr. Bailey has devoted most of his energies, in the past 20 years, to the development and improvement of Jersey cattle and to securing excellence in daily products, and it is his opinion that the future of satisfactory dairying lies entirely in intelli- gent education in this line. He would have this improvement begin in the stable and con-

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tinue until the finished product is served to the public, and believes that then and only then, will the public know the perfection which may be attained. Most necessary adjuncts are cleanliness, intelligence and honesty, in com- bination with the modern machinery which must be in use wherever quality is a necessity to success. In his own establishment, Mr. Bailey has spared no expense, has placed ex- pensive machines with skilled labor, and the patrons of the Belmont Stock Farm Dairy may feel assured that its milk has been Pasteurized and rendered wholly healthful and of the finest flavor. Mr. Bailey obtains a large supply of his milk from his own carefully tended herd and those of his neighbors who comply with the sanitary requirements demanded, and care and feed their cows as science has determined will produce healthful milk. The large product of this creamery, during the winter season, all goes to the MeJunkin Straight Dairy Co., of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, who are extensive re- tailers, supplying the leading families of that city.

Alr. Bailey has been so prominently identi- fied with the dairy interests of Ohio, that scarcely any leading organization or journal has failed to give him credit. Prior to becom- ing president of the Ohio Dairymen's Associa- tion. he served as secretary and treasurer for a long period, and in 1808 was made special dairy inspector of the State under J. E. Black- burn and Governor Bushnell. In 1893 he was made a director in the American Jersey Cattle Club, few men in the county or State having a more complete and exhaustive knowledge of Jersey cattle. In 1896 Mr. Bailey held his last annal sale of Jersey cattle, this being the ninth occasion. The Belmont Stock Farm is located one and one-half miles from Barnesville, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and these sales were always largely attended, dealers realiz- ing that here could be obtained superior cattle, and having every assurance that only honest methods would be employed in their disposal. It has been our subject's aim to produce a dairy animal, which, by proper and careful at- tention, will produce the greatest yield of milk

and butter, while adding nothing to 1, Cx pense. This is practica !.

In July, 1871, Mr. Bailey was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Stanton, daughter of Joseph Stanton, of Belmont County, and six children were born to this gnion, namely : Edwin M., Oscar J., Anna M., Alva C., Clara and Jesse S. Edwin M. married Lillian Doud- na, a-daughter of J. W. Doudna, and operates a modern creamery at Pittsburg. Oscar J. married Mary A. Bracken, daughter of Lind- ley Bracken, of Belmont County, and conducts a creamery business in Wheeling, West Vir- ginia. Anna M. married Clarence Patton, of lowa. Alva C. married Laura Steer, a dangh- ter of Nathan Steer and in association with his father conducts a dairy business at Spencer, Although Mr. Bailey did nothing to influence his sons in their choice of career, when the choice was made, he assisted them in thorough- ly perfecting themselves in the details of the business, sending two of them to the dairy school conducted at Madison, Wisconsin, and the third to a similar school in Ohio. The fami- ly belongs to the Society of Friends, and all its members are thoroughly respected members of the community. In political association, Mr. Bailey is a Republican, but has never consent- ed to accept any office except that of school director, although particularly well fitted to discharge the duties of almost any office. His large business enterprises and his absorption in his business, whereby he has attained such suc- cess, have precluded activity in other lines.

LIEUT. JOHN F. SMITHI, a retired farm- er and most highly-esteemed citizen of Bridge- port, Ohio, was born in Pease township, Bel- mont County, Ohio, on October 4. 1830, a son of James M. and Mary ( Berry) Smith, the latter of whom was a native of Loudoun County Virginia.

James M. Smith, the father, was also born in Loudoun County and by trade was a cooper. About 1815 or 1816 he decided to move to Ohio where he believed there would be more

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demand for his goods, and with wife and three children, a wagon load of household belong- ings, with $50 in his pocket and two strong horses, set out for the new home, reaching St. Clairsville, Ohio, in the course of time, tired doubtless and homesick for the old surround- ings. However, the father and mother of our subject possessed the true pioneer spirit, and soon after located at Glenn's Run, where Mr. Smith was engaged to make the flour barrels for the mills at that place, under the manage- ment of William McWilliams. Buying 20 acres of land, Mr. Smith began a little farming which was fairly successful, but later became engaged in the boat-building business, an en- terprise which rewarded him well. The boats he constructed were known as "broad horns," and were built for the purpose of taking produce down the Ohio River, Mr. Smith receiving fifty cents per barrel for making the trip. It was his custom to build two boats every year, one filled with coal, the other with produce, run them down the river to New Or- leans and there trade boat and all for molasses and sugar which he would bring back on a steamboat to Wheeling. Several occasions oc- curred when he and his boys made the return trip from Louisville on the ice. On his last trip, Mr. Smith received some very choice sugar of the loaf variety and with this he en- tered into negotiations with Governor Shan- non, by which the latter took the sugar in part payment for 66 acres of land, this being now owned by the subject of this sketch. Governor Shannon had bought this land from an heir in Ireland, who had inherited it in the division of an uncle's estate, but this heir never came to America and the original owners do not pos- sess any of the large property, our subject owning 150 acres of it and his sister, Mrs. Amanda Brown, another 150 acres. James M. Smith, or more properly, Colonel Smith, as he was locally known, served in the War of 1812 and received for this service a land warrant in Missouri upon which his son settled. lle was made colonel of the county militia and thus ac- quired his title. For many years he served as a justice of the peace and his influence was

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 71

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