Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 77

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 77

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Ireland and gathered complete data of the Patton family; they have been blessed with eight children. Alexander C., born in 1838, followed farming as a vocation, and when the Civil War broke out enlisted in the 170th Reg., O. V. I., and became a cap- tain later. Ile married Agnes Sharp of Uniontown, Ohio, and they had two children and lived in Springfield, Ohio, where the father died in 1900. Caroline was born in ISto and married Addison Lysle of Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, a prominent coal dealer, residing in Allegheny, and they had one child. Mrs. Lysle was educated in Washington Seminary and graduated from that institu- tion. James, born in 1842, chose Elizabeth Dunbar, a daughter of William Dunbar, of Uniontown, Ohio, for his wife, and they had three children when she died. He married a second time, this time choosing Agnes Cook, daughter of James Cook of New Ath- ens, Ohio. George M., born in 1841. served in the war as a member of the 98th Reg., O. V. 1, and married Louise MI. Campbell, a daughter of Dr. John Campbell of Union- town, who bore him six children. Calvin W., who was born in 1846, was a member of the 170th Reg., O. V. I., during the Civil War, and was united in marriage with Harriet Dunbar and later with Dora Troll, who bore him two children, John T. and C. G. Mrs. Patton formerly resided in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Sylvanus was born in 1852 and died in 1863, aged twelve years. Thomas L., born in 1855, married Jennie McKee of Uniontown, and lives at Alliance, Ohio. They have four children. An only brother of our subject's father died when but 20 years old.

William Luther Patton led Maggie R. Mc- Nary, daughter of John McNary, of Belmont County, to the hymeneal altar in 1873. She was born in 1850 and had two brothers. Her scholastic training was obtained in Frank- lin College, and she and our subject have four children, namely, Lodalee, born Novem- ber 2, 1874; Park, born in December, 1870; 1. Van, born May 5, 1883, and Nellie Mc-

JOHN AMRINE.

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Nary, born in 1885. They are still residents of the home larm with their parents, and the tho chb 1 children have attended college to obtain the best education possible. Lodalee graduated at Franklin College in New Ath - ens, Ohio, the third in rank in her class. Park graduated from the High School at St. Clairsville, at Franklin College also, and took a business course at the business college at Poughkeepsie, thus fitting himself thorough- ly for the position he occupies as professor of mathematics in Curry College of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. A. Van has graduated from the High School at St. Clairsville, also is clerking in his father's store, but his parents believe that children should not be sent to school too young, and he will be given ample opportunity to take a more advanced course at some college at a later date.

Mr. Patton has had charge of the duties at the post office since 1886, except about six months during Cleveland's administration, and he has proved a most valuable man for the place, being of an accommodating, cheer- ful nature. He has built up a hustling busi- ness and has the best patronage of the vil- lage, which speaks for his ability as a mer- chant and his popularity as a citizen.

JOHN AMRINE, whose death occurred Au- gust 27, 1901, at Bridgeport, Ohio, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, January 10, 1820, and he lived practically all his life in his native county.

lle was a son of Peter and Nancy Amrine, who were among the hardy pioneeer settlers of Ohio. Ilis mother died in 1832 of cholera. The family then removed to Perry County, Ohio. John did not like his new home, and, with his father's permission, returned to Bel- mont County; although only a boy of 12, he walked all the way back, and thus young John Amrine started upon his own resources in the race of life.

For several years he made his home with his uncle, Francis McConnell, and worked at

farming on Scotch Ridge, and elsewhere. He followed boating on the Ohio River for 16 years.

At the age of 30 years he was united in marriage with Deborah Enlow, a daughter of Jacob and Rachel Enlow, who were also pio- neer residents of Belmont County. From this union they had a family of nine children, of whom Mary B., the widow of Jeremiah Stur- geon; Virginia A., the wife of Milton McCon- naughy; Miss Gertrude H. and Fred S. Ain- rine are still living; and Frank 11., who died in 1895, leaving a widow, Mrs. Jessie Bailey Amrine, and one child, Frank.

Mrs. John Amrine was born February 7, 1826, and died December 13, 1895.

Peter Amrine, the father of our subject, died April 20, 1864, aged 74 years.

Soon after his marriage, John Amrine en- gaged in the coal boating business with Hugh McNeely and others, and although this busi- ness did not prove very lucrative, yet he gave $200 of his meager savings to build the First Methodist Episcopal Church that was built in Bridgeport, and in later years proved his de- votion to the cause of Christianity by giving liberally toward the erection of the other two brick Methodist Episcopal Churches in Kirk- wood.

For 67 years Mr. Amrine was a devout member of the Methodist Church, serving mostly in some official capacity.

Hle was public spirited and was the first to take stock in the Aetna Mill in 1873, and was later a charter member of the re organized Aetna-Standard Mills.

In fraternal circles, he was an active Mason for many years, and was the last of the charter members of the Bridgeport blue lodge.

John Amrine was a true and earnest patriot during the great war for the Union, and throughout his life he loved to talk and read of Lincoln, Grant, Garfield, Mckinley and others of our good and great. Ile was an ar- dent Republican.

The last go years of his life he was engaged in farming and market gardening, and enjoyed his fine suburban home with his interesting

一

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

family; and thus we see this boy with the rough exterior of pioneer life, without a moth- er's love to guide or a father's hand to pro- tect, no parental roof, and with but little school privileges, and yet making life a success.

With the practice of industry, economy and sobriety, and being possessed of many of the finer sterling qualities of heart and mind, John Antrine walked amid the rough environments of a life on the river and the crude times of his early days, and yet he became the honored citizen, the good friend and the worthy Chris- tian gentleman.

He was cast in a gentle mold, and yet he was ever firm and steadfast for the right. He loved fair dealing, and his genial manner made and kept all who knew him his friends.

In his last illness he found delight in giving Christian advice and counsel to all who came to his bedside. His last hours were a fit end- ing of an upright, exemplary life.

Soothed and sustained by an unfaltering trust, he "approached the grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

"Calm and peaceful be thy sleep," good friend.

ELI S. MORGAN, one of the progressive agriculturists of Wheeling township, Bel- mont County, manages not only his own large and well-kept farm, but also a still larger one for his mother. Possessed of a large capacity for work, and being one who attends strictly to his own business, he has accumulated considerable property, includ- ing some of the best-bred stock. He comes of a family of soil tillers, and was born on the Belmont County homestead December '19, 1865, son of Philip and Sarah (Seebirt) Morgan.

George V. Morgan, grandfather of Eli S., was born in 1775. In the early days he moved to Ohio, being one of the pioneers of the rich agricultural districts of this State. Ilere he purchased what was known as the Mintier farmi, where he passed many busy

years of his life, engaged in the develop- ment of its resources. Later he moved to the Morgan farm, where he spent the rest of his life, dying there.

Philip Morgan, son of George V. and father of Eli S., was also a prominent agricul- turist of this section, purchasing and manag- ing the homestead where the son now resides. Born in Uniontown, Ohio, in 1819, he pro- cured his education in the common schools of his vicinity. Preparatory to an occupa- tion in life, as a youth he entered a tannery and there learned a trade, at which in time he became very proficient. During his young manhood he purchased the farm al- ready referred to, in Wheeling township. This place he cleared and broke, and greatly improved. As he also added to its area, oc- casionally, by large land purchases, it at one time embraced 514 acres. January 5, 18.45, Mr. Morgan married Sarah Seebirt, an at- tractive girl of 18, born in 1825, daughter of lili and Caroline Seebiri, and grand- daughter of Adam Scebirt, who was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, resided there for many years, and later crossed the moun- tains and became one of the pioneer settlers of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Esli Seebirt were born two children,-Sarah, and Eli, born in 1827, died in 1898. Mrs. Morgan, now 78, has been a hard-working woman all her life, also a faithful mother and devoted wife. She was reared in this vicinity, and attended for many years the Wheeling Valley public schools. In religious circles she is especially prominent, and has been a consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church for nearly 40 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were born nine children: Mary Ellen, born Janu- ary 24, 1846, received a common school edu- cation, married Harvey Rusk, a farmer, now deceased, who resided on his family home- stead in Richland township, near Fairpoint, in Belmont County, and they had six chil- dren,-Addison E., Elmer, Sadie, Marshall, Ina, and Ross. The father died in 1890, and the family still reside on the homestead. Marshall J., second child of Philip Morgan,

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born September 26, 1847, married Mary Close, daughter of John Close, who resides near St. Clairsville, Belmont County, and they had two children,-Philip, and Leota, who resides east of the Morgan farm, near the Valley Church. Martha A., born August 14, 1849, married Samuel Coleman, of Wheeling township, and they have three children. Melissa J., born October 14, 1851, married Charles Love, son of Rev. Mr. Love, and they reside in Athens. They have two children. John, born November 13, 1853, who re- ceived his education in the common schools and Franklin College, married Mary Lyle, of Wheeling township, and they live on Athens Pike, near the toll gate, and are the parents of five children,-Wilbur, Lyle, Mar- shall, Robert, and Linnie. Milton, born No- vember 14, 1856, died at the age of six years. Ada, born April 24, 1859, married William l'. Hedges, and they reside near Cadiz, Ohio. Linnie (Euphemia Ulinda), born June 18, 1861, married Rusk Love, and they reside in Wheeling township. They have two children,-Everett and Phil. Eli S. is mentioned below. Mr. Morgan was a man highly respected in his community, pos- sessed marked integrity and was especially influential in religious circles, serving as elder in the Presbyterian Church at Valley Church for 25 years. His children were also members of this church.

Eli S. Morgan received the ordinary rear- ing of a farm boy, attending the common schools regularly for a number of years, and taking a helping hand in the usual farm duties. Upon reaching manhood he began farming on the homestead, and after the death of his father assumed the entire man- agement of the place, which now embraces 215 acres. This place is well improved, and the buildings, which were erected about 50 years ago, have been kept in excellent con- dition and are still intact. Here he engages in general farming and stock raising with marked success. His land being productive yields large and valuable crops, and his stock is among the best put on the market. In

addition to carrying on this place he man- ages 763 acres of land, which he purchased for himself. This he has also greatly im- proved, and has largely under cultivation. Keeping abreast of the times, he appliesi progressive methods in farming and at the same time is extremely practical.

In February, 1892, Mr. Morgan married Mary Hutchison, daughter of John and Sadie Hutchison, of St. Clairsville, Ohio. Mrs. Morgan is a highly cultivated woman, and received her education in the common schools and Franklin College. By this mar- riage there have been five children: John Hutchison, born March 3, 1894; Sarah Ada, born February 16, 1896; Emma Lucinda, born March 3, 1898, who died in the same year at the age of six months; Lucinda Rose, born May 27, 1899; and Russell Seebirt, born December 18, 1901.

Mr. Morgan has achieved success in life by attending strictly to his own duties. He gives but little attention to public affairs, and has never sought office. Like his father, however, he votes the Democratic ticket. He is a man of firm religious convictions and belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

HON. ROSS J. ALEXANDER, a most highly esteemed resident of Bridgeport, Ohio, has been a prominent figure in profes- sional and political life in Belmont County for a number of years, resigning the cares of business in 1894, after a successful and hon- orable career.

Mr. Alexander claims an old and honored ancestry. The first member of this branch of the Alexander family of which we find authentic mention was James Alexander, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, who was born in 1706 near Campbelltown, Scot- land, and who came to the United States in 1774, his tomb now being found at Slate Ridge, Maryland. His son, James, the second of the name, was born in 1733 in Scotland also, and came to America in 1771, dying

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May 9, 1817, at the age of 84 years. He served during the Revolutionary War with the Pennsylvania troops, his home being in the vicinity of York, in that State. He was buried in the Alexander Cemetery at South Ridge, in Belmont County, Ohio. James Alexander (2) was twice married, his first wife, Margaret Wilson, dying in Scotland, leaving four children, namely, Andrew, James, Margaret and Jane,-the eldest of these, James (3), being our subject's grand- father. The second marriage was to Mar- garet Clarke Ross, and seven children were born to this union.

James Alexander (3), the grandfather of Hon. Ross J. Alexander, was born in Scot- land, came to the United States in 1766, and died May 11, 1852, at the age of 95 years. He married Isabella Ross and had a family of ten children, namely, Margaret, James, Agnes, Jane W., Isabella R., John, Jenetta, Peter, Robert Jefferson and Lavinia, all of whom have passed away. Of this family Agnes, born May 15, 1792, was the first white child born in Belmont County. She died Feb- ruary 20, 1825. Her marriage was to Robert Gray, and of their four children James A., lately deceased, was a banker at Martin's Ferry, Ohio.

Robert Jefferson Alexander, the father of our subject, was born October 6, 1806, and died January 30, 1863. On November 1, 1831, he married Mary A. Jennings, a native of Belmont County, and a daughter of David Jennings, for many years prominent in politi- cal life as State Senator and member of Con- gress, and for 15 years county prosecut- ing attorney. Mrs. Alexander was one of a family of six children born to her parents, viz., Mary A., Rachel R., Jacob D., David L., Jonathan G. and Margaret 1.,-Jonathan G. being the only survivor. The Jennings family is an honorable one in a number of the States of the Union. Jacob Jennings, the maternal great-great-grandfather of our sub- ject, served as a minute man in the militia of Morris County, New Jersey, during the Revolutionary War, and his wife was Mary

Kennedy, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Ken- nedy. Jacob Jennings (2), our subject's great- grandfather, also participated in the Revo- lutionary War, and the document is in the family's possession which tells that he was captain of the Jersey Blues and a surgeon in the Sussex County Militia during this period. lle was severely wounded at the battle of Trenton, December 26, 1776, and bore the marks of the conflict until his death. At the age of 40 years he was licensed to preach by the Dutch Reformed Church and removed to Virginia, and in 1802 served at Pittsburg as the first moderator of the synod. Mrs. Alex- ander was a niece of the distinguished Jona- than Jennings, who was the first Governor of the State of Indiana and for whom a county in the southeastern part of that State was named, and the State of Indiana has recently erected a $5,000 monument to his memory.

Robert Jefferson Alexander was an able attorney and practiced all his life in Belmont County, serving through two terms as county prosecuting attorney, and was the first judge of the Court of Common Pleas under the new Constitution of 1851, his term covering five years of service. His interest was pronounced in the fostering of public educational enter- prises, and he favored legislation for the ad- vancement of agricultural opportunities. Mr. Alexander was born on October 6, 1806, and through a period of 57 years was one of the most useful citizens of Belmont Connty. The children born to this first marriage were as follows: Theresa, who is Mrs. K. S. Bore- man, of Parkersburg, West Virginia; Ross J., who is the subject of this sketch. Robert J., who is a resident of the State of Washing- ton, and William W., who resides at Akron. Ohio. The mother of these children died in 1844 at the age of 33 years. The second marriage of Mr. Alexander was to a sister of his first wife, Rachel R., who was the widow of William H. Tallman, the one daughter born to this union being Mary Ann, the wife of James Murray, of Wheeling, West Vir- ginia.

The birth of Ross J. Alexander occurred

WILLIAM H. McCARTNEY.

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in Belmont County on Christmas Day, 1834. Hle was reared in a home of refinement and intelligence and was offered excellent educa- tional advantages. From Linsly Institute in Wheeling he went to Franklin College, Ohio, and later graduated with the highest honors in the class of 1854 from Washington and Jefferson College, in Pennsylvania. Under his eminent father he studied law and was admitted to practice in December, 1856, locating in St. Clairsville. For a period of 18 years Mr. Alexander carried on a large and absorbing practice in that place, remov- ing in 1872 to Bridgeport, only to change the location, not the nature or volume, of his business. Many honors have been shown our subject by appreciative fellow citizens. For 12 years he was master commissioner of the county and for two terms he was the municipal head of the city of St. Clairsville. Ile has served as a member of the Bridgeport Council a mimber of times, has been a mem- ber of and president of the Bridgeport School Board for many years, and has been identified with all public enterprises of lasting value. During two years he was an efficient member of the Ohio Legislature, rendering his party yeoman service during the administration of President Cleveland. Ile also served in the far West as a member of the Puyallup Indian Commission of the State of Washington, in all of these varied responsible offices uphold- ing the dignity of the position and conscien- tiously performing the many duties.

On July 14, 1858, Mr. Alexander was united in marriage with Margaretta Askew, a native of St. Clairsville and a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (McElroy) Askew, the latter of whom was a daughter of John Mc- Elroy, who was a captain in the War of 1812. A family of four children were born to our subject and wife, as follows: Marian, who married William Alexander, resides in Kan- sas City, Kansas, and they have two chil- dren, Askew and Ross J .; Lillian, who mar- ried Frauk Sigel, resides at Kansas City, Mis- sonri, and has two daughters, Margaret and Virginia: Minnie R., who married J. C. Hein-

lein, a prominent attorney of Bridgeport, and their children are Margaret, George and Dorothy; and St. Clair, of Kansas City, Mis- souri. Both our subject and wife are lead- ing members of the Presbyterian Clmirch. He is a well-known member of the Masonic order and has held the highest positions in lodge, chapter and commandery, and has been a delegate many times to all the grand bodies in the State. From his youth he has been interested in politics, and is an ardent advocate of unadulterated Jeffersonian Democracy.

WILLIAM H. MCCARTNEY, who dur- ing life was one of the substantial and highly esteemed citizens of Belmont County, was born at Linton Mills, Coshocton County, Ohio, June 28, 1840, a son of David and Elizabeth (Heslop) McCartney, the former of whom was born in 1816. On March 21, 1837, he married Elizabeth Heslop, and they reared a family of four children. David McCartney was an extensive farmer and also engaged in the banking business at Fort Howard, Wisconsin. He died at Thomas- ville, Georgia.

For a number of years William II. Mc- Cartney was associated with his father in business and became well and favorably known. Hle was married to Martha Hunt, who was born November 30, 1842, a daugh- ter of Philip Hunt, of Maryland, who was a well-known stockman and extensive farmer The nion resulted in the birth of the fol- lowing children: Nellie, who married Dr. J. W. Wellons, one of the rising young physi- cians of Barnesville, a son of the distin- guished Dr. G. S. Wellons; and Jesse T., who was born May 10, 1873, and who is at- tending the Ohio Medical College. He will graduate in 1903. Hle resides with his mother on the old homestead, located within a quarter of a mile of the city of Barnes- ville. This estate comprises 47 acres of well-improved land, while the stately brick

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

residence is one of the handsomest in this vicinity. Jesse T. McCartney, like his father, is identified with the Republican party, and is one of the popular young men of this lo- cality. The family is one held in high es- teem throughout Warren township.

William H. McCartney was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died Septem- ber 29, 1901. Mrs. McCartney is a member of the M. E. Church of Barnesville, Ohio.

JOHN WATSON, a representative farmer and eminent citizen of Wheeling township, Belmont County, Ohio, where so many years of his life have been spent upon a farm, has followed agricultural pursuits to very good advantage, having accumulated quite a com- petency, and is highly respected in his com- munity for his many excellent qualities. Mr. Watson was born January 19, 1829, in Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania, on a farm near Canonsburg. He now owns 315 acres, which includes one-fourth of the old Hammond farm, which was acquired as a legacy to his wife, three-quarters of which was purchased by our subject, and also the farm upon which' our subject resides, which was purchased by him some time since. The handsome resi- dence and other substantial improvements were all made by Mr. Watson, who carries 011 general farming in the most approved manner, but makes a specialty of raising fine sheep; in fact, a great deal of his money has been made on sheep alone, but he also raises a limited number of horses, cattle, hogs, etc.

Thomas Watson, the father of our subject, was a blacksmith by trade, and at one time resided in Canonsburg. He subsequently re- moved to the farm near that place, where our subject was born, and there continued in the blacksmith business for several years. He married Jane, the eldest daughter of William llays, who lived at Plum Run, Washington County, Pennsylvania, and who reared a family of seven children.

Our subject's parents had ten children,

viz., James, Eliza Jane, Martha, William Hays, Nancy, Mary Ann, John (subject), Catherine, James F. and Rachel. All are now deceased except three sisters, who reside at Canonsburg, and one brother, James F., is a resident of Indiana. James, the eldest son, died at the carly age of nine years, and Rachel at ten years. William died in Bel- mont County in 1889, and Nancy passed to her rest the same year, while Catherine died as recently as 1901.

December 18, 1867, Mr. Watson was united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth Hammond, the ceremony which bound them for life taking place at St. Clairsville, Ohio. The first two years of their married life were spent by the young people in Pennsylvania, after which they removed to the farm former- ly owned by subject's father-in-law and which was originally the property of Robert Ham- mond, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Wat- son. This grandfather was a member of the Seceders' Church, which afterward was ab- sorbed by the United Presbyterian. He died in 1845, and his homestead passed to his youngest son, James Hammond, the father of Mrs. Watson, and was later purchased by our subject.

The elder Hammonds were of Irish de- scent and were natives of Washington County, Pennsylvania. James Hammond followed farming during all his active years. After passing his Goth milestone he left the farm, which was the birthplace of Mrs. Wat- son, and removed to St. Clairsville, where the closing years of his life were spent. He at- tained the age of 72 years and left quite a comfortable estate to his family. He pos- sessed but a common-school education, but close application to business brought its well- earned freedom from toil during his last years. Both he and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian Church. He was twice married. By his first union, with Jane Caldwell, three children were born, two of whom still survive, Mrs. Watson being the eldest of the family. She has one sister, re siding in Waterloo, Towa. By his union with

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 77

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