Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 79

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 79

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In 1877 Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Mary E. Kennon, a member of a promi- nent family of St. Clairsville, Ohio. Four daughters. - Ellen, Mary, Sarah B. and Ruth, -- and his widow survived him. Ellen gradu-

ated from the Martin's Ferry High School, in the class of 1898 and also from King's School of Oratory, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In June, roof, she was married to Paul Bogle, son of the well-known divine of the Presby- terian Church, Rev. S. J. Bogle, D. D. Mary graduated from the Martin's Ferry High School in the class of 1900. Sarah B. gradu- ated from the Martin's Ferry High School in the class of 1902. It is worthy of remark that all of these talented young ladies graduated from their home school, their father having faith in its scholarship and an assured feeling that it was the best in the State. Ruth, who is the youngest of the family, is a student in the High School and will graduate in the class of 1906. The mother of this family, as noted, is a woman of great executive ability and un- der all circumstances has proved herself equal to the demands made upon her. The home is one of education and refinement and its ment- bers are prominent in the social life of the city.

Wilson S. Kennon, attorney-at-law, was born May 15, 1826, at St. Clairsville, a son of William Kennon. He was educated in his native town and at Bethany College, read law with his father, was admitted to the bar and practiced law until the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1861 he was made the Union candi- date and was elected to the Legislature. In 1802 he was appointed by Governor Todd, Secretary of State. In 1863. Secretary of War Stanton appointed him paymaster in the army, in which capacity he served four years. Upon his resignation being accepted, he re- moved to Cincinnati and there entered upon the practice of law with Judge Okey and Mil- ton Saylor. Mr. Kennon remained in that city until 1871, returning then to his native place on account of his father's illness. He was elected and served from 187-1 to 1878 as prose- enting attorney. His death occurred in June, 1807.

Ellis E. Kennon, the second son of Hon. William Kernon, was born in St. Clairsville. in April, 1830. He received a liberal education at Bethany College, Virginia, studied law with his father and completed his course with Hon.

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Hugh J. Jewett and was admitted to the bar in 1854. In November, 1855, he married Eleanor M. Sutton and his one daughter is Mrs. Matthew Clark Mitchell, of Martin's Ferry. During the Civil War, he was made adjutant of the 98th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and at the battle of Perryville, where he was per- forming the duties of acting adjutant general, he distinguished himself as a true and courage- ous soldier. The death of Ellis E. Kennon oc- curred in June, 1878, while he was yet in the prime of life. His reputation was that of one of the leading lawyers at the bar of Belmont County.

JAMES TAYLOR, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Wheeling township, Bel- mont County, Ohio, is a representative of two old and highly regarded families of both Pennsylvania and Ohio. He is a son of Wil- liam and Margaret (Gillespie) Taylor, former- ly of Pennsylvania, later of Guernsey County, Ohio.

The Taylors came originally from Ireland, the great-grandfather of James Taylor of this sketch having been born in that land and later becoming the founder of the family in Washington County, near Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. The Gillespies also came from Ireland, Grandfather James Gillespie either having been born in that land or upon the ocean during the voyage to the United States. The Taylor family settled in Knox County, Ohio, at a later date, and there the children of Grandfather John Taylor were born, removal being made to Belmont County in 1824.

Grandfather John Taylor married Mary McNaught prior to leaving Pennsylvania, and in 1824 they came to Wheeling town- ship and in 1825 settled upon the farm which our subject now owns. This farm was en- tered by William Mc Williams under a patent deed and was sold later to John Taylor, by whom it was cleared with the assistance of his sons. At the time of location, the conn- try was still unsettled, wild animals still being

seen in the forests and equally dangerous sav- ages still menacing life and property. Those were days in which men went prepared to meet a foe in every stranger. A little inci- dent, which remained fresh in the mind of Grandfather Taylor through life, exemplifies this in a marked degree. He was a man of powerful physique, and was always alert and watchful for attacks from Indians, which were still frequent. One day he sat in his house cobbling a pair of shoes, in which busi- ness he was using a sharp leather knife, when a rap at his cabin door was heard and when, with knife in hand, he unfastened the latch he was confronted with a rifle in the hands of an individual dressed in coon skins. Taken completely by surprise, when the stranger lunged at him Mr. Taylor sprang upon the supposed Indian and slashed his coat from one side to the other, barely escaping making a serious wound. However, no copper-skin appeared under the clothing, and he was hor- rified to find that he had almost killed a cousin, Thomas Raiffe, who had played a rather dangerous practical joke. He lived to see the savages disappear from his lands and to see a part of the wonderful development of this garden spot of Belmont County. John Taylor was born October 1, 1783, and died in 1861. His children were these: Thomas, born April 21, 1807; Elizabeth, born Jan- uary 20, 1809; John, born October 5, 1810, died March 30, 1896; Margaret, born Janu- ary 26, 1813; Nathaniel, born December 15. 1814, died September 3, 1880; William, born August 1, 1817: Henry, born April 5, 1822, and Sarah Jane, born October 7, 1825.

William Taylor, the father of our subject, was a man of high moral character and was well educated for his time and locality. On March 11, 1840, he married Margaret Gilles- pie, and they had three children born to them, namely, John, who died at the age of six years; James, the subject of this review, and Henry, born May 16, 1845. Both he and wife were members of the Associate Re- form Church in which he was an ekdler, as his father had been before him, later becom-

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ing attached to the United Brethren relig- ious body. The farm of 160 acres which had been the property of Jolin Taylor is now owned by Henry and James Taylor. The father and his two sons lived on and oper- ated the old farm of nearly 300 acres, Henry remaining at home after marriage. William Taylor died August 28, 1893, his wife dying many years previously, on February 18, 1882.

James Taylor was born on January 4, 1843, and on Septembre 1, 1864, at the age of 21 years, he married Sarah Louisa Thompson, daughter of Samuel L. Thompson, of Mor- gan County, Ohio. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are: Emmet A., born August 24, 1865, was married May 14, 1899, to Nellie Coleman, and resides near his father, engaged in farming; William, born October 6, 1868, on March 18, 1896, married Maggie 1. Walker, and has three children; Mary, born December 25, 1875. died June 5, 1883; and Nannie L., born No- vember 23, 1879, who resides at home. Mr Taylor's farm is located in the coal and oil belt and is regarded as one of the most de- sirable in Wheeling township. He engages in farming and stock raising and has been very successful in both lines. The family is one which has commanded respect and esteem for many years, and Wheeling town- ship has no more useful citizen than James Taylor.

CHARLES B. WRIGHT, who is well known as proprietor of the Horner House, of Morristown, Ohio, was born in Goshen township, Belmont County, Ohio, Septem- ber 20, 1863, and is a son of Chattam B. and Margaret Jane (Kinney) Wright, both natives of Goshen township, where they now reside on a farm of So acres.

Chattam Wright, father of our subject, served as Infirmary director for two terms during the "nineties." As a result of his union with Margaret Jane Kinney, he had nine children, two of whom, Martha and Josiah, died at the age of three years. The

seven who grew up to maturity are: John WV., a stock dealer of Belmont; Clinton K., who resides on a farm in Goshen township; George Il., who resides on a farin in Goshen township; Charles B., whose name heads this sketch; Fred 1., a farmer of Goshen town- ship; Abbie, wife of Samuel Boroff, of St. Clairsville; and .Alice J., wife of William F. Bentley, a farmer of Goshen township.

Charles B. Wright was educated in the common schools of Goslien township, and assisted in the work on the farm until he attained his majority, when he was married and began life for himself. He engaged in the huckstering business and conducted a store in his township, also in Wheeling, West Virginia. He served as township trus- tee for a period of three years, but refused to run for another term. He removed to Morristown in 1894, and here conducted a store very successfully until 1897, when he established his present hotel business. He has attained great popularity with the tray- eling public, his table being supplied with the best the market affords. Mr. Wright looks carefully to the comfort of his guests and sees that they receive the best of service, and his untiring efforts have been crowned with success.

On October 15, 1885, Mr. Wright was joined in marriage with Carrie Dermott, who was born December 7, 1866, in Belmont County, and is a daughter of William and Sarah (Kinney) Dermott. Her father was a native of Ireland, coming therefrom with his parents when a small boy. He was a son of John and Margaret Dermott, who located on a farm in Belmont County. William Dermott resides on a farm south of Belmont, Belmont County, Ohio. He is a member of the Masonic order. His wife's maiden name was Sarah Kinney and she first married Cyrus Ewers, by whom she had four chil- dren: Mary, wife of Jonah Gildon, of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania; Heury Clay, who is in the hardware business in Bagley, Towa; Cyrus D., who is a partner of his brother, Heury Clay; and John, who died

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

in childhood. As a result of her union with Mr. Dermott she had three children: the wife of our subject; Herman, who resides at the home of his father, married Alta Russell and has one son, Sewell; and Edwin, who died at the age of 22. Mr. Dermott was a soldier in the Civil War and served in the 98th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., until the close of the war. Ile accompanied General Sherman in his famous march to the sea and was at the siege of Atlanta.

Mr. and Mrs. Wright have five children: Clyde, Mabel, Hazel, Harry, and George. Our subject is a Republican in politics. Fra- ternally he is a member of Hazen Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 251, also a member of the Knights of Pythias.

D. T. PHILLIPS, M. D., physician and surgeon, and mayor of the town of Morris- town, Ohio, has had a uniformly successful career both in his profession and as a po- litical leader. Ile was born in Belmont County, Ohio, on March 31, 1868, a son of Elijah and Delilah (Keadle) Phillips, both of whom are natives of the same county.

The family is of Welsh origin, Evan Phil- lips, the grandfather of Dr. Phillips, being born in Maryland of Welsh parents. Elijah Phillips was born in 1828 and has followed an agricultural life in Belmont County until the present date, and has been identified with township affairs, serving as trustee and for the two past consecutive terms as town- ship land appraiser. The mother of Dr. Phillips was born in 1836 and married in 1851. With her husband, she is active and valued in the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Phillips is one of a family of 13 children born to his parents, the eighth in order of birth, the others being the following: James L., a cabinetmaker, carpenter and contractor at Beallsville, Ohio; John M., a farmer of this county, died in January, 1802, about 34 years of age; Melissa E., solicitor for the Singer Sewing Machine Company in Cleve-

land, Ohio; William D., formerly in the ex- press business, now in the postal service, since 1892 on the route between Cleveland and Indianapolis; Minnie, the wife of Wil- liam Deaver, residents on a part of the home farm; Elijah B., chief of police at Platts- mouth, State of Nebraska; Martha J., de- ceased; Rodney A., a professional musician and stage performer; Almeda E., the wife of Giffen Null, a farmer in this county; Wal- ter S., a contracting plumber, was smothered in a trench he was inspecting, at Carroll, lowa; and Addie L. and Jennie Florence, both at home, highly educated young ladies, quite capable as teachers. The whole family is musical, and while only one brother has turned his talent into a business, when all are at home an orchestra is formed which could command a high price from an opera or concert manager. All have been thor- oughly educated and represent one of the most intellectual as well as physically perfect families in the community. The five surviv- ing brothers have the unique distinction of being of the same height, over six feet, and are equally proportioned, and all are men of dignified bearing and affable manner.

Dr. Phillips was fortunate in his birth and environments, coming into a family where culture, education and refinement occupied proper positions in the scheme of life. After completing his common school course, he was given advantages in the Beallsville Nor- mal school, and then took up the profes- sion of teaching, and succeeded so well that if he had not been still more strongly influenced in the direction of medicine, he would doubtless have become one of the State's leading educators. For 52 months he continued a teacher, in the meantime read - ing medicine under Dr. G. W. Steward, of Jerusalem, Ohio, and so thoroughly pre- pared himself in the details that his gradua- tion from Starling Medical College, of Co- limbus, followed in 1807. Dr. Phillips grad- uated at the head of his class and was awarded the gold medal for excellent school- arship. On account of this brilliancy, be

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE CROZIER.

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was in demand as hospital interne, but re- fused several very flattering offers in order to locate at Morristown and enter upon reg- ular practice. Since April, 1897, he has been a successful practitioner in this town, being especially skilled in surgery. He is a member of the American Medical Associa- - tion, is examiner for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, and is lodge physician for both the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. The most cordial relations exist between him and brother practitioners, and he is a valued member of fraternal and social organizations.

Dr. Phillips acts politically with the Dem- ocratic party in State and national affairs, but independently in local matters. In 1809 he was appointed mayor of Morristown to fill the unexpired term of Ilon. A. M. Majors, and so well were municipal affairs managed and adjusted by him that at the election in the spring of 1902 he was the candidate of both parties, who were glad to testify to his efficiency and to enjoy a clean, conservative and effective administration. Dr. Phillips is yet a young man and his past and present popularity point to still higher honors, both in professional and political life. Dr. Phillips is a member of Hazen Lodge, No. 251, F. & A. M., and Chapter No. 69, R. A. M., of Barnesville, Ohio.

GEORGE CROZIER. Among the well- known and highly respected farmer citizens of Mead township, George Crozier is prominent, as one who has acquired a competency through his own industry, and who has identified him- self with the measures which have tended to the prosperity and advancement of the inter- ests of this community. Mr. Crozier owns and resides upon the farm on which he was born, February 7, 1830, a son of James and Chris- tina (Armstrong) Crozier, the latter of whom died when he was but a child of six years.

James Crozier was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and accompanied his father to Amer-

ica at the age of 16 years. They loacted first in Carroll County, Ohio, later came to Bel- mont, and, in 1825, James Crozier married Christina Armstrong. The farm, which Grandfather George Crozier bought in Mead township, descended to his son, James, and later to our subject, who bought the interests of the other heirs, becoming thus heavily in debt before he was 21 years of age.

In 1851 our subject was married to Marga- ret Boyd, daughter of William Boyd, of Rich- land township, and a large and most estima- ble family has been born to them, as follows : James, who is unmarried, is engaged in a mining business in Colorada; Jemima Jane, who married Thomas J. Watt, a farmer of Smith township, has two children, William and Martha ; William Boyd, who was drowned at the age of 22 years, at Cedar Creek, Illinois; Robert L., who has recently married, resides in California, having engaged in min- ing in the Cripple Creek district in Colorado; Emma Catherine, who is the wife of Albert McKelvey ; A. M. F., who is a practicing phy- sician in Ilocking County, in the mining dis- trict, graduated from the medical department of the State University at Columbus, six years ago; Margaret Ann, who is the wife of Perry B. Myers of Pultney township, has one son, George; Joseph Presley, who married Jennie Eddington, of Bellville, Ohio, resides on the home farm, and has two sons, George Edding- ton and Stanley; Nenna B., who married Sam- uel Kirkland, resides near her father; Mary Luella, who married Ellis Myers, resides in York township; Samuel Bruce, who is a den- tal student at Columbus; and a daughter, who died in infancy.

When the call came in 1864 for 100-day re- cruits to repel the invaders from the State, Mr. Crozier was one to respond, although he left a wife and six little children to do so. He was a member of Company C, 170th Reg., Olio National Guard, the regiment being in the ist Brigade, Ist Division, 8th Army Corps. Soon after enlistment he was made sergeant of his company. Ilis duty was mainly confined to guard and garrison, although he took part in

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the troubles at Harper's Ferry and at Snicker's Ford, on July 24, 1864, when his regiment lost 135 men. He returned home in Septem- ber, 1864, and resumed his ordinary occupa- tions. When Mr. Crozier started out in life he owned, or rather was in debt for, 118 acres, which has been increased to 325 acres, all his own property. In the autumn of 1901 he re- tired from its active management. At this time he and his estimable wife celebrated their golden wedding, all of the children being pres- ent, except one. It is the pleasant custom of this united family to have an annual reunion on the home farm, north of Businessburg. He belongs to the United Presbyterian Church of Belmont. In political belief he is a stanch Re- publican, and was a member of the Farmers' Alliance. Few men in Mead township are more highly regarded or considered more thoroughly representative.

N. J. HATCHIER, one of the substantial and representative farmers and popular citi- zens of Belmont County, residing on his farm in section 2, Union township, near Loydsville, was born August 3, 1828, in Union township, a son of Elijah and Jane (Craig) Hatcher, both of whom were natives of Loudoun County.

Elijah Hatcher, the father, was born August 15, 1796, in Loudonn County, Vir- ginia, a son of Quaker parents, Noah and Rachel (Beans) Hatcher, the former of whom died of old age in Virginia, the latter, coming to Ohio at an early day, died at the age of 86 years. Of the children of Noah and Rachel Hatcher, Edward died in Vir- ginia. Jolm, the youngest, lived for many years near Portland, Oregon, having been a pilot and teamster for General Fremont, and a noted trader with the Indians. The others were Elijah and Mary, the former of whom was the father of the subject of this biography.

In 1822 Elijah Hatcher was married in Loudoun County, Virginia, to Jane Craig,

who was born on August 15, 1806, on the same day of the month as her husband, but 10 years later. From early girlhood she was a member of the Methodist Church and was a woman of noble character, devoted to her home and church. She passed away on Jan- uary 16, 1889, at the age of 82 years and five months. In 1827 Elijah Hatcher and wife came to Ohio and engaged in farming in Belmont County, and held many of the township offices. Although a birthright member of the Society of Friends, prior to decease he united with the Methodist Church, of which his wife was so consistent a member. These most estimable people had a family of seven children, namely: N. J., of this sketch; Rebecca, who resides near the toll gate, on the National Road, in this county; Rachel, who married Joseph Pan- coast, is deceased, as is also her husband; Eliza, who married James B. Hogue, the first white child born in Grundy County, Illinois, is deceased; Sarah, who married Leander Moore, resides in Lucas County, lowa; Joli, who also is a resident of lowa; and Cecilia, who married Charles Pick- ering, of Richland township, Belmont County.

N. J. Hatcher obtained his education in the country schools and in the advanced school at Loydsville, and grew to manhood as his father's assistant on the farm. At the age of 21 he began operating for himself, and for many years has taken a prominent posi- tion among the leading agriculturists and large land owners of the county. . Mr. Hatcher owns very valuable land, the Pitts- burg vein underlying all of it, while its fer- tility makes it desirable for farming pur- poses. He owns 218 acres in section 2 and a farm of 77 acres in Richiland township, ad- joining the former tract in Union township.

On May 7, 1856, Mr. Hatcher was married to Mary E. Gregg, a native of Virginia, who came to Ohio with her parents when two years of age. She was the eldest of the family of eight children born to her parents, Hendley and Amy Gregg, the others being:

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Joshua, who is a farmer in Pottawattamie County, lowa; Samuel, deceased, who lived in Warren County, lowa; Ilendley, who resides on the home place, in Goshen township, this county; Frances and

llenrietta, unmarried, who live in Barnesville; William, deceased, who lived E Iowa; and Victoria, who is Mrs. Thomas Rogers, of Barnesville. Mrs. Hatcher died May 1, 1891, a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Church, a woman of lovely life and character, possessing a dispo- sition of cheerfulness, disposed to contribute to the happiness of all about her, valued in her church and beloved in her family. Her five children were the following: Rosa M., still at home; Amy J., the wife of J. W. Wil- kinson, county commissioner, more ex- tended mention of whom will be found else- where; John William, born June 7, 1861, died June 7, 1863, at the age of two years; Elijah Clyde, who is in the wholesale gro- cery business at Allegheny City, married Orpha Sidebottom and has two children, Emmett and Ellen; Grace, who is Mrs. Rob- ert Hood, resides at Cambridge, Ohio, and has one child, Mary; and Ida M., who is at home.

Mr. Hatcher has long been well known as a capitalist, and has been a director in the Second National Bank of St. Clairsville; has been a capable member of the School Board for years, and has acceptably filled other local positions.

WILLIAM A. GIFFEN, a prominent farmer of Belmont County, Ohio, who owns and operates one of the large and productive farms in Colerain township, near St. Clairs- ville, was born not far from Martin's Ferry, in this county, on Glenn's Run, a son of Sam- tel and Margaret (Kerr) Giffen, the former of whom was a native of Ohio County, West Virginia, and the latter of Belmont County.

In 1825 the parents of Samnel Giffen set- tled on the farm now owned by our subject,

William A. Giffen, all of this land probably being underlaid with rich coal veins. Samuel resided at Glen's Run for 15 years, but in 1861 located on this property, where he im- mediately began improvements, erecting a comfortable residence and building a com- modious barn. He was a straightforward, public-spirited citizen, actively in sympathy with the Republican party, and prominent in the religious and educational advance- ment of the county. He was an elder in the United Presbyterian Church and reared his family in that faith. Samuel Giffen was born June 6, 1810, and died October 5, 1884, his wife being some years younger, born on November 1, 1823, and died on January 27, 1898, very generally regretted on account of her active interest in church work and her kindness to neighbors and devotion to family and friends. She belonged to one of the old and honorable families of the county, Robert and Sarah (Taggart) Kerr being her parents, the former of whom came to America from Scotland, and the latter, born in 1802, from Ireland.

On the paternal side, Grandfather John Giffen, with his wife, Elizabeth (Morrison) Giffen, with his ten children also, came to Belmont Comty in 1825, from Ohio County, (West) Virginia. These children were: Mary, Mrs. David Coats, born July 17, 1799; Rob- ert, born November 28, 1801, was county recorder of Belmont County, and died un- married; William, born March 21, 1804, mar- ried, first, a Miss Graham, and, second, Mary Morrison; John, born February 28, 1806; Joseph, born March 1, 1808; Samuel, born June 6, 1810; Elizabeth, Mrs. John Denham, was born April 2, 1813, and is the last survivor of the family; Jane, born May 8, 1815, was Mrs. James Frazier; Morrison, born September 22, 1817: and Sarah A., born February 5, 1820, married William Grimes, and both have long since passed away. The maternal family was also large and became well known through the county, the eldest of the family being the mother of our subject; the others as follows:

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 79

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