USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 80
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
James Kerr, born in 1824, resides at Martin's Ferry; Catherine married Jolin Porterfield, and both are deceased; Sarah J. married Samuel Thompson and resides in St. Clairs- ville; Robert, deceased, was a farmer in this county; Isaac and Peter, twins, are both de- ceased; Peter (2) studied for the ministry; but enlisted in the army in the Civil War, and died while on a furlough from disease contracted in the service; Louisa died at the age of five years; and Mary, born July 17, 1844, died December 9, 1898. Thus passed away members of two prominent families of the county, but they left behind them records of worthy lives and representa- tives who inherited their most admirable traits of character.
A family of 12 children was born to Sam- nel and Margaret Giffen, namely: John, Sarah E., Robert K., Isaac, James P., Wil- liam A., Morrison E., Samuel R., Mary L., Laura, James, and Margaret B. John Giffen is a distinguished clergyman of the United Presbyterian Church. Ile graduated at Westminster College in 1871, and at Alle- gheny Seminary in 1875, and immediately accepted work in the missionary field in Egypt, and has been located at various points, during the greater part of the time being assistant at the church in Cairo. There he has been instructor in Associate College and Cairo Theological Seminary, and is a man of great learning. His first marriage was to Mary Galoway, of Dne West, South Carolina, who died in October, 1881. Ilis second marriage was to Elizabeth Newlin, in 1883. Sarah E. married William Hinkle, a farmer and fruit grower, and they live near Cameron, West Virginia. Robert K. is a traveling salesman. The first married Emma Brown, and later her sister Ella, and resides in Wheeling. Isaac married Margaret Pax- ton, now deceased, and resides on a farm near Martin's Ferry. Jane C. died at the age of 20 months. Morrison E. graduated from Muskingum College in the class of 1886, and from Allegheny Seminary in the spring of 1889, and in the fall of the latter
year went as a missionary to Egypt, where he has since been occupied, having charge of the distribution of books and village work as minister and missionary. He married Miss Franc Martin in 1886. Samuel R., born in 1860, was a farmer, and died Febru- ary 2, 1900. James P. is a graduate of Muskingum. College of 1891, and of Xenia Theological Seminary of 1894, and is a min- ister of the United Presbyterian Church, lo- cated at Edgerton, Kansas. He married Libbia Sleeth. All of the daughters were also given collegiate advantages.
William A. Giffen is a graduate of Musk- ingum College, and has been identified with agricultural interests during the greater part of his life. After the death of his father, he attended to the settling of the estate, and has charge of the home farm, consisting of about 300 acres, the greater part of which is still undivided. His personal estate comprises 200 acres or more, all of which is very vahi- able, both for farming purposes and also for its coal deposits.
Mr. Giffen is an active Republican and a substantial and representative citizen. Like his father, he has ever been held in high es- teem in Colerain township.
JOHN W. WILKINSON, very favorably known through Belmont County, on ac- count of efficient service as county cominis- sioner and as a useful and representative citi- zen, resides upon his valuable farm, com- prising 170 acres in section 3. Union town . ship, was born in Smith township, near Lewis' Mills, on July 24, 1854, a son of Wil- liam and Mary Ann ( Leckletter) Wilkinson, both of whom were natives of Ohio.
William Wilkinson also followed farming as his chief occupation through life, owning large tracts of valuable land, and for six years was county commissioner. His death took place in May, 1878, at the age of 65 years. As a man of business and integrity he probably stood second to none
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in the county, and both he and wife were as highly respected as they were widely known. The latter died at the age of 61 years, a devoted member of the Christian Church. These parents had a family of 11 children born to them, as follows: Milo, who served three years in the Civil War, a member of the 43rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., re-enlisted, was wounded, and died in the hospital; Sadie, who first married Solomon Spencer, and, second, Dr. McMaster, is now a widow and resides in Smith township; Clark, a soldier, who served in the Civil War in the 98th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., was wounded at Perryville, Kentucky, later be- came editor of the "Belmont Chronicle," re- sides in Spokane, Washington, actively en- gaged in literary work, a man of unusual mentality; Isaac, who owns a fine estate of over 800 acres in Mitchell County, Kansas; Carrie, who married A. P. White, resides on a farm near the old homestead; Alice, who married Alfred H. Mitchell, a prominent attorney of St. Clairsville, and more extended mention of him may be found on another page; Emily, who died at the age of 16 years; John W., who is our subject; Frank, who resides in Kansas, was the founder of a glass works in Indiana, and was treasurer of the com- pany; Julia, who was a bright and promis- ing student at the Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, died of quick consumption; and Elizabeth, who married James Hinney, is also deceased.
John W. Wilkinson was given educational advantages both in the local schools and at college, later entering upon an agricultural life which he has followed ever since with great success. Ilis farm is well located, his buildings combine comfort, beauty and util . ity, and all of his surroundings display the air of prosperity which proclaims the careful manager and excellent farmer. In 1896 he was elected county commissioner, on the same ticket which carried the names of the lamented President Mckinley and Vice-
President Hobart, and served until the end of his term.
On May 19, 1881, our subject was married to Jennie A. Ilatcher, a native of Warren township, Belmont County, and a daughter of James and Amy Hatcher, of this town- ship. The four children born to this union were: Fred C., a student of Lebanon, Ohio, is a teacher in Belmont County; Walter, educated at Morristown; James died at the age of ten months; and Clark died at the age of five months. The religious associa- tion of the family is with the Methodist Church, in which Mr. Wilkinson i, a trustee, and all are most highly esteemed members of society.
GEORGE W. REECE, who is engaged in a real estate and loan business at Martin's Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio, is one of the active and enterprising citizens to which this section owes much of its recent wonderful growth.
The birth of Mr. Reece took place on July 27, 1847, a son of George W. and Sarah ( Hill) Reece, the latter of whom was the thir- teenth child born to Thomas and Sarah Ilill, her advent into the world being in mid-ocean, on a sailing vessel, between England and America, this vessel being 90 days overdue on account of adverse winds. George W. Reece, the father of our subject, was a blacksmith by trade and was employed at the Barnes Glass Works at what was then known as "Ritchie- town," but which is now inchided in the cor porate limits of Wheeling. Later he located at the point now known as Benwood and there started into business for himself He was known over a wide extent of country as an ex- pert in his trade, and owners of horses would come long distances in order that he should shoe their valuable animals. Mr. Reece was also known for his genial manner and his place of business was a favorite resort for the better class, who there discussed matters of general interest while they were confident that
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he was doing work in his line in the most skilled mamer. After Mr. Reece gave up his business at this place and went to Wheeling, his many friends were distressed to learn that he there succumbed to the cholera, in 1849. His was one of the most virulent cases, being fatal in a few hours. This was remarkable, as he was a man of such strength and agility, that he could run and jump over a horse or seat himself so nimbly beside a rider that he would not be noticed for some time. He was regard- ed as the leader of athletic sports in his locality, which were then of the most innocent nature, consisting principally of tests of skill for the enjoyment of others, no speculation being at- tached to the contests. Although he was not a church member, he was a man who lived an exemplary life. Hle accompanied his wife to the Methodist Church, with which she was connected. His wife died of cholera two days prior to his death.
Our subject was not much over two years of age when his father died and he was the youngest member of a family of five children, named as follows: John E., Eliza J., Mary F., an infant, deceased, and George W. John E., who resides at Lazearville, West Virginia, where he is postmaster, served three years as a drummer in the ist Reg. Virginia Vol. Inf., was captured at Moorefield, Virginia, kept in Libby Prison over go days and then returned home; Eliza J., who is the widow of Mitchell Reagan, is a trained nurse; Mary F., who died at the age of 43 years, was the wife of Rev. F. Byrnes, of the Disciples' Church.
George W. Reece acquired his education in the schools in his neighborhood and worked around the coal mines in West Virginia until 1882 and then worked in a grocery which was known as the "Drovers' Home," located at North Benwood. Ile later became interested in it. In the flood of February, 8, 1884. all he had accumulated was swept away, and he then came to Martin's Ferry. For a few years he worked at the carpenter trade, then em- barked in the confectionery business and in 1892 became interested in real estate and loans, a business he has followed ever since. For
over a year he dealt exclusively in Ohio and West Virginia coal and timber lands. He is now the president and director of the Unecda Tool & Machine Works, of Martin's Ferry, and has done much in the interest of this and other city industries.
The marriage of Mr. Reece took place on October 24; 1872, to Grizzella J. Riggle, a native of West Virginia, a daughter of Amos Riggle. Both of her parents are deceased. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Reece are: Jacob, who resides at Zanesville, Ohio; Eliz- abeth ( Mrs. Rev. Ravenscroft), who resides in Missouri; David, who resides in Colorado; Lavina, who is Mrs. Harry Patterson, of Mc- Mechen, West Virginia; Emma ( Mrs. Dalby Marple), who died in 1900; Florence ( Mrs. Charles Kirby), who died about 1890; and Margaret ( Mrs. James Thomas), who resides in Wheeling. Mrs. Reece is a very useful member of the Presbyterian Church, belongs to the religious order of that body known as the King's Daughters, is a member of the Ilome Missionary Society and is active in the ladies' social and church organizations in the city. Mr. Reece is an elder in the Presbyteri ml Church and a liberal supporter of its benev )- lent and missionary enterprises. His frater- nal connection is with the American Order of United Workmen, in which he has passed all the chairs. He takes no active interest in politics, beyond voting the Republican ticket, but in all other matters pertaining to civic life he is interested and ever ready with his efforts.
EDWARD M. SIMPSON. Among the prominent and influential citizens of Cole- rain township, Belmont County, Ohio, the e is none who stands higher in the esteem di his fellow citizens than the gentleman who e name appears above. He is a native of Ohio), having been born in Canton, November 2 1. 18jo, and is a son of Francis and Isabelh (Laird) Simpson.
Francis Simpson, father of our subject, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, m
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
1800. After the death of his father and the remarriage of his mother, Francis was bound out to John Dillon, a Quaker of Zanesville, Ohio, when he was but seven years old. There he learned the iron trade, and when 21 years of age was offered $1,000 a year to manage the work, a position which he ac- cepted. Ile was manager of the Dillon Iron Foundry for years, and then with his brother- in-law, James Hazlett, bought the iron works at Sandyville, Ohio, which they con- ducted for some years. He moved to Bel- mont County in 1841, and lived near Mor- ristown until his death in 1876, at the age of 76 years. Religiously, he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. For a period of 20 years he satisfactorily discharged the duties of clerk of Union township. He was three times married, his first union being with Isabella Laird, by whom he had four children, namely: Mary, widow of John Smurr, residing in Topeka, Kansas; William, a resident of Cambridge, Ohio; Edward M., subject of this sketch; and Isabella, wife of Eugene Dillon. . After the death of his first wife at the age of 35 years, Mr. Simpson formed a second union with Margaret Gor- don, now deceased, by whom he had a son, Robert. Te formed a third matrimonial al- liance with Elizabeth Duncan, and she died without issue.
Edward M. Simpson attended the com- mon schools, and as a boy assisted his father on the farm. He began farming for himself at the age of 21 years, and has always con- tinued at that vocation. He came to Cole- rain township in 1870, purchasing one quar- ter section of land in section 26, all of which is underlaid with coal. He has sold some acres of this, one vein of the coal recently selling for $58 an acre. He is an energetic and enterprising man, deeply interested in the welfare of his township and county, and has friends beyond mumber who admire him for his sterling worth and high character.
Mr. Simpson was united in marriage De- cember 25. 1861, to Miss Catherine Harris, a native of this county and a daughter of
Daniel and Hannah Harris, both of whom are deceased. She has two younger sisters: Frances, widow of John Crymble, of Pasco: and Ella, deceased, who was wife of Louis Neiswanger. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have five children, as follows. Fanny, wife of John Crawford, of Pasco, by whom she has seven children, as follows, -- Karl, Gertrude, Harriet, Ray, Eugene, Frances, and Waneta: Adda, wife of Dr. O. M. Keesor, of Bealls- ville, Monroe County, has two children, Ward and Catherine; Emma, wife of U. F. Duff, residing in Deming, New Mexico, has two children, Lorella and Dorothy; Robert M., a farmer of Colerain township, resides at home,-he has 18 acres of land, contain- ing some 2,000 fruit trees, mostly phims, pears and cherries; and Lizzie, wife of Ross Hawthorne, of Harrisville, has one son, Ralph. Religiously, Mrs. Simpson is a mem- ber of the M. P. Church. He is not inter- ested greatly in politics and votes the Union Reform ticket.
SYLVANUS C. DYSART, a Civil War veteran and retired agriculturist, now re- siding with his tenant, Wayne A. Wharton and family, on the Dysart homestead in Wheeling township, is a man of considerable means, has traveled extensively and is well informed on all general subjects. He was born on the farm on which he now resides April 23, 1832, and is the son of John and Maria Cook (Grimes) Dysart.
William Dysart, grandfather of Sylvanus C., born in Treland, came to this country in 1802, and after a short residence in Pennsyl- vania moved to Ohio, where, purchasing land of the government, he made a perma- nent home for himself. A man of great en- ergy and power, he cleared the new land and made it in time a valuable piece of property. To Mr. Dysart and wife were born four children- John, who is mentioned below; William, born in 1805, married Lucinda Hlen- derson, and they had eight children, two
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY.
boys and six girls,-he owned for some time a farm near Fairpoint, later one of 200 acres in Champaign County, where he died; Boyd, born in 1807, who lived in Morristown and died there, married Jane Henderson, a cousin of Lucinda Henderson, and they had three sons,-Mrs. Dysart married for her second husband James Twinem; Jane, born in 1809, (lied in 1855, married John Neal of Guernsey County, Ohio, and they had nine children, four boys and five girls. Mr. Dysart taught school before coming to this country.
John Dysart, father of Sylvanus, was born while the parents were on board ship coming from Ireland to America in 1802. He made his home for the most part in Wheeling township, Belmont County, Ohio. After the death of his parents he purchased his brothers' interests in the family homestead and there lived and carried on farming for the rest of his life. In 1841 he put up a new barn, which is still intact, and in 1853 he erected the house in which Sylvanus now re- sides. He died August 20, 1890, and his wife October 31, 1894. Both are interred in the cemetery at St. Clairsville. About 1830 he married Maria Cook Grimes, daughter of William Grimes, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, settled in Richland township, Belmont County, Ohio, about 1775, and there spent the rest of his life. His house and its con- tents were destroyed by fire in 1844 and his wife suffered severe burns, from the effects of which she died. To Mr. and Mrs. Dysart were born six children-Sylvanus C., who is mentioned below; William, born in 1834, died December 10, 1895; Thomas, born in 1836, became a United Presbyterian minis- ter and officiated for some time in Mansfield, Ohio, where he died in 1882; Boyd W., born in 1839, now resides in Greene County, Missouri; John B., born in 1841, met his death from the effects of a wound re- ceived in the Civil War: Mary Jane, born in 1853, married Renoldo Runyan of Jefferson County, Ohio, and died in 1888.
Sylvanus C. Dysart procured his education in the district schools of Wheeling township
Upon reaching manhood he assisted in the management of the home farm for a number of years. Here he remained until the Civil War broke out, and then in the spring of 1864 enlisted in the 170th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and going to the front put in roo days of hard service, and was in five different bat- tles, including Winchester, Snicker's Gap and Cedar Creek. Returning by the way of Pittsburg, he was there elaborately enter- tained, soon after which he received his dis- charge at Columbus. After the war he re- mained with his parents on the home farm until their death. Then, in January, 1895, he purchased the place of his brother, J. B. Dysart, who administered the estate. He has since let the farm, Wayne A. Wharton being the present tenant, and has spent con- siderable time in the West, returning occa- sionally to look after his property.
Mr. Dysart has never married, a fact which he now somewhat regrets. He has spent much of his time in travel, taking in the World's Fair in 1893, going on an ex- cursion trip in 1882 and 1883, and at differ- ent times visiting Canada and its points of interest, including Niagara Falls and To- ronto. ITe belongs to the United Presby- terian Church of Harrisville, Ohio, and is a consistent member. In politics he is an ardent Republican.
THOMAS J. MeKELVEY, a prominent and successful farmer and a highly esteemed and representative citizen of Belmont County, is located on a fine farm in section 27, Mead township. He was born in Rich- land township on October 1, 1847, a son of Joseph and Aun Jane (Boyd) MeKelvey, the latter of whom was born 73 years ago in Bel- mont County, and is now a resident of Cam- bridge, Guernsey County. Her father was William Boyd, who came as a pioneer to the county and who settled and cleared up a farm near Franklin station, where he resided until his death some 12 years ago in advanced age. Joseph MeKelvey was born in Ireland in
DR. J. N. MCMASTER AND FAMILY.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
1821 and died in this county in February, 1891. When but a lad of 17 years in 1838 he came to the United States, locating in Rich- land township, Belmont County, on land near our subject's present home, and there he lived until within two years of his death, this occurring in Bellaire, where he lived retired. A Republican from principle, he always vig- orously supported the party. His brothers were: James, who removed from Belmont to Monroe County and died there; Robert, who resided on Pipe Creek, near Business- burg, has a son, Thomas, who lives near Bel- mont; Thomas, for whom our subject was named, never married, but accumulated a large amount of land in Mead township and was a wealthy man at time of death; David was drowned in the Ohio River in young manhood; George, who removed to Monroe. County, his son George C. being the present Democratic candidate for sheriff of Belmont County; Samuel; Joseph; and Weir, who re- sided in both Belmont and Monroe counties. finally settling at Bellaire, where he died and where his sons are prominent citizens.
A family of nine children were born to Joseph and Ann Jane McKelvey, as follows: Thomas J., the eldest; Margaret Ann mar- ried Ross Hutchison and died in Kansas; Lizzie married A. D. King and resides near Glencoe; William resides in Smith township. near Glencoe; Mary Bell married Clarence W. Neff and they reside near Neff's siding; Sarah Jane, who married James Johnson, and lives in Arkansas; Mattie married Josephi Duncan, a business man of Cleveland, Ohio; Robert was accidentally killed while follow- ing his busines as mine inspector in Colorado, leaving his widow, a daughter of Isaiah Neff ; and Eva, who died young.
Mr. MeKelvey of this record was reared in Richland township, where he was educated and lived until his marriage, when he re- moved to Mead and purchased his present fine farm, located but a short distance north of Key station. ITere he has a farm of 100 acres of the best kind of land, well adapted to general farming and stock raising, and
here Mr. McKelvey has just completed a handsome new residence, fitted with every comfort for modern living. In 1876 he mar- ried Ada L., a daughter of Peter Neff, and the two children born to this union are Clar- ence Neff, a druggist engaged with Charles Arnold in Bellaire, who was but recently married to Maggie Knox, of this county ; and Roberta May,. a young lady at home. The religious membership of the family is in the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. McKel- vey is an active Republican. He was former- ly connected with the Farmers' Alliance movement. As a first-class citizen, awake to the requirements of modern times, he is held in general esteem, and is respected and be- loved in his locality as a good neighbor and exemplary member of society.
DR. J. N. McMASTER. A prominent member of an old Belmont County family is found in Dr. J. N. McMaster, who, since the fall of 1871, has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Centreville, Ohio. where he is also a leading and representative citizen!
Dr. McMaster was born December 30, 1844, on his father's farm in Mead township, being a son of Samuel and Sarah Aun (Gregory) McMaster, and a grandson of Robert McMas- ter, a pioneer from Pennsylvania, in 1817. The father was born in 1813, and the mother in 1817; the former still survives, but the latter passed away in 1901.
Our subject was reared on his father's es- tate and secured his education in the local schools, deciding early in life upon his intended career. The outbreak of the Civil War changed, for a time, the current of his life, as on October 7, 1862, he enlisted for service, entering the oth Reg., Ohio Vol. Cav., partici- pating in the campaign through the South under Generals Burnsides, Rauseau and the gallent Kilpatrick, who was his last comman- der. Ilis term of service ended July 16, 1865. Returning home, he began the study of medi- cine in earnest, teaching school in order to pro-
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
vide the means, attending one term at West Alexander Academy during this time and in the winter of 1868-69 took his first lectures at Starling Medical College. The winter of 1869- 70 was spent at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where he graduated in March, 1870. Ilis first practice was in association with Dr. William Piper for 18 months, but in October, 1871, he located at Centreville, and this village has been his home during all the succeeding busy years. At different times dur- ing this period, he has admitted partners, at one time Dr. G. L. Ramsey, and at another the late Dr. Wilkinson, as the demands upon his strength and time have been too onerous. Dr. McMaster built his comfortable home in 1876 and has his office located in the same building.
On November 27, 1871, our subject was united in marriage with Susan E. Neff, daugh- ter of Henry and Matilda A. ( Hall) Neff, the latter of whom died at the age of 49 years, in 1865, and the former of whom resides, aged 92 years, near Glencoe, where Mrs. McMaster was born July 18, 1846. She is one of seven children born to her parents, namely : George 1Tall, born September 10, 1845, died at the age of nine days; Susan Elizabeth, Mrs. Mc- Master ; Dorcas Ann, born May 2, 18.18, the wife of John A. Thompson, of St. Clairsville; Jane L., born March 17, 1850, became Mrs. Help- bringer, and died recently near Glencoe; Va- chel Singleton, born August 14, 1852, died at the age of three years; Margaret M. C., born May 9, 1855, married Rev. T. H. Armstrong; and Henry Allen, born July 21, 1859, who re- sides on his farm in Smith township. Mrs. McMaster is a cultivated lady and was edu-
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