Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 82

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 82

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Our venerable subject has been an active man through many years of his life, engaged in coopering, cobbling, but mainly in farm- ing, and owned the farm where A. W. Mc- Master now resides. The old home in which he and wife went to housekeeping, in 1835, was destroyed by fire, in 1900, together with contents greatly valued by the family. Mr. Mc'Master was married November 5, 1835, at Jacobsburg, to Sarah Ann Gregory, who was born near St. Clairsville in 1817, and died January 24, 1901, after a happy married life of 65 years. The children of this union were: Robert Clark, born Sep- tember 8, 1836, married Angeline Simpson on January 27, 1859, and died March 24, 1859; William W., born March 22, 1838, married Isabel McNiece and they live near Glencoe on a farm, with children,-Lizzie, Sadie, Margaret, Annie, Carrie, and Susan, Bertie May being deceased; John W., born July 16, 1841, married Margaret Porterfield and resides in Kansas, their children being Ella, Addie, Emma, Samuel, Minnie, James, and Alice; Dr. James N., born December 30, 1844; Thomas J., born November 13, 1846; Samuel A., born May 12, 1851, died November 17, 1852; Alexander W. was born September 30, 1853; and Sarah E., born OG- tober 19, 1860, married September 8, ISST. Atwell D. Creamer, born in Mead township May 9, 1861, and they reside on a farm in Smith township, near Jacobsburg, and have children,-Everett, Ernest N., lla Gail, Susan, and Ethel. In politics Mr. MeMaster has always supported the Democratic party and has been called upon to, fill many of the township offices, having been supervisor and

EDWARD L. MEAD.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

township clerk, and for 27 years justice of the peace, administering this office continui- ously for 2 years. Ilis Masonic connection dates back to 1843, when he was received into Moriah Lodge, now of Powhatan, but then of Jacobsburg, and he was a charter member of Weyer Lodge at Centreville, in Smith township. Mr. MeMaster has never attached himself to any religions body, al- though his attendance has always been upon Presbyterian services, with his wife. ITe has contributed to the building of both Presby- terian and Methodist churches, and has al- ways supported reformatory and moral laws.

EDWARD L. MEAD, a highly respected resident of Goshen township, where he is en- gaged in farming, was born in Goshen town- ship, Belmont County, in 1859, and is a son of Enfield S. and Lucy ( Dearborn) Mead, the former of whom was born in Loudoun Connty, Virginia, in April, 1817, and died August 13, 1808.

Samuel Mead, the grandfather of Edward L., was born July 3, 1779, and was a son of Benjamin and Hannah Mead. In his early years, he was a school teacher. For many years he resided at Olivett, near which he owned a large tract of land, a portion of which is still owned by one of his grandsons. He married Hannah Whittaker, who died at the old home near Olivett. He died December 29, 1861, aged 83 years, five months and 26 days. Samuel Mead and wife were the parents of nine chil- dren, as follows: Asenath, born January TI, 1808, married Asa Hoge, and died but recent- ly; Benjamin L., born March 25, 1811, was a tanner by trade and lived at Quaker City, Guernsey County, for many years, moved then to Minneapolis, and there owns property and now lives in California ; Phineas, born Novem- ber 0, 1812, resides at Olivett, on a part of the old homestead, and died some 18 years ago; Clementine, born June 24, 1844, died in the winter of 1001-02, in Morgan County, leaving her husband, William Spencer ; Enfield Samnel,

born April 22, 1817; Amanda Jane, born May 27, 1819, married Jeptha Cowgill, resided in lowa and died about five years ago at Colorado Springs at the home of a daughter; Louisa Maria, born November 2, 1820, married Dr. Clark Schooley of Mount Pleasant, and died several years ago; Lamin. Letitia, born Au- gust 9, 1823, is the widow of Edward royd, and resides at Columbus, Ohio; and Milo Mil- ton, born February 25, 1$27, a physician in Minneapolis, who was a surgeon in the army during the Civil War.

Enfield Samuel Mead, the father of the sub- ject of this biography, spent his boyhood near Olivett and obtained the best schooling afforded at the time in the locality. December 7, 1848, he married Lucy Dearborn who was born No- veniber 18, 1824, in Morgan County, a daugh- ter of Nathan and Lucy Dearborn, one of the pioneer families, and she survived until January 9, 1901. In 1861 they settled on the farm now owned by Edward L. and resided there for 38 years. Mr. Mead was a fine representative of the farming community, a man of industry, high principles and strict integrity. Il was a Republican in his political attachment and served with credit as trustee of his township. The eight children born to him and wife were: Corwin D., born November 13, 1849, resides at Pierre, South Dakota,-he married Ida Wicks, of Granville, and has three daughters; Clarkson O., born June 23, 1851, is a farmer near Champion, Nebraska, and married first Mary Martin, who died March 23, 1880, and married second a Miss Pine of lowa ; Anson G., born August 22, 1853, who is an attorney at Beloit, Kansas, married Phoebe Ehna Lec, who lived near Somerton; Ida S., born September 25, 1855, married Thomas T. Colpitts, a stone contractor of Toledo, Ohio; Annie E., bom Oc- tober 19, 1857, married HI. C. Ewers, a hard- ware merchant of Bagley, lowa, and died at Minneapolis, February 3, 1885 : Edward L., of this sketch; Virginia 1 .. , boru April o, 1862, married W. K. Burns, a Firmer residing near Bagley, lowa; and Amanda B., born October 21, 1861, who married he . brother-in-law. IT. C. Ewers, at Bagley, lowa.

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

The pleasant old home in Goshen township is doubly dear to. our subject on account of having been his home ever since he was four years of age. It contains 1601/2 acres, located in section 21, and he has followed general farm- ing all his life, taking a just pride in his fertile acres and sleek, well-conditioned stock and cat- tle. llis methods have insured him a good measure of success and Mr. Mead has been able to establish himself among the most substantial men of the township. His tastes have been entirely in the direction of agriculture, al- though his two brothers, Corwin and A. G., are equally devoted to the law, the former hav- ing been Probate judge in South Dakota and the latter a member of the Kansas State Sen- ate. A quieter life has satisfied our subject and he is well and widely known as a thorough- ly representative farmer and a most highly es- teemed citizen.

In 1888 Mr. Mead was married to Emma S. McEndree, who was born on an adjoining farm, January 15, 1867, and is a daughter of H. F. and Frances J. ( Talbert ) McEndree, the former of whom was born October 14, 1843, in Belmont County, being a son of II. F. and Sophia McEndree. He grew to manhood in his native county, preparing for the active du- ties of life, but the whole current was changed for years, by the outbreak of the Civil War. With loyalty and enthusiasm, he enrolled his name as one of his country's defenders, in Company 1, 69th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., on Feb- ruary 3, 1862, for a service of three years or through the war. On February 18, 1864, he was honorably discharged, at Chattanooga, Tennessee, by reason of re-enlistment as a vet- eran vohmteer. Mr. McEndree gave his ser- vice until the close of the struggle, and after participating in some of the most serions en- gagements of the war was finally discharged on July 14, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. Among the battles which can never be forgotten by the people of the United States on account of their fearful havoc and carnage, were those of Mur- fresboro, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Jonesboro, and also the great march of Sher- man to the sea, and in all these Mr. McEndrec

took the part of a brave and valiant soldier. Upon his return, he married, on March 8, 1866, Frances J. Talbert, a danghter of William and Emily Talbert, of Morristown, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Talbert have resided in Belmont County many years, where a family of six children was born to them, namely: Emma, who became Mrs. Mead, in 1888; Clarkson, who in 1892 married Clara A. Palmer, resides in Speidel; Charles, who in 1896 married Ida Burns, re- sides in Belmont; Albert who is engaged with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; and Jessie Beatrice, who is at home with her parents. Mr. MeEndree is a member of Hilles Post, G. A. R., No. 220, of Barnesville. Both he and wife are consistent and worthy members of the Bap- tist Church at Bethesda.

A family of two children has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mead, viz. : Enfield S., born Au- gust 29, 1891, and George A., born February 8, 1902. In politics Mr. Mead stands on the Re- publican platform and actively supports the principles of that party. With his estimable wife, he belongs to Ebenezer Baptist Church.

WILLIAM RAMSEY, one of the promi- nent and substantial farmers of Mead town- ship, Belmont County, Ohio, belongs to an old-established family of State and county, whose members are known through their several communities as leading and representative citizens. The birth of Wil- liam Ramsey took place December 24, 18444, in Washington township, Belmont County, and his parents were Allen and Mary (Thornborough) Ramsey, the latter of whom was born in England about 1816, a daughter of William and Ma- tilda (Lazenby) Thornborough. The Thorn- borough family came to America and set- tled in Belmont County about 1818, entered land in Washington township, and resided there the balance of their lives, Mr. Thorn borough dying about 1845, his widow sur- viving until 1882.

The founder of the Ramsey family in Bel-

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

mont County was Thomas Ramsey, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who immigrated to Washington County, Pennsylvania, about 1790, at the age of 18 years, married there a member of the Falconer family, and moved with his children to Smith township, Belmont County, Ohio, in 1818, and there lived for the rest of his life, leaving these sons: David, John, Samuel, Abram, Allen, and Aaron F.

Allen Ramsey, the fifth son of Thomas Ramsey, was born May 28, 1811, in Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania, and was brought by his father to Belmont County in 1818. His marriage to Mary Thorn- borough took place in Washington town- ship, Belmont County, where he resided a number of years, his last days, however, be- ing spent in Mead township, where he died July 19, 1887. His venerable widow still survives, at the age of 86 years, a resident of Key station, Mead township. The chil- dren of Allen Ramsey and wife were: Eliza- beth, who married William Thompson, re- sides in Mead township and has a large fam- ily; Thomas IL., who is a farmer near our subject; Louisa, who died young; Nancy Jane, who is Mrs. Devol, resides in York township; William, who is the subject of this biography; George, who was a resident of Mead township, died at the age of 19 years; Eleanor, who died at the age of 18 years; Matilda A., who married David Little, re- sides at Glencoe; Louisa, who married John Harvey, resides at Bellaire; and John A., who is a farmer and also a merchant resid- ing at Key station.

William Ramsey was mainly reared in Mead township, where his schooling was ob- tained, and he remained on the home farm until he was 26 years old. After marriage he located in the southwestern part of Mead township, purchasing the Taylor, farm, and has devoted his attention to general farming and the raising of standard sheep and cattle. Ilis herd of Shorthorn cattle ranks with the best in the State. Mr. Ramsey operates 266 acres and has what may well be termed a

model farm. In 1892 he erected his hand- some residence, and all of the surroundings have an air of thrift and prosperity.

On September 5, 1870, Mr. Ramsey was married to Amanda Helpbringer, who was born in Smith township in 1850, and a family of nine children has been born to thein: Dr. George L .; a prominent physician of Powhatan Point; Lura V., who died Sep- tember 1, 1898, aged 23 years; Clara, who died at the age of three years; William John, born in 1878, resides at home; Arthur Allen, who died at the age of three years; Mary F., who married John W. Muster, resides with her father, her two children being Lura Beatrice and Eugene Ralph; Ellis E., born March 29, 1886, and Newell M., aged 12 years, and Eva A., aged 10 years, are at home. All of these children have been given excellent educational advantages and have been well fitted for the responsibilities of life.

Mr. Ramsey is a Republican in his po- litical adherence, and has capably and fre- quently served in many of the township of- fices, at present being a member of the School Board. The family belong to the Methodist Church at Jacobsburg, a pleasant town reached by a short drive. Mr. Ramsey lives near enough to thus enjoy both town and country benefits. In addition to being a man of known integrity, Mr. Ramsey also has the reputation of being a most genial and hospitable host. Although now one of the substantial men of the township, he be- gan far down the ladder, his success being almost entirely due to his own efforts.

ELLIOTT W. GROVES, a successful farmer and intelligent and esteemed citizen of Flushing township. Belmont County, Ohio, was born in Kirkwood township, in the same county, July 1, 1855. a son of Sam- nel and Charlotte (Douglass) Groves, the latter a daughter of High Douglass, of the same township. The Groves family is an

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

old and respected one, noted for its devo- tion to the Methodist Church, and for its adherence to the principles of Democracy. The Douglasses originated in Scotland, im- migrated to Maryland, where Hugh Doug- lass was born.

Samuel Groves, the father of our subject, was born in Kirkwood township, Belmont County, in 1825, and died Angust 26, 1900, aged 65 years, six months and 14 days. In 1854 he married Charlotte Douglass, and they had born to them a family of six chil- dren, namely: Elliott W .; Iona [., who mar- ried A. Ferguson Hunter, lives near Barnes- ville; Cyrus died when but 10 years of age; Savina, Eliza, and lda. Samuel Groves fol- lowed farming all his life, residing on a farm adjoining the farm where he was born. He was a man of exemplary character, devoted to his home and family, and highly respected in his neighborhood. He was of Holland descent on the paternal side and German on the maternal, and inherited admirable traits from both parents.

Elliott W. Groves acquired a good com- mon school education, which wide reading and much travel has ripened into a vast fund of useful knowledge. On September II, 1879. he married Laura Howell, a daughter of Wiram, a granddaughter of John, and a great-granddaughter of Benjamin Howell. Mr. and Mrs. Groves reside on the Howell homestead, her mother still surviving, an honored member of the family. They have one son, Murry, who was born September 20, 1886.

Mr. Groves has taken an active and inter- ested part in political matters, although he has never consented to accept political fa- vors. During the continuance of the Green- back party he supported it, but now votes independently, favoring the principles of the Populists and believing in the free coinage of silver. He is connected with the order of Odd Fellows, and was an honorary member of the Order of United American Mechanics for a season. It is his desire to locate in business in the neighborhood of Pueblo, Col-

orado, in the near future, his health not be- ing robust enough for an agricultural life. In person Mr. Groves inpresses one pleas- antly, his erect figure and fine countenance being notable, while intelligence is denoted by his clear eye and careful, well-modulated voice. His interests are centered in the welfare of his family, and believes the Great West, through which he has extensively traveled, is the place for the young men of the future to find their opportunities.

THOMAS J. McMASTER, a well-known farmer and prominent and representative citizen of Belmont County, as well as a member of one of its oldest families, was born November 13, 18.45, in Mead township, a son of Samuel and Sarah Ann (Gregory) Mc Master, the former of whom still sur- vives at the age of 8years, coming from a sturdy stock noted for its longevity.

The boyhood of Mr. McMaster was spent in Mead township, where he attended school and remained until the age of 244 years, serv- ing in the meantime, during the Civil War, in Battery A, Ist West Virginia Light Artil- lery, from 1864 until the close of hostilities. In 1870 he removed to Monroe County, buying a farm near Newcastle, in Green township, and remained engaged there until the fall of fgoo, when he returned to Bel- mont County and purchased his present fine land in the southwestern part of Mead town- ship, from the Dollar Savings Bank Com- pany of St. Clairsville. This was originally a part of the old T. II. Ramsey estate. Mr. McMaster owns 100 acres, which is well adapted to farming, and which he has placed in the finest possible condition.

In 1868 Mr . MeMaster was married to Maggie Griffith, born in 18 46, a daughter of William and Christina (Gray) Griffith, who came from Pennsylvania to Belmont County 55 years ago and located in Smith township. near Jacobsburg. A family of eight children has been born to our subject and his wife.

CHALKLEY DAWSON.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

as follows: Robert A., who died in 1900, at the age of 30 years; William S. is a farmer near Jacobsburg, married Miss McKelvey; James A. resides in Mead township; Mary is the wife of George Taylor and they reside at Banksville, near Pittsburg; and Charles A., Alice R., Homer Eugene, and Maud, at home.

Politically Mr. McMaster has always been identified with the Democratic party. He has been one of the solid, reliable men who are always called upon in a community to accept public trusts, and has served two terms of six years as justice of the peace and three terms as trustee of Monroe County. In fraternal life he has always been promi- nent, belonging to Monroe Lodge, No. 189, F. & A. M., of Woodsfield, and the I. O. O. F. lodge at the same place. Mrs. Mc- Master is a member of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. McMaster inclines in the same direction, liberally giving support. He belongs to the G. A. R. Mr. McMas- ter is held in very high esteem in his neigh- borhood and is justly regarded one of the representative citizens. His home is one of the most attractive in Mead township, and his hospitality is extended to a wide circle of friends.

CHALKLEY DAWSON, president of the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, at Bellaire, Ohio, is one of the prominent and highly esteemed residents of the city. Almost his whole life has been spent in his native State. Ilis business interests are centered in the city of Bellaire and vicinity.

Mr. Dawson was born in Barnesville, Bel- mont County, February 2, 1836, where he re- ceived his primary education, finishing at the Friends' School at West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania, as he came of Friend parentage, and was reared in the simple faith from which he has never altogether separated himself. After leaving school he passed sey- eral years as a farmer during the summers and as a teacher during the winters, and dur-

ing this time, in 1859, hemarried Martha Gar- retson. In 1863 he moved to lowa and re- mained there until 1868, engaged in farming and surveying, but returned then to Barnes- ville, his wife having died in the previous year. Mr. Dawson soon made his ability as an engin- cer so apparent that he was made engineer and superintendent of the turnpike roads, and continued in this capacity for seven years. In 1875 he sunk the coal shaft at the Barnesvillle coal works, but this did not prove a success and resulted in considerable personal loss. In 1878 he was elected county surveyor, on the fusion ticket, although politically he has always been a stanch Republican. Ilis father was a Free- Soiler, and our subject was active in the Fre- mont campaign, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Dawson has been a resident of Bellaire since 1882; prior to that time he lived in St. Clairsville. In 1886 he erected his beautiful home at No. 4337 Jefferson street.

The second marriage of Mr. Dawson was to Anna Branson, who died in 1877, leaving one child, who is now deceased. The present Mrs. Dawson was formerly Margaret T. Happer, of Barnesville. Since its organization, Mr. Daw- son has been the able president of the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, of Bellaire, one of the sound, conservative financial institutions of Eastern Ohio. Mr. Dawson is a man of so- cial instincts and his fraternal relations include membership in the Masonic order, being a member of Bellaire Lodge, F. & A. M .; Bel- laire Chapter, R. A. M .; Bellaire Council ; Hope Commandery, No. 26, K. T., of St. Clairsville; Ohio Consistory of Scottish Rites, of Columbus ; and Osiris Temple, of the Mystic Shrine, of Wheeling, West Virginia.

For the past 15 years our subject has given the most of his energies to mine engineering, being an expert in the profession, thoroughly technical in his knowledge and perfectly prac- tical in his methods. However, this profession shows but one side of Mr. Dawson's character, for he is also a man of affairs, a politician of fixed conviction, a financier of ability and a genial, hospitable member of social life.

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

A. W. COLLINS, who is known through Kirkwood township, Belmont County, as one of its leading farmers and stock raisers, has the distinction of having been born upon the memorable day in 186f when the Stars and Stripes were fired upon as they floated over Fort Sumter.

The parents of Mr. Collins were John A. . and Janetta (Bartow) Collins, both of whom were natives of Ohio. John A. Collins was one of the early victims of the Civil War. In 1861, at the call of his country, he left his farm, his wife and his two little ones and offered his services as a loyal, patriotic citizen, enlisting as a private in Company F, 25th Ohio Vol. Inf., served through 10 months, during which time he took part in several battles, and then was discharged on account of disability, exposure during an at- tack of measles producing serious results. Mr. Collins lived but a short time after his return home, dying in February, 1862, at the age of 31 years, as truly a sacrifice on the altar of his country as if his end had come at the canon's mouth. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Collins were: Demetrius, who died when four years of age; a babe, who died in infancy; Austin A., a resident of Flushing township, unmarried; and A. WV., of this sketch. The second marriage of Mrs. Collins was to John R. Wilson, a na- tive of Loudoun County, Virginia, who died March 19, 1884, at the age of 84 years. Mrs. Wilson resides at llolloway, Ohio, a most highly esteemed member of the Methodist Church.

A W. Collins obtained his education in the common schools and Denison Univer- sity, at Granville, Ohio, where he remained through his sophomore year. Prior to his entrance at college, Mr. Collins was licensed to preach by the Stillwater Baptist Church, in which church he has held membership for 22 years. After returning from the uni versity, Mr. Collins followed a very busy life for three years, working on the railroad and at farming, gaining the esteem and re- spect of all who knew him, and at the same

time accumulating property and in every way fitting himself for good citizenship.

On May 28, 1891, Mr. Collins was united in marriage with Laura D. Groves, a native of this county and a daughter of William J. and Mary R. (Ridgeway) (Sheppard) Groves, the former of whom died August 20, 1902, at the age of 79 years. Mrs. Col- lins was born August 13, 1868, and has been a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, and is active in missionary and benevolent work. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Collins are: Myra B., Ross M., Marga- ret L., and Henry S.

In politics Mr. Collins is a Republican, and still holds membership with his college fraternity, Sigma Chi. Both he and wife are active and enthusiastic workers in mis- sionary fields, and not only read the best of literature, but encourage others to do the same.

J. M. HENSLEY, M. D., a leading and successful physician of Bellaire, Ohio, with convenient offices on Union street in this city, is also an esteemed and public spirited citizen. He was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1857, and is a son of Rev. James L. Hensley, M. D., who is now a resident of Marion, Ohio.

Rev. James L. Ilensley, M. D., who is widely known as a popular minister in the United Brethren Church, is also noted as a physician of skill and learning, as a lawyer of ability and force, and, in addition, a states- man whose wise legislation has given him prominence. At the age of 70 years he is still at home in either profession. His birth took place in 1832, in Rockingham County. Virginia, and his early educational oppor- tunities were limited. Reading and study later in life simply dev loped inherent facul- ties, making of him the brilliant man he has long been. In October, 1856, he engaged in the ministry of the United Brethren Church, and has never severed these rela- tions. During the Civil War he was made

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 82

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