USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 85
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Dr. J. E. Whitsitt was born in May, 1826, prepared for the medical profession at the Ohio
University, and began practice in 1852. He became a partner of Dr. John Keys at Bells- ville, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Dr. Keys served as surgeon in the army, leaving the practice at home in charge of Dr. Whitsitt. The latter practiced from 1852 until 1880, since which time he has lived in retirement at Bethany, West Virginia. He practiced there some years and was examiner for numerous insurance companies. He recruited a company for service during the Civil War in Ballsville, and has been a trustee of Bethany College for a number of years. He is a member and trus- tee in the Christian Church. He was always a member of the Republican party after its organization. He married Clara B. Martin, who was born June 1, 1836, and is a daughter of John and Jane ( Vail) Martin. She is also a devout member and a very active worker of the Christian Church. Seven children blessed this union : Emma J., who died in December, 1894, aged 42 years, was the wife of M. M. Cochran, of Pennsylvania; C. C., subject of this sketch; Anna, who died at the age of three years ; Ollie, who died at the age of three years; Kitty, who died at the age of 10 years ; Ralph, who died at the age of two years ; and John W., who resides in Bethany, West Virginia, a mem- ber of the class of 1903 in the Pittsburg Med- ical College.
Dr. C. C. Whitsitt received his literary edu- cation at Bethany College and then entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati in 1879, graduating therefrom with the class of 1882. He began practice at once and was in part- nership with his father for two years. He practiced at Bethany until 1884, then removed to Hendrysburg, Ohio, where he has since con- tinued with the exception of two years spent in New Philadelphia. He is a general prac- titioner and examiner for numerous insurance companies. He is a man of sterling qualities, a close student and is abreast of the times in every branch of medical science. He has the esteem of the community, and has been a med- ical examiner for the U. S. pension board.
In 1881, Dr. Whitsitt was united in mar- riage with Rosa L. Jones, a native of Hendrys-
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burg, and a daughter of Dr. William and Betsy Ann (Goodman) Jones. Her mother still resides in Bethesda, Ohio. Four children were born to them: William E., who was born January 16, 1885, and died August 6, 1885 ; Percy B., born August 8, 1886, and died October 12, 1886; Emma E., born October 27, 1889, and died October 3, 1890; and Bessie L., born May 2, 1892, who is attending school at Bethesda. The mother of these children, born November 27, 1863, died June 10, 1892. Dr. Whitsitt formed a second union on April 18, 1899, with Lena L. Mclaughlin, a native of Belmont County, and a daughter of John Mc- Laughlin. The latter was born August 27, 1832, and died September 27, 1892; Mrs. Mclaughlin now resides in Hendrysburg, and has been mother of the following children : William, who died at the age of three years; John, who died at the age of one year ; Louisa, wife of Stanton White, lives in Hendrysburg; James A. resides in Wheeling; Clement L. re- sides in Oklahoma Territory; Albert G., who resides in Bridgeport, Ohio; Everett, who lives in Hendrysburg ; and Lena L., wife of our sub- ject. Dr. Whitsitt is a member of Kirkwood Lodge, No. 446, F. & A. M.
JOHN IRA LEWIS, of Lamira, Goshen township, Belmont County, is employed in the double occupation of farming and milling, in which he has met with profit and prosperity. lle was born October 10, 1845, in Monroe County, Ohio, and is a son of Charles W. and Lydia A. (Gregg) Lewis.
Charles W. Lewis was born in the Keystone State August 13, 1818, and was a son of Isaac and Mary Lewis; the former was born in 1774 and died in 1843. Charles W. Lewis followed farming all his life, except a few years when he was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Mon- roe County, Ohio. During his youthful days he wagoned over the mountains, and was a resident of his native county until 1844; in that year he removed to Monroe County, Ohio, and thence to Belmont County in 1850, where
he purchased his farm in Goshen, Smith and Richland townships, and resided upon it until his death. He owns 75 acres in both Goshen and Smith townships and 57 acres in Richland township, all of which he improved to the best of his ability. On February 14, 1840, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage at Plainfield Friends' Meeting with Lydia A. Gregg, who was born in Belmont County in August, 1819, and their union was blessed with eight chil- dren, six of whom are living at the present time. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were mem- bers of the Society of Friends. Mr. Lewis was school director for a number of years, but de- clined any other office. His death took place November 27, 1888; his wife's demise occurred a few years later. Both were people of in- tegrity and industry, widely known and well- to-do, and at their deaths they left very few, if any, who entertained anything but the best of feeling toward them.
Our subject's brothers and sisters are as follows: John G. and Mary, both of whom lied when but two years of age; Isaac W., who is a merchant of Logan County, Ohio, born June 20, 1841, married Ella Stewart and has three children,-Frank, Roy and May; John Ira is the subject of this sketch and his record appears below ; William H., born December 24, 1851, is a resident of Philadelphia, where he has been engaged in business as a wool com- mission merchant for 25 years; Mary A. mar- ried David Cratty, a glass manufacturer of Findlay, Ohio, and has a daughter, Nellie, born January 16, 1880; Julia E., born May 10, 1857, married Frank B. Wilkinson, who re- sides in Logansport, Indiana, and has two chil- dren, Charles W. and Grace A. ; and Charles Sherman, born August 12, 1864, who mar- tied Miss M. Wengt, has one son, C. W., born in 1899, and resides in Findlay, Ohio, where he is engaged in the glass business.
John Tra Lewis received his education in the common schools of Belmont County and worked on the farm until he was 16 years of age. At this time the Civil War commenced lo threaten the Union, and in May, 1862, he enlisted in the three-months' service as a mem-
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ber of Company A, 85th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was sent to guard Rebel prisoners at Camp Chase, where he remained until the expiration of his term of service. While he was serving as a guard during this three-months' service, a call was made for volunteers from the ranks to go to Kentucky to take care of John Morgan and his marauding band. Mr. Lewis, with a number of his comrades, responded. At an- other time a call was made for volunteers to go to Covington, Kentucky, to hold the place against Gen. Kirby Smith. Mr. Lewis again responded, and after his duty was over there and he returned to Camp Chase, he found that the other members of the company had been mustered out quite a while before and had gone home. He also returned home, after serving 15 days over his term of enlistment. This did not finish his war experience, however, for in February, 1864, he re-enlisted as a member of Company D, 43d Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and con- tinned in the service until the close of the con- flict. His first battle was experienced May 13 to 15, 1864, in the conflict before Resaca, Georgia, the starting of the Atlanta campaign. He also participated in all of the battles of the campaign until the surrender of Atlanta, and then marched with General Sherman to the sea, then through the Carolinas on to Peters- burg, thence to Richmond and to Washington City, where in the grand review that followed he spent the happiest days of his life. From Washington he proceeded to Louisville, Ken- tucky, where he was on guard duty for a time and afterward was ordered to Columbus, Ohio, and was mustered out of service on July 17th, just in time to return to his home by July 19th, where his parents, his paternal grandmother and his maternal grandparents were all waiting to welcome him.
Mr. Lewis began life as a farmer in the summer and a teacher in the winter months, and he continued agricultural pursuits from 1870 until November, 1900, the latter year being the date of his purchase of the Belmont Roller Mills, which he has since operated in connection with the farm work. The farm consists of 150 acres, from which the coal has
been sold, so it is devoted to general farm- ing. The mill is one of the latest and most im- proved model roller mills, is So by 90 feet and four stories high. Mr. Lewis buys and grinds the grain and feed and his mill is as neat and clean as any place of its kind in the county. The capacity is about 60 barrels in 24 hours, and most of the flour is shipped to the East.
March 3, 1870, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Mary J. Parks, a daughter of William and Maria (Campbell) Parks, and a great-granddaughter of John Nichol, whose history is given in another part of this work. The union has been blessed with eight children, three dying in infancy. The others are: Harry WV., born April 3, 1871, who runs the farm with his father; Della M., born September 30, 1874, now Mrs. George K. Phillips, who has two children, Nellie M. and William; and Charles W., born February 19, 1880; Anna B., born October 23, 1881, and William Parks, born August 13, 1885, who are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members of the Presbyterian Church. In fraternal cir- cles the husband is a member of. the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he takes an active interest, and is now trustee of his town- ship, to which office he was elected two years ago by his party. All the citizens of Lamira have the highest opinion and friendship for Mr. Lewis and his worthy wife.
M. SHEETS, one of the hustling business men of Martin's Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio, is in the coal business and has the best and most complete equipment in the county for a merchant mine. Ile owns about 150 acres of coal land that reaches back into the neighboring hills, and near his home place he has opened up a mine within the city limits, and in the near future expects to operate it on a lease.
Our subject was born in Meigs County, Ohio, June 22, 1839, and attended West Lib- erty Academy of West Virginia to secure his education. Following the completion of his studies there he embarked in the mercantile business in his own interest and for some
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years continued the same with good results. Subsequently he sold this business, and was then in the glass business for the next twenty- six years.
The tipple shed, with scales, etc., all com- plete, is built in close proximity to the mine in the side of a hill. It is circular in shape, having a diameter of sixty feet, rounded out and leveled and walled with stone. In the circle are the buildings, scales, etc., and everything needed in the work. The working force employed consists of about twenty-five miners, and they supply all local demands for bituminous coal. In short it is one of the best enterprises of the kind in the county or State and the duties of its superintendent are by no means light or small, and require the best of judgment.
Mary Newland, a daughter of John K. Newland of Martin's Ferry, became the wife of our subject November 18, 1869, and fur- ther mention of her is made in the biography of Mayor Isaac Newland, given in another part of this volume. They, and later their two daughters, were all married in the same room of the old Newland homestead, this having become the property of Mrs. Sheets upon the division of her father's estate. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheets were born three daugh- ters, Mary J., J. Beatrice, and Clara, who is still a member of the home circle. Mary J. became the wife of James W. Ralston, a ma- chinist at the Laughlin Mill, in June, 1892, and they have one child, Rolland Sheets Ral- ston. J. Beatrice married Edward Exley, who was a descendant of one of the old fami- lies of Wheeling. They were married in 1896 and now live in Toledo, Ohio.
For the past twenty-five years Mr. and Mrs. Sheets have lived upon their old homestead, formerly the property of Mrs. Sheets' father. It was built by Noah Zane in 18 14, who owned the property at that time, but sold it to Mr. Newland in 1857, and it will be remembered by many who in years past called it "Noah's Ark." This title was given for two reasons; first, because it was built by Noah, and second, because, although it does not stand upon
Mt. Ararat, it nevertheless surmounts a high hill. It is surrounded by many trees, of elm and hickory, etc., which make a beautiful shade, and also give it the appearance of one of the most sightly homes in the county. The house, itself, is built of brick, and contains fourteen rooms, large and commodious, all in an ex- cellent state of preservation. The dining room, especially, is roomy, being made so as to seat sixty persons at the table. The house is very well planned and is one of the old landmarks. With the Woodses, the Martins, and the Millers places, it was a place of rendezvous for people of Wheeling and other near-by cities, who wanted a few days rest, or a country outing, with a general good time, spent in games or dancing.
But these days are now past and the old homesteads are inhabited by different people who in many respects have other manners and customs; however, Mr. and Mrs. Sheets pre- fer to keep up the long established customs of Kentucky and Virginia, whose hospitality, entertainment, and courtesy reign supreme, and in this respect they have surely succeeded for the latch string is always out.
DR. WILLIAM N. ROGERS enjoys a lucrative practice in his chosen profession, in the city of Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio. Ilis success is due to his own qualifications and determination. His birth occurred at Con- cord, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1871. He did not reside in that place many years, but removed to Media, Delaware Coun- ty, Pa., and remained there until 1900.
William N. Rogers became a student of the common schools of Media, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the High School there in 1880, standing well to the front in his class. Ilis best efforts were spent in learning the printer's trade for the next few years, and he worked at this until September, of the year 1801, economising in every way as he had de- termined to become a physician and surgeon. Ile accordingly became enrolled among the
[ RICHARD SHEPHERD.
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students at Hahnemann Medical College, a homeopathic institution of Philadelphia, and finished his course in good time, graduating May 12, 1898, well equipped for his chosen work.
However, the Spanish-American War then occupied the attention of many of the best citizens and the month following his gradua- tion in 1898 he entered the Ist U. S. Volunteer Engineers and served in the Porto Rican cam- paign till late in the fall, when he again re- turned to his profession. From July, 1899, until February 1, 1900, he was employed as junior surgeon of the visiting staff of the out- patient department of Hahnemann Hospital, receiving a very fine surgical training in this way after which he removed to Bellaire, Ohio, and has both office and residence located at No. 1923 Belmont street. He has met with most pleasing success since his residence there, has identified himself with the interests of township and county and now numbers his friends by the score. He is examiner for the Western & Southern Life Insurance Company of this district, is secretary of the Ohio Valley Homeopathic Medical Society, and is vice- president of the West Virginia State Home- opathic Medical Society.
In fraternal circles Dr. Rogers is a past of- ficer of Garfield Lodge, No. 94, Knights of Pythias, of Pennsylvania.
RICHARD SHEPHERD, one of the sub- stantial farmers and upright and representa- tive citizens of Belmont County, was born on the fine farm which he now owns and operates, in 1840. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Lazenby ) Shepherd, natives of England, who came to America in 1820, coming directly to Belmont County, where Thomas Shepherd en- tered 80 acres of government land in Wash- ington township, and lived upon his farm until his death in 1850, at the age of 52 years. Mrs. Mary ( Lazenby) Shepherd passed away in 1863, at the age of 68 years, while our sub- ject was serving in the army.
The 13 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shepherd were as follows: Elizabeth (Mrs. Dayton), who resides in Wetzel County, West Virginia; Edward, who died at the age of 48 years; John, who died about 1870, aged 47 years, having resided on the home farm and having for some 20 years con- ducted a grocery boat on the Ohio River ; Will- iam, who removed to Brown County, Indiana, prior to the Civil War,-he served in the 25th Indiana Regiment and was wounded and died in that State; Mary Ann ( Mrs. Dawson), who died in 1900, in Beallsville, Monroe County, her husband having died in the army; Jacob, who resides on a farm in Jackson County, West Virginia, near Ravenswood; Thomas, who served in Company D, 43rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in the Civil War, and lives in Brown County, Indiana; Isaac, who died in 1898 in Belmont County ; Isaiah, who died in the Civil WVar, having been a member of Company D, 13rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf .; Nancy ( Mrs. Mc- Avoy), who removed to lowa and later to Nebraska; Clarissa ( Mrs. Thomas Harlan), who resides in Wetzel County, West Virginia ; Richard; and George, who died at the age of 15 years.
Richard Shepherd was reared on the old farm which he first left to shoulder a musket in the Civil War, enlisting December 17, 186r, in Company D, 43rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and gallantly did his duty in the ranks, participating in all the most serious battles, but escaped injury and was discharged in July, 1865. With the exception of four years during which time he leased his farm and re- sided at Beallsville, this old homstead has been his residence all his life. The property is his own and comprises 235 acres of some of the best land in Washington township. Mr. Shep- herd has it under a fine state of improvement, and in July, 1805. built a fine home in the at- tractive locality of Armstrong's Mills.
In February, 1867. Mr. Shepherd married Martha Jane Sherwood, who was born near Centreville in Smith township, a daughter of the late George Sherwood, who came at an early day from Pennsylvania. In political sen
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timent, Mr. Shepherd is a stanch Republican. He belongs to Hess Post, G. A. R., No. 595, and has been an official in the Odd Fellows' lodge. Both he and wife are consistent members of the Armstrong's Mills Methodist Church. He is a man of property and prominence, worthily. represents a well-known family, and is a first- class citizen in every respect.
TYSON C. ROWLES, well known as one of the successful farmers and leading citizens of Somerset township, Belmont County, was born in 1832, in Colerain township, and has been a resident of the former township since 1882.
The father of our subject was Azariah Rowles, who was born in 1796, in Maryland, and died in Belmont County, in 1846. In 1822 he came to Belmont County and settled in Colerain township, and his death occurred in Smith township. By trade he was a cooper, but he engaged also in farming. He was drafted into the service during the War of 1812 and was a soldier for a time at Baltimore. In politics he was a Whig. Mr. Rowles was reared a Friend, but he lost his birthright by marrying outside the Society without making proper acknowledgment. The mother of our subject was Sarah Hendrickson, who was born in New Jersey, and who died at the age of 61 years, in 1868. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Church and a woman of most admirable qualities. A family of eight children was born to Azariah and Sarah ( Hendrickson) Rowles, as follows: Hezekiah, who lives in Knox County, Illinois ; Mary, who died young ; Elizabeth, who is the widow of William Work- man ; Thomas J., deceased, who was a soldier during the Civil War, from Belmont County ; Nathan II., of Bellaire, who was an officer, with rank of captain, in the 170th Reg., Ohio National Guard, during the Civil War; Tyson C., of this sketch; Elihu B., who was a mem- ber of the 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., during the Civil War and lost his life for his country, in the battle of Altoona, in Sherman's cam-
paign, in 1864; and Nancy E., who is the widow of Elmer Clifford, of Wheeling.
Tyson C. Rowles was educated in the pub- lic schools and for a considerable period, in young manhood, was engaged in teaching in Belmont County, teaching for six years in Barnesville. - HIe afterwards engaged in the tanning business at Barnesville, conducting this industry for 10 years. In 1882 he removed to Somerset township and located in section 19, where he most successfully operates a farm of 160 acres. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Rowles has most efficiently filled the offices of trustee and land appraiser and enjoys the repu- tation of being one of the township's most up- right officials.
In 1861 Mr. Rowles was married to Eliza B. Mackall, who was born in Barnesville in 1837, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Mackall. She is a lady of Christian vir- tues and a most consistent member of the Methodist Church. Fraternally, Mr. Rowles is a Mason, belonging to the local lodge. As a citizen and as a neighbor, he is held in high esteem in Somerset township.
M. E. MOORE is one of the best known farmers and most highly esteemed citizens of Wayne township, Belmont County, whose long and honorable record during the Civil War also entitles him to the respect and admiration of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Moore was born March 1, 1841, in Washington township, on a farm in the vicinity of his present home, and he is a son of Michael and Priscilla ( Deaver) Moore.
Michael Moore was born on Captina Creek, in Washington township, and died at the age of 32 years, March 17, 1841, when our sub- ject was an infant of two weeks. He was a son of Jacob Moore, who came to Ohio from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, the fam- ily having been founded there by Michael Moore, an early cmigrant from Germany. The latter was one of the earliest pioneers in Bel- mont County, where he died at the age of 106
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years. Jacob Moore, the grandfather of our subject, owned several farms in Washington and Wayne townships, and was the father of these children : John, Henry, Amster, Alfred, Michael, Rachel and Abigail.
The mother of our subject was born in Maryland, of an old and much respected fam- ily. She contracted a second marriage, with Eli Mantle, and died some 20 years ago. The children of her first marriage were four in number, namely: Erastus, Adam T., Eliza- beth and our subject. Erastus Moore was born in 1833 and in 1859 married Nancy Mechem. In the spring of 1860 he removed to his present fine farm in section 2, Wayne town- ship. His six children were: Rev. Melanc- thon, who is the pastor of the Christian Church at Garnett, Kansas; Amanda J., who is Mrs. Thornberry, of Washington, Pennsylvania; Rev. Zuinglius, who is pastor of the Christian Church at Milford, Illinois; Laura, who is the wife of J. J. Phillips, of Washington township; Rev. Luther, who is pastor of the Third Chris- tian Church at Akron, Ohio; Vietta, who is deceased; and Edison L., who lives at Akron, Ohio. Adam T. Moore served during the Civil War as a member of the 179th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He resides on the old home place in Wash- ington township. Elizabeth became Mrs. Stukey and died in Indiana. The three chil- dren of the second marriage are: Ellen J., the wife of TI. J. Danford, of California; and Hiram Mantle, of Wayne township; and Alex- ander C. Mantle, of Washington township.
Reared on the farm and educated in the pub- lic schools, Mr. Moore grew to young man- hood, a representative young farmer. The out- break of the Civil War completely changed the current of his life, turning it from the peace- ful paths of agriculture into the stress and strife of warfare. For almost five years his services were devoted to his country. With loyal enthusiasm he answered the first call for three-year volunteers, entering Company E, end Reg., West Virginia Vol. Inf. ; veteraned in Company E. 5th Reg., West Virginia Vol. Cav., and again veteraned in Company K, 6th Reg., West Virginia Vol. Cav. Although he
saw much hard service and participated in some of the most terrible battles of the war, Mr. Moore miraculously escaped serious injury. He was a member of the famous Averill's cav- alry, in West Virginia and was captured by the enemy, spending four months as a prisoner, after the battle of Piedmont. He was left at campaign until the surrender of Atlanta, and Stanton Hospital and, being detailed there as nurse, took such excellent care of 13 wounded Union prisoners, that all but one regained health. Five days were spent in a hospital, from an attack of measles, and that about cov- ered actual illness. In the fall of 1865, he was sent with his veteran regiment to Kansas and Colorado against the Indians, and was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, May 22, 1866, was discharged at Wheeling and arrived home, in Belmont County, June I, 1866, after a wearisome but honorable service of four years, II months and 22 days. He was in Washington City in 1865 and was one of Gen. O. O. Howard's body guard during the trial of the Lincoln conspirators. He partici- pated in the grand review in 1865, and boasts of again marching down Pennsylvania avenue in 1902 at the G. A. R. National Encampment. He has worthily filled all the chairs, includ- ing that of commander of G. A. R., Danford Post, No. 525, of Beallsville, Ohio. He was most highly honored on July 1, 1880. by being commissioned lieutenant-colonel by Command- er Samuel H. Hurst, of the Department of Ohio, G. A. R., the commission being given at the headquarters at Chillicothe, Ohio.
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