USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 86
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After his return from the army, Mr. Moore soon married and purchased the old Phillip King farm, on Piney Creek, making the same his home until 1891, when he bought his pres- ent home farm, comprising 231 acres, a part of which, 40 acres cach, was settled by Samuel and Israel Moore. This is one of the well developed farms of the locality and has been made still more valuable and attractive by the recent completion of a handsome, modern residence.
Mr. Moore was married in the fall of 1866. to Annis Danford, who was born in 1845 in
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Noble County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Em- mor Danford of Belmont County. The mem- bers of Mrs. Moore's family are scattered : Hiram J., who served in the Civil War, a mem- ber of the 27th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., married Ellen J. Mantle, the half-sister of our subject, and they reside at San Diego, California ; Thomas, who served in the Civil War also in an Ohio regiment, married Marsha Barkus and is in the mining business at Boulder, Col- orado; Nancy Ellen married A. M. Caldwell and lives at New Martinsville, West Virginia ; Cynthia married T. II. Blenus, a native of Nova Scotia, and they reside at Jacksonville, Florida; and another brother, E. O., has been lost in the West since 1880.
A family of four children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, namely : Solon A., born July 22, 1867, who is a teacher of 14 years' experi- once in Belmont County, a graduate of the Val- paraiso Business College and the Elliott School of Shorthand and Typewriting, at Wheeling, and resides with his parents; Hiram C., born September 24, 1868, who died November 25, 1891; Walton E., born March 6, 1874, who is his father's capable assistant at home; and Adam V., born December 2, 1882, who died November 26, 1890.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Moore are valued men- bers of the Belmont Ridge Christian Church. No one is ever left in doubt as to Mr. Moore's politics, and he is justly proud of the fact that he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and has consistently supported the same party ever since. An honest, upright, straightforward man, M. E. Moore enjoys public esteem for his - present position as neighbor and citizen, and for his past record as a brave, faithful and gal- lant soldier.
M. L. BLACKBURN, president of the Novelty Stamping Company, of Bellaire, Ohio, is a native of this State, born in Belmont County, and for the past 34 years has practi- cally been a resident of Bellaire, though the greater part of his active life has been promi- nently identified with the industrial develop-
ment of Eastern Ohio. From 1876 to 1892 he was interested in the glass business. Since 1892 he has held the position of president of the Novelty company, for which his years of business experience have eminently qualified him.
The Novelty Stamping Company was estab- lished in the summer of 1892, for the manu- facture of stamped ware, from sheet metals, the product including all culinary household utensils. The officers of this company are men whose names carry with them reliability, viz. : M. L. Blackburn, president; A. Klotz, vice-president; and L. G. Battelle, secretary and treasurer. The board of directors include the above officers and also George Walters, F. B. Archer, John Schick and Clarence Baur. This business was incorporated in the fall of 1892 and began operating in February, 1893, at 34th and Monroe streets. The buikling was erected by the company on the site of the Belmont Glass Works plant, which had been torn down, and covers an area of about half a block. About 250 employees are kept in the various departments, under a capable foreman.
JOSEPH O. MCKELVEY, a well-known farmer and prominent business man, residing in Mead township, Belmont County, was born February 11, 1854, in this township, being a son of Samuel and Lucinda ( Creamer) Mc- Kelvey, extended mentioned of whom will be found in another part of this volume.
Mr. MeKelvey grew up on the farm, obtain- ing a good common-school education, and re- mained at home until 1885, when he purchased his present farm in section 14, near Vallonia, in Mead township, this fine property being locally known as the old Beach farm. It was purchased from Samuel Day and contains 157 acres, which has undergone wonderful im- provements under the practical and energetic methods of Mr. MeKelvey. The buildings are of a very substantial character, the residence being large and convenient and all the sur- roundings testifying to thrift and excellent management. Mr. MeKelvey is a first-class
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farmer, understanding all agricultural sub- jects very thoroughly, and belongs to a family which has made Mead township noted for its fine farms.
In 1885 Mr. McKelvey was married to Ida B. King, who was born in 1861 in Richland township, being a daughter of the late James King, and a family of five children has been born to this union, namely: James Curtis, aged 16 years; George Embra, aged 14; Lu- cille, aged 12; Florence B., aged 10; and Mor- ris K., a little lad of two years. The religious membership of the family is with the Bethel Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his farming interests, Mr. McKelvey has been largely engaged in coal optioning, and during the past two years has optioned 16,000 acres, in Mead, Smith and Washington townships. He has been a life- long Democrat and has been township treas- urer and township trustee, being eminently qualified to hold public office. Formerly he was a member of the Order of United Amer- ican Mechanics. Ilis time is absorbed in his different lines of activity and he is regarded as one of the very active and successful business men of his section of Belmont County.
SAMUEL CARPENTER, ESQ., a well- known farmer residing in the southwest part of York township, Belmont County, was born in this township in 1846, and is a son of Robert and Sevilla (Gates) Carpenter.
Robert Carpenter, grandfather of our sub- ject, was one of the pioneers of this section of the country and experienced all the hardships of the early days and the excitement of life among hostile Indians. At one time when he was riding a pony, bringing in the stock to the fort, he was waylaid by two Indians, whose purpose was to steal some horses. They shot young Carpenter through the arm, breaking it near the shoulder. He fell from his pony, which broke away. The pony did not again return to the fort until about a year later. The Indians ordered Mr. Carpenter to catch the
horses, but he did not succeed, as the animals probably scented the blood from his wounded shoulder, else he would have mounted one and made a dash for liberty. He was made a pris- oner and held captive for some time, but finally made his escape by taking off his moccasins and running for his life.
Robert Carpenter, father of our subject, came to Belmont County in 1832 from Noble County, Ohio, locating on the farm now occu- pied by his son Robert. He took up consider- able land and at one time owned about 650 acres in Belmont County, and some 500 acres in Indiana. He was largely engaged in sheep raising, and was a very prosperous man. He lived to reach the age of almost So years, dy- ing in 1879. His wife, Sevilla Gates, was born in 1800 on Cat's Run in York township, and died in December, 1898. The folowing chil- dren were born to Robert and Sevilla (Gates) Carpenter : Elizabeth, born January 29, 1823; Sevilla, October 24, 1824; Hannah, Angust 30, 1826; Maria, March 5, 1829; George, January 23, 1831; David, May 11, 1833; Robert ( 1), April 29, 1835: Albert, October 3, 1837; Rob- ert (2), June 3, 1840; Mary A., May 13, 1843; and Samuel, October 8, 1846. Robert Carpenter, the ninth child, and older brother of our subject, enlisted in Company F, 52nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., serving in the 14th Army Corps with Sherman at Perryville, Tucker's Ford, and Winchester. After serving eight months in that regiment, he re-enlisted in Company C, 170th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in 1864, in the 100-day service. He married Catherine Kolier, who was born and reared in Belmont County and is a daughter of Jacob Koher, and to them were born 10 children, as follows: Maria, Mary, Edward, Jacob, Lottie, Warner W., Ar- minta, Amos, Ross, and Chahner F., who died at the age of five months. Robert Carpenter has been a member of Arm trong Post No. 595, G. A. R., for more than 20 years, and belongs to the Grand View Christian Church.
Samuel Carpenter was reared in York town- ship and all his life has resided near his pres- ent home, to which he moved in 1802. He owns 240 acres and follows general farming.
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Ile was formerly extensively engaged in sheep raising. February 24, 1872, he married Jemima Pugh, who died in 1884, leaving four children : Ursula S., wife of John F. Fraley, residing on a part of her father's farm; Alice M., wife of Wesley Durrigg, of Washington township; Mertie M. ; and Sarah L. Four are (leceased, namely : Harriet E .; Arnold W .; Ardella M. ; and Irena. Our subject was again married in 1886 to Mary C. Hall, a daughter of Job Hall of Washington township, and they have three children : Stella G .; Omar R. ; and Bessie E. Politically, Mr. Carpenter is a Dem- ocrat, and has served as justice of the peace and as land appraiser. He was formerly a member of the Farmers' Alliance. Religious- ly, he and his family are members of the Church of Christ.
WINFIELD S. MECHEM, ex-county commissioner, who served Belmont County in this capacity for a period of seven years, and one of the best farmers and reliable business men of Washington township, was born in 1847 on the fine farm which he now owns near Alledonia, being a son of Lewis and Bathsheba (Danford) Mechem, the latter of whom was born at Ten Mile, Greene County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1808 and died in 1890.
Lewis Mechem, the father of our subject, was born in 1804, in Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, a son of John Mechem, who migrated in the year 1808 to this county, locating first in Colerain township, later removing to Barnes- ville and then to Malaga, Monroe County, in 1812. With the assistance of his brother and a hired assistant, he cut a path through the dense woods between Barnesville and Monroe County. In 1816 the family returned to Bel- mont County and settled in Washington town- ship on Captina Creek. Grandfather Mechem followed a mercantile business during the greater part of his life. ITe was born about 1770 and died in 1858. His wife, formerly a Miss Evans, born in 1776, died in 1874, in her 99th year at the home of Samuel Danford.
In 1830 Lewis Mechem purchased 160 acres of the land which now constitutes our subject's home, 80 acres each of the tract having been entered by Isaac Moore and a Mr. Brownfield, who received patents from President Andrew Jackson. Lewis Mechem was a stanch Whig and later a Republican, and an influential and representative man of his time and locality. He was an active member and an elder in the Bel- mont Ridge Christian Church, the first services of which were held in his home in 1856. 1Ie was one of 13 children, the others being Mary, John, Rachel, Jane, Ellen, Edward and Edwin, twins, Della Jane, Jesse, Naomi, Sarah and Nancy, and of these Edward resides in Iowa and Naomi in Indiana. Lewis Mechem and his wife had To children, as follows: William, (leccased; Sinic, deceased; Huldah (Mrs. Wright), of Kansas; John G., of Wriglit County, lowa; Nancy E. (Mrs. Moore), of Belmont County ; Amanda (Mrs. Stewart) died in Oregon; L. C., an attorney at Center- ville, Iowa; Sarah J. (Mrs. Boyer ), of Mis- souri ; Winfield S., of this sketch; and Louisa J. (Mrs. McFarland), of Belinont County.
Our subject was reared and educated in Bel- mont County and while still a young man com- pleted his reading of law and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He then went as far west as Des Moines, Iowa, to grow up with the country in his profession, but failing health compelled him, nine months later, to return and seek ex- ercise again in an agricultural life. This is a very valuable property and, aside from public duties, Mr. Mechem operates his farm success- fully and during the past couple of years has also optioned some 2,200 acres of coal land. In 1890 he was elected county commissioner and, after serving seven years, is now giving his attention to farming.
Mr. Mechen married Elvira Thornberry. the daughter of Lewis Thornberry, a native of Pennsylvania, but an old resident here, where she was born and the children of this union are : Udell, who married a Miss Lucas, resides at home and they have one daughter, Thelma: William, who is employed at Mount Pleasant with the Upsil Coal Company ; and Ross, who
HEN Y M. ROTHERMUND.
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is at home. Mr. Mechem is a Republican, and in 1880 he served as land appraiser. The relig- ious connection of the family is with the Bel- mont Ridge Christian Church.
HENRY M. ROTHERMUND, a well- known contractor and builder of Martin's Ferry, Ohio, is located at No. 239 6th street, was born at Warnock's station, Belmont Coun- ty, Ohio, December 17, 1857, being a son of Augustus and Hannah ( Specht ) Rothermund.
Augustus Rothermund, the father of our subject, was born in Germany and there learned the building trade. In 1852 he came to Amer- ica, and joined his brother, Frederick, who was already located at Wheeling, (West) Vir- ginia. There he followed his trade and did much of his building and contracting in Bridgeport and Martin's Ferry. His work was of a character that advertised him and he became well known through the county. His death occurred at the age of 69 years, his wife having passed away previously in her 48th year. Both parents of our subject were consis- tent and worthy members of the German Lu- theran Church. A family of nine children was born to them, as follows: William, who died when 40 years of age; Henry M. ; Charles, who is a partner with Henry M., and resides in Martin's Ferry; Lewis, deceased, lived but 26 years, but was a prominent man in Martin's Ferry, being a leading grocer, and president of the City Council at the time of his death; Hannah ( Mrs. Moore) lives in Martin's Ferry ; August (1), deceased; August, who does the plastering for his brothers' contract buildings ; Caroline, who is deceased; and Louisa, who died at the age of six years from lockjaw.
Our subject obtained his education in the public schools at Martin's Ferry, beginning at the age of 16 years to learn his trade with his father, working. thus until 23 years old, and then started independently in the same business. Mr. Rothermund has a skill in his work not possessed by all contractors and builders. He acts so honestly with the public that he has
gained the full confidence of the people of Mar- tin's Ferry and Bridgeport. He has done much of the work in both cities and has plastered as many as 78 buildings in one year. There is one peculiarity about our subject, and that is that if he thinks he cannot finish work in the specified time he will not undertake the job, and in this way the public has grown to trust his word and to secure his services if possible. He carries all the best trade in his locality, and takes a just pride in its completeness. Mr. Rothermund is one of the directors in the Ger- man Savings Bank and owns much property of a valuable nature through the city, having at least six acres divided into building lots. Al- though he is no politician, he votes with the Democratic party, but refuses all tenders of office.
Mr. Rothermund was married July 17, 1882, to Minnie Seabright, a native of this county and a daughter of Charles and Louisa Sea- bright, both deceased. The three children born to this union are: Pearl Elizabeth, Lewis Carl and Elwood William. The religious connec- tion of the family is with the German Lutheran Church. Our subject is a very enterprising and public-spirited man and is very highly re- garded in Martin's Ferry, for his integrity of character and good citizenship.
HON. LORENZO DANFORD. Few names in Belmont County carried with them more influence or suggestions of high esteem, than did that of the late Lorenzo Danford, who for many years was identified with so many of the leading interests of the county and was such an able representative of its bar.
Like the majority of public men, Lorenzo Danford was born and reared on a farm. His birth took place in Belmont County, Ohio, Oc- tober 18, 1829, being a son of Samuel Danford. His primary education was acquired in the public schools. Later he entered college at Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, beginning the study of law at the age of 23 years, under the tutelage of Carlo C. Carroll, of St. Clairsville,
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Ohio. His admission to the bar was in 1854. Almost immediately he took a leading position in political life, great questions then coming forward in national affairs. Ile made his en- trance into political life as a Whig and was a member of the State electoral ticket in 1856, supporting Millard Fillmore for President. After the dissolution of the Whig party, Mr. Danford cast his fortunes with the newly-born Republican party, and was its ardent supporter and a prominent member in its councils for a period of 40 years. In 1857 he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney of Belmont County, and was re-elected in 1859, resigning this office, with characteristic patriotism, to enter the army in 1861.
Mr. Danford organized Company E. of the 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he was elected 2nd lieutenant, but was later promoted to be Ist lieutenant, and still later captain, hold- ing this rank until August 1, 1864, when he resigned his position on account of failing health. The first election of Mr. Danford to Congress was in 1872, when he defeated John A. Bingham, of the war period renown. In 1876 he was returned by his constituents, and in 1878 he disappointed them by a strenuous refusal to receive further honors. It was not until 1894 that he was again prevailed upon to be his party's standard-bearer and then he was elected by a large majority. In 1898 he was re-elected for the term beginning March 1, 1899, and thus some two years yet remained of his service when death closed his earthly career. While in Congress he introduced many important measures and was a member of the committee which was sent to Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida, in the Tayes- Tilden contest. He took a bold stand in re- gard to immigration and was chairman of the committee on that subject. It was no secret that he was pressed to accept the Governorship of Ohio when Mr. Hayes was last elected, and had Mr. Danford belonged to the class of scheming, trafficking politicians that dominate public affairs too often, he might have reached greater eminence in the party's councils.
The personal feeling for Mr. Danford in
Belmont County was of a most flattering na- ture. During the war he was seriously shot by sharpshooters and was carried from the field to a hospital, thought to be mortally wounded, but recovered and returned to his duties to the great delight of his fellow citizens. In what is remembered as the great "S" trestle wreck, he was one of the injured passengers, and was terribly lacerated about the head and also internally injured, to such a degree that the Wheeling papers published his obituary with the most heartfelt expressions of sorrow. These papers he read later, saying that he wanted to live long enough to vote once more for General Grant. One of the great acts of his life he felt to have been the casting of his electoral vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860, and he was wont to refer to it through later years, with expressions of pleasure.
Personally, Mr. Danford was a warm- hearted, affable man and had many friends and ardent admirers. His success in political life was due to the enthusiasm of his friends rather than to his personal efforts and it was with the greatest difficulty that he was induced to re- enter the poltical arena, in 1894, to contest for the Belmont delegation against his old political rival, Col. C. L. Poorman. His career as an attorney was not less illustrious than as a poli- tician. He was an adroit practitioner and he scorned the technical tricks with which some attorneys win cases, giving fair and honorable treatment to his opponents. His eloquence as a speaker won for him many closely contested cases and his fame extended all over Ohio. In all his practice he never was an attorney for any railroad or corporation and always gave his best efforts to preserve the interests of the common people.
Quoting from the "History of the Upper Ohio Valley":
"ITon. Lorenzo Danford, son of Samuel Danford, a prominent farmer of this county, and who was a conspicuous figure of his day, and served the people in various official posi- tions with much intelligence and great ability. As Congressman, as an orator upon questions of politics and statesmanship and as a lawyer
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of breadth and power, he was one of the dis- tinguished men of Eastern Ohio. In criminal practice his fame was particularly widespread as one of the foremost in that branch of his profession.'
Quoting from The St. Clairsville Chronicle: "Hon. Lorenzo Danford had a wide reputa- tion as an attorney of great learning and skill and as an orator. His speeches in the House of Representatives as well as his addresses to the bench evince an ability for trenchant argu- ment possessed by few men. He is deserving of the esteem accorded him for his successful career, as it is the result of constantly exercised energy directed by noble purpose."
On October 7, 1858, Mr. Danford was mar- ried to Anna H. Cook, who died October 7, 1867, leaving three children: William C., Jolin M., and Thomas J. On October 27, 1870, he married Mary M. Adams, of Belmont County,-a daughter, Carrie Lee, being born to this union. The death of Hon. Lorenzo Danford took place at the residence of John Sidebottom, near Loydsville, Ohio, on June 19, 1899, in his 7Ist year. A cold contracted during the funeral services over his father de- veloped into "la grippe," with complications, although the immediate cause of collapse was heart failure. The obsequies were conducted according to the simple and impressive cere- mony of Drummond Post, Grand Army of the Republic, after the general services were con- ducted by Rev. Thomas Balph, assisted by Rev. J. S. Secrest, both of the Methodist Church.
William C. Danford, the eldest son of Hon. Lorenzo Danford, was born in St. Clairsville, and there received his education. Through the kind interest of President Garfield, he was ap- pointed a United States mail clerk, a position he has filled with credit for 25 years. On June 19, 1886, he was united in marriage with Mattie Judkins, a native of Monroe County, Ohio, and a daughter of Joel and Jane Jud- kins, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Judkins is an honored resident of St. Clairs- ville. Mrs. Danford belongs to the Methodist Church.
John M. Danford, the second son of Hon. Lorenzo Danford, died at the age of 27 years, and Thomas J. is a resident of St. Clairsville. The sister of the above, and the daughter of Hon. Lorenzo Danford, by his second mar- riage, is a woman of education and force of character, well worthy of so illustrious a father. She is a graduate of the Ohio State Medical University and a trained nurse. Through the personal interest of President McKinley, a friend of the family, she was ap- pointed a nurse in the army in the Philippine Islands, where for two years she has given efficient service. After a visit to old friends in Ohio, she intends to return to her noble work in the Orient.
ROBERT C. MONTGOMERY. Among the leading business men of Martin's Ferry is Robert C. Montgomery, who conducts a first- class grocery, located at No. 729 Broadway. Mr. Montgomery was born in Marshall Coun- ty, West Virginia, January 9, 1869, being a son of Joseph B. and Elizabeth A. (Caswell) Montgomery. The former was born in West Virginia, while the latter was a native of Massachusetts.
The grandparents of Mr. Montgomery were William and Elizabeth ( Blakemore) Mont- gomery, both of whom were born in West Vir- ginia, when the State was still a part of the Old Dominion. William Montgomery was a cooper by trade, and in his shop his four sons learned the business. Ilis children were as follows: George, Joseph B., James, William, Emma, Elizabeth, Amanda, Mary, Oella and Henrietta. George served three years in the Civil War, participated in many battles, was once severely wounded in the shoulder. George lives on Wheeling Island. James died at the age of 24 years. William resides at Martin's Ferry and is employed at the tin mill. Einina J. is the widow of John Hawn and resides in Wheeling, Elizabeth is the widow of Josiah C'aswell, who was the brother of Robert C. Montgomery's mother. Amanda married Al-
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bert Ferguson, and both are deceased. Mary married Ilarry Jump, who is engaged in the dry goods business at Martin's Ferry. Oella married Charles Wells and resides on the Is- land. Henrietta died at the age of six years. William Montgomery was a son of Thomas Montgomery, who was one of the early settlers in West Virginia, and was born near Shepherdstown, in 1815, and was a farmer by occupation. In 1858 he married Elizabeth Blakemore, who died in 1888.
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