Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 89

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 89

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Belmont County has been the chosen home of James W. Martin, all his early associations being connected with Goshen township. After completing the common school course he went

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to Wheeling, where he took a course at the Wheeling Business College, graduating in March, 1880. Owning so large an acreage of land, his farming and stock raising has been on a rather extensive scale; in former years he gave much attention to sheep raising. In Goshen township his farm contains 225 acres and he also owns 40 acres adjoining the town of Bethesda where he has already laid out one addition and sold lots, this beautiful little town attracting buyers of homes from all over the State.

Although a good farmer and a fine man of business, Mr. Martin is probably better known in the county on account of his prominence in politics. In the spring of 1880 he was elected a justice of the peace, when but 22 years of age, and he was, no doubt, the youngest in the State, and he served with great acceptability for three terms, or nine years, and has served ever since that time, continuously, as notary public. For some years he was the popular postmaster, and his late election as county commissioner not only testifies to the valuation in which he is held by his party, but also is a matter of congratulation to his many friends who know his eminent fitness for public life. From 1880 to 1883, with Joseph G. Bolon, he was engaged in a mercantile business at Hun- ter, and during this time was the Republican appointee to the office of postmaster.

On November 8, 1884, Mr. Martin was married to Roxy L. Langle, who was born November 14, 1858, in Belmont County, and is a daughter of Abraham and Sidney A. (Wilson) Langle, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, and the latter in Ohio. Mr. Langle died in 1891, aged about 90 years ; his widow still survives and lives in Goshen township at the age of 68 years. Mrs. Mar- tin was the third member of her parents' fam- ily, the others being as follows: Isaac II., who is a farmer in Arkansas, married Lizzie Gooderich and they have four children,- Grover, William, Mace and Clara; Theodore F., who married Mary Grooms, died in 1902, his wife being also deceased, their son, How- ard, living with his grandfather Grooms;

Mary F. ; Elsie A. ; and William E., who mar- ried Rachel A. Moore of Hunter.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin lost an unnamed in- fant, their three surviving children being : Nel- lie L., born September 12, 1884; Corwin A., born March 12, 1889; and Hillis Ernest, born April 19, 1902. Warren J., born September 12, 1900, died June 20, 1901. Mrs. Martin and her daughter both belong to the Baptist Church.

WILLIAM STANTON, one of Belmont County's enterprising citizens, is a representa- tive of a family which can trace an ancestry as far back in the past as 1600, but is a man who requires no such lineage to assure him the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens in and around the pleasant village of Tacoma. As postmaster, farmer and man of large business interests, he receives consideration, while his estimable character as a private citizen brings him the confidence and friendship of those with whom he comes into contact.

Henry Stanton, the paternal grandfather of William, was born in North Carolina, and in youth accompanied his mother to Ohio, passing the remainder of his life here. His son Joseph Stanton, the father of William, was born near Mount Pleasant, Ohio, in 1812, and died in 1859. He married Mary, a daughter of S. and Elizabeth Hodgin, natives of Georgia and residents of Belmont County, Ohio. Their children were the following: William, of this .sketch; Eli, deceased; Anna, the wife of Nath- an Bundy; Eunice, deceased; and Elizabeth, the wife of L. P. Bailey.

William Stanton was born September 15, 1839, in Warren township and was reared on his father's farm and was educated at the Friends' Boarding School, at Mount Pleasant. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Jane S. Davis, daughter of Francis and Mary Davis, both na- tives of Ohio. The ten children of this union were named as follows: Eva T., Mary D., de- ceased ; Joseph F. ; Francis W., deceased ; John L., deceased ; Elwood D .; Anna C ; Edna M. and Ellen D., twins; William Macy.

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In 1867, together with W. K. Tipton, our subject settled two miles east of Barnesville, on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and in 1871 engaged in the nursery business, occupying 25 acres of land, erecting here a greenhouse 22 by 40 feet in dimensions, and an additional 67 acres which was partially set out in orchard. This land is situated in the north- west corner of section 4. This business con- tinued from 1871 until 1873, when our subject bought Mr. Tipton's interest and has since then operated the nursery and greenhouse alone. llis careful attention and wise and judicious experimenting and cultivation have resulted in a prosperity which has made him one of the leading fruit growers of the county. In 1894 Mr. Stanton was one of the organizers of a company which erected a creamery on a tract of his land, on section 10, a two-story frame house, with a modern dairy attached. Since that time Mr. Stanton has gradually bought all the stock of the company with the exception of one-seventh, and is practically its sole owner. It was through the influence of Mr. Stanton that a post office was established at this point in February, 1887, by President Cleveland, and on March 15th following our subject took charge.

Mr. Stanton is one of the leading citizens in his locality. With his family he attends the Friends' Meeting, to which religious body his family has long belonged. He has never had any political aspirations, preferring a life de- voted to congenial business enterprises.

ELISHA A. MOBERLY, whose fine farm and comfortable home attracts general attention and favorable comment from the traveler through Smith township, Belmont County, is one of the practical and successful farmers and stock raisers of his locality. The farm is one which has been in the possession of the Mo- berly famly for several generations, the grand- parents of Elisha A. settling in Smith town- ship when it was an almost unbroken wilderness. They were real pioneers, coming

to Ohio from Virginia, sturdy and stout of heart. It is related of the brave grandmother that she, with two little children, remained alone in the wilderness while her husband cul- tivated the field of corn for their sustenance, many miles away. These courageous ances- tors have long since passed away, together with their children, but their grandchildren enjoy the results of their energy.

Elisha A. Moberly was born in 1841 and was reared in Smith township. He is a son of Reason and Julia Ann ( Arvin) Moberly, the former of whom was born in Virginia, in 18II and was brought a child of two years to Belmont County by his parents, John and Lucy Moberly. John Moberly located first in 1813 in Pultney Bottom, near Bellaire, moved then to Licking County, but soon returned to Belmont County, settling first in Richland township, but in 1816 entering a farm of 80 acres in Smith township, in section 19. His /brother Thomas also took up So acres and our subject now owns 120 acres of the 160-acre tract.

Reason Moberly, the father of Elisha A., was one of seven children, and the eldest of the family, the others being: William, Rebecca, Catherine, the wife of Cornelius Barkis; Joshua, John and Lucinda. In 1839 he was united in marriage with Julia Ann Arvin, who was born in 1814, a daughter of Elisha Arvin, and came with her mother and half-brother to Belmont County in 1826. The other members of her family have all passed away and her death took place in 1875 within two weeks of that of her husband. They left a family of five children, as follows: John W., who is a carpenter in Harvey County, Kansas; Elisha A .; Henrietta, who lives on the home place in Smith township; Henry, who lived on a part of the old farm, died in 1901 ; and Lucy, who resides on the old farm. Joshua TI. died in infancy.

Mr. Moberly has resided on the old farm practically all his life, engaged in general farming and stock raising, and owns 210 acres. One valuable farm, located cast of the one he occupies, is owned by him in partnership with

MORGAN PUGII.

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his sisters. He has taken an interested part in township politics, voting the Republican ticket. In 1865 he married Eliza Jane McGaughy, born in 1838 in Smith township, the eldest of five children of Cyrus McGaughy, the others being : William, who died in infancy ; Saralı, Mrs. Daniel Myers, living near Kelsey station ; Thomas, residing at the old farm, and Mary Sabina, deceased, who was the wife of Wil- liam Clifford. The one child born our sub- ject and wife is Thomas H., born in 1868, who married Elizabeth J. Warnock, daughter of Lawson Warnock of Smith township,-they reside in the old home. The religious connec- tion of the family is with the Concord Pres- byterian Church. They are people of sub- stance and prominence in Smithi township.

MORGAN PUGH, a member of one of the most prominent old families of Washington township, Belmont County, was born on his present farm, June 3, 1832, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Pittman) Pugh, and a grandson of Jesse Pugh.

Jesse Pugh was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, whence he came, about 1800, to Belmont County, Ohio. He cleared a large tract of land at the mouth of Pea Vine Creek, and found- ed a family which later became so numerous in the vicinity that it gave the name to Pugh Ridge. Here Jesse Pugh died, having reared these children: John, Morgan, David, Sam- uel, Elizabeth and Sarah, all of whom have passed out of life.

Samuel Pugh, the fourth son of Jesse, was born July 3, 1804, in York township, Belmont County, and died during the Civil War. His wife, Sarah ( Pittman) Pugh, was born May 3, 1811, and died March 21, 1875. She was a daughter of Jacob Pittman and was born in Monroe County, Ohio. They were parents of the following children : Edwin, Edward, Mor- gan, Melinda, Gordon, Samuel, Rebecca Jane, Sarahı Ann, Helen, Clarissa, Louisa, Elizabeth, Matilda, Thomas J. and Lovina E. Edwin,

who was born October 8, 1830, resides in Mis- souri. Edward, the twin of Edwin, died Octo- ber 3, 1838. Melinda, who is deceased, was born October 7, 1833. Gordon, who was born February 15, 1835, resides in Beallsville, Mon- roe County, and still owns land on Pugh Ridge in Washington township, this county. Samuel, who was born July 27, 1837, resides in Iowa. Rebecca Jane, who was born February 9, 1839, died in 1900, in Virginia. Sarah Ann, who was born November 3, 1840, married J. S. Davis, and they reside in the vicinity of the old home. Helen, who was born January 28, 1842, married John F. Mc Williams, and re- sides in West Virginia. Clarissa, who was born September 8, 1843, died October 13, 1844. Louisa, who was born May 8, 1845, died May 7, 1846. Elizabeth, who was born January 27, 1847, married Jason D. Hendershot of Washington township. Matil- da, who was born January 9, 1849, died March 8, 1851. Thomas J., who was born in 1852, re- sides on the home farm in Washington town- ship. He married Susan Ruble, who was born May 21, 1858, and is a daughter of Daniel Ruble, a pioneer of York township, and they have these children,-Mary Blanche, Ira Ross, Zella, Leah Alice and Carrie Bell. Lovina E., who was born February 8, 1855, is the wife of Abraham Workman, and resides in West Virginia. Samuel Pugh made his home on Pugh Ridge and at the time of his death owned 600 acres of land, which became the property of his children.

Morgan Pugh was reared and obtained his education in Washington township. This fer- tile part of Belmont County has always been his home and here he owns a quarter section of well-improved land, devoting his energies to general farming and stock raising. Being a man of practical ideas and excellent business capacity, he has prospered and is justly regard- ed as being one of the solid men of the town- ship.

In 1857 our subject was united in marriage with Hannah Noffsinger, a daughter of John Noffsinger, of Belmont County, and they had one son, Cadmus, who died in infancy. In

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politics, Mr. Pugh is a Democrat, and has served as school director very acceptably. Fra- ternally, he belongs to the lodge of Odd Fel- lows, formerly of Armstrong's Mills. Re- ligiously, he favors the Christian Church.

THOMAS W. BRANSON, superintend- ent and manager of the Belmont County Chil- dren's Home, which is located near Barnes- ville, Ohio, is conceded to be the most thorough and competent manager that insti- tution has ever had. Mr. Branson was born October 29, 1854, in Brownsville, Pennsyl- vania, and he is a son of Aaron and Frances (Crawford) Branson, whose family consisted of six children. Our subject's father wasborn in Flushing township, Belmont County, Ohio, April 4, 1811, and he was a son of Jacob Branson, Sr. Aaron Branson during his active life was largely engaged in the manufacture of implements. He died in 1876, and was survived by his widow until March 25, 1887. She was a daughter of Richard and Priscilla Crawford.

Thomas W. Branson was reared and edu- cated mainly in Flushing township. When grown to manhood he followed the fortunes of a stationary engineer until 1886. He then engaged in the hardware business in Barnes- ville, which occupied his attention until 1896. May 1, 1895, he was appointed superintend- ent and manager of the Belmont County Children's Home, and by his adaptability and fitness for the place he has been retained ever since. This institution is supported by the county, and is one of the best managed concerns of its kind in the State. An ex- tensive history of the Home appears in a different part of this volume.

About 32 children are inmates at the pres- ent time and are under the direct super- vision of our subject, whose personal atten- tion is given to even the small details con- nected with the care and comfort of those in his charge. Being of a kind and cheerful disposition, he has not only made a good

guardian for the otherwise homeless waifs, but is also their faithful friend, while at the same time he curtails all unnecessary ex- pense, practicing economy in every possible way. The trustees of the institution should consider themselves fortunate in securing the services of a man who is naturally so well qualified and adapted to fill the place, and his retention from year to year attests their entire satisfaction and appreciation of his efforts.

On the first day of June, 1882, Mr. Bran- son married Rebecca Patton, an accom- plished daughter of Dr. Patton, who for many years was a leading physician and surgeon of New Athens, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Branson have reared one son, Ernest P., who was born June 14, 1883. The family are faithful attendants of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally, our subject affiliates with the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but has never sought office, being obliged to give his time to the wants and care of the inmates of the llome. He is a man of sterling integrity and good principles, and has attained success by his own endeavors.

OLIVER C. PARKER, one of the well- known and substantial men of Belmont Coun- ty, Ohio, has for many years been identified with farming and stock interests, and now finds a pleasant home, retired from activity, in the prosperous city of Martin's Ferry.

The birth of Mr. Parker occurred on March 24, 1829, in Pease township, Belmont County, Ohio, a son of Joseph and Mary (Judkins) Parker, both of whom were born in North- ampton County, North Carolina, where they were married.

The Parker family is of Welsh origin, and Grandfather Jacob Parker was an example of the best type of that thrifty and energetic people. In 1805 the parents of our subject left their North Carolina farm, with ox-cart and household belongings, and became pioneers

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in Ohio. For a time they lingered in Jefferson County, but later located in Belmont County, where Joseph Parker rented land for 14 years and then bought 100 acres. Our subject now owns all but 14 acres of the original farm. From the Giffen estate Oliver C. Parker pur- chased 231/2 acres, making in all a total of 10912 acres, underlaid with the Pittsburg or No. 8 vein of coal, which is sold. Joseph Parker was born in 1778 and died in April, 1855, hav- ing always been numbered among the useful citizens of the county. The mother of our sub- ject was born in 1787 and died in April, 1871. She was a daughter of James and Martha (Stanton) Judkins, through her mother being related to the great Secretary of War, Ed- win M. Stanton. She was a most estimable woman, and she professed the simple Friend faith. She lived a life of meekness and kind- ness, her gentle touch and sympathizing pres- ence often bringing comfort in the neighboring pioneer homes. Joseph Parker was also a Friend, of the orthodox faith, but as he had been reared in a State where he saw the effects of slavery, he was of a more aggressive spirit, and went great lengths to assist the work of the "Underground Railroad." His abolition ideas had much to do with his settlement in Ohio.

Oliver C. Parker was the ninth member of the family of ten children born to his par- ents, the names being: Abigail, born in 1803, married Joshua Steele, and she died in 1855, aged about 52 years; Jacob, who was a skilled machinist, a builder of threshers, in his day, died on August 21, 1849, aged 43 years; James, who was born in 1809, married Harriet Beck, who died with cholera in 1833 on the farm in Pease township; Dr. William, who was born in 1812, practiced many years in Co- lumbiana County, Ohio, and died at the age of 68 years; Dr. Isaac, who was born in 1815, practiced in Morgan County, Ohio, and died in 1803; Stanton J., who was born in 1818, followed farming and died in 1889; Dr. Jo- seph, who was born in 1821, practiced in Washington County, Ohio, and died in 1885; Anderson, J., who was born in 1824, died on

August 20, 1849,-he lived 100 miles from his brother Jacob and died one day earlier. The parents and relatives were starting to attend the funeral of Anderson, when they were pros- trated still further by the news of the death of Jacob. Anderson was a teacher, had about finished his law course, came home from St. Clairsville, was taken ill with dysentery and died. The tenth member of the family was Martha A., who married Dr. William Van Pelt, and died in 1854, ten months after mar- riage, at the age of 21 years. Thus our sub- ject is the only survivor.

Oliver C. Parker received only the educa- tional training obtainable in the district schools in his vicinity. He was reared on the farm and assisted his father, and, as the youngest son, remained with his parents and gave them filial care until they passed out of life. His early interests were centered in agriculture and he has always followed it, succeeding in his farming and also in his breeding and selling of good stock.

Mr. Parker was married in 1864 to Martha Van Pelt, who was an invalid for 12 years, and died January 3, 1877, having been a patient sufferer. She was a daughter of Jacob and Jane ( Wiley) Van Pelt, of Bel- mont County. The second marriage of Mr. Parker was on October 29, 1879, to Mary Kathleen West, a daughter of and the only surviving member of the fami- ly of Dr. Simon Brown and Mary Zane ( Mar- tin) West. The one child of this union is Si- mon West, who is a druggist, having studied pharmacy since his 15th year, and is now at- tending the College of Pharmacy at Scio, Harrison County, Ohio. Mr. Parker is a man of earnest, thoughtful character. Mrs. Parker is a granddaughter of Ebenezer Mar- tin, who was the founder of Martin's Ferry. Her father, Dr. West, was a practitioner in Pease township for 50 years, a man of skill and reputation. He graduated in 1836 from the Cincinnati Medical College, which has graduated five physicians of the name.

Mr. Parker is not a politician, but takes great pride in casting his vote for the candi-

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dates of the Republican party. Although his first vote was cast for John P. Hale, the Free- Soil candidate in 1852, since the formation of the Republican party he has been a strong sup- porter of its principles. He has never missed a vote for a presidential candidate since 1856. He served four years as trustee of Pease town- ship.

JOHN R. WILSON, a respected resident of Martin's Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio, where he is engaged in the laundry business, was born in Ontario, Canada, March 12, 1864, and is a son of James and Jessie ( Lithgo) Wilson, both natives of Scotland.

James Wilson moved from Scotland to Can- ada with his wife in the early "forties," and there engaged in architecture until 1858, when he moved to Pennsylvania. There he was an carly oil operator and producer at a time when the oil was hauled in wagons to the re- finery, tanks then being not in use. He con- tinued as a producer until his death by paraly- sis April 10, 1880, at the age of fifty-two years. He was a very successful and highly esteemed business man. Ilis wife died De- cember 17, 1881, at the age of fifty-two years. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Wilson was possessed of a fine education and was especially proficient in mathematics. He was a genial, courteous, temperate and industrious man, as highly respected as he was widely known. He and his wife had eight children, as follows : David, who died in infancy; Thomas, a resident of Michigan; James T., of Martin's Ferry, who died August 5, 1902; William L., of Holl- sopple, Pennsylvania; R. K., of Wilson's Laundry, at Bridgeport; John R., subject of this sketch; P. A., a thorough mechanic and marine engineer, located at Erie, Pennsylvania ; and Jessie, who died June 19, 1898, at the age of twenty-five, was wife of A. R. Cochran of Martin's Ferry.

John R. Wilson's education has been mostly self acquired and through contact with the world, as lie received very little schooling.

His first business undertaking was in the laun- dry at Martin's Ferry, which he owns. This he established in March of 1890, and it lias proved an excellent business venture. He is numbered among the substantial and worthy men of the town, and takes part in such enter- prises as to him seems for the best interests of the community.

October 2, 1890, John R. Wilson was united in marriage with Ella C. Ryan of Dayton, Ohio, a daughter of William and Catherine Ryan, natives of Ireland. Her father died December 26, 1880, and her mother December 25, 1899. Both were members of the Roman Catholic Church. To them were born six children, namely : Mary, wife of Michael Ry- an; Katie, deceased, who was wife of Edward Partridge, for many years clerk of courts in Cincinnati, Ohio; Margaret, a resident of Day- ton, Ohio; Hannah, who also resides at Day- ton; Ella C., wife of our subject; and Wil- liam, who died at the age of three years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born four children, as follows: William L .; James C .; John R., Jr. ; and Robert E. Religiously, they are members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is a member of the Ohio City Lodge, No. 486, F. & A. M .; Belmont City Lodge, No. 221, I. O. O. F .; Ohio City Lodge, No. 54, K. of P .; and Bellaire Lodge No. 419, B. P. O. E.

ALEXANDER W. McMASTER, a prominent and representative farmer of Bel- inont County, owning a fine, well cultivated farm in Mead township, is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the oldest families of this locality. He was born in 1853 in Mead town- ship, a son of Samuel and Sarah A. (Gregory) McMaster.

Judge Robert McMaster, the grandfather of Alexander, came from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Belmont County, Ohio, in 1817, accompanied by two children, Samuel and Fanny, the latter the widow of J. A. Weyer, of Powhatan. Grandfather Mc-

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Master located in the section north of our subject's present fine farm, buying land in small tracts until he was owner of many acres. At the time of his settlement in Mead township this part of the county was almost uninhabited, the Taylor and Miles families being about the only residents. "Uncle" Tommy Miles is still recalled as one of the first residents of this section. Ere long, however, other set- tlers came and the cares and respon- sibilities of the community increased along with progress and improvement, and as a man of judgment and force of character, Robert McMaster was called upon to assume prominent positions, serving efficiently as coroner, justice of the peace and as Common Pleas judge. He was a man eminently fitted for public life, and this sec- tion is indebted to him for much of its early development. His first wife died about 1850, and in I851 he married Adeline Rankin, and the one son of this union is Dr. R. O. Mc- Master of the McMaster Hospital of Wheel- ing. Mrs. McMaster spent the last 15 years of her life after the death of her husband with Mrs. Dr. Piper. Judge McMaster died in 1874, aged 83 years. The children of his first marriage were: George, William, An- drew, Henry, Samuel, Fanny, Amanda, Mar- garet and Nancy.

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 89

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