USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 90
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
Samuel McMaster was reared on his father's farm and remained there until some- time later than 1830, when he moved upon the farm occupied by his son, in section 31, range 3,-a tract of 152 acres. Here Mr. Mc- Master resided until the fall of 1900, when he removed to the home of a daughter, Mrs. A. D. Creamer, living near Jacobsburg. The mother of our subject was born in March, 1817, on the Duncan farm, near St. Clairs- ville, and removed in the "thirties" to Smith township, near Jacobsburg. She was a daughter of Patrick and Ella (Dowler) Gregory, natives of Ireland, who died at Jacobsburg and both were interred in that vicinity. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory were: Thomas, Wesley, Pauline,
Jimmy, Martha, Ella, Betsey, Sarah A. and Hannah. Mrs. McMaster died in January, 1901.
The marriage of the parents of our sub- ject took place in 1834, and they had a famn- ily of seven sons and one daughter born to them, namely: Robert, who died in 1859, aged 22 years; William W., who resides on a farm near Glencoe, Richland township; John W., emigrated to Kansas in 1883 and lives near Wichita, in Sedgwick County, having lived on a part of the Miles land in this county,-he married Margaret Porter- field in 1864 and has five daughters and two sons; Dr. J. N., who is a resident of Centre- ville, Belmont County; Thomas J., who is a farmer in section 31, in Mead township; Albert, who died at the age of two years; Alexander, who is the subject of this record; and Emma S., who married A. D. Creamer and lives in Smith township.
Alexander McMaster was reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools of Mead township. It has been his pleasant lot to remain through life in this most desirable part of Mead township, hav- ing always been the home farmer. In 1901 he erected his present handsome residence of eight rooms, which is one of the most com- plete and convenient houses in his locality. Mr. McMaster has given his attention to general farming and stock raising, mainly standard breeds of cattle and sheep, and has been very successful in both lines.
On April, 1877, Mr. McMaster was united in marriage with Melissa Taylor, who was born in October, 1853, and was reared in the same neighborhood as our subject, a daugh- ter of Frazier and Lucy (Remley) Taylor, the latter being a venerated member of her son-in-law's household. The children born to our subject and wife consisted of three sons and three daughters, namely, Flora E., Ross A., Samuel, Ida, Roberta and Delbert.
In politics Mr. McMaster has always been identified with the Democratic party and ex- erts a wide influence in its ranks in his sec- tion. For 27 years his father admirably filled
756
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
the office of justice of the peace and is a man of the utmost reliability and the highest citizenship. Following his father's lead, our subject early became connected with the Masonic body. Samuel McMaster was originally a member of Moriah Lodge, No. 105, but later became a charter member of Weyer Lodge of Centreville, and as he joined the organization in 1844, he is proba- bly the oldest Mason in the county. Our subject belongs to Weyer Lodge, No. 541, of Centreville, Ohio, and St. Clairsville Chap- ter, No. 17, R. A. M. Mr. McMaster with his family attends the Methodist Church at Jacobsburg and is a liberal contributor to its support. Few families in the township are better known or more generally esteemed.
JOHN A. RAMSEY, one of the prominent and successful business men of Key, Belmont County, Ohio, who is engaged in farming and stock dealing and also handling the leading makes of farm machinery, was born in 1860, in Mead township, being a son of Allen and Mary ( Thornborough) Ramsey. Our subject's mother was born in England, but was brought to Ohio when but 18 months old by her father, William Thornborough, who entered land on what is known as the Ramsey Ridge, and which is now the property of Abram Ramsey. Extended mention of Allen Ramsey and other member of the family will be found on other pages of this work.
John A. Ramsey was reared on the home farm and remained there, assisting in the work and attending school, until he reached man- hood. A trip through the great West about this time was a most excellent method of edu- cation; during his 18 months of absence, he visited almost all of the Western States and Territories, spent six months at Portland, Ore- gon, and saw many phases of life and living which, perhaps, made him all the more satis- fied with the advantages and opportunities of- fered in Belmont County. Mr. Ramsey is a large land owner, among his possessions being
a valuable farm of 200 acres in the vicinity of Key, and his elegant residence in this town. For the past two years he has been handling machinery and is extensively engaged in deal- ing in stock.
In 1891 Mr. Ramsey was married to Minnie A. DeLong, who was born in 1870, in Mead township, and four children have been born to this union, namely : Bertha, born April 27, 1895, died April 29, 1895; Gladys, born July 4, 1896; Lena Valletta, born July 31, 1898; and Carrie Wanita, born January 12, 1900. Mrs. Ramsey belongs to a promi- nent county family. Her father, Adam De- Long, was born in Belmont County, June 14, 1827, and died December 26, 1899, being a son of Jonathan DeLong, a native of Penn- sylvania, of German ancestry. In young man- hood Adam DeLong moved to Washington County, Ohio, and during his 10 years of resi- dence there married Mary Ann Flowers, who is a beloved member of Mr. Ramsey's house- hold. After leaving his farm in Washington County, Mr. DeLong lived for a time in Busi- nessburg. removing to Belmont town some seven years prior to his death. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. DeLong were: Tirzah, who died October 26, 1861, aged nine years; John T., who is a farmer near Danbury, Ne- braska, married Annie McHenry of Illinois, and four of their six children survive; Harriet S., who is the widow of William Irwin, who died in 1902, resides at Shadyside, with two sons and three daughters; Samuel M., who married Levada Keyser, lives near Anvil, Ohio; Alvaretta, who married James Hart, re- sides at Belmont and has four sons; Ida M., who married O. S. Hall, died one year later, in 1892; Robert II .; Minnie .A., who became Mrs. Ramsey, was born May 19; 1870; and William 1., who resides at Belmont, engaged as a salesman,-he married Dora Gregg and has two sons. As this family was one of the early ones of the county, more extended mention is interesting.
Jonathan DeLong was born April 25. 1796, in Pennsylvania, and was the first of the family to locate in Belmont County, about
-
757
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
1812. He died February 5, 1868, owning at one time 320 acres of timber land in Mead township. Ilis children were: Rachel, born July 17, 1816, married Robert Watt, and both died at their home near Jacobsburg; Andrew, born October 15, 1817, married Catherine Phillips and they died near Businessburg; Jacob, born July 1, 1819, moved to Washing- ton County, and there married a Miss Hoover and still survives; John, born July 2, 1821, married a Miss Hoover, and died in Washing- ton County ; Samuel, born October 21, 1823, married Margaret Scott and they live in In- diana; Catherine, born May 1, 1825, married a Mr. Wiley and they live in Washington County ; Adam, born June 14, 1827; Sabina, named for her mother, born October 1, 1830, married William Kirkpatrick and they live in Washington County; Jonathan C., born April 7, 1833, died in Washington County; and Martin Luther, born August 4, 1836, married Christiana Trimble and they reside near Lewis' Mills, in Belmont County.
Mr. Ramsey is identified with the Republi- can party. Formerly he was connected with the Farmers' Alliance movement and has al- ways been deeply interested in agricultural ad- vancement. With his family he belongs to the Methodist Church at Jacobsburg. As an upright and honorable citizen, Mr. Ramsey enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens.
MOSES PERKINS, a prominent farmer, stock raiser and dealer, residing in section II, Kirkwood township, Belmont County, was born on the farm now owned by his nephew, Samuel W. Perkins, December 6, 1829. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Hart) Per- kins.
His parents were both natives of Maryland. His father, Sammel, came to Kirkwood town- ship as early as 1802, when the forest had scarcely been touched by the hand of man. He built a shed in which to live until the comple- tion of his house, and the 160 acres which com-
prised his home farm have since been in posses- sion of the Perkins family. He held no offices and was a good farmer, giving that work his entire attention. He served as a private dur- ing the War of 1812, and made an honorable record as a soldier. He died at the age of 73 years, and was survived six years by his wife, who died at the age of 80 years. He and his wife were both faithful members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. To their union were born the following children: Nelson, who farmed in this county until his death at the age of 60 years; Rebecca, the wife of Reuben Mitcalf, died at the age of 75 years; Maria, who died at the age of 20 years ; Cassander, who died at the age of 25 years ; Jonathan, a record of whose life appears in the biography of Samuel W. Perkins; William, a farmer of this county, who died at the age of 60 years; Delilah, who died at the age of 27, was the wife of Fielder Perkins; Letha, who died at the age of 16 years; and Moses, the only sur- viving member of the family. Four of the girls died of scarlet fever within four months.
Moses Perkins was educated in the com- mon schools of his community, and as a boy assisted in the work upon the farm. He has disposed of 60 acres of the original tract held by him, but retains some 100 acres, which are planted to wheat and corn for the most part. The land is well improved and is underlaid with coal which has never been leased or sold. He is one of the reliable citizens of his town- ship, and wherever known is held in the high- est esteem.
Mr. Perkins was joined in marriage No- vember II, 1853, with Rebecca J. Murphy, a native of this county and a daughter of L. D. and Elizabeth Murphy, the father a native of Ohio and the mother, of Maryland. She is one of nine children, the others being: Delilah, who resides in Wisconsin, is widow of George Weeden, who was killed as a soldier in the Union Army; Brice M., a farmer, living in Wisconsin ; Sarah J., wife of David Majors, of Kirkwood township; A. C., deceased; Asbury, a farmer of Kirkwood township; Hamilton, a farmer of Kirkwood township; James A., de-
758
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
ceased ; and L. D., deceased, who was a farmer in Belmont County and later in Wisconsin.
Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have three children : Elizabeth, wife of Wilson McWilliams, a farmer of the county, has four children liv- ing,-Weldie, Campsie, Frederick, and Eva B .; Mary F., wife of O. B. Groves, a contract plasterer of Barnesville, has six children,- Forest and Belle, deceased, Gertrude, Everett, Moses and Willard; and Rosa I., who married Colbert Sheppard, and both are deceased, leav- ing one child, Mary Ethel, who married Oliver M. Smith, September 6, 1902. Mrs. Perkins is a member of the , Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN CARLILE, a dealer in lumber and builders' supplies in St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio, and also a general farmer, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, January 3, 1846. He is a son of James and Elizabeth ( Da- vidson) Carlile.
James Carlile, an aged citizen of St. Clairs- ville, was born in Ireland, where for many years he was a miller. His mill, which was lo- cated on a high hill, was run by wind, and he ground corn, wheat, and rye. He came to America in 1853. During the voyage, which lasted seven weeks and three days, a most ter- rible storm was encountered, which continued for 12 hours. Mr. Carlile landed in New York, where he remained for a brief period, and then went to Wheeling, West Virginia. After a short time, he located in St. Clairs- ville. There he followed various lines of bus- iness, such as teaming, and hauling dry goods and lumber from Wheeling to St. Clairsville, before the time of railroads. Ile then settled on 13 acres of land near St. Clairsville, where he farmed and reared his family. He married Elizabeth Davidson, and they had two chil- dren,-John, and Annie, who died in her 26th year. James Carlile is now 92 years old, and is a well-known figure in St. Clairsville.
John Carlile was schooled in St. Clairsville, and after his school days were over he went to Wheeling to learn a trade. He learned the
trade of blacksmithing under Samuel J. Elle- fritz, and followed that line of work for three years. Later, he worked as a blacksmith for Busby & Little, carriage manufacturers, of Wheeling, West Virginia. He then did black- smithing in St. Clairsville, under the firm name of Martin & Carlile. This partnership lasted for two years, when Mr. Carlile bought Mr. Martin's interest, and was engaged in the carriage and general blacksmithing business, alone, for 15 years. In 1881, he entered the lumber business, having the only lumber yard in St. Clairsville, and in this he is very suc- cessful. In addition to the lumber business, he owns a farm in Richland township, and car- ries on farming. Mr. Carlile is an excellent business man, is conscientious and energetic, and his success has been due entirely to his own diligence and perseverance.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage March 7, 1880, to Eugenie Johnston, a native of Belmont County, and a daughter of B. R. and Margaret ( Buffington) John- ston. Mr. Carlile and his wife have five chil- dren, namely : Walter D., a clerk for the Scott Lumber Company, at Martin's Ferry, Ohio; Annie E., a bookkeeper in her father's office; Mary M., who is at home; James R., who as- sists his father in the lumber business; and Gertrude, who is in school.
Mr. Carlile and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Masonic blue lodge in St. Clairsville. In every way, he is a good and enterprising citi- zen, and worthy of the respect in which he is held.
A. W. WILCOX, justice of the peace at Bethesda, Goshen township, Belmont County, also carries on general farming, leading the life of a most intelligent and active citizen. He was born February 12, 1854, and his parents were Isaac and Parthena (Fletcher) Wilcox, natives of Belmont County.
Mr. Wilcox was educated in the common schools and took a more comprehensive course at the Hopedale Normal College and became
-
MATTHEW HENDERSON.
MRS. MIRANDA P. HENDERSON.
763
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
a teacher in country schools. During the last years he taught, as well as afterward, he held the office of township clerk, after which he entered the mercantile business at Ozark, Mon- roe County, Ohio. In 1887 he removed to Goshen township, where he purchased a farm, and has been a farmer ever since.
September 30, 1885, he was united in mar- riage with Frances A. Patterson, a daughter of William and Harriet Patterson, both of whom are deceased. They were blessed with one child, Hazel D., and in her their hopes are centered.
Politically our subject is a thorough believer in the principles set forth by the Republican party. Mr. Wilcox is a liberal patron and be- liever of the Chautauqua Assembly, which is located in Goshen township, this county. Fra- ternally, he is a member of Belmont Lodge, No. 277, I. O. O. F., of Belmont, Ohio.
JOHN LARUE HENDERSON and ROB- ERT PATTERSON HENDERSON, prom- inent farmers of Wheeling township, Belmont County, Ohio, are sons of Matthew Henderson, and grandsons of Andrew Ilenderson.
Matthew Henderson was united in marriage with Miranda Perrian, who was born in New York City and whose ancestors at an early day moved from Holland to France and at a later day became established in America. One, Jacob Perrian, was surveyor for William Penn and entered some land, where the city of Phil- adelphia now stands, and, it is said, leased it for 99 years. Peter Perrian, father of Mrs. Henderson, moved to Ohio in 1821 and in 1822 established an old wheat mill in Belmont Coun- ty. He subsequently moved to Harrisville, and then to Monroe County. He died at the age of 85 years, and his wife died four years later at the age of 85 years. They had seven chil- dren, all of whom are now deceased. Matthew Henderson and Miranda Perrian were married on Wheeling Creek in Belmont County in 1831, and there passed the remainder of their lives, the former dying in September, 1862, and the
latter, March 1, 1887. To them were born the following children: William P., deceased ; John Larue; Wilson; Leander, deceased; Ed- ward, deceased; Matthew C., who was never married and lives in Colerain township; Peter P., deceased; Andrew J .; Alexander, deceased ; Mary P., deceased; Miranda, deceased, and Robert Patterson.
John Larue Henderson was born in Wheel- ing township, two miles below his present farm, August 6, 1833. IIe took to farming at an early day and has since continued in that occupation with unvarying success. He has 122 acres of land and follows general farming and stock raising. He enlisted in 1864 in the 100-day service, participating in several hard fought battles. He has never married. In poli- tics he has always been a stalwart Republican. Religionsly, he was baptized in the old Se- ceders' Presbyterian Church.
Robert Patterson Henderson was born where his residence now stands in Wheeling town- ship, June 8, 1855, and has followed farm- ing all his life, remaining at home until after his marriage. He moved to Oregon, where he lived some 14 months, then moved to Okla- homa Territory. where he was the first man that ever sowed wheat in Pottawatomie Coun- ty, hauling the seed a distance of 72 miles with ox-teams. In 1891 he was married to Mary C. Dietrich, a daughter of Philip Dietrich of West Wheeling. Her parents are of German descent, and she is one of 12 children, all of whom are now living but John. To this union was born one child, Mabel Esther, born May 4, 1892, in Linn County, Oregon.
W. W. GIFFEN, one of the most success- ful farmers of Mead township, Belmont County, owns and occupies a fine farm in the vicinity of Businessburg, the location of his spacious brick residence being on a high hill and commanding an extended view over miles of country.
W. W. Giffen was born in Monroe County, Ohio, and he is a son of John and Nancy
764
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
(Adams) Giffen, who were married in Belmont County, although the former was born in Scot- land in 1819, and the latter, in Pennsylvania, in 1828. Both parents are beloved and hon- ored members of their son's household.
John Giffen was a son of William and Isa- bel (Reed) Giffen, who emigrated from Scot- land to America, in 1820, settling first in Penn- sylvania, but in the following spring pushing on into Belmont County, Ohio, where they lo- cated on McMechen's Creek. Later they re- moved to Pleasant Hill. In the spring of 1846 their son, John Giffen, removed to Monroe County, and remained there until 1866, when he returned to Belmont' County and purchased the farm where he resides with his son. This was known as the William Warren farm, and the large and substantial residence was erected by William Warren. Here John Giffen most successfully pursued an agricultural life, ac- cumulated a competency and for a number of years has lived a retired life. During many years he was prominently identified with public affairs in the township, most efficiently filled many of the local offices, and on many occa- sions served as trustee. He is known as a man of the highest integrity and one whose word needs no legal measure to make it binding. A family of 10 children was born to Jolin and Nancy ( Adams) Giffen, their names being as follows: Isabel, the wife of David Johnson, a farmer living near St. Clairsville; W. W., of this sketch, who is unmarried ; James A., a res- ident of Licking County, Ohio, who married Jane Cooke, and has these children,-Law- rence, Otto, Wilma, Clara, Annie, Sarah and Jennie: John, A., of Licking County, who is unmarried ; Sarah J., who died some years ago; Orleana, who resides at home; Letitia, who married Joseph Main, of Delaware County, Ohio, and has one child,-Nancy Lavella ; Matthew, who is unmarried, is a resident of Morrow County; Archie, who is a resident of Delaware County, married Martha Main, and has three children, -- Lloyd, Alta and Alma (twins) ; and Elizabeth, who died in 1882.
Our subject is an experienced, careful, prac- tical farmer, and for a considerable period he
has given much attention to the breeding of high grade stock, thoroughbred cattle and sheep, his healthy flocks of National Delaine sheep and herds of sleek Durham cattle testi- fying to his gratifying success. In politics, Mr. Giffen is identified with the Democratic party. The family belongs to the United Pres- byterian Church and attend services at Pleas- ant Hill. This family is very well known through Belmont County, where they have at- tained prominence in agricultural circles and are socially representative. The beautiful old home is often the scene of family reunions, the aged parents being the center of the group, happy in the knowledge that their children have grown to be not only a credit to them, but also to the county.
GEORGE K. PHILLIPS, postmaster at Glencoe, Richland township, Belmont County, and chief clerk of the Belmont Coal Company at this point, and well known through his par- ticipation in other business enterprises, was born in Goshen township, near Belmont, in 1870, being a son of Ralph W. and Margaret (Dermott) Phillips.
Ralph W. Phillips was born in 1834, in Goshen township and is a representative farmer of Belmont County. For 20 years he was a successful teacher and for HI years has been township trustee. His wife was born in 1836, in Ireland. At the age of ten years she came to America with her parents, Thomas and Mar- garet Dermott, who now reside in Goshen township. The children born to our subject's parents were : William, who died at the age of three years; Jennie, who married Edward C. Michael, United State Express agent, at Bel- laire, and they have two children; Lawrence, who operates a well drill, resides at Belmont,- lie married Rachel Eckles and they have four children ; and George K.
George K. Phillips obtained his education in the public schools at Belmont. and was 16 years old when he taught his first term of school, at Wood Grove, Union township, and
765
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
continued to teach at the one place for three successive years. For a period he successfully operated a farm in Belmont County and then became the owner and operator of the Belmont Roller Mills, remaining with this plant for four years. In Febru- ary, 1902, he was made chief clerk of the Belmont Coal Company, and for 18 months previous to this date he was head shipping clerk of the Bellaire Bottle Company. He was appointed postmaster of Glencoe in 1902. In politics he is an active Republican and takes much interest in the success of the candidates and measures of this party.
In 1894, Mr. Phillips was married to Della M. Lewis, who was born in Goshen township, a daughter of John I. and Mary J. Lewis, and two children have been born to this union, viz. : Nellie M., born in 1896, and William, in 1899. Mr. Phillips is an enterprising and successful business man, who is awake to the demands of the times, and through stability of character enjoys the confidence of his employers as well as the public.
GEORGE A. KORNER. Among the suc- cessful and busy men of York township, is George A. Korner, a well-known farmer and dairyman, and also a business man who for some years has been identified with the coal in- terests of both Belmont and Monroe counties.
Mr. Korner is of German extraction, born in York township, Belmont County, in 1853. He is a son of Henry and Doris (Dempewolf) Korner, the latter of whom was born in Ger- many and died in Ohio, in 1895, aged 82 years. Henry Korner, the father, was born in 1810, in Germany and about the time of his majority came to the United States, finding his first em- ployment in the lumber regions of the State of New York. His adopted country was at that time having some differences with France, and the young man enlisted in the United States Navy, as a member of a band, and on the his- toric old ship "Constitution" cruised through the Mediterranean and stopped at many Euro-
pean ports during his four years of service. After all this travel, Mr. Korner selected Bel- mont County, Ohio, as his choice of residence, and at Steinersville, York township, he en- gaged in a mercantile business for several years. He then purchased the farm near the town, now owned by our subject, and engaged in farming until 1881, when his death oc- curred. Mr. Korner married Doris Dempewolf and they reared a family of seven children, as follows: Theodore, who is a resident of Portsmouth, Virginia; Gustavus, who resides at Bradford, Pennsylvania; Louisa (Mrs. Ag- gers), who resides in Seattle, Washington; Lewis, who is a resident of Prairie Depot, Ohio; George A .; Albert, a resident of Colum- bus, who was formerly a teacher in Belmont County ; and Dr. Alexander, who practices his profession at Woodsfield, Ohio.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.