USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 91
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Mr. Korner has engaged in extensive farm- ing operations and lias been also interested in modern dairying. In addition he has given much attention to the optioning of coal lands, both in Belmont and Monroe counties, and is well known through the locality as a keen, suc- cessful man of business enterprise. In the fall of 1901 he built his handsome residence in Steinersville, which, in modern equipment, com- fort and convenience, is not equaled in York township. He has introduced a complete sys- tem of waterworks, finding his supply in a spring on an adjacent hill, this being the first private plant in the township.
On February 22, 1888, Mr. Korner was united in marriage with Clara Stackhouse, a daughter of Joshua Stackhouse, an old pio- neer of the county, and to this union have been born two children,-Doris, aged 12 years, and Waldo, aged 10 years, both of whom are bright pupils at school. Mr. Korner has al- ways been identified with the Democratic party, although no seeker for office, his varied business interests fully occupying the time not filled with personal and social activities. He is very well known in his locality and enjoys a full measure of the esteem of his fellow citi- zens, and is reckoned among the solid men of old York township.
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M. C. STONEBRAKER, one of the prominent farmers and influential citizens of Mead township, Belmont County, was born in March, 1857, on the farm where he new resides, the only son of Ephraim and Martha E. (Granfell) Stonebraker, who were married on December 30, 1852, at Jacobs- burg, Belmont County.
Ephraim Stonebraker was the youngest of a family of 15 children born to his father, Samuel Stonebraker, who was twice married. Ephraim died on the farm where his widow resides with her son and family, near Key station, in March, 1865, aged 35 years. The mother of our subject was born August 12, 1833, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Barnett) Granfell, the former being of Eng- lish descent and the latter of Scotch-Irish. William Granfell was born September 27, 1791, and died in 1837; his wife, born June 4, 1805, died April 13, 1866. Their children were: Martha. E., James, Thomas, Miles, Preston, Mary, who died young, and Mar- garet, who married James Gladdin of Smith township and is also deceased. Mrs. Stone- braker is a niece of one who was so well known and highly regarded in this section that he was universally called "Uncle" Tommy Miles, a very early pioneer. He never married, and at death willed his sec- tion of land to relatives.
Our subject was educated in the district schools and has spent his whole life on his farm, which contains 80 acres of well tilled and productive land, where he has success- fully carried on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Stonebraker erected here a very comfortable house in 1884 and replaced the old one, which serves well as a stable, although under its old roof three genera- tions of the family found shelter for many years. Mr. Stonebraker has leased the old farm and is preparing to remove to Key in order to give his children better educational advantages and to retire from enforced ac- tivity.
In 1878 Mr. Stonebraker was married to Mary Phillips, who was born in Smith town-
ship, in July, 1859, a daughter of James W. and Annie (White) Phillips, the latter of whom has been deceased for some 15 years. The Phillips family was a very early one in Smith township and lived near Jacobsburg station. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Stonebraker are Earl B., born December 8, 1882, who is a graduate of the Wheel- ing Business College and is now a solicitor for the same; and Etta M., who was born May 3, 1891.
In political sentiment Mr. Stonebraker has been a lifelong Democrat, and he has most acceptably served for six years as town- ship trustee and is serving his third term as justice of the peace, his excellent judgment and high standing in the community making him a very popular official. In religious views the family is in accord with the Pres- byterian Church and attend services at the Concord Church.
GEORGE FLOTO, who conducts a meat market on 7th street, Martin's Ferry, and who is one of the excellent citizens of the place, was born in this city on May 5, 1866, a son of Henry and Margaret ( Proler) Floto.
Henry Floto, the father, was born in Ger- many and came to America prior to his mar- riage, leaving his parents and several of his family in the old country. Several brothers live in Steubenville, Ohio. Mr. Floto followed the trade of baker through his active life, and is a well-known and respected citizen of the county, of ample means and is identified with a number of the financial enterprises of Mar- tin's Ferry. He has been president of the board of directors of the old Buckeye glass house, and the People's Savings Bank and of other institutions. Ilis life has been passsed here until within the last few years. Te re- tired from active business although he is but 66 years of age, his wife being some six years his junior. Both are members of the German Lutheran Church. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Floto were the following: George,
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of this sketch; Ada, who assists her brothers in the bakery; Frank, who conducts the bak- ery busines in Martin's Ferry; Henry, who is engaged in the meat business with his brother George; Christopher, who is engaged in the bakery; Emma and William, who reside at home. Two children are deceased.
. George Floto acquired his education in the schools of Martin's Ferry and assisted his fa- ther in the baking business until his health failed him. Since changing his line of work he has regained his health and now has a very prosperous trade. He has been in the meat busi- ness for several years and thoroughly under- stands the wants of the public. He is a stock- holder in the Germania Half-Dollar Savings Bank of Wheeling, and his industry and provi- dent husbanding of his means augur a life of ease in his old age.
On April 12, 1894, Mr. Floto was married to Elizabeth H. Seabright, daughter of Charles and Louisa Seabright, and two children have been born to this union, a bright little son and daughter, Philip HI. and Ruth L. Our subject and wife belong to the German Luth- eran Church. He is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias and also belongs to the Uniform Rank. He takes only a pass- ing interest in politics, but is fully awake to all that will benefit or advance the interests of his community, in this way proving himself a most useful citizen.
GEORGE LAWRENCE RAMSEY, M. D., is a leading physician of York township, Belmont County, Ohio, and a prominent repre- sentative of one of the old and honored pioneer families of the county. Dr. Ramsey was born in Mead township in 1872, being the eldest of the nine children born to his parents, William and Amanda ( Helpbringer) Ramsey, most highly esteemed residents of Mead town- ship.
The carly ancestral history of the Ramsey family reaches back to Ireland, in which land the great-grandfather of Dr. Ramsey was born in1 1772. In 1790 he immigrated to Washing.
ton County, Pennsylvania, where he married a Miss Falconer and in 1818 removed to Bel- mont County, Ohio, as one of the first settlers of Smith township. He left a family of six sons and one daughter, namely : David, John, Samuel, Abram, Allen, Aaron F., and Nellie.
Allen Ramsey, the grandfather of Dr. Ram- sey, was born May 28, 1811, and married Mary Thornborough, in Washington town- ship, Belmont County. The Thornborough family originated in England, the grandmother being a daughter of William and Matilda ( Lazenby) Thornborough, who came to Amer- ica and settled in Belmont County about 1818 and followed an agricultural life in Washing- ton township until death. Mrs. Allen Ram- sey died December 1, 1902, at the age of 86 years.
There were six children in the family of William and Amanda ( Helpbringer ) Ramsey, that grew to maturity, namely: William J., Ellis C., Newell M., Mary T., who married John W. Muster; Eva L., and George Law- rence.
Dr. Ramsey obtained his primary education in the common schools in the vicinity of his birthplace, and as early as the age of 14 years decided upon his life work, thereafter direct- ing his study and reading to that end. When prepared for college, he entered the Ohio Med- ical University at Columbus, Ohio, graduating with much credit, on April 5, 1898. His first location for practice was at Batesville, Noble County, where he remained until the spring of 1901, when he settled at Powhatan Point, pur- chasing there his fine property on the turnpike, and owns one of the handsomest homes in this select neighborhood.
On March 20, 1900, Dr. Ramsey was mar- ried to Luella V. Wilson, a young lady of Charleston, West Virginia, and one child, Newell Wilson, was born to this union, in this county. Dr. Ramsey's fraternal connection is with the Knights of Pythias, of Batesville, and he also belongs to the Belmont County Med- ical Association. Like all his family, the Doc- tor is a strong supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and continues attached
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to the Methodist Church, in which he was care- fully reared by an excellent mother. Dr. Ram- sey sustains the most cordial relations with his brother practitioners, and his ability and skill have been very generally recognized by the community.
WILLIAM DUVALL, who since 1851 has been a resident of Belmont County and is well known as the postmaster and popular general merchant of Businessburg, in Mead township, is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Jefferson County, December 4, 1820.
The parents of Mr. Duvall were Dennis and Mahala (Fowler) Duvall, the former of whom died in Jefferson County and the latter in Mead township at the age of 77 years. Our subject is the only mem- ber of his parents' family surviving, and although the winters of 82 years have somewhat whitened his locks, his physical and mental activity place his years not beyond 50. With the vigor of middle life he manages the details of a large business and makes in person his purchases in Wheeling when necessary to supplement his stock. ITis capacity is such that he may justly look forward to many more years of activity and usefulness.
Mr. Duvall was reared in Jefferson County, where he remained until 1851, coming then to Pipe Creek, Belmont County, where he was engaged for some years in both farming and merchandising. In the stormy days of the Civil War his loyalty induced him to so arrange his business that he could. enlist in the service of his country, entering in 1862 Company F. 52nd Ohio Vol. Inf., in which service he continued two years and eleven months, or until the close of the war. His regiment was included in the 14th Army Corps, end Brigade and 32nd Division, under grim old General Sherman, with whom he marched to the sea. Although not seriously wounded, Mr. Duvall had some very close calls, one of these being at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. Every day of his ser-
vice but one, Mr. Duvall carried his load of equipment.
After his return from the army our sub- ject opened up a general store at Business- burg, and this has mainly claimed his atten- tion ever since. This store building was erected by Mr. Warren, who was one of the early pioneers of this locality. For the past 25 years the post office has been under Mr. Duvall's charge, its management giving gen- eral satisfaction. In politics our subject is a stanchi Republican and is proud of his State and his party. In his earlier years he was in sympathy with the Know-Nothing party. He has not been a seeker for office; served during a short period as justice of the peace, and declined the position of township as- sessor even when elected. Mr. Duvall never married, but in the community in which he has lived so long is surrounded by warm per- sonal friends. He attends the Bethel Pres- byterian Church.
JOHN WORKMAN, a prominent and sub- stantial farmer of Smith township, Belmont County, is a worthy representative of an old family of the county. lle was born in Smith township in 1827, being a son of William and Isabel (Eckels) Workman, the former of whom was born in Maryland, and died in Ohio in 1865, aged 78 years. The latter was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and died here in 1885, at the age of So years.
William Workman accompanied his parents to Belmont County from Maryland, at an early day, and through a long life became well known in business and politics and accumulated an ample fortune. In his earlier years he engaged in milling and in wagon-making, but the latter part of his life was passed in farming. Mr. Workman bore his part in the War of 1812 and for many years was a justice of the peace. In politics a Democrat, he was the choice of his party for county commissioner at various times and creditably served for five terms as a mem- ber of the Ohio Legislature. He was one of
JOHN YOUNG.
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the substantial men of his county and left a fine farm of 240 acres of valuable land to his family. A family of II children was born to William and Isabel Workman, namely : Charles C., Mary A., William, Robert E., Sarah J., Amos, John, David, Isabel, Robinson, and Keziah.
John Workman, the seventh member of the above family, was reared like other boys of his day, with much work and a little schooling, and grew to manhood quite capable of manag- ing a farm of his own and of taking his place as one of the responsible citizens of his county. In 1849 he married Elizabeth J. Lash, who was a daughter of Isaac and Ann (Ogleby) Lash, and was born in Belmont County in 1828. A family of II children was born to this union, as follows: William L., one deceased, Har- vey C., Joseph, one deceased, Sarah J., John \V., Mary A., Ida and two deceased.
Mr. Workman owns a fine farm of 103 acres, located one mile west of the hamlet of Whitney, and successfully carries on general farming and stock raising to a moderate ex- tent. A man of reliability and integrity, he has taken a leading place in township move- ments, and has served most capably as justice of the peace, township trustee and as school director. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. The religious membership of the family is with the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN YOUNG, a well-known and success- fill fruit grower of Pease township, Belmont County, is a native of Germany, a country which has given Ohio many of her most valued citizens.
Mr. Young was born in 1831, and he is a son of Jacob Young, who was also a native of Bavaria, Germany, and who brought his fam- ily to the United States in the fall of 1836. The voyage was made in a sailing vessel and 40 days were passed on the Atlantic Ocean. The family located at Wheeling where Jacob Young found work at his trade of blacksmith, and also in the coal mines, until the breaking
out of the Civil War, when he became a mem- ber of the 77th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and par- ticipated in the siege of Vicksburg. He died several years ago, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Frederick Kerner, who died at the home of Mr. Young, at the age of 89 years. Mrs. Jacob Young died June 13, 1885, at the age of 80 years.
John Young was the only child born to his parents and was given excellent educational ad- vantages in the German schools, but had little opportunity to learn the English language. While still a lad, he earned 121/2 cents a day, hoeing corn for Governor Sharnick, who re- sided south of Wheeling on Carval's Run. About 1849 he entered the Top Mill at Wheel- ing and was one of the workmen there em- ployed in making the wire which was used to build the old suspension bridge across the Ohio, from Wheeling to the Island. At the opening of the La Belle Mill he secured work there and remained until 1859, removing then to Pease township, Belmont County. In 1863 he was able to purchase his present home farm of about 60 acres, and since that time has made many substantial improvements on the place, erecting fine buildings and turning his land into a fruit farm. ITere Mr. Young can show some of the finest grapes grown in this part of the State, his vineyard covering two and one-half acres, and its productiveness enabling him to sell more than ro tons of fruit a season. Other special- ties are strawberries and raspberries. His care- ful culture and thorough knowledge of vari- eties and soils make these fruits very profitable.
On February 22, 1852, Mr. Young married Margaret Meal, a native of Strasburg, Alsace, France, who died some years since, leaving the following children: Lizzie, who is the wife of Frederick Adolphs, resides on the Cadiz Pike ; Albert, who married Margaret. a daughter of William Neelan, also resides along this pike, and is employed in the Aetna-Standard Mill ; Lena, who married Charles Adolphs, resides at Bridgeport; and Catherine, who married George Meister, who is the leader of the fa- mous Meister Band, of Bridgeport. The sec-
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ond marriage of Mr. Young was to Barbara Miller, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, but who has lived for 42 years in the United States.
Mr. Young has been a faithful and enthusi- astic Republican since he cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, in Ritchie township, Wheel- ing, at a time when it was a dangerous policy to speak in favor of the principles of the Re- publican party. Mr. Young was one of the eight men who were brave enough to vote as they deemed right. He is a man of admirable judgment and strict integrity, and has capably filled the position of supervisor of his town- ship for about 10 years. His religious mem- bership is in the German Lutheran Church. Ile belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows, of Bridgeport.
MILES HART, one of the well-known and popular citizens of Smith township, who for 28 consecutive years followed teaching in Belmont County, comes of an old agricultural family, which originated in the person of his grandfather, Miles IIart, in Greene County, Pennsylvania.
Our subject was born January 24, 1844, in Smith township, and is a son of Silas and Sarah (Twinem) Hart, the latter of whom was born in 1816, in the State of New York, a daughter of Leonard and Mary Twinem, who came from Ireland to Belmont County about 1817. Mrs. Hart died at the old home just north of Centreville. Silas Hart was born in 1817, in Smith township, and was a son of Miles Hart, who came to Belmont County in 1815 and stopped first in Mead township at Dillie's Bottom and then settled permanently on section 28, in Smith town- ship, where he died in 1852. Silas Hart died in the spring of 1894, at the home of his son Miles. Our subject is one of a family of seven children born to his parents, three of whom besides himself survive, namely: Cath- crine ( Mrs. Barrett), of Texas; Leonard, a resident of Goshen township; and S. W., of
Smith township. Cephas and Hamilton are deceased, and a daughter died in infancy.
Miles Ilart was reared on the farm and attended the country schools and also went to a select school. In 1866 he began to teach the winter sessions of school in his neighborhood, learning in the meantime the carpenter trade and spending the summer vacations on the farm, continuing thus until 1894, when he gave up the profession to devote himself en- tirely to the operation of his farm. Mr. Ilart purchased this valuable and attractive home in 1872 and has 821/2 acres of land most admir- ably fitted for farming and stock raising.
In 1878 Mr. Hart was married to Mary C. Stonebraker, who was born in Smith town- ship in 1860, being one of five children born to Jeremiah and Mary (Glover) Stonebraker, the three survivors being: James W., of Smith township; Eliza J. (Mrs. McCann), of Richland township; and Mrs. Hart. Those deceased were: John T. and Margaret, the wife of D. M. Scatterday. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hart, one of whom died in infancy. Of the two young ladies, Sarah is the successful teacher of a school near Martin's Ferry, and Blanche is still a student.
Mr. Hart has taken an active interest in politics in his locality, voting the Republican ticket, and has been called upon to serve in many offices, his intelligence, education and excellent judgment making him eminently desirable as a township or county official. By appointment he served one year as township clerk and was elected and re-elected, serving with the greatest efficiency. In the latter "seventies" he served for two years as asses- sor. The religious connection of the family is with the Concord Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Hart is the clerk of the congre- gation.
Mr. Hart's long associations as an educator make him a very well-known resident of Smith township, and few citizens are so highly regarded by all classes of people. As a teacher he was brought into such close rela- tions that his interest in many of his neigh-
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bors began in childhood and a mutual regard has ever since been maintained. He has a wide circle of attached friends. He was elected a member of the Board of Education, and served with credit for a term of three years.
JOHN W. DELANEY, a prominent farmer and successful stock raiser of Smith township, Belmont County, and one of its leading and representative citizens, was born in this town- ship, December 24, 18440. His parents were John and Elizabeth ( Montgomery ) DeLaney, the former of whom was born in the State of Maryland, coming to Belmont County while the National Road was being built, making his way from Baltimore afoot. He was fatherless and dependent upon his own resources, his father having met death on the Potomac River. Prior to coming to Ohio, John DeLaney had served as a soldier from Maryland against the British, in the War of 1812, and was wounded.
When John DeLaney first came to Belmont County, he was engaged as a tobacco packer with the father of Col. J. F. Charlesworth. Several years later he bought a farm near Ferris Mills, which he improved, and then re- moved to the farm now owned and occupied by his son, J. W., of this sketch. Here he died, September 13, 1864, aged 75 years. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth ( Mont- gomery ) DeLaney, passed away March 30, 1878, having lived 84 years. Both parents were regarded highly in their locality. Their three children were: Hannah, who became Mrs. Lash, and both she and husband are deceased; Sarah J., who became Mrs. Robson, and she is also deceased ; and J. W., the young- est.
Mr. DeLaney is one of the large land owners of Smith township. Here he was born, reared and educated and here his useful life has been passed, mainly in agricultural pursuits, great attention having been given to stock raising. Mr. DeLaney probably owns the finest herd of thoroughbred Spanish Merino sheep in Bel- mont County and justly takes pride in them.
He is considered an authority in stock matters, notably so in sheep, and he has done much to raise the general standard in Belmont County. The fine farm where he now resides and upon which he built his elegant home, in the sum- mer of 1878, comprises 160 acres and former- ly belonged to his father. In addition, Mr. De Laney owns 110 acres in the northwest quar- ter of section .16, and a valuable tract of 80 acres in section 24. This is all valuable, culti- vated land and some of the choicest in the township.
In 1878 Mr. DeLaney was united in mar- riage with Mary E. Workman, who was born in Knox County, and the five children born to this union are: Jerusha Jane; Martha Florilla, the wife of Harry Scott, of Warnock; A. N .; J. W., Jr .; and Susan E.
As one of the representative members of the Republican party in Smith township, Mr. De Laney has been called upon to accept a num- ber of local offices and has performed the du- ties of the same with credit to himself and his locality. For a long period he has been a lead- ing member of the Concord Presbyterian Church. He is one of the intelligent, upright, public-spirited citizens of his township, one always found in the front rank in progressive movements, and one whose advice may always be relied upon in agricultural affairs.
JOIIN L. CUNARD, a worthy representa- tive of one of the old families of Belmont County, Ohio, and a prominent farmer of Union township, owning two fine farms of 93 and 50 acres, in section ir, and another large cultivated tract of 150 acres, in section 10, was born in Union township, November 15, 1874.
Smith Cunard, the father of John L., was born November 15, 1839, in Union township, and died Jannary 10, 1902, in the same township, in which he passed his whole life, a farmer by vocation, and a large land owner, possessing 520 acres in the township. He was interested in sheep raising and made it very profitable.
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He was a man of estimable character, highly regarded in his community and was very fre- quently called upon to settle estates and hold township offices, being one of the truly relia- ble, solid citizens to whom a community looks for assistance in times of adversity or anxiety. At the age of 22 years he married Christina Gosset, daughter of William and Elizabeth Gosset, the former of whom lived to attain the age of 97 years and the latter, the age of So years. Mrs. Smith Cunard died August 12, 1902.
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