USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 93
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Raley followed blacksmithing and with the help of his family soon cut off enough of the timber to till the soil and raise crops, and in a few years had a plentiful supply of the com- forts of life. Their sugar was made from the maple trees, their clothing from the flax they raised, and the wool from their sheep. The forests had to be cleared away before crops could be raised, but in common with other pioneers they toiled bravely on and soon were rewarded by a good living. Both James and Rachel Raley lived to an advanced age in the full possession of their faculties, and were buried in a near-by Friends' burying ground, where rest the remains of all their children except one. The farm remained in the family for 86 years and is now in possession of Edgar Berry. They were through life consistent and valued members of the Society of Friends. Of their children, who were to in number, sev- eral died before reaching maturity. Among those who grew to manhood and womanhood were: Asa; Hannah, who married John Howard, by whom she had ro children, of which number, one is now living, their de- scendants mostly being located in lowa; Ann, who married Thomas Hirst, and is survived by a son who lives in Whittier, California, her descendants mostly being located in California and Arizona; Joseph, who married Sally Fow- ler, but died without issue; and Rachel, the youngest daughter, who married Daniel Atkinson, and left three children,-Mary, who married Evan Beitler of Cowles, Nebraska; Ruth, wife of John Thomas Packer, of Mari- etta, lowa, and William, who married Cath- erine Williams and lives near Pleasant Grove, Ohio.
Isa Raley was born in 1797 and grew to be one of the substantial men of Pease township, Belmont County. In 1826, he married Ase- nath Hirst, a daughter of David Ilirst. The latter, a son of Joli and Mary Hirst, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, in 1761, and in 1796 was joined in marriage with Ann Smith, a daughter of Thomas and Rachel Smith. In 1815 they removed to Ohio, living two years at Mount Pleasant, Jefferson
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County, nine years at Colerain, Belmont Coun- ty, and the rest of their lives at Flushing, Bel- mont County. They reared a large family of children, the descendants of whom are settled in the West with the exception of a few who remain in Belmont County. These children were: Thomas, John, Israel, Asenath, Rach- el, Mary, Smith and Hannah. Smith Hirst, the last survivor of the family, died at Cole- rain in ISOS, aged nearly 90 years, leaving no family. They were consistent and useful members of the orthodox branch of the So- ciety of Friends, and firm in their adherence to the doctrines held by them as a society.
To Asa and Asenath ( Ilirst) Raley were born the following offspring: David H., who lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa .; Dr. J. Newton, who lives in Reading, Lyon County, Kansas ; Mary II., wife of Edward Stratton of Salem, Ohio; Martha R., married to Joseph Russell, afterward to Gibson Binns (both now de- ceased), of Colerain, Ohio; Rachel R., wife of Jacob Manle of Colerain, Ohio; and Eliza- beth and Melissa A., who are unmarried.
D. H. DARRAH, owner and proprietor of "Darrah's Pharmacy," a flourishing business establishment at No. 3175 Union street, Bel- laire, Ohio, has worked in various capacities, but for the past 20 years has been chiefly en- gaged in the drug business. Mr. Darrah was born in 1856 and was reared at St. Clairs- ville, Ohio. ITe is a son of John and Martha (Ilarris) Darrah and grandson of William and Letetia ( McFarland) Darrah. IJis moth- er was a daughter of David and Mary ( Ar- rick) Harris and granddaughter of Enoch and Laney ( Dew) Harris. His grandmother, Mary ( Arrick) Harris, was a daughter of John and Susanna ( Price) Arrick.
William Darrah, our subject's paternal grandfather. emigrated from Ireland and lo- cated at St. Clairsville, Belmout County, where he was engaged in mercantile business until his death. Ilis wife, Letetia MeFarland, was a native of Scotland.
John Darrah, father of D. HI. Darrah, fol- lowed farming for some time prior to his death, but had investments in various public enterprises. Previous to, and during the Civil War, he bought and shipped stock to Chicago. He died soon after the close of that conflict. His wife's father, David Harris, served nine consecutive years as Probate judge of Bel- mont County.
D. H. Darrah was educated in the public school adjacent to his father's farm, three miles west of Bridgeport on the National Pike, and also had the benefits of an academic course in Franklin College at New Athens, Ohio. In 1874, he located in Bellaire and clerked sev- eral months in the First National Bank. He then entered the drug store of Husbands & Inskeep as an apprentice to learn the drug business. Hle afterward worked in a similar capacity with J. & M. N. Mercer, druggists, with whom he remained two years. A little latter he purchased an interest in the Bellaire Democrat and in partnership with John R. Gow tried journalism for about six months. In the latter "seventies" he purchased a drug store in South Bellaire and has been engaged mainly in that line of work ever since.
In 1896 he erected his present store build- ing of modern design, which is built of brick and is two stories high. The lot upon which the structure stands is 120 by 2 ; feet, and the building itself is 84 by 24 feet. It has a steel ceiling and is conveniently arranged. being well stocked with drugs and the usual line of accessories found in any first-class drug store. The place also contains a fine soda fountain and everything is well arranged and neatly kept. Mr. Darrah is a registered pharmacist and fills prescriptions in a careful manner. In addition to this, he handles the finest line of pure drugs in the city and has put upon the market several preparations of his own com- position. Conspicuous among the latter are "Darrah's Headache Pow ders" and "Darrah's Pleasant Worm Syrup."
Our subject was united in marriage with Ida G. Patterson, a daughter of James and Katherine Patterson, and they have one child
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living, a daughter, Katie, and one deceased, Pearl, who died aged 12 years. In politics, Mr. Darrah is a Republican. He has served two terms as township clerk. At one time he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for county auditor. The county was then heavily Democratic, but notwithstanding this fact he was defeated by only two votes. He filled the office for 10 months, however, being appointed to fill a vacancy by the county commisioners. Mr. Darrah was appointed postmaster of Bel- laire in 1888, during Harrison's administra- tion and served four years.
In Masonic circles, our subject is a member of both the blue lodge, in which he served as master, and the chapter at Bellaire and of Hope Commandery No. 26 of St. Clairsville, of which he is senior warden. Aside from his business, he is interested in various enter- prises. He is upright and honorable in all dealings and enjoys a good patronage. The family favor the Presbyterian Church and stand well in social circles. Mr. Darrah is a charter member of the Dollar Savings Bank of Bellaire, and has served as a director of the Belmont Savings & Loan Company.
JOHN CALDWELL, one of the substan- tial, representative and public-spirited citizens of Wheeling township, Belmont County, Ohio, who resides upon his fine farm comprising 168 acres of land situated in the coal and oil belt, was born May 18, 1843, in Wheeling town- ship, at the home of his grandfather, John Bell.
The family is of Irish origin, the grand- father of our subject, also named John Cald- well, being a native of County Antrim, Tre- land. He came to America with his family, when his son William was about five years of age. In Ireland he married Mary Black of his own county and they had three children born in the old country,-William, Jane and John Patrick,-while Elizabeth was born near Philadelphia, where they landed. The family started west at a later date, and at Pittsburg
the father, with others, took a fever and died, leaving the widow in the strange land with four children to rear. She located in Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania, about five miles west of Washington and bravely took up her burden, following weaving in order to bring her little ones bread. She educated them as well as she could, and kept them together, and in every way was a woman of character well worthy to be remembered by her descendants.
William Caldwell, the father of our subject was born in Ireland, February 14, 1814, and crossed the ocean with his parents in 1819. He lived with his mother near Little Wash- ington until they removed to Ohio about 1830, when they located on a little farm near Fair- point in Wheeling township, moving in 1836 to a farm which is now the site of Bannock, which he in association with his uncle, Pat- rick Black, bought equally,-William buying the west half, about 75 acres. June 2, 18.12, Mr. Caldwell married Mary Jane Bell, daugh- ter of John and Margaret (Dunn) Bell, of this county and of Scotch descent, tracing an ancestry to Robert Bruce of Bannockburn. After their marriage, William and his wife went to housekeeping on the farm, occupying the old log house then standing, the uncle building a new brick residence on his portion of the land, where he with two brothers lived out their lives. William also built a new resi- dence and both of these still stand, some ad- ditions having been made to them. There were born to William and Mary Jane (Bell) Caldwell a family of 13 children, namely : John our subject ; Margaret Dunn, who was born in 1844, and died in 1852; William Taggart, who was born July 10, 1816, married Mary E. Price, has nine children, and lives in Wheel- ing township; Patrick Black, who was born May 12, 18448, married Nancy Armstrong, has five children, and lives in Richland town- ship, near Bannock; Elizabeth Jane, who was born July 26, 1850, married John Clark, has four children and lives in Union township ; Robert Bruce, who was born April 26, 1852, married Margaret Snedeker of this county. has two children and lives in Richland town-
JOHN J. KOEIINLINE.
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ship, near East Richland; Mary, who was born January 27, 1855, died of diphtheria, in 1863; Annie Bell, who was born June 27, 1856, married Fred M. Daniel, has seven children, and resides in Richland township, near Bannock and St. Clairsville; an infant, born in 1857, deceased; George Alex., who was born July 13, 1858, lives single on the home farm at Bannock; James Hammond, who was born May 18, 1860, died of diph- theria in 1863; Martha Ellen, who was born January 23, 1862, died of diphtheria in 1863; and Sarah Agnes, born March 4, 1864, who lives on the home farm. .
Our subject remained at home until 1872 when, on January 24th, he married Euphemia Elizabeth Hays, a daughter of Henderson Hays, of Wheeling township, near Union- town. After marriage, he moved to his pres- ent farm where he has continued to make im- provements, erected all the buildings except the barn and has engaged in extensive farm- ing. Mr. Caldwell's land is very valuable, ly- ing as it does, in the coal and oil belt of the State. Since the death of Mrs. Caldwell, in 1894, various members of his family have re- sided with him. In religious belief, our sub- ject is a Presbyterian, and like his father, ac- tive in the work of the church, also like the latter being identified with the Democratic party. For many years he has been township trustee and school director, and in 1890 and again in 1900, he served as land appraiser. Mr. Caldwell is much esteemed in his locality as an upright man, and one who through his public-spirit has assisted in the growth and development of his township.
JOHN J. KOEHNLINE, deceased, was for many years a prominent man of Bridgeport, Ohio, and during his long and useful life stood among the foremost and most enterprising citi- zens of Belmont County. He was born in Fulton, (West ) Virginia, March 28, 1840, be- ing the second child and eldest son of John M. and Elizabeth ( Klem) Koelinline.
John M. Koelinlein was born in Wurtem-
berg, Germany, in 1816, and came to the United States in 1838. The trip was made on board a sailing vessel and he was four months on the way. He located in Bellaire, Ohio, re- moving some time later to Marshall County, West Virginia,-while living there his mar- riage took place. Ilis wife, Elizabeth Klem was a native of Baden, Germany, and their mar- riage was consummated at Bellaire, Ohio. Mrs. Koehnline died February 5, 1899, at the ad- vanced age of 81 years and five months. Six children were born to her and her husband, as follows: Elizabeth, John J., the subject of this biography; Jacob; Catherine B .; Henry; and William. Elizabeth, who married Nich- olas Zimmer, died at the age of 58 years. Ja- cob enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, serving four years. He finally died from cholera, after an illness of about five hours. Catherine married William Conway and is also deceased. Henry is a resident of the city of Bridgeport, Ohio, and William is a contractor and builder and real estate dealer of the same city.
John M. Koehnline was a pioneer in this sec- tion of the country. He opened the mine be- tween Aetna and Bridgeport. during the war, having removed to the latter place in 1863, and engaged in the coal business. He shipped the product of his mine as far south as New Or- leans. His death took place in 1875.
John J. Koelnline, our subject, was educated in his native place and was one of the pioneer river men on the Ohio River. He boated coal to Cincinnati and Louisville, from Bridgeport and often from Pittsburg. He had a steam- boat of his own called the "General Har- rison," and was also engaged in transferring freight across the river at Bellaire. In 1890, he moved up the river opposite the Wheeling steel bridge, and carried on the coal business from that point. This mine is now run by his sons, and is the largest retail mine in the city, furnishing employment to upward of 18 men.
In company with his brother, William, our subject opened an ice house, under the firmn name of Kochuline Brothers and for a num- ber of years carried on a successful business.
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Later an artificial ice plant was started by our subject and his son, George, and a flourishing business in that line has been carried on to the present day, the son having succeeded to the business. The plant has a capacity of 24 tons per day and during the summer season fur- nishes employment for 10 or 12 men. Four wagons are required to distribute ice, the pro- duct being disposed of in Bridgeport and vicin- ity. The running expenses of the plant exceed $200 per week, and it ranks among the most practical and useful enterprises in the city.
Mr. Koehnline was quite an extensive prop- erty owner, and floated the first coal to Louis- ville after the war. He enlisted in the Union Army, June 1, 1861, as a private in the 2nd Reg., West Virginia Vol. Inf., which later be- came a cavalry regiment. Our subject served with the regiment throughout his term of serv- ice, having enlisted for four years. He was en- gaged principally in scout and picket duty prev- ious to 1864, and during that time participated in the engagements at Lewisburg, Sinking Creek, Wytheville, and various others. He was subsequently attached to Milroy's Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps, of the Army of West Virginia. He was with all the move- ments of the regiment until he was honorably discharged from service at the expiration of his term at Camp Carlisle, June 6, 1864. He took active part in the battles of Bull Run, Kelley's Ford, Rocky Faced Gap, Alleghany Mountain, and Beverly, and in the minor en- gagements of Cloyd's Run, Piedmont, New Market, and many other skirmishes. ITe also took part in Averill's famous raid. He was wounded in battle, but never severely, but had numerous narrow escapes from danger by rea- son of his personal disregard of danger.
October 7, 1871, Mr. Koehnline was united in marriage with Miss Cilles, a daughter of George and Barbara (Smith) Cilles. The cer- emony was performed on Wheeling Island, Rev. J. T. Latane, an Episcopalian divine of Wheeling, officiating. Mrs. Koehnline is the eldest of 10 children. Her father was a gard- ener by occupation and died in 1897, aged 76 years. He was a member of the Lutheran
Church. His wife, whose death took place dur- ing the same year, was a faithful member of the Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. Cilles reared the following children: Mrs. Koehn- line, widow of our subject; Casper, who resides near Parkersburg, West Virginia; Minnie, de- ceased; Amelia, who died when about 32 years old; Christina; Louisa, who died aged 19 years; Tillie, wife of William Baker, of Wheel- ing ; Jennie, a stenographer and bookkeeper in Wheeling; Rosa, who died aged 13 years; and George, a gardener of Wheeling Island.
Mr. Koehnline's death took place April 14, 1902, being 62 years and 17 days old at the time of his demise. Ile was not only an inter- esting character, but was a valued citizen as well. He lived almost all his life in Bridge- port, and was prominently connected with many of the important business enterprises of this city. Ile was a worthy and upright citi- zen and he was deeply mourned by a large number of citizens in this section of Ohio. He was a valued member of the G. A. R., and was past commander and treasurer of the same. Politically, he was an ardent Republican. In religious circles both he and Mrs. Koehnline were active members and workers, the former being a member of the German Lutheran Church; and the latter has been a member of the Episcopal Church since her Toth year. She has ever been a devoted and active worker in both church and Sunday-school work, contrib- uting very liberally toward the support of both.
Mr. and Mrs. Kochmline reared a large fam- ily. Nine children were born to them, viz. : John J., Jr., who died in infancy; George M .; Rosa B., who married James W. Dillon, of Bridgeport, and has one child, Elmer W .; James A. ; Katie E., who was a member of the graduating class of 1902 of the Bridgeport Iligh School, is assistant bookkeeper in the office of her brothers; Thomas; Harrison and Mary A. and Frederick, who died in infancy.
George M. Kochinline and his brother, James A., succeeded their father. John J. Kochnline. in the coal and ice business, and are regarded as being among the mose success- ful and rising young merchants of Bridgeport.
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CRAWFORD WELSH ARMSTRONG, owner and operator of the Armstrong Mills in Washington township, located at one of the important stations on the Ohio River & West- ern Railroad, is one of the leading business men of Belmont County. Mr. Armstrong owns the town site at this place, and has had the property surveyed and platted, it being the only one of its kind in Washington township. Here he has erected a number of comfortable houses, many of which he has sold to resident employees of the great mills. For a number of years Mr. Armstrong has concentrated his efforts here and has engaged extensively in a mercantile business.
On December 5, 1841, Mr. Armstrong was born at Armstrong's Mills, being a son of Alexander and Elizabeth ( Welsh) Armstrong, the former of whom was born March 11, 1813, in Belmont County, a son of that old pioneer Thomas Armstrong, who, with his family, mi- grated from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled in 1811 on Captina Creek. Here Thomas Armstrong started a tannery and young Alex- ander learned the business and when, in 1833, the father opened up a general store, the son was equally useful in a clerical position, exhib- iting indeed so excellent a business capacity that in 1839 he was admitted to a partnership, his brother James receiving the other half in- terest in 1843. In 1844 Alexander Armstrong purchased the grist mill which his father built and continued to operate it in connection with a woolen factory, at the latter place manufac- turing cloth and yarns and working the wool into rolls for the use of the neighboring farm- ers' wives. In 1847 the brothers disposed of their dry goods and discontinued that branch of their business, but Alexander subsequently opened a new store, in partnership with a Mr. Miller, who, in 1849, sold his interest to James Armstrong. The firm of Armstrong Brothers continued until 1854. when the goods were again disposed of and the store room was leased to William Woodburn, who continued there a few years and then removed his stock else- where.
\bont 1858 Alexander Armstrong, who was
a born merchant, again started into the mer- cantile business at his old stand, in partnership with E. W. Bryson, the latter retiring six years later, and Mr. Armstrong continuing alone until his death in March, 1884. During all this time he also conducted the woolen factory which he had built in 1846 and which is still a part of the large store building now occupied by the firm of C. W. Armstrong & Son. Mr. Armstrong was the postmaster at this place from the receipt of his commission from Presi- dent Tyler until his death, and he was succeeded for one year by his son, C. W. Armstrong. The mercantile business is now conducted by a Mr. Lindsey, who is also the postmaster. Alexander Armstrong was a man of unusual business acumen and became possessed of a large amount of property, owning 1,100 acres of land exclusive of his mills and stores. He was one of the important factors in the organization of the Bellaire & Southwestern Railroad, now the Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati Railway, and served both as director and as vice-presi- dent. A later reorganization has changed this road into the Ohio River & Western Railroad, but during Mr. Armstrong's connection it bore its former name. He was prominent also in the Methodist Church, and also in public life, as late as 1871 having a clerical position under the administration of Hon. Isaac Welsh in the State Treasurer's office. In all these various lines of activity, Mr. Armstrong displayed an uprightness of character and recognition of business integrity which reflects honor upon his family and the enterprises which bear his name.
In 1839 Alexander Armstrong was united in marriage with Elizabeth Welsh, who was born February 21, 1819, in Belmont County, and was a daughter of Crawford and Mary Ann ( Erford) Welsh, the former of whom was born July 7, 1784. in York County, Penn- sylvania. and married in iso ;; and the latter of whom was born September 20, 1780, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and died February 21, 1875. Crawford Welsh came to Belmont County soon after his marriage and took up land in the castern part of Richland
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
township, bringing his wife in 1808 and here he died December 13, 1863. He had been a man of affairs and had served four terms in the Ohio Legislature. These children were born to Crawford Welsh and wife: John, Isaac, Henry, David, Elizabeth, James R., Temper- ance, Mary Jane, and Crawford Erford. John, who was born December 15, 1808, became prominent and served as associate judge in this county but died at Laclede, Missouri, in 1866. Isaac, who was born July 20, 1811, married Mary Armstrong, daughter of Thomas Arm- strong, moved then to Beallsville, Monroe County, engaging in mercantile pursuits and the buying and shipping of tobacco, until 1854. Then he removed to a farm on Capitan Creek, near Armstrong's Mills, and lived there until death. In 1857 he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives by the united vote of Americans and Republicans, was re-elected in 1859, and then served two years as Senator from the Belmont and Harrison County dis- trict. In 1868 he was presidential elector for the 16th District and was chosen to carry the vote of Ohio to Washington. In 187t he was elected State Treasurer and held the office to within six weeks of the expiration of his second term, his son Leroy completing the unexpired time, Mr. Welsh dying November 29, 1875. TTenry, who was born April 5, 1814, moved to near Laclede, Missouri, and died there. David, who was born August 27, 1816, died July 29. 1866, at Glencoe, Richland township, having served as surgeon of the 33rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., through the Civil War. James R., who was born September 7, 1821, died in youth. Temperance, who was born August 9, 1824, married Rev. John C. Thompson, a minister of the Congregational Church, and died May 29, 1001, at Clarksfield, Ohio. Mary Jane, who was born January 10, 1828, died young. Craw- ford Erford. the only survivor, was born De- cember 10, 1833, served in the Civil War as a member of Company F. 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., from August, 1862, until discharged De- cember 19, 1864, on account of a severe wound in the leg, received in June, 1864, at Kenesaw Mountain, has never married but resides at
Armstrong's Mills and has been elected five times as township treasurer.
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