USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 97
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Mr. Cunningham was ordained as one of the two first elders of the Rock Hill Presby- terian Church, and near this church he lies in his last sleep. Mrs. Cunningham died in 1859, being the last of the original members of Rock Hill Church. Their family consisted of six sons and six daughters, and there were 53 grandsons and 37 granddaughters.
The sons were: Israel, James, Hugh, John, Samuel and George. The daughters were: Abigail, who married John Mooney; Hannah, who married Robert Brown; Sarah, who mar- ried William Rankin; Rebecca, who married John Faris; Julia, who married George Milli- gan, and Agnes, who died in early girlhood. Of the sons, two were life-long residents of Belmont County. These were George. who married Mary Harris, and Samuel, who mar- ried Eliza Work, daughter of Andrew and Anne ( Anderson) Work, of the vicinity of St. Clairsville. The living children of George Cunningham are Mrs. Leroy Wise of Wash- ington, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Reece Thomas, Mrs. Alva Wise and Miss Hannah Cumming- ham of the vicinity of Bellaire. Samuel Cun- ningham's living children are Mrs. Jesse Bon- ar, of Moundsville, West Virginia; Miss Al- ice Cunningham, principal of Bellaire Fligh School. and William Cunninghim of Toledo, Ohio .. The descendants of the remaining sons and of the daughters of John and Hannah Cunningham live in Delaware and Champaign counties, Ohio, and in Ohio County, West Virginia.
HT. J. ZINK, a prosperous merchant of Pow- hatan, has been a resident of the town for a period of 27 years.
Mr. Zink was born in Monroe County, Ohio, and was 15 years of age when, in 1875. he came to Powhatan as clerk in his brother's store. Ilis brother, Edward Zink, had lo- cated here some to years previously, being the oldest merchant in Powhatan, and conducted a large and prosperous store. 11. J. Zinl was clerk for his brother for a period of 15 years, then leased his present building for a period of three years, placing in it a complete sto k of general merchandise. Ili. business thrived, and at the end of the three years he purchased the building, in which he has since been lo- cated. He carries a large stock of everything, which goes to make up a stock, invoicing at from $10,000 to $12,000, and cach yea has witnessed a large increase over the previous
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year in the amount of business transacted. Mr. Zink is a thoroughly up-to-date, wide-awake and energetic business man, and his great suc- cess has been due to his own efforts alone. He has a two-story building, the dimensions of which are 44 by 65 feet, and it is divided into four large rooms. Ile has a force of three as- sistants the year around. About iSos he opened a branch store at Moundsville, West Virginia, where he carries a stock valued at from $7,000 to $10,000.
Mr. Zink was joined in marriage with Amelia Ramser, of Monroe County, Ohio, and they have two children, Helen and Frederick. Ile recently erected a very comfortable home on Second street, in which he lives with his family. Our subject is a stanch Democrat in politics, and has served as treasurer of York township for the past 10 years or more. Re- ligiously he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN F. WHEATLEY has been a gen- eral merchant for the past 25 years at Atlas, Belmont County, Ohio, and is the very pop- ular postmaster. He is a native of Ohio, born in 1850, in Somerset township, Belmont Coun- ty.
Levi Wheatley, the father of John F., was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and after a busy and useful life of 70 years died in Belmont County September 3, 1875. For many years he taught school and later managed a farm in Somerset township. In his early life he was a Whig in politics, and later was actively identified with the Republi- can party. Both he and wife were consistent members of the Methodist Church. The moth- er of our subject was Lydia leck, who was born in Monroe County, Ohio, and died in 1858, at the age of 35 years. The four chil- dren born to the parents of John F. Wheatley were as follows: Mary S., who married John F. Wheaton, of West Virginia; William, de- ceased; John F., of this sketch; and Frederick D., deceased .
Mr. Wheatley obtained an excellent educa-
tion under the supervision of his father, and followed the trade of shoemaker for some years. Later he embarked in a mercantile business at Atlas and has also engaged in the manufacture of cigars. For 25 years he has kept the leading general store in the village, and has a trade which extends over a wide territory. Mr. Wheatley is well known as an active member of the Republican party and he has very capably served in a number of the township offices, has been judge of election and trustee and for a long period, a notary public. He is a man of social instincts, and was for many years a member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows and a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 331.
In 1872 Mr. Wheatley married Margaret A. Finley, who was born in Somerset town- ship in 1852, a daughter of Jacob and Esther Finley, and a family of five children was born to this union, viz. : Charles D., employed in the steel works; Jacob W., a justice of the peace; William C., a cigar manufacturer, at Atlas; Lucy A., who married Phineas McKendree, of Speidel, Ohio; and George, de . ceased. Mrs. Wheatley is a most esteemed member of the Christian Church. In all the re- lations of life, Mr. Wheatley has shown him self a man of excellent judgment and a high standard of honor, and he is very highly re- garded through Somerset township for his many sterling qualities.
SAMUEL RAMSAY, one of the largest land owners and substantial citizens of York township, Belmont County, Ohio, was boru April 11, 1842, and is a son of Abraham and Sarah ( Maloney ) Ramsay.
Abraham Ramsay was born in 1867 and was a son of Thomas Ramsay, a native of Ire- land, whose people were wealthy linen manu- facturers there. Thomas Ramsay came to America about 1795 and married a Miss Fal- coner in Pennsylvania. He accumulated con- siderable property in Washington County. Pennsylvania, but through injudiciously going security lost quite heavily. He came to Bel
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mont County about 1812, locating in the woods in the southeastern part of the county, on Moore's Run. He worked some on the Na- tional Road. He and his wife were parents of 10 children, as follows: Abraham, father of our subject ; Samuel, Allen, David, Aaron, John, Margaret, Nancy, Jennie, and Elizabeth.
Abraham Ramsay resided near and at Ja- cobsburg until his death in 1886, at which time he owned about 1,000 acres of land, mainly in Smith township. He married Sarah Malo- ney, who was born in Pennsylvania, and mar- ried in Belmont County, where she died about 1888, To this union were born the following children : Thomas, deceased ; David, deceased ; John, who resides near our subject, but in Washington township: Abraham, who also lives in Washington township; Samuel; Nancy (Taylor), of Smith township; Elizabeth (Riley ), of Mead township; Aaron, of Smith township, and Allen, deceased. Two children died in infancy.
Samuel Ramsay resided in Washington township until he was to years of age, remov- ing then with his parents to Smith township. Ile purchased his present home farm in York township about 1878, and was married in Guernsey County. Hle and his wife began housekeeping on this farm and except two or three years spent in Smith township have since made it their home. The farm, which was covered with stone, timber and underbrush, has been greatly improved and is now very val- nable farming land. Mr. Ramsay manages the work on the farm and is an extensive sheep man, as was his father, handling from 300 to 500 head of sheep. He owns 375 acres in York towship, besides two farms, containing 243 acres, in Washington and Mead town- ships.
Samnel Ramsay was joined in marriage with Susanna Mendenhall, a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Mendenhall, both of whom reside near Salesville, Guernsey County, Ohio. Mrs. Ramsay was born in Noble Coun- ty, Ohio, April 10, 1852, and as a result of her mion with our subject has had the following children : Thomas Abraham, of Washington
township, who married Cora Kittlewell and has three sons; Samuel Oliver, living in Mead township, married a Miss Fraley: Annie .1. (Trigg), whose husband is a blacksmith at Jacobsburg; Delphi Odessa ( Devaul), whose husband is a farmer and sawmill man of Smith township; Lela L., who is single and lives at home; Carrie Golda, who is also sin- gle; Edna Loretta, who attends school at Ja- cobsburg; Lewis, who is at home and assists his father; Sarah Rebecca, who is deceased, and Emma Ethel and Joseph, who died in in- fancy. Politically Mr. Ramsay cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for President, and has voted the Republican ticket ever since. In religious attachment, he and his family are Methodists and attend church at Jacobsburg.
WALKER FULTON. The agricultural possibilities of Smith township, Belmont Com- ty, are well shown in some of its model farms and in none more than in the fine, well-im- proved estate of Walker Fulton, comprising 176 acres, favorably located two miles south- east of Glencoe. Mr. Fulton is a Buckeye by birth, born in Richland township, Belmont County, a son of Charles and Jane ( Brown) Fulton.
Charles Fulton was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, came to the United States in 1837 and died in Mead township, Belmont County, Oc- tober 25, 1901, at the age of 88 years. By trade he was a shoemaker and worker in leather and prior to locating in the United States was connected with the military service in Canada and employed in the manufacture of leather stocks or collars used to keep the Brit- ish soldier's head erect. After coming to Ohio, he engaged in farming in Mead township, took part in Democratic politics and was appointed justice of the peace. For to years he was an elder in the United Presbyterian Church. Ilis wife was also of Irish bi th and ancestry, born in County Derry and married there, and died in Ohio January 27, 1801, in the Sist year of her age. The nine children born to them bore
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
these names: William and George, deceased; Walker; Robert MeKelvey, of Richland town- ship; Isabella, the wife of George D. Creamer of Mead township; Mary E. and James M., deceased ; Thomas, a farmer at Delaware; and the youngest child, who is deceased.
Mr. Fulton was reared to work on a farm and has always devoted his attention to the pur- suits of agriculture. Ilis line has been general farming and moderate stock raising, and he has been eminently successful, ranking with the most progressive and practical farmers of his locality. In improvements and modern meth- ods, Mr. Fulton keeps abreast of the times and assists materially in making Smith township a leading agricultural one of the county.
In 1865 Mr. Fulton was married to Ellen E. Trimble, who is a daughter of John and Catherine Trimble of Brooke County, West Virginia, and a family of eight children has been born to them, namely: Margaret W., a teacher in Barnesville; Charles B., deceased ; John T., engaged in the Harrison County oil fields; Effie J. ; Catherine, a teacher in Barnes- ville; William S., a physician in Wheeling; Sarah A., of Philadelphia; and Mary. Mr. Fulton and famliy belong to the United Pres- byterian Church in which he is a trustee. Hle is one of the substantial citizens of Smith town- ship, and belongs to a family well known and thoroughly esteemed.
AUGUST KRAATZ, now living in retire- ment at No. 816 Broadway, Martin's Ferry, is one of the thrifty German citizens who have helped to build up the industries of the city. For over a quarter of a century he was en- gaged as a skilled blacksmith and has amassed considerable wealth. He is now a large stock- holder in the People's Bank and the Belmont Brewery and is a director in the latter. He is also an inventor of considerable note.
Mr. Kraatz was born in Mechlenburg, Ger- many, November 16, 18.45, and when quite young lost his father. He was, however, given careful training by his mother, a most excel-
lent woman. She is still living in Germany and is now 80 years old.
In the excellent schools of his native country Mr. Kraatz procured a good, thorough educa- tion. Having a decided liking for mechanics, at an early age he entered a blacksmith shop and learned the trade, becoming in the course of time very. proficient. Well equipped for life, at the age of 21 he determined to come to the United States. Soon after landing he pro- ceeded to Wheeling, where he remained for eight years. He found no difficulty in secur- ing positions, and during his stay in Wheeling followed his trade for some of the time at the old Washington Mill and later in connection with the iron works. Coming to Martin's Ferry at the end of this period, he engaged himself as a blacksmith in the Aetna Standard Mill, where he remained until February, 1902, a period of 26 years. That his work has been in every respect satisfactory and first-class goes without saying. During this period he invented the long squaring shear-knives, an excellent ar- ticle, which has been on the market for the last 17 years. It has had a large sale. A steady, hard worker all his life, Mr. Kraatz has made considerable money, which he has invested to much advantage in brewery stock and in the People's Bank. Owing to his business ability, he has been made a director of the Belmont Brewery.
While residing in Wheeling, in 1869, Mr. Kraatz married Eliza Bieberson, who was born in Hanover, Germany, March 16, 1845. She is one of three children. Her brother, Henry Bieberson, is now president of the Belmont Brewery. Her sister, Wilhelmina, married August Rolf and resides on Market street, in Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. Kraatz have had nine children : Matilda married William H. Helfenbine, and resides at Martin's Ferry; Emma. wife of Edwin Oppelt, of East Liver- pool, Ohio, has a son, Oscar: Clara, who has never married, lives at home: Charles, who married Enola Rohrich, is assistant engineer at the Belmont Brewery in Martin's Ferry; Fredericka lives at home; Harry is in the gro- cery business with his brother-in-law in East
DAVID F. MeKELVEY.
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Liverpool; George, who works in the Aetna Standard Mill; Eliza, who died February 10, 1893, at the age of Io; Gertrude, who died December 26, 1901, at the age of 14 years and three months.
Mr. Kraatz is a man whose word carries weight in his community. As a Republican he exerts a large influence in local poiltics. Fraternally he belongs to the B. P. O. E. Both he and his wife are prominent members of the German Lutheran Church. In 1901 Mr. Kraatz made a trip to Germany, paying a visit to his aged mother, and in October, 1902, he took an extended trip throughout the South- western States, visiting Texas principally, and had a most enjoyable time.
DAVID F. McKELVEY. The well- cultivated and finely improved farm of David F. MeKelvey, located in section 32, Mead township, not only reflects great eredit upon its owner, but also demonstrates the great agricultural possibilities of this part of Bel- mont County. Mr. McKelvey is one of the prominent citizens of Mead township, possess- ing honorable ancestry, wealth and social po- sition, and is also a representative man in polit- ical life. David F. McKelvey was born Sep- tember 23, 1844, in Mead township, Belmont County, on a farm in the vicinity of his present property, the same now being operated by his youngest brother, Samuel P. MeKelvey. Ilis parents were the late Samuel and Lucinda (Creamer ) McKelvey, the latter of whom was also born in this county, a daughter of David Creamer, one of the carly settlers of Belmont County and one of the very few permitted to see both the dawn and the close of a century. Ilis daughter, Mrs. McKelvey, died July 11, 1885.
Samuel MeKelvey was born in County Ty- rone, Ireland, and after a voyage of six weeks on the Atlantic Ocean reached Belmont County in 18.10, where he purchased a farm in Mead township, from Zachariah Hayes, its original owner, and here Mr. McKelvey died in 1888.
when over 80 years of age, having survived all his brothers, viz. : James, David, George, Jo- seph, Thomas and Weir. They had a sister, Elizabeth, who married a Mr. McCaffrey. The five sons and four daughters of Samuel Mc- Kelvey and wife were: David F., of this biography ; Robert, Thomas B. and Joseph O., of Mead township; Emma and Narcissa, living on the home farm; Mary E., the wife of John W. Neff, and Nancy Jane, the wife of Theo- dore Neff, of Bellaire; and Samuel P., born in 1864, who is the capable operator of the home farm, an estate comprising 188 acres, lying in sections 31, 36 and 25. It has been greatly im- proved under Mr. McKelvey's management.
Reared on the farm, David F. MeKelvey has always been deeply interested in agricultural pursuits and has spent the greater part of his life in Mead township. He received a fair edu- cation and during his earlier years taught the country schools, but after marriage began his business career as a farmer. For several vears he farmed at Wegee, but for the past 20 years has been established on his present farm, a valuable tract of 140 acres, which he has suc- cessfully devoted to general farming and stock raising. This land was originally the property of "Tommy" Miles, then the Porterfields, later the MeMasters and then was purchased by Mr. McKelvey.
March 24, 1881, Mr. McKelvey was married to Ida J. Alexander, who was born in Pultney township. in 1856, and is a daughter of Samuel Alexander, a pioneer. The two daughters born to this union are Mary and Lucy, both of whom belong to the home circle. In politics Mr. MeKelvey has been more than usually prominent and was but lately sent as a dele- gate to the Democratic Congressional Conven- tion held at Martin's Ferry. For the past five years he has served as township treasurer and is at present one of the school directors. Dur- ing its existence, he belonged to the Farmers' Alliance. His religious connection is with the United Presbyterian Church. As a com- mentary upon the great strides made in the county, Mr. McKelvey shows a well-preserved hoghonse on his farm, the same having served
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as his earliest school house. With pride he can also point out the neat and attractive buildings now serving as educational edifices.
ARNOLD WILLIAM BURKHART, a well-known agriculturist located in Washing- ton township, Behinont County, Ohio, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, April 1, 1845, and is a son of Andrew and Eustua ( Frankhouser ) Burkhart, and grandson of Andrew Burkhart.
Andrew Burkhart, the grandfather, came to this country from Switzerland in 1820, and entered land in York township, Belmont Coun- ty, Ohio, where he followed the business of a horticulturist. He built a log house on his claim, which stood until destroyed by fire in 1897. Ile and his wife had six children, as follows: John; Catherine (Syllis), who died at Martin's Ferry ; Annie ( Muster ) ; Frederick, who was unmarried and died in 1897; Andrew ; and Mary, wife of Jacob Kocher of York town- ship.
Andrew Burkhart, father of our subject, was born in Switzerland, in 1808, and at 12 years of age came to Belmont County, Ohio, with his father. He was married here in ISzo, and later with his wife removed to Monroe County, Ohio, where both died. He died April 25, 1893, at the age of 85 years, and she died in March, 1894, aged 74 years. llis wife was a daughter of Nicholas Frankhouser, a pioneer of Belmont County, and also a native of Switz- erland. To this union were born the follow- ing children: Arnold W .; Rosanna ( Sweig- ard), a widow residing in Monroe County ; Caroline, who resides in Monroe County; Jacob, of Monroe County ; Lena, wife of Frank Cain of Parkersburg, West Virginia; Mary, wife of Clarence Carpenter of lowa; Louisa, wife of Henry Kraft of Monroe County; and Samuel, Lizzie and another daughter who died of diphtheria at an early age.
At the age of To years, Arnold W. Burkhart accompanied his parents to Behnont County. where he has since resided. During the Civil War he served some four months with General Sheridan, having enlisted in Company C, 170th
Reg., Ohio National Guard, and was wounded at Snicker's Gap, Virginia, in 1864. Ile re- mained at home until after his marriage, and then resided on Carpenter's Ridge where Sam- uel Carpenter now resides. In May, 1888, he bought a part of the old Chandler tract, also known as the William Graham farm, and on this he has -since resided. He has 160 acres under a high state of cultivation and devotes it to general farming and stock raising. Ilon- est and straightforward in all his transactions, he has gained the lasting confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, who are pleased to call him a friend.
Mr. Burkhart was joined in marriage with Mary M. Carpenter, youngest daughter of Robert Carpenter, whose wife died December 8, 1898, at the age of 98 years. They have nine children, as follows: Sevilla (Wild), of York township; Lucy ( Vandine), who lives at home; Emma II. ( Moore), of Bellaire; Jemi- ma ( Hendershot) ; Margaret ( Vandine), who lives near her parents; Theodore F .; Grover ; Ida; and Enice. None of the family has ever been sick enough to require the aid of a physician or the use of medicine, which is truly a remarkable record. Although his fan- ily has always been Democratic, Mr. Burkhart is a stalwart Republican, and at one time was township assessor. He is a member of Post No. 595, G. A. R., of Armstrong's Mills.
B. F. DISQUE, a prominent citizen of Pow- hatan, Belmont County, Ohio, where he con- ducts a large general store, was born in this town in 1852, and is a son of Henry and Mary ( Pfeffer) Disque. The father is in his 86th year and is one of the oldest residents of the village. With Mrs. Louis Boger, Mrs. John A. Wever, Mrs. Richard Dorsey, and Mrs. James Workman, he shares the honor of hay- ing lived in Powhatan for more than half a century.
Henry Disque was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, and upon coming to this country spent nine years in the State of New York. Ile theu lived one year in Monroe County, Ohio,
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spent the winter of 1848 at Wheeling, and in 1849 moved to Powhatan, where he has since resided. For a period of more than 60 years he followed his trade as a shoemaker. He married Mary Pfeffer, who was also born in Bavaria, Germany, and died at Powhatan in iSor. Six children were born to them. as fol- lows: Tlenry, who is in the drug business at Pittsburg ; Fred, who is a member of the firm of J. J. Porter & Company, of Pittsburg; George A .; a jeweler at Erie, Pennsylvania; Mary (Fuchs), deceased; B. F., subject of this bi- ography, and Mrs. Callie May, who resides at New Matamoras, Washington County, Ohio. The two eldest were born in New York, the third child in Monroe County, Ohio, and the other three at Powhatan, where all were reared.
B. F. Disque carly in life worked at the trade of a shoemaker for a few years, then en- tered the mercantile business at Powhatan as a clerk in 1881. In 1884 he formed a partner- shin with William Hornbrook, which con- tinued 12 years, and since that time he has conducted the store alone. During the entire time he has been located in his present build- ing, the dimensions of which are 70 by 21 feet. A very complete line of general merchandise is carried. To the rear of the building is a warehouse, in which surplus stock is stored. Across the street from this building is a large storeroom, in which a very complete line of furniture is carried. The trade extends over a large area, surrounding Powhatan and into West Virginia, and necessitates the employ- ment of two or three clerks all the time.
Mr. Disque was first married to Maggie Bean, who died November 19, 1897, leaving two children, Clifford and Eva. He formed a second matrimonial alliance with Mary Hornbrook, a daughter of J. P. Hornbrook, who owns considerable real estate at Pow- hatan, although he is not a resident. Mr. Disque built a fine home on Front street, in which he lived with his family until he sold it recently to Dr. J. A. Berry. Politically Mr. Disque has always been a stanch Democrat, and in former years was quite active in politi-
cal affairs. He served three terms as town- ship clerk, two terms as township treasurer, and officiated in other minor capacities, such as director of the School Board and councilman. Ile is an elder and member of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Church, of which his father is also a member. His fellow elder in the church is Philip Fran! houser, and in addition to himself the board of trustees in- cludes John Fuchs, Philip Frankhouser, Charles Greene and Samuel Fielding. Our subject is one of the substantial men of the community and has a host of friends wherever he is known.
GEORGE WASHIINGTON HENDER- SHOT, one of the oldest and most prominent farmers of Washington township, Belmont County, was born in this township along Pea Vine Creek, in 1818.
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