USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > Steubenville > Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th > Part 79
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ously connected with this large financial institution ever since. He has been a most active and public spirited citizen, and it is largely to his untiring efforts that much of the material prosperity of Sten- benville and the vicinity is due. In ad- vancing the interests of the community he has been unsparing of his time, labor and means. Never an office seeker, he has been a force in local politics which has always been exerted for the public good. As presi- dent of the city council he instituted im- portant reforms in municipal management. and as a member of the board of water works trustees he inaugurated and carried out the present magnificent water system, conceded to be the best in the Ohio Valley. Practically he was the Board of Trade for a number of years, and it was chiefly due to his untiring efforts that the enlarged La Belle Iron Works were located here, also the Pope Tin Plate Works, and the Fol- lansbee and Wierton Works, across the river, which, with the Jefferson Glass Works, have built up two thriving mann- facturing suburbs with access to the city by the fine suspension bridge, also erected through his efforts. The electric line to Follansbee, with another projected . to Wierton, is also among the fruits of his efforts, as are the extension to Toronto and short line to Mingo, to say nothing of the magnificent brick boulevards leading from the city north and south on both sides of the river. He has been one of the most active members of the Ohio River Im- provement Commission, which is now mak- ing steady progress towards the canaliza - tion of the river, and rendered material aid in the construction of the Wabash Railroad system through Jefferson County, including the projected extension np the river northward from Steubenville. In most of the enterprises we have mentioned he is a member of the board of directors, where his work and counsel are always sought. In fact, the mere enumeration of his numerous enterprises, of which the above are only a portion, would fill a wolime.
In 1884 Mr. Sinclair was married to Miss Mary Donaldson, a daughter of W. B. Donaldson, and they have five children: Marie, who is the wife of Harry F. Grant, of Franklin, Pa .; Wilma, who is the wife of G. B. La Van, of Stenbenville; Frank D., who is associated with his father; Dohr- man J., Jr., and Catherine. Mr. Sinclair is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the order of Knights of Pythias, and the board of trustees of the Union Cemetery AAssociation.
S. OSBORNE BARKHURST, M. D., for a decade a resident of Steubenville, 'O., is one of the leading physicians and sur- geons of the city, successfully engaged in general practice and taking a good citi- zen's interest in public affairs. He was born in Smithfield Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, in August, 1863, and is a son of William B. Barkhurst.
The founder of the Barkhurst family in Jefferson County was the great-grand- father, William Barkhurst, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was of Revolutionary stock, his father having been with General Washington at Valley Forge, where he almost lost his life. With several companions he had left the unhap- py camp of ahnost starving soldiers, in the hope of securing some supplies in the sur- rounding conntry. He was so weakened, however, from previons hardships that he would have perished but for the kindly ministrations of some Indians, who guided him back to the camp. William B. Bark- hurst, father of Dr. Barkhurst, was born in Jefferson County. in 1831, and died in 1903. His father, Jacob Barklinrst, was also born in Jefferson County.
Dr. Barkhurst was reared on his fa- ther's farm in Smithfield Township, at- tended the local schools and later Mt. Union College. He spent four years teach- ing school, during that period doing his preliminary medical reading, and later en- tered the medical department of the West- ern Reserve College at Cleveland, where he was graduated in 1888. He located at
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S. O. BARKHURST, M. D.
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Smithfield and practiced there for thirteen years and then came to Steubenville. He is a member of the Jefferson County and of the Ohio State Medienl Societies and of the American Medical Association. Since 1897 Dr. Barkhurst has been a member of the Board of U. S. Pension Surgeons, of which he is secretary. He has interests outside his profession, here and at other points.
In April, 1900, Dr. Barkhurst was mar- ried to Miss Mary E. Graham, who was born in Jefferson County, and they Lave three children: Marjorie, who is a mem- ber of the graduating elnss of 1910 in the Steubenville High School; and Helen Leo- nora and Miriam Katherine, both of whom are students. Dr. Barkhurst and family are members of the Second Presbyterian Church, in which he is a deacon. Frater- nally he is a Mason.
THOMAS JOHNSON, who is a member of one of the old pioneer families of Jef- ferson County, has been a resident of Island Creek Township, where he owns a valuable farm of 133 acres, since 1843, but he was born in Salem Township. June 17, 1823. His parents were Thomas and Christina (Carroll) Johnson.
The father of Mr. Johnson, also Thomas Johnson, bore his father's name of Thomas, and both were born in Ireland. Grandfather Thomas Johnson emigrated to America when his son Thomas was twelve years old, and settled first in the Inscarawas Valley, Pennsylvania, and from there came to Jefferson County carly in the 18th century and died in Island Creek Township in 1835. He was survived by his son. Thomas JJohnson, in- til 1842. The latter married Christina Carroll, who was born in Germany.
Thomas Johnson, the third of the name, resided in Salem Township until he was in his twentieth year and then came to Island Creek Township and lived on the present farm with his two annts, who owned it. He remained with them as long as they lived and afterward bought the
place, and has continued to reside here. Mr. Johnson has devoted himself to gen- eral farming and stockraising, and has met with much success in these industries. In large measure Mr. Johnson had his own way to make in the world and the ample fortune he has gained has been secured by years of industry.
Mr. Johnson was married on August 1, 1861, to Miss Margaret J. Lawson, of Wheeling, W. Va., a daughter of Robert and Sarah Lawson. Mrs. Johnson was born in Ireland and was only six years old when her parents left there, settling first in Canada and later moving to West Vir- ginia and still later to Jefferson County. Mrs. Johnson died August 10, 1904. She was an estimable lady and a consistent member of the Island Creek Presbyterian Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson eleven children were born, and nine of these are living: Henrietta, wife of Crawford Spen- cer; Cochran, of Island Creek Township; Sarah J., wife of Chalmers Slentz, of Han- cock County, West Virginia; Rosanna, wife of John Johnston, of Knox Town- ship; Ida M., wife of Joseph F. MeCon- nell, of Island Creek Township; Margaret ; Thomas, who married Zetta MeBride, lives on a farm which his father owns; and Joseph, Ella C. and Clara M., all of whom are at home. Thomas (1) and Charles are deceased. Mr. Jolmson is a Democrat in polities. For many years he has been a member of the Island Creek Presbyterian Church. He has witnessed many changes take place in this section, has survived many of those who started ont in life with himself, and he can tell most interesting tales of the long ago when, in his youth, so many things were different.
CHASE D. COOPER, M. D., formerly a snecessful and beloved physician, whose decade of professional life was passed at New Cumberland, W. Va., and Toronto, O., was born in the old Cooper homestead near Port Homer, Jefferson County, Ohio, March 26, 1872, and died at his home in the
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latter place. November 22, 1909. His par- ents are Ephrain W. and Harriet S. (Stewart ) Cooper.
Chase D. Cooper spent his happy boy- hood on the home farm, this adjective be- ing appropriate, for his was a cheerful disposition and his whole life, in spite of its cares and responsibilities, was one of optimism. His mere presence in a siek room, during his practice, was helpful and stimulating. Ile early made a choice of profession and thereafter directed his studies along the line of medicine, and after completing the High School course at Wellsville entered the medical depart- ment of the Ohio State University, and subsequently the Illinois Medical College, and was graduated from the latter institu- tion in the class of 1898. He entered into practice at New Cumberland and came from there to Toronto. Dr. Cooper pos- sessed all the qualities which go to the making of a good physician, and not the least of these was a tender sympathy for those in distress and a human desire aside from his professional one, to give aid and relieve suffering. This devotion to his profession and the heavy demands that it made on him no doubt hastened the de- velopment of the disease which had at- tacked his system. Had he been less self- sacrificing, less concerned for the well-be- ing of his patients, he might have found time to take remedial measures for him- self. His aihmnent developed rapidly and reluctantly he had to give up his practice, after which the end soon came. It will be many years before the memory of this kind hearted, gentle maunered gentleman and able and faithful physician has passed out of the minds of those who loved. ad- mired and appreciated him.
Dr. Cooper was married October 19, 1899, to Miss Lena M. Lockhart, who sur- vives with their three little daughters: Marjory, Alice and Elizabeth.
HENRY B. GRIER, secretary of Gill Brothers Company, glass mannfacturers. at Steubenville, O., is one of the city's
of the board of education and aiso has been president of the city council. Mr. Grier has been a resident of Steubenville for eighteen years, but his birth took place at Bellville, Canada, where he lived until twenty years of age. After leaving school, Mr. Grier went into business, selecting the city of Chicago as his field, and there he was engaged in the wholesale lamp and Inmp, supply business for twenty-five leading men and has served as president years, after which he came to Steubenville, and ever since has been with the firm of Gill Brothers & Co., of which he has been secretary since the reorganization of the business, in 1901. He is a director of the National Exchange Bank and has other in- terests, and is a trustee of the Stenben- ville Chamber of Commerce and is presi- dent of the Y. M. C. A.
In 1875 Mr. Grier was married to Miss Ellen Goodman, of Chicago, and they have three children: William A., who is rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, at Phila- delphia, is a graduate of Kenyon College; Heury G., who is with Gill Brothers Com- pany ; and Charles A., who is a civil en- gineer with the Riter-Conley Mannfactur- ing Company, of Pittsburgh. Mr. Grier and family are members of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and he is superintend- ent of the Sunday-school.
ULYSSES GRANT POWELL. general farmer in Island Creek Township. was born here September 18, 1864, and is a son of Aaron B. and Julia ( Ault) Powell.
Aaron B. Powell was born in Colum- biana County, Ohio, and was a son of John Powell, who was also born there, and was probably of Welsh extraction. Jehur Pow- ell came very early to Island Creck Town- ship and was accompanied by his family. his son, Aaron B., being then bat a boy. This family was one of the first to settle at the month of Island Creek. Here Aaron B. Powell became a well known man and during his active years followed the trade of millwright. He cast his first Presiden- tial vote for Martin Van Buren. After
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some years of retirement, he died, in 1891. He married Julia Ault, who was born in Island Creek Township, and survived him some years. Of their children the follow- ing are still living: Lucy E., who is the wife of Daniel O. Findley, of Island Creek Township; Jennie P., who is the wife of Daniel Gallentine, of Pomona, Kan .; Alice, who is the wife of William J. Lee. of Island Creek Township; and Ulysses G.
Ulysses G. Powell was reared in his na- tive township and has always lived here. In August, 1884, he was married to Miss Norma D. Peacher, of Hancock County, West Virginia, a daughter of George W. and Eliza J. Peacher. The father was born in Maryland and is now deceased. The mother was born in West Virginia and resides with Mr. and Mrs. Powell. The latter have four children: Arthur T., Edna, Donald G. and Marjorie A. The family belongs to Bray's Methodist Epis- copal Church. In politics Mr. Powell has always been a Republican.
GEORGE L. PETERMAN, who con- duets a first class livery and feed stable at Dillonvale, O., and also deals in stock, is one of the enterprising and successful business men of this place. He was born October 21, 1867, in Guernsey County, Ohio, and is a son of Leander and Sarah Ann Peterinan.
Leander Peterman brought his family to Jefferson County during the boyhood of his son, George L. Ile carried on a blacksmith's business during his active years. His death occurred March 7, 1908, when he was aged eighty-two years. His widow, who was born in Smithfield Town- ship, Jefferson County, eighty-three years ago, survives, and resides with her son, George I .. , who is the youngest of the fam- ily of seven children. The others were: Elizabeth, now deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Watkins; Mary, who married Isaac Case, of Dillonvale; Maria, who mar- ried James MeLanghlin, of Adena. O .; Josephine, who is the wife of R. P. Bell, residing in Illinois: Evaline, who married
Joli Wostel, of Short Creek; and Warren. who died in childhood.
George L. Peterman obtained Ins edu- cation in the public schools and learned the blacksmith's trade under his father. For twenty-seven years he worked at this trade, sometimes going as far from home as Delaware, where he was in business for eight years. On August 26, 1909, he em- barked in the livery business at Dillonvale, starting in with only two horses. He has greatly prospered, being now the owner of nine fine horses, eight buggies, a wag- onette and a cab, all necessary to accom- modate liis growing trade.
Mr .. Peterman was married October 25, 1888, to Miss Emma MeFarland, a dangh- ter of Robert and Josephine McFarland, of Jefferson County, and they have had three children, two of whom died young, the only survivor being Clarence Peter- man, who celebrated his seventeenth birth- day on March 16, 1910. Mr. Peterman and family attend the Methodist Protestant church. In his political views he is a Democrat.
JAMES MURRAY, sheriff of Jefferson County, Ohio, was born in 1866 and was reared and educated at Toronto, Jefferson County, where he attended school until he was sixteen years of age. Sheriff Murray is a self-made man and from boyhood not only took care of himself, but also of his widowed mother. When he left school he went to work for the Sewer Pipe Com- pany, at Toronto, and remained there for thirteen years. Mr. Murray developed an interest in politics in early manhood, and as he possessed courage and stability of ' character, he was chosen for office by his fellow citizens while almost a youth. He served for seven years as town marshal of Toronto and then became deputy under Sheriff Voorhees, whom he succeeded as sheriff through election in November. 1908, on the Republican ticket. His ad- ministration of the office has been an en- tirely satisfactory one to the county.
On December 19, 1889, Sheriff Murray
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was married to Miss Nannie M. Martin, and they have one son and three daugh- ters: John H., who graduated from the Toronto High School in 1908, and is now in the employ of the Tri-State Gas Com- pany ; and Emeline E., Louise and Nellie. Mr. Murray and family belong to the Sec- ond Methodist Episcopal Church of Steu- benville. He is identified with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.
HON. JARED DUNBAR, one of Sten- benville's most representative citizens, has made this city his home for a period cov- ering forty-three years and during this time has been prominently identified with its professional and political life. He is the Nestor of the Jefferson County bar and is senior member of the law firm of Dm- bar & Sweeney, with offices at No. 107 North Third Street, Steubenville. Mr. Dimbar was born in Albany County, New York, July 30, 1823, and is a son of Alex- ander and Hamah ( Lanfar) Dunbar.
The Dunbar family is of Scotch blood, the grandfather, John Dunbar, coming to America from the Highlands in the early days of pioneer settlement in Albany Com- ty, New York, acquiring large tracts of land. Of his five children, Alexander was the youngest. He spent his whole life in Albany County, marrying there and in turn rearing a family of five children and dying in 1836. His widow survived into her eighty-seventh year.
Jared Dunbar remained in Albany Com- ty until 1855, coming then to Ohio and taking up the study of law at Cambridge. In Jamary, 1860, he was admitted to the bar and remained for six years at Cam- . bridge engaged in professional work, and then, in 1866, seeking a wider field, came to Steubenville. Here he early became an attorney for the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, and finding that he had particular talents in this direction, has made more or less of a specialty of rail- road law, and as a railroad attorney and authority has few equals in eastern Ohio.
While his first attention has always been given to the claims of his profession, Mr. Dunbar has been continuonsly an active citizen, and at various times has accepted offices of state, county and eivie responsi- bility. During a term in the state senate he advoented and assisted in bringing about some much needed legislation, and later, as a member of the city council of Steubenville, his intimate knowl- edge of municipal affairs made his service one of the greatest benefit to the city. He remains prominently identified with the Republican party in Ohio and continues an influential force in the affairs of his city, legal and otherwise.
Mr. Dunbar married Miss Jemima Bates and they had one daughter, Fannie L., who is now the wife of Alexander Sweeney, a prominent citizen and politician at Sten- benville. Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney have two children, May and J. R.
JOSEPH C. AULT, a prosperous farm- er and leading citizen of Island Creek Township, residing on his excellent form of 132 acres, belongs to a poineer family of Jefferson County, which was estab- lished here by his grandfather. Mr. Anlt was born at Steubenville. O., November 18, 1834, and is a son of Jacob and Cath- erine ( Wilkin) Anlt.
Jacob Ault was also born in Island Creek Township and was a son of Andrew Ault. who came from Lancaster Comity, Pennsylvania, to Jefferson County, in 1796, settling in Island Creek Township. For some years after Jacob Ault reached manhood he resided at Steubenville, where he followed the cabinetmaking trade and then settled on a farm in Island Creek Township, in 1844. where he died. in 1865. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant church.
Joseph C. Ault was ten years old when his parents settled in Island Creek Town- ship and he has lived here ever since, with the exception of the time he passed as a soldier during the Civil War. On Angust 28. 1861, he enlisted at Camp Dennison. in
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Company E, 2nd O. Vol. Inf., which was attached to the Army of the Cumberland, and before he again saw his peaceful home he had passed through many trying ex- periences. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River and Chicka- manga, and it was at this place that he was taken prisoner by the enemy. He was con- fined first in a prison at Atlanta and later was taken to Andersonville, but was re- leased before he had suffered as did some of his comrades. He returned to Jefferson County and has engaged in farming and stockraising ever since.
Mr. Ault was married. December 21, 1865, to Miss Annie Fleming, who was born in Island Creek Township, June 17, 1839, and is a daughter of John and Naney (Porter) Fleming. Her father was born in New Jersey and her mother in Jefferson County. To Mr. and Mrs. Ault four chil- dren were born: Cora E., who is the wife of Samuel Palmer, of West Virginia; Rob- ert D., who is serving in the office of town- ship clerk of Island Creek Township; Eva J., who is the wife of Benjamin Lee, of Wellsville, O .; and Leoto B., who is the wife of Wilfred Douds, of Island Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Ault are men- bers of Centre Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal church in Island Creek Town- ship and he has frequently filled church of- fices. Mr. Ault is a Republican and has served two terms as treasurer of Island Creek Township.
EPHRAIM W. COOPER, a retired farmer now residing in his comfortable home on Daniel Street, Toronto, ()., re- tains the ownership of a farm of 200 acres lying near Port Homer, in Saline Town- ship, Jefferson County, having disposed of other tracts which he formerly possessed. Mr. Cooper was born in Knox Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, on a farm his fa- ther owned that was on the dividing line of Knox and Saline Townships, on June 24. 1834. His parents were Alexander and Elizabeth (Van Tilburgh) Cooper.
Alexander Cooper was a grandson of
the founder of the Cooper family in Washı- ington County, coming here from England in very early times. Alexander Cooper engaged in farming until within a few years of his death, when he sold his farm and retired.
Ephraim W. Cooper grew to manhood on the home farm, and with the exception of five years, during which he was engaged in merchandising, he was actively engaged in farming, fruitgrowing and stockraising throughout his active years. When he was young and vigorous it was his custom to buy cattle and drive them over the moun- tains to eastern points. During his many years of residence in Saline Township Mr. Cooper was one of the foremost men of his community. In April, 1865, he was elected a justice of the peace, and with the excep- tion of four years he continued in that re- sponsible office withont interruption until he moved to Toronto, in March, 1906, where he had purchased his fine residence on Daniel Street.
Mr. Cooper was married first to Miss Martha Ellen Cole, who died one year k ter and was survived by a danghter, Sobra Jane, who died when aged nineteen years. Mr. Cooper married secondly Miss Har- riet S. Stewart, of Hancock County, West Virginia. Her father was James Stewart and a great uncle named Stewart was a colonel in the Revolutionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have had seven children : Armor S., residing at New Cumberland, W. Va., who is clerk of the courts of Han- cock County; Edwin W., who resides at Toronto; Lorena B., who is the wife of Dr. William Carroll, of Youngstown, O .; Chase D., whose brilliant career as physi- cian and surgeon was cut short by death in his thirty-eighth year; Ralph Hayes, who is traveling agent for the Hartford Insurance Company, with headquarters at Wheeling, W. Va .; and two who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are members of the Toronto Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a class leader since 1865. He has always performed every
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duty of good citizenship but has never been in any sense a politician. His long life has been one of quiet and peaceful living and until the death of the beloved son, in the very flower of his manhood and in the midst of usefulness, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper had been preserved from many of the sor- rows that so often sadden the evening of life.
G. A. GESCHEIDER, president of the G. A. Gescheider Company, conducting one of the leading insurance agencies of the connty, is one of the most active of the younger generation of business mien of Steubenville. He was born in this city in 1881, and is a son of Max Gescheider. whose death occurred in 1896. The latter was born in Germany and located in Jef- ferson County, Ohio, about the year of 1867. Until 1889 he owned and published the Steubenville Germania, after which he was engaged in the insurance business un- til his death.
G. A. Gescheider was edneated in the schools of Steubenville, after which he en- tered the field of insurance with his father. After the latter's death he continned the Insiness alone until January 1, 1908, when The G. A. Gescheider Company was or- ganized and incorporated. with G. A. Ge- scheider as president. William M. He's as vice president and Carl A. Gescheider as secretary. They do a general insurance business, extending throughout this see- tion.
In 1904 the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Emma Floto, of Stenben- ville, and they have two children, George F. and Marie Louise. In religions attach- ment, he is a member of Zion German Lutheran Church. He is a member of Steubenville Lodge, No. 1. K. P., and the Order of Elks. He is active in the Cham- ber of Commerce, and is a member of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A.
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