USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > Steubenville > Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th > Part 80
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CURTIS A. WELDAY. whose farm of 237 acres lies in Island Creek Township, is one of the well informed, enterprising
and snecessful farmers and stockmen of this section. He was born in this town- ship, July 10, 1878, and is a son of William HI. and Mary ( Wyant ) Weklay.
The late William H. Welday was born in Cross Creek Township and was a son of Alexander Welday. one of the early set- tlers there. When William H. Weldny was about five years old his parents moved into Island Creek Township and there his sub- sequent life was spent. At one time he was a member of the Two Ridges' Presby- terian Church. He was an extensive farm- er and stockraiser for many years. His widow survives and resides at Richmond, O. In William H. Welday, Island Creek Township had a vahumble citizen. He was practically the founder of the Richmond Farmers' Mntunl Insurance Company and from the time of its organization until his death he was its secretary.
Curtis A. Welday was reared on his present farm and was educated in the pub- lic schools of Island Creek Township. Ile is very generally recognized as one of the clear-headed, practical business men of this section and his enterprise has been shown in his manner of conducting his large agricultural operntions. The raising of registered Holstein cattle has been one of his main interests and as a dealer he is favorably known all through Ohio.
On December 3. 1900, Mr. Weldny was married to Miss Carlotta R. Rhinehart, a daughter of William Rhinehart, formerly of Island Creek Township but now a resi- dent of Fayetteville, Ark. Mr. and Mrs. WellJay have one son, William S., who was born December 12, 1907. He is a Repub- lican in his political views.
RALPH E. PORTER, proprietor of a first class grocery store at Mingo Junetion, O., with commodious quarters in the Ad- kins Block on Commercial Street, has lived here ever since he was ten years old, but was born at Toronto, O., May 15. 1582, and is a son of John 11. and Ella (Plum- ber) Porter. The parents of Mr. Porter reside at Cleveland, O. They moved to
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East Liverpool, O., from Toronto, in 1884, and in 1892 to Cleveland. Ralph E. is the only survivor of their three children. Ray- mond, the eldest, died when aged twelve years, and Bessie, the second born, died at the age of three years.
Ralph E. Porter was ten years old when he came to Mingo Junetion to make his home with his miele, Dr. W. J. O'Connell, a well known medical man of this section, who died in 1902 when aged sixty years. Mr. Porter attended school regularly un- til he was seventeen years of age. when he began work in a grocery store for J. C. Hanna, with whom he remained for three years and then became clerk at the Bar Mill, where he continued for five years. In 1907 he bought out his former emplover, J. C. Hanna, and in June, 1909, took pos- session of his present quarters opposite the postoffice. He carries a large stock of both staple and faney groceries and aims to please every taste and snit every purse.
In October, 1905, Mr. Porter was mar- ried to Miss Oca Adkins, who is a daugh- ter of Stephen Adkins, one of the leading and substantial citizens of Mingo, and they have one daughter, Ella Deborah. Mr. Porter was reared by his late unele to be- lieve in the principles of the old Demo- cratie party. Dr. O'Connell was not only a leader in politics at Mingo Junction but in all its public affairs, serving four terms as mayor of the place and two terms as postmaster. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Mingo Junction and they are also factors in the pleasant social life of the place.
WILLIAM A. TISHER, treasurer and general manager of the River Sand Com- pany, of Steubenville, of which city he has been a resident since 1889, was born at Hannibal, Monroe County, Ohio, in 1867, where he was reared and educated and re- mained until twenty-two years of age.
When Mr. Tisher came first to Steuben- ville he was interested in river packet transportation between Steubenville and
East Liverpool, and later from Steuben- ville to Wheeling, but in the break-up of the ice in 1904 his boat was sunk. He then associated himself with others, and in 1905 the River Sand Company was organized and incorporated with a capital stock of 25,000, paid in. The present officers of the company are: W. Il. Wills, president; A. F. McCoy, vice president; William A. Tisher, treasurer and general manager; and II. G. Dohrman, secretary. The board of directors includes all the officers and three additional members: Hon. John L. Means, Judge J. W. Jordan and Frank Miller. The enterprise is one of large im- portance. The company deals in river sand and gravel and they operate dredges and flatboats. In 1896 Mr. Tisher was married to Miss Margaret Wise, who was born and reared at Steubenville, and is a daughter of Samnel Wise. Mr. and Mrs. Tisher are members of the Second Presby- terian Church.
ROBERT T. MACKEY, residing on his valuable farm of 143 acres, which lies in Island Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, has been a lifelong resident of this township. He was born, April 12, 1837, son of Robert and Margaret (Ramsey) Mackey.
Robert Mackey was born in Ireland and came to Island Creek Township in 1836. where the rest of his life was spent, and his death occurred when he was in his ninety-second year. He married Margaret Ramsey, who was born in Pennsylvania, and was of Scotch ancestry, her line reach- ing back to Sir Robert Morris, who was a sympathizer with the American colonies at the time of the Revolutionary War.
Robert T. Mackey obtained his educa- tion in the subscription schools and the early district schools of Island Creek Township and afterward taught school for a time, but his main business has been farming and stockraising. He has seen many changes take place in farm methods since his youth and, with the assistance of farm machinery, a large part of the heavy
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toil of old days has been lessened He raises the grains that do best in his section and always has kept first class stock
On September 24. 1861, Mr. Mackey was married to Miss Mary Rinehart, a dangh- ter of Emanuel Rinehart, an early settler of Knox Township, Jefferson County, and they have had five children: Curtis, who lives in Richland County, Wisconsin ; Min- nie, who is the wife of Stanton A. Mclean, of the same place; Levi, who lives in Islaud Creek Township; Jennie, who is the wife of Frank Wasson, of Richland County, Wisconsin; and Iva, who is dereased. The mother of the above family died January 31, 1908. She was an estimable woman in every relation of life and for many years had been a member of the Island Creek Presbyterian Church. Mr. Mackey takes only a mild interest in polities and casts his vote with the Republican party.
HON. ROBERT SHERRARD, who for many years wielded a powerful influence in business circles and in the public affairs of not only the State of Ohio, but in a much wider field, during his long, useful and eventful life maintained his home at Stou- benville, where his denth took place, No- vember 8, 1895. He was born in JJefferson County, Ohio, June 9, 1823, and was a son of Robert A. and Mary (Catheart) Sher- rard.
The parents of Mr. Sherrard came to Ohio in 1805, from Fayette County, Penn- sylvania, settling in Jefferson County and engaging in farming. Robert Sherrard at- tended the public schools and later an academy at Steubenville and thus laid the foundation of a solid education. In 1846 he was admitted to the bar, after a course of three years study in the office of Mason & Moody, of Steubenville, and ahnost from the sturt his ability won him clients, and in 1850 a partnership with Judge John H. Miller, which association continned mitil 1863, after which his interests became more diversified and he no longer engaged in the private practice of his profession. His trained mind was made useful to his fellow
citizens in other channels. In 1850 he was appointed United States marshal for the 7th District of Ohio, and in 1861, he was elected on the Republican ticket, a member of the State Senate. He proved himself a man of moral courage during his sena- torial term and gave close attention to the duties which devolved upon him as chair- man of a number of important committees. Declining a second term, Mr. Sherrard en- deavored to enter the army but being ex- eluded from active work on the field, on account of a heart affection, he entered soul and mind into the work behind the guns. He was appointed State and county agent for the payment of bonnties and as such disbursed over $150,000. Ile made a personal duty, the relieving of sick and wounded soldiers and caring for their fam- ilies and felt well repaid in the grateful ae- knowledgements from many of those bene- fitted. His personal character was so high that Secretary Chase khose him as the agent to receive subscriptions to the gov- ernment loan known as the 7-30 bonds. His subscription of $2,000 was the first one made in Jefferson County and his receipts amounted to $200,000.
On October 9, 1862, Mr. Sherrurd was appointed drafting commissioner for Jeff- erson County, by Governor Tod, after the call was issued for 300,000 more men, and the State records show how faithfully this service was performed. In 1864, when it beene evident that measures would have to be speedily taken to suppress the depre- dations of the raider Morgan and his band in Ohio, General Brooks, who was in com- mand of the Federal State forces, com- missioned Mr. Sherrard to take charge of two regiments sent from Pittsburgh to intercept Morgan. The executive ability shown by Mr. Sherrard in ciremnventing Morgan and foreing him to abandon his plan of crossing the Ohio at the month of Short Creek, into West Virginia, gave un- mistakable evidence of military and taeti- cal skill. Morgan was forced to move to the north end of the county where he was captured with 700 men, horses and sup-
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HON. ROBERT SHERRARD
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plies. As a result Morgan was subse- board of Education of the city of Steuben- quently sent to the penitentiary and the ville. booty reclaimed wns either returned to the owners of the property or turned over to the Government through Mr. Sherrard's thorough business methods.
In 1863 Mr. Sherrard purchased the Me- chanies' Savings Bank at Steubenville and conducted it as a private concern until October, 1865, from which time until Octo- ber 1, 1868, it was operated as a National bank, then again becoming a private en- terprise and is still continued as such un- der the firm style of Sherrard, Mooney & Company. In the meanwhile, negotintions had been going on to induce Mr. Sherrard to become a resident of New York City, capitalists and business corporations there desiring to secure him, and they finally succeeded, Mr. Sherrard accepting the presidency of the American National Bank in 1870, and he also became executive offi- cer of a New York transportation company that employed 400 men and 600 horses and wagons and not only handled a large part of the freight and passenger traffic of New York and Brooklyn, but also enrried the mails. The death of George W. MeCook, in December, 1877, with whom he had been closely connected in business at Steuben- ville, recalled him to this city and here he remained until his death, although he re- tained his financial interests in New York.
With his many important and diversified private interests and his many private re- sponsibilities, Mr. Sherrard from early manhood had devoted much attention to the higher things of life and ever took pride in his association with educational mat- ters and institutions. As early as 1853 he had been appointed a member of the Board of Control of Washington College, by the synod of Wheeling, and continued treas. urer of that body until 1865. After the union of Washington and Jefferson Col- leges. in 1864. Mr. Sherrard was named a member of the board of trustees of that institution, as authorized by an act of the Pennsylvania legislature. For some twen- ty years he served as a member of the
Mr. Sherrard was twice married, first in early manhood to Miss Sarah A. Sahnon, and second, on December 13, 1881, to Miss Catherine J. Johnson, of Steubenville. To the first marriage were born three children, the two survivors being: Col. Henry C. Sherrard, a prominent citizen of Ohio, who was a member of the staff of Ex-Governor Foraker; and Emma V., who married Henry C. Elliott, whose death occurred in 1908. Six children were born to his sec- ond marriage, namely: Thomas J., Mary C., Robert S., Elizabeth I., John J. and Lillie E.
Extended travel through Europe and the Holy Land was the recreation Mr. Sherrard gave himself when the engross- ing cares of business or public life became too wearing and at times he appeared on the lecture platform to entertuiningly tell of these visits. He took delight in show- ing to his friends his large collection of rare and beautiful objects collected in foreign lands, but all the combined nttrac- tions of other countries could never have won from him his prized American citizen- ship. The family home is a fine residence, situated at No. 205 North Fourth Street, where Steubenville's exclusive society has often been charmingly entertained.
BENJAMIN REX DANCE. a promi- nent and substantial citizen of Cross Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, where he owns 181 acres of lund, owns also a farm of seventy acres situated in Island Creek Township. He was born in Cross Creek Township, in April, 1843, and is a son of Jacob and Harriet (Love) Dance.
Jacob Dance was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, in April, 1812, and was a son of Daniel and Hufty Dance. In 1834 Jacob Dance came to Jefferson County a poor man and started to work for farmers for a salary of nine dollars a month, his wages being inerensed three dollars in the second year. This be considered a suffi- cient income on which to get married, and
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he went back to Greene County and was there united to Harriet, a daughter of Al- fred and Anna Love. This was a marriage of much domestic happiness. His bride was willing to share his fortune, although she knew it was one entailing many hard- ships, but they both lived to see the day when they owned 200 acres of valuable land and had all the comforts of life around them. Their ashes rest in the old Cross Creek Cemetery. They had the fol- lowing children born to them: Anna, who was the wife of Rezin B. Johnson, now de- ceased; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of William Stone; Benjamin Rex; and Martha, who married Calvin B. Culp.
Benjamin Rex Dance obtained his edu- cation in the common schools of Cross Creek Township. When nineteen years of age he began to be his father's main helper on the farm and has always been an agri- culturist and has lived on the home place with the exception of his period of service in the Civil War. He was not yet twenty- one years old when he enlisted under Col. George W. Cook, in Co. E. 157th Ohio Vol. Inf. He is a member of Stanton Post. G. A. R., at Steubenville.
In June, 1880, Mr. Dance was married to Miss Anna Rex, a daughter of George D. and Rebecca Jane (Porter) Rex, the former of whom was a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Jefferson County, Ohio. Both are de- ceased and their burial was in Jefferson County. They had three children: Dar- win, Hugh and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Dance have four children: Lindsey P., who re- sides at Denver, Colo .; Hubert J., who lives at Steubenville ; and Jane and Helen, who are at home. Mr. Dance and family belong to the Presbyterian church. He is identified with the Republican party and has served in public office, for two terms being a member of the board of directors of the county infirmary, and at present is serving on the school board.
profession, was born at Brilliant, Jeffer- son County, Ohio, in 1860, and was educat- ed in Jefferson County and at Lebanon, in Warren County, and for five years en- gaged in teaching in the former county. During 1892-93 he was in railroad work with the Fort Wayne Railroad, then worked as a civil engineer, and from 1894- 97 as a general engineer, and during the latter year was a civil engineer at Mingo Junction. In 1901 he entered upon the dn- ties of county surveyor and has served continuously in the office, his present term expiring September 1, 1911.
In 1880 Mr. Cox was married to Miss Mary Horn, of Washington County, and they have one son, Charles, who is taking a special engineering course at the Ohio State University at Columbus. Mr. Cox and family are members of the Christian church, of which he has served as treas- urer. He is identified with the Odd Fel- lows at Brilliant and is financial secretary of the lodge.
JOSEPH MILLER, one of the repre- sentative citizens of Island Creek Town- ship, Jefferson County, Ohio, who owns a farm of exceeding productiveness, contain- ing 212 acres, has lived on this place since 1892 and has been a resident of the town- ship since 1876. He was born in Wertem- berg, Germany, October 25, 1834, and is a son of John and Mary A. (Kummer) Miller.
The parents of Mr. Miller came to America in 1852, accompanied by their one son and three daughters, and settled at first in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where they died a few years later. In 1859 Joseph Miller went to Placer County. Cal., where he remained until 1868, during this time engaging in gold mining. He re- turned then to Pennsylvania, where, on November 4, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary A. Eichenlaub, who was born in Ba- varia, Germany, March 4, 1841. Her par- ents were Joseph and Barbara ( Martin) Eichenlaub. Mrs. Miller came to America
JAMES L. COX, county surveyor of Jefferson County, Ohio, a civil engineer by in 1867 and was married in the following
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year. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller five children were born, namely: Joseph P., who lives at Moab, Utah; Peter II., who lives in Washington County, Idaho; Oliver and Frank W., both of whom reside in Island Creek Township; and Margaret H., who is the wife of Charles Kister, and they live in Salem Township. Oliver Miller, of the above family, is the practical manager of the farm. Hle married Miss Kate Rokliz and they have four children, Joseplı, Alice, Agnes and John. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Miller are members of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, at Steubenville. They are well known through this section and are held in the highest respect. Mr. Miller casts his vote with the Democratic party. His large farm is devoted to general farm- ing and the raising of stock.
OBEDIAH J. WILLIAMS, who was one of the representative citizens and sub- stantial farmers of Cross Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, for many years, and was well and widely known all through this section, being a member of one of the early families, was born on his father's farm in Cross Creek Township, in 1820, and died on his own farm here, May 26, 1897.
The parents of Obediah J. Williams were John and Margaret (Crawford) Williams and the father came from Ire- land when quite yonng. He was a farm- er in Cross Creek Township, where hotlı he and wife died. They had the following children: John; Margaret, wife of .James Kendall; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Char- nock; Harriet, wife of William Winters; and Obediah J., all of whom are now de- ceased.
Obediah J. Williams had but few school advantages, as the country was but sparsely settled and little organized in his youth. The farm on which the larger part of his life was spent was left to him by an nnele, Thomas Williams, with the pro- viso that he pay his brothers and sisters and other heirs their share of the estate, which duty he performed. The farm con-
tains 122 acres of excellent land, and after Mr. Williams became the owner of the property he made many improvements and built an addition to the brick residence, making of it a very comfortable home. The main interests of his life were his farm, his cattle and his family. He cast his po- litical vote with the Republican party, but never sought public office, and he gave lib- erally to the First Presbyterian Church, of which his family are members.
On March 6, 1862, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Margaret Elizabeth Decker, a daughter of Andrew and Sophia (Buchholz) Decker. The parents of Mrs. Williams came from Germany and for a number of years resided on their farm in Cross Creek Township, but later moved to Steubenville, where both died, Mrs. Will- iams being their only child. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams the following children were born: Margaret; Anna; Clarence, who married Elizabeth Bates and has four children-John, Harry, Jane and Robert; Minnie, who is the widow of Sheridan Lowery, and had four children-Margaret Elizabeth, Dore E., and Andrew and Helen Virginia, both of whom are deceased: and John, who married Anna B. McConnell and has three children-Edward, Grace and John. Mrs. Williams and her chil- dren own the farm in Cross Creek Town- ship.
JEANETTE ERSKINE, M. D., who has an office at No. 222 North Third Street, Steubenville, has been established here in the practice of medicine and surgery since 1894. She was born and reared in Jeffer- son County, and is a daughter of David Erskine.
Dr. Erskine is a thoroughly trained phy- sician and surgeon. For some years she was a student in the Cleveland schools and in 1894 graduated from the Cleveland University of Medicine. She came imme- diately to Steubenville and has built up a very satisfactory practice. She is a mem- ber of the Ohio State Medical Society, of the Ohio Valley Homeopathic Medical So-
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ciety and of the American Institute of Homeopathy. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, belongs to the Wo- man's Club and is active in church, club and charitable work. Her acquaintance is wide and she is held in the highest esteem, both personally and professionally.
WILLIAM J. LEE, a representative farmer and stock raiser of Island Creek Township and one of its best known citi- zens, was born on a farm in this township, April 1, 1860, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Taylor) Lee.
Benjamin Lee, who died in 1891, was one of Island Creek's most respected citi- zens and a lifelong resident. His father, James Lee, was born in Ireland and was one of the pioneers in this section, the old family home being situated on what is known as Lee's Ridge, Benjamin Lee mar- ried Elizabeth Taylor and they had two children. William J. being the only sur- vivor, and they had one adopted daughter, Emma, the wife of Joseph Jacobs. Ben- jamin Lee and wife were valued members of Bray's Methodist Episcopal Church in which he was a steward, and she con- tinnes her relationship with this body. Mrs. Lee is now in her seventy-seventh year and is a beloved member of her son's household.
William J. Lee was carefully reared by excellent parents and during his father's lifetime he was his main assistant on the home farm and later assumed all its re- sponsibilities. Having been accustomed to the details of farm life from hoyhood, he has had the advantage that comes from knowledge in the management of his farm and stock industries and has met with more than usual success.
Mr. Lee married Miss Alice Powell, a dangliter of Aaron Powell. a prominent resident of Island Creek Township for many years, and they have five children: Julia E., who is the wife of John Rogers, of Island Creek Township: Gladys M., who is a student in the High School at
Steubenville; and Carl T. and Laura M., who are at home. An infant daughter is deceased. Mr. Lee and family belong to Bray's Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is one of the stewards. He is a publie-spirited citizen and much interested in the schools and has served on the Island Creek Independent School District No. 2 board.
THOMAS P. VICKERS, general mer- chant and representative citizen of To- ronto, O., has been in business at this place for almost two decades, owns property here and is recognized as a leading man of this part of Jefferson County. He was born on a farm near Marietta, in Wash- ington County, Ohio, December 2 1859, and is a son of Thomas and Phebe (Malin) Vickers. Thomas Vickers and wife were natives of Belmont County, Ohio, and from there moved to a farm in Washington County, where he died June 6, 1886, his wife having passed away on January 29, 1884.
Thomas P. Vickers was reared on the old home farm and remained there until his father died, when he went to Little Hocking, Ohio, where, in association with A. W. Clifton, he conducted the A W. Clifton Company store for several years. In December, 1890, he came to Toronto, where, with the exception of 1908, he has been in the mercantile business ever since. He built his store building when he went into business and retained his property after selling out his merchandise, in May, 1908.
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