USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > Steubenville > Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th > Part 82
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George Wilson Tilton was reared on the home farm, attended the old log school house and early in life began working on the farm. He engaged in agricultural pur- suits on a farm of 180 acres just across the line in Belmont County, Ohio, until 1906, then sold out and established a gen- eral store at Yorkville, Jefferson County, Ohio. He was married May 1, 1885, to Mary M. Jones and they have two chil-
dren : Earl B., a graduate of the Martin's Ferry High School, began teaching at Dillonvale in 1905 and was made super- intendent of the schools in 1909; and Ed- gar G., who is agent for the C. & P. R. R. at Bedford, O. Mr. Tilton is a member of the American Mechanies of Martin's Ferry, and in politics is a Democrat.
CHARLES T. MORELAND, a repre- sentative citizen of Island Creek Town- ship, Jefferson County, Ohio, an enterpris- ing farmer and dairyman, was born on Pleasant Heiglits, Steubenville, O., July 16, 1871, and is a son of Thomas G. and Mar- tha (Figley) Moreland.
The late Thomas G. Moreland, who died in October, 1897, was born in Steubenville Township, Jefferson County, and was a son of John Moreland, who came to Jef- ferson County from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and was one of the earliest settlers on Pleasant Heights, Steubenville Township. John Moreland married Betsey Myers and she accompanied her parents when they settled on Pleasant Heights in August, 1800. Thomas G. Moreland was one of Jefferson County's most successful . agriculturists and his standing among his fellow citizens was very high. For over a half century he engaged extensively in dairying, and for fifteen years of this time resided on the farm on which his son, Charles T., lives, in Island Creek Town- ship, near the Jefferson County Infirmary. In 1895 he completed the fine brick resi- dence on this property, but lived only two years afterward. He married Martha Fig- ley, who is now in her seventy-eighth year. She was born in Island Creek Township, where her family also had settled at an early day. To this marriage the follow- ing children were born: Eve, who is the wife of Joseph Lawson, of Pleasant Heights; Charles T .; John, who lives in Cross Creek Township: Jess, who resides in Island Creek Township; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of John Edwards, of Steu- benville, O., the aged mother being a mem- ber of their household.
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Charles T. Moreland was reared on Pleasant Heights and attended school at Steubenville. From his youth he has been engaged in farming and dairying. Since 1895 he has been located on the T. G. More- land estate in Island Creek Township, com- prising 500 acres, coming here from Pleas- ant Heights. He carries on his business according to modern methods and has erected buildings especially fitted for his various industries.
On February 22, 1894, Mr. Moreland was married to Miss Lucy Powers, who was born at Steubenville, O., and is a daughter of the late Michael Powers. They have four children: Thomas G., Emmett, Mary M., and James W. In polities, like his late father, Mr. Moreland is a Demo- crat. He is identified with the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Steubenville. He is not a member of any religious body, but is a supporter of all moral movements and through words and aets exerts an influence for good in his community.
WILLIAM ANDREW COX, a promi- nent agrienlturist of Wells Township, whose farm of 160 acres is located near New Alexandria, has been a lifelong resi- dent of Jefferson County, Ohio, and was born January 29, 1862, at New Alexandria, O., and is a son of William and Hannah J. (Watkins) Cox.
William Cox was born in Maryland, and was three years old when his father, Jacob Cox, brought the family overland to Fay- ette Connty, Pennsylvania, where he set- tled in the timberland. William was reared in Fayette County and when a young man teamed over the mountains from Balti- more to Wheeling, W. Va. He was first united in marriage with Margaret Rush. who died leaving three children, namely : Michael; Amos, deceased; and Mary, who is the wife of George Chaffan. William Cox later married Hannah J. Watkins, of Athens, O., and to them were born: Ada, who married Jolm Miller ; William A., sub- jeet of this record; and Sherman, deceased. William Cox subsequently moved to Jef-
ferson County and located at New Alex- andria, where he followed carpentering for some years. His later life was spent on a farm in Wells Township, his death oceur- ing there in 1890, at the age of seventy- three years. His widow died at the age of seventy-one years.
William Andrew Cox spent his early boyhood in New Alexandria and was fif- teen years of age when his parents moved to the farm in Wells Township. He re- mained on the home farm until the time of his marriage, September 6, 1891, with Ida R. Warren, who is a daughter of George M. and Nancy ( Porter) Warren, who are old settlers of Jefferson County. Mr. Cox has always followed farming in a general way and his farm was originally a part of the Dawson estate. Mr. Cox is a Prohi- bitionist politically and fraternally is a member of the Wildwood Lodge 1. O. O. F., New Alexandria. His religious connec- tion is with the Methodist Protestant Church at New Alexandria.
M. B. PATTERSON, secretary of Me- Gowan Bros. Company, wholesale gro- eers, has been engaged in business in Sten- benville for many years and is a well known citizen. He is a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served nearly four years. He was born in Steubenville, O., in January, 1841, and is a son of Samuel Patterson, who also was born in Jefferson County, and died in 1855, of typhoid fever. He was a carpenter and contractor by trade. Samuel Patterson, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was among the early settlers of Jefferson County.
M. B. Patterson was reared and edu- eated in Steubenville, where his entire business career thus far has been spent. For a period of twenty-six years he has been connected with the MeGowan Bros. Company, of which he now is secretary. At the first call to arms in 1861, Mr. Pat- terson enlisted as a private in Company E, 70th New York Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service until August, 1865. At the time.he was mastered ont he was
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a first lieutenant in Company H, 193d Reg- iment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His early service was with the Army of the Potomac, and later in the Shenandonh Valley. He is a member of F. M. Stanton Post, No. 166, G. A. R.
In 1880, M. B. Patterson was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie O. Hall, who was born and reared in Jefferson County, and the following children were born to bless their home: George F., of Los An- geles, Cal .; Ray II., of Steubenville; Mabel H., and Lucile M. Mr. Patterson has been secretary of the National Union ever since its inception in Steubenville, and is a member of the Steubenville Country Club.
JOHN B. GORSUCH, formerly one of the most highly regarded citizens of Is- land Creek Township, where many years of his useful life were passed, died on his farm here on April 5, 1902. His birth took place in Brooke County. West Virginia, March 28, 1824, and his parents were Nicholas and Jave (Inzer) Gorsuch, who were natives of Maryland.
John B. Gorsuch was mainly reared in Hancock County, West Virginia, in his youth attending the subscription schools. Throughout his life he was fond of read- and purchased good literature and also was a Bible student and probably was one of the best informed men in his community. In his eighteenth year he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and lived a life consistent with his profession.
In West Virginia, November 13. 1852. Mr. Gorsuch was married to Miss Mary Elliott, who was born in Brooke County. West Virginia, April 20, 1835. Her par- ents, who were James and Elizabeth (Marsh) Elliott, having died when she was in her eleventh year, she went to live with her aunt, Miss Mary Marsh, in Brooke County, where she remained under that good relative's care until she was nineteen. when she was married to the late John B. Gorsuch. To this marriage twelve chil- dren were born and there are three sur- vivors : John C., who is a physician at Den-
ver, Colo .; Edward E., who resides on the home farm of 168 acres, which he culti- vates for his mother; and Wilbert J., who resides in .Jefferson County, about two and one-half miles from Bloomfield.
During the Civil War, John B. Gorsuch was a member of the organization known as the Home Guards. Shortly after the close of the war he moved with his family to near Montezuma, Iowa, but conditions did not suit them there and in a few months Mr. Gorsuch moved to Van Wert, O., and from there to Island Creek Township, where he remained during the rest of his life, settling at that time on the farm on which his widow and one son reside. Farm- ing and stock raising are carried on here, a specialty being made of sheep. Mr. Gor- sich was an able business man and he was also an honorable one. In the neighbor- hood in which he lived so long he was re- garded with the utmost respect and his fellow citizens felt that his death was a loss to the community. He was active in the canse of temperance and identified himself with the Prohibition party. Mrs. Gorsneh is a valued member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Richmond, O., of which her late husband was a trustee, and she is a member also of the missionary so- ciety connected with this church.
W. F. MARTIN, proprietor of the W. F. Martin Real Estate and Insurance Agency, at Toronto, O., is one of the representative. reliable and prosperous business men of this place. He was born on a farm in Isl- and Creek Township, Jefferson County, Obio. August 9, 1876, and is a son of Will- iam B. and Emeline ( Wallace) Martin.
The parents of Mr. Martin are both de- ceased, the mother passing away at To- ronto in 1905. The father afterward went to California, where his death occurred September 9, 1909. 'During his active years he was engaged in farming.
W. F. Martin was five years old when his parents moved to Toronto and his edu- cation was secured here in the common and high schools. Afterward he learned
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the watelimaking trade in the Deuher works, at Canton, O., and engaged in the business at Toronto for fifteen years. In August, 1908, he turned his attention in another direction and in this enterprise has found success attending his undertak- ings. He purchased the real estate and in- surance business formerly conducted by Frank T. MeClain and has greatly en- larged its scope, having the agency of four- teen fire insurance companies, these being the leading ones of the country: Conti- mental, of New York; Germania, of New York; Firemen, of New York; Glens Falls, of New York; Royal Exchange, of New York and London; Cincinnati Under- writers; Western & Southern, of Okla- homa; Pittsburglı Underwriters; German, of Pittsburgh; Buckeye, of Cincinnati; German, of Wheeling; Keystone Under- writers, of Pittsburgh; Spring Garden, of Philadelphia, and the Century, of Cincin- nati. Mr. Martin handles a large amount of real estate and his operations extend as far south as Alabama.
Mr. Martin married Miss Carrie L. Maxwell, a daughter of Basil Maxwell, of Steubenville, O. He is not very active in polities but belongs to a number of fra- ternities including the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Jr. O. U. A. M.
JAMES W. GILL, president of Gill Brothers Company, glass manufacturers at Steubenville, O., also president of the Ohio Valley Clay Company, and a man of nn- merous other business activities, is a rep- resentative of one of the old and prominent families of this section. He was born at Mt. Pleasant, this connty, in 1852, and is a son of Samuel Gill, a native of Virginia. who came to Ohio in 1840 to the home of his nnele, Joseph Gill, the latter being the founder of the Gill family in Jefferson County. Samnel Gill was engaged in the banking and mercantile business at Mt. Pleasant for many years and was a man of large estate and much commercial prom- inence.
The subject of this sketch was reared in
Jefferson Connty. He attended Earlham College, at Richmond, Ind., and completed his literary education at Cornell Univer- sity. After his return to Mt. Pleasant he spent two years in his father's bank and then came to Steubenville to take charge of the glass works, with which he has ever since been identified. The original style of the firm was Gill Bros. & Co., and it so continued until 1901, when the business was incorporated as Gill Bros. Company, since which time Mr. J. W. Gill has been president of the concern. For a number of years he has also been president of the Ohio Valley Clay Company, and he is a director and stockholder in other prom- inent business enterprises in Ohio and ad- jacent states. Hle is a trustee of the Steu- benville Chamber of Commerce and of the Stanton Historical Association. a member of the board of directors of the Carnegie Library Association, and president of the Gill Hospital Association. As a citizen he is a strong supporter of good govern- ment and is always counted upon in favor of any practical measure calenlated to ad- vance the best interests of the community.
In 1892 Mr. Gill was married to Miss Nancy G. Kirk, of Chicago, having one son, James W. Gill, Jr., who is a student at St. Luke's School at Wayne, Pa.
JOHN YOCUM, who has been engaged in the ice business for more than forty years, is a venerable and highly respected citizen of Steubenville. He was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, April 19, 1831, on what is known as the Ephraim Cable farm in Island Creek Township. His father, also John Yorum, was born in Reading, Pa., and came among the early settlers to Jefferson County. He married Saralı Davis and they became parents of eleven children, six daughters and five sons, of whom three are now living:' Hannah Priest, of Columbus, O .; John; and Silas, of Stenbenville.
John Yoem, subject of this record, was reared in Island Creek Township and still
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JAMES W. GILL
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owns the old home farm there. Early in in New Cumberland, W. Va. He continued life he conducted a milk business and later at that point until 1897, when he removed to Toronto to accept the position of super- intendent of the plant of the American China Company. He has been identified with the Means Foundry Company, which is now the Means Engineering and Foun- dry Company, since 1901, and has served as its president since 1905. It was largely through his efforts that Toronto became the home of this large concern, which now has under construction a large and modern plant. was engaged as a marble polisher for five years. He then embarked in the ice busi- ness which he has carried on with mivary- ing success for over forty years. Mr. Yocum was married in 1853 to Miss Eliza Whitson, who died in 1892, leaving six children : Mrs. Josiah Myers; Charles B .; Anna, wife of William E. Bevan ; John W .: Louisa, widow of Edward McCormick ; and Walter W. Yocum. Mr. Yocum was mar- ried a second time in 1897, to Miss Belle Jacobs, who was born in Virginia and is Mr. Price was united in marriage with Miss Lillie Jennings and they have four children, namely: William, Grace, and Emmett and Elmer, twins. Fraternally, he is a 32nd degree Mason. a daughter of David Jacobs, who removed from Virginia to Brooke County, West Virginia, where he engaged in farming until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Yocum are devont members of the Christian church.
THOMAS PRICE, manager and secre- tary of the American China Company's plant at Toronto, O., president of the Means Engineering and Foundry Com- pany at Steubenville and Toronto, presi- dent of the Toronto Realty Company, and a director, since its inception, of the First National Bank of Toronto, O., is a leader among the business men of Toronto and has taken an active part in its progress and development.
Thomas Price was born in the southern part of Wales, April 24, 1863, and is a son of William and Ann ( Lewis) Price. At the age of six years he accompanied his parents when they emigrated to America and located at Irondale, Jefferson County, Ohio. An unele, Samuel Lewis, was a prominent man at Irondale at that time, and it was on his advice the parents of the subject of this sketch came to this country. Thomas was a well grown boy when he began learning the trade of a potter, a trade which has been the means of his ad- vancement from a poor boy to a position of affluence in the community in which he now resides. He started in a pottery at East Liverpool, O., where he continued until 1889 when he was made superintend- ent of the Chelsea China Company's plant
DAVID STANTON McMASTERS, a well known citizen of Mt. Pleasant, where the larger part of his life has been passed, is also an honored veteran of the Civil War and a member of Post No. 407, G. A. R. He was born at Farmington, Belmont County. Ohio, December 15, 1842, and is a son of Merrick Hamilton and Susannah MeMasters, who spent almost their entire lives in Mt. Pleasant Township. The pa- ternal grandfather was Rev. David Mc- Masters, a minister in the Methodist Prot- estant Church, who, after his marriage came to Jefferson County from Baltimore, Md. Merrick H. MeMasters was a tailor and divided his attention between that trade and farming. During the Civil War he not only encouraged his sons to enter the army but enlisted himself and with his eldest son, James Harvey, was a member of Company B, 52nd Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. David Stanton and George W. were members of the 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and the youngest son, Albert, was a member of the 104th Infantry. They all survived the war, although the eldest son was twice wounded. The children of Merrick H. MeMasters and wife were as follows: James H., who lives in Califor- nia : David Stanton ; George W., who lives in Mt. Pleasant Township; Albert, who
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died in Iowa several years after the close of the war; Mary, who is the wife of Thomas P. Gorsuch, of Mt. Pleasant Town- ship; Jennie, who is the widow of Mack Robbinson, formerly an attorney, and lives at Denver, Colo .; and Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of George Weir.
David Stanton MeMasters grew to man- hood at Mt. Pleasant, bis parents having come here in his infancy, and this has been his home ever since and his place of resi- dence except during the time spent in the military service of his country. He en- listed in August, 1861, at St. Clairsville, joining Company E, 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was organized at Mans- field and being sent immediately to the frout, gained its first experience of war in the terrible battle of Shiloh. Subsequent- ly this regiment fought at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, participated in the Atlanta campaign and was nt the battle of Resaca. The division to which Mr. MeMas- ters belonged then returned to intercept General Hood, and at Stone River, Mr. Me- Masters, with many comrades, was cap- tured by the enemy. He was incarcerated in Libby Prison for seventy-six days, after which he was liberated on parole. From Richmond he went to Annapolis, then to Baltimore and Pittsburgh and then back to Camp Chase, where he remained until January 1, 1864, when he came home on furlough, after re-enlisting for further service. He returned to his regiment at Huntsville, Ala., by way of New Orleans, and from there went to Mobile, where he was honorably discharged at the close of the war, being mustered out at Indianola, Tex. Although he took part in every battle in which his regiment was engaged with the exception of that of Nashville, he was never wounded, although on many occa- sions his comrades fell by his side.
After the close of his military life, Mr. MeMasters returned to Mt. Pleasant and on Angust 26, 1866, he was married to Miss Caroline O. Tweedy, a daughter of Will- iam and Sarah Tweedy, both of whom lived and died at Mt. Pleasant. In 1848 William
Tweedy went to California where he re- sided for twenty-six years. Mrs. McMas- ters has two brothers: George W., of Martin's Ferry; and Thomas Finley, of Wheeling, W. Va. To Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Masters four children were born, namely : George Hamilton, who lives in the far West ; David S., a resident of Mt. Pleasant, who married Miss Mary Handle and has three children, Caroline, Louise and Eliza- beth ; Estella, who married Harry Reid, of Mt. Pleasant, and hus three children, Will- iam Stanton, Harold and Lois; and Ida M., who married William J. Curn, and has one child, Gertrude.
Mr. McMaster has been identified with the Republican party since he reached manhood and has been one of its most ace- tive and useful members in Mt. Pleasant Township. He hus served in a number of official positions, for thirty-four years be- ing constable, and for some years deputy sheriff, and has also been supervisor and road commissioner. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Mt. Pleasant.
JOHN LESLIE PUNTNEY, for many years was one of the leading agriculturists of Wells Township, Jefferson County, Ohio. He was born December 2, 1841, on the old Puntney farm of 13115 acres near New Alexandria, Ohio, and died May 9, 1897, on the old home farm.
The Puntney family is of French extrar- tion and originally spelled the name Puntenney. John Puntney, the father of onr subject, came to Jefferson County, Ohio, from Virginia, and settled in Wells Township on the old Puntney farm, which the Kirkwoods first purchased from the government, the Puntneys buying from them, and his death occurred on this farm. llis marriage with Charlotte Clayton re- sulted in the following issue: Sarah, who is the widow of James Clayton; Stephen; James; Elizu, who married William Arm- strong (deceased) : Elizabeth, who was the wife of James Snell; Josephine, who mar- ried Albert Graham (deceased) ; John L., the subject of this record ; Ellen, who is the
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widow of Philip Trainer; Bethan, who was the wife of Taylor Elliott. The only sur- vivors of this family are: Mrs. Sarah Clayton and Mrs. Ellen Trainer.
John Leslie Puntney grew to maturity on the old home farm, which he helped to clear, and when young went to the gold mines of the West, where he was moderate- ly successful. He owned a claim, which was located on the present site of Helena, Mont., but this he abandoned to return to his father's farm, where he lived with his widowed mother for many years afterward. After the death of his mother he purchased the home farm from the heirs and engaged in farming here until his own death. The old six-room brick house, which is on the farm, was built in 1843, by his father, and was made from brick and lime produced on the home farm. Mr. Puntney, with others, was the owner of a grain elevator at Rem- ington, Ind., his interest in this having been disposed of by his widow. Mr. Puntney was a staunch Democrat. In fraternal cir- eles he was prominently identified with the I. O. O. F., having taken his last degree at Columbus, Ohio.
On March 16, 1886, Mr. Puntney was united in marriage with Miss Martha M. Oursler, who was born near Rome, Ohio, a daughter of Judge Henry Oursler, form- erly of Adams County, Ohio, and of their union were born three children, Charlotte E., Emmett Leslie, and Claude D. Mrs. Puntney received her education in the pub- lic schools of Adams County, Ohio, and at the National Normal University at Le- banon, Ohio. She then taught two terms in her home district, and since the death of her husband has proved herself a capable business woman in the management of her farming interests.
Judge Henry Oursler, father of Mrs. Puntney, was born Angust 11, 1820, in Huntington Township, Brown County, Ohio, and was the youngest of seven chil- dren born to his parents. His father came to Ohio from Maryland, and his mother from Washington, Kentucky, and in 1795 they located in Huntington Township in
what is now Brown County, but then known as Adams County. Here he was reared and attended the district schools. He also took a course in English grammar and survey- ing from a local surveyor of Brown County, and at the age of twenty-three had quali- fied as a surveyor. He spent the year 1839 working in a saw-mill, and in 1840 was elected a captain in the militia and served in that capacity several years. In 1850 he was appointed deputy surveyor of the Vir- ginia Military District for Adams County, and served in that capacity until the office was abolished. He was admitted to the bar in 1855 and served as justice of the peace and township trustee. He was formerly a staunch Democrat and was elected and served as clerk of Green Township, county recorder and auditor of Adams County. In 1861, not satisfied with the Democratic party he became identified with the Repub- licans, and in 1863 was elected probate judge of Adams County, resigning from that office in 1865. Judge Oursler has of- ten represented the Republican party at the district conventions. He was married in 1850 to Elizabeth Puntney, a daughter of James Puntney, and they reared a family of five children. Since the death of Mr. Puntney, Judge Oursler had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Puntney, acting as an advisor and companion to her three chil- dren. While at the advanced age of ninety years, the Judge is still hale and hearty, with the appearance of a much younger man. and is looking forward to his 100th anniversary, which he hopes to celebrate in 1920. He had been a member of the Chris- tian church since 1848.
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