History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 105

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 105
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 105

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JOHN ARMSTRONG .- The subject of this sketch is a native of Ireland, where he was born in February, 1806. and emigrated to America in 1837. He proceeded to Pittsburgh and engaged as a bookkeeper in several business houses, the latter being R. E. Sellers & Co.'s wholesale drug establishment, where he con-

Dr. Schughardt. 6

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

tinued until 1845. At this date he came to Wheeling and kept books for several firms, and then became bookkeeper for the Missouri Iron Works, now known as the "Top Mill" of that city. But the company failed, and our subject then kept a gro- cery store during the war of the rebellion, doing a successful business for some ten years, when he sold out and removed to Martin's Ferry, where he purchased the Rice property. For the last eight years he has been bookkeeper for the Benwood Iron Works, of which he is a large stockholder. Our subject has been twice married-his first wife being a Miss Armstrong, who died, as also did ber two children. For his second wife he married Miss Jane Hunter, of Pittsburgh, in October, 1856. Mr. Armstrong has been a stockholder in the Ohio City Bank since its organization, and two years ago became its vice president.

LAVOSIER SPENCE .- Among those who stand conspicuous in the development of the resources of Martin's Ferry, none bet- ter deserve mention than Lavosier Spence, proprietor of the Ohio Valley Agricultural Works. He was born in an unas- suming cabin in Mt. Pleasant township, Jefferson county, Ohio, in the year 1829. Like all self-made men he enjoyed to a great degree the blessings of poverty. His father lived upon a rented farm, and his limited means did not permit him to give our sub- ject a very thorough education, nor start him in business with a cash capital. But the slight aid that was received from the dis- trict schools, and whatever of ability he possessed, obtained strength by improved opportunity. The youth of that period acknowledged obligation to parents in their labor till majority, therefore Mr. Spence remained with his father on the farm, aid- ing him as best he could, until he attained the age of twenty- one years. He then entered the carpenter shop of Thomas Lup- ton, near Mt. Pleasant, to learn the trade. In 1854 he came to Martin's Ferry an inexperienced young man, with no money, but desirous of adding to his meagre store of knowledge in the mechanical sciences. He entered the shop of Rice and Swartz, manufacturers of threshing machines, and after working about six months as a day laborer, he took a contract to build machines for them at an agreed priee for each. After completing this job he made a similar contract with Hobensack and Taylor, who were engaged in the same business. After finishing these he found himself the possessor of a cash capital of $1,500. With this he embarked in the business of building machines for himself: renting a small room from B. Hoyle and doing the work himself with assistance sometimes, of one hand. He conducted his busi- ness on a safe and economical basis and soon earned a reputation for doing first-class work, which he retains to the present day throughout the entire west and southwest. Within two years he purchased a one-half interest in his present establishment. and his course has ever since been onward and upward.

Mr. Spence is also a leading partner in the Buckeye Foundry, run by Spence. Baggs & Co., a short distance from his machine shops. where they make castings of all kinds, including stoves of excellent styles for both cooking and heating. Aside from his manufacturing interests, at his stately new residence on the hill side, be bas a most prolific vineyard, and he has cultivated and enriched some thirty-six acres of land till it produces like a gar- den. His vineyard has yielded as many as twenty-three tons of the choicest grapes in one season, which he ships in large quantities, though using considerable in the manufacture of wine. On the 20th day of August, 1857, Mr. Spence was mar- ried to Elizabeth Dakan, daughter of John Dakan, who was one of the early pioneers of Belmont county that braved the storms, hardships and privations endured by men of his time.

DR. S. B. WEST, M. D., a leading and prominent physician of Martin's Ferry, was born July 13, 1812. in Jefferson county, Ohio. He was a son of Henry and Mary West, nee Brown, and is a brother of Dr. West, of St. Clairsville. His father was a wealthy and highly respectable farmer. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools, where be studied Latin, Greek and higher mathematics, in which branches he made rapid progress. Having a desire for the study of physics, in the year 1831 he commenced reading under the tutorship of his brother Henry, who, at this time was practicing in Bridge- port. Here he remained and read for three years, after which time he attended the Medical College of Cincinnati, where he completed his medical education, graduating in the winter of 1836. In the spring following he started in his professional career in Martin's Ferry, where he has continued ever since, with a large practice. On July 5, 1838, he was united in mar- riage to Mary 7. Martin, daughter of Ebenezer Martin, the

founder of Martin's Ferry. This union, which has been a happy one. resulted in eight children -only two of whom are living- Ebenezer M. and Mary K. On the 25th of July, 1864, he en- tered the army as surgeon, where he remained until July 25th, 1865. He was elected and served as councilman of Martin's Ferry from 1870 to 1872. Dr. West has had almost a half cen- tury's experience in his profession, and has the reputation of an accommodating and a trustworthy physician. Surely great credit is dne him for his labor in securing data, and preserving the same, of the carly history of Martin's Ferry, and to whom the compilers of this work" feel gratefully indebted for valuable informaton received. Office, located on Third and Walnut streets. Residence, on opposite corner.

L. W. INGLEBRIGHT .- This gentleman is at present one of the proprietors of the ferry at this town. He came to Martin's Ferry in the spring of 1866. The ferry was then owned by Price & Jinkins. The former gentleman, wishing to dispose of his interest, sold to Mr. Inglebright, who has been connected with it ever since, under the name of Jinkins .and Inglebright. Capital invested, $24,000. Four trips across the river are made hourly during the day. Two good steam ferry-boats are used- one, which is large and very durably built, is intended for high waters and winter use, and the other for summer or low water. Both are well managed and always kept in good repair. His partner, Mr. Jinkins, died in the spring of 1879, and his widow still retains her interest in it.

Mr. Inglebright was born in Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 21st day of May, 1840. He is a son of William and Sarah Inglebright, nee Lytle, and is of German extraction. His father followed merchandising and carried on what is known as the " upper ferry " at that place for a number of years. Here our subject was sent to school, and rendered such assistance to his father as was in his power, until in the spring above alluded to. On the 13th of December of the same year, he was united in marriage to Mary A, Orr, of Brooke county, West Va .. Mr. Inglebright and family are members of the Presbyterian church, He is also a member of both the Masons and Odd-Fellows' so- cieties. Residence on Fourth street; this is one of the finest buildings in the town, and was erected by him at a cost of $4,000. A fine engraving of it will be found among the illustrations of this work.

CONRAD LONG was born April 27, 1836, in Frankfort-on-the- Main, Germany, where he lived until the twentieth year of his age, when he emigrated to America, landing in Baltimore, Maryland. He remained there about three months, then came to Wheeling, and worked at the tanner's trade, which he learn- ed in the old country. He remained in Wheeling only two years, then moved to Martin's Ferry, hired himself to Mr. W. B. Dunlevy, for whom he worked three months, and on the 1st of March, 1858, he purchased his employer's tin store. The follow- ing, copied from a public print, will best explain the character and progress of his business:

"Martin's Ferry Enterprise .- On the 1st day of March, 1858, Conrad Long purchased the tin shop of W. B. Dunlevy, which was located on Second street, near Washington, The cash capi- tal of Mr. Long on that eventful day was two dollars; and this, no doubt, represents the tools, stock in trade and good will of the business purchased, as it was a very small affair. But noth- ing dannted ; our hero went to work with a will, determined to supply all demand for goods in his line, in consequence of which determination it was no unusual thing for him to work indus- triously all day, and to continue his labors till midnight and after. "Spare no labor to fill an order or supply a customer," was his motto. Pursuing this course his business so increased that his quarters became too small, and in the following year he purchased the Dakin property, now occupied by him, and after his removal he enlarged his facilities by the purchase of new and improved machinery, ever keeping pace with all the improve- ments in the copper, tin and sheet iron business, and making a specialty of tin roofing.

"In 1863 Mr. Long purchased the adjoining property, known as the Rice store room, which was fitted up for his residence. The next two years were years of progress, and in 1866 a ped- dling wagon was started, which supplied the retail dealers of Belmont and the surrounding counties with a superior quality of the products of the Martin's Ferry shop, which enabled them to defy competition.

"In 1872 he added 75 feet to his store room, making it 95x20, with a large sky light in the centre, and a shop in the second

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

story sufficient to afford ample accommodation for six workmen, and in 1876 a full line of hardware, house furnishing goods, queensware, a full line of table and pocket cutlery, farmers uten- sils of all kinds, and he has obtained the sole agency in town for the Oliver Chilled plow, and has from time to time added stoves. till at the present time his assortment of cooking stoves, office stoves, parlor, and in fact all varieties of heating stoves, is com- plete.

"Of the superior and beautiful stoves manufactured at Akron, Ohio, Mr. Long has the sole ageney for this county. In house furnishing goods it is not too much to say that in variety of style and completeness of assortment, the establishment of Mr. Long is not surpassed, and here we might have supposed he would stop, prepared as he is, to supply the necessities and luxuries of life to the men and women of the community-but no, the little folks must not be forgotten ; and the toy department of his im- mense establishment has grown from a small beginning a few years since, till now, in this, as in other lines, he is ahead of all competitors.

Mr. Long was married September 1st, 1858, to Miss Kate Clark. His place of business is at Nos. 53 and 55, Washington street.

R. E. SWEENEY was born at Philadelphia, Pa., October 2, 1838. When one year old he was brought by his parents to Wheeling, where he resided until ten years ago, when he moved across the river to Martin's Ferry, which he still makes his home. He practices law, and is also engaged in the manufacture of brick, in which business he has employed from twenty-five to forty men during the season. He manufactures about a million and a half of bricks every year. Mr. Sweeney was married to Miss Elizabeth B. Woods, April 7, 1870, and has reared a family of three children. Mr. Sweeney is a straight forward business man, whose integrity cannot be impeached, and whose character reflects credit upon the community in which he resides.

DAVID PARK was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, in the spring of 1815, where he resided with his parents until the year 1838, when he married Elizabeth MeIver, and soon after emi- grated to America. He first settled in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he obtained a situation as salesman and bookkeeper for Robert. Galway, wholesale grocer. He remained in that position for about four years -then moved to this place and established him- self in the mercantile trade, which business he has carried on until the present time. Mr. Park's residence and place of busi- ness is situated on the corner of Washington and First streets. He enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him, and re- ceives his share of the public patronage.

FINLEY TAYLOR was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Oeto- ber 5, 1827. In the seventeenth year of his age he bound him- self out as an apprentice to learn the cabinet trade, and served three years. On the 26th of October, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hussey, and one year later he removed to this place, where he has resided and worked at his trade ever since, either for himself, or as foreman or contractor and bnilder for the "Agricultural Works." Mr. Taylor's residence is situ- ated on the corner of Second and Clay streets. The fact of his being a member of the city council is an evidence that he enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens.

HARRISON Coss was born in Belmont county, March 15, 1832, married Mary Jane Linn in 1853, and has reared a family of eight children-five sons and three daughters. Mr. Coss has carried on the business of brick making for over twenty-five years, and is also a practical bricklayer. David Coss, his father, came to Belmont county about 1808, when but a mere boy, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and in 1817, or near that time, he was married to Miss Nancy Smith. They raised a family of eight enildren - five sons and three daughters-five of whom are living. He carried on brick making until a few year's before his death, which occurred in Martin's Ferry, August 12, 1876, in the eightieth year of his age. At this writing his widow, who has attained the age of eighty-two years, and still enjoys very good health, resides with her son-in-law, Joseph MeHenry, who is employed as foreman at the Etna Rolling Mills. She receives a pension from the U. S. Government for services ren- dered by her husband in the war of 1812.

AUGUST ROTHERMOND was born in Prussia, July 2, 1831, and at the age of twenty-one immigrated to this country, and settled

in Wheeling. Having previously learned the trade of plaster- ing with all its branches of ornamental work, he has followed the business as contractor ever since his arrival in this country. He made his first contract with the Benwood Iron Works in the month of March, 1853. Mr. Rothermund at that time had to get an interpreter to transact his business for him. He is now one of the largest contractors in his line of business in this section of the country, often taking contracts hundreds of miles from home, and giving employment to a large force of men the most of the year. Mr. Rothermund is therefore a valuabe citi -. zen to the community in which he resides. He also owns a store of general merchandize which his family superintends. In the year 1855 on the 31st day of May, he was married to Miss Han- nah H. Specht. They have reared a family of six children. Mr. Rothermund's residence and place of business is situated on the corner of Main an Monroe streets, Martin's Ferry.

DANIEL W. CLARK was born March 23, 1833, in Belmont county, about one and one-half miles west of Martin's Ferry. He is a son of Ebenezer Clark, who is the only surviving son of Elizabeth Zane, the heorine of Fort Henry, who volunteered to go from the block house to her brother's after powder for the re- lief of the besieged garrison. When at the age of twenty-two, Mr. Clark commenced the boot and shoe making trade. On the 17th of April, 1862, he married Mary Jane Cummins, and is the father of six children, Mr. Clark has lived in Martin's Ferry all his life, has carried on the manufacture of boots and shoes for twenty years, and now has a shop situated on Second street, be- tween Clay and Fayette, where he enjoyes his share of public patronage.

JAMES EAGLESON was born in Martin's Ferry, Belmont county, August 7, 1807. When twenty-four years of age he learned the tailor's trade, which he has followed for about forty years. Mr. Eagleson was never married, but always lived with his parents until their death (his mother having died in 1845, and his father in 1848), since which time he has lived with his sister, Miss Hannah Eagleson. He filled the office of Mayor from 1869 to 1871, and has been justice of the peace for nine years. Mr. Eagleson is now seventy years of age, and still en- joys good health. He is considered a very competent and valuable officer and citizen, whose integrity cannot he ques. tioned.

JOEL WOOD .- Joel and Elizabeth Wood, parents of the subject of this sketch. came from Frederick county, Maryland. to Jeffer- son county, Ohio, and settled in Smithfield, where our subject was born, August 21, 1814. When twenty-three years of age, Mr. Wood moved to Martin's Ferry, where he embarked in the mercantile business, which he carried on about seven years, then engaged in the nursery business which he continued, in connec- tion with other matters of a mercantile character, until 1853, when he took an active part in the construction of the "Cleve- land and Pittsburgh railroad," and at the opening of theroad, was appointed agent at Martin's Ferry, in which capacity he served until the organization of the "Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad" in 1871. He then resigned that position, and accepted the office of president of the last named road, which he held until two years ago, but is still one of the directors of the road. Mr. Wood, from the time he first settled at this place, has always eontribu- ted much of his time and money for improvements, and for the advancement of education. He was a member of the "Board of Education" for thirty years, and the prime mover for the adop- tion of the "Union School System" in Martin's Ferry, it being among the first schools of that character in eastern Ohio. He has, also, always been an advocate of temperance. As early as 1835, he became interested in the emancipation of the slaves, and identified himselfwith the then despised "abolitionists;" was for many years an active member of the "Ohio AAnti-slavery So- ciety," and at one time, one of its vice presidents. He aided in the formation of the "Liberty Party," and in 1840, gave his first vote for president and vice president of the United States for the candidates of that party. In 1818, he was sent as a dele- gate from Belmont county, Ohio, to the national convention held at Buffalo, New York, which resulted in the formation of the "Free Soil Party"-afterwards merged into the "Republi- can party" with which he has ever since been connected. Mr. Wood's parents were Friends, commonly called Quakers, and he has always adhered to that religious faith. On the 30th of August, 1837, Mr. Wood married Miss Elizabeth C. McGrew. also a native of Smithfield.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

THOMAS WATKINS was born near St. Clairsville. Belmont county, Ohio, October 26, 1820, where he was employed in farm- ing until the year 1541, whe be removed to Wheeling Island. and with his brother run the ferry boat plying between that place and Wheeling, for about fifteen years. He then engaged in gardening, which he followed about eight years, when he re- moved to this side of the river, and continued in the same busi- ness. Four years ago he engaged in the mercantile trade in Martin's Ferry, which he still continues. Mr. Watkins was married to Miss Ann Eliza Hoop. October 12. 1841. Mr. Wat- kius' residence and place of business is situated on the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets. He enjoys the reputation of a straight forward and honorable business man.

GEORGE SHREINER Was born in Germany. December 21, 1831, and when fifteen years old emigrated to America, and settled in Wheeling. where he learned the baker's trade, which he followed with success until the year 1864. At that time he moved to Washington county. Ohio, where he remained for about three years, then came to Martin's Ferry, and established himself in the hotel business, which he has pursued ever since. His hotel. known as the Sherman Honse, is situated on the corner of Washington and Railroad streets, and is the principal hotel in the place. It has in connection with it a livery, feed and sale stable. On the 17th of July, 1850, Mr. Schreiner was married to Miss Adline Hess.

EPHRAIM MARTIN. the third child of Ebenezer Martin, the foun - der of Martin's Ferry, was born in this place on the 22d of April, 1823. and here he has resided ever since. Farming has been his principal occupation. Mr. Martin never married, and now makes his home with his sister, Miss Catharine E. Martin, a very estimable lady. Her residence is situated in Martin's addition to the town.

HIRAM FRAZIER was born near Winchester, Va., March 3rd, 1815. His grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. His father came to Ohio in 1818, and settled in Jefferson county, at what was called Patterson's Mill, on Big Short creck. At the time of his settlement, the county was very wild, and many Indians were yet in the neighborhood. He was one of the early millers of Jefferson and Belmont counties. Our subject recollects of see- ing many of the dusky sons of the forest, and is conversant with the carly settlement of the county. When Mr. Frazier grew to manhood, he learned the trade of a bricklayer, which he fol- lowed for about forty -five years. He first canie to Martin's Ferry in the year 1840. As a contractor be has built a number of important bail lings, among them being the Grant House, in Wheeling. the railroad shops in Wellsville. Ohio, a number of churches at Martin's Ferry, and others. He was married in 1839. and has reared a family of eight children. His residence is situated ou Fourth street, and is among the oldest dwellings in the place.

JOHN G. KEHRER, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ger- many, October 18th. 1831. When eighteen years of age he emi- grated to the United States and settled in Wheeling. Having previously learned the trade of a stone cutter, he worked at it about ten years in this country. In the fall of 1858 Mr. Kehrer, together with several others, purchased a tract of land of abont thirty acres, joining the corporation of Martin's Ferry on the north, which he cleared and put in a state of cultivation for the purpose of raising grapes, and has now abont eighteen thousand vines of different varieties, bearing fruit. He has not failed to get a fair yield every season since he has p this bis for mak- business. He has a wine press, together with facil ing the very best wine, and has the largest wine cellar in this section of the country. He makes every year a large quantity of pure wine, in addition to supplying a great many grapes for the local trade. Mr. Kehrer married Miss Matilda Koch. July 3. 1852.

ISAAC MARTIN, the oldest child of the second family of Eben- ezer Martin, the founder of Martin's Ferry, was born January 23. 1840. His principal occupation has always been that of a a farmer. His residence is situated just west of Walnut Grove.

EBENEZER MARTIN. brother of the above, was born Novem- ber 26, 1844. He has also been engaged in farming most of bis life, and has always resided in his native place, Martin's Ferry.

LEONIDAS W. MARTIN, brother of the two foregoing, was born August 2, 1845, in Martin's Ferry, where he always re- sided, with the exception of about one year, which was spent in the west. He has been principally engaged as teacher in pub- lic schools. Mr. Martin was married to Miss Emma J. Beazle. December 18, 1872. They have reared a family of two sous. Mr. Martin's place of residence is situated ou the corner of Park and seventh streets.

JAMES KERR, one of the prominent manufacturers of Martin's Ferry, was born in Belmont county, December 8, 1824. Mr. Kerr was reared on his father's farm. until he arrived at the age of eighteen, when he began the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and in a few years became a master workman. In the year 1852 be removed to Martin's Ferry, and engaged in contracting and building. This was continned until 1856, when he em- barked in the lumber trade, in which he is still largely engaged. On the 23d day of February, 1854, our subject was united in mar- riage with Isabella Ralston. His son Robert is a graduate of Martin's Ferry high school, and is working in his father's plan- ing mill. and his son James is attending military school at West Point.

GEORGE ROBINSON, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, December 31, 1846. When only fifteen years of age, he enlisted as a private in the 30th P. V. I., company A, and served one year. After his return from the war, he remained in Pennsyl- vania but one year, and then came to Martin's Ferry. Mr. Rob- inson learned the trade of a blacksmith, with John Fisher. served an apprenticeship of three years, and then worked sev- eral years for Mr. Spence, and other manufacturers, and then began labor in the Excelsior Glass Factory, where he remained seven years. In 1877 he began work in a shop of his own, on Hanover street, where he is still to be found faithfully perform- ing all kinds of work that men of his trade have to perform. He is a skillful workman, and largely patronized by many of the manufacturing establishments of Martin's Ferry and Wheel- ing. On July 12, 1867, he married Jennie Pennington, of Mar- tin's Ferry.

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 105

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728