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 126

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 126
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 126

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ISRAEL WILSON, JR., son of Israel and Martha Wilsou, was born in Pennsylvania, June 9, 1807. and when about four years of age, his parents removed to Harrison county, Ohio. Here our subject on November 29, 1827, married Catharine Davis, and remained there until 1861, and theu removed to Warren township, Belmont county, Ohio. They reared a family of nine children-William C., Martba, Elisha, Jane, Aun Eliza, Mary H., Rachel D., Israel J. and Joseph D. All are dead but Ann Eliza, who resides on Sandy Ridge, near the Quaker school building, where she and her mother came in 1875. Israel Wil- son died April 16, 1865, aud his wife July 21, 1878.

WM. TALBOTT was born in Maryland, December 17, 1797. When six years of age his parents removed to Rockingham county, Virginia. In 1815 they migrated to Belmont county, Ohio. On December, 24, 1818, William married Rebecca Mar- phy, by whom he became the parent of eleven children, nine of whom are living -- seven boys and two girls. All are married. Our subject located on the farm upon which he now resides in 1823. His wife died, Angust 29, 1877. The names of his chil- dren and dates of birth are as follows: John, June 16, 1821; William, February 14, 1823; Delilah, July 25, 1827; Mary J., May 31, 1829; James M., April 18, 1831: Israel, March 9, 1833; Marinda, February 7, 1835 ; Maria F., April 23, 1836; Francis M., January 15, 1831 ; Ellery, January 15, 1841 ; Levi C., July 6, 1842.

JAMES M. TALBOTT was born April 18, 1831 ; reared on a farm and received a common school education. Is engaged in farm- ing, stock dealing and real estate speculations. In 1871 he re- moved to Kansas, where he remained until the fall of 1875.

1111111

"RIVERVIEW RESIDENCE OF THOSB.COULTER,NORTH 4" ST. STEUBENVILLE OHIO.

A . RICHARDSON.

WARE

BALTIMOREA OHIO KIPASS OFFICE

A. RICHARDSON

PROVISIONS

GROCERIES

RESIDENCE & STORE OF A.RICHARDSON, DEALER IN CHOICE GROCERIES FINE TEAS.COFFEES,SPICES,FLOUR, FRUITS &c.& c. NO. 221.32 ST. BELLAIRE.

PIONEERS CABIN,

361

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

LEVI C. TALBOTT was born July 6, 1842, on a farm where he was reared and educated. On December 26, 1878, he was mar- ried to a lady of Noble county, Ohio. He owns a farm on the National pike, one mile west of Lloydsville.

HISTORY OF KIRKWOOD TOWNSHIP.

Kirkwood formed one of the first four original civil townships and extended from the Ohio river to now Guernsey, in which part of said county was included. It was erected November 25, 1801, and named in honor of Robert Kirkwood, the pioneer. On February 24, 1802, and August 15, 1804, Richland, Pease and Union were erected from the eastern portion. In January, 1810, part of its western territory was included in the establish- ment of Guernsey county. March 14, 1817, sixteen sections were taken off the northern end of the township in connection with twelve from Union township to create -Flushing, since which time it has remained unchanged, with a square of thirty- six sections.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settlement in Kirkwood township was made on sec- tion eight, in 1800, by three brothers, Joseph, William and Bar- net Groves, who migrated from Pennsylvania with their fami- lies, located and made improvements on this section. In 1802, a man by the name of McBride located and made some improve- ment on section eleven. In 1802 or 1803, John Israel settled on section two. John Bradshaw settled on section thirty-two in 1803 or 1804. In 1804, Hugh Gilliland and family settled on section twenty-five, and Hugh Ford on same section and John Heaney on section one during the same year. In 1804 or 1805, John Burton settled in the township ; John McClain settled on section twenty-five; Anomias Randall on section thirty-two. In 1805, Thomas Perkins and family settled on section seven- teen. In 1805 or 1806, James Mckinney settled in the town- ship. In 1806, Ralph Cowgill settled on section thirty-one. William Spencer settled in the township in 1805 or 1806. In 1808, Robert Griffin settled near where Egypt is now located. Thomas Griffin settled in the township about the same time. In 1807 or 1808, John Honnold, Josiah McColloch, John Jarvis, John Marsh, Francis Hall and Hugh McMahon, made settlements in the township. Thomas Barret settled on section thirty-two in 1807 or 1808. In 1808, Robert Waddell made his first improvements in the township. In 1808 or 1809, James Sheppard settled on section twenty-three. Daniel Con- ner and Basil Ridgeway made settlements in the township dur- ing the same years. Mathias Graves settled on land one-half mile east of where Hendrysburg now stands in 1808. In 1809 or 1810, Thomas Greene settled on section twenty-nine. Isaac Midkiff settled in the township in 1810 or 1811. Philip Ward settled on section 17 in 1811. John Ball on section sixteen the same year. Charles Harvey, Nicholas Gazaway and the Moores were among the early settlers. Jacob Barnett settled in the township in 1813, William Bratton in 1814. Abner Moore in 1814. John McFadden, in 1815. Alexander H. McCormick, in 1815 ; Alexander McKeever, in 1816; Rev. John McPherson, in 1816 ; Lewis Jones, in 1816; Henry Acton, in 1817; Eli Tay- lor in 1817; Patrick Hamilton, in 1819; Samuel Boden, in 1821 ; Joseph Reynolds, in 1824; Charles Smith, in 1826; Samuel Smith, in 1824; Robert Armstrong, in 1823. And there are many others who were here in an early day and endured the hardships of a pioneer life, labored hard to clear away the dense forests, make improvements and prepare the soil for cultivation. Some of them are mentioned in the history of Sewellsville.

INCIDENTS.

In about 1798 a party of hunters were camping at a spring near where Jonathan Perkins' dwelling now stands. One even- ing when they returned to camp one of their party, by the name of Robinson, was missing. Diligent search was made for him, but he could not be found. They supposed him to be car- ried off a captive by the Indians, as there were some in the neighborhood at that time. In 1807 there was a gun barrel and some human bones found on the Perkins' farm, section 17, which were thought to be the remains of Robinson. In honor of this unfortunate man one branch of Stillwater creek bears his name, and is known as Robinson's branch.

In 1818 or 1819, near the centre of the township, John Clark was killed by a tree falling on him.

In 1820 a man by the name of Gilbert was found dead in the ·10-B. & J. Cos.

dam. His shoes were lying on the bank, and the remainder of his clothing was on his body. It was supposed that he had drowned himself.

Henry Roberts was found dead in the dam one morning. His horse was standing near the water's edge and the man's body in the water.

In 1827 or 1828 there was a man killed while raising a to- bacco house by a log rolling on him. His name was not known. In 1830 Samuel Douglass, while holding a log on a hillside, the log rolled, struck him on the head, and killed him instantly.

In 1830 or 1832 James Gould was killed on the road leading north from Hendrysburg. He was on his way home from town with his oxen and cart. The cart was upset, and a plow that was in the cart fell on him. The shear striking his side killed him.

In 1844 or 1845 William Jarvis was killed, while raising a house by a log falling on him.

In 1849 William Johnston was found dead on the hillside above Hendrysburg, supposed to have been killed by the horses and wagon running over him.

In 1851 there was a destructive fire in Hendrysburg, burning a steam flouring mill, storeroom, and dwelling house ; also a stable with one horse was consumed by the flames.

In 1852 Philip Spear, a carpenter by trade, was killed while tearing down an old frame house, by one side of the building falling on him.

In 1856 or 1857 George Lewis and his son, Samuel, were killed in the coal bank at the old woolen mills by the bank fall- ing on them.

In 1869 Louisa C. Fox was murdered by Thomas Carr on the farm now owned by Daniel Mummy. An account of this is found elsewhere.

LODGES OF HENDRYSBURG.

MANCINNETTA LODGE NO. 360, I. O. O. F.,

Was organized in 1860, by W. C. Earl, grand master, with five charter members, Moses Milton, Dr. P. R. Chapman, D. J. Spear, A. C. Hogue and A. J. Heaney,

Officers elected were :

A. C. Hogue, N. G. D. J. Spear, V. G. A. J. Heaney, R. S. Dr. P. R. Chapman, P. S. Moses Milton, Treasurer.

Others were soon added to their number. The lodge was pros- perous and in good working order until 1864, when on account of so many of their members going to the war, they surrendered their charter to the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and it was not until in 1876, that by a petition sent to the Grand Lodge by A. J. Heaney, D. S. Spear and A. C. Hogue and others of the old mem- bers, that a new charter was granted to them. Since the reor- ganization of the lodge, it has been prosperous. Their member- ship at present is twenty-eight. They met in Susan James' Hall until in 1877, then they in company with John Parks erected a building in the western part of Hendrysburg, the up- per room of which is used by the I. O. O. F. lodge and the lower room by Parks for a store room.

Present officers are :

C. M. Tidball, N. G. William Goodin, V. G. Alfred Hutchison, R. S. W. S. Henderson, P. S. Job Dillon, T.

KIRKWOOD GRANGE NO. 911

Was organized in May, 1874, with Barnet Taylor, Master. They meet in one room of the Hendrysburg school house. The mem- bership at present is about sixty, with James A. Sheppard, Master.

HENDRYSBURG READING CLUB.

This society was organized December 4, 1874, with seven char- ter members. Officers elected were :

Dr. E. D. Straw, president. R. A. Heaney, vice president. John Davis, recording secretary. W. H. Davis, corresponding secretary. Wiltord Wesley, librarian.

362

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

They occupied one room on the school building until in March, 1878, they moved their quarters to the ball over the drug store, where they hold their meetings at present. Membership at this time is twelve, with

Frank Dillon, president. E. S. Swan, vice president. Carl Agy, recording secretary. W. H. Davis, corresponding secretary. W. L. Culberson, librarian. William Wesley, treasurer.

The society is in good standing and their library is filled with interesting and valuable books.

HENDRYSBURG DIVISION No. 37, S. S.,

was organized June, 1876, with twenty-six charter members, by A. M. Collins. D. G. W. P. The following officers were elected : John Davis, W. P. Elizabeth A. Davidson, W. A. Etta Hamilton, P. W. P. Clarkson Mckeever, R. S. Katie Chapman, A. R. S. William F. Shepherd, F. S. Etta Hamilton, Treasurer. John Hall, C. Kate Gray, A. C. Sadie Mckeever, I. S. John Conner, O. S. Rev. M. J. Slutz, Chaplain. John Davis, D. G. W. P.

They held their meetings at Snsan James' Hall about one year. Then they moved their quarters to a room in the school building, which they are occupying at present. The member- ship at this time is thirty. The lodge is in a prosperous condi- tion, with Jesse Burson W. P.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE OF KIRKWOOD TOWNSHIP.

John Israel was one of the first justices of the peace in Kirk- wood township. John McPherson, T. Lacock, Mead Jarvis, A. Moore, Wm. B. Beall and John H. Johnston have also been justices. Barnet Taylor, who has filled the office for twenty-one years, is one of the present justices, and Joseph Erich, the other.

SCHOOLS.

In 1809 or 1810, there was a log cabin school house erected on the Cowgill farm in section 31 near the southwest corner of the township. John Stewart kept the first school in this house, and continued toaching there for several years, David Long and James Round also taught several terms in this cabin.

In abont 1810 or 1811, there was a cabin school house built, on then William Green's but now Silas Sheppard's farm, near where Sewellsville is now located. William Jarvis and Wil- liam Mitchell taught several terms in this house.

In about 1813 or 1814, there was a cabin house built on James Greenelteh's farm. James Greeneltch taught in this house for several years. There was an old log cabin house fitted up for school purposes, near the center of the township, in which Wil- liam Mitchell and David Long taught several terms of school. There were several terms of school kept in an old cabin honse that stood on the farm now owned by James K. Murphy, in the north central part of the township. In an early day there was a cabin house erected for school purposes south of where Hen- drysburg is now located. There were also several terms of school taught in different parts of the township in cabin houses. The teachers were paid by each family that sent children to school, paying according to the number they had in attendance during that term.

In 1822 the township was divided into nine school districts, all of which were supplied with hewed log honses as soon as it was possible to do so. Some of the teachers who taught in the hewed log houses were Jesse Cowgill, Norman Shamblin, Wil- liam Gregg, Wm. Doudle, Pardon Cook, David Harris, Moses Marsh. Richard Cross, Henry Long and a Mr. Sidle. The hewed log houses have long since been torn away, and their places filled with good frame buildings. At present the town- ship is divided into eleven school districts, four of which are supplied with good brick houses, and the other seven with frame buildings. The schools are in good standing, and supplied with competent teachers.

HENDRYSBURG SCHOOL.

Before the ereetion of a house for school purposes in the vi- cinity of Hendrysburg, there were several terms taught in pri- vate residences in the neighborhood, and a few terms tanght in the old Christian Church building, which was a log structure, located one-fourth of a mile north of town, by Moses Milton. Benjamin Eaton taught a term in his own residence in the win- ter of 1831-2. William Tidball kept a few terms in his dwelling house. Robert Barkley and a Mr. McGinnis were among the carly teachers in the neighborhood. In 1839 there Was a frame school house erected at the east end of town 28x30 feet. David Tidball taught the first term of school in the new building.

On account of the number of scholars being too great for one teacher, the district was divided and a frame school house built. The schools were carried on as separate districts until in 1870, then the two districts united and formed a union school: They erected the present school building, which is a fine briek struc- ture 36x60 feet, containing four rooms, three of which are used for school purposes. The fourth room has been used by the Hendrysburg Reading Club, until March, 1878, and since then the temperance society have been holding their meetings there.

The school is in a prosperous condition under the manage- ment of Oliver S. B. Grimsley, principal, assisted by E. F. Swan and Miss Ellie Barber.

HENDRYSBURG.

The village of Hendrysburg is located on the National pike in the south central part of Kirkwood township, section four- teen. The pike was built through this part of the country in 1825-6. Charles Hendry purchased the land that is now occu- pied by the town shortly after the pike was completed. He first engaged in the mercantile business, meeting with success. In 1826 or 1827 he erected a steam floning mill which brought people to the place and gave rise to the laying out of a town. In 1828, Mr. Hendry employed Mr. Briggs, a surveyor, to lay out and make a plat of a town which he called Hendrysburg in honor of his own name. The lots extend on both sides of the pike, across a quarter section, except a short distance on the north side of the pike at the cast end of the village, being 52 feet on the street or pike. A number of lots were at once sold and small log dwelling houses erected thereon, that have since been torn away and frame buildings erected in their stead. The first building of any consequence was erected by William Tidball, be- ing a dwelling house with a store room in connection, in which he engaged in the mercantile business for several years. Since 1867 it has been used for hotel purposes by Mrs. Conner. In 1843 there was a woolen mill built by a joint stock company on the present site of the distillery, which was operated with sue- cess for a number of years, manufacturing all kinds of woolen goods until in 1860 it was abandoned. The steam flouring mill built by Charles Hendry, in 1826 or 1827, was owned and opera- ted by different men until in 1851, it was destroyed by fire. An- other mill of the same kind was at once erected in its stead on the same ground, operated about one year and was also consumed by fire.

In 1849-50, the flouring mill known as the National Flouring Mill, was erected a little northwest of where the old woolen mill stood, by Christopher Shaffer. It contains three run of burs, two for flour and one for chopping feed. "The capacity of the mill is one hundred barrels of flour per day. It has been owned and operated by several parties since its erection. Since 1871 it has been operated by Job Dillon. In 1862 the old woolen mill building was purchased by Christopher Shaffer, converted into a distillery, and has been used as such since that time. At pres- ent it is operated by William Henderson, and owned by the Shaffer heirs,

In 1837-8, the M. E. Church society erected a brick church building, which was used for church purposes by the society until 1869; they then tore away the old building, and erected the present frame strneture for church uses, in which they worship. The Christian church society erected a church edifice in the vil- lage in 1869, which they hold their meetings in at present.

In 1854 Messrs. E. Combs and McCartney built the Hendrys- burg flouring and saw mill at the east end of the village. At present it is owned and operated by Trimmer & Hill.

At present the village contains about eighty-five dwelling houses, with a population of about 375.

It contains three dry goods stores, two grocery stores, one drug store, postoffice, with David McCoy postmaster, two physi- cians, one dentist, two wagon shop?, four blacksmith shops, one

363

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

distillery, two saloons, two steam flouring mills, one with saw mill in connection, one livery and sale stable, two hotels, one school building containing four rooms, two churches, I. O. O. F. Lodge, Reading club, temperance organization, &c., and one Grange Lodge.

EGYPT.

In 1826 James Lloyd erected a flouring mill on Stillwater creek, section 3, Kirkwood township. In a few years he built a saw mill near the grist mill. He did a flourishing business for many years, during which time there were several buildings ereeted. Some parties engaged in the mercantile business, and there was a blacksmith shop built, and everything went on well. The place was called Egypt, and is known by that name for many miles. But nothing remains at this time to mark the place but old buildings, all the business and people having forsaken it. The mills have not been in use for several years.

SEWELLSVILLE.

Near the spot where sections 28, 29, 34 and 35 eorner in Kirk- wood township, Belmont county, Ohio, was a grand old spring of pure, cold water, which served as a watering place for the pioneers of the settlement that was made in close proximity to it about the year 1815 or 1816. The settlement was known by the name of "Union," after the name of the log meeting honse, which was also built near this spring in 1819, and of which the writer will speak more at length in another place. In 1807 Francis Hall settled and built a cabin on section 29. Alex. Mc- Bratney and Robert Griffin also settled on the same section in 1808, Basil Ridgeway, Thomas and William Green in 1809, John Hunter, Philip Lykes, Sr., Jesse Pennington and Philip Lykes, Jr., settled on section 35 in 1812. William Frizzell, Henry Gregory and Thomas Miller, on section 28, in 1809. John Jar- vis, Philip and Mead Jarvis and David Shay, on section 34, in 1810. The location of the village proper, is on the dividing ridge between the waters of Skull fork, and Robinson's fork of Stillwater, and is on the line of the western terminus of the coal region of the county.

The settlement was called "Union" up to the year 1831, when on petition of Thomas Beeks, John Cole, Mead Jarvis and oth- ers, a postoffice was granted under the name of Sewellsville, with Peter Sewell first postmaster. Mr. Sewell and family emi- grated from Maryland in 1828, stopped a short time with Frau- cis Hall, then moved on to New Rumsley, in Harrison county, Ohio, where his brother James Sewell was living. Here they remained till the next spring, 1829, when they returned to what is now Sewellsville, and settled on the lot now adjoining the M. E. Church on the south. Peter Sewell was a cabinet maker, and supplied the neighborhood with good furniture for a number of years. He was also noted as a fifer and drummer in martial music. He and his estimable lady, Susan Sewell, and their son, T. M. Sewell, are now at this writing living in the town of New Athens, Ohio, the son being a prominent teacher in Franklin College. But it will occupy too much space to give even a brief sketch of all the pioneers of this place, and the writer will be ex- cused for only mentioning the names of prominent individuals who were connected with the history and business of the village. The successors of Mr. Sewell to the office of postmaster, were William Jarvis, John Anderson, J. R. Ball, Isaiah Mitchell, John Widdoes and Joshua Young, present incumbent, who took charge of the office in 1865. The first church organization was in 1818, under the pastoral labors of Rev. Thomas Ruckic, (Methodist Episcopal) who first preached in a log cabin near where the brick church now stands, which was also used as a schoolhouse.

A class was organized with Basil Ridgeway leader, and met at his house, about a mile north from where the church build- ing is now located, for a year and a half, when the log meeting- house above mentioned was built in 1819 in the bounds of what was then known as Barnesville cirenit. At the time this house was built the leading members in the society were Ridgeway, Thos. Miller, Zachariah Marsh, Mead Jarvis, Thomas Frizzell and others. The leading ministers who supplied the work up to 1837, when the present brick church was built were Thomas Ruckle, John Carper, Daniel Limerick, William Knox, Thomas Taylor, (John McPherson, local,) Pardon Cook and C. E. Wei- rich. Under the pastoral labors of the two latter ministers an unusual display of Divine power was manifested in the month

of September and continned through the winter of 1836-7. Over one hundred persons professed saving faith in Christ, and united with the church, and the meeting is known to the pres- ent time as Charley Waddell's great meeting, a local preacher who labored successfully with Cook and Weirich. The old log house now being too small to accommodate the congregation, arrangements were made the following spring for building a more commodions house. The contract was let to James Young, of Wrightstown, Ohio, to make the brick and finish the build- ing, 45x563 feet, 16-foot story, ready for service for the sum of $ --. The house was finished in the fall of 1837, (Theodore Bailey, boss bricklayer,) and was dedicated by Rev. Edward Smith, P. E., on January 1, 1838. The principal ministers on the charge from 1838 up to present time were C. D. Battelle, S. R. Brockunier, G. D. Kinnear, Charles Thorn, John Shirer, Is- rael Arehibold, P. K. McCue, N. C. Worthington, J. W. Baker, James McIllyar, M. J. Slutz and R. S. Strahl, present pastor. All of whom were eminent divines, and did noble work for the advancement of Christianity. The church membership at pres- ent numbers 125; church property valued at $2,000. A pros- perous Sunday School in connexion with the church has been in operation over forty years. In 1855 a Methodist Protestant Society was organized, and a neat frame building, 30x40 feet and twelve foot story, was erected a little west of the village, principally through the labors and influence of John Sheppard, one of the pioneers of Methodism in the neighborhood, with H. T. Lawson, pastor. The principal ministers in this church who supplied the work were: H. T. Lawson, William L. Baldwin, George Hessey, John M. Woodard, J. P. King, Thomas Schott, J. B. MeCormick, E. S. Hoagland, and L. W. Link, who was the pastor in 1877, when the society disbanded, after continuing twenty-two years with moderate suceess. A Sunday School was carried on most of the time, composed chiefly of the same scholars that made up the M. E. Sunday School. Church prop- erty valued at $1,000.

As before stated, a log cabin stood near the church building, which was used as a school house. It had split puncheons for seats, without backs. It is not clearly defined who taught the school in this house during the first few years of the settlement, but in 1829, David Harris, (afterward justice of the peace, and probate judge of Belmont county for a number of years) built a cabin on what was afterwards known as Odell's hill, and opened a school in the autumn of the same year. John Barry and An- geline McPherson were his successors for some years afterward, when the old school house went down and the Union scholars went to the adjoining districts, one on the north and the other on the south, since known as Orr's and Armstrong's school houses until about the year 1846, when a handsome frame school house was built on the hill at the west end of the village, on a lot purchased of Philip Jarvis, known as No. 12 and finished after a more modern style, with board seats and writing desks, black board, &c. In the winter of 1847-8, D. MeMoore taught the first school in the new house.

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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 126

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