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 130

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 130
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 130

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The careful and wise labors of Mr. Myers have not been lost, and it may be truthfully said that he did more for the cause here than any other man. His name will always be held in grateful memory and esteemed highly by the entire congrega- tion. During the last six months of his ministry Prof. S. A. Crenshaw, of Bethany College, labored with him. L. South- mayd, of Steubenville, assisted the two pastors in their most successful meeting, held early in the year 1870.

Mr. Myers closed his labors in the month of August, 1870, immediately after the adjournment of the Yearly Convention of the district, which had been held with the church that month.

The congregation not being able to find a suitable man to take charge of it, did not employ a minister until the first of April, 1871. In January of that year William A. Ridge held a meeting for the church, resulting in thirty additions. He was at once called to take charge of the church, and entered upon his duties in April. He remained with the congregation abont eighteen months, or to the fall of 1872. N. McLeod filled the pulpit during the summer months of 1873.

L. Southmayd was again called to hold a protracted meeting for the church, which he did in January, 1874, resulting in twenty-seven additions to the membership. N. W. Cramblett was then chosen as their minister. He began preaching for them on the first of March, 1874, and closed his labors in March, 1875. He was succeeded in the spring of 1875 by Joseph Dunu, who remained with the congregation but a very few months.

W. H. Woolery preached for the congregation during the winter of 1875-6, and was succeeded by W. F. Parker, who preached for them one year, adding eighteen members to the church. He closed his labors July, 1877.

The church was again without a preacher until the month of January, 1878. E. J. Gants was then chosen as their minister at the close of a successful meeting resulting in forty additions to the church. Seventy were added to the church during the year 1878. Mr. Gants is now entering upon his second year with this congregation, and it is hoped that the prosperity of the church will daily increase.

The officers of the congregation are at present (1879) :

Minister-E. J. Gants.

Elders-Robert Israel,* Jesse Tracy, Abner Millison, Jona- than Carpenter.

Deacons-Lemuel Dallas, William Snedeker, John Atkinson. Sunday School Superintendent-W. G. Todd.

Clerk-Dr. A. J. Hogue.

The Sunday School numbers about sixty scholars, and the church has enrolled one hundred and twenty-seven names. Over six hundred have held their membership with this congre- gation since its organization.

Three young men have been sent out from it as ministers, namely: I. J. Spencer, now pastor of the Paca Street Christian Church, Baltimore, Md. ; Edgar W. Dallas, now in Texas, and Marcellus Thompson, soon to graduate as a minister in Bethany College. The prospects for the future are bright, and it is hoped that this congregation may reap a glorious reward.

#Resigned March 2, 1879.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

THE M. E. CHURCH OF MORRISTOWN

Was organized about the year 1828, by Rev. John McPherson, assisted by Rev. Walter Athey, and was then a part of the Barnesville circuit, In 1854, the Morristown circuit was formed and included three other congregations. In 1863, the Hendrys- burg cirenit was taken from Morristown circuit, so that at pres- ent the circuit is composed of two congregations.

Jane Hatcher was the first member. Amos Gulie was the first class leader. At the present time there are about one hun- dred members belonging to this congregation. In 1830, they rented the Episcopal church, in which they held worship until in 1835, when they built their first church building, which was used for a number of years, but has recently been displaced by a more modern and commodious building. Owing to there not being a complete record, we are unable to give a list of the min- isters that have had charge ot the congregation since its organi- zation. Rev. W. D. Starkey, the present minister, has had charge of this congregation for the last three years.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN McCALL was born August 21, 1808, on the farm upon which he now resides. He assisted his father in clearing the land ; carried their guns out into the clearing as well as their axes, both being very essential in an early day. At the age of twenty, he commenced the tanner's trade. Atter serving a full apprenticeship he started for himself, on very limited means. To aid the enterprise along he raised tobacco and sold it, and in this manner got a fair start. He carried on a shop for about twenty-five years. After the demise of his father he purchased the old homestead and engaged in tilling the soil, which he has followed ever since.

JOHN LIPPENCOTT was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., Sep- tember 3, 1801. In 1815, his parents migrated to Belmont coun- ty. They came down the Ohio river on a flatboat and landed on Wheeling Island, where they camped out two days and nights before a team could be procured to carry them to Morris- town. On the 21st day of April, that year, they reached their destination and settled on the lot where William Handy now lives, where his father engaged in the hotel business and con- tinued until 1827, when our subject succeeded him, On the 11th of September, 1823, he was married to Miss Charity Gaston, who was born near St. Clairsville, July 27, 1803. She was a daughter of Dr. Alexander Gaston, who migrated from Brooke county, Va., in 1800, and settled near the village. Dr. Gaston was accompanied by two men, who helped him cut the timber and build a cabin on his land. They camped out two weeks un- der the cover of their wagons, and were often awakened from their slumbers by the howling of the wolves which infested the forests. His family consisted of a wife and three children. For several years after their settlement they went all the way to Washington, Pa., to purchase their groceries. At the time Dr. Gaston's mother settled in Washington, the place contained but four houses. He followed blacksmithing for a couple of years. Read medicine and began the practice of the same in 1809. In 1811, he removed to Morristown, where he died in 1825. He had an extensive practice, which took in Woodsfield, Middle- town and Freeport. The subject of this sketch has seen the following distinguished gentlemen : James Monroe, in 1819; General Jackson, in 1824; met Henry Clay frequently ; Daniel Webster and his son breakfasted at his house in 1830; saw Al- monte and Santa Anna, the Mexican statesmen and generals, in 1853, as they were carried prisoners from their homes to Wash- ington City.

He and his wife have been members of the Presbyterian church for over fifty years. He has served as elder for twenty years. Ilc has entertained at his hotel persons who traveled on horseback all the way from New Orleans,

In early days there were no banks west, and merchants would travel in companies of eighteen and twenty persons together, carrying leather bags containing about $2,000 in Spanish eagles. "This aged and much respected couple are living near the spot where they spent their childhood days.

WASHINGTON HLOGUE was born in boudon county, Virginia, December, 1813. In 1828 he migrated to Belmont county, and located on section eight in Union township. He was married to

Miss Phobe Gregg, in 1836. Their family consists of four chil- dren-three sons and one daughter.

JOSEPH MCCALL was born on the 12th of September, 1806. on section twenty-four. He was reared a famer, and has followed the plow ever since. In 1846 he was married to Miss Naveni Bevan. He is the father of two sons-Joseph and Thomas.

M. S. WHITE is a native of Virginia. In 1805 he migrated to Belmont county with his parents. After he grew up to man- hood, he settled in Union township, on section thirty, and en- gaged in tilling the ground. In 1826, he married Miss Eliza Clanahan, which union resulted in nine children-five of whom are still living. In 1854 he lost his wife by death, and in 1856 he married Miss Rebecca Yonaly, and by her he had five children -two boys and three girls. He has always been a successful farmer,

JOHN LYNN was born in Belmont county in 1819. He settied in Union township in 1831, on sections 15, 20 and 21. On the 6th of June, 1867, he married Miss Martha Milner. His family consisted of eight children -- two boys and six girls, four of whom are still living. In 1873 he was called to mourn the loss of his companion, who was a kind and affectionate wife and mother. He has followed farming, in which business he has been very successful.

ELI NICHOLS .- Our subject was born in London county, Vir- ginia, in 1834; migrated with his parents to Belmont county in 1837. They settled on section eight. At the age of thirty-six he married Miss Margaret C. Welling, and located on part of the old farm, formerly owned by his tather. They have a family of four children-two boys and two girls. As a farmer (which oc- cupation he has followed for nearly all his life) he has been very successful.

SAMUEL POLLOCK .- Our subject's birth occurred in Washing- ton county, Pa., on the 11th day of January, 1818; came with his parents to Belmont county in 1831. He remained with his father until he was thirty-three years of age. Married Miss Jane Scott in 1851, and then located on section sixteen, on the land known as the Winder farm, where he still remains. He follows farming and stock raising. Ile fills the office of elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which he and his wife are members. They have a family ofsix children living. Mrs. P. is in her fifty- eighth year.

CALDWELL DUNN .- Mr. D. was born on the 12th of April. 1817, in Belmont county ; was reared a farmer and is now liv- ing on the old homestead, upon which his father first settled in 1802. He formed the acquaintance of Miss Sarah Nichols, an estimable young lady, and in 1844 he was united to her by mar- riage. Their nnion has resulted in eleven children-nine of whom are still living. He is a successful and well-to-do farmer.

CALVIN POLLOCK was born in Belmont county, January 21, 1838. On December 8, 1869, he was married to Miss Aggie ). Henry. He located on the old farm of his father, and has re- mained there ever since. He has followed farming from a child up. He is one of the elders in the Presbyterian church, of which he and his wife are members. His farming has been profitable.

CHARLES HARROW, a native of Belmont county, was born on the 1st of November, 1867, and reared by his father. Charles assisted his father in clearing up the old homestead. As soon as he arrived at the proper age he was set to work. It was no small matter at that early day to prepare farming land. By working one day and going to school the next, alternately, he was thns enabled to obtain his education, At the age of eighteen his father believing Charles hardly stout enough to endure the work necessary to be done on the farm, induced him to learn the harness trade, and he soon became quite an expert at it. He followed this trade for about seven years. On the 13th of March, 1832, he married Miss Rachel Sharp. They were members of the Crabapple Presbyterian church. On the 20th of December, 1877, his wife died, at the age of 71 years, le is in his 73d year, and is now living with his nephew, Thomas Welling.

BENJAMIN HOWELL was born on the 8th of March, 1812. in Belmont county. On the 5th of February, 1837, he married Miss Elizabeth Willis, who was born April 24, 1815. She bore him eight children, five of whom are living. She departed this

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

life on the 30th of May, 1864, in her 49th year. She was a de- voted member of the M. E. Church. On the 24th day of Oeto- ber, 1867, he was married again, to Miss Sarah McElroy, who was born in 1830. By her he had but one child, now dead. He is a farmer by occupation, and is now residing on the land en- tered by his grandfather in 1803, His widowed daughter is keeping house for him.

WILLIAM DUNN was born in Lancaster county, Pa., October 7, 1774. He married in 1799. He had a family of nine chil- dren, five boys and four girls. He migrated to Belmont county, Ohio, in 1802, settling in Union, on section eleven; served his county in the legislature nearly twenty years; elected justice of the peace for his township a number of years. He served both positions with honor, and discharged his duties with fidelity, He died on the 27th of January, 1858, and his wife, January 21, 1865. He was aged eighty-four and his companion eighty-six. Mr. D. was also a general in the militia, and served to years in the state senate.

WILLIAM BOYD, a native of Maryland, was born July 3, 1789. His father migrated to Pennsylvania when our subjeet was but four years of age. In 1800 he migrated to Belmont county, ar- riving on the 31st of October, on the farm now owned by Robert Boyd, about a mile from the place where he died. He was a cooper by trade. He married Miss Agnes Patterson, who bore him ten children, viz: Mathew, Margaret, Mary, Ann, Clark, William, Robert and Nancy. Mr. B. died in his eighty-eighth and his wife in her seventy-second year. Mr. Boyd was a soldier of the war of 1812 and witnessed the surrender of Detroit by General Hull to the British, August 16, 1812.

P. R. CHAPMAN, M. D., was born in Washington county, Pa., November 5, 1815; educated in the same county; attended Washington College in 1834-5. In 1836 he went to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he studied medicine under Dr. Leslie. In 1839 returned to Washington county and taught school in the neighborhood of West Middletown. Located in Hendrysburg in March, 1840, to practice medieine. In the fall of 1841 he was married to Miss Sarah Groves, daughter of Joseph Groves, near Egypt, Belmont county. In 1863 he removed to Pennsylvania, where he resided on a farm. In 1865 he moved to Morristown, and continues the practice of medicine. He has been a success- ful practitioner, His family consists of four sons and one daughter. Two of his sons married.

ROBERT BOYD was born in Belmont county November 30, 1802. He engaged in farming and coopering. In 1831 he was married to Miss Matilda Baggs, They had twelve children, seven boys and five girls. Three of the children are dead, His death oeeurred June 8, 1872, aged 70 years, He and wife (who is still living) belonged to the U. P. Church.

M. L. CUNARD was born in Loudon county, Virginia, March 16, 1816; migrated to Richland township, Belmont county, where he remained for a few years, and then removed to Union township, locating on section 10, where he lived until his death, which occurred on the 25th of June, 1874, aged 58. A wife and five children were left to mourn his loss. He was a farmer by occupation.

ALEXANDER HARROW .- The subject of this sketch was born in Allegheny county, Pa. In 1802 he and his brother started for Belmont county for the purpose of entering land. His brother entered land on the Piney Fork of Short creek, and he entered section 12 in Union township, and then returned to their home. The next year (1803) he, in company with James Dunn, returned to his land and located section 11 in connection with the former named section. There were but two acres cleared on each farm, with a brush fence around it, which had been built by the Indians. In the fall of that year they eut down the trees, hewed logs, and erected cabins, after which they again returned to their former home. In the winter of 1804 Mr. Harrow was married to Miss Jane Keel, and also Mr. Dunn took a wife, and the party returned to their new home among the wild forests of Ohio. Mr. H. had a family of eleven chil- dren, four of whom are still living. Here he, in company with his neighbor, Mr. Dunn, cleared his land and tilled the ground and lived the remainder of his life. He died July 17, 1859, aged 83 years. His wife died on the 20thof March, 1862, at the age of 82. May they rest in peace.

MATHEW MCCALL was born in 1777, in Washington county, Pa. In 1803, he married Miss Nancy Sharp, who was also a native of the same county, born in 1795. Their union resulted in nine children, six of whom are living-Jane, Joseph, John, Nancy, Mathew, Mary, Alexander, Thomas and Margaret. John now owns the old place which his father entered. In 1801, they migrated to Belmont county, Ohio, locating on section eighteen, Union township. His father followed farming during life, and was one among the early settlers of this county. In those days wild animals were in abundance, such as bear, wolves and deer. Many nights did he lay on the loft of his log cabin, with his gun by his side to shoot wolves that were prowling around. His family was called to mourn his death, April 18, 1838, at the age of 65 years. His widow survived until October 21, 1864, when she departed this life, aged eigyty-four years. They were mem- bers of the Seceder church.

AMOS NICHOLS was born November 2, 1799, in Loudon conn- ty, Va. In 1821, he married Miss Maria Brown, who was also a native of the same county, bornin 1807, Their union resulted in nine children, six sons and five daughters, six of whom are living. In 1838, they migrated to Belmont county, Ohio, locat- ing on the place formerly known as the David Hogue farm, In 1845, he erected the present building, which is now occupied by his wife, daughter and son-in law. In 1871, he died at the age of seventy-one years. His widow still survives, aged sixty-nine years. They esponsed the Friends' faith.

ABNER KENNON was born in 1801, in Pennsylvania. At the age of five years he was brought by his father to Guernsey eoun- ty. In 1826 he married Miss Margaret Phillips. This union resulted in nine children, six sons and three daughters, five of whom are living. In 1844, he moved to Belmont eounty and located on section twenty-eight, Union township, He owns a grist mill and saw mill, which were built a number of years ago and are now operated by his son-in-law. Mr. Kennon was a great hunter in his day, as game of all kinds was plentiful. In 1864, his family was called to mourn the death of their mother. She died at the age of fifty-two years. He still survives, aged seventy-eight years; is smart, intelligent and quite a reader.

JOHN POLLOCK was born March 5, 1795, in Washington county, Pa. He married Miss Nancy Hays, April 26, 1817, who was also a native of the same county, born in 1798. This union re- sulted in fourteen children, ten of whom are living. In 1818, he migrated to Harrison county and located in Georgetown town- ship. He remained until 1831, then moved to Belmont county, locating in Union township, on seetion nine, near Wheeling creek. He followed farming as his voeation through life. On February 26, 1861, his family was called to mourn his death, He died at the age of sixty-six years. His widow, who still sur- vives, is aged eighty-one years. They were both devoted mem- bers of the United Presbyterian church; while living he held the office of elder for a number of years.

JAMES LYNN was born in Virginia in 1784, and in the same year was brought by his father to Harrison county, Ohio. In 1807 he married Miss Isabel Shepherd. Their union resulted in five sons and three daughters, all of whom are living but one. In 1818 he moved to Belmont county, located in Wheeling township, and while there followed farming and merchandizing. After continuing in that business a short time he sold out, moved to Union township, located on parts of sections 15, 20 and 21, and followed farming the rest of his life. He died in 1869, at the age of eighty-five years. His widow still survives, aged seventy-eight years.

JOHN MERCER was born in Virginia; migrated to Belmont county and settled in Union township in 1800, locating on sec- tion thirty. He brought with him his wife and family, consist- ing of seven children. When he arrived he found a little log cabin, in which he and his family took shelter. He then went about clearing the land and tilling the soil, in which he was quite successful. The land that he entered still belongs to his descendants. In 1822 or 1823 his family was called to mourn his death. He died at the age of sixty. His widow survived until in 1850, when she died, aged eighty years. Of his family there were ten children in all, only two of whom are living, Lydia Cannon and Amy Brock,

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

CARNELOS VANCURAN migrated to Belmont county in 1825, and located in Mead township. He followed gunsmithing until 1828, when he removed to Union township and located on or near Wheeling creek, and remained there until 1830. He then mnoved to Guernsey county, and there stopped about seven years. In 1837 he went to Hocking county, where he followed farm- ing. He was the father of sixteen children, and died in 1846.

NATHAN SHEPHERD .- Near the line between the states of Dela- ware and Maryland, in 1788, Nathan Shepherd was born. In 1801 he came with his father, Nathan Shepherd, to Belmont county, and located in Wheeling township. They were among the first set- tlers in the township, and the hardships they had to endure were those common to the pioneers of the county, Onr subject, in 1812, married Amelia Ann Frush, of Wheeling township, where he settled and remained until in 1825, then moved to Kirkwood township, remaining there until in 1828, and then came to Union township and settled on section thirty-two, on the Na- tional pike, one mile and a half west of Morristown. Hero he resided until his death. At the time of his settlement in Union township he entered into the hotel business in connection with farming, which he followed for a number of years, and then re- tired from the business and followed farming exclusively. He reared a family of six children, viz: James, Catharine, John, Joseph, Nathan and Tabitha, all of whom are living, married, and have families. His wife died in 1858; he died in 1860.

JAMES SHEPHERD, SR., a son of Nathan Shepherd, was born in Belmont county, March 6, 1814, and was reared a farmer: He married Catharine, danghter of James Dallas, in 1838, and settled in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he remained until in 1847. He then returned to Belmont county and located on a farm one mile and a fourth west of Morristown, where he lived until in 1862, and then removed to the farm where he is now living, located one mile west of Morristown, on the National pike. Farming and raising and dealing in stock has been his princi- pal occupation. He has also been engaged in the mercantile business in Morristown and St. Clairsville for a number of years. He reared a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. His wife died in August, 1874. He then mar- ried Mary McCartney February 20, 1877.

JOHN V. FISHER was born in the city of Wheeling September 28, 1837. In 1858 he came to Morristown, and in December of the same year succeeded Robert Mckelvey in the drug and hardware business, in which he has been engaged ever since. At present he is dealing in all kinds of drugs, patent medicines, wall paper, hardware, agricultural implements, &c., &e. He married Martha G. Lippencott, daughter of John and Charity Lippencott, December 20, 1859, by whom he has had two daughters.

JOSHUA TRACY was born in Baltimore county, Md. He mar- ried Nancy Vaugh, and migrated to Wellsburg, West Virginia, in 1808, where he remained until in 1813. He then moved to Belmont county, and settled on a farm one mile and a fourth southwest of Morristown. The farm is now owned by his son Jesse, where he lived and followed farming as his avocation un- til his death which occurred in 1823. His wife survived him until in 1853. They were parents of eleven children : Joshua, Levi, Isaac, Mark, Andrew, Shirden, William, Bazil and Keziah, all of whom are dead except Jesse, who is living in Morristown.

JESSE TRACY, a son of Joshua Tracy, was born in Union town- ship, Belmont county, in 1818. He married Lucinda MeKinley in 1841, and settled on the old home farm. Ile reared a family of three children, one son and two daughters. His wife died in 1864. He then married Margaret Ilill in 1870. They lived on the farm until in 1872, then moved to Morristown, where they are now living. Mr. Tracy engaged in the drug business when he came to Morristown, which he is still following, keeping on hand a fine stock of drugs and patent medicines, &c. He also keeps on hand a general assortment of hardware. In February, 1878, he opened up a hotel, known as the Tracy House, which he is keeping at present, giving first-class accommodations to the traveling public.

JAMES CLARK .-- In Fayette county, Pa., James Clark was born in 1784. He married Sarah Watson, of the same county, in 1807, and came to Belmont county in 1808. He settled on the farm now called the Poor-house farm, remained a number of years, then moved on a farm noar Shepherdstown, and lived

there several years. He then went to Harrison county, Ohio, remained six years, and then spent the remainder of his days at his son William's, in Morristown, Belmont county. His wife died in November, 1864; he died November 22, 1872. He served one year under Capt. Conney in the war of 1812. He reared a family of five children, John, Martha, Elizabeth, Wil- liam and Mary, four of whom are living, John being deceased.

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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 130

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