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 136

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 136
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 136

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J. W. SCOTT, son of Brice and Mary Scott. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1813, and migrated to Belmont county, Ohio, about 1818, with his parents. He died in 1863, from an injury by the kicking of a horse. Our subject resides with his widowed mother on the old homestead. He looks after the in- terests of the farm and provides for the welfare of his aged mother.

WILLIAM HARDESTY, son of Robert and Nancy Hardesty, was born in Richland township, June 17, 1812. He received his education in the old log school houses of that day, and was reared a farmer. In April, 1838, he married Miss Martha A. Turk, by whom he had six children : Sarah A., Daniel, John, Nancy, Obe- diah, and Isaac. The first three mentioned are dead. In 1849, his wife died, and on the 22d of May, 1856, he married Miss Mary A, Taggart. Ever since his first marriage he has lived on the farm on which he now resides, situated in Colerain township, on a part known as the Huff section. At present he owns 326 acres.

JOHN WHITE was born in Belmont county, in 1811, on the farm that he now occupies ; he is a son of John White, who came from Maryland; they were of English origin ; came to Belmont county in 1800. John, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, attending only a few weeks in the winter season. In 1847, he married Eleanor Wills, of Belmont county ; has five children, all living in the county. Mr. White's

father lived to be eighty-seven years old, and his grandfather lived one hundred and five years.

HISTORY OF MEAD TOWNSHIP.

Mead was erected from Pultney and York townships, January 3, 1815. The following is copied from the commissioners' records : "A number of the inhabitants of York and Pultney town- ships or election districts in the county of Belmont, have peti- tioned to be struck off into a new or separate township or elec- tion district. The commissioners of said county have proceeded and laid off said township as followeth : Beginning at the south- east corner of fractional section number eleven, on the Ohio river, in township 4, range 3; thence running west along the section line till it strikes the range line dividing the third and fourth ranges; thence north along said range line to the centre line of the fifth township in third rauge; thence cast on said centre line to the range line between the second and third ranges ; thence along this range line north one mile ; thence east to the Ohio river, then down said river to the place of beginning. The bounds contained within the above de- scribed lines to be a new township or election district, to be known by the name of Mead."

Mead is about six miles long and four miles broad. It is bounded on the north by Richland and Pultney townships, east by the Ohio river, south by the river and York township, west by Smith and Washington. The greater portion of this township is hilly and in many places mountainous in appearance. It is consid- ered a good farmiug district, the soil being rich and productive. The principal streams are Wegee and Pipe creek. Excellent coal veins underlie its entire limits. A number of coal banks are opened and operated. Thousands of bushels are shipped from these to different points aloug the Ohio river.

SETTLEMENT.

The first settlement made in what is now Mead town- ship, was by the Dilles, on the bottoms opposite Moundsville along in 1793-4. This land upon which they settled afterwards derived its name from them. A block house or fort had been erected by them at this point to protect themselves and other settlers from the unmerciful attacks of the savages which then roamed the forests in deadly hostility towards the whites.

Martin Shewey and family, Major James Smith and fam- ily, and Leonard Coleman and family, settled in the same bot- tom about the same time.

Samuel Day and family settled on the ridge above the valley very early.

Richard Riley and family, and Thomas Dunfee and family, settled on the same ridge.

McElherron and family were the first settlers in now Pultney bottom, Mead township. In his house the first court in the county of Belmont was held.

Prominent among the early settlers of Mead was David Lock- wood, who migrated from near Wheeling creek, West Virginia, in 1800, and located in Dille's bottom, in section six. He was born in the state of New York, in 1762. Being full of zeal and patriotism at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, he enlisted and served his country in that memorable struggle for liberty. He was taken prisouer and held by the British in custody ten months before being released. In 1791 he was married to Miss Rebecca Thomas, and reared a family of twelve children, six of whom are yet living. He was made one of the first Associate Judges of Belmont county, (1801) filling that position a number of years with honor and distinction. Was granted the liberty of naming this township, and he named it in honor of his mother, whose maiden name was Mead. In 1840, Mr. Lockwood died at the ripe old age of seventy-eight, and his wife in 1863, aged seventy-two.

Esquire Sowerhaver and family were very early settlers in Dille's bottom, He was one amongst the first justices of the peace in Mead.

Revs. Hall and Joshua Robinson, (both Methodist Episcopal ministers) setteld on the ridge rather early.

David Linn and family, William Ambler, James Mckinley, Andrew Smith and others comprised the early settlers of this township.

391

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

REMINISCENCES.

ENCOUNTER WITH A BEAR.

In an early day Samuel Worley and Thomas Dison started out on a hunt, up McMahon's creek but got separated from each other before hunting long. Dison soon came across a very large bear and fired at him. The bear fell ad Dison, supposing him to be dead, advanced, when the bear instantly rose upon his hind legs and seized Dison in the thigh, sinking his teeth through the flesh, and held on with a death-like grip. So painful was the wound and so closely did the bear hold him that it was with the greatest difficulty he extricated himself sufficiently, so as to reach his hand out where his tomahawk lay. After securing the same he began to beat the bear over the head and a fearful struggle ensued between the combatants; one fighting by in- stinct, and the other guided by the dictates of reason. Dison, after repeated blows, which were growing less severe, on account of his suffering, succeeded in the battle and bruin finally sank back and expired, although maintaining his hold. Dison said he had to pry the jaws open to get loose, after the bear had died. He was almost exhausted, but his heart took courage at his success and victory over his enemy, and he crawled on his hands and one knee about a mile to his grandmother's where he was obliged to remain for some time, to allow his wound, which was no small affair, to heal. He made a very narrow eseape with his life. His partner, Samuel Worley, having taken the oppo- site side of the creek captured and killed four deer on that ex- pedition

ATTACKED BY WOLVES.

Benjamin Lockwood relates an early experience with wolves. He says, that when a boy, he was sent to a shoemaker's shop to get his shoes repaired. Being detained somewhat longer than he had at first anticipated, the shades of evening began to gather about before he started homeward. As he journeyed along on horseback through a low ravine, he heard wolves rushing down toward him howling ferociously, which sent a thrill through his young blood, and almost caused his hair to stand on end. His horse becoming alarmed and excited, started with full speed as the wolves ran up against his heels. He soon left them in the distance and their noise grew fainter and fainter until the sound was lost to his ears. He was safely carried to his father's door, and the carniverons animals were obliged to seek for some other victim,

FEMALE BRAVERY.

Benjamin Lockwood says that Major Smith and his wife were brave and successful hunters. They resided near Dille's bottom, and in early days kept two dogs, for the purpose of fighting bears. One day while Mr. S. was absent from home, a bear, large and fat, chanced to pass through the door yard. Mrs. Smith seeing it, set her dogs on. The bear being worried by the dogs sought relief by climbing a tree adjacent. She took down her gun and went out, drew a fine sight on it, and fired, bring- ing bruin from his perch in great confusion to the ground, kill- ing it instantly. She was an expert with a rifle, having killed many deer and wild turkies, seldom ever missing her mark.

WOLVES AND SHEEP.

Mr. Benj. Lockwood's father, in the early settlement of the county, as well as other farmers, was greatly annoyed by the rav- ages made by wolves upon . sheep, and lost a great many by their attacks. Secure pens were often built in which to keep them during the nights. But sometimes the wolves would effect an entrance into and slay them. One night Mr. L. had several sheep killed. He built up a sort of a trap the next evening fol- lowing, and placed those sheep slain within. It was so arranged that a wolf could easily enter, but when once within it was obliged to remain. The trap worked charmingly, for next morning they found their victim securely fastened up in the trap, which they soon disposed of by decapitation.

KILLING A DEER.

When a boy, Benjamin Lockwood observed a deer swimming across the Ohio river from the Virginia side. He secured his father's guu and slipped down along the bank, and after the deer lauded, he shot it. "This was all done under boyish excitement, and when a whole congregation left a church not far distant, to enquire the cause, Benjamin found he had shot a deer ou the

Sabbath day. Upon hearing the report of the rifle some of the people thought that Indians were about. But Benjamin enjoyed the fun, and laughed heartily.

EIGHT HUMAN SKELETONS.

Ou the farm owned by J. L. Jones, in Dille's bottom, near the Ohio river, were found eight human skeletons buried underneath a large rock that had evidently slipped from its place and crushed them (perhaps Indians) as they took shelter under its projec- tion.

SCHOOL HOUSES.

Among the first school buildings built in Mead township was one on section 32, in 1818 ; another was erected on the Bellville ridge along in 1822 or 1823. On section 15, stood a round log school house, which was built very early. Then, schools were of short duration, books scarce, teachers poor, and educational facilities very poor and limited. Now the township contains two brick and eleven frame school houses, in which school is continued nearly nine months in the year. Five teachers are usually employed and the educational advantages for the youth are excellent.

GRIST MILLS.

It is claimed that the first grist mill erected in Dille's bottom was built by David Lockwood in 1821, on a small stream.

In 1834, Benjamin Lockwood built a grist mill on the waters of Pipe creek, about a mile from the Ohio. This is a frame building, the dimensions of which are 40x50, and three stories and a half high ; contains four run of buhrs. In 1845, he placed an engine in the mill, using steam power. In 1868, the boiler bursted, killing two men, Thomas King and the engineer, Isaac McCabe. The capacity of the mill was about fifty barrels per day. After the explosion of this boiler he attached his water-power, which he first used and which he still uses. A number of years ago he purchased a great deal of wheat, and has had as high as ten thousand bushels in the mill at one time. In 1838, he erected a saw mill near the grist mill, and this has been in use ever since.

The Businessburg grist mill was erected in 1848, by Archi- bald McGrew and Robert Hammond. It is 40x50 feet and three stories ; contains three run of buhrs. It is located on Pipe creek and was operated by water-power until 1855, when Mr. McGrew secured an engine and introduced steam-power. This firm car- ried on the milling busines until about 1858, when the mill was sold under the hammer to Allen Ramsey. In 1860, James Ship- man purchased it. He operated it a short time. In 1864, Syl- vester Cramer secured it. He took David McGrew in as a part- ner after following the business alone six months. These gen- tlemen continued as partners for about four years, when the ju- nior partner sold to Isaac Richner. He and Cramer carried on for a few years. Richner theu sold to W. H. Weeks, who after about four years' experience, left and Irwin was appointed re- ceiver. The mill was operated until the fall of 1878, when it was again sold at sheriff's sale. Thomas MeNeice purchased the mill and has been operating it with considerable success ever since. The capacity of this mill is one hundred bushels per day.

Wegee grist mill was erected in 1864, by Samuel Heath and Samuel McGrew. It is 30x30 feet and three stories high. It contains three run of buhrs. It is situated about one-half mile from the Ohio river and at the terminus of the Bellaire and Wegee pike and near the Bellaire and Southwestern railroad. Merchant and custom work is done at this mill.

LARGEST LAND OWNERS.

Col. Thompson owns 500 acres of land in Mead township; Samuel Day, 470; Samuel Kirkland, 425; Dixon Myers, 333; Jas. Dunfee, Andrew Myers and James Trimble own 300 acres each.

THE PRODUCTIONS.

The principal productions of this township are wheat, oats, corn and other grains. The soil is good for farming and yields largely of these cereals.

POPULATION.

The enumeration taken by the assessor for 1879, of males above twenty-one years of age, shows Mead to contain 127. Hs population is about 2,000,

392

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

COAL WORKS.

The Lockwood and Burly coal bank was opened about 1865. This firm operated it until 1879, when it changed hands and Mr. McFadden acted as superintendent, The average amount of coal taken out per year is 200,000 bushels. The present com- pany intend taking out 2,800 bushels per day. This is now call- ed the Pipe Creek Coal and Iron Company.

Col. Thompson's coal works were opened in 1865, by Watson, Smith & Co. These gentlemen have leased the bank from Col. Thompson, who receives a royalty on each bushel taken ont. The net profits to this company per year is about $5,000. The vein is a six foot one and of good quality.

Wegee coal bank is owned by David Smith and operated by Peter Shaver. This bank was started in 1851-2. The mine averages 200,000 bushels per year. The bank is opened on an incline of six inches to the foot. About one mile back the thick- mess of the vein is six feet. There are three ledges of hydraulic rock and a small vein of iron ore. Two-thirds of this hill is pro- nounced limestone. There is found a streak of whet stone rock in this hill also, and sandstone rock suitable for building.

Urias V. Wallace's coal bank was opened in 1871. The bank averages about 2,500 bushels per year. The vein is six feet thick; is operated by shaft.

The Empire Coal Company's works are located about two miles above Moundsville, on the Ohio side. Work was first com- menced by Henry Snyder in 1866. The vein is six feet, Sny- der operated it for a short time, then he took in James G. Morris and William Winnins as partners, when it was first known as above named. This bank produces yearly 150,000 bushels. At present it is lying idle.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

PIPE CREEK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The citizens in the neighborhood of this building were greatly desirous of a church built in their midst, and along in 1844, Ben- jamin Lockwood donated a pleasant site on section 18. A com - mittee of three persons, consisting of Benjamin Lockwood, John Brice and Jonathan DeLong, were appointed to take such steps in the matter of a church ereetion as was deemed expedient by them. This committee went to work in earnest, and soon suc- ceeded in raising means, by subscription, to build. Ere the close of 1844, a neat frame edifice 35x50 was completed and ready for occupancy. It was dedicated by Rev. Alfred Paul, of Wheeling, who was the minister in charge of the little flock. He was succeeded by Rev. Irvin, of the same city. After the latter, followed Rev. Wm. Grimes, Rev. Greenley and others. Present minister is Rev. Lafferty. Membership numbers about fifty. Elders-Brice, Dillsmore, Irvin and Wiley. This con- gregation has an active Sabbath school, with an average attend- ance of about forty scholars.

PULTNEY M. E. CHURCH.

This class was organized by Thomas White in 1856, with twenty-five members. In the year following a church building 30x50, of frame, was erected on ground donated by Samuel Hof- fer. The building committee consisted of John B. Huffman, Henry Keyser and Thomas White. Rev. J. Darby is the minis- ter in charge. Class Leader-George Corbet. A wide-awake Sabbath school is conducted by this congregation. School num- bers about forty. Superintendent-James Corbet, Jr .; assistant, Dixon Long.

WEGEE M. E. CHURCH.

In 1833 William Lamdon organized this class with eighteen members. Services were held by them in Pultney bottom, and at private houses among the members for a couple of years. In 1835 they erected a frame building 30x40, on ground donated by John Albright, on section 8, north of Wegee creek. This build- ing was used until 1878, when a new structure was erected, un- der the directions of the building committee-J. W. Hathhorn, R. S. Riley and Thomas Keyser, Jr. The edifiee was completed and dedicated September 1, 1878, by the presiding elder, Rev. J. M. Carr, assisted by Rev. Cobbledick (being the minister in charge,> Rev. F. DeHass and Rev. W. Darby. The building measures 34x40. It bas a membership of two hundred and twenty, and is in a growing and prosperous condition. A large

Sabbath school, numbering about forty pupils, is conducted in connection with this church.

BETHEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Rev. Thomas A. Groves organized this society with ten mem- bers in 1855. In 1857 a church building, 30x40, was built on donated ground of Barnet's. It was dedicated by the above named minister the same year. In 1871 this house was remod- eled and enlarged to 30x57 ; rededicated by Rev. D. H. Lafferty, of Bellaire, and Rev. Ferguson, of New Washington. This class numbers about two hundred members. Minister in charge -- Rev. James Day. The officers are as follows :

Elders-Thomas Ault, M. Watt, I. M. Watt, Martin Kirk- land, James Hopton and Dr. William Michael. Trustees-Wil- liam Masters, J. T. Watt, Henry Kirkland and Isaac Ault. Treasurer-W. W. Watt.

A. Sabbath school of about sixty scholars is conducted here un- der the superintendency of Thomas Ault, assisted by M. Watt. Secretary-W. W. Watt. Treasurer-M. W. Trimble.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JAMES DUNFEE was born in Belmont county, June 26, 1820; lived with his father on a farm, whilst he received a common school education. About 1841-2, he made a couple of trips to New Orleans, for his father on flatboats. In November, 1847, he married Miss Catharine Meeks, who was born June 5, 1823. This union resulted in ten children, seven sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom are living. After his marriage he located on section 15, in Mead township, where he still remains. In the year 1878, he was elected trustee of the township.

DAVID J. CREAMER was born in Belmont county, August 27, 1829. He obtained a common school education. In 1854, he married Miss Amanda Masters; by their union result- ed four children, two sons and two daughters. After his marriage he still remained with his father, and continued to farm. On August 26, 1867, his wife died; she was a member of the M. E. Church. On the 20th of May, 1869, he married Miss Margaret A Harris, who was born in Belmont county, April 13, 1840. He remains on the old home farm. He and his wife are members of the Jacobsburg M. E. Church.

JOHN JONES, Farmer-Born in Pennsylvania, April 25, 1774. Obtained a common school education. In 1794, he married Miss Lily Benjamin, a native of the same state. Their union resulted in four children, two sons and two daaghters. In 1801, he mi- grated to Licking county, and located on a farm and commenced clearing. He was the first man to plow a furrow in that coun- ty. About 1803, he was ealled to mourn the loss of his wife, leaving him with four small children to care for. Shortly after this he moved to his father's, near the Ohio river, in Monroe county. On the 17th of October, 1806, he married Miss Sarah Hurd, who was born August 13, 1781. Their union resulted in seven children, three sons and four daughters, two of whom are living, O. J. Jones, residing in Illinois, and J. L. Jones, in Bel- mont county, near the Ohio river, in Dille's bottom. After his last marriage, Mr. Jones moved to Virginia, near Proctor, and there built a grist mill, saw mill and stillhouse, which he oper- ated about ten years. He then sold out and moved to Monroe county, and located up Sunfish, where he built mills and carding machines, which he operated till quite old. His son J. L. Jones took charge of these mills and continued in the business for twenty-five years. Our subject built the first brick house in Monroe county, and was a judge of the court for seven years in the same county. Died, August 12, 1858, aged 79. His wife died in 1843, aged 55.

THOMAS McNICE was born in Ireland, July 11, 1829, and re- ceived a common English education. In the year 1849, he mi- grated to America, landing in Philadelphia. He came to Mar- tinsville, Belmont county, where he learned stone cutting and bricklaying; then hired to Captain Crawford to learn the mill- ing business. In the year 1854, he married Miss Annabella White, who was born in 1829. Their union resulted in six chil- dren, three sons and three daughters ; four are living. In the year 1863 he enlisted in battery "D.," First West Virginia Light Artillery, under Captain John Carlin. He served eighteen months, during which time he was in several active engage-

393

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

ments. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1865. In 1878, he purchased the mill known as the Businessburg mill located on Pipe creek, Mead township, which he is still en- gaged in operating. He and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church of Martinsville.

RICHARD L. RILEY was born in Virginia, September 25, 1777. Obtained a limited education, and when quite young was bound ont to learn the carpenter trade, at which he served ten years. In 1800 he migrated to Wheeling, where he remained about three years, working at his trade. In 1803, he came to Belmont county, locating in Pultney, which was then the county seat, and took contracts for erecting buildings. In 1807, he married Miss Elizabeth Day, who was born in 1788, Their union result- ed in ten children, four sons and six danghters, seven of whom are living. After his marriage he located on the river hill, op- posite Kate's Rock, and there remained till March, 1813. He then purchased a farm in section 1, where he resided till his death, which occurred at the age of eighty-three ; his wife died, aged eighty-five. They were consistent members of the old Wegee M. E. Church.

JAMES CORBET was born in Belmont county, February 21, 1835. He was reared on the farm, and obtained his education at common schools. He remained with his father till his death, which occurred in 1877. He then purchased a portion of the old homestead, where he yet remains.

ISRAEL DAY, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, was born near Roscoe, July 14, 1833. He was reared a farmer, and ob- tained a common school education. He married Mary Anlt, December 6, 1860; she was born May 17, 1842. They have three sons and three daughters. After his marriage he located on a part of section 9, township 5, range 3, where he still resides. He and his wife united with the M. E. Church in 1869.

ANDREW BURRIS was born in Belmont county, November 18, 1822. He was reared a farmer, and when twenty-one years of age married Jane Keyser, who was born September 15, 1817. They are the parents of but one child, a daughter. After his marriage he located in section 15, where he remained two years, and then purchased a farm in section 8, Mead township, where he yet vesides, He and his wife are members of the old Wegee M. E. Church.

JOHNSTON L. JONES was born near Proctor, Virginia, Novem- ber 25, 1811. When he was abont two years old, his parents emigrated to Monroe county, Ohio, His father was a miller and fuller, and his son was early tanght the same. After he arrived at the age of majority he had sole control of a mill, and followed the business for twenty-five years. Mr. Jones claims to have helped to erect the first brick building of Monroe county. He married Elydia Schofield April 17, 1838. She was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1812, and died January 6, 1853. For a second wife he chose Rebecca M. Morris, only danghter of Alli- son Morris, June 25, 1854. She was a native of Virginia; was born March 15, 1828. They have two children-Frank M., born February 1, 1857, and Grace C., born August 16, 1867. In 1858 he removed to Moundsville, W. Va., where he remained till 1867, when he purchased a farm in Dille's Bottom, Belmont county, where he still resides. He served as justice of the peace for six years, having been elected in 1863. Mr. Jones is a con- sistent member of the Universalist church.

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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 136

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