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 141

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 141
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 141

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Previous to 1832, the Baptist denomination had a church on the National road in Union township, called Stillwater. The members composing this church partly resided in Union and partly in Goshen township. Thomas Campbell, father of Alex- ander Campbell, had occasionally preached to the church, and probably paved the way for the introduction of the doctrine so ably and successfully inculcated by the son, and which culmi- nated in the formation of the church known as the " Disciples." A division arose on these doctrines among the members of the Stillwater church, and upon the appearance of Alexander Camp- bell to preach a sermon in the church, a separation occurred ; about one-half of the inembers favoring the doctrine preached by Campbell; the other half adhering to the old Baptist faith. These differences appearing irreconcilable, some division of the common church property became necessary, and to effect this object, the Disciples proposed to the opposite party to give or take a certain sum of money for the church building. The ad- hering Baptists chose to take, and were thus left without a place of worship. A part of their members living in the neighbor- hood of Rockhill and the other part in the northwest part of Goshen township, it was mutually agreed for the convenience of the remaining members, to organize two new churches from the dismembered half of the old Stillwater church, still adhering to the Baptist faith.

A new church was organized at Rockhill, for the accommoda- tion of that portion of the members residing in that neighbor- hood, and another church was organized in the neighborhood of the members residing in Goshen township, which was called Ebenezer church, and in 1833 a hewed log house was built for a church, Thomas Atwell taking the contract for building it at eighty-five dollars.

This church seems to have been formally organized and dedi- cated December 5, 1835, and the dedication sermon was preached by Elder Hugh Broom. There were present on the occasion, Elders William R. McGowan, William Stone and C. Skinner.

It appears from the church records that the following were the original members composing the church at its organization, to-wit: Hugh Rogers, William Livingston, Rebecca McGeath, John Williams, Landon Heskitt, Eli McKnight, Olivia Mc- Knight, Rebecca Conrow, John Gray, Nancy Atwell, John Skinner (now an elder at Adamsville), Martha Skinner, Sarah Faris, Peter Gray, Sarah Gray and Ury Turner.

The following ministers have officiated as pastors : Rev. W. R. McGowan served from 1835 to 1839 ; Rev. R. H. Sedgwick, 1840 ; Rev. William Storrs, 1841; Rev. T. M. Erwin, 1842-49 ; Rev. W. R. McGowan, 1849; Rev. G. Cyrus Sedgwick, 1850-55 : Rev. W. R. Mayberry, 1856 to 1858; Rev. B. Y. Seigfried, 1859 ; Rev. S. Seigfried, 1860 to 1864; Rev. W. R. Mayberry, 1865. In 1866, the church had no regular pastor. In 1867, the Rev. W. H. Mckinney had the pastoral charge, and then the Rev. D. Secman served from 1868 to 1871; Rev. C. H. Gunter, from 1872 to 1873 ; Rev. J. S. Covert, from 1874 to 1875 ; Rev. F. Hodden, 1877. Since 1877, there has been no regular pastor, though the church organization is kept up. In 1853, the old log house was replaced by a neat frame building.

405

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH, BELMONT.

But very few facts could be gathered in regard to the history of this church. The only items to be gathered from the mem- bers, was that the church was a frame building. erected in 1838, and that the society held worship in the school honse previous to the building of the church.

HURDLE METHODIST CHURCH.

This was one of the earliest church organizations in the town- ship-some think the first. A hewed log house was built and a church organized about 1809 or 10. Rev. James B. Findly preached the dedication sermon, and preached there for several years as he traveled on his circuit, which extended from Zanes- vile to the Obio river. Among the original members were John Hurdle, Jeremiah Harris, Ephraim Thomas, John' Harn- burg and Wesley Ellis, who was a local preacher. This was al- ways known by the name of the "Hurdle meeting house," be- cause it was built on the land of John Hurdle. This building was used as a church, till it was no longer suitable for the pur- pose, and in 1832 a new brick house was elected at what is now Burton's station, about a mile west of the old one. Rev. James Taylor preached the dedication sermon in 1832 or 33. This was known as Goshen church. The regular church organiza- tion was kept up till about 1860, when meetings ceased to be held and the church dissolved, but the property is still owned by the M. E. society.

BELMONT M. E. CHURCH.

This church was organized in May, 1868, by the Rev. Josiah Dillon, of the Pittsburgh Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. The following persons constituted the first class, formed at the time : Alonzo P. Miller, Elizabeth R. Miller, Ja- cob Mays, Eliza Mays, Jane Calhoon, Sarah A. Schooley, Mar- garet Mays, Margaret Dillon, Alice Wright, Claretta Miller, Em- ma L. Miller and Nancy Lowery. The following year a house of worship was erected, costing $3,210. It was dedicated by Rev. J. A. Pearce preaching in the forenoon, and the Rev. J. S. Braskin in the afternoon, assisted by Rev. Josiah Dillon, pastor. During said meetings a subscription of $1,029.70 was raised to free the church from debt.

The pastors who have had charge of the church since its or- ganization to the present time, are in order as follows : Rev. F. J. Swaney, Rev. John E. Hollister, Rev. J. R. Cooper, Rev. A. G. Robb, Rev. S. Cummins, Rev. L. H. Baker and Rev. W. Dar- by, with junior preacher, Rev. Umpleby, who are now (1879) in charge.

The trustees were A. P. Miller, J. Mays, J. D. Mays, William A. Dowdell, S. T. Beans, J. A. Grove, J. B. Hollingsworth, T. E. McKisson and David Perry. The building committee was A. P. Miller, Jacob Mays, J. A. Grove, J. B. Hollingsworth and J. D. Mays.

BETHESDA M. E. CHUCH.

About the year 1834 or 1835, the M. E. Society organized a church about one and a half miles south of where Burr's Mills now stands and built a frame church building and called it Be- thesda, and the Rev. R. Merrimon preached the dedication ser- mon. This edifice they used till abont 1860, when they built a new frame church at Bnrr's Mills, just north of the village and adjoining their campmeeting grounds. This new church they named Shirer Chapel in honor of the Rev. John Shirer, an es- teemed minister, who had preached for them.

This new church was dedicated November 8, 1860, the Rev. John Moffat preached the dedication sermon.

The following ministers have officiated as pastors since its or- ganization :

Rev. S. Y. Kennedy and Rev. D. M. Hollister had charge in 1861-then Rev. George McKee, Gideon Martin, R. Hamilton, Josiah Dillon, F. J. Swaney, John Hollister, A. G. Robb, J. S. Cummings, L. H. Baker, have successively served as pastors of the church down to the present time, 1879, which finds Rev. W. D. Starkey in charge.

The present membership numbers 82. The cost of this build- ing was $640. The old Bethesda building was sold to John Heskett, at public sale, and the proceeds applied to the payment of indebtedness for building Shirer chapel.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JESSE BAILEY .- The parents of the subject of this sketch, re- moved from Sussex county, Virginia, and settled in Warren township, Belmont county, in 1811, where their son Jesse was born, January 1, 1815, and grew up to manhood under the care of his parents. He married Miss Asenath Patterson, on the 29th day of March, 1837, and in 1849 removed to Goshen township, where he has resided ever since. He had seven children, four sons and three daughters, Silas, John, Lindley, Rachel, Allen, Mary Jane and Sarah Elizabeth. The daughters are all dead ; the sons survive; three of them are married and live in the neighborhood, and are farmers. Allen, the youngest son, still resides with his parents. These aged parents are both members of the Society of Friends, and by their kind, unaffected simplic- ity of manners, and goodness of heart, adorn the church to which they belong. They are models of the ideal character of these people. Mrs. Bailey's sympathies, in common with those of her sect from the days of William Penn, are in behalf of the poor Indian, who has suffered so many and such grievous wrongs from the white man. Mr. Bailey, as has been the case with inost of the Friends, has always been opposed to slavery. He is a-mild, but steadfast Republican, voting that way from prin- ciple and conscientious conviction of duty. He owns a farm and is comfortably situated; both himself and wife are very in- telligent, and perfectly versed in the theology of their church. Mrs. Bailey is an authorized and acknowledged minister by the society of Friends.

JACOB YOCUM was born in Berks county, Pa., Dec. 12, 1802. Came to Belmont county, in 1805, and to Goshen township in 1810, near where Burton's station now stands. There were but few settlers in the township then. He was married September 23, 1823, to Miss Lydia Wade, at the Quaker church at Somer- ton, according to the rules of the church. He lived with this wife nine or ten years when she died, leaving five children, three sons and two daughters, of who two have since deceased, one son and one daughter ; the other three still survive. He was married to his second wife, Miss Sarah Van Horn, June 11, 1833, and by her has had twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Of these twelve children, but five survive-three sons and two daughters. The three sons all served in the Union army and participated in many of the hard fought bat- tles of that war. Mr. Yocum remained a member of the Quaker church till about 1828, when he withdrew from it. In 1835 he united with the Disciple church and engaged in its ministry. There being no church edifice to hold meetings in services were performed at the private residences of the members. He con- tinued in this field of labor till the infirmities of age compelled him to relinquish it, and now in the evening of life, is enjoying the respect and confidence of all who know him.

WILLIAM DOUDNA .- The parents of this gentleman emigrated from North Carolina to Belmont county in 1805, and settled near where Barnesville now stands, but which was then a dense forest; they had to cut a road from St. Clairsville, through the wild woods, to their new home. Their son, William, who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Warren township, May 6th, 1806, and grew up to manhood in that vicinity. In 1829 he was married to Miss Lydia Bailey, who died in 1869. After his first marriage he removed to Beaver township, Guernsey county ; en- gaged in farming till abont 1851; then removed to Goshen township, and bought land on which he has since continued to reside. Mr. Doudna married for his second wife, Sarah Ann Smith. He is a well read man and posted in the literature of ancient and modern times-an honest, upright man, and is a member of the society of Friends. By his first wife he had eight children-four sons-Joseph, George, Elisha, and Benja- min ; and four danghters-Mary, Anna, Hetty, and Lydia Jane -all of whom grew to years of maturity, and all married, but Mary and Anna and Elisha, and have since deceased. Joseph is engaged in farming, George and Benjamin are engaged in manufacturing machinery at Dayton, Ohio. Lydia Jane mar- ried William Osborn, who is engaged in gold mining in Central America, and Hetty is married and lives near Dayton, Ohio.

JOHN WHITE was born in London county, Virginia, in Feb- ruary, 1812; came with his father's family to Belmont county in November, 1817 ; has resided in Goshen township ever since, except two years in Barnesville. He has all his life been iden- tified with the interests of the township and taken a lively con- cern in whatever pertained its progress and advancement. Mr.

406

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

White's character can be judged by the confidence reposed in his integrity by his fellow-citizens, who have elected him four times to the office of Justice of the Peace, besides other town- ship offices, such as Trustee, &c. Mr. White is tolerant in his religious and political opinions. He has never married.

J. A. HUTCHISON was born in Washington county, Pa., Jan- uary 4, 1819, and came with his parents at an early age to Bel- mont county. When about twenty-two years of age, he went to Jefferson county and engaged in the tanning business at Til- tonville, on the Ohio river. He was married Dec. 11, 1845, to Miss Jane Cochran, and raised two sons, both of whom grew up to manhood, but are now deceased. He carried on the tanning business till about 1863, when he removed to Goshen township, and bought a farm, where he has since resided. Ile is a great reader of books, and well versed in history, and is a member of the United Presbyterian church.

WILLIAM A, DOWDELL .- The subject of this sketch was born in Loudon county, Va., August 9, 1808, where he resided till 1832, receiving a good common school education. In that year he emigrated to Belmont county, and settled on a farm a mile and a half west of Morristown. In December, 1834, he married Miss Rebecca Taylor, daughter of Noble Taylor, Esq., a pioneer who came to Belmont county in 1881. His wife died in 1871. He has four children, two sons and two daughters. The sons live in Belmont county, one daughter is in Missouri, and the other died a few years since. He married a second wife, Ar- temissa Burns, in November, 1872. In his earlier years he taught school, and after his marriage taught in winter and farmed in summer. He united himself to the M. E. Church in Loudon county, Va., September 30, 1832, and afterwards en- gaged in the ministry of that church, and is still recognized as such. His eyesight, which was always weak, gradually failed, and for the last eighteen years he has been unable to read. De- votedly attached to the principles of human rights, he was an anti-slavery man from conviction, and in 1836, fully identified himself with the great anti-slavery movement that finally con- vulsed the nation and overthrew the institution. Mr. D. has always been prompt and decided in his ideas of truth, of justice and of right, and never flinched in expressing them on all proper occasions, and although he may occasionally in the heat of a dis- cussion have engendered bitter feelings in an opponent, yet when the impulses of the moment had given way to the cooler judg- ment of his adversary, all feelings of anger have given place to a respect for the sterling integrity and honest sincerity of Mr. Dowdell. Although far past the meridian of life, he is still as active in mind and body as ever, and takes a lively interest in all that pertains to the welfare of his county and to the com- mon good of his fellow man.

MRS. ELIZBETH WELCH .- John Barry, the father of this ex- cellent and esteemed lady, was born in London county, Va., where he married Miss Catharine Horner, and removed to near St. Clairsville, where the subject of this sketch was born, Sep- tember 16, 1802. She married, November 19, 1820, John Car- ter, who died May 12, 1826, aged forty-six years, eight months and three days. By this marriage she had one child, a daughter, named Mary Ann, who was born October 14, 1822, and was mar- ried November 21, 1839, to Benjamin Wilson, who died August 6, 1857. Mrs Carter married, for a second husband, James Welch, November 18, 1828, who died December 18, 1833, leav- ing no children. The subject of this sketch united with the Disciples church at Beallsville in 1829, of which she has been a steadfast and devoted member ever since, and now lives near Burr's Mills with her widowed daughter, enjoying the kindest respects of the entire community.

JOSEPH McNICHOLS .- Nathaniel and Martha McNichols, pa- rents of Joseph McNichols, emigrated from Frederick county, Va., October 18, 1807, and settled on land south of Burr's Mills, part of which is now within the limits of the village. Their son Joseph was born on this farm, August 6, 1808. The father died when the son was only five years old. Here Mr. McNichols grew to years of manhood and helped clear up the farm. He was married in May, 1833, to Miss Charity Newsom, who died in October, 1860. He married for a second wife, Miss Ade- laide Hollingsworth, February 8, 1862, who still survives. Mr. McNichols followed gunsmithing twenty-six years of his life, then purchased a farm, on which he has since lived. He has always lived a peaceful, quiet life -- never served on a jury in a county court, nor never gave evidence in any court, in all his

life ; neither has he ever failed to pay promptly any debt as promised-or failed in a promise for work, or anything else in the whole course of his lite. As a recompense for his prompt- ness and punctuality in his business transactions through life, he is blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, which now in the evening of life he is quietly and peacefully enjoying with the confidence of an entire community.

WILLIAM DAVIS .- The subject of this sketch was born Decem- ber 25, 1815, near Dublin, Ireland, and was brought by his pa- rents to America when about one year old. They lived in Wheeling and St. Clairsville about eighteen months. From this last place they removed, in 1818, to Goshen township and settled near little Captina creek, where Mr. D. resided till about 1862, when he removed to his present residence, near Burr's Mills. He owns a farm of 143 acres, all cultivated but nine acres. He has a beautiful dwelling-house and all the necessary farm build- ings, and now in his old age, is enjoying the comforts obtained by an industrious and well spent life. He is a quiet, honest, good man, respected by all who know him. He was married Decem- ber 28, 1837, to Miss Julia Hunt. This excellent lady, in her younger days, used to card and spin wool and flax and manufac- ture them for family use. She made the thread buttons of the early times, and yet has in her house many articles of these early manufactured goods, among them a coverlet made more than one hundred years ago by her grandmother, Mrs, Lydia Cra- vens, of Loudon county, Va.

GEORGE N. BURNS was born in Loudon county, Va., January 5, 1804. His parents, Ignatns and Bethsheba, came to Goshen township, Belmont county, in 1807, and settled about one mile southwest of where the village of Belmont now stands. The country was almost an unbroken wilderness and little George had to take hold of the work as soon as he could lift a twig of brush. George grew up to manhood with his parents, and in 1829, he married Miss Eliza McFarland. He has seven children who have grown to years of maturity, three sons and four daughters : Lemuel, Thomas William, George Bentley, Beth- sheba Jane, Elizabeth Ann, Lydia Louisa and Mary Viola. Two of the sons, Thomas William and Lemuel, served in the Union army during the rebellion. Thomas William died of dis- ease in Kentucky. Lemuel served till the close of the war, and participated in many of the hard fought battles, such as Pitts- burgh Landing, Atlanta, &c. He went with Sherman on his memorable " march to the sea." Of the daughters, three are married. Bethsheba and Elizabeth Ann live in Minnesota, and Lydia Louisa lives in Belmont county. Now in the evening of life, Mr. Burns is living in ease and comfort, enjoying the com- petency secured by a well spent, industrious life, He is an in- telligent man, with mind unimpaired by age, and respected by all who know him.

SOMERSET TOWNSHIP.

This township was taken from Wayne township, Belmont county, Ohio, and organized March 16, 1819. It is bounded on the north by Warren township, on the east by Wayne township, on the south by Monroe county, and on the west by Noble and Guernsey counties, Ohio. It contains thirty-six sections and corresponds to town 7, range 6, of the government survey, and occupies the extreme southwest corner of Belmont county.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Somerset township occupies an elevated position and is drain- ed on the east by Captina creek and on the west by Leather- wood and Beaver creeks. The surface is rolling and uneven, and in the western portion of the township, broken and hilly, yet susceptible of cultivation and productive.

SETTLEMENT.

Among the first permanent settlers in Somerset township were Enoch Stanton, Borden Stanton, James Edgerton, Joseph Bishop, Homer Gibbons, Samuel Williams and Richard English. A few squatters had previously erected cabins along the Captina, but had not entered land or made any permanent settlement. The exact date of the first settlement cannot now be ascertained, but occurred some time between 1809 and 1814.

407

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

IMPROVEMENTS.

The first grist mill was built on Captina creek near the vil- lage of Somerton, in 1820, by Jonathan Bogue, which was run by water power.

In 1837 Jacob Yocum and Joseph Miller purchased the prop- erty, and in 1841 they built a new mill and substituted steam power for water.

This mill is still running, and is owned by Eli Yocum and John Burcher who are doing a good business.

There was also a small mill built about half a mile higher up the stream by Abraham Packer, in 1822, which was rebuilt in 1860 by Thomas Smith. There was also a hand mill, built by Joseph Davis which served as a dernier resort in dry weather.

The first school house was built at Somerton, in 1820, in the style of architecture in vogue at that day, i. e., round log walls, clapboard roof, puncheon floor, and stick chimney.

The first church in the township was also built at Somerton, by the Friends' society (See History of Churches elsewhere).

Samuel Gitchell kept the first general variety store in a build- ing about 10x12 feet square; failed in business and was suc- ceeded by M. P. Miles, father of R. C. Miles, merchant of Som- erton.

VILLAGES.

Somerton, the principal village in Somerset township, was laid out by Borden Stanton, about the year 1818. The first house in the village was built by Moses Davis, and the next by Rich- ard Andrews, who was the first postmaster. The mail was then carried from St. Clairsville to Woodsfield, Monroe county, once a week, afterwards from Fairview, Guernsey county, Ohio, via Somerton to Woodsfield, twice a week, which was deemed at that time the height of perfection in mail matters. The first hotel was kept by John Bruce; the first blacksmith shop by Moses Davis ; the first drug store by Dr. William Schooley, who was also the first practicing physician.

The institutions of Somerton at present consist of the follow- ing : Three churches-Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian and Friends ; two dry goods stores-Solomon Hogue and R. C. Miles ; one post office-T. T. Mccullough ; one drug store-Dr. Addison Schooley ; two groceries-Israel Palmer and T. T. Mccullough ; one hotel-J. S. Simeral ; one cigar shop-J. D. Jackson ; two millinery stores-Mrs. Palmer and Misses Brom- hall andStanton ; two wagon shops-J. S. Simeral and Philip Keremer ; two blacksmith shops-Enos Waters and Brice Philips ; two physicians-Dr. A. Schooley and A. G. McCul- lough ; one cabinet shop-William Stanton; one shoe shop-O. T. Severns.

THE BELMONT BANK OF SOMERTON.

Was organized Jan. 25th, 1875, with a capital stock of $50,000. E. J. Hoge, Cashier. Directors, R. C. Miles, Solomon Hogue, Hiram Whitacre, Samuel Starbuck, A. Andrews, Isaac Hatcher and E. J. Hoge, does a general banking business.

BOSTON.

In 1833 Mordecai Harper bought the land on which the pres- ent village of Boston stands, and in 1834 laid out the town. The first house was built by Joseph McMullen, but is not now standing ; the second was built by David White, and is now oc- cupied by David Scott.

The first store was kept by Amos Ridgeway, in 1835.

The first church was built by the Christians in 1830, and in 1852 they built a new church.

The first Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1844-a frame building 26x32, and in 1876 they built a new one 30x40, a brick structure.

There are at present in the village, 2 churches, Methodist and Christian ; 1 store (general merchandise), G. R. Atkinson; 1 post office, David Scott, P. M .; 1 hotel, Joseph Clark ; 2 black- smith shops, Isaac Van Meter and David Scott; 3 shoe shops, Lloyd Bishop, D. Scott and Chappel & Johns; 1 physician, P. F. Sharp, M. D. and 1 Justice of the Peace, G. R. Atkinson.

TEMPERANCEVILLE.

Is a small village on the western border of Somerset township, on the headwaters of Beaver creek. It was laid out by Robert Gallagher, who was a "temperance man" and thought to per- petuate his principles by naming the new town Temperance- ville. In 1837 he built a grist mill with two run of buhrs, which

was burnt down in 1840, and immediately rebuilt and steam power attached. Mr. Gallagher owned this mill until 1878 when it was bought by Jonathan Downs. Gallagher Bros. also kept a store from 1840 until 1849, since which time there has been no store in the town. The village at present consists of one post office, Peter Myers, P. M .; 1 grocery store kept by George Armbruster ; 2 blacksmith shops kept by Xavier Lag- ler and Wm. Armbruster; 1 wagon shop kept by Leo Pickery, and 1 shoe shop kept by Celestine Devlin, together with the usual proportion of dwelling houses.

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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 141

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