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 146

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 146
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 146

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).

This village is quite a shipping point for grain and produce, having natural facilities. Population about 300.

THE ENTERPRISE FLOUR AND WOOLEN MANUFACTURING MILLS AT POW- HATAN POINT

Are an important feature of the village and the surrounding country. The building is a substantial brick structure. The flouring mill has three run of buhrs, and a capacity to grind forty barrels per day. The woolen manufacturing department makes flannels, jeans, cassimeres, and yarns, and does an exten- sive local business. The erection of these mills was, in fact, the principal impetus to build up the village, and for thirty years has been one of the leading features of its business, as well as a convenience for the surrounding country. The property is now owned by a joint stock company, and is operated by John and Jacob Boger, Jr.

INDUSTRY

Was laid out by Samuel P. Jones, July 7, 1853. It is situated on Captina creek and on the Powhatan Point and Green Fording inacadamized road. The first buildings were erected by John Ewers and Robert Donaldson. It contains one cabinet shop, one physician and one blacksmith shop.

1-53-B. & Cos.

CAPTINA POST OFFICE

Is located at Captina Mills, on Captina creek, five miles above its mouth. Judge Bryson was appointed postmaster in 1825. Michael Dorsey postmaster in 1837, and is the oldest postmas- ter in Ohio, and the third oldest in the United States. He still retains the office.

PRESENT OFFICERS OF YORK.

Trustees-Martin Caldwell, Isaac Bonar and Darius Dorsey. Clerk-Frank Disque. Treasurer-E. N. Riggs. Assessor-David Neff. Constables-A. E. Massie and Thomas Cordell. Justices of the Peace-James White, John G. Owens and L. H. Green.

SCHOOLS.

York contains seven school districts and one special school in Powhatan. All are frame buildings save the latter, which is brick.

ENUMERATION FOR 1879.

According to the enumeration made by the assessor of males above 21 years of age, York contains 318. It has a population of about 1,500.

CURIOSITIES.

Mr. M. M. Scott, of Industry, says that when Lewis Boger, Sr., was digging his well in 1873, in Powhatan, he struck an "air chamber" at the depth of about thirty feet. Philip Frankhauser was digging down in the well and struck his pick through a clayey substance in a cavity from whence this "air" came out with such force that he was obliged to withdraw from the well. Further work was abandoned for a time, and in about a week after this opening in the chamber was cemented. During that time the air had continued to pass out with as great force as when first ventilated. The chamber through which the current passed was three inches in diameter. This was perhaps car- bonated hydrogen, and might have been used for fuel by the use of pipes in which to conduct it into houses. A man named Samuel Ring dug a well on his place in about 1851, and at the depth of forty-five feet discovered the trunk of a hickory tree fifteen inches in diameter, in a perfect state of preservation.

CHURCH HISTORY OF YORK TOWNSHIP.

PLEASANT HILL M. E. CHURCH.

This church edifice, which is located on section 23, was erected in the year 1848. The good people of this neighborhood felt the need of a place in which they might assemble and worship, so along about 1848, a subscription paper was circulated for the purpose of raising money to build a church. Through the lib- erality of the farmers the enterprise was made a success, and the requisite amount soon raised, church built and dedicated the same year. Its early officers, ministers and members' names cannot now be obtained. The present membership numbers forty, A. A. Cobbledic, minister ; Cornelius Giffin, class leader ; Samuel D. Myers, steward. Trustees-Cornelius Giftin, Sam- uel D. Myers, John Giffin, Peter Neff and William Neff. An in- teresting Sabbath School, with an attendance of abont thirty scholars, is conducted under the superintendeney of Samuel D. Myers, assisted by Cornelius Giffin. Martha Jeffers. secretary, and John Giffin, treasurer of this school.

DOVER M. E. CHURCH.

In 1846, Michael Dorsey, John McCain and wife, Mooney and wife, and Nancy Dorsey met and organized the M. E. Society. Rev. David Truman was hired to supply them with preaching every two weeks, holding services in a schoool house. He re- mained one or two years. In 1855 a church edifice was created in section 14. Services are only held here now on appointment. A Sabbath School is conducted here during the summer months with an average attendance of abont forty scholars,

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

POWHATAN M. E. CHURCH.

This is quite a modern ehureh, a very young society. It does not date beyond the war of the rebellion. It was during this great civil conflict that Rev. David Truman, from Bridgeport, supplied the pulpit in the Presbyterian church for the Methodist people. They having at this time neither church nor organiza- tion. But through the influence and by the efforts of a zealous few, among whom was Joseph Green, a merchant, who after- wards joined the church, and is uow one of its chiet supporters, the services of Rev. Truman were secured. His term of service was not long. Popular as a preacher, fine as an orator, great in persuasive power, he had every element of success, and succeed- ed wonderfully in pleasing and building up, when through some impropriety of conduct his work was cut short, and he left.

Then the merits of this place and the wants of this people, were considered by the Pittsburg Conference, in whose bounds Powhatan then was, and at its next session after Truman left, the Rev. J. Dillon was appointed to this work, 1862. During his administration of two or three years, the society was organ- ized and worshiped in the Presbyterian church.

After this came the Rev. A. Gregg, during whose term of three years the partnership with the Presbyterians was dis- solved, and the new M. E. Church built. Rev. J. S. Bracker pre- siding elder. This is a brick church, unpretending, but neat and commodious, answering fully all the purposes, and meeting all the demands of this people.

Gregg was favored with a gracious revival, and numbers were gathered into the fold of Christ. Thus this infant society was greatly strengthened. Then came the scholarly Rev. D. N. Momeyer, whose administration was characteristically even, calm and peaceful, with a small numerical increase to the church. March, 1870, witnessed the appointment of the Rev. M. J. Ingram, as pastor of this then flourishing circuit. Rev. Ingram was both popular and successful, with whom the people were well pleased during a term of two years. A number of those who formed the original society, have gone with it through all its vicissitudes and changes; have witnessed its defeats, re- joiced in its victories, and to-day are at their posts holding the helm and bearing the burden and heat of the day.

Other successful pastors followed who did earnest, rigorous and faithful work for the church. Some of these names are "as ointment poured forth," and whose praise is in the church. Weigh, Wilson and Lane will never be forgotten, but "be re- membered by what they have done."

The present membership of this church is not large. About fifty in good and regular standing, with a prosperous Sabbath school and an excellent library.

Under the ministrations of A. A. Cobbledic, the present pas- tor, the church is in a growing and very prosperous condition. His people appreciate his untiring energies and faithful preach- ing.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF YORK TOWNSHIP.

I. J. POTTS, eldest son of Lewis R. Potts, was born on the farm on which he now resides in York township, Belmont county, on the 19th of February, 1825. His father was the first miller at Captina mills, built by Judge Dillon, in 1822. Abont the year 1832, his father removed to West Wheeling, where our subject obtained a common school edneation. He worked with his father in West Wheeling mills until 1841, when he returned to Captina and hired with Michael Dorsey as a miller. In 1849 he formed a partnership with Michael and L. R. Dorsey, which continued ten years, when L. R. Dorsey retired. The firm of Dorsey & Potts then continued until 1872, when Mr. Potts pur- chased Dorsey's interest, and the business has since been car- ried on in the name of I. J. Potts & Sons. A dry goods store was carried by the firm in connection with the mills, and is now con- tinued by Mr. Potts & Sons. On the 17th of October, 1849, Mr. Potts was married to Mary J. Bryson, of Captina. They are the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter. For about thirty yearsMr. Potts has made the milling and mercan- tile business a success. In the fall of 1875, he was elected com- missioner of Belmont county, and served until 1878, when he was re-elected and is filling the office at present. He is recog- nized as a prudent, able and popular official.

FREDERICK DISQUE was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the south side of the river Rhine, March 5, 1784. He was reared on

a farm, and in early life followed milling. Mr. Disque married Mary Catherine Nicklous in the fall of 1806. They became the parents of six children, five sons and one danghter.

HENRY DISQUE, the fifth son of Frederick Disque, was born January 2, 1817. He obtained a common school education, and at the age of fifteen years began to learn the trade of a shoe- maker. He left his home and friends in the old world, July 4, 1837, to seek his fortune in the new one. He landed at New York, September 1st, and pursued his trade as a journeyman in that city till July, 1846. He married Anna Mary Pfeffer, of New York, May 3, 1841, by whom he is the father of eight chil- dren; six are yet living, four sons and two daughters. When Mr. Disque left New York in 1846, he came to Monroe county, Ohio, and located on a small farm, but he very soon learned that farming was not his fort. About this time the town of Powhatan was laid out, and he bought a lot. On this he reared a brick dwelling, in which he still resides, and pursues his for- mer occupation. Mr. Disque was postmaster from 1851 till 1861, has also been treasurer of York township for six years. Mr. Disque's father and daughter came to Powhatan in 1851, his wife having died a short time before. He died at the advanced age of 84 years.

LEWIS BOGER, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in the year 1808. The Boger family belonged to the society of Har- monyites, and came to America in 1817. They first came to the village of Harmony in western Pennsylvania, thence to New Harmony, on the Wabash, in Indiana, and finally settled at Economy, in Beaver (county, Pennsylvania. Lewis Boger was not suited by nature to the strictures of the society, and ran away, going to Cineinnati on a keel boat. Some time after this the Boger family seceded from the society, and resided for awhile near Wellsburg, West Virginia. Lewis, who in the meantime had learned the English language, and the " ways of the world," now rejoined the family, and they then settled on Cat's run, in Belmont county. This was in 1833. Lewis mar- ried Sevilla Gates, and in 1849 eame to Powhatan Point. He bought, in company with his brothers, the mill that was then here, but it was destroyed by fire after they run it one day, and they immediately built a new one, being the present brick structure at Powhatan Point, which was run under the firm name of G. L. & J. Boger. Afterwards they added the factory. Lewis Boger is now an invalid, being stricken with paralysis. He had a family of four sons and three daughters. Two sons and one daughter are now living. The two sons, John and Jacob, are now running the mill and factory.

JOHN BOGER, is the patentee of several useful and scientific inventions. Among these are a steam boat wheel, an ironing board, an apparatus for measuring distanees, and a new methi- od of mixing wool and eotton for fabrics. The "Distance Indi- eator," as it is called, is a scientific instrument of great promise and value. By means of it any distance may be quickly and accurately ascertained simply by observation. Altitudes and distances between distant objects are also very quickly and easily ascertained. In the opinion of the writer it will create a revolution of the present methods of surveying and calcula- ting distanees and altitudes, being an apparatus that will "indi- eate " any distanee or height simply by observation at any giv- en point.

JACOB BOGER, SR., farmer, was born in Wurtemburg, Ger- many, October 9, 1811. In 1817 he was brought to America by his parents, who first stopped in Western Pennsylvania and then settled in Indiana. Here they remained until 1825, when they removed to Beaver county, Pennsylvania. In 1832 his father moved to Brooke county, West Virginia, near Wellsburg. In the fall of 1833 they came to Belmont county. About 1839 Jacob purchased a half interest with his brothers in a stillhouse on Cats' run, which partnership continued about ten years. In 1849 he and his brothers purchased the flouring mill in Pow- hatan, and operated it until 1866, when he sold his interest and retired to the farm upon which he now resides. In 1838 he married Miss Christiana Wagner, who was born in January, 1820. They reared a family of eleven children, five sons and six daughters. He has been elected to and filled the offices of town- ship trustee and treasurer.

SAMUEL CARPENTER was born October 8, 1846, in Belmont county, Ohio ; assisted his father on the farm until twenty-five years of age. On the 24th of February, 1872, he married Miss

421

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

Jemima Pugh, who was born November 28, 1845. They had a family of five children, one son and four daughters ; but three living. Soon after his marriage he located on section 32, where he still resides. In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace of York township, serving in that capacity three years. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.

SAMUEL KOCHER was born in Belmont county, January 8, 1832 ; followed farming until 1864, when he enlisted in company C, under Captain Glover, in the 170th O. V. I .; was in five en- gagements in the same year. After being discharged from the army, he returned home and went to farming. He married Miss Elizabeth Crickburn, who was born May 16, 1840. He is now living on the old farm owned by his father.

REUEL P. JOHNSON was born in Richmond, Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1827. He learned his trade, woolen manufacturer, in the Wells & Dickinson mills, of Steubenville, where he worked for three years. He was engaged in various mills in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and followed his trade until 1874, when he eame to Powhatan Point, and entered into the business with the Boger brothers, which he has continued till the present time. In 1858 he was married to Miss Mary A. Varnee, of Freeport, Pa. They have five children living, three sons and two daughters. Mr. Johnson's grandfather was a sol- dier in the revolution ; was one of the first settlers in Jefferson county, and lived to the advanced age of 110 years and five months.

ISAAC RAMSEY, son of John Ramsey, one of the pioneers of Belmont county, was born in 1833. Raised on a farm, and has followed farming and stock ; raising for a business during life. He purchased and removed to the farm where ne now resides in the year 1868. This farm is a part of the tract settled by Jolin Bryson, and on it was located the Indian town called "Grape Vine Town," which is spoken of elsewhere in this work. On the property are also the ruins of two ancient forts, supposed to be relics of the pre-historic Mound Builders. In the bend of the creek, in front of Mr. Rainsey's residence, have been found specimens of lead ore, and on the hill back of his house is a block of stone in which ore was once melted and run in different shapes. Mr. Ramsey married Mary E., daughter of Absalom Martin, of Monroe county, Ohio, in the year 1868. They have eight children living, five sons and three daughters.

SAMUEL ABEREGG, farmer, born May 17, 1816, in Switzerland. Migrated to America with his parents in 1826, They located on section 13, in York township, Belmont county, Ohio. Re- mained with his parents until he arrived at the age of twenty- three. On the 28th of January, 1839, he was married to Miss Mary Smith, who was born in Monroe county, August 24, 1820. This union resulted in nine children, only four of whom are now living. In 1864 his wife died. In October, 1865, he was again married, to Mrs. Anna Gudjahr. She was born in 1820. By her he reared one child. They are members of St. John's Church, Monroe county. He is a well-to-do farmer.

JERRY A. FISH was born June 22, 1844, in Belmont county, Ohio. In 1861, although but seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Company E. of the 77th O. V. I. He remained in the ser- vice about four years and four mouths, during which time he was in several active engagements. Honorably discharged March 26, 1865, and returned to his home, when he began the trade of a carpenter under his father. On the 16th day of May, 1870, be married Miss Katie Trigg, who was born in Indiana, September 7, 1851. This marriage resulted in two children, one son and daughter. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. F. is engaged in the hotel business in the village of Powhatan, and keeps a good honse.

JOHN GIFFIN was born in Scotland, August 28, 1819. Came with his parents to America and settled in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1820. In December, 1846, he married Nancy Giflin, who was born in Pease township, Belmont county, in 1826. She is of Irish extraction. Her parents lived in Jefferson county a short time, then removed to Wheeling, West Virginia, where they resided for about thirty years. In 1840, they returned to Belmont county. The following is copied from Mr. Giflin's family record : Births-Isabel, born October 1, 1847 ; William W., January 7, 1849 ; James A., September 27, 1850 ; John A., February 5, 1852; Sarah J., November 27, 1853; Alice O., Angust

26, 1856; Mathew, April 9, 1860; Letitia M., April 5, 1862; Archie, October 15, 1864; Lizzie J., October 20, 1869. Deaths -Sarah J., died November 27, 1862 ; Lizzie J., July 20, 1871.

DR. E. N. RIGGS was born in Pennsylvania, September 22, 1846. In 1854 his father sent him to the Southwestern Normal school, where he obtained a good education. At the age of eighteen he commenced reading medicine with Dr. A. L. Hun- ter. Attended a medical college in New York State for a short time then went to the Cincinnati Medical Institute where he graduated. In 1869 he commenced the practice of his profes- sion in Allegheny City, continuing there until 1876, then he removed to Powhatan and began the practice of medicine in that village. Whilst in Allegheney he held several high medical positions, was twice chosen by the people as director of the poor, which office he resigned when taken his departure from there. On the 9th of April, 1874, he married Miss L. C. Abra- hams, (the only daughter of Capt. Abrahams) who was born in Belmont county, October 8, 1850. They have one child, a son.

JOHN OWENS was born in Maryland, August 24, 1826. In 1833 his parents migrated to Belmont county. At the age of eighteen he commenced boating on the Ohio river and followed that as a business until 1852. In August of same year, he mar- ried Mrs. Amelia Ring, who was born June 8, 1829. Their union resulted in one daughter. Soon after his marriage he en- gaged in farming and tobacco packing, in which he still re- mains. He and his wife united with the M. E. church in 1860.

JOHN G. OWENS was born September 12, 1815, in Belmont county. His father, Henry Owens, came into the county prior to 1800, and was one of Belmont's pioneers. Our subject mar- ried Elizabeth Luellen, April 18, 1839, who died, and on the 29th of March, 1855, he married Mrs. Mary Delong. In 1846 he re- moved to Monroe county, and after a residence of twenty-one years he returned to Belmont, and came to his present residence on Captina creek, in York township, which farm, consisting of 302 acres, he purchased from the heirs of Samuel Glover. Two years after, in 1869, he was elected land appraiser of York town- ship. He had served nine years as a justice of the peace in Monroe county, and was elected to the office in York township soon after he became a resident, but only served eighteen months, when he resigned. In October, 1877, he was again elected justice of the peace, and is now serving in that capacity. He has also served as township trustee for four years. He has a family of ten children-six sons and four daughters.

JAMES McKAIN .- Born in Belmont county, Ohio, July 18, 1825. Lived with his father until twenty years of age. In 1845 he made a trip down to New Orleans. He remained but a short time, and then returned home, hiring out by the month to work on the farm. In December, 1852, he married Miss Matil- da Trimble, who was born April 16. 1830. Their marriage re- sulted in four children-two sous and two daughters. Soon after his wedding he located near Jacobsburg, where he remain- ed one year, and then moved to York township, locating on sec- tion 9 for two years. lte then returned to near his first home after marriage. Lived there nine years, and in 1867 moved back to York township, on the same section where he now lives. He and his wife united with the Presbyterian church of Powhatan in 1860.

MARTIN CALDWELL .- Born in Pennsylvania November 5, 1820. Brought to Belmont county by his parents when a mere child. At the age of twenty-one he made a trip down the Ohio on a produce boat. He engaged in various pursuits of industry. In March, 1850, he married Miss Agnes J. Graham, who was born in 1817. This union resulted in ten children-six sons and four daughters-two dead. Immediately after his marriage he lo- cated on Pipe Creek in Mend township, remaining nutil the spring of 1864. In that year he purchased a tract of land in York township, on section 27, where he has since remained en- gaged in agricultural pursuits.

JOHN RICKER, born in Germany, March 13, 1836. At the age of eighteen he migrated to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He re- mained in this city for one year, then removed to Steubenville, Jefferson county. In 1865, he came to Belmont county, and soon after enlisted in company " H" of the 193d O. V. L., serv- ing about six months. On November 30, 1865. he married Miss Mary A. Waters, She was born in 1839. They have a

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

family of seven children-three sons and four daughters. In

1869, he purchased land and removed to section 7, York town- ship. Both members of the M. E. church of Jacobsburg.

WILLIAM BEABOUT, born in Monroe county, May 20, 1827. He obtained a common school education. In 1842, his father died and the farming all fell upon him to do. He married in 1851 and reared a family of ten children-four sons and six daughters, four of whom are living. In 1856, he removed to Belmont county, locating in York township, near Powhatan. Hle purchased a saw-mill in the town which he operated about two years. Sold his mill and traded for town property in 1858. Hle erected a shop and started gunsmithing, continuing in that business until 1876, with the exception of a few months, during his enlistment in the service. He was a member of Company C, 170th O. V. I., was out only a short time, but was in five en- gagements ; discharged from the army September 10, 1864, and returned home and resumed his trade. In 1867, he removed on the farm he now occupies. Both are members of the Powhatan M. E. Church.

JACOB KOCHER-Born in Switzerland, January 22, 1822. His parents migrated to America and located iu Belmont county in 1831, settling near the waters of Captina, where he reared his family and gave them a common school education. Jacob re- mained with his father until 1851, with whom he had learned the wagon-maker trade. In that year he married Miss Mary Burkhart, who was born January 11, 1830. Eleven children re- sulted from this union-five sons and six daughters, all living excepting one. Soon after his marriage he located on section 25, where he remained eight years, when he bought a farm in the same section, upon which he still lives. Mr. John and Mary Kocher are members of the Dutch Presbyterian church.

DAVID GILLASPIE-Born in York township, Belmont county, Ohio, near where he now resides, on the waters of Captina, De- cember 10, 1807 ; received a common school education. In 1841, he married Miss Matilda Gates, who was born in Monroe county, March 19, 1820. Their marriage resulted in three children- one son and two daughters. He remained on the old farm, in section 27. He has held the office of trustee of York township for a number of years. Mr. Gillaspie and wife are members of the Dover Christian church.

A. W. BURKHART-Born in Monroe county, April 1, 1845; received a common school education. At the age of eighteen he went to Wheeling and worked in a rolling mill in that city tor five months. In 1863, he enlisted in company C, of the 170th O. V. I. ; was in four engagements. He was wounded in the right side during the fourth battle. On the 10th of September, 1864, he was discharged from the service on account of wound. In 1869, he married Miss Mary M. Carpenter, who was born May 13, 1843. Their marriage resulted in five children-one dead. In 1877, he was elected assessor of York township. He resides on a farm on section 32, a few miles from Steinersville, where he located in 1878.

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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 146

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