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 170

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 170
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 170

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).

"Beware! beware! for I come in my might, With a scream and a scowl of scorn- With speed like the mountain eagle's flight When he rides the breezes of morn."

Unionport was the extreme west to which trains at first ran. From Unionport, as the track was laid, they ran farther and still farther, until reaching Newark, where ultimately arrange- ments were effected to run a car into Columbus behind the Cen- tral Ohio railroad trains, which gave rise to the saying in Co- lumbus among the officials of opposing lines : "Here comes the bobtail of the string bean railroad." For a complete history of this line, however, we must refer the reader to the appendix of this work, while we continue such features as specially pertain to its relations with Steubenville-the city to which it is unquestionably indebted for its inception. The first tickets were issued from an old brick house that stood opposite the pres- ent freight depot, the latter then only consisting of a condemned railroad car, which remained in use for a year or two until the present office and shed was built, as supposed for temporary use also, but it has stood ever since. The old brick becoming an obstruction to the facilities necessary for increasing business, was torn down, and for a while tickets were issued from the freight office. And, by the way, ere we turn our attention from this office, we may remark having seen therein an entry of the very first freight shipped from Steubenville on this road, which con- sisted of the following articles : " December 24, 1853, from Hull, Wood & Co., of this city, to Wm. and J. Hervey, of Unionport, one bag of coffee, one barrel of molasses, a barrel of mackerel and two boxes of candles." Also from the same parties to S. L. Hanna, Reed's Mill, one cheese box and one box of merchandise. Sharp & Craig also shipped to A. Hott, Cadiz, a consignment of stoves the same day. In 1865, a temporary building was next put up opposite the coal shute and used until the company re- quiring additional land in the vicinity, bought from the citizens the entire space extending from Washington to Market streets, and running parallel with Sixth streets, upon which stood sev-

*We never recollect seeing our citizens so well pleased as when the locomotive, Bazaleel Wells, (named after one of the first and most highly esteemed citizens of Steubenville,) came hounding through the southern part of the city into Market street. There was a large concourse of people assembled on the ground, at the time, who gave full expression to their joy hy three times three, which rent the air. Whether this improvement will be of the benefit to Steubenville generally supposed, we are not prepared to say,-hut brighter hopes are already animating our business men, and the prospective appears to be written upon almost every countenance of "Better times, coming boys."-Steubenville Herald, Octo- ber 13, 1853.

491

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

cral old brick structures. One of these old buildings they then used temporarily for an office, but it was not abandoned until last year, when the present neat brick depot was put up. The lower portion contains two capital waiting rooms and compact ticket office, with the baggage department at the west end of the building. The second story is devoted to a telegraph office and like conveniences for the train dispatcher, Mr. C. R. Fitch, and the superintendent of bridges, Mr. G. H. Kimbell. At first only one agent assumed charge of the freight and passenger depart- ments. Frank A. Wells took the initiative, being followed by Mr. John T. Neilson, and in 1856, by Mr. A. S. Parks, the present incumbent. In 1865, however, the freight and passenger de- partments were divided, when Mr. Wm. Hanlan became ticket agent, formerly clerk under Mr. A. S. Parks, and he was fol- lowed by Mr. McCasky, who still retains the position. We may also add that several years ago the railroad company had their chief offices here; in a long brick dwelling built by one Benja- min Drennin, and which still stands near or at the crossing of the track over North street. It was purchased before the line was opened and the president's office, directors' board room and superintendent's offices were here up to the general consolidation of the P., C. & St. L. R. R. Co. in 1868. For a number of years past the company have further conducted fine shops here for the manufacture and repair of their cars, at which quite a large number of men are kept in constant employment. What a change has been wrought in the past few years-since the "James Ross," " Bazalcel Wells " and the "Steubenville " loco- motives ran up and down the road once each way, daily, with sometimes two and mayhap three cars to a train ! Whereas, now it is nothing to witness passenger trains passing, to the ex- tent of a city block in length, and freight trains in the neigh- borhood of a quarter of a mile long. While eight regular pas- senger trains pass through Steubenville daily, to say nothing of frequent excursions, in addition to fourteen regular freights that almost daily have to be sent in two, three and even four sections. Why! the comparison is simply marvellous, yet too truthfully demonstrates the disadvantages under which our forefathers la- bored.

THE CLEVELAND AND PITTSBURGH RAILROAD.

As if in verification of the old time proverb, that " it never rains but it pours," so with the descent of " Dame Fortune's" smiles upon the prosperous city of Steubenville, for we find that simultaneous with the opening up of the foregoing railroad, the Cleveland and Pittsburgh R. R. Co .- who had for years pre- vionsly been running locomotives between Wellsville and Cleve- land, transferring Pittsburgh passengers to boats at the latter point-were also engaged prosecuting the idea of continuing a direct track from Bellaire to Wellsville, through Steubenville. This scheme, however, was not the outgrowth of local enterprise, though looked upon with deep interest by the citizens, who were not slow to recognize much good to be derived through its agency. The track was laid and the first train went out of Steubenville in the fall of 1856, though without the ceremonies that marked the opening of the Steubenville and Indiana road. The engine was the " Rhode Island," afterwards sold to the gov- ernment during the war, its engineer being Sherman Brazette, and the conductor named Meaker. Mr. J. J. Johnston sold the first tickets from a small corner brick office in a warehouse oc- cupied with grain, belonging to a Mr. Gieselman, who ran a mill just above where the St. Nicholas Hotel now stands. It was precisely on the corner of Market and Water streets, and the grain had to be shoveled away to provide Mr. Johnston with standing room. He had a barrel stood on end, upon which he placed a small green box (still in his possession) then containing the tickets, and when the train had left he was not sorry to be released from so compressed a corn crib. As the corn was dis- posed of, better space was secured until an office, probably ten feet by twelve, was obtained. The first train' was mixed- freight, material for the permanent way, and passengers-and ran to Wellsville, but it was some three or four weeks later ere the line was opened to Bellaire. Mr. Joseph Johnson was the first agent here, who engaged his son, Mr. J. J. Johnson, as clerk in the ticket office, and Mr. J. C. Doyle in the freight depart- ment. A frame building was subsequently erected at the foot of South street, where the passenger and freight business was conducted for probably nine years. Then the present depot at the foot of Market street was built, which is now simply used as the Western Union telegraph and railroad ticket offices, with baggage and waiting rooms. The present freight offices and warehouse are at the foot of South street; were erected in 1857 and the platform covered at the north end of it probably seven I-62-B, & J. Cos.

or eight years ago. Mr. Joseph Johnson remained as the depot agent for some four years, when Mr. J. C. Doyle succeeded him for about five years. Mr. Doyle then went with the Pan Han- dle railroad company, and the passenger and freight depart- ments being separated about that time, David Myers, of this city, became freight agent for a few months, succeeded by a young man named Crawford, of Cleveland, for probably two years, after which Dr. S. R. McGee, of Cadiz, filled the position some ten years, succeeded by Mr. A. S. Doyle, after which Mr. J. C. Doyle returned, May, 1878, and still holds the office. In the passenger department, Mr. Wyndkoop was succeeded, in 1863, as ticket agent, by Mr. Bennett, and that gentleman sub- sequently by Messrs. Town, Ross and John Fox, Robert Wolff, John Campbell and George C. Dickinson, the present incum- bent. The baggage-masters here, since the opening of this line, have been John Connor, Stephen Wilde and J. J. Robinson, the latter being an old and trusty servant, still performing the duties. The Western Union telegraph, in this building, is at present in charge of Mr. George C. Dickinson.

As an evidence of the growth of traffic on this road, from one mixed train a day at its outset, it has increased until they now have eight regular passenger and eight regular freight trains, the latter frequently having to be sent in double and triple sections.

OPENING OF THE WHEELING DIVISION OF THE P,. C. & ST. L. R. R. [A complete History of which will be found in the Appendix.]

This road, which has proved an inestimable advantage to Steubenville's commercial interests, was opened formally on the 24th of February, 1878, when about 4 p. m. engine 47 with two new passenger coaches, a baggage car, etc., and several freights left the P., C.& St. L. depot in Steubenville for Wheeling, arriv- ing there at 5:15, and returning the next day at 5:05 a. m., arriv- ing here on time. Among those who went out with the train were Messrs. J. H. Barrett, Supt. of the division ; Ross Kells, master mechanic of the company's shops at Dennison; G. L. Layng, superintendent of telegraph; M. J. Becker, chief engi- neer ; Charles Mackin, contractor, &c. They reported the road bed in good condition and solid. Ottis Newell was telegraph operator at Wheeling Junction, east of the bridge. J. P. Kline was agent at Wellsburg; J. G. Tomlinson, ticket agent at Wheel- ing, and J. M. Bellville was freight agent at the latter place. The erew of the train consisted of Capt. E. Tait, conductor ; Charles Wolf, engineer, and J. L. Neeley, baggage master. As may naturally be supposed, all along the line the greatest curi- osity was excited to see the iron horse come bounding through pastures green , the main points for special rejoicings being at Steubenville, Wellsburg and Wheeling. From that day until the present, the road has been singularly fortunate and free from aceidents, owing, probably, in no measured degree to the excellency of the officers in charge of that division. The busi- ness has not only increased immeasurably, but is daily increas- ing, while the line grows rapidly in public estimation. Thus it will be seen, that as regards railroad communications, Stenben- ville is singularly blessed, as the traveler can leave town by the cars in five different directions, with a prospect, in the near future, of a sixth.

AND YET ANOTHER RAILROAD.

A third railroad enterprise is now under way, and is being pushed vigorously towards completion, being a narrow gauge road from Richmond, in this county, to the city, with the nlti- mate idea of extending it from Richmond to Youngstown and connecting with the narrow gauge system which is destined at no distant day to extend across the country from east io west. The grading is now about completed from Richmond to where the road strikes the river six miles above Steubenville, and be- fore a great while this much is expected to be in operation.

THE FIRST TELEGRAPH LINES IN STEUBENVILLE.

The first line brought to this city was known as the O'Reilly line-J. K. Moorhead, President ; J. D. Reed, Secretary , Jackson Duncan Superintendent of Repairs ; the latter now of Hand street, Pittsburgh. The first office was opened in 1847, in a room over the present Union Savings institution, Third street, by Anson Stager, Fred Beisel and -- Bush. The first mes- sage was to announce the departure, at Pittsburg, of Henry Clay on the steamer " Monongahela " for his home, in Kentucky, Of course, almost the entire city was prompted to make for the landing and see if the boat arrived in due time. White's band

492

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

(one of the institutions of the city in those days), went and play- ed lively airs from the roof of the wharf boat, which, however, succumbed to the vibration, and let the whole of the band through, though fortunately none were hurt. The line eon- sisted of three-ply wires, and ran across the " Pan Handle, " the circuit extending from Pittsburgh through Steubenville and Wheeling, Zanesville, Columbus, Springfield, Dayfon, Cincin- nati. Lawrenceburg and Massillon, to Louisville. The first em- ploye was Alexander Cures, as a messenger boy, who was follow- ed by Joseph Keith. The latter and David G. Moody were the first Steubenville boys to learn the art, and among the first "sounders" (reading by sound), both becoming experts. The latter, in 1852, when the flood destroyed the line between Steu- benville and Wheeling, had an office with re-lay and key only in the dining room of the Edgington mansion, in West Virginia, and transmitted all messages between the west and south and north and east, in daylight, without difficulty. The steamers " Manchester " and "Diurnal " carried dispatches daily over the broken line. The wire was carried over the river at the upper (Inglebright's) ferry, then run by means of a mast on the Vir- ginia side, planted a few yards above the old warehouse on the bank above the ferry road, and to a large oak tree on the hill- side on the Ohio side. Marion H. Markle, of the Western Union office, Pittsburgh, was the first operator, succeeded by Curtis, of the Western Reserve, he by one Douglas Reid, and subsequently George Dean, of Amsterdam, and this brought telegraphy down to 1854, after which we have failed to obtain a complete list of operators to the present.

STEUBENVILLE AS A SEAT FOR MANUFACTURE.

AN INTERESTING CHAPTER ON ITS VARIOUS DEFUNCT AND EXISTING INSTITUTIONS.

For the conduct of manufacture, trade and commerce, few cities afford equal facilities with Steubenville. From its earliest location, its numerous advantages-improved during each suc- ceeding year-have justly won for it the confidence and support of enterprising and far-seeing business men. Whether it be water power, an inexhaustible home supply of coal, limestone or ore, rail, river or road communications, cheap building sites or prudent capitalists that may be desired to facilitate sound and remunerative investments, each and all may be verily met with here. Nor have such inducements made themselves man- ifest only within the past few years, for a careful investigation of our remarks to follow will prove conclusively it has ever been thus since that most worthy of pioneers, the late Bazaleel Wells, Esq., first took up his abode in this immediate locality. He it was who first " set the mill a-going" here, in the way of manufacture, by taking the initiative in the establishment of

A GRIST AND SAW MILL.

This was in 1802-when inhabitants were scaree, indeed- and it was barely certain, in the matter of Steubenville's pros- perity, whether the "wind would blow foul or fair." But the noble philanthropist took little care so long as he could pro- vide satisfactorily for the rising community he was so desirous of gathering around him. The humble enterprise, as it would be deemed in those days, was located on Wells' run, its motive power, of course, being water, at first, which was subsequently abandoned for steam. In after years it passed through several hands, and was ultimately converted into a distillery by one Gieselman, whose property it was, though not in operation, when it took fire and was totally consumed in 1857-having rendered one half a century's service.

THE FIRST TANNERY.

So early as 1798-9 ;was it, that Benjamin Doyle took the in- itiative in this business, laying several vats at the head of North street, where he conducted a capital business. He, however, subsequently sold out the enterprise to Samuel Hanna, and he learned the business to Joseph C. Spencer, who ran it afterwards for probably thirty years. At present the old business is in the hands of John Myers.

BRICE VIERS'S TANNERY.

Following the example of Mr. Doyle, in 1802-3, Brice Viers also evidenced a spirit of enterprise by establishing a tannery on the present site of the "Steubenville Coal & Coke Co.'s" coke

ovens, which he ran down to 1830-1. The premises then lay idle a while, after which, Thomas J. Viers and E. H. McFecley succeeded to them for the conduct of hand-loom weaving, sub- sequently removing therefrom to secure steam power, when the building again stood vacant until demolished to afford a site for the present coke ovens.

THE PRESENT ELLIOTT TANNERY.

As leather was one of the most important articles in demand among our earliest pioneers it is a matter of little surprise that competition in that line of manufacture was the first to present itself. In addition to Viers' and Doyle's tanneries, in 1810 Samuel Williams brought a third into operation on Market street, where the present Elliott tannery is conducted. He ran it till about 1817, when John Jenkinson sueceeded to the business, which he continued till 1820-1, and John and George Hogg, (two English- men) came in, and for ten or twelve years made quite a suceess of it. During their administration, or at least a good share of it, Mr. William Elliott took an active part in the business, be- came part proprietor in 1835, buying the Hoggs out entirely during 1855 and 1865. He still carries on the business exten- sively.

DISTILLERIES IN STEUBENVILLE.

The earliest attempts at distilling in this section were of such a primitive character and so general that we cannot include every one who tried their hand in the business. The'principal ones, however, were, first-P. Snyder, from Uniontown, Pennsylva- nia, who eame here about 1798, and between that date and 1800, ran a small distil where Butte's brewery now stands, at the head of Adams street. He, we learn, was killed in 1803 by the eaving in of a well, in the Market square. He had deseended part way, on to some timber, which he was sawing, when the sides gave way-he was buried, as it were, alive, and the body was not recovered until two or three days afterwards. The sec- ond was put into operation by Bazaleel Wells, at what is known as Rockville, near the present Boreland coal shaft. It ran sey- eral years, but was ultimately abandoned, and there only re- mains a tenant dwelling house, of olden times, to mark the spot. The third was started by Andrew and Robert Thompson, at what is known as Jacksonville, near the present cemetery. The Thompson's ran a small mill by ox-tread power, and com- menced distilling in 1826. They afterwards put in steam pow- er and sold out to James Wilson and he, in turn to Harrison & Myers. Robert Thompson moved to Bridgeport, and there died of cholera in 1833. The business subsequently changed hands several times, and at length the premises were torn down. Next, a man named Geischman opened a distillery in Well's old mill property, about 1855-7 which he continued till he was burnt out. Mears & Trotter instituted an extensive rectifying business in 1835-6 or thereabouts, on Market street, between Third and High, which they ran some years, when another brother in the Mears family bought Totter out, and the business was continued by R. &. T. Mears. Mr. Trotter went to California. The Mears' afterwards removed to the South side of Market street, and built the fine block at present oceupied by Mr. S. McElvaney, wholesole liquor merchant, in 1865. They also owned a flour mill and distillery, near Well's run, which was burnt in 1874.

POTTERY WORKS IN STEUBENVILLE.

Among the foremost enterprises in this section we have also to include the manufacture of common red crock glass ware from local clay beds. The first works of this kind was opened in 1806 by J. C. Fisher, near the present erossing of the Pan Handle R. R., on Market street, He however died about a year subsequent- ly, and his son Thomas succeeded to the business. He also re- moved to Adams street, and eventually joined one Samuel Tarr in starting a second enterprise of the kind on Market between Third and High streets, on the property now owned by the Means's estate. But Thomas's earthly pilgrimage being cut short, the works did not long survive him. A man named Holder, also ran a similar pottery for a while on Fourth street, but it subsequently fizzled out. There are good prospects, however, this year (1879) of a better class of pottery works being estab- lished, for which, according to the loeal press, considerable stock is already subscribed, and we see no reason why, in this par- ticular line of enterprise, Steubenville should not prove equally as successful as Liverpool and other prominent points-she certainly lacks in no facilities.

181

bei for

inl

ufs

493

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

PIONEER NAIL MANUFACTURER.

Though several other little shops of minor importance crept into existence between 1803-11, it was during the latter year that Andrew and Robert Thompson launched forth in the man- ufacture of nails, with Wm. Kilgore and Hugh Sterling as their workmen. But antcceding the introduction of nailing machines and steam power, of course, his productions were all hand-made, and the result of his labors was of necessity very limited. Yet he toiled on, and for a while flourished, until modern discoveries in his craft so closely followed up the increasing demand that in 1816 or 1817, Robert sought a more lucrative investment.

ANOTHER FLOUR MILL AND COTTON FACTORY.

/ In view of the success attending the Wells mill, and breadstuffs being in rapidly increasing demand, a private company was formed in Steubenville about 1812 or 1813 to erect another flour mill, which was carried into effect during the latter year on Market street between High and Water streets, under the super- intendence of Adam Moderwell, and a few years later a brick cotton factory was added, extending in the direction of and facing Market street. The factory, however, did not succeed and was ultimately converted into a warehouse for the mill. This entire enterprise exchanged hands several times, Mr. James Means run- ning it many years, and it was rented by one Gicselman, when on the 23d of December, 1856, it was totally destroyed by fire.

ORIGIN OF THE "CLINTON" PAPER MILLS.

Next-as if to continue the variety in new projects spring- ing up-we find that in 1813 Messrs. Scott & Bayless resolved on the erection of a paper mill which they duly opened the suc- ceeding year under the above title. From its outset it has changed hands frequently and passed through numerous vicissi- tudes, including, on one occasion, the removal of the upper por- tion of one section of it by the storm, and with employes in it, carried to a considerable distance, while on another occasion it was subject to a serious conflagration. Yet it sesms to have nobly braved all reverses, and may be said to bloom at the pres- ent time more freshly than ever. It is now in the competent hands of Mr. J. F. Dunbar, as proprietor, who has in various ca- pacities been associated with it since 1865. Its chief product is newspaper, print paper, and it employs an average of 100 to 150 hands steadily. And now dawns

THE FIRST WOOLEN MILL.

In consequence of the war of 1812-13, this country expe- rienced a great lack of manufactured articles, and to Steuben- ville's honor be it said she was the first town in the Union to lay home-made woolen cloths at the feet of Columbia. Four patriotic men-Bazaleel Wells, Samuel Patterson (both of Steu- benville) James Ross and Henry Baldwin (of Pittsburgh)-form- ed a partnership to float the enterprise, and lost no time in erecting a factory on the southwest corner of lot 15 on Market street. It was 110x28, with hip roof, belfry cupalo and spire displaying a golden ball and fleece. It was completed in 1814, and early in the following spring the steam engine was brought from Pittsburgh, under the supervision of a Mr. Latrobe, and by him put in place. It being the first institution of the kind, and as we shall have frequently to briefly refer to subsequent ones, we may be pardoned for monopolizing space to describe what it was like. After repeated trials, the engine was started April 10, 1815, at which precise hour, unhappily, Mr. Samnel Patter- son, one of the owners, breathed his last. C. II. Orth, a German, was employed as manager, with a stated salary and one-fifth of the profits -- the firm style being C. II. Orth & Co., Stephen Johnson and Adam Wise, skilled mechanics, either in iron or wood, built the machinery. The carding machine had a twenty- four inch cylinder for making rolls; forty spindles, a "billy" for drawing the rolls into the stubbing for the spinners, and three "spinning jennies"-one of forty and two of sixty spindles. William Fisher, a cooper, ran the "billy." Enos Lucas, George and Peter Dohrman, learned to spin first by drawing one thread, but in a few days they could till all the spindles, By this time two broadcloth looms were built, and John Arthur and Robert Semple, Scotchmen, (both hand-loom weavers) were the first to weave broadcloth in the states. It was amusing to see a com- mon laborer learning to weave. To time his foot with his hands, he had his treddles marked "hay foot" and "straw foot" to raise the shade, for the shuttles passed through as he would say "up comes sugan, down goes gad." In time different men learned to weave. Spinning, weaving, and most other processes

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 170

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