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 180

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 180
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 180

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).

519

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

three million dollars. At the outbreak of our civil war, Col. Geo. W. McCook was appointed hy Governor Deunison as one of four officers in the state to take charge of the interests of Ohio troops. Shortly after this he was in command of the 126th Ohio infantry, taking charge of that regiment until Col. Smith, its commissioned colonel, was released from the regular army to assume his position in the volunteer service. During this time he was also chairman of the County Military Association, ren- dering most effective and loyal serviee to the cause of his coun- try. In 1863 he was the colonel of the 39th Ohio National Guard, and in 1864, when the regiment was called into the Uni- ted States service as the 157th Ohio infantry, he was its com- mander. This regiment went from here to Camp Chase, where, after being furnished with arms and accoutrements, it was or- dered to Baltimore, Md. Shortly after arrival there it marched to the Relay House, and from there was ordered in June to Fort Delaware, where the remainder of its term of service was spent in guard duty, having ten thousand rebel officers and pris- oners under custody. They were mustered out in September, 1864, and with them the Colonel returned home.

Col. McCook was always specially active in both state and national politics. He was one of the conceded leaders of the Democratic party of the West, and ably championed its cause in some of its fiercest conflicts. He was almost constantly for twenty years the chairman of the Ohio democratic delegations to their national conventions. In the Cincinnati convention of 1856, he nominated John C. Breckenridge for vice president on the ticket with James Buchanan for President. In the New York convention in 1868 be nominated Horatio Seymour as the democratic candidate for president. At this time the colonel was offered the position of vice-president on the ticket with Mr. Seymour, but absolutely declined, refusing, to do anything which he thought would imperil the chances of Mr. Pendleton as the next democratic candidate for President. In 1860 he was chairman of the Ohio delegation in the democratic convention at Charleston. There they failed to make a nomination, and adjourned to mect at Baltimore, where they failed to agree, and the southern democracy nominated Breckenridge and the north- ern branch Mr. Douglas, which latter nomination had been urged with great ability and zeal by Col. McCook in both the Charleston and Baltimore conventions. In 1871 he was nomi- nated for Governor of Ohio-defeating in the convention Gen. Thomas Ewing and Durban Ward, aspirants for that office. During the heat of this exciting canvass, Col. McCook was com- pelled to withdraw from active participation in it, by reason of affliction similar to that which resulted in his death. He was defeated at the polls by Gen. Edward F. Noyes, now the Amer- ican minister to France. Upon Col. McCook's recovery from his prostration at this time, he was ordered by Dr. Van Buren, of New York, to abstain from further active service, and has since spent his time either at his home in Steubenville, in New York city,'or in foreign travel. In 1875 he was appointed by Governor Allen, in connection with Rufus P. Ranny, Edward F. Noyes, Barnabus Burns, Ralph P. Buckland and F. W. Green, on the Ohio board of managers of the Centennial com- mission. Last July he returned to Europe again in search of health and to visit his son Robert and daughter Hettie, at school in Paris, and on his return appeared, much to the satisfaction of his many friends, to be in rejuvenated health. He spent a few days in our city, and went with his aged mother to New York to visit his sister, Mrs. Curtis, wife of Dr. Curtis, an emi- nent physician of that city. On Christmas day, while dining with his cousin Hon. Anson G. McCook, M. C., of New York, he was seized with an attack of vertigo, which was so serious as to confine him to his bed. From this paralysis began to de- velop with the results announced. Although losing the power of speech and motion, he remained conscious until near bis death. He was attended by Drs. Marcon, Delafield, Curtis and Ensign.

Col. McCook's father was Major Daniel McCook, paymaster in the United States army, who was killed at Buffington Island during the Morgan raid in 1863. George was the second son, the eldest being Latimer, who died some five years ago in the west. The next brother is Gen. Alexander McDowell McCook, senior aid de camp of Gen. Sherman's staff, and who arrived in the city this morning to attend his brother's funeral. The next brother was the lamented Gen. Robert MeCook, who was assasina- ted by rebels in Tennessee in 1863. The fifth brother was Gen. Daniel McCook, who fell, far to the front, with his face to the foc, in the terrible assault at Kenesaw Mountain, July 18, 1864. The sixth brother was Gen. Ed. McCook, who was assaulted by Wintermute in Yankton, Dacotah. The seventh was Charley

. McCook, killed at the first battle of Bull's Run. The eighth is Capt. John J. McCook, a well known attorney of New York city. There are two sisters still living, Mrs. Mary Baldwin, of this city, and Mrs. Dr. Curtis, of New York. Col. McCook was married to Miss Dick, an adopted daughter of Rev. Dr. C. C. Beatty, of this city, who died in 1863. He leaves three chil- dren, George McCook, Hettie Beatty McCook, and Robert Mc- Cook. The loss of Col. McCook, as we have said, is profoundly felt in our city. Of generous heart, rare social attractions, and large wealth of intellectual culture, his is a loss that no common period of time can replace. In virtue of his scholarly attain- ments he, a few years ago, received the title of LL. D. from his alma mater.

THE BUCHANAN FAMILY-The Rev. George Buchanan was born in York county, Pennsylvania, near the beginning of 1783. His parents were Scotch Covenanters, and came to this country before the Revolutinary war. George was the youngest son in the family. His classical education was begun in Gettysburg, under the the superintendence of the Rev. Alexander Dobbins. He was gradnated in Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1805. He immediately entered the Theological Seminary of the Associate Reformed Church, in the city of New York, under the care of the celebrated Dr. John M. Mason, being a member of the first class organized in that institution. Mr. Buchanan having completed the course of study prescribed, was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, at a meeting held in the city of Washington, December, IS09. Soon after this he crossed the mountains, and serving as a missionary for a few months, came to Steubenville, where he lo- cated in April, 1811, and continued until the 14th of October, 1855, when he died, having served in his pastorate forty-four years. Mr. Buchanan was the founder of three congregations of his denomination. One in Steubenville, another on Yellow creek and the third was called Harmon's creek. The name of the whole denomination to which Mr. B. belonged was changed in 1858 and is now known as the United Presbyterian Church. Hence, the names of the congregations are changed. In addi- tion to the above change, Yellow creek is called Richmond, and Harman's creek, Paris. Mr. B. continued to minister to these congregations during the early part of his ministry, until two of them, Richmond first and Paris last, obtained the services of pas- tors for the full time, thus leaving him entirely to the Steubenville congregation. Here he continued to labor until the time of his death, presenting the extraordinary circumstance of a minister preaching every Sabbath with but two exceptions, for a period of forty-four years. In addition to his work as a preacher and pastor, Mr. Buchanan taught a classical school in the city for a number of years. His scholars generally did well in life, among whom are the Rev. Dr. Newton, missionary to India, and the Hon. E. M. Stanton, late secretary of war. As a classical scholar and teacher Mr. B. had a fine reputation. His kind, social and benevolent disposition opened for him the friendship of all classes, old and young. As an evidence of his popularity among matrimonial candidates he married over five hundred couples. Mr. Buchanan was married on the 28th of April, 1812, to Miss Mary, the third daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Junkin, then of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Junkin was a soldier of the revolution, and raised a large family, of which the Rev. Dr. George, and the Rev. Dr. D. X. are well known. In the part- ner of his married life. Mr. B. was peculiarly blessed, she being a woman qualified in every respect for a pastor's wife. Mrs. B. survived her husband six years, and died in Keokuk, Iowa, Au- gust, 1861, in the house of her youngest daughter, wife of Mr. A J. Ralston. Mr. Buchanan's family consisted of seven chil - dren, four sons ard three daughters. Miss Eleanor J., the eldest, was married to the Rev. John Mason Galloway, in May, 1838. Mr. Galloway was a minister, first in the Associate Reformed Church, and then in the Presbyterian Church. Whilst in the former, he preached in New Castle and afterward in Paris, Pa ; whilst in the latter, he preached in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1865. After his death Mrs. G. moved to Steu- benville, where she now (1879) lives with a part of her family, which consisted of six children. Her oldest studied law and now holds the office of deputy secretary of state in Colorado. Her oldest daughter is married to Mr. C. Worth, and lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Rev. John J. Buchanan, the second member of the family, after graduating at Franklin College in 1838, studied theology in the A. R. Seminary, Allegheny City, and was licensed to preach in 1841. After serving as pastor in Raccoon and Hanover congregations, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, and Nifflin congregation, Allegheny county, his health

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

failing, he partially ceased the work of the ministry and devoted his attention to literary employments, and conducted a school journal in Pittsburgh. His health failing still more, he gave up all his work in 1852, and died in 1853 in the 31st year of his age. He was married to the daughter of Philip Mowry, of Allegheny City. His widow and three surviving children are living now (1879) in Cleveland. All of whom, except Mrs. B. are married. Rev. Joseph Buchanan, the third of this family, after passing through the usual collegiate and theological education, was licensed to preach. He served as a missionary for several years in the west, and Pennsylvania. His labors, however, have chiefly been con- nected with schools. In connection with Mr. Galloway he bought the premises on the corner of Logan and Fourth streets of this city, built a home and started a high school for boys. This school was carried on successtully for three years, namely, from 1851 to 1854, when the work of preaching and teaching be- ing too heavy a tax upon Mr. Galloway, the school was given up, and the building rented to the board of education for a public high school. Mr. B. went into this school as an assistant teach- er, and so continued for several years, when he became princi- pal. In 1859, he was appointed superintendent of all the schools, which office he held until the year 1870. His labors in this ca- pacity told and are still telling upon public instruction in the city. In addition to this office, he was appointed on the board- of county school examiners, which position he still (1879) holds. Mr. B. has engaged in several enterprises of an educational na- ture which were carried forward successfully. Wm. Stanton Buchanan studied law with the Hon E. M. Stanton, entered upon its practice in this city, and afterward removed to Wheel- ing, but is now engaged in farming in Marshall county, West Virginia. James Buchanan, M. D., studied medicine with Dr. Tappan and graduated in the Medical University of New York. He practiced in his profession in Wellsville, Ohio, until the be- ginnin g of the late southern war, when he entered the army as a surgeon. After the close of the war, he located in Allegheny City, where he has an extensive practice, in addition to his hold- ing the position of surgeon to the Fort Wayne and Chicago railroad. He is married to the daughter of John M. Jenkins, of Wellsville, by whom he has a son and daughter. Mary Mc- Mechan Buchanan, the sixth child, died at the age of two years. Sarah E. Buchanan, the last of seven, was married in 1856 to Mr. A. J. Ralston, brother of the banker of San Francisco. She lived with her husband in Keokuk, Iowa, until 1862, when she died. Her husband immediately removed to San Francisco, where he now resides.

JUDGE JOHN H. MILLER, is a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, born January 30, 1813. He is a son of the late Amos Miller, also of Pennsylvania, born May 29, 1789, and who died May 7, 1863. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of John Huston, farmer, of Northampton county, and was married in the same county during 1811, but died November 16, 1828. She left a family of four sons and two daughters, our subject being the oldest child. He received his education at "Strousburg Academy," and studied law during 1837-8, under General Sam- uel Stokely, of Steubenville, being admitted to the bar at Colum- bus; Ohio, in 1840, having successfully practiced here ever since. In 1835 he became justice of the peace in what was then Monroe county, Pennsylvania, but came to Steubenville in 1837, where he was also elected a justice about 1845-6, and was in the city council during 1867-8. In 1870 he was appointed judge of the Common Pleas Court by Governor Hayes, to fill the vacancy caused by the elevation of Judge Mcintyre to the Supreme Court. The following year, 1871, he was elected to the same office, and filled it for the term of five years, which expired Feb- ruary 9, 1871 During 1841, he also filled the office of clerk to the Supreme Court, under a pro tem appointment. At present writing the Judge still continues his private law practice in Steubenville, and enjoys nnlimited confidence as an authority in his profession. He was married March 4, 1841, to Ann, daugh- ter of old Col. Thomas Stokely, farmer, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and a sister to General Samuel Stokely. They have a family of two children -a son and daughter, the latter of whom has become the wite of Mr. Henry W. Pratt, merchant, of Boston, and is the mother also of an interesting daughter.

DR. B. H. FISHER, a native of Steubenville, was born in 1839, and is a son of John Fisher, one of our earliest pioneers, born in 1800. His mother was Jane, daughter of Mr. John Hart, of Pennsylvania, and her family consisted of seven sons and four daughters, only one of them being at present deceased-Joseph A. Fisher, a merchant in Wheeling, who died about five years

ago. Susan has become Mrs. Nelson, of Steubenville ; Jane was married to Mr. John V. O'Dell, then of Steubenville, but now a resident of New York ; Julia Ann became Mrs. Samuel H. Bick. erstaff, of this place, and Emily W. is now Mrs. W. R. Harmon. The sons were James H., Joseph A., John, Jacob M., Benjamin H., Wm. E and George A., all still living in Steubenville. Our subject studied medicine with Dr. B. Tappan, and graduated in Cincinnati, at the Ohio Medical College. He was also in the 157th O. V. I., during the late war as surgeon, and on his re- turn home went into practice as a physician, in partnership with Dr. Tappan, with whom he remained associated three years, and then succeeded to a 'private practice, which he still condnets with much success. He was married in 1865, to Eliza A. Rit- tenhouse, daughter of Dr. W. Rittenhouse, of this county, by whom he has had a family of three children, one of whom is dead. The Doctor is a member of Jefferson County Medical As- sociation-one of the examiners for the "Royal Arcanum" Asso- ciation, is a member of the I. O. O. F., and associated with the M. E. Church ..

J. H. HAWKINS, at present one of our leading merchants, con- ducting business on Market street, is a native of Steubenville, born in 1826, and son of Thomas Hawkins, of Maryland, who came to Steubenville in 1817, was a tailor by trade, and died here in 1847. His mother's name was Margaret, daughter of Nathan and grand-daughter of Benjamin Harrison, of Mary- land. She died in 1854. The family consisted of eight girls and three boys-William B .; born 1807 ; James, born 1819, and John H .. born 1826. The business experience of our subject com- menced about thirty-one years ago, in the employ of Mr. George Scott, dealer in dry goods and millinery, in this city. After some years he became a partner with Mr. S., and continued in that connection until about eleven years ago, when, the latter gentleman dying, Mr. II., with others, entered into partnership in the same business under the firm name of J. H. Hawkins & Co. After four years, the firm became Hawkins, Patterson & Co., with a branch wholesale house in Pittsburgh, which continned there for five years; but two years ago both firms closed out, and Mr. Hawkins formed a new partnership with Mr. J. H. Dawson, and opened up in the same business in March, 1878, which is still continued at 320 Market street. The present firm consists of J. H. Hawkins and J. H. Dawson, the latter being also a thorougly experienced and practical business man, and bringing with him hosts of friends. Mr. Hawkins has ever taken a lively interest in Steubenville's prosperity, and is never to be found wanting in enterprise. He is president of the Miners' and Mechanics' bank, a director in the Jefferson National bank, and also director in the Steubenville Furnace and Iron Company, in which he was one of the early prime movers. Mr. Hawkins is a popular citizen, a shrewd business man, and is well acquainted with the history of Steubenville, past and present.

JAMES M. RILEY, comes from Baltimore, Maryland, and was born in 1831. He is a son of the late P. W. Riley, who was in the Baltimore sharp shooters during the war of 1812, but who died in 1849. Our subject came to Steubenville in 1856, then being a practical nailer, and engaged himself at the Jefferson Iron works where he still remains. He was married on the 19th, of April, 1855, to Elizabeth M. daughter of Daniel Lineberger, of Baltimore county, Maryland, and has a family of four chil- dren-Celeste, Gertrude, J. Sherman and Lottie B.

ROBERT E. BANKS, is a native of Derry, Ireland, and was born April 11th, 1831, being a son of the late John Bank, who died in 1859. Our subject came to this country in 1850, and was engaged with Lloyd & Black as a shipping clerk for some four years. He then engaged in the lumber business at Clear- field, Pennsylvania, from the fall of 1855 to 1861. When the war broke out, he promptly responded to the President's first call, by joining the 14th Pennsylvania Infantry, three months men. He served out his time and was honorably discharged in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. The 20th of Angust, in the same year, he re enlisted for three years in the 11th Pennsyl- vania as a private, September 6th, he was promoted to sergeant, and the 6th November, 1864, commissioned a lientenant, again being promoted, the 13th of August, 1865, to Captain, holding that rank when mustered out of the service in September of the latter year. During his service he was in thirty to thirty-five engagements and over sixty skirmishes-receiving no fewer than five serious wounds-two or three of them being inflicted with the sabre, showing the close engagements he was brought

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

to endure. On relinquishing the service, he came to Steuben- ville where he was married on the 30th of May, 1867, to Kate, daughter of Thomas McKann, by whom he has a family of five living ; - Mary K., born July 6, 1868; Agnes K., born July 20, 1870, but she died Dee. 27, 1872 ; William B., born Feb. 19, 1872 ; John K., born Sept. 13th, 1874 ; Alice K., born Nov. 6, 1876 ; and Blache K., born Sept. 15, 1878.

WILLIAM DAY is a native of Kent, England, and was born April 16th, 1820. He is a son of the late Thomas and Rachel Day, nee Watts, of the same county in the old country. The old couple had four sons, all of whom came to America in 1825. Our subject learned glass blowing and worked at it for twenty-one years. He entered the grocery and dry goods business on the corner of Third and Fourth streets in 1857, and still remains there, in company with his son Alfred, and their house may now be classed among the most important in their line in the city. Mr. William Day was married on the 18th of Sept., 1847, to Diana, daughter of Mr. Thomas Hill, a native of Yorkshire, England, and by her has had two sons and four daughter, as follows: - Alfred, born July 16th, 1848; Sarah, born March 25th, 1850; William born Nov. 7th, 1853; Mary, June 14th, 1858 ; lda May, born April 30th, 1860, and died June 21st, 1864 ; Belle Morse, born Jan. 19th, 1862. Sarah was married to Mr. Thomas Williams, Sept. 8th, 1868, and has two sons, William and Jared. Alfred married Sarah Rea, of Washington, Guern- sey county, Ohio, July 16th, 1876, and has one son, Francis Rea. William married Annie Kesey, of Steubenville, Feb. 4th, 1878.

ROBERT K. WINNINGS is a native of Belmont county, born 23d of May, 1833, and is a son James Winnings, a native of Berkeley county, Va. The old man came to Belmont county sixty years ago, and died in 1858. Our subject's mother was originally named Catherine Kennedy, born in 1800, and she had a family of six sons and one daughter- the latter dying at the age of fourteen. Samuel also died about two years ago, aged fifty-seven. John is residing in Wheeling; Edward D. is the present popular and successful proprietor of the extensive keg factory in this city, near the Jefferson Iron Works. Israel died about 1846. Robert K., as we have said, was born in 1833-he is a practical cooper, and works for his brother Edward D., while James K. is also a cooper, and is engaged at Bellaire. Our subject learned his trade as a cooper, with Mr. John H. Smith, and afterwards worked in Harrison county, coming to Steubenville from Martin's Ferry in 1869. He has remained in his brother's works ever since. He was married in 1852 to Mary Jane, daughter of Samuel Brady, cabinet maker, of Steu- benville, Ohio, but has no family. He also joined company C. of the Ist infantry regiment, under Capt. W. Orr, and during the late war served from Feb. 1864, to August 24th, 1865, when he was honorably discharged.

MATTHEW OLIVER JUNKIN is a native of Cumberland county, Pa., and was born in 1801. He is a son of Joseph Junkin, of the same county, who died. February, 1831, aged 81 years, who was a lieutenant at the battle of Brandywine, 1777. Our sub- ject came to Steubenville in 1829, and in 1831 was married to Rebecca Jane, daughter of James Buchanan and a brother of the late Rev. George Buchanan. They have had a family of six children, but have only two daughters living, one of whom is now Mrs. W. B. Donaldson, and the other, still unmarried, re- sides at home, Previous to coming here, and when about sev- enteen or eighteen years of age, our subject joined the Mercer county light infantry, belonging to the 121st Pennsylvania Rifles. He subsequently served as captain, adjutant and major, but resigned to come to Steubenville. Here he was elected a justice of the peace in 1843, and served some eighteen to twenty years. He also served as a commissioner of insolvency. In September, 1861, he was appointed lieutenant of company H., 30th Ohio, and served sixteen months. He returned and was again elected justice of the peace, beside which he served as mayor to the city from 1843 to 1847. In 1875 he was made the recipient of a handsome gold-headed cane, as a token of respect from the members of the bar and county officials in Jefferson, he having filled local offices for over thirty-two years. Mr. Junkin has ever been held in high estimation as a citizen, and in his declining years, though retired, shares equally of univer- sal respect and regards.

THE MCCONVILLES-The history of the city of Steubenville would be incomplete without honorable mention of one of her merchants, who within the last thirty years by enterprise and 66-B. & J. Cos.

close attention to mercantile affairs, built up a vast trade, and founded in Steubenville a house that in both branches retains the confidence of the people and endeavors to carry out the de- signs and business ideas of the founder. The late Daniel McCon- ville was born in Warrenpoint, county Down, Ireland, Novem- ber 27, 1819; sprang from a family of merchants, they having been engaged in trade for at least four generations previously. Entering his life work at the age of fourteen he spent the early years of his manhood in business with his father and elder broth- er in England and Wales, but finally established himself in bus- ness at his native town, Warrenpoint. The complete failure of the successive crops in Ireland having depressed trade very much in 1849 he emigrated to America, and in 1851 he opened business in Steubenville, and laid the corner stone of success. Year after year be extended his business and speedily acquired the good will and esteem of his brother merchants of Eastern Ohio, until at his death in September, 1878, he stood at the head of the dry goods merchants of this section of the state. The ' business block on the corner of Fourth and Market streets stands as a memorial of the merchant, and a testimony to hisability and success. The house he founded is continued under the same name, "D. McConville & Son," by his heirs, and managed by his sons James and Thomas. His eldest son, Daniel McConville, Jr., has been for ten years in business for himself, and both houses with enterprise, energy and integrity bid fair to retain the distinction the father acquired.

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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 180

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