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 183

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 183
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 183

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* * From Fort Pitt the river Ohio runs abont fifteen miles near a northwest course; thence near north about fourteen miles ; then it makes a great bend for about twenty miles, running a little south of west; thenee for near twenty miles southeast to the place called. Mingotown, where somne of that nation yet reside. Some of this town were want to plunder canoes, therefore we passed them as quietly as possible; and were so happy as not to be discovered by any of them .* From this town to Grave creek is about thirty miles."

When Logan withdrew to the Muskingum, in 1774, after the killing of his relatives at Yellow creek, the Senecas deserted Mingotown and it was never again occupied How long this Indian village had existed is unknown, and must forever remain a mystery, but the great probabilities are that a branch or tribe of Senecas made the place their habitation near the year 1755. It is a well known fact among historians that the Ohio valley proper was more of a hunting ground than a habitation of the tribes of Indians. The mighty Iroquois, or Six Nations, traversed the Ohio at a very early period, but only as warriors and hun- ters. The Senecas, who were the most powerful of this confed- eracy, and commanded the western door of the "long council house," for along time dwelt on the head waters of the Allegheny. Prior to 1700, the Six Nations were so constantly at war with the western Indians, that it was not practical for them to dwell on the banks of the Ohio, which afforded their implacable enemy facilities for floating down upon its waters large fleets of canoes filled with warriors, carrying death and destruction before them. Neither was it safe for isolated tribes of the Six Nations to dwell down the Ohio at so great a distance from the centre of their confederacy, so long as the nations with which they were at war, occupied any portion of the interior. At a long period anterior to any historic knowledge of the Amerian Indians, they may have dwelt on the banks of the Ohio in considerable numbers, but it is safe to conclude that the tribes of this great confedera- tion neither dwelt here nor permitted other nations to do so du- ring their supremacy among the aboriginal races.

After the disappearance of the Mingoes, the place became famously known as

MINGO BOTTOM,

And was a place of rendezvous for the people of the frontier in

# Bv some historians the inhabitants of the Mingotown are designated as the "vagrant Mingoes." By isolation or separation from the chief part of their nation they may have degenerated to some extent

their expeditions against the Indians. Williamson's men met there in March, 1782, on their way to the Moravian towns on the Tuscarawas, when the unfortunate massacre at Gnadenhutten was committed, and Crawford's army rendezvoused there from the 20th to the 24th of May of the same year, in the disastrous campaign against Sandusky. Both of these are more fully de- scribed in the chapters on those subjects. Mingo Bottom be- came a place of resort by the pioneers for a number of years afterward. Shooting matches were held there, and the place was the frequent scene of the sports of the carly settlers. The name of Mingo Bottom is still perpetuated, and it was deemed a favorite place to encamp two of the Ohio regiments of soldiers during the war of the rebellion. The 98th and 126th O. V. I. were both organized and mustered into service at the camp at Mingo Bottom, and other incidents occurred there to preserve its name in history. The name Mingo is used to designate the railroad junction and iron works at the place-it became the favorite name for the island in the river -- and it has become a popular word in modern times.

" MINGO JUNCTION,"

As it is now named, is at present the site of a thrifty and pros- perous village, designed for a town in the near future. The loca- tion referred to, including the property known as the *Potter's farm. and also the Mean's farm, was purchased, to the extent of six hundred acres, in 1800, by the Rev. Lyman Potter, and bis son-in-law, Mr. Jasper Murdock, the former, at the time, being a missionary from the Presbyterian church through Ohio and Pennsylvania. At his death the property was divided into two farms. Mr. Murdock's heirs took the present Means farm, and the deceased Rev. Lyman Potter's son Daniel, remained on the other. The latter, however, died in September, 1869, when his son. Daniel, Jr., at present a lumber merchant in Steubenville, in company with Mr. Abrahams, and Mr. Robert Sherrard, banker, also of Steubenville, were made executors of the estate. These gentlemen, under date of June, 1871, engaged the services of Mr. J. M. Rickey, surveyor, and had the nucleus to a town laid out, consisting of forty-five lots. Mr. Elisha P. Potter next opened up an addition of twenty-five lots, during the same month in the following year; while in December, 1872, Mr. D. Potter and Mr. R. Sherrard, further added a second addition of forty-seven lots-this making a sum total of one hundred and seventeen lots submitted for building upon. It was the fact of a fine iron works being erected at this point that induced the idea of laying out a town, which works run successfully down to 1878, then stood idle for a considerable time, but opened up again brighter than ever in September last, under a new firm, known as the Mingo Iron Works Company. In 1872, a neat frame Presbyterian church was put up, at a cost of $2,500, at which the Rev. S. Forbes at present officiates, while the M. E. Church has also a mission here. A very nice public school was built in 1873, at a cost of $3,000, and is well attended. For sev- eral years lots sold freely, and fetched good prices, but in conse- quence of the recent stoppage of the iron works for some twelve or eighteen months, the real estate market in that locality has been exceedingly inactive-a state of affairs, however, that does not appear likely to continue. Nor should we admit to state that about 1871-2, there was a neat railroad depot erccted here, at which there is express and Western Union telegraph agen- cies, and accommodations for passengers traveling the Cleve- land and Pittsburgh or Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis railroads, while the station house is also used for a postoffice, Mr. Robert Turner being in charge of the united departments conducted in the building. The iron works company have a mine in operation, with a shaft 238 feet deep, near the depot. which produces an excellent quality of coal from veins vary- ing from two feet to three feet in thickness. On the Means farm there is also a capital drift mine, hence there is no lack of fuel in the neighborhood. In the village there is a hotel, run by mine host A. Carson, and there are also several stores-in - cluding a dry goods and notion house by Mrs. Hirshfield, a gro- cery and dry goods store by Mr. David Simpson, and groceries

*An amusing occurrence took place on this farm anterior to the commencement of the present century. A Mr Joseph Dorsey, of Brownsville, onee owned the land, which he bonght mn speculation. Having no other use for it, and himself residing in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, he had a erop of corn put in. By the timo he thought the erop would be ready to harvest, he eume round to see about it, and on going round the land, siw two Vir- ginlans, with boat moored by the river bink, busy husking the grain and filling their boat. He was a very large, powerful and athletic man. He very cooly approached them, saying: " Well, is it a good erop?" " Yes, " was the reply. " Whose is it ?" asked Mr D. "Oh, it belongs to a fellow called Dorsey, out in Pennsylvania, " they said. Mr. D., simply re- marked "Oh!" and walked round till they were through, and then quietly removed his cont, saying " I'm Dorsey, and you'll now erib that corn you have husked, on the ground, or yon'll take all l can give you." The corn was eribbed and tho "eribbers" left sorry, but wiser men

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

by Mrs. McClusky, P. Goff, &c. In fact, with its railroad and river facilities, an ample supply of coal and abundant excellent water-ready access to Steubenville, and the advantages of a most healthy location, teeming with historical associations, we see every reasonable prospect of this favored spot of' centuries ago, yet securing equal popularity in future with that it certain- ly enjoyed in the past.

MINGO ISLAND.

Though the records of time, and the present oldest living in- habitants, have little of historical interest to hand down about this once romantic spot, which stands out in the river directly opposite Mingo junction, yet when we assure the reader that trom thirty to fifty years ago, it was decked with fine foli- aged trees, produced crops of corn and yielded abundant grapes, it will readily be conceived that still earlier it must have been a favored spot of the red skin, as he paddled around it in his bark canoe, in festive sport. We find it frequently referred to in his- tory as " Mingo Island," though we are assured that for some years after the Rev. L. Potter located on a farm opposite, it was commonly called " Potter's Island." Such a perversion of its correct name was, however, unwarrentable. It really belongs to Virginia, and since the floot tides, and dashing waves from passing steamers, have divested it of everything in the shape, trees, herbage or even sub-soil, leaving only a large sandy shoal -it can furnish little discomfiture to the state of Ohio when she has to admit that " it's none of her concern."

BURIAL GROUNDS IN THE TOWNSHIP.

It is the privilege of this township to boast of one of the finest cemeteries in the county, just outside the corporation limits of Steubenville, known as the " Union Cemetery," and referred to at length under the head of " Ecclesiastical Records, Burial Grounds, &e.," in our chapter on Steubenville. Outside of this much frequented mortuary we find it is no uncommon thing for farmers to have a private burial ground of their own, set apart on the farms. How far such a primitive custom is desir- able or becoming we will not debate, but clearly comprehend that under such auspices the necessity for expensive monuments and tablets is dispensed with, without one's sympathy for departed ones, (in a financial point) being brought into comparison with that of their neighbor.

RELICS AND CURIOSITIES.

Quite a number of rare geological, mineralogical and anato- mical curiosities have been exhumed in this township, Mr. Frank Wells, Mr. Tarr, and numerous other gentlemen possess- ing rare collections. During the excavation of the foundation at Mingo Iron Works, Mr. Kneff's son found several immense bones and teeth, and Miss Kneff also found some extraordinary teeth in George's Run. Mr. Tarr has recovered quite a num- ber of Indian relies on his farm, including pieces of pottery and singular specimens of petrifaction. In the course of our can- vass we have been shown endless specimens totally beyond our conception and it would seem that other curiosities are still dis- closing themselves regularly.

BUSKIRK'S FAMOUS FIGHT.

THE LAST FORMIDABLE ENCOUNTER WITH INDIANS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

For many reasons, probably not the least of which was the fact of this being the last fight of any moment with the red skins in Jefferson county, more than ordinary interest has ever been generally taken in this memorable occurrence. Hence no efforts have been spared to collect and compile the following ac- count from the most reliable sources-in number exceeding a dozen or fifteen-that an absolutely faithful reeord may be pre- served in history. During the summer of 1793 depredations on the part of the Indians so increased that it was resolved some decisive measures should be put on foot to hunt them down, and, if possible, impose a lasting castigation on the savage marauders. Instigated in no measured degree by an earnest desire for revenge, Captain Lawson Van Buskirk, whose wife had been barbarously murdered less than a year previously, took the initiative, and experienced little difficulty in enlisting a for- midable band of followers, numbering some thirty, all told-

many of them being expert scouts, and not a few of them ex- perienced in Indian warfare. Among them were David Cox, two of the Cuppy boys (one named Abraham), John Aidy, John Parker, --- Carpenter, Jake Ross, &c .- and, by the way, we may here remark that Abraham Cuppy was some time after- ward killed by Indians near Mt. Pleasant. Now Buskirk was an officer of noble courage and acknowledged efficiency, hence his men placed implicit confidence in his command, and only awaited orders to take up the march. A close scout was insti- tuted for the Indians' trial, when one George Cox, an experi- enced frontiersman, but not of the party who went out, was the lucky one to get first on the track of the enemy, which he dis- covered between George's run and the ereek, on the Ohio side. He hastily returned to the Virginia side and apprised the newly organized band, but was taken so sick himself that he could not guide them to the spot. With the best information they could glean from George, they proceeded in the direction named, and instituted diligent search, but failed in their mission, continuing to explore hill and dale until they approached what is now known as " Battle Run," a point on the present farm of Mr. Adams about one mile from Mingo. Here they suddenly espied a loin of "jerk," when Buskirk exclaimed, "Now, boys, look out; there are Indians close." At his request, the main body of them ambuscaded, when he deployed to the right, sending Carpenter to the left to ascertain the position of the red skins. Suddenly Carpenter espied them in strong force, concealed in a thick cluster of pawpaw and blackberry bushes, just behind Carpenter, when he yel- led out "Indians!" and treed, receiving no fewer than five shots through his knapsack while doing so. Buskirk exclaimed " Where ?" and had hardly uttered the word ere a perfect volley was poured forth at the apparently only other one-the cap- tain-whose body was pierced by no fewer than eleven balls, as counted by the father of our informant, and also by John Par- ker, who was present (an old soldier once in Wayne's army). It need hardly be said that upon the frontier, men observing the spot whence the smoke issued, those bushes quickly resem- bled a pepper dredger, and bullets rained like bail for a short time, when the red skins beat a hasty retreat. Jake Ross being specially athletic, gave one Indian chase along the creek, and coming within range he pianted a bullet in red skin's back, from the effects of which his strength so failed him that he knew he must be captured, and rather than submit to the indignity of a scalping he plunged into the creek, beneath the straggling roots of an old tree and a quantity of drift wood that had accummu- lated round it, from which position no trouble was taken to re- cover the body. Though sharp as the action proved, while it lasted, none but the gallant Buskirk died on the field, yet the ground appeared, as it were, watered with blood. Three of the whites were wounded, while a much larger number of the In- dians were hardly pressed to drag their mangled bodies out of the reach of the scalping knife, as abundantly demonstrated, in after years by farmers in the locality finding several skeletons concealed in the rocks, one of them with a bullet lodged in the hip joint, and the remains of what had been a fire by the side of it. In fact, were it necessary to particularize such similar find- ing of bones, we could with ease, place five or six that almost un- doubtedly owed the loss of their lives to that sanguinary encoun- ter. It has been circulated freely that Buskirk's body was re- moved to Wellsburg for interment, but from the most reliable sources we have been assured that he was buried near the spot on which he died, where the grave was kept green for many years, and the noble veteran, like General Sir John Moore, was left

"To lay like a warrior, taking his rest, With his martial cloak around him. "

DEATH OF MRS. LAWSON VAN BUSKIRK.

Other accounts notwithstanding, we have it upon the unques- tionable testimony of several pioneers, whose respective accounts agree as received from an eye-witness and others connected with the occurrence, at the time, that the estimable lady in ques- tion came to her sad end as follows : During the summer of 1792. nearly twelve months prior to her husband's death, a number of Indians came down to theriver about where the pres- ent ferry is conducted, at the foot of Market street, Steuben- ville, and crossed to the Virginia side, where they sank their canoes and proceeded on a marauding expedition in the direc- tion of Wellsburg. Arriving not very far distant from that place, at a small bridge crossing what is known as Painter's creek, they met Mr. Buskirk on horseback, on her way to Wash-

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES

ington county to get some weaving donc. She no sooner caught sight of them than she endeavored to turn her horse quickly to gallop back, but as the animal stumbled, she received a sprained ankle by being thrown, and ere she could recover her seat, was surrounded and taken prisoner. They proceeded back with her along the ridge, in the direction of the spot where they had sunk their canoes. A man named White, with two other follow- ers, ascertaining the fact, lost no time in hurrying along the shore to the spot already indicated, opposite Steubenville, where they felt assured they would cross, intending, it possible, to re- capture her. Arriving at the scene, they ambushed till the red skins, came down, being concealed in the rocks. But alas! on their arrival they were found far too numerous to admit of any hope of success, and they remained almost breathlessly silent, as they watched the Indians raise their canoes. By this time another party who had followed swiftly on their trail along the ridge hove in sight, when the savages threw the poor woman on to a huge stone, now known as "Town Rock," and tomahawked her to death, leaving the body a mangled mass as they narrowly es- caped with their lives across the river. Directly White and his associates saw them hurriedly flee, they had their suspicions that others were on the scout, and came from their hiding place, when the two parties viewed the sad scene and immediately joined in pursuit, crossing at what is called "Wall's Riffle," where they had no alternative but to wade the river, but were unable to obtain. revenge. How far the following may be true, we are unable to say, but an opinion is freely entertained that the body of the un- fortunate lady was subsequently taken back to Wellsburg for in- terment.

STEUBENVILLE TOWNSHIP BIOGRAPHIES.

HENRY ADAMS .- The father of the subject of this sketch, George Adams, was born in Maryland, in 1772, and came to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, with his father when quite young. Here he grew to manhood, or until he was seventeen years of age, when he volunteered as a soldier in Gen. Wayne's expe- dition against the Indians. He served for three years. Hc helped to build Fort Recovery, and was stationed there for quite a while, was there at the death of Gen. McMahon. At the close of the war he returned to his home where he remained until about 1796, when he settled on section 32, in this township, where he remaied until his death in 1856. His wife, Miss Rhoda Nottingham, was born in 1779. They reared a family of eight children, all of whom are dead but three. Onr subject was the fifth son of George Adams, and was born in 1811, on the farm he now owns, and where he has always lived. Was married in 1848, and has reared a family of seven children. Was in the River Trade for about twenty years, making 49 trips to New Orleans. Quit the river in 1850 and since then bas been engag- ed in farming and stock raising.

ISAAC LINDUFF, was born in Cross Creek township, Novem- ber 6, 1836, where most of his life has been spent. Was mar- ried April 15, 1860, and has reared a family of five children. He was a member of Company I, 53d Regiment O. V. I. Enlisted November 26, 1861, for three years, but was discharged by reas- on of re-enlistment as a veteran, January 1, 1864. Was dis- charged December 31, 1864, by reason of wounds received on July 22, 1864, before Atlanta, Georgia. Was First Sergeant of his company. Was wounded by a minnie ball, just below the left eye.

MICHAEL WHITAKER was born June 7, 1853, in Jefferson coun- ty, Ohio, where he has always lived. Was married May 13, 1874. Has been connected with the Union Cemetery with his father. September 1, 1878, he was appointed superintendent in in his father's stead.

GEORGE H. CURRY was born in August, 1843, in Jefferson county, but shortly after his parents moved to Brooke county, West Virginia, where he grew to manhood. He was married in 1863 and has a family of three children. By profession he is a dentist, but he is now engaged in farming and gardening.

JOHN F. MURPHY was born in the state of New York, but came with his parents to Jefferson county when about one year of age, and since then his life has mostly been spent in this county. He was a member of company A, 25th regiment O. V. I .; enlisted March 7, 1864, and served until after the close of G7-B. & J. Com.

the war. This company was formed in Belmont county, Ohio. He was married in 1870. In 1873 he cominenced the manufac- ture of cigars, in which he is now operating, and produces about 250,000 cigars annually. His factory is No. 533.

JOHN HOLROYD was born in Trumbull county, O., in August, 1826, and came to Jefferson county in 1834, where he has ever since lived ; followed steamboating on the Ohio river for nearly twenty years ; is a cooper by trade ; was married July 3, 1851, and has reared a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters.

J. B. MOONEY was born in Ireland in 1820, where he grew to . manhood ; left Dublin, Ireland, May 28, 1847, and came to New York city, where he lived for five years; came to Jefferson county in 1852, where he has since lived ; was married February 28, 1861, and has reared a family of five sons.

ALEXANDER WALKER was born April 7, 1832, in Jefferson county, on the farm where he now lives, and where his father, John Walker, first settled. Alexander was married in 1834, to Miss Workman, of Jefferson, by whom he reared a family of ten children, all living. His father was one of the first settlers of this county.

ALBERT W. CONNELL was born in Jefferson county, on the farm where he now lives, July 6, 1850 ; was married in Decem- ber, 1876.

W. H. CONNELL, the father of Albert W., came to Jefferson county with his father, William, in 1808. William was drowned. in 1810. He had a family of eight children. W. H. reared a family of five children. He died in 1871, in his sixty-fifth year.

ROBERT CONNELL was born in Jefferson county. At the open- ing of the civil rebellion he enlisted as a member of the 52d regiment O. V. I., in August, 1861, and died at Nashville, from discase, February 16, 1862.

WILLIAM ROE was born in Jefferson county in 1849, where he has always lived. Was married in 1873. Received just a com- mon school education. Was a member of Company B, 52d regi- ment O. V. I., in the three years service. Enlisted Angust 17, 1862, and was discharged with company June 20, 1865, at close of the war. Received a flesh wound at Atlanta, Georgia.

JOHN MOORE, a native of Ireland, came to Jefferson county in 1805, and settled in Cross Creek township, where he remained until his death. He reared a family of three children.

WILLIAM MOORE, the oldest son of John Moore, was born in Ireland, in 1798, and came to this conntry with his father in 1805, where he grew to manhood and spent the greater part of his life. He married Miss Marian Oliver in 1821, and reared a family of nine children, all of whom are living but one. He died in 1842. John Moore, Jr., O. C. Moore and William Moore, sons of William Moore, Sr., were members of the 151st Ohio National Guard, and served about four months. Henry Moore was a member of Company E, 162d regiment, O. V. I. Enlisted in November, 1861, and was out about two years, when he was taken sick, and came home, only to dic.

JAMES C. MOORE was a member of Company E, 52d regiment, O. V. I. Enlisted September, 1862, and served till close of the war.

BARTLY MOORE was a member of Company E, 52d regiment, O. V. I. Enlisted September, 1862, and was discharged at the close of the war. Thus it will be seen that all of the Moore brothers respontled to their country's call.

JOHN SCOTT was born in Fayette county, Pa., and when he was quite small his father removed to Washington county, Pa., where he grew to manhood. Came to Jefferson county in 1812, and settled upon the farm where his sons, Charles and John W., now live and there spent the balance of his life. Bought land from Hans Wilson, a merchant of Steubenville-125 acres. Was a cooper by trade and for several years atter his settlement he worked at his- trade, but the latter part of his life was de- voted to farming. He was married in 1811, before leaving Washington county, Pa., and reared a family of ten children, all of whom are dead but four. He was a strict member of the M. P. Church. He died in Sept., 186-4.

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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 183

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