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 206

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 206
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 206

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).

JACOB AULT, son of Andrew Ault, Sr., was born September 17, 1800, on the old home farm. He followed carpentering and cab- inet-making. He was married three times and reared a large family. His death occurred in 1865.

JOSEPH C. AULT .- Our subject's parents were Jacob and Cath- arine E. Ault, and whilst residing in Steubenville, Ohio, Joseph was born to them, November 18, 1834. In August, 1861, ho en- listed iu the Union army and became a member of Company E, 2d regiment, O. V. I .; was transferred to field and staff as hos- pital steward, by order of Col. McCook ; was taken prisoner in 1863, and released in 1864; was coufined five months at Ander- sonville, Ga. On December 21, 1865, he was married to Annie F. Fleming. They have three children. He removed to his present farm in the fall of 1878.

WILLIAM TAYLOR was born in Island Creek township, Jeffer son county, Ohio, September 27, 1809. At the age of fifteen he began the trade of a tanner. On the 2d of February, 1832, he made Catharine Jackman his wife. This union resulted in five children. Since 1832, he has followed farming. Mr. T. has been a class leader in the M. E. Church for fifty-five years.

BENJAMIN LEE was born in Island Creek township May, 1831, and in October, 1852, he married Elizabeth Taylor and reared a family of two children by her ; removed to his present place April, 1863.

SAMUEL LEE .- The subject of this sketch was born in Pitts- burgh, Pa., May 17, 1821, and when but two years of age his parents removed to Jefferson county. Ohio. In April, 1851, Mr. Lee married Ann Barclay and reared twelve children. Hlo is a farmer.

JAMES LEE .- The father of our subject was born in Ireland in 1790, and migrated to America in 1818; was married in Pitts- burgh, Pa., in 1820, and was the father of thirteen children ; came to Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1823. He died in September, 1877. The subject was born in the spring of 1837, and soon after becoming of age he married Annie Cooper, who has given issue to five children. For awhile he engaged in the mercantile trade, but is now farming.

DAVID KING, a native of Patterson, New Jersey, was born Oc- tober 4, 1839. He learned the trade of boiler making, which he followed till 1860, when he removed to Allegheny county, Pa., I-75-B. & J. Cos.

and from thence to Steubenville, Ohio, in 1861, and followed gardening till August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, 52d O. V. I., and served till the close of the war under General Sher- man. He married Catharine Campbell, of Allegheny county, Pa., July, 1862, and has two children-both boys. After his re- turn from the army, Mr. K. followed gardening till 1873, when he began the fire-brick business, in which he is still engaged.

GEORGE PAXTON, a native of Scotland, was born in Aberdeen- shire March, 1817, and when twenty-one years of age emigrated to America and located in Steubenville, Ohio. He married Mar- garet Huscroft in June 1844, and has five boys and five girls. He came to Island Creek township in 1867.

EPHRAIM LASHLEY, son of Caleb and Mary Lashley, was born at Wegee, in Belmont county, Ohio, May 20, 1827. When a small child his parents removed to Monroe county, Ohio, where they remained until he was about fifteen years old, and from thence to Steubenville, Ohio, where young Lashley fol- lowed boating for several years. Married Mary Steward, of Steubenville, by whom he had two children: Benjamin T., born in 1859, and Mary Lashley, born in 1863. In 1852 Mr. L. lost his right arm and left hand by the premature discharge of a can- non which he was firing. In 1869 he came to his present loca- tion at Pekin, Island Creek township, where he keeps a gro- cery and owns a small farm. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812.

JOHN CULP, son of George Culp, was born in Knox township, Jefferson county, O., and served an apprenticeship of three years at the blacksmith trade with J. M. Swords, of Steubenville. Worked as a journeyman three years, when he located in Pekin, Island Creek township, where he still plies his trade.

GEORGE W. CULP, son of George Culp, of Knox township, served three years at blacksmithing with J. M. Swords in Steu- benville. Traveled as a journeyman, first at Wellsville, Ohio ; then at New Cumberland, West Virginia; then back to Wells- ville, where he bought a one-half interest in a shop and staid fifteen months; thence through Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Minnesota. In the latter state he remained about one year and then returned to Ohio in 1870, and went into partnership with his brother, John Culp, at Pekin, in Island Creek township, Jefferson county, Ohio.

WILLIAM C. NICHOLS, son of Samuel and Mary Nichols, was born in Brooke county, West Virginia, July 25, 1841; was reared a farmer. In 1859 he went to Shelby county, Indiana, and was educated at Franklin College. Enlisted as a private in Com- pany G. 3d Indiana Cavalry, August 16, 1862. Was with Gen. Sherman till July 24, 1865, was wounded at Stone River and Chickamauga, at the latter place was shot through the stomach, since which time his health has not been good. After the war he returned to Indiana, taught school and studied law with Love & Davis, also with Thomas A. Hendricks, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1870. Was appointed U. S. Mail Agent on the I. C. & L. R. R., which position he filled two years. Came to Steubenville, Ohio, and married Virginia Hull, September 18, 1872, and have one child named Frank H. Nichols, Mr. N., remained one year at Steubenville, Ohio, then moved to Sloan's Station where he taught one year and then came to Jeddo Station, in October, 1876, where he still exercises the profession of teach- ing.

JOHN DONNELLY, was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. June 8, 1838, and when but twelve years of age engaged in the pottery business which he has followed ever since. Emigrated to America, in March, 1868. Began work in Pittsburgh, where he remained about five months, and from there he went to New Cumberland, West Virginia, and became a partner in McMahon, Porter & Co.'s Sewer Pipe and Terra Cotta Works, which posi- tion he still holds.

MARK W. BELL, son of William and Margaret Bell was born in Brooke county, West Virginia, July 8, 1800. . Reared on a farm. Mr. Bell has followed farming all his lite. In the spring of 1810, his parents removed to Jefferson county, Ohio, and lo- cated on 80 acres of land in section 3, in Island Creek township, for which he paid $1.50 per acre. The first night after their ar- rival they spent in a brush tent, and on this same spot both William and Margaret Bell lie buried. He was born in Ireland,

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

in 1772 and married to Margaret Wallace, in 1799. They were the parents of three children, viz: Mark W., Margaret and Grace W. Bell. Margaret and Grace are now dead. William Bell was a soldier in the war of 1812, under General Harrison, and died at the age of 83 years. Mark W. Bell, married Rebec- ca Jones, of Island Creek township, whose parents also located in Island Creek township in 1810. She was born January 17, 1810, and married June 27, 1832. They are the parents of six children, as follows : Sarah A., Margaret, Mary G., Joseph J., deceased) Rachael H. and William G. Bell. Mr. Bell still oc- cupies the old homestead.

VALLEY SPRINGS ICE WORKS.

These works were established in 1869, by John Yocum, the present proprietor. They are situated on Wills creek, about a quarter of a mile from the Ohio river. The first year after he began the business he packed some two hundred tons. His trade has inereased rapidly every year until at present he packs away from fifteen hundred to two thousand tons per annum. His ice is from pure spring water and he always finds ready sale for it.

MCCONNELL'S FRUIT FARM.

This fruit and vegetable farm, which is situated about six miles west of Steubenville, contains eighty acres. He has five hun- dred peach trees of the finest quality of budded fruit, five acres in raspberries, three acres in strawberries, the products of which are 10,000 quarts per annum. Of tomatoes, his annual products are at least 1,000 bushels per year. He has small fruits and veg- etables of all kinds. His business is increasing every year and he bids fair to have by far the finest fruit farm in the county.

KING'S GARDENS

Are located tour miles above Steubenville, Ohio, and at the foot of Brown's Island. Mr. King first began at this place in the spring of 1871. The tract contains fifty-four acres, eighteen acres of which are in garden. He grows everything in the vegetable line produced in this latitude, and does a large business in this branch.

DAVIDSON'S GRIST AND SAW MILLS

Were erected by a Mr. Porter in an early day and was next owned by John Myers. In 1834, Robert Ramsey became pro- prietor, and he sold to James Seott about 1851. In 1861, the old mill was burned down and a new miil was immediately built, 40x42 feet, and three stories bigh. It has two run of buhrs and is operated by both water and steam power.

MARTIN'S COAL BANK

Is situated on the farm of James F. Martin and was opened in the year 1876, by him. The vein is three and a half feet thick, and he employs from three to four men in the fall and winter seasons.

CROSS CREEK TOWNSHIP.

SETTLEMENT.

The organization of this township first appears on the records of the county in 1806. It takes its name from Cross creek, a stream passing through it. The first settlement within the present limits of the township was made by William Whitcraft, George Mahan and William McElroy in the spring of 1797. In the spring of 1798 the Bickerstaffs and John Johnson came from Washington county, Pa., purchased land of Bazaleel Wells, and located on sections 5 and 6. Eli Kelly, George Halliwell, John McConnell, John Long, John Scott and Moses Hunter were all settled in the township before 1800. Nathan Caselaer came very early, also, but soon moved back to Pennsylvania. William McConnell was also among the second lot of settlers.

John Ekey located on section 1 about 1803; he ob- tained a patent for that section dated October 19, 1808. In 1809 James Thompson came from Ireland and purchased land of John Ekey. He lived under a large tree until he could cut logs and build a cabin. James Scott also cast his lot among his Irish neighbors in Cross Creek, on the northeast corner of section 2, about the same time.

John Permar moved from the State of Maryland to Washing- ton county, Pa., and in 1806 he came to Jefferson county and purchased land in section 5 of this township, on which land a small clearing had been made and a cabin built, by a man named King, with a view to purchase; but he failed to make the payments, and had to give it up.

Jacob Welday, a German, came in 1800, and located on section 14. Hugh Mccullough migrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania in 1792, and located in Fayette county, where he gained his first knowledge of American enterprise from his countrymen who had come before. In 1803 he came to Cross creek, where he re- mained until his death in 1854.

David Dunlevy made the first whisky in the township, about 1803; he had located on section 33 in that year. About the same time Joseph Dunn settled herc also. Charles Maxwell, a millwright by trade, came from Fayette county, Pa., in the spring of 1806, and in 1807 he built a mill on the site of McGrew's mill ; he also built the first brick house in the west end of the township in 1827. Thomas Elliott and Andrew Ander- son were also among the pioneers of the west end of Cross creek. John Wright came in 1811, and located in the northeast quarter of section 29. Samuel Smith emigrated from Ireland, and located for a short time in Fayette county, Pa., but in 1800 he joined the Irish colony in this township, and located near where the village of Alexandria now stands. William Moore was among the first to settle in this township; he crossed the Ohio river at Steubenville with his family, consisting of wife and four children, and like most of the settlers in Cross creek, was a native of Ireland, having emigrated to Pennsylvania about 1807, and came to Cross creek about 1814. Samuel Iron came from Ireland, and settled about 1801. The pioneers of Cross creek were almost entirely of Irish nativity, having left their native land on account of religious persecution, being all of the Pro- testant faith-either Methodists, Seceders or Episcopalians; and one of their first efforts was to establish places of worship, and their cabins were the scene of many a good old-time prayer- meeting, where they worshiped God according to the dictates of their own conscience, without fear or molestation.

MILLS.

The first settlers were accommodated by George Mahan, who brought to the northeast part of Cross creek in 1800 one of those rudely constructed hand mills for grinding corn. The business soon increased to such an extent that in 1804 he ap. plied horse power, which was considered a great improvement, as wheat could be ground, but had to be bolted by hand. In 1805 Nathaniel McGrew built the first mill to be run by water power near where James McGrew's mill now stands on Cross creek. Others soon followed by building on MeIntire and lower down on Cross creek. Charles Maxwell built the first saw mill in 1807, just above McGrew's grist mill. Lanning built the second saw mill in 1809 near Gould Station. Since that time a number of saw mills have been erected at different times in various parts of the township, but at present the only mills running are McGrew's grist and saw mills, both of which are much worn by many years' constant use, and will soon serve only as marks of the lost arts in Cross creek.

There is a small eoppcras works operated by R. Johnson in section 12.

ELLIOTT'S WOOLEN FACTORY.

This establishment was situated on Cross creek, about half a mile above the mouth of McIntire creek. It was erected by a company in 1824 for a cotton mill. Before the machinery was all in the company broke up, and the land and buildings, but not the machinery, was purchased by George Marshall, who put in machinery and started a woolen mill. The machinery con- sisted at first of a pair of carding machines for carding rolls, a fulling mill and other fixtures for dressing country cloth for the farmers. In 1827 Marshall took into partnership John and James Elliott, and put in more machinery, a double carding machine and a condenser, a sixty-spindle jack, one broad and two narrow looms, a strike-back wide shearing machine, and all the other appendages for the manufacture of fine woolen goods. They manufactured broadcloth, cassimere, satinet, and flannels. In 1834 other looms were added, and they commenced the man- ufacture of Kentucky jeans. This was the most extensive woolen factory in the county, ontside of Steubenville. Marshall died in 1828, and the business was carried on by the Elliotts until the building was destroyed by fire in 1849 or '50, after which it was not rebuilt.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

DISTILLERIES.

The manufacture of whisky was an extensive business in Cross creek, as it was one of the few commodities which could ocea- sionally be exchanged for money. According to one informant, pumpkins and potatoes were occasionally distilled, but they were, probably, merely used as a substitute for something better. The first distillery of which any record exists, was built by Daniel Dunlevy on section 33 as early as 1803.

Another very early one was run by Joseph Hanlon in the same neighborhood. John McConnell, William McConnell, Wil- liam Woods and Nathaniel Porter were also early distillers, but as the country became settled they dropped off one by one, until 1863 there was but one in the township, and that was Mr. Por- ter's. He run this in connection with his mill until the govern- ment put such a heavy tax on the distillers that small establish- ments would not pay. This is the only still-house with all its machinery, we believe, that is still standing in the township, and this one only serves as a monument to mark the spot where one of the luxuries of pioneer times was manufactured.

COAL.

In the greater portion of the township, eoal is so high up in the hills, that it is found usually in patches of from fifty to one hundred acres, only in a few instances much larger than the lat- ter. North from the railroad the surface is elevated and broad- ly rolling, so that, excepting near the eastern portion of the township, the distance which one must pass through, inferior or " crop " coal is so great, that the expense deters many from opening banks. In the eastern part of the township there are many deserted banks, nearly all of which seem to have been abandoned because of the difficulty of drainage. The only one in operation is that owned by the England heirs, which is situated very near the castern line of the township. This bank is an important one and is worked extensively to supply the neighboring towns. On McIntyres creek, near the southern line of the township, coal is mined by Mr. Amos Hoagland, which is of good quality. There is a coal shaft at Wintersville owned and operated by Thomas Roberts, where coal of a superior quality is obtained, and a bank on the farm adjoining, owned and operated by the Cables, while a number of other banks of minor importance are operated in the township and supply the local demand.

CHURCHES.

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

In December, 1800, Dr. Doddridge entered into an agreement with a number of individuals living west of the Ohio, to perform the duties of an Episcopalian clergyman, every third Saturday, at the house of the widow McGuire. The subscription book, which is dated December 1, 1800, contains the following names: George Mahan, William Whitcraft, Eli Kelly, George Haili well, William McConnell, John McConnell, William McConnell, Geo. Richey, Benjamin Doyle, Joseph Williams, John Long, Mary McGuire, John McKnight, Frederick Allbright, John Scott, Moses Hanlon.

This little congregation was, we conclude, the germ of the present parish of St. James in Cross creek, as among the above named we find four of them attached to the petition signed by that parish, in December, 1813, to be sent to the general con- vention in 1817, asking leave of that body to form a diocese in the western country. These names are : George Mahan, Wil- liam McConnell, John McConnell and Benjamin Doyle.

We are not acquainted with the gradations by which the con- gregation at the widow McGuire's expanded into the parish of St. James, nor how long services were held at her house; but from the pastor's papers, we find that from 1814 until his resig- nation in 1823, he remained rector of the parish of St. James --- the Rev. Intrepid Morse then assuming charge of it, in connec- tion with that of St. Paul's, at Steubenville. That the services of Dr. Doddridge were efficient at St. James, is shown by the fact, that when the diocese of Ohio was organized in 1818, he reported fifty-two communicants, and over one hundred bap- tisms within two years.

The following is copied from the records of St. James parish : At a meeting of the congregation of St. James, on the first of December, 1816, the petition to the general convention, for leave to form a diocese in the western country, was signed by

the following persons : William McConnell, Robert Maxwell, John Cunningham, Samuel Tipton, Alex. Cunningham, James Cunningham, George Mahan, Widow Mahan, Andrew Elliott, Gabriel Armstrong, John Mccullough, James Foster, Benjamin Doyle, William White, Thomas White, John McConnell, James Strong, Hugh Taggart, Richard White, John Foster, James Du- gan, William Graham, Daniel Dunlevy.

The church was conseerated in 1825 by Bishop Chase. The first pastor of the congregation was Dr. Doddridge, who re- mained until 1823. The pastors who labored atter him, and their term of service, were Rev. Intrepid Morse, from 1823 until 1837; Rev. Richard Grey, from 1837 until 1851; Rev. Hum- phrey Hollis, from 1851 until 1855 ; Rev. Charles Flams, from 1855 until 1857; Rev. Edmund Christian, from 1857 until 1863; Rev. Henry A. Lewis, from 1863 nntil 1866; Rev. W. E. Webb, from 1866 until 1868; Rev. T. K. Coleman, from 1868 until 1870 ; Rev. Joshua Coupland, from 1870 until 1875. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. James M. Hillyer. There were four hundred and one baptisms up to 1874, eighty-one marriages up to 1875, and two hundred and ten confirmations up to 1863.

St. James was the second Episcopal Church organized in the northwestern territory, the first being at Marietta.

CROSS CEERK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This is the only Presbyterian church in the township, and the exact date of the first meeting or who preached the first ser- mon, cannot be definitely ascertained, but Rev. Wray was among the first preachers, and preached at the house of Thomas Elliott, as early as 1816. Rev. Obediah Jennings, then pastor of the first church at Steubenville, visited and preached at the house of Judge Anderson, (then living where Joseph Potter now lives) as early as 1820. Meetings were also held occasionally at the old log school-house, near where Stark school-house now stands. Rev. C. C. Beatty, in his youth, preached sometimes at the house of Walter Hanlon, and meetings were also held at the houses of Stephen Riggs, William Dinsmore and George Day. Rev. Thomas Hunt was also among the early preachers.

In 1835, the propriety and importance of having a house of worship erected, was discussed, where prayer meeting, Sabbath school and preaching could be held, and in 1837 the first church was erected. It was built of briek and was a good one for that time. George Day gave an acre of ground for the church and graveyard. The following spring a petition was presented to Presbytery asking for the organization of the ehureb. The Rev. C. C. Beatty was appointed to visit them and or- ganize if the way was open. The church was accordingly organized with twenty-five members, fifteen from Two Ridges, seven from Steubenville, two from Richmond, and one from Beech Spring, who entered into a covenant to associate and walk together in a church relationship, agreeably to the ac- knowledged doctrine and order of the Presbyterian church. The following persons were chosen ruling elders : George Day, Allen Hanlon, James Stark, Alex. Morrison and James McCoy. The first pastor was Rev. Joseph H. Chambers, who was ve- ceived by this Presbytery from Redstone Presbytery, at Bloom- field, February 27, 1839. Mr. Chambers continued pastor here for over eleven years. In 1845 a parsonage was built, costing between five and six hundred dollars, and in 1870 additions were put to it, costing abont three hundred and fifty dollars. In 1873 the church was consumed by fire, being a total loss, there being no insurance. The fires had been kindled in the stoves for Sabbath school, but how it caught the building was not known. The members decided to build a new church at once, and, December 14, 1873, the new house was dedicated, Rev. A. M. Reid preaching the sermon. The new church was of brick, costing $3,946. The whole number of members since the organ- ization is about 255; number of deaths as far as known, 55 ; number dismissed or left, 123. The present pastor, Rev. J. F. Boyd, was installed May 9, 1870, Rev. T. A. McCurdy deliver- ing the sermon.

M. E. CHURCH, WINTERSVILLE.

The organization of this church was effected in 1835 at the house of William Roberts, and in 1841 he built, at his own ex- pense, a house of worship near his residence, about one mile from the site of the present church. Mr. Roberts soon after sold it to the Richmond circuit for $600. It was dedicated in 1842 by Rev. George Holmes. Among the first members we find Jacob Vail, Henry Oliver, William Roberts and Samuel Martin. In 1868 it was found necessary to build a larger and better house, as the old one was entirely too small and getting

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

very much dilapidated. The present house is built of brick, 62x42 feet, cost $10,000, and was dedicated by Samuel Nesbitt in June, 1869. It has a membership at present of 115. The Rev. J. Weaver is the present minister. There is a prosperous Sabbath school connected with this church with an attendance of about sixty scholars.

EKEY M. E. CHURCH.

This church was first organized in the school house of Dis- trict No. 3. Rev. Whorten and Rev. Kent were the first minis- ters; James Elliott, first class leader. The first members were Andrew Ekey, Nancy Ekey, James Elliott, Andrew Elliott, Rev. Tipton and Rev. C. A. Holmes. The first meeting was held at the house of Andrew Ekey, prior to the one held in the school- house. Mrs. Nancy Ekey is the only one of the original mem- bers living. This church is not in a very prosperous condition. The first burial in the graveyard attached to the church was David Ekey, son of Andrew and Nancy Ekey, November 23, 1850. There is quite a prosperous Sunday school connected with this church, which meets every Sunday.

DISCIPLES' CHURCH, WINTERSVILLE.

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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 206

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