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 208
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 208
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A. M. SMITH .- Mr. Smith is a native of New York, but came to this county when he was a small boy. He was reared on the farm and received a liberal education. In 1878, he was appointed to the position of superintendent of the county infirmary, which position he still holds, serving with credit to himself and to those who appointed him.
WELLS TOWNSHIP.
This township was a part of Warren and was set off from the latter and made a separate township in 1823. It derived its name from B. Wells, a large land owner in early times, and the pro- prietor of Steubenville. Its surface is greatly diversified, there being rugged hills and pleasant valleys, elevated table-lands and undulating territory, suited to almost any taste, as will be seen by a topographical description of it. For ages previous to the advent of the white man in this part of the country, the Indian nations under various appellations, bad occupied this region. When the first pioneers began to visit the valley of the Ohio and its tributaries, they found the country occupied by the repre- sentatives of the Six Nations, principally belonging to the Men- gwe (corrupted by the whites into Mingo). They were very hostile towards the whites, but the stream of immigration which continued to pour in from the older states into all parts of the western country, roused all the native jealousy of the Indians and they concentrated all their power to keep the white man from seizing their rich hunting-grounds and robbing them of the homes and graves of their fathers. Every Indian swore his child upon the altar of eternal hatred to the white man. So constant, persevering and daring were the attacks of the Indians upon the frontier settlements, that all the force which could be raised was not sufficient to repel their invasions.
As early as the year 1790, the block house at the mouth of a small stream, called Block House run, about a mile and a half below La Grange, was a frontier post for the hardy pioncer of the north western territory.
There nature was in her undisturbed livery of dark and thick forests, interspersed with sparkling rivulets flowing into the Ohio; then the forests had not heard the sound of the wood- man's axe nor the plow of the husbandman opened the bosom of the earth ; there the beautiful wild flowers waived their golden bloom to the God of nature. It would be impossible to describe the beauty of these rich bottom lands.
The soil itself, for richness, was not exceeded by any in the world. The lofty sugar tree spreading its beautiful branches ; the graceful elm waiving its tall head, the monarch of the for- est ; the black and white walnut ; the giant oak ; the tall hick- ory ; the cherry and the hackberry ; the spicewood, with its fra- grance ; the pawpaw, with its lucious fruit; the wild plum, the rich clusters of grapes, which, hanging from the mossy vines, festooned the forest ; and, beneath all, the wild rye, green as a wheat field, mixed with the wild pea vines and buffalo clover, all formed a garden of nature most enchanting to behold. The clear and beautiful rivulet creeping through the grass, and softly
rippling over pebbly bottoms, the gentle Zephyrs freighted with nature's incense, pure and sweet, regaled the senses and filled the beholder with delight.
It was in September, 1792, that Henry Nations and Daniel Schammerhorn crossed the Ohio river to locate in the north western territory. After landing on the west side they set out down the river, and about one and a half miles below what is now La Grange, camped on a small stream called Block House run. Here they erected a small cabin with port holes to look out. They made a small clearing also, but their chief support was by hunting, and unfortunately they were soon waylaid and killed by the Indians, near the block house in the spring of 1793.
During that spring a family named Riley came and located near the same spot, but they too met the same fate of Nations and his companion. While out making sugar just opposite the present residence of Smiley Johnston, the whole family with the ex- ception of the oldest boy were killed. The the boy made his way over to Wellsburg and gave the alarm.
It was not until after the treaty of General Wayne in 1795, that any permanent settlement was effected, Thomas Taylor came from Pennsylvania and located on section thirty. Henry Oliver and Ebenezer Spriggs came also in 1778, and located near Taylor, The Tarr family came quite early, and also the John- sons, Armstrongs, Roberts, Carsons, Daughertys, Milhollands, Dawsons, Grahams and others may be mentioned among pion- eers of Wells township, all coming in before 1810. John Bar- rett came about 1800, and was the first justice of the peace in what is now Wells township. He was appointed to the office before Ohio became a state, and married the first couple in this part of Jefferson county. He remained in office for about thirty- eight years.
MILLS.
The first mill in this township was a grist mill run by horse power, kept by a man named Linton. The water privilege be- ing so good in this township it was soon utilized by the settlers and it was but a short time until there were several erected on Me- Intire run, where there is still three in operation. The first one was erected by John Jackson in 1808, the remains of which can still be seen. There have been a number of saw mills erected at different times in the township, and several of them are still operating. They are all run by water power.
EARLY HOTELS.
In early times the main thoroughfare for driving stock from the back counties to the castern market was through Wells township, crossing the river at La Grange, and, as a consequence, taverns were a great institution, inasmuch as they were widely known and resorted to by travelers of all classes, especially dro- vers, who were almost invariably received in bland good humor by their complacent and self-satisfied hosts. And it is rather sad to reflect that in these days of steam cars and long strides toward making everything go by machinery, and leave man but little work to do, other industries keep step, and the country tavern-keeper's trade is among the lost arts, except on the ox- treme frontiers, where the same scenes are enacted as were so familiar to the pioneers of this region.
The first hotel was kept by either Matthew Thompson or Na- thaniel Dawson, the latter keeping a whisky stand in connection with his tavern, as a tavern in those days without a bar would have but little patronage, although occasionally some philan- thropic individual would enter the race in opposition to his anti- teetotaler brethren, and for a while try to breast the tide which flowed against him. Mr. Thompson tried this, calling his house "Tempo," but eventually he had either to give up his tavern- keeping, or mako an addition to his place in shape of a bar, the latter of which he did, after which everything sailed smoothly, except, perhaps, the landlord's conscience.
LA GRANGE, PHILLIPSBURG POSTOFFICE.
This place was laid out by Phillip Doddridge, and named Phillipsburg, in honor of him, in 1819. The land was purchas- ed from James Ross, of Pittsburgh. Doddridge built the first house for hotel purposes, in 1819, and in 1820, James 11. Moore purchased it and opened it first for the accommodation of the pub- lic. In 1822 Mr. Moore got the appointment as postmaster, and in the same year, Harden Wheeler and Joseph Rose, open- ed the first store, and several other enterprises soon followed.
Henry Hicks was the first physician to locate in the new
town.
From 1825 until 1826, Phillipsburg did not improve
70-B. & J. Cos.
602
HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.
very rapidly, but in the latter year things took a new turn. Means, Collier, and Wilson laid ont a new addition to Phillips- burg, and called it La Grange, where a number of houses were erected, but the excitement did not last long and things soon resumed their old qniet ways and remained so. The present enterprises of the town are, one hotel kept by W. H. Hassner, and one large store, kept by William Rodgers, one grocery kept by Mr. West, one shoe store kept by Mrs. Smith, and a coal shaft giving employment to a number of men. The C. and P. R. R., passes through the town, and a ferry connects it with Wellsburg. There is a good school, but unfortunately no place for religious worship.
COAL.
Wells township is underlaid with coal, and several openings are seen along the several streams emptying into the river, but are mined irregularly and only to supply the local need. At La Grange, the La Grange Coal Company, of which Mr. John Lowe is manager, have sunk a shaft to the coal number six. This coal is five feet three inches thick, divided into three benehes by two slate partings of one inch thick. The sbaft at La Grange was sunk under the direction of Mr. Lowe, who was the pioneer in this mining enterprise, and one of the principal stockholders of the company. In sinking the shaft three thin seams of coal were cut. Of these, two are twenty feet above the shaft, sepa- rated by two feet of sandstone. The Pittsburgh seam at La Grange is about five feet thick, with a parting of slate, some- times two, near the middle. The coal works in large cubical blocks, resembling that mined in Pittsburgh in appearance and character, though containing a little more sulphur.
SCHOOLS.
This township has made great changes from the log houses and subscription schools of pioneer times, as will be seen by the following report of the actions of the trustees of the township : On the 15th of September. 1826. the trustees of Wells township, John Barret, Thomas Taylor and Belford Griffith, met at the house of R. A. Sherrard, and then and there ordered the clerk of said township to divide said township into the following dis- tricts, which should afterwards be known by their number and name: District No. 1, known by the name of Point Finley ; district No. 2, known by the name of Middle school; district No. 3, known by the name of Jefferson school ; district No. 4, known by the name of Adamns school ; district No. 5, known by the name of Monroe school ; district No. 6, known by the name of Center school; district No. 7, known by the name of Frank- lin school ; district No. 8, known by the name of La Grange school. District No. 8 was formed by the trustees March 3, 1845, through the petition of housebolders of district 4.
Joint sub-district No. 9, known by the name of Pleasant Hill, was formed of parts of Wells and Cross Creek townships, and was formed by the consent of the two boards in April, 1858. Joint sub-district number 10 and 11, and known by the name of Blues Run, is composed of parts of Wells and Warren town- ships. This district was formed by the probate court. There was a petition before the board at different times from the citi- zens of both townships, praying for the formation of this dis- trict, they having first gained the consent of the Warren town- ship board, but at last seeing all their efforts were of no avail, they petitioned the probate court and got their efforts crowned with success, September 17, 1878. This district was formed from districts 2 and 3 in Wells, and district 2 of Warren town- ship.
CENTRE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The first Presbyterian meeting held in this part of Wells township was at the houses of the Armstrongs and Spragues as early as 1800. In 1803 or 1804, they beld their meetings in tents. The date of when the first house was built and who was the first preacher could not be ascertained. The deed for the land was made in 1826, from John Jackson to the trustees of the church. A Scotchman by the name of Robinson was the first minister that we have any account of. The first person buried in the graveyard was Jobn Armstrong, July 16, 1810. Rev. Huff is the present pastor. This church is commonly known as "Tent Church," on account of their having worshipped in tents until they could erect a building.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The first election in Wells township was held at the house of widow McAdams, April 1, 1823, aud the following persons were duly elected to fill the respective offices for that year :
First election, April 7, 1823 .- Trustees: David Humphrey, Archibald Armstrong, Richard Spurrier. Clerk : R. A. Sher- rard, Treasurer: John McAdams.
Second election, April 5, 1824 .- Trustees : John Barrett, Esq., Archibald Armstrong, Richard Spurrier. Clerk : R. A. Sher- rard. Treasurer : John McAdams.
Third election, April 4, 1825 .- Trustees : John Barrett, Esq., David Riddle, Richard Spurrier. Clerk : R. A. Sherrard. Treas- urer : John McAdams.
Fourth election, April 3, 1826 .- Trustees : John Barrett, Thos. Taylor, Belford Griffith. Clerk: R. A. Sherrard. Treasurer : Jobn Sherrard.
Fifth election, April 2, 1827 .- Trustees: John Barrett, Thos. Taylor, Belford Griffith. Clerk: R. A. Sherrard. Treasurer : James Moore.
Sixth election, April 7, 1828 .- Trustees : John Barrett, Thos. Taylor, Belford Griffith. Clerk: R. A. Sherrard. Treasurer: James Moore.
Seventh election, April 6, 1829 .- Trustees : John Barrett, Thomas Taylor, Belford Griffith. Clerk : R A. Sberrard. Treas- urer : James Moore.
Eighth election, April 5, 1830 .- Trustees : Nathaniel Dawson, Richard Spurrier, John Puntney. Clerk : James Davis. Treas- urer : James Moore.
Ninth election, April 4, 1831 .- Trustees : Nathaniel Dawson, Richard Spurrier, John Puntney. Clerk: Jas. Davis. Treas- urer : James Moore.
April 7, 1832 .- Trustees : Nathaniel Dawson, John Puntney, James Jackson. Clerk : James Davis. Treasurer : James Moore.
April 1, 1833 .- Trustees: Nathaniel Dawson, John Puntney, James Jackson. Cierk : James Davis. Treasurer : Jas. Moore. April 15, 1834 .- Trustees : James Jackson, John Burns, Gid- eon Goswell. Clerk : James Davis. Treasurer : Israel Cox.
April 6, 1835 .- Trustees : James Jackson, John Burns, Gid- con Goswell. Clerk: Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : Israel Cox, April 4, 1836. - Trustees : John Burns, Gideon Goswell, Smiley Johnson. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : James Jackson. 1837-Trustees: Henry Swearingen, Gideon Goswell, John Carey. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : James Jackson
1838-Trustees : Gideon Goswell. John Carey. David Riddle. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : Benjamin Linton.
1839-Trustees : Gideon Goswell, James Davis, Edmund Bucy. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : Benjamin Linton. 1840-Trustees : Gideon Goswell, Edward Bucy, David Car-
son. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer: Benjamin Linton.
1841-Trustees : G. Goswell, D. Carson, John Rickey. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer: Richard Starr.
1842-Trustees : G. Goswell, D. Carson, John Rickey. Clerk : Joseph Gladden. Treasurer: Richard Starr.
1843-Trustees : Nathaniel Dawson, James Holmes, David Carson. Clerk: George S. Welsh. Treasurer: Francis Brain - ard.
1844-Trustees : D. Tarr, D. Carson, John McCulley. Clerk : Francis Brainard. Treasurer: Hiram Taylor.
1845-Trustees : D. Carson, J. McCulley, Daniel Tarr. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : Israel Cox.
1846-Trustees : J. McCulley, Daniel Tarr, John Goswell. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : Israel Cox.
1847-Trustees : Jobn Goswell, Amos Parsons, Ira Dalrym- ple. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : Israel Cox.
1848-Trustees : Richard Talbot, James Hyndman, Jacob Zoll. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : Israel Cox.
1849-Trustees : J. Hyndman, John Riddle, John Carey. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer: Israel Cox.
1850-Trustees : J. Hyndman, John Riddle, Benjamin Linton. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer: Israel Cox. 1851-Trustees : J. Hyndman, William Riddle, John Carey. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : Israel Cox.
1852-Trustees : John Carson, William Riddle, William Ekey. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer: Israel Cox.
1853-Trustees : John Carey, William Ekey, William Riddle. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : Israel Cox.
1854-Trustees. John V. Tarr, Simeon Davis, Levi Roe. Clerk : Hiram Taylor. Treasurer : James Everson. 1855-Trustees : Wilson Winters, J. Dalrymple, Isaac Green. Clerk : John Litton. Treasurer : Isaiah Brenard. 1856-Trustees : J. McCulley, J. V. Tarr, C. D. Kaminsky. Clerk : G. W. Carey. Treasurer : James Everson.
1857-Trustees : John V. Tarr, John V. McCully, George W. Gracey. Clerk : George W. Carey. Treasurer : James Everson. 1858-Trustees : James Hyndman, John V. McCully, Moore Thompson. Clerk: G. W. Carey. Treasurer : James Everson
HON. W . H. TARR.
Mrs. L. J. TARR.
Mrs. L. A. JOHNSTON.
S. H. JOHNSTON.
-
WALNUT HILL", FARM, AND RESIDENCE OF SMILEY H. JOHNSTON, ( Phillipsburg, P.O.), JEFFERSON COUNTY, OHIO. ,
603
HISTORYOF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.
1859-Trustees : John V. McCully, J. Hyndman, Moore Thompson. Clerk : G. W. Cary. Treasurer : James Everson. 1860-Trustees : J. V. McCully, Andrew Tarr, David Thomp- son. Clerk : G. W. Carey. Treasurer : James Everson.
1861-Trustees : J. V. McCully, Andrew Tarr, Moore Thomp- son. Clerk : G. W. Raston. Treasurer : James Everson.
1862 -- Trustees : John Ekey, Audrew Tarr, Moore Thomp-
son. Clerk : N. B. Cox. Treasurer : James Everson.
1863-Trustees : David Carson, John Ekey, Phillip Trainer, Clerk : N. B. Cox. Treasurer : James Everson.
1864-Trustees : John Ekey, William Ewing, David Arm- strong. Clerk : N. B. Cox. Treasurer : James Everson.
1865-Trustees : John Ekey, James Dean, John W. Bell. Clerk : N. B. Cox. Treasurer : James Everson.
1866-Trustees: John Ekey, James Dean, John C. Hunter. Clerk : John C. Pierce. Treasurer: James Everson.
1867-Trustees : 'John Ekey, William Oliver, John Dough- erty. Clerk : John C. Pieree. Treasurer : James Everson.
1868-Trustees : John Ekey, Andrew Tarr, Richard Boyle. Clerk : Charles Kyle. Treasurer : James Everson.
1869-Trustees : John, Ekey, Richard Boyle, Andrew Tarr. Clerk : Levi Roe. Treasurer : James Everson.
1870-Trustees : John Hunter, John Ekey, Hezekiah Golden. Clerk : J. A. Hobson. Treasurer : James Everson.
1871-Trustees : John Ekey, John C. Hunter, John V. Mc- Cully. Clerk : J. A. Hobson. Treasurer : James Everson. 1872-Trustees : John Ekey, John C. Hunter, John V. Mc- Cully. Clerk : J. A. Hobson. Treasurer : James Everson. 1873-Trustees : John Eckey, John C. Hunter, J. W. Thomp- son. Clerk : J. A. Hobson. Treasurer : James Everson.
1874-Trustees : John C. Hunter, John Ekey, J. N. Thomp- son. Clerk : J. A. Hobson. Treasurer : N. B. Buckingham.
1875-Trustees: John C. Hunter, David Armstrong, Wesley Noble. Clerk : David C. Peck. Treasurer: N. B. Bucking- Lam.
1876-Trustees : John Ekey, J. V. McCully, W. Dalrymple, Clerk. J. A. Hobson. Treasurer : N. B. Buckingham.
1877-Trustees : John Ekey, John V. McCully, James Dean. Clerk : J. A. Hobson. Treasurer : John C. Pierce.
1878-Trustees : John Ekey, John V. McCully, Elmer Ever- son. Clerk : J. A, Hobson. Treasurer : John C. Pierce.
1879-Trustees : John Ekey, John V. McCully, Elmer Ever- son. Clerk : J. A. Hobson. Treasurer : John C. Pierce.'
This is the only township in the county in which perfect records have been kept.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN V. TARR .- John V. Tarr was born on the Tarr home .. stead, in what was then Warren township, Jefferson county, in 1819. He was a son of Daniel Tarr, a soldier of the war of 1812, and who, upon the outbreak of the trouble with England, was one of the first to take up arms in defense of his country. He was sent to Norfolk, Va., where he remained during the entire war. John, the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer and received his education in the common schools of the county. When he reached manhood he took an active port in public af- fairs, and in 1855, was elected justice of the peace in his town- ship, which office he has held ever since, and has also served sev- eral times as trustco of Wells township.
WILLIAM A. TARR, brother of John V., was also born on the Tarr homestead, where he still resides. He received a limited education, but by close application to study has gained a fine knowledge of geology, he having made that a special study for several years, giving much of his time to the research and ex- amination of minerals. Mr. Tarr is probably one of the best posted men in his township on the geology of the township and surrounding country.
SMILEY H. JOHNSTON, of Walnut Hill farm, situated near La Grange, on the P. & C. railroad, is among our pioneer and most successful agriculturists. His geneology may be traced in direct line from Oliver Cromwell, whose oldest daughter, Bridget, be- came the wife of General Fleetwood, and from their issue sprang the line of Johnstons of whom our subject is a member. Smi- ley's grandfather was Robert Johnston ; his grandmother, nee Jane Graham-and of their family our subject's father, James Johnston, was the oldest son. His grandfather came to this country at a very early date, and, together with his family, set- 1-76-B. & J. Cos.
tled in Beaver county, Pa., about 1790. Our subjeet's father, however, was born on the Susquehanna river, in 1766, and sub- quently married one Sarah Burns, in Chartier, Washington county, Pa. They had a family-four sons and five daughters, as follows : Smiley H., born November 4, 1799; George B., a prosperous farmer near Wellsville; Robert, who was a Pres- byterian minister at Peoria, Illinois, and died several years ago ; and Enoel Merwin, also a Presbyterian minister, who settled and died in Carlisle, Pa. Elizabeth was married to John Alex- ander, of Belmont county, a brother to the wife of the subjeet of our sketch, and still lives, at the age of 83 years. Jane be- came Mrs. Matthew Nelson, and subsequently died at Carrol- ton, Ohio. Margaret was married to Robert Hughes, a son of the Rev. Thomas Hughes, Presbyterian minister, of Beaver county, Pa. Pollie became Mrs. James Blaek-the latter beeom- ing a Methodist preacher, but is now dead-his widow still sur- viving him in Indiana. Eliza was married to Mr. William Me- Gee, a prominent merchant of Point Pleasant, Belmont county ; they are both now deceased. Our subject, Smiley H., early took only a plain education, and then learned the business of a joiner and cabinet maker, at Beaver, where he continued to work at his trade till 1827. On the 17th of January, 1828, he saw proper to take unto himself a wife, in the person of Le- venia, youngest daughter of the late Judge James Alexander, a worthy native of Bonnie Scotland, who came to this country while young. After two years, Mr. and Mrs. Johnston pur- chased and located at Walnut Hill farm, comprising 160; acres, then held by Ezekiah Griffith, though the land really consisted of a portion of the old Bazaleel Wells property. Griffith at one time kept a tavern here, but Mr. Johnston purchasing him out, it was discontinued. Some eight or ten years after, our subject next bought the Barret farm adjoining, and consisting of 80 acres. After this he secured the Ezekiah Davis plaec, also ad- joining, and containing 115 acres. Next the Dean farm of 300 acres, the horse-mill farm of 55 acres, the Rickey farm of 100 acres, and subsequently several small patches of land, until to-day he is the owner of over 1,000 acres. Mr. Johnston has chiefly devoted himself to stock raising and grain growing, and has frequently had from 1,000 to 1,200 head of sheep at a time. But being now advanced in years, he bas barely so many sheep. He employs two good farmers on certain portions of his val- uable estate, and also has four tenant farmers. Some years ago he built his present extensive and very attractive mansion, (see illustration elswhere) which has few equals in any respect as a farm residence in the county or even state. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have been favored with a family of three daughters, but no sons. Samantha, born December 22, 1829, became Mrs. Robert Ramsey, July 1849, but died September 30, 1855. Amanda, born 1834, died in 1847, at the tender age of thirteen years ; Laura, born in 1841, became the estimable wife of sena- tor W. H. Tarr, a popular resident of Wellsburg, where they still reside in the happy associations of a highly interesting and accomplished family. Much interesting Indian history is asso- ciated with the property owned by Mr. Smily Johnston, and his extensive lands ave frequently referred to in the pages of this work. A noted instance being the scene of the " massacre of the Riley family"-the graves of which poor victims are still pre- served green. Mr. Johnston, and particularly his excellent lady, afford quite a fund of ancient anecdotes, and are not only most kindhearted, hospitable and entertaining, but well informed alike in ancient and modern history of Jefferson county and its resi. dents.
JOSEPH A. HOOK .- This gentleman was born in Cross Creek township in 1820. Ho was a son of Jonathan Hook, one of the pioneers of that township, who was born in the state of Mary- land in 1787, and came to Ohio in 1811 ; ho was a sokhier in the war of 1812, and was in the battle of Bladensburg; he was a sturdy kind of a man, and died in 1871, on the old Hook home- stead in Cross Creek. Joseph was reared a farmer and received his education at the common schools, Lu 1852 he married Eliza J. McConnell; they have four children, two sons and two danghters.
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