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 82

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 82
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 82


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).


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As a Mason, William B. Hubbard acquired a national repnta- tion. He was made a Mason in this lodge. He filled the differ- ent offices of the same with satisfaction to his brethren. In 1838 he removed to Columbus. Whilst residing there, he was appointed Grand Orator for the year 1842. In 1850 he was elected Grand Master of the state, which position he held for three successive years, with distinguished ability. Was elected the Most Eminent Grand Master of the General Encampment of the United States, serving in that capacity from 1847 to 1856. He died in Columbus, January 5, 1866.


ROBERT H. MILLER


Came to St. Clairsville a young man, and succeeded Alexander Armstrong in the newspaper business. He was considered a bright Mason, a sensational writer and a good citizen. He filled the office of elerk of the courts from 1846 to 1850. He died Angust 15, 1850, and his remains were interred in the "Union Cemetery."


MICHAEL RIDGERS


.


Resided at Uniontown, Wheeling township. He was a devoted Mason and a humanitarian. He often made the expression that he was "devoted to his God and humanity." It was said he had a particular spot where he resorted for meditation. While here, one morning in deep reflection, he was impressed rather strangely that he ought to go to St. Clairsville. He had no rest until he started. As he entered the town he heard the cry of fire. A sta- ble standing at the foot end of the lot where the National Hotel building stands, then owned by John Carter, was on fire. Ile hastened to the spot, and through his exertions prevented the fire from spreading, at the great peril of his life. All had for- saken the roof when he mounted it, called for water, and there- by saved the house ; the stable was consumed. It was thought that had it not been for the bravery and exertion of this one man, the east end of St. Clairsville would have been destroyed. In his efforts to prevent the spreading of the flames his clothing was so soiled that a new suit was furnished him by the people. He returned to his home feeling that he had done a good day's work. This circumstance was often talked of for many years afterwards, referring to Ridgers with feelings of gratefulness. He subsequently removed to the far west.


The following named gentlemen are the officers for the pres- ent year (1879) :


W. M .- J, F. Charlesworth. S. W .- Jesse Meyers. J. W .- Jesse Pratt. S. D .- W. D. Baumgarner. J. D .- Edgar Meek. Sec'y-M. T. Coffiand. Treas .- C. W. Carroll. Tyler-Alfred Lake.


ST. CLAIRSVILLE LIGHT GUARDS.


This company, stationed at St. Clairsville, was organized and mustered into the Ohio National Gnard as a company of infan- try on the 3d day of August. 1877, during the "strike" of that summer, and whilst there was a call npon state troops for the protection of property.


Its membership, at that time numbering sixty-one, since in- creased by additional enlistments, meeting with several losses by commission and discharge.


The following is a list of the original muster-roll and its first officers :


OFFICERS.


Wilson S. Kennon, captain. Frank M. Cowen, first lieutenant. Jesse B. Meyer, second lieutenant. Each of whom were duly commissioned on Angust 4, 1877.


232


HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.


PRIVATES.


Thomas M. Adams.


William N. Coffland, (.f)


George A. Close, (6)


Henry B. Close,


Parker A. Heaton,


George W. Rinker.


Samuel Geller, .Ir ..


Charles C. Williams. Robert A. Hammond. Newell K. Kennon.


Cyrus Shouse, G. W, Shepherd, John L. Rice.


The present organization was incorporated in the year 1870. as a Musical Association, composed of a number of the leading citizens, held in the office of ex-Judge Chambera, in lune, 1870. The authorized charter reads as follows :


We. the undersigned citizens of St. Clairsville, Belmont coun- ty. Ohio, associated ourselves together for the purpose author- ized in an act to provide for the incorporation of musical asso- ciations, passed and took effect, May 13, 1868. The object of this association is to develop the musical talent of St. Clairsville and vicinity. and it shall be called the "St. Clairsville Musical Association."


R. E. Chambers. John H. Eaton. deceased. C. L. Poorman, R. M. Clark,


Alexis Cope, J. B. Campbell.


Wm. H. Hays. W. H. Barnes.


STATE OF OHIO, BELMONT COUNTY, SS. :


Before me the undersigned, a justice, within and for Belmont county, this day personally appeared the above named, and ac- knowledged the signing and sealing of the within instrument to be their voluntary aet and deed, for the purpose therein ex- pressed.


Witness my hand and official signature this 30th day of June, A. D. 1870. ANDREW ALEXANDER, J. I'.


The officers of its organization were R. E. Chambers, Presi- dent ; Alexis Cope, Secretary ; J. F. Charlesworth, Treasurer. They were elected to hold office until their successors were elect- ed and qualified. These officers have shown such manifest in- terest in the association that a successor to either has never been deemed necessary.


In the winter of 1873, the present band was re-organized with Mr. C. P. White as leader, and from that time to the present day it has been successfully conducted. In 1877 another change was made in its leadership, and Mr. C. E. Hughes elected as leader. Although the band has but ten members, it has gained consider- able notoriety as a musical organization, and stands high in the estimation of musicians.


At a band tournament in Barnesville, in 1878, the leader Mr. Hughes, won a silver, gold-mounted cornet in a contest for the best cornet player.


The present officers of the band are C. E. Hughes, President ; A. Singer, Vice President ; John Hague, Secretary : J. P. Hall, Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary.


[The above facts are given by J. P. Hall.]


SUMMARY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE'S BUSINESS (1879.)


Merchants-C. Troll. Kirk & Shepherd and F. Troll.


Banker-H. C. Welday.


Druggists-II. West, I. Patterson and B. Hoge.


Hotel Keepers -T. E. Clark and W. P. Frasier,


Silversmiths-W. S. Fawcett and J. McMillen.


Publishers-C. N. Gaumer and W. A. Hunt.


Clothing Dealers-H. Myer and L. Hoffner.


Furniture Dealers-B. R. Johnston and Alex. Barrett.


Grocers-G. Jepson, J. A. Groves, J. A. Giffin, J. Osborn, Mrs. Evans, James Thompson and Boroff Bros.


Tinners-T. Fawcett and W. Kephart. .


Liveries-J. Butler and J. P. Lowe,


Dentists-M. Morrison and F. Talbert.


Marble Dealers-Evans & Curran.


Milliners-Mrs. J. Boroff, Misses Jones and Neal and Mrs. L. Barnes.


Blacksmiths-J. Carlisle, A. M.eBride, J. Butler and J. Martin. Shoemakers-H. R. Bumgarner, John Riley, James Bulger, G. Bumgarner and John Jones. Saddlers-W. Sedwig and G. Singer.


Wagonmakers-J. Butler, Shepherd Davis and J. Jones.


Saloon Keepers-M. Fink, Joseph King, Wm. Gamble and A. C. Dowing. Millers-Carter & Steenrod.


Carpenters-J. Billingsley, G. Billingsley, W. Weber, A. Clark,


W. Bumgarner, A. Anderson and A. Barrett. Bricklayers-Ed. Meeks and P. White.


Stone Masons-T. McConnell and E. Green. Barbers-J. Stonebraker and J. Williams. Billiard Saloon -Joel Nichols.


( Appointed drum-maior of 2d Regiment. b Appointed assistant surgeon of 2d Regiment. ( Commissioned 2d lieutenant. August 4, 1877, and 1st lieutenant January 28, 1878 d Hon" orably discharged. e Commissioned 1st lieutenant August 4. 1877, and captain January 28' 1878. f Honorably discharged. g Commissioned 2d lentenant Jannary 28, 1878. / Honora bly discharged April 3, 1879. j As drummer. (1) 4th sergeant. (2) 2d sergeant. (3) 5th sergeant. (4) Ist sergeant. (5) 3d sergeant.


applying military laws, it has been able to comply with the re- quirements of the law, though frequently a great sacrifice to the business time of many of its members.


THE ST. CLAIRSVILLE CORNET BAND.


C. Il. Giffin. (+)


(. E. Hughes.


Robert Goldsborough,


W. C. Danford.


James Cavender,


William White,


Edwin S. Blaine,


D. C. Stewart.


Wm. J. Walker, (1)


lames Weir, Ir ..


D. T. Cowen,


Frank Lowe,


W. W. McMonies, (2)


R. C. Thompson.


Louis C. Neiswanger.


Francis D. Bailey. (5)


Parker J. West, (3)


Robert Courtney.


R. R. Barrett.


Thomas Roscoe.


John Hague,


W. H. Seidnitz.


H. E. Wright.


Ambrose C. Arrick.


Horace Nichols,


William Clark,


James R. Frazier.


W'm. II. Geller, (a)


Harry Steinrod,


lesse B. Meyer, (c)


Edgar Meck,


Raiguel Troll. (d)


G. S. Baker.


W. S. Neiswanger,


Addison Thompson, (g)


Charles W. Troil,


H. F. Hooper,


Frank M. Cowen, (e)


John Carlile,


James A. Lewis,


John W. Beem,


Richard Clark,


Brook Goldsborongh,


C. T. Thompson,


C. L. Faucett,


Asa T. Stilwell,


Joseph Makison.


RECRUITS, AUGUST 10, 187 7.


lames White, Kelly Giffen, Harvey Bumgarner, C. H. King, Conrad W. Troll. November 2d-Charles F. Riley. August 30, 1878-Martin Cowen, j., W. A. Hamilton.


In January, 1878, Captain Kennon resigned, turning over to his successor fifty stand of U. S. Springfield rifles, with accou- trements, and forty-four fatigue uniforms.


By special orders from the Adjutant General's office the com . pany met January 25, 1878, to elect a captain and such other offices as might be vacated, which resulted as follows :


Captain-Frank M. Cowen. First Lieutenant-Jesse B. Meyer. Second Lieutenant-Addison Thompson.


On the 28th day of January, 1878, these gentlemen were duly commissioned. Some time during the winter of 1877-78 the Second Regiment of Infantry was formed in Eastern Ohio, to which the company was attached and designated as company "E." Through the efforts of its colonel, C. S. S. Baron, the regiment was soon fully equipped, Company E receiving ten additional stand of arms and equipments.


For thirteen months after its organization the company was forced to conduct its drills in open air, winter and summer, re- gardiess of weather. It had its regular drills and good attend- ance as required by law. Its


ARMORY


during that time was a room 14x17 feet, in the second story of the court house. In September, 1878, a well and neatly con- structed building, 30x80 feet, was completed at the expense of Richland township and St. Clairsville for the use of the com- pany as required by statnte, and has been ocenpied by it since as its headquarters.


On September 5, 1878, while encamped at Marietta, Ohio, with its regiment. the company won the second prize in a competi- tive drill, the Columbus cadets deservedly carrying off the first prize. In addition to its prize the captain received from Gen. George Crook, U. S. A., one of the judges, a letter of commenda- tion npon the good showing of the company at the drill.


The company to-day is succeeding as well as the average state troops, receiving no support except by the occasional state ap- propriations, the efforts of some of its members, and by dint of the strictest economy. By observing military discipline and


-


Mrs. THEOBALD KLEE.


THEOBALD


KLEE


RESIDENCE, AND SURROUNDINGS, OF THEOBALD KLEE 1 MILE WEST OF BELLAIRE, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.


COURT HOUSE ST CLAIRSVILLE, BELMONT CO O.


233


HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.


PROFESSIONS.


Resident Ministers-Rev. Robert Alexander, Rev. Thomas Balph, Rev. J. H. Conkle,


Physicians-Drs. Henry West, John Alexander, John E. West, A. H. Hewetson, John Tallman, George A. Close and John Thompson.


JOURNALISM IN ST. CLAIRSVILLE.


THE ST, CLAIRSVILLE GAZETTE .- About the beginning of the year 1812 a paper called the Belmont Repository was started at St. Clairsville by Alexander Armstrong. The Repository had four columns to the page and was about one-fourth the present size of the Gazette. In 1818 we find the paper still under the man- agement of Mr. Armstrong, but in August of that year its name was changed to the Belmont Journal. December 20, 1823, the name was again changed-this time called the Western Post ; and Robert H. Miller became associated with Mr. Armstrong in the publication of the paper. The paper continued to be printed the same size and form as when started in 1812, and the sub- scription price was then, as it is now, two dollars a year. About the 1st of January, 1852, Mr. Armstrong retired and R. H. Miller became sole editor and proprietor. About this time the name of the paper was changed again, and it became the St. Clairsville Gazette. The paper was also enlarged at this time to five columns on each page. We have been unable to ascertain the exact time when the paper first became known as the Gazette, but we believe that Mr. Miller gave it that name upon assuming control in January, 1825. The oldest copy of the Gazette which we have been able to obtain is dated August 27th, 1825. This and other reasons lead us to believe that the paper was first called the Gazette about the beginning of that year. Mr. Miller continued to publish the paper until January, 1829, when George W. Manypenny became associated with him. On January 23d, 1830, the Gazette was enlarged to a six column paper. It was then the only Democratic paper published in the Congressional district, and the only one in any of the river counties from Marietta to Steubenville. August 27th, 1830, Miller & Manypanny dissolved partnership, Mr. Miller retiring, . and Mr. Manypenny continuing the publication of the paper until March 9th, 1833, when it was sold to Messrs. John Y. and Jacob Glessner. Sometime in the year 1837 the Glessners sold out to Maj. John Irons. March 10th, 1838, the Gazette passed into the hands of Dr. John Dunham, whose editorial connection with it lasted twelve years, ending March 15th, 1850. February 23d, 1839, Dr. Dunham enlarged the Gazette and made it seven columns to the page.


From February 23, 1839, to June 25, 1841, the paper was printed by Gill, Heaton & Co., and from the latter date to Feb- ruary 26, 1847, by Heaton & Gressinger. During all this time, however, Dr. Dunham had editorial control of the Gazette. In February, 1847, Dr. Dunham purchased a printing office of his own, and on the 26th of that month he became both editor and publisher of the paper. From March 1, 1847, to March 2, 1849, Alexander Patton was assistant editor. February 26, 1847, Messrs. John H. Heaton and Stephen Gressinger began the pub- lication of another Democratic paper in St. Clairsville, called The Citizen. This paper was published two years and then (March 2, 1849) it was merged with the Gazette, the consolidated paper being called the Gazette and Citizen. Mr. Heaton retired at the time of the consolidation, and Dunham & Gressinger con- tinued in charge of the paper until March 15, 1850, at which time Dr. Dunham severed his connection with it. Stephen Gressinger was editor and publisher then until February 21, 1856, when he retired and was succeeded by John H. Heaton, January 2, 1862. The name of Citizen was dropped and the pa- per again became known as the St. Clairsville Gazette, which name it has retained to the present time, February 13, 1862, Mr. Heaton sold the paper to Mr. Gressinger, who conducted it for two years, and then, on February 11, 1864, Mr. Heaton pur- chased it again from Mr. Gressinger. Mr. Heaton then con- ducted the Gazette to the time of his death, August 23, 1873. Mr. S. Gressinger was then employed to manage the paper, which he did until it came into the hands of the present propri- ctor: November 1, 1873, the Gazette was transferred to the present editor and proprietor, Mr. C. N. Gauner, (formerly connected with the Zanesville Signal as editor) in whose posses- sion it has since remained. Of the former editors and publish- ers of the Gazette, all are dead except Col. G. W. Manypenny, who is now a prominent citizen of Columbus ; John Y. Glessner now the veteran editor of the Mansfield Shield d. Banner; Jacob 30-B. & J. Cos.


Glessner, senior proprietor of the Zanesville paper mill, and Stephen Gressinger, of Bellaire.


The Gazette, or rather the Belmont Repository, by which name it was first known, was, so far as can be ascertained, the first newspaper established in Belmont county. It is one of the old- est and most widely known papers in the State. The Gazette is and has always been, the recognized Democratic journal of the county. As the organ of Belmont Democracy it has done effi- cient service for its party, and occupies a high place among the political newspapers of the State. Some of its editors have been among the noted politicians of Ohio,


The Gazette was enlarged on the 21st of November, 1877, to its present dimensioms-eight columns to the page. The paper is in a flourishing condition, and gives entire satisfaction to the political party with which it is identified,


ST. CLAIRSVILLE CHRONICLE .- The publishers of this work express regret at their inability to obtain an appropriate his- torical sketch of this excellent journal at the time these pages are printed. We depended upon its editor to furnish us the necessary data, but he was unable to do so within the time al- lotted after we called upon him for it. By a reference to the Ohio Statistical Report for 1877, we find that the paper was es- tablished as carly as 1813. It was therefore among the pioneer newspapers of eastern Ohio. In its carcer, a number of men have presided over its editorial columns, who have become prominent in the state and nation. Would that we could give a chronological list of them here. The Chronicle is the recog- nized Republican organ of Belmont county. Its present pro- prietor, W. A. Hunt, Esq., is a gentleman of ability and high standing, and the paper fully meets the expectation and re- quirements of its numerous patrons. It is an eight-column pa- per, and has a circulation of about 1600 copies.


ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.


BY REV. ROBERT ALEXANDER.


The first settlements were made in this region by a people who came from the southern and western parts of Pennsylvania, from Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, to seek homes for them- selves and their children. They were a vigorous and energetic people of Scotch-Irish descent. It was the same element which in the beginning of the last century planted Presbyterianism on this continent. Though they had come into the wilderness and where living in rude and uncomfortable cabins, they were not the people to leave their religion behind them and lapse into a state of barbarism. No sooner had they found a home for themselves in the midst of the forest than they took measures to have a house for God. They felt that religion could not exist among them, apart from the public ordinances, and they determined that they would have a preached Gospel and Christian ordi - nances dispensed among them, To see the spirit of the people and their zeal for God, we only need to learn that in the first year after the earliest settlement was made here a church was organized by the Presbytery of Ohio and called Richland. Of the number and names of those who entered into that organi- zation we have no record, except that David McWilliams, Wil- liam McWilliams and James McConnell were chosen to the office of Ruling Elder. This took place in the fall of 1798, about the same time that the church of Mt. Pleasant was organized under the name of Short Creek. Tradition tells us that Dr. McMillan, the pioncer minister of western Pennsylvania, assisted at the organization of one or both of these churches. Brought into existence in the same year, these two congregations have the honor of being the first Presbyterian churches planted in all eastern Ohio.


The first place of worship of this congregation in its infancy was a log cabin, which stood near the Presbyterian cemetery. half a mile north of St. Clairsville. It is probable that this was built about the time of the organization of the church in 1798. It was a ride structure, yet it corresponded in the main with the dwellings of those who worshipped in it, and no doubt cost them as much labor and sacrifice in proportion to their ability as many an elegant church has cost a wealthy people. Money was then scarce, and, had there been convenient markets, there was nothing to sell until the land was cleared and the erops had


236


HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.


and was installed pastor in the April following. This has been a period of great prosperity in this congregation. In the twelve and a half years of his ministry, which have now passed, three hundred and twelve persons have been received on profession of their faith. The whole membership at present is four hundred and fifty, one of the largest in the Synod of Cleveland, Within six years the church has been visited with three revivals of great power. In one there were forty persons received on pro- fession ; in another there were sixty; in the last there were more than one hundred. While the church has increased in numbers, there has been an increase in all forms of Christian activity. The Sabbath School has been carried on very effi- ciently for more than fifty years, Of other agencies employed we have a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, organized in 1872 ; a Young Men's Home Missionary Society, organized in 1877, and a Young Ladies' Mission Band, organized in 1879. In the past forty years, as far back as the record is made, there have been contributed to the various objects of benevolence more than fifteen thousand dollars, in addition to that contributed to the building and repairing of the church and the support of the pastor.


There were added to the eldership in 1874, Joseph I. Taggart and Robert HI. Anderson, and 1878 Henry Daniels, Samuel R. Finney, Wm. Lee, John A. Grove and George Jepson. These here named with James Hutchison, Wm. Chambers and Wm. H. McBride constitute the present session. There are many things in the past history of this church to excite humility and gratitude. The best men are imperfect men. But God has been gracious and his cause has been safe in his hands. The foundations of this congregation were laid upon the Rock of Ages, by the faith and prayers of godly men. God was honored by the safe denial and devotion of those who raised the stand- ard of the Cross and published the Gospel in these western wilds, and he has honored them by keeping his church through all the trials of these eighty years. He has fulfilled the promise : "My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's sced."


UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO.


This congregation was organized in connection with the As- sociate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and in subordination to the First Synod of the West, which was constituted at Rush Creek, Ohio, April 27, 1520. It was under the inspection of the Second Ohio Presbytery, The date of its formal organization is not known; but it was about the year 1830, Previous to this date the Rev. William Taggart, D. D., was settled at Upper Wheeling, abont eight miles northwest of St. Clairsville ; and the Rev. -. Calderhead preached in the neighborhood of Mt. Pleasant. Those adhering to A. R. P. church in the vicinity of St. Clairsville attended the above named places of preaching.


In the year 1831 St. Clairsville was granted the moderation of a "call" which was made out for Mr. Hugh Parks, a licentiate, which he accepted in October of the same year; and he was ordained and installed, by the Second Ohio Presbytery, April 26, 1832. Mr. Parks was reared in Belmont county, Ohio ; entered upon his literary course at about ten years of age; graduated at Jefferson College in his seventeenth year; entered the A. R. P. Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Pa., in 1827, and graduated in 1830. He labored efficiently as pastor of the congregation for seven years and a half, when he resigned his charge on account of ill health. He has resided in the bounds of the congregation ever since, and exercised his minis- try in Eastern Ohio and West Virginia until within the past year,


The Ruling Elders of the congregation at its organization and during the pastorate of the Rev. H. Parks, were David Wallace, William Templeton, John Patterson, John Nichol, Robert Stitt, William L. Duff-date of ordination unknown-and John Stewart, ordained in 1838. The congregation first worshipped in the Protestant Episcopal Church. Its present house of wor- ship was built in the year 1835. After the resignation of the Rev. H. Parks the congregation was vacant for nearly three years. Its second pastor was the Rev. Alex, Young, D.D. L.L. D., who was ordained and installed by the A. R. Presbytery of Steubenville, June 23, 1842.


Dr. Young was born in Scotland-came to this county with his parents, who settled in Allegheny county, Pa. He grad- uated at the Western University, Pittsburgh, Pa .; entered the Theological Seminary at Allegheny City in 1839 ; was licensed by the Presbytery of Monongahela in 1841 and graduated in 1842. His pastorate was a very successful one. At the meet-


ing of the Sceond Synod of the West in 1856, Dr. Yonng was elected Professor of Hebrew and Greek in the Theo- logieal Seminary at Oxford, Ohio. Upon the removal of the Seminary from Oxford, Ohio, to Monmouth, Illinois, be severed his connection with the St. Clairsville congregation. He con- tinued in the Seminary at Monmouth until it was incorporated with the Seminary at Xenia, Ohio. In 1876 he was called to the chair of Pastoral Theology and Apologetics in the Seminary at Allegheny City, Pa., which position he still holds.




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