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 84

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 84
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 84

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HON. JAMES ALEXANDER,-The following was written by the Hon. Benjamin Ruggles, who served eighteen years in the United States Senate, and printed in the "Times."

The Hon. James Alexander, Jun., was born in the state of Pennsylvania. and at an early age removed with his father. James Alexander, who was one of the first associate judges of Belmont county, and settled in the county of Belmont, then the Northwest Territory, now state of Ohio, in the year 1799, being among the first emigrants to the country. The first years of his life were engaged in active industry in clearing away the forest, and in the severe labors of the field, encountering all the difficulties, hardships and privations, incident to the settlement of a new country. New Orleans being then the only market for the production of the soil, he was frequently engaged in trans- porting the productions of his own labor, and that of his neigh- bors to that market for sale. Such an enterprise at that period was both hazardous and laborious. It required four or five months to make a trip. There being no steamboat navigation on the river, the produce was floated down by the current, and the hands were compelled to return home on foot, through a wilderness country inhabited principally by savages. After acquiring a handsome property in this persevering and perilous manner, he established himself in the mercantile business in St. Clairsville, where by great industry and close attention to busi- ness, he added greatly to his wealth. After which he purchased property in Wheeling, which has since been their home. He made a tour to Illinois to take care of, and improve his extensive landed property, and making preparations to return home when he was suddenly attacked with a billions fever, which, in a few days terminated his life. Nature had been liberal to the judge in bestowing ou him talents of the first order, which were cultivated as well as the limited means of the country could furnish. He possessed a warm heart and strong social feelings, his conversational powers were great, varied, humorous and instruc- tive. No man was more respected for his integrity of character, and scrupulous honesty in all the business transactions of life. Decision of mind, perseverance and firmness of purpose, were leading traits of his character. By the aid of all these high qualities, he was enabled to acquire a large property, and at the same time to secure the affection and confidence of the people among whom he lived. While residing in Ohio, his fellow-citi- zens often called upon him to fill various and important offices of trust and honor. He represented the county of Belmont in the Legislature of the state ; was appointed associate judge in the court of Common Pleas, and represented the district in which he lived in the Congress of the United States. The du- ties of all these offices were discharged with honor to himself, usefulness to the country, and to the satisfaction of his constit- nents.

The deceased left a large number of relatives and friends to mourn his sudden death, His loss, to an amiable and devoted wife and three affectionate children, could never be repaired. A numerous family connection, as well as a large circle of acquaint- ances, mingled their griet with the mourners, and sympathized with them in their deep affliction and bereavement.

Of the children spoken of, Thomas M. Alexander, the oldest, died in Wheeling September 10, 1854, The papers of the day spoke of him as "a young man of the highest intellectual en- dowments, magnanimous, honorable and generous to a fanlt. He possessed a towering genius and talent, and, with an amia- bility of disposition. Arrogance and haughtiness were passions that he was an entire stranger to. He had the intellectual power to conquer, but in his magnanimous intercourse with his fellow; he would prefer to be wounded than to wound. A man of finest feelings, a rich imagination, and descriptive powers of the highest order.

The other son, James M. Alexander, filled many positions of trust. At the time of his death he was President of the Board of Commissioners of Ohio county, Virginia, and in the resolu- tions of respect by them they said: "One of our most promi- nent citizens, an always kind, courteous and considerate gentle- man, has gone to rest. He left no enemy."

The only surviving member of the family is Mrs. L. Alex. Thompson, who now resides in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

MAJOR THOMAS THOMPSON, the oldest citizen now living in St. Clairsville, was born April 8, 1800, fourteen miles cast of Wheeling, and was brought to this village, when it was in woods, by his parents, in May of the same year. His father, John Thomp- son, was a native of Armagh county, Ireland; married Miss Sarah Talbott, of parish of Langhall in 1789; migrated to the United Utates in 1790, and landed at New Castle, Delaware,

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with only a few cents, expending all of that for a small morsel of food. He found a cabin wherein to lodge his family whilst he could look around for employment, but met few to sympa- thize with him. One day, when out in search of work, he came to where two roads forked, and he was undecided which one to take. As he paused for a moment sililoquizing: "If I had money I would go this road, for it seems the most traveled," when he happened to glance down to the ground. To his utter surprise and astonishment he discovered some money lying at his feet-less than a dollar in change. He traveled that road a short distance, and obtained work for all that winter. He al- ways afterward befriended those of his native country, as he saw how they were looked down upon, and sent many a poor, destitute Irishman on his way rejoicing. He came to Chartier creek, near Cannonsburg, Pa., after several years residence at New Castle, and thence to St. Clairsville, where he became one of the first merchants, and grew to be quite wealthy. Here he lived until his death, in 1852, his wife having died in 1839. They reared a family of twelve children-three sons and one daughter still living. Thomas was the fifth child. He was educated in St. Clairsville, and at the age of seventeen assisted his father in the mercantile business. In 1829 he was married to Miss Mary Smith, daughter of Stecle Smith of St. Clairsville, an old inn- keeper who migrated to the village in 1812, and kept tavern until 1856, when he died. Our subject reared a family of nine children. In 1839 he was called to mourn the loss of his wife. In 1840 he retired from the store and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was married again, in 1841, to Miss Eliza Jane Close, who resided about a mile north of town. This union resulted in three children-one boy and two girls. He built a grist and saw mill on "Jug run," which he operated until it was burned down in 1841, having used it but a few months ; loss $11,000,-supposed to have been the work of incendiar- ism. He then purchased the property in which he is still liv- ing. In 1849 his hearing began to fail. Having injured his right eye in 1841, the sight left it in 1862. About this time the the other optic became affected and the sight grew very dim. This lasted for twelve years, when a total loss of sight took place. In 1878 he had his right eye operated upon, which ena- bles him to discern objects more clearly. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, preached twice in his grand- father's barn, in Ireland. The Major, now almost eighty years old, still retains a good memory, and loves to talk of the early events of the town and county. With the exception of the par- tial loss of sight and hearing, he is blessed with a certain degree of health, and promises to enjoy years of life.

REV. J. B. JOHNSTON .- Rev. John B. Johnston, one of the old- est ministers now residing in Belmont county, was born in what is now Indiana county, Pa., on the 13th of March, 1802. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, and without an allusion to his ancestors this sketch would be incomplete. The early ancestors of our subject were sufferers from religious persecution in Scotland, prior to the reign of Oliver Cromwell, and although relieved in a great measure during that period, they preferred to emigrate to America, where religious freedom was promised a greater and more permanent security. In the subsequent periods of American history there were inany important events with which they were identified. The great-grandfather and great-grand- mother of our subject were massacred by the savages during the French and Indian war at their residence, seven miles from Shippensburg, Pa. The Indians had been penetrating the set- tlements and committing depredations, and were then lurking in the neighborhood. As a precaution against an attack in the night, the children had been sent to sleep in the hay-mow. Our subject's grandfather, being the eldest, was then a boy of twelve years. Early in the morning he was aronsed from his slumbers by the crack of a gun. Looking out from the hiding-place he saw his mother come to the door of the cabin, when she was instantly shot down and scalped by the savages. His father had been shot while getting water at the spring. Remaining in his hiding-place until the Indians had departed, he ran to arouse the neighbors and acquaint them with the depredation. It is not surprising that such a scene should inspire in the mind of such a youth a revenge for Indian blood. After he grew to manhood he removed to the foot of the Allegheny mountain in Westmoreland county. During the Revolution he was a lieu- tenant in charge of a fort in that county, and on one occasion he held as a prisoner in the block-house the notorious Simon Girty. On another occasion he led a party of volunteers from the fort in pursuit of a band of Indians who had been commit- ting depredations upon the whites, and, after following the trail

all night through the snow, came upon the savages about three o'clock in the morning. His men attacked them as they lay around the fire, killed and wounded a considerable number, and scattered the remainder in all directions. The fleeing Indians were pursued by the men and a number killed with tomahawks. Lieutenant Johnston himself tomahawked one, and took off his powder-horn and shot-pouch, which are to this day preserved in the family as a relic. After this he pursued another and fol- lowed him a long distance, but only succeeded in getting close enough to wound him on the heel.

The father and grandfather came from Westmoreland county to Jefferson county, Ohio, in the year 1806, when our subject was four years of age. They crossed the Ohio river on the old ferry then at Steubenville, which was at that time a fronticr village, and settled in what is now Green township, Harrison county. In those days the schools were held in the primitive log school house, and children had to travel a distance of three or four miles. The first church of which our subject has any recollection was known in those days as the Beech Spring Pres- byterian Church, near Hopedale, Harrison county. It was an old-fashioned log building, but one of the best in those primi- tive days. His father attended there with his family, and the minister then in charge was Dr. John Rea, whom our subject well recollects. One of the features of early worship was that communions and general meetings were held out in tents or the open air, and were attended by large crowds of people, some of whom would travel long distances.

Our subject's grandfather on his mother's side, James Black, was in the war of the Revolution, fought at the battle of Ger- mantown under Washington, and his brother, John Black, for whom our subject was named, fell in that engagement. The Blacks were also of Scotch-Irish descent and came to Ohio at the same time and settled in the same locality as the Johnstons. Soon after his settlement there, James Black was chosen elder of the Presbyterian church at Beech Springs, near Hopedale, and served in that capacity during his lifetime. At his death he was succeeded by his son, who also served during his life, and in turn, his successor at his death was his son, John Hervy Black, who now resides at the same place, so that the eldership of this church has been filled by the family through three generations.

Our subject was sent to college at Cannonsburg, Pa., as soon as he arrived at the age of twenty-one, and graduated at Frank- lin College, New Athens, Harrison county, Ohio, in the year 1829. He then went to Pittsburgh, studied theology and enter- . ed the ministry, being licensed in 1832. In 1833, he settled in Logan county, Ohio, and took charge ofa church located at what is now the village of New Geneva. He opened a classical school there about the year 1841, which was the basis, or origin, of the college which was founded at that place in 1845. Mr. Johnston also founded the female seminary at that place with the aid of ex-Governor Benjamin Stanton, Hon. William Lawrence, Judge W. H. West and other prominent gentlemen of Bellefon- taine. After having been the pastor of that congregation for a period of twenty-five years, he severed his connection with the Reformed Presbyterian church in 1858, associated himself with the United Presbyterian church and came to St. Clairsville, Bel- mont county in 1859. He has resided here ever since and served as the pastor of the congregation at this place until the year 1874, when he resigned on account of failing health. In December, 1870, he was appointed Postmaster of the village of St. Clairs- ville, and has held it until the present writing,

As an author, our subject deserves more than a passing no- tice. He is the author of two interesting little works-one en- titled " The Prayer Meeting," and the other " Psalmody, an Ex- amination of Authority for Making Uninspired Songs, and for Using them in the Formal Worship of God." The first is a work of 360 and the latter 172 pages, are well written, and the subjects ably treated.

Mr. Johnston had two sons in the war of the rebellion. The elder, James R., was a member of the 7th Kansas Cavalry, and had charge of the contrabands on President's Island, in the Mississippi river, where he took sick and died. The other son, David R., was a member of the 17th O. V. I-three months ser- vice. After the close of the war, he was sent as a medical mis- sionary to Egypt, by the board of Foreign Missions of the U. P. Church, and remained there seven years. He is now a drug- gist in Mansfield, Ohio. His daughter, Eliza, has also been in the missionary service in Egypt, and his son, J. A. Johnston, Esq., is a practicing lawyer in Cambridge, Ohio.

HON. LORENZO DANFORD, attorney-at-law, was born in Bel- mont county, Ohio, October 18, 1829. His father was a prom-

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inent farmer, and held several offices of trust, the duties of which he discharged with intellligence and fidelity. Our subject at- tended the common schools and finished his education at Waynes- burg, Pa. When twenty-three years of age he began to read law at St. Clairsville with Carlo C. Carroll, and was admitted to the bar in 1854. In 1856 he entered the political arena as a Whig, supported Filmore for the presidency, and was upon the state electoral ticket. Afterwards he affiliated with the Repub- lican party, and became a distinguished member of it. In 1857 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Belmont county, and was re-elected in 1859, vacating the office in 1861, prior to the expiration of his term, to join the army. On October 7, 1858, he was married to Annie H. Cook, of Jefferson county, Ohio, who died October 24, 1867. He enlisted as a private in the 17th O. V. I., for three month's service, and was mustered out in August following. He returned home and assisted in raising a company for the 15th Ohio, of which he was elected second lieu- tenant, In 1862 he was promoted to the first lieutenancy, and then to the position of captain, which he resigned, August 1, 1864, on account of ill health. He was active and influential in his support of Lincoln in 1860 and 1864, and was one of the electoral delegation from Ohio which gave the vote of that state to Mr. Lincoln. On October 27, 1870, he married Mary M. Adams of St. Clairsville, Ohio. In October, 1872, he was elected on the Republican ticket to the Forty-third Congress, from the Sixteenth Ohio District, his opponent having been C. L. Poor- man, who ran as a Liberal Republican. In 1874, he was re- elected, his opponent having been on this occasion, H. Boyle, Esq. In 1876 he was again re-elected over William A. Law- rence. At the expiration of this term, he declined a renomina- tion, preferring to return to his profession rather than continue in public life. Mr. Danford was the successor of Hon. John A. Bingham, and has served the interests of his constituency and the people at large with distinguished ability. He has a wide reputation as a lawyer of great learning and skill, and as an orator his speeches in the House of Representatives, as well as his addresses to the bench, evince an ability for trenchant argu- ment possessed by few men. He is deserving of the credit and esteem accorded him for his successful career, as it is the result of constantly exercised energy directed by noble purposes.

JUDGE DANIEL D. T. COWEN, lawyer and jurist, son of Benja- min S. Cowen, was born in Moorefield, Harrison county, Ohio, January 20, 1826. From a very early age until December, 1832, he attended school in Moorefield, and upon the removal of his parents to St. Clairsville, he became a student of its common schools, and of Brook's Institute, of that place, of which his father was one of the founders. In the fall of 1841, he comple- ted a course in the classics at Cadiz, Ohio, which was followed by a study of medicine, under the tutorship of Dr. John Alex- ander, of St. Clairsville, and upon acompletion ot a full course in medicine, he began the study of law under his father and Hon. Hugh J. Jewett. On January 20, 1847, he was admitted to practice at Columbus, and at once entered upon his profes- sional career, at St. Clairsville. In 1851, he was elected Prose- cuting Attorney of Belmont county, was re-elected in 1853, and also in 1855. Upon the resignation of John W. Okey, one of the Judges of the Common Pleas bench of his district, Mr. Cowen was appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancy. From 1854 until 1862, he was a member of the Board of School Examiners of Belmont county, at which latter date he resigned to enter the army. In 1862 he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 52nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command, and for the greater part of the time, in charge of it, until Feb- ruary, 1863, when he resigned on account of the illness of his wife.

Judge Cowen was one of the originators of the First National Bank of St. Clairsville, organized in April, 1864, and ever since he has filled its Presidency.

Ho was, on March 28, 1848, married to Miss Hannah F. Mar- tin, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, who died May 3rd, 1864. On August 8th, 1865, he married her sister, Ann E. Martin. In 1867, he was elected President of the St. Clairsville Building Association, the first organization of the kind in the town, and filled that office until its successful close six years thereafter. This association was followed by the Richland Building Asso- ciation, of which he has been its President from the date of its organization in January, 1874.

He was a delegate to the Ohio Constitutional Convention of 1873, and was one of its most active members, filling positions on important committees, framing articles for incorporation, and urging needed amendments to the organic law of the State. 31-B. & J. Cos.

Judge Cowen is one of the oldest practicing lawyers at the Belmont county bar, and has a large and influential clientage.

HON. ROBERT E. CHAMBERS, attorney-at-law, was born in Richland township, Belmont county, Ohio, of Irish parentage, his father having arrived in America in 1798, and his mother two years later. His father followed agricultural pursuits through life. Robert attended the district school during the winter months, laboring on the farm the balance of the year, un- til he attained his majority. He then worked at the carpenter trade for about a year, after which he taught school, and at the same time was a pupil in an academy which prepared him for college. He graduated from Franklin College, Harrison county, Ohio, in 1853, and subsequently resumed his vocation as a teach- er, being employed as such in the district schools for three years and taught the high schools of St. Clairsville, Ohio, for two years ; likewise having supervision of the public schools of that place. He commenced the study of law in 1858, with Judge William Kennon, of St. Clairsville, was admitted to the bar in 1860, and at once ontered upon the practice of his profession. In 1862 he was elected a member of the lower house in the Gen- oral Assembly and served for one year. On his return home he resumed his legal duties and so continued until 1871, when he was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for five years. He filled the bench with honor, satisfaction and ability, and at the expiration of his term as such he again resumed the practice of law. Office on Main street, nearly opposite St. Clair Hotel.

W. S. KENNON, attorney-at-law. The subject is a son of Wm. Kennon, Sr., and was born in St. Clairsville, May 15, 1828. Was educated at his native town and Bethany College, in which lat- ter place he remained three years. He then returned home, bc- gan reading law with his father, and was admitted to the bar. He practiced law until the war broke out, when, in the fall of 1861, he was made the Union candidate and clected to the legis- lature. He served in the sessions of 1861-62 and at the close of the latter session resigned to accept the appointment by Gov. Todd of Secretary of State. In the fall of 1862 he was defeated for that office, having been nominated by the Republicans. He was sent by Gov. Todd soon afterward to Washington to adjust Ohio's war claims against the government. In 1863, Secretary Stanton appointed him Pay master of the United States Army, in which capacity he served four years, when he resigned, re- moved to Cincinnati and entered into the practice of law in part- nership with Judge Okey and Milton Saylor. Here he remain- ed until his father had a stroke of paralysis in 1871, when he was sent for. He came home and has been practicing law in St. Clairsville ever since. In the fall of the above year he was elected by the Republican party as Prosecuting Attorney, serv- ing until 1878. He served six years as Master Commissioner. Office in Patterson's Block.

JAMES A. BARNES was born in Barnesville September 19, 1823. He was reared a farmer, and for a number of years followed that occupation. In 1849 he married Miss Matilda Cater, a daughter of William Cater, of Somerset township, where he had removed. In February, 1864, he enlisted in the army and be- came a member of Company C of the 60th O. V. I., and served fifteen months. Participated in the attack on the lines at Pe- tersburg, and on the 30th of September, 1864, lost his right arm in the engagement at Poplar Grove Church, Va. Returned home May 15, 1865. In 1866 he was elected assessor of Somer- set township, and also was made collector of that township for the county treasurer. In the year following he was re-elected assessor and also justice of the peace, serving one term. In 1868 his wife died, and in the winter of 1869 he removed from Boston, his home in Somerset, to Barnesville, where, in the spring of 1870, he was elected assessor. In the fall of 1871 he was elected to the office of county recorder, on the Republican ticket, by a majority of 25 votes. He took charge of the office January 1, 1872. He was re-elected in 1874 by 491 votes, and run again in 1877, but, being declared beaten by two votes, he contested the election and won it by three. Ho was married to his second wife, Lizza A. Bumgarner, daughter of H. R. Bumgarner, of St. Clairsville, in 1876. He has rendered full satisfaction as a public officer.

A. H. MITCHELL, attorney-at-law, is a son of David Mitchell, and was born May 31, 1849, near Lloydsville, Richland town- ship, Belmont county. Received a common school education, and taught school from the time that he was 18 years of age until 22. In the meantime he devoted his leisure moments to

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the study of law, and in September, 1871, he was admitted to the bar. He removed to St. Clairsville and commenced the practice of his profession in April, 1872. On the 23d of Sep- tember, 1875, he married Miss M. A. Wilkinson, daughter of William Wilkinson, Esq., who served as commissioner of Bel- mont county for several years. In April, 1878, Mr. M. formed a partnership with his brother Wilson, in the law business, who was admitted to practice April, 1877. This firm has continued since that time. Office in Brown's building, (up stairs) oppo- site National Hotel. Residence, east end of St. Clairsville.

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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 84

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