History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio, Part 34

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry
Publication date: 1921
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 678

USA > Ohio > Harrison County > History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio > Part 34
USA > Ohio > Carroll County > History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio > Part 34

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Mr. Blackwell was born in Franklin Town- ship, this county, June 12, 1861, and is a repre- sentative of one of the sterling pioneer families of the county. He is a son of William J. and Rhoda L. (Jenkins) Blackwell, the former of whom was born in Nottingham Township, this county, February 5, 1817, and the latter of whom was born in Washington County, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Jenkins, who came from the old Keystone State to Carroll County, Ohio, where he became a successful farmer and where he passed the re- mainder of his life, his two sons having been Josiah and Samuel, the former of whom died while serving as a Union soldier in the Civil war. William J. Blackwell, Sr., was born in Culpepper County, Virginia, a member of a family that was founded in the Old Dominion state in the colonial days. There he was reared to manhood and there was solemnized his mar- riage to Catherine Fencer. About the year 1815 they came to Harrison County, Ohio and settled in Nottingham Township, whence they later re- moved to Franklin Township, where they passed the remainder of their lives, Mr. Blackwell not only having been one of the honored pioneer farmers of the county but having also served as a soldier in the War of 1812. His children were: James R., Isaac, Samuel, Benjamin, William J., Jr., Lanie, Nancy and Mary.

William J. Blackwell, Jr., passed his entire life in Harrison County and was one of the substantial citizens and representative farmers of Franklin Township at the time of his death, his wife likewise having died on the old home- stead. They became the parents of eight chil- dren-Francis A., Addison W., Theopolis M., Martin L., Elmer E., Ulysses S., Rosetta M. and Ida Amelia.

Elmer E. Blackwell was reared on his father's farm in Franklin Township, and in the mean- while he profited by the advantages afforded in the district schools. He remained at the par- ental home until his marriage in 1890, and for six years thereafter was engaged in farming in Washington Township. In 1897 he removed to his present farm in Nottingham Township, where he owns 137 acres and where he has since continued his successful enterprise as an agriculturist and stock-raiser. His political allegiance is accorded to the republican party, and he and his wife hold membership in the Christian Church.

In the year 1890 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Blackwell to Miss Mary S. Street, daugh- ter of Saint Clair and Volumnia (Hefling) Street. the former of whom was born in Mary- land in the year 1820, and the latter of whom was born in Washington Township, Harrison County, Ohio. August 8, 1828. Dr. Saint Clair Street was one of the early physicians and sur- geons of Harrison County, where he developed a large and representative practice and where he continued his residence in the Village of

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Tippecanoe until his death in 1865, at the age of forty-five years, one month and twenty days. His first wife was survived by two children, Sarah Elizabeth and Shadrach W. Of the sec- ond marriage Mary Samantha, wife of the sub- ject of this sketch, is the only child, and her birth occurred on the 28th of February, 1865, only a few months prior to the death of her father. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell have three children-Clarence M., Lyle St. Clair and Helen Street. Clarence M. Blackwell entered the na- tion's military service on the 5th of October, 1917, at Camp Sherman, whence he was later transferred to Camp Forrest, Georgia, where he was assigned to the Thirty-third Company of the Ninth Training Battalion of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Depot Brigade. In April, 1918, he sailed with his command for France, and while at sea became so seriously afflicted with rheumatism and pneumonia that he was returned home on the same transport, without having landed in France. At Camp Sherman, Ohio, he received his honorable dis- charge December 27, 1918, and he has since re- mained at the parental home.

DANIEL KILGORE during the first half of the nineteenth century was one of Ohio's most in- fluential citizens. While his later enterprises affected many counties, he laid the foundation of his success while a resident of Harrison County.

He was born on King's Creek, West Virginia, a son of William and Nancy (Kelly) Kilgore. who some years previously had come from Ire- land. On April 14, 1816, Daniel Kilgore mar- ried for his first wife Mary Pritchard, who was born May 18, 1800. To this marriage were born two children, Narcissa, born in 1817 and be- came the wife of Charles Paulson, and John P., born in 1823, who married Mary Wilson. The mother of these children died February 3, 1825, and on April 5, 1831, Mr. Kilgore married Ellen Downey, who was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in 1811. The children of the second marriage were Daniel, Ellen, Alice, Charles, Dolly, William, Anna and Harry.

During his boyhood Daniel Kilgore went from West Virginia to Steubenville, Ohio, and learned the trade of making nails by the old manual process. With this trade as a chief capital he came to Cadiz and established a little shop a short distance below the present site of the Harrison National Bank. From nail making he opened a stock of hardware and then of general merchandise, and gradually re- signed the making of nails to employes while he gave his attention to the enlarging business of his store. He had a business genius and everything he touched seemed to prosper. His success was undoubtedly in a large measure due to his high standard of honesty. He was not only honest in the big things but in even the smallest details. Once while traveling in a stage coach when the driver forgot to collect the fares a fellow passenger indicating that he would not remedy the omission Mr. Kilgore insisted not only in paying his own fare, but in collecting from his companion as well. With a thriving mercantile business he also dealt in

real estate and an associate of Chauncey Dewey and John Olmsted. In more prosperous years he started the Harrison branch of the State Bank of Ohio, that being the first banking establishment in Cadiz, and he was the first president of the branch bank. His half brother, Robert Lyons, became its cashier.

Daniel Kilgore earned the confidence of his fellow citizens and enjoyed many positions of trust and honor. He served in the Legislature from 1828 to 1832, and from 1834 to 1838 served in Congress. After leaving Congress he became the original promoter and first presi- dent of the Steubenville and Indiana Railroad, the nucleus of which has since developed as the Panhandle part of the Pennsylvania system. It was his intention to build the road through Cadiz on the route from Steubenville to Denni- son. At that time railways were built largely on money voted to the companies by township and other localities. Cadiz Township voted for the railroad but other townships along the route, believing that Mr. Kilgore's influence would not overlook the claims of Cadiz, refused to vote the allotted bonus. Townships in the northern part of the county on the other hand all voted for the aid for the railroad and it was built there instead of through Cadiz.

Mr. Kilgore at the time he was elected president of the railroad company moved to Steubenville, the city he claimed as his home until his death. While on an eastern business trip in connection with his railroad interests he died in a hotel at New York City. By that time he had seen his railroad completed from Steubenville as far as Bowerston Tunnel. This original railroad has grown until it is one of the strongest branches of the Pennsylvania system.

Mr. Kilgore while living in Cadiz established a select school for the purpose of teaching the higher branches, and was instrumental in se- curring a building for it at the northwest corner of the Court House Square, the lower part being used for the school while the upper floor was the Odd Fellows Hall. This building also served as a temporary Court House during the erection of the present Court House and later was torn down.

Daniel Kilgore in every way was a man of impressive character. About six feet tall, square built, well proportioned, with black hair and dark eyes and dark complexion, always clean shaven, he was the physical embodiment of resourcefulness, unlimited energy, and a kindly and wholesome personality.

EMANUEL WRIGHT. Not only is Emanuel Wright, of Rumley Township, one of the suc- cessful farmers of Harrison County, but is also a dealer in stock, and interested in several banking institutions of Harrison County, so that he may be fairly considered as a man of large affairs. He was born in Monongahela County, West Virginia, May 18, 1864, a son of Jeremiah S. Wright and grandson of Jonathan Wright.

Jonathan Wright was also born in Mononga- hela County, West Virginia, and there he spent his life. devoting himself to farming activities. He married Catherine Snyder, and they had the

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following children : Jeremiah S., John W., and Martha. He belonged to the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

Jeremiah S. Wright was born in Monongahela County, West Virginia. There he lived all of his life and died in 1901, aged seventy-three years, and, like his father, he was a farmer. Jeremiah S. Wright was first married to Mary Moore, and they had four children, Noah, Jona- than, Catherine and Mariah, Noah being the only one living. After the death of his first wife he was married to Delilah Moore, and their children were: Michael, Eliza Jane, de- ceased ; Emanuel ; Solomon, who died when small ; William J., and Martha, deceased. All of her life Mrs. Wright was a consistent and earnest member of the Christian Church. Her father, Solomon Moore, was a farmer of Monon- gahela County, West Virginia, and his children were as follows: Perry; Emanuel, who was a Union soldier and was killed in the service; Levi, Phoebe, Eliza and Druscilla, all deceased ; Jullianna, Mary and Delilah, deceased. The Moores were all members of the Christian Church.

Emanuel Wright went to the district schools of his native county, and at the same time learned to be a farmer in a practical way. As a young man he began dealing in stock, and for about twenty-five years was engaged in butchering in West Virginia, but in March. 1909, he came to Harrison County, Ohio, and bought his present farm of 188 acres in Rumley Township, and here he is carrying on general farming and stockraising, and deals in stock. His residence is in Rumley Township, along the Jewett and Cadiz turnpike For fifteen years Mr. Wright has been a director of the Dunkard Valley Bank of Blackville, West Virginia, and for six years has been a director of the Jewett Bank. He is otherwise interested in Harrison County enterprises, and never loses an oppor- tunity to advance the welfare of his community.

On March 28, 1888, Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Isophene Berry, a daughter of Solomon and Selina ( Stine) Berry, and they have one son, Frank L., who is assisting his father to operate the homestead. Frank L. Wright was married to Margaret Boyce, and they have a daughter, Helen Virginia. The Christian Church holds the membership of Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Wright.

Solomon Berry, father of Mrs. Emanuel Wright, was born in Monongahela County. West Virginia, but his wife was born in Monroe County, Ohio. He was a wagonmaker by trade. and followed his calling in his native county. He and his wife had the following children : George H., who is deceased; Maria Jane, who is also deceased; Mary M., who was third in order of birth; Isophene, who is Mrs. Wright : Ellen, who is fifth in order of birth; and Bell, who is deceased. The entire family belonged to the Christian Church.

John Berry, the paternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Emanuel Wright, was born in England. but his wife, Mary (Huffman) Berry, was born in Maryland. After coming to the United States he located in West Virginia, where he engaged in farming. He and his wife became

the parents of the following children: George, Frances, Solomon, Joseph, Thomas, Alpheus and Catherine.

The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Emanuel Wright. Benjamin Stine, married Jemima Birch, and they had the following children: Isaac, an ex-Union soldier ; Asbury, an ex-Union soldier ; Evander, an ex-Union soldier : Jane, Ellen, Se- lina. Isophene and Minerva. Early in life Ben- jamin Stine was a miller, but later became a farmer.

From the above records it is easy to prove that the ancestors of Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been for several generations upright, in- dustrious and honorable, and played their part in a quiet way in the development of this country.

WILLIAM T. PALMER is effectively showing his executive mettle and practical resourcefulness in his independent operations as a farmer in his native township, and is a son of Andrew Palmer, who likewise is a prosperous exponent of farm enterprise in Nottingham Township, Harrison County, and who is made the subject of a personal sketch on other pages of the vol- ume, so that a repetition of the family record is not demanded in the present article.

William T. Palmer was born in Nottingham Township on the 28th of November. 1874, and his boyhood and youth found him not neglectful of the advantages offered in the district schools of his native township, where he was reared on his father's farm. As a young man be found employment as a farm workman, and he con- tinued his effective service in this capacity until in 1901 he engaged in independent farm enter- prise in North Township. After having there rented a farm and given his attention to its management for one year he rented a farm in Stock Township, where he centered his vigorous farm enterprise for the ensuing five years. Success attended his determined and well di- rected efforts, and in February, 1907, he found himself so effectively reinforced as to enable him to purchase his present farm, which com- prises seventy-two acres of the fertile and val- uable land of Nottingham Township. Here he has gained the real status of independence as a representative of the basic industries of agri- culture and stock-growing, and his success has been a fitting reward for his earnest and faith- ful endeavors. Mr. Palmer gives his political support to the republican party. and he served one term as trustee of Nottingham Township. His wife is an active member of the Christian Church.

On the 20th of March, 1900. Mr. Palmer wedded Miss Celeste Merryman, who was born and reared in Nottingham Township, and who is a daughter of Jeremiah C. Merryman. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have two children-Wilbur Carson and Frances Gayle.

ROBERT K. DUNLAP Is a representative of the fourth successive generation of the Dunlap family in Harrison County, with whose civic and industrial history the family name has been worthily linked for more than a century. He owns and resides upon the fine old homestead

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farm of his father in Cadiz Township, and in addition to this place of 165 acres he owns also an adjoining tract of 158 acres, his effec- tive management of all departments of his farm enterprise marking him as one of the leaders in this important domain of industry in his native county.

Mr. Dunlap is a great-grandson of Adam Dunlap, the honored founder of the family in Harrison County, within whose borders he first made his appearance in 1807, long before the organization of the county under the present name. Adam Dunlap was born in Ireland of Scotch-Irish parents. He married Rebecca Work. They became the parents of six sons and six daughters. Upon coming to America he first settled in Pennsylvania, in which state some of his children were born, and in 1808 he established the family home in what is now Athens Township. Harrison County, Ohio. In the preceding year he had erected a small log cabin on his land and for the purpose had made a clearing in the midst of the forest. With the passing years he brought a considerable portion of his land under effective cultivation, and here he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, with a record of noble achievement under pioneer conditions. Mr. Dunlap died September 20. 1830, and his widow passed away May 20, 1846, both having been devout members of the Nottingham Presbyterian Church, of which he was one of the founders. Adam Dunlap was a leader in community affairs and was influential in the councils and activities of the democratic party in this section of the Buckeye state.

Robert Dunlap, grandfather of Robert K., was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1794, and was a vigorous youth when he accompanied his parents to Harrison County, where he assisted in the reclaiming and other work of the home farm. There he remained until his marriage to Mary Pattison, daughter of Hugh and Nancy Pattison, who were natives of Ire- land and who settled in Pennsylvania, where Mr. Pattison died soon afterward. After his marriage Robert Dnulap cleared and improved a farm in Athens township, and there he and his wife continued to reside until their deaths. he having become the owner of 363 acres of land in that township, all of which is still in the family. His wife died September 29, 1852, and he passed away March 2, 1860, their re- . mains being interred in the Nottingham Ceme- tery and both having been active members of the Presbyterian Church. He was a democrat, and as a man of ability and sterling character was called upon to serve in the various town- ship offices. They became the parents of seven children. all of whom are now deceased-Adam, Hugh P .. Samuel. Nancy, Rebecca, Mary and Robert.

Hugh P. Dunlap was born in Athens Town- ship in the year 1822, and there he was reared to manhood. He continued his association with farm enterprise in that township until 1869, when he purchased and removed to the farm now owned and occupied by his eldest son. Robert K. Here he was the owner of a fine farm of 250 acres, and here he and his wife remained until their deaths, he having passed

away March 28, 1894, and his wife died May 17, 1919. Both were zealous members of the Presbyterian Church, and he held to the po- litical faith of the democratic party. As a young man Hugh P. Dunlap wedded Miss Sarah J. Kennedy, who was born in Rush Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, a daughter of Na- poleon and Mary (Gilmore) Kennedy. Napoleon Kennedy was born in the District of Columbia, a son of Matthew Kennedy, whose wife's maiden name was Hines. They were numbered among the pioneer settlers in Moorefield Township, Harrison County, Ohio, where their son Na- poleon was reared to manhood and whence he removed to Tuscarawas County after his mar- riage. There he took up Government land and developed the farm upon which he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. Their children were seven in number- Samuel G .. Eliza, Sarah J., Martha, Christina, Matthew and Mary. The death of Hugh P. Dunlap oc- curred March 28, 1894, and his widow passed to the life eternal May 17, 1919. They became the parents of seven children, of whom four are living-Robert K., Joseph B., Samuel P. and Albert C. John A. died in June, 1865. Amanda B. died February 6, 1901, and Mary died in the fall of 1920.

The district schools of Athens Township af- forded Robert K. Dunlap his early educational advantages, and from his boyhood to the pres- ent time he has been actively associated with the work of the old home farm, of which he owns his relative share in association with the other heirs, besides being the owner of an ad- joining tract of 158 acres, as previously noted in this review. He is a native of Athens Town- ship, where he was born February 24, 1859, and was about ten years old at the time of his family removal to the present farm. He is a progressive and successful agriculturist and stock-grower, is a democrat in his political pro- clivities, and holds to the faith of the Presby- terian Church, under the influences of which he was reared. His name is still enrolled on the list of eligible bachelors in Harrison County.

WILLIAM W. FAWCETT. Green Township, Harrison County, claims as one of its progres- sive exponents of farm industry this well known and popular citizen, whose active career has included also effective association with mercan- tile business, as well as earlier service as a teacher in the district schools. He is a repre- sentative of a sterling pioneer family of Carroll County, Ohio, of which he is a native, and thus he is doubly entitled to recognition in this his- tory of Carroll and Harrison counties.

Mr. Fawcett was born in Union Township. Carroll County, on the 24th of July, 1851, and in the same township were born his parents, Charles Wesley Fawcett in 1827 and Esther (Norris) Fawcett in 1830, she having been a daughter of William and Martha ( McComas) Norris, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Washington County, Pennsylvania. William Norris was a pioneer settler in Union Township, Carroll County, where he reclaimed and developed a good farm where he and his

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wife remained until their deaths, both having been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of six chil- dren-David, Sarah, Elizabeth, Elsie, Esther and Nancy.

Charles Wesley Fawcett, whose personal name indicates the religious faith of his par- ents, was a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Brooks) Fawcett, both natives of Ireland, where the former was born in the year 1808. Alexander Fawcett likewise was numbered among the early settlers in Union Township, Carroll County, to the development and progress of which he contributed his full quota as a successful farmer and sterling citizen, and there both he and his wife remained until their deaths, both having been zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of eleven children-Charles Wesley, John W .. Jane, Letitia, Mary, Alexander, Eliza- beth, Margery, Thomas H .. Nancy and Margaret.

Charles W. Fawcett passed his entire life in his native township, where he became one of the substantial farmers and highly honored citizens of Carroll County and where he and his wife were zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. On his old homestead farm of 176 acres he remained until his death in 1910. and his widow passed away in 1914. Of their children William W., immediate subject of this review, is the eldest: James A. resides at Carrollton: Martha became the wife of Cor- nelius B. Kail, deceased, and her death there occurred in 1877: David died at the age of two years; Melville S. remains on his father's old homestead farm in Carroll County: Sarah is the wife of Emmerson M. Capper, of Union Township, that county.

William W. Fawcett gained his early educa- tion in the district schools of his native town- ship and the public schools in the City of Carrollton. That he made good use of these advantages is evidenced by his record of four years of service as a popular and successful teacher in the district schools of Carroll County. His initial business venture was made as an independent farmer in the township which was the place of his birth, and in 1877 he engaged in the general merchandise business at Peters- burg, that county. He successfully continued this enterprise nine years and then traded his stock and business for a farm in Carroll County. After operating this farm five years he sold the same and purchased a general store at Conotton. Harrison County, where he con- tinued in business about two years. His store and its contents were destroyed by fire in 1893, in which year he established his residence in Green Township, Harrison County, where he has since continued his active and successful asso- ciation with agricultural and live-stock indus- try. In 1915 he purchased his present farm, which comprises 1141% acres and which is well improved. A public-spirited citizen of well for- tified views relative to political matters, he is found arrayed in the ranks of the republican party, and he is an active member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife, whose death occurred October 4, 1909.

November 12, 1879, recorded the marriage of

Mr. Fawcett to Miss Nancy Jane Melvin, and thus their companionship continued thirty years -until the gracious ties were severed by the death of the loved and devoted wife and mother, who was born in Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of John and Susanna (Boles) Melvin. Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett became the par- ents of a fine family of fifteen children, of whom all but four are living: Norris M., now a resident of Canton, Stark County, married Miss Rada McCort, and they have one child, Helen ; George I. died at the age of two years; Charles A., a resident of Carrollton, married Miss Rena Stanley, and their one child is a son, Howard; Elsie is the wife of Willard Thompson, of German Township, Harrison County, and they became the parents of four children-Marietta, Francis, Raymond (de- ceased) and Wilma ; John and Howard remain at the paternal home; Elizabeth is the wife of Frederick O. Phillips, of Hopedale, and they have three children-Lester. Laurence and Isa- bel; Mary is the wife of Frank Rutledge, of Carroll County, and they have two children- Eva and Wilma: Jessie V. remains at the pa- ternal home; Melville died at the age of two years: Carrie resides at Carrollton ; William M. and Russell died in early childhood; and Ida and Etta are members of the paternal home circle.

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History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio, Part 34

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Number of Pages: 678

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry
Publication date: 1921
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 678