History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 147

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 147

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The Cumberland Oil Company, the offices of which are located in the St. Clair Building, in Marietta, is operating in Morgan County,

JOHN DANA.

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where the company owns 225 wells. It owns about 25 wells in Lawrence and Liberty town- ships, in Washington County, and a number in Pleasant County, West Virginia, where ser- eral wells are now being drilled. In addition to his connection with the Cumberland Company, Mr. Lord has other large oil interests, and is a director in the new Trust Company, recently organized in Marietta. The subject of this sketch married a lady from Maine, and they have three sons -- Philip, Charles S. and Henry C., Jr. Mr. Lord recently purchased a fine new home at No. 322 Fourth street. He and his wife attend the Congregational Church.

OHN DANA, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Belpre, Wash- ington County, Ohio, and a pioneer in the canning industry, is extensively engaged in that line of business. He comes of one of the oldest and most highly respected families of the county, and is a son of George and Lucy ( Byington ) Dana. He was born on the old homestead,-one of the most beautiful farms in this section,-about a half mile from Belpre.

His great-grnadfather was Capt. William Dana, a son of William Dana. Capt. Will- jam Dana was born at Little Cambridge, now Brighton, Massachusetts, in 1745, and was of French Huguenot ancestry. In 1770 he mar- ried Mary Bancroft, who was born in 1752 and died in 1831. After his marriage, he set- tled in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and just before the battle of Lexington moved to Wor- cester. He became a captain in the army and rendered valuable service, but, having sold his property for worthless Continental currency. was obliged to quit the army. For a time he worked on a farm near Amherst, New Hamp- shire, and labored, during the winter, at the carpenter's trade, that he might supply his family with the necessaries of life. Leaving his family at Amherst, he came to Ohio with his two oldest sons in 1788. Ile made some money in Marietta by burning brick,-the first

brick known to have been made in the Terri- tory. In 1789 he brought his family to Mar- ietta, and later proceeded down the river, where he erected what was known as a salt- box, in which his family lived for a time. Cap- tain Dana settled upon and cleared an excellent tract of land, became influential in the county, and connected himself with many prominent enterprises tending to develop the community. He died in 1809.

George Dana, father of the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of day on the farm owned by his grandfather in Belpre township. He was reared on the farm. attended the com- mon schools, and completed his education in Marietta and Athens colleges. He then re- turned to the farm, where he remained and looked after his farming interests, which were among the largest in the township. He was exceedingly successful, but withal was a quiet and unassuming man, who never sought public recognition. Ile served two terms as township trustec. He was well posted on all topics of the day, and in politics was a Re- publican. He was highly esteemed and in his death, which occurred June 21, 1892. the com- munity lost one of its most enterprising and energetic citizens, who always had its inter- ests at heart. He married Lucy Byington, whose father was the distinguished Rev. Cyrus Byington, author of the "Grammar of the Choctaw Languages." This eminent scholar and missionary, whose name is inseparably connected with the later history of the Choc- taw Nation, was born at Stockbridge, Berk- shire County, Massachusetts, March 11. 1793. He was one of nine children, and as his father was a small farmer and a tanner, his educational advantages were limited. When a well-grown lad, Mr. Byington received in- struction in Greek and Latin from Joseph Woodbridge, with whom he afterward read law. Hle was admitted to the bar in 1814. but abandoned his practice for missionary work. With this object in view, he entered the theological seminary at Andover. Massa- chusetts, and was licensed to preach in Sep- tember. 1819. He preached in various

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churches in his native state for about one year, and then upon the request of the Amer- can Board of Foreign Missions, Mr. Bying- ton took charge of 25 persons and piloted them by land to the Choctaw Nation in Mississip- pi. Thus commenced his life among the Choc- taws. He continued in this work for nearly fifty years, the result being that the tribe was practically redeemed from drunkenness and immorality. From the first he worked assid- uously in learning their language, in order to render it available for the missionary student. The first draft of his grammar was completed in 1834, and was rewritten and rewritten until at the time of his death, which occurred in Belpre, Ohio, December 31, 1868, he was at work upon the seventh revision. Rev. Mr. Byington was united in marriage with Sophia Nye, the mother of Mrs. Dana.

John Dana was born February 10, 1856. He obtained his mental training in the schools of Belpre and at Marietta College, completing his education in 1878, and received his degree in 1885. Immediately thereafter he became interested in the canning business, together with his farming. He learned the business thoroughly, and in 1887, with his father and brothers established in Belpre township a large canning plant, having previously conducted the same business on a large scale in Milford, Del- aware, whither he had gone to learn all the de- tails in relation to the production of material, and the output of his industry. He also learned the trade of manufacturing cans, and in connection with the canning industry he was extensively engaged in making the cans, in which he had a large trade. New condi- tions having arisen, however, this branch of the business was sold. Mr. Dana is also in- terested in the real estate business, and has platted about 75 choice building lots, known as "Dana's Ist, 2nd and 3rd Additions."

Mr. Dana employs a force of 150 men, a larger number than are employed in any like business in Washington County. He is also well posted in the nursery business, having had considerable experience in that line in his younger days. He still has under his super-

vision the fine old farm of 150 acres, cleared and cultivated by his great-grandfather. His residence in Belpre is one of the most beauti- ful in the city.

Mr. Dana was joined in marriage with Anna E. Lockwood, a daughter of Jacob E. Lockwood, of Belmont County, her father be- ing one of the old Ohio River men. This union was blessed by the birth of six chil- (ren. The subject of this sketch and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Dana is a Republican, in politics, but like his ancestors, has never sought public office.

OHN MILLS, president of the Marietta Chair Company, is one of the most in- fnential business men of Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. The com- pany of which he is president is the largest manufactory of Marietta and between four and five hundred men are there employed. Its lumber yards and buildings cover II acres of ground. The plant has a floor space of 168,- 500 square feet, and a capacity of 10,500 chairs per week.

This chair business was established in Mari- etta in 1820. The present organization was formed in 1866, the company being incorpor- ated January 24, of that year. The officers were: Col. John Mills ; J. F. and J. W. Stan- ley: William Finley; Thomas W. Ewart; J. M. Eells: S. A. Cooper; Aaron Fuller ; Sam- uel Shipman; E. G. Toothaker and Anthony Garry. The first meeting of this company was held, February 2.1, 1866, and the following off- cers were chosen : Col. John Mills, president ; and S. A. Cooper, secretary. Colonel Mills died March 14, 1882, having served up to that tinie, and was succeeded by John Mills, who was elected president March 18, 1882, and has filled the office up to the present time. The present officers of the company are: John Mills, president and treasurer ; and S. M. Thur- low. secretary. The directors are as follows : M. D. Follett ; \. D. Follett ; George R. Graf- ton ; W. W. Mills ; and John Mills. The orig-

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inal five directors were chosen from the in- corporators and were, Col. John Mills : Thomas W. Ewart: J. M. Eells; Aaron Fuller; and Samuel Shipman.

The concern has a record of "no strikes." The Marietta Chair Company, through its cat- alogue, does much to advertise the city, and the magnitude of its operations has been a great factor in the prosperity of the city. The com- pany is excellently managed, its officers being men of progressive and up-to-date methods. In addition to the chair plant, a sawmill is owned and conducted by the company. It has besides a wholesale warehouse in Pittsburg and one in Cincinnati.

H L.FRED TYLER PERRY, .A. M., D. D., sixth president of Marietta Col- lege, has in the short space of two years risen to the foremost rank among the educators of Ohio. He has the qualities which combine to make a suc- cessful college president, and his administra- tion of the affairs of Marietta College has been such as to inspire the greatest confidence in his ability, and in the future growth of the institution.

President Perry was born at Genesco. Illi- nois, August 10. 1858, and was in his childhood when the family moved to North Adams, Mas- sachusetts, where he received his preliminary education. He is a graduate of Williams Col- lege. class of 1880, and of Hartford Theologi- cal Seminary, class of 1885. In 18or Will- iams College gave him the degree of .\. MI .. and in 1901, that of D. D. Before taking his theological course, he had some experience in the lumber business, and spent a year in rail- road surveying. He was assistant pastor of the Memorial Church. of Springfield, Massa- chusetts, during 1886, and held the pastorate of the East Congregational Church at Ware. Massachusetts, during the next four years. Jan- mary 1, 1801. Professor Perry returned to Hartford Theological Seminary, as an instruc- tor, and in 1899, was inaugurated as full pro- fessor of bibliology. He also served as librar- ian and instructor in ecclesiastical polity there.

President Perry was elected president of Marietta College in June, 19oo, and assumed the duties of his position in September, 1900. The Marietta Daily Times, bearing date of June 15, 1900. paid the following tribute to his character and ability : "The new president is a scholar of high rank, a popular preacher. has unusual executive ability, knows college conditions, and is full of resources and new

ideas. He is enthusiastic, devoted, persistent and tactful. Ile is an earnest! consecrated

Christian man. President Perry is a clever speaker, and has ways that are very attractive. His experience will prove invaluable in the conduct of a college, and there seems to be no cause for doubt that he is just the man for the position to which he has been elected."

President Perry was married. in 1887. to a daughter of the late Jonathan F. Morris, of Hartford. Mrs. Perry is a lady of rare ac- complishments, and is in full sympathy with her husband's work. They have two sons. aged 12 and five years, respectively.

R ODNEY KEENE SHAW. one of Marietta's oldest and most success- ful lawyers, was born at Copenhagen in the town of Denmark. Lewis County, New York. December 13. 1820. and is a son of Zenas and Adelia { Keene ) Shaw.

Zenas Shaw was a merchant for many years. and a prominent business man. He moved to Parkersburg. ( West ) Virginia, and there lived until a short time before his death, in 1850, when he returned to New York State. He married Adelia Keene, who was born at Chesterfield. Massachusetts, and died in 1873. at Parkersburg, West Virginia, at the age of 66 years. They were the parents of five chil- (Iren, as follows: The eldest, who died in infancy: Rodney Keene: Capt. Sydney F .. of Parkersburg, who served throughout the Civil War, was major at the close, and was acting chief engineer of the Army of West Virginia : Lucy M. : and Fanny L.

Rodney Keene Shaw was reared and

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY.

schooled in New York State, and remained there until he was 20 years of age, when he went south. During the winter of 1850-1851, he taught school at Belleville ( West ) Virginia, and in May, 1851, went to Carroll County, Mis- sissippi, where he remained but one year. He then returned to New York and attended Union Academy at Belleville, and Lowville Academy, of Lewis County. In addition to pursuing his studies, he taught a part of each year until 1855, securing a life certificate for the State of New York. He began the study of law at the age of 20 years, continued until past 25 years, being examined by Joshua A. Spencer, chairman of a committee of five in Oneida County. He was admitted to the bar at the general term of the Supreme Court of New York, January 2. 1855. and was engaged in practice in Lewis County until the fall of 1858. He then went to ( West) Virginia, in- tending to go from there to Nebraska. His plans were suddenly changed because of the ill- ness of his father, whom he followed back to New York State, and remained with him until the latter's death, which occurred in October. 1850. Mr. Shaw then returned to ( West ) Vir- ginia, where he remained during the winter of 1859-1860. He came to Marietta in the spring of 1860, and became a clerk in the office of Hon. Thomas W. Ewart, with whom he continued one and a half years. He then became captain of Company G, 63rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served as such until discharged on account of disability in the fall of 1862. He resumed his law business in December, 1863, as a partner of Mr. Ewart, under the firm name of Ewart & Shaw. In 1867 Hon. Hiram L. Sibley be- came a partner, and the firm name was changed to Ewart, Shaw & Sibley, and continued as such until the junior partner retired. The ti- tle of Ewart & Shaw was once more resumed. and continued until 1870, when Mr. Shaw re- tired and was succeeded by Hiram L. Gear. Mr. Shaw has since continued alone, success attending his efforts on every hand. He has enjoyed a large general practice, doing a large amount of pension business, and also attending to office accounts Although past 72 years of

age, he is possessed of all his mental vigor, and has the strength of a man many years his junior. In private life he is a pleasant man to meet, and numbers his friends by the hun- (reds.

December 22, 1859, Mr. Shaw was joined in marriage with Lovina S. Clark, who was born in the town of Denmark, Lewis County, New York, and died March 22, 1893. They had four children, as follows: Charles Philip; Leonard Clark: Robert Anderson; and Emma Louise, who died at the age of five and a half years.

Charles P. Shaw was graduated from Mar- ietta College in 1887, and is now located at Huntington, West Virginia, where he is a bookkeeper in the water works. He married a daughter of Dr. Edgerton, of Rockwood, West Virginia.

Dr. Leonard Clark Shaw was born at Mar- ietta, April 1.1, 1869, and was graduated from Marietta College in 1889. He then accepted a position as clerk in the post office at Hunting- ton. West Virginia. Later he became chief clerk, and remained there until the fall of 1894. He then entered the Ohio Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1897, with the de- gree of D. D. S. He practiced at Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, three years, and in August, 1900, came to Marietta, where he has established a nice practice. December 31, 1001, he married Caroline Stroud, of Wilming- ton, Delaware. He is a member of the dental fraternity of Phi Alpha Chi, and Marietta Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta. He won a prize in his first year in the Ohio Dental College, and was president of his class.

Robert Anderson Shaw was graduated from Marietta College in 1890, and immedi- ately afterward read law with his father's former preceptor, Judge Eliada S. Merrill, be- ing admitted to the bar, at Syracuse, in 1893. He is now with the strong legal combination of Phillips & Avery, of New York City, with offices in the Tribune Building.

Rodney Keene Shaw is a Republican in politics, although he has never been a politi- cian in the true sense of the term. He served

SAMUEL H. PUTNAM.

Douglas Putnam

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is a member of the Soldiers' Relief Commis- sion for three years, and then declined reap- pointment. He is a member of Buell Post, No. 178. G. A. R. ; and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously he is a member of the Baptist Church, as were his father and grandfather before him.

AMUEL H. PUTNAM, a retired bus- iness man and extensive land-owner of Washington County, Ohio, lives in the old family residence, located at No. 519 Fort street, Marietta. He was born at llarmar, Washington County, Ohio, in 1835, and is a son of Douglas and Mary Ann ( Hildreth ) Putnam.

The Putnam family originally was from Buckinghamshire, England, and upon coming to America located in Salem, Massachusetts. Maj .- Gen. Israel Putnam was born at Salem village, near Danvers, January 7, 1718, and his son, Col. Israel Putnam was also born at Salem, January 28, 1740. The latter had a son, David Putnam, born February 24. 1769. who was the grandfather of Samuel 11. Put- nam, and was a native of Connecticut. David Putnam was a single man when he removed to Washington County, Ohio, in 1790, but six years later he returned to Connecticut, and was married. He was a clerk in the Ohio Company's Purchase office, and was one of the first employed by Gen. Rufus Putnam. He was a lawyer and also dealt extensively in real estate, leaving a large amount of property when he died. He also held the office of post- master. He married Betsy Perkins, of Plain- field, Connecticut, September 16, 1798, and they had 12 children, of whom Douglas Put- nam, father of Samuel 11., was the last to die.

Douglas Putnam was born in Washington County, Ohio, April 7, 1800, and died in 1894, at the age of 88 years, eight months and 13 days. lle was engaged in the real estate bus- iness and was also connected with the bucket factory for many years. He assisted in the

construction of the first railroad between Mar- jetta and Parkersburg, which was later sold to the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Rail- way Company. He was a very prominent man in and about Marietta. On February 16, 1831, he married Mary Ann Hildreth, a sis- ter of Dr. S. P. Hildreth. She died October 24. 1842, leaving five children, namely : Ben- jamin, deceased ; Samuel H .: Douglas, pres- dent of the iron works at Ashton, Kentucky ; and John Day and Harriet Day, both of whom died young. On May 16, 1844. Douglas Put- nam married, as his second wife, Mrs. Ann Eliza Tucker, a daughter of Levi and Eliza Whipple. She died September 9, 1862, leaving two children,-Mary Hildreth, who married Dr. Frank H, Bosworth, of New York: and Eliza Whipple, wife of C. S. McCandlish, of Parkersburg. West Virgina. Douglas Putnam was married a third time, January 24, 1867, wedding Sarah C. Diamond, of Springfield, Massachusetts, who now lives in Wichita, Kansas.

Samuel 11. Putnam was reared at Ilarmar, and was engaged as a clerk for some time. In 1856, his connection with the bucket fac- tory began, and continued for many years. He was a member of the State militia, and in 1801 enlisted in Company L, Ist Reg., Ohio Vol. Cav., the first regiment of cavalry raised in the State. He rose to the rank of ist lieuten- ant, and for a time was with the escort of Gen. George H. Thomas, commander of the 14th Army Corps. He served nearly three years, and then returned home to attend to his fac- tory interests. He was identified with the bucket factory until 1885, and has since lived practically a retired life, although he still con- ducts a farm. Hle has three farms in Wash ington County, Ohio, 400 acres in Illinois, and other farms in Kansas, Arkansas and Colo- rado.

On October 18, 1866, Mr. Putnam married Abigail Fobes Mixer, who was born April 12, 1839, at Unionville, Lake County, Ohio, and they have three children, namely : Samuel Hildreth, Benjamin Barnes and Mary Dorcas. Samuel Hildreth was born January 10, 1809.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

he is identified with the Assets Realization Company, of Chicago. He was married March 31, 1902, to Clara Louise Mooney, of Rochester, New York. Benjamin Barnes, born November 5, 1871, is in the real estate business at Marietta. On September 18, 1894, he married Lucy Eleanor Hay, who was born in Fairfield, Illinois, July 12, 1872. They have three children, namely : Benjamin Hay, born July 6, 1895 ; George Hildreth, born May I. 1897; and Samuel Torrence, who was born October 13. 1899, and died February 18, 1901. Mary Dorcas was born May 21, 1879. Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is a member of Buell Post, No. 178. G. A. R. He belongs to the Harmar Congregational Church. The family residence, at No. 519 Fort street, was built by David Putnam in 1798, and is now occupied by Samuel H. Putnam and his family.

R. VAN METRE, the subject of this sketch, was born at West Liberty. ( West ) Virginia, August 8, 1836. on the old Van Metre homestead, which has been in the family over 100 years. and on which the original orchard is still bear- ing fine fruit. He came to Ohio when a young man, and engaged in teaching school, steam- boating and clerking, and afterward in the dry goods business in Malta, Ohio, the firm being Palmer & Van Metre. In 1876 he removed to Marietta, Ohio, where he has ever since been successfully engaged in the clothing busi- ness.

In 1862 he married Josephine Johnson, daughter of Isaac Johnson, born in Elmira, New York, and Laura Johnson ( nee Stanton ). born in Massachusetts. To them were born three children-Laura, Mary and Wyllis Vin- cent. Mary Van Metre married Capt. O. J. Stowe ( who built the steamers "S. R. Van Metre" and "Ilarry D. Knox.") Wyllis V. married Grace Applegate, of Beverly, Ohio. He was educated in the schools of Marietta and Oberlin, Ohio, and is now a partner with his father in business.

Besides his business interests in Marietta,

S. R. Van Metre owns a fine stock farm of 300 acres, five miles south of Beverly, Ohio, where he and his family spend considerable time every year enjoying country life. They are all members of the First Congregational Church of Marietta, Ohio.

S. R. Van Metre had one brother, Joseph W. Van Metre, who was associated with him in business for several years and died in 1895 ; and three sisters, two of whom, Henrietta and Margaret, are dead: the third, Sara (Van Metre) Walbridge, lives in Appleton City, Missouri.

Robert Van Metre, father of S. R. Van Metre, was born in 1803 and died in 1893. He had two brothers, Joseph W. and Vincent H. Van Metre, and one sister, Sara (Van Metre) Duncan. (Vincent H. Van Metre was born, lived and died on the old homestead. ) Their father. Joseph Van Metre, grandfather of S. R. Van Metre, was the original owner of the Van Metre homestead. He had five brothers, Abisha, Josiah, Asahel, Abraham and Isaac, and three sisters, Ruth, Naomi and Elizabeth, all of whom settled in Kentucky and Ohio. Their father was Abraham Van Metre, son of Jolin Van Metre, son of Abraham Van Metre, who with his brother Jan Van Metre, obtained from Governor Gooch, of Virginia, a grant of 40.000 acres of land in the valley of Opequan Creek and on the south branch of the Potomac, in 1730.

Their father was Jan Gysbesten Van Metre, son of Jan Gysbesten Van Metre, founder of the family in America, who emigrated to New York from Bommel, a city in Holland, in 1663.

The family was very patriotic, Abraham and Io other Van Metres from Virginia, and as many more from New Jersey, having served in the Revolutionary War.

John Van Metre, great-great-uncle of S. R. Van Metre, took up 1.400 acres of land where West Liberty, Ohio County, West Vir- ginia, now stands, and had a fort built, called "Black's Cabin." Joseph Van Metre, his broth- er, built Fort Van Metre on the south branch of Short Creek, eight miles from Wheeling, West Virginia. Abraham Van Metre after- ward owned the land where West Liberty

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now stands, and sold two acres to Ohio County for £20, to be used for public buildings.

It is a curious fact that Elsie Van Metre, one of the daughters of Jacob Van Metre, grandson of Jan Van Metre, one of the grant- ees of Governor Gooch, married Walter .\p- plegate, and their son was named Abraham Van Metre Applegate, and now after a period of over 100 years the Van Metres and .Ap- plegates again intermarry. Wyllis V. Van Metre marrying Grace Applegate.

The descendants of Jan Gysbesten Van Metre are now found in all parts of the United States.

EORGE MORGAN COOKE, form- erly editor and proprietor of the Mar- ictta Leader, was born January 21. 1861. in one of the oldest houses of Marietta, Ohio, built about 80 years ago. He is a son of Jonathan Russell and Su- sanna Morgan (Dodge) Cooke, grandson of Rev. Pardon Cooke. and great-grandson of Joseph Cooke, who was born in Wood Coun- ty, ( West ) Virginia, and came of Massachu- setts stock.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 147

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490