History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 169

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 169

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).

The Becker family has been one of promi- nence in this county for many years. George Becker came to this country from Germany in 18440. stopping for a short time in Cincin- nati, Ohio, and then locating in Washington County, Ohio. He was a weaver and tailor by trade, and the family now has the scissors and eye-glasses used by hin.

Peter Becker, son of George and father of J. P. and T. A. Becker, was born in Ger- many in 1828, and died in 1803. He was en- gaged in merchandising at Hills, Ohio, and owned a farm in that vicinity, which is still in the possession of members of the family. He was an extensive dealer in stock and produce, and shipped largely to Pittsburg. He was also interested in several of the first oil wells in the celebrated Cow Run field. In 1888, he was the Democratic candidate for county treasurer. and was defeated by only Ho votes, the county being Republican at that time by fully 600 votes. Peter Becker married Rhoda Whitney. who was born April 2, 1841, and is a daughter of Rev. John Whitney. Her father was born in 1804. and was a Baptist minister ; his wife was a Miss Hensel, of Pennsylvania. Mr. and

Mrs. Becker became the parents of eight chil- dren, as follows: Eliza Rebecca; George Sim- eon: Thomas A .; Michael Augustus; Mary Catherine; Flora Nevada; John Peter; and Harriet, who was born August 3, 1883, and resides with her mother in Marietta.

Eliza Rebecca Becker, who was born March 27, 1860, is the wife of Dr. J. R. Spencer, of Cincinnati, Ohio, by whom she has a daughter, Mary.

George Simeon Becker was born March 12, 1862, and died July 13, 1893. He married Mary Wallbright, a daughter of John Wall- bright, of Washington County, and they had one daughter, Clara.

Thomas A. Becker, one of the proprietors of the Ohio Dental Company, was born August II. 1803, and during his business career, has been mainly engaged in oil production in the vicinity of Newport. He attended Marietta Academy under Professor Andrews, and was a member of the class of 1887. He married Margaret E. Caywood, a daughter of J. R. and Eliza Caywood, of Washington County, and they have two children : Anita Belle, born De- cember 18, 1898: and Donald Caywood, born June 24, 1801. The family residence is at No. 226 Second street.

Michael Augustus Becker was born August 3. 1866, and is practicing dentistry in Lancas- ter, Pennsylvania, where he has a large and well established business. He was graduated from the Ohio Dental College of Cincinnati in 1888, with the degree of D. D. S. He married Anna Beiser, of Washington County, Ohio, and they have one child. Rhoda.

Mary Catherine Becker was born June 20, 1868, and is the wife of Capt. Gordon C. Greene, of the steamer "Greenwood," running between Charleston and Pittsburg. They have two children, -Wilkins Greene and Chris- topher.

Flora Nevada was born October 3, 1870, and married Ferdinand Haag, of Marietta, bv whom she has two children, Baron and Naomi.

John Peter Becker was born January 12, 1875. and received his educational training in Sand Hill High School, under Professor H. E. Smith. In 1894, he entered Ohio Dental

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College, where he was graduated in 1897, hav- ing spent a part . f his time as a demonstrator. He then went to, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he acted as manager of the Albany Dentists for nearly a year, and then went to Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the same capacity. In 1898 he came to Marietta, and opened an office on May r, of that year. The Ohio Den- tal Company, during its brief existence, has been a decided success, and its patronage is be- coming larger every day. Dr. Becker is an enterprising man and is held in the highest es- teem by all who know him. March 15. 1897, he was united in marriage with Floella Tot- ton, who was born at Cynthiana, Kentucky. and is a daughter of Thomas W. and Ella (Slaughterback ) Totton. Iler father was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. Dr. Becker is a member of the Phi .11- pha Chi, of Cincinnati College. Religiously he is a member of the Baptist church.

L. ALEXANDER, the. efficient sec- retary of the M., C. & C. Railroad Company, is also president of the Sterling Brick Company on Seventh street, and of the Marietta Plaster & Fuel Company, of which he has been one Di the most helpful promoters. He is a son of R. F. Alexander, and was born in Wood County. West Virginia, in 1869.

R. F. Alexander was a millwright by oc- cupation, and for many years was manager of a sawmill, previous to engaging in agricultural pursuits. Later he became deeply interested in mercantile affairs, ind is also serving as postmaster at Cutler, Washington County. He and the beloved mother of F. L. Alexander are still enjoying life as best they can. The subject of this sketch has one sister, Mrs. T. G. France, who conducts a successful general merchandise business in Cutler, in which he has a half interest.

Mr. Alexander first entered railroad serv- ice in 1887, when he became agent at Sharps- burg, for the Marietta, Columbus & Northern Railroad Company. This position was his for

three years, and in 18go, he was transferred to service as clerk in the auditor's office in the Mills Building at Marietta, under AAuditor G. W. Mulks. When the latter left in 1891 Mr. Alexander was given his place as auditor, while the name of the road was changed to the Toledo & Ohio Central Extension. The duties of auditor and cashier were faithfully attended to by him until November, 1900, at which time the road was sold to the M., C. & C. Railroad Company, and Mr. Alexander was shortly af- terward appointed to his present lucrative po- sition as secretary and auditor of the company. His duties are performed with promptness and accuracy, and he is most serviceable to the company. His business interests are enten- sive, of which he is president, and a descrip- tion of one of the enterprises with which he is conected, the Sterling Brick Company, is given in another part of this volume.

Frances C. Irvine, daughter of Alexander Irvine, became the beloved wife of Mr. Alex- ander, and they have three children, namely : Harold V., Sarah Marjorie, and Kathryn Marie, aged ten years, six years and two years, respectively, alf born in Marietta. Mrs. Alex- ander has one sister, Maggie Irvine, who is also a resident of Marietta. Her father was of Irish birth, and came to the United States, where he remained for a time in the South, but prior to the Civil War located at Decaturville, and was one of the early residents of Wash- ington County.

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander and their little family reside in their beautiful and comforta- ble home at No. 401 Second street. Although Mr. Alexander is a member of the Christian Church, he attends with the family, the serv- ices at the Presbyterian Church, that being Mrs. Alexander's preference. Politically he is a Republican, and in fraternal circles he is a K. of P .. and a Mason of high degree. lle is a member of Blue Lodge No. 390, at llar- mar, of which he is also past master, having served as master in 1000 and 1001. He is a member of the Chapter. Council and Com- mandery at Marietta, and is a Shriner of Alad- din Temple, at Columbus, Ohio. The subject of this sketch is one of Marietta's most promi-

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

nent and progressive citizens, and posseses the unlimited confidence not only of his employers. but likewise of all in the community.

OHN W. ATHEY, ex-county record- er of Washington County, Ohio, and a prominent insurance dealer and oil operator of Marietta, with office in the Law Building, was born in Wash- ington County, in 1844, and is a son of Solo- mon and Lucinda ( Hill) Athey.

Walter Athey, grandfather of John W .. came from the Valley of Virginia in 1808, and located on Duck Creek, as did James Hill, ma- ternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch. who later removed to town. Solomon Athey was a native of Washington County, and was a carpenter and boat builder by trade, being in the employ of the Knox Company. He re- moved to Kansas in the spring of 1868, locat- ing at Wamego, Pottawatomie County, where he died. His wife, who was a native of Wash- ington County, also died in Kansas. They were the parents of seven daughters and two sons, all of whom reside in the vicinity of To- peka, Kansas, except a daughter, who is in Golden, Colorado; a son, James W., who is a railroad man, of Kansas City; and John W.

John W. Athey attended the public schools of Marietta and vicinity, and his first active business was as a contractor and builder. Oc- tober 16, 1861, in the county recorder's office, lie enlisted under Captain W. B. Mason, who was then recorder. in Company B, 77th Reg. Ohio Vol. Infantry. He served until February 26, 1866, when he received an honorable dis- charge, after a most thorough war experience. He was with Sherman at Shiloh, and later. par- ticipated in many important battles, including the siege of Corinth. After the war. he re- sumed his business as a contractor and builder. which he continued very successfully until 1893, when he was elected county recorder, on the Republican ticket. He held that office for six years and eight months, his term expiring September 1, 1900, and discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of his constituents

and every one concerned. He has since been engaged in the insurance business. He is also vice-president and director of the Washington County Savings, Loan and Building Associa- tion, one of the most successful institutions of the kind in the State. He is interested in the Long Run and Sand Hill oil fields. Prior to his election as recorder, he served ably as township trustee and member of the board of education of Marietta township. It was larg- ly through his efforts and influence that the Sand Hill high school was brought to its pres- ent high standard.

Mr. Athey was united in marriage at Mar- ietta with Lottie Chambers, and they have six children, as follows: Delbert R., a millwright and operator at Manilla, Iowa ; David E., who is in the steam laundry business in Des Moines, Iowa; Harvey E .. who is a millwright, in part- nership with his brother, Delbert R., at Ma- nilla, Iowa: Jessie F .: Gordon C .; and Nellie C. The family residence is at No. 503 Wash- ington street. Mr. Athey is a member of Buell Post, G. A. R. Religiously, he is a member of the First Congregational Church.

® OBERT W. BESS, of Marietta, though scarcely past middle age, has for the last 37 years been a well- known person in the oil regions of his section. In 1865, before attain- ing his majority, he was initiated into the oil business in Macksburg, and he has since been engaged in the same line in various places and at different times.

R. W. Bess, his father, was for some time a resident of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he worked as a sheet and nail roller. Later, in 1855, he settled on a farm, which he pur- chased in Aurelius township, Washington County, Ohio, and turned his attention to ag- riculture. After IT years of successful indus- try. he sold this place and moved to Belpre township. Finally. in 1884, he settled at Bril- liant. Ohio, where he resided for the rest of his life, which ended there in 1895. Mr. Bess had eight sons and six daughters, as follows:

MRS. MILLIE M. AMOS.

JAMES L. AMOS.

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Samuel, now a resident of Aurelius township : Robert W .: John, who lives at Brilliant, Ohio: William, who is in California : Benjamin, de- ceased: Benjamin, who resides in Athens County. Ohio; and Peter M., who lives in Bel- pre township . James, Cornelia and Hannah, deceased : Anna ( Faulkner ) : Caroline (Reed) ; Jennie B. ; and Katie V.

Robert W. Bess was born in Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, in 1844. After two years' resi- dence in Macksburg, where, as has been said. he was engaged in the oil business, hie re- moved to Volcano, West Virginia. Here he made his home for about 17 years. Then, re- turning to Macksburg, he began operating in the oil fields of that section. Later. he ful- filled a two-years contract for a firm in Indi- ana, after which he went into the fishing and casing pulling business, in Macksburg. For four successful years, he carried on this indus- try. Then he resumed the oil-well drilling business at Corning, Ohio, in which he contin- ned for six years. In 1866, Mr. Bess assisted in placing the first torpedo ever put in a well in Ohio. In the fall of 1900, he came to Mari- etta and purchased the Pascal Hoff farm, a well-cultivated 100-acre tract, valued at $7.500. After a few months, however, he erected a new residence at No. 104 New street, in West Marietta, where he now resides. T. S. Nichol- son, his son-in-law, is now carryng on the farm. Mr. Bess, in partnership with George C. Best. W. L. Neubeck. and R. H. Bess, is at present successfully engaged in the oil business.

In Washington County. in 1867. Mr. Bess married Mary E. Davis, who was born at Little Hocking, and is a daughter of James and .It- tilla ( Barrows) Davis, of Belpre township. Of this union, there are two children. R. Harry and Attilla. R. Harry, who was born in 1868. is now field manager of the oil company men- tioned above. He married Emma Seidler, of Washington County, and they have one child. Helen Pauline. AAttilla, who was born in Wood County, West Virginia, in 1870, married T. S. Nicholson, of Guernsey County, Ohio, and has two children. Naomi Bess and Harry Grant.

Mr. Bess has ever evinced a keen interest in educational affairs, and while in West Vir- ginia, served on the school board. Politically. he affiliates with Democrats, and fraternally, with the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 420. Elba, Ohio. The Methodist Episcopal Church numbers him among its substantial members.

James Davis, father of Mrs. Bess, born in Vermont. in 1814, lost his father at an early age, and when six years oldl moved with his mother to Belpre township. She soon after- ward married Squire Guthrie, and in a few years. died, leaving James an orphan. Through the kindness of his stepfather he was placed in the home of Judge Curtis, where he received careful rearing. He died at the age of 57 years. leaving a wife and 12 children, six of whom have settled in the Western state. Mrs. Davis is now in her eighty-first year.

J AMES L. AMOS, an influential farmer of Grandview township, is a man of wide experience in matters pertaining to agriculture, and is well known throughout Washington County. which has been his home since 1869. He was born in 1854. in Monroe County, Ohio, and spent his boyhood days there.

Robert Amos, his father, who was of Eng- lish ancestry, was born in Harford County. Maryland, where he was reared. In 1835. he located in Monroe County, Ohio, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. During his youth, he drove the stage between Baltimore and Wheel- ing. He also drove on a stage route in North Carolina, and later drove from Marietta to Newport, Ohio, following the life of a stage driver for nine years.

Upon locating in Ohio, Robert Amos pur- chased an So-acre farm in Benton township. Monroe County, and cultivated that tract for several years, but subsequently traded his farmi for another, which he afterward sold. In 1869 he moved to Washington County, and pur- chased a tract containing 240 acres. This land was among the most valuable in Grandview

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

township, and was located on the bank of the Ohio River. It formed the foundation of a splendid farm, additional purchases being made at intervals until at the time of his death. Jan- uary 15. 1891, Robert Amos owned 500 acres, which then became the property of his heirs. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Dye. a daughter of James Dye, a Virginian by birth, who followed farming in Monroe County, Ohio, where the birth of Elizabeth took place in 1822. She died August 12, 1892.

James L. Amos is one of II children. Those deceased are : Millie ; Francis M. ; Benjamin ; George W .; and Corbin. Those living are: Minerva; Elam D .; James L .: Anna E. ( Moore), a resident of Washington County ; Martha E. ( Locke), of St. Mary's. West Vir- ginia ; and Robert E., who resides at the home place. James L. Amos obtained his mental training in Monroe and Washington counties. After reaching manhood he engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business at Mill Creek, where he was located for three years. Since then he has devoted his time and attention to farming.

December 8, 1879. Mr. Amos married Mil- lie P. Martin, who was born in New Mata- moras in 1861, and is a daughter of Sylvester C. Martin, who is deceased. Mr. Martin was born in South Rygate, Vermont, March 21, 1824. He spent his boyhood in Vermont, and when a young man went to Pittsburg. Penn- sylvania. He was a miller by trade. He moved from Pennsylvania to New Matamoras, Ohio. where he lived for several years. He afterward bought a farm in Monroe County, Ohio, and still later moved to Wirt County, West Vir- ginia, where he died March 21, 1900. His wife, who was Hannah Curran, of Thomaston, Maine, bore him 12 children, as follows: Syl- vanus ; Charles S. : Mary ( Holdren ) : Roberta ( Alexander ) ; Alberta and Sarah, deceased ; Millie P. ; Emma and Clara ( Amos ) deceased : Charles, Albert and Ollie Whitlatch. The fa- ther was a Methodist and the mother was an Episcopalian. On July 4, 1861, Mr. Martin sustained an accident during a celebration, by which he lost both arms. One was amputated below the elbow, and the other, a little further down. Strange to relate, he was able to do.

with mechanical contrivances, all the ordinary farm work, and was never known to complain of his lot in life. Mrs. Martin died May 22, 1888, aged 59 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Amos had two children, of whom the elder, Charles E., died February 8. 1801. Ella A., the younger, is the only sur- viving child and in her many hopes are cen- tered.

Mr. Amos, like his father, is a stanch Democrat. He has served as trustee of Grand- view township for nine years, and as a member of the School Board for six years. Frater- nally, he is a Master Mason and affiliates with Matamoras Lodge, No. 374, F. & A. M., of New Matamoras, Ohio.

FRANK GATES, city engineer of E Marietta, his native place, was born in 1869, and is a son of E. D. and Margaret ( Arnold) Gates. He is an excellent engineer and his ability in this line is recognized by all.

E. D. Gates, the father, was a native of Gallia County, Ohio, and when quite young re- moved with his parents to Washington County, where they located, near Marietta. When he made his start in life, he chose Marietta as his home, and there for many years, was profitably engaged in a general produce and commission business. His death took place in Chicago in 1891, and he left, besides his widow, three chil- dren to mourn for him. Their names are Mrs. W. W. Boyd, E. Frank and Mrs. James Bird. Mrs. Boyd is a resident of Painesville, Ohio. Her husband was formerly superin- tendent of the Marietta schools, and now holds the position of superintendent of the Paines- ville schools. They have one daughter, Marion, a native of Washington County. Mrs. James Bird is a resident of Marietta, and her husband is a musical instructor in the Marietta schools. Mr. Gates was a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party. His widow was born in Washington County, and is a daughter of Albert Arnold, an architect and builder, who is now over eighty years old and still resides, as does also Mrs. Gates, at Marietta.

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The subject of this sketch graduated from the Marietta College in the class of 1889. hay- ing completed his course in civil engineering and immediately afterward began active work in his profession. He found his first employment in Mexico, where he was with the Mexican Northern Railway Company. After remain- ing there a short time, he returned to Mari- etta, where he soon afterward became city en- gineer and served two terms very successfully. from the date of his election in 1892 until 1896. He then made his way back to Mexico, where he was engaged as engineer on the Potosi & Rio Verde Railroad. There he remained a year, when he again returned to Marietta, an.I in the spring of 1898, was re-elected city engi- neer. In 1900, he was succeeded to this posi- tion by W. P. Mason, who held the office one term, for two years, and during that time, oc- cupied his time in general surveying. In 1902, however, the citizens of Marietta, for the fourth time, elected him city engineer, and he is now fulfilling his duties to the best of his ability. His office is in the City building, on the corner of Third and Putnam streets.

Mr. Gates is unmarried, and makes his home in Marietta, where he takes great inter- est in his work, and is a public-spirited citizen. In religions attachment, he is a member of the Congregational Church. In a fraternal rela- tion, he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and the B. P. O. E.

HOMAS MCDERMOTT, a resident of Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, is a son of Philip and Anne ( Chrk ) MeDermott, and was born .August 30. 1845. in Union ( Watertown) town- ship. Washington County, of Irish lineage.

Philip MeDermott was a man of some prominence in his township, and during his long life of seventy-eight years, was ever ac- tive in serving his community. He was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1815, but came to America when but a boy. and in 1837 located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There he was united in marriage with Anne Clark,

also of Irish birth, and they had several chil- dren, among them, Thomas, the subject here- of: Mary ( O'Lynn), of Warren township, Washington County ; and J. J., also of Wash- ington County, who died in 1898. In politi- cal affairs Philip McDermott always took a conspicuous part, having served his township for many years in the offices of treasurer, trus- tee, etc .. and having been a resident of what was at that time Union township, ever since 1837, when he removed from Pennsylvania and took up the business of farming. His beloved wife departed this life in 1880, and two years la- ter. he, too, was laid to rest.

Thomas McDermott resided on the home farm for many years. His mental training was derived from the schools of Marietta, and the instruction of Theodore Scott. In the spring of 1864 he presented himself for en- listment at Marietta, with the intention of serving his country, but was rejected on ac- count of his health, which at that time was poor. Some years later he recuperated, and has since enjoyed the best of health. He was united in matrimony with Margaret Dyer, a daughter of P. J. Dyer, of Allegheny, Penn- sylvania. Mrs. McDermott was born and reared in Washington County, and she and her husband have six children, as follows : Philip. who married. and lives in Marietta: John, of Marietta: Thomas: Charles: Ella (Jordan ), of Watertown township: and Anna, fourteen years old, who is still at home. The family attend the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. McDermott has taught school for near- ly a third of a century. Ile resided until 1895 in Watertown township, and afterward re- moved to Marietta, where he taught in Mari- etta township for the four years following. The term lasted eight months, and in summer, his attention was fully occupied with farming. In 1000 he was elected to fill the office of Justice of the Peace of Marietta, and Marietta town- ship, and is still fulfilling his duties with the directness and promptitude characteristic of all his actions. His office is in the St. Clair Building, where he may be found at any time. While his politics were formerly Democratic. he is now independent.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

Mr. McDermott has the respect and esteem of all his acquaintances. He shapes his daily life with the aim of being of the utmost serv- ice to himself, his friends, his townspeople and his country.

€ M. BOOTH is president of the Cit- izens' National Bank of Marietta, Ohio, which is one of the leading financial institutions of Southeastern Ohio. During the 13 years of busi- ness life of this institution it has developed into one of the most important commercial centers of the city.

Although the Citizens' National Bank is not the oldest institution of its kind in the city, its board of directors and its stockhold- ers represent a large proportion of the wealth and solidity of Marietta's business circles.

To meet what seemed to be a public need in the way of banking facilities, the Citizens' National Bank was organized in 1889, and opened for business on December 9 of that year. Its first location was at 123 Putnam street, but in February, 1893, removal was made to the commodious quarters now occu- pied, on the corner of Putnam and Second streets. The capital of the bank was increased from $50,000 to $100,000, on June 1, 1895. The original officers of the bank were .- Har- low Chapin, president : Theodore F. Davis, vice-president : and E. M. Booth, cashier. Mr. Chapin died in September, 1891, and was succeeded in January, 1892, by A. T. Nve. D. B. Torpy being made vice-president. Mr. Nye died in January, 1899, and was succeed- ed, as president. by E. M. Booth. The present officers of the bank are as follows: E. M. Booth, president : D. B. Torpy, vice-president ; T. M. Sheets, cashier : and C. L. Booth, as- sistant cashier. The names of the board of directors of the Citizens' National Bank, in- spire confidence as representing the city's act- ive and successful business men. They are .- D. B. Torpy, B. F. Strecker. Jacob Wittlig, Frank Weber and E. M. Booth. Mr. Torpy, the vice-president, is identified with manufac- turing interests in Marietta : T. M. Sheets has

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 169

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