History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 193

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 193

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).

Levi Brewster was born in Norwich, Con- necticut, and later removed to Smyrna, New York. He and his wife had two children,- Richard and Sherman. Mr. Brewster learned the trade of a tanner, and went to Ohio in the early part of the history of Washington Coun- ty. He never followed that trade, however, but devoted his time to buying and selling land, and was amply satisfied with the results. He and his family attended the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he was an old line Whig.

At the advanced age of eighty-six years, he laid aside the burden of life, and his compan- ion passed away at the age of seventy-four years.

Richard Brewster attended the schools of Smyrna, Chenango County, New York, where his parents had located after leaving Ohio. When he was fourteen years old, the family returned to Ohio, and he has remained there ever since, a resident of Washington Coun- ty. The youthful days of Mr. Brewster were spent in buying cattle and selling at Baltimore, Maryland, and he has since been engaged in farming quite extensively. His land is fer- tile and his fields are many, fifteen hundred acres being the sum-total of his possessions. This property is one-third timber land, and the rest mostly devoted to grazing purposes.

Mr. Brewster was united in marriage, first, with Anna Bachelor, and they had one child, Eugene, by name, who is now at home. His second matrimonial alliance took place in 1864, when he was united with Sarah Knowls, of Athens County, Ohio, and they had three chil- dren, namely : Anna J., Lena M. and James H. In religious opinions, Mr. Brewster in- clines toward the Presbyterian faith, but is a member of no church. In political belief, he is a member of the Republican party, and takes a great interest in party affairs. The citizens of his township honor and revere him, and hope he may remain many more years among them.

REEMAN S. BEEBE, for many years a prominent resident of Waterford township, Washington County, Ohio, is now manager of the mines at Coal Run. He is a native of this town- ship, the date of his birth having been April 22, 1851, and is a son of George W. and Sarah J. (Webster) Beebe.

George WV. Beebe was born in Watertown township, Washington County, Ohio, and died December 2, 1901, in the 79th year of his age. In early days, he was engaged in teach- ing school, and then followed farming the rest

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of his active career. He was a member of the M. E. Church all his life, and was a class leader for many years. He was a member of Beverly Lodge, 1. O. O. F., and in political belief, was a Republican. He was drafted into the service of the Union Army, in 1863, but owing to sickness hired a substitute shortly af- ter going to the front. He returned home and later, enlisted in the 148th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., serving until the close of the war, when he was mustered out with the rank of corporal. Mr. Beebe was joined in marriage with Sarah J. Webster, who was born in Watertown town- ship, Washington County, Ohio, December 7, 1825, and was a daughter of John L. and Mary ( Burris) Webster. Her father's death re- sulted from an accidental gunshot wound. Nine children were born to bless this union, namely: John W., who lives in Baltimore, Maryland; Ruth P., wife of James Fish, of Oregon ; Emeline, wife of Miles M. Humis- ton, of Waterford; Freeman S .; George A., who is prospecting in Mexico; Lucius C., who is on a part of the home farm; Adelpha W., who is located in Oregon; Watson Dorsey, who is also near Salem, Oregon ; and Mary O., wife of George W. Blake, who is a bridge con- tractor of Atkinson, Nebraska.

Freeman S. Beebe engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, after which he fol- lowed the trade of a cooper. For a time he was engineer on the Ohio River and also in sawmills, but for the past two years, he has been manager of the mines at Coal Run. He is possessed of no little ability, is enterprising and industrious, and his success in the field of business is merited.

Mr. Beebe was married in 1872 to Rach- el A. Sampson, who died in July, 1885, leav- ing one child, George F., who is in Mexico. His second union, occurring in 1889, resulted in the birth of three children, namely : Charles R. ; Mary O. ; and Orrin D. March 30, 1901, Mr. Beebe was married to Sarah A. Phelps, who was born in Noble County, Ohio, in 1860. and is a daughter of J. E. and Rebecca (Cham berlin) Phelps. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Methodist Episcopal

Church. Fraternally, he belongs to Beverly Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is a Republican, in politics, and efficiently served as marshal of Beverly for 12 years.

ILLIAM W. PERDEW, a progres- sive tiller of the soil in Washing- ton County, Ohio, is a native of Warren township, and was born August 9, 1827, on one of the farms near his present possessions, which he sold to his son some time ago. He is a son of William and Susanna ( Harris) Perdew, na- tives of old Fort Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and New York State, respectively. They set- tled on the Big Stillwater, Ohio, on arriving in this State, in 1806. William Perdew also came to Washington County, in 1806, and set- tled in Warren township. In 1815, he was married to Susanna Harris, who was born in 1795. They had 12 children, as follows : Susan ; Charles ; Rebecca ; Luther ; Mary Ann; William W .; Henry; Moses; Diantha; and three who died young.

William W. Perdew lived on his native place some years, and proved by his indus- try and toil that he was fully capable of man- aging farm work with credit to himself. He enlisted in 1861, as a member of the 36th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., but on account of sickness, was never sworn into the service. He hired a sub- stitute in his place, however, at the next call.

The lady whom our subject chose as his life companion was Sarah Seffens, a daughter of William and Ann ( Shackelton) Seffens, the ceremony taking place in 1853. She was born in England December 20, 1827, and was but 13 years of age when her father and mother came to this country, in 1830. Her father settled in Dunham township, where he pur- chased some time later, 160 acres of land, and henceforth occupied his time with farming. His wife died at the age of 45 years.

The nine children that have blessed the union of the subject of this sketch and his wife are as follows: Annie L., deceased; Abbie

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WILLIAM SKIPTON.

MRS. SARAH B. SKIPTON.

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Amanda; Jolin: Mary; Elizabeth; Hannah; Joseph ; Benjamin : and Clara. Abbie AAman- da, the oldest living child, married John Dean, and they now make their home at Fort Scott. Kansas, and have three children .- Harry. William and Frank. John married Sarah Duke, a daughter of Joseph Duke, of Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, and they have four chil- dren, namely : Jennie, Alice, May and Ma- rion. Mary is now the wife of Charles Duke. of Pittsburg, and has three children .- Joseph, Blanche and Kenneth. Elizabeth lived to ma- turity and married William France, of Athens County, Ohio, but is now deceased. She left the following children-Ethel, Ursula and Clealand. Hannah became the wife of Henry Blume, of Marietta, and reared one child, Ger- aldine. Joseph is a farmer in Warren town- ship and chose for his wife Lucy Tretchel : they have three children .- Dean, Twila and Ber- nice. Benjamin and Clara are still living on the home place, with their parents. The fam- ily worship at the Methodist Church. In poli- tics, one may always find Mr. Perdew sup- porting the Republican party. He has seen a lifetime of good, steady service, and in that lifetime the principles of duty and honor have always been his guide.

ILLIAM SKIPTON, who has been engaged in general farming and stock raising for many years. has followed various other occupations during his career, among which are those of a carpenter, stone-mason and brick manufacturer. His birth took place Au- gust 6, 1831. in a little log cabin with a punch- eon floor, in Watertown township, Washing- ton County, and his parents were George and Margaret ( Roth) Skipton.

The Skipton family originally resided near Skipton, England. but before the Revolution- ary War they came to this country, and all but two were killed by the Indians. One of these two. George Skipton, was our William Skip- ton's father.

George Skipton was a native of the state of Pennsylvania, and was born June 28, 1784. He chose for his wife a German girl named Margaret Roth. They had 10 children, as fol- lows: Susan; Catherine; Mary: John; Eliza- beth: Christiana: an infant who died un- named; Sarah; George H .: and William. Susan Skipton was born June 12, 1807, mar- ried Archibald Newbanks, and they had six children. Catherine Skipton was born April 27, 1809, was also married and is the mother of ten children. Mary Skipton first saw the light of day in April. 1811. John was born August 1, 1813, and died in 1896. Elizabeth's birth took place on March 12. 1816, and she lived to the age of thirty years. Christiana Skipton was born September 26, 1818, and is also deceased. Sarah, who was born March 25. 1821, now resides in Kansas, and George H., born March 19, 1829. died on June 15, 1862. The mother of these children was born June 9, 1787, and died January 10, 1873, at the advanced age of 86 years.

William Skipton chose for his wife Sarah F. Brown, a daughter of Silas and Zilpha ( Rice ) Brown, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont, respectively. The father was born on November 12, 1784, and the mother on De- cember 28, 1799. Their children were as fol- lows: Jemima; Nancy J. ; Zilpha Armantha ; Wallace Rodolpha : Fred Arthur; and Lelia May. Jemima, whose birth took place Novem- ber 4, 1852, married John Corner, and now re- sides in Watertown township. Nancy J., born August 24, 1859, also lives in Watertown township, and is the wife of George Arnold. Zilpha Armantha, born December 24. 1857. be- came the wife of Edward M. Humphrey. Wallace Rodolpha, whose birth occurred July 2, 1865, was united in marriage with Zilpha A. Cheedle. Fred Arthur, born March 4. 1869, was twice married, the first union being with Nellie Stebver, who died December 7. 1896; on September 27, 1899. he married Daisy H. Leget, of Palmer township, by whom he had one child, Marie Irene, born May 24, 1901. Lelia May, who was born January 13, 1871, married Elmer Pugh.

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During the Civil War Mr. Skipton served with the 100-day men, from May 2 until Sep- tember 14, 1864, and now draws a small pen- sion. His farm consists of 200 acres of ground, which he is greatly interested in cultivating, and he makes a specialty of breeding sheep and other stock. He has always been ambitious and industrious, and in this way has gained a position of importance and influence in town- ship and county affairs. Although his begin- ning was small, his own efforts have advanced liim thus and he is properly called a self-made man.

In religious belief, Mr. Skipton is liberal. In fraternal circles hie affiliates with the G. A. R. post of Beverly, and with the Sons of Tem- perance. He also is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry Grange at Waterford.

AMES T. DUNBAR, who for many years conducted a first-class store in Watertown, Washington County, Ohio, is now located in the same business at Vincent, where he commenced in 1901. Mr. Dunbar is a son of Daniel and Mary (Lake) Dunbar, and was born in 1840, in Fairfield township, Washington County, Ohio. Daniel Dunbar was a native of Fairfax Coun- ty, Virginia, and was born in 1800. He was a son of William Dunbar, whose deatlı oc- curred in 1852, at the extreme old age of 112 years and seven months, and of whom it is said that he never missed a meal on account of sickness. Daniel arrived in Fairfield town- ship in 1812, and throughout his life fol- lowed farming, successfully. He took an ac- tive interest in the affairs of the Universalist Church, of which he was a member, and in pol- itics voted the Democratic ticket.

Daniel Dunbar married Mary Lake, a na- tive of Watertown, and a daughter of Thomas Lake. Her father was born in Washington County, and her grandfather was a native of New Castle, England, who came to the United States, and settled in Washington County in the early days of its history. The first Sunday

school in the State of Ohio was established at Harmar, and it is said that Mrs. Dunbar's mother taught this Sunday school.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Dunbar had the fol- lowing children : Augustus and Edward, de- ceased : Jane Ann, the widow of Jacob Heus- ton ; Judy B., the widow of E. P. Duffur ; James T .; and Alpha O., who now lives in Rifle, Colorado, and is the wife of C. M. Wi- ble. Mrs. Dunbar's death occurred in 1844. when James T. was but four years of age. She was always known as a good, virtuous woman, whose chief interest was in her home circle.

James T. Dunbar was united in marriage with Flora Gage, a daughter of Joseph H. and Mary A. (Cook) Gage, in 1868. She was born in 1850. in Fairfield township, and her union with Mr. Dunbar resulted in two chil- dren .- Dayton G., born in 1870, and now a prosperous merchant at Vincent ; and Sylvie E., born in 1882, and still at home.

Mr. Dunbar is a Democrat, in politics, and bas served his township for twenty-three years as treasurer. Fraternally, he has been a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge at Beverly, for twen- ty-five years. In all respects he may be counted a citizen of the best type, and one who will do his utmost in promoting the prosperity of his city and county. He has ample exper- ience in mercantile affairs, having carried on business in Watertown from 1867 to 1899. He now has a flourishing and lucrative trade in Vincent and is connected with many other business interests in that city.

F. DANA is a prominent farmer in Newport township, Washington County, where he owns 432 acres of farming land in section 29. township I, range 6. Mr. Dana gives special attention to both stock and fruit raising and his farm is well stocked and planted with many choice varieties of fruit.

Mr. Dana was born November 30, 1843, upon the same farm and in the same house -

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where he now lives, and which was also the birthplace of his father. He is a son of Steven A. and Jane U. (Little) Dana, grandson of Steven Dana, who was born in Amherst, Mas- sachusetts, November 24. 1779, and great- grandson of Capt. William and Mary ( Ban- croft) Dana. Steven A. Dana was born Au- gust 27, 1819. He was united in marriage with Jane U. Little, who was born in New- port township, August 27, 1819. and they had three children. Pamelia, the eldest, of these was born July 25, 1842, and is now the widow of A. W. D. Krakt. F. F. Dana is the sec- ond child born to his parents. Prescott, the third, was born September 26, 1845, and died June 30, 1846. Their father was a believer in the Baptist faith.

F. F. Dana was united in marriage with Mary Ellen West. November 19, 1872. Mrs. Dana is a native of Moundsville, West Vir- gniia, and was born April 10, 1848. She is a daughter of Rev. John B. West.

Mr. and Mrs. Dana have reared four chil- dren, namely: Steven A., Mary Grace, Ed- ward D., and William Dwight. They were born, respectively, February 15, 1874: Sep- tember 3, 1877 ; December 3, 1882, and October II, 1887. Steven A., the eldest son, married Hattie Green Knight, who was born October 1, 1871. They reside on their father's farm.

In September, 1862, Mr. Dana enlisted in Company H, 7th Reg., Ohio Vol. Cav., and served until the close of the war. He is a valued member of the G. A. R., and a firm sup- porter of the Republican party.

ILLIAM WARREN. Among the early scettlers of Marietta, was William Warren, who, in his home in Middlesex County, Massachu- setts, had listened to the tales of the fertile country, the beautiful rivers and the oportunities for agricultural advancement, to be found in Ohio. Although but a lad of 14 years, he made the trip thither, with his pa- rents, being obliged to walk the greater part of

the distance. This sturdy perseverance and courage were emphasized in later life, as he was one of the hardy, enterprising and bold pioneers, whose feats of strength and endur- ance are still recalled.

William Warren was born on September 24, 1800, at Shirley, Middlesex County, Mas- sachusetts, and was a son of William and Han- nah ( Dickinson ) Warren, the father of the lat- ter, James Dickinson, having been a Revolu- tionary soldier, who survived until 1836. These parents also came to Washington Coun- ty at the same early date, the father following the trade of cooper. Williany Warren had very meager educational advantages in his youth, which made more remarkable his intellectual strength and wide and intelligent knowledge of men and events, during his later life. His tastes for reading introduced him to the best literature of the world, and his chi- rography was compared to copper plate. In this connection, may be mentioned a unique volume of great value, which is carefully pre- served by his devoted daughter, being an in- mense scrap-book which was a compendium of almost seventy years of the history of this country, so wonderful in its growth and ex- pansion.

Mr. Warren located on a farm in the nor- thern part of Washington County, about 25 miles from Marietta, which was his nearest depot of supplies. As an example of his fam- ily devotion, as well as his most remarkable ability as a pedestrian, it is related that upon a certain occasion, he walked the whole dis- tance to and from Marietta, 50 miles, in one day, in order to procure medicine for a sick son. Until slavery became a party issue, Mr. Warren affiliated with the Democratic party, casting his first vote for the country's hero. Gen. Andrew Jackson, but later, his attitude changed, and he embraced the principles of the Republican party and was among the last sur- vivors of the Silver Grays, to offer his ser- vices to the government at the outbreak of the Rebellion.

Mr. Warren was a striking and familiar figure on the streets of Marietta, and few

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there were who did not honor this aged pio- neer. With his beautiful long, white hair. and strong, intellectual countenance, he might well have stepped from some canvas of im- mortal fame, as an exponent of the beauty and dignity of a blameless life. His liberal and indulgent views on religious subjects, made him a Unitarian, but his charity was with all moral enterprises under any name.

The only surviving child of William War- ren is Sarah Rebecca, who for many years prior to his death, cared for her aged parent with a beautiful, filial devotion. Mr. War- ren passed away at his home on Second street, between Washington and Sacra Via streets, on April 2, 1892, and was laid to rest in Mound Cemetery. Universal sympathy was extended to Miss Warren, his only representative. Her home at No. 618 Second street, is comfort- able, and upon her go feet of ground, she has erected two other residences.

In front of her home stands a weeping wil- low tree which is one of the old landmarks, having been planted by no less a person than Governor Meigs.

5 IEL CHAPMAN, who has been suc- cessfully pursuing the occupation of farming, near Vincent, Ohio, for more than half a century, was born in Watertown township, Washington County, May 10, 1829. At the age of four years, he was brought by his parents to his present farm in Barlow township.

Mr. Chapman is a son of Samuel and Cath- erine ( Clark ) Chapman. His paternal grand- father, Heman Chapman, was born in Connec- ticut, in 1764, and located in Marietta, Ohio. in 1806. He had previously lived in New York. and later, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylva- nia. His death occurred in 1881, in Barlow township. He was joined in wedlock with Mary Potter, whose birth took place in 1767. and who passed to her final rest in 1834.

Samuel Chapman, a farmer, was born in New York in 1793. He located in Waterford township, Ohio, in 1816. He passed his last

days upon the farm which is now the home of his son, Hiel, who was the sole offspring of the union with Catherine Clark ; she was born in 1797.

During the Civil War, Hiel Chapman en- listed in Company F. 148th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf .. and served for a term of 100 days, as corporal. He was wounded in the knee, and draws a pension from the government. At the close of the war he returned to the farm, and completed the substantial frame house which was commenced in 1857. The barn, which is still used, has been built over 60 years, and formerly stood where the rail- road now crosses the farm; about 50 years ago it was moved to its present location.

Mr. Chapman carries on general farming on 80 acres of very fertile land. His mind is stored with reminiscences of the early days. When he first came to this vicinity, a log cabin was his home, the door of which was hung with wooden hinges. A little later, heavy sleepers were put under the house, the frail floor of which was replaced by a substantial one, the boards for which were obtained from Lyman & Harley Laflin, who operated the first sawmill in that neighborhood. In 1857, Mr. Chapman married Abigail Hutchins, who, was born March 22, 1830. Mrs. Chapman is a daughter of Shubel and Rhoda ( Davis. Hutch- ins, who were married near Macksburg. Her father was a native of Massachusetts, and de- parted this life in 1840, leaving three children. -Sarah Ann, who married John Black and died in 1902; Betsey, who died in Kansas, in 1885 ; and Abigail, the wife of Mr. Chapman. Mrs. Chapman's mother contracted a matrimo- nial alliance with George Morris, an English- man. He died about 1872 near Macksburg. His widow survived him many years and spent her closing years in Barlow with her son, a half brother of Mrs. Chapman. Her demise took place in 1884. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Chapman, John Hutchins, was born in 1770, and married Joanna Weeks. They were the fourth or fifth family to settle at Macksburg, and reared four children, name- ly : Mollie. John, Rosanna and Shubel.

CHARLES W. DOWLING.

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In political opinions, Mr. Chapman was Democratic, prior to the Civil war. Subse- quently he voted the Republican ticket for many years, but of late years he has been a Prohibitionist of the most pronounced type. He has served as justice of the peace and has filled other offices. He helped to build the first M. E. church at Vincent, and has been a leader and Sunday-school superintendent ever since the organization of the church. He is serving as one of the trustees. He is active in all church affairs, and distinctly remembers the first minister in Vincent, who was John Red- mond, through whose efforts the present church edifice was built.

HARLES W. DOWLING, the lead- ing general contractor of Marietta. Ohio, who has his office in the St. Clair Building, was born at Cay- wood Station, Washington County, Ohio, in 1866. He is a son of John W. Dow- ling, and a grandson of Louis Dowling. who came to this country from Scotland and took the farm upon which his son, John W., now resides. Mrs. Louis Dowling, who died May 4. 1902, had attained the age of 90 years, and enjoyed the best of health up to the time of lier death.

Charles W. Dowling was reared on the farm, and attended the schools of the township. He served an apprenticeship with his father, who was a carpenter. at Fort Madison, Iowa. whither he went at an early age. He returned to Marietta in 1890. and has since engaged in contracting there. He does a general contract- ing business. and has more than a hundred men in his employ at all times. He does his own drafting and architectural work, and has erected many fine buildings in Marietta, among them being the Marion street school building. the St. Clair Building and the new high-school building. He has built many residences and business blocks at Parkersburg, West Virginia, and in other towns near-by, and is at the pres- ent time erecting the new penitentiary at Moundsville, West Virginia.

Mr. Dowling was united in marriage with Ida Thorniley, who was born in Washington County, and is a daughter of R. R. Thorniley, and they have one son. Guy. The family resi- dence is at Williamstown, although Mr. Dow- ling contemplates removing to Marietta, where he owns considerable property. He is a Re- publican in politics, and in religious belief he favors the Methodist Church. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 477. B. P. O. E.

VERETT P. CORNER. a careful, € conscientious citizen of Watertown, Washington County, Ohio, carries on a business as a photographer in that village, and also has a gallery in Beverly, Ohio. He is a son of William and Sarah R. (Sharp) Corner, and was born July 17. 1876, in Waterford township, which was also his father's native place.

William Corner, who was born in 1849, still resides in his native township, and carries on farming. He is a firm Republican, in poli- tics, and is a member of the M. E. Church. He married Sarah R. Sharp, a native of War- ren township, who was born in 1850 and is a daughter of William and Martha Sharp. William and Sarah R. (Sharp) Corner had three children,-William, Carl and Everett P. William was born in 1870, Carl, in 1874. and both reside in Washington County, the former, in Waterford township, and the latter, in Wa- tertown township.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 193

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