USA > Ohio > History of the Upper Ohio Valley, with family history and biographical sketches, a statement of its resources, industrial growth and commercial advantages, Vol. I > Part 33
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
A valuable citizen of Wheeling during the early period of its his- tory as a city, was John R. Dickey, who was one of the founders and cashier of the People's bank, an elder of the First United Presbyter- ian church. He was a son of John Dickey, a native of county Antrim, Ireland, born February 16, 1771, who came to the United States, arriv- ing June 26, 1792. He was accompanied by his wife, Margaret Andrews, who was born in Ireland, December 4, 1769, and they made their home near Mercersburg, Penn. Their children were John R., and Martha. John R. Dickey was born near Mercersburg, Septem-
266
IIISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
ber 23, 1810. About 1836 he removed to Wheeling, and two years later was married to Margaret DeHass, daughter of Gen. Charles DeHass, one of the early surveyors and settlers of the upper Ohio val- ley. She was born May 26, 1819, and died in 1846, leaving one son, Charles A. Dickey. October 25, 1847, the father was married to Elizabeth Vance, who was born in Ohio county, May 6, 1825. She is a daughter of James and Mary (Waddell) Vance, the former of whom was born in Martinsburg, Va., and the latter in Ohio county, both of Irish families. The father, known as Squire Vance, was a cooper by trade, and was also engaged in pork-packing at Triadelphia. By the latter marriage Mr. Dickey had four children: Ralph, deceased; James Vance, John Lindsay and Mary Nelson. John R. Dickey was a merchant at Wheeling at first, and subsequently removed to Tria- delphia, but at the outbreak of the war he returned to the city and organized the People's bank, in which stock was placed at $20.00 per share, for the purpose of persuading poor people to make investments. Of this establishment he was cashier for four years, holding that position when his death occurred July 17, 1864. His widow resides with her son in Wheeling. The son of his first marriage, Charles Andrews Dickey, D. D., of Philadelphia, was born at Wheeling, December 25, 1838. At twenty years of age he was graduated at Washington col- lege, in the class of 1858. He studied theology in the United Presby- terian seminary at Allegheny, Penn., and being licensed to preach in the spring of 1861, accepted the call of the Fourth United Presbyterian church in Allegheny in July. He became very popular, and in May, 1869, at the height of his influence accepted the call of the First Presbyterian church of St. Louis, Mo. While there Princeton college conferred upon him the degree of D. D., in 1872. In September, 1875, Dr. Dickey accepted the call of Calvary church, Philadelphia, and has held the pastorate of that church since December of that year. Besides discharging faithfully the duties incumbent upon his high position as pastor of that church, he is prominent in the national coun- cils of the church at large, is a member of the board of publication, a director of Union Theological seminary, and president of the board of trustees of the Philadelphia Presbyterian hospital. As a preacher he is tender, strong and eloquent. John Lindsay Dickey, M. D., son of John R. Dickey by his second marriage, was born at Wheeling January 23, 1855. His early education was secured in the public schools of that city, and in his sixteenth year he entered Washington and Jefferson college, where he remained five years, graduating in the class of 1876, with the degree of A. B. He was president of his class and took the honors for original oration. Subsequently he received the degree of A. M. From 1876 until 1880, he served as vice president of the Linsly Institute at Wheeling, and during that time read medicine with Dr. John Frissell. During this period he was connected with the state militia, and was in command of the Mathews light guard (Company A, First regiment), of which he was commissioned captain May 8, 1879. This was the first company in the state, to serve full time and receive an honorable discharge. Dur-
267
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
ing the winter of 1880 and the two succeeding years he attended the Jefferson medical college at Philadelphia, graduating in the spring of 1883. He remained there until June of that year, taking special courses, and then returned to Wheeling and began the practice of medicine, in which he has won an honorable distinction. In the midst of a busy practice he has found time to make valuable contri- butions to the press of his profession, to the American Journal of Medical Sciences, the Medical News of Philadelphia, the Transactions of the State Medical Society, and has read papers before the State Medi- cal society. He is also a member of the board of education of the city, and is a director of the Y. M. C. A., a trustee of Linsly Institute, and is active in short, in the best interests of society, both as a pro- fessional man, and as a private citizen.
William C. Dickman, a prominent retail grocer of South Wheeling, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 21, 1844, the son of Charles and Louisa Dickmann, with whom he came to America when less than two years of age. The family settled at Wheeling, near where the mother still resides. The father died at that city June 4, 1858. Mr. Dickmann began at an early age to be identified with the grocery trade, beginning as a clerk at the age of fifteen. He is now doing an extensive business, and is a prosperous and popular citizen. He was married April 27, 1866, to Mary Bartley, a native of Ireland who came to America with her mother, brother and sister at an early age. They have four children: Charles J., Anna A., Mary J. and William.
I. G. Dillon, founder and principal owner of the famous jewelry es- tablishment of I. G. Dillon & Co., of Wheeling, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1850. At sixteen years of age, having selected the jewelry business for his life work, he came to Wheeling in 1868, and secured a position in the jewelry store of C. P. Brown, where he served a four years' apprenticeship. Subsequently, in 1872, he became a partner of Mr. Brown, forming the firm of C. P. Brown & Co. This firm he retired from in the spring of 1875, and on September 23, of the same year, associated himself with W. A. Turner, under the firm name of Turner & Dillon. This firm did business until February 2, 1880, when Mr. Dillon took the entire ownership of the business, and managed it in his own name until March 2, 1887, when he gave interests to J. M. Wiestling, the watchmaker of the establishment, and Charles N. Hancher, engraver and salesman, and the firm then be- came known as I. G. Dillon & Co. Mr. Dillon owes his success to his own unaided efforts, as he began business with no resources, save his intense application to the craft, which continued throughout twenty years, has made him a famous expert in jewelry and diamonds. Pos- sessed also of a true business talent, he has, beginning with an old stock worth perhaps $4,000, when he embarked in business with Mr. Turner, increased his stock until he now carries about $50,000 worth of general jewelry goods, and $40,000 worth of diamonds, and built up his trade from about $4,700 per annum, to at least $63,000, after taking charge for five years. Since that time increasing the business to over $100,000. He had about $1,500 when he began business, but
268
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
is now prosperous, and has the largest jewelry establishment in the state, the trade of which extends on the west, to Chicago and Kansas City, and on the east, to Philadelphia and New York. Mr. Dillon is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Royal Arch degrees. He was married June 20, 1878, to Ellen, oldest daughter of R. J. Smythe, deceased, a leading grocer, and they have one son, Robert, aged ten years, and a daughter Gertrude, aged three years.
William H. Dimmey, a well-known citizen of Wheeling, was born in that city, September 2, 1850, the home of his parents then being on the corner of Market and Sixteenth streets, where the postoffice building now stands. His father, Joseph Dimmey, a native of Ger- many, came to the United States in 1847, arriving at Wheeling on July 5, of that year. Joseph Dimmey was a plumber by trade, and assisted in the building of the Wheeling and Belmont suspension bridge, but for the past thirty-two years he has been engaged in the dairy business, with his residence on a farm in Pleasant Valley, three and a half miles from the city. After coming to Wheeling he was married to Rosanna Bachman, a native of Germany, by whom he had twelve children, six of whom are now living, beside the subject of this sketch. The latter, after receiving his education in the public and German Catholic schools of the city, was engaged with his father in dairying, farming and gardening, until February, 1889, when he was appointed by Sheriff Steenrod, jailor of the county for the term of four years, and was at that time given charge of the jail of Ohio county. Mr. Dimmey has shown himself to be a discreet and efficient officer, and worthy of the trust. In May, 1887, Mr. Dimmey was married to Theresa Klug, of Wheeling, who was killed, March 12, 1882, by an accident on the Elm Grove railroad. She left two children, one aged three years and the other fourteen months, both of whom survive. Mr. Dimmey was again married in February, 1886, to Mary Baker, of Marshall county: Mr. Dimmey is a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic church.
James Divine, proprietor of one of the prominent boot and shoe establishments of the city, and one of the oldest dealers in that line, was born at Pittsburgh, Penn., February 4, 1834. His parents, John Divine and Mary Graham, were both born in 1808, in county Tyrone, Ireland, and were schoolmates together, and after their arrival in the United States, they were married in 1828 at Philadelphia. Subse- quently they removed to Pittsburgh, where for over forty years he was engaged in the retail boot and shoe business, also doing custom work to a considerable extent. His death occurred at Pittsburgh in 1865, and his wife died at Wheeling in about 1873. To them ten children were born, seven of whom are living. James Divine was reared at Pittsburgh, and there received a good education in the pub- lic schools and the Christian Brothers' school, principally in the latter. He then learned the shoe business and was associated with his father until the year 1860, when he came to Wheeling. He had been here four years when his father died, and he then removed to Pittsburgh, in 1865, and removed the family to Wheeling. He accepted the posi-
269
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
tion of foreman for John Anderson, one of the old shoe men of the city, which he held until 1867, when he and M. J. O'Kane formed a partnership in a custom shop. Soon afterward they opened a stock of custom goods, and in 1870 they embarked in business as general dealers, at the McClian block. They removed to Main street ir 1875, and in 1878 to the present place of business of Mr. Diving at 1107 Main street, where he has continued since the dissolution of partner- ship in May, 1887. Here he conducts one of the largest and finest boot and shoe houses of the city and also does custom work. The subject of this mention was married in 1859, to Ellen Naughton, of Pittsburgh, and he and wife are members of the Cathedral church.
Peyton Byrne Dobbins, cashier of the Dollar Savings bank of Wheeling, and president of the board of commissioners of Ohio county, was born in Braxton county, W. Va., March 3, 1842. His childhood was mainly passed in Jackson and Roane counties, W. Va., with meager opportunies during that period for the acquirement of an education. When about sixteen years of age he set in to learn the trade of a carpenter, but before making much progress abandoned that calling to respond to the call of the nation for volunteers to aid in putting down the rebellion. His age was but nineteen years when on September 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company B of the Ninth regi- ment Virginia volunteer infantry, for a period of three years. At the battle of Halltown, W. Va., August 26, 1864, he was severely wounded in the shoulder, which disabled him for a time. After participating in the various campaigns in which his regiment was engaged, he re- ceived an honorable discharge July 24, 1865, having attained at that time the rank of sergeant. Soon after the close of the war Mr. Dob- bins came to Wheeling, at that time the capital of the state, and held the position of clerk in the office of Hon. J. M. McWhorter, auditor of state, during the term of office of that gentleman, being during a portion of the time chief clerk. When the capital was removed to Charleston, Mr. Dobbins went to that city, and after the close of his clerkship became book-keeper in the Merchants' Bank at Charleston. In 1872 he removed to Wheeling, to settle permanently in that city, of which he has become a prominent resident. For several years after his coming he was occupied as a book-keeper for various firms, and in January, 1878, became associated with the insurance business, in which he has achieved notable success, holding at first the position of assis- tant secretary of the Peabody Insurance company. Four years later he became secretary of the American Insurance company, and after five years' service in that position, was elected president of the com- pany, as which he is now acting. He has been prominently associated with the Dollar Savings' bank throughout its career, having been in- strumental in it's organization, and cashier since April, 1887. This is one of the substantial financial organizations of the city, and the lead- ing savings bank of West Virginia. Since 1882 Mr. Dobbins has been concerned in public affairs, and has rendered valuable service to the people during that period as member of the board of education, of the city council, and of the board of commissioners of the county.
270
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
From 1882 to 1889 he served on the board of education, a portion of the time as president of the same. He was elected to the first branch of the city council from the Third ward in January, 1885, and held office until 1889. In November, 1888, he was elected a member of the board of commissioners of Ohio county, in which both political par- ties had equal strength. Mr. Dobbins was the choice of his party for president of the body, and he and his colleagues on the republican side of the board made a spirited contest, until, after 250 ballots had been taken, he was elected. Mr. Dobbins is an earnest and uncom- promising republican, but all parties admit that as presiding officer of the county board, his rulings have been distinguished for equity and fairness. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and connected with Bates lodge and Wheeling consistory, S. R. M. On October 8, 1865, Mr. Dobbins was married to Sarah E. Gilpin, of Cottageville, Jackson Co., W. Va., and they have three surviving children.
W. R. Donaldson, a prominent citizen of Wheeling, is the head of the well-known house of Donaldson, Lewis & Co., manufacturers of fine carriages and trucks. The establishment is located in a building 125x200, of three stories, and a large number of employes are kept constantly engaged. The trade of the house extends to all parts of the country, and it is a matter of interest that the first buggy ever shipped to Persia was forwarded by this house to Dr. Alexander, a missionary physician. Mr. Donaldson was born in Lawrence county, Penn., September 22, 1837, and spent his early years in that county where he received a common school education. When eighteen years of age he began to learn the trade of carriage making, and completed the same at Little Washington, Penn. At this place he was married in 1860, to M. Ellen Wiley, and soon thereafter he removed with his family to southern Ohio, making his home at Georgetown, Brown county. He left that place at the outbreak of the war, and about six months later settled at Salem, Ohio, which he left subsequently and returned to Little Washington, where he had charge of a car- riage factory during the latter part of the war. His residence at Wheeling began in the fall of 1865, when he engaged with the firm of Frobe & Bodely. In the following spring he took a position with Busby & Little. The latter firm was dissolved in the following autumn and the Wheeling Wagon & Carriage company was incor- porated, of which Mr. Donaldson was a member until 1875, when that company was replaced by the firm now in existence, which was then composed of Mr. Donaldson, W. Lewis, W. H. Little and C. Ahl, under the title of Donalson, Lewis & Co. In November, ISSo, the interest of Mr. Little was purchased by the other partners, who have since conducted the business, Mr. Donaldson having the manage- ment. Mr. Donaldson's family includes eight children: Frank W., Minnie A., Charles E., William C., Mattie H .; Effie B., deceased; Bessie, and John W., deceased. Effie B. died in 1876, at the age of three years and eleven months, and John W. died October 6, 1885, at the age of seven years and eight months. Frank W. was married March, 1889, to Annie, daughter of S. G. Naylor, retail grocer of
Em Pty FGE MENT
V
.
27I
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
Wheeling, and Minnie was married May 16, 1889, to Samuel Moffett, now of Butte City, Mon. Mr. Donaldson and wife and four of their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Capt. B. B. Dovener, prominent in the legal profession of West Virginia, was born April 20, 1844, at Teys Valley, in what was then a part of Cabell county, Va., but now Putnam county, WV. Va. He is the son of Dr. R. G Dovener, a native of Cherry Valley, N. Y., who was educated for the practice of medicine at Cincinnati. His wife, the mother of the subject of this mention, was Julia Ann, daughter of Andrew Barrett, and his wife, Dicey McComas, natives of Virginia. She was also born in Cabell county, Va., and was a cousin of Judge McComas, and of Elisha W. McComas, lieutenant-governor of Vir- ginia at the time Henry A. Wise was governor. During the infancy of their son, the parents removed to Elizabeth, Wirt county, and when he was twelve years old, they changed their residence to Park- ersburgh, where they remained untilhe was nineteen, when the father removed to Davisville, Wood county, the mother having died at Parkersburgh, in February, 1861. The outbreak of the civil war oc- curring shortly after her decease, young Dovener, though still con- siderably under age, entered into the service of the Union with remarkable vigor and energy. Ile raised a company, which became Company A, of the Fifteenth regiment of West Virginia volunteer infantry, but on account of his youth, declined to accept the captaincy, serving as first lieutenant until after the battle of Cedar Creek, when he was made captain. His services throughout the war were dis- tinguished and valuable to the national cause. They may be briefly epitomized by the following extract from the records of the war de- partment, which indicates the movements and engagements in which he participated: "First lieutenant, Company A, Fifteenth West Virginia volunteers, mustered August 30, 1862, captain December 14, 1864; served in railroad division department of the Ohio to October, 1862; New Creek, Va., district of West Virginia, November; First brigade, railroad division, middle department, defense of the upper Potomac to February, 1863; Third brigade, First division, Eighth army corps, to October, 1863; First brigade, Second division, department of West Virginia, to March, 1864; Third brigade, Second division, to July, 1864; Third brigade, First infantry division, to December, 1864; First brigade, Third division, Twenty-fourth army corps, army of the James, to June, 1865; served on duty on the Baltimore & Ohio rail- road, October, 1862, to April, 1864; action at Bath, W. Va., March 19, 1764; Crooks' expedition to destroy Virginia and Tennessee railroads, April 29, to May 19; battle of Cloyd Mountain, May 9 (wounded) ; New River Bridge, May 10; Meadow Bluff, May 19; Middle Brook, near Staunton, June 10; A. C.S. to Col. Campbell, commanding Third brigade, Second division, department West Virginia, June II, to July 31; capture of Lexington, June 12 (destruction of Virginia Mili- tary institute) ; Quaker Church (Diamond Hill), June 17; demonstra- tions before Lynchburg, June 17-18; Snicker's Ferry, July 18; Winchester, July 24-25; Halltown, August 24; Berryville, Septem-
272
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
ber 3-4; Opequan (Winchester), September 19 (wounded) ; Fisher's Hill, September 22; reconnoisance in force to Strasburg and action near Cedar creek, October 13; Cedar Creek, October 19; A. D. C. to Gen. T. M. Harris, commanding First brigade, Third division, Twenty-fourth army corps, March 25, 1865; Hatcher's Run, March 30-31; Fall of Petersburg, April 2; Sailor's Creek, April 6; Appomat- tox, C. H., April 8; surrender of Lee, April 9; A. C. S. to Gen. J. W. Turner, commanding Third division, Twenty-fourth corps, April 10; mustered out June 14, 1865." After the close of the war Capt. Dove- ner was married in December, 1865, to Margaret, daughter of Will- iam Linch, of Wheeling. He subsequently engaged in steamboating and the lumber business until 1868, when he made his home at Wheel- ing. He served as chief clerk of the secretary of state of West Vir- ginia in 1868, and until 1870, and was engaged in the United States pension office at Wheeling as chief clerk, during 1871-2. In the mean- time he had decided to pursue the profession of law, and had been carrying on his studies, completing the same with Hon. G. O. Daven- port, of Wheeling. He was admitted to the bar in August, 1873, and began the practice at Wheeling in the same year. In the legislature of 1883, Capt. Dovener sat as the representative of Ohio county. Capt. B. B. Dovener, by dint of patience, perseverance and industry has won for himself as a lawyer a position at the bar and in the courts of his native state, an enviable and worthy distinction as a shrewd and successful practioner. He was for a time the junior member of the late firm of Davenport & Dovener. Upon the death of the senior member, which occurred in 1880, he succeeded to their practice, which under his auspices has been greatly increased until now he enjoys one which is among the largest and most lucrative in the city. As a crim- inal lawyer he has had much experience. Among other important criminal cases in which he has been engaged, we may mention that of Taylor Strander, who was indicted for the murder of his wife in the year 1872, in the city of Wheeling, and which was twice carried to the supreme court of the state, lastly to the supreme court of the United States, and subsequently, after being reversed was certified to the United States circuit court in 1882, when he was discharged from custody, after having been twice convicted in the state court for mur- der in the first degree and each time sentenced to be hanged. Also the case of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania against James Neff, one of the persons convicted with the Clarks for the murder of Will- iam McCausland, of Allegheny county, Penn. Neff was tried and found guilty in Greene county, Penn., Hon. Thos. Marshall, of Pitts- burgh, being the attorney who defended him. Subsequently a new trial was granted to him and a change of venue obtained from Greene county to Washington county, Penn. At his trial in this last-named county, Mr. Dovener was employed to defend him, his trial resulting in his acquittal. On this second trial his associate counsel was James E. Sayer and Hon. J. B. Donnelly, who also assisted at the first trial. His advice and services are much sought after, as he is a careful and cautious advocate and one who jealously guards the in-
,
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. 273
terests of his clients. Comparatively speaking he is still a young man, being not more than forty-six years of age, and his future augurs a brilliant success in the line of his profession, should his health and life be spared. As a counsellor he is safe and wise and ready in the comprehension of the salient features of his case. As an advocate he is earnest, making his client's cause his own. He is ready in debate and fluent in expression. As a man he is affable, courteous and polite. His practice is not confined to his own city and state, but extends to the counties and cities in the adjoining states of Ohio and Pennsylvania, where his legal acumen is fully recognized and ap- preciated. We deprecate the idea of making an invidious comparison between him and other attorneys, but we deem it due to say that in business tact and ability he is the peer of any, and one to whom busi- ness can besafely entrusted, with the assurance that it will be promptly and faithfully attended to. Associated with his father in the practice at the present time is W. N. Dovener, a son of the mar- riage above-mentioned, who was a student of the Linsley institute and the Kenyon training school at Gambier, Ohio, and is now study- ing for his degree at the University of Virginia at Charlottsville. He was admitted to the bar in 1889. Another son, Robert, is studying law in his father's office.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.