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 65
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
The old block house stood on the bank of the river, west of the Van Swearingen mansion. At that time and for a long time after- ward, a pond of water about an eighth of a mile in length and about twelve rods in width, extended north and south parallel with the river. At the lower end of this lake stood the block house surrounded with palisades. It was never regularly garrisoned, but was built more for a place to retreat to in case of a raid by the Indians. It went into the water about the year 1802. If standing now it would be almost exactly on the northwestern corner of what is now within the corpor- ate limits of the town.
Old Maj. McMahon, so called, took up a right of 400 acres on the land now owned by S. Jacob, Esq. His cabin stood about 200 rods east of the Jacob's mansion on the left of the pike where there is a spring and at present writing a small grove of locust trees. When Gen. Anthony Wayne organized his expedition against the northwestern Indians, he invited McMahon to join his army in the capacity of a scout or guide. He had been with Wayne at Stony Point and promptly responded to the call of his old commander. He was killed in the battle which took place with the Indians during that campaign.
Valentine Mendel took up a claim to the lands now constituting the farms of Henry Mendel, Clarence Farr, Kelly Park and the old Park homestead, reaching to Panther run. He devoted himself entirely to clearing lands and establishing homes for himself and children.
George Cox was a man of some education, and was much more de-
52I
THE PAN-HANDLE.
voted to the arts of peace than war. In this he differed greatly from his more adventureous cousins. He came from western Maryland and brought many slaves with him. He built a large log house a few feet from the brick mansion now owned by Thomas Everett, Esq. He also built cabins for his colored people, and while they deadened the timber on the bottom and cleared out the brush, he, as became the old-time Marylander, spent his days in ease and idleness. Of these daring men but little is left to tell. On hillsides, in the corners of deserted pasture fields, in the tangled and briar-grown thickets, in unknown and nameless graves sleep the pioneers of those early days.
History has done but little and the nation still less to preserve their memories or record their deeds. Tradition alone is left to tell how they watched and toiled and fought that their descendants might enjoy the grander type of civilization with which we are now sur- rounded. New means of transportation and a new market had to be found in distant regions for our surplus products. Hence-the broad- horn and flat boat were brought into requisition and our enterprising traders-the Bradys, Tarrs, Marshalls, Palmers and others were the first in every southern market with the products grown on our soil, while the Doddridges, Edgingtons, Wrights and Hammonds dis- pensed the law from the bench or pleaded in the forum.
But not alone did our county excel in the arts of peace, but when the mutterings of the storm of the second war of the revolution was heard, and a call was made in behalf of the public defense, more than fifty of her chosen riflemen flew to the rescue. Of the spirit which prompted these brave men in defense of the flag much might be said. They had been born and raised mostly in the primitive log cabins of that early day. Innured to hardships from their earliest days, many of them having been revolutionary soldiers, the spirit of emulation ran high. Their chivalrous Captain Cougleton had been a captain of the revolution. Many a tale the old hero told them around the camp fire at night of the stirring scenes of revolutionary history, of Monmouth; of the retreat on Long Island, and how the young French general, Lafayette, became so excited at Brandywine, that he swore terribly at the American soldiers because they could not understand his commands given in broken English, and how Washington himself, reproved the young Frenchman in the presence of the soldiers, for his profanity. Of these grand old heroes none now remain. A few, Miller, Moran, Tarr and Stephens, lingered along down to the time of our civil war, and then passed away.
Marshall County .- This was the next county taken off the territory of Ohio county. It was organized in the year 1835. The act estab- lishing this county made Elizbethtown the county seat. In the year 1770, Joseph Tomlinson accompanied by his brother, Samuel, both of whom were Marylanders, settled on the " Flats of Grave creek," and built a log cabin near the site of the late Judge Caldwell's residence. The entire country was a wilderness abounding in the finest timber, and an abundance of game. Samuel returned shortly to his Mary-
522
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
land home where he died, but Joseph settled and spent his life in the valley of Grave creek. The name of his wife, whom he married in Maryland, was Elizabeth Harkness, and she was the first white woman who took up her residence in Marshall county. The names of other prominent early settlers of this county are the Wetzels, the Bakers, Parrs and Shepherds. The soil of the county is very fertile and pro- ductive. The surface of the county is hilly, but nowhere mountainous, and the tops of the hills are as rich as the soil in the valleys and bot- toms. The people of the county have a reputation for generosity and hospitality, which is proverbial. Since the inauguration of the free school system the schools have made great progress, and theimprove- ment made in the mental and moral character of its population gives evidence of the success which has attended them.
Moundsville, the present county seat, is located on one of the most beautiful bottoms which can be found on the Ohio river from Pitts- burgh to its mouth, and affords room for a city of two or three hun- dred thousand people. Its original name was Elizabethtown, so called after the name of the wife of its founder, and was laid out by Tom- linson in the year 1831.
The first school taught in this county was by one William Ransom, an Irishman, in a small log cabin, and the first regular school-house was built in 1833. A society of the Methodist Episcopal church was formed here at an early day. It was, however, not made a station until the year 1842, before which time it was attached to the Grave Creek circuit. Rev. R. J. White was the first stationed minister.
The Presbyterian house of worship was erected in 1835. The first Presbyterian minister called was Rev. John Knox. However, as early as 1802 Grave Creek was reported to Synod as one of its vacant con- gregations, and as early as 1796 supplies were asked for by Grave Creek from the Presbytery of Ohio.
About the year 1874 the Disciples church organized a society. The Catholic church was built in 1854, but no society was formed until after the building of the B. & O. R. R. An Episcopal church was erected about 1850. The society is, however, small, but lately it has made progress, especially since the erection of its new edifice of worship.
These constitute the number of religious societies, among which should be included the organization known as the Young Men's Christian association, which promises to become a large and influential institution.
The first newspaper printed in what is now Marshall county was established before the organization by Dennis Parriott, who was its editor and proprietor, and was called the West Virginia.
The state penitentiary is located at Moundsville, which is a fine stone structure of excellent architectural taste and proportions. It is under the charge of a board of directors appointed by the executive. Several branches of industry are carried on within its walls, such as wagon-making, shoe-making, whip-making, etc. It is not self-sustain- ing, but is a source of necessary expense to the state.
523
THE PAN-HANDLE.
An important manufacturing point in this county is the town of Benwood, situated four miles below the city of Wheeling, and next to Moundsville the largest town in the county. It is an important suburb of Wheeling, and is connected with the latter by a line of electric cars.
There are other small towns in this county such as Glen Easton on the B. & O. railroad about twelve miles east of Moundsville, Dallas situated in the northeastern part of the county and near the Penn- sylvania line, also Bellton and Board Tree, all of which are small villages.
An important point for trade in this county, is the town of Cameron, situated on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, about twenty-eight miles east of Moundsville. Situated in the midst of a rich country it is the center of a large business of miscellaneous character. We quote from a writer who visited Grave Creek in the year 1807, who thus speaks of the Mound:
" Mrs. Tomlinson obligingly permitted one of her sons to guide us to what is called the Indian grave, which is a short quarter of a mile to the southward of the house. It is a circular mound, like the frus- trum of a cone, about 180 yards in circumference around the base, sixty around the flat on the top, and about seventy feet perpendicular height. In the center of the flat top is a shallow hollow like the filled- up crater of an old volcano, which hollow or settle is said to have been formed within the memory of the first neighboring settlers, and is supposed by them to be occasioned by the settling of the earth on the decayed bodies. The whole mound appears to be formed of clay, and from its regularity is evidently a work of art, though I am not of opinion that it has been a public or a general cemetery, but either a mausoleum raised over, and in memory of some great Indian chief, a temple for religious worship, or the site of a fortification, or citadel to serve as a place of retreat from a superior foe. About three years ago the neighbors perforated the north side, at about half the eleva- tion, digging in horizontally about twelve feet without any other satis- faction to their curiosity, than the finding of a part of a human jaw- bone, the bone rough and honey-combed, but the teeth entire, and the surrounding clay of a white chalky consistence.
" There are four or five small mounds, all within a few hundred yards of the great one, each about thirty feet in diameter, much lower in proportion than it, all rounded over the tops, and like the great one showing their antiquity, by the size of the trees, plants and shrubs which cover them, and having more than it the appearance of tumuli. The bark of the trees which crown this remarkable monument is covered by the initials of visitors cut into it, wherever they could reach, the number of which considering the remote situation is truly astonishing." The father of Capt. A. O. Baker, the present clerk of the circuit court of this county, was born in Tomlinson's fort. His name was John Baker. In 1791, he removed to Round Bottom, where he bought a tract of land at the lower end of the Bottom, where he
524
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
lived and died. His oldest son, John, intermarried with Elizabeth, the daughter of Jonathan Roberts. In other portions of this history have been recorded numerous incidents occurring at localities within the present boundaries of this county, to which the reader can refer if curious to learn concerning them.
We now proceed to give some attention to the next county in the Pan-handle, that is to say:
Hancock County .- This county was organized under an act of as- sembly passed January 15, 1848, out of the northern end of Brooke county. The act establishing the county provided for the appoint- ment of justices by the governor, the establishment of a county court, a place for holding the same, etc. The first county court was held on the 10th of April, 1848, at the house of Samuel C. Allison, in New Manchester. The court was composed of the following justices, viz .: John Pettinger, David Pugh, Andrew Henderson, John Gardiner, David Wylie, William H. Grafton and John Mayhew. John H. Atkinson, Esq., was elected clerk; Robert Brown, prosecuting attor- ney; Josiah A. Adams, commissioner of the revenue; Thomas J. Hewitt, surveyor, and the following named persons as commissioners of election: For New Manchester, James Hewitt, George Baxter, Thomas Elder, Robert Herron, David Pugh. For Holliday's Cove: Greenbury Wilcoxson, William Beall, Isaac Van Nostrand, James Gardner and James Campbell. David Wylie and Joseph Cameron were appointed to hold the first election. The levy for county pur- poses for 1848 amounted to $157.13. As soon as convenient after the organization of the county measures were taken looking to the erec- tion of a court house. At the election held under the act establish- ing the county, to decide upon the county seat, New Manchester was selected by a majority of one vote.
The following rise and progress of the fire brick business of this county is inserted by permission of John H. Atkinson, Esq., who compiled it:
" Prior to the manufacture of fire brick, there were not fifty indi- viduals to people the space lying between the mouth of King's creek and extending to the head of Black's Island, and these were living in less than a dozen houses of the rude construction of the early set- tlers. At the mouth of King's creek was found a large log dwelling known as the 'Ferry house,' part of which is still standing. Mr. Philip Beall lived in a brick house, which forms part of the one at present near the brick yard of Thomas Anderson. A large log house at the mouth of Holbert's run upon the site of the Freeman Brothers' brick yard, served for a tavern and ferry house, while Mr. John Gamble lived a few rods from the river upon said run, and had opened the first fire clay vein in this region. A mile further up the river was found a log house known as the Black Horse tavern, and ferry, now the Black Horse brick works. The site of New Cumber- land was then covered with a dense forest, except where small open- ings had been made by the grandfather and father of John Camp-
525
THE PAN-HANDLE.
bell, Esq. The first located upon what is called the ridge near where the house of J. H. Atkinson now stands, and the second near the mouth of Hardin's run, upon the bank of the river.
" The mill now owned by Mr. Smith at that early date ground out the grist of the farmers for miles around, as they came upon pack- horses along the bridle paths. Another large log house with double doors stood upon the grounds of the present Clifton works, having at that day served for half a century as a house for several families, and a refuge against the incursions of the Indian maruaders. It still serves as a home for a family, and although the storms of a century have passed over it, bids fair to last a generation longer."
"These completed the settlements, while all between was forest and tangled wood which could have been purchased at from $1 to $10 per acre, the inhabitants of that day little dreaming of the wealth under- lying these hills, or of the population that would succeed them."
"It is about sixty years since the first clay was taken from the banks of Mr. John Gamble, by Mr. Thomas Freeman, and by him made into brick in the city of Pittsburgh. But experience soon taught that to prosecute the business successfully the manufacture must be conducted at the mouth of the clay bank, and where coal and wood could be found in abundance with which to prepare the bricks for market. Accordingly, in the spring of 1832, Mr. James G. Porter, then a young man, moved to a small house near the present site of W. B. Free- man's brick works, and commenced the making of brick-the first made in the county. Two years afterward Mr. Thomas Freeman followed with his family, and Freeman's Landing became known to river men as quite a place of business, and soon opened up to the farmers of the vicinity a home market for their products."
"About 1837 James G. Porter and Philip Beall formed a partner- ship under the title of Porter & Beall, at what is now the brick yard of Thomas Anderson. Thomas Freeman and Messrs. Porter & Beall for several years supplied the whole market. Then a keel boat that would carry 20,000 brick was considered quite a vessel, but would appear rather insignificant alongside of our modern keel or barge freighted with 100,000 to 150,000 brick. Those small boats served to carry on the trade with Pittsburgh, while Wheeling obtained her sup- ply with small flats propelled from that city to Freeman's Landing in about two days by horse towing, or the still more primitive mode of pole, or the hand tow line. These laden with 5,000 or 6,000 brick and a few tons of clay would descend in about a day."
"About the year 1837 brick were made very cheaply. Good hands could be hired at $10 per month and board, or $16 without board. Flour cost but $2.50 to $3.00 per barrel. Pork 2 to 3 cents and good beef at from 4 to 6 cents per pound, while boats and lumber did not cost more than one-third of the price now paid for them. Mr. Philip Beall dying in the spring of 1844, Mr. James S. Porter opened a new yard where now stand the works of John Porter & Co., and Thomas Anderson continued to make brick at the old site of Porter & Beall's yard."
526
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
" Beginning with the season of 1838, a small trade had been opened up with the sugar planters of Louisiana which had been wholly sup- plied with fire brick from England. So rapidly had grown the iron trade of the Ohio valley that the brick trade of some 200,000 in 1837 had grown to more than 1,500,000 in 1844. About the year 1846 Messrs. Begham, Stewart and Harper commenced to make brick above and adjoining New Cumberland, and prosecuted the business until near the beginning of the war, when the property came into the hands of Smith, Anderson & Porter, since which time the works have not been in operation. In 1846 Shanley & Flowers opened a new yard, and Carson & Minn opened another at what is now Williamson's saw-mill."
"In 1858 James L. Freeman started the yard at the mouth of Hol- bert's run and successively took into partnership his brothers, Samuel D. and Charles A. Freeman, under the firm name of J. L. Freeman & Bros., until 1875, when the senior partner retiring, the name was changed to Freeman Bros. In 1856 a new yard was started by J. H. Atkinson and Thomas Garlick, adjoining that of J. H. At- kinson, under the name of Atkinson & Garlick."
"About the year 1866 Thomas Huston commenced to make brick. About the year 1853 Thomas Manypenny, with his three brothers, purchased the Ætna works of Thomas Freeman, and conducted the business under the name of T. Manypenny & Co. The following is the production for 1867: Campbell & Logan, 300,000; Porter, Ander- son & Co., 600,000; Huston & Wilson, 400,000; Thomas Anderson, 800,000; John Porter & Co., 800,000; W. B. Freeman, 700,000; J. L. Freeman & Bros., 400,000; Morgan & Son, 300,000; Smith & Porter, 900,000; J. H. Atkinson (old yard), 900,000; J. H. Atkinson (new yard) , 600,000; Joseph Stewart & Co., 400,000; T. Manypenny & Co., 700,000. Total amount, 6,800,000."
In the following year quite a number of yards were opened, but it is unnecessary for us to trace this industry further. Enough has been stated to show its rapid growth and importance. For the following statistical information the writer is indebted to Mr. John Porter, of New Cumberland. Within a radius of five miles of New Cumberland there are fourteen fire brick works with an invested capital of $250,000, while the business amounts to $750,000 per annum. There are also in this county one iron stone china works and two sewer pipe and terra cotta works, with an invested capital of $ 100,000.
The fire clay was first utilized in 1830. The manufacture of it was commenced with very crude machinery. The mud was. mixed by oxen and the bricks were transported to market in small keel boats drawn by horses. Pittsburgh was then the principal market. There are about 100 gas and oil wells in the county, although the gas is not so great now as it was, having decreased in volume. It is utilized in burning fire clay products.
The production of oil in barrels is about 220,000 barrels per annum, which is piped to Washington and Pittsburgh, Penn. The oil is of a superior quality, and its value is about $275,000 per annum. Some of
527
THE PAN-HANDLE.
the largest oil producing wells in the county are known as the Brice Bros.', which flows on an average of 100 barrels per day. Fisher's, which flows about eighty barrels per day, and several others in the eastern and southern portion of the county. Other territory is now being developed, which will no doubt largely increase the above totals. This is the most northern county of the Pan-handle and the state, and is bounded as follows: On the north by the Ohio river, on the east by Pennsylvania, on the south by Brooke county and on the west by the Ohio river. It is about thirty miles in length with an average width of about six miles. The surface is uneven and in- clined to be hilly, but like all of the counties composing the Pan-handle the soil is fertile and well adapted to the raising of grain, producing largely of wheat, oats and corn. Land demands good prices-im- proved land selling from $40 to $125 per acre, and unimproved from $10 to $40 per acre, but very little of either being for sale. To some extent iron ore has been discovered, which is said to be of a superior quality, but the cost of excavating for it would not justify the outlay.
The section of country embraced in the counties of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and Marshall in West Virginia, and in Washington county, Penn., is the best wool raising country in the United States and even in the world, say competent judges, surpassing even the Aus- tralian wool in the fineness of its texture, and is largely used in the manufacture of "ladies' dress cloth." The reason of the superiority of the wool raised in the territory mentioned is to be found in the char- acter of the soil, it being a limestone clayey soil. In addition to the soil the water and the climate are also elements which enter into its composition.
For the last twelve or fifteen years wool growers have labored under difficulties. During this period the growing of wool has not only decreased but it has also depreciated in price. This is due, in a great measure, to certain rulings under the tariff, as for instance Australian wool shipped in scraps paid a duty of from three to five per cent., while fleeces were compelled to pay a duty of from ten to fifteen per cent. The Australian shipper took advantage of this, and instead of shipping in fleeces adopted the practice of shipping scraps, thus securing the benefit of an almost free tariff for his wool which enabled him to compete successfully with the home producer. Upon investigation the ruse was discovered and now Australian wool pays the duty according to its value. The result is, therefore, that the price of wool which has been depreciated for the last fifteen years, is demanding a steadier and increasing price.
The superiority of the wool raised in the section named over other sections of the country may be demonstrated by this illustration. Take a flock of sheep from this section and transfer them say to Iowa or any other western state and the wool loses the firmness of its fibre and texture, thus depreciating in grade, and in the course of two or three years, at the furthest, it will be on a par with the grade of wool raised in the states referred to. But bring back this same flock of sheep to this section from whence they were originally taken, and in
1
528
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
the same period of time which occasioned its depreciation it will re- cover its superiority in all respects.
The farmers and sheep growers in these counties find that the value and productiveness of their lands are enhanced by raising sheep, be- cause the soil is not exhausted by the growth of crops which require annual plowing, as is the case in grain. Hence the rains do not wash and waste the soil, and thereby destroy its recuperative powers.
The favorite and the general breed of this section is the Spanish Merino. There are a few clips of the Saxony, Mr. Ninian Beall, Sprigg Jacob, James Ridgely, John Baird & Bro. and John Faris & Son, have the Saxony.
Of the counties named in West Virginia, wheat, oats and hay are the staples. The prices of grain have greatly depreciated during the last fifteen years because of the competition of western grain, which can be brought here and sold as cheap as that raised here. The effect of this has also been to depreciate the value of farming lands in the counties named. Wheat, on an average, brings about $1 per bushel; oats average about 30 cents per bushel; corn about 40 cents per bushel, and hay about $10 per ton. In the territory embraced in these counties is raised the finest quality of fruits as well as the finest flavored vegetables of all kinds and varieties.
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.