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 81
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
649
THE PAN-HANDLE.
and there are few speakers who can command greater respect and confidence of his hearers than he. His manner on the stump is elo- quent, logical and convincing. He does not speak merely for the oc- casion, to tickle the ear with pleasing platitudes for the sake of gaining a temporary victory, but he plants seeds in the consciences of his hearers that bear fruit with the developments of time. There are very few public men in the state whose private lives and public ca- reers are freer from nebulous mists than is the life and character of Judge Campbell.
William Chapman, a prominent citizen of New Cumberland, was born at that town, January 8, 1836. He is a son of William Chap- man, born in this county about 1778-9, a millwright by trade, who fol- lowed the business of building and running mills until his death, which occurred about 1840-42. He was of French descent. His wife, a daughter of Thomas Campbell, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in 1801, and died at New Cumberland in 1886. Mr. Chap- man, who now resides in New Cumberland, had two brothers and one sister, Eliza, who now resides in Kansas City, Mo .; William, subject of this mention; Samuel, now residing in Portland, Ore., and Gambell, who died in October, 1856. Mr. Chapman found his first occupation in brick manufacture, in which he was engaged for sev- eral years, and then he spent eleven years in steamboating. On Sep- tember 8, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F, First West Virginia infantry, with which he served until November, 1864, when he was mustered out at Wheeling. During this service he partici- pated in the following battles: Winchester, Slaughter Mountain, Va., the second battle of Bull Run, Gettysburg. In a skirmish at Moore- field, Va., he was severely wounded, receiving a bullet through his left wrist, another through his right breast, and another through his right knee. Being wholly disabled, this ended his service, and for a year and a half after the close of the war he was scarcely able to walk For his injuries he receives a pension of $30 per month. Since the close of the war he has been variously employed, mostly in an official capacity, his fidelity to trusts and his sacrifices to the country having been recognized by the community. He held the office of deputy sheriff for four years; was constable of Clay district for seven years, and is now filling the latter position, and is also marshal of New Cumberland. In March, 1857, he was married to Anna, daughter of Hugh and Ann Porter, natives of Ireland, who died in this country, the father in 1883, and the mother in 1865. She was born in Ireland in 1837, and came to this country when about eleven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are the parents of two children, Gambell P., and Minerva A., who died June 16, 1877. Mr. Chapman and family are members of the Disciples church, and he is a member of Stella lodge, No. 47, I. O. O. F., and of W. A. Atkinson post, No. 18, G. A. R.
Thomas R. Cunningham, a prominent farmer of Grant district, Hancock Co., W. Va., was born June 5, 1842, near where he now re- sides. His father's name was John R. Cunningham, born in Washing-
650
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
ton county Penn., August 10, 1810, and died July 9, 1878. His early education was limited to the common schools, and he followed the vo- cation of farming all his life. He was married to Sarah J., daughter of Thomas and Jane Finley, December 8, 1838. She was born June 20, 1820, in Washington county, Penn. The issue of this marriage was nine children, two of whom are deceased, Sarah M. and Samuel R. Those living are: Thomas R., Robert, David, John, Margaret J. (Edie), Mary V. (Fowler), and James C ._ Our subject had a fair opportunity of gaining an education, attending the common schools until twenty-two years of age. After leaving school he began the occupation of farming and has been engaged in that vocation ever since with admirable success. Mr. Cunningham is unmarried. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a staunch democrat in politics and much respected by all.
Hon. John R. Donehoo, a prominent attorney of Fairview, was born at Cross Creek, Washington county, Penn., September 1, 1834. His father, James Donehoo, was born in county Armagh, Ireland, in 1800, and was brought to this country by his parents, Daniel and Nancy (McCune) Donehoo, while an infant. These parents settled in Allegheny county, Penn., and the father was engaged in farming until his death at the home of his son, James, about 1850. James Donehoo became a tailor by trade, and being an intelligent and in- fluential man, was made a justice of the peace, which office he held for more than forty years, and was at the time of his death, in 1873, one of the oldest justices of the state. He was a county commissioner and member of the state legislature. He married Eliza Ramsey, born in Washington county in 1809, daughter of John and Martha (Shields) Ramsey, natives of Chambersburgh, Penn. She is still living. John R. Donehoo, after finishing his preliminary education at the Cross Creek academy, read law with C. W. Russell, of Wheeling, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. After practicing in this county a short time he went to Wheeling, and followed his profession there several years. Going then to Washington, Penn., he remained there about four years, during the most of that time editing the Washing- ton Examiner, in addition to his practice. He then published a cam- paign paper at Steubenville for three months, and subsequently removed to Fairview, where he practiced law for eighteen months. His next residence was in Fulton county, Penn., where he edited the Fulton Democrat for four years. During that period he also served one term as district attorney, and was re-elected, but resigned. While in Fulton county, he was a delegate to the New York demo- cratic national convention which nominated Seymour and Blair. Mr. Donehoo next purchased the Indiana (Penn.) Democrat, which he edited for some eighteen months, and thence went to Morgantown, W. Va., where he edited the Constitution for about two years. In March, 1874, he removed to Fairview, where he has since resided, devoting his entire attention to the practice of law, with the excep- tion of some time given to official duties. In 1874 he was appointed district attorney for Hancock county, and served two years. In 1880
4
651
THE PAN-HANDLE.
he was elected state senator for the counties of Hancock, Brooke and Ohio, and served four years, with credit to himself and constituency. Mr. Donehoo expects during the next year to make his residence at New Cumberland. In 1860 he was married to Eleanor Mccown, born in Fairview (then Virginia), daughter of John C. and Eliza (Sproule) McCown. Her father, a native of Washington county, Penn., died in 1877; the mother was born in Ireland, and died in 1856. Mr. Donehoo and wife have four children: James D., a minister of the Episcopal church; Eleonora, Jessie, attending Washington Fe- male college, and Christine. Mr. Donehoo is at present a member of the board of regents of the State Deaf and Blind schools at Romney.
Basil J. Dornan, an enterprising and popular citizen of Hancock county, is a native of Washington county, Penn. He was born in July, 1847, the son of Emanuel Dornan, who was born near Florence, Penn., about 1807. His occupation was farming and carpentry. He was married to Catherine Swearingen, born in Beaver county, Penn., about 1810, daughter of Basil and Sarah Swearingen. The father died at New Cumberland in 1876. When Basil was about six years old he accompanied his parents to this county, where he attended the common schools. He completed his education at Wellsville, Ohio, where he studied two or three years, and at the Iron City commercial college, at Pittsburgh. He has been engaged mainly in farming, though he has also worked somewhat at carpentry, and has filled official positions. Two years ago he embarked in dairying in con- nection with farming, and as a dairy man enjoys a custom that is a just reward of his enterprise. He is a member of the Disciples church, and in politics was republican, but is now a member of the union labor party. He has served four years as deputy sheriff of the county. He is a member of Stella lodge, No. 47, I. O. O. F., and of the Knights of Labor, and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. Mr. Dor- nan was married October 16, 1866, to Alzira Gibson, a native of Beaver county, and daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Cunningham) Gibson, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dornan have eight children: Elmer, Nannie, Mary, William G., Dora, Ola, Charles, and Archie.
Hiram G. Filson, proprietor of the tinning establishment at New Cumberland, is a son of Robert Filson, an old resident of Ohio, in which state he is still living, engaged as a carpenter. Hiram G. was born in Mount Union, Stark county, Ohio, October 1, 1847, and worked upon a farm in his youth. He attended school during the winters until the death of his mother, which occurred when he was twelve years of age. At seventeen he began work as a tinner with Peter Mckinlay, of Steuben county, Ind., and after learning the trade he set up a shop at Mendon, Mich. Three years later he removed to Alliance, Ohio, and after working there several years came to New Cumberland, where he has the only tinshop and is doing a large business. He is making extensive arrangements for the manu- facture and sale of a patent flour bin, which is meeting with a large demand. He has also patented an adjustable eave trough box and a can machine. Mr. Filson is a valued citizen, a member of the
652
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
Odd Fellows and Masonic orders, and is a republican. In 1873 Mr. Filson was married to Matilda, daughter of James Brown, an early settler of the county, and a minister of the Methodist Protestant church, of which his daughter is a faithful member. Mr. and Mrs. Filson have two children, Jamesetta and Carl G.
Frank M. Graham, proprietor of the planing-mill at New Cumber- land, is a native of Pittsburgh, Penn, born November 22, 1853. His father, John Graham, was born in Ireland, and at the age of nine years, came to America, settling in Philadelphia, where he followed the trade of blacksmith until 1837. He then removed to Pittsburgh, and was engaged at his trade until his death, which occurred July 3, 1879. He was married in 1830, to Mary Graham, who was born in Germantown, Penn., in 1808. They were the parents of ten children: Thomas, Evesann, William, James (deceased), Paul (deceased) , Mary, John M., Albert, Samuel B., and Frank M. The latter, the youngest child, was educated in the Pittsburgh schools, attending Newell's institute for two years. After leaving school he entered the office of John A. Woods & Son, coal dealers of Pittsburgh, and remained with them five years, and subsequently he was book-keeper for A. Cook & Sons for five years. He then came to New Cumber- land, and entered the employment of the West Virginia Fire-brick company, as book-keeper and traveling salesman. He remained with this company for more than three years, and then returned to Pitts- burgh, where he engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business for two years. Returning to New Cumberland he became the proprietor of the only planing-mill in the town, and is doing a flourishing business, car- rying a stock of the value of $7,000 to $8,000, and disposing of large quantities of building material on account of the rapid growth of the town. In September, 1880, he was married to Lizzie M. Cavett, who died in December, 1886, leaving two children: Jessie, born July 31, 1882, and Effie W., born December 1, 1885. On June 14, 1888, he was married to Lottie M., daughter of Richard Pitchford, of Pittsburgh, and they have one child: Earl Francis, born June 27, 1889. Mr. Graham and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is both an Odd Fellow and Mason, and belongs to the A. O. U. W., and both branches of the American Mechanics.
David C. Glass, a prominent farmer of Hancock county, W. Va., was born in Washington county, Penn., November 19, 1846. He is the son of Moses and Rebecca (Cummings) Glass, of Washington county, Penn., where the father was engaged in agriculture until his death, which occurred March 24, 1868. The mother died ten years later. Moses Glass was a son of John Glass, who was born in Ire- land, in about 1752, and his wife, Mary, who was born in 1759. The grandfather died in Washington county in 1829, and his wife in 1823. David C. Glass was raised as a farmer, and was so engaged in Pennsylvania until 1869, when he removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, and there followed agricultural pursuits until 1873, when he came to Hancock county. He lived fourteen years one mile east of his present residence, which he has occupied
653
THE PAN-HANDLE.
for four years. He owns here 214 acres of valuable land, 160 of which is cleared, and is about two miles from oil wells, and he probably can develop paying wells on his own land. A good vein of coal, worked by two mines, underlies his land. Mr. Glass was married March 27, 1870, to Frances Jordan, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, March 25, 1853, the daughter of Lewis and Nancy Jane (Boyd) Jordan, both of whom are still living at Cumberland, Guern- sey county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Glass have had ten children: Eva, Ina, Nettie, Nannie, Fletcher, Clark, Neddie, born May 23, 1884, died September 10, 1884; Oliver, Ethel F., born May 6, 1887, died October II, 1887, and Edith A., born July 11, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Glass are members of the Presbyterian church.
William Herron, a prosperous farmer and owner of land in the oil district of Hancock county, is a son of Robert Herron, and Elizabeth McCorkle, who were married March 13, 1817, and came to this county soon afterward. Both were natives of Washington county, Penn., the father being born January 15, 1793, and the mother September 14, 1794. Seven children were born to them. In this county Robert Herron followed the business of farming and blacksmithing until his death which occurred April 22, 1877,his wife having preceded him July 24, 1876. William Herron came in 1848 to the farm he now occupies, which was then almost entirely wooded, and he now has about ninety acres cleared. There is one oil well on the farm which produces seven barrels per day, and has yielded as much as twenty-two barrels. Two other wells are nearly completed. He and his family are mem- bers of the Methodist Protestant church, and are highly esteemed by all. In 1848 he was married to Elizabeth A. Campbell, who was born near the site of New Cumberland, February, 1826, the daughter of Maj. James Campbell, one of the early settlers. To them have been born twelve children: William W., July 12, 1849; Sarah H., October 23, 1850, died May 30, 1884; Isabel, April 27, 1852; Elizabeth A., August 5, 1853; Wesley, April 22, 1855; Buchanan, March 5, 1857; Homer, July 21, 1858, died October 8, 1865; Armina, August 19, 1861, died December 5, 1885; Clement V .. June 22, 1865; Nora Lee and Cora Dean, January 15, 1869,
William W. Herron, the oldest son of the above, was married December 29, 1871, to Joanna, daughter of Philip Ward, born in this county March 11, 1851. They have three children, Phillip W., Will- iam M., and Emory Lee. He is one of the prosperous young farm- ers, and has a fine farm of 100 acres upon which he has resided since about 1879. His land being in the oil region, he has leased it to an oil company for a rental of $4,000. He and his wife are worthy and popular people and are members of the Presbyterian church.
Rev. W. E. Hill, minister of the Presbyterian church at Fairview, Hancock county, was born at East Liverpool, Ohio, June 2, 1842. He is the son of Sanford C. and Sarah (Leech) Hill, the former a native of this country. His mother was of Quaker extraction. His father was a devout Christian and at an early age united with the church of which his son is now the pastor. He has a national reputa-
654
IIISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
tion as an astronomical calculator, and author of almanacs. The lat- ter was a son of Roger Hill, who was one of the original members of the same church spoken of, and one of its first ruling editors, chosen some time in the latter part of the eighteenth century. The subject of this sketch became connected with the Presbyterian church early in life, and soon after began his preparation for the ministry. He prepared for college at the Wellsville academy, under the instruction of Rev. W. W. Laverty, and after his graduation from Jefferson col- lege he took a course in the Western Theological seminary. He en- tered the ministry in 1868, and has since held pastoral charges as follows: Gettysburg and Fletcher, Ohio, 1869-70; Gettysburg, 1870-72; Wapakoneta, Ohio, 1872-76; Ottawa, Ohio, 1876-79; and at Fairview from the latter date to the present time. The church of which he has been the pastor for the last ten years, is one of the oldest and numerically one of the strongest in the Presbytery of Washington. In this, as in previous charges, he has been an untiring and zealous laborer in the sacred cause, and his efforts have not been without abundant fruits. Mr. Hill has also devoted much time to in- vestigations in the domain of natural history, studying and catalog- ing the avi-fauna and flora of the Pan-handle of West Virginia, and has published numerous papers and catalogues in scientific journals. He has traveled across the continent and made investments at Ta- coma, Wash., where he expects in the near future, to make his home. September 27, 1870, Mr. Hill was married to Nannie Horner, of Gettysburg, Ohio, and they have two sons and four daughters.
Robert Herron was a well-known and prosperous farmer of Han- cock county, was engaged in agriculture all his life, and with the ex- ception of two years spent on an adjoining farm, always lived at the home where he owned nearly 200 acres of valuable land. Oil has been found in paying quantities less than three miles distant, and coal of a superior quality underlies his land, to which two mines al- ready penetrate. Mr. Herron was born in 1833, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (McCorkle) Herron. On January 23, 1861, he was married to Ruth A. Baxter, who was born in Brooke county, Septem- ber 4, 1836. She is the daughter of Samuel and Rachel Baxter, who were the parents of fourteen children, as follows: Absalom, Ruth A., Hannah B., George L., Rachel A., Mary Elizabeth, Sarah Margaret, Samuel H., Catherine A .; Oric, who died in infancy; Damaris, Ed- mund Chase, Ella Virginia, and William, who died at three years. Mrs. Baxter died February 21, 1876, but the father is still living, at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Herron were the parents of three children: Ernest, who died July 6, 1888, aged twenty-six years, three months and four days; June E., Samuel B., and Ida May. A part of the family are members of the Methodist Protestant church. In politics Mr. Herron was a democrat, but devoted himself to busi- ness rather than to party matters. He died November 3, 1889.
Adolphus P. Howard, one of the leading fruit growers of Grant district, W. Va., was born February 26, 1844, in Wellsville, Ohio. His father's name was John F. Howard, born in Westfield, N. Y., May 4,
655
THE PAN-HANDLE.
1815, where he received his early education. In early manhood he came to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he remained for a short time, when he came to Wellsville, Ohio, and engaged with D. &. D. McDonald, as a clerk in their wholesale and retail grocery house, with which he was connected during the time he remained in Wellsville. He was married to Nancy Dissellem, daughter of John and Lucy Dissellem, February 1, 1843. She was born December 19, 1817. In 1845 they removed to Louisville, Ky. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are deceased. In 1848 Mrs. Howard and children made a visit to her former home at Port Homer, where she and two of the children took sick and died. Mr. Howard, father of our sub- ject, remained in Louisville until his death, January, 1863. Mr. Howard was an excellent business man and an active member of the Presbyterian church. Our subject's grandparents were the parents of four children, all deceased. Our subject removed to Louisville, Ky., with his parents when one year of age. He was with his mother at Port Homer, Ohio, at the time of her death, and was left with his uncle who raised him. He had a good opportunity of gaining an education, attending the common school until about fourteen years of age, when he attended the high school for two years, and then be- came a student of Washington and Jefferson college, where he re- mained for one year. He was married first to Anna C., daughter of Robert and Honor Hewitt, August 24, 1865. She was born Novem- ber 28, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Howard were the parents of four children: Perle L., Carlton C., Homer H. and J. Frank W. Mr. Howard was married the second time to Mary E., daughter of Robert and Honor Hewitt, June 5, 1883. She was born August 29, 1846. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Howard en- listed as a soldier in the civil war, at Pittsburgh, August 15, 1862, in Company I, Fifteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, under Capt. William W. DeWitt. He was engaged in the following battles: Antietam, Stone River and Chickamauga. He was mustered out at Rossville, Ga., April 6, 1864, by reason of special order from the war department. He is a republican in politics, and is a member of the G. A. R., Henry Cope post 237, Wellsville, Ohio. Mr. Howard is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having held the position of Sabbath school superintendent for a number of years. He takes great inter- est in the advancement of church work. He owns a beautiful site on the bank of the Ohio river opposite Wellsville, Ohio. He and family are much respected by all who have learned to know them.
William J. Huff, a prominent young attorney of New Cumberland, who holds the position of prosecuting attorney for Hancock county, is a native of Fairview. He was born January 20, 1857, the son of William and Elizabeth (Jackson) Huff. His early life was spent upon his father's farm, working in the summer and attending the country school in the winter seasons, until he was about seventeen years old, when he entered Mount Union college, Stark county, Ohio. There he was a student for three years, completing the commercial and philosophical courses. After leaving school he became a teacher in
656
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
Hancock county, where he has followed that profession with credit for ten years, and held the principalship of the New Cumberland schools during the term of 1888-9. While teaching he also read law with Hon. John R. Donehoo, of Fairview. He was licensed as an at- torney in the fall of 1879, and for some time afterward his time was devoted both to the law and teaching. The latter, however, he has now retired from, and he is giving his whole attention to the practice of law. In his preparation for this profession he took a course of study in the Cincinnati law school. Mr. Huff is popular and highly esteemed throughout the county, as was evidenced when in 1878 he became a candidate for the office of clerk of the circuit court. Al- though his party was in a minority on the general ticket of about 200 votes, he lacked election by but seventy-one votes. In 1880 he be- came a candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney, and was de- feated by eighty votes. In 1883 he was elected county superintendent of schools, an office he held for eighteen months, when he resigned it to enter upon the duties of prosecuting attorney, as which he was elected in the fall of 1884. He served four years, and in 1888 was re- elected, and is now filling the office to the satisfaction of the public: The wife of Mr. Huff is Antha, daughter of John R. and Louisa (Scott) Finley, residents of Grant districts. Mr. and Mrs. Huff have three children: William Herbert, John Brooks and Frank Clare. Mrs. Huff is a member of the Presbyterian church, and he of the Methodist Episcopal. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.
William M. Lee, a prominent farmer of Hancock county, was born in Washington county, Penn., December 3, 1827. He is the son of James Lee, who was born in Washington county, Penn., in Janu- ary, 1794, and was brought by his father, William Lee, to Brooke county, when one year of age. William Lee was a native of Ireland, and came with his father, Hugh Lee, to America about 1787-8. The father of the subject of this mention spent his early life in Brooke county, and then went to Washington county, Penn., where he mar- ried Margaret, daughter of Samuel McMillan, in 1818. James Lee spent his life in that county, working on a farm until his death, in June, 1867. William M. spent his early years in Washington county, and acquired a good common school education and a thorough ac- quaintance with agriculture. When twenty-two years of age he rented his father's farm, which he managed for fourteen years. Hethen removed to another farm in the same county, where he remained four years. In August, 1868, he removed to the farm in Hancock county, where he still resides. Here he owns about 202 acres of good land, the greater portion of which is in cultivation. In December, 1850, he was married to Caroline Patterson, who was born in Washington county, Penn., in August, 1829. She is the daughter of Hon. William Patterson, who had represented that county in the legislature for a number of years. His father, Gen. Thomas Patterson, represented Washington county in congress for eight years. Mrs. Lee's mother was a daughter of Aaron Lyle, who also resided in Washington county, and represented that district in congress for a number of
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.