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 84
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whom the others are: Jane, wife of Mr. S. D. Wheeler; Oddy, killed at the battle of Piedmont; Abel and Daniel, of Monroe county, Ohio; Melissa, wife of Albert C. Workman, of Bellaire, and Philemon D. Mrs. Beam is a member of the Disciples church, and is a most estim- able lady. She resides in Clay district.
One of Benwood's representative business men is Jacob Becker, who is a native of Germany, having been born there in 1848. He came to this country when about four years old. Peter and Mary (Bach) Becker, his parents, settled in Ritchietown, the father died about one year after his arrival in America, his death being caused by getting overheated while discharging his duties as an employe in the Washington mills and by the ignorance of the attending physician. Mrs. Becker has since married Conrad Bender, who is now deceased. She is still living, having reached an advanced age. Mr. Becker's grandparents, Peter and Mrs. Becker, lived for many years in Wash- ington county, Ohio, and were much respected in the community in which they resided. They were worthy members of the Lutheran church. Jacob Becker began the affairs of life by working in a glass factory, and was afterward variously employed until he went to work in an iron mill as a puddler, in which he has been more or less en- gaged all his life. For some time Mr. Becker worked at the cabinet- maker's trade. A few months ago he formed a partnership with Charles Zimmerman in the furniture and undertaking business, and this firm has made a fine record for itself during its short career. He married Miss Amelia Miller, daughter of George P. and Mrs. Miller, June 19, 1870. These parents were natives of Germany, and were highly respected members of the German Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have had three children to make their home com- plete. They are: Carl T., William H. and Tracy C. A. Mrs. Becker passed to her reward about two years ago, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn her loss. She was a life long member of the Luth- eran church and a devout Christian lady. Mr. Becker is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P. By his business tact and ability he has made a success in life, and is esteemed by his fellow citizens for his strict integrity and adherence to right.
Charles F. Boerner, dealer in general merchandise at Cameron, W. Va., was born in the kingdom of Saxony, Germany, March 4, 1824. He came to this country in 1853, and first settled at Wheeling, where he was engaged as a journeyman workman in the shoemaker's trade, until 1858, when he moved to Cameron and opened a shop of his own. This shop is still carried on, under the immediate care of his sons, Edward W. and Frank. Mr. Boerner embarked in merchandise at Cameron in ISSo, subsequently did business at Loudensville, and then returned to Cameron, where he is now occupied. His place of business is popular with all, and he is esteemed as a worthy and en- terprising citizen. Mr. Boerner is a member of the Lutheran church, and of the Masonic order, and in politics is a republican. He was ma rried in 1855 to Henrietta, daughter of C. and Henrietta Lohman, of Wheeling. To this union have been born eight children, two of
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whom died in early life. The survivors are Louisa S., Edward W., Charles F., Frank F., William A., and Ida C. Mrs. Boerner is a member of the German Lutheran church, and is a highly esteemed lady.
David Bonar, a well-known citizen of Meade district, Marshall county, was born in that county May 21, 1849. He is the son of John Bonar, a native of Virginia, who was an industrious and prosperous farmer, and active in various ways as a good citizen. He was a trus- tee and class leader of the Methodist Episcopal church for a period of more than seven years. After a life of fifty-nine years in which, since youth, he had not experienced a day's sickness, he died in March, 1867, after an illness of only eight hours. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda Gorby, died in September, 1889, aged seventy-five years. To these parents were born eight children, only four of whom, besides the subject of this sketch, are living. David Bonar, at the age of twenty years, went to Illinois, and after a year's employment there returned to Marshall county, and began clerking in a general store at Rosby's Rock, and later at Moundsville. In his early manhood he had received a limited education at Moundsville and in Waynesburgh college. In 1872 he turned his attention to teaching. Since then he has taught seventeen terms, fourteen of which have been in Meade, his home district, a record without a par- allel in the county. Being thoroughly equipped for his profession and naturally endowed as an instructor, he has throughout given re- markable satisfaction. He has served as superintendent of schools of the county, from 1880 to 1882, with much efficiency, and for two years he has acted as assistant county examiner. Politically he is active as a prohibitionist, and he was honored by nomination for sena- tor from the second district in 1888. Mr. Bonar was married Septem- ber 20, 1877, to Catherine V., daughter of Jehu and Catherine (Yoho) Parsons, of Wetzel county. They were early settlers in that county, and the father served as justice of the peace many years. He died at the age of seventy-one years, she at the age of sixty-three. To their marriage have been born three children: Cecil Parsons, John S. and Carl Fisk. Mr. Bonar and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Everett W. Bonar, a prominent citizen of Rosby's Rock, Clay dis- trict, Marshall county, is a son of Miles Bonar, above named, who has been engaged in farming all his life, and is classed among the pro- gressive and enterprising young farmers of the county. He was born in this county August 20, 1860, and was married January 13, 1881, to Josie E. Evans, by whom he. has three children: Ethel M., Clarence R. and Mabel C. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is in politics a republican. Mrs. Bonar is a daughter of George W. Evans, a venerable and prominent citizen to whom the remainder of this paragraph is devoted. He was born within the lim- its of this county April 3, 1817, the son of Walter and Barbara (Bar- ger) Evans, who was born and married in Maryland and settled at Rosby's Rock in 1816. The father, a wagon-maker by trade, was in
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his later years a farmer, and was always highly respected. He died in 1861, aged ninety-six years. In his youth he saw service in the Revolutionary war. He had seventeen children, of whom the follow- ing were reared: Job, Johnsie, Mary A., Eliza, Maria, Sophia, John, Julia A., Elizabeth, Louisa A., Walter, Margaret, George W., and of these the only survivors are Louisa A. and George W. The latter has been a farmer all his life, and a resident of this county all the time except one year in Iowa. In business he is successful and pros- perous. He is a republican in politics, formerly being a whig and vot- ing for W. H. Harrison in 1840. In 1841 he was married to Ellen, daughter of John and Elizabeth Gorby, and they had two children: Barbara E. (deceased), and Clarissa J., wife of James O. Scott, of Jackson county, Ind. The mother of these died in 1845, and in 1847 Mr. Evans was united to Rebecca, daughter of John and Elizabeth Porter. By this marriage they had ten children, nine of whom were reared, viz .: Walter H., Wylie G., James S., Bruce E., George W., Michael D., Josie E., Martha B. and Elmer S. Five are married: Walter H. married Kate Anderson, Wylie G. married Elizabeth Lutes, Bruce E., a resident of Tyler, Tex., married Sallie Lorance, of that city; Michael D. married Bertie O'Neil, Josie E. married Everett W. Bonar. James S. and Elmer S. are residents of Texas. George W. and Martin B. are residents of Iowa. The mother, Rebecca (Porter) Evans, died January, 1880, aged sixty years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was loved and esteemed by those who knew her as only an exemplary wife and mother can be loved. Mr. Evans married again in 1885.
Among those who settled in this part of the Ohio valley in the last century, a conspicuous pioneer was John Bonar, who settled on Bonar's ridge in 1790, and located a tract of land. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Calhoun, lived until 1847, surviving her husband many years. James C. Bonar, one of their sons, a farmer by occupa- tion, a prominent man in his time, was a lieutenant in the war of 1812, and served as justice of the peace more than twenty-one years. This liberal and enterprising man died in 1858, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife was Sarah Magers, daughter of Elias and Elizabeth (Arnold) Magers, natives of Maryland, who died, the former in 1830, the year of the death of John Bonar, and the latter in 1857. Mrs. Sarah Bonar died in 1856, aged fifty-seven. She bore her husband nine children, John, Elias, Rebecca E., Susan, Mary J., Miles, Jessie, Sarah and Matthew. Miles Bonar, now an aged and respected far- mer of Marshall county, was born in that county, February 1, 1829. He was reared on the farm and has given his attention to agriculture and stock-raising, with such success that he is now comfortably situ- ated and his family is well provided for. His life has been an honor- able and upright one, and no one is more highly regarded in this region. In 1853 he was married to Susan M., daughter of John L. and Mary E. (Porter) Gibson, old residents of Marshall county. Her grandfather, Benjamin Gibson, a native of Maryland, died about 1827, and his wife, Mary O'Brien died about 1857. John L. Gibson and wife
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were among the earliest members of the Methodist Episcopal church in the county. He died in 1861, aged fifty-nine, and she in 1864, aged fifty-one. Nine children were born to them. Miles Bonar and wife have had five children: Sarah A., James L,, Everett W., Milton G., who died June 18, 1887, aged nineteen years, being at that time a freshman in the Ohio Wesleyan college, and a student of great prom- . ise; and Mary L., who died May 25, 1886, aged sixteen years. She had excellent musical talent and was greatly beloved. Mr. Bonar and his wife have long been members of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he has served in an official capacity and in Sunday-school work for more than thirty-five years.
William N. Bonar, of Moundsville, deputy collector of internal revenue for the district of West Virginia, was born in Marshall county, W. Va., April 13, 1844. His father, Abel Bonar, a farmer by occupation, was a prominent man, and a member of the convention which met at Wheeling for the formation of the present state. Dur- ing the war he strongly supported the government. In business he was successful, and though beginning poor, died possessed of about 700 acres of valuable land. Of the Methodist Episcopal church he was a member some thirty years. He died at the age of seventy- three years, and his wife, Mary Venus, survives in her sixty-fifth year. Their eight children are: Eveline, deceased; William N., Sarah E., Nancy A .; Samuel V., deceased; Mary V., James A., and Charles E., deceased. At the age of eighteen years, Mr. William N. Bonar en- listed in Company B, Twelfth regiment, West Virginia infantry, and served until June 28, 1865, participating in the battles of Winchester, New Market, Piedmont, Opoken Creek, Fisher's Hill, Hatcher's Run, where, on the morning of April 2, 1865, in an assault on the enemy's works, he was wounded in the throat and left shoulder. He was taken then to Fortress Monroe where he remained until his discharge. On his return home he settled on a farm, and continued to be engaged in agriculture until November, 1889, when he removed to Mounds- ville. Mr. Bonar has served as assessor of the county for four years from January, 1873, and took charge of his present office August 15, 1889. He is an efficient and faithful public servant. Mr. Bonar is a member of the I. O. O. F. He was married July 1, 1866, to Sarah L., daughter of Martin and Jane Bonar, and they have three children: Samuel H., Milton W., Oscar B. Mrs. Bonar is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
F. M. Bowers is one of five children born to E. W. and Rebecca (Bendell) Bowers. The father was one of the first school commis- sioners of Marshall county, and helped to build the first public school buildings in the rural districts of his section of the state. The mother is an estimable woman, and has been a very active member of the Presbyterian church for many years. Their children are: Alonzo, Cassius, Jennie, F. M. and Harry. The paternal grandparents, James Bowers and wife, came to Benwood in 1847, from Pennsyl- vania, and have resided here since. James Bowers is an iron worker, having been employed at his trade of iron roller for years. F. M.
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Bowers began for himself by working as a laborer at the rolls in the mills of his native town. After leaving the mills Mr. Bowers en- gaged in the general merchandise business, and has since been very successful in this pursuit. In 1877 Miss Dora, daughter of Henry W. and Elizabeth (Faatz) Fisher, became his wife. Her parents were well and favorably known in this community for many years. Mr. Fisher bought the old company store at this place and was the first man engaged in the merchandise business in Benwood who employed his own capital in the business. Both he and his wife were useful members of the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers have had five children: Seamon, Walter, Floyd, Albert and Rhea. Walter and Floyd are deceased. Mr. Bowers has been prominent in the public affairs of the city, having served as treasurer for one year, and he discharged the important duties of this office with great credit to himself and with great benefit to the city. In politics he is a republi- can. He is also a member of the K. of P. A man of ability and probity.
David A. Brantner, a worthy citizen of Washington district, was born in Marshall county, February 9, 1828, the son of George W. and Sarah (Nace) Brantner, the former of whom, a cooper by trade, died when David was quite young. The mother, who died at Martin's Ferry in 1877, at the age of seventy-five years, was a life-long member of the Methodist church, and noted for her good works. The follow- ing children were born to these parents: Joseph N., Elizabeth Chad- dock, Eliza J. Baker, of Iowa, David A. and the following deceased: George and Mary J .; Jacob, died during the war on the Osage river; Margaret Goudy, and Ruhana, wife of Jacob Clark. David A. began working on the farm at an early age, and he has ever since been fol- lowing agriculture as his vocation. He has served the public effi- ciently in official positions, having been marshal of Moundsville two years, constable one year, deputy sheriff two years, and he is now the keeper of the Marshall county infirmary, a position he has held for two years. Before the war he made three trips to New Orleans as a deck hand, experiencing a view of the horrors of cholera, and at the time of his last trip learning the hostility of that city toward the north at the outbreak of the rebellion. In that struggle he subse- quently served in Company G, of the Seventeenth West Virginia in- fantry, during the spring of 1865. He was married in 1850 to Clorinda Howard, who died in March, 1863. By this union he had six children, of whom survive, Amanda J., wife of Stewart Crouch; Sarah B., wife of Mr. Ritchie, and David L. The second wife of Mr. Brantner is Mary A., widow of James Lute, by whom she had one child, now de- ceased. Three children have been born to this union: Fannie E., John H., and Charles W. Mr. Brantner is an Odd Fellow, and his wife is a member of the Methodist church.
William Briceland is the son of William and Johanna (Griffeth) Briceland, who resided in Ohio county, W. Va. For many years they were communicants of the Catholic church. The father enlisted in Col. Thoburn's regiment at Wheeling, and was killed probably at the
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battle of the Wilderness. Their three children were: Matthias, Will- iam and John, of whom William is the only one living. William Briceland, Sr., was born in Scotland and came to Benwood in 1838, his wife was born in Neighne, county Tipperary, Ireland. They crossed the ocean in the same vessel and first met on this voyage. Some time after landing they were married. William Briceland, Jr., worked for six or seven years as a glass-blower, but afterward learned the puddler's trade, at which he worked for seven years. Being a man of fine physique, he entered the athletic circles and for five years was one of the champion oarsmen of his time, having rowed against such men as Clater, Murry, Powel, Wisegaber and others. Mr. Briceland seldom lost a contest and received large finan- cial returns from his victories. He was married in October, 1883, to Miss Kate Clark, by whom he has had three children: the oldest, John, died in infancy; the two living are, William and Loretta. The fam- ily are members of the Catholic church, and are held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. Mrs. Briceland is a daughter of Patrick and Bridget Clark, who were among the oldest settlers of Benwood, having come to this place when there was only one house other than their own. They were prominent members of the Catholic church.
Levi G. Brock, assistant cashier of the Marshall County bank, of Moundsville, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, March 10, 1845. He is the son of John Brock, a native of Virginia, who was taken to Ohio by his parents when six years old, in 1812. He was a farmer by occupation, and he and his wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Stukey, were members of the Disciples church. She died in 1852, aged forty-four years, and in 1869 he moved to Brown county, Ind., where he died in 1889. To the marriage above mentioned were born seven children, one of whom is the subject of this mention. The father contracted a second union, with Rachel McFadden, by whom he had five children. When Levi G. was sixteen years old, he enlisted September 6, 1861, in Company F, Fifteenth Ohio, and was first engaged in battle at Pittsburgh Landing, where he was wounded by a minnie ball, in the left hip, an injury by which he is still afflicted. After recovering sufficiently he engaged in teaching, and taught from 1863 to 1884, also completing in the vacation of 1865, a course in Duff's commercial college at Pittsburgh. Since 1884 he has held his present position in the Marshall county bank. He is now serving as clerk of the city, as which he was elected in 1888, and he has served three terms as a member of the board of school examiners. He is prominent in fraternal circles, is senior warden of the Masonic lodge, vice grand of the I. O. O. F., financial secretary of the National Union, was commander for several years in the G. A. R., and has been a member of the council of administration of the department of the state. In politics he is a republican, and he and wife are members of the Disciples church. He was married January 1, 1872, to Ella B., daughter of David Gates, of Moundsville, which wife died October 22, 1883, leaving two children: Maud and Lisle G. On September 12,
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1889, he was married to Selina H., daughter of T. H. Bakewell, of Moundsville.
William P. Brown is a native of Ireland, where he was born in Feb- ruary, 1842. Coming to this country seven years later, he took up his abode in Wheeling W. Va. John and Ann Jane (Burns) Brown were his parents. They were much respected in their native land, and were both members of the United Presbyterian church. The father dying, his widow afterward married Henry Thompson, with whom she and her children came to America. Mr. Thompson has since died, but his wife is still living, residing with her daughter, in Bellaire, Ohio, having reached the advanced age of seventy-four years. At an early age, William Brown began working in the iron mills, where he learned the nailer's trade, at which he has since worked for the past thirty years. Mr. Brown is now employed at the River- side Blast furnace. October 7, 1861, he entered the service of his country, by enlisting in Company H, First Ohio volunteer infantry, at Steubenville, Ohio, and served faithfully and well until October, 1864, at which time the regiment was discharged at Chattanooga, having participated in the battles of Pittsburgh Landing, Chickamauga, Mis- sionary Ridge, siege of Corinth and all other engagements in which the army of the Cumberland took part. Mr. Brown went as far as Atlanta, Ga., on Sherman's famous " march to the sea;" on this march they were short of rations, not having as much to eat in one week, as a man would naturally wish to have for one meal. Mattie Box be- came his wife December 24, 1867, and has borne him two children: Anna Marion and Charles B., both living at home with their parents. Mrs. Brown is a daughter of Charles and Marion (Gray) Box, both natives of England. They came to this country over thirty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Box were connected with the Baptist church. Mrs. Brown and her children are active members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and Mr. Brown is a member of Ohio lodge, No. I, of .Wheeling, of the Masonic order, and of Lincoln lodge, No. 49, of the I. O. O. F., of Benwood. He has made a home and a host of friends since his coming to Benwood, being one of the industrious and wor- thy citizens of the city.
George W. Bruce, M. D., a leading physician and prominent citizen of Moundsville, is a native of Frederick county, Va., born July 17, 1827. His father, John Bruce, a native of Scotland, came to this country in 1818, and was here married to Sydney Smith, a native of Virginia. He taught school for many years; was for nine years presi- dent of the Winchester & Potomac railroad, and subsequently en- gaged in farming. He died December 31, 1855, aged about sixty-three years, and his wife died February, 1874, aged about eighty. Both were members of the Episcopal church. Of their eight children there are, besides the doctor, three living, E. C., of Winchester, Va .; J. D., of Clark county, Va., and J. S., a physician at Colorado county, Tex. Dr. Bruce received his first academic training at the Vir- ginia Military institute at Lexington, where he was three years, and he then attended medical lectures at Winchester, going from there to
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the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he was gradu- ated in medicine in 1848. He first practiced at Covington, Ky., one year, and then came to Moundsville in 1849, where he has ever since been engaged in the practice. Winning the entire confidence of the community in his skill and character, he has occupied from the first a high standing in his profession and in the personal esteem of the peo- ple. For eighteen years he has served as physician to the peniten- tiary, and in the city council has done efficient duty. He is a member of the Masonic order. In 1850 Dr. Bruce was married to Mary Bur- ley, who died in 1866, aged thirty-five. Two children of this union are living, Meta and J. Douglas. In 1867 the doctor was wedded to Ella Burley, and they have one child, Mary Louisa. Mrs. Bruce is a member of the Episcopal church.
John W. Burchinal, editor of the Moundsville Herald, was born near New Geneva, Penn., October 16, 1861, the son of Thomas J. and Mary T. (Ramsay) Burchinal, both of whom were natives of Penn- sylvania. The father, who was a carpenter, and subsequently a farmer and stock-dealer, by occupation, died in November, 1887, aged sixty- seven years, and his wife died February 11, 1886. Of the seven chil- dren born to them four are now living. The subject of this mention was reared on the farm, and began his education in the district school. Afterward he was a student at George's Creek academy and Monon- gahela college, and attended Duff's commercial college at Pittsburgh, where he was graduated in the spring of 1884. He then purchased an interest in the Grafton Sentinel, but sold that in the fall of 1885, removing then to Moundsville, in 1886, where he purchased the Moundsville Herald. In the ownership of this he subsequently be- came associated with A. R. Laing, under the firm style of Burchinal & Laing, and they now conduct this publication, which ranks among the influential organs and valuable newspaper properties of the region. The paper has been wonderfully improved and built up under the management of Burchinal & Laing. The circulation has been almost doubled, and from a seven-column, patent outside, they have made it an eight-column, all home print. The ancient primer type has been discarded for bright-faced brevier, and the old Washington hand press and man power for the latest improved cylinder press and steam power. New machinery and material have been added throughout until it ranks among the best furnished country offices in the state.
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