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 86
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turer of Wheeling; Hanson, Jr., a resident of the west, who has a national reputation as a humorist and cartoonist; Mary M., widow of Nathaniel Duffield; Charles M., in the employ of the B. & O. rail- road; E. M. Stanton, Alice and Lillian B., the latter three of whom are minors, and still reside with their parents at their elegant home- stead mansion, at the camp ground junction, on the B. & O. R. R.,
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near the town which all passers recognize as a model of beauty, on account of its natural and artificial attractions.
John W. Criswell, a well-known farmer of Union district, was born in Lee county, Iowa, in 1849, the son of Thomas and Matilda Blair Criswell, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The father, who was a book binder by trade, later, a civil engineer, is still living, at the age of seventy-one years, but the mother died in April, 1889, at the age of sixty-seven years, These parents reared seven children: Margaretta, wife of James McClannahan; Rebecca, wife of George Merinar; John W., Robert B .; Susan, wife of Samuel Morris; Alice I., wife of William Nickerson, and William. In 1864, John Criswell, though then but a boy, enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth West Virginia regiment, under Col. John McDonald, and saw active service, having on one occasion, to make a march of sixteen miles barefooted, in snow and slush, an experience from which he has not yet fully re- covered. He served with bravery and patriotism until his discharge in July, 1865, at Wheeling. Returning home, he engaged in farming, which has since been his occupation, and in which he has achieved a high degree of success. In 1869, Mr. Criswell was married to Cath- erine Stipes, by whom he had one child, but both are now deceased. In 1878 he wedded Josephine Merinar, daughter of Benjamin and Jane Merinar, and they have nine children: George D., deceased; Charles M., Henry N., William W .; John S., deceased; Martha B., Ruth R., Rex A., and Emma V. Mr. Criswell is a member of the Disciples church, and of the G. A. R., and in politics a republican.
History of the Crow Family .- Jacob Crow, Sr., left Germany when a young man for America. As he left without money as well as leav- ing his mother and two sisters who were all the family, behind, he was sold after landing, a sufficient time to pay his passage. After his time was out he married Miss Susan Seacress, and lived on and owned a farm near the mouth of Dunkard creek, Greene county, Penn., where most of their children were born. Between 1765 and 1770, he bought or traded for the farm on south branch of Wheeling creek, now known as the old Crow farm, or Crow's mills. They raised eleven children, five sons and six daughters, named, Frederick, Martin, Peter, John, Michael, Susan, Elizabeth, Tena, Catharine, Esther and Mary. They moved to their new and wilderness home when Michael was but a few weeks old. The first night they were there the family became alarmed at what they supposed to be Indians, and all rushed out in the dark, becoming separated. The mother had the babe, and fearing to call, and also that the child might cry, she walked nearly all night, not knowing where, but was pleased, when daylight came, to find herself in sight of home. When Michael was seven years old there was an alarm circulated that Indians were around, and all fled to the block house at Lindley's, Washington Co., Penn. Two men living alone on what is now known as the Harsh farm, not getting word soon enough, were killed. After all were at the fort, a number of men started to see about the men they supposed to be killed. John Crow was one of the number, and for some reason
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brought Michael with them to the Farley farm, now owned by Thomas Steele. There they left him, John promising to come back that night. Fearing to stay at the house, he crossed the creek and stayed under a cliff of rocks. At evening he came to the house and got something to eat. Fearing both Indians and wolves, he raised a " puncheon" in the floor and arranged so that if Indians came he could crawl down and out under the house. If wolves came, he could go in the house and shut the hole. He was left there till the evening of the third day, when the men came back. The men at Harsh place were found dead and buried. The head of one was gone, and was afterward found by some of Jacob Crow's sons while hauling wood. After the block house was built at the Crow farm, word was given that the Indians were about. When they gathered at the fort there in the evening, it turned out that Whartons, who lived where Majorsville now is, had not been apprised of the danger, and no one seemed willing to go. Michael, then perhaps fifteen years old, said he would go. After the warning had been given he was returning across the hill, following a footpath through the woods, something at- tracted his attention. The moon was just rising, he stooped for a better view, and saw Indians crouched in the path. 'He turned quickly aside and jumped behind a tree. A large dog come after him and he ran to another tree, at the same time striking at the dog to keep him off. He then took a more circuitious route and got home in safety. The following morning two boys went to catch the horses which were running in the woods when the Indians came on, captured and took them prisoners. They were taken nearly to Moundsville and tied to a tree, while the Indians went somewhere. While left thus alone, they succeeded in making their escape. While the settlers were tend- ing their crops at that time they kept part of the men out as spies to watch for the redskins.
John Crow was the first of the family to fall a victim to the In- dians. In August, 1879, Frederick, Martin and John, went to Wetzel county, this state, to hunt. After being there one night or more, they got up in the morning and went down the creek (Fishing creek), and while absent, Indians came and secreted themselves in the camp the others had left. One of the boys had killed a wild duck, which he carried with him. Frederick and Martin returned to camp, while John staid behind. When the first two named came, one threw the duck into the camp, when the Indians arose and fired one bullet, cut- ting the tip of Martin's ear, and another striking Frederick under the arm, making a flesh wound from which the blood flowed freely. They ran up the creek bottom some distance, jumped over the bank, and crossing safely, they got separated, and did not get together till the next day. John, not knowing what the shoot- ing meant came running, when a number of the Indians fired at once. Five balls entered his breast, in the size of one's hand. Frederick and Martin got home the second day. The third day a squad of men went to hunt John, and found him dead near the camp with his throat cut. A grave was dug in the creek bottom with sharp
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sticks and hunting knives. A box or coffin was prepared by felling a tree and splitting four "puncheons," one for each side, and one for bottom and top. His age and death were cut on a tree near by the grave. The saddest event in the history of this family was when four of their daughters were captured, and three of them brutually mur- dered by the savages. Sabbath morning, May 1, 1791, Susie, Betsey, Tena and Catharine, started to visit a sick woman who lived some- where up Wheeling creek (south branch). A horse had gotten away and went to Braddock's, on Crabapple, a branch of Wheeling Creek. Michael took a bridle and crossed the hills for him. After getting the horse, he was returning, and found his sisters at a fording about a mile from home and about three miles from the forks of the creek. Seeing Katie, who was but a child, alone, he tried to persuade her to get on the horse and go home with him. This she was un- willing to do, and as the horse was excited and wanted to go, he let him have the rein and he galloped off at full speed. Soon as he was out of sight, the Indians, who were hid behind a rock, came out and captured all of them. There were two Indians and a man whose name was Spicer, whom the Indians had captured and raised. They took the girls to a flat place on the hill side, and two of them staid to watch them and the others followed the brother. Tena said he was gone long enough to have followed him nearly home. When he re- turned, and the work of butchery begun, one held Tena and Katie by the hands. When one of the Indians struck Betsey, who was a girl of more than ordinary strength and activity, she came near get- ting loose, and in the excitement Tena got loose and ran. One Indian grabbed his gun, and ran till he overtook her, when he punched her in the back hard enough to knock her down and then ran back. She looked and saw that he had left her, then sprang up again, ran and got away. While guarding the girls, Spicer, who talked English, asked them questions. When Tena got home and told the sad news the family got ready hastily and fled to the block house at Lindley's, having no thought but that the other three were all dead. A squad of men came the next day and found Susie and Katie dead, but Betsey, who was not with them, after being insensible the remainder of the day of the murder and till the next morning, had regained consciousness and crawled to the creek to get water. She lived till the third day after they found her. Susie and Katie were buried in one grave, and Betsey, when she died, was laid by their side, making the first buried on the home farm. While Tena was at home, then a young woman, Spicer and one of the Indians who helped to kill her sisters, came to the house and asked for milk. Tena at once recognized them and told her mother so. The Indians seemed to see they were not wel- come and left at once. Tena went to the field and told her brother Michael who had some men helping him. One of the men said to Michael, let us follow them. Michael said well, and if you will kill the white man, I will the Indian. They went to the house, got some dinner, took their guns and started. The Indians were riding large horses and made it quite easy to follow them. They followed them
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to the head of Wheeling creek, crossed over on to Dunkard waters and nearly to the mouth of that stream. When it got too dark to see the trail, they camped for the night and came back the next day. Michael Crow, Sr., married Nancy Johnson, daughter of William and Mary Johnson (nee Sample), who lived and were married at Wil- mington, Del., and emigrated with their family to the farm on the north branch of Wheeling creek, and known as the Charles Spilman farm. Michael Crow, Sr., and wife, raised eleven children, four sons and seven daughters. The names of the sons were: William, John, Jacob and Michael, and the daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy, Sarah J., Susan, Margaret and Charlotte. They all married and raised families except Margaret. Jacob lives on Wheeling creek, ad- joining the old homestead. Michael Crow married Sarah J. Lucas, of Washington county, Penn., in 1842. Mrs. Crow was the daughter of Berridge and Jane Lucas. Mrs. Lucas was a daughter of George Lee, of Washington county, and now, the wife of Emanuel Francis, Marshall county, and is in her ninetieth year. Michael Crow, Jr., and wife were from early life, members of West Union (Dallas) Presbyter- ian church. Mrs. S. J. Crow died February 20, 1879.' The children's names are: Berridge L., John M., George W., Harriet N., Michael L., Martin L., Sarah J., William M. and Wiley L. B. L. Crow was mar- ried to Mary Standiford, daughter of Abram and Susan (Crow) Stan- diford, October 8, 1877. They have three children: Ella M., Maggie J., and Mettie L. Maggie married J. C. Fry, November 24, 1885. One child, Berridge L. was born to them. Ella M. married A. V. McClery, November 24, 1887. Mrs. Standiford's parents were Peter and Susan Crow. Her grandfather was Jacob Crow. Thus Jacob Crow was the great-grandfather of both Mr. and Mrs. Crow. B. L. Crow is a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation and has lived twenty- one years in the same neighborhood. He has served one term of six years as county commissioner, and is and has been for nearly twenty years, ruling elder in the Presbyterian church, of which the whole family are consistent and worthy members.
John C. Crow, a prosperous farmer of Fairview Ridge, was born in Marshall county, April 28, 1839, the son of William and Rachel (Crow) Crow. His father was a successful farmer, prominent in the Methodist church, who passed away November 7, 1888, aged about eighty years. His wife died September 5, 1883, aged about seventy- five years. Their twelve children were named: Mary, Sophia, Mar- garet J., Eliza, Rachel A., Amanda, William, Absalom, John C., Alfred, Jacob T. and Sarah L. John C., at the age of twenty-one years, enlisted in Company A, Twelfth West Virginia regiment, in August, 1862, took part in the battles of Winchester and Piedmont, was in Hunter's raid, in many dangerous skirmishes, and at Hatcher's Run; near the close of the war he was wounded. Subsequently he was in hospital until his discharge in Nevember, 1865. He was a gal- lant and heroic soldier, and his health was permanently impaired by his exposures and hardships. During his service he was never at home except two or three days, when he came to Wheeling with some
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prisoners. He is now one of the leading citizens of the county, and he and his estimable wife command the respect of the community. To Ida, daughter of William F. and Nancy J. (Cunninghan) Hop- kins, he was married November 13, 1883, and their married life has been blessed with one child, Roy Russell. Mrs. Crow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a republican in politics.
Samuel R. Crow, of Marshall county, a prosperous farmer of Fair- view Ridge, was born in Marshall county, March 9, 1839. He is the . son of Philip and Susan (Crow) Crow, prominent early settlers and zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father, a native of Virginia, died December 25, 1887, aged ninety-two, and the mother, who was born in Ohio, died in October, 1880, aged seventy- seven. Of their twelve children eight are now living, and reside in Marshall county. Samuel R. was reared as a farmer, and that has been his occupation ever since he reached his majority, except during six years when he conducted a store at Knoxville, and held the office of postmaster. He is one of the enterprising and worthy farmers of the district. In politics is a republican, and he and wife are communi- cants of the Fairview Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Crow was married February 3, 1858, to Matilda Hall, who died June, 1870, aged twenty-eight years. She gave her husband six children: Emma, wife of Daniel Craig; Wilbert; Anna, wife of Daniel Fletcher; Irene; Newton, a teacher of Fairview, of notable talent and promise, and Matilda. December 14, 1871, Mr. Crow was married the second time to Elizabeth Clayton, daughther of Tyler and Mary Clayton, re- spected pioneer settlers of this county, who died in 1880, aged respec- tively sixty and fifty-eight years. By the latter marriage Mr. Crow has four children: Mary E., Eunice, Caroline and Lindsey S.
Robert Dickey was born in Marshall county, June 28, 1836. His parents were John H. and Mary (McBroom) Dickey. The father was born in the county Antrim, Ireland, and with his father, William, came to this country in 1818, settling in September of that year in Washington county, Penn. In 1836 he moved to Marshall county, lo- cating on the farm now owned by Robert. For several years he was county surveyor; was deputy sheriff in 1856, and when the south se- ceded, he organized Company L, of the Sixth West Virginia infantry, serving as captain of that company for eighteen months. Returning home he was elected justice of the peace, in which capacity he served for eight years. He then filled the office of judge of the county court for four years with great credit, after which he sought to retire from the active duties of life, but found it impossible to do so, as his valu- able services were continually called into requisition as a notary pub- lic and surveyor until his health entirely failed him. He was a Master Mason, an old time whig, and in later times an ardent republican, as well as an influential and useful member of the Presbyterian church. Febru- ary 26, 1829, he was married, and his wife, Mary, still survives him at the age of ninety years. They were the parents of Thomas, William, Nancy, John H., David, Sarah J., James and Robert. Robert Dickey
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was raised on the paternal farm, where he remained until he enlisted in the fall of 1861, in Company L, Sixth West Virginia infantry, with which he fought for over three years. This regiment was raised to guard the B. & O. R. R. property, and most of the time was engaged in guarding that road, and scouting in its vicinity. The regiment did much hard and effective service. Mr. Dickey was wounded August 4, 1864, at New Creek, the ball taking effect in the left arm and side, thus incapacitating him for further service. He married Sarah Mel- lon, December 22, 1864, the ceremony being solemnized by the Rev. Job Rossel. Mrs. Dickey is a daughter of Mark and Rebecca Ann (Bane) Mellon. Her grandfather, Samuel Mellon, married Betty, daughter of Billie and Peggy (McGonigal) McMinimi. These great- grandparents died in Ireland, their native land. The grandparents, Samuel and Betty, came to this country in 1780, the passage over con- suming six weeks; they landed with only sufficient money to purchase a tin bucket, yet, at the time of their death, they were in affluent cir- cumstances. Mr. and Mrs. Dickey's marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children: George W., Clara and John H. Clara is now Mrs. John C. Burley. The others are away from home pursuing their education. George W. is at present attending the State Normal school at West Liberty, W. Va. Mr. Dickey lives, as it becomes all good citizens to live, at peace with his neighbors, and all with whom he comes in contact, never having been involved in any legal contro- versy, or dispute with any man. He follows the political faith of his father, being an earnest republican. Mrs. Dickey has been for over thirty years a consistent, useful member of the Baptist church.
D. A. Dorsey, a prominent citizen of Moundsville, was born in Marshall county, W. Va., September 22, 1857, the son of Dennis and Elizabeth (Allen) Dorsey, both natives of this state. The father, a farmer and stock dealer by occupation, was a large land owner, and successful in business. He died in 1880, aged fifty-seven years, leav- ing surviving a widow, now aged sixty-three years, and five children, residents of Marshall county. Samuel Dorsey, the father of Dennis, a farmer and pioneer settler, came to Marshall county about sixty years ago, and died at New Rutland, Ill., at the age of ninety-seven years. D. A. Dorsey was reared upon the farm, and at the age of twenty years engaged in agriculture on his own account and followed that occupation and stock dealing quite closely until 1885, when he was appointed deputy sheriff by Sheriff Showacre, who, having been elected by a combined vote, appointed two deputies, W. H. Dorsey representing the republicans, and D. A. Dorsey on behalf of the dem- ocrats. In filling the duties of the office named, the subject of this mention has displayed the highest integrity and a proper sense of his responsibility to the public. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is prominent as a democrat, and at the last democratic state convention was a candidate for nomination for the state treas- urership. His prospects for securing this honor were very flattering, had not the plan of renominating the entire ticket, except governor,
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been adopted. October 23, 1877, he was married to Lydia, daughter of John and Rachel Jefferson, prominent pioneer settlers, and they have six children, two sons and four daughters.
William H. Dorsey, a well-known dealer in stock, etc., of Mounds- ville, was born in Marshall county, October 20, 1843. His father, Thomas Dorsey, the son of Basil, a soldier of the war of ISI2, was born in Maryland in 1812, came to Marshall county at twenty years of age and married Rebecca Dorsey. He owned valuable farms and was a leading citizen. He died in 1868, aged fifty-six years, and his wife survives at the age of seventy. Of their eleven children eight are living. William H. enlisted in July, 1862, in Company A, Twelfth West Virginia infantry, and served until after the surrender of Lee, which he witnessed. He participated in the battles of Winchester, New Market, Perryville, Hatcher's Run, Fort Fisher and in the prin- cipal battles of the army of the Potomac subsequently. He was dis- charged at Wheeling June 16, 1865, and then farmed here until 1867, when he went to Peoria, Ill., where he remained one summer, and since then has resided in Marshall county. He was married June 2, 1868, to Agnes D., daughter of Franklin Campbell, and he then farmed un- til 1869, when he bought land in Moundsville, where he has since lived. He has been engaged in various lines of business, merchan- dise, and the like, served two terms as deputy sheriff in Marshall county, and has made good success. In 1883 he made a trip to the far west, visiting Pike's Peak and other points of interest. In politics he is a republican, and he is a member of the Knights of Honor. By his marriage he has four children: Delilah V., wife of Wilbur Kimble; George, Buena Vista and Malcolm, and he and wife and younger children enjoy a comfortable and handsome home at Moundsville.
Samuel Dorsey, a prominent farmer of Washington district, was born in Marshall county, December 26, 1848. He is the son of Thomas Dorsey, a native of Maryland, who came to this county at the age of about twenty years, and settled on a farm near where Samuel now resides, becoming prominent among the early settlers. His death occurred in November, 1869, at the age of fifty-seven years, and his wife, Rebecca Dorsey, is still living, Of their eleven children, eight are living, mostly in Marshall county. Samuel Dorsey is engaged in farming and has given much attention to the buying and shipping of live stock, in which he has done an extensive busi- ness. He is one of the substantial and progressive men of the region, and was one of those instrumental in organizing the Marshall County bank, and was one of its first directors. November 12, 1872, he was married to Sarah E., daughter of W. S. and Susan (Bonar) Pierce, old and highly respected citizens. To this union have been born two children: Pearl and Elmer W., both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which the parents also belong, and their parents before them. Mr. Dorsey's home farm, about four miles east of Moundsville, is handsomely situated, and provided with the comforts and conveniences of modern life. It was two miles east of this, near the Waynesburg pike, that Mr. Dorsey captured Eugene Johnson,
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who shot and killed J. P. Thatcher, city sergeant of Moundsville, June 25, 1886. The arrest was made three days later.
James W. Dunlevy, a prominent business man of Cameron, Mar- shall county, was born in Ohio county, W. Va., November 3, 1835. He is the son of James Dunlevy, a native of Ohio, who was a farmer by occupation, and also followed the profession of surveyor, and was an active local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was quite prominent among the early settlers of West Virginia. In April, 1875, he died at the age of seventy-eight years, and in May, 1877, at the same age, his wife died. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Zane Mccullough. She was a lady of notable intelligence and great Chris- tian virtues, and was widely known for her good deeds. Seven of the eight children of these parents are still living. James W. Dunlevy was educated in the high school at Cooleyville, Ohio, and then taught school in that state for three or four years with much success. In 1861 he entered the quartermaster's department of the United States service, and served there until 1863, when he resigned and embarked in the lumber business, delivering timber on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio road to Wilson & Dunlevy. After continuing in this twelve years, he purchased the interest of Capt. J. M. Pipes in the flouring mill of Reese, Pipes & Co., and subsequently bought out J. B. Hicks, becoming an equal partner with W. H. Reese, with the firm style of Reese & Dunlevy, under which he is still doing an extensive milling business. He is also one of the owners of the stave factory, one of the leading industries of the town, operated by the firm of Wilson & Dunlevy. Mr. Dunlevy is prominent as a citizen. Though a demo- crat in politics, he has filled the office of mayor of Cameron, which has a republican majority, he has sat on the board of county super- visors, and filled various offices of trust and profit honorably and efficiently. Mr. Dunlevy was married in 1861 to Elizabeth, daughter of Col. D. F. Stone, of Belpre, Ohio, and they have three children: Maggie, wife of W. H. Haggans, of Cameron; Etta and Lizzie. The three daughters are graduates of the Wheeling Female college, and are ladies of culture and refinement. Mrs. Dunlevy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Dunlevy is an active Mason, has filled the chairs of his lodge and is a member of the grand lodge.
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