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. II pt 2 > Part 15
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
him killed at Stone River. Being exchanged he reported for duty, joined his command in June, and was in the battle of Liberty Gap, Tenn., June 25, 1863, where his company lost ten killed and wounded and he was commended for bravery by his captain. He was at the battle of Chickamauga, and with his comrades withstood the terrible night charge of September 19, 1863. He was in Chattanooga during the siege, took part in the battle of Orchard Knob, was on the skir- mish line in the battle of Mission Ridge, and was one of the first two men to reach the rebels' main works on the summit. He was next at Knoxville, Tenn., then at Strawberry Plains, where he re-enlisted as a veteran. After his furlough of thirty days, he returned to participate in the Atlanta campaign, and was in the memorable fights of Rocky Face Ridge, May 5-9, 1864; Resaca, May 12-16; Cassville, May 19-22; Pickett's Mills, May 2 ;; the almost incessant battle at Kenesaw Mountain from June 9 to 30; Peachtree Creek, July 20, Atlanta, July 22; Lovejoy Station, September 2-6; Franklin, Tenn., Novem- ber 30; Nashville, December 15-16. He then went with his command to San Antonio, Texas. En route he camped on Jackson's old battle ground below New Orleans, went by way of the Gulf to Indianola, and marched the night of July 10, 1865, to Green Lake, during which movement hundreds of men died for want of water. Ile was dis- charged at San Antonio, Texas, November 21, 1865, was paid of at Columbus, and arrived at home December 31, broken down in health. He determined to qualify himself for teaching, and took a commercial course at Lebanon, Ohio, receiving his diploma from A. Ilolbrook. He taught school some fifteen years in West Virginia and Ohio, and being a good mechanic, devoted much of his leisure time to cabinet- making and carpentry. Being active in politics as a republican he received, in 1883, the republican nomination for auditor of Belmont county, but was defeated with the state ticket and much of the county ticket, on account of a prohibition amendment to the constitution being advocated by the party. Mr. Jackson subsequently engaged in office work, book-keeping and insurance, and on June 25, 1889, took out a patent on a fire place heater of his own invention, intended to secure the advantages of a hot air furnace capable of heating several rooms from an ordinary grate. Mr. Jackson is a member of the G. A. R. post at Barnesville. Ile was married October 11, IS;I, to Henrietta E. Fletcher, and they have had two children: Florence W. and Clarence W. Mrs. Jackson and son are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
John Linder, a respected resident of Belmont, was born in Muskin- gum county, Ohio, January 28, 1Szo, the son of George and Margaret (Shepherd) Linder, early settlers of that county. His father was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., in 1788, and came to Muskingum county in 1812. He and his brother James each bought 320 acres of land, and about three years later, George Linder was married and made his home in a little log cabin in which the subject of this men- tion was born. The father lived there several years and then removed to Guernsey county, in 1832, whence in 1836, he came to Goshen town-
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ship, Belmont county (where he resided ten years, and then removed to Richland township, Belmont county), where he bought a farm of 182 acres, and resided there until his death, in 1873. His wife died some years before, being then in her seventy-fourth year. They had eight children, of whom three are living: Artemisia, who married Benjamin Watkins, of Guernsey county, and now resides on the home- stead in Richland township; Kesiah, who lives with the latter; and Jacob. Jacob was married in 1868, to Rosanna Egy, who was born in this county in 1834, of parents who immigrated from Pennsylvania, and they have one daughter, Mary. Jacob Linder began his career by teaching school, and two years later, began clerking in a general store at St. Clairsville, and remained there fifteen years, after which, he dealt in stock for several years, and then in 1869, bought a farm, on which he resided four years. He then removed to Belmont, but in 1885, bought his present farm of eighty acres, upon which he has a · pleasant and comfortable home. He also owns property in Belmont, where he still resides. His wife and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Clark H. Mayhew, a prominent citizen of Belmont, Belmont county, was born in Smith township, of that county, February 19, 1830. He is the son of Amos Mayhew, who was born at Winchester, Va., August 4. 1793, and was there married to Lorinda Hall, the mother of the subject of this mention. In 1822 they removed to Belmont county, and took part in the pioneer life there. The father, who was of Eng- lish descent, was a shoemaker by trade. During the war of IS12 he served in the army of his country, and was stationed at Baltimore at the time of the death of the English general, Ross. His wife, a na- tive of Dartsville, W. Va., was a member of the Society of Friends in early life, but after marriage joined the Methodist Protestant church. Clark B. Mayhew, son of the above, was reared and educated in Belmont county, where he has always made his home. By trade he is a shoemaker, and of well-known skill in that calling. He was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows. In politics he is a prohibi- tionist, having previously been independent in his party action. His life is without reproach and he is highly respected. On December 30. 1862, he was married to Jennie Adams, of Wheeling, W. Va., and they have two children, Harry and Virgil, both of whom are engaged in cigar making.
William Nichols, a native of Loudon county, Va., now a retired farmer and prominent citizen of Belmont, was born in the year 1814, the son of Isaiah Nichols. The latter a native of the same county, started in 1825 with his family for Belmont county, but died on the way at the foot of the Allegheny mountains. Their money was kept in a bandbox in the wagon, but was all lost at the time of his death. The family then returned to their home, and two years later the children were brought by the mother, Sarah ( Hollingsworth) Nichols, to Bel- mont county, where she bought a farm of thirty acres, with a log cabin and barn. In this family there was one daughter and three sons, of whom but one other than William survives, viz., Isaiah, who
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IIISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
lives on the homestead. William Nichols was reared on the farm, and in 1840, was married to Elizabeth Dillon, who was born in De- cember, 1821. Her parents also came from Loudon county, Va. Mr. Nichols began married life as a farmer on rented land, and then bought a farm of fifty-six acres, which he sold in 1882 and came to Belmont and purchased a home which he has since occupied. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is highly esteemed. He has one child, Minerva D., wife of Oliver Wright, by whom she has two daughters.
James V. Stillwell, postmaster at Pleasant Grove, Belmont county, and for many years a merchant at that place, was born in this county, February 20, 1824. He is the son of Elias Stillwell, who came to Bei- mont from Hancock county, Md., in the early part of this century, and settled near the place now known as Kidd's Station. Here, twelve years after the birth of his son James, Elias Stillwell died, and left his wife and family dependent, in great part, upon the exertions of his twelve-year-old son. His early years were consequently actively employed, although he found time to obtain a common school education. In 1850 he opened a store at Pleasant Grove, and he has there ever since continued in business, having occupied the same building since 1858. He has been prominent in township affairs, hav- ing served as township trustee, and has filled the positions of school » director and commissioner of the Bridgeport free turnpike. Ile is now acceptably discharging the duties of postmaster at Pleasant Grove. He is a republican in politics, and is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Mr. Stillwell was married May 4, 1848, to Mary, daughter of James Mcavoy, then a farmer of Colerain town- ship. Eight children have been born to this union, one of whom is deceased. One daughter is the wife of a prominent farmer of Cole- rain township, another resides in the state of Washington. John is a wealthy commission merchant and mine owner in Denver, Col. Elias is a merchant at Peublo, and Henry is also in the west.
Benjamin White, a venerable resident of Belmont, Belmont county, is one of the few worthy pioneers living who have witnessed the won- derful development of the country during the present century. He was born in Pennsylvania (Fayette county), April 7, 1806, the eldest son of John White. The latter, who was of Irish ancestry, died when his son was four years old. His wife was Mary Minton, who came with her parents from Sweden in an early day. They had two chil- dren besides Benjamin, viz .: John, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, and William V., a blacksmith by trade, who lives in Washington county, Iowa. Benjamin White began working in childhood on a farm, and at sixteen years of age was apprenticed to a tanner for four years. Subsequently he carried on his employer's business four years and then engaged in the business on his own account, though with little capital, and is now carrying on the tannery business for his son at the age of eighty-four years. He is a member of the Christian church, of which he has been an elder for many years. He has been thrice married; first to Rebecca Sidwell, by whom he had four chil-
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dren, of whom two are living, Rebecca and John. The second wife was Margaret E. Phipps, of Smithfield, by whom the following chil- dren are living: Lydia A., John, Regina, Albert, William and Ben- jamin. Ilis present wife is Elizabeth Stonebraker. William H. White, son of the above, was born in Belmont county, September 6, 1841. In his twentieth year he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fifth regiment Ohio volunteers, under Col. Jones, and Capt., afterward Col., Charlesworth, and left for the front in June, 1861. He served gallantly three years, participating in the battles of Cheat Mountain, Green Brier, Camp Baldwin, Bull Mountain, Freeman's Ford, and the second Bull Run, and then after being detained some time in hospital at Alexandria, was with his regiment at Chancellorsville, and at Gettysburg, where he was wounded. He was then sent to Camp Chase, and transferred to the invalid corps at Indianapolis, where he was mustered out in June, 1864. Returning to Belmont county, he was in 1867, married to Laura J. Widdoes, of this county, and they have five children: Clayton L., Anna L., Lizzie J., Dora M., and Walter G. Mr. White is engaged in business as a tanner, and is also occupied as a mason. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been class-leader, and both are highly esteemed by the community.
PEASE TOWNSHIP.
William A. Allen was born in 1858, on the farm where he now resides in Belmont county, Ohio. Was the son of John and Sarah ( Greenlee) Allen, both natives of Ohio. John Allen was the son of John and Martha J. (Giffin) Allen, who came from Scotland to America some time before the Revolutionary war. William has, since his birth, been living on the farm formerly owned by his father, where he still resides. His education has all been received from the common schools of the county. Ile was married in 18SS to Miss Annie Warrell, a daughter of William and Margaret J. (Mealy) Warrell, of Washing- ton, Penn. They are not as yet blessed with any children. Mr. Allen by industry and perseverance, bids fair to follow in the tracks of his worthy father. John Allen, father of William, was born 1814. on his father's farm in Belmont county, on a part of which his son still resides. His life was principally spent on the farm of his father, and in the early part of it got an education from the common schools. He married in 1848, a Miss Sarah Greenlee, born 1822, a native of this county, and a daughter of James and Sarah Greenlee, who, from all the facts obtainable, were from over the sea. By his first wife he was father of seven children, only one of whom is living: Margaret A., Martha J., James, John, one died in infancy, William, Lizzie B. William is the only living representative of this family. Mrs. Sarah Allen died in 1861 on the homestead farm, and at her death the family lost a kind mother and loving parent, and the community a good citizen. John, the father remarried in 1877, a Margaret McGregor, daughter of James McGregor, a native of Pennsylvania. There were no child-
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ren by the second marriage. The second wife died after a short illness. John Allen died in 1886, and in his death the family lost a loving relative, and the community one of her best citizens. He was always a strong supporter of all educational matters, and a man who was always respected and looked up to by his neighbors. The son, William, has by industry and good management, maintained the family name and honor and is already recognized as a man of much ability and resource in the community in which he lives. He with his wife occupy the home of his ancestors and has a fine, well improved farm and a pleasant residence.
John Armstrong, of Martin's Ferry, one of the pioneer business men of the upper Ohio valley, was born near Enniskillen, county of Fermanagh, Ireland, February 15, 1806. His parents, Andrew and Mary Armstrong, were married about :So4, and had five children, of whom John is the only survivor. The father emigrated to Canada, and soon afterward died there. John Armstrong was reared in Ire- land, receiving a limited schooling, and was engaged in farming until he was about thirty years old, when in 1837 he came to the United States. He landed at New York, but not finding employment there, he went to Pittsburgh, where he found various employment until he secured the position of porter in a carpet store, where he remained for some time working up to the position of book-keeper. He came to Wheeling in 1845 and was engaged as a book-keeper for two years, with Prior, Clark & Co., after which, in 1852, he embarked in business in the Fifth ward. Ile conducted this quite successfully for ten years, and since then has not been actively engaged in business. He has made judicious investments, however, and is interested in various manufactories, being a stockholder in the Standard Iron works, the Benwood and Etna works, and also has an interest in the Ohio Val- ley and National banks of Wheeling. In iSto he came to Martin's Ferry, which has since been his residence, and in 1882 he, in company with William R. Ratcliff and others, organized the Exchange bank of this city, of which he was elected president. Mr. Armstrong is one of the pioneers in business in this region, and his successful career, ris- ing from poverty to a commanding position among men, is one highly deserving of notice. He was married in October, 1856, to Jane Hunter, of Pittsburgh, and they have two children: Jennie, the wife of Dr. Harvey, and Margaret. Mr. Armstrong and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
W. F. Bayha, of the firm of Bayha Brothers, was born in Fulton, W. Va., in 1860. He learned the blacksmith, carriage ironer and horse-shoer's trades in the city of Wheeling, where he worked for ten years prior to the establishment of the factory at Bridgeport, Ohio. His brother, Andrew A. Bayha, also a skilled carriage maker and wood worker, was born in Fulton in 1863. lle acquired his knowl- edge of the business in Wheeling, becoming an expert workman. After working in Wheeling for eight years he, on November 1, 1887. formed a partnership with his brother. Since this date they have operated the wagon and carriage shops on Main street in the city of
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Bridgeport. This firm manufactures on quite an extensive scale for so young a concern, and bids fair to become a very large house. They manufacture all sorts and kinds of wagons, buggies and carriages to order, and also carry a large assortment of manufactured vehicles. They at present employ ten skilled workmen in their shops. Besides the manufacture of carriages, Bayha Brothers have a large trade in horse-shoeing. They make a specialty of the latter industry, shoeing horses on scientific principles. They also carry on a general repair- ing and jobbing business in all departments. Enterprising and pro- gressive as they are, it is only a question of time until they will be obliged to enlarge their works, to employ more men and to extend their business generally, providing the same energy and wisdom is employed in the future as has been in the past.
Joseph Bird, of Martin's Ferry, general manager of the blast fur- nace at that place, was born at Briher Hill, Staffordshire, England, in April, 1827. He is the son of Stephen Bird, who was an iron worker by occupation, and did a great deal of work by contract, employing workmen, and also owned and managed a small farm. Ile died from cholera in 1832. He was twice married and had twelve children. His second wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was Maria (Shakspeare) Shakspearc. Joseph cational advantages in his childhood and when quite
Bird had no edu- young began working at an iron furnace, and continued to be so employed until he came to the United States in 1851. Hle landed at New Orleans after a voyage of three months, and then came up the Mississippi to St. Louis, where he found em- ployment at Brennan's iron mills a short time. Proceeding then to eastern Pennsylvania, he settled in the Lehigh valley, where he re- mained some five years. Subsequently he went to Rochester, N. Y., where he blew the first furnace in that city, thence went to Pittsburgh and remained two years, and in 1875 came to Steubenville, Ohio, which was his residence until 1879, when he settled at Martin's Ferry. and entered the employment of the Benwood iron company, as manager of the blast furnace at this place. Ile is an acknowledged master of his important business in all its many details, and is a competent and successful manager. He was the first to make iron exclusively from cinders, and though the process he discovered was no source of great profit to him, he was the means of bringing about a great change in iron working. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is in politics a republican. Mr. Bird was married in 1850 to Susannah Scriven, who started with him from England, and died on ship board and was buried in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1852 he was married to Mary Jones, of Pennsylvania, and they have had ten children, of whom these survive: Mary J., Hanna and Clara.
Benjamin F. Brady, of Martin's Ferry, a leading dry goods mer- chant, is a native of Ohio, born in Jefferson county, February 7, 1843. He is the son of Robert Brady, a native of Cannonsburgh, Penn., who there learned the tailor's trade, and after coming to Ohio, when a
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young man, followed it at Knoxville, until his death, about 1855. About the year 1841 he was married to Elizabeth Clare, a native of Ohio, who is still living at Knoxville. To this marriage were born seven children, five of whom are living. Benjamin F. Brady was reared at Knoxville, and after his school days were over, was engaged in clerking in various stores at that place until the outbreak of the rebellion. In 1861 he enlisted under the first call in Company I. Twentieth Ohio regiment, and served three months in West Virginia. He then re-enlisted in the Second Ohio for three years, and served in the army of the Tennessee, participating in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Stone River, Mission Ridge, and other important engage- ments. After the battle of Perrysville, he was promoted from the ranks to second lieutenant, and after Stone River, to first lieutenant. as which he was mustered out in the fall of 1864. After the war he resided at various places until 1875, when he opened a general store at Irondale, Ohio, which was his place of abode until iSS2, when he came to Martin's Ferry. Since then he has conducted a dry goods, notions and millinery business with much success, and is known as an active and popular business man. He is a member of the Masonic and G. A. R. fraternities, and in politics has been active as a repub- lican. Mr. Brady was married in 1872 to Catherine McDonald, of Hammondsville, and they have one child, Elizabeth. Mrs. Brady is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
George W. Chessell, of Martin's Ferry, a successful business man. was born at Belmont in 1843. His grandfather, George Chessell. Sr., a native of England, came to the United States and set- tled near Smithfield, Jefferson county, where he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed for many years. Hle is still living, a resident of Hendrysburg, Belmont county. Ilis son, George the father of George W., was born in England. He was married to Ann Davis, who died in iSS7, and by this union had twelve children, five of whom survive. The subject of this sketch received his educa- tion at llendrysburg. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted, in 1861, in Company K, Fifteenth Ohio regiment, with which he served four years and two months. During this period he passed through many great battles, such as Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, and saw much severe service. He was mustered out as quartermaster sergeant, at San Antonio, Texas, in 1865. On his re- turn to Ohio he engaged in the grocery business, at Hendrysburg, until 1874, when he was appointed postal clerk on the Baltimore & Ohio road, running from Columbus to Grafton, and afterward from Newark to Chicago. He remained in the employment of the govern- ment until November, ISSS. On July 23, 1889, he had, in company with M. F. Earp, purchased the Gem laundry at Martin's Ferry, and to this business he has since given his attention. This institution is well-known for the excellence of its work, and is quite popular throughout the surrounding country. Mr. Chessell is a member of the Masonic order, the I. O. O. F. and the Knights of Pythias. In
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politics he is a republican. Ile was married, in 1866, to Sarah J. Ilogue, of Jefferson county, and they have three children: Alma, George W. and Harry E.
Matthew A. Chew, general superintendent of the nail department of the Laughlin nail company's works, is a native of Pittsburgh, born March 14, 1857. He is a grandson of Richard Chew, a native of Eng- land, who, before coming to America in 1826, was a soldier in the British army. After coming to this country he followed his trade as a nailer until his death in 1835. His son, Matthew J., the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Trenton, N. J., and received his education in the Catholic schools at Pittsburgh. He learned the trade of a nailer at New Castle, Penn., and in 1858 came to Wheeling, where he was engaged with the Belmont iron company. In 1864 he became a stockholder in the Belmont iron company and removed to Fronton, Ohio, but in 1866 he returned to Wheeling and was employed in the old Top mill. His death occurred in 1878. By his marriage to Annie Adams, a native of Pennsylvania, who survives, he had eleven children, seven of whom are living. Matthew A. Chew, when four- teen years old, spent three months as an apprentice with Bell, Atchi- son & Co., nail manufacturers, and then completed his trade with his father. After this he worked uninterruptedly at his trade, with the exception of seven months as a clerk in the store of Joseph Graves, at Wheeling, until 1885. At the time of the strike in that year he was elected national secretary of the the U. N. N. and R. association, and served in that capacity until the close of the strike in ISS6. He then purchased a half interest in the News Letter, at Wheeling, and was connected with that paper until July, ISSS. Resuming his trade, he worked at the Spaulding nail works at Brilliant Ohio, until Novem- ber, ISS9, when he was tendered his present position. lle is widely known for his skillfullness, energy and enterprise. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Chew was married in August, 18,8, to Annie, daughter of Joseph Graves, of Wheeling, and they have one child, Ella B.
William Clark, of Martin's Ferry, an old resident of that place and vicinity, is a native of Scotland, born at Kirkrubert, August 13, 1820. His father, Ilugh Clark, came to America with his family in 1822, and for five years resided in Washington county, Penn., being then en- gaged in brewing. In 1827 he came to Wheeling, and became a part- ner of Henry Moore, for many years a prominent business man of that city. In 1842 he dissolved this partnership, having some time be- fore acquired a tract of land on the island, where he then engaged in gardening until 1852, when he turned over the business to his eldest son, William, and made a trip to Scotland. Returning in 1854, he died December 25, 1856. By his marriage to Mary Manson, a native of Scotland, and a descendant of John Maitland, one of the conclave who adopted the confession of faith, together with shorter and larger cathecisms, and all the solemn leagues which have successfully governed the great Presbyterian church all these years, since the sixteenth century. He had six children, three of whom survive.
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