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 16
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The mother died about 1867. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated at Wheeling, and then aided his father until as has been stated he took entire charge of the gardening business on Wheeling Island. This he conducted until 1859 when he come to Martin's Ferry, and farmed and gardened until 1874. In that year he and others organ- ized the Ohio City Nail company, of which he was elected president. To this enterprise he donated twenty acres of ground, the present site of the nail works, also gave 100 acres of coal in return for stock. About three years later the company made an assignment, and the works were afterward bought by the Laughlin Nail company. Mr. Clark was one of the greatest losers in the old company, to the amount of about $120,000. He has throughout life been enterprising and liberal in his relations to the public. In 1873 he donated to the county the land on which the Ohio valley free pike was built, and to the old Wheeling steel company, of which he was a director, he gave eight acres, now the site of the Elson Glass works. In 1872 he made an addition to the town, known as Clark's addition, now mostly built up. He has also been interested in banking, and with George H. Jenkins, John Armstrong and others, organized the Ohio City bank, now known as the Exchange bank, of which he was vice president. For several years Mr. Clark has led a retired life. Of the Presbyterian church he is an active member, has been elder for several years, was superintendent of the Sunday-school of the First church of Wheel- ing some time, and actively engaged in other Sunday-school work, and for many years superintended a mission school and almost en- tirely supported it financially and otherwise, and in 1883 was a com- missioner to the general assembly of the church at Saratoga. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Clark was married September 26. 1849, to Margaret G. Culbertson, who died in May, 1870. To this union eight children were born, of whom there are living: Clara G .. Mary M., Sarah A., Thomas C., who is now a minister of the gospel of a Presbyterian church near Poughkeepsie, N. Y .; Martha A., and Phæbe R. In 1875 Mr. Clark was married to Annie E., daughter of Edward Mansfield, of Jefferson county, Ohio.
Judge John S. Cochrane, a distinguished citizen of Martin's Ferry. was born in Belmont county, Ohio, September 9, 1841. His family in this country, prominent in the carly settlement, is descended from William Cochrane, who was a native of England, and a cousin of Sir Thomas Cochrane, earl of Dumdonald, a British admiral. William Cochrane came to America about 1765, and settled near West Liberty on what is now known as the Jacobs and Dexton farms, which he acquired possession of by tomahawk right. He lost his life at the hands of the Indians during that savage raid, one incident of which was the famous leap of the frontiersman, Mccullough. Hle was shot after a desperate chase, just as he was in sight of the block house at West Liberty. His companion, William Boggs, was captured but made his escape and returned to his home at Wheeling, where some of his descendants are still living. William Cochrane had three sons, Thomas, James and Robert. The latter, grandfather of Judge Coch-
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as, president ot ine Outo Lite in nce & Trust Company, Cincinnati latter was born in North Carolina 92 near tlas plies, where, on the i of his grandfather, w's fought the lutionary battle of Guilford Court se His grandmother was Sarah ch, and frem this historie patron- comes Lynchhurg, Virginia, also, ch law." This Micajah Terrell .anis early baceme a Cincinnati r, and in 1818 married Hannah s. a Baltimore girl, then visiting ions in Zanesville. She was al cer, and the Friends ceremony pre- d. In 1820 Mr. Williams, chosen mblyman from Hamilton county, re-elected in 1822.3 and in 1824 was ated to the speakership. He had a 'n ; role in promoting legislation for canalization of Ohio, and was one vo supervisors under whom were tructed the canal from Cleveland le Ohio river at Portsmouth and that from Cincinnati to Dayton In! he came within a single legislative .
of being chosen United States ator, Thomas Ewing, whig, nosing When, during the Jackson admin-, ition, the United States Bank was ished. Mr. Wilhams carried through legislature an act under which the Life & Trust company, of which became pres dent, was orpenized. eveloped into a powerful institution suffered ombarasesent in the onie panic of 1:57. This, however, ten years after he had retired n the premaency. In 18al Wil- is was appointed by President "son surveyor general of the North- t Territory and served till 1885, in he bought extensively of landsin waukee-a circumstance that later ught his son, and also the Thomas' Wisconsin.
ot withstanding all his varied rela- is to Milwaukee, official and per- !!. Mr. Williums' only visit there , for two weeks in 1842 when the wulation was ahout 2,000, and long ore it had became famous for any erage or for anything in particular. im such a sire sprung these fine char- ers who, with the respected Terrell oinas kin, so pleasantly adorns this abling tale. 1
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rang, was born in 1770, and reared near West Liberty, but when quite a young man he crossed to Ohio about the beginning of this century and settled near Burlington, Belmont county, where he acquired a large tract of land, which he resided upon until his death in 1860. Of his sixteen children, four are living. Ilis son, Robert, Jr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Belmont county in 1814, and passed his life on a farm near Martin's Ferry, being one of the lead- ing citizens of that vicinity. He died in 1863, from fever which he contracted in a southern hospital while trying to save the life of his son, Watson, then a prisoner of war. He was married about 1835 to Susannah Davis, by whom he had thirteen children, eleven of whom were reared. Six of the seven sons served in the Union army, but all escaped death, though two were severely wounded. When the father went south he left the large farm in charge of his wife and four daughters, in the midst of a severe winter, and they were compelled to haul feed through fifteen inches of snow to save their live stock, with but slight assistance from others. Their heroic efforts sufficed, however, to prevent any loss until the arrival of one of the sons, who secured a discharge and came home. They managed the farm until it was sold. The widow of Robert, Jr., is still living. Judge Coch- rane was reared in Belmont county, and at twenty years of age, he enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Ohio regiment, in the fall of 1861, with his brother, R. H. Cochrane, elsewhere mentioned. After one year's service he came home andadministered on the estate of his de- ceased father. After the close of the war he determined to adopt the profession of law, and studied three years with Hon. William Kennon, judge of the supreme court of Ohio. He then began the practice at St. Clairsville, but soon afterward removed to Sedalia, Mo., where he followed his profession with success for ten years. He was elected prosecuting attorney and served one term, and in 1868 was elected judge of the court of common pleas, a position he filled with credit until 1872. In 1876 he removed to Wheeling, and practiced there until 1882, when he removed to Martin's Ferry, where he is still in the practice of law. He has always taken an active part in public affairs, and has been public-spirited and enterprising. In the republican party he has been quite prominent, and in 18SS was elected by his party as elector for the seventeenth congressional district. Judge Cochrane is now president of the Electric Light company of this place. Ile was married in 1867 to Mattie W. Weldin, of Wheeling. He and wifejare members of the Presbyterian church, and he is a member of the Knights of Honor, the Maccabees and the National Union fraternities. Att:
W. B. Crawford, postmaster and grocer of Blaine, Belmont county, Ohio, is a son of William F. and Harriet Crawford, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this book. Mr. Crawford was born April 5. 1852. His early life was passed in Bridgeport, where he received a common school education. After obtaining his schooling he engaged in the grocery business, first with his brother in Bridgeport. After remaining with his brother for five years he sold his interest in the
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business and removed to Richland township, where he entered the dairy business. Four years later, Mr. Crawford returned to Pease township, and operated a farm for three years. Subsequently, in IS87, he established the grocery business, which he now conducts, having met with marked success. He was appointed postmaster at Blaine, July 10, 1889, and took charge of the office July 23, 1889. Mr. Craw- ford has been a school director of the township, serving to the satisfaction of all concerned. In 1881, he married Miss Fannie, daughter of Edward and Catherine Simpson. Mrs. Crawford was born March 3. 1863; the mother, Catherine Simpson, was born, De- cember 25, 1843, and the father November 27, 1841. The following named children have been born to them: Carl E., born March 19, 1882; Gertrude, born March 20, 1884; Harriet C., born April 16, 1885; David R., born July 29, 1887, and Francis H., born December 3, 1889. Mr. Crawford is a member of the Masonic Order of Bridge- port, and Mrs. Crawford is a regular communicant of the Presby- terion church. W. B. Crawford is a man who has gained the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen, and is regarded as a business man of much foresight and ability.
Rev. Dr. Frank S. De Hass was born in Washington county, Penn., October 1, 1821. The family was originally German, being known by the name of Von Hass, and having three distinct branches. The fam- ily were Protestant Huguenots, emigrated to Holland, and in 1772 some portion of them came to America and settled in Pennsylvania. Gen. John Philippy Hass, of Revolutionary memory, was an immediate ancestor of the subject of our notice. Dr. De Hass was educated at Washington college, Penn., and was licensed as a Methodist preacher in 1843. His first appointment was at Leesburg, Ohio, in connection with the Pittsburgh conference. He was ordained deacon in 1845, and elder in 1857. In 1845 he was stationed at Murrysville, Penn .; in 1846, Weston, Va .; in 1847-'48, Wheeling; in 1849-'50, agent of Allegheny college; in 1851 '52, Wesley college, Pittsburgh; 1853-'54, secretary of "Tract Society," in Methodist church; in 1855-'56, Trinity church, Pittsburgh; in 1857-'58, again secretary of Tract Society; in 1859-'60, Seventh street, New York; 1861-'62, Washington street, Brooklyn. He was appointed to the Pacific Street church, Brooklyn, in 1863, and three years later went to the Metropolitan church, in Washington city, where he remained three years. Among the attendants at this church were, President Grant, Vice-president Colfax. Chief Justice Chase and many other distinguished individuals. Two years were then spent with Trinity church, Cincinnati, and two subsequent years travel in Europe, Egypt and Palestine. In the Holy Land he secured a rare manuscript of the Book of Moses, found in a tomb supposed to date a century before Christ. April 1, 1872, he was appointed to the Lexington Avenue church, New York. He received the degree of D). D. from Michigan university, in 1870. Dr. De Hass enjoyed consider- able reputation as an eloquent speaker. Various sermons at camp meetings were spoken of as grand in the extreme. On one occasion he chained the attention of 10,000 persons for one hour and twenty
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minutes. He attended the general Sunday-school convention held in London, in 1862, and at one of the sessions made a speech of marked beauty and power. His publications are principally sermons. At the time of his appointment to the consulate at Jerusalem, Dr. De Hass was pastor of the Lexington Avenue Methodist church, New York city, which charge he resigned soon after. A gentleman of high social cul- ture and of varied learning and accomplishments, he was amply qualified for all the requirements of his office and made a worthy rep- resentative of our country abroad. In addition to his consular du- ties Dr. De Ilass devoted his leisure hours to biblical researches in and around Jerusalem. After his return from the Holy Land and the last years of his life were spent principally in travel. Some ten years before his death he came to Martin's Ferry, where he owned some property, and on account of his mother living here. Three years before his death symptoms of cancer began to appear on the lower part of his face, and was ultimately the cause of his death, which oc- curred December 8, 1889. He never took an active part in politics, but was ever identified with the republican party. He was also a member of the Masonic order.
James H. Drennen is a native of Steubenville, Ohio, was brought up on a farm from his fifth to his fourteenth year, at which time he went to Pittsburgh to serve an apprenticeship to a cabinet- and chair- maker whose place of business was corner of Third and Smithfield streets. In 1837 he went to Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson Co., Ohio, to work at his trade. There he married, and purchasing a farm in Pease township, three miles distant from Martin's Ferry, where he continued to reside till the care of the News requiring all his attention, he re- moved to Martin's Ferry, where he has since resided. Since he has had control of the News, the place has grown from a village of 1,800, to a city of 7,000 to 8,000 inhabitants; from one railroad, the Cleveland & Pittsburgh, it has two in operation, and another nearly completed, which will open up additional communications with the entire country, and give several other railroads access to the city and the east via the splendid railroad bridge connecting the city with Wheeling, which will be completed in June. During the existence of the News, manufactur- ing of iron and glass has been firmly established in the little city where it is published, for which that paper is certainly entitled to a due share of credit, as it has always given prominence to all enter- prises which Mr. Drennen believed would tend to building up the town of his adoption. While the Vezes has never been a partisan sheet, it has always contended for a protective tariff, and while Mr. Drennen remains in control, it may be depended on to favor any policy which will create and foster a diversified industry.
George Duncan, of Martin's Ferry, a prominent attorney, was born in Allegheny county, Penn., May 11, 1841. He is the son of Thomas Duncan, a native of Pennsylvania, who was reared in Allegheny county, and learned the trade of wool-carding. Ile became the owner of a carding mill about ten miles north of Pittsburgh, on the Alle- gheny road, which he operated about forty years. Disposing of this
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in 1862, he purchased a farm on which he resided until his death. November 19, 1864. He was married in 1838, to Nancy Herdman, by whom he had six children, of whom three besides the subject of this sketch, are living. The mother also survives. George Duncan re- ceived his early education in the common schools of Allegheny county, and in the Valley academy, and when about nineteen years old began the study of law with Thomas Howard and John D. Mahon, of Pitts- burgh. Removing subsequently to Columbiana county, Ohio, he com- pleted his studies with J. D. King, and in November, 1865, he was admitted to the bar of Mahoning county. While pursuing these professional studies he had followed teaching in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Beginning the practice in Columbiana county, in 1867. he remained there seven years, and then went to Norwalk, Ohio, which was his residence until he removed to Martin's Ferry, in the spring of 1878. Here he has attained a creditable place in his profession, and is widely known as a learned and successful lawyer. Mr. Duncan was married in 1863, to Maggie Hall, of Allegheny county, by whom he has three children: Thomas M., Nannie V., and Lottie.
William K. Elson, of Martin's Ferry, one of the most enterprising manufacturers of the upper Ohio valley, was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 27, 1833. Ile is the son of John and Harriet Elson, the former of whom died when the subject of this sketch was but nine months old. In 1837 the latter came to Wheeling with his mother, and in that city attended the then indifferent schools until he was twelve years old, after which he entered the employment of Barnes, Hobbs & Co. He then learned the trade of a glass blower, and be- came a master of that craft. He did not leave the employment of this company until he was about twenty nine years of age, when. in 1863, in company with John Oesterling, Peter Castle, James Leisure and others, he started a small factory at Wheeling, which has since developed into the Central Glass works. He remained with this glass manufacturing company until January, 1878, when he became associ- ated with the Belmont glass house, of Bellaire, and remained there five years. In 1881, he joined with M. Sheets and others in the or- ganization of the Elson Glass company at Martin's Ferry, of which he has acted as president, and now holds the position of general manager. W. II. Robinson is now president of the company. Mr. Elson's residence at Martin's Ferry began in IS85, and though a com- paratively recent comer, he is accorded a prominent place in business and social eireles, and is highly esteemed by all. His political affil- iation is with the republican party. Mr. Elson was married in 1855, and has three children. Mrs. Elson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Henry Floto, president of the Northwood Glass company, of Mar- tin's Ferry, was born in Brunswick, Germany, in 1839. He is the son of Lewis and Caroline ( Frohme) Floto, natives of Germany. The father, who died in 1850, was a shoemaker by trade, and also engaged in farming. The mother is still living in Germany. Henry Floto re- ceived a limited education in Germany and learned the craft of a
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glass-blower, at which he was engaged until he came to the United States in 1863. He found employment at Steubenville about one year, then worked at McKee's Glass works at Pittsburgh, afterward at various places, and in 1866 came to Martin's Ferry and entered the employment of Sweeney & McCluny. Soon afterward he and his brother purchased the bakery establishment of J. Ensley, and this he still conducts. He is also a stockholder and president of the North- wood Glass company. He has been highly successful in business, and is one of the most enterprising men of the town. No less than thir- teen residences and other buildings have been erected by him in Mar- tin's Ferry, and he is active in the public interests. Mr. Floto also owns large tracts of land in Tennessee. He was married in 1866 to Margaret Roller, of Steubenvile, and nine children have been born to them: George, Hattie, Frank, Henry, Christian, Emma, William, Minnie (deceased), and Charles. He is a member of the Lutheran, and his wife of the Catholic, church.
E. W. Gilmore is a native of Ohio, born in the town of Smithfield, Jefferson county, that state. His parents, John and Elizabeth, were both natives of Maryland. In 1869 he moved to Bridgeport, Ohio. Some five years after his removal to Bridgeport, he entered the grocery business, and still occupies the stand where he commenced trading. The business, urged on by his thrift and foresight, has steadily increased. year by year, until at the present time he ranks among the leading grocers of Bridgeport. Mr. Gilmore is a member of Belmont lodge, K. of P., of Bridgeport. Politically, he is a " liberal" democrat.
Thomas L. Glessner, president of the Laughlin Nail company, is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and a son of Jacob Glessner, one of the pioneer publishers of eastern Ohio. Jacob Glessner was born in Somerset county, Penn., where he learned the printer's trade. In 1834 he removed to St. Clairsville, Ohio, and, in company with his brother, purchased the St. Clairsville Gasette, which they published about five years. He then went to Zanesville, and published the Aurora, the leading democratic organ, for six years, after which he established a family journal, known as the Zanesville City Times, which he conducted for over twenty years. In 186; he sold the paper and purchased the Zanesville paper mill, which he managed until 1 886, since when he has been retired from business. While at St. Clairs- ville he was married to Miss Laughlin, of Wheeling, and five children have been born to them, of whom one is deceased. Thomas L. Glessner, after receiving his education at Zanesville, entered the Benwood Iron works, and there remained six years, having charge of the Benwood office. In 18;8, in company with his uncle, Alexander Laughlin, he purchased the Ohio City Iron and Nail works, at Mar- tin's Ferry, and organized the Laughlin Nail company, of which he acted as secretary until the death of Mr. Laughlin in 1885, when he assumed his present position. The works were partially destroyed by fire in 1882 and again in 1886, but each time were rebuilt and en- larged, and they are now the second largest nail works in the world.
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Mr. Glessner is also president of the Laughlin and Junction Steel company, which built and operates the Bessemer Steel works at Mingo Junction. He has been a resident of Wheeling since 1872, and is re- garded as one of its foremost citizens. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is in political matters a republican. He was married in 1879, to a daughter of George R. Taylor, elsewhere mentioned, and one child, Mary, has been born to this union.
C. F. Handel, the subject of this sketch, was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, August 28, 1840. Four years later his parents came to the United States and settled at Pasco Station, Ohio. Learning the printer's trade in Wheeling, he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until the outbreak of the late war. Ileeding his adopted country's call, he was among the first to enroll himself on the roster of the Ninth regiment of the Ohio volunteer infantry, whose fortunes he bravely followed through the trying scenes of the battles of Rich Mountain, Fairfax Ferry, Mills's Springs. Shiloh, Perryville, Chickamauga and Resaca. Having been honorably discharged in the year 1864, he went to New York, where he followed his trade for one year, after which he returned to Ohio and established a grocery business at Pasco, his father's old home. Mr. Handel remained at Pasco until 1871, then removed to Wheeling, where he became a member of the firm of Klein & Handel, wholesale dealers in notions. In 1883 he again moved, this time to Bridgeport, Ohio. He established a gro- cery house here which he still presides over, and under his guidance does an increasingly prosperous buisness. Mr. Handel married Miss Elizabeth Breidenstein in 1870. Miss Breidenstein was the daughter of Caspar Breidenstein, one of the most prominent and honored of Bridgeport's pioneers. Two sons, Willie and Albert, are the result of this union. The qualities that made him a true, courageous soldier, a successful business man and an upright citizen, won him the regard of his fellow townsmen, and in 1886, their vote placed him in the city council. A member of the republican party, yet respected by all parties. The family are members of the German Lutheran church of Wheeling.
Joseph T. Hanes, of Martin's Ferry, a prominent business man, was born at that place, July 7, 1839. His father, James llanes, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Martin's Ferry in 1855, and was one of the first settlers, erecting one of the first dwelling houses. llis occupa tion was marble-cutting, which he followed until his death in 1862. In 1827 he was married to Rebecca Hadsell, a native of Pennsylvania, who died July IS, ISSo, aged eighty-eight years. These parents had eight children, all of whom are living. The subject of this sketch received his education in the old log school-house on Lucas street, and in the Union school, and then took a commercial course with the intention of starting a commercial school, but this was prevented by the war of the rebellion. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, of the Fifteenth Ohio regiment, and served until 1865. He was captured at the battle of Chickamauga, and for over sixteen months was confined at Andersonville and other military prisons, at one time almost suf-
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fering death from scurvy. When exchanged in November, 1864, he was completely broken down and required crutches to move about. After the war he took up his father's business, which he carried on until 1874, when failing health compelled him to abandon it and he en- gaged in the real estate business. In this he does a considerable busi- ness, and is also interested in building associations, one of which, the Franklin, he started in 1879. He also acts as a notary public and insurance and steamship agent. He has taken an active interest in politics as a republican, and has been influential in municipal affairs, having, as councilman, been instrumental in securing water works. He isa member of the Presbyterian church, and of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and National Union fraternities. Mr. Hanes was married in 1869 to Anna Clyker, of Wheeling, by whom he has had three children, Gertrude C., Lyman S., and James W., deceased.
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