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 22
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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
Bloomfield, in Company G, Forty-third Ohio regiment, serving three ยท years and six months. He did his duty in the battles of Island No. 10, the siege of Corinth, and the battle of Corinth, October 4, 1862, where his hat was shot through. The regiment was under the command of Col. Gurby Smith, and the regiment was in the famous Ohio brigade. Ile was in all of the battles of Sherman's march to the . sea. After the close of the war Mr. Brown returned to Harrison county, and spent some years in finishing his education, attending Hopedale college. Leaving college he was engaged as a traveling salesman until 1882, when he was made assistant postmaster of Bel- laire, under George M. Wise, and in 1886 he was elected to the mayoralty of Bellaire, a position which he still holds, this being his second term. In 1876 he was united in marriage to lone Buffington, who was a resi- dent of Moundsville, W. Va., sister of Col. Buffington, now com- mander of the arsenal at Springfield, Mass., and an inventor of note. One child has been born into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Adelbert R. Mr. Brown is a member of the G. A. R., and also of the K. of P. In politics he is a republican. William H1. Brown started life without money or influential friends, yet, it is not too much to say, that there has never been a mayor who has done such noble service for the improvement and advancement of the city of Bellaire. The money for public improvements has been raised in other ways than by burdensome taxation during the administration of Mr. Brown, and he is, to-day, one of the most popular, and deservedly so, of the citizens of Bellaire.
Joseph Clements, a leading grocer of Bellaire, is one of five children born to James and Mary Clements. The parents are residents of Ire- land, the father being engaged in farming in that country. Three of the children have emigrated to this country. Joseph's birth occurred in 1852, in county Tyrone, Ireland. His life previous to his coming to the United States was spent in obtaining as much of an education as was possible, and helping his father on the farm. In 1870 he sought a new home in America, coming direct to Bellaire, Ohio. In the fol- lowing year Mr. Clements established the business which he now con- ducts. He started on a very small scale, but has since enlarged his trade and accommodations until at the present writing he does one of the largest businesses in the city, and indeed in the county. He mar- ried Ellen Clements, who is also a native of Ireland, in isto, and they are the parents of six children; Mariah E., Anna M., Maggie M .. Ella B., Charles J. and Vere J., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Clements are very active members of the United Presbyterian church. of Bellaire. He has taken a keen interest in the politics of his adopted country and was recently a candidate of the republican party for coun- cilman from the Third ward of the city of Bellaire. Mr. Clements has always given his aid to any and all enterprises of merit, and is at present largely interested in the Enterprise Window Glass works, of Bellaire, and is also a stockholder in the First National bank. and the Dollar Savings bank. He has made many friends since his coming to Bellaire, and is deservedly popular. In his prosperity in the new
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
country he has not forgotten his native land, having been back to see the dear ones in Ireland since his departure, and he is intending another visit to the " Emerald Isle" the coming summer.
William.C. Cochran, ex-sheriff of Belmont county, Ohio, was born in Belmont county in 1834. His parents were James and Nancy (McCord) Cochran, natives of Ohio and West Virginia, respectively. James was the son of James, Sr., who was a brother of Robert Coch- ran, the grandfather of the eminent Judge John S. Cochran, whose biography appears elsewhere in this book. James, Jr., first saw the light of day in Pease township, in the year ISo1, he received a limited education in the schools of his native town, after which he began farming, which he followed to the time of his demise in 1854. He was a man of prominence in the community in which he lived, having held several offices of public trust during his lifetime. His marriage resulted in the birth of thirteen children, of which there were six boys and seven girls, ten of the children are now living. The wife died in 1887, aged seventy-eight years. William C. Cochran obtained his schooling from the common schools of Pease township, afterward spend- ing some years at farming, he then learned the cooper's trade, work- ing at it for about fourteen years, the last three years of which time he was manager of the keg department of the Wood Iron works. Leaving this company he erected a saw-mill near Heatherington's Coal works, operating the same for two years. In 1872 Mr. Cochran sold the mill and was elected sheriff of Belmont county, holding this highly coveted office for two terms. In 1878 his brother Thomas was elected probate judge. Mr. Cochran married Miss A. M. Davis, in 1855, she is a native of Bellaire, and daughter of Jacob Davis, founder of the City Fathers' Union. Four children have come to bless their home: Martha J., Amanda M., Emma V. and Theodore C. The first two named are dead. After the term of his office expired Mr. Coch- ran was engaged for a short time in the livery business. In ISSo he took charge of the keg works of the Bellaire Nail company, and still holds this position. In connection with his son Theodore he estab- lished a wharf-boat, at Bellaire, in 1889, and they now conduct this enterprise meeting with success. He is a member of the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar. He is also one of the leading repub- licans of the county.
Joseph W. Cooper, M. D., born December 11, 1861, is the son of John and Sarah (Hedge) Cooper, natives of Belmont county, Ohio, and Ohio county, W. Va., respectively. John Cooper is the son of Francis Cooper. The latter was a pioneer of Belmont county, Ohio, who subsequently removed to Brooke county. W. Va., remaining there until his death. He was the father of a large family of children, having been twice married. John Cooper, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere, was born December 1, 1831, at Scotch Ridge, Belmont county, Ohio, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His preliminary educa- tion was obtained in his native state and in Pennsylvania. Subse- quently he studied medicine under the tutelage of Dr. West, of Martin's Ferry, Ohio, and then entered the Ohio Medical college, and
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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
was graduated therefrom. After his graduation Doctor Cooper practiced for some time near Point Pleasant, W. Va., then moving to Ohio county, W. Va., he remained there until 1868, at which time he removed to Wellsburg, Brooke county, W. Va., and is still residing there. He was married while in West Virginia to Miss Sarah Hedge. Joseph Cooper, the subject of this sketch, was a student in Bethany college for two years, and in ISSo began the study of medicine with his father. Two years later he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, and remained there for two years, when he entered the Jefferson Medical college. Dr. Cooper was graduated from the latter institution in the year 1884, and immediately located at Wellsburg, but in December, 18S5, came to Bellaire, Ohio. In January, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss L. A. Moore, of Wellsburg.
A pioneer character of Belmont county, Ohio, was Ralph Crozier, who died September 9, 1869. He was an Irishman by birth, having been born in county Tyrone, Ireland, December 25, 1Soo. Receiving a rather scant education in his native land, Mr. Crozier afterward learned the trade of weaving. Ilis father, Ralph Crozier, was also a weaver. Ralph, Jr., came to America about the year 1818, and settled at Pittsburgh, Penn., but remaining there only a few months, he then took up his abode in Pultney township, Belmont Co., Ohio. Here Mr. Crozier followed his trade, as a weaver. Following this voca- tion for several years he next engaged in the lumber business, cutting timber and transporting it to Wheeling by boat, the bulk of it being bought by Chester D. Hubbard. Subsequently, in 1839, he moved to Monroe county, Ohio, and purchased a small farm, which he operated for about seven years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Belmont county, and took up the mining industry. The last years of his life were spent as a brick-maker. In the year 1832, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McMahon, who was a resident of Pultney township. Twelve children were born to them: James. Thomas, Ralph, Richard, William, David, Joseph, James W., Annie, and Mary A. James, Thomas, David, Mary A., and two children who died in infancy, are now deceased. Mrs. Crozier died in 1879. May 2d. Ralph, William and David established a brick-yard in Bellaire, in 1869, and this business is still conducted by Ralph and William. They manufacture building and paving brick on a very ex- tensive scale. Richard Crozier was born while the family resided in Monroe county, his birth occurring in 1841. Mr. Crozier's early life was spent in Belmont county, where he attended the common schools. He began working when quite young in the brick-yard, where he re- mained until 1858, when he connected with his three brothers in busi- ness. At the close of the war he entered into a partnership with Joseph Mitchell, this firm establishing the first brick-yard which was started after the war. In 1869 this firm was dissolved, and he then again entered the business conducted by his brothers, remaining with them until he started the meat and grocery business, in which he is still engaged. W. S. Dunfee was taken into the business in 188;, and
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
has since been connected with him. In November, 1871, Mr. Crozier married Nancy J. Dunfee, by whom he has had six children: Cath- arine E., James W., Anna L., Louisa M. and Maggie J., and one who died before christening. Mr. Crozier is an ardent supporter of the democratic party, and is a successful business man, having gained the respect and confidence of the citizens of Bellaire.
Samuel O. Cummins, a prominent hardware dealer of Bellaire, is a native of Wheeling, W. Va., in which city he first saw the light of day in the year 1850. His parents were Robert H. and Ann M. (Ott) Cummins. The father was a Pennsylvanian, and the mother a native of Virginia. Robert was the son of James Cummins, who was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., in the year 1786. He came to Ohio when that state was yet in its infancy, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1866. Ilis wife was Mary Hazlett, who was born in 1792, and who bore him six children. She died in the year 1880. Robert H. Cummins was born in Washington county, Penn., in 1817. His education was derived from the schools of that county. He afterward went to Philadelphia and began the study of medicine, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1841. Dr. Cum- mins began the practice of his profession in Wheeling, where he re- mained all his life. He was married in Wheeling to Ann M. Ott. Six children came of this marriage, all of them living but one. Dr. Cummins died in 1873, and his wife after. Samuel O. Cummins was educated in the Wheeling city schools, after leaving school he engaged in business with Ott, Son & Co., as clerk in their hardware store, remaining with them until 1872, at which time Mr. Cummins removed to Bellaire and established the hardware house of which he is still the principal. Anna E. Birdsong, of Bellaire, became his wife in the year 1875. R. Perry, Thomas A. and Hester M., are the issue of this happy union. He is a stockholder in several manufactories in the city. Few men have met with more success in so short a time in this city, and he is considered one of the substantial men of the com- munity.
James B. Darrah, secretary of the Belmont Savings and Loan com- pany, first saw the light of day in Baltimore, Md., in 1829. His par- ents were Robert and Mary A. (Milligan) Darrah, both of Irish birth. Robert was a farmer in Ireland until :Szo, when he came to this country, first living in Baltimore, but soon moving west and lo- cating in Wheeling, W. Va. After remaining there but a short time he came to Belmont county, Ohio, and lived here until 1860, when the family removed to Jefferson county. He died in Jefferson county in 1876. While living in Baltimore he married Mary Milligan, and they were the patents of nine children, six of whom survive him. The mother passed away in 1887. James attended the schools in Belmont county for a time and then started his business career by buying and selling produce. When twenty-one years old he began to work at the carpenter's trade and followed this until a few years ago. From 1855 he was engaged in contracting and building in Bellaire, but in 1885 the Belmont Savings and Loan company was formed by J. B. Darrah,
577
BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
William J. MeCain, J. W. Coulson, P. Whealan, David Darrah, J. E. Robeson, J. F. Anderson. James B. Darrah was elected secretary of this company at that time and still fills the office, having shown great ability in his management of the affairs of the company. He was first married to Mary Henry in 1860, she died eight years after, and in time he was married to Carrie E. Meyer, a former resident of Cambridge, Ohio. Mr. Darrah is a member of the Masonic order, and the K. of P. In 1880 he was the democratic candidate for sheriff of Belmont county, and despite the fact that his party was in the minority Mr. Darrah lacked but a few votes of being elected. Few men in the county have made a more marked success than he. Start- ing, as he did, without money and with but few friends, he has achieved a position in the financial and social portion of the com- munity which any man might envy. This has been secured only by persistent effort, and by the exercise of integrity and ability.
Benjamin F. Day, the manager of the Bellaire Stamping works, was born in 1848, in West Virginia, the son of John W. and Hester 11. (Deaton) Day, both Virginians. The father was born in the year- and received a somewhat limited education in the district schools, after which he learned the trade of a blacksmith. He followed this trade until within a very few years, having given his attention to farming since abandoning his trade. He was married to the mother of the subject of this biography in the year Who bore him fifteen children, eleven of whom are now living. The mother passed to her reward in the year - Benjamin Day was graduated from the Roanoke college, having been prepared for his collegiate course in the schools of his native town. Having left college, Mr. Day served an apprenticeship of three and a half years to a tinner. In January, 1870, he came to Bellaire and entered the employ of Baron & Bro. This firm was the founder of the Bellaire Stamping works. Subse- quently the firm was changed and the works merged into the stamp- ing company, at this time Mr. Day was retained as manager, and he still holds that position, having filled this office for over fifteen years. Lovena Van Scyoc, who was a resident of Washington county. Penn., became his wife in 1877. To this union four children have been born: Mr. and Mrs. Day are active and earnest communicants of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and are very useful members of the commu- nity. Mr. Day is the stockholder in the company of which he is the manager, and is held in the highest esteem by those interested in this company. Politically Mr. Day is a very loyal member of the prohi- bitionist party, and although he has no desire for political fame, yet renders much service to the cause which he espouses.
John DuBois, senior member of the firm of DuBois & McCoy, owners and operators of the Bellaire Planing mills, was born in Bel- mont county, Ohio, June 4, 1838. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Bugelos) DuBois, were both natives of county Antrim, Ireland. They emigrated to this country in the year 1834, coming to Belmont county, where the father began to work at his trade of a blacksmith in the vicinity of St. Clairsville. Here they lived for some years, the 37-B.
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
father in time giving up his trade and turning his attention to farm- ing, having bought a tract of land near St. Clairsville, remaining there until his death in 18So. He died at the age of eighty-four years, having lived a useful life, and having won the respect of his neigh- bors. John and Elizabeth DuBois were the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all now dead but John and Joseph. Mrs. DuBois died in 1857. John, the son, obtained a common school- ing in Belmont county, and then engaged in farming until 1876, in which year he moved to Bellaire and opened a lumber yard, having been obliged to abandon farming on account of failing health. Hle operated the lumber yard for four years, at the expiration of which time the firm of DuBois & McCoy was formed. They built the Bel- laire Planing mill, of which he has since been the general manager. Mr. DuBois married Maggie J. Frazier, of St. Clairsville, in 1861. This union has resulted in the birth of seven children: James F., John A., Samuel E., Joseph M., Lawrence L., David D. and Charles MI., the last named is deceased. Mrs. DuBois went to her rest Octo- ber 30, 1889. She was a member of the United Presbyterian church, in which society she was ever active. A woman of great power, char- itable, always ready to relieve the sufferings of others, she passed to the presence of her God in the full assurance of her reward. Mr. DuBois is a true republican. Besides having charge of the mill, he also manages the old home farm, and is largely interested in the Bel- laire Window Glass company, of which he has been president for two years. His integrity and ability have won for him the regard of all with whom he comes in contact.
James Fitton, the well-known plumber of Bellaire, Ohio, was born in Rochdale, England, in 1836, in the month of December, the 29th day. He is the son of James and Mary Fitton, both of English birth. James Fitton, Sr., was a cotton spinner in England until i847, when he came to the United States, and settled in Harper's Ferry, where he died in 1849. He was the father of seven children, three of whom survive him. His wife died in Wheeling in 1868. James, Ir., attended the schools in England until he was eight years old, he then worked in the cotton mill with his father until the family came to this coun- try. Ile worked in the mills at Harper's Ferry until his father's death. The family moved to Wheeling, W. Va., in 1850, and Mr. Fitton continued to work in the cotton industry until 1852, when he began a five years' apprenticeship to a plumber. After finishing his apprenticeship, he worked for William Ilare, of Wheeling, for seven- teen years, at the expiration of which time he established a business at Cadiz, Ohio, but subsequently, in 1872, came to Bellaire. Mr. Fit- ton has been connected with the plumbing business in Bellaire ever since his coming here, and has built up a very large business, he has - ing always dealt fairly and honestly with his patrons. He was mar- ried May 25, 1857, to Miss Anna M. Trisler, of Wheeling, and eight children have been born to them: Mary .A., Vice J., Martha E .. Henry R., Lillian A., Maggie and James R., and Laura, who died in infancy, the others are living, forming a most interesting family circle.
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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
Mr. and Mrs. Fitton are earnest communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Bellaire; he is also a member of the I. O. O. F., the Masonic order and the K. of H. Although he has never desired office, he is a very constant worker for the republican party. Mr. Fitton and family are among the best citizens of Bellaire, and are so regarded by the community at large.
A. T. Garden was born in Wheeling, in 1828. His early life was spent at home with his parents and in acquiring an education at schools of the place. At about the age of nineteen or twenty, he left school and engaged in the tannery, with his father assisting in the management of the same. Mr. Garden, Sr., left the tannery business about the year 1850, and about 1853 Mr. Garden, Jr., opened a mercantile house on Eleventh street, where he handled, for the retail and wholesale trade, leather and shoe findings. Continuing this business for four or five years he retired from this and went with his father to a farm near Wheeling, where he remained until about 1869. The senior Mr. Gar- den dying in or about 1867, Mr. Garden, Jr., removed from the farm back to Wheeling, where the family resided until 1887, when they re- moved to Ohio, where they now reside in Pultney township, near Bel- laire. He was married in October, 1852, to Miss Mary Bankard, a native of West Virginia, a daughter of James Bankard, who was a member of the firm of Stockton, Bankard & Co., window glass manufacturers, who owned a factory for the manufacture of window glass, one of the first in the town. Mr. and Mrs. Garden are the parents of four child- ren, three of whom are still living: Alice, deceased; Julia, John B., David A. Julia was married, in 1875, to Mr. John M. Sweeney, a son of A. J. Sweeney. John B., in 1865, to Mary R. Sweeney, daughter of :\. J. Sweeney, of Wheeling. Julia and her husband now reside in Wheeling, where her husband holds the position of junior partner in A. J. Sweeney & Son, Foundry and Machine shop. John B. now re- sides in his father's place, but holds, in Wheeling, the position of sec- retary and treasurer of the Wheeling Electric Light company. Ile has two children, both of whom are now living: Allen J., Gertrude. Mr. Garden has paid but little attention to politics, though always inter- ested and identified with enterprises for the public good. Mr. Gar- den has been, by industry and honesty and integrity, successful in all his business dealings, and now lives a retired life in his pleasant home on the bank of the Ohio, near Bellaire. David Garden, the father of the present generation, was born in January, 1805. in Scotland, where he remained until about thirteen years old, when his parents came to the United States landing in Philadelphia, in ISIS, where he remained some two years engaged in a tannery. About iSzo his father, David Garden, Sr., removed from Philadelphia to Virginia, where he pur- chased a flour mill and small tract of land. They remained here for about two years, when they removed to Wheeling, and purchased a small tract of land in what was known as Jonathan Zane's addition to Wheeling, and on this land erected the tan-yard known as the David Garden tan-yard. This was one of the first tan-yards in the city, and the only one of any importance for many years. Here the
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
fnmily remained, and the grandfather, David Garden, Sr., died in 1830. After the father's death, in 1830, the business was carried on by David Garden, Jr., father of the subject of this sketch. To obtain this pro- perty the father, David, Jr., bought the interest controlled by the other heirs. David Garden, Jr., was married, in 1827, to Miss Alice God- frey, a daughter of George Godfrey, native of England. By her he had five children, three girls and two boys, the only living represen- tative being the present owner of the Garden estate. Was for some time a member of the city council, but paid no active attention to politics more than to vote the democratic ticket. Was a good sub- stantial man, and in his death, in 1867, the community lost one of her best citizens. His wife lived her life out alone after his death, and died surrounded by her family and friends, in 1879, at the age of eighty-nine years.
John Garrett enlisted in Company H. Sixty-first Ohio regiment, at the outbreak of the war of the rebellion, and was elected captain of his company. Captain Garrett served with much valor and efficiency during three years and three months, not having been absent from his regiment for a single day during that time. He was first in the army of the Potomac, but was afterward transferred to the army of the Cumberland. That he was at the "front" will be readily seen from the fact that he was in the thick of the fight at the battle of Gettysburg, was also a participant in the second battle of Bull Run and many other very important actions, as well as in innumerable minor engagements and skirmishes. Captain Garrett was at the siege of Atlanta and was at one time distinguished by having the command of his regiment. With the army of the Potomac he was in the battles of Freeman's Ford, Cedar Creek, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville; in the army of the Cumberland, first fight on Rac- coon Mountains, helped to take Lookout Mountain, fought from Snake Creek Gap to Atlanta, and at Peach Creek, where the Sixty-first lost a little more than half of their numbers and all field officers captured. Captain Garrett took command of the regiment and commanded it until the close of the war, and went through with Sherman to Savan- nah. Then went through the Carolinas and was in the last fight that Sherman had at Bentonsville, N. C. As has been before mentioned he was with his regiment every day during his long service, and this despite the fact that he was three times wounded. Having returned from the war he quietly settled down and began working at his trade of a blacksmith, being a shining example of that great body of men who could fight so well and then quietly disperse to their homes and resume their wonted occupations. A fine example of an American citizen and soldier.
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