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 34
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Folling her hands upon her breast, She calmly entered into rest: Leaving the scenes of earthly care. The joy and bliss of heaven to share.
The date of her death was first month 25th, ISSo. In iSS; Mr. Pick- ering was married to Anna Thorp, daughter of Thomas and Mary
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(Foulk) Thorp. Her father was born in Delaware in 1781, and came to Ohio in 1822, settling near Morristown. In 1834, he removed to Morgan county, and cleared two farms in succession. Thomas Thorp was the father of eleven children: Sarah A., deceased; Sam- uel F., deceased; James, deceased; Ellenor, deceased, who was mar- ried to William B. Thompson; Jabez, now of Warren county, Ohio; Han- nah, wife of James Pieket; Elizabeth, deceased; Jesse, deceased; Mary W., wife of Joseph Mendenhall; Thomas, of Clark county, Ohio; Ann F. Mr. Pickering and wife are members of the Friends' church, as were their ancestors, and they hold official positions in the church. He has preserved many relies of his family, and has a powder horn and shotgun which are over 200 years old, and were brought to America from England in 1707. He died second month 18th, 1877, in his ninety-fifth year and three months.
John Charles Pickering, a well-known farmer of Richland township, was born in Wheeling township in 1836, to the union of Elijah Pick- ering and Rebecca S. Fox, both of whom were natives of Virginia. His father was born near Winchester, Va., in iSo1, and was the son of John and Mary (Carpenter) Pickering, the former of whom was a son of Samuel Pickering, a native of England. Rebecca S. Fox was a daughter of Josiah and Anna ( Miller) Fox, the father being a na- tive of England and the mother of Germany. The subject of this mention received a common school education in his childhood, and was reared as a farmer, which has been his occupation through life. He has charge of the homestead farm, and is skilful and energetic in his methods. Mr. Pickering was married in 1872, to Cecelia Ilateher, born in Belmont county in 1847, the daughter of Elijah and Jane (Craig) Hatcher, both natives of Loudon county. Va. Her father was a son of Noah and Rachel (Beans) Hatcher, who were both born in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Pickering have three children: Ellis Il .. Estella and Lorain. Ile and wife are members of the Society of Friends, of which he is a trustee. He is a leading citizen, and has been a member of the school board for fifteen years. In his farm en- terprises he makes a specialty of the breeding of short-horn cattle. Mr. Pickering is a member of the Methodist church.
Robert Pogue, deceased, who was in his day one of the leading farmers of Belmont county, was born March 1, 1824, the son of George and Naney (Davis) Pogue, and died April 25, 1882. He was reared on the farm, and followed that vocation through life. He was an estimable and enterprising man, and owned at the time of his death, 160 acres of valuable land. He was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, to which his widow adheres. He was married in isto, to Anna G. Rankin, who was born in 1842, in Belmont county, the daughter of James and Sarah (Campbell) Rankin. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio, first settling in Bel- mont county, where he remained one year and then removed to Noble county, where he settled in the woods and cleared a farm. His wife died in 18;8, and he now makes his home with Mrs. Pogue. This estimable lady now occupies the property left by her husband.
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John Pollock, a prominent attorney of St. Clairsville, is of a family which were early settlers of Ohio. His father, Robert Pollock, came with the family of his parents from Maryland. His grandfather removed to this state from Pennsylvania, early in the third decade of the present century, and settled in Harrison county. There Robert Pollock, the father of the subject of this mention, was born in 1824. The latter, about 1834, removed with his parents to Belmont county, and was there raised on a farm with the advantages of a com- mon school education. He became a machinist and was so engaged about ten years, then going on a farm and following agriculture until the present. John Pollock, son of the above, by his wife, Mary Jane, was reared in this county, and after going through the common schools continued his education during two years at Franklin college. and three at the Washington and Jefferson college, Pennsylvania, at which latter institution he was graduated in IS;S. On his return to St. Clairsville he entered the law office of Hon. Lorenzo Danford, and 18So he was admitted to the bar. In ISSI Mr. Pollock opened an office in St. Clairsville, and has since been actively engaged in the practice with considerable success. He also gives much attention to politics, being one of the republican leaders of the county, and at the present time chairman of the central and executive committees of Belmont county. In April, ISS7, Mr. Pollock was married to Ella Finney, a native of this county, and by this union they have one child, Harry.
Among the well-known residents of Belmont county during the early decades of the present century, was John Porterfield, a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1801, and first settled in Lancaster county, Penn., where he remained until about iSo8, when he came to Ohio. He lived for one year in Harrison county, and then settled in Belmont county, which was his abiding place during the remainder of his life. He came here a poor man, but accumulated considerable property, owning at one time 240 acres of land. He married Marga- ret Robb, who was born at Lancaster, Penn., the daughter of John and Monica ( Dunlap) Robb, of a family supposed to have an interest in a valu- able estate left by a bachelor who owned eighty acres within the present limits of Philadelphia. Their son, John Porterfield, born in this county, in February 14. 1814, was reared on the farm and educated in the pio- neer schools. At the age of twenty years he began an independent career, and for seventeen years worked by the month on a farm in Illinois. By close economy he saved, during this time, $1,500, with which he returned to his native county. In IS51 he was married to Catharine Kerr, a native of Belmont county, daughtar of Robert and Sarah Kerr. She had but one child who died young, and she died also in 1852. In 1855 he was married to Sarah McFadden, daughter of John and Mary McFadden, and by this union he has had twochild- ren, both of whom are living, James P. and May. Mr. Porterfield and wife are both members of the United Presbyterian church. He is now one of the solid and prosperous men of the county, having 320 acres of excellent land, with handsome and commodious buildings, and be-
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sides his agricultural interests conducts a dairy with forty-five or fifty COWS.
William D. Porterfield, a well-known and successful teacher of Bel- mont county, is a descendant of one of the early families of the county, the Porterfields, who are elsewhere mentioned. He is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth A. (Glasgow) Porterfield, the former of whom was a son of James and Mary (Robb) Porterfield. William D. was born in 1861, in Richland township, and received a good common school education, after which he completed a full college course and received a diploma. After finishing his school days he attended col- lege at Ada, Hardin county, after which, in 1883, he began teaching. This has since been his vocation, in connection with farming, and as a teacher he displays peculiar adaptation for successful and valuable work. Mr. Porterfield was married in 1886 to Myrtle E. Bear, who was born in Montgomery county, the daughter of Henry Bear. By this union he has one child, Clarence V. Mr. Porterfield and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He owns sixty-five acres of the old homestead farm.
Louis B. Potts, a prominent business man of Glencoe, Belmont county, was born in 1855, a son of I. J. and Mary (Bryson) Potts, two worthy and estimable members of the Society of Friends. His father was engaged in farming and also conducted a flouring-mill and store. and in assisting him in these duties Louis found occupation in his youth, and acquired the rudiments of his business training. This business education was evidently founded on the correct principles, for he has prospered in all his undertakings, and is one of the most successful tradesmen of the county. In 1876, he embarked in general merchandise at Dover, and remained there nine years, serving during that period for one term as treasurer of York township. At the end of that time he removed to Glencoe, where he is now doing a good business; in the fall of ISS9, he erected the handsomest two-story dwelling in the village. Mr. Potts was married in IS77, to Mary Welsh, a native of Monroe county, but raised in Belmont, and daugh- of Isaac and Mary (Armstrong) Welsh. By this union he has four children: Ralph W., Clarence T., Zella M. and Beulah M. Mrs. Potts is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Henry Rehm, a leading farmer of Richland township, was born in Hesse, Germany, in 1835, and came to America in 1857, when twenty- two years of age. He is the son of John and Catherine (Nubb) Rehm, natives of Hesse, his father being a son of John Rehin. After coming to this country, he remained at Wheeling several years and was there married in 1867 to Catherine, daughter of George Ott. She is also a native of Hesse, born in 1842. In 1874 Mr. Rehm re- moved to Richland township, settling on the land he now lives upon. While at Wheeling he had charge of the Reiman brewery for several years, but since coming to Ohio he has been engaged in farming, in which by good management and economy he has been notably suc- cessful. Hle now has a good farm of 100 acres, with a handsome two-story brick dwelling, and other valuable improvements. His suc-
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cess has been of a kind highly deserving of notice considering that his capital on reaching this country amounted to only $4.00. Mr. Rehm has seven children: John, Elizabeth, Anna, Lena, George, Powell and Henry.
George Robinson, of St. Clairsville, treasurer of Belmont county, was born in Chester county, Penn., January 11, 1846. He is the son of James and Mary Robinson, the former of whom died when the subject of this mention was but one week old, and the latter when he was four years old. Left alone in the world at this tender age, his prospects in the world were discouraging indeed. He was bound out to a farmer, and was reared thus to his sixteenth year, when he sought more exciting employment, and enlisted in Company A, Thir- tieth regiment Pennsylvania infantry. He served one year, the period of his enlistment, and then desired to re-enlist, but was prevented by the objection of his guardian. Returning to his home he was induced to remove westward, and in 1863 he came to Martin's Ferry, where he served an apprenticeship in the blacksmith shop of John Fisher. The trade he then learned, he followed for twenty-two years subse- quent. During his residence at Martin's Ferry he took an active part in public affairs, and he soon became well known in that city and throughout the county as a man of ability and integrity and talent for public service. In 1875 he was elected to the common council of Martin's Ferry and served in that capacity for four years. Then being elected trustee of Pease township, he served seven consecutive years with much credit. At the expiration of that trust he was nom- inated by the republican party, for treasurer of Belmont county. Ile was elected, and at the expiration of his first term, re-elected. This responsible office he has filled to the satisfaction of the people of the county, the confidence and esteem of whom he has won to a remark- able extent. Socially he is highly regarded, and he is a valued mem- ber of the Odd Fellows lodge and encampment, and the Knights of Pythias. To all public enterprises for the benefit of the people at large, he lends his ready aid and sympathy. Mr. Robinson was mar- ried to Mary J. Pennington, a descendant of a pioneer family of Martin's Ferry. To this union five children have been born. Mr. Robinson and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Hon. Benjamin Ruggles, United States senator and second presi- dent judge of the third circuit of Ohio, was born at Woodstock. Windham Co., Conn., February 21, 1782. This town was originally named Roxbury. His father was a farmer in moderate circum- stances, who intended that his son should be educated for the minis- try. This intention was thwarted by the loss of his property. He be- came surety for a neighbor, and by the default of the latter his means were all swept away. He died when Benjamin was eight years old. leaving his family in straitened circumstances. Benjamin studied at the Brooklyn academy, and after his graduation from this institu- tion he read law with Judge Peters, of Hartford, Conn., and was ad- mitted to the bar of that city. In iSo; he moved to Ohio, settling in Marietta. Washington county, where he pursued with great success
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the practice of his profession. Ilis profound learning, his skill and care as counsellor, his power for rapid analyzation and conclusive argument, at once commanded not only professional but public atten- tion, and he carved his way quickly to the front rank of the jurists of the day. In 1810 he was elected by the republicans of the legislature to succeed Calvin Peas as president judge of the third circuit, and was the second incumbent of that judicial office. Shortly after he moved from Marietta to St. Clairsville, and in the year 1812 he went to Connecticut, where he was married and brought his wife to Ohio. She died in 1817, and in 1825 he was again married. He lacked the gifts of an orator and failed to make that impression of substantial ability as successfully in open court as in chambers. He was not dis- tinguished as an advocate, but as a consulting attorney he had, per- haps, few superiors in the country. In 1815 he was elected by the legislature to the United States senate, and resigned the office of judge after having ably filled it for five years, to enter upon his new duties. Being very popular with his large constituency in Ohio, he was twice re-elected to the United States senate, and during his career in that body he rendered valuable if not brilliant services both to his state and the nation. He was president of the caucus held in Washington that nominated William H. Crawford, of Georgia, for the presidency at the time when Clay, Adams and Jackson were in the field. At that period Martin Van Buren and Judge Ruggles were political friends, and quite an extensive correspondence was carried on between them during the campaign. The judge was for a long time chairman of the committee on claims in the United States senate, and was favor- ably spoken of in 1840 for the vice presidency, being strongly sup- ported by several journals throughout the country. When fifty years of age he retired from political life and gave his attention to his farm, and more especially to the cultivation of fruit. Ile was instrumental in introducing to the growers of that section some of the choicest var- ieties. For a time after the expiration of his last term as senator, he was president of the Bank of St. Clairsville. He died after a brief illness at his residence at that place on September 2, 1857. Judge Ruggles enjoyed in an eminent degree the confidence of the senate, and was greatly respected in his professional and private career. He was a firm believer in the great truths of Christianity, and exerted wherever he went, or wherever he was known, an excellent moral in- fluence. He was liberal in his views and generous in his impulses, and contributed to the advancement of all worthy improvements in the interests of the well-being of his fellow citizens. When he died the state lost an able man and society a beloved member.
William Satterthwaite, of Richland township, prominent among the old citizens of Belmont county, was born October 21, 1811, on the farm which was also the birth place of the noted statesman, William Win- dom. He is a son of Joseph W. and Anna (Van Law) Satterthwaite, natives of New Jersey, who came to Ohio before 1800, and settled in the woods, going through the hardships of pioneer life. Amid such scenes William Satterthwaite was reared, receiving his education in
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the log school-house that was the abode of learning in that day. In 1834 he was married to Nancy, daughter of William and Mary A. (Bealle) Cash, both of whom were natives of Maryland. Her father was a son of William and Keziah ( Nichol) Cash, the former of whom was a soldier in the war of the revolution. ller mother's father was Gen. Stricker, a distinguished officer of the same war. After his mar- riage Mr. Satterthwaite embarked in the mercantile business at Loydsville, and continued the same until 1852, when he retired and assumed the management of the farm where he now lives. Here he and wife have ISo acres of valuable land, left to Mrs. Satterthwaite by her father, and a comfortable home. Mr. and Mrs. Satterthwaite have had ten children, of whom nine are living: Mary, Anna E., Henry, Adda, Isabel, Samuel, Wallace, George and Emmet. Mr. Sat- terthwaite is a member of the Society of Friends, and his wife is af- filiated with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Adam Scales, a well-known farmer of Richland township, was born on the old homestead farm, September 15, 1828. Ile is the son of John and Jane (Ogle) Scales, who were both natives of Ireland. His father was the son of John and Mary ( Love) Scales. The latter em- igrated to this country in an early day, and died at Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, in 1819, but the former died in county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1783. Mr. Scales was reared on the farm which was his birthplace, and when he reached the age of twenty-four years he was engaged for seven months in teaching. He then resumed farming, at which he has ever since been engaged with much success. He has a fine farm of 130 acres, than which none is more handsomely improved in Richland township, which is famous for her well-kept farms. Mr. Scales has served as school director of his township for six years. He is one of the influential men of the community. On May 20, 1875, he was mar- ried to Clara McNiece, a native of Belmont county, and by this union has three children: Monedo J., Winona B. and Edwin M. Mrs. Scales is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Prominent in the history of the upper Ohio valley, are the descend- ants of Charles C. Schumacher, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, who was impressed with others of his countrymen in the army of Napoleon, when the latter was marching to Russia. He accompanied the French army to Moscow, and was a witnes of its defeat and dis- astrous retreat. He afterward served his regular time of six years in the German army, and on September 7, 1848, with his wife, Maria M. Sinner, and their three sons: John Christopher, Jacob Frederick and Carl William, sailed on the ship Junita, from Antwerp. They reached New York, November 23, and Wheeling, December 13, 1848. Here he and his two older sons were engaged as architects and contractors until 1855, when the father retired to his farm in Belmont county, and engaged in viniculture. John C. worked with his father until his retirement, and while engaged on the suspension bridge at Wheeling, contracting rheumatism which caused him great suffering until his death, in 1878. Jacob F. became one of the most eminent divines of the Lutheran church, was stationed at Buffalo, and is now
43-B.
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the vice consul of the United States to Syria. Charles W. was born in Wurtemburg. April 22, 1831. He was finely educated in his native land in Greek, Latin, French and German. On leaving school he adopted the vocation of a butcher, which he followed in Germany, traveling also in France and Switzerland. Becoming old enough to be impressed in the army, and being dissatisfied with the form of government, he joined his parents when they came to America. On reaching Wheeling he established a meat market in the Second ward market house, and did an extensive business until 1855, when he removed to Belmont county, and settled on Little McMahon creek, where he planted the third vineyard in the county. During the war he established himself at Chicago, and in connection with W. Hazlewood at Pittsburgh, and John Darrah, at Washington, they did an exten- sive business furnishing cattle to the government. After the war he, with his family, moved to Beach Hill, two and one-half miles east of St. Clairsville, when he established a meat market at St. Clairsville, and with his son Charles, also did an extensive shipping business to the eastern markets. lle died in his fiftieth year, and was mourned as a most worthy and valuable citizen. By his wife, Christina Bayha, he had ten children, eight of whom are living: Charles C., William, Jacob, David, Louisa, Joseph, Emma and Benjamin. Charles, Will- iam and Louisa are residents of this county. Charles C., who is now the leading meat dealer of St. Clairsville, was born at Wheeling, in 1851. In 1874 he was married to Carrie Snyder, of Wheeling, and of their four children, three are living: John W., Bessie and Carl. He and wife and two oldest children are members of the First Presbyterian church of St. Clairsville. In 1884 Mr. Schumacher bought the mar- ket which he now conducts; and has since met with much success in its management.
Leroy C. Sedwick, ex-sheriff of Belmont county, was born in Ohio in 1845, the son of Rev. George C. and Hannah C. (Lamb) Sedwick. He came to Belmont county with his parents when he was seven years of age, and spent five years on the farm of his father and when he was eighteen years of age, he enlisted in the Union army. He first became a member of Company H, light artillery, and served in that command about one year. He then returned home and assisted in organizing Company K, of the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth regiment Ohio volunteers. He was elected second lieutenant of this company, and was subsequently for his soldierly qualities promoted to first lieutenant, as which he was mustered out in 1865. Few men had a more honorable record for patriotism and bravery, and he was on this account deservedly popular among all his comrades. From 1865 to 1879 he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In civil life he is no less highly regarded, and his history is not wanting in proof of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. In 1882 he was the republican candidate for sheriff of Belmont county, and he received a majority of 400, running over 500 votes ahead of his ticket, being the only republican elected, and was re-elected in 1884 and again ran far ahead of his ticket. His service in this office covered a period of
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eight years, four as chief deputy under Sheriff Willis and four as sheriff, and was characterized by efficiency and fidelity to the interests of the public, and he was the only sheriff the county ever had who never let a prisoner escape from his custody. At its close he removed to his farm, where he now lives. He has 108 acres of valuable land, well improved, and in addition to the tillage of the same he conducts a large dairy. In 1866 Mr. Sedwick was married to Sarah Maycock, daughter of John and Emily (George) Maycock. They have nine children: Nellie L., Alvin L., Ira B., E. May, Mary Bird, Lulu L., Sadie E., Grace C. and Chester C. Mr. Sedwick and wife are mem- bers of the regular Baptist church.
John W. Shannon, one of the leading attorneys of St. Clairsville. was born at that place on June 29, 1842, the son of John and Mary (Sharpless) Shannon. His mother was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 19, 1811, and was the daughter of William Sharpless, who was born about 1765. Iler grandfather, Thomas Sharpless, was born at Chester, Penn., August 20. 1738, and died in 1797. The ancestry is further traced as follows: Thomas was the son of Daniel, born De- cember 24, 1710, died in 1775. He was the son of John, who was born at Blackenhall, Cheshire, England. November 16, 1666, who was the son of John, who was born in Wybernbury, Cheshire, August 15, 1624, and emigrated to America, becoming the first of the family in this country. He died in 1685. John Shannon was reared at St. Clairs- ville, at the home which he now occupies. and here he received his primary education, to which he added by attendance at Washington and Jefferson college. Having decided to follow the profession of law, he entered the office of Judge Cowan in 1862, and after three years' study was admitted to the bar in 1865. He began the practice at Bellaire, and his talent as an attorney, carly manifested in his career, as well as his tact and ability for public affairs, soon made him prominent. In 186; he was elected prosecuting attorney for Belmont county, on the democratic ticket, and two years later was re-elected, filling that office two terms with fidelity to the trust reposed in him. After his election he returned to St. Clairsville, which has since been his home. In February, 1877. he was appointed master commissioner of the county, and this place he held until ISS3. He has also served on the board of education for about twelve years, displaying in that capacity a just appreciation of the needs of the community and proper meth- ods of development of the schools. Ilis practice is extensive and absorbing in its demands upon his time, but in the ways already men- tioned and many others, he continued to manifest the interest of a good citizen in those public measures which tend to the improvement of society. Mr. Shannon was married on December 19. 18;1, to Eliza- beth, daughter of Aaron F. and Nancy ( Thornburgh) Ramsey. She was born October 6, 1847. By this union he has five children: Nancy R .. born December 4. 18;3: Mary M., born July 1, IS;5; John A .. born April 23, 1877: Aaron R., born September ES, ISS1; Wilson K., born February 3, 1883. Mrs. Shannon is a devoted member of the Presby- terian church. :
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