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 35
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676
IHISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
The Sidwells, prominent and highly respected people of St. Clairs- ville and vicinity, are descendants of three brothers, who came to this continent from England, where their home had been at Letcomb Regis, many years ago. One of the brothers died soon after reach- ing this country, another never married, and the third married and left a family. A Richard Sidwell, who died in England, left a large estate, which according to a copy of the will once in the posession of a Richard Sidwell, of l'ennsylvania, was bequeathed to his American relatives. This latter Richard, was a cousin of the grandfather of Plummer Sidwell, a venerable citizen of St. Clairsville. Plummer Sidwell was born in Jefferson county, in 1818, the son of Eli and Sarah (Purviance) Sidwell. His father was born in Maryland, and was a son of Henry Sidwell, and his wife. Sina Plummer, both natives of Maryland. Sarah Purviance was a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James Purviance. Mr. Sidwell is a member of the Society of Friends, being trustee of the cemetery. He is highly esteemed by the many with whom he is acquainted, and his long residence in the state has enriched his memory with many reminiscenses of the past. He has prospered in life, through honest living and fair dealing. and possesses 157 acres of land near St. Clairsville, and forty near Glencoe. Elma Sidwell, a daughter of Eli and Sarah Sidwell, above named, was born also in Jefferson county, where she grew to the age of fifteen years. In ISto, she came with her parents to Belmont county, where she has since lived. In her early days she experienced all the privations of a pioneer life, and obtained her education by walking two miles every day to the log school-house which was near- est their home. She now has a comfortable home at St. Clairsville. where she is highly regarded. She is a member of the Society of Friends. Phobe Sidwell, daughter of Eli and Sarah Sidwell, was married in 1852, to Aaron Foulk, who is one of the oldest living pioneers of Belmont county. He was born in Bucks county, Penn., October 26, 1804, the son of Issachar and Jane (Barton; Foulk. His father was a native of Bucks county also, and was the son of William and Priscilla (Lester) Foulk, of Welsh descent. Mr. Foulk came to Belmont county with his parents when he was five years of age, and he was reared in this county. He was first married in 1834, to Esther George, daughter of Travis and Esther (St. Clair) George, and by this union had one son, George. Mr. Foulk and wife are members of the Society of Friends.
John S. Smith, of Richland township, was born in 1834, the son of Joseph and Rebecca (McMillan) Smith. His father was born in Washington, Penn., in 1804, the son of John Smith, who was a native of Chester, Penn. The latter was a soldier in the war of 1812, and after that struggle was over removed to Indiana and settled on a farm near where Terre Haute now stands, but had been there but a few weeks when he died. John S. Smith was reared in Belmont county, aad after receiving a common school education, had procured a license to teach when there was a demand for his services on behalf of his country, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Ninety-eighth Ohio
677
BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
volunteer infantry under Capt. Hugh Ferguson. He served in the battle of Perrysville, but was soon broken in health, and became unfit for duty much of the time. Ile remained with his regiment, however, until the close of the war, receiving his discharge at Ilarris- burgh, l'enn., in July, 1865. Ile now receives a pension of $22 per month. Returning to Richland township, he was elected justice of the peace and held that office two terms. He then removed to Union township, and became railroad and express agent at Lafferty Station, and while holding that position was elected justice of the peace, but declined to serve. His father becoming an invalid, Mr. Smith re- turned to Richland township four years later, and took charge of the farm, and when his father died three years afterward, he bought and moved upon the farm. In 1882 he was married to Isabell Clark, daughter of Hugh and Deborah ( Eccles) Clark, the former of whom is a cousin of John C. Breckenridge. She was born in this county in 1845. They have two children: Nellie C. and Viola May. Mr. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian church, and of the G. A. R. Ile has in his possession, among other relics of the olden time, a will made by James Rowland in 1762.
Daniel Steenrod, a descendant of one of the prominent families in the settlement of the Ohio valley, is now one of the leading farm- ers of the township of Richland. His grandfather, Daniel Steen- rod, a native of Duchess county, N. Y., came to Ohio county. W. Va., when five years of age, and there grew to manhood. He was one of the notable people of the early days of Wheeling, and though beginning his career without a dollar, was worth $200,000 at the time of his death. His wife's maiden name was Emma Gater. Their son, Edward G., married Eliza J., daughter of John and Sarah (Talbert) Thompson, natives of Ireland, and one of their sons, Dan- iel, is the subject of this mention. Daniel Steenrod was born in Greene county, Penn., in 1828. At six years of age he lost his father by death, and he then came to Ohio, where he remained until his sixteenth year. He then returned to Virginia, where he was reared to manhood. In 1856 he was married to Sina S., daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Colley) Woodmansee, by which uninn he had three children: Harry L., now a citizen of Dakota; George E., editor and proprietor in connection with David Milligan, of the St. Clairsville Gasette, and Anna C. Mrs. Steenrod was born in 1834, in Belmont county. She and her husband are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Steenrod has served on the school board of his district for nine years. He is a member of the Masonic order. His landed possessions comprise 126 !. acres of good land, with handsome and substantial buildings, and he is reckoned as one of the solid and influential men of the county.
John Stewart, of Richland township, one of the best-known pioneers of Belmont county, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in iso ;. He is the son of Edie Stewart, a native of Virginia. The latter was a son of Robert Stewart. Jane Craig, wife of Edie, was a daughter of William Craig, a native of Ireland, who crossed the mountains with
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
Daniel Boone, and settled in Kentucky, where he fought with that famous hunter in several of his skirmishes with the Indians. He was a soldier in the war of the revolution, and was subsequently one of the first settlers near Wheeling, living there at a time when he had no neighbor within six miles, and he was compelled to frequently seek shelter from the Indians. Edward Stewart came to Ohio in 1803. settled upon leased lands, in the woods of Harrison county. In the war of 1812 he lost his life, and left his widow with four children: William, Robert, John and Elizabeth. After the death of the father, the family sold off the personal property and paid for the land. Left an orphan at the tender age of five years, Mr. Stewart suffered many of the blows of adversity, doubly hard in the wilds of the frontier. The mother and children removed to Virginia, whence about ten years later they returned to Ohio, and settled in Belmont county. At the age of twenty-three, Mr. Stewart became a hired hand at $S a month, and continued at that price three years. In 1832 he was mar- ried to Ann Bell, who was born in 1812, and then leased a farm, and raised tobacco four years. He then went to Logan county, Ohio, but returning to Belmont, bought 120 acres of land, which he cleared and tilled successfully. In IS57 he bought and settled on the farm which he now occupies. His present possessions include 215 acres of valu- able land. As has been shown by this brief sketch, his career has been one of unpromising beginnings, and solid and honorable success achieved by persevering industry. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church. Nine children have been born to them during their happy married life, which has covered a period of fifty- seven years. The surviving children are: John E .. Robert. James, Craig, Margaret J., Anna B. and Mary B. Three of the sons were in the late war of the rebellion; one was out four years and six months, one out three years, the other one not so long. All returned safely home. Two of them are United Presbyterian preachers, and two of them are farmers. The daughters are married and doing well.
James A. Stewart, a prominent citizen of Richland township, was born in Belmont county, February 13, 1842, a son of John Stewart, mention of whom is made in this work. He was reared on the farm and received a common school education, which he completed after returning from the army by attending Hopedale Normal school. I 1862 he enlisted in the service of the republic, becoming a member of Company B. Ninety-eighth Ohio infantry, and served until the close of the war, always being at his post of duty. He served in the com- pany of Capt. J. R. Mitchell, in all its engagements except when on detached service. He was with Sherman in his march to the sea, and was one of the " bummers" or foragers of his company. In 1864 he was detached as escort upon the staff of Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, and as such, took part in the grand review at Washington in 1865. At Chickamauga he received a slight wound. After an honorable and gallant service he was discharged at Cleveland in 1865. as corporal. His brother, Robert B., was also a gallant soldier, enlisting in iSor in Com- pany E. Fifteenth regiment, and serving through the war, being hon-
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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
orably discharged in Texas in 1865. In ISto Mr. Stewart was married to Catherine, daughter of Rev. J. B. Johnston and his wife, Elizabeth Boyd. She was born in Logan county, December S. 1848. By this union he had nine children, of whom eight survive: Lida M., Will- iam B., John Black. Elizabeth AA., Sarah J., Emma W., Mary E. and Ruth B. He and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, of which he was trustee during the erection of the church at St. Clairs- ville. He is a member of Drummond post, G. A. R., and is chaplain of the same.
John E. Stewart, of Richland township, was born in the same in 1834, the son of John and Anna ( Bell) Stewart. In childhood he re- moved with his parents to Wheeling township, where he grew to man- hood and received his education. Though his schooling was limited, the subsequent extensive reading, and varied experience, has made him one of the intelligent and progressive men of the county. In September. 1860, he was married to Mary J., daughter of Christopher Hinkle, an account of whom is given in these pages. Four years later he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Seventieth regi- ment Ohio volunteer infantry, as a corporal, and served in that rank until his discharge in 1865. Mr. Stewart is influential and popular. and has served in a public capacity, as trustee of Wheeling township, and as school director six years. He has a fertile farm of ninety-five acres, and a comfortable residence and other substantial buildings. Mrs. Stewart was born in Richland township in October, 1836, and she and her husband are members of the United Presbyterian church. Two children have been born to them, of whom one is living, Rosa . 1. She is the wife of William Daniel, and has two children: Henry and Anna Belle.
John Stewart, prominently connected with the coal mining industry of Belmont county, was born in Washington, Penn., in 1827, the son of John and Ann (Patton) Stewart. His father was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1So3, the son of John and Mary (McCordi Stewart, but resided during the greater part of his life, and died in Pennsyl- vania. John Stewart was reared in his native state, and on October 19, IS54, he was married to Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Cadick) Cochrane, who were pioneers of Martin's Ferry. In April, 1864. Mr. Stewart removed from Pennsylvania with his family, to Belmont county, and purchased 170 acres where he now resides. Here, in 1866, he began coal mining, opening the now famous Frank- lin coal works, under the firm name of Stewart, Ball & Meehan This mine was opened May 31, 1866, and work was continued by the origi- nal firm until January. 1873. when Mr. Ball withdrew, and Mr. Stewart and Owen Meehan continued the business, and they constitute the present firm. The product of this mine has averaged about 20 tons per day, and employment is given to from fifty to seventy-five men. This coal is superior to any other mined in Belmont county, and has been shipped extensively all over the west. It is especially adapted to locomotive use, and for this purpose, is used by the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad company. In iSos, Mr. Stewart laid out the
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
town of Stewartville, of which he was appointed postmaster in 1874. and still holds that position. This village is known as Franklin Station, on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. By his marriage above mentioned, he had seven children, five of whom are living. Mr. Stewart is one of the leading men of the county, everywhere well- known and highly regarded, and his financial prosperity is a notable witness of his integrity and good business ability.
Lewis Sutton, one of the early and prominent settlers of Belmont county, was born in Peapack, N. J., in 1793. His father, Jonathan Sutton, and his mother, Hannah (Hayden) Sutton, were born in New England. They were of English descent, and removed to New Jersey on account of the blue laws. He served in the Revolutionary war. In 1807 he removed with his family to Ohio, purchasing a farm two and one-half miles south of St. Clairsville, where he died in 1831. The farm has ever since been owned by some of his family. Lewis Sutton learned the wheel-wright trade, which he pursued while a young man. Afterward he formed a partnership with Mr. John Patton, and started a store in St. Clairsville, and continued in that business some years. In 1817 he married Eleanor McWilliams, who was born near St. Clairsville, in 1799, while as yet Ohio was a terri- tory. Her father, David McWilliams, and her mother, Mary (Wil- son) McWilliams, were born in Washington county, Penn., and moved to the place where St. Clairsville now stands when the only road was a pathway through the forest, which had been trodden by the Indians. He helped to raise the first house in St. Clairsville, and had also helped to raise the first two houses in Wheeling, W. Va., and purchased a farm adjoining and west of the town. He was one of the organizers of the First Presbyterian church, which was the only church in St. Clairsville for a number of years. He re- mained a ruling elder in that church until his death in 1845. In 1844 Lewis Sutton purchased a farm of 214 acres, two and one-half miles east of St. Clairsville, where he died in April, 1SS2. His family con- sisted of six children: Mary W., William Van Dorn, Ellen M., and Sophia H. died previous to him. The only remaining ones are Mrs. George Brown, of St. Clairsville, and David M. Sutton. David MI., the only surviving son, now owns and resides on the old homestead. In 1864 he was married to Mary R., daughter of William and Elea- nor (Brown) McMechan. Their family consists of three children: LuEllen M., William Van Dorn and Lewis M.
One of the early settlers of Belmont county was Zachariah Sutton, a native of New Jersey, and son of Jonathan and Hannah ( Hayden) Sutton. Richard Sutton, now a venerable resident of this county, is a son of the marriage of Zachariah Sutton to Nancy King, who was born in Maryland, a daughter of John and Dorothy (Hall) King. Richard was married in 1848 to Nancy Harvey, who was born in Bel- mont county in :820, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Thomp- son) Ilarvey. By this union he has had eleven children, ten of whom are living: Ira R., Mary; James, deceased; John V., Nancy E., Mar- garet, Richard D., Chester, Ida, Bertha and William. Mrs. Sutton,
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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
dead for a number of years, was a devoted member of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Sutton received a good education in his youth, and after he was through attending school in the log house used for that purpose he taught two terms in that primitive academy. He has served his township as assessor in 1871 and during one term. As a farmer he has been prosperous and his farm one of the finest in the township, embracing 179 acres. This land is underlaid by valuable deposits of coal, and perhaps oil or gas.
One of the early settlers of Belmont county was Zachariah Sutton, whose son, Richard Sutton, was born in this county, April 14, 1826. He married Nancy Harvey, April 6, 1848, and five years later re- moved to Richland township, buying land which covered rich beds of coal. Their son, John V. Sutton, an enterprising young farmer of Richland township, was born in that township November 29, 1858. He was reared on the farm and received a common school education. In 1879 he was married to Sarah J. Giffen, who was born in October, 1861, the daughter of Joseph and Mary J. Giffen. By this union he has three children: Minnie R., Roobey R., and Cora E. Mr. Sutton and wife are members of the United Presyterian church. Mr. Sutton owns a farm of 102 acres, with good improvements, which is probably underlaid with rich veins of gas or oil. He leased the land for the purpose of boring, to the Standard Oil company in 1885, and in Sep- tember, 1889, they began to sink a well, which it is hoped will be profitable.
John Taggart, a venerable and well known citizen of Belmont county, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, May S. ISOS. His grand- father, John Taggart, was born in county Down, Ireland, August 12, 1756, and in 1775 emigrated to America, landing at Baltimore on May 6, after a voyage of about twenty weeks. On October 15, 1777, he was married to Sarah McCartney, also a native of Ireland, and to them ten children were born: James, June 27, 1778; John, June S. 1780; William, March 7, 1783: Samuel, September 3, 1785; Jane, Oc- tober 31, 1787; Joseph, January 12, 1789; Margaret, May 1, 1792; Sarah, December 25, 1795: Isaac, August 12, 1779, and Nancy in 1790. The father and mother were members of the Seceding church in Ire- land, and the subject of this mention still treasures the family Bible they brought over with them. The ancestor, John Taggart, was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war. James Taggart, the oldest son of the above, was born in York county, Penn. He served in the war of 1812. He married Catherine Stett, and one of the children of this union is John, the subject of this mention. When he was two years old his parents removed to Belmont county, and settled upon the farm he now occupies. The first money he earned was $6, the pay for chop- ping twenty-four cords of wood within 100 yards of his present resi- dence. On March 15, 1832, he was married to Nancy Roberts, who was born in Canada, June 14, 1812. daughter of Ezekiel. and Anna (Doyle) Roberts. Her father was born in 1775, in Pennsylvania, son of Cadwallader and Mary (Schumacher) Roberts, of Welsh descent. Mr. and Mrs. Taggert have had eight children: Joseph, born March 10.
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IHISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
IS33; Catherine, died in infancy; Atwell M., born September 9. 1837; James, September 10, 1839; Mary, May 15, 1842; Wilson S., November 8, 1848, and Agnes, March 1, 1854. Mr. Roberts and wife are both members of the Presbyterian church. He began keeping house $40 in debt, but his industry and business tact have made him a prosperous man, now in the enjoyment of a good farm of ISo acres, with handsome buildings. He and wife have journeyed to- gether fifty-eight years of their lives, and it is the wish of all who know these venerable people, that they may be spared many more seasons of comfort and happiness. She is now the only living mem- ber of her family. Mr. Taggart has been a life-long democrat, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He has for three years held the office of infirmary director, having been elected, although the polit- ical majority of the county is largely against him.
Joseph J. Taggart was born in Richland township, of which he is now a venerable and honored resident, October 19, 1823. His grand- father was a native of Ireland and emigrated to America about 1773. settling in York county, Penn. His maternal grandfather was a sol- dier of the revolution, and was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware river and at Valley Forge. In 1Soo, taking with him his large family of children, he removed to Jefferson county, Ohio, and shortly afterward came to Belmont county. His son, Isaac, the father of the subject of this mention, was born in Chester county, Penn. He and his brother served during the war of 1812 in Capt. Campbell's com- pany for six months. He died at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife's maiden name was Margaret McCaughey. Joseph J. Taggart was reared on the farm at which he was born, and received the edu- cation common to his early days. On January 6, 1852, he was married to Margaret Wells, who was born in 1829 in Jefferson county, daugh- ter of Levi and Ellen (Clemens) Wells, and by this union had eight children, five of whom are living: Alexander, William, Lena M., Addie and Plattoff. Mr. Taggart and wife are members of the Pres- byterian church, of which he has been an elder for ten years. He is influential and popular and has efficiently discharged the duties of township trustee for twelve years in succession. In November, 1889. he was elected land appraiser on the democratic ticket, without oppo- sition. His farm, which is handsomely improved, includes seventy- seven acres of land.
Samuel Taylor, a worthy citizen of Richland township, is a native of county Armagh, Ireland, born in 1830, the son of William and Hannah (Robinson) Taylor. He remained in his native country until 1851, when he crossed the ocean in a voyage of thirty-one days, and landed at New York. He found work as a hod-carrier, being a very poor man, and many a day carried a hod on a bleeding shoulder which he could not afford to rest to heal. In 1853-54 he made rails at 50 cents a hundred, when flour was SS a barrel, and boarded him- self. He managed by close economy to save enough to buy a small farm in Wayne township. Belmont county, and upon this he lived eleven years, making $too a years and his living while on it. lle then
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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
sold his land at a profit of $1,600, and purchased a farm of fifty-five acres at Sioo an acre, and upon this he now resides. He also owns ยท forty-three acres in Wayne township, and two houses and lots in St. Clairsville. Ilis honorable and industrious career has made him many friends. In 1852 Mr. Taylor was married to Mary Courtney, of county Tyrone, Ireland, who was born July 12, 1833, and died Au- gust 16, 1867. By this union he had seven children, of whom five are living: William, Cornelia, Mary, George and Samuel. In August. 1868, Mr. Taylor married Eliza J. Kyle, of county Tyrone, born in 1835, and of the four children born to them, three are living: Ella, Lizzie and Lola. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which he served as sexton at St. Clairsville for eighteen years. He is a member of the Masonic Order of Royal Arch degree.
Samuel M. Thompson, one of the leading citizens of St. Clairsville, was born November 9, 1829. His father, James Thompson, was the son of Samuel and Agnes (McCaskey) Thompson, both natives of Ireland, who emigrated from that land when James was a small boy, and settled in Lancaster county, Penn., where the latter grew to man- hood. In 1823 James was married to Margaret Clark, and six children were born to them, four of whom are now living: Agnes J., wife of David Brow; Ellinor, wife of Solomon Bentley: Mary A., now a resident of Oakland, Cal. James Thompson devoted his life to farming in Lancaster county, Penn., and died in 1838. His wife, who is still living, at the age of eighty years, was born in Lancaster county in 1803, the daughter of Alexander and Ellinor ( Downs) Clark. They, who were both natives of Ireland, were married in that land and came to America in 1799, and settled in Lancaster county, and thence removed to Belmont county in 1828. Both are deceased, the father passing away at the age of ninety years. After the death of his father, Samuel M. Thompson, with his mother, accompanied his grand- father to Ohio and settled in Belmont county, where the latter died in 1850. He was educated in the common schools and by attendance at Madison college, in Guernsey county, during two years. In No- vember, 1851, he was married to Pleasey, daughter of John and Nancy (Clemens) McDowell, by whom he had two children, who died in in- fancy. The mother, a member of the United Presbyterian church. died in 1856, and in 1861 he was married to Sarah J., daughter of Robert and Sarah (Taggart) Kerr. Her father, a son of Robert and Margaret (McDowell) Kerr, was a native of Scotland. le came to Pennsylvania in 1818, and five years later removed to Belmont county, where he lived until his death, May 10, 1870. at eighty years of age. lle was a teacher in this county for about twenty years. His wife was a native of Ireland. Mrs. Sarah Thompson had been previously married to Thomas E. Kelley, deceased, in 1849. She and her hus- band are members of the United Presbyterian church, of which he is an eldler. Throughout his life Mr. Thompson has played the part of a worthy and valuable citizen. In iSo; he served in Company E. of the One Hundred and Seventieth regiment Ohio volunteers. When
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