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 36
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the site of the public buildings of the county was in dispute, he was one of the foremost workers for his town, and aided greatly in secur- ing the location at St. Clairsville. He is one of the prominent land owners of the county, owning thirty acres within the corporate limits of St. Clairsville, and 139 acres, beautifully situated on an elevation overlooking the city.
Frederick Troll, deceased, was one of the prominent business men of St. Clairsville. He was born in Landan. Waldeck, Germany, July 13, 1822, and when he was fourteen years old was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker, with whom he served three years, thoroughly learning the trade. This he worked at during several years in the cities of Hamburg, Berlin and Vienna, and then in 1844 sailed for America, and reached New York after a voyage of over nine weeks. He worked at New York in a brick-yard for a short time to obtain means to continue his journey, and then proceeded to Philadelphia, where he found more congenial employment for two years in a piano factory. At the end of that time he came to St. Clairsville, and after clerking for some time with his brother he became his partner in the dry goods business. In 1867 he embarked in business on his own account, deal- ing extensively in dry goods and notions. He was very successful as a business man, and at his death, in January 31, 1886, left to his sons Albert, Charles W., Louis and George, a valuable business, which they still conduct. They have widened the scope of the establish- ment and give attention to merchant tailoring, and are also the most extensive wool dealers in Belmont county. Mr. Troll was a very in- fluential citizen, and was very far-sighted and enterprising in working for the advantage of his town. Much credit is due to him for the erection of the new county buildings at St. Clairsville, as when every- one else had given up hope in securing them, he continued to hold secret meetings of enthusiastic friends of the town in his store, and by constant hard work they finally saw success crown their efforts. Hle donated liberally to these buildings, and was also a liberal contributor to the railroad. All of his success in life was due to his own earnest and unremitting efforts and his fine business tact. lle came to the county a poor boy without resources. Mr. Troll was married May 10, 1852, to Mary Troll, a native of Germany, and they had nine children, all of whom are living.
William B. Waddell, a prominent farmer of Richland township, was born in 1820, in Belmont county, the son of James and Sarah (Cash) Waddell. The father was born in West Virginia in 1777, and was a son of Moses and Ellen (Carter) Waddell, who were natives of the same state, and the former of whom was a son of AAlexander Waddell, who emigrated from Ireland. James Waddell was a soldier in the war of 1812, in company of Capt. Daniel Connor, under Gen. Harri- son, and for several years, drew a pension for his services. He was a baker by trade, and cooked while in the service. William B. was reared amid the hardships of pioneer days, getting his schooling by walking two and a half miles, to the little log school-house, with greased paper windows which was their best academy of learning.
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His parents were poor and he had to labor early and late to help them through. In 1847, he was married to Ellen Lucas, and soon after- ward, they removed to Guernsey county, where he began farming, and by close economy, saved enough to buy a small farm, which subse- quently he sold, and bought a larger tract, and by so continuing, and engaging successfully in the culture of tobacco, he was able in the spring of 1855, to buy and settle on the farm where he now lives. He now owns 287 acres in Richland township, well improved, and is reckoned among the substantial and prosperous men of the county. Notwithstanding his life of toil, he is, at the age of seventy years, still in excellent health. His wife, who was a daughter of Elisha and Susan (ult) Lucas, and was born in Smith township, in 1827, and died April 7, 1883, leaving one son, Frank S. The latter was born in Kirk- wood township, May 30, 1852. After attending the Hopedale Nor- mal school two years, and the college at New Athens, eighteen months, he graduated from Iron City Commercial college, and began teach- ing, at which he was engaged five years. In the school year of 1873-4, he taught the grammar grade of the St. Clairsville school. He was married in November, 1877, to Mary B. Parkinson, who was born in 1859, daughter of William and Mary (Lynn) Parkinson, and he has five children: Pearl, Mabel, William W., Paul and Wayne.
Benjamin Watkins, a worthy and honored old citizen of Belmont county, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 28, 1812, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Worley) Watkins. Thomas Watkins, a na- tive of Delaware, came to Ohio about 1Soo, and in the war of 1812 was a soldier under Gen. Ilarrison. He was a son of Peter and Sarah (Cotton) Watkins, the former of whom was a native of Wales. Peter was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and lost his life on ship-board during a naval battle. He had a large estate in Delaware on what was called Goose-neck Bend. Benjamin Watkins, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Guernsey county. He began his own career without capital, but his energy and industry sufficed to give him success, and a comfortable share of the world's wealth. In 1838 he was married to Artemesia Linder, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1819. the daughter of George and Margaret (Shep- herd) Linder, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and the latter of Brooke county, Va., of Welsh de- scent. Benjamin Watkins and wife had four children, of whom there is but one survivor, John Watkins. The latter, an intelligent and en- terprising farmer, was married in 1879, to Mary, daughter of Walden and Elizabeth (Scott) Worley, and they have two children, of whom one is living. Walden. Mr. Watkins and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Henry C. Welday, a capitalist of St. Clairsville, and one of the heaviest stockholders of the bank of St. Clairsville, was born in Jefferson county, in 1823, the son of Henry and Nancy (Smith) Wel- day. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio at ten years of age, in 1802, with his father, Abram Welday. The latter, a native of Germany, came to Pennsylvania about time of the close of
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the war of the revolution, and remained there until he came into Ohio, hauling his goods in wagons, and cutting their way through the woods. Settling upon land in Jefferson county, they cleared a piece of ground for their log hut, which was afterward replaced with a hewed log house. The seven children, five of whom were boys, took an active part in this work of settlement. Henry, the father of the subject of this mention, shared in this labor, and received the limited education that was available. He was naturally bright in mind, however, and in following his trade of carpenter, he would go into the woods and hew out the timber, and make everything fit for its place by mental calculation. He was a soldier in the war of IS12, and afterward drew a pension and received a land warrant, the land which he secured with the same afterward being sold to a lawyer at Cadiz. He died at the age of eighty-four years. Henry C. Welday was reared on the farm and given a common school education, which he improved upon with a commercial course at the Iron City college, Pittsburgh. He studied much at home, and beginning at nineteen years of age, taught two terms of school. Afterward he began farm- ing on his father's land, and in 1850 bought the farm, upon which he remained five years. His father then gave him $5,000. He sold his farm and traveled two years in the east and west in 1857-8. In 1864 he assisted in the organization of the bank of St. Clairsville, and built the entire block in which that institution is situated. On May 4, IS48, Mr. Welday was married to Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Rev. Andrew and Jane Scott. Her father was a Methodist Episcopal min- ister for many years, and also represented the county of Jefferson in the legislature in the session of 1848-9. About 186; he died of can- cer. Mr. Welday and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is steward and trustee.
John White, a well-known farmer of Belmont county, who has for six consecutive terms held the office of trustee of Richland township, was born in Wheeling township, at Fairpoint, in 1833. He is the son of Thomas and Nancy J. ( Bickham) White. He was reared on the farm and received his schooling in the primitive school-houses which were peculiar to the days of his youth. In 1859 he was married to Mary Mellott, who was born in April, 1841, the daughter of William and Mary (Ault) Mellott. To this union five children were born, of whom three are living: John B., William T. and Nora M. Their mother died November 25, ISSI. On June 20, ISS3, Mr. White was married to Nancy, daughter of James and Susan McFarland, an ac- count of whom is given in this work. She is a member of the United Presbyterian church and he of the Presbyterian church. Mr. White's services have long been in demand by the people of the communities in which he has resided. In 186 ;- S he was trustee of York township, and after his removal to Richland township he was appointed trustee. and served in that capacity six months, when he was nominated and elected to the same position. In this function he gave such gen- eral satisfaction that he was re-elected, and he was successively called upon until he had served six terms. A seventh time he was nomin-
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ated without his consent for justice of the peace and elected, and after his election and he got his commission he resigned. In 1883 he was nominated for infirmary director, but was defeated with the rest of his ticket. Mr. White has a good farm of 130 acres, and is pros- perous and successful.
William White, deceased, in his lifetime one of the enterprising farmers of Richland township, was born in Ireland in 1814, and died at his home in this township. He came to this continent with his par- ents, James and Elizabeth (McDoll) White, and settled in Belmont county, where he was reared amid the privations and discomforts of pioneer days. He devoted his life to agriculture and met with much success, and being a good business man, husbanded his earnings in such a manner that he left his family a large estate, including 126 acres which they now occupy in Richland township and a half-interest in 104 acres near Bellaire. In all respects he was a good and worthy citizen. Mr. White was married June 14. 1838, to Eliza Keyser, who was born in 1820, the daughter of William and Margaret (Workman) Keyser. To this union were born ten children, of whom nine are liv- ing: Margaret E., Elizabeth J., Charles, Sarah Ann, Mary, Martha V., Angeline, William and Nancy T. Mrs. White, who survives her hus- band, is an estimable lady, and a member of the United Presbyterian church, of which her husband was also a member. At one time he held the office of assessor of Wheeling township.
Robert Wilkins, a leading citizen of Belmont county, was born in 1816, a son of James and Lydia ( Boggs) Wilkins, the former of whom was of Welsh, and the latter of Irish, descent. His father removed with his parents to Westmoreland county, Penn., and there grew to manhood, and learned the saddler's trade. At this occupation he worked for some time in Pennsylvania, and then came to Belmont county, some time before the beginning of the present century. He entered a section of land on a part of which Belmont now stands, and remained there until 1805, when he sold out and removed to 160 acres, which he purchased, one-fourth mile north of St. Clairsville. Here he lived until his death in '1851. He was an active and influen- tial politician, and was a fearless and effective advocate of the prin- ciples, first of the whig, and then of the republican, party. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm where he now lives, and in 1838 he was married to Margaret Murray, a native of Virginia, who came to this county with her parents. To this union were born six children, four of whom are living: Lydia, John M., Ella and Robert M. Mr. Wilkins has a fine farm of 150 acres, one of the best improved in the county, and also has 295 acres in Morgan county. He gives much attention to stock-raising, and is one of the leading sheep growers. He is an enterprising citizen, and contributed liberally to the contest on behalf of St. Clairsville for the possession of the county seat.
One of the well-known families during the early period of the set- tlement of Belmont county was that of which Joshua Worley, now a leading citizen of the county, is a representative. He is a son of Jacob Worley, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1772, and when about
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IHISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
sixteen years of age came to Ohio, with his father, Joseph Worley, and his family. They erected the first cabin where Bridgeport now stands, and settled in the woods among the hostile Indians and wild animals. A considerable number of years later, Joseph Worley removed to Marion county, Ohio, leaving here Jacob and an okler brother. The latter entered lands and cleared the same, acquiring valuable and extensive farms. . At the time of the Hardesty floods in 1819, Jacob Worley lived on McMahan creek, and suffered much from the calamity. Jacob married Mary Iloltz, a native of Germany. Their son, Joshua, was reared in Pultney township, and in 1845, was married to Margaret Greenley, who was born in Belmont county, in which she died in 1852. To this union two children were born, James A., who died at the age of nineteen years, and Mary J., who became the wife of Francis McCann, and has two children living: James and Rena. She died in 18So. In 1854, Mr. Worley was married to Susan Lucas. Ile and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He is an influential citizen, and has served officially as township trustee, two terms in Smith township and three in Richland. He has a valua- ble and extensively improved farm of 185 acres.
John F. Young, an enterprising farmer of Richland township, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, November 14, 1842. His father, James' Young, was born in Pennsylvania, in December, IS13, and came to Ohio with his parents when nine years of age. James grew to man- hood on the farm of his parents, John and Catherine Young, of Ger- man descent, and was then married to Lydia A. Ilulse. After this event he and his wife moved to Morgan county, where they remained ten years. Subsequently he returned to Pennsylvania, where he died in ISSo. John F. Young, in 1862, when twenty years of age, responded to the call of his country, and enlisted in Company F, Fiftieth Ohio volunteer regiment. Ile served gallantly until his honorable discharge, in July, 1865, at Camp Dennison, Cincinnati. He served with his command in all its engagements, and was in the field continually, except about four months, when disease and acci- dent compelled him to remain in a hospital. On returning home he determined to apply himself, first to obtaining a good educa- tion, and entered Washington and Jefferson college in 1865, where he was graduated in 1868, in the scientific course. He then turned his attention to the profession of law, and read law for three years in the office of Alexis Cope, being admitted to the bar of Belmont county in 1870. From 1870 to 1872 he taught in the country schools to aid him in his progress, and in the latter year he began the prac- tice at Bellaire. He was admitted to the bars of West Virginia and Kentucky, and had good success in his chosen calling until 1877, when he retired from the same. In December, 1877, he was married to Mary, daughter of Amos and Charity Fawcett, elsewhere men- tioned, and in the same year Mr. Young removed to the old home- stead farm where he now resides, a place of 130 acres, handsomely improved, where he enjoys a comfortable and happy home. He is one of the influential men of the county.
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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
Joseph Cowgill, says his grandfather, Isaac Cowgill, was born in Bucks county, Penn., April 23, 1760. He removed to Loudon county, where he married Miss Sarah Fred in 1784. In 1797 he migrated to Ohio county, Va., and settled in Wheeling. He farmed the land upon which Benwood is situated. In 1799, he came to Richland township and bought the west half of section 15. This land had been selected for him by one of the Zanes, a particular friend of his, and who was well acquainted with all the lands in this locality. Mr. Cowgill's was the first emigrant wagon that was ferried across the new ferry at the island. Prior to this time the ferry was below. He built one amongst the first hewed log houses in the county. The only settlers known west of him were Elijah Martin, who lived where Mr. S. W. Coffland now lives, and James Wilson, where Henry F. Pickering now resides. He was the father of eight children: Joseph, Isaac (ist), Amy, Ann, Sarah, Ralph, Isaac (ed), and Abraham, all of whom were residents of Belmont county. All died here except Joseph, who died in Guern- sey county. Mr. Isaac Cowgill departed this life November 29, 1845, aged eighty five years, his wife having died November 6. 1801. Two hundred and twenty acres of land upon which he settled is still in the name of the Cowgills. Mr. Cowgill and wife were of English extrac- tion, and held the religous views of the Friends or Quakers.
SMITH TOWNSHIP.
B. R. Ault, a well-known resident of Centerville, Belmont Co., Smith township, Ohio, was born in that county October 7, 1831, and is the son of William and Margaret ( Rose) Ault, the former of whom was a native of Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ault was reared in Smith township, and educated in the local schools. In May, 1853, he was married to Isabel, daughter of Emanuel and Rachel Denoon, born February 6, 1837. This wife died June IS. 186;, leaving four sons and one daughter, who survive. In April, ISto, Mr. Ault was married to Sarah .\ .. daughter of William P. and Rosella ( Ervint Pickeral, and by this union two sons have been born: B. F., June 19, IS71, and George F., born September 10, 1873. In the year 1858 Mr. Ault removed to Centerville and erected a carriage factory and black- smith shop, which he has conducted from that time until the present, with much success. He takes much interest in the science of meteor- ology, and is the weather observer at Centerville, for the state weather service, and the chief signal office at Washington, D. C.
One of the conspicuous names in the history of Belmont county is that of Michael Nult. Jr. His father, a native of Washington county, Penn., in 1814. accompanied by his wife and seven children, emigrated to Richland township, Belmont county, settling where Glencoe now is. There he erected a grist-mill, and conducted the same until within a few years of his death, which occurred in 1848. The seven children born to them were as follows: Elizabeth, John, Adam, Mary, Sarah, Michael and Daniel. Three of these are still living: Mary, aged eighty-seven; Michael, aged eighty-two, and David, aged seventy-
44- B.
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
eight. Michael Ault is now one of the venerable citizens of the town- ship. He was born in the first decade of the century. His life has been devoted to farming, milling and shipping of various merchan- dise. Before the death of his father, he built a large frame mill to take the place of the log building which had been fitted up by his father many years before, with mill-stones brought down the river on a flat-boat from his old mill in Pennsylvania. The second mill is still running. Michael Ault, Jr., did a very large business with this mill, having between October, 1847, and May, 1848, made, packed and shipped 10,000 barrels of flour, besides grinding country grists, ship- ping flour to the east and down the Ohio, and also dealt in live stock, making trips to Baltimore. In 1869, he sold the mill, but still resides on the old home farm with his two daughters and his brother, Daniel (his wife having died in 18So), and is still active and able to attend to business. Michael Ault was married March 10, 1831, to Catharine Ijams, daughter of Thomas and Catharine ljams, and five sons and five daughters have been born to them, of whom eight are living. Thomas Ijams was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving seven years under George Washington. He was a native of Maryland, moved from there to Washington county, Penn., and finally made his home near Glencoe, where he died. Mr. Ault is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is one of the township's most esteemed citizens.
John Baugh, one of the old and highly esteemed citizens of Smith township, was born in the state of Virginia, at an early day in the present century, and when quite young was brought by his parents to what is now West Virginia, but shortly afterward they removed to St. Clairsville, which was his home for four years. During that time he learned the trade of blacksmithing. Mr. Baugh's ancestors were valiant in the defense of their country, his grandfather serving in the war of the revolution under Washington, and his uncles in the war of 1812. Though he himself did not take part in the civil war, he was a firm supporter of the union. In his business ventures he has been prosperous, and he is now comfortably situated, with a good farm of over 100 acres. Mr. Baugh was married March 13, 1833, to Mary Camp- bell, a native of Ireland, by whom he had five children, three of whom survive, James, William and Mary. He was married the sec- ond time to Anna Toughel, also a native of Ireland, March 28, 1843. and she survives. He is a member of the Premillenial church, and she of the Presbyterian.
Moses Boggs, a venerable and respected citizen of Smith township, was born in Richland township, Belmont county, May 28, 1809. Ile is a son of Rice Boggs and his wife, Theodosia Stephenson. His father was born in Delaware, and removed thence to Pennsylvania, and from there to Ohio in an early day, becoming one of the pioneers of the state. After an industrious and adventurous life he passed away at the age of ninety-three years. Moses Boggs was educated in the old log school-house of his day, with its slab seats and greased paper lights, and as he grew up he adopted the vocation of a farmer, which he has
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since followed in connection with stock-raising and dealing, and with such success that he has accumulated property and has a comfortable home during his declining years, Mr. Boggs is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is liberal in his relations to church and com- munity, and has many friends.
Edward Bryson, a prominent citizen of Centerville, Belmont county, was born August 4, 1832, a son of Isaiah and May Bryson, who were early and well-known settlers of the county. Isaiah Bryson was born May 14, 1803, and his wife, November 20, 1805, and they were united in matrimony December 3, 1829. Eight children were born to them, as follows: Barbara J., October 29, 1830; Edward W., August 4, 1832; Mary E., June 18, 1834; Caroline, August 11, 1836, died January 30, IS70; Indiana, January 9. 1839; Leander B., March 20, 1841; John A., April 5, 1843; Emeline V., October 20, 1846, died April 17, 1865. The father died July 11, 1889, and his wife, October 15, 1847. The subject of this mention was educated in the common schools of Belmont county, and at Moundsville, W. Va., and afterward engaged in the mercantile business at Moundsville. Subsequently he followed the same business at Armstrong, six years, and was then at Centerville six or seven years in partnership with his brother. His next residence was at Belmont, where he was engaged seven years at milling, and six in mercantile business. Returning to Centerville in ISSS, he has erected a spacious store-room in connection with his dwelling, which he intends to stock with groceries, hardware, and a complete general line of merchandise. Mr. Bryson was married March 10, 1872, to Melvina H. Jackson, by whom he has three children: Nettie, born November 2, 18-6, died March 26, 1885; Arthur, born October 29. 1879; Archie, born February 26, ISS2, died July 26, 1882. Mrs. Bry- son is a member of the Protestant Methodist church.
J. A. Bryson, a well-known business man of Centerville, is a son of the above named Isaiah and Mary Bryson, and was born on Captina creek, April 5, 1843. He received his education at Moundsville. W. Va., and when he had reached his nineteenth year he enlisted in the union army as a member of Company AA, Twelfth Virginia infantry, August 11, 1862, and served gallantly during the remainder of the war, receiv- ing an honorable discharge June 16, 1865. Upon his return to Mounds- ville he engaged in merchandise for a short time, and then in the year 1866 was occupied in gardening. He removed to Centerville, Ohio, in the fall of that year, and embarked in the mercantile business, in which he has continued until the present. He is a leading and enter- prising citizen, and at present is serving as postmaster, to which office he was appointed September 5, 1885, and as township treasurer, as which he is filling his third term. Mr. Bryson is a member of G. A. R. post, No. 505. February 25, 1875, he was married to Martha \. Hu- kill, who was born May 16, 1853, and they have had three children: Franklin, born January 16, 18;6; Harry, deceased, born May o. 18;8. and Lawrence, born August 29, ISSS. Mrs. Bryson is a member of the Concord Presbyterian church.
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