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 41
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Hon. John W. Laughlin, one of Belmont county's most influential citizens and successful farmers, was born in Washington, Guernsey Co .. Ohio, 1837. He spent his boyhood days on the farm attending the common schools, and prepared himself for the Miller academy, which at that time had quite a reputation as an educational institution. In 1858 he went to Jefferson college, at Cannonsburg, Penn., now known as Washington and Jefferson college, and wasgraduated in the class of 1861. In January, 1862, he entered the army in First Regiment Ohio cavalry, Company B, serving as a private, going through all the pri- vations incident to such a life, when he was made captain of Com- pany K, First regiment Ohio volunteers. For a while he commanded two companies as Gen. Howard's escort. After serving three years and nine months, he was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio. In November, 1865. Mr. Laughlin was married to Miss Maggie Cowden. a daughter of David and Margery Cowden, who were natives of Ire-
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OIIIO VALLEY.
land. Mr. and Mrs. Cowden had four children, two of whom are liv- ing: Mrs. Laughlin, and one brother, W. N. Cowden, who was president of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, and is now secre- tary of the Ohio Wool Growers' association. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin have had ten children, viz .: Emma E .; Thomas C., who is at " Woos- ter University," and is studying for the ministry, he will finish the course in June, 1892; David A. and Albert W., twins, who will be grad- uated at the Barnesville high school in 1890; Anna, who died when quite young: James N., deceased; John C., Palmer H., Leila J., Les- ter M. While living in Guernsey county, in the fall of 1873, he was elected state senator by the democrats. In ISS5 he was nominated for representative, elected and served with such satisfaction to his constituents, that they wish to nominate him for their next represent- ative. Mr. Laughlin was appointed trustee of the children's home by the county committee, and is a member of the Robert Hilles post, G. A. R., No. 220, and post commander of that lodge of Barnesville.
Mr. Laughlin lives on a good farm about one and one-half miles west of Barnesville. There are two good gas wells very near his land and the indications are that any part of his farm may be gas producing. He owns several other farms. Ile is interested in general farming and extensive stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin are members of the Presbyterian church, he being an elder in that church.
E. P. Lce, editor and publisher of the Barnesville Enterprise, one of the leading local papers of eastern Ohio, was born in Berks county, Penn., August 16, 1842. He is a son of James and Lydia Lee, promi- nent members of the Society of Friends, of that county. He gradu- ated with honor from Westtown, the well-known Friends college, near Westchester, Penn., in 1861. After leaving college Mr. Lee engaged in teaching school in Berks county, Penn .. and also in Columbiana county, Ohio. He afterward attended Crittenden's Commercial college, in Philadelphia, from which he graduated. Moving to Barnes- ville, in 186;, he entered the First National bank, as its book-keeper, afterward being promoted to the responsible position of cashier. After remaining in the bank for nine years, Mr. Lee engaged in the nursery business for a short time. In 1878 he became connected with the Barnesville Enterprise, as its foreman and local editor, continuing in this position up to October. ISSS, when he and his wife purchased the paper, and have added largely to its popularity and influence. In 1869, Miss Octa M. Dove became his wife. Mrs. Lee is a daughter of John and Maria Dove, both natives of Maryland, and among the early settlers in Barnesville. Mrs. Lee assists her husband in his editorial work, as associate editor of the Enterprise. She is a writer of acknowledged ability and has acquired a reputation in her chosen work. This happy marriage has been crowned by the birth of two children: Laura D., who died in 1883, and Charles E., who resides with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are active members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and Mr. Lee is a member of Friendship lodge, No. 89. F. & A. M., and Barnesville chapter, No. 69.
Levi B. Lee, son of John E. and Elizabeth ( Benson) Lee, is a native
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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
of Maryland, born in the city of Baltimore in the year 1839. The father was born in Baltimore, about the year 1813, and was by occu- pation, a book-binder. He moved to Ohio in 1840, settling in Guern- sey county, where he engaged in agriculture, and where his death occurred, March 25, 1875. Mrs. Lee was born in Hartford county, Maryland, October S, 1820, and is still living in Belmont county. Mr. and Mrs. Lee were the parents of the following children, namely: Har- riet A., deceased: Levi B .; Rachel N., wife of Frank Spencer; John E., deceased; Martha E., deceased; Eliza J., wife of H. Thomas; Mary A., deceased; Phebe E., wife of Anson Mead; Sarah, wife of J. C. Bur- cher. Levi B. Lee was raised to agricultural pursuits in Guernsey county, received a common school education, and on attaining his majority, began life as a farmer. In his business transactions, Mr. Lee has met with well deserved success, and from a very humble beginning, has succeeded in accumulating a sufficiency of this world's goods, owning at this time, a fine farm of 204 acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. In connection with farming, Mr. Lee has given considerable attention to stock-raising, and is justly considered one of the representative men of the com- munity. November 29, 1864, was solemnized, his marriage with Miss Narcissa Redd, daughter of Isaiah and Ann (Sinclair) Redd. Mr. Redd was a native of Virginia, born in iSo1, and died in the year 1861. Mrs. Redd was a daughter of James and Catharine Sinclair. She de- parted this life on the 12th of February, 1844. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lee has been blessed with the birth of three children, viz .: Alden A., born September 29, 1865; John B., born June 14, 1872; Cor- liss E., born April 21, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are members of the Methodist church, belonging to the Burton Station society.
Dr. Benjamin H. Mackall, one of the prominent physicians of Barnesville, Ohio, is a son of John T. and Sarah (West) Mackall, and was born in 1844. The father was one of the carly practitioners of Belmont county. The family has been eminently connected with the medical profession of the county for over half a century. The father of John T. Mackall, Benjamin Il., was born in 1770, and was a promi- nent farmer of his day. John T. was born on the family estate in Bel- mont county, February 21, 1818. Having obtained a good common school education, he began, in 1835, to read medicine with Dr. Hoover, of Barnesville. By close application and faithful study he became one of the leading physicians of his section of the state. In 1843 he was married. Benjamin H., Mary, John W. and Anna, are the children. The mother was a daughter of Rev. John West, a pioneer minister of Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Mackall were members of the Methodist Episcopal church; the former was also a Mason. Benja- min Mackall, his only brother, is now one of the oldest citizens of the county, and was postmaster at Barnesville for over eighteen years, at two different times, having been appointed to hat office in 1835, at which time he succeeded his father, who had held the position for four years. In 1845 he resigned the postmastership to become a candidate for state senator, holding this office for two
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
years. He was nominated without having been informed that he was to be so honored. He has also served as a trustee of the town, and has been a justice of the peace for over thirty years. Ilis first presi- dential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson, and despite the fact that the town is republican by a large majority, he has always been easily elected to any place he has been a candidate for, his fellow towns- men respecting him for his democratic principles, and as a man fitted to discharge public duties. Out of seven men who voted for Jackson in Warren township in 1824, he is the only one living. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Benjamin II. Mackall, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Barnesville institute. In 186; he entered the Ohio Medical college, at Cincinnati, but was obliged to remain home during the following year on account of the ill health of his father. Until the fall of 1869 he attended to his father's practice, at this time he again entered college and graduated with honors in the spring of IS;o. Settling in Barnesville, he at once commenced upon the duties attendant upon a large practice. Dr. Mackall is a mem- ber of the Masonic order, also a K. of P. He is not only a skillful physician, but also an honored, progressive citizen of the town in which he lives.
Rev. C. E. Manchester, the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Barnesville, Belmont Co .. Ohio, was born in Colebrook River, Litchfield Co., Conn. He was a son of Daniel E. and Juline (Case) Manchester. The father was a manufacturer of wooden- ware, and was a member of the Connecticut legislature for several terms. C. E. Manchester lived in his native state until he was ten years old. His father died when he was but eight years of age. Mrs. Manchester married a second time, and in 1855 removed with her husband to Ohio, settling on a farm near Wellington. Lorain county; on this farm the young man lived until he was sixteen years of age, when he removed to town. His early schooling was received from the common schools and a seminary which he attended for a short
time. When but sixteen years of age, in 1861, he answered his coun- try's call for defenders, and enlisted in Company D), Twenty-third regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, under Capt. Lovejoy. He remained with this company until 1864, at which time he was transferred to Company K. After bravely and faithfully discharging every duty as- signed him, he received an honorable discharge, July S. 1864, at Col- unbus, Ohio. On returning home from the army, he went into the general produce business with his brother, at Wellington, Ohio; in the meantime, by constant home study, he was preparing himself for college. Having remained in this business but one year, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan university at Delaware, Ohio. Here he remained for three years, at the expiration of this time he was obliged to give up his studies on account of failing health. In 1868, returning home. he embarked in the newspaper business, helping to establish the Wel- lington Enterprise. In 1860 he founded the New London Times, at New London. Ohio. After having edited this paper for eighteen months,
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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
he went to Charleston, W. Va., and engaged in a paper there with the Hon. G. W. Atkinson. Giving up journalism, he entered the minis- try. May 28, 1868, he married Miss Emma A. Case, daughter of John S. and Diantha ( Blaire) Case. Mr. Case was a tanner, residing at Wellington, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Manchester are the parents of five children: William C., Frank S., Charles E., Jr., and two others deceased. In 18;1, he became a member of the West Virginia con- ference, and was placed in charge of the Charleston circuit. Remain- ing here for one year, he was sent to Clifton, W. Va., where he officiated for three years. Wheeling was his next residence; he was pastor of the Thompson church for two years. At Parkersburgh, where he lived three years, he completed one of the finest churches in the state, costing over $40,000. When the conference was changed in 1880, the doctor was appointed presiding elder of the Charleston district. The latter position was resigned on account of his being un- able to stand a great amount of necessary horseback riding. At this time he was returned to the Thompson church at Wheeling. Sick- ness in his family made it imperative that they should leave Wheel- ing, which he did one year later, securing a transfer to the east Ohio conference; he preached at Burton two years, then was sent to Cleve- land, being stationed at the Euclid Avenue church, where he began the erection of the beautiful stone structure which has since been com- pleted. After a pastorate of two years at the Scoville. Avenue church in Cleveland, he was forced to leave the lake regions on account of rheumatism. He has since been in charge of the church at Barnes- ville, where he has met with his usual flatteringsuccess. In ISS6, the degree of doctor of divinity was bestowed upon him by the Baldwin university. Under his wise pastorate, a very fine church edifice is being constructed at Barnesville. When it is finished it will have cost at least $26,050. Dr. Manchester is a member of the Masonic order, and also of the G. A. R.
Rev. James R. Mills, D. D., is presiding elder of the Barnesville district of the Methodist Episcopal church. Clarksburg. Va., became the place of his nativity in 1834. He is of Irish-American parentage, his father, James, having been born in the north of Ireland, came to this country at the age of eighteen, settling in Pittsburgh, Penn. The mother, Delilah (Jones) Mills, was born in this country. James Mills, Sr., was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1831, and in 1834 was stationed at Clarksburg. Having been an itinerant for eight years, he took the relation of local preacher, retaining the same until the time of his death, which occurred in 1879. The principal of this biography went, with his parents to Washington county, Penn., when but three weeks of age. The family remained there until i844. when they removed to Philadelphia. Staying there but one year, they re- turned to Washington county, where they lived until i856, at which time they again moved, this time to Pittsburgh, Penn. The father was very extensively engaged in the general merchandise business, owning eight different stores at different places. In isso he entered the wholesale grocery trade, in which business he was assisted by his
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
son until 1858, when the latter entered Allegheny college, at Mcad- ville, Penn. From this institution he graduated in 1862, with the highest honors of his class. Immediately entering the ministry, he has since performed all parts of that work, from a nine weeks' charge to presiding elder. From 18So, to 1884, he was presiding elder of the Cambridge district, afterward becoming a pastor for two years. He was stationed at Massillon for one year, but his health failing him, he was made presiding elder of the Barnesville district. In 1867, Eliza A. D. Thoburn became his wife and helper. She is a daughter of Matthew and Jane (Lyle) Thoburn. This union has been blessed by seven children, six of whom are living: Wilbur T., Edwin S., Ger- trude, James R., Jr., Isabella and Victor G. Mrs. Mills was born near St. Clairsville, Belmont Co., Ohio. Dr. Mills is an uncompromising prohibitionist. He is a worthy servant of a great church.
William Stanton is a member of an old and highly respected family, the ancestry of which can be traced back through an unbroken line to the year 1600. Mr. Stanton's paternal grandfather, Henry Stanton, was a native of North Carolina, which state he left in an early day, emigrating with his mother to Ohio. Joseph Stanton, father of Will- iam, was born near Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, about the year 1812, and in 1832 was married to Miss Mary Hodgin, daughter of S. and Elizabeth Hodgin, who moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, about the year 1802, from the state of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Stanton died in the years 1859 and 1857, respectively, and were laid to rest in the Stillwater cemetery, near Barnesville. They had a family of five children, namely: Eli, deceased; Anna, wife of Nathan Bundy; William, Eunice, de- ceased; and Elizabeth, wife of L. P. Bailey. William Stanton was born September 15, 1839, in Warren township, Belmont county, and grew to manhood on a farm, attending the Friends' boarding school, at Mt. Pleasant, at intervals in the meantime. In 1864. he was united in marriage with Miss Jane S. Davis, daughter of Francis and Mary Davis, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Stanton have had ten children, whose names are as follows, to wit: Eva T .; Mary D)., deceased; lo- seph E .; Francis W., deceased; John L., Elwood D., Anna C., Edna M. and Ellen D., twins, and William. Mr. Stanton has been for some years engaged in the nursery and small fruit business, which has steadily increased, until he is now one of the leading fruit growers of the county. llis ancestors were for many years identified with the Society of Friends, and he and family are active members of that church.
B. P. Reed, a member of the firm of Reed & Albrecht, tanners, and also a member of the firm of Howard & Reed, buyers and ship- pers of leaf tobacco, is a native of Barnsville, Ohio, where he now lives, having been born there December 18, 1846. His parents were William and Eliza (Grafton) Reed, both born in Beaver county. Penn. They came to Barnesville, in 1845, and the father engaged in the manufactory of boots and shoes, and he also established the Enterprise tannery, operating the same for twenty years, buying and selling leaf tobacco in connection with his other business. He was a
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BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
member of the republican party, and was councilman for several years. Mr. Reed was an influential member of the Methodist Epis- pal church at the time of his death, which occurred in February, 188 ;; his wife having passed away in 1875. Five children survive them: Emmeline. wife of II. W. Baker, of Barnesville; J. W., a leading doctor of Monroe county; William M., residing at Xenia, Ohio; M. G., living in Barnesville, and B. P. The latter obtained his schooling from the Barnesville public schools, and afterward learned his father's trade, which he followed for twenty-five years. In 1887 he began to sell leaf tobacco, and now attends to each branch of his business with the most gratifying success. Emma L. Kugler became his wife in 1870; she is a daughter of Charles Kugler. This marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children: Charles Wesley, Laura May, and an infant. Mr. Reed is an active republican, and has filled the office of town treasurer three terms, and was a member of the council for one term, besides which he is a member of Barnesville lodge, No. 185, I. O. O. F., also encampment, and an honored communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a parsonage trustee. He is a large stockholder in the Warren Gas company, and also in the People's National bank.
John A. Tallman is a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and one of six children born to James and Delilah Tallman. James Tallman was a native of Ohio, born in Belmont county in the year [So4. the son of Peter Tallman, whose family originally came from England and settled in Virginia. The names of the children born to James and Delilah Tallman are as follows: Peter, Mrs. Elizabeth Howell, Mrs. Sarah Wyley, and John A. Mrs. Tallman died in 1836. By a subsequent marriage James Tallman had the following children, viz .: William H .; Delilah, wife of John G. Robinson; Catharine, wife of Henry Nagle, and James C., a prominent lawyer of Bellaire. John . 1. Tallman was born in Union township in the year 1835, grew to manhood amid the active duties of farm life and received a good practical edu- cation in the common schools. On reaching manhood's estate in 1850. he went west for the purpose of engaging in mining, and spent five years prospecting, meeting with only fair success during that time. Returning to his native state Mr. Tallman engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, which he has since continued with encouraging success. owning a fine farm near the city of Barnesville. Shortly after his re- turn from the west he was married to Miss Eunice C. Morehead, daughter of Nathan and Jane Morehead, natives of Pennsylvania. Nathan Morehead was born January 19, 1796, and died December 21. ISSO; his wife was born in Washington county, Penn., in 1813, and de- parted this life February 25, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Tallman are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and possess the conti- dence of a large circle of friends in Belmont county.
Richard H. Taneyhill was born in Calvert county, Md., in 1822. He removed with his parents to Barnesville in 1832. He was mar- ried in 1843 to Rebecca J. Judkins, daughter of Thomas Judkins. His children are ten in number and were born in the following order:
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER O1110 VALLEY.
Henry C., married to Anna James; Richard T., married to Mary Ar- nold; William S., married to Elizabeth Trott; Francis M., married to Priscilla J. Winland; Mary B., Eugene, Sarah, deceased; Hettie, de- ceased; Nettie and Nellie. He studied law with John Davenport, was admitted to the bar at St. Clairsville in 1847, and practiced law in Williamsburg, Noble Co., Ohio, twelve years. He has for several years been engaged in horticultural pursuits. He was for two years clerk of Warren township, six years justice of the peace, and two years mayor of Barnesville. He is best known among historical stu- dents and archeologists by his learned and instructive essays on his- torical and archeological matter contributed to the magazines, scientific journals, Ohio Valley Historical series, and other volumes of national circulation and prominence. His series of articles on the history of this portion of Belmont county, the mounds, forts, foot- prints, the Leatherwood God, etc., are the most painstaking, and ap- proach nearer our idea of local history than any that we have heretofore met with in all our experience. Had it not been for Mr. Taneyhill, how little of the past of Warren township and . vicinity would have been treasured up? The series of articles as published in the Barnesville Enterprise, written by Mr. Taneyhill, under the nom de plume of R. King Bennett, are invaluable. He is the author of the history of the Logan family in this work.
L. F. Wilson is a son of William C. and Esther ( Fawcett) Wilson, who lived in Warren township at the time of their death. William Wilson at one time lived in Barnesville, and was one of the charter members of the First National bank, serving as its first cashier; he was also once interested in a mercantile business there. Mr. Wilson was a respected member of the Friends church. Four sons survive him: Charles, of Barnesville, a glass worker; F. D., of Geneva, Ohio, fruit farmer; Edward, engineer at the Children's home, Barnesville, and L. F. The latter was born in Freeport, Ilarrison county, Ohio, January 29, 1858, and has lived in Barnesville since his fifth year. His early youth was spent in the township schools. After leaving school he learned the florist business, having been engaged in that business for twenty years. Miss Flora M., daughter of James Fowler, of Barnesville, became Mrs. Wilson in 1887. He is a member of Warren lodge, No. 76, K. of P., a stockholder in the Home Building and Loan association, and also has stock in the People's Building as- sociation. Mrs. Wilson is an active, consistent communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church. No man in Barnesville is more highly respected for industry and sterling integrity than L. F. Wilson.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
William Alton, a well-known business man of Washington township, Belmont county, was born in Fayette county, Penn., February 22, 1833. His parents were natives of the same state, and were born about 1800. Mr. Alton was reared in Pennsylvania, and after ob- taining his education he learned the trade of carpentry, to which he
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gave his entire attention until February 1, 1889, when he purchased the stock of goods owned by J. W. Bright, at Crab Apple station on the B., Z. & C. railroad, and here he is now engaged in business, con- ducting a general store, which has a considerable and profitable patronage. He also holds the office of postmaster, and agent for the railroad company at that place, and agent for the Adams Express company. During the war of the rebellion he did gallant service for his country, enlisting on August 1, 1862, in Company II, Fifteenth West Virginia infantry, and serving until his discharge June 25, 1865. He was married August 24, 1858, to Mary E. Rhodes, who was born September 9. 1833, daughter of Harmon and Anna (Eller) Rhodes, natives of Frederick county, Md. By this marriage he had five sons and one daughter, of whom survive: Harmon, George, Harry, Albert, Howard and Effie. Mr. Alton and wife are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
Notable among the business men of Washington township during the half century just passed was Alexander Armstrong, who was born in that township March 11, 1813. He was the son of Thomas and Ruth Armstrong, the former of whom was born in Ireland March 17, 1790, and the latter was born August 24, 1792. Alexander engaged in business as the proprietor of a general store at Arm- strong's Mills, in 1839, and at the same time was proprietor of a flour- ing-mill at that place and extensively engaged in farming. lle con- tinued to be engaged in these vocations until his death, February 21. 1884. He was married January 1, 1839, to Elizabeth Welch, who was born February 21, 1819, and to their union were born seven sons and one daughter, all of whom survive. His wife died December 21, 1883. C. W. Armstrong, one of the sons of the above, was born where he now resides, December 5, 1841. He had not long passed his school days when the rebellion broke out, and on the 17th of December. 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company D, under Capt. Poorman, Forty-third Ohio regiment. He was commissioned sergeant August 1. 1864, and on February 13, 1865, was promoted captain, in which rank he was mustered out July 13, 1865. Among the important battles in which he was engaged were New Madrid, Mo .; luka and Corinth. Miss .; Decatur, Ala .; Resaca, the siege of Kenesaw Mountain, Nicka- jack Creek, Ga., the siege of Atlanta, Savannah, Ga., and River's Bridge, S. C. On returning home he was occupied on his father's farm until the spring of 1866, when he went to Glencoe, Ohio, and there was engaged in mercantile business four years. While there he was married, July 11, 1867, to Sarah Elliott, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Snodgrass) Elliott. She was was born in Westmore- land county, Penn., August 22, 1845. In isto, Mr. Armstrong returned to Armstrong's Mills, and was engaged in his father's store until 1SS2, when he purchased and took control of the flouring-mill and part of the farm which he has since conducted. He is an active and enterprising business man, and highly regarded for his integrity. In the affairs of the community he is active and influential, and has been chosen to fill some of the most important offices of the township. He
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