USA > West Virginia > Monongalia County > History of Monongalia County, West Virginia, from its first settlements to the present time; with numerous biographical and family sketches > Part 52
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GROWTH OF THE DISTRICT.
Agriculture having been the main pursuit of the people of the district from the time it was first settled, hence the growth could not be rapid like that of a manufacturing dis- trict. No great thoroughfares of travel passed through it, therefore its great mineral wealth has never been touched and its agricultural capacity has never been fully developed. The growth of the district has been slow but steady, from 1791 to the present time. The pioneer immigration which was rapidly populating it, was arrested by the Revolu- tionary war; and after its close, an immigration commenced from Delaware which partly took the place of that which preceded it from Eastern Virginia. Among the Delaware immigrants were the Willeys,* the Davises, the Flemings and others.
* The Willeys emig rated from England prior to the Revolutionary War, and settled in the then province of Delaware. William Willey came from Delaware, in 1781, to Union District, near Collins's Ferry ; but soon moved near the site of Cassville, and bought the farm now owned by John T. Fleming. His children, who were all born in Delaware, were: Waitman, a farmer; John, a farmer and local preacher; Betsey, who intermarried with Nathan Johnson; Bridget, who intermarried with Booz Bur- rows, and Wm. Willey. Waitman and John went to Ohio. William Willey was born in 1766 ; came with his father in 1781, and was in Wayne's campaign against the In- dians. He was married three times. His first wife was Mollie Johnson ; they had one child, William J. Willey, who was in the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virgin-
699
CASS DISTRICT.
The district stands to-day with 21,416 acres of land, in area it is the smallest of the seven present districts of the county. In 1880, in population it was seventh, having 1459, an increase of 10 only over 1870. In 1883, its total wealth was $575,461, being in order of wealth the fifth of the seven districts.
CIVIL LIST-MAGISTERIAL OFFICERS, 1852-1863.
JUSTICES.
1852
1856
1860
George Alexander
James T. Davis
Joshua M. Davis Win. W. Lazzell
Daniel Duzenberry
J. K. Barrickman
Daniel Duzenberry J. K. Barrickman Purnel Simpson
Purnel Simpson
Purnel Simpson
1852 Thos. Lazzell, Jr.
CONSTABLES. 1856 Thos. Lazzell, Jr.
Geo. W. Sample
Reuben Finnell Reuben Finnell
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1863-1873.
JUSTICES. *
1863
1867
1871
J. K. Barrickman
J. N. Waters
J. K. Barrickman
Daniel Dusenberry
J. W. Tucker
CONSTABLES.t 1867 1871
1863
J. B. Dusenberry
Denune Wade
T. M. Scott
G. W. Sample 1865
J. S. Conway
A. G. Halfin
Thomas Lazzell
Eli Clark
C. W. Lawlis -
J. F. Halfin
SUPERVISORS.
1863-Sam'l Hackney 1866-Sam'l Hackney 1869-N. L. South 1864-Sam'l Hackney 1867-Sam'l Hackney 1870-N. L. South 1865-Allen Dilliner 1868-J. H. Bowlby 1871-James Sanders
ia, and who removed to Missouri, in 1865, and died there. William Willey's second wife was Sarah Barnes. They had one child, ex-United States Senator Waitman T. Willey (see page 163 et seq.). William Willey's third wife was Mary Shields. He died at Farmington, in 1861, in the 95th year of his age.
* To fill vacancy : 1866, John N. Waters.
t To fill vacancies : 1869, Benton Pride and Joshua Hess.
1869
1860
700
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
INSPECTORS OF ELECTIONS.
1863-J. D. Cunning- 1866-Jos. Guthrie 1869-J. M. Miller
ham] A. S. Courtney S. L. Boyers
R. W. Courtney 1867-Win. Simpson 1870-Z. P. Ridgeway
1864-Jos. Guthrie Lozenzo Davis A. S. Courtney
R. W. Courtney 1868-Win. Simpson 1871-Jackson Everly
1865-Jos. Guthrie Jackson Everly A. S. Courtney
R. W. Courtney
OVERSEERS OF POOR.
1863-65-J. W.Higgins 1867-Joseph Higgins 1869-71-F. H. Tapp 1865-W. W. Berry 1868-Joseph Guthrie 1871-N. N. Berry
1866-N.H.Critchfield
TOWNSHIP CLERKS.
1863-65-E. J. Arnett 1866-E. J. Arnett 1868-71-A. G. Halfin 1865-James Dean 1867-David Simpson 1871-72 -- A. E.Cushman TOWNSHIP TREASURERS.
1863-66-Alph. Morris 1767-T. E. Berry 1869-70-Josh. Hess 1866-J. Sanders, Jr 1868-J.K. Barrickman
DISTRICT OFFICERS, 1873-1884. JUSTICES. *
1872-John K. Barrackman John W. Tucker
CONSTABLES .*
1872 .- Thomas Lazzell Joseph F. Halfin ELECTION POLLS.
The first poll we find mention of is Jacksonville, in 1840. It continued until 1852, when the name of the town was changed to Cassville, and also the name of the poll. In 1864, the poll was removed to Stumptown; but, in 1868, was restored, and has been a poll ever since. In 1852, Cushman's was made a poll; and, in 1864, we find Stump- town as a poll in its place. It was restored in 1872. Stumptown continued a poll but one election-1864. The polls now are Cassville and Maidsville. The elections re- ferred to here are presidential elections. The following has
* These justices and constables were elected on August 22, 1872, and went into office January 1, 1873.
CASS DISTRICT.
701
been the vote cast in Cass for president since 1840, excepting 1848 and 1860 :
1840, VanBuren, 115 Harrison, 11
1868, Seymour, 152 Grant, 136
1844, Polk, 170
1872, Greeley, 111
Clay, 13
Grant, 135
1852, Pierce, 220
+1876, Tilden, 146
Scott, 30. Hayes, 143
*1856, Buchannan, 210 Filmore, 27
ยท #1880, Hancock, 191
Garfield, 156
1864, McClellan, 124 Lincoln, 126
CASSVILLE,
The largest town in Cass District, is situated on the forks of Scott's run, eight miles west of Morgantown, at a junction of the Morgantown and Burton pike with the Laurel Point and Morristown road. The first house was a school-house on the site of Calvin Cordray's house. It was used seventy-five years ago for school, masonic and religious purposes. The first dwelling-house was built by Caleb Hurley on the site of Milligan's dwelling-house. Then Peter A. Layton, about 1827, built the second house, where J. K. Barrickman lives, and started the tannery, now owned and operated by Barrickman. Layton soon after this laid out the town (on lands of Caleb Hurley and Leven Fleming) and called it Jacksonville. About 1840, a post-office was agitated, but there was one post-office by the name of Jacksonville in the State, and Nicholas B. Madera suggested Cassville, which was adopted, and, some time after, the name of the town was changed to Cassville, and a post- office was obtained. The first postmaster was Peter A. Layton, who served until 1862. He was succeeded by Dr. James Way, who served until March 21, 1867, when Squire
* In 1856, one vote for Fremont. t In 1876, two votes were cast for Cooper. # In 1880, one vote for Weaver.
.
702
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
John W. Tucker, the present postmaster, was appointed ; Richard H. Poynter is deputy.
Physicians .- Over fifty years ago William Slater taught school and doctored the people. The first physician was Dr. James Way, about 1848. Dr. William M. Dent (of Newburg, Preston County) was here in 1856. Dr. Charles H. McLane (son of Dr. Joseph McLane, of Morgantown) came in September, 1867, and remained until October, 1882, when he removed to Zanesville, Ohio, and was suc- ceeded by Dr. Thomas M. Hood, the present physician. Dr. Hood is a graduate of the West Virginia University. He graduated at Jefferson Medical College in 1880; prac- ticed at Shinston before coming here.
Merchants .- The first store was kept by Evan Stewart ; followed by Lough & Layton, Lemley & Brothers, who then built the Sutton building, and were succeeded by Benj. Chestney & Son, Sutton & Co., Milligan & Brother, and John Sutton, the present proprietor. Furman kept in the Pickenpaugh building. He died and was succeeded by J. S. Pickenpaugh, in 1878, who is still keeping. In J. K. Barrickman's house James Kelley kept, succeeded by Kel- ley & Mercer, and John W. Regar. Sloan & Hobbs also kept many years ago.
The residents of the town are Mrs. Jane Layton, J. K. Barrickman (tanner and miller), Robert Milligan, Calvin Cordray (blacksmith), Mrs. Henderson, John W. Tucker (P. M.), Wm. C. Lough (wagon and carriage maker), James Kelley (blacksmith), Jacob Barrickman (carpenter), J. S. Pickenpaugh (merchant), Mrs. Furman, Dr. T. M. Hood, Richard H. Poynter (hotel keeper), Benjamin Chestney,*
* Benjamin Chestney is a son of Wm. Chestney, whose father, Benjamin Chestney was a Revolutionary soldier in the South, and came from Rockingham County, Va., and settled on Gustin run, a branch of Scott's run, and lived and died there.
703
CASS DISTRICT.
David Chestney, Zeri Ramsey, Thomas Berry (miller), Joseph Higgins (shoemaker), Wm. Higgins and John Sut- ton (merchant).
A,licensed house was attempted a good many years ago in Cassville, but public opinion was such that it went down. John W. Tucker * kept an unlicensed house in 1867, and was succeeded by Richard H. Poynter.
HAMILTON.
Hamilton is on the west side of the Monongahela River at the mouth of Scott's run, three miles below Morgantown. It seems to have been named for James Hamilton, who afterwards went to Indiana and died there. It is often nicknamed, from the name of the post-office," Jimtown," es- tablished here in 1850 or 51. Hamilton built and kept the Hamilton house, succeeded by one Savage, Layton, Penn Williams, Wolverton and others. It is now kept by Thomas Lazzell.t The Randall house was kept by John Dawson, Britten McVicker, John Baer, John Arnett, William Hood, Joseph Kiger, S. S. Yeager and others. Mrs. Alice Carothers is the present proprietress. Morgan L. Boyerst and John Hood & Co. started a store December 5, 1837. They were succeeded by John B. Arnett, Alf. Yeager and Dunham, Fleming & Brooks, S. L. Boyers, S. S. Yeager, N. L. Furman, and M. C. Courtney, who is now keeping.
* George Tucker married Mary Hutchinson, whom he rescued from the Indians (page 79). She is buried at Stumptown. Their children were: James, Thomas, Andrew, Jesse, William (who had a daughter who sang in Europe), Nancy Thompson, Levi, Morgan and Aaron. Levi married Mary Glisson, and they have three children living : Thomas, James, and Squire John W. Tucker, who married Mary A. Thomas. Their children are Sarah Poynter, Lucy Lemley, Nancy Chestney and William A.
t Thomas Lazzell was elected constable in 1844, and has served several times since. He is proprietor of the Hamilton house and the present postmaster.
# Morgan L. Boyers is a son of Jacob Boyers who married Elizabeth Lauk. He studied medicine, was licensed as a local preacher in the M. E. Church ; and served, before 1863, for many years as a justice of the peace.
704
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY
M. Runnell and J. R. Donnelly were said to have kept before Hood, Boyers & Co. Mrs. Ann Brown came from Granville and opened a grocery in 1883.
The postmasters have been: for Jimtown P. O .- Isaac P. Williams and Basnett ; for Randall, the present P. O .- S. S. Yeager, I. N. Furman, and Thomas Lazzell (1882), with M. C. Courtney as deputy.
The present residents are Thomas Lazzell (hotel keeper), Mrs. Alice Carothers (hotel keeper), S. L. Boyer, Morgan L. Boyers, I. N. Furman, Squire Hackney (blacksmith), Mrs. Startzman and M. D. Boyers.
MAIDSVILLE.
Maidsville is six miles from Morgantown, at the junction of Craft's with Robinson's run. Cushman and Basnett kept stores, succeeded by Sanders & Davis, J. Sanders, Davis & Sanders, and the present firm of D. B. Waters and Elza Davis. Here, or near, was the Cushman post-office. It is of the same name as the town, and is kept in the store. The blacksmith is Mr. Arnett. No one rightly knows how the town came by its name. Different accounts are given. Daniel W. Darling has a shoe-shop one mile east of town.
STUMPTOWN.
Stumptown is situated at the junction of Wade's run with Scott's run. Cornelius VanZant built Z. P. Ridg-' way's* house. Michael Courtney (a coverlet weaver) built the house opposite Ridgway's, and in it, about 1854, Hosea M. Wade kept a store. The following are the residents of the place : Z. P. Ridgway, Wm. Deats, Edsley
* Lott Ridgway married Catharine Frazer. He came from Richmond. Their chil- dren were : Noah, Joel, Lott, Rachel Hanway, Sarah Henthorne, Mary Watson, Phebe Moore and Dorcus Pierpont. Noah was the father of Z. P. Ridgway, and owned 250 acres of land just opposite Morgantown.
ALPHEUS GARRISON. See Page 754.
705
CASS DISTRICT.
Weaver, John Bailey, Mark Weaver, Christian Core, Jacob Lemley and Samuel Lemley. John Courtney and Annias Davis owned the land the place is on. When the first house was built a large stump stood near, and from this the place received its name.
OSAGEVILLE.
Osageville is on Scott's run, 4{ miles south-east of Mor- gantown, at the junction of the Laurel Point road with the Morgantown and Burton pike. It is about ten or twelve years old, and, for its size, is quite a business place. The following are the residents : J. J. Wharton* (mill owner), David Wiedman (storekeeper), Mrs. Shively, Wm. Robbins, John Kussart (blacksmith) and Joseph Berry (wagon- maker).
"DORNICKTOWN."
Near the Fort Martin Church, a paper town was once started. A man by the name of Cartwright kept a black- smith shop and sold whiskey. Crowds would gather and throw stones at a mark on a tree for the whiskey. Thereby the trees were all scarred; hence, the place received the name of "Dornicktown." A post-office was established by that name. Joseph Snider was the postmaster. The name of the office was soon changed to Fort Martin, and David Rich became postmaster. Then the office was moved just across the line into Greene County, Penn., and the name was changed to Rosedale, and Daniel Miller became postmaster. Rumor says now the re-running of the State line throws Rosedale into Monongalia County.
MAIL SERVICE.
The mails are bi-weekly, running from Morgantown to
* Isaac Wharton came from Greene County, Penn., and his son, J. J. Wharton, mar- ried Rebecca, daughter of Jacob Lemley. Their children are : Wm. L., Jacob L., Ruth, Mary, Asa N., Jesse L., Joseph R., Laura and Blanche.
45
706
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY
Randall. One mail goes by Cassville, and on to Burton, while the other goes from Randall by Maidsville to Rose- dale in Greene County, Penn. The post-offices are : Ran- dall, Cassville, and Maidsville.
ROADS.
The Dunkard Creek turnpike comes from Morgantown and enters the district through Hamilton, and runs up Scott's run and out of the district. The Pennsylvania, Beverly and Morgantown turnpike runs from the State line past Fort Martin Church, and leaves the district at Collins's Ferry. A road leads through Cass from Laurel Point to Morristown, Penn. Another road from Laurel Point leads to Wharton's mill; and another from the same point, to Boyers's mill. A road leads from the mouth of Rob- inson's run, through Maidsville and past Bowlby's mill, to Pennsylvania. Besides these, district roads lead from point to point.
In 1882, the district was divided into eight road pre- cincts, with surveyors, as follows :
Precinct.
Surveyor.
Precinct.
Surveyor.
No. 1
Jackson Everly
No. 5.
Justus Brewer
66 2 Jas. A. Hawthorne 66
6 Joel Bowlby
66
3 Mark Weaver
7 John L. Jones
66
4 S. C. Lazzell
8 Zimri Ammons
MILLS.
Perhaps the oldest mill in the district was a horse-mill, near the site of the school-house. One account says Davis Shockley built it, another says James Lemasters. It had a carding machine attached. About 1845, John Lemley built a water-mill below Cassville. Barrickman & Layton bought him out, and then Barrickman* ran it. About 1867,
* John K. Barrickman married Susan, a daughter of Peter A. Layton. He was a jus- tice of the peace for years, and is now engaged in tanning and milling.
707
CASS DISTRICT.
he tore it down and built his present large steam flouring- mill. David Scott built a mill about 300 yards below Ham- ilton. The hill above it slipped and pushed the mill into the river. Boyers's mill is said to have been built by a Scott. Another account says by Jones and Black. It is north-west of Morgantown 3} miles. Jacob Boyers sold it to his son, H. J. Boyers, the father of the present miller, S. W. Boyers. Wharton's steam flouring-mill at Osageville is a three-story frame ; 30-horse-power engine; capacity, 100 bushels a day. A steam saw-mill attached is run by & 16- horse-power engine and cuts 5000 feet of lumber per day.
Bowlby's large steam flouring-mill is at the head of Rob- inson's run, and was built about 1856. The Critchfield mill was built about 16 years ago, on Robinson's run. R. F. Tapp operated it for several years. In 1882, Smyth Broth- ers used it to manufacture furniture. A steam saw-mill is near.
Tanneries .- John K. Barrickman's at Cassville; and one above Maidsville was built by Andrew Kirkhart. It was torn dorn. Joseph R. Everly built one about thirty-five years ago, and sold it to James Sanders in 1867.
FERRIES.
John Dawson chartered a ferry at Hamilton, but it went down. Collins's Ferry is an old one. Within forty years among its keepers have been : one Conwell, Jonathan Co- bun, John Messer, Isaac Dean, George Smith, and Perry St. Clair, the present ferryman. It is from the mouth of Robinson's run across the Monongahela River. Stone's Ferry is from the mouth of Crooked run across the river.
MONONGALIA SALT WORKS.
Salt-water was struck in an oil-well boring at Stumptown,
708
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
and works by the above name were erected, and a fair quality of salt was made. The salt-water, it is said, was struck at 260 feet. The works were abandoned. Peter A. Layton and Andrew Brown sank a salt-well about 1824, on Scott's run, but did not carry out their idea of making salt.
OIL BORINGS.
An oil-well was sunk at Stumptown, between 700 and 800 feet deep. A Maidsville oil company put down a hole about 600 feet, below Maidsville on Robinson's run. It is said they went through a 14-foot vein of coal.
COUNTY POOR HOUSE
Is situated one-half mile below Cassville, and is a fine two-story brick building, 30x40 feet. The property and dwelling-house, not including the poor-house, cost $2000. The building committee-Emrod Tennant, Alph. Yeager and Barton Core-let out the building of the poor-house to a Mr. Haines for $4200, in 1874. Mrs. Alice Carothers kept it first ; then John L. Jones ; and, in April, 1883, W. P. Barker came in charge.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
All the churches in Cass are either of the Methodist Episcopal or the Methodist Protestant denomination.
The Methodist Episcopal are : 1. Bethel, which burnt down a few years ago and was rebuilt. It stands one mile west of Maidsville ; 2. Fort Martin; 3. Cassville, where John Willey was a local preacher over seventy-five years ago; 4. Wade's Church.
The Methodist Protestant has three churches in the dis- trict : one at Maidsville, one at Cassville, and the other on Gustin run (a branch of Scott's run), near Stumptown.
709
CASS DISTRICT.
SCHOOLS.
Over seventy-five years ago Davis Shockley and William Slater taught school on the site of Cassville.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS ELECTED.
1864, Lorenzo Davis, 3 years ; George Alexander, 2 years; S. S. Lemley, 1 year.
1865, James Lazzell and Alexander Dayis. 1866, Benjamin Chest- ney.
1867, A. S. Courtney, president ; Benjamin Chestney and James Lazzell.
1868-9, A. S. Courtney, president ; Benjamin Chestney and Alex- ander Evans.
1870, A. S. Courtney, president ; Alexander Evans and James S. Miller.
1871, Alexander Evans, President ; James S. Miller and A. S. Courtney.
1872, A. J. Maple, president ; James S. Miller and S. L. Boyers.
BOARDS OF EDUCATION, 1873 TO 1884.
1873, A. J. Maple, president ; N. L. South and Z. P. Ridgway. 1874, James Sanders, president ; N. L. South and Z. P. Ridgway. 1875-6, James Sanders, president ; John T. Fleming and J. F. Wade.
1877, James Sanders, president ; John T. Fleming and J. J. Wharton.
1879, James Sanders, president ; Barton Core and J. J. Wharton. 1881, James Sanders, president; W. H. Smythe and Isaac Weaver. 1883, James Sanders, president ; W. H. Smythe and Barton Core.
SECRETARIES OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION.
1868-S. S. Courtney 1876-David Wiedman 1881-J. J. Wharton 1869-A. G. Halfin
Cass school district is now divided into ten sub-districts, as follows :
No. 1, Fort Martin No. 5, Mountain Tea No. 8, Buckeye
" 2, Maidsville " 6, Stumptown " 9, Osageville
3, Lazzell 7, Laurel Hill " 10, Cassville
" 4, Jimtown
Osageville, No. 9, was formed, in 1878, from Jimtown,
710
HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
No. 4; Cassville, No. 10, was formed from Laurel Hill, No. 7, in 1879. The Fort Martin school-house was the only subscription school-house accepted in the county, in 1865, for a free school building.
SCHOOL ENUMERATION BY YEARS.
SUB-DISTRICTS
DISTRICT.
YEAR.
No.1| No.2|No.3|No.4|No.5[No.6 | No.7 No.8 | No.9; No. 10
Males| F'm'les
Total
1868
86
83
55
00
75
00
86
24
197
182
379
1869. .
54
79
56
76
63
65
97
24
270
249
514
1870 ..
63
82
06
85
49
59
24
293
247
540
1871 ..
59
85
67
54
74
93
39
..
294
238
532
1872.
56
89
67
56
70
97
29
275
262
537
1873.
50
86
82
59
67
89
27
303
228
531
1874.
55
89
75
75
53
61
89
28
279
246
525
1875. . .
54
81
74
82
76
40
61
104
31
267
236
503
1878. ..
..
53
62
89
42
53
50
102
37
43
267
236
503
1879 ..
45
56
84
38
59
55
43
27
47
53
261
238
507
1880. .
47
53
69
35
55
59
46
32
48
50
255
239
494
1881. .
23
37
55
25
56
41
27
43
42
48
223
174
397
1882. .
32
48
49
26
52
48
30
26
30
38
164
1888.
230
194
424
PRIZE FIGHT .- It was in Cass, at the mouth of Crooked run, that the pugilists, Walling and Campbell, who came from Colorado to Pittsburgh, and from that city by boat up the Monongahela River, fought in 1881.
STATISTICS OF CASS DISTRICT.
YEAR.
Mules, etc.
ttle.
Sheep.
Hogs.
Carriages,
Buggies, &c.
Watches and
Pianos and
Melodeons.
White.
Colored.
1866
504
1,01612,786
216
20
60
0
273
2
1867
488
1,064 2 932
161
124
55
0)
272
2
1868
492
1,327 3,475
160
129
66
1
296
1
1869
470
1,329
2,339
139
131
53
1
292
2
1870 ..
49S
1.552 1,773
187
26
229
306
2
1871
512
1,640
1,139
103
23
68
2
303
1
1873
557
1,640
1,165
186
37
243
5
290
1
1874
566
1,406
1,420
208
39
72
7
299
...
1875
573
1,565
1,111
180
40
60
8
304
...
1876
545
1,073
1,110
180
43
63
12
299
..
1877
535
1,293
1,016
220
53
56
12
308
...
1878
523
1,509
910
208
48
68
13
323
...
1879
488
11,534
946
186
53
65
15
317
..
1880
446
1,219 1,922
143
59
60
-16
314
1881
435
1,407 / 2,744
165
80
69
14
318
1882
441 |1,338 2,981
195
184
211
17
309
1893
484 |1,811 2,803
187
199
47
1
17
312
...
. .
45
66
80
61
68
8:
28
286
250
536
1876 ..
47
264
243
537
50
66
88
21
1877.
..
..
...
...
...
...
...
....
..
1872
VOTERS.
Horses,
Clocks.
..
....
711
CASS DISTRICT.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN H. BOWLBY .- The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, John Bowlby, came from Nottinghamshire, England, where the family is still numerous. He was one of the twenty-four pro- prietaries of New Jersey, and owned there the twenty-fourth part of that State. James Bowlby, John's son, was educated as a lawyer in New Jersey, and married Lydia Carhart in that State. In 1797, he came with his family to the Forks of Cheat, and re- mained there until 1798, when he crossed Bald Hill in the first wagon ever driven across that country, and settled on the land which he had previously bought of James Polloc, on the head- waters of Robinson's run. Here he raised a family of seven chil- dren, viz .: 1. Samuel C., who moved to Ohio in 1835 ; 2. Rebecca, who married Thomas Lazzell, Jr .; 3. Williampe C., who married a man named Smith and moved to Ohio ; 4. Robert L., who married Margaret Smith and lived and died in this county ; 5. John H., the subject of this sketch, who was born in this county, a few days after the arrival of the family ; 6. Catey who married Hynson Smith ; 7. James, who never was married, and who died in 1823, aged nineteen years.
John H. Bowlby was born February 21, 1798. He obtained his education in the rude schools of that day. In 1819, he was com- missioned as first lieutenant in the Virginia militia, and, some years later, as a captain of the same company, serving in that ca- pacity for several years. About 1840, he was elected and cominis- sioned colonel of 140th Regt. Va. militia ; resigned about 1850. He was one of the seven of his regiment who volunteered for service in the Mexican War, but being advanced in life he never entered active service. About 1836, he was appointed justice of the peace, and held that office for about ten years, when he resigned. In 1843, he was elected to represent Monongalia in the Virginia legis- lature, serving one year in that body. He was a school commis- sioner for many years before the Civil War ..
On October 23, 1823, he married Elizabeth Stevens, (a distant relative of Thaddeus Stevens,) of Greene County, Penn., whose parents had come from New Jersey about the same time that the Bowlbys came. They had eight children : 1. Samuel C., who died in 1841. unmarried, aged seventeen years, of typhoid fever-the
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HISTORY OF MONONGALIA COUNTY.
first case in the county; 2. Edward J., who married Emeleen Boyles in 1845, and has had six children, two of w hom are dead and four living, viz .: Charles J., a lawyer, practicing at Crete City, Nebraska ; Lucinda, who married Simon McClure and lives in this county ; Phebe M., who married William Steele, of this county ; Nancy C., who married William B. Holbert ; the deceased were Elizabeth S. and Joseph E. His third child was James P., who married, first, Irene Boyles, by whom he had six' children, and, second, Susan Donley, by whom he has had nine children ; 4. John W., who died in 1882, unmarried, aged eighty-two years ; 5. Belinda A., who married Spencer Morris, M.D., Ph.D., of the Jefferson Medi- cal College, Philadelphia, Penn .; 6. Benson F., who died in 1863, aged twenty-three, and unmarried; 7. Alcinda L., who married John M. Boyles, of Clinton District ; 8. Joseph M., who died in 1836, aged about two years.
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