CHAPTER XXI.
History of the Towns and Townships
of Belmont County

BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP
pg. 283 - 289

    Bridgeport, originally called Canton, was laid out by Ebenezer Zane, May 9, 1806. It is beautifully located on the west bank of the Ohio river and on either side of Indian Wheeling creek, along whose banks if stretches westward for about half a mile, and over a mile up and down the river.  Immediately
back of the town rises steep and almost precipitous hills, which form a picturesque and romantic site.  It is one mile from Wheeling, which lies in full view.  The boundaries wore the present pike, east and west, Bank street north and south, both then county roads.  A state road leading from Marietta to Wellsville
crossed near the mouth of the creek and run between the town and river in a northerly direction.  Colonel Zane at this time owned all the land from Scott's to the river and up to Burlington. He laid out about two acres along the state road north of Fleming’s run. In the same year he deeded eight acres south of the run on this road to his son-in-law, Elijah Woods, who laid the same out in five blocks.
     At this time considerable improvement had taken place and the marks of civilization were being made visibly plain.  Kirkwood’s cabin was in sight and the block house that stood near.  Other cabins likely were seen through the partially thinned timber up the river and creek.  Emigrant wagons no doubt were
very numerous about this date passing over an almost impracticable road, stopping here perhaps, or going further on to the interior of the county.  Settlements along the river were made very early.  See article on Premature Attempts at Settlement in Ohio.

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IMPROVEMENTS

IN 1807

IN 1810

IN 1820

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INCORPORATION LIMITS.

RECORDERS

THE TOLL BRIDGE

FIRST BRIDGE ACROSS WHEELING CREEK

     Esquire Gill says, the first bridge that was erected across Indian Wheeling creek was built by Artemus Baker in 1815, and occupied the present site of the C. & P. R. R. bridge.  The Marietta and Wellsville state road crossed there at that time.  In 1831 a petition was made for the purpose of relocating as much of the road as was lying between Indian Wheeling creek and the northern line of the county, but little alterations at that time took place, the most material change being made at the said creek where the road now crosses.  A wooden bridge built with lattice work on either side.  The same abutments are still used.  In about 1850 it was torn down and a new one erected on the same foundation and again in 1873 the present second iron bridge was built.

NATIONAL ROAD

     The National road which was projected by Henry Clay, was begun in 1824, a man named Weaver taking a five mile contract west from Bridgeport.  At that time there were only five houses then along in that distance.  The land was owned by Colonel Zane from Bridgeport to Scott's.

FIRST POSTMASTER.

     Mr. Yost says he thinks Moses Rhodes was the first postmaster of Bridgeport, and that he received the appointment under

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the administration of James Madison in about 1815.  It was at this time that the name of Canton was changed to Bridgeport.

RAILROADS.

     The following is extracted from a centennial article written by Dr. Todd in 1876:
     "The C. & P. railroad began work from Cleveland to the Ohio river in 1845, and completed that work in 1852.  The river division was finished and the first train of cars ran over it Jan. 1, 1857.  The stock was worth from 80 to 90c.  Owing the panic of 1857, and having lost its entire assets (about $1,500,000), the stock dropped to 5 cents.  James Farmer was its first president.  W. W. Holloway was associated with it in the official capacity from 1857 to 1868, and was its vice president from 1865 to 1869.
     The Stillwater

SUMMARY IN 1858.

SCHOOLS.

JOURNALISM.

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BRIDGEPORT ON TAX DUPLICATES

UNION CEMETERY.

     The Union Cemetery of Bridgeport is beautifully located on an elevated site, two miles northwest of town.  The corporate authorities recognizing the need of a new burial place, purchased this tract of eight acres in 1853, at a cost of $500.  It was then laid off in lots and sold to different parties able to buy, reserving a certain portion for the interment of those unable to secure lots.  The trustees of these grounds are George Giffin, E. P. Rhodes and T. C. Rowls.
     The remains of many of the early settlers are interred in this spot.  Few families, who have resided here for a decade or more, but are linked to this ground by kindred or friends, who sleep underneath its green sod.
     The cemetery is being beautified by the planting of shrubbery, etc., etc.
     The earliest burial grounds used,  it is believed, by the town, was the lot where the West End M. E. Church is now located, and the next near Scott's, west of town several miles.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

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MANUFACTORIES.

COTTON YARN AND BATTING FACTORY

SMITH & SON'S FLOURING MILL.

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SAW MILL.

DIAMOND MILL.

BELMONT FOUNDRY.

LUMBER YARD AND PLANING MILL.

DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING AND MACHINERY.

LA BELLE GLASS WORKS.

ETNA IRON AND NAIL WORKS.

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Spence, A. J. Baggs, L. Jones, J. Seybold and W. W. Holloway  The other officers are as above given.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

KIRKWOOD M. E. CHURCH.

WEST END CHURCH.

FIRST COLORED BAPTIST CHURCH.

     Organized July 27, 1867, by Rev. Chaivis, who served as pastor for four years; Rev. Brown until 1873, then came the Rev. J. L. Ward, the present pastor.  The church was dedicated in August, 1872, and has sixty-five members.  Cost $1,200.
     There is a colored Methodist Episcopal organization who, for lack of a church, worship by permission of the school board in the colored school house.

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SECRET SOCIETIES.

CLEMENT LODGE, NO. 129 I. O. O. F.

CHARTER MEMBERS.

     Edward Heatherington, William R. Robinson, J. D. Sterling, Abram C. Hogue, Elias T. Dew.

PRIMITIVE OFFICERS.

[PICTURE of RESIDENCE of L. W. INGLEBRIGHT, ESQre  MARTINS FERRY, O.]

[PICTURE of JAMES H. DRENNEN ESQre, PROPRIETOR OHIO VALLEY NEWS, MARTINS FERRY, O.]

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INITIATIONS.

OFFICERS FOR 1879.

BRIDGEPORT LODGE, NO. 181, F. & A. M.

OFFICERS OF BLUE LODGE FOR 1879.

BELMONT CHAPTER NO. 140, ROYAL ARCH MASONS.

BELMONT LODGE NO. 109, K. OF P.

OBJECT.

     "Founded on the purest and sincerest motives, its aim is to alleviate the sufferings of a Brother, to succor the unfortunate, zealously to watch at the bedside of the sick, soothe the dying pillow, perform the last sad rites at the grave of a brother, offering consolation to the afflicted, and caring for the widow and orphan.

PRESENT OFFICERS.

J. B. Rowles, P. C.
J. P. Jones, C. C.
Thomas Hill, V. C.
Jos. H. Smith, Prelate.
Thos. J. Slane, K. of R. S.
John Young, M. of E.
Samuel Bucy, M. of E.
I. N. Henry, I. G.
L. W. Martin, O. G.

TRUSTEES.

O. M. Davis,
John Young,
T. J. Slane

NIGHTS OF MEETING.

     The regular meeting nights are every Thursday evening of each week in their ball above National Bank, where they have a comfortable room 20x60 and tastefully fitted up.
     On the 14th of March, 1879, this society gave a concert and festival in its ball, at which it cleared $250.
     Two deaths have occurred in this order.  Membership, 47.

SUMMARY FOR 1879.

     One glass manufactory, one foundry, one iron and nal manufactory, two grist mills, one saw mill, four churches, three school buildings, one planing mill and lumber yard, one dry goods store, one wholesale notion store, one bank, one post office, three drug stores, three wholesale groceries, four barber shops, four tobacco manufactories, two bakeries, two tin shops, two shoe stores, three shoe shops, fourteen groceries, two blacksmith shops, seven salons, three lawyers, three preachers, six doctors, five hotels, three Lodges and a large number of mechanics.

NEXT - MARTIN'S FERRY.