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BIOGRAPHIES
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)
Source:
Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens.
Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois -
1903
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GEN.
THOMAS THOMPSON ECKERT. One of the most
honored and distinguished men in mechanical and professional life
that the country has produced is Gen. Thomas Thompson Eckert,
the late president and general manager of the largest telegraph
system in the world.
General Eckert was born in a humble home on the
lot in St. Clairsville now occupied by George Gepson's
residence and store. His parents named him after one of
Belmont County's honored citizens - Maj. Thomas Thompson
Removing from St. Clairsville when a boy he learned the art of
telegraphy when it was in its infancy and was connected with the
telegraph service for upwards of half a century.
Of this distinguished man the New York Sun said
before his death:
"General Eckert is one of the men whose age has
not become a burden. It is now 77 years since he was born in
St. Clairsville, Ohio. Only when he sites among his old
friends and pulls out the threads of his varied career does it occur
to those who listen that General Eckert has passed the time
allotted by a sacred writer. His appearance does not indicate
his age. Those little things which so often betray men who are
trying to dodge the Time-keeper are not in evidence in his manner.
Those who know him best and who have known him long, do not recall
that he ever showed any signs of pre-senility.
"The physical and mental equipment of General Eckert
has aided him in appearing as he is. His temperament was
always alert. He was an athlete in his prime. He is a
physical giant in his retirement. Obstacles with him have been
stepping-stones to higher things. In some way, notwithstanding
his share of the concerns of life, he has determinedly lived on the
sunny side of the street.
"When he succeeded Dr. Norvin Green as president
of the Western Union, General Eckert had already accomplished
the labor of the average man of business. He took up the
executive direction and management of the corporation, the business
of which required application, precision and judgment. No one
who knew him thought that he was to be a figurehead. The day
after his election as president of the company, in 1893, he was at
his desk at 9 o'clock, and it is the recollection of the office
force that he stayed until after 6 o'clock p.m., that he did not go
to luncheon, and that the day was one of the busiest in the
building. It was not a case of new broom. From that day
until his retirement it has been the same story when General
Eckert was in the city.
"In the summer his home was at Long Branch, but he did
not go to the Highlands station until the last boat in the
afternoon. He was always one of the early arrivals in the city
the next day. When the season was over and he returned to his
home in Fifth avenue, he was more methodical. He frequently
reached his desk before the office boy was ready for him.
There is served every day in the Western Union building, in the room
of the directory, what is known as the free lunch. It is free
only to the directors, of course. It is not an elaborate
spread. General Eckert often went to this quick
repast when he was rushed, and it is said that it was at these
noonings that he and Russell Sage formed the strong
personal liking that is maintained by them.
" 'Don't eat so fast, Sage,' General Eckert used
to say at his feast. 'You'll die of dyspepsia before your
time.'
"On one occasion Mr. Sage replied: 'If you
don't quit wearing such fine clothes, you'll be a bankrupt.'
"This sally at General Eckert's dress had for
its foundation the fact that the former president of the Western
Union is correct in his raiment. He has always been so.
He said one day to a friend: 'I believe in good dressing,
clear through. I wear the best I can buy of everything.
My suspenders constitute my hobby. If I was dressed like a
prince and realized that my suspenders were not of the finest
texture, I should feel uneasy. A man should never sit down to
dinner if he can get to his room in time, unless he has fully
changed his attire for the day - everything.
"His suspenders hobby is said to have started the story
that he wears solid gold buckles on the, and gold chains for
fastenings. This, however, is denied by one who is in close
touch with him.
"If General Eckert's hobby is correct dress, his
pleasure is fine horses. There is no time in his life when he
will not stop to talk horse, or look at one if it is near by, or buy
one if its pedigree is made attractive. He owns 12 blooded
animals; some of these he has never seen; they are in Kentucky in
good hands. One of the stories told of the owner is that he
writes personal letters to those in care of his pets, making
inquiries of them and offering suggestions. A few of his
horses are kept in this city, or at a convenient distance. He
is a good whip, and the cares of the day are considerably lightened
if he can end them by a drive. The invited guest must
understand horseology if he expects to be invited again.
General Eckert’s horses never appear on the turf.
He is not a
sport.
“Good clothes, fine horses and a chat with a veteran of
the army round up a good time for General Eckert.
He is interesting in his recollections. His ideal is
Lincoln. When the name of the first martyred President is
mentioned, General Eckert’s eyes glisten and his voice
softens. It was Lincoln who sent him to the campaign on
the Peninsula, as superintendent of the military telegraph system of
the Army of the Potomac. He was attached to McClellan’s
headquarters.
“In New York General Eckert is an active
member of the Riding Club, where he is a commanding figure in the
saddle. He is also a member of the Union League, the Atlantic
Yacht and other New York clubs, and a member of the Geographical
Society and of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is a club
man to this extent—that he loves to be the center of a group of ‘old
cronies’ who delight in the talks of other days. The story
that General Eckert is oftenest asked to repeat is
that of his capture in North Carolina in 1861. His adherence
to the Union did not suit the ‘Tar-heels.’ He was convicted of
disloyalty to the Confederate cause and sentenced to death
ignominiously on the scaffold. He barely escaped and made his
way north.
"General Eckert's history, varied and
interesting as it is, containing lessons as it does, must of
necessity be abstracted. He learned telegraphy in 1848.
In 1849, when he was postmaster at Wooster, Ohio, he opened the
first postal telegraphy service in this country. He was
afterward made superintendent of the Union lines being extended from
Pittsburg via the Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad. He resigned in
1859 and went to North Carolina as superintendent of a gold-mining
company. Col. Thomas A. Smith, Assistant Secretary of
War, called him to Washington in 1861 and placed him in charge of
the military telegraph. He had the title of captain and A. Q.
M. He was recalled from McClellan's army to establish
military headquarters in the War Department buildings. In 1865
Lincoln sent him to meet the leaders of the Confederacy at
City Point. He cleared the B. & O. road when Sheridan
was ordered to Winchester, and he was present when Sheridan
reached his destination and made his first mount for that famous
engagement. In 1864 he was brevet lieutenant-colonel and soon
after brevet brigadier-general. In 1865 he was Assistant
Secretary of War. A year later he resigned to become general
superintendent of the Eastern Division of the Western Union lines.
He was 'Jay Gould's man' and as such became president of the
Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company. In 1879 he organized the
American Union Telegraph Company, which was the only great
competitor that the Western Union ever knew."
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 93 |
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MOSES W. EDGAR, a veteran in the lumber
business, to which his whole life has practically been devoted, is a
highly esteemed citizen of Barnesville, Ohio. His interests have been
identified with Warren township since January 31, 1867, when he became
connected with the Watt Brothers, who are well known as manufacturers
on a large scale, and whose business was then in its infancy. Mr.
Edgar took charge of their sawmill before they moved to their present
quarters, and is still engaged in the same connection. He enjoys the
reputation of being the oldest lumberman in the section, and as the
purchasing agent of Watt Brothers is very valuable to the concern,
being considered an expert on lumber questions.
Mr. Edgar, like his father, is a native of Greene County,
Pennsylvania, where he was born June 20, 1838. His father, Moses
Edgar, was a millwright by trade, and during his early manhood
followed that occupation diligently and successfully in his native
State. He afterward moved to Monroe County, Ohio, where he followed
the same vocation for a time, but subsequently engaged extensively in
agricultural pursuits. He and his wife had seven children. Both
parents have been deceased many years, the beloved mother having
passed away in 1870.
Moses W. Edgar, the subject of this narrative, while a small child was
brought to Monroe County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. His youth
was spent upon his father's farm, and he attended the public schools
of that county, where he obtained the rudiments of an education that
has proved of great value to him. He has been twice married. His first
union was contracted with Catherine Clegg, a daughter of Richard
Clegg, a substantial citizen of Monroe County. Their union resulted in
one child, Hester J., who is now the wife of J. Craft. On June 5,
1860, Mr. Edgar was called upon to bear the loss of his beloved
companion.
In 1862 the subject of this sketch enlisted
in the Union Army as a member of Company C, 116th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under
Col. J.
Washburn and Capt. J. Mann. He participated in about 18 battles and
numerous hot skirmishes, and received an honorable discharge in the
summer of 1864. having served throughout with an unblemished record.
After the war Mr. Edgar returned to Barnesville and again engaged in
the lumber business. In addition to his duties as purchasing agent for
the large manufacturing concern with which he is connected, he owns a
portable engine and sawmill and covers large contracts each season. In
1867 he married Sarah M. Watt, a daughter of the late Joseph
Watt, and
their union was blessed with six children, of whom two, Leona M. and
William O., are deceased. Those living are Joseph E., Clara R., Ina M.
and John Watt. Joseph E. is a member of the I. O. O. F. organization.
He married Emma Wright. Clara R. married J. R. Shry, one
of Barnesville's
most enterprising and up-to-date merchant tailors. Her brother, John
W., is also identified with the same line of business in Cambridge,
Ohio. He affiliates with the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Ina M., the
remaining sister, is the wife of J. R. Fitten, of Bellaire, Ohio.
Mr. Edgar is one of the most public spirited and substantial citizens
of Barnesville. The Edgar family are well known throughout Belmont
County and occupy a coveted position in social circles. They are
active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr.
Edgar
has served as 3 class leader for several years. In politics he is a
pronounced Republican, and at all times uses his influence for the
success of his party. Mr. Edgar has led a busy and useful life and is
rightly considered one of the mainstays of Barnesville.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 363 |
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JAMES EDGERTON,
one of the most successful fruit growers and largest shippers,
in Belmont County, Ohio, is also one of the most prominent and
esteemed citizens of Warren township. Our subject was born in
this county, in 1828, one of a family of 13 children born to
Joseph and Charity (Doudna) Edgerton, both of whom were natives
of North Carolina.
Joseph Edgerton was born in 1797, in Wayne
County, North Carolina, and remained there until 1804, when he came
with his parents to Ohio, settling on Captina Creek. There his
father erected a flouring mill and operated the same until his
death. Joseph Edgerton died in Iowa, in 1865. The
mother of our subject was a daughter of John and Miriam Doudna,
natives of North Carolina, who settled in Ohio, about 1804.
She passed out of life in Belmont County, in 1855. Both
parents were consistent and worthy members of the Society of
Friends, and were well known and most highly respected throughout
the county.
James Edgerton was reared on his father's farm
and acquired his education in the subscription schools until the age
of 17, when he was placed in the excellent school conducted by
Friends, located at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, where he completed his
education. In 1852 he purchased a farm located about two miles
from the city of Barnesville, which was devoted to the nursery
business, and in 1879 purchased his present farm, consisting of 28
acres, and here he has brought to perfection many varieties of
fruit, making a specialty of raspberries and strawberries. He
is one of the largest shippers in this locality, to Philadelphia,
Chicago and other points. He shipped the first bushel of
strawberries ever shipped from Belmont County to Chicago,
establishing a market for the fruit in that city. His methods
have been investigated by other growers and in many cases have been
adopted. There are few facts about the growing of fruit in
this section that remain secrets to Mr. Edgerton, and
he is justly considered an authority.
Mr. Edgerton was the first person who
bred Jersey cattle west of the Alleghany Mountains and brought his
first Jersey cattle to Belmont County from Rhode Island in 1867.
He still owns some fine milch cows of that breed.
In 1852 Mr. Edgerton was married to
Mary Ann Williams, a daughter of William C. and
Rebecca Williams, the former of whom was born in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania, in 1810, and settled in Belmont County in 1819, and
lived here until his death in 1879. The death of his wife
occurred in 1874, her birth having been in 1814. The ten
children born to our subject and wife were named as follows:
William D., Rebecca, Joseph S., Thomas D.,
Caroline, Mary J., Sarah T., Walter J., James W. and Anna E.
Rebecca died Oct. 23, 1891. Thomas D. was drowned
in 1885. James W. married Edith Conrow,
daughter of Thomas Conrow, of Flushing, Ohio, and she died
Nov. 4. 1898, leaving a babe of five months. Rebecca
also left one child at death. Mr. and Mrs. Edgerton
have 12 grandchildren, in whom they take much comfort.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 700 |
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JAMES SYKES ELY, M. D.,
is one of the most prominent physicians and citizens of Belmont
County, Ohio. He is one of the organizers, and the present
president, of the Barnesville People's National Bank. He is
also one of the founders of the Barnesville Gas Company, and the
owner of valuable property interests. Dr. Ely was born
Aug. 22, 1832, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Brown) Ely,
of Harford County, Maryland.
In 1832, Jacob Ely removed his family to
Morristown, Ohio. There he followed his trade of carpenter and
cabinet-maker until 1838. At that date he removed to
Loydsville and embarked there in a general mercantile business which
he followed through the balance of his life. Both parents were
members of the Society of Friends.
Dr. Ely was educated principally in the local
schools, attending a seminary for a short time, and was but 17 years
of age when he began the study of the profession in which he has
become so prominent. His first preceptor was Dr. C.
Schooley, then of Loydsville, and later, of Martin's Ferry, and
he completed the entire course in three years under this skilled
physician. He finished his medical studies too early, however,
to permit of practicing, as the public would hardly place confidence
in one so young. Until he was judged old enough, the talented
young physician engaged in teaching, but in 1856 he located in the
village of Somerton, Ohio. In 1862, he attended a course of
lectures at the Ohio Medical College, and graduated in the following
June. He was commissioned as assistant-surgeon of the 126th
Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., Nov. 14, 1862. He joined the regiment at
Cumberland, Maryland, and when the federal forces were driven out of
Martinsburg, he volunteered to remain and care for the suffering
Union soldiers. Consequently, he fell into the hands of the
enemy, from whom he received good treatment and was soon paroled.
While at Martinsburg, two corps of General Lee's army passed
through en route to Gettysburg, and as a matter of curiosity he
counted 256 pieces of artillery in their train. On their
return through Martinsburg, he also noted that none of the artillery
passed through. On Feb. 8, 1864, Dr. Elly received a
commission as surgeon of the 126h Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and on Apr.
21, 1864, he received a commission from the Present as assistant
surgeon, United States Volunteers. The Wilderness campaign
was, however, then imminent, and the Doctor withheld his acceptance
and remained with his regiment. Later, he was assigned to the
operating staff of his brigade, and here his work was incessant, and
was of such a nature, that young physicians of today, with modern
antiseptics and discoveries at hand, are forced to look with
profound admiration on the successful surgeons of the Civil War.
Upon the arrival of his regiment at Cold Harbor, Dr.
Ely reported at the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, and
was mustered in as assistant surgeon of United States Volunteers,
and was detailed for duty with the department of field hospitals at
White House, Virginia. In June, 1864, these hospitals were
removed to City Point, Virginia, and the Doctor was there on duty
until Dec. 22, 1864. Then he was placed in charge of the
cavalry corps hospital, principally to accomplish its
reorganization. In the following January, he was placed in
charge of the depot field hospital, of the 6th Army Corps, and held
that position until the surrender of General Lee, when all
the hospitals at that place were broken up. On May 26, 1865,
having continued on duty until the last moment, Dr. Ely
transferred all the remaining hospital inmates aboard the hospital
steamer "Connecticut," in charge of Surgeon of U. S. Volunteers.
J. B. Hood, for transportation to Washington. Although
much suffering was endured by various patients, none can ever
realized the unselfish devotion displayed by Dr. Ely, or the
efforts he put forth at all ties in their behalf. His valuable
services were appreciated, however, by the government. On Aug.
12, 1865, he was placed in charge of the City General Hospital at
Indianapolis, and was finally mustered out of service on Oct. 16,
1865.
After these years of faithful service, under the
hardest possible conditions. Dr. Ely returned to his
home, and on Nov. 7, 1865, located in Barnesville, where he has ever
since resided. In 1868, he received an appointment as United
States examining surgeon for pensions, a position he held under the
administration of President Cleveland.
In 1854, Dr. Ely was married to Emily E.
Hogue, a daughter of Samuel Hogue. Three children
were born to this union, the only survivor being Ernest S.,
who is a graduate of Cincinnati School of Pharmacy, and is engaged
in the drug business as a partner in the firm of Ely & Wilson
in Barnesville. As noted in the opening of this article,
Dr. Ely has been a very important factor in the development of
the various commercial and financial enterprises of this city, and
has become one of the most substantial citizens of Barnesville.
His friends are met, and old battles talked over, in G. A. R. Post,
No. 220, of which Dr. Ely is a valued member. He also
enjoys fraternal relations with the Masonic order.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 465 |
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LAWSON E. EMERSON, a lawyer by
profession and a prominent resident of St. Clairsville, Ohio, is
clerk of the Supreme Court of Ohio. He was born in Goshen
township, Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1863, and is a son of William and
Jane (Wright) Emerson.
William Emerson was born in County Armagh, Ireland,
in 1819. Coming to America, in 1837, he remained here two
years, and then went back to Ireland, to settle up the estate of his
father. Upon his return to America, he was accompanied by his
brother, John. He located in Belmont County, Ohio, and
for three years was employed by Ira Lewis at an annual salary
of $85. He subsequently bought a farm in Goshen township, and
was engaged in farming and stock raising all his life. His
death occurred Jan. 8, 1900. His first wife, was Jane
Danforth, a daughter of Ambro Danforth of Washington
township, Belmont County. She died at an early age,
leaving three children - Maria (Wright); Mercy L. Turner);
and Thomas W., who is an attorney at Ouray, Colorado.
Mr. Emerson married, second, Jane Wright, a daughter
of Edward Wright, of Goshen township, and they have four
children, namely Mary; John, who died at the age of three
years; Lawson E.; and Charles E., superintendent of
the Denver (Colorado) Street Railway Company. William
Emerson was originally a Whig, in politics, and later a
Republican.
Lawson E. Emerson received his mental training
in the Bethesda public schools and the Barnesville High School,
after which he took a teacher's course at Valparaiso, Indiana.
At the age of 18 years, he began teaching, and continued thus for
seven years, in Warren and Goshen townships. He then began to
read law at St. Clairsville, first, with his brother, Thomas W.
Emerson, and later with Capt. L. DAnford.
Subsequently, he completed a two-years' course in the Cincinnati Law
School, and was graduated June 4, 1889. His brother moved to
Colorado in June of that year, and the subject of this sketch
settled up his business. In January, 1890, he was appointed
deputy county clerk under H. M. Davis, and served as such
through two terms. In 1895, he was nominated by acclamation
for the office of county clerk, and elected by a majority of 1,100
votes. He was re-elected in 1898, his majority being increased
to 1,814 votes. He was solicited by prominent attorneys to run
for a third term, but refused, and became a candidate for clerk of
the Supreme Court of Ohio. He was nominated on the first
ballot from among 10 candidates, was elected, and assumed the duties
of his office, in Columbus, on January 1, 1902. Mr. Emerson
is a man of sterling worth and the strictest is a man of
sterling worth and the strictest integrity, and stands very high,
wherever known.
Lawson E. Emerson was married, in 1892, to
Laura Ferren, a daughter of James Ferren, of St.
Clairsville, and they have two sons - Wayne Kennon, who was
born in 1893; and William Glen born in 1895.
Fraternally, Mr. Emersonis a member of Lodge No. 109, K. of
P.; Blue Lodge No. 16, F. & A. M.; Chapter No. 54, R. M. A.;
Commandery No. 26, K. T. and Columbus Lodge, A. A. O. N. M. S.
He is a charter member of Lodge No. 419, B. P. O. E. |
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DR. WILLIAM ESTEP
See Chapter
XIII
ource: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 146 |
NOTES: |
