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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
|
JOHN
H. SAMPSON, a well-known and highly esteemed farmer and
merchant of Atlas, Somerset township, Belmont County, Ohio, was born
in 1854 in (West) Virginia, his ancestors having been prominent in
that State.
The father of our subject, George Sampson, was
born in Marshall County in April, 1902, at the age of 77 years.
In 1862 he came to Barnesville, but a year later removed to Monroe
County and there engaged in farming. In his early political
life he was identified with the Democratic party, but later
affiliated with the Republicans. He married Marjorie Thomas,
who was born in Monroe County, Ohio, and who died in 1894 at the age
of 72 years. She was a valued member of the Methodist Church.
A family of seven children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Sampson,
as follows: Rachel, deceased; Ellen, the wife of
Joseph Hickenbottom; Elizabeth, the wife of Hugh Williams
of Wood County, West Virginia; John H., of this sketch;
Susan, the wife of Milton Adams, of Denver, Colorado;
Marjorie the wife of James Sullivan of Belmont County,
and Eliza, the wife of George Gatcher of Monroe
County.
John H. Sampson was reared on a farm
and obtained an excellent common school education. Since 1893
he has been engaged in the mercantile business at Atlas and also
engages in farming. He is well known as a man of reliability
and substance and is active in all movements which promise to be of
benefit to his community.
In 1876 he was married to Julia Wells, who was
born in Monroe County in 1858, a daughter of Apollo and Sarah
Wells. Three children have been born to this union,
namely, William F., of Atlas; Ella, the wife of Ray
Carter, of Belmont County, and Clyde, who is with his
father in the store. Mr. Sampson is an active member of
the republican party. The family belong to the Christian
Church.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 409 |
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WILLIAM H.
SEABRIGHT, proficient in the fulfillment of his duties as
foreman of the Spence-Bagg Stove Company of Martin's
Ferry, Belmont County. Ohio, has been with the company since 1896. He
is a son of Charles and Louisa (Myers) Seabright, natives of
Germany, and was born in Belmont County September 19, 1857.
The father of our subject was a stone contractor and
bridge builder by trade. Much of the work of this kind done in Belmont
County, such as filling and grading, and building of bridges of all
kinds, has been the work of his hands, especially that on the Colerain
Pike. Upon coming to the United States he settled first in Wheeling,
where he followed the trade of a butcher until his removal to Martin's
Ferry, after which he followed contracting and farming. He and his
wife were married in the old country, and they were parents of
eight children, seven of whom are still living today: Louis,
Charles, Emma, William H„ Minnie, Louisa, Lizzie and
Albert, who died when seven years old. Louis Seabright
resides on the old home farm, and for years drove many teams and
farmed as his father did before him. He owned a vineyard of seven
acres and at one time sold the grapes as high as seven cents a pound.
Charles Seabright resides in Martin's Ferry. Emma
married William Helling, and also lives in Martin's
Ferry, where Mr. Helling is in the coal business in
connection with farming. Minnie became Mrs. Henry
Rothermund. Louisa married Louis L. Scheehle, of
Martin's Ferry. Lizzie married George Floto, a
butcher.
The father of these children died June 28, 1891, at the
age of 66 years, 6 months and 3 days, and his wife's demise took place
when she was 63 years and 16 days old. They were members of the German
Lutheran Church, and Mr. Seabright was a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He was a
good man and was of a hard working, serious turn of mind. The public
schools of Martin's Ferry supplied our subject with his education.
After leaving school he entered the Ohio City Mill as a puddler; the
name of the mill has since been changed to the Laughlin Mill. Until
the death of his father in 1891 he stayed at the mill, and then
settled the estate and followed farming and gardening at a later date;
previous to entering upon the responsibilities of his present position
as foreman.
Mr. Seabright was united in marriage with
Fredericka Daume, a daughter of Frederick and
Fredericka Daume, both now residing in Martin's Ferry. She
is a native of Belmont County. They have three children— Albert
William, Wilbert Carl and Dorothy L. The family are members
of the German Lutheran Church and they live comfortably in their home
at No. 306 North Fifth street. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Daume are
still living at the respective ages of 72 and 70 years. They were
married in Hanover, Germany, and landed in this country in 1859. Their
home was first made in Wheeling, after which they located at
Tiltonsville, and in 1872 settled in Martin's Ferry, where they have
since resided. Their 10 children are all living, making a record to be
proud of. The record follows: Hannah (Mrs. Charles Miller), of
Wheeling; Edward, a real estate man of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania;
Wilhelmina (Mrs. Charles Seabright), of Martin's Ferry,
whose husband is a millwright at the American Tin Works; Fredericka
(Mrs. William Seabright), wife of our subject; Mary (Mrs.
Louis Frederick), of Wheeling; Aurelia (Mrs.
Charles Rosel), whose husband is now deceased—she lives in
Wheeling; Lewis, a real estate agent of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania;
Louisa, the wife of Carl Becker, a glass
manufacturer of Martin's Ferry; Frederick, employed in the shoe
store of E. C. Boyd in Martin's Ferry, and Caroline, who
still enjoys single blessedness. The German Lutheran Church is the
preference of the family, and all but two are members of that
denomination.
(Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903) |
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DR. LINDLEY SCHOOLEY
- Chapter
XIII
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 |
|
GOV. WILSON SHANNON, was the
first native-born citizen of the Buckeye State to serve Ohio as
Governor. Furthermore, he was the first child born in
Warren township and the little village of Mount Olivet claims the
honor of his birth which occurred Feb. 24, 1802.
His father, George Shannon, was an industrious
and intelligent Irishman, who was frozen to death during a violent
snow storm, before Wilson was a year old, and the child's
support and education devolved upon his brothers, until Wilson
attained physical strength and growth to do for himself.
Then with a little aid from his brothers he worked his
way through Athens College and the Transylvania University of
Kentucky. He subsequently studied law under Charles Hammond
and David Jennings, and was admitted to practice at St.
Clairsville, where he soon attained eminence in his profession.
Governor Shannon was a life long student and a
profound lawyer, but ever ready to assist the weak and oppressed.
He entered political life in 1833 and was elected
prosecuting attorney.
In 1838 Mr. Shannon was elected Governor of Ohio
upon the Democratic ticket, but was defeated for re-election by
Thomas Corwin in 1840.
However, in 1842 he was again elected and before his
term expired he was appointed minister to Mexico, but on the
outbreak of the war in 1845 returned to St. Clairsville, and seven
years later he was elected to Congress, where he was one of four
Democrats who voted for the Kansas-Nebraska bill.
President Pierce appointed him Territorial
Governor of Kansas at the expiration of his Congressional term.
This was during the fierce conflict between the friends
of freedom and slavery over the admission of Kansas to the Union and
because of some friction with the administration he resigned his
position and returned to his home in Lawrence, Kansas, where he died
in 1877.
Howe says: "Governor Shannon possessed
noble presence, and in his old age he was described as a courteous,
hale, hearty gentleman of the olden times."
After his retirement from office, it was his desire to
come back to the "sun kissed hills" that gave him birth, and there
spend the remnant of his days, but this desire was denied him.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 101 |
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WILLIAM A. SHARP, a
representative farmer and respected citizen of Wheeling township,
Belmont County, Ohio, was born May 14, 1858, on the farm which he
now owns and occupies, this being land entered from the government
by his grandfather, George Sharp, in1806. The latter
was a native of Pennsylvania, and was evidently a man of foresight
and excellent business ability, for he not only secured 640 acres of
land in the newly opened territory, but later increased it. He
resided upon this farm and spent his life clearing and improving it,
and here reared a large family.
William Sharp, son of George
and father of William A., was born in 1809, and inheriting
his father's large estate, followed farming through life and died
May 18, 1859. On Nov. 14, 1838, he married Caroline Harrah,
who was born on Jan. 22, 1814, on a farm near Lafferty station,
where her father, Alexander Harrah, has settled in 1802.
The birth of the latter was on July 7, 1779, and his death occurred
July 15, 1859. His wife Jane was born Oct. 17, 1780,
and died Mar. 8, 1861. The mother of our subject died Oct. 20,
1886. The children born to William and Caroline Sharp
were these: Isoline, born Oct. 5, 1839, married Samuel
Campbell May 19, 1869, and they reside at St. Clairsville;
Agnes, born June 16, 1841, married Alexander C. Patton,
who is deceased, and she resides near Springfield, with two
children; James Alexander, born Feb. 21, 1841, died June 1,
1848; George, born Mar. 23, 1845, married on May 20, 1874,
Mary J. Walker and they live at Mutual, Ohio, and have eight
children: Joseph L., born May 28, 1847, was married Nov. 30,
1876, to Susanna Frater, and lived on the home farm until
both died, leaving five children - Harry, born June 10, 1879,
George and Caroline, twins, born Sept. 7, 1883, and
Samuel and Isoline, twins, born May 12, 1893, who make
their home on a part of the old Sharp homestead; Grizella
Jane, born Sept. 2, 1849, was married June 28, 1877, to John
M. Finney, and lives near Cedarville, having five surviving
children; Ethelinda, born Nov. 15, 1851, was married Nov. 15,
1871, to M. C. Brownlee, and they live at Columbus, Missouri,
and have eight children; and William A., who is the subject
of this record.
Mr. Sharp was educated liberally, attending both
Wooster University and Franklin College. He has devoted this
time to agricultural pursuits, having charge of the old homestead
farm; has been very successful in raising fine cattle, his herds of
Aberdeen-Angus cattle being among the most valuable in the county.
He also owns and operates a portable sawmill, and also is interested
in the movements looking to the development of the coal and oil
interests of Belmont County. For several years he was a member
of the Uniontown Band, but has severed official connection with it.
He is a man of business and active in its promotion, but takes
little interest in political matters. Mr. Sharp is
rather liberal in his religious views, but inclines to the body of
United Brethren to which his good mother belonged. He is most
having esteemed in Wheeling township where his family has so long
had an honorable record.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 567 |
|
RICHARD SHEPHERD, one of the
substantial farmers and upright and representative citizens of
Belmont County, was born on the fine farm which he now owns and
operates, in 1840. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Lazenby)
Shepherd, natives of England, who came to America in 1820,
coming directly to Belmont County, where Thomas Shepherd
entered 80 acres of government land in Washington township, and
lived upon his farm until his death in 1850, at the age of 52 years.
Mrs. Mary (Lazenby) Shepherd passed away in 1863, at the age
of 68 years, while our subject was serving in the army.
The 13 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shepherd
were as follows: Elizabeth (Mrs. Dayton), who resides
in Wetzel County, West Virginia; Edward, who died at the age
of 48 years; John, who died about 1870, aged 47 years, having
resided on the home farm and having for some 20 years conducted a
grocery boat on the Ohio River; William who removed to Brown
County, Indiana, prior to the Civil War - he served in the 25th
Indiana Regiment and was wounded and died in that State; Mary Ann
(Mrs. Dawson), who died in 1900, in Beallsville, Monroe County,
her husband having died in the army; Jacob, who resides on a
farm in Jackson County, West Virginia, near Ravenswood; Thomas,
who served in Company D, 43rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in the
Civil War, and lives in Brown County, Indiana; Isaac, who
died in 1898 in Belmont County; Isaiah, who died in the Civil
War, having been a member of Company D, 43rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.;
Nancy (Mrs. McAvoy), who removed to Iowa and later to
Nebraska; Clarissa (Mrs. Thomas Harlan), who resides in
Wetzel County, West Virginia; Richard; and George, who
died at the age of 15 years.
Richard Shepherd was reared on the old farm
which he first left to shoulder a musket in the Civil War, enlisting
Dec. 17, 1861, in Company D, 43rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and
gallantly did his duty in the ranks, participating in all the most
serious battles, but escaped injury and was discharged in July,
1865. With the exception of four years during which time he
leased his farm and resided at Beallsville, this old homstead
has been his residence all his life. the property is his own
and comprises 235 acres of some of the best land in Washington
township. Mr. Shepherd has it under a find state of
improvement, and in July, 1895, built a fine home in the attractive
locality of Armstrong's Mills.
In February, 1867, Mr. Shepherd married
Martha Jane Sherwood, who was born near Centreville in Smith
township, a daughter of the late George Sherwood, who came at
an early day from Pennsylvania. In political sentiment.
Mr. Shepherd is a stanch Republican. He belongs to Hess
Post, G. A. R., No. 595, and has been an official in the Odd
Fellows' lodge. Both he and wife are consistent members of the
Armstrong's Mills Methodist Church. He is a man of property
and prominence, worthily represents a well-known family, and is a
first class citizen in every respect.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 719 |
|
DR. D. O. SHEPPARD was born Feb. 21,
1867, in Kirkwood township, Belmont County, Ohio. He was
schooled at the Ohio Wesleyan at Delaware, Ohio. Was graduated
from Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1897. Since
his graduation he has practiced in Barnesville, Ohio. Dr.
Sheppard has always had a good reputation and a character free
from reproach.
While not as frequently seen in the work of the Society
as some of his brethren, it is hoped the Doctor may long be spared
to assist in the work of the association and general work of the
profession.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 151 |
|
JOSEPH K. SHOTWELL, a
prosperous merchant and well known citizen of Somerton, Belmont Co.,
Ohio, belongs to one of the old established families of Warren
township, where he was born in 1835.
Thomas Shotwell, the father of Joseph K.,
was born in 1796 in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and died in Ohio,
Sept. 20, 1878. In 1810 he came to Belmont County with his
parents, Titus and Deborah Shotwell, who located in Warren
township. They were quiet, industrious people, members of the
society of Friends, and became prosperous in their new home.
Thomas was reared in the Quaker faith, but lost his
birthright membership by marrying out of the Society without
permission. Thomas combined farming with shoemaking,
and became one of the substantial citizens of Warren township.
He belonged to the most aggressive wing of the Abolition party, and
did all in his power for the suppression of slavery. He was a
most worthy man and died with the respect of the citizens of
Somerton, where he had long resided.
The mother of our subject was Eleanor, Brown,
daughter of James and Ann Brown, and she was born in 1795 in
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and died in Ohio in 1873. She
was reared in the Presbyterian faith. Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell
were the parents of ten children, as follows: Mary Ann, who
is the widow of Edward S. Barnes, resides in Pittsburg;
Susan, who is deceased; Jane, who is also deceased, was
the wife of Joshua Barnes of Barnesville; Eliza E.,
who is the widow of James Fowler of Barnesville, Ohio, and
now resides in St. Clairsville, Ohio; Sarah and William B.,
both of whom are deceased; Marian B., who is deceased, was
the wife of John C. Bolon; Margaret A. and Isaac, both
of whom are deceased, and Joseph K., who is the subject of
this brief biography.
Joseph K. Shotwell grew to manhood
in Warren township and learned the shoemaking trade under his
father, following the same for seven years. In 1865 he
embarked in the mercantile business and has practically conducted
the same in Somerton ever since. In 1881 he formed a
partnership with the late Senator Solomon Hogue, which
continued until 1896, since which time he has very
successfully carried on the business alone.
In 1868 Mr. Shotwell was married to Arminda
Leslie, daughter of Johnson Leslie, her death
occurring in the following year. The second marriage of Mr.
Shotwell was to Sarah J. Claudy, who was a daughter of
Robert and Hannah Claudy; she was born in Temperanceville,
Somerset township, in 1841, and died in 1894, leaving two
daughters. These are Julia B., who married Dr. W. S.
Burcher, and they live in Demos, Belmont County, Ohio, and
Mary C., who is her father's capable housekeeper.
Mr. Shotwell, like his respected father,
is thoroughly identified with the Republican party.
Fraternally he belongs to Somerton Lodge, No. 618, Knights of
Pythias.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 402 |
Thomas Wistar Shreve |
THOMAS WISTAR SHREVE,
a prominent attorney of Martin’s Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio, and a
representative of an old and scholarly family, was born in Roscoe,
Coshocton County, Ohio, Mar. 31, 1858, and is a son of Charles R.
and Martha (Bradlshaw) Shreve, natives of Ohio and New
York, respectively. All his ancestors, as far back as can be
accurately traced, were very prominent men in the communities in
which they lived, and all had very eventful lives.
It is believed that all the Shreves in America
are the descendants of one Thomas Sheriff. The first authentic
evidence of his presence in the country is found at Plymouth,
Massachusetts, under date of Dec. 7, 1641; he seems to have later
moved to Rhode Island. He became the owner of land at
Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Dec. 10, 1666. Those of his
descendants who stayed in Rhode Island as late as 1737 retained the
name “Sheriff,” while his son Caleb, who married and went to
New Jersey, adopted the form “Shreve.” Both names have
the same meaning and derivation. Shrievalty, (shrevalty,
as it is some times spelled) and sherififalty are different
spellings of the same word. Webster says that “shrieve” is a
contraction of the Old English "shereve” or “shirereeve.”
Caleb Shreve permanently located in New
Jersey about 1680. He purchased land in Shrewsbury, New
Jersey, to which he got title by virtue of a deed dated Jan. 9,
1676-7. The original deed is in the possession of one of his
descendants. On Apr. 22, 1699, he purchased a farm in
Burlington County, New Jersey, seven miles east of the present site
of Mount Holly. This farm has ever since been owned by one of
his descendants, a portion of the house in which Caleb Shreve
lived which was built of brick is still standing. He had seven
children to each of whom at their marriage he gave a fine farm.
Judging from the records of New Jersey, Caleb Shreve and his
immediate descendants played a most prominent part in the early
history of the colony. Besides being prominent in civil life,
the "Official Register of the Officers and Men of New Jersey in the
Revolutionary War" shows that there were 12 Shreves, all of
whom are believed to have been descendants of Caleb Shreve,
in the Revolutionary Army. Among them were three colonels, one
lieutenant-colonel, one captain and two lieutenants.
Col. Israel Shreve, the grandson of Caleb
Shreve and great-great-grandfather of our subject, served his
country throughout the Revolutionary War. Soon after the
battle of Bunker Hill, the Provincial Congress ordered four
regiments to be raised from New Jersey. Although Quaker blood
coursed in his veins, Israel Shreve promptly responded and
was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the second battalion of New
Jersey troops Nov. 8, 1775, and upon the re-organization of the
"Jersey Line" Nov. 28, 1776, he was made colonel of the Second
Regiment, in which capacity he served until the end of the war.
His regiment was a part of Maxwell's brigade and was with
Washington in many of the most important battles of the
Revolutionary War, and under his command won laurels in many bloody
encounters. His son, Lieut. John Shreve, the
great-grandfather of our subject, though a lad of only 13 years of
age at the beginning of the war, took an active part in the struggle
for independence, much of the time in service with his father.
When the father's regiment marched for Canada In February, 1776, the
son went with him. On July 15, 1776, John Shreve was
appointed an ensign in his father's regiment. When the
regiment was re-organized, he was made first ensign in the regiment,
and later, July 1, 1777, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
Both father and son passed the winter of 1777 and 1778 with
Washington at Valley Forge. Lieut. John Shreve has
left, in his own handwriting, lengthy accounts of the connection of
himself and his father with the Revolutionary War in general.
Both were on the ground during the negotiations between Arnold
and Andree, and both were eye witnesses of the latter's
execution. Col. Israel Shreve had a brother, William
Shreve, who served as major, then as lieutenant-colonel, and
finally as colonel of the 1st New Jersey Regiment. Another
brother, Samuel Shreve, entered the Revolutionary Army as a
captain in the First Battalion Gloucester (New Jersey), and became
lieutenant-colonel of the same. Still another brother,
Caleb Shreve, was very prominent in civil life, in New Jersey,
during the war. Two of the three brothers of Col. Israel
Shreve had sons in the same army, one of whom was a captain.
All were "Fighting Quakers" and were disciplined for their want of
meekness, but after the war were forgiven and allowed to return.
Col. Israel Shreve died the same night Washington did,
and it is believed about the same hour. It is said that his
last words were: "Washington, O! Washington."
Lieut. John Shreve, the great-grandfather of the
subject of this biography, spent about forty years of the best part
of his life in Western Pennsylvania, were for a great part of that
time he served as a public official in various capacities,
representing his county several times in the State Legislature.
He died near Alliance, Ohio, at the age of 92 years, honored and
respected by all.
His son, Dr. Thomas C. Shreve, the grandfather
of our subject, was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia, holding high rank among his associates and in the
institution, and practiced his profession through life successfully.
He passed the early part of his professional life in Ohio, during
which time he represented his county in the Ohio Legislature in the
years 1845 and 1846. He went to Kansas in 1857, locating at
White Cloud. He had become prominent as an Abolitionist before
he left Ohio. He was one of the early Republicans in the
Sunflower State. He was a man of fine personal appearance.
It is said of him at his death, that "intelligent, social,
high-minded, courteous and honorable, he seemed like a gentleman of
the olden time, rarely met in these days." His wife Ann G.
Coates) Shreve, was a most remarkable woman in every way.
She was born in 1802, and was educated at the Friends' school at
Westtown, Pennsylvania. In her Ohio home, she warmly espoused
the cause of temperance and was one of the first in the struggle for
the legal rights of women, at the time when great heroism was
required. She was, as well, an active and effective laborer
for the freedom of the slaves. She and her husband soon filled
an influential position in their new Kansas home. She lived
nearly 95 years. An interesting story is told of her
grandmother Coates. She with her newly married husband
were living, during the winter and spring of 1778, on a farm, near
the winter camp, occupied by Washington and his army at
Valley Forge. One day at the opening of spring, in the absence
of both husband and wife, some of Washington's men came to
the farm and took away the farm team, leaving an old worn-out horse
to do the spring plowing and planting. On the return of the
wife, on learning what ha happened, she mounted the old horse and
rode to the camp, and asked for an interview with General
Washington. He granted the interview. In the course
of it, she is said to have assured him, that she and her husband
were anxious to do all in their power to supply the needs of the
army, but that it was simply impossible for them to do their part in
providing provisions, if they were deprived of the assistance of the
team which had been taken for the use of the army. She plead
her case so elequently that Washington granted her
request, and allowed her to take the tam back home with her.
Charles R. Shreve, the father of our subject, was
one of the ablest and best known educators in the State of Ohio.
He took charge of the schools of Martin's ferry, in 1859, which
schools he served continuously as superintendent and teacher for 29
years.
When he took charge of them, they were
in a deplorable condition, but he gradually brought the to a high
standard of efficiency. Leading educators of the State have
said that Mr. Shreve graduated from the Martin's Ferry
schools a class of students second to none in the State. It
was said by one of his students, who graduated under him, that if it
had been left to the graduates of the Martin's Ferry High School,
Mr. Shreve would have been kept in the office of
superintendent as long as he was able to attend to his duties, and
then would have been pensioned the remainder of his life. When
he severed his connection with the schools in 1888, they were
recognized by the leading educators of Ohio as being among the best
in the State. Mr. Shreve acted as county school examiner for
Belmont County for a long term of years, and also served one term as
State school examiner under Prof. J. J. Burns, State
Superintendent of Schools of Ohio. Before coming to Martin's
Ferry, he had been for 10 years superintendent of the public schools
of Roscoe, Ohio, and had, earlier still, taught four years in the
High School at Massillon, where he met Martha B. Bradshaw, a
lady of scholarly attainments, who became his wife Oct. 25, 1851.
Mrs. Shreve taught in the High School at Roscoe and
afterward in Martin's Ferry.
The genealogy of our subject's mother has never been
verified as was that of his father, but her ancestors are believed
to have been as high-minded people and to have resisted English rule
in Scotland and Ireland as bravely and with as much
self-forgetfulness as did the Shreves in America.
After severing his connection with the schools in 1888,
Mr. Shreve engaged in the business of writing life and fire
insurance. He died June 25, 1890, at the age of 62 years.
Mrs. Shreve survives her husband and is still living in
Martin's Ferry at a ripe old age, highly honored by those with whom
she has been so long and so intimately associated.
Charles R. Shreve was a member of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, and served the same as senior warden. He was
brought up a Friend. After coming to Martin's Ferry, he became
a member of the Episcopal Church at Wheeling, West Virginia.
Later on, desiring to become associated with a Martin's Ferry
church, and as there was no church of the Episcopal denomination in
the city then, he affiliated himself with the Presbyterians; but
when a branch of the Episcopal Church was organized he united
himself with it. He was clerk of the Presbyterian Church from
1868 to 1885. He had many friends, among whom was Rev.
George W. Chalfant, D. D., who for years had been pastor of the
Presbyterian Church at Martin's Ferry. At the date of the
death of Mr. Shreve, Dr. Chalfant was the pastor of one of
the leading churches of Pittsburg, whence he came to preach the
funeral sermon over his dead friend. Dr. Chalfant began
his remarks by saying, in substance, that when in the course of his
ministry he came preach on any particular phase of character, he was
in the habit of choosing from among his acquaintances the man whose
character would furnish him the best type of the phase of character
to be described, which character he would then take as a basis of
the discussion. On one occasion he desired to preach a sermon
on the ideal Christian gentleman. He said he did on this
occasion as his custom was; he thought over the whole range of his
acquaintances, and chose the character of the man who lay before
them as the best type known to him personally of what he believed an
ideal Christian gentleman should be. He said, "I intend to
preach today, as a funeral sermon, the sermon I then preached, with
this difference: then, what I said was altogether impersonal; today,
I shall show how the life and character of the departed justified my
choice of him as the type." Then with eloquence he spoke of
the ideal Christian gentleman, illustrating his address with events
in the life of Charles R. Shreve.
Thomas W. Shreve was the eldest of the two children
born to his parents, his sister, Margaret C. Shreve, dying in
1887, at the age of 16 years. His primary education was
obtained in the public schools of Martin's Ferry, from which he
graduated in 1875. He immediately entered Western Reserve
College, then located at Hudson, Ohio, from which college he
graduated in 1879 with the degree of A. B. He taught the next year
in the Martin's Ferry the law department of the University of
Michigan, from which he graduated in 1882 with the degree of LL. B.
He spent his vacations reading law in the office and under the
direction of Hon. Lorenzo Danford. In May, 1882, he was
admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio, and at once opened
an office in Martin's Ferry, where he is now located. He has
practiced his profession in all the courts of the State of Ohio.
In 1895 he won a notable victory in the United States Circuit Court
of Appeals for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third
Circuit, sitting at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is regarded
as one of the most logical reasoners and most careful advisers in
the county.
Our subject was brought up in, and early joined the
Episcopal Church, serving the Martin's Ferry church for a number of
years as its clerk, a member of its vestry and superintendent of its
Sunday-school. He was a member of the building committee that
built the church edifice for the organization in Martin's Ferry.
On July 3, 1883. Mr. Shreve was united in
marriage to Jennie L. Gray, a daughter of James A. and
Martha D. Gray. James A. Gray was a member of the well
known banking firm of Gray & Smith, who organized and
successfully conducted for many years in Martin's Ferry the bank
known as the Commercial Bank of Martin's Ferry, Ohio. Miss
Gray graduated from the Martin's Ferry High School in 1877 and
from the Wheeling Female College in 1881. Mrs. Shreve
was at her marriage and now is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
To them wee born four sons, namely: Charles Gray, who
graduated from the Martin's Ferry High School in 1902, and is now
(1902-03) a freshman in Adelbert College of Western Reserve
University, at Cleveland, Ohio; Ernest Bradshaw, of the class
of 1904 in the Martin's Ferry High School; James Wistar and
Eugene Sheldon. It is a pleasant bit of family
history that as both Mr. and Mrs. Shreve are graduates of the
Martin's Ferry High School, they are the first couple to have a
child follow their example.
Mr. Shreve joined the Presbyterian Church in
1891. In 1893 he became clerk of the congregation, which
office he has ever since held. In 1896 he was elected a
trustee, which office he held until his resignation in 1901.
On Apr. 3, 1901, he was elected an elder of the same church.
He is serving the church as the superintendent of its Sunday-school.
He was a member of the building committee that planned for and built
the new church edifice for that congregation. Mr. Shreve
has held a number of offices in connection with union Sunday
school work in the county, township and city. For a time he
was president of the Y. M. C. A. of Martin's Ferry.
Mr. Shreve has always taken an active interest
in athletics. He was the second member of the Martin's Ferry
Volunteer Fire Department, Dr. J. W. Darrah being the first.
He was an active member of the Alert Hose Company from 1887 - 1901.
He was a member of, and ran with, the Independence Hose team at the
beginning of its career as a victorious racing team.
Mr. Shreve is actively interested in whatever
will further the growth and prosperity of Martin's Ferry and
vicinity. He is an active, energetic member of the Martin's
Ferry Board of Trade.
The home of our subject is one that is made beautiful
by the refining influences of life, and where the old fashioned
virtues of manly honor through achievement, and of attainment
through Christian living are taught the younger generation.
Mr. Shreve's political affiliations are with the
Prohibition party. He has been a member of the party since
1888. He has been a candidate a number of times for county and
local offices on the ticket of that party. On Mary 16, 1901,
he was nominated by the Ohio State Prohibition Convention, held at
Akron, Ohio, for attorney general of Ohio; and at a like convention
held at Martin's Ferry in 1902, he was nominated for Congress for
the Sixteenth Congressional District of Ohio.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Pages 517-523 |
|
JOHN F. SHRY. A thorough business
man, well-qualified farmer and prominent county official is found in
John F. Shry, of sections 30 and 36, Wayne township, Belmont
County. He was born in 1862, in Somerset township, and is a son
of Henry and Elizabeth (Baker) Shry.
Henry Shry was born in Loudoun County, Virginia,
and came to Belmont County a fatherless boy. He found a pleasant
home with Henry Gregg of Goshen township, with whom he remained
until he began his own life as a farmer, becoming the owner of
property in Goshen, Somerset and Warren townships. In politics
he was always identified with the Democratic party. His death
took place on November 30, 1900. The mother of our subject was
Elizabeth Baker, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, and who
died when John F. , who was the youngest of ten children, was
four years of age, the other being; Milton H., who was a member
of the 60th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., died in the army during the Civil
War; George also served in the army and died later in Belmont
County, leaving a widow and family in Barnesville; Thomas Irvin
resides in Kirkwood township, this county; Winfield S. lives in
Wayne township; Sarah Elizabeth is the wife of Jonathan
Mercer of Warren township; Mary Eliza is the wife of
Jonathan Briggs of Salem, Ohio; Ruth Ella is the wife of
J. J. Sears of Piedmont, Ohio, formerly treasurer of Harrison
County; William H., a horse dealer in California; and Martha
Jane, the wife of George Armstrong, of Morristown, Ohio.
When John F. Shry was 10 years old, the family
moved into Warren township and two years later into Goshen township,
and in both townships was his education secured. In 1890 he
purchased from Mr. Copeland his present fine farm of 95 acres,
and located on the place, making the greater part of the improvements
that now add so much to the value of the property. Until within
the past three or four years Mr. Shry has followed an
agricultural life. He has of late been much interested in coal
optioning and oil leasing, also giving some attention to politics.
Like his father, he is a stanch Democrat, and is serving as township
trustee, belonging also to the Board of Education.
In 1889 Mr. Shry was married to Mary Ellen
Day, who was born in Somerset township, and is a daughter of the
late George Day, who died December 3, 1900, having served four
years during the Civil War, a member of the 52nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.
Two daughters have been born to this union, namely: Bertha Mabel
and Laura E., both little maidens at school. Mr. and
Mrs. Shry attend service in the Methodist Church. He is a
public-spirited, wide-awake citizen, fully equal to the demands of the
day, and holds a high place in the regard of the residents of Wayne
township.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 781 |
|
FRANK R. SKINNER, a well-known and
successful farmer of Somerset twp., Belmont Co., was born in this
county and locality in 1817, a son of Kinsman and Isabel
(Fowler) Skinner.
Kinsman
Skinner was born in 1813 in Calvert Co., Md., and died in
Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1889. In 1835 he came here and located in
the vicinity of Barnesville, engaging in farming. Mr.
Skinner was a member of the Methodist Church. His wife,
Isabel Fowler, was born in 1814 in Calvert Co., Md.,
and died in 1883, beloved in her family and valued in the Methodist
Church. The eight children of this marriage were:
Mary Ellen, who resides in Somerton; Elizabeth,
who married Richard Skinner; James W., deceased, who
was a member of Company C, 60th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in the Civil War;
John T., who resides in Somerset twp., who was also a member
of the same company and regiment; Frank R., of this
sketch; Jane, who married Harry Thomas,
resides near Lexington, Ky.; Minerva, who resides at
Somerton, and Hattie, who is the wife of
Judge Hoge, of Barnesville.
The
fine farm of Mr. Skinner is located on section 11, in
Somerset township, and comprises 71 acres of most excellent land,
under a fine state of cultivation and well improved. Mr.
Skinner has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and has
been more than usually successful.
On Nov.
30, 1869, Mr. Skinner was united in marriage with
Hannah Finch, who was born in 1846 in Somerset twp.,
a daughter of William Finch. A family of eight
children was born to this union, as follows: Jessie,
who married Charles Schaffer, resides in Somerset;
Gussie, who married Clyde Buley,
cashier in the Belmont Bank, resides in Somerton; Emma,
who is a popular teacher; Mable, who married
James Bromhall, resides in Somerset twp.;
Blanche, who married Dayton Hagan, resides
in this township; Clara, who married John
Starbuck, also resides in Somerset twp.; Guy P.,
who is employed in a wholesale establishment in Columbus, Ohio, and
James, who still assists his father.
Like other members of the Skinner family, our subject
is identified with the Democratic party. The religious
connection of the family is with the Methodist Church, to the support
of which Mr. Skinner is a liberal contributor.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 401 |
|
JOHN T. SKINNER, one of the
substantial farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Somerset
township, Belmont County, Ohio, is a native of this township, born
here in in 1845, and is a son of Kinsman Skinner, one of the
old residents.
Mr. Skinner was reared on his
father's farm and obtained his education in the common schools of
his locality. In all public movements and important matters in
Somerset township he has taken an active and prominent part,
devoting his life mainly, however, to agricultural interests.
On Feb. 27, 1864, Mr. Skinner offered his services in the
Civil War, entering Company C, 60th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., at
Somerton, and took part in the battles of the Wilderness and
Spottsylvania, receiving a gunshot wound at the latter engagement.
He was permitted, however, to take part in the grand review at
Washington and was mustered out of the service in that city on July
27, 1865. His was a loyal family, his older brother.
James Skinner, also serving in the same company,
participating in the same serious battles, and died some years after
his return home.
After the close of the war Mr. Skinner
resumed farming and has met with good success in the raising of
sheep and other stock. His farm is well adapted to the
production of fine crops and comprises 130 acres in section 15.
Mr. Skinner also acts as agent for the Bradley Fertilizer
Company, and is a director in the Belmont Insurance Association,
having headquarters in Barnesville. This company is one of the
especial interest to farmers, as it insures farm property and stock.
On Nov. 18, 1869, Mr. Skinner was married to
Mary J. Wharton, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah A. (Cater)
Wharton. Mrs. Skinner was born Sept. 5, 1842, in
Somerset township. She is a most estimable lady and a
consistent member of the Methodist Church. The six children
born to this union are: Luna, Mella, Violet, the widow of
Camm Thomas of Somerton; Herman a teacher; Lola
and Mary.
In politics, Mr. Skinner is identified with
the Democratic party, and he has faithfully served in a number of
the township offices, being trustee, treasurer and assessor, and a
member of the Board of Education. Fraternally he belongs to
the Knights of Pythias and has been post commander of the G. A. R.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 409 |
|
WILLIAM SLOAN, an
enterprising, congenial and most highly respected citizen of
Martin's Ferry, Ohio, is a contractor and builder by trade and
claims Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, as his native city. He was
born Nov. 26, 1826, a son of John and Jane (Kissick) Sloan,
both born in Ireland, where they were also reared and married Oct.
8, 1825.
John Sloan was born Nov. 24, 1803, and his
wife's birth took place Nov. 19, 18094. Soon after they were
married they immigrated to the United States, and Mr. Sloan
found work in the boiler works in Pittsburg and continued in the
place for four years, and at the end of that time removed to
Harrison County, Ohio, bought a farm, then sold it and subsequently
purchased property in the town of Moorefield, Harrison County, and
spent the next five years there until his death occurred, Sept. 19,
1878.
In politics Mr. Sloan was first a Whig and later
a Republican, and served two years as county auditor, but was then
knocked out by the Know-Nothing party. At a later date he also
served for many years as county commissioner, and altogether he was
considered one of the leading men of his county, a fine scholar and
a true gentleman. He and his wife were active workers in the
United Presbyterian Church, of which he was an elder for fifty years
or more. When the Civil War broke out he was one who believed
in its active participants during the years that it lasted.
His wife died Sept. 28, 1844, and left him six children as a legacy.
They are as follows: William, our subject; Nancy,
who was born in 1829, married John Marshall, and died in
1898; Jane, the widow of William Buchanan,
numbered among the inhabitants of Minnesota, enlisted in Company C,
98th O. V. I., in 1862, and served under General Sherman in
his march to the sea, - Jefferson Davis of the Federal
service was his corps commander, and he took part in all the battles
of the command, having the good fortune never to be in the hospital;
and Mary M., born in 1840, died in 1844.
Some years after the death of his first wife Mr.
Sloan married a second time, this time choosing Eliza Wherry
by whom he had three children; Sarah (Mrs. Newton Lance),
whose husband died, but she married a second time Levi W.,
residing on a farm in Harrison County; Mary E. (Mrs. John
Clemens), residing in Harrison County on a farm. The
mother of these children was also a member of the United
Presbyterian church and died when about 60 years of age.
William Sloan, our subject, received his
education in the Harrison County common schools, and later when he
had finished his education in these he went to Martin's Ferry
in 1850, became a contractor and builder, built many of the fine,
handsome houses seen throughout that city and the surrounding
country, among them his own beautiful residence, and has ever since
that date made his home in that city. He has always employed
many men in his work, and in his work he does not take contents
himself with doing good work on the dwelling houses. He has
the reputation of being an excellent workman, and with his wide
experience in the business easily makes it profitable. his
place of business is 801 South 4th street.
In March, 1864, our subject became a member of Company
C, 1st West Virginia Vol. Inf., and was in the Army of the
Shenandoah, doing most of his shooting and marching in that part of
the country. He was a participant in the battle of "Sheridan
was twenty miles away," and was personally acquainted with that
great general. July 16, 1865, he was honorably discharged at
Clarksburg, West Virginia, and returned to his home and resumed the
business which he has ever since continued.
Mr. Sloan has been twice married. He was
united in matrimony Nov. 18, 1851, with Louanna C. Sigler, a
native of Ohio and a daughter of Philip Sigler and his
wife. This marriage was prolific of four children—Elizabeth
J., who was born July 10, 1852, and died October 3rd of the same
year; Elliott W., born September 10, 1854, was united in
marriage with Maggie Irwin, who died and left him one
child, Cora M.; he died December 6, 1891, and his little
daughter then made her home with our subject and has remained there
ever since; Anna, the third child, died in infancy, and
Cora B., born March 29, 1888, lives with our subject.
Mrs. Sloan was born June 3, 1830, and her death occurred
June 25, 1861. During her life she was an active worker in the
United Presbyterian Church. March 3, 1863, our subject was
married a second time, this time choosing Mrs. Margaret
Smith, the widow of John Smith and a daughter
of John Murphy of Pennsylvania. She died August
10, 1881. She was also a United Presbyterian in her religious
belief. Our subject's daughter, Cora B., is also a
great worker and helper in the same church and is loved and
respected by all for her many gentle and good qualities.
In politics Mr. Sloan is an ardent
Republican, and in fraternal circles is a member of the I. O. O. F.
organization and has passed through all the chairs, being a past
grand. He is also a member of the G. A. R. Post and past
commander of that organization.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 536 |
|
CARLOS A. SMITH, proprietor
of the United States Steam Laundry, which is the finest
establishment of its kind in Bellaire, Ohio, has had 20 years'
experience in the laundry business. He spent 12 years in the
service of the Bellaire Steam Laundry, on Guernsey street, which was
then owned by his father, George C. Smith, who taught him all
the details of the business. Our subject first started into
business for himself on the east side of the park, but afterward
secured a lot on the corner of Noble street and Central avenue, and
constructed his present plant in 1893. The building is
strictly a modern one, constructed of brick and measures about 42
feet by 60 feet. It is a one-story building and is equipped
with the latest and most improved machinery. In the rear part
of the building are the engine and boiler, the former being of 10 H.
P. and the latter 20 H. P. These furnish the power which
operates all the machinery. Mr. Smith personally
superintends all work, and having such facilities for turning out
good work, he naturally secures the "lion's share" of the business.
In addition he has a fine suburban trade, embracing New Concord,
Cameron, Barnesville, and other surrounding towns. He employs
from 17 to 20 workmen and guarantees satisfaction to his customers.
Mr. Smith was born at Mount Zion, Belmont
County, Ohio, in October, 1861. His father, George C. Smith,
was an early resident of Belmont County, and was a blacksmith by
trade, but the latter years of his life were spent in the laundry
business, own-and operating, as he did , the Bellaire Steam Laundry.
He died in September, 1991, aged 68 years. Our subject's
mother is also a native of Belmont County, having been born near
Jacobsburg. Her maiden name was Nancy Snively, and at
this writing she resides in Bellaire. Besides our subject, she
has two other sons and four daughters, as follows: F. B.
of Cleveland; E. R.; Mrs. Alice Groves of
Pennsylvania; Mrs. James Johnson, whose husband was formerly
city marshal of Bellaire; Meda, and Margaret.
Mr. Smith has a fine modern residence at No. 3365
Guernsey street, which he purchased some time ago and remodeled.
His marriage with Kate Schick, of Belmont County, resulted in
the birth of three children, viz.: Buelah, Lily, and
Carlos A., Jr. In his political preferment our subject is
a Democrat, and socially is a Mason, and a member of Black Prince
Lodge, Knights of Pythias; D. O. K. K.; B. P. O. E, and royal
Arcanum. The family attend services at the Methodist Episcopal
Church, of which they are members. Mr. Smith is
uniformly popular in his community, and his straight-forward
business methods have brought success which he deserves.
Having discharged his duties in a manner above criticism, he has
acquired the approval not only of patrons, but of all who are in any
way connected with his establishment. He is a member of the
national, Ohio State and local laundrymen associations.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 484 |
George E. Smith |
GEORGE E. SMITH,
located in section 5, Kirkwood township, Belmont County, is a
prominent farmer and an extensive dealer in hard lumber. He was born
in this county April 25, 1845, and is a son of Nathan S. and
Sarah (Taylor) Smith, and grandson of Charles Smith.
Nathan S. Smith was born in Harrison County,
Ohio, January 22, 1807, and died March 3, 1867. He married
Sarah Taylor, a daughter of Noble and Elizabeth
(Lockwood) Taylor. She was born July 19, 1813, and died
April 22, 1857. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. To them were born the following children: Charles T.,
a carpenter, who went south in 1858 and served in the militia there
for a time. Returning north to Washington, D. C., in 1861, he
built a government bridge over Aqua Creek. He later took a
post-graduate course in Duff’s Business College,‘ and then was
superintendent of construction work on the Denver & Rio Grande
Railroad until his death, which resulted from an accident in 1883.
Noble, the second son, died in infancy. Oliver P., who
was born November 15, 1842, served in the 98th Ohio Regiment from
August, 1862, until the close of the war. He was graduated
from Rush Medical College, practiced for several years in
Charleston, Kansas, then at Fall River, Kansas, where he died June
13, 1880. Elizabeth B., widow of John
Buchanan, resides in this county. George E. is the
subject of this biography. William C., born Mar. 9,
1848, died in 1882. Laura J. is the wife of Calvin S.
Travis, and resides in New Martinsville, West Virginia. Isaac
H., born July 22, 1854, resides in this county. Nathan L.
resides in Boise City, Idaho.
George E. Smith received his education in the
common schools and as a boy assisted in the work about the farm. He
entered business for himself when about 16 years old as a farmer and
lumberman and has since continued. He deals heavily in hard
lumber, exporting extensively. He buys wherever he can and
ships mainly to Glasgow, Scotland, and to Hamburg, Germany. He
finds it a very profitable business as well as a pleasant one, as it
acquaints him with prominent business men of this and foreign
countries. He also engages in general farming and stock
raising, and has a farm of 300 acres, all improved and underlaid
with coal. He is located along Scott’s Run, which stream gets
its name from a Mr. Scott who was murdered by the
Indians on the quarter section on which our subject’s house is now
located, near the present residence of Oscar White.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage March
24, 1867, to Sarah E. Perkins, a native of this county.
Her father, Rev. Jonathan Perkins, of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in this county, and was a son
of Samuel Perkins, who served as a private in the War
of 1812. Samuel Perkins was a son of Thomas
Perkins. who entered the land in section 17, on which his
great-great-grandson, Samuel W., is now located, the latter
also possessing the patent for the land signed by Thomas
Jefferson. Eleven children were born to bless the union of
Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely:
Letha L., who graduated from Winfield (Kansas) College in 1893
in the class with E. O. Creighton, who afterward became her
husband, - they live in Roswell, New Mexico, where Mr. Creighton
is superintendent of schools; Charles S., of Bridgeport,
married Mary B. Kirk and has three children, - Floyd,
Leslie and Reba; Philetus M., who graduated from Franklin
College, and is a member of the class of 1903 in the law department
of the Ohio State University; Sarah R.; Mabel, wife of
George C. Douglas, a farmer at Otto, Oklahoma; George T.,
a student at the Ohio State University; Laura E.; J. Olney;
Esther L.; Ada D.; and one deceased. Religiously they are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which our subject is
trustee. He is a Republican in politics.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 705 |
|
LIEUT. JOHN F. SMITH,
a retired farmer and most highly-esteemed citizen of Bridge port.
Ohio. was born in Pease township, Belmont County, Ohio, on October
4, 1830, a son of James M. and Mary (Berry) Smith, the latter of
whom was a native of Loudoun County Virginia.
James M. Smith, the father, was also born in
Loudoun County and by trade was a cooper. About 1815 or 1816
he decided to move to Ohio where he believed there would be more
demand for his goods, and with wife and three children, a wagon load
of household belongings, with $50 in his pocket and two strong
horses, set out for the new home, reaching St. Clairsville, Ohio, in
the course of time, tired doubtless and homesick for the old
surroundings. However, the father and mother of our subject
possessed the true pioneer spirit, and soon after located at Glenn’s
Run, where Mr. Smith was engaged to make the flour
barrels for the mills at that place, under the management of
William McWilliams. Buying 20 acres of land, Mr.
Smith began a little farming which was fairly successful, but
later became engaged in the boat-building business, an enterprise
which rewarded him well. The boats be constructed were known as
“broad horns,” and were built for the purpose of taking produce down
the Ohio River, Mr. Smith receiving fifty cents per
barrel for making the trip. It was his custom to build two
boats every year, one filled with coal, the other with produce, run
them down the river to New Orleans and there trade boat and all for
molasses and sugar which he would bring back on a steamboat to
Wheeling. Several occasions occurred when he and his boys made
the return trip from Louisville on the ice. On his last trip,
Mr. Smith received some very choice sugar of the loaf variety and
with this be entered into negotiations with Governor
Shannon, by which the latter took the sugar in part payment for
66 acres of land. this being now owned by the subject of this
sketch. Governor Shannon had bought this land from an
heir in Ireland. who had inherited it in the division of an uncle's
estate, but this heir never came to America and the original owners
do not possess any of the large property, our subject owning 150
acres of it and his sister, Mrs. Amanda Brown, another
150 acres. James M. Smith, or more properly, Colonel
Smith, as he was locally known, served in the War of 1812 and
received for this service a land warrant in Missouri upon which his
son settled. He was made colonel of the county militia and
thus acquired his title. For many years he served as a justice
of the peace and his influence was great with litigants, settling
many difficulties without costs or trouble. James M. Smith
was born in 1817 and died in 1873. He was a Mason and loved
the workings of that body. He is still recalled as one of the
useful citizens, a good man, a kind neighbor and a firm friend.
No less estimable a character was our subject's worthy
mother. She was some 18 months younger than her husband and
filled every sit nation in life with the affection, self-sacrifice
and cheerfulness of a lovely, Christian nature. Her many acts
of kindness afford pleasant memories to this day. She was the
beloved mother of 12 children, the three survivors of this large
family being: John F., who is the subject of this sketch,
being the youngest of all; Thomas. who is a merchant, resides
at Burlington, in Belmont County; and Allen, who lived for a
time in this county, later moved to Missouri, and is now a resident
of Colorado.
One other member of the family was our subject's sister Amanda, who
married Hezekiah Brown in Belmont County, but died a
widow, in Tennessee, when nearly 70 years of age.
Our subject had poor school advantages, but both his
father and mother were far above the average in intelligence and his
home training was excellent. His early years were spent in
farming and in driving a team, hauling produce through the town and
country and hauling the materials for boat-building. The
boating enterprise covered a period of 20 years and he was actively
engaged in assisting his parent in this business, although his
principal business from youth has been farming. Mr.
Smith owns a farm of 140 acres which a geologic survey has
demonstrated to be under laid with coal. In time this may prove a
large fortune for our subject.
Although a zealous and influential Republican,
Lieutenant Smith has never sought office. His title
was honorably obtained during the Civil War, when he belonged to
Company G, 170th Regiment, Ohio National Guard, an organization
which did faithful garrison duty, and on July 4, 1864, was hastened
to the front, being ordered from Washington City to Harper’s Ferry.
During the succeeding four months, the regiment was continually
engaged in skirmishing between Harpers Ferry and Cedar Creek.
When the regiment was honorably discharged and its members mustered
out, at Columbus, our subject had a good record, but had escaped
either wound or imprisonment, although. as he humorously expresses
it, he on one occasion did some “tall running” to escape.
Mr. Smith was married on January 3, 1861, to
Theresa M. Miller, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, and a
daughter of David and Elizabeth (Whitaker) Miller, who were
natives of Germany. Our subject is a valued member of the
Grand Army of the Republic, and is a man who stands well in his
community. His genial, pleasant manner makes him popular and
among those who know him best, he is prized most highly as friend
and comrade.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 587 |
|
T. BRADLEY SMITH, prominently
known in Bridgeport, Belmont County, Ohio, as a member of the W.
B. Hall Furniture Company, is also serving his county in the
office of county commissioner, having been elected in 1896 by the
Republican party.
Our subject is a native of Jefferson County, West
Virginia, born Sept. 18, 1840. He is a son of Frederick C.
and Mary E. (Sharff) Smith, natives of the states of Virginia
and Maryland respectively. Frederick C. Smith was a
merchant miller by trade and was known throughout the county as one
of its most enterprising business men. In 1857, he removed
from his home in the Valley of Virginia, and resided in Wheeling
until 1862, but at that date removed to Belmont County, Ohio, and
here lived many years, doing the farmers in this district great
service by trading with them and furnishing them a home market for
their grain. He served in some of the minor offices to the
satisfaction of his party, and in his religious convictions was an
attendant of the M. E. Church. He died Apr. 12,1883, at the
age of sixty-nine years and nine months.
Our subject's mother, ,who was Mary E. Sharff
before marriage, lived to the age of 83 years. She was a
member of the M. E. Church. Her death took place Nov. 9, 1898.
She had five children, all living at the present time, T. Bradley
being the eldest.
T. B. Smith received his education in the public
schools of Wheeling, and in the schools of Jefferson County.
At the close of school days he took up the occupation of a merchant
miller and establishing a business at Elm Grove, carried on the same
for four years with much success. In 1866 he left Elm Grove
and entered into partnership with his father, in the same business,
at Bridgeport, Ohio, the firm name being Smith & Son.
This continued until the death of elder Mr. Smith, in 1883,
when the business was carried on by our subject until 1898; at that
date the milling business was discontinued, and no other business
was established until 1902. In March, 1902, the W. B. Hall
Furniture Company commenced business, the partners being W. B.
Hall, Madison Aldredge and T. B. Smith, our
subject. Their furniture room is very large and is one of the
finest in the county. The company carries a heavy stock, and
are enjoying the best trade of the city. In addition to their
furniture department they have an undertaking department, which is
also one of the best in the city, and their stock includes a fine
line of wall paper.
Oct. 8, 1867, Mr. Smith was united in matrimony
with Nannie A. Lash, a daughter of Abram and Nannie
(Powell) Lash, people who were well known throughout the county.
Mrs. Smith is a native of Belmont County and she and her
husband have two children, Fred L. and Mary Eloise.
Fred L. is an electrician in charge of the electrical work in
the plant of the American Tin Plate Company at Martin's Ferry.
He was united in marriage with Minnie Morgan, a native of
Bridgeport, Ohio, and they have one child, Morgan B.
Mary Eloise is now doing excellent service as
saleslady in the employ of the W. B. Hall Furniture Company;
she has the advantage of a very good education, and has a knowledge
of bookkeeping, typewriting and stenography, being a graduate of the
Bridgeport High School, class of 1901.
Mr. Smith has done his best to serve
the Republican party since the election of Mr. Lincoln in
1861. For several years he served as school director, and is
now doing excellent service as county commissioner of Belmont
County. He and his worthy wife are members of the M. E.
Church. Mr. Smith is considered one of his county's
most substantial citizens and has unquestionably good business
qualifications.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 467 |
|
HON. WILLIAM F. SMITH,
a citizen of St. Clairsville, Ohio, is judge of the Probate Court of
Belmont County, in which capacity he has served with honor and
credit since 1896. He was born on a farm near Chester Hill, in
Morgan County, Ohio, June 5, 1854, and is a son of David and Mary
(Foulke) Smith, who were members of the Society of Friends and
both natives of Ohio. His mother died when he was four years
old. His father, now past 75 years of age, is living on the
old home farm near Chester Hill.
Judge Smith attended boarding school at
Westtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania, graduating from there in
1875. He later went to Haverford College in Pennsylvania, from
which institution he graduated in the summer of 1877. He then went
to McConnelsville, Ohio, and commenced the study of law in the
office of Pond & Foulke, and was admitted to the bar
in the fall of 1879. He taught school for a number of years
while acquiring his education.
He was married June 23, 1880, to Mary Blanche
Pond, only daughter of his former preceptor, Col. Francis B.
Pond. and Eliza A. (Corner) Pond. Colonel Pond
was colonel of the 62nd Reg, Ohio Vol. Inf. in the ‘War of the
Rebellion, and was later Attorney General of the State of Ohio.
Judge Smith and his wife soon after their marriage
located at Barnesville, Ohio, where be commenced the practice of
law, and continued there in successful practice until 1896, when he
was elected to the office of Probate judge on the Republican ticket,
since which he was re-elected by an increased majority in 1899. He
has always taken an active interest in politics in support of the
principles of the Republican party.
Judge Smith and his family are identified
with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In secret orders he is an
Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, and a Mason. Judge
Smith and his wife are the parents of two children:
Harold D., who is attending the public school in St.
Clairsville, and Frances E., a daughter, who is now a junior
in Lake Erie College at Painesville, Ohio.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 624 |
|
J. E. SPRINGER, the superintendent
of the Aetna Standard Mill at Martin's Ferry and Bridgeport, Ohio,
is a gentleman deserving of the recognition and esteem of all his
fellow-men and an upright citizen of Belmont County. He is a
son of Thomas and Celena (Bott) Springer, and was born
January 5, 1873, in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Thomas Springer was born in Washington
County, Ohio. and early in life learned the trade of a wagonmaker
and worked at this for some time. At this writing, however, he
is a mill worker. which he began after leaving the occupation of his
trade. He married Celena Bott, who is now
deceased, her death having taken place December 20, 1886, at
the age of 33 years. To this union were born five children. as
follows: Charles Henry, who died in childhood; J. E.,
our subject; George W., Harry and Thomas, the last three
being mill workers in Martin's Ferry. Mr. and Mrs. Springer
belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in that faith
our subject was reared. The father was united in
marriage a second time in July, 1893, with Louisa Fowler,
a daughter of David Fowler, and they have four
children, namely, Madge L., Ralph W., Merle L. and Edith
M., who
died in infancy. Mr. Springer is still living at
the age of fifty-one years.
Our subject graduated from the schools of Martin’s
Ferry in 1891, and worked a few months with his father in the mill.
Subsequently he became connected with the clerical force in
February, 1692, and at the present time is serving as
superintendent. He commenced near the bottom of the ladder and
has been advanced by good service from time to time until he
attained his present position.
August 28, 1894, Mr. Springer was united
in marriage with Milicent M. Fowler, a native of Marshall
County, Iowa, and a daughter of David W. and Elizabeth (Hornish)
Fowler, the former a native of Belmont County and the latter of
Washington County, Pennsylvania. David W. Fowler was an
agriculturist and served his country during the Civil War as a
member of the 100 day service. In 1875 he returned to Belmont
County, Ohio, and as long as he was able interested himself in
farming. His death occurred October 5, 1890, at the age of 61
years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
his beloved widow is still living at the age of 73 years. Our
subject’s wife was the ninth child in a family of ten children, and
their names are as follows: Ella M., who followed
teaching for many years; John W., who died in February, 1896;
Joseph E, a mill worker in Martin's Ferry; Agnes J.,
now Mrs. George W. Thompson, residing at Martin’s Ferry;
Anna M. (Mrs. John R. Thompson); Lizzie A.; Louisa, who married
Thomas Springer and lives in Martin’s Ferry; David H..
a blacksmith of that city also; our subject’s wife, Milicent
and Russell, who died when but three years of age.
Mr. Springer takes an interest in
politics and votes the Republican ticket. His first national
vote was cast for William McKinley. He was
elected member of the School Board April 8, 1892, and has served
conscientiously and well. In social circles he is a member of Ohio
City Lodge, No. 486, F. & A. M.; is junior warden of the same, and
is a member of Belmont Chapter. His residence is located at
No. 512 Vine street, and there he and his wife enjoy a peaceful,
comfortable existence.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 538 |
|
WILLIAM STANTON, one
of Belmont County's enterprising citizens, is a representative of a
family which can trace an ancestry as far back in the past as 1600,
but is a man who requires no such lineage to assure him to respect
and esteem of his fellow-citizens in and around the pleasant village
of Tacoma. As postmaster, farmer and man of large business
interests, he receives consideration, while his estimable character
as a private citizen brings him the confidence and friendship of
those with whom he comes into contact.
Henry Stanton, the paternal grandfather of
William, was born in North Carolina, and in youth accompanied
his mother to Ohio, passing the remainder of his life here.
His son Joseph Stanton, the father of William, was
born near Mount Pleasant, Ohio, in 1812, and died in 1859. He
married Mary, a daughter of S. and Elizabeth Hodgin,
natives of Georgia and residents of Belmont County, Ohio.
Their children were the following: William, of this
sketch; Eli, deceased; Anna, the wife of Nathan
Bundy; Eunice, deceased; and Elizabeth, the wife of L.
P. Bailey.
William Stanton was born Sept. 15, 1839, in
Warren township and was reared on his father's farm and was educated
at the Friends' Boarding School, at Mount Pleasant. In 1864 he
was united in marriage with Jane S. Davis, daughter of
Francis and Mary Davis, both natives of Ohio. Then ten
children of this union were named as follows: Eva T., Mary
D., deceased; Joseph E.; Francis W., deceased;
John and Ellen D., twins; William Macy.
In 1867, together with W. K. Tipton, our
subject settled two miles east of Barnesville, on the line of the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and in 1871 engaged in the nursery
business, occupying 25 acres of land, erecting here a greenhouse 22
by 40 feet in dimensions, and an additional 67 acres which was
partially set out in orchard. This land is situated in the
northwest corner of section 4. This business continued from
1871 until 1873, when our subject bought Mr. Tipton's
interest and has since then operated the nursery and greenhouse
alone. His careful attention and wise and judicious
experimenting and cultivation have resulted in a prosperity which
has made him one of the leading fruit growers of the county.
In 1894 Mr. Stanton was one of the organizers of a company
which erected a creamery on a tract of his land, on section 10, a
two-story frame house, with a modern dairy attached. Since
that time Mr. Stanton has gradually bought all the stock of
the company with the exception of one-seventh, and is practically
its sole owner. It was through the influence of Mr. Stanton
that a post office was established at this point in February,
1887, by President Cleveland, and on March 15th following our
subject took charge.
Mr. Stanton is one of the leading citizens in
his locality. With his family he attends the Friends' Meeting,
to which religious body his family has long belonged. He has
never had any political aspirations, preferring a life devoted to
congenial business enterprises.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 747 |
|
DR. B. L. STEELE -
See Chapter XIII
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 146 |
|
ELISHA B. STEER, a
well-known representative farmer of Belmont County, Ohio, residing
on his fine farm of 94 acres, located on section 7, range 3,
Colerain township, was born on a farm which adjoins his own on the
south on June 2, 1850. His parents were Israel and Rebecca
(Bracken) Steer, more extended mention of whom will be found in
another part of this volume.
Our subject was educated in the local public schools
and at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, assisting his father in the latter's
farming operations much of the time. When about 25 years of
age he began his own agricultural career and has been very
successful, raising the usual products of this locality, making
wheat a specialty. In growing this grain Mr. Steer
has demonstrated that proper knowledge of soil, seed and fertilizer
has much to do with its yield in Ohio, his own being very
satisfactory. He has raised over 50 bushels of wheat to the
acre, and as this is an unusual yield for Belmont County, much
credit must be given for his intelligent methods of cultivation.
On May 22, 1876, Mr. Steer was married to
Ellen C. Gilbert, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of
George and Hannah (Cope) Gilbert, both of whom are deceased, the
former dying in 1872. Five children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Steer, as follows: Louisa, wife of Wallis J.
Bundy; Alfred G., a graduate of Westtown Friends' Boarding
School, who has been for four years with a Philadelphia firm engaged
in the sale of dairy machinery; Wilmer I., a graduate of
Bliss Business College in 1902, is employed as head bookkeeper for
the Belmont Telephone Company of Bridgeport, Ohio, and Alice R.
and Florence H., at home. Mr. Steer has been a
prominent factor in educational advancement in his township, serving
as school director and promoting educational enterprises to the best
of his ability. His interesting family is one to do credit to
the county and all the most highly esteemed and all are birthright,
members of the Society of Friends, of which Mr. Steer is a
recognized minister.
Mr. Steer is not only one of the best farmers of
Belmont County, but he is highly respected in business and social
relationships, ranking with the leading nad reliable men of this
section.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 411 |
|
M. C. STONEBRAKER,
one of the prominent farmers and influential citizens of Mead
township, Belmont County, was born in March, 1857, on the farm where
he now resides, the only son of Ephraim and Martha A. (Granfell)
Stonebraker, who were married on Dec. 30, 1852, at Jacobsburg,
Belmont County.
Ephraim Stonebraker was the youngest of a family
of 15 children born to his father, Samuel Stonebraker, who
was twice married. Ephraim died on the farm where his
widow resides with her son and family near Key station, in March,
1865, aged 35 years. The mother of our subject was born Aug.
12, 1833, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Barnett) Granfell,
the former being of English descent and the latter of Scotch-Irish.
William Granfell was born Sept. 27, 1791, and died in 1837;
his wife, born June 4, 1805, died Apr. 13, 1866. Their
children were: Martha E., James, Thomas, Miles, Preston,
Mary, who died young, and Margaret, who married James
Gladdin of Smith township and is also deceased. Mrs.
Stonebraker is a niece of one who was so well known and highly
regarded in this section that he was universally called "Uncle"
Tommy Miles, a very early pioneer. He never married, and
at death willed his section of land to relatives.
Our subject was educated in the district schools and
has spent his whole life on his farm, which contains 80 acres of
well tilled and productive land, where he has successfully carried
on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Stonebraker
erected here a very comfortable house in 1884 and replaced the old
one, which serves well as a stable, although under its old roof
three generations of the family found shelter for many years.
Mr. Stonebraker has leased the old farm and is preparing to
remove to Key in order to give his children better educational
advantages and to retire from enforced activity.
In 1878 Mr. Stonebraker was married to Mary
Phillips, who was born in Smith township ship, in July, 1859, a
daughter of James W. and Annie (White) Phillips, the latter
of whom has been deceased for some 15 years. The Phillips
family was a very early one in Smith township and lived near
Jacobsburg station. The two children of Mr. and Mrs.
Stonebraker are Earl B., born Dec. 8, 1882, who is a
graduate of the Wheeling Business College and is now a solicitor for
the same; and Etta M., who was born May 3, 1891.
In political sentiment Mr. Stonebraker
has been a lifelong Democrat, and he has most acceptably served for
six years as town ship trustee and is serving his third term as
justice of the peace, his excellent judgment and high standing in
the community making him a very popular official. In religious
views the family is in accord with the Presbyterian Church and
attend services at the Concord Church.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 766 |
|
CYRUS H. STRAHL, a respected
citizen of Bellaire, Ohio, is agent for the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad Company, with which he has been identified since 1870.
He was born at Somerton, Belmont County, Dec. 28, 1838, and is a son
of Joel and Ann W. (Bailey) Strahl. His mother was a
daughter of Charity Bailey, whose family was one of the early
ones in Belmont County. His father was born and reared at
Somerton, but lived at Bellaire at the time of his death. Our
subject is the oldest of four children, the other being: Charles
L., car inspector of the B. & O. R. R. at Bellaire; Joel
Edward, a printer in the employ of a large publishing house at
Allegheny, Pennsylvania; and Ella, wife of contractor J.
W. Jones, of Bellaire.
Cyrus H. Strahl was one year old when his
parents removed with him to Monroe County, Ohio, where he resided
until 14 years of age, then moved to Martin's Ferry in 1852.
In 1854 he located in Bellaire, which has been his home most of the
time since. In the Civil War he enlisted in the 43rd Reg.,
Ohio Vol. Inf., and served for 19 months, and later re-enlisted for
the 100 days' service in Company I. 170th Reg., O. N. G., in 1864.
In 1870 he entered the transportation department of the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad Company in a minor clerkship, passed successively
through the various clerical positions of this territory, and during
1889 and 1890 was chief clerk at Wheeling. He was cashier at
Bellaire, Ohio, during the years 1890-1891, and transfer agent at
Benwood from June 19, 1893, when the station was opened, until Aug.
10, 1900, when he assumed the duties of agent at Bellaire, and has
since held that position.
Mr. Strahl was united in marriage with
Clarissa Jane Terry, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and resides now at No.
3564 Guernsey Street. They have two children: Charlie F.,
who is transfer agent at Benwood, having succeeded our subject in
that position; and Annie, wife of Louis J. Breshar, of
Everett, State of Washington. Fraternally, our subject is a
member of Bellaire Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M.; Bellaire Chapter, No.
107, R. A. M.; and Hope Commandery, No. 26, K. T., of St.
Clairsville. His son, Charlie F., is a 32nd degree
Mason, a member of Syrian Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and Scottish
Rite, of Cincinnati. Religiously, Mr. Strahl was reared
a Quaker, but is inclined to be liberal.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 428 |
|
THOMAS L. STRONG, vice-president and
general manager of the Enterprise Enamel Company, of Bellaire, Ohio,
is one of the enterprising and public-spirited young business men of
this city. Mr. Strong was born at Frankfort, Kansas,
although his parents, James H. and Jane (Bradford) Strong,
were natives of Ohio.
William Strong, the grandfather of
Thomas L., was well known in his day as a reliable cooper, his
kegs being the first ones made use of by the Laughlin Nail Works, or
the old fop Mill at Wheeling. Mr. Strong was then in
partnership with Elijah Woods, and they made the kegs at
Martin's Ferry and sent them across the river in skiffs. William
Strong conducted the first coopering establishment in this
locality. James H. Strong, his son, was born at Martin's Ferry
and now resides at Bellaire. He lost his wife some years since. In
1856. with his family, he moved to Kansas and there engaged in
coopering and farming until his return to Belmont County in 1873.
Thomas L. Strong spent a three-year
apprenticeship to the glass business, learning the trade thoroughly,
and for 10 years was foreman in the engraving room of the Bellaire
Goblet Company. His business ability was thus demonstrated and his
appointment as general manager of the great and increasing Enterprise
interests has proven very judicious. The Enterprise enameling plant
was started in Bellaire and was operated in a small way by Theodore
Rossbach and Carl L. Dorer, on the site of the present
Enterprise plant, on Union street, between 17th and 18th streets.
Through the active efforts of James F. DuRois, William Lipphardt
and others were interested, and the business has been reorganized and
placed on a sound basis and has increased to gigantic proportions. The
first meeting of the board of directors was held December 13. 1897,
the members being: William Lipphardt, president; F.
H. Eick, vice-president; James F. DuBois, secretary and
treasurer; Carl L. Dorer. vice-president; J. A. Green,
Theodore Neff and Theodore Rossbach. In February, 1899. the
works were temporarily shut down, but were soon reopened with
Thomas L. Strong as general manager, and his influence was
immediately felt in the impetus given to the business. The
stockholders are almost exclusively citizens of Bellaire and vicinity
and represent a large amount of capital. The present officers are:
William Lipphardt, president; Thomas L. Strong,
vice-president and general manager, and R. C. Faris. secretary
and treasurer. The board of directors is composed of such responsible
citizens as: William Lipphardt. Thomas L. Strong. Theodore Neff
(the first stockholder), C. L. Dorer. J. A. Green. William J.
Howell and John R. Gow. The buildings have been erected
since February, 1899. and now cover an area of two acres, the main
building containing the offices, packing and store rooms. This,
building is three stories in height and its dimensions are 60 by 120
feet. The great furnace room, where the burning and baking is done, is
of one story and is 120 by 78 feet in dimensions, and the one-story
drying and shipping room is 120 by 100 feet in dimensions. In addition
a new building was erected in 1902—a machinery department where the
shaping of various products is done, and the constantly increasing
business has rendered it necessary to build the following buildings,
which are under construction: A machine shop, 70 by 108 feet; a stock
building, 100 by 108 feet, and three dipping and drying rooms, 60 by
180 feet. This great industry employs 220 workmen and distributes a
large amount of money. Its railroad facilities are excellent, having
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad tracks on one side and the Pennsylvania
Railroad tracks on the other. The largely increasing trade of the
Enterprise Enamel Company is handled through the large wholesale and
jobbing house of Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett &
Company at Chicago, Illinois—that being the distributing point.
Mr. Strong was born with executive talent, but
he deserves credit for the manner in which he has developed his
faculties and handles the great business problems which come into his
every-day life. His family consists of wife and daughter, who are
connected with the Christian Church. Mr. Strong's
fraternal relations are cordial with the Masonic bodies and he is a
member of Bellaire Chapter.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 331 |
|
REV. LOUIS W. SUEDMEYER, beloved
pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Bridgeport,
Belmont County, Ohio, is a young man with every prospect of a bright
and joyful future before him. He is a son of Louis W. and Christina
(Hahne) Suedmeyer, the former a native of Missouri, while the
latter claims Prussia as her native place. Our subject is also a
native of Missouri, having been born in Franklin County, October 26,
1875.
Louis W. Suedmeyer, father of our subject, was
very favorably regarded by the citizens of his community, but died at
the early age of 22 years, leaving his wife and our subject to mourn
his loss. The former is now the wife of Charles Kruse,
and they have six children. Mr. Suedmeyer followed the
occupation of farming, raising grain for the most part, and served his
township as trustee for some time. He and his wife were both faithful
members of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. His wife is now
living at Senate Grove in Missouri, having reached her 50th mile-stone
May 23, 1902.
The primary education of our subject was secured in the
public schools of his native place, and was followed by instruction at
the proseminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Elmhurst,
Illinois. He was graduated from that school in 1898, and next became a
student at the seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at St.
Louis, Missouri, and was graduated with the class of 1900, which was
the jubilee class of the institution.
Mr. Suedmeyer s first charge was Bridge port,
and there he has been faithfully performing his duty, both as a
minister of the Gospel and also as a teacher. May 19, 1901, he was
united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Angela Hotz, born in
Brighton, Illinois, a daughter of the late Rev. J. J. Hotz Rev. Mr.
Hotz died at the age of 64 years, his death taking place April
17, 1898. For 34 years he was a minister of the same church as that to
which our subject has given his support, and his many acts of kindness
have not been forgotten by his people. His wife is still living, an
honored resident of New Haven, Missouri.
The citizens of Bridgeport have a very kindly regard
for Mr. Suedmeyer and welcome him most heartily to their homes
Wherever known he has an excellent reputation for energy, uprightness
and zeal in his good work, and his scholarly bearing and learning fit
him for the place he now occupies in the lives and hearts of his
people.
(Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 Page 391 |
NOTES: |
