BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of
Harrison and Carroll, Ohio
containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and
Representative Citizens, and of Many of the Early
Settled Families.
Illustrated
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. -
1891
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JOHN W. SCOTT FAMILY.
The first of the Scott family of whom we have any knowledge was the
grandfather (Timothy Scott) of the deceased John W. Scott,
formerly of Cadiz, Ohio, an Englishman who spent his entire life in his native
land. At the age of eighty-five years he desired to come to America to
purchase a plantation, but on account of his advanced years changed his plans
and remained at his old home, where, when a man of ninety-five, still hale and
hearty, he accidentally drove off a bridge and was killed. James Scott,
who was by occupation a clock and watch maker, was born at Sowerby Bridge,
in Yorkshire, England. He married Miss Howarth, in England, where
she died, leaving three children, viz.: John W., William and Eliza.
The bereaved husband, with the children, came to America in 1816, first going to
York (now Toronto), Canada, then to New York (United States), and after walking
all the distance, carrying his youngest child, he settled in Cadiz, Ohio, in
1819, being the first watch and clock maker to come to Harrison County.
James married, for his second wife, Harriet Arnold, and to this union
there were born four children, viz.: Dr. Daniel (deceased);
James, in Akron, Ohio; Thomas, in Texas, and Mary (Mrs. McMasters),
in Mount Pleasant, Ohio. Upon the death of the father the care of the
family fell on John W. At one time, while attending to his duty as
deputy sheriff, he was attacked by a madman, then temporarily confined in the
jail, and only by the use of the large keys he held in his hand did he escape
death. He took up the occupation of his father, and started a repair shop
on the ground which is now occupied by the county buildings, it being almost in
front of the sheriff's residence to-day. The shop was once robbed by the
notorious and daring thief, Dan Winchell, who was afterward sent to the
penitentiary. He was so much feared by the early settlers that many
persons paid him $2.50 each per annum to insure their property from his
depredations. A few yeas alter John W. was appointed postmaster.
In 1839 John W. Scott married Miss Jane
Pittis, daughter of Robert Pittis, of Harrison County. The
Pittis family came to Harrison County from the Isle of Wight, among the
pioneers, and settled in the vicinity of Deersville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs.
Scott shared life's joys and sorrows until death claimed him, Oct. 8, 1886.
The following from a local paper, printed at the time of his funeral, shows the
esteem in which he was held:
It is our sad duty to chronicle the
death of his exemplary citizen and noble man. It came not after pain and
physical suffering - not after slow, wasting disease; of weary days and
sleepless nights - but suddenly, without one premonitory symptom, at the close
of one of the loveliest autumn days, his spirit winged its flight, and his eyes
opened to all the beauties of the Celestial Land, where there are no withered
leaves to testify of the dying year, and no hoar frosts to indicate the chilling
cold of winter. Last Friday, the 8th, Dr. Scott was in his usual
health, and in good spirits. After supper, at about half past five
o'clock, he passed out to the rear porch of his residence, and while standing
there, perhaps watching the evening shadows gather o'er the landscape at the
north, the summons came, and he fell - the Reaper had come - and life no longer
animated his body. Dr. Scott was seventy-five years of age, Sunday,
the day of his funeral, being the anniversary of his birth. Dr. Scott
was one of those calm self-possessed men, always thoughtful, and whose judgment
always commanded respect. He was a thoroughly honest man, and was
congenial and companionable. As a citizen he was the soul of truth and
honor. As a business man his word was as good as a written bond.
Possessing the kindest of hearts, social in disposition, he attracted friends,
and always retained them. He was a devoted adherent to the Disciples
Church, and firmly persuaded of the truth of its doctrines, but he was no bigot,
and that church having no place of worship here, he joined heartily in the
worship of other churches of the town, but more particularly with the
Methodists. A good man is gone, and not only the immediate friends, but
the whole community, have sustained a great loss.
His remains now at rest in Cadiz Cemetery, within the
finest vault in Harrison County, erected by his family to his memory.
Mr. Scott having gained a knowledge of dentistry, practiced for a number of
years, and thus it was he received the title of "Dr.," as by such he was known
by many. To Mr. and Mrs. John W. Scott were born the following
children: Mary, who died at the age of twelve years; James
and Albert, who died when quite young; Julia, wife of Dr.
George W. Woodbourne, of Uhrichsville, Ohio; Cyrus M., in Arkansas
City, Kas., who for four years held the position of Government scout in various
Indian troubles, and is now engaged in stock-dealing; Robert P., in
Baltimore, inventor and manufacturer, having invented a great number of valuable
implements; Lanphear H., in Newark, N. J., an attorney and manufacturer;
Charles S., on the old homestead, engaged in the jewelry business with
his brother, Thomas A. The mother, with the two sons last
mentioned, remains at the old homestead. Of the sons, Cyrus M.
married Miss Maggie Gardner, and two children were born; Thomas Pittis,
of Scio, Ohio. In mechanical ability and tendencies the mantle of the
father seems to have fallen upon the sons, each possessing inventive genius to a
marked degree, and almost every evening Charles S. (or "Nip," as
he is often called) can be found in his private workshop, industriously at work
upon some mechanical device. In the summer of 1885 Charles S. and
Robert took an extended tour through Europe on bicycles for pleasure and
recreation. All in all, the Scott family in Harrison County, from
its pioneer days, has ranked among its best known people.
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 605 |
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GEORGE W.
SIMMONS. About the year 1808 six brothers - John, Peter, Adam
and Jacob (twins), Daniel and William Simmons - emigrated
from Maryland to Ohio, and Adam and Jacob took up a section of
Government land in Harrison (afterward Carroll) County, being among the earliest
pioneers of that region. The two brothers served in the War of 1812, under
Gen. W. H. Harrison. Carroll County was formed from Columbiana,
Stark, Tuscarawas, Harrison and Jefferson Counties, in 1833, and the Simmons'
land was then in Loudon Township, Carroll County. George W. Simmons
our subject, is the son of Jacob and Ann (Harding) Simmons, whose
marriage in Maryland was a romantic one. Ann Harding was of a
wealthy and influential family, who objected to Jacob's suit on account
of his poverty, but to the maiden love's attractions were stronger than the
golden inducement of riches, and an elopement followed. The young couple
sought their humble home in the wilds of Ohio, and there lived happily many
years, removing thence to Iowa, where they died at a ripe old age.
Fourteen children were born to them, and of this number eleven grew to maturity.
George W., who is the seventh child, was born in
London Township, Harrison (afterward Carroll) Co., Ohio, Mar. 15, 1815, and was
reared as all other pioneer children, wearing home-made clothes and shoes, and
attending subscription schools in log school houses. On Apr. 12, 1838, he
married Sophia Beadle, a native of Brownsville, Penn., who came to Ohio
with her parents, John and Elizabeth Beadle, when seven years old.
To this union have been orn fourteen children, seven of whom are now living.
Mr. Simmons served seven years in the militia - two as lieutenant and
five as captain of First Company, First Regiment, Carroll County, Ohio. He
was called out four cays in the year, two days for officers', one day for
privates' and one day for general muster. At the age of eighteen he was
elected, and at the completion of his service he received an honorable discharge
from all military duty in time of peace. During the late war he drilled a
large company at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Simmons have been
life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and active in Sabbath
school and church work. In 1865 they removed to Harrison County, where
they have since resided in Monroe Township. In politics, Mr. Simmons
is stanch Republicans, but has been an office seeker.
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 417 |
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STUART BEEBE SHOTWELL
was born in Washington Township, Harrison Co., Ohio, November 22, 1819.
His paternal grandfather, Hugh Shotwell, was a native of New
Jersey, and of English extraction. The family came to America as early as
1665, and were Quakers, although it is claimed that Hugh took part in the
Revolutionary War. He (Hugh) married a Miss Arrison,
who was not a member of the Society of Friends, and for marrying outside of the
pale Hugh was dismissed from the Society, and also was disinherited by
his father. He subsequently settled (in 1792) in Brownsville, Fayette Co.,
Penn., where he remained until 1813, when he came to Harrison County, Ohio, and
here bought a farm five miles west of Cadiz, on which he lived until 1828, when
he moved to Washington Township. Here his wife died in 1S37, and he in
1853. The children born to Hugh Shotwell were eight in number, one
of whom, William, the father of our subject, was born in 1796, in Fayette
County, Penn., and married in February, 1819, Rhoda Beebe, a
native of Massachusetts, but then a resident of Harrison County, Ohio. Her
father was Stuart Beebe, also a native of New England.
Children, as follows, were the result of this
union: Three died in infancy; Stuart B. is the subject of this sketch;
William was a lawyer in Hamilton, Butler Co., Ohio, who died in December,
1849; Theodore, the only surviving member of the family, is now in
Minneapolis, Minn.; Walter B. died in early manhood, and Rhoda
Loretta married Smiley Sharon in 1854 (Mr. Sharon
died in 1870, his widow following him in 1888).
William Shotwell was first a farmer, and
afterward became a merchant of Cadiz, where
he died in January, 1854, aged fifty six years, his wife following in 1876, at
the age of eighty-five
years.
Stuart Beebe Shotwell was reared on a farm, and
his early education was acquired in an old log cabin fitted up for a
school-house with greased-paper windows, saw-log slabs for seats, and
"cat-and-clay '' chimney. He was an apt scholar, and stood at the head of
every class. He entered Franklin College at New Athens, Ohio, in 1836,
where he finished his education. In 1874 his alma mater honored him by
conferring upon him the degree of LL. D. In 1840 he commenced the study of law
under Dewey & Stanton, of Cadiz, and two years later was admitted to the
bar. Shortly after Mr. Stanton (who afterward became War Secretary
under Lincoln) left Cadiz, and moved to Steubenville, Mr. Shotwell taking
his place in the law firm, and the partnership of Dewey & Shotwell was
continued until the retirement of Mr. Dewey from law practice. In
1849 he was admitted to the Supreme Court of Ohio. Mr. Shotwell
was originally a Whig, casting his first presidential vote for Henry
Clay, but later became a Republican. He was appointed United States
commissioner by the United States Court at Cleveland, Mcllvaine to
the supreme court Mr. Shotwell was suggested as his successor.
On May 8, 1851, Mr. Shotwell married Miss
Nancy Gaston, daughter of Mr. James Gaston,
of Columbiana County, Ohio, and niece of Daniel Kilgore, at that time a
prominent business man of Cadiz. Five children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Shotwell, three of whom are living: Walter G., present
prosecuting attorney of Harrison County [brief sketch of whom follows];
Stuart B., of St. Paul, Minn., and Martha, at home. Mary,
their eldest, and William James, the youngest, both died in
childhood. Mr. Shotwell died December 3, 1890, aged
seventy-one years. He was the oldest member of the Cadiz, bar, and one of
the best known men in eastern Ohio. He was one of our best informed men on
public affairs, was an extensive reader, took great interest in education, and
was one who
had the best interests of society and his country always at heart.
Walter Gaston Shotwell was born
December 27, 1856, in Cadiz, Ohio. Until fifteen years of age he attended the
public schools of Cadiz, spending his summers upon his grandfather's farm in
Columbiana County, Ohio. In 1872 he entered Franklin College, where he
graduated, first in his class, in 1877. The same year, after passing the
required examination, he entered the senior class of Yale College, at New Haven,
Conn., where he graduated in June, 1878. In August of that year, he
commenced the study of law in his father's office in Cadiz, where he continued
until October, 1880, when he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of
Ohio. He immediately commenced the practice in Cadiz, where he has since
continued. On December 24, 1884, he was married to Belle
Mcllvaine, daughter of Judge George W. Mcllvaine, then of the Supreme
Court of Ohio, and they have one child, Margaret Mcllvaine.
On July 4, 1887, Walter G. Shotwell was nominated by acclamation for prosecuting
attorney of Harrison County by the Republican convention, and was afterward
elected. He was renominated and elected in 1890.
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 757 |
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GEORGE W. SIMMONS
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 417 |
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THE
SIMPSON FAMILY. The founder of the Simpson Family in this part of
the country was James Simpson, a native of Ireland, who came to America
in the latter part of the eighteenth century, settling in Washington County,
Penn., where he carried on brickmaking in connection with farming. He was
born Apr. 30, 1750, and married (date not now known) Margaret Conner, who
was born Oct. 25, 1755, also was a native of Ireland. (They came over in
the same ship, but were not married until after their arrival in America.)
Here, the place of their first settlement, they died, and were buried, she dying
March 25, 1815, and he September 20, 1819. Politically, he was a strong
supporter of the Federal party. Their children were eight in number, as follows:
John, Margaret, William. Elizabeth, James
(who settled in Ohio), Mary Robert and Sarah. Of these,
James, the immediate ancestor of the families now living in Green Township,
Harrison County, was born July 14, 1791, in Washington Comity, Penn., where his
early life was spent. On June 20, 1816, he was united in marriage, by the
father of the bride, with Violet, eldest daughter of Rev. Abram Scott,
a Presbyterian minister, and soon after their marriage they migrated to Belmont
County, Ohio, where they remained until 1829, in which year they came to
Harrison County, settling in Green Township, where they passed from earth,
Mrs. Simpson June 30,
1855, and Mr. Simpson December 8. 1871; they lie side by side in
Beech Spring Cemetery. Soon after their settlement in the county they united
with the Presbyterian Church at Beech Spring, of which they were constant
attendants. They were the parents of the following named children: Margaret
Rebecca, born December 25, 1818, died July 26, 1843; Abram
Scott, born January 3, 1821, died November 3, 1884; John McDowell,
born October 4, 1822, died April 16, 1825; William, born April 30. 1825;
Josiah Marshall, born September 15, 1828, died
May 30, 1830, and Sarah Mariah, born December
29, 1833. Mr. Simpson was an active
worker in the Democratic party, and served
his township in many offices of trust, and was
justice of the peace.
A. S. SIMPSON, son of James and Violet
(Scott) Simpson, was born January 3, 1821, in
Belmont County, Ohio, where his boyhood and
youth were spent on his father's farm. He
early manifested an acuteness of intellect, as
well as a strong desire for study, and at the age
of twenty-one he found himself fully fitted for
the position of ' instructor, a profession he followed
for many years. On March 26, 1857, he
was married, by Rev. Israel Price, to Celia,
daughter of John Davis, of German Township,
and for about six years after marriage they
remained on the old home place; then rented a
farm near by, on which they lived for two years,
when they bought the place where the family
at present reside in Green Township, Harrison
County. One child was the result of
this union, named James William Alexander.
The father died November 3, 1884, and was
buried in Beech Spring Cemetery. His widow
and son still reside on the farm, which has
been under the management of the latter since
his father's death. In politics A. S. Simpson was a Democrat, and was
several times honored by his party with offices of trust in his township.
He was a member and active worker in the Beech Spring Presbyterian Church, as
are his widow and son.
J. W. A. SIMPSON, son of A. S. and Celia (Davis)
Simpson, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, November 30, 1858, and was reared
to farm life, attending the common schools of his district. On November 29,
1883, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth T. , daughter of Moses
Thompson, of Hopedale, Harrison Co., Ohio. They were married by Rev.
Jamieson and Rev. Parks. This union has been blessed with two
children: John Davis, born September 24. 1884, and Frank
Hoobler, born March 3, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have always
resided, since their marriage, on the old home farm left by his father. He
is a strong supporter of the Democratic party, and numbers among the rising
young men of his section. William Simpson, third son of
James and Violet (Scott) Simpson, and only surviving member of their family
(retaining the Simpson name), was born in Belmont County, Ohio, April 30,
1825. He was educated at the schools of his neighborhood, attending also to the
various duties of the farm. Like the Simpson family, generally, he is a
zealous Democrat, and has always taken a deep interest in the political
campaigns of his times. From his youth he has been a consistent member,
and for quite a while an officer in the Presbyterian Church of Beech Spring, and
has always taken an active and prominent part in the advancement of religious
and social reform.
Source: Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio,
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 83 |
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F. H. SIMPSON
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 366 |
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MATTHEW W. SIMPSON
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 344 |
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LAIRD SINGER
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 628 |
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ANDREW SMITH
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 630 |
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DANIEL SMITH
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 485 |
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SMITH FAMILY
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 251 |
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JOSEPH SMITH,
(deceased). Some are strengthened by adversity and hardship, while others,
less strong, are broken down and destroyed. Among the former class are
those hardy pioneers who, though poor in worldly goods, were still rich in
energy, resolution and perseverance, braving successfully the dangers and
difficulties attendant on the settlement of a new country.
Among the residents of Archer Township, none have
labored more assiduously than the late Joseph Smith, who was born
February 11, 1801. His parents dying when he was a young child, he was
thrown on the tender mercies of strangers. In his tenth year he joined the
family of Frederick Zeller, for the purpose of learning the
blacksmith's trade, which he followed at intervals, but much of the time was
passed in assisting on the farm. With this family he remained until he was
of age, when he purchased a set of blacksmith's tools, and commenced to work for
his old employer. In this he engaged for some time, but finally, as the trade
was injuring his health, he sold his tools and embarked in the milling business,
which he followed for nearly eight years. He then purchased a small farm,
but this he soon after sold, and bought the farm now owned by Thomas
Baker. This he retained for some time, but finally disposed of it, and
removed to Perry County, Ohio, where he engaged in buying and selling coal,
making a handsome profit. He remained there for a time, and then upon the
death of his wife, he determined to return to the scene of his childhood,
trusting that familiar scenes and faces might tend to cheer him, and soon after
returning he purchased the farm which he still owns. On May 15, 1828 he
was married to Rachel, a daughter of Peter Hayes, one of
the early residents of Archer Township. Together they traveled life's
pathway, sharing each other's joys and sorrows, until September 7, 1863, when
the loving wife departed on that journey from which none return, and was buried
in Perry County, this State; she was a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr.
Smith, soon after returning to Harrison County, was married May 17, 1865,
to Jane, daughter of Henry Easlick, one of the highly
respected families of Archer Township, who were among the oldest settlers of
Harrison County, and among those most highly respected and esteemed. The family
are all deceased, except three sisters who live in Archer Township, Harrison
County. Joseph Smith died June 28, 1890, a member of the
Lutheran Church. In politics he was a Democrat, and cast his first vote
for Gen. Jackson, for whom he voted three times. He was ever
an interested observer of all matters of State and Nation, and up to the day of
his death evinced a knowledge of the affairs of the present time seldom equaled
by any. His memory to the last was excellent, and all his senses were in a
normal state. If honesty of purpose, irreproachableness of character and
unquestioned integrity make one deserving of a place in the esteem of his
fellow-citizens, Mr. Smith surely occupied a high one.
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 232 |
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SAMUEL SMITH
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 368 |
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SIMEON SMITH
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 505 |
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THEODORE W. SMITH
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 400 |
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WILLIAM F. SMITH
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 504 |
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ROBERT STEWART
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 187 |
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SAMUEL STEWART
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 643 |
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JACOB STONER
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio, Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 161 |
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