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Source:
20th Century History of Steubenville & Jefferson Co., Ohio
by Joseph B. Doyle -
Publ Richmond-Arnold Publ. Co. - Chicago -
1910
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Hon. Rees G. Richards |
HON. REES GRIFFITH
RICHARDS, judge of the Court of Common Pleas of
Jefferson County, and formerly a prominent member of both
the upper and lower houses of the state legislature, as
well as lieutenant governor, has still further claim to
the respect and consideration of his fellow citizens,
being one of the honored survivors of the great Civil War,
in which he served gallantly from 1861 until 1865.
Judge Richards was born July 22, 1842, in Wales, a
country that has contributed largely to the best
citizenship of the United States.
In 1852 the parents of Judge Richards, William G.
and Sarah (Griffith) Richards, brought the children to
America and the father established himself in the
blacksmith business in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.
Subsequently he acquired land and engaged in farming in
that section until his death in 1863, while his son was
absent assisting in maintaining the integrity of his
adopted country.
Judge Richards as a boy was given the best
schooling that his father could secure for him; he was
also encouraged to learn a self supporting trade, and thus
he became a skilled wagonmaker. While no ex__ency of
life has ever compelled him to put this knowledge to
practical use, he willingly concedes the value of the
discipline. He was only sixteen years of age when he
taught his first term of school, and as he continued to
teach, he alternated this occupation with school
attendance. The outbreak of the Civil War gave a new
current to his life, for in September, 1861, he enlisted
for service in the Federal Army, becoming g a member of
Company G, 45th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which
he served with noted valor until he was honorable mustered
out at Harrisburg, Pa., in August, 1865. During the
long interim he participated in army stirring scenes and
memorable battles and his promotion from the ranks was
rapid. On September 14, 1862, his commission as
captain of his company reached him, the direct outcome of
particularly meritorious service on the field at South
Mountain. He took part in a number of the early
skirmishes and fought at South Mountain, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Blue Springs, Campbell's Station,
Knoxville, Vicksburg, Jackson, the Wilderness,
Spottsylvania Court House and Petersburg, being taken
prisoner at the latter place on July 30, 1864. His
escape from prison on February 16, 1865, and his
subsequent four weeks of wandering and concealment in the
miasmatic swamps and forest of several southern states
before he reached the Union lines, furnishes material for
a thrilling story of endurance and sustained courage.
He reached Knoxville, Tenn., on March 16, and joined his
regiment at Alexandria, being welcomed as one snatched
from the jaws of a prison death. From that time on
until the close of the war he was a member of the staff of
General Curtin. His only wound during the whole
period of service was one received at the battle of
Jackson, which only temporarily affected him.
In December, 1865, Mr. Richards removed to
Youngstown, O. The bent of his mind was in the
direction of the law, but at that time he did not clearly
see his way to devoting his attention to its exclusive
study, and in his new surroundings embarked in a
mercantile business, continuing there for two years and
then removing to Irondale, Jefferson County, where he
engaged in mercantile pursuits for the following six
years. In the meanwhile he had become a prominent
factor in Republican politics and in 1873 he was elected a
member of the state legislature, in which he served two
terms. In 1876 he was admitted to the bar, but had
scarcely entered into practice before he was again called
into the political arena and in the fall of 1877 he was
elected to the state senate. In this honorable body
he served for two full terms, and during his last term, on
account of the absence of the lieutenant governor, it was
necessary to make a choice of one fitted to fill that
office temporarily and Senator Richards was
selected for that important position. In the fall of
1881 he was elected lieutenant governor and when he
retired to private life after the expiration of his term
he had served the state of Ohio four years in one of its
highest executive offices. Years of successful law
practice followed, he having established his home, in the
meantime, at Steubenville, and subsequently he was again
called into public life, being elected common pleas judge
of Jefferson County. Few men are better qualified
for judicial position than Judge Richards, and on
the bench as in legislative halls his efficiency has been
universally recognized.
On November 22, 1865, Judge Richards was married
to Miss Catherine C. Rees, daughter of David and
Mary (Morgan) Rees, of Tioga County, Pa., and of Welsh
extraction. He was married secondly to Miss
Elizabeth Johnson, who is a daughter of Dr. Thomas
Johnson and a member of a well known family of
Jefferson County. Three children have been born to
this second marriage, of whom Catherine and
Sarah are deceased and Margaret resides at
home. The beautiful family home in Steubenville is
at No. 609 North Fourth Street. Judge Richards
is identified with the Masons and the Grand Army of the
Republic.
Source: 20th Century History of Steubenville & Jefferson Co., Ohio by Joseph
B. Doyle - Publ Richmond-Arnold Publ. Co. - Chicago - 1910 -
Page 547 |
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J. B. ROBB*,
a prosperous business man of Toronto, Ohio, dealing in
wall paper, paints, china and toys, was born in this
city, Oct. 1, 1865, and is a son of William and
Harriet (McCoy) Robb.
William Robb was born on a farm one mile
above Toronto, in Jefferson County, where he grew to
manhood and remained until his marriage, after which he
worked as a brick molder. He died in 1867.
He married Harriet McCoy, who was born and
reared on a farm adjacent to his home, and was a
daughter of Samuel McCoy. Her
maternal grandfather, Samuel Arbuckle, was
one of the pioneer hat manufacturers of this section.
Mrs. Robb survived her husband many years,
her death occurring Sept. 8, 1908.
J. B. Robb was only two years old when his
father died. He was carefully reared by his good
mother and attended school at Toronto until he was
fifteen years of age. He then learned the
painter's trade and continued to work at it until the
season of 1909, when he retired entirely from that
business. In the meanwhile, in 1901, he had put in
his first stock of wall paper, having small quarters on
the corner of Third and Main Streets, where he remained
until his increasing trade made greater facilities a
necessity. On July 5, 1904, he moved into his
present commodious store, having purchased the property
and put up a building especially fitted for
merchandising. He has added to his original stock
until he carries a very complete line of plain and
ornamental wall paper, together with a large stock of
attractive goods in the lines above mentioned.
Mr. Robb was married to Miss
Alice Prosser. a daughter of William
Prosser, and they have had four children: Ruby
and an unnamed twin; Gerald, and Claude,
the last named dying at the age of three years.
Mr. Robb is identified with the order of
Woodmen of the World and with the National Protective
Legion.
Source: 20th Century History of Steubenville &
Jefferson Co., Ohio by Joseph B. Doyle - Published
by
Richmond-Arnold Publ. Co. - Chicago - 1910 - Page
1093 |
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JOSEPH ROBERTSON,
M. D., who has been successfully engaged in the
practice of medicine and surgery at Steubenville, Ohio,
for twenty years and is closely identified with its many
interests, was born in 1852, on his father's farm, four
miles north of this city. His parents were
David and Margaret L. (Plummer) Robertson, and his
grandfather was Joseph Robertson, who came from
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He settled in
Jefferson County prior to the War of 1812, in which he
took part.
David Robertson, father of Dr. Robertson,
was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1825, and engaged
in farming all through life. He married
Margaret L. Plummer, of Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, and Dr. Robertson was the first
born of their five children, the others being Molly,
Sally J., Jessie and Annie, the latter of
whom is the wife of R. J. Lyle, of Washington
County, Pennsylvania. Sally J. is now
deceased.
Joseph Robertson attended the local schools and
spent one year in Washington and Jefferson College,
after which he read medicine with private preceptors and
subsequently graduated in medicine and surgery from the
Columbus Medical College, in 1881. He located
first near the old home of the grandfathers, in
Westmoreland County, later move to Harrison county,
Ohio, and one year afterward returned to Jefferson
County. He is a member of the Jefferson County and
the Ohio State Medical Societies and of the American
Medical Association and keeps thoroughly abreast with
the times in all that concerns his science. Dr.
Robertson was married in 1884, to Miss Martha B.
Smith, who died in 1886. Dr. Robertson
is a member of the United Presbyterian church is
Steubenville and belongs to the Session.
Source: 20th Century History of Steubenville & Jefferson Co.,
Ohio by Joseph B. Doyle - Publ. Richmond-Arnold Publ. Co. - Chicago - 1910 -
Page 562 |
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G. W. ROBINSON,
of the firm of Erwin & Robinson, leading
merchants in Jefferson County, Ohio, and jobbers in wall
paper and window shades, with fine quarters at Nos.
124-126 North Fourth Street, Steubenville, is one of hte
city's most progressive and enterprising business men.
He was born in Steubenville, in 1870, and was reared in
his native city. W. H. Robinson, father of
G. W. Robinson, was born in the State of New York
and came early in life to Steubenville, where his death
occurred in 1899. He was engaged in the
manufacturing business and was one of hte proprietors of
the Robinson & Erwin machine shops.
The first work in which G. W. Robinson engaged
after leaving school, was an an errand boy in the old
Jefferson Iron works, entering the nail mills when
twelve years old and remaining with that concern until
he was eighteen, and from there entered the employ of
Winfield Schott, Son & Company, where he continued
for seven years. Mr. Robinson then went to
Pittsburg and for three years was with the E.
Groetzmyer carpet store and then engaged in the
commission business for six months. All this was
but preparatory training and it was after he returned to
Steubenville that Mr. Robinson entered on what
has been a very successful business career. In
association with Emmet McD. Erwin, he bought out
the old book, stationery and wall paper business of
Mr. Timberlake, and in 1899 the firm of Erwin &
Robinson was established. It has been
developed in every direction by careful planning and
excellent business judgment until now it is one of the
largest enterprises of its kind in all this section.
The firm carries a full line of books, stationery,
furniture, carpets and china, and deals by wholesale in
wall paper and window shades. The firm has won the
confidence of the trade all over the country and has
established a name for honest goods and fair methods in
every part of Eastern Ohio. In 1907 the firm
erected its fine three-story building, with dimensions
of 41 by 130 feet on North Fourth Street, a first class
business stand.
In October, 1903, Mr. Robinson was married to
Miss Carrell Huston, a daughter of Samuel Huston,
a prominent citizen, and they have two children:
William G. and Carrell. Mr. and Mrs.
Robinson are members of the First Presbyterian
Church. He is identified with the order of Elks
and is a trustee of the lodge at Steubenville, and he
belongs also to the Steubenville Chamber of Commerce.
Source: 20th Century History of Steubenville & Jefferson Co.,
Ohio by Joseph B. Doyle - Publ Richmond-Arnold Publ. Co. - Chicago - 1910 -
Page
1011 |
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JOSEPH CALDWELL ROBINSON*,
superintendent of the Augusta Mine and president of the
school board of Rayland, Ohio has been a resident here
since 1869. He was born June 5, 1852, on a farm in
Brooks County, West Virginia, a son of Joseph C. and
Ann (Leasure) Robinson.
Joseph C. Robinson, father of our subject, was
born at Buffalo Creek, Brooks County, W. Va., on the
farm on which his father settled during the early period
when the country was still inhabitated by the Indians.
Joseph inherited the farm at Buffalo Creek and
was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until late in
life, when he removed to Wellsburg, W. Va., where he
died at the age of seventy-two years. His marriage
with Ann Leasure resulted in the birth of the
following children: Jessie, deceased;
Providence, who married James Hukle, Lydia,
who married Isaac Davis; Pricilla, who is the
wife of Coon Silvers; Wells; George, and
Joseph C., our subject, twins; Gilbert; Anna;
and Lula, the deceased wife of Samuel Dyer.
Joseph C. Robinson spent his boyhood on the farm in
Brooks County, W. Va., and attended the district schools
until fourteen years of age. He then worked in the
coal mines three years, after which he came to the
Jefferson County, Ohio, and worked on the mines at
Warrenton. In 1883 he became mine boss of the
Yorkville Mines, and nine years later went to the Kelly
mine, where he worked as mine boss for four years.
He subsequently opened the Rayland Coal Company's mine,
then known as the Portland mine, and in 1903 accepted
his present position as superintendent and mine boss of
the Augusta Mine, known as Red Mud. During his
entire service as superintendent of the various mines
where he has been employed there has been but one an
killed in the mines, and that was his son, Charles.
Mr. Robinson was marred Dec. 25, 1873, to Mary
Collins, who died in June, 1875, and his second
marriage occurred June 13, 1876, with Mary King,
who is a daughter of Otha and Mary King, of Ohio
County, W. Va. To them have been born five
children: Frank; Charles, who died aged 22 years,
married Goldie Davidson and was the father of one
child, Delcie; Delcie, who died aged 16 years;
Marie, who is the wife of Arthur Filmore; and
Rachel. Mr. Robinson is a Republican
politically, and is now serving his second term as
president of the Rayland school board. He has for
the past twenty-one years served in various township
offices, including that of township trustee,, treasurer
and member of the school board.
Source: 20th Century History of Steubenville & Jefferson Co.,
Ohio by Joseph B. Doyle - Publ Richmond-Arnold Publ. Co. - Chicago - 1910 -
Page
1194 |
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R. H. RUSSELL,
city engineer of Toronto, Ohio, with offices in the
Windsor Hotel Block, is a graduate of both civil and
mining engineering schools and is well known
professionally in both Ohio and Pennsylvania. He
was born at South Wales, near Buffalo, Erie Co., N. Y.,
Feb. 7, 1879, and is a son of Miller F. and Esther
Irene (Barber) Russell, both of whom still reside at
Buffalo, N. Y., where the father is a carpenter and
contractor.
R. H. Russell was educated at South Wales and
East Aurora, N. Y., graduating from the High School at
the latter place when seventeen years of age. He
had already made some progress in. the study of
engineering, in the previous year having taken a
correspondence course and also studied at night with a
private tutor, at Buffalo. At the time the
Lakeside Cemetery, situated about ten miles from
Buffalo, was being laid out and arranged for its
purpose, Mr. Russell secured employment
under the contractor and served two years as assistant
engineer and two years as chief engineer, beginning his
professional work here when but eighteen years of age
and becoming chief of construction before he had reached
his majority. After the satisfactory completion of
this large contract, he went to Buffalo and there
entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad on the
construction of the terminal, and about nine mouths
later he was transferred to Sayre, Pa. He
continued in the employ of the same road on the
maintenance of way, and from there came to Toronto, in
1902. For five years he was with A. G. White
and for two years was with Westinghouse, Church, Kerr &
Co., as a civil engineer in charge of construction on
the electric street railway from Steubenville, Ohio, to
Rochester, Pa., while it was in course of construction
and during that time made his headquarters at East
Liverpool, Ohio. In September, 1909, he opened his
office at Toronto. He has additional interests,
being manager of the U. S. Specialty Co., the factory of
which is located at New Brighton, Pa.
Mr. Russell married Miss Hettie J.
McCurdy, at Toronto, Ohio, and they have one son,
George McCurdy. The father of Mrs. Russell
was the late James McCurdy, formerly a
prominent attorney at Steubenville, Ohio. Mr.
and Mrs. Russell are members of the First
Presbyterian Church of Toronto. He is a 32nd
Degree Mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge at Toronto,
the Lodge of Perfection at Steubenville and the
Consistory at Cleveland. He is identified also
with the Modern Woodmen of America at South Wales, N. Y.
Source: 20th Century History of Steubenville &
Jefferson Co., Ohio by Joseph B. Doyle - Publ
Richmond-Arnold Publ. Co. - Chicago - 1910 - Page
1027 |
NOTES:
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