|
BIOGRAPHIES
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)
Source:
Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens.
Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois -
1903
|
ALEXANDER NEFF, who
has extensive business interests in Pultney township, Belmont
County, Ohio, is also largely engaged in agricultural pursuits,
being located on a fine farm near Neff's siding and post
office. He is a native of this township, the date of his birth
being Feb. 11, 1848, and is a son of Andrew and Jane (Alexander)
Neff.
Andrew Neff was born in 1808 and died in 1852.
He was a large farmer and stoackman and at the time of his death
owned some 800 acres of land. He married Jane Alexander,
a daughter of Robert Alexander, the Alexanders being
one of the first families of Pultney township. Our subject is
one of three sons, his two brothers being: John W., who is
largely interested in the lumber business and is located on a farm
near Neff's and Andrew J., who owns and resides upon
the old home farm in Poultney township.
Alexander Neff was reared and resided on his
father's farm until 1883, when he purchased the farm of James
Dixon, the first white child born in Pultney township, and here
he has since made his home. He owns about 430 acres of land,
all of which is devoted to general farming and stock raising.
He has erected a comfortable home and good, substantial
out-buildings, and has made all the important improvements upon the
place. In addition to farming he is engaged in merchandising
and in the lumber and coal business. He is president of the
Standard Stone & Brick Company, and president of the Neff
Coal Mining Company, of which John W. Neff is vice-president.
A. J. Neff treasurer, and Franklin Neff sold the
Standard mine to the Empire Coal Company, which operates it as the
Empire No. 6. The Neff Coal Mining Company owns about
1,500 acres of coal land. The lumber business of Mr. Neff
includes the handling of brick, plaster and all other building
materials, doing a large amount of contract work. In all his
different enterprises he handles from 20 to 40 men. He is
vice-president of the Enterprise Telephone Company, and of the Ohio
Valley Milling Company. His office is now at Neff's,
but will soon be moved to St. Clairsville Junction.
Mr. Neff was united in marriage with
Elizabeth J. Wallace, of Utica, Licking County, Ohio. In
politics he is a Democrat. He has been an elder in Coal Brook
Presbyterian Church since 1875. He is a man of the highest
type and enjoys the friendship of everyone.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois -
1903 - Page 419 |
Andrew James Neff |
ANDREW JAMES NEFF, who owns
several fine farms in Belmont County, Ohio, resides upon the home
farm in section 17, Pultney township, where his birth took place in
1850. His life was practically been spent upon that place.
This farm contains 214 acres, is finely improved with handsome
residence, substantial barns, granaries, etc. The house itself
was built by Mr. Neff's father in 1842, but many of the
improvements have been added by our subject. In addition our
subject owns a 137 acre farm in the valley south, and a 120-acre
tract in Mead township, in all about 500 acres. Most of this
land is under lease, but the home farm is operated by Mr. NEff,
who makes a specialty of raising fine fruits, especially peaches.
Some attention is also paid to stock raising and a glimpse into his
stock pens and pastures reveals the presence of some choice breeds.
Andrew J. Neff is a son of Andrew, Sr.,
and Jane (Alexander) Neff. His mother was a daughter of
Robert Alexander, one of the pioneer settlers of Belmont
County. He was a blacksmith by trade and was an expert workman
in that line, conducting for many years a shop near St. Clairsville
Junction. He purchased a farm in that vicinity, and cleared
much of the and himself. Subject's father also followed
agricultural pursuits and further mention is made of his life in the
more complete history of the Neff family give in another part
of this volume. He had three sons, John W., a resident
of Richland township; Alexander, of Pultney township, and
Andrew James, the subject of this narrative.
Andrew J. Neff attended public school in his
native township and also a private institution of learning near
Bethel. His life has been devoted almost wholly to farming in
its various branches, and success has met his efforts. He is
the proud possessor of the ancestral homestead, which he obtained by
purchasing the interest of the other heirs. His marriage with
Mary A. Brannen, a daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Shahan)
Brannen, of Pultney township, has resulted in four children.
Two of these died young, - one an infant yet unnamed, and the other,
Charles A., who was seven months old at the time of his death.
The surviving children are Herbert B. and Hazel J. The
former is attending commercial college in Bellaire and the latter is
a student in the St. Clairsville schools. Mrs. Neff's
parents were among the early settlers in Pultney township and are
still highly esteemed residents of that community.
In politics Mr. Neff is a faithful advocate of
the Democratic party. He takes a becoming interest in both
national and municipal issues. He is largely concerned in
various business organizations in his section and at the present
time is serving in an official capacity for several. He stands
well in social and religious circles, being an active member of the
Bethel Presbyterian Church.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 577 |
|
JOHN A. NEFF, SR., a prominent
farmer and large land holder of Richland township, Belmont County,
Ohio, is well and favorably known as a business man and estimable
citizen. The birth of Mr. Neff took place in 1823 in
the home in which he now lives, situated four miles southwest of St.
Clairsville.
Henry Neff, the father of John A., was
born in Allegany County, Maryland, and died in Ohio in 1830 at the
age of 51 years. In 1810 he came to Belmont County and located
on this farm which his son now owns, - the west half of section 13,
comprising 32) acres. Henry Neff was of German descent.
He displayed his loyalty to his country during the War of 1812,
serving during its continuance and being with Hull at the
time of his surrender. After the closing of this incident in
the country's history, he returned to his farm and resumed
agricultural pursuits. He belonged to the Lutheran Church, as
did his ancestors. In public affairs he took some interest;
was a Democrat in politics, and served as constable. The
mother of our subject was Elizabeth Blocher, who was born in
Cumberland, Maryland, and died in 1879 at the age of 80 years.
She also was of German descent, and a consistent and worthy member
of the Lutheran Church. These parents had three children,
namely, George, John A. and Sarah Jane, our subject
being the only survivor.
John A. Neff worked in youth on his father's
farm and attended the country schools and after learned the
brickmaking trade. He has put up a number of kilns in the
county and has made the bricks used by his neighbors in building,
and also for school houses in the vicinity. For many years he
has confined his energies to the operation and management of his
large estate. In 1851 he married Elizabeth Giffen, who
was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1830, a daughter of
Alexander and Mary Giffen, and they had a family of seven
children born to them, the survivors being: Harriet E., who
married J. N. Frazier and lives at Martin's Ferry; Albert,
who married Martha Girard, a daughter of William and
Elizabeth Girard, has five children, Pearl O., Harry A., Dale
E., Myrtle E. and John W., and is a blacksmith by trade,
engaged also in farming on a place adjoining the homestead, and
Emmet M., who resides on the homestead. Mr. Neff
and family belong to the Methodist Church. He has been
somewhat prominent in township affairs, has very acceptably filled
the office of township trustee, and is identified with the
Democratic party.
Mr. Neff has been identified with the Methodist
Episcopal Church since 1844. He has served in the capacity of
steward, class leader and superintendent of Sunday-school.
When Rev. Mr. Foutz, was assigned to the Morristown charge he
was unable, on account of failing health, to maintain the attendance
of the once filled church of Morristown. The members gradually
drifted into other churches, and in a short time it was evident that
some one would have to exert an influence to keep the church
together. Mr. Neff, being a class leader, took the
matter in hand, held meetings in the Warnock school house, and
finally when the latter privilege was denied, those members who had
followed his leadership determined to build a church. The
present Methodist Episcopal Church building of Warnock was the final
result.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois -
1903 - Page 402 |
|
JOHN W. NEFF, capitalist, planing-mill
owner, coal operator and farmer, is prominent in each line and is
one of the leading men of Belmont County. His large and
well-cultivated farm, comprising 288 acres, is located nine miles
south of St. Clairsville, and is one of the most valuable tracts of
land in Richland township.
Mr. Neff is a son of Belmont County, born in
1846, in Pultney township, his parents, Andrew and Jane
(Alexander) Neff, also being natives of the same township.
The father died in the old home in 1852, having been a successful
farmer through life, a member of the Democratic party, and long
connected with the Presbyterian Church. The mother was a
daughter of Robert Alexander, and she died in 1883, at the
age of 68 years, a most consistent member of the Presbyterian
Church. Robert Alexander's wife was a Miss Dixon.
The three children born to our subject's parents were: John W.
Alexander and Andrew J.
When Mr. Neff began his planing-mill
operations in 1880, the machinery was elected in his barn; in 1883
his great new mill was ready for the expansion which had taken place
in the business, which is now the most extensive in its line in the
county. The many articles manufactured at his plant include
such as the following: Siding, flooring, molding, brackets, casing,
ceiling, window and door frames, farm ladders, step ladders, water
troughs, sleds, telephone brackets, porch columns, fence pickets,
paper roofing, Carey's roofing, lining paper, deadening felt,
shingles, lath, lime, plaster, doors, windows, transoms, wire cloth,
fence, wood pumps, Myers' pumps and hay tools, spraying pumps,
roller doors, track and hangers, pulleys, rope (3/4 inch and under),
hinges, locks and catches, nails, oil and paints, ochre, white lead
and roof coating. To meet further demands, Mr. Neff is
building another plant at Neff's siding. Another of his
enterprises, the Neff Coal Company, is located just below. Mr.
Neff is interested in the Shadyside Real Estate & Improvement
Company, in various lots and enterprises in Bellaire, and is also a
stockholder in the Dollar Savings Bank of Bellaire.
In 1873, Mr. Neff was married to Mary E.
McKelvey, a daughter of Samuel and Lucinda (Creamer) McKelvey.
She was born in Mead township, Belmont County, in 1847. Four
children were born to this union, namely: Lizzie E., who
married Frank Mellott; Harry A., who married Dora Schramm,
daughter of Jacob Schramm; Andrew; and Oliver.
The religious connection of the family is with the Presbyterian
Church. Mr. Neff is a man of business, stability and
integrity and is regarded with feelings of the highest esteem
throughout Belmont County. Mr. Neff was one of the
promoters of the Enterprise Telephone Company, and has been a
director in the organization since its incorporation. In
connection with his many other enterprises, he is also successfully
engaged in the fruit growing industry, making a specialty of plums
and small fruit.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois -
1903 - Page 795 |
|
PETER NEFF, a representative of one
of Belmont County's oldest and most prominent families, is engaged
in farming in Pultney township near the farm on which he was born,
Aug. 28, 1822.
Peter Neff is a son of George and Margaret
(Helm) Neff, who came to Pultney township from near Baltimore,
Maryland, as early as the spring of 1806. George Neff
owned a farm, but followed blacksmithing, being one of the first to
follow that trade in the county. They were parents of the
following children: Jacob, Andrew, Henry, Mary, George, Hannah,
John, Peter and Elizabeth.
Jacob Neff, who was born Dec. 18, 1806 was married
to Mary Owen, June 17, 1830. He lived and died in
Richland township. Andrew, born Nov. 24, 1808, was
married to Jane Alexander, April 1, 1845, Henry, born
July 30, 1811, is the oldest of the family now living. He was
married to Matilda A. Hall on Oct. 15, 1844.
Mary, born July 30, 1813, is now deceased. George,
born Feb. 20, 1815, was married Mar. 6, 1849, to Sarah Bucher,
who died in June, 1900. He resides on his farm near Neff's
siding. For a period of 60 years he conducted the sawmill
now operated by his son, Franklin, it having been built in
1832. He has six children, as follows: John B., who is
vice-president and general manager of a large fruit exchange in
California; Enoch, who is a physician of St. Joseph,
Missouri; George, who died at the age of two years;
Margaret E., who died in 1882, at the age of 26 years;
Franklin, born in 1858, is a civil engineer, manages his
father's farm, is interested in coal and manufacturing enterprises
and is secretary and treasurer of the Standard Stone & Brick
Company, - he was married in 1891 to Mary E. Hall, a daughter
of William Hall of Pultney township; and MAry S., who
married James S. Culverhouse of Cadiz. Hannah,
the sixth child of George and Margaret (Helm) Neff, was born
Aug. 1, 1817, and was married Oct. 15, 1840, to James T. Scott.
John, deceased, was born Jan. 19, 1820. Elizabeth, who
was born Aug. 29, 1825, married Enoch D. Crawford, Oct. 21,
1852.
Peter Neff is living on a farm which
formed a part of the old homestead, and his fine brick residence is
but a short distance from the place where he was born, although a
new house stands on the old site. He follows general farming
and has a great deal of pasture land, raising thoroughbred stock.
Peter Neff was married Nov. 20,
1852, to Eliza Jane Thompson, who died Aug. 2, 1896, leaving
two children: Clarence W., and Ada. Clarence W.
was born Dec. 25, 1853, and actively manages our subject's farm of
326 acres. He married Mary Bell McKelvey, Oct. 20,
1876, and has two children: Alva Meades and Ada Luella.
Ada, who was born Mar. 23, 1857, was married Oct. 25, 1876, to
Thomas McKelvey, who resides near Bethel station, by whom she
has two children; Clarence, who is with the Charles Arnold
drug company of Bellaire, and May, who is at home. In
politics, Mr. Neff is a Democrat. He is a member of the
Coal Brook Presbyterian Church. His son Clarence W. and
the latter's wife belong to the Belmont United Presbyterian Church.
Source:
Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois -
1903 - Page 779 |
|
THEODORE NEFF, one
of the best known citizens and business men of Belmont County, Ohio,
maintains an office at No. 3184 Union Street, Bellaire, and conducts
the largest fire, life, accident, tornado and windstorm insurance
business in the county. He is a native of this county, having
been born in York township, Oct. 15, 1851, and is a son of George
and Martha (Williams) Neff.
The Neff or Neife family originally came
from Switzerland, locating in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Conrad Neff, a grandfather of our subject, a native of Maryland,
with two brothers, John and George, started overland for
Missouri in 1897. Upon arriving at Wheeling, (West) Virginia,
the wife of Conrad Neff was taken sick and died.
John Neff proceeded to Missouri, but George remained with
Conrad. With their families they crossed the river and
located a few miles from Bridgeport, in Belmont County, where they
entered land. The numerous representatives of the Neff
family, so widely known in Belmont County, are all descended
from these hardy pioneers. By his first wife Conrad Neff
had two children. He formed a second union in 1802 or 1803
with Elizabeth Freeley, by whom he had ten children, among
them being the father of our subject. Of the twelve children
of whom he was father, all lived to reach the age of seventy years,
and one of them, Benjamin, is now residing in Pultney
township, being past eighty years of age.
George Neff was born three miles east of St.
Clairsville in 1809, and died Dec. 18, 1884. He followed the
occupation of farming, and during most of his life resided near
Captina Creek. He married Martha Williams, who was born
in 1811 in one of the first hosues built in Bridgeport, and died in
September, 1878. She was a daughter of Ezra Williams,
who was born in County Cork, Ireland, and came to this country at an
early day.
Theodore Neff's boyhood days were spent in York
township, where he lived until he passed the age of 35 years.
In 1901 he purchased his present home farm, a part of the Jacob
Rodefer farm, on the hill overlooking many miles of the Ohio
Valley and the cities of Wheeling and Bellaire. Here he will
soon have laid out and suitably set with trees a park to be known as
Neff's Grandview Park, which will be a valuable addition to
the city of Bellaire. A means of transportation will be
provided to convey people up and down the bluff, and the view being
one of unsurpassed beauty it will be a very popular place.
Mr. Neff owns five farms in Belmont County, and for many years
has engaged in growing vegetables and raising thoroughbred stock and
fowls of all kinds. He is a Democrat in politics, but has
accepted of no offices except assessor of York township, in which
capacity he served two terms. He and his son, Edney,
are members of Ionic Lodge No. 438, F. & A. M. On his farm is
located an abundance of splendid molding sand, for the removal and
exportation of which the Belmont Sand Company was organized.
The pits contain sands of every grade, for heavy and light molding,
building, and for plastering and bricklaying. The company
controls the large pits on Mr. Neff's farm and others in the
county, and supply sand for the local market and for many large
corporations in other parts of the country, including the
Pennsylvania Railroad. At the present time about 100 tons per
day are taken from the pits and loaded upon cars. In the near
future up-to-date machinery, probably electrical, will be installed
to reduce to a minimum the expense of loading and digging.
Ochre is also found conveniently and will later be developed.
Mr. Neff has been the prime mover in various business
enterprises, notable among which is the Enterprise Enamel Company,
of which he purchased the first shares of stock.
Five different business concerns have their office and
headquarters at No. 3184 Union street, the office of Mr. Neff.
Following is a brief sketch of each:
The Belmont Electric Light & Power
Company was organized in 1899 by Theodore Neff, J.
B. Watt, John T. Flynn, J. A. Green and Thomas E. Shelly.
J. A. Green is president; H. A. Neff, secretary and
manager, and five of the organizers are directors. The plant
is located on Monroe street, between 35th and 36th streets, and
supplies light and power for the city.
The Neff Real Estate & Investment
Company was organized and chartered under the laws of
Ohio in the spring of 1902 by Theodore Neff, John W. Neff, Harry
A. Neff, Thomas B. McKelvey and J. O. McKelvey, these men
constituting the board of directors. The officers are: T.
B. McKelvey, president; Harry A. Neff, secretary, and
E. D. Neff, treasurer. An extensive business has been done
toward improving the city and suburbs, especially at Shadyside,
where free excursions are run by the company and many lots have been
sold for residence and speculative purposes. The prospects of
the suburb for a home site are bright.
The Enterprise Telephone Company
has over sixty phones in use, besides centrals, accommodating a
large number of farms and business houses. The suburban line
operates through St. Joe, McClainsville, Neff's siding, Bald
Knob, etc., with central at Valonia and branches to Dillie's Bottom,
and central at Key, with branches among farmers. It has
central exchange with the National and Ohio Valley companies at
Bellaire. Robert McKelvey is president; William
Unterzuber, vice-president; Franklin Neff, secretary, and
J. O. McKelvey, treasurer. Among the directors are
William Ramsey, Samuel White, John W. Neff, Alexander Neff, and
Dr. Korell of Key.
The Eastern Ohio Milling Company
was recently incorporated for the purpose of milling,
dealing in feed and the wholesale grocery business. The
officers are: George O. Robinson, president; Morris Elikan,
vice-president, and J. P. Clutter, secretary and treasurer.
The office will be at the old Ault Mill, which will be remodeled and
equipped. The directors of the company include Alexander
Neff and H. A. Neff.
December 4, 1878, Theodore Neff was united
in marriage with Nancy J. McKelvey of Mead township, and they
have three children, namely, Edney D., aged 22 years, who has
for the past five years engaged in the insurance business with his
father; Jacob H., who is 18 years old and lives at
home, and Carrie L., aged 16 years. Religiously
the family attends the U. P. Church.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois -
1903 - Page 495 |
|
FRED NEININGER, mayor of the city of
Bridgeport, has led a wonderfully active life in business affairs
all over his township and county. He is engaged in the butcher
business in Bridgeport, being the oldest in that business in
township, and is a stockholder in the Hide & Tallow Association, and
in the Union Opera House of Bridgeport, Ohio.
Our subject is a son of John and Lucia (Gaus)
Neininger, and was born June 15, 1857, claiming Wheeling, West
Virginia, as his birthplace. His father and mother were
natives of Germany and emigrated to the United States and conducted
a hotel at Wheeling. In 1865 John settled in
Bridgeport, and started in business as a grocer and later embarked
in the wholesale liquor business in which he continued until his
death at the age of forty-five years, in 1871. His wife has
now reached the age of sixty-nine years and is still numbered among
the inhabitants of Bridgeport. She and her husband had five
children, our subject being the second. They are: Emma,
now the wife of Elias Williams, of Wellsville, Ohio; Fred
(subject); Bertha, now Mrs. Fred Delman of Bridgeport;
Joseph, working in the mills at Columbus, Ohio; and Louis,
who died at an early age of twenty years.
Fred Neininger received his education in the
schools of Bridgeport, and at the close of those delightful days
learned the trade of a butcher, and worked as a journeyman for
thirteen years. He then embarked in the butcher business of
Bridgeport and was for six years president of the Wheeling Butchers'
Protective Association. He is a charter member of the Hide &
Tallow Association, and interested in many other business
enterprises.
Sept. 5, 1878, our subject was united in marriage with
Louisa Cedars, a native of Germany, and they have five
children: viz., Lucia, a bookkeeper and typewriter;
Eva, a member of the class of 1902 of the Bridgeport High
School; Fred, Dora M., and Ada. The entire
family are members of the English Lutheran Church, and attend
services regularly.
Mr. Neininger is a Democrat in politics and
takes a lively interest in township and county affairs. In
1892 he was elected councilman, and his service in this line
was so satisfactory that in 1894 he was re-elected. In 1896 he
was elected to the position of treasurer, and served with credit
until 1898, when he became a candidate for mayor of Bridgeport and
was elected, serving until the close of the nineteenth century, and
was re-elected to start the new century. While fulfilling his
duties as treasurer he ran for county commissioner on the Democratic
ticket, and ran 1028 votes ahead of the ticket. All the
Republicans elected had a majority of 1600 with the exception of the
opponent of our subject who had only 412 majority and this alone
speaks well for our subject's popularity not only with the
Democrats, but likewise with the Republicans.
In fraternal circles Mr. Neininger is a member
of the Knights of Pythias and also affiliates with the Elks.
He is a progressive and up-to-date man and evidently believes firmly
in twentieth century progress.
Source: Centennial History of
Belmont County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical
Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 482 |
W. A. Nichol |
W. A. NICHOL, a well
known jeweler, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, was born in that city, Feb.
20, 1879, and is a son of Clark C. and Mary (Campbell) Nichol.
All that is known of the ancestry of the
Nichol family, in the direct line of the subject of
this biography. is recorded as follows: Thomas Nichol,
of County Derry, Ireland, was one of seven brothers who came from
Scotland at a time of persecution. He married Isabelle
Cooke, and their son, John, who married Martha
Love, lived in the same home, which was known as Nichol’s
Hill.
John Nichol (2), son of John and Martha
(Love) Nichol, was born in 1763, and was the
great-great-grandparent of W. A. Nichol. He married
Anna Woodburn, who was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1763,
and was a daughter of William Woodburn, of Churchtown, County
Derry. This marriage was solemnized by the Rev. Mr. Brizzle,
July 9, 1784, and the union resulted in the birth of 14 children,
the oldest child, - Mary, - having been born May 11, 1785,
and Thomas, the youngest child, having been born May 6, 1805.
John Nichol and his wife came to this country in 1789.
They first settled in Cumberland, and later, in Westmoreland,
Pennsylvania. They came to Belmont County, Ohio, in 1800,
where John died in 1829, and his wife in 1857. Their
fourth child, and oldest son, William Nichol, was born in
1789, and died in 1885. His wife Harriet Mitchell, was
born in 1789, and died in 1870. They were the
great-grandparents of the subject of this sketch, and had eight
children. Hon. Thomas M. Nichol, the oldest of these
eight children,, and the grandfather of W. A. Nichol, was a
well known man of his day. He married Margaret Creamer,
and they had eight children, the oldest being Clark C. Nichol,
the father of W. A. This remarkable family, the
descendants of John and Anna (Woodburn) Nichol, assembled at
the St. Clairsville Fairgrounds in 1889 to celebrate the one
hundredth anniversary of the arrival of the Nichol family in
America. At the time of the reunion, there had been 94
grandchildren, 57 of whom were living; 366 great-grandchildren, 300
of whom were living; 428 great-great-grandchildren, 388 of whom were
living, and 32 great-great-great-grandchildren, all of whom were at
that date alive. The above shows a grand total of 935, a most
remarkable record.
Clark C. Nichol was born in Belmont County, near
Uniontown, and has been a frmer of this county for a number of
years. He served as a school director for 25 years, and was a
prominent factor in educational circles. He married Mary
Campbell, also a native of Belmont County. She has three
brothers - William, of Lucas County, Iowa; John, of
Harrison County, Ohio, and George, of Belmont County, Ohio,
all of whom are engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch
is one of three children, the others being: Jessie, who
died Feb. 27, 1892; and Lulu, who is attending school.
W. A. Nichol attended public schools of his
native town, and then learned the Jeweler's businss. He
clerked in a jewelry store for two months, and then bought a half
interest. Later he purchased the entire business of the late
George Brown, which was established in 1841. He has met
with splendid success, and carries a full and handsome line of
jewelry and jewelers' supplies. Mr. Nichol is greatly
interested in the welfare of the people in his community, and is
always ready to assist in any public enterprise. He stands
high both in a mercantile and social way, and is one of the rising
young business men of St. Clairsville. Mr. Nichol was
united in marriage June 4, 1902, to Blanche Hartley, of St.
Clairsville, Ohio. Mr. Nichol is a member of the United
Presbyterian Church, of St. Clairsville.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont
County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical
Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 431 |
|
|
WILLIAM NICHOL, a representative farmer
of Belmont County, Ohio, has a fine home in section 2, Pultney
township, and devotes much time to stock raising. He is a descendant
of one of the pioneer families of Belmont County, and was born April
24, 1830, on McMechen's Creek, near Stewartsville, in Richland
township.
Thomas Nichol, the great-great-grand father of
our subject, was a native of County Derry, Ireland. He was a
descendant of one of seven brothers who sought refuge in that country,
fleeing from Scotland on account of religious persecutions. He married
Isabelle Cooke, and their son. John Nichol.
lived in the same home on Nichol's Hill. John Nichol
married Martha Love. Their son. John Nichol,
married Anna Woodburn, and with his wife immigrated to
the United States in 1789. They first settled in Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania, but subsequently removed to Westmoreland County in the
same State. About the year 1800 they moved farther west and located in
Colerain township. Belmont County, Ohio. Their son, William Nichol,
Sr., was the father of our subject.
William Nichol. Sr., was born in 1789 and died
in 1855. He married Harriet Mitchell. who was born in
1789 and died in 1870. many years after the death of her husband.
Numerous children were born to this worthy couple, our subject being
the youngest one of the six who lived to mature years. Other members
of the family are: Thomas M., Nancy, John.
Jemima Jane and Harriet. Thomas M. Nichol was
born in 1817 and died in September, 1896, at Uniontown, Wheeling
township. He married Margaret Creamer, whose death
occurred a few months previous to that of her husband, during February
of the same year. They reared a family of six sons and one daughter,
who for the most part have their residences in Wheeling township.
Nancy Nichol was born in 1818, and June 1, 1898, marks the
date of her death. She was twice married, and is survived by two sons
and one daughter. Pier first husband was William McGaw,
and her second, John Johnson. John Nichol
was born in 1820. His death took place in 1888. His widow, whose
maiden name was Jean Robb, is still living, being at the
present writing a resident of Monmouth, Illinois. Jemima
Jane Nichol was born in 1825 and is also a resident of
Monmouth, Illinois. She married James Boyd, deceased
since 1878, and she has three daughters, all of whom are residents of
Illinois. Harriet Nichol was born in June, 1827, and
died quite recently, August 20, 1902. She was the wife of T. J.
King of Richland township.
William Nichol was reared and educated in
his native township, which continued to be his home until October,
1872, when he purchased his present home in Pultney township,
previously known as the Kelsey farm. This farm is finely
located and contains 115 acres. Mr. Nichol has added
many substantial improvements to the place, and his home farm is
conceded by many to be among the finest in the county. In addition, he
owns another fine farm in Richland township, near Franklin station,
which he leases.
September 16, 1858, our subject was united in marriage
with Nancy Neff of Richland township, where her birth
took place in 1839. Six children blessed this union, as follows:
Isaiah, Minnie E., Mary N., Dorcas Anne. Elmer W. and Delia
Rhea. Isaiah was born July 10, 1859. He married Ella
Alexander of St. Clairsville Junction, Ohio, and they have two
children. Maggie Estella. born September 23, 1888. and
Mary Alta. born September 14, 1890. Minnie E.
was born August 6,1862, and resides at home, as do also her sisters,
Mary N., born in August, 1865. and Delia Rhea. born
February 7, T883, and her brother. Elmer W.. who was born September 9,
1876. Dorcas Anne was born October 13, 1870. She married
Rev. E. H. Thompson of Crawfordsville, Iowa, and they have one
child, Helen Frances, whose birth occurred January 20,
1901.
In politics Mr. Nichol is a firm Democrat
and does all he can in a legitimate way to advance the interests of
that party. He and his wife have the good will and respect of all who
know them and are faithful members of the United Presbyterian Church.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont
County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical
Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 372
PLEASE NOTE: The book lists E. M. Thompson, however a
correction has made by his granddaughter. The email is as
follows:
Sharon-
and its transcription of:
Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio, and
Representative Citizens
Thank you for your heroic work.
Beyond that, I would like to offer you a minor correction.
A piece of the data (which your transcribed accurately) on the
1st paragraph, page 372.
It says: "She married Rev. E. M. Thompson of Crawfordsville,
Iowa, and they have one child, Helen Frances, whose birth
occurred January 20, 1901."
The correct text would be:
"She
married Rev.
E. H. Thompson of
Crawfordsville, Iowa, and they have one child, Helen Frances,
whose birth occurred January 20, 1901."
E. H. Thompson was my grandfather and Dorcas my grandmother.
E. H. stood for Ezekiel Hugh.
My older brother Hugh Walter Thompson was named for each of
his grandfathers.
We are the children of Will Scroggs Thompson, born July 19, 1904
(after the referenced book was published).
If you wish further information, please do not hesitate to get
in touch.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey O. Thompson
158 Paseo Ct.
Mountain View, CA 94043-5286
|
|
|
|
OTHO P. NORRIS,
cashier of the People's National Bank of Barnesville, Ohio, has been
connected with that institution since its organization in 1883, and
during his long term of service he has made a record that has been
unusually satisfactory to his directors. Mr. Norris was born on
the 8th of March, 1859, in Belmont County, Ohio, and is one of a
family of six children born to Dr. Otho Norris and his wife,
Rachel (Barlow) Norris, both of whom are deceased.
Dr. Otho Norris was one of Belmont County's most
promising physicians. His useful career was terminated by his death in
1859, and many of the older residents of the county recall to mind his
useful deeds and lofty character.
Otho P. Norris spent his boyhood's days chiefly
in Morristown, where he received his primary education. This was
supplemented by a thorough course in Muskingum College, from which he
was graduated in 1881. The following year was spent in Cincinnati,
Ohio, and in 1882 he located in Barnesville, engaging at that time in
the real estate and insurance business in the office of his brother,
Perry E. Norris.
In 1883 he entered the People's National Bank as
teller, and has been with that successful institution ever since,
being elected cashier of the bank in 1895. It is pertinent in this
connection to notice that more than a half million dollars have been
added to the resources of the bank since he assumed the cashiership
seven years ago, the addition being due largely to his energy,
thorough equipment and experience.
November 16, 1887. our subject was united in marriage
to Kate Shannon Bradfield, the accomplished
daughter of the late John Bradfield. formerly one of
Barnesville's most illustrious citizens, and whose biography appears
elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Norris have one daughter, Anna
B.
In fraternal circles our subject is identified with the
Knights of Pythias, and in local educational affairs he has given
freely of his services, having been closely identified with the
management of the public schools for many years. In politics he is a
Republican, but he has never sought publicity in an official capacity.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont
County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical
Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 325 |
NOTES: |
