Pultney Township (part 1 of 3)

Pultney Township

The tax duplicate for 1902 shows a gain of personal property amounting to $103,586 in Bellaire alone, while the tax levy in the township is 2.08 as against 2.18 in 1901 and 2.48 in Bellaire as against 2.66 in 1901.

The township officers in 1902 are as follows : Trustees - William M. Moore, J. M. Paul, Irwin Baker, John W. Morrell, J. M. Richardson and Frank S. Mason; clerk, - B. W. Hopkins ; treasurer, - George Pracht.

Pultney is one of the original townships of Belmont County and before its divisions and subdivisions was one of the largest. Its present boundaries are as follows : On the north

First Settlers

The township was organized in 1801, and the first election was held at the house of Jacob Repshire, one of the judges of the court in the same year, and this same court had Joseph Lashley and Philip Dover as constables for Pultney township.

One of the first settlers was Andrew Dixon, who came from West Liberty, (West) Virginia, in 1796, and his son, James Dixon, born in 1797, was the first male child born in the township.

Following Mr. Dixon were Charles Eckles, 'in 1800: Abraham Workman. George Neff, Andrew Neff, Samuel Morley, Matthew Howell, James Hutchinson, John King, Jacob Worley, Jacob Davis, William Merritt, James Mc- Ouirk and Robert Alexander. Mr. Alexander at that time had no neighbors nearer than Bridgeport.

'Fhe first place for public worship was built on McMecbeii's Creek, a short distance south of the tunnel, and the preacher was Rev. John Scott.

The Mining Industry

For years the coal works north and south of Bellaire and the great limestone and sandstone quarries on Indian Run west of tlie city were leading industries. Today the coal industry is ])aramount.

The Empire Company, which owns the 30,000-acre tract south and west of Bellaire, contemplates opening three new mines to be as large or larger than the three they already have. While no definite statement regarding the new mines has been made by officials, it is presumed the additional openings will be somewhere along the river front, for it is evidently their purpose in time to do a great deal of shipping by the river. More than likely the most important development by the company in the near future will be from mines to be opened below Wegee.

Tbe leading churcbes of the township outside of Bellaire are the Rock Hill Presbyterian Church and the High Ridge United Presbyterian Church.

Rock Hill Presbyterian Church

According to the best information now at hand. Rock Hill Presbyterian Churcb was organized in the summer of 1812, the actual date lieing unknown. As the early records are lost we must draw from the most approved tradition for the story of 29 years of the church's existence. The place of organization was under the spreading branches of an elm tree near the north bank of McMechen's Creek on the farm then owned by John Cunningham. The same authority gives us the following persons as charter members, viz. : John Moore, William Moore and wife, John Cunningham and wife, William Merritt and wife, John Simpson and wife, Mrs. McKimmons, Mrs. Paxton, Mrs. Elizabeth McAllister, Mrs. Kelsey, James Simpson, and there may have been others whose names are forgotten. Two men, John Moore and John Cunningham, were chosen to the office of ruling elder. The minister in charge was Rev. Abram Scott, an evangelist of the Presbytery of Ohio, who served the church for eight years until he saw it comfortably housed in a neat, hewn-log church 30 by 40 feet in size, built in 1817. This building was a fine one for that time, but was said to possess neither floor nor ceiling at first. But these proofs of advancing civilization were afterward added, as was also a stove for heating the house. The pews were each the work of its owner and were of various lengths and shapes, those of George Wise, Sr., and James McMillen being the best, as cabinetmakers could turn out better work than an ordinary farmer with only an augur and ax to work with. But aside from appearance, the occupant of the slab pew could enjoy the sermon of the preacher as well as his better provided neighbor.

This log church served as the gathering place of the Presbyterians for the eastern part of Belmont County for 29 years as the nearest Presbyterian churches were at St. Clairsville and at Mount Pleasant, in Jefferson County. There are only two older Presbyterian cburches in the county than Rock Hill, - St. Clairsville, founded in 1798, and Crab Apple in 1800.

Our Scotch and Scotch-Irish fathers builded better than they knew, for they founded a church that has lived 90 years and has had an unbounded influence in molding the character of the people who have lived within its bounds in all these years. The sons and daugjjters of the Rock Hill Church have traversed much of the world and in many occupations seem to be first and best. She has given 12 manly sons to the Gospel ministry and has one more in training for the same sacred calling.

And Representative Citizens

In 1845 the second church building was erected, and here the church saw its maximum growth. But its growth was seriously checked l)y the rapid formation of other Presbyterian churches in its original held ; beginning with Martin's Ferry in 1841 and following rapidly were founded Wegee, Kirkwood, Bethel, Bellaire ist, Farmington, Coal Brook, Bellaire 2nd, and last, Pleasant Valley. Each have drawn on the territory or population of Rock Hill until only a small part of the lordly heritage of the fathers remains to the old church. Notwithstanding the forming of these new churches and the constant stream of emigrants going forth, the old church yet retains 117 communicants, slightly more than the average for the 60 years past.

In 1890, finding that the church building was almost beyond repair, the congregation decided to tear it down and erect a new one near the old site. This was done and the new church was dedicated June 3, 1891. The building was cruciform in shape and cost $7,000 when complete, being the neatest country church in Eastern Ohio. It was solidly built and might have lasted a century had no mishap befallen it. But during a severe electrical storm on the evening of June 25, 1902, it was struck by lightning and burned. VVhen the pastor saw the fire, he started for the scene rousing the people on the way. Presbyterian, United Presbyterian, and the stranger within our gates made heroic efforts to put out the fire, but the means were not sufficient and the beautiful sanctuary was consumed. Within a few days the congregation decided without dissent to rebuild and we hope in the fullness of time to see a new church, the fourth temple to the Lord our God, rise upon the sacred hill.

eight years; Dr. McMillen, Jacob Lindley, James Arbuthnot, Joseph Anderson, Benjamin Mitchell and Mr. Reed. The first pastor served 23 years. R. FI. Holliday organized Bellaire First Church, to which Rock Hill gave 41 members. John Moffat, J. D. Fitzgerald, D. H. Laverty and John Jay Lane, who organized

Coal Brook Church, giving it half the territory and many members, served 1 1 years ; John G. Black, six years ; J. A. Bower and W alter L. Alexander, the present pastor, 12 years.

The following persons served the church as ruling elders: John Cunningham, John Moore, William Keyser, James Milligan, John Rankin, James Greenlee, Joshua Keyser, Robert Merritt, A. W. Anderson, J. S. Cratty, J. W. Milligan, Matthew Wallace, William Thomas, John Giffin, John S. Keyser, P. A. Wise, E. E. Tarbet. It has also given for the evangelization of the world the following sons as ministers of the Gospel : Revs. William Wallace, Richard Merrill, Thomas Merrill, James Merritt, Robert Alexander, James Alexander, George W. Mc- Millan, Robert A. Criswell, J. W. Allen, A. G. Lane, Edgar S. Robinson; together with these we may associate two others who began their life's work here, - Rev. James Alofifat, now president of Washington-Jefferson College, and Bishop James Thoburn, Methodist Episcopal missionary to India, taught their first schools here.

Rock Hill is not and has not been a large church, the largest membership being 174 and the average for 60 years since 1842 is no. Neither has it been a wealthy church as the public has believed. The great hulk of its membership is and has been for many years composed of the tillers of small farms and laborers, yet the average gifts per member for the 60 years of which we have account is $7.19 per annum. This certainly is an excellent showing for a strictly rural church,^ as country churches are supposed to be very poorly organized for work.

During tbe past year this church of 117 members has given for benevolences $450, and for congregational expenses $655, a total of $1,115 or $9.53 per member.

High Ridge United Presbyterian Church

In the year 1851 the Reformed Dissenting Church united with the Associate Church and in 1858 the Associate Church united with the Reformed Associate Church, thus forming the United 1 'resl)yterian Church.

The High Ridge congregation was organized at h'lat Run, Belmont County, Ohio. The earliest records are oldained from the minutes of the Reformed Dissenting Presbytery. From these we learn that in 1809 the meeting place was ''the tent at Flat Run," while in 1811 the records mention the "meeting house of Flat Run." This meeting house was a log building located a little south of the present village of Farmington.

In the minutes of the Presbytery of 1825 we find "d'he Presbytery adjourned to meet at the High Ridge meeting house, McMechen's Creek in 1826." This is all the available information in reference to the change from Flat Run to High Ridge.

1'he house of worship at High Ridge was a small brick, built perhaps in 1824 or 1825. The date of the deed conveying the property from John and William I^eeley to Christopher Hinkle, Robert Alexander and George Giffen was December 7, 1825. This building served until ah(.)ut 1846 when the walls were taken down and replaced by a frame, the roof, foundation, and even the seats and pulpit being the same as in the former house.

Tn 1874 a new building was erected on the site of the former building at a cost of about $3,000. On the 19th of April, 1893, this building was destroyed by fire. The church members had collected in large numbers with a view of giving the church building a thorough cleaning when in some unaccountable way a fire was started and the building was completely destroyed. Nothing daunted by the loss, a movement was inaugurated for rebuilding and on May i, 1894, the present comfortable church edifice was dedicated.

Alexander, 1853-55, connection with Belmont. Rev. William Grimes, 1858-71. Rev. Mr. Grimes resigned to give all his time to Belmont. Rev. Thomas Love, 1876-84; Rev. W. R. Thompson, 1887-98; and Rev. Morris Watson, who has been pastor since 1900. The following persons have served as elders : Christopher Hinkle, Robert Alexander, George Giffen, William Giffen, John Johnson, John Eckles, -Andrew J. Keyser, James Johnson, John DuBois, and John McFarland. The present elders are: William Nichol, James

The Towns, Steel, West Wheeling And

Steel P. O. or St. Clairsville Junction is a village of a few hundred inhabitants, principally miners employed in the coal mines of Troll Brothers. It has two large stores and a church.

West Wheeling in Pultney township is midway between Bridgeport and Bellaire. The old town was laid out in 1838 by Martin S. Todd, and contains a population today of 574. The principal industry is the paper mill of David Wagner, but many of the employees of the mills and factories in the city of Wheeling opposite make their homes in West Wheeling, crossing and recrossing the river upon the old ferry that was established in the early history of the village. For years the leading industry of West Wheeling was coal mining and flatboat building as conducted by Redick McKee. It was a profitable industry.

West Wheeling was the home of one of Pultney township's oldest citizens, the venerable 'Sciuire Kelsey, who served as ,squire for nearly half a century.

A successful canning factory is conducted by C. W. Rodefer & Company that, at this writing, is in full operation. Harvey Brothers also conduct a profitable soap factory, and John Futhy is the proprietor of the largest Jersey dairy in the county.

This enterprising people have established a Board of Trade with Col. C. L. Boorman as president and J. B. Milhoan as secretary. The right of way for the new motor line between Bellaire and Marietta is now being secured and a franchise for an electric light plant is also being applied for. Recently a movement was inaugurated to unite Shadyside with the corporation of Bellaire, but the movement is not as yet successful.

The City Of Bellaire Increase In Population

This population, because of the introduction of several new factories, has been increased within the past year to a figure exceeding 10,000, and the industrial enterprises have never been established upon as substantial a basis.

The assessor's returns for 1902 show a net gain in the wealth of the city of $103,586. The tax levy for the corporation is 2.48, a reduction of 18 cents on the year previous.

City Officials

Charles W. Rodewig, mayor; F. A. Jackson, city clerk; C. AY. Dickens, city treasurer; Cook Danford, city solicitor; A. J. Norton, city engineer; Albert Mahone, city marshal.

The members of the City Council are : Emil Shmidt, president; Dr. Joseph Piersol, vicepresident ; L. AY. Gilcher, Thomas Powers, Clarence Simpson, Charles H. AYise, L. G. Battelle, J. H. Murray, H. C. Fnhr and T. C. Nicholson.

In addition to its fine harbor, and facilities for river transportation, Bellaire is the terminus of the Cleveland, Lorain & AAdieeling, the Cleveland & Pittsburg, the Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati and the Ohio Afalley railroads, and is likewise on the main line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad east and west, thus affording double connection with the lakes and the seacoast and the great railway system controlled by the Pennsylvania and Baltimore & Ohio companies, east, west, north and south.

The First Settlers

The first settlement was effected by Jacob Davis, Sr., who emigrated from Maryland in 1802. However, the old town was not laid out until 1834.

Five years previous, Jacob Davis, Jr., built a log house with the aid of the militia who had collected there to muster, and this building was only removed in 1870 to give way to an implement and machine factory.

Duer sold to John Buchanan and Buchanan's sons in turn sold to Davis as above narrated. John Rodefer in 1832 also purchased from Buchanan's sons 133 acres just south of Indian Run.

The same year Capt. John Fink purchased all the tract south of the creek from Jacob Davis for $1,400; this included the land subsequently owned and operated for mining purposes by Jacob Heatherington, and from which

In .April, 1S34, Mr. Davis laid out six acres of the remaining land, on the beautiful plateau embraced in his purchase, in town lots, calling the ])lace Bell Air, after his home town in Maryland.

The town made hut little progress until after the coni])letion of the Central Ohio Railroad, which was built largely through the tireless efforts of Col. J. H. Sullivan.

With a tact and courtesy that few possess and a command of words that was positively irresistible. Colonel Sullivan overcame what to others would have been insurmountable difficulties in obtaining rights of way and promoting every scheme looking to the upbuilding of the town.

He was connected with every new enterprise, and indefatigalde in his day and generation in promoting every effort for the prosperity and growth of the city.

Change From Bell Air To Bellaire

In 1S52 Colonel Sullivan with others laid out the new city by tbe purchase of that portion of the Davis farm owned by Harris, and on tbe 14th day of November the first sale of lots occurred. About the same time the name Bell - \ir was changed at the suggestion of Afoses Sarchett, one of the directors of the Baltimore -S: Ohio Railroad, to Bellaire, in order, primarily, to avoid confusion in the distribution of freights and mail, and, secondly, as more descriptive of the site occupied.

made. In January, 1856, Rodefer made his first addition, and in the July following his second addition, and in November, 1859, his third addition. Sullivan, Barnard & Cowen's first addition in 1866. Butte's addition in 186S; bdnk's addition in 1868, his second addition in 1869. Sullivan, Barnard & Cowen's second addition in 1869 and Mrs. Sullivan's Rose Hill addition, and Cummins' first addition in 1870, his second addition in 1872, his third addition in 1873 fourth addition in

3874. Heatherington's first addition in 1871; Bates' in 1871; Barnard, Cummins & Hammond's in 1871 ; Carroll, Armstrong & Company's addition in 1872; Fink's third addition in 1872; Heatherington's second and third additions in 1872: Barnard's first addition in 1873; Austin's addition in 1873; Horn's addition in 1874; Austin's second addition in 1874; Barnard's second addition in 1876; Cummins' addition in 1878; Sullivan, Barnard & Cowen's addition in 1878 and Sheets' addition in 1879.

Among the first lot purchasers we note the names of H. B. Cunningham, John Wallace, R. Wallace, William Frasier, George Wheatley, Adam Long, Francis Hollingshead, Hiram AfcAfechen, C. S. Baron, Amos Worley, Thomas Davis, Harrison Porter and John Christian.

The first tradesmen were Amos Worley, a cabinetmaker; Joseph Rine, a coal merchant; Joseph AfcColloch, a shoemaker. Mr. Wakefield was the first carpenter; John Archer, Sr., was the first cooper, and was succeeded by his son. Long & Archer built tbe first warehouse on the river Ijank in 1837 and were succeeded by Afuth & Aduth. William Hunter was the first brick manufacturer. The Longs were engaged in the manufacture of flatboats. John Rees was the first blacksmith, and J. M. Beard the first wagon-maker.

first dry goods store. Among the other early grocers we may mention the names of Galespie, Cunningham, Spronl and Fulton. A disastrous fire destroyed the Sproul property in 1847. but he started anew opposite the old Bellaire House. Joseph Gorby started in in 1853, then followed Morgan Cowen & Company, wholesale grocers, and Sheets, Hogue & Company.

Among the prominent citizens of Bellaire in those early days were John Archer, John A. Gallagher, Anderson Fulton, Benjamin Westlake, Amos Worley, Dr. Junkins, Dr. Birdsong, William Clark, John Muth, John Kelley, E. G. Morgan and Jacob Heatherington.

The Post Office

The first post office was established in 1841 with John Archer, Sr., as postmaster. At that time only a weekly mail was received, the carrier riding on horseback from Wheeling to Woodsfield. A few years thereafter a triweekly mail service was established by boat between Wheeling and Parkersburg.

Mr. Archer was succeeded as postmaster by Dr. Andrews, who was followed by John Anderson. When Anderson was elected sheriff of the county in 1858, A. W. Anderson was pointed postmaster in his stead. Upon his resignation, William Dunn obtained the position through the instrumentality of Congressman Lawrence. There was considerable friction throughout the administration of Dunn because of the location of the office. Robert Harper followed Dunn and he in turn was followed by Mrs. H. A. Birdsong. Then followed George A. Wise, D. W. Cooper, D. H. Darrah, W. C. Warnock and John R. Gow, the present incumbent.

Tfie Town Incorporated

Because of the rowdyism and intemperance prevailing in 1856-57, the good citizens of Bellaire petitioned the county commissioners that the village be incorporated, but lacking a majority of citizens in support of the measure the whole project was overthrown.

The First Mayor And His Successors

At the first election for mayor the "whiskey question" was made an issue and there was some bitterness manifested, but John Kelley, the temperance candidate, was elected by a large majority. He served two 3^ears and was followed by A. W. Anderson, 1861-63; E. B. Winans, 1863-68; A. O. jNIellott, 1868-70; George Criswell, 1870-74; George Strahl, 1874-78. ( It was during the administration

The old City Hall and police court was established in 1868. Today a new and modern city building is in course of construction at the corner of 32nd and Belmont streets, and it is expected the work will be completed by May 1st. The cost was fixed at $40,000, but that figure has been reached and it will require $15,000 additional to finish the structure.

The Water-Works And Electric Power

In 1872 the present water-works were voted for, and the proposition was carried. A committee consisting of E. G. Morgan, A. W. Anderson, C. C. Kelley, George Kern, H. M. Ingler, H. Bute, and Civil Engineer J. W. Yost, with E. B. Winans, secretary, was appointed to superintend the construction and the work was completed in 1873.

The reservoir has a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons and the water supply is obtained from the Ohio River and is distributed throughout the city in pipes.

The works are wholl}" inadequate to the needs of the people today, and several projects are on foot to construct a new system, one of which is a proposition to unite with Bridgeport and Martin's Ferry in constructing a reservoir large enough to supply the three cities, the water to he obtained at Boggs' Run two miles above Martin's h'erry, and thereby receive a liberal su])idy of soft water free from the filth of the cities named.

d'he electric light power for the supply of the city is furnished by two corporations, viz. : The Bellaire Gas Electric Company, and the Belmont Electric Light & Power Company. The Bellaire Street Railway Company was organized in 1874 with a capital stock of $50,000 with John Link, Jacob lieatherington, John

M. Criswell, Anthony Sheets, A. M. Anderson, Isaac Booth, d'. A. Cummins and G. W. Hogue as incorporators. The cost of building the road was $21,700. A few years later it was merged into the present system of electric motor lines uniting Bellaire with Bridgeport, Martin's Eerry and Wheeling.

The Banks And Loan Companies

The first bank established in Bellaire was a private banking institution organized by Hogue, Cowen & Company in 1867. The firm name was changed in 1870 to Hogue, Sheets & Company. This company ceased to do business in 1878.

The First National Bank.- - The next banking bouse was known as the City Bank of Bellairc, which was founded December 26, 1870, by A. W. Anderson, Isaac Booth, A. O. Mellott, J. T. Mercer, C. C. Kelley and A. P. Tailman, with A. W. Anderson, president, and A. P. Tallman, cashier. The capital stock was $18,000. It was changed to the First National Bank in January, 1872, with a capital of $50,000, the above-named gentlemen, including

N. W. Junkins, being directors, and the same ])resident and cashier being continued. Its capital has since been increased to $200,000. Its deposits are now about one million dollars, and its aggregated assets about $1,400,000.

The following gentlemen have served as presidents in the order named : A. W. Anderson. J. T. Mercer, Flerman Roemer, and George W. Yost. A. P. Tallman has been cashier and active manager since the bank was organized. James T. Kelley was elected assistant cashier in 1888 and William J. Morrison in 1902, both still holding these positions. The bank has never missed a semi-annual dividend since it began business. The present directors are; George W. Yost, William Harvey, A. O. Mellott, John R. Gow, A. P. Tailman, J. T. Kelley and George Robinson. In addition to the above, Jacob Maser, James B. Gorrell, James Kelsey, Andrew Smith, Owen Mehan, and John Stewart have acted as directors, the most of them for a long time prior to and up to their death.

The Dollar Savings Bank. - The next banking institution in order was the Dollar Savings Bank, organized in 1889, with J. A. Gallagher, president and C. C. Kelley, secretary and cashier. The capital stock is $50,000, with a surplus of $10,000. The additional liability of stockholders is $50,000.

The present officers are A. Klotz, president ; Dr. J. P. West, vice-president; C. W. Dickens, cashier and W. C. Warnock, treasurer. Directors - A. Klotz, M. L. Blackburn, Jacob Rietz, Alex. Nef¥, C. Rumbach, J. P. West, John Parks, Robert McKelvey and C. W. Dickens.

The Farmers' & Merchants' Bank Company was organized in October, 1901. President, C. Dawson; vice-president, H. W. Hermann; cashier, R. L. Bowman; assistant cashier, W.

The Belmont Sazangs & Loan Company was organized March 3, 1885. The capital stock of the company at the beginning was $1,000,000, divided into 5,000 shares of $200 each. The names of the incorporators are as follows : James B. Darrah, William J. Mc- Clain, John Coulson, Patrick Whealan, David

H. Darrah, John E. Robinson, James F. Anderson. At a mee.ting of the directors on the 17th day of March. 1890, the capital stock of the company was increased to $2,000,000. The present officers are : James F. Anderson,

The Buckeye Saruings & Loan Company of Bellaire, Ohio, was incorporated May 7, 1890, by Tliomas J. Boyce, Richard Heslop, William Moorehouse, Phillipe Brailly and Samuel Moore, with an authorized capital of $5,000,- 000, the purpose of the company being the raising of money to be loaned to its members and others, only on real estate security.

The securities owned by the Buckeye Building & Loan Company were purchased by the new company, as the Buckeye Savings & Loan Company offered greater advantages to both borrowers and depositors, owing to the privileges granted in the laws under which the new company was organized. Some smaller companies also found it to their advantage to combine with the Buckeye Savings & Loan Company.

On December 31, 1890, the net assets of the new company amounted to $150,000. Since that time the growth of the Buckeye Savings & Loan Company has been steady and continued, the last statement of the company showing loans of two-thirds of a million, with a reserve fund of $35,000.

The increasing business of the company demanded more room, which was secured by removal from the first quarters in the Central Block to a room on 32nd street, and later, by removal to a new building on the corner of 32nd and Belmont streets, which is the present location of the company.

The "Buckeye Block," the only real estate owned by the Buckeye Savings & Loan Company, is directly east of the new city building, and is one of the best locations in the city. Thomas Garrett, the first president of the company, died soon after his election to that office. His successor, W. C. Bergundthal occupied the position until his election as county treasurer and his removal from the city. He was succeeded by George Walters, who is now the president of the company. Both Mr. Moorehouse as vice-president and Luke Gavin

William Parks, the first secretary of the company, and to whose effort and ability the success of the Buckeye Savings & Loan Company is chiefly due, died in 1893. He was succeeded by B. C. Tyler, who resigned the position one year later and was succeeded by W. G. McClain, the present secretary. The office of assistant secretary has been filled by John Parks since the death of his son, William Parks, in 1893. Miss Jennie Smith is bookkeeper.

The present officers of the company are : President, George Walters; vice-president, William Moorehouse; secretai-y, W. G. Mc- Clain; assistant secretary, John Parks; treasurer, Luke Gavin; directors, - George Walters, John Parks, William Moorehouse, Richard Heslop, Luke Gavin, C. M. Wyrick, Charles H. Dankworth, W. N. Brailly and L. G. Battelle.

The M.-Vnufacturing Interests

Perhaps the first large manufacturing industry in the city was the Bellaire Nail Works, incorporated in November, 1866, with B. R. Cowen, president, and D. J. Smith, secretary. The original capital was $155,000, which was subsequently increased to $375,000 by the erection of a blast furnace with a capacity of TOO tons of pig iron daily, and a steel plant with a capacity of 275 tons in 24 hours and 200,000 kegs of nails annually.

Today the Carnegie Steel Company, which has been absorbed by the National Steel Company. operates the Bellaire Steel Works, and the officers are : W. E. Corey, president ; H. B. Bope, vice-president, both located in Pittsburg and N. M. Peterson, division superintendent of this district. The tin plant employs 1,100 men and produces annually

The next large manufacturing enterprise ])ut in ojjeration in Bellaire, other than glass, was the Bellaire Implement & Machine Works, (Wganized in November, 1870, as a joint stock company, with Col. C. L. Poorman, president and 11. .\. Waddell, secretary.

This company was obliged to face the business and hnancial dej)ression of 1873-74, and, failing to meet their bonds when due in 1878, were compelled to suspend business at a time when their wares were in good demand.

Bellaire deservedly gained the title of the "Glass City" by the number of glass factories ill ojieration from 1870 to 1885, and the vast capital invested in the business.

The first Hint glass works was the Belmont, organized in 1861, with W. G. Barnard, H. h'auple, H. Over, John Robinson, and David Carr, as directors. The next in order was the Bellaire Window Glass Company, organized in 1870-71, with John W. Sanders, president, and h'. M. Sheets, secretary. Then came the Star Glass Works conducted by J. H. Sullivan & Sons. It was followed by the National in 1869. Then the Bellaire Goblet Works was organized in 1876 with W. B. Gorby, president, and If. G. Morgan, secretary. The next in order was the Union Window Glass Company, organized in 1S80 with D. J. Smyth, jiresident. and C. C. Kelley, seci'etary. The Enterprise Window Glass Company, a cooperative concern, was established in 1884. The Bellaire Stamping Company was established by C. S. S. Barron, J. T. Mercer and A. P. Tallman. This organization was subsequently removed to Harvey, Illinois.

The factories now in operation are the Bellaire Bottle Company, G. S. Armstrong, president and Mr. Sheldon, secretary. The National Glass Manufacturing Company, organized by Crangle, Dalzell & Co., of Wheeling, which is now operated and known as the Rodefer Glass Company. The Novelty Stamping Company, the Century Glass Company, the Enterprise Enamel Company, organized I)y Dorer and Smith.

Its managers are among the most experienced capitalists in Bellaire and Wheeling. The company is organized under the laws of West Virginia, and the incorporators are: J. E. Anderson, of Bellaire; and J. N. Vance,

L. E. Sands, Morris Horkheimer and Ed. Muhleman, of Wheeling. The directors are : A. P. Tallman and J. F. Anderson, of Bellaire; and J. N. Vance. L. E. Sands, Morris Horkheimer, Frank C. Hoffman, Lawrence Schenk, Joseph Speidel and Ed. Muhleman, of Wheeling. The authorized capital stock is $500,000, and the amount subscribed is $488,900. The officers are: President, J. N. Vance; secretary, Ed. Muhleman; treasurer, L. E. Sands; executive committee, - James F. Anderson, A. P. Tallman and Ed. Muhleman.

The Mason Pleater Company has a capital of $50,000. Its officers are: August Schick, president; Chalmers Trimble, secretary. The directors are : August Schick, J. H. McDonald, H. W. Hermann, S. J. Rockershousen, Emil Schmidt, R. L. Bowman, O. P. Mason,

The Anderson U. McGregor Company, the Suburban Brick Company, the Standard Stone & Brick Company, the Bellaire Stove Company, the Bellaire Boiler & Bridge Company, the C. L. Dorer Foundry Company, the Anderson Brothers' foundry, and the two flour mills of Stewart & Ward, and T. Ault & Son are also among the important manufacturing concerns of Bellaire.

Since writing the above, the Belmont Stamping & Enameling Company was organized September 23, 1902, by the election of John T. Troll as president, Alex. Neff, vice-president.

and U. G. Fletcher, secretary. A charter has been taken out under the laws of West Virginia with $100,000 capital, $50,000 of which has been paid in. The board of directors is constituted as follows: Alex. Neff, U. G.

The Railroads Entering The City

The first railroad entering into Bellaire and indeed into Belmont County was the Central Ohio Railroad. This great thoroughfare now known as the Western Division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was chartered by the General Assembly of Ohio in 1848.

The original charter provided primarily for the construction of a railroad from Columbus to the Ohio River by Newark and Zanesville and eventually to be extended westward to the Indiana line. The capital stock was fixed at $1,500,000, with the privilege of increasing it to $2,500,000.

At the organization of the company, the following gentlemen were elected directors, viz : Solomon Sturgiss, John Hamm, William Dennison, Jr., George James, Albert Cherwood, Charles B. Goddart, Daniel Marble, Levi Claypool, Daniel Brush and Stephen R. Hosmar.

The road had a very feeble beginning. The first hoard of directors effected an organization but little more. At the second election of directors in i8.|8. Col. J. H. Sullivan was chosen as president and from that time forward the road was pushed with great vigor and energy, though many embarrassments and discouragements were encountered.

Columbus, Newark and Zanesville were asked for subscriptions to the stock and, as heretofore stated, through the tireless efforts of Colonel Sullivan the prejudice against the road was overcome and the necessary stock subscribed by city and county.

The road rvas completed from Zanesville to Newark in 1849; from Newark to Columbus in 1850; from Zanesville to Cambridge in 1853 ; from Cambridge to Bellaire in 1854.

Sullivan retired from the presidency and Mr. Fassett succeeded him. After two years of service, IMr. Fassett resigned, and Judge Hugh J. Jewett of Zanesville was appointed receiver, and subsequently chosen as president.

The great stone railroad bridge that spans the Ohio at this point was built by the Baltimore & Ohio and Central Ohio roads conjointly at the ratio cost of two-thirds by the Baltimore & Ohio and one-third by the Central Ohio. The span of this great stone structure, not including the approaches, is threefourths of a mile, and the approaches are doubtless of equal length. The two spans over the channel of the river alone measure 700 feet. The liridge is of the highest architectural design, and cost a million and a quarter of dollars.

In order to accommodate the rapidly increasing intercourse between the two cities, a company has been organized to construct a foot and wagon bridge between Bellaire and Benwood. But owing to some differences as to the point of location, the Council has not yet granted the charter and the work is in abeyance.

The Cleveland & Pittshurg Railroad, extending from Cleveland to Bellaire on the south and Cleveland to Beaver on the north, was chartered in 1836. It progressed slowly for want of money and active work did not begin for II years thereafter. In 1849 1^^ work on the main line was begun and completed to the river under the supervision of Joseph and Silas Chamberlain.

In 1853 the Bellaire and Beaver divisions of the road following the course of the river were put under contracts and were completed and opened for business in 1856. After the panic of 1857 the value of the stock ran down, when the road passed under the control of the Pennsylvania Company, by whom it is still operated on the basis of 6 per cent interest on 1 the par value of the stock, viz: 147.

There was a period in the history of this road, when its maintenanee was largely due to the tireless efforts of W. W. Holloway of l!ridge])ort. Hut for the financial aid rendered by Hr. Holloway during the panic of 1856-57, the road would inevitably have been o!)liged to suspend. This road also terminates in llellaire and since it passed into the hands of the Pennsylvania Coinj)any it has been very successfully operated.

.\s a local road, it is ])robably one of the most profitable in the State, touching as it does all the mining and manufacturing towns bordering upon the Ohio River from Bellaire to Pittsburg.

the company was to build a railroad from Bellaire to Athens, Ohio, through altogether the roughest country in the State, viz: Belmont, Honroe, Washington and Athens counties. 'I'he work of raising the necessary funds was entrusted to Col. J. H. Sullivan, the builder of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

The road was completed to Woodsfield as a narrow gauge at a cost of $11,500 per mile and in 1882 it was extended to Caldwell in Noble County and Zanesville in Muskingum County.

The road changed hands in 1902 and is now known as the Ohio River & Western Railroad. This road is a valuable tril)utary to the stream of trade entering into Bellaire.

The Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railway. - One of the most important roads in the county is the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railway, extending from Lorain on the north to Bellaire on the south, a distance of 161 miles.

Thi.s road passes through one of the richest mining and agricultural districts in the State. It was constructed from Dennison in Tuscarawas County to Bridgeport in 1876, following

The road was then known as the Cleveland, Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling Railway. But for the efforts of prominent citizens and directors in vigorously pushing the work of construction, the road would not have been extended to the river.

Its capital stock is $5,600,000 and funded indebtedness, $1,170,000. Millions of tons of coal mined in Belmont County are shipped over this road annually, and new coal organizations are created almost monthly for the development of new territory. Within two years the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad has obtained a controlling interest in the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling and it is today operated by that company. This road is also a valuable tributary to the trade of Bellaire.

The Ohio Valley Railroad was organized in 1889 with a view of penetrating the undeveloped territory bordering the Ohio River south of Bellaire and has been completed to Powhatan in York township.

The Schools

In i86o the School Board purchased the old shoe factory, and fitted it up for a school house. This continued in use until 1871, when the large and costly school building was constructed, just west of the old building at a cost of $21,000, exclusive of furniture. Some of the first teachers were Vincent Milligan, Jacob Davis, Richard Merrill and Thomas Munnell.

Bellaire High School

The first Board of Education we have a record of was organized in 1874-75, and was composed of John S. Cratty, president; John Archer, Josephus Gorby, Isaac Booth, Uriah Venning, George W. Hogue, clerk.

The salary of the superintendent of schools is $1,500; that of high school principals, $720. The average wages of the lady teachers are $39.84; average wages of gentlemen teachers, $67.50. The cost of education per capita on the total enrollment is $9.49. Between $1,500 and $2,000 have been expended in the maintenance of the library.

The Churches

The Christian Church. - Date of organization of the Ghristian Ghurch in Bellaire is July 4, 1840. John Archer, Sr., and Adam Long Avere elected elders and John Archer, Jr., and Richard Gosney, deacons. The original members were :

John Archer, Sr., was a cooper by trade and carried on this business in his shop which stood on the bank of the Ohio River and near the mouth of McMechen's Creek in what is now Bellaire. In this shop the organization of this church was effected and meetings for worship were held for several years or until a church building was erected. Here, on the 12th day of March, 1841, J. H. Jones, a preacher from the Western Reserve, preached. The coopershop overflowed. "VVliere shall I stand?" said the preacher. "There," said Mr. Archer, turning up a half-bushel measure, "stand on that." And there on that narrow pulpit he preached the Gospel with eloquence and power.

The church soon outgrew the narrow limits of the coopershop and in 1843 a meeting was held to consider the question of building a house of worship. In 1846 the work of building began and the house was completed in the same year. This church building stood on the ground noAv occupied by the Second Ward school house in Bellaire. The opening services in the new building were held by Alexander Campbell and Robert Graham on the second Sunday in the month of December, 1846. Here the congregation continued to worship until the present church building was erected in 1870. Erom 1840 to 1862 many ministers, some of them prominent among the Disciples, preached occasional discourses or conducted meetings, but during this time there was no settled pastor. Dating from 1862 the list of preachers in charge and the terms served is as follows: 1862-66, H. S. Glasier; 1866-69, H. D. Carlton; 1870-72, Jesse H. Berry; 1872-77, I. J. Spencer; 1878-82, B. S. Dean; 1883-86, J. M. Monroe; 1887-92, A. B. Williams: 1893-96, R. G. White; 1896-97, W. P. Walden; 1897-1902, Charles M. Watson. The elders of the church at present are as follows : W. J. Morrison, Leroy Hopkins, Theobald Klee and Joseph Mertz. The deacons are : George Mertz, J. W. klorrell, Robert Anderson, David Walker, Thomas Strong, D. T. Anderson and Robert Lawrence. There are about .450 members.

Rev. C. D. Ijattelle, pastor of St. Clairsville circuit, in 183c) preached in a wareroom the hrst Methodist sermon in the then village of Rellaire, and a few weeks later organized a class of I I meinliers: Garrett Jones, Joseph

J.ong, Macca Long, Jacob Davis, Rebecca Da\'is, Mary Davis, Robert Patterson, Polly Patterson, James Robinson, Jane Robinson and Jacol) Davis. Garrett Jones was appointed leader and chosen Sunday-school superintendent. Soon 10 more united and the planting was of the Lord. A lioard of trustees was appointed: Joseph Long, Joseph Wilson, Jacob

'I'he hrst churcb building was erected on 27th street in the winter of 1839-40, in which the peo])le worshiped until 1857, when the present site was secured and then the struggle of building a two-story, brick structure began. In t86o the basement was hnished at a cost of $4,000 and dedicated. In 1863 tbe auditorium was com])leted and dedicated January 24, 1864. About this time it became a station. Thus far it had been in St. Clairsville circuit, Martinsville circuit, Centreville circuit and then became a circuit of its own with only two outlying points.

In 1889 a handsome, commodious, new church was built at a cost of $20,000 or more. The laity who toiled through these years are worthy of mention, but they are too many and records are too brief. Many have their rewards ; many remain, honored and respected.

F. Jones, Wkdter Brown, I. A. Pierce, Josiah Mansell, J. FI. Rogers, T. S. Hodgson, J. W. Toland, A. R. Chapman, A. W. Butts, John Williams, R. F. Keeler, Thomas W. Lane, D. W. Chandler, O. W. Holmes, E. A. Simons and D. W. Knight.

The Second Methodist Episcopal Church. - The church was organized about the year 1881 by T. H. y\rmstrong, Pb. D., who was its first pastor and under whose supervision the building was erected on its present site, and dedicated October 23, 1881. Among its first of-

Brand, Thomas Strong, Robert Hemphill, John Workman, Jonathan Huffman, John Camp, W. K. Long and B. F. Morgan. A Sunday-school was organized several years earlier, about 1876, of which Jonathan Huffman was the first superintendent. Rev. A. R. Chapman, who was the pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Bella ire,

The church is valued at $3,000. There is iro parsonage belonging to it. There are at the present time about 250 members and seven probationers. There is an enrollment of Sunday-school scholars of 225, of which school George Deitritch is the efficient superintendent.

Grooms, George Deitritch, Marion Huffman, L. E. Wilson, William Diday and John Askew. Weeks is president and Huffman secretary of the board. Trustees: J. M. Coffield, John

Askew, Edwin Sutton, John Boyer, James L. Ery, W. S. Glasgow and William Diday. Leaders of church classes : James W. Grooms, John Askew, John Boyers, L. E. Wilson and William S. Glasgow.

It is asserted that the site of the church was presented to the original trustees hy the father of Rev. T. H. Armstrong. It is situated at the corner of Guernsey and 19th streets.

The First Presbyterian Church of Bellaire was organized August 27, i860, with John S. Cratty, John W. Milligan and A. W. Anderson, chosen as ruling elders. At the same time a suitable brick church was erected as a house of worship.

Upon October i, i860. Rev. John Moffat, D. D.. Avas chosen pastor of the church and entered upon his duties the second Sabbath of January. 1861. On February 3, 1863, Dr. Moffat accepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church of Wheeling, West Virginia, and upon August 30,1863, Rev. J. D. Fitzgerald became pastor as supply for six months and served the church until April, 1864, when he was released.

In June, 1866, Rev. William Gaston was chosen pastor of the church and continued to serve the congregation until December i, 1881. In the interim, it was found necessary to erect a new house of worship to accommodate the increasing number of members, and a second church was built in 1871.

The members of the session are as follows : A. T. Stewart, Dr. J. P. West, A. J. McClelland and E. W. Cooper. In connection with the church there is a prosperous and well conducted Sabbath-school. The present membership of the church numbers 250.

granted the recjuest of certain persons that a church should be organized in Bellaire, appointed a session for that purpose, consisting of the pastor and elders of the church in Wheeling and the elders of the High Ridge congregation.

J. T. McClure. Messrs. A. Taylor. M. W. Miller, John Johnson and J. S. Keyser. The organization Avas then effected Avith 24 members. The first elders, Alexander DuBois and Robert Walker, were ordained and installed May 8, 1872. Rev. R. G. Wallace, now of San Diego, California, Avas the first pastor, beginning AAmrk in 1873 continuing as pastor until 1887.

Rev. W. F. McLaugblin became pastor in 1887 and resigned in 1889, being succeeded bv Rev. William Wallace Avhose pastorate included from 1890 to April, 1893. Rev. H. S. Boyd became pastor in 1894 and Avas released . in October. 1898.

The present pastor, ReAo Charles P. Proudfit, Avas ordained and installed pastor of this church September 12, 1899. The elders are: John DuBois, Joseph Clemesto and Robert Johnston : trustees, - M. List, Alex. DuBois. and John H. McGraAV, Avith W. C. Warnock.

Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church. - Rev. J. K. Rogers of Steubenville, Ohio, was the first clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church to olheiate regularly at Bellaire.

He held services once each month in the Presbyterian Church during the year 1861. Rev. M. Coleman, of East Liverpool, officiated for a few months in 1866, on alternate Sundays. Rev. John Long of Wellsville organized the church under the name "Trinity Mission" in 1872, with eight communicants. He held services on alternate Sundays in a hall. In August of this year a framework shop on the corner of Belmont and 36th streets was leased for five years at $144 a year. It was fitted up at an expense of $280. Mr. Long resigned in 1873. Rev. T. O. Tongue of Moundsville, West Virginia, officiated from April to September in 1873.

Rev. Jacob Rambo, formerly missionary to .Tfrica, took charge in October, 1873, preaching every Sunday until March, 1874, from which for 15 months he preached morning and evening on three Sundays each month. Lrom July I, 1875, he preached twice a day, on alternate Sundays, going to Cross Creek, Jefferson County, on the other Sundays. July i, 1878, a lot was purchased on Noble street near 42nd street for $650. Mr. Rambo resigned in December, 1879. Rev. John S. Gibson took charge in December, 1880, and resigned in 1882.

September i, 1883, Rev. AV. W. Walker took charge of the work and remained until June, 1886. During his time, steps were taken toward organizing a church at Martin's Lerry. He officiated there every other Sunday in the afternoon.

Rev. W. S. Campbell took charge of Trinity Church, Bellaire, and St. Paul's, Martin's Lerry, m November, 1886, officiating at Bellaire m the morning and Martin's Lerry in the afternoon. Mr. Campbell died at Bellaire in 1888. In 1890, Rev. C. O'Meara took charge of the church and resigned in 1891. He was succeeded in 1892 by Rev. W. H. Burbank, who remained in charge about a year. In 1895 Rev. John P. Lrayter took charge of the work and remained until December, 1898. While Mr. Lrayter was in charge, a Sunday-school room was erected in the rear of the church. Rev. D. W. Cox took charge of the church in July, 1900, and is in charge at this date (October, 1902). The church has a membership of 50.

The Catholic Church. - The history of Catholicity in this city dates back to the early "fifties" and "forties." A few Catholic families, mostly of Irish origin, settled in the little country village then occupying the present site of Bellaire. The missionary fathers from Cincinnati, Ohio, would occasionally pass through the region and minister to the spiritual wants, of the people. Notable amongst the early missionary fathers was the Rev. Lrench Lather Tinpant, who later on made Steubenville his headquarters. In 1854 Rev. Lather Bloomer from Beaver, Ohio, later Batesville, made regular monthly visits to Bellaire. Lather Bloomer said mass in the houses of private individuals and gathered about him the few families, in number about 40 persons. Lather Bloomer was followed by Lather Kennedy, who, however, remained only a short time. About 1856, Rev. Lather Jacquett, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Beaver, assumed charge of the little Catholic community in Bellaire. Lather Jacquett made regular monthly visits, and was accompanied on these by a little altar hoy from one of the best families in Batesville. This little altar boy in after years became a priest himself, and after the death of Rt. Rev. Bishop Rosecrans was made administrator of the Columbus Diocese. After the appointment of Bishop Watterson to the vacant see, the young man was elected by the Sovereign Pontiff to the bishopric of Galveston in Texas, and is now Rt. Rev. Bishop Gallagher of that see. About the year 1857 Lather Jacquett bought the first property owned by the Catholics in

Bellaire. The property consisted of two lots situated on Guernsey street near the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge, which at that time, however, was not yet built. A certain Mr. Sullivan made tlie struggling little congregation a present of a third lot. On this property Father Jacquett built the first church in Bellaire. The structure was a little brick edifice. At that time the Columbus Diocese had not yet been erected by the Holy Father and Bellaire was a portion of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, presided over by Archbishop Purcell. It was this archbishop that dedicated the little church upon its completion. Father Jacquett also took steps to gather the children of the few Catholic families into a school. All told, there were an even dozen of children. This school was placed in charge of secular teachers. In 1868 a certain Father Daly was made the permanent pastor of the Catholic community in Bellaire. Father Daly built the first parochial residence, which was a brick structure and is still standing. Father Daly also built the first school house for the parish, the former school occupying a small room at the corner of what are now Belmont and 31st streets. Father Daly, dying in 1870, was followed by Father INIaher, who, however, remained only a very short time, and was followed by Rev. Father Philip Steyle in 1871 as permanent pastor. In 1872 Father Steyle bought two more lots adjoining the property already owned by the congregation and enlarged the school building. This pastor also introduced the Sisters of the Humility of Mary as teachers in the school. Father Steyle also built an addition to the brick church, enlarging the same both toward the front and rear. The Sisters of the Humility of Mary, having been withdrawn by their superioress after faithful service, were succeeded by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

In 1881 Rev. Father Daniel Cull was appointed to the pastorate of Bellaire, Father Steyle taking charge of a large parish in Portsmouth whence he was afterward transferred to Delaware, where he built a magnificent church and is now an irremovable rector. During

Father Cull's administration, the parish acquired new property located at the head of Guernsey street. The property consisted of four lots, two lying on each side of the street, and are bounded on the north by 37th street. The .Sisters of St. Joseph having been withdrawn were replaced by the Sisters of Charity from Nazareth, Kentucky, who are at this writing still the teaching faculty in the schools. Father Cull died in January. 1888. The parish was placed in charge of Rev. Father W. H. McDermitt pending the appointment of a permanent pastor. Father Richard Fitzgerald, rector of the Cathedral in Columbus, rvas appointed as pastor after three months. During the rectorship of Father Fitzgerald, the school buildings were enlarged and in the year 1894 a new and magnificent brick structure was begun by reason of the increased parish. The new building was designed to furnish accommodations both for the schools of the parish and to serve for a time as a church. The building was erected at the head of Guernsey street on the east side of the street.

Father Fitzgerald, falling sick of a virulent cancer that was gnawing the vitals of his throat, resigned in January, 1896. and was followed by Rev. Joseph M. Wehrle, then pastor of the Catholic Church in Wheelersburg, Ohio. Father Wehrle took possession of the parish in February of the same year and completed the brick structure begun by bis predecessor. In 1897 the parochial residence was removed to the building opposite tbe new school building at the heacl of Guernsey street, and all the former property owned by the congregation below the railroad bridge was disposed of. The old church was torn down and tenement houses now occupy the site. In 1899 the congregation purchased more property, consisting ,of two lots lying to the south of the property owned by the parish at th.e head of Guernsey street. A large' tract of land lying outside of the city limits was also purchased in order to enlarge the cemetery. In 1901 property was again purchased, this time at the head of Belmont street and bounded by 37th street on the south. The property consisted of four very desiral)le lots and large brick mansion. This [)roperty was designed as a home for the Sisters who teach the parochial school, the commnnity of Sisters being now more than double the nnmber of those who first came to llcllaire in order to teach the schools of the parish. At this writing preparations are making by the congregation to build a magnificent ])arochial residence. Architects have been invited to submit plans and specifications for the new building, which will be begun next sjM'ing. The new residence will be Gothic in architecture and large and commodious in every respect. The residence is intended to be the home of at least three permanent priests in the ])arish, one of whom will be the pastor.

'Phe congregation has grown from the first 40 individuals to a membership at this writing of more than 4,000 persons. The Catholic community is made up largely of Irish, Germans, Slovak and Italians, while also some few Poles, Kriners, Croatians, Syrians and Bohemians are numbered amongst the parishioners. Besides the ])resent large parish in the city, P'ather Wehrle has also charge of several missions at which large numbers of Catholics are settling. 'Phe jurisdiction of the pastor extends on the south to the Monroe County line and on the west comprises Washington, Smith and a portion of Richland townshi])s, and extends on the north, with the exception of two sections, to the Pease townshi]:) line. While preparations are making for the building of the commodious and magnificent parochial residence, ])lans will also be submitted by the architects and accepted for the future church that will be built in the parish. It is the intention of Father Wehrle to build the future church after the design of the Cathedral of Xotre Dame in Rheims, France. The building will involve an outlay of over $100,000, and will be of French Gothic architecture.

Phe number of children now attending the schools of the parish is over 400. Besides the high school department, there, is also instruction given in vocal and instrumental music and fine needle work.

organized in 1866 by Rev. Dudley Asbury and Rev. W. H. Brown. The latter is now a member of the Pittsburg Conference. The former died last February, - he was a member of the Tennesse Conference. There are but three members living now who were among the first in the organization of the church, namely, George W. Peters, Mrs. George W. Peters and Rebecca Jacobs, all quite aged people.

The beautiful church edifice, in which public worship is held, has a seating capacity of 270, and is all paid for. The membership of the church is 35. The value of the church projierty is $8,000.

Secret And Fraternal Organizations

It has today a membership of 130, and the officers for 1902 are: J. W. Overman, W. M. ; George E. Morgan, S. W. ; R. W. Archer, J. W. ; J, T. Kelley, treasurer; Cyrus Strahl, sec-

Bellaire Chapter No. 107, R. A. M., was organized October 17, 1868. Its present membership is 1 13. The following are the charter members : E. G. Morgan, John Kelley, W. J. Kelley, J. S. Lockwood, J. H. Coleman, N. Venning, J. C. Shimmons, William Greenfield, B. R. Cowen and M, P. Smith.

/. O. O. F. Lodges. - For a number of years there had been considerable interest manifested by members of the I. O. O. F. residing in Bellaire, relative to the organization of a lodge here.

Archil)ald, Wilbur Kriter, John Muth, and Hiram IM. Ingler effected a preliminary organization on July 10, 1865, by electing Joseph Mercer, chairman; John IMuth, secretary; and George Kern, treasurer. This organization took immediate action toward organizing a lodge of I. O. O. F., but it was not until the spring of 1866 that they were successful in securing a charter.

On Tuesday, April 26, 1866, their efforts were crowned with success and Bellaire Lodge No. 378, I. O. O. F., was instituted with brothers John Muth, Christian Bippus, D. K. Sanford, H. M. Ingler, George Kern, Joseph Mercer, George H. Muth, W. H. Thurber, Ralph Heatherington and Elias Dew as charter members; and John Muth, noble grand; Christian Bippus, vice grand; D. K. Sanford, secretary; and George Kern, treasurer. The lodge was at once popular with the public, soon taking a leading place among the fraternal societies of the city.

In the spring of 1869 German members decided that they would prefer to have a lodge which used a German ritual, accordingly they withdrew from Bellaire Lodge. On the 8th of July, 1869, they instituted Kern Lodge No. 428, I. O. O. F. This lodge thrived from its start, enlisting as it did Germans who have ever taken a just pride in their lodge. This lodge meets every Saturdav evening at 7 130 in the I. O. O. F.' Hall.

About the year 1872, Bellaire Lodge purchased two lots on the corner of 33rd and Belmont streets on which they erected a two-story frame business house. This Inulding remained until the spring of 1890 when it was torn down and a fine three-story brick building, 40 feet front and no feet depth, was erected at a cost of .$20,000. The first and second stories are rented as business rooms and the third storv is fitted up as a lodge hall, making one of the finest halls for lodge purposes in Eastern Ohio. Here Bellaire Lodge No. 378, I. O. O. F., meets every Tuesday evening at 7 130.

.\l)ont 1880 a ladies T. O. O. F. lodge Avas organized known as the Daughters of Rebekah, hut for some unex])lained reason was allowed to lapse. Nothing further was done in the matter of Rehekah Lodge until the spring of 1902, when a new Daughters of Rebekah lodge was organized with 42 memhers, which will he instituted the flrst or second week of October, 1902.

Names of charter memhers: J. B. Darrah, E. Id Satterfield, W. A. McLaughlin, C. Bippus, Alex. Clohan, A. Roeder, J. H, Hahn, J. J. Powell, F. Bickle, J. S. Carter, O. T. Blackburn, A. Schick, R. Criswell, William Wheeler, 1'homas S. Cooper, D. S. Criswell, A. John- -son, E. L. Feelev, W. S. Carroll, T. M, Godfrey, O. C. Bray, A. Ault, A. S. Feeley, H. Landkrohn, H. Ulrich, J. Dunning, J. Hipkins, P. O. Criswell, A. AfeCiain, Henry Ditwiler.

When the foundation of the new city building at Bellaire was completed, an invitation was extended the order of Knights of Pythias of Bellaire flo perform the ceremony. When this fact became known, some citizens of Bellaire who did not approve of such proceedings asked the court through P'ather Wehrle of the Catholic Church to enjoin the Knights of Pythias until the case could be tried. This the court granted, lint regardless of the injunction the Knights of Pythias proceeded with the corner stone laying, zAfter the ceremonies were completed, the parties who took active part in the ceremonies were arrested for contempt of court. The Knights, however, asked for a hearing before another court. This request Judge Hollingsivorth granted and the case was heard by Judge Frasier of Lanesville, who dismissed the defendants u])on technical grounds.

"In regard to the corner stone matter, Black Prince Lodge had nothing to do with it. The honor of laying the stone w'as accorded to the Arlington Company, No. 92, U. R., K. of P., of Bellaire (which is a military company composed of Knights of Pythias, most of its members also belonging to Black Prince Lodge, but some belonging to other lodges) by the City Council, on May 13, 1902. Some time after- Avard Arlington Company found that they could not lay the stone because they had no ritual for that kind of work. They then visited the grand chancellor of the State, and after consulting with him they turned the matter over to the Grand Lodge, K. of P., of the State of Ohio. This ivas on May 25, 1902. On the night of the 29th, the Arlington Company was enjoined from laying the stone or permitting it to he laid. On the next day the Grand Lodge laid the stone. Shortly afterward the parties who had been enjoined were cited to appear and shoAV cause why they should not be punished for contempt. After a hearing, they were found not guilty and dismissed. Black Prince Lodge had no part in the matter other than that some of their members acted as Grand Lodge officers at tbe layng of the stone, being specially deputized by the grand chancellor." cabccs, was organized May 9, 1900. The charter officials were : Commander, Flora DuBois ; lieutenant commander, Lucinda Jackson; past commander, Penelope Dean; record keeper, Lida Heatherington ; finance keeper, Luella Jeffers; mistress at arms, Maude Rofelty; sergeant, Mabel Long; chaplain, Alice J. Wilson ; sentinel, Lottie Hart ; picket, Annie Strong. The number of charter members was

The present officials are: Commander, Nellie LaRoche; past commander, Penelope Dean; lieutenant commander, Mary A. Wagoner; record keeper, Alice J. Wilson; finance keeper. Ora Z. Weeks: mistress at arms, Luella Jeffers ; sergeant, Sarah Buress ; chaplain, Louisa LaRoche; sentinel, Regina IMeyer; picket, Margaret Strahl. The number of members at present is 82.

This organization is one of the best of tbe assessment societies in the State, and the order is the only independent order of ladies in the world, at'present controlled entirely by women from the highest to the lowest official.

BcUaire Lodge No. 2, Shield of Honor, was organized in 1899, the date of its charter being November 2nd. Tbe following were the charter members : J. M. King, D. Robinson,

The officers of the lodge for 1902 are as follows : S. M.. Henry Smith; W. M., Gus. A. Stephens; J. M., Walter Smith; recording and financial secretary, William Lockwood ; treasurer, D. Robinson: conductor, J. A. Malone; chaplain, H. Burkhart ; trustees, E. Pickett, J. M. King and W. Smith.

hinior 0. U. A. M. Band, Ohio Valley Council, Ah). 21. - This organization, which has 87 members, was organized April 30, 1867, and is open for concerts, excursions, ebautauc|uas, parades, etc. Its charter members were as follows: James Moorehouse, George W.

Logan: vice councilor, H. Dunfee: recording secretary, Gus. A. Stephens : assistant recording secretary, T. G. Alonroe ; financial secretary, John Thurn : treasurer, A. Grafton; conductor, James IMoffat ; warden, D. D. Ogle; inside sentinal, James Hadley: outside sentinel, Samuel Leach: chaplain, S. Workman: trustees, Gus. A. Stephens, C. A. Keyser and E. J. Day : representative to State Council, J. E. IMoorehouse : junior past councilor, E. J. Day.

Spangler Post, No. 99, G. A. R., of Bellaire, was organized July 9. 1881. Two preliminary meetings were held to make all the necessary arrangements. On i\Iay 30th preceding, a meeting was held in the Loan Exhibition Building and Comrade Erederick Eberle was called to the chair and Comrade S. H. Lee was appointed secretary. At this meeting 83 applications were made for membership. On lime 13th, the executive committee, consisting of Levi Cassell chairman, J. IM. Richardson, S. H. Lee. W. H. Little and Thomas Keyser reported the methods of procedure to effect an organization and on July 6th at a meeting held in the Citv Hall the following officers were duly elected: Post commander. Frederick Eberle: senior vice commander, S. H. Lee; junior vice commander. Mb C. Grafton : quartermaster, P. S. Osborne; surgeon, S. C. Gerrard; chaplain. J. IM. Richardson : officer of the day, Levi Cassell : officer of the guard. Henry Crimmel.

'Phe ]>ast commanders at present connected with the Cost are: W. i). Jones, II. C. Kemple, James Lancaster, August Haas, J. W. .Morrell. \V. 11. Thompson, J. B. Gibson and A. Bortcrtield. The present officers (November I, iyo2) are: Post commander, A. Porterfield; adjutant, .Vugust Haas; quartermaster. W. H. Thompson: chaplain, John King; officer (M the day, IT. C. Kemple; oflicer of the guard, James Lancaster; surgeon, - \. Boeder; guard, L. Schram. The trustees for 1902 are H. C. Kemple, August Haas and Henry Rolls.

The New.Spapers Of Bellaire

The editor and proprietor was Robert Duncan, and The Times was conducted under his management for a year, when two prominent physicians, - Dr. Milton W. Junkins and Dr. Joseph Gaston, - assumed control. These gentlemen sought to make The Times pre-eminently a local ])aper.

Between 1857 and 1859, two other newspaper organizations were formed, viz ; - the Bellaire Intelligencer, and the Democratic Era. The latter paper is said to have been a newsy, spicy sheet that met with much public favor; but all these enterprises failed for want of sufficient patronage, as did also The Advertiser, issued in 1870.

The Independent was first issued in 1870 by a joint stock company with J. B. Longley as manager and editor. Subsequently Air. Longley obtained entire control of the paper, a position he held until 1871 when he was elected county auditor.

LTpon entering the auditor's office, Mr. Longley temporarily sundered his connection with the paper, and Dr. Junkins and James F. Anderson acted as editors and managers. After a few months Dr. Junkins retired from the pajier, and Mr. Anderson assumed the editorial chair.

In 1873 Air. Longley's term of office expired. and he again took editorial charge of the paper for three years, when Mr. Anderson assumed entire control, a position that he has filled with great acceptability for a quarter of a century.

As its name implies The Independent has lieen "independent in all things but neutral in none'' and while advocating the doctrines of the Republican party it is free in its criticisms of ipublic men and public measures of all parties, if in the editor's judgment they are unworthy of public support. It is an earnest advocate of retrenchment and economy in the management of public affairs.

The Democrat issued the initial number March 23, 1888. VV. C. Warnock was its founder and he continued as editor and publisher until April, 1901, when he disposed of the plant to Prof. D. W. Shields, the present proprietor.

The paper was originally a five-column eight-page journal but was in a few years enlarged to its present size, - eight pages of six columns each.

The paper is Democratic in politics. Under its present management, it is one of the most infiuential papers in the county in advocacy of the political principles of the party it espouses. It has always been courteous and manly in its treatment of men and measures and has maintained the respect of its political opponents.

Mr. Warnock says; "Home news has been its special feature. It does not advocate prohibition of the liquor traffic as a political measure, yet a line of whiskey advertisements never appeared in its columns."

The BcUaire Daily Hcrald-Tribunc is the only Democratic paper ever published in Belmont County. The Weekly Herald was estal> fished in 1885 by E. M. Lockwood and was purchased from him January i, 1890, by R. C. Meyer. The Tribune was established by Col. C. L. Poorman in 1879.

Colonel Poorman bad been prominent in county affairs for many years previous to and after his service in the army. He was for 10 years editor of the Belmont Chronicle, and to this fact was largely due his success in the management of The Tribune. In 1879-81, he started the daily edition of The Tribune. Upon October i, 1899, R. C. Meyer purchased The Tribune from Colonel Poorman and combined the two papers as the Herald-Tribune and since then it has been successful in the publication of the daily and weekly Herald-Tribune.

The Tribune during the administration of Colonel Poorman was intensely Republican, but in the Greeley campaign it supported the veteran editor of the Nezv York Tribune for the Presidency and for a time thereafter lost the support of the Republican organization. However, in 1885, Colonel Poorman was elected to represent Belmont County in the General Assembly of Ohio, a position that he filled with marked ability for two terms.

Subsec[uently The Tribune supported W. J. Bryan, the Democratic candidate for President upon the "silver" issue, but always claimed to be Republican.

Under the management of R. C. Meyer, the Daily Herald-Tribune is regarded as the foremost Democratic daily in the eastern and southeastern sections of the county. Its editor, R. C. Meyer, is one of the most practical and promising newspaper men in Eastern Ohio. He is familiar with the work in all its details and while earnest in the support of the political faith which his paper advocates he will resort to no unfair or dishonest means to achieve party success. He is a young man of uprightness and integrity and the success which his paper has achieved attests the appreciation of the public. Mr. Meyer is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and especially interested in the religious welfare of the young people.

Other newspaper enterprises. - In addition to the three papers at present published in Bellaire there have been issued at various times other newspaper enterprises that were short lived; viz., - The Standard in 1870 by Leet & Nuzum; The Belmont City Commercial in 1872 with Miss Mary Hoover as editor. During the administration of Miss Hoover, W. S. Faris served as local editor and there began his short but brilliant career as a journalist.

In 1875 J- J- Clarkson purchased The Commercial, but in a few months disposed of his interests to Miss Cochran and Gow. In 1876 John R. Gow assumed control and added a new press and other material improvements and called the new paper the JVeekly Leader.

The Bellaire Cemetery Association

Greenwood Cemetery was set apart as a l)urying ground in 1859. Previous to this, the "Daris P)nr)-ing Ground," located near the Sullivan coal mines, had been used as a graveyard since j8io. After the establishment of Greenwood Cemetery, many of the dead buried in the old graveyard were removed there.

(jreenwood Cemetery is only about a half mile from the city and is beautifully located, d'he pro])erty originally consisted of but four acres that was purchased for $800. The first officers were: President, James Nicoll; clerk,

E. G. Morgan: treasurer, Alex. Hammond; trustees, B. R. Cowen, Joseph McMurray, R. 1 1. Long, George Criswell and John Hattery. d'he cemetery continues a joint stock association and is maintained with great care. Today it is veritable garden spot. As to the value of the property held, a stockholder says :

''Each, purchaser of a lot in the cemetery becomes a member of the association and is entitled to a vote at the annual meeting of lot owners. The by-laws provide that trustees shall he elected by the lot owners at their am nual meeting. The only source of income is from the sale of lots, and, up to the present time, it is said, the money received has all been applied in the purchase of grounds, improvements, and the salary of the sexton ; so that the association has no assets except the unsold portion of the cemetery grounds. The best part of the grounds have already been sold and the value of the remainder would he very difficult to determine. I would guess that it would be worth, at least, $10,000; that is, for cemetery ]nirposes it would ultimately bring that amount. If sold at public sale and for other purposes, it would not bring one-c|uarter of that amount. The cost of the entire cemetery, including all the improvements, public and private, would probably run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"I had a talk with some of the trustees and the above was as near as they could inform me as to the values you encjuire about. The board of trustees, as at present constituted, is as follows : Thomas Ault, William S. Carroll,

Source changes here: from 1903 Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Hon. a. T. Mckelvey, published 1903; 23,590 words in this source stream.

Pultney Township

HicH RIDGE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - THE Towns: STEEL, West WHEELING AND. SHADYSIDE - THE City or BELLAIRE - INCREASE IN PoPULATION - CiTY OFFICIALS - THE First SETTLERS - A TRIBUTE TO COLONEL SULLIVAN - CHANGE FROM BELL AIR TO BELLAIRE - THE City's GRowTH - THE Post OFFICE - THE

Etary Association

The tax duplicate for 1902 shows a gain of personal property amounting to $103,586 in Bellaire alone, while the tax levy in the township is 2.08 as against 2.18 in 1901 and 2.48 in Bellaire as against 2.66 in 1901.

The township officers in 1902 are as follows: Trustees - William M. Moore, J. M. Paul, Irwin Baker, John W. Morrell, J. M. Richardson and Frank S. Mason; clerk, - B. W. Hopkins; treasurer, - George Pracht.

Belmont County and before its divisions and subdivisions was one of the largest. Its present boundaries are as follows: On the north by Pease township. on the east by the Ohio River, on the south and the west by Richland

The township was organized in 1801, and the first election was held at the house of Jacob Repshire, one of the judges of the court in the same year, and this same court had Joseph Lashley and Philip Dover as constables for Pultney township.

One of the first settlers was Andrew Dixon, who came from West Liberty, (West) Virginia, in 1796, and his son, James Dixon, born in 1797, was the first male child born in the township.

The first place for public worship was built on McMechen's Creek, a short distance south of the tunnel, and the preacher was Rev. John Scott.

The Mining Industry

For years the coal works north and south of Bellaire and the great limestone and sandstone quarries-on Indian Run west of the city were leading industries. Today the coal industry is paramount.

The Empire Company, which owns the 30,000-acre tract south and west of Bellaire, contemplates opening three new mines to be as large or larger than the three they already have. While no definite statement regarding the new mines has been made by officials, it is presumed the additional openings will be somewhere along the river front, for it is evidently their purpose in time to do a great deal of shipping by the river. More than likely the most important development by the company in the near future will be from mines to be opened below Wegee.

The leading churches of the township outside of Bellaire are the Rock Hill Presbyterian Church and the High Ridge United Presbyterian Church.

Rock Hill Presbyterian Church

According to the best information now at hand, Rock Hill Presbyterian Church was organized in the summer of 1812, the actual date being unknown. As the early records are lost we must draw from the most approved tradition for the story of 29 years of the church's existence. The place of organization was under the spreading branches of an elm tree near the north bank of McMechen's Creek on the farm then owned by John Cunningham. The same authority gives us the following persons

Moore and wife, John Cunningham and wife, William Merritt and wife, John Simpson and wife, Mrs. McKimmons, Mrs. Paxton, Mrs. Elizabeth McAllister, Mrs. Kelsey, James Simpson, and there may have been others whose names are forgotten. Two men, John Moore and John Cunningham, were chosen to the office of ruling elder. ,The minister in charge was Rev. Abram Scott, an evangelist of the Presbytery of Ohio, who served the church for eight years until he saw it comfortably housed in a neat, hewn-log church 30 by 40 feet in size, built in 1817. This building was a fine one for that time, but was said to possess neither floor nor ceiling at first. But these proofs of advancing civilization were afterward added, as was also a stove for heating the house. The pews were each the work shapes, those oí George Wise, Sr., and James McMillen being the best, as cabinetmakers could turn out better work than an ordinary farmer with only an augur and ax to work with. But aside from appearance, the occupant of the slab pew could enjoy the sermon of the preacher as well as his better provided neighbor.

This log church served as the gathering place of the Presbyterians for the eastern part of Belmont County for 29 years as the nearest Presbyterian churches were at St. Clairsville and at Mount Pleasant, in Jefferson County. There are only two older Presbyterian churches in the county than Rock Hill, - St. Clairsville, founded in 1798, and Crab Apple in 1800.

Our Scotch and Scotch-Irish fathers builded better than they knew, for they founded a church that has lived 90 years and has had an unbounded influence in molding the character of the people who have lived within its bounds in all these years. The sons and daughters of the Rock Hill Church have traversed much of the world and in many occupations seem to be first and best. She has given 12 manly sons to the Gospel ministry and has one more in training for the same sacred calling.

And Representative Citizens

In 1845 the second church building was erected, and here the church saw its maximum growth. But its growth was seriously checked by the rapid formation of other Presbyterian churches in its original field; beginning with Martin's Ferry in 1841 and following rapidly were founded Wegee, Kirkwood, Bethel, Bellaire Ist, Farmington, Coal Brook, Bellaire 2nd, and last, Pleasant Valley. Each have drawn on the territory or population of Rock Hill until only a small part of the lordly heritage of the fathers remains to the old church. Notwithstanding the forming of these new churches and the constant stream of emigrants going forth, the old church yet retains 117 communicants, slightly more than the average for the 60 years past.

In 1890, finding that the church building was almost beyond repair, the congregation decided to tear it down and erect a new one near the old site. This was done and the new church was dedicated June 3, 1891. The building was cruciform in shape and cost $7,000 when complete, being the neatest country church in Eastern Ohio. It was solidly built and might have lasted a century had no mishap befallen it. But during a severe electrical storm on the evening of June 25, 1902, it was struck by lightning and burned. When the pastor saw the fire, he started for the scene rousing the people on the wa Presbyterian, United Presbyterian, and the stranger within our gates made heroic efforts to put out the fire, but the means were not sufficient and the beautiful sanctuary was consumed. Within a few days the congregation decided without dissent to rebuild and we hope in the fullness of time to see a new church, the fourth temple to the Lord our God, rise upon the sacred hill.

Rock Hill has been served by the following supplies and pastors: Revs. Abram Scott, eight years; Dr. McMillen, Jacob Lindley, James Arbuthnot, Joseph Anderson, Benjamin

23 years. R. H. Holliday organized Bellaire First Church, to which Rock Hill gave 41 members. John Moffat, J. D. Fitzgerald, D. H. Laverty and John Jay Lane, who organized

Coal Brook Church, giving it half the territory and many members, served 11 years; John G. Black, six years; J. A. Bower and Walter L. Alexander, the present pastor, 12 years.

The following persons served the church as. ruling elders: John Cunningham, John Moore, William Keyser, James Milligan, John Rankin, James Greenlee, Joshua Keyser, Robert Merritt, A. W. Anderson, J. S. Cratty, J. W. Milligan, Matthew Wallace, William Thomas, John Giffin, John S. Keyser, P. A. Wise, E. E. Tarbet. It has also given for the evangelization of the world the following sons as ministers of the Gospel: Revs. William Wallace, Richard Merrill, Thomas Merrill, James Merritt, Robert Alexander, James Alexander, George W. Mc- Millan, Robert A. Criswell, J. W. Allen, A. G. Lane, Edgar S. Robinson; together with these we may associate two others who began their life's work here - Rev. James Moffat, now president of Washington-Jefferson College, and Bishop James Thoburn, Methodist Episcopal missionary to India, taught their first schools here.

Rock Hill is not and has not been a: large church, the largest membership being 174 and the average for 60 years since 1842-is 110. Neither has it been a wealthy church as the public has believed. The great bulk of its membership is and has been for many years composed of the tillers of small farms and laborers, yet the average gifts per member for the 60 years of which we have account is Sv per annum. This certainly is an excellent showing for a strictly rural church, as country churches are supposed to be very poorly organized for work.

During the past year this church of ETUR members has given for benevolences $450, and for congregational expenses $653, a total of $1,115 or $9.53 per member.

In the year 1851 the Reformed Dissenting Church united with the Associate Church and in 1858 the Associate Church united with the Reformed Associate Church, thus forming the United Presbyterian Church.

The High Ridge congregation was organized at Flat Run, Belmont County, Ohio. The earliest records are obtained from the minutes of the Reformed Dissenting Presbytery. From these we learn that in 1809 the meeting place was "the tent at Flat Run," while in 1811 the records mention the "meeting house of Flat Run." This meeting house was a log building located a little south of the present village of Farmington.

In the minutes of the Presbytery of 1825 we find "The Presbytery adjourned to meet at the High Ridge meeting house McMechen's Creek in 1826." This is all the available information in reference to the change from Flat Run to High Ridge. T EU

The house of worship at High Ridge was a small brick, built perhaps in 1824 or 1825. The date of the deed conveying the property from John -and William Feeley to Christopher ` Hinkle, Robert Alexander and George Giffen was December 7, 1825. This building served until about 1846 when the walls were taken down and replaced by a frame, the roof, foundation, and even the seats and pulpit being the same as in the former house.

In 1874 a new building was erected on the site of the former building at a cost of about $3,000. On the igth of April, 1893, this building was destroyed by fire. The church members had collected in large numbers with a view of giving the church building a thorough cleaning when in some unaccountable way a fire was started and the building was completely destroyed. "Nothing daunted by the loss, a movement was inaugurated for rebuilding and on May r, 1894, the present comfortable church edifice was dedicated.

Since that time the congregation has been served by the following pastors: Rev. Josiah Alexander, 1853-55, in connection with Belmont. Rev. William Grimes, 1858-71. Rev. Mr. Grimes resigned to give all his time to Belmont. Rev. Thomas Love, 1876-84; Rev. W. R. Thompson, 1887-98; and Rev. Morris Watson, who has been pastor since 1900. The following persons have served as elders: Christopher Hinkle, Robert Alexander, George Giffen, William Giffen, John Johnson, John Eckles, Andrew J. Keyser, James Johnson, John DuBois, and John McFarland. The present elders are: William Nichol, James Hinkle, Samuel Gordon and James Wise.

Steel, West Wheeling And The Towns

STEEL P. O. or St. Clairsville Junction is a village of a few hundred inhabitants, principally miners employed in the coal mines of Troll Brothers. It has two large stores and a church.

WEST WHEELING in Pultney township is midway between- Bridgeport and Bellaire. The old town was laid out in 1838 by Martin S. Todd, and contains a population today of 574. The principal industry is the paper mill of David Wagner, but many of the employees of the mills and factories in the city of Wheeling opposite make their homes in West Wheeling, crossing and recrossing the river upon the old ferry that was established in the early history of the village. For years the leading industryof West Wheeling was coal mining and flatboat building as conducted by Redick McKee. It was a profitable industry.

"West Wheeling was the home of one of Pultney township's oldest citizens, the venerable "Squire Kelsey, who served as squire for nearly half a century.

A successful canning factory is conducted by C. W. Rodefer & Company that, at this writing, is in full operation. Harvey Brothers also conduct a profitable soap factory, and John Futhy is the proprietor of the largest Jersey dairy in the county.

This enterprising people have established a Board of Trade with Col. C. L. Poorman as president and J. B. Milhoan as secretary. The right of way for the new motor line between Bellaire and Marietta is now being secured and a franchise for an electric light plant is also being applied for. Recently a movement was inaugurated to unite Shadyside with the corporation of Bellaire, but the movement is not as yet successful.

The City Of Bellaire Increase In Population

This population, because of the introduction of several new factories, has been increased within the past year to a figure exceeding 10,000, and the industrial enterprises have never been established upon as substantial a basis.

The assessor's returns for 1902 show a net gain in the wealth of the city of $103,586. The tax levy for the corporation is 2.48, a reduction of 18 cents on the year previous.

Cley Obeictalds

Charles W. Rodewig, mayor: F. A. Jackson, city clerk; C. W. Dickens, city treasurer; Cook Danford, city solicitor; A. J. Norton, city engineer; Albert Mahone, city marshal.

The members of the City Council are: Emil Shmidt, president; Dr. Joseph Piersol, vicepresident; L. W. Gilcher, Thomas Powers, Clarence Simpson, Charles H. Wise, L. G. Battelle, J. H. Murray, H. C, Fuhr and PEC Nicholson. |

In addition to its fine harbor, and facilities for river transportation, Bellaire is the terminus of the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling, the Cleveland & Pittsburg, the Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati and the Ohio Valley railroads, and is likewise on the main line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad east and west, thus affording double connection with the lakes and the seacoast and the great railway system controlled by the Pennsylvania and Baltimore & Ohio companies, east, west, north and south. '

The First Settlers

The first settlement was effected by Jacob Davis, Sr., who emigrated from Maryland in 1802. However, the old town was not laid out until 1834.

Five years previous, Jacob Davis, Jr., built a log house with the aid of the militia who had collected there to muster, and this building was only removed in 1870 to give way to an implement and machine factory.

Duer sold to John Buchanan and Buchanan's sons in turn sold to Davis as above narrated. John Rodefer in 1832 also purchased from Buchanan's sons 133 acres just south of Indian Run.

The same year Capt. Tohn Fink purchased all the tract south of the creek from Jacob Davis for $1,400; this included the land subsequently owned and operated for mining purposes by Jacob Heatherington, and from which

In April, 1834, Mr. Davis laid out six acres of the remaining land, on the beautiful plateau embraced in his purchase, in town lots, calling the place Bell Air, after his home town in Maryland.

A Tribute To Colonel Sullivan

The town made but little progress until after the completion of the Central Ohio Railroad, which was built largely through the tireless efforts of Col. J. H. Sullivan.

With a tact and courtesy that few possess and a command of words that was positively irresistible, Colonel Sullivan overcame what to others would have been insurmountable difhculties in obtaining rights of way and promoting every scheme looking to the upbuilding of the town.

He was connected with every new enterprise, and indefatigable in his day and generation in promoting every effort for the prosperity and growth of the city.

Change From Bell Air To Bellaire

In 1852 Colonel Sullivan with others laid out the new city by the purchase of that portion of the Davis farm owned by Harris, and on the 14th day of November the first sale of lots occurred. About the same time the name Bell Air was changed at the suggestion of Moses Sarchett, one of the directors of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, to Bellaire, in order, primarily, to avoid confusion in the distribution of freights and mail, and, secondly, as more descriptive of the site occupied.

The City'S Growth

made. In January, 1856, Rodefer made his first addition, and in the July following his second addition, and in November, 1859, his third addition. Sullivan, Barnard Cowen's first addition in 1866. Butte's addition in 1868; Fink's addition in 1868, his second addition in 1869. Sullivan, Barnard & Cowen's second addition in 1869 and Mrs. Sullivan's Rose Hill addition, and Cummins' first addition: in 1870, his second addition in 1872, his third addition in 1873 and his fourth addition in 1874. Heatherington's first addition in 1871; Bates' in 1871; Barnard, Cummins & Hammond's in 1871; Carroll, Armstrong & Company's addition in 1872; Fink's third addition in 1872; Heatherington's second and third additions in 1872; Barnard's first addition in 1873; Austin's addition in 1873; Horn's addition in 1874; Austin's second addition in 1874; Barnard's second addition in 1876; Cummins' addition in 1878; Sullivan, Barnard & Cowen's addition in 1878 and Sheets' addition in 1879.

Among the first lot purchasers we note the names of H. B. Cunningham, John Wallace, R. Wallace, William Frasier, George Wheatley, Adam Long. Francis Hollingshead, Hiram McMechen, C. S. Baron, Amos Worley, Thomas Davis, Harrison Porter and John Christian.

The first tradesmen were Amos Worley, a cabinetmaker; Joseph Rine, a coal merchant; Joseph McColloch, a shoemaker. Mr. Wakefield was the first carpenter; John Archer, Sr., was the first cooper, and was succeeded by his son. Long & Archer built the first warehouse on the river bank in 1837 and were succeeded by Muth Muth. William Hunter was the first brick manufacturer. The Longs were engaged in the manufacture of flatboats. John Rees was the first blacksmith, and J. M. Beard the first wagon-maker.

trous fire destroyed the Sproul property in 1847, but he started anew opposite the old Bellaire House. Joseph Gorby started in in 1853, then followed Morgan Cowen & Company, wholesale grocers, and Sheets, Hogue & Company.

The Post Office

The first post office was established in 1841 with John Archer, Sr., as postmaster. At that time only a weekly mail was received, the carrier riding on horseback from Wheeling to Woodsfield. A few years thereafter a triweekly mail service was established by boat - between Wheeling and Parkersburg.

Mr. Archer was succeeded as postmaster by Dr. Andrews, who was followed by John Anderson. When Anderson was elected sheriff of the county in 1858, A. W. Anderson was pointed postmaster in his stead. Upon his resignation, William Dunn obtained the position through the instrumentality of Congressman Lawrence. There was considerable friction throughout the administration of Dunn because of the location of the office. Robert Harper followed Dunn and he in turn was followed by Mrs. H. A. Birdsong. Then followed George A. Wise, D. W. Cooper, D. H. Darrah, W. C. Warnock and John R. Gow, the present incumbent.

The Town Incorporated

Because of the rowdyism and intemperance prevailing in 1856-57, the good citizens of Bellaire petitioned the county commissioners that the village be incorporated, but lacking a majority of citizens in support of the measure the whole project was overthrown.

The First Mayor And His Successors

At the first election for mayor the "whiskey question" was made an issue and there was some bitterness manifested, but John Kelley, the temperance candidate, was elected by a large majority. He served two years and was followed by A. W. Anderson, 1861-63; E. D. Winans, 1863-68; A. O. Mellott, 1868-70; George Criswell 1870-74; George Strahl, (It was during the administration of Mr. Strahl the village charter was changed to a city charter.) Levi Castle, 1878-80; D. W. Cooper, 1880-84; W. H. Brown, 1886-90; S. McGowan, 1890-92; D. W. Cooper, 1892- 96; Frank Williams, 1896-98; John DuBois, 1898-1900; Isaac Freese, 1900-02; Charles Rodewig, the present incumbent.

The old City Hall and police court was established in 1868. Today a new and modern city building is in course of construction at the corner of 32nd and Belmont streets, and it is expected the work will be completed by May Ist. The cost was fixed at $40,000, but that figure has been reached and it will require $15,000 additional to finish the structure.

The Water-Works And Electric Power

In 1872 the present water-works were voted for, and the proposition was carried. A committee consisting of E. G. Morgan, A. W. Anderson, C. C. Kelley, George Kern, H. M. Ingler, H. Bute, and Civil Engineer J. W. Yost, with E. B. Winans, secretary, was appointed to superintend the construction and the work was completed in 1873.

The reservoir has a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons and the water supply is obtained from the Ohio River and is distributed throughout the city in pipes.

The works are wholly inadequate to the needs of the people today, and several*projects are on foot to construct a new system, one of which is a proposition to unite with Bridgeport and Martin's Ferry in constructing a reservolr large enough to supply the three cities, the water to be obtained at Boggs Run two miles above Martin's Ferry, and thereby receive a liberal supply of soft water free from the filth of the cities named.