Jefferson County OH Genealogy

Slave Narrative of Catherine Slim

Interviewer: Bishop & Isleman Person Interviewed: Catherine Slim Location: Steubenville, Ohio Place of Birth: Rockingham, Virginia Age: 87 Place of Residence: 939 N. 6th St., Steubenville, Ohio WPA in Ohio Federal Writers’ Project Bishop & Isleman Jun 9, 1937 Topic: Ex-Slaves Jefferson County, District #2 MRS. CATHERINE SLIM Ex-slave, 87 years, 939 N. 6th St., Steubenville I wuz born in Rockingham, Virginny; a beautiful place where I cum from. My age is en de courthouse, Harrisonburg, Virginny. I dunno de date of my birth, our massa’s wouldn’t tell us our age. My mother’s name wuz Sally. She wuz a colored … Read more

Moravian Massacre at Gnadenbrutten

In the early part of the year 1763 two Moravian missionaries, Post and Heckewelder, established a mission among the Tuscarawa Indians, and in a few years they had three nourishing missionary stations, viz: Shoenbrun, Gnadenbrutten and Salem, which were about five miles apart and fifty miles west of the present town of Steubenville, Ohio. During our Revolutionary War their position being midway between the hostile Indians (allies of the British) on the Sandusky River, and our frontier settlements, and therefore on the direct route of the war parties of both the British Indian allies and the frontier settlers, they were … Read more

Roll Of Capt. Jacob Gilber’s Company

(Probably from Jefferson County) Served from August 25, 1812 until February 28, 1813. Capt. Jacob Gilbert Lieut. John Testers Ensign Abraham Fox Ensign Conrad Myers Sergt. Davtd Shoemaker Sargt. Samuel Eister Sergt. Michael Coners Sergt. Michael Shafer Corp, Randall Smith Corp. Peter Miller Corp. John Eaton Corp, John Lipley Privates Adams, William Alexander, Robert Barnes, Jacob Beacht, George Bissilla, Betz Blackburn, William Boatman, Henry Bradfield, Benjamin Brineman, Richard Cahammon, John M, Calihan, William Catt, Phillip Clary, James M Condon, James Cook, George Engerstem, Henry Estep, George Feler, Michael Fisher, Brice Ford, William Fox, John Frederick, John Garringer, David Glass, Mathias … Read more

Biography of James Medill

James Medill. The late James Medill was one of the men who came to Kansas during its territorial period, and while he was but one of scores of similar pioneers, he bore his part worthily, although inconspicuously, in the upbuilding of the commonwealth. Mr. Medill was born on a farm in Jefferson County, Ohio, near Steubenville, May 21, 1824, a son of Joseph Medill, who was of the same family that produced the Medills who made the Chicago Tribune famous. James Medill was reared to manhood in his native county, where he acquired a good, practical education. As a young … Read more

Biography of John Porter

John Porter. This is the name of one of the old pioneers of Kansas territory. It was fifty-seven years ago when he established his first home within the limits of the presant Shawnee County and there began working out his own destiny and to some extent the destiny of Kansas as a free state and the welfare of his children. It is a name that will always be spoken with respect, and those who bear it in the future will have reason to congratulate themselves in the splendid character of their pioncor Kansas ancostor, John Portor. He was a native … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James L. Chapman

James L. Chapman is a native of West Virginia, born near Manchester, Hancock County, in the widely quoted “Pan-handle district,” March 23, 1818, and there he was reared, educated, and lived until the 5th of April, 1854. In that year he migrated to the “land of the Hawkeye,” settling in Jefferson county, but remained in that county only till the following fall, then removed to Wayne county, Iowa, and there continued to live and engage in farming until 1864, when he made his home in Missouri, locating in Harrison county. Six years he pursued farming avocations in that county, then … Read more

Biography of Stephen R. Magee, M. D.

Stephen R. Magee, M. D. Among the representative orange groves and vineyards of Arlington in Riverside, mention should be made of that owned by D. Magee. The improvements on this place were commenced by Mrs. Magee in August, 1875. It was then a wild and barren plain. Mrs. Magee in that year preceded the Doctor to California and located on a forty-acre tract, on what is now the corner of Center and Palm avenues. She caused a small cottage to be erected, in which herself and children were domiciled, and then at once commenced the planting of ornamental trees and … Read more

Biography of R. T. Updegraff

R. T. Updegraff has been perhaps the leading individual factor in the commercial and business development of the Town of Maple Hill in Wabaunsee County for the past thirty years. Mr. Updegraff came to Kansas after completing his education, and the vigor and enterprise which characterized his early life in this state have borne abundant fruit in several different lines. Mr. Updegraff was born at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, November 28, 1862. He is of old Quaker family, the religion of the Friends having received the allegiance of the Updegraffs for many generations. The Updegraffs first came out of Holland in … Read more

Slave Narrative of John W. Matheus

Interviewer: Bishop & Isleman Person Interviewed: John Williams Matheus Location: Steubenville, Ohio Age: 77 Place of Residence: 203 Dock Street WPA in Ohio Federal Writers’ Project Bishop & Isleman Reporter: Bishop (Revision) July 8, 1937 Topic: Ex-Slaves Jefferson County, District #5 JOHN WILLIAMS MATHEUS Ex-Slave, 77 years “My mothers name was Martha. She died when I was eleven months old. My mother was owned by Racer Blue and his wife Scotty. When I was bout eleven or twelve they put me out with Michael Blue and his wife Mary. Michael Blue was a brother to Racer Blue. Racer Blue died … Read more

Through Ohio And Kentucky

Sunday, Oct. 18.–Myself and friend proceeded on our journey. We arrived at Siers, a distance of thirty miles, at dusk, much relieved by the change from our horses to the wagon. The roads were muddy, the weather drizzly and the country hilly. Buildings indifferent. The land very fertile and black. Trees uncommonly tall. Passed the little village of Cadis. In this country a tavern, a store, a smith shop and two or three cabins make a town. Passed ten or fifteen travelers. Great contrast between the quality of the land from Chambersburg to Pittsburg, and that which we have already … Read more

Biography of Charles L. Ong

Charles L. Ong and his family bore an important part in the pioneer commercial and civic life of several communities in Western Kansas and he spent his last years at Salina. Mr. Ong brought his family to Kansas in 1883. Though the name had the flavor of foreign origin, it is in fact one of the oldest in America. The forebears of the late Charles L. Ong came out of England, crossing the ocean on the ship Lyon, and reaching the American colonies on February 5, 1631. Dr. A. R. Ong, A. M., M. D., now deceased, a brother of … Read more

Biography of Oliver Denious

Oliver Denious, a resident of Erie, Kansas, since 1894, has lived a life full of activity. His experiences have been in the role of a farm laborer, soldier, farmer, business man, public official, and wherever and in whatever place destiny has put him he has given a good account of his ability and character. He was only twelve years of age when he became self supporting. That was back in Stark County, Ohio. His first work was to hire out to neighboring farmers, and though extremely young, he often did a man’s work. Naturally enough he had limited advantages to … Read more

Roll Of Capt Thomas Latta’s Company

(Probably from Jefferson County) Served from September 15, 1812 until March 21, 1813 Capt. Thomas Latta Lieut John Buck Lieut. Hugh Christy Ensign William Prichard Sergt. George Browers Sergt. George Brown Sergt. Alexander Patterson Sergt, Alexander Valters Sergt. George Emaling Sergt. John Haughey Sergt. Issac Wolms Sergt. Richard Brown Corp. Cornelius Peterson Corp. William Betz Corp. James Holes Corp Mathew Palmer Privates Adams, John Adams, Thomas Agler, William Allbaugh, George Allbaugh, Solomon Argo, Jeremiah Bailis, William Bair, David Baird, Andrew Bamhill, William Barnes, John Beamer, Adam Beamer, Adam, Jr. Bell, Adam Bell, William Boils, Richard Bratell, John Brockar, John Brockar, … Read more

Roll Of Capt. James Downing’s Company

(Probably from Jefferson County) Served from August 23, until November 30, 1812. Capt. James Downing Lieut. Peter Johnson Ensign Thomas Smith Sergt. John Forsythe Sergt. John Barber Sergt. Michael McGowen Sergt. Samuel Richards Corp. Abraham Bair Corp. Benjamin A. Kinson Corp. John Warden Corp. Joseph Balsfore Fifer, Jesse Ellis Drummer, Daniel Smith Privates Adam, John Baindan, Jacob Bair, David Baird, John Baired, Andrew Barlen, Henry Bawn, Henry Chapman, Thomas Crites, William Duck, John Forsythe, Andrew Fouls, George Funk, Samuel Grubb, John Hartman, David Hawman, Isaac Hefner, David Henning, Jacob Holts, John Hoster, Jacob Kepler, Andrew King, Peter Kinny, Peter Knap, … Read more

Biography of John Edgington

The name of Edgington is a well known one throughout Rock Island County. It is the name of one of the county’s earliest pioneer families. It is also the name of one of the county’s most prosperous little villages, named in honor of one of the founders of that family, John Edgington, the subject of our sketch, a man who in his long lifetime spent in this county, lived to see it grow from a waste of prairie and wilderness into a wonderfully fertile farming community, dotted here and there with busy little villages and cities devoted to manufacture and … Read more

Slave Narrative of George Jackson

Interviewer: Bishop & Isleman Person Interviewed: George Jackson Location: Steubenville, Ohio Place of Birth: Loudon County, Virginia Date of Birth: Feb. 6, 1858 Age: 79 WPA in Ohio Federal Writers’ Project Bishop & Isleman Reporter: Bishop [HW: Revised] Topic: Ex-Slaves. Jefferson County, District #5 July 6, 1937 GEORGE JACKSON Ex-Slave, 79 years I was born in Loudon County, Virginny, Feb. 6, 1858. My mother’s name was Betsy Jackson. My father’s name was Henry Jackson. Dey were slaves and was born right der in Loudon County. I had 16 brothers and sisters. All of dem is dead. My brothers were Henry, … Read more

Roll Of Capt. David Pecks Company

(From Either Harrison or Jefferson County) Served from August 25, 1812, until February 28, 1813. Capt. David Peck Lieut. Josaph Davis Ensign Jacob Shaffer SerCt. John Stoaks Sergt. Ivaniel Higgins Sergt. Dudley Smith Sergt- Jesse Harnum Corp. John Vaughn Corp. James Davis Corp. James Miller Corp. Wm. McConkey Privates Albert, John Armstrong, Archibold Ayers, James Barnes, Obediah Bennet, Thomas Beard, James Burchfield, Charles Busy, Joshua Chambers, James Christy, George Chrys, George Conn, Alexander Crawford, Alexander Dowden, John N Derry, William Degar, Peter Devore, Abraham Devore, Janies Dewall, Thomas N. Dickey, William Dickey, James Fisher, Samuel Fisher, Ephraim Fisher, John Gutshall, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Albert William Johnston

Johnston, Albert William; railroad office; born, Boston, Mass., March 4, 1853; son of Thomas Hunter and Anne Metcalf Johnston; educated, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; married, Steubenville, O., Sept. 17, 1880, Flora P. Kimball; one daughter, Pauline Kimball Johnston; entered the railroad business in 1875; has resided in Cleveland since 1884, as Division Engineer, N. Y. C. & St. L. R. R. Co., and has successfully held positions of division supt. Eastern Division, general supt. and gen. mgr. entire line; member American Society of Civil Engineers, American Rotary Association and American Rotary Guild; member College Fraternity, Chi Phi Tau, Boston, 1873; … Read more

Roll Of Capt. Joseph Zimmerman’s Company

(Probably from Jefferson County) Served from August 25, until November 30, 1812. Capt. Joseph Zimmerman Lieut. James Kerr Ensign Conrad Monzer or Myers Sergt. George Estep Sergt. George Schultz Sergt. William Rough or Pouch Sergt. Christian Krepps Corp. George Switzer Corp. John Lawrence Corp. Ezekiel Moore Corp. Samuel Meek Drummer, Byneal Moore Private Augustine, Henry Barnett, Jacob Becht, George Blackburn, William Callahan, William Catt, Philip Cook, George Crecy, James Faibr, Michael Fisher, Brice Ford, William Garringer, David Gilson, John Hahan, Andrew Heckinthorn, Peter Higgins, Samuel Hoffman, Jacob Kalep, John Kelly, Alexander Kemp, Jonothan McClary, John McClellan, Felix Meek, John Meek, … Read more

Roll Of Capt. Allen Scroggs’ Company

(Probably from Jefferson County) Served from September 21, 1812 until November 30, 1812. Capt. Allen Scroggs Lieut. John Ramsey Ensign John Caldwell Sergt. William Wilkin Sergt. William Dunlap Sergt. William Holson Sergt. William Robertson Corp. Samuel Avery Corp. Joseph Haverfield Corp. John Connaway Corp. John Wallace Privates Abbott, Benjamin Baricklow, Fanington Beamer, Adam Bebout, Peter Belknap, Horace Brokan, John Brokan, William Buris, Homeny Cann, James F Connaway, Michael Dewalt, John Findley, David Fivecoats, Michael Fletcher, Archibald Foster, Benjamin Francis, James Gladmore, Michael Gray, Ebenezer Heinary, Abraham Hill, William Hitchcock, John Holly, Samuel Jack, Edward Johnson, Henry Laurence, Duber Lees, Samuel … Read more