Belmont County, Ohio

Belmont County Townships

History of Mead Township

Mead was erected from Pultney and York townships, January 3, 1815. The following is copied from the commissioners records: “A number of the inhabitants of York and Pultney townships or election districts in the county of Belmont, have petitioned to be struck off into a new or separate township or election district. The commissioners of said county have proceeded and laid off said township as followeth: Beginning at the southeast corner of fractional section number eleven, on the Ohio river, in township 4, range 3; thence running west along the section line till it strikes the range line dividing the third and fourth ranges; thence north along said range line to the centre line of the fifth township in third range; thence east on said centre line to the range line between the second and third ranges; thence along this range line north one mile; thence east to the Ohio river, then down said river to the place of beginning. The bounds contained within the above described lines to be a new township or election district, to be known by the name of Mead.”

Mead is about six miles long and four miles broad. It is bounded on the north by Richland and Pultney townships, east by the Ohio river, south by the river and York township, west by Smith and Washington. The greater portion of this township is hilly and in many places mountainous in appearance. It is considered a good farming district, the soil being rich and productive. The principal streams are Wegee and Pipe creek. Excellent coal veins underlie its entire limits. A number of coal banks are opened and operated. Thousands of bushels are shipped from these to different points along the Ohio river.

Settlement

The first settlement made in what is now Mead township, was by the Dilles, on the bottoms opposite Moundsville along in 1793–4. This land upon which they settled afterwards derived its name from them. A block house or fort had been erected by them at this point to protect themselves and other settlers from the unmerciful attacks of the savages which then roamed the forests in deadly hostility towards the whites.

Martin Shewey and family, Major James Smith and family, and Leonard Coleman and family, settled in the same bottom about the same time.

Samuel Day and family settled on the ridge above the valley very early.

Richard Riley and family, and Thomas Dunfee and family, settled on the same ridge.

McElherron and family were the first settlers in now Pultney bottom, Mead township. In his house the first court in the county of Belmont was held.

Prominent among the early settlers of Mead was David Lockwood, who migrated from near Wheeling creek, West Virginia, in 1800, and located in Dille's bottom, in section six. He was born in the state of New York, in 1762. Being full of zeal and patriotism at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, he enlisted and served his country in that memorable struggle for liberty. He was taken prisoner and held by the British in custody, ten months before being released. In 1791 he was married to Miss Rebecca Thomas, and reared a family of twelve children, six of whom are yet living. He was made one of the first Associate Judges of Belmont county, (1801) filling that position a number of years with honor and distinction. Was granted the liberty of naming this township, and he named it in honor of his mother, whose maiden name was Mead. In 1840, Mr. Lockwood died at the ripe old age of seventy-eight, and his wife in 1863, aged seventy-two.

Esquire Sowerhaver and family were very early settlers in Dille's bottom. He was one amongst the first justices of the peace in Mead.

Revs. Hall and Joshua Robinson, (both Methodist Episcopal ministers) setteld on the ridge rather early.

David Linn and family, William Ambier, James McKinley, Andrew Smith and others comprised the early settlers of this township.

REMINISCENCES

Encounter With a Bear

In an early day. Samuel Worley and Thomas Dison started out on a hunt, up McMahon's creek but got separated from each other before hunting long. Dison soon came across a very large bear and fired at him. The bear fell and Dison, supposing him to be dead, advanced, when the bear instantly rose upon his hind legs and seized Dison in the thigh, sinking his teeth. through the flesh, and held on with a death-like grip. So painful was the wound and so closely did the bear hold him that it was with the greatest difficulty he extricated himself sufficiently, so as to reach his hand out where his tomahawk lay. After securing the same he began to beat the bear over the head and a fearful struggle ensued between the combatants; one fighting by instinct, and the other guided by the dictates of reason. Dison, after repeated blows, which were growing less severe, on account of his suffering, succeeded in the battle and bruin finally sank back and expired, although maintaining his hold. Dison said he had to pry the jaws open to get loose, after the bear had died. He was almost exhausted, but his heart took courage at his success and victory over his enemy, and he crawled on his hands and one knee about a mile to his grandmother's where he was obliged to remain for some time, to allow his wound, which was no small affair, to heal. He made a very narrow escape with his life. His partner, Samuel Worley, having taken the opposite side of the creek captured and killed four deer on that expedition

Attacked by Wolves

Benjamin Lockwood relates an early experience with wolves.He says, that when a boy, he was sent to a shoemaker's shop to get his shoes repaired. Being detained somewhat longer than he had at first anticipated, the shades of evening began to gather about before he started homeward. As he journeyed along on horseback through a low ravine, he heard wolves rushing down toward him howling ferociously, which sent a thrill through his young blood, and almost caused his hair to stand on end. His horse becoming alarmed and excited, started with full speed as the wolves ran up against his heels. He soon left them in the distance and their noise grew fainter and fainter until the sound was lost to his ears. He was safely carried to his father's door, and the carniverous animals were obliged to seek for some other victim.

Female Bravery

Benjamin Lockwood says that Major Smith and his wife were brave and successful hunters. They resided near Dille's bottom, and in early days kept two dogs, for the purpose of fighting bears. One day while Mr. S. was absent from home, a bear, large and fat, chanced to pass through the door yard. Mrs. Smith seeing it, set her dogs on. The bear being worried by the dogs sought relief by climbing a tree adjacent. She took down her gun and went out, drew a fine sight on it, and fired, bringing bruin from his perch in great confusion to the ground, killing it instantly. She was an expert with a rifle, having killed many deer and wild turkies, seldom ever missing her mark.

Wolves and Sheep

Mr. Benj. Lockwood's father, in the early settlement of the county, as well as other farmers, was greatly annoyed by the ravages made by wolves upon sheep, and lost a great many by their attacks. Secure pens were often built in which to keep them during the nights. But sometimes the wolves would effect an entrance into and slay them. One night Mr. L. had several sheep killed. He built up a sort of a trap the next evening following, and placed those sheep slain within. It was so arranged that a wolf could easily enter, but when once within it was obliged to remain. The trap worked charmingly, for next morning they found their victim securely fastened up in the trap, which they soon disposed of by decapitation.

Killing a Deer

When a boy, Benjamin Lockwood observed a deer swimming across the Ohio river from the Virginia side. He secured his father's gun and slipped down along the bank, and after the deer landed, he shot it. "This was all done under boyish excitement, and when a whole congregation left a church not far distant, to enquire the cause, Benjamin found he had shot a deer on the Sabbath day. Upon hearing the report of the rifle some of the people thought that Indians were about. But Benjamin enjoyed the fun, and laughed heartily.

Eight Human Skeletons

On the farm owned by J. L. Jones, in Dille: bottom, near the Ohio river, were found eight human skeletons buried underneath a large rock that had evidently slipped from its place and crushed them (perhaps Indians) as they took shelter under its projection.

School Houses

Among the first school buildings built in Mead township was one on section 32, in 1818; another was erected on the Bellville ridge along in 1822 or 1823. On section 15, stood a round log school house, which was built very early. Then, schools were of short duration, books scarce, teachers poor, and educational facilities very poor and limited. Now the township contains two brick and eleven frame school houses, in which school is continued nearly nine months in the year. Five teachers are usually employed and the educational advantages for the youth are excellent.

Grist Mills

It is claimed that the first grist mill erected in Dille's bottom was built by David Lockwood in 1821, on a small stream.

In 1834, Benjamin Lockwood built a grist mill on the waters of Pipe creek, about a mile from the Ohio. This is a frame building, the dimensions of which are 40x50, and three stories and a half high; contains four run of buhrs. In 1845, he placed an engine in the mill, using steam power. In 1868, the boiler bursted, killing two men, Thomas King and the engineer, Isaac McCabe. The capacity of the mill was about fifty barrels per day. After the explosion of this boiler he attached his water-power, which he first used and which he still uses. A number of years ago he purchased a great deal of wheat, and has had as high as ten thousand bushels in the mill at one time. In 1838, he erected a saw mill near the grist mill, and this has been in use ever since.

The Businessburg grist mill was erected in 1848, by Archibald McGrew and Robert Hammond. It is 40x50 feet and three stories; contains three run of buhrs. It is located on Pipe creek and was operated by water-power until 1855, when Mr. McGrew secured an engine and introduced steam-power. This firm carried on the milling busines until about 1858, when the mill was sold under the hammer to Allen Ramsey. In 1860, James Shipman purchased it. He operated it a short time. In 1864, Sylvester Cramer secured it. He took David McGrew in as a partner after following the business alone six months. These gentlemen continued as partners for about four years, when the junior partner sold to Isaac Richner. He and Cramer carried on for a few years. Richmer then sold to W. H. Weeks, who after about four years' experience, left and Irwin was appointed receiver. The mill was operated until the fall of 1878, when it was again sold at sheriff's sale. Thomas McNeice purchased the mill and has been operating it with considerable success ever since. The capacity of this mill is one hundred bushels per day.

Wegee grist mill Was erected in 1864, by Samuel Heath and Samuel McGrew. It is 30x30 feet and three stories high. It contains three run of buhrs. It is situated about one-half mile from the Ohio river and at the terminus of the Bellaire and Wegee pike and near the Bellaire and Southwestern railroad. Merchant and custom work is done at this mill.

Largest Land Owners

Col. Thompson owns 500 acres of land in Mead township; Samuel Day, 470; Samuel Kirkland, 425; Dixon Myers, 333; Jas. Dunfee, Andrew Myers and James Trimble own 300 acres each.

The Productions

The principal productions of this township are wheat, oats, corn and other grains. The soil is good for farming and yields largely of these cereals.

Population

The enumeration taken by the assessor for 1879, of males above twenty-one years of age, show Mead to contain 427. Its populationis about 2,000.

Coal Works

The Lockwood and Burly coal bank was opened about 1865. This firm operated it until 1879, when it changed hands and Mr. McFadden acted as superintendent. The average amount of coal taken out per year is 200,000 bushels. The present company intend taking out 2,800 bushels per day. This is now callëd the Pipe Creek Coal and Iron Company.

Col. Thompson's coal works were opened in 1865, by Watson, Smith & Co. These gentlemen have leased the bank from Col. Thompson, who receives a royalty on each bushel taken out. The net profits to this company per year is about $5,000. The vein is a six foot one and of good quality.

Wegee coal bank is owned by David Smith and operated by Peter Shaver. This bank was started in 1851-2. The mine averages 200,000 bushels per year. The bank is opened on an incline of six inches to the foot. About one mile back the thickness of the vein is six feet. There are three ledges of hydraulic rock and a small vein of iron ore. Two-thirds of this hill is pronounced limestone. There is found a streak of whet stone rock in this hill also, and sandstone rock suitable for building.

Urias W. Wallace's coal bank was opened in 1871. The bank averages about 2,500 bushels per year. The Vein is six feet thick; is operated by shaft.

The Empire Coal Company's works are located about two miles above Moundsville, on the Ohio side. Work was first commenced by Henry Snyder in 1866. The vein is six feet, Snyder operated it for a short time, then he took in James G. Morris and William Winnins as partners, when it was first known as above named. This bank produces yearly 150,000 bushels. At present it is lying idle.

---

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY

Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church

The citizens in the neighborhood of this building were greatly desirous of a church built in their midst, and along in 1844, Benjamin Lockwood donated a pleasant site on section 18. A committee of three persons, consisting of Benjamin Lockwood, John Brice and Jonathan DeLong, were appointed to take such steps in the matter of a church erection as was deemed expedient by them. This committee went to work in earnest, and soon succeeded in raising means, by subscription, to build. Ere the close of 1844, a neat frame edifice 35x50 was completed and ready for occupancy. It was dedicated by Rev. Alfred Paul, of Wheeling, who was the minister in charge of the little flock. He was succeeded by Rev. Irvin, of the same city. After the latter, followed Rev. Wm. Grimes, Rev. Greenley and others. Present minister is Rev. Lafferty. Membership numbers about fifty. Elders–Brice, Dillsmore, Irvin and Wiley. This congregation has an active Sabbath school, with an average attend ance of about forty scholars.

Pultney M. E. Church

This class was organized by Thomas White in 1856, with twenty-five members. In the year following a church building 30x50, of frame, was erected on ground donated by Samuel Hoffer. The building committee consisted of John B. Huffman, Henry Keyser and Thomas White. Rev. J. Darby is the minister in charge. Class Leader—George Corbet. A wide-awake Sabbath school is conducted by this congregation. School numbers about forty. Superintendent—James Corbet, Jr.; assistant, Dixon Long.

Wegee M. E. Church

In 1833 William Lamdon organized this class with eighteen members. Services were held by them in Pultney bottom, and at private houses among the members for a couple of years. In 1835 they erected a frame building 30x40, on ground donated by John Albright, on section 8, north of Wegee creek. This building was used until 1878, when a new structure was erected, under the directions of the building committee—J. W. Hathhorn, R. S. Riley and Thomas Keyser, Jr. The edifice was completed and dedicated September 1, 1878, by the presiding elder, Rev. J. M. Carr, assisted by Rev. Cobbledick (being the minister in charge.) Rev. F. DeHass and Rev. W. Darby. The building measures 34x40. It has a membership of two hundred and twenty, and is in a growing and prosperous condition. A large Sabbath school, numbering about forty pupils, is conducted in connection with this church.

Bethel Presbyterian Church

Rev. Thomas A. Groves organized this society with ten members in 1855. In 1857 a church building, 30x40, was built on donated ground of Barnet's. It was dedicated by the above named minister the same year. In 1871 this house was remodeled and enlarged to 30x57; rededicated by Rev. D. H. Lafferty, of Bellaire, and Rev. Ferguson, of New Washington. This class numbers about two hundred members. Minister in charge–Rev. James Day. The officers are as follows:

Elders—Thomas Ault, M. Watt, I. M. Watt, Martin Kirkland, James Hopton and Dr. William Michael. Trustees—William Masters, J. T. Watt, Henry Kirkland and Isaac Ault. Treasurer–W. W. Watt.

A Sabbath school of about sixty scholars is conducted here under the superintendency of Thomas Ault, assisted by M. Watt. Secretary-W. W. Watt. Treasurer–M. W. Trimble.

Source: History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio by J.A. Caldwell, 1880