Meigs County News For The Year 1902

These pages contain transcriptions of news items published in Meigs County newspapers. They were transcribed from microfilm copies of the originals or from the originals themselves.

Further contributions would be most welcome.





unknown Meigs Co. Newspaper 1902
William McCune Aten Father of John G. Aten formerly a resident of Bedford township, this county but for several years a resident of West Virginia died at his home near Chestnut, in Mason county, on Saturday, June 28th after a long illness. He was just 77 years old at the date of his death. [Transcribed by Kay Williams]


Unknown Meigs County, Ohio, newspaper January 15, 1902
Portland Jan. 14, 1902 One by one our dear old people are passing out from among us. Tuesday at 11:30 o'clock Mrs. Sarah Price died at her home below town after one week of suffering. She had outlived four score and ten, being 91 years of age. Aunt Sally as she was familiarly known by all, was a good kind woman and was the idol of the home. She will be greatly missed by all as it was a great pleasure for the children grand and great children to be in her presence and learn from her experience of her girlhood days. The arrangements for the funeral have not been announced. Next week we will give an account of same. The family have the heartfelt sympathy of all in this their sad bereavement. [Transcribed by Lisa Stepanski and Karen Puck]


Unknown Meigs County, Ohio, newspaper January 22, 1902
Portland The funeral of Aunt Sally Price was held at the house Thursday morning at 10:30 o'clock conducted by Rev. Longman. There was a large crowd present. The sermon was pronounced one of the best ever heard on similar occasions. Upon a bed in the lower room there the remains of our dearly beloved lay surrounded by beautiful flowers and looked almost as natural as while living. After being reviewed by all present, she was placed in a nice casket by undertaker Rappold, of Pomeroy and the line of march was formed for the cemetery. There she was laid to rest to rest beside that of her husband, Charles Price. The choir furnished beautiful and appropriate music. Emer. J. Griffith and wife and Clark Orbin of Braddock attended the funeral. Mr. Griffith, Mr. Orbin, Dr. B.F. and Bennie Price returned home Friday evening. George Price was at Parkersburg Saturday. T.A. Price, wife and children left for their home in Waverly, West Va., Saturday. Tim is a former Portland boy and is doing well. Mrs. A. A. Adams of Mason attended the funeral of Mrs. Sarah Price. John Tanthory met her at Racine. [Transcribed by Lisa Stepanski and Karen Puck]


Pomeroy Tribune-Telegraph March 26, 1902
JOHN McKNIGHT John McKnight, a well known resident of Langsville died Monday. He was formerly a resident of this city, and was for years in the employ of the late V. B. Horton, as blacksmith. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McKnight and Mrs. Caris Kuntz of this city attended the funeral, which was held at Langsville this morning. [Transcribed by Jean Hoffman]


Unknown Meigs County, Ohio, newspaper March 31, 1902
Downington March 31, Our community was grieved a few days ago by the death of Mary Arnold, the 11 year old daughter of John Arnold and wife and little Elsie Howell, the six year old son of Sanford Howell and wife. Little Elmer Haning is quite poorly of spasmodic croup. Master Clark Jividen of Syracuse who has been with his grandparents this winter has returned to Dyesville after a few weeks visit with her daughter Mrs. Dora Howell. J. D. Cooper spent a few days in Pomeroy last week on business. Mrs. Elsworth McKnight of Leon, W. Va. who was called here by the death of her little niece has been visitng friends here the past week. Rev W H Dutton filled Rev Fulton's appointment at Albany Sunday. Miss Janie Welsh of Welsh, Ohio spend Sunday with Miss Emma Cooper. Misses Katie and Dyantha Hopkins who have been attending college and taking music in Athens the past year are at home for the summer. (Transcribed by Kay Williams)


unknown Meigs Co. newspaper about April, 1902
Downington March 31, Our community was grieved a few days ago by the death of ... little Elsie Howell, the six year old son of Sanford Howell and wife. [Transcribed by Kay Williams]


The Democrat (Pomeroy, OH) July 17, 1902
Hattie Cather BURSON was born August 21st, 1853, died July 8th, 1902, aged 48 years, 10 months, 17 days. She was united in marriage to G. W. BURSON Jan. 16, 1873 to which union were born eight children, five of whom survive her, Rodolph O., R. Hays, Chloe D., Flossie M., and R. Emmerson aged respectively 27, 25, 17, 12 and 10 years. She was a kind and loving wife and mother and was loved by all who knew her. [Transcribed by Nancy Cain Knepper]


The Democrat (Pomeroy, OH) August 28, 1902
Pratts Fork The funeral services of Samuel WEBB'S little child was conducted at the chapel, Friday, by Rev. MATHENY of the M. E. church. [Transcribed by Nancy Cain Knepper]


The Leader September 11, 1902
Log Cabin Reminiscences Syracuse, O., Aug. 9, 1902 Ed. Leader: Sometime during the summer of 1818 Dr. Fenn ROBINSON moved his family, consisting of a wife and eight children, from the northeastern part of New York to Ohio. They came to Marietta in wagons at which place he purchased a flatboat and floated down the Ohio river to Letart Falls where they stopped to visit relatives who had preceded them to this state some few years before. He first settled at what is known as Plants, O., but as some of his family were sick all the time he concluded to move back from the river. At this early period nearly all the land lying along the Ohio river abounded in dense forests. The climate was unhealthy, and the air was polluted with the germs of malaria. This is the reason, so I have heard, some of our old citizens say, that nearly all of our early settlers settled back from the river. The next place which he made his permanent home during the remainder of his life was about two miles from the pretty village of Chester which was then in Gallia county instead of Meigs. I have been unable to find out when the county of Meigs was formed and if the same boundaries existed at first as at the present time. In 1828 and '29 Mr. ROBINSON built a two story frame farm house which now stands and is owned and occupied by his granddaughter, Mrs. S. E. DOYLE, which is in apparently in good condition to be built so many years. About a year ago Mrs. Elizabeth COOK, of Hemlock Grove, had a letter in The Leader which was read with interest by many. In one of her letters she told where her mother used to collect in Gallia county for her father, Dr. ROBINSON. When I read this letter I wondered how many of the present generation knew that Chester township used to be in Gallia county. I presume that Mrs. RICE did collect in the present boundaries of Gallia county, as the Dr. was known far and wide for his skill in medicine and especially in surgery. An old lady who is now 80 years of age, says that she remembers of seeing Dr. ROBINSON when she was a child. An old lady by the name of SKEAN, of Mason County, West Virginia, fell and broke her hip, and they sent for the Dr. to set the fractured bone. While on his way to West Virginia he stopped and got her mother, who was known far and wide to be a noble nurse, to go with him. When they arrived they found their patient in a bad condition, but it was not long before the old lady was able to go around and as well as ever. When Dr. ROBINSON first came to Ohio they had to go to Marietta or Point Pleasant for their grist and to Marietta for groceries and dry goods. (A pioneer's great granddaughter Maggie E. NEASE Ed. Note: (A very good letter which reminds us that the old people themselves need not write their Log Cabin letters and for this reason refuse to tell the present generation about their hardships and trials. They can tell their grandchildren and [transcription ends here] ---------- Carmel Several from here attended the funeral of G. H. WESSEL, of Morning Star, Monday. Downington Sept. 8 The remains of Mrs. Jacob HARMON, of Mud Fork, were interred in the old cemetery here Sunday. [Transcribed by Nancy Cain Knepper]


The Democrat (Pomeroy, OH) October 2, 1902
Chester Village Something About The Old County Seat Town In Its Palmy Days. Recollections About Its Substantial Citizens Seventy Years Ago At the pioneer meeting Thursday not one of the addresses were listened to with more interest than a letter written by Urania STIVERS, once a teacher in Meigs County, but now residing in Des Moines, Iowa, and read by Mrs. Anna MOTT of this city. It was as follows: Pioneers of Meigs Co., Friends: In visiting the Pioneer meeting of 1901 it was brought forcibly to mind that there would soon be none to tell from memory of some of the happenings of earlier days. My memory reaches back to about 1831 when, in Chester, I went to an infant school, taught by Mrs. KIMBALL, the wife of a home missionary of the Presbyterian church. I think the school was in her own house. I remember the songs, the marching, the clapping of hands and the enjoyment of it all. After that we lived a few years at the upper end of Pomeroy, then called Nyesville. The school house was about a half mile from the river. My first recollections of school there was being carried by Squire Jack HYSELL, who was the teacher. Other teachers were Miss Sarah GILMORE (afterward Mrs. Walter CURTIS, mother of Mrs. Alban DAVIES) Miss Bethia WALKER (Mrs. Bazie WELLS) Miss Maria THOMPSON (Mrs. Chas. HOLT) and Mr. Isaac GILMORE, all much esteemed teachers by our parents and loved by us children. From about 1836 my remembrance is of Chester. Our teachers there were Miss Lucy BRANCH who became Mrs. Madison COOPER, Miss COCHRAN of New Hampshire, Mr. Aaron STIVERS, Mr. BATES and Mr. HECKARD---all teachers of merit. About 1841 or '42 the Chester seminary was built. The first teacher was Rev. Bennett ROBERTS who was also pastor of the Presbyterian church. Associated with him were Mr. Madison ELLIOT and Miss Clarissa CUTLER, all teachers of high order. In comparing the teachers and the schools of that day with those of the present time, I am sure the former were quite equal. If there were ever school houses in Meigs County without glass windows it must have been before my time. Chester must have been in its most prosperous condition about this time as the county seat was removed to Pomeroy about 1844. As the citizens of Chester are remembered they were earnest, mostly church going and thriving, caring more for the education and well-being of their children than for gaining riches. Our Sabbath school was of the best. It has been my habit to attend Sunday School always wherever I have been and I must say the Sabbath school in Chester was equal to any I ever have been in. Intelligent Superintendents, faithful, earnest, Christian teachers and orderly, interested scholars, where we were taught the Bible. Perhaps the picture appears roseate but such is my recollection of it. Some of the Reverends besides those I have mentioned were Rev. Samuel PAINE, DeWITTE, DUSTAN, AUSTIN and GASTON. The family names of citizens were BARBER, BOSWORTH, MONTAQUE, RALSTON, COOPER, HALLIDAY, FAIR, KNIGHT, BRANCH, CURTIS, STEDMAN, WELLS, HAMLIN, ELLIOTT, WALKER, KINGSBURY, FRISBIE, WELDON, PROBST, NYE, PRICE, WHITESIDE, McGLOTHLIN, SMITH, HULL, COLLINS, TORRENCE and BESTOW. A little out of town on farms, but in the same school district were Dr. ROBINSON and sons, Dr. CORNELL and Squire STIVERS and son George, Hiram GROW, Albert TORRENCE and several families fresh from Germany, good substantial citizens. Extending the circle a little were Curtis WALKER, RICE, STOUT, BRANCH, BURNAP, HECOX, HINKLEY and TORRENCE, all who went to make up a good, substantial citizenship. Farmers in those days must till the soil in the "sweat of their faces" as agriculture implements were not yet. The wives and daughters had plenty to keep them busy with spinning and weaving both wool and flax, coloring, making soap and candles, drying apples and peaches, besides all the etceteras common to the present day. Some farmers had cider mills and presses, some sugar camps, which both added to the labor and also to the enjoyments. Some of the sources of enjoyment and sociabilities were quiltings, wool pickings, apple-paring bees, corn huskings, etc., all of which gave neighborly help. The enthusiasm created by the great Washingtonian temperance movement will never be forgotten. As well will the great Harrison campaign of 1840 be remembered; how the people went wild over raising "liberty poles," log cabins and canoes; singing Tippacanoe songs and songs of Tom Corwin "the waggoner boy," thus: "Fond memory brings the light Of other days around me." After the county seat was removed so many of the former settlers moved away and the class associations were broken up by each becoming old enough to take up some life work; yet what touches the heart most is to hear some good word from old time friends. ---------------- PIERCE A child of Nicholas Pierce and wife of Hysell Run died Tuesday night and was buried Wednesday. The babe was but three and one-half months old and had been ill since its birth. MRS. JOHN R FRENCH Mrs. John R. French died at her home back of Middleport, Tuesday night, of dropsy and will be buried Thursday at 9:30 o'clock, the burial taking place in the cemetery at Downington. She was 45 years old. [Transcribed by Nancy Cain Knepper]

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