FOUNDERS
SMITH ASHCRAFT
HENRY BLAKE
CALEB BRIGGS
HIRAM CAMPBELL
JOHN CAMPBELL
JOHN E. CLARK
JOHN CULBERTSON
JOSEPH W. DEMPSEY
JOHN ELLISON
WILLIAM ELLISON
WASHINGTON IRWIN
WM. D. KELLY
WM. H. KELLY
JAMES W. MEANS
JOHN PETERS
GEORGE STEECE
H. S. WILLARD
JAMES O. WILLARD
DAVID T. WOODROW
BIOGRAPHIES - FAMILY STORIES
SMITH ASHCRAFT
I. R. July 16, 1891 - J. F. Ashcraft is grading Quincy street, and using the earth for brick purposes.
HENRY BLAKE
CALEB BRIGGS
HIRAM CAMPBELL
JOHN CAMPBELL
I. R. Nov. 21, 1861 - Married on the 14th inst., by Rev. T. S. Reeve, Henry B. Neal, and Miss Mary Jane
Campbell, daughter of John Campbell, all of Ironton.
I. R. Nov. 12, 1885 - PURCHASED - Col. Gray and D. Nixon and Thos. Miller have bought the “Campbell
Hill” back of Ironton. It contains 115 acres and has on it 11 houses and stables, good, bad and indifferent,
and 900 apple trees, bearing and barren. The price paid was $2,700. This property was once owned by
John Campbell but was sold, last winter, at Assignee’s sale and bought in by a syndicate of creditors. It
contains a quantity of coal, and the big orchard is worth something, but the chief value lies in its pasturage.
It is dirt cheat at the price paid.
I.R. Dec. 4, 1890 - Miss Campbell Wins - Clara Campbell vs. Arbuckle
JOHN E. CLARK
I. R. May 20, 1858 - Died - On Tuesday evening, May 18th, in Ironton, of typhoid pneumonia, John E.
Clarke, aged 47; for many years a partner in the well known firm of Culbertson, Means & Co., of Lawrence
Furnace. His funeral will be on this (Thursday) morning, at 10 o’clock, at the Presbyterian Church.
Citizens invited to attend.
I. R. August 21, 1890 - Mrs. C. C. Clarke left last Saturday for a short sojourn at Middle Bass Island.
I. R. Nov. 6, 1890 - Mrs. Ralston, of Marietta, spent last week at her daughters, Mrs. C. C. Clarke.
I. R. Dec. 4, 1890 - Mrs. C. C. Clarke and children returned from Marietta yesterday, whither they went to
spend Thanksgiving at Mr. Ralston’s.
I.R. October 16, 1890 - George Clarke, one of the pioneer residents of Ironton, is now lying at the point of
death at his home on 2nd St.
I.R. October 23, 1890 - Death of George Clarke …
JOHN CULBERTSON
I. R. October 16, 1890 - Died at 10 o’clock this Wednesday morning, Mrs. A. W. LaCroix, sister of Mrs.
C. Culbertson, died after a long sickness, at the age of 74 years. Mrs. LaCroix came to this region from the
East, when a little girl; married in the French Grant, and lived there much of her life. She was an intelligent
and esteemed lady.
I. R. Oct. 5, 1893 - Mr. and Mrs. Frank Culbertson are here from Idaho, visiting their parents. They leave
today for the World’s Fair but will return in a few days to complete their visit.
JOSEPH W. DEMPSEY
I. R. Jan. 20, 1887 - John B. Hastings has been visiting A. T. Dempsey, at Washington, C. H.
I. R. Aug. 9, 1888 - The Death Roll - Mrs. Eliza A. Dempsey, widow of S. W. Dempsey, whose serious
illness was noted last week, passed peacefully away last Saturday night and was buried Tuesday, the
services being conducted by Rev. Burns, pastor of Wesley Chapel, of which she was an earnest and devoted
member, and attended by the large family connection and circle of friends. The deceased was 73 years of
age. She was a native of Maryland; was raised in Virginia came to Ohio when a young woman and was a
resident of this county for 32 years preceding her death.
I. R. Aug. 9, 1888 - While A. T. Dempsey was here last week at the bedside of his step-mother, he received
word of the serious illness of his young child, a daughter about four months old, and returning to
Washington C. H. he found the baby dying. The remains were brought here for burial.
I.R. July 16, 1891 - Mrs. Mary A. Robinson, wife of Capt. A. Robinson died at her home on Front street,
last Tuesday morning. She was taken sick about the 1st of January with what was supposed to be a slight
cold, but which speedily developed into a serious case of lung trouble, which caused her death. Mrs.
Robinson was the daughter of the late Sam’l W. Dempsey. She was born at Etna Furnace, this county, May
23rd, 1844, and spent nearly her whole life in this community. She was married to Capt. A. Robinson, Nov.
20th, 1872. Her husband and their only son, Samuel, survive her. Mrs. Robinson was a good woman and
was highly esteemed in the community. She was a faithful member of Wesley Chapel, whose pastor, Rev.
Morgan, will conduct the funeral, this Thursday morning.
I. R. July 16, 1891 - Andrew Dempsey is here from Cincinnati. He is assistant bookkeeper in a large china
and glassware establishment. He has grown tall and handsome and seems happily situated there.
JOHN ELLISON
WILLIAM ELLISON
ROBERT HAMILTON
I. R. July 14, 1864 - NOTICE - Probate Court - To all persons interested in the estate of Robert Hamilton,
deceased. You are hereby notified that John G. Peebles, Executor of the last will and testament of Robert
Hamilton, deceased has filed his ninth account of his administration on said estate…
I. R. Nov. 6, 1890 - obit. Of Mrs. Minnie E. (Wiseman) Hamilton.
WASHINGTON IRWIN
W. D. KELLY
William Dollarhide Kelly
I. R. June 13, 1861 - copy 2nd column bottom - Among the Volunteers - (about I. A. Kelly - good story)
I. R. Nov. 26, 1868 - W. D. Kelly intends to erect, during the coming Winter or Spring, a new charcoal
furnace either in or adjacent to the city. It is proposed to be a cold blast furnace, and will be supplied with
charcoal from up the river.
I. R. Jan. 14, 1869 - MR. KELLY’S FURNACE AND THE DUTY OF IRONTON. Mr. W. D. Kelly
desires to construct a furnace in this city, and in order to procure a landing at the river, he asks the City
Council to vacate a disjointed useless street in the upper part of the city. Unless this is done, Mr. Kelly will
not build his furnace in the city.
The people of Ironton seeing the incentive which Mr. Kelly’s enterprise will give to the business interests
and general prosperity of the city, wish the City Council to grant his petition. This is public sentiment.
Thus far, it is only a question of conceding a privilege for, at least, a proportionate advantage. - But other
interests here come in - interests which must not be silently and impertinently disregarded. - Messrs. Dean
and lady own property and reside near the street proposed to be vacated. They protest against the vacation.
They have this right. Believing that the destruction of the street will be prejudicial to their private interests,
they do no more than any other citizen would do, under like circumstances. But these gentlemen must not,
and we believe do not, set up more than their legal claims.
The dilemma is a delicate one. - What should the Council do? What are the precedents in similar cases?
Appropriation and then a submission to an assessment of damages. If the city does not make good the claim
of these gentlemen for damages, they can resort to the usual mode of procuring justice. It is not right that
Messrs. Dean and Lady should be damaged to the extent of one farthing. They bought property, fitted
themselves up homes, with reference to the avenues established by the city, and if the city destroys one of
these public avenues, it breaks its faith to a certain extent, and should foot the bill.
We say, then let the City council vacate the street; let us possess ourselves of the advantages offered by Mr.
Kelly, and then, if the gentlemen owning property contiguous to the street, feel that they have been
damaged, let them bring in their claim against the city, and if it is not promptly met, let them carry the
matter to the Courts, where we have no doubt, a Lawrence county jury will settle the matter according to
Equity and Common Sense.
I. R. March 4, 1869 - The Kelly Furnace imbroglio still continues. We hope, that by some degree of
conciliation on both sides, the matter will be adjusted profitably to both parties, and satisfactorily to the
community.
I. R. March 4, 1869 - GRANT FURNACE - Today Gen. Grant takes his seat. Today Messrs. Kelly & sons
have named their new Furnace, about which there has been so much talk of late. They have not yet decided
as to the exact location, as the Council will not act on their petition till this evening. But should the City
Council not vacate the streets and alleys prayed for, they will build between Fourth and Fifth-sts., just above
Mr. Kelly’s residence. They have about eighty laborers employed chopping wood, getting out timber and
stone, digging ore, &c., and intend to commence work on the foundation of the stack next week if the
weather is favorable. They expect to make cold blast charcoal iron. The firm name will be W. D. Kelly &
Sons, Grant Furnace, Ironton, O.
I. R. March 11, 1869 - KELLY FURNACE AFFAIR - The City Council granted so much of Mr. Kelly’s
petition as asks for a vacation between Monroe and Quincy - sts. Requiring from Mr. Kelly a bond of
$10,000 to indemnify the city in case a successful suit for damages is made against it. We understand that
Mr. Kelly will give no bond, nor act under the arrangement, but that if the matter is unchanged he will erect
his furnace elsewhere, if at all.
I. R. Jan. 18, 1871 - 1st Col. Copy - The Kelly Bldg. Assoc. ..purchased farm of Wm. D. Kelly 70 plus acres
at 500 per acre.
I. R. April 17, 1890 - Walk In A Cemetery (Kelly Cem.) - The Kelly shaft is the prominent object of the
Cemetery. It is a tall column surmounted with an eagle. It was erected in 1855 when Mr. W. D. Kelly was
41 years old. Mr. K’s name and birth are chronicled upon it, with a blank space below for the final remarks.
That was 35 years ago. He is yet in the toils of business, apparently good for years. Yet.
I.R. Sept. 18, 1890 - Willie Kelly, son of I. A. Kelly, left Sunday for Gambier, to attend college.
WM. H. KELLY
I. R. June 13, 1861 - Married at Union Landing, May 25, by Gen. W. H. Kelley, J. P., Jacob Kelley to Miss
Elizabeth Kelley, all of that place.
I.R. March 3, 1887 - Gen. Kelly writes us that he has not yet sold his farm, as some one reported. It is for
sale as a whole or in parts.
I. R. Nov. 6, 1890 - More happiness! We have received the announcement of the marriage of J. J. Smith
and Lucy M. Kelly, of Sweet Springs, Mo., on the 29 th. The bride of this happy event will be recognized as
the daughter of the late Gen. W. H. Kelly, formerly of Union Landing. Good wishes.
I. R. Nov. 13, 1890 - Description of the wedding of John J. Smith and Miss Lucy M. Kelly (need copy)
JAMES W. MEANS
I.R. August 23, 1860 - Died at Union Landing, on Sunday, 19th inst., Miss Hester Means, daughter of
Thomas W. Means. (obit Aug. 30, 1860 - lengthy).
I. R. May 16, 1861 - William Means is raising another Light Horse Company in this county to be called
“Buckeye Rangers” - Headquarters at the office of A. W. McCauslen, in Ironton. Active young men from
the country, with good horses, solicited as members.
I. R. April 17, 1890 - Walk In a Cemetery (Kelly Cem.) - Here is the tall column of the James W. Means
monument, twined to the top with ivy. Mr. Means was a brother of Thomas W. Means. He built the house
where Geo. Willard now lives. He was born in 1808 and died in 1855, being 47 years old.
JOHN W. MEANS (was he one of the 24?)
I. R. Oct. 8, 1885 - Beautiful Monument - The finest monument in Woodland Cemetery was placed over the
grave of John W. Means, last week. It is the work of the Mitchell Granite Works, of Quincy, Mass., and
Mr. Geo. H. Mitchel, the senior member of the firm, was here to attend to its erection. It was begun two
years ago, and just finished this Fall. The material is the Quincy or Crystal granite, a sort of grayish purple
when polished or grayish white when only chiseled. There is a graduated base, with a square pedestal, and
a short shaft upon which stand the statue of Immortality, a robed image holding in her hand a wreath of
immortelles. The statue is a magnificent piece of work. A deeply impressive look is given to the serious,
thoughtful face; the drapery hangs in ample, graceful folds; the attitude is easy and imposing. There is
exquisite work too on the pedestal, which is highly polished and has columned corners. The bottom of the
base is 8 ¼ feet square and the height of the monument from the ground to the top of the statue is 23 feet. It
is a splendid addition to the cemetery, and marks the grave of a noble hearted man.
JOHN PETERS
I. R. Oct. 23, 1890 - Mrs. Eliza Riedenour, of Jackson, is here visiting her sisters, Mrs. John and Isaac
Peters.
I. R. Nov. 13, 1890 - Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Peters observed the 45th anniversary of their wedding, last Sunday.
JAMES ALLEN RICHEY
I. R. April 17, 1890 - Walk In a Cemetery (Kelly Cem.) - Nearby is J. Allen Richey’s grave, the first
Secretary of the Ohio Iron & Coal Co. He died in 1855 at the age of 36(?) years. How remarkable it is,
that these old citizens died so young.
JAMES RODGERS
I. R. Nov. 29, 1860 - Died at Hanging Rock, Nov. 18th, at the residence of her sister (Mrs. Rodgers) Miss
Eliza Scott in the 42nd year of her age.
I. R. July 14, 1864 - NOTICE - Probate Court - To all persons interested in the estate of James Rodgers,
deceased. You are hereby notified that George Willard and Henry S. Neal, Executors of the last will and
testament of James Rodgers, deceased, have filed their third account…
I. R. August 21, 1890 - The funeral of Andrew Rodgers will be preached at Scott Town, this county, August
24, by Rev. Plumb at 2:30 in the afternoon.
I. R. October 23, 1890 - Mrs. Geo. P. Rodgers returned from Cleveland yesterday where she had been
visiting her daughter, Mrs. LePage.
I. R. October 30, 1890 - Dr. P. Rodgers has located in Whitwell to practice his profession…
GEORGE STEECE
I. R. Nov. 29, 1860 - Married on the 21st, at Hanging Rock, by Rev. John M. Boal, Mr. James D. Sweaney
and Miss Mary Jane Steece.
H. S. WILLARD
JAMES O. WILLARD
I. R. Dec. 4, 1890 - Mr. Turney of Hartford, Conn., an uncle of Mrs. S. B. Steece (nee Ella Willard), and
Mrs. H. B. Wilson (nee Willard) is visiting here.
DAVID T. WOODROW
OTHER IRON MASTERS
McGugin
I. R. Aug. 7, 1890 - Mr. Walling, father of Mrs. Samuel McGugin is her from Oregon on a visit.
I.R. Oct. 23, 1890 - Mr. and Miss Stewart of Brooklyn, are visiting Miss Tillie McGugin at Olive Fce.
LEGAL MATTERS
I. R. July 26, 1860 - John Peters vs. John Campbell