BELMONT COUNTY OHIO - BIO: BENJAMIN LOCKWOOD (pub 1880) *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Submitter: Tina Hursh Email: ribbit@clubnet.isl.net Date: 26 March 2003 *********************************************************************** >From the The Ohio Biographies Project http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~usbios/Ohio/mnpg.html a part of The U.S. Biographies Project http://members.tripod.com/~debmurray/usbios/usbiog.html BENJAMIN LOCKWOOD, a son of David LOCKWOOD, was born on or near Wheeling creek, Va., April 13, 1797. Was brought to Belmont county by his parents in 1800. They located in Dille's bottom. Benjamin worked with his father on the farm till twenty-three years of age, and in the meantime he received his education, in the old log school house of that day. On April 11, 1820, he married Miss Annie BELL, who was born in Washington county, Pa., October 2, 1801. Their union resulted in thirteen children, as follows: Annie B., Elizabeth A., David B., Jacob E., Benjamin F., Mary A., Alfred, Eliza J., Lavina A., Ephraim C., Elizabeth R., Sylvanus L., William T., George W., and Emily E., four of whom are living. William, the youngest son, was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, being the seventh engagement in which he participated. Mr. Lockwood, after his marriage located in Dille's bottom on section 16. In 1822, he erected a grist mill on section 18 and in connection run a distillery. In 1826, he moved near the Ohio river where he engaged in several pursuits - farming, merchandizing and boat building. In 1827, he was appointed postmaster at Dille's Bottom, which office he held for 40 years. At present he resides on a farm near the falls of Pipe creek, in section 18 about one mile from the Ohio river. He and his companion are members of the Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church. The following description of the celebration of his 80th birth day which occurred on the 13th of April, 1879 is herewith appended. "A very pleasant family reunion was held at the residence of Benjamin LOCKWOOD, at Dille's Bottom, on the 13th on the occasion of the celebration of his 80th birth day. A large number of relatives and friends were present, among whom were two younger brothers, Col. J. H. LOCKWOOD, of Moundsville and J. M. LOCKWOOD of Dille's Bottom; two marf a deceased brother; Mrs. SWEENEY of Washington, Pennsylvania; and Mrs. McCORMICK, of Allegheny, sisters of Mrs. LOCKWOOD and Col. John THOMPSON of Moundsville. The day was spent pleasantly in recounting family history and in reviewing and strengthening old family ties; in listening to some excellent music; in giving and receiving gifts, and partaking of a sumptuous dinner. After the good things had been properly discussed, Mr. W. H. SEYMOUR read the following acrostic: Beneath the weight of eighty years that o'er thy head hath rolled; Endeared to us who know thy heart is pure as virgin gold. No longer in the spring-time of thy boyhood's lightsomness, Joyous as the wind that woos the powers with soft caress. Afloat upon time's ocean are those days too sweet to last. Mourning alone, oftimes recalls the blithe and blissful past; It lingers wistfully around that happy time Noting the years which in their train bring manhood's glorious prime. Linger, sweet memories, while you may, for time must softly roll Onward and onward until we reach our goal. Cheerful, open-handed, energetic, staunch and true, Kind of heart, to others doing as he would wish them to do. We honor thee, old patriarch, a good race hast thou ran O'er nature's time allotted as the period of life's span. Our voices greet thee lovingly, on this thy natal day. Dear to us all, long may it be ere thou art called away. The reading over, appropriate short speeches were made by the host, Benjamin LOCKWOOD, Col. J. H. LOCKWOOD, Col. John THOMPSON and W. H. SEYMOUR. Next was the presentation by the children of W. H. SEYMOUR, great grand children of Mr. LOCKWOOD, of a beautiful inlaid box with plate engraved and portraits of the donors; also a silver shaving cup and apparatus complete. His grandchildren presented him with a handsome 6x8 photograph of his mother, enlarged from an old daguerreotype, in walnut and guilt [my note: sic] frame." Mr. LOCKWOOD is yet quite hale and hearty for one of his years. Submitted by: Bonnie Burkhardt >From "History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, OH" by Caldwell, pub. 1880 page 394 Mead Township Bios.