Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-12-22
The Ohio Idea 0imited.)


There is limited section of Ohio, an
swering largely to what is known by
politicians as the old Bingham dis
trict," which seems in recent times to be
coming rapidly 'to the FORE" 1t is
somewhat in the shape of right-angled
triangle -beginning-at point opposite
to Wheeling and extending to Cambridge
and Steubenville, the hypothenuse not
exceeding 70 miles in length.
Within this area, without a college OF
any note or other extraordinary educa,
tional advantages, more than 20 college
presidents have been born, some OF
whom have welded potent influence
in the realm of education, and are still
molding the youthful mind i'll numerous
States.
About Al years ago, in Belmont coun-
ty, was born Vim. d. Howells, who has
recently occupied the position of editor
of the Atlantic Monthly, and whose
classic writings have placed him in the
front rank of literature. In the same
year, few miles distant from the birth
place of Mr.. Howells, and in the same
county, was born DR.. Elisha Gray, the
real inventor of the telephone, and upon
whom the French Republic has just con-
ferred the the title of doctor of Science
and Chevalier of the Legion of Hon.
or" Five miles further on and two
years later (1S36) was born the distin-
guished missionary to India, DIR. James
NJ. Thoburn, whose laborS at Lucknow,
Cacutta, and other points have contrib
uted largely toward the Christianization
of that country.
Six miles further west was born VIM
Window, whose contributions to the re-
cent history of our Republic, as men,
Der of the Cabinet, have given him a
more than national reputation. One
mile from his birthplace, at a small
hamlet on the National road, "called the
"Great Western was born Alfred E.
Lee, the private secretary of Governor
Hayes, the Consul General to Frankfort,
and now the editor of the State Journal
at Columbus.
Passing over section of this territory,
and omltting the names of those who
have been more distinguished in the
past than in the present, such as Judge
Kennon, Judge Cowen, Gen. Cowen, As
sistant Secretary of the Interior during
the War, Gov. Wilson Shannon, of early
Kansas fame, and many others, we reach
Cambridge, the birthplace of Frank
Hatton, of Burlington Hawkeye celeb
rity, and First Assistant Postmaster
General, but by going so far we barely
escape the habitat of Private Dalzell,
wholly his contributions to the press, has
certainly earned public recognition, at
least. This is the home also of Hon. G.
Albright, both a statesman and schOl-
ar.
Bearing enthusiastically we reached
Cadiz, the birthplace of Hon. Edward
NJ Stanton, the great War Secretary,
where three years previously was also
born the celebrated Bishop Simpson,
whose reputation through years of pub
lie effort has never waned. The Hon.
John A. Bingham, if we mistake not,
was also born here, but if not it was bis
home during his entire political career
until sent as Minister to Japan. This
was also the birthplace of the Professors
Tingley, both of whom have taken high
rank as educators, and also is the native
place, we believe. of Senator Sharon, of
silver and gold mine notoriety, and the
sphere of Mr. Hatton's early labors.
At Steubenville, we encounter the
home of the irrepressible MCCook fami.
ly, whose record in the war needs nc
repetition. Here were also born d. H
Bates, recently General Manager of the
consolidated telegraph lines in the Uni.
ted States; Mason jackson, the present
reader of the King of Wurtemburg, who
occupies suite of six rooms in the
palace, and is really "the power behind
the throne" and of Priest, the author Of
-Western Antiquities" In the same
county were born Alexander Martin
President of Greencastle University
Wm. Pittenger, the historian of the
great railroad adventure in the soutl
during the war, and one of it's leading
actors; the late Alexander Clark, who's,
versatile genius and literary ability will
not soon be forgotten, and whase mora
qualities won for him praise from sucl
opponents as Robert G. Ingersell, and O
John Chambers, a Presbyterian minis
ter of Philadelphia, who, in his day, wa