Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-05-18
Uriah Updegraf.

Yesterday afternoon WORD was recelY-
ed from West Fairfield, WeStmoreland
county, of the death of Uriah Updegraff.
formerly a resident of this city, who was
well known to many of our older citi-
Zens. His death was sudden and unex-
pected, he having been in the city only
few days ago, apparently in excellent
health. The latest information is to the
effect that his death was caused by par
alysis of the heart. He was married to
daughter Of Hon. John COvOde, who
represented the WestmOreland district
in Congress for many years, winning
the title of Honest John" from the
vigorous manner in which he fought
plundering schemes.
Uriah Updegraff was son Of Abner
Updegraff, descendant of one OF the
three Opdygraff brothers who left Hol-
land to Join the first colony established
in this State by William Penn. One Of
the brothers was the first Burgess of the
village of Philadelphia. Abner came to
this city when 1t was merely trading
post. Being a whitesmith, as tool
makers were called at that time, he
opened shop where the Howard block
now stands, on Smithield street between
Fifth avenue ann Diamond street. He
was a careful calculator, and hid figured
out to his own satisfaction that, not
withstanding the fact that the territory
between Grants Hill and Peen street
was a deep swamp, 1T was soon 70 De-
come the business centre of the future
city. Being offered the entire square
on which the Howard block now stands
for four hundred dollars he felt that 1t
was great bargain. Before he could
close it. however, the owners had heard
of his predictions, and refused to sell for
less than eight hundred. This he tho't
too much, but few years later he paid
sixteen hundred for it
Hishop was devoted almost exclusive
Iy to the manufacture of augers, draw.
ing knives, cOOperS and carpenters
tools. in which he succeeded so well that
Updegraff blades stood at the head OF
the list, and were in great demand. HIS
son. Uriah Updegraff, was brought up 70
the same trade, and carried on the buSl-
ness after his father retired. His only
other child, a daughter, married MI.
Howard, the two coming into possession
of the property at his heath. 1t has
never been sold, but continues the prop
erty of the heirs.
About the wear 1850 Uriah left the
city on account of the health of his chill
dren and settled on farm near west
Fairfield, in the Ligenier Valley, where
he has since resided. By judicious man
agement of his farm and property IN THIS
city he succeeded in amassing consider
able wealth. His wife died several
wears ago, and his live children have all
married. Some of the latter live in
Kansas and other western states, where,
by their sterling qualities, they have Sc
cured comfortable and prosperous
homes.
The descendants of these Updegraff
brothers, or Opdygraff, remain mostly
in this State, Ohio, Iowa and Kansas.
At present two of them are In Congress,
one from the Steubenuille district, the
other from Iowa. The older members OF
the family belonged to the Society OF
Friends, and were strong in the Aboll-
tion and Free Soil faith Their descend
ants have inherited these principles,
and still occupy leading positions among
the Friends, or Quakers, and in the par
ty that descended from the Free Soilers,
Those who knew Uriah say he was re-
markably we'll read man and OF moss
decided convictions. When he thought
himself right nothing could move HIM
from his position. which appears to be
characteristic,of the family.-Plttsourgn
Post, 10th inst.