BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Page 535.


STEPHEN HIPKINS, Jr., proprietor of the Novelty Model works, of Martin's
Ferry, was born in England, July, 1841. His father, who bore the same name,
was a blacksmith by trade, and after coming to this country, followed his
trade for a number of years, being for some time in the employment of the
Ohio Central railroad, and afterward in business for himself. He resided
successively at Philadelphia, Zanesville, Ohio, and Hellaire, living in
the latter place from 1859 for fifteen years. Since then he has resided
upon a farm. He was married in England to Eliza Brown, who survives, and
they had ten children, seven of whom are living. The subject of this sketch
was eight years old when he came to this country, and when about fourteen
years old, became an apprentice in iron working with H. & P. Blandey, of
Zanesville, and after removing to Bellaire, entered the employment of the
Central Ohio railroad, and completed the trade of locomotive machinist.
He served as a foreman with the company until 1861 or 1862, and then was
engaged a year at Zanesville, after which he entered the service of the
Cleveland & Pittsburgh road at the Wellsburg shops. Soon afterward he
removed to Bellaire and established a shop, in connection with which he
made glass moulds for the Belmont glass company, an occupation to which
his attention was turned while working for some years with George Barnes,
who was employed in that manner. After working at Wheeling for Hobbs,
Brockunier & Co., he came to Martin's Ferry, to take charge of the mould
department of the Buckeye Glass works. This position he resigned in 1884
and engaged in a limited way on his own account in the manufacture of
glass moulds, with the assistance of his sons. By hard work and per-
severance this business has grown to be the largest of the kind in the
valley outside of Pittsburgh. The reputation of his goods is wide spread,
and they have a ready sale. He is a public-spirited citizen, takes an
active part in municipal affairs, having been a member of the city council,
and now holding the office of president of the water works board, and in
politics he is an earnest republican. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and of the Masonic, Knights of Honor, Odd Fellows, and
G. A. R. fraternities, having been qualified for membership in the latter
by service in Company I, One Hundred and Seventieth Ohio infantry. Mr.
Hipkins was married in 1862 to Maggie H. Heatherington, of Bellaire, and
they have eight children: Bertie, George, Howard, Emma, Jessie, Laura,
and Frank and Flora, twins.