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.


Pages 535-536.


ROBERT T. HOWELL is the son of one of those old stalwarts whose footsteps
can be traced upon the pages of pioneer history so long as men remain true
to the past, and do not forget the teachings of their fathers. David E.
Howell came to this country from Wales, at the time when the infant
Republic was most in need of true sons. He settled in Bridgeport in its
early days, where he engaged in the wagon and carriage business, afterward
becoming a grocer. He served as justice of the peace of Pease township,
for twenty-eight years, and was postmaster at Bridgeport for eight or nine
years. He married Susan Marders, a native of Mississippi, by whom he had
thirteen children. After a life of usefulness and probity, he died in the
city of his adoption, having lived there for forty-five years. Mrs. Howell
is still living. Robert Howell came into this world November 22, 1841.
After receiving a practical education in the Bridgeport common schools
he became connected with his father in the hardware business, the name
of the firm being D. E. Howell & Son. He continued with his father for
six years, when he sold his interest to him and went into the produce
business, engaging in this for some fifteen years, after which he
entered the insurance and real estate business, which he continues to
the present time. In 1885 Mr. Howell was elected justice of the peace
of Pease Township, which position he still occupies. On May 7, 1867, he
married Rebecca L. Worthington, a daughter of the Rev. N. C. Worthington,
a Methodist minister of Bridgeport, at that time, now located in Muskingum
county, Ohio. Five children have come to bless their lives, all of them
living. W. W. holds a position with the Warfield Grocery company, of
Quincy, Ill.; Charles W., Frank, Maggie and Susie still remain at home.
Mr. Howell is a member of Bridgeport lodge, No. 181, F. & A. M.; Belmont
chapter, No. 141, also of Bridgeport lodge, No. 109, K. of P. He served
his country bravely during her struggle, as a member of Company A, One
Hundred and Seventieth Ohio volunteer infantry Politically, he is a
staunch republican. Mrs. Howell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and a worthy companion of her husband's life. John C. Kehrer, of
Martin's Ferry, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany; in 1831, the son of John
Kehrer, who was a gardener and grape raiser, by occupation. He died in 1853,
and his wife 1851. Mr. Kehrer received good educational advantages in
Germany up to his fourteenth year, when he was apprenticed for three years,
to a stone mason. Subsequently he followed his trade in that country two
years, as a journeyman, and then, in 1849, came to the United States. On
landing, he came directly to Wheeling, and followed his trade there until
1858. He then took a tour through the west, visiting all the large cities,
and on his return, crossed to Martin's Ferry, and in partnership with
others, purchased a tract of thirty-one acres, upon which he began the
culture of grapes. As soon as the vineyard was producing, they provided
a cellar, and under the firm name of Scheele & Kehrer, began the production
of wine. This was the first wine cellar in the valley, and the qualities
of the soil for wine production was not yet known. The experiment has,
however, under the skillful management of Mr. Kehrer, proved to be an entire
success, and the product of their vineyard finds a ready market in all the
cities of the land. The firm now has about fifteen acres of land devoted
to vineyard, and produces four to five thousand gallons of wine per year.
Mr. Kehrer is recognized as one of the most competent wine producers of
the valley, and as a citizen, he is highly esteemed. He is a member of the
German Lutheran church, has been a Mason since 1856, and is a republican.
He was married in 1851, to Matilda Cook, of Wheeling, and they have had
six children: Jeannette, Albert, Matilda, Emma, Lizzie and Clara, the two
latter being deceased.