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 585-587.


JOSEPH F. HUTCHISON was born in 1820, February 22, on the farm he now
occupies and within a short distance of his present residence. His
early life was spent at home on the farm assisting his father in the
management of the property and acquiring an education from the common
schools. In after years, by dint of much study, he became more than an
average scholar. Was married in September, 1848, to Miss Eliza J. Bell,
a daughter of F. and Martha (Stewart) Bell. Mrs. Hutchison is a native
of Ohio. Since his marriage he has always lived on the farm, and in
connection with farming has operated by lease his available coal lands.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison are the parents of ten children, seven of whom
are still living: James F., Susan E., Martha J., Fannie B., William R.,
Ella U., Jessie L., Joseph (deceased), and two others who died at birth.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison are both strong supporters and workers in the
United Presbyterian church which was in its infancy in the United States
organized and made a success through the efforts of Mr. Hutchison's
ancestors. Has been for two years a justice of the peace. Is a public
spirited man and a valuable addition to any community. Mrs. Hutchison
died July 21, 1880, and in her death one of the community's best citizens
departed this life. She left a sorrowing family who were joined by the
sympathetic neighbors in the testimonials of sorrow. The ancestry of the
Hutchison family dates hundreds of years back in the old world (Scotland),
and can be traced with accuracy back until the time of the persecution
in the seventeenth century, in Scotland, at which time two Scotchmen by
the name of Hutchison were driven from Scotland into Ireland. One,
returning to Scotland to look after the interests and effects of the
family, was taken sick and died, unmarried and without issue. The other
married and settled in Ireland, and from him sprung the present generation.
This man, the great-grandfather of the present generation, married in
Ireland, and, with five sons and one danghter, came to America and settled
near Oxford, Penn., then a village, now a city, in or near the year 1740.
The grandfather of the present generation, Samuel Hutchison, was born about
1726 in Scotland, and came with his father to America, and lived and died
on a farm adjoining his father's; but owned by himself. He was a soldier in
the Revolutionary war, and fought at Brandywine and Trenton, with much credit.
Served the seven years and came home and spent the remainder of his life on
his farm, when he died in or about 1813. Was the father of nine children,
five boys and four girls, all of whom are now deceased. James Hutchison,
the father of Joseph, was born March 13, 1770, and was the oldest of the
family of Samuel Hutchison, the grandfather of Joseph. Early life was
spent at home. Was married November 29, 1799, to Miss Susan Matt, who was
born February 15, 1779, in Chester county, Penn. She was a daughter of
John Matt, also a descendant of Scotland, but came; from Ireland to
America. James Hutchison came from Pennsylvania to Ohio after his marriage,
in 1803, settling first near Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, where
he remained for nine years, when he removed to Belmont county, settling
in April, 1812, on the property now occupied by his son Joseph. Here he
remarned, and lived and died, and raised a family of ten children, two of
whom are still living:  Samuel, John, James R., William, Eliza, Jane, Joseph,
Susan (deceased), and two who died in infancy. Jane, now Mrs. Patterson, a
widow of a Presbyterian minister, now resides in Iowa. Mr. Hutchison was a
man of upright, moral principles, who was a recognized leader of all
matters of importance in his community, and in his death, May 17, 1855, the
community lost one of her best citizens and one who was sincerely mourned by
all who knew him. His wife died December 6, 1860, only surviving him five
years. There were, in the very earliest day of which we have record, a
large family of the name of Hutchison, but they were, during the persecution
in Scotland, all exterminated, except the two mentioned.