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 689.

JOSEPH COWGILL

Joseph Cowgill, says his grandfather, Isaac Cowgill, was born in Bucks county,
Penn., April 23, 1760. He removed to Loudon county, where he married Miss
Sarah Fred in 1784. In 1797 he migrated to Ohio county, Va., and settled in
Wheeling. He farmed the land upon which Benwood is situated. In 1799, he
came to Richland township and bought the west half of section 15. This land
had been selected for him by one of the Zanes, a particular friend of his,
and who was well acquainted with all the lands in this locality. Mr. Cowgill's
was the first emigrant wagon that was ferried across the new ferry at the
island. Prior to this time the ferry was below. He built one amongst the
first hewed log houses in the county. The only settlers known west of him
were Elijah Martin, who lived where Mr. S. W. Coffland now lives, and James
Wilson, where Henry F. Pickering now resides. He was the father of eight
children: Joseph, Isaac (1st), Amy, Ann, Sarah, Ralph, Isaac (2d), and
Abraham, all of whom were residents of Belmont county. All died here except
Joseph, who died in Guernsey county. Mr. Isaac Cowgill departed this life
November 29, 1845, aged eighty five years, his wife having died November
6, l801. Two hundred and twenty acres of land upon which he settled is still
in the name of the Cowgills. Mr. Cowgill and wife were of English extraction,
and held the religous views of the Friends or Quakers.