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 520.


JAMES V. STILLWELL, postmaster at Pleasant Grove, Belmont county, and
for many years a merchant at that place, was born in this county,
February 20, 1824. He is the son of Elias Stillwell, who came to Belmont
from Hancock county, Md., in the early part of this century, and
settled near the place now known as Kidd's Station. Here, twelve years
after the birth of his son James, Elias Stillwell died, and left his
wife and family dependent, in great part, upon the exertions of his
twelve-year-old son. His early years were consequently actively employed,
although he found time to obtain a common school education. In 1850 he
opened a store at Pleasant Grove, and he has there ever since continued
in business, having occupied the same building since 1858. He has been
prominent in township affairs, hav- ing served as township trustee, and
has filled the positions of school director and commissioner of the
Bridgeport free turnpike. He is now acceptably discharging the duties
of postmaster at Pleasant Grove. He is a republican in politics, and is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Stillwell was married
May 4, 1848, to Mary, daughter of James McAvoy, then a farmer of Colerain
township. Eight children have been born to this union, one of whom is
deceased. One daughter is the wife of a prominent farmer of Colerain
township, another resides in the state of Washington. John is a wealthy
commission merchant and mine owner in Denver, Col. Elias is a merchant
at Peublo, and Henry is also in the west.