Pioneers & Profiles

Ironton Register History

As some little talk in the local newspaper world is going on now, we might give an incident relative to founding the REGISTER, over 27 years ago. In the Spring of 1850, Dr. C. Briggs was writing in the office of the O. I. & C. Co., a little frame house that stood not far from where Steece’s block now is, when John Campbell stepped within, accompanied by a young man, white headed and blazing with spectacles.

John Richards

John Richards, 925 north Second street who was 78 on his birthday last January 18, remembers John Campbell, having worked for him at the age of 10 years when he lived in the county. “Racky”...

Cloran Grocery

Owen P. and Matt A. Cloran conducted a big store at 137 Railroad, and Martin F. and Joe J. Cloran’s grocery was in the same block at 129 Railroad Street. It was really a case of Cloran vs Cloran. Cloran Bros. vs. M. & J. Cloran, who were also brothers, “but we all were friends and worked in close harmony,” recalls Luke W. Cloran, who worked at the corner store known as Cloran Brothers.

McMahon Family

The McMahon family consisted of five boys and their father; Peter McMahon was one of the early policemen of the town. Strange that all the boys except Johnny, loved the horses, but Johnny became a printer, and worked on several of the newspapers, and was with the Weekly Register many years.

Marshall Field

Marshall Field was without question the greatest and most successful merchant of his generation, and he was one of the world’s richest men, his wealth being estimated at anywhere from $100,000,000 to $200,000,000.000.  The following incident is of local interest in connection with Marshall Field: Miss Jennie Scott, the sister of Marshall Field’s first wife, was burned to death at Mt. Vernon Furnace, Lawrence County, Ohio June 17, 1862. 

Robert Scott

Last Saturday evening at 5 o’clock Robert Scott died in Ironton, andon Sunday morning at 9 o’clock, Thomas W. Means expired in Ashland. What vivid reminiscences do these names call up! How much of the past of Lawrence County is mingled in their lives!

Robert Scott was born near Paris, Ky., September 22, 1809. While yet a young man, he became interested in the iron business and was connected with several furnaces across the river.

Charles Burgess

 Charles Burgess was born in Pelsall, England, October 2, 1841, and in his early life he spent many years in iron and steel mills in and near Sheffield, and at the age of twenty-four he came to the United States, in March 1866. He first worked at Troy, New York, where he was engaged for a time at the Bessemer Steel Works, and also employed in making special iron.

Nelson Cox

Nelson Cox, the Nestor of the fruit growing industry in Southern Ohio, and one of the most widely known and best beloved residents of Lawrence County, died at 7:30 0’clock, last Thursday at his home. His death was due to a cancer and was expected, even by the deceased himself, who was thoroughly resigned.

Mr. Cox was born at Cox’s Landing, Cabell County, W.Va., May 21, 1828, being past 74 years of age at the time of his death. He was married to Miss Katherine Gardner in 1852, and eight children were born of the union, seven of whom, with the mother, survive the deceased.

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