Joseph E. Booth
Joseph E. Booth, who has occupied his handsome brick residence in Island Creek village since the fall of 1909, has been connected with the oil industry for a number of years, and before that was a railroad man. He has been a resident of Island Creek Township for more than twenty years, but is a native of Lancashire, England, where he was born, November 2, 1859. His parents were Joseph and Martha Booth, who came to America and to Steubenville, O., in 1864. The father died there in 1876 and the mother some years later at Toronto, O.
Joseph E. Booth was five years old when his parents came to Ohio. He attended school at Steubenville but had no very favorable opportunities, as he began to work in the coal mines when young. Later he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and was connected in various capacities with other systems for a long time and then became a pumper in the Island Creek oil fields. He is at present in the employ of J. J. Crawford, of Toronto, O., who is largely interested in oil in Jefferson County. In association with his wife, Mr. Booth owns seventy acres of excellent farm land in this township and resided on it prior to coming to the village.
Mr. Booth was married January 29, 1884, to Miss Retta Wallace, who was born in Salem Township, Jefferson County, and is a daughter of James C. and Mary (Huff) Wallace. Her father, who died in August, 1900, was a native of Yellow Creek, O. Her mother, who was born in West Virginia, eighty-six years ago, resides in Island Creek Township, and Mrs. Booth has lived in this township since she was eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. Booth have had three children: JamesW., who is deceased; Rena M., who lives at Steubenville, and is an expert stenographer and bookkeeper; and Blanche E. G., who lives at home.
Nominally Mr. Booth is a Democrat, but he is rather inclined to be independent on many issues. He has served two terms as road supervisor of Mt. Tabor District, but otherwise has accepted no public office.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910