David Stanton McMasters
David Stanton McMasters, a well known citizen of Mt. Pleasant, where the larger part of his life has been passed, is also an honored veteran of the Civil War and a member of Post No. 407, G. A. R. He was born at Farmington, Belmont County, Ohio, December 15, 1842, and is a son of Merrick Hamilton and Susannah McMasters, who spent almost their entire lives in Mt. Pleasant Township. The paternal grandfather was Rev. David McMasters, a minister in the Methodist Protestant Church, who, after his marriage came to Jefferson County from Baltimore, Md. Merrick H. McMasters was a tailor and divided his attention between that trade and farming. During the Civil War he not only encouraged his sons to enter the army but enlisted himself and with his eldest son, James Harvey, was a member of Company B, 52nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. David Stanton and George W. were members of the 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and the youngest son, Albert, was a member of the 104th Infantry. They all survived the war, although the. eldest son was twice wounded. The children of Merrick H. McMasters and wife were as follows: James H., who lives in California; David Stanton; George W., who lives in Mt. Pleasant Township; Albert, who died in Iowa several years after the close of the war; Mary, who is the wife of Thomas P. Gorsuch, of Mt. Pleasant Township; Jennie, who is the widow of Mack Robbinson, formerly an attorney, and lives at Denver, Colo.; and Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of George Weir.
David Stanton McMasters grew to manhood at Mt. Pleasant, his parents having come here in his infancy, and this has been his home ever since and his place of residence except during the time spent in the military service of his country. He enlisted in August, 1861, at St. Clairsville, joining Company E, 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was organized at Mansfield and being sent immediately to tlie front, gained its first experience of war in the terrible battle of Shiloh. Subsequently this regiment fought at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, participated in the Atlanta campaign and was at the battle of Resaca. The division to which Mr. McMasters belonged then returned to intercept General Hood, and at Stone River, Mr. McMasters, with many comrades, was captured by the enemy. He was incarcerated in Libby Prison for seventy-six days, after which he was liberated on parole. From Richmond he went to Annapolis, then to Baltimore and Pittsburgh and then back to Camp Chase, where he remained until January 1, 1864, when he came home on furlough, after re-enlisting for further service. He returned to his regiment at Huntsville, Ala., by way of New Orleans, and from there went to Mobile, where he was honorably discharged at the close of the war, being mustered out at Indianola, Tex. Although he took part in every battle in which his regiment was engaged with the exception of that of Nashville, he was never wounded, although on many occasions his comrades fell by his side.
After the close of his military life, Mr. McMasters returned to Mt. Pleasant and on August 26, 1866. he was married to Miss Caroline O. Tweedy, a daughter of William and Sarah Tweedy, both of whom lived and died at Mt. Pleasant. In 1848 William Tweedy went to California where he resided for twenty-six years. Mrs. McMasters has two brothers: George W., of Martin's Ferry; and Thomas Finley, of Wheeling, W. Va. To Mr. and Mrs. McMasters four children were born, namely: George Hamilton, who lives in the far West; David S., a resident of Mt. Pleasant, who married Miss Mary Handle and has three children, Caroline, Louise and Elizabeth; Estella, who married Harry Reid, of Mt. Pleasant, and has three children, William Stanton, Harold and Lois; and Ida M., who married William J. Curn, and has one child, Gertrude.
Mr. McMaster has been identified with the Republican party since he reached manhood and has been one of its most active and useful members in Mt. Pleasant Township. He has served in a number of official positions, for thirty-four years being constable, and for some years deputy sheriff, and has also been supervisor and road commissioner. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Mt. Pleasant.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910