Connor-Ghent-Amsden
By Linda Cunningham Fluharty
Pauline Zierott Bell, the widow of Moses Bell, conveyed two tracts of land on Boggs Run to Elizabeth Ghent and George Anshutz on March 5, 1937. The Bells had bought the property from T. S. [Thomas S.] Riley, his wife, Minnie [Philaminia Breining], and Frederick Keltz. This same property had been conveyed to the Rileys and Frederick Keltz by Lucinda [McHenry] Keltz, the widow of Henry Keltz, on March 20, 1905. The property was previously conveyed by Benjamin McMechen to Henry Keltz, according to a deed dated April 10, 1853.
On December 10, 1936, she had conveyed about 3 acres to her son, Clyde Bell, and a small house was built on the property, either before or after the transfer. That property was not included in the 1937 sale to Mrs. Ghent and Mr. Anshutz. However, that 3 acres was purchased by Elizabeth Ghent on September 27, 1946 from Frank Lorio et ux.
The tragic story of the Moses Bell Family is presented on a separate page.
As a child, I was fascinated by what we called "The Connor House," a beautiful and well-kept home in a picturesque setting. It was, by far, the nicest house on Boggs Run, and my perception was that the family must be awfully rich.
Going down the run, a small, white-frame house preceded the Connor's. Until my recent review of the deed records, I didn't know that the residents of the two houses were related, or that the property was the same that the Moses Bell family had owned for more than thirty years.
In the eighteen years I lived with my family on Boggs Run, 1948-1966, I have no recollection of seeing any of the residents of the two houses. My parents knew most of the people "on the run" because my dad had spent his whole life there, but I don't think they knew the inhabitants of the two houses on the former Bell property.
The property extended beyond the turn - top of the photo on right.
This photo was taken August 2010. An addition, with a 3-car garage,
as well as a porch, have been added to the original small house.
The house built by Moses Bell appears further down the road.
CONNOR-GHENT-AMSDEN
1900 Census, Cross Creek District, Brooke County, WV
Edward Conners, Head, 21, b Aug 1878, Married 2 yrs, Section Hand, b PA, father b Ire, mother b Unknown
Eliza, Wife, 18, b Mar 1882, b WV, Parents b Ohio
Lawrence, Son, 1, b WV
1920 Census, Benwood, Union District, Marshall County, WV
2040 Marshall Street
Edward Connor, 42, Blacksmith, b PA, father b Eng, mother b PA
Lydia, Wife, 36, b WV, Parents b WV
Lawrence, Son, 20, Laborer Steel Mill, b WV
Edward, Son, 17, Inspector Rail Road, b WV
Elizabeth, Dau, 13, b WVLawrence Connor, 21, born in Brooke County, West Virginia, residing in Benwood, Marshall County, married Doris Hawkins, 17, born in Marshall County, residing in McMechen, Marshall County, on December 18, 1920 in McMechen.
Paul Ghent, 24, and Elizabeth Conner, 18, both born in Belmont County, Ohio, were married January 30, 1924 at Benwood, Marshall County, West Virginia. Mother was Lyda Conner, Benwood.
1930 Census, City of Benwood, Union District, Marshall County, WV
2038 Marshall Street
Edward L. Connors, 50, Owns Home, $7300, Blacksmith Steam Railroad, b PA, father b Eng, mother b PA
Lyda J., Wife, 47, b WV, Parents b WV, Parents b Ohio
Elizabeth Ghent, Dau, 23, b Ohio
Charles S. Ghent, Gr-Son, 6, b WV, Parents b Ohio
William T. Ghent, Gr-Son, 2 yrs 6 mos, b WV, Parents b Ohio
Edward Anguish, Boarder, 45, b Ohio, Parents b OhioPaul and Elizabeth (Connor) Ghent divorced.
In 1937, Elizabeth Ghent and George Anshutz purchased the Boggs Run property from Pauline Bell. The relationship between Mrs. Ghent and Mr. Anshutz is not known. However, at that time, she probably moved into the former Bell home with her parents, Edward and Lyda Connor, and her two sons.
On September 27, 1946, Frank Loria et ux conveyed to Elizabeth Ghent 3.02 acres on Boggs Run, which was the adjoining property, also previously owned by Moses and Pauline Bell. Pauline had conveyed the 3+ acres to her son, Clyde Bell, in December 1936. The small house on the property is the location of the suicide (or murder) of Clyde in April 1937. Following his death, his widow (or murderer) returned the property to Pauline Bell. The chain of custody of the property is unknown until Elizabeth Ghent bought it in 1946.
Less than seven months after Elizabeth Ghent purchased the small house on 3.02 acres, she remarried. George H. Amsden, 44, born in Ohio August 15, 1902, son of George and Madge, residing at RD #2 Wheeling, married Elizabeth [Connor] Ghent, 41, born February 7, 1907 in Wheeling, daughter of Edward and Lydia, residing at RD #2 Wheeling, on April 11, 1947 at the Methodist Church in Sherrard, Marshall County. [Parents Edward & Lyda (Henthorn) Connor]
At that time, Boggs Run was an RD #2 Wheeling address.
On October 25, 1947, George Anshutz conveyed approximately 17.98 acres in Union District to George and Elizabeth (Ghent) Amsden. The same day, Elizabeth conveyed 1/2 interest in her 3.02 acres to her new husband.
George and Elizabeth Amsden lived in the small house on the 3.02 acres, and, presumably, her parents lived in the larger home until their deaths.
Lyda Jane Connor, the mother of Elizabeth Connor Ghent, was born March 3, 1883 at Parkersburg, West Virginia. Her parents were Rolly Henthorn and Martha Kenny, originally from Monroe County, Ohio. [This writer is related to the Monroe County, Ohio Henthorn family.] - Lyda was dead on arrival at Ohio Valley Hospital, Wheeling, Ohio County, on October 18, 1960. The informant for her death record was her son, Lawrence H. Connor. Mrs. Connor resided at RD #2 Box 527 Benwood, which was the Boggs Run home. She is buried at Brooke Cemetery, Wellsburg, Brooke County, W. Va.
At the time of Lyda's death, she was still married. The date of death of her husband is not known. [Please write if you know.]
On December 6, 1968, George and Elizabeth Amsden sold their home on 3.02 acres on Boggs Run to Glen Hoffman et ux. They bought 3.94 acres on Boggs Run on May 23, 1969 from John E. Carrigan. [Where was the property?]
George Amsden, born August 15, 1902, died in October 1972. Elizabeth Amsden, born February 7, 1907, died in March 1986. Benwood was the last address for both.
Elizabeth's son, William T. Ghent, 23, married Emma Capps, 34, on February 21, 1948 at Wheeling.
Her other son, Charles Samuel George Ghent, married Allene Jo Ann Henry, daughter of Gail and Edna Henry, December 24, 1950 at the Lutheran Church on Boggs Run. Charles Ghent, born October 2, 1927, died November 25, 1994. Charles and Jo Ann are named in subsequent deeds to the property.
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