USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
"The Ohio bar, during the time of his active professional life, contained. besides those already named. a great many dis- tinguished men, a few of whom it may be
well to mention : Vinton. Goddard, Irvin, Scott, Dunlevy. Este, Hayward. Hammond, Tappan. Odlin, Murphy, Bond, Douglas, Wilcox, Swan, King, Sloan. Wright, Nye, Grimke, Leonard, Sill, Silliman, Price, Mc- Dowell, Hamer, Corwin, Collins, Storer, Wade, Goodenow, Thompson, Fox and Worthington. Among these and others not so well known, but of equal ability, Mr. Brasee stood as a peer and a brother: and he was esteemed, not only as an able law- yer, but also as a highly cultured and agree- able gentleman. He was noted on the cir- cuit for his apt and quaint anecdotes and . other companionable qualities. Few of his compeers above named now remain, and none of them, it is believed are now en- gaged in the practice of their profession. The few who do remain will join heartily in doing honor to his memory.
"Without being an orator he was a very effective speaker, and was quite successful before juries. His arguments on the facts of a case were remarkable for their com- pleteness in presenting the whole case. showing a mastery of the facts and an ap- preciation of the strong and weak points of each side, and ability to sift evidence and apply it to build up his theory as to the truth of the matter. He seldom resorted to sar- casm, but on occasion he could use it with startling effect. But his leading character- istic was his knowledge of the law in its most elementary principles. In special pleading and in equity pleading he was a master; and he was ready and proficient in all maiters of evidence and practice, which made him formidable in the trial of cases. But his forte was in arguments to the court.
17
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
His mind was at once acute and logical, and his industry was such that he was always found fully armed and ready for the fray whoever might be the champion of the other side. In these contests he won most of his laurels: and to the student of our judicial history these laurels will still look fresh and bright.
"Though decided in his political views. he could not be called a partisan, and he was never voluntarily a candidate for office. Af- ter the dissolution of the Whig party, of which he was a member, and before the for- mation of the Republican party, while the opposition to the Democratic party was in a transition and somewhat chaotic state, he was, in 1855. elected to the state senate. and he served during the two sessions of 1856 and 1857, and took an active and leading part in the legislation of those two sessions, and particularly in perfecting the act for the "Bank of Ohio," which, it is generally understood was the joint product himself and his associate, Alfred Kelly, sen- ator from the Columbus district. The law was drafted with great care, and although it never went into practical effect in Ohio. it had the higher distinction of forming. with the law creating the State Bank of Ohio, the basis and prototype of the Na- tional Bank act, passed by Congress some seven years later."
„After the removal to Lancaster. other children were added to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Brasee. Their daughter, Ellen, became the wife of T. W. Tallmadge. The other members of the family are Mary J .. the wife of Dr. Hammill, of New York : Clara, the wife of Dr. J. H. Salisbury ;
Alice, the wife of George Witte, of New Orleans: John S., an eminent member of the Lancaster bar ; George B., a prosperous farmer: and Morton, who died in the year 1870.
Although Mr. Brasee met with distinc- tion and success in his profession, he grad- ually gave up his law practice for he be- came extensively interested in farming and his attention was demanded in the super- vision of his agricultural interests. He made judicious investments in farm prop- erty and at the time of his death, which occurred at his home in Lancaster on the 27th of October, 18So, he was the owner of ahont one thousand acres of the best land in Fairfield county. John T. Brasee was a gentleman in the highest sense of the word, polite and courteous to all. He was also of a genial, jovial nature, who en- joyed a good joke and was himself an ex- cellent story teller. He took great pride in his personal appearance and was always well dressed; a man of his word, he was never known to break an engagement and his devotion to his clients' interests has proverbial. Late in life he became a com- municant of St. John's Episcopal church, which was always the church of his choice and in harmony with its principles he lived a true, honorable life. There was a simplicity in his nature that made him very free from ostentation or display, yet there was a force of character that enabled him to overcome the difficulties that surrounded an almost friendless boy without education and without wealth. More than ordinary perseverance and energy were needed under such circumstances to acquire an academic
18
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
e:lucation and professional training, yet his marked energy and natural ability enabled him to advance to a position prominent among the leading members of Ohio's bar in the middle of the nineteenth century. It was the traveling preachers and lawyers of that day who scattered the seeds of educa-
tion and culture and laid the foundation for civilization. In this way did John T. Brasee accomplish, not only much for himself, but for the state with which he became con- nected in the early years of his manhood, and Ohio has reason to number him among her honored and distinguished men.
JACOB CLAYPOOL.
Among the energetic and progressive farmers living in Greenfield township is Jacob Claypool, who makes his home on section 34. He was born on section 21, in the same township, August 26, 1846, and is the oldest son of Isaac and Nancy (Mason) Claypool, who are represented on another page of this work. On the family home- stead he was reared and the sun shone down on many a field which he plowed and planted in his youth. During the winter months he attended the district schools and afterward spent about fifteen months as a student in the schools of Pleasantville, thus largely supplementing his early educational privileges. He remained at home until his marriage, which important event occurred on the 7th of October. 1868. Miss Truphena Wiest becoming his wife. She was born in Greenfield township October 29. 1847. and is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine ( Mil- ler) Wiest, who were early settlers of the county, coming from Maryland to this por- tion of Ohio in pioneer times. Mrs. Wiest
was a daughter of Frederick Miller and is still living, having passed the ninetieth milestone on the journey of life. She was twice married, her first husband having been Mr. Bangher, by whom she had one son and one daughter. Mr. Wiest was also twice married, his first union being with Miss Wiklermath, by whom he had four daughters. By the marriage of the parents of Mrs. Claypool there were four children born, three daughters and a son, namely : Amanda, Truphena, Susan and Oliver J. Mrs. Claypool was educated in the com- mon schools and in the Fairfield Academy at Pleasantville. She afterward success- fully engaged in teaching for a number of years. In her home she was a devoted and loving wife and mother and her death, which occurred on the 11th of February. 1899, was deeply mourned by many of her friends as well as her immediate family. She left three children, Mary Estella. Maude and Florence, who are still with their father. The only son, Harry Wiest,
2I
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
had died in infancy. Florence married Lewis AV. Marks on April 17. 1902.
After his marriage Mr. Claypool took up his abode in a log cabin, eighteen by twenty feet, which stood upon the farm on which he yet lives. In 1889 he erected his present modern and attractive residence at a cost of three thousand dollars. He has long successfully engaged in stock raising and dealing, and has cultivated the greater part of the farm of one hundred and fifty- five acres which he owns. His methods are progressive and modern and his efforts
bring to him annually good crops as well as good returns from his stock interests. He served for two terms as president of the Fairfield County Agricultural Society and did much to promote the farming interests of his community. He was also honored with the office of township trustee for nine years, being chosen to the position on the Republican ticket. He is a member and trustee of the Presbyterian church and is a citizen of worth whose life is at all times honorable, upright and worthy of high re- gard.
GEORGE G. BECK.
George G. Beck was born in Lancaster, who died in 1872; and George G., born in Ohio, January 30, 1816, on the spot of 1816, and died in 1885. ground on which he resided to the close of The early education of George G. Beck was effectually adapted to fit him for that eminent degree of usefulness for which his life was distinguished. His exalted relig- ious character and his great ivorth as a wise and safe counsellor were known and recog- mized far beyond the limits of the com- munity in which he resided. No trust was ever committed to him that he did not faith- fully discharge. He was a stanch Lutheran, and the new St. Peter's Lutheran church, at the corner of Broad and Mulberry streets. stands as a monument to him and the mem- bers of the building committee, who not only contributed most liberally of their means but his life and where his father's family had lived since 1810. He was a son of Jacob Beck, born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1777, while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Anna Goss, was a native of Basil, Switzerland, born in 1784. The parents were pious Christians and donated the lot on which the first Lutheran church was built in Lancaster, the groundl now oc- cupied by the A. Getz shoe factory. He was the youngest of four children: Jacob, born in 1804, and died in 1898; Anna, who was born in 1808 and passed away in 1890; Mary, whose birth occurred in 1812, and
22
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
.
zealously devoted their time and strength to its upbuilding. Mr. Beck learned the trade of a tanner but did not follow that vocation. In 1835 he entered the drug store of Bury & Dumont and learned the business. In 1840 he purchased the interest of Dumont and carried on the business on an extensive scale, wholesale and retail, in the building now owned by Beecher White, as partner with his brother-in-law, Joseph Bury. Mr. Bury died in 1846, when Mr. Beck became sole owner of the store, and later purchased the building of the heirs of Christian King. With only a short intermission in which he was connected with the Lancaster Starch Factory, as superintendent, he remained in the drug business to the close of his life- from 1835 until 1885 .- first under the name of Bury & Beck, then George G. Beck, and finally as George G. Beck & Son. In 1859 he took charge of the drug store in the Fred- erick A. Shaffer building, corner of Main street and Fountain square, which property he purchased in 1881.
On the 17th of September. 1842. Mr. Beck was joined in wedlock to Maria Louise Wagenhals, the eldest daughter of Rev. John and Maria Barbara ( Poorman) Wag- enhals. Six children were born to them, as follows: Anna Mary; Maria Louise and Gertrude, who passed away prior to the fa- ther's death: and John W., B. Ellen and Julia E., together with his wife, survived him. B. Ellen passed away on December 16. 1890, after a long and painful illness. caused by injuries received in being thrown from a carriage. She met death with the
same quiet, Christian resignation with which she had met the issues of life.
John Wagenhals Beck, who was born January 28. 1845, and died September 20, 1900, was the only son of George G. and Maria Louise (Wagenhals) Beck. He was born on the old family homestead in Lan- caster and when a boy entered his father's store. He continued at the same stand where he first entered upon his life work until the close of his life. He received his early education in the public schools and prepared himself for college in the private school of Dr. John Williams, the celebrated instructor and lexicographer. Later he en- tered the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in pharmacy in 1868. after which he became a partner in his father's store under the name of George G. Beck & Son. He survived his father nearly sixteen years but never changed the name of the firm. On September 19. 1900, he was at- tacked with a violent hemorrhage of the stomach, from the effects of which he never rallied, and died at three o'clock A. M., the following day, September 20. Thus the names of George G. Beck & Son were stricken from the list of Lancaster's promi- nent and successful business men, after serving the public for more than sixty con- secutive years. J. H. Mcody & Company are successors to the business. John W. Beck was a member of the Lancaster Lodge of Elks and was elected as first treasurer of the order in this city. Like his father, he was a stanch Republican and was always loyal to his party.
23
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mrs. George G. Beck, nee Mar'a Louise Wagenhals, is a descendant of the Stantz, Hufford. Snyder and Poorman ( formerly Purman ) families, who settled in Dauphin and York counties, Pennsylvania, prior to 1744 and 1750. A number of these sturdy people took part in our nation's struggle for liberty in the Revolutionary war. Her ma- ternal grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Sny- der. was born June 4. 1775, near Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania, and her maternal grand- father. Bernard Poorman, was born April 7. 1777. in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. Her grandparents, Mary E. Snyder and Bernard Poorman, were married near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1801. In 1808 they removed to Perry county, Ohio, near Somerset, and settled on the farm which was their home until death. Their second child was Maria Barbara, born May 25. 1803. In October, 1822, she was mar- ried to Rev. John Wagenhals, and on Sep- tember 17. 1823, their oldest child, Maria Louise, was born in New Lisbon, Columbi- ana county, Ohio. In 1829 he received a call from St. Peter's Lutheran church of Lancaster, Ohio, where he labored until 1859, when he accepted a call from the church in Circleville, Ohio. In 1868, on ac- count of throat trouble, he was compelled to retire from the active duties of the min- istry. The mother died March 2, 1827, leaving three small children : Maria Louise ; Philip Melancthon and Elizabeth. Maria Louise was married on the 13th of Septem- ber, 1842, to George J. Beck, of Lancaster, Ohio. The home he prepared for her as a
bride has been her place of residence ever since. Although seventy-eight years old at this writing, she is in possession of all her faculties. She lives with her only sur- viving child, Mrs. Julia Beck Fromlet.
Rev. John Wagenhals, a son of Daniel and Louise (Hornung) Wagenhals, was born April 16, 1799, in Gueglingen, king- dom of Wurtemberg, Germany. He at- tended the parochial school of his native city and received preparatory training in classical studies in the Latin school of the same place and afterward pursued his studies in the city of Stuttgart. In 1818 he emigrated to America, and landed in the city of Phila- delphia, where he became acquainted with eminent ministers of the Lutheran church, who, in view of his literary attainments, in- «luced him to devote himself to the service of the church. He continued his studies under the direction of several reputable clergymen of that early period and was licensed as a minister of the gospel September 12, 1821. On Trinity Sunday, in 1826, he was or- dlained at New Philadelphia, Ohio. His first pastoral charge consisted of a number of congregations in Columbiana, Carroll and adjoining counties, which he served with great self-denial and faithfulness. In 1829 he received a call from St. Peter's Lutheran church of Lancaster, Ohio, where he labored until 1859, when he accepted a call from the church in Circleville, Ohio. In 1868, on ac- count of throat trouble, he was compelled to retire from the active duties of the ministry.
Rev. Wagenhals was one of the found- ers of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at
24
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD).
Columbus, Ohio, and was for many years a director and a most zealous supporter of the same. In his intercourse with men he was invariably courteous and candid, and was deservedly held in high esteem by all who knew him. As a preacher of the gospel he was eloquent, plain and instructive ; as a pastor he was affectionate and sympathetic. and possessed the confidence, respect and esteem of his parishioners to an eminent de- gree. In 1870 he returned to Lancaster, where he spent the last years of his life. He died September 12, 1884, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-five years, four months and twenty-six days.
Philip M. Wagenhals, a son of Rev. John Wagenhals and Maria Barbara ( Poor- man) Wagenhals, was born March 1, 1825, in Carroll county, Ohio. He received his early education in Lancaster, Ohio, and at the Greenfield Academy, which was con- ducted by Dr. John Williams. Ile read medicine under Dr. G. W. Boerstler. Sr .. and later attended the University of Balti- more, in Baltimore, Maryland, from which he was graduated in 1846. On June 14, 1847, he was united in marriage to Susan E. Shaeffer, of Lancaster, Ohio, and located in Somerset, Perry county,. Ohio, where he resided several years. He was a prominent and successful physician of this city from 18544 until 1874, when he removed with his family to Columbus, Ohio, where he died February 16, 1881. His wife and eight children survived him.
Julia A. Wagenhals, a daughter of Rev. J. and Margaret ( Miller) Wagenhals, be-
came the wife of Rer. C. Albrecht, deceased, who for many years was pastor of the Lu- theran church at Miamisburg, Ohio. She passed away on the 3d of March. 1893, being survived by her seven chil:Iren.
Rev. Samuel Wagenhals. D. D., a son of Rev. J. and Catherine ( Ludwig ) Wagen- hals, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, on the 17th of January. 1843. He received his carly education in the public schools of his native town and also under the instruction of Dr. John Williams. He graduated from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, in 1862, and soon afterward enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry as a private. At the end of the Civil war he was mustered out as first lien- tenant of Company B. and immediately en- tered the Theological Seminary, at Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1868. He is a prominent minister of the Lutheran church and is president of the board of directors of the Lutheran Seminary at Chi- cago, Illinois. He is still serving his first pastorate at Fort Wayne. Ind'ana, where he has resided since 1868.
Katherine Wagenhals, a daughter of Rev. J. and Catherine (Ludwig) Wagen- hals, married Rev. George Harter, and they are living in Akron, Ohio.
Mary Wagenhals, the youngest daughter of Rev. J. and Catherine ( Ludwig) Wagen- hals, married David M. Emmitt. of Waverly, Ohio, where she is now living with her son, her husband having passed away in 1895.
25
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
PETER HEWETSON, M. D.
Dr. Peter Hewetson is the oldest rep- resentative of the medical profession en- gaged in continuous practice in Fairfield county. He is now living in Amanda, where a large and lucrative practice is ac- corded him in recognition of the public faith in his skill and ability. The Doctor is a native of Scotland, his birth having there occurred in Wigtown, October 26, 1832, his parents being, Dr. Joseph and Isabella ( Hanna) Hewetson, both of whom were natives of Scotland and came to the United States in 1833. The father read medicine and afterward graduated in the medical department of the Edinburg Uni- versity of Scotland in 1827. For a time he practiced his profession in the land of the heather and then believing that he would have better business opportunities in Amer- ica he made preparations for seeking a home in the new world, crossing the Atlantic. He spent six months as a practitioner in Penn- sylvania and then took up his abode in Belmont county, Ohio, where he continued to practice until within a short time of his death, which occurred in 1855. His wife died in Belmont county in August, 1858. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Hewetson, also a native of Scotland.
tures was pursued in the Bellevue Col- lege of New York city, and later he matriculated in the Miami Medical Col- lege, of Cincinnati, in which he was grad- uated in 1853, upon the completion of his course. Then he began practice in Bel- mont county, Ohio, but in 1858 came to Amanda, where he has remained continui- ously to the present time. Here he has built up a large and successful practice, hav- ing the confidence not only of numerous patrons but of the medical profession of Fairfield county. Although many years have elapsed since he concluded his college work he has ever been a close, earnest and dis- criminating student and has kept in touch with the advanced thought and progress of the day along the line of his chosen voca- tion.
In 1867 the Doctor was united in mar- riage to Miss Effie Dum, of Amanda, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (An- derson) Dumm. Mrs. Hewetson was born in Pike county, this state and by her mar- riage has become the mother of five chil- dren : Minnie E .; Mary B .; Joseph E., who is engaged in the practice of medicine with his father; William L., who carries on agricultural pursuits ; and Helen P.
Dr. Peter Hewetson was accorded good The Doctor gives his political support to the Democracy. He was a loyal soldier of the Union at the time of the Civil war, serving for three years as assistant surgeon in the Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Many of the boys in blue have reason to re- educational privileges, attending the public and private schools. In 1851 he became a student of medicine, reading under the di- rection of his father and later entered the office of Dr. Henry West in St. Clairsville, Belmont county. His first course of lec- member him because of the aid that he ren-
26
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
dered to them in hours of distress and suf- fering. He belongs to the Clark County Medical Society, to the American Medical Association and to Amanda Lodge, No. 509. F. & A. M. Through his association with the first two he keeps informed con- cerning the progress being made in the med-
ical profession. He is a most affable gen- tleman, widely and favorably known and is held in high esteem by his many friends. He has a very wide acquaintance through- out the county and is the loved family phy- sician in many a household.
JOHN D. MARTIN.
John D. Martin left an indelible impres- sion on the public life of Fairfield county. No citizen in the community was ever more respected and no man ever more faithfully enjoyed the confidence of the people or more richly deserved the esteem in which he was held. In his lifetime the people of his district, recognizing is merit rejoiced in his advancements and the success to which he attained and since his death they have cherished his memory, which remams as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. Honorable in business, loyal in citi- zenship. charitable in thought, kindly in ac- tion, true to every trust confided to his care. his life was the highest type of Christian manhood. Few men endear themselves to so great an extent to their business associ- ates and to those with whom they come in contact in the discharge of public duties as did John D. Martin.
A native of Fairfield county he was born in Greencastle, January 7, 1819, and passed away on the 7th of December. 1898, when
almost eighty years of age. His early boy- hood was a period of earnest and arduous toil but he developed thereby self reliance and various forces of character which proved strong elements in his success in later life. During his early boyhood he ac- companied his parents in their removal to Baltimore, Fairfield county, and was there employed by the contractors on the Ohio Central canal to carry water to their work- men on the deep cut near Monticello. Here his commendable boyish qualities and faith- fulness attracted the attention of Nathaniel R. Usher, who, as the canal neared comple- tion, opened a store at the new town of Mil- lersport and who offered the boy a position. Later Mr. Martin left the employ of Mr. Usher and entered the store of George B. Arnold of Utica. Licking county, Ohio, be- coming a salesman. In the store was an- other clerk-a boy about his own age- W. S. Rosecrans, the future commander of the army of the Cumberland.
In the year 1836 John D. Martin arrived
27
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in Lancaster and there more than half a century was a very important factor in bus- iness circles here, his history forming an intregal part of the professional and com- mercial circles of Fairfield county. He first entered the store of Levi Anderson as a salesnran and afterward was in the employ of John H. Tennant. In 1840 M. B. Brown- ing became the successor of Mr. Ten- nant and a new firm was formed under the name of M. B. Browning & Com- pany, his , salesmen, Martin and Stam- baugh, being the silent partners. Mr. Browning came to Lancaster from the east and for a time had the financial support of his uncles, one in Canton, Ohio, and two in New York, but he was an unsuccessful business man and in a year or two the new concern failed and Stambaugh and Martin found themselves involved and liable for Mr. Browning's debts. Mr. Stambaugh benefited by the bankrupt act and was re- leased but Mr. Martin declined to do that and sent for Mr. Thayer, one of the credit- ors, a distinguished merchant of Philadel- phia. Coming to Lancaster, the gentleman made a thorough examination of the affairs of the firm and effected a settlement, charg- ing Mr. Martin with one-fourth of the in- debtedness. Having no capital, our subject gave his note for the amount and after ser- eral years had passed was free from all financial obligations. In the meantime he had determined to enter the legal profession and he began the study of law under John T. Brasee, one of the most eminent lawyers at the bar of Fairfield county. Mr. Thayer had given Mr. Martin the books of the okdl concern to settle up and so well did he per-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.