USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 25
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Mr. Conrad, since the organization of the party, has been a stanch Republican, firmly believing in the principles of the platform. He belongs to the Presbyterian church of Amanda and is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. For seventy-five years he has been a witness of the growth and development of the state and has been particularly interested in the progress of the county of his nativity. He was at one time connected for twenty-two months with the Soldiers' Home at Sandusky, Ohio, filling the position of turnkey and having charge
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of the main dining room, but with the excep- tion of this period he has always lived in Fairfield county and at present makes his home with his children in Clear Creek town- ship, now residing with his eldest son, Si- mon. His memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progress- ive present. He can remember when the greater part of the surface of this county was covered with a growth of wild timber.
he has seen it developed to its present high state of cultivation and has ever borne his part in transforming it into one of the rich- est farming districts in the state. His life has ever been an active and useful one and he has that true worth of character. which in every land and elime commands respect and confidence. Well does he deserve men- tion in this history, and with pleasure we present his record to our readers.
JOHN D. NOURSE, M. D.
An enumeration of the men of the pres- ent generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the state to which they belong would be incomplete were there a failure to make prominent reference to the one whose name initiates this review. He held distinctive precedence in medical circles and his prominence was known as the result of professional skill and of a char- acter above reproach.
Dr. Nourse was born in Sharpsburg. Washington county, Maryland, on the 30th of November, 1827. his parents being Charles and Susan ( Cameron) Nourse, who came to Fairfield county in 1841, settling in Rushville. The Doctor was then fourteen years of age. He soon afterward entered upon his business career as a salesman in the store of T. B. & Crawford Padden, dry goods merchants at Pleasantville. He
was there employed for about two years and at the age of sixteen began teaching, meet- ing with excellent success for one so young. In 18.47 he went to the state of Alabama where he continued his educational work for two years and then entered upon the reading of medicine with a physician in that state, for he had become imbued with a strong desire to make its practice his life work. Accordingly in July, 1849, he en- tered the office of Dr. D. A. Fisher, of Balti- more, Ohio, with whom he continued his studies until 1851. During the winter months he attended medical lectures in the Cleveland Medical College and was grad- uated in that institution on the 26th of Feb- ruary, 1851.
Dr. Nourse then located in Baltimore, Ohio, where he opened an office and began practice, soon winning a liberal patronage as the the public recognized his skill in coping
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with the intricate problems that continually meet the physician. In 1859 he removed to Rushville, Ohio, and during the winter of 1862-3 attended medical lectures in the Jei- ferson College at Philadelphia. Pennsyl- vania, being graduated in that institution with high honors. He then removed to Reynoldsburg. Ohio, where he remained un- til 1877, the year of his arrival in Lancaster where he spent his remaining days, continu- ing an active practitioner of his profession in this city until his death. He kept in con- stant touch with the advanced thought and progress of the profession, and anything which tended to give to man the key to that mystery which we call life. elicited his warm interest. His professional duties made heavy demands upon his time, but he was never known to shirk a responsibility.
On the Ist of May, 1851, Dr. Nourse was united in marriage to Miss Catherine M. Berry, of New Salem, Ohio, and unto them were born two children. Darlington B .. the elder, is engaged in the dry-goods business at Canton, Ohio, and has three chil- dren : Catherine, Darlington and Joseph. The younger son, John H., is a member of the dry goods firm of H. E. Becker & Com- pany, of Lancaster, Ohio, and his children are Harry, Carl and Ralph. The mother of these children died, and on the 19th of Sep- tember, 1805, the Doctor again married. the second union being with Miss Enuna Guseman, of Lancaster, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine M. ( Pifer) Guse- man. Her father died in 1883 at the age of eighty-three years. The marriage of her parents was celebrated October 10. 1824. and in 1832 they took up their abode on
West Mulberry street, in Lancaster. where they spent their remaining days. Mr. Guse- man was born in Martinsburg, West Vir- ginia, and at a very early date became a resi- dent of this city. He was a blacksmith by trade and a very thorough and proficient workman. His life was upright and honor- able and he was highly respected by all who knew him, as a Christian man. He was strictly temperate in his habits and was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, who was born in Pitts- burg. Pennsylvania, December 18, 1801, was a daughter of Jacob Pifer and in 1800 was brought to Fairfield county, her death occurring in Lancaster, .August 5. 1900, when she was ninety-nine years of age. For more than ninety-three years she was a resi- dent of this city and took a keen interest in its growth and progress as well as in its im- provement. She too was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her influence was ever on the side of the right. the true and the beautiful. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children. of whom five are yet living, while three, Catherine, Philemon and Emma, are still in this city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Guseman were laid to rest in the Elmwood cemetery. The lady possessed a remarkable memory up to the time of her death, although she attained an extremely advanced age.
Dr. Nourse lived an honorable, upright life in consistent harmony with the highest principles of manhood. He, too, was an earnest and active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, his connection therewith covering about fifty-four years during which time he held many offices in the church. For
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a number of years he was a Sunday-school superintendent and was one of the most efficient and best qualified men that has ever filled the position. He was a worthy exemp- lar of Charity Lodge No. 7, 1. O. O. F., in which he served as chaplain and was also a member of Hock-Hocking Encampment of this city. At various times he represented both of these posts in the grand lodge and main encampment of the state, and always served upon their most important commit- tees. He was a member of the board of di- rectors of the city of Lancaster and took an active and helpful interest in every measure that he believed would prove of public bene- fit. He was also appointed attending phy- sician at the Children's Home and was act- ing in that capacity at the time of his death. He was likewise the resident trustee of the
beneficial association of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ohio, filling that position for many years. At length death came, removing from Lancaster one of its most honored and valued citizens. His funeral was the largest ever held here, and the cortage that wended its way to the ceme- tery was headed by the Lancaster Mechan- ics' Band. Most of the members of Charity Lodge No. 7, I. O. O. F., of Hock-Hocking Encampment and of the Patriarchs Mili- tant were present with a large concourse of citizens from all parts of the county. He was laid to rest in Forest Rose cemetery amid the deepest regret of all who knew him. His professional life brought him into contact with all classes of people and he was loved and respected by young and old, rich and poor.
DAVID MUSSER.
David Musser is the oldest resident of Rush Creek township and was born upon the farm where he yet resides, his birth hav- ing occurred in January, 1809. Through almost a century he has witnessed the ad- vancement which has been reached as man has claimed the wild land for the use of him- self and those to follow him. He has also witnessed the progress that has been secured along the various lines of progress; has seen the old stage coach replaced by the railroad, while the telephone and telegraph
have brought man into close communica- tion with those living hundreds of miles away. Fairfield county has kept in touch with the progress and improvement and Mr. Musser has rejoiced in the advancement of this portion of the state. He is indeed an honored old settler and well does he deserve mention in the history of this locality.
His father, Theobold Musser, was a na- tive of Germany, and with relatives came to this country when but a small boy, taking up his abode in Hagerstown, Maryland.
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There he lived for about thirty years, and in 1801 came to Ohio, settling within its borders before the admission of the state into the Union. His father-in-law, Chris- tian Binkly, had purchased three and one- half sections of land at the usual govern- ment price, and he gave three hundred and twenty acres to his daughter, Mrs. Musser. Upon that tract she and her husband took up their abode, it being now the home farm of David Musser. All was timberland, the trees growing in great density in places so that it was almost impossible for the sun- light to penetrate to the ground beneath. Theobold Musser built a log cabin in the woods and cleared much of his land, while his son David cleared the remainder. Later he purchased an additional tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres about one mile north of the home of his son David.
Theoboll Musser was married in Mary- land to Miss Christina Binkly, a native of that state. They became the parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, but David Musser is the only one now liv- ing. These were : Mary, Henry, Elizabeth, Jake. John, Catherine, Becky, Daniel, David, Sarah and Ann. In addition to the cultiva- tion of his land Mr. Musser followed the miller's trade. He was a millwright, hav- ing become familiar with the business when a boy, and he erected a great many mills during his lifetime. Upon his land he built log buildings not only for the shelter of his family, but also for the protection of the grain and stock, and as time passed he be- came the owner of what was considered a very excellent farm at that day. Politically
he was identified with the Whig party and was a member of the Lutheran church.
David Musser acquired his early educa- tion in the district schools of the township. The temple of learning was a little log buikdl- ing and he continued his studies for abont two months each year, for during the re- mainder of the season his labors were re- quired upon the home farm. His education was considered complete when he was about sixteen or seventeen years of age, as far as attendance at school was concerned, and after that he gave his undivided attention to the work of the farm. The arduous task of clearing and developing the will land is familiar to him, for out of his grandfather's rich purchase three farms were developed and improved. He has never been away from the county but twice during his en- tire life, and during the period of his active business career was continuously engaged in general farming and in the raising of cattle, sheep, hogs and horses.
In 1836 David Musser was united in marriage to Miss Frances Huff, a native of Pike county, Ohio, and they became the par- ents of ten children, namely : Caroline, Willard, Edward, Jesse, David, Laura and . Ferdinand (twins), Jacob, Emma and Re- becca. Of this number five are yet living. Mr. Musser has given his political support to the Republican party since its organiza- tion, and prior to that time was identified with the Whig party. He has served as supervisor of his township and was also school director for a number of years. Ile is a member of the Reformed church and is an honored representative of one of the old-
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est pioneer families in the state. He is to- day the oldest man in his township and one of the oldest in the county. His memory goes back to the time when people lived in little log buildings, containing but one or two rooms, with overhead a loft in which the children were put to sleep. The struc- ture was heated by an immense fireplace, and the cooking was done over a bed of coals there. Furniture was primitive and farm implements were crude, but hospitality
reigned supreme in those days, the latch string always being out. The days were days of toil, but there were social gather- ings and pleasures such as are unknown at the present time. In the work of his farm Mr. Musser employs all the modern equip- ments and accessories, and as the years have passed he gained a comfortable competence so that in the evening of life he has been enabled to enjoy a well earned and well merited rest.
JESSE MUSSER.
frontier. His education was acquired in a of the Union.
Jesse Musser, the subject of this review, needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for the Musser family is one widely known in this portion of the state. Our sub- ject was born upon the old home farm in 1844, his birthplace being a typical log cabin such as was so frequently seen upon the school house of similar character. The chil- dren. seated on slab benches, conned their lessons from the little text books then in vogue. In the work of the fields he bore his share, and when he had completed his school life he went immediately to the war, enlist- ing in Company F. One Hundred and Fifty- ninth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, at Bremen, under Captain Leslie. He then proceeded to Zanesville, Ohio, and thence to Harper's Ferry in the year 1864. He par- ticipated in the battle of Manassas Junction, but was on picket duty during the greater
part of the time, and on the expiration of his three months' term of service was hon- orably discharged, in August, 1864. He was really exempt from military service be- cause of his youth, having not yet attained his majority. but his loyal and patriotic spirit prompted his enlistment as a defender
After his return from the war Jesse Musser entered the employ of his uncle. in Indianapolis. He desired. however, to enlist again, and måde his way to Columbus for that purpose, but on reaching that city he learned that General Lee had surrendered and that the war was practically ended. During the summer he continued to reside in Fairfield county, and then returned to Indianapolis, where he remained for four years. On the expiration of that period he once more took up his abode upon the farm where he has since resided and is now ac-
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counted one of the practical, progressive and enterprising agriculturists of this part of the state.
In 1897 Mr. Musser was united in mar- riage to Miss Ota Cuplin, a native of Fair- field county, born about two miles north of Rushville, and they now have one child,
George C. In his political views Mr. Musser is a Republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party. He is a member of the Reformed church and his wife of the Methodist Protestant church, and he is identified with the Grand Army of the Re- public.
WILLIAM HEGE.
Every civilized country on the face of the globe has sent its representatives to America to aid in formulating the citizen- ship of the new world, but the United States claims no more loyal, patriotic and valued sons than those who came from Switzerland. The Hege family, of whom our subject is a representative, had its origin in Switzer- land and some of the sterling traits of char- acter of that race are manifest in the life of him whose name introduces this review. The first of the name to come to America was Hans Hege, who arrived September 27, 1727. landing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He settled in Germantown, where the fan- ily resided for a time and then located in Lancaster county, and since that time their descendants have been active factors in pro- moting public progress and improvement in every locality in which they have resided.
William Ilege, now a resident of Fair- field county, was born in Amanda township on the 25th of September, 1843, his parents being Peter and Mary ( Updegraff ) Hege.
The father was a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Chambersburg. Franklin county, September 11. 1801. whence he came to Ohio in the year 1825. being about twenty-four years of age. He settled in Amanda township, where he pur- chased a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, and built thereon a hewed log house, which was erected in 1826 and is still standing, a mute reminder of pioneer days and indicates, by contrast, the progress and improvement made in this fair common- wealth. It is still used as a dwelling by some of his children. The land was all covered with timber when it came into the possession of the father of our subject, but with char- acteristic energy he began clearing and cul- tivating it and made a good home for him- self and family. Thereon he resided until his death, which occurred in 1885, when he was eighty-four years of age. For a number of years he had held the office of township trustee and was often called upon to fill other positions of public trust, to which he
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was most faithful, fully meeting every ob- ligation that devolved upon him with faith- ful exactitude. His political support was given the Democracy until 1856, when he joined the ranks of the Republican party formed to prevent the further extension of slavery. He took a deep interest in politics and was unwavering .in his alllegiance to the cause which he espoused, but did not care for office. He was ever a public-spirited man and an advocate of all that tended to improve the county along material, social, intellectual and moral lines. A gentleman of good education he kept well informed, not only on political questions but upon the cur- rent events of the day, and his opinions car- ried weight and influence. He held mem- bership with the Evangelical Association for a long period, although in his younger days he was a member of the Lutheran church. In his business affairs he met with a fair de- gree of success and was held in the highest esteem by his fellow men because of his gen- uine worth and his fidelity to manly prin- ciples. His wife survived him until 1899, passing away at the extreme old age of nine- ty-six years. She too was a member of the Evangelical Association and lived an earnest Christian life, which had marked influence in molding the destinies of her children.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hege were born eleven children : Samuel is a bridge builder of Columbus, Indiana ; Louisa is the widow of Washington Burgett, and now resides in Indianapolis; Catherine is the widow of John Middlesworth, who was a prominent farmer and cattle raiser of Shelby county. Illinois ; Mary is the wife of Jedediah . Allen, of Shelby county. Illinois; Belinda is the
widow of James McBride; Levi is a civil engineer and resides in Columbus, Indiana ; Enos was a contractor and carpenter of In- dianapolis, but is now deceased; Christian resides on the old home place; William is next in order of birth; David died in in- fancy; and Martha Jane completes the family.
At the usual age William Hege entered the common schools near his home and mas- tered the branches of English learning usually taught in such institutions. He ac- quired a fair education, fitting him for life's practical and responsible duties. Through the months of summer he assisted his father in the work of the fields, being thus em- ployed until eighteen years of age, when in December, 1861, roused by a spirit of pa- triotism, he offered his services to the gov- ernment, enlisting as a member of Company E, Seventy-third Ohio Infantry. He re- mained as one of the loyal defenders of the Union upon the southern battle-fields until July, 1865, when, hostilities having ceased. he was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio and received an honorable discharge. He participated in many important engage- ments, including the second battle of Bull Run and Chancellorsville and was on the march with Pope when the regiment was under fire continuously for seventeen days. Ile also took part in the memorable battle of Gettysburg and in September, the same vear, was transferred to Chattanooga, Ten- nessee, taking part in the engagement of Missionary Ridge after being sent to that section of the country. Ile was also with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, which proved that the strength of the Con-
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federacy was almost exhausted. Whether on the picket line or in the midst of battle, he was ever faithful to his duty, was reliable and loyal.
When the war was ended Mr. Hege re- turned to his home, but he only remained for a few days, going thence to Columbus, In- diana, where he resided for two and one- half years, during which time he engaged in carpentering. He then returned to Ohio and has never since wandered from the home county, but has remained a valued and act- ive citizen, deeply interested in the welfare and progress of the same. He now owns and operates eighty acres of land, and is als > engaged to some extent in the raising of stock. His business interests are carefully conducted and his farm is the visible evi- dence of his life of enterprise and diligence.
On the 20th of September, 1875. Mr. Hege was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Kiger, a daughter of William and Mar-
garet Kiger, and a sister of George Kiger. ller father was one of the early settlers of this county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hege has been blessed with one child. Annabel, who is still with her parents. Mr. Hege votes with the Republican party and has firm faith in its principles. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with Parsons Post, G. .A. R., of Nebraska. Pickaway county, Ohio, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Evangelical church. He has held office as justice of the peace for three years, and his life has ever been such as to commend him to the esteem and regard of all with whom he has been associated. His loyalty upon the southern battlefields was but an index of his char- acter, which has ever been above reproach. his life furnishing an example that is well worthy of emulation by all who desire to achieve success.
HON. JOHN G. BRESLIN.
No compendium such as the province of this work defines in its essential limitations will serve to offer fit memorial to the life and accomplishments of the honored subject of this sketch-a man remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom, in his indomitable persever- ance, his strong individuality, and yet one whose entire life has not one esoteric phase. being an open scroll, inviting the closest
scrutiny. True, his have been "massive (leeds and great" in one sense, and yet his entire life accomplishment but represented the result of the fit utilization of the innate talent which was his, and the directing of his efforts in those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination led the way. There was in him a weight of char- acter, a native sagacity, a far-seeing judg-
JOHN G. BRESLIN
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ment and a fidelity of purpose that command- ed respect of all. A man of indefatigable en- terprise and fertility of resource, he has carved his name deeply on the record of the political, commercial and professional his- tory of the state, which owes much of its advancement to his efforts. Mr. Breslin was the youngest man who ever presided as speaker over the house of representatives of Ohio. Again and again his efforts aided in promoting public policy and in establishing the career of his grand old commonwealth. He was the friend and associate of many of the distinguished men of Ohio who gained national fame, and his life record forms an important chapter in the annals of his state.
Mr. Breslin was a native of Lebanon. Pennsylvania, his birth having there oc- curred about 1824. His father. Hugh Bres- lin, was a contractor and engaged in the construction of public works in the city of Washington, D. C. Both the parents of our subject died when he was only about three years of age and he was adopted by a family of the name of McKissen. While yet a small boy that family removed to Ohio, lo- cating near Dayton, and there Mr. Breslin remained until he was about twelve years of age. when, feeling that he should provide for his own support he tied up a few of his effects in a big handkerchief and with his bundle started for Columbus, Ohio. There was a similarity in the history of this period of his life to that of Benjamin Franklin. Like the great statesman of the colonial period he too exercised a widely felt influ- ence in public affairs. On reaching Co- himbus he presented himself to Colonel Sam- uel Medary, who was editor of the States-
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