USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 30
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REV. W. L. SLUTZ
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tober 26, 1810, with Miss Sarah Hague, who was a Quaker, some of her family assisting in forming the Quaker Society in Colum- bus .. Ohio, where the Hagues were promi- nent in that church. Of this union four children were born, Mahlon being the eldest. Mahlon Slutz was born in Tuscarawas coun- ty, Ohio, July 17, 1812. On the 23rd of March, 1834, he was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Walburn, the daughter of Leonard and Sarah Walburn. She was born near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. March 11, 1816, but was reared from early childhood in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. After their marriage they resided a short time in Holmes county, then in Stark county three years, then in Carroll county ten years, thence to Pike township, Stark county, lo- cating on a farm six miles south of the city of Canton, in 1848, which was the family home for more than half a century and re- mains in the name of Mahlon Slutz at the time of this writing, 1902. Mahlon Slutz died near Canton, Ohio, June 5, 1901, at the advanced age of almost eighty-nine years. His wife. Rebecca ( Walburn) Slutz, had died September 15, 1896, closing a period of nearly sixty-three years which they had spent together in happy wedlock and for a little more than sixty years there had been but one death in their family.
William Leonard Slutz was one of seven children born of this parentage, four of whom are now living. He was not quite three years old when his parents brought him to Stark county. Here he attended the country school until about eighteen years of age when he entered the public school in
the city of Canton. He then taught coun- try school and later, during college life, was principal of a village school and closed his work as a teacher in charge of a normal school. He attended Mount Union College, at .Alliance, Ohio, in his home county, where he completed a classical course of study and received his degree of Bachelor of Arts with the class of 1871, and later in cursu, the de- gree of Master of Arts. In 1895 he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Di- vinity. the same being conferred by Bald- win University.
At the age of fifteen he was happily con- verted and united with the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which his parents, brothers and sisters all were members. In 1873. hav- ing become a member of the Pittsburg con- ference and ordained deacon by Bishop William L. Harris, at his own request, he was transferred to the Colorado conference in gratification of his desire to go west. He remained a member of the Colorado confer- ence nine years, his last pastorate being Colo- rado Springs. During this pastorate of three years a most eligible church site was purchased and a new church erected at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars. He was secretary of that conference at the time . of his transfer to the east Ohio conference in 1882. He was then stationed at Akron three years and two years in Ravenna, at the close of which time he was transferred to the Ohio conference and stationed three years as pastor of Bigelow, in Portsmouth, Ohio, then appointed to London. Ohio. where he remained five years. During his pastorate in London an excellent site was
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secured and a splendid church edifice erected thereon at a cost of about forty-eight thou- sand dollars. all provided for. There was also a net increase in membership of one hundred and fifty. In 1895 he was appoint- ed pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church in Lancaster. Ohio, and continued as pastor two years, when he was appointed presiding elder of the Lancaster district and at the time of this writing is closing his fifth year in that office. He has been in charge of circuits two years, stationed in cities twenty- four years and presiding eller five years. During these years he has occupied parson- ages incident to the life of a Methodist min- ister, until within the past four years, when he has had the happy experience of dwelling in his own comfortable home at No. 118 East Wheeling street, Lancaster. Ohio.
On the 23d of November. 1873. he was united in marriage with Miss Julia Minerva Clark, daughter of Ransom H. and Eliza- beth ( Pitkin) Clark, of Portage county, Ohio. Her parents were of New England parentage. Six children were born of this marriage: Willie died at the age of two years in Portsmouth, Ohio, February 13. 1888: Mabel Henrietta, at nineteen years of age, a young lady of choicest Christian
spirit : and bright little Helen Margaret, at the age of four, on September 21. 1894. in the eternal home, joined their mother, who had died the previous June. Three sons are living : Merrill Clark, the eklest, is a mem- ber of the Cincinnati bar. Raymond Mahlon is a student in the Ohio Medical College, in Cincinnati. Earl Ransom is a member of the senior class of the high school of Lan- caster, Ohio. On December 16, 1896, Rev. Slutz was united in marriage with Miss Ella Eckman Whiley, of Lancaster, Ohio. She is the daughter of Samuel and Mary J. ( Eckman) Whiley. Her father had been actively engaged in business in Lancaster for many years and at the time of his death, January 22. 1897. he was sec- retary and treasurer of the Eagle Machine Company and president of the Farm- ers' and Citizens' Bank of Lancaster. Ohio. Mr. Whiley had been for many years an act- ive official member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, in which he hekl official po- sition at the time of his death. His wife was a daughter of Judge John and Jane (Campbell) Eckman, of Greenfield, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Slutz had two children : Mary Eleanor, born August 1, 1898; and a baby, born March 13. 1902.
EMANUEL HUFFORD.
Emanuel Hufford does not need to read the history of pioneer days to become fa- miliar with the condition which existed in Ohio when this portion of the state was upon the frontier, for practical experience
has made him acquainted with all those con- ditions. He was born in Hocking county in November. 1844, acquired his early educa- tion there prior to the age of thirteen years and then after the removal of the family to
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Fairfield county continued his education in the schools here. Later he went to Indiana, where he was employed for a year, and on the expiration of that period he returned to his home and engaged in farming for one year for his father. He then came to the farm upon which he now lives in Rush Creek township, and for one year worked it for his father-in-law. He was successful in his undertakings and was thereby en- couraged to secure a home of his own. He was married February 14, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Simpson. a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and as the years have passed eleven children have been added to their family: Joseph, who is living about one mile east of the village of Flagdale; Mar- tin, who married Nora Burker, makes his home in Indiana: Eli, who married first Carrie Proctor and after her death Oma Shoemaker became his wife, and is living upon the old family homestead; Sadie, the wife of Frank Grove, residing two miles east of Bremen : Kittie, the wife of S. Shoe- maker, living in Rushville: Barbara, the wife of Homer Wright, their residence be- ing about one mile from her father's home ; Jennie, the wife of Porter Wright, who
lives upon the farm adjoining her father's; Eliza. the wife of Jim Blasser, at home ; Leafy. John and Carl, yet residing with their parents.
In his political views Mr. Hufford is a Democrat. and for a time served as town- ship trustee and has also served as school director. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed church. At the time of his marriage he had earned about five hundred dollars, which he put out at interest and it is there yet. He never rode in a buggy until he was married. On one Satur- day morning he walked to Lancaster and after buying a pair of new trousers and a vest and also having his picture taken, he walked back home again, covering a dis- tance of twenty-two miles. On the same day he walked nine miles south to church and again home after the services, covering forty miles that day. In the same year on one occasion he walked eight miles before breakfast. No history of Fairfield county would be complete without mention of the Hufford family, so long have they resided in this part of the state and so active have they been in business affairs, contributing to the general welfare.
HON. JOHN GRAYBILL.
John Graybill was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1785. and emigrated to and settled in Greenfield township. Fairfield county, Ohio, where he sided until August 29, 1867, when he fell
asleep, full of years, loved, honored and re- spected by the entire community.
He served as a private in the war of 1812, and took an active interest in the state militia for many years after the close
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of the war. His commissions as ensign, dated .August 1, 1813. signed by Return J. Meigs, governor, and as first lieutenant, dated January 1. 1816, signed by Thomas Worthington, governor, still occupy a place on the walls of the library of his grandson, Judge Reeves.
He served as justice of the peace of Greenfield township for over twenty-five years, and a number of his commissions signed by Jeremiah Morrow, Allen Trimble, Duncan Me. Arthur, and a long line of the early governors of Ohio, are still preserved as relies. He served two terms as county commissioner of Fairfield county, and in 1836 and 1837 with William Medill (after- wards governor of Ohio) represented Fair- field county in the Ohio legislature. In the spring of 1838 he was elected by the legis- lature associate judge of the court of com- mon pleas of Fairfield county for the term of seven years: his commission dated March 9. 1838, signed by Joseph Vance, governor. is still preserved by his grandson, whose commissions as judge of the court of com- mon pleas are dated and signed in Novem- ber. 1900 and 1901, over sixty-two years thereafter.
Judge Graybill was a Democrat of the Jacksonian type, and took an active part in the politics of Fairfieldl county. He was the warm personal and political friend of Governors William Medill and William .\1- len, and of David Tod and John Brough during their adherence to the Democratic party.
On May 19, 1818. in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. John Graybill was married to Susanna Lightner Eckert, and a few days
thereafter they bid adieu to their friends and started on their bridal tour "across the mountains" in a Conestoga wagon for their home in Fairfield county, then the "far west." As a memento of this trip their grandson still possesses one of the bridal presents, an old-fashioned china tea set com- posed of tea pot, sugar bowl, cream pitcher twelve cups and saucers, all perfect, with- out a nick or crack therein, notwithstanding their long journey in the Conestoga wagon, neatly packed in a bran new feather bed, another present from the mother of the bride.
From its earliest history the city of Lan- caster and vicinity has been noted for the high social standing, intelligence and hos- pitality of its citizens, and in this favored community Mrs. Graybill soon took a prom- inent social position, which she maintained during her entire life, all recognizing her high social, intellectual and Christian char- acter. She was an earnest, consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, having united with the old Leacock church near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, when only sixteen years old. She was the orphans' friend. many of whom reared under her tender care lived to call her blessed and with her many friends mourn her loss, when on March 19, 1876. she was laid to rest.
This union was blessed with only one child, Martha S. Graybill, who married Josiah Reeves, both of whom died leaving their surviving children, John G. Reeves and Samuel L. Reeves, to the tender care and Christian guidance of their grandparents, who nobly fulfilled the sacred trust imposed upon them.
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HON. JOHN G. REEVES.
The record of Hon. John G. Reeves as a man, a soldier, a lawyer and a judge is such as to entitle him to distinction as one of the honored and representative citizens of Fairfield county. He is now serving on the bench of the common pleas court and his incumbency will continue until 1907. He was born near Lancaster, his parents be- ing Josiah and Martha S. ( Graybill) Reeves. His father died when the Judge was quite young and the latter was reared upon a farm by his grandfather, Judge John Graybill, with whom he remained until 1861, attending the district schools in his early youth and afterward continuing his studies in the city schools of Lancaster and the Ohio University at Athens, Ohio, until 1860.
In that year Judge Reeves began read- ing law with the firm of Martin & Schleich, of Lancaster, remaining a student in their office until after the beginning of the Civil war, when, his patriotic spirit was aroused, and he offered his services to the govern- ment, enlisting for three years or during the war as a member of the Seventh Ohio Vol- unteer Cavalry. He was with the First Battalion, which was afterward consolidat- ed with a part of the First Battalion of the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and in 1863 became the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry. Mr. Reeves enlisted as a private and was appointed orderly sergeant of Company C on the 21st of December, 1861, in which capacity he served about eleven months. On the 21st of September, 1862, he was appoint-
ed second lieutenant of the same company ; was made first lieutenant June 9, 1863 ; and on the organization of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry was appointed its adjutant. Soon afterward he was made adjutant of the post of Fort Laramie and subsequently was. made provost marshal of the district of Fort Laramie. In the spring of 1864 he was appointed assistant inspector of the western division of the district of Nebraska upon the staff of General Robert Mitchell, who was in command of the district of Nebraska. His jurisdiction extended from Julesburg, Nebraska, to South Pass City, Wyoming. He was also chosen as captain of Company L, Eleventh Regiment, but was not mus- tered in as such on account of the close of the war, but served out his time as inspector, being honorably discharged in April, 1865, at which time he returned home. His regi- ment was engaged in guarding the overland mail and emigrant route from Julesburg to. South Pass and on the South Platte from Julesburg to Ford Halleck. At different times they were engaged in skirmishes with: the Indians, the most important being ať Mud Springs, which lasted five days. His military service was characterized by the most unflinching performance of duty, even in the face of great danger and most loyally and effectively he aided his country.
Returning immediately to his home, in May, 1865, the Judge was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Ohio and at once began practice in Lancaster, where he has since remained. In 1880, at Cincinnati,
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he was admitted to practice in the United sonal feelings, his prejudices and his pe- culiarities of disposition in the dignity, im- partiality and equity of office to which life, property, right and liberty must look for protection. Possessing these qualifications Judge Reeves justly merits the honor which has been conferred upon him by his election to the bench. States, circuit and district courts, and on the 5th of March. 1885, he was admitted at Washington, D. C., to practice in the su- preme court of the United States. In a trial before court or jury he is strong in argu- ment. logical in deductions and most cap- able in representing his case and the law bearing upon the points of litigation. In On the 29th of January, 1866, the Judge was married to Aliss Rachel Elizabeth, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Shull) Hooker, of Hooker Station, near Lancaster, and they became the parents of one son, John Harold, who is now a law student. Mrs. Reeves, a most devoted wife and mother, possessing many womanly quali- ties which endeared her to all, was called to her final rest December 14, 1896, and her death was widely mourned. 1867 he was elected city solicitor of Lan- caster and served for two successive terms of two years each. In 1871 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Fairfield county, and by re-election was continued in that po- sition for six years. For eight years he was a member of the board of trustees of the Boys' Industrial School, being first ap- pointed by Governor Hoadley and later by Governor Campbell. When not in office he has given his entire attention to the practice The Judge is a Democrat in his political affiliations and is prominent in military and fraternal circles, having served as Grand Commander of the American Legion of of law and won distinctively representative clientage. In November, 1900, he was elected judge of the common pleas court for an unexpired term and in November, . Honor for Ohio and as Grand Chancellor 1901, he was elected without opposition for of the Knights of Pythias of Ohio in 1888 and is now Supreme Representative. He is a charter member of Cœur de Lion Com- pany, No. 9. Uniformed Rank, K. P., hay- ing served as its captain and also as Judge Advocate General on the staff of J. W. Green, commanding the Ohio Brigade. He is past noble grand of Alpine Lodge, No. 566. I. O. O. F., and past patriarch of Hock Hocking Encampment, No. 7. He took an active part in the formation of Patriarch Militant Branch: was twice elected Brig- adier General of the First Brigade of Ohio: and twice elected Major General, command- ing the Division of Ohio, at that time com- a term of five years, and has continually demonstrated his ability to handle the intri- cate problems which are continually pre- sented for solution. The legal profession demands a high order of ability, and the judiciary requires not only ability but a rare combination of talent, learning, tact. patience and industry. The successful law- ver and competent judge must be a man of well balanced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, of comprehensive general information, possessed of an analy- tical mind and a self-control that will en- able him to lose his individuality, his per-
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posed of eleven states. The Judge is also a member of Lancaster Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M .; Lancaster Chapter, No. II, R. ... M .; and Lancaster Commandery, No. 2. K. T. He is a Scottish Rite Mason, having taken the thirty-second degree, and is affili- ated with Ohio Sovereign Consistory at Cincinnati. He is a charter member and past commander of Ben Butterfield Post. No. 77, G. A. R., of Lancaster, and served as aide on the staff of the Department Com- mander. while at present he is on the staff of the National Commander. He is a char-
ter member and past commander of En- campment, No. 12, U. V. L., and at present is aide on the staff of the national comman- der. He has also filled the office of Grand Regent of the Royal Arcanum. No man in the community stands higher in the esteem of the public than Judge Reeves. He has been identified with all the movements look- ing to the advancement of the general wel- fare. The prestige of his past career and the ability he has shown at the bar give basis for the popular prophecy that he is now of the coming jurists of eminence.
JACOB WILBERT.
Jacob Wilbert is connected with farm- United States. Accordingly with his wife ing interests of Fairfield county and is also and four children, he started for this coun- try, landing in New York in 1835. He then made his way to Buffalo, Cleveland and Lancaster, completing the journey by canal boat. He had intended going to St. Louis, but the boat in which he had taken voyage had such a large number of passengers that it seemed over crowded and certainly very uncomfortable. When they reached Lan- caster, a German residing here told him of the advantages of this county and Mr. Wil- bert was thereby induced to locate here. For about three years he worked by the day and then with the money which he had saved from his earnings, he purchased a farm near what is now Logan, Ohio. A an agricultural implement dealer of Car- roll. He is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to the new world and his life record displays many of the sterling characteristics of the people of the fatherland. He was born near Bingen on the Rhine in Prussia in May, 1830, and his father. Valentine Wilbert, was also a native of the same locality, born in 1792. He was a soldier and had many interesting stories to tell of his years' campaign under Napo- leon Bonaparte. By occupation he was a farmer, and after having heard many favor- able reports concerning the business oppor- tunities offered in the new world, he deter- mined to seek a home and fortune in the year later, however, he sold that property
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and near Carroll rented a tract of land. on which he remained for several years, when he purchased a small farm near the village, spending the remainder of his active ca- reer upon that property. At length. how- ever, he decided to put aside the arduous cares of agricultural life, sold his farm and purchased a home in Carroll, where he lived in quiet retirement from business until called to his final rest in 1877. He was the father of nine children, six of whom are vet living and four of the number are residents of California, namely : Valentine. an engineer; Martin, a carriage dealer : Fred. a shoe manufacturer: and Peter, who is engaged in the real estate business. Mary Ann became the wife of William Lake, a farmer of Illinois, who is now living retired at his home in Kankakee, that state.
Jacob Wilbert, the sixth surviving mem- ber of the family, spent the first five years of his life in the fatherland and then accom- panied his parents on their emigration to the new world, coming with them to Fair- field county. Under the parental roof he spent his childhood and after arriving at years of maturity he married Miss Mary Ann, a daughter of David Hufford, a farm- er of Hocking county, Ohio. Nine children were born of this union, but three of the number died in early youth. The six yet living are as follows: Sarah, the wife of Anthony Bender, of the firm of Bender Brothers, carriage manufacturers of Car- roll: David H., a locomotive engineer re- siding in Fort Wayne, Indiana: Catherine. who married Frank S. Carns and resides on a farm adjoining Carroll : William W., a machinist and thresherman, who lives near
Carroll: Ellen, the wife of Daniel Ride- nauer, a farmer living near the village : and Eliza. the wife of Ralph Coffman, an agri- culturist of Greenfield township. Two of the sons. Daniel and David, fought through- out the Civil war in an Ohio regiment and were honorably discharged at the close of hostilities.
In his youth Jacob Wilbert, of this re- view, had attended the common schools and worked upon his father's farm, so that he was well equipped to engage in agricultural pursuits on his own account at the time of his marriage. In partnership with his fa- ther he operated a tract of land until he had accumulated enough money to begin for himself. He then rented a farm, upon which he remained for eighteen years and on the expiration of that period he purchased his present property on section 7. Greenfickl township, adjoining the corporation limits of Carroll. As his financial resources have increased he has extended the boundaries of his place by additional purchases until he now has one hundred and forty-five acres. On this stands a commodious dwelling. good barns, a blacksmith shop and feed mills. For many years he has been dealing in agricultural implements and is widely known for his success in business affairs. All that he possesses has been acquired through his own efforts and his back record proves the potency of determination and en- ergy when closely allied with sound busi- ness principles.
In public office Mr. Wilbert has also been quite prominent. He has served for several years as township trustee and school director, but his business interests have so
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occupied his time that he has not cared to seek office. He is now the vice-president of the Farmers' Institute of Fairfield county. He and his wife are members of the Methi- odist church and in that faith have reared their children. For more than forty years he has been a class leader and his life of
uprightness, activity and honesty is one well worthy of emulation. Through the assist- ance of his estimable wife he has reared a family who are an honor to his name and with one exception all of their children are comfortably situated within a mile of the parental home.
REUBEN W. MONHANK, M. D.
Dr. Monhank is one of the younger rep- resentatives of the medical fraternity in Fairfield county, but his years seem no bar to his ability or to his success, for the form- er has been the means of gaining him a very creditable position as a practitioner of med- icine, his standing in the fraternity being such as many an older physician might well envy. He is now practicing in the village of Royalton and is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Fairfield county. He was born in Berne township of this county, November 26, 1873. His pa- ternal grandparents are still living, his grandfather, William Monhank, now liv- ing a retired life in the city of Lancaster. Throughout the years of his business activ- ity he carried on agricultural pursuits. Ilis birth occurred in Germany and when about twenty-one years of age he bade adieu to friends in the fatherland and sailed for the new world, believing that he might improve his financial condiion in this country where
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