USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 31
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opportunity and effort are not hampered by caste or class. He settled in Fairfield coun- ty and for many years resided in Berne township, but during the last twenty years of his connection with agricultural pursuits he made his home in Greenfield township. He is now about eighty-five years of age, one of the revered patriarchs of the com- munity, venerated and respected by all who know him. Ilis wife is also living at about the same age, and both enjoy good health. Mr. Monhank was one of the early settlers of the county and through many years lived a most industrious life, his energy and un- flagging diligence enabling him to gradu- ally advance from an humble financial con- dition to a position of affluence. As his cap- ital increased he made judicious invest- ments in property and became the owner of a valuable farm and city realty. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and the name has ever been a syn- onym for all that is honorable in life. Unto
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the grandparents of the Doctor were born has at length put aside business cares and nine children, and the family circle yet re- mains unbroken by the hand of death.
The parents of the Doctor are William D. and Mary (Ackers) Monhank, and the father has been identified in Fairfield county and is upbuilding from an early history in its development. He now resides in Berne township at the age of fifty-eight years, and is a prominent and prosperous farmer and stock raiser. His farm is located on the Sugar Grove pike and comprises about two hundred acres of rich land, which he pur- chased from his father about twenty years ago. Ile has made many improvements thereon, including the erection of a large, substantial brick residence, a commodious barn and other necessary outbuildings. In fact, he has made this a model farm and is accounted one of the most progressive as well as practical agriculturists of this por- tion of the state. Ilis political support is given to the Democracy and while he al- ways casts his ballot in support of its men and measures, he has never sought public office. lfe is devoted to all that tends to improve and further the interests of the community in which he lives, and his influ- ence has ever been on the side of the right, the true and the beautiful. He belongs to the German Lutheran church, of which his wife is also a member. She was born in Fairfield county and is a daughter of Daniel and Catherine ( Klinker ) AAckers. Her fa- ther now resides in Logan. Hocking coun- ty, and is a man of considerable prominence and wealth. For many years he resided in Berne township. Fairfield county, Ohio, but
in the enjoyment of a well earned rest makes his home in Logan. Unto William D. and Mary Monhank were born two chil- dren. The daughter, Minnie, is the wife of Charles Hummel, of Columbus, Ohio, who is in the employ of the street railway com- pany there. They have four children. Charles, Randolph, Mildred and an infant.
Reuben W. Monhank, the subject of this review, was born November 26, 1873, and in the district schools of Berne township began his education. When he had mas- tered the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions, he continued his studies in the high school of the township. In the winter of 1890-1 and through the succeeding winter he was a student in the preparatory school in Lebanon. Ohio, hav- ing determined to enter upon the practice of medicine as his life work. He then be- gan preparation for the profession and en- tered the Ohio Medical University at Co- lumbus, where he pursued a complete course. being graduated in the spring of 1896. In the spring of the same year the college held a competitive examination for interneship for the Protestant Hospital at Columbus, and Dr. Monhank was successful in winning the position, which he occupied for eight months. At the end of that period he lo- cated at Royalton. Fairfield county, where he at once began the practice of his profes- sion, which he has continued since, his la- bors resulting in effecting many notable cures. He keeps in touch with the progress made by the medical fraternity through his membership in the State Medical Society.
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where the exchange of thought and knowl- edge adds to the proficiency of all connected with the organization. The Doctor has a large and extensive country practice, cover- ing a radius of six or seven miles in each direction from Royalton.
In April, 1896, the Doctor was married in Lancaster to Miss Anna Cruit, a daugh- ter of William and Mary (Kiger) Cruit. The lady was born in Fairfield county, and their marriage has been blessed with two children : Mary, whose birth occurred in Amanda township, Fairfield county, the ist of September, 1897; and William Chester, born in the same township on the 28th of July, 1899.
Dr. Monhank and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist church, in which
he has served as one of the trustees and has formerly been recording steward. He is most earnest in his advocacy of the church and does all in his power to promote its growth, and extend its influence. Socially he is connected with the Masonic frater- nity and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, while in his political views he is a stanch Republican. He has no time or de- sire for public office, however, preferring to give his entire attention to his profes- sional duties, which are continually increas- ing, as his skill and ability are demonstrated by successful practice. He has due re- gard for professional principles, his knowl- edge of the science of medicine is broad and comprehensive and already he has gained an enviable position in his chosen calling.
REV. JOHN GOURLEY.
For ten years the Rev. John Gourley has been the pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Lancaster and for a quarter of a century has devoted his life to the holy call- ing, in which his influence has been of no restricted order. He has labored long and faithfully and there has not been denied him the full harvest nor the aftermath. His consecration and zeal in the cause have re- sulted in advancing the growth and influ- ence of the church and his efforts have been a potent influence in the church, of which he is still the pastor.
Mr. Gourley is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in the vicinity of Greensburg, September 17, 1850. His par- ents, Samuel and Eliza ( Clements ) Gour- ley, were both natives of the Keystone state. The family is of Scotch-Irish lineage, and the great-grandfather of our subject was the first of the name to seek a home in the new world, crossing the Atlantic from the Emerald Isle in 1774. just the year before the outbreak of the Revolutionary war. His son, John Gourley, the grandfather of our subject, owned and operated a farm in
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Pennsylvania and there married Miss Mar- garet Stephenson. Upon the old family homestead. Samuel S. Gourley was born and reared and throughout his entire life he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, remaining a resident of the Keystone state until called to the home beyond. Ilis political support was given the Republican party but he never turned aside from the strict path of busi- ness to enter the political fiekl. Both he and his wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian church and endeavored to bring up their children in the fear and ad- monition of the Lord.
Thus the Rev. John Gourley, now of Lancaster, was reared amid the refining in- Auences of a good Christian home. He worked in the fields and aided in all the work usually required of boys of that pe- riod. He began his education in the com- mon school of the neighborhood and later continued his studies in Greensburg. Penn- sylvania. He next became a student in Sa- lem Academy and still later in Washington and Jefferson College, of Pennsylvania, in which he was graduated with the class of 1874. Ilis literary education being com- pleted, he then began preparation for the high and holy offices of the church, having determined to devote his life to the work of the ministry. Ile entered the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1877. Ile at once entered upon the work for which the years of previous study had been a prop- aration, becoming pastor of the First Pres- byterian church in Indiana county, where he remained for six years. For seven years he was located at Lewistown, Pennsylvania, as growth and upbuilding.
pastor of the First Presbyterian church, a large and influential one, and in 1893 he came to Lancaster to accept the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church here. Ten years have since passed, during which time the church has made a steady and healthful growth, now having a membership of two hundred and fifty. The house of worship. which is a handsome structure, was erected in 1892. It is built in a modern and attrac- tive style of arcitecture and the seating is well planned for the comfort of the five hun- dred auditors who can there be accommo- dlated. It was erected at a cost of twenty thousand dollars and is free from debt. The church work is well organized in its various departments and is a potent element in the moral development and progress of the com- munity.
On the 24th of May, 1877, Rev. Gour- ley led to the marriage altar Miss Lizzie .A. Harvey, of Delmont, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joseph and Mary .1. ( Metz- fer ) Harvey. The marriage has been blessed with five children: Frank B., a resident of Lancaster: Mary E .. Joseph Harvey. John Steele and Margaret Stephenson, yet under the parental roof.
Rev. Gourley is the state clerk of the Presbytery of Columbus, and is widely known in Presbyterian circles as one of the gifted ministers of the denomination. A man of strong intellect and broad human sympathies, his argument and oratory are many times effective in inducing his hearers to follow higher ideals in life and his zeal and earnestness in behalf of the church have contributed in effective measure to its
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PERRY T. STOVER.
The business interests of Carroll are occurred in 1892. He left seven children : well represented by Perry T. Stover, an en- Frank, who is now a yardmaster at St. Louis ; William, a railroad man of the same city: Jane, the wife of a cigar manufacturer of Cuddington, Kentucky; Clara, the wife of Milton Sanford, a bridge contractor of Columbus, Ohio; Harriett, who married Nelson Brink, also of Columbus: and Alice, the widow of Charles Angel, of the same city. terprising harness maker of that place, whose present business has been conducted so capably that he has gained gratifying success and at the same time has won the confidence and good will of the public. He is one of Fairfield county's native sons, for his birth occurred January 25, 1851, upon a farm owned by his maternal grandfather, Madison Jones, in Madison township. His Perry T. Stover, the seventh surviving member of the family, learned the harness- making business in all its branches and is a thorough and expert workman. His suc- cess is largely due to the fact that he has ap- plied himself with unremitting diligence to the work in which, as a young tradesman. he embarked. Many of the failures of life come through lack of close application and the tendency to continually change ones oc- cupation, but Mr. Stover has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and his efforts have been so discerningly directed along lines of industrial activity that he is now at the head of a good business and is accounted one of the honored and honor- able merchants of the pretty and thriving town of Carroll. father. Simon Stover, was born in 1828 on his father's farm in Pennsylvania and was a representative of an old Pennsylvania Dutch family. His educational and other advantages were limited but he possessed resolution and enterprise and these quali- ties enabled him to advance steadily in his business career. In early manhood he mar- ried Margaret Jones, a daughter of Madi- son Jones, a farmer and tanner, who was also extensively engaged in the cultivation of grapes in eastern Pennsylvania, where he owned about one thousand acres of land. It was about 1835 that Simon Stover, the father of our subject. came to Fairfield county, taking up his abode upon a tract of land in Madison township, where he re- mained with his father until reaching man's On the 9th of May, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Stover and Miss Margaret Johnson, a daughter of Squire A. J. John- son, a merchant and wood dealer of Lithop- olis, who came to this city from Rocking- ham, Virginia. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stover has been blessed with two chil- dren: Alice, born September 5. 1879, is estate. Later he engaged in general mer- chandising at Lockville, but after a few years he sold that business and removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he spent the remain- der of his business career as a traveling salesman, representing a dry goods jobbing house of the capital city. There his death
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the wife of William Liest, a molder, resid- ing in Lancaster; and Lillie M., born No- vember 2. 1881, is the wife of Delbert An- thony. a molder, of Carroll. Our subject and his wife have a pleasant home in Car- roll, where he has spent the greater part of his life and where he declares he will re- main until called to the home beyond. He
has received fair treatment at the hands of his fellow townsmen because he has ren- dered such to them, and as the years have passed he has gradually increased his busi- ness and become a prosperous merchant here. In the spring of 1902 he was elected by the town as marshal for a term of two years.
JOHN B. KELLER.
John B. Keller was for many years suc- cessfully engaged in the grocery business in Lancaster, but has now retired from mer- cantile interests and gives his attention only to the supervision of his farms and to his invested interests. He is a native of Hesse- Darmstadt. Germany, where his birth oc- curred on the 14th of April. 1839. His father. John Keller, was a native of the same locality and there acquired a good common school education and was married. About 1854 he emigrated with his family to the United States, taking passage on a sail- ing vessel, which, after a voyage of five weeks, dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. From the eastern metropolis Mr. Keller made his way at once to Lancas- ter, Ohio, where he remained until his death. 1Tis wife had passed away in her native land during the infancy of her son. John B.
John B. Keller was eighteen years of age when he came to the United States. While in the old country he had learned
the miller's trade, which he continued to follow for some years. At Lancaster, Ohio, lie entered the service of Mr. Seifred. for whom he worked for eighteen months. after which he accepted a clerkship in a grocery store at Logan, Ohio, but at the outbreak of the Civil war he returned to Lancaster and joined a company, which was here be- ing raised for a service of three months. It became Company D, of the Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was com- manded by Colonel Connell. The regiment was ordered to West Virginia to guard points in that state. On the expiration of three months Mr. Keller re-enlisted in the same company for three years. This com- mand was ordered to Kentucky and took part in the battle of Mill Spring and later in the engagements at Murfreesboro. Perry- ville and Chickamauga. At the last named place he was severely wounded by a gun- shot through the left elbow. It disabled him for further duty and he was then taken to
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the hospital at Chickamauga and some- time afterward was sent to Nashville, Ten- nessee, and then to Louisville, Kentucky, and subsequently to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained in Camp Dermison until hon- orably discharged on the 28th of May, 1863.
At the close of his military services Mr. Keller returned to Logan, Ohio, where he established a grocery store, which he con- ducted on his own account. In April, 1865, however, he returned to Lancaster and here engaged in the grocery trade, building up a large and profitable business, which he conducted until 1889, when he retired from mercantile life, and his son, Chris, took charge of the business, and is now proprie- tor of two of the most modern and up-to- date grocery stores in the city. He is also president of the Lancaster board of trade. Mr. Keller's business carcer was without exciting incidents or speculation, and along legitimate lines of trade he gained a hand- some competence. He now devotes his time to farming. His lands are well tilled un- der his supervision, employing hired help. and upon the farms are a large number of hogs and cattle. Mr. Keller owns valuable
city properties and having thus made judi- cious investments in real estate is now ac- counted one of the prosperous citizens of the community.
In 1865 our subject was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Hartman. also a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and a daughter of Henry and Eva (Lortz) Hartman. In their family are eight chil- dren, two sons and six daughters, namely : Christian, Christine. Elizabeth, John, Mar- garet. Rose, Ida and Clara. In his political views Mr. Keller is a Democrat, with firm faith in the principles of the party, and upon that ticket he was elected to the city coun- cil, in which he served for five years. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church and are people of the high- est respectability, enjoying the warm regard of all who know them. Mr. Keller owes his advancement in life to his own efforts, his sterling worth, his integrity above question, his indefatigable industry and strong reso- lution-these have been his salient charac- teristics and have won him an enviable po- sition among the substantial residents of his adopted county.
THOMAS GINGRICH.
One of the beautiful country homes of Fairfield county is that occupied by Thomas Gingrich, of AAmanda township. It is a large and commodious brick structure, which
was erected at a cost of three thousand dol- lars and forms a most pleasing feature in the landscape. It stands in the midst of a val- table and constantly cultivated farm, which
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indicates careful supervision and a progres- sive and practical spirit. He is classed among the highly respected citizens of the county and well does he deserve to be thus ranked. His birth occurred near Meyers- town, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of March. 1831. His father. Michael Gingrich, was born in the same county and there spent his entire life. When the days of his minority were past he sought a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey and chose Polly Moore, also a native of the Key- stone state. They lived upon a farm in Leb- anon county and were people of respectabil- ity and worth. The father was a prosperous and enterprising man in his community, and accumulated considerable property. becom- ing the owner of several farms. His death occurred in the place of his nativity when he was about seventy-seven years of age, and his wife passed away in the same county when our subject was only six years of age. Both held membership in the Lutheran church and were carnest Christian people. In their family were eight children, but only three of the number are now living. Our subject was the third in order of birth. His brothers are: Peter, who makes his home in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and is connected with the iron furnaces, where his children are also employed ; and John, a substantial and progressive farmer of Illinois.
Themas Gingrich passed the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his birth, and when twenty-one years of age he came to Ohio and took up his abode in Lib- erty township. Fairfield county, where he remained for fourteen years. He then en- gaged in the milling business, purchasing
the old Bright mill in Liberty township. Subsequently he removed to Amanda town- ship and located on the farm on which he now resides, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of rich, arable and valuable land. He tilled it and placed it under a high state of cultivation. It is now rented by his children, who are prospering finely. Stock raising also claims a part of their at- tention. The home is not only one of the finest country residences in this part of the state, but is also celebrated for its gracious hospitality. Mr. Gingrich put up barns and other buildings, secured the latest improved machinery to facilitate farm work and added all the modern equipments and accessories known to a model farm of the twentieth century. So when it came into the hands of the present owners it was one of the best farms in the county. As the financial re- sources of the family have increased they have also extended the boundaries of the place by the additional purchase of forty acres, which is now owned by the children and which is maintained as a separate farm by itself.
In all his work Mr. Gingrich was as- sisted and encouraged by his wife, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Emeline Kissenger. She was born in Berks county. Pennsylvania, and when about twelve or fif- teen years of age came to Ohio. She was a devoted member of the Evangelical church, and was a kind and loving wife and mother. Iler death came as a great blow to her fam- ily. She passed away on the sixty-eighth anniversary of her birth, dying on the 23d of February, 1901. Four of her seven chil- dren survive her: Millie, who is the wife
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of Charles Borchers, a resident farmer of has never had any desire for public office Amanda township, by whom she has one and takes no active part in political work. He is, however, a public-spirited citizen, who co-operates in all measures for the gen- eral good. He belongs to the Evangelical Association, with which he has been identi- fied for forty-five years. In the upbuilding of the church in his township he has taken an active and helpful interest and given freely of his time and means for the pro- motion of the cause. daughter, Lucille: Isaac, who is at home; Laura, who for ten years engaged in school teaching in Amanda; and Flora J .. also under the parental roof. Those who have passed away are: William S., who died at the age of five years; AAllie, who died at the age of sixteen years ; and Charles, who died at the age of twenty-one. Mr. Ging- rich votes with the Democratic party, but
HARRY A. P. HILL.
Those who have contributed in any measure to public good, who have promoted business affairs, who have aided in the work of advancing the general welfare, deserve mention in the history of the county in which they have lived. Harry Augustus Pomeroy Hill was a citizen of worth, highly respected in Fairfield county. He was born in Washington county, Ohio, May 3, 1828. His father. Harry Hill, was also a native of that county, born in 1783, and in the year 1840 he came with his family to this portion of the state, settling in Clarksburg, where he made his home until called to his final rest. He was a colonel in the home mi- litia of Washington county. He also served as justice of the peace a great many years and in religious belief he was a Presbyte- rian.
ucation in the district schools of his native county and later continued his studies in the public schools of this county. When about nineteen or twenty years of age he went to work for his father upon the farm and was thus engaged until he began farm- ing on his own account in order to maintain his home. As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Miss Lu- cinda Alford, a native of Burlington, Ver- mont. She was one of a family of nine children born unto James and Almira (Chase) Alford, natives of the Green Moun- tain state. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hill was celebrated in 1850 and was blessed with four children, namely: Edward A. P., a resident of Columbus, Ohio. married Agnes Flora Baumgardner, and they have one child, Clyde B .; Lizzie Ellen is the wife
Harry A. P. Hill obtained his early ed- of M. B. Prindle, of Charlestown, West Vir-
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ginia, and the mother of two children, Kate curing the building of the new road thirteen Hill and Helen Maria: Kate Luella is at home with her mother: Charles William passed away in 1900 at the age of thirty- seven years. He married Amy Ackers, who is still living and they became the parents of three children : Florence, who passed away June 22, 1901 ; Ruth M. and Helen L.
When thirty-three years of age Harry A. P. Hill located upon the home farm. at that time comprising ninety-seven and one- half acres of good land. He possessed strong literary tastes and when not engaged with the duties of the farm was always reading, thus gradually extending his knowl- edge into many channels. He took a deep and active interest in everything pertain- ing to the public welfare and withheld his support from no movement or measure which he believed would benefit his fellow men. He was largely instrumental in se- ing illness of twenty-two months.
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