USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 44
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Perry county. They have five children, Edith. Floyd. Bessie, Evelyn and Ralph, all of whom were born in Somerset. Elva May. the second daughter of Mr. Ilumberger, is the wife of Samuel Binckley, a son of Aaron Binckley, a resident farmer of Read- ing township, and they have three children, Nellie. Gladys, and Robert. Oscar. the only son of our subjeet, is now sixteen years of age and resides upon the home farm, where all of the children were born.
In his political views Mr. Humberger is
a Democrat, while in religious faith he is a Lutheran. His life has ever been honor- able and upright, and he is justly esteemed for his genuine worth. Mr. Humberger has seen many improvements made in Perry county, for his early recollections tell him that there was a large amount of wild land which he has seen developed into beautiful homes and farms. He is one of the men who have helped to make this a rich agri- cultural district, his efforts proving of great value to the community.
T. J. SMITH.
Connected with those names which ad- vance commercial and industrial activity and promote progress, thus creating the history of the city, state and nation, Mr. Smith is well known in business circles. He now owns and conducts an electric light plant of New Lexington and his business ai- fairs in addition to this ever a wide and important range. His paternal grandfather became one of the pioneer settlers of this portion of Ohio and from that time down to the present representatives of the family have taken an active part in business inter- ests of the locality.
T. J. Smith, the father of our subject. was born in New Lexington and for thirty years prior to his death was an enterprising merchant here, conducting a grocery and general store, in which business he met with success. At the time of the Civil war he
offered his services to the government, en- listing in 1861 as a member of Company G. Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. He was a brave and loyal soldier, partie pating in many important battles and when his term was over he returned to his home with an honorable military record. He was en- gaged in a number of important business enterprises which helped to upbuild New Lexington. He was the vice-president of the Perry County Bank, which he aided in organizing. He was also vice-president of the Standard Brick Company of this place and built the opera house block here. He also laid out and built the town of Rend- ville, Perry county, and was engaged in real estate dealings there and in this city. His activity along business lines proved of wide- spread benefit an I he belonged to that class
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of representative American citizens who, while advancing individual success, also promote the general prosperity. He died in 1893 at the age of forty-seven years and the community mourned the loss of one of its most valued citizens. His wife was Miss Magdalene Fox and their only son is the subject of this review. Mrs. Smith is iden- tified with business affairs here as a member of the firm of Smith & Duffy, carrying on the business which was established by her husband. She was a native of Hocking county, Ohio, and possesses excellent ex- ecutive force and keen discernment in re- lation to business enterprises. By her mar- riage she became the mother of three chil- dren, the daughters being Mary F., the wife of Marc L. Duffy, of New Lexington, and Catherine E., at home.
T. J. Smith is one of the native citizens
of New Lexington. At the usual age he entered the public schools and continued his studies here until he had completed the high school course. He afterward became a student at Notre Dame, South Bend, In- diana, and in the Ohio State University, at Columbus. In the latter institution he studied electrical engineering and has since been connected with many electrical enter- prises, including the establishment and con- trol of telephone and electric light systems in different parts of the state. He is also the owner of a plant in this city and his ma- chinery here and equipments of all kinds are modern and of the most improved work- manship. Mr. Smith is winning constant advancement in the line of his chosen pur- suit and is already classed among the suc- cessful and prosperous men of his home town.
WILLIAM J. MORTAL.
William J. Mortal. is the editor and owner of the Somerset Press, of Somerset, Ohio, and throughout his business career has been connected with journalism. He was born in Rushville. Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 16th of July, 1859, and is a son of Albert and Mary ( Puller) Mortal. In the year 1858 the father of our subject located in Rushville, Ohio, while the Puller family came to this state from Virginia. One child only was born of the marriage of the parents of our subject.
William J. Mortal was educated in the public schools of Rushville and after putting aside his text books he there learned the printer's trade, following that pursuit in both Rushville and Lancaster. In 1881 he began business on his own account in the former town and afterward was located at Thornville. He then conducted a daily pa- per in Lancaster and was also the owner of a jobbing office there, both departments of his business bringing to him a good finan- cial return. In 1893 he came to Somerset
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and in 1895 purchased the Somerset Press. which he has developed into a successful paper having a circulation of about one thousand copies. This paper is largely given to the dissemination of news of gen- eral interest as well as matters of a local
nature. He is found on the side of prog- ress, improvement and upbuilding and its owner is widely known as a public-spirited and enterprising man, who is the champion of every measure for the general good of his fellow men.
DAVID C. KING.
David C. King, who is living in Glen- ford, Perry county, is one of the best known citizens and wealthy farmers and stock- raisers of this portion of the state. He stands to-day among the successful men who owe their advancement largely to their own efforts and capable business methods. Mr. King was born in Thorn township. Perry county, on the ist of June. 1828, and is a son of Peter and Mary ( Whitmer) King. His father was born in Germany. but when a mere child was brought by his parents to America, the family being estab- lished in Thorn township. The mother of our subject was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. For some years after the birth of our subject Peter King resided upon a farm in Thorn township and after- ward traded his property for the farm of one hundred and sixty acres now owned by his son David. He also received in ex- change a saw and grist mill located on the stream near the farm, and at his new home Peter King spent his remaining days, de- voting his attention to the operation of his
land and of his mills until a few years prior to his death, when he sold his mills. He was drafted for service in the war of 1812, just eight months after his marriage. and served under General William Henry Har- rison until the close of hostilities, when he again resumed the farm work. He received from the government a quarter section of land in Seneca county. Ohio, in recognition of his army services. He also purchased large tracts of the government, these being Indian land in Wyandot county. Ohio. By his hard work, close attention to business, good. capable management Peter King ac- cumulated a handsome competence and was widely known as a very successful man. In politics he was an old-line Whig and both he and his wife were devoted members of the Reformed church, of which he was an elder for a great many years. He was one of the leading members, laboring earnestly for the spiritual advancement of the con- gregation and contributing liberally to the support of the church. Unto him and his wife were born fourteen children. Sarah
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became the wife of Michael Cotterman and both are now deceased. Catherine married John Smith and they too have passed away. Rebecca is the widow of Isaac Zartman and is living in Hopewell township, Perry coun- ty, at an advanced age. Lydia became the wife of Michael Fought, but both are now deceased. Susan is the deceased wife of Samuel Wiseman. Mary is the wife of Porter Cline and resides in Illinois. Sol- omon died at the age of nine years. Peter has also passed away. David C. is the next of the family. Leah became the wife of J. Alspaugh. Elizabeth is the wife of Sam- uel Alspaugh, of Thornville, Ohio. John C. and William are both deceased and Frank is living in Newark, Ohio. Peter King, the father, died at the age of seventy- five years, and he and his wife are now resting side by side in St. Paul's cemetery in Hopewell township.
When a boy David C. King entered the district schools of Hopewell township, but his educational privileges were very limited. When old enough he was put to work in his father's mill and upon the farm and thus his youth was a period of earnest and un- remitting toil. At the age of twenty-two years he made preparation for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Margaret Mechling, the wedding being celebrated August 29, 1850. The lady is a native of Hopewell township, and a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. George Mechling, both of whom are now deceased.
After his marriage Mr. King left the old homestead farm and for seven years lived upon the farm belonging to his father-
in-law, about two miles northwest of Glen- ford, in Hopewell township. In 1867 he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres west of Glenford, a distance of a half mile. There he lived until 1875, when he removed to the farm which he now occupies. This was formerly the home of his father, Peter King, and upon it our subject has since resided. His life has always been a busy and useful one. About 1862 he began raising Merino sheep and has con- tinued the business since that time. He is a large breeder of sheep, having each winter from three hundred to five hundred head and being one of the leading representatives of this line of business in his portion of Ohio. His farm comprises one hundred and forty-five acres of rich and arable land and upon it he has fine buildings, including an attractive home and good buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He has dealt extensively in real estate and has given each of his children a nice farm. His in- vestments have been judiciously made and as the years have passed his sound business judgment has brought him very desirable success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. King have been born four children, three daughters and one son: Sarah Rebecca, the wife of Frank Smith, a resident of Hopewell township; Mary Ellen, the wife of J. E. Murdock, also a resident of this township; Emma, who died in childhood ; and D. H., who is a mu- sician and also conducts a farm in Hopewell township, where he is extensively engaged in breeding sheep. He is a leader of the band in Glenford and is very popular in mu-
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sical circles of this locality. He married Sarah Fought and they have two children. Lolo and Claude.
Mr. King exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party. He voted a Democratic ticket prior to the Civil war, but since that time has never wavered in his allegiance to the party which stood as a defender of the Union and has ever favored the protection of American indus- tries, sound money and the upholding of the flag on whatever soil it has been planted. He and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Reformed church, in which he has served as a deacon and elder for many years. They have traveled life's jour- ney together for more than fifty-one years. sharing with each other the joys and sor-
rows, the adversity and prosperity which checker the careers of all. Their friends are many and wherever known they are held in high esteem for their many excel- lent traits of character. Mr. King certainly deserves great credit for what he has ac- complished in life, starting out with few educational or other advantages, lie has made the most of his opportunities and through diligence and enterprise has stead- ily worked his way upward to a most grati- fying position. At all times he has so lived as to deserve and command the respect of those with whom he has been associated and his life record proves conclusively that success may be won through energy and diligence. Mr. King is one who advocates industrial activity and promotes progress.
LEVI SHRIDER.
Levi Shrider, one of the highly respect- ed citizens of Perry county, residing on his farm in Thorn township, was born near Somerset, in Reading township, on the 16th of October, 1830, his parents being Peter and Elizabeth (Cotterman) Shrider. The former was also born in Reading township. and was a son of Frederick Shrider, who came to Ohio in 1809, from Lancaster coun- ty, Pennsylvania. He was either born on the ocean while his parents were en route to the new world, or shortly after they took up their abode in Pennsylvania. His father
was also named Frederick and was born in Germany, coming to the new world just prior to the Revolutionary war. He was at once pressed into service here and was killed at the battle of Brandywine. Frederick Shrider was reared in the Keystone state and afterward emigrated to Ohio, entering land from the government near Somerset in Perry county, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurring shortly afterward when Peter Shrider, the father of our subject, was only nine months old. Peter Shrider was reared in Reading
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township and continued to live there for many years. He learned the trade of wagon making, which he followed for thirty years and then abandoned that vocation, when he purchased a farm in Hopewell township, Perry county, where he made a home for himself and family, continuing the cultiva- tion and improvement of his land through- out the remainder of his active business ca- reer. He died at the old homstead there when he was more than eighty-four years of age. He held membership in the Luther- an church and was a Democrat in his po- litical views. He lived during the period of the old time state militia, and served as a lieutenant in an Ohio company. He was a very prosperous and progressive man, successful in his life work, owing his ad- vancement entirely to his own efforts, for he was left without means. His life con- duct proved the force of character, of in- dustry and enterprise as applied to the act- ive affairs of life. Both he and his wife were laid to rest in the cemetery of Read- ing township. In their family were twelve children, the subject of this review being the eldest. Nine of the number are yet living, four daughters and five sons, as follows: Levi; Juliann, the widow of Simon Swinhardt ; Susan, the wife of Sam- uel Grant, of Somerset; Solomon, a resi- dent of Reading township, Perry county; David, who resides in Thornville ; William, a resident of Hopewell township, Perry county ; George, who is living in the same township; Lou, the wife of John Edmunds, carries on agricultural pursuits in Thorn township, Perry county; and Jane, who is living in Hopewell township. Those who
have passed away are Lewis, John, and one who died in infancy.
Levi Shrider spent the days of his minority under the parental roof and gained his education in the subscription schools which were common at that time. He as- sisted his father upon the home farm and also in the wagon making trade in Read- ing township. He afterward removed to Hopewell township, remaining on a farm for about a year. after which he was mar- ried. He then followed wagon making in Reading township, devoting his attention to that business for a number of years. . subsequently he worked at the carpenter's trade and with the capital he had acquired through his industry and economy he pur- chased a small farm in Reading township," continuing its cultivation for about five years. On the expiration of that period he sold the property and removed to his pres- ent farm on section 20, Thorn township, comprising one hundred and forty acres of rich land, all of which is now under a high state of cultivation. Nearly all of the int- provements upon the property are the vis- ible evidences of his life of industry and toil. Mr. Shrider erected a good substan- tial residence and all the necessary outbuild- ings for the shelter of grain and stock. He placed his land in a condition where it brings forth a good harvest and now is success- fully engaged in general farming and stock- raising.
On the 24th of April, 1855, Mr. Shrider was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Anspauch. a daughter of John and Cath- erine Anspauch, both of whom are now de- ceased. Mrs. Shrider died February 7,
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1867, leaving five children : William Hay- den, the eldest, is a resident farmer of Thorn township. He was born March 3. 1857, and married Miss Alice Crist. by whom he has two children, Minta and flomer. Samuel Clinton, born April 3, 1859, is a machinist, residing in Newark, Ohio. He wedded Mary Stiner, and they have one child, Beulah. John Peter, born May 27, 1861, is an employe in the gas works of Newark, Ohio. He married Ida Crist. and their children are Guy, George and Jessie. David Edward, who resides in Columbus, Ohio, where he is engaged in the wholesale liquor business, was born Febru- ary 17, 1863, and married Emma Binckley. Levi Mcclellan, born .April 28, 1865, is en- gaged in clerking for his brother David in Columbus, Ohio. He married Bernice Haynes.
.After the death of his first wife Mr. Shrider married Sarah Orr a daughter of Joseph and Harriet Orr. She was born in Licking county, Ohio, April 23. 1838, and died January 10. 1898. In the family were six children, all of whom are yet living, and Mrs. Shrider also had one child by her first marriage. She was the widow of Nicholas Beck when she became the wife of our subject. Her son Joseph Beck, was seven years of age at the time of her second marriage and was reared by Mr. Shrider. He resides in Thorn township and is a car- penter by trade. Ile also has a small farm there. He married Leah Foster and they have two children, Benjamin and Ernest. The children born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shrider are Oswell. born in Read-
ing township, July 3. 1868, now follows farming in Thorn township. Ile married Emma Dunaway, a native of Fairfield county and a daughter of Newton Duna- way. They have one child, Wilbert. Estella, born April 28, 1870, is the wife of George Ruffner, who is engaged in farming and drilling gas wells, his home being in Fairfiel county. They have four children : Fred, Mabel. Florence and Paul. Lewis Herman, who was born in Thorn township, June 27, 1872, married Bernice Garrett and resides in Franklin county, Ohio. Whit- mer Arnold. born in Thorn township, Feb- ruary 23. 1874, resides upon the okl home farm. Daisy Sedora, born .August 9, 1876, is the wife of William Wolff, of Jackson township, Perry county, and their home is now in Lancaster, where Mr. Wolff is em- ployed as a railroad man. They have one child, Ruth. Murray Frederick, the young- est child of Mr. Shrider's second marriage, was born December 5, 1879, and is em- ployed in a shoe factory at Lancaster, Ohio. The mother of these children was a faithful member of the Lutheran church and lived an earnest Christian life.
For his third wife Mr. Shrider chose Mary Reaver, the widow of Henry Van Dyke and a daughter of Joseph Reaver, who became one of the early settlers of Perry county. He was a plasterer by trade and followed that business throughout his active life. Mrs. Shrider was born March 23. 1853, and is a most estimable lady, holding membership in the Methodist church. Both our subject and his wife are well known people of the community. They
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reside in their pleasant home in Thorn township. Perry county, surrounded by all the comforts of life made possible through the earnest and untiring efforts of our sub- ject and honored and respected by a large circle of acquaintances.
He is a Democrat in politics and has served as land appraiser to the township for two terms. For thirteen years he was a member of the school board and has also filled other public offices. He belongs to the Lutheran church and in that organiza- tion has served as deacon. Mr. Shrider has
witnessed many wonderful changes as the work of progress and improvement has been carried on in Perry county. During the period of his early recollection it was very wild but as time has passed man has wrought many improvements and this dis- trict of the state is now rich in fine farms and homes, prosperous towns and thriving business interests. In all the work of im- provement he has borne his part as becomes a good citizen and the circle of his friends in this portion of the state is a very exten- sive one.
JOHN W. McDONALD.
John W. McDonald, superintendent of the county infirmary of Perry county and a man well known in this portion of the state, was born April 23, 1874, and is a son of James S. and Martha E. (Mckinney) McDonald. His maternal grandfather was a boatman in early life and aided in the con- struction of the Hocking canal. Later he became a railroad contractor and was thus actively identified with the improvement and development of various sections of the country. The father of our subject was born in Muskingum county, Ohio and when five years of age became a resident of Pike township. Perry county.
Our subject spent his entire life in this county and has become widely acquainted and favorably known. His educational privileges were those afforded in the Oak-
wood school district, supplemented by a year's attendance at the high school of New Lexington. After putting aside his text- books and entering upon life's practical (luties in the fields of business he became the owner of a livery stable in New Lexington,. which he conducted for two years. At the. age of sixteen years he began teaching and was thus connected in the district schools for about ten years, proving a capable edu- cator. He had the ability to impart readily and clearly to others the knowledge he had acquired. Since January, 1901, he has occupied his present position as superin- tendent of the county infirmary and his labors in this office have made his course one highly satisfactory to the general public.
On the 24th of August. 1899. Mr. Mc-
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Donald was united in marriage to Miss are held in high regard by their many Clara H. Moore, a daughter of Samuel and' friends. In the public office which he is filling Mr. McDonald has displayed marked ability, ever striving to serve the best inter- ests of the public, and is known as a trust- worthy and honorable gentleman. Martha Moore, of Milligan. Mr. and Mrs. MęDonald have one daughter. Nellie C. Our subject and his wife have a large circle of friends in this portion of the state and
A. E. FAINE.
The name of Mr. Faine is closely inter- grammar school department for four years. woven with the business history of New Straitsville, where he is acting as general manager for the W. R. Calkins Hardware & Lumber Company, having made his home here since 1883. covering a period of almost twenty years. Mr. Faine is a native of Lawrence county, Ohio, and a son of J. C. and Sarah A. ( Rawlins ) Faine, who also removed to New Straitsville in 1883. The father was born in Virginia, now West Virginia, and belonged to one of the pioneer families of that portion of the country. On the Rawlins side the family can be traced back to an ancestry of colonial days. One of the representatives of the family served on the staff of General Washington in the war of the Revolution.
A. E. Faine, of this review, came with his parents to New Straitsville in 1883 and here continued his education, completing his course by graduation in the high school of this city with the class of 1802. He after- ward turned his attention to educational work and was engaged in teaching in the
In 1896. however, he turned his attention to business interests and entered the hardware and lumber business of W. R. Calkins, at Hemlock, also the owner of the stores at Corning and Crooksville. Eventually the Corning store was soll and the stock at Crooksville was taken to New Straitsville and the Hemlock store was closed. Mr. Calkins, as a member of the firm of W. R. Calkins & Company, is engaged in mer- chandising in Columbus, Ohio, and at New Lexington, under the firm name of W. R. Calkins & Son. He has a patent on a gas stove which is manufactured at Columbus and is also engaged in the manufacture of sheet iron ware at New Lexington. Mr. Faine is in charge of the business at New Straitsville and is carefully controlling the same, his enterprise and good management resulting in bringing to him creditable suc- cess.
In 1800 Mr. Faine was united in mar- riage to Miss Minnie Calkins, the eldest daughter of W. R. Calkins, who formerly
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