USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 5
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too, was a farmer by occupation and fol- lowed that pursuit throughout his entire life, his death occurring about twenty-four years ago upon his home farm in Berne township. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Christiana Pearce, was born in Rhode Island and her death occurred in 1861. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, five of whom are yet living, namely : Mrs. Ruth Beck ; Mary A., the wife of Robert Pierce, of Lancaster ; Christiana, the wife of John McClain, of Pleasant township; Delia, deceased wife of Myron. Prindle: James, who resides with his sister, Mrs. Beck; and Emma, who died in infancy.
Mr. Beck exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and also belongs to the Lutheran church, in which he has served as trustee for eight years. He takes a deep and abiding interest in every move- ment and measure calculated to promote the material, intellectual, social and moral welfare of his community and his efforts in this regard have not been without effect. His entire life has been passed in the county of his nativity, and the fact that many who have known him from boyhood are nun- bered among his stanchest friends, is an in- dication that his career has ever been an honorable and straightforward one.
COL. HENRY B REESE
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
HENRY B. REESE.
For more than thirty years Henry B. five children: Ilenry B., of this review; Reese was in the employ of the government Rosanna, who is now Mrs. Hoyt, of New Yory city: M. M., the wife of Joseph S. Reber, of St. Louis, Missouri; Mary H., the wife of M. N. Granger, of Zanesville, Ohio; and Julia L., of Chicago. in the capacity of paymaster and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He was most prompt, reliable and faithful in the discharge of his duties and is a repre- In the city of Lancaster Henry B. Reese acquired his early education and sup- plemented his primary training by study in the city of Philadelphia. At the end of that period he went to Mansfield, Ohio, where he entered the law office of Judge T. W. Bartley as a student, though his studies were terminated in the office of Charles and John Sherman. He then returned to Lancaster and was united in marriage to Ellen Kirk, a daughter of William Kirk, of Philadelphia. Taking up his abode in the city of his birth he entered the employ of the Hocking Valley Bank, but at the outbreak of the Civil war his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his services to his country and became a member of the First Ohio Infantry and was elected cap- tain of the company and soon afterward was appointed by President Lincoln, major and paymaster for the three months troops of Ohio. On the expiration of that period he was appointed paymaster of the army and served in that capacity continuously from 1861 until July 5, 1888, covering twenty- seven consecutive years. During that time millions of dollars passed through his hands and every cent was faithfully accounted for. He is a man of unquestioned honesty, whose sentative of a high type of American citi- zenship. Ile is now living retired in Lan- caster, enjoying a well merited rest. He was born in this city, April 21, 1832, and is a representative of a prominent family of Fairfield county. William J. Reese, his fa- ther, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of August, 1804. and pursued his education in Washington, D. C., where he continued his studies for several years. In October, 1829, the Rev. John Wright performed the marriage cere- mony which united the destinies of William J. Reese and Mary E. Sherman, a daugh- ter of Judge Sherman and throughout the period of their married life they resided in Lancaster, where Mr. Reese had located in 1827. In his political views he was a Re- publican and was a man of wide influence. He possessed many sterling traits of char- acter and was held in high esteem for his genuine worth. A leader of public thought and opinion his influence was felt in behalf of progress and improvement. He attained to the advanced age of eighty years. pass- ing away in Lancaster in December, 1883. Ilis wife, surviving him for several years, died on the 20th of August. 1900. in her eighty-eighth year. In their family were
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
word was as good as any bond solemnized by signature or seal. He regards a public office as a public trust and no trust ever re- posed in him has been betrayed in the slight- est degree.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Reese was blessed with five children, but they lost one in infancy. The others are William H., Hattie E., Mary E. and Helen C. The family has ever occupied a leading and en- viable place in social circles, where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports in good society. In his fraternal relations Mr. Reese is a Knight Templar and in politics is a pronounced Republican, unswerving in his fidelity to the party and
active in his efforts to promote its growth and success. He resides at the old home of his father's on Wheeling street, and is one of the most respected residents of Lan- caster. Mr. Reese is widely and favorably known throughout the state, his abilities well fitting him for leadership in political and social life. The terms progress and patriotism might be considered the keynote of his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the improvement of every line of business or public interest with which he has been associated, and at all times has been actuated by a fidelity to his country and her welfare.
PRESTON W. LUPHER.
Preston W. Lapher is the vice-president and general manager of the Logan Natural Gas & Fuel Company of Lancaster, Ohio. A native of Venango county, Pennsylvania. he was born in the year 1857. His father, Wesley Lupher, was also a native of the Keystone state and died when his son Pres- ton was about three years old. The mother, Mrs. Margaret Lupher, was also a native of Pennsylvania and upon the death of her husband was left in moderate circumstances with the care of a little family. The sub- ject of this review began his education in the common schools, where he remained un- til his thirteenth year and then started out to make his own way in the world. For
sometime thereafter he was employed at various kinds of labor. In 1865. when the work of developing the oil fields of Penn- sylvania was begun, he made his way to that locality, where he was employed for a time. Ile afterward began business on his own account in the oil regions in connection with other parties. In 1875 he became in- terested in a store there and later was known as an off producer, being interested in wells in Clarion county, Pennsylvania.
In the year 1878. Mr. Lupher removed to Bradford, Pennsylvania, and in conec- tion with his brother. C. A. Lupher, under the firm style of Lupher Brothers, operated in the oil regions in that locality until 1883.
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when he disposed of his interests and went to North Dakota. There he purchased a tract of land and engaged in wheat raising for six years, on the expiration of which time he returned to the state of his nativity. establishing his home in Pittsburg. where he engaged in dealing in and handling pe- troleum. The year 1898 witnessed his ar- rival in Lancaster, where he has since made his home. Here he became associated with the Logan Natural Gas & Fuel Company and superintends its business, having con- trol of its interests in sixteen towns and cities. Later he became vice-president and general manager and has since occupied the position, with headquarters in Lancaster. Few men are better qualified to discharge the duties of the office, for throughout al- most his entire life Mr. Lupher has been con- nected with the business of developing oil
wells and operating in this line of business activity. He has so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the representative citizens of Lancaster. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a creditable degree of success.
In 1881 Mr. Lupher was united in mar- riage to Flora I. Remer, and as a result of the union one child, Morton S., was born. He resides with his father and is attending school. Socially Mr. Lupher is a promi- nent Mason, having taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and commandery, and also of the Mystic Shrine, being identified with all these bodies in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the fraternity and is known as a valued member of the craft.
SAMUEL P. COFMAN.
When the arrival of the white man led to the making of history in Ohio, but when the greater part of the state was still unin- proved and progress and development was yet a thing of the future, the Cofman fam- ily was established in Fairfield county. The first of the name of whom we have record was David Cofman, who lived and died in Virginia. His son John was the great- grandfather of our subject. He became a
resident of Lancaster in 1809. There he followed the carpenter's trade, but in 18II he removed to Bloom township and was one of the most prominent and influential men of that early day, being the advisor of the entire neighborhood. He was a hard-work- ing, energetic man, possessed sound com- mion sense, was reliable in all life's relations and trustworthy in friendship. In early life he had been a slave owner in Virginia, but
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liberated his bondsmen and came to Ohio. His political support was given to the Whig party.
Samuel Cofman, the grandfather of our subject, was the only sen of John Cofman. and he, too, was identified with the pioneer development of Fairfield county. He was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, and in 1800 became a resident of Lancaster. Ohio. He learned the carpenter's trade and in connection with his building interests also carried on agricultural pursuits. He like- wise taught school and later was engaged in the nursery business. When a las he had leen bound out to a man by the name of Carpenter and under his direction had learned the carpenter's trade. He was very energetic and industrious and his knowledge of the building industry enabled him to bring his talents to advantage on his own account and keep everything about the place in excellent condition. He ton voted the Whig ticket. In early manhood he wedded Mary Alen, who died in 1841 at the age of thirty-two years. Seven chil- dren were born unto them, but Henry Ci- man. the father of our sujbeet, is the only one new living. Samuel Cofman was com- missioned second lieutenant in the Mexi- can war and was an excellent military ofti- cer. Ile was identified with the Methodist Episcopal church on the circuit of Luck- ville. Jefferson and Rock Mill, and atter- ward became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Carroll. In politics he took quite an active part as a supporter of the Republican party and was elected as township trustee for several years and as justice of the peace. He was born in ISit
and died in 1883, having spent the greater part of his life in Bloom township: In his boyhood he had been Found out to a man by the name of Lancaster. His father estab- Eshed the first nursery business in central Ohio, beginning operations along that line in 1844. He carried on the nursery busi- ness until 1873 and was then succeeded by Benjamin Cofman, a half brother of Henry Cofman, who, however, had been practically the manager since 1804. At the age of sev- enteen years Benjamin Cofman enlisted on the 15th of August, 1861, for a three years' service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company A. First Ohio Infantry. He participated in many important battles and at the expiration of his term of service re- ceived an honorable discharge, on the 15th ยท i August. 1864. at Chattano ga. Tennes- see. Although he was in so many engage- ments he was never wounded and always escaped capture. He then took up the nurs-
ery business in connection with his father, continuing it until the fall of 1874. when le purchased a farm and for some years was identified with agricultural pursuits in Blom township. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Methodist Epise pal church. He was mar- riel December 31. INm. to Rebecca II. 1. Herran, di Fairfield county, and to them were born three children : Arthur 1 .. Ralph W. and Zadi Dee Blanche.
Henry Cofman, the father of our sul. jet. was born in Jefferson, Blom town- ship. in 1832, and for many years was iden- pie i with merchandising, carrying on his- ness in Care Il from 1800 until 1884. dar in which time he enjoyed a very extensive
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patronage. On retiring from commercial pursuits he took up his abode in Bloom. his present farm in Bloom township adjoining the home of our subject. He was married on the 2d of August. 1857, to Miss Mary J. Lamb. Both were natives of this county and the marriage was here celebrated. They became the parents of nine children, six of whom are yet living: William R., Samuel P .. George. John. Kate and Cora. Those who have passed away are as follows : Laura, the wife of John C. Fellows: Noah; and Rachel.
Mr. Cofman attended the public schools and was reared upon the home farm of his father in Bloom township. It was there that his birth occurred on the 19th of Oc- tuber. 1862. At the usual age he entered school. continuing his studies until he had gained a good knowledge of the branches of English learning, and upon his father's farm he received ample training in the work of field and meadow. this however, equip- ping him for the duties of farm life. On the 23d of March 1884, Mr. Cofman was united in marriage to Miss Chloe MI. Zaayer, a daughter of William and Isabella Zaaver. of Bloom township. Her father
was a leading farmer of this county. The family is of German descent and Mr. Zaayer possesses many of the sterling character- istics of his German ancestry. He is still living in Bloom township, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. His wife died at the age of seventy years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cofman have been born seven chil- dren: Dora E .. Nellie B .. Frank M., Mary I., Clara S. and Ruthie Fay. all of whom are at home, and Ilelen M .. who died at the age of one year and six months. Oc- tober 16. 1900.
Mr. Cofman located upon his present farm in the spring of 1887. Here he has one hundred and eighteen acres of good land, upon which is a new residence. also barns and substantial outbuildings. He has placed three hundred and fifty rods of tiling on his land and planted an orchard contain- ing five hundred fruit trees. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appear- ance, indicating the careful supervision of the owner. He is most energetic and pro- gressive in his work. is thoroughly familiar with the most modern methods of farming and is quick to utilize any new idea advanced that will prove of practical value.
VALENTINE HOOKER.
Germany has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left the fatherland to enter the business circles of this country with its more
progressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. Among the number is Valentine Hooker. He has somewhat of the strong, rugged and perse-
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vering characteristics developed by his ports of the business opportunities of the earlier environments, which, coupled with the livelier impulses of the Teutonic bloo 1 of his ancestors, made him at an early day seek wider field in which to give full scope to his ambition and industry-his dominant qualities. He found the opportunities he sought in the freedom and appreciation of this country. Though born across the water he is thoroughly American in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. His career is identified with the history of Fairfield county, where he has acquired a competence and where he is an honored and respected citizen.
Mr. Hooker is a native of Baden, Ger- many, his birth having occurred near Heid- elberg on the 18th of December. 1842. His parents were George and Anna Mary (Zenrick) Hocker. The father was also a native of the locality in which our subject was born and for many years engaged in business as a brewer and dis- tiller, spending his entire life in his na- tive country. In the family were six children, of whom five are yet living, and all of this number came to America with the exception of one-Catherine, who re- sides in Germany. Elizabeth is the widow of John W. Baus. Charles is a resident of Lancaster. Christina is the wife of Philip Muler, of New York city. George, who was a resident of Lancaster, died in 1895.
In accordance with the laws of the fa. therland. Valentine Hooker attended the public schools, and on putting aside his text- books, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a stone cutter. Hearing favorable re
L'nited States he determined to seek a home beyond the Atlantic and after arriving in New York city made his way direct to Lan- caster. Ohio. Here he engaged in stone cut- ting, in building and contracting, working mostly in free stone. He has constructed many of the foundations of the business blocks, dwellings, churches and factories of Lancaster and his efficiency in the line of his chosen vocation secures to him a liberal patronage. He continued an active factor in that department of industry until 1884 when he was appointed superintendent of the Forest Rose cemetery and was made secretary of the board, which responsible position he still fills. His efficient service has been the means of continuing him in office through the various administrations. The company has provided him with a com- fortable and well equipped office in which he transacts his business. He has made the city of the dead most beautiful, its appear- ance indicating his care and close attention.
In 1865 Mr. Hooker was united in mar- riage to Miss Nettie J. Murray, of Lancas- ter, a daughter of George W. and Mary Murray. Mrs. Hooker and her parents were natives of Fairfield county, her grand- parents having removed to Ohio from New York. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with three children : Nettie C .. Katie E., who is the wife of Marion Hankison, of Lancaster, and has three children: Nettie C .. William J. and Margaret ; and William M., who is a car- penter in the builling business in Lancaster. Mr. Hooker and his family are worthy members of St. Peter's Evangelical church.
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taking very active and beneficial interest in its work. For a quarter of a century Mr. Hooker has been superintendent of the Sun- day school and he is fraternally connected with Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 48, K. of P. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the op-
portunities he sought, which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He pos- sesses the resolution, perseverane and relia- bility so characteristic of the people of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of Fairfield county.
SAMUEL C. BLACK.
Among the worthy residents of Fairfield county who claim the Emerald Isle as the land of their birth is Samuel C. Black, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Berne township. He was born in Ireland on the 4th of December, 1826. His father, Will- iam Black, was also a native of that country. born in the latter part of the eighteenth cen- tury, and in the schools of Ireland he ac- quired his education, but his privileges were limited owing to the primitive conditions which then existed in school work. After putting aside his text-books he served au apprenticeship at the weaver's trade, learn- ing the methods of manufacturing fine Irish linen. He followed that pursuit, together with farming until 1837, when believing that he would have better business oppur- tumities in the new world. he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, accompanied by his wife and three sons and a daughter. Here he joined his father, who had emi- grated years before, coming in 1790. Mr.
Black had been married to Miss Jane MIc- Cloy, a native of Ireland, and they became the parents of four children. Robert, the eldest, is living three miles east of Bremen. Mary became the wife of John S. Martin, of Hocking county, and has eight children : George, William, Albert, Frank, Jennie, Emma, Matilda and Margaret. Samuel C. is the subject of this review. James, a res- ident of Missouri, completes the family. In his political views the father of this family was a stanch Democrat from the time he became a naturalized citizen until 1861. In that year he joined the ranks of the Republi- can party and remained one of its stalwart supporters until his death. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church.
In the schools of Ireland Samuel C. Black obtamed his early education which he continued in the new world. The family settled on the county line of Fairfield coin- ty. After laying aside his text-books he gave his entire attention to the work of the
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home farm, a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of land. He was thus eni- ployed until 1858 when he removed to Kan- sas and purchased a farm which he owned and operated for seventeen years. He then sold that property and returned to Fairfield county, where he has since remained. His purpose in removing to the west was to as- sist in making Kansas a free state and he put forth every effort in that direction. He served as a member of the Kansas legisla- inre in 1862 and was a most prominent and influential citizen of his district.
In 1855 occurred the marriage of Sam- nel C. Black and Miss Mary Jane Stuart. a native of Rush Creek township, Fairfield county, and unto them were born six chil- dren: (1) Emma is now the wife of Frank B. Heuser, of Lancaster, Ohio, and they have seven children, Stanley. Earl. Leila, Jennie. Edith, Cecil and Abbie. (2) }da is deceased. (3) Isabelle is the wife of H. 31. Shelhamer, of Bremen. (4) Robert, also
a resident of Bremen, married Alice Lutz. and they have one child, Dorothy. (5) Mary has passed away. (6) George, now living in Chicago, Illinois, married Ella Cannon, and they have the following chil- dren : George. Howard. Lawrence and Marcella. After the death of his first wife Mr. Black was again married in 1874, his second union being with Mrs. Catherine Beery, a native of Berne township. Both he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church of Lancaster.
Mr. Black is a stalwart advocate of Re- publican principles, but the honors and emol- uments of office have no attraction for him. In a summary of his career we note that the salient features of his life record are enterprise, industry and mialtering devo- tion to whatever he believes to the right. His diligence and capable management have been the means of bringing to him a fair de- gree of success and he is now accounted one of the leading agriculturist- of this county.
THOMAS H. DOLSON.
Perhaps the most distinguished criminal lawyer of this part of Ohio is Thomas H. Dolson, of Lancaster, whose reputation is not limited by the confines of this state but extends into other states where his services have been sought. In the profession of law one must depend entirely upon individual merit for advancement, strong mentality,
close application, ambition and determined purpose are the concomitants of success at the bar and when prestige has been won it is unmistakable evidence of the possession of these qualities. Conferring honor and dig- nity upon the profession which has honored him, his course has ever been such as up- holds the majesty of the law and his his-
THOMAS H. DOLSON
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THIE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tory therefore should form no unimportant chapter in the judicial annals of this dis- trict.
ezer Dolson was born and reared in this state, early becoming familiar with the work that falls to the lot of the agriculturist, and after attaining his majority began farming on his own account. For many years he en- gaged in the tilling of the soil and in rais- ing stock in Morgan county, Ohio, and is now living in Kansas.
Mr. Dolson is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in McConnelsville, Mor- gan county, on the 22nd lof November, 1851, his parents being Ebenezer B. and Hulda (Stevenson) Dolson, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. The early boyhood days of Thomas H. Dolson were spent in a manner not unlike that of most boys of the period. The pub- lic schools of Morgan county afforded him his early educational privileges and later he took a course in the high school in Logan, Ohio, where he he was graduated with the class of 1868. Immediately afterward he entered upon his business career in the ca- pacity of bookkeeper in the mercantile es- tablishment of his brother-in-law, H. S. Berry, at Cameron, Missouri, where he re- mained for two years. In 1870 he returned to Ohio and wishing to enter professional life became a law student in the office of Judge Martin, of Lancaster, who directed his reading for two years. Successfully passing an examination before the supreme court, in December. 1873. he was admitted to the bar and at once established an office in Lancaster. Nature bountifully endowed him with the peculiar qualifications that combine to make a successful lawyer. Pa- tiently persevering. possessed of an ana- lytical mind, and one that is readily recep- tive and retentive of the fundamental prin- ciples and intricacies of the law : gifted with a spirit of devotion to wearisome details : quick to comprehend the most subtle prob- His ancestry, both direct and collateral for many generations has been distinctively American, and in the civil and military his- tory of the country the name of Dolson figures conspicuously. In every war in which the country has been engaged rep- resentatives of the name have battled for the rights and liberties of the nation and the great-great-grandfather of our subject was one of the heroes of the Revolution who fought under the command of General Washington from 1776 until 1783. The grandfather of Mr. Dolson served in the Mexican war, and as quartermaster of the First Ohio Heavy AArtillery his father, Ebenezer B. Dolson, rendered his country effective aid from 1862 until 1865. At an early day in the history of New York the Dolsons resided in that state and it was the grandfather of our subject who founded the family in Ohio, establishing his home in Muskingum county in the early part of the nineteenth century. He purchased large tracts of land in Muskingum county and in that portion of the state which afterward became Perry county, and took a prominent part in developing the industries of that portion of the state leading to its substan- tial development and improvement. Eben- lems and logical in his conclusions; fear-
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