USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 7
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years conducted a general nursery business, but in 1864 he enlarged the scope of his la- bor by erecting and equipping a small green- house. As hus business grew he enlarge.l his facilities until he now has ten thousand feet under glass. His flowers are of the choicest varieties and kills, his selection being made as the result of long experience in the business. His son is a practical Horist and the plants are always kept in a healthy condition. From his care in this direction Mr. Gravett has built up a large and grow- ing business, and his trade has reached ex- tensive proportions locally and also extends to the surrounding towns and villages, while large shipments are made to Columbus. The greenhouse is heated throughout by hot water and all modern equipments and ac- cessories for carrying on the business have been added, for Mr. Gravett and his son are men of progressive ideas and keep in touch with the advancement of the times. His sale of carnations and roses is con- stantly increasing in Columbus and he makes large shipments of these flowers at stated intervals.
Before leaving his native land Mr. Grav .. ett was married in England, in 1849, to Miss Ann Mallars, who was born in London and was a daughter of Thomas Mallars, a suc- cessful merchant there. This union has been blessed with ten children and all have reached mature years. All but one were born in this city and are as follows: Ell .. the wife of W. W. Brown, a resident of Denver, Colorado; John, also a resident of that state, who married a Miss Kagya. of Fairfield county, and is in the employ of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, hokling
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the position of agent at Salida: Jennie. a professional nurse and resides at home: Lucy, the wife of James .A. Cary, of Demop- olis, Alabama: Anna, the wife of the Rev. Judson Lamb, of Cleveland, Ohio: Etta, who married Arthur .A. Walker, an attor- ney of Cincinnati, Ohio; Florence, the wife of Charles Zeisler, of Lancaster: George, at home. who is a moller in the employ of the Hocking Valley Railroad; and Carrie. · the wife of Milton McClane, who is em- ployed in a shoe factory in Lancaster.
Since gaining the right of franchise Mr. Gravett has supported the Democratic party and for twelve years he served as a member of the school board of the city. For a simi- lar period he was a member of the Fairfield! Agricultural Society and fraternally he is connected with Charity Lodge. I. O. O. F. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, ha. held most of the church offices and for the past thirty-five years has been one of its el- ders, doing all in his power to extend its
influence. His residence is a substantial brick structure, well furnished and is situ- ated at No. 803 East Wheeling street. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteous, kindly and aflable and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early op- portunities for obtaining the requirements which are sought in schools and in books, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character; and this is what Mr. Gravett has done. He has per- severed in the pursuit of a persistent pur- pose and gained the most satisfactory re- ward. His life is exemplary in many re- spects and he has ever supported those in- terests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own moral worth is deserving of the highest commend- ation.
JACOB W. FENSTERMAKER.
Jacob W. Fenstermaker, who is filling the office of the justice of the peace in Car- roll, was born in this county, October 25. 1822. His father, William' Fenstermaker. was a native of Pennsylvania, his birth hav- ing occurred near Reading, whence he came with his parents to Ohio in 1808, the family locating on a farm near Carroll, where a log cabin was erected and a blacksmith shop
and it is claimed that in the smithy was man- ufactured the first ax ever made in this county. His grandfather was George Fenstermaker. The father worked upon the home farm in his youth and in the black- smith shop, and when he started out in life for himself he chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey Miss Mary Mine- hart, who was born on a farm in Mifflin
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county, Pennsylvania, near Juniata river. Hier father died leaving a good estate to Ins willow and eight children. The mother after settling up the estate came to Ohio with her little ones, hoping that they would have good opportunities in the new country and she gave to each child a sufficient sum of money to purchase eighty acres of land. William Fenstermaker located his eighty acres north of Carroll on the northeast cor- ner of Violet township. Thereon he built a log cabin and a blacksmith shop. The Hoor of his pioneer home was made from an ash log and smoothed with an ax. The door was made in the same way and the bolts were fastened in with wooden pins, while the hinges were also ingeniously made of wood. There was a latch and to this was attached a rawhide string, which hung on the outside of the door through the hours of day and the method of locking the door was to pull the string on the inside. For fuel Mr. Fen- stermaker used charcoal, which he himself burned. Primitive were the conditions of life which existed, but as the years passed the ingenuity of the settlers and their en- terprising labors wrought many changes. Wild turkey were plentiful in those days and wolves were also numerous. Our sub- ject relates that he has often seen his father open the door just wide enough to put his rifle through and shoot both wolves and tur- keys. When the grandfather of our subject died William Fenstermaker purchased the old family homestead of one hun- (red and fifty-six acres and in the spring of 1832 took up his abode thereon, continuing to cultivate the land and also conduct his smithy until his death, which occurred in
March. 1843. He left a widow and ten children.
As the eldest son. George. was then married, Squire Fenstermaker, at that time nineteen years of age, took charge of the home farm and assisted his mother in pro- viding for the younger children. His early life was one of active and earnest toil and his efforts proved of much benefit to tite family. In his twenty-fifth year he was united in marriage on the Ist of December, 1846, to Susana Smith, a daughter of Henry Smith, a farmer of Fairfield county. He then built a home on one corner of the okl farm and he still continued to manage the land until he purchased fifty acres adjoining the home place. There be built a log house for himself and little family. A few years after he purchased a tract of eighty acres, adjoining his first purchase, so that he owned a quarter of a section, whereon his labors brought to him a good financial re- turn. He remodeled and enlarged his home but eventually sold that property which af- terward came into the possession of Jeff- ries' family and on it was born the present champion prize fighter of that name.
In the spring of 1862 Mr. Fenstermaker removed to his present home, purchasing the property the following year. The house had been erected in 1839 and was the first brick house built in Carroll, being then con- sidered quite a mansion. When he came here in the spring of 1862 the Squire rented a warehouse near the canal and engaged in the grain business, but a year later the building and its contents were destroyed by fire and as he carried no insurance he sui- fered a heavy loss. Since that time he has
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·devoted his energies to agricultural pur- suits and his weil developed place, neat and thrifty in appearance, indicates his careful supervision and enterprise.
By his first marriage Mr. Fenstermaker had five children, three of whom are yet liv- ing: Mary E., the wife of David Spencer. a contractor and carpenter living in Colum- bus. Ohio: Ollie, the wife of Robert Mc- Farland, who follows farming and thresh- ing and resides near Carroll; and Charles D., who married Mrs. Edward Kistler. whose maiden name was Jane Sands. They have one child. Ethel, and they reside with Mr. Fenstermaker, who on the 13th of August, 1883, was called upon to mourn the death of his first wife. On the 5th of March, 1885. he married Mrs. Watts, a widow, by whom he had two children: Myrtle, born in 1889, is being educated in the convent of the Good Shepherd of Co- lumibus ; and Parley D., born in 1893. is at-
tending the home school. Mr. Fenster- maker has obtained a legal separation from his second wife.
For many years the Squire has filled the office of justice of the peace and his opinions have always been fair and impartial, few ever having been reversed. In the spring of 1902 he was also elected mayor of Car- roll and is now acceptably filling that office. Although now nearly eighty years of age he is still a hale and hearty man and has never been obliged to wear glasses. Having spent his entire life in the county, he is widely known among its residents. From pioneer days to the present he has watched the de- velopment and progress of this portion of the state and his efforts in its behalf have been effective in promoting its welfare. Those who know him entertain for hin friendly regard and his circle of acquaint- ance is very extensive throughout Fairfield county.
A. H. GINDER.
A. H. Ginder, who has stood the test of public office and been found most trust- worthy and reliable, is now identified with the agricultural interests of Fairfield coun- ty and has some valuable property within its borders. He makes his home in Lancas -. ter, but superintends the operation of his land, which is under a high state of cultiva- tion and yields an excellent return for the
labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Grinder was horn in Greenfield township, Fairfield coun- ty, on the 4th of January, 1852, his parents being John and Ann ( Hinsel) Ginder. The father was born in Basil, Switzerland, and when in his eighteenth year crossed the At- lantic to the new world in company with his parents, John and Mary ( Krotzer ) Ginder, who settled in Fairfield county in 1825, and
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a brother, Van H. Ginder, who now resides in Baltimore, this county. On the maternal side our subject is also of Swiss lineage. His maternal grandparents were natives of Basil, Switzerland, and on emigrating to the new world took up their abode in Fair- feld county, Ohio, where the mother of our subject was born in the year 1818. The father of our subject was a carpenter by trade and in addition to his labors as a builder he engaged in farming, making his home in Greenfield township. He was a man of much energy and enterprise and was regarded as a valued citizen in the early days, being held in high esteem for his sterl- ing character and his unfaltering integrity. In politics he was a Democrat and a warm admirer of General Jackson and the princi- ples he advocated. He was a member of the Reformed church of Basil and died in that faith on his farm near Basil, in April, 1892. Ilis wife, who survives him, yet makes her home on the old farm in Greenfield town- ship. In their family were four children : Samuel H., a resident farmer of this county ; Daniel, who resides on the old homestead ; A. H., of this review ; and Elizabeth C.
Reared as a farmer boy AA. H. Ginder early became familiar with the work of the fields and meadow and the sun shone down upon many a tract which he plowed and planted, ripening the grain which he had sown. In the winter months he attended the district schools of the neighborhood and later became a student in the Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville. Later he en- gaged in teaching, being employed as teacher of the home school for seven terms, after
which he assisted his brother at carpenter work for some time.
Mr. Ginder has been called upon to fill a number of offices by his fellow towns- men who recognize his worth and ability. In 1880 he was appointed census enumera- tor for Greenfield township, and in 1889 he was appointed deputy auditor under R. F. Brown, in which capacity he served for six years. On the expiration of that period in 1894 he was elected auditor for a term of three years. His previous service as dep- uty had well trained him for the duties of the superior position, which he discharged with such signal ability and fidelity that he was re-elected in 1897, his second term ex- piring in October, 1901, when he retired from the office-with which he had been connected for twelve years-with the con- fidence and good will of all, having made many friends during his incumbency. Since leaving office he has given his attention to farming and is the owner of three hundred acres of rich land, splendidly cultivated. Upon this tract is a good residence, substan- tial barn and outbuildings, feed lots and the latest improved machinery and the place is yielding to the owner a good financial re- turn for the care and labor he bestows upon it.
In 1877 Mr. Ginder was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah Baugher, a daughter of Samuel and Caroline ( Fisher ) Baugher, of Greenfield township, who were early set- tlers of this county. Three children have been born unto our subject and his wife : Viola A., Floyd E. and Myrtle May. The son is now a medical student in the Starling
.
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Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio. Mir. in local, county and state politics, and al- Ginder belongs to Charity Lodge, No. 7, 1. O. O. F., of Lancaster, and Mount Pleasant, Lodge, No. 48, K. P. Politically he is a pronounced Democrat, taking an active part
ways interested in the success of his party. His pleasant home in Lancaster is located at No. 185 East Sixth avenue and there hospitality reigns supreme.
JOHN HYDE.
For almost eighty years John Hyde has traveled life's journey, and in old age he re- ceives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded on who has at- tained to advanced years and has lived an upright and honorable life. He now makes his home in Hocking township, Fairfield county, Ohio. His birth occurred in the state of Pennsylvania. He first opened his cyes to the light of day in Bedford county. August 10. 1823, the son of Jonathan and Margaret .Ann Hyde, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. The father was a cooper by trade and for many years resided in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. where both he and his wife died, the latter pass- ing away when her son, John, was but three years of age. He is now the only living representative of the family, which uuml- bered eight children. He spent the first fit- teen years of his life in the state of his na- tivity and then sought a home in Ohio, coming to Fairfield county with his brother. Daniel. They located in Madison township. where he engaged in the coopering business for many years, being a thorough and expert workman. Subsequently he turned his at-
tention to the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for eight years in Madison town- ship, and on the expiration of that period engaged in farming, owning and operating a tract of land in the same township. About thirty years ago, however, he sold that farin and purchased a farm of one hundred cres in Hocking township, upon which he lias since made his home. He erected a large res- idence here and has one of the most desira- ble and attractive homes in this portion of tie state. He has carried on farming and contract work, and as the years have passed his unremitting toil and well directed labors have brought to him creditable success.
Mr. Hyde was married in Madison township. Fairfield county, to Miss Susan Dindore, and unto them were born four children. Francis Marion, the eldest, mar- ried Miss Haas, and resides in Hocking township, where he follows contracting and farming. Julia Ann is living in Madison township. Samantha is the widow of Jesse Lysinger, who was a blacksmith of Ilock- ing township, and has one child. Margaret Ann is the deceased wife of Edward Haas, who has also passed away. Their home was
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in Kansas. The mother of these children died about thirty-five years ago and dir. Hyde afterward wedded Mrs. Lottie Raitz. the widow of Frederick Raitz, who by her first marriage had three children, namely : Frank, who is now sheriff of Fairfield coun- ty : Henry, who is engaged in the drug bus- iness in St. Louis ; and Samantha, the wife of Clarke Griffy, a resident of Clear Creek township, by whom she has four daughters. By the second marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hyle four children have been born : Clay, who is clerking in Lancaster, married Jes- sie, the daughter of Samuel Halderman : Oscar is at home: John is engaged in the grocery business in Columbus; and Gertie Ellen is also at home.
Mr. Hyde holds membership in the Re- formed church, in which he has served as trustee for many years. He votes with the Democracy, but has never sought or desired public office, preferring to devote his atten- tion to his business affairs in which he has prospered. In this country where opportun- ity is open to all men who desire advance- ment and are not afraid to work, he has gradually won success and to-day has a comfortable competence which supplies him with the comforts that go to make life worth living. His career has ever been honorable and straightforward. and in the evening of life he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
B. A. THOMAS, M. D.
Although Dr. Thomas is a regular med- ical practitioner and has a comprehensive knowledge of the science of medicine and its uses. he is making a specialty of sur- gery, and in this branch of the profession has manifested particular skill and ability, thereby gaining a large and lucrative prac- tice. He was born in Reading township. Perry county, Ohio. August 22. 1835. His father. Jesse Thomas, was born in Rocking- ham county. Virginia, in the year 1801. while the grandfather of our subject was Aaron Thomas, a native of Wales. He had three brother- and the days of his boy-
hood, youth and early manhood were spent in his native country. He there owned a tract of land, but the government beat him out of it and becoming disgusted with the governmental methods there he resolved to establish his home in the "land of the free." .Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in Virginia, where he was married to Rosanna Parrot. a native of the Old Dominion. They became the parents of six children: Jesse. Evan. Samuel, David, Jacob and Mrs. Andrew Morrow. Afterward Aaron Thomas came with his family to Ohio, settling in Fairfield county.
B. A. THOMAS, M. D.
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where he purchased three hundred and sixty men, Ohio; Jane, who became the wife of acres of land. For a number of years he James McNaughton. of Columbus, and is now deceased ; Catherine, deceased wife of Clint Kellerman: Samantha: Sarah Ann, deceased ; and David S., a dentist in Som- erset, Ohio. was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, the richly cultivated fields bring- ing to him good crops. He found a ready sale on the market, so that his financial re- sources steadily increased. He also became interested in the Lancaster Bank and was a prominent factor in business circles in an early day. His political support was given the Whig party.
Jesse Thomas acquired his education in Rockingham county, Virginia, and in the schools of Rush Creek township, having been brought by his parents to Fairfield county when a lad of eleven years. Sub- sequently he engaged in teaching school for a number of years in an old-time log school house common in frontier districts. He also worked upon his father's farm and continued agricultural pursuits there until the time of his death, which occurred when he was eighty years of age. He engaged in the raising of a good stock of cattle, hogs and sheep and this proved to him a gratifying source of income. In his relig- ious convictions he was a Presbyterian, long holding membership with the church. He married Miss Elizabeth Miller, a na- tive of Ohio, and they became the parents of six sons and six daughters: Matilda, the wife of Peter Buriff: John F., who is living half a mile north of Rushville : Mark, who died in Winchester, Virginia, in 1864. from wounds received at the battle of Cedar Creek: Isaac, who resides north of Oak Thorpe: the Doctor; Joab F., a resi- dent of Rushville: Elizabeth, the wife of Ed. Thompson : their home being near Bre-
Dr. Thomas acquired his early education in the district schools of his native town- ship and later pursued his studies under the direction of Charles Nourse, of Somer- set. He began reading medicine with Dr. John Nourse, of Lancaster, and in 1864-5, was a student in the Starling Medical Uni- versity, being graduated in that institution with the class of 1869. He was the orator at Columbus, during the last year of the Alumni Association. A most thorough and painstaking student he has always continued his reading and investigation and is a physi- cian of broad knowledge, who is very ac- curate in diagnosing cases and in applying the correct remedies that should aid in the restoration of health. At the same time he gives his attention largely to surgery and is most successful in that branch of profes- sionl work.
On the 10th of September. 1861, the Doctor was married to Miss Ella Rissler, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. Unto them have been born four children, of whom three yet living: Eva, now the wife of Professor Fess, of Ada, Ohio; Minnie, the wife of Charles E. Basore, of Columbus; Ed HI .. also a resident of the capital city, and Jesse R .. deceased.
At the time of the Civil war the Doctor manifested his loyalty to his country by en- listing in Company F. Captain James Stinchacomb's company, for three months'
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service. He took part in several skirmishes in Virginia and was discharged on the 10th of August, 1861, on the expiration of his term. Not content, however, with the period of service he had given his country, he recruited a company and went out with the Sixty-second Ohio Infantry, going to Cumberland. Maryland, over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He took part in the bat- tles of Winchester. Key Cross Roads, and his command went to the relief of McClel- lan, afterward returning to Yorktown, and thence to Suffolk. He rose to the rank of captain and was honorably discharged on the 28th of June, 1863, on account of disa- bility. While on board a vessel with his regiment, sailing from Moorehouse Inlet, North Carolina, to Hiltonhead, South Caro- lina, the Doctor conveived the idea of cooking by steam. The plan was tried and proved a success. Later the other vessels
adopted the same method and to-day the same process is used in many of our large institutions.
He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Loyal Legion, of Cincinnati. He is also connected with the Odd Fellows Society at West Rushville, the Masonic lodge of Rushville and the Knights of Maccabees, of Rushville. He has also taken the Knight Templar degree in Ma- sonry, belonging to the commandery at Lan- caster. In politics he is an earnest Repub- lican, and for four years he served as presi- (lent of the pension board under President Harrison. He has also been chairman of the county committee and has been earnest and able in promoting the growth and wel- fare of his party. His religious faith is in- dicated by his membership in the Presby- terian church, in which he is now serving as an elder.
GEORGE H. WETZEL.
If every young man thoroughly under- stood and believed what wise men and philosophers are always pointing out-that success almost never comes to any one with- out great and persevering effort. a multi- unde of failures in life would be averted and the world would be a much happier place than it is to-day. In countless thousands of instances, especially in the United States. where men are rated at their true personal
worth, poor boys have risen to places of prominence and influence because they were not afraid of work, and hard work, too, and because they were actuated by the commend- able ambition to do something and be some- thing worthy of the respect of all mankind. Although Mr. Wetzel entered upon his business career in the humble capacity of a clerk, he has for almost twenty years been numbered among the merchants of Lan-
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caster and is now one of the leading pre- scription druggists of the city. His home has always been here where he first opened his eyes to the light of day, on the 12th of October, 1849.
His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Welker) Wetzel, both of whom were na- tives of Baden, Germany, where they were reared to mature years and married. Be- lieving that they might have better business opportunities in the new world, they at lengthi took passage on a sailing vessel bound for the port of New York. On land- ing in that city they at once made arrange- ments to continue their journey direct to Lancaster, where they made a permanent location. The father conducted a meat market for about four years and then estab- lished a hotel, being proprietor of what was known as the William Tell Tavern for three years. On the expiration of that period lie purchased a tavern which he named the Wetzel Tavern. This he successfully con- ducted until his death in 1878. Our subject has in his possession an application made by his father in 1853 to conduct a hotel. This is signed by a number of the citizens of the third ward, all of whom are now" deceased. He was widely and favorably known among the early settlers and took a deep and active interest in promoting public progress and improvement along lines of substantial up- building. His wife, surviving him for many years, passed away in February, 1898, at an advanced age. In their family were three sons and two daughters, George H. being the eldest. The others are Louisa, the wife of Henry Snyder; Catharine, deceased; Ja-
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