Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 101

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals > Part 101

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he has attained he renders thanks to his good

M. J. O'Niel, councilman, Frazeysburg, Ohio, wife, who by her advice and encouragement, has is a descendant of good Irish stock, his father, done much to assist him in all things. He sees no John O'Niel, having been born in Killmare, Ire- reason to complain of the lack of that prosperity land, in 1821. The elder .O' Niel came to America which is the legitimate reward of a life of honest in 1847, and in 1851 settled in Hanover township, endeavor, as he has accumulated about $50,000, Licking county, Ohio. He married Miss Margaret and, being of the wise opinion that it is better for Shea, and to them were born nine children: Michael a man to dispose of his own property while he J,, Mary, Hannah, Kate, Lizzie (died in infancy), lives than to leave it to be divided among the law- Nelly, Etta, Josephine and John. Mr. O'Niel was yers at his death, he has apportioned much of it a steady, hard-working man, and for over forty among his children. Possessing a naturally strong years was engaged with the Pan Handle railroad, constitution, which he has never impaired by over his labors only ending with his death. He was indulgence of any kind, he is hale and vigorous at honest, upright, and faithfully discharged all his the age of seventy-five, retaining the practical com- duties. He came to this country to make a home mon sense, and the bright and intelligent mind of for his family and accomplished his object, leav- a man of one-half his years. His life of probity ing his family in comfortable circumstances at his and honest purpose should be emulated by the death. In politics he was a stanch democrat and youth of the present generation. John Wimmer, always appreciated his privilege as an American the father of Mrs. Norris, was of German descent. citizen. He was a member of the Catholic church His father came from Germany and settled in and was a kind husband and an affectionate father. Charlestown, W. Va., and there married Cather- His death occurred in 1890 at the age of sixty- ine Diffenbough, a young lady of property and nine years. His son Michael J. O'Niel, subject of high social standing, who bore him six children: this sketch, was born in Hanover township, Lick- Adam, William, John, Mary, Margaret and Eliza- ing county, Ohio, July 25, 1853, and at an early beth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wimmer died in Charles- age learned the trade of telegraph operator, work- town, W. Va. John Wimmer was born in 1788, ing on the Pan Handle railroad for twenty-two

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

years. He received a common-school education members of the Baptist church and were deeply and on June 14, 1868, he began work at Hanover interested and took a prominent part in all church Station, Licking county, being at that time but work as well as all other enterprises for the advance- fifteen years of age. He soon gained and main- ment of the county. The father followed agricult- tained a record for reliability, expertness and at- ural pursuits for a livelihood and was fairly suc- tention. He was station agent and operator at cessful. He was at one time a whig in politics but

Adams Mills, Muskingum county, for ten years, later he became a republican. He and wife ex- and at Frazeysburg for four years and a half. In perienced many hardships when they first settled in 1875 he married Miss Emily M. Davidson, daugh- this county, but they had the true pioneer spirit and ter of Hiram and Mary (Boyd) Davidson. The became useful and well-respected citizens. Eli Osler Davidsons were early settlers at Zanesville. To was born on a farm in Highland township, Muskin- Mr. and Mrs. O'Niel have been born two children: gum county, August 22, 1819, and except a few Charles B., and Blanche, who died when but a babe. years when he worked at the carpenter's trade, he Mr. O'Niel has been a resident of Frazeysburg has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He for nine years and is one of the substantial men was married in 1849 to Miss Nancy Caughey, a of the county, possessing considerable property, native of Washington county, Penn., born June mostly real estate. In politics he is a republican. 15, 1827, and the daughter of William and Socially he is an Odd Fellow and has been secre- Jane (Stewart) Caughey. Her parents came to tary and warden of his lodge. He holds member- Ohio in 1828, settled in Highland township, and ship in the Catholic church. Mr. O'Niel is a self- there Mrs. Osler was reared. She was one of the made man, having started with nothing, and has following children: Jane, who died in 1840; Re- accumulated all his property by the sweat of his becca, who is Mrs. Martin of Highland township; brow. As a citizen and neighbor he is well liked, Mary A., who died in 1840; Nancy; Nathaniel, died and for the last six years he has held the position in 1840; William, a farmer of Kansas; Sarah, wife of councilman of Frazeysburg. It may be said of James Osler of Highland township, and Eliza, of Mr. O'Niel that his promises are always ful- who died in 1840. The four children who died in filled and his word is as good as his bond. He 1840 had scarlet fever, and passed away in a few comes of a sterling race of people and to-day the days of each other. The father died in 1868 and Irish-Americans fill many important offices and are the mother in 1876, aged respectively, eighty and among the most prominent citizens. ninety-one years. Both held membership in the

Eli Osler, farmer and stockraiser, New Concord, United Presbyterian church, and he was a repub- Ohio, was the eldest son born to Edward and lican in politics. The father was a public-spirited Lydia (McGee) Osler, and the grandson of William citizen and one of the thrifty, industrious farmers. Osler, who was a native of Baltimore county, Md., Mr. and Mrs. Osler are members of the United Pres- in which county he died when over one hundred byterian church, and he has held official positions years of age. He was a farmer by occupation. in the same for the past twenty-five years. In 1841 Edward Osler was also a native of Baltimore county, he began working for himself and in 1850 he bought Md., born 1781, and in 1814 he came to Highland a farm of eighty acres in Highland township. Later township, this county. He was married in Maryland, he sold this and then bought 160 acres near New and his first wife, who was a Miss Bond, died there. Concord, and this farm is one of the best improved After coming to Highland township he settled on and most valuable in this part of the county. He a farm of 160 acres taken from the government has been successful as a tiller of the soil and in con- and although a soldier in the War of, 1812, he re- nection with farming he annually raises sheep and ceived no pension, drawing only his land warrant. cattle in large numbers. The family have nearly He made his home in that township until his 500 acres in this county. To his marriage were death in 1862. His second marriage occurred in born five children: Martin L. was born in 1851 Baltimore county, Md., in 1815, to Miss Lydia Mc- and is now residing in the West where he was mar- Gee, a native of that county. The fruits of this ried; S. C. was born in 1855, and married Miss Anna union were nine children: Charity, married Will- Cornell of Columbus, (they have one child, Charles;) iam Starrett, of Highland township; Ann, married William E., born in 1857, married . Miss Anna George McCanghey, who died in Zanesville in 1889; Scott of Bloomfield, and has three children; Har- Eli (subject) Providence, who died in childhood, rold S., Jessie A., and Hester; Frank, was born in Providence, who is living in Adamsville; Zachariah, 1861 and is now an attorney of Cincinnati where a resident of Highiland township; Dorcus, died in he has resided for the past two years; he attended 1880; James, who is living on the homestead of his law school in that city, and is now a successful ex- father, and Rachel was the wife of William Arm- ponent of the law; and Lydia J., who was born in strong, of Salem township [see sketch ], and died in 1865 and is now at home. Mr. and Mrs. Osler have 1890. The parents of these children were lifelong taken a great deal of pains to educate their children,

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

and their daughter has made a speciality of music, college and taught there five or six years, and was studying with some of the best instructors of music, classed among the educators of that county. In Mr. Osler and his four sons are members of the re- 1854 he took charge of the farm, and since that publican party. time has been farming and devoted his entire time

James Osler is one of the leading pioneer farm- and attention to that pursuit. To himself and ers of Highland township, Muskingum county, wife were born four children: John (a railroad man, Ohio, and was born on the farm upon which he now of Kansas); Edward (at home, attending his fath- resides, in 1827. He was the youngest but one er's farm); Andrew B. (resides at home, is a school of the nine children born to the union of Edward teacher, and considered one of the finest educators and Lydia (McGee) Osler, old settlers of Carroll in the county. He has been teaching five years); county, Md. Edward was one of a large family, Margaret A. (at home, and attending school). Mrs. and remained home until he was thirty-two years of Osler is a member of the United Presbyterian age. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He church, and is a lady active in church work. Mr. received a limited education, and emigrated to this Osler is a republican in politics, is a man of cool county about 1814, settling on a farm south of New judgment, and has held many offices of trust in the Concord. He entered the farm upon which our county. He was on the school board, and gives subject now lives, about 1815 or 1816, and took up much of his time and means to the support of the 160 acres. Before coming to Ohio he married schools. He is a successful farmer and good busi- Lydia McGee, of his native state, and they were ness man, and owns a nicely improved farm of 115 the parents of nine children. They were members acres. His postoffice is Sago, his residence being of the Baptist church, and in politics he was a one and one half miles from the town. He was a whig. He was devoted to his home and endeav- soldier in the late war, having enlisted in May, ored to give all his children good educations. He 1864, and served 100 days. He was in the battle died in 1862. His wife was born in Carroll county, of Harper's Ferry.

Md. Their children are named as follows: Char- S. C. Osler is a prominent and successful young ity (now Mrs. Starrett, living on the Bloomfield farmer of Highland township, Muskingum county, road, north of New Concord); Ann (married George Ohio, and the owner of 280 acres of well improved McCaughey, of Zanesville. She died, Christmas, land. He is the second child of Eli Osler, and was 1890, leaving a family. The children are all grown born March 2, 1855. Since his second year he has and married: Ely [see sketch], Zachariah (lives lived on the old home farm and attended school in in Highland township, a man of family), Provi- the Jamieson school district. At the age of twen- dence (died in childhood), Providence (living at ty-five years he started for himself and took charge Adamsville, Salem township), Doricus (died at the of the farm upon which he now resides. In 1884 age of thirty years), James (our subject), and he went to Kansas and located at Valley Center, Rachel (was the wife of William Armstrong, de- Sedgwick county, where he remained one year ceased, and died New Year's day, 1890). The when he returned home and turned his attention mother of this family was a member of the Bap -. to farming and stockraising. In 1889 he married tist church, one of the noblest of women, loved Anna Cornell, a daughter of John W. and Margery and respected by all, and an earnest worker in all (McBride) Cornell. The father was a son of Will- church matters. She died in February, 1877. iam and Permelia (Inks) Cornell, who came from James Osler's early life was spent on a farm, at- Washington county, Penn., and settled in Franklin tending school in winter and working on the farm county near Columbiana, when the country was in summer. At the age of thirty years he became new, and when Columbiana had only one log cabin. the owner of the farm that he had up to that time This farm is still owned by some of the family. managed. He was married, in June, 1857, to William Cornell died some years ago and his wife Sarah Caughey, who was born in Highland town- died in 1882, at the age of nearly ninety years. ship in 1832, and was the daughter of William and They reared a family of nine children: Sarah, Lu- Jane (Stewart) Caughey. William Caughey was of cinda, Mary, Jacob, William, Jane, Levi, John and Irish descent, born in Washington county, Penn., Anna. Levi and Jane are deceased, and all resided and came to this county about 1830, settling in this in Ohio except Mary, who lived in Iowa. John W. part of the township. Mrs. Osler was one of eight Cornell, their son, was born in 1827 and is still children: Jane, Rebecca, Mary A., Nancy, Nathan, living in Franklin county, near the home place, a William, Sarah and Eliza. Mary A., Jane, Eliza farmer, and in politics a republican. Mrs. Cornell and Nathan all died in one week, of scarlet fever, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1837, the in 1840. The parents were members of the United daughter of William and Margery McBride. She Presbyterian church. In politics the father was a was eleven years of age when her parents came to whig, a good farmer, and died in 1867, his wife this county and settled in Highland township dying in 1878. James Osler attended Muskingum about 1849. The parents spent the remainder of

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

their lives in this county. The father was killed nent until, desiring a wider field, he came to in 1862 and his wife died in 1886. They were the Zanesville. January 1888. Here he found favor parents of eight children: Jane, Sarah, Mary, in a marked degree, his practice now being three Eliza, Alexander, Margery, Rachel and Nancy. times as extensive as it was two years ago. Hav- Of these two are deceased, Sarah and Nancy. Mr. ing need of assistance, in April, 1890, he took as a and Mrs. Cornell were married in this township and partner Dr. C. M. Rambo, a graduate of Starling went to live in Franklin county. They were the Medical college, Columbus. For some years Dr. parents of these children: Ola (the wife of Charles Parker was a leading and active member of the Evans, and living in Franklin county), Jennie, Muskingum Valley District Medical society, and is Anna (the wife of S. C. Osler), William, Frank now a member of the Morgan County Medical so- and Charles. Mrs. Cornell is a member of the ciety, of the Zanesville Medical society, the Cin- Presbyterian church. Mrs. Osler was born in cinnati Medical society and also the Hildreth Med- Franklin county, in July 8, 1865, attended the dis- ical society. He is surgeon for the Zanesville Street trict schools and was married in 1889, as before Railway company, for the B. Z. & C. R. R., also stated, to the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. on the medical staff of the Zanesville City hospital Osler are members of the United Presbyterian and has served as physician to the county jail, sur- church and attend at Bloomfield. They have only geon to the county infirmary and the Z. & O. R. one child, Charles C., born January 7, 1890. Mr. R. R.

That his reputation has extended far Osler is a republican in politics and interested in beyond the borders of the county is attested by the all church and school work, giving his time and fact that he was recently elected a member of the attention to the same.

Cincinnati City Medical society. Dr. Parker is Among the prominent young farmers of High- of the third generation of physicians in his family, land township, Muskingum county, Ohio, must be his grandfather and father having been physicians mentioned William E. Osler, who was born on the of good standing. He has a young son through farm on which he now resides, December 20, 1857, whom he expects to hand down the mantle of his and was the third child of Ely and Nancy (Caughey) fathers to generations yet to come. Dr. Parker is Osler. He attended the Jamison district schools an accomplished physician as his rapidly growing of this neighborhood and later worked on the farm. practice testifies. He takes great interest in edu- In 1884 he married Anna A. Scott, daughter of cational matters and for a number of years was Joseph and Elizabeth Scott, of this township. Mr. president of the school board of Chesterfield. That Osler is a republican in politics and holds a mem- he has a bright future before him, professionally mership in the U. P. church, of Bloomfield. In and otherwise, those who know him best are most 1889 he engaged in the management of a 160-acre eager to assert. He was married in 1876, to Miss farm of which he is the owner, he has made it one Mintie Patterson, of Chesterfield. Dr. Rambo his of the best in the county, does general farming and partner is a native of Hopewell township, this. stock-raising, raising sheep principally. Mrs. county, and was educated at the State Normal Osler was born in this township October 10, 1864, school, Valparaiso, Ind., and at Ohio university, and was here reared and educated. Her parents Athens, Ohio.

moved from Washington county, Penn., and lived

Samuel Parks, farmer, Frazeysburg, a descend- here nine years, when they moved to Highland ant of one of the old and very prominent families township. They are the parents of four children: of Muskingum county, Ohio, is now one of the Anna, Hester, Maggie and Mary, all living. Hester wealthy and esteemed citizens of that county. His married Mr. Farrar and is living in Pennsylvania, father, William Parks, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and Maggie married Dr. Lamm, of Bloomfield. Mr. and was born in County Donegal, Ireland, August and Mrs. Osler are the parents of four bright chil- 25, 1795. He was one of three sons-James, dren: Herald, Jessie, Hester, and Bertha the baby. David and William, born to Samuel Parks, and They are members of the U. P. church.

was early initiated into the duties of farm life.

Anderson Judkins Parker, M. D., No. 44 He was educated in the common schools, and when Fourth street, Zanesville, Ohio, is one of the rising grown married Miss Jane Stevenson, daughter of physicians of this part of the state. He was born Allen and Elizabeth Stevenson, Mr. Stevenson at Chesterfield, Ohio, in 1856, a son of Dr. Isaac was also of Scotch-Irish descent, and he and wife Parker, who located there in 1845. After a thor- passed their entire days in Ireland. After his mar- ough academic course he began the study of medi- riage Mr. Parks came to America (1821) and cine under the preceptorship of Dr. N. Wright of landed at St. Johns, New Brunswick. From there his native place. He graduated from Miami Med- they went to Baltimore, and after a year there ical college, of Cincinnati, in 1881, and immediately went to New York, settling at Harlem, where he entered upon the active practice of his profession managed a farin for Harmon Le Roy for seven at Chesterfield, there he was successful and promi- years. Mr. Le Roy was a wealthy French trader.

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

In 1829 Mr. Parks came to Ohio and settled in views, and is classed among the well-informed men Jackson township, on the farm now owned by his of the parish. In politics he affiliates with the son, Samuel, and here reared his family of ten republican party. His sister, Miss Isabella, who children; William, John, Samuel (who died in keeps house for him, is an accomplished and very infancy), Eliza J., Isabella, James, Samuel, Mar- pleasant lady.

garet, Mary, and one who died in infancy. Will-

Nowhere within the limits of Muskingum iam and John died at the ages of nine and five re- county, Ohio, can be found a man more highly spectively. Eliza J. married James Still, of Mus- respected, or for conscientious discharge of duty in kingum township, this county. James was a sol- every relation of life, more worthy of respect and dier in the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio esteem, than Rev. David Paul who has been pastor Volunteer infantry, and died in the hospital at of the United Presbyterian church at New Concord Baltimore, leaving a wife and six children. Dr. since 1876. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, Parks, of Frazeysburg, is his son. Margaret five miles north of St. Clairsville, April 22, 1827, died at the age of twenty-two. Mary married R. and was the third in a family of six children born H. Kilpatrick, a farmer, and they live in Licking to Andrew and Nancy (Walace) Paul. Andrew county, Ohio. When William Parks settled on Paul remained in his native country, Ireland, until his farm it was almost a wilderness, but by hard eighteen years of age, after which he came to this work he cleared it up and built a comfortable country and settled in Belmont county, where he log house, the immense stone chimney of which engaged in work with David Walace, afterward is still standing, with its vast fireplace, built over marrying his eldest daughter. He followed farming fifty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Parks were devout as his occupation in life and was a good citizen. covenanters, held strictly to this faith and brought He was a member of the Associate Reformed up their family in this belief. Mr. Parks was a church. Of his children only three are now living, man of strong mind and excellent judgment, and and David is the only one in this state. Mr. Paul was respected and esteemed by all acquainted moved his family from Belmont to Guernsey with him. The substantial buildings erected on county, Ohio, in 1839, and there his estimable wife his farm are still standing. He lived to be died the same year. He subsequently moved to eighty-seven years of age, and died February 10, Iowa, where he passed the closing scenes of his life, 1883. He was one of those pioneers who were his death occurring in 1860. His children were among the foremost in building up the county, named in the order of their birtlis as follows: in fact one of the real founders of the state of Margaret (who died at the age of sixteen years), Ohio and the man who made possible the pleasant Julia A. (who is residing in Pawnee City, Neb.), homes of to-day. Samuel Parks (our subject) was David Paul (subject), Mary (who died when twelve born October 2, 1835, and supplemented a com- years of age), Eliza J. (who died in this county mon-school education by attending school at after reaching womanhood), and William W. (who West Bedford, Ohio, and Oberlin college, thus re- resides at Clarence, Iowa). Mr. Andrew Paul was ceiving a good education, although he did not a whig in early days, but his last votes were cast complete his collegiate studies. At the age of with the republican party. His wife was a native seventeen he began teaching school in his own of Belmont county, Ohio, and was the daughter of school district, afterward taught one year in Illi- David and-

-(Carson) Walace. The early life nois, and then followed his profession in Texas of David Paul was spent in Belmont county, and for two years. He subsequently traveled exten- when about twelve years of age he came with his sively in the Lone Star state, and in 1858 began parents to Guernsey county. He was trained to teaching near San Antonio. Returning to Ohio the arduous duties of the farm and remained on he taught school during the winter months and the same until 1846, when he entered the fresh- worked on the farm in the summer. He was one man class of Muskingum college, having kept up of the early educators of Muskingum county, his studies under the instruction of Rev. Hugh teaching most of the time for twenty years, and Forsythe of Fairview, Guernsey county, Ohio, wielded a wide influence for good in educational while working on his father's farm. Mr. Paul has matters. He is a member of the Presbyterian plowed many and many a day with his book fast- church, and Miss Isabella Parks, his sister, who ened on the handles of his plow. He remained lives with him, is a strict Covenanter. He has four years in Muskingum college and was grad- been township trustee, served his district as school uated in 1850. The following year he started to director for many terms, and has held other local study theology at Oxford, Ohio, and was professor positions. He now owns a valuable farm and has of languages in Geneva Hall for one year. After excellent buildings, etc. He is a man of liberal this he spent one winter at Allegheny city and on views, owns a large library of choice books, and June 9, 1852, was licensed to preach, and ordained is an extensive reader. He is progressive in his December 13, of the following year, being installed

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 101

Author: Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642