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 104

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 104

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

and for two years served in that capacity. Rev. years longer and then embarked in the grocery F. Richards enjoys the distinction at present of business in Zanesville, continuing the same from being the pastor longest continued over any con- 1856 until 1864. In the last named year he went gregation in the city of Zanesville, as every congre- to Pennsylvania and he was engaged in speculating gation, English and German, Roman Catholic and in oil until 1866, when he returned to Muskingum Protestant, have changed their pastors one or more county. He again embarked in the grocery busi- times. He has been pastor of St. John's English ness but one year later sold out his interest and Evangelical Lutheran church longer than all his moved to his present residence. He purchased a predecessors combined. In June he celebrated farm of 155 acres, and here he has one of the finest the quarto-centennial of his entrance upon the country homes to be found in this section of the ministry and has only had the pastorial care of county. The house is a two-story brick, is conven- two charges during the time he has been in the iently arranged, and, standing on an eminence, ministry, Chicago, Ill., and Zanesville, Ohio. At commands a fine view of the surrounding country. the present, Rev. Richards is in the prime of life Mr. Richards was married in 1848 to Miss Jane and the future promises him still more usefulness Gourley of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Thomas than in the years gone by. Without seeking any and Catherine Gourley, natives of the Keystone position either in the denomination of which he is state. Mr. and Mrs. Gourley moved to Iowa and a minister, or the community of which he is a cit- there died, leaving five sons and four daughters. izen, yet he has fulfilled every duty that has been Mr. Richards' union was blessed by the birth of imposed upon him, with conscientious fidelity. three children: Mary C., wife of John H. Allin, Even by those with whom he differs in religion and resides in Zanesville, Frances A., was born in 1852 politics he has won their respect by his candor and and died in 1884, and John H., is married and is his being true to his own convictions. For sixteen a farmer of Wayne township. Mr. Richards is a years he has been a resident of Zanesville and for member of the I. O. O. F., Muskingum lodge No. that length of time pastor of St. John's English 128 and Mrs. Richards is a member of the Baptist Evangelical Lutheran church, located at the corner church of Zanesville. The family is well respected of Sixth and South streets.

in the county.

Lewis Richards. There are in every commu-

Among the citizens of Muskingum county, Ohio, long and favorably identified with its prog- nity some persons who, on account of their industry ress and development, is John Richards, farmer, and practical management of the affairs which fall Zanesville, whose biography will no doubt be read to their lot, deserve special credit; and such is by old and young, for there is always an instinctive Mr. Richards, whose successful operations as a curiosity to know the truth and inner history of a farmer are proverbial. He was born June 30, man who has had such a close association with the 1816, on Sunday creek, Athens county, Ohio, to affairs of this county from primitive date. He Jacob and Catherine (Burley) Richards, the former was born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 1, 1826, of whom was a native of Maryland, a farmer by and is the son of John and Mary C. (Dunlapp) occupation, and a participant in the War of 1812. Richards, natives respectively of Ohio and Penn- He inherited Dutch blood of his ancestors and sylvania. The father was a successful farmer, and many of the worthy traits of character of that died in Belmont county about 1828. The mother people, among which may be mentioned thrift, remained a widow and reared a family of seven industry and honesty. There was born to Jacob children, giving each good educational advantages. and Catherine Richards ten children : Lewis, Her death occurred in 1865. Her children were Edward, Burley, Lyman, Harriet, Surzeleise, Alva, named in the order of their births as follows: John, Clark and Eliza. Hc came to Muskingum Henry (deceased), Mary (died when young), Joseph county, Ohio, in 1810, but soon after moved to D. (deceased), James, William, John and Robert. Athens county and from Athens county to the John Richards received his literary training in the Miami valley; after five years removed to Perry common schools of the state, principally in the log county where he died at the age of seventy-five school house of pioneer days, and at the tender age years. His wife was of Irish and French lineage and of eleven years he commenced to fight the battle of was born in Pennsylvania. She removed to Zanes- life for himself, as cook on a Muskingum river ville, Ohio, with her parents at an early day andwas steamboat. This occupation he followed for four called from life in this state at the age of eighty years after which he peddled patent medicines and years. Lewis Richards spent his early life on his notions for a year and then engaged as a laborer father's farm and attended school for a few months in the paper mill at Zanesville. Six or seven years each year, by which means he obtained a practical later he had worked himself up from a common or education. He came to Muskingum county in day laborer to second manager and received a good 1823, but after a very short time returned to Perry salary. He remained in this business about six county, where he remained until he had attained

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

his majority, when he once more turned his foot- county, Ohio, the mother carrying the youngest steps toward Muskingum county. After working child, Adam Jr., in her arms while riding a horse by the month on the farm for one year, he con- most of the distance. Mr. Rider located on a farm ducted a pottery for about the same length of time in what was then Brush Creek, but now Clay and the three succeeding years he tilled the soil. township, and there resided until his death, April At the end of this time he was compelled to give up 15, 1855, when seventy-five years of age. His farm life, owing to the delicate health of his wife estimable wife had passed away December 7, 1849. and resumed the pottery business, which calling He served in the War of 1812. The children occupied his time and attention for thirteen years. born to this union are named as follows: John, In 1856 he purchased the farm on which he now Edward, Adam, Mathias, Richard, Charles and resides and although it has been under cultivation Ellen. Richard Rider, the subject of this memoir, for over 100 years, it is still exceedingly fertile was born June 2, 1816, on the old homestead, land. He was married February 17, 1839, to Miss near Roseville, Ohio, which was then in a thick Phoebe Ann Beems who was born in Muskingum wilderness. He remained with his father until county near the village of Mount Sterling, May 15, twenty-three years of age, and received his educa- 1823, her parents, Frederick and Elizabeth (Par- tion in the subscription schools of that day. On rott) Beems, both natives of New Jersey and of November 15, 1835, he was married to Miss Eliza- Dutch descent. They came to Ohio in 1817 and beth Wonn, who was born December 1, 1819, and here the father died in the sixty-eighth year of his shortly afterward, by the kindness of his father, age and the mother at the age of eighty-six. They received 160 acres, upon which he still resides. were the parents of nine children: John born But this was not then the beautifully cultivated April 13, 1811, was married to Lucy Sullivan farm of to-day; instead, the hills were covered April 26, 1830: Mary born October 26, 1813, was with woods, on which has been expended much married to James Turley December 12, 1831; hard labor. Like his father, Mr. Rider holds Eliza born March 22. 1817, died February 25, membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, 1827; Silas born February 22, 1819, married Jane with which he united in 1842, and is one of the Todd May 1, 1845; Frederick born March 20, most worthy and able supporters of this church. 1829, died July 19, 1832; David born July 23, He was formerly an old line whig in his political 1825, married Martha Martin July 16, 1846; views, and it is hardly worth mentioning that he is Harriet born March 26, 1830, died December 20, a republican and a warm supporter of his party. 1841; William born April 3, 1833, married Mary Although Mr. Rider was not a soldier in the Civil Ann Rutledge July 14, 1855. To Lewis and Phoebe war, the family was represented by his two sons, Ann (Beems) Richards, six children have been Adam and Frank, the latter coming out at the born: Alva born March 16, 1841, who was surgeon of close without a scratch. Mr. and Mrs. Rider's the One Hundred and Twenty-second regiment, Ohio union was blessed by the birth of ten children, Volunteers; Arthur born February 14, 1843, in 1861 one dying in infancy. The others were named as enlisted in Thirty-second regiment, Ohio Volunteers follows: Francis M., born October 6, 1840; John and served to the close of the war; Dexter born E., born March 5, 1843; Horatio A., born August April 21, 1859; Edward born April 6, 1851; Clara 10, 1844; William E., born March 24, 1847; Ellen born May 15, 1845; and Augustine born Septem- E., horn May 8, 1849; Sarah C., born December ber 16, 1847 and died August 23, 1849. Mr. and 31, 1851; Richard H. and Robert F., born De- Mrs. Richards are members of the Methodist cember 22, 1855, and Margaret J., born August Episcopal church of over forty years' standing and 28, 1859. John, William and Sarah have passed he has been class-leader and one of the trustees for away. Mrs. Rider's parents, William and Elizabeth thirty years. He has been a member of the Wonn, came to Muskingum county, Ohio, in a republican party every since it has been in exist- very early day (about 1800), and here she received tence.

her education in the subscription schools. She Notwithstanding the rapid growth of the agri- united with the Methodist Episcopal church when cultural affairs of the county in the last few years, but seventeen years of age, and has ever been and the progressive ideas advanced, Richard Rider, happy in her belief. She is of German and Irish Roseville, Ohio, has kept thoroughly apace with descent.

the times, and is considered one of the leading Francis M. Rider, commissioner of Muskingum farmers of his section. His father, Adam Rider, county, Ohio, and a representative citizen of this was a native of Maryland and a descendant of Ger- section of the country, is a member of one of the man ancestors, his mother coming from that coun- pioneer families of the county, and was born on try to this when but a child. In 1802 Adam October 6, 1840. He is a son of Richard and Rider married Miss Sarah Bond, also of Maryland, Elizabeth (Wonn) Rider, who were born in this and in 1806 they went by wagons to Muskingum county in 1816 and 1818, respectively. The pa-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

ternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was 1796, received but little education, and came to Adam Rider, a native of Maryland, who came Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1813. He married directly from that state to Ohio in the early days Miss Anna K. McDonald, daughter of Joseph Mc- of the present century. Francis M. Rider ob- Donald, who was originally from Ireland. After tained a thorough knowledge of farming in his coming to the United States the latter settled in youthful days, but also succeeded in obtaining a Muskingum county, Ohio, and was among the early common-school education, which he has since put pioneers. The Catholic church now stands on to a practical use. When the war of the Rebellion the land which was part of his farm. He was a opened, personal considerations were cast aside and Presbyterian and an elder in the same for many he at once enlisted in defense of the "stars and years. He was the prime mover in building the stripes," becoming a member of Company G, old log Presbyterian church, the first in the town- Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer infantry, and for ship, and Mrs. Riley, when a girl, cooked for the four long years he fought in defense of his coun- men who built the church. Mr. McDonald's try and for the downfall of the "stars and bars." children were Margaret, Anna K., Rev. John He was honorably discharged in 1865, and upon (Presbyterian minister), and James. Mr. Mc- his return home he engaged in farming, which has Donald lived to be an old man and was well been his life occupation, and for which he seems respected. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Riley were admirably adapted. He is the owner of a fine born nine children-George, Mariah, John, Joseph, tract of land, containing 321 acres, situated in Aaron, Alexander, Charles, Emily and Eliza are Clay and Newton townships, which farm is well those who lived to grow to maturity. Mr. Riley managed and yields a paying annual income. Mr. settled on the farm now occupied by his son Charles, Rider is a republican of many years' standing, and and as there was but little of the land cleared at has held the positions of trustee and assessor in that time he went actively to work to make improve- the township of his nativity, and since 1888 has ments. He soon accumulated a handsome property held the office of county commissioner, being hon- and owned at the time of his death, which occurred ored with a renomination August 22, 1891, and on the 17th of September 1879, over 400 acres of elected at the following election by a substantial excellent land. He began with nothing, and all majority. He is an ideal public official, and is, that he accumulated was the result of his own in- without doubt, one of the ablest commissioners the dustry and good management. In politics he was county has ever had. He is faithful to every a republican and a strong Union man during the trust, is very energetic, and his efforts in improving war, sending three of his sons to fight for their the county have been thoroughly appreciated. He country. Aaron enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Ohio is a member of Axline post No. 290, of the G. A. R .; Volunteer infantry, served three years and was in Zanesville lodge No. 114 of the I. and P. Order of many battles. Charles was in an Ohio regiment. Elks; and Cannel Jodge No. 437, of the K. of P. Alexander also served three years. Mr. Riley was Miss Melia Maddox, of this county, became his a man well known and respected among the old wife in 1870.

pioneers. His son, Joseph Riley, was born June

Joseph Riley, farmer, Frazeysburg, Ohio. Among 25, 1833, on the farm in Muskingum township, and the prominent pioneer families of Muskingum received an ordinary education in the district county, Ohio, the Rileys take a foremost place. schools. On the 8th of September, 1864, he mar- Joseph Riley's grandfather, William Riley, came ried Miss Frances Spencer, who was born on the from the north of Ireland and was of Scotch-Irish 15th of July, 1842, and who was the daughter of descent. He emigrated to America at a period Wilson and Sarah (Cole) Spencer. Wilson Spencer antedating the Revolutionary war, served as a was the son of Foreman Spencer, who was of the soldier in the struggle for independence, and was early settlers of Muskingum township [See sketch under Mad Anthony Wayne, against the Indians. of Joseph Spencer.] To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph He was married in the Old Dominion and became Riley were born eight children: Wilson, Sarah K., the father of seven children: John, William, Odessa, Joseph E., Orie F., Rose F., Laura S. and Mariah, Robert, Hannah, Polly and Samuel. John T. After his union Mr. Riley settled on land When an old man he came to Muskingum county, purchased from his father, and gave his entire Jackson township, Ohio, and settled north of attention to tilling the soil. He is a prominent Frazeysburg. He brought all his family with man of the county and is enterprising and in- him except Samuel, and lived to be quite aged. dustrious. He has educated his children and Orie He had been wounded when a soldier and always F., after graduating from the high school in felt the effect of this. He lived the life of a true Frazeysburg, is attending school at Ada, Ohio. Christian and was honored and respected. His Mr. and Mrs. Riley are descendants of pioneer son Samuel, father of our subject, was born stock, and are held in high esteein by all. in Washington county, Penn., October 30, Henry Roberts settled in Muskingum county,

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Ohio, in 1814, but was born in Loudoun county, esteem in which he is held by his neighbors and Va., his father, John Roberts, being a native of friends testifies in an eloquent manner as to the New Jersey. While a resident of his native state nobility of his mind and heart. In early life he Henry Roberts was married to Phobe Johnson, and was a whig, but since the death of that party he in the year above mentioned he and his family has supported the principles of the republican came to the "Buckeye state" in wagons, driven party at all important elections.

across the mountains. After farming on rented

William Robison, the father of John Robison, land the first season, he purchased some land of a Dresden, Ohio, was a Scotch-Irishman. He settler, and as he was the owner of seven horses, was born in County Antrim, Ballyknock, Ireland, one of which was an exceptionally good one, he where he learned the weaver's trade, and when a traded it for forty bushels of corn. The land on young man of about twenty-four, in 1814, came to which he settled was his home throughout his America, first settling in New Brunswick. He was life, and there he and his wife reared the fol- born prior to 1790, the exact date is not known. lowing family of children: John (deceased), who He remained in New Brunswick seven years when served in the War of 1812; Elizabeth (deceased); he married Miss Holden and to them was born one Lucinda (deceased); Linda (deceased); Charles child. Both mother and child died in New Bruns- (deceased); William, Manley, Harrison and Mary wick. While there, Mr. Robison worked in a Ann, the last three named being also dead. lumber mill and he came to the United States in Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were members of the 1822, settling in Philadelphia. Here he lived three Methodist Episcopal church, and were con- years and ran an establishment for weaving linen sistent Christians, taking an active interest in and employed several hands. The old receipts for the cause and upbuilding of religion, and reared money paid out and contracts of apprentices are their children in this faith, all of whom became, still preserved in the family. Mr. Robison mar- as men and women, devout Christians. Mr. ried in Philadelphia, Isabel Johnson, also of Scotch- Roberts died at the age of seventy-seven years, his Irish descent, and they had three children: John, wife departing this life when eighty years of age. James (died when three years of age) and Thomas William Roberts was born in Loudoun county, Va., (died when ten years of age). About 1825 Mr. in 1809, on the 7th of March, and was five years Robison went to Pittsburg, where he followed of age when his parents came to Ohio, and is the weaving and in 1828 came to Muskingum county only one of their children now living. He grew with Thomas Morrison. They bought together 160 up in a manner common to the sons of pioneer acres of land of Robert George, which they divided parents, and during the three or four weeks that equally between them. A small clearing was on he was permitted to attend school throughout the the land which fell to Morrison and a hewed-log year, he acquired a rudimentary education. He house on Mr. Robison's share. This land con- was married to Miss Nancy Potts, daughter of stituted a part of the farm now belonging to the Isaiah and Elizabeth Potts of Virginia, and by her subject of this sketch. Mr. Robison brought his became the father of the following children: Henry family and household goods in wagons and lived in H., Phoebe E , Mary C., Naomi I., Leroy A., Nancy the log cabin for about twelve years and then built J., William B., Amos A., Lyman C., Cordelia F. a hewed-log cabin, which was afterward covered and Cyrus M. Leroy was a member of Company with siding and in which his son John now lives. B, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer infantry, and There was not a stick cut on the ground when Mr. entered the federal army during the early part of Robison settled on it and he cut his farm out of

the war. He took part in the bloody battle of the heavy timber and made a good home. The Shiloh, but was afterward taken ill from exposure, deed for his land is dated March 28, 1829, and is which resulted in his death. He was also in the from Robert George, for 77.5 acres, the sum paid battle of Fort Donelson. Mr. Roberts has been a for it being $150. The original deed is the United resident of this county ever since his first location, States government dated October 2, 1826, to Robert with the exception of a few years spent in Morgan George. Mr. and Mrs. Robison were members of county, and is now enjoying the fruits of a well the Reformed Presbyterian church, which he had spent life. He was converted to Christianity in joined at Pittsburg in 1828. He was ruling elder his early life and has steadily pursued his way for nearly twenty-eight years, and assisted with his onward and upward, and has held membership in means to build the church. He possessed a re- the Methodist Episcopal church for the past sixty- markable constitution and was sick but little in his three years. During all this time he has been life and attained the good old age of over one hun- active in church work, and has taken a leading dred years. John Robison, his son, was born in part in worthy enterprises. In all his transactions Philadelphia, October 2, 1828, and was one year old with his fellowmen he has been actuated by the when his father brought him to this county. He re- highest principles of manhood, and the high ceived a common-school education, married at the

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

age of twenty-eight years, Catherine J. McKee, ing to some extent. He served in the War of daughter of James and Isabel (Crawford) McKee. 1812, and was badly wounded at the battle of The father was born in County Donegal, Ireland, Lundy's Lane, shot in the leg and crippled for life. and came with his father, James McKee Sr.,to Amer- He married Miss Mary Kenton, a relative of the ica. They were among the first settlers of Coshocton famous lieutenant, Simon Kenton. Mr. and Mrs. county. James McKee Sr., was the father of Thomas Rose were the parents of six children: Thomas, George, Daniel, Catherine, Nellie, Sarah, Henry, Allen, James, Alexander, Mary and Jane. Patrick, Gilbert, James, Isabel and Jane. He died Mr. Rose owned two farms and was a substantial at a good old age in Coshocton county. James Mc- man. He was upright and honorable and well re- Kee Jr., lived to the age of seventy-one years and spected. His son and our subject's father, Allen was the father of nine children: Catherine J., Rose, was born in Bedford county, Penn., received James, Thomas, George, Gilbert, Sarah A., John a common-school education and learned the shoe- Robert and Isabell. Mr. McKee was a member of maker'strade. He visited Steubensville, Ohio, en- the Old School Presbyterian church and an elder tered a home, and soon after married Miss Ann for many years. John Robison, after his marriage Blackburn, daughter of Thomas Blackburn. The remained on the home farm, and by industry and fruits of this union were three children: Thomas, good business management has accumulated 300 William and Allen. In 1828 Mr. Rose came with acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Robison are the his family to Ohio and settled in Knox county, parents of six children: Sarah A. (died an in- where he resided one year, after which he moved fant); Isabel E. was a graduate of Geneva col- to Richland county. There he resided until killed lege, Northwood, Ohio, and married Rev. H. W. at the raising of a log barn in 1831, when endeav- Reed of Westmoreland county, Penn., a minister of oring to save the lives of other men by stopping a the Reformed Presbyterian church (she died after falling log. He worked very hard and during the five years of married life, March 29, 1886, aged short time he had lived in Richland county he had twenty-nine years. She was a lady of culture and cleared up a good portion of sixty acres. In his refinement and possessed many virtues); Mary J. religious views he was a Presbyterian. His wife was died when four years of age; Eliza C. died an infant; a Quakeress and lived to be seventy-four years of Sarah M. (a young lady at home), and William M. age. Thomas Rose, his son, was born in Bedford (who married Sarah R. Spencer, daughter of John county, Penn., August 28, 1824; received a com- Spencer of Muskingum township). [See sketch. ] In mon-school education, and learned the blacksmith politics Mr. Robison takes no active part, owing, as trade. He was but four years old when he was he declares, to the State's immoral constitition, brought to Ohio by his parents, and he was there- but he takes an active part in having good schools fore reared in the wilderness. During his early and has held the office of school director for several days he was accustomed to all the privations and terms. Mr. and Mrs. Robison are members of vicissitudes of pioneer life and grew up strong and the Reformed Presbyterian church and he has been hardy. At the age of eighteen he left home and an elder for twenty years. He is a practical farmer worked at his trade at Mount Vernon, Ohio, for and substantial citizen, owning besides his farm three years. After this he worked at different real estate at Trinway. The son, William M., re- places, and in 1849 was married to Miss Rebecca sides on the new and commodious farm residence A. Ledner, daughter of Christian and Margaret on part of the home ground. Mr. Robison is Ledner, of Licking county, Ohio. Mr. Ledner was a farmer and a native of Germany. He first one of the representative men of this county.

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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 104

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