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 107

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 107

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All lived to maturity. August a farmer of Loudoun county, Va .; Howard B. 12, the same year as his marriage, he moved to married Anna Vinsel (he is a farmer of Lucas Ohio, settled in Monroe township, this county, en- county, Iowa); Carson E. is a school teacher of gaged in the tanning business, and this in connec- Lucas county, Iowa. Mr. Slater gave all his tion with farming was his work through life. He children good educations, some of them attending possessed an unusual degree of intelligence, taking New Concord ' college. All the boys were school a great interest in political affairs, general and teachers except Howard B.

local, and held a number of offices of trust. Polit-

Harrison V. Slater, Adamsville, Ohio, was the ically he was a lifelong democrat. Col. Walker son of Anthony Slater, who was born in Loudoun received his military title as an officer of the Ohio

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

militia, August 9, 1838, and was commissioned by Anthony Slater was a soldier in the War of 1812, Gen. Joseph Vance as adjutant of the Fifth regi- entering service the same day the British burned ment, Second brigade and Fifteenth division of the capitol at Washington. He was in Baltimore the Ohio militia. His commission and sword he during the attack and siege of that place, and at possessed during life, and was always pleased to Fort Henry was one of the advance guards of the show them. His daughter, Julia A., married American army when the British landed there. In Barton Cone of Otsego; Agnes married Jacob 1816 Mr. Slater moved with his wife to Ohio and Wheeler, of Monroe township (she is deceased); first settled on what is now known as Culbertson Jane married H. V. Slater (our subject), and John farm in Washington township, where they lived is a farmer of Caldwell county, Mo. Col. Walker's for about one year, and then moved to the farm in first wife died August 6, 1843, at the age of forty Adams township where the remainder of their years. He married again July 6, 1844, Margaret lives was spent. They had no neighbors nearer Emler of Monroe township, and they were the than three or four miles, and the nearest mill or parents of six children, all of whom are living: postoffice was at Zanesville, eighteen miles away. Charles and Robert in Monroe township; Dr. A. E. They were the first permanent settlers in the terri- Walker, of East Plainfield, Ohio, William of High- tory now included in Adams township, which was land township; Mrs. Eleanor of Cumber- then a part of Monroe township. In 1824 Adams land, Ohio, and Mrs. Andrew Jackson, of Wapello, township was formed of parts of Monroe and Iowa. The Colonel's second wife died September Madison and named in honor of John Q. Adams, 7, 1881, aged seventy years. On September 23, who was then a candidate for the presidency. Mr. 1882, a family reunion was held at hisresidence, at Slater was the first justice of the peace of Adams which were gathered seventy of his descendants, township and held the office for twenty-one years including children, grandchildren and great- in succession. He was also a candidate for county grandchildren. His descendants aggregate up to commissioner on the democratic ticket, but was 100 persons. He died March 22, 1885, at the age defeated, as the whigs carried the county that of eighty-five years, nine months and twelve days, year. He had six sons, two of whom are yet living- and was interred at the Otsego cemetery, March George W. and Harrison. On July 3, 1878, Mrs. 24. Harrison V. Slater, our subject, after marriage Slater died at the age of eighty-five years. They settled on a farm in Monroe township belonging to had been married sixty-six years, and resided to- his father, and after four years bought land com- gether in one place for sixty-one years. They

prising 160 acres, in Adams township, which he were both members of the New Hope Lutheran still owns. By industry and thrift he has added church. Mr. Slater was a man of intelligent mind to his land until he owned 341 acres, but has given and remarkable memory, retaining his vigor un- eighty acres to his son Barton. Mr. Slater started impaired up to within two years before his death. with nothing but by his own efforts and the assist- John Smith is one of the leading agriculturists

ance of his faithful wife, after years of hard work of Muskingum county, Ohio, and was born here in and patient self-denial, succeeded in accumulating 1844, to Thomas and Malinda (Pringle) Smith, the a handsome property. They are members of the former of whom was born in Virginia in 1805 and Lutheran church. Mr. Slater has been township was brought by his father, Edward Smith, to this trustee, has held the office of justice of the peace state iu 1808, when, before the encroachment of for six years, and will always use his influence in civilization, wild game was plentiful. In 1809 the support of the schools and for public improve- Edward Smith purchased the farm on which his ments. Mr. and Mrs. Slater are the parents of grandson, John Smith, is now living, which place seven children: Susannah (born June 24, 1853, had been entered by another man a short time married Charles Gaumer, editor and proprietor of before. In payment for this land Mr. Smith gave the "Shield and Banner" of Mansfield, Ohio); Mar- his horse, saddle and bridle and finished by pay- garet C. (born August 17, 1855, married Clark ing the government a small balance due on the Ramsey, a farmer of Highland township, and they land. At the time of his settlement there was but have two children); Salena A. (born January 9, one house between his place and Zanesville, a dis- 1858, married Elijah Cowden, a farmer of Adams tance of six miles, and it was owned and occupied township, they have one child); Albert B., a farmer by a Mr. Ecelberry. These two families had many of Adams township (born April 22, 1860, married interesting experiences and on several occasions Eliza J. Cowden, they have one child); Henrietta united their forces for protection. The Smith

(born November 2, 1862, married Allen O. Adams, a family came from Virginia to Ohio with a wagon farmer of Salem township, they have three chil- and a cart, and Mr. Smith always used horses in- dren); W. O. (born July 10, 1865 and died February stead of oxen. He had four head of horses and 4, 1880); and Rose (born January 10, 1870, is at but very little money and as corn had to be bought, home). Politically, Mr. Slater is a democrat. for which he had, to pay $1 per bushel and the

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY,

journey to procure it occupied ten days at least, he many a day's schooling. He has always been quite had at first a hard time to make both ends meet. a reader and kept thoroughly posted on all the Three or four days were required to go to mill and, general topics of the day and may be said to be a like many other pioneers, they were compelled to well-informed man. At the age of twenty-one he undergo many other inconveniences and hardships. was married to Miss Calista Shaver, their union Mr. and Mrs. Smith reared a family of ten children taking place January 23, 1866, she being a daughter -five sons and five daughters-of whom Thomas of Levi and Anna (Hale) Shaver, the latter being was the second. Nathan is the only son now living born on the ocean August 14, 1818. They were and is a resident of Hardin county. Mrs. Elizabeth shipwrecked on the way to this country from Ger- Comstock is the only member of this family now many and were landed on one of the Portuguese residing in this county. The father of these chil- islands where they remained for one year, or until dren died in 1859 at the age of eighty-five years, the ship could be repaired. She had one brother and his wife's death occurring on the 30th of October, one sister who died on the voyage and were buried 1861, at the age of eighty-one. Thomas Smith, at sea. They finally landed in New York city and the father of the subject of this sketch, was reared Mr. Hale at once made his way to this state and on the farm on which the latter now lives, and was county and engaged in stock dealing and butcher. educated in the common schools of this county. At ing at Chandlersville, but died soon after settling the age of twenty years he married and moved in this section. They reared a family of four sons immediately to Blue Rock township, where his and one daughter, the last the mother of the sub- father had purchased a farm of eighty acres and ject of this sketch. John resides in Springfield, presented to him, and to this land he afterward Ill., Alexander resides at Athens, Ill., Oscar in added 160 acres, making it one of the finest farms Peoria, of the same state, and Joseph in California. in the township. He took an active interest in the The mother of these children lived to be sixty-five affairs of his section and filled the offices of town- years of age, dying in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Shaver ship trustee and land appraiser. He had the con- became the parents of eight children. A pair of fidence of all who knew him, and was a decided twin boys died when small; a little girl also died; acquisition to the section in which he located, for and those living are: Calista (Mrs. Smith); Jonas besides being industrious and thrifty, he was en- E., of Blue Rock township; Nancy and Louisa terprising and always up with the times. He was (twins), the former being the wife of A. F. Cohagin; a strict member of the Blue Rock Baptist church Louisa, wife of George Davis, and Amanda, wife for more than twenty years, and in his death his Samuel Gillogly. Mrs. Shaver died June 5, 1854, family lost a kind and affectionate husband and but Mr. Shaver is a resident of Blue Rock town- father and a faithful friend, and the community a ship, and although seventy-seven years of age is man true as a die to her interests and a lover of yet stout and active. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the peace and good order. He was an old time whig, parents of four children: Levi S., Anna M., Wil- but during the latter part of his life voted the dem- lard T., and one that died in infancy. Mr. and ocratic ticket. He resided on the farm in Blue Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist Epis- Rock township for fifty-five years and died on the copal church, and he is at present one of the school 9th of April, 1881, at the age of seventy-six years. directors of his district.

His wife survived him until September, 1889, and Frank H. Southard is one of the leading law- was buried on her eighty-fourth birthday. She yers of Muskingum county, Ohio, for he makes it was a kind, gentle and considerate mother, a true a principle of his to perfect his work and calling friend and an accommodating neighbor. She and more and more, to keep thoroughly posted in his her husband reared a family of eight children: profession and to have a thorough knowledge of Edward, who resides in Blue Rock township; Mary, the current topics of the day. He was born in the deceased wife of Emmer Greenfield; Elizabeth, Licking county, Ohio, October 31, 1840, to Isaiah the deceased wife of Austin Brothers; George, who and Elizabeth (Parnell) Southard, the former hav- was accidentally killed at a house raising, by a log ing been born in Pennsylvania in 1801 and died in falling on him; W. P., who resides in Blue Rock Licking county, Ohio, in 1885. The mother was township; Eliza J., widow of George Roberts, re- born in Baltimore, Md., in 1807, and is now a res- sides in Blue Rock township; John, the subject of ident of Licking county. The Southard family this sketch, and Jedidah, wife of J. E. Shaver, of settled in that county in 1804, and there the early Blue Rock township. John Smith, whose name boyhood of Frank H. Southard was spent. He heads this sketch, attended the common schools of prepared himself for college in the common his precinct, but owing to the fact that his father schools and went through the junior year at Den- got crippled, a brother killed and another brother nison university at Granville, Ohio, being after- married, the burden of conducting the farm fell ward admitted to the senior year in the Wesleyan on his youthful shoulders and thus deprived him of university of Delaware, Ohio, graduating in the

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

classical course in 1864. The following year he represented the land interest and was largely inter- entered the law department of the Michigan uni- ested in the Cleveland & Canton railroad on its versity, and in 1866 was admitted to the bar at terminus in Zanesville; also the Zanesville Ter- Mount Vernon, Ohio, entering upon the practice minal railway, for which this firm has purchased of his profession in Zanesville in the fall of the fol- $150,000 worth of land in the Second ward, for lowing year. He has been connected with many which they held the title. Mr. Spangler was ap- important trials. He was married in 1872 to Miss pointed on the military staff of Gov. Hoadley in Laura Laughry, and by her has one son-Carl M. January, 1884, with the rank of colonel, and served Mr. Southard supports the men and measures of in that capacity for two years, during which time the democrat party.

the Cincinnati riot occurred. He was in active Col. T. F. Spangler, president of the People's service for ten days, and afterward received a let- Savings bank and a member of the firm of T. F. ter of thanks from the governor for his good Spangler & Co., dealers in real estate, is the son service during that time. Upon the election of of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Torrance) Spangler, Gov. James E. Campbell he was appointed to the natives of Ohio. The Spangler family is of Ger- same position. ' Col. Spangler has been a very man origin, and its members were among the pio- active member of the board of trade, and has neer settlers of Maryland. The paternal grand- been a director since its organization. He was father, Jacob Spangler, was quite young at the also the chairman of a special committee of five breaking out of the War of 1812, but served as a men that retained the American Encaustic Tile drummer boy. After growing up he followed works. Mr. Spangler has ever been active in pro- agricultural pursuits. He came to Ohio from Mary- moting the welfare and progress of Zanesville and land and settled in Muskingum county in pioneer is one of its representative citizens. He is a mem- days, locating in Wayne township. He subse- ber of the I. O. O. F. and a Thirty-second degree quently moved to Zanesville, and died there when Mason. He was married in 1875 to Miss Mary S. quite aged. Benjamin Spangler was a farmer in his Cox, sister of Sunset Cox, so well known. He is early days, but is now retired and resides in Zanes- the father of four children: Leola, Dora, Helen, ville. He was a member of the city council for and Arthur C. He and wife are members of the several years. He had one son and one daughter Market Street Baptist church, leading and popular -Col. T. F. and Mrs. Mary J. Orr, of Columbus, members of society, and possess social qualities of Ohio. Col. Spangler was born in Zanesville on the a high order.

28th of March, 1849, and graduated from the high Robert W. Speer, a prominent agriculturist school of Zanesville in 1867. After this, like of Muskingum county, Ohio, was born on the farm many of the other prominent men of the county, where he now resides on March 4, 1807, and was he began for himself as a school teacher, following the eldest child born to William and Rebecca this profession for two winters in the country (Boggs) Speer. William Speer was born in Adams schools. He then entered the law office of A. W. county, Penn., near the Gettysburg battle ground, Train and was admitted to the bar in 1873. While on January 19, 1778, and was a son of Robert studying law he was clerk for the firm of Ball & Speer, who was a native of the north of Ireland. Train, being the student of the latter, and after The latter emigrated to the United States about his admission to the bar began practicing immedi- 1760, settled on a farm in Adams county, Penn., ately. He became connected with the build- and there passed his last days. His wife's maiden ing association of the city, and organized the name was Agnes Stewart, and they were engaged Union Building company, the McIntire Building to be married before he came to this country. Company association, and is now managing the After settling in Adams county and getting a pretty Homestead Building and Savings company, of good start, he returned to the land of his birth which he is general manager, secretary and attor- and his sweetheart whom he married and brought ney. This company has 1,100 members, and has back with him. They died in that county in 1813, a capital of over $1,000,000, with $700,000 active within three days of each other. William Speer stock. He was the senior member of Spangler & was reared on a farm, and when a young man Finley, attorneys and real estate dealers, from came to Muskingum county, settling on the farm 1881 to 1887, and this proved very paying. The now owned and occupied by our subject. He took firin became well known and did an immense up land about 1804. He had one sister and six business. The People's Saving bank was organ- brothers, four of whom came to Ohio and settled ized in the fall of 1889, Mr. Spangler being in Guernsey and Muskingum counties. William elected a director and its president. The firm of was married in Washington county, Penn., in 1806, T. F. Spangler & Co. represents the Pennsylvania and after coming to this country followed black- Railroad company in various ways, and is com- smithing until about 1814, after which time lie posed of T. F. Spangler and W. J. Atwell. It cultivated the soil spending the principal part of

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

his days engaged in the latter occupation. He ing during the early part of his life, but later en- reared a family of ten children-two sons and eight gaged in tilling the soil. At an early day he daughters: Robert, Sarah, Jane, Mary, Rebecca, moved to Ohio, and there his family, consisting of William, Margaret, Eliza, Martha and Nancy. ten children, was reared. They were named as The father died about 1832. His wife, who was a follows: Robert, Sarah, Jane, Mary, Rebecca, native of Washington county, Penn., was a William, Margaret, Eliza, Martha and Nancy A. daughter of James Boggs, who was a soldier in The father died in Muskingum county, on June 12, the Revolutionary war, and a friend of Gen. Wash- 1832. He and wife were members of the Associate ington, being appointed to some official position Reformed church, and he was a whig in politics. by the latter. He was land agent for George William Speer Jr., remained in his native county Washington, who gave him a farm in Washington until 1831 or 1832, and then moved to this county, Penn., after the war. Mr. and Mrs. Boggs county and settled on his present farm which con- were members of the Presbyterian church and sists of eighty-four acres. Agricultural pursuits both received their final summons in Washington have been his life's calling and he has met with sub- county, Penn. Robert W. Speer's boyhood days were stantial results in this occupation. In his thirtieth spent on his father's farm, about one-half mile year he married Miss Margaret Pollock, a native of from New Concord, and from 1814 until 1832 he Muskingum county, Ohio, born March 17, 1827, was in Guernsey county. From the latter date and the daughter of Abraham and Jane (Bigger) until the present he has been a resident of Mus- Pollock, natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents kingum county and one of its most esteemed and came to Guernsey county, Ohio, prior to the War worthy citizens. He was married in 1837 to Miss of 1812, in which her father served as a soldier, Sarah Jamison, a native of Muskingum county, but later moved to Muskingum county, where the born in 1817, and one of a large family of children father died shortly afterward. The mother died born to the marriage of Elder John Jamison of in this county about twenty-three years ago. Mr. this township and county. Her parents came Pollock was a member of the Presbyterian church originally from Erie county, Penn., and settled in and his wife of the Associate Reformed church. Muskingum county, as early as 1809. The father Mr. Pollock was a whig in politics and represented followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Speer became Muskingum county two terms in the legislature. the parents of twelve children: Margaret, now He was a prominent politician at that time. Their Mrs. Stevenson, resides in St. Louis, Mo .; Rebecca, children, four in number, were named as follows: now Mrs. Robb, resides in this county and town- ship; Sarah, who married Rev. W. Stevenson, Samuel (residing on a farm in this county), Mary J. (died in 1835), Margaret (subject's wife), and died in Illinois; Rev. James, resides in Wapinitia, Rachel M. (now Mrs. Watson, resides in Guernsey Ore. ; John a farmer and lumberman, resides at county). Mr. and Mrs. Speer became the parents Elk, Mich .; Lizzie, now Mrs. George, resides at of seven children: Rebecca J. died at the age of McDonald, Penn .; Cammeron, is a farmer near ten years; John B., a farmer of Highland township, Elk, Mich .; Flora. Mrs. Thompson, of Washington this county; William P. died at the age of three county, Ill .; H. W., at home, engaged in farming; years; Sarah M., residing at home; Mary M., also Hester, at home; Joana, at home; and Lena, also at home; Anna E., who is now Mrs. Watson at home. Mrs. Speer passed away at her home in and resides in this county, and Robert S., who re- Union township in 1882. She was a member of sides at home. Mr. Speer and wife are members the Reformed Presbyterian church. Mr. Speer of the R. P. church, in which he is an elder, and also holds membership in that church. He was in the past he took a deep interest in church work. formerly a whig in his political views, and although The children are nearly all members of the same in sympathy with the republican party at the church. present time, he does not vote. He has a good During his entire life Jason Spencer, farmer, farm of 100 acres and is one of the foremost Zanesville, has been a resident of Muskingum planters of the county. He is interested in church county, Ohio, and he enjoys the reputation of be- and school matters and was a member of the ing an honest, upright man in every respect, fully board of trustees of Muskingum college for many deserving the good opinion with which he is re- years. garded by every one. He was born in this county,

William Speer, whois one of the oldest pioneers February 28, 1814, and is the son of Ichabod and of the county with which he has been identified Mary (Smith) Spencer, both natives of New Jer- since 1832, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, sey. The parents were married in their native July 15, 1817, to the union of William and Rebecca state and as early as 1805 emigrated to Muskingum (Boggs) Speer, both natives of the Keystone state, county, Ohio, settling on the farm now owned by the father born January 19, 1778, and the mother their son, Jason. It was all in the woods then in 1784. William Speer Sr., followed blacksmith- and Mr. Spencer immediately erected a log house

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

and began improving his place. He had traded visited Virginia to borrow $100 of an uncle. He fifty acres of very stony land for 375 acres in received the money and returned in time to save Muskingum county and after arriving here he had the land, consisting of 160 acres. He again re- but $75 to keep his family until he could clear land turned to Virginia and married Miss Dorothy and raise a crop. He continued improving his Wiseman of West Virginia, on the Little Kenesaw farm until his death, which occurred February 16, river. The fruits of this union were eight chil- 1856. He was a hard-working man and an influ- dren, all of whom lived to maturity: Wilson, ential citizen. In clearing his land he would be so Foreman, Owen, Wiseman, Harriet, Joseph, Eliza- late in the season in getting in his crops that he beth and Minerva. Mr. Spencer was a great would not take time to plow his ground, but would worker and cleared his land of the heavy timber mark it out and his wife and children would plant. with which it was covered. For many years his The mother died October 2, 1858. Our subject's nearest neighbor was ten and fifteen miles away, paternal grandfather, William Spencer, was of except one family that lived where the covered English descent. Jason Spencer was the seventh bridge now is, near Frazeysburg, and he used to in order of birth of eight children and is the only go ten miles to a log rolling. He used to go to the one now living. He has always resided on his falls of Licking river for his grist of meal, horse- present property, the old homestead, and has car- back, and hitch his horse to the branches of the ried on what his father began. He was married beech trees, waiting sometimes all night to in 1840 to Miss Rachel Savidge, a native also of get his grist ground, and sleeping under the trees. Muskingum county, residing about two miles from On his way home, he would frequently miss his the home of Mr. Spencer and her parents were cabin, although near it, on account of the thick early settlers also, coming here a few years after foliage of the trees. Here he labored hard, en- Mr. Spencer. Mrs. Spencer died on February 26, dured all the privation of pioneer days, and grad- 1890.

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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 107

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