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 108

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 108

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ually made a fine farm. He cared very little for

Joseph Spencer, farmer, Frazeysburg, Ohio. hunting and did not waste his time that way, well Among the well-known pioneer settlers of Mus- knowing that the farm was the road to success. kingum county, Ohio, the Spencers deserve honor- He used to wrap up his children and lay them un- able mention, for not only are they classed among der the beech trees while his wife would gather the first settlers, but they have ever been respected brush to keep up a fire so that he could see to grub and esteemed citizens. Mr. Spencer's grandfather, up the bushes with his mattock. In this way he Joseph Spencer, was a native of Maryland, of worked and delved until he finally owned 600 acres. English descent, and was a shoemaker by trade. His sons, as they grew up, greatly assisted liim, He was the father of five children: Foreman, which he repaid by giving them land. Mr. Spen- Edward, William, Sarah and Gracie (who died in cer built a brick house before 1817, and this was Maryland). Grandfather Spencer came to Ohio in the first brick building in that county. There early life, after the death of his first wife, and af- were none at Nashport, Irville or Frazeysburg at ter her son, Foreman, had made a start, built a that early day. He got out the timber on his own home and married. He lived with his son until land, burned the brick on his own farm and they his death, when seventy-five years of age. He are in excellent condition to this day. He built was a member of the Baptist church and was well the house by piece meal and the walls are still thought of by the old settlers. His son, Foreman standing in good condition. Mr. Spencer gave an Spencer, was born in Maryland, September 1, 1784, acre of land to build the Old School Baptist church secured but a limited education, and there learned on, and this still stands and is occupied by them. the trade of a tanner and shoemaker. He was one The land where Shannon now stands belonged to of the first settlers of Muskingum county, Ohio, Mr. Spencer, who founded the town and which at emigrating there, it is believed, about 1800 or 1801, one time had a general store; a physician, and all with a family by the name of Tanner, the descend. the different trades were represented. He was tlie ants of whom are now residing in Zanesville. first tanner in this township, or in this part of the Mr. Spencer entered land which is now the farm county, beginning the business soon after coming of his grandson, John Spencer. Muskingum town- here and continuing it for many years. The

ship wasthen an unbroken wilderness, and to the money he made in that way assisted him in paying best knowledge of our subject there was not a for his land. He was very careful and economical, single settler in it. Mr. Spencer first built a log and the household clothing was all raised, spun, cabin and here resided for a number of years. He woven and made upon the farm. He used to go had entered his land, but had no money to pay for to Taylor's salt works for salt, paying several dol- it. He had a horse, and having some time in lars per barrel. His faithful wife died at the early which to pay for his land, he mounted that animal age of thirty-seven. She was an Old School Bap- and with some provisions and a sack of oats, hie tist in her religious belief and a devout woman.

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

About fifteen years afterward Mr. Spencer mar- Wiseman Spencer, farmer, Dresden, Ohio, is ried the widow of Jesse Crannell, formerly a Miss an old soldier, and when the country needed his Margaret Evans, and to them was born one child. services he did not hesitate to risk his life in its Mr. Spencer was one of the foremost men of the defense. His grandfather, Foreman Spencer, was township and took an active interest in its advance- one of the pioneer settlers of Muskingum county ment. After rearing his children and giving land [see sketch of Joseph Spencer] and Wilson Spen- to each, he sold his property in Ohio, and went to cer, son of Foreman, was born on the old Spencer New York city, where he took passage on a sail- homestead near Shannon. In youth his time was ing vessel for San Francisco. From there he went divided in attending the common school and assist- to Portland, Ore., and settled thirty miles from ing his father on the farm, and when grown he was that city in the Willamette valley on new land which united in marriage to Miss Sarah Cole, daughter was then a wilderness, and here Mr. Spencer again of Samuel Cole. The fruits of this union were made a new home in a new country. During the eight children, four of whom died when small: period of the great Civil war about 1861 and 1862, Samuel, Martha, John, Wiseman, Francis, Louisa, his daughter, Harriet Baxter, with her husband Sarah, and Marshall. Mr. Spencer advocated the (John Baxter) and seven children, went to Oregon principles of the republican party, and during the and settled in the home of Mr. Spencer, who was war he was a stanch Union man. Socially he now an old man, and who lived about eight years was a Mason, a member of the lodge at Frazeys- afterward, dying at the age of eighty-six years. burg. He became a substantial farmer, and at the He left a handsome property of over 300 acres in time of his death, which occurred in 1864, when the Willamette valley. Mr. Spencer was very ener- fifty-five years of age, he was the owner of 300 getic and a good business man, depending more on acres of good land. He had two sons in the Civil his business management and not so much on hard war, Wiseman and Marshall. The latter enlisted work the latter part of his life. He was honorable in the Seventy-ninth regiment, Ohio Volunteer in- and upright and his word was as good as his bond. fantry, and served in all about four years. He His son, Joseph Spencer, was born in Muskingum re-enlisted as a veteran and was in many battles. county, Ohio, July 8, 1823, and received but a lim- He is now a resident in Frazeysburg. Wilson ited education. At an early age he began assisting Spencer was a hard-working, industrious citizen, his father to clear the home place, and worked and was well respected in the vicinity in which he with untiring industry on the same for years. At lived. His son, Wiseman Spencer, subject of this the age of twenty-four he married the daughter sketch, received his scholastic advantages in the of Chaney and Sarah Mendenhall, one of the pio- common schools, and learned all the details of farm neer settlers of Jackson township, coming from life in early youth. When twenty-one years of Virginia at an early day. To Mr. and Mrs. Spen- age, or on the of 15th September, 1861, he enlisted cer was born one child, Jesse J., who is now a in the Fifteenth regiment, Ohio Volunteer infan- married man with two children and is living in try, Company B, and this was the first regiment to Kansas on a farm. After his marriage Joseph respond to the call for men in Muskingum county.

Spencer lived with his father until he was thirty- one years of age. His wife died three years after marriage, and six years later, at the age of thirty-

Young Spencer was mustered into service at Mansfield, Ohio, and his first service was in a skirmish at Green river, Ky. Later he partici-

one, he married Miss Martha Bail who bore him pated in a severe skirmish at Liberty Gap, in four children, all of whom lived to grow to ma- which his command lost eight men. Shortly turity: Foreman, William H., Thomas C. and afterward Mr. Spencer was taken prisoner, but Flora A. After his marriage, and in 1855, he was only held a few days, when he was exchanged. moved to his present farm which his father had He was in the great battle of Chickamauga, Tenn., given him and which consisted of 128 acres. To and was shot through the chest, a minie-ball pass- this he has added from time to time until he now ing through the lower part of the right lung and owns 328 acres, besides having given his sons 120 lodging in the fleshy part of the back where the acres in Jackson township. Mr. Spencer has been ball could be felt. He fell to the ground insensi- successful in farming, and is one of the substantial ble, but in a very short time became conscious, men of the county. He holds membership in the arose to his feet, and walked about fifty yards Presbyterian church and has been trustee of the toward the field hospital. His comrades then same for some time. He takes a decided interest came to his assistance and placing him on a in educational matters and has been school direct- stretcher carried him to the hospital, in which or. In politics he is a republican. He has lived 500 wounded men were lying. The hospital was all his life in this township, is well known, and is a a log house, and as it was in the line of fire a flag temperate, moral man. He made a trip to Oregon of truce waved from the top. The hospital was and Washington territory in 1888 and was much full and Mr. Spencer was placed on the outside pleased with the Willamette valley. of the house. That night the confederates capt-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

ured the hospital. There Mr. Spencer lay for Gen. Rufus Putnam. Mr. Sprague was in the eight days without shelter, with scanty food- fort during the famous defense against the Indians principally corn gruel-and as the surgeons were and remembered seeing the celebrated Indian too busy to extract the ball from his back it re- fighter and scout, Lewis Wetzel. Nehemiah and mained there eight days. He nearly died during Jonathan Sprague were famous hunters, and that time. At the end of the eight days he was while the Indian troubles were still ripe, ascended removed to the creek with the other prisoners, the the Muskingum river in a canoe, and entering the United States furnishing the confederates with mouth of Wills creek, ascended about five miles and tents and surgeons for the wounded. The prison- discovered a lake which is now called James Will- ers were then examined, and those able to walk iams pond. Here they hid their canoe carefully were taken to Liberty prison, while those remaining from the Indians and hunted. They could hear were exchanged. Mr. Spencer, being badly wounded, the Indians about them and proceeded carefully. was exchanged about ten days after he was One night Jonathan Sprague was bitten by a wounded. He was then taken, with others, to the snake on the head, and he cut out a piece of his hospital at Chattanooga, remained there one week, scalp as large as-a quarter. They were probably and was then taken in an ambulance to Stevenson, the first white men who saw Wills creek. After a residence of some years at Marietta, Mr. James Ala. There he remained one month. The ball was cut out at the field hospital, after inflammation Sprague married again a Miss Susan Rife from set in, and Mr. Spencer still has in his possession Pennsylvania and of German descent, and by her the ball that so nearly caused his death. He was in became the father of eleven children: Samuel, Nashville, Tenn., about a month and was there dis- Elizabeth, Jonathan, Eliza, Levina, Elisa, Lucinda, charged as permanently disabled; his father com- Rosena, William, James and Ralph. Mr. Sprague ing for him. After reaching home he was sick for took his family and moved to what isnow Dresden, a year, but he has never fully recovered, and can and what was then known as Old Town. Here he not do a full day's work, although a strong and ran a mill for a man named Elbridge. In 1812 hearty man when he entered the service. He was Mr. Sprague came to what is now Otsego, and was in active service two years and three months, and the first white man to settle in the wilds of what is receives now a pension from his country. He was now Monroe township. He erected a rude hut a good and faithful soldier and was ever ready for where Joseph Walker lived. There were only two duty. On the 28th of December, 1864, he married hours between him and Zanesville. Mr. Sprague Miss Emily Riley, daughter of Samuel Riley [see was a great hunter, had visited Otsego on some of sketch of Joseph Riley], and afterward settled on his hunting excursions and was attracted to settle a farm where Howard Spencer now lives. There there on account of the game which abounded. he made his home for eight years and then bought He entered land and lived there from 1812 to 1835. his present farm, which consists of 190 acres of He was a lover of freedom and once sheltered an land with good buildings, etc., on which this old old Negro female slave who had run away from her soldier expects to pass the remainder of his days. master in Virginia. James Sprague and his wife To Mr. and Mrs. Spencer were born nine children: were members of the Methodist church. About Effie, Minett W., Charles, Annie, Edna, Eliza, 1835 Mr. Sprague and his family went to southern Ollie, Mary and Leah. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are Indiana and settled on the neck where the White members of the Presbyterian church and he is river empties into the Wabash. He resided there trustee in the same. He takes an interest in all until 1845, when he returned and lived with his laudable enterprises and is now holding the office sons. He lived to the great age of ninety-six or of township trustee. He is active in school matters ninety-seven years and received a pension from the and is a director. He is a member of the Cass post, government for his services in the Revolutionary G. A. R., of Dresden, and in politics is a repub- war. Elijah Sprague, his son and the father of lican. He is one of the county's best citizens and our subject, was born at Dresden in 1801. He at- is universally respected.

tended school only about two weeks and learned to

Phineas P. Sprague, Otsego, Ohio. James read and write at home. He became a famous Sprague Sr., was from Massachusetts and a sol- hunter. At the age of thirteen years he shot with dier in the Revolutionary war. At the age of sev- his father's rifle a panther ten feet long from tip enteen years he ran away and joined the continen- to tip. One evening when his father and older tal army and served through the seven years' war. brothers were away, himself and William, a He then returned home and married. His chil- younger brother, went after the cows, both boys dren were Lydia, Anson and Ralph. This wife riding a pony without bridle or saddle, and accom- died in Massachusetts, and he, with several broth- panied by two large dogs. They discovered a ers, Jonathan and Nehemiah, joined a company panther crouched in a tree. They returned imme- who were the first settlers of Marietta, Ohio, under diately to the house, secured a rifle and tomahawk

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

and returned to the scene of action. Dismounting Mrs. Sprague have been born eight children: Ran- and going to the tree he shot the panther through som (died at twenty-three years of age), Elijah the neck and down it came struggling to the (died at eight years of age), Angeline (died at four ground. The large wolf dogs of the family sprang years of age), Charlotte (died at eight years of upon it, and young Elijah, seizing the tomahawk age), Melina J. (wife of Charles W. Buker), Viola from his brother, struck him repeatedly. The (died at twenty-three years of age), Elijah (at tomahawk is still preserved in the family. The home on the farm), and Ela D. (a young lady at boys loaded the panther on the pony's back and in home). Mr. and Mrs. Sprague are members of triumph carried him home. Maj. Jonathan Cass, the Methodist Protestant church, and in politics he a large landholder of Dresden wanted to present is a strict democrat and is in favor of the alliance the brave boys with a suit of clothes, but Mr. movement. He is a practical farmer and has one Sprague would not allow it. He married Eliza- of the largest apiaries in this county. He is a stu- beth Palmer, daughter of Phineas Palmer, the dent of bee-keeping, has made a success of it and father of nine children : Mary, James, Julia, Rachel, now owns more than 100 good swarms. He has Cornelius, Joseph, John, Phobe and Ann. After been interested in bees ever since he was a boy marriage Elijah Sprague settled at Otsego. He and now has all the modern improvements and can was the father of five children: Phineas, Emily, make his own comb foundations.

James, Margaret A. and Emeline. Mr. Sprague Homer L. Stamets, furniture dealer of Frazeys- lived all his life in Union township, except one burg, Ohio, is from a family distinguished in both year which he passed in southern Indiana. Both Prussia, the country from which the family origi- himself and wife were members of the Methodist nally sprung, and America, where the great-grand- Protestant church. He lived to the good old age father of Homer, Philip Steinmetz, settled at the of eighty-six, dying in 1887. Phineas P. Sprague, beginning of the Revolutionary war. The name his son and our subject, was born August 31, 1825, has assumed a number of different forms among in Washington county, Ohio, where his father re- the Pennsylvanians. Philip Steinmetz was born sided one year after his marriage. He received in the province of Schwabruken, near the city of the usual limited common-school education, but has Schwabruken, Rhein Baiern, Prussia, southeast of always been a great reader. He accompanied his Antwerp, Belgium. He was professionally a father on many deer hunts, driving the deer to soldier, and was lieutenant of hussars in the army their farm for his father to shoot. He married of the Empire, belonging to the illustrious family Margaret J. Elson, daughter of Henry and Han- of whom we have the genealogy of six generations nah (Laughlin) Elson. Henry Elson was from of military men, the late Gen. Steinmetz of the Crawford county, Penn., near Meadville, of Ger- Prussian army being one of the number. Philip man descent and a son of Tunis Elson who came was of a negative disposition, but his descendants to Ohio in a pirogue with his family consisting of show bold, resolute and detiant qualities when once wife and four children: Sarah, Henry, Tunis and thoroughly espousing an opinion or cause. He James. There were two daughters who remained was finely educated, and an ardent republican, he at Paden's Island, Va. Tunis Elson proceeded to was hated by the sycophants and tools of monarchy, what is now Marquand Mills where the ripple and among other petty offenses to the same he, with stopped him. Samuel Sprague moved the Elsons some companions, was guilty, while hunting, of start- through the woods horseback and they settled there ing and killing some game belonging to the king. in a log hut, with neither door nor floor, which had The penalty was several months' imprisonment and been built by James Sprague. Here Mr. Elson forfeiture of pay. Steinmetz defied the officers and made a good farm and built the first gristmill in escaped, leaving his companions in custody. He this vicinity. Henry Elson, hisson, was the father made his way to the French frontier and securing of Mrs. Sprague and was a boy when his father protection, took passage for America, arriving at came to this country. He married Hannah Laugh- Philadelphia on the eve of the great Revolution. lin, and died at the age of eighty-two years in this He fought with distinction in the continental township. He and his wife were the parents of army and at Germantown, which was one of the three children: Margaret J., Charity G., and many battles in which he participated, he was James G., who died when young. Mrs. Elson is wounded. He served under Washington, to whom an old lady of seventy-nine years and still lives on tradition shows he was warmly attached, as cap- the old homestead where she moved when first tain of a Pennsylvania company of light-horse. married some sixty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. El- He was promoted for some gallant service to higher son were members of the Methodist church and he rank, which at the close of the war he was still has been a member of fifty years' standing. Phineas holding. He was at one time reluctantly induced P. Sprague, after his marriage, settled on the old to fight a duel with a British officer, who had the Elson farm where he has since lived. To Mr. and reputation of killing every Prussian that ever en-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

countered him. He met his foe on horseback, He resided on this farm until his death, which vanquished him, severing his head from his body. occurred at the age of eighty two years. He was He was of medium hight, but of powerful phy- married in Pennsylvania and was the father of sical stature. He was of a mechanical turn of mind, twelve children: John, George, Evan, Harrison, and was sober and temperate save in the habit of Leah, Malinda and Harriet, being the only ones smoking. He was a devoted member of the Lu- known. Mr. Stamets was a devout member of the theran church, and politically was a follower of Church of Christ, and throughout life was a man Thomas Jefferson. He penetrated the wilderness of strict integrity of character and is still well from Lancaster county, Penn., where some of his remembered by the old pioneers of the county. older children were born, and settled three miles His son, John, lives near Marysville, Ohio; George east of the present city of Greensburg, Westmore- resides at Brownsville, Penn., and a son of the land county. After some years he removed from latter, who also bears the name of George, is at Greensburg and purchased 500 acres of land, the the head of an immense co-operative store at Brad- site of which ancestral seat is one of the most dock, Penn., and is a prominent business manager beautiful and picturesque in Pennsylvania. Philip and friend of the great capitalist, Andrew Carnegie. Steinmetz was a great lover of horses, and even in George Jr.'s brothers are John, Evan and Harri- his advanced years trained his horse to leap, with son. The sisters are Ruth, Mary, Amy, Sarah and him on his back, over fences and gates, and hold- Amelia. Evan P. Stamets, son of George, and the ing his hat in his hand he would exclaim: "So father of the subject of this sketch, was born in geht du alte hussar." The helmet that he wore is Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1818, received a com- still preserved. He had a soldier's land grant, and mon-school education and was brought up to the selected land on which a part of East Liberty, four life of a farmer. He was married to Miss Sarah miles in the rear of Pittsburg, now stands. After E. Slaughter, daughter of Samuel and Margaret his death, which occurred in 1807, on the 4th of Slaughter [see sketch of Samuel Dunn], and to February, his heirs were notified that an immense their union were born seven children: Harriet, fortune of $7,000,000 was due them. They were John, Homer L., George E., Sarah E., Lydia A. tardy in investigating proceedings, and it was not and Amelia C. Mr. Stamets resided on the old until the year 1840 that claim was made to the homestead and added to it until he became the property. In that year the venerable John owner of 145 acres, and lived on this farm all his Schneider, of Wilkinsburg, grandson of Philip life. He and his wife were members of the Church Steinmetz, employed counsel to prosecute the mat- of Christ for about twenty-two years. He made ter. They ascertained the certainty of the inherit- horse-raising his chief business, and was a substan- ance but were unable to prove to the satisfaction tial farmer and a man of great integrity of char- of the German government the identity of Philip acter. He was a democrat in politics, and during Steinmetz, and the fortune is lost to his descend- the Civil war was a stanch Union man. Homer L. ants. Philip Steinmetz lies buried at Harold Stamets, his son, was born March 22, 1845, re- Church, Penn., and the G. A. R., each memorial ceived a good common-school education in his day, places floral tributes on his grave. He had youth and learned the carpenter's trade, at which three sons that bore commissions in the War of he worked from the time he was twenty-one years 1812; Philip, Jacob and John. The two former of age until 1889, eight years of which time were were distinguished as Indian fighters during that spent as a contractor. A part of this time he was war. Philip Steinmetz, Sr., was the father of with David McNaught and John Kipp. As a con- twelve children: Philip. Jacob. Susannah, George, tractor Mr. Stamets built the flouring mill at Peter, Leonard, Catherine, Mollie, Hannah, John, Frazeysburg and the Methodist Episcopal church Anna and Christopher. Their descendants are now at Frazeysburg, also many residences. In 1889 numerous. George Stamets (or Steinmetz) was he began dealing in furniture in Frazeysburg, and the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and has built up a good trade. He was married on was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., after- December 20, 1866, to Miss Nancy E. Wilson, ward moving to Muskingum county, Ohio. He daughter of William C. and Mary G. (Prior) Wil- was among the early pioneers here and for a num- son, the former of whom is a farmer of Irish ber of years ran the Mendenhall mill, which was descent. His father, Matthew Wilson, came from one of the first in the county. About 1822 he set- Ireland and settled in Muskingum county on Irish tled on land one mile north of Frazeysburg, which Ridge. Mr. and Mrs. Stamets are the parents of at that time was covered with heavy timber, and three children: Emmet L., William E. and Oscar like so many of the pioneers of that day

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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 108

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