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 111
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He with their capacious fireplaces are still standing. married the daughter of Salathiel Carter, of West The house has just been torn down, and although
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
built before 1808, the logs were still sound and 1798, to Leonard and Phoebe (Davis) Stump, who were used in the erection of another building, to were also Virginians of German descent. The serve, perhaps, another three-quarters of a cent- father of Leonard was John Stump, who married ury. Mr. Stump was a wealthy man for those a Miss Brake; he died in early life and his widow days, for he brought property with him from Vir- married John Rager. They moved to Muskingum ginia and became the owner of 3,000 acres of county in 1806, when the county was almost a land in Muskingum county. He died on the 8th wilderness, and here spent their declining years. of October, 1847, having been born on the 12th of Leonard Stump came to this county in 1804 and January, 1772. He came of good Virginia stock took up his residence on a farm in Licking town- and possessed excellent business qualifications. ship, about eleven miles from Zanesville, where William Stump, his son, and father of the subject he was called from life in 1846. He reared a of this sketch, was born in the old log house near family of eight children: John R., James D., Irville, and was brought up to a farm life, with Mary, Jackson, Ruth, William, Elizabeth and limited opportunity for acquiring an education. Phobe. Elizabeth is the only surviving member, He inherited 270 acres of land from his father her home being in Putnam county, this state. and was married to Miss Asenath Pierson, daugh- The mother of these children died about 1832. ter of Daniel Pierson and Johannah (Stiles) Pier- John R. Stump came with his parents to this son, both of whom were from New Jersey and were county and was here educated and afterward mar- descended from English ancestors. Daniel Pier- ried; his union with Miss Gorsuch taking place in son came to Ohio in 1819 and settled on the Fra- 1826, and eventually resulted in the birth of four zeysburg and Zanesville road in Muskingum children: Margaret, who died in 1863; John, who county, where he became possessed of a fair died in 1861; J. G., the subject of this sketch, amount of worldly goods. To Mr. and Mrs. Stump and Leonard N., who has been living in Colorado were born three children that grew to maturity: for the past three years. He was county com- Mary E., William and James S. Mr. Stump was missioner of this county from 1875 to 1878, also a careful and thrifty farmer, and at his death was serving part of another term. He is married to the owner of 311 acres of land. He was not a be- Annie Lynn, by whom he has four children. J. G. liever of secret organizations, but was of a very Stump was educated in the schools near his home peaceable turn of mind and attended strictly to his and was married in Licking township in 1868 to own affairs. He was an honorable man in every Miss Sarah Van Voorhis, a daughter of Daniel sense of the term, and his word was considered and Jane (Roberts) Van Voorhis, she being one of as good as his bond. He was a strong democrat their seven children: Jolin R., Victoria, Samuel politically, but was not an active politician. He F., Sarah A., Mary J., Fulton Z., and Henry C. lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years, Mrs. Stump was born in Licking township, this dying on the 1st of February, 1891. His daugh- county, in 1843, and in her youth was given good ter, Miss Mary Stump, is now living on the old educational advantages. She has borne her hus- homestead and is successfully managing a farm of band five children: Nellie, who was born in Lick- 140 acres. She is a capable and energetic woman, ing township in 1869; Charles, who was born in and has rapidly acquired a knowledge of business Madison township in 1870, and died January 12, and the most successful way of managing her own 1892; Daniel, who was born in Madison township affairs. The stone house in which she resides is in 1873; Mary, who was born in Madison town- now fifty-one years old and is a solid and substan- ship in 1876; and Jay, who was born in Dresden tial structure.
in 1877. All these children have been given
J. G. Stump is the owner of a fertile and well- excellent advantages and have attended high insti- kept farm of 581 acres in Muskingum county, tutions of learning. They all still reside at home Ohio, all of which is one tract comprising one of and are favorites in the social circles in which they the most magnificent bodies of land in this section move. Mr. Stump's eldest daughter is a member of the country. Besides this valuable property he of the Presbyterian church, and politically he is a owns landed interests in other counties and states democrat, and is ever ready to fill all calls of and is the owner of a farm in Kansas, also one in public trust. He is a public spirited man and is Missouri. His residence in Madison township is interested in all movements which tend to build a very handsome one, and he has the unbounded up the county. His Grandfather Stump was a satisfaction of knowing that he owes his prosperity first cousin of Andrew Jackson, and when boys to his industry and economy. He was born in they were reared together. His father was a Licking township, Muskingum county, June 30, second cousin of Stonewall Jackson. About 1740 1834, the third of four children reared by John R. or 1750 George Brake, the brother of Mr. Stump's and Rachel (Gorsuch) Stump, the former of whom great-grandmother, was stolen by the Indians in was born in Hardy county, Va., January 12, Hardy county, Va., when only four years of age,
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
and was brought to this part of Ohio, where he Given in Metz, 10th day of September, 1784." This was reared by them until he became a young man, was signed by the officers of the regiment. On the when he managed to escape and return to his back of this document appears a memorandum people.
stating that he had been paid in linen and shoes,
Conrad J. Sunkel, an influential citizen and a in all to a sum the equivalent of a little more than substantial farmer, was born in Bavaria, Germany, 15 livres. Subsequent to his discharge he emi- in 1842, and his parents, William and Margaret grated to America, settled in what is now Adams (Hines) Sunkel, were natives, also, of Germany, county, Penn., where is supposed to have oc- both born in 1816. They emigrated to the United curred his marriage with Miss Mary Magdalene States in 1847, located in Zanesville, Ohio, and Deitrick. Ten children were born to them as fol- there they have resided ever since. The father is lows: Phoba, born March 4, 1788; Nicholas, a retired farmer. They reared five sons, Conrad J. born February 15, 1789; George Jr., born Septem- being second in order of birth, and three are now ber 11, 1790; Jacob, born September 10, 1792; living. Conrad J. Sunkel was reared in Muskingum William, born September 6, 1793; Margaret, born county, and there resided until 1879, when he August 8, 1795; Elizabeth, born October 7, 1796; moved to Morgan county, Ohio, where he made his John, born August 16, 1798; Polly, born ,Novem- home until 1884. He then returned to the former ber 8, 1802, and Samuel, born January 14, 1804. county, where he has since resided. He was mar- In 1811 the family immigrated to Muskingum ried in 1864 to Miss Elizabeth Seybert, a native, county, Ohio, in wagons, in which were stored also, of Germany, whose parents emigrated to this their worldly effects. Two years previous to this, county at an early day, and are yet residents of the however, Nicholas and George (sons) came on a same. Mr. Seybert has always followed farming, prospecting tour to this county and selected the and has been unusually successful. Mr. Sunkel southeast quarter of section 27 of what is now and wife are the parents of an interesting family Brush Creek township. When the family made of six sons and one daughter. Mr. Sunkel has the journey Mrs. Swingle rode a horse most of held the office of township trustee several terms, the way from Pennsylvania and carried her young- also various other offices of the township, and is est son, Samuel, who was then seven years of age, now one of the directors of the county infirmary. most of the distance. Upon arriving they erected He is the owner of 152 acres of land five miles a log cabin, and soon set to work to clear their west of Zanesville, and resides on a farm one and a land, which was heavily timbered. Mr. Swingle half miles from that city. He has always affiliated and his sons erected a sawmill on Brush creek, one with the democratic party, and cast his first presi- of the first mills built in this vicinity, and to him dential vote for George B. McClellan. He and belongs the honor of naming the township at its Mrs. Sunkel are members of the German Evan- organization. George Swingle Sr., was a keen ob- gelical church, and he has held membership in the server and a well-informed man, his range of read- same as far back as he can remember. He has ing covering many topics with which he was con- been successful, is one of the substantial men of versant. He was a good citizen, became prosper- the township and is well respected. ous, and was respected by all who knew him. At
Rev. S. H. Swingle, Brush Creek, Ohio. George the age of eighty years he was so well preserved Swingle Sr., probably the founder of his name in that he could, without the aid of glasses, make the this country, and a respected and honored pio- finest shoes. The whole family were members of neer, was born at Saarbruch, Oberlinksweiler, dis- the Lutheran church, and of his ten children all trict of Otweiler, province of Nassau, Germany, became prominent citizens of their adopted county on July 25, 1755. Of his ancestors there is no save two, viz .: Nicholas, who settled in Morgan record extant. On July 2, 1776, he enlisted in the county, Ohio, and Elizabeth, who moved to Clark army of Louis XVI., of France. His discharge county, Ill. All the children led lives of useful- from that king's service is preserved, and is an in- ness and reared families that reflect honor and teresting document to his descendants, a liberal credit on their worthy and esteemed progenit- translation of which, from the French, is as fol- ors. George Swingle Sr. died in 1844, and his lows: "We, the undersigned, certify to all whom wife departed this life in 1848, at the age of eighty- it will concern, to have granted unconditional dis- six years. George Swingle Jr. was married to Miss charge to one George Schwingel, soldier of Com- Mary M. Martin, the ceremony taking place about pany La Gace, Regiment Nassau. Said Schwingel 1824. He located in the township, and in addition is twenty-six years old, size five feet ten and a half to farming operated a salt well for a number of inches, hair and whiskers brown, eyes grey, face years, which, in the end, proved disastrous to him long, Lutheran by religion, shoemaker by trade. financially. He was an enterprising and intelli- Said Schwingel has very faithfully served in the gent man, and was held in high esteem for his said regiment from July 2, 1776, to this date, many excellent qualities of character. To his mar-
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
riage were born eight children: Solomon H .; question that so agitated the public mind, and his Mary, wife of Solomon Dozer, this county; Eliza- voice and influence were fearlessly raised in the beth, wife of Jacob Mason, this county, Clarissa, defense of his country and his flag. wife of Jacob Elson, this county; Franklin, Hicks- G. W. Swingle, who is one of the well-known ville, Ohio; George W., this county; David, a mem- and much respected citizens of Newton township, ber of the Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer infantry, Muskingum county, Ohio, was born in Brush Creek and died in hospital, and Fanny, married Jacob township, on the farm where Christopher Swingle Stainbrook, Seneca county, Ohio. George Swingle now resides, August 28, 1833. He is a son of Jr. died on February 16, 1865, at the age of sev- George Swingle and the grandson of George Swin- enty-four. Mrs. Swingle was born November 24, gle Sr. [See sketch. ] G. W. Swingle was reared 1803, and died May 17, 1877. Mr. Swingle was to the arduous duties of the farm and supplemented a whig, but subsequently a republican in politics, a good practical education received in the common and was well informed on the affairs of the day. schools by a course in the academy at Cumberland, His eldest son, Rev. Solomon H. Swingle, was W. Va., and at Fultonham, Ohio. After this he born on the old home of the Swingle family, taught school for ten years, a part of the time in Brush Creek township, August 28, 1825. His Illinois, and the balance of the time in the schools boyhood was passed on the farm and in the pub- of Muskingum county, winning an enviable reputa- lic schools he obtained the rudiments of his educa- tion as an educator. In 1863 he enlisted in the tion, fitting himself to teach, which profession he Ohio National guards, but was not called into followed two terms. In 1849 he went to Colum- service. He was married in 1860 to Miss Martha bus, entered the Capital university, and taking A., daughter of George Baughman [see sketch], the full course, graduated in 1854. The following and subsequently located in Brush Creek township, winter he taught a select school in Roseville, Ohio, where he made his home until 1864. From there for a term of six months. On April 29, 1855, he moved to Newton, but shortly afterward returned he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of to Brush Creek township and there resided until Jolin Baughman, an old settler, of whom mention 1888, when he purchased his present farm, consist- is made in this volume. Mr. Swingle was or- ing of ninety acres of land. This farm is one of dained a minister in the English Evangelical Lu- the best in the township, and Mr. Swingle is a man theran church, in Zion church, near New Cumber- of advanced ideas and progressive principles, who land, Ohio. He had been licensed to preach pre- thoroughly understands every thing pertaining to viously, and installed in a charge. In this charge agriculture. Mr. and Mrs. Swingle are the parents he served a number of congregations until 1865, of the following children: Luther W. (died at the when he received a call to Brandenville, W. Va., age of ten years), Edward Sherman, (a high-school then a mission field, which was accepted, serving graduate and a teacher), Rosy C., Mary E., Augus- four regular congregations until 1869. He was tus B. and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Swingle are then called to New Lebanon, Penn., where he members of the Lutheran church, with which they ministered to three regular congregations until have been connected since childhood. They take a 1874, during two years of which time he conducted decided interest in all good work, and are well the academy of that place. In 1874 he received respected in the neighborhood. Politically Mr. a call fromn Prospect, Penn., which he accepted, Swingle affiliates with the republican party.
William Swingle was the fifth child and fourth
and ministered to four regular congregations until 1879, at which time he returned to his old home son of George Swingle, and was eighteen years of to recuperate and visit friends and relatives. age when the family settled in the wilds of Mus- Here he has since resided. In the spring of 1882 kingum county. He was married March 28, 1820, he embarked in general merchandising at Stover- to Susanna, daughter of Henry and Dorothea town, and was commissioned postmaster at the (Houpt) Pletcher, soon after which he settled in same time. He conducted his business for eight Morgan county and a short time later purchased years, and then sold out. A throat affliction com- 160 acres of land, which now comprises the home- pelled Mr. Swingle to give up ministerial work as a stead farm of his son, B. F. Swingle. This fine regular preacher, but he performis in an irregular farm he made a permanent home, and after put- fashion such duties as come in his way. To Mr. and ting it in a high state of cultivation and otherwise Mrs. Swingle have been born eight children: Emma greatly improving it, he resided on it until his H., wife of Rev. H. K. Gebhart, of the Lutheran death. He was a successful farmer and accumu- church, who has two children-Corinne and Helen; lated a handsome property which lie bequeathed to Sarah M .; William M., Ph. D., principal of the his children at his death. His union resulted in Greensburg, Penn., seminary; Henry R .; Charles the birth of six sons and three daughters: Helena, M. ; James W. ; Lucy V. and Ida M. During the born May 3, 1822, and died September 6, 1842; late war Mr. Swingle took decided ground on the was the wife of Isaac. Cohagan; Diana, born Sep-
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
tember 23, 1823, and died October 17, 1865; was consecutive years and acquired a good reputation the wife of William Deitrick; Solomon T. was born as an educator. His first school of three months July 15, 1825; Susannah A. was born December 8, he taught for $45 and boarded himself. On 1829, and is the wife of Solomon S. Baughman; August 28, 1856, he married Miss Lucy R., Henry G. was born October 8, 1831; William W. daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Deitrick) Gibson. was born October 19, 1833; David F. was born After his marriage Mr. Swingle settled upon the July 24, 1836, and died in infancy; Benjamin F. old homestead of his grandfather and there he has was born December 2, 1838, and Isaac was born resided until the present time. He has prospered December 3. 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Swingle were in business affairs and is one of the well-to-do citi- members of the Lutheran church, and were active zens of Muskingum county. To him and his esti- in religious movements. Mr. Swingle was at first mable wife have been born eight children, the a whig in politics, but afterward became a repub- two eldest dying in infancy, unnamed. Rosa lican. He was called from life March 14, 1876, Florence, born July 23, 1860, wife of Charles A. but his widow yet survives him and has reached Fye of Zanesville; Emma J., born October 4, 1863; the advanced age of ninety years.
Willie Sherman, born November 20, 1864, and B. F. Swingle, their son, was their seventh died February 26, 1865; Francis E., born January child in order of birth, and was born on the 16, 1866, is a graduate of Zanesville High school farm where he now resides. He fitted himself and has been a student at Theil college, Green- for a teacher in the public schools of his native ville, Penn., where he is taking a scientific course; county, his first term being taught at the age of Lewis H., born September 19, 1868, who fitted seventeen years. He continued to follow this himself to teach in the common schools and is now calling for about fifteen years, and acquired the following that profession; and Norah Ellen, born reputation of a successful educator and a fine dis- October 19, 1870. All the children are well edu- ciplinarian. He was married to Elizabeth, daugh- cated and his daughters have good musical edu- ter of Adam and Catherine (Stover) Baughman cations, being quite proficient in the art. Politic- January 6, 1860, and settled on the old homestead ally Mr. Swingle has not been a seeker after the of which he is now the owner. He and his wife honors of office, preferring rather to attend to his are the parents of the following children; Rosetta, own business affairs, but he affiliates with the re- wife of R. R. Weaver; Ida C., wife of Stephen publican party. He and wife and children are Gibson; Warren F., married Lizzie France; Rox- acceptable and useful members of the Lutheran ana C., Edwin M., Alta E., Nellie N. and Albert church, and all take a decided interest in good E. The mother of these children was born in work.
this county June 17, 1841. Their home farm com-
Henry G. Swingle, one of the substantial farm- prises 225 acres of fine land, which is well im- ers of Roseville, Muskingum county, Ohio, is the proved, and in a fine state of cultivation. Since second son of William Swingle and the grandson 1874 he has been interested in the Grange move- of George Swingle. He was born on the home- ment, and has taken considerable interest in the stead of his father, which is now the property of work, and for two years was state lecturer Ohio B. F. Swingle, October 8, 1831, and became famil- State grange. During these years he visited iar with the duties of the farm at an early age. nearly fifty counties, organized many lodges, and He received a fair education in the common schools, lectured on topics pertaining to the work of the fitted himself for teaching, and for ten years fol- order. At present he is district deputy. He is a lowed that profession in the schools of Muskingum well-preserved man, is well read upon the general county, five years of which time in one district. topics of the day, and takes an active and leading He was a successful educator, and there are docu- part upon all questions pertaining to the public ments yet extant that attest his success as an in- good. He was nominated for congress in his dis- structor. He remained with his father until trict in 1890, but declined to accept the honor, twenty-four years of age, at which time heselected owing to his lecture work in the Ohio State grange a wife in the person of Miss Lydia A. Baughman, at the time. In 1862 he was commissioned second daughter of Joseph Baughman, their nuptials lieutenant by Gov. David Tod, of a company of being celebrated March 25, 1855. A short time Ohio Home guards, the commission constituting afterward Mr. Swingle bought 196 acres of land him a recruiting officer.
in Clay township, then partly improved, and on
Solomon L. Swingle is the third child and eld- this place he has since resided. Mrs. Swingle est son of William Swingle, a sketch of whom ap- was born on January 23, 1833, and died on March pears in this work. Solomon's early life was 6, 1873. Nine children were born to this union: passed in assisting on the farm and in attending Cecelia A., Laura I., Lyman C., Charles S., El- the common schools, where he fitted himself for dora N., Caroline A., Mary S., Jennie E. and a teacher. He taught very successfully for eighteen Lizzie H. Lyman C. and Eldora N. became teach-
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
ers in the county and all the children are well edu- organization. He and his wife are the parents of cated. Charles S. holds a certificate though he eight children: Marion S., William A., Mertie I., has not taught. Mr. Swingle's second wife was Jennie I., Edna G., John H., Frederick E. and formerly Miss Martha E. Deitrick, daughter of Lillian. Politically Mr. Swingle is a republican, Jacob Deitrick [see sketch], and the ceremony was and is a member of the board of the Soldiers' performed October 14, 1874. Mr. Swingle has Relief Commission, an organization that provides held the office of trustee repeatedly, and is a man for the relief of indigent soldiers. He and his of good executive ability. He is the owner of wife and eldest children are members of the 300 acres of land and has it all well improved. He Lutheran church. The last school which Mr. has been liberal in providing for his children and Swingle taught was in the same district in which started them out in life when they began making Gen. James A. Garfield taught his first term of homes for themselves. He has been eminently school. His son, William A., is a successful successful and is one of Muskingum county's teacher. Marcus Williamson, the father of Mrs. wealthy and progressive citizens. He has been a Swingle, was born in Virginia, and was a son of member of the Lutheran church from his boy- John Williamson, who settled in Franklin county hood and is one of its liberal supporters. In poli- and afterward at Duncan's Falls, this county. tics he is a stanch advocate of the principles of He was a carpenter by trade. Marcus was married the republican party. He has a large, roomy to the daughter of Michael and Martha (Ayers) house, and his barns and outbuildings are good Waxler, the latter being the daughter of Martha
and substantial. Mr. Swingle is a well-informed Ayers and a granddaughter of Jacob Ayers, of man, and keeps well posted on the current events Welsh origin. Jacob Ayers came to Muskingum of the day. His wife and children are also mem- county, Ohio, before the Indians had been removed bers of the Lutheran church.
from the country, and one of his children was
I. C. Swingle is the youngest son of William captured by the red men and held in bondage for Swingle and grandson of George Swingle, the several days. The child's name was Moses, and latter being the founder of the family in at the time of his capture, an adopted daughter by Muskingum county. I. C. Swingle was born on the name of Carpenter was also captured. The the William Swingle homestead, now owned by B. latter had been picking beans, and Moses Ayers, F. Swingle, December 3, 1841, and his boyhood with his gun in hand had been sent along to guard, was devoted to tilling the soil and to attending but boy-like he removed his gun lock, and while in the district schools, where he obtained a sufficient this defenseless position, an Indian stole up behind knowledge of the " world of books" to fit him to him and made him a prisoner. Later both children teach. He entered the schoolroom as instructor made their escape. Michael Waxler died in 1867, at the age of twenty, and with the exception of aged about seventy years, his wife's death having three terms, he has since wielded the ferule-a occurred in 1855. period of twenty-seven years. He has always been
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