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 116

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 116

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609

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Thomas Williams has been a resident of Mus- hard-working man, and by his industry became one kingum county, Ohio, all his life, and has spent a of the most successful farmers of his day. In life time in pursuing the noble vocation of agri- politics he voted with the republican party. Mrs. culture, having learned this occupation during his Williams died on the farm owned by our subject in youth. His life has not been without adventure or 1839. She was the daughter of William and Anna self-denying experiences, yet success has attended (Stock) Denison, who were among the early settlers him both in material affairs and in the esteem of Salem township, and who were among the larg- which has been accorded him by those among est land owners in the township, or probably in the whom he has so long made his home. He was county, owning about 1,500 acres in one tract. born in the city of Zanesville, Ohio, near where This land is still owned by the Denison family. the courthouse now stands, in 1811, and after William S. Williams was reared to the arduous starting out to fight life's battles for himself he duties of the farm on the property he now owns, was married to Miss Wisecaver. After her death, which has on it some of the improvements made about 1860, he was married to Mrs. Jane Handle, by his father in 1806. The schools of that day widow of Nicholas Handle, and the daughter of were few and far between, and as a consequence Amos Vernon, who settled in the southeast part of Mr. Williams received but a limited education. the county at an early day and followed farming. He was married in 1837 to Miss Mary Williams, To Thomas Williams and wife were born six chil- who was born June 7, 1811, and who is now the dren: George, Ruth, Ephraim, Mary, Grant and oldest lady in Salem township. She was the Flora. Four of the children-three sons and a daughter of Steven and Sarah (Bond) Williams, daughter-are married and reside in Muskingum who were of Highland township, Muskingum county, Ohio. Mr. Williams is still living and re- county. She was about two years of age when sides on a farm in the southeast part of the county. her parents moved to this county, and here they His children are all married and reside in Muskin- followed agricultural pursuits until receiving their gum county. Ephraim, who is residing on a farm final summons, the mother dying in 1863, at the in Madison township, is well known throughout age of seventy-five, and the father in 1867, at the age the county as one of the honest, enterprising young of eighty-five years. Both were members of the agriculturists of the same. He was married in Baptist church, and he was a republican in politics. 1885 to Miss Anna King, daughter of Rev. J. P. They were the parents of seven children, nearly all King, a Methodist Protestant minister. She was of whom are now deceased. Mary, subject's wife, born in Guernsey county, Ohio. Four interesting was reared on a farm in Highland township, and children have been the fruits of this union: Ray after her marriage came to live in Salem township, C., Ralph K., Myrl and Roland. Ephraim Will- where she has remained ever since. She has iams resides on a farm owned by George Copland, borne her husband these children: Henry H. (who and has been with that gentleman for the past five was born in 1841, and died in 1869), John (in years. In politics he advocates the principles of 1849), Jared C. (in 1852), and George W. (in the republican party. He and wife are members 1855). . Mr. Williams and family hold membership of the Prospect Methodist Protestant church of in the Baptist church. Like his father, Mr. Will- Madison township.

iams is an ardent supporter of the principles of

William S. Williams, farmer, Adamsville, Ohio. the republican party. He has been successful as This old settler and much-respected citizen was an agriculturist, and is now the owner of one of born in Muskingum county, Ohio, May 31, 1817, the best farms in Muskingum county. Honest to the union of Jesse and Lucy (Denison) Williams, and upright, he is well respected by all. who were among the first settlers of the county.

Zachariah Wilson, the grandfather of Fredrick Jesse Williams was born in Connecticut, but came Wilson, Otsego, Ohio, was of Irish descent and to Muskingum county in 1806 and settled on the born in Pennsylvania. He married Lorena Chaneth farm in Salem township. He married Miss Deni- and they were the parents of nine children: Jere- son at Zanesville, and to them a family of ten chil- miah, Isaac, Edward, Joseph, James, Hannah, Sal- dren were born, only two now living. Mr. Will- lie, Batsy and Lorena. Mr. Wilson moved to Ohio iams was one of the pioneers of the county, and and settled among the pioneers of Guernsey county one of its most prominent and substantial farmers, about 1813-15, when that county was a wilderness. having accumulated a large amount of property at He lived in Wills township, was a weaver by trade the time of his death, which occurred in the town and died suddenly when about fifty years of age. of Adamsville, Salem township, in 1862. He and Mrs. Wilson was a member of the Methodist church. wife were active members of the Baptist church, Jeremiah Wilson, their son, and the father of the and took a prominent part in educational and subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette county, religious enterprises, as well as in all enterprises Penn., and was a boy when his parents brought him for the good of the county. He was an honest, to the Ohio wilderness. He learned farming and

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

married Elizabeth Slaughter, daughter of Fred

One of the oldest and most highly respected Slaughter, from Virginia, of Dutch descent and citizens of Muskingum county, who has been early settlers of Guernsey county, Ohio. To Mr. prominently connected with its history for many and Mrs. Wilson were born twelve children. The years, is James C. Wilson, farmer of New Concord, following lived to maturity: Fredrick, Zachariah, Ohio. He was born in Union township, this John, Mary, Joseph, Jesse, Robert, James and county, on the 23d of January, 1815, and was the Margaret. After marriage Mr. Wilson settled in fourth in order of birth of twelve children born to Wills township, Guernsey county, where he lived James Wilson who was born in Allegheny county, until 1846, when he moved to Knox towship of the Penn., on the Youghoigheny river, March 15, same county, and settled on a farm of 160 acres. 1783. The latter was the fourth child resulting He was a substantial farmer and a hard-working, from the marriage of Robert and Catherine (Con- industrious man in his day. Both himself and wife ner) Wilson. Robert Wilson was a native of Berks were members of the Baptist church. Fredrick county, Penn., born about 1750, and was one Wilson, his son, was born March 19, 1822, reared of the pioneers of western Pennsylvania, partic- on his father's farm, and received a common-school ipating in several fights with the Indians. He education. He married Adelina Jones, daughter died in that state at a good old age. He was a of Ashbell and Sarah (Williams) Jones. Mr. Jones well-to-do farmer and at the time of his death was from Bucks county, Penn., descending from owned 350 acres of land. His family consisted of Welsh stock. His father, Ashbell Sr., was from seven children: Elizabeth, who married John Wales, a soldier in the Revolutionary war and had Reasoner, of Guernsey county; Polly, wife of John one son, Abner, in the War of 1812. Ashbell Jones Mckinney, also of Guernsey county; Jane, who Jr., came to Ohio in 1842 and settled in Mus- married William Findley, of Pennsylvania, Alle- kingum county, near Adamsville. He was the gheny county; Margaret, who married William father of seven children who lived to maturity: McClure, of Allegheny county, Penn .; one Eleanor, John, Adelina, Rachel, Enos, Sarah M. died young; Joseph (deceased) was one of the and Cyrenius. Mr. Jones lived to the great age of early settlers of Guernsey county, but later moved eighty-three years, and died on his farm in Knox to Indiana, where he passed away; and James, the township, Guernsey county, Ohio. He was a dea- father of our subject. James Wilson was about con in the Baptist church, a man whose judgment twenty-three years of age when he moved to was respected and held the office of justice of the Muskingum county, and up to that time he had peace and was constable for many years. In pol- been reared on a farm in Allegheny county, itics he is a democrat. His wife lived to be eighty- Penn. He came here in 1806, on horse- five years of age. Fredrick Wilson, after marriage, back, and was four days in making the journey. settled in Guernsey county and lived one and one- He bought land at $1.25 per acre. in the woods, in half years on the old Wilson home place. In 1852 section 11, erected a cabin and resided there, he bought his present farm and by industry added alone, for two years. He was married in the to it until he now owns 135 acres. He cleared the summer of 1808 and went back home in winter. His most of this from the woods by hard work and first wife was Mary Findley, a native of Pennsyl- made a home. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were vania, and the daughter of Judge David Findley. born five children: Dr. Thomas R. (married The fruits of this union were two children, Robert Charity C. Buker, daughter of Alpha Buker. [See and David. The former was born in October, 1809, sketch of Decatur Buker. ] He resides in Bloom- and is now a farmer of Rich Hill township, while field, Coshocton county, where he has practiced the latter married Miss Margaret McMurray and medicine for fifteen years. He has two children), moved to Iowa, where his death occurred in 1860. Sarah E. (died of scarlet fever at six years of age); Mrs. Wilson died in 1811 and the following year Ashbell (died of scarlet fever at four years of age); Mr. Wilson took for his second wife Miss Mary James A., married Emma J. Hutchinson (he is Cumings, a native of Greene county, Penn., a farmer of Guernsey county, Ohio, on the old born in 1792, and one of seven children, four Jones farm. They have one child); and Martha daughters and three sons born to James and A. (who resides at home). Both Mr. and Mrs. Margaret Cumings, who were originally from Wilson are devout members of the Baptist church. Greene county, Penn., but who settled in Mr. Wilson has been township assessor and treas- Union township, Muskingum county, in 1808. urer, takes a great interest in educational matters The children were named as follows : Mary, and has served his township on the school board Susan, Jane, Margaret, John, Samuel and David, for many years. He is a public-spirited man, in all now deceased. The mother of these children favor of good roads and has also served as super- died in 1829 and the father in 1835. There were visor. In fact Mr. Wilson takes an interest in all no physicians in this part of the county at that good enterprises and has contributed largely of his early period and Grandma Cumings attended the birth of over a thousand children. To Mr. and

means to support his church.

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Mrs. Wilson were born ten children who are Miss Alice C. Richey, a native of Muskingum named as follows : John C., died in this township county, Ohio, born July 11, 1859, and one of a in 1889; James C. (subject); Catherine, died when large family of children born to William and thirty four years of age; Margaret A., died in Elizabeth (Henderson) Richey. Mr. and Mrs. 1887; Joseph, died when six years of age, and the Wilson became the parents of four daughters, remainder died in infancy. The mother of these Angie, Jennie, Lillie and Mary. Mrs. Wilson is children was born in Greene county, Penn. a member of the U. P. church. Mr. Wilson is in 1792, and came to this county when about interested in politics and votes with the democratic sixteen years of age. She and her husband lived party. He has a farm of 138 acres, which he owns happily together for fifty years, he dying in 1862 in partnership with his half brother, Elmer, and in and she in 1875. Both were worthy members of connection with his farming interests he is engaged lican in politics. His son, James C. Wilson, the U. P. church, and he was a whig and repub- quite extensively in stockraising, making a specialty of short horncattle. He is a public spirited young subject of this sketch, was born on the farm that man, and is interested in all movements for the his father had purchased from the government and upholding of the county. Samuel E. Wilson, the received his early education in the subscription third child born to James C. Wilson's third schools of the day, and attended the Pleasant Hill marriage, was born in this county on the 8th of school. When twenty-one years of age he began June, 1863, and here reached manhood and working for himself and one year later he was received his education. When twenty-two years of married to Miss Susan McCormack, a native of age he started to farm on the Lorimer farm and Rockbridge county, Va., born in 1818, and there continued two years, when he moved to his the daughter of Robert McCormack. She died in present property. He was married to Miss Jennie this county in 1851. Two years later Mr. Wilson Watson, a native of Westland township, Guernsey married Samantha Huston, a native of Union county, Ohio, born on the 6th of March, 1869, and township, born in 1832, and the daughter of the daughter of John C. and Mary E. (Dilley) William and Sarah Huston. She died in 1857, Watson, the father a native of Washington county, 4 leaving two sons, William and Cumings, the former Penn., and the mother of Cumberland, dying at the age of five years and the latter living Guernsey county. Mr. and Mrs. Watson were the on the old - place. He is married and has four parents of these children: Mary A., William, children. In 1858 Mr. Wilson took for his third Jennie (wife of Mr. Wison), John, Frank and wife Miss Angeline Elsea whose birth occurred in Essie. The father of these children was a farmer this county in 1825. Five children were the result and moved to Muskingum county shortly after the of this union: Louis D., a merchant of Norwich; birth of Jennie. His death occurred May 11, Mary, at home; Samuel Elmer, a farmer, is married 1881, He and family held membership in the U. and has three children; Charles, a clerk in New P. church and he was a republican in politics. York city, is in the employ of the American Samuel E. Wilson's marriage resulted in the birth Insurance company at a salary of $1,500 per year, of three children: James C., John C. and and Frank is at home farming. Mr. and Mrs. Florence. Like his father Mr. Wilson is a Wilson are connected with the M. E. church, democrat and a public-spirited man. He carried although the Wilson family were formerly all on the farm for his father.

United Presbyterians. Formerly a whig in politics he later affiliated with the democratic ship, Muskingum county, Ohio, living within two party and is now for the best man. He has held miles of New Concord. He was born in Salt Creek office in this county for the past fifty years, and township, this county, in 1843, January 7, the fifth has been one of the leading members of his church. child of Robert and Elizabeth (Jamison) Wilson. He and his children own 418 acres of land in this The father was a son of James Wilson, who will township and 480 in Clay county, Neb., and be represented in the sketch of James C. Wilson. he is prominently identified with the agricultural Robert Wilson was born in 1809, on the farm set- and stockraising affairs of the county. He has tled by his father in Union township, one mile one of the finest, and best improved farms in the south of New Concord, and was reared to farm life. county, and everything about the place indicates He attended the school of Fox Creek district and the owner to be a man of thrift and energy. He was a school teacher in this county in his early life. also has over 100 stands of bees, and is interested He married Miss Elizabeth Jamison and this union in this pursuit. His eldest son by his second was blessed with six children: Mary, Margaret marriage, John Cumings Wilson, was born on the W., Joseph F., John J., James R. and Jesse W. old homestead June 26, 1856, and his life was Mary died in early childhood. Margaret W., now divided in youth in attending the district school Mrs. Samuel Caldwell, lives at Morning Sun, Iowa. and in assisting on the farm. In 1878 he married Joseph F. was a soldier in Company F, Seventy-

James R. Wilson is a resident of Union town-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

eighth Ohio Volunteer infantry. He enlisted in war he came home, engaged in farming and on December, 1861 as a private in Company B, and November 18, 1866, married Jennie E. Thompson was transferred to Company F, promoted to ser- of Peters Creek. She was the daughter of Gor- geant and took a part in the battles of Fort Don- don and Eliza (Walker) Thompson, of Irish descent, elson and Shiloh. During the two days' march and born in Guernsey county, Ohio, one of a fam- from Shiloh to Corinth he was taken sick and only ily of five children: Jennie E., David G., (now a lived a few days. He was a very bright young minister of the Reformed Presbyterian church of soldier and loved by all his company. He was southern Illinois), John W. of (Guernsey county), educated at Muskingum college and would have Sarah A., (now Mrs. J. C. Palmer of Cambridge), graduated soon had the war not broken out. He and James C., (living in Illinois). The mother of taught school several winters, and was known as this family is now living in Cambridge with Mr. one of the best young teachers of the county. and Mrs. J. C. Palmer, her husband having died John J. died after the war. He was a soldier in some years ago. Mrs. Wilson was educated at the Seventy-eighth Ohio, Company A., having en- the college of New Concord and later was a teacher listed in 1861 as a private and served to the end of in Guernsey county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the war, working hard for his country. After the the parents of seven children: Clarence M., now close of the war he went to Iowa and married Mag- teaching in Kansas; Joseph F., now of Olantha, gie Wilson. His health failing, they went to Kas., farming; Bessie G., at home; Finley M., at- Colorado, but returned to Iowa where he died, tending college at New Concord; John W., helping leaving a wife and two sons: Miller and Lincoln. on the home farm; Robert, at home; Eva, at Cam- James R. (our subject) and Jesse W., now living bridge. May 31, 1882, Mrs. Wilson died, a de- in New Concord. He was a soldier in Company vout member of the Reformed Presbyterian church. A, Seventy-eighth Ohio regiment, having joined In 1885 Mr. Wilson took for his second wife the army at Vicksburg in 1863 and serving to the Nanie A. Dew, a native of Monroe township, and close of the war. He married Miss Emery. They the daughter of Thomas and Jane (Wallace) Dew. have eight children. Our subject's mother died The Dew family were originally from Pennsylvania, when he was but four years of age, and his father but the parents are now living in New Concord. married Sarah McNaughten, daughter of Neal and To this union was born one child, Edna M. Her (Robeson) McNaughten. Three children were born mother died when she was but two years of age. of this union: William N., living in Rich Hill She was also a teacher and a member of the Re- township and married. Eunice E., married Joseph formed Presbyterian church, to which she devoted Hallenbeck of Hillsdale, Michigan, and Robert, much of her time. Mr. Wilson holds a member- living at home. The father is still living in Rich ship in the same church and gives liberally of his Hill township, a member of the Presbyterian means and time to its work. He has a well-im- church, in which he is an elder, taking great inter- proved farm of ninety-three acres, which he bought est in all church work. James R. Wilson was about twelve years ago and devotes his time to educated in this county, and attended school in farming and stockraising.

this and Rich Hill townships. When the war

Simeon M. Winn, the prosecuting attorney for broke out he enlisted in Company A, Seventy- Muskingum county, Ohio, is well fitted for the eighth Ohio Volunteer infantry, in November, 1861, position, he is now filling, for besides possessing a and took part in the battles at Shiloh, Corinth, thorough knowledge of all legal technicalities, he Iuka, Holly Springs, Vicksburg and Champion's has the ability to express himself in easy style and Hill. He was taken prisoner at Vicksburg and forcible language, which has the effect of convinc- sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he was exchanged ing judge, jury and audience. He was born in and rejoined his regiment at Vicksburg. After Salem township, in the county in which he is now that he was in the raid from Vicksburg to Meridian residing near Adamsville, January 27, 1862. His and return; after which he returned home on vet- father, Dolphin Winn, was born in Loudoun eran furlough. On returning with the regiment county, Va., in 1810, and when thirteen years of he engaged in the Georgia campaign from Chat- age came to Ohio and settled on what is now

tanooga to Atlanta. In the battle of Atlanta he known as the "old field farm" in Perry township, was wounded in the shoulder, the ball never hav- this county, which was called such from the fact that ing been removed. His last battle was at Kings- it was the first land to be cleared in the township. ton, N. C., under General Cox and during the time William Winn, the paternal grandfather was one of Sherman's march to the sea he was with Thomas of the pioneers of this section and the hardships at Nashville, not being able on account of wounds which he and his family were compelled to endure, to accompany his regiment under General Sherman were of a most discouraging description, but they on his march to the sea. Toward the close of conquered the many difficulties that strewed their the war he was promoted to sergeant. After the pathway and eventually became well-to-do. Dolphin .

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Winn received the limited advantages that fell to

Dr. O. M. Wiseman, physician and surgeon, the lot of the pioneer boy, but made the most of his Zanesville, Ohio. In Morgan county, Ohio, on the opportunities and became a well-informed man. In 30th of August, 1860, there was born to the union March, 1837, he married Catherine Jordan, a of Overton B. and Eliza (Osborn) Wiseman, a son, daughter of Caleb Jordan and a native of Balti- to whom they gave the initials of O. M. The more, Md., where she was born March 16, parents were natives of Muskingum county, Ohio, 1817. She came to this section of the country but the paternal grandfather, Michael Wise- when eleven years of age and immediately after man, was born on the Cheat river, Penn. He her marriage she and her husband located on a was a soldier in the War of 1812 and held an farm in Perry township where they resided until honorable discharge. He came to the Buckeye the spring of 1855, when they moved to Salem state about 1815, located in Muskingum county, township where Dolphin Winn died September 19, and there followed agricultural pursuits, until his 1885. His widow continues to reside on the home death. The father of our subject was born in place and for one of her advanced years is very 1817 and also followed the occupation of a farmer. active and capable. Of a family of eight sons and He removed to Morgan county, Ohio, many years six daughters born to them, five sons and three ago, and now lives retired. To his marriage were daughters are still living, of whom Simeon M. is the born eight children, six of whom are living: youngest. His youthful days were devoted to the George, Lorena, Charlotte, wife of Frank Ralston, monotonous duties of the farm and in attending near Cincinnati; Mayna, Dr. O. M. and Charles. the district schools and the graded school at Adams- The Doctor was reared in his native county, re- ville, and in October, 1882, he began teaching ceived his education in the public schools, and the school, to which honorable calling he devoted first money that he ever earned for himself was about three years. In the meantime he had begun obtained by hoeing corn when nine years of age, the study of law and in July, 1884, he came to for which he received 50 cents per day. Forty Zanesville and began to thoroughly fit himself for cents of this money he spent for a Bible, and this the practice of the noble science of law under the he has since kept and treasured. When he was ten able tutelage of Frank H. Southard, after which, years of age he worked in Cochran's cigar factory in 1885, he entered Zanesville college, took a com- in summer and attended school in winter, earning plete course and once more resumed his studies. money enough to buy all his own clothing and On October 5, 1886, he was admitted to the bar of school books. In June, 1880, he came to Zanesville Ohio, and in November of the same year he opened and canvassed the town for religious pictures, but an office in Zanesville, and sprung at once into later engaged with the Brown Manufacturing com- prominence as one of the leading attorneys of the pany. In 1886 he began the study of medicine, county. His ability was recognized in November, and in the fall of that year went to Columbus, 1887, by his election on the democrat ticket to the where he took his first course at Starling Medical position of prosecuting attorney for Muskingum college, from which he graduated in the spring of county and in 1890 he was the unanimous choice 1890. Dr. J. S. Haldeman was his preceptor. Dr. of his party, being nominated by acclamation, and Wiseman certainly deserves great credit for his was eventually re-elected to the office. He is a push and energy. He is in every sense of the past officer of Zanesville lodge No. 114, of the B. P. term aself-made man. He has ever been economical O. E., is a member of Mechanic's lodge No. 235, of but not miserly, and is ever ready to assist all in the I. O. O. F., and is a charter member of Phoenix distress, not only professionally, but with money. lodge No. 388, of the K. of P. September 19, 1888, He is building up a paying practice and has many he was married to Miss Julia Menefee, a native of warm friends. He is a member of the P. O. S. of Muskingum county, daughter of Thomas and Lizzie A. and Kights of Macabees. He was twice elected (Duvall) Menefee. Mr. and Mrs. Winn reside in president of the first named order. He was mar- Zanesville, to the social circles of which city they ried in the fall of 1881 to Miss Carrie M. Carter, a are prominent acquisitions. Mrs. Winn is quite native of Coshocton county, Ohio, and the fruits skillful with the brush and many beautiful oil and of this union have been two children: Audrey Lee crayon works adorn her home. She has given and Paul Clarence C. Mrs. Wiseman is a mem- lessons in both. Mr. Winn has acquired a prom- ber of the Presbyterian church.

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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 116

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