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 71

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 71

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

eight children: Renben, Wesley, John, Phebe, honesty of those pioneer times is well illustrated Mary, Ann, Ellen and William, the last named by this story. That a boy of that tender age could being but nine years of age at that time. Three make such a journey at all is to be wondered at, of the daughters were married women. Thomas but that he could return safely through the woods Blizzard was of mixed ancestry, the blood of the hundreds of miles, with a considerable sum of Spaniard, Frenchman and Englishman flowing in money in his possession, very often camping at his veins. He came to Ohio with a company of night in the woods, or reaching, if possible, the pioneers, ten families as nearly as can be learned, friendly shelter of some pioneer backwoods cabin and followed the Zane trace to Irville, arriving in where the honest settler would give him shelter in November, 1808. They cut their way through its one room and a chance to sleep on a shake- the unbroken wilderness to Jackson township and down, or more likely on the floor, speaks well for camped the first winter three and a half miles the good old times when the "latch string was from Irville, in the Ohio Canal bottoms, camping always out" and thieves and robbers almost un- near his son-in-law, Nathan Baker, making a bar- known. The Spartans, one of the fiercest tribes ricade and passing the winter in wagons. In the of history, trained their boys to feats of strength spring Mr. Blizzard settled temporarily about and endurance. Our pioneer ancestors, of neces- where the town of Frazeysburg now stands, sity, were also trained to great feats of endurance Clark Hollenback, one of his sons-in-law, and him- and strength. William Blizzard, the young boy self living and farming together. It is believed who made the perilous journey, was the father of that Mr. Blizzard, Hollenback and Samuel Smith, the subject of this sketch. Thomas Blizzard re- another son-in-law, lived together until April 1, ceived the deed to his land April 1, 1817, from 1817, when Mr. Blizzard bought a claim of John John Hardesty, who had entered it in 1812, and Hardesty, the southwest quarter of section 12, and here lived the remainder of his days, dying at the here his son, Col. Blizzard, lived for years on what age of eighty-five. He was an old pioneer of the is called the "Old Blizzard homestead." Thomas early American stamp, who preferred to face the Blizzard also entered the southeast quarter of sec- perils of a pioneer life to remaining in a more tion 12, in 1812, which land he afterward sold to settled portion. Mr. Blizzard was very friendly Samuel Smith in 1817, but it subsequently came to one of the Indians who visited him often, and in Col. Blizzard's possession. Nathan Baker lived who at one time wanted some powder which Mr. near them, and was the first justice of the peace of Blizzard had brought from Virginia in kegs, offer- Jackson township. He came here before the Bliz- ing in exchange for some of it to point out the zards, and was a son-in-law of Thomas Blizzard. locality of a lead mine, which he said if the In 1814 Mr. Blizzard sent his son, William, a boy of Indians were to find out he had betrayed, he would about fifteen years, back through the woods to East not be allowed to live. Mr. Blizzard asked for Virginia on horseback, a distance of several hun proof, for powder was more precious than lead. dred miles, riding " the little gray mare" as she The Indian went away, and returned with samples was called. This long journey embraced crossing of lead, but Mr. Blizzard would not take the the Alleghany mountains at a time when the entire bargain as he thought he could not spare the distance was an unbroken wilderness, and as it was powder. Therefore, to this day the secret re- just at the close of the War of 1812-14, back settle- mains unsolved, and there is a possibility that ments were in an uneasy condition, fearing danger within a short distance from the old Blizzard from the Indians. But a few cabins had been homestead there is a valuable lead mine awaiting erected on the Zane trail, which was but little a discoverer. In those early days the country better than a blazed trail. Mr. Blizzard gave the abounded in game, black bear, wolf, deer, panther boy careful directions as to the course to be fol- and wild turkey. Reuben and Wesley Blizzard lowed, and particularly enjoined him to give "the were famous hunters, and brought down a great little gray mare" the run when in doubt as to deal of game. The former was present at the which path to take, and trust to her remembrance battle of Tippecanoe as a scout, and finally bought of the road she had traveled before. "The little the land where the battle was fought, passing the gray mare" was very intelligent and a favorite remainder of his days. Game constituted the

with Thomas Blizzard, who had confidence in her principal meat of the families. When they first recollecting the road and trusted her implicitv. came to Jackson township they pounded their corn There are several stories of her intelligence still in mortars, and afterward went to mill to Dillon told in the Blizzard family. In this case she falls, on the Licking river, a distance of thirteen proved true to her record, and brought the boy miles. Their clothing was made from the skins safely over the long and difficult road. This of wild animals, but were afterward home-spun of journey was undertaken to collect money due Mr. both wool and flax. Thus those old pioneers lived Blizzard on property in East Virginia, and which and founded the township and county.

he needed to pay for his land in Ohio. The

Clark Hollenback, who was the first owner of

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

the land where Frazeysburg now stands married the limited education of pioneer days. He at- Miss Ann Blizzard. He moved to Illinois just be- tended the first subscription school which was fore the Black Hawk war. The Indians burned taught in Frazeysburg, Ohio, when he was a lad his house. No lives were lost. Benjamin Rich- of seven years. The teacher was Robert Penry, ards, also a son-in-law of Thomas Blizzard, lived who taught the young backwoodsman "the three in Jackson township up to 1834, when he moved R's" in a log cabin in Frazeysburg, which had to Illinois. Col. William Blizzard, son of the old benches made of split logs and stick chimneys pioneer, Thomas Blizzard, was born in East Vir- daubed with mud which conveyed the smoke from ginia, January 1, 1799, and was but nine years of the ample fireplace. Mr. Blizzard attended age when he came with his parents to Ohio. He school two winters and well remembers a treat fur- grew to manhood among the scenes of pioneer life, nished by Mr. Penry to his school on a holiday. and this aided materially in forming his sturdy, in- It consisted of two bushels of apples and one gal-

dependent character. He married Miss Maria lon of whisky. This was in 1828. In those days Fairall, daughter of the old pioneer, William whisky was a common beverage used on the table Fairall. [See sketch of J. W. Fairall. ] Colonel and at meal times and at all merrymakings to enter- Mrs. Blizzard were the parents of twelve children: tain the visitors and speed the parting guest. Clark Andrew J., Elizabeth E., Maria J., William T., Hollenback started the village of Frazeysburg un- James M., John W., Levi R., Martha A., George der the name of Knoxville, and he sold out to Samuel W., Martin V., and two who died in infancy. Frazey, of Zanesville, and he changed the name to After marriage Col. Blizzard remained on the old Frazeysburg. Richard Griffe was the first post- Blizzard plantation and there passed the closing master. At the age of twenty-two Mr. Blizzard scenes of his life, dying at the age of seventy-seven married Miss Mary A. Norris, daughter of Isaac

years. He was a soldier in the militia, beginning and Charity (Conley) Norris. [See sketch of B. Z. as ensign, or second lieutenant, and went through Norris. ] To Mr. and Mrs. Blizzard were born six all the grades to that of colonel. The entire fam- children: George W., William S., Marian A., Maria ily was of military cast. Reuben, his oldest broth- J., Mary V. and Howard E. After marriage Mr. er, was a captain in the militia, and was a man Blizzard moved to his present farm, which was well known and respected. He first settled or en- part of his father's estate and resided in the log tered land in Jackson township and lived for seve- cabin. In 1844 he built his present residence. He ral years on it, when he sold out and moved to cleared off his land and it soon become an exceeding Indiana. He lived to the good old age of eighty fertile farm. He was a soldier in the old militia and years or more. Wesley Blizzard entered land in from the age of eighteen was captain until it was Licking county near Newark, Ohio, and lived and disbanded. He has always had the respect of his died there at a good old age. He had a great deal fellow-men, and has held the office of township of influence with his fellow-citizens in his county. trustee several years. Like his father before him John Blizzard went into the distilling business he remained quietly on his farm, attending to his near Dayton, Ohio, and came to his death by the duties as an American citizen. He is an old Jack- bursting of a still, when he was quite young. The sonian democrat, like his father and all others of Colonel was public spirited, served many years as the family. Mr. Blizzard stands deservedly high township trustee and principally through his ef- as a good citizen and is a man of excellent char- forts the township was saved from paying $20,000 acter. He is hale and hearty at seventy-one railroad bonds, which he proved unconstitution- years, and can look back almost the entire progress ally issued. The $20,000 railroad bonds were de- of his state.

feated by decision of a higher court in a case of Robert Boyd (deceased). One of the men who the same kind on the ground of the road not came to this section of the country when Zanesville being located at the time of the signing of the was but a village was Robert Boyd, who possessed bonds. He reared a large family and at one time all the characteristics of the early pioneer - cour- owned 1,000 acres of land. He assisted his chil- age, fortitude, perseverance and industry. He was dren to a start in life and at his death owned 160 born on a vessel on the Atlantic ocean while his acres. He was a man of excellent character, was parents were en route to America, and of the latter careful of his honor, and was prompt to pay his it is only known that they were of Irish birth and debts. He built a brick house on the old home- had two little sons who, when their parents died stead in 1832; it is still standing and is owned by while they were very young, became separated and William Thomas Blizzard, a grandson of Thomas were never afterward reunited. After landing on Blizzard. Captain Andrew Jackson Blizzard, a the shores of America Mrs. Boyd located in Hagers- son of Colonel William Blizzard and the subject town, Md., and during the latter part of the Revo- of this sketeli, was born in the old log lionse on lutionary war Robert Boyd took part in that the old homestead January 24, 1821, and received struggle, serving in the capacity of a teamster for

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

about six months. Following this he gave consid- eight years was clerk of Brush Creek township erable attention to teaming, driving six horses in Mr. Boyd possesses much executive ability, and this transporting freight and passengers from point to attribute has been recognized by his election to point ; subsequently he followed his calling of a different public positions, and to the fact that he shoemaker, carrying with him his kit of tools and has been the administrator of numerous estates. doing work for the people at their homes. Later Eight children were born to himself and wife: in life he rented land and followed farming near Reuben N., Elizabeth E., Lydia J. (deceased), Zanesville, Ohio. By his first wife, whom he prob- Phæbe A., Robert W. (deceased), James E., John ably married in Maryland and whose name was S. and Sarah M. Reuben, Lydia, James and Mrs. (Young) Silverthorn, it is believed that he Sarah have taught school, and the rest have a good became the father of eight children: John, who pre- common education. Mr. Boyd and his wife are ceded his father to Ohio, afterward returned to members of the Methodist Episcopal church, hold- Maryland, taking with him a horse to aid the ing membership at Bethel. Mr. Boyd is a repub- family in reaching Ohio; Ann, who married a man lican in politics. His wife is a daughter of William by the name of McGahha; Jacob, who was killed by Freeman Riley, a pioneer settler of this county, to the falling of the "Y" bridge at Zanesville in 1833, which he came in 1818. He purchased the place on which he was at work as a carpenter (he was where his son-in-law, Joseph Boyd, now resides, at instructed by Buckingham to drive a key, but Jacob which time but a few acres had been cleared, and

informed him that if it was done the bridge would fall, but Mr. Buckingham remarked "drive away,"

on this land he made a permanent home. He was twice married, espousing his first wife in Virginia, and Jacob did so, and as he had prophesied the she bearing him the following children, who came bridge swayed and went down carrying them with with him to this county: Anna (Mrs. McCoy) and it, down to their deaths); Peter is next in order of Rebecca (Mrs. Crossland). His second wife was birth; Sophia became the wife of a Mr. Smith; Effie Mary Palmer, of Maryland, but their marriage was married Thomas Longshore; Philip, and Sarah celebrated in Virginia. For many years Mr. Riley who married a man by the name of Martin. For was in the government employ at Harper's Ferry. his second wife Robert Boyd married Mrs. Sarah After settling on his land here he began clearing (Cox) Longshore, by whom he had one child, and improving it. He and his second wife early Joseph, who lives in Newton township, Muskingum associated themselves with the M. E. church, and county, and is the only living representative of the throughout life they were consistent Christians. Boyd family. Robert Boyd was the first auctioneer They became the parents of five children in Vir- in the county and during the latter years of his life ginia: Martha A., John N. (deceased), Samuel P., he was a member of the United Brethren church. William F. and James O., and the following in He died in 1853 at the extremely advanced age of Ohio: Reuben (deceased), John Wesley, Zachariah, ninety-six years. His widow departed this life in Mary E., Elizabeth, Susan, George W. and Lorenza September, 1866, at the age of eighty-five years. H. Mr. Riley died in 1863 at the age of eighty- Joseph Boyd, their son, was born December 14, one years and his widow on December 6, 1873 in 1825, in Brush Creek township, this county, on a the eighty-sixth year of her age.

quarter section of land that adjoined his pres-

George W. Boyer is a substantial farmer of ent home. His early life was spent on the home Licking township, and has passed all his life in farm, and in the early subscription schools he ob- Muskingum county. Basil Boyer, his father, was tained a limited education. He remained at home born near Frederickstown, Md., March 14, 1812, until twenty-five years of age, and on April 3, 1851, and was one of a family of nine children born to he was married to Miss Susan L. Riley, after which his parents, the other members of the family being he rented the Deitrick farm, near Stovertown, where David W., John, William, Thomas, Matilda, he resided five years. He subsequently bought Nancy, Eliza and Catharine. Basil Boyer inher- eighty acres of land on Brush creek, where James ited German blood of his ancestors, and when a Pletcher now resides, purchasing, eight years later, young man of seventeen he came on foot to Musk- or in 1864, the Riley homestead of 1623 acres, the ingum county and had only a $5 bill in his pocket same on which he is now residing. In addition to upon his arrival. He began working for William looking after the interests of his farm, he follows Francis, a farmer on edge of Licking county near auctioneering, and is considered one of the best in the Muskingum county line. January 3, 1841, he the county. His maiden effort in that line was the was married to Miss Mary A. Francis, who was selling of the Riley estate in 1864, which he him- born February 18, 1816, daughter of William and self purchased immediately afterward. He has Mary (Romine) Francis. Mr. Boyer resided on served nine years as justice of the peace, six in the home farm for about four years after his mar- Brush Creek township and three in Newton. He riage, then purchased land in this county, on was commissioned notary public in 1884, and for which he resided until his death, April 14, 1883, at

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

the age of 'seventy-one years. He was a man of for many years. George was engaged in business great energy, and by his own exertions became pos- in Indianapolis, and became quite popular in sessed of a handsome property, owning at the time political affairs, holding the office of county judge of his death 500 acres of good farming land. He for some time. The sisters, Polly and Fanny, made it the rule of his life to attend to his own went with their brothers to Indiana. John Per- affairs, and although a democrat, politically, he let ry's second marriage was to Susan Utterback and office and politics alone. His widow survived him the fruits of this union were six children: William, until July 20, 1886, when she, too, passed away. Harriet, Isabella, Caleb, Elijah and Susan. Will- Their union resulted in the birth of three children iam was twice married, his first wife being Lucy -George W., Amos M. and Corbin M. The eld- Wals, who bore him no children. He moved to est child was born January 20, 1842, on the edge of Ohio in 1830 and the following year his wife died. Licking county, on the farm belonging to his grand- His second marriage was to Martha -, and father Francis, and was a little over four years of they became the parents of six children. Mr. age when his father brought him to this county. Perry died at the age of eighty-one. Harriet He obtained a common-school education and learned married Jacob Tipton, a farmer, and they became the details of farming, and upon reaching man- the parents of several children. Isabella was hood was married to Mary E. Perry, daughter of twice married, first to M. Andrews, who was a Elijah and Eliza (Perry) Perry, the former of shoemaker and a skilled workman. To them were whom came from Virginia to this section in the born eight children, all of whom died in infancy,

fall of 1836, having married a short time previous except one and she married a British officer. Her to this event. He became the father of four chil- second marriage was to a Mr. Proctor, a brick- dren-William T., Mary E., Lewis W. and Sam- layer by trade. Caleb left Virginia in 1840 and uel E. Mr. Perry is yet living on his farm in went to the northern part of Illinois, where he Licking township and is a member of the Disciple worked at the carpenter's trade. Susan married

church. His wife died in 1887. After his mar- Charles Sumption, a blacksmith by trade, and riage Mr. Boyer resided on a farm in Licking several children were born to them. Elijah township for sixteen years and then moved to his Perry, subject of this sketch, was born in Fred- present farm. He has been quite successful and is erick county, Va., in 1810, and was but two years the owner of 200 acres of good land, well fitted old when his father died. His mother died in up with excellent buildings of all kinds. He is a 1834. He learned the carpenter's trade in his democrat in politics, but, like his father before youth, but after his marriage in 1836, he began him, he takes but little interest in politics, prefer- his career as an agriculturist and that has been ring to devote his time and attention to his farm. his principal occupation since. He married Miss He and his wife are members of the Baptist Eliza Perry, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth church, and he is a man whose word is considered Perry, and six children were the result of this as good as his bond. He and his wife have two union: William T., Thornton A., Mary E., Lewis children: Livonna C. and William E., both of W., Samuel E. and Eliza I. Thornton A. died in whom are well educated. The latter attended 1849 and Eliza I. the following year. Elijah school at Hanover and Pataskala, and is now teach- Perry emigrated to Ohio in October, 1836, with ing in Licking county with good success. He ex- his father-in-law, and made the journey in wagons. pects to complete his education, and being a young When he arrived he could have put all his house- man of excellent ability, will undoubtedly succeed. hold possessions in a flour barrel, and $1.50 was The following is a sketch of the Perry family:

all the money he owned. He went to housekeep-

Elijah Perry, one of the influential and much ing in Licking county, but subsequently moved to esteemed citizens of Muskingum county, Ohio, is Muskingum county, where, in 1847, he bought a the son of Jolin and Susan Perry. John Perry farm of sixty acres, three miles south of Nashport. was born in Germany and came to the United His wife died March 17, 1SS7, and he kept house States when a small boy. He resided in Philadel- until 1892, when he moved to his daughters. He phia and followed this trade, shoemaker, all his united with the Disciple church, February 26, life and accumulated considerable property. the 1859, and was immersed by Abraham Walker. most of which he lost, however, by going security Since that time he has been a devoted follower of for his friends. He was twice married, first to Christ and has read the New Testament through Miss Frances -, who bore him four chil- seventy-one times. Among the residents of Muskingin county, dren: Samuel, George, Polly and Fanny. The eldest son, Samuel, was a farmer by occupation, Ohio, the name of Jolin H. Boyer is a familiar and served a short time in the War of 1812. He one. Ho was born in Guernsey county, this state, and his brother, George, emigrated to the terri- March 24, 1844, and is the son of Abraham and tory of Indiana at an early date and there resided Catherine (Fifer) Boyer. Abraham was a native

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

of Pennsylvania and the son of William Boyer, self and family are members of the Methodist who came from Pennsylvania and died here. He Episcopal church. Following are the names of was born January 13, 1801, and moved to Ohio the children: Belle (who married Samuel Moore, about 1840, settling in Guernsey county, where of Newark, Ohio), William (of Perry county), Mat- he purchased a farm. He remained there but a tie, Leilie (at home), Elmer C., John and Flora short time, when he came to Salt Creek township, (at home). He lost three children: Louis, Perlie this county, but moved back about 1855. He is and Flora. Mr. Boyer has also three grandchil- now residing in Muskingum county with his chil- dren: Edna, Bertha and John. dren. While in Pennsylvania he married Cath- George L. Bradford, Otsego, Ohio, is one of the old erine Fifer, a native of Pennsylvania, and they soldier citizens of this township. He comes of old were the parents of eight children: Julia A. (who Virginian colonial family and a branch of the married Mr. Waller, of Guernsey county), Lavinia famous New England family, who descend from (who married Kark Bird, of Guernsey county), Gov. William Bradford, one of the Pilgrim William (who is living in Kansas. He was a sol- fathers. The great-grandfather of our subject dier in the Ninth Illinois infantry and saw a good was a sea captain, a farmer of Loudoun county, Va., deal of hard service. He is married and has one and a Revolutionary soldier. Three of his sons child), Alexander (who is living in this township are remembered by our subject-John, George, and and also served in the war), Catherine (who is Casper. Both John and Casper settled in Mus- Mrs. Wilson, of Guernsey county), Rebecca (the kingum county, and George settled in Marion wife of Mr. Hiner, of Muskingum county), Levy county, Ind., and reared a family of twenty-two (who served in Company A, Fifteenth Ohio infan- children. John Bradford was the grandfather of try and is a married man living in Guernsey our subject and married in Virginia, Mary Davis, county) and John H. (our subject). Mrs. Boyer whose father was a soldier in the Revolutionary died in 1846, in Guernsey county, Ohio, and Mr. war and carried the scar of a sabre cut on his Boyer married for his second wife Mary Norman, head. John Bradford was the father of eleven of Noble county. They have a family of six chil- children : Margaret, Hannah, William, John, Jas- dren: James (who is living at Shawnee, Perry per, Benjamin, David, Isaac (died an infant), Isaac county), Sarah (deceased), Samuel (farmer of Salt (who was the seventh son), Sarah, and Mary A. Creek township, this county), David (living at John Bradford was the original pioneer of the Shawnee, Perry county), Mary J. and Obedialı Bradfords, and settled in a dense wilderness and (both died while young). Mr. and Mrs. Boyer cleared up a farm of 330 acres. He lived to about were pioneers of the state and worthy members of eighty years of age. He built the first frame the Methodist Episcopal church. John H. was building in Highland township, which was an reared in this and Guernsey counties, receiving a addition to his hewed-log house. He owned the district-school education. November 16, 1861, he first threshing machine ever used in Highland enlisted in Company A, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volun- township. Mrs. Bradford died an old lady and teer infantry, veteranized, and was four years in Mr. Bradford married Cassie Wright, a widow. the service and served in the battles of Henry, Jasper Bradford, their son and the father of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Jackson, our subject, was born in Highland township in Bolivar, Vicksburg and Raymond. At Champion's 1818. He received but a limited education and Hill he was shot in the neck and jawbone and married Mary E. Lane, daughter of Abraham and disabled for three or four months. He rejoined Mary (Baker) Lane, of Highland township. Mary his regiment at Vicksburg and took part in the was but seventeen years of age when she married, battles of Resaca, Ga., Big Shanty, and at Kene- and died at the age of twenty. She was the saw mountain was again wounded. Later he took mother of two children-Achsah L. and George L. part in the battle of Atlanta and siege of Atlanta, Abraham Lane was of English descent and was was also at Bentonville, S. C., against Gen. John- from Pennsylvania. He lived to be eighty years ston and with Sherman on his raid. He was of age. After the death of his wife, Jasper Brad- paroled at Columbus, and at the time of his enlist- ford married Elizabeth Davis, by whom he became ment was the youngest in the company. After the the father of four children-Harriet, Ellen, John war he settled on the farm he now occupies at Rix's M., and Amanda. He moved to Edgar county, Ill., Mills, Muskingum county, and married Margaret and this wife died. Mr. Bradford then returned Muble, daughter of John Muble, a native of Scot- to Ohio and settled in Morrow county, and married land, but an old pioneer of this county. She was Mary Miller. This wife died and he married Lucy born in 1843 in England. Mr. Boyer is one of Shaffer. He is now living on his farm in Morrow the successful farmers of this neighborhood, and county. George L. Bradford, his son, was born in takes a great interest in all matters for the ad- Highland township, November 27, 1843. His vancement and improvement of the county. Him- mother died when he was but four weeks old, on

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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 71

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