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 77
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Col. John Crooks' father, Andrew Crooks (de- term as county commissioner, and has held other ceased), was the founder of the Crooks family in local offices of trust, the duties of each and all Muskingum county, Ohio, and was a pioneer set- having been discharged in a creditable and very tler of the same. He owed his nativity to Martins- efficient manner. Col. Crooks is widely known, is burg, W. Va., his birth occurring in 1773, pleasant and genial, and has a host of warm friends. and was of German descent on the paternal side. His first presidential vote was for "Old Hickory." He was married to Miss Mary Martin who was He was originally a whig in his political views but born in 1774, and in 1793 he and family emigrated upon the organization of the republican party he to Muskingum county, Ohio, making the journey joined its ranks and has since supported its prin- with pack horses. Mr. Crooks selected a location ciples. By his first wife he became the father of
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
the following children: Amanda (deceased), Au- possessing a strong and vigorous mind, exerted a gustus (deceased), Minerva (deceased), Clark (de- great influence over those with whom he is associ- ceased), Clara, Mary and John. Two sons, Clark ated. Col. Crooks represented Muskingum county and John, served their country in the civil war and in the legislature one term, some time in the fifties, their military careers appear elsewhere in this and he was colonel of the militia before the war, volume. Mrs. Crooks died October 7, 1864. She hence his title. He was the son of Andrew Crooks, was a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, born a native of the Old Dominion. The seven children June 2, 1808. Mr. Crooks' second marriage with born to his marriage are named in the order of Mrs. E. J. Peairs, was celebrated October 4, 1866. their births as follows: Amanda, Minerva, Augus- Mr. Crooks was a Lutheran in religious belief, but tus, Clark, Clara, Mary and John H. The last his wife holds to the Presbyterian faith. His for- named passed his boyhood and youth in assisting mer wife was a member of the Lutheran church. on the farm and in getting an education in the dis- He died December 29, 1891.
trict schools. In July, 1862, although but a boy,
John H. Crooks, liveryman and undertaker, he enlisted in the army, Company E, Third Ohio Zanesville, Ohio. The vocation of an undertaker infantry, and served through Kentucky, Tennessee, is essentially a very delicate one, and it involves Georgia and Alabama. He was mustered out at for its successful prosecution peculiarly important Baltimore, Md., in September, 1865, and returned qualifications which but comparatively few individ- to his father's farm, where he cultivated the soil uals possess, and it is only by long experience, as up to 1871. He then moved to Zanesville, pur- well as natural aptitude, that a man is able to dis- chased a livery stable from Louis Krob, and has charge his duty in that relation to the entire and operated it ever since. In 1873 he commenced the unqualified satisfaction of those most directly in- undertaking business, and carries this on in con- terested. Prominent among the best known and nection with the livery business. He married Miss esteemed business men in this line in the city is Mary Bonnet, a native of Muskingum county and Mr. John H. Crooks, whose livery barn and under- the daughter of John M. Bonnet, who was one of taking establishment is located at Nos. 36-38 North the pioneers of this county. This union has re- Fifth street. The business has been in successful sulted in the birth of seven children, who are operation since 1871, and as a convenience to the named as follows: Lulu, Albert, Mary, Frank B., public it is safe to asseverate that no other estab- George, Emma and John. Mr. Crooks is a mem- lishment is better equipped. Undertaking is the ber of the Elks, the G. A. R., and has been a mem- special and leading branch of the business, and in ber of the city council.
this department Mr. Crooks has the best facilities
Henry Cullins, farmer, Dresden, Ohio. Prom- for satisfactorily meeting the demands of his pa- inent among the many pioneer families of Ohio, trons. He carries in stock at all times a full and the Cullins' take a prominent place, for they came complete assortment of novelties in caskets, coffins, here at a very early date. The grandfather of our burial cases, robes, shrouds and funeral requisites subject, John Cullins, was a native Virginian, and of every description. Mr. Crooks takes full charge of Irish descent. He followed agricultural pur- of funeral arrangements, furnishes everything de- suits in his native state, and was married in Mor- sired, including hearses, horses, carriages, etc., gan county, of the same, to Miss Rebecca Beatty, and in every way relieves relatives and friends of who bore him eight children: George, John, Henry, deceased of many unpleasant duties in the hours Isaac, Sarah, Elsie, Susan and Elizabeth. In 1802 of their sorrow and grief. He discharges all his the family moved to Muskingum county, Ohio, and duties without ostentation and in the most consid- made the journey in a four-horse wagon. They erate manner, and in all his business affairs is settled in Jefferson township. John Cullins was punctual and reliable. As an undertaker Mr. an old Revolutionary soldier, and a great Indian Crooks is amply efficient and experienced and is a fighter. He was wounded in a fight with the In- prominent and esteemed member of the Undertak- dians near the Ohio river, and was crippled for life, ers' association. He is a native of Muskingum carrying a musket ball and two buckshots in his county, Newton township, Ohio, and the son of thigh. He was out with a scouting-party when Col. John and Elizabeth (Stover) Crooks, both na- they were suddenly attacked by the Indians, and tives of this county, born in 1806 and 1808, re- Mr. Cullins shot. He was carried on a run a spectively. The mother died in 1864, and the short distance by one of his companions and con- father December 29, 1891. He was one of the cealed under the bank of a small stream, where he honored and much esteemed residents of Muskingum could hear the Indians as they passed in rapid county. He has followed agricultural pursuits 'all pursuit of his comrades. He remained in that his life and was unusually successful in this occu- place the remainder of that day, that night, the pation, being classed among the substantial men of next day and night, but by that time his comrades the county. He was honest, industrious, and, had returned to see what had become of him, and
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
he was carried to camp. He recovered, but was eighteen years old when he enlisted. Another always laine, one leg being shorter than the other. son, John, was born September 12, 1823, and When he settled in Jefferson township there were received but a limited education. In 1847 he went still plenty of Indians, and the country was a wil- to Fayette county, Iowa, and eutered eighty acres derness. He cleared up a piece of land in that of land, to which he added from time to time until township, but finally settled in Muskingum town- he owned 300 acres. He married Achsah Butler, ship, where he resided for some time. He subse- daughter of Nicholas Butler, of this county (see quently bought land in Washington township, sketch of Joshua Butler). To Mr. and Mrs. Cul- Muskingum county, and there passed the remain- lins were born eight living children: Amos J., der of his days. He lived to be nearly eighty Mary J., Martha E., Ada A., Jesse B., Asa B., years old. He was a great hunter, and kept the Emma D. and Florinda G. On the 30th of Octo- table well supplied with turkey, deer, etc. Both ber, 1881, Mrs. Cullins died, and in 1883 Mr. bear and panther fell before the unerring aim of Cullins returned to Ohio, where he now makes his his rifle, and one panther that he killed measured home. Henry Cullins, subject of this sketch, was nine feet five inches from tip to tip. This mon- born July 12, 1830, on the old homestead which ster was killed six miles north of Dresden, and has been the birthplace of two generations of the was in Mr. Cullins' hog-pen killing the hogs when Cullins family, and here he received a fair educa- interrupted by that sturdy frontiersman. It was tion in the common schools. He is naturally in- night and the animal took to a tree, but was located dustrious, and by economy and good management by means of a fire. He was wounded and the next he saved his money and bought out the other heirs morning shot dead. Mr. Cullins' son, John Cul- to his father's farm, now owning the home place lins, the father of our subject, was born in Vir- of 105 acres, a small field having been sold by ginia, eleven miles from Winchester, October 31, him. On January 1, 1862, he married Miss Mar- 1791, and had but little education, but could write tha Squires, daughter of Squire Squires, an old set- his name. He was but eleven years of age when tler of Zanesville. She died April 4, 1881, without he came with his parents to Ohio, and he thus issue. On August 20, 1882, Mr. Cullins married became familiar with pioneer life at an early age. He entered fifty acres of land in Muskingum town- ship when old enough, but traded this for fifty Miss Clara C. Switzer, daughter of Henry and Elisabeth (Huson) Switzer. Mr. Switzer came from Germany, and was the father of six children: acres which is now part of the farm of our subject. Mary, George, William, Clara C., Joseph E., Lo- Before marriage he built the hewed-log house in retta Z., all of whom lived to be grown. Mr. which Henry Cullins now lives, and in 1818 was Switzer now resides in Zanesville, is a marble-cut- married to Miss Dorcas Meredith, daughter of ter by trade, and an honest, industrious citizen. Obed and Rebecca (Draper) Meredith. Mr. Mer- He is a member of the Catholic church. His wife edith was also from Virginia, and an old settler of died in 1874. Mr. Henry Cullins' marriage re- Coshocton county. He was the father of nine sulted in the birth of two sons: Henry Edward, children: William, Jesse, John, Obed, Deborah, born July 24, 1885, and Charles Lewis, born Mary, Rachel, Dorcas and Sarah. Obed Meredith March 11, 1888, on the old homestead. Mr. Cul- was a substantial farmer, and died at an early lins has the respect and confidence of the people, period in the settlement of Coshocton county. To and has held the office of township trustee four Mr. and Mrs. John Cullins were born fifteen chil- years, and supervisor for some time. He and his dren: Obed, Mary, John, William. Neri, Henry, wife are people of sterling worth, and are sur- Isaac, Joseph, Jesse, Hannah, James, George, rounded by many warm friends.
Lewis, Amos and Martha, all of whom lived to ma- Samuel Cummins, whose death occurred in turity except Neri and Hannah, both of whom died December, 1881, was one of the pioneer settlers of when mere children. These children were all born Muskingum county, of which he was a resident in the old hewed-log house built about 1817, seven- seventy-two years, and was a native of Jefferson ty-four years ago. Mr. Cullins was a hardwork- county, Ohio, his birth occurring in 1791. He was ing, industrious man, and cleared up a good farm the second in order of birth of seven children born of 118 acres. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, to James and Margaret (Armstrong) Cummins. served six months, after which he returned home, James Cummins left Jefferson for Muskingum but reenlisted again, and the war closed before he county, Ohio, in 1808, and settled in the woods, saw any further service. His wife was a member where he erected a cabin, and brought his family of the Old School Baptist church. In politics he the spring following. At that time the country was a democrat. His son Amos was a soldier in was a dense wilderness, and settlers were few and the Civil war, Thirty-eighth Iowa regiment, was far between. He located near the old Wheeling in the battle of Vicksburg and several others, and road, in Union township. There he passed the re- died after a service of two years. He was but mainder of his days, dying in 1835, his worthy wife
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
having preceded him to the grave in 1829. Both ated a grist and sawmill. The three departments were members of the Union church, in which they made his mill a busy place, and was in its day one were active workers. Samuel Cummins was about of the principal industries of the county. This seventeen years of age when he came with his par- Mr. Cusac managed the greater part of his life. ents to Muskingum county. He was one of seven The mill, buildings, etc., covered about sixteen children, who are named as follows:
John, acres of land, and he owned other real estate in Samuel, Margaret, Jane, Mary, Susanah and the township. Altogether he served in the capacity David, all now deceased. Samuel lived the long- of justice of the peace about sixteen years, the est, and was ninety years of age at the time of his term being divided into two periods and separated death. He received his education in the district by an interval of three or four years. He also schools, and his first move when starting out for held the office of township trustee many years, and himself was to enlist in the War of 1812, in which was identified with the township clerk's office for a he served six months, participating in some of the number of years. Mr. Cusac was a gentleman of battles of the same. In 1826 or 1827 he married excellent business acumen, and had among his Miss Mary Caldwell, who was born about 1797, patrons citizens from a wide scope of country. and who died in 1849, when fifty-two years of age. His services were in great demand by the young She was the daughter of James and Jane (Thomp- seeking the marriage state, and many were the son) Caldwell, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, couples Squire Cusac tied in the matrimonial web but an early resident of this township. Mr. and and sent on their way rejoicing. He and wife Mrs. Caldwell became the parents of nine children: were members of the Presbyterian church, and John (who died when about thirty-five years of age), during the early day of Presbyterianism in the James (deceased), Mary, David, Jane, Joseph, An- county he was an official member, always taking drew, Margaret and Moses. Joseph is the only an active interest in all good work. Politically he one now living. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins' union re- was at first a whig. At the birth of the republican sulted in the birth of six children-five danghters party he identified himself with it, and ever after and one son: James, who died in 1865. He was supported its principles in all elections. He was captain of Company A, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer married to Elizabeth Slack, daughter of John and infantry, and was wounded by an exploding shell. Sarah (Burley) Slack, and they became the parents He was taken to a hospital, his arı amputated, of the following children: Andrew, Sarah (drowned and was then removed to his home, where he died at the age of eighteen years), John (died in child- a short time afterward. Margaret, now Mrs. hood), William, James, Charles. Jacob (served in Armstrong, resides in Guernsey county, this state; the civil war, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer in- Jane, died in 1859; Mary C .; Susan, died in 1864; fantry, contracted sickness in the service and died and Martha, who died about 1872. The parents soon after coming home), Alva, Phoba and Mary. were both members of the United Presbyterian Mr. Cusac died in 1872, when seventy-five years of church. Mr. Cummins was at first a whig in poli- age, and his wife died in Kansas, when sixty-eight tics, but in later years was associated with the re- or sixty-nine years of age. Their eldest child, publiean party, and took an active interest in all Andrew Cusac, was born in Newton township, Mus- political affairs. He was a prosperous farmer, ac- kingum county, Ohio, March 13, 1825, and his cumnlating a handsome property, and was public early life was passed in his father's mill. He ob- spirited, being interested in all movements to pro- tained but little education in the subscription mote the growth and prosperity of the county. schools, attending only a few weeks each year, and At his death he owned three good farms in this on May 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One county, and two farms in the West.
Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer infantry.
John B. Cnsac (deceased), was one of the early He served until August of that year, being on duty settlers of Newton township, Muskingum county, in Maryland most of the time, and was honorably Ohio, and a man universally esteemed and re- discharged at the expiration of bis terni. Return- spected. He was born in Pennsylvania, and when ing from the war he began farming on the place still unmarried emigrated to Muskingum county, npon which he had settled previous to bis enlistment, locating first in Putnam, where he learned the trade and in connection with his agricultural pursuits of fulling. Subsequently, about the date of his dealt largely in Inmber. He is quite an extensive marriage, he came to Newton township and worked stock dealer, and keeps some of the very best grade at his trade in a small mill, owned and operated by of sheep. His farm comprises 165 acres of good Remington & Slack, for several years. He after- land, and is comfortably improved with a commo- ward purchased the mill from his employers and a dions house, good barns and ontbuildings. Mr. Cu- few years later erected a new structure, carrying sac was married on December 25, 1848, to Miss on a successful and lucrative business for a good Elizabeth, daughter of James and Martha (Bell) many years. In connection with fulling ke oper- Shields. Three children have been the result of
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
this union: Martha (wife of George Spring), Mary township, Muskingum county. When twenty-one E. (wife of F. B. Powell) and John B. Mr. and years of age lie enlisted in Company E, One Mrs. Cusac are connected with the Methodist Hundred and Sixtieth Ohio infantry, which served church (Bethel). In politics the former is a re- as home guards at first, and was called out in publican. Mrs. Cusac's father, James Shields, the United States service in May, 1864. This was born in Ireland, and when a child came with company was attached to the eastern army, and some relatives to America, his parents having died although Mr. Davis was in no battles, lie saw when he was small. He was married in this coun- some hard service. After the war he tilled the try to Miss Martha Bell, and was one of the early soil, and this he has continued up to the pres- settlers of Muskingum county. He settled on land ent time. He is a member of the G. A. R. post in Newton township, and there passed the remain- at Adamsville, also a member of the grange at der of his days engaged in agricultural pursuits. that place, and a member of Lodge, F. & He was a much-esteemed citizen. He and wife A. M. Mr. Davis was married in 1861 to Miss were Presbyterians in their belief. Their children, Rosannah Winn, a native of Salem township, Mus- nine in number, were named as follows: Jane, kingum county, Ohio, born May 18, 1842, and the John, Nancy (deceased), Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, daughter of James and Louisa (Shaw) Winn. She Margaret, James (deceased) and William (de- died September 6, 1887, leaving five children: ceased). Mr. Shields died in 1850, when about Hiram H., Mary L., Etta J., Icy A. and Pearl E. eighty six years of age, and his wife died in 1886, The eldest child is deceased. Mrs. Davis was a also at an advanced age.
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal B. F. Davis, who comes of an old Virginia church. Mr. Davis' second marriage occurred in family, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, 1888 to Idella Barrett, a native of Muskingum September 17, 1841, and is of Welsh descent, his county, as were also her parents, Thomas and grandparents, John and Hannah (Cornell) Davis, Lucinda (Gabriel) Barrett. Mrs. Davis was born being natives of that country. The grandparents in Adams township, August 15, 1867, and was one were married in Wales and emigrated to America of eight children.
Thomas H. Davis, Otsego, Ohio, is descended
during the Revolutionary war. Mr. Davis was taken into the army and served during the re- from an old pioneer Muskingum county family, mainder of the war. His son, Benjamin Davis, whose ancestors were from Wales. His great- was born in Hardy county, Va., in 1797, October grandfather and great-grandmother died on their 20, and spent his early life on a farm in that voyage to America and were buried at sea. They state. In 1814 he came to Muskingum county, left two children: A son, ten years old, whose
Ohio, with a brother, and after opening and clear- name was John W. Davis, and a daughter eight ing a farm, sent for the remainder of the family in years of age. These children, upon their arrival Virginia. In Muskingum county Mr. Davis met in America were sold as servants to pay their and married Miss Mary Cowden, who was born passage, and thus they were separated never to July 20, 1798, in Old Philadelphia, Ireland, and meet again. John W. Davis, the son, first settled their union was blessed by the birth of nine chil- in Loudoun county, W. Va., where David Davis dren: Margaret, now Mrs. J. C. Taylor, of Salem the father of the subject of this sketch, was born. township; Hannah, was the wife of Washington From Virginia he moved to Ohio and settled near Spicer, and died when forty years of age; Sarah Zanesville. At an early day John W. Davis was (deceased), was the first wife of Washington Spicer; a Revolutionary soldier, and fought under Gen. David, died in early manhood; John, died when a Wayne. Four brothers, with Peter and John Brad- boy; Robert, died young; Mary, wife of C. C. ford, also brothers-in-law, settled in Highland Taylor, of Salem township, and Benjamin F. (the township, where they all made good farms and subject). The father of these children was a passed the remainder of their days. David Davis prominent man, and took an active part in politics, married Sarah Gordon, and to them were born affiliating with the whig party. Mr. Davis first eight children who lived to be grown: John, settled on the farm where C. C. Taylor now lives, Robert, Milton, James, Thomas H., Elizabeth, and at the time of his death was worth about 300 Margaret and Sarah J. When Mr. Davis settled acres of good land, and other interests. He built in Highland township it was an entire wilderness, the first house in New Concord. He and wife and he cleared up his farm from the heavy timber. were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He blazed a trail through the woods to Otsego His death occurred on the 20th of September, and thence to Marquand mills. The nearest mill 1868, and the mother died on the 19th of that before had been at Zanesville. Mr. Davis had a month, 1887. B. F. Davis, the subject of this good farm of 160 acres, and was in good circum- sketch, became familiar with the duties of the stances. His brother, Benjamin, planted the seeds farm at an early age and attended school in Salem of an apple tree, which he had brought with him,
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
and raised over 1,000 apple trees, the apples being horse, and Mr. Buker married Elizabeth Straight, all of different kinds. These trees were planted daughter of Abraham Straight. By this wife he in Highland and Salem townships. Mr. Davis died became the father of nine children: The oldest on his farm in Highland township. He was one of one died an infant, Mary A. (deceased), Sarah J., our honest, straightforward pioneer citizens. Caleb H., William R., Elijah F., Hannah A., Thomas H. Davis, his son, was born April, 1, 1850. Charity C., Louisa J. Thus Mr. Buker was the He grew up in the rough school of the pioneer, father of eighteen children. Mrs. Buker was a learned the shoemaker's trade, and has worked at member of the Baptist church, Mr. Buker kept a this trade more or less ever since. He ran a shoe- hotel in Otsego many years and in politics he was maker and harness shop in Otsego, and was also in a strong republican. He was a man of undoubted the mercantile business there for over five years. integrity and a substantial farmer, and died at the He owned a large shop, doing an extensive busi- advanced age of eighty-four years. ness and employing five or six hands. In 1882 James A. Deffenbaugh, farmer of Muskingum Mr. Davis bought a farm consisting of 113 acres, county, Ohio, is a son of Sol. and Margaret one mile north of Otsego, upon which he resided (Twadle) Deffenbaugh, natives of Pennsylvania, until April 1, 1892, when he purchased hotel who came to this state in 1808 and settled in property in Otsego, of which he is now the Zanesville. The father was a shoemaker by trade,
proprietor. Mr. Davis' wife was born in this and followed this calling for a number of years hotel and lived there until she was thirteen years after coming to this state, being one of the first to old. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of drive a peg in the town of Zanesville. After fol- the Baptist church, and Mr. Davis has been Sun- lowing his trade for some time he moved to Perry day-school teacher, secretary and treasurer. In county and rented land of his brother for one year, politics lie is a stanch republican. Mr. Davis is then moved back to this county and traded his one of the honorable and industrious citizens who Zanesville property for the farm on which the
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