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 79

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 79

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sided seven years, preaching to neighboring

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

dorsement of his party and the press of the dis- Mrs. William Ramsey of this county). The father trict and state, and a large democratic vote in his of these children was a succesfful farmer, and was own county. His defeat, though inevitable, was a prominent man in the county in his time. He honorable, giving him the title of "Hon." was a democrat in politics, but never hield office. Having preached for seven years in the Presbyte- Robert Duff passed his youthful days in Highland rian church at Frazeysburg, a thriving village of township, and in 1823 he started out to fight life's this county, on the Pan Handle railway and the battles for himself. He was married in Mercer Ohio canal, and having sold his interest in "The county, Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Duff, a native of Granville Times," at the urgent solicitation of Beaver county, Penn., born in 1814, and the daugh- the enterprising citizens of Frazeysburg and ter of Oliver Duff. She died in 1868. They were the vicinity he took up his abode in this village, and, parents of nine children: Oliver, Alexander (who with the co-operation of his two sons, established died when in his fiftieth year), John (who was forty a newspaper and job printing office, issuing, Aug- when he died), William (a resident of this county), ust 29, 1889, the first number of " The Midland," Sarah J. (at home), Robert (a resident of New a bright, neat and newsy eight-page, five-column Concord), Elizabeth and Andrew. The last two quarto weekly paper, of which he was the editor. died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Duff are members April, 1891, he disposed of his interest to his eld- of the United Presbyterian church, and he is a est son, C. C. Downs, his youngest son, J. R. republican in politics. Mr. Duff has followed Downs, being business manager, and he being still farming all his life. and has met with substantial the editor. At the present time (March 5, 1892,) he ministers to the Presbyterian church and is an active and influential factor in every important well respected in the county, of which he has been movement in church and state. results. In connection with farming he also ran a saw-mill for seven years. He is well known. and a resident since 1842, and he is an active worker

A history of Muskingum county would not be for the advancement of educational and religious complete without mention of Robert Duff, New enterprises.

Concord, Ohio, who is one of the old and honored

Oliver Duff was born in Guernsey county, Ohio,

citizens of that county. He was originally from March 27, 1837, and was a son of Robert and Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in Beaver county Rebecca (Duff) Duff. [See sketch of Robert Duff. ] in 1811, and was the son of Alexander and Eliza- He was reared until about fifteen years of age in beth (Dumm) Duff, and grandson of Oliver Duff, Knox township, and received a fair education in who was a native of the Emerald isle. The latter its schools. He then moved with his father to came to Muskingum county, Ohio, at a very early Highland township, this county, and when twenty- date, settled in Beaver county, Penn., and there re- one years of age started out for himself as an agri- ceived his final summons. Alexander Duff was culturist. He was married, February 22, 1870, to also a native of Ireland, and was but a boy when Miss Mary C. Cummins, daughter of Samuel Cum- he came with his parents to America. He was mins, and this union resulted in the birth of two reared in Beaver county, Penn., where he resided children: Samuel I. (who was born November 24, until 1807, when he came to Muskingum county, 1871), and John A. (born September 16, 1875). Ohio. He first settled in Zanesville, which then Mr. and Mrs. Duff are worthy members of the consisted of only a few houses, and there resided United Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a for some time. Previous to 1818, in 1810, Mr. strong republican. He is active in school and Duff made a visit to Muskingum county and settled church work as is also his wife. Mr. Duff owns in an old roofless cabin. To remedy this he shot eighty acres where he lives, and sixty-four acres in deer and took their skins to cover the roof, resid- another tract. He has a nice, convenient residence ing in this all one winter. Later he brought his and in connection with farming is also engaged in family. He resided in Muskingum county for stockraising. He is one of the prosperous plant- some time, but finally moved to Guernsey county, ers and stockraisers of Muskingum county, and is where his death occurred in 1855. His wife was a social, genial gentleman.

a native of the Keystone state, and was a daughter Samuel Dunn, farmer, Frazeysburg, Ohio. of Andrew Dumm. She died in Guernsey county William Dunn, great-grandfather of Samuel Dunn, in 1853. Both were members of the Seceder was a Scotchman, and emigrated to America prior church. Mr. Duff was a tiller of the soil and fol- to the Revolution, with a family of seven sons, three lowed that pursuit for thirty or forty years. His of whom are remembered: Thomas, John and children, seven in number, were named as follows: William. They were all tall, stalwart men, and Sarah (Mrs. Thomas Law), Oliver (died in 1882), measured about six feet three inches in hight. Alexander (died in 1887), Hannah (is the wife of Mr. Dunn settled in Fayette county, Penn., fol- Moses Brown), Robert (subject), Andrew (died in lowed farming, and lived to be quite old. His son 1886), David (died in 1888) and Jane (who is now William, the grandfather of our subject, was born

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

in Scotland in 1763 and came with his father to After his marriage Mr. Dunn settled on a farm America. He married Miss Nancy Duun (no re- given him by his father, in Guernsey county, Ohio, lation), of Scotch-Irish descent, and they became near Middletown, and remained there until 1861, the parents of nine children: Robert, Thomas, when he came to Muskingum county and settled in Samuel, William, Caldwell, Polly, Jane, Margaret Jackson township on the farm where his son Samuel and Nancy. Mr. Dunn came with his wife to Ohio now resides. He now resides in Licking township, soon after marriage, about 1789, as nearly as can this county, and although eighty-nine years of age be ascertained, and was one of the very first set- is still hearty and vigorous, and is a great walker. tlers. The country was a wilderness and for three He has been a hard worker but has been possessed days and nights after coming here they camped on of great physical strength. He is an extensive the land. The wolves howled so around the wagon reader, is well versed in the Bible, and has decided that they could not sleep and Mr. Dunn went eight views on most matters. He is an honorable, upright miles to get assistance to build a log cabin and man. Samuel Dunn, subject, was born near Mid- clear a few acres. Thus they began their humble dletown, Guernsey county, Ohio. March 31, 1835, home in the wilderness and here they passed the and received but a meager education, being obliged closing scenes of their lives, respected and honored. to work at an early age. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Dann reared his large family and by hard work he began working for himself on a farm, and re- and industry cleared a large farm of 300 acres, to ceived $100 for eight months' labor. He continued which he gradually added until he owned 1,000 farm work until twenty-seven years of age, and then, acres. He was possessed of good business ability on March 10, 1861, was married to Miss Margaret and sagacity and by his management his property Slaughter, daughter of Matthew and Hannah accumulated by easy stages without fuss or worry (Riley) Slaughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were and without severe economy. In fact he exhibited born two children: Anna and Pauline H. Samuel an old-fashioned hospitality and his house was Slaughter, grandfather of Mrs. Dunn, was the son noted far and wide for the ample spread of the of the original emigrant from Germany to America, table which in those good old days fairly groaned and was born near Georgetown, Va. He married under its burden of good things. He was also Miss Margaret Jenkins, of the Old Dominion, and noted for his honesty and integrity and held the the fruits of this union were Henry, Mathias, office of justice of the peace for twenty-one years, Matthew, Sally, Stacy, Harriet, Rachel and Sarah his idea being to prevent as much as possible use- E. Samuel Slaughter came to Ohio and settled in less litigation. He was popular among the frontier Coshocton county, where he was among the earliest folk and united in holy matrimony many of the settlers. He spent the remainder of his days on a young people, whose grandchildren are now useful farm. He shot the last wolf seen in Jackson town- citizens of the old Buckeye state. He was a soldier ship. Rachel, then a little girl, was passing in the War of 1812, a general in the militia, and through the wood to visit a neighbor carrying a was called out with his command. His grandson piece of fresh pork, when the wolf smelling the well remembers his uniform, sword, silver mounted meat, pursued her. She dropped the meat and ran pistols in their holsters and which are now pre- home to her father, who siezed his old flint lock served as relics in the family. Squire Dunn also musket and shot the wolf. He was a good hunter served in the state legislature. He believed in the and killed much game in which the country then Christian religion, gave land on which to build a abounded. He at one time killed a she bear and church, and contributed liberally of his means to her two cubs on his own farm, and had a narrow all worthy movements. He lived to be ninety-one escape from the bear. He died at the age of years of age and left a large estate to his children, seventy-five and was a typical old pioneer, fron- including a great amount of personal property, tiersman and hunter. He owned a good farm and which required a three-day sale to dispose of. His was a prosperous agriculturist. His wife was of real estate amounted to about 1,500 acres of land, Scotch-Irish descent. His son, Matthew Slaughter, 600 acres being near Columbus. In politics he was was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, and was mar- an old line whig and kept himself well informed ried at the age of twenty, or in 1836, to Miss upon the topics of the day. His son, Thomas Hannah Riley, daughter of William and Hannah Dunn, father of subject, was born in Belmont (Long) Riley: William Riley was born six weeks county, Ohio, on the old homestead January 9, after his parents arrived in this country from Ire- 1803, and was well educated in the common land; his birth occurring in Philadelphia. His schools. He learned farming and when grown was father was John Riley, a weaver, and kept his son united in marriage to Miss Hannah McGinnis, William weaving at the loom, which was greatly to daugliter of Daniel McGinnis. [See sketch. ] Mr. his distaste. When fourteen years of age the latter and Mrs. Dunn became the parents of five children: ran away and enlisted under George Washington Nancy, William, Samuel, Thomas and James D. in the Revolutionary war, serving seven years and

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

participating in several engagements. His father New York. She was connected with the families tried to get him back, but William was so anxious of Heath, Buchlins and Stanton, all prominent; to remain that Gen. Washington gave him the Edward M. Stanton, ex-secretary of war, being a desired permission. He was wounded by a shell, relative. She died in 1854, and was the mother of had his jaw bone broken, and was partly buried eight children: Mary, Seymour, James, Charles, with dirt. He lived to be eighty-four years of age William M. (subject), Harriet, Jane and John. Of and received a pension from the government. His these children only John and William M. are liv- wife died at the age of sixty-six. He was a farmer, ing. They reside in this county. Mrs. Dunn was was married in Pennsylvania and resided at West also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Alexander, Ohio county, Va., for some time. He William M. was born in Roseville, March 27, 1828, came to Ohio and located in Muskingum county in and was educated in this town. He took up the 1815, but died in Cass township. He was a sub- study of law in 1859-60, with John C. Hazlett stantial farmer and a member of the Presbyterian and Judge Stillwell, and engaged in the practice church. Matthew Slaughter and wife were the of his profession in this town. In connection with parents of two children, Margaret and John, who the law he took up the real-estate and collection grew to maturity. Mr. Slaughter first settled in agency, and has been very successful. He is promi- Cass township, Muskingum county, and there resid- nent in the democratic party, and has held all the ed for eleven years when he moved to Jackson offices of the town, being justice of the peace a township. He there resided on the farm now number of years. Mr. Dunn has taken a great in- owned by his son-in-law, Samuel Dunn, until his terest in educational matters. and given his children death at the age of forty-four, of typhoid-fever. good educations. At the age of eighteen years He was an excellent citizen and was much respected. Mr. Dunn married Amanda Rolph, born in this After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dunn settled on the town, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth old Slaughter homestead, and there they have since Rolph, early settlers of Roseville. She was the resided. Mr. Dunn has ever taken a decided in- mother of one child, Harriet, who is now the wife . terest in the schools and has held the office of of John Milton, of this neighborhood. His first school director for several years. He has also been wife died in 1854, and Mr. Dunn married Grace supervisor. Mrs. Dunn and daughters are members Crooks, daughter of Jacob Crooks, living near Ful- of the Disciple church, and Mr. Dunn holds to that tonham, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunn faith. He and wife have carefully educated their were born six children: Charles A., a prominent children, both of whom hold first-class certificates physician and surgeon for the C. & M. O. R. R .; to teach. Anna has taught fifty-four months and Alice R., the wife of Prof. John A. Williams; James; both are able educators. Pauline H. married Henry Katie, the wife of James Stoneburner, of this P. Moore from near their home farm, and one child, town; Altona, the wife of Louis Culp, of Lancas- Samuel J. W., is the result. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn ter, and William C., a railroad man living in Co- are well respected in the neighborhood and are lumbia. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are members and first-class citizens.

earnest workers in the Methodist Episcopal church,

William M. Dunn is a son of the old pioneer and take a great interest in the Sabbath-school. farmer, William Dunn, who settled in Roseville, Mr. Dunn having been a resident of the town since Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1822, when the town his birth, is well known and esteemed by all.

was but a vast wilderness. William Dunn was

Frank A. Durban has, for the past eleven born in the state of New York, and is the son of years, been an active member and a strong addition James Dunn. He was a wagon-maker by trade, to the Muskingum county (Ohio) bar, and in the was a young man when he settled in this county, practice of this most worthy profession he combines and here followed his trade for thirty years. He activity, good sense and conscientiousness. He brought his wife with him from New York city, attends to work entrusted to him with promptness, where he was married. The town of Roseville was accuracy and decision, and deserves the large then called Millford, deriving its name from the amount of public confidence he commands. He mill and ford. William Dunn died April 9, 1888, was born in Zanesville, November 10, 1859, to at the age of ninety-four years. He was among Thomas and Mary (Crooks) Durban, the former of the most prominent business men of Roseville, whom was born in Brentford, England, in 1818, farmed early, and was for fifty years a devout and died in Zanesville, Ohio, June 4, 1876. The member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in Durban family came to the United States in 1836, which he took a great interest. He was a whig in and took up their residence in Muskingum county, politics, and later a republican, and was taken where Thomas Durban devoted his attention to prisoner while serving in the War of 1812. His merchant tailoring. The paternal grandfather of wife was Harriet Williams, daughter of Rev. Frank A., James Durban, although born in Eng- James Williams, a Methodist Episcopal minister of land, died in Zanesville, at about the age of fifty

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

years, having been a school teacher by calling. at carpentering from that time up to 1879, and Mary Crooks, the mother of the subject of this since then has been engaged in the grocery busi- sketch, was born in Newton township, this county, ness at Dresden. Patrons will always find in Capt. in 1823. Frank A. Durban is the youngest of Egan a careful and honorable gentleman to deal five children, and was educated in the schools of with, as well as one whose courtesy and affability Zanesville, graduating from the high school in render trading with him a pleasure. He is one of 1877, after which he entered the University of the substantial business men of the county. The Michigan at Ann Arbor, and after spending two Captain was married in September, 1861, to Miss years in the law department, graduated in the Charlotte S. Slaughter, who was born in Coshoc- class of 1879. He was then admitted to the bar ton county, Ohio, August 9, 1841, and who is the at Columbus, and entered upon his practice in daughter of Aden and Sarah A. (Howell) Slaugh- Zanesville in January, 1880, forming a law part- ter. To Mr. and Mrs. Egan have been born two nership the following April with A. W. Train, children: Ella, who died in September, 1866, and which continued until the death of Mr. Train, May George H., whose death occurred in March, 1867. 13, 1891. Mr. Durban is a successful attorney, Mrs. Egan died in February, 1868.

and has been on nearly every case of importance

Fredrick H. F. Egbert, of the Dresden Milling tried in the county in recent years, and is the gen- company, Dresden, Ohio. Up to a comparatively eral counsel for the Zanesville & Ohio River rail- recent date no important change had been made road. He is a republican in politics. April 5, in milling machinery, invented and brought into 1881, he was married at Findlay, Ohio, to Miss use about the time of the adoption of the federal Margaret Dennis. He is a member of the B. and constitution, by Oliver Evans, of Pennsylvania. P. Order of Elks.

But in this, as in other departments of industry,

Capt. George Egan, groceries and home and American inventive genius saw opportunities for table supply house, Dresden, Ohio. The ques- improvement, and as a result the roller system, or, as it is known, the gradual reduction process, was

tion of food supplies is one of the first with which the human family have to grapple, and viewing introduced. This has produced so great a change the competition from a commercial standpoint, it that at the present this system is adopted by all will be admitted that the well-appointed grocery leading and influential mills in the country. establishment furnishes the largest share toward Among those milling companies which have secured the solution of the problem of feeding the masses. conspicuity on account of the uniform excellence In such connection we make due reference to the of their products, we notice especially the Dresden popular concern conducted by Mr. George Egan. Milling Company, which dates its organization to He was born in Madison township, Muskingum December 27, 1887. The building was originally county, Ohio, February 26, 1829, and is a son of erected in 1884, and equipped with newest im- John and Sarah (Hahn) Egan, the father a native proved machinery, operated by oue seventy-eight of Rising Sun, Maryland, born in 1779, and the horse-power turbine wheel and never failing supply mother a native of Washington county, Penn., of water. Business was commenced November 1, born in 1789. The former died December 13, 1884, under a slightly different organization, and 1843, and the latter September 8, 1873. He continued until coming into the control of the was the son of Valentine Egan, who was a native present company, at the date before given. The of Ireland, and who lived to be ninety-seven years building is four stories and basement in hight, and old, and she was the daughter of Paul Hahn, who 48x60 feet in dimensions, exclusive of office, and was a native of the Keystone state. The seven has a capacity of 125 barrels of choicest bakers' children born to Mr. and Mrs. Egan are named in and family flour per day. The special brands for the order of their births as follows: Jane, James which this mill is known are the " White Mount- P. (deceased), Sarah A., widow of Edward Feath- ain," "Peerless Lilly White" and "Silver Cloud," erston, John, George H. (deceased), Augustus (de- which hold the highest standard of value in all ceased) and George. When a young man the markets in which they have been introduced, and latter learned the molder's trade, and he also enjoy a marked popularity with the trade and worked at the carpenter's trade for a number of with consumers. The members of the present years. In 1861, at the first call for troops, he company are William Snyder, J. Walters and F. enlisted in Company E., Third Ohio Infantry, and H. F. Egbert, gentlemen who combine the fullest served for three months, the time of his enlist- financial, practical and business ability. Merchant ment. In July, 1862, he went out as captain of grinding, custom work and exchange are engaged Company E, Ninety-seventh regiment Ohio in- in, and as manufacturers of flour, meal and feed, fantry, and was discharged on account of disability and dealers in grain, they contribute iu a marked (rheumatism of the hip), being mustercd out at degree to the importance of the place and to its Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 13, 1863. He worked business interests. Fredrick H. F. Egbert was

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

born in Hanover, Prussia, March 16, 1845, and is river was made by means of a "pirogue," which a son of John H. and Mary E. (Egbert) Egbert. was an open boat hewed out of an immense poplar In 1845 the parents moved to Dresden, Ohio, and log, which they propelled by means of paddles there the father's death occurred December 31, and poles. These boats would carry a great deal, 1882, when sixty-eight years of age. The mother is but were very easily upset and this trip was made still living and is now over eighty years of age. when the country was an entire wilderness and The eight children born to their union are named Indians were plentiful and hostile. This hardy in the order of their births, as follows: Mary L., pioneer had to depend upon his trusty rifle for Angeline (deceased), an infant died unnamed, F. both protection and food. After a short time H. F. (subject), infant died unnamed, Henry (de- spent in Washington county, Penn., he removed ceased), infant (deceased), and John H. (deceased). with his family to St. Clairsville, Belmont county, When thirteen years of age Fredrick H. F. Egbert Ohio and settled on land near St. Clairsville, but began learning the tailor's trade under his father, only remained there a few years. Like his father and worked at this until he was twenty-one years before him, he was a noted hunter and depended of age. After this he followed agricultural pur- largely upon his skill as a marksman to support suits up to 1882, when, on account of the death of his family, frequently making the journey to the his father, he took charge of the latter's store Muskingum river in this immediate vicinity, in which he carried on until 1886. He then pur- search of large game. While on one of these trips chased a half interest in the Dresden mill and has he visited Muskingum township and liking the since given that his undivided attention. He is an looks of the land, he entered 160 acres, this being active and progressive business man, and enjoys a about the year 1805, and the following year he well-deserved reputation, won by pluck, energy and settled on the land with his family. He built a bank perseverance. Mr. Egbert was married in 1866 hut in which he lived for a few weeks, then a log to Miss Mary E. Eschman, a native of Dresden, cabin within a few yards of the spring at Stockton and a daughter of Herman Eschman. They have Frazier's who now owns the property. Mr. Ellis seven living children: M. Bertha, Mary J., John cleared up a part of this land, which was then an F., Ellen A., Laura L., Frances E. and Charles unbroken wilderness, and in doing so endured all H. Mr. Egbert is a member of Wakatomaka lodge the hardships incident to pioneer life. He was No. 186, I. O. O. F., and passed all the chairs in one of the early justices of the peace and was well the same. He is a member of Howard Encamp- acquainted with the famous Lewis Cass who, when ment No. 79. In politics he is a republican. a young man, had several law cases before squire Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Ellis, who at one time assisted him in an important Episcopal church. matter as follows: When Cass was a prominent

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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 79

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