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 81

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 81

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His reasons for selecting this spot were its year resided in Henry county, Ind. Upon his re- facilities for hunting and fishing, and a deer lick turn to Ohio he located in Guernsey county and was but a quarter of a mile from the place he built began the study of law under the able tutelage of his log cabin. Mr. Evans was a great hunter, and his brother, Nathan Evans, was admitted to the provided his family with game, this being at first bar April 17. 1837, and in May of the same year their only meat. The creek was filled with fine went to Toledo and began practicing. In the fall fish. His location was in section 3, range 9, and

of 1838 he left that city on account of ill health. he entered 160 acres. He cleared off this land and In 1839 he opened an office in Cambridge, Ohio, made a good farm with good log buildings. He and from 1840 to 1858 he practiced in McConnels- was about the average size, strong and hearty, and ville. In the month of December, 1858, he came well fitted to pioneer life. He was the father of to Zanesville, where he has placed himself among six children: Mary, Rebecca, Caroline, John, James the leading members of the Muskingum county and Leander. He was a strict member of the bar. He was formerly a whig in politics, and is Methodist church, and at those early days the now an uncompromising republican, having been meetings were held at the different homes. He such since the organization of that party. In the was class-leader and took great interest in all fall of 1861 he was elected judge of the common religions subjects. He was a man of correct prin- pleas court, the district then composing Muskingum, ciples, and reared his children to become law abid- Morgan and Noble counties, and in that capacity ing citizens. Mr. Evans went to Zanesville for he served about five years, his official career being salt, but the corn was ground to coarse meal in the marked by judicial fairness, by a conscientious dis- mortars at home Their habits were simple, their charge of his duties and by a correct judgment of wants few, and all were contented with their lot. men and motives. Since then he has been a prac- Leander Evans was born in the wilderness only titioner, and in 1887 the law firm of Evans & three days after his father settled on his claim, and McHenry was organized. Judge Evans is the old- grew up surrounded by the scenes of nature. He est lawyer at the Muskingum county bar, and took early developed traits of character which make up part (for the defense) in three murder trials in the sturdy pioneer and fearless backwoodsman. Morgan county and two murder trials in this He received but little schooling, simply learning county. He was elected probate judge of Morgan to read and write, and the principal part of his county, and after holding the office eighteen time, when not assisting his father in clearing land, months resigned because the law would not permit was spent hunting and fishing, thus gaining a good him to act as judge and practice his profession at constitution. On October 21, 1830, when but the same time. In the month of October, 1843, twenty-two years of age, he married Miss Jane he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Lawrence, Flemming, daughter of John and Mary Flemming. who died in January, 1886, leaving three children John Flemming was a native of the Keystone state, by her first marriage, who are living. The Judge of Dutch descent, and came to Newark township is a logical reasoner and prepares his cases in an in 1812. He was one of the first blacksmiths of able and careful manner. His success at the bar Licking county. He was the father of five chil- has been achieved by the improvement of oppor- dren: Hugh, Thomas, Jane, Martha and Margaret. tunities, by untiring diligence and by careful and Mr. Flemming died at the age of twenty-eight painstaking study.

years. To Mr. and Mrs. Evans were born nine

James W. Evans, farmer, Frazeysburg, Ohio. children: Levina, Harvey, James W., Mary, Nancy. Prominent among the pioneer families of Jackson Martha, Sarah, and two who died in infancy. Mr. township, Muskingum county, Ohio, were the Evans remained on the old homestead all his life, Evanses, who were not only early settlers but hon- and was a substantial and careful farmer. He ored and respected citizens. James W. Evans' held membership in the Methodist Episcopal grandfather, David Evans, was a Virginian of church, and died in 1845 at the early age of thirty-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

seven. He injured his health by working too hard the same ground. He was accidentally wounded, to clear his land. James W. Evans was born De- being shot through the fingers of both hands while cember 22, 1833, and secured a common-school on picket duty and was crippled for life. He was education, attending school about two months each in the hospital for nearly a year, and then returned winter for three or four years. His father's health to his regiment. He was transferred to the Second being poor, James had to begin work when quite Battalion Invalid Corps and was honorably dis- young, and thus his youthful days were passed. charged November 15, 1864. He then returned to On March 20, 1856, when twenty-two years of age, Muskingum county, and February 21, 1867, he he married Miss Margaret Weir, daughter of Jo- married Miss Minerva McCann, daughter of John seph and Polly (Smith) Weir. Joseph Weir came and Julia (Barnes) McCann. (A full and complete from Washington county, Penn., to Ohio in 1837. sketch of the McCann family is given in the sketch He was the father of four children: George, Mary, of. Orville A. and Robert Emmet McCann). To

Margaret and James. He settled on a farm in Mr. and Mrs. Ewan were born seven children, Perry township, Licking county, and is now an old four of whom are now living: Arthur, Edward, man of eighty-nine, and possesses much of his Lyman and Nellie. Shortly after marriage Mr. strength. He has always been a prosperous farmer, Ewan located in Frazeysburg, but only resided and is a man of unusual ability and strength. He there one year and then moved to his present farm, has lived a true Christian life, and is now class- which consists of 160 acres of good land. He is a leader in the Methodist Episcopal church. To member of the Griffe post, G. A. R., No. 331, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Evans were born fourteen Frazeysburg, and has held different offices in the children: Gilbert T., Ora, Ida, Rita (died at the same. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ewan hold membership age of fourteen), Bascomb, Joseph, Frank, Harvey in the Methodist church. Mr. Ewan is a self-made and James (twins), Mary, and four who died in in- man and what he has accomplished in the way of fancy. During the Civil war Mr. Evans served in this world's goods is the result of his own good the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth regiment, Com- fighting qualities. He is a republican in politics. pany H, Ohio Volunteer infantry, and was on His record as a soldier is one to be proud of, and guard duty 100 days at Baltimore. He then settled will be preserved and yalued by his descendants. on the farm and there has since resided. He is a He was sixth in order of birth of eight children man who has the respect of all with whom he born to Israel and Hannah (Frederick) Ewan, the comes in contact, and is a prosperous and influ- father born near Fredericksburg, Va. Mrs. Israel ential citizen. He was trustee and justice of the Ewan was the daughter of John Frederick, and peace for eleven years, and he has ever been inter- the town of Fredericksburg, Va., was named in ested in educational matters, having been school honor of this family. The eight children born to director for thirteen years. He is now serving as the above-mentioned union were named, in the order township trustee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Evans are of their births, as follows: Elizabeth, Homer, John, members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Evans Israel, David, Joseph, Hannah and one who died has been class leader for a number of years. In in infancy. Mr. Ewan came to Muskingum county, politics he is a stanch republican. His mother died Ohio, about 1830, and first settled in Licking Jannary 16, 1892, and was eighty-three years of age. township, where he followed his trade, that of Joseph W. Ewan, Frazeysburg, Ohio, one of painter. His wife died April 21, 1846, and he the representative citizens of Muskingum county, followed her to the grave July 27, of the same Ohio, was born February 16, 1842, and was left an year. They were true Christians and excellent orphan when a little over three years of age. He citizens. He had two sons in the Civil war, our was reared by his uncle, Joseph Ewan, who came subject and David S. The latter enlisted in the from Virginia to Muskingum county, Ohio, at an famous Company F, Ninety-seventh regiment Ohio early date. From there he moved to Hartford, Volunteer infantry, and was shot through the right Ind., and there young Joseph resided until four- breast at Kenesaw Mountain, a minie-ball pass- teen years of age, receiving a fair education in the ing completely through his body and touching his common schools. He then returned to Ohio, Lick- right lung. A silk handkerchief was drawn ing county, where his elder brother, Homer, lived through the ghastly wound to assist in cleansing with an uncle, Jacob Martin. Joseph then began it, and a piece of his blouse was brought out as big working by the month and when nineteen years of as a silver quarter of a dollar. He was placed in age, August 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, the field hospital at Chattanooga, then transferred Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer infantry, and served to the general hospital at Nashville, where he re- twenty-nine months. He was in the great battle of mained about five months before returning to his Chickamauga, in the hottest part of the fight, regiment. He then served until the final surren- when the rebels made a desperate charge to break der. Although few, if any, ever expected him to the center. His regiment charged three times over recover, he is now a well and hearty man.

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Abner Fairall is a member of a family that for father. She was married the same year to Gilbert ages has been noted for longevity, and is now McKee, of Donegal county, Ireland, with whom one of the oldest and most numerous in Jackson she moved to Coshocton county. Gilbert died in township, Muskingum county, Ohio. He is a di- 1836, aged forty-nine years, and Henrietta in 1878, rect descendant of William Fairall and Elizabeth at the age of eighty-six. To them were born 6 (Hyatt) Fairall, who were born in Maryland in children, 23 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 1762 and 1764, of English and Scotch-Irish de- a total of 39, 7 of whom are dead. Horace Fair- scent respectively. They were married in their all was born in Maryland in 1794, and in 1816 be- native state about 107 years ago, or in 1785, and to came a resident of Ohio. The following year he their union three sons and five daughters were born: was married to Nancy Williams, and soon settled Sarah, Elizabeth, Henrietta, Martha, Maria, Levi, on Fairall's Ridge. His death occurred in 1881, Horace and William. William Fairall Sr. and his when he was seventy-eight years old, his wife's wife Elizabeth came to Ohio in 1816 with their death occurring in 1878, at the age of seventy- five children and settled in Jackson township of eight years. To them were born 13 children, 60 this county on what afterward became known as grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, 19 great- Fairall Ridge. Here they made themselves a great-grandchildren, a total of 142, 28 of whom home in the woods, having just enough money to are deceased. Martha Fairall was born in Mary- pay an entrance-fee on some land, and from this land in 1796, came with her father to Ohio in 1816, time dates the prosperity of this remarkable family. and was married a year later to Jacob Ashcroft, William Fairall died in 1830, at the age of sixty- of Fayette, county, Penn., and settled in Pike eight years, and his wife died in 1843, at the age township, Coshocton county, where they spent the of seventy-nine. The history of this family of remainder of their days. Jacob died in 1862, eight children is as follows: Sarah, the eldest, was aged sixty-seven years, but his widow survived him born in Maryland in 1786, and was married to until 1878, when she, also, passed away, aged Joshua Anderson, of Anne, Arundel county, Md., seventy-two years. This union yielded 11 chil- in 1806, and they emigrated to Ohio in 1810, dren, 66 grandchildren, 90 great-grandchildren, 14 and about 1814 settled on 160 acres of land in great-great grandchildren, and 2 great-great-great- Coshocton county, where they lived, died and were grandchildren, a total of 183, of whom 30 are dead. buried. The issue of this marriage up to August William Hyatt Fairall, who was also born in Mary- 31, 1889, was as follows: Ten children, 70 grand- land, came to this county in 1816, and in 1820 was children, 116 great-grandchildren, 56 great-great married to Nancy Clark. He settled on a farm grandchildren, and 11 great-great-great-grand- among his numerous relatives, and his death oc- children, making a total of 263, of which number curred in 1873, when he was seventy-six years of 42 are dead. Joshua Anderson died in 1859, at age. His wife passed from life in 1859, at the age the age of eighty-four years, and Sarah, his wife, of fifty-nine years. Their marriage was blessed died in 1879, aged ninety-four years. Elizabeth in the birth of 12 children, 59 grandchildren, 37 Fairall was born in Maryland in 1788, and was great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchil- married to Isaac Dove, of the same place, in 1805. dren, a total of 128, 21 being now deceased. Will- They emigrated to Ohio in 1811, and spent the iam Fairall was married after the death of his wife rest of their days in this county, leaving 9 chil- Nancy, to Mrs. Dorothy Magruder, who is still dren, 65 grandchildren, 91 great-grandchildren, living. To them were born 5 children, who are in- and 43 great-great-grandchildren, a total of 208, cluded in the above number. Maria Fairall was 42 of whom are dead. Isaac Dove died in 1846, born in 1800, in Maryland, and came to Ohio with at the age of seventy years, and his wife in 1852, her parents, where she met William Blizzard, who aged sixty-six years. Levi Fairall was born in was born in Virginia, and to whom she was mar- Maryland, in 1790, and in 1809 married Comfort ried two years later. They settled on a farm near Chaney, of the same state, and the following year Frazeysburg, where they completed their life emigrated to Muskingum county, Ohio. They work, Mr. Blizzard dying in 1876, at the age of arrived at their destination on foot, leading an seventy-seven years, and his wife in 1873, aged aged and decrepit horse, loaded with all their seventy-three years. To them were born 12 chil- earthly possessions. This couple also settled on dren, 37 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, a Fairall Ridge, where they died, Levi in 1846, aged total of 95, 28 of whom are dead. This makes the fifty years, and his wife in 1836, aged sixty-seven total number of direct descendants from the old years. The issue of this marriage was 6 children, pioneers, William and Elizabeth (Hyatt) Fairall, 17 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, 13 great 1,144, 920 of whom are still living. William and great-grandchildren, total 78, 16 of whom are Elizabeth Fairall, their sons, sons-in-law, daugh- dead. Henrietta Fairall was born in Maryland in ters and daughters-in-law-18 in number-lived to 1892, and came to this county in 1816, with her the average age of seventy three years. This fam-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

ily, exclusive of any but blood relatives, in 1889, born April 24, 1839, and spent the early life of a when the account was written controlled over pioneer farmer's boy, obtaining his education in an 20,000 acres of land divided into 159 farms with old log schoolhouse in the neighborhood of his an average of fourteen persons to the farm. They home. He learned to read and write, but gained are natural farmers and stockraisers, there never no knowledge of mathematics. He, however, pos- having been a professional man or speculator sessed a clear and comprehensive mind, and among them. As a rule, they are upright Chris- learned to calculate mentally with accuracy and tian people and good citizens, none ever having rapidity. On January 24, 1862, he married Susan been sent to prison, and very few embroiled in Noland, daughter of William and Catherine (Mc- lawsuits. On election day this family turns out Farland) Noland, the former of whom was the son 184 voters, politically about evenly divided. The of Pierce Noland, an old pioneer of Coshocton rapid increase of this family since the marriage of county. William Noland died at the age of seven- William Fairall and Elizabeth Hyatt, is remark- ty-three years, owning at the time of his death 600 able in the extreme. The above facts were printed acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Noland became the in "The Midland," Frazeysburg, Ohio, September parents of eight children; Pierce, Susan, John, 5, 1889. When the family came to this county it James, Rachel, Henry, Sampson, and one that was a dense wilderness, and for a long time their died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Abner Fairall principal meat was wild game, which abounded. were born two children: Ida and Etta. After his They first built cabins, then double log houses marriage Mr. Fairall settled on Fairall's Ridge with small windows, but now occupy substantial where he lived eight years. He then moved to and beautiful frame and brick houses. They had another farm in Jackson township, and in 1884, many thrilling experiences with wild animals in came to his present farm, which is pleasantly sit- early times. Owing to scarcity of glass they used uated near Frazeysburg, and comprises 360 acres greased paper for window lights. Old William of fine land. Mr. Fairall was one of the early Fairall purchased 320 acres of land at $1.25 per members of the Frazeysburg lodge of Masons, acre, and at his death gave his land to his three No. 490. He is a stanch democrat, and has been sons, Horace, Levi and William H., and the money twice township trustee. He is a practical business he had on hand to his five daughters. He and his man, and bears the unsullied reputation for which wife entertained many travelers, and thus obtained his family has been noted. His daughter Ida mar- enough silver money to cover a breakfast table of ried Forman Spencer, a farmer of Jackson town- good size. William Hyatt Fairall, son of the pio- sbip, and they have two children: Daisa and Dora. neer William, was the father of the subject of this Etta married James W. Nethers, of this township, sketch. His wife, Nancy, was the daughter of and has three children: Pearl, Emmet and Abner B. Payne Clark, who was the father of Sanford, Ellis,

John Wesley Fairall, Frazeysburg, Ohio. This James, Manly, Emily and Matilda Clark, the latter is another of the old pioneer families of Jackson dying young. Mr. Clark was a pioneer settler of township and its members are among the most Coshocton county, a successful farmer, one of the honored and esteemed citizens. The Fairalls have early justices of the peace, a good business man, a ever been a sturdy race, and the Biblical injunc- noted local surveyor, and a Virginian by birth. tion to multiply and replenish the earth has been He emigrated to Green county, Ind., and there literally fulfilled by them, as the descendants from died. William H. and Nancy Fairall became the original pioneer numbers many hundreds. the parents of 12 children: Clark, Matilda, John, At a reunion of the Fairall family October, 1887, Jane, Elias, Levi and William (twins), Abner, over 1,100 descendants of the old pioneer were Nancy, Hester A. (who died in infancy); Polly present. William Fairall, the original pioneer, died in early womanhood. The mother of these was of English descent, and came to Muskingum children died in January, 1859, and in 1861 Mr. from Prince George's county, Md., eighteen miles Fairall married Mrs. Dorothy Magruder, by whom west of Baltimore, in 1816. He brought his fam- he had five children: Turner, Maria B., Emmet, ily, consisting of his wife and five children, who Alva and a child that died in infancy. Mr. and were then grown men and women. Three of the Mrs. Fairall were Methodists, and he was a class- children had come to Ohio previously. The eldest leader for many years. Although he received a son, Levi, had settled in Jackson township in 1810, limited education, he was naturally intelligent, and two and a half miles northwest from Frazeysburg, was a hardworking, practical farmer, and an honest and two daughters, married women-Mrs. Dove man. He was a very strong man, physically, and and Mrs. Anderson, the former settling first in when an old man of sixty-seven, shouldered four Belmont county, and finally in Jackson township, bushels and a peck of wheat. He was sixty-five this county; the latter settled in Pike township, years of age when he last married. Abner Fair- Coshocton county. The names of the children of all, his son, and the subject of this sketch, was this sturdy old settler were: Sallie, Levi, Eliza-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

beth, Horace, Henrietta, Patsey, William and Miss Lucy E. Vickers, daughter of Tallifero and Maria. William Fairall settled three and a half Henrietta (Romine) Vickers. Mr. Vickers was miles west of Frazeysburg, in Jackson township, from Fauquier county, Va., and an old settler of on the old Coshocton and Newark road, and lived Washington township, Coshocton county, and about ten years after coming to this county. He settled there in 1828. Both himself and wife was a man in good circumstances and gave his were of English descent. They were the parents sons each 100 acres of land. He was a hard of seven children: Sidney Ann, Laban, George, worker, and lived to be sixty years of age. His Emily, Lucy, Maria and James A. Mr. Vickers wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Hyatt, a native lived to be seventy-one years of age, and his wife of Maryland. She survived Mr. Fairall many to the age of eighty-two. He built the first saw- years, living to be seventy-eight years of age. Mr. mill in that part of Coshocton county. Both he Fairall was a man of excellent character and was and wife were members of the New School Baptist well and favorably known among old settlers. His church, and he was a deacon for many years. In children all married in a few years after coming to politics he was first an old line whig and afterward Ohio. Sallie married Joshua Anderson, Levi mar- a republican. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. ried Comfort Chaney, Henrietta married Gilbert He was an honorable, upright man, and was a McKey, Horace married Nancy Williams, Patsey liberal contributor of his means to all worthy enter- married Jacob Ashcraft, William married Mary prises. He fell dead in church after having taken Clark, and Maria married Col. William Blizzard. part in the services. [See sketch of George Vickers. ] [See sketch of Capt. Blizzard.] All these people To Mr. and Mrs. Fairall have been born seven reared large families, and now a wide relationship children: James T. (died at the age of eighteen exists throughout Muskingum and surrounding years), Henry H., Maria, Millard, Oscar (died at counties. Horace Fairall, son of William and the age of four years), Ella, and Elma (died in father of the subject of this sketch, was born in infancy). After marriage Mr. Fairall settled on a 1793, and was reared to the arduous duties of the farm in Jackson township and here resided until farm. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. 1888, and all his children were born on this farm. When he came with his parents to Ohio he was a By his own hard labor and with the assistance of young man twenty-three years of age, and about his devoted wife, Mr. Fairall became a substantial two years afterward he married Miss Nancy Will- farmer, and is the owner of 240 acres of land. iams, daughter of an old settler of Coshocton He was deeply interested in educational matters county from Maryland. To Mr. and Mrs. Fairall and was school director for many years. In poli- were born thirteen children: Wesley, Ruey, Ellen, tics he was first an old line whig and is now a Rachel (died young), Grafton, Benjamin F., Cur- stanch republican. He enjoys the respect and tis, Sarah, Mary J., Nancy, Horace, Lucinda and confidence of all his neighbors, and for some time William H. After marriage Mr. Fairall settled on held the office of township trustee, for thirteen a farm in Jackson township, and soon afterward years. Mrs. Fairall is a devout member of the removed to his homestead three miles northwest of Baptist church. Mr. Fairall has always been a Frazeysburg, where he passed the remainder of temperate and moral man, even in those early days his days. In politics he was first an old line whig when whisky was used as a common beverage, he and then a republican. Both he and wife were used very little of it. He remembers carrying it members of the Methodist church, and he was to the field as a harvest drink for the men. Mr. church trustee. Mr. Fairall accumulated a hand- and Mrs. Fairall gave their children the best edu- some property by hard work and economy, and cation their means could afford, and reared them brought up his large family in a proper manner. in a proper manner. They were married as fol- He had an exceedingly strong constitution and lows: Henry H. (married Martha Evans, and had lived to be over eighty-seven years of age. He had five children: Lulu, Laura, Beverly, Charles D. a high moral character and exerted a strong influ- and Minnie. The wife died in 1889, and the chil- ence for good. Like many of the old pioneers he dren make their home with their grandparents), took an honest pride in a good reputation and en- Maria (married J. P. Evans, of Zanesville), Millard deavored to instill into the hearts of his children a F. (married Millie Patterson, and has eight chil- love of truth and integrity. John Wesley Fairall, dren: I. D., Della M., Allen E., Oscar V., Ernest. his son and the subject of this sketch, was born Herbert, Vera G. and Ada G.), Lucy E. (married August 9, 1818, in Jackson township, and received William Phillips, and has two children: Orville but a limited education in the log schoolhouse of M. and Delbert W.). In October, 1888, Mr. and pioneer days. He spent his youthful days in as- Mrs. Fairall moved to Frazeysburg, where they sisting his father clear land, and being strong and reside at the present time, surrounded by their able rather enjoyed cutting down the monarchs of children and grandchildren. They are proprietors the forest. At the age of twenty-eight he married of the "Hotel Union," and are noted for their hos

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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 81

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