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 86

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 86

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seven children, five now living: Samuel L. (is a

Charles Convers Goddard, attorney at law,

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Zanesville, Ohio, was born March 26, 1836. He family consisted of his wife, nee Martha Thum- was admitted to the bar April 15, 1857, at the age wood, and six children: Sarah, Betsy, Mary J. of twenty-one years, and graduated from the Har- William, Thomas and Samuel. Mr. Goff lived a vard law school, Cambridge, Mass., in July, 1861. few years in Philadelphia, where he followed his September 20, following, he was appointed captain trade, but in 1806 came to Zanesville and continued in the Seventeenth United States infantry. He re- to follow his trade for twenty years. He died in signed his commission May 26, 1864. In January, that city when about seventy-five years of age. He 1871, he was appointed aid-de-camp on the staff of

was a substantial man and accumulated a goodly Gov. Thomas L. Young. He is also United States property, becoming well known as a respectable, commissioner. He is the possessor of the finest honest, industrious man. The only one of his law library in the city, left him by his father, Hon. family now living is Samuel, now eighty-four years Charles B. Goddard, who for forty seven years of age, living with a son in Indiana. In a letter (1817-64) was a member of the Muskingum county to one of the children of the subject of this sketch bar. Charles Backus Goddard was a native of he says: "When I was a boy, I learned to chew Plainfield, Conn. His father, Calvin Goddard, tobacco and smoke and when I got to be a man I lived the greater part of his life at Norwich, Conn., quit it at the age of thirty-two and signed the old and was a judge of the supreme court of that Washingtonian pledge. I am now in my eighty- state. Charles B. Goddard came to Ohio in 1817. third year and never spent one cent in a saloon in He traveled from Pittsburg to Marietta in a my live and have'nt had three days' sickness since small, open rowboat; stayed a few weeks in Mari- 1828, and I attribute my health to my manner of etta, and then, by the advice of Mr. David Putnam, living. I am a prohibitionist, but never voted for selected Zanesville as his home. He went to Gal- the third party." Thomas Goff, son of Samuel lipolis, in company with Thomas Ewing, and was Goff, was the father of the subject of this sketch. there admitted to the Ohio bar. Settling in Zanes- He was born in the city of Ludlow, Schropshire, ville, he married Harriet Munro Convers, daughter England, February 18, 1794, and died August 19, of Daniel Convers, June 6, 1820. He soon ac- 1868. This record is from the old Goff family Bible. quired a large practice in the Muskingum valley, He received a limited common-school education, and continued in active professional labor to near learned the bricklayer and mason's trade and the day of his death, which was February 1, 1864. came with his father's family to America in 1797 In 1838-39 he represented Muskingum county in and here worked at his trade and became a con- the house of representatives of Ohio, and from tractor. He was married in Zanesville to Miss December, 1845, until the spring of 1849, in the Mary A. Mart, who was also of English descent, Ohio senate, of which last named body he was her people being residents of Zanesville before the speaker during the session of 1847-48. He was a Goff family. Her brothers and sisters were as fol- major-general of Ohio militia for a number of lows: Lydia, Eliza, Alice, Thomas, George and years. He was well read, both in general litera- John. Mr. Mart was from a very wealthy family ture and in law; indefatigable in work; dignified and engaged in no business in this country, receiv- and forcible as an advocate; he relied more on ing remittances from England. It is said, that reasoning from principle than precedents. A money belonging to the Mart heirs is yet in exist- competitor of Ewing, Stanbery, Hunter, and ence. The Mart children received legacies from others of like repute, he was "a foeman worthy of England after their father's death which occurred their steel." He possessed a high sense of honor at Zanesville at the advanced age of eighty-three. and ever sought to elevate the ethical standard and They were members of the Church of England, and esprit du corps of the profession. He was gener- in this country were Episcopalians. Thomas Goff ous and hospitable. He outlived all his early as- Sr. and his wife became the parents of seven sociates and rivals in the Muskingum bar; was in children: William L. B., Mary A., Martha B., continuous practice much longer than any other, James T., Thomas, Rosetta and Marietta. After and for years he was a leader worthy of the regard his marriage, the father of these children purchased and respect of the whole community. An accu- a farm near Zanesville on which he resided until rate portrait of him hangs in the library of the 1838, when he traded the farm for one, consisting Zanesville athenæum.

of 320 acres, in Jackson township, on which he

Thomas Goff of the Globe Hotel of Frazeys- moved with his family. He cleared this land from burg, Ohio, belongs to one of the old families timber, built a double log house, afterward erected that came to Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1806. a good frame house in which he lived until his Thomas Goff, the father of the subject of this death, which occurred in his seventy-fourth year, sketcli, was of English descent, born near the bor- August 19, 1868. Both Mr. and Mrs. Goff, were der of Wales. He was a bricklayer and mason and members of the Episcopal church at Dresden, and came to America before the War of 1812. His in politics he was first an old line whig and

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

afterward a republican. He served this country as ville, a distance of twenty miles, to pay his taxes, a soldier in the second conflict with Great Britain returning the same day. He was well known -the War of 1812-and had a great antipathy for among the old settlers as a man of strict integrity the English although himself an Englishman. and liberal in his dealings. His wife lived to the Owing to the fact that he was born on English soil advanced age of eighty-eight years. They were he was considered a citizen of England, and had the parents of seven children: William, Margaret he been captured while bearing arms against the (who died young), Jane, Margaret, George (died English would without doubt have been hung. He young), Elizabeth and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas was in several important battles, among them Goff, directly after their marriage, came to Fra- Lundy's Lane and did not forget the famous war zeysburg where they still reside. Mr. Goff owned cry, "Remember the river Thames." He was a farm near the town, and for thirteen years captured by the British and condemned to be hung followed the occupation of farming, but in 1875 but being confined in a log cabin he managed to traded his farm for the "Globe Hotel" in Frazeys- make his escape during the night by tunnelling burg, but this was burned to the ground in 1879 through a huge snow drift. He served in this war and was a total loss. He immediately rebuilt and for one year and received for his services a land since that time has conducted the hotel as before. warrant for 160 acres in Iowa near Cedar Rapids, In 1864 he enlisted in the Civil war, Company H, which he afterward sold for $2,200. He was the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth regiment, Ohio only mason in his section of Muskingum county Volunteer infantry, and served 110 days, prin- and the most of the buildings put up in those early cipally in Maryland. Mr. Goff is a member of days were erected by him. He was a straight- the Presbyterian church, the G. A. R., Griffe post, forward and honorable man, whose word was as No. 321, and the I. O. O. F., Olive Branch good as his bond. He had the respect of all who lodge, of Newark, Ohio. Mr. Goff is widely knew him, was genial, kind hearted and affectionate known throughout this county as he has been in his family. Thomas Goff, his son and the subject in the hotel business for many years. He has of this sketch, was born in Jackson township, May always kept a good and reliable house and the 19, 1838, and was named for his father. He re- traveling public is well pleased with their enter- ceived a common-school education, and in early tainment, for the food is well prepared and abundant, boyhood was made familiar with the duties of and the rooms are comfortably and tastefully fur- farming. July 19, 1860, he married Miss Mary A. nished. Mr. Goff makes an admirable host and in Clements, daughter of Andrew Clements and Mar- his efforts to conduct a first-class hotel is ably garet Clements, the former of whom was born in seconded by his wife. They are the parents of five the north of Ireland about 1797, and was there children: Ida M., Mary A., Thomas, Carrie A. and married, becoming the father of one child, William, Bessie J. Politically Mr. Goff is a republican.

who was born in that country. Mr. Clements came Charles Gorsuch, farmer, Zanesville, Ohio. The to America about 1819 or 1820, leaving his wife and Gorsuch family in America originated from three child in Ireland and being an expert weaver of fine brothers, Thomas Talbot, Charles and Lovelace, goods secured employment in Pittsburg. After a who left England to come to the United States four few years he sent for his wife and child, meeting generations back. The first named returned to them at New York. and returned to Pittsburg where England and there died. Norman Gorsuch, grand- they remained some time. They then came to Jack- father of Charles Gorsuch, and a descendant of son township, Muskingum county, Ohio, and entered one of these brothers, was born on a farm in Bal- some heavily timbered land. By diligent effort he timore county, Md., May 10, 1756, and was the cleared it and made a good home for his family, founder of the family in Ohio. He was married becoming the owner of about 400 acres of land. in Maryland to Miss Katura Gorsuch, who was He was physically very strong and possessed great born October 10, 1765, and who was of the same endurance and throughout his entire life was sick name but no relation. To them were born nine but very little. He and his wife were members of children: Charles, Eleanor, Nicholas. Margaret, the Episcopal church and politically he was a re- Joshua, Achsah, Rachel, Abarilla and Mary, all publican. He lived to be eighty-nine years of age born in Maryland. Norman Gorsuch settled on a and up to the last retained his strength to a won- farm in Baltimore county, Md., and there remained derful degree. He was a man who possessed much until fifty-nine years of age. He was a large land determination, and having no educational advant- and slave owner. In 1815 he emigrated to Mus- ages in his youth, he learned to read and write kingum county, Ohio, and settled in Muskingum after he was married, attending school after he township, on land now occupied by his grandson, came to Jackson township, and often carrying one Charles Gorsuch. He brought his family with of his children on his back to and from school. He him in a covered wagon, relics of which are seen would frequently in his young days, walk to Zanes- on the old homestead at the present time. He en-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

tered a quarter section of land, which was densely was a stanch Union man during the war, and six- covered with heavy timber, and on which he soon teen of his grandsons served as soldiers, three as cap- made a clearing and erected a log cabin. He resided tains. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua there for about thirteen years, after which he moved Gorsuch they settled on the old home farm, and to another part of the township, and there died, on here Mr. Gorsuch passed the closing scenes of his September 3, 1828. His wife survived him until life. His venerable wife still resides in the old January 25, 1841. Mr. Gorsuch brought from home. Their family consisted of nine children: Maryland one slave girl, Hagar Dorsey, who grew Charles, Cynthia, Joseph T., Emeline, Jane, Nor- up and is still living in Zanesville, having been man W., Eliza E., Mary A. and Margaret E., all of reared by the family. The remainder of the slaves whom lived to be grown except Emeline, who died were set free after a certain time. Mr. Gorsuch in infancy. Eliza died July 17, 1890, aged forty- had about 360 acres of land, all of which he gave seven years. Seven of the children are still living. to his children. His son, Joshua Gorsuch, and the Mr. Gorsuch was an excellent citizen, a successful father of Charles Gorsuch, was born April 4, 1798, farmer, and was liberal in his methods of dealing. in Baltimore county, and was fairly educated in the He died December 5, 1883, and was nearly eighty- common schools. When seventeen years of age, six years of age. He gave each of his children a he came with his parents to Muskingum county good education, and spent his means liberally to Ohio, and early in life became inured to the hard- further all worthy movements. He was loyal to ships of pioneer life. The woods teemed with game the Union, during the war, and one of his sons, of all kinds-deer, bears, wolves and wild turkeys -- Joseph T., was in the famous Ninety-seventh regi- and young Gorsuch became a noted hunter. He ment, Ohio Volunteer infantry, Company G. He was married, on January 22, 1829, by Rev. James enlisted as a private and was promoted through the Fleming, to Miss Philander Thrap, daughter of different grades until he held the rank of captain, Joseph and Jemimah (Van Camp) Thrap. Mr. in which capacity he was serving when he was shot Thrap was a native also of Baltimore county, Md., through the hand, at Kenesaw mountain. He was and his father, Robert Thrap, who was of the at home but one week, when he rejoined his regi- same county, married Elizabeth Hilton, and was ment. He served four years, and was in all the the father of ten children: Robert, James, John, battles of his regiment. Capt. Gorsuch is now a Joseph, William, Sallie, Betsey, Nancy, Ellen and resident of Zanesville, and one of the proprietors Polly. All of these children came to Muskingum of the glass works. He is a prosperous business county at an early day, and each reared a family. man. The old Gorsuch homestead was built in RobertThrap settled on a farm in Muskingum coun- 1849. The mother is now eighty-five years of age, ty, and there passed his last days. Joseph Thrap, his and still retains her memory and mental faculties son, was married in Virginia, where the family to a wonderful degree. She has lived through the lived for some time, and became the father of settlement and progress of this part of the Buck- twelve children: Adaline (died in infancy), Phi- eye state, and well remembers the old pioneer days. lander, Israel, Lucinda, Julia A., Harriet, John, She reared a large family of children, to whom Joel, Marcus, James, Ellen and Martha A. In she was indeed a counselor and guide. Her son, the spring of 1804 Mr. Thrap settled near Han- Charles Gorsuch, was born October 10, 1829, on over, Licking county. He put in his crops, and the anniversary of his Grandmother Gorsuch's the same fall moved his family from Virginia. His birth, and on the farm where he now resides and father, Robert Thirap, came with his family about where he has passed over sixty-two years. This the same time. Joseph Thrap settled in the south- old farm has been in the Gorsuch family for sev- west corner of Muskingum township in 1809, and enty-six years. Charles Gorsuch received a good, here passed the remainder of his days. The coun- practical education, and became one of the promi- ty was a wilderness when he first settled here, and nent and successful agriculturists of the county. he was one of the pioneers. He was a member of He has held the offices of township clerk, treas- the Methodist church, a devout man, and meetings urer, and supervisor, and has been interested in were held regularly at his house before there were school matters, holding the office of school director any churches. He became a local preacher and for some time. He now controls 420 acres of fine followed his ministerial duties for many years in farming land, and is a raiser of fine stock, lorses, the wilderness. He united in marriage many of cattle, hogs, etc. In politics he affiliates with the the early settlers. He was ninety-one at the time republican party. He is a man of intelligence, and of his death, and his wife lived to be eighty-seven. is a great reader of books and papers, of which he He made many converts and was a great factor keeps on hand a goodly supply. His brother, in establishing the Methodist church in the back- Norman W., is engaged in the cattle business in woods country. He would work six days in the Texas, and is successful at this. Mr. Gorsuch is a week on his farm and then preach Sundays. He representative Ohio farmer, industrious, honorablo 27

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

and straightforward; he takes a decided interest in V. R. R., and also of the Zanesville & Ohio all laudable enterprises. His sister, Margaret, mar- railroad, is a stockholder in the Blandy Machinery ried James R. Gilkey, of Adrian, Mich., and be- company and the Ohio Iron company, besides a came the mother of two children: Jennie and Al- number of other important enterprises. He is an berta. Cynthia married John Welsh, a farmer, of honorable and careful business man, and is very Licking county, and has four children; Edmond, popular and respected in financial circles. He Laura, Joseph and Rose. Mary A. married George was married in May, 1847, to Miss Sarah Van B. Vandenbark, a farmer, of Muskingum county, Hamm, a daughter of the late Dr. John Van and they have three children: Harry, Fred and Hamm, who was a very prominent man in political Weldon. Eliza married J. W. Frazier, of Frazeys- circles, and was at one time United States minister burg, Ohio. She is now deceased. Jane, an- to Chili. Mrs. Graham was called from life in other sister, is at home.

1888, after a happy married life of forty-one years.

William A. Graham, banker, of Zanesville, Of four sons born to them the eldest two died in Ohio. Zanesville, Ohio, is constantly enlarging early childhood. Willis Hamm Graham is a resi- the scope of her influence and the volume of her dent of Kansas City, and Clarence V. resides in commerce and industries, and has need for addi- Zanesville.

tional capital and financial facilities. This fact

Hon. Moses Moorhead Granger is personally was apparent for some time and resulted in the one of the most popular of men, and as a lawyer establishing of the First National bank, of which his career has been a succession of conquests. To William A. Graham was one of the organizers, and become distinguished at the bar requires not only of which he has been a director since 1864. In capacity, but also sound judgment and persever- July, 1878, he was elected president of the bank, ing industry, and these qualifications are combined succeeding Peter Black, whose death occurred the in no gentleman of the Muskingum county bar to same month and year, and he is recognized as an a greater extent than in Moses M. Granger. He authority in banking and finance, is a vigorous ex- was born in Zanesville October 22, 1831, and in ponent of the soundest principles governing the Lancaster, Ohio, was united in marriage to Miss same, and under his guidance the bank has an Mary Hoyt Reese, daughter of William J. Reese, ever-widening career of usefulness and prosperity. her mother being the elder sister of Gen. William Mr. Graham was born in New York state January T. Sherman and Senator and Secretary Sherman. 9, 1821, and received his education in the Mount Mr. Granger graduated from Kenyon College, Pleasant academy. At the age of eighteen years Ohio, August 7, 1850, and in January, 1853, was he entered a drug store in New York city, con- admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio. During ducted by his father and brother, in which he was the Rebellion he served in the Union army from actively employed for a number of years. In the January, 1861, to the last of December, 1864, and spring of 1845 he came to Zanesville and pur- rose in rank from captain to major, from that to chased a half interest in a drug establishment lieutenant-colonel and finally to colonel by brevet. owned by the late David Maginnis, for, owing to He was in the following battles: Winchester, the failing health of the latter in 1850, he was June 14, 15, 1863; Locust Grove, November 27, compelled to retire from the business, and Mr. 1863; Wilderness, May 5, 6, 1864; Spottsylvania Graham immediately purchased his interest and Court House, May 9, 10, 12, 18, 19, 21, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 1, 3, 1864; Petersburg, June 23, 1864; near Charlestown, W. Va., August 21, 1864; Winchester, September 19, 1864; Fisher's

conducted affairs on his own account for many years. He at different times admitted as partners in the concern several of his clerks, and the same store is at present owned and conducted by his son, Hill, September 22, 1864; Cedar Creek, October Clarence V. Graham, and Kennedy M. Baush, 19, 1864, besides a number of skirmishes. The under the firm name of Graham & Co. For a first year he served in Gen. R. L. McCook's bri- number of years past Mr. Graham has devoted his gade, George H. Thomas' division in Kentucky, attention to the banking business, and his success Tennessee and Mississippi, but his regiment, the is as substantial as it is well merited. Mr. Gra- Eighteenth United States infantry, was not in any ham has never been identified with politics more regular engagement during that time. He left

than to vote for the men of his party, but has de- that regiment in June, 1862. He has filled the voted his attention entirely to his business affairs, position of city solicitor of Zanesville, prosecuting and his efforts have been crowned with success. attorney of Muskingum county, judge of common He has taken a deep interest in almost every pub- pleas of the Eighth Judicial district of Ohio, his lic enterprise that has arisen in the interest of election taking place December 10, 1866, and re- Muskingum county, and has been connected with porter to the supreme court of Ohio. Judge nearly every railroad entering the county in some Granger is the father of five children: Henry way or other, and is now a director of the C. & M. James, born November 1, 1859, and died August

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

2, 1860; Alfred Hoyt, born May 31, 1867; Sher- but an infant when her parents came to America man Moorhead, born June 16, 1870; Helen Louise, and located in Belmont county. Prof. J. A. Gray born June 14, 1872, and died September 21, 1872; was the eldest of four children who were named as Ethel, born March 28, 1876. Judge Granger is a follows: J. Calvin, married, is an able attorney at man whose services have been of great value to the Martin's Ferry, Belmont county, Ohio (was counsel city in which he resides, and he has successfully in the year 1883, and succeeded in the exceptional handled some of the most noted law cases that appeal before the national board of supervising have come up before the Muskingum county bar. inspectors at Washington, D. C., in reinstating the He was judge and chief judge of the Ohio supreme pilot of the "John Lomas" after the famous court commission from April, 1883, to April, 1885. steamboat disaster on the Ohio river in which His army commissions are dated as follows: Cap- many lives were lost); Ellen H., a resident of tain of the Eighteenth United States infantry, Martin's Ferry; and Sarah, an artist, also a resi- May 14, 1861; major of the One Hundred and dent of that town. The Professor's early life was Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer infantry, Septem- spent in Martin's Ferry; where he attended the- ber 10, 1862; lieutenant-colonel of the One Hun- public schools, and after a four years' course in dred and Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer infantry, Franklin college, was graduated in 1873. From May 1, 1863; colonel by brevet United States 1874 to 1875 he taught in the Ohio Central college Volunteers, October 19, 1864 The Granger at Iberia, but in the last mentioned year he came family was first represented in this county by the to Muskingum county and has since been professor Judge's uncle, Ebenezer Granger, who became a of Muskingum college. In the enthusiastic pur- resident of Zanesville about 1810, and was a suc- suit of his chosen calling Prof. Gray has awakened cessful lawyer. The Judge's maternal grand- public sentiment to a higher appreciation of the father, Moses Moorhead, represented Belmont benefits to be derived from a good education, and county in the Ohio legislature at Zanesville in as an earnest, conscientious, progressive educator 1810. He located in this section permanently in he occupies a leading place. He is also deeply 1817, as did also James Granger, the father of the interested in church work, and is an ordained min- subject of this sketch, and they were among the ister to the United Presbyterian church. In poli- county's pioneer settlers, and witnessed the ups tics he is a republican. In 1873, after graduating, New Athens, Harrison county, Ohio, and who is and downs of pioneer life and experienced all its he married Miss Mariah Wishart, who was born at hardships.

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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 86

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