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 88
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477
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
Mr. E. E. Fillmore, a wholesale and retail hard- new firm. In two years a dissolution of partner- ware merchant of Zanesville, to take a position in ship occurred and the remaining partner finally his store. In April, 1860, he began his career in decided to sell the stock at auction, which he did, the hardware business, remaining in it until 1867, employing the two Sells, of Columbus, Ohio (who when the heavy labor, being too much for him he later became famous circus managers and owners), was compelled to give it up. as auctioneers. A trip to Kansas after the store
We here relate an incident connected with the closed, gave relief to the worn-out and exhausted original "start off " of the oil business in western powers of Mr. Harkins, after so many years of Virginia, that may be interesting to many and close confinement to business and hard labor. which is not generally known. Mr. Harkins While in Kansas he received a letter from a new claims the honor of selling the first pieces of iron firm of Zanesville, who had opened a hardware and steel to make a drill to bore for oil, in the oil store, and once more was induced to handle iron territory of the southern part of West Virginia. and steel. Being now past fifty-eight years of age, In the fall of 1860 they had a call for a piece of and not fully recovered from the effects of his ill- iron twenty inches long, four inches wide and one ness while in service, he was unable to carry an inch thick. As this was an unusual size it could anvil, but attempting it, fell, doing great injury to not be supplied, but when the man explained that his back, which he had twice before injured in he wished it for an oil-well drill and that there like manner. From this injury he never fully would soon be a demand for it, they took him to recovered, and was compelled to keep to his bed the store of the Ohio Iron company. This com- from November to the following May. His pany occupied the building now occupied by the deficient hearing now proved very annoying, as the Baily drug store, and did a retail business, and possibility of selling goods was again very uncer- there they found what the man desired.
The tain. Upon recovering sufficiently to do business, manager, Mr. A. F. Cassell (now deceased), was he was elected by the trustees of the Zanesville called upon and the wants of the customer ex- Water Works, secretary of the board, a place of plained, but the piece he desired had been express- great clerical labor as well as responsibility, in ly made for the railroad company and was too long. which position he remained for six years, being This Mr. Cassell did not wish to cut, but after then obliged to resign as his hearing had become much persuasion, being convinced that it would so impaired that he could scarcely transact the prove a good advertisement for him, and the mill business with those coming into the office. This being able to duplicate it, finally decided to give was the last regular business he attempted to the man what he desired. This sale proved a very transact, as a disabled body and great deficiency profitable advertisement and an entering wedge to of hearing made him unfit to discharge his duties the business in connection with the oil-well drill- as when much younger, so he stepped aside to ing that followed soon after, and the Ohio Iron make room for younger men. During his long company and Mr. Fillmore's hardware business residence in Muskingum and the adjoining county were greatly profited thereby. The Christmas of Perry, one thing has always been before him, to week of 1863 Mr. Harkins was compelled to retire learn the names of those with whom he has had from the business on account of the loss of hear- dealings, to remember them and their faces, and in ing, and not until February, 1864, did he recover every township in both counties he has a very ex- sufficiently to return to it. In May, 1864, he with tensive acquaintance. In Muskingum county one of Mr. Fillmore's sons enlisted in Company especially his recollection of people of early days A, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer as well as events of pioneer times has enabled the infantry, and served in and about Baltimore, Md. publishers of this history of Muskingum county, During his service he, with about half his company, who have placed their mannscripts before him, to was stricken down with a malignant type of ma- present them in a most authentic form. This can laria, contracted on the borders of the Chesapeake be said of Mr. Harkins with perfect truth, as there bay, and from which young Mr. Fillmore died is not one township in Muskingum county but he soon after he was mustered out. Being mustered can recall the names of the pioneers and relate out with his own company in August, 1864, Mr. some incident connected with them or some Harkins was not able to take his place among the peculiarity of a vast number of theul. He is now iron and nails until February, 1865. Returning in his eightieth year, in very good health, unim- to his business he was hardly able to discharge his paired memory, and still finds the world full of duties and finally was compelled to give it up al- enjoyment, in the midst of a lovable and interest- togetlier. He at once took a position in a dry ing family, consisting of a most kind and affec- goods house just opened here, and his large ac- tionate wife (now like himself, well advanced in quaintance with the people of the city and country years), and children who do all in their power for came into good play, in securing customers for the his comfort. If, in his efforts to have this history
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
one that can be depended upon, as far as he was frame, possessed enormous strength, and was thor- instrumental in doing so, proves satisfactory to oughgoing and enterprising. Previous to his death those who may read it, he will feel well satisfied he had cleared about three acres of land and built that he has expended his time in revising the a small cabin. Mrs. Harrop and children remained manuscripts submitted to him for that purpose. on the farm, cleared it up and began making im- Much valuable information has been received from provements. Her death occurred in Her Mr. Harkins in regard to the great changes that son, Aquilla Harrop, was born in Virginia in 1814, have taken place in Zanesville since he first entered and was twelve years of age when his parents it in 1818. settled in the woods of Muskingum county. He
Charles O. Harris, brick manufacturer, Zanes- was married to Miss Sarah French, a daughter of ville, Ohio. One of the most noted and successful James B. and Nancy (Tripplett) French, and to this concerns in the state, extensively engaged in the union were born the following children, viz. : manufacture of brick of all kinds, is that known James (deceased), Susan, Jacob (deceased), Graf- as W. B. Harris & Bros., the firm having three ton (deceased), Stephen, Thomas, Charles, Ann, yards in and near Zanesville, with a capacity of John, Ellis and Margaret. Grafton and Jacob 60,000 bricks per day. Charles O. Harris was enlisted in the Sixty-second Ohio regiment, Com- born in Zanesville in 1833, and his father, William pany A, in 1861, and both were good soldiers, fight- H. Harris, who was a native of London, England, ing valiantly for the flag and country. Grafton came to America when a young man.
The elder gave his life in the famous right charge on Fort Harris located in Zanesville in 1821, followed mer- Wagner, he being instantly killed, while advancing chandising for some time, but in later years be- with his regiment on the enemy's guns, on July 18, came a farmer. His death occurred in Zanesville 1863. Jacob received a severe wound in the thigh in 1880. Charles O. Harris was reared in Zanes- at the same battle, and lay on the field till the fol- ville and received his education in the public lowing day, when he fell into the hands of the schools of that city. After some time spent as a rebels. He was sent back to the union lines and clerk he became a member of the firm of W. B. entered the hospital near New York city, where he Harris & Bros. in merchandising business, and subsequently died, August 1, 1863. Grafton's continued with this firm until 1889, since which body was buried on the field on which he fought time the firm has been extensively engaged in the and died. On August 23, 1864, Stephen enlisted in manufacture of brick. Mr. Harris selected, as Company F, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio his companion in life, Miss Lucy Meredith, a Volunteer infantry, and served in Schofield's army native of the Old Dominion, and their nuptials corps. John, another son, was a prominent and were celebrated at Winchester, Ohio, in 1865. This successful teacher in the schools of Muskingum union has been blessed by the birth of four chil- county. Mr. Harrop has been a member of the dren, one son and three daughters. The family
Methodist church for many years, and his wife worship at the Presbyterian church. In politics holds membership in the Baptist. Mrs. Harrop's Mr. Harris advocates the principles of the repub- lican party. He is a member of the Royal Arca- num and Legion of Honor.
parents, James and Nancy French, were Virgin- ians, and removed to this county soon after 1820, locating, soon after, on the land where their son,
The grandfather of Aquilla Harrop, farmer, Thomas, now lives. They were the parents of Brush Creek, Ohio, was an Englishman by birth, twelve children: Sarah (deceased), William (de- and a soldier in the English army. He was a ceased), Ann M., Grafton, Margaret, Delila, Mary, weaver by trade. James Harrop, father of sub- Thomas, Mason, Reuben (deceased), Lewis and ject, was born in eastern Virginia, where he was Hugh (deceased). Mr. Harrop. married for his married to Miss Mary Cohogan, and resided there second wife Ann French, a sister of his former until 1826, when he came to Muskingum county, wife. During his long life Mr. Harrop has affil- Ohio, settling in Brush Creek township. He made iated with the republican party. Besides the three the journey in a wagon, and after arriving here sons in the army Mr. Harrop had two brothers fight- purchased 160 acres of land, which was unimproved ing for the union: William, in an Illinois regiment, and covered with heavy timber. His family con- and Stephen, in an Ohio regiment.
sisted of the following children: Margaret (de-
The father of Rev. Samuel P. Hildreth, Adams ceased), Catherine (deceased), Susan (deceased), Mills, Ohio, Dr. Samuel P. Hildreth, was a native Aquilla, Elizabeth (deceased), James, Ann, of Methuen, Essex county, Mass., and when still Stephen (deceased) and William. Aquilla, James, single came to Marietta, Ohio, and commenced and Ann, wife of Jacob Neff, are the only ones re- practicing medicine at that place in 1806. He siding in this county. In the fall of the year after married Miss Rhoda Cook, of Belpre, Ohio, on locating here Mr. Harrop met with his death, burst- August 18, 1807, and the fruits of this union were ing a blood vessel by exertion. He was of large six children: Mary A., Charles C., George O.,
479
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
Samuel P., Rhoda M. and Harriet E. Dr. Hil- with the original pioneer colony which was organ- dreth was a prominent physician at Marietta for ized by Gen. Rufus Putnam, and was the first many years, and became a well-known and wealthy justice of the peace and postmaster of the infant man. He was well educated, a graduate of one of colony. His death occurred at Marietta. He was the eastern colleges, and was very popular, both a man of great breadth of character, and was one socially and professionally. He was connected of the pioneer patriots. He was the father of with the geological survey of the state, and was a four children: Susan, Sarah, Joseph and Mary. member of the State Historical society. He was a His son, Joseph Munro, was born May 6, 1874, well-known and able writer on the pioneer days of at Peterboro, N. H., and came to Marietta a Ohio, and published, under the auspices of the Cin- number of years after his father. He settled at cinnati Historical society, " A Pioneer History of Zanesville, where he was one of the early mer- Ohio," which was a very interesting history of chants, and was in company with Daniel Convers. early days, and was chiefly from original manu- They built the first brick store in that city. After script. In 1852 he wrote "The Biographical and residing there until 1810 Mr. Munro moved to Cass Historical Memoirs of the Early Pioneer Settlers township, this county, and settled on 500 acres of of Ohio," and in 1864 he wrote "Sketches of land-given his wife by her father, Jonathan Pioneer History." He practiced medicine at Mari- Cass-and there built a substantial and roomy resi- etta, Ohio, for tifty-five years, and was a pioneer dence of brick, the same still standing and in ex- physician as well as an historian of pioneers. In cellent condition. The rooms are large and high, 1861, as he said: "I laid it entirely aside and am and for that early day it is a good example of now waiting the time of my departure with resig- architecture. Mr. Munro brought his workmen nation and hope." He died at his home in Mari- from Chillicothe to build the house, and the bricks etta, July 28, 1863, aged eighty years. He was a were burned on the place. At that time there man of wide learning, an able and interesting his- was no road to Zanesville, and this was not only torian, and preserved to future ages the record of the first brick house in Cass township, but the only pioneer days. The long years spent within the one for miles around. Mr. Munro was a wealthy borders of the Buckeye state enabled him to wit- man, and extensively and favorably known. He ness its development from a wilderness to a wealthy was a member of the Presbyterian church and an and powerful state. His son, Samuel P. Hildreth, elder in the same. He died on July 26, 1847, was born at Marietta, Ohio, December 19, 1819, when seventy-four years of age. He was a man of and received a liberal education at Marietta col- excellent judgment, good business ability, and one lege, and a theological education at the "Lane of the prominent pioneers of the county. He Theological seminary " at Cincinnati, when the married Mary G. Cass, daughter of Maj. Jonathan famous Dr. Lyman Beecher was president. He Cass [see sketch of Dr. Edward Cass ], and to them was the only student who understood shorthand, were born ten children, six of whom lived to be and he reported Dr. Beecher's lectures and ser- grown: Susan E., Charles C., Caroline, Francis, mons for him. Rev. Hildreth began preaching at Sophia C. and Henry. Rev. Samuel P. Hildreth Jackson, Ohio, near Cincinnati, where he labored resided in Dresden eleven years, and then spent for one year, and then, in 1847, he came to Dres- the remainder of his days on the Munro homestead. den, where he followed his ministerial duties for When fifty-five years old, and on March 7, 1875, twenty-three years. He was successful in his this pioneer passed away. He devoted his life to labors, was an able and zealous man, and had a his ministerial duties and was very successful. flourishing church. He took an interest in the The two children born to his marriage were Mary welfare of the entire town, and it may well be said C. and Rhoda M. Mrs. Hildreth resides with her that his efforts were earnestly performed and well two daughters on the old homestead, which is one repaid. On August 6, 1852, he married Mrs. of the pleasantest homes in Ohio, and one which Sophia C. Adams (nee Munro), widow of James T. is a constant reminder of pioneer days and of the Adams, who died at the early age of twenty-one, loved ones who have occupied it. She is now in leaving one son, James T. Jr. [See sketch of Hon. her sixties, but her faculties are unimpaired, and T. D. Adams. ] Mrs. Hildreth was the daughter her cheerfulness is well known. The daughters of Joseph F. Munro, who was the son of Josiah are well educated and refined young ladies, having Munro, of Scotch descent. Josiah Munro's grand- been carefully instructed by their father, and the father, William Munro, came from the north of family is among the prominent ones of the county. Scotland in 1650. Josiah Munro was born Febru- John Hoge. To whom are the people indebted ary 12, 1745, at Lexington, Mass., and joined the for the mighty works which distinguish the "new" Revolutionary army at the battle of Bunker Hill, from the "old" Zanesville? If we look for names serving during the remainder of the war, and of citizens who have been potent in the awakening, holding the rank of captain. He came to Marietta one of the first to come to the lips of all men is
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480
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
that of John Hoge. Mr. Hoge was born in the Zanesville & Ohio River Railway company; direct- honse in which he now resides on North Sixth street, or Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati railway; vice- and has made Zanesville his home all his life. He is president the Griffith & Wedge company; director in the best and broadest sense a Zanesvillan. the Blandy Machine company; trustee the Odessa Fortune alone favored him in a sound body and in Land Syndicate; director the Homestead Building superior brain power. He was not "cradled in company; director the people's Savings Bank; Inxury" and left school at an early age to begin member of the Brighton Syndicate; director the the stern battle of life. While still a boy he began Union National Bank; director American Encaustic business with a relative by marriage, the late Will- Tiling company, and director Muskingum Coffin iam Schultz, and from the age of fifteen years he company. An intimate friend recently said that has been a producer of wealth. Mr. Hoge was he would wager something of value that Mr. Hoge first a partner of the elder Schultz, who retired could not write or state off hand, a list of the con- in 1866, but the firm name Schultz & Co. has been cerns of which he is an officer.
continued ever since, R. D. Schultz, the present
Messrs. Schultz & Hoge are owners of stocks senior member of the firm, taking the place of his in other banking houses, and are the heaviest in- father. The history of the rise and progress of vestors in manufacturing establishments in this this sterling firm is familiar to most of our readers city, and are said to be the largest individual tax- -it is a rich part of local annals. Their soap is payers in this county. About the year 1875,. known throughout the country, and without dispar- through the management of Mr. Hoge, the firm agement to the other members of the firm, it is not purchased the Zane house property, and, at his oft- saying too much to affirm that the efforts of John repeated and urgent suggestion, the opera house Hoge contributed largely to the establishment of and opera house block were erected in 1879, which its enduring reputation and unmatched success. then, as now, are the pride of our citizens. Mr. In the earlier days of the firm he was a tremendous Hoge's enthusiasm was impressed upon his partner, worker, day and night. He originated. many and, unaided, these two dauntless young men brands of soap, but his genius had a broader play erected a row of metropolitan business rooms and in peculiar and more comprehensive methods of a theater, at that time unequaled in the United advertising their products. In these days of gi- States. That this was a most expensive undertak- gantic enterprises for reaching popular favor ing goes without saying. We do not violate the through the art of the printer, John Hoge occupies confidence of a close friend when we say that by an unique and original place. His contact with this advanced enterprise this firm, although strong, the purchasing public began as a boy, in the capac- was subjected to a most severe financial strain-a ity of a traveling salesman, representing the firm, stress more burdensome than the public ever and he personally "sampled" many cities from dreamed. They were compelled to part with securi- door to door, until "star soap" became a familiar ties, and were large borrowers at sacrifices which household term. In this laborious work the hus- they heroically kept to themselves. Such was tling activity of the advertiser was born. But this their credit that not the semblance of a mortgage many-sided man of business is not only a producer encumbered their property, yet it was freely pre- and advertiser, but in the comparatively brief span dicted by the croakers that Schultz & Co. would be of his career he has become identified with scores ruined. The people of Zanesville ought not to of other enterprises. The writer can not perhaps forget the service rendered by these gentlemen. recall all as his information comes from various The business sagacity of Mr. Hoge soon manifested sources, but there is enough to satisfy the ambition itself in the management of the opera house. The of an ordinary mortal-an active member of the firm rules laid down by him were unique, and a marked of Schultz & Co .; president of Zanesville Electric innovation on the established methods of the " pro- Light company; president the Courier company; fession." The result was a widespread notoriety ex-president the Muskingum club and one of its and a national reputation for the Zanesville opera founders; director of the Brown Manufacturing house. Theatrical people stormed and swore like company, all of Zanesville; president of The Frey the army in Flanders, but they eventually yielded, Printing company, of Cincinnati (part of the U. S. and gracefully, to the iron-clad regulations. Their Printing company); vice-president of the Hinds- ravings have turned to exultant praise. The Ketchum company, Brooklyn, N. Y. (part of the "rules " have been widely copied throughout the U. S. Printing company); vice-president of the country-the best tribute to their fairness. " The
Brown-Manly Plow company, Malta, Ohio; director Appeal to the Profession," written by Mr. Hoge, of the Samuel Crump Label company, Mont Clair, and placarded in all the dressing rooms of the N. J. (part of U. S. Printing company); director theater, won the warmest commendation from the United States Printing company, Cincinnati. Ohio; " show people." When the American Encaustic director Central Ohio (B. & O.) railway; director Tiling Company decided to erect a new plant,
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
Zanesville unconsciously stood face to face with his consent to stand for the nomination for con- the greatest problem in her history. Mr. George gress in the Muskingum Valley district. Zanes- A. Stanbery, general superintendent, is authority ville delights to honor her sons, and we have put it for the statement that to John Hoge is due, more modestly when we say that she has none greater than to any other citizen, the decision of the com- than John Hoge. pany to locate its new plant in Zanesville rather
Mrs. Margaret J. Howard, Adamsville, Ohio, than in New Jersey, nearer the home of the prin- belongs to one of the old pioneer families of cipal stockholders. As the resident director, Mr. Muskingum county. John Bell, her grandfather, Hoge and Mr. Stanbery, constituting the local was the first one of the family to come here. He building committee, gave the creation of these was born in the state of Delaware but ran away mammoth works much personal attention. In the from home when young and went to Pennsylvania. infancy of electric lighting, Mr. Hoge saw the His parents were from Wales. He went to Wash- city's opportunity, and one of the best plants in ington county, near Stillwater, Penn. ; emigrated to Ohio was established at Zanesville under his direc- Ohio in 1811 with his family, consisting of his tion. But we must hurry along. With his old wife, who was Rachel Stillwell, and three children, friend, Gen. D. W. Caldwell, he purchased the Haley, Elizabeth and John. Mr. Bell settled on Clarendon hotel, the model hostelry of the country. land in Perry township near the Livingoods, who In a word, this still comparatively young man of were early settlers. After a few years be moved affairs is thoroughly entwined and interwoven into to Adams township and settled on the land now the commercial, manufacturing and industrial in- owned by his grandson, John R. Bell. He cleared terests of Zanesville. With his partner (they are up this land from the dense timber with which it cousins, but are often affectionately styled broth- was covered. He lived to, the age of seventy-eight ers, for they have always been investors together) years, both himself and wife being members of he has accomplished mighty things for their native the Baptist church. He was the father of ten city. Of all places of honor and trust which children: Haley, Elizabeth, John, William, Mary, have come to John Hoge he never solicited one of Sarah, Nancy, Catherine, Stillwell and Amy. He them, but he has declined many of more impor- was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his grave is tance than these he now so worthily fills. In some annually decorated by the G. A. R. John J. Bell, instances the positions are nominal in character, his son and the father of our subject, was born but he is an active worker in nearly all of the com- January 22, 1807, in Washington county, Penn., on panies with which he is connected. His advice is a farm and was but four years of age when he sought for and highly prized by his associates. came with his parents to Ohio. He received a
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