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 92
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496
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
married Mary E. Abbott, July 30, 1863. She was county, and was the son of William Leasure, a born May 17, 1846, and was the daughter of native of the same county and of German descent, Moses and C. (Foster) Abbott. The father was probably. He was married in his native state to born in the state of Indiana and was the son of Miss Sophia Shane and in 1832 he and his wife Moses Abbott and was the father of four children: and three children, Isaac, Elizabeth (deceased) and Margaret J., Rebecca A., Mary E. and Eppa. Amos (deceased), started in the latter part of No- Both Mr. and Mrs. Abbott were members of the vember, in a covered wagon drawn by a team of Baptist church. He lived to the age of fifty-nine horses, and slowly journeyed toward Ohio. Winter years, respected by all. The Abbott family de- had set in, and they suffered much from cold and scended from the Puritan family of Maine, who exposure, but being possessed of the heroic spirit were among the best settlers of that state and de- for which the early settlers were so famous, they scended from them are the famous John S. C. Ab- struggled on and finally reached Muskingum bott, the great historian, and Jacob Abbott, the county. The year following Mr. Leasure pur- popular author and teacher. Moses Abbott was a chased 204 acres of land, a small portion of which soldier in the Civil war, Company F, Seventy- had been cleared and on which a log cabin had eighth regiment, Ohio Volunteer infantry, and been erected, and he and family at once began served six months. He was injured in a railroad clearing and improving. Here the father passed accident and died in Monroe township. After the closing scenes of his life. Although he came marriage, Peter B. Lane settled on the home here with limited means and was obliged to work place and in 1869 came to his present farm, which by the month the first year, he succeeded beyond was then but a wilderness and which he has con- his expectations and accumulated considerable verted into a good stock farm by industry. To property. The children born in this county were: Mr. and Mrs. Lane were born eleven children: Sarah Ann, widow of John Addison; James A., Alonzo H. (born April 28, 1865), Laura L. (born and William H., who resides in Lewis county, Mo., January 4, 1867; married John Conway, a farmer Mr. and Mrs. Leasure were acceptable members of of Monroe township, and has three children), the M. E. church with which they had been con- George M. (born July 16, 1868, and married Lulu nected many years, and took a great interest in all Ford. He is a farmer of Monroe township and good work. He took an active part in the erection has two children), Jeremiah B. born July 29, of the Methodist church that was erected about 1870), Susannah B. (born January 13, J873), 1840. Politically he was a democrat, supporting Charles F. (born August 17, 1876), Catherine R. in all elections the principles of democracy. He born May 19, 1878), William O. (born October 28, died May 6, 1890, in the eighty-ninth year of his 1880), John E. (born March 2, 1883), Ira E. age. His wife had died May 28, 1868, when sixty- (born August 22, 1885), Peter W. (born April 19, four years of age. She was born close to Hagers-
1888). All are living. Mr. Lane is respected by
town in Maryland. James A. Leasure was born on
his fellow citizens, and has held the office of town- the old homestead in Muskingum county, Septem- ship trustee for three years. He takes great in- ber 10, 1836, and his youthful days were passed in terest in educational matters. He is a public- assisting on the farm, and in attending the common spirited man, an industrious and practical farmer, schools a few short weeks each year. In April, who stands deservedly high as a straightforward 1861, he responded to the first three months' call citizen. He is giving his children all good com- for troops, by enlisting in the tenth Indiana Volun- mon-school educations. He was twenty-one years teer infantry, Company F, and was in the com- of age when he married and is now forty-nine years mand of Gen. Rosecranz. He participated with of age. Mrs. Lane was but seventeen years old his regiment in the battle of Rich Mountain and when married, and they have eleven children and was discharged at the expiration of his term of five grandchildren living. enlistment. He returned to his home, and in the
James A. Leasure, farmer, Brush Creek, Ohio. same year (1861) he was married to Miss Rachel In former years the life of the farmer was consid- Buchanan, daughter of Jefferson and Jane (Con- ered a laborious one, but in this progressive age, way) Buchanan. One year later he settled in with such improvements in machinery, he can do Newton township where he now resides and rented his work with half the dispatch or labor as in the land for three years. He then bought 169 acres of time of his father, and in fact work but little if any the same land, then 123 acres, and now has a fine harder than the average man who strives to make place. He is a prosperous and enterprising citizen a living. Mr. Leasure is one of the successful of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Leasure's marriage farmers who have kept thoroughly apace with the has been blessed by the birth of five children: times, and has reached the condition of life men- Rosetta M. (deceased), Carrie A., Amos A., Jennie tioned above. His father, Henry Leasure (deceased), and Birdie E. Carrie, who was a teacher, married was a native of the Keystone state, born in Bedford John Morrison, who also followed that profession.
497
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
Mrs. Leasure's father, Jefferson Buchanan, who county, Penn. The old home is now owned by was the son of Archibald Buchanan, was born in Mrs. Leech and her younger son, James T. He Ohio county, W. Va. He married Miss Jane Con- is a good farmer and business man, has ably man- way and afterward settled in Newton township, this aged the farm and built a handsome new house county, where he followed tanning, becoming cele- upon it. It is without doubt one of the best im- brated in this business. To his marriage were born proved places in the township. James T. is an two children, Mary and Rachel. Mr. Buchanan enterprising, progressive young man, takes a great died July 12, 1845, when but thirty-five years of interest in public matters, and in politics is a re- age. Mrs. Buchanan afterward married Adam publican. His mother is a member of the United Elson by whom she had one child, Martha, who is Presbyterian church, in which she has always in- the widow of James Palmer. Mr. Elson died in terested herself.
1856. She was born in Ireland, May 10, 1816,
Prominent among the well-known and highly and was but eight days old when her parents (Will- respected citizens of Muskingum county, is Dr. iam and Margaret Conway), started with her to Leroy S. Lenhart, Chandlersville, who owes his America. Mr. and Mrs. Leasure are members of nativity to this county, his birth occurring on June the Presbyterian church in which they have held 17, 1832. He was the third in order of birth of membership for a number of years. five children born to Joseph and Nancy (Vickers) Prominent among the early pioneer families of Lenhart, the father of German and the mother of Ohio we mention the Leech family, formerly of English descent. Her father built the first frame Guernsey county. Mrs. Mary A. Leech is living house in Zanesville, and was sheriff in that county with her sons, William and James T., on a nicely for many years. Joseph Lenhart was a native of improved farm about two miles north of New Con- the Buckeye state. Dr. Leroy S. Lenhart received cord, Highland township, this state. She was the a liberal education in the schools of Morgan county, wife . of Thompson Leech, who was born and Ohio, and commenced the practice of medicine in reared in Guernsey county, Adams township, and 1856. He located in Salt Creek township, Mus- the son of Matthew and Nancy (Thompson) Leech. kingum county in 1860, where he has had a large The father was among the early settlers of that practice for years. He is a self-made man, and county, a prominent citizen in his day, and reared what he has accomplished in the way of this a large family, some still living on the old home world's goods is the result of his good managment place in Guernsey county. Thompson married and skill in his profession. He owns 200 acres of Mary A. Moorehead about 1846, and lived one year the best land in the county, and has an orchard in Guernsey county, after which he moved to Van ninety years old that still bears fruit. In politics Buren county, Iowa, and settled on a farm. After he is a republican. Dr. Lenhart was married in a residence here of six months he died, leaving a 1858 to Miss Sophia Robertson, daughter of John wife and two small children. The mother and and Hannah (Boggs) Robertson. To them have
two boys came back to Ohio and went to live with been born four children: Alice May (now Mrs. Jor- Mrs. Leech's father, James Moorehead, and are dan), Charles Milton, Elmer Leroy and Lillie. still residing on the farm, which is one of the old- All living except Lillie. Mr. and Mrs. Lenhart est in the township of Highland. James Moore- are classed among the best citizens of the county, head was among the earliest settlers here. He and have many warm friends.
took up a home about 1813, improved it, made a James J. Lewis is a native-born citizen of Mus- good farm of it, and here lived until his death, in kingum county, Ohio, and first saw the light of day 1874. He was a prominent man in the county, in the year 1830. His childhood was spent in his- and one of the richest. He took for his wife Anu native township of Salt creek, but at a later period McComb, and they reared a family of five chil- he became a resident of Wayne township, where dren, four still living. The eldest child, John L., he made his home for twenty years. At the end of is living in Zanesville (he is married, had a this time he removed to Morgan county, Ohio, large family, two children only now living); Samuel, where he became interested in the milling business is living in Bloomfield; Mary A .; Mrs. Leech; on Wolf creek, doing both a grist and sawmilling Elizabeth, Mrs. Pliley, of Zanesville; Joseph, died business. In 1867 he sold out his milling interests at an early day and was the first person buried in and purchased at one time seventy acres, and at the U. P. graveyard at Bloomfield; Joseph, who another ninety acres of land, which constitutes a moved to Arkansas and there died. The mother portion of the farm on which he is now residing. of this family died in 1865. Both the Leech and Everything about his farm shows that he thor- Moorehead families came from good old pioneer oughly understands his business, and as he has stock, and of Revolutionary fame. Mrs. Mary never entered the arena of political life, all his time Leech is one of the oldest ladies in this county. has been devoted to the successful tilling of his She was born March 5, 1816, in Washington land. Although repeatedly solicited to accept pub-
498
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
lic office he has invariably refused, the strife and tur- twins; Mary is at home; Susan died in early moil of political life having no charms for him. In childhood, and Sarah is the wife of Harry F. Fin- 1864 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and ley, of this township. Mr. Lhane was left a wid- Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer infantry, and became ower in 1876, since which time his daughter, Mary, first lieutenant of his company. His regiment was has kept house for him. He and his family wor- immediately ordered to the front and became a ship in the Methodist Episcopal church, and he and part of a Virginia command. At Martinsburg he his sons vote the democratic ticket, the principles was wounded by a bullet in one of his eyes, which of which party they warmly support. Mr. Lhane eventually caused the loss of that member. He is a general farmer, and his place is indicative of served over his time of enlistment (100 days), was thrift and energy, which attributes have been among honorably discharged and returned to his Ohio his chief characteristics from boyhood up. He has home. He was married in 1860 to Prudence D. lived a most blameless life, and his worst enemy, Holcomb, and to them three children have been had he one, could say nothing derogatory to his born: Carrie M., Cora A. and Addie E. Mr. Lewis, character. He stands well in the esteem of all his wife and children are members of the Method- who are so fortunate as to number him among their ist Protestant church, and are active in all good acquaintances, and is honored and respected in a works. Politically he is a republican, and sup- high degree by his own immediate family. His ports the men and measures of that party on all sons, Samuel and John, were soldiers in the late important issues. Civil war and saw some hard service.
Jacob Lhane is a pioneer farmer of Muskingum
Capt. E. Little is a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, and although his life has been a county, Ohio, and resides on a farm in Madison rather uneventful one, it has been neitlier useless township, although his birth occurred in Wash- nor aimless. He has faithfully discharged his du- ington township, two miles from the county court ties as they presented themselves; has ever dis- house in 1829, he being the youngest son and charged his obligations in the most upright man- next to the youngest child born to Thomas and ner, and his many worthy traits of heart and head Alice (Barcroft) Little, who became the parents of have won him not only the respect but also the the following children: Fannie, Mary, Edna, affection of all who know him. He was born in Sarah, Susan, Martha, Elizabeth, John, Ambrose, Franklin county, Penn., October 13, 1815, the eld- James, Elizabeth and the subject of this sketch. est son and fourth child of ten children born to Thomas Little, the father, was born in New Jacob and Mary (Longdorf) Lhane, who were Jersey in 1780, and his death occurred in 1842, native Germans and came to America in their in this county, whither he moved in 1818, settling youthful days. They were married in Franklin near the town of Dresden on a farm. He was mar- county, Penn., and there reared their children. The ried in the state of his birth, but reared his family father was a carpenter and farmer, and was a man principally in Muskingum county, and being in whose record was honorable in every worthy partic- moderate circumstances, gave them all such advan- ular. Jacob Lhane was left an orphan when about tages as the country at that day afforded. His wife twelve years of age, and, for a number of years was born the same year as himself but survived him thereafter, experienced many hardships in endeav- six years, dying in this county. In his youth, oring to provide himself with the necessaries of . Capt. E. Little attended school in district No. 5, life. His youthful days were spent in the county also Denison university, and in 1859 was here of his birth in learning the details of farming, and united in marriage to Miss Ann Randall, daughter there he was married, on September 13, 1829, to of Abel and Mary (Van Voorhies) Randall, her Miss Cass Rockwell, who was born in Pennsylvania birth occurring in this county in 1837. She was in 1812, a daughter of William Rockwell, of one of five children, all of whom are living else- Franklin county, Penn. In 1840 Mr. Lhane came where except her brother, D. V. Randall, who lives with his family to Perry township, Muskingum at Frazeysburg. Two other brothers reside in county, Ohio, and here at once purchased a farm, Kansas and one in California. Mrs. Little's which, after conducting a number of years, he dis- parents died in this county after a residence of posed of, and for the past thirty-two years he has many years, the father's death occurring in 1864 lived on his present fertile and admirably conducted and the mother's in 1884, their advent in the farm of 115 acres, in the east part of Salem township. county dating from 1812. Captain and Mrs. Little In time a family of ten children gathered about his in time became the parents of the following chil- board, but two are deceased: Samuel is a farmer, dren: M. Kate, Alexander R., Anna L., Alice B., of this county; John is a farmer, of Missouri; and E. Grant. These children have been attend- William was killed by a falling tree in Perry town- ants of some of the best educational institutions ship, in 1857; Jacob is at home; George is at home; in this section of the state. Capt. Little is a Elliot, in Missouri, and Michael, at home, are prosperous farmer, and is the owner of several
499
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
farms of as good land as the county affords. Harriet Fry, daughter of Samuel Fry, of Winches- Large crops are annually raised on the cultivated ter, Va., and afterward followed his trade, that of portion, and most of the remainder is devoted to saddle maker, becoming very wealthy at this. To stockraising, in which branch of agriculture the Mr. and Mrs. Littler were born eight children: Captain has been quite successful. In 1863 he John (died at the age of two years), William, Mi- entered the Ohio National guards and was elected randa, Ann, John, Harriet, Thomas and Virginia, captain of Company H, Eleventh regiment, Ohio all born in Hardee county, Va., on the old home- National guards, which in May, 1864, entered the stead. Mr. Littler moved to Newark, Ohio, in regular service for 100 days and was made the 1848, and followed farming near the city until 1855, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio regiment. when he moved to Licking county, where he con- Capt. Little and his company were detached at tinued his former pursuit. He was a member of Baltimore, and were detailed to guard the hospital the Methodist Episcopal, and his wife a member and supplies at that point. He left the service in of the Presbyterian church. He held the position August, 1864. He is a member of the Cass post of steward, trustee, chorister and class- leader, and No. 415, of the G. A. R., at Dresden. Although was prominent in all good work. He was a fine Capt. Little was reared a democrat and his first singer, and took a great interest in church matters. vote was for Franklin Pierce, he changed his poli- In politics he was democratic until his son re- tics at the opening of the war and has since been turned from the war, when he became a republican. a republican, on which ticket he was elected to William Littler, subject of this sketch, was born the state legislature in the fall of 1863, and again August 14, 1837, and received a very limited edu- in the fall of 1884. He introduced the Bohemian cation, merely learning to read and write at a writ- oats bill which eventually drove the dealer in that ing school, which he attended several terms. He product out of the state of Ohio, and in various was about nine years of age when he came with other ways he showed himself to be thoroughly his parents to Ohio. The family came by wagon, alive to the interests of his state, and especially and young William walked most of the way. He his section. His home is situated about two and followed farming until August 7, 1862, when he one-half miles from Dresden. enlisted in Company E, Ninety-fourth Illinois William Littler, councilman, Frazeysburg, Volunteer infantry, at Gridley, McLean county, Ohio, is one of the quiet citizens of Muskingum Ill., for three years. He had left home the year county, and a man universally respected. He is of before to make his own way in life, but on account German-Scotch descent, his great-grandfather, of his father's failing health all his wages were John Littler, a German, having married a Scotch sent home to help support the family. He served lady. The great-grandfather and mother came three years and nine days, was honorably dis- to America at a period antedating the Revolution, charged in 1865. He was in the battle of Prairie and the former would have enlisted had he not Grove, Ark., December 7, 1862; raid on Van been prevented by sickness. His son, John Littler Buren, December 26, 1862; siege of Vicksburg, Jr., grandfather of our subject, was born in Penn- June and July, 1863; Morganza Bend, September sylvania, and married a Miss Newman, of German 5, 1863; Yazoo City, July 12, 1863; siege of Fort extraction. To them were born these children: Morgan, Ala., December 22, 1864; siege of Spanish Nathan, Thomas, John, Martha, Catherine, Leah Fort in March and April, and capture of Fort and Rachel. John Littler moved to Virginia, and Blakely April 9, 1865. This remarkable list of settled on a farm in Hardee county, where he re- battles Mr. Littler participated in from first to sided until eighty-three years of age. He was a last, and was under fire sixty-one days. He es- very wealthy man for those days. His wife died at caped without wounds, although his head was the age of seventy-four. He was a man of more grazed by bullets, and his foot by a piece of shell. than ordinary education, and was circuit judge for He was not in hospital, but was sunstruck at Mor- many years, also justice of the peace. He was col- ganza Bend, and remained upon the field of bat- onel in the militia, and was known as Squire Lit- tle, unconscious, for forty-eight hours. This dis- tler all through that country. He was a member abled him for about nine months, but he was sent of the Methodist church, as were his ancestors for home on recruiting service. He has never fully generations, being among the followers of John recovered from the effects of his sunstroke. Here- and Charles Wesley. He intended serving in the turned to Illinois, and was married in Muskingum Mexican war, but his great weight, and sickness county, Ohio, to Miss Margaret A. Spencer, prevented him. His son, Jolin Littler third, father daughter of Simeon and Mary Spencer. Mr. of subject, was born on the old homestead in Vir- Spencer was born in America, but was of German ginia in 1813, received a common-school education, descent. His grandfather was born in New and became familiar with the duties of the farm at Jersey, but the great-grandfather came from Ger- an early age. He was married in Virginia to Miss inany. Edward Spencer, father of Simeon, was
.
500
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
one of the early settlers of Muskingum county, and Junction, Ohio. The two daughters, one the eld- the latter was born on the farm in Licking town- est and the other the youngest of the family, are ship, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer were both deceased. Sarah E. married a Mr. Lovejoy, the parents of four children, who lived to maturity: and at her death left six children, and Ellen G. Margaret A., Sylvester M., William and Susan A. died when sixteen years of age. The father and Mr. Spencer was a farmer, and passed all his days mother of these children were members of the on the farm. He died in 1889, at the age of seventy- Methodist Episcopal church, and none were more five. Both were members of the Methodist church. highly esteemed and respected than they. Z. D. Mr. Spencer was class-leader, and a very religious Lovejoy was left fatherless when but six years of man. He was well known among the pioneers as age, and two years later he started out to fight his an industrious and honorable citizen. In politics own way in life, first living out for board and he was an old line whig, and afterward a repub- clothes. After this he clerked for a time, then lican. His son, Sylvester M., served four years in tilled the soil on a farm, mined a little, and when the Civil war, Company A, Seventy-sixth Ohio Vol- twenty-one years of age learned the railroad busi- unteer infantry, and was in all the battles of his ness, securing a position on the B. & O. R. R. the regiment. He was orderly sergeant, and escaped following December. Since that time he has been unhurt. After marriage Mr. Littler settled on his with that railroad company. He came to New farm in Gridley township, Ill., and remained there Concord in March, 1883, and here he has made until 1889, when he came to Frazeysburg. He his home ever since. He embarked in the drug and Mrs. Littler are members of the Methodist and book business in April, 1891, still continues church. He has held the offices of trustee and this, and also holds his position as agent at the steward, and contributes liberally of his means to railroad depot. Mr. Lovejoy selected his life com- its support. In politics he affiliates with the re- panion in the person of Miss Edith E. Austin, a publican party. While a resident of Illinois he native of Edgerton, Ohio, born on March 17, 1858, was tax collector and school director. Since com- and their nuptials were celebrated at Edgerton, ing to Frazeysburg he has been elected to the Williams county, Ohio, April 30, 1882. Her town council, and is commander of Griffe post father, A. D. Austin, is a prominent attorney of No. 331, G. A. R. He has accumulated a goodly that town. Mr. and Mrs. Lovejoy's union has property, and is one of the substantial men of the been blessed by the birth of four children: Claude county. He is self-made, beginning with nothing, A., born May 10, 1883; E. Pearl, born February
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