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 95
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discharged the duties incumbent upon that office the farm on which Sylvester now lives, where he in a creditable and very satisfactory manner. In spent the rest of his days, dying when seventy- politics he affiliates with the republican party. nine years old. His wife died January 16, 1884, He is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a mem- in her eighty-eighth year. He was always hard ber of the Presbyterian church.
working and industrious and became a substantial
Sylvester McDonald is a member of one of the farmer. He was an active member of the Christian pioneer families of Jackson township, Muskingum church, in which he was for many years treasurer county, Ohio, and is a son of George McDonald, and clerk, and he contributed liberally of his who was born in Frederick county, Va., in 1799, means to aid in its support. He built almost un- his father, Greenberry McDonald, having been aided Mount Zion church, and for many years born in Scotland. The latter came with his father assisted in sustaining its preachers. He was a to America and Greenberry and his brother Ed- democrat politically until the election of James ward fought in the American Revolution under Buchanan to the presidency, when he split on the Gen. Marion, and were called the "young Scotch- slavery question. He died in 1878, having been men." Edward is mentioned in the life of Gen. a man of high character, and it may be said of Marion as a brave and gallant soldier. He had a him that his word was as good as his bond. He famous horse which he called "Selim" and which gave his children good educational advantages, he captured from a tory. Greenberry married a and was a believer in the nobility of labor, and Miss Drum of Virginia, and by her became the taught his children not to fear work. He and his father of seven children; the following of whom wife were the parents of eight children, seven reached mature years: Elizabeth Elsie, Mrs. boys and one girl: Labon, Evan, William, Miles, Twadel, Mr. Spenser, Berry (who went to New John, Sylvester, Scott and Minerva. All lived Orleans at an early day and there died) and George, to be grown. Sylvester McDonald was born in the father of the subject of this sketch. In 1811 Cass township, this county, November 16, 1830, Greenberry McDonald came to Ohio, bringing his and when an infant of six weeks was brought by family with him and settled on Licking river near his parents to the homestead in Jackson town- the falls in Muskingum county, where he lived to ship, where he still resides. He, like his father the advanced age of ninety-five years. He was a before him, early learned to work, and assisted in shoemaker by trade, and in early manhood was clearing off the timber from the old homestead. very powerful and became noted for his feats of He received a common-school education, and on strength. George McDonald came with his par- February 27, 1851, he married Emma Gist, daugh- ents to Ohio, and after the death of his mother, ter of David and Sarah (Collins) Gist, and their which occurred shortly after their arrival in this union resulted in the birth of thirteen children,
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
ten of whom lived to maturity: Minerva (died in 1863, after having served from the commence- February 10, 1879); Martha (died April 2, 1877); ment of the war. Major Fountain, of Illinois, his Helen; Adolphus (died October 1, 1891); Lucy nephew, was present when he received his death (died April 30, 1884); Labon; Elsie; Scott (died wound. Samuel McGinness came with his father May 31, 1888); Alma, and Flora. Mrs. Mc- to this state in 1828, building a cabin in the woods, Donald died May 4, 1881, and Mr. McDonald and was educated in the old log schoolhouses of afterward married Miss Rebecca J. Drake, daugh- pioneer days. The settlers were compelled to go ter of Thomas and Jerushie (Baughman) Drake. many miles to mill, and sawmills were very scarce Mr. McDonald has always been interested in the indeed. Samuel McGinness was married, in 1848, cause of education, and for twenty-one years to Miss Sophia Morris, who was born in Pennsyl- filled the office of school director. He is a mem- vania in December, 1823, and came to this county ber of Mount Zion Christian church, and has been in 1832. Her father settled one mile north of treasurer of the same since the death of liis father. where Mr. McGinness now resides. His name was From an early day the old McDonald homestead Thomas Morris, and his wife was Mary Everall. has been a home for the preachers, and its doors Of a family of five children born to them four are are always open to them. The law of hospitality now living: Thomas (who resides in Iowa); Sophia has always been observed, and the stranger ask- (wife of Mr. McGinness); Richard (died in Illi- ing food or shelter has never been turned from nois); Elizabeth (wife of Levi Price, resides at the door. Mr. McDonald inherited from his par- Bradford, Ohio), and Charles (in the employ of the ents a love of justice and good conduct, and has I. M. Ry., in Texas. In 1865 Mr. Morris and his always lived a good and correct life. He has family removed to Illinois and settled in Tazewell been one of the leaders of his township in the county, where the father died, in 1867, and his furtherance of all good causes, and stands de widow, in 1885, at the ripe old age of ninety years. servedly high as an honorable citizen. He is a Mr. and Mrs. McGinness are the parents of the republican politically. His daughter, Helen, mar- following children: Charles J. (deceased); Mary ried Jacob Ashcroft of this township, by whom she E. (wife of J. L. Dozer); Lizzie A. (at home);
has five children: Wheeler, Mansfield, Robert, William T. (married, and a resident of Kansas); Tony and Belle. Labon married Amanda Moran, Louis H. (of this county); Alfred (married, and a is a teacher in the graded schools and is the resident of a farm), and Edwin at home. In 1863 father of two children: Roy and George G. Mr. McGinness was drafted into the army, but was Alma married Leonard Romine and has one child, furloughed, and afterward joined a military com- Nina. Elsie married James Baird, a blacksmith, pany known as the one hundred days' men, but who works in the shops at Newark. Flora is at was again furloughed, and received his discharge at home unmarried.
the close of the war. Mr. McGinness was an act-
Samuel McGinness is a successful farmer and ive republican up to 1885, since which time he has stockraiser of Muskingum county, Ohio, but was been a member of the prohibition party. His first born in Chester county, Penn., in 1821, to Johnson presidential vote was cast for Henry Clay, in 1844; and Jane (McMullin) McGinness, natives of this his last, as a republican, for James G. Blaine, in country, but of Scotch-Irish descent. The father 1884, and for Fisk, in 1888. During this time he was an early settler of Pennsylvania, belonging to has never been an office seeker, and has only served one of the pioneer families of the state, and was as land appraiser. He is one of the leading farm- born in 1772. In 1798, in company with a brother, ers of his section, and is the owner of a fine farm he passed through this section on his way to Ken- within three miles of Zanesville, on which he raises tucky, following the Zane trail from Pennsylvania. corn, wheat, hay, etc., and also some fine stock. After remaining in Kentucky for a short time he He and his wife are members of the Methodist returned to Pennsylvania, and was there married, Episcopal church of Zanesville, and he has always in 1808. In 1828 lie came to Muskingum county been a patron of education. In 1888 he became and settled on the farm on which the subject of this a member of the present Pioneer and Historical sketch is now residing, where he died, in October, society, and has been its treasurer since its organ- 1840. His second marriage was consummated in ization. He was a charter member of the first 1825, Miss Deborah Curle becoming his wife, Sabbath school in Distriet No. 1, Wayne township, and both his marriages were celebrated in Penn- which was organized in a brick house in 1834, and sylvania. By his first wife he became the father which was also used as a schoolhouse. This school, of seven children, only two of whom are now liv- both literary and Sabbath, has been continued ever ing: The subject of this sketch, and his sister, since, and Mr. McGinness has been in constant at- Mrs. James Fountain, of Henry, Ill. His second tendance in the Sabbath-school department. He marriage was blessed in the birth of two children: is also a member of the county alliance, and is Elizabeth Holcomb, of Perry county, Olio, and a president of the township alliance. sou, who was killed at Missionary Ridge, Tenn., This is one of the pioneer families of Mus-
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
kingum county, and among the most highly re- and settled on a farm. He lived to be nearly spected. Squire Daniel McGinnis, Frazeysburg, eighty-four years old, dying May 2, 1859. He Ohio, was born here October 20, 1830, and was was a prominent man and an extensive farmer the son of Samuel McGinnis and grandson of and manufacturer. He was public spirited, and Daniel McGinnis and the great-grandson of Heinus assisted in laying out many of the roads in McGinnis, who came from Ireland to America at Coshocton and Muskingum counties. He held a period antedating the Revolutionary war. He the office of justice of the peace for some time. served as a soldier in that war, and was also in Samuel McGinnis became owner of about 400 the French and Indian wars. He settled on a farin acres of land, and resided on his farm, two miles east of Blue Ridge, Penn., reared a large family north of Frazeysburg, until his death. He was and lived to be an old man. Daniel McGinnis, one of the first school teachers in the county, and grandfather of subject, lived in Fayette county, taught a subscription school in Jackson township Penn., married Miss Anna Lynch, who came from in 1832. The schoolhouse was of logs, puncheon Scotland with her parents when thirteen years of floor, and immense fireplace eight feet wide, and age. The Lynch family was one of great promi- a stick chimney daubed with mud. There were nence and wealth, and were noted manufacturers thirty-five scholars, twenty of whom were grown of edged tools. Her father, Robert Lynch, lived men and women, some of them having families, to be ninety years of age, and her mother, whose but trying with honest effort to learn to read. It maiden name was Harriet McLeon, and who was was the custom in those early days to bar the also born in Scotland, lived to be quite old. To teacher out until he treated, and so one morning Mr. and Mrs. Daniel McGinnis were born seven Mr. McGinnis found himself shut out and could children: George W., Hannah, Samuel, Robert, not get in. Returning the next day, he flogged Elizabeth, Mary and Annie. Mr. McGinnis was a one of the big boys, who had been saucy, with a comfortable farmer, and took great pains to edu- thorn bush. This severe treatment of one of their cate his children. He was born December 25, number brought on a compromise, and Mr. Mc- 1753, and lived to the unusual age of ninety- Ginnis agreed to treat. He brought apples from three. He was in the War of 1812. Hiswife would his own home, three gallons of cider and a gallon have rounded out one hundred full years had she of whisky. This, mixed, was a powerful stimulant, lived a few months longer. Thus it can be seen but the school drank the most of it, some of them, that the McGinnis family is noted for its lon- it is said, showing all the signs of having had gevity. Daniel McGinnis believed that an educa- enough. The old pioneers of that day would not tion combined with a good trade was better for work without their whisky, but they seldom drank his children than money, and he encouraged them enough to intoxicate. Building cabin houses, to improve their minds, and bent all his energies rolling logs, railmaking, etc., was the business of in that direction. He was successful, and reared the day. Samuel McGinnis died August 27, 1874, a very intelligent family. He had one son, Rob- in his seventy-sixth year. Both he and wife were ert, who was constable or sheriff of Franklin members of the Christian church. He filled both township for twenty-four years. His son, Samuel the offices of township clerk and treasurer, and was McGinnis, father of subject, was reared to farm a very intelligent and capable business man. He labor, and, like his brothers, had good educa- could write deeds and legal business papers with- tional advantages and learned a trade, that of a out forms, as he retained the forms in his mind. tanner. He worked at this for seven years when He was noted for his hospitality, and his house was a young man, and traveled all over the United seldom without guests. He was an excellent citi- States. During this time he taught school in zen, and is yet well remembered throughout this Muskingum county, Ohio. In 1827 he settled county. ' In politics he was a lifelong Jacksonian down, bought land in Jackson township, Mus- democrat. Daniel McGinnis, subject of this
kingum county, and was engineer, leveling the sketch, received a common education, and was banks of the canal until 1829. On December 29 taught the duties of the farm at an early age. On of that year he married Miss Mary Lemert, September 12, 1850, he married Miss Hannah daughter of Joshua Lemert, of Coshocton county, Miller, daughter of David and Hannah (Scott) Mil- and Mary (Wright) Lemert, both of English de- ler, from Boyd's Mills, Fayette county, Penn. Mr. scent. Joshua Lemert's father, William Lemert, Miller's father came from Germany, and died four lived in Fauquier county, Va., and was a large years after landing. The Scotts were among the slave owner. The Wright family was among the original settlers of Virginia. Mr. Miller was the original settlers of Virginia. Joshua Lemert was father of fourteen children, and was noted as an the father of eight children: Elizabeth, Louis, excellent farmer. After marriage Mr. McGinnis Susan, William, Sarah, Lloyd, Mary and Nancy. settled on a farm in Jackson township, and re- In 1832 Mr. Lemert moved to Jackson township sided on this for fifteen years, after which he
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
moved to Delaware county, Iowa. Three years work to chase them when they were more trouble- later he returned and settled in Jackson town- some than usual. The settlers, when attacked, or ship, where he followed clerking and farming for threatened with an attack, would seek shelter in a twelve years, after which he came to Frazeys- block house (called the Three Cabins Block House), burg, and he has remained here since. He has and at one time they remained there all winter. been justice of the peace three terms, and is en- They were attacked several times by the savages, gaged in general business; in time of the war but succeeded in repulsing them, and the Indians acting as clerk for E. L. Lemert. Mr. and Mrs. revenged themselves by driving off the stock and McGinnis became the parents of thirteen children: burning the cabins. In the spring the troops, Olivia P., Harmon K., Clarissa H., Bolton A., under Col. Dunbar or Col. Mountz, came to their Van R., Beth A., Chance J., Samuel L., Etha R., relief, and the Indians were driven from the coun- Don O., Dio S. and Zales S. Mrs. McGinnis died try. Daniel McGinnis' sister, Hannah, was in the in 1881. She was a devout Christian, a member Block House, and being an unusually strong of the Christian church, and was a woman of woman, could handle a rifle as well as a man, and noble character. August 17, 1883, Mr. McGinnis took a prominent part in driving off the Indians married Miss Nancy L. Marshall, and by her be- in the attack on the Block House, rendering valu- came the father of three children: Rill D., Paul able assistance in that way. She was a fearless V. and one who died in infancy. In politics he horseback rider, and could mount a horse bareback is democratic. Mr. McGinnis has held a num- without assistance, springing from the ground. ber of local offices-justice of the peace, town- She was a noted frontier character and married ship trustee, clerk, assessor and school director. Samuel Crozier. She could do a man's work, and He was for many years a clerk in Frazeysburg. her husband became a successful and prosperous Both he and wife hold membership in the Disci- farmer. After his death she carried on the farm ple church. He is a man of unusual intelligence, with great vigor. Daniel McGinnis married Annie and stands high in the estimation of the people. Lynch, daughter of Robert Lynch, and to them
Squire Daniel D. McGinnis, Dresden, Ohio, is were born George, Samuel, Robert, Mary, Hannah numbered among the prominent farmers of Cass and Elizabeth. Mr. McGinnis served in the War township, and is one of the old and respected citi- of 1812, as did also his brothers, Hymus and John. zens. He was born March 16, 1822, in Fayette He was large and strong, and was an artilleryman. county, Penn., and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was pushing the gun to get it in position to His great-grandfather, John McGinnis, came from load, when a cannon from the enemy struck the Ireland to the United States when quite advanced gun carriage, demolished it and threw it upon Mr. in years. He had been connected with the Irish McGinnis, who remained senseless until the next rebellion and was obliged to leave his country. Of morning, when he was brought to consciousness the thirteen children born to his marriage nine by the rain in his face. He was in the hospital for were sons, and the only ones now remembered are: some time, and for nearly a year he was disabled. John, Hymus, Samuel, Daniel, Hannah, Elizabeth He was crippled for life, did not again enter the and Mary. A number of the children not named service, and received a pension from the govern- settled in Baltimore, Md. Mr. McGinnis lived to ment. He became a farmer, was hardworking and be eighty-four years of age, and died near Lan- industrious, and was the owner of 300 acres of caster, where he was a large land owner. He was land. He was a member of the Presbyterian a Scotch Presbyterian in his religious belief. His church, was respected and esteemed by all, and son, Daniel McGinnis, grandfather of our subject, lived to be ninety-four years of age, retaining his was born in Scotland, but went to County Tyrone, mental faculties to the last. His son, George Mc- Ireland, when a boy, with his brothers, John, Hy- Ginnis, father of subject, was a native of Fayette mus and Samuel, and his sisters, Hannah and county, Penn., born on the old homestead on Jan- Elizabeth, all of whom came to America before the uary 28, 1797. This property is still held by the father and settled in Philadelphia. There they McGinnises. George McGinnis' educational advan- remained but a few years, and then settled on land tages were very good, for he had an excellent near Lancaster, Penn. There Daniel received a teacher, a Mr. Paxton, who was educated in Glas- good common-school education, and learning to gow, Scotland, and who taught a subscription read and talk both German and English. At an school near Daniel McGinnis' for twenty-one years early date he settled in Fayette county, Penn., in the same building. George McGinnis learned when that country was an unbroken wilderness, readily, and thus became a well educated man. and the Indians were plentiful and very trouble- He was married on January 5, 1821, in Fayette some. Daniel was an Indian fighter and had many county, to Miss Mary Wood, who was born May 3, desperate encounters with them. While working 1805, who was the daughter of Abinah and Susan- he always had his rifle near him, and often left his nah (Humphrey) Wood, the former an American
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
of English Irish descent. Mr. Wood was an only first settlers of Jackson township, locating there child, and served through the Revolutionary war, in 1805, and became one of the substantial farmers. being in several of the prominent battles. He be- He owned 600 acres of land in this county and came a soldier at the early age of fourteen, and 240 acres in Indiana, and gave his children all was away from his parents seven years. His father good farms. His death occurred when he was had been to Camden, and there learned that Wash- seventy-six years of age. He held a number of ington was in need of men. Returning home local offices, and was a prominent man. Of the during the night he and his wife talked the eleven children born to his marriage the following matter over, and decided that their boy would lived to be grown: Eva L., Washington, Maria, better go. How to provide clothing for him was Martha J., Mary E. and La Fayette. Mr. Morgan the question, for he had but one suit of home- was a member of the Old School Baptist church, made linen. With the help of neighbor women and a man of high moral character. He was a they wove enough for a new suit, and made it the soldier, under Col. Cass, in the War of 1812, but next day. Abinah, although but fourteen years of as there were more men than were needed he re- age, was a large, strong, bony youth, almost as ceived his discharge. After marriage Mr. McGin- strong as a man, and provided with his new suit and nis settled on the farm where he now lives, and a linen knapsack, he started out the next day. On now has 160 acres of excellent land. His marriage the way to the camp he met a neighbor boy of was blessed by the birth of five living children: about the same age (Sam Bunton), and he was James M., George W., Mary E., John S. and Tir- joined by the latter, who bad nothing with him zah. Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis are active members but the homespun suit he had on. Abinah gave of the Disciple church, and he has been elder for him his new suit and they proceeded to camp. many years. In politics he is a strong democrat. They served together seven years and became fast Mr. McGinnis has held the office of justice of the friends. Sam Bunton never married, but made peace for eighteen years, has been assessor of chat- his home with Mr. Wood until his death. When tels two terms, township trustee three terms, town- Abinah reached home, after seven years' service, he ship clerk sixteen years, and real estate assessor was not recognized by his mother, who had not two terms. He is also interested in educational heard from him during the entire time. He was a matters and served on the school board many shipbuilder and carpenter by trade, and followed years. When single he taught school for seven the same in Pittsburg, during the latter part years in his native state and in Cass township, and of his life. He was comfortably well off, and was an able and successful educator. Squire Mc- lived to be ninety-six years of age, attending his Ginnis stands deservedly high as an honorable and business up to the last day of his life. He died respected man. suddenly after dinner, having worked during that
Thomas A. McGlade, farmer, Dresden, Ohio, forenoon. He had never lost a week from work. comes of old Virginia stock, and inherited from Mr. Wood was a member of the Methodist church, his ancestors those sterling traits of character and was a class-leader in the same. Of the thir- which have made him so successful. His grand- teen children born to this marriage several are father, John McGlade, was a native of the Old settled in Pittsburg. After his marriage George Dominion, and early in the nineteenth century he McGinnis settled in Tyrone township, Fayette moved to Ohio. He first settled near Dillon's county, Penn., followed farming and boatbuilding, Falls, resided there for a few years, and then and here passed the closing scenes of his life, moved to Muskingum township, settling on a farm dying when seventy years of age. He was a mem- now occupied by James McGlade, his youngest ber of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife held son. He owned 200 acres, all in the woods when membership in the Presbyterian and Methodist he first settled on it, and this, with the help of his churches, respectively. His children were: Daniel sons, he cleared and got under cultivation. By D., Abinah W., Susannah, Samuel H., Jonathan, his marriage Mr. McGlade became the father of Hannah, Burris, Elizabeth, Robert, Ellen, Mary the following children: William, David, John, J. and John. Mr. McGinnis was a man of mod- George, Thomas, James, Betsey, Jane and Eliza- erate means, and his integrity and uprightness of beth. Mr. McGlade was a useful and much es- character were never questioned. His son, and teemed pioneer settler, and lived to a good old age. the subject of this sketch, Daniel D. McGinnis, He and wife were members of the Covenanter secured a good common-school education in his church. His son, John McGlade, and the father native county, and learned the cooper's trade and of Thomas A. McGlade, was also a native of Vir- boatbuilding. In 1844 he came to Ohio, resided at ginia, and was but a boy when he came with his Frazeysburg one year, and was then married to father to Muskingum county. He learned the trade Miss Maria Morgan, daughter of James and Susan- of a wheelwright, and worked at this in Zanes- nah (Lovett) Morgan. Her father was one of the ville for some time, assisting in building Drones'
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