USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 22
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Following his return from the war he roumed farming pursuits and in due course of time wa- numbered among the substantial farmers of this section of the state. He is now the owner of the homestead property, this place comprising two hundred and ninety-five aeres of rich and arable land situated in Jefferson township. He is here engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in his undertakings is meeting with excellent sueeess. Ile also owns realty in Portland, Oregon, and in Rapid City, Dakota.
Mr. Tredway was married in 1870 to Miss Mary W. Clarke, of Co- shoeton. and to this union five children have been born, namely: Bertha A., the wife of Claud Clarke, of East Union, Ohio; Edward, who is on the home farm; Wilber, who has departed this life : Wilma, the wife of James S. Clarke, of Warsaw ; and Laura O., who is engaged in teaching and is at home.
Mr. Tredway gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party and is a member of Newton Stanton Post, G. A. R., while his wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. Over the record of his life there falls no shadow of wrong. for he has ever been most loyal to the ties of friendship and citizenship and his history well deserves mention in the annals of his native state.
JOHN E. RICHMOND.
John E. Richmond, who resides on his valuable and well improved farm of eighty-nine acres in Oxford town-hip. was born in this county, August 24, 1842, the son of John and Elizabeth (Reed) Richmond. His paternal grandfather came to Coshocton county from Onondaga county, New York, in 1828, and located at Roscoe. He was a stone-cutter by trade and helped to build the Ro-coe aqueduct. Afterward he conducted a hotel at Evansburg and a canal station, where he contracted to haul canal boats between Evansburg and Roseoe.
John Richmond, the father of our subject, was born in Onondaga county, New York, March 1. 1817, and was therefore but eleven years of age when bis father settled in this county. In early manhood he wedded Elizabeth Reed, who was born in this township, April 10, 1817, and the young couple settled on a farm. Later he bought a canal boat, which he ran for a number of years. Five children were born to this union. of whom our subject is now
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the only one living. On April 1. 1850, the father, in company with a party of others, started for the gold fields of California by the overland route, ar- riving there September 15. Ile returned home July 15, 1852, by way of the water route, stopping in New York for two weeks and sending his gold nuggets to the mint at Philadelphia, where they were assayed and run into fifty dollar slugs. He evidently considered it unwie to inform his young children as to the amount he thus acquired, although they were not without curiosity in the matter, and our subject, then ten years of age, recalls conducting a quiet investigation in his own behalf on one occasion when his father was asleep, when he went into his bedroom and found the buckskin belt in which he car- ried his gold, and it was so heavy he could not lift it. The mother of our subject died in February, 1852, while the father was away. On his return from California he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty-one acres, which is now owned by his son Frank, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this edition. Later in partnership with John Peck. of Coshocton, the father bought from a Mr. Davis a general merchandising store which they conducted for a number of years and which Mr. Richmond conducted alone for a long time after the death of his partner. He also ran a hotel at Orange and engaged in the grain business. Politically, he was a stanch republican. His second wife was Miss Elizabeth Higby, who was born in this county. Five children were born to this union, of whom but two are now living. Frank A., and Lottie, the wife of John Goudy, of Bisbee, Arizona. The mother died on May 22, 1864, and the father was again married, his third union being with Mary McClain, a native of this county, who died in 1890. having survived her husband, who passed away in 1887, for three years.
The educational advantages fifty and sixty years ago were not what they are to-day and our subject received but little schooling. He early engaged in active industrial pursuits, aiding his father in his extensive business inter- ests. In 1870 he entered into partnership with his father in general merchan- dising at Orange and maintained his interest in this business up to about ten years ago, being in partnership with his brother for a number of years. In 1870 he bought seventy-five acres of land, which is now a part of his present farm of eighty-nine acres. All the improvements on the place are due to his energy and efforts and in them he feels justifiable pride. In 1851 he enlisted in the Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry and went into camp at Camp Chase, Ohio, where he remained for three weeks, but owing to his father's opposition he was not mustered into service and returned home. On June 10, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, but after serving for four months he contracted typhoid fever and was discharged September 26, 1862.
On June 18, 1863, Mr. Richmond was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wood, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, January 2, 1844, and died October 13, 1885. Five children were born to this union, namely: Charles M., of Akron, Ohio: James C., who died in infancy; Harry M., who resides in South Dakota; Mary E., the wife of Edward Geese, of Oxford township; and Noah M., a resident of New Comerstown, Ohio. On August 12, 1886. Mr. Richmond was again married, his second union being with Maggie
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Harstine, who was born in this eounty, November 28, 1863. Unto this union have been born five children, the firstborn dying in infancy. The others are Nina P., Emma M., Helen MI. and Raymond J., all of whom reside at home with their parents.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Richmond has voted the republican tieket. He is actively interested in community affairs and served as township trustee for nine years in succession. He has also held the office of school director and several times has served as president of the board of education. Fraternally, he is a member of the local Grange and of West Lafayette Post, G. A. R. For over fifty years he has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM B. EVANS.
William B. Evans, a well known, progressive and prosperous agriculturist of Bethlehem township, was born on the old homestead farm in this county 01: the 27th of December, 1867, his parents being Alexander and Mahala A. (Cochrell) Evans. Daniel Evans, the paternal grandfather, settled in Monroe township. Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1842. His family numbered nine children. as follows: Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, Matthew. Alexander, Albert, Alfred. William and John. The year 1838 witnessed the arrival of the Cochrell family in this county, the grandmother of our subject walking the entire distance from Woodsfield, Ohio. She carried in her arms her little daughter, Mahala A., and on the journey she stopped and rested for a while among the Indians at Gnadenhutten. After arriving in Coshoeton county she settled at Roseoe, where she made her home until the marriage of her daughter. Mahala A., to Alexander Evans on the 16th of March, 1858.
Alexander Evans, the father of our subject, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1835, and took up his abode on a farm in Bethlehem township, Coshoeton county, in 1868, residing on that plaee until called to his final rest on the 10th of July, 1894. He carried on farming and stock-raising throughout his active business career and met with a gratify- ing measure of success in his undertakings, being widely recognized as a sub- stantial and enterprising agriculturist of his community. A loyal supporter of the Union, he enlisted in 1862 as a member of Company K. Nineteenth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went with General Sherman on the march to the sea. He received his discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1865, returning home with a most creditable military reeord. His brother, William Evans, who was a member of the Fifty-first Regiment of Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, was captured at Chickamauga and ineareerated in Libby and Andersonville prisons, his death oceurring at the latter place. Alexander Evans upheld the candidates of the republican party where national issues were involved but at local elections east an independent ballot, supporting the man whom he believed best fitted for the office in question. He capably served his fellow townsmen in the position of assessor and was a member of the
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school board for fifteen years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. Though not a member of any religious denomination, he usually attended the services of the Methodist church and was a man whose upright, honorable career commanded the regard and esteem of all with whom he was associated. His wife, whose birth occurred in Monroe county, Ohio, March 16. 1835, passed away on the 10th of June, 1904.
William B. Evans, whose name initiates this review, attended the schools of his home locality until sixteen years of age and received a certificate to teach school, which he held for eight successive years. He never followed the profession, however, as his assistance was needed in the work of the home farm. His entire life has been spent on the old homestead where he was born and in its cultivation and development he is still successfully engaged, the fields annually yielding golden harvests as a regard for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
On the 8th of October, 1893, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Emma Mullet, a daughter of N. J. and Mary Ann (Mullet) Mullet, who are mentioned on another page of this work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been born seven children, namely: Katie Oka, Mary Ellie, Mona Belle, Russell Otis, Charlotte Goldie and William Owen, all at home; and Harold Orlando, who died in infancy.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Evans has given his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy and has been the efficient incumbent in the offices of township clerk and assessor. while for twelve successive years he acted as a member of the school board. He and his family are all devoted members of the Methodist church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. He was early trained to habits of industry, enterprise and integrity, and these have proven strong elements in the success which has come to him and which entitles him to representation among the prosperous and well known citizens of his native county.
JAMES F. AND JOHN A. FORNEY.
James F. and John A. Forney, who are successfully carrying on agri- cultural pursuits in Linton township, are the largest importers of French Percheron horses in this part of the state. James F. Forney was born in Lin- ton township on the 4th of September, 1859. His paternal grandfather, who was the first white child born in Guernsey county, Ohio, removed to Linton township. Coshocton county, where he entered more than a thousand acres of land. The grandmother of our subject had the honor of naming Linton township when it was organized. A. Z. Forney, father of James F. Forney, was born in Linton township, April 14, 1828, and became very successful in his business undertakings, being one of the earliest stock-raisers. He wedded Miss Hulda Doty, whose birth occurred in New Jersey, July 6, 1825, and who passed away on the 29th of June, 1896. A. Z. Forney survived her for a
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number of years, his demise occurring in Linton township on the 4th of April, 1904. Unto this worthy couple were born seven children: Harriett, the wife of Frank Mc Allister; Joseph, of Texas; James F. and John A., who are the subjects of this sketch; Sarah, the wife of T. K. Swan, of Guernsey county, Ohio; Rachel, who is the wife of Isaac Mc Allister and resides in Linton township; and one who is deceased.
James F. Forney remained under the parental roof and worked for his father's until he was twenty-three years of age, when the latter decided to turn the farm over to his two sons, James F. and John .1. On the day that John A. Forney attained his majority he and his brother formed a partnership, which has been successfully continued to the present time. They own seven hundred acres of rich and valuable land in Linton township, John A. residing on his farm of four hundred acres, while James F. has lived on his tract of three hundred acres since 1893. They are the largest importer- of French Percheron horses in this part of Ohio, having commenced in this business twenty years ago. They have made three voyages to France and on return- ing from the last trip to that country, brought back with them sixty thousand dollars worth of Percheron stallions and mares. They have also handled Clydesdale. French coach and Hambletonian horses, and are widely recog- nized as prosperous and enterprising citizens of their native county. Since 1905 John A. Forney has been secretary of the American Breeders & Impor- ters Percheron Registry Company of the United States and Canada.
In 1882 James F. Forney was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Hamersley, whose birth occurred in Linton township in 1861, her parents being T. J. and Mary L. (Adams) Hamersley. Her father was born in Linton township in 1823 and passed away in 1905, while the mother, whose birth occurred in Medina county, Ohio, in 1835, still survives. Their family numbered four children, namely: Mrs. Forney; Lydia B., who makes her home in New York ; Mrs. Lizzie Culberson, of New Comerstown : and Francis, at home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Forney have been born six children: Eldridge, who wedded Edith Wilson and lives near home: Thomas G .. Mary. Rose, IIelen and Hulda, at home.
John A. Forney was born on the 11th of March. 1862. on the farm in Linton township on which he still resides. On the 15th of September, 1892. he was joined in wedlock to Miss Ella Phillips, whose birth occurred in Guernsey county, Ohio, January 29, 1871. her parents being George W. and Eliza (Mitchell) Phillips, both natives of Guernsey county. The father. who was born in 1821. passed away in 1904. The mother, whose natal day was January 15, 1830. makes her home in Plainfield, Ohio, having now at- tained the age of seventy-eight years. Of her family of thirteen children. eight still survive, as follows: George L .. of Cleveland, Ohio; J. A. D .. residing in Nebraska: T. J .. of Kansas: G. F .. who makes his home in Iowa: Mrs. Josephine Dull, of Guernsey county: Howard, living in Plainfield : Mrs. Charlotte Cosby, of Guernsey county ; and Mrs. Forney.
James F. and John A. Forney are both republicans in their political views. while their religious faith is indicated by their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. They are well known and highly esteemed throughout the
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county in which they have spent their entire lives, having won the friendship and regard of all with whom they have come in contact in business or social relations.
WILLIAM GREEN.
William Green, who since 1906, has served as president of the Ohio Mine Workers Organization, is at the head of an association that is of marked value in the industrial department of the state. He was born in Franklin township, March 3, 1870, a son of Ilugh and Jane (Oram) Green, who came from Wales to Coshocton county in 1868 and settled in Franklin township. The father was engaged in mining in his native country and fol- lowed that occupation after his arrival in Ohio. His family numbered two sons and four daughters, of whom one daughter is deceased.
William Green, the eldest in his father's family, was a youth of sixteen years when he entered the mines with his father. In his early youth he attended the district schools but as his aid was needed in the support of the family his advantages in this direction were somewhat limited. He later added to his fund of knowledge by reading good literature during his leisure hours and in this way acquired a good English education and a broad knowl- edge of public affairs. He made a close study of mining interests and was a student of character, for his close contact with miners gave him ample opportunity for study along this line. In his early manhood he showed a talent for leadership, which soon brought him into prominence and in 1900, when but thirty years of age, he was elected to the presidency of Sub- district No. 6 of the Ohio Mine Workers Organization, comprising the counties of Coshocton, Muskingum, Guernsey, Perry, Noble and Holmes. He thus served for five years when, having proved a capable incumbent, he was called to still higher honors, being elected in 1906 to the presidency of the Ohio Mine Workers Organization, and he has filled the office with such general satisfaction that he has twice been reelected without opposition. This organization embraces the entire state of Ohio, and is composed of a membership of more than forty-six thousand men. Heavy responsibility rests upon Mr. Green in this connection and it is seldom that so young a man is found in such an important position and this fact is an indication of his high standing in mining circles and of his capability for organizing and directing forces, and thus he has become a power in mining circles in the Buckeye state.
Mr. Green was married April 14, 1892. to Miss Jennie Mobley. a daughter of Frank and Mary Mobley, of Coshocton county. Four interesting daughters grace their home: Flora E., Esther, Nellie and Clara. The family home is a beautiful cottage, near the eastern border of Coshocton. where the children can enjoy good educational advantages.
Mr. Green's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the democratic party. He is a member
WILLIAM GREEN.
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of the Baptist church and his fraternal relations are with Coshocton lodge. I. O. O. F., of which he has been a member since 1900, and also with the Foresters of America. He is an advocate of every public measure or move- ment that has for its object the betterment of public conditions and the ele- vation of mankind. He is a splendid type of a self-made man, showing to what position of honor and influence a young man may rise when he ad- heres to striet honesty, integrity and correct living. The true measure of success is determined by what one has accomplished and, as taken in contra- distinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, there is particular interest attaching to the career of the subject of this review, since he is a native son of Coshocton county, where he has passed his entire life and so directed his ability and efforts as to gain wide recognition as one of the representative citizens of this state.
PETER PERRINE DE HART.
Peter Perrine De Hart was at one time president of the Co-hoeton Manu- facturing Company and a man of well balanced powers, whose business and social qualities gained for him a creditable place in public regard. He was born in Kimbolton, Guernsey county. Ohio, May 29, 1853. His father. William De Hart, was a native of Trenton, New Jersey, and on his arrival in Ohio in 1832 became a resident of Guern-ey county, where he secured land and followed farming, becoming one of the enterpri-ing agriculturists of that locality. Ile was well known and highly respected there. His birth occurred in 1800, his death on the 9th of January, 1890, so that he lived to be about ninety years of age. His political -upport was given to the republican party. From pioneer times he was active in the development of hi- community, bearing hi- full share in the work of general progre -- and improvement as wild lands were converted into rich field- and log cabins were supplanted by modern far residences. Ilis wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Powers, was a native of Pennsylvania and, surviving her hu-band about three years, passed away in 1893.
Peter P. De Hart was a pupil in the district schools near his father's home and alternated his school work with the labors of the farm. After leav- ing home he went to the west and was varion-ly employed for two years. Ile then returned to Guernsey county and became a manufacturer and sales- man, remaining an active factor in the business circle- of that locality until about thirty years of age, when in 1882 he removed to Coshocton. Here he entered into a business agreement with E. C. Renner, for whom he became a traveling salesman and later they formed a partnership under the name of the Coshocton Manufacturing Company, conducting a novelty advertising business. A year or two later they merged their interests with the Premium Manufacturing Company and from that time until his death Mr. De Hart was not active in business management. He had through former years of activity acquired a goodly competence and it supplied him throughout his remaining
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days with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life and enabled him to leave his family in good circumstances.
In 1880 Mr. De Hart was married to Miss Ella Thompson, of New Comerstown, Ohio, and unto them were born a daughter and son : Bernice, who was born in 1883 and is the wife of Harry Hunt; and Frank, who was born in 1888 and is still in school.
Mr. De Hart belonged to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Methodist Episcopal church, associations which indicated much concerning his characteristics and the principles which governed his actions. In community affairs he was deeply interested and at the time of his death was serving as a member of the county election board and also of the board of public safety. He passed away Au- gust 28, 1905, at the age of fifty-two years. He was yet in the prime of life, had many friends and was filling a position in public affairs that made him a valued citizen. Friendship was to him no mere idle word, for he was loyal to all those to whom he gave his confidence and good will. He was also de- voted to the welfare of his family and his salient characteristics were such as make his example well worthy of emulation.
GEORGE BRANSTOOL.
George Branstool, who is extensively engaged in farming in New Castle township, was born in this township on the 24th of May, 1869, his parents being Lewis and Margaret (Breightenbucher) Branstool, both natives of Holmes county. When still in his boyhood the father came to Coshocton county and has here successfully followed agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, now making his home in Jefferson township. His wife also still survives and the record of their eleven children is as follows : Josephine, the wife of John Fox, of Tiverton township; George, of this re- view; one who died in infancy; Emanuel and Maggie, both at home: Henry, a resident of Pittsburg; Lydia and Levi, who have passed away; Bertha and Gusta, twins, at home: and Clarence, who is also yet under the parental roof.
George Branstool was educated in the common schools of his native town- ship and remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age. He then began the operation of a sawmill and threshing machine and was thus engaged for five years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Loudonville, Ohio, where he conducted a lumberyard and planing-mill for ten years. Subsequently he took up his abode on his present farm of three hundred acres in New Castle township and his since given his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He has placed many substantial improvements on the property, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indi- cates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. At the outset of his career he had neither money nor influential friends to aid him in gaining a foothold but possessed the inherent force of character and unabating energy
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which proved the basis of his subsequent success and enabled him to steadily advance toward the goal of prosperity.
On the 16th of April. 1896, Mr. Branstool was united in marriage to Miss Dora Draper, of Tiverton township, by whom he has three children, Nellie, Lewis and Charles, all at home.
Mr. Branstool gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy where national questions and issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. Ile has served as councilman while living in Loudonville, and has ever given his active aid and cooperation to movements instituted for the general welfare. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America at Lou- donville, and is also affiliated with the Knights & Ladies of Security. Ilis wife is a devoted member of the Disciple church and is highly esteemed for her many good traits of heart and mind. Mr. Branstool has also gained an extensive circle of friends here and is widely recognized as a substantial and public-spirited citizen of his native county.
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