USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 23
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GEORGE BALCII.
George Balch who is engaged in general farming and sheep-raising in White Eyes township, where he owns and operates a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, was born in Clay township, Knox county, Ohio, May 4, 1838. His parents were John W. and Malinda ( Hull) Balch. the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Ohio. His death occurred in the year 1873, while his wife. who survived him for twenty years. died in 1893.
George Balch was reared under the parental roof and was early trained to habits of industy and economy. His mental discipline was received in the public schools and when he started ont in life on his own account he was employed as a sawyer, but has since been successful as a carpenter, mill- wright and farmer. He arrived in Coshocton county in 1852 and has re- mained here continuously since, with the exception of the years 1865, 1866 and 1867, spending that period in Missouri. Upon his return to this county he engaged in the lumber business for a short time and then bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in White Eyes township, making his home thereon for two years. On the expiration of that period he sold the property and removed to Coshocton. where he lived for six months, after which he bought the farm upon which he now resides. It is an excellent tract of land of one hundred and twelve acres located not far from Fresno in White Eyes township. It is well adapted to the raising of the various cereals and the fields annually bring forth good crops for the plowing, planting and cultivat- ing are carried on in a progressive manner in harmony with the most modern methods of farm work. In addition to tilling the soil Mr. Balch also raises sheep and derives considerable income from this branch of the business.
In September, 1865, occurred the marriage of Mr. Balch and Miss Nancy J. Boyd, who was born in Keene township, this county. in 1837. a daughter
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of John and Bessie (Tony) Boyd, who were natives of Ireland. Their family numbered five children, while unto Mr. and Mrs. Balch have been born eight children, the second of whom died in infancy. The eldest child, Charles, is also deceased. Emma L. and Eva M. were twins. The former is now the wife of E. E. Reames, while the latter has passed away. Nannie E. is at home. The next three children were triplets- John. Laura M. and Leola Jane. The first two named are upon the old home farm, which John is engaged in operating, and Leola Jane is now the wife of J. R. McClary, of West Lafayette, Ohio. The death of Mr -. Balch occurred in December, 1907, her husband and five children being left to mourn her loss. Her remains were laid to rest in the Lewisville cemetery and her death was deeply regretted by many friends who knew her as a most estimable lady and a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mr. Balch also belongs. He is a member of the Grange, and in politics is an earnest republican, with firm faith in the principles of the party. He has served as township trustee and for several terms has been a member of the school board, in which connection he has rendered valuable service to the cau-e of public education. For more than half a century he has lived in this county and has witnessed many changes here, as the old habits of life and work have been replaced by the evidences of a modern civilization. He has always kept in touch with the trend of the times in agricultural progress and has ever been interested in what the county has accomplished in other lines. He is recognized as a man of genuine worth, in whom any one may safely tru-t. for his life has been guided by high principles and characterized by manly conduct.
C. O. MERCER.
C. O. Mercer, a successful auctioneer and farmer residing in Perry town- ship. was born near Bladensburg. Knox county, Ohio. October 10, 1867. his parents being Levi and Jane (Houck ) Mercer. The grandfather, Levi Mercer, who was a cabinetinaker by trade, journeyed from Washington county, Penn- sylvania, to Knox county, Ohio, being among the early settlers there. He spent the remainder of his life in that county and carried on agricultural pur- suits a- a life work. Levi Mercer, the father of C. O. Mercer, was born in Knox county and there resided until the year 1875, when he removed to Licking county, where he made his home until called to his final rest in 1898. He was a graduate of Kenyon College and a classmate of President Hayes. In connec- tion with auctioneering, in which line of activity he was very successful, he also carried on farming and blacksmithing. Politically he was a democrat, fraternally a Mason and in religious faith was a Methodist. He was moreover a public-spirited citizen and his aid and influence could always be counted upon to further any movement or measure instituted for the general welfare. His wife, a native of Bladensburg. Knox county, was there reared and married
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and still survives, now making her home in Licking county. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, namely: Wilmette, deceased: Luna. the wife of G. F. Van Winkle, a farmer of Knox county; Evalina. the de- ceased wife of Robert Gardner; Josephine. the wife of W. O. Bicken, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits near Bladensburg, Knox county : Daisy. the wife of W. O. Wright, of Coshocton county ; Clarence, who has passed away ; C. O., of this review; John, who is also deceased; and George, who i- manager of the Des Moines branch of the Negal Clothing Company.
C. O. Mercer was educated in the district schools of his native county and started to ery sales when only fourteen years of age, having since been successfully connected with the auctioneering business. He has sold more goods than any other auctioneer in the state of Ohio and has also done work along this line in the adjoining states. Though he has confined hi- operations principally to Ohio and Pennsylvania, he has also done some work in Iowa, Ilinois and Indiana. He owns one hundred acres of valuable and well improved land in Perry township and in his farming operations has also gained a gratifying measure of prosperity, the field- annually returning golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
In 1889 Mr. Mercer was united in marriage to Miss Ella Rine, a daughter of J. C. Rine, who resides near New Guilford, Coshocton county. They now have three children, Harry, Lewis and Forrest, all at home.
In politics Mr. Mercer is a democrat and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge at New Guilford, in which he has passed through all the chairs. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county.
JOSEPH WORKMAN.
Joseph Workman i- engaged in general agricultural pursuits and owns seventy-four acres of rich and well improved land in Tiverton township. He was born on a farm in Tiverton township. May 14, 1851, a son of Jesse and Nancy (Conner) Workman. The father was born in Belmont county. Ohio. in 1810, and was a lad of ten years when he came to Coshocton county, where he was reared. He followed farming as a life work, mostly in this county. In 1837. however, he went to Sullivan county. Indiana, and there remained until 1845. when he returned to Coshocton county, where he was engaged in farming until just before his death, when he removed to Holmes county and there passed away in 1873, his remains being interred in Tiverton. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Conner, was born in Pennsylvania. and died in 1863. She became the mother of ten children, namely: Nealy and Grace, who are deceased: Solomon, who follows farming in Sullivan county, Indiana : James R .. Lewis, Maria, John and Ruey, all of whom have departed this life; and Mary and Joseph. twins. but the former is deceased. Following the death of his wife, Jesse Workman was again married. his second union being with Maria Parsons, by whom he had two children :
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Alvie J., a telegraph operator in Marshallville, Ohio; and Willis T., who fol- lows farming in Tiverton township.
Joseph Workman, the immediate subject of this sketch, was educated in the district schools of Tiverton township and remained under the' parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-two years. During this time he had been trained in the duties of the home farm, so that at that age he was well prepared to carry on farming on his own account. He owns seventy- four acres of land in Tiverton township, twenty-four acres in one tract and fifty acres in another, the latter tract being well adapted to the raising of wheat. Mr. Workman is successful in his work and is numbered among the substantial citizens of his locality.
Mr. Workman was married in 1895 to Miss Lizzie A. Lonon, a resident of Coshocton county. In politics he is a democrat and in 1902-03 served as assessor of his township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church and are people of the highest respectability, commanding the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends.
MAJOR THOMAS J. PLAATT.
For sixteen years Major Thomas J. Platt has been numbered among the prominent and progressive citizens of West Lafayette as president of the West Lafayette Bank. He has also taken an active interest in other public enterprises and may therefore be termed one of the builders of this village, for his connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same.
Mr. Platt is a native of the Buckeye state, born in Linton township, Coshocton county, December 16, 1840, a son of Thomas and Eliza (Harbi- son) Platt. Both the Platt and the Harbison families were early settlers of this section of the state, the paternal grandfather having settled here in 1816, at which time he entered land from the government. He served in the war of 1812. The maternal grandfather came from Baltimore, Maryland, to Linton township, Coshocton county, in 1830, and was therefore classed among its pioneer settlers.
The father, Thomas Platt, was born in New Jersey, while the birth of the mother occurred in Baltimore, Maryland. The father was a carpenter by trade but abandoned that pursuit at the time of the Civil war to become a member of Company I, Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for two years. He participated in the battle of Stone River and in many other hotly contested engagements during the struggle between the north and the south. He was a democrat in his political views and allegiance and took a prominent and active part in the political life of this section of the state. He served as coroner and as sheriff of Coshocton county. His death occurred May 12, 1897, while his wife was called to her final rest many years before, her death occurring May 12, 1861, just thirty-six years pre- vious. Their union was blessed with the following children: Thomas J.,
MR. AND MRS. T. J. PLATT.
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of this review; Allen H., a resident of Coshocton; Mary J., the widow of William Smith: John P., who makes his home in Cameron, Missouri; Robert V., who has departed this life; Agnes, the widow of Victor Vickers; Emmett, deceased; Bell, the wife of Henry Norris and a resident of Coshoc- ton county ; Joseph H., of Plainfield, Ohio; and one who died in infancy. Not only the father but four of his sons, Allen H., Thomas J., John Parker and Robert V., manifested their loyalty and patriotism by serving in the Civil war and fortunately all returned home uninjured, none being wounded in battle.
Thomas J. Platt was reared to agricultural pursuits and acquired his education in the common schools. At the age of seventeen years he began business life as a clerk in the employ of a cousin in Perry county, Ohio, with whom he remained for four years. He then put aside all business and per- sonal considerations and offered his services to the government at the time of the Civil war, becoming a member of Company F, Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which he joined April 21, 1861. for three months' service, the company being organized at Lancaster, this state. At the end of that period he reenlisted for three years, October 11, 1861, as a member of Company D. Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On the 16th of November of that year he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and was with his regiment at the battle of Winchester, Virginia, March 23. 1862: and at Harrison's Landing, July 10, 1862. On account of a vacancy caused by death of the first lieutenant he was promoted to the rank of second lieu- tenant, July 13, 1863, while still later he was commissioned first lieutenant at. Morris Island, South Carolina. His regiment took an active part in the assault on Fort Wagner, where they lost in killed and wounded seventy-five men. On the 24th of October. 1863, he was promoted to the captaincy of his company, which took Fort Gregg, and he was also in the siege at Charles- ton. At Richmond, Virginia, on the 26th of December, 1864, he was com- missioned major of his regiment and saw active service during the campaign before Richmond and Petersburg. On the 16th of June of the same year he was commissioned lieutenant colonel but as there was not a vacancy it was a complimentary commission and he was never mustered into the office. On the 1st of August, 1865, the Sixty-second and Sixty-seventh Ohio Regi- ments were consolidated and the surplus officers of both were mustered out of service, Major Platt being retained in that position with the Sixty-seventh Ohio Regiment and was mustered out with that rank on the 7th of Decem- ber, 1865. He displayed marked bravery during his entire service as is indicated by the fact of his promotion to the rank of major. While located at Port Royal or Hilton Head, his regiment reenlisted for three years or until the close of the war and were granted a thirty days' furlough. After boarding a ship to return home, Major Platt was ordered back to land to take charge of a part of the Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry who were without an officer and he remained with them from the first of January. 1864, until the latter part of the following April, when he returned north with the regi- ment and met his old Ohio comrades. The transfer was made at Gloucester Point, Virginia, but before leaving for home the Illinois boys presented the
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Major with a beautiful sword, seabbard and sash, as a token of their love and respect for him and what he had done for them.
Returning to his home at the close of the war, Major Platt formed a partnership with David Brelsford in the conduct of a mercantile establish- ment at Plainfield, Ohio, but in 1868 he retired from the firm and for one year was employed as traveling salesman by Jewett & Company, of Newark, Ohio. He then purchased a stock of merchandise of Jonathan Wiggins and carried on business successfully until 1892, when he retired and removed to West Lafayette, since which time he has made his home in this village. He was one of the organizers of the West Lafayette Bank, of which he is now acting as president. He is a careful man of business and it is largely through his individual efforts that the bank has been classed among the solid and safe banking institutions of this section of the state.
Major Platt was married June 20, 1867, to Miss Ella C. Sangster, who was born in Virginia, July 16, 1848, a daughter of Charles F. and Sarah (Gore) Sangster, both of whom were natives of Loudoun county, that state, coming to Ohio in 1850, at which time they made a settlement in Mnskin- gum county, while later they took up their abode in Coshoeton county, where they purchased a tract of land. Their family numbered nine ehil- dren, of whom Mrs. Platt was the second in order of birth By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, a son and three daughters, as follows: Harry, who is a traveling salesman and makes his home in Coshoc- ton; Anna S., the wife of F. E. Karr, who is engaged in the insurance busi- ness in Coshocton ; Nellie Lee, who was graduated from the West Lafayette high school and is at home; and Carrie M., the wife of Charles Walters, who is engaged in the hardware business in connection with his father and brothers under the firm name of John A. Walters & Sons, in West Lafayette.
Major Platt maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership with the Grand Army of the Republic at Plain- field, while both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been watchful of all the details of his business and of all indications pointing to prosperity and from the beginning has had an abiding faith' in the ultimate success of the bank. He has gained wealth, yet it has not been alone the goal for which he has striven, for he belongs to that elass of representative American citizens who promote the general prosperity while advaneing individual interests.
JOHN C. MISKIMEN.
The list of the leading citizens of Coshocton county contains the name of John C. Miskimen, one of the wealthy landowners of Linton township, where he possesses four hundred aeres. He was born in Coshoeton county, September 27, 1857, a son of John and Rachel (Burt) Miskimen. The family was established in this section of the state when the paternal grand- father eame here and entered a large tract of land from the government in
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1806. The father of our subject, John Miskimen, was born in this county, July 21, 1815, while the mother was born in Orange county, New York, and came to this county with her parents when a young lady of sixteen years. The father followed farming as a life work and at the time of his death owned fourteen hundred acres. He made a special study of agriculture and was very successful in his undertakings. He was a republican in his po- litical belief but was not active as an office seeker. He followed farming in Oxford township from the time of his marriage until 1869. when he removed to New Comerstown but enjoyed his new home for only a short period, passing away there July 10, 1870, while his wife survived for a few years and died April 5, 1876. Their family numbered twelve children, of whom only five survive : Daniel; Frank : George; John C., of this review; Mary, the wife of George W. Miskimen, who, though of the same name, was no relation.
JOHN CROUL.
The name Croul is an old and prominent one in agricultural circles in Coshocton county, for from the time of its earliest pioneer settlement mem- bers of the family have been actively connected with its development and improvement. John Croul is a worthy representative of this family, his birth having occurred on the farm which is now his home, June 12, 1850, being the youngest of three children born of the marriage of Louis and Elizabeth (Miller) Croul, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States when a boy and located in this county. The Ohio canal was at that time under course of construction and the father secured work in this connection, being thus employed for some time. After the completion of the canal he engaged in farming. He bore many hard- ships and trials incident to life in a new country, for the methods of farming were very crude as compared to those of the present day. He tilled his fields with the use of oxen and had to go long distances to mill and market. At one time he split nine hundred rails and carried them on his back to the place where he built a fence. He was highly esteemed in this section of the state as one of its pioneer settlers and his death, which occurred in 1898, was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends. The wife and mother died many years before, her demise occurring in 1880. Their family numbered three children: William, a farmer of Clark township; Dora Elizabeth, deceased; and John, of this review.
John Croul acquired his education in the district schools of Jefferson township and remained on the home farm until he reached the age of twenty- seven years. During this time he assisted his father in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. After establishing a home of his own he lived near his parents and continued to render assistance to his father until the latter's death. Mr. Croul now owns eighty acres of rich and arable land, forty acres of which is located in Jefferson township and forty acres in Monroe town- ship. He has developed and improved the land, having erected a good
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modern home and many substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and everything about the place is kept in a neat and thrifty appear- ance. In addition to carrying on general farming he also raises good grades of stock and this branch of his business is proving profitable to him.
It was in 1886 that Mr. Croul was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Filler, a resident of Monroe township, who by her marriage became the mother of one daughter, Dora Elizabeth, now deceased. Mr. Croul gives his political support to the men and measures of democracy and his fraternal relations are with the Patrons of Industry. He is a member of the Lutheran church and has been superintendent of the Sunday school, while his wife is a member of the Evangelical church. He displays splendid judgment in carry- ing on his business affairs and to those whose good fortune it is to know him intimately, his companionship and friendship are appreciated and helpful.
STOKELY S. FISIIER, D.D., Sc.D.
Stokely S. Fisher, pastor of the Methodist Protestant church at Coshoe- ton, was born on a farm near Woodsfield, Monroe county, Ohio, August 8, 1865. The same locality was the birthplace of his father, Simon A. Fisher. whose natal day was September 18, 1845. The father was educated for the ministry of the Methodist Protestant church and filled several different charges, being pastor at New Comerstown, Steubenville and other places. He engaged in preaching for nearly forty years and in 1898 accepted the pastorate of the Methodist Protestant church of Coshocton, where he continued in the active work of the denomination until 1903, when he was stricken with paralysis and passed away. For two years he was president of the Muskingum conference and served on all the principal church boards under the direction of the general conference. For sixteen years he was president of the Home Mission church and was the first president of the board of trustees of the West Lafayette College. He acted as a delegate to all the conferences of his church during his ministerial career with the exception of two, and many bonors came to him in recognition of his ability and his consecration and zeal in his holy calling. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the Kansas City University, which is the principal educational institution of his church. He was instrumental in ereeting several houses of worship, including one at Cambridge and one at Coshocton, and from the period of his earliest identification with the ministry he was unfaltering in his efforts to promote the growth of the denomination with which he was identified. He was widely recognized as one of the most prominent divines of the Methodist Protestant faith and the church met a distinet loss in his death, which occurred September 22, 1905. His memory, however, remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him, while his words linger as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who came under his teach- ing. He married Maria Westbrook, a native of Woodsfield. Monroe county, Ohio, who is still living at the age of sixty-two years. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war, serving as captain of a cavalry company.
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Dr. Fisher, whose name introduces this record, attended the public schools of the various towns to which the itinerant customs of the Methodist ministry took the family. He was graduated from the Cambridge (Ohio) high school in 1882 and afterward attended the Adrian ( Mich.) College, the principal institution of learning of his denomination. However, he had entered the ministry at the age of seventeen years and was regularly ordained at the age of nineteen, before he had completed his college course. His first. charge was at Wellsville, Columbiana county, Ohio, and later he served the churches at Byesville, Empire, Attica. Cambridge, West Lafayette and Co- shocton. In 1895 he accepted the presidency of the West Lafayette College, continuing at the head of that institution until he came to Coshoeton in 1897.
In all the intervening years Dr. Fisher had been a elose student of litera- ture and science and pursued non-resident work under the direction of various colleges. In 1883 he brought forth his first volume of poems, published by G. L. Manchester, of Columbus, and this was followed by other editions in 1884 and 1886. From that period on he did little work in that direction until a recent date, when he has resumed his literary interests and is a regular contributor to various standard magazines and religious publications. His early poem of greatest note is Lelia Lee. He is also the author of a number of essays on scientifie subjects, treating of microscopical biology. His superior scholarship has won recognition from different schools, the Kansas City University conferring upon him the Doctor of Divinity degree in 1904. while from West Lafayette College, in 1905. he received the degree of Doctor of Science.
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