USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 25
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The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Fresno and are people of general worth, enjoying in large measure the confidence. respect and friendship of those with whom they have been as-
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sociated. Mr. Hamilton also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp of Fresno. The republican party finds in him a stalwart supporter. He has been an interested witness of the growth and development of the county for almost half a century and rejoices in what has been accomplished here, while throughout his entire life he has borne his full share in the work of development.
JACOB C. BALO.
Energy, perseverance and determination constitute the basis of success in the life of Jacob C. Balo, who now owns and operates one hundred and fifty acres of valuable land in Virginia township. He was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, and is one of seven children, whose parents were Francis and Elizabeth (Strom) Balo. The French way of spelling the name is Belot. The father was of French and the mother of German ancestry, the family speaking the latter language. The family emigrated to the new world in August, 1853, and landing in New York city, they made their way by rail to Buffalo, thence by boat to Cleveland, and from the latter city by canal boat, landing near Adams Mills, in same school district where our subject now lives. They were in limited financial circumstances and, although the father and his two oldest sons secured work on the construction of the Penn- sylvania railroad soon after arriving here, they were never paid for their labor. Soon sickness came into the home, ague being prevalent in the com- munity at that time, and the father, mother and five of the seven children, were ill at one time, and the youngest daughter, Annie, died from the disease. The family could not speak a word of English and during their siege of illness their funds were entirely exhausted, so that the members of the household were reduced to want but the public authorities came to their relief and they were then supplied with the necessities of life. The family, however, worked with a purpose to succeed and as soon as their health was recuperated the father and two oldest sons secured work at farm labor for Samuel Rice. They worked on undeterred by the obstacles in their path and in due course of time through their economy and dili- gence they saved a sum sufficient to enable them to engage in farming on their own account and this was the beginning of a prosperous career for Jacob C. Balo. However, at the time of the Civil war the sons put aside all business and personal considerations and enlisted for service. Abraham was killed during the war but David and Stephen returned and settled in Vir- ginia township, where they became prosperous farmers. David still sur- vives but Stephen has passed away.
Jacob C. Balo was the fifth child in the family. He was but nine years of age when he began work at farm labor for Samuel Rice. Ile com- menced at the time of corn planting and worked until the harvest, re- ceiving as compensation his dinner each day and at the end of the season was given a suit of clothes, which cost about seven dollars. Later he was
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MR. AND MRS. STEPHIEN BALO. MR. AND MRS. JACOB C. BALO. MR. AND MRS. DAVID BALO. MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH BALO.
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employed by John Marquand, receiving for his services his board and seven dollar- in money per month. When his father engaged in farming, the son returned home and assisted in the operation of the homestead farm. During all this time he attended school for a few weeks during the winter months and after reaching mature years he added to his knowledge through observation, experience and reading, so that he is today a well in- formed man. He has prospered in his work as the years have passed by and today owns and operates one hundred and fifty aeres, situated in Virginia township, which has been his home since 1869, or almost a half century. It is supplied with a nice home and substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and each year he adds greatly to his financial resources through the sale of his stock and the abundant harvests which he gathers.
Mr. Balo established a home of his own on the 25th of October, 1866, when he wedded Miss Marinda Tilton, a daughter of Joseph and Susan ( Miller) Tilton. Their union has been blessed with eleven children, of whom two are deceased. the record being as follows: William F .; Edwin M .: Ida M., now the wife of William Frost; Emma, the wife of Benjamin O. Taylor; Harry P .; Nellie; Jesse; Stacy ; Su-an and Roe, who have departed this life; and Ray.
Mr. Balo gives his political support to the democratic party and takes a deep and active interest in public affairs. For twenty-seven years he served as a member of the school board and refused to serve longer. In 1899 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, serving for two terms, or six years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church at Adams Mills, of which he has been an elder for the past twenty years. He has always been a robust man and the longest time he was ever incapacitated for labor was when in October, 1872. he ae- cidentally injured his knee when cutting corn. For a time he continued work but later the injury grew more serious and he was confined to his bed until the following February. At one time it was thought amputation would be necessary but Mr. Bało strongly objected, and although he still feels the ill effects, he can get around and is able to perform much arduous labor. Since he left the fatherland to identify himself with American life and in- stitutions, he has pushed his way to the front and is a credit alike to the land of his birth and that of his adoption, being numbered among the sub- stantial citizens of Coshocton county.
HENRY F. HAINS.
Henry F. Hains is a worthy representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of Coshocton county and Bedford township, representatives of the name having lived here since 1811, in which year the farm which is now owned by our subject was entered from the government by the paternal grandfather, Henry Hains, who came here from Licking county. this state, whence he had removed the year previous from Bedford county, Pennsyl-
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vania. The parents of our subject, Levi and Lucinda (Troutman) Hains, were farming people, highly respected in the community in which they so long made their home. In their family were the following children : Norman, a farmer of Texas; Leonard and Sarah, deceased; Mary E., the wife of Nathan Price, who follows farming in Bedford township; J. T., who is engaged in farming in Cherokee county, Kansas; J. R., a resident of Bedford township; Benjamin, a farmer of this township; Leander, who also follows farming here; Henry F., of this review; Charles, who is men- tioned elsewhere in this work; and Isabel, the wife of A. G. Reed, a farmer of Bedford township. Both the parents are now deceased, the mother passing away October 24, 1892, at the age of seventy-four years, while the father, surviving for about ten years, died June 29, 1902, at the very advanced age of eighty-five years. More extended mention of the family is made in connection with the sketches of C. N. and Benjamin Hains, elsewhere in this work.
Henry F. Hains, the seventh son and ninth in order of birth in the father's family, was born on the farm which is now his home, July 11, 1860. He was educated in the district schools near his father's home and was early trained to the duties of the home farm, assisting his father from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. When starting out in life on his own acount he chose the occupation to which he had been reared and has made this his life work. He now owns the homestead property, comprising one hundred and seven acres of well improved land, and devotes his time and attention to general farming, in which he is meeting with a gratifying measure of success.
The estimable wife of Mr. Hains, whom he wedded in 1892. bore the maiden name of Miss Rose McCurdy, who has become the mother of two sons and a daughter: Emmet O., Beulah R. and Raymond D., all at home. Mr. Hains supports the men and measures of the republican party, and for three years capably served as trustee of Bedford township. His wife holds membership relations with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hains through his honorable and straightforward dealing fully merits the high regard in which the family has always been held, and he has worked his way upward in the business world, until today he is classed among Bedford township's substantial agriculturists.
VALENTINE HOTHEM.
Valentine Hothem, who successfully follows agricultural pursuits in Adams township, was born in Germany, October 30, 1843, his parents being Frederick and Margaret Hothem. In the year 1850 the father emigrated to the United States, locating in White Eyes township, Coshocton county, Ohio, where he purchased fifty acres of land.
Valentine Hothem acquired his education in an old log schoolhouse and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority.
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On reaching man's estate he bought a tract of fifty acres here, and later added to his original purchase until his holdings now comprise one hun- dred and four acres of rich and productive farming land in Adams town- ship, in the cultivation of which he has met with well merited prosperity. He likewise makes a specialty of raising horses and is the owner of a horse of the Percheron breed. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has ever displayed unremitting industry and unfaltering perseverance, and he is numbered among the enterprising and progressive citizens of the com- munity.
Mr. Hothem has been married twice. When twenty-one years of age he wedded Miss Phebe Bahiner, a native of Tuscarawas county. She was one of a family of eight children that reached maturity, and was called to her final rest in 1878, leaving seven children to mourn her loss, namely: Fred V., a resident of this county; Adam V., at home; William V .. of Adams township; Albert and Andrew, who are also at home; Clara, the wife of Ed Petcher, of Canton, Ohio; and Phebe, who is living with her father. For his second wife Mr. Hothem chose Miss Elizabeth Reif, whose birth occurred in Tuscarawas county in 1859, her parents being Fred and Susan (Yungi) Reif, natives of Switzerland, who emigrated to America in an early day. The father passed away in 1892 but the mother is still liv- ing, having attained the age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Hothem was one of a family of six children and by her marriage has become the mother of eight: Bertha M., Pearl, Ruth E., Walter H., Clayton W., Susan, Olive L. and Ruth C.
In his political views Mr. Hothem is a stalwart democrat but has no desire for the honors nor emoluments of office. Both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the German Reform church and have gained the warm regard and esteem of all with whom they have come in contact. For fifty-eight years he has been a resident of this county and is therefore largely familiar with its annals from a pioneer period down to the present. having been an interested witness and active participant in the work of development and improvement.
NICHOLAS BARRICK.
Nicholas Barrick, successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising in White Eyes township, was born in Crawford township, Coshocton county, Ohio, March 13, 1842, his parents being Frederick and Catherine (Storm) Barrick, the former a native of Harrison county, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father, who carried on agricultural pursuits through- out his active business career, came to Crawford township in 1840 and here made his home until called to his final rest in 1886, when he had attained the age of eighty years. His wife passed away in 1895 at the age of eighty- three years. Their family numbered nine children, four of whom still survive, namely: Lewis, of Bakersville, Ohio: Nicholas, of this review;
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Israel, a resident of Brazil, Indiana; and Elizabeth, the wife of John Berger, of Crawford township.
Nicholas Barrick was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools as opportunity offered. On the 21st of October, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company C, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged on the 11th of July, 1865. Subsequent to his marriage he began farming, operating a tract of rented land in Mill Creek township for nineteen years. On the expiration of that period he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Jef- ferson township for four years, making his home near Warsaw. Subse- quently he purchased a small farm of fifty acres in Knox county, Ohio, but after four years sold the property and returned to Coshocton county, where he bought a place of one hundred and fifty-six acres in New Castle township. This he successfully cultivated until the spring of 1906, when he sold the land and purchased his present farm of seventy acres in White Eyes township. In addition to the work of general farming he also carries on stock-raising, and is widely recognized as a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of the community.
In August, 1867, Mr. Barrick was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Ames, whose birth occurred April 3, 1850, her parents being Henry and Malinda (Smith) Ames. She was one of a family of ten children, nine of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Barrick have four children: Mary J., the widow of Harland Bower, by whom she had one son, Harland, who is at home; Henry, of Jefferson township; Malinda, the wife of Homer Turner, of Keene township; and George E., likewise a resident of Keene township.
In his political views Mr. Barrick is a stanch republican, while his re- ligious faith is indicated by his membership in St. John's Episcopal church, with which his wife is also identified. He is likewise affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic at Keene, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades.
Z. T. HUMPHREY.
Z. T. Humphrey owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Tiver- ton township and follows farming, which has always been his life work. He was born in Coshocton county, November 10, 1846, a son of William and Elizabeth (McMan) Humphrey. The paternal grandfather, William Humphrey, was a major in the Revolutionary war and lived in the east near Narraganset Bay. His son, William, Jr., was born near Providence, Rhode Island, and was a sailor on the ocean between Narraganset Bay and the West Indies for twelve years. After leaving the sea he came to Co- shocton county and engaged in farming until the time of his death, Janu- ary 28, 1865. He had three sons who served in the Civil war: John, who served three years and five months, being a member of Company F, Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; George W., who was a member of Company G. One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served two
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years and nine months; and J. M., who served more than two years, first enlisting in the Fifth Illinois Cavalry and later in Company M, Ninth Ohio Cavalry. The mother of our subject was born in Butler county, Ohio, but was married in Coshocton county. She became the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters: Sarah, the wife of H. P. Russel, now living retired in Iowa; Z. T., of this review; Mary, the wife of Alonzo Spurgeon, a farmer of Tiverton township; and Thomas, who has departed this life. The mother passed away in 1903, having reached an advanced age, and her remains were buried in Tiverton cemetery.
Z. T. Humphrey, the eldest son and second member of the family, acquired his early education in the district schools of Tiverton township and afterward attended a select school at Spring Mountain. He assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until the latter's death, after which he assumed the management of the farm for his mother, remaining with her until he was thirty-six years old. He then engaged in farming on his own account, first in Perry township, operating rented land for four years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Tiverton township, which constitutes his present place of residence. He has made all the improve- ments here and has erected all of the buildings on the place, making it a valuable property, while its neat appearance indicates his progressive and enterprising methods. He is practical in his work and is meeting with a splendid measure of success.
Mr. Humphrey established a home of his own in 1873, when he wedded Miss Eliza J. Cooper, a resident of Coshocton county. They have become the parents of six children but one of the number is deceased: Hattie, the wife of Willis Worthman, who follows farming in Tiverton township; Carl and Edna, twins, the former a farmer of this township, and the latter de- ceased; W. C., a farmer of Orrville. Ohio; and Blanch and Bernice, twins, at home.
Mr. Humphrey gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Disciples church, of which his wife and family are also mem- bers, and of which he is an elder. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. His life is exemplary in all respects and the people of Coshocton county are proud to call him their own.
LEWIS BIBLE.
Lewis Bible, a successful and well known agriculturist of Keene town- ship, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio. September 15, 1864, his parents being Adam and Elizabeth (Clark) Bible, also natives of this county. The father passed away in 1875 but the mother is still living on the home farm. Their family numbered four children: Mary J .. the wife of George Morris,
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of Coshocton county; Benton, a resident of Georgia; Lewis, of this review; and Edith F., the wife of George Hall, of this county.
Lewis Bible acquired a common-school edneation and remained at home until he had attained his majority. Hle then rented his mother's farm for two year- and on the expiration of that period purchased a part of the old home farm, on which he lived for five years. Subsequently he operated the M. G. Hlack farm for four years and then bought the place where he now lives, comprising one hundred and fifty-six acres of rich and productive land. His landed holdings now include two hundred and nine acres in Keene and Jackson townships, and in the conduct of his farming interests he displays untiring energy and good management, the fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
In 1885 Mr. Bible was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Harris, whose birth occurred in Roanoke, Indiana, February 21, 1869. her parents being Robert H. and Elizabeth (Jones) Harris, the former born in Holmes county, September 22, 1844, and the latter in Coshocton county in 1848. Robert II. Harris, who had a family of ten children, now makes his home in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bible have been born five children : Etta A., Benton, Robert C., Bernice M. and James Adam.
In his political views Mr. Bible is a stalwart republican and is highly esteemed as a prosperous and public-spirited citizen of his native county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of Coshocton county and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit his section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
PROSSER T. BLUCK.
Prosser T. Bluek belongs to that class of representative men who rapidly discern opportunities of advancement and who are rapidly forging to the front. He was born in Linton township. Coshocton county, and in his youth accompanied his parents on their removal to Jefferson county, this state, this being in the year 1869. He later took up his abode in Coshocton county and operated rented land for nineteen years, while in 1905 he removed to his present farm in Oxford township, having purchased the same in 1901. This tract consists of two hundred and forty-one acres, all of which has been placed under a high state of cultivation. He carries on general agrienltural pur- suits and makes a specialty of breeding horses and other stock, keeping only high grades. In this connection he has become widely known not only in his home locality but in various sections of Coshocton county and the state. He deserves great success for what he has accomplished in a business way, for all that he today possesses has been acquired through his own well directed labors, careful management and honorable and straightforward methods.
Mr. Bluck established a home of his own by his marriage in 1889 to Miss Charlotte Marlatt, who was born in Linton township in 1864, a daugh-
MR. AND MRS. P. T. BLUCK.
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ter of William and Lemigia (Starks) Marlatt, both of whom are now de- ceased. Mrs. Bluck is one of a family of ten children and by her marriage has become the mother of three children, of whom two died in infancy. The surviving member of the family is Asa, who was born October 4, 1890. and is now a youth of eighteen years living with his parents.
Mr. Bluck's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the men and measures of democracy since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His fraternal relations are with the K. P. lodge, No. 102, at New Comerstown and with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also identified with the Grange. He has pros- pered from year to year, and has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully, and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful man- agement. He has not permitted the accumulation of wealth to affect in any way his actions toward those less fortunate, and he has always a cheerful word and a pleasant smile for all with whom he comes in contact.
CHARLES W. LOOS.
The road of opportunity is always open to the individual who will but recognize it, and it has been in following this path that Charles W. Loos has advanced from a humble position in the business world to a place where he now ranks among the leading and prosperous residents of Co- shocton. He is conducting a real-estate and insurance office here and has a large clientage in both lines, building up a business which has come as the result of his close application, earnest purpose and unfaltering diligence.
He was born in Plainfield, this county, February 28, 1868. his parents being Martin H. and Anna J. (Wiggins) Loos. The father was born in the old log house in which his son Charles was reared. The structure is still standing but has since been weatherboarded. The paternal grandfather was a native of Germany and was one of the first settlers in Plainfield on that section of the county, aiding in transforming a wild and unimproved region into a district of rich fertility. Martin H. Loos continued to culti- vate the old home farm for many years or until his retirement from active business life, when he removed to Coshocton, where both he and his wife passed away. Mrs. Loos was also born in the vicinity of Plainfield and repre- sented one of the early families there.
Charles W. Loos spent his boyhood under the parental roof and at- tended the public schools, but as early as his fourteenth year entered upon an apprenticeship to the house painter's trade. After completing his term of indenture he was connected with the business in Coshocton for eighteen years and for fifteen years of that time was a contracting painter, employ- ing at times as many as fifteen men. He built up a business of large magni- tude, becoming one of the most prominent contracting painters of the county. He also executed many contracts in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and other cities. for his ability and business enterprise made him widely known and brought to
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him a most gratifying business. In 1901, however, he withdrew from the field of activity in which he had spent so many years and has since given his attention to the real-estate and insurance business. Ile is known to some extent as a speculative builder, having erected many residence properties for sale in this city, his operations in this line being more extensive during the past five years than those of any other one man.
In 1890 Mr. Loos was married to Miss Ella Marshall, of Coshocton, and they have two sons, Walter and Arthur, both at home. Mr. Loos be- longs to Coshocton Lodge, No. 376, B. P. O. E., Fidelity Lodge, No. 135, K. P., and to the Methodist Episcopal church-associations which indicate much of his character and the rules which govern his life. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, yet he has never been an office seeker. Ilis patrimony when he started in life was sixty dollars and he is truly a self-made man, who has worked for opportunities which other boys secure through inheritance. He has always been a man of action rather than theory, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution. Honored and respected by all, he occupies an enviable position in busi- ness circles, not only by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the honorable, straightforward business policy he has ever followed. Perhaps no biography given in this volume illustrates more clearly the value of character and the ready utilization of opportunity than does this of Charles W. Loos.
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