USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 27
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MRS. ALMEDA J. LOWER.
Mrs. Almeda J. Lower owns and occupies a good farm of eighty acres in White Eyes township. She was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, October 8, 1862, and is the widow of W. B. Lower, who was born in this county January 21, 1862. She is a daughter of Ben and Christina (Turner) Leavengood. Her father was also a native of this county, but her mother was born in Virginia and came to this county in her girlhood days. Both are still living and are well known people here, enjoying the respect and good will of all with whom they have come in contact.
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Their family numbered ten children, including Mrs. Lower, who spent her girlhood days under the parental roof and was early trained to the work of the household, forming habits of industry and economy, which well quali- fied her to take charge of a home of her own at the time of her marriage. She pursued her education in publie schools and her husband was educated in a similar manner. On the 9th of April, 1885, she became the wife of W. B. Lower, a farmer of this county, who devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits. At the time of his death he owned eighty acres of land which he had brought under a high state of cultivation. He had also added many modern improvements to his farm and everything about the place indicated his careful supervision and progressive methods. The death of Mr. Lower occurred in November, 1903.
In the family were four children: Myrtle M., now the wife of Clayton Parlhill; Ethel V., Olive B. and Clenette P., all at home. Mrs. Lower and her children are all members of the Episcopal church, attending its services and contributing to its support. Mrs. Lower still owns the farm of eighty acres in White Eyes township which was formerly the property of her hus- band. It is in an attractive place and the land is also rich and productive and annually returns good harvests for the care and cultivation which are bestowed upon the place. Having spent her entire life in this county Mrs. Lower is well known here and enjoys the friendship and regard of the many with whom she has been brought in contact.
GEORGE W. SMITHE.
A well improved and highly developed farm of one hundred and sixty- nine acres situated in Linton township has been the home of George W. Smith for the past forty-three years. He was born in Guernsey county, this state, October 16. 1833, and is the eldest of two children (of whom the sister, Elizabeth Ann. is deceased) born of the marriage of William W. and Nancy (Morlatt) Smith. The father was a native of England, while the mother's birth occurred in Virginia. They came to Ohio at an early date and located in Guernsey county. where the father died. The mother, however, passed away in Coshocton county.
George W. Smith pursued his studies in the common schools and at the age of fifteen years learned the harness trade, at which he worked for a time. He then resumed farming, working as a farm hand for two years. In 1865 he put aside all business and personal considerations and gave his services to the government, during the latter part of the Civil war, remaining at the front for seven months. He then returned to Coshoeton eounty and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-nine aeres situated in Linton township. which has been his place of residence for the past forty-three years. In con- neetion with general farming he raises stock, making a specialty of the latter branch of business, in which he is meeting with excellent suecess.
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Mr. Smith has been twice married. He first wedded Sarah J. Johnson, who was born in Coshocton county. Their marriage was blessed with two sons but both are now deceased. The wife and mother was also called to her final rest, and Mr. Smith then married Mary E. Johnson, a sister of his first wife. This union has been blessed with a son and daughter: Johnson, of Coshocton ; and Laura, the wife of Johnson Hammond. of Muskingum county.
Mr. Smith gives his political support to the men and measures of the democratic party and has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill a number of public offices, having served for five years as trustee of the township, while he has also filled the office of supervisor on several different occasions. He is also a school director. There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored and venerable gentleman whose name initiates this review, since his mind bears the impress of the historical annals of the state of Ohio from the early pioneer days, and from the fact that he has been a loyal son of the republic. He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey and commands the respect and reverence which should ever be accorded to one who has advanced thus far on the journey of life.
LEWIS J. FOSTER.
The gentleman whose name introduces this record needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for the Fosters are one of the prominent pioneer families of Coshocton county and he of whom we write is a worthy repre- sentative of the name, owning a large tract of land comprising three hun- dred and ninety-seven acres in the rich bottoms of the Tuscarawas river. near Canal Lewisville. Lewis J. Foster was born in Jackson township, Coshocton county, August 30, 1861. a son of Ebenezer and Maria (Markley) Foster, who were likewise natives of this county. The father was a pioneer settler of this locality and became a wealthy landowner, at one time possess- ing fourteen hundred acres in Coshocton county. He engaged in general farming throughout a long period but the last twenty years of his life were spent in honorable retirement. His death occurred February 9, 1907, when he had reached the very advanced age of eighty-five years, and thus the com- munity mourned the loss of one of its oldest and most highly honored citizens.
Lewis J. Foster was reared to agricultural pursuits, giving his father the benefit of his services on the home farm from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn, while during the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district schools. Upon entering into business on his own account he chose the occupation to which he had been reared and has made this his life work. He is now the owner of three hundred and ninety-seven acres of land near Canal Lewisville, which has been made valuable and productive through his own labors. He is progress- 'ive and practical in his methods of labor and thus his labors are rewarded with excellent success.
MR. AND MRS. EBENEZER FOSTER.
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Mr. Foster was married December 14, 1881, to Miss Carrie R. Lennon. whose home was in the same, locality in which Mr. Foster was reared. They have become the parents of the following children: Archie 1., who was born November 12, 1882, and married Mary McCabe; Harry E., born An- gust 5, 1884: Nellie E., who was born April 28, 1886, and is now the wife of Thomas Wilson : Gladys M., who was born December 25, 1888, and died July 3, 1896; Lewis Wade, born May 26, 1891; Clifford O., born October 26, 1893; Ethel Lou, born April 29, 1896; James L .. born August 7, 1898: Carrie R., who was born November 23, 1900, and died September 29, 1901. and one son who died in infancy.
Mr. Foster gives his political support to the men and measures of the democratic party but has never been active in political circles. He is a mem- ber of the Grange and of the Odd Fellows lodge at Coshocton. In every- thing he has been eminently practical and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings but also in social and private life. His activity has not only contributed to his individual success but has also been a factor in the development of his home locality, of which he is today accounted one of the honored citizens.
BENJAMIN HAINS.
A highly cultivated farm of one hundred and twenty acres, situated in Bedford township, is the place of residence of Benjamin Hains, who was born in this township, March 19, 1854, a son of Levi and Lucinda (Trout- man ) Hains. The Hains family was founded in Ohio in 1810 by the paternal grandfather, Henry Hains, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1782, whence he removed to Licking county. The following year he came to Coshocton county and entered land from the goverment, and this tract has since been in possession of the family and is now owned by a grandson, IIenry F. Hains, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The grandfather was twice married and by the first union had eight children, all of whom have departed this life.
Levi Hains, the father of our subject, was born on the old family home- stead in Bedford township. February 7, 1817, and was there reared and spent his entire life. Ile followed farming as a life work and at the time of his death, which occurred June 29, 1902. when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-five years, he owned five hundred acres of valuable land. He was a republican in political faith and was a public-spirited citizen, prominent in the public life of this section of the state. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lucinda Troutman, was born in Gambier, Knox county, Ohio, in 1818, and died in Coshocton county, October 24, 1892, at the age of eighty- four years. She was the mother of the following children: Norman, who follows farming in Texas; Leonard and Sarah, deceased; Mary E., the wife of Nathan Price, who is engaged in farming in Bedford township: J. T .. an agriculturist of Cherokee county, Kansas; J. R., of Bedford township: Ben-
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jamin, of this review; Leander, a farmer of Bedford township; Henry F., who is mentioned on another page of this work; Charles, who is also men- tioned elsewhere in this volume; and Isabel, the wife of A. G. Reed, a farmer of Bedford township.
Benjamin Hains, the immediate subject of this review, acquired his edu- cation in the Hains district school and was reared to the pursuits of farm life, early being trained in the duties of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-four years, when he began farming on his own account and, with the exception of one year spent in Kansas, he has always lived in Bedford township. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land situated in this township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, each year yielding abundant harvests. In 1902 Mr. Hains erected a nice barn and in 1906 built a fine modern residence, supplied with all the conveniences and accessories that add to the comfort of the inmates. The house stands in the midst of a well kept lawn, and everything about the place is kept in a good state of repair. Mr. Hains keeps good grades of stock, raising thoroughbred cattle and sheep. He is a man of enterprise and progress, keeping in touch with modern ideas of farm- ing, so that his labors are attended with excellent results.
Mr. Hains was married in 1877 to Miss Sarah C. Parrish, a resident of Coshocton county, and they have one daughter, Lizzie, the wife of T. O. Clarke, who is engaged in teaching in Bedford. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke are the parents of three daughters: Estella, Ethel May and Sarah Bessie. Mr. Hains is an ardent republican and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are people of high moral worth, esteemed by a large circle of friends.
PROSPER ROYER.
Prosper Royer, who since 1901 has lived retired in Coshocton, was formerly identified for a long period with the agricultural interests of the county, owning and cultivating an excellent tract of land which constituted one of the fine farms of the locality. Although born across the water, Co- shoeton has no citizen more loyal to its interests and welfare than Prosper Royer, whose birth occurred in France, January 29, 1835. His parents were Nicholas and Ann (Yergo) Royer, who came to the United States in 1844, settling on a farm in Muskingum county, Ohio, near Sonora. There the father purchased a farm on which he and his family lived for six years, when he disposed of that property and in 1850 came to Coshocton, investing here in a tract of land of eighty acres in Franklin township near Frews Mill. Subsequently he bought an adjoining tract of eighty acres and upon the farm which he there cultivated and improved he and his wife spent their remaining days and when called from this life were laid to rest in the old cemetery of the neighborhood, a part of the land for this cemetery having been donated by Mr. Royer.
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As a farm boy Prosper Royer was reared, working in the summer months at the labors of the farm, while in the winter seasons he attended the district schools. In early manhood he was married and for two years thereafter resided on the old homestead but on the expiration of that period removed to the old John Hershman farm. which he cultivated as a renter for three years. In the meantime he carefully saved his carnings until his diligence and forty acres adjoining the Hershman farm. He lived there for three years industry brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm of and then purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty-nine acres, on which he made his home for three decades. As time passed he converted the soil into rich and productive fields that annually yielded him large harvests. He also added good building- and modern improvements to his place, using the latest machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and employing such progressive methods as have made the work of the farm much more remuner- ative than it was even a quarter of a century ago. As time passed his labors secured for him a handsome competence and in 1901 he removed to Coshoc- ton, where he has since resided, the fruit of his former toil being sufficient to enable him to enjoy a well earned rest without further recourse to busi- ness cares.
On the 2d of July. 1861. Mr. Royer was married to Miss Mary Trenor. of West Lafayette, a daughter of Maurice Trenor, who came to Coshocton county from Ireland, his native country. Mr. and Mrs. Royer were the parents of seven children, of whom three are living: Mary, the wife of Samuel Siegrist. of Coshocton ; William H .. of Coshocton, Ohio; and Prosper C., manager of the Postal Telegraph Company of Coshocton.
In his political views Mr. Royer is a democrat, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles and purposes of the party. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church. He has now passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten and in fact has reached the seventy-third milestone on life's journey. His business activity through many years well entitles him to the rest which he is now enjoying and he deserves mention among the representative residents of his adopted county.
MATTHEW S. BEEBE.
Death often remove from our midst one whom we can ill afford to lose. The news of the demise of Matthew S. Beebe brought a feeling of widespread sorrow to Coshocton and the surrounding country, for through a long period he had stood as one of the foremost merchants of this part of the state and as a man whom to know was to respect and honor. The memory which he left behind him, however, is cherished by family and friends and his example is one well worthy of emulation, for it stands in proof of the fact that pros- perity and an honorable name may be won simultaneously.
Mr. Beebe was born in Cadiz, Ohio. October 3. 1845. His father, James W. Beebe, was connected with operations in the coal fields of Ohio during the
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early mining days here, being one of the first men to develop the mines at Conesville. He gave to his son liberal educational privileges, the latter sup- plementing his early public-school course by study in the Hopedale College at Hopedale, Ohio. For several years during his early manhood he was identified with his father in his mining operations but thinking to find mercantile pursuits more congenial, he engaged with an eastern shoe house as commercial salesman. This gave him an intimate and comprehensive knowledge of the trade and for twenty-five years he engaged in the shoe business as a wholesale dealer. He thoroughly acquainted himself with the trade and its possibilities and by progressive business methods and honorable dealing secured a most liberal patronage. The integrity of his business methods was never called into question and on the contrary he was widely known for his unassailable reputation, resulting from straightforward dealing.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Beebe was devoted to the wel- fare of his wife and son. On the 2d of January, 1890, he married Miss Lois Mayes, a daughter of Calvin Mayes, who was a banker and extensive land- owner of Peabody, Kansas, but is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Beebe had one child, Junius M., who was born February 16, 1892, and is now being educated at the Randolph-Macon Academy at Front Royal, Virginia. Mr. Beebe regarded no personal sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the welfare or enhance the happiness of his little family and they found him a most devoted and loving husband and father.
His political support was given to the republican party and he always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, although he never sought nor desired office. He ranked very high in Masonry and was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church-associations which indicate much of his character and the principles that governed his conduct. All who knew him respected him and he occupied a prominent place in the foremost ranks of Coshocton's business men. Mrs. Beebe now occupies the home residence at No. 304 Chestnut street, spending the summer months in Coshocton, while in the winter seasons she resides in Washington, D. C. Like Mr. Beebe, she has many friends here and the hospitality of the best homes is most cordially extended to her.
CHRISTOPHER C. MILLER.
Enterprise, energy and determination constitute the labors of Christo- pher C. Miller, who is engaged in farming on a well improved tract of land of one hundred and one acres, situated in Jackson township. He is a native son of the township, born May 12, 1865, a son of John and Naney (Lyons) Miller, natives of Coshocton county. The father died December 27, 1891, at the age of sixty-seven years, while the mother preceded him to the home beyond, her death occurring January 12, 1879, at the comparatively early age of fifty-two years.
Christopher C. Miller, whose name heads this review, spent the period of his boyhood and youth upon the homestead farm, acquiring his education
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through the medium of the district schools. He remained under the parental roof until he started out to make his own way in the world, following general agricultural pursuits in Jackson and Bedford townships until 1902, when he removed to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in sin- ilar pursuits until 1905, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred acres in Jackson township and returned once more to Coshocton county to make his home. IIe follows farming and stock-raising and also gives much of his time to raising fruit, in which he is meeting with success. lle has an attractive country home, fitted out with all modern conveniences, and his farm is otherwise well improved.
Mr. Miller was married October 20, 1886, to Miss Mary A. Marshall, a daughter of Thomas and Susan (Slaughter) Marshall, representatives of two prominent pioneer families of this county. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with a son and daughter. Ernest E. and Susan A. Mr. Miller is a democrat in his political views and affiliations but has never been active as an office seeker, the only publie position he has ever held being that of school director. By perseverance, determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to success and reached the goal of prosperity, while his genuine worth and pubblic spirit have made him a director of public thought and action.
JACOB ZIMMERMAN.
Jacob Zimmerman is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and fourteen acres situated in Adams township. . The land is rich and pro- ductive and the place in its neat and well kept appearance indicates the care- ful supervision of a practical and painstaking owner. Mr. Zimmerman is one of the respected citizens of this community and has been a resident of Ohio for more than a half century. He claims Switzerland as the place of his nativity, his birth having there occurred January 28, 1838.
His parents, Christ and Margaret Zimmerman, were also natives of the same country and, crossing the Atlantic to America in 1854, they located in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where the father purchased and improved land. He was a school teacher by profession and was actively connected with the educational interests of this state for thirty-eight years. He died in October, 1862. when about seventy-one years of age. for his birth occurred in 1791. ITis wife survived him only about a year, passing away in 1863.
Jacob Zimmerman is the only survivor in a family of thirteen children. He remained with his father until he attained his majority and worked upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When he had reached an adult age he bought a farm of seventy acres in Tuscarawas county, took up hi- abode there and continued for nineteen years, bringing the place into a high state of cultivation. Ile then sold that property and removed to Coshocton county, where he bought the farm of one hundred and fourteen acres on which he
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now resides. Ilis persevering efforts, his diligence and thorough knowledge of farming methods have enabled him to make this a valuable property and from his fields he annually gathers rich harvests, which return to him a gratifying income.
In 1859 Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Younger, who was born in Tuscarawas county, August 16, 1840. She was one of twelve children and her parents are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Zim- merman were born: Ira. whose birth occurred August 13, 1860: Christ, born June 10, 1862: John F .. in 1863; David, in 1865; Imeno, in 1887; Susan. who was born in 1869. and is the wife of Herbert Shlagle; Daniel, born in 1871: Abraham, who was born in 1873 and died in 1902; and Anna E., who was born in 1873 and is the wife of Adam Young. The living members of the family are all residents of Coshocton county and Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman have reared a family of sons and daughters who are a credit and honor to their name.
The parents are members of the German Reformed church and have lived earnest, consistent Christian lives. Mr. Zimmerman gives his political support to the democratic party and was assessor and trustee of his township, while for over twenty-one years he served as a member of the school board. In his official duties he has been found prompt and reliable and in all busi- ness affairs honorable and straightforward, so that he enjoys the full confi- dence and trust of those who know him. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for here he has found good opportunities and by his earnest work and unfaltering perseverance has gained a creditable measure of success.
HENRY SHAW.
Henry Shaw. a successful business man and agriculturalist of Lafayette township, was born in the locality where he now resides, February 21, 1848, the son of Velzer and Margaret (Maple) Shaw. The family is among the pioneer settlers of Coshocton county, the paternal great-grandfather of our subject having purchased in 1833 a large tract of what was then wild land, on which he erected a log cabin and with a resolution which is now evidenced in his posterity, proceeded to bring it under a state of subjection. He was ably assisted in his efforts by five stalwart sons, namely: Elijah, who served in the war of 1812; Albert, who served in both the Mexican and Civil wars; Robert. Enos and Levi.
Velzer Shaw. father of our subject, was born in Orange county, New Jersey, May 4, 1824. and was therefore but nine years of age when brought by his parents to Coshocton county. He grew to manhood on the old farm and was his father's mainstay in the work of the place, to the possession of which he succeeded. As a democrat he took an active interest in political affairs, and while he would never consent to hold office himself, yet he always worked hard for the success of his party. Although a member of no
HENRY SHAW AND FAMILY.
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church he was noted for his charity and his pocketbook was always open for those who were in trouble or in need. He wedded Margaret Maple, who was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1825, and they became the parents of six chil- dren, namely: Jerome, who enlisted in the army when fifteen years of age, as a result of which his health was wrecked by the hardships he suffered during service, and he passed away at the early age of twenty-two years. Henry, of this review. Simeon, who died at the age of seventeen years; Ruth Ann, who died at the age of two years; Seth, who resides in West Lafayette, Ohio; and Edward. who died when forty-eight years of age. The father passed away in 1904, having survived his wife a few years, her death occurring in 1900.
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