USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 33
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Peter Harbold was a little lad of four years when he was brought by his parents from his native country to the Buckeye state. Ile acquired a common-school education and remained at home until he reached man's estate, when he was married to Miss Josephine Rhodenstine, who was born in this state, a daughter of Charles and Gertrude Rhodenstine, whose family numbered eight children. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harbold was blessed with six children, as follows: Charles; Peter, Jr .; Fred; August, deceased : William, of Guernsey county, Ohio; and George, who has also de- parted this life. The wife and mother died in 1884 and Mr. Harbold was again married. his second union being with Elma Heslip, who was born in Cochocton county, March 21; 1867. a daughter of Joseph and Hester (Lov- ell) Heslip, who are mentioned below. Mrs. Harbold has become the mother of eight children, of whom two died in infancy, those surviving being Henry T., Clarence A., Sarah E., Laura E. and Walter L., Martha E. is also deceased.
Following his first marriage Mr. Harbold engaged in farming and through hard work, economy and determined purpose has prospered until he is today the owner of two hundred and ten acres, situated in Linton town- ship. He is engaged in general farming and follows the most practical and modern methods in his work, so that he is meeting with excellent success, each year adding to his financial resources.
Mr. Harbold gives his political support to the republican party but has never aspired to public office, feeling that his time is needed in his private affairs. He and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Protestant church. They are estimable people who lead honest, upright lives and com- mand uniform respect and regard in the community in which they make their home.
JOSEPH HIESLIP.
Joseph Heslip. now deceased, was a native of Linton township, Coshoe- ton county, where for a long period he was identified with agricultural in- terests. The family originated in County Durham, England. where they owned an estate called Ferryhill and spelled the name Haslop. The pater- nal great-grandfather of our subject was John Ha-lop, while the paternal grandfather was Joseph Haslop, who was born in County Durham.
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England, in the month of March, sometime between the years 1697 and 1700. Ilis father died when he was quite young, after which the mother married again and had two or three daughters by her second union. After the mother married a second time the son Joseph left home and at the age of eighteen years enlisted as a soldier in the English army. He was in the battle of Fontenoy and many others on the European continent. He was later with the army in Ireland and was discharged upon the establishment of Belfast in County Down, having served altogether for about fifty years. Joseph Haslop was once married, his first union being in 1814 with Ellen Wolgeaumott, a resident of Wayne county, Ohio. He then settled in Ferry- ville, this state. His children were as follows: John; Thomas, who died at- the age of sixteen years; Joseph; Betsey; Nancy; Susan; Ellen; Sarah; Jane; and William, who died May 9, 1852.
John Heslip, the father of our subject, at the age of nine years was bound out to learn the shoemaker's trade. He later went to Belfast to better prepare himself in his work. He was married in County Antrim, Ireland, at the age of twenty-two years, to Elizabeth MeKuwn, after which he emi- grated with his brothers Thomas and Joseph to the United States, the year 1782 witnessing their arrival on American shores. The brother Joseph sailed from Baltimore and was never after heard from. Thomas was mar- ried to a lady in Philadelphia and there engaged in the shoe business in partnership with a Mr. Miller but died soon after, leaving a daughter Susan. John Heslip established his home in Baltimore, Maryland, and there worked as a tanner and shoemaker for many years, being employed by a Mr. Wil- son. At the end of twelve years' service he formed a partnership with Rob- ert Buchanan and conducted a shoe business for several years, when the partnership was dissolved and his son John was admitted to the firm. He retired from business in 1812, after which the son John, in connection with his brother-in-law, William Jefferson, carried on a successful business until 1833, so that altogether the family was connected with the shoe trade in Baltimore for a half century. The father became a very successful man, being worth at the time of his death fifty thousand dollars. His children were as follows: Joseph was the oldest. Thomas studied medicine and was graduated from the University of Maryland, after which he engaged in practice in Ohio for two years. He died here and was buried at Ferryville. Nancy married William Vance, a native of Scotland and a resident of Bal- timore, by whom she had two sons and one daughter but the sons are now deceased. Mr. Vance bought a tract of land in Belmont county, to which he removed in 1883. Betsey married William Jefferson, a native of Mary- land, by whom she had three sons and four daughters. He is a wealthy landholder, owing nine hundred acres in Illinois. John is the owner of five hundred acres of land in Illinois. Mary married Robert Harbison, a native of Ireland, by whom she has four sons and four daughters. They have lived in Ohio since 1829.
Joseph Heslip, the immediate subject of this review, was born in Lin- ton township, where he spent his entire life. He was married to Miss Hester Lovell, who was born in the Buckeye state. Their family numbered
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eight children: Lydia, William and Lizzie, all at home; Elma, now Mrs. Harbold; Matilda, the wife of James Whorten, of Guernsey county, Ohio: and three who have passed away. The father died in 1883 but the mother is still living. Mr. Heslip was numbered among the old and honored citi- zens of this section of the state and though a quarter of a century has passed since he was called from this life, his memory is yet cherished in the hearts of many.
SAM E. VAIL.
Sam E. Vail, of Coshocton, was one of the promoters and is the president of The Vail Company, his associate officers being: J. B. Ballou, secretary and treasurer, with offices in New York city; R. S. Thompson, assistant see- retary and superintendent, who with W. A. Himebaugh and E. O. Selby constitute the board of directors. Mr. Vail was born in Findlay, Ohio, May 3, 1863, and has been a resident of this state all his life. At the age of fifteen years he entered a newspaper office as a printer's "devil" and has been constantly engaged in the same branch of the newspaper or printing busi- ness, either in the mechanical, business or editorial departments, to the pres- ent time. He is married and has one son, Merl D., now associated with him in the Vail Company.
The Vail Company is one of the newer industries of Coshocton, having moved its plant to this city from Cleveland on May 1, 1905. Its line is a specialized industry, it being the only concern in the county engaged exclu- sively in machine book composition and electroplating. The company was attracted to Coshocton because of its location, being central to trade in the territory lying east of the Mississippi river; because of its fine freight, express and mail facilities; because of its cheap gas and electric power, its excellent banks, the progressive spirit of its citizens, and its general advantages as a place of residence for intelligent and expert workmen. The move has more than met every expectation of the company.
In the old days books were put into type by hand with movable and in- dividual types, and a very slow and expensive method, but the only one. however, till Ott Mergenthaler perfected the linotype machine some fifteen years ago. Now, not only nearly all of the typesetting for books, but prac- tically all of the typesetting for newspapers is performed upon this machine. one operator of which will turn out as much matter ready for the press as can a half dozen hand compositors in the old way.
This company's typesetting is done on the linotype machines, and in- stead of individual types, the product as it comes from the machine is a solid line of type,-hence the name "lin-o-type." The setting of this type, or lines of type, constitutes one department of the company's business, the other department being the electrotype foundry. After the type is proofread. and corrected, it is made into forms identical in size with the book page to be printed. These forms are then sent to the foundry and from them a mold
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is taken. From this mold a thin copper shell is cast by an electric process. This shell is backed up with metal to a thickness of about a twelfth of an inch, and when properly finished is called a book plate. It is this book plate which constitutes the product of the Vail Company, and which it fur- nishes its customers, who complete the manufacture of the book in the or- dinary way by printing and binding.
The company's progress since its removal to Coshocton has been marked. Its business for 1907 was fifty per cent greater than that of 1905, and the year 1908 exceeded 1907 by about twenty-five per cent. Its trade is not restricted to any one section of the United States, its business coming from all sections between San Francisco and Boston, Little Rock and Minneapolis. Some of its product is manufactured into books in Eng- land, and even Spanish school text-book plates have gone to Porto Rico. Its customers consist of the larger and best known publishers of the United States, the names of whom are familiar household words to the owners of every library of books.
The character of books taken on by this company is varied, including cyclopedias and similar reference works, school text-books, law text-books, religious books, standard subscription books, novels and in faet library books of every description. The Coshocton Library, as well as the local book sell- ers, have on their shelves many volumes of books, the composition and plates for which are made by The Vail Company.
The company occupies a brick and stone building on South Fifth street, fronting the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks. It was built especially to accommodate the company's business, and its interior arrangement is a model of conveniences for the purposes for which it was erected. Usually an electrotype foundry is tucked away in a dark portion of the topmost floor of the building, but in this case the foundry is on the ground floor, encased in stone walls, with ample light on three sides, and a cement floor. This makes ideal electrotype foundry surroundings.
The company employs a high grade of skilled workmen and the aver- age wages paid are as high as the best paid workmen in Coshocton. Few cities, and they are only the biggest, pay higher wages for the same class of work.
WILLIAM H. HASKINS.
It is fitting that the biographical record of Coshocton county's eminent and distinguished men should find a place in this volume, and as a conspie- uous figure in mining eireles of the state, Mr. Haskins well deserves mention among the leaders of publie thought and action. He is now serving as in- spector of coal for the Northwestern Fuel Company of St. Paul, his territory extending from Toledo to Ashtabula. Mr. Haskins was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, October 29, 1874, a son of George S. and Eliza (Rowe) Has- kins. The father was a miner and became well known in Coshocton county.
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William H. Haskins spent the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and attended the common schools until he had reached the age of eleven years, but at that period in his life he entered the mines as a workman, and from that time until he was eighteen years of age he attended school only at times when the mines were idle, but such was his ambition that instead of idling away his time as many of his associates did, he availed himself of every opportunity for adding to his fund of knowledge. Later in life he attended night schools at Orbiston and Murray in the Hock- ing Valley mining district and thus became well informed.
Early in life Mr. Haskins' ability for leadership was noted among his fellow workers, and having made a close study of conditions and relations existing between employer and employe, in 1894 he was elected secretary of the Hocking Valley, District Ohio, Miners Union. He filled the position with such efficiency that in 1896 he was elected to the vice presidency of the Ohio Miners Union, a state organization of the mine workers. Here his ready grasp of intricate labor problems was again manifest and in 1898 he was chosen to the presidency of the state organization, which position he filled until 1906, when he declined a reelection and retired from this respon- sible position as he had entered it-with the full confidence of the membership and with credit to himself. During his term of service he saw the or- ganization grow from a membership of six thousand to forty thousand mem- bers. When he entered upon his responsible duties in this connection there was no agreement in writing existing between miner and operator, but at the time of Mr. Haskins' retirement from the office there was a written agree- ment existing between the miners and the operators, while the treasury of the association had grown from sixteen hundred dollars to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, despite the fact that more money had been expended for administration purposes. Early in life he began to study the question of labor organization and at the age of sixteen years became identified with the Knights of Labor and in the years that have come and gone has grown stronger in his advocacy of organization. To quote his own words Mr. Has- kins says: "As I grow older I become more and more convinced that in the more thorough education of the people lies the true and permanent solution of the question of the relationship of labor to capital, and vice versa. I am of the opinion that if by enactment or by the interpretation of the laws labor organizations should be made impossible or rendered inoperative that the condition of the laboring classes in this country would become intoler- able because of the increased opportunities of those who control the indus- tries of the country to become more oppressive. AAfter twelve years of life in close touch with both laborer and employer and with politicians of all schools and classes I am led to this conclusion."
Upon his retirement from the presidency of the state organization, Mr. Haskins was made coal inspector for the Northwestern Fuel Company of St. Paul, inspecting all coal in the lake harbors from Toledo to Ashtabula. Dur- ing his work in this connection he has gained the entire trust and confi- dence of his employers, and although his time and attention are well occupied with his ardnons duties. he is nevertheless deeply interested in his
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former work and associates. Ile is quick, positive, exacting and comprehen- sive of every detail of affairs that comes within the scope of his action.
Mr. Haskins was married May 6, 1896, the lady of his choice being Miss Ella M. Hill, a daughter of Philip and Martha (Sanger) Hill, of Vin- ton county, Ohio. Her father came to Coshocton county in September, 1899.
In polities Mr. Haskins is independent, voting for the men and meas- ures which he deems conducive to good government, regardless of party ties or affiliations. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In Masonry, he has attained the degree of the Mystic Shrine and is also a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias and of the United Mine Workers of America. With his estimable wife he occupies a beautiful home in the eastern part of Coshocton, in which is found a library, containing works of history, biog- raphy and science, with the contents of which he is thoroughly familiar, for he spends much of his leisure time among his books. In his life are the elements of greatness because of the use he has made of his talents and his opportunities, because his thoughts are not self-centered but are given to the mastery of life problems and the fulfillment of his duty as a man in his re- lations to his fellowmen and as a citizen in his relations to his eity, state and country.
JOHN F. LAPP.
John F. Lapp is one of the substantial citizens of Coshocton county who follow farming in Franklin township, and also gives part of his time to vari- ous other interests. Ile is a native of the county, born in Linton township. June 14, 1857. a son of Michael and Wilhelmina (Snite) Lapp. The father was a native of Germany, born in September, 1830, and was a little lad of four years when he came with his parents to Ohio, the family home being established in Adams township, Muskingum county. IIe became an exten- sive farmer and also operated a sawmill. He became a prominent and influ- ential factor in both this and Muskingum counties. He was twice married. He was first married in 1855 to Miss Wilhelmina Snite, a daughter of John and Madaline Snite, and this union was blessed with ten children. He was married a second time, this union being with Lucinda I. Miller, their mar- riage being celebrated in November, 1876. She was a daughter of Stephen and Barbara Miller, and by her marriage became the mother of ten chil- dren. Of the two families of children, eighteen are living. Mr. Lapp died June 3. 1904, at the age of seventy-four years.
John F. Lapp, the second in order of birth of his father's first marriage, was reared on the home farm and while this has always been his chief occu- pation. he is interested and active in several other enterprises. He brings to bear sound judgment in any undertaking and is a man of wide influence in his home locality. On his farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Frank- lin township, stands a nice country residence and substantial barns and out- buildings, while his fields are all under a high state of cultivation.
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Mr. Lapp was married March 3, 1887, to Miss Martha E. Sandles, who was born in 1866 and is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Greis) Sandles. Two children blessed this union, but the daughter died in infancy. The son. Archibald C., is now thirteen years of age and is attending school.
Mr. Lapp is a democrat in his political views and affiliations and while he is busily engaged with his own private business interests he yet finds time for public affair-, having served as trustee of Franklin township. He is a member of Plainfield Grange and is also a member of St. Paul's Evangelical English Lutheran church. On all public questions where the best interests of the community are involved he is found on the right side, and is classed among the substantial citizens of this section of the state.
HIPPOLYT LIEWER.
Coshocton i- making rapid progress in its industrial development. In recent years various business enterprises have been e-tabli-bed and promoted here and among the more important of these is the industrial concern now operating under the name of the Coshocton Glass Company. Of this Hip- polyt Liewer is the president and. with broad experience in glass manufac- ture. he has placed the enterprise upon a safe and substantial basis and at the same time is greatly enlarging its scope and trade relations.
Mr. Liewer was born August 26, 1868. in the province of Alsace, which was then a part of Franee, but now belongs to Germany. His father was Raphael Liewer and the family for many generations were connected with glass manufacture. The son was reared at home, attending the Lyceum at Strassburg. Alsace, where he was graduated with baccalaureate honors. He afterward learned the bottle manufacturing business at Ingweiler, Alsace, and in different bottle factories in the Sarre River territory. Thinking that the new world offered better business facilities, he crossed the Atlantie in 1903 and for a time was identified with glass interests in New York city. whence he came to Coshocton in January, 1906. and has since been presi- dent and general manager of the Coshocton Glass Company.
This is one of the more recent acquisitions to the city's industrial inter- este, yet it ranks with the foremo-t and is perhaps the most important when judged by the extent of its payroll and its connections with the outside world. The business had its origin in May, 1902, as a partnership concern owned by E. R. Sober, E. G. Van Horn, and the well known late T. J. Gainor. who employed about sixty workmen in the manufacture of amber bottles, the factory having a capacity of about one hundred gross bottles per day. Under the original management the busine -- grew until employment was furnished to about two hundred. The product of the house was sent to the firm of Liewer Brothers, having offices in New York, but the local con- cern lacked the resources to carry a plant that would meet the demands of their selling agent- and therefore II. and C. A. Liewer, of the New York house, came to Coshocton and took over a controlling interest in the bu-i-
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ness. With ample eapital at their command they have enlarged and ex- panded the plant and developed the trade until their business now justifies the employment of four hundred workmen. They began the manufacture of both green and amber bottles, which are sold to the leading breweries and bottling works of the country. Each year they arrange for the sale of almost their entire production for the ensuing year and yet they are increasing their facilities from time to time, while their plant is equipped with every modern convenience known to the trade. The company follows the most modern methods of manufacture and utilizes the most modern ideas in the develop- ment of their business. The officers are: H. Liewer, president and general manager; Charles A. Liewer, secretary and treasurer; and K. L. Almack, vice president.
Since coming to the new world Mr. Liewer of this review has supported the republican party, believing in its policy and its principles, yet withont desire to become an active factor in claims for its official honors. He is a gentleman of strong purpose and marked individuality, who impresses all with whom he comes in contact by his spirit of alertness and determination.
JAMES O. WARING.
James O. Waring, a practical, progressive and enterprising farmer liv- ing in Bethlehem township, where he owns one hundred and seventy acres of rich and productive land, was born in this township, November 15, 1861. His parents were David and Mary (Blyler) Waring, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. In the year 1832 David War- Ing came to Coshoeton county with his father, purchased a farm and carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days, becoming one of the leading and progressive agriculturists of the community. He died in the year 1904, having for about twenty years survived his wife, who pas-ed away in 1884. They were the parents of the following children : D. L., of this township; J. Owen and Oscar M., residents of Indiana; Arthur, deceased; Edgar 1., of Akron, Ohio; Dr. Leander, residing at Danville, Illinois; Anna, the wife of John Arnold, deceased; Hattie, the wife of C. B. Hershman, of Coshocton; and Adie, the wife of Ed Schoonover, also a resi- dent of Coshocton.
The boyhood days of James O. Waring were quietly passed in the pursuits of the home farm, where he remained assisting his father until he had attained his majority. Ile then rented the old home place and to its further development and improvement directed his energies for twenty years. As success has attended him he has made investment in property and is now the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of rich and productive land in Bethlehem township. Everything about his place is indicative of the careful supervision of a painstaking and progressive owner, for the buildings are kept in good repair and he nses the latest improved machin- ery to facilitate the work of the fields. In addition to raising the cereals
DAVID WARING.
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best adapted to soil and climate he has made a specialty of raising sheep and has a large and valuable flock.
At the time of his father's death Mr. Waring was made administrator of the estate. While he has lived a somewhat uneventful life, he had one thrilling experience which few would care to go through with. In 1894 he was robbed by three masked men, who shot him in the ear, knocked him down and took from him forty dollars. They gagged him and one of his aunts, but spared the other aunt this indignity, for she appealed to their sympathy when she asked them if they had a mother and promised that she would say nothing of the affair. Pity for her caused them to leave her without gagging her. The robbers. however, took possession of the house, secured a good supper from the pantry and then left with their booty.
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