USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 35
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Following his marriage Mr. Wolfe worked at shoemaking in Orange for nine years, with exception of four months in 1864, while serving as fourth corporal in Company E. One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. In the spring of 1870 he went to Chase county, Kansas, where he owned three hundred and twenty acres of land as previously stated. and it was his intention to remove his family to that locality the following fall, but while making arrangement to erect a house and other buildings upon his farm he received a telegram saying that his wife was dangerously ill, and he left everything and returned home. His wife recovered but was unwilling to give her consent to their removal west, and they located on a farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres in Oxford township, which land her father gave them. Here Mr. Wolfe erected a fine residence and for a number of years he engaged in the cultivation and improvement of the place. but owing to ill health. he finally rented the farm and removed to Emerson Mills. where he engaged in the boot and shoe and general grocery business for four years. After closing out this business at Emerson Mills. he rented his farm for three years, cash rent, and with Ina. his youngest daughter removed to Coshocton. where he bought a fine residence property, residing here until his daughter Ina married and left him alone. Ile then batched it for three months, when he rented his property and moved his effects to his daughter Ina's at West Lafayette, Ohio. Since then he has
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practically lived a retired life, being in ill health, leaving the management of his farm to his daughters and their husbands, who now receive the income from the farm, and he still lives with his daughter Mrs. Leighninger in West Lafayette. His wife died January 20, 1881, and was laid to rest in West Lafayette cemetery.
Mr. Wolfe has traveled quite extensively over this country, spending four months in Kansas and Nebraska in 1860, when Indians and buffaloes were still numerous in that section. Later he again visited Kansas as previ- ously stated, and in the spring of 1888 he and his daughter Ina left home and for two years and forty-three days traveled throughout the west, spend- ing some time in various states and territories and going as far north as British Columbia. In 1906, he again went west and spent eleven months in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa.
Mr. Wolfe gives stanch support to the republican party but never sought nor desired office. He is a member of the blue lodge of Masons, No. 175, at New Comerstown, Ohio, in which he has filled all of the chairs save that of worshipful master, and he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty-eight years, now connected with the church at Coshocton. Seventy-one years have come and gone since Mr. Wolfe first opened his eyes to the light of day in Coshocton county and in the intervening period he has been a prominent factor in the advancement of commercial and agri- cultural life of the section of the state in which he has always made his home. He is widely and favorably known and his history cannot fail to prove of interest to his many friends, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present his record to our readers.
GEORGE ALVIN ILAY.
George Alvin Hay finds an appropriate place in the history of those men of business and enterprise in Ohio, whose force of character, whose sterling integrity, whose good sense in the management of complicated af- fairs and marked success in the establishment of industries, have contributed in an eminent degree to the development of the resources of Coshocton. His name is inseparably interwoven with the commercial and industrial progress of the city and in political service he has done that for his city which has caused him to be designated as one of the best mayors Coshocton has ever had. He is now the president of The Houston Hay Axle Company and is associated with various other business concerns.
Mr. Hay is one of Coshocton's native sons, his birth having here occurred November 16, 1855. ITis parents were Houston and Delia Cook (Roberts) Hay. the former of whom died March 28, 1900, and the latter February 22, 1896. After attending the public schools of this city, George A. Hay spent two years as a student in Denison University at Granville, and then became a junior in Princeton College, where he completed the classical course in 1879. winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Following his return to
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Coshocton he took up the study of law in the office of Spangler & Pomerene and was admitted to the bar in December, 1881. He then began the active practice of law, in which he continued for two years with good success, but owing to the fact that the plant which was owned by his father was de- stroyed by fire, Mr. Hay gave up his law practice to assist his father in rebuilding and remodeling the factory and establishing the business on the basis on which it is now conducted. The factory, under the name of Houston Hay, manufactured carriage, wagon and buggy axles. In 1885 the firm of Houston Hay & Sons was organized and the business continued under that name until 1895, when it was taken over by The Houston Hay Axle Com- pany. It is today one of the important productive industries of the city, employing eighty-five inen during the busy season. The fact that the com- pany specializes in the manufacture of axles gives it prestige and wide reputation in the manufacturing field and its product is sent to all parts of the country.
While Mr. Hay has met with success in this undertaking he has not confined his attention solely to one line but has extended his efforts into other fields whereby the city has profited while his individual prosperity has been enhanced. In 1893 he formed the Havana Cigar Company and that the business proved a growing one is indicated by the fact that while he started with ten cigarmakers, in 1898 he was employing one hundred and twenty-five people. In 1904, however, he closed out the business after a prosperous career in that line. Mr. Hay was also at one time president and a director of The Buckeye Pipe Line Company, organized for the purpose of piping gas to Coshocton. The company was organized in 1893 and ere Mr. Hay resigned in 1907 the business had been established on a safe foundation and was supplying the city with a good quality of gas at a low price. He is also a director of The H. D. Beach Company and a director of The Com- mercial National Bank, both of Coshocton.
On the 8th of June, 1882, Mr. Hay was married to Miss Nellie Hingeley. They had five children: Edna Lenore; Houston Hingeley, who died January 17. 1892: Ruth Warwick: George Roberts, who was born in 1896; and Walter Guilbert, born in 1902.
Mr. Hay is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is an enthusiast on the subject of baseball and fishing. finding great delight in witnessing a good game of ball or with rod enticing the finny tribe from favorite haunts. He is also well known in musical circles, was leader of the local band for fifteen years and for three years was bandmaster of the Seven- teenth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, during which time he succeeded in making his band the best in the state. Mr. Hay has been equally well known in political circles. In 1879 he became an active factor in republican politics and was made a member of the Coshocton County Executive Com- mittee. The following year he was made chairman of that committee and continued to fill the position for twenty-five years or until 1905, taking a most active and helpful part in shaping the policy of the party in this county. In 1880 he was elected mayor of the city on the republican ticket although Coshocton was at that time a democratic stronghold. Two years
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later he was reelected and in 1884 refused the nomination. In 1886 at the urgent solicitation of his fellow townsmen, including representatives of both parties, he once more became a candidate and was elected in that year and in 1888, so that his services as chief executive covered eight years and was characterized by the utmost dispatch of the city's business and by unfaltering loyalty to the municipal welfare. He has been appointed three times by the state auditor to check up the books of the Society for Savings in Cleveland- one of the greatest banking institutions in the world. He has served as trus- tee of the Girls' Industrial Home, a state institution, having been appointed by Governor Foraker, his term extending from 1885 to 1889. By appoint- ment of Governor McKinley he was one of the managers of the Ohio peni- tentiary from 1892 until 1896 and was appointed by Governor Nash, a member of the Ohio convict labor commission to investigate methods of employ- ing convict labor in other states and to recommend, if possible, a better system for Ohio. He is now president of the board of review of Coshocton. He has been a member of the republican state central committee and the repub- lican state executive committee. He has now practically retired from active participation in politics but could never cease to feel a deep interest in the questions and issues of the day because of his patriotic and progressive citi- zenship. ITis life has been one of signal usefulness to his city and state, and that he has wrought along the lines of the greatest good to the greatest number is a uniformly acknowledged fact.
CHRISTIAN NORMAN.
Christian Norman. owning three hundred and fifteen acres of valuable land in White Eyes township. was born in Oxford township, Coshocton county, Ohio, September 28, 1828, his parents being Isaac and Isabelle (Wise) Norman. The father was born on the Walhonding river, and when a boy of ten years accompanied his parents on their removal to Oxford town- ship, where they purchased two hundred acres of land. In this pioneer district Isaac Norman was reared and when he had attained mature years began farming by taking a lease on a tract of land in Oxford township. Sub- sequently he took another lease on some land in Adams township, and after- ward bought one hundred acres in Lafayette township, only seven acres of the tract having been cleared. After improving the property he sold the same, and bought a farm in White Eyes township, on which he made his home until called to his final rest. For fifty years he was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but at the time of their demise both he and his wife were affiliated with the United Brethren denomination, there being no Methodist Episcopal church in the locality. Isaac Norman had been married twice and by his first union had twelve children, of whom our subject is the only one now living. The first wife, who was born in Oxford township, passed away about 1868. and Mr. Norman afterward wedded her sister. Sarah Wise.
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Christian Norman was reared to the pursuits of the farm, early becom- ing familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He had but little opportunity for attending school and never even saw a "temple of learning" for five whole years. At the end of that time he was sixteen years old, and owing to the fact that other young men of his age were far in advance of him in their studies, he did not wish to enter school again. However, in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons and through reading and observation has become a well informed man. When twenty years of age he began farming a tract of rented land in Lafayette township and was thus engaged for three years. on the expira- tion of which period he rented one hundred and sixty aeres of his present farm from his father. Subsequently he purchased eighty aeres of the place and as the years passed and success crowned his efforts, he added to his hold- ings from time to time until he now owns three hundred and fifteen acres of rich and productive land in White Eyes township. His original home, in which he lived for several years, was a log cabin. the dimensions of which were sixteen by eighteen feet. He attributes his present prosperity in large measure to his stock-raising interests, having now two hundred head of sheep and also raising cattle, hogy and horses. Though he now rents his farm, he still gives supervision thereto, and is well known and highly esteemed as one of the prominent and progressive agriculturists of the county.
Mr. Norman has been married twice. On the 28th of September, 1848, he wedded Miss Mary Ann Felver, whose birth occurred in Adams township and who passed away in 1855, when twenty-seven years of age. The five children of this union were as follows: Mary, the wife of Samuel Delsaver, of Mercer county, Ohio; Malinda, Moses and Sarah Ann, all of whom are deceased; and Margaret, the wife of Frank Emerson, of White Eyes town- ship. On the 10th of April, 1856, Mr. Norman was again married. his second union being with Hannah MeCleary, who was born near New Comers- town, Ohio. November 12, 1836. Her parents. Abraham and Sarah (Miller) MeCleary, were both natives of New Jersey, in which state they were married. At an early day they removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, locating on a. farm and there residing until called to their final rest. Their family num- bered nine children, two of whom survive, namely: Susan, the widow of John Norman, of Fresno, Ohio; and Mrs. Hannah Norman. Unto our sub- ject and his second wife have been born ten children, namely: Susan, the wife of William Hill, of New Comerstown, Ohio; John D., a resident of Strasburg, Ohio; Frank, of New Comerstown, Ohio: Hattie, the wife of David Gibson, of Wheeling, West Virginia; Clayton, living in New Comerstown ; Etta, who makes her home in Okahoma: Bessie, at home: Ada, the wife of Theodore Neighbor, of Oklahoma: Sophia, at home; and one who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Norman is a stanch republican and has served as road supervisor and in a number of school offices, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. For fifty years he was identified with the United Brethren church but the congregation became so diminished that it was disbanded, and since that time he has been a member of the
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Methodist Episcopal church at Fresno, having ever contributed liberally of his time and means to the cause of religion. Having resided in this county throughout his entire life, he is well and favorably known here and is widely recognized as one of its publie-spirited, prosperous and enterprising citizens.
JAMES T. EDWARDS, M.D.
Dr. James T. Edwards was born near East Union, in Perry township, Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1830, and was therefore in his seventy-fifth year at the time of his death. He attended school at the academy at West Bedford and at Hayesville, Ohio. Ile read medicine in the office of Dr. John Russell, of Mt. Vernon, and was graduated in 1856 from the medical department of the University of New York city. Immediately after his graduation, Dr. Edwards entered upon the practice of medicine at West Carlisle, where he practiced continuously for forty-six years.
Shortly after beginning the practice of medicine, Dr. Edwards was married to Miss Sarah S. Marquand. Mrs. Edwards was a woman of unusual strength of mind and character, and was a useful companion and helpmate. Mrs. Edwards died in 1889. Their four children who survive are, Mrs. Belle Cochran,. Russell C., Edwin S. and Grace.
Dr. Edwards served in the Civil war as assistant surgeon in the ninety- seventh Ohio Regiment. His services continued for one year, when he was obliged to return home on account of disability. Coshocton city has had no man of more distinct character than Dr. Edwards. He was at all times a model country gentleman, of broad culture and a range of information befitting the man of affairs that he was. He took a keen interest in all that was going on in the world's theater of human affairs and had deep seated convictions on all great questions at issue and was never lacking in courage or ability to assert them in ways that were well understood. Although he took a deep interest in politics, Dr. Edwards never held public office in his life, being obliged many times to refuse the importunities of his many friends to tender him nominations. Ile was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church at West Carlisle. As a physician, Dr. Edwards stood among the first and foremost and in his long years of practice, covering a period of almost a half century, he enjoyed the implicit confidence of the whole people of the large scope of country over which his practice extended. He was above all, a man among men and was always deeply solicitous for the welfare of his neighbors and friends. He shared with them in all matters with his counsel and advice and was helpful in all such ways as are embodied in the ties and impulses of friendship. In all relations with men the first and foremost thought was rugged honesty, fair dealing and strict observance of the common laws that emanate from a sensitive and discriminating con- science. These sturdy traits that were ever present in his character endeared him to all of the people of a lofty mind. His demise was sorely felt in the community of which he was so important a part, and the memories of his
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precept and example will live long after him, an inscription upon the im- perishable rock of time. No greater tribute can be paid to the life and char- acter of Dr. Edwards than a simple narrative of his works without embel- plishments of extravagant phrase, for the naked truth speaks more eloquently in his praise. He was a man of deeds rather than of words or pretense and when the Book of Records is closed the summary reads "Well done."
HARRY FERGUSON.
By the purchase of this book Harry Ferguson, of West Lafayette, is permitted to have his obituary appear in this long list of the distinguished citizens of Coshocton county. Mr. Ferguson was born some years ago, but, being single, no one around West Lafayette is so unkind as to tell the date. Hence this item will have to be omitted. He is a son of Vincent and Rachel Ferguson, the former deceased. His birthplace is just east of West Lafayette, on "The Experiment Farm," where he now resides.
Mr. Ferguson is a self-made man, except the first twenty-five or thirty years of his life, during which time his parents very kindly assisted in supporting him. As above indicated, he is single, but not by his own choos- ing, and is doing all he can at this writing to obey the injunction: "It is not well for man, etc."
Mr. Ferguson is editor and proprietor of The Indicator, an eight-page periodical circulating among the folks pretty generally between Turkey Lock and Possum Hollow, and now and then turning up most anywhere between the Androscoggin and the Sandwich Islands. The paper is a high class publication, printed on a perplex press just behind the stove. Every Thursday Dan. the foreman. and Mr. Ferguson alternate their number nines at the power plant.
On the side, Mr. Ferguson looks after "The Experiment Farm," a broad expanse of hard work and horse sorrel. This farm produces some of the finest elderberries in America, and blackberries and taxes grow in riotous profusion. And it has some old fence rows that produce as fine and com- plete a collection of natural history as can be found anywhere in America.
Mr. Ferguson belongs to the Methodist Protestant church and the Blue Hole Fishing Club, two local organizations working side by side for the betterment of mankind. Politically he is a democrat. into which belief he came by a long line of inheritance, without much effort on his part. It wasn't a struggle for the rights of the common people or anything of that kind-just born that way. He doesn't take politics to heart in a violent manner and have spasms when he hears the warwhoop. However, he is now serving his country very creditably in a township office, the emoluments of which are about fifty dollars per year, which, much to his embarrassment. is not payable in time for the Coshocton County Fair.
Further than this, there isn't much to be said about the defendant. He never went to war, never served in high office, never married an heiress.
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Ile never invented anything for the good of humanity, never broke any records. He is not a son of the Revolution, nor the father of a celebrated halfback. lle is only the scion of a son of Erin who didn't get over here in time to whip the English. But had the latter arrived a few years sooner the war would have been much shorter and the subject of this sketch would now have some interesting heirlooms in the garret. Mr. Ferguson is simply a plain citizen, with two changes of shirts, a splendid digestion three times a day and just enough debts to keep him from cavorting around over Europe every summer. His only distinction is a gladness that he's living and a hope that when his summons comes for the next history he'll be a millionaire, with his wife traveling in Italy, and will get into the book with two columns and a halftone on one of the front pages, and at a greatly reduced price, such as not to embarrass him financially.
LEVI N. NORRIS.
Levi N. Norris has gained distinction as being the largest landowner in Coshocton county, owning seven hundred and twenty-five acres in Pike township, where he follows farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, born May 17, 1839, of the marriage of Thomas and Maria (Phillips) Norris. The father died in the Keystone state in 1854, subsequent to which time the mother with her five children, of whom Levi was the eldest, came to Coshocton county, arriving in the winter of 1855-6.
Levi N. Norris was a youth of sixteen years at the time the family re- moved to Coshocton county and all the educational advantages he enjoyed was prior to coming to this state, for he was permitted to attend school but two day- in this county. his services being needed in the support of the fam- ily. Ile was employed at farm labor for several years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings, which he used to purchase a team and a few farm implements to begin life on his own responsibility. He rented land for a few years but in 1862 had saved a sum sufficient to enable him to in- vest in fifty acres, which constitutes a portion of his present homestead property. As the years have gone by he has prospered in his undertakings and as his financial resources have permitted he has added to his original holdings until his possessions now embrace seven hundred and twenty-five acres and he is accounted the largest landowner in the county. All of his land is well improved and has been placed under a high state of cultiva- tion, so that he meets with more than fair snecess in his operations as a gen- eral farmer and stock-raiser. He makes a specialty of sheep. cattle and horses and this branch of his business is proving profitable. He has never taken advantage of another in any trade transaction, so that his success has been worthily and honorably won.
Mr. Norris was married June 4, 1884. to Miss Adaline Chaney, a daughter of Lewis and Catherine (Ashcraft) Chaney, and she has proved to him a valuable assistant on the journey of life. Mr. Norris is a democrat
MR. AND MRS. LEVI N. NORRIS.
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in his political views and affiliations and has served as township trustee and school director for several years. While not accepting some of the dogmas of religious bodies and uniting with no church, he nevertheless is deeply interested in the moral progress of the community and is a liberal con- tributor to religious work. He and his estimable wife occupy a beautiful modern home and enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Norris is a splendid example of a self-made man, for he started out in life without any extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune.
CLARENCE THOMAS.
Clarence Thomas, shipping clerk with the Meek Company, in which connection he has large responsibilities and arduous duties, was born in Roscoe, October 14, 1851. His father, William Thomas, a native of Penn- sylvania, came to Coshocton in 1821 and settled in Tonica Creek in Bedford township, where his father entered land from the government. William Thomas was then but a boy and in the early years of his residence here he assisted in the arduous task of developing new land, transforming the wild tract into productive fields. When a young man, however, he learned the blacksmith's trade and followed that pursuit in Coshocton during the greater part of his life, although he worked for two seasons on the construction of the Ohio state canal. His political support was given the democracy.
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