USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 37
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JOHN WAGONER.
While well known in business affairs as a representative of agricultural and stock-raising and breeding interests, John Wagoner has also figured prom- inently in local political circles and has been especially active and helpful in support of movements for the improvement of roads. He is now serving as road commissioner and in other cities has done effective service for the public welfare.
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IHISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
A native of Muskingum county, Ohio, Mr. Wagoner was born June 21, 1834, a son of John and Barbara (Shurtz) Wagoner, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father went to Muskingum county, Ohio, as a young man, while the mother located there during her girlhood days with her parents. John Wagoner was born in 1796 and while still a resident of Pennsylvania assisted in building the ships which composed Commodore Perry's fleet on Lake Erie during the war of 1812. He volunteered to Perry before the battle but owing to his youth and a full complement of men he was not accepted. On coming to Muskingum county he turned his atten- tion to farming, with which he was identified during his active life. He died in 1879 upon the farin where the birth of his son John occurred, and on which he had long made his home, transforming the place from a wild, un- improved tract of land into one of rich fertility. His early political support was given to the whig party, and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the republican party, believing firmly that its principles were most conducive to good government. While never an office seeker he was a factor in the party councils, and his fellow townsmen called him to serve in various township positions. In the community he was regarded as a man of influence, for it was known that his views of life were sound and progressive and that he manifested an unusual interest in public affairs.
Mr. Wagoner, whose name introduces this review, was reared at home, acquiring his education in the common schools of the township. At twenty- one years of age he began teaching and for fifteen years followed the pro- fession, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge which he had acquired. During these years he was also engaged in farming and in the operation of a sawmill and a threshing-machine. Ile introduced the second portable sawmill ever brought into the county and was also the owner of one of the early threshers here. Leaving Muskingum county in 1859, he removed to Coshocton county and for four years was a resident of Tuscarawas township. Susequently he removed to Franklin township, where he has since resided, and since 1869 has made his home continuously on the farm of one hundred and ninety-three acres, which is still to him a gratifying source of revenue. The fields annually return golden harvests, and in addition to the tilling of the soil he has made a specialty of the breeding and raising of Merino sheep, while for several years he has also extensively engaged in buying wool. His business judgment is usually correct and his enterprise has placed him among the men of affluence in his community.
While he has capably conducted his business interests, Mr. Wagoner has also figured prominently in republican circles and for years has taken an active part in the work of the organization, his opinions carrying weight in its councils. He has likewise been a stalwart and helpful advocate of the cause of public education and served for several years as a member of the school board, while at the present time he is treasurer of the board. He has likewise favored higher education and in fact does all in his power to promote intellectual progress. Something of his personal popularity is indicated by the fact that while living in a township which is regarded as a democratic stronghold he is now serving as township treasurer. He has also been elected
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and reelected justice of the peace, until his incumbency in the office covers twelve years, during which time his decisions were strictly fair and im- partial, winning for him the commendation of all law-abiding citizens. He has for years been an advocate of good roads and has done much to better the condition of public highways in Coshocton county. Under a special act authorizing not less than four townships to improve the roads by special taxation he was appointed a road commissioner in 1907 for the townships of Franklin, Tuscarawas, Jackson and Keene, and in this capacity has done much to further the good roads movement here, his labors being manifested in practical results which have met with the approval of the citizens of this part of the county.
Mr. Wagoner has been married twice. In 1858 he wedded Miss Cath- crine Zimmer, of Muskingum county, and unto them were born six children, of whom four are living, namely: Ada Alice, the wife of Andrew Brannon, of Franklin township: Henry Howard, a fruit-grower of Stanislaus county, California; Judson E., superintendent of the Coshocton Iron Works, at Monongahela. Pennsylvania; and William A., a farmer of Franklin town- ship. The wife and mother died in 1883, and in 1885 Mr. Wagoner mar- ried Mrs. Hattie Welling, nee Lewis, of Falls township, Muskingum county, a daughter of George Lewis, who was one of the early settlers there and was prominent in community affairs, serving as the first clerk of the court in Muskingum county and as one of its first surveyors, being employed by the government.
Mr. Wagoner is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and has always taken an active part in religious work, being now one of the members and trustees of St. Paul's Lutheran church in Franklin township. His life has been well spent. For a period of almost a half century he has lived in Coshocton county, and has not only been an interested witness of its growth and improvement, but has contributed in substantial measure to its develop- ment, while as a business man he has made a creditable record, and that his social qualities prove attractive is indicated by his large circle of friends.
ABNER McCOY.
John McCoy, the father of our subject, came to Ohio in 1806 in com- pany with his parents, Joseph and Milly McCoy, and first located at Zanes- ville, but the following winter removed to Virginia township, Coshocton county, where a cabin was built in midwinter. Upon that farm the family made their home for ten years and it is now owned by William McGee. The boys of the McCoy household spent most of their time playing with the Indians as there were no schools to attend. In 1817. at the age of twenty-two years, John McCoy entered a tract of land in Virginia township, consisting of four hundred acres, and since that far-distance date the McCoy farm has changed hands but once, that being from John McCoy to Abner, the subject of this sketch.
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Abner MeCoy did his full share in the development and improvement of a tract of land of four hundred acres and it was only during a few weeks of the winter months that he was permitted to attend school, therefore his advantages in that direction were very limited. Mr. McCoy began life on his own account on the farm which has always been his home, this being one of the largest and most productive tracts of land in Coshocton county. In addition to doing general farming he also raises stock on quite an ex- tensive scale, keeping only that of the highest grades.
Mr. McCoy was married on the 18th of October, 1871, to Miss Eliza- beth Meek, a daughter of Asa and Virginia Meek, residents of Virginia township. Their union was blessed with seven children, three sons and four daughters. The sons are George F., Asa and William A., while the daughters are: Virginia, the wife of Harvey Cox; Sarah J., the wife of Edward Dickinson; Margaret B .; and Mabel V. The wife and mother passed to her final reward February 26, 1908, and thus the community lost one of its most highly esteemed women and the household a devoted and loving wife and mother.
Mr. McCoy gives his political support to the democratic party and in 1887 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, serving for two terms, or six years. He brought to the office sound judgment and good business sense, and in political circles is held in high esteem. He also served as school director for several years and at the present writing is a member of the township board of education. He is a public-spirited citi- zen, whose worth well merits the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
JACOB EDMOND WOLFE.
Jacob Edmond Wolfe, who follows farming in Tuscarawas township. is a representative of one of the oldest families of this county. Hardly had the work of improvement and development been begun when his grandpar- ents settled in this part of the state. The Indians still visited the neighbor- hood and only here and there had a white man established a home and laid claim to the land, planting the seeds of civilization on virgin soil. The grand- parents came from Pennsylvania in the year of 1812 and settled on White Eyes plains, where the grandfather acquired extensive landed properties.
There, amid the wild scenes of pioneer life, George Wolfe, the father of our subject, was reared. He was born in Pennsylvania and was therefore ten years of age when he came with his parents to Ohio. He assisted in the arduons task of developing a new farm and experienced many of the hard- ships and privations of pioneer life. After arriving at years of maturity he married Miss Annis Salyards, who was born in this county. They settled in Keene township, where George Wolfe, who was a tanner by trade, fol- lowed the tanning business for some years, meeting with excellent success in his undertakings. He also became one of the extensive farmers of the county. acquiring twelve hundred acres of land, which he managed in con-
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nection with his tanning interests. His political support was given to the democratic party and he served for one terin as county commissioner. ITe was also a deacon in the Baptist church and took an active and helpful in- terest in the church work. No measure for the benefit of the community failed to receive his endorsement and cooperation and he was regarded as a valued resident of the county. He died November 11, 1886, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-four years.
Jacob Edmond Wolfe, whose name introduces this review, was born on the home farm in Keene township, August 2. 1864, and as his age and strength permitted he assisted more and more largely in the work of the farm. alternating his time between the labors of the fields and the duties of the schoolroom. Ile attended successively the district schools. the high school of Louisville, Ohio, and the Keene Academy. As his father was then in advanced years, Jacob Edmond Wolfe took up the work of the home farm and managed the property. He continued to reside thercon for five years after his father's death or until the spring of 1891. when he removed to his prezent farm in Tuscarawas township-a property that came to him through inheritance. It is splendidly improved, being equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories. A substantial home, good barns and substantial outbuildings stand in the midst of well tilled fields, and every- thing about the place is indicative of his care and supervision.
In 1901 Mr. Wolfe was married to Miss Amelia Jones of West Lafayette. this county, and they have two children, Guida Maria and Dean Samuel. Mr. Wolfe votes with the democratic party and has served as township trustee for four years. He was president of the committee appointed by the Business Men's A .- ociation and the Good Roads Association of Coshocton county, who organized the townships of Tuscarawas, Jackson, Keene and Franklin into a special road district for the improvement of public highways. He is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds membership. The work in-tituted by his grandfather and carried on by his father is con- tinued by him, and for almost a century the family name has figured in connection with the business development and agricultural progress of the county.
GEORGE W. NEED.
George W. Need ha- reached the very venerable age of eighty-nine years and is now living with his son in White Eyes township. His life has been one of business activity, characterized by straightforward dealing and wherever he has lived he has enjoyed the confidence and good will of his fellowmen. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, March 3. 1819. James Monroe was at that time president of the United States and had only had three predecessors. Travel by the aid of steam, either on the railroad or on the rivers, was hardly known. In fact it had gone scarcely beyond the ex- perimental stage. All of the great Mississippi valley was largely an
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unsettled and unimproved wilderness and the family home in which George Need spent his boyhood days was upon the frontier. His parents, George and Sarah (Myser) Need, were both natives of Pennsylvania but had be- come pioneers of Harrison county, Ohio, where the father followed the car- penter's trade. Unto him and his wife were born the following children : Matilda, deceased; George W., of this review; David and Margaret, who have also passed away; Samuel, a resident of Tuscarawas county ; John, who was killed in the war; Maria, the wife of John Hiner, of Iowa; and Sarah Ann, living in Tuscarawas county. The father died in 1856 and the mother, surviving him for three decades, passed away in 1886.
George W. Need was reared on the home farm amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life. He can well remember when candles were used for lighting houses and when cooking was done over the old-time fireplace. Most of the buildings of the neighborhood were constructed of logs and much of the natural timber still stood. Farm work was done with machin- ery very crude as compared with that of the present time and he has lived to see remarkable changes in the methods of farming. No longer does the farmer walk behind the plow in the fields and drop the seed by hand. The modern riding plow, the cultivator, the self reaper and binder and the steam thresher have replaced the primitive farm implements and revolutionized the work done in the fields. Mr. Need remained at home, assisting in the arduous task of developing the place up to the time of his marriage.
On the 8th of October, 1844, he wedded Miss Barbara Hawk, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1822 and was a daughter of Leonard and Margaret (Rydenhouse) Hawk. Following his marriage Mr. Need settled upon a rented farm, which he cultivated for three years and then when his economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital he pur- chased fifty acres of land in Coshocton eounty. On the place was a small log cabin, in which he lived for five years. He then sold his original farm and bought eighty acres in Adams township, upon which he also lived for five years. Later he purchased another eighty-aere tract and afterward one hundred and thirty acres more, residing upon that place for seven years. when he sold all of his land in Ohio and removed to Iowa. He remained in the latter state, however, for only a year, when he returned to Coshoeton county and invested in eighty acres of land, on which he resided for a year. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his property and lived upon the Hawk farm for one year, after which he bought two hundred and fifty acres in Adams township, making it his home for about twelve months. On again selling out he once more went to Iowa, where he purchased two hun- dired and seventeen acres of land, cultivating it through the succeeding three years. He then disposed of that property and has since remained a resident of Ohio, now making his home with his only son, W. A. Need. who is married and resides upon a farm in White Eyes township.
Since the organization of the republican party Mr. Need has been one of its stalwart supporters, always voting for its men and measures yet never seeking office for himself. Both he and his wife are earnest, consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
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They have now traveled life's journey together for sixty-four years, shar- ing with each other the joys and sorrows, adversity and prosperity which come into the lives of all. Mr. Need has been a busy man and his career has been a useful one but of recent years he has enjoyed a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits. No history of this community would be complete without mention of Mr. Need, who has lived to witness such remarkable changes here. Ile has seen the introduction of the railroad, the telegraph and the telephone, while schools and churches have given their civilizing influence to the upbuilding of the community and material progress has been continuously advanced.
ROBERT ANDREW CRAWFORD.
Robert Andrew Crawford, whose constantly expanding powers and spirit of dauntless enterprise have led him into the field of industrial activity, where his labors are constituting a feature in the general progress of Coshocton, as well as a source of individual profit, is well known as the secretary and treasurer of the Hunt-Crawford Company, manufacturers of corrugated paper, packing and supplies. He was born January 25, 1872, in Mill Creek town- ship, Coshocton county, and his early boyhood was spent on a farm. His father, Andrew Crawford, was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, born in 1810. He came to America with his parents and other members of the family in 1820 and settled in Crawford township, Coshocton county, Ohio. Later he went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the tanning trade, and subsequently he operated a tannery in Crawford town- ship, Coshocton county. Later, however, he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and thus continued throughout the remainder of his active business career. In 1835 he was married to Miss Margaret Irwin, and unto them were born three sons and a daughter: William Henry, John Thomas, Guy Irwin and Sarah. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Crawford wedded Mary Ann Ramsey on the 16th of July, 1867. They became par- ents of two sons, Oliver Ramsey and Robert Andrew. The mother was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1825, and died at Keene, Ohio, Janu- ary 10, 1902. having for more than nine years survived her husband who passed away at Keene August 29, 1892.
Robert A. Crawford spent his early life on the home farm near Keene and was graduated from the Keene township high school in 1891 and from the preparatory department of Wooster University in 1893. He then entered upon the collegiate classical course but was obliged to discontinue his studies in his senior year because of ill health. His first step after he left school in 1897 was to become a partner in the firm of Crawford & Whittemore, doing a general mercantile business in Keene, Ohio. He remained in that connection for two years and from 1899 until 1901 was engaged in the newspaper business, while through the succeeding two years he was a repre- sentative of the dry-goods trade in Coshocton. Thinking to find more
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profitable fields in manufacturing lines, and seeing opportunity for the estab- lishment of a good business, Mr. Crawford. in 1903, assisted in the organiza- tion of the Hunt-Crawford Company, manufacturers of corrugated paper, packing and supplies. They built a plant in Coshocton, equipped it with the latest improved machinery known to the trade and have since conducted a growing and prosperous undertaking. From the beginning, Mr. Crawford has been secretary and treasurer of the company and has contributed to its successful conduct by his administrative direction and sound judgment.
Not unknown in political cireles he has exerted considerable influence in republican ranks and has been active as a member of the county central and executive committees. In 1904 he was appointed by Governor Herriek, Ohio building and loan examiner, and is still filling that position. He has been a member of the Phi Gamma Delta, a Greek letter fraternity, since 1893 and in 1900 joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was formerly identified with the Presbyterian church in Keene and he trans- ferred his membership to Coshocton on his removal to the latter eity.
On the 20th of December, 1900. in Coshocton. Mr. Crawford was mar- ried to Miss Annie Isabelle Stover, a daughter of LeRoy S. and Sarah (Irvine) Stover and a granddaughter of James Irvine, who was a captain in the Mexican war and organized the first military company from Coshocton under the three months' call, going to the front again with the rank of captain, while later he became major of cavalry. One child. Robert Irvine, was born unto Mr. and Mrs. Crawford, on the 10th of December, 1901, but died No- vember 19, 1903. Mr. Crawford is interested in all that pertains to the city's welfare and upbuilding and to its material, intellectual, social and moral progress. His influence can be counted upon to further movements for the public good and Coshocton county is proud to number him among her native sons, for he is today classed with her progressive citizens.
SETII SILAW.
Seth Shaw, a member of an old and prominent county family to whom this section of the country is very largely indebted for it- present high state of cultivation and development, was born in Lafayette township, November 80, 1853, the son of Velzer and Margaret ( Maple) Shaw. His paternal grandfather brought his family into this county from New Jersey in 1833, and bought a large traet of what was then wild land. Velzer Shaw, the father of our subject, was born in Orange county, New Jersey. May 4, 1824, and was therefore but nine years of age at the time. He was reared in the midst of pioneer environments and as he grew to manhood the responsibil- ities of the place, to the possession of which he afterward succeeded, were largely shifted to his shoulders. He wedded Margaret Maple, who was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1825, and they became the parents of five children. of whom but two are now living, namely: Henry, a resident of West Lafay-
MR. AND MRS. SETH SHAW.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
ette; and Seth, of this review. The mother died in 1900, while the father survived her for a few years, his death occurring in 1904.
Seth Shaw received a common-school education and began his career as an independent farmer at the early age of eighteen years. The first land which he purchased consisted of one hundred and sixteen acres in Lafayette township, which is now the property of his son Lee. Through good man- agement, and aided by a fertile, productive soil, he derived substantial ben- efits from his farming operations and gradually increased his holdings of farm land and enlarged his income in proportion. Through investment and by inheritance he came into possession of city residence property for rental purposes and later embarked in mercantile pursuits. Sound judgment and keen business ability has characterized his various undertakings. so that he rates high in the mercantile agencies, and his connection with an enterprise stamps it as being of a stable, substantial nature. In addition to his home place, which consists of one hundred and twenty-one acres adjoining West Lafayette on the north, eleven acres of which lie within the corporation limits, Mr. Shaw also owns a farm of two hundred and forty aeres in Oxford town- ship and thirteen houses and lots in Coshocton, including the Union Hotel on Main street, a building containing nineteen rooms. He is now complet- ing one of the handsomest homes in West Lafayette. It is being built of cement blocks, and covered with cement shingles, a comparatively new in- novation, in the construction of which Mr. Shaw is demonstrating his faith in one of his business ventures, which consists of a plant for the manufac- ture of cement building blocks and cement shingles. He also owns ten thousand dollars worth of stock in the West Lafayette Manufacturing Com- pany, which is engaged in the manufacture of enameled ware, of which he was one of the organizers. He has always maintained his home in West Lafayette, and regardless of his interests in other ventures has ever adhered to agricultural pursuits.
On the 16th of August, 1871, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Nancy A. Hall, who was born near Parkersburg, Virginia, October 5, 1852. the daughter of John H. and Judith (Ingraham) Hall. Both of her parent- were natives of Virginia, where the father was born in 1821. and the mother five years later. They left their native state and located in Coshocton county. where they spent the remainder of their lives. The mother died in 1889. while the father survived her for five years, passing away in 1894 at the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom two are dead. Those surviving are: Elihu, a resident of Kansas; Nancy A .. the wife of our subject; Victoria, the wife of A. C. Dark, who lives in Okla- homa; John H., who lives in Union county, Ohio; W. B. and Arthur L., both of whom reside in Lafayette township: Sarah J .. the wife of John Betham, of North Judson, Indiana; and A. M., who resides in West Lafayette.
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