USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 43
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passed to her final rest more than twenty years ago, leaving to mourn her loss six children, as follows: William D., of this review; Charles O., a. resident farmer of Tiverton township; Benjamin, who follows farming in Knox county; Claudia, the wife of Harper Rine, who follows farming near Bladensburg, Knox county; Savilla, the wife of Bruce Singer, a farmer of Tiverton township; and Lizzie, who makes her home with her brother Wil- liam.
William D. Frazee acquired his education in the district schools of New Castle township and was early trained to the duties and labors of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage, which occurred in 1905, the lady of his choice being Miss Maud Bigman, a resident of New Castle township. The young couple began their domestie life upon the farm which Mr. Frazee had purchased, this comprising one hundred and forty-eight acres of rich and arable land. He has erected a fine country home, supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories, and there are other substantial buildings on the place for the shelter of grain and stoek. He carries on general farming, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and each year gather- rich crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Frazee has been graced with two interesting little sons, Theodore and Carl Benjamin. Mr. Frazee gives his political sun- port to the republican party. Both he and his wife are highly respected in the community where they have spent their entire lives and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is enjoyed by a host of warm and admiring friends.
WILLIAM R. POMERENE.
To know the law indicates close study and retentive memory ; to apply it correctly indicates careful analysis, inductive reasoning and logical se- quenees. The trend of mind in the Pomerene family is particularly judicial and the law has found worthy exponents in Judge Julius Pomerene and his two sons William R. and Frank E., the former senior partner of the present law firm of Pomerene & Pomerene and the immediate subject of this article. He was born in Coshocton, March 19, 1864, and after passing through the consecutive grades in the public schools was graduated from the high school in the class of 1879. His more specifically literary education was pursued in Wooster College, where he spent two years, and in the Ohio State Uni- versity at Columbus. ITis preliminary law reading was done under the direc- tion of his father and a year later he entered the law school of Cincinnati College, from which he was graduated in 1886. Following his admission to the bar the same year he joined his father in a partnership which was eon- tinued until Judge Pomerene's elevation to the circuit court bench. William R. Pomerene then practiced alone until 1895, when he was joined by his brother under the present firm style of Pomerene & Pomerene. He served
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for two terms as prosecuting attorney for the county but otherwise has never sought nor desired political preferment, for the demands of a growing pri- vate practice leave him little time for aught else.
Mr. Pomerene was married December 22, 1887, at Marietta, Ohio, to Annie L. Warner, a daughter of General A. J. Warner, and has two chil- dren : Warner Merritt, born May 5, 1893; and Walter Holmes, born January 21, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Pomerene occupy an enviable position in social cir- cles, for they have many friends among Coshocton's best people. Cordial in address, genial in manner and entertaining true appreciation for all that is worth while in life, Mr. Pomerene is quick to appreciate the good points in others, while his own salient characteristics have made him popular with his fellow townsmen.
S. J. CARPENTER.
S. J. Carpenter, who owns and operates a well-improved farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres situated in New Castle township, is a self-made man, for all that he today possesses has been acquired through his own hon- orable and well-directed efforts. He is a native of this township, born March 19, 1873, the second child and eldest son of J. M. and Mary (Wolford) Carpenter. The family was established in Coshocton county by the paternal grandfather, Charles Carpenter, who came to the Buckeye state from Penn- sylvania. The father, J. M. Carpenter, was born in Coshocton county in 1853 and was here reared, following farming as a life work, or until his death, which occurred in May, 1907, his remains being interred in the New Castle cemetery. The mother was a native of Milwood, Knox county, where she was reared and married. She, too, has passed to her final rest. Their family numbered seven children: Karen, the wife of James Allen, of New Castle ; S. J., of this review ; Lovey, the wife of John Steel, a railroad man of Los Angeles, California; Lloyd, a resident of Akron, Ohio; Sallie, the wife of Willis Berry, a merchant of New Castle; Mary, the wife of Zulu Mentina; and Lizzie, the wife of a Mr. Fortune.
S. J. Carpenter acquired his education in the district schools near his father's home and remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he began life on his own account and since that early age has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. He has al- ways followed the occupation of farming and with the exception of two years spent in the Philippine islands during the Spanish-American war, as a member of Company M, Twenty-eighth United States Volunteer In- fantry. he has spent his entire life in Coshocton county. He enlisted for service on the 24th of August, 1899, and was discharged in April, 1901, having made a creditable military record.
Mr. Carpenter is now the owner of one hundred and twenty-six acres of well-improved land in New Castle township, and here he is engaged in raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, each year harvesting rich
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crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. He has made many improvements on the place in the way of substantial buildings and today it is a valuable property. In addition to his farm he also owns realty in the village of New Castle.
Mr. Carpenter was married July 17, 1904. the lady of his choice being Miss Maude Ogle, a resident of Coshocton county. Their union has been blessed with two interesting little sons, Walter and Morris. Mr. Carpenter gives his political support to the democratic party and has served as road supervisor but otherwise has filled no public offices. He attends and supports the Disciples church at Walhonding. Character and ability will come to the front anywhere. As boy and man he has been buffeted by fortune but he has overcome the obstacles and difficulties that have barred his path and has gone on to success, today being numbered among the substantial agricul- turalists of New Castle township.
J. R. SPECK.
Few men are so favored by fortune that a successful business awaits their entrance into the world of activity. The vast majority must labor for the advantages which they enjoy and must give proof of their merit through earnest and intelligently directed labor. Such has been the case of J. R. Speck, who is now the secretary and treasurer of the Eureka Laundry Com- pany and also of the Domestic Manufacturing Company. He was born in Betlehem township, Coshocton county, July 12. 1874, his parents being John C. and Rosanne (Bowers) Speck, who were natives of Jefferson township. this county. Joseph Speck, the paternal grandfather, and the maternal grand- parents of our subject came to Coshocton county from Germany of which land they were natives. John C. Speck was reared to farm life and has spent his active years in agricultural pursuits. For a long period he tilled the soil and at length when his labors had brought him sufficient capital to permit his retirement he put aside farm business cares and is now living retired on his farm in Bethlehem township. He is prominent in democratic circles and has been honored with various local offices, serving for a number of years as township trustee and township treasurer, being the incumbent in the latter office at the present time. He was twice candidate for county sheriff on the democratic ticket but was defeated. In his business life he was progressive and enterprising and brought the first steam threshing machine into Coshoc- ton county. The farmers were afraid it would burn up their erops and build- ings and he had to educate them to its use. For a long period he engaged in threshing and was also identified with the sawmill and planing-mill business. For a number of years he conducted the planing-mill in Warsaw. giving his attention largely to his industrial interests.
Trained to habits of industry and economy J. R. Speck remained at home until his twenty-first year, acquiring his education in the district schools while during vacation periods and after he had permanently put a-ide his
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text-books he assisted his father in various lines. On starting out in life for himself he entered the employ of John Kissner, a contractor, with whom he re- mained for four or five years as foreman. Ile then accepted the position of fore- man of the carpentering department of the H. D. Beach Company in which po- sition he continued for two years and in 1901 he engaged in the laundry business on his own account at No. 224 Main street. In two years he had built up a business beyond the capacity of his plant and in August, 1903, he was one of the organizers of the Eureka Laundry and Domestic Manufacturing Companies. After the incorporation of the business Mr. Speck was chosen secretary and treasurer in which capacity he has since served. This company in addition to conducting a growing and successful laundry is also doing an extensive and prosperous business in rug manufacture.
On the 17th of June, 1905, Mr. Speck was married to Miss Grace Croy. of Trinway, and unto them was born one son, James Riley. Mr. Speck be- longs to Coshocton Lodge, No. 376, B. P. O. E. and to Fidelity Lodge, No. 135, K. P. He is in hearty sympathy with the principles of these orders and is enthusiastic in their support. A self-made man he started out on his own account without capital but knew that business advancement might be se- cured through close application and faithfulness. These qualities have ever remained salient factors in his life record and have brought him a volume of business which makes him one of the substantial residents of this city.
HARRY LYONS.
Harry Lyons, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Adams township, was born on the farm on which he still resides, on the 26th of January, 1875. His parents were William and Mary (Stonehocker) Lyons, the former a native of Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred March 19, 1838, while the latter was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1842. When a little lad of four years the father was brought to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, by his parents, who there entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. In that county he was reared to manhood and after he had attained his major- ity was employed on the railroad for two years. Subsequently he came to Coshocton county, purchasing a farm in Adams township, where he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until the time of his retire- ment from active business life. He is now living in Coshocton with his wife. Their family numbers seven children, namely: Alfred D., of Coshocton; Jennie, who is the wife of Charles Mizer and also makes her home in Coshoc- ton, Ohio; Harry, of this review; Wealthy, at home; John and Curtis, both of Coshocton ; and Ifelen, the wife of George Cooper, of Coshocton.
Harry Lyons was reared on the home farm and acquired a common- school education. When twenty-one years of age he left the parental roof and worked as a farm hand for two years, on the expiration of which period he purchased seventy acres in Adams township. This tract he successfully cultivated until 1906, when he took up his abode on his father's farm of
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eighty aeres, where he has since resided. being engaged in general farming. Owing to his untiring industry and well directed energy he has met with a gratifying measure of prosperity in his undertakings and is widely recog- mized as one of the enterprising young agriculturalists of the community.
On the 27th of January, 1898. Mr. Lyons was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Mizer, whose birth occurred in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 1, 1879. Her parents. Philip and Hattie ( Van Ostrain) Mizer, were both natives of Tuscarawas county. the former having been born in 1858 and the latter in 1856. Philip Mizer passed away in 1890. and his widow afterward became the wife of Fred Limburght, who is also now deceased. Mrs. Lim- burght makes her home in Coshocton. and has become the mother of four children : Mrs. Lyons: Bessie, the wife of Vernon McClintock; Mana, who is the wife of Roy Norman; and B. W .. of Coshocton. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lyons have also been born four children, namely: Ethel, Marjorie. Lucille and Charles.
In his political views Mr. Lyons is a democrat, and both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the Bakersville Presbyterian church. He is a worthy native son of this county, in which he has spent his entire life, and has gained the regard and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
ALBERT C. NICHOLS.
The home farm of Albert C. Nichols. situated in Tuscarawas township, is one of the scenic feature- of this section of the state, commanding a splen- did view of the city of Coshocton as well as the valleys of the Muskingum, Tuscarawas and Walhonding river -. Mr. Nichols was born in this county, May 22, 1873. a son of Alfred and Ellen (Countryman ) Nichols.
The son was reared to farm life. early being trained to the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer boy. He spent the winter months in the acquirement of an education in the district schools, wherein he mastered the ordinary branches of learning. He established a home of his own by his marriage on the 13th of October. 1897. to Miss Edith Wood, a daughter of Joseph N. and Sarah Wood, residing near Coshocton. Following their marriage the young couple took up their abode on their present farm, situ- uated one mile southeast of Coshocton. It is a highly improved tract of land, well located and arable, with excellent drainage, and supplied with good and substantial outbuildings. A beautiful country home is also here found, the house standing on the hill overlooking the city of Coshocton and the site of the Muskingum. Tuscarawas and Walhonding valleys, and the place with all its appointments constitutes one of the fine landscape views of this section of the county. Mr. Nichols is engaged in general farming, and there is also a coal mine on the place, which he operates. thus making it one of the valuable as well as one of the attractive properties of this district.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols has been blessed with two children : Garnette E. and Joseph A. Mr. Nichols gives his political support to the
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democratic party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a man of push and progress, with a keen interest in all publie matters. He is a man of great natural ability, one who has made good use of his opportunities, so that his success is well deserved.
THOMAS HENRY WHEELER.
In no profession does advancement depend so entirely upon individual capability and merit as in the law and the successful practitioner is he whose close study, analytical mind and untiring diligence enable him to success- fully cope with the intricate problems of jurisprudence, giving a clear exposi- tion of the law in his application to certain facts under consideration. Mr. Wheeler, in his practice before the courts of Coshocton county, has attained an enviable reputation as a strong, able and successful lawyer. He is well known in this, his native county. His birth occurred in Bedford, Ohio, May 14, 1867. His father, Henry T. Wheeler, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, had arrived in Coshocton county in 1865. He was a farmer and school teacher and led a life of well directed activity. He became well known as an active, enterprising citizen and successful business man and the commu- nity mourned the loss of one of its representative and respected residents when he was called to his final rest in March, 1903. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary J. McPeck. was born in Harrison county, Ohio, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. She is still living at the age of seventy-two years.
In his boyhood days Thomas H. Wheeler was a pupil in the district schools of Bedford township and later prepared for college in the high school in the town of Bedford. He then entered the Michigan University at Ann Arbor in 1887 and was graduated from the law department with the degree of Bachelor of Law in 1889. He also pursued partial literary and medical courses but did not finish in either of these lines. Following his graduation from the law department he was admitted to practice in the courts of Michi- gan, Illinois and Ohio and began practice in Coshocton in 1881. Well in- formed in all departments of the law he has figured in many prominent criminal and civil cases and his clear and forceful presentation of his cause has indicated the most thorough and painstaking preparation. He won an important case in Ohio, involving the right of the national banks to secure loans on bonds, and has been associated with various other cases which have won widespread attention. In 1897 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Coshocton county and on the expiration of his first term of three years, was reelected in 1900 so that he filled the position for six years, discharging his duties without fear or favor. Aside from his professional interests he is a director of the People's Bank of Coshocton and its vice president. He is like- wise a director of the McKee Drilling Company and is connected with other small corporations.
In March, 1893, Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss Jennie S. Hood, a danghter of E. B. Hood. Their children are: Bessie, born in March, 1894;
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Ralph H., in August, 1895; and Walter, in August, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are prominent and well known socially and he is a valued member of the Benovelent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias, of Coshocton, m which he is a past chancellor. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party which has found in him a stalwart champion. He has served as chairman and as secretary of the democratic executive com- mittee and has been his party's candidate for probate judge. His attention, however, is especially devoted to the practice of law in which he has won a creditable place, possessing the ability that enables him to successfully solve legal problems. He has always been a diligent student of his profession and has thus constantly broadened his knowledge while in the trial of cases the counsel and the court as well as the general public listen to him with atten- tion and interest.
FRANK E. POMERENE.
Frank E. Pomerene has gained a position of much more than local distinction as a member of the legal fraternity, being now regarded as one of the ablest corporation lawyers of northern Ohio. He is practicing in Co- shoeton as a junior partner of the firm of Pomerene & Pomerene and fully sustains the high reputation which has always been associated with the fam- ily name since his honored father, Judge Julius C. Pomerene, became a mem- ber of the Ohio bar. Extended mention of Judge Pomerene is made on an- other page of this work and the ancestral history of the family is also given in that connection.
Frank Etherington Pomerene, whose name introduces this review, was born in Coshocton, March 25, 1868, and, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, was sent as a student to the public schools until he had mastered the high school course and won his diploma with the class of 1885. He afterward became a student in the Ohio State University, from which he was graduated in 1891 and then, preparing for the bar in the same institu- tion, he was graduated from the law department with the class of 1895. Returning immediately to Coshocton, he joined his brother in practice, and the firm has become recognized as one of the leading firms in corporation law in northern Ohio. Their attention is devoted largely to practice for private corporations, yet they are also legal representatives for several rail- road companies and general counsel for the Ohio Electric Railway Company. They also represent the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Company, the Toledo, Walhonding Valley & Ohio Railroad, the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad Company and the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany, together with various manufacturing and financial institutions in Co- shocton county. Frank E. Pomerene is an earnest student, preparing his cases with great thoroughness and care, and as counsel and attorney before the courts he has manifested ability that places him with the leading lawyers of this part of the state.
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In June, 1896, Frank E. Pomerene was married in Coshocton to Miss Mary E. Wilson, a daughter of James S. and Sarah (Hay) Wilson, the for- mer now deceased. They are prominent in the social circles of the city and their elegant home on Chestnut street is noted for its gracious and charming hospitality. Mr. Pomerene is a democrat in his political views but without aspiration for office. The only public positions he has filled have been in connection with educational interests. He was appointed for a seven years' term as member of the board of trustees of the Ohio State University and is now serving as president of that board, while his efforts in behalf of the institution have been far-reaching and beneficial. He has also been active in the upbuilding of the Coshocton public library and was largely instru- mental in securing the Carnegie donation thereto. In person, in talents and in character he is a worthy scion of his race and in a profession demanding strong intellectuality, close application and indefatigable energy he has made for himself a most creditable name.
JAMES COX.
Farm work has constituted the labors of James Cox throughout his entire business career. He now owns and operates a well improved tract situated in Virginia township, this comprising ninety acres. He was born in this township, September 19, 1848, a son of Hamilton and Rachel (Har- desty) Cox, the former a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, and the latter of Coshocton county, both families being among the earliest settlers of this section of the state. The father was a farmer, being engaged in that work during his active business career.
James Cox assisted in the labors of the home farm from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn and for a few weeks during the winter months pursued his studies in one of the old-time log schoolhouses. When he started out to make his own way in the world he chose the occupation to which he had been reared and he is thus engaged at the present time. He now owns a well improved and valu- able tract of land, comprising ninety acres located in Virginia township, and here he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits, each year harvesting rich crops as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon the fields.
Mr. Cox established a home of his own by his marriage on the 12th of October, 1871, to Miss Maria McCoy. a daughter of John and Margaret (Meredith McCoy, natives of Coshocton county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cox has been blessed with thirteen children: Nathaniel; Sarah J., who has departed this life; Daniel: Margaret, who is also deceased; Alvin, deceased; Annie C., now the wife of Lambert Lacy, a farmer of Muskingum county ; John H .; Ethel; James E .; Naomi; Prescott; William ; and Rachel, now the wife of Edward Priest, of Conesville, this state.
Mr. Cox gives his political support to the democratic party and at va- rious times has served on the school board. He is deeply interested in any
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movement calculated to advance the welfare of the community. He has achieved success through his own well directed labors and energy and de- serves great eredit for what he has accomplished in the business world.
ALONZO SPURGEON.
Alonzo Spurgeon is a splendid type of a self-made man, for from the early age of twelve years he has been dependent upon his own resources, and today his landed possessions embrace four hundred acres of valuable land in Tiverton township. He was born in this township September 28, 1845, the second son and third child born of the marriage of James and Rachel ( Wal- ters) Spurgeon. The father was born in Ohio and was here reared and mar- ried. He was engaged in farming in this state for a time but later removed with his family to Indiana, where he spent one year, after which he returned to Ohio, settling in Knox county. He spent his remaining days there, pass- ing away in 1858. He was an old-line whig until the formation of the repub- lican party, when he became a stanch supporter of its principles and policy. The mother, who was born in eastern Ohio, came to Coshocton county in her girlhood days and was here married to Mr. Spurgeon. They became the par- ents of seven children, namely: Abraham, deceased; Harriet, the wife of Elias Allen, of New Castle; Alonzo, of this review; James M., who was for- merly identified with the schools but is now living retired in Danville, Knox county ; Margaret, the wife of Hiram Hughes, a farmer of New Castle town- ship; Elizabeth, the wife of James Kelly, a resident of Strieklett, Kentucky; John, who follows farming in Defiance, Ohio. After the death of Mr. Spurgeon the mother was married again, her second union being with Noah Dennis, by whom she had a daughter, Delilah, the wife of M. C. Dixon, a resident of New Castle township.
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