USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > Lancaster > Centennial history of Lancaster, Ohio, and Lancaster people : 1898, the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the spot where Lancaster stands > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
JOHN GUSEMAN
John Guseman was born in Berkeley County, Va., and arrived in Lancaster in 1817, where he began mak- ing nails by hand and keeping a stock of iron. He finally used horse power in his shop. His son, John, made a trip to Pittsburgh on foot to buy iron. The Gusemans were a hardy set of men and good work- men.
JACOB GUSEMAN
Jacob Guseman was the son of John Guseman and worked for his father until 1824, when he and his brother John became partners. They dissolved the partnership in 1825. Jacob Guseman worked at his blacksmith trade all of his life and died more than three score and ten years of age. His wife still lives
340
Centennial History of Lancaster
a widow (1897) at the age of ninety-six years, the old- est inhabitant of Lancaster.
ADAM GUSEMAN
Adam Guseman worked in his shop on the corner of Columbus and Wheeling Streets for many years. He was a member of the city council several years. He was a good citizen, a clever man, and a prominent local Democrat.
GEORGE GUSEMAN
George Guseman was a carpenter. He was an ap- . prentice of John Leonard. He spent his last days with his brother, Adam.
JAMES GEISER
James Geiser came from Baden, Germany, and arrived in Lancaster in 1817. He was a carpenter and millwright. He ceased work in 1844.
WM. GEISER
Wm. Geiser was the son of James Geiser. He was a carriage maker and commenced business in 1840. In 1844 he opened a shop of his own, five miles east of Lancaster. In 1851 he moved his shop to Lancaster. In 1866 his brother, John, became a partner.
MARTIN KINDLER
Martin Kindler was a locksmith and in 1826 had a shop south of the Methodist Church. He moved onto a farm in 1829. He has been dead many years.
WM. BODENHAMER
Wm. Bodenhamer came to Lancaster in 1817 as a wheelright. In 1837 changed to gunsmithing. He
341
Centennial History of Lancaster
proved to be an accomplished gunsmith, having genius for it. He introduced the first long range rifle and the first globe sights seen in Lancaster. He died long ago, sometime in the fifties.
GEORGE WORRELL
George Worrell was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Lancaster in 1827. His first employment cannot be given. He was known as an industrious man. He was for six years marshal of Lancaster. He died in the year 1856.
GEORGE MEYER
George Meyer was born in Germany. He arrived in Lancaster in the thirties. He first sold Yankee clocks. He made candles, and was for four years engaged in brewing. He was a grocer and chandler as late as 1860. About this time he retired from busi- ness. He is long since dead. He was the father of Mrs. Jno. C. Smith.
JUSTUS YOUNGHANS
Justus Younghans was born in Germany. He ar- rived in Lancaster in 1834. He was a cooper by trade, and was the partner of Henry Bell from 1835 to 1845, when, with Wm. Zink, he engaged in the brewing busi- ness. He was councilman for one term. He now lives in Circleville.
JACOB HITE
Jacob Hite was born in Pleasant Township. He came to Lancaster in 1834 and worked two years with Christopher Lochman. In 1836 he began business for himself as tailor. He continued in business in Lancaster sixty years, longer than any other man in
342
Centennial History of Lancaster
continuous merchandizing business. He was several terms a member of the city council and of the school board. He still lives in Lancaster, an honored and respected citizen.
ROBERT SHANNON
Robert Shannon came to New York from Ireland in the year 1830. He was an honest brick-mason who came to Lancaster in 1838, where he worked at his trade. He died August 15, 1865, leaving a good name. His son, Robert, was a soldier of the 1st Ohio, Company A, of Lancaster.
EDWIN WRIGHT
Edwin Wright was born in Pennsylvania and came to Lancaster as a printer in 1831. He worked for thirty years on the Ohio Eagle, when he retired to his farm, where he died a few years since.
JOHN C. RAINEY
John C. Rainey was a chair-maker and came to Lancaster from Zanesville in 1832. He gave up his trade, was elected constable several years and then justice of the peace. Under James K. Polk he held a position in Washington. He was superintendent of the Hocking Canal for several years. In 1857 he was elected clerk of the court of common pleas of Fairfield County, and served two terms. He died about the age of seventy, leaving a large family. He was a good local politician.
JOSIAH WRIGHT
Mr. Wright came from Pennsylvania to Lancaster in the year 1839. He was a carriage maker by trade and in 1841 formed a partnership with Wm. H. Shutt which continued one year. He next associated with
343
Centennial History of Lancaster
Mr. Deitz as partner. This partnership terminated in the year 1846. From 1846 to 1849 the firm was Wright & McCall. This partnership being closed, James Selby became his partner and continued as such from 1850 to 1857. The principal business was the manufacture of wheat drills, with Thos. D. Webster as traveling salesman. Selby withdrew in the year 1857 and removed to Peoria, Illinois. In this same year Wm. Pursell became Wright's partner and the business was continued for two years. In the year 1861 Wright rented his shop to Pursell, retired from business and purchased the George Ring farm, mak- ing it his home. In a few years he made a trade with Colonel Steele, who owned the Ewing farm in the valley. Here he spent his old age in quiet retirement. He died a year or two since, leaving his sons, John and Thomas, in possession of his fine farm.
Josiah Wright was an intelligent man, industrious and honest. He was a man of decided convictions and, once he had deliberately formed an opinion, could not be shaken. He was a Democrat of the old school, and might be properly termed an aggressive politician, neither asking nor giving quarter.
WILLIAM PURSELL
Mr. Pursell was born in Huntington County, New Jersey. He first came to Lancaster in 1856 with a stock of threshing machines and during that year sold nine of them. In the year 1857 he moved his family to Lancaster and formed a partnership with Josiah Wright for the manufacture of wheat drills. This part- nership continued two years. During these years his son, Joseph, was his assistant in the shop.
Leaving Wright, he dealt in implements and horses
344
Centennial History of Lancaster
until the year 1861, when he rented Wright's shop and operated it until it was destroyed by fire in 1863. He then fitted up the Benadum warehouse, which stood where Orman's shop now stands, and continued the manufacture of drills during the years 1864, 1865 and 1866. Early in 1867 he purchased the Devol ma- chine shop and fitted it up for manufacturing agricul- tural implements. His son, John, was here in 1862 and 1863. During the years 1864, 1865 and 1866 his four sons were associated with him in the business and continued with him in the Devol building. In October, 1868, Wm. Pursell closed his earthly career.
Mr. Pursell was a very energetic, industrious man and honorable in all of his dealings. He left three sons who inherited his good qualities and continued his business. During his business career Thos. D. Webster was the salesman in the country. In 1870 F. C. Whiley and Samuel Whiley joined the Pursell brothers and organized the Eagle Machine Co. with F. C. Whiley, president, Samuel Whiley, secretary, and P. Pursell, superintendent. This has been a well managed and prosperous plant, a credit to Lancaaster and its owners.
D. K. FISCHEL
D. K. Fischel came to Lancaster in 1842 from York, Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter by trade. He mar- ried the sister of George and Charles Hood.
THOS. G. DODSON.
Thos. G. Dodson was born in Philadelphia. He was a cabinet-maker. He married a Hood and worked for some time with his brother-in-law, Mr. Schultz, father of Judge Wm. A. Schultz, who was a cabinet-
345
Centennial History of Lancaster
maker. In 1849 he bought out Schultz and continued the business until 1865, when he began work in the railroad shops. He died in Steubenville.
In his best days Mr. Dodson was a prominent Dem- ocratic politician in Lancaster, and could intelligently discuss political topics.
STEPHEN DECATUR WOLFE
Stephen Decatur Wolfe was a native of Bern Town- ship. He spent some years in Fayette County, Penn- sylvania. and came to Lancaster in 1859 as a brick- mason. He was an honest, patriotic man of decided anti-slavery principles. Two of his sons were in the army, of whom one was killed at Mission Ridge.
F. A. STECK
F. A. Steck was born in Germany and came to Lancaster in 1830. He kept hotel until 1845, in two or three localities, the last being the Giesy Hotel. He was for years captain of a well drilled German rifle company, giving his commands in German. After he ceased to keep hotel, he became a butcher, which occupation he followed to old age.
JOHN B. REED
John B. Reed was a native of Fairfield County and was born in 1809. He learned the business of chair-making with Joseph Grubb. He worked with or was a partner of Grubb's until 1831. In 1840 he devoted himself entirely to sign and ornamental paint- ing, in which he excelled. He was a good amateur painter and with proper instruction would have be- come distinguished in that line. He was, near the close of his life, elected and served as a justice of the
346
Centennial History of Lancaster
peace. He married a Miss Matlack, sister of Mrs. H. H. Hunter and Mrs. Geo. H. Smith, Sr.
SAMUEL CANNON
Samuel Cannon came to Lancaster in 1806 and learned the business of chair-making with Walter McDonald. With James Cranmer he was for a while in the grocery business. In two years they sold out to Jerry Massie. He was one term marshal of Lan- caster and for several terms a trustee of Hocking Township. He died December, 1866.
JAMES CRANMER
James Cranmer was a saddler, having learned his trade with John Matlack. Under President Tyler he was postmaster of Lancaster. He died in the month of November, 1866. He was the father of Mrs. John D. Jackson. One of his sons has for many years resided in New Orleans.
JACOB YOUNG
Jacob Young became a resident of Lancaster in 1824. He followed the business of a tobacconist. In 1836 he sold out to John C. Klotz. He removed to Cincinnati, where he died.
JOHN MATLACK
Matlack was born in Kentucky and at an early day was engaged as clerk for W. & C. King. In 1819 he purchased the harness business of Colonel John Noble. His brother, Samuel, became his partner. In 1821 they dissolved partnership, each conducting his business alone. In 1833 John N. Little became a part- ner of Matlack. He died in 1834.
347
Centennial History of Lancaster
JOHN N. LITTLE
John N. Little was the successor of Jno. Matlack. In 1835 Nicholas Young became his partner, but re- tired in 1838. In 1852 John Matlack, Jr., became his partner and so continued for three years. Nick. Little was one of the well-known and popular men of Lan- caster.
Few men ever lived in Lancaster better known or more universally liked than Mr. Little. He was the father of John, the young soldier killed by John See.
SAMUEL MATLACK
Samuel Matlack was born in Kentucky, came to Lancaster with his brother, John, and was engaged with him in business. For a short time George Bent- ley was his partner. In 1838 he sold his business to Nicholas Young. He removed to Indiana, where he died one year later.
NICHOLAS YOUNG
Nicholas Young was born in Virginia. He was a saddler by trade and commenced business with John N. Little in 1835. Mr. Young spent many years as a journeyman workman, and in his old age went south and made his home with his son. He died recently. Mr. Young was a very intelligent man and well-in- formed upon all subjects. He was for years the pres- ident of Lancaster city council.
THOS. EDINGFIELD
Thos. Edingfield was born in Fayette County, Pa., and became a resident of Lancaster in 1821. He was for many years a partner of Amos Hunter. He was
348
Centennial History of Lancaster
elected sheriff of Fairfield County in the year 1837. In 1845 he moved to Newark, Ohio.
SAMUEL LITTLE
Samuel Little came early to Lancaster and worked at the hatter's trade. He had a well-established busi- ness in 1832, when Robert Fielding came here. He was in business as late as 1839. He finally read med- icine and moved to the western part of Ohio and prac- ticed his profession. He closed his career as a Meth- odist preacher.
SAMUEL BAXTER
Samuel Baxter lived in Lancaster in 1832 and worked at his trade of hatter. His wife was a daughter of Isaac Meason, of Greenfield Township. While working at his trade he studied law with Wil- liam Medill. After his admission to the bar in 1838, he moved to Lima, Ohio, then a small town in the woods. Here he practiced his profession and ac- quired some of the cheap property to be had at that time.
In his old age he married for his second wife Miss Annie Meason, daughter of John Meason. His son, Dr. Samuel Baxter, is a prominent citizen of Lima.
WILLIAM MUNLUX
William Munlux was a resident of Lancaster as early as 1837. He was a stone-mason. He worked several years on the locks of the Ohio and Hocking Canals. He served as a soldier in the Union Army.
JACOB HOLT
Jacob Holt was born in Philadelphia and came to Lancaster in 1834 as a cabinet-maker. He was a col-
349
Centennial History of Lancaster
lector on the canal, and for three terms of four years each was employed in the county auditor's office. In 1840 he was a partner of Henry Schultz in the cabinet business. He was a good man and the first Odd Fellow of Lancaster.
ISAAC BUTTERFIELD
Isaac Butterfield was born in Lancaster. He worked for different parties until 1854 when he opened a cigar shop. This business he continued to follow until 1862, when he became lieutenant in the 114th Ohio Regi- ment. After the war, in 1865, he resumed his old business. A few years since he moved to Fostoria, Ohio, and since his residence there, has become a very devoted member of the Methodist Church.
WILLIAM H. SHUTT
Shutt came to Lancaster May 12, 1839. He was a carriage maker by trade and in 1841 he formed a partnership with Josiah Wright, which lasted for one year. Mr. Shutt carried on the carriage business for a number of years, but finally failed and moved to Columbus.
JOHN H. PRICE
Mr. Price was a miller and was for some time man- ager of the Canal Mill. In 1837 he was a partner of H. Harvey in the milling business. This partnership continued until 1840, and after its dissolution Price continued to run the mill for different parties for a few years. During the administration of Governor Wm. Medill in 1855 and 1856 he was in charge of the State-house at Columbus, Ohio.
350
Centennial History of Lancaster
MARTIN BAUMAN
Martin Bauman was a gunsmith by trade. He came to Lancaster in 1820. In 1834 he moved to Missouri.
GEORGE BENTLEY
George Bentley came to Lancaster in 1815 and lived there a few years. He did not pursue any regular occupation, but was the lucky winner of a lottery prize of $5000. He removed to Tarlton, Pickaway County, where he spent the remainder of his life.
ADAM SHORT
Adam Short came to Fairfield County in 1806. His trade was that of a brick-mason. He lost an arm by the explosion of a cannon on a Fourth of July occa- sion. He moved to Cincinnati, where he died of cholera the last time it visited that city. In 1840 he was marshal of Lancaster and cemetery trustee.
OLIVER P. WEAKLEY
Oliver P. Weakley was for many years a well-known citizen of Lancaster. He lost an arm at New Salem by the premature discharge of a cannon while cele- brating the election of General Zachary Taylor. His son is a traveling salesman for Ulrich & Cless of Columbus.
DENNING & PARKER
Denning & Parker were for some years extensively engaged in the milling business in Lancaster. Their mill was destroyed by fire. In 1857 they purchased John S. Snyder's sawmill and converted it into a flouring mill. Joseph Parker was the active manager of the business. He finally failed, sold out and moved
351
Centennial History of Lancaster
to Illinois and thence to Vanceburg, Ky. For a few years Mr. Parker was quite a prominent man in Lan -. caster.
JOHN M. MILLER
John M. Miller was born in Wittenberg, Germany, October, 1812. He came to America in 1832 and settled first in Columbus, Ohio, where he lived two years. He also lived in Harrisburg and Gahanna,. Franklin County. He came to Lancaster in the year 1843 and carried on his business of shoemaking. He was an industrious man and one of the leading Ger- man citizens. He was a member of the city council for several years. He also served on the board of equalization. He died in October, 1879.
GEORGE D. SITES
Mr. Sites came to Lancaster about the year 1815,. and worked as a blacksmith until 1828, at which time he was elected sheriff of Fairfield County, serving four years. His death occurred in Pleasant Township.
JOSEPH GRUBB
Mr. Grubb was a chair-maker, sign-painter, and late in life, a portrait-painter. He came to Lancaster about the year 1820. He married a daughter of Jacob Clay- pool, who died early. Grubb married for his second wife the widow Smith, sister of Dr. White. In 1832, in partnership with Joel S. Parsons, he opened a dry goods store. This partnership did not last long, as. both men were poor merchants.
Grubb went to Baltimore, Md., and became a dentist. He returned to Lancaster in his old age and died in 1860. His son, Jacob Grubb, was one of the large
352
Centennial History of Lancaster
farmers of Fairfield County, and for thirty years one of the largest of Ross County's farmers.
WILLIAM UPFIELD
Mr. Upfield was born in England and was by trade a shoemaker. He settled in Lancaster in 1829. He was an intelligent but a somewhat visionary man. He was at one time a member of the school board. He died at his home on Broad Street at an advanced age.
HENRY DRUM
Mr. Drum was a cooper by trade and followed the business as early as 1822 in Lancaster. He at one time kept a tavern. He took an interest in local poli- tics and was elected a justice of the peace. He was at one time deputy sheriff of Fairfield County. During President Jackson's second term he was appointed post- master of Lancaster, which position he did not enjoy long, for death came in about one year. His widow was a friend of the family of John Brough, and she was the first one the governor asked for when he came to Lancaster in 1863. He met her at the great mass meeting of that year and renewed old acquaintance. Dresbach Drum, of Greenfield Township is a son, and Mrs. John N. Little, a daughter. Mr. Drum was highly esteemed in Lancaster.
CONRAD WINTER
Mr. Winter was born in Alsace, Germany. He came to Lancaster when a young man and spent his life here. He was one of our most respected and useful German citizens. During the greater part of his life he followed his trade, that of cabinet-maker. For sev- eral years prior to his death he was the teller and book-
353
Centennial History of Lancaster
keeper in the First National Bank of Lancaster. Frank X. Winter, the hardware merchant, is his son. Mr. Winter was well and favorably known, and highly es- teemed as a man and neighbor.
HENRY W. BRINK
Mr. Brink was a native of Haverstown, Kreis Min- den, Prussia. He was born May 7, 1824. He came to Lancaster in 1852 and engaged in the coopering business, which he carried on extensively for ten years. When coopering became unprofitable, he became a watchman at the starch factory; and when that com- pany ceased to do business, he became watchman for the Hocking Valley Manufacturing Company. He was a quiet, honest, unassuming man. He died in the year 1877. His son, Henry W. Brink, is the accom- plished drug clerk for G. G. Beck & Son.
JACOB BAUMASTER
Jacob Baumaster came to Ohio and Lancaster from Baden, Germany. He was a stone-mason for many years. He died in the year 1864.
CHARLES BAUMASTER
Charles Baumaster came with his brother to Lan- caster and they were workers together for many years. They were both good representative German citizens.
WILLIAM FISMER
Mr. Fismer was born in Prussia and became a citizen of Lancaster in the year 1841. His first work was for F. J. Boving. He was a blacksmith in the Deitz shop in 1846. He and Henry Snyder were for a time part- ners. For quite a number of years he was the engi-
354
Centennial History of Lancaster
neer and a partner in the Magnolia Mills. Here he lost the savings of his life in Lancaster. Of late years he has been court constable.
JAMES POOL
Mr. Pool was a native of Pennsylvania. He com- menced the marble and monument business in Lancas- ter in October, 1866. He continued the business for a few years and then purchased the old Bank farm, where he resides at this writing.
GEORGE H. STRODE
Mr. Strode, in his early life, lived two years in Lan- caster. He was born January 19, 1799, in Berkeley County, Va. He came with his father, Edward Strode, to Fairfield County in 1804. September 6, 1829, he married Rebecca Arnold, daughter of Daniel Arnold. In 1830 he moved to Lancaster and entered the tanyard of his father-in-law and learned the tanner's trade. This tanyard was on the lots now occupied by a frame row on Wheeling Street, long known as the Mac- cracken row. After two years apprenticeship, he moved to his father's farm in Hocking Township, where he sank a tanyard and carried on the business in connection with his farm. His son, Thomas Strode, was born in Lancaster. Geo. H. Strode was a good citizen, an intelligent, well-read man, and a model gentleman in every respect. He was a good business man and especially endowed with good common sense. He was a Christian, from childhood a member of the Methodist Church. His mother was called a "saintly woman" by Bishop Asbury, who preached at her house. Mr. Strode reared a large family of chil-
355
Centennial History of Lancaster
dren, who honor his memory and profit by his example. He died February 5, 1876.
MYERS & GETZ
Messrs. Myers and Getz for several years conducted a boot and shoe store in the Rising Block. They were good merchants and did a thriving business. Captain Getz is now the manager of the first shoe factory es- tablished in Lancaster. Myers is engaged in the shoe business on Columbus Street.
WENDELL STRENTZ
Mr. Strentz was a native of Germany and came to the United States and to Lancaster in the year 1832. He was a stone-cutter by trade and he opened and operated one of the first stone quarries on a large scale near town. His quarry was on the Koontz farm south of town, near the corner of the Zane section. The Logan pike now passes over the spot. From this quarry came the stone for the Lancaster Bank build- ing and for the stone columns on most of the Main Street fronts. Also, the stone for the high walls on upper Main Street.
Mr. Strentz laid out the East Lancaster addition to Lancaster. He died in 1848. His son, John W. Strentz, resides in Logan, and is an esteemed citizen of that town.
SAMUEL WILHELM
Mr. Wilhelm was born in Berkeley County, Va., in March, 1811. He came to Lancaster in 1834 and car- ried on a chair and furniture establishment until 1852, when he moved to his farm in Pleasant Township. He was an honest, industrious man, and accumulated a handsome property. For many years he has been a
356
Centennial History of Lancaster
leading member of the English Lutheran Church of Lancaster. He lives a quiet life upon his farm, re- spected and honored by all who know him. Rev. Martin L. Wilhelm, of Wooster, O., is a son.
His son James is a prominent real estate and loan agent of Columbus, O. One of his daughters is the wife of David Ewing, a son of one of the pioneers. Ewing's father was one of the founders of the Presby- terian Church of Lancaster. Mr. Wilhelm's old home on Broad Street somewhat remodeled is still used as a dwelling.
HENRY DUBBLE
Mr. Dubble came to Lancaster at an early day. He was by trade a coverlet and carpet weaver. He was an intelligent, public-spirited citizen. He was a friend of the public schools, and in 1830 with General San- derson and Samuel Carpenter constituted the first board of school directors. One of his granddaughters, daughter of Kate Dubble, is the wife of Lieutenant Henry Hunter of the Regular Army. Captain John A. Dubble, a former river captain and hotel keeper at Cincinnati and now at Washington City, is his son. His son, Henry, was a merchant at Galveston, Texas, and, also, a soldier of the Rebel Army and a prisoner at Camp Chase. A sister of Henry Dubble, Sr., was the wife of Jacob Shupe, of New Salem Ohio.
JOHN STALLSMITH
Mr. Stallsmith came to Lancaster in 1816, and in connection with Henry B. Joy carried on the butcher- ing business. In time he commenced shoemaking, his regular business, and continued in it many years. He served the people of Hocking Township as constable and as justice of the peace. He once undertook to
357
Centennial History of Lancaster
stop a drove of cattle on Main Street, by shaking his apron in front of the leaders, but was knocked down and the entire herd passed over him without further harm to him. He lived in the house where John Blet- zacker now lives, on Main Street. He was decided in his religious convictions and was a Universalist. He lived to an advanced age.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.