USA > Ohio > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of Wayne County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 10
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John S. Caskey grew to manhood on the farm, receiving a common-school edu- cation. His father being crippled, he had to work at an early age. He lived on the Wayne County farm until 1862, and in Angust of that year, the Civil War being then in progress, he offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company E, One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volon- teer Infantry, and was at once sent to the front. The first engagement in which he participated was Chickasaw Bluffs, in the rear of Vicksburg, Miss. Hardship and exposure brought on severe illness, but he continued in the ranks until the battle of Arkansas Post, after which he was prostrated by fever, and was sent to the hospital at St. Lonis, where he was con- fined for months. Being partially recor- ered. he desired to return to the front, but taking a relapse the physician in charge dissuaded him, and receiving an honora- ble discharge he returned to Wayne County and resumed his labors on the farm. When he came back home he was so ill that he had to be brought on a bed, his young wife faithfully watching over and attending him on his journey.
In 1862, a short time after his enlist- ment, Mr. Caskey was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Newman, danghter of Dr. William Newman, who died when his daughter was but two years old, and she was reared by her grandparents in Ash- land County, Ohio, where her marriage took place. No children have been born of this union. About 1866 our subject re- moved to Wooster, where for two years he was engaged in the ice business, then sell- ing out for a short time he followed the mineral water business. Soon after he entered into partnership with his cousin and present partner, in the grocery and queensware business, purchasing the in- terest of K. E. Harris, of the firm of K. E. Harris & Co. The firm of MeClarren & Caskey is now one of the oldest in the county, and do a large business, their an- nal retail sales being the largest in the county.
Mr. Caskey has been prominent in pub- lic affairs of the city and county, and has held important offices, which always came to him unsought. He is a Democrat in polities, for two terms was township treasurer, and in 1879 was elected to the responsible position of county treasurer, and was re-elected in 1881, discharging the duties of his office in a manner to win hearty encomiums from citizens of every shade of political belief. As a faithful public servant, a just and high-minded
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merchant, and a public-spirited man and citizen, Mr. Caskey stands deservedly high among the people of Wayne County.
Sugar Creek Township, Wayne County. and engaged in farming; he died in 1855, The others are yet living, and are as fol- lows: William, in Stark County, Ohio; Elizabeth, widow of R. R. McMillan, iu Iowa; Margaret Jane, wife of Luther Mc- Dowell, in Sugar Creek Township, Wayne . of Finlay McCall, in Iowa; Samuel;
S AMUEL CULLY was born Febru- ' County; David, in Missouri; Maria, wife ary 19, 1840, on the homestead where he at present resides, in , James, in Cleveland, Ohio; and Thomas, Sugar Creek Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Mondebaugh) Cully, the former of whom was born in York County, Pen., January 9, 1800. They were married in 1828, and afterward came to Ohio, locat- ing first in East Greenville, Stark County, where they remained but a short time, coming the same year to Wayne County, and settling on the farm now occupied by
in Sugar Creek Township, Wayne County. Of these, Samuel, whose name heads this memoir, was married in 1868 to Miss Susan, daughter of Philip Sword, of Sngar Creek Township, Wayne County, and to this union have been born four children, as follows: Warren P., Elizabeth E., George A. and Herby J. Mr. and Mrs. Cully are members of the Reformed Church of Stark County. Politically he their son, Samuel. They carved for voles the Democratic ticket. He is one themselves a home out of the wilderness, [ of the successful Farmers of Sugar Creek and experienced all the hardships and Township, Wayne County. Thomas Cully, the youngest son of Joseph and Margaret (Mondebangh) Cully, was born March 6, 1 ISTE, and was educated in the township schools and Smithville Academy. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Forty- first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and re- ceived wounds in the side and hand nt the battle of Pickett's Mills, near Atlanta, Ga., being honorably discharged in 1565. In 1970 he married Miss Dora ., daughter of David Erwin, of Sugar Creek trials incident to pioneer life. Joseph Cully has always been a supporter of the Democratic party, and has held various township offices. He and his wife carly connected themselves with the Presby- terian Church of Dalton ; she died in ISSB; he is still living on the okl homestead af the ripe age of eighty-eight years. Ton children were born to this couple, one of whom died at the age of twenty-one years; John, the second eklest, settled in
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Township, Wayne County, and by her has two children, viz .: Mina E. and Maggie N. Mr. Thomas Cally is one of the trustees of the Presbyterian Church, and has served the township as trustee, school director, etc. He supports the principles of the Prohibition party.
SAAC NEWKIRK, son of Henry Newkirk, was born June 5, 1821, in Clinton Township, and was married to Sarah O. Gibbon March 27, 1847, and united with the Methodist Church in the winter of 1856. He was suddenly seized with violent illness while attending the grand jury in Wooster, and died Decom- ber 22, 1870. The following is an extract from an obituary written at his death: " The large concourse which followed his remains to the grave was a beautiful trib- ute to the might of simple goodness. Riches, rank, fortune, intelleet, all have commanded their homage before: but only that rare and beautiful combination of all that is lovely and of good report, which was found in our friend, could have called forth that spontaneous homage from all hearts. Mr. Newkirk was known and loved by all his neighbors for his lofty spirit of honor, spotless integrity, delicacy of conscience, kindness of heart,
and promptness of decision. In all the varied relations of Sunday-school superin- tendent, steward and class-leader, he gave fine satisfaction to the church. During most of his illness he was favored with peace and tranquility; and when coffined and hearsed the uniform testimony borne to his life was, 'He sleeps well.' He was greatly respected and loved by a large and numerous circle of friends, especially by the society at Newkirk's. of which he was a member."
M. NEWKIRK was born in 1813 in Clinton Township, Wayne Coun- ty, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He is the son of Isaac and Sarah O. (Gibbon) Newkirk (whose biography appears above). who were the parents of the following-named children: H. M .; Mary, now Mrs. J. D. Peters, of Carbondale, Ill .: Kla. now a resident of Wooster, Ohio: Victor. a dealer in real estate in Kansas: Wade, an attorney in Wooster, Ohio: Thomas, engaged in railroad business in Illinois. Of these, H. M. married. in Wayne County, Ohio, Annie B., daughter of William Linn, of Wooster, and, to them four children were born: Dale, Linn, Helen and Blanche.
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H ARVEY R. MESSMORE, of Woos- | of having completed his eighty-eighth ter, ex-sheriff, is one of the best known and most widely respected citizens of Wayne County. He was born in German Township, Fayette Co., Penn., September 9, 1820, his parents also being natives of that State. His grand- parents came to America prior to the War of the Revolution, in which his paternal grandfather, John Messmore, took part, serving in the Continental army, and pass- ing through the memorable winter at Val- ley Forge, under Washington.
George Messmore, father of Harvey R., was a farmer, a distiller, and also a miller by trade, owning a mill which he operated with his farm. His wife was Miss Eleanor Mc Williams, a daughter of John and Annie ( Willson) Me Williams. Of their nnion four sons and one daughter were born, of whom three sons are now living: John, a resident of Hancock Connty, Ohio; William, living at Apple Creek, East Union Township, this county, and our subject. In 1846 George Messmore came to Wayne County, purchasing a farm in Franklin Township, and he and his wife thereafter made their home in Wayne County until their deaths. Mr. Mess- more removed to Edinburgh, or Apple Creek, where he started a hotel, and was also for a number of years postmaster at that place. He departed this life April 27, 1877, when he lacked but three days
year. His wife also lived to a ripe ok age, dying September 27, 1875, aged eighty years, eleven months and nine days. George Messmore was a prominent and highly respected citizen, and had hold the position of justice of the peace for many years, first filling that office by appoint- ment of the governor, and on the change of the law was elected to the same position several terms. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and served under Harrison at the famons fight of Tippecanoe. The family has always been noted for patriotism. His father served in the Revolution, and John, now of Findlay, Ohio, served three years during the Rebellion. George Messmore and wife were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he has always espoused the cause of the Den- ocratie party.
Harvey R. Messmore received a com- mon-school education, and learned his father's trade of miller. At the age of twenty-three, on November 1, 1543, he was married, in his native State, to Miss Jane Beeson, daughter of James and Agnes Beeson, and a native of Pennsylva- nia. He was twenty-six years old when his parents came to the then new county of Wayne, and he, with his wife and one child, accompanied them. He located first in Franklin Township, but later ro- moved to East Union Township. After a
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time ho returned to Moorland, in Frank- lin, where he began business in a small general country store, with a stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., conducting that business successfully for five years, and then selling to William McFadden. His next location was in Wooster Township, where for five years he ran the old Woos- ter Mill, which in those days did a large and thriving business. His next work was in operating the MeConkey Mill in Shreve, but two years later he went into the Shreve Mills, at the same place, where he remained a year. This brought him to the fall of 1861, when he pur- chased and removed to the farm, which he still owns, one mile east of the village of Shreve. There he lived until the fall of 1880, when he was elected sheriff of Wayne County, and removed to Wooster, which has since been his home. In 1882 he was re-elected, his term expiring Jan- mary 5, 1885. Since that time Mr. Mess- more has retired from active labor, and in his pleasant home on East Liberty Street, surrounded by his family, and with every- thing to make life pleasant, he is enjoy- ing the fruits of a life of industry, erowned by an honest and honorable pri- vate and public career. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Messmore was blessed by the birth of six children, four of whom are now living, viz. : James Newton, now on- gaged in the livery business in Wooster;
Eleanor, Agnes and Martha. Those deceased are Lillie and an nnnamed infant.
Our subject is now sixty-eight years of age, but looks many years younger. He enjoys good health, but is just now suf- fering from the effects of a severe accident which happened to him in February, 1888, by which he suffered the fracture of ten bones. No citizen of the county commands in a higher degree the confi- dence and esteem of his fellow-men. Ile is ever straightforward and honorable, and is known as one having the interests of the city and county at heart, and will- ing to do his share in forwarding all proj- ects tending to their material or moral advancement. In polities he has always been a stanch Democrat. Socially he is member of Ebenezer Lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M., and Wooster Lodge, No. 42, I. O. O. F.
P ETER STAIR, one of the most prominent farmers and pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1519. His father, Jacob Stair, was a native of Lebanon County, Penn., as was also his grandfather, William Stair, and his great- grandfather was a native of Scotland.
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William Stair, the grandfather, married a Miss Bickle, and JJacob, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the only child born to this marriage. The mother died, and William was married a second time. Jacob was reared in his native county, and remained there until his twentieth year, at which time he removed to Cum- berland County and resided with an uncle. While in Cumberland County he wooed and married Magdalina Baacher, of that county, a daughter of John Baacher, who with his two sons removed to New York State and there died. To Jacob and wife were born three children, viz .: William, Elizabeth and Jacob. In 1809 the wife died, and then Jacob married Anna Stahl, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Stahl. Nine children blessed this union, Peter being the fourth. In April, 1828, Jacob Stair, his wife and ten children, seven sons and three daughters, immigrated to Wayne County, Ohio, and settled near the present town of Madisonburgh, four miles north of Wooster. In Wayne Township he purchased 320 acres of land, and in Plain Township the same mimber of aeres, and resided in Wayne Township until death called him home, in 1870, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. His sec- ond wife died in 1855, aged sixty-six years. This pioneer was well known as a plain, prac- tical, common-sense man, and although he started in life in moderato circumstances,
during his business career and by his own efforts he had owned $50,000, and at one time 640 acres of land.
Peter, the fourth child of Jacob by his second wife, spent his early life in Wayne Township. He received a common-school education, and, as his father before him had done, made farming his occupation. He has always been a prominent and zeal- ous citizen, and has held several public offices. As a trustworthy man and citizen he is well known, being one of the trust- ees of the Children's Home at this time, and an ex-county commissioner. In 1871 the Democratic party nominated and elected this worthy man to the office of county commissioner, and in 1877 he was renominated and re-elected. During his administration in office an addition was made to the insane department of the in- firmary, and the court-house of Wayne Connty, at Wooster, was erected, an orna- ment and honor to the county.
In 1542 he was wedded to Sarah Honser, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Dnniger. he being a Pennsylvanian. Two of their children died in infancy. For twenty-six years Mr. Stair has resided at his present I home, comprising 229 acres of land. which was formerly divided into two farms. Mr. Stair commenced life's battle with noth- ing, but by his uprightness of character. honesty, integrity and industry he stands high, and will always be honored in the
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community as an honorable man and an earnest, sincero and zealous citizen.
M ILLER FAMILY. This well- known family, who have for many years been residents of Wayne County, are now represented here by three of the sons of Jacob and Mag- dalen (Gindlesperger) Miller, viz .: John W., Jacob A. and William W. On both sides the family are of German extrac- tion, the paternal grandparents being Jo- seph and Elizabeth Miller, both natives of Somerset County, Penn., where they died. The maternal grandparents were Joseph and Magdalena Gindlesperger, the former a native of Germany and the lat- ter born in Pennsylvania. In that State they were married, and later removed to Wayne County, Ohio, settling in Baugh- man Township, where some of their descendants yet live, their son, Joseph, occupying the home farm there.
Grandfather Miller had been twice mar- ried, and the father of the three Millers mentioned as residents of this county was a child of the first wife, who died three days after giving him birth. He was named Jacob, and was born in Somerset County, Pem., April 3, 1811, and died on the homestead, in Greene Township, this
county, November 25, 1855. aged seventy- one years, seven months and twenty-two days. Ho received his education in the district schools of his native county. and was instructed in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church at Pine Hill, near Ber- lin, Penn., and was there confirmed when twenty years old. From that time until his demise Jacob Miller was a pious and consistent church member. In the fall of 1836, when twenty-two years of age, he immigrated to Wayne County, settling on the farm on Section 20. in Greene Town- ship, which was his home until his death. The farm comprised 160 aeres, of which but twenty-five were partially cleared. All the rest he reclaimed from the wilder- ness, enduring much of the hardships and privations of a pioneer life. Long before his death he had it well fenced. provided it with good buildings, and had made it one of the best in the neighborhood.
On September 11, 1534, while a resi- dent of Somerset County, Penn .. he was married to Magdalen Gindlesperger, a native of that county, born July 1, 1>13. She also died on the home farm, on Feb- mary 1, 1886, aged seventy-two years, seven months and three days. Mrs. Mill- er was a member of the German Re- formed Church, holding her membership until her death. She and her husband had lived together more than fifty-one years, and on the anniversary of their
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wedding day, preceding the death of Mr. Miller, a family reunion was held to cele- brate the event, and a large number of the descendants and friends assembled to do honor to the aged and honored couple. But a little more than two months later the good pioneer was called to his final home, the companion of so many years following him to the other shore a few weeks afterward. In life they had lived in peace and harmony, sharing each others joys and sorrows for more than half a century, and in death they were but a short time parted. They were faithful and devoted companions, kind parents, who brought up their children in the fear of the Lord, and were esteemed by all who knew them. Mr. Miller had been a deacon and elder in the Lutheran Church for many years, since the organ- ization of the church at Smithville until his death, which was mourned by a large circle of friends, He and his wife, Mag- dalen, were the parents of seven sons and three danghters, as follows: Cyrus B., now a resident of Marshalltown, lowa; John W., a farmer of Greene Township, in this county; Abraham J., living at Whitten, Hardin Co., Iowa; Joseph C., in Stark County, Ohio; Margaret, wife of Jesse S. Keiffer, of Bryan, Ohio: Cor- nelius J., of Wayne Township, this county ; Mary E., deceased wife of Dr. J. C. Dreyher, then of Smithville; Jacob A.,
living on the old homestead; Susan, de- ceased wife of David H. Warfel, then of Greene Township; and William W., a merchant in Orrville, Wayne County.
John W. Miller, the eldest of the three sons of Jacob Miller residing in Wayne County, was born on the Ohio homestead, January 14, 1838. His life-long occupa- tion has been that of a farmer. On his marriage he removed to a farm owned by his father, one and a half miles from his birthplace, and there lived eleven years.
In the spring of 1874 he settled on his present home, adjoining his father's, also on Section 20, Greene Township, which he bought from the heirs of his wife's father. July 10, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Weiler, daughter of William and Ann Eliza Weiler, natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Reading, Berks County, and the mother in Chester County. They came to Ohio about the same time as the parents of Mr. Miller, locating first in Stark County, with the parents of Mr. Woiler: afterward coming to Wayne County, where they bought the farm adjoining that of Jacob Miller. Their parents were Joseph and Rosanna Weiler, the former of whom died while on a visit to some of his children in Indiana, and the latter in the home now owned by John W. Miller. William Weiler was a man of excellent character, well liked by all
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and Johnny Hays, born August 28, 1876, still under the parental roof.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Lutheran Church, of which he has been, since the death of his father, an elder, being elected to succeed him. Pre- vious to that he had been a trustee and a deacon. By his neighbors and friends John W. Miller is esteemed as a man of great probity of character and sterling integrity. Mr. Miller has been promi- ment in politics, and has filled several po- sitions of trust. He has served as trustee several years, and for twenty years has been a member of the school board, of which he has been president a number of years. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany 1. One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was stationed at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; the following July he was taken siek with typhoid-malarial Fever, and in Angust was sent home on sick furlough, and in September was dis- charged from the service, but has never fully recovered From the effects of this sickness.
who knew him, and had hosts of friends. He died June 4, 1866, aged fifty-nine years and eight months, being born Octo- ber 4, 1806. His wife, Ann Eliza, was born January 18, 1810, and died March 1, 1880, aged seventy years, one month and fourteen days. They were the parents of eleven children, Mrs. Miller being the only one living in Wayne County. Their names are Rosanna, wife of James R. Shaffer, of Lima, Ohio; William C., living in Sedalia, Mo .; Louisa, deceased wife of James K. Ward, of Columbiana County, Ohio; Joseph, who was a resident of Stark County, Ohio, entered the Union army, and was killed at Murfreesboro, Tenn .; John J. lives in Tennessee; Rebecca died young; Hamil- ton was also a patriot soldier, and was killed at Athens, Tenn. ; Sarah Ann Grace is the wife of Cassius M. Jolly, of Lima, Ohio; Henry is a resident of Tennessee; Alice Malvina died in childhood; and Mary E., wife of John W. Miller, who was the oldest but one of this family, and was born July 18, 1833. She and her husband have had live children. The second child, Jacob A. Miller, a younger son of Jacob Miller, now lives on the old homestead on Section 20, Greene Township, where he was born January 7, 1850. He lived on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in the lumber business, principally for the Lake Shore & Michi- Ulysses S. G., died February 27, 1580, aged sixteen years. The survivors are Elmer E., born February 1, 1868, married to Nettie March, living on his father's farm; William J., born May 31, 1566, is a telegraph operator at Orrville, Ohio: and Jesse Amnon, boru May 28, 1871, | gan Southern Railroad, furnishing car
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timber. In this occupation he continued ; the grand State of Iowa. After their for sixteen years, making his home for the first two and a half years in Seneca Conn- ty, Ohio, and the balance of the time in Defiance County, Ohio. In that business Mr. Miller was quite successful, and accu- mulated considerable means. He now owns a fine, well-improved farm in Defi- ance County. While living there Mr. Miller served several terms as township trustee, and also held other positions of trustand responsibility. In March, 1887, he retired from the lumber business, and, buying the interests of the other heirs, returned to the place of his birth, where " he expects to spend the remainder of his days. He is making many improvements on the place, and has partially rebuilt the house.
March 4, 1884, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Sarah Pittenger, daughter of Peter and Jane ( Buchanan) Pittenger, then residents of Carroll County, Ohio, who had previously lived in Harrison County, Ohio. The father was born in Harrison County October 1, 1800, and died February 9, 1854, aged fifty-three years, seven months and twenty-three days. The mother, Jane Buchanan, was born in Pennsylvania July 11, 1803, and was three years old when her parents moved to Ohio. On both sides her ancestors were of that sturdy race of pioneers who laid the foundations of the prosperity of
marriage Peter and Jane Pittonger ro- moved to Carroll County, Ohio, where they in inrn carved a home out of the wilderness. Of their first purchase of eighty acres bnt five were partially cleared. To this they added eighty acres more. and made it by hard work a fine, well-cul- tivated farm. Their first house was a log cabin, with puncheon floor, and door hung on wooden hinges, in true frontier style. This was succeeded by a hewed log house. yet standing, and that by a comfortable frame house. Mrs. Pittenger died Octo- ber 20, 1872, aged sixty-nine years, three months and nine days. This couple bad ten children, as follows: Samnel B., and Mary, wife of Isaac Booth, of Indiana: Margaret, wife of David Davis, and John. residents of Carroll County, Ohio; Nancy, wife of Alex. Riley, in Stark County, Ohio; Joseph, Evan, Susannah and Abra- ham, deceased: and Sarah, the youngest of the family. now Mrs. Jacob A. Miller, who was born in Carroll County, Ohio. October 24, 1848. She was but six years of age when her father died, and she lived with her mother until the demise of the latter, then making her home with her brothers and sisters until her marriage.
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