History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio, Part 19

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry
Publication date: 1921
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 678

USA > Ohio > Harrison County > History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio > Part 19
USA > Ohio > Carroll County > History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio > Part 19

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age indicates the estimate placed upon his model store and its effective service.

William Arthur Lewis was born in Carroll County, January 7, 1873, and is a son of Wil- liam Clark Lewis, of whom individual mention is made on other pages of this volume, so that further review of the family record is not here demanded. In the public schools of Malvern Mr. Lewis continued his studies until he had profited by the advantages of the high school, and when twenty-four years of age, reinforced with a capital of only twenty dollars but with a full quota of self-reliance and ambition. he purchased the grocery business of B. M. Woods of Malvern. After conducting this enterprise successfully about seven years he sold the same, and he then took a position in the office of the wholesale grocery establishment of John Orr's Sons at Steubenville, Jefferson County, for which he became also a traveling salesman. After the lapse of about one year he returned to Malvern, and three months later he purchased a restau- rant in the Village of Magnolia, Stark County. After conducting this two and one-half years he sold the business and went to Canal Dover, Ohio, where he was engaged in office work for a wholesale grocery company eighteen months. Returning again to Malvern, he established and became editor and publisher of the Clay City Times. After publishing this paper three years he was compelled to dispose of the plant and business, owing to seriously impaired health, this action being taken while he was in a hospital in the City of Canton, where he re- mained for forty days. While still publishing this paper Mr. Lewis was made the democratic nominee for recorder of Carroll County, and in the ensuing election he made an unprecedented showing, as he was defeated by only fifty votes in a strong republican county, while his popu- larity in the Village of Malvern was significantly attested by his here receiving support on 215 out of a total of 2SS ballots cast. After leaving the hospital Mr. Lewis returned to Malvern and opened an attractive restaurant, to which he gave the title of "The Sugar Bowl."

In 1914 Mr. Lewis purchased the grocery business of J. K. Davy, and in 1917 bought also the grocery store of H. J. Wilson. He com- bined the two establishments, and in December, 1919, removed to his present modern store, where he has a large and appreciative supporting patronage. In politics he is a vigorous advo- cate and supporter of the principles of the democratic party, and he is a Methodist and his wife is a Lutheran. He is now serving his sec- ond term as village assessor of Malvern, and when he presented his official report to the county auditor that executive informed him that the report was the best rendered by any assessor in the county. Mr. Lewis is a wizard with fig- ures, and in this practical mathematical field has few equals.

In 1901 Mr. Lewis wedded Miss Sarah Long, daughter of Jacob and Margaret ( Elsass) Long, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis became the parents of four children, all of whom are living except one, Donald Alton, Margaret Ellen, Arthur Long (died at the age of four years) and Helen Virginia.

CHARLES C. JOHNSON. For about ten years Charles C. Johnson, of Athens Township, has combined an up-to-date dairy business with gen- eral farming, and the man who runs a dairy never allows soil to decrease in fertility. Mr. Johnson was born August 28, 1867, in Short Creek Township, and he has always lived in Harrison County. He is a son of Albert and Rachel (Conoway) Johnson, both natives of the county. Charles Conoway, the grandfather, lived in Archer Township, being one of the pioneers of that community. The Conoway chil- dren are: Mary, Susan, Sophia, Jennie, Rachel, Michael, Charles, Enoch, William and John. The Conoways were Methodists.

As a young man Albert Johnson began farm- ing in Short Creek Township and lived there until 1870, when he bought the farm where C. C. Johnson lives today. He died there in 1886, and Mrs. Johnson died in 1915, leaving their only son in possession of the farmstead. C. C. Johnson has two sisters. Jennie and Carrie, older than himself. The Johnsons are members of the Presbyterian Church of New Athens. Usually when a woman sustains one church re- lation and the man another they unite in her church-the Conoways, Methodists, and the Johnsons, Presbyterians.

Mr. Johnson was educated in the public schools and in Franklin College in New Athens. Upon the death of his father in 1886 the management of the farm devolved upon him. He now owns 250 acres, and in addition to general farming he operates a dairy of about thirty cows, using the double unit milking machine. They have a modern house, and all the dairy and farm build- ings are lighted with electricity.

On November 6, 1906, Mr. Johnson married Ola McFadden. She is a daughter of Law and Martha McFadden. Their children are: Louise and Harold. The Johnsons are members of the Presbyterian Church in New Athens.

ALFRED B. HILDRETH. It is only since 1909 that Alfred B. Hildreth, of Athens Township, has been a resident of Harrison County, Ohio. There must be something in a name, William Shakespeare notwithstanding, as Mr. Hildreth was born December 10, 1884, in Harrison County, West Virginia. He is a son of Elmer and Mary Hildreth, of West Virginia. She is a daughter of Joseph A. and Martha ( Wadsworth) Hil- dreth. The grandfather and grandmother were John and Sallie (Criss) Hildreth.

Elmer Hildreth is a farmer and still lives in Harrison County, West Virginia. Alfred B. Hil- dreth is the oldest child, the others being Leslie C., Snoye G., Carl, Cole. Roy and Estema. The family are members of the Christian Church. A. B. Hildreth, as was the rest of the family, was educated in the public schools of West Virginia.

On May 18, 1908, A. B. Hildreth married Jennie Freeland. a daughter of Caleb and Sa- repta Freeland. Their children are: Vance, born December 22, 1913, and Irene Annette, born August 22. 191S. Within a year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth bought a farm of ninety-one acres in Athens Township, on the Cadiz and New Athens road, where he is en- gaged in general farming and the livestock busi-

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ness. While he has always lived in Harrison County, he has lived in both West Virginia and Ohio.

FRANK M. BEALL, who represents the fourth generation of the Beall family in Harrison County, has extensive business and agricultural experience, and was in every way qualified for the service he has rendered during the past four years as county auditor.

He was born in Nottingham Township, Harri- son County, February 7, 1877, and is a great- grandson of James P. Beall, who brought his family from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and was one of the early settlers of Nottingham Township. That community for upwards of a century has been strongly influenced by the activities of the Beall family. The children of James P. Beall were Zefinia, James P., Minerva, John. Cyrus and Colmore.

Colmore Beall, the youngest son, carries this branch of the lineal descent. He was a farmer in Nottingham Township and his wife, Hannah Rogers, was a native of the same township. Their children were John B., Ella M., wife of Lyle McDevitt; James Franklin, deceased; Nancy Minerva, wife of A. W. Johnson, and Emma L., wife of James W. Clark.

John B. Beall was born in Nottingham Town- ship in 1850 and spent his active life as a farmer in that locality. December 30, 1875, he married Lucy M. Garner, a daughter of Ed- ward and Julia Ann ( Merryman) Garner. They became the parents of nine children : Frank M. : Harry C .: Mary Olive, deceased; William M .; George W .; Ada Florence; Ella Vida; Anna Grace: and Clara R. Beall.

Frank M. Beall, oldest of this generation of the family, grew up in the old home community of Nottingham Township, attended the common schools and was also educated in Scio College. For four years he was a teacher, and by that occupation earned the money necessary to de- fray his college expenses.

In 1901 Mr. Beall went to Cleveland and for nine years was an employe of the American Steel and Wire Company. Returning to Not- tingham Township in 1910, he took up the ancestral vocation of agriculture. but in 1916 en- tered the campaign and was elected auditor of Harrison County. going into office in October, 1917. He has demonstrated the ability of the farmer to serve the community in official ca- pacity and has maintained a high standard of efficiency as auditor. and recognition of his ability was given by the voters when. in 1918. he was re-elected auditor.

The Beall family has been identified with the . Methodist Church, and the family vote has been cast with the republican party. Mr. Beall is identified with both the business and social in- terests in the community. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, the Maccabees. the Knights of Pythias and the Grange. and his church membership is in the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church in Nottingham Township, where the family have worshiped through several gen- erations.

November 18, 1919, Frank M. Beall married Carrie M. Gallagher. Her grandparents were Patrick and Martha (Bevard) Gallagher, the

former a native of Ireland and the latter of Maryland. Patrick Gallagher was a blacksmith by trade and on coming to Harrison County had a shop for several years in Cadiz. In 1834 he bought land in Stock Township. This was a 160 acre tract of the state school land. He lived there the rest of his life. His first wife was Ann Gibson, and their children were Peter, Thomas, John, James, Mrs. Mary Brown, Eliza- beth and Sarah, who married David Evans. Patrick Gallagher by his marriage with Martha Bevard had five children: Isabel, who became the wife of J. L. Simpson; Martha, who mar- ried William Whittaker; Catherine, whose husband was Moses Conoway; Albert; and R. Wood Gallagher.

The father of Mrs. Beall is R. Wood Galla- gher, who was born on the old family homestead August 29, 1850, was reared there, and out of his industry increased the original 160 acres to 234 acres. On April 19, 1883, he married Clara E. Lemmon, a daughter of Amon and Rebecca (Forsyth) Lemmon. To this marriage were born the following children: Carrie M., wife of Mr. Beall : Robert L., who married Nelle Bell and lives at Cleveland, their four children being Henry W., Francis A., Lawrence B. and R. Stanley : George W., who was killed in a munition plant at Cleveland February 2, 1918; James A., who farms the old homestead, married Jessie Copeland and has two sons, Warren J. and Everett E .; Morris Wayne, who entered the army in July, 1918, and while training at Camp Sherman was stricken with the influenza and transferred for treatment to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where he died May 10, 1919.

Harrison County sustained the loss of one of its fine citizens in the death of R. Wood Gal- lagher on March 6, 1917. He had served two terms as county commissioner, from 1905 to 1909, and was also a trustee of Stock Town- ship. These two old pioneer families the Beall and Gallagher-were further perpetuated by the birth on September 27. 1920. of Frank M. Beall, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Beall.

JOHN H. MATTERN, M. D., of Cadiz, is in the third generation of his family in Harrison County. His grandfather. Abraham, came from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to this county when he was a young man and became a well-to-do farmer in Green Township. His wife. Mary Brown, was born in Harrison County. Ohio. They became the parents of the following children : Hugh, John, Alfred, Wesley, Jane and Nancy.

John Mattern, second son of Abraham and father of Doctor Mattern, was born in Green Township in this county. He married Margaret, the daughter of George and Mary (Braim) Leas, who came from Adams County. Pennsylvania, to Green Township, this county, where their daughter Margaret was born. The Leas chil- dren were as follows: Jeremiah. George, Jacob, John. Margaret, Mary and Elizabeth. After his marriage John Mattern resided in Green Town- ship for three years, and then removed to Archer Township, where he has since lived. He became a successful farmer and at one time owned 300 acres of land, a large portion of which he has divided among his children. He

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and wife became the parents of the following children : Jacob F., Ellis W., Mary Etta, Emmer- son R., John M. and Oscar O., but the latter son is deceased.

Dr. John H. Mattern was born in Archer Township on Febrary 2, 1875. He attended the common schools and Hopedale Normal School and then taught school for several years.' He read medicine and entered the Ohio Medical University at Columbus in 1900, where he was graduated with the Doctor of Medicine degree in 1904, he having been a member of the first class that was required to take the State Board's medical examination. Doctor Mattern began the practice of medicine June 1, 1904, at Unionport, Jefferson County, Ohio. In 1908 he located at Cadiz, where he has since practiced his profession. He is recognized as a leading physician and surgeon of Harrison County, but of recent years has limited his professional ac- tivities to office practice. Doctor Mattern is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society and belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding mem- bership in the Blue Lodge at Unionport, the Chapter at Cadiz, Commandery No. 11, Steuben- ville; Scottish Rite (32d degree) and the Temple at Columbus, and in the Eastern Star at Cadiz. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

On February 6, 1901, Doctor Mattern was united in marriage with Etna I. Baker, and to them have been born the following children : Rezin Neil and John Elmo.

JAMES E. BIRNEY has the distinction of being one of the representative farmers of the younger generation in Washington Township, Harrison County, where on his excellent farm of eighty- three acres he is proving the value of his earlier experience in connection with the basic indus- tries of agriculture and stock-growing. He was born on his father's old homestead farm in Washington township, this county, June 5, 1896, and is a son of James N. and Anna R. (McFad- den) Birney, both representatives of sterling pioneer families of the county. James N. Birney was born in Washington Township Au- gust 27, 1845, and was a son of John Birney, who was born and reared in Green Township, this county, whence, soon after his marriage to Miss Hannah McKee, daughter of Robert McKee, he removed to Washington Township, where he eventually accumulated a fine landed estate of 560 acres and where he remained until his death, September 9, 1885. His first wife died in 1872, and later he married Sarah Eaton. The children of the first marriage were six in number : Rachel (Mrs. Henry Pittis). Nelson, Robert M., James N., Rebecca J. (Mrs. Matthew Simpson) and John T. John Birney was a leader in the local councils of the republican party, served several years as township trustee and was called upon to serve also in other township offices. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and contributed loyally to its support.

James N. Birney gave his entire active career to farm industry, and continued to reside upon . a part of the old home farm until his death, December 22, 1902, his farm estate at the time having comprised 373 acres. He was known

and honored as a liberal and public-spirited citizen, was specially successful in his enterprise as an agriculturist and stock-raiser, was a Re- publican in political allegiance and was a zeal- ous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Tippecanoe, as is also his widow.

The year 1869 recorded the marriage of James N. Birney to Miss Anna R. McFadden, who likewise was born and reared in Harrison County and who is a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Moore) McFadden. Robert McFadden was born in Belmont County, Ohio. September 4. 1813, and was a son of Robert and Mary ( Morrison ) McFadden, the former of whom was born in Vermont October 13, 1768, and the latter of whom likewise was born. in the old Green Mountain State, June 13, 1772; their marriage having there been solemnized October 13, 1795. Soon after their marriage Robert McFadden, Sr., and his wife came to Ohio and became numbered among the earliest settlers in Belmont County, where he began the reclaiming of a farm in the midst of the forest wilderness. Eventually he removed with his family to Stock Township, Harrison County, where he continued his pioneer farm enterprise and where both he and his wife passed the residue of their lives.

Robert McFadden, Jr., passed his earlier life in Belmont County, whence he accompanied his parents to Harrison County, where he took up wild land and improved the farm later owned by his son John S. in Stock Township. He was one of the substantial and honored citizens and repre- sentative farmers of this township at the time of his death, March 15, 1876, and here his widow's death occurred on the 21st of June, 1879, both having been zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pleasant Valley, in which he served a number of years as class leader. In politics he was a staunch democrat.

November 6, 1837, recorded the marriage of Mr. McFadden to Miss Sarah Moore, daughter of Robert Moore, another well known pioneer of Harrison County, and of this union were born eight children : Mary (Mrs. George S. Johnston), James M., Margaret (Mrs. William A. Welch), Robert H., John S., William W., James and Anna Rebecca (Mrs. James N. Birney).

Mr. and Mrs. James N. Birney became the parents of five children : Robert Hopkins, who has the management of the old home farm, and there remains with his widowed mother, who is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Tippecanoe, as was also her husband; ohn M, who owns and resides upon a farm of 119 acres in Washington Township, was united m marriage October 27, 1915, to Miss Eva McClintock : Betha Viola is the wife of Charles W. Adams, or Archer Township, and they have two children-Birney and Mabel Virginia; Harry Moore, now engaged in farming in Frank- lin Township, married Miss Ella Mcclintock, and they have two children-Forrest Earl and Anna Rebecca ; and James Earl is more specifi- cally mentioned in the following paragraph.

James Earl Birney was born on the old home- stead mentioned in the preceding context, and the date of his nativity, as before noted, was June 5, 1896. In addition to profiting by the ad- vantages of the public schools of his native county he was for one term a student in the

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business college at Urichsville, Tuscarawas County. Thereafter he continued his association with the activities of the old home farm until his marriage on the 7th of November, 1917, to Miss Bessie Olive Auld, daughter of Allison P. and Mary Belle (Meeks) Auld. After this im- portant event in his career he established his home on his present farm, which he has made a center of progressive enterprise in both the ag- ricultural and live-stock departments. Mr. Bir- ney has made no inroads into the arena of practical politics but gives his allegiance to the republican party, and his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Tippe- canoe. They have a fine little son, James Allison.

LAFAYETTE MARTIN, who was born and reared in Harrison County and is a scjon of one of its sterling pioneer families, 'has now passed the psalmist's span of three score years and ten and is living virtually retired in the attractive little city of Cadiz, the county seat. . He was but sixteen years of age when his youthful patriot- ism prompted him to go forth as a representative of Harrison County in the Civil war in which he made an excellent record as one of the gal- lant young defenders of the Union. The same loyalty has characterized him during the long intervening years and in all of the relations of life, so that it is but natural that he should have secure place in popular esteem.

Mr. Martin was born in Cadiz Township, Har- rison County, October 23, 1847, and is a son of George and Mary ( Kesey) Martin, both of whom passed their entire lives in this county and the latter of whom was a daughter of Conrad Ke- sey, one of the early settlers in Cadiz Township. George Martin's parents likewise were pioneers of the county, where they continued to reside until their deaths. He was reared under the conditions of the pioneer days and finally became the owner of a farm of 120 acres in Cadiz Town- ship, where he and his wife passed the remain- der of their earnest, unassuming and useful lives, both having heen zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of four children, Fafayette, Angeline, ' William and Olander.

The district schools of Cadiz Township af- forded Lafayette Martin his early educational advantages, and he gained a full quota of youth- ful experience in connection with the activities of the home farm. In 1864. when but sixteen years of age. he enlisted as a member of Com- pany D. One Hundred and Seventieth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, his enlistment having occurred in May and he having soon afterward accom- panied his command to the front. He took part in the battles of Snickers Gap and Maryland Height, besides participating in various skir- mishes and other minor engagements, his hon- orable discharge having been received at the expiration of his term of enlistment. September 10. 1864. In later years he has vitalized his interest in his old comrades by his active affilia- tion with the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he is one of the comparatively few re- maining veterans of the post at Cadiz.

After the war Mr. Martin passed one year in the state of Missouri, and he then returned to his native county and learned the carpen- ter's trade, in 1868. To this trade he gave the major part of his time and attention for many years, and he became one of the successful con- tractors and builders in Harrison County. In 1895 he purchased a furniture and undertaking business at Cadiz, but this he sold two years later. Shortly afterward he purchased a store, and this enterprise he continued sixteen years, with his son as his efficient assistant. In 1903, as candidate on the republican ticket, he was elected sheriff of the county, in which he served two terms and gave an excellent administration, his period of service continuing from November, 1904, until January, 1910. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in their home village.

The Centennial year, 1876, recorded the mar- riage of Mr. Martin to Miss Margaret Finical, daughter of Robert Finical, of Harrison County, and they had two children: Harry Warren Martin and Florence. The son still resides at Cadiz and is actively engaged in business. He married Miss Grace Zimmerman, and they have three children, Robert L., Ralph and Harry W., Jr. Mrs. Martin died October 24, 1919.

CHARLES W. RUFF is distinctively one of the progressive and wideawake citizens and busi- ness men of the younger generation in his na- tive county and is at the present time serving as mayor of the village of Malvern, an office to which he was elected in November, 1918. He is actively identified with industrial and commer- cial interests of importance as general manager of the Consolidated Clay Products Company, the headquarters of which corporation are main- tained in the city of Canton, Stark County.

Mr. Ruff was born in Brown Township, Car- roll County, October 21, 1881, and is a son of Jesse C. Ruff, of whom individual record is given on other pages of this work, so that fur- ther review of the family history is not here demanded. Charles W. Ruff continued his studies in the public schools until his graduation in the Minerva High School as a member of the class of 1809. Soon afterward he initiated his association with the clay-working industry, which is one of much importance in this section of the state, and his ability and effective service won him advancement in this field of enterprise, as indicated by his present incumbency of the position of general manager of the Consolidated Clay Products Company. He is also vice presi- dent of the Valley Electrical Company and pres- ident of the advisory council of Carroll County. His personal popularity, as coupled with his staunch loyalty as a democrat, resulted in his election to the office of mayor of Malvern, in which he is giving a characteristically vigorous and progressive administration. He is serving also as justice of the peace and seems to have an unlimited capacity for application to work and service. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Pythian Sisters, of which latter organization his wife likewise is a member, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both are zealous members of Bethlehem Presbyterian

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History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio, Part 19

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Number of Pages: 678

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry
Publication date: 1921
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 678