USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 70
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present township treasurer. He was born in this township, August 13, 1857, and is a son of Samuel and Eve A. (Carres) Weiser.
The Weisers came to Bloom Township quite early and have always been dependable and use- ful as citizens. The grandfather, Samuel Weiser possibly was born in Germany and came to Ohio from Pennsylvania .. He served many years as a justice of the peace and also was township treasurer. His son, Samuel Weiser, Jr., spent his life in Bloom Township and was a respected and valued man of his community. Samuel Weiser, Jr., married Eve A. Carres, also of Fairfield County, and the following children were born to them : George R., of Lithopolis, O .; Charles F., of Bloom Township; Calvin W., of Greencastle ; Almeda, wife of John Shaffner, of Basil, O .; Mary M., of Greencastle; John E., of Pickaway County ; Clara E., wife of Henry Brenner, of Bloom Township; Jesse W., of Greencastle; and Thomas H., of Columbus, O.
Calvin W. Weiser was reared in Bloom Township and attended first the township schools and the Lithopolis High School and subsequently a private Normal School at Car- roll, O., under Prof. William H. Hartsough, now of Columbus. Later he taught school in Bloom Township for about eight years and for one year in Pickaway County. After several years of teaching he became a clerk in the dry goods store of a merchant at Canal Winchester, but in 1884 embarked in the business for him- self, in partnership with Thomas H. Court- right, at Greencastle, under the firm name of Weiser & Courtright, which association con- tinued for twenty years, when he bought Mr. Courtright's interest and for the past three years has been sole proprietor. For fifteen years he was postmaster at Greencastle and for the same period of time has been a justice of the peace. He is serving in his second term as
CHARLES M. WAGNER
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treasurer of Bloom Township, to which office he was elected on the Democratic ticket. He has always been affiliated with the Democratic party and on several occasions he has been sent as a delegate to important Democratic con- ventions.
On September 25, 1886, Mr. Weiser was married to Miss Mary Boyer, who was born in Bloom Township, a daughter of the late Mar- quis L. Boyer, and they have had three chil- dren-Harry B., Ardie B. and Mary H., the last named being deceased. Mr. Weiser and family are members of the Presbyterian church at Greencastle, of which he is a trustee. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and for a num- ber of years was treasurer of Weaver Lodge No. 486, at Greencastle.
OTTO GROVE, who fills a very responsible public position as superintendent of the Fair- field County Childrens' Home, which is located in Berne Township, near and east of Lancas- ter, O., on the Zanesville and Maysville turn- pike road, is a man well qualified for this office, in which he has served continuously since the fall of 1906. He was born in Perry County, O., July 12, 1865, and is a son of Jacob and Lucretia (Cooper) Grove, both of whom were born in Perry County.
Otto Grove was reared to the age of eigli- teen years in Perry County, where he attended school, being a student at Thornville. His father was a man of considerable prominence both in Perry and later in Walnut Township, Fairfield County, in the former being the can- didate for his party at one time for the office of county commissioner and being defeated by but forty votes. After moving to Walnut Township, Fairfield County, he was elected township trustee, on the Democratic ticket. His death occurred there April 1, 1891, his widow still surviving, with three children:
Otto; Judd, who is a resident of Walnut Town- ship; and Talma C., who is the wife of James B. Watson, also of Walnut Township. The father of the above mentioned children was a pillar, so to speak, in the Union Baptist church at Thornville.
From youth up, Otto Grove has been inter- ested in agricultural pursuits and owns a farmi of eighty-eight acres in Walnut Township. Prior to being appointed to his present posi- tion, he served two terms as a trustee of Wal- nut Township. The Childrens' Home is de- signed to accommodate from fifty-five to sixty dependent children. It was established in 1883 and was enlarged to its present proportions in 1885. These children are not only fed, shel- tered and clothed during their period in the school, but they are taught all the elementary branches and, as far as possible, are equipped to successfully pursue a career for themselves after they leave this shelter. Mr. Grove as superintendent, has nine employes in the Home and much of its satisfactory showing at the end of each year is due to his careful manage- ment and good judgment.
Mr. Grove was married May 4, 1892, to Miss Etta B. Watson, a daughter of W. H. Watson, of Walnut Township, and they have had five children, namely: Elsie, Joy W., Miriam, Clay and Harold, the second born be- ing deceased.
WILLIAM C. HOLLIDAY, who is a vet- eran of the Civil War and a member of the G. A. R. Post at Bremen, O., resides on his farm of ninety-seven acres, which lies in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, one and one- fourth miles west of Bremen. He was born in 1840 and is a son of John and Magdalene (Ruffler ) Holliday.
The parents of Mr. Holliday were natives of Ohio and after marriage settled in Rush
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Creek Township, Fairfield County, where they reared their family of nine children-Jacob, Zebulon R., Mary, Rebecca, Emily, Erminda, Joseph S., John P. and William C. Jacob died in Nebraska. Zebulon R., who lives at Thurs- ton, O., married Laura Peters. Mary, now deceased, was the wife of Thomas Strawn. Rebecca married Thompson Rowles. Emily married Warren Bright and they lived south of Baltimore, Fairfield County. Erminda died at the age of two years. Joseph S. mar- ried Elizabeth Friend and they live north of Rushville. John P. married Lavina Stith and they live west of Thurston, O.
William C. Holliday attended the Eden dis- . trict school in boyhood and afterward worked on the home farm. He was twenty-one years of age when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in which he was engaged for four long and eventful years. John M. McConnell, of Lancaster, O., was colonel of his regiment, which was a part of the 3rd Div., 14th Army Corps, under General Grant. Mr. Holliday took part in many of the great battles of the war, among them being Chickamauga, Stone River, Missionary Ridge, Perryville and Corinth. He was fortunate enough to escape serious injury and after the war was over re- turned to the quiet life of a farmer. He de- votes his land to general agriculture and gives some attention to raising good stock.
Mr. Holliday married Miss Hannah Jane Strawn, a daughter of Thomas Strawn, of Perry County, O. They have two children: Carrie Jane, who is the wife of Alvin C. Hud- dle, of Knox County, O .; and Arthur Grant, who married Hattie Houck and has two chil- dren-Carrie Bell and Archie Carl. Mr. Hol- liday and family are members of the old-school Baptist church. He is a Republican in politics and takes a keen interest in all matters per- taining to the progress and development of his
country in whose service he spent four years of his life.
J. F. CAMPBELL, a veteran of the great Civil War, who resides on his farm of 100 acres, situated in Liberty Township, Fairfield County, O., three and one-half miles northwest of Basil, this being a part of the old Campbell estate which has been in the Campbell name since 1814. He was born on this farm in 1842 and is a son of Harvey and Mary (Cowan) Campbell.
This branch of the old Scotch family of Campbell, came to Ohio from Virginia. The grandfather, Andrew Campbell, first visited Fairfield County on horseback and secured 366 acres of virgin land, establishing the family home here when his son, Harvey Campbell, was ten years old. The grandfather died in 1826, leaving two children, Harvey and Nancy, the latter becoming Mrs. Outcalt.
Harvey Campbell cleared up a large part of the land left by his father and he and his sister divided the estate. He followed an agricul- tural life and lived to the age of eighty-four years. He married Mary Cowan, and they had three children: A. Hamilton, a farmer, who lives in Licking County; Mrs. Elizabeth Catherine Mason, who died at Kansas City, Mo .; and J. F., of Fairfield County.
J. F. Campbell spent boyhood and youth on the home farm, attending the district schools in the winter time and assisting his father and older brother on the homestead. When the Civil War broke out it found him ready to offer his services to help suppress rebellion and he enlisted in Co. K, 17th O. Vol. Inf. He gave over three years of his life to the service, and finally received an honorable discharge. Although he took part in many battles and faced every hardship and danger of the sol- dier's life, he fortunately escaped serious in-
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jury and was able to return home practically unharmed. After attending school for several terms he became a clerk in a general store at Basil, after which he embarked in business for himself and for twenty-two years dealt in hard- ware and agricultural implements. In 1892 he closed up his mercantile affairs and came to the old home farm where he has since been interested in farming and stock raising. He has shifted his responsibilities to the strong shoulders of his youngest son, Fred Campbell, who successfully manages the home estate. Mr. Campbell owns eighty additional acres north of his home place, the same being oper- ated by his sons.
Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Edith M. Smith, a member of one of the old families of Fairfield County, an educated and accom- plished lady who, at that time, was a success- ful teacher. She is a daughter of Jesse and a granddaughter of Jesse Smith, the latter of whom was one of the early teachers and one of the first surveyors in Fairfield County. Her father owned a farm in Walnut Township, which he operated until 1860, when he moved five miles north of Baltimore, O., where he continued to reside until the time of his death, when aged sixty-eight years. He was mar- ried first to Sabrina Whitley and six children were born to them, three of whom died in in- fancy. The others were : Mrs. Malissa Soliday, who is deceased; Mrs." Edith M. Campbell, wife of our subject ; and Mrs. Charity Outcalt, who is deceased. The second marriage of Mr, Smith was to Mary Payden. Five of their six children survived infancy-Mrs. Adeline Lane, now deceased; and Mrs. A. Bruner, Mrs. Alice Messerly, Mrs. Lois Radebaugh and David W. This family and connections are prominent and substantial people of Fairfield County.
To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell a family of four children were born, namely: O. W., a sheet
metal worker at Columbus, O., who married Jeanette Bethel and has a son, Dọn C .; H. H., who is one of his father's farmers in Liberty Township; C. S., who is a commercial traveler with the Avery-Loeb Electrical Company, of Columbus; and Fred, who, as noted above, manages the home farm. In politics Mr. Camp- bell and sons are Republicans. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge and of Outcalt Post, G. A. R., of Baltimore, O. Mr. Campbell and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Basil.
EDWARD T. BEERY, one of the substan- tial farmers and respected citizens of Berne Township, who resides on his valuable farm of 104 acres, has other property including a farm of 136 acres which lies in Pleasant Town- ship. He was born in Berne Township, Sep- tember 24, 1857, and is a son of Lewis and Mary (Swartz) Beery.
The Beerys came from Rockingham County, Va. Daniel eBery, the grandfather of Ed- ward T., started from Virginia with his bride, in a vehicle known as a two-wheeled gig, and they drove slowly across the country, having many pleasing adventures and some hardships before they reached Berne Township, Fair- field County, their destination. They were among the earliest settlers in what was then a wild region. They reared a large family to useful lives and set an example of family af- fection, kind neighborliness and business thrift. Their son, Lewis Beery, father of Edward T .. spent almost his entire life in Berne Town- ship and successfully carried on farming and stock raising during his active years. Hc was one of the liberal supporters of the Mt. Tabor United Evangelical Association and held numerous offices in that body.
Edward T. Beery was about four years old when his parents moved to Pleasant Township,
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where they lived until he was fifteen and then returned to Berne Township, the most of his schooling having been secured while the family resided in Pleasant Township. When he reached manhood he married Miss Clara Miesse, who was born in Greenfield town- ship, and two children were born to them: Arthur, who is deceased, and Osceola. For his second wife, Mr. Beery married Miss Ella Ruble, who was born in Pleasant Town- ship and is a daughter of David Ruble. They have three children-Anna F., Herbert D. and Relva G. Mr. Beery is a member of Mt. Tabor United Evangelical Association and is now serving as one of the trustees and for several years was a steward in the church. In politics Mr. Beery is a Republican, as was his father, but has never been ambitious to hold office.
DAVID YOUNG, a general farmer and well known resident of Clear Creek Township, residing on his valuable farın of 108 acres, which is situated in a well drained and fertile region, owns an additional farm of thirty- seven acres over the line in Amanda Township. He was born in the latter township, May I, 1852, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Stout) Young.
David Young was born in Berks County, Pa, a son of John Young. He spent almost his entire life in Fairfield County and died in Amanda Township, where he had been en- gaged in farming and carried on wagonmak- ing. He was a Democrat in his political views and both he and wife were mambers of the Presbyterian church. He married Elizabeth Stout, who was born in Fairfield County, a daughter of Isaac Stout, and she died on the home farm in Amanda Township. They were parents of nine children : Eli, David, Simon, Ellen, Rosanna, Joseph, Susan, Anna and Wil-
son, all of whom survive except Ellen and Rosanna.
David Young attended the common schools in boyhood and then took up farm duties. He has made farming his business and has met with a large degree of success as the result of his industry. In 1877 he purchased his present farını in Clear Creek Township, one that is numbered with the best in this section, and here has done a large amount of improving.
Mr. Young was married in 1877 to Miss Louisa Phillips, a daughter of Jacob and Sophia (Crites) Phillips, and she has the fol- lowing brothers and sisters: John; Philinda, wife of Henry Kiger; Sarah, wife of Edward Kiger ; Ellen, wife of Allen Doner ; Flora, wife of George Murray; and William. Mr. and Mrs. Young have eight children, namely : George, who married Ada Boyer, and has two children-Mildred and Clydus; Ira, who mar- ried Stella Kearns, and has three children- Edith, Walter and Paul; Theodore, who mar- ried Nellie Crowley, and has two children- Stanley James and Mary Evelyn; Clarence ; Ralph, who married Jennie Hunt, and has one child-Harrold Lewis; and Herbert, Alda and Boyd. Mr. Young and family attend the Luth- eran church. With his sons, Mr. Young takes a good citizen's interest in the politics of his community, all of them being Democratic in their views, but none seekers for office.
ISRAEL FOSNAUGH, one of Fairfield County's useful and respected citizens, a mem- ber of the board of directors of the Fairfield County, O., Infirmary, was born in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, December 26, 1854, and is a son of John S. and Lucinda (Conrad) Fosnaugh.
John S. Fosnaugh, who has spent a long life of eighty-nine years in Clear Creek Township
MR. AND MRS. DAVID YOUNG AND FAMILY
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and is one of the venerable residents of Fair- field County, is a son of Christian Fosnaugh, a native of Germany, who settled here in pioneer times. John S. Fosnaugh assisted to develop a farm from the wilderness and during his active years followed agricultural pursuits. Al- though advanced in years he retains his mental faculties, continues to be interested in all local happenings and never fails to cast his vote with the Democratic party. He has served Clear Creek Township as a trustee and as a school director. He married Lucinda Conrad, who was also born in Fairfield County. They are members of the Lutheran church.
Israel Fosnangh has been a farmer ever since he reached maturity and now owns a well cultivated farm of forty-five acres, which is located in Hocking Township. After his mar- riage in 1877, Mr. Fosnangh located in Mad- ison Township and lived there for about twenty-five years and then resided for a season at Lancaster, O., and from there moved to his present farm, in 1908, where he carries on general farming and raises stock for his own use. He is one of the influential Democrats of this part of Fairfield County and is serving in his fourth term as an Infirmary director. For nine consecutive years he was a trustee of Madison Township, during a part of that pe- riod being chairman of the board, and also served two years as assessor and two terms as road supervisor of that township. He has been prominently identified with public affairs and is generally recognized as a man of discretion and excellent administrative ability, and has been chosen as president of the board of In- firmary directors from the time of his first as- suming the duties of this office.
On January 6, 1877, Mr. Fosnaugh was married to Miss Frances Martin, who was born in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, and five children were born to them, namely :
Bertha M., who lives in Hocking Township; Mand C., who is the wife of Pearl Dixon, of Lancaster, O .; Bessie F., who is the wife of Elmer Boystel, of Lancaster; Ethel M., who is the wife of Ralph Crumley, of Hocking Town- ship; and Verna M., who resides at home. Mr. Fosnaugh and family belong to the Luth- eran church.
THOMAS H. COURTRIGHT, a represen- tative citizen of Bloom Township, who served as township trustee for many years, and is also president of the school board, for twenty years was engaged in the mercantile business at Greencastle, where he still resides. He was born in Bloom Township, January 27, 1842, and is a son of Jacob G. and Elizabeth (Weiser) Courtright.
Jacob G. Courtright was born in Bloom Township in 1808 and died there in 1864. His father, John Courtright, was the pioneer of this family in Fairfield County, coming from Pennsylvania and establishing what has since remained the Courtright homestead, one mile east of Greencastle, in Bloom Township. The Courtrights have all been good people, sturdy
and honest, members of the Presbyterian church and Democrats in politics. Jacob G. Courtright married Elizabeth Weiser, who was also born in Bloom Township, and of their family of children there are two living: Thomas H., and George B. Jacob F. died in November, 191I.
Thomas H. Courtright grew from boyhood to manhood on the home farm during the win- ter seasons attended the district schools. Al- though other interests have claimed a part of his attention, he has always been more or less interested in farming and stock raising and owns a fine farm of 100 acres in Bloom Town- ship. About 1885 he went into the mercantile business at Greencastle, in partnership with his
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cousin, C. W. Weiser, and the firm of Weiser & Courtright did a large trade in town and country for some twenty years, when Mr. Courtright withdrew, selling his interest to Mr. Weiser, who still continues the business. Mr. Courtright has always been an active and in- terested citizen of Bloom Township and dur- ing his long period of twenty years as trustee, exercised the good judgment which public af- fairs in the township demanded. He has ac- ceptably served in other offices and has been assistant postmaster of Greencastle.
Mr. Courtright married Miss Minerva Fel- lers, a daughter of Joshua Fellers, once a well known resident of Bloom Township, and nine children have been born to them, six of whom survive, namely : Myrta E., who lives at Green- castle; Thurman T., who is the present able prosecuting attorney of Fairfield County : Maud, who is the wife of John Hummell, of Bloom Township; Harley B., who is a resident of Columbus; Ruth O., who is the wife of Dr. E. B. Roller, of Lithopolis, O .; and Fannie E., who is the wife of John C. Phelps, of St. Paris, O. For a number of years Mr. Court- right has been an elder in the Presbyterian church. He is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to the Chapter at Canal Winchester and to the Blue Lodge at Lithopolis, O.
EDWARD B. ROLLER, M. D., physician and surgeon at Lithopolis, O., and a citizen of civic usefulness, was born at Greencastle, Fair- field County, O., in 1878, and is a son of Eli- jah and Margaret (Beatty) Roller.
Elijah P. Roller, who now lives retired at the age of seventy-one years, was born in Fair- field County, his parents being early settlers here. During his active life he followed farm pursuits. He married Margaret Beatty, a daughter of Bateman Beatty, and they have had seven children, six of whom survive.
Edward B. Roller attended the public schools and later the Lithopolis High School. In 1890 he entered Starling Medical College, at Colum- bus, where he was graduated in 1905 and im- mediately came to Lithopolis, establishing his office on East Main street where he has con- tinued. Dr. Roller is an active member of various leading medical organizations and be- longs to the Fairfield County, the Ohio State and the American Medical Associations.
Dr. Roller married Miss Ruth O. Courtright. They are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a Democrat and has served on the city school board. He is a Mason, belong- ing to the Blue Lodge at Lithopolis, to the Chapter at Canal Winchester and the Council at Lancaster, O. He belongs also to the Royal Arcanum at Lancaster and to the Woodmen of the World at Canal Winchester and is physician for the Modern Brotherhood of America. At present he is also examining physician for both the M. W. A. and the WV. O. W.
JACOB T. DARLING, whose well culti- vated farm of 106 acres lies in Hocking Town- ship, is a leading citizen of this section and is known all over the county. He was born at Lancaster, O., June 13, 1867, and is a son of Gottleib and Margaret (Wyman) Darling.
Gottleib Darling was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, a son of Philip Darling, who came to the United States and died of yellow fever at New Orleans, in 1848. In 1856, Gottleib Darling came to America and located at Lancaster, O., where he drove a stage coach for a time be- tween Lancaster and Wheeling, but later be- came a farmer in Hocking Township. He married Margaret Wyman and of their family of children are three survivors-Jacob T. and Edward, both of whom live in Hocking Town- ship, and Harry B., who is a resident of St.
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Louis, Mo. The parents were members of the Lutheran church and the father was a Dem- ocrat in politics.
Jacob T. Darling was reared at Lancaster until fourteen years of age and attended school there, after which he worked on farms in Hocking Township. He made farming and fruit growing his main industry. The fine con- dition of his land shows that he gives it intel- ligent care, while liis two-acre apple orchard, containing seventy trees, is productive and healthy. He finds a ready market for his apples, which are of all varieties. Mr. Dar- ling is a leading Democrat of Hocking Town- ship and for eight consecutive years has served as a justice of the peace. Formerly he was a member of the township school board and on numerous occasions has been elected a delegate to county and state conventions.
Mr. Darling was married February 19, 1891, to Miss Lizzie Fricker, who was born in Hock- ing Township, a daughter of the late John Fricker, whose death on May 13, 19II, re- moved one of the venerable residents of the county, he being in his ninetieth year. Mr. and Mrs. Darling have five children-Harry E., Isabel, Clara, Walter and Albert. Mr. Darling and family belong to St. Peter's Lutheran Church at Lancaster, O.
WILLIAM H. OYLER, who resides on his well cultivated farm of 100 acres, which is situated three-fourths of a mile north of Lith- opolis, O., was born in Bloom township, Fair- field County, in 1863, and is a son of Lewis and Angeline (Foor) Oyler.
Lewis Oyler was born in Maryland and was a young man when he came to Ohio, locating first in the northern part of the State and later moving to what became the Oyler homestead, in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, south- east of Lithopolis. In addition to farming,
during his active years, Lewis Oyler worked as a carpenter and was otherwise occupied, al- ways being a man of great energy. He is now in his seventy-fifth year and resides at Galena, Delaware County, O. He married An- geline Foor, daughter of George and Esther . Foor, and they had twelve children.
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