USA > Ohio > Guernsey County > History of Guernsey County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 15
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JOHN M. McCONNELL.
One of the best known men in the vicinity of Senecaville. Richland town- ship, Guernsey county. is John M. McConnell, who comes of an excellent old pioneer family here and who has spent his useful and active life in this county, successfully engaged in agricultural, stock raising and shipping pursuits.
Mr. McConnell was born July 31, 1845, in Center township, this county. and he is the son of Thomas and Lucinda ( Smith ) McConnell. The father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and the mother was a native of Guernsey county. The paternal grandfather, Joseph McConnell, came to this county from his home in Washington county, Pennsylvania, about 1812, making the overland journey by wagon, in typical pioneer fashion, settling in
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the woods in what is now Center township. This was before the building of the National pike, which passed near the home of the McConnell family. Thomas McConnell, father of the subject, worked on this road when it was being constructed through that vicinity. Grandfather Joseph McConnell be- came the owner of a large tract of land and his son, Thomas, also became a farmer and stock raiser, both being noted in the early days of that locality for their thrift and honest dealings with their fellow men. The latter was a man active in the political affairs of the township, and he filled many offices of the township in which he lived. He was a Democrat in politics and was a Presby- terian in his church relations, being devout and loyal in his support of the same. Ilis death occurred in the year 1839, at the advanced age of eighty years, his widow dying several years later. To this worthy couple thirteen children were born, all but one growing to maturity ; they were as follows : Mary, now Mrs. Williams; Elizabeth ( Thompson), deceased : Catherine, de- ceased ; John M., of this review ; W. N., deceased; Martha, deceased; Nancy, of Cambridge; Amanda, wife of John Lowry, deceased; Sarah, now Mrs. Hugh McCreary, of Cambridge: Palmer, of Center township; Ella, wife of Samuel Oliver, deceased; Charles also lives on the old home farm in that township: Lucy, now Mrs. Eugene Scott, of Cambridge.
John M. McConnell, of this sketch, grew to maturity on the home farm, where he assisted in the general work, and was educated in the district schools of his community. He was married October 18, 1868, to Mary Bruner, daughter of John and Mary Bruner, of Richland township, this county. Mr. Bruner was a farmer and he came from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, with the early pioneers, having brought his belongings here in a one-horse wagon and started life amid primitive conditions, but in due course of time he became a prosperous farmer. He and his wife have both been deceased a number of years and are buried in the cemetery at Senecaville.
To Mr. and Mrs. McConnell two children have been born ; one daughter died in infancy, and Anna May, now Mrs. W. N. McConnell, of Zanesville, Ohio.
Following his marriage Mr. McConnell continued farming in Center township and from there he moved to near Claysville, in Spencer township, where he remained for about six years, coming to his present farm in 1882, in Richland township. He has a farm of eighty acres, which he has managed in such a manner as to make a very comfortable living. He carries on gen- eral farming and stock raising, also buys and ships stock, though of late years he has not followed the stock business.
Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never been especially active in party
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affairs. He has been a member of the local board of education in Richland township. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder for a number of years, and is active in church and Sunday school work.
GEORGE W. FRYE.
A well known citizen of Valley township is George W. Frye, who has been very successful in his chosen vocation because he has not waited for some one else to do his work for him, but has been independent and courageous in dealing with all life's problems. He was born in the northwestern part of this township, Guernsey county, in 1852, and he is the son of Henry F. and Sarah (Trenner) Frye. The father came from Hampshire county, Virginia, in the Shenandoah valley, where the family was well established and well known as planters in the early days. When a young man he accompanied his parents to Guernsey county and settled west of Byesville, before there was any town there, the country being new and undeveloped. For some time there was no road to Cambridge, but finally the citizens of that town chopped out a road for the accommodation of the new-comers. The elder Frye died of typhoid fever soon after coming here, but his widow survived to a ripe old age, more than ninety years. Henry Frye had one brother, Noah, and several sisters, among whom were Sarah, wife of Henry Trenner; Mrs. John Burt, Mrs. Reasoner, who moved to Indiana in an early day ; another also married and moved away very early. Noah died in Indiana. Henry F. Frye married Sarah Trenner, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth ( Secrest ) Trenner, in 1826. She was born in Frederick county, Virginia, in 1803, and came to this county with her parents in the fall of 1818 when the land was raw and covered with a primeval forest. She was a sister of Henry Trenner, father of Benjamin Trenner, who is mentioned in this work, in which sketch is found the ancestry of the Trenners.
After his marriage Henry F. Frye bought eighty acres of land in the northwestern part of Valley township, but soon sold it and bought a place a short distance east of there. At one time he owned a farm of about four hun- dred acres, a part of which he sold after his boys grew up and left home. He was one of the leading farmers of this section in his day and was a well known and highly respected citizen. Politically, he was a Democrat and was justice of the peace for many years. He was one of the founders of the Lutheran church in the north edge of Noble county.
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On January 30, 1845, Henry F. Frye, Henry Secrest, Peter D. Rolins, John Hickle, John Berkhammer, William Spaid, Henry Trenner, Abraham Albin, Michael Spaid and Jacob Cale held a meeting in Hartford, Ohio, for the purpose of considering the matter of establishing a Lutheran church here. At that meeting it was decided to erect a substantial frame edifice. During the next three years the building was completed. On the 22d day of Janu- ary, 1848, a permanent organization was effected, and Henry F. Frye and Henry Secrest were the first elders chosen. During the first year of this church's existence the membership increased to sixty-nine. In 1896, after serving as a place of worship for forty-eight years, the first church structure was replaced by the present house of worship. Mr. Frye was a very devout man and assisted in furthering the interests of his community in any way he could.
There were thirteen children in his family, namely: Elizabeth, who lives in Derwent with her brother, William, Eliza, Isaac and Mary died when just reaching maturity ; George W., of this review : Silas died in Kansas, leaving a wife and five children ; John lived in Jackson township and died a few years ago, leaving a wife and one son, Charles ; Noah lives in South Dakota ; Henry lives in California ; Catherine is the wife of Lewis Winnett and lives near Senecaville ; Sarah married George Frye, who is now deceased, and she has one son ; Benjamin lives in Indiana. Henry F. Frye spent the rest of his days on his farm in Valley township, where he and his wife both died.
George W. Frye, of this review, remained on the home farm until he was twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, and he received his education in the common schools. For two years he traveled in various parts of the United States, including North Dakota and California, and was also in the South about four months, Richmond, Virginia, Washington, D. C., then back to Minnesota, then returned to Guernsey county, where he has lived ever since. This traveling in his youth greatly benefited him, for he has always been a keen observer, and he talks interestingly of general topics. He has followed farming since he settled here and has been very successful. He now owns a splendid farm south of Hartford, not far from Pleasant City, which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation. He formerly owned another farm nearby, which he has sold.
Politically, Mr. Frye is a Republican, and he very ably served as justice of the peace for some time, resigning in his third term because of lack of time to give this office proper attention. He was elected first in 1880, and having made a splendid record was twice re-elected, and resigned in 1887. As a public official he performed his duty in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
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Mr. Frye has never assumed the responsibilities of the married state.
The Frye family have always been regarded as public-spirited citizens. When the Marietta railroad was built those living along the right-of-way con- tributed liberally toward its construction. The subject had hardly reached manhood, but he gave fifty dollars and his father and brother gave about five hundred dollars. The father was a great hunter here in the early days, and when fourteen years old he shot a bear almost on the present site of Byesville, and in his vicinity frequently found old bears and cubs.
JAMES E. ROBINS, M. D.
Among the oldest families of Guernsey county is the Robins family, whose ancestors came originally from the isle of Guernsey to this county, and who have since taken a very prominent part in the affairs of the community. James E. Robins, the well known and successful physician of Hartford, was born at that place in 1871, the son of Martin Luther and Catherine (Secrest) Robins. Martin Luther Robins was also born at Hartford, the son of Peter D. and Deborah (Thompson) Robins. Peter D. was the son of John, Sr., and Mary ( Hubert) Robins, both natives of the isle of Guernsey, and for whose native land this county was named.
John Robins, Sr., of America, was a son of John Robins, and came to this country in 1807. The old Robins home in Guernsey, a strongly-built stone structure, is still standing, and on it is still the same cement and thatched roof, in good condition, that John Robins, Sr., put on it before he came here in the very early days of this county's history. John Robins, Sr., could do a great many things unusually well. He could shock oats so they could stand out in the weather three years, and not spoil even the top sheaf. He was good at figures and, although he had no schooling in English, he could read and write English, was a neat penman, could keep books, and was a good business man. When he came here from Guernsey, he located at the salt springs near Coshocton, and stayed there a year or two. In 1810 he married Mary Hubert, also a native of Guernsey, and came to Valley township, where he entered eighty acres of land from the government. Not long afterwards he entered eighty inore, and thus began the successful financial career that has made him and his descendants among the wealthier families of this county. Saving his money carefully, he bought more land from time to time, until he owned eight hundred acres in Valley township, and four hundred acres south of Cambridge.
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Not only was he successful as a money maker, but as a good citizen and earn- est Christian left a worthy example to those who came after him. For some time he was justice of the peace in what was then Buffalo township, now part- ly Valley township, Guernsey county, and Buffalo township, Noble county. An active member of the Bethel Methodist church, he helped to build the old church, and gave the ground for the cemetery, in which he was laid after his death on October 11. 1840. His wife was called to join him on October 23. 1845. and her mother survived until April 12, 1846, and was buried beside her daughter and her daughter's husband. She was not less than ninety-nine years old, and some said one hundred and one.
Peter D. Robins was the oldest of eight children of John Robins, Sr., and lived for the greater part of his life on a farm in Valley township, becoming an influential citizen.
Martin Luther Robins spent his life at Hartford, where for many years he was a successful merchant, but in later years followed farming. His wife, Catherine Secrest, was a sister of Noah E. Secrest, Sr., whose sketch see else- where. All his life Martin Luther Robins was an active Republican. He and his wife were faithful members of the Lutheran church, and lived consistent Christian lives. Mr. Robins' character was such as to make him an element of power in the community, on the side of right and justice, and he was much esteemed. He died in June, 1908, his wife in 1906. They were the parents of three children, James E., Isa Deborah, who is living at Glenwood Springs, Colorado, with her sister, and Elsie Elizabeth, who married Rev. G. A. Foote, of Sharon, Noble county, Ohio, and then moved to Glenwood Springs, Colo- rado.
James E. Robins grew up at Hartford, and attended Starling Medical College, from which he graduated in 1895. He at once began practice in his native town, where he has since been, and has built up a very large medical and surgical practice, while he also operates a small drug store at Hartford, and is thus enabled to fill his own prescriptions.
In January, 1897, Doctor Robins was married to Martha Maria Laughlin, the daughter of James Laughlin, of Pleasant City. To this marriage has been born one son, Herbert Secrest Robins. Doctor and Mrs. Robins are members of the Lutheran church at Hartford. The Doctor is a Republican in politics.
Doctor Robins is a man of strong native endowments, which he has trained and strengthened by hard study, and he keeps fully abreast of the latest advances in his profession. To do this and to satisfy the demands of the large and increasing practice which his success has brought to him occupies the greater portion of his time, and makes him a busy man, yet he is always
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kind and courteous in manner, and is ever ready to aid in any good work. His position in the community is one of influence, and the reputation of the Robins family has not been diminished, but enhanced by his life. His ability and skill in his profession are recognized by the other members of that pro- fession, who often consult him on important cases, as well as by the public.
JOHN R. HALL.
Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Guernsey county within the pages of this work, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests have been identi- fied with every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number is he whose name appears above, peculiar interest attaching to his career from the fact that his entire life has been spent within the borders of this county.
John R. Hall was born January 2, 1854, in Quaker City, which at that time was known as Millwood, Guernsey county, and is a son of Isaac W. and Elizabeth (Vail) Hall. The father was married three times, Elizabeth Vail being his second wife. His first union was with Margaret Thomas, to which union was born a daughter, Phoebe, now deceased. To the second union were born two children, the daughter dying in infancy, and the son being the subject of this sketch. The third marriage was to Sarah Gomery, of Har- rison county, this state, and one son was born to this union, dying in infancy. Isaac W. Hall was a son of John Hall, who came from North Carolina to what is now Millwood township, this county, in 1806, with his parents. They entered land near Spencers Station, the woods roundabout being peopled by Indians and alive with wild animals of all kinds. John Hall became an ex- tensive land owner and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he was quite successful. He was a heavy buyer of tobacco, which at that time was an important crop in this county, and he made a gratifying profit in this line. He was enterprising and able. both in private and public affairs and attained to a position of relative distinction in the community. His death occurred in May, 1854. His family consisted of six sons. Cyrus, Isaac W., Thomas. John P., Eli and Jesse, and two daughters, Hannah and Eliza W. The sons, with the exception of Thomas, all married and reared families, and all became prominent in the affairs of the community. all spending their lives in the
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vicinity of Quaker City. The daughter Eliza was an invalid and never mar- ried, but she lived to old age, surviving the other members of the family.
Isaac W. Hall became a prominent and successful business man, being possessed of extraordinary qualities. John Hall had been influential and active in securing the location and building of the Central Ohio railroad (now the Baltimore & Ohio) west from Wheeling to Columbus, through Quaker City, and he became a director of the company, as was the son Isaac W. afterwards, the latter being succeeded subsequently by his son, the subject of this sketch. In young manhood Isaac W. Hall engaged in mercantile business, from 1843 to 1872, and he also engaged extensively in buying tobacco. In those early days it was the custom for a team to haul a load of tobacco to Baltimore, a load of merchandise being hauled on the return trip, this custom prevailing until the advent of railroads. In 1872 Mr. Hall took an active part in the organization of the Quaker City National Bank, one of the solid and influen- tial monetary institutions of Guernsey county. Mr. Hall, who was the heav- iest stockholder, was chosen president of the institution and held this office up to the time of his death, in 1886, when he was succeeded by his son, John R. Hall, who still holds the position. The capital stock of this bank was originally fifty thousand dollars, but a few years later it was increased to one hundred thousand dollars. From its very beginning the bank's management has been noted for its conservatism and has enjoyed the confidence of the people to an extent rarely enjoyed by any bank in the country. The bank is now installed in its elegant new home on the corner of Broadway and South streets, into which it moved in February, 1909. The present officers of this bank are as follows: John R. Hall, president; I. P. Steele, cashier ; H. S. Hartley, assistant cashier; directors, T. M. Johnson, T. C. Hall, Joel Hall, D. C. Goodhart, H. S. Hartley, I. P. Steele, John R. Hall. The bank enjoys a wonderful prosperity, its deposits and loans being now in excess of that of any other bank in Guernsey county
When Isaac W. Hall became identified with the bank he relinquished his other active business affairs and devoted himself entirely to the bank, its suc- cess being mainly attributable to his personal influence and efforts. This good man and honored citizen died on May 28, 1886, and is buried, with other deceased members of his family, in the burying ground near the Friends church, a short distance east of Quaker City. Religiously he was a stanch member of the Quaker denomination and remained true to his faith through- out life.
John R. Hall received his elementary education in the public schools of Quaker City and, because of the fact that his health was not rugged, he could
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not pursue his studies further. His first business experience was as assistant cashier of the Quaker City National Bank, retaining this position until 1884. when he was advanced to the cashiership. In 1886, on the death of his father, he became president of the institution, in which position he has since remained. He is also a stockholder and director in the Central National Bank, of Cambridge, and is also a director in the old Central Ohio railway organization. He owns and operates the Quaker City Flour Mills, a modern mill, with complete roller process, having a capacity of fifty barrels a day. This mill was built in 1854 by Isaac W. Hall and associates and has ever since remained the property of the Hall family. Mr. Hall also owns farm lands and other real estate interests. In all his business affairs, Mr. Hall has exhibited the same eminent business qualities which characterized his father and grandfather and today he is numbered among the foremost citizens of his city. He takes a keen interest in the welfare of the community and has materially contributed to the advancement and prosperity of Quaker City, as well as to the county.
Politically, Mr. Hall is affiliated with the Republican party and is deeply interested in public affairs, though in no sense has he ever been an office seeker. He still retains his allegiance to the church of his father, the Friends. to the support of which he contributed generously. Mr. Hall is unmarried and resides in Quaker City, where he moves in the best social circles and en- joys the companionship of his many friends.
PULASKI CUBBISON.
The name of Cubbison is a well known one in Valley township, Guern- sey county, and in all the relations of life the members of this family have played well their parts and have long been regarded as among our best citizens. One of the best known is Pulaski Cubbison, who was born in Spencer township, this county, September 1, 1860. He is the son of James and Ellen ( Nelson) Cubbison, the father born June 5. 1829, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph Cubbison. When James was fifteen years of age, about 1844, the family moved to the southwest corner of Valley township, on the Spencer township line. There Joseph Cubbison bought a farm and made the family home and there James Cubbison was reared. taking up farming which he followed all his life. He married Ellen Nelson, a native of Spencer town- ship, after which he bought a farm just west of the old homestead in Spencer
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township. He became the father of seven children, namely: Dana; Pulaski, of this review ; James Q. ; Ella B., wife of Cyrus Jordan; Jennie; Iva, wife of William Turvy, and May.
Pulaski Cubbison grew to maturity in Spencer and Valley townships, and early in life began working on his father's farm. Being an industrious lad, he was of much service to his parents in maintaining the farm and keeping up the home. He took to agricultural pursuits quite naturally and has made this his life work and has been very successful.
Mr. Cubbison was married in 1888 to Rebecca Secrest, daughter of Jacob F. and Eliza ( Shriver ) Secrest, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work, as does also a complete sketch of James Cubbison. Eleven children, all living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pulaski Cubbison, namely: Cora May, Mark D., Ada, Gertrude, Brodie, Jacob, Reuben, John, Clovis, Mildred and Mary. They are all with their parents.
After his marriage Mr. Cubbison rented a farm joining the one where his grandfather first settled in Valley township and farmed there about sixteen years, during which time he laid by a competency and got a good start. After he had been there about ten years, he bought the place, consisting of one hun- dred and sixty acres. On October 20, 1903, he purchased a farm a short dis- tance farther north. By judicious management and close application he has prospered in all phases of his work and now has a fine farm of nearly three hundred acres, which he has kept. well improved. He resides here at present and is one of the leading general farmers and stock raisers in the township. He is an excellent judge of all kinds of livestock and it is a pleasure to look over his well kept farm and his attractive and neat residence. He is a man of modern ideas and is honest in all his dealings with his fellowmen, conse- quently has their good will and esteem.
JAMES CUBBISON.
An aged and highly honored citizen of Cumberland, Spencer township, is James Cubbison, who has long maintained his home in Guernsey county, hav- ing devoted his life successfully to farming interests. His life has been ex- emplary in every respect and has been lived to good purpose and he now en- joys the undivided esteem of a very wide circle of friends. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, June 5, 1829, and is the son of Joseph and Jeanette ( Bell) Cubbison. The father was born in the mountains of Pennsylvania and
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the mother was also a native of that state. In 1844, when James, their son, was about fifteen years old, the family came to Guernsey county, Ohio, and located on Crane run, in Spencer township, and there the mother died. The father moved to Monroe county and there his death occurred.
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