USA > Ohio > Guernsey County > History of Guernsey County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 29
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ALBERT E. WYCOFF.
The Wycoff family is deserving of specific mention in this work owing to the fact that it is an old and honored one in Guernsey county, its several mem- bers having conducted themselves in a manner as becomes American citizens of a high order. Of this number Albert E. Wycoff is a worthy representa- tive. He was born at Claysville, this county, in July, 1861, and he is the son of John R. and Eliza ( Hammond) Wycoff. It is believed this family came originally from Pennsylvania, moving from this county to Indiana, but later returned here before the subject was born. His boyhood was spent at Clays- ville, where he attended school and clerked a little. When sixteen years of age he entered the photography business at his home town, later went to Hiramsburg, then to Byesville, but owing to the fact that this line of work seemed to be detrimental to his health he gave it up and began doing contract work, following that business very successfully until about 1882. He then went to farming and bought and sold livestock, near Hartford and Buffalo. Later he clerked about three years for Moss Brothers & Rigby in Hartford. After leaving their employ he clerked for the Wills Creek Supply Company. three or four months. In July, 1888, he entered into business for himself at
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Hartford, opening a new store, dealing in general merchandise. He built up an excellent trade and had the confidence of the entire community. When the lease expired on the building occupied by his former employers, he rented the place and moved to his present location where he has continued every since, enjoying a large trade with the surrounding country and always carrying a very carefully selected stock of up-to-date goods, tastily arranged in a neat building. In July, 1909, he started another store at Walhonding No. 2 mine. He has been very successful as a merchant, being a good manager and court- eous and honest in his dealings with his many customers. On December 4, 1899, he was appointed postmaster at Hartford, which office he still holds, dis- charging his duties in this connection in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the people and the department at Washington. Politically, he is a Republican, and is loyal to his party's prin- ciples. In fraternal matters he is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Wycoff was married in 1882 to Arizona Dickerson, daughter of George and Eliza ( Vorhees) Dickerson, mentioned elsewhere in this work. She was born and reared at Derwent, her father having been a prominent citizen there, owning nearly all the ground on which that town now stands.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wycoff, of whom one died in infancy, namely : Roy, who married Ethel Garrett, lives in Hartford. clerking in his father's store ; he has one son. Byron ; Paul married Hattie Clendenning and lives in Hartford, being an electrician in the mines ; Harrison is in charge of his father's store at Walhonding mine No. 2; Forrest clerks in his father's store at Hartford ; Carl and Catherine Eliza are both at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Wycoff both belong to the Methodist Episcopal church in Hartford, and they stand high in all circles in this community.
GEORGE W. DICKERSON.
A highly honored and influential citizen of Derwent, Guernsey county, is George W. Dickerson, who was born at Hartford, Valley township, in 1839. and he has lived to see wondrous changes take place in this locality and has done his full share in bringing about the transformation. He is the son of Asa and Catherine (Secrest) Dickerson. It is believed that the father was born in the south edge of Jackson township, this county, about 1805, but it may be that he was born in Center township; however, he was certainly a
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pioneer child, growing up in the forest when the red men were yet abroad and wild beasts plentical. He was the son of Richard and Anna ( Huston) Dick- erson. Richard Dickerson came here from Washington county, Pennsyl- vania. His father, also named Richard, was brought to America as a soldier to fight for England in the Revolutionary war, but deserted upon reaching our shores when he learned the cause of the war, and joined the American forces, fighting under George Washington. Richard Dickerson was twice married, Asa being a son of the second marriage. Richard came to Guernsey county, Ohio, from his Pennsylvania home about 1804, and settled first in Center township, then moved to what is now the south part of Jackson town- ship, along Wills creek. Richard's children were Isabel, who married Solo- mon Peters; Joshua, Richard, Simeon and Asa.
Asa Dickerson married Catherine Secrest, daughter of John Secrest, of near Hartford. The latter was the brother of Henry Secrest, father of Wil- liam Secrest, whose sketch appears herein. After his marriage Asa Dicker- son spent nearly all his days near Hartford. He was a carpenter by trade and was a fine workman. He had four children, namely : Samuel died when three months old : Jane is the wife of James Edward Spaid, whose sketch appears on another page of this work : George W., of Derwent, and John, deceased.
In 1868 Asa Dickerson and sons bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres where Derwent now stands and this was his home the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1887. His wife survived him until 1905, having reached the advanced age of ninety years. Asa Dickerson made a profession of the Christian faith and was of Baptist belief. His wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. They were excellent people in every respect.
George W. Dickerson was about eighteen years old when his father bought the farm at Derwent, and he has made his home there ever since, with the exception of the summer of 1862, which he spent in the Rocky mountains, prospecting for gold. He then returned to the farm and has since been en- gaged in agricultural pursuits and the carpenter's trade, at which he has been very successful, building many of the houses and barns in this vicinity, and as a farmer his labors were very satisfactorily rewarded.
Mr. Dickerson was married in the spring of 1863 to Eliza Vorhies, the daughter of Eli and Nancy ( Mclaughlin) Vorhies. She was born in Noble county, this state, of which her people were very early settlers, both her great- grandfather and grandfather having lived in that county and are buried there.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson: Arizona, who married Albert E. Wycoff, of Hartford, whose sketch appears herein ; Norval Weimer lives in Derwent, where he is a carpenter in the mines ; he
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married Mattie Perry, and they have three daughters and two sons living, one child being deceased: Eli Asa also lives in Derwent, engaged as a plas- terer; he married Annie Buckmaster, and they have three children living. one being deceased.
Mr. Dickerson is a member of Red Prince Lodge No. 250, Knights of Pythias, at Byesville, and also the Pythian Sisters at Pleasant City.
A part of his farm is now laid off in town lots, and comprises the greater portion of the town of Derwent and that immediate vicinity as originally laid off, he having owned all east of the railroad fronting on three streets. He is the oldest citizen of this town and community, in point of length of residence. He is held in high esteeem by all classes.
THOMAS W. MCKINLEY.
Among the enterprising farmers of Valley township, Guernsey county. who believe in keeping abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to their special line of endeavor and thereby not only benefit themselves and family to the greatest degree, but also the community at large is Thomas W. McKinley, who has spent his life in this community, having been born in the northwestern part of this township, along the Clay pike, on August 12, 1847. He is the son of Ebenezer and Lucinda ( Russell) McKinley, the former born June 21. 1815, and the latter on April 3, 1814. The father was the son of William McKinley, who came from Virginia to Belmont county, Ohio, in a very early day, thence moved to Guernsey county, locating in the northwestern part of Valley township where he became the owner of about two hundred and eighty acres of land ; there he established a good home and became influential among the early settlers. He lived to be about eighty years of age. His family con- sisted of five sons and two daughters: Aaron, Israel, Willoughby and a son usually called "Uncle Peidmond" all went west; Aaron lived on the home place and was married, but died childless ; Willoughby married Elizabeth Car- ter and lived at Cumberland for a number of years, then moved to Hummisten. Iowa, where he became the owner of over a section of land; he left two sons and one daughter; Ebenezer married Lucinda Russell, daughter of Thomas Russell and wife. Thomas Russell was a soldier during the war of 1812 with England. She was born in Belmont county and was brought to Guernsey county by her parents when a child. After the father was married he lived on the home place and his death occurred on October 30. 1857, at the age of
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forty-two years; his widow survived thirty-seven years, dying on November 12, 1894. The following children were born to them: Thamer E. married Landon Starr and lived near Claysville : they both died, leaving five children; Sarah A. married Stephen Hickle and lives near Cumberland ; Rachel died on August 30, 1844, when one year old; William A. was married to Elizabeth Ilammontree and they became the parents of two children, both of whom died in infancy ; the father is also deceased; Thomas W., of this review; Aaron married Mahala Aplin, lives in the southwestern part of Jackson township on his farm, and they are the parents of three children, Charles, Forest E. and Fern ; Clarinda J. married John Bristol and lives in Byesville: Hayden E. lives at Columbus, Kansas, and is married to Alice Clark, daughter of Wil- liam Clark, and they have two children, a boy and a girl, Jay and Cecil.
Thomas W. McKinley's boyhood was spent on the home farm where he assisted with the general work and attended the neighboring schools. In 1869 he was married to Mary J. Heskett, daughter of Elam and Sytha Heskett, old pioneers from Belmont county. After their marriage they lived on the old Heskett homestead, in the northwestern part of Valley township, about three years, then between Cumberland and Claysville five or six years. Her death occurred on July 21, 1877, and she left two children, a son and a daugh- ter, Walter Ray and Mary A. Another daughter died when two and one- half years of age. The son lives near Chaseville and works for the Ohio Fuel Supply Company ; he married Claude Goodin and they have five children, four sons and one daughter, Guy, Earl, Fred, Mack and Grace. Mary A. McKin- ley married George Wilson and has two sons, Victor and Chester ; she lives on the home farm with her father.
After the death of his wife Thomas W. Mckinley bought the old home- stead where he now resides, and on which he has been very successful as a general farmer. On November 15, 1892, he was married to Sarah L. Bugher, of Spencer township, the daughter of George and Joan Bugher.
Mr. Mckinley is a loyal Prohibitionist, and he and his wife belong to the Christian church near their home, of which he is a deacon and, in fact, a pillar, being ever active in the same. They have an attractive and well- kept dwelling and Mr. Mckinley has kept his fine farm in first class condition, now owning three hundred and thirteen acres of as good land as the town- ship can boast. This land does not all join, but is in the immediate vicinity where he lives. Besides general farming, he is known to be a very success- ful stock raiser. He has just bought one hundred more acres of land, owning in all four hundred and thirteen acres.
Mr. Mckinley has inherited many sterling traits from his ancestors, who
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were known for their integrity, honor and public spirit. His great-grand- father was a fine Virginia gentleman of the old school ; he owned an extensive plantation and had about twenty-five or thirty slaves. At his death they fell to his son William, the subject's grandfather, but he was not in favor of slavery and never went back to the old plantation to claim them.
MATTHEW STRAUCH.
The province of Lorraine has furnished a large number of most welcomed and enterprising citizens to various localities of the United States, and almost invariably they have in due course of time become property holders and inade valuable citizens, loyal to our institutions and ready to lend whatever aid necessary in advancing the general good. Of this large number the name of Matthew Strauch, of Jackson township, Guernsey county, should be men- tioned. He was born in the province named above ( then a part of France. but now belonging to Germany ) June 3, 1860. He is the son of William and Margaret (Losqyl) Strauch. He grew to maturity and was educated in his native land, and in 1881, when twenty-one years of age, he emigrated to America, locating in Pennsylvania where he followed mining-in fact. he has been a miner all his life, having entered the mines of France when only thirteen years of age. About two years after he located in Pennsylvania he went to Hocking Valley, Ohio, then went to Alabama and was there about six months, then came to Guernsey county and located at Byesville, where he worked about a year. He then went to Trail Run and has been there ever since, making this his home and working in various mines. In 1898 he became min- ing boss at Trail Run mine No. I. About 1905 he was promoted to superintend- ent of the mine, which place he has continued to fill in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of his employers, con- tinuously to the present time. He has about two hundred and twenty-five men under his control, and, being popular with them, he has their good will and so adroitly executes his work that the very best results are obtained. He is evidently the right man in the right place. In 1907 he bought the farm where he now resides, a half mile northwest of Trail Run, where he has one hundred acres of excellent and well improved land, on which stands a large, substantial and attractively located dwelling, and everything about the place is in keeping with the same. Before purchasing this place he had lived across the line in Richland township, about three miles from Trail Run, where he had a farm,
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having lived there about sixteen years. He has traded that for residence property in Byesville, which he rents out. He has been very successful in his life work, in whatever he has turned his attention to, and is now one of the substantial men of his community. Politically, he is a Republican, having supported this party ever since he became an American citizen. He took out his first naturalization papers in 1885, and was fully naturalized in 1887. Ile is active in the affairs of his party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Senecaville and the Knights of Pythias at Byesville, having transferred his membership from Cambridge in the latter.
Mr. Strauch was married in 1887 to Ida May Hillyer, who was born about three miles from Senecaville, in Guernsey county. She is the daughter of Thomas and Rachael (Secrest) Hillyer. The Secrests were old pioneers in this county.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Strauch: Clarence died when twenty-two months old, being the second in order of birth, William hav- ing been the first ; Mary was third, then Raymond, Florence, Ruth, Gladys and Irene, all at home with their parents.
Mr. Strauch has been remarkably successful since coming to America. When he landed on our shores he could speak both French and German, but not a word of English ; but he rapidly mastered our language, desiring to be a thorough American, associating with our people, married a native of the United States and has ever been ready to defend America's interests.
DR. ANDREW WALL.
Of all the workers in the field of human activities, there is none that more closely links himself with the hearts and lives of his fellows than the medical practitioner, who combines with skill a zealous devotion to his humane task of helping the suffering. He is the true friend in need. Between him and those he serves there springs up a peculiar loyalty, and when he departs there is genuine mourning.
Such a worker was Dr. Andrew Wall who, though now dead a dozen years, is still green in the memory of his generation. Doctor Wall was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, December 13, 1829, and was a resident of Washington county, Pennsylvania, from early childhood till his sixteenth year. He came with his parents, Jesse and Sarah Wall, to Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1845. The family settled near Claysville, where the youth grew to man-
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GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. 721
hood, receiving the ordinary common school education. He then attended Muskingum College, and after that taught several terms of school before he began the study of medicine. His twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth years were spent at Ann Arbor in the medical department of the University of Michigan, where he laid the foundations of a knowledge in medicine and surgery for which he afterwards became distinguished. After leaving the above school he studied under Dr. Vincent Haynes, of Cambridge, and there first engaged in practice. In 1862 he took the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and enlisted as assistant surgeon in the Seventy- seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and one year later was promoted to the office of surgeon, in which capacity he served until 1866.
In 1867 Doctor Wall formed a partnership in Cambridge with Dr. Wil- liam Clark, but this was dissolved in the following year. His experience in the army had been of great service to him ; even at that time he was recognized as a surgeon of unusual capability, and added years of experience increased that reputation. He was made a member of the board of pension examiners, and from the time of the organization of that board until his death, except during President Cleveland's last term, he was a member of it, being president of the board when he died.
Doctor Wall was married in 1856 to Bridget Call, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1833. They had five children : Cory- don L., now a druggist at Cleveland ; an infant son who died in 1859; Eliza- beth May, a well-known teacher in the Cambridge schools for many years ; Mary L., wife of Ross Moore, and Sallie L., stenographer in the office of Superintendent Mccullough of the Marietta division of the Pennsylvania rail- road. All are of Cambridge. Their mother died a number of years before the father's death, and in 1889 he married Mrs. G. N. Meredith, who survived him.
Doctor Wall died April 17, 1898. His funeral was conducted by the Masonic order, of which he was an honored member, and was attended by all the prominent physicians of the county. It was said that no death ever occurred in Cambridge that caused such general sorrow. He was one of the old-fashioned doctors who ministered to the wants of the afflicted whenever and wherever needed, and no journey was too hazardous for him to undertake when he could render professional service. Throughout Guernsey county his name was a household word, for rich and poor, high and low alike, depending on him in times of need, had never-failing proof of his trustiness. A man of remarkable endurance, there were times when he would be going day and night, for perhaps a week continuously, and virtually without sleep or rest. (46)
-
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Such a strain could not but undermine any constitution; the collapse came finally, and death claimed him while yet in the ascendancy of his reputation and skill. No physician in Ohio was more renowned for the success of his surgical operations, and the demand for his services in this line were far more than he could meet. He was busy to the last, allowing himself no vacations and giving to others all that he had of strength and skill. He had a warm, impulsive heart. a hand open and generous, and a wide and genuine charity.
CHARLES A. HEINER.
The name of Charles A. Heiner has long stood for progressive citizen- ship and upright living and he is easily one of the most substantial and in- fluential citizens of Byesville, Guernsey county, which position, however, he is unconscious of. being an entirely unassuming man and seeking merely to do his every duty as a loyal citizen and to worthily uphold an honored family name.
Mr. Heiner was born at Norwich, Muskingum county, Ohio, December 23, 1867, and he is the son of Jacob and Isabel ( Morrison) Heiner. The father came from Somerset, Pennsylvania, where he was born about 1808. He was a shoemaker by trade, which he followed there, also owned a farm near there on which he had a coal mine. Isabel Morrison was born in Mary- land and was the daughter of Andrew Morrison. She was a little girl when her parents brought her to this county and located at Senecaville and there con- ducted a hotel, her father having been familiarly known among the early residents as "Coon" Morrison, and he lived at Senecaville the rest of his days. After his death his widow came to the home of Mrs. Heiner and remained until her summons came, having reached the advanced age of ninety-five years.
When the subject was only a year old the family moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, where they remained six years, the failing health of the father caus- ing him to return to Ohio. He then located at Washington, Guernsey county, where his death occurred, December 31, 1879, when about seventy-two years old. His widow lived to be eighty-six years old, dying on August 28, 1906.
Charles A. Heiner was six years old when the family came back from Missouri. He began life for himself at a very tender age, beginning as a clerk in a drug store, working for Dr. O. F. Lowry, now of Cambridge, but owing to poor health he was compelled to give up his position there, but later clerked for James Stewart & Sons at that place. remaining with them five
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years, during which time he studied medicine and pharmacy with Dr. T. L. McQuaide, working days and studying at night. He then went to Columbus and passed the required examination and became a registered assistant phar- macist, then went to Barnesville and for two years clerked in the drug store of Dr. G. S. Wellons & Son, and while there he continued his studies under the Doctor, who was a good physician and surgeon, being the surgeon at that place for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. He also clerked in the drug store of John M. Ogier for about six months in Cambridge. He went to Sarahsville from Barnesville and clerked in a drug store, managing the store for the pro- prietor, who was a physician. While there Hommer Witten, of Byesville, offered Mr. Heiner a position in his drug store in Byesville, so he came here about 1890, buying his employer out about a year later, shortly before which, in June, 1901, he was married to Winna Asqueith, daughter of William and Phoebe Asqueith. She was born and reared at Sarahsville. Noble county, where she lived until her marriage to Mr. Heiner, then came to Byesville. Just before purchasing his store Mr. Heiner was granted license as a registered pharmacist. He has been very successful in the drug business, having gone in debt for the store, which he has long ago paid. He later built a neat and comfortable home, which he paid for in payments. Two days after Mrs. Heiner made the last payment, having gone to Cambridge for that pur- pose, she fell ill and died the evening of the same day, January 1, 1899, leav- ing a daughter, Murriel, only four years old.
After the death of his wife, Mr. Heiner took up the study of optics, at- tending college at Chicago, from which he was graduated, having previously taken a correspondence course in this field. He took up the practice of this profession in connection with his drug business and has been very successful, proving himself to be an able practitioner, and built up a very satisfactory practice, though his other business absorbs most of his time. About 1900 he bought ground on Depot street. opposite the end of Seneca street, in Byesville, and thereon erected a very substantial and attractive building, which, being so much superior to other buildings of a similar nature in this town that many said he was wasting his money, both in point of building and fixtures. He moved his stock of goods in the new building and has ever since enjoyed a most excellent patronage, and although his building was some ten years ahead of the city, the growth of Byesville has since justified the outlay. He went into debt for it, but has paid it out.
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