USA > Ohio > Guernsey County > History of Guernsey County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 46
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Soon after his marriage, in the spring of 1866, Mr. Moore moved to his present home on the National pike, three and one-half miles east of Washing- ton and twelve miles east of Cambridge. He has a fine farm of four hundred acres, all well improved and under a high state of cultivation, and makes a specialty of stock and has a fine grazing farm. He is a Republican in politics and has always been a radical and stalwart party man, always active in mat- ters pertaining to the party, but never an office seeker, and was never a candi- date for an elective office. He served on the soldiers relief commission and for sixteen years has been a member of the board of trustees of the-Guernsey County Children's Home, and is now president of the board. He is a mem- ber of the Cambridge Post, Grand Army of the Republic. In church member- ship his family is divided between the Presbyterian and the Methodist Epis- copal, the churches of both parental and maternal ancestry.
Mr. Moore has always been a progressive citizen and his farm and its complete appointments bear strong evidence of this. The broad, well-kept acres, the ample and convenient barns and stock sheds, the modern home, thorough in its appointments, exhibit this spirit. Located in the Salt Creek valley, the home is so situated that it commands a fine view of the beautiful and fertile landscape. Mr. Moore gives especial attention to thoroughbred sheep and cattle and all of his stock is the finest and always in the best of condition. There is no more attractive country home in Guernsey county, and in every walk of life Major Moore is always found in the very front rank, willing to assist by his influence and means every worthy proposition. His home is
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presided over by his daughters, Margaret Elizabeth and Alice Malvina, edu- cated, capable and refined women, giving the Moore home a very prominent place in the social life of the county.
COLEMAN BAMFORD JACKSON.
A scion of an excellent old family of Guernsey county is Coleman Bam- ford Jackson. He has endeavored to keep untarnished the good name of the family and has also won a reputation of unflagging industry and trustworthi- ness. He was born in the city where he still resides, Cambridge, Ohio, on February 2, 1855, and is the son of Israel and Julia A. (Scott) Jackson. The father was born in Jackson township, this county, May 3. 1832, and was the eldest son of Henry Jackson and wife, who were among the early settlers of this county. The family home was in and near Jackson township for many years. Julia A. Scott was born in Washington county, Ohio, the daughter of James Scott and wife, both natives of Ireland, being Scotch-Irish in blood. Israel Jackson and wife moved into Cambridge after their marriage and lived here the balance of their lives. The father was a carpenter by trade and he was very successful and became the owner of considerable valuable property in the vicinity of Twelfth street and Wheeling avenue. Israel Jackson's death occurred at the age of sixty-six years. The latter part of his life was spent as a contractor and builder and as foreman he helped build the Central school in Cambridge. He was a good man, a kind, affectionate father and husband. He belonged to the Methodist Protestant church. He was a very industrious man and in early life took much interest in municipal affairs. He was a mem- ber of the school board for some time.
Coleman B. Jackson was one of a family of twelve children, eleven sons and one daughter. He grew to manhood in Cambridge and was educated in the local schools. When he was about twenty years of age he started in the railroad service, taking up the study of telegraphy, at which he worked for awhile, then became bill clerk in the freight office. He was then employed to look after the freight in the yards, doing the work himself ; now a half dozen men are required for this purpose. On November 29, 1899, he became agent for the railroad in charge of their business at Byesville, which position he still holds. He is regarded by the officials as one of their most trusted and efficient employes.
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Mr. Jackson was married May 17, 1882, to Sophia Masters, daughter of Nathan and Mary ( Baird) Masters. She was born at Steubenville, Ohio, and came to this county about 1880. Her mother was born in Frederick county, Maryland, March 29, 1802, and she lived to a remarkable age, her death occurring, when about one hundred and six years old, on January 6, 1908. She had a remarkable memory and was an interesting talker on the old days. She saw General LaFayette at Wheeling and shook hands with him. She was an educated woman, having graduated from the noted semi- nary at Emmitsburg, Maryland. She possessed a bright mind up to the time of her death and was well preserved. She was the daughter of John and Veronica ( Keepers) Baird. Her mother was the daughter of Isaac Keepers, an Englishman who was a nobleman's son and who eloped with an Irish lass named Katharine McGargle and came to Boston, Massachusetts, and were married there. They were forgiven by the son's father and they took up their residence in Maryland, the father having given them a large plantation there and numerous slaves to work the same. John Baird was a cousin of Gen. Andrew Jackson and he fought under him in the war of 1812. He also fought at Boston when the guns got so hot that the men had to use their shirts to wrap them in to keep from burning their hands. Nathan Masters was born near Moundsville, Marshall county, West Virginia. His grandparents settled there before that locality was surveyed by the government when the Indians were numerous in that vicinity.
Mr. and Mrs. Coleman B. Jackson are the parents of two sons, Clarence and Charles. The former married Lela Nicholson and lives in Cambridge; they have one child, a daughter, named Mary Roberta. Charles Jackson lives at home with his parents.
BENJAMIN F. LEE.
From the old Keystone state has come into Ohio many of her most sterling citizens, and wherever they have located they have done their full share in the general development of the community, establishing good homes and earning reputations for law-abiding, upright citizens who are loyal to our institutions in times of both war and peace. Such an one is Benjamin F. Lee, of Byes- ville, Guernsey county, whose birth occurred in Adams county, Pennsylvania, on August 1, 1856. He is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Thompson) Lee, both parents born in Scotland. the father at Paisley and the mother at Glasgow. They both emigrated to America before they reached their major-
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ity. the mother coming to the home of her elder brother, who had previously settled in America. These parents finally became residents of Baltimore, Maryland, where they were married, after which they came to Adams county, Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio in 1858, locating at Renrock, Noble county, and about two years later they moved to Pleasant City, Guernsey county. The father was a manufacturer of woolen goods, and he taught this business to his son, though the latter never followed it. He next became a steam engineer while living at Pleasant City, but in 1878 he came to Byesville to work at his trade.
Mr. Lee was married on February 22, 1880, to Mrs. Susan E. Oglivie, whose maiden name was Young. The same year he moved to Byesville. where he has resided ever since. He afterwards became shipping clerk for the Byesville Glass & Lamp Company, in 1899. and was with them six years, giv- ing the highest degree of satisfaction. He then became assistant postmaster under D. S. Burt in 1906. Doctor Austin succeeded Mr. Burt on April 9. 1907. and Mr. Lee has been assistant postmaster ever since, giving entire satis- faction to all concerned, proving a most efficient, trustworthy and vigilant official.
Mrs. Lee's death occurred on November 13, 1907, leaving one son. Lewis Thompson, and one daughter. Martha Pearl. Martha was married to Alvin J. Stay, of Byesville, Ohio. September 28, 1910. Lewis married Wilda Mosley and lives in Cambridge, and they have one son and one daughter, Lawren E. and Adeline. Mrs. Lee was the daughter of William and Sarah ( Robinson ) Young. She was born and reared in Noble county and was living with her parents in Pleasant City when she and Mr. Lee were married. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Lee is also a mem- ber.
On September 15. 1909. Mr. Lee was married to Hattie May Dunn, who was formerly general delivery clerk in the Byesville postoffice. She was born and reared in Belmont county, Ohio, and is the daughter of Taylor and Mary (Ewers) Dunn. When she was sixteen years of age her parents moved to Jackson township, this county, locating near Harmony church. From there they moved to Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, where they resided for a time. then moved to Washington, that state. where the mother died a month later. Mrs. Lee then returned to the old family neighborhood near Harmony where the family lived before the mother died. She came to Byesville in 1907 and took a position in the postoffice here, remaining fifteen months, then she and Mr. Lee were married. She is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Lee is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's lodge and encampment,
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also the Rebekahs and the Patriarchs Militant. Mrs. Lee is also a member of the Rebekahs. Mr. Lee joined this order in 1877, when twenty-one years of age. He represented his district two years at the grand lodge, and repre- sented the fifteenth district in the grand encampment of Ohio. He has passed through all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, also in the encampment, four terms in succession, and he was district deputy grand master for the Rebekahs. He is widely and favorably known in fraternal circles, having long taken an abiding interest in the same. Mr. Lee has also taken a great deal of interest in local politics, and has been, in fact, quite active and influential in the councils of the Republican party. He was at one time secretary of the Guernsey county Republican executive committee, and he did his work in a very able and praise- worthy manner.
DAVID J. JENKINS.
In our present review we mention the life of one who claims as his birth- place Wales, that little country attached to England, which has not filled his- tory's pages as full as has its larger sister, but which has been famous for the character of its people, liberty-loving, reliable, stanch and strong, comparable with any nation's best. From this nation came the one of whom it is our province now to speak, and in all respects he is a worthy representative of the Welsh people.
David J. Jenkins was born December 4, 1862, in Morristown, Wales, son of John and Margaret (Jones) Jenkins. His father was the superintend- ent of Beaufort Tin House and prominent in the industry. His parents died in Wales. David is a near relative of Lord Glantawe, who was elevated to a peerage in 1897, and is now a member of the House of Lords, he being a cousin of David's father. David was educated in the schools of Morristown. When only thirteen years old he started to work in the tin mills of Morris- town, and worked at all the branches until he had mastered all the steps inter- mediate to being a tin roller. He followed this until 1890, when he came to Pittsburg, first locating there. He brought with him his wife and one child.
Mr. Jenkins was married on November 7. 1888, to Mary Jones, daughter . of Griffith and Sarah Jones, of Morristown, Wales. Her father was an an- nealer in the tin works, and both parents died in Wales. Mr. Jenkins, after coming to America, first worked in the Pittsburg mills and there remained about eighteen months. He then went to Irondale, Jefferson county, Ohio, and worked in the rolling mills there for three years, and came to Cambridge in
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1895 when the Morton tin plate works were started, and was one of the first rollers employed in the mill and has been employed there ever since, except for a short interval. He is a head roller and a thoroughly reliable man, one of the best in the company's employ. The mill is now being operated by the trust. Mr. Jenkins is a Republican in politics, and has an intelligent concep- tion of public questions. He is a student of conditions and issues, always able to intelligently discuss public affairs. He is a member of Irondale Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of the Protected Home Circle. He and all his family are members of the Methodist church and interested in church and Sunday school work.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins have been born nine children: John, born in Wales, died while the family resided in Pittsburg : Sarah, Margaret, Blodwen, Sidney, Beatrice, David, William and Clyde are all at home. All the children are being given the best education the public schools afford, and Sidney is now a high school student, while the older sisters have completed the course and are now occupying good business positions.
Mr. Jenkins has visited his old home twice since coming to America, first in 1894. when he remained two months, and again in June, 1909, when he started on a ten weeks' trip. His wife went to Wales in 1893 for a three months' visit. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are thoroughly Americanized and love America and its flag. They will make this country their home and the home of their family, and are as well pleased with the country as the country is well satisfied with them as citizens.
ISAAC A. OLDHAM.
The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this article contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well defined purposes which, carried to successful issue. have won for him an influential place in business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life work has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted not only in gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings, but also in the building up of a large and profitable industry and the accumulation of a handsome competency.
Isaac A. Oldham, of Cambridge, Guernsey county, was born December 7, 1837, in this city, and he is the son of Samuel M. and Mary (Sherrard)
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Oldham, both born in Guernsey county, Ohio, both these families represent- ing honored pioneers of this county, the Oldhams having originally come from near West Alexandria, Virginia, and the Sherrards from the same section. The former were Mayflower stock and have thus been American citizens since 1620. Samuel M. Oldham, father of Isaac A. of this review, was a tanner by trade, but later he engaged in the shoe business in Cambridge, in which he continued until he retired. He is dead and his first wife died in 1844. He was twice married, his last wife being Mary Wilson, of Cambridge, and a member of a prominent family. Her death occurred several years ago. Mr. Oldham was a man of sterling integrity and highly respected. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church and a devout Christian.
Isaac A. Oldham was educated in the public schools of Cambridge and he also spent one year as Muskingum College, at New Concord. After leaving school he engaged in the shoe and leather trade with his father, under the firm name of S. M. Oldham & Son. In February, 1864, he proved his patriotism by enlisting in the Union army, Company F, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, seeing some hard service, but he escaped without a wound and was never taken prisoner. He performed his duty most faithfully and returned to Columbus, Ohio, Christmas morning, 1865, and was mustered out and paid off at Camp Chase. His regiment participated in the Atlanta campaign and was in the battle of Nashville.
After his career in the army Mr. Oldham returned to Cambridge, Ohio, and engaged in the shoe and leather business, continuing this for four years when he engaged in floriculture. He had always been a lover of flowers and his taste for them grew until he decided to engage in the business and he be- gan plant culture and raising flowers. His first greenhouse had about seven hundred feet of glass, but his business has steadily increased under judicious management until he now has fully twenty thousand feet and even this does not furnish enough for his rapidly growing business. His business is general and his cut-flower business has become a large department and is increasing every year. He has a beautiful and well equipped place and his greenhouses are as good as any in the state and far ahead of many cities of larger population. He gives his entire time and attention to his business and is deserving of the large success that has attended his efforts.
Mr. Oldham was married, first, on September 14. 1859, to Sarah P. Brown, of New Concord, Ohio, daughter of John and Elizabeth Brown. One daughter was born to this union, Mary, now Mrs. John N. McCortney, of Cambridge. Mr. Oldham's first wife died in June, 1865, while he was with his regiment in the field. He was married a second time, on September 7,
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1866, to Mary Zahniser, of Cambridge, and to this union five children were born, namely : Howard lives in St. Mary's, Pennsylvania; Charles lives in Cambridge and is engaged in the floral business with his father; Sarah is a milliner in Cambridge : Roberta married W. W. Cowgill. a physician of Cleve- land, Ohio.
Politically, Mr. Oldham is a Republican, but he is not an active party man, though he is always interested in public matters. His father was an abolitionist and interested in the "underground railroad" work, aiding escaping slaves. The subject has served as a member of the city council ; he was cor- oner of the county for four years and health officer of the city of Cambridge for seven years. He is a member of Cambridge Post No. 343, Grand Army of the Republic, and has been an active member of the same for many years. He and his family belong to the First United Presbyterian church and are active church workers. The family residence is one of the most attractive in Cambridge, being well kept and modern and it is surrounded by an abund- ance of floral works, the lawns and grounds being well kept and attractive at all times, and this home is widely known as a most hospitable place for the many friends of the family.
EUGENE C. RIGGS.
It would be indeed interesting to trace in detail the life of Eugene C. Riggs, a venerable and highly honored gentleman now living in retirement in Cambridge, for he has seen and taken part in the development of Guernsey county from the pioneer period to the present day, when it holds a place in the first rank of counties in the great Buckeye commonwealth. He has spent his life here and has labored to goodly ends, having maintained the reputation of this old family for industry and honesty.
ยท Mr. Riggs was born at Senecaville. Richland township, this county, on February 4, 1832, and is the son of Simeon and Harriet (Chaney) Riggs. These parents came from what is now West Virginia, near Sistersville, as young married people, and settled at Senecaville, Ohio. Simeon Riggs worked in the woolen mills of Senecaville, operating a carding machine, and in later years he operated a woolen mill for himself. He was a man of affairs, suc- cessful in business and popular and influential in his community. He applied himself very closely to whatever he had in hand and he was a man of many commendable traits of disposition. His family consisted of four children,
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two sons and two daughters, namely : Eugene C., of this review ; Ellen, who became Mrs. Eli Dunnoway, now deceased ; she and her husband had moved to lowa, where he died, her death occurring some years afterwards at her home at Cedar Rapids ; she was a woman given to much charity, her life being de- voted to the care of orphan children. Sophia Riggs married John Christie, who moved to near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mr. Christie died there on his farm, Mrs. Christie subsequently moving to California, where she died in 1909. Noah H. Riggs, the youngest of the family, is a retired farmer, residing in Indianola, Iowa. The parents of these children have long been deceased, the mother dying in 1841 and the father in 1848, and they are both buried in the cemetery at Senecaville, Ohio.
Eugene C. Riggs was educated in the public schools of Senecaville. His parents died when he was a small boy, and in 1846, when ten years of age, he had the misfortune to lose his left hand, which had to be amputated, as the result of an ailment, and he was thus unfitted for manual labor, but, nothing dlaunted by this untoward dispensation of fate, he pushed ahead and has won in the battle of life despite all obstacles. He began studying hard and pre- pared himself for a. teacher and at an early age began teaching school for a livelihood. He followed this line of endeavor very successfully for a period of twelve years in the district schools of Guernsey and Noble counties, his services being in constant demand owing to his success as a pedagogue and his popularity with both pupil and patron.
Mr. Riggs began manifesting an interest in political matters and in the fall of 1863 he was nominated as a candidate for clerk of the courts of Guern- sey county by the Republican party and was elected the same fall. Making an excellent record, he was twice re-elected for two terms, serving in all nine years. Following his incumbency as county clerk, he was manager of the store of the Cambridge Coal Company near Cambridge and was also bookkeeper for the same, remaining in this capacity for the same firm fifteen years. In the interim between his retirement from the county clerk's office and his going with the Cambridge Coal Company, Mr. Riggs was honored by being ap- pointed probate judge, to fill an unexpired term, by Governor Young. He served out his time in a very creditable and acceptable manner, and then served as deputy probate judge, under Newell Kennon, who was a Democrat, and served one term. Mr. Kennon was an elderly man and Mr. Riggs prac- tically administered the office. When the Cambridge Rolling Mill began oper- ations in 1890, Mr. Riggs became the bookkeeper for the roofing department of this company and remained as such for a period of four years. Since leaving that company he has led a retired life, with an occasional short period
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of employment in opening or closing up a set of books. He has also been em- ployed as an expert accountant by the state school commissioner in straighten- ing out tangled conditions in township school funds. Mr. Riggs is a recog- nized expert accountant and his services have frequently been in demand.
Mr. Riggs was married on April 8, 1854, to Margaret E. Brokaw, daugh- ter of Abraham and Lucy (Brasheer) Brokaw, and this union has resulted in the birth of six sons and three daughters, all living. They are: Alfaretta, who married John F. Salmon, of Anderson, Indiana ; Simeon O., of Newark. Ohio; Charles N., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Jessie married William G. Scott, of Cambridge ; Howard E., of Lafayette, Indiana ; William L., of Cam- bridge; Harry, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; Bert, of Cambridge ; Ruby married Samuel H. Winch, of Athens, Wisconsin.
Mr. Riggs and all of his sons are Republicans, and he has been active in the affairs of his party, and he has served for the past year as secretary of the Republican executive committee of Guernsey county and is still holding that position. He has been a delegate to county, district and state conventions many times. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a consistent church man, no man standing higher in the community than he, and he is highly respected by all classes. His wife is devoted to her home and family and is a greatly beloved woman.
TURNER G. BROWN.
Although Turner G. Brown has long since taken up his abode "in the windowless palaces of rest," his influence still pervades the lives of those with whom he came into contact, for he was a man whom to know was to admire and respect, and he will not be forgotten by those who had occasion to journey with him on life's royal road. He grew up in this county from the pioneer days to its subsequent development and he played well his part in the same. He was born in October, 1838, in Londonderry township, Guernsey county, Ohio, and his death occurred on June 29, 1905, in Cambridge, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. He was the son of Judge Turner G. and Pru- dence (Colvin) Brown. His paternal grandfather was the founder of Browns- ville, Pennsylvania, from which place the family came to Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1817, and, as intimated above, became prominent and influential in the affairs of the early pioneers. The father, Judge Turner G. Brown, was an extensive land owner and a judge of the circuit court for many years. He
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