USA > Ohio > Guernsey County > History of Guernsey County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 6
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Mr. Turner and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and liberal supporters of the same. The family home is commodious, comfortably furnished and modern in all of its appointments, and good family cheer and genuine hospitality are its characteristics. Mr. Turner, since his retirement from the service of the state mining department, has devoted his time to advisory mining engineering, and as an expert his services are in great demand. Upon his retirement from his duties as inspector Mr. Turner was presented. on September 30, 1910, by Chief Inspector George Harrison and the twelve district inspectors, with an elegant gold watch and fob as a testi- monial of the high esteem in which his long and valuable services to the de- partment were held.
WILLIAM F. BIERLY.
To the business efficiency of William F. Bierly, the cashier of the Peo- ple's Bank of Pleasant City, the institution owes much of its success and its soundness as a financial institution. For Mr. Bierly is a man of experience in financial matters, conservative and safe in judgment, and of the highest integrity.
William F. Bierly was born at Mineral City, Ohio, on December 9, 1869. the son of John and Louisa ( Spies) Bierly, still well known residents of Mineral City. He grew up in his native town, after leaving school was engaged in his father's store at Mineral City, and on reaching manhood took a place in a bank in the same town, where he remained until 1892. In that year he came to Pleasant City in the interests of George J. Markley, of Mineral City, who was among the first to develop the coal industry in the region of Pleasant City. Mr. Markley was also engaged in mercantile busi- ness here, owning a large store in the lower end of the city, and in the center of the store was a bank. In order to look after these varied interests, Mr. Bierly was sent to Pleasant City. In February the store and other buildings were destroyed by fire, and the business was transferred to the corner of Mill and Main streets, where R. O. Knott's store is now located, and there they remained until 1904, when they erected the present handsome structure occupied by the bank and the postoffice.
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Mr. Bierly has been cashier of the bank ever since it was organized, and as Mr. Markley is a non-resident, he is practically in entire charge of its affairs. Aside from the banking business, he is also interested to a consid- erable extent on his own account in real estate in various localities. Finan- cially he has prospered because of his able management of business affairs.
In 1898 Mr. Bierly was married to Lillian Secrest, the daughter of Joseph B. and Minerva ( Spring) Secrest. She was born at Pleasant City, and there grew to womanhood. Her father is a son of Harrison and Mary E. (Allison) Secrest, early residents, whose parents were pioneers of Pleas- ant City, and has lived in the city of his birth all his life. The Secrest family is widely known and highly esteemed in Guernsey county. To Mr. and Mrs. Bierly have been born two daughters, Pauline and Countess. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bierly are faithful members of the Lutheran church, and at present Mr. Bierly is the superintendent of the Sunday school.
In his business relations Mr. Bierly is a man of influence in his commu- nity, and his contact with others is refined and courteous. His integrity is unquestioned, and he enjoys the fullest confidence of those who know him. It is a trait of his family, that their word, once given, must never be broken, and in the keeping of a man of this character, no financial institution could fail to be safe and established on a sound basis.
THE PEOPLES BANK OF PLEASANT CITY.
Among the ably managed and well tried financial institutions of Guern- sey county is the Peoples Bank of Pleasant City, which was organized in 1893 by George J. Markley, a prominent financier of Mineral City, who is the present owner, and which is under the efficient management of William T. Bierly, as cashier.
The Peoples Bank has from the beginning done a conservative and progressive business, along the lines of both a commercial and a savings bank, and is considered by competent authority as one among the strong private banks of the state. The institution has a responsibility of two hun- dred thousand dollars. During its career the bank was at one time forced to undergo a heavy run, which was brought about by the circulation of mis- statements as to its condition. Unprepared as it was, on twenty-four hours' notice it was able to pay all depositors in gold, and, piling the gold up in the bank, the cashier invited all depositors to come and get their money.
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This incident proved the strength of the bank, and it has been in high es- teem ever since.
In addition to its regular banking business, the Peoples Bank has an insurance department, deals in foreign and domestic exchange, and books on the leading steamship lines to and from foreign countries, which, be- cause of the large foreign population in and around Pleasant City, is a con- siderable feature of its business. The Peoples Bank is known to carry as large a reserve as any of the banks of the state for the amount of business done. It is housed in its own building, which is the handsomest and most substantial business building in Pleasant City or near-by towns. The in- stitution is ably managed by men of experience in financial matters, and ex- tends to its patrons every accommodation consistent with safe banking, for it has been the idea of the management to make this bank as safe as it is pos- sible for any bank to be, and they spare no facilities to insure the protection of their depositors, for they recognize that the strongest asset which a bank can have is this assurance of safety, which can be attained only by the proper efficiency of organization and management.
SAMUEL M. BURGESS.
The name of Samuel M. Burgess, now living in honorable retirement from active business in his beautiful and historic home at Cambridge, is too well known to the people of Guernsey county to need an introduction or fulsome encomium on the part of the biographer, for he has long been a very potent factor in financial, civic and social circles of this locality, and as president of the Citizens Savings Bank Company, of Cambridge, he has wielded an influence for the advancement of this community that has been second to that of no other man. His life has been one of unceasing in- (lustry and perseverance, and the notable systematic and honorable methods he has ever followed have won for him the unbounded confidence and re- gard of all who have formed his acquaintance. He is a man of rare sound- ness of judgment, keen discernment and, possessing the ability to foresee with remarkable accuracy the future outcome of a present transaction. He is the scion of one of the old and most worthy of the honored families of this county, the various members of which have been leaders in various walks of life.
Mr. Burgess was born September 20, 1857, in the city of Zanesville,
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Muskingum county, Ohio, and was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Con- yngham) Burgess. The father was born in England and the mother in Washington county, Pennsylvania. The father came to America in 1835, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Burgess, landing in New York city, and came to Pittsburg, where they remained for some years, the grandfather being a coal operator. Later the family moved to Beverly. Ohio, where the grandfather died in 1852. His son, Samuel, the father of the subject, married Elizabeth Conyngham and moved with his brother Josiah to Zanesville and engaged in the hardware and tinware business until 1857, when Samuel moved to Cambridge, where he continued in the same business until his death, January 5. 1885. His widow died March 8, 1908, and both are buried in the Cambridge cemetery. Mr. Burgess was a Repub- lican in politics, but never an office seeker. He gave his entire attention to his business, and was a man of high character. He was a Royal Arch Mason and held the confidence of all the people. He had a family of eight children, seven of whom are yet living: Walter, of Owensboro, Kentucky; Lollie, now Mrs. Nelson A. Noble, of Binghampton, New York; Samuel M., the subject of this sketch : Retta, now Mrs. Frank K. Raymond, of Washing- ton, D. C. ; Milton, deceased ; William O., of Tyner, Ohio; Homer, of Wash- ington, D. C .: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Dr. Perry C. Johnston, of Enid, Okla- homa.
Samuel M. Burgess spent his life in Cambridge and was educated in the public schools of that city. After leaving school he entered his father's .store and was connected with his father until the latter's death. Samuel M. then became administrator of his father's estate, and managed the Bur- gess Manufacturing Company, the business name of his father's concern. He continued as manager until the death of his mother in March. 1908, when he became the owner of the business, which he sold soon afterwards to Thomas Williams, but the business is still continued under the name of the Burgess Manufacturing Company, one of the oldest business names in the city.
Mr. Burgess was married September 17. 1902, to Martha M. Atkins, daughter of Robert and Martha (Hyatt ) Atkins, a prominent Cambridge family. This union has been without issue.
Mr. Burgess is president of the Citizens Savings Bank Company, and has held this position since its organization in 1899. He is also a director in the National Bank of Cambridge, organized in 1865. He is a trustee and treasurer of the Cambridge Public Library. He has a large city and farm property interests and is a very prominent man in all that pertains to Cam-
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bridge's growth and prosperity. He is now living a retired life except as his large and diversified interests occupy his time and attention. He has a summer house on Grand lake, in northern Michigan, where he and Mrs. Burgess spend several months every summer, hunting and fishing.
Mr. Burgess is a Republican in politics, but not an office seeker, though he is always interested in public matters. He has served in the city council and as cemetery trustee, being a public spirited citizen along all lines. He has been a member of the Masonic order since 1884. He served two years as master of Cambridge Lodge No. 66, Free and Accepted Masons, was made a Royal Arch Mason in 1886 and served as high priest in 1890. He was made a Royal and Select Master in 1890 and served as thrice illustrious master in 1896. He was made a Knight Templar in 1888 and elected emi- nent commander in 1896, and is at present treasurer of all these bodies. He received the thirty-second degree in Scioto Consistory at Columbus, Ohio, in 1907. He has been a Shriner since 1893. which degree he received in Cynan Temple in Cincinnati. He is one of the three trustees of the Cam- bridge Lodge No. 66, Incorporated, and is secretary and treasurer of the board of trustees.
Mrs. Burgess is a member of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Bur- gess is a regular attendant and a liberal contributor to the support of the same. The Burgess home is at No. 724 Steubenville avenue, where he and his parents lived before him for forty-two years. It is a fine, attractive home, modern in architectural design and all of its appointments. Mr. Bur- gess has a valuable and rare collection of coins, also of stamps, and a re- markable collection of Indian arrow heads and other Indian relics. He has given these collections intelligent attention and they are worthy of a place in any museum.
JOHN EMMETT GABLE, M. D., D. O.
Among the professional men of Guernsey county who have risen to eminence in their chosen field of endeavor is Dr. John Emmett Gable, of Cambridge, an osteopathic and general physician of more than ordinary talent and skill. His career has been that of a broad-minded, conscientious worker in the sphere to which his life and energies have been devoted and whose profound knowledge of his profession has won for him a leading place among the most distinguished men of his class in eastern Ohio.
John E. Gable was born July 19, 1867, in Jackson township, Guernsey
JeSalle 19.0,
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county, and he is the son of Philip and Malissa (Jackson) Gable. The father was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and he came from that country with his parents to America when two years old, and settled near Wheeling, West Virginia, though his residence was on Ohio soil, in Belmont county. Later the family moved to near St. Clairsville, that county, when Philip, the father, entered the Union army in 1861, in Company A, Twenty- fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served three years, then re-enlisted and served until the close of the war, participating in the Grand Review at Washington. He participated in twenty-two battles, many of them the greatest of the war, including Gettysburg, and he is one of three survivors of that battle now residing in Guernsey county. He performed his duty as a soldier in a most faithful manner.
He came to Guernsey county in 1865 and has resided here ever since. He is now living near Byesville. He engaged in farming and coal develop- ing until a few years ago, when he retired. His wife died in 1889. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living, John Emmett, of this review, being the oldest ; Mary La Fonda; Joseph S., deceased; Ella Maude married J. W. Croyle, a farmer in Jackson township ; Ira A. is farming in Jackson township; Grace E. married Anson Frame, a farmer of Jackson township and a mine superintendent; Clyde A., a physician of Chicago; Anna is living at home; Cora is deceased; Lola is deceased; Roy lives in Jackson township. Philip Gable, the father of these children, has always been interested in public affairs and he is the only man living in Jackson township who voted for Hon. Neal Dow, the Prohibition candidate for President. He was a war Democrat during the early sixties, but in recent years he has been a Republican. He is a highly respected citizen and has a host of friends throughout the county.
Dr. John E. Gable, of this review, obtained a public school education in Jackson township and he worked on the farm during his youth. From the time he was seventeen years old he worked in the coal mines, after which he entered Doan Academy at Granville, Ohio, where he remained three years. He then went to Kirksville, Missouri, and became a student of the American School of Osteopathy, graduating from that institution in 1902, and in the same year he went to Chicago to practice and he took a course in the Hahne- mann Medical College and Hospital of Chicago, from which institution he was graduated in 1909. He came to Cambridge, Ohio, March 1, 1910, and opened offices in the Central Bank building, and he practices both osteopathy and homeopathy, being well prepared in every respect for these lines. His offices are thoroughly equipped for the practice and care of patients, with an
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X-ray apparatus and all modern appliances and instruments for surgical work. He keeps well abreast of the times in all modern research work per- taining to these professions and has been very successful since coming here. Politically, Doctor Gable is a Republican, and while not active, he is always interested in public matters. He is a member of the Masonic order, Point Pleasant Lodge No. 312, also the Knights of Pythias lodge at Wil- mington, Illinois. He is a member of the National Osteopathic Association. Doctor Gable was married June 16, 1896, to Hattie Mabel Wilson, daughter of Joshua and Rachel ( Mercer) Wilson, of Jackson township. Her father was a farmer of that township and he died about thirty years ago; his widow is still living. To Dr. and Mrs. Gable one daughter, Vertine La Fonda, was born. The wife and mother was called to her rest on May 26, 1910. She was a highly educated, cultured and refined lady, a graduate of the art department of Sheppardson College at Granville, Ohio, also a gradu- ate of the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, and she practiced with her husband. Before her marriage she was a successful and progressive teacher for a number of years. She was a favorite with a wide circle of friends and admired by all for her superior attributes of head and heart. She was a member of the Baptist church, and prominent in social life. The Doctor is also a member of the Baptist church.
JOHN PERRY MAHAFFEY.
The life of John Perry Mahaffey, one of Cambridge's substantial and well liked citizens, has been replete with success well earned, for he has al- ways been a hard worker and has sought to advance himself by no questiona- ble methods, always striving to live up to the Golden Rule and follow the example set by his ancestors. He is the son of John and Margaret Mahaffey and was born in Cambridge, Ohio, on April 16, 1845, and practically his entire life has been spent in this city. His father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 31, 1813. Coming to Cambridge at an early age. he made this community his home until his death, on March 5, 1852. He was a man who took an interest in the affairs of his community, and was highly respected for his integrity, and he established a very comfortable home here. The mother of the subject, known in her maidenhood as Mar- garet Newman, was born on the isle of Guernsey, April 3, 1817, and there she grew to maturity, emigrating to America in 1834 and locating at Cam-
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bridge, Ohio, where she continued to reside until her death, on January 3. 1892.
John P. Mahaffey, of this review, after receiving a common school edu- cation, learned the printer's trade, and that has been his chief occupation ever since, being very proficient in the "art preservative." He has always been a Democrat and an earnest and untiring advocate of the party's princi- ples and prominent in its conventions in the town, county and state. He served one term as clerk of courts of Guernsey county, from 1879 to 1882, and made a very commendable record. He was candidate for presiden- tial elector on the Democratic ticket in 1900, and in 1904 he was the Demo- cratic candidate for clerk of the supreme court of Ohio, but went down in defeat with the balance of the ticket. In 1905 he was elected state senator from the eighteenth and nineteenth districts, composd of Coshocton, Guern- sey, Monroe, Tuscarawas and part of Noble counties, and he made such a commendable record and gained such universal favor that he was re-elected in 1908. He made his influence felt in that important body and his record has been so praiseworthy in every respect that he won the admiration of all fair minded citizens, irrespective of party alignment.
During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Mahaffey proved his patriotism and loyalty to the national government by enlisting in the One Hundred and Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served in a very faith- ful manner. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and he takes a great deal of interest in these lodges. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and is faithful in his support of the same.
On March I, 1882, in connection with T. W. Ogier, Mr. Mahaffey purchased the Cambridge Herald, which the firm continued to publish until August 10, 1910, when the plant was sold to other parties, since which time he has been leading a retired life. He made this paper one of the leading journals of its type in eastern Ohio and it was a success from a financial standpoint under his judicious management, its circulation having gradually increased and its value as an advertising medium was made apparent; its columns teemed with the best and brightest news of the day and with able and convincing editorials,-in short, he rendered it an indispensible molder of public opinion.
Mr. Mahaffey was married on March 21, 1872, to Sarah F. Scott, daughter of Thomas and Lydia ( Langell) Scott, natives of Nova Scotia, who came to Cambridge in early life. Mrs. Mahaffey's death occurred on Feb- ruary 9, 1873. This union resulted in the birth of one son, G. F. Mahaffey.
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After graduating from the Cambridge high school the latter became a student at the college at Delaware, Ohio, and he is at present secretary of the state game and fish department.
EDWARD W. MATHEWS, JR.
A well known citizen of Cambridge and a man who has long been re- garded as a leading citizen of Guernsey county, interested in her every phase of progress is Edward M. Mathews, Jr., who, while yet young in years, has made rapid strides as an attorney and at the same time has won the ad- miration and respect of his fellow men by his judicious and consistent course.
Mr. Mathews was born June 13, 1871, in Cambridge, Ohio, and he is the son of Edward W. Mathews, Sr., and Amelia Haynes, a sketch of the father appearing in another part of this work.
The son was educated in the public schools of Cambridge, graduating from the high school in the class of 1887. He attended the preparatory school in connection with the University of Wooster, at Wooster, Ohio, en- tered the university proper the next year, taking a two years' course. He engaged in business for two years, then went to Minneapolis, and entered the University of Minnesota in the fall of 1892, taking a two years' academic course, after which he entered the law department, from which he graduated with honors in the class of 1896, and was admitted to the bar in that state in June of that year. He entered the office of Shaw, Cray, Lancaster & Parker, a prominent law firm of Minneapolis, with which he continued until it was dissolved, about two years later. He then returned to Cambridge, in 1898. and entered the firm of Mathews & Heade, the Mr. Mathews being the father of the subject, the firm name being then changed to that of Mathews, Heade & Mathews, Edward W. Mathews being admitted to the bar of Ohio in the fall of 1898, which firm continued successfully until April, 1904, when Mr. Heade withdrew. The firm of Mathews & Mathews, father and son, was then formed and still continues, being regarded as one of the strongest and most prominent in the county and which figures con- spicuously in many of the important trials in local courts. In connection with the practice of law, they have conducted for clients an extensive loan business on real estate.
Politically, Mr. Mathews is a Democrat, and all local, state and national
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economic questions receive his close attention. He is exceptionally well in- formed on current topics on which men and parties divide, as well as being profoundly versed in all matters of jurisprudence and keeping well abreast of the time in the matter of decisions of courts and the revision of statutes. He is frequently a delegate to county, district and state conventions and a member of important party committees, and his counsel is frequently sought in party affairs.
Mr. Mathews became a member of the Ohio Delta Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta college fraternity in 1888, at Wooster, Ohio, and affiliated with the Minnesota Alpha Chapter, in 1892, at Minneapolis. He was a member of the Minneapolis Commercial Club for several years, while residing in Minneapolis; is a member of the Cambridge Board of Trade, and has been a member of the Cambridge Country Club ever since its organization. In college he played tennis, baseball and football, and now plays golf for recrea- tion.
On October 17, 1900, Mr. Mathews was united in marriage with Martha C. Secrest, daughter of Noah E. and Eliza Jane (Spriggs) Secrest, a well known and highly respected family of Guernsey county. Mrs. Mathews is a lady of talent and culture. This union has been graced by the birth of four children, two daughters and two sons, namely: Martha Spriggs, Katheryn Haynes, Edward William and Robert Green. The family home, a neat and attractive dwelling, is at No. 1610 Creston road. It is, in fact, one of the most imposing houses of the city, located on a high elevation, command- ing a splendid panorama of the famous Guernsey valley, and here the best society folk of the community frequently gather, finding an old-time hospi- tality and good cheer.
CHARLES L. CASEY.
The present article deals with one of the most forceful, original and energetic of the business men of Cambridge, Charles L. Casey, who is a native citizen, being born in Cambridge, Guernsey county, Ohio, on February 25, 1872. He is the son of John K. and Anna D. (Scott) Casey. John K. Casey was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, his wife was born in New Metamora, Ohio, and both are now residing in Cambridge. For some years prior to 1874 John K. Casey was engaged in the manufacture of carriages, but that year removed to Cumberland, Guernsey county, where he remained
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