History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 187

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 187

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GEORGE W. BONNELL.

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William Paden, a farmer of Paden Valley, West Virginia. She died in September, 1893, at the age of 87 years and two months.

William Henry Cordray was about five months of age when his parents first located in Washington County, Ohio, and was reared on his present farm. He attended the district schools, and has since followed farming all his life. His home farm consists of 290 acres, and all told he possesses 908 acres of valuable farm land in Washington County. He also lias 160 acres in Monroe County, Ohio. He is a man of many excellent traits of character, and is held in the highest esteem by his fel- low men.

November 25, 1869, Mr. Cordray married Anna S. Algeo, who was born in Monroe County, Ohio, September 15, 1839, and was a daughter of Charles and Eliza Algeo, her father being a farmer. She died December 7, 1899, having had four children, three of whom are now living, viz .: Fannie, Eliza and Cora. The subject of this sketch is a strong supporter of the Democratic party. Mrs. Cordray was a faithful member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

AMUEL F. KOONTZ, a member of the firm of Koontz & Meyer, en- gaged in the general harness, saddle and shoe business at New Matamoras, Washington County, Ohio, is a native of Brownsville, Monroe County, Ohio. He was born January 15, 1854, and is a son of Peter F. and Ann (Speck) Koontz.

Peter F. Koontz was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1825, and was a merchant for many years. He settled in Monroe County in 1848, where he became a merchant at Browns- ville. and resided there until his death. He was a Democrat, in politics, and in religious attach- ment belonged to the Methodist Church. His wife, Ann Speck, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1848. They had four children, all of whom are living as follows: William T., of Woodsfield, Ohio; Martha R., who mar-

ried C. A. Cline ; Samuel F., the subject of this sketch; and Addie, who married Dr. G. B. West.

Samuel F. Koontz located in New Mata- moras in 1881, where he worked as a clerk for Cline & Son. He engaged in his present busi- ness in 1898, forming a partnership with Mr. Meyer. They carry on a general harness, sad- dle and shoe business and the store is very well patronized. Mr. Koontz has been very suc- cessful in a business way, a fact which is due entirely to his own efforts.

The subject of this sketch was married in 1881 to Jennie Ellrod, who was born in Mon- roe County, December 29, 1859. They have two children,-Mattie R. and Della. Mr. Koontz is a Democrat, in politics, and is a member of the Masonic order. He served as postmaster of New Matamoras, under Presi- dent Cleveland, from 1884 to 1892, and has served as township clerk three terms.

EORGE W. BONNELL, recorder of Washington County, Ohio, is a resi- dent of Marietta. He was born at Brownsville, Monroe County, Ohio, March 31, 1847, and is a son of George W. Bonnell.

George W. Bonnell was a native of Vir- ginia, and for many years resided in Barnes- ville, Belmont County, Ohio. He was a miller by trade, and followed that occupation until he settled in Monroe County, when he became a dealer in, and packer of, leaf tobacco. He married Cavy Ann Anderson, who was reared in Guernsey County, Ohio, and died in 1852. Their children were as follows: George W., the subject of this sketch : Ruth ( Cochran), of Marietta; V. T., of Center View, Monroe County, Ohio: Harriett ( Reynolds) of Du- pont, Jefferson County, Indiana ; Sarah ( Rom- inger ), of Hartsville, Indiana. George W.

Bonnell, Sr., died in 1867.

George W. Bonnell, the subject of this sketch, resided in Monroe County until 1867, when he came to Washington County. He

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returned to Monroe County in 1868, and three years later settled in Grandview, Washington County, Ohio, where, for 22 years, he was en- gaged in merchandizing with G. A. Shapley. The last three years of that time he was also engaged in the leaf-tobacco business, as a dealer for himself. He was elected county re- corder, to succeed John W. Athey, in the fall of 1899, and assumed the duties of his office in September, 1900, moving to Marietta in June of that year. He has filled this office in a most acceptable manner, and bids fair to hold it for some time to come.

He married Amanda J. McCracken, who was born in Monroe County, Ohio, and was reared in Greene County, Pennsylvania. They live on the west side in Marietta. Mr. Bon- nell belongs to Lodge No. 374, F. & A. M., of New Matamoras, American Union Chapter, No. 1. R. A. M., of Marietta ; and Marietta Council, No. 78, R. & S. M. He is a member of Buell Post, G. A. R. He enlisted at the age of 17 years, in 'Monroe County, and served 10 months in Company I, 179th Reg., Ohio Vol. Infantry.

HE PENROSE & SIMPSON COM- PANY. This firm, which deals in wholesale groceries at No. 157 Front street, Marietta, Ohio, is the largest concern of the kind in that city and its vicinity. It was incorporated in 1898, and its present officers are practically the same as those who established it. Charles Penrose is presi- dent : J. S. Simpson, vice-president and treas- urer: R. G. Simpson, secretary; and W. M. Sprague and Frank Penrose are directors.

The firm of Penrose & Simpson succeeded Bosworth, Wells & Company, January 1, 1891. Bosworth, Wells & Company had conducted a similar business in Marietta for, probably, fifty years, and were well known in the states of Ohio and West Virginia. The buikling which Penrose & Simpson now occupy is 30 feet wide, extending from Front street to the next street west, and consists of three floors and a base- ment. Twelve men are employed in the house, and four traveling salesmen cover the territory

of Washington, Noble, Monroe, Morgan, Ath- ens and Meigs counties in Ohio, and also the border counties in West Virginia and along the Ohio River. Besides this, a large mail-order trade is done. Only a high grade of stock is carried, and the business, which increases an- nually, is one of the most successful in Mari- ctta.

Messrs. Penrose and Simpson, president and vice-president of the Company, respect- ively. were formerly general merchants in Mor- gan County, Ohio, the former, at Chester Hill, and the latter, at Pennsville, for over twenty years.

J. S. Simpson is a native of Morgan coun- ty, and has devoted his life to mercantile pur- suits. He married a daughter of John Penrose, and with their children, they live on Fifth street, in Marietta. The children are as fol- lows: Robert J., who is secretary of the Pen- rose & Simpson Company; Mary P., who is che wife of Dr. Donalson. of Marietta ; Ethelyn, who is a graduate of Marietta College; Charles O., who graduated from that college in the class of 1902; and Janet and Filmore, who are in school. Mr. Simpson is president of the Pioneer Building & Loan Association; and is a member of the Commercial Travelers' Asso- ciation and the Board of Trade. He is a thor- ough business man, is known as one of the rep- resentative citizens of Marietta, and has taken a deep interest in the advancement of that city.

Charles Penrose, who is also a native of Morgan County, married a daughter of James B. McGrew, who was a pioneer of Morgan County. They have four children, namely : Frank, a salesman for his father's company, who lives in Marietta, and married Lillian Sleigh; Mary, the wife of T. E. Mckinney, of Marietta College: James, who graduated from Marietta College, with the class of 1902; and Chester, who is at present employed in the of- f.ces of the Penrose & Simpson Company.

Mr. Penrose is a member of the Board of Trade and a director in the First National Bank of Marietta. Both Mr. Simpson and Mr. Penrose are members of the Congregational Church. They stand very high in Marietta. both in a business and social way.

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OSEPH FISHER, a well-known farm- er and business man, residing in the northeast corner of Barlow township, is prominently identified with various successful enterprises in Washington County, Ohio, and ranks among its most enter- prising citizens. Mr. Fisher is a native of Barlow township, where, since 1884, he has resided on his fine farm of 330 acres. For a number of years he was engaged in buying and selling wheat and wood, and he also spent ten years in the lumber business. Some time later he was a prime mover in establishing an oil in- dustry in his immediate vicinity. He secured leases covering considerable territory, and in company with his brother, put down a well which proved to be an abundant producer and caused great excitement in the neighborhood. Mr. Fisher subsequently sold his leases to the Fisher Farm Oil Company, which is composed of reliable oil men and has its office in Mari- etta. He retains, however, an interest in the business, from which he derives considerable income. The company operates 12 pumping wells, which are quite productive.

Various other business enterprises claim the attention of Mr. Fisher, among them the tele- phone system conducted by Messrs. Hayes & Harvey, which has been so beneficial to the community, and which is described elsewhere in this volume. He is also successfully en- gaged in general farming.

Mr. Fisher has been twice married. His first wife was Marion B. Turner, a daughter of George B. Turner. Her death took place in 1900, and some time later, Mr. Fisher was united with Ruth Brockway, a daughter of Herman Brockway, a prominent resident of Washington County.

Fraternally, Mr. Fisher is a charter member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Watertown, and for the past twenty-two years has affiliated with Mt. Moriah Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Beverly, Ohio. He is regarded as one of the most suc- cessful men of the township, and he is virtually a self-made man, his success being due to his individual efforts, and his good investments. His farm is well improved, well stocked, and kept in excellent order. A few years ago, a

handsome seven-room cottage, of modern de- sign. was built on it, and other modern im- provements were added, until he now has one of the most attractive homes in the vicinity.

J OSEPH A. ARNOLD is one of the prominent farmers of Washington County, and lives upon his productive and well-improved farm of 200 acres, which is located partly in the north- ern portion of Barlow township and partly in the adjoining township of Watertown,-be- ing principally in the latter.

Mr. Arnold was born in Watertown town- ship, on May 12, 1846, and is a son of Henry S. and Janett ( Woodruff ) Arnold. The former was born in Rhode Island, in the early part of the 19th century, and died on July 26, 1874. He came with his father, Joseph P. Arnold, to Marietta, the trip being made by flatboat, which also conveyed ox-teams and farming im- plements, with household goods and domestic conveniences. Reaching Marietta, the goods were loaded on wagons, and the little cavalcade started for Lancaster, Ohio, where it was the intention to locate. Progress through the woods was necessarily slow and wearisome, but by the end of the second day the family had reached the hamlet of Wooster, which had probably been so named by Esquire Woodford, who was then the only resident. Owing to the high waters of the creek, Joseph Arnold found that he could proceed no further, and making a virtue of necessity, he located one and a half miles north of the intended village, remarking to its inhabitant, that in his opinion the name of the place should be changed to Watertown, which it henceforth became.

The first marriage of Henry S. Arnold was to a Miss Burlingame, who, at her death, left one child, now Mrs. Elizabeth Yarnell, who is a resident of Columbus, Ohio. His second marriage united him with one of the most prominent families in Washington County. He married Janett Woodruff, who was born on the farm adjoining Mr. Arnold's present home, and was a daughter of Isaac and Margaret

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

(Green) Woodruff. She resides now in Wat- ertown. Isaac Woodruff died May 4. 1861, aged 73 years, nine months and 28 days, his wife having passed away on February 13. 1853. aged 62 years, six months and four days. The maternal granduncle o Mr. Arnold was Abner Woodruff, who came from New Jersey to Watertown, in 1802 or 1803, bringing with him his wife and three sons, viz: Abner Jr., Isaac and Elias.

Abner Woodruff, Jr., was born December II, 1801, and died October II. 1882. His first wife, Mary H., died October 6, 1833, aged 32 years, leaving one daughter,-Emily A.,- born June 29, 1829, who died in the 15th year of her age. The second wife of Abner Wood- ruff, Jr., was Parmelia P. Gilmore, who died December 13, 1849. A daughter of this mar- riage, Amanda L., born July 4, 1832, married John Ford, who was a brother of Seth Ford. of Barlow township,-this family being also one of prominence. Mrs. Ford died on May 29, 1893, at Arkansas City, Kansas. Abner Woodruff, Jr., fell heir to the Woodruff farm, which Mr. Arnold purchased in 1874.

Elias Woodruff was born in New Jersey. on June 20, 1793. and was brought to Wash- ington County, Ohio, in April, 1798, where he lived until his death, on October 21, 1874. His wife, Eleanor McGuire, was born on No- vember 16, 1793, in Hampshire County, West Virginia, and was brought to Ohio in 1801 ; she died January 12, 1877. Their daughter. Mrs. Sarah Ann Browning, died on January 2. 1894. aged 72 years and 10 months. Ten children were born to Isaac and Margaret (Green) Woodruff, as follows: Silas; Duty; John: Chester; Janett: Caroline; Parmelia ; Maria ; Nancy ; and Calvin. The last-named died in Decatur township, in 1861. Silas, the eldest of the family, was born December 13. ISII, and is now' the oldest man in Barlow township; he still resides upon the farm on which he was born. His first marriage was to Mary, a daughter of David Stump, and they had the following children: Hiram, a resi- dent of Kansas: Isaac, deceased; David and Anson, both residents of Kansas: Sarah, de- ceased, who was the wife of Samuel Cross ;

Maria, widow of Isaac L. Palmer, a resident of California ; and Mary A., wife of Harvey Martin, of Iowa. Mrs. Silas Woodruff died in 1859, and Mr. Woodruff married Mrs. Eliz- abeth Stoller, daughter of Peter and Martha J. Young, natives of Pennsylvania. By her first marriage, the second Mrs. Woodruff had four children, namely: Mrs. Sarah Ann Dill- ing, of Iowa: Peter W., who died in Kansas ; and Cromwell and John H., both of Waterford township, Washington County. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. Woodruff by his second marriage, namely : Mrs. Alfretta Potter, who died in Belpre township: Calvin E., who lives in Oklahoma ; and Marion G. and Clarence L., both of whom are at home. Silas Woodruff is a highly esteemed man, and is noted far and wide for his charity and benevolence. He is a man of large means, oil having been discovered in large quantities on his land, and several wells being in operation there. Duty Woodruff served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, and died in Missouri. John left Washington County in 1849. for Pike's Peak, and has never been heard from since. Chester died in Missouri. Caroline, born Feb- ruary 5. 1821, is the widow of Hiram Martin. who died December 31. 1888, aged 69 years : she resides at Watertown. Parmelia is the widow of William Bell, who died June 17. 1868, aged 58 years; she resides in Barlow village. Her children were as follows: An- sell J., who died August 13, 1875, aged 22, years ; Henry L., who died in September, 1901 ; Charles W., also deceased, who is buried in Barlow cemetery; Mrs. Hannah Henry, who died at Amesville, Athens County, Ohio; Ves- ta, who is the wife of Hugh Greenlees. of Bar- low township: John, who resides at Fishtown, or Layman, in Fairfield township; and Isaac, who resides in Barlow village. Maria was the wife of John Atkinson, and died in Gallia County, Ohio, about 15 years ago. Nancy married Joseph Stump, and died near Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. The mother of Jo- seph A. Arnold was the oldest daughter of the family.

A family of two sons and three daughters was born to Henry S. and Janett (Woodruff)

Hoffman

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Arnold, as follows: Joseph A., the subject of this sketch; George, who resides in Water- town township ; Mrs. Emeline Hildebrand, who resides in Palmer township; Mrs. Mina A. Drain, who also resides in Palmer township; and Mrs. Mary Jane Bingham, of Watertown township.

Joseph A. Arnold was reared on his father's farm, the same property on which his brother, George, now lives, and attended the Barlow schools, and later, the Beverly high school. In 1863 when Morgan, the guerrilla, was mak- ing his raids through portions of Ohio, Mr. Arnold became a member of the Home Guards, or state militia, and was out in pursuit of the famous raider, for two weeks. Although but 18 years of age, in 1864, he succeeded in en- listing in the army, and took part, as a member of Company I, 148th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., which was raised at Watertown, in the opera- tions of General Grant's army before Rich- mond and Petersburg. He is thus entitled to his honorable membership in Barlow Post, No. 434, G. A. R., of which he was command- er one year, and quartermaster for 16 consecu- tive years. After the surrender of General Lee and the close of the war, Mr. Arnold came home and resumed peaceful pursuits. With all his experience he was still a youth, in years, and while looking about for a suitable career. began to teach school. He passed the winter of 1867-1868 in following that profession, in Missouri. and was likewise engaged in Wash- ington County, Ohio, after his return. In 1871, he went to Kansas, and then taught school in Missouri, until his second return east, in the fall of 1872. During that winter and the one following, he taught the school in his home neighborhood, having then com- pleted 10 terms as a teacher, which proved his great adaptability to that calling. Had his lines fallen in that direction, Mr. Arnold, with- out doubt, would have become noted as an edu- cator. He is one of the most intelligent, thoroughly-posted and progressive farmers of this part of the county, and manages and op- erates his large farm with a thoroughiness which produces most satisfactory results. In the fall of 1901, he remodeled his residence,

and also built a home for his tenant, in the vicinity ; he carries on extensive modern farm- ing. Mr. Arnold has valuable oil land, and on July 16, 1902, a 100-barrel well was bored on his farm, and other wells are under way.

In 1874, Mr. Arnold was united in mar -- riage with Agnes Greenlees, a daughter of Da- vid and Nancy Greenlees, and a native of Wa- tertown township. Three children have result- ed from this marriage, namely : Ella V., born June 20, 1882; an infant son, who died in 1879; and an infant daughter, who died in 1890. In politics, Mr. Arnold is an active member of the Republican party, and has : served as township trustee, and, very frequent- ly, as his party's delegate to county and state conventions. He is a man of broad views and progressive ideas, and takes an interest in those enterprises which promise to benefit his com- munity. He is the president of the board of directors of the Watertown Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, which is officered by the following reliable and responsible men of Washington County : Joseph A. Arnold, president ; J. M. Tresh, of Warren township, vice-president ; William Biedel, of Water- town township, secretary and treasurer; and Joseph Fisher, of Barlow, J. M. Brown, of Palmner, and W. C. Arnold, of Watertown, directors. The office of the company is lo- cated at Watertown village.

AUSTIN COFFMAN, who is ex- tensively engaged in the real estate business in Marietta, Ohio, was born in Warren township, Washington County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Jane ( Miller ) Coffman.

The Coffman family has long been one of prominence in Washington County. Jacob. Coffman, great-grandfather of S. Austin, was born in Germany, and at an early age came to Amercia, first locating at Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania. He moved to Washington County, Ohio, in 1795, settled in Marietta township, and later located in Warren township. In 1834, he moved to Hardin County, Ohio, .

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where he lived until his death. He was the father of five children, namely: Jacob; Polly; Fannie : Deborah ; and Thomas. Thomas Coff- man, grandfather of S. Austin was born No- vember 8, 1805. June 18, 1829, he married Rebecca Callahan, who was born in Water- ford township, Washington County, Ohio, Oc- tober 18, 1807, and they had nine children, as follows : Mary J .; Henry: George W .: Charles ; John; Thomas A. ; Sarah ; Lucy ; and Martha. Thomas Coffman served 15 consecu- tive years as township trustee.

John Coffman was born in Watertown township, February 28, 1840. He married Jane Miller, June 1, 1862, and they are the parents of the following children: Lizzie; S. Austin ; Franklin; and Carrie.

S. Austin Coffman attended the J. D. Phillips grammar school, after which he was engaged in teaching for two terms. In 1888 and 1889. he was with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company and the United States Ex- press Company, in different capacities. H was also engaged in agricultural pursuits un- til 1895, when he moved to Fleming, Barlow township, and conducted a general store for two and a half years. In 1898 he sold out his business to Mr. Starr, and moved to Marietta. He purchased the Plumer & Cochran insurance business. in addition to which he subsequently engaged in the real estate business. He re- cently sold the insurance branch to C. C. Ev- ans, who is a native of Butler County, Ohio, and a graduate of Marietta College. Mr. Coffman is now devoting his attention entirely to his real estate transactions, and oil interests at Tunnel and other fields. His office is at No. 6 Mills Building.

Mr. Coffman was joined in matrimony with Kate A., a daughter of William and Lucinda Wittekind, and a native of Warren township. They have a son, Melvin Ray, aged eight years. Fraternally, Mr. Coffman is a member of Har- mar Lodge. No. 390. F. & A. M .; American Union Chapter. No. I. R. A. M .: Marietta Commandery. No. 50, K. T .; Marietta Coun- cil, No. 78, R. & S. M .: Syrian Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cincinnati: Lodge No. 115, I. O. O. F., of Marietta; Lodge No. 1544.

Royal Arcanum, of which he was a charter member, and has served as secretary several years. He and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star,-the ladies auxili- ary of the Masonic order. They belong to Gilman Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Coffman served most acceptably as clerk of Warren township a number of years. In 1900 he was elected to the Council of Mari- etta from the Sixth Ward, and was re-elected in 1902.

RS. CLARINDA JANE McIN- TOSH, deceased, a member of one of the most prominent old fam- ilies of Washington County, Ohio, resided in Beverly, where she had many friends, whose acquaintance she had en- joyed for many years. She was born at the old homestead on Fifth street, Marietta, Feb- ruary 17, 18II, and was a daughter of John and Laura (Shepard) Clark.

John Clark was born near Boston, Mas- sachusetts, in 1765, and was a son of Samuel Clark, who was born in Massachusetts, and was engaged in ship building. John Clark was a lumber man in Maine, for some time, and in 1793. came to Marietta, Ohio, where he fol- lowed farming in the vicinity of Beverly. He was sheriff of the county from 1803 to 1810, and was serving as such during the Burr ex- pedition. In serving subpoenas in the cele- brated case brought by the government against Burr, Mr. Clark rode fifty miles a day, for a month, going as far as Tennessee. He specu- lated somewhat in cattle and horses, and at one time lost considerable money in iron specula- tion. In 1795, he bought lots, on which, in 1798, he began the construction of the old fam- ily homestead, on Fifth street, Marietta. Two years were consumed in its construction, and the deed to the property was in the possession of Mrs. McIntosh at the time of her death. Mr. Clark. in 1793, brought from Pennsyl- vania the first sheep known to have been in Washington County, and they had to be kept near the house, as a protection from the wolves. He died in 1850, and was buried at Mound

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Cemetery. Fraternally, he was a prominent

Mason. His first marriage was with Rosanna McAllister, by whom he had four children, namely : Jolin : Sally, who married Benajah Curtis; Polly, who married Jason R. Curtis; and Isaac.

After the death of his first wife, John Clark married Laura Shepard, who was born in Massachusetts on the day the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought, June 19. 1776. In 1788, she accompanied her parents to Marietta. She was a daughter of Enoch and Esther (Dewey) Shepard. Her father brought with him a company of twenty-three artisans to the new settlement at Marietta. Mr. and Mrs. Clark became parents of nine children, as fol- lows: Laura, who was born November 23. 1800, and married Lawrence Chamberlin ; Me- lissa, born November 25, 1802; Timothy T., born December 19. 1804: Edward W. T., born October 8, 1806; Esther Ann, born October 9, 1809: Clarinda Jane, the subject of this biography ; Nancy, who was born in 1813. and died in infancy; Samuel, born in 1815; and Hannah, born in 1818. Mrs. Clark was a member of the Congregational Church.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 187

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490