History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 200

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 200

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The subject of this sketch was born Au- gust 7, 1843, in Adams township, and has foi- lowed various pursuits during the years that followed. In the autumn of 1869, he was, for a short time, engaged in the drug business in partnership with his brother-in-law, at Har-

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

mar, Ohio. In 1871 he located in Lowell, intending to pursue the occupation of a pho- tographer. This project was also abandoned after some time, but he has been busy never- theless, in various other occupations. He is the owner of 100 acres of valuable land in Adams township, as well as desirable proper- ty in Lowell. He has aesthetic tastes, and has many interesting relics, especially those pertaining to the Mound-Builders, and has also been very much interested in genealogical re- search.

Mr. Davis has never married. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as town- ship treasurer. In Lowell, where he lives, he has served on the school board, and has also been village clerk. He has been a notary pub- lic more than 20 years.

OSEPH COX, a courteous and estima- ble citizen of Lowell, Washington County, Ohio, is well-known through- out Adams township, and accounted among its first-class citizens. He was born in 1820, and is a native of Marshall County, West Virginia. His parents were George N. and Martha Cox.

George N. Cox was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and was born May 15, 1787. During the year 1816 he removed from his native State to Virginia, where he resided until 1838, the date of his removal to Ohio and his set- tlement in Washington County. For some years he lived in Aurelius township, but after- ward made his home in Salem township for a short time. Still later, he went to Adams township, where he remained until 1879, the year of his death. He and his beloved wife reared eleven children, as follows: Jane A. ; James F. ; Sam N. : William F. ; Ben M., and Joseph, twins: George W .: John F. : Charles : Margaret, and Edwin R. Jane, George and Charles are deceased.

Joseph Cox learned the trade of a tinner, and at the age of 24 years, went to Adams township. Washington County, and fol- lowed his trade for ten years. At the end of

that time he made his home in Lowell, and while still a resident of that city embarked in mercantile pursuits. In which he continued for twenty-three years. In 1887, however, he sold his business to Sprague & Wolfram, and has since lived in retirement.

The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Harriet Porter, of Salem town- ship, in 1849. She was born in 1826, daughter of Thomas and Rhoda (Sutton) Porter, and the only survivor of the four children born of that union. Her father was later married to Polly Stille. Thomas Porter died in 1891, aged 90 years. The Porter family trace their ancestry directly back to one Jolin Porter, who was born in England in 1596. It is not known at what date he arrived in the Massa- chusetts Colony, but he was there as early as 1635. He first settled in Hingham, but sub- sequently removed to Salem. At the time of his death, in 1676, he was the most extensive land owner in that colony.

This John Porter and his wife, Mary, had a family, among whom was Joseph, who mar- ried Ann Hawthorne, and they reared a son called Joseph. He and his wife, Mary, reared a son whom they also called Joseph, and thus the given name of the father was perpetuated through several generations. This last- mentioned Joseph and his wife, Mary, reared a son, Amos, grandfather of Mrs. Cox, and the first of the family concerning whom any authentic facts are obtainable.

Amos Porter was born in Danvers. Massa- chusetts, in 1742, and in 1764, married Annie Bradstreet, a direct descendant from Governor Simon Bradstreet. In 1788 Amos went west, landing at Marietta, Ohio, in April, of that year, and some time later his marriage with Sabra Tolman was chronicled. His children were as follows; Amos, William, Samuel, Thomas (the father of Mrs. Cox), Rufus, Hiram, Lydia, Jerusha, and Almer.

A few facts concerning Governor Brad- street will not be inappropriate in this place. Simon Bradstreet was born at Hurbling, Eng- land, in 1603. When grown to manhood he attended Cambridge College, England, and in 1630, in company with the Winthrops, Dud-

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leys, and other distinguished personages he crossed the stormy sea in the "Arabella," and assisted in founding a colony in Massachu- setts. Before leaving England he was vested with the office of assistant judge in the colony of Salem, to which he was annually re-elected for a period of fifty years. He was afterward deputy governor of the same colony, and in 1679 was appointed governor, and served as such until the charter was revoked. History says he was restored to office in 1680, and remained in power until the new charter ar- rived in 1692, when he was made first coun- cilor.

Mr. and Mrs. Cox have one child, Flora M., who became the wife of A. W. Tompkins. The father and mother are living a quiet, re- tired life at their beautiful home on the Mus- kingun' River, just on the outskirts of the city of Lowell. In their day they have been prominent and serviceable citizens, and their lives are now closing with the rest they well deserve.

D AVID N. MINDLING, one of the most prominent farmers of Water- town township, Washington County, Ohio, is a son of Henry and Mary Ann ( Henry ) Mindling, and was born in 1865, in that township.

Henry Mindling first saw the light of day in Germany, in 1839. He left his native country in 1848, and coming to the United States located in Washington County. He has followed agricultural pursuits for many years, and is well acquainted with all the details in- volved in that calling.

Mr. Mindling was united in matrimony with Mary Ann Henry, a daughter of Robert and Hannah Henry, her father being also ac- tive in farming. Mrs. Mindling was born, leared and died on the farm where her hus- band still resides, the first event occurring in 1847, and the last in 1891. She was a men- ber of the German Lutheran Church, which her husband still attends. They were blessed with six children, as follows: Mary, who mar-

ried Jacob Weihl, resides in Warren township; David N., the subject of this biography ; Philip who is deceased ; Christina, the wife of William Morris, of Williamstown, West Virginia; Hi- ram J., deceased, and Frederick, living in Watertown township. Mr. Mindling is a firm Democrat in politics.

David N. Mindling was united in mar- riage, in 1891, with Clancie Morey, daughter of Daniel and Jane Morey. She is a native of Warren township, and was born in 1871. They have two children : Dayton N., born in 1892; and Chester H., born in December, 1898. The- German Lutheran Church is the preference of the family and they give that church their sup- port and assistance.

Mr. Mindling is a valued member of the Democratic party, and is now serving his sec- ond term as township trustee. The farm which. he now owns, and on which the family are so comfortably situated, is about three miles east of Watertown, and consists of one hundred and thirty-eight acres. Mr. Mindling enjoys. the esteem and confidence of all who know them.

ACOB BIEDEL, a valued citizen of Watertown township. where he was born, carries on farming successfully on his home place of 84 acres, about three and a half miles from Beverly, Washington County, Ohio. The date of his birth was September 17, 1860, and his parents were Jacob and Catherine (Grasley) Biedel, both natives of Germany, who, with their par- ents, came to America, arriving at Marietta June 24, 1850.

Jacob Biedel, born July 23. 1833, enlisted in Company B. 77th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in the Civil war, and served faithfully until he became sick and was taken to the hospital at Pine Bluff. Arkansas, in 1863. Although he was given immediate treatment, he did not re- cover, and the citizens of Marietta, where he enlisted, never saw him again. He died on September 15. of that year, and lies buried where he died. His widow was married, on:

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

July 30, 1864, to Philip Bohl, who died April 7, 1872, and she still resides in Watertown township, at the age of 63 years. By her first marriage she was the mother of three children, -William, a sketch of whom also appears in this book, and who lives in Watertown town- ship; Jacob, the subject of this sketch: and John, who lives in Barlow township. There were also three children by her second union. namely : Henry, Philip and Lizzie Bohl. Lizzie is the wife of Alphonso Pottinyer, of Water- town township.

Jacob Biedel was united in marriage, in 1886, with Mary Wagner, a daughter of Adam and Mary Wagner, of Watertown township. who was born August 3, 1864. Their family consisted of the following children: Blanche. born July 29, 1887; Alice, born November 20, 1889 ; and Lawrence, born November 12, 1897. Alice died December 2, 1894. The family at- tend divine worship at the German Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Biedel is a Democrat, and always votes a straight ticket. He served with credit as trustee of his township, for six years, and has also been land appraiser for one term, which shows his interest in public affairs, and in the advancement of his com- munity.

A URELIUS J. LONGFELLOW. a prominent and influential business man and oil producer of Macksburg. Washington County, Ohio, was born in Aurelius township, in this county, December 19. 1857. and is a son of Aurelius and Elizabeth B. (Davidson) Longfellow. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Longfellow, a native of Maine, and a carpenter by trade, was among the pioneers of Aurelius township. Besides working at his trade, he was also en- gaged in farming. He was a cousin of Henry W. Longfellow, the illustrious poet, and came of a distinguished New England family. The maternal grandfather of the subject hereof was William Davidson, of County Durham, Eng- land, who in early life, followed the vocation of a sailor on the high seas. He settled in

Aurelius township about 1838, and was en- gaged in farming there until his death.

Aurelius Longfellow, father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Aurelius town- ship. August 16, 1819, and was named for the town of his birth. He always followed farm- ing as a vocation, and died September 6, 1897. His wife, Elizabeth B. Davidson, who was born in County Durham, England, died Sep- tember 18, 1895. They had thirteen children, of whom nine grew to maturity, namely: Jo- seph W .; William M .: Albert W .; Aurelius J. ; Samuel B .; James B. ; Jane, wife of James A. Hall: Margaret, wife of Cassius M. Dilley ; and Annie D., deceased wife of H. H. Math- ews.

Aurelius J. Longfellow was reared in Att- relius township, where he attended the com- mon schools. At the age of seventeen years, he began work in the oil fields, and familiar- ized himself with all the details of the business. Since 1890, he has been associated with his brother, Samuel B. Longfellow, in the oil-pro- ducing business, and although they encountered many obstacles, they have made a substantial success. They have also been interested in gold mining in Idaho, since 1901, and conduct a fine farm of 407 acres in Aurelius township. In the spring of 1902, they began the construc- tion of an elegant hotel in Macksburg, consist- ing of five stories, including the basement. It contains forty-eight rooms which will be fitted up in matchless style, with all the equipments of modern hotels, including steam heat, elec- tric lights, baths and hot and cold water. In fact, it is to be a hostelry which a city many times larger would be proud of. Mr. Long- fellow is a public-spirited citizen, and has been identified with many other local enterprises of a quasi-public character.

Aurelius J. Longfellow was married, Sep- tember 20, 1877, to Florence M. Dyer, a daughter of George and Lois (Fowler) Dyer, of Noble County, Ohio, and they have three children,-James F .; and Her- man H. and Harry L., who are twins. The subject of this sketch is a prominent fra- ternity man, being a member of Aurelius

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Lodge, No. 308, F. A. & A. M .; American Union Chapter, No. I, R. A. M., of Mari- etta; Marietta Commandery, Knights Temp- lar, Scottish Rite, 32d degree, of Cincinnati; Macksburg Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and a life member of Marietta Lodge, No. 477, B. P. O. E. He has served as trustee of Aurelius township three terms, and was a member of the Macksburg school board for a period of fourteen years. Politically, he is a Republican

ARLEY RUMMER, for many years resident of Washington County Ohio, is now a retired merchant it Lowell, Adams township, and enjoy the consideration and respect of hi fellow citizens as a just reward for many year of service he has given to his township and county. Mr. Rummer is a native of Ney York State, where he was born in 1826, and is a son of Parley and Sarah ( Tillotson) Rum mer, likewise natives of New York.

Parley Rummer, Sr., was born in 1798 and died in 1865. He became a resident Washington County in 1839, cultivated hi farm, although the greater part of his tim was given to working at his trade, which wa that of a carpenter. He was united in mar riage with Sarah Tillotson, a daughter of Aaron and Sarah Tillotson, born in 1800 They reared eleven children, as follows: Ly sander; Walter P .; Adelia; Aaron; Parley Darius : William J .; Richard; Melissa; and Sophronia and Salona, twins. The twins, Me lissa, Darius, Aaron, Walter P., and Lysande are deceased. The parents of these children were members of the Christian Church, it which they were faithful workers. Mr. Rum mer was quite prominent in political affairs being a member of the Republican party, and was for some time trustee of his township.

of Tilton & Spooner, which he conducted for seventeen consecutive years and then sold out to Franz Wilkins (2nd). Since then he has lived away from business cares and trials in the seclusion of his home life.

In 1857 Mr. Rummer was united in mar- riage with Clarinda M. Roach, a daughter of Daniel and Amy Roach, born in 1836, in what was then Morgan County, but has since been known as Noble County. Their union was blessed with four children, namely: Ira P., employed in Pennsylvania as a locomotive en- gineer; Flora C., who married Jacob Merritt, a prosperous farmer of Noble County, Ohio; Curtis, who died in infancy ; and Effie M., the wife of Edmund B. Geddes who was mar- ried August 10, 1886, and has one child, Cecil R., born July 30, 1887. Mrs. Rummer is a devoted member of the Christian Church, of Lowell.

Mr. Rummer's residence in Washington County dates back from 1839, when he lived in Aurelius township, from which he moved in 1848 to Adams township and located at Lowell. He belongs to the Republican party, and served as a member of the Lowell Com- mon Council; he has also held the position of clerk of the village. Socially he is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., affiliating with the local lodge, and has been in continuous connection with the order since 1851.

R OBERT HADLEY BIRNIE, the pop- ular druggist of Macksburg, Wash- ington County, Ohio, was born in Marietta, Ohio, June 24, 1875, and is a son of Robert and Eleanor (Had- ley) Birnie.

The father is a native of Paisley, Scotland, and came to America in the early "sixties." Soon afterward, he located in Marietta, and has since followed his vocation, that of a ma- chinist, having been, for upwards of ten years,

Parley Rummer, Jr., was a merchant most of his life. He clerked for a number of years in the employ of the Marietta Chair Company. previous to forming a partnership with I. D. He is the father of eight children, namely: Spooner and Henry Wolf, in 1866. This firm Mary, the wife of A. G. Shires; Charles T .: continued business for two years, when Mr. Robert H .: Helen: James A .; Frank W. : Rummer sold out. He purchased the business Florence; and Earl.

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Robert H. Birnie was reared in Marietta, and educated in the public schools of that city. Subsequently he served five years' apprentice- ship at the drug business, with the firm of J. WV. Dysle & Co., of Marietta. He graduated with honors, from the pharmacy department of the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio, in 1898, and later, was employed as a prescription clerk in various cities of Ohio until February, 1901, when he embarked in business for him- self at Macksburg. This he has since success- fully continued, and carries as fine a stock of goods in his line as could be found anywhere in Washington County. Mr. Birnie is pro- gressive and enterprising, thoroughly up-to- date in his business, and is popular with all classes. He is a prominent member of Mari- etta Lodge, No. 477, B. P. O. E.

J OHN A. BROWN, an influential and up-to-date farmer of Belpre township, is a resident of Little Hocking, Wash- ington County, Ohio. He is a na- tive of Scotland, where he was born, in 1835, in Argyleshire, and is a son of John and Ellen ( Loynachan) Brown, who came to the United States in 1810, and landed in New York about six weeks after starting.

John Brown and his family then traveled west, and when they arrived at Barlow town- ship, Washington County, Ohio, they settled there. Later, however, they removed to Bel- pre township, and made their home in that part which was afterward set off to Dunham township. There they lived and farmed the remainder of their lives. The mother died in her prime, in 1863, and the death of the father took place in 1887, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. They were members of the Presbyterian Church.

well adapted to general farming. This he cultivated in summer, and taught school during the winter months, for many years. At the present time he makes a specialty of raising fine stock.

Mr. Brown was one of the 100-day men, and enlisted, in Washington County, in Com- pany H, 148th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., serving under Colonel Moore and Captain Mitchell In B63 he was united in marriage with Isabella Shaw, a native of Washington, County, and a aughter of Duncan and Isabella (Colville ) Shaw, natives of Scotland. This union was lessed with two children,-Edwy Rolfe and lary Eleanor. Edwy Rolfe is a graduate d Marietta College, and is now actively em- joyed in the oil business. Mary E. is a teach- in the Willard building at Marietta, and as met with good success.

Fraternally Mr. Brown affiliates with the . A. R. In religious opinions he is in accord ith the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. [is long life has been full of useful and indly deeds to many, and he is a straightfor- ard, upright man whom it is a pleasure to ull friend.

EWIS M. BATTIN, a prosperous farmer of Belpre township, Washing- ton County, Ohio, was born in Mor- gan County, Ohio, February 20, 1830, and is a son of Lewis and Han- ah Jane ( Aikens) Battin, who had seven hildren.

Mr. Battin received his mental training 1 the common schools of Morgan County, ntil he attained the age of eight years, when e attended school in Washington County, Ohio. As a boy he found plenty of work on he farm, and upon reaching his majority he worked in a sawmill and followed that occu-

John A. Brown attended the common ation nearly all his active life.

schools of Dunham township, and when he When the Civil War engrossed the atten- reached his majority he supplemented his pri- ion of all patriotic citizens, Mr. Battin enlisted mary studies by a term of school in Marietta, in the 100-day service, as a member of Com- previous to applying himself to farming His pany H, 148th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and served present property was purchased in 1861, and bravely under Col. Moore. This was in 1864, consists of 120 acres of good, valuable land, when he was thirty-four years of age, and after

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seeing hard service for the time of his enlist- \political opinions takes sides with the Repub- lican party.

ment, he returned home and resumed his former duties.

In 1859 Virginia Smith, a native of Wash- ington County, and a daughter of Royal S. and Jane ( Dilley) Smith, became the wife of Mr. Battin and they had three children, as fol- lows: Leota, who married Rollin Bartlett. of Little Hocking: William A. ; and Nellie, who was united in marriage with William L. Chambers, of Athens County, Ohio. In re- ligious matters Mr. Battin entertains liberal views, but is a member of the Universalist Church. His services are valued as a member of the G. A. R. For the past sixty-four years he has been a resident of the school district. and the people of his acquaintance are many.

When Lewis Battin first went to Wash- ington County there were no fences to be seen, and deer and wild turkey were abundant. The farmers had to go to Big Hocking to mill. Wild hogs were very numerous in that section of the country, and only occasionally could be seen a little log-hut.

D R. GEORGE A. PHILLIPS, an in- fluential and industrious citizen of Lowell, Washington County, Ohio, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1856, and is a son of Lureston W. and Isabelle ( Adair) Phillips, both being of Scotch-Irish descent.

Lureston W. Phillips lives upon his native place, the farm he now owns, two miles north- west of Barnesville, Belmont County, Ohio. He married Isabelle Adair, daughter of George Adair, born near Antrim, Guernsey County. Ohio, in 1832. She and her husband are members of the Christian Church, in which they are faithful workers. They have had four children, namely: Allie, the widow of Dr. Charles Webb, living at Barnesville: Ed- ward E., living at the homestead farm: May Belle, also at home; and George A. Mr. Phil- lips has now reached the age of seventy-two years. He has always been a farmer, and in

The subject of this sketch chose for his wife Lizzie J. Shanton, a daughter of Jackson and Martha Shanton. She was born near Yel- low Bud. Ross County, Ohio, in 1867, and was married to Mr. Phillips in 1890. To this union one child. Iva Narelle, was born in March, 1893.

The early mental training of Dr. Phillips was obtained in the common schools, and at the Barnesville high school. He then deter- mined to fit himself to be a physician, and en- tered the Columbus Medical College in 1888: from this he graduated in 1890. He was one of a class of forty, and took second honors. the prize being S40. The year of his gradua- tion he started his practice in Lowell, and so marked and satisfactory has been his suc- cess there, that he has remained until the pres- ent day. His skill and knowledge are recog- nized by all and he has some of the best citi- zens of the town among his patients. He is a grave, courteous gentleman worthy of the trust and friendship of those about him.

Dr. Phillips belongs to the Republican par- ty, and has served on the school board, and as a member of the town council with attentive interest. In fraternal circles he affiliates with K. of P. Lodge. No. 395, and is also a member of Barnesville Lodge, No. 185, I. O. O. F.

OHN C. SANER, one of the busiest men of Lowell. Washington County, Ohio, is cashier and manager of the First National Bank of Lowell, and is also an extensive dealer in real es- tate and fire insurance to a great extent. He has helped to organize a number of banks in other cities, and for his age his record is one of the best. He has displayed the pluck and determination which he possesses in climbing from the lowest round of the ladder of suc- cess, so rapidly and surely, toward the top. Mr. Saner is the son of Conrad and Caro- \ line ( Burdsung) Saner, and was born in Ma-

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

rietta, Ohio, in 1874. Conrad Saner was born Bank of Lowell, Ohio, and he was given a po- sition there as cashier and manager. It was one of the first institutions to be organized under the new law which provided for the establishing of banks on a capital of $25,000. It is now two years old, has a surplus and un- divided profits of $5,000, a capital of $25,000, and is paying regular semi-annual dividends. The corporation owns the building in which it conducts its business, which is very nicely built, and is furnished throughout with all inodern conveniences. The stockholders of the German National Bank also organized two other banks,-the l'irst National Bank, at Ches- ter Hill, and the First National Bank, at of $200.000. in Germany, in 1837 and came to America in 1852, finding a suitable location in the vicinity of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He located there with his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Saner. and learned the trade of a carpenter and con- tractor. During the Civil War. he enlisted, in 1862, as a member of Company H. 7th Reg. Ohio Vol. Cavalry. He was living at this time in Marietta, where he moved in 1853, pur- chased a fine farm of 100 acres on the bank of the Muskingum River, and spent his time in cultivating the land until 1862. Ile served in the war until 1865, took part in the Battle of Shiloh and many other important engage- ments, and was honorably discharged. He , Woodsfield, Ohio, representing a capital stock was united in marriage with Caroline Burd- sung, who was born in 1844, and they reared the following children : Jacob; William : John C .; Elizabeth and Frank, who are at home; Edith, who graduated from the Marietta high school with the class of 1902 ; Mary : Ma- tilda; and Beulah. The two last mentioned are also living on the home place in Marietta, with their parents. Mary, William and Jacob are deceased.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 200

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