History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 149

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060

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employed in the favorable seasons, for five years, with an average delivery at Louisville, of forty tons daily. He was employed by J. P. Burton, in Stark and Tuscarawas Cos., for about fourteen years, which has given him a wide and practical knowledge of the geologi- cal formations of the black-band ore, and strata contiguous to it. In his opinions he has met with opposition from the State Geologist, Newberry, Mr. Tinkler claiming that no other belt of black-band ore has ever been discovered outside of a three-mile belt, begin- ning at Mineral Ridge, Trumbull Co., and extending S. W. to the Ohio River. Mr. Tinkler was married to Miss Harriet Hicks, of Massillon, in February, 1856. This mar- riage is blest with one child, a young lady of culture and refinement, still at home. Mr. Tinkler is at present engaged in ornament- ing and improving his beautiful home and farm.

JOHN VAN VOORHIS, farmer and stock- man; P. O. Mapleton. Among the many prominent families of Osnaburg Tp. is that of Van Voorhis, which the subject of this sketch represents. John Van Voorhis was born in Osnaburg Tp., Sept. 19, 1824, son of Peter and Margaret (Sickman) Van Voorhis. His father was a native of York State; his mother of the Keystone State. John was an apprentice on his father's farm until he was eighteen, at which time he en- gaged himself to a shoemaker in Canton, O., and continued pounding his lust for nine years. During these years he purchased 111 acres in the southern part of Osnaburg Tp., In 1851 he removed to the same. In 1863, he increased this fine-sized farm by an additional tract of 31 acres. Not only has he his fields in the highest state of cultiva- tion, but he has also removed many of the early land marks, and replaced them by neat and convenient buildings. In connection with his grain farming, he usually keeps a few stall-fed steers, and a well assorted lot of choice Merino ewes. Mr. Van Voorhis, uni- ted in marriage, Feb. 27, 1845, and has been blessed with eleven children, ten of whom are living-Elizabeth, Mrs. William Judd; Peter K., in Osnaburg Tp .; Mary, Mrs. Sutz- chal, of Sandy Tp .; Dan. E., of Pike Tp., dealer and shipper of live stock; Margaret, Mrs. Niman, deceased, of Osnaburg Tp .;

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Caroline, Mrs. Ed. L. Roaher, of Michigan Those who are at home are: Eleanora, Wil- liam and Elmer. Mrs. Van Voorhis, died Aug. 24, 1875. Mr. Van Voorhis was re-uni- ted in wedlock to Miss Barbara Judd, in the centennial year. They are all members of the Christian Church. In politics, he began with the Whig party, and remained in that faith until the Republican party arose, with which he still affiliates.

JACOB M. WALK, P. O. Osnaburg; is one of the most earnest and driving farmers in the vicinity of Osnaburg, who was born in Lan- caster Co .. Penn., Aug. 26, 1824, son of Samuel and Christina (Miller) Walk. Mr. Walk was a posthumous child. His mother remained a widow for eight years, when she was married a second time to Mr. John Singer. Mr. Walk remained with his mother until his twenty-first year. In 1838 he removed to Stark Co. by wagon, spending a fortnight upon the route. In the spring of the following year he moved with his parents to near the present village of Mapleton. Since that date the vil- lage has been organized and built up, Mr. Walk still remembering the first sale of the lots, which ranged in price from $15 to $30. Mr. Singer being a weaver by profession, his step-son learned the business of coverlid weav- ing in 1842, at which occupation he remained until 1860, investing his surplus funds in real estate, and doing some farming. He pur- chased his first home of 20 acres, one-half mile southwest of Mapleton. He subsequently DRS. B. A. and JOSHUA WHITE- LEATHER, Osnaburg, are the two leading physicians of the village of Osnaburg. Dr. B. A., was born April 2, 1835; Dr. J. in 1830; they each received a common school educa- tion in their native county, Columbiana; Dr. B. A. attended Mt. Union College classical course; both brothers hold diplomas from the Wooster Medical College, Cleveland. The younger brother began practicing in Cham- bersburg, Columbiana Co., and afterward re- moved to Osnaburg, where he has been a con- stant practitioner of the allopathie school up to the present date except during his absence in the army, having served as Major in the 162d O. N. G. under Col. Ball, in the 100-day service in the spring of 1864. At the close of the war the two brothers formed a second partnership, being the sole practi- made a purchase of the " Baker" farm, a rich body of land lying three-quarters of a mile west of Mapleton, a farm of 96 acres. This land not being extensive enough to satisfy his ambition, he moved to Wayne Co., where he engaged more extensively in general agriculture. While absent he sold the Baker farm and purchased the present farm and coal bank of 145 acres, a short distance southwest of Osnaburg, bordering on one side the C'on- notton Valley Railroad. With his near access to the railroad for his coal, a rich farm and an eligible bu Iding locality, Mr. Walk has reason to be as content as he is. He was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Staub of Osna- burg Tp. Dec. 31, 1846. She was born in Prussia, coming to America at the early age of three years. Mrs. Catharine Walk died in 1874, leaving three sons and two daughters- |tioners up to 1879. In the spring of 1881

Mary E., the eldest daughter, is an instructor in music in Osnaburg and several of the neighboring villages. Ellen C. is at home. Both of the daughters are members of the M. E. Church and S. S. Mr. Walk was re-married to Mrs. Lucinda Clark of this county; they have one child, a boy of fourteen months, christened Jacob Howard. In politics Mr. Walk was raised a Democrat, and remained of that faith until the " Know-Nothing" party sprang up, when he became a Republican. Mr. Walk is an uncompromising advocate of temperance, his zeal having marie him hated by the " beer element" of the neighborhood, having been active in prosecuting several saloonists. Mr. Walk was chosen chairman of the Christian Temperance Union. In his religious life few have lived more active and consistent. He was confirmed in the Lutheran Church at 16 years of age, and had his entire family baptized in the same. For many years there being no Sabbath-school at Mapleton, he with a few others succeeded in organizing one, he being chosen first superintendent. He held the superintendency also during his residence in Wayne Co., and has been repeat- edly chosen to that position and as teacher since his residence in Osnaburg. Mr. Walk has never been an office-holder or seeker, but his fellow-townsmen sent him as one of a com- mittee of three to secure the incorporation of the village of Osnaburg, and he was also mem- ber of the first town council.

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Dr. B. A. took a special course at Belle View Hospital under Professor Knapp; in politics he has always been a supporter of the Repub- lican party; has never allowed his name to be used in any state or local ticket. Dr. Joshua is of the opposite belief; and votes regularly the Democrat ticket on national issues; the two own in partnership one of the principal coal fields at present in the vicinity of Osna- burg, having run in favorable seasons as many as twelve to fifteen miners at a time, the principal market being Canton. Since the Connotton Valley R. R., arrangements will be made to lay a side track to the shaft. Dr. Joshua was married to Miss Lucinda F. Adams, Knox Co., Ill., 1860, she dying after the brief period of six months of wedded life. In religion Dr. B. A. is a member of the Dis- ciples' Church. The junior member of the firm led his bride, Miss Margaret Criswell, to the altar of Hymen iu 1858.

PROF. GEORGE. A. WISE, Osnaburg. The satisfactory condition in which the Union Schools of Osnaburg are conducted is due to the abilities and management of Prof. Geo. A. Wise, a young man, born in Lake Tp., Stark Co., June 4, 1856. His father and

mother were Lewis and Elizabeth (Raber) Wise, also natives of Stark county. His grand- father, Mr. John Wise, was a native of Penn- sylvania. Young Wise, being an apt student, was prepared to teach at the age of 16, and actually engaged in this profession the follow- ing year at his home, in Greentown In the spring of 1874, Mr. Wise entered Greensburg Seminary. In the fall terms of 1875-76 he was a student in Mt. Union College, teach- ing during the winter terms. In the fall of 1878 he was elected Principal of the Green- town schools, serving in that capacity for two years. During the summer vacation he enlarged his store of information by a trip through the Northwest, and returning by Indiana. In the fall of 1880 he was elected Principal of the Union Schools of Osnaburg. The school now numbers 175 pupils, consist- ing of three departments. In politics he was born and bred a Republican, casting his first Presidential ballot for James A. Garfield. Mr. Wise was a delegate to the State Sen- atorial Convention at the age of 22. He is an active member of the M. E. Church, serv- ing as S. S. Superintendent in Osnaburg, in 1880-81.

PIKE TOWNSHIP.

JACOB BUCHMAN, farmer and stock dealer; P. O. Pierce; was born in Pike Tp., Mareh 27, 1838; son of Lewis and Anna Maria (Thomas) Buchman. Lewis was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., Nov. 28, 1807; he was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Marehant) Buchman, and was a teamster in Pennsylvania for many years, hauling goods from Philadel- phia and Baltimore, to Pittsburg, in connec- tion with his brother Henry and their father, Jacob Buchman, who followed this occupation over the same route, before the Pike road was constructed between these cities. When 27 years of age, Lewis stopped teaming, and settled on a farm. He was married April 15, 1834, to Miss Anna Maria Thomas, who was born Nov. 6, 1810. They moved to Ohio in 1836, settling in Pike Tp., upon 320 acres of

land, now owned by their son Jacob. Lewis was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania, but united with the Reformed denomination after settling in Pike Tp. He was the father of two children-Henry, who died in infancy, and Jacob, now a resident of Pike Tp. Lewis died Oct. 10, 1880. Jaeob was raised and educated in Pike Tp. During the war, was a member of the Ohio National Guards, and was in active service for four months. In 1870, he purchased 119 acres from the heirs of Nathaniel Thomas. He was married March 28, 1874, to Elizabeth, daugh- ter of John and Margaret (Miller) Knotts; they have four children-Lewis, Anna Maria, John, and Henry. The Buehman farm has been noted for many years, as having some of the finest stock in this section of the State.

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PIKE TOWNSHIP.

Mr. Lewis Buchman gained by his experience as a teamster, while a young man, information, which in after years proved of mueh benefit to him in raising fine animals; and for many years he was engaged buying, rearing, and selling the best grades of horses; having at times on his farm, the finest animals in the county, which were reared from three-year- old colts. He frequently visited farms in many surrounding counties, in order to obtain valuable colts of that age, which he kept until they became old enough to use. Mr. Buch- man introduced, into Pike Tp., the first Short- horn cattle, which he purchased over twenty- five years since, but after a few years, sold these and bought Merino sheep; during the past fifteen years, however, the Buchmans have always kept Short-horn cattle, paying in many instances, high figures for these animals, viz: $150 for one bull, $125 for a bull-calf ten months old; at the age of four, this animal weighed 2.800 pounds; $200 was paid for his present animal "The Royal Baron," when he was ten months old; the beast is now valued at $500. About 1860, the Buchmans pur- chased fifty head of improved Merino sheep, for which they paid $2,000; since then, they have always had sheep of this grade, paying some four years since, $125 for two bueks.

SAMUEL BOWMAN, retired farmer; P. O. Pierce; son of Jacob and Hannah (Klinger) Bowman, natives of Northumberland Co. Penn., who removed to Stark Co. in 1813, and a few years afterward settled in Pike Tp. Jacob was born February 22, 1426, and his wife March 24, 1184; they were the parents of ten children, one died in infancy, nine grew to maturity as follows: John, of Sandy Tp .; Henry, of Pike Tp .; Sarah, now Mrs. Bonebrake, of Homeworth; Catharine, now Mrs. William Miller, of Huntington Co., Ind .; Lydia, now Mrs. David Flora, of Huntington Co .; Hannah, married George Flora, both deceased; Jacob, of Canton Tp .; Polly, married Samuel Miller and now dc- ceased; Samuel, of Pike, subject of this sketeh. Jacob was a member of the old Lutheran Church; he originally purchased in Pike, 160 aeres from the government, and also 240 in Crawford county, which latter tract was occupied for many years by one of his sons. Jacob died in July, 1859, and his wife December :, 1821; the youngest son, Samuel,

was born Feb. 18, 1827, at the farm on which he now resides. He was raised and educated in Pike Tp .; continuing with his father dur- ing the latter's life and then purchased the farm from the heirs. lle was married Feb. 25, 1849, to Elizabeth Brothers, who was born April 12, 1828, and died Nov. 15, 1857; she was the mother of four children-Hiram, of Pike; Martha Jane, now Mrs. William Ecker- man, of lowa; her husband is a minister of the Disciples' Church; Albert, died aged 2; Levi, now of Osnaburg Tp. Mr. Samuel Bow- man was married a second time January 1, 1861, to Lucinda Van Mater; three children were born who died in infancy and his second wife died April 2, 1870. Mr. Bowman served as Trustee for some six terms; he was elected Land Appraiser in the fall of 1879, and is a member of the Disciples' Church at Sparta. His present residence was built in 1871 on the site of the old log cabin erected by his father about 1815. He owns 110 acres at the present time, which is farmed on shares by his son Hiram, who married Lydia L. Anderson, to whom two children-Samuel Franklin and Charles Edward, were born.

MOSES BACHTEL, farmer; P. O. Pierce; is a native of Pike Tp., and son of one of the pioneer settlers of Stark county. He was born Sept. 12, 1826; was raised and educated in Pike, and at the age of 18 commenced to teach school, which occupation he followed for sixteen winters, farming during the sum- mer time; residing with his mother until March 6, 1861, when he was married, and removed to his present farm of 55} acres, which he purchased from his mother-in-law. His wife was Miss Susan Miller, who was born October 25, 1839, daughter of Jacob and Susan (Kerstetter) Miller, who were early settlers of Pike Tp. The latter was a remarkable woman, and died in 1880, at the advanced age of 84. Mr. Bachtel was a member of the Ohio National Guards during the war, and was called into active military service for four months, during 1864. In the spring of 1868 he was chosen Justice of the Peace, and re-elected in 1871, serving in this position six years; was afterward appointed Notary Public, and has also served as Clerk of Pike Tp. for two terms. Ile was raised a member of the German Reformed Church, but his wife and family are at present connected

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with the Disciples' Church, of Sparta. Mr. Bachtel is the father of seven children as follows: Lincoln Marshal, Clara Lavina, John Wickliff, Edwin N., Virginia, who died in infancy ; Lillian Gertrude and Delano Foster. The grandfather of Moses Bachtel removed from Maryland to Stark county with his family, at a very early day, and settled on land now owned by Mahlon Slutz. His son, David Bachtel, married Mary Taylor, and they had four children-Lazarus, of Pike ; Moses, subject of this sketch; Issac, who died in 1842, and Levi, of Pike. David farmed in the summer time. and during winter followed weaving and made flour barrels ; he died Sept. 22, 1838.

HENRY BUCHMAN, farmer; P. O. Pierce; was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., May 9, 1806; the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Marchant) Buchman. His grand- father, George Buchman, came to America when about 17 years of age, and was sold for three years to defray the expense of his pas- sage across the ocean; he died about 1832 at the age of 83; the Marchants were of French or Swiss descent, and many persons bearing this name are now residents of Westmoreland Co., not a few being doctors of medicine. Henry was raised in that county and worked for his father until he became of age; then for many years he was a teamster, hauling goods from Philadelphia and Baltimore to Pittsburgh; the first trip he made was in 1827; in those days all goods were transported between these cities in wagons, and the team- sters were allowed twenty days in which to make the trip, being held responsible for all losses. Henry afterwards purchased his father's farm in Pennsylvania, and was married March 29, 1837, to Mary, daughter of Peter and Barbara (Heiberger) Whitehead. In 1849 he moved to Pike Tp. with his family, purchasing 200 acres, known in those days as the James Hazelett land. During the first fall his saw-mill was destroyed by fire; he afterwards built the flouring-mill, now stand- ing at Sparta, and having disposed of his land, he purchased of Benjamin Painter 320 acres, about half of which he has transferred to his children and other parties, and he now owns and occupies about 160 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Buchman were in early life active members of the Presbyterian Church; they are the parents

of the following children: one died in infancy, seven are living as follows-Sarah, now Mrs. John Yant, of Sparta; Catharine, died aged 11; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wallen Evans, of Pike; Alpheus, now of Fort Wayne, Ind .; Daniel, of Pike; Jane, now Mrs. Alfred Young, of Pike; Mary, now Mrs. Isaac Mckinney, of Pike; William, on the homestead with his father.

JOSEPH BRIGGLE, farmer; P. O. Pierce; is a son of Joseph and Catharine (Beard) Briggle. Joseph, Sr., came from Germany when six years of age with his parents; they settled in Pennsylvania, where he resided dur- ing his later childhood, and finally moved to Stark Co .; he was married to Catharine Beard, of Summit Co .; they had twelve children, two of whom died young and ten reached ma- turity, as follows: Caroline, now Mrs. Henry Shemp, of De Kalb Co., Ind .; Sarah, now Mrs. Moses Brown, of Canton; Eliza Ann, now Mrs. Jesse Van Nostran, of Canton; Amanda, now Mis. Nathan Evans of Pike. John died of small-pox June 19, 1871, while a resident of Pike Tp; Catharine, now Mrs. Levi Bonebrake, of Huntington Co., Ind .; Almira, Joseph, Melancthon and George S .; the latter four are residents of Pike. Their father lived in Pike nearly forty years, and died October 31, 1875, at the age of 16. He was a member of the Lutheran Church at Sandyville. Joseph Briggle, the subject of this sketch, was born in Pike, May 21, 1845, where he was raised and educated; he con- tinued on his father's farm until. April, 1863, when he enlisted for three years in the 107th Regiment, and remained in the service for some two years and eight months. After the war closed the portion of the 10th Regi- ment that had enlisted for three years were transferred to the 25th Ohio, which was sta- tioned at Columbia, S. C .; during his term of service he was never sick or absent from the regiment. When he returned home he worked as a farm-laborer until the spring of 18:1, when he settled on his present farm of 93 acres ; he was married June 28, 1868, to Sarah Jane, daughter of John and Mary (Mc- Kinney) Williams; they are the parents of four children-John Roy, Homer Vincent, Allen, who died in infancy, and Stewart. Politically Mr. Briggle is a Republican, and is a member of the M. E. Church of Sparta, his wife also being connected with the same congregation.

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PIKE TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM H. BRIGGLE, miller; P. O. Pierce, ; was born Sept. 8, 1861, in Pike Tp .; son of John and Elizabeth (Wil- liams) Briggle. John Briggle, son of Joseph and Catharine (Beard) Briggle, was born Dec. 21, 1839; was raised and educated in Pike Tp., and was married August 22, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Sarah Jane (Alexander) Williams, who were pio- neer settlers of Pike Tp. Some five years af- ter their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Briggle set- tled on 119 acres, now owned principally by their brother Joseph, occupying this farm un- til April, 1871, when they removed with their family to Sparta. They had every prospect of a long and happy life, when the loving husband and kind father was suddenly stricken down by a frightful contagious disease -- small- pox-and died June 19, 1871. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and the father of four children-William, subject of this sketch; Gertrude, Mary Catharine, who reside with their mother, and Homer, who died aged one year. Mrs. Briggle was afterwards mar- ried to J. J. Burnheimer, and was by him the mother of two children -- Eddie, who died aged nearly five, and Charles Wesley. Wil- liam II. Briggle was raised in Pike Tp., and when only 12 years of age enterel the flou ring-mill at Sparta, in March, 1879, serv- ing an apprenticeship of one year under Alonzo Fox. In March, 1880, he was em- ployed by Samuel Cable, owner of the mill, to run the establishment on shares, which trust he satisfactorily fulfilled, and when Cable sold out to John Swan, the new proprietor contin- ued him in the same responsible position, which he has faithfully filled for eighteen months, although he has not yet attained the twentieth anniversary of his birth.

MICHAEL BORTS. farmer; P. O. North Industry; is a son of Henry and Mary (Fisher) Borts, who were for many years residents of Westmoreland Co., Pa., and the parents of ten children; one died in infancy, eight are resi- dents of Pennsylvania, the subject of this sketch being the only one of this large family living in Stark Co. Henry was a farmer in Westmoreland Co., he died some three years since, and his wife a short time pr vious; their son Michael was born Nov. 6. 1829. He re- ceived a common school education, and resi- ded on the farm until he became of age; then

worked at bricklaving, as a stone-mason, and in a saw-mill until he was married. This event took place Feb. 2, 1856, and the young lady who accompanied him to the altar was Miss Rebecca Jane Ruff. About one year after- ward, they removed to Stark Co., and settled on his present farm, purchasing in connection with his brother-in-law, Franklin Ruff, 160 acres from Michael Welker; this quarter section was divided between Messrs. Borts and Ruff, each owning half of the tract, but in later years Mr. Bort purchased 55 acres from Theodore Swan, and now owns 135 acres, a portion of which is underlaid with limestone, and a 3} foot vein of coal. Two mines have been opened on his lan 1, and in addition to his labors as a farmer, he is en- gaged mining and burning lime to a limited extent. Mr. and Mrs. Borts are members of the Lutheran Church at Magnolia. They are the parents of nine children-Albert, Richard Porter, William Henry, Elizabeth Amelia, Simon, Agnes, Sarah Savilla, Mary Ann, and John. In politics, Mr. Borts is a Republican.

JAMES FARBER, farmer and stock dealer; P. O. Magnolia; a native of Tuscarawas Co .. and second son of one of the pioneers of this section of Ohio; his father, John Farber, was born in New Jersey, Oct. 24, 1251, son of Philip and Margaret Farber; Philip was born Oct. 3, 1:55, and Margaret April 19, 1158. The Farber family left New Jersey in 1804, and settled for a time near Steubenville; in 1806 they removed to Tuscarawas county, locating in Sandy Tp. At that time their near- est neighbor was the Iluff family, who lived some eight miles away, south of what is now Zoar village. C'anton at that time contained only a few rude log cabins, and the Farbers visited Cleveland for their salt when the fu- tur . Forest City contained about one dozen houses. The family cleared a patch of six or seven acres for corn by June, 1806, and were rewarded by a fine erop; the next year many other families purchased farms and settled in the same neighborhood. In those days they could catch a barrel of fish in half an hour, and deer and bee trees were plenty. John Farber started in life a poor boy, but at the time of his death, in 1864, was a large land owner. During his life he held many offices of honor and trust to which he was chosen by his neighbors; he married Elizabeth Douglas,

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who was of Scotch descent, and they were the parents of fourteen children; several died when they were young; nine lived to maturity, raised families, and John was the ancestor of many descendants, who are living in Car- roll, Tuscarawas and Stark counties, and many localities in the west; Elizabeth died in 1873. James Farber, subject of this sketch, was born in Sandy Tp., Tuscarawas Co., March 1, 1808, where he was raised and educated, remain- ing on his father's farm until October, 1833, when he married Caroline, daughter of Oliver Weaver; he then purchased from his father a quarter section in Pike Tp., which land he has occupied for nearly fifty years, his present residence having been built in 1840. During his life has purchased other real estate, now owning over 400 acres, and in addition to this has transferred over 900 to his chil- dren; he has in past years paid more atten- tion to sheep raising than farming, wintering at times over one thousand head. Mr. and Mrs. James Farber are the parents of seven child- ren; onedied in infancy; six are now living, as follows-John, of C'arroll Co .; Isabel, now Mrs. John Keiffer, of Carroll Co .; Oliver, now of Sandy Tp., Stark Co .; Philip, of Pike; Abigal, now Mrs. Franklin Newhouse, of Pike; Eliza- beth, now at home with her parents.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 149

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1060

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060