USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 63
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575
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
"Received of James Smith $1.80, taxes on 160 acres of land. September 14, 1821." James Smith died about thirty years ago, never having removed from the farm which he entered from the government. Among his children was Adam Smith, father of the subject, who was a native of Pennsylvania, but who was brought to Ohio with his parents when he was but an infant. Adam Smith too followed farming during his life and died at the Canaan township homestead about forty-two years ago, at the age of forty-six years. He married Tabitha Barnes, who was a native of Canaan township, her family having removed to this state in about 1830, coming from West Virginia. Her death occurred about eleven years ago. By her union with Adam Smith, she became the mother of the following children : Cyrus D., the immediate subject of this sketch; James, of Silver City, Idaho; one that died in infancy unnamed; Ada, who died at the age of twelve years; Mary, who died at ten years of age; Andrew, who lives on the old home farm in Canaan township: and Ella, who makes her home with her brother Andrew.
Cyrus D. Smith spent his boyhood days on the parental farmstead and secured his education in the common schools of the township. At the age of twenty-two years, he went into the sawmill and lumber business at Creston, in which he was engaged about a year. Then going to Orrville, he went into the same line of business, which he followed for thirteen years, meeting with fair success the meanwhile. On the first day of January, 1893, he came to Wooster and entered upon the discharge of his duties as sheriff of Wayne county, to which position he had been elected in the autumn of the previous year, as the nominee of the Democratic party. Mr. Smith served two years in this position, giving the office his faithful and painstaking attention and re- tiring from it with the commendation of all. After relinquishing his official position, Mr. Smith engaged in the coal and transfer business in this city. in which he has since been continuously occupied, meeting with splendid suc- cess. While living at Orrville, he had given efficient service to his township as trustee and also served as a member of the Orrville city council. In every position in which he has been placed he has faithfully performed his part and has won and retains the high regard of all who have known of him and his work.
In 1874 Mr. Smith married Sarah E. Whonsetler, who was born and reared in Canaan township, the daughter of Philip Whonsetler. To this union five children have been born, as follows: Frank E., deceased ; William M., who is associated with his father in business under the firm style of C. D. Smith & Son; Charles C., who is the proprietor of the London Tea House and Grocery at Wooster; Maud, who is the wife of Fred Shook, of Alliance, this state; Edith, who is the wife of Wallace H. Smith, of this city.
576
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Politically, Mr. Smith is a stanch and uncomprising adherent of the Democratic party and gives it an active and influential support, being con- sidered one of the wheelhorses of the party in this county. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, which order he joined in 1885 and in which he has passed through all the chairs of the subordinate lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are well and favorably known and enjoy the warm regard of many friends.
CONRAD RUMPLE BECKLEY.
No man in recent years has left more indelibly the imprint of his sterling personality upon those with whom he came in contact in Wayne county, Ohio, than the late Conrad Rumple Beckley, whose life record has Leen closed by the fate that awaits all mankind. His influence still per- vades the lives of those whom he knew, for his example both in a business and social way is worthy of emulating, as will be seen by a careful perusal of the following paragraphs. He was born about 1830 in Carroll county, Ohio, and he came to Wayne county about 1867 and was engaged in the dry goods business in Orrville for many years. For twelve or thirteen years he was in partnership in the mercantile business with H. H. Strauss and they succeeded in building up a large trade. He first worked as a clerk for a Mr. Bartholomew. Then in 1868 he and Mr. Strauss bought the interest of Mr. Bartholomew and conducted the business where Mr. Des Voignes is now located. In time they dissolved partnership and Mr. Beckley engaged in the grocery business for a few years. In 1884 he retired from business, following the death of his son, which sad event affected him very deeply. During the balance of his life-twenty-one years-he lived in retirement, dying March 23, 1905. at the age of seventy-five years.
Mr. Beckley was a soldier in the Civil war, having been a member of Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, in which he served very faithfully for a period of two years. He recruited volunteers for the Union army before joining its ranks himself. When he enlisted he was living at Minerva, Stark county, Ohio.
Conrad R. Beckley was the son of John Beckley, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who married a Miss Rumple. Conrad R. Beckley was married at Minerva, Stark county, August 11, 1859, to Mary E. Graham, daughter of
Mus B. R. Beckley
577
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
James and Elizabeth (Seaton) Graham, natives of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania. Mrs. Beckley was born near Minerva, Ohio, where her parents owned a large farm. Her father was also a miller, for many years occupying the responsible position of head miller at Hardesty's mill at Malvern, Carroll county. Mrs. Beckley's mother died while the family lived on the farm near Minerva, when the former was only two years old. To Mr. and Mrs. James Graham eight children were born, only two of whom are living in 1909. Mr. Beckley was married twice, first to Caroline Christener, by whom he be- came the father of two children, Mary Elizabeth, widow of Ross Hall, who lives in Toledo, Ohio, and Loren Edwin, who is living in San Bernardino, California. Five children were born to Mr. Beckley and his second wife, namely : Emma, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Ellsworth, who died when twenty-one years old, was a very bright and promising youth, and his death deeply grieved his father, with whom he was connected in the grocery business ; Ann F. is the wife of Charles F. Hawk, of Cleveland, Ohio; Nora B. is the wife of Charles A. Wolfe, of Washington, D. C .; Willard Karl lives in Akron, Ohio, where he has charge of the gents' fur- nishing department of O'Neill's store.
Mr. Beckley was a Republican in politics, and in his church relations he was a Methodist, having taken a great interest in the affairs of the same, and he very faithfully served on the official board from the time he came to Orrville until his death. He was a very successful business man, courteous to his customers, obliging and always strictly honest in his dealings with his fellow-men. Although quiet and unobtrusive, he was a man of very pro- nounced opinions and courageous in his views. Being a very religious man. he was careful in rearing his children. He was generous and a good pro- vider for his home, an indulgent father, a faithful husband and a most ex- cellent neighbor, as well as a successful and prominent business man, his loss to the town greatly influencing all circles. That his life was exemplary is shown by the fact that he never used tobacco or liquors in any form, -- in. fact, he was free from the common vices that beset the pathways of men, and the young man standing at the parting of the ways whose fortunes are mat- ters for the future to determine could do no better than take his life as a model in both a business and social way.
Mrs. Beckley is an ardent advocate of temperance, as are also her children. She has been a member of the Methodist church since a little girl. very active in the work of the same, and she is held in high esteem by the local congregation and, in fact, all who know her. Her life has been one
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578
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
of mingled joy and sorrow, but happy and satisfactory in the main. Having been left without a mother's care when two years old, she was taken when five years of age by Dr. Levi Haldenman, of Minerva, by whom she was reared. She is a woman of gracious, generous, pleasant demeanor and loved by a host of warm personal friends. Her cozy home is on East Market street.
CHARLES KRICK.
The life of this well known citizen shows what industry, good habits and stanch citizenship will accomplish in the battle of acquiring property and mak- ing himself generally useful in his community. A worthy descendant of an excellent ancestry, Charles Krick has established a reputation for honesty and fair dealing in Union township, Wayne county, where he was born March 15, 1873, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Worth) Krick, a detailed account of whose lives will be found on another page of this work under the sketch of Jacob Krick.
Charles Krick was the next to the youngest child of a family of eight children, four boys and four girls. He was reared on the old Krick farm in East Union township and here received a good common school education, working on the farm during the summer months.
When he reached maturity he began casting about for a life work and decided that the free life of the farmer was the most independent and at- tractive; consequently, being a hard worker and a good manager, he now has a good start, being the owner of fifty-three acres of excellent land known as the Jacob Swinehart farm, located in section 9, East Union township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising and enjoys a comfortable in- come. His place is in an excellent state of improvement in every respect.
Mr. Krick was married on March 1I, 1903, to Daisy Warters, daughter of J. W. Warters, of Apple Creek, this township. She was born in Wooster township and reared on the home farm, receiving a common school education in her native vicinity. She applied herself well and became enabled to teach school, which she did very acceptably for some time. She also attended school at Apple Creek and later took a normal course. To Mr. and Mrs. Krick three children have been born, namely, Mabel and Mildred, twins, born January 14, 1905 : Ruth, born January 4, 1907.
Mr. Krick is a member of the Presbyterian church at Apple Creek, this
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MRS. CHARLES KRICK
CHARLES KRICK
579
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
township, and politically he is a Democrat, and has taken some interest in local party affairs, having served as a member of the county central commit- tee and also as an election judge. He is a young man of thrift and he and his wife enjoy the friendship and good will of all their neighbors.
SAMUEL S. AMES.
The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed is among the foremost business men of Wooster and has by his enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the industrial and commercial advancement of the city and county. He has in the course of an honorable career been most successful in the business to which he has directed his attention, and he is well deserving of mention in the history of Wayne county.
Samuel S. Ames was born in East Union township, Wayne county. Ohio, about six miles east of Wooster, on the 6th day of November. 1842. He is descended from sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, and his paternal grandfather, John Ames, was a native of the Keystone state, born in Lan- caster county. The subject's father, John Ames, was also born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in about 1821, settling on a farm in East Union township, Wayne county. There he bought land, which he im- proved and maintained at a high standard of excellence, and on this place he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1857. He married Sarah Stauffer, also a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and whose death occurred in 1884. To John and Sarah Ames were born children as follows: Nathaniel, deceased; Susan, deceased; Davis, who is living at Girard, Illinois; Lydia, the wife of Stephen Elly, of Lucas county, Ohio; the subject of this sketch is the next in order of birth; Eli, of Elkhart county. Indiana.
Samuel S. Ames remained with his parents until he was fifteen years of age and in the meantime secured what education he could in the country schools of his native township. He was reared to the work of the farm. but. believing he could make greater advancement in other lines of employment, he went to work at the carpenter's trade, with the intention of mastering the details of that trade. In 1866 he came to Wooser and worked at the trade until 1872, when he commenced contracting on his own account. He has been continuously engaged in this line of business since, a period of nearly
580
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
forty years, and during this time he has erected many of the best business houses and residences in this city and county. He is painstaking and accurate in his work and anything entrusted to him may be depended on as being done right. He employs at times a large force of men and has successfully handled a number of large contracts.
In 1870 Mr. Ames was united in marriage to Martha W. Watson, the daughter of Donald and Christiana ( McPherson) Watson, the former of whom was born in Scotland in 1800. To Mr. and Mrs. Ames have been born two children, namely, John W. and Chalmer, the last named being deceased.
Mr. Ames has taken a commendable interest in local public affairs and has served efficiently as a member of the city council of Wooster, rendering definite and satisfactory service to his constituents. In politics he is a Repub- lican and is active in support of the party. In matters fraternal he is also inter- ested, being a member of the time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken the degrees up to and including that of Knight Templar; he has also been a member of the Knights of Honor since 1875. In every avenue of life's activities in which he has engaged, Mr. Ames has performed well his part and has richly earned the high esteem which is ac- corded him in the community where he has so long resided.
ROBERT J. SMITH.
A most exemplary citizen and an honored hero of the war of the Rebel- lion is Robert J. Smith, who conducts a successful coal and transfer business in the city of Wooster, Ohio. During his army career he was ever found faithful to the duties imposed upon him, thus winning the confidence and high regard of his comrades and superior officers, while in his business life and social relations he has ever manifested the same justice, integrity and reliability, because of which he has won and retains the high regard of all who know him.
R. J. Smith is a native son of the Keystone state and is of Irish ante- cedents. His birth occurred in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of August, 1847, and he is the son of John M. Smith, also a native of the same county. In his native county, the father lived his entire life, fol- lowing the honorable pursuit of a tiller of the soil, and there he died in 1901. in his eightieth year. He married Nancy Matthews, also a native of West- moreland county, and her death, in her eightieth year, occurred two years.
581
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
before that of her husband. They were the parents of the following children : Hiram M., who lives in the state of Colorado: Robert J., subject of this sketch ; William M., who resides in Kansas: Jennie (Mrs. Johnson), residing at Greensburg, Pennsylvania ; James H., of Seattle, Washington; Edward J .. who resides at the old family homestead at New Florence, Pennsylvania : Sarah Agnes, also residing at New Florence; Thomas Watson and Mary Ellen are both deceased. The subject's paternal grandfather. Robert Smith, came to America from Ireland in 1801. He had married before emigrating and on arrival here he and his wife settled on land in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, which he cultivated for many years, dying at a ripe old age.
Robert J. Smith remained on the home farm with his mother until he was twenty-six years old. Then, feeling that larger opportunities for an ambitious man lay farther to the west, he came to Wooster, Ohio, arriving here in 1874. He here engaged in the milling business, in connection with which he also dealt in ice, and these two industries he successfully carried on until 1894. In that year he sustained a heavy loss in the destruction of his mill by fire, but he at once went to work to recoup his finances and engaged in the coal and ice business, which he continued until 1907, when he sold the ice business, since which time he has confined his attention to the coal and transfer business. He has been fairly successful in his business affairs and is today considered one of the substantial business men of Wooster, where he has been identified with business interests for so many years. During recent years he has been assisted by his son Robert, who is an able and efficient busi- ness man.
It would be unjust to complete this sketch without making specific men- tion of the service which Mr. Smith rendered to his country in the hour of its extremity. In February, 1864, he enlisted in the Fourth Regiment Penn- sylvania Cavalry and thereafter took part in a number of severe engagements, one of the most sanguinary of which was the battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864. He was with General Grant in all his campaigns up to White House Landing, and at the battle of St. Mary's church, June 26, 1864. he re- ceived a severe gunshot wound in the left leg. From the effects of this wound he was confined in hospital until August of the following year, when he was discharged and returned to his home. Because of his military service. Mr. Smith is now an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
On the 28th of December, 1868. Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Elizabeth H. Pollock, who was born and reared in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. To this union were born three children, namely : Arnett Pol- lock, who died at the age of two years ; Thomas Watson, who died at the age
582
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
of seventeen years, and Robert H., who is associated with his father in busi- ness. He married Vina L. Mackey and they have two children, Elizabeth H. and Lucy.
Mr. Smith is an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of the Republican party and has taken a somewhat active part in public affairs. On that ticket he was elected mayor of the city of Wooster, serving from 1898 to 1902, and he was also trustee of Wooster township for fifteen years, being re-elected continuously for eleven years. In religion, he belongs with his wife to the United Presbyterian church and they are faithful attendants and generous supporters of that society.
ROBERT S. APPLEMAN.
The life history of him whose name introduces this review is closely identified with the commercial life of Wooster and Wayne county, of which he is a native son. His business career was begun in this county, and during the subsequent years he has been constantly allied with local interests. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a com- mensurate degree of success. He is of the highest type of business man, and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition among those whose enter- prise and ability have enabled them to climb the ladder of success.
Robert S. Appleman was born at Maysville, Wayne county, Ohio, Sep- tember 7, 1850, and he is the son of William and Sarah J. (Simpson) Apple- man. The Appleman family is thought to be of German origin, though the Ohio family of this name came directly from Pennsylvania. The subject's paternal grandfather, Permenas Appleman, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, and his death occurred about twenty years ago, at which time he was seventy- eighty years old. During his younger years he followed the pursuit of agri- culture, but later for a number of years he ran a dry goods store at Fredericks- burg. William Appleman, the subject's father, was born in Wayne county, near Maysville, and during his active years confined his attention to farming, in which he was fairly successful. He spent all his life in Wayne and Holmes counties. He was a strong Presbyterian in religious belief and an ardent and active Republican in politics. During his younger days he taught school sev- eral terms and was considered a good teacher. He passed away about four- teen years ago at Shreve, where he had lived in retirement about eight years, his age at death being about sixty-six years. He married Sarah J. Simpson, who was born near Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio. Her father, Robert
583
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Simpson, was a native of the north of Ireland and emigrated to America with his parents when a young man, settling in Holmes county. Later he removed to near Maysville, Wayne county, where he spent his remaining years. Sarah J. Appleman died about ten years ago, at the age of seventy years. By her union with William Appleman, she became the mother of the following chil- dren : Robert S., the immediate subject of this review; John R., who died at one year of age ; W. S. is a farmer and lives near Shreve, Holmes county ; S. A. is engaged in the sewing machine business at Mansfield, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch remained during his boyhood years on the home farm, securing a fair education in the common schools of his home com- munity. At the age of eighteen years he began the study of music, for which he had early exhibited a decided talent and to which he had given much at- tention during the years prior. He engaged in the teaching of music, both instrumental and vocal, and in this work he achieved a pronounced success, following it exclusively for twelve years. He then went into the piano busi- ness at Shreve, and later at Loudonville, and in 1898 he came to Wooster and opened a general music store, which he still conducts. He handles pianos, organs, phonographs and other musical instruments, and in connection also carries a large and carefully selected line of vocal and instrumental music. The store, which is located on South Market street, is the headquarters for music-loving people and Mr. Appleman has from the start enjoyed a liberal patronage.
Mr. Appleman has twice been married. In 1873 he married Julia L. Lind, of near Paint Valley, Holmes county, Ohio, and to this union were born five children, namely: Edwin C., deceased; William H., of Seattle, Washington; Louella, the wife of J. H. Van Horn, of near Loudonville, Ohio; C. Earl, who is associated with his father in the music business ; Jean- ette, who died at the age of two and a half years. Mrs. Appleman died in 1887 at Loudonville and in 1889 Mr. Appleman married Annilda Fredrick, a daughter of J. P. Fredrick, deceased, a former resident of Loudonville. To this last union have been born four children, as follows: Martha, at home ; Fred, deceased; Ralph S. and Joseph A., both at home.
Fraternally Mr. Appleman belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons. the Knights of Pythias and Order of American Yeomen, and in the Pythian order he has passed the chairs. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. The sub- ject and his wife are active members of the First Presbyterian church. Ile has always taken an earnest interest in religious matters and while a resident of Loudonville was for sixteen years an elder in the church, having also occu-
584
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
pied other church offices there and at Shreve. In their home Mr. and Mrs. Appleman practice a generous and kindly hospitality, finding greatest pleasure in intercourse with congenial friends. They are highly respected because of their sterling qualities of character and their friends are in number as their acquaintances.
CHARLES WESLEY BOLEN.
This gentleman opened an office in Wooster in 1908 and was soon recognized as an energetic and far-sighted business man. He devotes his at- tention to western investments, his long experience in mining enterprises hav- ing given him a knowledge of mines and mining attained by few.
Mr. Bolen was born in Union City, Indiana, October 21, 1868, and is the son of John Wesley and Mary (Straider) Bolen, an old and influential family of that place. He received his education in the common schools of Union City, also spent a short time at Ada University. He was only a small boy when his mother died and he became self-supporting early in life, earning his first money shining shoes. He later worked in a brick-yard, saw- mill and as a section hand on the railroad. While attending school he drove a delivery wagon for a grocery store mornings and evenings and on Satur- days. Being ambitious to obtain an education, he let nothing stand in his way, and his efforts were crowned with large success in due course of time.
He taught one term of school and later clerked in a grocery store, and while thus engaged began reading law in the office of ex-Gov. Isaac P. Gray. and later with Theodore Shockney. He was admitted to the bar and for six years devoted his attention to his profession, which extended over four coun- ties in Indiana and Ohio, during which time he won an enviable reputation as an earnest, able and painstaking lawyer. His friend, Governor Gray, being appointed minister to Mexico by President Cleveland, interested Mr. Bolen in mining in Mexico, and for a period of five years he operated in the copper mines of Mexico and Arizona. He was very successful in making investments in mining properties and for several years maintained an office in Columbus, Ohio, also one in Denver, Colorado, later adding the Wooster office, and his name has become familiar to the mining world during the past few years. He is a principal stockholder of the Stoughton Mining and Milling Company, also a stockholder in the North Star Mining, Milling and Transportation Company, the Colusa Mining and Milling Company, the Ohio
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