USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 64
USA > Ohio > Morrow County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 64
USA > Ohio > Union County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 64
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November 19, 1863, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Nich- ols, born in Lincoln township, Morrow county, July 5, 1844, a daughter of Wash- ington and Mary (James) Nichols. The mother was a daughter of David James. Mr. and Mrs. Buck have had five children, namely: Thaddeus E., born April 18, 1865, is a graduate of the high school at Carding- ton, also took a special course in civil en- gineering at the Ohio State Univer- sity, taught school in this county fourteen terms, and now works with his father; Arthur H., born January 24, 1868, grad- uated at the Cardington high school and the Columbus Medical College, and is now engaged in the active practice of medi- cine; Annie L., born October 2, 1871, died October 26, 1875; Kittie M., born January 18, 1876, is attending the high school at Cardington; and Ralph W., born May 30, 1879, is a student at the same school.
In his social relations Mr. Buck affiliates with the I. O. O. F. and is a member of the Encampment; and is a member of the Masonic order: Cardington Lodge, No. 384, F. & A. M .; Gilead Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; and Marion Commandery, No. 36, K. T. He is a member of the Cardington
Council, No. 180, Royal Arcanum, and the Ohio Society of Surveyors and Civil Engi- neers.
0 R. JAMES W. WATTS, a well- known physician and surgeon of Delaware, Ohio, dates his birth in Rodney, Gallia county, Ohio, January 15, 1851. His parents, Dr. W. M. and Mary (Campbell) Watts, are both de- ceased. They were of Irish descent.
Our subject's early life was spent in his father's office and in attending school, his advantages for an education being excellent. When he was seventeen he began the study of medicine under the tutorship of his father, and continued under his instructions until 1870, when he entered the Ohio Medical College, where he graduated in due time. He took two courses in that institution and one at Louisville, Kentucky. After thor- oughly preparing himself for his profession he entered upon its practice at Centreville, Gallia county, and continued there two years. The following two years he was employed as teacher of physiology at Rio Grande College, and at the end of that time he returned to Rodney, his native town, and practiced there until coming to Dela- ware, September 1, 1892. In the compara- tively short time he has been here he has worked up a good general practice and has. gained considerable prominence in his spe- cial line.
In 1890 he decided to give some thought to the preparation of a remedy to relieve the afflicted and suffering humanity of the liquor, morphine and tobacco habits, and, being a master of his profession, he soon secured the compound that would produce the desired results without first wrecking the
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entire system of the patient. At first he began treating in a private way, but in 1893 he established an institute in Delaware for the treatment of all such diseases or habits, and in this enterprise he has met with signal success. He now proposes to give his en- tire attention to his specialty.
Dr. Watts was married September 22, 1878, to Miss Euphenia S., daughter of Wiley and Sarah E. (Coverstan) Hill, she being a native of Green township, Gallia county, Ohio, born March 3, 1856. They have four children, namely: Mary, born May 6, 1881; Philip H., August 9, 1885; Sallie, April 3, 1886; Belle, February 29, 1888.
The Doctor is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church.
BNER GENIER, City Clerk of Delaware, Ohio, was born here March 8, 1861, son of John S. and Phœbe (Graham) Genier.
John S. Genier was a native of France, was an artistic marble cutter, and was an honest and highly respected man. He died in Delaware in 1865, after a residence here of fifteen years. He was married in this city to Mrs. Phœbe (Graham) Burnett, who had one daughter by her former marriage,- Mary Burnett, wife of Julius Bobo, Street Commissioner of Delaware. He also had been married before, and had one son, Charles. His second marriage resulted in the birth of two children, -Emma, wife of Joseph Cunningham, of this city; and Abner, whose name heads this article. The mother is still living.
Abner Genier received his education in the public schools of his native city, and
when he was fourteen he started out in life on his own responsibility, working at what- ever he could get to do. When he had at- tained his eighteenth year he took a course in the Delaware Business College, and after that he served seven years as a clerk in a book store and three years in a grocery. In 1891 he was elected City Clerk of Delaware, on the Republican ticket, to fill a vacancy, and was re-elected in 1892 and again in 1894, his re-election being ample proof of his popularity and efficiency. Mr. Genier is also manager of the City Opera House of Delaware.
He was married in 1887 to Miss Ida M. Stimruel, and they have two children, - Charles and Stanley, aged six and four years respectively. Their residence is at 53 Eaton street, and he and his wife are mem- bers of St. John's Lutheran Church. Fra- ternally he is identified with Lenape Lodge, No. 29, Knights of Pythias, and Uniform Rank, No. 14.
J OHN F. ZWERNER, president and general manager of the Marysville Light & Water Company, is particu- larly deserving of consideration in this connection inasmuch as he is a native of the city in which he has attained to a position of marked prominence, and also by reason of the fact that his career has been one marked by persistent effort, much dis- crimination and correct methods, -elements which ever conserve a material success. His career has been one of constant application, but one into which have entered various lines of endeavor, and this taking advantage of opportunities and making all things bend to the accomplishment of desired ends af-
.
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fords both lesson and incentive to those who would study and learn of the methods by which success and honor are attained.
Mr. Zwerner was born in Marysville, January 18, 1858, being the son of John G. and Maggie (Gunderman) Zwerner. The father was a native of Bavaria, Germany, and he remained in the fatherland until he had attained the age of thirty years, when he emigrated to America and forthwith took up his residence in Marysville, Ohio. He had learned the shoemaker's trade in his native land and had devoted his attention to the same prior to coming to the United States, as did he also for a considerable time after his arrival here. Finally impaired health demanded that he make a change of occupation, and accordingly he engaged in the grocery business here, continuing the enterprise until the time of his death. His marriage was celebrated in this city, his wife having been also a native of Bavaria, from which land she came to America when only twelve years of age. He was a most zealous member of the German-Lutheran Church, as was also his wife. He died February 12, 1881, at the age of seventy-one years, and his widow, now seventy years of age, still resides in Marysville.
John G. and Maggie Zwerner became the parents of seven children, namely: J. Adam, who is engaged in the drug business at Columbus, Ohio; J. Michael, a resident of Marysville; Anna, wife of Rev. Frederick Zagle, of East Wheatland, Illinois; John F., subject of this review; Mary and Maggie, who remain at the old home; and George, who is employed by his brother in the elec- tric-light works here.
John F. Zwerner was educated in the public schools of Marysville, continuing his studies until he reached the age of fourteen
years, when he determined to strike out in life on his own responsibility, being ambi- tious, self-reliant and willing to work. He traversed the Western and Southwestern portions of the Union, and was absent about six months, making his own way, meeting with numerous experiences and profiting by the same. He finally returned to his home and turned his attention to the tailoring trade, at which he worked for a time, and then successively acquired an intimate knowledge of the brick-mason's and black- smith's trades, working at the latter for a period of three years. This diversified experience did not satisfy the ambition of our subject, and we next find him employed in the local pharmacy of W. P. Anderson, with whom he remained until he had ac- quired a thorough knowledge of the drug business, when, in company with his brother, J. Adam Zwerner, he fitted up the drug store now conducted by N. E. Liggett, and the firm carried on a successful business for three years. At the expiration of this time our subject purchased his brother's interest and continued the enterprise alone for five years, when he disposed of the same to the present proprietor. The date of this final transfer was August 10, 1890.
In 1887 Mr. Zwerner became associated with Mr. George M. McPeck in the putting in of the electric-light plant of this city, the same furnishing both incandescent and arc lights and also dynamic power, and be- ing one of the most effective and complete in equipment that the Buckeye State can boast. In August, 1889, Messrs. Zwerner and McPeck formed a partnership with Wal- ter C. Fullington and Jerome E. Davis; ar- ticles of association were duly drawn up, and the company incorporated with a capi- tal stock of $100,000, under the title of the
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Marysville Light & Water Company. The company at once began the work of putting in a thorough system of water-works, and the following year the same was in operation. There are seven and one-quarter miles of mains, with laterals ramifying into all sec- tions of the city. In the operation of the electric plant the Thompson-Houston sys- tem is employed for the arc street lighting, and the Edison for the incandecent system, utilized in lighting interiors. The service ren- dered in both branches of the enterprise has given excellent satisfaction, and the citizens of Marysville may well honor those progres- sive and public-spirited men who have in- vested their capital and secured to the city these modern accessories, now so essential in every place which lays any pretentions to metropolitanism. The official corps of the Marysville Light & Water Company, is as follows: John F. Zwerner, president and manager; W. C. Fullington, treasurer; and George M. McPeck, secretary. Our sub- ject gives his entire attention to the supervi- sion of the enterprise, and under his effective direction not only has the business secured an extraordinary supporting patronage and been advanced to a substantial basis, but the public has been accorded a service that compares more than favorably with that of many cities of much greater population. He was active in getting the springs here, and is one of the stockholders in the company formed for boring for gas.
In addition to his financial and executive connection with the enterprise noted, he has other capitalistic interests of importance, being a stockholder in the Kirby Dry Goods Company, and also in the Marysville Bank, holding official preferment as one of the directors of the former corporation. He is also a director and one of the appraisers of
the Citizens' Home & Savings Company, of Marysville. It is needless to say that he is held in high estimation in both business and social circles, being recognized as one of the most alert and progressive citizens, and a man of much tact, discernment and busi- ness acumen, -one of the leaders among the younger business element of the city. He is a stanch Democrat, and has served as a member of the City Council, as the candi- date of his party, being, however, in no sense avidious for public office. Such men are an acquisition in any community.
Mr. Zwerner was one of the charter members of the Ohio National Guards, be- ing a member of the Fourteenth Regiment, Company D, serving first as a private, then Lieutenant, and finally as Captain. He has also been a member of the Fire Depart- ment for seven years, being elected chief of the department when only eighteen years of age.
a MANUEL JARVIS .- At this junc- ture we enter a brief narrative touching the life history of one who is recognized as one of the substan- tial and representative farmers of Union county, and who holds a tribute of honor and esteem accorded by those who recog- nize honest worth of character. He is a native of the Buckeye State, having been been born in Belmont county on the 3d of March, 1830. His father, Philip Jarvis, was born in Maryland, and was a son of John, a representative of a prominent old family of that State.
Philip Jarvis was a lad of thirteen years when his father came to Belmont county, this State, and located on a farm, which laid along the banks of the Stillwater river,
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being one of the early settlers in that local- ity. Philip was reared to the work inciden- tal to clearing and cultivating the farm, and while still a young man he aided in the work of building the old National turnpike road. On one occasion, as may be noted as sig- nificant of one of the phases of early pioneer life, he drove a six-horse team, attached to a huge "Pennsylvania wagon," from his home to Baltimore and thence on to Wash- ington, District of Columbia, transporting a load of hogsheads of tobacco. Returning, he brought a load of goods from Baltimore, the same comprising supplies of all sorts, - nececessary furnishings and provisions which could not be otherwise obtained in the pio- neer locality.
In Belmont county Philip Jarvis was united in marriage to Mary Foreman, daugh- ter of Andrew Foreman, of stanch old Irish stock. After his marriage he settled, in 1831, on a claim of land which he had entered in Guernsey county, Ohio, the same being entirely unreclaimed. Here he and his devoted wife took up their abode in a primitive log cabin in the forest, and, in order to render the little home accessible, Mr. Jarvis cut a road through the woods and thus opened the way of approach. This section of Guernsey county subsequently be- came a part of Noble county. In 1869 Philip Jarvis and family removed to Indiana, and there he remained until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-three years, his wife having passed away at the age of sixty- eight. In addition to following the vocation of farmer, he had been ordained preacher in the Christian Church, and was a zealous worker in the cause of the Master for more than two score years. In politics he was a supporter of the Democratic party, until the birth of the Republican party.
Philip and Mary Jarvis became the parents of the following named children: Emanuel; John; Margaret J,; Ann; Marie; Malinda; Andrew; Isabelle; William. de- ceased; Philip, Jr., deceased; and Susan, deceased in infancy.
Our subject, Emanuel Jarvis, grew up on the farm and early became inuured to its - sturdy business; incidentally learning the valuable lessons of honesty and consecutive industry. He was granted such educational privileges as were afforded by the schools of the district and to-day he can vividly recall the old log school-house, with its blazing fire- place, its slab benches and its windows pro- vided with oil paper in lieu of glass. Not a pretentious institute of learning was the early pioneer school, but from its precints has issued many a man who has attained eminence in the world.
At the age of twenty-two years our sub- ject joined heart and hand with Miss Let- tice Lynch, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, but who, at the age of twelve years, came with her parents to Guernsey county. Her parents were Matthias and Elizabeth (House) Lynch, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. After their marriage Emanuel and Lettice Jarvis resided on the former's paternal homestead for one year and then removed to Monroe county, where they remained for two years, going thence to Noble county, where they pur- chased fifty acres of land and continued their residence upon the same for five years. Then they disposed of the place and Mr. Jarvis then effected the purchase of the old homestead of his father, which continued his place of abode until 1871, when he came to Paris township, Union county, where he purchased a valuable tract of 228 acres, known as the old Josiah Marshall farm, the
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same being located three miles northwest of the county seat, Marysville. By subsequent accessions, Mr. Jarvis has increased the area of his landed estate to 508 acres, and the place is unmistakably one of the most thoroughly improved and most valuable in this section of the State. The present fine improvements of permanent order have all been made by our subject since he came into possession, and include a fine, com- modious residence of modern architecture, erected in 1884, at a cost of $3,400,-a home which betokens the taste and refine- ment of its occupants, and which cannot fail to attract admiring attention. Other im- provements include barns, -one of which is 36 x 60 feet in dimensions, with brick base- ment, -and a model wind engine, which fur- nishes water for domestic and farm purposes, and which is an essential equipment by reason of the fact that Mr. Jarvis is an extensive stock-raiser, having on his farm at the present time a fine herd of cattle, besides other fine grades of improved horses, sheep and hogs. Additional water privilege is af- forded by Mill creek, which flows through the eastern part of the farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis have six children, of whom four are living at the present time, namely: Mary E., wife of William Stubbs, who assists in the cultivation of our sub- ject's magnificent farm; Amanda Melissa is the invalid wife of Daniel Griffin Bellville, of Paris township; Philip Cornelius; and John W., who married Miss Addie Belle Shirk, and who assists in the management and operation of the parental acres. Two children died in infancy.
The tender grace of a devoted compan- ionship which had continued for a period of forty-two years was rudely dispelled by the hand of death, to whose inexorable sum-
mons the beloved wife of our subject gave heed on the 21st day of March, 1894, thus entailing to Mr. Jarvis the greatest depriva- tion and bereavement of his life. Mrs. Jarvis was a true, noble, Christian woman, and there must remain to those bereft the consolation of the thought that never was there one more fit for translation into the beauties of the life eternal.
In his religious adherency our subject is a zealous member of the Church of Christ, and has held official preferment as Trustee of his church, and is at the present time an Elder in the same. In politics he follows in the footsteps of his honored father and sup- ports the principles of the Democratic party.
A man who has attained marked success in life by his own efforts, who has ever been just and charitable in his dealings with his fellow men, Mr. Jarvis is well entitled to the prominence which is his, as one of the leading agriculturists of the county, and as one of its most honored citizens.
EV. JOHN GRAHAM .- After near- ly half a century of active work in the Christian ministry, this vener- able gentleman is now enjoying the rest and repose that belong to the decline of life, in his pleasant home northwest of and adjoining the town of Richwood.
Mr. Grahamn was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, October 13, 1822, the oldest son of Samuel and Sarah (Butterfield) Gra- ham. His father was the son of John and Jane (Patterson) Graham, the former being a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ireland, her parents being Protestants in religion. They first came from Ireland to New Jersey, and afterward settled in Penn- sylvania,
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About the year 1798, while Ohio was yet a Territory, John Graham moved his family from Pennsylvania to Harrison coun- ty, being among the very first settlers in that section. He assisted in the building of the first log cabin in Steubenville. After living for a time near Steubenville and Cadiz, Mr. Graham moved his family to Carroll county, where he lived for several years: he next moved to Coshocton county, where he remained until 1837, when he sold his farm and came to Union county, buying and settling on 100 acres of land, one mile north- west of the town of Richwood. Here he passed the remainder of his life, dying April 2, 1850, in his eightieth year.
Jane (Patterson) Graham, the paternal grandmother of our subject, as has already been stated, was a native of Ireland. She was born in one of the northern counties, and came to America with her parents when seven years of age. This must have been about the time of the breaking out of the Revolution, as she was yet a young girl when that struggle began. She remembered distinctly, and used to tell of hearing. the boom of the cannons in the battles fought in the vicinity of her New Jersey home. She also related that while she was in the gar- den on a certain day, near the house, a body of horsemen in bright uniform rode up, and, after refreshing themselves with some cider given them by her father, hastened on their way. After they left she was told that General Washington was one of their num- ber. They had not been gone long before another party, coming from the same direc- tion, and evidently in pursuit of them, ar- rived. These were the red-coats of the British army. One of them, "a very pretty man," approached her, she being still in the garden, and asked which way the first party
had gone. Being somewhat frightened, she found herself unable to give an audible an- swer. Upon the inquiry being repeated, she answered by pointing "over the hill." The party then left in pursuit of the patriot band.
The date of the removal of her family to Pennsylvania is not known, nor is the exact locality of her residence. It was in this State that she met and married John Gra- ham, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch. She died near Richwood, July 22, 1847, in the seventy-sixth year of her age. The mother of the subject of this sketch, Sarah (Butterfield) Graham, was the daughter of John and Mary (Long) Butter- field. Her parents were natives of Virginia, and were born and reared near Winchester. They were Quakers in religion, and were members of what was known as the "Apple Pie Ridge Church." They are believed to have been of English ancestry. They moved from Virginia to Pennsylvania, where their daughter, Sarah, the mother of our subject, was born July 22, 1803. When she was two and one-half years old they moved to Carroll county, Ohio, settling near Lees- burg and Hagerstown. Here her father passed the remainder of his life. Her mother, afterward, about 1834, came with her only surviving son, Thomas Butterfield, to Union county, settling near Summer- ville, in York township. She remained with this son until his death, in 1845, and then made her home and passed the remainder of her life with the father of our subject. She died about 1852, aged eighty-four years. In accordance with her wish, expressed be- fore her death, her grave was left unmarked by headstone or monument. She was a woman of quiet and gentle nature, who lived a pure and holy life, avoiding anything par-
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taking of worldly show, ostentation or dis- play. She left the example of a beautiful Christian life as a legacy to her children and her grandchildren, who hold her memory in loving reverence.
Samuel Graham, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, had two brothers and three sisters, as follows: John, William, Elizabeth, Margaret and Jane.
John came to Union county with the family and bought 100 acres of land near Richwood, and here he lived and died. Two of his sons, Marion and Isaac, are residents of Richwood. William, another son, resides in East Liberty, Logan county.
William died when about seventeen years of age, before the family moved from Ohio.
Elizabeth, the oldest sister, married Gabriel Hadley. She and her husband lived for a time near Richwood, but after- ward moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, where they passed the remainder of their lives.
Margaret married Robert Boyd, in Co- shocton county; she soon afterward died, of consumption, leaving no children.
Jane, when a young woman about eighteen or nineteen years of age, married Samuel Livingston, in Coshocton county, Ohio. About 1840 she came with her hus- band and her children to Union county, and settled near Richwood. Soon after coming here, Mr. Livingston set up a blacksmith shop and did work for the neighborhood. He was the father of fourteen children, nine sons and four daughters. Eight of the sons served in the Union army, seven of them being in the service at one time. With the exception of Harrison Livingston, who died in Richwood, December 30, 1863, from a wound received in the battle of Yazoo River, February 16, 1863, they all returned
home without being wounded, having made an honorable record as soldiers, and having shared the dangers of the battlefield with their comrades in arms.
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