Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 101

Author: Sutor, J. Hope, 1846-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Zanesville > Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio > Part 101

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).

J. B. Taylor, spending his bovhood days under the parental roof, gained practical knowledge of farming methods, so that he was well qualified for business when he began farming on his own account. He has always carried on this pursuit and he now rents of his father a farin of one hundred and thirty-seven acres of valuable land. which is devoted to the cultivation of fruit and cereals and also to stock-raising. This farm lias changed hands but four times since it was entered from the government and the first wheat planted in Muskingum county was sown on this land, the field being prepared by being dug up with a mattock and the wheat scratched in by draw- ing brush over it. The first house in the town-

718

PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

ship was built upon this farm. Now Mr. Taylor follows the most advanced methods of farming, using the latest improved machinery in the care of his crops.

On April 20, 1904, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Taylor and Miss Nellie Stockdale, a native of Philo and a daughter of Levi Stock- dale, of Zanesville, Ohio, who is a cabinet-maker and contractor. Her grandfather, John Stock- dale, was born in Pennsylvania and coming to Ohio has always been successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising here. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have one daughter, Mary E., born Febru- ary 21, 1905. In politics Mr. Taylor is a re- publican where national issues are involved but at local elections votes independently. The fam- ily home is about six miles from Zanesville, at which place they market their fruit. He is a young man that possesses strong determination and laudable ambition, which have already gained for him desirable success and promises well for the future.

JOHN MILLER.

John Miller, one of the oldest and most promi- nent farmers living in Wayne township, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 2, 1818. He was a son of Peter Miller, who was also a native of Washington county and married Elizabeth Dolman, a native of New Jer- sey. In early life Peter Miller engaged in teach- ing school but afterward devoted his energies to farming. In 1819 he brought his family to Ohio, making the journey from Pittsburg by boat. He landed at the mouth of Salt creek, in the month of April, near the farm which now belongs to John Miller of this review. They were accom- panied on the trip by John Dolman, father of Mrs. Peter Miller, and after reaching their destination Mr. Dolman purchased a tract of land in Rich Hill township, living thereon until his death. Peter Miller removed from Mus- kingum county to Guernsey county, Ohio, and after a brief period spent there took up his abode in Morgan county, where he resided until his life's labors were ended in death when he had reached the age of sixty years, two months and two days. His political support was given the democracy.

John Miller was educated in the common schools of Ohio to which state he was brought bv his parents when only a year old. He spent his early life in mechanical work in Washington county, Ohio, assisting in the construction of the first locks at Lowell and Marietta. He was thus engaged on public works until 1840 and he pur- chased his present farm in Wayne township.

Muskingum county, in 1850. Here he has now lived for more than a half century and is the owner of three hundred and sixty-two acres of rich and arable land devoted to general farming and the raising of cattle and other stock. The place is situated on the river road about eight miles southeast of the courthouse in Zanesville and is an attractive property because of the many improvements that have been placed upon it and the modern equipments that are there seen. He owned and operated a mill at Duncan's Falls for many years in addition to his agricultural inter- ests.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage in Wash- ington county, Ohio, to Miss Mary Swift, who was born in that county August 9, 1821, and was a daughter of Henry Swift, one of the pioneer settlers of Ohio. She became the mother of twelve children and departed this life October 20, 1901. The family record is as follows: Har- riet, the widow of John A. Forsyth, of Duncan's Falls, Ohio ; Maria, the wife of Washington Neff, of Wayne township; William, a farmer in Kansas ; Eliza, Peter, and Samuel, all deceased ; Sadie : John; Mary, the wife of Rev. Ashton ; Carrie, the wife of A. L. Carter, of Wayne town- ship ; and Henry and Charles, who have departed this life.

Mr. Miller gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as trustee and as a member of the school board. He is also a member of the Baptist church and his life has ever been honorable and upright so that he can look back over the past without regret. He has never smoked either a pipe or cigar nor chewed tobacco in his life. Seventy-six of his eighty- seven years have been spent in Muskingum county. He is a well preserved man and though the snows of many winters have whitened his hair, in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime, keeping well informed upon the questions of the day and in touch with the world's progress. His life has been active and useful and he has accomplished much through an enterprising busi- ness career.

GEORGE W. OWENS. .

George W. Owens, who carries on general merchandising in Roseville, was born in Perry county, Ohio, October 22, 1857. His father. George W. Owens, was also a native of the same county, while the grandfather, Stephen Owens, was born in Wales. Bidding adieu to friends and to the little rock-ribbed country which gave him birth he sailed for the United States and became a resident of Perry county. Ohio, in his early manhood. He served his

MRS. JOHN MILLER.

JOHN MILLER.

4LH·ーーーー

723

PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

adopted country as a soldier in the war for in- dependence, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill and other important skirmishes. He was a farmer by occupation and for a number of years was identified with the agricultural de- velopment of Perry county.

George W. Owens, Sr., was reared upon the old homestead in Perry county and later in life engaged in merchandising in Roseville. He died at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary A. Rockhold, was a daughter of Jacob Rockhoid and was born in Perry county, where her marriage was cele- brated.

George W. Owens of this review is indebted to the public-school system of Ohio for the edu- cational privileges he enjoyed and after putting aside his text-books he traveled for eight years. He afterward engaged in merchandising and has conducted his present store in the Odd Fellows building in Roseville since the fall of 1888. He was also connected with the pottery business for a number of years but eventually sold his interest in that enterprise. He now carries a large and carefully selected line of general goods and because of the tasteful arrangement of his stock, his reasonable prices and his earnest de- sire to please his customers he has secured a liberal and constantly growing patronage so that · his annual sales reach a large figure.

Mr. Owens was united in marriage to Miss Mary Baldwin, a native of Beverly, Washington county, Ohio. His political views accord with democratic principles and he was treasurer of Roseville and of Clay township for four years. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows society and with the Masonic fraternity. He has proven himself in all relations of life an earnest, honest, upright man and a citizen of whom any community might be justly proud.

JOHN W. SIDLE.

John W. Sidle is an honored veteran of the Civil war, who equally loyal to local improve- ment and national progress in times of peace, is numbered among the valued and represent- ative citizens of Muskingum county. He is also one of the native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in Licking township, August 4. 1840. His paternal great-grandfather was a native of Germany and came to America in colonial days, being sold to pay his passage when he arrived in the new world. He after- ward became an active business man, married and had one son-John Sidle, the grandfather of our subject. who on emigrating westward about 1811 cast in his lot with the early settlers

of Muskingum county, purchasing a farm near Pleasant Valley in Falls township. There he de- veloped his land and carried on general agri- cultural pursuits, contributing in substantial measure to the early development of the county along such lines.

David Sidle, the father of John W. Sidle, was born in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 3, 1807, and was four years of age when his parents came to Muskingum county in 1811. Here he was reared to manhood amid frontier environments and after attaining his mapority he turned his attention to the milling business at Pleasant Valley, Ohio. He conducted that enter- prise for several years and later in life he again engaged in the milling business, following that pursuit altogether for a period of twenty-four years. On ceasing to operate his mill he pur- chased a farm near Irville in Licking township, upon which he spent four or five years, and on the expiration of that period he purchased a tract of land of one hundred and torty acres, two and a half miles east of Irville on the Zanes- ville road. There he resided for a number of years and his first five children were born on that place. In 1847, however, he sold that prop- erty and removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where he bought a tract of land of three hun- dred acres, one mile east of the courthouse in the city of Delaware. That was his home until September, 1849, when he disposed of the prop- erty and returned to Muskingum county, pur- chasing the home farm which his father owned at Pleasant Valley, comprising two hundred and seventy-five acres. He added to this until within the boundaries of the farm were comprised three hundred and fifteen acres of rich and arable land which he retained in his possession until his death and which constituted one of the valuable farming properties of the locality. He was a prosperous man and as his financial resources increased he made judicious invest- ments in real-estate. In addition to the home farm he also owned two hundred acres of land elsewhere, including one hundred and fifty acres in Hopewell township and fifty acres in Lick- ing township, the house and barns being situ- ated across the boundary line in Hopewell town- shin. He was likewise the owner of one hun- dred and twenty-seven acres of land two miles below Pleasant Valley and all his farms were improved. At the time of his demise he had altogether six hundred and forty-two acres of valuable land in Muskingum county which re- turned him an excellent income. He owed his prosperity to his own efforts and his life history proved what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do. His death occurred in August, 1897, and his wife passed away in 1802. There were eight children living at the

724

PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

time of the father's death: Eliza, the wife of T. E. Tanner, a resident farmer of Muskingum county ; Emma J., who is the widow of Salem Barrick and resides in Zanesville; John W. of this review ; C. F., a commission merchant of Buffalo, New York; Josephine T., the wife of Wilbur F. Armstrong, of Zanesville ; David M .. a resident farmer of Winfield, Kansas ; Ella, the widow of Thomas B. Bland, of Muskingum county, and now a resident of Newark; and Laura, who is the wife of A. H. Jennings, who is engaged in the wholesale and retail ice, coal and feed business at Kansas City, Kansas.

John W. Sidle attended the district schools in Falls township, Muskingum county, and he worked upon his father's farm until twenty-two years of age. At that time his patriotic spirit being aroused he enlisted in the Civil war, on the 4th of August, 1862, as a member of Com- pany G, Ninety-seventh Ohio Regiment of Volunteers. He was made sergeant of the com- pany and remained in active service until honor- ably discharged on the 17th of June, 1865, fol- lowing the cessation of hostilities. His com- mand was attached to the Army of the Cum- berland and he was first under fire at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky. He also took part in the engagements at Stone River, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge and Knoxville. He spent the winter of 1863-4 on Holton river and thence went to Danbridge in eastern Tennessee, where an engagement occurred, but the Union troops had retreated owing to lack of ammunition. With his command Mr. Sidle was also in the battle of Strawberry Plains on the Holton river and later the command moved to Cleveland on the Tennessee river and subsequently to Charles- ton, Tennessee, being there until they were sent to join Sherman on his Atlanta campaign. They reached Sherman's army at Dalton, Georgia, and Mr. Sidle was then a participant in all of the engagements up to the time of the siege and cap- ture of Atlanta and the battle of Lovejoy Station. His company formed a part of the Fourth Army Corps and was under General Thomas with the center of the army on the march. From Love- jov Station they fell back to Atlanta and after- ward to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and then join- ing the Twenty-third Army Corps went to Co- lumbia. The command participated in the bat- tle of Spring Hill, also in the engagement of Franklin, Tennessee, and arrived at Nashville on the Ist of December, 1864. There an engage- ment occurred on the 15th and 16th of the month, opposing the troops under General Hood. The Union force followed Hood to Athens and thence went to Huntsville, Alabama, where they remained for a month, after which thev boarded a cattle train and proceeded to Blue Springs in eastern Tennessee in order to cut off

Johnson's troops from joining General Lee. Thus Mr. Sidle was in much of the active service of the war and with his command he was hon- orably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, June 17, 1865. He took part in about twenty-four battles but was never wounded, although illness caused him to remain in the hospital about two months. He served as sergeant of his company until March, 1863, when he was appointed, or- derly sergeant, holding that rank until May 10, 1865.

Mr. Sidle returned home a veteran and a vic- tor with a most creditable military record. He again took up the pursuits of civic life and worked upon his father's farm until 1868, when he was married and went to a home of his own. He remained in Pleasant Valley for a year and in 1869 removed to his present farm, comprising two hundred acres in Hopewell township. He has a good property, well supplied with modern equipments and conveniences. In his methods of farming he is practical, systematic and pro- gressive and his labors are attended with good results.

On the 15th of October, 1868, Mr. Sidle was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Holmes, a daughter of Joseph Holmes, of Franklin county, and a native of Muskingum county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Sidle now have five chil- dren: Nellie I., the wife of M. E. Varner, who is living near Black Hand in Licking county ; Ezma H., at home; David W., who was killed June 12, 1902, by falling from a pole and break- ing his neck while employed as a lineman ; J. C., who married Bertha Ditter and lives in Newark ; and James M., who resides upon the old home farm and manages the place for his father.

John W. Sidle is a republican, giving his sup- port to the party which his father also endorsed. He has been one of its earnest advocates since it stood as the champion of the Union cause at the time of the Civil war. In days of peace he is equally loyal to his country, supporting its interests with the same zeal and enthusiasm as he displayed when he followed the old flag upon southern battle-fields.

JOHN H. JOHNSON.

John H. Johnson, whose landed interests com- prise three hundred and sixteen acres and who carries on stock-raising as well as general farm- ing, was born in Hopewell township, Muskingum county, February 8, 1852. He represents one of the old families of this locality. His grand- father, Henry Johnson, came to Ohio about 1815, probably from Pennsylvania, and his son, Samuel Johnson, father of our subject, was born in this

725

PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

county in March, 1819. When nine years of age he was bound out to John George and when six- teen years of age he began learning the stone- mason's trade. His life was always one of earn- est labor and his laudable ambition prompted his unremitting diligence until his efforts re- sulted in the acquirement of a valuable farm property. He first purchased a small tract of land on which he took up his abode and as his financial resources increased he added to this from time to time until he was the owner of three hundred and fifty-two acres all situated in the southern part of Hopewell township. He car- ried on general farming and stock-raising and both branches of his business proved profitable, for his fields were highly cultivated and he was an excellent judge of stock so that he was enabled to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. He died upon the old homestead farm in 1898 and his widow, surviving him for about five years, passed away at White Cottage, November 23, 1903. She bore the maiden name of Jane George and they were married in Hopewell town- ship in 1850. Unto them were born six children : John H .: Mary E .; William G .; Eliza, who died at the age of five years: Margaret ; and Sarah Elizabeth, who died in 1894.

Samuel Johnson divided his farm by will among his children and John H. Johnson thus came into possession of eighty-four acres. He afterward sold eighteen acres of this but still re- tains possession of sixty-six acres of the old homestead. In his youth he attended school in Hopewell township and when not occupied with his text-books he assisted in the work of the fields, remaining upon his father's farm until 1881. On the 8th of March of that vear he was married to Miss Mary I. Stitt, a daughter of James H. Stitt and in that vear he purchased seventy acres of land in Hopewell township, where he resided for thirteen years when he sold his farm. In 1894 his wife received one hun- dred acres adjoining this tract to which they re- moved. In the spring of 1905 he bought forty- five acres and thus their farm comprises two hun- dred and forty-five acres in Muskingum town- ship, which, in addition to the farm of sixty- six acres in Hopewell township, makes their realty possessions three hundred and eleven acres. Their home is a beautiful two-story frame residence, containing ten rooms which are taste- fully furnished. He also has excellent barns and out buildings, having in 1904 erected a substan- tial barn forty by fifty feet on one of his other tracts of land. Twenty acres of his farm is cov- ered with timber, while the remainder is cleared and yields golden harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon the fields. He also en- gages in buying, selling and feeding stock and is regarded as a most excellent judge of stock.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born four children but they lost one in infancy. The others are : Jennie Eliza, Laura Lulene and Sam- uel Parks. The parents are members of the Re- formed Presbyterian church and are interested in the general progress of their community, fav- oring every movement to promote the material intellectual, social and moral upbuilding of the county. Mr. Johnson has spent his entire life here, witnessing its growth and development and aiding in the work of improvement in as far as possible. His business affairs have been capa- bly managed and he is known throughout the community as a leading, progressive and influ- ential farmer of Muskingum county.

BENJAMIN KELLY.

Benjamin Kelly was born in Falls township. Muskingum county. in 1860. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Kelly, was a native of Penn- sylvania and became one of the early settlers of central Ohio, taking up his abode in Muskingum county when it was still a largely undeveloped region. His son, Nathan Kelly, was born in this county and in his youth assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm. The occupation to which he was reared he made his life work, engaging in the tilling of the soil up to the time of his death. He married Miss Marv Crabtree, a daughter of William and Sarah (Wilkeson) Crabtree, both of whom were natives of England. and they came to America in 1810, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing ves- sel. They settled in Falls township and were also pioneer settlers of Muskingum county. Mr. Kelly passed away about 1891 and is still sur- vived by his widow. They were the parents of five children. of whom three are still living. namely: Alfred. a farmer. who resides in Zanesville : Charles A., who is living on the old homestead in Falls township : and Benjamin.

Benjamin Kelly pursued his education in Walker schoolhouse and was reared to farm life. carly becoming familiar with the practical methods of tilling the soil, harvesting the crons and caring for the stock. In his early life he followed farming and dairving and was this engaged until 1808. when he came to Zanesville and entered the undertaking business in partner- ship with his brother-in-law under the firm paume of Kelly & Lasure. Since 1003 he has been alone in business and he now has a very hrop patronage. He took a course in embalming under prominent representatives of that business and received a diploma for his proficiency.

In 1882 Mr. Kelly was married to Miss Martha A. Richey, who was born in Falls town-

726

PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

ship, Muskingum county, and is a daughter of John H. and Ellen T. (Wilkeson) Richey. Mr. Kelly belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Zanesville, to the Independent Order of For- esters and Improved Order of Red Men, while in politics he is a democrat. He is a genial man of kindly spirit and cordial disposition and is highly esteemed by many friends in Zanesville and Muskingum county.

EDWARD VINTON WALKER.

Edward Vinton Walker, a prominent farmer of Falls township, was born May 15, 1852, upon the place which is still his home. He represents one of the old families of the county, connected with its history from pioneer times down to the present. He is a son of James Walker, now de- ceased, who came to Muskingum county in 1820. He was born in County Down, Ireland, and on cmigrating to the new world locating near Ches -- ter, Pennsylvania, whence he afterward came to Ohio. He drove across the country to Miis- kingum county and at different times lived on various farms. He married Hannah Wilkinson. a daughter of Edward Wilkinson, who owned one thousand acres of land. and in 1827 Mr. Walker took up his abode upon the farm in Falls township which continued to be his place of resi- dence until his death and which is now owned by his children. In matters of judgment he was found to be reliable and in all business trans- actions was active, energetic and honorable. Unto him and his wife were born eleven children and only three are now living: James T., Mary, and Edward V., all of whom reside on the old home farm and carry on the business together. In his political views the father was originally a whig, supporting the party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. Fraternally he was a Mason and his life was in harmony with the beneficent spirit of the craft. He passed away December 8, 1874, leav- ing behind him an untarnished name as well as a large estate.

Edward V. Walker was reared to the occupa- tion of farming, working in the fields and mead- ows through the period of his youth when not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom. Since arriving at man's estate he has carried on farm- ing on his own account and is now the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land, lying about four and a half miles from Zanesville on the Dresden road. Here he carries on general farming and stock-raising and has considerable numbers of cattle, sheep and hogs upon his place. His fields are well tilled and his land, being under a high state of culti-

vation, returns him a gratifying income. He uses the latest improved machinery in the care of his farm and all his interests are carefully managed for he is systematic in his business af- fairs and at the same time is thoroughly trust- worthy, being never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any business transaction. Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Ellen M. Gates, who was born in Frank- lin and is a daughter of Thomas Gates, of Colum- bus, now deceased, who came to Muskingum county in 1850. His wife bore the family name of Morton prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Walker became the parents of five children : James T., Isabella G., Hannah, Arthur H. and Donald.

Mr. Walker votes with the republican party but he has no time nor desire to seek public office although he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is thus able to support his position by intelligent argument. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Royal Arcanum. the Woodmen of the World and to the Home Guards, and his life is in harmony with the spirit of these dif- ferent organizations, which teach consideration for one's fellowmen and the cultivation of all the good qualities that lead to an upright life. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and not only does he endorse all measures for the advance- ment of the race but brings into his daily life the principles to which he thus gives his sanc- tion.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 101

Author: Sutor, J. Hope, 1846- Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 898

Author: Sutor, J. Hope, 1846-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 898