Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 110

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 110

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Following his marriage Mr. Aikin became a farmer of Guernsey county, Ohio, where he car- ricd on general agricultural pursuits for eighteen years. In 1864 he removed to Muskingum county and purchased one hundred and fifty-two acres of land in Highland township, to the fur- ther development and cultivation of which lic de- voted his energies until his life's labors were ended in death. In all of his business transac- tions he was thoroughly reliable, never being known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade transaction. He voted with the republican party and upon that ticket was elected township trustee, but he never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He and his wife, however, were devoted members of the Associate Presbyterian church, in which he long served as ruling elder, and he was deeply inter- ested in the material, intellectual and moral prog- ress of the community. He died June 6, 1895. at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife passed away February 16, 1808.

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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Aikin were born twelve children : George C., who died in Kansas, in March, 1895, leaving a wife and six children ; Susan J., who married James A. Atchinson, by whom she had six children and lives in Richmond, Kansas; Martha H., who is the widow of Samuel R. Guthrie and resides in Cam- bridge, Ohio; Lizzie M., the wife of John F. Franklin, of Albia, Iowa; Robert M., deceased, who wedded Mary McMillan, now a resident of Esther, Pennsylvania, by whom he had one child ; James H., of Rich Hill township, Muskingum county, who wedded Mary J. Dew and has four children ; Mary M., the wife of William McDon- ald, of Monroe township, by whom she had seven children, five of whom are now living; Anna E., the wife of William Graham, of Esther, Pennsyl- vania; Sarah M., the wife of Calvin C. Taylor, of Stafford, Kansas, and the mother of four chil- dren ; Emma L., who is the widow of Daniel Gray and lives in Avery, Iowa, with her two chil- dren; and Ruth, the deceased wife of Archibald Johnson, a resident of McConnellsburg, Penn- sylvania.

John A. Aikin, son of Hugh Aikin, was born January 10, 1866, and was a public-school stu- dent in Monroe township, dividing his attention between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleas- ures of the playground and the work of the home farm. When his education was completed he gave his undivided attention to assisting in the cultivation and improvement of the old home place until 1901, when he purchased a stock of merchandise in Bloomfield, and thus became iden- tified with commercial interests there. He now carries a line of general merchandise and con- ducts a good business, meeting with a ready sale of his stock because of his earnest desire to please his patrons and his reliable business methods. He is also the owner of a comfortable and attractive home in Bloomfield.

On the 3d of April, 1895, John A. Aikin was united in marriage to Miss Flora Law, of Mon- roe township, who died in October, 1895. He has since wedded Anna E. Stewart, who was born in May, 1869, in Guernsey county, and is a daugh- ter of William and Eliza Stewart. Her mother died February 24, 1897, while her father still fol- lows farming in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Aikin have three interesting children : Alma B., born De- cember 3, 1898; Hugh S., born October 7, 1900 ; and Helen M., born January 20, 1902. Mr. Aikin is a republican and he is now serving as township clerk. He and his wife belong to the United Presbyterian church in Bloomfield, and he is active in community affairs, ever taking a helpful interest in matters of public progress. He represents one of the old and honored pioneer families of the state. Personally he is popular because of his deference for the opinions of oth-

ers, his genial manner and his kindly disposition and in Muskingum county he has made many friends.

W. D. PACKARD.

W. D. Packard, a photographer of Frazeys- burg, was born in Cummington, Massachusetts, August 23, 1827, and is the son of Chester and Eunice Saddler Packard, who came to Ohio in 1833, settling in Fredonia, about ten miles west of Newark. They were natives of the old Bav state and were reared and married there. Both were descended from ancestors who came to America with the Pilgrims on the Mayflower in 1620, the ancestry in the paternal line being traced back to Samuel Packard. The family have largely followed mechanical and mercantile pursuits. Chester Packard was a carpenter by trade but abandoning that pursuit turned his at- tention to the operation of a woolen mill at Ho- mer, Ohio, in which enterprise he was joined by his brother, Theophilus. For years the business was conducted under the firm style of Wheaton & Packard and it became one of the leading manufac- tories of that part of the state. In his political views Chester Packard was originally a whig, afterward gave his support to the freesoil party and then became a staunch republican. He was a man of unblemished integrity, of upright habits and honorable motives. He was never known to use an oath in his entire life. In his business he was successful, his career proving that prosperity and an untarnished name could be won simul- taneously, and his history furnishes an example well worthy of emulation. He passed away in 1878, long surviving his wife who had died in 1829. They were the parents of six children, of whom one died in infancy, while Ira, Edwin C., Somner and Silas S. are also deceased. The last named is the author of Packard's Commercial Arithmetic and was principal in Bryant & Strat- ton's Business College, in New York, up to the time of his death , which ocurred in 1900.

W. D. Packard, having acquired his educa- tion in the schools of Licking county, began teaching in Knox county, Ohio, and later went to the home of relatives in Wisconsin and was em- ployed to teach in that locality. His work in ed- ucational circles was satisfactory, for he main- tained discipline while giving instruction in the branches of the curriculum and his exposition of the different studies was clear and concise. Upon his return to Knox county in 1863 Mr. Packard gave his attention to the photographic art and in 1869 came to Frazeysburg, where for more than a third of a century he has conducted a photographic gallery, giving satisfaction to his

MR. AND MRS. W. D. PACKARD.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

patrons by reason of the excellent work he exe- cutes. He keeps in touch with the progress that is continually being made in the art and his well equipped studio is an indication to those who know aught of photographic methods that he is doing good work along modern lines.

On the 2d of November, 1848, Mr. Packard was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Stine- mates, of Knox county, Ohio, who was born April 9, 1827, a daughter of Christian and Hester Stinemates, who came from Westmoreland coun- ty, Pennsylvania, to Ohio in the early '20s. Her father was a farmer by occupation and was of German descent, his father having come from Germany to the United States and founded this branch of the family in the new world. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Packard have been born two chil- dren : Emma, born August 6, 1849, is the wife of George Steinmates, formerly of Frazeysburg, but now living in Woodstock, Illinois, where he is engaged in the egg business. They have had five children : Eddie, deceased; Herbert N., who is married and has two children, Gertrude and Irvine; Alma, wife of Hamilton Dale; Bruce: and Myrtle M. the wife of M. Thompson. This family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. William Frank, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Packard, married Miss Minnie May Smith and they have six children: Lenora, the wife of William G. Black, of Fort Wayne, In- diana, by whom she has one child; Arthur F. : Frank; Walter; Ruth; and Harold. They re- sided in Dayton, Ohio, where William F. Pack- ard is filling the position of train dispatcher on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad.

Politically Mr. Packard is a prohibitionist and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day because of his deep interest in his country. In the years 1871, 1874, and 1877 he was elected justice of the peace and during his three terms' service he rendered decisions that were strictly fair and impartial and awakened the commendation of all law-abiding citizens. He is now a notary public. Mr. Packard is numbered among the prominent and honored residents of the county and in the evening of life occupies a pleasant home in Frazeysburg among many friends who esteem him highly for his sterling worth and for the possessions of those traits of character which in every land and clime command respect.

ADAM FISHER.

Adam Fisher, the owner of a good farm of one hundred and forty-two acres on section 18, Brush Creek township, was born May 25, 1860, in this county, and is descended from German ancestry,

while in his life he displays many of the ster- ling characteristics of the Teutonic race. His father, William Fisher, was born in Erzenhausen, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, September 1, 1819, and coming to America identified his interests with agricultural pursuits in Muskingum county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days, dying March 31, 1894, upon the farm which is now owned and occupied by Adam Fisher. He was a successful farmer and stock-raiser and was one of the sturdy early pioneer settlers who contrib- uted in substantial measure to the improvement of the state and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation upon which the present super- structure of the commonwealth was built. In his business affairs he also prospered. Following his arrival in Ohio in the year 1846 he folowed the carpenter's trade and later turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, becoming the pos- sessor of one hundred and forty-two acres of land. While in Germany he held membership in the Presbyterian church and after his emigra- tion to America he became identified with the Lutheran church. In politics he was a consistent democrat. On the 4th of December. 1851, he married Annie Mary Kline, who was born in Boerschborn, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, August 27, 1821 and came to Ohio in 1848. To her hus- band she was a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey, and she passed away July 30, 1903. They became the parents of five children : William, who was living with his brother Adam on the old homestead; John, who wedded Mary E. Metzgar and died leaving one child: Jacob, living in Morgan county, who wedded Mary A. Gobel and has four children ; Charles, who wed- ded Clara Spring and died leaving two children ; and Adam, of this review.

Adam Fisher early became familiar with the labors of field and meadow while working upon his father's farm. He was born upon the place where he yet resides, it being the old family home- stead and after his marriage he brought his bride to the farm, living, however, in a house separate from his father's home. Following his father's death in 1894 he took up his abode in the old family residence, where he has since remained.

Adam Fisher was married April 11. 1889, to Mary E. Gobel, who was born November 11. 1865, and was a daughter of Peter J. Gobel, a native of Wolfstein, Germany, whose birth oc- curred July 20, 1822. He came to America in 1850, at the age of twenty-eight years and he married Miss Mary E. Raquet, a native of Schwedelbach, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany. Her parents were John and Margaret E. Raquet, who came to Ohio in 1847 and later purchased a part of the farm now owned by Adam Fisher. There Mr. Raquet continued to reside until his death,

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which occurred February 21, 1866. His wife died near Stovertown. Ohio, February 9, 1899. In the family of Peter J. and Mary E. Gobel were the following children: Mar- garet, who married David Gobel, though of the same name not a relative; Peter R., who married Matilda Caldwell; Adam, who wedded Katie Baughman : Elizabeth, deceased; John, who mar- ried Emma Gobel; Mary Ellen, wife of our sub- ject : Caroline, who is an invalid; Catherine A .. the wife of Samuel R. Souders; Edward, who married Ada Fisher; Charles J., who married Mary Canfield; and Clarence E., who married Anna Slack. Mr. Gobel. the father of these chil- dren, is a blacksmith by trade and for many years followed that pursuit, but in later years of his life has engaged in merchandising in Deaver- town. His wife was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 10, 1834. and died August 28, 1880, at Deavertown, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gobel were married September 1, 1851, and Mr. Gobel is now living at the age of eighty-three years. occupying the home in which he began housekeeping.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher was blessed with three children, but Harland, born October 15, 1890, is the only one now living. Carl Noel and Florence Irene both died in infancy. Nr. Fisher is an active democrat and is a devoted member of the Lutheran church. His entire life has been passed on the farm which is yet his home and he is known as a progressive agriculturist. working along modern lines for the improvement of his property and the acquirement of a compe- tence.

E. F. GRIMSLEY.

E. F. Grimsley, superintendent of the Oakdale Pressed Brick Company of Zanesville, is a native of Virgina, born in 1865. He came to the city in 1886, when twenty-one years of age, and imme- diately afterward entered the employ of the Oak- dale Pressed Brick Company, which was estab- lished during this year. His first position was that of yardman and later he became foreman of the machine department, in which capacity he served for seven years, when in 1900 he was ap- pointed superintendent of the entire plant and has since remained at the head of the practical work- ing of the plant. The capacity is about twenty- five thousand pressed brick per day and employ- ment is furnished to fifty workmen. Mr. Grims- lev is himself a very energetic, enterprising man who has led a very busy and useful life and is much esteemed by his employers and has the entire confidence of those who serve under him.

In 1886 in Zanesville, Mr. Grimsley was mar- ried to Miss Fannie B. Gaines, who was born in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Grimsley have a wide

acquaintance in this city, enjoying the warm re- gard of many friends. He is a member of Lafay- ette lodge, No. 79, A. F. & A. M., and also holds membership relations with the Modern Wood- men of the World. The fact that he has remained in the service of one company for almost twenty years is unmistakable evidence of his trustworthi- ness and the unqualified confidence which is re- posed in him.

SAMUEL H. ALEXANDER.

Samuel H. Alexander, one of the native sons of Muskingum county, was born near his present residence in Meigs township, and he still owns a part of the old home farm. His father, Mathew Alexander, was a native of Ireland, born in County Down, near Belfast, and in early life he crossed the Atlantic to America, becoming a res- ident of Zanesville. He was a blacksmith by trade and followed that pursuit in early man- hood, but subsequently he removed to Meigs township, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land. He then aided in conquer- ing the wilderness for the purpose of civilization and in due course of time where once stood the forest trees were seen waving fields of grain. He became one of the prominent agriculturists of his community, erecting a fine home on his farm and made very substantial improvements. He was united in marriage in early manhood to Miss Mary Hunter, who was born in Ireland, and in her girlhood days came to the new world. She was a daughter of William Hunter, who became a leading farmer of Salt Creek township. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander were married in Zanesville and they became the parents of the following named: John, who wedded Elizabeth Bradley, of Pennsylvania, and their children were John, Mary J., George and Emmett ; Charles, who mar- ried Martha West, a daughter of Turner West; Robert, who married Mary Johnson; George, who married Martha Pierson, of Meigs township, and had five children, Boston, Anna M., Maud. Samuel and Carrie B. ; Samuel H. ; and Margaret J., who became the wife of James Quick and re- moved to Vinton county. They had two sons, Charles and John.

Samuel H. Alexander spent his boyhood days on the old homestead farm and in his youth worked in the fields, while in the winter seasons he attended the public schools. He has since learned the trades of carpentering and cabinet- making and has carried on business along those lines, contracting to some extent and thus becom- ing closely associated with building operations in this part of the county. He has also followed farming and is the owner of a valuable tract of

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eighteen acres, a part of the old homestead. He has been quite successful in his business opera- tions and he owns a fine residence near Museville. which was built by himself and he was likewise an architect. He possesses natural mechanical ingenuity and is regarded as one of the best work- men in his line in the county, his services having been engaged on the construction of many fine buildings.

Mr. Alexander was married, in 1865. to Mrs. Anna R. Perry, a native of Brooke county, West Virgina, and a daughter of David and Rebecca Kearns, who were prominent farming people of Marshall county, West Virginia. They have six children: Ellsworth, a boiler inspector living in Altoona, Pennsylvania, who married Cora White, a daughter of Professor White, and has one child, Cora Nina ; Sylvester ; Virginia B., deceased ; Adelaide; Thornton O., and Lewis M,. who is living in Marshall county, West Virginia.

In his political affiliations Mr. Alexander is a democrat, having continuously supported the party since its organization. He has several times filled the office of supervisor and has ever been true and loyal to the public welfare. He is always interested in progressive measures for the general good and his co-operation may ever be counted upon for their furtherance. He belongs to the Methodist Protestant church at Oakland, and is a man of high purpose, of upright principles and genuine worth. He represents one of the old and respected families of Muskingum county but it is his personal traits of character that have en- deared him to his friends and gained him the res- pect of all with whom he has been associated. His life has been one of untiring industry and his well directed labors have found a sure reward in the success which he is now enjoying.

REV. EDWARD J. FARMER, O. P.

Rev. Edward J. Farmer, pastor of St. Thomas church, Zanesville, was born in Lynn, Massachu- setts, in 1861. His father, Terrence Farmer, came to this country from Ireland in the fall of 1846 and settling in Lynn, Massachusetts, became a successful merchant of that place. In 1858 he married Mary M. Forbes, who was also a native of Ireland and came to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1851. Her mother attained a very advanced age, departing this life in Ireland at the age of ninety-eight years. Mr. Farmer and his wife were members of the Catholic church ; in politics he was a democrat. He died in 1879, at the age of fifty-four years, while his wife passed away in 1885, at the age of fifty-five years. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living.

Father Farmer received his early education in the schools of Lynn, Massachusetts. Later he attended St. Charles College near Baltimore, Maryland, to prepare for the priesthood. He then entered the Dominican Novitiate and made his solemn vows at St. Joseph's Convent, Somer- set, Ohio, where he was ordained by Bishop Wat- terson. His priestly career was begun in Wash- ington, D. C., where he remained six years. In 1901 he became pastor of St. Thomas church in Zanesville. This church was organized in 1821 and the present church building was erected in 1842. Many priests have administered to the spiritual needs of its many parishioners. There are now three hundred and seventy-five families in the parish, representing a membership of fif- teen hundred and seventy-five. The church is free from debt and the various departments of its work are in a flourishing condition. St. Thomas parochial school is a large brick building directly opposite the church on Fifth street, conducted by the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs. There are three hundred and fifty pu- pils and the work of the school is graded in har- mony with the Zanesville high-school work. Under the guidance of Father Farmer St. Thomas church has made a steady and satisfac- tory advance, its influence continually increas- ing. He is a gentleman of scholarly attainments and enjoys the respect of the representatives of Protestantism as well as of his own church.

JOHN GEORGE.

John George, one of the prominent farmers of Hopewell township, was born on the place which is now his home, February 27. 1832. His father, John George, Sr., was a native of County Derry, Ireland, born in 1801, and in 1812 he was brought to America by his father, William George, who settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. There the son was reared to manhood and for many years he resided in Pittsburg, where for three years he was employed in a foundry. He afterward came to Ohio, taking up his abode in Hopewell township upon the farm which is now owned and occupied by his son John. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-three years. In 1829 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bodle, who was born in County Donegal. Ireland. They became the parents of ten children : Eliza, who died at the age of sixty-eight years ; Jane, the wife of Samuel Johnston : Eleanor. the wife of John Nesbitt ; William, who married Eliza A. McGlade; Margaret, the wife of Isaac Soith- ers; John of this review : Samuel, who married

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Eliza J. Johnson; Mary and Sarah, who reside with their brother, John; and Joseph, who be- came a member of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and died in the army while in active service at the front. The old family home comprised two hundred and ninety acres of rich and valuable land and the father continued its supervision up to the time of his demise. He was a member of the religious society known as Covenanters and afterward called the Reformed Presbyterian church. Both he and his wife reached the ripe old age of eighty- three years and died upon the old farm home- stead.

John George, whose name introduces this review, remained with his father until the latter's death, which occurred when he was about thirty years of age. He and nis two sisters have al- ways continued upon the old farm, of which they now own one hundred and seventy-four acres. The place is devoted to general agricultural pur- suits and stock-raising and they have an elegant country home here which is well kept. All of the buildings upon the place are in good repair and the appearance of the farm indicates careful supervision. Mr. George is a progressive agricul- turist, alert and enterprising and his untiring industry has been crowned with prosperity. He and his two sisters are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church. He affiliates with no polit- ical party, casting his ballot in support of the can- didates whom he thinks best qualified for the office. He has in his possession an old musket carried by an uncle of his father's in the Irish Revolution. The family has been well known in this county for many years and the name is inseparably associated with the history of this portion of the state.

EDWARD CASS. M. D.

Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony there- with. In person, in talents and in character Dr. Edward Cass is a worthy scion of his race-a representative of a family whose name has long been a distinguished one in connection with events which have formed the history of state and nation. He is now the only living member of the family in Muskingum county and Ohio. He traces his ancestry back to Major Jonathan Cass, who was born near the southern boundary of New Hampshire and won distinction in the war of the Revolution, participating in the bat- tles of Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Trenton. Prince- ton. Monmouth, Germantown and Valley Forge, and he rose to the rank of major. Following

the close of hostilities with Great Britain and the establishment of the American Republic, he served in the regular army under General Wayne, taking part in the warfare against the Indians in the Northwest Territory. His first service in the west was in 1791, as commander of a fort at the mouth of French creek, a tributary of the Alle- gheny river. In 1781 Major Cass was married to Miss Mary Gilman, a daughter of Theopnilus Gilman, a noted Tory at the time of the Revolu- tion. Major Cass afterward returned to service under General Wayne and after the battle of Maumee, in 1794, he was stationed in command of Fort Washington, on the present site of Cin- cinnati, where he remained until 1797. in that year, when the United States military land was put upon the market, Major Cass purchased land warrants, covering four thousand acres, and at the drawing for choice of location, he was for- tunate enough to hold No. I-entitling him to the first choice. With the assistance of William Wells, a young United States surveyor, who was well acquainted with the territory, a selection was made of Muskingum river land, in what is now the northern portion of Muskingum county. This land to the present time is known as the old Cass homestead.

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 110

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