Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 111

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 111

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Major Cass went to Marietta, Ohio, in 1800, and to his estate on the Muskingum river the fol- lowing year, bringing with him all of his family. consisting of wife and five children, with the ex- ception of the eldest son, Lewis Cass, who re- mained to complete his studies in the Exeter Academy, in which he was then a pupil, being a classmate of Daniel Webster. Following his graduation from that school Lewis Cass studied law under Governor Meigs at Marietta and and became a practicing attorney at Zanesville and was elected the first prosecuting attorney of the county in 1804. He rendered military service to his country in the war of 1812 and at the close of hostilities removed to Michigan, where he at- tained still higher honors, serving as governor of that territory for eighteen consecutive years, following 1815. He was appointed secretary of war by President Jackson and was United States minister to France in 1836. He was also United States senator from Michigan for two terms, fol- lowing 1844, and was a candidate for the presi- dency of the United States on the democratic ticket in 1848. He was also secretary of state under President Buchanan in 1856 and he died in 1865-one of the notable figures in American history during the early and middle sections of the nineteenth century.

The other members of the family of Major Cass were as follows: Deborah became the wife of Judge Wyllys Silliman, of Zanesville ; George W. remained upon the Cass homestead; Mary G. became the wife of Joseph Munro ; and Cap-

...

DR. EDWARD CASS.

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tain Charles Lee served honorably in the Indian wars and died in 1842.

George W. Cass, who for many years owned and occupied the old homestead and who passed away there, August 6, 1873, was married to Miss Sophia Lord, a daughter of Colonel Abner Lord, of Lynn, Connecticut, , and a sister of the mothers of General Irwin, General McDowell, Professor Eli Tappan and Abner L. Back- us, all of whom became notable personages of Ohio. George W. Cass was a man of marked intellectual vigor, prominent and influential, al- though he would never consent to accept public office. He was a man of large frame and fine physique like his brother Lewis and was thought by those who knew him to be fully his brother's equal in mental power. Although he declined to become active in politics, he nevertheless pos- sessed a force of character, a strength of judg- ment and a clearness of reason that made him a power in political circles. He was a discrimin- ating and earnest student of history and of poli- tics and his opinions always carried great weight, many times proving an influencing force. He first gave his support to the whig and later to the republican party and so vigorous and inflexible was he in support of the principles of the party that he refused to vote for his brother when the latter was democratic candidate for the presi- dency. An indication of his character and worth is given in the following quotation from a letter written by General James A. Garfield, in 1871, to the Pioneer Society of Cuyahoga county. He said: "While recently spending a day in Dres- den, Ohio, I called upon the venerable George W. Cass, whose high character, marked ability and wonderful memory make an hour spent in his company long to be remembered. He has been a resident of Dresden since 1801 and has the most. perfect recollections of the leading events in the history of the state and particularly of the Mus- kingum valley. Among many recollections of early scenes and events in Ohio, the history of a journey made by him in 1797 was of peculiar interest to me, as affording a basis for under- standing the marvelous growth of Ohio." (The journey referred to was from Fort Hamilton, now Hamilton, Ohio, to Exeter, New Hamp. shire, made when Mr. Cass was a lad of eleven years and occupying three months). Again in the same letter General Garfield wrote: "I sug- gest to the Historical Society that the precious personal recollections of such a man as Mr. Cass should be preserved. He is a most amiable and intelligent gentleman and one of the few who has seen the whole growth of Ohio almost from the beginning of its territorial existence."

The children of George W. Cass were as fol- lows: George W., Jr., who died in 1888, was a graduate of the West Point Military Academy,

became president of the western division of the Adams Express Company, was afterward presi- dent of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Company and still later was president and then receiver of the Northern Pacific Rail- road Company. Relinquishing all active connec- tion with business affairs in 1874, he devoted the remainder of his life to travel, spending threc years with his family in Europe. He was inter- ested in large business enterprises other than those mentioned and amassed a great fortune. John J. Cass, the second of the family, died at the age of twenty-seven years. Augusta L., who was a young lady of very benevolent spirit, died in Dresden, in March, 1888, and by the terms of her will left two-thirds of her estate for mission. ary purposes. Abner L. died in August, 1887. He was a graduate of the Medical University in Philadelphia and practiced his profession in Co- shocton, Ohio. In 1858 he was elected a member of the state senate and served for one term in the law-making body of the commonwealth. In 1874 his health failed and he traveled for some time hoping to be benefited thereby. Later he located in Chicago, where his death occurred.

Edward Cass, the youngest member of the family, is in possession of the old homestead. He resides in Dresden and in his youth was a student in Kenyon College but was prevented from graduating by the accidental discharge ot a gun whereby he was wounded while out hunting during a vacation. It was first thought that the injury would prove fatal but after a time hope was entertained for his recovery. During the time when he was recuperating he began the study of medicine in the office of his brother at Coshocton, thinking, however, to make it only a profitable pastime for he had already determined to become a civil engineer. His interest in the science of medicine, however, was awakened and he determined to pursue his investigation, becom- ing a student in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with the class of 1854. Immediately afterward he en- tered upon practice in Dresden, where he has remained continuously since, meeting with excel- lent success as a practitioner and also being ac- corded recognition as a prominent and useful citizen.

Dr. Cass is a republican in polities, having sup- ported the party since its organization and is regarded as one of its leaders in Muskingum county. In 1869 he was one of two candidates before his party for the state legislature. . \1- though defeated with the rest of his ticket, the county being strongly democratic, his personal popularity was attested by the fact that in his own precinet, which usually gives a strong ma- jority to the opposition, he received a majority of seventy-three votes. He is a man of wide

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knowledge both in his profession and along lines of general interest as well as historic and scien- tific research and he has been frequently called upon to deliver addresses upon public occasions. He is also a writer of ability and versatility to the literature of his profession. In 1878 he was president of the Zanesville Academy of Medi- cine, an institution including in its membership physicians of Muskingum and several adjoining counties. At the present writing he is vice pres- ident of the Zanesville Medical Society and presi- dent of the Muskingum Valley District Medical Society.

In 1889 Dr. Cass was married to Miss Clara Shaw, of Columbus, Ohio, and they became the parents of two sons, Edward McDowell and W. Abner. In local affairs the Doctor has ever been deeply interested and his labors have contrib- uted to improvement and progress here. He was a member of the Dresden school board for twelve years and its president for six years. He was also the president of the Pioneer and Historical Society of Muskingum county and was its dele- gate to the Washington Centennial held in New York city in April, 1889, after which he delivered a lengthy and most interesting report to his home society upon his return. For one year he was vice president of the Ohio Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is a man of me- dium size, of robust constitution and fine presence, bearing strong resemblance in person, in talents and in character to the older and distinguished members of the family.

WILLIAM C. BLOCKSOM.

William C. Blocksom is descended from one of the old families of the east. His grandfather, William Blocksom, was a native of Milton, Del- aware, and removed from that state to Ohio, making the journey in company with a compan- ion. They walked the greater part of the way and on reaching Muskingum county settled first in Zanesville, which was then a small town. Soon afterward, however, Mr. Blocksom went to Fair- field county, Ohio, but after a year returned to Zanesville. He was a manufacturer by trade and for a time was employed as a journeyman but later engaged in contracting and building on his own account. Subsequently he entered the iron foundry business, having a plant on Fountain alley between Seventh and Underwood streets. He continued in that business for a number of years, constantly enlarging the scope of his la- bors and for a long period he was classed with the local representatives of industrial interests in Zanesville. He possessed indomitable en- ergy and strong purpose and through the exercise

of these qualities he won a high measure of suc- cess and as his financial resources increased he placed his money in the safest of all investments- real estate-and thus accumulated much prop- erty. He left his family a large estate for that day and, moreover, they inherited from him an untarnished name, for his business methods were such as would bear the closest investigation. and scrutiny. He figured prominently in public life also and exercised considerable influence in af- fairs affecting the progress and upbuilding of his community. He was appointed postmaster at Zanesville by President Jackson at a time when this office was a distributing point for the sur- rounding country. He acted in that capacity for a number of years and was also one of the three judges of the district court. In politics he was a strong democrat. He married Miss Fulkerson, of Zanesville, and they be- came the parents of the following chil- dren. Those living are: Mrs. Martha E. Johnson, the widow of Judge Johnson, of the su- preme court of Ohio; Mrs. Frances Sprague, widow of the late Chief Justice Sprague, of the supreme court ; and Mrs. Carrie Cram, a resident of Marietta, Ohio. Those deceased are Mrs. Sarah Cram, Mrs. Amanda Blandy, George W .. Charles H., Horace, Lorenzo and Augustus Perry. Most of the sons were prominently iden- tified with the drug trade, conducting a large wholesale house and doing an extensive business in early times.

Augustus Perry Blocksom, son of William Blocksom, was born in Muskingum county, in 1822. He prepared for the bar and for many vears was a legal practitioner in Zanesville, hav- ing a large and distinctively representative client- age. He was active in public affairs, wielding a wide influence, but he never sought or desired political office. He, too, met success in his care- fully directed labors and judicious investments, and moreover he was greatly esteemed by reason of his many excellent traits of manhood. He wedded Miss Mary Hewitt, a native of Athens, Ohio, who died in 1903, at the age of seventy- six years. while his death occurred in 1877, when he was fifty-five years of age. In their family were five children, of whom William C. is the eldest. Isabel married Captain C. W. Green, who was connected with the Ohio Iron Company for many years. Anna B. married C. W. Butler. and Mary E. became the wife of Benjamin Garvey. August P., who is a major in the United States Army, served in the Spanish- American war and was wounded in the leg at San Juan Hill. He was also with General Chaf- feer during the Boxer outbreak in China, had command of a firing force at that time and was a participant in the battle of Tien Tsin. He re- ceived his appointment to West Point through

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the recommendation of Congressman Milton Southard and was appointed by President Grant. He participated in many Indian skirmishes on the frontier prior to the Spanish-American war and for a time was in the Philippines after leav- ing China. He is now located at Washington, D. C.

William C. Blocksom was born in Zanesville in 1849 and spent his youth here, obtaining his literary education in the public schools. Deter- mining to follow in the professional footsteps of his father, who directed his law studies, he was admitted to the bar in 1873 and has since prac- ticed in Zanesville with success. His knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence is comprehen- sive and exact and he has the ability to correctly apply them to the points in litigation. He has been known for many years as a stalwart advo- cate of democratic principles and in 1881 was elected on the party ticket to the office of mayor of Zanesville. For four years prior to that time he was city solicitor but his aspirations have not been in the line of political preferment as he has desired rather to give his attention to his law practice. The name of Blocksom has figured prominently in connection with the history of Muskingum county through almost a century and has always been a synonym of public-spirited citizenship and business integrity.

JOHN A. ELLIOTT.

John A. Elliott, deceased, was born August 11, 1856, on the old Elliott homestead in Mus- kingum county, where his death also occurred. He was a son of John Elliott, who was born June 10, 1810, and on the 29th of September, 1836, was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Leedam, who was born October 12, 1815. They became the parents of seven children : Simon N .. Andrew L., Mary, Salinda, Isabelle, Hugh S. and John A.

In taking up the personal history of John .A. Elliott we present to our readers the life record of one who was widely and favorably known in Rich Hill township, where his entire life was passed. He was reared to the occupation of farming and saw no reason to change his plan of life when he reached adult age. Agricultural interests made sufficient claim upon his time and talents so that he had no leisure hours and through the exercise of his business interests he won a gratifying measure of success. He was a very industrious and energetic man and owned two hundred acres of rich and productive farm- ing land in Rich Hill township. In the midst of this farm stood one of the finest country homes of the county and upon the place were good barns

and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. These in turn were surrounded by well- tilled fields and everything about his place was kept in excellent condition, its appearance indi- cating the owner to be a very successful agri- culturist. He owed his property to his own ex- ertions, for it was acquired through his industry and untiring effort.

Mr. Elliott was married on the 24th of De- cember, 1878, to Miss Tillie Paisley, a daughter of John and Martha A. (Collins) Paisley and a granddaughter of John and Nancy ( Crawford) Paisley. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott became the par- ents of eleven children: Maud, born March 2, 1880; Fred, born March 26, 1882; Howard, who was born January 14, 1884, and was married September 15. 1904, to Mary Monett, of Rich Hill township; an infant, who was born Sep- tember 19, 1886; Hattie B., born November 15. 1887; Roy W., who was born October 15, 1889: Estella M., born May 7. 1891 : an infant, born December 31, 1892: Ada, born July 11, 1894: an infant, born January 24. 1896: and Pearl Daisy, born January 4, 1898. All of these un- named lived but a few days.

Mr. Elliott was a republican in his political views. He was a public-spirited man, interested in all that pertained to general progress. He was charitable, kind and benevolent and he was one of the subscribers to Muskingum College and to a railroad. He held membership with the Pat- rons of Industry and with the United Presby- terian church, of which his wife is also a mem- ber and in which he served as trustee for many years. At his death his remains were interred in Salt Creek cemetery and thus passed away one of the most respected native citizens of Rich Hill township. He was devoted to the interests of his family, held friendship inviolable and was the champion of the right, the true and the beautiful.

JAMES HART LEE.

James Hart Lee is the city passenger and ticket agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Com- pany at Zanesville. He started out in life as mes- senger boy for that company and throughout his business career has been retained in the company's service, a fact which indicates in unmistakable terms his fidelity to duty, his promotion being the public recognition of his merit.

Mr. Lce was born in Zanesville. December 11. 1863, and is a son of David Lee, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Having mas- tered the elementary branches of learning in the public schools, James 11. Lee continued his study in the high school at Zanesville and on putting

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aside his text-books accepted a position with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company as messen- ger. He was then twenty years of age. Imme- diately afterward he took up the study of teleg- raphy and was made night operator, in which capacity he served for three years and for three years served as day operator. His next promo- tion made him ticket agent and in 1895 he was ap- pointed to the responsible position of city passen- ger and ticket agent in Zanesville, in which capac- ity he is still serving. He is a most courteous and obliging official, carefully looking after the wants of the traveling public as well as of the road which he represents and that he has the entire confidence of the corporation which he serves is indicated by his long continuance in its service.

On the 25th of November, 1895, Mr. Lee was married to Miss Catherine P. Drone, who was born in Zanesville, September 15, 1864, and was a daughter of Richard Drone, a miller. They have three children : Mary, Julia Smith and David. Mrs. Lee holds membership in the Epis- copal church and Mr. Lee belongs to the Royal Arcanum and to the Modern Woodmen camp. He votes with the democracy and for eight years he served as a member of the board of elections. His acquaintance in Zanesville is a wide one and his personal characteristics are such as have gained for him the warm friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.

MICHAEL BAUMGARDNER.

Michael Baumgardner, a well known repre- sentative of the agricultural interests of Spring- field township, was born March 22, 1823, upon the old farm homestead where he yet resides. His father, George Baumgardner, came to this county from Little York, Pennsylvania, with his uncle, Reese Baumgardner, who settled in Rushville. Ohio, about 1810. George Baumgardner served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and following the cessation of hostilities he was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Orster. The young couple removed to Huron county, Ohio, where Mr. Baumgardner worked at the cooper's trade which he had learned in his youth. About 1815, however, they removed to Muskingum county and he entered the employ of Jim Gran- ger, at Moxahala. Desiring to engage in farm- ing on his own account he leased one hundred and seven acres for a term of six years and on the expiration of that period he purchased the property, continuing to make it his home for several succeeding years. He also bought one hundred and seventy acres south of this place and another tract of two hundred and twenty acres on the Ridge road. He erected a brick

house on the last mentioned farm and continued to make his home there for thirty years, or until the time of his death, which occurred in 1872, when he was seventy-six years of age. It was occasioned by a fall from an apple tree and he passed away five days later. His wife survived him until 1876. In his business affairs he had been very successful and, making judicious in- vestment of his capital in real estate, he held at the time of his death five hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Muskingum county. In all his business relations he was found thoroughly reliable and was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade transaction. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party up to the time of the Civil war, when he became a stanch republican. Mr. Baumgardner had a family of five sons and four daughters, all of whom were living at the time of his death, namely : George, a resident of New Albany, Indiana: Jacob, who is living in Spring- field township; Eliza, the deceased wife of Adam Baughman; David, who died in California; George; Michael; Margaret, the deceased wife of Samuel Radcliff; Samuel, who died in In- dianapolis; and Mrs. Amelia Smith, living in Falls township.

Michael Baumgardner acquired his education in the public schools of Springfield township and when a boy learned the carpenter's trade. His youth was a period of persistent, earnest and un- remitting toil and whatever success he has achieved in life is attributable entirely to his own efforts. Before his marriage he took a drove of cattle overland from Ohio to New York and for several years he traveled in western Ohio, peddling goods, and in this he was very success- ful and it not only proved a good source of revenue but was also a means of education, broadening his knowledge concerning places. Subsequent to his marriage he took up his abode on the old homestead, comprising one hundred and seven acres in Springfield township. His father gave him one hundred acres and he pur- chased the other seven. Since that time he has given his attention to general farming and is re- garded as one of the leading and progressive agriculturists of his community, having a well developed property. He now owns one hundred and twenty-six acres.

In September. 1858, Mr. Baumgardner was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Jane Butler, a daughter of Joseph Butler, of Springfield town- ship. Having no children of their own they adopted David Buxbarg, then a lad of seven years, who has filled the place of a son to them and still resides upon the farm, occupying the old house. In 1868 Mr. Baumgardner erected a fine residence on the Ridge road, where he now resides. In politics he is a democrat, but while

MICHAEL BAUMGARDNER.

MRS. MICHAEL BAUMGARDNER.

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always voting for the measures of the party and its platform, which in his opinion contains the best elements of good government, he has never sought or desired office. He is a member of the Springfield Chapel church and a man respected and esteemed by all who know him. He has now passed the eighty-second milestone on life's jour- ney and can look back over the years that have come and gone without regret, for his course has been manly, his actions sincere, his treatment of his fellowmen just and considerate and to-day he enjoys the esteem of young and old, rich and poor.

BENNETT L. TAYLOR.

Bennett L. Taylor, manager and stockholder in the Muskingum Laundry Company, was born in Zanesville, May 1, 1863, and is the third child of Henry B. and Augusta Ann (Lewis) Taylor. The father was born in Hudson, New York, and came to Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1851, set- tling in Zanesville. where he engaged in the man- ufacture of sash, doors and blinds, being a mem- ber of the firm of Guthrie & Taylor. This com- pany had a continuous existence for twenty years, doing an extensive business. In January, 1872, he entered the firm of Clark Herdman but his death occurred in October of the same year. Dur- ing his latter years he was a member of the Put- nam Presbyterian church. He took an active and helpful interest in church work and for some time served as church trustee. He became a char- ter member of Woodlawn lodge, I. O. O. F., with which he affiliated until his death, and he was also an exemplary member of the Masonic frater- nity. He voted with the republican party and was a man of tried integrity and worth who ranked high in public regard in his community. His death occurred in the fall of 1872, when he was forty-seven years of age. His wife was born in Stratford, Connecticut, in 1832, and is now liv- ing in Zanesville. She, too, is a member of the Presbyterian church. In their family were four children : Judson P., a representative business man of Zanesville; Sadie, deceased ; Bennett L .: and Charles H., who is engaged in farming at Garrettsville, Ohio.

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 111

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