Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 114

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 114

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T. C. Connar, the only child born of the first marriage, spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth in Muskingum county and acquired his education here. Having attended the public schools until he had mastered the elementary branches of learning, he afterward entered Mus- kingum College and completed the classical and scientific course by graduation in 1867. Al- though reared upon the farm and familiar with the labor of cultivating the fields from an early age he did not find that pursuit congenial and determined to give his time and attention to some other calling. In 1868 he went to Johnson county, Missouri, following his profession of civil engineering, and while in the west traveled through Texas, Indian Territory and Mexico. He (lid some work on the Texas & Pacific Railroad and was chief engineer on the Warrensburg, Marshall & Fort Scott Railroad, but the great financial crisis of 1873 caused work to be sus- pended on that line.

In the winter of 1875 Mr. Connar returned to Muskingum county, settled in New Concord,

where he followed his profession, being connected with the various railroads running into Zanes- ville. He was assistant engineer of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern, also the Zanesville & Southeastern Railroad and he had charge of the construction of the Muskingum County Railway and of the Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati. After its construction he was assistant engineer of the Zanesville & New Comerstown Railroad and was resident engineer for the Cincinnati, At- lantic & Columbus Railroad. In 1888 he was elected to the position of county surveyor and at that time- removed with his family to Zanesville. In that capacity he had charge of the construc- tion of three large bridges crossing the Muskin- gum river, their respective lengths being two thousand, fifteen hundred and eighty-five, and six hundred feet. These were the Monroe street. Fifth street and Brush Creek bridges. On re- tiring from the office of county surveyor Mr. Connar became engaged in civil and mining en- gineering and in making geological surveys on his own account and has done considerable work on the Ohio River & Western Railroad, in locat- ing the Powhatan branch and the "cut-off line." He makes examinations in mineral properties and furnishes estimates of the cost of plants and the development of mineral resources. His col- lege training, his study and investigation in later years and his broad experience have well equipped him for the vocation which he is following and his services are in much demand for expert work.

In 1867 Mr. Connar was married to Miss Mary A. Patterson and unto them were born five chil- dren : Homer L., an engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, who married Ida Haven and has one child, Roberta ; John Oscar, who is as- sisting his father ; Harry E., who married Martha McCall and has two children, Mary and Oscar ; Albert T., who is a civil engineer ; and Edith J. In 1890, Mr. Connar was again married, his sec- ond union being with Aggie McCall, of Zanes- ville, and they have one child, Virgil. Mr. Con- nar is a man of studious nature. deeply inter- ested in the great scientific principles which un- (lerlie his work and at the same time is a prac- tical, progressive business man who has found that success is ambition's answer.

FRANK M. REED.

Frank M. Reed, joint freight agent for the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley, the Chicago & Atlantic & Zanesville railroads, and the Marietta division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, was born December 1. 1864, in Wilmington, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, William Reed, was a native of Virginia, while his father, I .. A. Reed,

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was born in Ohio, in 1837. The latter became active and influential in political circles, filling a number of county offices and serving as clerk of the court. He formed a wide acquaintance and was prominent socially. He is now engaged in the transfer business in Zanesville, where he is widely known. He married Miss Mary Marble, a native of Ohio.

Frank M. Reed pursued his education in the schools of this state and in 1882, when seventeen years of age, he engaged with the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley Railroad as freight clerk, fill- ing that position until 1885. In the meantime he had learned telegraphy and on leaving the freight office he served as operator at Washing- ton Court House until 1886. He afterward be- came there an agent for the Cincinnati & Muskin- gum Valley Railroad, and in 1891 he came to Zanesville to accept the position of joint freight agent for the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley, Chicago & Atlantic & Zanesville and the Marietta division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroads. He has now occupied this position for fourteen years and the length of his incumbency is unmistak- able proof of his capability and of his fidelity to duty.

Mr. Reed has one son, Frank M., Jr. He is a republican in his political views and affiliates with the Elks lodge. A man of fine personal ap- pearance, he has social qualities that have en- deared him to many friends and he is regarded as a most trustworthy and reliable representative of railroad interests, capable and obliging to the patrons of the roads which he represents and at the same time neglectful of no duty of the cor- porations which he serves.

WILLIAM H. ADAMS.

William H. Adams, of the firm of Adams Brothers, contractors and builders in lime, sand. cement and builders' supplies on Muskingum avenue in Zanesville, was born in the city which is yet his place of residence, his natal day being July 10, 1862. His father, James Adams, was born in England and in his boyhood days came to the United States with his parents, the family home being established in Baltimore, Maryland. He afterward removed to Zanesville, where he is now living at the advanced age of more than eighty years. He married Lucy Day, a native of Zanes- ville, now seventy-five years of age and they be- came the parents of eight children.

The boyhood days of William H. Adams were quietly passed in the usual manner of lads of the period, the pleasures of the playground and the duties of the schoolroom occupying his at- tention through the period of his youth. Learn-

ing the builder's trade in early life he was prompted by laudable ambition to so put forth his energies that he might eventually become a known factor in the trade in Zanesville and in 1888 he and his brother, Albert Adams, forming the firm of Adams Brothers, established their present business. They have done work in many sections of the country, including the construc- tion of a sewer in Market street in Zanesville. Altogether they have laid about three hundred miles of sewer in Iowa, Illinois and Ohio and they have erected many building here, being gen- eral contractors. Thoroughness, efficiency and painstaking care have been marked characteristics of their trade relations and they enjoy now a pat- ronage which is indicative of their position as leading contractors of Zanesville.

Mr. Adams is married and has five children: Mabel, Helen, Mary, Hilda and Marilla. Mr. Adams is affiliated with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in politics is an independ- ent democrat. He deserves mention among the representative citizens in Zanesville and should find a place in the history of the men of business and enterprise in the great west, whose force of character, sterling integrity and success in estab- lishing large business affairs have contributed in eminent degree to the solidity and progress of the country. His life has been manly, his actions sincere, his manner unaffected and his example is worthy of emulation.

GEORGE HOOK.

George Hook, deceased, who, during his life was a prominent mill man of Zanesville, was born in Timsbury, England, November 27, 1830, a son of David Hook. He pursued his education in the schools of his native land and afterward learned the miller's trade. When a young man he came to the United States, thinking that he might have better advantages in the new world. with its broader business opportunities, its livelier competition and its successes more quickly se- cured. He located in Marietta, Ohio, where he followed the milling business and subsequently removed to Zanesville, where he continued in the same line. Later he became a member of the Hook Brothers Milling Company, of Zanes- ville, owners of a large flouring mill, and he was connected therewith up to the time of his demise. The mill is still owned and operated by his son and brothers. Mr. Hook had a practical and thorough knowledge of the busi- ness and in fact was acquainted with the work in every detail, so that he was well qualified to superintend the operation of the plant.

GEORGE HOOK.

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Mr. Hook was twice married. He first wedded Rebecca J. Rusk, who died July 15, 1865, leaving three children, George W., Charles and James. On the 20th of November, 1866, Mr. Hook was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth F. Bowers, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Martin and Matilda ( Kaywood) Bowers, natives of Virginia. Her father was a merchant and also engaged in contracting and likewise conducted a hotel at Gratiot, Ohio. Mrs. Hook conducted a large millinery establishment in Zanesville for some time and through her aid and assistance Mr. Hook became a well- to-do man. Together they accumulated considerable property and she now owns a two-story business house on Main street and seven houses in the seventh ward of the city, which she rents. By her marriage she has one child, Frederick, who is now a partner in the Muskingum Laundry, also interested in nis brother's flour mill.

Mr. Hook cast his political ballot for the men and measures of the republican party and socially was identified with the Odd Fellows' society and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He died June 7, 1904. He was a devoted husband and was well known in business circles as a trust- worthy man and one whose success and promi- nence were the legitimate outcome of his own labor. Like her husband, Mrs. Hook enjoys the friendship of many who know her and is well worthy of mention among the representative res- idents of Muskingum county.

REV. ASBURY L. PETTY.

Rev. Asbury L. Petty, a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, now holding superannu- ated relation, resides upon a farm in Wayne town- ship, near Duncan Falls. He was born in Guern- sey county, Ohio, September 18, 1831. His father, Rev. Ludwell Petty, was born in Prince William county, Virginia, on the 9th of April. 1808, and was a son of Travis Petty, also born in Prince William county. He was a planter and represented one of the old families of Virginia. He served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812 and made an equally honorable record as a citizen in days of peace: and in community af- fairs he was prominent and active. His death oc- curred when he had reached an advanced age. One of his brothers, emigrating westward, took up his abode in Indiana and the town of Petty- ville in that state was named in his honor. On leaving Virginia, Travis Petty became a resident of Ohio, settling in Guernsey county about 1820. and there his death occurred at the age of sixty- eight years. His wife, who bore the maiden name

of Mary Lee and was a cousin of General Lee of Civil war fame. was a native of Virginia and died at the very advanced age of ninety-seven years.

Rev. Ludwell Petty was a lad of twelve years when he came with his parents to Ohio. He spent his boyhood days in Guernsey county and afterward entered land in that county, where he carried on farming until 1835. He then became a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, connected with the Pittsburg conference and preached at various points in this state until 1864, when he retired from the active work of the min- istry. A few years later he purchased of James Buckingham the farm upon which Rev. Asbury L. Petty now resides and on which the father made his home until 1879, when he divided the place of three hundred and sixty-one acres be- tween his two sons. He then went to McConnels- ville, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring at the age of eighty-five years. He was a conscientious man, upright and honor- able in all that he did, and respected by all with whom he came in contact. His influence was a power for good in the church and his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him. In early manhood he wedded Mary Reed, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, who was born in 1807. Of their children Asbury L. and James W. are still living: two died in infancy; and Mrs. Hardesty died in 1868.

Rev. Asbury L. Petty supplemented his early educational advantages by study in Muskingum College and afterward attended the academy at McConnelsville and at St. Clairsville. Ohio. He entered the ministry in 1852 and became a member of the Pittsburg conference. Later he was pastor in Pittsburg and in Allegheny City. Pennsylvania, and at three different times served as presiding elder. He continued actively in the ministry for fifty-three years and his influence in the church was of no restricted order. His scholarly attainments, his consecration to the work and his untiring efforts in behalf of the cause made him an able minister and he was not denied the full harvest of his labors. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by Scio College and the degree of Doctor of Divinity by Allegheny College. After fifty- three years' active connection with the ministry he is now living retired, making his home upon his farm in Wayne township and spending about one month cach year in Pittsburg. He has a fine farming property and in his home is surrounded by the comforts of life.

Rev. Dr. Petty was married to Sarah E. Tay- lor, a sister of Colonel J. D. Taylor, a congress- man. of Guernsey county, Ohio. She was born in Oxford township. Guernsey county. in 1844. and is a daughter of Alexander

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D. Taylor, one of the pioneers of that locality. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Petty was blessed with seven children: James Taylor, who is now an attorney of New York city; Mrs. Sarah E. Wilson, residing at home; Mary Corwin, the wife of C. E. Wilhelm; A. Lewis; Joseph D .; William K .; and Gertrude E.

RICHARD HARVEY RUTHERFORD.

Richard Harvey Rutherford is of Scotch descent. His grandfather, Richard Rutherford, was a native of the land of hills and heather, and with his wife, Eleanora Wanless, he crossed the Atlantic to America and settled in the Little Ka- nawha valley east of Parkersburg, West Virginia. They landed at New York and thence made their way by water through northwestern New York and Pennsylvania and down the Ohio river to their place of habitation. The district in which they located was then as Egypt from the fact that many went there to buy corn. Richard Ruther- ford acquired several thousand acres of land in his life time, most all of which is now valuable oil and gas producing property. When a young man he is said to have walked from Marietta to Zanes- ville, a distance of sixty miles, in one day, Mari- etta, Ohio, and Wheeling, West Virginia, being his markets at that time.

His son, George Rutherford, father of our sub- ject, was born in Wood county, West Virginia, near Cairo, and before his marriage located at Pe- troleum, Ritchie county, that state. Having been reared to the occupations of farming and stock- raising, he followed those pursuits throughout the greater part of his life, but he made the most of his money in merchandising and in oil, becom- ing a man of considerable means through the careful conduct of his business affairs and through wise speculation. At the time of his death he was one of the senior directors of the Citizens Na- tional Bank, which institution stands high on the roll of honor and first in the city of Parkersburg. George Rutherford held membership in the United Presbyterian church and was a republican in his political views until after 1884, when he joined the ranks of the prohibition party. His sympathies were with the north during the Civil war and because of this he was compelled to leave his home at that time, while his father's property was confiscated. He married Sarah Ann Giffen, who was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, near Boice's Station, and is a daughter of John and Jeanette (Harvey) Giffen, of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. Rutherford died without a struggle while sitting in his chair reading the morning paper. July 12, 1898, at the age of seventy-three years, and is still survived by his wife, who is

now living on the old homestead at the age of seventy-two years. She, too, is a devoted member of the United Presbyterian church. In their fam- ily were nine children, of whom seven are living, namely : Richard H .; John G., a farmer of Lan- caster, Ohio; Archibald, who was drowned at the age of twenty-three years ; Jennie; William Han- son, an oil producer and merchant living in the home town of Petroleum, West Virginia ; Thomas Newton, who was drowned in infancy ; Alice, the wife of John W. McCoy, a brick manu- facturer and lumber dealer of Little York, Illi- nois : Samuel T., who is in partnership with his brother W. H. under the name of Rutherford Brothers in Petroleum, West Virginia ; and Delia, the wife of D. W. Kinney, a clerk in Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Rutherford is a cousin of the late James H. Herdman and also of Frank H. Herd- man, of Zanesville.

Richard Harvey Rutherford, now of Zanesville, was born in Petroleum, West Virginia, March 30, 1855, and supplemented his early education by study in Muskingum College. He left school in order to engage in merchandising with his father and later he turned his attention to the lumber business, becoming the senior member of the firm of R. H. Rutherford & Company in his native town. In 1891 he organized the Ritchie Lumber Company, with headquarters at Petro- leum and a store located at Rutherford, Ritchie county, West Virginia, upon a tract of land which had been purchased from the heirs of Richard Rutherford. R. H., J. G., W. H. and S. T. Ruth- erford now own all the stock of the Ritchie Lumber Company and a large portion of the stock of the Oakland Pressed Brick Company, of Zanes- ville, are owners of the stock in the West Virginia Western Telephone Company and receive a good revenue from oil and gas from their property in the town of Rutherford. Richard H. Ruther- ford is a man of excellent business discernment, quick to recognize and utilize an opportunity. On the 28th of February, 1899, he became identi- fied with the West Virginia Western Telephone Company, and at its first general meeting at West Union. West Virginia, he was elected director and treasurer of the concern and continued as such until he had accepted a position with the Oakland Pressed Brick Company at Zanesville, in 1901. He was general superintendent of the West Virginia Western Telephone Company, which has its general offices at Parkersburg, West Virginia, and from the beginning he has been a director and is now secretary. That com- pany owns the Marietta Telephone Exchange, to- gether with many miles of toll lines in this state as well as in West Virginia and claims assets amounting to almost half a million dollars. Con- nected with Mr. Rutherford in the telephone ex- terprise is Richard Wanless, Jr., a first cousin of

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

George Rutherford, whose father came to Amer- ica about the time his aunt, Mrs. Rutherford, crossed the Atlantic.

In July, 1901, Mr. Rutherford came to Zanes- ville to enter into active connection with the Oak- land Pressed Brick Company of this city. This is a West Virginia corporation, of which J. H. Lininger, of Harrisville, West Virginia, is presi- dent, and he is likewise president of the West Vir- ginia Western Telephone Company. C. E. Had- dox is vice president and was at one time simi- larly connected with the telephone company, of which he is still a stockholder. His home is at Moundsville, West Virginia, where he is serving as warden of the state penitentiary. A. C. Davis of Parkersburg, West Virginia, is the secretary of the Oakland Pressed Brick Company, Zanesville, and is also general manager of the West Virginia Western Telephone Company, so that the men who are most prominent in the one enterprise are also moving spirits in the other concern. Mr. Rutherford is now acting as general manager and treasurer of the Oakland Pressed Brick Company. This company had its beginning in 1888, the busi- ness being instituted by C. V. Graham and Col- onel McBride. The capital stock was originally fifty thousand dollars and the plant was sold to its present owners in 1901. In March of that year it was incorporated under the laws of West Vir- ginia with its main office at Parkersburg, that state. The company owns thirty-five acres of ground from which the raw material is obtained and about fifty men are employed in the operation of the plant, while the pay roll at this time amounts to about one thousand dollars per week when running to the full capacity. They manu- facture a fine front facing brick in red and terra cotta or buff colors. The brick is of standard size and they not only manufacure the standard shape but also mold ornamental brick, having one of the most complete outfits for carrying on this line of business in the country. They sell to the best trade in such cities as New York, Chicago, Mil- waukce, Richmond, Virginia, Baltimore and Pitts- burg, as well as throughout Ohio and adjoining states, and have more orders than they can fill. The factory buildings cover about two acres of land and the capital stock has been increased to seventy-five thousand dollars. At the present writing the directors of the company are J. H. Lininger, of Harrisville, West Virginia, who is cashier of the People's Bank of that place : C. E. Haddox, of Moundsville, West Virginia : Wil- liam H. Rutherford, of Petroleum, West Vir- ginia ; John G. Rutherford, of Lancaster, Ohio ; Richard H. Rutherford, of Zanesville; A. C. Davis, of Parkersburg, West Virginia : Dr. Ely. of Parkersburg : C. H. Forry, of Hanover, Ohio, who is superintendent of the Hanover Pressed

Brick Company ; Charles C. Forry, of Newark, who is now acting as attorney for the company. These gentlemen are the principal stockholders. As general manager of the company Mr. Ruther- ford has become well known.

In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rutherford and Miss Ragena Meese, who was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, in 1857, a daughter of George Meese, an iron master. They became the parents of seven children : Mable A., Sarah E., Ruth H., Jennie June, Wilbur Wells and Virginia Belle, all at home ; and George Har- vey, the fourth in order of birth, who died in in- fancy. The family are members of the First United Presbyterian church. Mr. Ruther- ford, because of the extent and variety of his business interests, might well be termed a "cap- tain of industry" and in all relations has pursued a course characterized by straightforward deal- ing. While careful in looking after his own interests, as every successful man is, he has also been careful not to enroach upon the rights of others and this has won him the highest confi- dence and the esteem of his business associates and employes. Steady application, careful study of business methods and plans to be followed. close attention to details, combined with untiring energy, directed by a superior mind-these are the traits of character which have brought him success and made him one of the foremost repre- sentatives of manufacturing and commercial in- terests in his section of the country.

H. H. ADAMS.

H. H. Adams, one of Madison township's most prosperous farmers and stock-raisers, was born November 19, 1852, on the old Adams home- stead in that township. His parents are Zacha- riah and Harriett (Williams) Adams. The for- mer was born in Virginia and with his parents came from the Old Dominion to Muskingum county in 1807, the family home being established in Madison township, where the grandfather spent his remaining days. He purchased one thousand acres of land and was a prominent and respected citizen of his community. Zachariah Adams became a farmer of some prominence and spent his entire life here, his labors contributing in substantial measure to the improvement and upbuilding of this section of the state. He com- manded a regiment of the state militia and was always known as Colonel Adams. He lived to be sixty-four years of age, while his wife was sev- enty-five years of age at the time of her demise. They reared a family of seven children, of whom five are yet living.

H. H. Adams was educated in the conimion schools, at Concord College and in Dresden and

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later engaged in teaching school for eight or nine terms, in the work of which he proved a capable educator, being able to impart to others readily and clearly the knowledge that he had acquired. He then settled down upon the home farm and has since carried on agricultural pursuits, being to-day the owner of one hundred and eighteen acres of rich and productive land, the greater part of which lies in the beautiful valley and is very fertile. His fields are well tilled, giving promise of abundant harvests and he is also a successful stock-raiser. He has always been a great lover of fine stock and the excellent appearance of his cattle, horses and hogs, which are of high grades, indicates the care and attention which they re- ceive.

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 114

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