Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 115

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 115

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Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Adolph, who was born June 18, 1859, and is a daughter of Valentine and Margaret Adams, who came from Germany to the new world and established their home in Muskingum county. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have three daughters : Mabel, born April 6, 1894; Ruby, born Novem- ber 9, 1896: and Flora, born December 31, 1899. The family home is pleasantly located about three miles from Dresden and is noted for its gen- crous hospitality. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Lutheran church and like her husband enjoys the warm regard of many friends. Mr. Adams gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as assessor of his township. He is interested in all that pertains to public prog- ress and improvement but his energies are con- centrated upon his business affairs, which, owing to his careful supervision and capable manage- ment, have proved a gratifying source of income.

CHARLES E. MERRICK.

Charles E. Merrick, who follows farming. was born December 23. 1852, in that portion of Springfield township now included in the village of Putnam. He is descended from English an- cestry. His father, Alfred Merrick, was born in Kingston. not far from London, England, in 1812, and having spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native land he sailed for the United States in 1829, taking up his abode with an uncle in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. He had acquired a good education in England and with broad literary knowledge to serve as a foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of pro- fessional learning he entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in due course of time. He never engaged actively in practice, however, but about 1833 came to Zanesville and engaged in teach- ing school for a time on the west pike. Later

he removed to Delaware, Ohio, but returned to Zanesville in 1836. About that time he ana- lyzed the Lucifer match and began the manufac- ture of matches in Zanesville, in which enter- prise he was associated with George A. Jones. Subsequently he turned his attention to the drug business and later became a confectioner of the city and when he had disposed of the latter store he engaged in the patent medicine business for many years. His next undertaking was as a tobacco merchant and he also conducted a notion store, carrying on both enterprises at the same time. In 1862 he sold his building on the cor- ner of Third and Main streets to John English for ten thousand dollars, but subsequently bought the property back. In 1868 he began dealing in queensware and wall paper and was conducting business along that line at the time of his death. He was one of the pioneer merchants of Zanes- ville. He possessed more than average busi- ness ability and throughout his entire career displayed marked energy and enterprise. A man of many resources and an expert chemist he wrote a book on chemistry and had almost com- pleted it when a servant in cleaning his room saw the manuscript, thought it old paper and destroyed it. In 1849 Mr. Merrick purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Springfield township two miles south of the postoffice, where he built for himself a home, occupying it until the time of his demise. It is located in that sec- tion now known as Putnam. When his death occurred his realty possessions included one hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Muskingum county, the Merrick block in Zanesville, two hundred acres near Cottage Hill, a large farm at Bowling Green, another tract of land in Co- shocton and his residence property. In 1838 he was married to Miss Miranda T. Heskett, and they became the parents of nine children. but three died in infancy, the others being: Alfred M., who died in 1877; Mary Ann, the wife of W. S. Ayres : Isadore C., who is living on the home farm; Clarence J., who died in 1896; Charles E., and William N., who since 1878 has been leader of Sells Brothers' band and is now traveling with the circus in Europe. The father departed this life in 1873, at the age of sixty-one years, and the mother passed away in January, 1902, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, her birth having occurred in 1818. She was a daughter of Spicer Heskett, who was a repre- sentative of an old English family and became a resident of Ohio during the period of its pio- ncer development.

Charles E. Merrick, having acquired his early education in the district schools, continued his studies in Putnam high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1871. He then taught school for one winter, after which he

CHARLES E. MERRICK.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

entered his father's store, continuing his connec- tion with agricultural interests until 1877, when he removed to the farm and has since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. For sixteen years he was also engaged in the dairy business, devoting much time to that work from 1886 until 1902. He has since given his attention exclusively to general farming and gardening and now owns thirty acres of land in Springfield township. The products of his place, being of excellent quality, find a ready sale on the market and his business has long since reached profit- able proportions.

In 1874 Mr. Merrick was united in marriage to Miss Katie Lawrence, a daughter of Albert Lawrence, of Guernsey county, Ohio, and a niece of the Hon. William Lawrence, formerly repre- sentative in congress from this state. They have seven living children : Ada L., the wife of Wal- lace Besser, of Mankato, Minnesota ; Mabel N., who is with the Signal Company in Zanesville ; C. Harry, of Pasadena, California: Lawrence, who is editor on the staff of the Signal ; Beulah, at home ; Ethel B., a student in the high school ; and Francis B., who is attending the grammar school.

Mr. Merrick gives his political support to the republican party, thus following in the footsteps of his father, who was originally a whig, but afterward became a republican. The father was a member of the Episcopal church, while Mr. Merrick of this review is a member of St. Thom- as' Catholic church. He has always lived in Zanesville and Springfield township and in the circle of his acquaintance there are many friends who hold him in high regard for his personal worth.

GEORGE H. MCINTIRE.

George H. Melntire is the owner of the old homestead farm in Meigs township, upon which he was born on the 15th of March, 1852. He comes of Irish and German lineage, that of Me- Intire being of German descent, while the Hen- derson were of Irish ancestry. His paternal grandfather, John MeIntire, was a cousin of the John McIntire who founded the Melntire Chil- dren's Home, at Zanesville. The old homestead of the family at Wellsburg, West Virginia, is still in possession of representatives of the name. The family has become quite numerous and its ment- bers are widely scattered over West Virginia, Ohio and other states. The wife of John Meln- tire also belonged to one of the carly families of Virginia and their children were William, Sarah, Eliza. Mercy, Charlotte and Robert.

Our subject's father, William MeIntire, was a

native of Wellsburg, West Virginia, born on the 19th of September, 1818, and in his boyhood days he had a colored nurse who cared for her young charge until he had outgrown her supervision. He came to Ohio in 1829, and after arriving at years of maturity he purchased a farm in Rich Hill township, now owned by Victor Heron. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Elizabeth Heron, of Rich Hill town- ship, a daughter of William and Jane ( Hender- son) Heron. The members of their family were as follows : William, the eldest, died in infancy. John died in 1860. Isaac, who died in November, 1904. at the age of sixty-one years, and was in- terred at Mount Zion, had a family of seven children : John W., Sarah A., Millard, David A., James H., Hardesty, who died in 1903, and Harry, who lives on the old home farm in Meigs township. Mercy J. MeIntire, the fourth mem- ber of the family, became the wife of David Moore, a prominent farmer living in Meigs town- ship. Charlotte became the wife of Benjamin Cox, of Vinton county, Ohio, and died in 1896. leaving three sons and a daughter, William C., Homer C., Inez and George H. George H. Mc- Intire is the sixth member of his father's family. S. Pleasant, the youngest, married Alice Mar- shall, a daughter of Albert Marshall, of Muse- ville, Ohio, and their children are Floyd, Carroll. Asa F. and Ethel.

George H. Melntire spent his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm and has always car- ried on general agricultural pursuits, being to-day owner of a valuable farming property twenty miles from Zanesville, on which stands a fine residence, good outbuildings and many modern equipments. The farmi is devoted to general ag- ricultural pursuits and stock-raising and the owner has prospered in his business undertakings. being now one of the foremost agriculturists of his community. He is practical in his work, sys- tematic in his methods, energetic in all that he undertakes and through his well directed labors he has acquired a handsome competence.

On Christmas day, 1871, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. MeIntire and Miss Elizabeth Paisley, a daughter of David and Mary (Strall) Paisley. The Paisley family was established in Guernsey county at an carly day and David Pais- ley there engaged in farming as a leading agri- culturist of his community. Mrs. MeIntire was born in Rich Hill township, Muskingum county. in 1855, and by her marriage has become the mother of two sons and two daughters: David W., the eldest, married Ruby Gillogly, resides in Zanesville and has one child, Harley ; Mary J. is the wife of Ralph Bethel and has four sons, Mel- vin, George, William and Harry. Tresley and H. Kinsall are the younger members of the MeIn- tire family.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Mr. McIntire is a Methodist in his religious faith and is now serving as steward of the church, in which he holds membership. In poli- tics he is a democrat and for thirteen years has served as a member of the county executive com- mittee of Muskingum county. He is also presi- dent of the township board of education and is recognized as a leader in political, religious and agricultural circles because of his intense and well directed activity along these lines. His la- bors are effective and beneficial and he has the strength of character and determination that en- ables him to carry forward to successful comple -- tion whatever he undertakes. His name is hon- ored by all with whom he is associated because of his fidelity to his convictions at all times.

JAMES BALL.

James Ball, well known as a representative of agricultural interests in Falls township, came to America in 1825 when about five years of age. He was born in Manchester, England, June 1, 1820, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Laver) Ball, also natives of that country. The father learned silk weaving in early life and af- terward served as a soldier for seven years. He crossed the Atlantic to the new world when his son James was only two years of age and located in Baltimore. About three years later he wrote for his family to join him and the mother came with her two children. John Ball engaged in weaving in Baltimore, having charge of a large establishment there.

In the public schools of that city James Ball pur- sued his education and when fifteen years of age, began learning the machinist's trade with the firm of Watchman & Bratt in Baltimore and subse- quently entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company in Maryland, acting in the capacity of master mechanic in a machine shop at Sandy Hook, near Harper's Ferry. It was after this that he went to Cumberland, Mary- land, to fill a similar position and in 1852, when the Baltimore & Ohio was completed over the mountains to Wheeling, West Virginia, James Ball was transferred to that place as master me- chanic. In the fall of 1854 he arrived in Zanesville and took charge of the Central Ohio Railroad ma- chine shops at this place, occupying the position of master mechanic continuously for twelve years or until 1866, when he resigned. He was thoroughly familiar with every detail of the business and was thus capable of superintending the labors of the men who were employed under him. On re- signing the last mentioned position he removed to his farm on which he spent some time and later he went to Indiana, working for the Pittsburg

& St. Louis Railroad Company as master car builder at Logansport for two years. He next re- turned to his farm and has since been interested in agricultural pursuits. He purchased his pres- ent home in 1861, thus acquiring possession of one hundred acres of land, situated about three miles from Zanesville. This place is equipped with modern buildings, the latest improved machinery and all accessories of a model farm, and although Mr. Ball is now well advanced in years he yet gives personal supervision to the farm and its further improvement.

Mr. Ball was married in Baltimore to Miss Mary P. Manihan, who was born in Harford county, Maryland, and is a daughter of Arthur Manihan, who wedded Miss Mary Herbert. They were early settlers of Maryland and her grand- father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and also of the war of 1812. Mrs. Ball was born December 25, 1822, and by her marriage she be- came the mother of nine children, namely: M. Elizabeth ; John J. and William H., who are de- ceased ; James W .; Margaret R .; Ida Z., de- ceased ; Charles W. ; Oleita H. ; and Helen P.

Since the organization of the party Mr. Ball has given his political support to republican measures, believing that the party's platform con- tains the best elements of good government. He was formerly identified socially with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic fra- ternity and the Improved Order of Red Men. He and his family are members of the First Pres- byterian church and he has long been prominent locally, his friends and neighbors recognizing his worth, his ability and his native force of char- acter, so that his opinions have been an influenc- ing force in community interests. His business life, too, has been well directed and he has gained prosperity that ranks him with the substantial residents of this part of the state.

WILLIAM MITCHELL.

William Mitchell, whose farming interests are represented by two hundred and fifty-six acres of fine land in Meigs township, is a native of West Virginia, his birth having occurred near Lynn, in Macon county, on the 2d of August, 1850. He spent the days of his boyhood in the state of his nativity, being reared to the occupation of farm- ing, so that he early became familiar with the methods of tilling the soil and caring for the stock. His education was acquired in the public schools and he remained a resident of West Vir- ginia until thirty years of age, when in 1880 he came to Ohio, settling on the old Israel Dunlap farm in Meigs township, Muskingum county. As

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

his capital at that time was very limited he rented the land, but when his earnest labors had brought him a sufficient sum of money he made purchase of the property of which he is now owner, hav- ing here two hundred and fifty-six acres devoted to general farming and stock-raising. He has been very successful in his agricultural pursuits, having now one of the finest farms of the county. Everything about the place is kept in good re- pair, is neat and thrifty in appearance and indi- cates the careful supervision of a practical and progressive owner. Mr. Mitchell, as a man of resourceful business ability, has also extended his efforts to other lines, for in 1905 he embarked in merchandising and is now owner of one of the best general stores in this part of Ohio, carrying a well selected line of goods and conducting his business in keeping with modern ideas of prog- ress.

Mr. Mitchell was married in 1879 to Miss Ellen J. Barnett, a native of West Virginia and a daughter of William and Sarah Barnett. They have three daughters, Etta, Eva and Jennie. The first named is now the wife of Thomas Drake, a prosperous farmer of Muskingum county, and they have three children, Maud, Mary and Fred.

Mr. Mitchell is a democrat in his political views and affiliations and has been school director and supervisor of his township. He is always loyal to the public good and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Protes- tant church, to which his wife also belongs, and they take an active and helpful interest in its work. He is a member of High Hill lodge, No. 340, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs, being now a past grand and he is also well known in Odd Fellow circles throughout the state. His business career has been marked by consecutive advancement and his progress has been the result of laudable ambition and firm de- termination to succeed.

ALFRED RONCHETTI.

Alfred Ronchetti, artist and decorator at Zanesville, came from Geneva, Switzerland, and is a son of Charles Ronchetti, who was a silk manufacturer and also displayed considerable tal- ent and ability as an artist. In Italy, France and Switzerland, Alfred Ronchetti developed his ar- tistict taste and talent and thoroughly learned the business of an artist decorateur, displaying more than ordinary ability in that direction.

On coming to the United States in 1902, he first located in Chicago, where he remained for several months, and then came to Zanesville. Here he decorated the new Weller Theater and the Pres-

byterian church and afterward secured the con- tract for the decoration of St. Peter's church at Fairmount, West Virginia. The Cook Hospital at that place is also a monument to his skill as a decorator and he has many testimonials of his ex- cellent work.

In the fall of 1904 Mr. Ronchetti returned to Zanesville, where he has opened a studio and here may be seen a number of the fine pictures which are the result of his brush, he having gained a high reputation as a landscape artist, though his specialty is interior decorations. He has taken a number of important contracts throughout the state and is to-day the leader in his line in Zanesville, his services being in con- stant demand for the decoration of public build- ings and private residences in the city. At pres- ent he is at work on the Ohio University at Athens. His work has received most favorable notice from the newspapers and added to these he has many flattering testimonials from different parties who have employed him in the line of his chosen profession.

WALTER C. WIGTON.

Walter C. Wigton, successfully interested in general farming near Roseville, his home being in the town, was born on the old family home- stead in Clay township, February 10, 1863, and in connection with his brother, James E. Wigton, now owns this property. He is a son of Carson P. and M. (Crook) Wigton, and a grandson of Joseph Wigton, whose connection with Ohio in pioneer times proved of value in the carly devel- opment of the state. A native of Ireland, he was reared in that country and there learned the tailor's trade, after which, in early manhood. he sought a home in the new world that he might en- joy the greater business opportunities arising from livelier competition and results more quickly secured. He first made his way to Perry county, Ohio, where he followed the tailoring business and later he moved to Fultonham. Muskingum county, then called Uniontown. There he again engaged in business as a tailor and he entered a quarter section of land adjoining Roseville, on which he was located and at once began making improvements, for at that time not a furrow had been turned on the place and the native timber stood in its primeval strength. With characteris- tic energy he began the development of a farm. which in due course of time became a valuable and productive property. He was a self-made man, who coming to this country without capital found that laudable ambition and indefatigable energy proved a sure foundation upon which to build the superstructure of success. He was mar-

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY:

ried near Rushville, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Porter and reared his family upon the home farm, where he died in 1859, when eighty years of age. His first wife passed away in 1831, when forty years of age, and he afterward married Miss Margaret Rose, by whom he had one daughter, Margaret. The children of his first marriage were: William, John and Mary, deceased; Jane; James and Nancy, who have also passed away ; Samuel and Carson. The last named also made farming his life work and unto him and his wife were born the following : Augusta, deceased ; Arthur, of Texas ; James E. ; Walter ; Maggie, deceased ; and Mrs. Lizzie Bash, of White Cottage, Ohio.

Walter C. Wigton is a prominent farmer of Clay township. He has always been engaged in tilling of the soil and with his brother James is in- terested in the ownership of the home place, the one hundred and forty acres of which constitutes an excellent property supplied with modern equipments and improvement which indicate the progresive spirit of the owners.

Mr. Wigton is a democrat, interested in the success of his party, yet without political aspira- tion for himself. He is prominent and influential in Roseville, where he is well known in both social and business circles. He married Miss Alice Weller, a native of Morgan county, Ohio, and they have an attractive home-a two-story frame residence, which is pleasantly situated and com- fortably furnished.

JACOB DEITRICH.

Jacob Deitrich, a worthy representative of ag- ricultural interests living on Section 27, Brush Creek township, was born in this county, September 29, 1857, his parents being Jacob and Ann (Boyd) Deitrich. The father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Balsar Deitrich, who removed to Ohio in an early day and aided in planting the seeds of fu- ture civilization in Muskingum county. Jacob Deitrich acquired a common school education and throughout his entire life followed the occu- pation of farming. He was married twice and by the first marriage had seven children. His wife bore the maiden name of Miss Hudson, and after her death he wedded Mary A. Boyd. who is still living at the very advanced age of ninety-two years. She is active and enjoying good health, with unimpaired mental faculties, and she can relate many interesting incidents of pioneer times. The children of the second mar- riage are as follows: Joseph, now deceased ; Mike and Lewis, who are living in Iowa ; Jacob, Lucinda and Louisa, who have passed away ; Mary, the wife of Jesse M. Baughman ; Pru-

dence and Caroline, who have passed away ; Martha, the wife of Henry Swingle; and John, The last named has always lived with his mother and operates the old homestead farm which con- tains one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land, devoted to general farming and stock-raising. The Deitrichs have always been identified with the development and progress of Brush Creek township and have always been classed with the leading representative and valued citizens of their respective communities.

Jacob Deitrich spent the days of his boyhood and youth at the home farm and lived with his father up to the time of the latter's death. He wedded Mary S. Swingle in 1879. Her father, Henry Swingle, was for many years a teacher and successful farmer and is still living at the age of seventy-six years. Henry Swingle and his family were members of the Lutheran church and in his political views he was a staunch re- publican. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Deitricn were born two children, Nellie and Lenona N., aged, respectively, thirteen and eighteen years. Both are still with their father, but the mother died about 1896.

Mr. Deitrich is one of the prosperous and en- terprising agriculturists of Brush Creek town- ship and is an extensive stock-raiser. He owns and farms eighty acres of land, placing his fields under a high state of cultivation and gathering therefrom each fall large harvests. He is inter- ested in all that pertains to the general welfare and has followed in his father's political foot- steps, giving staunch support to republican prin- ciples, yet never seeking or desiring office. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and is a man held in high esteem by all who know him.

PETER BUSSEMER.

Peter Bussemer, now deceased, left behind him in Muskingum county a name honored and re- spected because of his upright, active and useful career. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, September 24, 1815, and on coming to the United States made his way to Muskingum county, Ohio, locating in Taylorsville. He was a miller by trade and assisted in building the locks at Taylors- ville. Later he removed to Zanesville, where he occupied the position of head miller at the Cassel Mill. He had expert knowledge of his chosen line of business and his efficiency and skill enabled him to command an excellent position. In 1865 he re- moved to a farm comprising sixteen acres, pleas- antly situated within a half mile of the city limits. There he spent his remaining days, passing away at the venerable age of eighty years.

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 115

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