Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 44

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 44

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Mr. Cox was brilliant as a lecturer, of great force and originality as an orator, abounded in wit and humor, which was described as "a medi- cine for the alleviation of human woes," and was widely known as an author and traveler, having traveled extensively throughout America, Europe and Africa. He was also a Regent of the Smith- sonian Institution, at Washington. Although his health was seriously impaired his actual condition was unknown to the public, and his death, at his New York home, September 10, 1889, was re- garded as sudden outside his immediate family.

The life saving service of the general govern- ment was established, in 1871, largely through his persistent effort, and a few months after his death the members of the service presented to his widow a memorial vase two feet high, twenty- five inches in diameter, and weighing one hundred and twenty-five ounces. Upon the front is de- picted the rescue of the people from a stranded vessel, by a breeches buoy ; the handles are mer- maids, and the ornamentation of the highest or- der of design and execution. The inscription is : "This memorial vase is presented to Mrs. Sam- uel S. Cox by the members of the life saving service of the United States, in grateful remem- brance of the tireless and successful efforts of her distinguished husband, the Honorable Samuel Sullivan Cox, to promote the interest and advance the efficiency and glory of the life saving service.

He was its early and consistent friend ;

Its earnest and eloquent advocate ;

Its fearless and faithful champion."

Mr. Cox was the especial champion of the let- ter carriers, whose compensation was discovered to be less than common laborers, and which he had fixed at a sum commensurate with the quality of the labor demanded ; an annual vacation of fif- teen days, with full pay, was provided and a day's work was limited to eight hours, with compensa- tion for extra work. The construction of the law respecting overtime was carried to the supreme court, whose decision was not rendered until three years after the death of the author of the bill, but the interpretation of Mr. Cox was sustained and claims aggregatng three million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars were filed for back pay. Mr. Cox's death was sincerely mourn-

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ed by the carriers and in all the free delivery cities meetings were held and reso- lutions passed; the movement for the erec- tion of a statue was started in New York at a special meeting of the carriers, the day suc- ceeding his death, and committees appointed to solicit contributions. A bronze statute, of heroic size, costing ten thousand dollars, was erected in Astor Place, New York, and at the dedication delegations of carriers were present from Pacific and Gulf States, and over two thousand carriers from New York and Brooklyn were in the proces- sion. The inscription on the base reads :

"Samuel Sullivan Cox, the Letter Carriers Friend. Erected in Grateful and Loving Memory of His Services in Congress by the Letter Carriers of New York, His Home, and of the United States, His Country, July 4, 1891."

In 1905 the statute was removed from its down town location to a more desirable and suitable site further up town.

The funeral was under the direction of the house of representatives, September 13; the floral tributes from the carriers were numerous and handsome, and the life saving service sent a floral life belt and muffled oar. Dr. Talmadge said of the deceased statesman, "We shall not see his like again. Without a predecessor, he will be without a successor."

LOUIS E. BRELSFORD.

Louis E. Brelsford, who, elected by the largest majority ever given in Muskingum county to an incumbent of an office, is now serving as county auditor, his official record fully justifying the con- fidence and trust of his friends in his ability and fidelity, was born in Zanesville, August 28, 1856. His father, Edwin Brelsford, was also a native of this city, born in 1823, and the family was es- tablished here at a pioneer epoch in the history of the county. The grandfater, Jonathan Brelsford, came from Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1816, and took up his abode in Zanesville. He was a gunsmith by trade, and was actively identified with industrial interests here at an early day. He was a member of the famous military company known as the Squirrel Hunters. His son, Edwin Brelsford, was a machinist, and for many years conducted business along that line. His political allegiance was given to the republican party upon its organization, and he cast a vote for its first presidential candidate in 1856. His death oc- curred the following year. He had married El- len Marcer, who was born in Muskingum county in 1828, and died in 1892. They were the parents of three children : Carrie, who is living in Cam- bridge, Ohio; Julia, the widow of A. C. Cochran,

who was a banker and capitalist, her home be- ing in Cambridge; and Louis E.

In the public schools of Zanesville Louis E. Brelsford acquired his early education which was supplemented by a night course in the business college. In early life he obtained a position as errand boy in the dry goods store of L. Wiles & Sons in his native city. He was then but thirteen years of age, and he remained with that house until he had reached the age of twenty years, act- ing for a long time as clerk. He had the entire confidence of his employers, and his fidelity and ability was indicated by the fact that he was so long retained in their service. He afterward went upon the road as traveling salesman for the Non- otuck Silk Company, which he represented for twenty years. He had the ready adaptability so necessary to a man in that business and his gen- ial manner and unfailing courtesy made him very popular with the many patrons whom he secured during his long service on the road.

Mr. Brelsford has ever taken a deep and ac- tive interest in matters pertaining to the welfare and progress of his native city, and in 1899 he was honored by election to the office of mayor. He gave to Zanesville a practical, business-like ad- ministration in which a number of new reforms and improvements were introduced. That he proved a capable officer is indicated by the fact that in 1901 he received his party's nomination for the office of county auditor, to which he was elected for a three years' term, and in 1904 he was re-elected, receiving the largest majority ever given for auditor in the history of the county. He is, therefore, serving his second term, and no higher testimonial of public confidence could be given than the large vote which was accorded him. He has always been an advocate of republican principles and aside from partisan measures he has been the champion of every movement which he believed would contribute to the welfare and advancement of his home locality, his state or the nation.

In January, 1883. Mr. Brelsford was married to Miss Mary Reed, the eldest daughter of one of the old families of Georgia, her parents being William G. and Willie ( Peek) Reed. Her father was a planter and served as a Confederate officer in the Civil war. Mrs. Brelsford was born at Rockmart, Georgia, in 1865, and has become the mother of one son, Edwin Reed, now sixteen years of age. Mrs. Brelsford belongs to the Episcopal church, and Mr. Brelsford is a frequent attendant there. He is identified with all of the Masonic bodies, belonging to the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity. the Modern Woodmen of America, the United Commercial Travelers and to the Elks lodge, being a charter member of the last named. Ile is also a trustee of the Order of Eagles at Zanesville. Few men are more prominent or

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more widely known in this enterprising city than Louis Brelsford, and his popularity is well de- served, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. These qualities have been manifest in his official career and, moreover, he is public-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to advance the moral, intellectual and material welfare of Zanesville.

JEREMIAH R. RHODES.

Jeremiah R. Rhodes, one of the prosperous farmers of Highland township, also dividing his attention with stock-raising interests, was born in Noble county, September 12, 1840. The family is of German lineage, and the paternal grandfather was John Rhodes, who was born in Virginia in 1767, and died in 1837. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Moore, and was born March 17, 1791. Their son, William Rhodes, was born near Alexandria, Virginia, March 4, 1804, and after arriving at years of maturity he wedded Ann Rich, whose birth occurred October 15, 1811. They became the parents of eleven children, namely : Elizabeth, who was born June 20, 1830, and died in February, 1903 ; George R., who was born September 20, 1831, and is living in Cald- well, Ohio; Lydia, who was born January 6, 1833, and died June 10, 1902; John W., who was born August 17, 1834, and died December 26, 1881 ; William H., who was born February 12, 1836, and makes his home in Los Angeles, California ; Sarah, who was born August 13, 1837, and is now deceased; Mary M., who was born March 15, 1839, and died January 18, 1884; Jeremiah R., of this review ; Maria, who was born May 24, 1842, and died October 29, 1868; Columbia, who was born February 5, 1844, and is now deceased ; and Miamma, who was born July 8, 1845, and has also passed away. Following the death of the mother of these children the father afterward married Cynthia Morris, who was born August 25, 1827, and died May 29, 1881. They, too, had ten children : Ishmael W., who was born April 25, 1849; Gamaliel T., wno was born September 8, 1851 ; Victoria E., born March 7, 1854; Tacy Ann, April 25, 1856; Orrel, August 6, 1858; Charles Freemont, June 16, 1861 ; John B., No- vember 12. 1863: Vesta O., April 12, 1866; Bunyan S., April 8, 1869; and Robert D., September 2, 1871. The father died in Septem- ber, 1884. He was a farmer by occupation, and owned one hundred and twenty acres of land in Noble county, where his death occurred. He was active in political affairs in his locality, served as one of the directors of the county infirmary, and was also justice of the peace for many years, ren-

dering decisions which were strictly fair and im- partial. Prior to the war he was a staunch aboli- tionist, and was one of the conductors on the famous underground railway whereby many a fugitive slave was assisted on his way to freedom in the north. Subsequently he became a republi- can, when that party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, and he was not only interested in political questions but also gave ac- tive co-operation to many substantial measures for the general good.

Jeremiah R. Rhodes was educated in the com- mon schools of Noble county, in the normal school at Summerville, Ohio, and in the college at Sharon, this state. He afterward engaged in teaching school for twenty-five consecutive years with the exception of a brief period of less than three years, during which time he was a soldier of the Civil war. Feeling that his chief duty was to his country he enlisted in August, 1862, as a mem- ber of Company H, 116th Ohio Infantry. He participated in several skirmishes, and was in the battle of Moorefield, West Virginia. For six months he was in the hospital and later he trans- ferred to medical headquarters and after a mili- tary service of two years and seven months he was honorably discharged April 7, 1865, two days before the surrender of General Lee.

Returning to his home Mr. Rhodes resumed the profession of teaching, and when he aban- doned that vocation he followed farming in No- ble, Guernsey and Muskingum counties. In April, 1893, he purchased the farm in Highland township upon which he has since resided, and he now has one hundred and forty acres of rich farming land on sections 19 and 20, two miles north of New Concord. Here he carries on gen- eral agricultural pursuits, stock-raising and dairy- ing and his farm is well improved, being supplied with substantial buildings, the latest improved ma- chinery and all modern accessories and equip- ments.

In 1865 Mr. Rhodes was united in marriage to Miss Ruey Stratton, who was born June 25, 1845, and died September 27, 1885. Her birth occurred in Maryland, where she spent her girlhood days. She became the mother of eight children : Will- iam T., who was born in 1867, and died in in- fancy ; Alexander, who died January II, 1872, at the age of two and a half years; Ruey and Rob- ert, twins, but the former died October 7, 1885, and the latter two days later ; Charles L., who was born September 2, 1871, and is now working in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad shops in Zanes- ville; Howard D., who was born November 16, 1873, and is a carpenter of Zanesville; Clara T., who was born April 29, 1876, and is the wife of W. D. Smith, of New Concord, and Mary M., who was born August 15, 1878, and married Clarence Garner, their home being near her fath-

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er's farm. Mr. Rhodes was again married in Zanesville, December 22, 1886, by the Rev. Hol- liday to Sadie N. Sawhill, who was born in Guern- sey county, Ohio, February 7, 1845.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he belongs to Olive Lodge, No. 310, Free and Accepted Ma- sons. He is likewise a member of the Grange and the Patrons of Industry, and also of the Grand Army Post of New Concord. In politics he is an earnest republican, and was township clerk for twelve years, while for twenty years he has been notary public. He is regarded as a very progres- sive and influential citizen of his community-as loyal to his county, state and nation to-day as when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battle-fields of the south.

WILLIAM C. WATERS, M. D.

Among the native sons of Muskingum county who have gained a place in the front ranks of the medical fraternity of Zanesville is numbered Dr. William C. Waters, whose birth occurred in Mon- roe township, in 1845. His ancestors were early settlers of Virginia. His father, Robert Waters, a native of Loudoun county, that state, came to Muskingum county with a party of ten, including his brother, Dr. Ashwell Waters, who for many years practiced at Orrville and Norton, Ohio, and his sister Polly, who afterward married a Mr. Huff. Their parents died in the Old Dominion. Robert Waters here turned his attention to ag- ricultural pursuits, and he now lives upon the farm which was once owned and entered from the government by his father-in-law. He married Miss Sophronia Richardson, a daughter of Jesse Richardson, who came from Connecticut at an early day and secured government land in Mon- roe township. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made but he at once began to clear and cultivate the tract and in course of time made it a good property. Mr. and Mrs. Waters became the parents of four children, of whom William C. was the third in order of birth. The wife and mother died in 1848, in the faith of the Methodist Protestant church, of which she was a devoted member. Robert Waters afterward married again, his second union being with Julia Barnard, and there were seven children by that marriage. He has now reached the advanced age of ninety-three years, and is numbered among the prominent pioneer settlers of Muskingum county, having for years been a witness of its growth and development as it has merged from frontier con- ditions and taken on the advantages and improve- ments known to the older cast. His carly polit- ical support was given the whig party and on its

dissolution he joined the ranks of the new repub- lican party. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church.

Dr. Waters began his education at the usual age, but when a youth of sixteen years, put aside his text-books in order to espouse the cause of the Union, enlisting at Otsego in 1861, as a member of Company F, Seventy-eight Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years and ten months and was mustered out at Columbus. He had been engaged in active duty until August, 1864, when he was placed on detached service as dispatch carrier for General O. O. Howard. This was a very important as well as hazardous po- sition, but he never faltered in the performance of any duty no matter what the danger incurred. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, Raymond, Port Gib- son, Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River, the siege of Vicksburg and the Atlanta campaign. He was also with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and to Richmond, and partici- pated in the grand review in Washington, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western continent. He had two brothers in the army, Jerome, who served with the One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; and Marshall, who was with the Sixty-sixth Ohio Regiment and was wounded at the battle of Bran- don.

Following his return home Dr. Waters was engaged in agricultural pursuits for a number of years, when, determining to devote his attention to the practice of medicine and surgery, he en- tered the Columbus Medical College in 1880, com- pleting his course there by graduation in 1882. He first opened an office in Adamsville, where he re- mained for twenty years, when, in 1901, he came to Zanesville, where he has since practiced with success. He belongs to the County Medical So- ciety and the State Medical Association and with the interchange of thoughts and experience there as well as through the reading of medical journals he keeps in touch with the advanced ideas of the profession and the new methods which are from time to time accepted in connection with the heal- ing art.

Dr. Waters was married in April, 1867, to Miss Celia A. Barnard, a daughter of Jason Barnard and a native of Monroe township. Muskingum county. She died in 1898, at the age of forty-nine years, leaving a daughter and son : Laura A., who is now the wife of Dr. J. G. Shirer, of Newark. Ohio ; and Harvey W., who is a printer of Zanes- ville. In 1901 Dr. Waters was married to Miss Jennie C. Green, a daughter of W. S. Green, who was a millwright and is now engineer at the Newark Water Works. She was born in Marion county, Ohio, in 1870. Dr. and Mrs. Waters hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church,

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while his fraternal relations connect him with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Camels and the Grand Army of the Republic, and in these various organizations he has gained warm friend- ship and high regard, while in the profession he has the esteem of his medical brethren because of his closeconformity to the ethics of the fraternity.

HON. ROBERT SILVEY.

No compendium such as the province of this work defines in its essential limitations will serve to offer fit memorial to the life and accomplish- ments of Hon. Robert Silvey, who was one of the most prominent and influential residents of Muskingum county and central Ohio for a num- ber of years. He was a man of much persever- ance, strong individuality and keen intellectual- ity and his life record was an open scroll, inviting the closest scrutiny. He carved his name deeply upon the records of the political and business history of this section of the state which owes much of its advancement to his efforts.

Mr. Silvey was born in Blue Rock township, June 30. 1826. His father, Robert Silvey, Sr., was a native of County Down, Ireland, while his mother was a daughter of Lieutenant Au- gustus Anderson, a Revolutionary soldier and of- ficer with the New Jersey troops, serving under the command of Washington and of LaFayette. The son, Robert Silvey, of this review, was reared upon the home farm, his father having became a pioneer settler in Blue Rock township in the early part of the nineteenth century. He acquired his education in the common schools of that day and for a few years engaged in teaching his home district, in which at one time James A. Garfield, former president of the United States, was also a teacher. He remained upon the home farm until eighteen years of age and during the three succeeding years devoted his attention to educational work. In 1850, how- ever, he became imbued with a desire to seek his fortune in California, hoping that he might benefit by the discovery of gold there, and joining other young men, he started for the Pacific coast by way of the noted Panama route. After a delay of two months on the isthmus and the tedious trip on the Pacific he landed in San Fran- cisco in the month of July. Throughout 1850 and 1851 he experienced the varied dangers of a miner and at the end of that time decided to re- turn to his native state. In 1852, therefore, we again find him in Ohio and for a short period he engaged in merchandising at Gaysport, while later he removed his store to Eagleport, Morgan county. There he remained for a number of years, being a successful merchant at that place.

While living there he was first called to public office, receiving in 1868 the democratic nomina- tion for county commissioner, to which position he was elected serving therein for three years.

Following his removal to Zanesville in 1872. Mr. Silvey received the democratic nomination for treasurer of Muskingum county, was elected and served so acceptably that he was re-elected in 1874, thus filling the office for four years. Following the expiration of his second term he acted for two years as deputy county treasurer under George W. Allen. Other official honors awaited him and from 1893 until 1896 he served as mayor of Zanesville, proving a capable chief executive of the city to which he gave a public- spirited, business-like and practical administra- tion, introducing many needed reforms and im- provements. He was elected a member of the seventy-fourth assembly in Ohio, in November, 1889, and although Muskingum county had been considered a republican stronghold for many years he has won his election by about five hun- dred majority. He was never defeated but once and that was in 1888 when he was a candidate for county auditor and lost the election by fifty-two votes. In the house he was connected with much important constructive legislation and he always gave to each question that came up for settlement a thoughtful consideration. He was a member of the important committees on municipal affairs, revision. ditches, drains and all water courses. He also served as director and president of the board of work house directors at Zanesville and in all the offices which he filled his course was characterized by promptness and fidelity. He was appointed by Governor Tod as lieutenant colonel and later during the Morgan raid was made ad- jutant general, but owing to the serious illness of his wife was unable to leave home.

Although Mr. Silvey figured prominently in political circles for many years, having marked influence in the counsels of his party and labor- ing earnestly for democratic success, he also con- ducted business affairs of importance. He was for fifteen years president of the board of direc- tors of the Homestead Building & Loan Associa- tion and continued his connection therewith from its organization until his death. In 1880, with others, he formed the company of Gay Brothers & Silvey for the manufacture of furniture and for the conduct of the wholesale and retail furniture trade. The firm was dissolved in 1891 but Mr. Silvey and his sons continued as wholesale and retail dealers in furniture, enjoying an extensive and profitable patronage until about 190! when Robert Silvey retired from active business on ac- count of failing health.

In 1854 Mr. Silvey was united in marriage to Miss Emaline Lucas, a native of Delaware, Ohio, and a daughter of Hiram and Matilda

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(Larason) Lucas. She was born and reared in Blue Rock township and by this marriage there were six children but two have passed away : Leota and Robert L. Those still living are : Mrs. Hattie Weirich, of Washington, Penn- sylvania ; Harry K., of Zanesville, who married Annie Brice, of Chicago, Illinois, and has three children, Robert K., Harry and Leota B .; Rolla E., of Zanesville, who married Belle Twaddle, by whom he had one child, R. Edgar, while his sec- ond wife was Rachel Williams and his third wife was Ruth Sheldon; Leona, the wife of Seymour C. Keyes, by whom she has a son, Edsel G. S.

Mr. Silvey was a member of the Masonic lodge at Duncan Falls and was connected with the Knights of Honor and the Ancient Order of United Workmen in Zanesville. He was also a member of the Market Street Baptist church which he and his family had attended for many years. He was in his seventy-eighth year at the time of his death and passed away February I, 1904. He was honored and respected by all who knew him and his upright career made him one of Zanesville's beloved citizens. Integrity was a salient trait in his character and he was one in whom the public placed the greatest confidence. As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of accom- plished and successful effort ending in the grate- ful rest and quiet of the night so was the life of this man. He left behind him an honored record and an untarnished name and his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him.

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 44

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