Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 60

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 60

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ing long since reached very profitable propor- tions and the plant represents a large investment. James Herdman was president of the Brown Manufacturing Company for twenty years, also president of the Union National Bank and treasurer of the South Zanesville Sewer Pipe and Brick Company.

James Herdman was united in marriage in 1845 to Miss Eliza Ann Elliott, a native of Mus- kingum county, who proved to him a faithful com- panion and helpmate on life's journey in the early days when he was attempting to gain a start in the lumber trade. Her death occurred in 1861. They were the parents of five children but Dr. William J. Herdman, LL. D., is the only one now living. He was born in September, 1848, and

now occupies a chair in the medical department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor. In 1870 James Herdman was again married, his second union being with Angeline Patterson, a native of Elyria, Ohio, now living in Zanesville. They had two children-Harry P. and Lizzie, the former an attorney, whose sketch is given in this connection.

James Herdman was a member of the Second Presbyterian church, deeply interested in its growth and the extension of its influence and for some years he served as one of the church trustees. His early political support was given to the whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the republican party, which he continued to support until his death although he had no political aspirations for himself. He had one son Frank, the eldest child, who served in the Civil war. He became a member of the Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and contracted disease while in the service which caused his death.

Frank Hamilton Herdman, who is now pres- ident of the Herdman Sash, Door & Lumber Com- pany, of Zanesville, and is the only surviving son of Francis and Margaret Herdman, was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1835, and was therefore only about four years old when brought by his parents to Muskingum county. His prelim- inary education, acquired in the public schools, was supplemented by study in Muskingum Col- lege for one and a half years and in early manhood he engaged in teaching school. Leaving Ohio he went to Mercer county, Illinois, where he was soon afterward appointed deputy county surveyor, having studied surveying while in college. He spent one and a half years in this position and then joined his brother James in the lumber business at Monmouth, Illinois. They conducted their yard there until the time of the Civil war, when they sold out and Frank H. Herdman accepted an appointment to the position of deputy county clerk of Warren county, Illinois. He acted in that ca- pacity until 1863, when he went to Chicago, where he embarked in a general commission business. which occupied his time and attention until 1878. In the meantime he had purchased an interest in the Herdman Lumber Company at Zanesville and in the year mentioned he returned to this city to become an active factor in its management. In 1890, upon the incorporation of the company, lic was made its secretary and treasurer and acted in that capacity until the death of James Herd- man, when he was chosen president.

Frank H. Herdman was married. in 1860, to Miss Margaret Amelia Hill, who was born in Monmouth, Illinois, in 1841. and comes of an an- cestry on both the paternal and maternal sides of the family that was represented in the Revolu- tionary war. Four chidren have been born to this union : Harry H., Frank E., Willis A., and May.

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the wife of Harry Baldwin. Both Mr. and Mrs. Herdman hold membership in the Second Presby- terian church and in politics he has been a stalwart republican since casting his first presidential bal- lot for John C. Fremont. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in his family and friends. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution and his close appli- cation to business and his excellent management have brought him the high degree of prosperity which is to-day his. Personally he is always cour- teous, kindly and affable, and those who know him entertain for him warm regard.

Harry Patterson Herdman, a practicing attor- ney, was identified with many corporate interests of Zanesville and is the only son of James and Angeline ( Patterson) Herdman and was born in this city in 1872. He began his education in the public schools and later continued his studies in the academy conducted by Rev. E. E. Rogers, of Putnam, from which institution he was graduated. Later he entered the Michigan Military Academy (Orchard Lake) in 1892 and was graduated in June, 1893, while in the fall of the same year he matriculated in the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor. He left college, however, in 1895 and returned home, becoming secretary of the Bolin Soap Company at South Zanesville, being connected therewith until the fall of 1896. In the spring of 1897 he resumed his interrupted col- lege course and was graduated from the literary department of the Michigan University in June, 1899, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He continued in the law department of the same institution and was graduated in June, 1901, after which he was at once admitted to the Ohio bar. He began practice in Zanesville, where he is now engaged in the prosecution of his profession, hav- ing gained a good clientage in a calling where suc- cess depends entirely upon individual merit and comprehensive knowledge of the law. He also figures prominently in connection with various corporations of the city, being secretary of the Zanesville Builders' Exchange and secretary of the Manufacturers' Association of the Zanesville district, secretary of the Ohio Canal Association and a member of the board of directors of the Herdman Sash, Door & Lumber Company and also its treasurer, and a member of the board of directors of the Brown Manufacturing Company.

On the 17th of April, 1901, Harry P. Herd- man was married to Josephine Edgar, a daughter of Dr. S. F. and Lucinda Edgar. She died in July, 1903, at Colorado Springs, Colorado, when twenty-six years of age and on the 12th of Novem- ber, 1904, Mr. Herdman wedded Miss Grace Griggs, who was born in Forest, Ontario, Canada. in 1880, and is a daughter of William and Ellen Griggs. Their marriage was celebrated at Rouses

Point, New York. They are members of the Second Presbyterian church of Zanesville and Mr. Herdman is a prominent Mason, being iden- tified with all the different Masonic bodies of this city and acted as secretary of the Shrine. He is also a member of the Alpha Delta Phi and his political support is given to the republican party.

NELSON T. GANT.

In the face of difficulties which would utterly have discouraged the great majority of men Nel- son T. Gant labored diligently and . untiringly and accumulated a fortune. He was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, May 10, 1821. He was born in slavery and bore the name of his stepfather. He obtained his freedom in 1844 by the will of his master, John Nixon. His princi- pal duties while in servitude were those of a body servant or valet to his master. While a slave lie was married to Maria Hughes, who belonged to the Russell family of Loudoun county and after being given his freedom his first effort was to obtain the means to purchase his wife. He took contracts for cutting cord wood on the Po- tomac river, arranging to cut five hundred cords at forty cents per cord. When he had accom- plished this work he found that it would not se- cure him the means to buy his wife and about that time he was also brought before the grand jury for remaining in the state more than twelve months after his emancipation. He then left Virginia, telling his wife that he would return for her in six weeks, meeting her at a place des -- ignated. He then came to Zanesville, Ohio, and here obtained information concerning the under- ground railroad. In this city A. A. Guthrie and others supplied him with funds and he returned to Leesburg, Virginia, for his wife. At Wash- ington he was arrested and it was after great difficulty and many hardships that he was en- abled to purchase his wife, the sum paid being over nine hundred dollars. This money was raised by friends, principally Quakers.

Mr. and Mrs. Gant then came to Zanesville in 1847 and here he continued to make his home. He began working for Theodore Converse in whose employ he remained for five years, when his employer died. after which Mr. Gant worked his place, farming and gardening. He was thus engaged for about thirty years, during which time he saved some money. He employed at dif- ferent intervals from eight to ten men and as farmer and gardener he carried on business for many years, prospering as time passed, and as opportunity offered investing in land until he was the owner of about three hundred acres con- tiguous to the town. In 1894 he sold twenty

NELSON T GANT

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acres to F. M. Townsend for twenty thousand dollars. This was used as a park by Mr. Gant and is now known as Gant Park. In mak- ing the sale he stipulated that no liquor should be sold on the premises. Mr. Gant had one hun- (lred and fifty acres of valuable farm and coal land in Springfield township and this property returned him an excellent income. He was re- puted to be one of the wealthy men of Zanesville and he certainly deserved great credit for what he accomplished, as he depended entirely upon his own labors.

In 1877 Mr. Gant was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife. Four children had been born unto them: Nelson T., who is engaged in the insurance business at Columbus, Ohio : Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Manly, who man- ages her father's affairs ; Sarah, the wife of Dr. Dan McNorton, of Yorktown, Virginia; and Maggie, the wife of George Potts, of Zanesville. In 1879 Mr. Gant was again married, his second union being with Lavinia J. Neal, of West Vir- ginia. They had one child-Lula Logan, the wife of Dr. E. H. Gee, of Zanesville. Mr. Gant gave his children excellent educational ad- vantages. They have attended Oberlin College, while Mrs. Gee completed her education in Bos- ton, studying at the Boston Conservatory of Mu- sic for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Gant were members of the Methodist church on South street and at the time of his death he was its oldest liv- ing representative, having attained the age of eighty-three years. His life was characterized by many sterling traits, prominent among which were unfaltering diligence, unquestioned integrity and faithfulness to every trust reposed in him. He died July 14, 1905.

J. S. PRETTYMAN.

J. S. Prettyman, a leading representative of manufacturing interests in Muskingum county, being the president, secretaray and leading stock- holder of the Muskingum Valley Woolen Man- ufacturing Company of Dresden, was born near Summerfield, Noble county, Ohio, April 7, 1846. His father, Liston A. Prettyman, was a native of Delaware, born in 1816, and the grandfather, Shepard Prettyman, was likewise a native of that state. The father was united in marriage to Miss Mary Shankland, a native of Ohio and a daughter of James W. Shankland, of Delaware, who came to Ohio when a young man, settling in Barnes- ville, Noble county. Subsequently he removed to the present site of Summerfield, giving to the town its name. There he followed merchandis- ing and became an extensive dealer in tobacco.

MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Liston A. Prettyman was a nephew of James W. Shankland and came to Ohio in 1843, making his way to Noble county, where he managed and op- erated a large farm for his uncle, becoming one of the prosperous and leading agriculturists of that community. He died there at the age of six- ty-seven years, honored and respected by all who knew him.

J. S. Prettyman, the only child born of the marriage of Liston A. and Mary (Shankland) Prettyman, was reared upon his father's farm and pursued his education in a log schoolhouse such as was found at that day. When twenty-one years of age he engaged in clerking in Batesville, Ohio, being thus employed for three years, after which he went to Cameron, West Virginia, where he was connected with B. F. Penn in the conduct of a general mercantile establishment for two years. On the expiration of that period he re- turned to Noble county, Ohio, but continued his business relations with Mr. Penn until 1872. He then embarked in merchandising at Carlisle, No- ble county, Ohio, where he managed his store until 1883, when upon the death of his father he took charge of the home farm, cultivating and improving it until 1887. In that year he traded his farm for a half interest in the Caldwell Woolen Mill, at Caldwell, Ohio, and was one of its owners until January 12, 1889, when the plant was destroyed by fire. At that time he and his partner, W. H. Bush, came to Dresden and here restimed business as proprietors of a woolen mill in a frame building on Main street. In January, 1892, the Muskingum Valley Woolen Manufac- turing Company was organized as a stock Com- pany, the owners being W. H. Bush, P. C. Mc- Govern, B. F. Penn, Isaac Hatcher and Henry Large. The mill is located on North Chestnut street and the building is a two-story brick struc- ture, four hundred and fifty by two hundred feet. Mr. Prettyman is the leading stockholder in this enterprise, which is one of the large manufac- turing concerns of Muskingum county. The bus- iness has constantly grown since the establishment of the plant in Dresden and the output is large and profitable. He also has other business in- terests, being vice president of the First National Bank of Dresden.

Mr. Prettyman has been married twice. In November, 1872, he wedded Miss M. A. Penn, who died, leaving a son, Frank L. In 1885 he was again married, his second inion being with Elizabeth E. Philpot, of Cedar Falls, Towa. They are prominent socially and their own hospitable home is a favorite resort for their many friends. Politically Mr. Prettyman is a republican, socially an Odd Fellow and religiously a Methodist. He is thus a factor in various lines of activity that constitute the life of a city and in all his relations

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is known as an honored and honorable gentleman. His worth and character have stood the test of business and social relations and he enjoys in full measure the confidence and trust of those with whom he has been associated.

CURTIS O. VINSEL.

Curtis O. Vinsel, a contractor and builder of Zanesville, is numbered among Muskingum county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Adams township, in 1866. His parents are George H. and Rebecca (Wenner) Vinsel. The father is a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, and is now living on the farm, where the son Curtis was born, at the age of eighty-two years. He came to Muskingum county when a young man of eighteen years and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. At one time he was owner of several hundred acres of land and he still retains possession of the old home property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. His success is an indication of his well directed busi- ness affairs, his perseverance and diligence. He is now practically living retired, taking no active part in the work of the farm but merely gives his supervision to its cultivation. He votes with the democracy and has held a number of town- ship offices. He belongs to the Lutheran church and though now well advanced in years in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime. His wife was born on the farm where they now live and the house is yet standing in which she first saw the light of day, seventy-six years ago. Her parents came from Pennsylvania to Muskingum county at a very early period in its upbuilding and development and her father built the house in which her birth occurred, he being a carpenter by trade. Mrs. Vinsel is also a member of the Lutheran church and she and her husband have long taken an active and helpful part in church work. They became the parents of eleven chil- dren, of whom all have reached mature years with one exception. The family record is as fol- lows: Solomon F., who follows farming in Adams township ; John W., a farmer of the same township ; Albert R., who is engaged in mer- chandising as a member of the firm of Vinsel & Adams, at Wills Creek, Ohio ; George T., who is a college graduate and follows farming and has been instructor in the schools of Coshocton and other places in Coshocton county ; Alva, a contractor of Zanesville; Curtis O .; Malinda, the wife of Samuel Hanks, a farmer of Adams township ; Alice, the wife of Henry Buker, who is living on a portion of the old Buker home- stead in Monroe township; Anna, the wife of Spencer Jordan, a Baptist minister, now living in

Adamsville ; Bertha, the wife of Charles Wohl- heter, a contractor of Adams township; and William, who was the second son and died at the age of six years.

Curtis O. Vinsel, having obtained his early education in the district schools afterward at- tended the Normal School at Adamsville, Ohio. He learned the carpenter's trade, serving a part of his apprenticeship in Coshocton and after- ward went to Chadron, Nebraska, where he re- mained for about one year. He next came to Zanesville, where he worked at his trade as foreman until 1894. He then began contracting, at which he has continued up to the present time and has erected many of the fine structures in Zanesville, many important contracts being awarded him. As the years have passed he has gained a well merited prosperity.

In 1888 Mr. Vinsel was married to Miss Lilly M. Jackson, a daughter of Dr. A. L. Jackson, of Zanesville, who was born in Otsego, Mus- kingum county, in 1872. They have two sons, Cecil J. and Edwin O. Mrs. Vinsel is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Vinsel is connected with Zanesville lodge, No. 114, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party but has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs, and as the architect of his own fortune he has builded wisely and well.

JONATHAN GAUMER.

Jonathan Gaumer was for many years num- bered among the worthy and honored pioneer residents of Muskingum county and moreover was one of her native sons. His birth occurred in Washington township, in June, 1822, and his parents were Daniel and Hannah ( Baughman) Gaumer. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Gau- mer, was born in Germany. When this country was still a part of the colonial possessions of Great Britain, he became a resident of the new world, establishing his home in Virginia and when the colonies could no longer endure the yoke of British oppression and rose in arms against the mother country he joined the troops under Gen- eral Washington and served as a drum major in the army.

Daniel Gaumer was born in Virginia, April 10. 1781. but spent his boyhood days in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and in 1809 he removed to Washington township, Muskingum county, es- tablishing his home upon a farm on the Muskin- gum river about seven miles from Zanesville. At the time of the war of 1812, he, too, espoused the

C. O. VINSEL.

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cause of his country and became a soldier. He carried on farming in Washington township for a number of years and about 1825 removed to Salem township, making his home near the Luth- eran church. There he and his wife remained until called to their final rest, his attention being given to the development of his land which be- came very arable and productive. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was one of the earliest settlers of the New Hope Lutheran church. He donated to that church the ground that is now used for cemetery purposes. His landed possessions comprise one hundred acres and his farm was the evidence of his life of industry, perseverance and diligence. He passed away in September. 1859, when about seventy-five years of age, respected by all who knew him, and his wife departed this life in Salem township in 1874. They were the parents of the following named: Lydia, the deceased wife of David Shirer ; Catherine, the deceased wife of V. Shirer ; William, deceased; Esther, the wife of D. V. Shirer and a resident of Adams township ; Jacob and Gideon, who have departed this life; Rebecca, the deceased wife of John Wymer ; Dan- iel, who has passed away; Letterman, a resident of Guernsey county, Ohio; George, who is now living in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and is a minister of the Lutheran church; Jonathan ; Charles, a resident of Douglas county, Kansas ; Jesse, who resides in Illinois ; and Anthony, who died in the army.

Jonathan Gaumer, having acquired his literary education in the district schools of Salem town- ship, afterward attended the Columbus Semin- ary and for some time was a student in a theolog- ical school but did not complete his course there. Later he engaged in teaching for four or five years and then worked at the carpenter's trade. He also operated a carding mill for some time and subsequently began farming, loeating on a farm where his father also lived. There he remained until the death of his parents and in October, 1883, he removed to Adamsville, where he spent his re- maining days. He was a man of strong purpose. honorable motives, of reliable business methods and genuine worth and his life record was very creditable and commendable.

On the 25th of October, 1846, Mr. Gaumer was united in marriage to Miss Mahala Barrett, who was born in Adams township, July 6, 1824. Her parents were John and Rachel ( Heskett) Bar- rett, both of whom were natives of Loudoun county, Virginia, the former born August 8, 1794, and the latter on the 20th of January, 1792. In 1820 Mr. Barrett came to Muskingum county, settling in Adams township and there he owned and operated one hundred and sixty acres of land which he purchased from the government. It was entirely wild and unimproved when it came into

his possession but the years of labor which he devoted to it wrought a wonderful transformation in its appearance and in its productiveness. Dur- ing the war of 1812 Mr. Barrett served as cap- tain of a company. In his political belief he was an active whig, while in religious faith both he and his wife were Baptists. They were the par- ents of six children : Amelia A., Hannah J., Ma- hala, Thomas, Nancy J., and John, but the only one now living is Mrs. Guamer. The father died October 3, 1862, and his wife passed away on the 26th of November, 1852. Mrs. Gaumer pursued her education in the public schools of this county and in early womanhood gave her hand in mar- riage to John W. Gaumer. They became the par- ents of nine children, eight of whom reached adult age : Thomas M., who was born February 6, 1848, was at one time half owner in the Zanesville Sig- nal and at the time of his death he resided in Ur- bana, Ohio, being the owner of the Urbana Demo- crat. He was a graduate of the Cincinnati Medi- cal College and for five years he engaged in the practice of medicine. He was well known throughout the county, having a favorable ac- quaintance, and his death, which occurred Sep- tember 30, 1893, was deeply regretted. His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza Cone and they be- came the parents of three sons, one of whom is living in Middleton, Ohio, where he is publishing a paper and the second son is editor of the Urbana Democrat, while the third son is now editor of the Union County Journal. Charles M. Gaumer, who was born November 19, 1849, married Sus- anna Slater. He is one of the prominent and in- fluential men of the state, serving as a trustee of Wittenberg College in Springfield, and also trus- tee of the Blind Asylum at Columbus, receiving appointment to this position from Governor Her- rick. He was also a member of the state legisla- ture and he takes a very prominent and helpful part in church work. Hannah J. Gaumer, born December 26, 1851, was married October 9, 1869. to Elijah F. Buker, of Adamsville, and now re- sides near that town. Her husband is deceased but she has two sons-Howard, a practicing law- ver of Zanesville, and Herbert, a printer of Zanes- ville. Rachel V., born March 17, 1854, is the wife of David R. Palmer, of Dresden, who for twenty-three years has been upon the road as a traveling salesman and they have one son, Dana C., who is a music teacher. John O., born No- vember 26, 1855, died in infancy. Daniel H., born November 11. 1857, died in St. Augustine. Florida, in 1898. He married Emma Kennedy, December 24, 1882, and his widow lives on the terrace in Zanesville. He was a member of the house of representatives and of the senate in the state legislature, serving in both positions for one term, and he was filling the position of postmaster at Zanesville when his health failed, his death

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 60

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