USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Zanesville > Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio > Part 63
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Hugh King was married twice. In 1839 he wedded Miss Anna M. Stoner, a native of Madi- son township and one of the eight children of John and Mary (Shurtz) Stoner. Her father died in 1875, and her mother passed away in 1860. They were people of the highest respect- ability and both held membership in the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. King became the parents of eight children : J. P., a farmer and minister of Madison township : George B., of the same town- ship ; Mrs. Mary C. Stotts, residing near the old homestead ; Mrs. Mahala Skinner, of Madison township; Mrs. Susan M. Spencer, of Zanes- ville, Ohio ; and Matilda J., Harmon and Neala A., deceased. Mrs. Anna M. King departed this life in 1856 and in 1858 Mr. King married her cousin, Angeline Stoner, by whom he had two sons : Harvey, a resident farmer of Madison township ; and Erastus, now deceased. Two of
the sons were valiant defenders of the Union cause during the Civil war and Harmon died soon after his return from the south. George served with the boys in blue for about three years. Mr. King provided his children with good educational privileges and also assisted them materially in making a start in life. Through his well directed efforts in an active business career he accumulated a comfortable competence so that in his declining years he not only had all of the necessities, but was able to enjoy many of the luxuries that go to make life worth living. He served as trustee in both Salem and Madison townships but had little ambition to become an office holder, preferring to aid his county in other ways. He and his family held membership in the Methodist Protestant church and at all times his influence was given on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement.
J. Patrick King, whose name introduces this review, was born in Madison township, in 1840. and spent his entire life here with the exception of about ten years. He has always carried on general agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres. The place is well improved with good buildings, while the fields are richly culti- vated, the land being very productive. J. P. King married Sarah Hazlett, of Indiana county. Pennsylvania, in 1861, and unto them were born six children, five of whom are now living: Anna Ohio, widow of Ephraim Williams ; Matilda, widow of Frederick Adams, now Mrs. Edward West ; William H. ; Sanford H. ; and Kenton H. Odessa M. died when an infant.
Mr. King has spent about twenty years in the Muskingum conference of the Methodist Prot- estant church and while actively connected with the work of the ministry did effective service toward the upbuilding of the cause in this part of the state and in extending the influence of the church. His life has ever been upright and honorable, commanding the respect, good will and confidence of those with whom he has been associated. He it was who instituted the an- nual reunions held by the King family, a notable event in the social life of Madison township and Muskingum county. The first reunion was held in King's grove, Madison township, September 4. 1883, this being the anniversary of the birth of George King, eldest son of Patrick King. These reunions were held annually until about 1891, when they were discontinued. The first vear there were more than three hundred pres- ent and each year this number greatly increased. Programs of music and addresses were arranged. a band was always in attendance and a most de- lightful occasion was planned for the many participants. Picnic dinners were served and
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there was no social function in Madison town- ship that was of greater interest or delight to those who attended.
ELIJAH H. CHURCH.
Elijah H. Church, who was a brick contractor in Zanesville, passed away here, March 22, 1880, and in his death the community lost one of its rep- resentative men and honored pioneer settlers. He was born here, December 19, 1809. Ohio was still largely an undeveloped wilderness at that time. Here and there a town had been started but much of the land was still in possession of the government and the Indians were yet found in the forests which were also the haunt of wild ani- mals and game. There were no railroads and it required a long and tedious journey of the Ohio citizens to make his way across the mountains to the cities of the east. Mr. Church was here reared amid pioneer surroundings. He acquired his edu- cation in the schools of his native town and in early life learned the brick-mason's trade, which he followed as a journeyman for a number of years. He afterward became a contractor and was connected with the construction of many build- ings, laying the foundations of a large number and also erected the entire structure at times. He was very successful in his business career, for being an excellent workman there were constant demands made upon his time. He always lived up to the terms of a contract, was honest and consci- entious in all that he did and enjoyed a good pat- ronage, which made him one of the prosperous citizens of Zanesville. He continued in active busi- ness up until within five years of his death, when he retired, enjoying a well earned rest until called to his final home.
On the 15th of May, 1834, Mr. Church was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Fell, who was born in Pennsylvania, March 17, 1817, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Marjorie (John- son) Fell, residents of Fayette county, Pennsylva- nia. Her father was a fireman and on leaving the Keystone state removed with his family to Ohio, where he secured employment in a foundry as a molder. He died at the age of seventy years, while his wife reached the very advanced age of ninety-two years. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom six are yet living. namely: Mrs. Church, Samuel, Isaac, Lucas, Benjamin and Rufus. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Church were born ten children but only three are living : John T., who was born in Zanesville, No- vember 10, 1837; Mrs. Annie G. Furgeson, and George W., who was born in Zanesville, February 22, 1842. The sons George W, and Charles B. were soldiers of the Civil war, defending the Union cause throughout the entire struggle.
Mr. Church was a republican in his political views and was deeply interested in city and state affairs, always keeping well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day, yet never holding or desiring office. He was particularly prominent and popular among the early settlers, the friend- ships of his youth enduring through many years. Few men were better informed concern- ing the early history of Zanesville and he wrote many articles for the Pioneer Society, giving ac- counts of the days when Zanesville was a little vil- lage and of the events which framed its policy and formed its history. He was a man of genuine worth, who without ostentation or display exem- plified in his life the sterling traits of character which in every country and clime command re- spect and confidence.
WILLIAM WELSH WARFEL.
William Welsh Warfel, now deceased, was for many years a respected and worthy resident of Muskingum county, connected with its agricul- tural interests. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, August 22, 1826, and was a son of Ben- jamin Warfel, who made his home in Harrison county and there died in 1880. William W. War- fel was reared to farm life amid pioneer sur- roundings for that was during the period of early development in this state. His educational privil- eges were such as the public schools afforded and in the school of experience he learned many valu- able lessons. By reading and study he also greatly broadened his knowledge and became a man of excellent education. He taught school both before and after his marriage and was actively identified with the educational develop- ment of his locality, being widely known in his day as a most thorough instructor. He came to Muskingum county in 1864 and purchased one hundred and thirteen acres of land in Jackson township from a Mr. Hawkins.
On the 25th of October, 1849, Mr. Warfel was united in marriage to Miss Julia Bartley, who was born in Pennsylvania, October 5, 1827. Her father, William Bartley, was a native of Ireland, born in 1803, and in 1816 he came from his native land to America. He, too, made farming his life work and he died in the year 1872. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Brown and she too has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Warfel became the parents of four children : Aaron Martin, the eld- est, who was born November 12, 1852, was mar- ried December 9, 1875, to Miss Emma Jane Hard- man, of Licking county. They have one son, Howard, who is now engaged in farming in the western part of Iowa. Mary Rebecca, who was born December 4, 1853, resides with her mother
E. H. CHURCH.
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on the old homestead farm in Jackson township. William Bartley, who was born November 22, 1859, was married October 4, 1882, to Miss Maria Belle Fairell, of Muskingum county, and they have three children. John Benjamin, who was born August 30, 1870, died May 19, 1904.
Mr. Warfel was a man of upright principles and honorable conduct. who, in his early life ex- emplified his faith in the Christian religion. He was a member of the Disciples church and was true and loyal to its teachings. In politics he was a republican and his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability frequently called him to pub- lic office. He was supervisor for several terms, was twice treasurer of the township and for a long period was a member of the school board. The cause of education found in him a warm friend and he did effective service in behalf of the schools. Honorable in all life's relations, faithful to duty and devoted to his family his upright character made him a citizen of worth and caused his death to be deeply deplored, when in 1888 he was called from this life.
JOHN U. BOWMAN.
John U. Bowman, now deceased, was for many years a resident of Zanesville and left behind him the record of loyal citizenship and an honorable career in business and social life. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1836. His father, Urich Bowman, was a native of Germany, as was his wife, Regina. They removed from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, settling in Zanesville, and here the father followed the baker's trade, which he had learned in early life.
John U. Bowman was only four or five years of age at the time of the parents' removal to this city. Having attended the public schools and mastering the branches of learning which fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties, he then took up the painter's trade and not only mastered the bus- iness of house painting but also learned the butch- er's trade with his uncle. In the winter seasons he followed the latter pursuit and in the summer months engaged in house painting. He was thus occupied until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted for three months' service, becoming a member of Captain Playford's Company in 1864. His regiment was formed at the time of Morgan's raid. Mr. Bowman was taken ill while in the service and for a year remained in poor health. In fact it was illness he there contracted which virtually terminated his life. Following his re- turn from the war he devoted his attention to the trades of painting and paper hanging and after working as journeyman for some years became a contractor along those lines and had many pa-
trons whom he worked for year after year. There were constant demands made for his service, his excellent work insuring him a continuation of a liberal patronage. He always did his work in a careful and painstaking manner, putting forth every effort to please, and by reason of fair prices and straightforward dealing was accorded a very gratifying patronage.
In 1859, in Zanesville, Mr. Bowman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Startler, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, and was a daugh- ter of Matthias Startler, also a native of that county. Her paternal grandfather, Henry Start- ler, was of German birth and, coming to America in colonial days, .served in the Revolutionary war. Unto Henry and Mary Startler, while residents of Belmont county, was born a son, Matthias Startler, who, after arriving at years of maturity married Catherine Snyder, a daughter of George and Fanny (Southard) Snyder. Matthias Start- ler departed this life in 1901, at the very advanced age of ninety-three years, but the mother of Mrs. Bowman only lived to the age of thirty-three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowman became the parents of four children : Robert, who is a painter by trade and is now engaged in civil engineering in the west, married Jennie Ratliff and has four child- ren : Charles ; Helen, the wife of Bert Lawger, by whom she has one child; Edna, and Raymond. Ella, the second member of the Bowman family, is the wife of Andy Hoffman. Minnie is living with her mother. Charles, a painter by trade. wedded Miss Mary Taylor and has one child, Charlotte.
Mr. Bowman espoused the cause of the republi- can party on attaining his majority and continued to give it his support until his death, but was never an office seeker. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Zanesville and also to the Grand Army post and in both of these organi- zations he took an active and helpful part, being in sympathy with their basic principles. Almost his entire life was spent in Zanesville and those who knew him from boyhood days up to the time of his death were numbered among the stanchest friends, which fact indicates that his life was at all times worthy of respect. He left his family an untarnished name and he is yet remembered by many who knew him and who appreciated his ex- cellent traits of character.
THOMAS J. COMER.
Thomas J. Comer, well known in business cir- cles in Dresden, where he was born January 18, 1854, is a son of Thomas J. Comer, Sr., whose birth occurred in Jefferson township. Muskingum
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
county, in 1817. He represents one of the early pioneer families, his paternal grandfather having arrived in this county at a very early day. Here he planted an. orchard north of Dresden and later he entered land south of this town but lost that tract ,on account of a bad title. He was a na- tive of Pennsylvania but for a number of years figured as one of the leading pioneer resi- dents of Muskingum county in which lo- cality he remained until his death. Thomas J. Comer, Sr., was reared here amid the environments and conditions of frontier life. For some years he conducted a hack line between Dresden and Zanesville, hauling all of the freight as well as the passengers between those places before the era of railroad transportations. He was united in marriage to Miss Perlina Thompson who was born in Virginia township, Coshocton county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Daniel Thompson, a native of England, who be- came one of the pioneer residents of the state of Ohio. Mr. Comer died July 1, 1890, at the age of seventy-four years. He had been a witness of al- most the entire growth and progress of this sec- tion of the state and had assisted in its develop- ment as it emerged from frontier conditions and took on all the evidences and improvements of civilization.
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Thomas J. Comer pursued his education in the public schools of this city and between the ages of seven and twenty-three years he was employed by the Dresden Woolen Mills. He afterwards worked for L. Rambo in his flour mill for a year and subsequently spent six months in Zanesville as an employe in the flour mill owned by Dan Applegate. He next engaged with the Howe Sewing Machine Company as salesman for three years and during that time he was in Columbus for one year and in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, for fourteen months. In 1884, however, he re- turned to Dresden and here embarked in the groc- ery business, while subsequently he became associ- ated with the flour milling industry in the owner- ship of the Comer Flour Mill. From time to time he has invested in different enterprises in Dres- den and he has recently completed and is now the owner of the Wilber Hotel which was named in honor of his younger child. This is a three- story brick building, sixty-six by one hundred and twenty feet, and he also has other property in Dresden, including the Comer Flour Mill.
Thomas J. Comer was married in Columbus to Miss Ida Graham, a native of Allegheny, Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of George and Florence ( Rose) Graham, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania and came to Ohio in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Comer have two children : Clyde C., who is man- ager of his father's large grocery and general mer- chandise store which is located in the Wilber block; and Wilber H., who is a student. The
family is prominent socially, the hospitality of the best homes of the city being freely extended to the members of the household.
Mr. Comer is active in political circles, giving stalwart support to the republican party and keep- ing well informed on the questions and issues of the day so that he is enabled to support his posi- tion by intelligent argument. He is a Mason and belongs to Muskingum champter, No. 45, R. A. M. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, and all of the interests which tend to improve con- ditions along social, intellectual, political and moral lines receive his endorsement and support. He is a man of keen discernment, readily compre- hending intricate situations and finding in energy and determination the key that solves all business problems. That he has prospered is due entirely to his own resources and his life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encourage- ment to others.
PROFESSOR C. S. HOSKINSON.
Charles Silser Hoskinson, principal of the Zanesville high school and one of the most prominent Masons of the state, was born in Urbana, Illinois, in 1862, a son of John R. and Caroline E. Hoskinson. His more specifically literary education was obtained in Ohio Wesleyan University, where he completed the classical course and was graduated in 1889 with the degree of bacleror of arts. In the same year he came to Zanesville and was appointed assistant prin- cipal of the high school, in which position he was retained until June, 1904. The following year he was chosen principal of the high school and thus for sixteen years he has been a factor in the educational interests of this city. He dis- plays great zeal and earnestness in his work, is continually studying out new methods to improve the high school, raising its standard and promot- ing its efficiency and his labors have won him rank with the leading public educators of central Ohio. He belongs to various state educational associations.
In 1898 Professor Hoskinson was married to Miss Carrie Lee, a daughter of David Lee. They are members of the Second Street Methodist Episcopal church and he has served on its official board since 1889, while for a long period he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school. His interest aside from his connection with the school centers largely in Masonry. He is, however, a leading and charter member of Phoenix lodge, Knights of Pythias, in which he is a past chan- cellor and of the Roval Arcanum, of which he is past regent. He is a past master of Amity lodge, A. F. & A. M., past high priest of Zanes-
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vill chapter, R. A. M., has been a member of the grand lodge of Ohio for a number of years and he is now senior grand deacon.
JAMES FREEMAN ADAMS.
James Freeman Adams, whose activity made him a valued and representative citizen of Mus- kingum county, where he was well known as a merchant, farmer and justice of the peace, was born in Zanesville, July 12, 1812. His father, Seth Adams, was a native of Boston, Massachu- setts, and was related to John Quincy Adams. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Elizabeth Apthorp, also a native of Boston. Com- ing to Muskingum county at an early day, when the greater part of this land was wild and unim- proved and when the work of progress and civil- ization seemed scarcely begun, he secured a farm in the northern part of the county which he de- veloped into a valuable and richly productive tract. Later he located in Zanesville and here erected one of the first houses of the city. Its growth and advancement since that time are well indicated by the fact that he had a garden be- tween Second and Third streets, just north of Market street. He also imported the first Merino sheep into the United States from France, thus establishing an industry which has become a source of much profit to the country and for that act the state of Ohio is now erecting a monument to his memory in Columbus. He was a man of much prominence and influence in the embryo city and served as its mayor. He also figured in public affairs, aided in shaping the policy and molding the destiny of the city and was long num- bered among the representative men of Ohio. His political allegiance was given to the whig party.
James F. Adams, reared under the parental roof, pursued his education in the schools of Zanesville and after putting aside his text-books entered upon his business career as a clerk in the county seat. He afterward removed to Newark, Ohio, where he engaged in the foundry business with his father-in-law for three years, and on the expiration of that period he returned to Zanesville, where he became connected with business interests as a grocer. For some time he conducted a well equipped store, enjoying there a liberal patronage, and later he purchased a farm in Falls township upon which his widow now resides. It comprises fifty-two acres of rich and arable land and is pleas- antly located about two and a half miles north and west of the courthouse. There he carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days and his enterprise and efforts resulted in the acquirement of a comfortable competence.
In 1839 Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Morris, who was born in England
on the 2nd of August, 1819, and was a daughter of Thomas and Martha ( Howe) Morris, of Stafford, England. Thomas Morris was an ironmaster of England and a man of considerable means. In 1826 he emigrated to America, settling in New- ark, Ohio, with his family, his daughter Fanny joining the family in 1837, having remained in her native country up to that time. Following his removal to the new world Mr. Morris lived re- tired in Newark up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-two years of age, but he was financially interested in the foundry there. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born ten children of whom eight are living, namely : Eliz- abeth C., Seth, Fanny L., James F., Washington M., George D., Charles B., and Mary A. The daughter Sophia is deceased. The family home is a fine farm devoted to general agricultural pur- suits and a richly productive soil yields excellent crops for the care and labor bestowed upon it. There is a fine grove of pine trees in front of the home and the place is neat and thrifty in ap- pearance. Mr. Adams continued to carry on gen- eral farming until his death, which occurred in Falls township in November, 1868. While liv- ing in Zanesville he served as justice of the peace and at all times was a progressive, public-spirited citizen, following in his father's footsteps in that he was ever alive to the best interests of his com- munity and state. He died respected by all who knew him and his memory is yet cherished by many of the early settlers of the county. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Episcopal church, is an active, bright woman, still living on the old home- stead farm and she takes a deep interest in public affairs of the county which has been her home for so many years. She is now eighty-six years of age.
CHARLES BOWDEN.
Charles Bowden, who carries on general farm- ing in Salem township, was born October 17. 1820, in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, his parents being William and Mary Bowden, the former born February 14, 1802, and the later February 14, 1808. The father was a farmer by occupation and when his son Charles was four years of age he brought his family to Muskingum county, driv- ing across the country in a wagon. He located in Salem township and purchased a farm where Mrs. Miles now resides but later sold that proprty and bought a tract of land south of Adamsville, con- tinuing his residence thereon for twenty years or up to the time of his death, which occurred Febru- ary 27. 1863. His farm comprises two hundred and forty acres and was acquired entirely through his own efforts.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
Charles Bowden began his education in the common schools of Salem township and after- ward continued his studies in Adamsville. When he had put aside his text-books he turned his at- tention to the stock business and to farming. He purchased a tract of land but a year later sold that property and purchased his present farm, which is about four miles east of Adamsville. It is a tract of land of two hundred and forty-four acres which by reason of the cultivation betowed upon it has become very arable and productive. He owns three hundred and forty-six acres all to- gether in two farms. Mr. Bowden is ranked with the prosperous agriculturists of his community and his property is the visible evidence of his life of enterprise and indefatigable labor. He has en- gaged extensively in stock-raising since entering upon his active business career and in that way has made most of his money. He formerly made large shipments of stock to Pittsburg and Balti- more.
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