USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Zanesville > Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio > Part 66
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CHARLEY'S STORY.
"I'spose it's been nigh thirty years Since someone took the runnin' gears Of that old sawmill down Which you'll remember ust to stand Down by the krick on Charley's land A little north of town.
Well, Charley told me many a time And I'll repeat to you in rhyme This story, good and true :
One day there came a thunder shower And down it poured for nigh an hour And high the waters grew.
Three neighbor men who lived near by And now and then got purty dry For something good and strong Had been to town and got their fill And when they come apast the mill They had a jug along.
Upon the foot-log two went o'er And stood a waitin' on the shore To see the third one try, But he instead went straight ahead Across the muddy torrent's bed And passed the foot-log by.
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And when he landed soppin wet The other teased and said they'd bet He couldn't walk the log. So, just to show 'em that he could He waded back from where he stood And lost his jug of grog.
At last he reached the southern side Where first he plunged into the tide And climbed the log with ease. But soon his head commenced to reel And he was forced to stoop and kneel And crawl on hands and knees.
He got half way on arms and legs Then overbalanced from his pegs And swung beneath the log. Above the stream his body swung While by all fours he grimly hung Agruntin' like a hog,
But like McGinty in the song He did't stay there very long But dropped clean out of sight And when at last he washed ashore, He meekly swore he'd drink no more And kept his word all right."
Adam C. Sturtz pursued his education in the schools of Adamsville and in his youth assisted in the operation of his father's farm. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he advocated the Union cause and in November, 1863, enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Ninety-first Illi- nois Infantry, with which he served for two years. Later he was transferred to Washington, D. C., where he did provost duty for six months. He was in the seven days engagement at Winchester and also in the battle of Gettysburg for one day. There were sixty thousand people killed at Win- chester and Mr. Sturtz was wounded by a minie ball in the leg. He was also in the hospital for four months. Following his return to civil life Mr. Sturtz remained with his father on the farm for one year, after which he inherited a part of the property and built thereon a home. He has since lived on this place and is now the owner of eighty-two acres of rich and arable land, situated about a mile from Adamsville, where he carries on general farming, but he rents most of his land. His life has been characterized by diligence and perseverance and whatever he undertakes he car- ries forward to successful completion.
On the 5th of September, 1867, Mr. Sturtz was married to Miss Rachel Sarbaugh, who was born in October. 1841, and is a daughter of David and Sarah ( Bell) Sarbaugh. Her father was a native of Vermont and was of Scotch-Irish de- scent. Mr. and Mrs. Sturtz have two children : Minnie, who was born in 1868, is the wife of J.
Pocock, a resident of Coshocton, Ohio, and they have one child, Lloyd. She followed dressmak- ing in Zanesville for several years and her hus- band is now engaged in the livery business in Co- shocton. Kirk H., born September 24, 1876, was educated in the schools of Adamsville and in that town was employed as salesman for some time. He afterwards went to South Dakota and fol- lowing his return to Ohio located in Coshocton, where he is now connected with a piano firm. He married Ora Winn and they have one son, Frank W. The parents are members of the Luth- eran church and Mr. Sturtz belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and the Grange. In poli- tics he is an independent democrat and he served as supervisor and trustee. In these offices he has exercised his official prerogatives so that general satisfaction has been given, and in all matters of citizenship he is progressive and public-spirited. advocating every movement for the general good and supporting all measures for improvement with the same loyalty that he gave to the Union cause during the period of the Civil war.
ALBERT B. WORSTALL.
Albert B. Worstall, well known in Muskingum county, where for four years he held the office of sheriff, is a native of Zanesville, born November 23. 1850. His paternal grandfather, John Wor- stall, came with his father from Pennsylvania to Ohio when this state was being first opened up to civilization. He secured land from the govern- ment, following farming for many years. In fact his entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. Unto him and his wife were born ten children : Morris, John, Thomas, David, Henry. Phineas, Charles, Edward, Tama and Massier.
His son, Thomas Worstall, father of Albert B. Worstall, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylva- nia, August 3, 1801, but spent the greater part of his life in Ohio. He married Miss Sophia Hub- bard Stone, a daughter of Noyce and Margaret L. (Hanson) Stone. Her father was born near New Ipswich, in Hillsbury county, New Hamp- shire, June 3, 1771, and his death occurred on the 7th of July, 1851. when he reached the age of eighty years. His wife was born in Dover, Staf- ford county, New Hampshire, January 18, 1783. and died October 1, 1818. They were married in the Northwest Territory and were honored pio- neer settlers of Ohio, assisting materially in the early development of this part of the state. Novce Stone was a charter member of Amity lodge, No. 5. A. F. & A. M., which was instituted in 1805. He was also connected with many other early events which occurred to form the pioneer history of this portion of the state. He followed the oc-
PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. 425
cupation of blacksmithing, which trade he had learned in Vermont. Later he returned to North- ampton, Massachusetts, remaining there for some time before his removal to Ohio. He settled at first in this state in 1798 and later returned to the cast, where he was married. He then brought his bride to Zanesville, arriving here in 1800. On
the way they stopped at Marietta, Ohio, and there met John McIntire, with whom they continued their journey to Zanesville. At different times Mr. Stone held public office. He was constable, also sheriff and was toll-gate keeper on the na- tional pike about a half mile east of Zanesville for several years. It was his daughter Sophia who became the wife of Thomas Worstall and unto them were born eight children : John M., now de- ceased; Dudley R .; Henry; Noyce, deceased ; Albert B .; Emma, who has also passed away ; Josephine; and Harriet.
Thomas Worstall reared his family upon the home farm. On his removal from Pennsylvania to Ohio he secured a tract of land from the gov- ernment in Brush Creek township and with char- acteristic energy began to clear it and place it under cultivation. 'As the years passed he de- veloped very productive fields, which returned to him good harvests and he continued to reside upon the old homestead for some time. After his marriage he removed to Zanesville, however, and there he worked as a millwright and wood- worker. His death occurred in California, in 1849, and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1878.
Albert B. Worstall, born in Zanesville, No- vember 23. 1850, pursued his education in the public schools of this city and afterward learned the glass-blowers' trade with the Kearns-Gorsuch Glass Company. From his boyhood days he was employed in that factory and his capability won ready recognition in promotion from one position to another until he had become a member of the firm and he still owns stock in the company, which has been incorporated. For fifteen years he was manager for the enterprise and thus con- tinued at the head of the concern until he was elected sheriff of Muskingum county, in 1894. He took the office in 1895 and was retained there- in until 1899, when he retired from the position as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all concerned. In 1901 he received an ap- pointment in Washington, D. C., in one of the re- ceiving rooms at the capitol, and there remained until June, 1904, when he returned to Zanesville. He has always made his home in this city and he is now living a retired life here.
In politics Mr. Worstall has always been an earnest republican. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and has taken a number of the higher degrees. He also belongs to the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks and his life ex-
emplifies the beneficent spirit of those societies. He was married in 1872, in Zanesville, to Miss Esther Leightner, a native of Baltimore, Mary- land, and they had three children : Nellie married William Smith, of Baltimore, and both are de- ceased, but they left one child, Esther. Hattie F. is with her parents. Sophia, the youngest member of the family, is the wife ot John Evans, of Zanes- ville. Mr. Worstall is a worthy representative of a pioneer ancestry and in his life record has sus- tained the high reputation which his ancestors ever held for good citizenship, for co-operation in pub- lic affairs, for the general welfare and for honor and reliability in business relations.
HARRY P. MILLER.
Harry P. Miller, owning and cultivating one hundred and thirty-two acres of land in Falls township, was born in Muskingum township, February 23, 1868. The family has long been resident of Ohio, the grandfather, James Miller, having come to this state in pioneer times, settling in Perry county, and there he assisted in the work of early development and improvement. meeting the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life. He afterward removed with his family to Muskingum county and cast in his lot with its frontier settlers. For four years he oper- ated a sawmill in Zanesville on the Licking river, near the Y bridge, and was thus identified with early industrial interests of the locality. In his advocacy of progressive measures and as a re- liable business man he contributed to the material upbuilding of the county.
Percival Miller, father of Harry P. Miller, was born in Perry county, Ohio, October 17. 1825. and accompanied his parents to Muskingum county, where for many years he has resided, one of the valued and honored citizens of his com- munity. He, too, was engaged in the manufac- ture of lumber for many years, conducting a saw- mill for a long period, but finally he disposed of that enterprise and purchased two hundred and. seventy acres of land in Falls township, on the river road, four miles north of Zanesville. There he lives retired, enjoying a well merited rest. for in former years he toiled laboriously in order to gain a start and achieve a competency, that he might give his family good advantages and pro- vide for the evening of life. He married Miss Elizabeth Lane, a native of Muskingum township and a daughter of John W. P. Lane. They have two living children: Harry P. and Pearl, the latter now upon the old home farm. Percival Miller has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never been an aspi- rant for office, preferring to give undivided atten-
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tion to his business interests, and in the everyday life, with its cares and duties, he has found ample time for the exercise of his talents and energies. The good will and confidence of his fellowmen is cordially extended him and he is to-day num- bered among the honored pioneer settlers of the county.
Harry P. Miller spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, enjoying the usual advantages afforded by people of moderate means, and having impressed upon his mind the value of persistency of purpose and unfaltering energy as a basis of prosperity. He has always carried on farming and is to-day the owner of a good tract of one hundred and thirty-two acres of land, which under his cultivation has become productive, returning gratifying harvests an- nually.
On the 10th of April, 1889, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Salina Gadd, a native of Muskingum township and a daughter of Hiram Gadd. They have three children: Per- cival B., Ralph L. and Lee. The parents are well known in the locality where they have spent their entire lives, both being natives of this county, and their strong characteristics are those which command regard and win friendship. Mr. Miller gives his political support to the democracy.
WESLEY EVANS.
Wesley Evans, who is successfully engaged in general farming in Falls township, was born in Dresden, Muskingum county, May 1, 1844, and is decended from an old Pennsylvanian fam- ily. His father, Eleazor Evans, was born in Zanesville, April 18, 1815, and was a son of Da- vid Evans, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania and who served his county as a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a brick moulder by trade, learning the business in early life. He married Miss Mary Wells and they came to Zanesville, casting in their lot with its early settlers and as- sisting in its early development along progres- sive lines that have been factors in its later growth.
Eleazor Evans pursued his education in the public schools and was reared in McConnelsville, Ohio, witnessing the county's transformation as it emerged from primitive conditions and took on the appearance and advantages of a modern civ- ilization. He followed the occupation of farm- ing. first living south of Zanesville and later in Wayne township, selling his products in the Zanesville market for twenty-five years, and he experienced no difficulty in obtaining customers because of the excellence of all the cereals and vegetables which were produced on his farm.
He wedded Miss Mary Ann Simms, who was born in Virginia and now, at the age of ninety years, is living with her son Wesley. Her father, Oliver Simms, died at the very advanced age of ninety-three years. He came to Muskin- gum county at the age of twenty years and for seventy-three years resided within its borders, be- ing one of its well known and honored pioneers. Eleazor, a life-long resident of this part of the Eleazor Evans, a life-long resident of this part of the state, died at the age of seventy-seven years. His political allegiance was given the republican partv and he was a Baptist in religious faith.
Wesley Evans was educated in the public schools and in his youth was instructed in the best methods of tilling the soil and harvesting. crops, so that when he began farming on his own account experience well fitted him for the busi- ness duties which devolved upon him. His father purchased the home farm in 1855 and Mr. Evans of this review has since resided thereon, tilling the fields from year to year and annually har- vesting good crops. His labors were interrupted when in 1862 he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting September 1. 1862, in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Infan- try, under Colonel Ball. He was honorably dis- charged at Columbus, at the close of the war in 1865, after having participated in the battles of Winchester, Front Royal, Kelly Ford, Brand Sta- tion, Pine Run, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania. Gaines Mills, Cold Harbor, Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, Monocacy, Charleston, Smithfield, Winchester, Flint Hill, Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek. At the battle of Mine Run he was struck in the head by a ball but was not injured.
Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Hannah T. Reeves, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joseph Reeves. Eight children have been born of this union : Charles, who is living in Alabama ; Mary ; Emma: Ross; Eunice; Eliza: John; and Cora G., who died in infancy. The family home is situated about four miles northwest of Zanesville, on the Licking river, and there Mr. Evans owns and operates one hundred acres of land. On the farm is good fire clay and fine molding sand, which he ships to all parts of the United States, employing from three to seven men in the de- velopment of this branch of his business. In his farming operations he is also successful and his business affairs are well managed, for he is a man of sound judgment and keen discernment, whose enterprise has enabled him to build up an excellent business and secure a desireable prop- erty. His home is a nice two-story residence which, standing on a hill, commands an excellent view of the surrounding country.
Mr. Evans is a republican, a Baptist and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic ---
WESLEY EVANS.
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relationships which indicate his views on the great issues before the country, his former as well as present loyalty to the government and the upward trend of his character development.
GEORGE W. SLATER.
George W. Slater, having reached the eighty- fifth milestone on life's journey, is now living retired, renting his land. He was at one time closely associated with stock-raising interests and his entire career has been characterized by un- tiring activity and diligence and now in the even- ing of life there is vouchsafed to him in recog- nition of his former labor a well carned rest. Few men have broader knowledge of the history of the county than he, for he is one of her native sons, and therefore has for eight and a half dec- ades been a witness of the events which have oc- curred here. He was born February 2, 1820, in Adams township, his parents being Anthony and Susannah ( Vinsel) Slater. His father was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, about eight miles from Harper's Ferry, on the 2d of October, 1789, and acquired his education in the common schools. He became a soldier in the war of 1812, enter- ing the service on the day on which the British burned the capitol at Washington. He was in Baltimore during the attack and siege of that city and at Fort Henry he acted as one of the advance guards of the American army when the British landed there. In 1816 he came to Ohio with his wife and family, first locating on a farm five miles north of Zanesville, on the Adamsville road. There he lived for about a year, after which he purchased land in Adams township, where he and his wife remained until called to their final rest. They were pioneer settlers of the neighborhood, having no neighbors nearer than three or four miles, and their nearest mill and postoffice were at Zanesville, eighteen miles distant from their home. They were the first permanent settlers in the territory now included in Adams township, but then a part of Monroe township, but in 1824. Adams township was
formed of parts of Monroe and Madison town- ships and was named in honor of John Quincy Adams. Mr. Slater assisted materially in the early development of the county and planted the seeds of future growth and progress. He was the first justice of the peace of his township and held that office for twenty-one consecutive years, his decisions being strictly fair and im- partial. He was also a candidate for county com- missioner on the democratic ticket, but the whigs carried the county that year. On the 3d of July. 1878, his wife died at the advanced age of eighty-five years. They had been married for sixty-six years and had resided in one place for
sixty-one years. Both were consistent members of the New Hope Lutheran church and lived earnest Christian lives. Mr. Slater was a man of superior intelligence and remarkable memory, retaining his mental vigor unimpaired to the last, and also his physical faculties were those of a man in his prime up to within two years of his demise.
George W. Slater acquired a common school education and was early trained to the arduous labor of developing a new farm. He was in- structed in the value of integrity and industry in the active affairs of life and those qualities have always been manifest in his career. He continued upon the old farm homestead until twenty-nine years of age, when he bought a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Highland township, on which he lived for six years, after which he pur- chased the farm that is now his home, making it his place of residence throughout the interven- ing period. He sold his farm in Highland town- ship in 1868, but he still owns five hundred and seventy-five acres of valuable land and other property, being one of the extensive landholders of the county and a very prosperous man. He dealt largely in stock in former years and to that branch of his business largely owes his success. Now renting his land, he is living retired, enjoy- ing the fruits of his former toil.
On the 14th of December. 1848. Mr. Slater was married to Miss Mary Wenner, who was born in Muskingum county, in 1828, and is a daughter of Solomon and Malinda (Wertz) Wenner. The father was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, and subsequent to his removal to Alus- kingum county was married in Salem township. at which time he settled in Fultonham, about ten miles from Zanesville. There he worked at the trades of carpentering and cabinet-making. and in 1836 he came to Adams township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. Establishing his home upon that farm it con- tinued to be his place of residence until he was called to his final rest. He and his wife were devoted members of the Lutheran church, tak- ing a helpful part in its work and for several years he served as superintendent of the Sunday school. He died in 1852, and his wife passed away in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Slater became the parents of seven children, of whom six are living : Solomon O., who is a farmer and stock dealer of lowa: Frances, the wife of Samuel Mekce, of Monroe township: Howard, who is conducting a ranch in Nebraska : Carson. deceased ; Cidna, liv- ing at home ; and Susan, who resides in Loudoun county. Virginia. The wife and mother died in 1860. and Mr. Slater has ever remained true to her memory. never marrying again.
Politically Mr. Slater has been a republican since the organization of the party and he served
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
as county commissioner from 1861 until 1867. He has also been township treasurer and trustee and in the discharge of his duties is ever prompt, accurate and faithful. He belongs to the Grange and to the Lutheran church, and in a review of his history it is seen that his life has been an exemplification of honorable principles and strong manly purpose and now in the evening of life he receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has advanced far on the journey. He is honored by young and old, rich and poor, and is one of the prominent resi- dents of his native county.
WILLIAM G. LAWHEAD.
William G. Lawhead, a horticulturist and gardener, was born July 14, 1860, on the farm which he now owns and occupies in Wayne township. He represents one of the old and honored pioneer families of the county, the name of Lawhead having figured in connection with the substantial improvement of the county from an early day. The grandfather, William Law- head, Sr., was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, and came to Ohio about 1825. In the early days he engaged in freight- ing between Zanesville and Baltimore, Mary- land, for railroad transportation had not then been inaugurated. Following his marriage he located in Springfield township, Muskingum county, where he carried on farming for a year and then removed to Wayne township, where he first rented land. Later, however, he bought the farm of one hundred and eighteen acres upon which William G. Lawhead now resides, and to its cultivation and development devoted his energies for many years, making it his home until his death at the age of eighty-two years. He prospered in his undertakings, becoming one of the men of affluence in his community. His political support was given the democracy and he was a member of the Baptist church. He was married in Ohio to Miss Rebecca Saffer, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1806, and they had three children : Catherine, the wife of O. P. Spangler, of Zanesville; George W. ; and Cynthia, the deceased wife of Henry Spangler.
George W. Lawhead was born November 23. 1830, about a mile south of the home of William G. Lawhead, and throughout his entire life fol- lowed farming in Wayne township. He died at the age of seventy-two years, while his widow is now living at the age of seventy-two, mak- ing her home with her son William. She bore the maiden name of Martha A. Wiles, was born in Springfield township, and is a daughter of
Samuel Wiles. He was superintendent of the county infirmary from 1848 to 1856, and then removed to Zanesville, where he engaged in merchandising for eleven years. At the end of that time he was again appointed superintendent of the infirmary and died there October 3, 1867, at the age of fifty-nine years. His wife died in 1888, aged seventy-six years. Both were na- tives of Fairfax county, Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Lawhead became the parents of four children : Frankie, the wife of A. S. Shipps, of Wayne township; William G .; Mary C., deceased ; and Mrs. Inez G. Farley, of North Dakota. In his political views the father was a democrat and was called upon to fill several township offices, the duties of which he discharged with prompt- ness and fidelity.
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