Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 69

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 69

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Mrs. Margaret J. Howard was born June 24. 1837, upon her father's farm, which is now her property. At the usual age she entered the pub- lic schools and she not only mastered the branches of learning taught therein, but also under her mother's instruction, learned to perform the va- rious duties of the household, to weave and spin and to execute other tasks which fell to the lot of maidens of that day. She not only spun and wove the cloth, but also made the clothes for the members of the household. In her later years she cared for her aged parents, thus requiting them for their love and devotion to her in her girlhood days. She inherited forty acres of land from her father and by thrift and economy has added to her property, purchasing eighty acres additional of the old homestead of the other heirs. She now rents some of her farm and the remainder is operated under her direct super- vision.

On the 3d of October, 1883, Margaret J. Bell gave her hand in marriage to Joseph Howard,

of Hume, Illinois. She is a loyal and active mem- ber of the Methodist church, takes a helpful part in its work and in her life exemplifies its teach- ings. She is generous in her gifts to the poor and needy and she gave the money to purchase the bell for the new Fairview Methodist church, her name being cast into the metal. This bell was hung in October, 1891. Mrs. Howard joined the church when in her twelfth year and has since been one of its most faithful followers. Mary Hughes, a daughter of Edward and Nancy (Foster) Hughes, of Salem township, has spent fifteen years with Mrs. Howard and assists her in managing the farm.

GEORGE G. SPEED.

George G. Speed, following the occupation of farming in Falls township, is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Lincolnshire, Novem- ber 4, 1840, his parents being William and Anna (Roe) Speed. The father followed the occupa- tion of carpentering and came to the United States with his family when his son George was eleven years of age. They embarked on a westward- bound sailing vessel which after six weeks and three days dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. The family, however, did not stop in the eastern metropolis but came at once to Zanesville, Ohio, the year 1851 witnessing their arrival. Here the father followed his trade of carpentering for a number of years, being thus identified with building operations in the county at an early day. He afterward purchased a farm in Falls township and was interested in general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his demise, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. His farm is now owned by his son, At- wood Speed.

George G. Speed spent his early boyhood days in the land of his nativity and in that country ac- quired his early education which was afterward supplemented by study in Zanesville. He has followed farming throughout his entire life and in 1865 he purchased eight acres of land in Falls township, where for some time he engaged in gardening. When he came here at eleven years of age he began working for one dollar per month, and the first month's wages was given to his mother, who bought a pair of shoes for herself with it. Afterwards he worked twelve years and one day for Fred Grandy, never losing a day dur- ing that time. He made enough there to make a payment on the first piece of land he bought. Of the fourteen hundred dollars, which was the pur- chase price, he paid six hundred dollars down and cleared off the entire debt in two years. On selling that property he bought another tract of

GEORGE G. SPEED.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

twelve acres. He purchased his present farm in 1900 and is to-day the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, located on the New- ark road. He now has about twenty acres devoted to general gardening, while fifteen acres is tim- ber land and the remainder is devoted to the rais- ing of wheat and corn or is meadow land. He also raises some stock and altogether has a fine farm, well equipped and well supplied with mod- ern conveniences. There is an attractive house two stories in height and pleasantly furnished and the farm is conveniently located within a mile and a half of the city limits.

Mr. Speed was united in marriage to Miss Emma Porale, a native of Virginia, and unto them have been born seven children, all natives of Falls township and all yet living, as follows : Julia, Louis, Eva, Charles, Minnie, Emma and Walter.

Mr. Speed exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republi- can party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him as he prefers to devote his energies to his business affairs and the interests of his own home. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and he has that in- terest in public affairs which indicates a public spirited citizenship and an unfaltering devotion to his adopted country. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way for he started out in life with little financial as- sistance and has worked his way up entirely through his own efforts.

WILLIAM H. STOTTS.

William H. Stotts, well known as a leading stock-raiser, making a specialty of cattle and sheep, resides on a farm on section 21, Madison township. He was born in Washington town- ship, Muskingum county, April 14, 1841, his parents being William and Mary ( Swager) Stotts. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and about 1820 was brought by his parents to Muskingum county, where he acquired his edu- cation in the common schools of that early day. The greater part of his life was passed in Wash- ington township and in his youth he assisted in the arduous task of developing and cultivating a new farm. His father gave him forty acres of land, but ambitious to secure a larger farm, he worked persistently, energetically and earnest- ly until he was enabled to add to the original tract and the farm eventually comprised one hundred and seventy acres. He lived to be about seventy years of age, departing this life in 1880. His wife died in 1902, at the age of ninety-three years. In the family were eleven children, of whom nine reached mature years : Daniel, a resident of

Madison township; Hiram, of Illinois ; Valentine, who is living in Madison township; William H .: George W., who resides in Allen county, Ohio; John, whose home is in Putnam county, Ohio ; Delilah, the wife of George Bainter, of Zanes- ville; Lucinda, the wife of George Hittle, of Washington township; and Sarah, the deceased wife of Jacob Hittle.

In his youth William H. Stotts mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools of Washington township. He was reared to farm life and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. After attaining manhood he deter- mined to engage in the same pursuit on his own account, and has always carried on general farm- ing, being to-day the owner of a desirable place of one hundred and thirty-three acres on section 21, Madison township. Here he is engaged in the tilling of the soil and also in stock-raising. devoting most of his attention to cattle and sheep. His place is well improved with modern equip- ments and the farm indicates the careful super- vision of a practical and progressive owner.

Mr. Stotts was married in 1865 to Miss Mary C. King, a daughter of Hugh and Anna M. (Stoner) King, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania, but are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stotts had the following children: Lenora, the widow of J. Shirer, and now living with her father; Fannie, the wife of Howard King, of Madison township: Molly, the deceased wife of Joe Jameson ; and Ambrose, who is living at home.

Mr. Stotts is a democrat in his political views and for several years he served as supervisor, dis- charging his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He and his fam- ily are members of the Prospect Methodist Epis- copal church and occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move. Mr. Stotts has made most of his property through his own efforts and is a man of laudable ambition, strong purpose and indefatigable energy.

THEOBALD DIETZ.

Theobald Dietz, a well-to-do farmer of Wayne township, was born in Taylorsville. Muskingum county, December 17, 1846, and in his life record manifests many of the sterling qualities of his German ancestry. He is a son of Gotlieb Dietz. who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1812, and came to the United States in 1830, locating in what is now Philo, this county, where he worked on the river locks as a stonemason. He after- ward was employed on the government works and was thus closely associated with the work

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of public improvement. He was married in this county to Miss Caroline Young, a native of Ger- many, who came to the United States about 1830 with the family of Adrian Young, who was a farmer of Brush Creek township. When their son, Theobald, was nine months old, Mr. and Mrs. Gotlieb Dietz removed to Lowell, Wash- ington county, Ohio, and there he followed mill- ing for some time. In 1865 he took up his abode in Wayne township. Muskingum county, and purchased a farm which his son Theobald now owns. He then gave his time and attention to general farming until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-seven years of age. His wife departed this life when about seventy-two years of age. Both were members of the Ger- man Lutheran church and were people of the highest respectability.

Theobald Dietz pursued his education in Mus- kingum county, since which time he has carried on general agricultural pursuits. He started out in life on his own account when twenty-one years of age and he is now the owner of thirty-four acres in Wayne township, in addition to ten acres of the old home farm. This is fine bottom land. very arable and productive, and is devoted to gardening, his products finding a ready sale in the Zanesville market. His home is a commo- dious and attractive two-story brick residence. pleasantly situated one and a half miles southeast of the city on the river road.

As a companion and helpmate Mr. Dietz chose Miss Rebecca Galigher, who was born on the old Galigher farm in Wayne township, and they now have four children : Charles W., Frank B., Wilber T. and Elsie S. Mr. Dietz is a democrat and has filled the offices of trustee and justice of the peace, acting in the latter capacity for six years, while for five years he was township clerk. In 1900 he was a candidate for elector in the fifteenth district. In the performance of his public duties he has ever been prompt and reliable and his entire life has been in keeping with his membership in the Presbyterian church. He has worked earnestly and persistently, carefully con- trolling his business affairs, and has gained the success and prominence which always crown earnest and careful effort guided by sound judg- ment and characterized by business integrity.

JOHN H. MANGOLD.

John H. Mangold is the owner of the "Brook- side Dairy Farm," one of the largest and best farms in Washington township. The home place comprises one hundred and seventy-eight acres and his realty holdings aggregate four hundred and ninety-two acres, so that he is one of the

large landowners of the county. His birth oc- curred in Zanesville, April 17, 1841, his parents being Adam and Susan (Long) Mangold, both of whom were natives of Germany, born near Strausburg. They arrived in Zanesville in 1840, making the latter part of the journey by canal. The father was a cooper by trade and followed that pursuit in the county seat for a time but later removed to Perry township, where he pur- chased a small farm. His wife died when their son John was fifteen years of age and Mr. Man- gold departed this life August 7, 1881.

John H. Mangold remained on the old home- stead until sixteen years of age, when he started out upon an independent business career. His school privileges had been limited and later he added to his knowledge by attending night school. He first worked for Alexander Arm- strong and afterward learned the butcher's trade which he followed for eleven years, when he re- turned to the employ of Mr. Armstrong in Perry township, but the outbreak of the Civil war awakened his keenest interest and on the 22d of August, 1862, he put aside all business and per- sonal considerations, enlisting in Company F. One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, under command of Colonel Ball. He was promoted corporal October 6, 1864, and sergeant in February, 1864, and he was wounded at the battle of Opuquan, West Virginia, Octo- ber 19, 1864, by a ball in the right shoulder. after which he lay in the hospital for three months. He participated in twenty-seven engagements, in- cluding the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, Bloody Angle, Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg, and at the battle of Winchester, January 15. 1863, he was captured and sent to Libby prison. Two days later he was transferred to Belle Isle and after twenty-two days to Castle Thunder, where he spent two days and a night. when he was paroled. He received an honorable discharge at Columbus, at the close of the war and then returned to Muskingum county.

Mr. Mangold at once resumed the pursuits of civil life and was married to Miss Elizabeth Border, who was born in Perry township, July 19, 1847, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret ( McCurdy) Border, both natives of this county, the father dying at the age of eighty-two years, in the house in which he was born. His father, George Border, was born in Virginia and came to Muskingum county in 1810, locating one mile north of Sonora, where he entered land from the government. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mangold have been born nine children, all natives of this county, and the family circle yet remains unbroken. These are: Lula, the wife of Charles Reed, of Perry townhsip: Martha, the wife of Starr Dunn : Anna, the wife of F. Moore ; Charles, of California : William, a resident of Minnesota ;

MR. AND MRS. J. H. MANGOLD.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Harry, who is cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of his father's farm; Frank, who is pro- fessor of the dairy department of the State Uni- versity at Columbus, Ohio; Norwood F., who manages the home farm; and Mary, the wife of Harry H. Mason.

From 1867 until 1880 Mr. Mangold was en- gaged in shipping stock and in the butchering business, during which time he lived on the East pike in Perry township, after which he removed to his present farm in 1872. Here he owns one hundred and seventy-eight acres of rich and ara- ble land and he also has other land in the county. his possessions aggregating four hundred and ninety-two acres, making him one of the large landholders of the county. The home place is a splendidly improved property, indicating his pro- gressive spirit in its good equipments and sub- stantial buildings, while everything about the place is kept in an excellent state of repair.

In his political allegiance a republican, Mr. Mangold served as a director of the county in- firmary for three years and was its superintendent for ten years, at the end of which time, in 1899. he resigned. He belongs to the Lutheran church and his social relations are with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Elks. One is constant- ly reminded that "there is no excellence with- out labor," and the fine farm which Mr. Man- gold owns indicates a busy and active life. Start- ing out without capital he has worked his way steadily upward and indeed creditable, honor- able and commendable is the record of this self- made man.

PHILANDER S. CASTOR.

Philander S. Castor, a retired farmer and in- fluential citizen of Otsego, has in the course of an active career risen from a humble financial position to one of affluence and many chapters in his life history are such as awaken admiration and respect. A native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, he was born July 7, 1841, of the marriage of Benjamin and Sarah ( Phillips) Cas- tor, both of whom were natives of Allegheny county. The grandfather, Sampson Castor, was a farmer of Pennsylvania and Benjamin Castor, learned and followed the carpenter's trade, which he carried on in connection with agricul- tural pursuits. He also worked at tailoring to some extent and remained a resident of Penn- sylvania until about 1846, when he came with his family to Ohio, driving across the country in a wagon to Guernsey county. He settled in the vicinity of Cambridge, near the old pike, and later removed to a farm north of that city. Hle

first owned seventy acres of land, which he sub- sequently sold and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres. In 1849 he organized a party to go to California, having been attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast. After selling his farm, however, he changed his mind, and abandoned the trip. He then settled about ten miles north of Cambridge, where he pur- chased a farm of two hundred acres, on which he spent his remaining days, his death occurring about 1875. In his family were four sons and five daughters, and of this number two sons and three daughters are yet living, namely : P. S .; Theodore F., of Guernsey county, Ohio; Belinda, a resident of Guernsey county ; Mrs. Sarah Des- elm, of Cambridge, Ohio; and Mrs. Belle Baird, a resident of College Springs, Iowa.

P. S. Castor acquired his education in the pub- lic schools of Guernsey county, having been but five years of age when he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Ohio. In the summer months he worked upon a farm and continued to assist in the cultivation of his father's place until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when he joined the Union army in the fall of 1861. He was assigned to duty with Company A, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years, participating in all of the engagements of the regiment until the battle of Champion Hill, where he sustained a gunshot wound in the shoulder. The ball remains in his neck near the spine and he was incapacitated for further active service for some time. He was also taken prisoner and parolled, after which he was sent home, but later he was exchanged and returned to the army. He served in the hospital at Rome, Georgia, until the close of the war. His first engagement was at Fort Donelson, where fifteen thousand Confederate soldiers were cap- tured after a hotly contested engagement on the Ist of June, 1862. Following the close of hos- tilities Mr. Castor returned to Ohio, and again engaged in farming. He worked for the first year by the month and then purchased eighty acres of land, since which time he has carried on agricultural pursuits on his own account. On selling that property he bought one hundred acres in Coshocton county, and while living there his health became impaired so that he turned his attention to merchandising, which he followed for two years in Bridgeville, Ohio. On the ex- piration of that period he sold the store, and for two years engaged in shipping stock. While in Muskingum county for the purpose of buying stock he saw a farm of one hundred acres which was for sale. Believing this a good investment, he purchased it and it has since been in his pos- session. As the years have gone by and his finan- cial resources have made possible additional pur- chases, he has added to his land until his pos-

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sessions now aggregate two hundred and eighty acres. He also has a fine farm in Otsego, and he owns stock in the oil field, which has now become profitable. He rents his land to his son, while he is living retired, his extensive realty possessions returning to him a very gratifying income.

During the period of the Civil war Mr. Castor visited Muskingum county and was married here, in 1863, to Miss Sarah Worthing, who was born in Wales in 1844 and is a daughter of Richard and Sarah ( Ingram) Worthing. Her father came to this county in 1849, and soon afterward went to California, where he made some money. Subsequently he returned here and purchased a farm, ultimately becoming quite well-to-do through the careful conduct of his business in- terests. He is now living in Iowa at the age of eighty-four years, but his wife passed away about 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Castor have become the parents of three sons and three daughters: Ed- win, who is engaged in the undertaking busi- ness in Otsego, married Anna Walker, who died, leaving two children, and for his second wife chose Rose Ross ; Viola is the wife of Howard Buker, a practicing attorney of Zanesville; Seth T., who is associated with his father in the owner- ship of the old home farm, married Hattie Cow- den; Sarah Jane is the wife of Chester Hardy and resides upon a farm in Highland township: Franklin S. married Margaret Buker and lives on the old homestead ; and Effie L. is the wife of Guy Mossholder, a farmer, residing near Otsego.

Mr. Castor is a republican and has served as trustee and school director. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church of Ot- sego. His life has in a measure been quietly passed, and yet it has been crowned by successful accomplishment-the reward of industry and well directed activity. In business affairs he possesses sound judgment, seldom, if ever, making a mis- take in the matter of an investment, and as the years have passed he has prospered, becoming one of the wealthy agriculturists of the county and now living retired in the enjoyment of all the comforts that go to make life worth the living.

JARED C. BELL.

Jared C. Bell, who not only successfully car- ries on agricultural interests. but also contributes to the intellectual and moral development of the community by his active support of schools and churches, was born July 13, 1841, in Adams township and represents one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families of the county. His

parents were William and Rachel (Gaumer) Bell. His grandfather, John Bell, was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry and removed from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, following the oc- cupation of farming in both states. He married Miss Rachel Stillwell, a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch lineage. With his family he came to Muskingum county, settling on a farm in Adams township. He purchased his land from the original settler and although there was a small clearing on the place the greater part of the work of development and improvement fell to Mr. Bell. His original purchase comprised eighty acres and he also bought eighty acres on Wills creek, in Adams township, and eighty acres in Hocking county, Ohio, thus making judicious investment of his means until his property hold- ings were valuable and extensive. He lived to be seventy-eight years of age and through many years was a devoted member of the Fairview Methodist church, while his wife was a consist- ent and loyal member of the Baptist church at Adamsville. In politics he was a whig and he lived a quiet, unassuming life, but was widely recognized as a man of unfaltering industry and of upright character. His education was limited to instruction in reading, writing and arithmetic, but he made the most of his opportunities and as a farmer won a creditable prosperity. In the family were ten children: Elizabeth, Haley, John J., Mary A., William, Nancy, Catherine, Sarah, James and Amy.

William Bell, son of John Bell, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1809, and when a young man came to Mus- kingum county with his father. The trip was made in one of the old-fashioned wagons com- mon at that day. He had acquired a common school education and had been trained in all of the work of the farm. In this county he wedded Rachel Gaumer, a daughter of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Sturtz) Gaumer, her father being a great- uncle of the Hon. Daniel H. Gaumer, of Zanes- ville. Following his marriage William Bell settled on a farm now owned and occupied by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. John R. Bell. He en- tered eighty acres of land from the government and brought to bear his energy and activity in the development and improvement of this place. He was careful in expenditures, economical and industrious, giving his entire attention to his busi- ness interests without active co-operation in po- litical work and as the years passed he won creditable success. From time to time he pur- chased more land until he had six hundred and forty acres in one tract and in another farm had one hundred and seventy-three acres, so that his landed possessions aggregated eight hundred and thirteen acres, all in Adams township with the exception of fifty-three acres in Monroe

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

township. Both he and his wife held member- ship in the Lutheran church and he voted with the republican party and was a most stalwart advo- cate of the Union cause during the Civil war. He died January 30, 1876, at the age of sixty- seven years and is still survived by his wife, who is yet a hale and hearty woman, although now ninety-four years of age. Her mind is clear and bright and she is remarkably well preserved for one of her years. She makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Minnick, in Highland township. In the family were seven children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being : George W., Jacob I., Elizabeth C., John R. and Jared C.

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 69

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