Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 72

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 72

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Mr. Stonesipher at once returned to Zanes- ville, where he has since been an active repre- sentative of the legal profession, being accorded a large and important clientage that has con- nected him with the leading litigation in the courts of his district. He has somewhat special- ized in his practice, preferring certain depart- ments of legal work. He is, however, well in- formed concerning all the different branches of jurisprudence and has been a close and discrim- inating student of his profession since leaving college. In 1887 he was elected prosecuting at- torney of Muskingum county and four years la- ter, in 1881, he was nominated for probate judge, but his party generally met defeat in that year and Muskingum county elected the opposite ticket by a considerable majority. Mr. Stone- sipher, according to the returns, was defeated by only three votes and an election contest resulted. After much delay the certificate was awarded his opponent. Though later offered another nomina- tion for the same position, he declined and has since refused to be a candidate for election in political office.

In 1876 Mr. Stonesipher was chosen one of the directors of the Zanesville B. C. & M. Company, the board of directors of which are trustees of the funds belonging to the estate of John Mc- Intire. He has been re-elected each year since. In April. 1876, he assisted in securing the Zanes- ville Atheneum, a private corporation organized in 1827 and owning a library in Zanesville. a contribution from the McIntire funds, whereby the privileges of the library and reading room were secured to certain children in the public schools. This arrangement continued until June. 1904, when the library was given entirely to the board of education of Zanesville, thus becoming a city institution. Mr. Stonesipher became a di- rector in the Atheneumn in 1876 and so continued until 1904. while in 1889 he accepted the position of secretary and treasurer, which he held at a nominal salary until the library was placed in safe hands for its continuance for the benefit of

JOHN R. STONESIPHER.

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the city at large. He was also one of the first board of trustees of the John McIntire Childrens' Home, assisting in the organization of that char- itable corporation, aiding, as far as possible. in the planning and building of the home. which was erected from funds of the McIntire estate. The master spirits at the inception of this insti- tution were Hon. C. C. Russell and Hon. M. M. Granger. Since 1880 Mr. Stonesipher has served without compensation in connection with the very able and efficient members of the board as a trus- tee of this home.

Mr. Stonesipher has been connected with a number of other companies and associations of the city, developing its material and intellectual progress and its activity along benevolent as well as business lines. He mentions his relations with one organization with some humor as making him coincide to some extent with the career of Lewis Cass. General Cass, who was governor of Michigan, cabinet minister and candidate for president in 1848, was a member of the bar of Zanesville and was prosecuting attorney here from 1804 until 1812 and was also master of Amity lodge, No. 5. A. F. & A. M., and these various positions have all been held by Mr. Stone- sipher.

S. FRANK VINSEL.

S. Frank Vinsel is owner of a good farm of eighty acres four and a half miles from Adams- ville and in addition to the operation of this place he cultivates his father's farm. He was born July 23, 1851, his parents being George H. and Elizabeth ( Wenner) Vinsel. His paternal great-grandfather, John Vinsel, was of German lineage and for many years followed farming in Loudoun county, Virginia, where he married a Miss Huff, also of German descent. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was always loyal and progressive in citizenship. He be- longed to the Lutheran church and died in that faith when sixty-five years of age. His children are: John, Adam, Philip, George, Solomon, Kate, Polly, Eva and Susan.

John Vinsel, Jr., grandfather of S. Frank Vin- sel, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, and learned the blacksmith's trade in early life. He married Miss Mary Foley and both were mem- bers of the Lutheran church. His death occur- red when he was fifty years of age. The chil- dren in his family were: Harriett, Eliza, Ma- tilda, John H., Thomas W. and George H. The last named, also a native of Londoun county, Vir- ginia, was born August 24, 1824. and spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon his fath- er's farm. He was twenty-five years of age when

he came to Ohio and it was in Adams township. this county, on the 22d of August, 1850, that he wedded Elizabeth R. Wenner, who was born March 9, 1832, a daughter of Solomon and Ma- linda ( Wertz) Wenner. Her father was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, and was married in Salem township, Muskingum county, after which he settled at Fultonham, about ten miles from Zanesville, there following the trade of carpen- tering and cabinet-making. In 1836 he pur- chased and removed to the farm now occupied by George Vinsel, making it his home until called to his final rest. He and his wife were active and prominent members of the Lutheran church, in which he long served as Sunday school super- intendent, while his political support was given to the whig party. His children were: Peter F., who died in infancy ; Mary C., and Elizabeth R. Mr. Wenner died in 1851 at the age of fifty years.

George H. Vinsel, following his marriage, lo- cated upon a farm in Adams township, where he yet lives and he has since added to his property until he has good realty holdings. He votes with the democracy, has served as township trustee and treasurer and as a member of the school board, and while acting as road supervisor did much to improve the roads in this part of the county. He and his wife hold membership in the Lutheran church. Their family numbered eleven children : Solomon F., a farmer of Adams township, born July 23, 1851, wedded Mary M. Bainter and had five children ; John W., who was born August 28. 1853, and is a carpenter of Adams township, married Maggie Stewart and has two children ; Mary M., born October 22. 1855, is the wife of Samuel Hanks, a farmer of Adams township; William Kirk, born May 17. 1858, died February 10, 1868: Martha A., born April 17, 1860, is the wife of Henry Buker, of Monroe township; Albert R., born August 24. 1862, and now following carpentering, married Etta Davis; Curtis O., born June 14, 1865, mar- ried Lillie M. Jackson and is a contractor of Zanesville; Valley A., born October 18, 1867, is the widow of Spencer Jordan, who was a farmer of Adams township: George T., born December 4, 1870, Alvy A., born August 23, 1873, and Bertha V., born July 26, 1876, are the younger members of the family. Mrs. Vinsel is still liv- ing upon the old home farm, upon which her birth occurred.

S. Frank Vinsel pursued his education in the Young America school and worked with his father until twenty-five years of age, when he removed to his present home, purchasing the land from his father on the 2d of April, 1900. He owns here eighty acres, pleasantly and conven- iently situated near the Fairview church and about four and a half miles from Adamsville.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

He carries on general farming and stock-raising and also operates his father's farm and in his work he is progressive and enterprising.

On the 15th of November, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Vinsel and Miss Mary M. Bainter, who was born July 31, 1856, a daugh- ter of John B. and Margaret (Gaumer ) Bainter. Her father was born March 7, 1809, and her mother October 27. 1813, both in Muskingum county. Her grandfather, Adam Bainter, was born March 8, 1784, and her great-grandfather, Godfrey Bainter, came from Germany to Amer- ica, settling where the town of Dresden now stands. Adam Bainter afterward removed to Monroe township, where he owned a farm of two hundred acres, on which he reared his six children. John B. Bainter was educated in Mon- roe township and after leaving school engaged in merchandising in Coshocton county for some time, but later turned his attention to farming. He died in Monroe township, April 25, 1890, at which time he was the owner of a valuable tract of land of two hundred and ninety-five acres. He left eight children, of whom the following are now living : Charles W., a resident of Portland, Oregon; Jacob H .. of Salem township; A. A., of Monroe township; Mrs. Catherine Norwin, who is living in Iowa; John H., who makes his home with his brother Jacob; Rachel C., who resides in lowa; and Mrs. Vinsel. The mother of these children died November 4, 1885.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Vinsel was blessed with six children, but they lost their first born, George C., whose birth occurred November 12, 1878, and who died January 9, 1892 ; Clyde, born November 12, 1878, is living in Zanesville ; Roy, born December 22, 1880, resides at Zering, Iowa ; Luta, born July 25, 1883, Otto B., February 12, 1886, and Paul Glenn, August 18, 1891, are at home. The parents hold membership in the Luth- eran church and are interested and active in its work. Mr. Vinsel is also a member of the Grange, and in politics he is a democrat. He served as township trustee, was assessor for two years and has also been school director. Active and influential in community affairs, his influence is ever on the side of progress, reform and in- provement.

JAMES E. WIGTON.

James E. Wigton is the owner of an excellent farm near Roseville, on which is found coal and pottery clay. It was upon this farm that he was born, April 12, 1858. His paternal grand- father, Joseph Wigton, was numbered among the many citizens of foreign birth who have emi- grated to this country and by their industry and good management have become wealthy and in-

fluential members of society. He was a native of Ireland and leaving that country when a young man crossed the Atlantic to the new world. On first coming to Ohio he located in Perry county, where he followed his trade of tailoring, which he had learned on the Emerald Isle. He after- ward removed to Fultonham, Muskingum coun- ty, which place was then called Uniontown, and there he continued to work at his trade for some time. He settled on a quarter section of land adjoining Roseville and at once began to make improvements. His farm at that time was cov- ered with a dense growth of timber, but within a comparatively short period he had worked a notable transformation, clearing away the trees and plowing the fields. He made a permanent home upon that place and in the years of his active business career developed an excellent farm. He came to this country alone and empty- handed and what he gained in the way of this world's goods came to him as a legitimate result of his indomitable energy, strong purpose and laudable ambition. He died in 1859, when eighty years of age. He was married in Rushville, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Porter, and unto them were born eight children, namely : William, John, Mary, Jane, James and Nancy, all deceased; Samuel, and Carson. The father died in 1859, when eighty years of age, and his wife passed away in 1831, when about forty years of age. Following the death of his first wife, Joseph Wigton was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Rose, and they had one child, Martha.

Carson P. Wigton, father of our subject, was born in this county. He was a farmer, follow- ing that occupation throughout his entire busi- ness career. He married Miss M. Crooks, a na- tive of this county, and their children are as fol- lows: Augusta. deceased ; Arthur, who is living in Texas; James E .; Walter, who also resides on the farm, being a half owner in that prop- erty ; Maggie, deceased ; and Mrs. Lizzie Bash, of White Cottage. this county.

James E. Wigton has spent his entire life upon the farm which is yet his home. Here he was reared and early became familiar with the best methods of cultivating the fields and caring for the crops. He is now associated with his brother. Walter C. Wigton, in the ownership and oper- ation of the home place. They now have one hundred and forty acres of land devoted to gen- eral farming, and thirty acres of their land is underlaid with coal beds, to which mines have been dug, while the product thereof is sold at Roseville. There is also pottery clay upon the farm and altogether, this is a very valuable and desirable property.

On the 3Ist of March, 1883, Mr. Wigton was united in marriage to Miss Alice Price, a native of this county and a daughter of William Price.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

They have one child, Nettie. Their home is a nice two-story frame residence situated within the corporation limits of Roseville, for their farm adjoins the town. Their home is a hospitable one and the family enjoys the friendship of many of Roseville's best citizens. Mr. Wigton has served as a member of the city council for two terms, to which position he was elected on the democratic ticket. Local affairs are a matter of deep interest to him and his concern in the pub- lic welfare is manifest in his active co-operation in all movements which he deems will prove of public benefit.

JOHN W. STEWART.

John W. Stewart owns and operates one hun- dred and twenty-eight acres of land in Adams township and was born upon this place, April 22, 1859, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth (Saffle) Stewart. His father, a native of Ireland, was born May 30, 1822, and died September 8, 1864, while his mother, who was born in Adams township, September 28, 1829, died July 30, 1893. Her parents were from Virginia. Henry Stew- art came to Muskingum county with his parents in his early boyhood days and afterward en- tered land from the government, upon which his son John W. now resides. He owned two hun- dred acres of land and his knowledge of agri- cultural interests, his untiring industry and his business discernment enabled him to develop ai excellent farm. His political views accorded with republican principles and he served as justice of the peace for several years, being a capable of- ficial whose decisions were strictly fair and im- partial. In the family were two children, the daughter being Maggie A., the wife of John W. Vinsel, of Adams township.

John W. Stewart acquired a common school education and resided upon the home farm in his youth. He was married in February, 1882. to Rachel A. Barrett, who was born in Muskin- gum county, January 24, 1859, and is a daughter of Thomas and Lucinda (Gabriel) Barrett. Her father was born in Muskingum county, June 21. 1827, and died March 14, 1897. His wife, who was born October 14, 1829, passed away January 30, 1901. She was a daughter of John Gabriel, who came from Loudoun county, Virginia, to Ohio in 1820, and settled in Adams township. where he entered one hundred and sixty acres from the government. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon this place, but with characteristic energy he began culti- vating his farm. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church and he was an active supporter of the whig party. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have become the parents of four

children : Maud, who was born October 27, 1882, married Otto Wohlheter and is living at home ; Alta May, born October 7, 1884, was ed- ucated at Concord and is now engaged in teach- ing school ; Henry Merrill, born May 2, 1889, and Carrie Gertrude, October 10, 1894, are at home.

Throughout his entire life John W. Stewart has carried on agricultural pursuits and the prac- tical experience which he gained in youth has proved of much value to him in his later years. He has added modern accessories and improve- ments to his farm and now has a well developed property, everything being attractive in appear- ance because of the care and labor which he bestows upon the place. He votes with the re- publican party and for three years he has served as township trustee. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and also of the Pa- trons of Industry and he and his wife and three of their children hold membership in the Fair- view Methodist Episcopal church. He has al- ways lived in Muskingum county and is one of the class of native sons who, having always re- mained in the county, prove the attractiveness of this part of the state as a place of residence and also indicate its natural resources and the ad- vantages which it offers to its citizens.

VICTOR BURNSIDE STUBBINS.

Victor Burnside Stubbins, master mechanic for the Ohio River & Western Railroad, at Zanes- ville, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1843. His father, Charles Stubbins, was a native of Pennsylvania and removed from that state to Baltimore, Maryland, where he was employed at clerking in a mercantile house. He was killed, however, on the railroad when his son Victor was only twelve years of age. The mother bore the maiden name of Jane Burnside and was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. There were two children, but Maurice, his brother, died in 1895. in Grafton, West Virginia.

Victor B. Stubbins, having obtained his educa- tion in the schools of his native state, afterward learned the machinist's trade there and in the Baltimore & Ohio shops at Mount Clair, Mary- land, serving a full apprenticeship. In 1863 he entered the United States navy as engineer on the Commodore Perry, a United States gun- boat, and was in active service on that vessel for eight months, with the James River flotilla, then went on the monitor Sangamon as engineer and after serving in that capacity for eight weeks was transferred to the flagship of the Southern Pacific squadron. He was on the United States steamer Powhatan for a year and he resigned in Calco harbor with the expectation of joining the

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Chilian navy, but on account of war he did not get the position he anticipated and in consequence returned to Baltimore. Later he worked in the shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and when that line purchased the Central Ohio Rail- road he began work in the machine shops in the eighth ward at Zanesville as a machinist, re- maining there for twenty years, or until the shops were removed to Newark. At that time, seventeen years ago, he entered the employ of the Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati Railroad, now the Ohio River & Western Railroad Com- pany, and was machinist until fifteen years ago, when he was made master mechanic, in which position he has since capably served.

Mr. Stubbins was married in Zanesville in 1867 to Miss Rose Thermont, who was born in Zanesville, and they have four children, all na- tives of this city: Rose, Sumner, Clarence, and Gretchen. They also lost their eldest child, Clara, who died in early girlhood. Mr. Stubbins has always voted with the republican party, and while faithful to its interests, he has never sought or desired office, his business affairs making full claim upon his time and attention. That he is worthy of responsible positions is indicated by the fact that he has long continued in various services, having for fifteen years acted as master mechanic of the road which he now represents.

WILLIAM H. BLANEY.

Everywhere in our land are found men who have worked their own way upward from hum- ble beginnings to leadership in the commerce, the great productive industries, the management of financial affairs, and in controlling the veins and arteries of the traffic and exchanges of the coun- try. Prominent among the self-made men of Ohio is William H. Blaney, a man honored. re- spected and esteemed wherever known, and most of all, where he is best known. He is now con- trolling extensive mining interests and is also the owner of valuable real estate in Muskingum county. He was born November 28, 1858, in Meigs county. Ohio. his parents being Justice and Anna (Cope) Blaney. The father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was a potter by trade, being engaged in the manu- facture of what was called red ware. He came to Ohio in 1856 and continued to engage to some extent in business as a potter, manufacturing small pieces of ware by hand. He wedded Anna Cope, a daughter of Joseph Cope, who was a minister of the Society of Friends or Quakers. The family resided in Pennsylvania, and none of the representatives of the family save Mrs. Blaney came to Ohio. Unto the parents of our

subject were born eight children; Edith L., who is the wife of Robert Butcher, of Gloucester, Ohio, and the mother of twelve children : Joseph C., who has been married twice and has three children and makes his home at Rose Farm; Sarah, who died at the age of forty-two years; John, deceased, who married Nellie Doran, by whom he had one child; William, of this review ; Mary, who became the wife of Frank Judwin, a resident of Arkansas, and is the mother of two children; Mrs. Emma Tidwick, of Covington, Kentucky, who has two daughters; and Isaac, living in Steubenville, Ohio.

William H. Blaney was only fourteen years of age at the time of his father's death. He continued to make his home with his mother un- til twenty-five years of age. He afterward mar- ried Laura Leasure, who has passed away. There were six children by that marriage: Frank L., born November 27, 1884; Blanch, born Novem- ber 23. 1886; Elsie J., June 20, 1889; Lena, July 20, 1892; Ivol B., September 20, 1894; and Merle L .. September 25, 1897. For his second wife Mr. Blaney chose Jennie Prescott, a daugh- ter of Robert Prescott, who was born in Ohio, and was a son of Robert Prescott, Sr., a native of Ireland.

Mr. Blaney is a self-made man in the truest sense of that term. His educational privileges were limited and he had no financial assistance yet through his own labor and perseverance he has risen unaided from a humble position to one of affluence. He entered upon his business ca- reer as a coal miner, working with pick and shovel, and after he had saved five hundred dollars from his earnings he embarked in mer- cantile pursuits, but within a few years he found himself two thousand dollars in debt. He then returned to the mine, where he again resumed work, being thus engaged until he had paid each creditor one hundred cents on the dollar. When this was accomplished he embarked in the coal business on his own account, leasing a mine which others could not make pay. He gave seventy-five dollars for this lease and this proved his starting point upon the upward grade. After working the mine for some time he disposed of it at a good profit, having himself taken out sixty carloads of coal. That he has prospered in his undertakings is indicated by the property holdings which he now has. He won twenty- five acres of land and a fine residence in Cannel- ville, and he also has about twenty-seven houses which he rents and which bring him a very grat- ifying income. He has extensive investments in mining properties and is now the president of the Walnut Hill Mining Company, which is capi- talized for fifty thousand dollars and of which J. P. Comminskey, of Detroit, is treasurer. This mine has just been equipped with machinery and

MR. AND MRS. W. H. BLANEY.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

employs between seventy-five and one hundred men, working eight-hour shifts. Mr. Blaney has just put in an electric light plant in order to light the mine and has recently closed a contract with the city of Cannelville to furnish city lights. He also owns stock to the amount of ten thou- sand dollars in the Duncan Run Coal Company, which is capitalized for sixty thousand dollars. He is general manager of this mine, which em- ploys about forty men, and he is also sole owner of the business conducted under the name of the Winchester Coal Company and employs about twenty men in the operation of the Oak Knob mine. He also owns and operates the Red Raven mines, employing ten men. The capacity of his mine at Walnut Hill is about four hundred tons per day. This is a part of vein No. 6, while Red Raven and the Duncan Run mines are on vein No. 7. Mr. Blaney certainly deserves great credit for the success he has achieved in his present position, which is in marked contrast to his surroundings in early youth. He has walked to the mine many a day in early life bare- footed over frozen ground, but success has at- tended his labors and to-day he is one of the most prosperous residents of Muskingum county. He has never had a strike at any of his mines and in fact has the warmest attachment and regard of his men for whom he ever has a kind word. He is always considerate and just in his treat- ment of others and moreover he has the ability that qualifies him for leadership. His men know- ing that they will ever receive fair treatment at his hands, give him their full respect and best services. He thoroughly understands every lit- tle detail connected with the mining business and is thus able to personally direct the labors of those who serve under him. His knowledge also enables him to know that each day his mine is being operated with profit and that the follow- ing day's labor will also be one of gain.

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 72

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