USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Zanesville > Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio > Part 73
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Mr. Blaney is a devoted and loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he be- longs to Roseville lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also Lexington chapter, R. A. M. In his political views he is a republican and has been honored with several local offices, serving as mayor and alderman of Cannelville, as postmaster at Dillon, as school director, justice of the peace and marshal. In his business career he has promul- gated and followed financial methods that have made his excellent success possible. He believes that the world should go forward and has done his full share toward moving it in that direction. He has always been willing to devote his wealth and energies to feasible undertakings that would increase the prosperity of his city and add to the comfort of its inhabitants. His life has been a success. He has accumulated a comfortable fortune and has used only such means as would
bear the closest scrutiny. Personally he is so- ciable, ever willing to accord to any one the cour- tesy of an interview. Although a man of wealth he is unostentatious in a marked degree and in this age, when anarchistic and socialistic doc- trines are inflaming the masses, the demeanor and actions of such men as he do more to quench the fire of envy and malice than all other means combined. His acts have during his life been such as to distinctively entitle him to a place in this publication, and although his career has not been filled with thrilling incidents, probably no biography in this volume can serve as a better illustration to young men of the power of in- dustry, honesty and integrity in insuring success.
JACOB C. DURANT.
Jacob C. Durant, practical, prominent and pros- perous in his farming operations, was born in Wayne township, April 22, 1844, and is de- scended from French ancestry. His paternal grandfather, George Durant, was a blacksmith in France and on emigrating to America he made his way into the interior of the county and pur- chased a farm of one hundred acres in Muskin- gum county, Ohio, about three miles from the present home of Jacob C. Durant. With char- acteristic energy he began the development and cultivation of his place and remained thereon un- til his death, which occurred when he was eighty- four years of age.
His son, Casper Durant, father of our subject, was born in France in 1806, within thirteen miles of Strasburg, and served in the French army under King Louis Philip. He came to America with his parents when thirty-five years of age, locating in Wayne township, and bought a farm adjoining his father's land. Later, however, he sold that property and removed to a farm within a mile of the present home of Jacob C. Durant. He married Miss Anna M. Christ, also a native of France and a daughter of Wendel Christ, who came to Muskingum county about 1833. when his daughter was twelve years of age. In order to provide for his family Mr. Durant always engaged in the tilling of the soil and as the years passed by he accumulated a comfortable com- petence. Politically he was a democrat, and re- ligiously a Catholic. He died at the age of sixty- seven years and his wife departed this life at the age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five are vet living, namely: Jacob C., George, John. Peter, and Mrs. Mary Ellerman.
Jacob C. Durant was reared upon the home farm until twenty-five years of age, working in the fields through the summer months and attend-
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ing school in the winter seasons. At the time designated he left home and was married to Miss Ellen Hinneour, who was born in Penn- sylvania, near Pittsburg. Seven children grace this marriage, all born in Wayne township, namely: Albert, William, Minnie, Levi, Frank, Theodore and Nettie.
After his marriage Mr. Durant operated the home farm until 1899, when he removed to his present place on the Muskingum river. Here he has nineteen and a quarter acres of fine land which is devoted to gardening and he produces annually a large quantity of fine vegetables that command high market prices when sold to the city trade. He has prospered in his undertak- ings, accumulating a desirable competence, and is classed with the substantial residents of his native township. To the religious faith in which he was reared he yet adheres, and he has also followed in the political footsteps of his father, giving his support to the democratic party.
SAMUEL F. O'NEAL.
Samuel F. O'Neal is one of the extensive land- owners of Muskingum county, having large hold- ings which represent a life of activity and energy and a fit untilization of the opportunities which have come to him since he started out upon an active business career. Virginia has furnished to Muskingum county many of its worthy citizens and among this number is Mr. O'Neal, who was born in Loudoun county, of the Old Dominion, April 25, 1832. He is a grandson of Con O'Neal, who was too young to join the army at the time of the Revolutionary war but participated in the "whiskey insurrection" of 1795 under General Washington in the movement which quelled the uprising in Pennsylvania. His brother, Ferdi- nand O' Neal, however, was in the American army, for seven years serving under General Washington in the war of independence. Con O'Neal married a Miss Powers, who had a brother, Robert Powers, in the Revolutionary war.
Thomas O'Neal, father of Samuel F. O'Neal, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, January I, 1797, and in early manhood wedded Miss Mary Iden. He came with his family to Muskingum county on the 15th of September, 1853, making the journey with carriage and wagons. They had five horses and were fifteen days upon the road. Mr. O'Neal located on a tract of land adjoining the farm now belonging to his son Samuel, be- coming owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land which he cleared and cultivated, placing it under a high cultivation. He was influential in community affairs and his efforts proved effective in promoting the general welfare. He served as
land appraiser from 1860 until 1870 and on many occasions was called upon to serve on the grand jury. He joined the whig party on attaining his majority and cast his ballot for Henry Clay. His death occurred in 1872 and his wife, surviving him for a few years, passed away in 1876. They were the parents of three sons and three daugh- ters and those yet living are : Con, who resides in Washington township and who for thirty-two years served as justice of the peace, proving a capable and popular officer ; Samuel F., of this re- view: Mrs. Sarah Bunting, who is living in Washington township ; Mrs. Eliza M. O'Neal, of Washington township; and Mrs. Celia H. White, of the same township.
Samuel F. O'Neal spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in the county of his nativity and pursued his education in the schools there. He also studied for a time in the schools of Adams- ville and Granville, Ohio, and later he engaged in teaching for seven years, being for two years of that time teacher of a district school near Zanes- ville. He first purchased land in 1863, becoming owner of part of the tract upon which he yet re- sides but as the years have passed and his finan- cial resources have increased he has extended the boundaries of his home farm until it now com- prises five hundred and seventy acres of land that is very rich and productive. His wife also owns a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres. Most of his property he has acquired entirely through his own efforts and his farm is the visi- ble evidence of a life of unremitting diligence, un- faltering perseverance and of keen business dis- cernment.
On the 3d of February, 1863, Mr. O'Neal was united in marriage to Miss Martha Wheeler, who was born in Adamsville, Ohio, October 23, 1834, her parents being Henry and Azuba ( Kirkpat- rick ) Wheeler. Her father came to Muskingum county in 1825 from Montgomery county, Mary- land. He was left an orphan when only twelve years of age and at that time was thrown upon his own resources to make his way in the world, so that whatever success he achieved was attributa- ble to his industry and economy. When he ar- rived in Muskingum county he had an ax that con- stituted all his possessions. He at once began cut- ting trees, making shingles and roofing barns and thus gained a start. Year by year he added to his property and his fortune ere his death had reached the sum of two hundred thousand dol- lars. Such a life record may be well taken as an example by others and should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who are dependent upon their own resources. The home of Mr. and Mrs. O'Neal was blessed with three children, of whom two are now living. Mar- cella V., born in 1867, pursued her education in the district schools at Concord and at Granville,
S. F. O'NEAL. (Taken at Cindad Juarez, Mexico, June 26, 1901 )
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Ohio, and is now living at home. Eugene F., born in 1871, completed his education in Denison Uni- versity, from which he was graduated with the class of 1896. He then entered upon the prac- tice of law in Zanesville in 1900 and is now an active and capable member of the bar there. He married Nora Bainter and is now living in Brigh- ton. William S., born December 25, 1865, was educated at Union College, was admitted to the bar in 1891 and secured a large clientage in Zanesville but his health became impaired and he died July 7, 1901.
For many years .Mr. O'Neal carried on general agricultural pursuits, tilling the soil, cultivating the fields and raising stock, but at the present time he rents much of his land and expects soon to retire from active business pursuits to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well eari.ed rest. He has carried on general farming, has been an extensive stock-raiser and in his busi- ness affairs has accumulated a very handsome competence. His farm is located about four and a half miles from Adamsville. Both Mr. and Mrs. O'Neal are members of the Baptist church, taking an active interest in its work. In 1864 he was elected clerk of his township and served for eight years but otherwise has held no public office. He has always been interested in general progress and improvement, however, and has been known as the champion of many measures that have pro- moted the public good. He and his wife are both of a liberal, generous disposition and kindly spirit, have given freely of their means to worthy pub- lic movements and have been found helpful friends to the poor and needy.
JAMES D. HUBBELL ..
The Hubbell family, of which James D. Hub- bell is a representative, traces its ancestry back to Wales and the American progenitor arrived in the new world in 1634. During the early coloni- zation of America the representatives of the fam- ily lived in Connecticut, whence later generations removed to New York. Charies R. Hubbell. father of James D. Hubbell, was born in the Em- pire state and with his parents removed to Steu- benville, Ohio, and afterward to Meadville, Penn- sylvania. At the latter place they built a boat and came to Zanesville, in June. 1833, by water. Charles R. Hubbell was a millwright by trade and for forty-five years was connected with the Cox Paper Mill. No higher testimonial of his capable service and fidelity could be given than the fact that he was so long retained in one employ. He (lied in 1894. at the very advanced age of eighty vears. He was long an exemplary member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities and
his early political support was given to the whig party, while later he became a radical republi- can, unfaltering in his advocacy of the party principles. He served as trustee of the water works and was a man straightforward and re- liable in all life's relations, standing high in pub- lic regard. In early manhood he wedded Mary Susanna Short, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, a daughter of John Short, who was a shoemaker. Her mother was a representative of the wealthy and prominent Stuck family, of Virginia, and was disinherited for marrying a + poor man. At a very early age Mrs. Hubbell was left an orphan. She came to Ohio in 1837, traveling by wagon, her first location being at Canton, Ohio, whence she made her way to Zanesville by canal and lived with the family of James Hatton. She was a member of the German Lutheran church and died in 1875, at the age of fifty-six years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Hubbell were born six children : Har- vey, a millwright of Zanesville; Joseph H., gen- eral superintendent of the Buckeye Brass & Iron Works at Dayton, Ohio; Cornelia E., deceased ; Charles E., who died in infancy; James D .; and Mary E., the wife of James R. Van Sant, of Zanesville.
James Davis Hubbell was born on Elm street in Zanesville, January 28, 1849, and after at- tending the public schools of this city was gradu- ated from the Chogull Business College. He learned the machinist's trade in the machine works of H. & F. Blandy, but their shop was burned in 1866 and he continued his apprentice- ship with the firm of Griffith & Wedge. In 1872 he began working as a millwright, which pursuit he followed until 1879, when he returned to the shops of Griffith & Wedge, there remaining until 1882, when he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was employed in a railroad shop for a year. He afterward spent a year in a forge shop and was master mechanic for the Chicago & Erie Railroad for two years. He then took full charge of the Queen City Forge Company and remained until 1806. after which he was connected with the Laidlow & Gordon Machine Company, at Ivorydale, Ohio. He was afterward with the Hess Spring & Axle Works, at Carthage, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and later remodeled the plant of the Canton Coal & Shaft Company. with which he was connected a year. On the expira- tion of that period he returned to Cincinnati and thence went to Connersville. Indiana, where he was employed in a tool factory, but after a few months again went to Cincinnati, working in the spring and axle factory. His next position was in Greenwald's machine shop and in April, 1001, he returned to Zanesville, entering the shop of Griffith & Wedge. which was remodeled un- dler his direction. He there remained until No-
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vember, 1902. He then connected himself with the Zanesville Mining Tool Company and built a shop at Putnam. In April, 1904. this was con- solidated with the Union Machine Works, and Mr. Hubbell took charge as general manager and superintendent, which is his present business connection. He is an expert machinist, having comprehensive knowledge of the business in principle and detail and is, therefore, well qual- ified to superintend the labors of others.
In 1879 Mr. Hubbell was married to Miss Emma M. Jones, of Cincinnati, and they have one son, James Davis, who was born in 1889. and is now attending school. Mr. Hubbell and family are members of the First Congregational church and he affiliates with the Masonic fra- ternity, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is well known in the industrial circles of this city and is recognized as one of the leaders in this line of business activity.
PETER C. SCHROYER.
Peter C. Schroyer, now deceased, spent his entire life in Muskingum county. His birth oc- curred in Salem township, on the 30th of July, 1839, and his parents were Christopher and Rosanna ( Werts) Schroyer, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. They came to Ohio about 1815 and cast in their lot with the early settlers of Muskingum county. Peter C. Schroyer was reared under the parental roof and was indebted to the country schools of Salem township for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He worked on the home farm in his youth and was early instructed con- cerning the value of industry, economy and in- tegrity as factors in the active affairs of life. He always followed farming and became the owner of a good tract of land which was well tilled and each year returned him good harvests.
On the 21st of November, 1860, Mr. Schroyer was married to Miss Sarah E. Winn, a daughter of James and Louisa ( Shaw ) Winn. Her father was a farmer by occupation and owned and operated four hundred acres of land which he placed under a high state of cultivation. He was regarded as one of the prominent and in- fluential citizens of his community, influential in public affairs, generous with his means to others less fortunate, and the champion of intellectual, social and moral progress. He voted with the democracy and was a loyal member of the Baptist church. His death occurred July 8, 1890, while his wife passed away in 1878. They were the parents of the following children : G. W .. J. D., Dolphin, Hiram, Marion, Mason, F. P., Martha,
Rose Ann, Mrs. Schroyer, Mary and Henrietta. Those still living are G. W., Marion, F. P. and Mrs. Schroyer. Mr. and Mrs. Schroyer had two children. The daughter, Flora O., who was born November 2, 1862, died in December, 1900. She had married H. N. Slater and she left one son, Charles W. Slater, who was born February 25, 1886. Charles Tilden Schroyer, born July 27, 1876, married Hilda Holmes and resides in Baltic, South Dakota. He completed a course in pharmacy in Columbus, in 1897, and was gradu- ated in medicine in 1898 and he is now devoting his energies to general practice as a physician and surgeon.
Mr. Schroyer continued to follow farming until March, 1902, when he was called to the home beyond. He was devoted to the welfare of his wife and children and was a loyal and helpful friend, and in the community where he lived he was held in high esteem. Mrs. Schroyer now makes her home about three miles from Adamsville, where she owns one hundred and eighty-five acres and she also has a tract near Adamsville, so that her realty holdings comprise two hundred and eighty acres. She superin- tends this property, which is devoted to general farming and stock-raising and upon the place she has seventy-five head of sheep, nineteen head of. cattle and thirteen hogs. There is also much fruit upon the place and altogether the farm is valuable and productive, being a good source of income and constituting one of the desirable properties of Salem township. Mrs. Schroyer's faith is indicated by her membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Schroyer was a member of the same church and also belonged to the Masonic order and the Grange. He took an active interest in public affairs and served as school director many years.
GEORGE W. BROWN.
The business interests of Roseville find a worthy representative in George W. Brown, who is conducting a grocery store in harmony with modern ideas of enterprise and commercial progress and also with the highest commercial ethics. He was born in this place, November 3. 1861, and is a son of James Brown, an old and prominent resident of Roseville, who was born in Ohio, January 15, 1821, upon the present site of the city of Steubenville. His great-grand- father, William Brown, and his grandfather, Joseph Brown, were both natives of Delaware and the latter served in the war of 1812. He married Miss Ann Kelly, a native of Delaware and a daughter of James Kelly, of the same state. Joseph Brown came with his father to Ohio
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in 1820 and located in Piqua county near what is now the city of Steubenville, where he fol- lowed farming until 1824, when he brought his family to Newton township, Muskingum county, here spending his remaining days. He reached the advanced age of eighty-four years and was long classed with the honored and representative pioneer settlers who contributed in large meas- ure to the improvement of the county. In politics he was a whig, interested in political questions and in all that pertained to the public welfare. The living members of his family are : William, who is now living in Michigan at the age of eighty-nine years ; James : Joseph, a resi- dent of Clay township, Muskingum county ; and Isaac and Jacob, both of whom are living in Nebraska.
James Brown never attended school because in pioneer districts the public school system had not been instituted but he educated himself, read- ing the books that he could obtain, and he added largely to his knowledge through observation and experience. Possessing an observing eye and retentive memory he became well informed for one who had no greater opportunities. He was reared upon his father's farm and in 1836 he went to Fultonham, where he worked in a mill. The year 1844 witnessed his arrival in Roseville, at which time he had a capital of fifty dollars, which he invested in a stock of merchandise, opening a store here. He continued business until 1885. long figuring as one of the leading and enter- prising merchants of the town. For the past twelve years he has been engaged in the furniture business, his stock of goods occupying a building two stories in height. He carries a carefully selected line of furniture such as is demanded by the varied tastes and his earnest desire to please his patrons, combined with his reliable business methods, has brought him success. In addition to his store he owns three residence properties in Roseville and also two farms, comprising two hundred and fifty-four acres of land. All that he possesses has come to him as a reward of earnest persistent labor, capable management and strict integrity in his business affairs. In politics he has long been a republican and in religious faith is a Methodist, taking an active part in church work. He was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Sowers, a native of this county and a daughter of George Sowers. He has six living children : David, Mrs. Sadie McCoy, John Mrs. Maggie Stombach, Joseph and George W.
In taking up the personal history of George W. Brown we present to our readers the life record of a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, who, like his father and grandfather has been an active factor in business life and has been a public-spirited citizen, ever found as the champion of progressive measures for the general
good. His education was acquired in the public schools of Roseville and he entered upon his busi- ness career as an employe in a tannery in 1879. In 1880 he accepted a clerkship and was thus largely connected with commercial pursuits until 1890, when he embarked in the grocery business on his own account and has since conducted his store, the neat and tasteful arrangement of which, together with his straightforward business deal- ing, has brought him a patronage which is very desirable.
Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Flora Briggs, whose birth occurred in Perry county, Ohio, and their union has been blessed with four children: Ada, Ray, Josephine and Emmet. Mr. Brown gives his political allegiance to the republican party and socially is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.
NOAH F. SWANK.
Noah F. Swank, who is engaged in general farming in Washington township, where his methods are progressive, was born in this town- ship, November 10, 1859, and is a son of Noah Swank, also a native of the same locality. His grandfather, George Swank, was born in Vir- ginia and at an early day traveled by wagon to Ohio, establishing his home in Muskingum county on the Adamsville road. He was one of the pioneer residents of the district and assisted in the early progress and improvement of his section of the state. As the years passed he pros- pered, becoming the owner of more than three hundred acres of land. He lived to a ripe old. age and was long regarded as one of the promi- nent and influential citizens of his community.
Noah Swank, father of our subject, was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life and aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He gained practical experience, however, that enabled him to successfully carry on farming for himself after he had attained his majority. He married Miss Elizabeth Black, a native of Pennsylvania, who lost her mother during her early girlhood. after which she came to Mus- kingum county with her aunt. Mrs. Betsey Dunn. Mr. and Mrs. Swank began their domestic life on what was long known as the old family home- stead and there they reared their twelve children. The father died at the age of seventy-two years in the faith of the Lutheran church, in which he had long held membership. His political views accorded with democratic principles.
Noah F. Swank, whose name introduces this record. is indebted to the Jackson school of Washington township for the educational privi- leges he enjoyed. When not occupied with the
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duties of the schoolroom he assisted in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting and he re- mained at home until he had attained his ma- jority, after which he started out in life upon his active business career. He worked on the railroad for seven months, at the end of which time he resumed farming operations and has since devoted his energies to general agricultural pur- suits. He purchased his present farm six- teen years ago, becoming the owner of thirty- eight acres, which tract is underlaid with a five- foot vein of coal. Because of this rich deposit he has opened a coal mine on his farm. He also raises good crops, producing the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, and he also has on his place a fine orchard containing one hun- dred and fifty-two fruit trees. He operates a threshing machine during the harvesting sea- son, has a cider mill upon his farm with a capacity of one hundred and twenty barrels of cider per day and his home is a nice two-story frame resi- dence, situated about three and a half miles from the courthouse in Zanesville. Everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance and he follows progressive methods of farming, using the latest improved machinery to facilitate his work.
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