USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Zanesville > Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio > Part 76
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Mr. Marshall has served as supervisor of roads but has never been active in his search for politi- cal preferment, desiring rather to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs which are con- stantly growing in volume and importance, win- ning for him a place among the representative farmers of Falls township.
WILLIAM C. WILSON.
William C. Wilson, now well advanced in years. having passed the eight-first milestone on life's journey, is one of the oldest native sons of Mus- kingum county still living within its borders, his birth having occurred here October 25, 1823. His parents were Mathew and Nancy ( Courtney) Wilson. The father came from Pennsylvania to Muskingum county and was married in Zanes- ville about 1820. He was a farmer by occupation and purchased a tract of land on Irish ridge. com- prising one hundred and sixty acres, to the devel- opment and improvement of which he directed his energies up to the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1862. His wife died about 1860.
William C. Wilson, the eldest in their family of nine chidren, pursued his education in one of the old-time log schools which were common at that
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day upon the frontier and although his educa- tional privileges were somewhat limited his train- ing at farm labor was not meagre and through experience, reading and observation in later years he added largely to his knowledge. He worked upon the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age, when he purchased a tract of land of one hundred acres in Coshocton county, Ohio, living thereon for forty years. During all that period he successfully carried on general agricul- tural pursuits, tilling the soil and cultivating the fields until annually he gathered good crops as a reward of his labors. In 1888, however, he sold the old home farm and bought sixty-two and a half acres of land in Jackson township, one mile north of Frazeysburg. Upon this farm he vet resides.
In 1844 occurred the marriage of William C. Wilson and Miss Mary Prior, who was born in July, 1824, and is a daughter of Frederick Prior. of Muskingum county. They became the parents of three children of whom one died in infancy. Nancy is the widow of Homer Stanmates and resides in Frazeysburg. She has three sons, all married. Mathew Wilson, who was born in 1850, married Miss Beck McCain, of Coshocton county, Ohio, by whom he has two sons, and he is now proprietor of a hotel in Newark, this state.
Mr. Wilson votes with the democracy, having long given his political support to the party as he deems the planks of its platform to be most in harmony with the principles of good govern- ment. He is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church and his life work has been in harmony with its teachings so that his career has been hon- orable and straightforward and in all his dealings with his fellow men there has been nothing that has reflected discredit upon his character. He is to-day one of the oldest native sons of the coun- ty, having for more than eight decades witnessed the changes that have occurred here as the log cabins have been replaced with substantial farm residences, the hamlets have grown into thriving towns and cities and the work of improvement has been carried forward along all lines of bene- fit to man.
GEORGE W. ADAMS.
George W. Adams and his father's family were among the earliest settlers of Muskingum county. Leaving the beautiful Virginia home in Fauquier county because of his strong abolition views and believing implicitly in the doctrine "that all men are born free and equal"-an idea which had few followers among Virginia slave-holders of that day-he gave his slaves their freedom and sought a new home in a state where men were not held in bondage and where thought was free.
George Willson Adams, the youngest child of George Adams, came with his father to Ohio in 1808, being at that time nearly eight years of age. They settled in Madison township and spent their remaining days in Muskingum county. About the year 1828 George W. Adams and his brother Edward built a large flouring mill at the place that became known as Adams Mills, this being the first enterprise of that character in all that section of the country. A little later they built another large mill near the town of Dres- den. These at once proved of inestimable value to the people of that locality for hitherto they had to go very long distances in order to have their grain ground into bread stuffs. The Adams brothers also engaged in merchandising in those days according to the primitive methods of the time, going east for goods which they shipped by canal to Ohio for there were then no railroads in this part of the country. They also shipped grain and flour by flatboat to New Orleans, George W. Adams often going himself by flatboats down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and returning to the north with provisions which were needed in the new settlement.
During the Civil war George W. Adams gave much of his means to help the cause of the north and to preserve the union of the states, for the united country was very dear to him and he re- joiced greatly in the triumph of the Union ar- mies. His public-spiritedness was also shown in the aid which he gave to the railroads, giving many miles of the right of way to both the Pan- handle and the Cincinnatti & Muskingum Valley railroad companies through his lands. He be- came a director of both railroad companies, acting in that capacity from the time of the building of their lines until his death. Together with sev- eral other prominent citizens he formed a stock company to build a suspension bridge across the Muskingum river near Dresden. When the other members of the company became fearful that the plan was not feasible and that they would lose money, George W. Adams built a bridge at his own expense, his nephew, George Copeland, be- ing the engineer. This was conducted as a toll bridge for a number of years and then he sold it to the county commissioners for one-third of the original cost to him. He gave most liberally to the Episcopal church at Dresden, of which he was for many years a member. He gave the ground on which the church and rectory were built besides contributing to the erection of both.
Mr. Adams was likewise prominent in political circles and at one time served as a member of the general assembly of Ohio. He was a man of marked influence, his fellow townsmen recogniz- ing the fact that the welfare of the county was very dear to him, and he also possessed a sound judgment and keen discernment in all business
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matters and in affairs relating to the progress and upbuilding of the county.
While actively concerned with many public in- terests Mr. Adams also capably conducted his pri- vate business affairs and for a number of years was one of the largest landowners and leading stock-raisers in central Ohio. As his financial resources increased he made judicious investment in land and had large and valuable farms which increased in value owing to the cultivation be- stowed upon them and because of the demand made for property by a constantly increasing pop- ulation.
Mr. Adams was twice married and passed away August 31, 1879, survived by his wife and seven children. The eldest, Anna, is now the wife of William Cox and resides upon the old homestead near Dresden. Mary Adams lives with her sister Anna. Elizabeth is the wife of Mordecai T. En- dicott and resides in Washington, D. C., her hus- band being rear admiral in the United States navy and recently appointed by President Roosevelt to the position of engineer on the Panama canal commission. Sophia resides in Zanesville with her mother. Charles W. is living in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jessie is the wife of Frank E. Hug- gins of Columbus. John J. Adams, living in Zanesville, is a well known attorney, who for- merly served upon the bench. Mrs. Adams re- sides at No. 1146 Maple avenue in Zanesville, where she has a beautiful home and although seventy-three years of age she is well preserved. The circle of her friends is extensive for like her husband she is esteemed by all who have known her. No history of Muskingum county would be complete without mention of the Hon. George WV. Adams, who was for many years a leading cit- izen of this part of the state. He was faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in rep- utation and his life's work touched many lines of activity that have proved of benefit in the upbuild- ing of the city and county.
JACOB I. BELL.
In taking up the personal history of Jacob I. Bell we present to our readers the life record of a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Muskingum county. He was born September 30, 1833, in Adams township, his parents being William and Rachel (Gaumer) Bell, while his grandparents were John and Rachel (Stillwell) Bell. John Bell was descended from Pennsylva- nia Dutch ancestry and removed from Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, settling on a farm in Adams township now owned by G. R. Bell. His wife, also a native of Pennsylvania, was of Scotch lineage. They became the parents
of ten children, Elizabeth, Haley, John J., Mary A., William, Nancy, Catherine, Sarah, James and Amy. Mr. Bell purchased land from the original settler on which was a small clearing. Later he added to the original eighty acres an equal amount in Adams township and also bought eighty acres in Hocking county, and through- out his entire life he followed general farming. being a man of marked industry, perseverance. and diligence. His educational privileges in youth were very limited but he made the most his opportunities as the years passed by. He held membership in the Fairview Methodist church, while his wife belonged to the Baptist church in Adamsville. Politically he was an old-line whig and his death occurred when he was seventy-eight years of age.
William Bell, father of Jacob I. Bell. was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, February 9, 1809, and came with the family to Adams township when a young man, traveling westward by wagon. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Rachel Gaumer, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Sturtz) Gaumer. Following his mar- riage Mr. Bell took up his abode on the land now owned by Mrs. John R. Bell, his daughter-in-law. He entered eighty acres from the government and at once commenced its cultivation and im- provement. As his financial resources increased he added to his property from time to time until he was the owner of eight hundred and thirteen acres, of which six hundred and forty acres was in one tract and all was in Adams township with the exception of fifty-three acres in Monroe town- ship. His political views accorded with republi- can principles and he was a stanch advocate of the Union cause in the Civil war. He died January 30, 1876, at the age of sixty-seven years. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. In their family were seven children, of whom two died in infancy, while the others are: George W., Jacob I., Elizabeth C .. John R. and Jared C.
Jacob T. Bell attended the common schools near his home and in the summer worked in the fields, assisting in the operation of the old home place until twenty-five years of age, when he removed to the farm upon which he now resides. He owns two hundred acres of land that is rich and arable and is conveniently situated about five and a half miles from Adamsville. Although he is now more than seventy years of age he is still active in the control of this property and is also associ- ated in business with his son. He carries on gen- eral farming and stock-raising. having good grades of cattle, horses and hogs upon his place.
It was on the oth of November. 1858. that Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Leah C. Hanks. who was born November 2, 1831. a daughter
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of Jerry Hanks. Her father was a farmer by occupation, was born in Virginia and became a resident of Adams township. Muskingum county, when it was a pioneer district, which he aided in reclaiming for the use of the white men. Mr. and Mrs. Bell had five children : Teresa A., who was born Septemebr 7, 1859, is living at home. Harvey A., who was born April 2, 1862. wedded Mary Gosser and lives at Wills Creek. Albert, who was born March 26, 1864, was mar- ried December 25, 1888. to Rose Edwards and died January 7. 1896. M. T., born August 31. 1858, married Anna Ermine and lives in Monroe township. Willard E., born May 14, 1873, is at home. The wife and mother died June 13, 1881. and her death was not only deeply regretted by her immediate family but by her many friends.
Mr. Bell votes with the democracy, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the dav and that he has the confidence and trust of his fellow townsmen is indicated by the fact that they retained him in the office of township trustee for twelve years. He is also a member of the Grange and he and his family hold membership in the Methodist church. There have been no startling events in the life nistory of Mr. Bell though in his entire career he has shown the traits of character which constitues a good citizen, a re- liable business man and a devoted husband and father.
H. H. ESCHMAN.
H. H. Eschman, proprietor of the only exclu- sive shoe store in Dresden, and also the owner of valuable farming interests in Muskingum county, was born May 29, 1848. in the town which is still his home. He is a son of Harmon H. and Fred- ericka (Schulte) Eschman, natives of Westphalia Germany, the former born in 1814, and the latter in 1818. Hoping to enjoy better business oppor- tunities in the new world than could be secured in his native country Harmon H. Eschman took passage on a sailing vessel, which, after six weeks landed at Baltimore. He then made his way to Cleveland and by canal continued his journey to Dresden, in which district he established his home.
H. H. Eschman pursued his education in Adams township and when sixteen years of age became an apprentice at the shoemaker's trade, working the first year for thirty-five dollars. He was thus employed for two and a half years, after which he returned to the home farm, upon which he spent six years. When that period had elapsed he established a shoe business in Dresden and since 1877 in connection with the same has con- ducted agricultural interests here. He now has
in his employ a shoemaker who has been with him for a quarter of a century. His is the only exclusive shoe store in the town. In 1879 he was the owner of property bordering on Main street for one hundred and eight feet. It was covered with a fine business block, but on the 26th of Oc- tober of that year a disastrous fire occurred and the entire block was destroyed, occasioning great loss to Mr. Eschman. He still owns, however, fifty-eight feet on Main street, on which has been erected two business houses and a fine hall. He also has a beautiful and attractive residence in Dresden and two fine farms in Madison township and his property interests represent his utiliza- tion of business opportunities, his close applica- tion and the outcome of his laudable ambition.
On the 6th of September, 1883, Mr. Eschman was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Little, the eldest daughter of James Little, now deceased. She was born December 31, 1854, and became the mother of two children but Frederika, who was born February 5. 1885, died April 26, 1890. The son, Karl, born June 23, 1891, completed a course in the Dresden grammar school and is now being educated in music, possessing much natural talent as a pianist. Mr. Eschman is a stanch advocate of republican principles, has served as a member of the board of education and also of the town council, and his efforts in behalf of the up- building and improvement of Dresden are far- reaching and beneficial. He and his wife hoid membership of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a gentleman of gemal manner and kindly disposition and owns a comfortable and attractive residence in Dresden, where in the midst of an interesting family he delights in entertaining their inany friends.
REUBEN L. MEREDITH.
Reuben L. Meredith, the president of the Meredith College Company, thus connected with a leading educational institution of central Ohio. was born near Sandusky, this state, November 14. 1861. His father, Thomas Meredith, a native of Canada, was descended from an old Virginian family of Welsh lineage. Removing from the Dominion to the United States he located in Ohio and subsequently he returned to Canada on a visit, where he died in 1901, at the age of seventy-eight years. For a long period he car- ried on business as a lumber buyer. His wife. whose maiden name was Jane Knight, was born in England and came to the United States with her parents when seven years of age. the family home being established in Rochester, New York. where her father, John Knight, carried on business as a mechanical engineer.
R. L. MEREDITH.
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Reuben L. Meredith acquired his elementary education in Sandusky public schools and sup- plemented it by study in the Western Reserve Normal School, at Milan, Ohio, and in the Na- tional Normal School, at Ada, spending one year in the latter institution. Following the comple- tion of his education he engaged in teaching and he was connected with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway for a short time. In 1887 he instituted the Sandusky Business Col- lege, which he conducted with marked success until 1894. when he sold his interest to his part- ner. In April, 1895, he removed to Zanesville and became business manager of the old Zanes- ville Business College, acting in that capacity for five years. On the 2d of April, 1900, he estab- lished the Meredith Business College, which was conducted as a private concern until July, 1903. when it was incorporated with the following offi- cers : Reuben L. Meredith, president : William G. Rehl, vice president ; and B. P. Leister, sec- retary and treasurer. From the beginning the school has been very succesful and has grown from a small institution to one of large propor- tions, having many pupils. Its location is at the corner of Main and Fifth streets, occupying five floors there. There is a regular business curric- ulum, and through thorough training the pupils are well qualified to enter business life and accep- tably discharge the duties of important positions. The course of study is comprehensive and vet no superfluous thing is taught. the object of the school being to fit one for busines life in as short a time as possible in harmony with its motto "thoroughness and accuracy.
Professor Meredith was married July 1, 1885. to Miss Carrie Gunsaulus, a daughter of William A. and Calista Gunsaulus, her father being a min- ister of the Baptist church. She was born in Granville, Ohio, April 28, 1862, and they now have two children, Karl G. and Leslie G. Pro- fessor Meredith is a Forester and also a Modern Woodman. Almost all his entire life has been devoted to educational work and he ranks well with the representatives of the profession in Ohio, while to Zanesville he has given an institu- tion whose value has already been proved in the excellence of the work done by its graduates.
JOHN V. ZIMMER.
John V. Zimmer, now deceased, was born June 12. 1844, on the farm on section 5. Salem town- ship, now owned and occupied by his widow. His parents were Valentine and Catherine ( Baugh- man) Zimmer. The father was born in Alsace. France, in 1832, and came on a sailing vessel to America, being twenty-one weeks at sea. Mak-
ing his way into Muskingum county he settled in Salem township and there in the midst of the for- est the family hewed out a farm and built a home. All the conditions and evidences of pioneer life were here found: the greater part of the native forest still stood in its primitive strength ; the land was uncultivated and the rivers unbridged ; there were wild animals in the forests and considerable wild game was to be had, Mr. Zimmer frequently shooting a deer, which would furnish venison for the family table. He performed the arduous task of clearing and developing new land and in course of time had transformed an unimproved tract into a good farm, this being the one upon which Mrs. John V. Zimmer now resides. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran church and his consistent Christian life made him a man highly respected. He lived to the advanced age of seventy-nine years, leaving his family a valu- able farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres and an untarnished name.
John V. Zimmer obtained his education in the common schools and in 1865, when about eighteen years of age, responded to the call of his country for men to aid in the preservation of the Union for a term of one hundred days. He enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers and played the fife for the company. He was afterward granted a pension in recognition of his services and this is still con- tinued to his widow.
On the 9th of September. 1869, Mr. Zimmer was married to Miss Lavinia Garrett, who was born March 15, 1849 and is a daughter of John M. and Mary (Fitz) Garrett. the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. Her father became a farmer of Madison township. where he owned and operated two hundred acres of land. Both he and his wife have now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer have become the parents of four children : Wrennie O., who married Charles Skinner and lives at Adam's Mills ; Charles E .. a druggist on Putnam street, who married Ella Aler, now deceased : Mary A., the wife of John Bainter, of Zanesville; and Arthur M., who is living with his mother. Mrs. Zimmer now owns one hundred and twenty-one acres of fine land about a mile and a quarter from Adamsville, and her son operates the farm, engaging in the tilling of the soil and the raising of stock. He also has a large apple orchard upon the place and the fields are productive, yielding him rich crops. Every- thing about the place is kept in good condition as it was during the ownership of John V. Zimmer, whose life labors were ended in death July 23. 1903. He had given his political allegiance to the democracy and his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability frequently called him to pub- lic office and he rendered efficient service as town- ship assessor for several years and was also trus-
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tee, supervisor and a member of the school board. He likewise held membership in the Lutheran church and with the Grand Army of the Republic. There were in his life record many qualities wor- thy of emulation for he was devoted to the duties of the home and of his business and public rela- tions. His best traits of character were most frequently seen by those who knew him best and thus his circle of friendship was widened as the years advanced. Mrs. Zimmer holds membership in the Adamsville Baptist church and is an estima- ble lady, enjoying the warm regard of those with whom she has been brought in contact.
HENRY JEFFERSON SUMERS.
Henry Jefferson Sumers was a self-made man, who, coming from Germany to America empty- handed, placed his dependence upon the substan- tial qualities of labor and perseverance and thus worked his way upward, his history furnishing an example well worthy of emulation. He was born in Germany, October 11, 1827, and was brought to America by his parents, Charles and Ann Maria (Lapp) Sumers, also natives of the fatherland. In making the voyage they were accompanied by their four children and they set- tled first in Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, where Charles Sumers purchased land and followed farming. He lived there for many years but in later life came to Zanesville and spent his last days in the home of his son Henry J. He died at the age of seventy-seven years, his wife at the age of seventy-five years and their remains were in- terred in the Zanesville cemetery.
Henry J. Sumers was reared upon the old homestead farm near Tiffin and the year of his arrival in Zanesville was 1849. He entered upon his business career as a clerk in a store and worked for different merchants of the city for some time, or until he had acquired capital suf- ficient to enable him to engage in business on his own account. Later he was connected with the wholesale and retail grocery trade at the foot of Main street. He was quite successful, securing a large patronage, while the house sustained an unassailable reputation for straightforward deal- ing and honesty in all transactions. As his finan- cial resources increased and he could spare some capital from his mercantile business he made in- vestment in land, purchasing a farm of one hun- dred acres on the west side of Maple avenue. There he made his home until his death, contin- uing his business interests in Zanesville at the same time. His business methods were such as neither sought nor required disguise and his rec- ord was such as any merchant might be proud to possess. All knew him to be a man of his word
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