Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 77

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 77

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and his commercial integrity was never called , into question. The close attention which he gave to his business prevented him from taking any active part in politics even had he so desired, but his aspirations were in other directions. He voted with the republican party, however, and was never remiss in the duties of citizenship that he could perform outside of office.

Mr. Sumers was married, in 1850, to Miss Amelia Miller, who was born in Germany and came to the United States when two years of age with her parents, Christian and Sophia ( Sumers) Miller, who were also natives of that country and after erossing the Atlantic settled in Sandusky, Ohio, where the father purchased a farm. There was a frame house upon this land, but otherwise no improvements. The parents left their two children, Charles and Amelia, in this house while they went out to get food at a neighbor's, some two or three miles away. The children were then only about four or five years of age. There was a fire in the big fireplace and during the absence of the parents the chimney caught fire and the house was burned to the ground, containing all of their goods and money. The children, how- ever, were saved. This so discouraged the par- ents that they left that locality and went to Lower Sandusky and soon afterward came to Zanesville, arriving here in 1835. Mr. Miller secured employment in a glass factory which was located where the Rogge Hotel now stands. He was a glass mixer and worked for twenty- three years at that trade. Later he engaged in blacksmithing for himself until the infirmities of old age caused him to retire from business life. He died at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife passed away at the age of eighty-six Years.

Mr. and Mrs. Sumers were the parents of six children, all born in Zanesville, and five are now living: Emma is the wife of Harmon Wilson and has two children, Roy and Melinda. Fidelia is the widow of Samuel Losch, late United States senator of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and they have six children, Annie S., Helen G., Harry G., Ruth Amelia, Christopher McGee and Naomi Eliza. Minnie Amelia Sumers became the wife of O. Franklin Palmer, of Zanesville, and had a daughter, Minnie Amelia, who married William Winkleman and has one child, Howard William. Henry Jefferson and Colonel Franklin Ellscott Sumers are the other members of the family.

Mr. Sumers passed away June 3, 1891, after a residence of about forty-two years in Zanesville. If those who claim that fortune favors certain individuals above others will but investigate the cause of success and failure it will be found that the former is largely due to the improvement of opportunity, the later to the neglect of it. It was Mr. Sumers' recognition and mastery of oppor-

H. J. SUMERS:

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tunity that proved the strong element in his prosperity, making him a leader in the business world of Zanesville and winning him an enviable name in connection with mercantile circles. He so ordered his life as to gain and retain the con- fidence of his fellowmen.

ROBERT H. KEYES.

Robert H. Keyes, a prominent farmer of Adams township, was born August 10, 1872, upon a farm on section 15 that is now his home. His parents were William H. and Mary E. (Day) Keyes. His father was born in County Ferma- nagh, Ireland, May 31, 1831, and his parents were Thomas and Mabel ( Johnston) Keyes, who were also natives of the Emerald Isle. When seventeen years of age William H. Keyes crossed the Atlantic to the new world, hoping that busiess conditions were better than he could enjoy in his native land. Making his way at once to Muskin- gum county he began working on a farm in Mad- ison township, receiving five dollars per month for his services. At the end of nine years, through his industry, perseverance and economy, he was enabled to purchase a farm of his own. Remov- ing to the west he entered land in Iowa but soon returned and once more resumed farm labor in his county. In 1858 he went to Illinois, and while there he exchanged his towa farm for an im- proved tract of land in Clark county, Illinois, and later he traded that property for a farm in Wash- ington township, Muskingum county, upon which he has resided continuously since 1870. He was the owner of a valuable tract of land of three hundred and thirty-six acres in Adams township and was one of the leading stock-raisers of the county. He was also the owner of fine imported horses and cattle and was the owner of the first registered Durham bull brought to his portion of the country. Hc was a stanch advocate of repub- lican principles and was well known in his com- munity because of his activity in business and his generous support of progressive public meas- ures. He was married in 1858 to Miss Mary E. Day, who was born in Troy, New York, but was reared in Muskingum county. Her birth occur- red March 20, 1839, and she was the daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth (Frazier) Day. Mr. and Mrs. Keyes became the parents of the following named: Charles, who died in 1863; Thomas D., who wedded Ella J. Arnold and is living in Adamsville : Margaret A. : George L. ; Robert H. William J .; and Edward P. Of this family Thomas D. is a contractor in Newark, Ohio, George is dealing in horses in Columbus, William J. is engaged in the practice of dentistry in Marysville, Ohio, Edward B. is a clerk at New-

ark, Ohio, and Maggie is the wife of H. N. Wald, of Boone, Iowa.

Robert H. Keves is indebted to the public- school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and which fitted him for life's practic- al duties. He early became his father's assistant in his farming and stock-raising interests and like his father has been known as one of the leading stockmen of the county. He owns a fine Mor- gan horse weighing thirteen hundred and fifty pounds and a Jack weighing one thousand pounds. He also has one hundred head of sheep and his stock-raising interests are proving very profitable. He likewise carries on general farm- ing and the land is rich and productive, so that nis work in both departments is bringing him a gratifying income.

On December 28, 1898, Mr. Keyes was mar- ried to Miss Alice Shafer, who was born in 1876 and is a daughter of George and Susan ( McDon- ald) Shafer. Her parents reside in Adamsville and her father is connected with the milling busi- ness there. Mr. and Mrs. Keves have one child. Helen, born April 9, 1900. They hold member- ship in the Baptist church, while Mr. Keyes votes with the republican party, being a firm advocate of the principles which constitute its platform. In business affairs he is energetic, discriminating and reliable and has made for himselt a creditable name, also gained a competence that now supplies him with the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

EDWARD W. PRESGRAVES.

Edward W. Presgraves follows farming in his native township-Washington-where he was born May 19, 1837. He is a son of George Pres- graves, a native of Virginia, who in his boyhood days came with his father. George Presgraves. Sr., to Ohio. They had four hundred acres of land in Washington township and in addition to general agricultural pursuits also owned and op- erated a sawmill near Gilbert. George Presgraves Jr., wedded Miss Rebecca Hayworth, a native of Pennsylvania, and they resided upon a part of the grandfather's land. They became the parents of ten children, namely: Edward W. : Samuel, de- ceased ; Mrs. Susanna Bunting; Mrs. Martha Duvall; David: James ; Addison ; Francis, who is a minister : Louis ; and Henrietta, deceased. The father always followed the occupation of farming in order to provide for his family and had one hundred and five acres of land which was rich and productive and brought him in a good financial return. He gave his political support to the whig party in early life and following its dissolution joined the ranks of the democracy, marching

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under its banners throughout his remaining days. He kept well informed on all questions of general interest, political or otherwise, and was an active, enterprising man. He passed away at the age of seventy-one vears.

Edward W. Presgraves has spent his entire life in Muskingum county with the exception of three years-from 1862 until 1865,-when he was in Illinois and during that time he followed farming in Christian county. After nis return he began farming on a tract of land in Washington township and now owns fifty-one and a quarter acres. This is a productive tract and he annually harvests good crops.

Mr. Presgraves has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Harriet Hoffman, who died in 1865, leaving one child-Louanna, now the wife of William Baker, of Illinois. His present wife bore the maiden name of Angeline Duvall. Mr. Presgraves holds membership in the Baptist church and politically is an independent democrat. He never seeks or desires office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs which are capably managed, making him one of the sub- stantial agriculturists of his community.

FRED H. F. EGBERT.

Fred H. F. Egbert, who owns and operates a farm in Madison township, is numbered among the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Muskingum county. The Teutonic race has ever been an important element in the civilization of the new world, sending its members into all parts of the country to aid in the work of progress and improvement through their energy and per- sistency of purpose. To this class Mr. Egbert belongs. He was born March 16, 1845, in Han- over, now Prussia, and was a son of John Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Egbert) Egbert. In 1845 the father crossed the Atlantic to America with his family, arriving in Muskingum county on the 8th of October. He located in Dresden and there engaged in business as a merchant tailor. The journey across the Atlantic was made in a sail- ing vessel, six weeks being spent upon the sea. after which they landed at Baltimore. After living for a time in the town of Dresden John H. Egbert removed to the farm that is now owned and occupied by his son Fred, continuing to make it his place of residence until his death, which occurred December 31, 1882, when he was sixty-eight years of age. He had pros- pered in his undertakings as the years had passed by and had become the owner of three hundred and thirty-one acres of land. His wife survived him for more than ten years, passing away Au- gust 22, 1893, at a very advanced age.

MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Fred H. F. Egbert is the only survivor of a family of eight children. He is indebted to the public-school system of Dresden for the educa- tional privileges he enjoyed, and in early life he made preparation for a business career by learn- ing the tailor's trade, entering upon his appren- ticeship at the age of thirteen and working at that calling until twenty years of age. He then took up his abode upon his farm where he lived for seventeen years or until his father's death, when he took charge of the tailoring business that had been established by his father in Dres- den. He also operated a flouring mill, and for two years managed those business interests. On the expiration of that period he returned to the farm and has since given his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits, being to-day the owner of three hundred and thirty-one acres of land that is very fertile and productive. The farm is well supplied with modern equipments and accessor- ies and he uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. The buildings are substantial and everything about his place is indicative of the careful supervision of a pains- taking and methodical owner. In addition to his farm property he has a residence and several lots in Dresden.

Mr. Egbert was married, September 9. 1866, to Miss Mary E. Eschman, who was born Sep- tember 6, 1844, and is a daughter of Harmon and Fredericka (Schulte) Eschman. The father was born in Prussia, near Westphalia, and the mother's birth occurred in the same locality in 1818. They were married in their native land and thinking that they might enjoy better busi- ness privileges in the new world and more quickly secure a good home here, they took passage on a sailing vessel, which after six weeks reached the harbor of Baltimore. Landing in that city they proceeded at once to Cleveland, Ohio, and by canal continued the journey to Dresden, set- tling near the Muskingum dam in 1838. The father secured employment by the day on the dam, working as watchman. He was afterward employed in the distillery at Dresden and other places, purchasing hogs for the owners of that plant. When he was enabled to save a sufficient sum from his labors he bought a team and be- gan working for the Panhandle Railroad Com- pany. From this time on he prospered and as his financial resources increased he purchased a farm in Adams township that is now owned by J. Darner. He then bought the farm where C. W. Eschman lives and his death occurred there on March 4, 1881. His widow, surviving him several years, departed this life October 12, 1889.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Egbert has been blessed with seven children, who are yet living, while two have passed away, John Harmon hav- ing died at the age of one year, while the second

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child died in infancy. Those still living are as follows : M. Bertha, who was born February II, 1869, and is the wife of J. Alva Bell, who is manager of a wholesale harness and saddlery store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Mary J., who was born February 25, 1872, and is the wife of J. H. Evans, of Dresden; John Frederick, who was born December 29, 1875, and is at home ; Ella A., who was born March 28, 1877, and is the wife of John C. Weber, a grocer of Mil- waukee, Wisconsin; Laura L., who was born March 9, 1879, and is the wife of Frank D. Snyder, who is living on the old home farm ; Frances E., who was born October 21, 1881, and is the wife of Fred Brill, an electrician, con- nected with the electric light works of Dresden ; and Charles H., who was born March 3, 1883, and is shipping clerk for a wholesale hardware and saddlery company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The family home is pleasantly located about a mile from Dresden and its hospitality is one of its most attractive features. Both Mr. and Mrs. Egbert are members of the Dresden Methodist Episcopal church and he affiliates with the Odd Fellows lodge there. His ballot is cast in sup- port of the men and measures of the republican party and he has been school director, township clerk and justice of the peace. He was also cor- poration treasurer in Dresden for eight years and township treasurer for two years and in all these offices discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, his capable service gaining him the good will and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. He ranks with the quiet, persevering and prominent citizens of Madison township. prominent on account of what he has accom- plished in commercial and agricultural circles and by reason of the public-spirited interest in the general welfare that has prompted active co- operation in many measures that have contributed largely to the improvement of the county.

JOHN L. MATCHETT.

John L. Matchett, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil war and for many years a highly re- spected agriculturist of Muskingum county. He was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, June 11. 1840, and was a son of George and Mary ( Counrtyman) Matchett, who came to Muskin- gum county about 1860, settling in Blue Rock township. The subject of this review had spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and accompanied them on their removal to Ohio. He was a stonemason by trade, and up to about twenty years ago had others to till his farm while he followed his trade. On the 11th of No- vember, 1861, he left home in response to his

country's call for aid and enlisted as a member of Company A, Seventy-eighth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. He served four years under Captain Munson and Captain Leggit in the Second Bri- gade, Third Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps and he participated in the battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862; Raymond, Mississippi, May 12, 1863 ; Champion Hill, May 16, 1863 ; the Vicks- burg Campaign; Brush Hill ; and Atlanta, Geor- gia, July 22, 1864, and was wounded in the shoul- der by a minie-ball, the collar bone being broken in two places. He spent one month in a hospital, recovering from his injuries and then rejoining his regiment went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. He participated in the battles of Bentonville, North Carolina, March 19-21, 1865 ; Raleigh, North Carolina, April 13, 1865 ; and was promoted to sergeant April 1, 1865. During part of his services ne was in command of his company and as sergeant John L. Matchettt was honorably discharged July II, 1865. A fine picture of an easel-shaped monument bearing his army record was presented to him by his wife. Mrs. Matchett now receives a widow's pension of eight dollars per month.

Following the close of hostilities Mr. Matchett returned to his home and for a year lived in Blue kock township, after which he purchased the land which is now owned and occupied by his widow, spending the greater part of his life upon this place and developing there an excellent farm. He was married on the 31st of December, 1868, to Miss Annie Permelia Sutton, who was born November 23, 1839, in Adams township, and is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Slack) Sutton. Her father was a native of New Jersey, born in 1803, and her mother's birth occurred in Virginia, in 1806. Mr. Sutton was a farmer by occupation and became the owner of two hundred and seven acres of valuable land: Unto him and his wife were born eleven children, of whom eight are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Matchett became the parents of seven children, namely: Zora I .. living at home : Mary E., the wife of George W. Lacey, a resident farmer of Mill Creek township. Coshocton county ; Maggie A., the wife of Elmer Pierce, who is employed in the steel works at Coshocton : Cora E., the wife of Lloyd Sarbaugh. living near her mother : Oliver S., who married Myrtle Hicks, and is a farmer living in Colfax, ilinois ; Curtis R., who married Effie Williams and resides with his mother ; and Harry C., who is a painter and paper hanger of Coshocton.

The home farm of one hundred and sixty acres is now conducted by Mrs. Matchett, assisted by her son, Curtis R., and it is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. At one time the farm comprised a greater area but seventy-one acres have been sold. Mr. Matchett continued active farming until his death, which occurred Novem-

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ber 27, 1902, and was the occasion of deep regret among many friends. He was a republican in his political views and he held membership with the Grand Army of the Republic and with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Integrity and industry were numbered among his strong char- acteristics and his entire life was in harmony with his principles as a member of the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon for so many years. He was one of the prominent and honored men of his township and he left his family not only. a valuable competence but also an untarnished name. Mrs. Matchett is a member of the Beth- saida church, of which Rev. Gauple is pastor, and she has a wide and favorable acquaintance in the community where she has so long made her home, being one of the native daughters of Muskingum county.

CHARLES WOLCOTT POTWIN.

Charles Wolcott Potwin, deceased, whose ac- tivity was a controling factor in the material progress and financial upbuilding of central Ohio for many years was a typical representative of the spirit of the times. Closely in touch with the world's progress and possessing intellectu- ality and force that enabled him to understand existing conditions, to greatly value possibilities and utilize opportunities not only in the field of commerce and finance, but also in political maï- ters where the general interests of the city are affected. His name, too, figured in many benev- olent enterprises, and he derived the greatest pleasure from the use of his means in ministering to the individual wants of those whom fate or untoward experience seemed to have treated harshly.

Mr. Potwin was born on Cherry street, New York city, December 12, 1819, and died July 9. 1889, having almost rounded the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten. His father, John S. Potwin, was a native of Weathersfield, Ver- mont, born May 21, 1790. He was of French lineage and at an early day he removed from the eastern metropolis to Muskingum county, Ohio. He married Sophia Marsh, who was of English lineage, and was born in Weathersfield, Vermont, February 4. 1791. They afterward returned to Vermont, and during their residence there their son, Charles W., attended the Burlington Uni- versity. At a later day his parents established their home in Zanesville, where John S. Potwin engaged in the hardware business. Still later he removed to Chicago, where he died January 2, 1871, and his wife, surviving him only a brief period, died October 7, 1872.

As stated, Charles Wolcott Potwin pursued his literary education in Burlington University,

Vermont, and following the removal of the fam- ily to Zanesville he joined his father in the con- duct of a hardware business. Later he purchased his father's interest, conducting the business in the room now occupied by the Morrison saloon, where he continued until 1862. The following year he assisted in the organization of the Sec- ond National Bank and was its first president. controlling the institution until June, 1873, when he closed up the affairs of this bank and the fix- tures and good will were sold to the Muskin- gum Valley Bank. When the panic of 1873 brought on much financial disaster throughout the country the latter bank failed and Mr. Pot- win was then appointed assignee and closed up its affairs. He afterward established a private bank under the firm name of C. W. Potwin & Company, A. V. Smith, his former cashier in the Second National Bank, the other partner. This institution maintained a continuous and success- ful existence until 1883, when a sale was made to the Citizens' National Bank and in that year Mr. Potwin practically retired from active busi- ness, giving his attention only to the supervi- sion of his invested interests from that time un- til his death. In 1868 he had purchased land in Kansas to the value of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, much of this being bought from railroad companies. Some of this land is still in possession of his heirs. Its rise in value, owing to the settlement of the country, brought him considerable wealth and at the time of his death he was possessed of an estate of four hundred thousand dollars in land and Kansas mortgages.

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Potwin had enlisted in 1863 in the one hundred days' ser- vice as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty- ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His command was principally engaged in manning forts in Washington, D. C., and he was also on court martial duty for a time. He acted as first lieu- tenant of his company. In all matters of citi- zenship he was equally loyal in times of peace or days of war, and his home community bene- fited largely by his liberal assistance for the pub- lic good and his influence in behalf of all pro- gressive measures.

Mr. Potwin was married to Miss Sarah Stur- ges, who was born in Zanesville on the Sturges property in Putnam and whose death occurred there. She was born September 22, 1826, and passed away in 1892. Her father was Solomon Sturges, a native of Fairfield, Connecticut, and he traces his ancestry back to Solomon Sturges. his great-grandfather, who was killed by the British at the burning of Fairfield, Connecticut, July 7, 1779, when eighty-six years of age. Hez- ekiah Sturges, his son, was a soldier of the Rev- olutionary war and died at Fairfield, Connecti-

CHARLES W. POTWIN.

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cut, in April, 1794. Dimon Sturges, son of Hez- ekiah Sturges, was also one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war and he died in Fairfield, Con- necticut, January 16, 1829, at the age of seventy- four years. Solomon Sturges, son of Dimon Sturges, and the father of Mrs. Potwin, was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, April 21, 1796, and departed this life at Chicago, Illinois, Octo- ber 14, 1864. He married Lucy Hale, who was born in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and was a rel- ative of Nathan Hale. He conducted a general store on the river bank where the approach to the Sixth street bridge has since been built, and there he laid the foundation of his large fortune. About the time of the outbreak of the Civil war he removed to Chicago, Illinois, and during the period of hostilities he equipped a regiment at his own expense, which was known as the Sturges Rifles. He also built the immense A and B elevators of the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany, at Chicago, and was also the owner of an elevator at Odessa, Russia. The last Solomon Sturges died in Chicago, leaving two million dol- lars to his nine children.

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 77

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