USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Zanesville > Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio > Part 81
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he located in Zanesville, where he followed blacksmithing, conducting a shop of his own. At a later date he sold his business there and pur- chased and conducted a smithy at Duncan Falls, but eventually he returned to Zanesville, where he had a large blacksmith shop, conducting an extensive business which permitted of the em- ployment of a number of hands. He was very successful in his industrial pursuits and made judicious investment of his earnings in a good farm in Wayne township. On again leaving Zanesville he removed to High Hill, where he purchased a shop, which his sons still own. He was a leading factor in industrial life in the county in the middle portion of the nineteenth century and his life record proved the value and force of enterprise and unremitting iabor as fac- tors in a successful business career.
John W. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Ween, and they became the parents of four children : Cornelius, Millard, John and Susan. but all have passed away with the exception of Cornelius, who is now a prosperous farmer of Meigs township. For his second wife the father chose Elizabeth Myers, a native of Zanesville. and their children are Charles W., who married Mary Ethel, of Rich Hill township, and is a suc- cessful agriculturist of Iowa ; and George W. and John W., who are associated in business at High Hill. The father remained a resident of Muskingum county for more than a third of a century and departed this life on the 12th of February, 1884.
George W. and John W. Bailey constitute the well known firm of Bailey Brothers, leading citi- zens of this county, who are conducting business at High Hill as merchants and blacksmiths. The brothers were educated in the public schools and became their father's successors in the manage- ment and conduct of an extensive blacksmith shop here. They also established a general mer- cantile store and they now have one of the largest enterprises of this character in Mus- kingum county, carrying an extensive and well selected stock of goods. Both branches of their business receive a liberal patronage and in ad- dition to their interests in the village the brothers also own and operate a farm near High Hill, which likewise adds a good sum to their yearly earnings. They are honest and energetic busi- ness men, having the entire confidence and re- spect of their many patrons. They also conduct an undertaking business at High Hill: Of re- sourceful business ability, determined and alert, they carry forward to successful accomplishment whatever they undertake and their business methods neither seek nor require disguise.
Both brothers are members of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows of High Hill and John W. Bailey is financial secretary and also
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one of the trustees and inside guard of the lodge. They are democrats in their political belief and affiliation and George Bailey has for many years been treasurer of Meigs township.
John W. Bailey was married in 1884 to Miss Jane Howell, of Meigs township, a daughter of Andrew and Anna E. Howell, and their children are Anna E., the wife of Charles Engle, who is clerking in her father's store: Jessie E .; Ed- ward L. ; and George H.
JOHN W. MILES.
In the death of John W. Miles the community in which he lived and labored lost one of its best citizens-a man whose life had been quietly passed and yet whose devotion to duty and activity in business affairs made his life record a credita- ble and honorable one, worthy of emulation. He was a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, born on the 22d of November, 1837, and in the year 1868 he became a resident of Ohio, taking up his abode on the Zanesville road. Throughout the greater part of his life he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits and in following that calling he provided a comfortable living for his family.
It was in the year 1883 that Mr. Miles was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary J. Griffith, who was born on the old homestead farm of the Wheeler family, about a half mile from her pres- ent place of residence, her natal day being March 13. 1837. Her parents were Henry A. and Azuba (Kirkpatrick) Wheeler. Her father was a native of Montgomery county, Maryland, and at an early period in the development of Muskingum county he took up his abode within its borders. When he arrived here an ax constituted his sole posses- sion and with this he began cutting timber, mak- ing shingles and roofing barns. He followed that pursuit for sometime, laboring earnestly and un- remittingly, and when he found it possible he en- tered a tract of land and began farming on his own account. His was a remarkable career in that he started out empty-handed and worked his way steadily upward to success, becoming one of the most extensive landowners of Muskingum county, his realty possessions comprising two thousand acres. He possessed sound judgment in business matters, made his investments care- fully and improved his property with ideas of modern progress. At the time of his marriage he went to live in a little log house. He was active and influential in community affairs and for sev- eral years he capably filled the office of assessor. His early political support was given to the whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party, which he continued to support until his death in 1876. He was sur- vived by his wife until 1883.
Mrs. Miles was reared and educated in Adams- ville and in early womanhood, in 1863, she gave her hand in marriage to William E. Griffith, a na- tive of this county and a son of George H. Griffith, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, establish- ing his home on the Zanesville road near the county seat. William E. Griffith was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land and throughout his business career carried on general farming. By this marriage there was one child- Edgar R., who was born in Muskingum county, February 18, 1865, and pursued his education in the schools of Adamsville. He afterward traveled extensively through the west and ever since his return has made his home with his mother. Mr. Griffith died in 1866, leaving his farm to his wife and little son. In 1883 Mrs. Griffith gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Miles and they lived happily together for twenty-one years, or until they were separated by the death of Mr. Miles on the 28th of November, 1904. He exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and in his life displayed sterling traits of character which won him many friends.
Mrs. Miles is now the owner of two hundred and three acres of fine land about a mile from Adamsville. She rents this place, which is de- voted to general farming and stock-raising, and a large amount of fruit has also been set out upon it. The farm being valuable returns to her a good rental and because of her property hold- ings she now has a very desirable income. She is a member of the Baptist church and has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Adamsville and the surrounding district.
M. FRANK GEYER.
M. Frank Geyer, a leading merchant of Bloom- field and one of the most prominent and influen- tial citizens of Highland township, his efforts ever being on the side of progress and improve- ment, was born September 25. 1845, upon his father's farm in the township where he still makes his home. His parents were Peter B. and Elizabeth (Coultrap) Geyer, the father born in Highland township in 1825, while the mother was a native of Zanesville. Peter B. Geyer, reared to the occupation of farming, made that pursuit his life work and became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land which he placed under a high state of cultivation, trans- forming it into valuable and productive farm property. He took an active part in public life and for ten or twelve years served as township treasurer, discharging the duties of the office with promptness and fidelity. His death occurred in
HENRY A. WHEELER.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
1897 and thus passed away one of the valued pio- neer residents of that part of the state. In his family were ten children, of whom nine are yet living.
Frank Geyer pursued his early education in the common schools of his native township and afterward spent a year as a student in McCorkle College of Bloomfield. He was married in 1893 to Miss Anna Morrow, a daughter of David and Margaret W. Morrow, the former a farmer by occupation. Both parents are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Geyer were born four chil- dren : Vera, born June 5, 1894 ; Cora, on the 15th of July, 1895; Marguerite, February 20, 1898; and Louanna, September 11, 1904.
Mr. Geyer remained at home until he was thirty years of age, working in the fields from the time of early spring planting until after crops were harvested in the autumn, but believing that he would find another occupation more congenial he at length left the plow and turned his attention to merchandizing, opening a store in Bloomfield, where he has since remained. The new venture has been attended with success from the begin- ning and he now carries a stock valued at seven thousand dollars. He is the leading general mer- chant of the town and he also deals in farm ma- chinery. His business has reached extensive pro- portions owing to the tasty arrangement of the store, his earnest desire to please his patrons and his fair and honorable dealing. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church and in his political views he is a republican, prom- inent in local work of the party. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability. have frequently called him to public office and he has rendered signal service to the community in the office of township treasurer for eight years and also as supervisor and trustee. He has a wide acquaintance in the county where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his efforts as to win financial success and also to gain the trust and admiration of his fellowmen.
GENERAL R. B. BROWN.
R. B. Brown is a native of New Concord, Mus- kingum county, where he was born October 2, 1844. His ancestry was Scotch-Irish and the strength of the Scottish sentiment is evinced in the name given him at baptism: Robert Burns. The Irish blood asserted itself when President Lincoln called for volunteers, in April, 1861, and on the 17th of the month, the first day of the re- cruiting, he volunteered but was rejected on ac- count of his youth, but August 9, ensuing, was accepted and mustered into Company A, 15th Ohio Infantry, for three years. In February,
1864, he re-enlisted, as a veteran, and was mus- tered out December 27, 1865, after a service of nearly four years and five months. He partici- pated in all the battles and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged except at Nashville, at which time he was in the hospital with a wound received July 23, 1864, in front of At- lanta. His political enemies have permitted a wrong to be done a good soldier by referring to this wound, which was in the heel, and by merely stating the fact have allowed improper inferen- ces to be drawn. At the time the injury was re- ceived he was lying, with the command, in the trenches and under fire. November 25, 1863, upon the crest of Mission Ridge, he captured the color bearer and the colors of the Ninth Missis- sippi Regiment, for which he was awarded a con- gressional medal of honor.
In March, 1866, he entered Eastman's Busi- ness College, at Poughkeepsie, New York, and graduated after a six months' course, and for the succeeding four years taught school in Min- nesota, in the meantime preparing himself for the bar, but in 1873 he became city editor of the Zanesville Courier and has maintained his con- nection since, being at the present time secretary, treasurer and business manager of the corpora- tion, and is an active member of the associations of the dailies and newspapers of the state.
Mr. Brown is an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has been post commander of Hazlett post several times, and it was mainly by his untiring efforts that the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Sandusky was es- tablished. He was the first trustee appointed, served twelve years and resigned in 1898. At the twentieth annual encampment of the Department of the Ohio G. A. R., held at Akron in 1885, he was elected department com- mander and served fifteen months and is a life member of the national encampment of that or- der. The title "General," which is frequently given to him, comes from his G. A. R. badge as a past department commander. The badge is the shoulder strap of a major general, and in the so- ciety's circles the wearer ranks as a general and is so addressed by the comrades. The application outside by members was taken up by those who did not understand the significance and the pub- lic has applied the title as a sobriquet.
The only public office held by Mr. Brown was the mayoralty of New Concord, which he exer- cised for five months in filling the nnexpired term of the elected mayor, who died, and which was given him by the village council.
Mr. Brown is an enthusiasite republican and his pen and tongue are freely and vigorously em- ployed on behalf of the party ; his ancestral blood tells in each but as a speaker he usually gives it rein and he strikes at every head in sight, with-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
out apology for the force or effect of the blow. In religion he is an orthodox Presbyterian, of Covenanter stock, but somewhat tempered by in- tercourse with equally good men of other beliefs. Aside from his G. A. R. affiliations his only fra- ternal connections are with the Odd Fellows, of which he is a member in both lodge and encamp- ment branches.
WILLIAM L. EVANS, M. D.
Dr. William L. Evans, who is living in Mount Sterling, where he is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine, was born in Licking county, Ohio, March 15, 1880, and is a son of E. H. Evans, a native of Illinois. The father, removing to Ohio, settled in Licking county, where he be- came a prominent farmer. He was married to Miss Hester A. Richey, a native of Ohio, and they have two surviving sons, the brother of Dr. Evans being Horace O. Evans, who is engaged in teaching school at Hanover, Ohio.
Dr. Evans was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, spending his boyhood days on the father's farm, while in the public schools he ac- quired his early education. Later he continued his studies in the high school at Hanover and the Doane Academy and thus acquired a good lit- erary education to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge. Determining to engage in the prac- tice of medicine, he entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, from which he graduated with the class of 1893. He afterward practiced medicine for a year in Hanover and in May, 1904, he located in Mount Stering, where he has already secured a good patronage.
Dr. Evans was married on the HIth of October, 1904, to Miss Nettie B. Donivan, who was born in Columbus and they have gained many friends during their residence in Mount Sterling and are now prominent socially. Dr. Evans votes with the republican party. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge and Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also with Phi Beta Phi, a Greek letter fraternity. He is thoroughly famil- iar with the modern methods of medical and sur- gical practice and in his chosen work has shown his adaptability for the profession which claims his attention.
PATRICK C. McGOVERN.
Patrick C. McGovern, son of Patrick McGov- ern, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, Septem- ber 25, 1845. Upon that same day his father died. The latter was a native of County Caven,
Ireland, and came to this country in 1836. In 1839 he returned to his native country but in 1842 decided to make the United States his fu- ture home and with his family came to Guernsey county, Ohio, where in company with his broth- er-in-law, Peter Carnyn, he engaged in making macadamized roads. He died in Bellefontaine, Ohio, September 25, 1845, leaving his widow, formerly Miss Mary McGuire, whom he married in 1831, and seven children: Margaret, now de- ceased ; Bridget, the wife of Ambrose Archer, of South Dakota; Mary, the wife of James Archer, of Minnesota ; Terrence, of Minnesota, who was a member of the Twentieth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry in the Civil War ; Thomas, who was asso- ciated with his brother, Patrick, in merchandis- ing for seventeen years, after which he became an extensive farmer of Morgan county, and there died October 3. 1902 ; Ellen, the wife of S. N. Archer, of Noble county, Ohio, and Patrick C.
Mr. McGovern of this review was about two years old when taken by his mother to Noble county, Ohio, where he attended the public schools and was reared upon the farm. He was but eighteen years of age when in the spring of 1864 he enlisted in response to his country's call for aid, becoming a member of Company D, Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under com- mand of Captain Collins and Colonel Charles Grosvenor. Three brothers of the family were soldiers of the war, Thomas having been with the Ninety-second Ohio Infantry. Patrick McGovern served until honorably discharged at Augusta, Georgia, in November, 1865. He then returned to Noble county, Ohio, where he en- gaged as a salesman for three years in the store owned by B. F. Penn. He then embarked in merchandizing in connection with his brother in East Union, Noble county, conducting a general store there until 1890, and prospered in his un- dertakings. In that year he sold his interest. In the meantime he had become largely engaged in shipping live stock and his operations in that line of business had proved successful. In the spring of 1890 he was appointed storekeeper of the Ohio penitentiary at Columbus and was also superin- tendant of the hospital under Governor Camp- bell, holding the appointment from 1890 until 1892. In the latter year he came to Dresden and embarked in the woolen manufacturing business. In the spring of the same year he assisted in or- ganizing the joint stock company, being associ- ated in this enterprise with J. S. Prettyman, W. H. Bush, B. F. Penn, Isaac Hatcher, and Henry Large. Their plant is conducted under the name of The Muskingum Valley Woolen Manufact- uring Company and Mr. McGovern was con- nected therewith for ten years as vice president and secretary. He then sold his interest in 1901 but remained with the company until 1902. Since
P. C. McGOVERN.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
that time he has been engaged in the real- estate business and is now a member of The Dresden Real Estate & Improvement Com- pany. For fifteen months he was asso- ciated with A. S. Baker in the ownership of the Central Meat Market at Zanesville, Mr. Baker managing the business. For a short time in 1904 Mr. McGovern engaged in the grain business but is now devoting his entire time to his prop- erty interests.
In 1872 Mr. McGovern was married to Miss Susan Archer, who was born in Noble county and is a daughter of James Archer, a native of that county. Mr. and Mrs. McGovern became the parents of ten children : Leo Norbert, a mer- chant of Dresden; Benjamin Lawrence, who is living in Columbus, Ohio; Charles Taylor, of the same city: Ula Rose; Stephen Terrence ; William Harry ; Mary Irene, the wife of Clyde Comer, of Dresden ; Edward Fleming ; Patrick Earl ; and Hannah Clotilda.
Mr. McGovern votes with the democratic party and he is a member of Major Cass Post, G. A. R. He is also a communicant of the Cath- olic church and has a nice home and is one of the highly respected citizens and prominent men of the community. His life has been characterized by untiring labor. Whatever he has undertaken has claimed his utmost energy and he has ever been watchful of all the details of his business and all indications point toward prosperity. In business affairs he is energetic and notably reli- able, while promptness has always characterized him in meeting an engagement or a financial ob- ligation.
Mr. McGovern has ever been active in politics and takes an active interest in public affairs. At the time of the compiling of this narrative he is a candidate on the democratic state ticket for mem- ber of the board of public works.
FRED HERRON.
Fred Herron is a representative of one of the oldest families of Irish lineage in Muskingum county, and was born in Rich Hill township, June 22, 1836, on what is known as the old Herron homestead. His father, John Herron, was born in county Donegal, Ireland, in 1795, and was brought to America when a youth of nine years. His father, William Herron, also a native of the Emerald Isle, was married to Anne Moore, and they became the parents of six children: John, Vexander, George, William, Anne and Jane, all of whom are now deceased. For his second wife William Herron chose Elizabeth Crow, and they became the parents of seven children : Andrew, James, Samuel, Elizabeth, Mary, Martha and
Sarah. The last named is now living in Zanes- ville and Alexander had a son who is now living near High Hill. Since the first representatives of the Herron family came to America, they have been in sympathy with the principles embodied in the republican platform and all have been churchmen, largely connected with the Metho- dist denomination. They have also been among the most successful and prominent farmers of Muskingum county since the family was estab- lished in this portion of the state and they are closely related to the Dixons and McIntires, with whom they hold annual reunions.
John Herron, father of Fred Herron, came with his parents to America, as before stated, the family home being established near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1806, but became a resident of Ohio, and resided in Rich Hill township while the Indians were still numerous in this section of the state and when deer and wild game could be had in abundance. The family lived here during the war of 1812 and they shared in all the hard- ships and privations of pioneer life and took an active part in the early development and progress of the county. Later generations of the family have been equally loyal to the general good and the name of Herron has always stood as a syn- onym for activity and honor in business and pro- gressive citizenship. John Herron was united in marriage in 1817, to Miss Jane Henderson, a rep- resentative of one of the prominent early Irish families of the county. She was. one of nine daughters, all of whom lived to be over seventy years of age and died in the same neighborhood. Fred Herron's grandmother, Martha Mercer. also came from Ireland. In the family of John and Jane Herron were three sons and five daugh- ters : William, Fred, John, James, Elizabeth, Margaret, Jane, Mary and Ann, and with the ex- ception of Fred and Jane all have passed away. The sister married George Ray, a sailor, who (lied and was laid to rest in the Herron family lot in Salt Creek cemetery.
Fred Herron, reared to the occupation of farm- ing, has spent his entire life in this county, and in the public schools acquired his education. He was married in 1867 to Miss Sarah Armstrong, who was born in Salt Creek township, May 2, 1846. and they immediately took up their abode upon the old Herron homestead. They became the pa- rents of six children : Maggie J., now the wife of J. H. MeIntire; Fred H., who married Grace Evans : John A., at home ; Pearl C., who married Catherine Barker, who died a year later, leaving an infant daughter, Helen May; Harry G., de- ceased ; and Ernest E., at home.
Mr. Herron has always followed agricultural pursuits in order to provide for his family and now at the age of sixty-nine years is giving his supervision to his large farm of three hundred
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acres. He is one of the oldest and most consist- ent members of the Presbyterian church in which for many years he has served as a deacon. His life though quietly passed has been characterized by all that is honorable and straightforward in man's relations with his fellowmen and by fidelity in citizenship. He has therefore com- manded and enjoyed the respect and good will of those with whom he has been associated and he is well known in Muskingum county.
SILAS W. FICKEL.
Silas W. Fickel, now living retired in a pleas- ant home in Taylorville, Ohio, was born March 24. 1847, in Madison township, Perry county, Ohio, and is a son of George and Hannah (Harding) Fickel. The father was likewise a native of Perry county, while the moth- er's birth occurred in Licking county,
Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Fickel, came from Pennsylvania to the Buckeye state, settling in Perry county about 1820. He was of Dutch lineage, while his wife was of Scotch descent. Becoming the owner of a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, he de- voted his remaining days to its cultivation and improvement. George Fickel also became a farmer and continuously engaged in the tilling of the soil until February 1, 1864, when he joined the army, enlisting as a member of Company B. Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was afterward transferred to the Twenty-second Veteran Reserve Corps on the 13th of Septem- ber, 1864, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, July 13. 1865. Since that time he has largely lived retired and now makes his home at Fultonham at the age of eighty years. His wife died March 25, 1904. at the age of seventy-seven years. In his family were nine children, of whom six are now living.
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