Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 83

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 83

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Mr. Shirer belongs to the Odd Fellows society at Dresden and he and his family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His reli- gious belief has been a permeating influence in his life, guiding his business career and being an influencing force in his treatment of his fellow- inen.

CAPTAIN MILTON C. MCLAUGHLIN.

Captain Milton C. McLaughlin is not only well known in Zanesville but has a wide acquaintance along the Ohio and Muskingum rivers for through many years he has acted as pilot. He was born in McConnelsville, Ohio, June 3. 1838. His paternal grandfather, William Mclaughlin, was a native of Pennsylvania and came to this state as a pioneer settler. aiding in the work of reclaiming it for the purposes of civilization and modern improvement. He mar- ried Miss Mary Williams, also a native of Penn- sylvania and they became the parents of nine chil- dren, all of whom have now passed away. James Mclaughlin, the eldest of this family, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1801. and died in 1893, at the very venerable age of ninety-two years. He married Margaret Ann Meighen, a native of Pennsylvania, and her death occurred when she was eighty-four years of age. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Mil- ton was the seventh in order of birth. Only two are now living, his brother Aaron, a resident of Marietta, Ohio, being a pilot and master of

steamer vessels. The father was a millwright by trade and removed from his native county to Morgan county, Ohio, where he followed that pursuit and also worked at carpentering. He served as auditor of Morgan county for eight years and was active and prominent in public af- fairs, having the trust of the entire community. He may well be styled a self-made man for he owed his advancement in life entirely to his own efforts. He attended school for only six weeks but in the school of experience he learned many valuable lessons and through reading and ob- servation added continually to his knowledge. He possessed a very retentive memory and as the years passed stored his mind with much useful information. His early political support was given to the whig party and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party. In early manhood he was elected and served as mayor of McConnelsville and as a public official was found to be systematic, prompt and capable in the discharge of all the duties that devolved upon him. He served as a member of the Mor- gan Guards of Morgan county in early days and acted as sergeant of his company.

Milton C. McLaughlin was reared in the place of his nativity and attended its public schools and there remained until the spring of 1860, when he came to Zanesville, where he has resided contin- uously since with the exception of a period of two years which were passed in his native county. On reaching manhood he went upon the river upon a boat where his brother was employed. It made trips between Marietta and Zanesville, being en- gaged in trade on the Muskingum river. Mr. McLaughlin's first employment was as deck sweeper. He possessed energy and determina- tion, however, and resolved that he would win advancement through merit and capability. He did faithfully and well whatever duty was as- signed him and later went with his brother as third cook and afterward was promoted to vari- Ous positions until he became steward of a steamer on the same river. A little later he became second clerk in the office of the boat and then went into the pilot house with his brother Aaron, who had become a pilot. to learn the river. This was in the spring of 1860 and after serving his apprenticeship he. received his government papers for license as a pilot and continued upon the river in that capac- itv. He was upon boats engaged in trade between Zanesville, Ohio. and Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, on the Ohio river with Captain C. R. Stull, and under John N. Lyon he learned the Ohio river and continued to act as a pilot for seven years between the points men- tioned. He was also on a boat engaged in trade between Ironton and Pittsburg for some time and then again in Zanesville and Marietta trade

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on a packet boat until 1900. He has since been captain, clerk and pilot on the steamer Vega, a government boat on the river and this is his pres- ent business connection. He is still very active for one of his age and is much esteemed by peo- ple all along the river with those who have car- ried on trade between the points mentioned and those who often served under him. He receives the largest salary of any man on the Muskingum river, a fact which is indicative of his capability and efficiency.

Captain Mclaughlin was married in 1869 to Miss Adalaide Murdock, a native of Zanesville and a daughter of John Murdock. They have two sons : J. C. McLaughlin, who was employed in the government office at Zanesville under Lieu- tenant Beach, Lieutenant Gillett and Edmund Molser for fourten years and is now in the gov- ernment service at Beaver, Pennsylvania, married Eva Ford, a daughter of James Ford, and they have one child, Harry, who was born in Zanes- ville and is now nine years of age ; and Frank M., who was born in Zanesville, is now employed at a pottery.

Mr. Mclaughlin gives his political allegiance to the republican party since casting his first pres- idential vote and has never faltered in his support of its principles. Fraternally he is connected with Muskingum lodge, No. 28, I. O. O. F. There are few men in this part of the state outside of polit- ical life who have a wider acquaintance than Cap- tain Mclaughlin and he may well be termed one of the most popular men on the river. In 1864 he was in the secret service under A. C. Wool- fock, A. Q. M. of Cairo, Illinois. His brother, James McLaughlin, volunteered in the First Ohio Regiment and afterward re-enlisted in the Sev- enty-eighth Ohio Infantry and served during the Civil war. He was one who ran the blockade at Vicksburg and was wounded while on the boat. which was the cause of his death.

WILBUR F. McCOY.

Wilbur F. McCoy, who figured for a long period in business circles in Zanesville, was a native of Virginia, his birth having occurred at Harper's Ferry on the 15th of June, 1842. His father, William McCoy, was a native of Scotland and after emigrating to America estblished his home in Virginia, where he followed merchan- dising, but being a strong supporter of the Union cause he left the Old Dominion during the pe- riod of the Civil war and brought his family to Zanesville, where he also conducted a store for a number of years.

Wilbur F. McCoy was educated in the schools of his native state and came to Zanesville when a

young man in the twenties. Eventually he be- came a partner in the Zanesville Hardware Com- pany, continuing with that firm until within a year of his death, which occurred on the 24th of June, 1896, when he was fifty-four years of age. He was progressive and diligent in all his busi- ness dealings and the success of the Zanesville Hardware Company was attributable in no small degree to his efforts, keen discernment and good judgment.

On the 4th of April, 1872, Mr. McCoy was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Israel, who was born in the town of Putnam, now a part of Zanesville, April 4, 1843. She is a daughter of Captain William E. Israel, who spent the greater part of his life in this city. He was born near Barnesville, Ohio, and first married Martha L. Thompson, a native of Asbury Chapel. His second wife bore the maiden name of Adelia Spencer and is still living at the age of seventy- five years of age. Mr. Israel died when seventy- five years of age. He was a boat-builder and at one time followed the river, becoming captain of a boat which made trips down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCoy was blessed with four children: Juliet Kane; Helen M .; William I., a mechanical engineer ; and Bernard W. Juliet Kane was married, Decem- ber 15, 1897, to Perry Smith, a native of this county and a lawyer of Zanesville, and they have two children: Perry McCoy, born February 21, 1900, and Cornelia McCoy, born January 15, 1905. Helen M. was married, October 31, 1902, to Richard V. Storer, who was born in Zanesville but is now living in Chicago, Illinois, where he is engaged in the granite and stone business. Mrs. McCoy, since the death of her husband, has erected her present home at No. 544 Adair av- entie.

Mr. McCoy took a deep interest in affairs and always kept well informed on the issues of the day. His business life was marked by consecu- tive advancement owing to his persistency of purpose and unfaltering energy. With the pass- ing of years his circle of friends constantly grew. His name is enrolled upon the list of hon- ored dead of Muskingum county.

J. HOPE SUTOR.

J. Hope Sutor, public accountant of Zanes- ville, was born in Muncy, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1846. His father, H. P. Sutor, a merchant, was of American birth and of German parentage. He wedded Mary Culbert- son Leattor, who was born in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, and was of Scotch-Irish descent on the

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paternal and American-French on the maternal side. In 1852 the parents removed to Baltimore, Maryland, and the son became a public-school student in that city. He was pursuing the work of the fourth year in the Baltimore City College, when he put aside his text-books to take up rail- road life, having learned telegraphy during the summer vacation of 1863. His college course embraced both the scientific and literary subjects with French and German as the languages. On the 4th of January, 1864, he became telegraph operator for the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad Company, at Havre de Grace, Maryland, where a ferry was operated. There was no bridge across the river and the movement of troops and supplies was very heavy. During the summer he was transferred to the terminus of the double track at Newark, Delaware, and upon the completion of the line to Elkton, was made station agent at Rossville, near Balti- more, but resigned there early in 1865. He then entered the services of the Bal- timore & Ohio Railroad Company on the construction of the double track and par- ticipated in the movement of the troops home after the Grand Review in Washington, in May of that year. In 1866 he was sent to Mountain division as train dispatcher and there remained until 1871.

On the first of November of the latter year he came to Zanesville as dispatcher but was assigned to the office of General Superintendent Quincy at Columbus, his former superior officer in double track work. In 1872 he was made chief clerk in the maintenance of way department for the Balti- more & Ohio lines west of the Ohio, and about 1878 was elected secretary of the Newark, Somerset & Straitsville, the Baltimore & Ohio & Chicago and the Central Ohio Railroad com- panies, which constituted the leased lines. In 1885 he was transferred to Baltimore as chief clerk in the office of the general manager of the entire system and upon the abolition of the office he returned to Ohio to again enter upon the duties which he had formerly performed but on the Ist of September, 1889, he resigned so as to become assistant to the president, general manag- er and treasurer of the Zanesville & Ohio River Railway Company. In July, 1892, he was ap- pointed as receiver and when the road was re- organized in 1900 as the Ohio & Little Kanawha Railroad, was made general manager and treas- urer. When this property was sold in 1902 he retired from railway service and took up the profession of public accountant. As is indicated his advance from one responsible position to an- other was continuous and each change was a further step in his business carcer.

In public affairs in Zanesville Mr. Sutor has been prominent although never an aspirant for office. He is, however, an ardent republican and

during the famous campaign of 1896 organized the Railroad Men's Marching Club of three hun- dred members. He served on the board of edu- cation from 1890 until 1896, acting for two years as vice president and two years as president. At one time he was secretary of the board of trade and during his active business life has been a di- rector in several of the city's industrial corpor- ations.

Mr. Sutor became a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity in May. 1869, and was first grand chancellor of West Virginia, occupy- ing that position in 1869-70. He was represent- ative from that state to the supreme lodge of the world in 1870 and 1871 and is now the oldest past grand chancellor in Ohio and among the oldest in the west. He was made a Master Mason in Aurora lodge, No. 43, West Virginia, October, 1869, and affiliated at Zanesville in 1872. He is a past master, past high priest, past thrice illus- trious master and a Knight Templar Mason. Also a charter member of Hope council, No. 82. of the Royal Arcanum, and is a past regent of that or- ganization. He has likewise been a member of a number of similar societies from which he has now withdrawn. Mr. Sutor has always been a man of scholarly tastes and habits, spending many of his most pleasant hours in the companionship of his books. He has become familiar with stand- ard fiction, but finds equal recreation in history and science. Particularly interested in the his- tory of his adopted county as well as in the na- tion's progress and achievements, he has thor- oughly informed himself concerning its develop- ment and upbuilding and that his researches have been broad and his investigation penetrating is indicated in the historical chapters of this volume which come from his pen.

CHARLES E. RUSSELL.

Charles E. Russell, who follows farming on section 4. Brush Creek township, was born Feb- ruary 5, 1862, in Muskingum county, his parents being James and Pleasant E. ( Cohagaw) Russell. The father was born in Loudoun county, Vir- ginia, and came to Ohio with his father, Martin Russell. The latter drove across the country from the Old Dominion and first rented land near Gaysport, but subsequently purchased land in Muskingum county, where he began farming on his own account. His son James remained with him during his boyhood and youth and assisted him in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm until about twenty-five years of age. Hle was then married to Miss Pleasant E. Co- hagaw. a daughter of William Cohagaw, one of the carly settlers of Muskingum county, who was also a native of the Old Dominion. At the time of his marriage James Russell began farming

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

on his own account and continued to follow that pursuit until his death, which occurred when his son Charles was only three years of age. He was always an industrious man and he successfully carried on his farming pursuits. He passed away upon the farm which is now the property of our subject and his loss was deeply regretted by his many friends as well as his family. He was an active and influential republican, putting forth every effort in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party and his reli- gious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Following the death of her husband Mrs. Russell afterward mar- ried a Mr. Taylor. By her first union she had three children : Rosie, now deceased ; Charles E., of this review ; and Elizabeth, the wife of Sam- uel Smith, by whom she had five children.

Following his mother's second marriage Charles E. Russell remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he went to work for his uncle, after which he was employed as a farm hand for four years. At the age of twenty- three years he married Miss Amelia Stuker, a daughter of John and Sophia (Wolfort) Stuker, who were natives of Wayne township, Muskin- gum county. Her grandfather, Gotlieb Stuker, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and with his father crossed the Atlantic to America in early life, the family home being eventually established in Wayne township. Unto Charles E. and Ame- lia Russell were born three children: Eva, who was born February 5. 1884, and is now a student in Ada Normal College at Ada, Ohio; Manford. who was born January 1, 1888; and Carrie, born March 3. 1894.

Mr. Russell owns eighty acres of land which is devoted to general farming and stock-raising and he has a beautiful home, attractive in its sur- roundings, tasteful in its furnishings and noted for its gracious hospitality. He takes pride in keeping everything about his place in good re- pair and follows the most progressive methods of farming.

In his political views Mr. Russell has always been a stanch republican, but has never had any desire to hold office, preterring to give his time and attention to his business interests. He be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal church and his co-operation can be counted upon for the fur- therance of any movement for the material, intel- lectual, political or moral progress of his com- munity. A man of domestic tastes, he is devoted to his family, and although his own educational privileges were somewhat limited he is determined that his children shall enjoy good advantages in that direction. His record is that of a man who has by his own unaided efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and perseverance and he is

now classed with the leading farmers of his com- munity, having now a valuable property which in its splendid appearance indicates to the passer-by the careful supervision of its owner.

HOWARD M. WILLEY.

Howard M. Willey, who follows the occupa- tion of farming and is also mail carrier in Wayne township, was born upon his present farm, April 9, 1870, and is a representative of one of the old Virginian families. His grandfather, John A. Willey, a native of the Old Dominion, came with his father to Muskingum county at an early day, when much of the land was still in possession of the government and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, a part of which is now in pos- session of Howard M. Willey. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place, but soon the plow and the harrow prepared the fields for planting and in due time good harvests were gathered. The grandfather spent the remainder of his life on that place.

Upon the old homestead Charles T. Willey, father of our subject, was born and reared and as a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Sarah Haggerty, who was born in Pittsburg and died when Mr. Willey of this review was six years of age. Unto Charles F. Willey and his wife were born ten children, all natives of Wayne township, and five are yet living, as follows: John, who is living in Zanes- ville; Sadie, the wife of L. Parker; Mrs. Kate Flanders ; Howard M., and Mrs. Janet Leslie. The father had eighty acres of land and carried on general farming until his death, which oc- curred when he was sixty-nine years of age. His business interests were well managed and he became a prosperous farmer. In his polit- ical views he was a staunch republican and for nine years he served as a director of the county infirmary.

Howard M. Willey was born upon the farm where he now resides and in the district schools of the neighborhood he obtained his education, while in later years reading and observation have broadened his knowledge. When his father re- moved to Zanesville he assumed the management of the home farm and soon demonstrated his ability to capably perform this task. He now owns and operates fifty acres of land, which his grandfather entered from the government, and which is about two and a half miles from the courthouse. It is a good property with modern improvements and equipments and his labors have made it very productive, so that his business is now profitable.

Mr. Willey was happily married to Miss Liz- zie Parker, a native of Zanesville and a daughter

H. M. WILLEY.

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of Washington Parker, who was also born in that city, and yet makes his home there. Their chil- dren are Ruth, Russell, Charles and Ed Willey. Mr. Willey's opinions on political questions are in harmony with republican principles and he al- ways votes for the candidates of the party, al- though he never seeks office as a reward for his fealty. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and his salient characteristics are such as make him respected by his brethren of the lodge and by the general public.

THOMAS W. SIMMS.

Thomas W. Simms is the owner of a well im- proved farm of about one hundred and eighty- four acres near Bloomfield, which was once the camping ground of the Indians and it is said that the old Indian chief, White Eye, is buried upon this tract of land. It was upon this farm that Mr. Simms was born, December 25. 1859, his parents being John and Catherine (Spicer) Simms, the former a native of Ireland, born March 14, 1815, while the latter was born in Salem township, Muskin- gum county, January 9, 1821. John Simms was only three years old when brought by his parents to America, the family settling in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1818. About 1836 he drove a four-horse team to Muskingum county, Ohio, coming westward with his parents who settled in Union township on the Wheeling road. The grandfather there remained a few years, when he removed to Highland township and pur- chased land and spent many years upon the farm, which comprised two hundred acres. He then moved to his son John's (where T. W. lives) and (lied there at the age of ninety. His wife also died there at the age of ninety-three years. They were the parents of two sons and two daughters : John Martha, Rosana, and Hugh, but all are now de- ceased.

John Simms was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania, assisting his father in his boyhood days on the old homestead and re- maining with him in Ohio until the time of his marriage. He operated the first sawmill in this section of the state, carrying on the business for twelve years. He received a part of the farm upon which his son Thomas now resides as a gift from his father and throughout his remaining days was the owner of two hundred acres of rich and arable land, the cultivation and labor which he bestowed upon it bringing him good financial returns. He was a republican in poli- tics and both he and his wife were devoted mem- bers of the United Presbyterian church of Bloom- field, where they were buried. He died January 23, 1896, at the age of eighty-one years, and his

wife passed away September 4, 1887, at the age of sixty-six years. They were the parents of seven children, of whom six are now living : Mrs. Margaret Scott, a resident of Beatrice, Nebraska ; Sarah, of Bloomfield, Ohio; Mrs. Elizabeth Mc- Donald, of Nebraska ; Gibson, a farmer living in Smith county, Kansas ; Thomas W., of this re- view ; Mrs. Ella Couden, a resident of Monroe township ; and Martha, who died in May, 1887.

Thomas W. Simms, having obtained his edu- cation in the district schools, began farming on the old homestead, where he has spent his entire life. He was married in 1884, to Miss Tillie Ross, whose birth occurred October 26, 1859, in Highland township, her parents being David W. and Margaret (Davis) Ross. Her mother at- tended the little old log school, a picture of which is shown in this work. Her father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1835, and was the son of Thomas and Matilda (Win- ters) Ross. The grandfather was born in the Keystone state in 1800, and the grandmother's birth occurred there in 1810. Thomas Ross was a blacksmith by trade and came to Ohio, in Sep- tember, 1855, locating at Bloomfield, where he turned his attention to farming, which he fol- lowed until his death in 1862. His widow sur- vived him for many years, passing away in 1897. David Ross was practically self-educated as he had little chance to attend school, but experience. observation and reading brought him much prac- tical knowledge. He remained with his father until after the outbreak of the Civil war and in 1864 he enlisted in the Union Army, becoming a member of Company D, One Hundred and Six- tieth Ohio Infantry, under Captain M. R. Trace. He served for five months and participated in the battles of the Shenandoah valley and Harper's Ferry. He has resided continuously upon the farm which he now owns since 1859, with the ex- ception of the brief period which he spent with the Union troops. He was married in the year mentioned to Miss Margaret Davis, one of the pioneers of the county. Mrs. Ross passed away July 6, 1900. Mr. Ross is a democrat in his polit- ical views and has been township trustee, super- visor and a member of the school board, while in local affairs he takes an active interest, always giving his aid and influence to further the cause of progress and development. He belongs to Hansen Post, No. 468, G. A. R .. of New Con- cord, and is a member of the United Presbyterian church at Bloomfield. His farm comprises one hundred and forty acres and its well improved condition indicates his life of untiring activity and well directed effort. Mrs. Simms has two sis- ters and four brothers, namely : William T., Clara J., Alice R., Marion C., Alvin W. and Frank E.

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Past and present of the city of Zanesville and Muskingham County, Ohio, Part 83

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