USA > Ohio > Guernsey County > Portrait and biographical record of Guernsey County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 25
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The labors of Major Mitchener have wrought good to liis country and to his fellow-men, and in the consciousness of the integrity of purpose and faithfulness of action which have guided his course in life. prosperity and contentment are now his portion.
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APT. JOSEPH I. KIDD, of Cambridge, is Engineer Master of Way with the Cleve- land & Marietta Railroad Company, and during the construction of this rond was one of the civil engineering corps which laid out and planned its course. He is an honored veteran of the late Civil War, having been among the first to respond to the President's call for troops, although he was then only fourteen years of age. With short intervals, he re-enlisted on the expiration of each term of service, remaining with his regiment until the close of the war. Since the cessation of hostilities between the North and South, he has given nearly all his time and attention to rail- roading.
The Captain is the eldest son of Isaac and Mary (Griest) Kidd. The former was born in Pennsyl-
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vania, and was of Welsh ancestry. By occupation he was a merchant, conducting a business in con- nection with farming. During the gold excite- ment of 1849 he went to the Pacific Slope, and never returned home, as his death occurred a few months after reaching the West. Ilis widow, like- wise a native of the Keystone State, was of Irish descent. A few years after the death of her hus- band, she removed to Morgan County, Ohio. From 1852 until 1866, the latter being the year of her death, she made her home in the Buckeye State. Her family comprised but two children, namely: Joseph; and Mary, now the wife of L. K. Chap- man, of Marietta, this state.
The birth of Capt. J. I. Kidd took place in West- moreland County, Pa., September 23, 1846. He attended the district schools, where he obtained his education, and subsequently entered Marietta College to pursue his higher studies. At the early age of twelve years he began learning the paint- er's trade, which he followed at intervals while at- tending college. When the Chief Executive of the United States called upon patriots to enlist for one hundred days' service he was among the first to respond, and served for about five months in the Second Virginia Infantry. He was then mus- tered out, but again enlisted, in the Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and participated in numerous hat- tles and engagements with his regiment during the next fifteen months. lle was wounded at the battle of Corinth, and was discharged on account of disability. As soon as it was possible for him to return to the front. he re-enlisted, in the Sev- enty-seventh Ohio Infantry, and was on duty un- til the close of the war, being mustered out with the other members of his regiment.
Returning North, Captain Kidd resumed the peaceful avocations of life, and in 1868 married Liddy A. Dowling, whose death occurred in the year 1873. She was a daughter of Jolin and Phobe Dowling, and by her marriage became the mother of four children, as follows: Della, who married James McClain; Mary. a resident of Ili- nois: John, now deceased; and Laura, who became the wife of Wallace Dowling. In 1876 our suh- ject married Miss Katie E. Morrison, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1859. To the Captain and
his wife were born a son and two daughters, who are all living at home, and who are named, respect- ively, Josie, Robert and Mina.
For about a year after leaving the army. Cap- tain Kidd was interested in prospecting and drill- ing for oil. He then became an employe of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in their southwestern branch, and continued with that. company until the railroad with which he is now connected was laid out. Since that time he has been an employe of the latter, and holds a position of trust and re- sponsibility. On political questions of the day he uses his influence and ballot in favor of the Re- publican party. He is a most highly esteemed citizen, taking commendable interest in whatever pertains to the general good.
P ROF. ROBERT BOYD SMITH, Superin- tendent of the Uhrichsville public schools, is an alle educator, and has won fame in his chosen profession. For the past ten years he has occupied his present responsible position, dis- charging the numerous duties resting upon his shoulders to the full satisfaction of all concerned. Prior to this he was for sixteen years Professor of Languages and Mathematics in Scio College, of Harrison County, Ohio. In his early manhood he studied medicine, and in 1865 was a student in the medical department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. The following fall he entered upon his practice, but at the end of two years turned his attention to his present field of labor, for which he is eminently qualified both by nature and education.
Born on his father's farm near Conotton, llarri- son County, this state, January 12, 1838, our sub- ject is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Little) Smith, the former a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, and the latter of Allegany County, Md. In 1817 Robert Smith emigrated to America and settled in Washington, D. C. He was a tailor by trade, but on reaching the United States worked at chiseling
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stone for the new capitol building, the other hav- ing been destroyed by the British. He soon re- moved to Allegany County, Md., where he worked at his regular trade. He was born August 4, 1794, and died in June, 1857. His wife, to whom he was married in 1820, was born April 2, 1799, and died February 4, 1882. The young couple resided in Somerset County, Pa., until December, 1825, when they removed to Harrison County, Ohio. where the father engaged in farming, and also worked to some extent at his trade, for fifteen years. In 1840 they settled on a farm in Carroll County, where they dwelt until Ma -1, 1848, and then became residents of Goshen Township, Tus- carawas County, there continuing to make their home until claimed by death. The paternal grand- father of our subject, John Smith, was a well-to- do farmer in Scotland. The maternal grandfather, Adam Little, a native of Maryland, became an in- habitant of Harrison County, Ohio, and there re- sided until his demise.
To Robert and Elizabeth Smith were born nine children: Adam, who died in 1879, in Putnam County, Ohio; Leonard, whose death occurred in Goslien Township, October 5, 1894; Mary A., wife of David Wallich, of Van Wert County, Ohio; Thomas C., a farmer near Benedict, Neb .; John W .. a blacksmith of Henry County, Ill .; Que son who died in infancy; Robert Boyd, of this sketch; . J. Harvey, a farmer of this county; and David M., who died in the hospital at Vicksburg, Miss., being a member of the Eightieth Ohio Infantry.
In his native county, Professor Smith received his rudimentary education, and later attended the district schools of Carroll and Tuscarawas Conu- ties. Subsequently he took a three-years course in the academy at New Ilagerstown, and in 1863 he was graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity, in the village of Delaware. Immediately aft- erward he took up the study of medicine, and at the same time taught in a select school for two years. In 1865 he entered the medical depart- ment of the Michigan University, and at the end of a year was licensed to practice medicine. In the fall of 1866 he began practicing, but at the end of two years was called to the Chair of Lan- guages and Mathematics in Scio College, and ac-
cepted the position. Since coming to Uhrichis- ville, he has prospered in every way, and is the owner of some valuable property in the place. Ilis lirst Presidential vote was deposited for Abra- ham Lincoln, and he has always been a true-blue Republican. In manner he is quiet and unassum- ing, but has many warm friends among his ac- quaintances.
January 7, 1868, Professor Smith married Miss Susan Fribly, daughter of S. F. Fribly, a well known citizen of this county. Two daughters have come to bless their union, namely: Cora F. and Elizabethi M., both of whom are at home. Professor and Mrs. Smith and their daughters arc members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and are greatly interested in everything relating to its welfare.
IIILIP BAKER. It is a well known fact that circumstances in life may make or mar the prospeets of a man to a certain extent, but a determined spirit will bend even the force of cir- cumstances to its will. The career of Philip Baker since his arrival ou the stage of human action is abundant proof of the trite saying: That which is better than silver or gold, a good name, gains added luster in adverse circumstances, and the sterling qualities of character are strengthened in the combats of life. The original of this sketeli, who was one of the honored and prominent citi- zens of Tuscarawas County, passed from the scenes of earth April 24, 1881, in Canal Dover.
Our subject was born in Little York, Pa., June 20, 1812, and was the son of Philip and Catherine (Metzgen) Baker. He was given such an educa- tion as the times and means of his parents would permit, and, being ambitious to become well in formed, by reading and observation added to his fund of general information. Ile remained at home until starting out in life, at the age of twen- ty-one entering upon what proved to be for many years a life of toil and hardship. Prior to his de- cease, when looking back over the many years
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when he was often denied the real necessaries of life, he often wondered how he made his way through the privations. Hleattributed the greater part of his success, however, to the good manage- ment of his wife, whom he felt to be one of the best helpmates a struggling man ever had.
When ready to establish a home of his own, Mr. Baker was married, in Canal Dover, to Miss Harriet Elliott, the daughter of Capt. Wilson and Mary (Rced) Elliott. She was born in Mansfield, this state, October 22, 1816. Her parents were natives, respectively, of Maryland and Pittsburg, Pa. Mr. Elliott was a lawyer by profession, but after locat-
ing in Mansfield started a banking establishment and became one of the wealthy and influential residents of that place.
By their union Mr. and Mrs. Baker became the parents of two sons and two daughters, Mary, now the widow of Alonzo H. Hardesta; Jesse D., en- gaged in the banking business in this city; Loretta, the wife of E. P. De Greif; and Charles, a resident of Canal Dover, also engaged in the banking busi- ness. The second danghter, with her two chil- dren, Helen and Thurman, makes her home with her mother, who occupies an elegant residence in this city.
HON. CHARLES J. ALBRIGHT.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
HON. CHARLES JEFFERSON ALBRIGHT.
H ON. CHARLES JEFFERSO' EBRIGHT,
fourth Congress, which assembled Decem- deceased, was a member of the Thirty-
ber 3, 1855, and which was the first to meet und ir the present Republican party, which had just been organized. After being sworn into office, the
ally, he gave the first Republican vote ever cast Republican side his name coming first alphabetie- House procecdled to eleet a Speaker, and on the
eral of the most famous nominating conventions in in the Ohio Congress. Mr. Albright figured in sev-
at the first Ohio State Republican Convention held the history of the United States. He was present
in 1855, and was Vice-President of the meeting. Ile sat with Lincoln at the first National Conven- tion of the party, which met at Philadelphia in
latter was loyally supported until it became evi- tion mainly instructed for Salmon P. Chase. The Convention at Chicago, as a member of a delega- 1856. Again, in 1860, he was sent to the National
second ballot came a supreme moment. Seward led dent that it was hopeless, and at the elose of the Lincoln by two votes, when Mr. Albright and two of his colleagues left Chase and lent their support to Lincoln. The shout which went up from the friends of the Illinois statesman, and the rejoicing, are matters of history. In 1862 Lincoln appointed our subject Collector of Internal Revenue for the Sixteenth District, of Ohio, which office he held until June 30, 1869. In 1873 he was elected to serve in the Third Ohio Constitutional Conven- tion. During the war he was a member of the Military Committee of this county, and in 1875 was appointed by the Governor' as a member of the Board of State Charities. In addition to the
important offices named, Mr. Albright at various times was Mayor, Clerk and Councilman, and served in other positions of trust and honor. He was for upwards of fifty-three years a citizen of Cambridge. where his death occurred October 21, 1883, at the age of sixty-nine years.
The name of Albright was changed to its pres- ent spelling from the German Albrecht only in the last century. Our subject was a son of Frederick, a native of Prussia, born in 1767. Like his father before him, he was a physician. In 1793, in com- pany with an unele, he came to the United States, and for the next thirty years resided and practiced successively in Lancaster and Harrisburg, Pa., Mar- tinsburg, Va., and Carlisle and Bedford, Pa. De- cember 9, 1802, he married Sarah Atkinson, who bore him seven children. The parents died within three months of each other, the mother December 27, 1841, and the father March 16, 1842, in his sixty-eighth year. Ile had been for eighteen years prior to his demise totally blind.
Charles J. Albright was born at Carlisle, Pa., May 9, 1816. Ile was reared in Bedford, Martins- burg and Woodbury until 1824, when the family removed to Allegheny County, there dwelling un- til the spring of 1832, when he came with his parents to the farm then owned by B. A. Albright, two and a-half miles east of Cambridge. When only ten years old he began learning harness- making in his brother's shop, and from his four- teenth to his twenty-fourth year worked at vari- ous employments, such as farming, mining, print- ing, clerking and school-teaching. Only for brief periods was he enabled to study in the rude and elementary schools of the day. In 1840 he pur-
8
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chased the Guernsey Times, which he conducted for five years, and later from 1848 to 1855. Ile was always a true friend to educational meas- ures; from 1841 to 1844 he was Secretary, and after 1851 was for some time a member, of the Guernsey County Board of School Examiners, and in 1881 was elected President of the Board of School Ex- aminers of Cambridge Union School.
October 8, 1838, Mr. Albright married Miss Nancy, youngest daughter of James Bichard, who was one of the colonists from the Island of Guern- sey, and settled in this county in 1807. Mrs. Al- bright is still living in Cambridge. Both she and her husband were long workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church of this place, and the latter, with very short interruptions, always held some oflice in the congregation.
J AMES M. KNISELY, classed among the keen and thoroughly wide-awake citizens of New Philadelphia, rendered his country valuable service during the late war as a soldier in the ranks. Ile is widely known throughout this sec- tion of country, and is now in charge of the city hall. Mr. Knisely was born here, July 7, 1841, and is the son of Jacob B. and Caroline (Tucker) Knisely.
The elder Mr. Knisely was a native of Tuscara- was County, and was born June 16, 1809. He is still living, and resides on the property which he purchased in 1832. During the earlier years of his life he followed the trade of a carpenter, but he is now retired from active work of any kind. In political affairs he is a strong Democrat. Relig- iously, the Lutheran Church finds in him one of its most valued and consistent members.
The mother of our subject was born in Carroll County, this state, December 23, 1814. She also is still living, but is in very feeble health. The parental family numbered thirteen children: Re- becca, Jacob B., Levi M., Urias .J., Sarah, George W., James M., John W., Benjamin F., Henry, Mary
Jane, Anna and Edison. Those deceased arc Re- becca, Jacob, Urias J., Sarah, Mary J. and Edison.
The early life of our subject was spent under the parental roof, and he attended the public schools until enlisting in the late war. Volunteer- ing his services August 12, 1862, he was at that time mustered in as a member of Company D, Fifty-second Ohio Infantry, as drummer-boy, going into camp at Dennison. While the company was waiting in that place for further orders, young Knisely was appointed principal musician of liis regiment, with which he went to Lexington, Au- gust 23 of that year. They remained in Kentucky until the battle of Perryville, in which they took part, under the command of General Sheridan, and from there were ordered to Nashville, Tenn., from which place a portion of the regiment, including our subject, moved on and participated in the bat- tle of Stone River. The troops then returned to Nashville and went into camp for the winter.
In April, 1863, the Fifty-second Ohio was sent to Bentwood Station, doing guard duty on the railroads. June 1, however, they returned to Nashville, and about the middle of the month were ordered to Murfreesboro, where young Knise- ly was taken sick, with the typhoid fever. Col. Dan MeCook had him taken to a private house, where he received the best of nursing, and two months later was enabled to rejoin his regiment on its way to Nashville, where it arrived September 1. On leaving camp they moved through Frank- lin, Columbus, Athens, Huntsville, Stephenson, and Bridgeport, from which latter place they made their way across Lookout Mountain to Chattanooga. On the 18th of September they were at Rossville Gap, and the following day marched to the left of Rosecrans' army. About two o'clock in the after- noon of the 20th, the regiment fought the battle of Chickamauga. After that conflict the command went back to Chattanooga, where they remained a few days, when they crossed the creek to the north of Chickamauga and moved on to Brown's Ferry. Crossing the river at that place, they found them- selves in Lookout Valley. Thence, under the com- mand of General Hooker, they retraced their steps to North Chickamauga, where they were placed under the leadership of Sherman, and took part in
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the battle of Missionary Ridge. After this engage- ment they started to Eastern Tennessee, to the re- hef of General Burnside. On their return they remained for a few weeks at Connauga Mills, then marelied again for Chattanooga, arriving there De- cember 24, 1863.
After a stop of a short time in the above place, the forces were ordered to McElfee Church, Ga., and remained there in camp until February, 1864. They were next ordered out under General Thomas, and began active skirmishing along the line to Buzzard's Roost. Returning to McElfee's Church, they stopped there until the middle . March, then moved to Lee & Garden's Mills, Ga. On this bat- tlefield the regiment lay drilled and recruited un- til May 2, on which morning they were ordered out to engage in the Atlanta campaign. The first active skirmish occurred at Ringgold. This was followed by the lights at Tunnel ITill and Buzzard's Roost. At the last-named place the division in which our subject was a member was taken out, and, going through Snake Creek Gap, took part in the battle of Resaca. They thien joined the Sec- ond Division under Davis, and marched to Rome, Ga., where occurred a conflict. From there they went to Pumpkin Vine Ridge, when the Second Division was sent to the right at Dallas, joining the command of General McPherson. After this action they went to Big Shanty, and from there to the foot of Kenesaw Mountain, where the regi- ment lay under fire of the rebel guns for seven days. June 25 they were moved to the right, and on the morning of the 27th were in the general charge on the mountain, where General McCook was mortally wounded and the Union forces lost heavily, especially the regiment of Mr. Knisely. The Federal troops remained on the field of battle for several days under the enemy's fire, and on their retreat moved on to the Chattahoochee River, where occurred another conflict, lasting several days. The Union forces then crossed the river, and on the morning of the 19th of July, 1864, took part in the battle of Peach Tree Creek.
The command of our subject was on duty about Atlanta until August 28, when, they were ordered elsewhere, and later fought at Jonesboro, Septem- ber 1. After this encounter they went back to
Atlanta in charge of prisoners, and remained there until about the 20th of the month, when the di- vision was placed on a train and conveyed to Athens, Ala., in order to operate against Wheel- er's cavalry. After doing good service there, they returned to Atlanta, and as a part of the Four- teenth Army Corps went with Sherman on his march to the sea, participating in the siege of Savannah. Thence they went through the Caro- linas, fighting at Averysborough and Bentonville, whence they moved on to Goldsboro, where the troops were given new clothing. Leaving Golds- boro, they encountered the enemy at Smithfield, and again near Raleigh. From the latter place they marched to a point on the Cape Fever River, where the last engagement took place. After that they marched through to Washington, and partici- pated in the Grand Review, at which time our suh- ject played hus old snare-drum during the entire parade. The troops were then mustered out, Mr. Knisely's regiment being paid off and honorably discharged at Camp Chase, June 25, 1865. Ile still has in his possession the drum which was pre- sented to him by his regiment, and which on im- portant occasions he uses, he having been one of the noted drummers of the late war.
After his return home, our subject took up the trade of a carpenter, which he has followed more or less all his life. For fifteen years he was in the employ of English & Dixon, agricultural-imple- ment manufacturers, working in the wood depart- ment. At the expiration of that time he did con- traeting on his own account until his health de- manded a change in occupation.
In 1887 Mr. Knisely was elected a member of the City Council on the Republican ticket, and on the expiration of his term, so popular was he with the people, he was re-elected to the same posi- tion. For three years, dating from 1885, he was Chief of the Fire Department, giving entire satis- faction while the incumbent of this important po- sition. In March, 1893, he was placed in charge of the city hall, which post he now holds.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Elsie Hensell was celebrated November 1, 1866. The lady was the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Fribley) Ilensell, natives of Tuscarawas County.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
To Mr. and Mrs. Knisely there were born two chil- dren. Charles E., and an infant who died unnamed. The former, who was born in 1876, is a graduate of the high school of this city, and, like his honored father, is a noted drummer. Mrs. Knisely is a member in excellent standing of the Lutheran Church, and is active in all good works.
In social affairs our subject is a prominent Odd Fellow, belonging to Lodge No. 107, at New Phil- adelphia, in which he has passed all the chairs. As a matter of course, he is a Grand Army man, and is now Sergeant-Major of his post. He also belongs to the Union Veteran Union, and takes great interest in all Grand Army affairs.
A DAM GINTZ, the leading furniture dealer of New Philadelphia, is also proprietor of an undertaking establishment, and is mas- ter of the art of embalming. Ile is a thorough and practical cabinet-maker and upholsterer, having followed this calling during the main part of his life. For several years he has been centrally lo- cated on West High Street, where he succeeded the firm of Hard, Wibel & Co.
Adam Gintz is a son of Philip and Catherine (Sundheimer) Gintz. both of whom were born in Germany. About 1847 the father emigrated to the United States, and soon located at New Phila- delphia. Ile had learned the miller's trade, and followed this occupation at the River Mills. Sub- sequently he rented the mill now known as the New Philadelphia Milling Company's plant, and after this was burned down he purchased a mill in Canal Dover. This he operated for about three years, when he sold out and turned his attention to keeping a hotel. Disposing of his interest in that business, he became interested in running a restaurant in this place, and carried on a flourish- ing business in this line for some twelve years, when he retired. His wife, Catherine, was born in
the same neighborhood in Wurtemberg as was her husband. She came to America with her parents, and by way of the canal proceeded to New Phila- delphia. Her people engaged in farming for many years, but are now deceased. She was one of three children, the others being Caroline and Elizabeth: In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Gintz were identi- fied with the Reformed Evangelical Church. In politics Mr. Gintz is a Democrat.
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