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 29
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is also a member of St. Andrew's Brotherhood and of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. Both Mr. and Mrs. McCulloughi are de- vout members of the Episcopal Church of this city.
OHN SHOEMAKER. It may well be the pride of our subject that he l. claimed a tract of fruitful land from its natural condi-
tion, transforming it into a finely improved and highly cultivated farm, one of the best in Warwick Township, and in so doing has materially aided in perfecting the development of the rich agricultural resources of Tuscarawas County. By persistent labor he wrought a wondrous change in the land, until that which was once a wilderness became one of the best-tilled farms in the neigh- borhood. Having accumulated a competency, Mr. Shoemaker is retired from active labor, and now makes his home in Shoemaker's Valley, where he is passing liis declining years in peace and quiet.
A native of Germany, our subject was born No- vember 3, 1819. His parents, Peter and Afa (Es- pensha) Shoemaker, were likewise born in the Fa- therland, whence they emigrated to the United States in 1855. They made their home in this state until their decease, the father dying in 1870, aged sixty-three years, and the mother passing away in Cumberland, Ohio, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. They had born to them a family of six children, of whom we make the fol- lowing mention: Jolin, of this sketch, was the eld- est of the household; Elizabeth became the wife of Leonard Lonstafer, a farmer in good circumstances near Cumberland, this state; Jacob is carrying on farming operations in Indiana; Peter is deceased; and two died in infancy.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Catherine Shoemaker, who lived and died in their native land, Germany. The former, who was a surveyor, was greatly interested in the educational affairs of that country, and ever
showed himself to be an enterprising citizen. He was connected with the Lutheran Church, in the faith of which his children were trained.
John Shoemaker, of this sketch, thinking to bet- ter his financial condition, emigrated to America in 1838. Landing in New York City, he remained there for a time, after which he went to Lancaster County, Pa., and engaged to work ont by the month on farms. He followed this industry for two years and nine months, and then, being ready- to establish a home of his own, he married Eliza- beth Engle. She died in December, 1871, aged fifty-two years.
Tuscarawas County became the home of- our subject in 1850. He at once located upon the land which he developed into his present fine es- tate, but at that time it bore little resemblance to its now flourishing condition. Mr. Shoemaker im- mediately began the arduous work of clearing and fencing his estate, and to-day is the proud posses- sor of two hundred and twenty broad acres of as fine farming land as is to be found in the county.
The children born to our subject and his estima- ble wife were as follows: John, who is now a farmer in this county. and employed in grading the Coal Railroad at Trenton, this state; Catherine, the wife of John Shoemaker, a shoe merchant at Canton; Jake, a farmer of Rush Township; Philip, engaged in agricultural pursuits in Joshua Town- ship; Mary, the wife of Eugene Lane, a miner of Warwick Township; and Charles, a prominent fariner of the above section.
The second union of our subject, which occurred in 1872, was with Barbara Engle, a cousin of his first wife, and who was born in Germany in 1834. She was the daughter of Nicholas and Catherine Engle, also born in the Fatherland, where the former died in 1870. The mother is still living, making her home in Iowa.
To John and Barbara Shoemaker were granted three children, viz .: Joseph, a farmer of Warwick Township; Benjamin, managing the homestead; and Carrie, deceased. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and as a good citizen should be, is ear- nestly interested in all that pertains to his town- ship and county, Ilis career was begun as a poor boy, with limited education, but by energy and
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perseverance, united with economy and good busi- ness qualifications, he has become wealthy, and the records show him to be one of the large tax-payers of the township. He has recently sold between eighty and ninety acres of coal land, which he purchased some years ago at $7 per acre, and for which he now receives $60 per acre. He is a man who has so conducted himself and the affairs of life that he has the confidence and good wishes of the entire community.
HARLES P. MINNICH, a retired farmer and merchant of Tusearawas, was born in this city, and is one of the oldest inhabitants of the place, which in former years was called Tren- ton. He is now the owner and operator of the Mount Carbon Coal Mine, and has money invest- ed in various other enterprises.
John, the father of Charles Minnich, was born in Bradford, Pa., August 10, 1798, and with his parents came to New Philadelphia, Ohio, in July, 1805. He taught school in his youth, and about 1827 came to this place, where he opened a store in the log structure which was moved from a desert- ed Goshen mission and with slight repairs served him as both store and dwelling-place until 1835. He was the first merchant to engage in trade at Trenton, and his early supplies were purchased in Pittsburg, the goods being transported by team. Later he bought a stock of goods in Philadelphia, and these were brought over the mountains in wag- ons. During his remaining days Mr. Minnich was actively engaged in business here until his death, which occurred June 5, 1870. His parents were Philip and Sarah (Kniseley) Minnich, natives of Pennsylvania, who were among the pioneers of 1805 in this locality. Jolin Minnich was the first Postmaster of this village, and held the office for some thirty years, when he resigned and recom-
mended as his successor a gentleman who was duly appointed.
John Minnich married Elizabeth Hout, who was born in Virginia, September 27, 1803, and died October 25, 1886. Her parents were Peter and Ro- sanna Ilout. The former came to this county from Virginia about 1811, and after purchasing a section of land returned to the Old Dominion with the in- tention of settling up his affairs in order to perma- nently locate in Ohio. He was an extensive farm- er, and very prominent in the locality where he dwelt. Before he had carried his plans into effect, he was taken seriously ill and died. His wife died in Jefferson County, Ohio. John and Elizabeth Minnich had four sons and four daughters, as fol- lows: Sarah, who married Joshua Gooding, for- merly a farmer of Goshen Township; Charles P., our subject; Rosanna, wife of H. B. Sargent, a retired farmer of Delta, this state; John H., deceased, wlio laid out the town of Derby, Kan .; Albert, a retired merchant of Derby, Sedgwick County, Kan .; Mar- tha, deceased; Mary, of this city; and Henry C., who owns and carries on a farm and coal mine and is a resident of Tuscarawas.
Charles P. Minnich was born January 17, 1831 and continued to live with his parents until by reached man's estate. In 1858 he was united in marriage with Mary R. Benner, who was born in Pennsylvania, September 10, 1833, and whose par- ents, Thomas and Martha (Thompson) Benner, were natives of the Keystone State and Steuben- ville, Ohio, respectively. The former was born September 10, 1803, to Philip and Ruth (Roberts) Benner, and died April 2, 1888. Philip Benner was one of General Washington's teamsters at Valley Forge, Pa., during the Revolutionary War. He was an extensive iron manufacturer in later years at Bellefonte, Pa., and lived to attain the extreme old age of ninety years. Mrs. Minnich's mother was born in July, 1812, and died in February, 1849. Her parents were Robert and Elizabeth (Kelly) Thompson. The former, who was born in Ireland, emigrated to .Jefferson County, Ohio, at an early day and engaged in the milling business at Jack- sonville. He was at one time Sheriff of the county within whose boundaries he passed the major part of lus life. Mrs. Minnich is one of eight children,
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the others being as follows: Elizabeth, Philip K., George W. and Emeline, who are deceased; Robert T., a farmer of this county; Hannah M., who has passed away; and Ilelen K., widow of George Cron- hiser, who owned and operated a homestead near ' Eastport, Ohio. Thomas Benner was the proprietor of the old Uhrichsville woolen-mill and for a time ran a furnace at New Philadelphia in addition to carrying on a farm. For a term of twelve years he was Township Trustee, also served as Treasurer, and was School Director for many years. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religion was identified with the Presbyterian denominatior
Three sons and three daughters have come to bless the union of Charles P. Minnich and wife: Benner, who lives at home and is superintendent .I his father's coal mine; Martha, who died in infan- cy; Cora, formerly a music teacher and now the wife of Lewis Lineberger, car inspector at the Den- nison (Ohio) railroad yards; Wilson, who is now in California; Harry, who lives at home and is en- gaged in farming; and a daughter who died in in- fancy.
After his marriage, which took place when our subject was about twenty-seven years old, his fa- ther gave him a-third interest in his store, where the young man had formerly worked on a salary. At the end of three and a-half years he disposed of his interest and leased forty acres of coal land from his father. This he operated for six years, after which, in company with his two brothers, Albert and Henry, he took possession of the old store, which was carried on for three years more and then sold. In 1872 Charles Minnich remodeled the store and two years later re-opened the place, which he con- ducted until September, 1886, when it was de- stroyed by fire. At the time of his father's deatlı he was appointed one of three administrators to attend to the estate, and for some years it took up the main part of his time. On this account he re- tired from business, appointing his sons and others to operate his mines and other commercial inter- ests.
The first ballot of our subject was cast for Gen- eral Scott in the presidential election of 1852. Since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its enthusiastic supporters. In
1864 he was appointed Quartermaster for the Sev- entieth Battalion Ohio National Guards by Gov- ernor Brough, and after remaining in the service for a short time was honorably discharged.
19 EWIS K. THOMPSON is the editor of the Twin City Independent, which is published in Ubrielsville, and is not only one of the leading papers of Tuscarawas County, but also of this portion of the state. The proprietor of the journal has been from boyhood engaged in the printing business, and worked his way up from an hnmble capacity. He has served in every position connected with the printing-office, and is thor- oughly conversant with its various branches. In January, 1893, he bought the Independent, which he has since conducted. Its name is an index to its character on the question of politics, and it is fear- less in its attitude toward all organizations.
The father of Lewis K. was Samnel R. Thomp- son, M. D., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, and who is one of the leading physicians of this county. Our subject was born December 12, 1851. in Warrenton, Jefferson County, Ohio. He removed hither with his father in 1855, and for four years was a resident of West Chester. In 1859 he came to Uhrichisville, and received his education in the common schools of the place. He was only thirteen years of age, however, when he began working in the office of the Tuscarawas Chronicle, published in New Philadelphia. For five years he followed the trade of a printer and then, a good opening occurring, he returned to Uhrichsville and embarked in the grocery trade, in which he was in- terested for some ten years. In 1881 he obtained a position as compositor in the office of the Cleve- land Daily Leader, and worked steadily there until 1893.
In January of the year last mentioned, Mr. Thompson bought the Independent, which he has since carried on. Though huis educational privi-
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leges were not of the best in his early years, he afterward became well informed on general topics and along certain lines of thought, by a wise and selected course of study and reading. lIe is dis- playing his ability and keenness of intellect and perception in the management of his journal, which is ably edited.
January 31, 1888, occurred the marriage of Mr. Thompson and Rebecca Valentine, whose father was killed in the service during the War of the Rebellion. One child, Lewis M., was born to the young couple February 16, 1889.
In his political belief Mr. Thompson is a Repub- Fican, and though he takes a commendable interest in the progress of his party he is not an office- seeker in any sense. Upright and honorable in his relations with his fellow-citizens, be bears a hugh reputation for his sterling character and true worth. lle is patriotic and public-spirited, always trying to advance the prosperity of the locality in which his lot is cast.
P ETER SCHUPP, a wealthy and retired farmer, is one of the most respected resi- dents of Warwick Township. Ile pur- chased the homestead on which he dwells in 1871, and has made many important improvements on the place since becoming its owner. He has never aspired to political honors, but has served accepta- bly as Road Supervisor and School Director, and is a stanch advocate of the Democracy.
A native of Prussia, Germany, our subject was woin December 13, 1831, and is the son of John G. and Mary E. (Krisher) Schupp. The father was born near the banks of the Rhine, in April, 1806, and died in 1879. Ilis good wife, whose birth like- wise occurred in the Fatherland, was born in 1813, and died in 1878. They were brought up to farm life and were industrious, thrifty and hard-work- ing people. Of their marriage were born five children, two of whom are now deceased, namely,
Henry and Fred. Those living are Peter; John G., a farmer of Clay Township, who is represented elsewhere in this work; and Charles engaged in farming in this township. The parents of these children set sail for America in the spring of 1843, and after a voyage which consumed twenty-eight and a-half days landed in New York City. They remained for a year at a point about three miles from Albany, N. Y., but in 1844 came to this coun- ty, settling in Cluy Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The senior Mr. Schupp was a shoemaker by trade, and managed to make a good living for his family in the pursuit of this vocation. Four years prior to his death he went to Stone Creck, where he remained for two years, after which he went to New Philadelphia, where his death occurred. When he reached this county he purchased forty acres of land, and as time passed increased his possessions until he be- came thoroughly well-to-do. After the death of his first wife, he married Mary Niederhauser, who survived him but two years.
Peter Schupp, whose name heads this article, continued to live with his parents until he reached his majority, when he went out into the world to carn his own living. About that time he married Catherine Cappel, and the young couple moved to a farm of fifty acres which our subject's father gave him. This was located in Clay Township, and there the early years of their married life were passed. The following children came to bless their union: Adam, who is located at Uhrichsville; Peter, now deceased; Caroline, now the wife of Daniel Holman, a farmer of this township; Fred, who lives in Dayton, Ohio; Albert, of Uhrichsville; Catherine and Mary E., deceased; William, wlio lives in the village of Gnadenhutten; Charles, who is in the West; Mary E., Mrs. George Frazier, of Dennison, Ohio; one who died in infancy; and John E., who lives in Gnadenhutten. Mrs. Catlı- erine Schupp departed this life in 1882, when in her forty-ninth year.
In 1883 was celebrated the union of our subject with Catherine Baker, who was born in Germany, in May, 1843, and is the daughter of Philip and Mary (Kessler) Baker. They became residents of Jefferson Township, in 1840, and there lived un-
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til death called them from their labors, the fa- ther dying in February, 1888, aged eighty-four years, and the mother in April, 1881, at the age of seventy-seven years. Their eleven children were as follows: Maggie, who is deceased; Lavina, Mary, Philip, Catherine, Sophia, Peter, John, and three who died in infancy. Our subject and his worthy` wife have adopted a little girl, who is known as Lydia Schupp, and who was born June 9, 1880. She is now attending school in the neigh- borhood.
Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Schupp are identified with the Lutheran Church, and ar vive in all denominational and benevolent work. They have many warm friends in this vicinity, who esteem them for their sterling qualities. The well ; . proved homestead where they reside comprises some ninety-five and a-half acres of fine land, which would readily command a high price in the market. In his political belief Mr. Schupp is identi- fied with the Democratic party.
S IMON A. MEYER. The record of Tuscara- was County would be incomplete without mention of one of its best known and most highly respected citizens in the person of our sub- ject, who is one of the well-to-do agriculturists of Warwick Township. Ile bears the distinction of being one of the pioneers of the section, and has contributed his share toward the upbuilding of his community.
Mr. Meyer was born in Pennsylvania, October 22, 1827, and is the son of John F. and Elizabeth (Crider) Meyer, who were also born in that state. The parents made the journey to Tuscarawas Coun- ty in 1835, locating at once in Warwick Township, where they made their home for three years, the father farming during the summer months, and following his trade of a tailor in the winter season. At the expiration of that time he took up his abode in Goshen Township, and after a residence there of many years returned, in 1858, to Warwick Township. His wife there died in 1872, at the
age of fourscore and two years. On the death of his companion, John Meyer made his home with. our subjeet, passing away in 1875, aged seventy- six years.
The paternal grandparents of our subject, who were both natives of Germany, emigrated to this county about the year 1793. After a residence here of a few months, they found the climate very different from that in their native land, and, being dissatisfied, they returned to their old home in Lancaster County, Pa., and there passed the re- mainder of their lives, dying when advanced in years.
To John F. and Elizabeth Meyer there were born three sons, those besides our subject being Elias C., a tailor carrying on business in Canal Dover, and Edwin William, now deceased. The children were all educated in the old-time school- houses, with their rude furnishings, but making the best of their limited opportunities became well in- formed in the common branches.
The original of this sketch remained at home with his parents until two years after attaining his majority, when he began the battle of life on his own responsibility. His first employment was clearing land for others, receiving as compensa- tion for his hard labor what would now be consid- ered a very insignificant sum of money. He con- tinued thus to operate for a few years, when his father gave him a wagon and team. Having a thorough knowledge of farm work, he worked a piece of property for one-third of the profits, and so well did he manage affairs that he was retained by the owner at the same price for three years. At the expiration of that time, having been very economical, he purchased thirty acres of land, hav- ing a small sum to pay down and borrowing $200 additional to make the first payment. . The prop- erty was valued at $1,000, and at this time young Meyer was only making fifty cents per day. Find- ing that it would be almost impossible for him to save that amount of money, and fearing that he would lose his farm, he went to work in a coal mine, receiving wages which enabled him to pay all his debts in twelve years and purchase an ad- ditional thirty acres.
Being thus well equipped to begin life, our sub-
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ject quit the mines and began the work of improv- ing his estate, which he did in a most admirable and profitable manner. In 1886 he increased his acreage to one hundred and thirty-five acres, which he traded that year for a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-two acres. He is truly a self-made man, and the community finds in him a valned cit- izen.
In 1850 Mr. Meyer was married to Catherine M. Cribbs, a native of Goshen Township, Tuscara was County, who was born June 17, 1830. She was the daughter of John and Anna B. (Kitch) Cribbs, natives of Pennsylvania, whence they emigrated to this state during pioneer days. The father died in 1852, aged sixty years. He was the son of Peter Cribbs, also a Pennsylvanian by birth, who took up his residence in New Philadelphia at a time when the inhabitants were very few. The parents of Mrs. Meyer had two sons and four daughters, of whom Margaret is the widow of Jack Cable, and makes her home in Hardin City, lowa; Henry is deceased; Catherine M. was the next in order of birth; Susan became the wife of Isaac Hill, a farm- er and coal miner of Goshen Township, Tuscara- was County; Jacob located at St. Louis, Mo .; Clar- issa is now Mrs. S. Shane, and her husband is fore- man in the mines at Uhrichsville. John Cribbs was a potter by trade, and knowing the advan- tage of a good education, gave his children the best opportunities in his power to become well mformed. The entire family were members in excellent stand- ing of the Lutheran Church.
To our subject and his excellent wife there were born three sons and three daughters, as follows: Allen T. is a prominent merchant, engaged in bus- iness at Trenton, this state; Clarinda E. is deceased; Charles F. is a general farmer of Warwick Town- ship; Emmet A. is a merchant at Trenton; Mary L., the twin of Emmet, is deceased; and Eleanor is Mrs. Charles A. Shoemaker, wife of a well-to-do agriculturist of this township.
Mr. Meyer often entertains his friends with rem- iniscences of the time when he worked for fifty cents a day, and is amused at the expressions of wonder which flit over the faces of his young hearers, who breathlessly inquire how he lived on it. Few men have the ability to recount the lead-
ing incidents of their life's history with the truth of detail which Mr. Meyer's hearers are ever able to discern in his stories of long ago. He is a de- voted member of the Moravian Church, with which he has been connected for many years. Few men can look back over the vista of years and view a better record than the one enjoyed by our subject, who now, in the autumn of his life, is calmly en- joying the fruits of his arduous labors, surrounded by the esteem of his fellow-men and the sincere affection of those who express their gratitude to him as a friend and counselor.
1
W ILLIAM B. ROSAMOND, M. D. The city of Milnersville, Guernsey County, is not behind other places of similar size in the number of prominent physicians who reside there, and among those who have become well and favorably known we mention our sub- jeet. Ile was the fourth in order of birth of the family of Edward and Mary A. (Montgomery) Rosamond, and was born in Fairview, this county, November 13, 1846.
The father of our subject, who was a native of Ireland, was born in 1808. About 1835 he crossed the Atlantic, his destination being Canada, and two years later he was married to Miss Montgom- ery, the daughter of William and Catherine (Gra- ham) Montgomery, also natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Canada the same year in which Mr. Rosamond made the voyage.
In 1842 the parents of our subject located in Fairview County, this state, where the father died in 1876. The mother, who was born in 1816, sur- vived until 1892, when she too passed away. Ed- ward Rosamond was a pharmacist in Ireland, but after coming to America learned the stone-cutter's trade, which vocation he followed through life. His family comprised the following-named cbil- dren: Catherine, now deceased; Fanny, Mrs. Sam- uel Shipley, who resides near Fairview; Mary,
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now Mrs. John Craig, a resident of Washington, this state; Sarah, deceased; James R., who married Martha MeKeever, and lives at Hendrysburg, Ohio; Margaret .J., the wife of Thomas Slaser, who lives near Fairview; and our subject.
The education of William B. Rosamond was car- ried on in the schools of his native place, and in the spring of 1866 he began his medical studies in the office of Dr. McConnell, then a noted physician of that locality, remaining with him for several years. In 1871 he entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and while there he took a special course in surgery, gynecolce_ and optom- ology. After he was graduated from that insti- tution he appeared before a naval board of ex- aminers at Philadelphia, Pa., and after passing bis examination, remained in that city for four months, receiving private instruction from the faculty in one of the hospitals. He afterward re- turned to Fairview, but finding an opening for his profession at Milnersville, came hither, and has since devoted his energies to carrying on his practice.
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