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 39
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When ready to establish a nome or nis own, Judge Doutbitt was united in marriage, July 24, 1864, with Miss Albina, daughter of Hiram and
Phebe (Stearns) Stevens, of Blooming Grove, this state. The latter were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to Ohio in a very early day, and were thus classed among the pioneers. The three children born to our subject and his estima- ble wife were Edwin S., an attorney in this city; John F. and Mildred. In religious affairs Mrs. Douthitt is an active member of the Methodist Church.
As a Judge, our subject is popular, both with the members of his profession and the people. In the trial of cases which come before him he is careful and painstaking, thoroughly analyzing all the points at issue. He is very expeditious in all his transactions, and has the reputation of discharging more business than any other Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the state.
AMES STOCKDALE. The gentleman whose name heads this biography is the genial and popular " mine host" of the United States Hotel at Antrim. It is one of the largest and most comfortably furnished hostelries in the county, and is well patronized by the traveling public.
In tracing the genealogy of the Stockdale fam- ily, we find it originated in Ireland, where John Stockdale, the grandfather, was born in the year 1750. He married Jane Seed, who bore him four children : · Robert, John, James and Moses. On the death of his companion, that gentleman chose for his second wife Annie Stockdale, who became the mother of two sons, Hugh and William, both of whom are deceased, as are also the sons of the first marriage.
The grandfather of our subject crossed the At- lantic with his family, and after a long and tedi- ous overland journey located in Madison Town- ship, Guernsey County, where he purchased a piece of land and began its cultivation, thereafter de- voting his attention to farm parsuits until his
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decease. His son James, the father of our subject. was born in the Emerald Isle, and was a boy when he accompanied his parents on the trip across the ocean. His father being one of the pioneers of the county, young James was reared in the woods, and, being desirous and ambitious to acquire a good education, made the best of the opportunities given him for attending the district school. There he became instructed in the common branches, and was soon pronounced competent to teach. This was a time when the log schoolhouse was the cdi- fice in which the "master " held forth, and the end of the " back-log " served as a seat for liim, while the other end provided accommodation for the pupils. Mr. Stockdale was one of the early teachers of the township, and was recognized as a man of natural genius and an apt scholar. He de- veloped into a "pettifogger" of considerable note and ability, and was well liked by all who sat under him for instruction.
James Stockdale, Sr., was for thirty years Justice of the Peace, and was looked upon as the legal light of this section by his fellow-citizens. Many of his neighbors, to whom he gave counsel, cherish kind remembrances of him and greatly regretted his early demise. His decisions on all questions of equity were regarded as just, and but few, if any, cases can be called to mind where his decisions were reversed by a higher tribunal. When a young man he entered his first farm, and the circum- stances connected therewith illustrate his shrewd- ness, as well as his perseverance. A neighbor came to him to borrow money to be used in a certain enterprise, and Mr. Stockdale, at once seeing the object of his errand, gathered together the neces- sary funds and started to Zanesville on foot in or- der to enter his land. His neighbor, in the mean- time, obtained the desired money, and also started for that place with the same object in view, but on horseback. Stopping on the way to feed his ani- mal, Mr. Stockdale made the best of the delay and kept far in advance of his rival, and thus reached Zanesville first and entered the land. To this he added from time to time, until he became one of the largest land-owners and prominent and success- ful farmers of the county. He started in life a poor man, as we have already shown, and his pos-
sessions were therefore the result of his own labors, industry and good business management. Ile gave to each of his children, when ready to start in life, a good farm, valued at 87,000 or $8,000.
James Stockdale was married to Phebe Lenning- ton in Madison Township, this county, in 1825. She became the mother of eleven children, as fol- lows: Lydia and Moses, deceased; Mary, who mar- ried John Finney, of Antrim; Sylvanus, residing in this township; Elizabeth, now Mrs. John McBride, of this locality; Jane, deceased; James, the sub- ject of this sketch; Martha B., who married Charles Bom, and is now deceased, as are also Thomas and Margaret; and Elias, a resident of Sangamon Coun- ty, Ill.
The father was for some ten years engaged in mercantile business in the village of Antrim. On disposing of his stock of goods he removed to his farm, and there passed the remainder of his life following agricultural pursuits. Hle departed this life in 1889, and in his death the county lost one of its most valued citizens. Politically he was an old-line Whig in early life, but afterward voted the Democratic ticket. Ile was for many years a member of the Presbyterian Church, and greatly honored by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.
.James, of this sketch, received his early training in the schools of the township, and was reared by his honored father to a full knowledge of farm work in all its details. This business he followed until 1892, up to this time being widely known as one of the most extensive stock raisers and buyers of this section.
In the above year Mr. Stockdale sold his farm- ing interests, and has since been engaged in run- ning a hotel in Antrim. It is known as the United States, and is one of the best equipped establish- ments in the township. Since moving into An- trim he has purchased the old homestead, which had been sold, and gives his spare time to su- perintending its operation.
The lady who became the wife of our subject, February 14, 1860, was Miss Eliza K. Boyd. To them have been born eight children. Lillie B. married William Cunningham, and lives in Cam- bridge; Ulysses Grant is also a resident of that
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JAMES STOCKDALE
city; Hattie L. is deceased; Ora M. is at home; Lena is deceased; Carrie lives with her parents; the next in order of birth died in infancy; Dolly is now Mrs. Lewis Campbell, a resident of Cam- bridge. Mrs. Stockdale is the daughter of Thomas Boyd, a representative farmer of Guernsey Coun- ty, where she was born. Our subject is Democratic in politics, and is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, having been connected with that order for the past quarter of a century.
OL. SAMUEL FOLTZ, one of the most pop- ular and honored citizens of New Phila- delphia, has been for years financially in- terested in various large coal companies, and is also the owner of large landed estates. Ile is a na- tive of the Keystone State, his birth having oc- curred in Lancaster County, December 3, 1822.
The Colonel's paternal grandfather was born in Germany, but came to the United States with his brother while he was still a youth. IIe soon took up his residence in Lancaster, while his brother made his home in New York State. By occupa- tion he was a farmer, as was also his son, Henry, the Colonel's father. Henry Foltz, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and in his politieal faith was a Democrat. About 1832 he removed to Ohio, settling in Wayne County. Ihis death occurred when he had reached his seventy-eighth year, and he was placed to rest at Dalton. In religious views he was a Dunkard. Ilis wife, Sarah, nee Michael, was a native of Lancaster, Pa., and of Scoteh parentage. She died at Dalton at the age of seventy-seven years, having survived her hus- band scarcely two years. Iler parents passed their entire lives in Pennsylvania, and they too were identified with the Dunkards. Seven children were born to Ilenry and Sarah Foltz, namely: Elizabethi, who became the wife of Daniel Groff, and whose death occurred in York County, Pa .; John, who died in. Putnam County, Ohio; Henry,
who departed this life in Massillon, this state; Sarah, wife of Daniel Correll, and now deceased; Mrs. Susan Groff, who lives in Wayne County; Jacob, whose death occurred in West Virginia, and Samuel. With the exception of Ehzabeth, all the members of the family came to the West with their parents.
Until he was fourteen years of age Samuel Foltz attended the public schools in the neighborhood of his home. Ile then started out into the world to try his fortunes. For a time lie clerked for his brother Ilenry, who was then conducting a store at Dalton. For the first year the lad received $3 a month, and the next year his wages were in- creased to $4 per month. Later he was given an interest in the business, and at that time his indus- trious and persevering qualities laid the founda- tion of his future snecess. The brothers dealt con- siderably in horses about that time, and our sub- ject made frequent trips to eastern markets, where he sold such animals as he had purchased in this state. It was during this period that he became acquainted with James Buchanan and several mem- bers of the Cameron family. In 1850 he embarked in the hardware business with his brother; he also carried on a dry-goods department, and did a mill- ing business.
In 1856 our subject went to Cleveland, and en- gaged in business there. Four years previously he, in company with his brother and others, start- ed to build a railway from Grafton to Wheeling. This was known as the Wheeling, Medina & Tus- carawas Valley Railroad. In those days money was very scarce, and the enterprise was finally given up. About 1861 Mr. Foltz became interest- ed in the coal business, and continued in this field of work until he retired from business. In all his business ventures he was associated with his bro- ther up to the time of the latter's death, which occurred in 1887, at Massillon. The well known Daniel P'. Rhoads was also interested with him in his Massillon business. The companies with which our subject was connected were the Buckeye Coal and Coke Company, the Fulton Coal Company and the Willow Bank Coal Company. Ile also owned and operated the Walton Ridge Mines in Warwick Township, this county. In the carly
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days their principal market for the products of their mines were points in Canada, and Chicago. Colonel Foltz was among the first to enter exten- sively into the coal business in this section of the country, and made the greater part of his wealth in this field.
Among the fine farming lands in which our sub- ject has invested, nearly six hundred acres lie in this county. These farms, which are well im- proved, he leases or rents on shares. One of his farms is situated in Lorain County, Ohio. In Tennessee he owns a large tract of mineral land, and is only waiting for better railroad facilities in order to develop its wealthı. When he became in- terested in the Walton Ridge Mine, he was looked upon as a "crank" and a wild schemer. Notwith- standing discouragements, he put in modern ma- chinery at a large expense, and the results have justified the wisdom of his course.
At Harrisburg, Pa., Colonel Foltz married Miss Anna Kuhn, March 5, 1850. Her parents, Jacob and Susan (Hummel) Kuhn, of Pennsylvania, were Germans by birth. To this union six children have been born. Lilla, the eldest, became the wife of John DeMuth, and after his death became the wife of E. F. Morse, of Stockton, Utah; Clara is the wife of Charles E. Mitchener, whose biography ap- pears elsewhere in this volume; Kate is Mrs. E. P. Mitchener, of Stockton, Utah; Harry resides on a farm near this place, and for his wife chose Miss Maggie Taylor; Minnie is Mrs. Frank Custer, of New Philadelphia; and Frank is married, and a well known farmer of Goshen Township. Mrs. Foltz, who was much beloved by all who knew her, was called to her final rest in 1893, her death occurring on Easter Sunday. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a devoted Christian.
Though he has always been interested in the suc- cess of the Democratic party, and uses his ballot in favor of its nominees, our subject has steadily re- frained from accepting public office, as his extensive business interests would not permit. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic society, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His declining years are being pleasantly passed in his commodious and modern home on North Broad-
way. The competence which he has acquired by business enterprise and sagacity he uses to good purpose, as he is benevolent and ready to assist the worthy poor. In manner he is genial and com- panionable, readily making friends.
ILLIAM B. HOCHSTETLER. This gentleman, who occupies the prom- inent position of Treasurer of Tusca- rawas County, is descended from one of the old and highly respected families of this section. He was born June 15, 1854, and is the son of Benjamin and Barbara (Garber) Hochstetler, the former of whom is likewise a native of Tuscarawas County, his birth occurring in 1829.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, by name Isaac Hochstetler, was a native of the Key- stone State, and came of German parents. Bar- bara Garber was born in Holmes County, this state, while her parents were German people, na- tives of Pennsylvania. After her marriage she located with her husband on one hundred acres of land in Sugar Creek Township, which they culti- vated in a profitable manner, and which is now in the possession of our subject. Benjamin Hochstet- ler in politics was first a Whig, but after the or- ganization of the Republican party joined its ranks. He is very prominent in public affairs, and thoughi his township is strongly Democratic he has held the office of Trustee for nine years. Religiously he adheres to the Omish faith, as does also his good wife. They became the parents of two children, the sister of our subject being Polly Ann, now the wife of William Shrock, an agricult- urist of Sugar Creck Township.
He whose name heads this sketch was brought up as a farmer boy, and while under the parental roof was given a common-school education. On attaining his majority, he started out in life on his own account, having the management of his fa- ther's farm for a period of seven years. During
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this time, having accumulated a sufficient sum of money, he purchased eighty acres, which he farms, together with the old homestead, giving his attention to general agriculture.
William B. Hochstetler was married, May 25, 1876, to Miss C. daughter of Isaac and Anna Miller, natives of this county. Mr. Miller de- parted this life about eighteen years ago, and his good wife is also deceased. To our subject and his wife there have been born two children: Homer, now seventeen years of age, and Mila, a lad of thir- teen years. The family are all members of the Omish Church, although they often attend the Methodist Episcopal.
In his political relations Mr. Hochstetler gives his support to the Republican party. When only twenty-three years of age be was elected School Director, serving in that capacity for six years at that time, and on another occasion was the incum- bent of the office three years. In the spring of 1893 he was the candidate of his party for the office of County Treasurer, and although the vari- ous distriets were strongly Democratic, was elected by the handsome majority of five hundred votes. He began discharging the duties of the position September 4, 1894, and thus far has given perfect satisfaction to all concerned. He has always been very active in all public affairs and is one of the most prominent men in his township. As an offi- cial he is very popular and is held in high esteem by his hosts of friends and acquaintances.
S AMUEL W. LUCCOCK, living in Kimbol- ton, Ohio, is a wealthy retired business man, and has long been one of the promi- nent citizens of this county. He comes from one of the sterling, hardy old pioneer families, whose history has been closely interwoven with the prog- ress and development of this region. In 1878 he was elected to serve as Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected on the expiration of each term un- til 1890. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and has given his ballot in favor of party nomi-
nees since the organization of the same. His first ballot was cast for Pierce.
The parents of our subject were Napthali and Jane (Thomson) Luccock, both natives of England, the former born in 1798, and the latter in March, 1806. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Thomas and Rebecca (Stevens) Luccock, and his maternal grandparents were Benjamin and Elizabeth (Moore) Thomson. Thomas Luccock was a grocer and iron-monger in Kimbolton, Eng- land, in which place he resided until his death. Benjamin Thomson emigrated from England to Wooster, Ohio, where he conducted a drug store until shortly before his death, which event took place March 21, 1832. The marriage of Napthali Luccock and Jane Thomson was celebrated in Wooster, Ohio, January 2, 1822. The latter died November 6, 1828, leaving four children. Thomas is a farmer of Kimbolton; Benjamin is deceased; and Elizabeth died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Napthali Luccock married Miss Mary Wiggins, who survived their union only a short time. After her demise he married Maria Kinkaid, and to them was born one daughter, Maria, widow of Dr. Black, and now a resident of Columbus, Ohio. The mother departed this life March 10, 1832. The fourth wife of the father of our sub- ject bore the maiden name of Rebecca Kile. There were no children born of this marriage, and the wife died in 1873. In the fall of 1830 the senior Mr. Luccock settled in Wooster, Ohio, where he en- gaged in farming. For a time he then lived in Germantown, Pa., but later returned to Wooster, from where he subsequently cmigrated to Coshoc- ton, thence to Plainfield, and finally to Liberty, now known as Kimbolton. Here he was engaged in general merchandising for many years; he also operated a farm, taught school, and was Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk for several terms.
The birth of our subject occurred in Coshocton County, this state, February 27, 1827. His time until he reached his majority was passed in his father's store, and in pursuing his studies at the district schools. Going to Cambridge, le clerked for about a year in a mercantile establishment, and later was employed in the store of William Craig, of New Comerstown. Then, returning home, he
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entered into partnership with his brother and fa- ther in a general store. In 1849 he went to Cali- fornia, where he remained for three months, but was taken sick and returned home as soon as pos- sible. The firm with which he was identified was known as N. Luccock & Sons until 1868, at whichi time our subject withdrew. From that time for- ward his principal energies were given to farm- ing, though he has always lived in the village. As an agriculturist he has been very prosperous, and is now the fortunate possessor of one thousand acres in this township.
October 11, 1855, occurred the marriage of S. W. Luccock and Miss Elizabeth Day, who was born near Rumley, Jefferson County, Ohio, September 7, 1837. Her parents, George and Jane T. (Moore) Day, were also natives of Jefferson County. The father, who was born in Jefferson County in 1809, died in Coshocton in 1892. He practiced medicine in New Rumley, Harrison County, and in New Comerstown, and from there went to Orange, Coshocton County, continuing in practice there until 1866. He was attending physician at the birth of the lamented General Custer. He was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church. His parents were George and Sarah (Rogers) Day, the former of whom was born in Burgettstown, Pa. After their marriage they removed to Jeffer- son County, Ohio, where they were early settlers. Mr. Day was a very prominent citizen, and held many public offices of trust and honor. Mrs. Jane Day was born in Washington County, Pa., Febru- ary 22, 1814, her parents being William and Elizabeth Moore. William Moore was a native of Ireland, but was brought by his parents to the United States wlien only a year old. The mar- riage of George and Jane Day occurred in Jeffer- son County, Ohio, February 2, 1836. Their daugh- ter, Sarah R., born June 25, 1841, died in July, 1893.
The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with three children, two sons and a daugh- ter. The eldest, George N., is pastor of the Met- ropolitan Church of Washington, D. C. Howard W., the other son, is an attorney-at-law in Cam- bridge. Jane T. is the wife of Rev. Daniel R. Walker, now a resident of Williamsburg, Ohio.
The cause of education has always found in Mr. Luceock a true friend, and thoughi his own oppor- tunities were not of the best, he gave his own chil- dren exceptional advantages. For a number of years he has served as School Director, and has al- ways been in favor of giving the rising genera- tion good educational facilities. Religiously he is a member of tlie Presbyterian Church.
UGENE SMITH. In this sketch we present to the attention of our readers a short rec- ord of the life history of a young man who is well known in Canal Dover as the efficient agent of the Pennsylvania Lines. He is a native of this state, having been born in Paris, Stark County, February 12, 1868. His parents, Benton and Charlotte (Livelsberger) Smith, were likewise natives of that section, and came of highly respect- ed paren tage.
Benton Sınith was a cabinet-maker by trade, as was his father before him. The latter, whose name was Jacob, hailed from Pennsylvania, and when quite young made his way to Ohio. lIe was iden- tified with the interests of Stark County until his decease, when advanced in years. Benton has been very successful in his life work, and at the present time is carying on an extensive business as a stock- holder in the Minerva Furniture Company. He is honorable and upright in all his dealings with his fellow-men, and his high reputation as a busi- ness man is certainly well deserved.
The parental family included two children, the sister of our subject bearing the name of Clydie. The former was given a good education in the schools of Minerva, and when only sixteen years of age, in the spring of 1882, he began learn- ing the art of telegraphy in Minerva, aud soon became an expert in this branch. He was very thorough in all that he did, and December 1, 1889, came to Canal Dover, in the employ of the Pennsylvania Company, as telegraph operator, hav-
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ing charge of their office for eighteen months, dur- ing which time he gave perfect satisfaction. At the expiration of this time he was commissioned freight clerk, holding the position until April 15, 1890, when he was sent to Waynesburg, and from that place as special agent to Wellsville. There he was connected with the Superintendent's de- partment, and remained until coming to Canal Dover, June 15, 1893, at which time he was ap- pointed to his present position, and now devotes his entire time and attention to discharging the responsible duties of the same.
Eugene Smith was married, February 12, 1888, to Miss Emma, daughter of Isaac R. and Mary Deardorff. To them have been born three chil- dren: J. Errol, Howard B. and Onith. In religious affairs our subject is a devoted member of the English Lutheran Church, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. In political affairs he is independent, reserving his right to vote for the man who in his judgment will best fill the office, regardless of party lines.
Mr. Smith is a progressive young man, thor- ouglily wide awake to the interests of the company by which he is employed, and, possessing excellent habits, is well liked and respected by all with whom he has dealings.
P ETER LEY. The gentleman whose name beads this sketch is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Wheeling Township, Guernsey County. He was born across the seas, in Bavaria, Germany, June 10, 1830, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Baker) Ley. The fa- ther was also born in the Fatherland, and died in 1862, aged sixty-two years.
John Ley, Sr., the grandfather, a native of France, emigrated to Germany, remaming there with his good wife the rest of his life, engaged in farming. He was one of the heirs to a fortune of $30,000,000 left the family by one bearing the
name of Von Ley. The money was deposited in the Bank of England, but the King of Prussia, be- ing a very dissipated man, failed to notify the heirs, and it lay in the bank for a period of thirty years. At the end of that time the king died, and when his son ascended the throne he took imme- diate steps to find the people to whom this large fortune belonged; but the bank then claimed it by reason of the length of time which it had remained in their keeping. The grandfather served under Napoleon during the wars fought in Germany, and on one occasion was placed in charge of one hundred soldiers for six months.
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