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 45
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The boyhood of our subject was passed on a farm, and he continued to live with his parents until twenty-one years of age. Then, starting out to make his own livelihood, he chopped cord wood during the first winter, and after spending the fol- lowing season in working on a farm, he went to Portsmouth and husked corn until he obtained a situation in a rolling-mill of that city, where he was employed for three and a-half years. Return- ing to Franklin Township, he worked the next summer on a farm, and then rented a place near Dundee, which he operated for three years. In 1873 he bought sixty-three acres of land of Joseph Kulins in Franklin Township, which place he sold on the expiration of three years.
In 1886 Mr. Agnes leased a mill at Beach City and ran the same for three years and a-half, when he sold his lease for $600. The next year he spent in running the Wilmont Mill, after which he put up a building at Beach City, and engaged in farm- ing a place of one hundred and four acres, which he had purchased in that locality. Later, selling out his farm and buildings, he invested the pro- ceeds in one hundred and fifteen acres in Wayne
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Township, which he still owns. ' Here he lived for five years, or until 1888, when he moved to New Cumberland, and there remodeled a mill, and in 1891 put in modern machinery. After selling out a half-interest in the mill he traded the remain- der, in March, 1892, to Robert Campbell for a farm of two hundred and sixty-two acres, which place is now his home. The farm is well improved and is a valuable place.
In March, 1873, our subject married Melinda Wellet, who was born in this county, and is one of four daughters and four sons of Benjamin Wellet, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. He was a cooper by trade, and passed his last years in Sandyville, Ohio. In 1875 death called the devoted wife of our subject from his side at the early age of twenty-two years and seven months. She left one child, a daughter, Emma. Mrs. Agnes was reared in the faith of the German Baptist or Dunkard Church, but after her marriage became identified with the Roman Catholic Church, which is the faith of her husband, the subject of this sketelı.
HRISTIAN FOX. Probably no resident of Tuscarawas County is better deserving of representation in this volume than Chris- tian Fox, who is one of the oldest pioneers with- in its confines. Although retired from the arduous duties of life, he is still living on his fine estate in York Township. He has pursued a course in life which has resulted in securing for him the hearty respect of all those who know him, and has given him a proud rank among the farmers and land- owners of this section.
The original of this sketch was born in the above township, October 22, 1829, and is the son of Leo- pold and Elizabeth (Kuhn) Fox, natives of Prus- sia, who emigrated to the United States many years ago, first settling in Pennsylvania. In the year 1824, however, they again took up the line of march and came to this county, making this section their home until their decease. The father
passed away in 1842, at the age of sixty years, while the good wife survived until 1863, when she, too, departed this life.
The parental household included four children, three sons and one daughter, those besides our subject being Elizabeth, now deceased; Leopold, & farmer of York Township, this county; and John, who is also engaged as an agriculturist in Col- orado. The parents gave their children the best advantages for obtaining an education which the early times afforded, and were they living at the present time would have every reason to be proud of their success in life and the prominent positions which they occupy. They were faithful and high- ly esteemed members of the German Reformed Church, and in their death the community, as well as the church, lost two of its most valued members. In politics Leopold Fox was a stanch Democrat, being much interested in politics, and in every- thing which would in any way advance the wel- fare of his community.
The marriage of our subject, which occurred in 1852, was with Miss Elizabeth Offholder, who was born in Switzerland in 1835. She was the daugh- ter of Daniel and Lizzie (Kaiserman) Offholder, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in an early day. By her union with our subject there were born the following children: Elizabeth, the" wife of Emeil Hawk, who makes her home in Dover, this state; John, engaged in managing the old homestead; Mary, the wife of Jolın Raver, an agri- culturist of York Township; Kittie A., now Mrs. George Graif, whose husband is a farmer of Goshen Township; Emma, wife of Mrs. John Lewis, who is engaged in farm pursuits in Dover Township; Lydia, at home; Joseph, a prominent physician of New Philadelphia; and Christian, a farmer in Mis- souri.
The original of this sketch was reared on the farm where he is at present residing, making his home with his parents until their decease, when he purchased the interest in the estate of the other heirs, and is now its sole proprietor. The farm in- cludes two hundred broad acres, well supplied with all the necessary barns and outbuildings, besides a substantial residence. Mr. Fox secured his educa- tion in one of the old-time schoolhouses, built of
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logs, with greased-paper windows, puncheon floor, and slab desks built around the room, at which the scholars stood up to write. To the knowledge thus gained lie has added by reading, his desire being to keep himself well posted regarding cur- rent events and topics of general interest.
In politics Mr. Fox is a Democrat, and takes much interest in affairs of public importance. He has served as School Director for four years, and was Township Trustee for a period of ten years. He is a public-spirited man, and one who delights in advancing both liis own interest and those of his neighbors. To-day he ranks among the wealthy and influential agriculturists of the county, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life, proving the truth of the old assertion that industry will win in the race for fortune and position.
N ATIIAN M. McCREARY. This county is pre-eminently one of comfortable rural homes. The soil being wonderfully fer- tile, and the facilities for market excellent, a great many agriculturists secure a competence by the cultivation of a moderate acreage. One of the successful farmers of Fairfield Township is Nathan M. McCreary, who operates a finely-tilled farm on section 3. In addition to cultivating the soil, lie breeds Poland-China hogs.
Mr. McCreary was born on section 2 of this township, July 10, 1827, and is the son of Jolin and Margaret (Slutts) McCreary. His father was born in Virginia, July 22, 1769, of parents who came from Ireland in an early day and were mar- ried many years after their arrival in the New World. John McCreary started out in life poor in purse, and when leaving home went to Red Stone, locating on the Monongahela River. While living there he made seven trips to New Orleans in order to trade, and on five different occasions walked the entire distance home. On one of these journeys he was piloted over the fall, for which
he was compelled to pay $25. This being quite a severe lesson, lie was on the lookout thereafter, and fell into no more such traps.
The father of our subject had saved about 81,- 400 on these trips to and from the Crescent City, and concluded to invest some of his surplus capi- tal in land. Coming to Ohio, he entered a tract on section 28, Warren Township, Tuscara was County, on which he erected a little log cabin on the northi branch of Indian Creek. In this he resided for a time and cleared six acres from its original wild- ness, which was the first pretense at improvement that had been inade in the township. He was soon after rendered a poor man by the failure of parties to whom he had loaned the greater part of his earnings after making the first payment on his land. Being thus unable to meet further notes due, he advertised his land for sale, and on dis- posing of it entered a quarter-section on section 2, Fairfield Township. This was about 1806, and June 7, ten years later, he entered from the Gov- ernment the tract on section 3 where our subject makes his home at present. He worked industri- ously to improve both farms, in which undertak- ing he was more than ordinarily successful. 1Ie departed this life on section 2, April 29, 1857, firm in the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member. Ile was a powerfully built man, six feet in height, and of a determined spirit. Ile was very active in politics, and voted with the Democratic party.
John McCreary in early life learned the trade of a millwright, which, although he did not fol- low it, proved of great assistance to him at the time of his erection of a mill in Warren Township. Just such an enterprise was needed and greatly appreciated by the farmers, who were not com- pelled to haul their grain to the larger cities to have it prepared for making bread stuffs. Ile was on friendly terms with the Indians, and in all his dealings with them never had any trouble.
The parents of our subject were married about 1809, and to them was granted a family of ten children. Catharine married Michael Kollar, and on his death became the wife of Isaac Sparks, who is also deceased. She departed this life December 31, 1894, in Boone County, Iowa. James died
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near Gnadenhutten, December 3, 1873. Rosanna became the wife of George Fisher, and departed this life at Bolivar. Sarah A., Mrs. Henry Sparks, died in Warren Township. John died in 1894, on the home farm. Reason passed away in Owen County, Ind .; and William is a resident of the above place. The mother of this family is an act- ive member of the Methodist Church, with which all her children were connected, and Jaines and William were for many years Class-leaders.
Nathan M. McCreary was given a common- school education, and remained at home working for his father until attaining his majority. In 1856, in company with his brother John, he pur- chased the quarter-section of land on which he is now living, and moving upon the tract they kept "bachelor's hall" for two years. Then, purchasing his brother's interest in the place, with one hun- dred and sixty-four acres which he had entered in Owen County, Ind., he became its sole proprietor and has ever since been engaged in its improve- ment. He erected all suitable structures neces- sary for the storage of grain and shelter of stock, but November 26, 1893, suffered a severe loss by the burning of his barn and contents. This catas- trophe deprived him of five horses, eight head of cattle and several hundred bushels of wheat, to- gether with many valuable farm implements, the total value of which was 83,000, with an insurance of $950. He immediately erected another large barn, which is well arranged. Mr. McCreary de- votes considerable attention to breeding Poland- China swine, and has some very fine specimens of this particular blood; and also thoroughbred Jer- sey cattle.
February 22, 1855, the subject of this sketch and Miss Margaret Scarlott, of Jefferson County, this state, werc united in marriage. The lady was the daughter of George and Nancy (Slutts) Scar- lott, and on the paternal side is of Irish descent. She was an active worker in the Methodist Church, and it was largely through the good example which she set that our subject was brought into the church. She died May 8, 1881, and October 9 of that year Mr. McCreary married Mrs. Ellen, widow of William Frase, of Wayne County. Mrs. McCreary was born in that county December 7,
1839, and was the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Wiley) Huston, natives, respectively, of Washing- ton County, Pa., and Virginia. Her father was a shoemaker, and died in Medina County, Ohio, hav- ing removed hither in early manhood. His family included twelve children, of whom three sons and four daughters grew to manhood and womanhood. Mr. Huston married for his second wife Emeline Shively, who bore him three children. Ouly one of this family is living, a son.
To Mr. and Mrs. McCreary there have been born two children: Margaret Luella, born March 29, 1883; and John E., who was born December 9, 1884, and died when a year and three months old. Mrs. McCreary had one daughter by her first marriage, Alice. She is a member of the Methodist Church, with which denomination her husband has been connected since 1857. He takes an active part in all religious work and has been Class-leader in his congregation for forty years. It is scarcely neces- sary to add that he is held in high repute by the residents of Fairfield Township (which he has served in the capacity of Trustee), on account of his excellent character, business ability and pleas- ing qualities. He was a Democrat in politics up to 1864, since which time, however, he has voted for Republican candidates.
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OB PARRY, for the past nine years a re- spected resident of Lore City, was for years an industrious and successful agriculturist of Guernsey County. He was born in Har- rison County, this state, five miles west of Cadiz, August 1, 1818, and has spent his entire life in the Buckeye State.
The name Parry is of Welsh origin, and is a variation of the form Ap Harry, son of Harry. In 1701 the progenitor of the family in America left Wales and settled in the United States, on what is known as Apple Pie Ridge, a spur of the Pennsylvania Mountains, which runs into Virginia. He became a successful farmer, and several genera-
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tions of his descendants lived in the same section of country. Our subject's paternal grandfather, who bore the Christian name of Llewellyn, was also an agriculturist.
John Parry, the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, and when twenty-seven years of age emigrated to this state. He died in 1871, at the age of seventy-four years. Four years after taking up his abode in this state, he was mar- ried, at Cadiz, to Rachel Gitchel, who died at the age of sixty-three years. Their eldest child, Ruan- nah, died at the age of twenty-two years. Han- nah was killed by a runaway team in 1831, wlien in her nineteenth year. Thomas, the next in order of birth, married Ruth Bailey, and after her death wedded Mariam Williams. Job is the sub- ject of this sketch. David married Rachel Will- iams. John died at the age of eighteen years. Eliza married Albert Perkins; and Rachel is un- married. At the time of his death, John Parry owned two hundred and forty acres of land, which he had acquired by his industry and economy.
The boyhood of our subject was passed in toil, early and late, on the old homestead. He had but very meager advantages for obtaing an education, as he only attended school some six days. Though he is now master of " the three R's," and a man of practical intelligence and information, he learned it all after he was past his twenty-first year. As his future companion and helpmate, he cliose Asenath Hall, a most estimable and worthy lady, who assisted him in every possible way and helped him with his studies. She became the mother of twelve children, namely: Eliza Jane, who mar- ried Jolin Webster, and has six children; Sarah, who became the wife of Isaac Day; Phobe, who wedded James Bailey, and became the mother of three children; Rachel, who became the wife of William Bryant, and has four children; Elizabeth, who married David Griffin, and has three children; Letitia, wife of William Lloyd, and mother of three children; Asa, who married Sarah Bailey, and has three children; and five who died before maturity.
Immediately after his marriage, Job Parry went to work with energy as a farmer, and saved $100 from his first crop. His first venture was on a
forty-acre tract of land, located four miles south of Quaker City. A few years later he bought one hundred and eighty acres on Leatherwood Creek, where he continued to make his home for twenty years, during which time he made substantial and valuable improvements on the place. In 1874 he removed to Barnesville, where he lived for four- teen years, renting his farm for $500 in cash per annum.
In November, 1883, Mrs. Asenath H. Parry was called to her final rest. The following year Mr. Parry married Miss Mary Broom, from whom lie was legally separated a year and a-half later. March 27, 1886, he married his present wife, Mary, who was the widow of James Dollison, of Lore City. For the past seven years Mr. Parry has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as has also his wife. Politically he is an advocate of the Republican party principles.
D AVID STONEBROOK is one of the hon- ored old residents of Tuscarawas County, and for the past eight years has dwelt at Blakes Mills. Here he owns ten acres of good land, on which lie erected a comfortable home, and en- gaged in market-gardening. Prior to this he lived for many years in Salem Township, within the limits of which occurred his birth, July 17, 1840.
Daniel' Stonebrook, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, March 12, 1817. There he married Sarah Yingling, likewise of the Key- stone State. At an early day he came to this coun- ty, and worked at general farming until 1834, at which time he purchased a tract of forty acres. This place he cultivated for some ten years, when he sold out and invested the proceeds, in addition to a certain sum of money he had laid aside, in a seventy-acre farm, situated in the same township, and on this continued to reside for fourteen years. After selling the same he bought forty acres near
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New Comerstown, Ohio, where he lived for five years. Later he became a resident of Glasgow, Salem Township. Buying a lot, he built a pleasant home, and there continued to live until called to his final rest, September 10, 1891. IIis first wife had died many years previously, August 3, 1852, aged thirty-three years, one month and twenty- eight days.
The family of Daniel and Sarah Stonebrook comprised the following: David, Emanuel, Bar- bara, John, Mary and Margaret, the latter three de- ceased. Margaret died soon after her mother, Sep- tember 8, 1852, aged two months and thirteen days. Barbara married Daniel Frankboner, of Akron, this state. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and most highly re- spected by all who had the pleasure of their ac- quaintanee.
After the death of his first wife, Daniel Stone- brook married Margaret Myers, and by her had ten children, namely: Jane, the wife of Thomas Cordrey, of Salem Township; Sarah, now Mrs. J. Dell, of New Philadelphia; Alice, Mrs. A. Stew- art, of Blakes Mills; William, Jacob, Rena, Mar- tha, Daniel, Hiram and Emma, the latter three of whom died in infancy.
David Stonebrook, whose name heads this sketch, continued to live with his father until he had reached his majority. October 22, 1861, he chose for his life companion and helpmate Miss Mar- tha J. Huff. The lady was born in West Chester, this county, March 29, 1841, and is one of the eleven children of James S. and Rosanna (Gromes) Iluff, natives of Ohio. Four sons and one daugh- ter have been born to Mr. and Mrs. David Stone- brook. They are named as follows: David B., Emanuel, Annie I. (now Mrs. G. K. Wheeland), Marshall and Oliver C.
After his marriage, our subject went to house- keeping with his young wife in Salem Township. They rented a home and Mr. Stonebrook continued to work for neighbors and friends by the day un- til 1869, when he purchased a farm of twenty-five acres two miles north of Port Washington, this county, where he lived for nine years. Ile opened a coal mine on this farm, where for three years he mined coal during the winter and worked for
farmers during the summer. He then purchased a team and farming implements, and continued farming until 1886, when he removed to Blakes Mills and bought his pleasant home. For three years he served efficiently as School Director, and two years as a member of the Council of Blakes Mills, but aside from this he lias always declined office-holding. Ile and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically he uses his franchise in favor of Democracy.
LMER W. IIALL, manager of the Quaker City Grist Mill of Quaker City, is a prac- tical and successful miller, and has acquired his knowledge of the business by the most studious and searching habits. He is a native of Guernsey County, and was born July 10, 1860, in Millwood Township. His parents were John P. and Phebe A. (Fields) Hall, natives, respectively, of the above township and Belmont County, this state. The father's birth occurred in 1813, and he departed this life when advanced in years, in 1890.
John P. Hall was a farmer by occupation, and in turn the son of John Hall, a native of North Carolina, who came to this state as early as 1806, and made location in Millwood Township, with whose interests the later generations have been prominently identified. He prospered in cultivat- ing the soil, and succeeded in building up a good home in this then new state.
There were born to Jolin P. and Phebe Hall five children, of whom Elmer W. was the young- est. Ilis sisters and brother were: Eliza, now de- ceased, but formerly the wife of Thomas Griest, a farmer of Oxford Township; Sarah, who married .J S. Rownd, a resident of Summerfield, this state; Melissa, living on the old homestead; and Alonzo E., engaged in farming in Millwood Township.
Our subject's knowledge of hooks was obtained in the schools of Quaker City and Spencer Station,
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and on completing his education lie returned to the farm, aiding his father in its cultivation un- . til two years after attaining his majority. About that time be obtained a position as fireman on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, following this voca- tion continuously for a period of three years. At the expiration of that time, being tired of this kind of life, and feeling that he was better fitted for mercantile life, he resigned his position, and in the spring of 1887 entered a gristmill with the intention of becoming thoroughly familiar with all its details. This he has done, and is now the competent manager of the mills in Quaker City.
Elmer W. Hall and Miss Emma C., daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Taylor) Griffith, were married on Christmas Day, 1883. To them have been born two children, Clara, who died in infancy, in 1885, and Blanche, whose birth occurred February 15, 1893. Our subject is a stanch Republican in poli- tics, and bears well his part in the affairs of the community. Religiously he is a member of the Society of Friends, and seeks in his every-day life to carry out the teachings of that sect. Socially he is a member of Quaker City Lodge No. 310, K. of P.
J OHIN D. ROWLAND owns a well improved farin two miles west of Senecaville, in Rich- land Township, Guernsey County. Eighty acres of his place is part of the original home- stead owned by his father before him. The family bas long been identified with the development and progress of this portion of the state, and has always borne an enviable reputation for industry, integrity and upright manner of living.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Thomas and Mary Rowland, natives of Pennsylva- nia. The former was a tailor by trade, but mainly followed the profession of teaching. Being espec- ially well versed in mathematics, he prepared the manuscript for an arithmetic, which, however, wås never published; but the material is now in the possession of his grandson, James S. The date of
his birth is not accurately known, but he died about 1879, while his wife, Mary, died February 8, 1867. Of their children, James Pereival was born December 24, 1807; Jolin Baker, August 25, 1809; Simeon M., July 9, 1811; Hannah, May 24, 1813; Benjamin V., April 2, 1815; Eliza Jane, May 10, 1817; William B., May 20, 1819: and Mary, June 5,1821.
Onr subject's father, James P., is a native of Fayette County, Pa., and there grew to manhood. He succeeded in acquiring more than an ordinary education, and specimens of his penmanship show his skill in that direction. Some time about 1834 he removed to Belmont County, Ohio, with his family, and two or three years later took up his abode in this county, becoming the possessor of land now occupied by his sons John and James. August 19, 1841, he married Miss Mary Dollison, a native of Washington County, Pa., where her birth occurred July 3, 1822. The children of this union were: Martin V. B., born July 5, 1842; Will- iam Erastus, February 2, 1844; James S., June 9, 1845; John Dollison, October 9, 1846; and Mary Elizabeth, February 18, 1848. For many years the father of these children was a successful school teacher, and among other places he occupied with credit was that of Principal of the Senecaville school. He was an honest, conscientious and up- right man in all his relations to his fellows. He was called from this life September 5, 1886, but his wife survived him until January 3, 1890. She was the daughter of John Dollison, who was called to his final rest in December, 1877. Our subject's eldest brother, William E., married Eva M. Brown, February 18, 1884, and is now foreman of a plan- ing-mill at Quaker City, this county. James S., the next younger brother, enlisted in Company E, Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and served from July 5, 1863, until July 3, 1865, being mainly sta- tioned at Camp Chase, Ohio, but a portion of the time was employed escorting troops to the front, and in guarding prisoners on their way to places of detention. James S. is unmarried and resides on the old homestead, where he owns a tract of forty acres.
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