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 50
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county conventions, also some of the congressional and judicial conventions since locating here. IIe is a member of the Baptist Church, while Mrs. Morgan is an active member of the Presoyterian Church.
J OHN D. BAILEY was born on the old home- stead in the southwestern part of Sandy Township, where his father and grandfather lived before him, and where he now has his abode. The family has long been one of promi- nence in the community, and its members have promoted everything tending to the prosperity of Tuscara was County. Our subject is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and is a man of energetic and industrious disposition, whichi char- acteristics have wrought out for him success in his life's undertakings.
The paternal grandfather of John Bailey bore the same Christian name. He was born in Penn- sylvania, January 8, 1806, and passed his boyhood in that state. He was a son of James Bailey, a farmer, who emigrated to Ohio at a very early day and located at Sandyville. The latter was three times married, first to Saralı Bailey, October 31, 1802. This wife, who died July 20, 1817, bore him one daughter and five sons, namely: Jane, Jolın, Samuel, James, Robert and Alexander. Later James Bailey, Sr., married Martha Kite, the event taking place November 13, 1817. They became the parents of four children, namely: Margaret, Mary, Sarah and Eliza. Mrs. Martha Bailey was called to her final rest in 1825, and October 26, 1826, James Bailey married Miss Mary Burk, who bore him a son and two daughters: William, Sarah A. and Permelia. The demise of the father oc- curred September 13, 1832, at Sandyville, his last wife surviving him. John Bailey, our subject's grandfather, cleared and improved four tracts of one hundred acres each, which he accumulated by his own industrious efforts and thrift. For sev- eral years he served as Justice of the Peace, and held other minor offices. He was a Whig, and later a Republican. A man who was almost en-
tirely self-educated and self-made, he was highly respected by all who knew him. He was an act- ive member of the Lutheran Church, in the faith of which he died in 1882. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth J. Dickson, survived him until March, 1885. The following children were born of their union: Mary J., Mrs. McGrew; James; John D., whose home is in Virginia; Alfred, a res- ident of Canton, Ohio; and Martha, Mrs. Kimmel, who died at Arcade, Olio.
The parents of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch were James and Eliza J. (Speaker) Bai- ley. The former was born in Germany, March 17, 1832, and died November 19, 1889. Ile received a common-school education, and on arriving at maturity became interested in farming, which vo- cation he followed during the remainder of his life. Ile owned two hundred and ten acres of his father's old homestead, and made many improve- ments upon the place. In politics he was a Re- publican, and religiously was connected with the Lutheran Church. Of his seven children, all but two lived to manhood, and were as follows: John D., whose name introduces this sketch; David, of Cleveland, Ohio; William, who is also a resident of the Forest City; Amanda, who married William Pfau, and resides at Mineral Point; and Edward, also a resident of Mineral Point. The mother of this family is still living, being now in her six- ty-fourth year. She was born in Tuscarawas Coun- ty, Ohio, and is a daughter of David and Jane (Richey) Speaker, who came to Sandy Township at an early day and settled upon a farm.
The birth of John D. Bailey occurred April 14, 1857, and his boyhood was passed on the farm which has been his home in later life. He was given only a district-school education, but was an apt pupil and made rapid progress in his studies. He taught one term when he was twenty-two years old, and in this way earned the first money for himself that he had ever possessed. After his fa- ther's death he took charge of the homestead, of which he owns one hundred and forty-five acres. His mother makes her home with him, under the roof which has sheltered her for so many years.
On New Year's Day, 1880, Mr. Bailey married Emma Geckeler, who was born in Tuscarawas Coun-
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ty, Ohio. Her parents are Lewis and Anna (Grove) Geckeler, the former a native of Germany, and the latter born in Tuscarawas Connty, Ohio. Eight children have come to bless the union, and are named as follows: May P., Charles E., Florence E., Walter L., Ralph, Roscoe, Wilber and Randall. The parents are active and devoted workers in the Lutheran Church, with which they have been con- nected since youth. They are honored and re- spected members of local society, where they have many sincere friends.
M RS. MARY BRADEN, widow of William H. Braden, formerly well known and highly respected in Guernsey County, lives on the old homestead in Adams Township. Mr. Braden was a veteran of the late war, and took part in many important engagements. When six- teen years old he left home, going to Randolph County, Ind., where he enlisted for the three- months service in Company K, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry. The regiment was later re-enlisted for three years, and young Braden served with his company until 1863. Ile was in the first battle of Bull Run and received injuries, being then granted a three-months furlough. While being conveyed to the hospital in an ambulance, the horses ran away, and the wounded man sustained lasting in- jury. When he had partially recovered, he vol- unteered his services in Company HI, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Fredericksburgh, South Mountain, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, Laurel Hill and Hatcher's Run, in all of which his com- pany took part.
William H. Braden was born in this county, September 25, 1835, and was a son of John and Margaret (Leeper) Braden, the former a native of Pennsylvania. Their family comprised ten chil- dren, namely: Julia, Mrs. John Harrison, of Iowa; Martha, Mrs. Peter Yakey, of Trenton, Mo .; Re-
becca, who became the wife of William Cunning- ham, and lives in Ridgeville, Ind .; Hannah, wife of Rev. Robert Roe, who is now in Preston, Iowa; Elizabeth, Mrs. Enoch Milhone, of this county; Margaret, wife of Joseph Potts, also of this coun- ty; Daniel C., who died in Ridgeville, Ind .; Will- iam H. and John P., who died near Fairview, Ind .; and Mary Jane, who died in infancy.
In 1866 William H. Braden married Miss Mary McCullem, daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Gray) McCullem, who were both natives of New Jersey. The parents of Isaac were Alexander and Mary (Osborne) McCullem, who were married in Scot- land and settled in New Jersey prior to 1800. They came to this county about 1818, dying in Centre Township. Isaac McCullem was seventeen years of age when, with the other members of the family, he became an inhabitant of this region. He lived at home until his marriage, when he bought a farm, and was occupied in its culti- vation until his death, in 1876. His wife's parents, James and Martha (Miller) Gray, natives of Ire- land, settled in Camden, N. J., on their emigration to America. From there they went to Virginia, but passed their last years in this county. Of their eleven children, the two eldest, Sarah and Robert, were born in Ireland, and died in Illinois; James, who was born in New Jersey, was drowned near New Orleans; Martha died in this county, as did also Catherine, Mrs. John McCullem, Margaret, who became the wife of William Linn, and Mary, Mrs. James Stewart; Julia A., who was the wife of Thomas Beeham, died in California; Margery wedded Ambrose Beabout; and Andrew was mnr- dered in California.
Mrs. Braden is one of the nine children born to Isaac and Nancy McCullem, the others being Alexander, a resident of Centre Township, this county; James, who married Asenath Johnson, of Indiana, and is also engaged in farming in this county; John; Amanda, who died Jannary 23, 1856; Isaac, who married and died in this county; Miller, deceased; Andrew, who died in childhood; and one who died before receiving a name.
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Braden became the par- ents of five children, who in order of birth are named'as follows: William I., Albert C., Clark M.,
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McCullem L. and Mahlon H. These sons received good common-school educations, and Clark M. at- tended Concord College for two terms.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. William Bra- den went to housekeeping in Centre Township, on the farm which was given to the bride by her father. After living thereon for ten years, the family removed to Washington, this county, where they continued to dwell until 1887. Mr. Braden then purchased property in Cambridge, and lived in the city for some time. During this period he purchased a. farm on the pike west of Cambridge, where Mrs. Braden now resides, but died before going to live there, as had been his intention. His demise, which was felt to be a great loss to the people of this community, occurred May 4, 1888. In political faith he was identified with the Re- publican party, and whether in peace or war was a true patriot, devoted to the welfare of his country. Mr. Braden was a member of the Baptist Church, while Mrs. Braden has been a life-long Presby- terian.
J OHN W. LAUGHLIN is one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of Sandy Township. In the fall of 1892 he opened a coal mine on his farm, and gives employment to twenty-five men. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and, with his sister, owns four hundred acres of valuable land, situated in the northeast corner of Sandy Township.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Laughlin, was born in Ireland, and his wife, Nancy, formerly a Miss Burns, was a relative of the Scotch poet Burns. John Laughlin lived for a number of years near Brownsville, Pa., where he was engaged in teaching. Coming to Ohio, he was one of the first to settle in this township, and, as far as known, only two white men had been buried within its limits before his interment in Sandyville. Ilis wife survived him only a few years. They were the parents of four sons, namely: John, our subject's
father; Mathew, of Alliance, this state; William, who died in Defiance County, this state; and James, who was drowned in the Mississippi River. He was a passenger on the steamer "Napoleon," which took fire, whereupon the fated crew and others were obliged to jump overboard to escape a worse death. The daughters of the family were: Nancy, Mrs. Moore. who died at Alliance; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of James Dren- ning, and died at Bryan, Williams County, Olio.
Jolm Laughlin, the father of our subject, was born in Sandy Township, October 15, 1815. He was mainly self-educated, as his only schooling consisted of one winter's term, which was held in a building without a floor. He began his battle in life as an employe on the Ohio Canal, which he assisted in constructing. There he earned his first $100, wherewith he made a payment on one hundred acres of land in Sandy Township. Sub- sequently he engaged in boating on the Ohio and Sandy and Beaver Canals for fourteen years. His brothers were also boatmen by occupation. After he left the canal, Mr. Laughlin's time was spent in clearing and improving his farm, on which he cnt the first tree. He accumulated four hundred and eighty-five acres, and gave each of his children a start in life to the extent of about $4,000. He made his own way from youth, and the first wages he earned was twenty-five cents a day. Ile served as Township Trustee, and in pol- itics was a Democrat. Socially he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was also identified with the Odd Fellows. His death occurred No- vember 22, 1890.
The first wife of Jolin Laughlin was Elizabeth, the daughter of Jacob Pifer. Three children were born of their union, namely: Laura A., now the wife of Samuel Moore, of Stark County; Dorles- key, who became the wife of David Furney; and Julius HI., who served in the late war, and now lives in Anderson County, Kan. The second wife of Jolin Laughlin was Miss Mary Furney, and of her four children two, James and Harriet, died while young, while John W. and Mary M. are still living. The mother, who was born in Bedford County, Pa., July 25, 1819, is still living. She is a daughter of Philip and Catherine (Wymer)
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Furney, natives of Frederick County, Md., in which state they were married. Later they be- came inhabitants of Bedford County, Pa., but in 1836 removed to Burlington, Iowa, taking three months to make the journey. Returning to Sandy Township, Mr. Furney bought two hundred acres of land, the place where our subject now resides. This land he improved, but sold out, removing to Sandyville, and still later bought two hundred acres of land near Zoar. The last years of his wife were passed in Sandyville, where her death occurred at the age of sixty-three years. . Mr. Furney, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, was a Democrat in politics, and a Lutheran in religious belief. He died January 6, 1866, at the extreme old age of ninety-one years and eleven months. His father, Frederick Furney, a native of Ireland, came to the United States in early life, settling in Maryland, in which state his death occurred. In his family were six children, namely: John, Peter, Abram, Philip, Margaret and Mary. Mrs. Mary F. Laughlin is one of ten children. John, who served ten years in the late war. died in Magno- lia, Ohio; Samnel died in Pennsylvania; David, who was a soldier during the war, died in Sandy Township; Daniel died at Mineral Point; Adam died in Muskingum County, this state; Elizabeth became the wife of Peter Wymer; Sarah, who became Mrs. Brown, died in Pennsylvania; Cath- erine, who became Mrs. Binkley, also died in the Keystone State; and Ann died unmarried. Mrs. Laughlin is a member of the Lutheran denomina- tion.
John W. Laughlin, whose name heads this arti- cle, was born in June, 1857, and was brought up on a farm. Ile received a district-school educa- tion, and assisted his father in the work of the farm until he arrived at his majority, when he began to make his own way in the world. After his marriage, he removed to his present home- stend. This is a part of his father's old farm. The latter was very successful as a sheep-grower, and at the time of his death his estate comprised four hundred and eighty-five acres. Our subject is a practical agriculturist, who possesses an ener- getic and industrious spirit, which is rapidly work- ing out for him a goodly fortune. He is now de-
riving a large income from his new coal mine, and meditates greater enterprises for the future. Al- ways a most filial son, he has manifested his devo- tion to his father's memory by erecting over his last resting-place a beautiful monument, which cost over $1,000.
March 1, 1882, Mr. Laughlin married Miss Rachel, daughter of Urial and Nancy A. (Sparks) Gordon. Six children have come to bless their home, four sons and two daughters, who, in the order of their birth, are named as follows: John M., Margaret A., William T., Jacob G., Rachel B. and Abraham P.
On political questions of the day, our subject is identified with the Democratic party, and never fails to cast his ballot for its nominees and in sup- port of its principles. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
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I SAIAII FISHER is one of the most intelligent, progressive and enterprising of the native- born citizens of Tuscara was Connty. Though young in years, but few men of his calling have been more successful than he, as he is already one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Dover Township. He makes his home on the farm for- merly owned by his father, and is carrying on the business of its cultivation in a profitable manner.
Mr. Fisher was born in the above township Jan- uary 23, 1863, and is the son of Mathias Fisher, whose birth occurred in Beaver County, Pa. The latter came to Tuscarawas County as early as 1832, locating immediately in Dover Township, where he became the owner of a good farm, which is now in the possession of our subject. The father was born December 29, 1825, and departed this life March 14, 1894.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Catherine Mumma, daughter of Martin Mumma. By her union with the senior Mr. Fisher she be- came the mother of three children, those besides our subject being Benjamin F., an agriculturist
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living in Goshen Township, and Martin, who is now deceased. Isaiah received a good education in the district school, improving every leisure mo- ment in study, and is to-day well informed, pos- sessing intelligent views on all topics of inter- est. He received a thorough training in farm work by his honored father, and on- the latter's decease fell heir to the old homestead. The place contains one hundred and fifty acres under excel- lent tillage and is made to yield abundant harvests each year.
When ready to establish a home of his own, Mr. Fisher was married, December 24, 1885, to Miss Clara, daughter of Adam and Catherine (Weible) Schear. Mrs. Fisher is also a native of this coun- ty, and was born February 24, 1864. By her union with our subject she has become the mother of the following children: Mary Catherine, born Decem- ber 19, 1887; John Wesley, March 31, 1891; and Ruth Isabelle, born May 3, 1893. The parents are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church and contribute liberally toward its support.
The father of our subject was very much re- spected in the community in which he lived, and died firm in the faith of the United Brethren Church. During the latter years of his life he lived retired and enjoyed to the fullest extent the result of his earher years of toil.
J ESSE ALEXANDER. The homestead owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch is one of the most desirable and attractive within the limits of Guernsey County. It is pleasantly located on section 5, Wheeling Town- ship, and embellished with a substantial residence and farm buildings of. ample proportions. The place indicates in a marked manner the hand of thrift and industry, and portrays to even the cas- ual observer the fact that it is the abode of those who belong to an old and distinguished family.
Our subject is a native of this state, and was born in Coshocton County, September 5, 1847.
He is the son of Thomas and Barbara (Frederick) Alexander, the former of whom was born in Ire- land in 1815, being the son of John Alexander. Thomas died March 30, 1894. His father, the grandfather of our subject, was also born in the Emerald Isle, whence he emigrated in a very early day to the United States, and spent the rest of his life in Londonderry, Harrison County, this state, engaged in farm pursuits. The mother of our. subject was born in Pennsylvania, in the year 1820, and is still living, making her home in Plain- field, in Coshocton County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Jacob and Christina Frederick, na- tives of Germany. They took up their abode in the Keystone State on landing on American soil, and after making their home there for a while, re- moved to Coshocton County, this state, and there- after spent their time in cultivating the soil of this fertile region.
Thomas and Barbara (Frederick) Alexander were united in marriage in the above county, and to them were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, viz .: Mary, the wife of Samuel Dayton, a farmer of Jackson County, Kan .; Jacob, deceased; John, who was killed while serving his country during the late war; Adam, engaged in farming in Liberty Township, Guernsey County; Jesse, of this sketch; Christina F., now the wife of Thomas Fer- brache, also an agriculturist of prominence in Lih- erty Township; James, living in the city of Cam- bridge; George W., residing on his estate near Plainfield, Ohio; Marion, working at his trade of carpenter and also cultivating a good farm in Kan- sas; and Lizzie, the wife of Victor Lewis, a resi- dent of Plainfield, Ohio. The father of our sub- ject was a wagon-maker by trade, but in addition to working at this business carried on the opera- tion of his farm and also ran a saw mill with profit. He made his advent into Guernsey Coun- ty in 1861, but lived here only a short time, when he removed to Plainfield, and there spent the re- maining years of his life.
Jesse Alexander was given such an education as could be obtained in the schools of the district, and remaining at home until attaining mature years, he thus gained a thorough understanding of farm pursnits. Ile was married, in 1870, to Rachel A.
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Bell, who was born in this county, April 4, 1853, and was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Stage) Bell. Her father was born in Ireland in 1821, and was in turn the son of James and Isa- bella (Carus) Bell, also natives of the Emerald Isle, who crossed the ocean in 1823 and became resi- dents of Guernsey County. The mother of Mrs. Alexander was born in this county in 1827, and was the daughter of Jacob and Sarah Stage, natives of New York State. They took up the line of march to this state in a very early day, and were among the first to locate in Guernsey County. To George and Elizabeth Bell there were born nine children, four sons and five daughters. Sarah R. is the wife of William Thompson, and they reside in Lib- erty Township; Rachel A. married our subject; James is engaged in the mercantile business at Lawrenceburg, Tenn .; William is living in Cam- bridge; Jennie is now the wife of Jasper Adair, and lives in this county; Dora married Elsworth Patterson, of this county; Emma became the wife of William Patterson, and also makes lier home within the bounds of Guernsey County; and John and Martin are at home in Jefferson Township, this county, where their parents are engaged in farm- ing quite extensively.
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have had born to them a large family, numbering thirteen children, of whom we make the following mention: Marion E. is living in Kansas; Viola is the wife of William Black, and lives at Cambridge; Lemuel is also in Kansas; Edward, Rankin and Dessie are at home; Minnie is deceased; and Elizabeth R., Ethiel, Mary, Harland, Alma HI. and Rollie are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Alexander served as a Union soldier during the late war, enlisting when a lad of seventeen in Company H. Fifth Ohio Infantry, and remaining in active service with his regiment until the establish- ment of peace. Ile then returned home and resid- ed with his parents for a year after reaching his majority, when he began to make his own way in the world. Ilis first employment was in a sawmill, where he worked for about seven months, and the winter following was engaged in mining coal. Not liking this kind of work, he soon abandoned it and worked for farmers until 1867, the year in
which he purchased a tract of his own. This he operated for two years, and, having a good offer, sold it and for the ensuing eighteen months owned and operated salt works in Liberty. At the expi- ration of that time he disposed of his interest in this business and bought eighty acres of land which adjoins his present homestead. The latter is a fine tract, comprising two hundred and twen- ty acres, bearing all the valuable improvements usually found upon the estate of a wide-awake and progressive farmer.
Mr. Alexander is very prominent in his neigh- borhood and has been prevailed upon by his friends to fill the offices of Township Trustee and Treas- urer. He has always been greatly interested in school affairs, which fact has led him to serve on the School Board. In politics he is non-partisan, casting his vote for the best man, regardless of party lines.
OHN G. GECKELER, a successful gen- eral agriculturist and well known contractor, is an energetic and representative'citizen, re- siding in Sandy Township, where he owns an excellent farın of seventy-eight acres, under a high state of cultivation. He is a native of Tuscara was County, and was born near Strasburg, in Dover Township, March 29, 1855, to Lewis and Ann (Grove) Geekeler.
Grandfather Lud wich Geckeler was a farmer and lived and died in his native Germany. He rcared live sons to mature years, of whom Lewis and Frederick came to the United States. The former was born in Wurtemberg December 22, 1828, and one year after attaining his majority decided to try his fortunes in the United States. Embarking on a vessel, he was landed in New York City after a tedious voyage of forty days. He at once lo- cated in Navarre, this state, and was employed in driving stages from that place to Waynesburg for two years. After that he worked a farm for a time near Bolivar, in which place he was married, and then moved with his bride on rented property near
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Strasburg. This they operated for a time, and then took possession of another tract near Dover, living upon it for two years. In 1859 they made their home on another rented farm situated near Zoar Station, and two years later purchased sev- enty-six acres east of that place. This proved a very profitable investment, and in 1871 Lewis Geckeler was enabled to add to this one hundred and thirty acres, which, with another small acre- age, aggregated two hundred and twenty-one acres. He prospered as time advanced, and to his already large possessions added a farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres in Stark County, this state, besides valuable real estate in New Philadelphia, Zoar Station and Valley Junction. It is due to him to state that he was a self-made man as regards education and finance, as his opportunities for at- tending school were very limited, and when he landed in this country he had to borrow the money to pay his way to this state. He always manifested a lively interest in the success of the Democratie party, whose ticket he at all time voted. 1le was never an office-seeker, but was honored by his fel- low-citizens with the positions of Trustee and Treasurer of his township, and at his death, Febru- ary 21, 1893, was serving his second term as Direc- tor of the Infirmary. Ile was a conscientious mem- ber of the Lutheran Church and was a liberal con- tributor to its support.
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