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 52
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children. Myrta Loretta was born February 24, 1875, and became the wife of Niles Belknap, Decem- ber 25, 1894; Chloe Olive was born September 4, 1876; Walter Herman, August 4, 1878; Verdes Ed- son, August 5, 1880; James Ross, April 29, 1882; Thomas Otes, October 14, 1884; Ila Jane, De- cember 6, 1886; and Elert Wade, February 3, 1889. Emma Peareli was born July 15, 1858, and died May 27, 1887. July 19, 1874, she became the wife of William Herron, who was born March 29, 1853. Of their six children, Ores Orwood was born February 27, 1876; Rovy Delphine, June 11, 1878; Eva Bertha, September 25, 1880; Clara Elna, October 17, 1882; Luther Herbert was born Octo- ber 27, 1884, and died May 24, 1887; and Emma was born May 20, 1887, and died June 17, 1887.
John Pearch, our subject's father, followed farm- ing and milling all his life. He became a resident of Carroll County in 1814. He it was who laid out the town of Sherrodsville in Carroll County.
Jacob Pearch enlisted in Company K, One Hun- dred and Tenth Regiment Ohio Infantry, on the 14th of November, 1862, and received an honora- ble discharge from the service, December 24, 1863. In September, 1864, he came to Tuscarawas Coun- ty and began working on the Dennison Shops. No- vember 28, 1865, he removed his family to Uhrichs- ville, where he has ever since resided. From April 8, 1872, until July 31, 1881, he was employed in the Dennison Shops. In the last-named year he engaged in carpentering for a time, and also bought and shipped live stock. Soon after, when the Monarch Coal Mine was opened, he was made superintendent, and held this position for a time. In July, 1884, he entered the lumber business, which has since employed his time and attention. Politically he is a supporter of the Republican party.
Jacob Pearel was married March 22, 1860, to Eliza Palmer, whose birth occurred September 10, 1840, and who was called to the silent land De- eember 13, 1884. Their eldest child, Manillia Maybelle, was born February 1, 1865. July 28, 1885, she became the wife of Thomas B. Ross, who was born February 5, 1854. They have had two children: Ray Ellsworth, born June 11, 1886, and who died May 7, 1892; and William Byron, born
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February 6, 1892. Reenzo Rollo Pearch was born October 22, 1866, and died January 18, 1867. Ortho Ollo, born September 24, 1868, resides in Wellsville, Ohio. December 24, 1891, he married Mary A. Kraus, who was born August 25, 1871, and they have two sons: Charles Arthur, born February 16, 1894; and Paul Jacob, born January 26, 1895. Lecta Lulu, born August 6, 1870, is un- married. Ella Elvira, born January 20, 1872, mar- ried Robert Beltz, March 11, 1891. Ile was born August 7, 1869. They have two children: Bert- ram Brock, born December 24, 1891; and Victor Verne, October 10, 1893. Cecelia Celestine was . born January 22, 1874. Ilarry Hope, born April 5, 1875, died August 22 of the same year. Verna Valeria, born January 4, 1878, resides at home?
February 10, 1888, Jacob Pearch married Mrs. Elizabeth West, and they have two children: J. J., born January 4, 1889; and Archie Ray, November 9,1891.
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ALENTINE WILLS, deceased. Among all classes and in every condition of life where the struggle for a livelihood is going on, there must perforce be numerons trials and hard- ships to overcome before the ladder of fame and financial success is climbed. The early years of our subject were marked with serious disadvantages, and his success was therefore a compliment to his own exertions and ability. Ilis life truly verified the adage that "a bad beginning makes a good ending," since at the time of his decease, in 1894, he was the owner of a flourishing sawmill and the possessor of seventeen hundred acres of land in Goshen Township, Tuscara was County.
The original of this sketch was born September 3, 1824, in Lieking County, Ohio, and was the son of David and Catherine (Schuyler) Wills. The parental family included nine children, of whom Valentine was the eldest but one. David makes his home in Lebanon, Mo .; Fannie is the widow of Solomon Landis, of Defiance County, this state; Sarah married Louis Hykes; Elizabeth is deceased,
as is likewise Lucy, who was the wife of a Mr. Har- vey; Belinda married James Kelley, now deceased; Isaac is a resident of Phillipsburgh, Mo .; and Rob- ert died in infancy.
Valentine Wills, like other boys of that early day, carried on his studies in the district school, where he obtained a fair education. Ile was a lad of nine years when his parents, in 1833, came to Tuscarawas County. His first work away from home was as a canal-boy, and the day after receiv- ing his pay, which consisted of notes on the State Bank, it failed, and he was thus defrauded out of his small earnings.
One year prior to attaining his majority, our subject began the operation of a brickyard in New Philadelphia. He found this line of business to be very profitable, and continued in it for a number Of years, or until renting a sawmill. This proper- ty he later purchased, and carried on a good busi- ness until the day of his death.
In 1850 Mr. Wills began life as a farmer in Go- shen Township, on lifty-one acres of land, which he had purchased. He was very successful in this venture, as indeed he was in almost everything which he undertook, and added to this tract from time to time until he had increased it to seventeen hundred acres. It was one of the most valuable pieces of property in the township, and Mr. Wills so managed it that he derived a handsome income from its tillage.
The lady to whom our subject was first married bore the name of Jerusha Everett, and to them were born two children: David, now living near New Cumberland, Ohio; and Mary, the wife of Kirkwood Arnold, of Beaver Dam, this state. May 3, 1856, he chose for his second companion Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Susan ( Misimen) Furney. This union resulted in the birth of the following five children: Charles II .; George W., who is in business in Canal Dover; Francis M., of Goshen Township; Albert E., managing the old homestead; and Clara B.
Mr. Wills was numbered among the most suc- cessful residents of the county, and had many friends who recognized the nobility of his charac- ter and realized that he deserved to be held in the highest possible esteem,, as indeed he was. He
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was a stanch Democrat in politics, but never as- pired to official holding, preferring to devote his time and attention to the management of his .ex- tensive interests. In his death, which occurred January 3, 1894, the county lost one of its most valued citizens.
A LPHEUS RINGER. The following sketch is of one of the best known men of Guern- sey County, who has lived here many years, and is identified prominently with the va- rious interests of the neighborhood. The family record is an interesting one, and we give it in full-
Alpheus Ringer was born in Shenandoah County, Va., April 22, 1825. He is a grandson of George Ringer, a native of Germany, who was brought to America when quite young by his parents. This was during Colonial times, and on the outbreak of the Revolutionary War young George joined the Continental army and fought for American inde- pendence. Ou the close of hostilities he continued to make his home in his adopted country, and for many years enjoyed the blessing for which he fouglit.
Jacob, the father of our subject, was also born in Virginia, where he was reared to manhood on a farm which his parents owned. When old enough to choose an occupation for himself he took up farming, and throughout his entire life cultivated the soil with great success. When the war between the United States and England broke out in 1812, he enlisted and fought for the second independ- ence of America. His regiment was under the command of Gen. William Henry Harrison, and participated in many of the important and hard- fought battles of that period, among which were the battles at Ft. Meigs and Norfolk, at whichi lat- ter place General Ross was prevented from land- ing his soldiers.
When peace was restored the father of our sub- ject returned to Virginia, and spent the follow-
ing three or four years in traveling within its confines. About this time he was married, and traded lis farm for property in Ohio. Coming hither, he located near New Philadelphia, and after 'a year's residence on his estate, disposed of it to good advantage and returned to the Old Domin- ion. There he followed teaming for some six years, at the expiration of which time lie again came West, this time taking up his abode in Noble County. There he purchased a valuable tract of land, and for thirty years was engaged in agricult- ural pursuits. He became one of the most influ- ential and prominent citizens of the county, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. When advanced in years he sold his prop- erty in Noble County and bought land in Ross County, upon which he was living at the time of his decease, in 1862.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Nancy Worley. She was of French extraction, her father having come to the United States with Gen- eral LaFayette, and with him cast his lot with the Continental army. Her union with Jacob Ringer was blessed by the birth of eight children, of whom we make the following mention: Betsey is the widow of Samuel McVey, and is residing in Mon- roe County, this state; Lydia is deceased; Mary married JJohn Rush, and departed this life in 1862; Alplieus, of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; Joseph died in 1867; Jacob enlisted in the Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry during the late war, and was killed upon the battlefield of Pittsburg Landing; Susan became the wife of Vincent Mor- gan, and died in 1872; Samuel, who also fonglit as a Union soldier, was a member of the Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and was under Sherman on his march to the sea, and on its completion marchied with his regiment to Washı- ington and participated in the Grand Review.
Alpheus Ringer, our subject, was reared on his father's fine estate, where he received thorough training in all the details connected with its man- agement, and dnring dull seasons of farm work attended the district school. He was very ambi- tious to gain a good education, and being studious and making the best of his limited opportunities, he became well informed in all the branches tauglit.
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At the age of nineteen years he started out in life for himself. He had the youthful curiosity to go to Zanesville to witness the execution of Solomon Shoemaker, a homicide, and so deep was the im- pression then made upon him of the wickedness which predominates in man's nature, that death alone can remove it.
A twelvemonth later Mr. Ringer went to the city of Cincinnati, and obtained a position as clerk on a boat bound for New Orleans to dispose of its cargo of pork. This trip shaped his future life. While there he visited the old battlefield on which General Jackson fought, and stored much useful information gained from this historical city. He plied the river for some two years, and was thus given the opportunity of witnessing the hor- rible treatment to which the slaves were subjected during those times. Thus early in life he became imbued with Abolition principles. The imparting of his knowledge of southern abuses on his return home was the signal for a complete change of sentiment by his entire family, and during the war which followed they were enabled in many ways to aid the Union cause.
January 13, 1848, Mr. Ringer was united in mar- riage with Miss Margaret Stoneburner, a native of Loudoun County, Va. The young couple at once took up their abode in Noble County on rented land, and for three years followed agricultural pursuits with fair success. They then came to Guernsey County, where our subject purchased a farm near Georgetown. This he sold after one year's residence upon it, and became the possessor of a fine property in Knox Township. Here he was living when the news that Ft. Sumter had been fired upon flew like wildfire over the country. His patriotism was aroused, and, like all good citizens of the North, he was indignant at the en- croachments of the Confederates npon the country over which floated the Stars and Stripes, for which his father and grandfather had fought. He at once volunteered his services, and in August, 1861, enlisted in Company G, Sixty-second Ohio Infant- ry, for three years. The regiment was in camp at Zanesville when they were ordered to Cumberland, Md., and there joined the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Ringer participated in some of the noted bat-
tles of the Civil War, among which were Cherry Run, Hancock, Martinsburg, Manchester, Winches- ter, Ft. Republic, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Suffolk, Black water, Charleston (S. C.) and Ft. Wagoner. At the last-named place he was wounded, and on account of other disabilities was compelled to leave the service, although having been recommended for promotion as a commissioned officer. He was at that time Sergeant of his company.
Mr. Ringer was honorably discharged in Decem- ber, 1863, and on returning home again took up the peaceful pursuits of farm life as soon as his health was restored. In 1865 he sold the farm before men- tioned, and bought the estate which he now owns and occupies in Adams Township. This comprises eiglity acres, admirably improved, and the eye of the passer-by is at once attracted to the set of neat and substantial buildings which adorns the place. Mr. Ringer has been very successful in his life work, and is one of the progressive and represen- tative farmers of this section.
As a matter of course, our subject is a stanch Re- publican in politics, and takes great interest in the success of his party. He has been prominently before the people of this county as Trustee and As- sessor of his township, and has filled many of the minor offices with satisfaction to all concerned. He is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and throughout the neighbor- hood is held in high esteem.
To Mr. and Mrs. Alpheus Ringer there has been granted a family of twelve children, of whom Ja- cob, the eldest of the household, is a wealthy farmer of this county, and is also a teacher of con- siderable note. Ile is a man of fine education, having graduated at Delaware (Ohio) College and the college at Muskingum. Sarah, the next in order of birth, became the wife of Robert Rice, and died in Adams Township, Guernsey County, in 1884. J. Sylvester is also deceased. Thomas B. is a very talented musician, and is engaged in teaching music in the public schools of Cambridge; he, too, is a graduate of Muskingum College. Jo- seph and Alice died while our subject was in the army. John W., now a practicing physician of Byesville, Guernsey County, completed his literary education in the Muskingum College, and received
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his diploma to practice from the Michigan Uni- versity at Ann Arbor, where he studied for three years. Alpheus W., who was also carrying on his medical studies in the Ann Arbor College, where he graduated, died there a few days afterward, and before his diploma reached him. Hannah, the wife of Samuel Work, is residing in Newark, this state; she is likewise a college graduate, and has received a musical education. Charles E., a stu- dent of Muskingum College, graduated as a chem- ist and is keeping a drug store at Byesville. Etta M., now Mrs. William Camp, also gained her edu- cation in the Muskingum College; and Claud R. is at home with his parents. As has been seen, our subject takes great interest in the cause of educa- tion, and gave his children the best advantages for gaining a thorough knowledge of books. He has carved out his own career, and as a self-made man can be held up to the present generation as an ex- ample of what can be accomplished in this coun- try by pluck, honesty and perseverance.
F RANK S. SPENCER. Like many of the representative and much esteemed citizens of Guernsey County, Mr. Spencer is a na- tive thereof, having been born in Millwood Town- ship, February 5, 1841. His parents were Asa and Phebe E. (Piggott) Spencer, the former of whom was born in Belmont County, March 28, 1807, and the latter December 14, 1809, in the same county. The father departed this life May 8, 1876, but his good wife still survives, making her home with Frank S. Spencer, at Spencer's Station.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Nathan and Ann (Smith) Spencer, natives of Lou- doun County, Va., whence they emigrated to Ohio about 1805, lo ating in Belmont County. Nathan was a farmer by occupation, and therefore lost no lime in entering a tract of land from the Govern- ment, in the cultivation of which he was very successful. He was a strong Abolitionist, and was
compelled to leave his native state on account of having expressed his opinions very freely on this subject. Of the children of Nathan and Ann Spen- cer, David died September 25, 1858, aged fifty- seven years; Betsey, born about the year 1791, is also deceased; Jonathan, born in 1793, is likewise dead, as is also Samuel, born in January, 1795; Mercy died in Whiteside County, Ill., in 1851; Abner died in December, 1861; Sarah died in Law- rence County, Ohio, in 1881; Phebe and Mary are also deceased; Asa died in the year 1876; Jonas is deceased; and Rachel died in 1881. The father of this large family died June 28, 1833, while his good wife preceded him to the better land by a few months, having passed away April 20 of that year. The former was born July 16, 1767, and the latter October 29, 1770.
The mother of our subject was the daughter of John and Eleanor (Plummer) Piggott, and was born in Belmont County, December 14, 1809. Her father was a native of Loudoun County, Va., while her mother was born in Lancaster County, Pa. They emigrated to the Buckeye State in 1804 and 1807, respectively, and after their marriage had born to them two children, Phebe, and Eli, who now resides in St. Clairsville, Belmont County, at the age of seventy-eight years.
Asa Spencer remained at home with his parents on the farm until the time of his marriage, which occurred February 27, 1833. The young couple resided in Belmont County for the following year, and April 13 took up their abode in Guernsey County, locating on the farm now owned and oc- cupied by their son, our subject. They moved into the house which stands there in 1838, and in it their eight children were born. Ellen P., the eld- est, born October 1. 1835, is the wife of Phincas C. Cowgill and the mother of four children. Aun, now deceased, was born November 20, 1837, and married E. V. Shipley; she left at her death, Jan- uary 27, 1892, six children. Our subject was the third in order of birth. Ilarry L., born December 30, 1842, married Mary E. Payne, and to them was granted a family of three children. John, born March 27, 1845, married Lydia Frame, by whom he had one daughter, and on the death of his wife chose for his second companion Ellen Moore.
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Amos, born April 28, 1848, married Anna Kinsey, and to them have been born six children. Nathan, born October 22, 1850, is the husband of Estella Laffer; and Melissa, born August 30, 1853, is the wife of Justus G. Roberts and the mother of six children.
Frank S. was educated in the schools taught in the vicinity of his home, and also aided during the busy seasons in the farm work. On the out- break of the Civil War, and when the cry re- sounded throughout the States for volunteers, he enlisted, August 30, 1861, in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, under Colonel Ball. While in the service, he partici- pated in the following-named hard-fought engage- ments: Ft. Royal, Shenandoah River, Winchester, Wapping Heights, Brandy Station, Locust Grove, Wilderness, Cross Roads, Spottsylvania C. H., which latter conflict lasted for seven days, and the battle of Cold Harbor, which followed, consuming nine days. Next occurred the figlits at Bermuda Hun- dred, Petersburg, Monocacy (Md.), Snicker's Gap, Charleston, Smithfield, Fisher's Hill, Mt. Jackson, Newmarket, Cedar Creek, Kernstown, and capture of Sailor's Run. Mr. Spencer was wounded, Sep- tember 19, 1864, in the left shoulder by a piece of shell at Opequan. Thisinjury caused him to be ab- sent from roll-call for eight days, which, with a furlough of twenty days on another occasion, was the only time during his long service that he was not in his place in the ranks of his company.
Mr. Spencer was mustered out June 26, 1865, and discharged at Camp Chase July 1. He imme- diately returned home, and, as soon as he was suf- ficiently reenperated, resumed his labors on the farm. November 3 of that year he was married to Miss Rachel N. Lee, who was born October 14, 1841. She was the daughter of Jolin and Eliza- beth (Benson) Lee, natives of Maryland, whence they removed to this state in 1840, settling at once in Guernsey County. To them were born ten chil- dren. Harriet A. was the wife of Linley Hall, and died in 1877, leaving two children, Elmer and Si- las R .; Levi, who was born October 14, 1839, mar- ried Narcissa Redd, and to them have come three children, Alden, J. Burlin and Edgar; Rachel N. is the wife of our subject; John E. was born
in the year 1843, and died in 1852; Martha E., also deceased, was the wife of William Greer, and left one son, Edward E .; Sabilla is deceased; Em- ily died in infancy; Phebe Eleanor, born March 29, 1855, is the wife of Anson Mead and has five children, Mary P., Blaine, Forrest, Elizabeth and Hazel; Sarah is the wife of James C. Burcher, and has one son, Charles; and Eliza J., the wife of Hez- ekiah Thomas, has three children, Lottie L., Hat- tie and Mattie.
There have been born to our subject and his wife three children. Cora, born June 7, 1868, is the wife of David Cowden, to whom she was mar- ried September 1, 1891, and now has a son, Paul, born January 9, 1894; Warren L., born January 29, 1875, is at home; and one died in infancy un- named.
" Mr. Spencer is a member of the Methodist Church, while his wife is a member of the Friends' Church. In politics the former is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of General Lander's Post No. 468, G. A. R., of Quaker City. He has served in the capacity of Township Trustee and School Direc- tor, in both of whichi positions he gave entire sat- isfaction. He laid out and platted Spencer's Sta- tion in 1892, and in many other ways has aided in the upbuilding of this portion of the county. He carries on general farming, and is regarded as one of the most substantial citizens of this com- munity.
H UGH A. McCREARY is one of the sub- stantial and influential farmers of Guern- sey County, living on one of the finest estates on section 18, Centre Township. It com- prises two hundred and forty-three acres of land (over two hundred of which are under an excellent state of improvement, with a fine orchard of apple and peach trees), and is known to the people of this vicinity as Mud Run Farm.
The original of this sketch was born April 16, 1844, to James and Margaret ( Laughlin) McCreary,
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who were the parents of four children. The other members of the household were Ilulda E., born in September, 1838; John L., wliose birth occurred in June, 1841, and William. John L., the eldest son, fought as a soldier during the late war, as a mem- ber of Company B, First Ohio Infantry, and was mustered into service in August, 1861. While off duty, he, with others of his regiment, was engaged in washing the horses in Clifton, Tenn., when the animal he was riding sank, and both horse and sol- dier were drowned.
When a youth of eighteen years IIugh Mc- Creary left home and made his way to Idaho, where he remained for a time working in the gold mines, and later sought for this precious metal in Montana. Ile was fairly successful in this venture, and in 1865 returned home and for the following twenty years was occupied in buying and shipping live stock to Baltimore and other eastern markets. On abandoning this industry he began farming, and is now operating what is known as the Mud Run Farm, an estate very valuable in all its ap- pointments. This Mr. McCreary manages in a most profitable manner, deriving a handsome in- come from the soil. For a period of five years he has been the owner of a sawmill in this vicinity.
Our subject has been very popular and influen- tial in public life and for two years was Assessor of his township. He is a member in good stand- ing of the Presbyterian Church, and is active in all good works in his neighborhood. Ile was married, December 20, 1870, to Miss Martha MeKelvey, daughter of Robert and. Mary (Eaton) Mckelvey, and to them was born a family of four children. John L., the eldest, was born April 8, 1872, and is now a student at Muskingum College, at New Concord, this state; Mary R., born April 4, 1874, is also attending the above institution; Robert C. was born March 23, 1876; James II., born Septem- ber 20, 1878, is now attending school. The wife and mother departed this life May 11, 1882, and the lady whom our subject chose for his second companion was Sadie E. McConnell, their mar- riage being celebrated September 23, 1884. She was born December 31, 1853, and is the daugli- ter of Thomas and Lucinda (Smith) McConnell. The father was born in Washington County, Pa.,
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