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 53
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in January, 1809, and the mother's birthi oc- curred in this county, near Washington, March 20, 1819. The children born of the second union of our subject are Ethel M., born August 27, 1885; Walter HI., May 18, 1888; Thomas W., June 29, 1890, and Dwight, who was born July 31, 1892, and died May 13 of the following year.
OHN DOERSCHUK is classed among the intelligent, keen and thoroughly wide-a-wake business men of Shanesville, where he has extensive interests. For many years a teacher in the public schools, he also taught vocal music, and is widely and favorably known throughout the entire county. Ile is a native of this locality, having been born in Goshen Township, two miles east of New Philadelphia, January 1, 1841. His parents were Jacob and Christina (Rinner) Doer- schuk, natives of Bavaria, where they were greatly honored for their upright lives, and the worthy manner in which they trained their children to occupy useful stations in life.
Grandfather Jacob Doerschuk was born in Rock- enhausen, Bavaria, Germany, where he was a black- smith by trade. He was the father of four sons, of whom Jacob was the only one to come to the United States. The latter was also born in Rock- enhausen, October 4, 1815. He learned the busi- ness of nailmaking in his native land, and in 1837, after a voyage of over forty days, was landed in New York City. From the metropolis, he made his way by river and canal to Buffalo, thence to Cleveland, Ohio, and from that place came to New Philadelphia. He afterward worked for a few months at his trade near Mt. Tabor, and when ready to change his location, moved to Zoar Station. While there he met and was married to Miss Rinner. A man called David Stiffler having erected a shop there, he worked for him for five years, when he severed his interests in that line, and, purchasing one hundred acres of land one
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and one-half miles from New Philadelphia, fol- lowed the life of an agriculturist, in connection with carrying on his trade. He was prosperous in all that he did after coming to America, and so managed his affairs that he became very wealthy. He improved his first purchase in a thorough man- ner, and later made three additions to it, making an estate comprising two hundred and forty-two acres. This was made more valuable by the erec- tion thereon of suitable buildings of every descrip- tion, and was regarded as one of the finest pieces of property in the state. Mr. Doerschuk landed in the New World without means, and what he be- 'came the possessor of was the result of his own labors. He died July 29, 1886. IIe was very prominent in public affairs, and served as School Director for seven or eight years, and was also one of the Directors of the Infirmary. A Demo- crat in politics, he was very liberal in his views, and in local elections cast his vote for the man who in his judgment would best discharge the duties of the office. Active in religious affairs, he was regarded as one of the most valued members of the German Reformed Church, in which he served as Elder for many years.
Jacob and Christina Doerschuk reared a family of eight children, of whom we make the following mention: John of this sketch was the eldest; Jacob is living in Clay City, Ind .; Catherine is the wife of Godfrey Schoch; Valentine is living on the old homestead; Henry is a resident of Canton, this state; Louisa is at home; and Frank and Calvin are residents of Terre Haute, Ind., and are engaged as blacksmiths.
The mother of our subject was born in Hohen- ollen, Bavaria, Germany, and was the daughter of Jacob Rinner, also a native of the Fatherland. She is still living, at the age of seventy-eight years. Iler father emigrated to the United States about 1841, and, finding his way to this state, was en- gaged as a teamster at Zoar Station. After the de- cease of his wife, he lived with Mrs. Doerschuk until his decease, which occurred October 2, 1882. He was born April 3, 1788, in Germany. Like all German youths, he was compelled to join the army, and entering the ranks in 1808, served for five years under Napoleon Bonaparte. He was a
member of the Reformed Church. His family in- cluded four daughters, of whom Mrs. Doerschuk was the eldest but one. The others were Margaret, Charlotte and Catherine. Christina came to Amer- ica with an uncle in 1836, and located with him in the then hamlet of New Philadelphia. She was very active in church work, and aided her husband greatly in attaining his high standing in the com- munity.
The original of this sketch was given the oppor- tunity of gaining a fine education, completing his studies in the high school. When nineteen years old he was given a certificate to teach, and for twenty-two consecutive years taught, first in the common and later in the normal school. His first school brought him $96 for the term, $90 of which he gave his father to help pay for the home place. He employed his time during the summer season in teaching vocal music, and, being thoroughly drilled in this art, has had fine classes ever since. He has taught throughout this and adjoining coun- ties, and meets with great success wherever he spends a term.
December 25, 1871, Mr. Doerschuk was married to Mary Zahner, and the following year they lo- cated in Shanesville, where he taught school for some time. While at Zoar Station he became in- terested in a printing-office, and after locating in this place in 1878 established the Sbanesville News, a bright, newsy paper, which he conducted for six years. Although not now engaged in pub- lishing this sheet, Mr. Doerschuk still continues his job-printing department, and also takes orders in bindery work. His office is well equipped for this special line and the work he turns out never fails to give satisfaction.
In the year 1886 our subject established the Ex- change Bank. It is one of the reliable institutions of the county, and is largely patronized by the farmers and business men of this locality. Mr. Doerschuk was connected with the foundry at this place for four years, but since severing his in- terest with the company has given his undivided attention to his personal business, which is very extensive.
Always active in church work, Mr. Doerschuk has been Sunday-school Superintendent for twenty-
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one years, and at the present time is Elder in the Reformed Church. For the past eight years he has filled the responsible office of Treasurer of the Tus- carawas County Sunday-school Association. IIe is Democratic in politics.
To our subject and his estimable wife there has been granted a family of nine children, eight of whom are living, namely: Albert N., a resident of Kansas City; Ernest E., at college at Tiffin, Ohio; Ann B., Lewis A., John J., Victor C., Herbert M. and Margaret L. Clara L. died when an infant of seven months. Mrs. Doerschuk was born in Shanes- ville, December 5, 1849, and is the daughter of Rev. John G. and Wilhelmina (Kappel) Zahner. Her father was a native of Oberdegsheim, Ger- many, and was born December 21, 1821. IIe was educated in the Baslim College of Switzerland, from which he was graduated in 1846. On ac- count of poor health, he crossed the Atlantie the same year, and entered the Lancaster (Pa.) Semi- nary, in order to become familiar with the English language. In the fall of the following year he lo- cated in Shanesville, having under his charge eight churches. In 1858 he went to Ragersville, this state, having been appointed pastor of five churches in that neighborhood. Ten years later we find that he located in New Philadelphia, where he had but three charges. In the spring of 1872 he came to Shanesville, ministering to three congregations. He was a finely educated gentleman, and his writ- ings appeared in the "Church Messenger," pub- lished at Philadelphia, Pa., and the Reformed Church paper of Cleveland. He translated sev- eral noted German works into the English lan- guage, among them being Dr. Bausman's "Travels Around the World."
Rev. John G. Zahner married Miss Kappel in 1847, in Pittsburg, Pa. She was born in Ilesse- Darmstadt, August 18, 1823, and was the daughter of Lewis and Philipena (Schoeneck) Kappel, born respectively, in Hesse-Cassel and Worms, Germany. Her father was conversant with several languages, and held an official position in his native land. He reared one son and five daughters, of whom Mrs. Zahner was the second in order of birth. .
The father of John Doerschuk's wife reared a family of ten children. Lewis is an Episcopal
minister of Adams, Mass .; Robert is a prominent attorney of Atlanta, Ga .; Augustus is a banker, and resides in Abilene, Kan .; William is a drug- gist of Kansas City, Mo .; Mary C. is Mrs. Doer- schuk; Louisa is living in Seneca County, this state; Charlotte is Mrs. C. S. Belknap; Emma is the wife of Rev. M. Noll, of Knoxville, Ohio; Clara mar- ried O. C. Williams, of Cincinnati; and Minnie, now Mrs. Charles Haffner, lives in Bloomville, this state. The mother of these children came to the United States with a Lutheran minister, Rev. Philip Passavant, in 1847, and located in Pitts- burg. The journey across the Atlantic consumed thirty-five days, and soon after landing in New York she went to Baltimore, thence to Philadel- phia, and finally made settlement in the Smoky City.
The subject of this sketch is highly esteemed by those who know him for his upright and consis- tent Christian life, and is therefore deserving of the respect conferred upon him.
RAYTON NORMAN, one of the enterpris- ing and respected business men of New Comerstown, has been employed in con- ducting a livery business for the past year. He has a large and well selected line of carriages, and keeps a good grade of horses. Though a young man, he has given evidence of his ability, and his future career promises well, judging by the past.
Our subject is a son of Christian Norman a na- tive of Coshocton County, this state, and a farmer by occupation. His present wife, formerly Miss Hannah McClary, was born in the same county as was her husband, and by her marriage she has be- come the mother of ten children, all but one of whom are living. By a former marriage Mr. Nor- man had five children, four of whom survive. Of the sons in this family, all are farmers with the ex- ception of our subject.
Crayton Norman was born February 8, 1864, in Coshocton County, this state, and was reared on
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his father's farm. He was early instructed in the various duties pertaining to the proper manage- ment of a farm, and on starting out in life for himself, at first followed this line. He received a good education in the schools of his home neigli- borhood, and is well informed on the general and current topics of the day. A good opportunity presenting itself, he concluded to embark in the livery business, and in 1893 assumed charge of his present stand. He has been quite successful in this venture, and is becoming well known and popular in this locality. In his political belief he is a Republican, and on attaining his majority his first Presidential vote was cast for Benjamin Har- rison.
January 17, 1889, Mr. Norman was united in marriage with Miss Luella IIenderson, of Coshoc- ton County, and a daughter of George and Lovina Henderson. Two children were born to our sub- ject and his estimable wife, and bear the names of Charles Franklin and Lloyd Earl.
J OHN J. BIRK, one of the respected German- American citizens of Sandy Township, owns a good homestead near Mineral Point, but leases a large share of it for mining pur- poses. He has served for two terms as Township Treasurer, for eleven years was Treasurer of the Mineral City Special School District, and has served as Township Trustee. In former years he was a Whig, but is now a stalwart Republican. In all matters pertaining to the public good he takes an active and leading part, being especially interested in the matter of affording good educational privi- leges to the rising generation.
The birth of our subject occurred in Hochdorf, Wurtemberg, Germany, January 6, 1829, and in the same locality his parents, Tobias and Rosanna M. (Smith) Birk, were likewise born. They were the parents of four children: Lewis F., who died at Zoar, Ohio, at the age of eighteen years; Cbris-
tian, now of Louisville, Ky .; John J. and Rosanna M. Wanner. Tobias Birk was born May 8, 1791, and his wife was born six years later, on the 29th of August. They came to the United States in the spring of 1840, leaving Germany on the 13th of March, and arriving at Zoar, this state, June 19 following. The father had learned the shoemak- er's trade in his native land, and continued this pursuit until his death, which occurred May 6, 1866. In the spring of 1843 he located on the farm where our subject now resides, and here he lived until his demise. He was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran Church, but after coming to this country became identified with the Ger- man Reformed denomination. In politics he was first a Whig, and subsequently a Republican. Mrs. Rosanna Birk died March 20, 1856, about ten years before her husband. She was a daughter of Jacob Smith, a weaver by trade, who also followed farming.
Jolin J. Birk received a good German school education, and was eleven years of age when, with the other members of the family, he came to the United States. It was not his privilege to at- tend the English schools, but for three weeks lie was a student at Zoar. After his father located on a farm, he began working for his board, and since that time has given the major portion of his at- tention to agriculture. He now owns the home- stead of fifty acres, which is very valuable, both on account of being adjacent to Mineral Point, and because of the coal underneath its surface. The railroad passed through a part of his farm, and the land thus condemned was paid for at a good rate.
On the 2d of October, 1851, Mr. Birk married Miss Mary Borway, who was born in Sandy Town- ship. Her parents, Michael and Mary Borway, were natives of the Keystone State. The former, one of the sturdy pioneers of Ohio, was born on the 4th of March 1791, and died June 29, 1875, at the good old age of eighty-five years. He was a hero of the War of 1812. To Mr. and Mrs. Birk were born a son and daughter: Rosanna M., who died at the age of four years; and Charles William. The latter is very fond of music, and has been a teacher of that art. In company with his wife and son, our subject is an active member of the
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Reformed Church, and is an Elder in the congre- gation, his son occupying the office of Deacon. The family are much respected by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance, for they are in- dustrious, intelligent and honorable citizens.
H OSEA FISHER. The simple record of an honorable life is the best monument that can be rcared to any citizen, and we shall therefore not attempt to enlarge upon the history of this gentleman, who is one of Dover Town- ship's most reputable residents. He is the pro- prietor of the fine estate on which he is now liv- ing retired from the active duties of life.
A native of Pennsylvania, our subject was born in Beaver County, February 6, 1828, and is the son of Frederick and Catherine (Kurtz) Fisher, natives of Germany, the former born in Baden, and the latter in Wurtemberg. The father emi- grated to the United States in 1805, first locating in Baltimore, Md., whence he afterward moved to Beaver County, Pa. Mrs. Fisher, who had come to America four years previously, had also made her home in Baltimore, where she met and married Mr. Fisher. She departed this life October 16, 1841, when in her forty-third year. Her husband survived her many years, passing away June 8, 1854, in Dover Township, this county.
The parents of our subject had nme children. George, a retired carpenter and lumber dealer, lives in Ft. Wayne, Ind .; Mathias died March 14, 1894; IIosca, of this sketch, was next in order of birth; Benjamin resides in York Township, Tus- carawas County; Paulina is the wife of Phillip Ebertt, and makes her home in Christian County, Ill .; Richard died in infancy; Caroline, who is also deceased, was the wife of Nathan Bair, of Christian County, Ill .; Rebecca, who married John Kohr, and made her home in Indiana, is deceased; and Rachel, who married Joseph Alleshouse, is a resi- - dent of Dover Township.
He whose name heads this sketch was educated in the common schools of Pleasant Hill, in Do-
ver Township. Although the rude temple of learning would in no way compare with the ele- gant structures which the youth of to-day attend, nor the advantages offered at that time with those of the present, yet he made the best of his oppor- tunities and is well informed on all subjects of importance and interest.
The parents of our subject came to Tuscarawas County in an early day, first locating in Sandy- ville Township, on a farm belonging to a man by the name of Foarits. This was in 1831, and there the family lived for nine years, when the father came to Dover Township with his children, his wife having died on the above farm. Here he purchased two hundred acres of fine land, which he immediately set about improving in a most thorough manner, and of this tract our subject now owns one hundred and sixty-eight and a-half acres.
Hosea Fisher was reared on the home farm and assisted his father in its cultivation until attain- ing his twenty-fourth year, when he purchased property of his own, which he has since managed in a profitable manner. The bouse, barn and va- rious buildings on his place are of a substantial character, conveniently located and sufficiently adequate for their respective purposes. Mr. Fisher has been very successful in this branch of work, and is now living retired, surrounded by all the comforts of life.
When ready to establish a home of his own, our subject was married, November 10, 1861, to Miss Amanda, daughter of Andrew D. and Leah (Baker) Swihart, natives of Westmoreland County, Pa. She was born in this county, April 3, 1843, and was given the advantages of obtaining a good ed- ucation. Her parents came to Tuscarawas Cou- ty in a very early day and are both now deceased. The father was born October 26, 1808, and died April 7, 1876; while his good wife, whose birth oc- curred March 20, 1811, departed this life April 21, 1867. Their family compriscd seven children. Sarah, born January 6, 1833, died November 8, 1839; Mary C., whose birth occurred November 27, 1835, and who was the wife of John Lewis, died July 15, 1893; Simpson, born March 26, 1837, died January 27 of the following year; Philip, born
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December 25, 1839, died August 30, 1869; Will- iam, born October 1, 1841, died October 18, 1869; Amanda, Mrs. Fisher, was the next in order of birth; Margaret, born December 9, 1846, married Sanford Arnold, and is living in Larned, Kan.
Our subject and his estimable wife liave become the parents of ten children. Edward, born March 26, 1863, married Elizabeth A. Wagner, and they have two children, Wilbert C. and Erma I .; Lealı, born December 19, 1864, died Angust 24, 1865; Maggie, born July 30, 1866, is the wife of J. P. Wagner, and the mother of three daughters, Wilma D., Ruby P. and Susan Irene; Charles, born March 27, 1868, married Maggie Walker, and has two children, Harold and Ralph W .; Mary C., born
July 8, 1869, is at home; Cora M., born June 30, 1871, is the wife of Charles H. Horn, of Canal Dover; Jessie F., born March 7, 1874, died July 22 of that year; Ada L., born January 31, 1876, died six months later; Harvey, born September 12, 1878, and Frederick, born November 3, 1849, arc botli at home and attending school in Dover.
Our subject and his family are all members in good standing of the Lutheran Church. In poli- tics lic is a strong Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. Although never an aspirant for office, he lias ever borne his part in public enterprises, and is to-day very much respected throughout the community in which he resides.
NATHAN H. BARBER.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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HON. NATHAN HAMPSON BARBER.
H ON. NATHAN HAMPSON BARBER is the present representative of Guernsey County in the Legislature, and a leading lawyer of Cambridge, widely and favorably known throughout this section of the state for ability in his profession, influence in politics, and genial dis- position. The son of Mathiew and Tabitha (Shep- herd) Barber, he was born on his father's home- stead, one and one-half miles west of Morristown, Belmont County, Ohio, whereon he passed his boyhood years and began his education in the dis- trict schools of that neighborhood. In course of time he was sent to advance his studies at Musk- ingum College, in Muskingum County, this state, and from there to Washington and .Jefferson (Pa.) College, but was compelled, on account of serious sickness, to leave the latter institution three months prior to his graduation.
Our subject began to study law with Danford & Kennon, prominent attorneys of St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio, attended Ann Arbor Law University for one term, and was admitted to the Bar. He began practicing law in Barnesville, Ohio. From there be removed to Fairview, continuing the practice of his profession in Guernsey and Bel- mant Counties, where he built up a good paying practice.
In 1887 Mr. Barber received the nomination for Judge of the Probate Court of Guernsey County, at the hands of the Republican party, and after a spirited contest was elected, defeating Hon. Will- iam Borton, Democrat, and the Prohibition candi-
date. In 1890 he was re-nominated and re-elected, and held the responsible position until the fall of 1893, at which time he resigned, on the day before election, having that year received the nomination for representative of Guernsey County, to which position he was elected the following day.
Mr. Barber is a diligent worker and an impress- ive speaker in the field of politics as well as in his profession, and has proved himself an active and efficient representative at Columbus. He possesses indomitable courage and persisteney in what he considers right, which, combined with a bright in- tellect and pleasing manner, have made him many friends and placed him in the foremost ranks of Guernsey County's citizens. Among the active measures brought forward by him before the Leg- islature at Columbus was a bill in the interests of the community making it lawful and compulsory for companies and others to pay for the privilege of constructing street-car lines and railroads within the corporate limits of a city, telegraph, telephone or electric-light companies from erecting poles, etc., or the laying of pipes for water or gas com- panics within the corporate limits of a city or village; and that a franchise for such privileges should not extend beyond a period of twenty-five years. He was also one of the chief champions for the right of women to vote at school elections, and hold office as members of the School Board. Believing the people were not as prosperous as in former times, he introduced a bill to decrease the salaries of county officials, in which he had the co-
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operation of those holding office in Guernsey County, having ever in view the best interests of the tax-payer and the people at large.
Mr. Barber is of Irish descent. His grandpar- ents were William and Ann (Hammersley) Barher, natives of County Antrim, Ireland, the former born in 1792, and the latter in 1793. They emi- grated to America in 1817. When our subject's father was nearly two years old, they landed in New York, and immediately proceeded westward and settled on the farm near Morristown, Belmont County, before mentioned. The grandfather died in 1827, aged thirty-five years, while his widow survived him many years, dying at Fairview in 1881, aged eighty-nine years. Their family con- sisted of six children: Mathew, William, Isabel, Nancy, another daughter who became the wife of Mr. Todd, and IIngh.
Mathew Barber was born in 1816, and was reared upon the old homestead, receiving his education in the schools available at that period, and making farming his business occupation through life. He married Tabitha Shepherd, the daughter of Nathan and Amelia (Fresh) Shepherd, to which union the following children were born: Margaret, the wife of John W. Prior, a stock dealer, residing in Chi- cago, Ill .; James, who married a Miss Berry, of Morristown, and is now living in Pittsburg, Pa .; Annie, deceased, the wife of Hon. John A. Bu- chanan, a lawyer of New Philadelphia, Ohio, who represented this district in the State Senate; Cath- crine, who died in infancy; William, who died at the age of two years; Nathan H., our subject; Nancy J., who became the wife of James R. Rosemond, a farmer and stonemason, and resided in Fairview until her death; Mary Ellen, the wife of David S. McClelland, an extensive farmer near Smyrna, Guernsey County; Leotia Adeline, who lives with her father; and Lucy, the wife of El- wood Murphy, an attorney residing in Columbus, Ohio. The father is still living, a hale and hearty man (although seventy-nine years of age), at Fair- view, to which place he removed in 1869, hav- ing purchased a farm in that vicinity. The moth- er died November 17, 1892.
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