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 54
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Nathan II. Barber, the subject of this sketch, married Miss Jennie Clarke, the daughter of Will-
iam and Henrietta (West) Clarke. William Clarke was killed while gold-mining in California by the caving in of a mine, a few years after the precious metal was first discovered on the Pacific Slope.
Mrs. Barber is a native of this state, and by her marriage has become the mother of three chil- dren: Dolly, the wife of P. C. Patterson, the man- ager of the Cambridge Corrugating Company; Her- bert, a student of the Military College at Peeks- kill, N. Y .; and Ellen, the youngest, residing at home with her parents.
Mr. Barber and his family live in an elegant residence of his own, fitted throughout with all the modern requirements, situated on Eleventh Street, Cambridge. He is also the owner of good business property in town, is a stockholder and Di- rector in the Cambridge Corrugating Company, and also a stockholder in the Republican Press Company, a leading newspaper of Guernsey Coun- ty. Fraternally he is a member of Cambridge Lodge No. 53, K. of P. Both Mr. Barber and his wife are members of the Methodist Church of this city.
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ILLIAM B. CROXTON, a prominent and wealthy farmer of York Township, is now living retired from business cares, simply overseeing the coal mines and other property belonging to himself and wife. Since 1873 he has dwelt on the farin known as the Hen- ry Anderman Homestead, it being situated on section 14.
The birth of Mr. Croxton occurred January 12, 1832, in Carroll County, Ohio. His father, the llon. John G. Croxton, came from a good old Vir- ginian family, and his birth occurred in Brooke County, October 19, 1803. His father, William, was a native of Chester County, Pa., and his father, a native of Croxton's Park, England, emigrated to the United States in company with William Penn. The mother of our subject was in her girl-
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hood Susan B. Smith. She was born at St. Johns- bury Plains, Vt., and is a daughter of Ben- jamin and Lidey B. (Emory) Smith, natives of Maine and Vermont, respectively. They were descendants of early Puritan families, who were among the first settlers in the Plymouth Rock Colony. To Hon. John Croxton and his wife were born four sons and three daughters, as fol- lows: William B., our subject; Henrietta, wife of J. H. Barnhill, of New Philadelphia; Josephine, de- ceased; John G., Jr., whose home is in Philadelphia, Pa .; Benjamin F., deceased; Samuel W., of Cleve- land, Ohio; and Alice, wife of George Hopkins, now located in Canal Dover. The father of this family died in February, 1894, at the good old age of ninety years. During the last twenty years of his life he lived at Canal Dover. IIe was very popular in that community and was Mayor of the place for four years. He served as Justice of the Peace for a period of six years, and in 1845 took the census of Carroll County.
The boyhood and youth of William B. Croxton were passed at the home of his parents. When he had reached the age of twenty years he went out to seek his fortune, though he had previously taught school for three years. Subsequently he found work as a clerk in a dry-goods store at Ulrichsville, where he was employed for three years. Then, going to New Philadelphia, he stud- ied law with the Hon. George W. McIlvaine and David W. Stanbaugh, who were legal practitioners at that point. After three years of study Mr. Croxton was duly admitted to the Bar at Zanes- ville, Ohio. Soon afterwards he commenced prac- tice at New Philadelphia with the Hon. Judge J. H. Barnhill, with whom he remained for two years. The War of the Rebellion coming on about then, Mr. Croxton went to Washington, D. C., where he was offered a clerkship in the Pension Office. This position he accepted, and there remained for two years and a-lalf. Returning to Ohio, he was offered the position of bookkeeper in a blast fur- nace and pig-iron manufactory near Canal Dover. At the end of three years he went into partnership with his two brothers, William and Benjamin, in a general merchandise undertaking at Canal Dover. He followed this successfully for eight years, after
which he disposed of his interest and came to his present home.
October 17, 1859, occurred the marriage of Will- iam Croxton and Caroline Anderman, who was born August 23, 1834. Her father, Henry Ander- man, was a native of Prussia, while her mother, whose maiden name was Anna B. Scott, was born in Scotland. In 1835 Mr. and Mrs. Anderman set sail for America, and for four years lived on the homestead now cccupied by our subject. After- wards they were for thirty-three years inhabitants of New Philadelphia, but finally returned to the old homestead, where they passed the remainder of their lives.
Two sons and a daughter have been born to William and Caroline Croxton. Annie B. is un- married; Lewis A. is a resident of Philadelphia, Pa .; and Henry Butler is engaged in the lumber business at Odbert, this county.
The carly education of our subject was obtained in the old-fashioned log-cabin school, which he at- tended until he was about ten years of age. When fourteen years old, he entered the Madison Center Academy, of Lake County, Ohio. Later he became a student in the academy at Hagerstown, Md. By a well selected course of reading and private study, he has become thoroughly abreast with the times, and is a gentleman of such intelligence and good conversational powers that it is a pleasure to pass time in his company. In politics he is affil- iated with the Republican party, but has never been prevailed upon to hold office. To the high- est degree both himself and amiable wife possess the confidence and good-will of the entire com- munity in which they are so well and favorably known.
It is fitting that special mention be made of the youngest son of our subject, namely, Henry But- ler Croxton, who is a young man of exceptional attainments and business ability. He was born in New Philadelphia, October 21, 1872, and was edu- cated at the Union School of that place. Always very industrious and energetic, he has worked his way upward with remarkable celerity, and manages his varied interests as few persons of his years could do. In addition to the lumber business which he carries on at Odbert, he is manager of
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the homestead where he resides and which belongs to his mother. He is also serving as receiver for the Odbert Coal Mine Company, and is especially in- terested in several other coal mines. He has in- vested money from time to time in lands and owns a fine two-hundred acre farm in Oxford Township, and another comprising one hundred acres in York Township.
J OHN S. KOLLAR. Among those cultivating a portion of the soil of Fairfield Township to good advantage may be mentioned our subject, who is living on and managing the old homestead. He is classed among the young and progressive agriculturists of this section, aim- ing in every detail of his work to keep abreast of the times in all that pertains to his occupation. He is a prominent and well respected member of the community.
Mr. Kollar was born on section 9, of the above township, September 12, 1850. His parents are Joseph and Phœbe (Slutts) Kollar. His paternal great-grandfather came to this country from Ger- many, and located in York County, Pa., where he engaged in farm pursuits. There he reared a family of four sons, three of whom married and became heads of families. George, the grand- father, was the eldest; John and Jacob went South, one locating in North, and the other in South, Carolina. They were Lutherans in religion.
Grandfather George Kollar was a native of York County, Pa., and was a lad of ten years when the war for independence broke out. Ilis father dying when he was quite young, he was bound out to attend an officer iu the Revolutionary War. After the cessation of bostilities, and when per- mitted to look out for himself, he learned the trade of shoemaking, which he followed until 1802, the year he came to Jefferson County, Ohio, and settled on Dawsey's Flats. Here he engaged in
farm pursuits, and met with such good results that five years later he entered the three hundred and twenty acres comprised in the old homestead on section 9. The trip to this state was made with a one-horse wagon, and the family was obliged to stop at night by the wayside, and make themselves as comfortable as it was possible to be in a wild region, infested with animals and Indians.
Three years after entering his land from the Government, Grandfather Kollar moved on the same, and began the arduous work of its improve- ment. He made this place his home until his de- cease, in August, 1849, at the age of eighty-four years. He was an influential man in his neighbor- hood, and among the Indians he was greatly hon- ored. He was active in church work, and one of the founders of the Lutheran society in his com- munity. In political affairs he voted with the Whig party. llis wife, who was in maidenhood Susanna Koontz, was also a native of the Keystone State, and of German descent. HIer father after coming to America served as a soldier in the War of 1812, on the side of the Colonists. She became the mother of ten children, nine of whom grew to mature years. Jacob served as a substitute in the War of 1812; Adam was drafted into the service, and was mustered out at the close of the conflict with the title of Captain; Margaret married Tobias Haverstock, and made her home in Wayne Coun- ty, this state; George died in Williams County, Ohio; Catherine married Jolin Slutts, who is now deceased; Andrew died in Wayne County, where he owned a large farm; Michael is also deceased; Joseph, the father of our subject, was the next- born; David is a resident of Williams County, this state; and Susan is the widow of Lewis Ifixon, and lives near Odessa, Mo. The grandmother died January 22, 1858, at the age of eighty-six years. She was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, and active in all good works in her neighborhood.
Joseplı Kollar was born near Steubenville, this state, November 5, 1809. The following year he was brought by his parents to this county, which has been his home ever since. He received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse, con- ducted on the subscription plan. The building was built of logs and furnished in the rudest man-
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ner, and young Joseph had to make his own seat and desk. On attaining his majority, he began life for himself, his first work being in making rails, for which he received twenty-five cents per hundred, and he was often enabled to earn twice that amount of money in one day, which was con- sidered good wages for those times. After being thus employed for a time his father gave him a horse, which our subject fitted out with bridle and saddle. In 1831 he sold his possessions for $75, and with the money made a payment on one hun- dred and sixty-one acres of land in Dover Town- ship. He located on this in 1833, erecting a shanty of round logs. This served the purpose for which it was intended until the fall of that year, when it was replaced with a more comfortable structure, with puncheon floor and door made of clapboards.
In 1837 Joseph Kollar sold out this purchase on account of having disagreeable and dishon- est neighbors, and, going to Williams County, entered three hundred and twenty acres from the Government. A short time thereafter he sold his land, and took charge of a farm for Peter Will- iams in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The following year he purchased one hundred and four acres of improved property on Stony Creek, for which he paid $2,000. He made this place his home for nine years, when he returned to the old homestead, and cared for his parents during the remainder of their lives. After their decease he purchased the home place from the other heirs. It consisted of three hundred and sixteen acres, forty of which he has since sold to a coal company. For several years Mr. Kollar was occupied in buying cattle and driving them to York County, Pa., where he disposed of them. He has been very successful in life, and is now living retired, leaving the super- vision of his fine and valuable farm to his son, our subject.
Always active in all measures calculated to be of benefit to his community, Joseph Kollar was elected Justice of the Peace, holding that responsi- ble office for six years. He was also County Com- missioner for the same length of time, and in every position discharged the duties thereof in a most satisfactory and credible manner. He was first a Whig and later a Republican in politics, and when
before the public as a candidate always ran ahead of his ticket.
The parents of our subject were married Septem- ber 25, 1831. Mrs. Kollar was born in Fairfield Township, this county, December 12, 1813, and was the daughter of William and Deborah (Gor- dan) Slutts, natives of Reading, Pa. Her father came to Fairfield Township in 1812. He reared three sons, John, Samuel and Theopolis, and five daughters, Phæbe, Jane, Deborah, Mary and La- vina.
To Joseph Kollar and his estimable wife there were born eight children, of whom four lived to mature years. Deborah became the wife of Will- iam Baker, of Allen County, this state. George married and moved to Paulding County, where he enlisted in the Union army, and was com- missioned a Captain in the one hundred days' service. He died in Hospital No. 8 at Bermuda Hundred, near Richmond, Va. Susan, the second daughter, became the wife of Josiah Davy, of Indi- anapolis, Ind. John S., of this sketch, was the youngest of those who lived. The deceased mem- bers of the family were Jacob, William, Theopolis and Margaret. The mother of these children de- parted this life February 14, 1851. She was an active member of the Protestant Methodist Church, while her husband had been for many years con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The latter married, November 17, 1856, Pleaza Shiddler, born in Washington County, Pa. She was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Battey) Shiddler. Her father was a farmer, who went to Stark County, Ohio, in 1833, and lived there during the rest of his life. He reared a family of four son's and four daughters, all of whom married and had sons and daughters of their own. Henry Shiddler was the son of John, a native of Mary- land, who later removed to Pennsylvania, and there died. He was a member of the German Bap- tist Church. His wife, prior to her marriage, was Catherine Yeeter, also a native of Maryland, who departed this life in Stark County, Ohio.
The original of this sketch was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education first in the common and later in the high schools. Here- mained under the parental roof until his marriage,
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when he moved to Ashland County. This was in 1883. There he purchased a tract of one hundred acres, which he cultivated for six years with good results. His parents being quite aged, he thought it his duty to remain with them during the rest of their lives, and, returning to the home place, as- sumed its management. He is a Republican in politics, and on that ticket was elected Justice of the Peace. He is a charter member of the Grange, in the workings of which he is prominent and greatly interested.
John S. Kollar was married, February 18, 1875, to Allie M., daughter of George and Auna (Hob- son) Miner, farmers by occupation, and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were natives of this state. The father died in February, 1890, at the age of seventy-six. His widow sur- vives, and makes her home with J. W. Miner. She became the mother of one son and six daughters, all of whom were given good educations.
To our subject and his wife there have been born two children, Minnie E. and Joseph Blaine. They are active members of the Methodist Church, and in the congregation near their home the former has been Steward and Deacon. Mr. Kollar devotes his time and attention to breeding Shorthorn cat- tle and Poland-China hogs, French sheep and Morgan horses. Out of seven entries in the horse department at the county fair in 1894, he took five first and two second premiums.
AMES MOMAIION, whose biography we take pleasure in writing, is one of those worthy young men who take no active part in pub- lie life, but pursue the even tenor of their way in their chosen vocation, accumulating by thrift, energy and business ability not only the necessities of life, but the wherewithal to indulge in luxuries, should they feel so inclined.
Mr. McMahon is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in White Haven, November 15, 1864. His parents were Daniel and Bridget ( McHale) Mc- Mahon, the former of whom was a native of
County Clare, Ireland, and the latter of County Mayo, Ireland. They reared a family of seven children, of whom Patrick, the eldest, is living in Colorado; Mary J. married Patrick J. Hannon, and makes her home in Cambridge; Anthony is de- ceased, as are also Thomas, Delia and Ella. Our subject was the youngest but one of the household.
Daniel McMahon resided for some time in Goulds- boro, Pa., which was named in honor of the mill- ionaire, by whom he was employed in the tanner- ies. Everything went on smoothly for a time, but one of the stockholders finally became so hard a taskmaster that trouble ensued, the employ- es being banded against the officials of the com- pany. Not being desirous of working any longer in that place, Mr. McMahon went to Wilkes Barre, and after a stay of a short time removed to White flaven, where our subject was born. He had no trouble in obtaining a position in the tanneries there and gave satisfaction to all concerned until leaving to come to this state. He at once located at Niles, and was the incumbent of the responsible position of agent and baggagemaster of the Atlan- tic & Great Western Railway until his decease.
The original of this sketch was given only very limited advantages for gaining an education, as when quite young in life he began to make his own living. He has, however, been systematic in his course of reading, and is thoroughly informed upon all topics of general interest. In 1873, when a lad of nine years, he went to Wilkes Barre, Pa., where he attended school until 1877. At that time he began working in the railroad shops, and continued until 1888, in which year we find him living in New Philadelphia. There he employed his time in the rolling-mill at that place, and April 17, 1890, made his advent into Cambridge and obtained a position with the Cambridge Iron and Steel Company, where he is still working.
James McMahon was married, April 8, 1891, to Miss Lanra B. Turner, the daughter of Milton and Henrietta (Urban) Turner, natives, respectively, of Guernsey County and Germany. She was born June 4, 1872, in Georgetown, near Cambridge, and was given a good education in the graded schools of her native place.
In religious affairs our subject is a devout mem-
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ber of the Catholic Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Church. In politics he always casts a ballot in favor of Republican candi- dates. Socially he is a Mason of high standing, a member of Wilkes Barre (Pa.) Lodge No. 174, K. of P., and a member of the Association of Amal- gamated Iron and Steel Workers, of Cambridge.
R REDERICK HARTLINE is one of the shrewdest and most intelligent agricultur- ists of Franklin Township, Tuscarawas County, as is shown by the success which has at- tended his efforts. On the death of his father, Pe- ter Hartline, which occurred when he was quite young, our subject was taken into the home of his maternal uncle, Fred C. Pfersich, who was ap- pointed liis guardian. This gentleman, realizing the advantage to be gained by an education, so ar- ranged affairs that he was permitted to attend school longer than most of the farmer boys of that period. Being desirous of gaining a thorough knowledge of men and things, young Hartline made the best of his opportunities, and is to-day well read on all subjects of interest and impor- tance.
Peter Hartline was born in Germany, on the banks of the River Rhine. About 1804 he thought to better his condition, and, emigrating to the United States, made his way at once to this state and located in Tuscarawas County, where he en- gaged in farming to good advantage. He was one of the heroes of the War of 1812, serving his coun- try faithfully and well during those trying times. The first land which he purchased in the county was a fifty-acre tract formerly owned by Conrad Reghart and Jacob Good. This was located on the banks of the Muskingum (now Tuscarawas) River, near Bolivar, and came into his possession in 1815. In 1835 or 1836 he sold his real estate near Boli-' var and bought three hundred and ten acres of land on Sugar Creek, near Strasburg, seven miles
west of Bolivar, where lie moved April 1, 1836. At the time of his death he was the possessor of five hundred and twenty-five acres of land. He departed this life in March, 1837, greatly mourned by all who knew him.
The father of our subject was twice married, his first union being with Miss Christena Palmer, April 6, 1817. To this marriage were born two children, Joseph and Clarissa, the former January 5, 1818, and Clarissa on the 26th of January, 1820. The second wife of Peter Hartline, who was the mother of our subject, in company with her sister Mary emigrated from the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Marbach, Germany, to the United States and to Tnscarawas County, Ohio, in the spring of 1825. The trip was made in a sailing-vessel, and they were seventy days on the ocean, as the vessel drifted out of its course and came near being ship- wrecked upon a rock. The two sisters finally landed in Philadelphia some time in May, wbere they were met by their brother, Frederick C. Pfersich, who had been here for some ten years. He was engaged in a merchandising business near the mouth of Sandy Creek, on the banks of the Muskingum (Tuscarawas) River, at a place called Calentta, his store being the first in the neighbor- hood far and near. He rode from here on horse- back to the city of Philadelphia to meet his two sisters, and the three made the journey back here with one horse between them. July 3, 1827, Re- gina Pfersich was united in marriage with Peter Hartline by John Machen, a Justice of the Peace, and they became the parents of our subject.
To the marriage of Peter and Regina Hartline were born three children. Of their two daughters, Caroline, who was born October 23, 1833, is now deceased. She married George Gnagy, by whom she had seven children, two now living. Margaret, the other daughter, died when five years old. The original of this sketch. the only son of the second marriage, was born May 7, 1828, and after leaving the household of his uncle, who died in Septem- ber or October, 1841, he made his liome with his mother until maturity. In 1852, the four heirs to the father's property, Frederick, Joseph, Clarissa and Caroline, divided the real estate among them, and Frederick purchased an interest in the es-
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tate, which be farmed on his own account. His possessions then amounted to one hundred and fifty-five acres of valuable land, to which he bas since added from time to time, until he is now the possessor of one of the finest farms in the county. The property included five hundred and forty acres until lately, when he sold a one-half interest in one hundred and sixty-two aeres to his son Win- field. The farm is thoroughly cultivated and yields its owner a handsome income.
Mr. Hartline was married, February 11, 1849, to Miss Lovina Fashbaugh, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Mock) Fashbaugh. Both grandparents of this lady were among thie very earliest settlers of this section, and were highly respected and prominent people of Lawrence Township.
The union of our subject and wife resulted in the birth of nine children, all of whom are living with one exception. William H., the eldest, mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Gerber, of this township. On her decease she left a daughter, also bearing the name of Elizabethi, who has been an inmate of our subject's family since infancy. This son married for his second wife Phebe Pink- stock, and to them has been given a family of four children, viz .: Victor, Porter, Rua and Walter. The family resides at Hartline's Mills, on Sugar Creek. The second member of our subject's household was Mary Alice, now deceased. She married Jonas Snyder, and on her deathi left three living children, Maximilian, Webster and Lillie, William Allen and Lulu having died previous to their mother's death. Winfield Hartline was the second son, and for his history the reader is refer- red to his sketch, found elsewhere in this volume, Sarah Jane married Daniel W. Brenison, of Tusca- rawas County, and they are now residents of Can- ton, this state, and their children bear the respect- ive names of Della, Lotta, Roscoe and Lovie. John Franklin Hartline married Mary, daughter of Peter and Louisa Meyer, and their household included the following children: Louis (now deceased), Otmer, Fred, Grace, Edith, and Nancy Regina, the wife of Louis Cooper, of Tuscarawas County, now of Wayne County, this state. Louis Cooper is a son of Michael Cooper and wife. Charles F. married Emma, daughter of George and Louisa Exline, and
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