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 57
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Dr. Lowry married Miss Mary, daughter of John and Sarah (Williams) Doyle. At one time Jolin Doyle was the owner of the land upon which the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition was held. 'To Dr. Lowry and wife have been born four children, namely: Maud D., Ray S., Hayden St. Clair and Ilazel Deane. For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Lowry have been active workers in the Metli- odist Episcopal Church.
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M RS. MARY (PATTERSON) ARM- STRONG. The venerable lady whose honored name introduces this sketch is one of whom the biographer esteems it a privilege to write. A woman who has trod the pathway of life for eighty-five years with the bravery of truc courage, in the face of trial, tribulation and hard- ship, and who has shown the devotion to right, and the beautiful traits of Christian character which have distinguished Mrs. Armstrong, deserves
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more extended praise than the feeble pen of the writer can indite.
Mary Patterson was born in Fayette County, Pa., April 2, 1810, and was the daughter of Jere- miah and Mary (McFarland) Patterson, the for- mer of whom was born July 20, 1776, in Bedford County, Pa. He was a farmer by occupation, and was the son of William and Jane (Morrow) Pat- terson. William died, aged ninety-six years, in 1847; and his wife, whose birth occurred in York County, Pa., died many years previous. Jere- miah Patterson had two uncles who served as sol- diers in the Revolutionary War, one of whom was taken prisoner, and died from the effect of poisoned food. The mother of Mrs. Armstrong was born in Franklin County, Pa., August 20, 1775, and was married in March, 1809. They at once moved to Fayette County, and lived on a farm there un- til their daughter Mary was twenty-six years of age. In 1836 we find them en route for Ohio, where they located near New Concord.
James M. Patterson, a brother of Mrs. Armstrong, was born August 3, 1816, and was married to Jane McCreary. They have a family of six children, and live on the old Patterson homestead in West- land Township, Guernsey County. Their children are Jeremiah, Mary Agnes, Alexander, John A., Albert and Alice HI. John Patterson, another brother of Mrs. Armstrong, was born July 5, 1819, and married Eliza Glenn, in September, 1842. Soon after the late war they moved to Salem, Ore., and the only member of their family now living is a son, J. Morrow, Cashier of the bank at The Dalles, Orc. Angelina Patterson was born about the year 1852, and was married to Thomas King, of Salem, Orc. She departed this life in 1891, leav- ing a family of five sons. Elizabeth, born in 1858, became the wife of George Brown, and departed this life in Spokane Falls, Wash., in 1891. She left a son, who makes his home with his father in Portland, Ore.
The Armstrongs were among the earliest settlers of this section, and had for their neighbors in that early day a family by the name of Allen, and an- other known as Lynn. Our subject is now one of the oldest living residents of Guernsey County, and notwithstanding her age has a bright memory,
and can give accounts of events and experiences which have escaped those much younger. She is still in the possession of all her faculties and en- joys life, taking an interest in the welfare of those around her as if she were but beginning life, in- stead of having climbed almost to the summit. So universally esteemed is she, and so well known, that these few lines will find many interested readers.
Mrs. Armstrong is the mother of two sons, with one of whom, J. P., she makes her home. Jere- miah, born February 28, 1850, married Agnes McConnell, who died, leaving one child. He was married, in 1884, to Miss Anice Allender, and to them have been born four children. A sketch of J. P. will appear elsewhere in this book.
T HOMAS OSBORN. It is a pleasure to the biographer to head this sketch with the name of the man who is Mayor of Mineral Point, and who is in every sense worthy of the distinction afforded him by honorable mention among the distinguished citizens of the county. He is a native of England, having been born in Cornwall, March 2, 1846, to William and Susan (Smale) Osborn.
Grandfather Thomas Osborn was also a native of England, and was born in Cornwall. He was a miner by occupation, and passed his entire life in his native isle, dying when in the seventy-sixth year of his age. His wife bore him sixtcen'chil- dren, three sons and thirteen daughters, all of whom lived to mature years and became heads of families. Richard, who was the only member of the household to come to the United States, was killed in a mine in California in 1863. . He left a wife and six children in England.
William Osborn followed the occupation in which his father was engaged, and in 1867, when sixty-two years of age, departed this life. He was twice married. His first wife bore him a son and daughter, and his second union, which was celebra- ted with Susan Smale, resulted in the birth of three
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children: Richard, Thomas and Eliza J. The eld- er son came to the United States in 1869, and died in March, 1890. He became the father of five children by two marriages. Eliza J. died in England. Mrs. Osborn crossed the Atlantic for the New World in 1872. She was a daughter of Thomas Smale, a farmer by occupation in England, and departed this life in February, 1888, in Min- eral Point.
He whose name heads this sketch received but limited opportunity for gaining an education, for when a lad of ten years he was compelled to make his own living, and began working in the copper inines. He was very industrious and economical, and when nineteen years of age had his time given him, and added to his savings the money earned by working in the mines. In November, 1865, de- sirons of seeing something of America, and think- ing it the place to better his financial condition, young Osborn embarked on a vessel which landed him in New York Harbor thirteen days later. He made his way from the metropolis to Northumber- land County, Pa., where he obtained work, and the following spring worked his way West. In the winter of 1866-67 he located in Canton, this state, where he followed mining for about two years, when he sent a pass for his brother Richard to come to America. His next move brought him to Sandyville, where he married, and whence he went to New Philadelphia. Remaining in that city only a short time, we find him in April, 1870, living in Mineral Point, which has been his abiding-place since, during which time he has been engaged in mining, in the employ of Charles Edwards Hold- en, with the exception of twenty months, when he was engaged in the hotel business in Mineral Point. In the year 1872 he sent for his mother and niece, who was two years old, and adopted her. In 1876 he sold his home and went to California, but came back in eight wecks "broke," and started ATuw. In 1885 he again left home, this time go- ing to Missouri to embark in a coal speculation, which also failed.
Always active in all measures for the good of the community, Mr. Osborn has rendered his fel- low-citizens great assistance in municipal affairs. For thirteen years he has been Superintendent and
mine boss for C. E. Holden, and for two terms was Councilman. In April, 1893, he was brought prominently forward as a candidate for the posi- tion of Mayor, and was elected by a handsome majority. The same year he was chosen Justice of the Peace, the duties of which office he dis- charges with characteristic fidelity, and to the sat- isfaction of all. Formerly a Democrat, he is now identified with the People's party. His principles are those of a true American, and he believes that every man should vote according to his own con- victions. Ile is a man of genial and kindly dis- position, one whose friendship is sought, and with . whom an acquaintance always develops into a kind- lier feeling. Socially lie is a prominent Odd Fel- low, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Osborn was married, September 29, 1869, to Miss Lucinda Stoody, a native of this county, and the daughter of George and Mary (Walters) Stoody, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have had no chil- dren of their own, but have reared an adopted daughter of Mr. Osborn's sister, and four of his brother Richard's children, since his death, have made their home with them. His wife is a mem- ber in excellent standing in the Lutheran Church. lie landed in this country with but fifty cents in his pocket, and the position which lie has attained among his fellows is worthy of emulation, and we therefore are pleased to present to our readers this record of his well spent life.
AMES TAYLOR. An excellent example of sturdy enterprise, thrifty habits and persist- ent industry characteristic of so many of the pioneer farmers may be found in the life of Mr. Taylor, who is now, at the advanced age of ninety-two years, living in Washington Township.
The original of this sketch was born in Hamp- shire County, Pa., March 9, 1802, and is the son of 'Thomas Taylor of Revolutionary fame. The latter was a native of London, England, and was born in 1743. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Magdalena Supple. She, too, was a
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native of the Keystone State, and was born in Philadelphia. She was ninety-five years of age when she departed this life.
Thomas had received a fair education in his na- tive land, and after espousing the cause of the Colonists continued to make his home in America until his decease.
The venerable gentleman whose name heads this sketch received only a limited education in the schools of long ago, but being ambitious to become thoroughly informed on all subjects of impor- tance, choose good books to read, and by observ- ing closely what was passing around him gained much useful knowledge. He was trained to farm pursuits in a systematic manner, and when ready to establish a home of his own was capable of managing a farm to good advantage.
W ESLEY EMERSON is one of the worthy citizens and enterprising agriculturists of Dover Township, but has not been actively engaged in farming for the past six years, his son having assumed the management of the homestead at that time. Our subject was elected County Commissioner in 1888, and acceptably dis- charged the duties pertaining to that office during two terms, being re-elected in 1891. For a lit- tle more than sixty-four years he has been a resi- dent of Tuscarawas County, and has watched its growth and development almost from its infancy.
A native of Paterson, N. J., Mr. Emerson was born November 12, 1829, being one of nine chil- dren comprised in the household of John and Isabel (Thornton) Emerson. The latter were na- tives of County Down, Ireland, in the northern part of that island. The father sprang from the same stock as did Ralph Waldo Emerson. He followed the occupation of farming, and emigrated to America in 1818. His first settlement was in the East, where he remained for some years, and afterward, with his wife and family, became a resi-
dent of this county, about 1830. He purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of land in Dover Township, the place which is now in the possession of our subject. At the time of its pur- chase the land was covered with timber and brush, and had no improvements upon it. With energy the proprietor set to work to clear and get the land into a state of cultivation. He did not live long after achieving this result, for his death oc- curred in 1837. His wife, who survived him for over four decades, died in 1884. Their children were as follows: William R., a farmer near Butler, DeKalb County, Ind .; John M., deceased; Jane, who was the widow of J. Rosenberry, of Rosemond, Ill., and died in November, 1894; Isabel, a milliner at Canal Dover; Henry, who died in infancy; James H., of Hamilton, III .; Wesley, the next-born; Nettie E., widow of James Gimlin, of Rosemond, III .; and Margaret L., wife of H. Eichelberger, of Graham, Tex., who owns a cattle ranch in that vicinity.
The educational advantages of Wesley Emerson and his brothers and sisters were of the most primitive order, for the rude and unsystematic teaching of that day was also of a very intermit- tent character. The boy worked on farms during the summer, and for a few months in the winter attended school. His father died when he was only eight years old, and the farm was willed to James H. and Wesley. The latter, however, could not come into possession of his share until he had reached his majority; but in his twenty-first year he bought out his brother James' interest, and took care of his mother until her death.
April 24, 1855, Mr. Emerson was married to Miss Harriet, daughter of James DeLaney. She was born in Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pa., April 12, 1833. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with three children, two sons and a daughter. John W., who operates the old homestead, is married and has had three children, Ralph W., Harriet (deceased), and Wesley .]. Will- iam E., the elder son, died in 1859; and Nina B. is the wife of William Martin, of Homestead, Pa. Her husband is assistant to the Chief Shipping Clerk in Carnegie's works. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have five children : Wesley Emerson, Harriet Ethel, Verna, Martha Irene and Roy Kernohan. Politi-
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cally Mr. Emerson affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes much interest in its various de- partments of work and usefulness.
IRKWOOD ARNOLD. Among the influ- ential citizens and well-to-do agricultur- ists of Tuscarawas County is this gentle- man, who owns a fine homestead near New Phila- delphia, in Goshen Township. He has always donated frecly of his means, and in other potent ways, toward the upbuilding of schools, churches and various enterprises benefiting the county.
The parents of our subject were George and Nancy (Neel) Arnold, both natives of Jefferson County, Ohio. George Arnold was born in 1818, and his wife, Nancy, in June, 1822. They were united in marriage March 17, 1838, in Jefferson County, and soon thereafter went to Indiana. In that state Mr. Arnold conducted a farm for two years, and then came to this county. For two or three years subsequently he operated a farm in Union Township, and then bought a place of fifty acres in Goshen Township. As years passed he added to his home farm, until there were two hun- dred and thirteen acres within its boundaries. The father continued to make his abode on this homestead until he was summoned by the Death Angel, July 24, 1888. Ilis wife died December 31, 1892. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters, as follows: Martha J., deceased; John, of New Philadelphia; Jasper C., deceased; Adeline, Mrs. O. C. Junkins, of New Philadelphia; Kirkwood, our subject; Caroline, wife of George Craig, whose home is in New Philadelphia; and Elzire, who is unmarried and lives at home. George Arnold served acceptably for many years as Township Trustee, and was also School Director for many years. In politics he was a supporter of the Democratic party.
Kirkwood Arnold was born January 14, 1852, and his boyhood passed uneventfully under the parental roof. He continued to live on the old
homestead until twenty-six years of age, when he moved to the Valentine Wills Farm of two hun- dred and eighty-five acres, which place he rented for five years. At the end of that time it seemed best that he should return to the old homestead and assist in its management. He then assumed the control and care of the place during the re- mainder of his father's lifetime. His present farm comprises two hundred and thirteen acres, and in addition to this his wife has a half-interest in a tract of one hundred and thirty-five acres, situated near Canal Dover, in this township. Both of these farms are highly cultivated, and if placed on the market would readily command advanced prices.
In 1876 Mr. Arnold married Miss Mary C. Wills, who was born in Tuscarawas County, June 28, 1850, being one of the seven children of Valentine and Jerusha (Everett) Wills. Two sons and three daughters have blessed their union, as follows: Daisy F .; Carrie, who died in infancy; Valentine A., George E. and Nellie May. It has been the am- bition of our subject to give his children superior educational advantages, and as they were all nat- urally very intelligent and apt students, they have all won honors in that direction. The father has been School Director for the past eight years.
Mr. Arnold has always preferred to devote him- self strictly to his own business affairs, and has, therefore, never been desirous of accepting any public office. He is, however, prompt in the dis- charge of the duties devolving upon him as a citi- zen, and in his political faith is a Democrat.
J 1 ACOB UHRICH, formerly a prominent citi- zen of Rush Township, Tuscarawas Coun- ty, was a native of Uhrichisville, and was born October 8, 1820, and died in Rush Township in March, 1895. He was the son of Jacob and Anna Maria (DeMuth) Uhrich, also natives of the Buckeye State. The father made his advent into this county in the year 1804, and, with his father
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and brothers, entered abont fifteen thousand acres of Government land, a portion of which is now occupied by the beautiful little village of Uhrichs- ville.
Grandfather Michael Uhrich emigrated to Amer- ica in 1802, making his way immediately to Tus- carawas County. The state of Ohio was at that time a wild, unbroken territory, and this early pio- neer went to work with a will, soon clearing a number of aeres and erecting a good substantial log cabin, in which he spent many happy years with his good wife. It was here that Michael Uh- rich and his sturdy sons cleared the forests, tilled the primeval soil, and earned an honest living by the sweat of their brow. Later, when the coun- try became more thickly settled, he, with his son Jacob, erected the first gristmill in this part of the state. He continued to operate the mill in con- nection with his farm until his decease.
To the parents of our subject were born nine children, viz .: George, who died in his youth; Rosanna, also deceased; Benjamin, now a resident of Maryville, Mo .; Mary, deceased; Jacob, of this sketch; Susan, deceased; Nancy, the wife of Joseph Waller, a farmer of Mill Township; and Joseplı and Caroline, both deceased. The educational ad- vantages afforded the sons of pioneers were very meager, but the children of this family were per- mitted to attend the subscription school tanght in their district, where they became thoroughly famil- iar with reading, writing, spelling and the "rule of three" in arithmetic. Jacob Uhrich, Sr., was widely known and highly respected in Tuscara- was County, and his death, which occurred in 1847, when in his sixty-seventh year, was a loss felt not alone by his family, but by the entire community.
Our subject was reared on a farm, and assisted his father in the various duties of that vocation, and at the same time learned the miller's trade. He was what may be termed a self-educated man. Of course he attended the district school in his boyhood, but after performing his duties as farmer and miller found very little time left to devote to his studies. Being apt and desirous of being well informed, however, he made good use of the books in his possession, and was as well posted as the ma-
jority of men in his locality. After the death of his father he came into possession of the Mill Township farm, which he operated until 1851, when he took charge of the mill, managing it suc- cessfully for three years. At the end of that time he moved to his late place of residence, which is one of the most comfortable in this section of the connty.
On the 19th of March, 1845, Mr. Uhrieb and Miss Rosanna Knouse were united in marriage. She was born February 12, 1826. Four children were born to them. Joseph, who married Marcella Berkshire, resides with our subject; Mary L., now the wife of John E. Dickerson, makes her home in Urbana, Kan .; Emma is deceased; and Alice is engaged in teaching in the public schools.
Mr. Uhrich was a Republican in polities, and cast his first Presidential vote, many years prior to the formation of that body, for William Henry Harrison. In his religions connections he was an ardent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
H IRAM WILLIAMS one of the leading ogrieulturists and stockmen of Fairfield Township, is a native of Tuscarawas County and well known as the son of an old pio- neer. The prosperity of a place depends in such a great measure upon the business men who reside there, that a sketch of a prominent man is at all times an agreeable thing to read, especially when he has won success in his chosen line of work.
Our subject was born on the farm where he is at present residing, July 15, 1827. His parents were Thomas and Drusilla (Jennings) Williams, early settlers and highly esteemed residents of this sec- tion during their life. Grandfather Abel Williams came to this county from Greene County, Pa., and located in Warren Township, where he entered a quarter-section, which he improved and made liis home until his decease, in 1844. He was a Whig in polities and greatly interested in public affairs
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of his section. lle was a thorough Christian, and a devoted member of the Close Communion Baptist Church. His wife, Sarah Williams, sur- vived him many years. They reared a family of six sons and two daughters, namely: Thomas; Ben- jamin and Levi, who were twins; Silas, John, Moses, Betsey and Sarah. The daughters are both de- ceased. Benjamin was accidentally killed by a horse in Allen County, this state. The three eld- est sons served in the War of 1812. They all be- came heads of families and are deceased, with the exception of Moses, who is now ninety-two years of age.
The father of our subject was born in Greene County, Pa., and at the time of his parents' removal to this state accompanied them hither. Ile, too, was a farmer, and his first purchase was one hun- dred and sixty aeres, which are now owned and oc- eupied by Hiram. Ile later entered eighty acres more, which he partially cleared. IIe was exceed- ingly prosperous in all his ventures in the Buckeye State, and at one time he was the possessor of over six hundred acres of excellent land, the greater part of which he afterwards sold. Prior to the organization of the Republican party he voted the Whig ticket. Ile was prominent in all pub- lic affairs, and for some time was one of the Di- rectors of the Poor House. An incident which happened during this time is rather curious. Ile was appointed to go to Zoar to buy some apple trees to be set out on the Poor Ilouse farm. While there he also bought a small lot for himself. On looking them over, he found one tree in the lot intended for the Poor House farm which had been injured by mice. Fearful that it would not grow, he exchanged it and substituted one from the lot he intended for himself. Our subject helped him plant it, and, to give it a little extra start, put a quart of oats around its roots. It grew and thrived and is standing to-day, fifty years since it was set ont. lle was one of the organizers of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, with which denomination he was connected for many years. He departed this life in 1864, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife survived him until January, 1881, when she passed away, being in her eighty-sixth year. She was born in Fairfield Township, near Zoar Sta-
tion, and became the mother of nine children, of whom four sons and two daughters lived to mature years. Abel died in Clay County, Ill .; Sarah is the wife of James McCrery; Grace is single; Hi- ram, of this sketch, was the next-born; Wesley is in California; and Lemuel resides near Somerdale, Ohio. When the parents came to this farm all their household effects were conveyed on a sled, and the suffering and privations which they en- dured in those days are hard to describe.
Mrs. Drusilla Williams was the daughter of Gid- con Jennings, who made his advent into Tuscara- was County about 1790 or 1795. He entered land from the Government and improved about three hundred aeres, which he later adorned with a sub- stantial residence and all necessary outbuildings. Ilis family comprised the following-named chil- dren: James, Aaron, John, William, David, Gid- con, Drusilla and Mary. Mr. Jennings was a very powerful and resolute man, and had great influence over the Indians, who infested the country in that day. The redmen would often visit his home in the winter time, and walking in take possession of the fireplace until they had warmed themselves and were ready to go. He and his wife were chiar- ter members of the' Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which they were very active and prominent. In politics he was a Whig.
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