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 61
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reared, two were sons and four daughters. Seven children came to grace the union of Jacob and Mary Klein, and all but one of the number are still living, namely: Henry R., Lewis J., James W .. llomer L., Clara B. and Alice F. The faithful wife and devoted mother was called to her final rest December 24, 1887, when within three days of her thirty-eighth birthday. The present wife of our subject is Mary, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Wilson) Walter.
Religiously Mr. Klein is a member of the Re- formed Church, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic society. He is a self-made man, as when he commenced his business career he was entirely without capital, and after his first mar- riage he had only $1 with which to set up house- keeping.
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J OHN A. THOMPSON is a noteworthy farmer and citizen of Guernsey County, who by in- defatigable industry, perseverance and good common-sense raised himself fiom poverty to affluence, and to-day is one of the substantial residents of this community. His splendid estate is located in Monroe Township, and is one of the best improved for many miles around.
Mr. Thompson was the sixth in order of birth of the parental family, and was born on the old home- stead, April 26, 1838. He was reared on this place and has continued to make it his home ever since. William Thompson, our subject's father, was a na- tive of Ireland, having been born in County Ty- rone, February 5, 1791. His parents emigrated to the United States when he was a child of two years, and at once settled in Fayette County, Pa., where William was reared on their farm. On the outbreak of the War of 1812, he served in its ranks as a brave soldier, and throughout his entire life was interested and took an active part in the welfare of his country.
In the year 1825 William Thompson made the journey to Ohio, and purchasing land in Monroe Township, made improvements on the same, and
lived thereon in a single state for some time, when he returned to Pennsylvania and was united in marriage with Sarah Ansley. In 1826 he came with his bride to their new home, and there lived in a quiet way until his decease, when advanced in years.
The mother of our subject was born in Beaver County, Pa., April 25, 1799, and was the daughter of Scotch parents. Her death occurred July 14, 1878, while lier husband survived her two years, dying March 9, 1880. Their family included seven children. Of these, James, born January 5, 1828, died December 27, 1862; Mary J., born Oc- tober 29, 1829, married John Cherry, and departed this life June 12, 1891; Nancy was born December 13, 1831, and became the wife of Hamilton Pol- loek, dying in February, 1858; Margaret, born January 9, 1834, died November 5, 1855; Eliza- beth, born February 26. 1836, died October 16, 1857; Jolin A. is our subject; and William H., born June 24, 1841, is now living on a farm in Muskingum County. The latter enlisted as a mem- ber of Company H, Sixty-fifth Ohio Infantry, dur- ing the late war, and participated in many of the hard-fought engagements of that period. He mar- ried Mary J. Lee on his return from the army. She died July 7, 1878, and he was afterward united in marriage with Margaret 'Moore.
The original of this sketch obtained a good edu- cation in the schools taught in the district, and re- mained with his parents for two years after reach- ing his majority. He was married, September 19, 1861, to Miss Mary A. Neel, their union resulting in the birth of the following-named children: Leona, who died aged twenty-six years; Ansley N., who married Ida M. George; U. D., married to Col- oma Campbell; Sallie K., who died when three years old; John M., living with his father; and Mattie M., deceased. The mother of these children de- parted this life March 6, 1886, and the lady to whom Mr. Thompson was married June 12, 1890, was Martha A. Boyd.
Our subject is one of the wide-awake, progressive agriculturists of Monroe Township and uses the latest improvements in the way of machinery in the cultivation of his land. He has been very successful in his chosen occupation, and derives a
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handsome income from the raising of grain and stock. Ile has at all times taken a very active part in politics, on numerons occasions represent- ing the Republican party at county conventions. In 1888 he was elected County Commissioner and on the expiration of his term, so well did he discharge the duties of the office, lie was re- elected by a large majority. He is a prominent member of the United Presbyterian Church, hav- ing been connected with this denomination for many years. By his honorable and npright career Mr. Thompson has won many friends and has the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
S OLOMON II. SHROYER, a well known ag- riculturist and successful business man of Guernsey County, became the owner of the farm where he is now living in 1894. It is located one and a-half miles southwest of Cambridge, in Cambridge Township. For many years Mr. Shroy- er's time has been divided mainly between farm- ing and milling. During the war he was in the service for a short time, as First Lieutenant of Company E, One Hundred and Sixtieth Ohio In- fantry, and was mustered out with the same rank. Ile is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Muskingum County, June 22, 1835.
The grandfather of Solomon H., Abraham Shroyer, a native of Pennsylvania, was one of the sturdy pioneers of Muskingum County, where he entered land about 1805, when not a stick of tim- ber liad yet been cut in the township. The farm which he cleared and cultivated has never passed out of the family, and is now owned by a grand- son. The parents of our subject were John and Elizabeth (Werts) Shroyer, the former born in Pennsylvania about 1794, while the mother was. a native of Loudoun County, Va. They came with their families to Ohio when ten years of age. The marriage of Abraham Shroyer and wife was blessed with eleven children, namely: Adam, Jacob, Abra- ham, . Elizabeth (Mrs. Adam Baker), Catherine .
(wife of Caleb Baker), Christian, Mrs. Mary Bain- ter, another sister who also married a Mr. Bainter, John, William and Andrew. Adam died in Cos- hocton County, where he had lived for a number of years, and Jacob, Abraham, Elizabeth, Christian and Andrew all departed this life in Muskingum County. William died in his eighty-eighth year in Kankakee County, Ill. The sons were all farm- ers by occupation.
Solomon H. Shroyer left home when only eight years old, and lived with one of his elder brothers and a brother-in-law for the next six years. At the end of that time he was hired out by his guard- ian, working for Christian Shroyer for a year, next for G. W. Shirer for a year, and a similar time for Samuel Shrigley. For some time he then worked at whatever he could find to do, and dur- ing.one .winter split rails and cut cordwood at an almost nominal price. When nineteen years of age he had enough money laid aside to buy a threshing-machine, which he operated one season and then sold. The amount realized therefrom he invested in a portable sawmill, which he ran for six months and also sold. For the next five years he engaged in buying and shipping stock, and made a good living in this way.
On New Year's Day, 1863, Mr. Shroyer married Eliza J. Brannon. At that time he was engaged in merchandising at Adamsville, and ran the store until the following year, when he sold his interest and bought a farm, though he was employed as a clerk for about two months. In May, 1864, he en- listed as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Sixtieth Ohio Infantry, and went to Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg. He marched with Gen- erals Ihinter and Sigel and participated in an en- gagement near Newtown, though he never was in a regular battle. On being mustered out in 1864, at Zanesville, Muskingum County, he at once re- turned to his young wife and infant child, and un- til 1868 was engaged in farming. In the latter vear he removed to Zanesville and opened a gro- cery. Later he operated a feed and grain business for about two years.
In 1872 Mr. Shrover bought a farm about nine miles below Zanesville. For the homestead, which comprised four hundred and fifty-five acres. he paid
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$35,000, and at the end of three and a-half years sold the place at a profit of $6,000. Returning to Zanesville to reside, he obtained a position in a wholesale grocery, in which he afterward bought an interest. A year and a-half later he sold his share in the store and moved to Noble County, where he farmned for about three years. Coming to Cambridge, his next venture was to buy a half- interest in a gristmill, but in this move he met with misfortune, as about six months afterward the plant burned and only half its value in insur- anee was recovered. In the spring of 1883 he in- vested in other gristmills of the place, which he operated for eleven months. For a time he was then engaged in running his farm, after which he returned to this place, buying a half-interest in a mill, which he conducted until three years ago, when he rented it to other parties. Recently he has been engaged in operating the farm on which his home is now located.
Politically Mr. Shroyer is an ally of the Demo- eratie party. The success which he has achieved is due entirely to his own unassisted efforts, for he commenced the battle of life empty-handed and without influential friends to render him aid.
EOPOLD FOX. Among the substantial farmers of Tuscarawas County this gentle- man is numbered. He began life empty- handed, but by unremitting industry, seconded by sound judgment and shrewd business faculties, he has acquired a good competence, and is the pro- prietor of a valuable farm. This tract of land is located in York Township, and is well cultivated in every particular.
Mr. Fox, who is the son of Leopold and Eliza- beth (Kuhn) Fox, was born in the above township. A: nil 5, 1832. His parents were natives of Penn- sylvania, and are both now deceased, the father passing away at the age of sixty years. The mother was the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Kuhn,
who emigrated from their native state, Pennsyl- vania, to this county many years ago, and were among the first settlers of this section.
The parents of our subject were very prominent people during their life spent in this county, and the community was deprived of two good citizens by their demise. The father was a shoemaker in Pennsylvania, but after locating in Ohio gave bis time and attention to farm pursuits. He was a law-abiding citizen, one held in high esteem, due to his personal qualities and honorable life. He was a devoted member of the German Reformed Church, with which body his good wife was also connected.
Leopold Fox, of this sketch, remained at home until a year after attaining his majority, when he set-out to "paddle his own canoc," his first en- ployment being as a farm hand, working by the month. lle followed this for a number of years, and in 1864 he rented a tract, which he worked very successfully for five years. At the expira- tion of that time he moved upon a farm, ineluding eighty-three acres, belonging to his wife, and to which he has added as his means would allow, un- til he is the proprietor of one hundred and twenty- two finely cultivated acres, which rank among the best in the township. lle is a general farmer, al- ways keeping good stock on hand, and raising crops equal in quality to any produced in the county.
In the year 1852 Mr. Fox was united in mar- riage with Miss Margaret Aukney, who was born in this county in 1833. She is the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Gimlett) Aukney, natives of Pennsylvania, but among the early settlers of this portion of Ohio. The union of our sub- ject and his wife has resulted in the birth of six children, two sons and four daughters, namely: Elizabeth, now deceased; John W., engaged in farming in York Township, this county; Mary, the wife of David Bealer, a farmer located near Ragersville, this state; Samuel F., deceased; and Caroline andi her elder sister at home with their parents. They have all been given good educa- tions, and fitted to occupy useful positions in life.
Mr. Fox attended school in the primitive log cabin, and conned his lessons seated upon a slab
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bench, with wooden pins inserted for legs, and did his writing on a slab table extending around the wall. He often experienced the sensation of hav- ing one side of his body well heated by the roar- ing fire in the fireplace, while the other side was cooled by the breeze which penetrated the crevices in the wall. He was taught reading, writing and spelling, with the fundamental rules of arithmetic. Those were the days when the teacher boarded around in the homes of the various patrons, and free schools were not yet.
Our subject is a member of the German Reformed Church, and politically cast his vote for Demo- cratic candidates. Although now occupying a comfortable dwelling, the first log cabin which was ever erected on his farm is still standing, and is a reminder to Mr. Fox of those pioneer times when this now rude structure was the best afforded by even the wealthiest residents.
YRUS IIUMMELL, whose sketch we here- with submit, is one of the representative farmers of York Township, and a gentle- man highly respected for his good business quali- fications and upright character. He was born on the old homestead, where he is at present residing, March 24, 1849, and is the son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Emerson) Hummell.
The father of our subject was born in Pennsyl- vania, April 5, 1805, and departed this life No- vember 11, 1872. He in turn was the son of Fred- erick and Christena Hummell, natives of Pennsyl- vania, whence they came to Ohio in the year 1812 and entered from the Government the tract of land which is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch. They were very prominent people in that day,and contributed largely to the up- building of this section. .
Mrs. Elizabeth Hummell was born December 25, 1809, in County Down, Ireland. She was the daughter of John and Jane Emerson, natives of
the Emerald Isle, who made the journey across the Atlantic many years ago. They at once located in Tuscarawas County, where they made their home until their death. By her union with Jacob Hummell the mother of our subject had five sons. Frederick Hummell, her eldest son, was born in York Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on the 2d of June, 1838, and died February 21, 1882. He spent the days of his boyhood and early manhood at the old homestead with his parents, where he was trained to habits of industry and sobriety. In his twenty-third year he left the pa- rental roof to work his own way and endeavor to make his mark in the world. He immediately and without hesitation chose for himself as a life pur- suit that of a merchant. In this he was soon fol- lowed by his younger brother, Emerson. In less than three years from the time the eldest brother left home, the two brothers, Frederick and Emer- son, opened a business of merchandising on their own account in New Philadelphia, and continued together until the death of the younger brother, three years since, which dissolved the firm, after which Frederick continued in business until within a short time of his death.
September 30, 1869, Frederick Hummell was married to Mrs. Harriet Sargent, whose demise oc- curred on the 21st of July, 1880. Shortly after her death his own health failed to such an extent as to unfit him for active participation in business, and he was forced to leave to others much of the care and watchfulness that had ever since the death of his brother Emerson been exercised by himself alone. He left an only daughter, Blanche, who died at the home of her uncle, Cyrus Hummell, May 30, 1889, aged thirteen years, one month and thireen days.
Robert Hummell, of York Township, another brother of our subject, who was born on the 5th of October, 1840, died November 11, 1863. He enlisted under Captain Davis at Columbus, Ohio, on the 15th of July, 1863, in the six-months serv- ice, in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Ohio Infantry, and was mustered into the United States service at Camp Cleveland, Ohio He was with his regiment and bravely and man fully performed his duty until attacked with ty-
22
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phoid fever. He died November 10, 1863, in the brigade hospital at Cumberland Gap, Tenn., where his remains were interred, at the age of twenty- three years, one month and five days. He was a good soldier and was loved and respected by all who knew him.
Charles, born on the 11th of May, 1842, is a general farmer in Goshen Township. Emerson, who was born August 4, 1846, departed this life at his residence in New Philadelphia, Thursday morning, February 13, 1879. He was born in York Township, this county, in the part known as Hummell's Valley. In his seventeenth year he went to New Philadelphia and engaged in the mercantile business as a clerk. Afterward, as a partner with his brother, he successfully carried on that business until a few weeks previous to his death. Besides being an energetic and careful business man, he was a pious and devoted Chris- tian. For a number of years, as an active member of the Lutheran Church and a teacher in the Sabbath- school, he rendered great service by his presence and support to both. He left a wife and a little daughter five years old, Kitty E.
The parents were people of prominence in the neighborhood in which they lived and were con- sistent members of the Lutheran Church. In pol- itics Jacob Hummell was a strong Republican, but in no sense of the term was he an office-seeker.
The subject of this sketch was trained to a thor- ough knowledge of farm pursuits, and on the death of his parents be purchased the interest of his brothers in the estate and has since given his undivided attention to its cultivation. It in- cludes four hundred and fifty-seven acres of as fine land as is to be found in this county, and this Mr. Hummell manages in a most systematic and profitable manner. The place is well stocked with good horses and cattle, and has a fine residence and barns, and the accompanying outbuildings are of good character.
The lady to whom our subject was married, April 17, 1873, was Miss Libbie Johnson, a native of Dover Township, this county. Her birth oc- curred June 8, 1850. She was the only daughter of John Ward and Hannah (Miller) Johnson, the former of whom was a native of Wayne County,
Pa. He was born October 1, 1815, and was the son of Benjamin and Sarah ( Ward) Jolinson, natives of Connecticut. They came to Ohio in 1826, and located on a tract of land four miles west of Canal Dover, and were among the pioneers of early days who did a great deal toward the building of this county. Benjamin Johnson was quite a prominent man in his time.
Mrs. Hannah Johnson was born in Stark County, this state, October 10, 1827, and departed this life March 23, 1893. Her parents were Henry B. and Mary (Bowinan ) Miller, the former of whom was a native of Connecticut. Mrs. Mary (Bowman) Miller was born in Stark County, this state.
Byron Johnson, born February 6, 1854, is quite a prosperous farmer in Dover Township, and now owns the farm that was entered by his grandfather in 1826. Albert Ward, born Christmas Day, 1859, died June 20, 1863.
To our subject and his estimable wife has been granted a family of four children. Freddie Ward, who was born on the 14th of April, 1874, and died August 25, 1891, was born at Hummell's Valley. Like his brother Byron, whose death preceded his, he fell a prey to typhoid fever. He was a young man of more than ordinary ability, and he was a faithful member and teacher in the English Lutheran Sabbath-school. Byron, born September 9, 1875, died August 13, 1891, of typhoid fever. The death of Byron Hummell sets forth the truth of the phrase that "death loves a shining mark." He was a young man of promising talents and of exemplary habits of life. Quiet, retiring and unas- suming, he grew up like a modest flower unob- served. Ile was the comfort and joy of the family, and had already begun to take an active part in the Lutheran Sunday-school at New Philadelphia. Although his home was two and a-half miles dis- tant, he seldom missed a Sabbath, and generally remained for the services of the sanctuary. In- dustrious and studious, he was well fitted to take a part in the eventful scenes of this life, but it was otherwise ordained. He was called to a higher and better sphere. Ilis funeral was particularly sad, from the fact that neither father nor mother, his two surviving brothers nor little sister, were able to attend the obsequies, being detained at home
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on account of sickness. "The good die first, while they whose hearts are dry as summer dust burn to the socket."
Arthur was born January 19, 1877, and Bessie Hannalı June 2, 1887. Mr. Hummell deserves great praise for the interest which he manifests in public affairs and the amount of information he possesses regarding the chief issues of the day. Although never an office-seeker, he served a num- ber of years as a member of the School Board, and always took a great interest in educational affairs. He is an ardent advocate of the Republican party, and never fails to cast a vote in favor of its can- didates. The Lutheran Church finds himself and family among its most consistent and liberal mem- bers.
J OSEPH HARTLINE. Among the men who are cultivating a portion of the soil of Franklin Township to good advantage may be mentioned our subject, whose .pleasant home is located on section 19. His dwelling is above the average in point of architecture, and the accompanying outbuildings are also well de- signed for their respective purposes and are sub- stantial.
Mr. Hartline is the eldest son of Peter and Christina (Palmer) Hartline, and was born on the old home farm in Lawrence Township, this county, January 5, 1818. The father was born in Ger- many about the year 1786, and it is believed emi- grated to America when eighteen years of age. On landing he at once made his way to Olio, and tak- ing up a tract of land from the Government was thereafter engaged in farming, until his decease. He served as a soldier during the War of 1812, and was present at Detroit at the time of Hull's sur- . render.
Soon after the establishment of peace, Peter Hartline was married and made settlement on his tract of land, which was located between the old Sandy and Beaver Canals and thic Tuscarawas and
Sandy Rivers. His possessions included one hun- dred and fifty acres, and on this the parents lived until 1835, when the construction of the Sandy and Beaver Canals led to the belief that the site would soon be occupied by mills and factories. Thinking it a good time to sell, Peter Hartline did so, receiv- ing for his farm $33 per acre. He then bought a tract of three hundred and twenty acres, paying $15 per acre. This same area is now included in the farms of our subject and his half-brother, Freder- iek, in Franklin Township. It is a very valuable place, conveniently located about one mile from Strasburg. The father died in March, 1837, when in the forty-ninth year of his age. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Christina, daughter of George Palmer, of Lawrence Town- ship. To them were born our subject, and Clarissa, who married Fred C. Pfersich, living in the vicin- ity of Sandyville.
The second marriage of Peter Hartline was with Miss Regina Pfersich, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. She made the journey across the At- lantie in 1825, being seventy days on the voyage. She landed in Philadelphia, whence she came, a short time thereafter, to Tuscarawas County on horseback. Her marriage with Peter Hartline re- sulted in the birth of three children: Frederick, whose sketch appears on another page in this work; Caroline, who was the wife of George Gnagy, of Franklin Township, and died in 1861; and Mar- garet, who died at the age of five years. Peter Hartline brought the first salt from the head of the Tuscarawas River, near Cleveland. He brought it in barrels, in a canoe, to Zoar Station in 1814 or 1815. Salt was then $16 per barrel.
After the death of lns father our subject man- aged the home farm for a time, and when it was divided received as his portion the southern half, which be placed under the best methods of im- provement. When ready to establish a home of his own he was married, January 14, 1849, to Miss Christina, daughter of Abraham and Susan (Seese) Gnagy, early settlers of this township. Their union has resulted in the birth of twelve children, of whom ten are living. Franklin, the eldest, mar- ried Lucinda Garber, and to them was born a son, Calvin, but the mother is now deceased. The son
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