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 62
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married for his second companion Alafine Chat- line, and became the father of seven children, Stanley, Clinton, Frank, Effie, Nellie, Chatline and Leslie. Emma, the next in order of birth in our subject's household, married Jacob Shutt, and their four children are Cora Jane, Minnie Prudence, Emma Luella and Daisy Viola. Their son Benjamin II. died in, infancy. John Hart- line married Lizzie Zellman, and resides in Ne- braska; their children are Gleen, Ora and Ralph. Joseph married Lizzie Feucht, of this township, and their son and daughters are Lloyd, Verna and Alti. Minerva became the wife of Jacob Border, and they have two children, Ervin and Chauncey. George Ilartline, who is single, makes his home in Washington County, Kan. Jerry and Lydia are twins; the latter is now the wife of Joseph Fox, and their children are Ray and Grace. Isaac Hartline is single; and Orphie is at home with her father. The wife and mother de- parted this life March 8, 1880, beloved by all who knew her. She was a member of the United Bretli- ren Church.
The subject of this sketch, besides the farm al- ready mentioned, has a one-half interest in an eighty-acre tract occupied by his son Frank, and forty-five acres on which Joseph lives. He is one of the most substantial and intelligent agricultur- ists of the county, and the success with which he is meeting in his labors is well earned. In religions affairs he holds membership with the English Lu- theran Church, in which body he has been a Dea- con for many years. He never fails to cast a vote for Republican candidates, and during his earlier years held many of the township offices.
C
H ON. WESLEY M. TRACY was elected to represent Tuscarawas County in the Leg- islature in the fall of 1893. He is a stanch Republican and is the second member of his party elected to fill thus honored position in thirty years. Mr. Tracy, prior to entering public life, was one of the large merchants of Mineral Point, where he
resides with his family in one of the most beauti- ful residences of the city.
Our subject was born in Sandy Township, Sep- tember 10, 1841, to Nelson and Lucinda (Welch) Tracy. Grandfather Thomas Tracy was born of Irish parents, across the Atlantic, and about 1808, on leaving the Emerald Isle, journeyed to Amer- ica, whence he located near Uhrichsville, Ohio. In thus vicinity he entered land and engaged there- after in farm life. lle was a Whig in politics and died about 1844. He reared a family of two sons and two daughters: Nelson, James, Susan and Nan- cy, all of whom married and had families of their own.
Nelson Tracy was born near Ubrichsville in 1810. He acquired his education in the schools taught in the district, and in 1832 left liome and came to Sandy Township, where he rented proper- ty for a time. Later he purchased two hundred acres in the southern portion of the above town- shop, for which he was afterward offered a good price and sold. The money thus obtained he in- vested in other lands, but about 1858 disposed of all his farm interests and engaged in the mercan- tile business. In 1867 we find him a resident of Sandyville, operating a store. The following year, however, he changed his location to Livingston County, Mo., where he made his home for two years, and then returned to this section and en- gaged in merchandising, following this business uninterruptedly until the death of his wife, in 1871. He then made his home in Mineral Point with a brother until, in 1881, he moved to this city with his son, at whose home his death occurred in March, 1884. He was a Republican in politics, and in religious affairs was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He contributed liberally of his means toward the extension of this denomination in his neighborhood and aided in the organization of the first society in Sandy Township.
The mother of our subject was born in Carroll County, this state, in 1812, and was the daughter of John Welch, also a native of Ireland, as was the father of Mr. Tracy. On coming to America, this gentleman chose the above county for his future home, there entering and improving a tract of
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two hundred acres in Rose Township. He died about 1851, firm in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he always cast a vote in favor of Democratic candidates.
The original of this sketch was given a fair edu- cation, and prior to the war taught in his neigh- borhood. When nineteen years old he clerked in his father's store, but in October, 1861, enlisted as a private in Company K, Fifty-first Ohio Infantry, and with his regiment was sent to the front. He was present at the battle of Perryville, after which the forces marched to Nashville and later to Louis- ville. He was taken sick with a fever while in the service, and on account of this was honorably dis- charged in February, 1863. He fought bravely during his experience as a soldier and soon after entering the service was promoted to be Corporal of his company.
On his return home from the army our subject clerked for a year in Mineral Point and was vari- ously employed until 1866, when he established in the mercantile business in company with Messrs. Davis and Black. This connection existed for one year, when our subject moved upon a farm. His stay there was of short duration also, for a twelve- month later he was stationed in Sandyville, taking charge of his father's business at that point. In the spring of 1875 he moved liis stock to Mineral Point, and a year later disposed of his interests in this line.
In the fall of 1868 Mr. Tracy was elected Jus- tice of the Peace, and so well did he fulfill the du- ties of the office that he was retained for a period of twenty-four years. For twenty-three years lie was Township Clerk, has been Assessor for one term, has also served as Mayor of the village, and for fifteen years was Clerk of the Village Board, and at another time was Treasurer. For one year he was Trustee of the Children's Home. Asstated in our opening paragraph, he was elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1893 and is discharging his duties as Representative in a manner highly . satisfactory to his constituents.
Socially Hon. Wesley M. Tracy is a Knight of Pythias and a Grand Army man, being a charter member of both bodics. Although he gives his entire time and attention to his official duties, he
owns a one-half interest in the general store con- ducted by Isaiah Crist, besides being the possessor of three farms, which aggregate six hundred and twenty-four acres.
Mr. Tracy was married, May 4, 1864, to Miss Sarah A. Crist, a native of this township, and the daughter of Jolin and Mary Ann (Black) Crist. Of the three children born to them, William E. is deceased, as is also Ada May, who married Charles A. Diebold. Minnie A. is now the wife of this gentleman. Mr. and Mrs. Tracy are members of the Methodist Church, with which the foriner has been connected for thirty years and is at present Recording Secretary.
A LFRED WEEDON, who served very ef- ficiently for six years and a-half as Clerk of Guernsey County, is a well known and respected inhabitant of Cambridge. In politics he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and cast his first vote for State Representative in Illinois, the candidate being pledged to uphold Lincoln for United States Senator. Fraternally Mr. Weedon is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Post No. 483, of Cam- bridge.
Jolın H. and Sarah (Schnyhart) Weedon, the parents of our subject, were natives of Maryland and Ohio, respectively. The Weedons were orig- inally from England, but settled in Colonial days in Maryland and Virginia. An ancestor of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, one George Weedon, commanded a Virginia brigade during the Revolutionary War, and was a hero of Valley Forge. Thomas, one of his sons, was also an officer in that war. The son of the latter, Alfred Penn Weedon, took part in the War of 1812, and a year later came to Ohio, settling in Belmont County, where he reared his large family. One of his children, John II., became the father of our subject. He was reared to maturity in Belmont
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County, and was there married. His wife also came from an old family in the history of the United States, as some of its members figured in the Revolutionary War and also that of 1812.
To John H. and Sarah Weedon were born four children. Susan became the wife of Jonathan Jones, and died about 1854. Joseph T. died in Anderson County, Kan. Alfred is the next in or- der of birth. Elizabeth E., the youngest, ched in infancy. In 1837 John H. Weedon brought his family to this county and engaged in the manu- facture of hats in Kimbolton. In 1840 he entered the regular army, served in the Florida War, and continued in the service until the war with Mex- ico eame on. He was discharged just before the first battle of Resaca de la Palma, and re-enlisted for the campaign. He served under General Taylor until General Scott took charge at Monterey. He was wounded at the battle of Molino del Rey, City of Mexico. Ilis injuries made him unable to write, and after his discharge he was lost track of by his relatives, and whether he died on the route home or not is unknown. A pension certificate issued in his behalf was sent to Zanesville, Ohio, where it lay unclaimed until returned to Washington, D. C. In 1850 his widow was married to Enoeh Jones, who is now deceased. Mrs. Jones, however, al- though born in 1813, is still living.
Altred Weedon was born in Morristown, Bel- mont County, Ohio, November 15, 1836, and passed his early years on a farm in this and Guernsey Counties. Before reaching his majority he went to Bureau County, Il1., where he remained five years, his time being given up to attending school at Princeton, to teaching, and to various kinds of work. In the spring of 1861 he returned to this county and engaged to teach for a term of school, but before the time had expired enlisted in Com- pany F, Twenty-sixth Ohio Infantry, as a pri- vate, the date of the event being June 17, 1861. His first engagement was at the battle of Shiloh, prior to which he was for some months in West Virginia, where he had numerous skirmishes. He was in the battle of Stone River, and the day be- fore it was fought charged through La Vergne. In this hazardous and daring charge the regiment lost a number of men in a very short time. They also
suffered heavily at the battle of Chickamauga, there being over two hundred killed and wounded, besides those who were made prisoners, and one company, Company II, came out with but one man. Later Mr. Weedon fought at Mission Ridge, and though he suffered with rheumatism at this time severely, he was not long absent from his post, but assisted to guard a wagon-train on a long, tiresome march. While thus employed he was in a fight at Charleston with Wheeler, in which his regiment did not take part. Ile then went on the Atlanta cam- paign, and took part in all the battles of the cam- paign, until June 27, 1864, when he was wound- ed at Kenesaw Mountain in a charge upon the works. For the next six months he was disquali- fied for army service, and in the meantime, in Feb- ruary, 1865, was made Sergeant-Major, continuing to serve as such until discharged. The regiment was sent to Texas, but Mr. Weedon was stricken with fever at New Orleans, and was sent to Jeffer- son Barracks. His final discharge was dated No- vember 17, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio."
Obtaining a veteran's furlough in 1864, Mr. Weedon returned home and remained about two months on recruiting service, and in this period was married. The lady who became his wife Feb- ruary 13, 1864, was formerly Eliza J. Dull. After the war the young couple lived on a farm in this county until 1868, Mr. Weedon also teaching school to some extent. Ile then went to Adair County, Iowa, and followed his former occupations for the next three years. In 1871 he went to Crawford County, Kan. While there his wife died, in August, 1871, leaving three little children, whom their father took to his brother's home in Anderson County, Kan., to pass the following win- ter. The eldest, Ella N., is now the wife of J. H. Marling; Susan M., the second child, is now Mrs. A. M. Mathews; and David T. is a printer in Seat- tle, Wash.
In the spring of 1872 Alfred Weedon returned to his old home at Kimbolton, Ohio, taking with him his children. On New Year's Day, 1873, he married Mrs. Emma Little, and a few weeks later he returned to Kansas. During the summer members of his family were sick, and as the climate did not seem to agree with them, once more Mr.
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Weedon turned his face in the direction of the Buckeye State. His land was afterward seized by the railroad, as was that of many other farmers. For a year or so afterward our subject taught school at Birmingham, Ohio. He built the first house at Guernsey Station after the railroad was completed to that point, and kept the store and station for a year and a-half. He then taught school until 1887, when he was elected County Clerk.
Mrs. Emily Weedon was called to her final rest in March, 1879. She left two children, John F. and Olive M., both residing at home. The present wife of our subject was formerly Sarah Hill. Their marriage was celebrated October 13, 1880, and one child, Homer H., has come to gladden their hearts. Mrs. Weedon was before lier marriage a resident of Senecaville. Both she and our subject are mem- bers of the Methodist Protestant Church.
R OBERT S. FORBES. The following is a brief sketch of the carcer of Mr. Forbes, whose present substantial position has been reached entirely through his own perseverance, and whose life shows what can be accomplished by a person with enlightened views and courage. During his childhood he experienced many disad- vantages, and for years had to struggle against a seemingly adverse fate. Notwithstanding discour- agement, he pushed ahead, and the result proves the wisdom of his course. He is at present living on a fine estate in Clay Township, this county, where he and his interesting companion are very popu- lar.
Our subject was born in Uhrichsville, and is the son of Andrew and Louisa E. (Seaman) Forbes. The former was born in Carroll County, this state, and died in Angust, 1874, when in the prime of life. He, in turn, was the son of James and Eliza- beth Forbes, natives, respectively, of Ireland and' Pennsylvania. The grandfather emigrated to the United States when a young man, and here
met and married his wife. They afterward re- moved to this state, and died at a good old age in New Philadelphia, where James Forbes was a wealthy speculator.
Louisa E. Forbes was born in Clay Township, this county, and departed this life in 1883, in the fifty-third year of her age. She was the daughter of Robert and Martha (Evans) Seaman, natives of Ohio County, Va. On making this ·state their home they located on a fine tract of land, which, by good management and industry, Robert Seaman increased to fourteen hundred acres. He was one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers in the county, and contributed largely toward making this section what it is to- day - a rich farming community.
Andrew and Lonisa Forbes were married in this county, and became the parents of the follow- ing fonr sons and two daughters: Robert S., of this sketch; James C., a farmer of Clay Town- ship; Austin E., also engaged in agricultural pur- suits in this township; Andrew, deceased; Zoe, the wife of C. S. Johnson, a banker of Dennison, this state; and Stella E., the wife of E. N. Bailey, an at- torney in New Philadelphia. The husband and father was a merchant for many years in Uhrichis- ville prior to locating on his farm in 1866, on which he continued to reside the rest of his life.
The original of this sketch was given a good education in the schools of the neighborhood, and remained under the parental roof, caring for his parents and assuming the management of the farm until their decease. He then fell heir to one liun- dred and fifty-eight acres of land, on which he is at present residing. A portion of this was found to be fine coal land, and for a number of years past Mr. Forbes has been engaged in mining.
Robert S. Forbes and Miss Hettie Stocker were nnited in marriage in the year 1883. The lady was born in this township, in September, 1856, and was the daughter of Joel and Malinda (Price) Stocker, who were also natives of Tuscarawas County. The father died in September, 1894, while bis good wife, who is still living, makes her home on the old farm. She is now seventy-three years old. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Forbes were Andrew and Barbara Stocker, natives of Pennsyl-
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vania, whence they emigrated to this county at an early day, and were classed among its most worthy and respected pioneers. Her parents were married in this county in 1848, and to them was born a family of seventeen children, twelve of whom are deceased. Those living are: Adam C., who makes his home in Port Washington, this state; Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Kuhn, of Columbus, Ohio; Mary F., now the wife of Samuel Dancy, of Den- nison, this state; Daniel F., a resident of Uhrichs- ville; and Mrs. Forbes. The deceased members of the family were Anna, Rosa, Clara, Frank, Sarah, Louisa, Julia, William, Edward, Magdalene, Jeffer- son and Joel W.
To our subject and his estimable wife there has been born one child, Mamic, who is attending school, and it is their intention to give her the best educational advantages. The coal mines of our subject are managed in such a manner as to bring him a handsome income. His farm is oper- ated on shares, and, although retired from the active business of life, he still looks after his af- fairs, and is thus kept busy. He is a stanchi Dem- ocrat in politics, and his influence is used to advance the interests of his party. Mr. and Mrs. Forbes are in all respects sincere-minded and straightforward people, and stand well in the com- munity, numbering among their friends the best residents of the county.
BENEZER WILLIAMS. To his skill in handicraft, his thorough knowledge of the materials and modes of usage best adapted for various kinds of buildings, Mr. Williams adds the personal qualities which win the respect and friendship of those with whom he associates. He is now living in Bridgeville, Guernsey County, and was born in Washington Township, March 23, 1826.
William and Rachel (McGrue) Williams, the parents of our subject, were born respectively
in the state of Virginia and Monroe Township, this county. The father died in the year 1884, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He was the son of Charles and Sarah Williams, also natives of the Old Dominion, who, after living there for many years, decided to try their fortunes in this then territory. The journey hither was made in the year 1806, and on locating in their new home they passed the balance of their lives in cultivating the soil. Mrs. Williams was forty. five years of age at the time of her decease, in 1837. Iler parents were James and Rachel McGrue, natives of New York State, whence they came overland to Ohio in 1812. Her father, who all his life followed the business of a miller in his native state, erected a mill in this section, and during the remainder of his life carried on a pay- ing trade.
William and Rachel Williams were married in this county, and to them were born four daugh- ters and four sons. The eldest of the family, James, is deceased. Mary Ann is the wife of James McDonald, and lives in McDonough County, Ill. Joseph is a resident of Iowa. Ebenezer is the subject of this sketch. Sarah married Isaiah McGee, a business man of Peoria, III. Rachel is the widow of Jobn Saunders, a resident of Good llope, Ill. William, Jr., is deceased. The fa- ther of this family was a carpenter by trade, and, coming as he did into an unsettled portion of the county, had all the work he could do in erecting houses for the new-comers who later located here.
Ebenezer Williams began to make his own way in the world when a lad of fifteen years, his first work being as an apprentice to a carpenter. As the years passed he became thoroughly informed in all details of the trade, and has continued to make it his calling in life. He has also an honor- able record as one of the vast number who devoted several years of their lives to the preservation of the Union and the upholding of those institutions dear to all true patriots. He enlisted, in 1861, in Company H, Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, and going with his regiment to the front, remained for three months, or until his term of service had expired. Returning home, he again offered his services in defense of his country's flag, this time becoming a
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member of Company H, Fortieth Ohio Infantry, with which he remained until the establishment of peace. During that period he suffered all the hardships and privations of a soldier's life, and took part in many of the important battles of the war.
Mr. Williams was married, in 1842, to Miss Catherine, daughter of James and Ruth (Johnson) Fuller. She was born in this county, March 1, 1830, and received a fair education in its district schools. Her father was born in Maryland, and died in 1885, aged seventy-two years. His parents ' were Thomas and Lydia Fuller, who came to this county from Maryland about the year 1820. Ruth Johnson was born in Belmont County, this state, and her demise occurred in 1845, when sev- enty-two years old. Iler parents were Ephraim and Catherine Johnson, also natives of Maryland, whence they came to Guernsey County in 1820. The parents of Mrs. Williams reared tlie follow- ing-named children: Ann, who is residing in Coshocton County, this state; Thomas and Maria, deceased; Jane, the widow of William Douglas, liv- ing in Iowa; Rucham, who inurried Abraham Mar- latt and makes her home in Guernsey County; Catherine, now the wife of our subject; and Mar- garet, who lives in Iowa. James Fuller was a well-to-do farmer, and at the time of his decease left a valuable estate of one hundred and twenty well improved acres.
The ten children who have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Williams are: William, de- ceased; Isaialı, living in Oklahoma; Preston, a resident of this county; Harriet, the wife of James Sickman, a farmer of Nebraska; Danicl, who makes his home in Kansas; Elmer E., who is a resident of this state; Sherman, living in California; Sheri- dan, engaged in business at Bridgeville, this state; Grant, a carpenter of the last-named place, which is also the home of Ebenezer, Jr.
On his return from the war, Mr. Williams again took up the work of carpentering, and was among the first to purchase property in this place, which he later lost on an election bet. He now las in his possession sixteen lots, besides his comfortable residence, which is one of the best in the village. He is now living practically retired, as he lias
accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods to enable him to pass the remaining years of his life in the ease which he so well deserves. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk. He is not identified with any religious organization, but gives liberally of his means toward the support of all denomina- tions.
J OSEPH SCHALIFI is one of the sterling old pioneers of Tuscarawas County. For over lialf a century he has lived in Goshen Town- ship, and now after a busy and active life lic is, in a measure, retired from agricultural labors, and is enjoying a well earned rest. He is a native of Switzerland, having been born in that country July 18, 1814.
The parents of our subject were John J. and Annie (Barbrec) Schalifi. They were also born and passed their entire lives in Switzerland. The father, whose birth occurred in 1775, died in 1815; and his wife, Annic, born in the same year, lived until 1829.
Joseph Schalifi passed his boyhood and early manhood in his native land, but in 1839 set sail for America. On arriving in New York City, he remained there for a short time, thence coming to this county. For six months he worked on a farm near Stone Creek, and in 1840 came to this town- slip. The same year was celebrated liis marriage with Barbara Switzer, who, like her husband, was a native of Switzerland. She was born in 1820, and with her parents became an inhabitant of Tuscara- was County in 1833.
Soon after the young couple's marriage they came to the liomestead owned by the father of Mrs. Schalifi. For the next four years our subject engaged in farming on that place, after which lie purchased a tract of one hundred and forty acres, which he has since cultivated, and thereon mnade his home. The land was little improved, and much bad not yet been cleared at the time of his pur
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chase, but is now in good condition and considered a valuable piece of property. It lies along the coal belt, and this useful mineral having been dis- covered in paying quantities on the place, our subject recently sold a part of his farm, receiving therefor $11,000.
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