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 64
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Theodore R. Leins was born and reared on a farm, and remained at home until he reached his majority. He received only a district-school edu- cation, but he became well informed through his reading and experience in the world. In 1875 he began farming on his own account, and in 1881, in company with a brother, bought the old homestead. As his share he took one hundred and twenty acres, and this property he still owns, having since added fifty acres more. He has placed valuable improve- ments on the farm and thus increased its desira- bility in the market. In the fall of 1893 he re-
moved to bis present home, which is situated on a farm comprising a quarter-section of land, which was inherited by his wife from her father's estate.
February 8, 1886, Mr. Leins married Lizzie, daughter of John and Catherine (Manrer) Lebold. Two children have come to grace their union, namely: Nora Estella and Maggie Florence. When seventeen years of age Mr. Leins joined the Luth- eran Church, with which denomination his wife be- came indentified when in her fifteenth year. They are both now active workers in the Reformed Church, and are honored and respected by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
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D AVID McBRIDE. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch belongs to a family that has taken an active part in the progress of this section. He now resides on & farm in Adams Township, Guernsey County, which yields a goodly amount of both cercals and fruit.
Mr. McBride was born in County Antrim, Ire- land, November 5, 1827, and is the son of Thomas and Agnes (Green) McBride, also natives of the Emerald Isle. They set sail for America in 1849, locating after their arrival here on rented proper- ty near the city of Pittsburg. This Thomas Mc- Bride farmed for a twelvemonth, when the rec- ord states that he removed to Jackson Township, Guernsey County, Ohio, and there became the pro- prietor of a good property. This he sold about 1853, and bought a farm in Cambridge Township, on which he was living at the time of his death, in 1861, aged seventy-five years. His good wife pre- ceded him to the land beyond, dying in 1860. She reared a family of twelve children, of whom Thomas B. died in Ireland in 1873. Elizabeth be- came the wife of Benjamin Green, and is now liv- ir g in Cambridge; her husband was in the service of the Government for four years during the late
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war as an artilleryman. James went from Ire- land to the West Indies, and died near Antigo. John left home in 1844, and spent six years in the West Indies, after which he came to America, and is now engaged in farming in this county. He too served as a soldier in the Civil War. Our subject was the next in order of birth. Martha is the widow of John Russell, and is living in Pittsburg. Sarah makes her home in this county with her sis- ter Margaret, who is the wife of David McCourt. Mary married John McCourt, and resides in this county. William and the next son, also named William, are deceased; as is also Agnes, the young- est member of the household. Thomas B., the first- named son, served in the British navy for over thirty years, and used to relate how during that country's encounters with China the ignorant Chinese would run to examine the shells which were thrown from the vessels, and of course were killed when they exploded. .
Our subject was a lad of seventeen when he ac- companied his brothers on their trip to the West Indies, and was given a position to work in a sugar factory. Taking sick soon afterward, he de- sired to return home, and as he had no money, se- cured a position as steward on a vessel bound for New York, where he boarded another ship which conveyed lim to Ireland. The voyage was a very long and stormy one, consuming six months. On arriving home, young David attended school for a year, when the family emigrated to America, and he accompanied them.
On the 1st of September, 1857, our subject was married to Margaret A. Ramsey, and to them was born a family of thirteen children, of whom we give the following: Agnes died in the year 1887; Marthia is the wife of George Kirk, and resides in Canal Lewisville, Coshocton County, this state; Thomas B. makes his home in this county; Emma L. married H. Moorehead, and is now deceased; Joseph W. makes his home in Cam- bridge, where he is employed by the Iron Roofing Company; U. S. G. is an employe in the coal mines of this county; and David E., Ramsey A., James L. W. and Charles R. are at home. Three died in infancy unnamed.
In polities Mr. McBride is a true-blue Repub-
lican, and as a Grand Army man does all he can to make the post one of interest. In religious matters lie is a consistent member of the United Presbyterian Church, among whose members he is highly regarded.
OHN OGIER, whose accidental death, Janu- ary 13, 1891, was a great shock to the con- munity, was long one of the enterprising business men of Cambridge, and was born only a mile and a-half north of this city August 8, 1826. Among his most prominent characteristics were integrity, fidelity and sincerity of word and deed. For thirty-four years he was one of the most faitliful members in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and took a most active interest in its wel- fare and progress.
The parents of John Ogier were Thomas and Rachel (Marguand) Ogier. The former was a na- tive of the Isle of Guernsey and one of the pio- neers of this county, he having settled on Cam- bridge as early as 1810. He was an agrienlturist by occupation, and for many years was a Notary Public.
The boyhood days of John Ogier were passed in farming and in striving to gain a fair education in the poorly conducted schools of that day. On arriving at man's estate he married Catherine Kneeland, and their son Charles died in early cluldhood. The mother was called to hier final rest in June, 1882. Subsequently Mr. Ogier married Sarepta, daughter of Lloyd L. and Mary L. Bon- nell, the latter of whom bore the maiden name of Sarchet. The Bonnell family was originally from Virginia. Mrs. Sarepta Ogier was born July 16, 1848, in Cambridge, and was married October 15, 1884. To herself and husband was born one child, Thomas, September 17, 1885.
The circumstances under which Jolin Ogier met his death were a little peculiar. While he was as-
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sisting to load a wagon of lumber at the Cam- bridge Planing-mill the three o'clock train came thundering by, frightening his horses, which ran away. In his efforts to control them he was thrown to the ground, the wagon passing over his body. Though he was cut and bruised about the head and shoulders, his most serious injuries were probably internal ones. He was picked up and carried to the residence of a brother-in-law, where he expired in a few moments. lle was a man of few words, but when he did speak it was to the point, and his judgment was generally reliable. Ile never antagonized his fellows, was a respecter of authority and pre-eminently a man of peace.
LMER S. SLUTTS. The gentleman to whom we call the attention of our readers is one of the prominent and influential young farmers of Fairfield Township, where he operates an excellent estate, all well improved. Ile is a thorough tiller of the soil, having been reared to that occupation on the place where he is at present residing, on section 4. IIc was born Feb- ruary 1, 1866, and is the son of Samuel and Ann (Fromm) Slutts.
Grandfather John Slutts was also a native of Fairfield Township, and was born April 14, 1808. Ile in turn was descended from William Slutts, whose birthplace was Maryland. His parents, who resided in Maryland in early life, moved to Ohio in an early day.
When ready to begin life for himself William Slutts entered from the Government the southwest quarter of section 3, Tuscarawas County, improv- ing it and making it his abiding-place until his decease, which occurred on the 22d of April, 1815, at the age of fifty-nine years. IJe added to his acreage as time progressed and his means allowed, until he was the proud possessor of eight hundred acres of the finest land in the county. Alike de- voted to public and private interests, his career as a citizen and farmer was one of which he and his may ever be proud. He was a Whig in politics,
and filled many of the responsible offices of the township. His wife, who prior to her marriage was Deborah Gordon, was born in Jefferson County, and became the mother of thirteen children. Those who grew to mature years were: John; Cyrus, who died in Eddyville, Iowa; Theopolis, residing in Kirk ville, Wapello County, Jowa; Mary, who mar- ried Joseph Ross and died April 18, 1845; P'hebe, who married Joseph Kollar; Jane, formerly the wife of Joseph Kniesly, and who departed this life in May, 1887; Deborah, who married Fred Reed, and died June 25, 1861; and Lavina, Mrs. William Reed, who makes her home in Missouri.
The grandfather of our subject was reared to mature years in his native county, where he was married and began life for himself as a renter. Later he was enabled to purchase one hundred and eighty acres, on which he was residing at the time of his decease, in 1842. Ile was a Whig in politics, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he aided to organize in this local- ity. Ile was married to Abigail Reeves, who was born in Fairlield Township, October 25, 1808. She was the daughter of Aaron and Mary (Melntyre) Reeves, and her nnion with Grandfather Slutts was celebrated April 24, 1828. She became the mother of six children, of whom Samuel was born March 28, 1830; Worthington, May 21, 1832; Margaret, June 28, 1834; Abigail, May 21, 1841. Margaret married Joseph Collins, and Abigail be- came the wife of Henry Rucy and on his death married J. C. Buskirk.
The father of our subject was born in the home which is now in the possession of Elmer S. He added many improvements to the place and was recognized as one of the well-to-do farmers of the township. He died one month prior to the birth of our subject, his death resulting from an accident while hauling logs. lle was a liberal supporter and member of the Methodist Church, and in poli- tics always voted for Republican candidates. Ilis sympathies were with the Union cause during the late war, and although not permitted to serve his country on the battlefield he aided his neighbors in hiring substitutes.
The parents of our subject were married August 27, 1863, and to them were born two children,
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of whom Flora, the elder, was born July 30, 1864, and died May 28, 1885. The wife and mother, who still survives, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 28, 1842, and was the daughter of Martin and Catherine (Markley) Fromm, natives of Stuttgart. The former was a weaver by trade, and died in 1843, leaving a widow and two children: Ann, and Rosana, now the wife of Lewis Stanford, of Clay County, Ill. In May, 1850, after a stormy voyage of two months, Mrs. Slutts landed in New York, whence she came by canal and lake to Zoar Station. She received a good education in the English schools, and was given a home with Thomas Will- iams, of that place. Although reared in the faith of the United Brethren Church she joined the Meth- odist denomination in 1863, and has ever since been a regular attendantat its services. Since the death of her husband she has been engaged in keeping boarders in Zoar Station, which place was platted by Samuel Slutts and his brother Worthington in 1854, at which time the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad was built. The original of this sketch is a well informed young man and his manner is genial and friendly. In politics he is a Repub- lican.
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J OSEPHI S. HELMICK has been prominently identified with the upbuilding and develop- ment of Tuscarawas County, where he has dwelt for about fifty-five years. He owns a well cultivated and lughly improved farm on sec- tion 24, York Township. For a period of six years he acted in the capacity of School Director, but with that single exception has never been in- duced to accept office of any description. In manner he is unassuming, but genial, and readily makes and retains friends. In the Lutheran Con- gregation he is a valued worker and member, and for upward of fifteen years has acted as either Deacon or Elder.
The parents of our subject, Joseph and Anna (Strayer) Helmick, were both natives of Pennsyl- vania. They came to this county at an early day
and were numbered among its sturdy pioneers. Their home was for many years, and up to their death, on the farm now operated by their son Jo- seph. The father, who was born in 1817, died at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife, who was born in the year 1820, also lived to reach the age of seventy-five. Their eight sons and three daughters are as follows: William and John, deceased; Samuel, who is now in the West; An- drew and Mary A., deceased; Elizabeth, wife of C. D. Carnes, a retired shoemaker of North Cum- berland, this county; Isaac J., Deputy Marshal at New Philadelphia; Jacob, deceased, and formerly an attorney and banker; Rachel, deceased; James, who is a miner and resident of New Philadelphia; and our subject. The eldest son, William, was for two terms Representative of this district in the State Legislature and was a man of unusual abil- ity. For many years Joseph Helmick, Sr., was Township Trustee, and in the Lutheran Church to which he belonged was a Deacon and Elder for a long period.
Joseph S. Helmick was born April 10, 1837, and lived with his parents until reaching his major- ity. His first business venture was in renting the homestead, where he was born and reared, and here he still resides. This place he cultivated for seven years and then rented another farm in this county, but at the expiration of four years gave up that place and returned to purchase and oc- cupy the old farm. This place, which comprises seventy-eight and a-half acres, is all kept under good cultivation and has substantial fences and buildings upon it.
In 1857 Mr. Helmick was united in marriage with Miss Susan Mathias. The lady was born in this county in 1840 to Adam and Elizabeth (At- tick) Mathias. Of their other children, Lucinda is deceased. John B. is a merchant of New Phila- delphia. Rosa A. is the wife of A. Shaw, a real- estate man in Colorado. Emanuel is engaged in farming in York Township. James also operates a farın in this township. Daniel and Rebecca are deceased. Mary J. is the wife of H. MeMerter, a farmer near New Philadelphia; and Ellen is the wife of A. Stermer, of New Philadelphia.
The marriage of Joseph S. and Susan Helmick
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has been graced with two sons. Emmet M., who was born in 1859, is a prominent farmer of York Township. Willis E., a college graduate, was a successful school teacher for three years, but is now in the real-estate business at Zanesville, Ohio. In 1891 he married Mamie Watterman, who died a year and a-half later, leaving a little daughter, who is the particular pet and pride of her grand- parents, in whose family she is now living. Po- litically Mr. Helmick supports the Republican party.
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EORGE J. MARKLEY. This gentleman needs no introduction to our readers, as lie is one of the most influential and prom- inent residents of Tuscarawas County. He makes his home at the present time in Mineral Point, where, January 1, 1887, he opened a general store, which he has conducted in connection with his other extensive interests. Two years after coming here he bought the Davis Mine, which he works with the aid of about forty men. In 1891 he organized, and became Vice-President and Super- intendent of, the Ohio Coal Mining Company, also organized the Cisco Mining Company in Guernsey County, of which he has been one of the large stockholders since.
In 1892 Mr. Markley erected a substantial store- room, which he stocked with about $11,000 worth of goods. This was destroyed by fire sixty days later, and as soon as he could get his affairs settled up he rebuilt it, and has conducted the same ever since. The same year he made an addition to Point Pleasant, Guernsey County, and in many other ways is interested and has been instrumental in the growth of that section of the county. Our subjeet is Vice-President and one of the organizers of the People's Deposit Bank; founder and Pres- ident of the Trescott Packing Company, and also holds the same position with the American Fire Brick and Clay Company. This last enterprise, which was established in 1895, employs about fifty men, and owns its own coal and clay lands, from
which material are manufactured all varieties of house and furnace bricks.
George J. Markley was born in Sandy Township, this county, July 22, 1854, to John L. and Anna M. (Epler) Markley, natives of Germany. The father was born in Wurtemberg, and after his marriage with Miss Epler, and the birth of three of their children, came to the United States. This was in the year 1851, and after a tedious voyage of six weeks they reached the shores of the New World. Continuing their westward journey to Ohio, they made a home in Sandy Township. The first work in which the father was engaged was as a black- smith in the employ of a railroad company. He later ran a shop at Mineral Point, but in 1874 moved with his family to Clair County, Mich., and there became the owner of eighty acres of land on which the town of Clair stands. He died there in the fall of 1892, aged seventy years. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member in good stand- ing of the Evangelical Church. IIis widow still survives. She became the mother of eleven chil- dren, of whom seven grew to mature years.
Our subject was born and reared in Mineral Point. His education was carried on in the public schools, which he was permitted to attend until he could be of assistance to his father .. One year. prior to reaching his majority he purchased his time of his father, paying him $350. When a lad of ten years he entered the mines, and was employed in following this ocenpation at different places un- til the year 1880, when he leased a coal mine, which he operated for two years. At the end of that time he opened a general store with Allen D. Black, with whom he remained for two years. He then contracted for mining iron ore at Wolf Station, but after a year and a-half returned to Mineral Point. and for the following twelvemonth was engaged in the real-estate business. In Jan- uary, 1887, he opened a store of general merchan- dise, as we have stated in the opening of this sketch.
Mr. Markley owns one hundred and forty-one acres of land, one and one-half miles from the vil- lage, which he mines. The property on which he resides contains twenty-eight acres, and in addi- tion to this he is the possessor of the thirty-two
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acres of ground on wlrich are located the Pierce Furniture Company's buildings. They failed to occupy them after their erection, and Mr. Markley purchased them to carry on various manufactures in which he is engaged.
Our subject is a liberal contributor to churches, and all worthy movements. He is a charter mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, and is one of the most popular residents of the county. For six years he was agent of the Adams Express Company, and in October, 1893, was appointed Postmaster of this place. For six years he has been Treasurer of the village, and for the same length of time was Constable on the Democratic ticket.
I SAAC BEABER has the honor of being one of the oldest surviving pioneers of the early days of Tuscarawas County. For about sixty- seven years he lias resided on the same farm, which is situated on section 6, York Township. The log cabin which was a shelter in his early married life gave place to a substantial structure in 1858, and in this residence he has since made his home. In every sense of the word Mr. Beaber is self-made and self-educated. Though he never attended school for a day, he taught himself to read and write, and through his own individual efforts lias become well informed and conversant on leading topics of interest and practical matters.
The parents of our subject were Christian and Peggie Beaber, who were born in Philadelphia, Pa. Their parents were very early settlers of the Quaker City, and there continued to reside until death. In 1801 was celebrated the marriage of Christian Beaber and wife, in Philadelphia. In 1809 they came to York Township, where they leased a farm for seven years. Later they occu- pied Government land for three years, and finally removed to the farm now owned by our subjeet. Here they lived for ten years, and here occurred the death of the father at the age of sixty-two years. His widow went to Iowa, where she located
near her son David, and in that vicinity she dwelt for upwards of thirty years. Her last days were spent with her son Jacob, who was engaged in farming in Iowa. In 1884, at his home, occurred her death at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Her six children were as follows: Abraham and Mary, deceased; Isaac; Jacob, whose home is in Iowa; and Henry and David, residents of Indiana.
The birth of Isaac Beaber occurred in Pennsyl- vania in 1806. He remained with his parents un- til he reached his majority, and was of great assist- anec to them on their uncultivated and slightly improved farm. In 1827 he removed to a farm of two hundred acres, for which he had put in a cla:m. He built a log cabin, and in this lived for four years. It was then destroyed by fire, owing to the carelessness of his little son, Solomon, who. had been playing with the forbidden attraction. Sixty acres of this land contains fine coal, and this mineral wealth adds greatly to the value of the place, which is now under good cultivation. In early days Mr. Beaber was quite a hunter, and often killed deer and other wild game in the vicin- ity of his present home. For years he bore the reputation of being one of the best shots in the county, and certainly his aim rarely failed of its mark.
In 1832 Mr. Beaber married Elizabeth Trudel. Her parents, Sullivan and Elizabeth Trudel, na- tives of Somerset County, Pa., came to this connty in 1832. Mrs. Beaber, who is one of seven cliil- dren, by her marriage became the mother of seven sons and two daughters. They were as follows: Susan, Mrs. John Faulder; Solomon; Peter; Jolin, deceased; Elizabeth; Isaac; David, deceased; and Henry and William. Mrs. Beaber, a most esti- mable lady, has long been famous in this neighbor- hood as a fine nurse, and when any of her friends and acquaintances have sickness in the family, she is called upon for advice and assistance, which she rarely refuses and never if within her power.
In his religious faith Mr. Beaber is a Lutheran, and when the corner-stone of the church which he ; now attends was put in place, he was the only one attending the excreises to deposit coins in the re- ceptacle, as is customary. In addition to the more ordinary coins, a dollar piece, a fifty-cent piece
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and a quarter, was one of twelve cents and a six- penny piece. At the New Philadelphia Street Fair, Mr. Beaber took the premium for his old-time spinning-wheel, which would be a treasure to the relic-seeker. Politically our subject votes with the Democratic party.
OHN OFFHOLDER is a gardener, stonemason and brick manufacturer of Goshen Town- ship. His homestead adjoins New Philadel- phia, and on his place is located his brick manufactory. In 1877 he bought thirteen acres of land, on which he erected a substantial dwelling. in which he at once took up his abode and in which he has since dwelt.
The birth of our subject occurred October 14, 1841, in Switzerland. His parents were Steplien and Elizabeth Offholder, natives of Germany, in which country their marriage was celebrated in 1838. For over a quarter of a century thereafter they continued to make their home in their native land, but in 1866 determined to try their fortune in America. Crossing the Atlantic." they arrived in New York City, where they remained for a short time. Later they proceeded to Pittsburg. Pa., and for two years engaged in cultivating a rented farm near that city. At the end of that time they went to Parkersburg, W. Va., where they bought a homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres. They resided there until death put an end to their la- bors. The father was born in 1814, and died Feb- ruary 6, 1894, while his wife, who was born in 1811, died in 1884. Their four children are as follows: Fred, who still conducts the old home- stead; John, our subject; Jacob; and Lizzie, wife of George Brown, of West Virginia.
John Offholder passed his boyhood and youth at the home of his parents. He continued to live with them until he had reached the age of twenty- seven years, when he started out to "paddle his own canoe." Very soon afterward he landed in
New Pluladelphia, where he worked at his trade of a stonemason for thirteen years. In 1877, as above mentioned, he bought thirteen acres of land, the place on which he still makes his home, and since that time he has built up a Incrative trade in va- rious kinds of brick supplies. He is a business man of good ability, and, though he started in life empty-handed, he has made a good living for his family by means of honest, industrious efforts.
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