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 65
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In 1872 Jolin Offholder married Miss Annie Rauch, who is a native of Switzerland. Her par- ents, Jacob and Annie Rauch, were also natives of a German-Swiss province, and had a family of seven children. To our subject and his worthy wife have been born four sons and three daugh -. ters. John H., the eldest, is in New Philadel- phis, but the others, Charles, Frank, Ella, Her- man, Annie and Lizzie, live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Offholder are members of the German Church. They are kind-hearted and charitable, ready to di- vide with the unfortunate. In politics our sub- jeet is an ally of the Democratic party.
APT. LAFFER S. CAPLES. This gentle- man, who is one of the honored pioneers and prominent agriculturists of Rush Township, Tuscarawas County, is now living re- tired, having accumulated a goodly portion of this world's goods. lle is a native of this county, and was born November 16, 1825. Ile is a son of Robert and Nancy (Davis) Caples, the father horn in Baltimore County, Md., December 19, 1792, and the mother's birth occurring in Northampton County, l'a., January 6, 1806. They were married in 1824. and to them were born five children, as follows: Laffer S., Ira D., Joseph, Dorcas and Nancy E. Robert Caples was tlie eldest son of William and Elizabeth (Green ) Caples, also natives of Baltimore County, Md. William and his family
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came to Tuscarawas County, October 6, 1806, via Cadiz, and settled on Big Stillwater, where the village of Newport now stands.
From Cadiz they had to open their way with axes in order to get their wagon through, and it took six days to make the journey of twenty-five miles. At this time Cadiz contained but three or four cabins. Their nearest white neighbors on the east were at Cadiz. On the south it was twenty-four miles to the first settlement, on the west five miles to Gnadenhutten, and on the north three miles to Mr. Uhrich's farm. The latter came from Pennsylvania in 1804.
William Caples and his eldest son, Robert, brought their salt on pack horses from Wellsville, on the Ohio River (fifty miles), paying at the rate of $16 per barrel. At that time wheat sold for twenty-five cents per bushel, while coffee sold at fifty cents per pound. William Caples soon entered the one hundred and sixty acres of land on which he had pitched his tent. He was an old-line Whig, and was the first of the Caples family to espouse Republicanism.
At this time young Robert was fourteen years of age and soon became a favorite among the In- dians and learned their language. The Indians would say, "Come, Bobbie. go hunt." Robert soon became an expert hunter, and in one hunting season killed seventy-seven deer, besides bears, wolves, wildcats and numerous smaller game.
In the War of 1812, young Robert volunteered as drummer in Capt. George Richardson's company of Ohio Militia. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-eight years, passing peacefully away, at his old home in Mill Township, in September, 1881, and for the last thirty years of his life owed no man a nickel. Our subject's great great-grand- father came from Germany and settled on the east- ern shore of Maryland, in which state his father was a slaveholder.
The mother of Captain Caples was the daughter of Joshua and Hannah ( Walton) Davis, natives of Northampton County, Pa. They came to this county in 1814, and settled in Rush Township, where they lived during the remainder of their lives. It was at their home that Robert Caples met and married their daughter Nancy, the mother
of our subject. Mrs. Caples is in her ninety-first year and in reasonable health.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm in Mill Township, and, like all the youth of the day, obtained his education in subscription schools. The Captain comes of good old pioneer stock. His father having been a brave and true soldier, he in like manner took up arms in defense of his country during the War of the Rebellion. He enlisted May 2, 1864, in Company E, One Hun- dred and Sixty-first Ohio Infantry, and was elected and commissioned Captain before going to the front, and throughout his military career served efficiently in that capacity in the Army of the Potomac. The regiment was engaged most of the time in doing guard duty. It was on the re- serveat the battle of Winchester, and was mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, in September, 1864.
Captain Caples was united in marriage, July 16, 1845, to Miss Eliza Smyth, daughter of Jolin and Martha (McQuaid) Smyth, natives of County Cavan, Ireland. They emigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1832, and came to Ohio in 1838, set- tling in Newport, Tuscara was County. Mr. Smyth was a school teacher and a stonemason, and died at his home in Newport, at the ripe old age of ninety- eight years. Captain Caples' wife was born Au- gust 25, 1827. To the Captain and his wife, eight children have been born, viz .: Mary, Alice, Olive, Ellen, Robert M., Jane E., Clara M. and Charlie G. The children all received good educations in the public schools and are all married and established in homes of their own.
Our subject has been a life-long agriculturist. He has taught in the common schools in Illinois, Indiana and in this connty, and has traveled in sixteen states and in Canada, but likes his native state best. He takes pride in the fact that for fourteen years he has not owed a dime. After his marriage he purchased his present farm, which has been his home for almost a half-century. The Captain and his good wife have been mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church from youth, the former being ordained to all the offices in the ministry August 31, 1883, in the Church of Christ.
Politically he is a stanch Republican, and cast
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his first Presidential vote for IIenry Clay. He has been Justice of the Peace and filled various other township offices. At one time was a candidate for Sheriff, and at another time was a candidate for County Surveyor, and says he would have been elected both times had there not been so many Democrats.
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OHN L. SIMONS. Could the biographies of the best residents of Guernsey County be written in detail, a large and most interest- ing volume might be compiled. It is our pleasure, however, to select the most interesting facts in their lives and record them for the perusal of coming generations. The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch is at present resid- ing in the city of Cambridge. and is the proprie- tor of the foundry on Water Street.
A native of Muskingum County, our subject was born December 13, 1848, in Zanesville, and is the son of John W. and Ilester A. (Trago) Si- mons, the former born in Pennsylvania March 2, 1819, and the latter in Zanesville October 9, 1820. The father in 1830 left the Keystone State, and. coming to Obio, located in Zanesville, where he learned the trade of a moulder in the shops of Adams & Wheeler. Ile became an expert work- man in this particular line and remained in the employ of the above firm for a period of nineteen years. The following three years he worked in the foundry of Douglas Smith, and in October, 1855, decided to come to Cambridge, where he bought the foundry which he continued to run until his death, which occurred August 2, 1871.
The parental family of our subject included eight children, of whom Charles P. is a prominent physician and engaged in the practice of his pro- fession in Canton. this state; Clara married A. M. Glessner, and is residing in Urbana; Ella became the wife of Robert Hammond, and makes her home in Cambridge; John L. was the next in order of birth; Howard T. is engaged as a dealer in real estate in
Columbus; Retta married J. H. Butler, and is also a resident of that city, where her husband manu- factures washing machines; Emma, the wife of W. B. Green, died in August, 1884; Harry G. i's living at Greenfield, this state, engaged in the drug business.
Our subject was a lad of seven years at the time his parents located at this place. Here he was reared to mature years, during his earlier life at- tending the public schools. Before completing his education he left school and began working in the foundry, which business he became thoroughly familiar with in a short time and has continued to follow up to the present time.
The mother of our subject was born in Zanes- ville and was the daughter of Benjamin Trago, a native of Ilarrisburg, Pa. Her mother, prior to her marriage, was Hester Overs, born in one of the Eastern States, of German parents. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Simons were: William, who died in Jackson, Ohio; Julia, who married Benjamin Plyley; Benjamin, now deceased; Anna, Mrs. Will- iam Tarrens; Mary, Mrs. Yearing; Elizabeth, the wife of Benjamin Compton; Rachel, who married Robert McGregor; Edith, who married.John Fogle; and Harriet, Mrs. Lowden Persel.
In religions affairs the subject of this sketch is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. Ile takes an active interest in all public affairs, and during elections never fails to east a vote in favor of Republican candidates.
C
OIIN C. LONGSWORTII, Mayor of Cam- bridge, is always in the lead in matters of public interestand vigilant in the discharge of his official duties. Ile was born in Guernsey County, September 15, 1853, to' William and Julia A. (Shepard) Longsworth, who were natives of Montgomery County, Md. The father was brought to this state and county when an infant, his fa- ther, bearing the name of Basil Longsworth, loca- ting here in 1825. Ile was a farmer by occupa-
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tion, and became the father of eleven children, of whom Lucy, Mary and Peter are deceased.
Our subject was the only child born to his par- ents. His mother died in 1856, and after her death his father married, in 1860, Saralı A. Owens. The subject of this sketch was given a good edu- cation, attending the schools of Cambridge. After completing his school career, he learned the trade of painter and paper-hanger. This he abandoned in 1880, and began farming in Washington Town- ship, where for three and a-half years he was the owner of a good estate. Ile then changed his loca- tion to Canton Township, making his home there for only a short time, when he came to Cambridge.
Mr. Longsworth was married, November 15, 1876, to Florence E. Lemon. To them were born the following-named children: Florence Gertrude, Edna May, Julia A., Nellie J., Mary Louella and Ada Lura. Socially our subject is a prominent Mason, and in politics never fails to cast a vote for Republican candidates. Ilis first Presidential vote was in favor of Rutherford B. Hayes, and since that time be has been influential in the ranks · of his party. Ile was elected Mayor in 1894.
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ARRETT BASSETT is the popular and efficient Postmaster of New Comerstown, and is now filling his second term in that office. Ile was born in Albany County, N. Y., June 16, 1827, and is the son of Nicholas and Maria (Shafer) Bassett, also natives of the Empire State.
The father of our subject was a farmer all his life. He in turn was the son of Michael Bassett, who was a native of England. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Bassett was born on the Atlan- tic while his parents were crossing from Germany to America. Nicholas and Maria Bassett became the parents of ten children, of whom we make the following mention: Michael died in Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1889. Ann, who died in 1891,
was the wife of John Davis. Peter died in New York in 1892. John is living in Coshocton Coun- ty. Simon is a farmer in California. Catherine married Elijah Dooling, and died in 1886. Cor- nelius departed this life in 1885. · Gertrude is now Mrs. Alonzo Sibly and lives in Illinois. Sher- man is mining in Caldwell County, Mo .; and Gar- rett is our subject. The family moved from the Empire State in Coshocton County in 1834, and here the parents died, aged respectively eighty- eight and eighty-nine years.
Our subject was well educated, and when a lad of seventeen years returned to his native state and began working in the United States Arsenal at Troy. He was there a little over a year, however, when he resigned his position and engaged with James Gould in the car-shops, where he worked for five or six years. At the end of that time he went to Cleveland, where he was similarly em- ployed for a year, when he determined to go to Detroit, Mich. His stay there was of short dura- tion, and his next move found him in the World's Fair City, where he obtained profitable employ- ment and stayed for six years. Returning East, lie lived in New York City for one year; he later returned to Chicago, and in 1858 located in New Comeistown, where he opened a wagon-shop and conducted a good business.
During the late war our subject served as a member of Company II, One Hundred and Sev- enty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and saw service eleven months and twenty-three days. He was mus- tered out at the close of the war at Charlotte, N. C., reaching home July 9, 1865. He lost no time after regaining his health, but went to work in the oldl shop and continued without interrup- tion until he was appointed Postmaster in 1888 under Cleveland. At the expiration of three years he worked at his trade, until September, 1892, when he was again called upon to serve the peo- ple in the capacity of Postmaster.
Mr. Bassett was married, May 11, 1857, to Miss Maria Lacey, and to them were born eight children. Arthur lives in California, being proprietor of a hotel at Sacramento; Armenia is the wife of Jo- seph Duff, of New Comerstown; Hershel also re- sides in the shove city; Marcia is now Mrs. Will-
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iam Smalley, of Missouri; Peoria is the wife of George Wallace, of Pennsylvania; and William and Robert are at home. Socially our subject is a Ma- son, and in politics is Democratic.
J OHN D. MCILVAINE. The history of the representative citizens and farmers of Tus- carawas County would be incomplete were the record of this worthy old settler omit- ted. He is the owner of a good farm situated in Goshen Township. A portion of this land con- tains fine coal, which the owner is now engaged in mining. Fully twenty acres of his homestead, which altogether comprises eighty-six acres, are known to have rich veins of coal, which will prove a remunerative investment for the capital now em- ployed in its extraction.
Robert Mellvaine, our subjcet's father, was born in Washington County, Pa., in April, 1795. For his wife he chose Miss Ann Stringer, also a native of the Keystonc State. Their marriage took place in 1813, and to them were born four children, two sons and two daughters. Matilda, the widow of William Mellvaine, is now living in Washington, Pa .; Mary J., the wife of W. H. Drury, of Wash- ington, Pa., has been called to her final rest; Ilon. George W. Mellvaine, formerly Judge of the Su- preme Court, of Columbus, Ohio, is deceased; and John D. completes the number. The father was a Baptist in religious belief, and politically was a Republican.
The subject of thisarticle was born in Washing- ton County. Pa., October 25, 1826. Elis educa- tional privileges in his youth were of a very meager character, but in spite of this be managed by pri- vate reading and study to become well informed on general practical matters. To his parents he gave his assistance as long as they lived. In 1852 Mr. Mellvaine married Charlotte, daughter of Si- mon and Rebecca (Giant) Wilson, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Four children came to bless their union. In the order of birth, they are as follows: George W.,
of Goshen Township; Robert W., one of the chosen guards in the Ohio Pemtentiary at Columbus; Jennie, the wife of J. Harvey; and Mrs. Bell Crawford, both of Goshen Township. In April, 1866, Mr. Mellvaine moved to New Philadelphia and purchased a half-interest in one hundred and seventy-eight acres of land owned by his brother George. They continued to work together until 1880, when they dissolved partnership and divided the land. As his share, our subject took eighty- six acres, on which is situated his home.
In January, 1869, Mrs. Charlotte McIlvaine died. April 13, 1870, Mr. Mellvaine married Miss R. A. Kurtz, who was born in Washington County, Pa., April 1, 1847. Her parents, Daniel and Jane (Cal- lahan) Kurtz, were also natives of Washington County, Pa. Mrs. Mellvaine came with her parents to Tuscarawas County in April, 1849. To John and R. A. Mellvaine were born six children, only two of whom are living, namely: Frank, born November 29, 1876, and Florence, born July 5, 1881. Nellie was born March 29, 1874, and died May 13, 1878; the other three died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Mellvaine are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active part in the work of their denomination, as well as in general enterprises. Our subject adheres to the Republican party politically, takes an ardent in- terest in education, and has been a member of the School Board for the past five years. Industrious and hardworking, tlie success which has crowned his labors is only what he is entitled to as a reward for his perseverance.
W GILLIAM STRANATHAN was for many years one of the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Guernsey County. For several years prior to his decease he added to his other interests that of raising wool, having on his farm a large number of sheep. He was born in Cumberland, Ohio, July 15, 1835, and departed this life when fifty-nine years of age.
William Stranathan on attaining manhood was
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married to Catherine Jane Thomas, a native of Nicholasville, Ky., her birth occurring June 1, 1840. Their union was solemnized in November, 1861, and to them was born a family comprising ten children, namely: Annie S., Marietta, May Bell, Carrie, James Walton, Catherine, William T., Dai- sie, Saralı Edna and Samuel Edgar. Of these, three sons and six daughters are still living and com- fortably established in life.
But little is known of the parents of our sub- ject other than their names-Samuel and Jane Parmelia Stranathan. Ilis wife's were Rev. Thomas and Johanna (Burke) Thomas, natives of Ken- tucky, and people of prominence in their locality. William Stranathan, of this sketch, was honorable and upright in all his dealings, and won many warm friends, who sincerely mourned his loss.
F NOS S. SOUERS, Mayor of New Phila- delphia, is one of her most distinguished citizens. Ile has frequently served in an otlicial capacity, and at all times has been true to the best interests of the community which has thus honored him. Ile is a leader in the Republican party in local politics, has been a member of the County Committee for seven years, and has been chairman of that organization since 1890. On sev- eral occasions lie has been sent as a delegate to con- ventions, and attended the one which nominated Governor Mckinley in 1891, and served in a like capacity in the Judicial District Convention at which Judge Donthitt was put in nomination. For a number of years he has been established in this city in the practice of law, and has succeeded in acquiring a large clientage.
The birth of our subject occurred in Pennsylva- nia, January 9, 1852. Ilis father, Levi Souers, was born in Lancaster County, and the grandfather, John Souers, was likewise a native of that locality, and of Prussian ancestry. Levi Souers was born October 10, 1813, and is still living, his home being
at Mineral Point, Tuscarawas County. During his active life he followed the cooper's and carpenter's trade. Ilis wife, formerly Elizabeth Schlauch, is a native of Lancaster County, as were also her par- ents, who were of German descent. Fourteen chil- dren were born to Levi and Elizabeth Souers, and six of the number still survive, namely: Obed; Enos; David; Emma, wife of Frank Harter, of Min- eral Point; Ida, Mrs. J. P. Dillow, also a resident of the same city; and Lizzie J., who lives at home. In polities the elder Mr. Souers is an old-line Whig, who joined the Republican party at its birth. Re- ligiously he holds membership with the Presby. terian Church.
The early life of Enos S. Souers was spent in the Keystone State, after which, with his parents, he removed to Wayne County, and took up his ahode near Dalton. His education was obtained in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and in the village school at Dalton. Later he attended the Smithville High School, and after graduating there- from lie began teaching. For ten years he followed this vocation, and during this period found time to study law under the instruction of Judge Hance. He was admitted to the Bar in 1883, before the Supreme Court at Columbus, Ohio.
In beginning the practice of his profession, Mr. Souers located first at Shreve, where he continued for one year, and then removed to Mineral Point. After four years passed in the last-named city, he removed to this place to make a permanent settle- ment. While living in Mineral Point he was chosen City Clerk, was a member of the Board of Education, and was also City Solicitor. In addi- tion to lilling his other offiees he was at one time Justice of the Peace of Sandy Township, and soon after taking up his abode in New Philadelphia he was chosen to fill a similar office in Goshen Town- ship. In 1892 he was brought out by the Repub- lican party for Mayor, and the results of the elec- tion were most gratifying. Ilis majority was quite large, when the fact is considered that he was elect- ed over a candidate who was in office at the time. In the spring of 1894 he was again nominated, and ran against the same opponent, receiving a major- ity of one hundred and sixty-four votes. The re- sults of these two elections very clearly demon-
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strates his popularity and the high esteem in which he is held by all. During his administration, over seven miles of sewers have been laid, and many other improvements in the city have been inaug- urated.
September 8, 1878, Mr. Souers was united in mar- riage in this city to Celestia M., daughter of F. R. and Angeline Black, natives of Ohio. Of the four children born to this union, all but one are living. In order of birth they are as follows: Edna M, Loren E. and Franklin Earl. Enos W. is deceas- ed. Mr. and Mrs. Souers are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active interest in its various departments of work and usefulness. Fraternally our subject belongs to Black Diamond Lodge No. 267, K. of P., and to Goslien Tent No. 36, K. O. T. M.
OHN STOCKSDALE is one of the honored inhabitants of Dover Township, within the limits of which he has passed his entire life. He is now engaged in carrying on the old homestead, which comprises one hundred and three acres. The place is under good cultivation, and is well improved with substantial fences, barns and a pleasant residence.
The parents of the gentleman whose name heads this article were Wilham C. and Anna (Munna) Stocksdale. The father, who is now deceased, was born in Baltimore County, Md., and was a son of Elisha and Rebecca (Cook) Stocksdale. William C. emigrated to Tuscarawas County in 1836, and purchased the farm which is now carried on by his third son. He and his wife, both now deceased, were worthy and industrious pioneers, doing all in their power to advance the best interests of the community in which they dwelt, as well as to rear their children to lives of usefulness and thrift. Of the eight children born to them, three were sons and five daughters. In the order of their birth they were named as follows: Martin, Justic, Su- san, John, Mary, Rebecca, Florence and Jane.
John Stocksdale spent his boyhood days attend-
ing the district schools adjacent to his home and acquiring by practical experience familiarity with the proper methods of conducting a farm. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, and has met with success in his chosen work. He is the owner of his father's old farm, which he carries on in a most progressive manner.
J OHN M. HAMMOND, one of the oldest in- habitants of Guernsey County, has had his abode for many years on his farm, which is located on section 12, Adams Township. Hle is af native of Washington County, Pa., where his birth occurred September 16, 1805. His parents were William and Mary (Weir) Hammond, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Scot- land. William Hammond, with his brothers, John Robert and David, came to the United States be- fore the Revolutionary War. John volunteered his services in the Continental army and partic :- pated in the battles of Brandywine and Bunker Ilill, being wounded in the latter engagement. The brothers settled on the Susquehanna River, where they all took up claims, but the Indians were so hostile in that locality that they removed to Hiekory, Washington County, Pa. William Ham- mond came to Guernsey County in 1819.
John M. Hammond is one of eight children. Ilis brother James was a merchant at Pittsburg, and later removed to Kentucky, where he studied medicine. He married a Kentucky lady, who died a few years later, and after that sad event the Doctor wrote home that he was going to leave there and would let them know of his future lo- cation, but he was never again heard from. David came to this county and died in Cambridge. Mary became the wife of William Blair, and both passed to their final rest while residents of this county. Sarah became the wife of Thomas Ford, and both are deceased. Jane, who married Samuel Atchi- son, now deceased, makes her home at Bloomfield, Ohio. Annie became the wife of David Dew, of this county; and William married Matilda Parks,
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