Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 11

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : C.O. Owen
Number of Pages: 934

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limbs, began "p-e- double g, peg." The hickory went aloft, and as the master raised on tip-toe, it descended with all the muscular force that was be- hind it upou the shoulders of the unfortunate pu- pil. "Now spell it as I do," and the pupil, follow- ing the professor, spelled "p-i-g, peg." IIe had learned his lesson and the autocrat closed the ses- sion.

As the years glided on young Browne worked either on the farm or as clerk in his father's store. When a lad of sixteen he was sent as a student to Granville College, now Dennison University, where he took a course of four years. . On completing his studies there he returned home, and was again placed in the store, and shortly thereafter was made partner in the business.

The National Road at this time was a great thor- oughfare for travel. Henry Clay, William Henry Harrison, Tom Corwin, John Tyler, Santa Anna, the Mexican, with many Indian chiefs, passed on it in the Concord stage coach or by private car- riage, and as a boy Mr. Browne had the pleasure of shaking hands with nearly all of these distin- gnished men. Well does he remember General Harrison, who tarried for a time in the town while the relay, or change of horses for the coaches, was being made. On one occasion an Indian chief, in pleasantry perhaps, remarked that he would like to have our subject's scalp, giving as his reason that a man of light complexion had stolen his squaw. Being less than twelve years of age, he thought himself almost too young to have his hair cut in that style, and hence was on the lookout, so the chief should not have the pleasure of giving a war- whoop at his expense.

When a merchant, business oftentimes required that Mr. Browne should go East to buy goods. Some of these trips were made upon horseback, others in the old-style four-horse coach, which car- ried nine passengers inside, and three, besides the driver, npon the outside seats. The going by coach was continuous day and night, three or four days elapsing before the journey was completed. After the building of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road as far west as Cumberland, Md., at one time he was on the same railway and in the same stage- coach with General Sam Houston and James Rusk,

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United States Senators from Texas. Mr. Houston was tall in stature, finely proportioned, and in per- sonal appearance would anywhere attract atten- tion. He was dressed in what would be called a half military garb-long frock coat, vest and pants of gray color, with dark metal buttons. In manner he was dignified without show of egotism, and intercourse with him gave the impression that he was one of nature's noblemen. When in the car Mr. Rusk indulged strongly in liquor, which he kept with him in his seat. This was before the era of vestibuled sleeping-eoaches. Mr. Houston, who sat in the rear, watched him closely, seemingly annoyed at his over-indulgence, and when Mr. Rusk vacated his place for a short time, Mr. Hous- ton came forward and grasped the two small demi- jolins, throwing one of them against the wall of rock on the outside and the other into the Po- tomac. He had but regained his seat when Mr. Rusk appeared, and, finding his brandy gone, be- gan cursing the "yankee" who had stolen it, say- ing when he found him he should be hanged as high as Haman. It was quietly suggested that the General might have taken it as a contraband of war. He was soon convinced that this was so, and with almost inaudible mutterings and threatenings, sat down swearing how he intended to repay the robber. Mr. Houston was as calm as a May day morning. It was noticeable that the first Presi- dent of Texas wielded an influence over men that was rarely shown, and Mr. Rusk, who was evi- dently overshadowed by his colleague, became quiescent when he found that it was Mr. Houston who had captured and destroyed his supplies.

. Nearly twenty years ago, Mr. Browne, in com- pany with others, went to Texas, prospecting for a cattle ranch. Leaving Austin, they traveled northwesterly into the Pan Handle, camping as night came on wherever the surroundings of wood and water made it desirable. They contracted with the owner of a livery to make this trip, he to furnish all the necessaries in the way of food, which included all the delicacies of Southern corn bread and bacon. A fine pair of matched black horses harnessed to a hack gave the appearance of coming comfort. The owner acted as driver, but employed a young Alabaman, whom the fortunes

of war had reduced from affluence to want, to go with them as cook, and also to act as military re- serve in case of an attack, for outlaws were almost daily committing murders and theft in that part of the state.

In laying in a stock of provisions a shilling was expended for some eggs, which were paeked in a basket of oats intended for the horses. The eggs were especially set apart for a Thanksgiving din- ner some weeks in the future. The culinary outfit was a wonder, and would have taken a high pereh in the Midway Plaisance. An antique coffee-pot, looking as though coated with coal tar, four pew- ter plates, two knives and forks, one small frying- pan, and four tin cups for drinking coffee were among the conveniences. The larder was filled with a few loaves of corn bread and the eggs al- ready mentioned. The cook was a model in the saving of labor, for the plates were never washed from beginning to finish. When one side became unusually heavy, he would turn the other upper- most. Not wishing to wear them out, his guests would select a nice grassy plat, which served as a table-cloth, and dispensed with the china. Un- fortunately the game which the party thought to kill was never hit in a vital part, and, having been on the way a long time and been doing penance in the way of fasting, it was voted that they would have their Thanksgiving dinner, even though the day was far distant. So, finding a camping spot on the side of a streamlet, the fire was kindled, the coffee made, the bacon fried in the little souvenir which some grandmother had left as a heritage, and all was made ready for preparing the omelet. The residue of bacon served as a base, and into it the cook had broken the eggs, when he discovered that two or three of them had ripened from last year, giving proof that no flavoring would be needed. For a moment the cook was speechless; then, with an exclamation that was not prayerful in its nature, but quite emphatie, said he "couldn't afford to lose them eggs because two of them were faulty," and with his bowie-knife scraped what he could of the defective ones from the mess, and called the mixture "omelet."

The party held a conference, and resolved and re-resolved that they did not like omelet, that is

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Texas omelet, but whereas hunger, deep, madden- ing hunger, entered a protest against the resolve, they would compromise, call it Ohio omelet, and eat their Thanksgiving dinner. Ever afterward each member of the party in their annual reunions testified that hunger made it toothsome.

Sometimes the party would travel all day with- out a sign of man, woman, child or cabin, and when wrapped in their blankets around the camp fire, would be lulled to sleep by wolves, that made musical the otherwise quiet hours of the night. Onee at midnight they were attacked by outlaws, who had stolen horses from a ranch some distance away. Many shots were exchanged in the dim fire-light that came from the smouldering embers, but none of the party was hurt. At Ft. Griffin they found more than one hundred thousand buf- falo skins piled up in long stretehes like cordwood, some of which were being tanned and others ship- ped to the St. Louis and to a market. In December roses were in bloom in that country, and Mr. Browne remembers comfortably bathing in the head water of the Brazos River at that time of the year.

For more than thirty years Mr. Browne lived in Oxford Township ( Pennyroyal), Guernsey Coun- ty, where for many years had been held annual re- unions. At these assemblages Ohio's sons from New England to the Rockies and beyond would be seen elasping hands and heard relating stories of long ago.

When only twenty-three years of age, our sub- . jeet was chosen Justice of the Peace, which was the only political office he ever held. In 1852 he married Miss Margaret . Rosemond, of Fairview, Ohio, who died four years later, leaving a daugli- ter, Hattie, now the wife of W. HI. Hunter, of the firm of MeFadden & Hunter, editors and proprie- tors of the Steubenville Daily Gazette. In 1859 he married Anna Margaret Logan, at Washington, Pa., and the next year removed to Philadelphia, where his residence was at No. 1328 Vine Street. While there he was engaged as a flour and grain commis- sion merchant, his place of business being on the southwest corner of Broad and Vine Streets. Two years thereafter the firm of Wallace & Browne, of which he was a member, removed to New York, with

business houses at No. 48 Broad, and No. 76 Pearl, Street. During the years of his residence there Mr. Browne had rooms and boarded at the Howard Hotel, and his wife returned to Ohio and lived with his father.

In the latter part of the '60s William C. Browne sold his interest in the New York house and, com- ing to this state, began merchandising with J. H. Rosemond in Cadiz. There he built a comfortable home and expected to remain, but his wife dying about this time, he arranged with parties in New Philadelphia to go into the banking business, and removed there in 1880. November 8, 1881, he was married to Clara Rosemond, daughter of Ed- ward and Nancy Rosemond. Mr. Browne, at the time of this writing, is engaged in the banking business in the southwest room of the new eourt house, and lives at the northwest corner of Sixth and High Streets. The elder of his two sons, Edgar Courtney, was born in Middletown, Ohio, and at the present time is Cashier of the City Bank, and Auditor-eleet, of Tusearawas County. Perey Rus- sell Browne, born in Cadiz, is Assistant Cashier in the bank.

T HIOMAS BROWNE came from England to Massachusetts in 1640. Josiah Browne. born at Concord, Mass., in 1743, was a Lieutenant in a New Ipswich company at the battle of Bunker Hill. Barnard Davis Browne, the see- ond son of Jolin Browne, of Massachusetts Colony. was born in Windsor, Vt., May 6, 1797. His home was in New England until a boy of twelve, when his parents removed to Allegheny County, P'a., settling about five miles northwest of Pittsburg. While en route to their new home he rode on horse- baek quite a distance on the ice, the journey being made from Buffalo, N. Y., along the margin of Lake Erie toward the point which was their des- tination. An elder brother, John Browne, was in earlier years an Associate Judge of Allegheny County, where his descendants still reside.

Barnard Davis Browne was married to Maria Denning, at the residence of Col. William Court-

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ney, eight or ten iniles below Pittsburg, on the banks of the Ohio River, November 3, 1818. They lived in that vicinity until 1821, when they re- moved to Cincinnati, and lived upon property which they owned at the corner of Sixth and Elin Streets. On account of his continued siekness, they left Cincinnati in the spring of 1823, removing to Wheeling, W. Va. When somewhat improved, he decided to return to Ohio, and with this end in view mounted a horse and rode to the ferry-boat, intending to cross the river and seleet and pur- chase a farm. He was not permitted to do this, however, as he was again taken very ill with a vi- olent chill and forced to return to his home in Wheeling. He did not recover from this relapse until August, when he purchased and removed to a farın in Belmont County, not far from Mt. Pleas- ant. Here he continued to live until December, 1829, when he again changed his location, this time settling in Middletown, Guernsey County, where he engaged extensively in merchandising and farming. For many years this place was their home. In 1865 they took up their abode in Cam- bridge, this state, where Barnard D. Browne died in his seventy-first year. His wife died in 1887, in her ninety-first year.

Of the members of the family of Barnard Davis and Maria Browne, Susan, the eldest daughter, . married Dr. J. M. Campbell, a prominent phy- sician of Cambridge, Ohio. Their children were: Amanda M., who married J. HI. Rosemond, of Fairview, this state; Fred L. Rosemond (son of J. II. Rosemond), an attorney at Cambridge; William A., who is engaged in the real-estate business at Joplin, Mo .; Judge J. W., also an at- torney, practicing in Cambridge; Charles M., an editor in Washington City; and Alice Virginia, now the wife of E. J. Williams, of Washington City. The eldest son of Barnard D. Browne was William Courtney. Anna E. married W. M. Farrar, an attorney of Cambridge, and their danghter. Helen B., became the wife of S. P. Mulford, an at- torney living in Los Angeles, Cal. Rhoda M. mar- ried Turner G. Brown, of Washington City. Jen- nie II., the youngest of the family, married Edgar C. Deviny, and both are deceased.

The maiden name of the mother of Barnard

Davis Browne was Susan Davis. She was a daugh- ter of Barnard Davis, a deseendant of Solon Da- vis, who came from England, locating at Mass- achusetts as early as 1634. Barnard Davis was killed at the battle of Bunker IIill, in 1775. When his wife received the sad news of his death she left their home, which was on the north side of the Charles River, and drove across the stream in a one-horse chaise, in order to reach Boston and take charge of the body of her husband. Susan Davis was married to John Browne in 1794, and some years thereafter they removed to Allegheny Coun- ty, Pa. The members of their family were: John, who married Katherine Whitesall; Rhoda, wife of Seneca Needham, of Cambridge, Ohio; Susan, who became the wife of Josiah Spaulding, of Zanesville, this state; Anne, who married Sheldon Haneock, of West Jefferson, this state; and Ann Maria, who married a Mr. Bigelow, of Mansfield, Ohio.

M ARIA DENNING was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., September 27, 1797. Her father, John Denning, was an Irish seacaptain, and commanded a sailing-vessel engaged in trading between the ports of Londonderry, Bel- fast, Liverpool and London, and occasionally, as in- ducements offered, made trips across the Atlantic to New York and Philadelphia. At the latter place, in 1790, he was married to Nancy Moore.

John Denning was the son of William Denning, of Newton, Limvady, Londonderry County, Ire- land. In 1803 Captain Denning made sale of his ship, and with his family moved west of the Alle- ghenies to a place sixteen miles east of Pittsburg. The river trade to New Orleans was then attract- ing attention. The products of the Upper Ohio found a market there at fair prices in Spanish sil- ver. Captain Denning had a boat built and en- tered upon this trade. Maria, then about six years of age, could not remember how long her father was gone upon his first trip, but could recollect dis- tinctly about his return. While the children were

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one day at play, a seemingly strange man alighted from a big gray horse and proved to be her father. He had traveled on horseback from New Orleans, in company with other traders. having made a suc- cessful trip and a profit of 85,000.

Soon afterward Captain Denning purchased a farm on Courtney's Run, in Allegheny County, north of the Ohio, to which he removed; then sold it, placing his family in a home belonging to Col. William Courtney, who .owned a large flouring- mill, and was extensively engaged in business. Having arranged with Mr. Courtney to supply his family with provisions and the necessaries of life during his absence, he resumed trading upon the river, leaving for New Orleans. By a returning trader, to whom he had entrusted them, he remit- ted funds, some packages, and a message that he was in good health, and would return as soon as he had made a trip up the Red River country. Upon this trip he was killed by Indians or Mexi- cans, and his property destroyed or confiscated. It was a long time before his family heard of his fate, and then but indefinitely. Of the five children whom he left, none were old enough to perform much labor, or assist the mother in earning a liv- ing. Maria spent inueh of the time for some years in the home of Mr. Courtney, assisting his wife, who was a delicate woman. in caring for their chil- dren, and doing housework. for the death of her father had left them with very limited means. Mr. Courtney was for many years a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. His wife died during his absence from home, and Mrs. Browne always spoke feelingly of his return to the vacant home, and ever retained for him a lasting sense of grati- tude for his kindness and his generous nature.

November 3, 1818, Maria Denning married Bar- nard Davis Browne, and began housekeeping in Allegheny County, Pa. The long illness of her husband while living in Cincinnati under the care of a physician exhausted the fund of money which they had accumulated through many years of la- bor, and want, hitherto unfelt. stared them in the face. Then it was that the wife proved herself equal to the emergency. She purchased a set of wool-cards, some tallow, cotton at twelve cents per pound, and carded and spun this article, making the

cotton and tallow into candles, which she sold at a profit, thus procuring supplies for her husband and babe until his health was regained.

Mrs. Browne was a woman of strong religious convictions, having united with the Presbyterian Church when sixteen years of age. Upon the or- ganization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Middletown, where they afterward removed, both she and her husband became active members, and their house a welcome home for every itinerant preacher whose labors led him in that direction.

Nancy Moore, mother of Maria Denning, was one of eight children born to Samuel and Sarah Moore, of Philadelphia, Pa., and was born in that city in 1770, and died in Middletown, Ohio, in the year 1838. Her sisters were: Sally, the wife of a Mr. Meredith, of Philadelphia; Betsey, Mrs. Wheeler, also of Philadelphia; Margaret, Mrs. Na- than Moore; Martha, who married John Moore, of Belmont County, this state; Polly. the wife of Cap- tain Stotesbury, of Philadelphia; and Anne, who departed this life in the above city, aged ninety- two years.

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S OLOMON STOCKER. This name will be at once recognized as that of the President of the earning company at Gnadenhut- ten. In connection with this enterprise he oper- ates a fine farm, located near the city, in Clay Township. He is a thorough farmer, having been reared to that occupation, and has been very suc- cessful in the years in which he has tilled the soil. Ilis estate is well improved, well stocked with a fine grade of animals, and in all respects is an at- tractive and valuable piece of property.

Our subject was born in Tuscarawas County, January 18, 1838, and is the son of Absalom and Sarah (Stacher) Stocker, the former of whom was born in Northampton County, Pa., in 1814, and died in 1886. lle was the son of Andrew and Magdalene Stocker, natives also of the Keystone State. Grandfather Andrew Stocker came with his brothers, Christian and Henry, to Tuscarawas

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County, this state, in the year 1818, and it is from them that the Stockers in this part of the country originated. They became the heads of large fam- ilies, and lived to attain a good old age.

The father of our subject, although only fairly educated himself, gave his children every advant- age for obtaining knowledge, and sent them to school nntil they had mastered all the branches taught in the district. Ile was a very successful agriculturist, and left at his decease a valuable farm. In him the Moravian Church found one of its most consistent and generous members, and in the congregation near his home he held the official position of Trustee. He bore an honorable part in the civic affairs of his county, and was well known for the incorruptible integrity of his character, and his many fine qualities of heart and hand, which placed him high in the regard of his fellow- men.

The original of this sketch, on the outbreak of the late war, volunteered his services in defense of the Union, and in August, 1861, was mustered into Company I, Thirtieth Ohio Infantry, Second Brig- ade, Second Division, and Fifteenth Army Corps. For three years he was in active service, and was then commissioned to be Hospital Steward. Al- though wounded on several occasions, he was never absent from roll-call, and remained in the army until honorably discharged in 1865. Dur- ing that period he fought in thirteen different states, and participated in the following well known engagements: Bull Run, Antietam, Vicksburg and Missionary Ridge; was with Sherman on his march to the sea, fought through the Carolinas, and was present at the Grand Review in Washington.

On his return from the war, Mr. Stocker was married, in September, 1865, to Miss Julia C. Peter, a native of Gnadenhutten, and born in 1843. She was the daughter of Edward and Rebecca (Tayor) Peter, who are now living retired from farm life in Gnadenhutten. The father was born in this place, February 27, 1815, and in turn was the son of David and Susan ( Leinbach) Peter, who bore the distinction of being the first white people to locate at this place. David Peter came here in 1799, and conducted a general merchandise store in the interests of the United Brethren Society.

In later years he became the owner of the estab- lishment, and carried on a good business the re- mainder of his life. Ile became very prominent in the community, holding the office of Postmaster, besides many other positions of trust, for many years. He was well educated, and commanded the respect of all who knew him.

To our subject and his estimable wife there were born the following-named nine children: Cornelia, deceased; Charles L., who is a graduate of Oberlin (Ohio) College, and is studying for the profession of a lawyer; Mary A., engaged in teach- ing sehool at Collinwood, this state; Edgar A .. also following that occupation, in Gnadenhutten; James A., a student at college; Jessie L .; Harold, deceased; Emma C., in school; and Laura, de- ceased.

When ready to commence life for himself, Mr. Stocker taught school several terms at Gnadenhut- ten, after which he took a short course at Oberlin College. Being short of funds, he again began teaching, and thus earned the money with which to pay for his schooling. After teaching another term he went West, locating near Springfield, Ill., where he worked on a farm, and while there was presented with a certificate to teach in the Prairie State. It was about this time that Abraham Lin- coin was nominated for his first term of office, and our subject, being an ardent admirer of the mar- tyred President, traveled twenty miles in order to congratulate him.

On returning home from the army, Mr. Stocker taught two terms of sehool, and then rented the farm of which he is now the owner. It consists of one hundred and eighty-one acres, a part of which is fine coal land. This he is mining with good results. The balance of his acreage is devoted to the raising of the various cereals, and for pasture- land for his fine grades of stock.

Following in the footsteps of his honored father, our subject has always taken a very active part in public affairs, and contributed his quota toward the upbuilding of his community. He has mani- fested great interest in the cause of education, and, as a member of the School Board for the past twenty-six years, has done much to advance the standard of scholarship in this county. He is a

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member of the Moravian Church, and has been President of the County Sunday-school Associa- tion for eight years.

Mr. Stocker was instrumental in establishing the canning works at Gnadenhutten, of which he is President, and one of the largest stockholders. Hle has been Secretary of the Thirtieth Ohio Regimen- tal Association for two years, and was appointed by Governor Mckinley to represent the farmers of his county in the National Convention, which met in Parkersburg, W. Va., October 4 to 7, 1894. As the reader already knows, he is an ardent admirer of Republican principles, and never fails to cast his vote and influence in favor of his party's candidates.

H ON. WILLIAM M. FARRAR, an eminent citizen of Cambridge, was called to his final rest on the 11th of January, 1892, after an active and useful life. In 1883 he was elect- ed to the State Legislature, being re-elected in 1885, and was twice Mayor of this city. At all times he had deeply at heart the prosperity of this community and the upbuilding of the city. He drafted, took to Columbus and helped secure the passage of the law providing for the new court- house. In 1861 he enlisted in the army as a pri- vate, and gradually rose to the rank of Captain. For years he was an esteemed member of the county Bar, and for a period of about nine years, from 1869 to 1878, his attention was given to newspaper work. both here and in St. Louis, Mo.

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Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 11

Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago : C.O. Owen Number of Pages: 934

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : C.O. Owen
Number of Pages: 934