Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 23

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

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dispatcher of this city. Frank L., a telegraph operator, married Allie Rumbaugh, and they have one son, Ralph. Roland A., who has also been a telegraph operator, is now in college at Berea, Ohio.

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OIIN A. HOSTETLER, an attorney-at-law, is one of the pushing and energetic citizens of Canal Dover. He applies himself closely to his own affairs, and thoroughly deserves the success which he is achieving. In 1882 he was chosen Mayor of this place, as the candidate on an independent ticket. Ile has never sought office for himself, and has frequently refused to allow his name to be proposed for nomination, and only in the interests of his party did he consent to run for the office mentioned. For three years he served as a member of the School Board, for the cause of education finds in him a stalwart friend. He en- joy's one of the largest and most paying practices in this county, and from the time of his first en- deavors in his profession has rapidly forged his way to the front.

The parents of J. A. Hostetler were Adam and Catherine (Hartzler) Hostetler. natives of Pennsyl- vania. The Hostetler family is of Swiss origin and was founded in America in early Colomal days. In 1859 Adam Hostetler and family removed to Tuscarawas County, and settled in Sugar Creek Township.

The birth of John A. Hostetler occurred in Mif- flin County, Pa., December 31, 1845. Ilis boyhood was passed on his father's farm, and his education was partially obtained at Alleghany College, in Meadville, Pa. Later he taught school for a few terms, but being ambitious of a wider field of work he took up legal studies and entered the law de- partment of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, being graduated from the same in 1872. In the following year, he opened an office in Canal Dover, and ever since has been engaged in gen- eral practice in this place. He has met with grati-

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fying success, and has kept abreast of the times by private study and by constant persual of the books in his fine law library, which is considered one of the best to be found in the county.

Politically Mr. Hostetler was formerly identified with the Greenback party, his first Presidential vote being in favor of Peter Cooper. At present he is a Populist and an ardent supporter of his chosen party. In local affairs he is independent, as he chooses to vote for the one whom he consid- ers the best man for the office. His father was an Abolitionist of a strong type, and the first book which our subject remembers reading was the cele- brated "Unele Tom's Cabin," which he read aloud evenings after school, and which made a lasting im- pression on his mind. Socially be is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias organ- izations.

July 28, 1872, Mr. Hostetler was united in marriage with Kizzie E. Smiley. The Smiley fam- ily was among the earliest to settle in this section of the country. They were of Irish deseent, and the first of the name in this county was one George Smiley. Mrs. Hostetler is a daughter of James Smiley, one of the old and respected citizens of this locality. To our subject and wife have been born three children: Maude S., Harry II. and Helen B., all of whom are at home.

J OIIN CHRISTIAN JOSS is the leading jew- eler of New Philadelphia, where he has car- ried on an extensive trade for more than a quarter of a century, and is esteemed one of her best citizens. He is a native of the Buckeye State, his birth having occurred in Toledo, July 12. 1846.

John N., the father of our subject, was born in the eanton of Berne, Switzerland, and came to the United States in 1831. With his father he pro- ceeded at once to Lockport, now known as Blakes Mills, and immediately located in New Philadel- phiia. Ilis parents were Nicholas and Barbara (Eb- 7

ersold) Joss, who came from worthy Swiss families. Nicholas Joss was a gentleman of fine education, and in his native land followed the profession of teaching. After becoming an inhabitant of Ohio, he engaged in farming in Holmes County, his place being situated where he located in 1832, on Walnut Creek. There he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in the year 1840. Re- ligiously he was a German Lutheran. After his death, his widow resided with her eldest son, N. F. Joss, at Winesburg, until her demise, which occurred in the year 1859.

John N. Joss, father of John Christian, was about seventeen years of age when he came to this state. After his father's death he went to Cleve- land and engaged in the brewery business, but was shortly burned out, when he immediately went to Toledo and became interested in the mill- ing trade. On account of sickness, he decided to remove to Chicago, where he arrived about 1846. Ile had the honor of putting down the first arte- sian well in the last-named eity, and continued in that occupation for a short time, he being the inventor of his drilling machine. Next, going to Milwaukee, he opened a hotel, which he carried on for several years, it being known as the Huron Street House. In 1851 he sold out, returned to Chicago, and from there went to Aurora. In that place he engaged in contracting and in construction work on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. In the mean time three of the sons, namely, John, George M. and William F., returned to Ohio, settling at Winesburg, and there they were joined later by their mother. The father was found dead near what is now known as Blue Island, Ill., and it is generally believed by the family that his death was caused by sunstroke. His wife finally settled in Canal Dover, where she lived for several years with members of her family. At present her home is with her daughter, Mrs. Frank Hiner, of Cleve- land. Iler maiden name was Catherine Smith, and she is of German descent.

Christian Smith, our subject's maternal grand- father, who was born in Germany, came to the United States in 1819, and for years was a manu- facturer of spectacles and jewelry, carrying an ex- tensive stock of watch materials on Second Street,

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Philadelphia. Ilis health failing him abont 1829, he went to Holmes County, this state, where he purchased land and laid out the town of Wines- burg. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Harriet Martin, was a native of Maryland. They had born to them ten children: William, George, Er- nest, Henry, Edwin, Julia, Sophia, Lucy, Catherine and Henrietta. The mother died at the old home- stead, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Catherine Joss was first identified with the German Lutheran Church, later was connected with the German Methodists, afterward was much interested in the work of the Salvation Army, and is now a believer in the doctrines set forth by the Society of Friends. She has written and published a book ealled, "Autobiography of Mrs. Catherine Joss." It is a volume which possesses literary merit, and is attractive and interesting in style.

, Jolin Christian Joss is one of eight children born to John N. and Catherine Joss. George, the eld- est of the family, is now a resident of Indianapolis, Ind .; Emelia died in infancy; William died in 1869, from the effects of a wound received in the War of the Rebellion, while he was a member of the Thirtieth Ohio Infantry; Ernest died in in- fancy; Amelia married Charles Schauffler, of Alle- gheny, Pa .; Henrietta became the wife of Frank diner, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Barbara wedded Lafayette Iliner, of Wellsville, Ohio.

The early life of the subject of this narrative was spent under the parental roof. Leaving Au- rora about 1851, he returned to Ohio, in company with his brothers George and Wilham, and was employed by his maternal grandfather near Wines- burg. In the spring of 1857 he went to live with his uncle, Ernest Smith, who was a farmer in Kansas, but now a resident of London, England. In 1859 our subjeet returned to this city and found em- ployment in the old woolen factory. The follow- ing year he went into the machine-shop of Eng- lish, Ilelmiek & Dixon as an apprentice (to a machinist), and after completing his three-years term eontinned working at the trade until 1861. At that time he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantry. in Company Il, as a musician, but was transferred to headquarters and made Regimental Bugler. The regiment was placed

in the Twenty-third Corps, Department of the Tennessee, and later was in the Department of North Carolina, under General Schofield. Mr. Jos, took part in several battles and engagements, and was present in the eneounter at Murfreesboro. He was mustered out at Todd Barracks, July 10. 1865.

After his return from the service Mr. Joss en- gaged in working at his trade for about a year. In 1867 he went into partnership with his brother William in the jewelry business, and with him learned the trade. He continued with his brother until the latter's death in 1870. A brother. George. then became a member of the firm, which was known as Joss Bros. In 1877 this connection was dissolved, and our subject continued alone until the spring of 1894, when his son John E. became interested as a partner in the firm, now known as J. C. Joss & Son. Jolin E. Joss is an optician, and is in charge of this department of the business. In 1884 our subject's location was changed to No. 223 West High Street. Ile had occupied a part of the Williams Block up to the time it was taken for court house purposes. In addition to earry- ing a general line of fine jewelry and optical goods, Mr. Joss deals in French and German china. pianos, organs and sewing-machines and enjoys a lucrative trade.

In this city J. C. Joss was married, May 30, 1871, to Emma M., daughter of Jolin I. and Marinda (Sterling) Smith. The former was born at Hagers- town, Md., while his wife was born at Canton, Ohio. Mr. Smith, who was a druggist, died April 3, 1894, and his wife's demise ocenrred October 9, 1889. To Mr. and Mrs. Joss have been born the following elnldren: John E., Mary C., Charles E. (who died in infancy). Carrie P. and George S. The parents are regular attendants at the Method- ist Episcopal Church. of which Mrs. Joss is a member.

In his political faith on subject is identified with the Republican party, and is now a member of the City Council. For the past three years he has been Commander of Andrew Crawford Post No. 6, G. A. R. Ile is also an Odd Fellow, being a member of Lodge No. 107, and of Bethesda En- eampinent No. 39. At this writing he is Lieuten- ant-Colonel of the Third Regiment of the Patriots

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Militant, Department of Ohio, and has held the rank of Major on General Underwood's staff. During the late strike at Canal Dover, Colonel Joss joined the militia, and with four picked men `went to the assistance of the soldiers, who were surrounded by and in danger of the mob element. In every way he has contributed toward the ad- vancement of the public good in this locality, and is considered one of the most enterprising citizens of New Philadelphia. Ile was. the projector and the leading promoter of the Street Fair in this place, which has now become quite an institution, and bids fair to supersede the old-time county fairs. A man of striet integrity and correct. busi- ness principles, Mr. Joss has the esteem and con- fidence of the public. Ile was for more than twenty-five years connected with the fire depart- ment, and proved himself one of the most com- petent engineers. Ile also erected the first town clock in this city, that of the Lutheran Church.

OHN WEAVER owns a good homestead, comprising one hundred and forty-five aeres, situated three-quarters of a mile east of Gib- son Station, in Richland Township, Guernsey County. Ile settled upon this homestead soon aft- er his marriage, and placed upon it all the im- provements which now make it one of the most valuable farms in the county. These include a substantial farm house, barns, fences, outbuildings. etc. A thrifty and industrious agriculturist, Mr. Weaver has also the happy disposition and sunny temper which readily make friends, and by one and all who know him he is held to be a good cit- izen, a kind neighbor and an entertaining com- panion.

In tracing the history of John Weaver's ances- tors, it appears that one, Hans Weaver, born De- cember 10, 1776, and his wife, Susannah, born Au- gust 16, 1787. emigrated to Ohio from the parish of Killibaugh, County Down, Ireland, in 1820. This record was set down in his own handwriting in the

Bible which is now owned by his descendant, our subject. This worthy couple of Irish pioneers were the parents of ten children, several of whom were born in the Emerald Iste. Hans Weaver settled on a tract of three hundred acres in Wills Town- ship, three-fourths of a mile east of Gibson Station. where he hewed out a farm from the virgin forest. and built a log house, where genuine Irish hospi- tality was always found. He became quite suc- cessful in raising wheat, which he hauled to the ca- nal at New Comerstown. An industrious and hard- working man, he prospered and to his first purchase added one hundred and thirty-five acres more. A large and better constructed log house in time supplanted the humble cabin, and this in turn was succeeded by a large frame house, that is still in existence. A large barn was put up for the storing of the abundant crops raised on the farm.

Of the children born to Ilans and Susannah Weaver, the eldest, Robert, never married; Judith became the wife of James Gibson, on whose land Gibson Station is now located; Nellie died in child- hood; Grace is unmarried; Hans, Jr., married Har- riet Bigham; John was the first of the family born in the United States; James and William have never married; Edwin chose for his wife Annie Duncan, and of their three children only one survives. namely, Hans Stuart. of Denver, who is in the Im- ber business; and the youngest of the family, Car- iisle, died in infancy. After living for over three- score and ten years, Hans Weaver and wife laid down the burdens of life, the former dying Febru- ary 20, 1866, and the latter April 10, 1872.

The boyhood of Jolm Weaver was passed on his father's farm. where his cheerful and bright manner of looking at everything made him a favorite. Ilis birth occurred August 9, 1821, and until he was thirty years old he gave his assistance to clear- ing the farm and acquiring a practical knowledge of agricultural duties. December 18, 1851, he mar- ried Deborah, a daughter of Nimrod and Rebecca Williams, two carly settlers of this county. Four children came to bless their hearthstone, named as follows: Hans, Preston G., Grace O. and Dora Ma- bel. The eldest son, who lives on the old home stead, married Mary F. LaRue, and they have three children: William Edwin, Frederick Tuttle and

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Hattie A. The second son married Sadie E. Frame, by whom he has six children: John R., Maud, Daisy, Jennie, Alice and Zettie L. Grace, Mrs. Frank Mc- Gee, is the mother of two children : James Clarence and Edwin Roy. Dora M. is the wife of Thomas McGec, and has one child, William Ray. They also live on a portion of the old homestead. Mrs. Deborah Weaver, who was a lady of many execl- Ient qualities, passed to the home beyond April 12, 1885. The family have long been highly respected and enjoy the friendship and good-will of a host of life-long acquaintances and neighbors. On questions of polities John Weaver is a Democrat, as was his father before him.

RNEST SENFT, who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Tus- carawas, has been the architect of his own fortune, and has risen to his present respected position in the community through his own ster- ling characteristics and industrious efforts. For the past twenty years he has served as Church Trustec, and for a period of six years he was School Director. At all times he has given freely of his means to the support of worthy measures, and has actively advanced the welfare of this county. IIe owns one hundred and thirty-five aeres of land in Warwick Township, in addition to valuable town property.

George and Elizabeth (Danner) Senft, the par- ents of our subject, were natives of Germany, and there the latter's death occurred in 1851, when she was sixty years of age. The father was born March 24, 1787, and died in June, 1862. He was the only child of Adam Senft, who was born and died in the Fatherland. In 1856 George Senft crossed the Atlantic with his two daughters, and on land- ing in New York City remained there for a short time. Thence they went to Cleveland, where they remained a week, as they had run out of funds. In response to a letter asking his son Ernest to come to his assistance, the father received the

looked-for aid, and reached this county in due time. He remained here for a year and a-half, and then went to Warsaw, Coshocton County, where he lived for the rest of his life. George and Eliza- beth Senft were the parents of thirteen children, namely: Frederick. George and Charles, who are deceased; Ernest; Adam, a tanner by occupation. whose home is near Florida, Ala .; Elizabeth and Susan, deceased; Catherine, wife of George Fisher. a retired carpenter of Fort Wayne, Ind .; Hannah, deceased; Mary, widow of F. Kaufman, of this city; Minnie, Mrs. Lambert, who lives on a farm in Mis- souri; and two who died in infancy. For many years George Senft, Sr., was Justice of the Peace in Baden, Germany. He was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, and was respected and beloved by all who knew him.

Ernest Senft, of this sketch, was born in Baden, Germany, January 12, 1828, and received a good education in his mother tongue. In 1847 he took passage on an American sailing-vessel, and after fifty-eight days on the briny deep landed in New York City, January 9, 1848. IIe had learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and hoped to get employ- ment in New York, but not being able to do so, he went to Elizabethport, N. J., where he remained for about eight months. IIc then came to this county, where he scoured work at his trade for the next two years, after which he went into partner- ship with Eli Hawbaugh. At the end of a year and a-half they dissolved the partnership, our sub- jeet buying the other's interest, and he has since continued the business. Hle is a practical and thorough workman, and articles turned out from his shop are always relied upon by his customers to be exactly as represented.

In 1850 Ernest Senft married Apalonia Engel, who was born in Germany, August 13, 1832. Her parents, Nicholas and Catherine ( Ritter) Eugel, also of the Fatherland. emigrated to the United States in 1836, and settled in this county. The father died in 1868, aged sixty-six years, but his wife, who is still living, is now making her home with a daughter in lowa. fler son Peter is a farmer in Kansas; the next child, Catherine, is deceased; Barbara is the wife of John Shoemaker. a farmer of Warwick Township; Jacob is deceased;

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Julia is the wife of T. Remmel, an Iowa farmer; and Joseph and Benjamin, twins, are also living in that state.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Senft have been born eleven children, seven of whom are living, namely: Theodore, an insurance agent of this place; Henry J., a boiler-maker of Dennison, Ohio; Peter, who is a conductor on the railroad, and has his head- quarters at Dennison; Julia, of Sheridan, Pa .; Cora E., who lives in Deunison; Emma and Hannah. Those who have been called from this life are Adam R., Catherine, Mary and George. Mr. and Mrs. Senft are members of the Lutheran Church, in which the former has served as an Elder for the past decade. In regard to polities he is affiliated with the Republican party.

OHN KIRKPATRICK, deceased, was one of the most honored citizens of Cambridge, and for fourteen years was editor and publisher of the Jeffersonian. which he placed on a firm financial basis and made one of the best journals in this portion of the state. Ile heid many posi- tions of honor and trust, and participated in great and varied enterprises. Ilis birth occurred in Middlebourne, this county, May 6, 1839, and his death on the 3d of December, 1886.

John Kirkpatrick was a son of Alexander and Margaret (Scott) Kirkpatrick, who were well known to all the pioneers of the county. The lad re- ceived a common-school education, after which he entered the old Miller Academy at Washington. and then graduated from the Cleveland Law School. In order to help defray his expenses. he began teaching school when sixteen years old. He was admitted to the Bar shortly before the Civil War broke out. As a new county had been formed in Kentneky, with Catlettsburg as the county seat, he went thither to begin his practice, and from the first his advancement promised to be both rapid and lasting. Unfortunately the clouds of war

were gathering, and on account of his Union sen- timents the young lawyer found it necessary to return North. Taking up his home in Middle- bourne, he continued in.his profession, and early in the war took up claims of wounded and dis- abled soldiers, and was very successful in proseent- ing their just demands. lle soon gave employ- ment to a number of elerks, who were engaged wholly in the pension business, and this line of work he conducted up to the time of his death. Probably no man in the United States has success- fully carried through as many pension claims as he has done without being at any time charged or suspected. either by the Government or client, with doing a dishonorable act.

During his residence in Middlebourne Mr. Kirk- patrick became acquainted with journalism. In company with Alexander Cochran, he published a paper advertising his pension business and Mr. Cochiran's real-estate business. Later he estab- lished a paper called The Boy in Blue, devoted to the interests of the soldiers, and which had a wide circulation. In 1872 he came to this city and bought the Jeffersonian, and the success of his en- terprise is too well known to be dwelt upon at any length. In 1877 he was appointed by the Governor to serve as a member of the Ohio River Commission, and was later re-appointed. Ile was Trustee of the Soldiers and Sailors' Orphans' Home under the administrations of Governors Bishop and Foster, and was a Trustee of the Guernsey County Children's Home from its founding to the date of his decease.

In every walk of life he was generous, straight- forward and honorable. He had an acute and penetrating mind, and rarely made a mistake in his judgments. He was deeply read in history. was a lover of the standard poets, and his writings were conspicuous for their logic and forcefulness. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and was a liberal giver to all charitable objects. Prominent in Masonic circles, he had attained the proud eminence of the Thirty-second Degree, and was also a member of the Knights of Pythias. During his last illness, which covered a period of seventeen months, he was patient and appreciative of the faithful attendance of his family, who did

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everything in their power to alleviate his suffer- ings. Ilis wife and three sons, Roger, John and William, were left to mourn his loss. The mem- bers of the Bar were present in a body, as also the editors and printers of the town, to pay the last tributes of respect and love to their friend and colleague, and the Masons of Washington assisted the local fraternity in their last sad rites. The members of the Bar, the Masonic lodges and the local editors and printers each assembled in separ- ate convention and drew up resolutions of respect and condolence, which were sent to the surviving members of Mr. Kirpatrick's family.

APT. CHRISTIAN DEIS is classed among those to whom this country owes a debt of gratitude for the noble part which they took in defending the Stars and Stripes during the late war. He is at present residing in Canal Do- ver, where he commands the respect of all who know him, and is regarded as one of its promi- nent citizens.

Our subject is a native of Tuscarawas County, and was born October 23, 1843, to Jolm and Sa- lome (Arnold) Deis. The father was a native of Germany, while the mother was born in Tusea- rawas County, this state. John Deis emigrated to the United States about the year 1837. Ile re- mained for a time in New York City, after which he went to Pensacola, Fla., where he was connected with a wholesale grocery house. The following year he made a trip to this northern state, trying to dispose of sugar, coffee and molasses in Canal Dover. The trip hither was made up the Missis- sippi River, thence by canal to this city. where he had a friend residing. He was so favorably im- pressed with the ontlook, that he severed his con- nection with the Florida firm and made preparation to locate m this section. Here he made the ac- quaintance of Miss Arnold, to whom he was mar- ried in 1840. The lady was the daughter of John

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Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 23

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