Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 32

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

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Our subjeet is a native of Wheeling Township, and was born August 13, 1846, to John and Cath- erine (Schwyhart) Lewis, the former of whom was born in Maryland, and died in 1852, aged thirty- four years. Ile was the son of John, Sr., and Eliz- abeth Lewis, natives of the Emerald Isle. whence they emigrated to the United States about 1830. Having heard much about the fortunes to be made in the Buckeye State, they came hither, and soon thereafter the grandfather was drowned by the capsizing of his canoe on Wills Creek, in Liberty Township. His wife then removed to Tuscarawas County, and later returned to Virginia, where she died at the advanced age of eighty years.

The father of our subject followed the business of a shoemaker until his decease. Like his father, he was drowned in the lock at New Comerstown, while drawing water to assist in extinguishing a fire. Mrs. Catherine Lewis was born in Belmont, Olmo, and died in 1875, at the age of fifty-live. She was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Schwyhart, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania

and Virginia. They removed from Guernsey Coun- ty to Belmont about 1837, and there passed the rest of their lives, engaged in cultivating the soil.

The parents of our subjeet were married in Wheeling Township, in 1840, and to them was granted a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, namely: Joseph F., deceased; Sa- rah E., the wife of John Fulkert, a farmer of this township; William, the subject of this sketch; Mary J., now the wife of John Berry, of Kimbolton. this state; David, deceased; and one who died unnamed in infancy. The family was well and favorably known in this locality, its members be- ing honest, hard-working and God-fearing people.

The subject of this sketch began the battle of life at the age of seven years, at which time he was deprived of the care of his father. Ile worked in the tobacco fields, receiving from six and one- fourth cents to eighteen cents per day and his board. In the mean time, being anxious to obtain a good education, he attended the district school during the dull seasons of work, and, although the subjects taught there were very incompetently handled, yet he gained a good understanding of the common branches.

When only fifteen years of age, young Lewis enlisted in the War of the Rebellion, becoming a member of Company I, Eightieth Ohio Infantry, and, although in the army until the close of the war, was never wounded or taken prisoner. On his return home he rented a farm in this township. which he operated successfully for a year. dur- ing which time he resided at Kimbolton. At the expiration of that time he made a purchase of a small traet of land, also in Wheeling Township. on which he moved, and was engaged in its oper- ation for five years. In addition to this, he rented other land, and was occupied in cultivating the soil on quite an extensive scale.

Mr. Lewis continued to follow the occupation of an agriculturist until 1880, when he purchased a portable sawmill, and for the succeeding four years traveled through the county doing work. He then rented a farm after selling this property. and again followed the fortunes of farm life until the year 1892. That year he came to Wheeling, and began elerking for the firm of which he is now the

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junior member, his partner in business being W. E. Case. They do a large business, and are widely known for their progressiveness and courteous treatment of customers. Mr. Lewis has been Town- ship Clerk, and at the present time is holding the office of Justice of the Peace. Ile was appointed Postmaster in 1894, and is discharging the duties of the position in a capable and efficient manner. Ile is a member in good standing of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and in political affairs is a straightforward Republican, casting his first vote for U. S. Grant. As a citizen, he is always on the side of every social and moral reform; as a neigh- bor he is kind, and as a friend staneh and true. The poor and distressed find in him a cheerful helper, to whom no appeal is made in vain.

OL. ZACCHEUS A. BEATTY. This gen- tleman, who figured prominently in the early history of Guernsey County, was the son of John Beatty, who came to the present site of Cambridge in April, 1803, making the journey hither from Loudoun County, Va. Ilis family in- cluded three sons and three daughters. During the year 1805 the survey of Cambridge was made, and the first house built on the town plat was oc- cupied by him.

The brothers and sisters of our subject were Capt. Cyrus P., John, Susan, Elizabeth and Sarah. Colonel Beatty, in partnership with Jacob Gomber, at one time owned the entire site of Cambridge. Ile was born 'in Frederick County, Md .. in 1774, and became a citizen of Ohio soon after it was ad- mitted into the Union as a state. He first located at Steubenville, and was for a period connected with the land office. Ile was a member of the Town Council at its organization, and was Repre- sentative from Jefferson County in the second

Legislature of Ohio. In the year 1807 he located at Cambridge, then in Muskingum County.

Our subjeet and his brother-in-law, Mr. Gomber, were extensive land-owners in this section, having purchased a quarter of the township in which Cam- bridge was located, besides other large tracts. Ile too took an active part in the organization of Guernsey County, which was so called for the Guernsey settlers of 1806. He was the first repre- sentative to the state Legislature after its forma- tion in 1810. He was afterward elected to the Senate from the district of which this county formed a part.

Cyrus P. Beatty, brother of our subjeet, was ap- pointed the first Clerk of Guernsey County, and later resigned the office in order to take command of a company from this section who fought in the War of 1812. Colonel Beatty was appointed his successor and filled the office in a satisfactory manner. Our subject departed thus life when in his sixty-first year. Ile was a very active and prominent business man of this section during the early part of his life. Ile possessed a good educa- tion, and in various ways aided and encouraged the establishment of schools throughout the coun- ty. He was deeply interested in all measures which would tend toward the upbuilding of his townshup and county, and used his influence in bringing within its bounds those enterprises which would be of lasting usefulness to its inhabitants. He was a man fitted by nature for the position which he occupied in the community of that carly day, and, possessing a strong character, left an im- press on the lives of the settlers in the wilderness of Ohio.

The family of our subject included four sons and three daughters: Jolin P., Allen W., Thomas S., Cyrus P., Margery (Mrs. Dunlap), Sarah ( Mrs. Beymer) and Margaret (Mrs. Ross). These sons and daughters have long since passed away, and at the present time there are none of their de- scendants living in Cambridge.

Colonel Beatty was married to Margery Met- calf in 1802. It was through the influence of his brother-in-law, George Metcalf, a surveyor in the Steubenville Land District, that he was induced to make settlement in Cambridge. Colonel Beatty

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was also connected with General Biggs in locating the thriving city of Cadiz, in Harrison County, and in many other ways was instrumental in the up-building of this section, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present these few facts to the readers of Guernsey County.

ILLIAM C. GOULD is prominent in the social, political and literary life of Tuscarawas County as the editor of the Democratic Advocate, a journal ably conducted in the interests of his party. He is at present resid- ing in Canal Dover, but was born in Carlisle, Pa.,. the date thereof being April 13, 1824. IIe is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Rice) Gould, natives, . respectively, of Cumberland and Chester Coun- ties, Pa.

The father of our subject was born in the year 1800, and died in 1875, after having spent a life which secured him the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He was of German descent, the first representative of this branch of the family having emigrated from Germany in 1770, mak- ing settlement in Pennsylvania. He rendered his adopted country valuable service during the War of 1812, being a drummer-boy under Commodore Perry on Lake Erie.

The parental family included twelve children, ten of whom are living. The first death which occurred in the family for a half-century was in 1894, when two of the household passed away. William C., of this sketch, attended school until a Iad . of twelve years, and two years later entered the office of the American Volunteer. After a serv- ice there of seven years he left, and, going to Har- risburg, Pa., remained the greater part of a year. Ile returned to this state in 1818, locating at Eaton, where he was given charge of the Eaton Democrat. Being well equipped for journalism, he ably managed this paper for six years. While there he was appointed Postmaster by President Pierce.

The following year he resigned his official po-

sition, and, moving to Lebanon, began the publi- cation of the Citizen. Ten years later we find him living in Washington C. II., there editing the Rey- ister. While there he was appointed Message Clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives, retaining that position for two terms of the Legislature.

In 1875 Mr. Gould took up his abode in Jack- son, where he became the proprietor of the Herald, devoting himself to the management of this paper for ten years. The following year he came to Dover and bought the office and appurtenances of the Democratic Advocate, which he has since con- ducted. The paper is well edited, is a bright, newsy, original sheet, and has a good circulation, that is by no means confined to party lines, for though our subject is true to the principles of the Democratic party, he is by no means unrestrictedly aggressive, and is not offensive in his defense of party issues.

The marriage of William C. Gould and Miss Mary C. Strine was celebrated May 1, 1846. To them was born a son, Harry, who is also following the printer's trade. In social affairs our subject is a Knight of Pythias, belonging to the Uniformed Rank; also a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of Dover.

HIRISTIAN BENCE. Every country, state and county furnishes its quota of what the world calls self-made men, who, com- mencing life without financial assistance, have by means of their own good judgment and energy succeeded in gaining success in their chosen voca- tion. The subject of this sketch, who is a black- smith by occupation, undoubtedly belongs to this class, for during the years in which he has thus been employed he has gained a good competence.

A native of Germany, Mr. Bence was born in Baden, October 20, 1812, to Gottlieb and Cather- ine (Brucks) Bence, also born in the Fatherland. Christian was a lad of four years at the time of

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the family's emigration to the New World, and was deprived of the care of his father by death eleven weeks after their arrival in Canal Dover. which place was their destination. The widowed mother was married two years later to Louis Loch- ner, and on his decease became the wife of Jacob Wegele.

The subject of this sketch was trained to a life of industry, and when only fourteen years of age began working in a blacksmith shop with his step- father. Ile afterward entered the employ of Fred Shook, and when severing his connection with him worked for two years with George Rippel. Young Bence next went to Shanesville, spending three months in the employ of Mike Shutt. On his return home at the end of that time he assisted his stepfather in carrying on the farm, and re- mained until again starting ont to battle with life on his own account, which he did shortly there- after.

We next find our subject in Mason City, Va., working on coal barges. Not finding this work profitable, he returned home again, whence he went to Canton, and for six months was in the employ of Jolin Sissel. [Ie made his home in that city for a little over two years, being variously occupied until his settlement in Canal Dover, in March, 1863. When first establishing here he formed a partnership with his stepfather, the connection lasting for five years. Ile then purchased the in- terest of Mr. Wegele, and since that time has re- mained at the old stand. He has been very indus- trious. always to be found at his place of business, . and by " hard hammer strokes " has laid by a snug fortune.

Christian Bence, when ready to establish a home of his own, was married, November 20. 1864, to Miss Matilda Ann Shafer, and to them has been granted a family of four children, bearing the re- spective names of George II., Hattie M., Ida MI. and Charles W. The elder son is engaged with his father in business. The sons and daughters have been given good educations in the city schools and are fitted to occupy respectable and useful po- sitions in life.

In social affairs Mr. Bence is an Odd Fellow, and in politics holds to Democratic principles. The

English Lutheran Church finds in him one of its most consistent and valued supporters. He has been the recipient of public honors from his fel- low-citizens, who have recognized his superior business tact and other fine qualifications, and have often called him to assist in the administra- tion of public affairs. Thus he has been a mem- ber of the City Council, was School Director for six years, Constable one term, and Treasurer of his township for a period of three and one-half years.

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ASPER N. UMSTOTT. A prominent place among the agriculturists of Guernsey Coun- ty is the just meed of the efforts of our sub- ject, who is located in Liberty Township. Here he has a highly productive tract of land, the fertility of which has been kept above par by a wise rotation of crops and the use of the best fer- tilizing agents. A first-class set of buildings has been erected upon it and other improvements made which stamp it as the home of one who be- lieves in progress and enterprise.

Mr. Umstott is a native of this county, having been born in Wheeling Township, November 2, 1856. Ile is the son of Samuel and Harriet (For- ney) Umstott, the former of whom was born in Virginia, June 5, 1827. Hle was the son of Samuel and Mary (Chaney) Umstott, who emigrated from their native Maryland to Guernsey County when Samuel was three years of age. They became well-to-do, and in the locality in which they resided were held in great respect for their upright man- ner of living. Samnel Umstott, Sr., when deprived of the companionship of his wife by death, re- turned to Maryland and married Ruth Dawson, who accompanied him on his journey to Ohio, where she passed the remainder of her life. The father of our subject died October 14, 1887. Ilis good wife was born in Coshocton County, in No- vember, 1837, and now resides on the old home- stead in Wheeling Township. She is the daughter of Joseph and Susan ( Miskimen) Forney, natives,

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respectively, of Guernsey and Coshocton Counties. They made their homes in this county. engaged in cultivating the soil, until they disposed of their property and removed to Goshen Township, Tus- carawas County, where they became owners of a good farm and resided until their deceasc.

The parents of our subjeet were married in Coshocton County, this state, and to them were born five sons and three daughters, of whom we make the following mention: George A., formerly engaged in teaching school, is now farming in Caldwell County, Mo .; Jasper N. is the original of this sketch; Charlotte is the wife of M. S. Ross, a farmer of this county; Bell V. is living at home with her mother; John C. is also at home; MeCox L. is teaching school in Caldwell County. Mo .; and Nellie and Samuel are at home, the former teach- ing school. Samuel Umstott, Jr., in addition to cultivating the soil followed his trade of ear- penter to some extent. Ile refused at all times to hold office, and was deserving of the respect eon- ferred upon as one of the most useful members of the community.

At the age of twenty-four years our subject was married and began in life for himself. The lady on this occasion was Miss flester Keast, a native of Wheeling Township. this county, who was born October 31, 1856. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Threthewie) Keast. natives of Eng- land, in which country they were married, but emigrated to the United States in 1844. They at once made their way to Coshocton Connty, and in 1856 moved to Guernsey County. In these counties their family of ten children was reared. Of these Mary is the wife of Daniel Dusenberry. a farmer of this township; Martha is the wife of William Van Sickle, also an agriculturist of this locality; Julia married Peter Hammersley, who is engaged in farm- ing in Coshocton County; Sarah beenme Mrs. John lattle, and lives on a farm in Wheeling Town- ship, whichi region is now the home of Margaret, Mrs. Robert Switzer; Ilester is the wife of our subject; Harriet married Samuel Mercer, editor of the Indianapolis (Ind.) Gazette; Susan became the wife of Thomas Switzer, a farmer of Coshocton County; John T. is a telegraph operator at Flush- 1 ing, Belmont County, this state; and Edward is de-

ceased. The father of Mrs. Umstott departed this life January 11, 1888, at the age of seventy-one years. He was the son of Edward and Mary Keast, also born in England, whence they came to this county in 1856, making it their permanent home. Elizabeth Keast, who was the daughter of John Threthewie, died in 1861. The grand- mother lived and died in her native land, while the grandfather of Mrs. Umstott departed this life in Australia. Ile had amassed an immense for- tune, making as much as $100,000 in three years in England before going out to the colony.

The family of our subject and wife comprises two son and two daughters, namely: Harriet M., John A., Mary G. and Freddie. Mr. Umstott continued to work his father's farm on shares after attain- ing mature years until 1889. Ile then became the possessor of ninety aeres of fine land, on which he has resided ever since and made it one of the most productive tracts in the county.

Mr. Umstott is an active and efficient memher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and he and his good wife are highly esteemed by all who know them for their consistent and useful lives. In politics the former is independent, not earing to tie himself to any party, but reserves the right to vote for the man regardless of party lines.

S AMUEL R. THOMPSON, M. D., has for about thirty-five years made his home in Uhriehsville, and is one of the distin- guished practitioners of this locality. In addition to-being very successful in general family practice, he is noted as a surgeon, and few, if any, physicians in Tuscarawas County exeel him in treatment of disease. lle is frequently called into consultation with the brethren of his profession, with whom he ranks high. Originally he was a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its active supporters, though he has never been induced to accept public office.

The parents of the Doctor were Samuel and Mary (Robinson) Thompson, the former a native of Ire-

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land, and the latter of West Virginia, though of Irish descent. Their family numbered six children: John, a farmer of Wirt County, W. Va .; Sam- uel R .; and Andrew, Rosanna, Mary J. and Nancy, who are all deceased. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in about 1832 removed to Guern- sey County, Ohio, where his death occurred. After the death of his first wife he chose for his compan- ion and helpmate Miss Mary Wyan. Six children blessed their union: David, who is engaged in farm- ing in Lancaster County, Ohio; Lydia A., deceased; Ann J., wife of George W. Nelson, of South Charleston, this state; Lydia and Elizabeth, twins, the former the wife of William Bunn, a farmer of Ross County, Ohio, and the latter now Mrs. Nel- son, wife of an agriculturist of the same county; and William F., whose home is in Lancaster County.

Dr. S. R. Thompson was born in Ohio County, W. Va., December 28, 1829. Ile was reared on his father's farin, and received the rudiments of his education in the district school. At the age of fourteen years he ran away from home, returning to West Virginia, whence his father had come to Ohio. For the first six months after the boy started out to make his own living he made rails, for which he received thirty-seven and a-half cents a hundred. The next year and a-half he worked on the farm for his board and $7 or 88 per month. Feeling the need of a better education than he already pos- sessed, the youth carefully saved his money and at the age of sixteen years re-entered school. A year later he obtained a certificate to teach, and en- gaged in that profession for two winters in his na- tive county. Afterward he entered West Alexan- der Seminary, where he remained for three terms. Then going to Triadelphia and Middletown, Ohio, he taught two terms of school. The following year he engaged in teaching in Brooke County, W. Va.

At the age of twenty years Dr. Thompson began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. E. B. Yost, of Warrenton, this state, with whom he remained for three years, and at the same time taught in the Warrenton schools. He attended Starling Medical College, where he afterward, 1863, took a post-graduate course. In 1852 he located in

Tippecanoe, Harrison County. Ohio, and there hung out his shingle for the first time. Three years later he moved to West Chester, in the same county, and continued in practice there for five years, at the end of which time he came to Uhrichsville. For the past three decades he has been numbered among the leading citizens of this place, where he has built up a fine reputation and remunerative clientage.

In February, 1852, Dr. Thompson married Miss Nancy J., daughter of Andrew Goudy, of Warren- ton, Jefferson County, Ohio, and to this union were born six children: Louis K., editor of the Twin City Independent, published in this place; Nancy E .. widow of William Gilbreath, formerly a resident of Guernsey County; Sarah V., wife of John P. Carey, a machinist of this city; Mary A., Mrs. W. H. Bovey; and Harry and Robert, who are at home. The mother of these children was called to her final rest in November, 1880. The present wife of the Doctor was formerly Mrs. Margaret Snee. Sociaily Dr. Thompson is a member of Mystic Tie Lodge No. 194, A. F. & A. M., of Uhrichsville, and is also connected with the chapter.

ERDINAND HENRY GENTSCH, M. D .. one of the leading physicians of New Philadelphia, of which city he is a native. was born February 12, 1847. He is a son of John Conrad and Wilhelmina C. II.(Boeker) Gentsch, the former of whom was born in the canton of Turg- hau, Switzerland, in 1805. Upon attaining his majority he emigrated to the United States, land- ing in New Orleans, whence he made his way up the Father of Waters to the Ohio River and contin- ued by boat to Cleveland. IIe there met and mar- ried his wife, and resided in the Forest City until 1842, when he came to this city and opened up a hotel, which was one of the first in the place. At the same time the elder Mr. Gentsch carried on a good business as a boot and shoe merchant. Here he made his home until September 19, 1854, when he

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passed away. He was a Democrat in politics, and a great lover of his adopted country and its free institutions. Together with his good wife, John C. Gentsch was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church.

The mother of our subject was born in the king- dom of Hanoyer, Germany, of which country her parents were natives. Iler father served in the German army, and was under Blucher at the bat- tle of Waterloo. Ile afterward came to the Uni- ted States, making the trip about 1830, and at once located in this state. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, which calling he followed until his decease, which occurred many years ago.

Conrad and Wilhelmina Gentsch became the parents of seven children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. Those living are: John; Wilhelmina, the wife of Conrad Meyer; Carolina, who married John S. Beigler; Daniel C., a resident of Washing- ton, D. C .; Charles, who makes his home in Cleve- land; and our subject. George Theodore is de- ceased.

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in New Philadelphia, passing his earlier years in attending the public schools and assisting his father in the hotel until attaining his seventeenth year. July 22, 1865, he entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., from which institution he was graduated in 1870, and remained in the naval service until July. 1873. Prior to completing the course of study in that academy, he made four trips to Europe, and after graduat- ing sailed on the vessel "Severn" for the West In- dies. Ile remained on this flagship for abont nine months, during the greater part of which time they were cruising. At the expiration of this time young Gentsch was taken siek and remained at home for about four montlis. After convalescing, he was ordered on the flagship "Wabash," on which General Sherman sailed for Europe. After leaving the service of the "Wabash," our subject was ordered aboard the "Juniata," commanded by Captain Luce. He remained on this cruiser about six months, and was then placed on waiting orders. We next find him on the "Richmond," on which he remained for several months. July 22, 1873, Mr. Gentsch resigned from the service, and there-

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Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 32

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