Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 36

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 36

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John A. Ilimes, after making his permanent location in this city, in 1871 began his work of making abstracts of the county records, which he has followed ever since. He is an expert in this business. and at the present time (1894) has the records nearly completed. During this time he has also dealt extensively in real estate and done considerable notarial work.

As has already been inferred, our subject is a Democrat, but in no sense of the word an office-

seeker. Ile is prominently identified with Lodge No. 107, I. O. O. F., and Bethesda Encampment, No. 38. Ile is one of the well known and popu- lar citizens of the county. Ile is a man of large benevolence, kind and charitable to the poor, genial and sociable, and in all ways an interesting companion.

S AMUEL CRAIG, who was one of the old merchants of Guernsey County, and was long one of the most respected residents of Cambridge, was a native of this state, having been born in Warren. Jefferson County, Ohio, February 10, 1815. Ilis parents were Rowland and Susan- nah ( Rabe) Craig. The former was a son of John Craig, of Scotch-Irish descent, who was born in Antrim, Ireland; and the latter was a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Barkman) Rabe, who were of German birth.

In childhood Samuel Craig removed with his parents to Cadiz, Ilarrison County, this state. where his father became a successful merchant. Ile and his wife died at the ages of forty-one and forty-two years. respectively. They left four sons and three daughters. Mary, the eldest, became the wife of James Ilanna, of Cadiz, who died in early manhood, after which event the widow married Robert Ilanna, who was not related to her first husband. Jolm, the second of the family, married Mary Osborn, of Cadiz. George married Martha Fleming, and William. the next brother, married Nancy Fleming, daughters of Thomas Flem- ing, of Smithfield. Rebecca died at the age of eighteen years. Susannah, the youngest, became the wife of Finley Hanna, of Cadiz. and later mar- ried Alexander Moore. William, a young son of Rowland Craig, was drowned in the Ohio River before the family left Warren. After the early deaths of the parents, the care of their large household devolved upon the maternal grand- inother, Elizabeth Rabe.

After his brother George married, Samuel Craig went to make his home under his roof. and there

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grew to manhood. For a time he attended the se- lect schools of Cadiz and Oxford College, and was thus fairly well equipped for life's battle; but the varied and extensive information of his later years was attained by constant reading and research. The first business venture of the young man was in flatboating down the Ohio and Mississippi Riv- ers with his cousin, John Shannon, of St. Clairs- ville, and with James MeHood, of Cadiz. In 1836 he engaged in merchandising with his brother John, of Washington, this country, and two years later was made a partner in the business. Ile re- mained there until 1846, when he removed to Cam- bridge, and engaged in business at that location, where he continued for forty-five years, with the exception of a short time during the war, when he moved his store to Birmingham, in this county, Thomas Foy being manager of the concern. For five years he had a branch store in Senecaville, in partnership with George W. Brown, whom he also started in trade; he subsequently purchased the store, and was successful. For a number of years Mr. Craig was a Director in the Guernsey National Bank.

May 29, 1838, our subject was married at Cadiz, Ohio, to Margaret McFadden, who bore him eight children, namely: George Henry, who died at the age of eighteen years; Alfred, William and Mary, who died in childhood; Lydia, wife of Judge F. W. Wood, of Columbus; Martha, wife of David D. Taylor, editor of the Guernsey Times; and Cyrus Findley and Samuel Arthur, who were engaged in business with their father during the last years of his life, and are his successors in the store.

The wife of Samuel Craig. Margaret, was a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Stafford) McFad- den. She was born at Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland, about two miles from Belfast. Her pater- nal grandparents were George and Isabella (MeIn- toshi) MeFadden, and her paternal grandparents were Henry and Sarah Stafford. When Mrs. Craig was only four years old her parents moved to Phil- adelphia, Pa., and in 1830 they crossed the monn- tains in wagons to Cadiz, Ohio. Their family numbered two sons and six danghters. as follows: Sarah, who never married; George, who married Charlotte Elliott, and lived in Philadelphia; Henry,

who married Frances Poor, and succeeded his father in his business at Cadiz; Isabella, wife of William L. Shafer, of Steubenville; Letitia, Mrs. Joseph Ilunter, of Cadiz; Jane, wife of Dr. William John- ston, of Marion; Margaret, Mrs. Craig; and Mary, who became the wife of the Rev. Hugh Forsythe. Mrs. Craig attended the schools of Cadiz, and was a pupil of Miss Sarah Foster, later Mrs. Hanna, who started Washington (Pa.) Female Seminary. When twenty years of age she was married, and with her husband was always foremost in every good work. She and two of her sisters celebrated their fiftieth marriage anniversaries. After the death of Mr. Craig and the breaking up of her house, Mrs. Craig made her home with her daugh- ter, Mrs. D. D. Taylor, of Cambridge, where she died, January 21, 1895. Her funeral took place January 24, 1895, from the United Presbyterian Church, of which she was a devoted member, and her remains were interred in the Cambridge Ceme- tery beside those of her husband, who had preceded her by only a few years.

Samuel Craig joined the old-school Presbyterian Church early in hfe, but on account of the slavery question afterward identified himself with the free Presbyterian Church. When the United Presby- terian denomination was formed in 1858, he trans- ferred his allegiance to the same, and was a Ruling Elder for about thirty years and constant in his attendance on the Sunday-school. For years he had charge of a colored school. and preached for them years before they had any church organiza- tion in Cambridge. In politics he was originally a Demoerat, but voted the first Free Soil ticket ever cast in Cambridge Township and afterward became a Republican. Ile devoted much of his time and means to, the cause of freedom, and assisted many a poor runaway slave. For a long time he was a member of the School Board. and was a Trustee of the cemetery when the new grounds were laid out.

March 8, 1894, Mr. Craig peacefully passed to the silent land at his home, and the following Wednesday funeral services were conducted at the United Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Dr. Me- Farland, assisted by Rev. Mr. MeMilligan, Rev. L. B. Moore, Rev. F. A. Brown, Rev. B. T. Siegfried. Rev. Mr. Burt, and Rev. Ingh Forsythe. The busi-

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ness houses of Cambridge were closed out of respect to the decased, and a large concourse of his late fellow-citizens assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to this honored and worthy old resident. Ile was placed to rest in the cemetery which he had spent many an hour in beautifying.

Samuel A. Craig, son of Samuel and Margaret (McFadden) Craig; was born August 8, 1851, in Cambridge, and was educated in the public schools of this city, and in the University of Athens, Ohio. In 1872 he became interested in the dry-goods trade, and in 1883 became a partner with his father in the business of which he is now sole proprietor. Ile is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and, as his father was, is a Republican in politics. He married Ella Gregg, by whom he has four chil- dren, namely: Frederick, Mary, Samuel and Eliza- beth.

A LEXANDER J. CLARK, one of the pub- lic-spirited citizens of Cambridge, is a na- tive son of the place, and in this locality has passed his entire life. For a number of years he served as Township Trustee, and has always used his influence in favor of the Republican party. In January, 1889, he was elected to act on the State Board of Agriculture, and has been re-elected to the position twice, and at the present time is serving his third term.

The parents of A. J. Clark were Stephen B. and Jane (McCracken) Clark. The former, a native of Frederick County, Md., was born September 27, 1810, and was a son of John Clark, also a native of Maryland. The latter in turn was a son of one Richard Clark. Our subject's father attended the country schools until fourteen years old. when he removed to this county, after which he studied in the local schools for perhaps two years. After completing his studies, he assisted his father in making brick and in building. Ou graduating 1

from the Cambridge City School, he was given a certificate to teach, and did so for one term in this place, and later in Jacobsport, Tuscarawas County. During this time he took up the study of medicine under Dr. Miller. November 26, 1839, he married Jane McCracken, and after their union he entered the Cincinnati Medical College, this being in 1841. Ilis medical education was finished in the Phila- delphia Medical College. After practicing until about 1854, he entered the drug business, to which he gave his attention for six years and then re- tired, in 1860. In partnership with William Rainey, lie constructed the old red building known as the First National Bank, which was put up in 1864. Mr. Clark was one of the organizers of the insti- tution, and for years was President of the bank. In 1863 he built a large and handsome residenee, in which he continued to dwell in peace and com- fort until he was called to his final rest, June 3, 1894.

Of the nine children born to S. B. and Jane Clark, the eldest, William, is now a resident of Lincoln, Neb., where he is engaged in medical practice. He was Surgeon of the Fourth Army Corps during the war, and went with Sherman on his march to the sea. John R., the second son, held the rank of Second Lieutenant in Company B, Fifth Ohio Infantry. From exposure and pri- vation he was taken ill, and continued to be a suf- ferer until his death, which took place May 6, 1890. A. J. is next in order of birth. Margaret became the wife of W. S. Head, of Cambridge. Thomas Chalmers is now living in Cambridge. Mary O. is the wife of W. A. Burt, of Columbus, Ohio. Ida and Josiah died when young, and Lutie, the youngest, is the wife of II. C. Young, a banker of Lincoln, Neb.

A. J. Clark was born March 18, 1844, and passed his boyhood on his father's farm, where he ob- tained a practical knowledge of agriculture that has been of untold benefit to him in his after life Ilis early education was such as the district schools afforded, supplemented by private reading and study. Ou reaching maturity, he concluded to make farming his life work, and at once began operating the place where he still lives. This com- prises two hundred and twenty acres in Cambridge

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Township, Guernsey County, and is well improved with good buildings. fences. etc. During the Mor- . gan raid, Mr. Clark lost a very fine team of horses, which were taken from his barn by the marauders.

Mr. Clark was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Regiment, Ohio Na- tional Guards. His mother, Mrs. Jane Clark, who is a daughter of William and Margaret (McClarry) McCracken, was born in Cambridge, and is still living, though at the advanced age of seventy- five years. Her deelining days are passed in com- fort and surrounded with everything that her kind and dutiful son can think of to make her happy.

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H ARRY W. HOLMES, M. D., is a graduate of the Columbus Medical College of Ohio, and of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore. Since the spring of 1883 he has been engaged in practice at Cumberland, and enjoys a reputation for ability and practical treatment of disease which is surpassed by none in this section. In 1888 he took a post-graduate medical course, and by constant perusal of med- ical journals relating to the latest discoveries in the healing science, he keeps fully abreast of the times.

Dr. Ilolmes is a descendant of an old English family, who came from that country to the United States in Colonial days, accompanied by two broth- ers, his own place of settlement being Loudoun County, Va. The great-grandfather of the Doctor was a planter and slave-holder in the Old Domin- ion. The grandfather, John Holmes, likewise a native of Virginia. died on his plantation about 1838. flis wife was a Miss Rigers, whose parents were Quakers.

. By her marriage Mrs. John Holmes became the mother of two children. The eldest, Fenton, died in Virginia. He had three sons and a daughter. the latter of whom is still living, and is the wife of Henry Linn, who owns the estate which has

been in his family sinee it was ceded by Lord Bal- timore. The three brothers of Mrs. Linn were all killed in the late war, two at the second battle of Bull Run, and one in the Wilderness. Albert and Abbie were the other children of Jolin Holmes and wife. Abbie married William Linn, and died in Belmont County, Ohio. After the death of his first wife, at the early age of thirty years, John Holmes was again married, and by this union had several ehildren.

The parents of our subjeet were Albert and Mary E. (Lippincott) Holmes. The former was born-September 21. 1818, in Loudoun County, Va .. and received a good education. His mother being a Quaker, he inherited hier views of slavery, and when he fell heir to a certain number of his fa- ther's slaves, liberated thein, after bringing them to Belmont County, Ohio, in 1839. Ile engaged in business at Morristown, Ohio, for a time, and in 1854 moved to Wisconsin, and was interested in mercantile pursuits at Newport for about four years. In 1858 he returned to Ohio and ran a store in Cumberland until his death, which occurred May 10, 1880. at the age of sixty-two years. Ile was first a Whig and later a Republican, and was a leader in Masonic cireles. To himself and wife were born eight children, six of whom are living. They are as follows: Mary V., wife of Dr. Homer Conner, of Akron, Ohio; Luella. wife of David St. Clair, of Colorado; Harry W .. of this sketch: Charles B., an attorney in Minneapolis; Joseph L., who is a bookkeeper in the same city; and Arthur R., a merchant in Pendleton, Que. William G. died at the age of seventeen years. Mrs. Mary Holmes was born in Morristown, Ohio, February 23, 1829. being a daughter of Jolin and Charity (Liaston) Lippincott, natives of New Jersey. The former was a hotelkeeper for many years in Bel- mont County, and was at one time Sheriff. Ile was also an Elder in the Presbyterian Church.

The birth of II. W. Holmes occurred in Newport. Sauk County, Wis .. December 25, 1855. His boy- hood was passed in Cumberland, where, after com- pleting his education, he became a clerk in his fa- ther's store. In 1877 he took up the study of medieine with Dr. Charles Draper, and subsequent- ly attended a course of lectures in the medical col-

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lege at Columbus, from which he graduated in the spring of 1879. In the spring of 1883 he gradu- ated from the Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons, and has since been engaged in practice in Cumberland. Hle contributes to leading med- ical journals, and is considered quite an authority. Ile is identified with the Masonic fraternity, and in politics with the Republican party.

February 7, 1889, Dr. Holmes married Ella M., daughter of Dr. Charles and Mary (Dilley) Draper, of this place. The former was born in Brookfield Township, Noble County, Ohio, in October, 1819. He graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and was a physician here for some forty-five years. He was active in the Presbyterian Church, and was a leading Demoerat. His only son, Charles, Jr., is deceased. Ilis father, John Draper, a native of Massachusetts, became a farmer in Brookfield Township in 1815. His wife bore the maiden name of Lavina Prouty.

S YLVESTER LAPPIN, a prominent citizen of New Philadelphia, is an architect by profession. Many fine strnetures, both pub- lie and private buildings, throughout the coun- ty attest his skill as a designer and stand as mon- uments of his handiwork. Among others is the new German Reformed Church, which when com- pleted will be the handsomest church edifice in the city.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Sam- uel Lappin, was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the pioneers of Tuscarawas County. He fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, and was a leader in the Methodist denomination of his section of the country. His son Isaac, our subject's father, was reared on the old homestead until he had arrived at man's estate, when he bought a tract of land in Fairfield Township. This farm comprised seven- ty acres, and was much improved by the owner prior to its saie. His last years were spent on the

Jonathan Mill's place, where his death occurred about 1869. Ilis wife, formerly Miss Eva Bowman. was a native of Virginia, but with her parents re- moved to Ohio at a very early day. Isaac Lappin was a Dunkard in religious belief, but his wife was a Methodist. They became the parents of five children: Sylvester; Miriam, Mrs. Hugh Mitchell. of this city; Martha, wife of Henry Davy, of Fair- field Township; Lemuel, who died in childhood; and one who died in infancy.

On a farm situated near One Leg Creek, in this county, occurred the birth of our subject, Decem- ber 3, 1828. Ile continued to live with his par- ents until he was about twenty years of age, at which time he took up the trade of a carpenter and joiner. When he had become master of the business. he went into partnership with Ilugh Mitchell. of whom he had in part learned the trade. Subsequently he worked as a contractor and builder until after the close of the war. When en- terprises and manufactures began to improve after the depression which followed in the wake of war, lie organized a joint-stock planing-mill company. A number of the prominent business men of the county were interested in this concern, which was known as the Buckeye Planing-mill Company. After several years had passed, the firm became known as that of Warner. Lappin & Irwin. For a number of years they condueted a successful and increasing business. but sold out about 1891 to Messrs. Kuhn, Schwab & Duback. For nearly twenty years Mr. Lappin was architect and super- intendent while a member of the milling company, and after he sold out his interest he gave his at- tention chietly to architecture. This branch of work is still engaging his time, and he has met with good success in this direction.

November 10, 1853, Mr. Lappin was married, in Fairfield Township, to Mary Jane, daughter of Benjamin and Eleanor (Steves) Clark, who were natives of New Brunswick. By this marriage were born two children: Emma Josephine, who married E. F. Edgecomb, now of Kansas City ; and Maxwell C., also a resident of that city. The latter married a daughter of Jacob DeGraff. Both Mr. Edge- comb and Maxwell C. Lappin are engaged in rail- roading. Mrs. Mary J. Lappin died January 4,

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1868, in New Philadelphia. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a lady greatly beloved by all who knew her. The pres- ent wife of our subject bore the maiden name of Grace MeCreary. Their marriage was celebrated October 4, 1868, and to them have been born three children, Phersa M., Edna and Grace. Miss Edna has graduated from the local schools and is pre- paring herself to be a teacher.

The pleasant and substantially built home of the Lappin family is situated on East Avenue. They were among the first to locate in this portion of the city, Mr. Lappin having purchased his resi- dence site of Elisha Janes. Religiously our sub- ject and his wife hold membership with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. On questions of political moment Mr. Lappin is a stalwart Republican.

B ENJAMIN I. DAVIS. An excellent exam- ple of the sturdy enterprise, thrifty hab- its and persistent industry characteristic of so many of the residents of Guernsey County, may be found in the life of Mr. Davis, who is en- gaged in the rolling-mills as a sheet-heater. Ile possesses an intelligent conception of the details of his vocation, and is consequently a valuable em- ploye.

A native of Wales, our subject was born in Glamorganshire, April 24, 1861. His parents were Jolin and Sarah ( Davis) Davis, also natives of that country, and who reared a large family of eleven children, of whom we make the following mention: David, the eldest of the household, is deceased, as is also Hannah; our subject is the next in or- der of birth; David Jolin is deceased; John is residing in Cambridge, which city is also the home of George; Margaret is the wife of Harry Wood, of Martin's Ferry; David, Francis and William are liv- ing in Cambridge; and one unnamed died in in- fancy.

The husband and father emigrated with his fam- ily to America in 1863, settling at once in Cleve-

land, where he found work in the rolling-mills. and to him is due the distinction of rolling the first steel rails manufactured in the state for the Cleveland Rolling-mill Company. He was an ex- pert in this business, and was retained in the em- ploy of the above company for a period of twen- ty years. The strike which occurred among the em- ployes in the mill at Cleveland thien compelled his father to look elsewhere for employment, and the prospect being very good at Bridgeport, he was joined by the family four months later. Being a fine workman, he had no difficulty in obtaining a position, which he held as long as he desired. The father is still living in Bridgeport, where he is widely known and highly respected for the upright- ness of his character.

The original of this sketch was quite young when brought to America, and was therefore reared in South Cleveland, or, as it is now known, New- burg. He was given a fair education. and October 1, 1882, left the parental roof and went to Bridge- port. He was trained to the business which his father found so profitable, and when old enough began working in the mills. He was engaged by the Etna Iron and Steel Company on his arrival at Bridgeport, when the company introduced the three-turn system in the sheetmill, in October, 1885. Ile remained in the employ of the company for a short time, when we tind him laboring for the Standard Iron and Steel Company of Martin's Fer- ry. He remained there until June, 1889, when he located in New Philadelphia, as an employe in the sheetmills of that place. Ilis stay there was of short duration, as in April of the following year he came to Cambridge, and was given the position of sheet-heater in the mills at this place, which he fills greatly to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has been a delegate to the National Convention of the Amalgamated Association held in Pittsburg on two occasions, 1889 and 1893, representing the local lodge.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Lizzie Jones was celebrated December 27, 1883. To them has been born a son, David. Mis. Davis depart- ed this life February 2. 1886, and a year later our subject was married to Kate Kaiser, a native of Bridgeport and of German descent. Their union

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has resulted in the birth of five children, namely: Sarah (now deceased), Catherine, Sherman Teeum- seh, Margaret Eleanor and Benjamin I., Jr.

In social affairs Mr. Davis is a Mason and takes great interest in the order. He belongs to the Amalgamated Association, with which he has been connected for many years. The Methodist Epis- eopal Church finds in him one of its most con- sistent memhers, and in the congregation at Cam- bridge he is officiating as Steward. In polities he is a strong Republican and is as earnest in that as in other relations of life.

S AMES ROLLSTIN. What presents a pleas- anter pieture than old age gracefully reached after a well spent and prosperous life ? There is something very pleasant in looking baek upon the years that intervene between childhood and old age, and living in memory all the tri- umphs and joys of years spent in an effort to benefit self and neighbors at the same time. And such is the ease of Mr. Rollstin, who at the age of seventy-four years is strong and active and eom- fortably situated financially. True, he has experi- enced the usual number of "ups and downs," but on the whole he has known much of success and happiness. This is in a great measure due to the fact that he has passed his days in peace, free from the dissipations and vexations of the gay world. He is now living in retirement in Kimbolton, Genesee County, and is passing his declining years in the rest which he has earned by years of hard labor.

Mr. Rollstin is a native of this county, and was born in Wills Township, March 11. 1821. He is the son of John and Margaret ( McGuffey) Roll- stin, the former of whom was born in Pensylva- nia, and died September 21, 1861, aged sixty-six years. Ile in turn was the son of James and Esther ( Lyons) Roflstin, who were born in Ire- land and emigrated to America about 1797. They

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Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 36

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