Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 39

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 39

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

----------

322

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(MeCleary) Dilley, residents of Senecaville, Ohio. Their union resulted in the birth of thirteen chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, and the others are all living. Of these Dr. John resides at Vin- cennes, Ind .; Jane married J. H. Collins, and lives in Del Norte, Colo .; Stephen B. is a resident of Bolivar, Mo .; Homer M. is editor of a daily and weekly paper at Seattle, Wash .; Nancy married Harrison Robbins, of Baltimore, Md .; Mary is the wife of George W. Taylor, of Caldwell, this state; Sarah is now Mrs. Alfred Weedon, a resident of Cambridge, Ohio; Elizabeth is the wife of M. L. Spaid, and is living in Point Pleasant, this state; Abram D. is living near Senecaville; Leicester K is a druggist of Senecaville; Noah L. is engaged in farming near Senecaville; and Candace L. is the wife of Dr. W. Scott, whose sketch will appear on another page in this volume. Our subject at the time of his decease had thirty-eight grandehildren and several great-grandchildren. Mrs. Hill de- parted this life August 13, 1887. She was an ae- complished lady, and highly respected by all who knew her.

Dr. Hill was converted during the great revival at Senecaville in 1833, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. He continued to worship with that denomination until 1847, when he withdrew his membership on account of the slavery question, and cast in his lot with the Wesleyan Methodists, which relationship he maintained until his death. In politics the Doctor was first an old-line Whig, then a Free-soiler, next an Abolitionist and then a Republican. Ile was a delegate to the first State Convention held by the Republican party, and con- tinued to give to it liis support until about eight years ago, when he espoused the temperance cause, and joined the Prohibition party. It is here proper to remark that Dr. Ilill aided tlie slaves in eseap- ing from bondage, and cast one of the first three Abolition votes in Guernsey County. He was an aggressive and most positive man. In advocating what he thought to be right, he was outspoken, and in the days when to be an Abolitionist was in the eyes of the majority a erime, he openly and positively declared his belief in abolition.

Dr. Hill was ever prompt in the duties devolving upon him as a church member, was liberal in his

support of the Gospel, and his house was a veri- table preacher's home. He was a studious man and well informed on current topics. Although eighty-five years of age at the time of his death, his mind was unimpaired, and his advice was sought until within a few weeks of his demise. He had a very extensive practice during his younger years, and was singularly successful in the treat- ment of disease.

F LETCHER DOUTHITT, Judge of the Eighth Judicial District of Olno, resides in New Philadelphia, where he is one of its most influential citizens. He is a native of this state, and was born February 22, 1840, in Morrow County. His parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and bore the respective names of Dunean and Nancy (Braden) Douthitt.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, by name Joseph Douthitt, was born and reared in Westmoreland County, Pa., and he, in turn, was the son of Thomas Douthitt, who located in that county in 1770, soon after landing in America from his native Ireland. Duncan and Nancy Douthitt made the journey to this state in 1838, locating at once in what is now Morrow County, where they spent the remainder of their lives, en- gaged in farm pursuits. The father died in 1852, and the mother, who survived him many years, passed away in January, 1877. In politics Duncan Douthitt was a strong Democrat.

The parental household included five children, those besides our subjeet being William, Joseph, John and Mary A. They are all deceased with the exception of Fletcher, of this sketch. The lat- ter was reared on the home farm, receiving his preliminary education in the schools taught in the distriet. Being desirous of following a professional life, he sought to obtain a thorough education, and, entering Iberia College, at Iberia, Ohio, took a course of study in that institution. He next be-

{

323

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.

came a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and subsequently attended the Ohio State and Union Law College, from which he was graduated in June, 1864. Soon after receiving his diploma, he began the practice of liis profession at Mt. Gilead, this state, and remained there until 1873, the year of liis advent into this county. Mr. Douthitt first located at Uhrichisville, but shortly after we find him a resident of New Philadelphia.

The first partner of our subject, when starting out in his profession, was T. D. Healea, this con- nection lasting about two years. He then became associated with Hon. J. A. D. Richards, and since the dissolution of their partnership has continued alone. He is an able advocate, a sound jurist, and has been very successful at the Bar. Although his practice is largely a general one, lie is strongest in chancery cases.

Judge Douthitt was elected to the Bench in 1891, and entered upon the duties of his office the following year. His district embraces Harrison, Jefferson and Tuscarawas Counties. He is a very stanch advocate of Republican principles, and by that party was elected to the position of Mayor of Mt. Gilead in 1868. He has also served very ac- ceptably on the School Board, and in many other ways has been prominent in promoting the best interests of his community. He is an influential member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 107 at New Philadelphia, and also holds membership with Andrew Crawford Post No. 6, G. A. R.

During the late Civil War, Judge Douthitt en- listed his services in behalf of the Union, and was mustered into service in 1862, as a member of Company I, Eighty-seventh Ohio Infantry. With his command he went to Baltimore, Md., whence they were ordered to Harper's Ferry. While en- gaged in a battle at that place, General Miles sur- rendered, and many of the Union soldiers were captured, among them our subject. This was Sep- tember 15 of the above year, and after being held a prisoner of war for a short time he was paroled, and returned home.

When ready to establish a home of his own, Judge Douthitt was united in marriage, July 24, 1864, with Miss Albina, daughter of Hiram and

Phebe (Stearns) Stevens, of Blooming Grove, this state. The latter were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to Ohio in a very early day, and were thus classed among the pioneers. The three children born to our subject and his estima- ble wife were Edwin S., an attorney in this city; John F. and Mildred. In religious affairs Mrs. Douthitt is an active member of the Methodist Church.

As a Judge, our subject is popular, both with the members of his profession and the people. In the trial of cases which come before him he is careful and painstaking, thoroughly analyzing all the points at issue. He is very expeditious in all his transactions, and has the reputation of discharging more business than any other Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the state.

AMES STOCKDALE. The gentleman whose name heads this biography is the genial and popular " mine host" of the United States Hotel at Antrim. It is one of the largest and most comfortably furnished hostelries in the county, and is well patronized by the traveling public.

In tracing thie genealogy of the Stockdale fam- ily, we find it originated in Ireland, where John Stockdale, the grandfather, was born in the year 1750. Ile married Jane Seed, who bore him four children : Robert, Jolin, James and Moses. On the death of his companion, that gentleman chose for his second wife Annie Stockdale, who became the mother of two sons, llugh and William, both of whom are deceased, as are also the sons of the first marriage.

The grandfather of our subject crossed the At- lantic with his family, and after a long and tedi- ous overland journey located in Madison Town- ship, Guernsey County, where he purchased a piece of land and began its cultivation, thereafter de- voting his attention to farm parsuits until his

324

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.

decease. His son James, the father of our subject. was born in the Emerald Isle, and was a boy wlien he accompanied ins parents on the trip aeross the ocean. His father being one of the pioneers of the county, young James was reared in the woods, and, being desirous and ambitious to acquire a good education, made the best of the opportunities given him for attending the district school. There he became instructed in the common branches, and was soon pronounced competent to teach. This was a time when the log schoolhouse was the edi- fice in which the "master " held forth, and the end of the " back-log " served as a seat for him, while the other end provided accommodation for the pupils. Mr. Stockdale was one of the early teachers of the township, and was recognized as a man of natural genius and an apt scholar. He de- veloped into a "pettifogger" of considerable note and ability, and was well liked by all who sat under him for instruction.

James Stockdale, Sr., was for thirty years Justice of the Peace, and was looked upon as the legal light of this section by his fellow-citizens. Many of his neighbors, to whom he gave counsel, cherish kind remembranees of him and greatly regretted his early demise. His decisions on all questions of equity were regarded as just, and but few, if any, cases can be called to mind where his decisions were reversed by a higher tribunal. When a young man he entered his first farm, and the circum- stances connected therewith illustrate his shrewd- ness, as well as his perseverance. A neighbor came to him to borrow money to be used in a certain enterprise, and Mr. Stockdale, at once seeing the object of lis errand, gathered together the neces- sary funds and started to Zanesville on foot in or- der to enter his land. Ilis neighbor, in the mean- time, obtained the desired money, and also started - for that place with the same object in view, but on horseback. Stopping on the way to feed his ani- mal, Mr. Stockdale made the best of the delay and kept far in advance of his rival, and thus reached Zanesville first and entered the land. To this he added from time to time, until he became one of the largest land-owners and prominent and suecess- ful farmers of the county. He started in life a poor man, as we have already shown, and his pos-

sessions were therefore the result of his own labors, industry and good business management. IIe gave to each of his children, when ready to start in life, a good farm, valued at 87,000 or 88,000.

James Stockdale was married to Phebe Lenning- ton in Madison Township, this eounty, in 1825. She became the mother of eleven children, as fol- lows: Lydia and Moses, deceased; Mary, who mar- ried John Finney, of Antrim; Sylvanus, residing in this township; Elizabeth, now Mrs. John MeBride, of this loeality; Jane, deceased; James, the sub- ject of this sketch; Martha B., who married Charles Bom, and is now deceased, as are also Thomas and Margaret; and Elias, a resident of Sangamon Coun- ty, Ill.

The father was for some ten years engaged in mercantile business in the village of Antrim. On disposing of his stock of goods hie removed to his farm, and there passed the remainder of his life following agricultural pursuits. Ile departed this life in 1889, and in his death the county lost one of its most valued citizens. Politically he was an old-line Whig in early life, but afterward voted tlie Democratic ticket. He was for many years a member of the Presbyterian Church, and greatly honored by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

----

James, of this sketch, received his early training in the schools of the township, and was reared by his honored father to a full knowledge of farm work in all its details. This business he followed until 1892, up to this time being widely known as one of the most extensive stock raisers and buyers of this section.

In the above var Mr. Stockdale sold his farm- ing interests, and has since been engaged in run- ning a hotel in Antrim. It is known as the United States, and is one of the best equipped establish- ments in the township. Since moving into An- trim he has purchased the old homestead. which had been sold, and gives his spare time to su- perintending its operation.

The lady who became the wife of our subject. February 14. 1860, was Miss Eliza K. Boyd. To them have been born eight children. Lillie B. married William Cunningham, and lives in Cam- bridge; Ulysses Grant is also a resident of that

-... .

325

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

city; Hattie L. is deceased; Ora M. is at home; Lena is deceased; Carrie lives with her parents; the next in order of birth died in infancy; Dolly is now Mrs. Lewis Campbell, a resident of Cam- bridge. Mrs. Stockdale is the daughter of Thomas Boyd, a representative farmer of Guernsey Coun- ty, where she was born. Our subject is Democratie in politics, and is prominently identified with the Masonie fraternity, having been connected with that order for the past quarter of a century.

OL. SAMUEL FOLTZ, one of the most pop- ular and honored citizens of New Phila- delphia, has been for years financially in- terested in various large coal companies, and is also the owner of large landed estates. He is a na- tive of the Keystone State, his birth having oe- curred in Lancaster County, December 3, 1822.

The Colonel's paternal grandfather was born in Germany, but eame to the United States with his brother while he was still a youth. Ile soon took up his residence in Lancaster, while his brother made his home in New York State. By oeeupa- tion he was a farmer, as was also his son, Henry, the Colonel's father. Henry Foltz, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and in his political faith was a Democrat. About 1832 he removed to Ohio, settling in Wayne County. His death occurred when he had reached his seventy-eighth year, and he was placed to rest at Dalton. In religious views he was a Dunkard. His wife, Sarah, nee Michael, was a native of Lancaster, Pa., and of Scoteh parentage. She died at Dalton at the age of seventy-seven years, having survived her hus- band scareely two years. Her parents passed their entire lives in Pennsylvania, and they too were identified with the Dunkards. Seven children were born to llenry and Sarah Foltz, namely: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Daniel Groff, and whose death occurred in York County, Pa .; Jolin, who died in Putnam County, Ohio; Henry,

who departed this life in Massillon, this state; Sarah, wife of Daniel Correll, and now deceased; Mrs. Susan Groff, who lives in Wayne County; Jacob, whose death occurred in West Virginia, and Samuel. With the exception of Elizabeth, all the members of the family came to the West with their parents.

Until he was fourteen years of age Samuel Foltz attended the public schools in the neighborhood of his home. IIe then started out into the world to try his fortunes. For a time he clerked for his brother IIenry, who was then conducting a store at Dalton. For the first year the lad received $3 a month, and the next year his wages were in- creased to $4 per month. Later he was given an interest in the business, and at that time his indus- trious and persevering qualities laid the founda- tion of liis future success. The brothers dealt eon- siderably in horses about that time, and our sub- ject made frequent trips to eastern markets, where he sold such animals as he had purchased in this state. It was during this period that he became acquainted with James Buchanan and several mem- bers of the Cameron family. In 1850 he embarked in the hardware business with his brother; he also carried on a dry-goods department, and did a mill- ing business.

In 1856 our subject went to Cleveland, and en- gaged in business there. Four years previously he, in company with his brother and others. start- ed to build a railway from Grafton to Wheeling. This was known as the Wheeling, Medina & Tus- carawas Valley Railroad. In those days money was very searce, and the enterprise was finally given up. About 1861 Mr. Foltz became interest- ed in the coal business. and continued in this field of work until he retired from business. Iu all his business ventures he was associated with his bro- ther up to the time of the latter's death, which oceurred in 1887, at Massillon. The well known Daniel P. Rhoads was also interested with him in his Massillon business. The companies with which our subject was connected were the Buckeye Coal and Coke Company, the Fulton Coal Company and the Willow Bank Coal Company. He also owned and operated the Walton Ridge Mines in Warwick Township, this county. In the early

326

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

days their principal market for the products of their mines were points in Canada, and Chicago. Colonel Foltz was among the first to enter exten- sively into the coal business in this section of the country, and made the greater part of his wealth in this field.

Among the fine farming lands in which our sub- ject has invested, nearly six hundred acres lie in this county. These farms, which are well im- proved, he leases or rents on shares. One of his farms is situated in Lorain County, Ohio. In Tennessee he owns a large tract of mineral land, and is only waiting for better railroad facilities in order to develop its wealth. When he became in- terested in the Walton Ridge Mine, he was looked upon as a "crank" and a wild schemer. Notwith- standing discouragements, he put in modern ma- chinery at a large expense, and the results have justified the wisdom of his course.

At Harrisburg, Pa., Colonel Foltz married Miss Anna Kuhin, March 5, 1850. Her parents, Jacob and Susan (Hummel) Kuhn, of Pennsylvania, were Germans by birth. To this union six children have been born. Lilla, the eldest, became the wife of Jolin DeMuth, and after his death became the wife of E. F. Morse, of Stockton, Utah; Clara is the wife of Charles E. Mitehener, whose biography ap- pears elsewhere in this volume; Kate is Mrs. E. P. Mitchener, of Stockton, Utah; Harry resides on a farm near this place, and for his wife chose Miss Maggie Taylor; Minnie is Mrs. Frank Custer, of New Philadelphia; and Frank is married, and a well known farmer of Goshen Township. Mrs. Foltz, who was much beloved by all who knew her, was called to her final rest in 1893, her death occurring on Easter Sunday. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a devoted Christian.

Though he has always been interested in the suc- cess of the Democratie party, and uses his ballot in favor of its nominees, our subject has steadily re- frained from accepting public office, as his extensive business interests would not permit. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic society, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His declining years are being pleasantly passed in his commodions and modern home on North Broad-

way. The competence which he has acquired by business enterprise and sagaeity he uses to good purpose, as he is benevolent and ready to assist the worthy poor. In manner he is genial and com- panionable, readily making friends.

-ILLIAM B. HOCHSTETLER. This gentleman, who occupies the prom- inent position of Treasurer of Tusca- rawas County, is descended from one of the old and highly respected families of this section. He was born June 15. 1854, and is the son of Benjamin and Barbara (Garber) Hochstetler, the former of whom is likewise a native of Tuscarawas County, his birth occurring in 1829.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, by name Isaac Hochstetler, was a native of the Key- stone State, and came of German parents. Bar- bara Garber was born in Holmes County, this state, while her parents were German people, na- tives of Pennsylvania. After her marriage she located with her husband on one hundred acres of land in Sugar Creek Township, which they culti- vated in a profitable manner, and which is now in the possession of our subject. Benjamin Hochstet- ler in politics was first a Whig, but after the or- ganization of the Republican party joined its ranks. Ile is very prominent in publie affairs, and though his township is strongly Democratic he has held the office of Trustee for nine years. Religiously he adheres to the Omish faith, as does also his good wife. They became the parents of two children, the sister of our subject being Polly Ann, now the wife of William Shrock. an agricult- urist of Sugar Creek Township.

Ile whose name heads this sketch was brought up as a farmer boy, and while under the parental roof was given a common-school education. On attaining his majority, he started out in life on his own account, having the management of his fa- ther's farm for a period of seven years. During

-- ...

327

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

this time, having accumulated a sufficient sum of money, he purchased eighty acres, which he farms, together with the old homestead, giving his attention to general agriculture.

William B. Hochstetler was married, May 25, 1876, to Miss C. daughter of Isaac and Anna Miller, natives of this county. Mr. Miller de- parted this life about eighteen years ago, and his good wife is also deceased. To our subject and his wife there have been born two children: Homer, now seventeen years of age, and Mila, a lad of thir- teen years. The family are all members of the Omishı Church, although they often attend the Methodist Episcopal.

In his political relations Mr. Hochstetler gives his support to the Republican party. When only twenty-three years of age he was elected School Director, serving in that capacity for six years at that time, and on another occasion was the incum- bent of the office three years. In the spring of 1893 he was the candidate of his party for the office of County Treasurer, and although the vari- ous distriets were strongly Democratic, was elected by the handsome majority of five hundred votes. He began discharging the duties of the position September 4, 1894, and thus far has given perfect satisfaction to all concerned. He has always been very active in all public affairs and is one of the most prominent men in his township. As an otli- cial he is very popular and is held in high esteem by his hosts of friends and acquaintances.

S AMUEL W. LUCCOCK, living in Kimbol- ton, Ohio, is a wealthy retired business man, and has long been one of the promi- nent citizens of this county. He comes from one of the sterling, hardy old pioneer families, whose history has been closely interwoven with the prog- ress and development of this region. In 1878 he was elected to serve as Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected on the expiration of each term un- til 1890. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and has given his ballot in favor of party nomi-

nees since the organization of the same. Ilis first ballot was cast for Pierce.

The parents of our subject were Napthali and Jane (Thomson) Luccock, both natives of England, the former born in 1798, and the latter in March, 1806. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Thomas and Rebecca (Stevens) Luccock, and his maternal grandparents were Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Moore) Thomson. Thomas Luccock was a grocer and iron-monger in Kimbolton, Eng- land, in which place he resided until his death. Benjamin Thomson cmigrated from England to Wooster, Ohio, where he conducted a drug store until shortly before his death, which event took place March 21, 1832. The marriage of Napthali Luccock and Jane Thomson was celebrated in Wooster, Ohio, January 2, 1822. The latter died November 6, 1828, leaving four children. Thomas is a farmer of Kimbolton; Benjamin is deceased; and Elizabeth died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Napthali Luccock married Miss Mary Wiggins, who survived their union only a short time. After her demise he married Maria Kinkaid, and to them was born one daughter, Maria, widow of Dr. Black, and now a resident of Columbus, Ohio. The mother departed this life March 10, 1832. The fourth wife of the father of our sub- ject bore the maiden name of Rebecca Kile. There were no children born of this marriage, and the wife died in 1873. In the fall of 1830 the senior Mr. Luccock settled in Wooster, Ohio, where he en- gaged in farming. For a time he then lived in Germantown, Pa., but later returned to Wooster, from where he subsequently emigrated to Coshoc- ton, thence to Plainfield, and finally to Liberty, now known as Kimbolton. Here he was engaged in general merchandising for many years; he also operated a farm, taught school, and was Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk for several terins.

The birth of our subject occurred in Coshocton County, this state, February 27, 1827. His time until he reached his majority was passed in his father's store, and in pursuing his studies at the district schools. Going to Cambridge, he clerked for about a year in a mercantile establishment, and later was employed in the store of William Craig, of New Comerstown. Then, returning home, he

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 39

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