Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 40

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

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entered into partnership with his brother and fa- ther in a general store. In 1849 he went to Cali- fornia, where he remained for three months, but was taken sick and returned home as soon as pos- sible. The firm with which he was identified was known as N. Luccock & Sons until 1868, at which time our subjeet withdrew. From that time for- ward his principal energies were given to farm- ing, though he has always lived in the village. As an agrieulturist he has been very prosperous, and is now the fortunate possessor of one thousand acres in this township.

October 11, 1855, occurred the marriage of S. W. Luceock and Miss Elizabeth Day, who was born near Rumley, Jefferson County, Ohio, September 7, 1837. Her parents, George and Jane T. (Moore) Day, were also natives of Jefferson County. The father, who was born in Jefferson County in 1809, died in Coshocton in 1892. He practiced medieine in New Rumley, Harrison County, and in New Comerstown, and from there went to Orange, Coshocton County, continuing in practice there until 1866. Ile was attending physician at the birth of the lamented General Custer. He was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church. His parents were George and Sarah ( Rogers) Day, the former of whom was born in Burgettstown, Pa. After their marriage they removed to Jeffer- son County, Ohio, where they were early settlers. Mr. Day was a very prominent citizen, and held many public offices of trust and honor. Mrs. Jane Day was born in Washington County, Pa., Febru- ary 22, 1814, her parents being William and Elizabeth Moore. William Moore was a native of Ireland, but was brought by his parents to the United States when only a year old. The mar- riage of George and Jane Day oeeurred in Jeffer- son County, Ohio, February 2, 1836. Their daugh- ter, Sarah R., born June 25, 1841, died in July, 1893.

The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with three children, two sons and a daugh- ter. The eldest, George N., is pastor of the Met- ropolitan Church of Washington, D. C. Howard W., the other son, is an attorney-at-law in Cam- bridge. Jane T. is the wife of Rev. Daniel R. Walker, now a resident of Williamsburg, Ohio.

The cause of education has always found in Mr. Luecoek a true friend, and though his own oppor- tunities were not of the best, he gave his own ehil- dren exceptional advantages. For a number of years he has served as School Director, and has al- ways been in favor of giving the rising genera- tion good educational facilities. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Chureh.

UGENE SMITH. In this sketeh we present to the attention of our readers a short rec- ord of the life history of a young man who is well known in Canal Dover as the efficient agent of the Pennsylvania Lines. He is a native of this state, having been born in Paris, Stark County, February 12, 1868. His parents, Benton and Charlotte (Livelsberger) Smith, were likewise natives of that section, and came of highly respect- ed parentage.

Benton Smith was a cabinet-maker by trade, as was his father before him. The latter, whose name was Jacob, hailed from Pennsylvania, and when quite young made his way to Ohio. IIe was iden- tified with the interests of Stark County until his decease, when advanced in years. Benton has been very successful in his life work, and at the present time is carying on an extensive business as a stock- holder in the Minerva Furniture Company. IIe is honorable and upright in all his dealings with his fellow-men, and his high reputation as a busi- ness man is certainly well deserved.

The parental family included two children, the sister of our subject bearing the name of Clyde. The former was given a good edneation in the schools of Minerva, and when only sixteen years of age, in the spring of 1882, he began learn- ing the art of telegraphy in Minerva, and soon became an expert in this branch. He was very thorough in all that he did, and December 1. 1889, eame to Canal Dover, in the employ of the Pennsylvania Company, as telegraph operator, hav-

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ing charge of their office for eighteen months, dur- ing which time he gave perfect satisfaction. At the expiration of this time he was commissioned freight clerk, holding the position until April 15, 1890, when he was sent to Waynesburg, and from that place as special agent to Wellsville. There he was connected with the Superintendent's de- partment, and remained until coming to Canal Dover, June 15, 1893, at which time he was ap- pointed to his present position, and now devotes his entire time and attention to discharging the responsible duties of the same.

Eugene Smith was married, February 12, 1888, to Miss Emma, daughter of Isaac R. and Mary Deardorff. To them have been born three chil- dren: J. Errol, Howard B. and Onith. In religious affairs our subject is a devoted member of the English Lutheran Church, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. In political affairs he is independent, reserving his right to vote for the inan who in his judgment will best fill the office, regardless of party lines.

Mr. Smith is a progressive young man, thor- oughly wide awake to the interests of the company by which he is employed, and, possessing excellent habits, is well liked and respected by all with whom he has dealings.

ETER LEY. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Wheeling Township, Guernsey County. He was born across the seas, in Bavaria, Germany, June 10, 1830, and is the son of John and Elizabeth ( Baker) Ley. The fa- ther was also born in the Fatherland, and died in 1862, aged sixty-two years.

John Ley, Sr., the grandfather, a native of France, emigrated to Germany, remaining there with his good wife the rest of his life, engaged in farming. Ile was one of the heirs to a fortune of $30,000,000 left the family by one bearing the

name of Von Ley. The money was deposited in the Bank of England, but the King of Prussia, be- ing a very dissipated man, failed to notify the heirs, and it lay in the bank for a period of thirty years. At the end of that time the king died, and when his son ascended the throne lie took imme- diate steps to find the people to whom this large fortune belonged; but the bank then claimed it by reason of the length of time which it had remained in their keeping. The grandfather served under Napoleon during the wars fought in Germany, and on one occasion was placed in charge of one hundred soldiers for six months.

The mother of our subject was born in Germany in 1801, and departed this life in 1862. She was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Wanamaker) Baker, also natives of that country, where the fa- ther followed the occupation of a millwright all the years of his active life. The parents of our subject never crossed the Atlantic, but spent their entire life in tilling the soil of their native prov- ince. The parental family included ten sons and daughters: John, who for over forty years was Postmaster in his native land, is now living retired. He has a son bearing his name who is Quartermas- ter in the German army. Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, is the widow of Mike Shepherd, and lives in Prussia. Casamer is also holding the re- sponsible position of Postmaster in his native land. Henry is in the mail service of Bavaria. Caline is the widow of Joseph Herbolt, and resides in Elizabeth, N. J. Peter, our subject, was the next-born. Lena is the widow of Jolin Spoon- heimer, and makes her home in New York. Jacob is engaged as a carpenter in New Comerstown, Ohio. Christ and Charles are deceased. These sons and daughters are well-to-do people, and highly regarded in their respective communities.

The subject of this sketch was married, August 25, 1850, to Miss Phebe Gahs, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 4, 1830. She was the daughter of Lonis and Elizabeth ( Lot) Gahs, also born in the Fatherland, where the mother died in 1834, aged fifty-five years. The father of Mrs. Ley married for his second wife Margaret Baker, a sis- ter of our subjeet's mother, and together they en- igrated to this country, both living and dying

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in the state of New York, when advanced in years. To Louis and Elizabeth (Lot) Gahs there were born six children. Frank is living in Bloom- field, N. J .; Barbara and Falding are deceased, as are also Jacob and Elizabeth; Catherine is the wife of Charles Smith and makes her home in Tuscarawas County, this state; and Phebe is Mrs. Ley. Of his second union Louis Gahs became the father of three children, viz .: Philip, Peter and Jacob, all deceased.

To our subject and his estimable wife there was born a family comprising six members, three sons and three daughters. Charles was born August 19, 1851, and is engaged in farming in this town- ship. Phebe, born December 1, 1855, is the wife of John Palmer, a well-to-do agriculturist, also living in Wheeling Township. Mary, born on the 14th of March, 1857, and Jane, born January 22, 1861, are at home. Peter, born December 18, 1863, is working at his trade as a carpenter and stone- mason at New Comerstown, this state; and John W., whose birth occurred September 22, 1867, is at home with his parents.

Peter remained under the parental roof until a lad of seventeen years, when he launched out in life for himself. Embarking on a vessel bound for the United States, he landed safely in New York Harbor after a voyage of twenty-eight days on the ocean. He remained in that city for eight years, and while there learned the trade of a cab- inet-maker. About this time he came to Tuscara- was County, and, thinking, there was more money to be made at farming, worked for a time for the farmers of this section. One year later we find him located in Coshocton, where for three years he labored by the day, and then, having saved a sufficient sum of money, came to Wheeling Town- ship, and purchased a tract of forty aeres, which he cultivated for ten years. He then removed to his present homestead, comprising one hundred and thirty acres, which bears all the improvements found on the estate of a wide-awake and progressive agriculturist. In 1888 he built a commodious res- idence at a cost of $1,200, and the numerous barns and outbuildings which he has erected are all of a substantial character.

Mr. Ley was for three years Supervisor of his

township, but aside from this has refused to accept any political favors. Hle east his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan, but since that time has not been identified with any party, but votes for the man whom he thinks will best discharge the duties of his position. In religious affairs he is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the wealthy and represent- ative men of this section and is highly thought of by rich and poor.

T HOMAS M. JOHNSON. Quaker City (formerly Millwood) has its full quota of vigorous, enterprising, thoroughgoing bus- iness men, whose popularity is based upon their so- cial qualities and their well known integrity and business activity. None among these is better liked by those who have business dealings with him than he of whom we now write, and who is one of the leading boot and shoe merchants of the city.

Mr. Johnson is a native of this county, and was born February 6, 1829, to James R. and Priscilla (Israel) Johnson, early pioneers of this section. They were natives, respectively, of Hartford Coun- ty, Md., and Belmont County, this state. The father emigrated to Guernsey County in 1816 or 1818, locating at once on a farm in Oxford Town- ship, on the old Wheeling road. He continued on that farm for a number of years, placing it under good tillage, and then removed to another tract, where his death ocenrred.

The parental family of our subject embraced six children, of whom the eldest. Basil I., is living in Quaker City; Annie C., deceased, was the wife of Henry McCormick; our subject was the third in order of birth; Ellen E. is now Mrs. William P. Hartley; Susan married Robert MeBurney; and James S. is in business in this city.

Thomas M. Johnson was reared on his father's farm in Millwood Township, and gained his pri- mary education in the common schools of the dis-

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triet. The knowledge gained therein was later supplemented by attendance at the Madison Col- lege at Antrim, this state. On completing his studies he began teaching school, following this vocation with great success during the winter sea- son for nine successive years. The summers were occupied by him either in farm work or as clerk in a store in Quaker City. He later formed a part- nership with his brother Basil I. and engaged in the mercantile trade in this city, this connection lasting for several years. Then our subject, dis- posing of his interest in the business, built the depot at Quaker City. This was in 1853, and it was the first ever erected between Wheeling and Cam- bridge. From that until 1863 Mr. Johnson was employed as a general merchant, and engaged ex- tensively in stock-buying. He was also Postmas- ter from 1861 to 1864, being among the first ap- pointed in the county under Lincoln's administra- tion. In 1863 he was elected Treasurer of Guernsey County, and in order to perform well the duties de- volving upon him in this responsible position was obliged to give it his entire attention. On the expiration of his first term he was re-elected, re- tiring from the office in September, 1868. That year he was employed by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company as their agent at Quaker City, and for four years rendered his employers satis- factory service.

In the year 1872 Mr. Johnson, in company with Isaac W. Hall, organized the Quaker City National Bank, of which he was elected Cashier. This posi- tion he held until 1884, the year in which he was made Secretary of the Quaker City Window Glass Factory. This proved a very successful venture, and Mr. Johnson remained a stockholder in this company until 1890, when he embarked in his pres- ent business.

The lady to whom our subject was married, Sep- tember 7, 1854, was Miss Margaret S., daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Lennington) Irwin. Mar- garet Irwin was a very prominent and successful school-teacher, and taught for some four or five years in the schools of Londonderry and Madison Townships, this county, and subsequent to her marriage she taught jointly with her husband in Millwood, now Quaker City, one term. To Mr.

and Mrs. Johnson have been born three children. Laura E. is the wife of Prof. S. J. Finley, of Knox- ville, Iowa; Thomas II. is Secretary and manager of the Enterprise Window Glass Factory, at Dun- kirk, Ind .; and Hattie P. is the wife of Prof. W. HI. Gregg, of Quaker City. The entire family are members of the Christian Church, and are ever ready to aid in its social and benevolent work. In politics our subjeet is a true blue-Republican, and cast his first vote for Winfield Scott, He has been honored by his fellow-townsmen with various po- sitions of honor, among them that of Justice of the Peace, School Director and Supervisor of the Census. Ile is one of the active business men of the city, and as an earnest and public-spirited citi- zen commands the regard of all his friends and neighbors.

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OIIN C. McMILLEN, the capable and trust- worthy Sheriff of Guernsey County, was elected to this responsible position in 1894. Ile became a candidate rather against his will, and the nomination was tendered him en- tirely without any solicitation on his part. Ile has always been very active as a Republican, but has never been an office-seeker. For several years past he has been engaged in running a sawmill and dealing in lumber, his plant and home being lo- cated in Cambridge.

The MeMillen family is of Irish descent. The first representative of this branch in Guernsey County was John McMillen, a native of County Down, born June 20, 1781, who came to the United States when about fifteen years of age, and first settled in Washington County, Pa., where he taught school for a number of years. While there, October 18, 1810, he married a Scotch lady, Miss Mary Marshall, by whom he had the following children: John, William, Samuel. David (father of our subject), Mary, Margaret, Eliza and Susan- nah. Mary married William Herbert, and died be- fore the war; Eliza married Dr. Anderson, whose

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demise occurred about 1874; Margaret became the wife of Thomas MeKahan, and died in 1855; Sus- annah, who died about 1884, was the second wife of Dr. Anderson. The father of this family brought his wife and children to this county in 1835, and settled in Wheeling Township, contin- uing his former vocation as a teacher. IIe was a Whig, and in later years a Republican. At one time a member of the Seceder Church, he after- ward espoused the cause of the United Presbyte- rians. Ile lived to attain the extreme old age of ninety-two years, his death occurring in 1873. His wife was also well along in years at the time of her demise, which event occurred in her eighty-ninth year ..

David McMillen, the fourth child of John Mc- Millen, was born in 1819. IIc engaged in farm- ing and also taught school as a means of obtaining a livelihood. During the war he was among the first to enlist from this county, being a member of Captain Maher's company, First Regiment of Ohio Infantry. When his term of service had expired, he re-enlisted in Company H, Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantry, and continued actively engaged from the 1st of January, 1862, until he was wounded at the battle of Champion Hills, June 16, 1863. While being taken to the Memphis Hospital he died, on the 12th of June, and his remains were placed in the Mississippi Cemetery, near Memphis, Tenn.

Of the six children born to David McMillen and wife (formerly Mary J. Brewer), to whom he was married in 1843, the eldest, William Marshall, is a citizen of Monroc Township; Isaac M. is an engi- ncer, whose home is in Cambridge; Sarah A. is the wife of Leonard S. Caster, who runs the old home- stead of David McMillen in Wheeling Township; John C. is our subject; and Justina J. and Mary Viola are deceased.

John C. McMillen was born May 25, 1856, and from his boyhood was inured to farm duties. A year before reaching his majority he went to In- diana, and for a time worked on a farm. In 1877 he began learning the stonemason's trade, which he followed until 1880. He then turned his atten- tion to operating a sawmill, and continued in this business until his election to the office of Sheriff.

Ile has been very successful, and his industrious, upright qualities have been factors in his pros- perity.

July 1, 1886, Mr. McMillen married Amanda, daughter of Isaac Ilaslett. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McMillen, viz .: Hattie Hazlett, Mary Viola and Ila May, but the latter died December 17, 1894, aged eight months. Mr. and Mrs. McMillen are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and are highly esteemcd by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. Fraternally our subject is identified with the Sons of Veterans.

AMES GIBSON, one of the oldest residents of Guernsey County, and a popular and highly esteemed gentleman, is living in Lib- erty Town, retired from business. After a long life well and pleasantly spent, he looks back with satisfaction in remembering how faithfully he per- formed every duty that fell to him. He was for- inerly engaged in farming, but for a number of years has been retired, and makes his home in the above place, where he is the proprietor of a hotel.

Our subject was born at St. Clairsville, Belmont County, this state, November 4, 1804, and is the son of William and Nancy (Larison) Gibson. His father, who was a native of Washington County, Pa., was born September 22, 1770. IIc was the son of William and Avis Gibson, both born in the Emerald Isle, who, after coming to America many years ago, made their home until 1807 in the Key- stone State. That year found them located in Guernsey County, Ohio, where they passed the declining years of their life in the home of their son. the father of our subject.

William Gibson, Jr., entered from the Govern- ment in 1806 two and one-quarter sections of land, and the following year took up his abode on a portion of this property. As the years passed by. he had the satisfaction of knowing that his land was being improved in such a manner as would allow him to pass his dcelining years in comfort.

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On his demise he left our subject the old home- stead, on the condition that he would care for his mother during the rest of his life. This he was more than willing to do, and the last days of his mother were those of quiet happiness.

The father of our subject and his son John were drafted into the War of 1812, but not caring to leave home, they hired substitutes to represent them in the service. When first settling upon his primitive tract of land, William Gibson, Jr., se- cured the aid of two men, bearing the names of Joshua Reeves and George Phillips, to help him in the work of elearing the farm and turning the vir- gin sod. Joshua Reeves was later married, and lived in this locality all his life, but the other man left for parts unknown.

The mother of our subject was born in Washing- ton County, Pa., February 23, 1776, and departed this life June 25, 1873, being in her ninety-eighth year. She was the daughter of John Larison and wife, farmers by occupation. By her union with William Gibson sbe became the mother of twelve children, of whom our subject was the fourth-born. The other members of the family were Jolin, Mar- tha, Henry, George, Elizabeth, Mary, Lucinda. Abel, Thomas, Hiram, and one who died in in- faney unnamed.

William Gibson, Jr., was the first white man to settle in Guernsey County. In that early day In- dians were numerous, and with them he was on good terms, and often made some valuable trades. Game was very plentiful, and Mr. Gibson, being a noted bunter, was given ample opportunity for displaying his skill as a shot.

The original of this sketeli was reared to man's estate on his father's farm in the woods, and the first school which he attended in the district was of the most primitive construction. The room was warmed by a huge fireplace built in one end; greased paper served for the covering of windows, and the desks for writing purposes were formed of a large plank, held in place by wood pins, extend- ing around the walls of the room. The branches taught were very few, but in this rude log cabin young James gained a fair knowledge of books.

In 1833 James Gibson and Miss Matilda Morri- son, who was born in Pennsylvania, November 11,

1815, were united in marriage. The parents of the lady were William and Margaret (Gibson) Morrison, also born in Pennsylvania, in which state they spent their entire lives. Miss Morrison was one in a family of nine children born to her parents, her brothers and sisters being Thomas, de- ceased; George; William, a resident of Tuscara was County; John and Jane, deceased; Ruth, a half-sis- ter, the widow of James Lanning. making her home in Tuseara was County; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Peoples, of Liberty Township, this county; and Sarah A., deceased.

The subject of this sketch left home at the age of twenty years, and, going to Brooke County, W. Va., attended school for a time, and while there learned the trade of a carpenter. He spent two years in that state, his intention being to fit him- self for the study of medicine. This desire was frustrated, however, by his father asking him to return home. This he did, and after a few years spent under the parental roof again started out for himself, this time having a companion on his journeys. The young man returned East, and ob- tained employment on a bridge which was being constructed a few miles from the city of Baltimore, Md. This structure was one and one-quarter miles in length, and was being built aeross the Susque- hanna River. After its completion Mr. Gibson made his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was employed in various enterprises until 1832, when, the cholera spreading throughout the city, he re- turned home, where he continued to reside with Ins parents until their decease.

In the year 1840 our subject erected a hotel at Liberty Town, which he operated for about five years, and then sold, taking possession of the old homestead which had been given him by his fa- ther. This he carried on for a number of years. when he disposed of it, and invested his surplus capital in lots in this place, and also bought the old hotel which he had built, and which is still numbered among his possessions.

By his union with Miss Morrison our subject became the father of the following children: he- roy and Angeline, who are deceased; William II., living at Liberty, this state; Naphtah L., de- ceased; Porter W., a mechanic, living in Illinois;

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Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 40

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