Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 45

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

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EWIS GECKELER, deceased. Among the prominent agriculturists born across the seas, and who brought to this country those characteristics which made them successful here, is the subject of this sketch, formerly one of the influential residents of Dover Township, Tus- carawas County. He was born December 22, 1828, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and a year after at- taining his majority. decided to try his fortunes in the New World, and emigrated hither.

Soon after arriving in this country, young Lewis made his way to this county and located at Na- varre, where he was employed to drive a stage. Ile was very economical in his habits and, saving his earnings, several years later purchased his first farm, which consisted of eighty acres. To this he added one hundred and fifteen acres as time progressed, besides owning several lots in Zoar Station, four houses at Valley Junction, and a valuable picee of property in New Philadelphia. He was likewise the possessor of one hundred and forty-six acres in Stark County, which was in point of improvement one of the best in that section. This wide-awake business man accumulated his vast property entirely through his unaided efforts, as when he landed in America he had to borrow the money to pay his passage through to Navarre. Ile was a Intheran in religion, and served his congregation in the office of Trustee for some time. Ile was universally popular with all who knew him, and at the time of his decease, February 21, 1893, was serving his second term as Director of the infirmary. Ilis death was a great shock to

his family and friends, and occurred very sud- denly, while on a visit to the infirmary.

The original of this sketch was twice married, his first union being with Anna Grove, who bore the following-named children: William, John, Lewis, Emma, Fred, Louisa, George, Margaret A., Charles and Henry. The wife and mother died in April, 1872, and in October of that year Mr. Geckeler chose for his second companion Emeline Grove, a sister of his first wife. To them were born two children, Mary M. and Lorin Lewis. Mrs. Geekeler, who is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, is the daughter of George M. and Sarah .(Rider) Grove, natives, respectively, of Lan- caster and Westmoreland Counties, Pa. The family is of German origin, and ahnost without excep- tion its members were Lutherans in religion and Democrats in politics.

Mr. Grove was born on the 22d of September, 1802, and when a lad fourteen years of age ac- companied his parents on their removal to this state, locating with them in Stark County. They were among the earliest settlers in that locality and passed the remainder of their lives in tilling the soil within its confines. George M. Grove afterward removed to this county and was identi- fied with the pioneer settlers of Lawrence Town- ship, where he entered a tract of two hundred and twenty acres of land from the Government and immediately commenced the arduous task of clear- ing and improving the same. On this estate lie resided until the day of his death, which occur- red at the advanced age of eighty-five years. He was prosperous in all his undertakings and left his family a snug fortune. He too was a regular at- tendant at and a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. Ilis wife died February 24, 1891, aged eiglity-seven years. Their union resulted in the birth of eleven children, of whom seven grew to mature years.

Mr. Geckeler passed through all the pioneer ex- periences which fell to the lot of early settlers in Ohio, and where once were forests and a thick un- dergrowth of brush. are now waving fields of grain or the rustling corn, which great transformation he helped to bring about. He was truly a self-made man, having risen from the lowest rounds of life,

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financially considered, to a measure of success and prosperity. He always fulfilled the duties of citi- zenship in a faithful manner, and throughout his entire life was a highly esteemed resident of the county, and by his integrity and genial friendli- ness made hosts of friends.

A LEXANDER F. AGNES is a well known stock-dealer and agriculturist of Warren Township. He owns a good homestead, comprising two hundred and sixty-two acres situ- ated in the northwestern part of the township. Since 1871 he has manufactured a remedy known as the Agnes Lung and Bronchitis Liniment and Cholera Balsam, which has a ready sale in this por- tion of the state, and has won more than a local reputation. The proprietor keeps several agents on the road, and makes a good income from the sale of this justly esteemed and valuable medicine.

The birth of our subject occurred March 21, 1846, in France. His paternal grandfather, Fran- cis Agnes, a native of the same land, reared a large family, and four of the number came to the United States, namely: Leonard, who died in Massillon, Ohio; Alexander, who lives near Beach City, Franklin Township, this county; Joseph; and Ad- eline Verner, of Seiota County, Ohio. In 1849 Francis Agnes, with his wife and four children, started for the United States, but was shipwrecked and landed in Ireland. Resuming their journey later, on account of storms and bad weather it was still three months before they landed in New York City. From there they proceeded by boat to Buf- falo, and thence by lake and canal to Massillon, this state. Ilere Francis Agnes bought thirty-five acres of land in Franklin Township, where he died prior to the War of the Rebellion, his wife surviving him some two years.

The parents of our subject were Joseph and Jo- sephine (Penot) Agnes, likewise natives of France. The former is still living, and is now seventy-five years of age. For many years he worked on the

construction of the Ft. Wayne Railroad, being su- perintendent of a gang of men who were supply- ing wood and water for the trains. In this way he accumulated some money, which he invested in forty acres of land, and subsequently became the owner of sixty-three acres more. He also owned two dwellings in Navarre, where he has lived for ten years past. A Democrat in politics, he has never desired or accepted official honors. To himself and wife were born ten children, namely: Alex- ander F .; Adam J .; Xavier; Charles, living on the old homestead; Jennie, now Mrs. Henry Biddle; Lizzie, deceased; Mary, the wife of Fred Richen- bach; Joseph, of Mansfield, this state; Leona, who died in Ireland, at the age of one year; and Aimuel. who died at Wooster, Wayne County, this state. Mrs. Josephine Agnes is one of the two daughters of John Penot, whose wife died in France, and who came to the United States in 1849, dying in Navarre, Stark County, where the father now re- sides. His other daughter, Sophia, became the wife of Alexander Agnes. Mrs. Josephine Agnes died in 1886, aged sixty-five years.

The boyhood of our subjeet was passed on a farm, and he continued to live with his parents until twenty-one years of age. Then, starting out to make his own livelihood, he chopped cord wood during the first winter, and after spending the fol- lowing season in working on a farm, he went to Portsmouth and husked corn until he obtained a situation in a rolling-mill of that city, where he was employed for three and a-half years. Return- ing to Franklin Township, he worked the next summer on a farm, and then rented a place near Dundee, which he operated for three years. In 1873 he bought sixty-three acres of land of Joseph Kuhns in Franklin Township, which place he sold on the expiration of three years.

In 1886 Mr. Agnes leased a mill at Beach City and ran the same for three years and a-half, when he sold his lease for $600. The next year he spent in running the Wilmont Mill, after which he put up a building at Beach City, and engaged in farmi- ing a place of one hundred and four aeres, which he had purchased in that locality. Later. selling out his farm and buildings, he invested the pro- ceeds in one hundred and fifteen aeres in Wayne

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Township, which he still owns. Ilere he lived for five years, or until 1888, when he moved to New Cumberland, and there remodeled a mill, and in 1891 put in modern machinery. After selling out a half-interest in the mill he traded the remain- der, in March, 1892, to Robert Campbell for a farm of two hundred and sixty-two acres, which place is now his home. The farm is well improved and is a valuable placc.

In March, 1873, our subject married Melinda Wellet, who was born in this county, and is one of four daughters and four sons of Benjamin Wellct, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. Ile was a cooper by trade, and passed his last years in Sandyville, Ohio. In 1875 death called the devoted wife of our subject from his side at the early age of twenty-two years and seven months. She left one child, a daughter, Emma. Mrs. Agnes was reared in the faith of the German Baptist or Dunkard Church, but after her marriage became identified with the Roman Catholic Church, which is the faith of her husband, the subject of this sketch.

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HRISTIAN FOX. Probably no resident of Tuscarawas County is better deserving of representation in this volume than Chris- tian Fox, who is one of the oldest pioneers withi- in its confines. Although retired from the arduous duties of life, he is still living on his fine estate in York Township. Ile has pursued a course in life which has resulted in securing for him the hearty respect of all those who know him, and has given him a proud rank among the farmers and land- owners of this section.

The original of this sketch was born in the above township, October 22, 1829, and is the son of Leo- pold and Elizabeth (Kulin) Fox, natives of Prus- sia, who emigrated to the United States many years ago, first settling in Pennsylvania. In the year 1824, however, they again took up the line of march and came to this county, making this section their home until their deceasc. The father

passed away in 1842, at the age of sixty years, while the good wife survived until 1863, when she, too, departed this life.

The parental household ineluded four children, three sons and one daughter, those besides our subject being Elizabeth, now deceased; Leopold, a farmer of York Township, this county; and John, who is also engaged as an agriculturist in Col- orado. The parents gave their children the best advantages for obtaining an education which the early times afforded, and were they living at the present time would have every reason to be proud of their success in life and the prominent positions which tliey occupy. They were faithful and high- ly esteemed members of the German Reformed Church, and in their death the community, as well as the church, lost two of its most valued members. In politics Leopold Fox was a stanch Democrat, being much interested in politics, and in every- thing which would in any way advance the wel- fare of his community.

The marriage of our subject, which occurred in 1852, was with Miss Elizabeth Offholder, who was born in Switzerland in 1835. She was the dangh- ter of Daniel and Lizzie (Kaiserman) Offholder, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in an early day. By her union with our subject there were born the following children: Elizabeth, the wife of Emeil Hawk, who makes her home in Dover, this state; John, engaged in managing the old homestead; Mary, the wife of John Raver. an agri- culturist of York Township; Kittie A., now Mrs. George Graif, whose husband is a farmer of Goshen Township; Emma, wife of Mrs. John Lewis, who is engaged in farm pursuits in Dover Township; Lydia, at home; Joseph, a prominent physician of New Philadelphia; and Christian, a farmer in Mis- souri.

The original of this sketchi was reared on the farm where he is at present residing, making his home with his parents until their deccase, when he purchased the interest in the estate of the other heirs, and is now its sole proprietor. The farm in- cludes two hundred broad acres, well supplied with all the necessary barns and outbuildings, besides a substantial residence. Mr. Fox secured his educa- tion in one of the old-time schoolhouses, built of

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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logs, with greased-paper windows, puncheon floor, and slab desks built around the room, at which the scholars stood up to write. To the knowledge thus gained he has added by reading, his desire being to keep himself well posted regarding cur- rent events and topics of general interest.

In politics Mr. Fox is a Democrat, and takes much interest in affairs of publie importance. He has served as School Director for four years, and was Township Trustee for a period of ten years. He is a publie-spirited man, and one who delights in advancing both his own interest and those of his neighbors. To-day he ranks among the wealthy and influential agriculturists of the county, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life, proving the truth of the old assertion that industry will win in the race for fortune and position.

N ATHAN M. McCREARY. This county is pre-eminently one of comfortable rural homes. The soil being wonderfully fer- tile, and the facilities for market excellent, a great many agriculturists secure a competence by the cultivation of a moderate acreage. One of the successful farmers of Fairfield Township is Nathan M. McCreary, who operates a finely-tilled farm on section 3. In addition to cultivating the soil, he breeds Poland-China hogs.

Mr. McCreary was born on section 2 of this township, July 10, 1827, and is the son of John and Margaret (Slutts) McCreary. His father was born in Virginia, July 22, 1769, of parents who came from Ireland in an early day and were mar- ried many years after their arrival in the New World. John McCreary started out in life poor in purse, and when leaving home went to Red Stone, locating on the Monongahela River. While living there he made seven trips to New Orleans in order to trade, and on five different occasions walked the entire distance home. On one of these journeys he was piloted over the fall, for which

he was compelled to pay $25. This being quite a severe lesson, he was on the lookout thereafter, and fell into no more such traps.

The father of our subject had saved about $1,- 400 on these trips to and from the Crescent City, and concluded to invest some of his surplus capi- tal in land. Coming to Ohio, he entered a tract on section 28, Warren Township, Tuscarawas County, on which he erected a little log cabin on the north branch of Indian Creek. In this he resided for a time and cleared six acres from its original wild- ness, which was the first pretense at improvement that had been made in the township. He was soon after rendered a poor man by the failure of parties to whom he had loaned the greater part of his earnings after making the first payment on his land. Being thus unable to meet further notes due, he advertised his land for sale, and on dis- posing of it entered a quarter-section on section 2, Fairfield Township. This was about 1806, and June 7, ten years later, he entered from the Gov- ernment the tract on seetion 3 where our subject makes his home at present. Ile worked industri- ously to improve both farms, in which undertak- ing he was more than ordiuarily successful. He departed this life on section 2, April 29, 1857, firm in the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member. Ile was a powerfully built man, six feet in height, and of a determined spirit. Ile was very active in politics, and voted with the Democratic party.

John MeCreary in early life learned the trade of a millwright, which, although he did not fol- low it, proved of great assistance to him at the time of his erection of a mill in Warren Township. Just such an enterprise was needed and greatly appreciated by the farmers, who were not com- pelled to haul their grain to the larger cities to have it prepared for making bread stuffs. Ile was on friendly terms with the Indians, and in all his dealings with them never had any trouble.

The parents of our subject were married about 1809, and to them was granted a family of ten children. Catharine married Michael Kollar, and on his death became the wife of Isaac Sparks, who · is also deceased. She departed this life December 31, 1894, in Boone County, Iowa. James died

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near Gnadenhutten, December 3, 1873. Rosanna became the wife of George Fisher, and departed this life at Bolivar. Sarah A., Mrs. Henry Sparks, died in Warren Township. John died in 1894, on the home farm. Reason passed away in Owen County, Ind .; and William is a resident of the above place. The mother of this family is an act- ive member of the Methodist Church, with which all her children were connected, and James and William were for many years Class-leaders.

Nathan M. McCreary was given a common- school education, and remained at home working for his father until attaining his majority. In 1856, in company with his brother John, he pur- chased the quarter-section of land on which he is now living, and moving upon the tract they kept "bachelor's hall" for two years. Then, purchasing his brother's interest in the place, with one hun- dred and sixty-four acres which he had entered in Owen County, Ind., he became its sole proprietor and has ever since been engaged in its improve- ment. He erected all suitable structures neces- sary for the storage of grain and shelter of stock, but November 26, 1893, suffered a severe loss by the burning of his barn and contents. This catas- trophe deprived him of five horses, eight head of cattle and several hundred bushels of wheat, to- gether with many valuable farm implements, the total value of which was $3,000, with an insurance of $950. He immediately ereeted another large barn, which is well arranged. Mr. McCreary de- votes considerable attention to breeding Poland- China swine, and has some very fine specimens of this particular blood; and also thoroughbred Jer- sey cattle.

February 22, 1855, the subject of this sketch and Miss Margaret Scarlott, of Jefferson County. this state, were united in marriage. The lady was the daughter of George and Nancy (Slutts) Scar- lott, and on the paternal side is of Irish descent. She was an active worker in the Methodist Church, and it was largely through the good example which she set that our subject was brought into the church. She died May 8, 1881, and October 9 of that year Mr. McCreary married Mrs. Ellen, widow of William Frase, of Wayne County. Mrs. McCreary was born in that county December 7,

1839, and was the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Wiley) Huston, natives, respectively, of Washing- ton County, Pa., and Virginia. Her father was a shoemaker, and died in Medina County, Ohio, hav- ing removed hither in early manhood. His family ineluded twelve children, of whom three sons and four daughters grew to manhood and womanhood. Mr. Huston married for his second wife Emeline Shively, who bore him three children. Only one of this family is living, a son.

To Mr. and Mrs. McCreary there have been born two children: Margaret Luella, born March 29, 1883; and Jolin E., who was born December 9, 1884, and died when a year and three months old. Mrs. McCreary had one daughter by her first marriage, Alice. She is a member of the Methodist Church, with which denomination her husband has been connected since 1857. Ile takes an active part in all religious work and has been Class-leader in his congregation for forty years. It is scarcely neees- sary to add that he is held in high repute by the residents of Fairfield Township (which he has served in the capacity of Trustee), on account of his excellent character, business ability and pleas- ing qualities. He was a Democrat in politics up to 1864, since which time, however, he has voted for Republican candidates.

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OB PARRY, for the past nine years a re- spected resident of Lore City, was for years an industrious and successful agrieulturist of Guernsey County. He was born in Har- rison County, this state, five miles west of Cadiz, August 1, 1818, and has spent his entire life in the Buckeye State.

The name Parry is of Welsh origin, and is a variation of the form Ap Harry, son of Harry. In 1701 the progenitor of the family in America left Wales and settled in the United States, on what is known as Apple Pie Ridge, a spur of the Pennsylvania Mountains, which runs into Virgima. Ile became a successful farmer, and several genera-

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tions of his descendants lived in the same section of country. Our subject's paternal grandfather. who bore the Christian name of Llewellyn, was also an agriculturist.

John Parry, the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, and when twenty-seven years of age emigrated to this state. Ile died in 1871, at the age of seventy-four years. Four years after taking up his abode in this state, he was mar- ried, at Cadiz, to Rachel Gitchel, who died at the age of sixty-three years. Their eldest child, Ruan- nah, died at the age of twenty-two years. Han- nah was killed by a runaway team in 1831, when in her nineteenth year. Thomas, the next in order of birth, married Ruth Bailey, and after her death wedded Mariam Williams. Job is the sub- ject of this sketch. David married Rachel Will- iams. Jolin died at the age of eighteen years. Eliza married Albert Perkins; and Rachel is un- married. At the time of his death, John Parry owned two hundred and forty acres of land, which he had acquired by his industry and economy.

The boyhood of our subject was passed in toil, early and late, on the old homestead. He had but very meager advantages for obtaing an education, as he only attended school some six days. Though he is now master of " the three R's," and a man of practical intelligence and information, he learned it all after he was past his twenty-first year. As his future companion and helpmate, he chose Asenath HIall, a most estimable and worthy lady, who assisted him in every possible way and helped him with his studies. She became the mother of twelve children, namely: Eliza Jane, who mar- ried John Webster, and has six children; Sarah, who became the wife of Isaac Day; Phoebe, who wedded James Bailey, and became the mother of three children; Rachel, who became the wife of William Bryant, and has four children; Elizabeth, who married David Griffin, and has three children; Letitia, wife of William Lloyd, and mother of three children; Asa, who married Sarah Bailey, and has three children; and five who died before maturity.

Immediately after his marriage, Job Parry went to work with energy as a farmer, and saved $100. from his first crop. His first venture was on a

forty-acre tract of land, located four miles south of Quaker City. A few years later he bought one hundred and eighty aeres on Leatherwood Creek, where he continued to make his home for twenty years, during which time he made substantial and valuable improvements on the place. In 1874 he removed to Barnesville, where he lived for four- teen years, renting his farm for $500 in cash per annum.

In November, 1883, Mrs. Asenath II. Parry was called to her final rest. The following year Mr. Parry married Miss Mary Broom, from whom he was legally separated a year and a-half later. March 27, 1886, he married his present wife, Mary, who was the widow of James Dollson, of Lore City. For the past seven years Mr. Parry has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as has also his wife. Politically he is an advocate of the Republican party principles.

D AVID STONEBROOK is one of the hon- ored old residents of Tuscarawas County, and for the past eight ycars has dwelt at Blakes Mills. Ilere lie owns ten acres of good land, on which he erected a comfortable home, and en- gaged in market-gardening. Prior to this he lived for many years in Salem Township, within the limits of which occurred his birth, July 17, 1840.

Daniel Stonebrook, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, March 12, 1817. There he married Sarah Yingling, hkewise of the Key- stone State. At an early day he came to this conn- ty, and worked at general farming until 1834. at which time he purchased a tract of forty acres. This place he cultivated for some ten years, when he sold out and invested the proceeds, in addition to a certain sum of money he had laid aside, in a seventy-acre farm, situated in the same township, and on this continued to reside for fourteen years. After selling the same he bought forty acres near

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New Comerstown, Ohio, where he lived for five years. Later he became a resident of Glasgow, Salem Township. Buying a lot, he built a pleasant home, and there continued to live until called to his final rest, September 10, 1891. Ilis first wife had died many years previously, August 3, 1852, aged thirty-three years, one month and twenty- eight days.

The family of Daniel and Sarah Stonebrook comprised the following: David, Emanuel, Bar- bara, John, Mary and Margaret, the latter three de- ceased. Margaret died soon after her mother, Sep- tember 8, 1852, aged two months and thirteen days. Barbara married Daniel Frankboner, of Akron, this state. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and most highly re- spected by all who had the pleasure of their ae- quaintanee.

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Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 45

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