USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 47
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Until reaching his majority, Dr. Miller continued to live with his parents, and then going out to earn his own livelihood was for five years employed as a carpenter. Ile later attended school for two terms, after which, in the fall of 1875, he taught one term in the Bell School, in Liberty Township. Soon afterward he took up the study of medicine, and was graduated February 27, 1878, at the Columbus Medical College. His first location was at Sunny Dale, Sedgwick County, Kan. There he remained until March 9, 1881, whem he removed to Harvey County, in the same state. After practicing until September, 1886, he entered the Cincinnati Medi- cal College, where he took a full course as a post- graduate. The following spring he went to To- peka, Kan., with the intention of practicing medi- cine, but was laid low with a severe attack of fever. As soon as convalescent he returned to Cambridge and continued in practice here for two years, at the end of which time he was again prostrated with . the fever which had formerly afflicted him, and he was compelled to give up his profession.
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December 9, 1889, Dr. Miller, in partnership with W. C. McConaughey, purchased the stock of T. S. Luccock. They continued in business until March 1, 1894, when the interests of our subject's partner were purchased by Mrs. Florence Pollock. The Doctor was a member and Secretary of the Board of llealth of Cambridge, Ohio. While liv- ing in Sedgwick City, Kan., he was Treasurer of the county for one year, and in Grant Township also served in the same capacity. After coming to Kimbolton he filled the unexpired term of T. W. Berry as Treasurer, and was then elected to the posi- tion. In the spring of 1893 he was chosen by his fel- low-citizens to serve as Mayor. In politics he is an influential man in the ranks of the Republican party.
December 13, 1882, Dr. Miller was united in marriage with Mary M. Anderson, who was born near this village, February 7, 1858, and is a dangh- ter of Dr. William and Eliza ( MeMillen) An-
derson. The former was born in 1812, in Harrison County, Ohio, and died in April, 1882. Ilis wife was born in this eounty, and is a daughter of Mary and John McMillen, Pennsylvanians. Mrs. Miller is one of six children, the others being as follows: William, deceased; Gilbert, a farmer of Johnson County, Kan .; Katie, deceased; Florence M., widow of L. W. Polloek, and a resident of Kimbolton: and Annie E., who is unmarried and lives at the home of Dr. Miller. To our subject and wife have been born two daughters, namely, Lois and Mary. The family are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and enjoy the friendship and esteem of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
ARRET MATTHEWS. Among those to whom Guernsey County owes a debt of gratitude for their share in the develop- ment of her agricultural resources and in the vari- ous affairs through which the interests of society are advanced, the name of Garret Matthews should not be passed unnoted. Ile is at present living in Salem, whither he removed when retiring from farm work.
Mr. Matthews, who is a native of this county, was born on the 5th of January, 1820, in Antrim. Ilis parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Smith) Mat- thews, natives of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to this county about the year 1810, and spent the re- mainder of their lives in farm pursuits. The fa- ther was the son of Garret and Margery Matthews. also born in the Keystone State, where the former's death occurred at the remarkable age of ninety- eight years. The father of our subject was sev- enty-eight at the time of his decease, in 1871.
Mrs. Elizabeth Matthews was the daughter of John Smith and wife, who were born in Pennsyl- vania, and passed their entire lives there. This lady died in 1878, aged seventy-five years. She was the mother of a family of eight children. of whom the eldest son, William, is engaged in business in
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Missouri; Garret was the second-born; Margaret is the widow of John Burges, and lives in this county; Hugh is farming in this loeality; Phebe A. is deceased; Cinderella is the wife of George McFee, a resident of this county; and Zephaniah B. is deeeased.
Garret Matthews began earning his own living at the age of eighteen years by operating a thresh- ing-machine, which he had purchased in partner- ship with another gentleman. This he conveyed to the farms of those wanting work done during the summer, and for six years reaped a good in- come from this kind of work, in partnership with Samuel Virtue. Then, having reason to sever the connection, young Matthews became connected with John Poloek, and for three years the new firm made money.
About this time our subject was married, his union with Miss Rebecea C. Linn being solemnized in 1840. She was born in this eounty, in Mareh, 1824, and was the daughter of John and Margaret (MeCullough) Linn. Her father, who was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, died in 1878, aged three- score years and ten. His parents were Adam and Jane Linn, born in Maryland, where they lived until 1812, the year of their advent into Guern- sey County. Here the father purchased a farm, and at the same time was the proprietor of a tav- ern, from which he derived a good ineome. The mother of Mrs. Matthews died in 1879, being then one year older than her husband. Of their family of eleven children, all are deceased. with the exception of Rebeeea, Andrew F., Adam and John, Jr. The others bore the respeetive names of Annie, Eliza, Peggy, Samuel, Nancy, Mary and Sallie. The father of this family was a fariner by occupation and a blacksmith by trade, which eom- bined businesses he followed during his active years.
By his union with Miss Linn, our subject became the father of the following children: Eliza A., de- ceased; William R., living in Liberty Township; John, also of the above locality; Margaret, wife of J. M. C. Gardner, making her home in Wiscon- sin; Adam M., deccased; Garret A., living in Port Washington, Tuscarawas County, Ohio; and Al- vanus M., carrying on farm pursuits in Liberty Township.
Soon after his marriage our subjeet rented a farm, upon which he lived a twelvemonth, be- ing then so situated that he eould purchase a traet of eighty acres. This he called his home for the following three years, when we find him located on the estate which he still owns. This now in- eludes but sixty-seven aeres, Mr. Matthews having sold one hundred and twenty-three acres on ae- eount of not being able to cultivate it as he would like, and as he was prevented from doing by old age. This estate is one of the model ones of the eounty, and from its rental Mr. Matthews is de- riving a good income.
During early life our subjeet learned the trade of a stonemason, which he followed during the winter season, when it was necessary to add to his ineome, and later he became well versed in the art of shoemaking. He is purely and truly a self- made man, and energy and perseveranee are no- where better illustrated than in his career, as he began life with only the ability with which na- ture endowed him, and at the present time is a well known and highly respected citizen of Salem. In polities Mr. Matthews was a Demoerat until the last election, when he had reason to change liis views and voted the Prohibition ticket. and it is his intention to uphold the principles of that party for the remainder of lus life. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, in the work of which he takes an active part.
UDGE WILLIAM CHAMBERS, one of the most prominent and influential eitizens of Guernsey County, is an official who is mak- ing an excellent reeord. Ile is held in high esteem by the Bar and public as a man fair and impartial in all his rulings and possessing unswer- ving integrity and honesty of purpose. -
Judge Chambers was born in Calvert County. Md., March 11, 1812, and is the son of William and Matilda (Stallings) Chambers, also natives of
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that state, where the father during his later years followed farm pursuits. In early life he had been a boatman on Chesapeake Bay, but not finding this a profitable or congenial oeeupation, aban- doned it after some time and began eultivating the soil of his native state. The family was one of prominence in Maryland, and was connected with the early history of that state.
To William Chambers and his wife were born seven children, of whom six are living at the pres- ent time. Mary Jane is the wife of Michael II. Spence, and resides in Noble County, this state. Our subject is next in order of birth. Henry is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Union Coun- ty, Ore. Eliza became the wife of Madison Lam- ley, and resides in Missouri. Susan V. Moorehead makes her home in West Virginia; and Lewis is farming in Woodford County, Ill. The mother of this family died in Maryland, April 28, 1853. The father came with his family that year to Ohio, and, locating in Monroe County, was engaged in the tobacco business until the year of his decease, 1866, when threescore and ten years old. He had been twice married, his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Christina Birckhead, and was a native of Maryland, dying in 1837. The ances- tors of our subject on his mother's side were also well known in the history of Maryland, of which state they were residents for many generations.
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of his native county and of Monroe Coun- ty, this state, until 1860, when he journeyed to Maryland and became a student in West River Academy. He returned to Ohio in 1863, and taught school until 1869. It had been his ambi- tion, however, since early boyhood to lead a pro- fessional life, and during the years in which he was teaching he kept up his legal studies and was admitted to practice at the Bar of Noble County in . 1869. Two years later he located at Caldwell for the practice of his profession, and the following year had the honor of being elected the first Mayor of the city. This position he held for a term of four years, and on its expiration was elected Pros- ecuting Attorney, serving from January, 1876, to January 1, 1878. Ilis great popularity is also in- dicated by the fact that he was elected Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas in April, 1892, which position he still holds. The energy of his charac- ter and the force of purpose inherent in his nature are apparent at a glance. He sees at once the difficult point in any question, and as readily sees the means that must be adopted to carry it. Stanch in principle, clear in perception, and de- cided in character. he deserves the good things which have come to him and the high character for probity which years of intimate business and social acquaintance have brought him.
Judge Chambers was married, October 25, 1870, to Miss Martha Phillips, daughter of Rev. Jeremialı Phillips, of Noble County. To them have been born four children, Alfred P., Della, Henry B. and Ada. The elder son is attending the Dental Col- lege of Cincinnati. In politics the Judge is a thorough Republican and takes great delight in the success of the party.
Rev. Jeremiah Phillips, father of Mrs. Cham- bers, was born in Saratoga, N. Y., May 3, 1799, and departed this life at Dexter City, this state, July 5, 1888. In 1823 he moved with his parents to Crawford County, Pa., and August 27, 1826, was converted to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and. although his parents were Friends in religious belief, he became an active and efficient offieer in the church of his choiee. He was given a license to preach in 1830, and the same year was admitted to the Pittsburg Conference, being sta- tioned at Connelsville, Pa., with thirty-three ap- pointments. In order to fill the pulpit at these various places he was compelled to ride two hun- dred and eighty miles every eight weeks. Ile was ordained a Deaeon in 1832, and Elder two years later, and although superannuated in 1864 con- tinued to preach for ten years thereafter.
Mrs. Chambers' mother was in maidenhood Miss Arah Courtney, a native of Monongahela County, Pa. The ceremony which united her to Rev. Mr. Phillips was performed May 8, 1834. Mrs. Phillips lived until 1881, when, October 14 of that year, she passed away. Her husband was an associate of John Brown of Ossawatomie fame. He always called things by their right name, and fearlessly condemned sin in all its forms. He was a strong Abolitionist and a man of deep piety, who, loving
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all, was loved in turn by everyone who knew him. Ile died July 5, 1888, after a long and useful life.
The above facts relating to Rev. Mr. Phillips were gleaned from the proceedings of the Eastern Ohio Methodist Episcopal Conference of 1888.
C
ALENTINE AND DAVID GIBLER. The history of the Gibler family dates back to probably an earlier period in the settlement of Lawrence Township than that of any other family represented here. Traeing the ancestry baek several generations from the subjects of this nar- rative, we find that their maternal great-grandfa- ther Rinehart was a member of a family of whom all but himself were murdered by the Indians. The home in Pennsylvania was surrounded by the sav- ages, and parents, brothers and sisters were brutally massacred, only a boy of seven years eseaped, fled and jumped into a hole left by an upturned tree. There he ran into the arms of an old Indian chief, secreted to watch for anyone attempting to eseape. Ile was made a prisoner, and adopted by his captor, whom he followed in his hunting and fishing ex- peditions. On one occasion, while skinning a deer, he was shot through the right hand by an Indian who was jealous of his influence with the chief. The wound was dressed with herbs and soon healed. After a captivity of seven years he was released. Ile later served as a soldier. and spent some time at Ft. Lawrence, which was located on the site of the homestead of Henry Gibier in later years.
Valentine and David Gibler are the sons of Ilen- ry and Mary ( Rinehart) Gibler. Their father, who was born in 1792, was a son of Gabriel Gibler, and a farmer by occupation, who for years tilled the soil of Bedford County, Pa. About 1812 Henry came to the site of what is now Waynesburg, Stark County, Ohio, where he stopped with Peter Sha- fer, an uncle of the lady he afterward married. The trip to Ohio and back home was made on foot through the unbroken forest. Some years later he returned to Stark County, and about 1819 settled
in Waynesburg. Thence, in April, 1825, he re- moved to Tusearawas County and made a settle- ment on the farm now occupied by our subject.
A little below six feet in height and weighing one hundred and ninety pounds, Henry Gibler was noted as the most powerful man in the whole Tus- carawas Valley. A man of more than ordinary ed- ucation, he was a fluent linguist and spoke Eng- lish and German with equal accuracy. For years after he settled in the woods of Lawrence Town- ship, game abounded in great quantities. Ile was not a trapper, but shot game for his own use. Wolves were very plentiful and followed him as he made his way through the woods, and sometimes boldly stuck their noses into the cracks between the poles of the log cabin he first erected. They were very destructive to sheep, which they would take from pens five or six rails in height and carry away. In passing through the forest Mr. Gibler carried an axe for protection. He aided in building the Ohio Canal, on which James A. Gar- field afterward was employed as a eanal-boat diiv- er. In 1838 he built a house, that constitutes a part of the present homestead dwelling. The barn which he erected in 1830 is still standing.
The marriage of Mr. Gibler united him with Mary, daughter of Valentine and Mary (Bauman) Rinehart, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Stark County in 1809. Mrs. Gibler was born in 1802, and passed from earth October 23, 1873. Of their children we note the following: John, who was born October 8, 1824, married Magdalene Yunkman, and settled on the northern part of the old homestead; Aaron died in 1837, at the age of eleven years; Maria, born in 1830, became the wife of Daniel Tomer; Valentine was born July 23, 1833, David April 27, 1836, and Lydia A. April 19, 1840.
Starting in life with a capital of but twenty-five cents, Henry Gibler through industrious efforts ac- cumulated a competence. On beginning to keep house, lie made the majority of the articles of furni- ture by hand. Ile constructed a small sled of sap- lings and on it hauled wheat over the bare ground to Canton, where a bushel of grain was exchanged for a pound of coffee, and the balance of the load traded for a little calico at fifty cents per yard.
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His first tract of land, which cost $150, consist- ed of one hundred acres, to which he added as op- portunity afforded, until at the time of his demise he owned three hundred and eighty-seven acres in a body, one and one-fourth miles southwest of Bol- ivar, six hundred acres in Greene County, Iowa, and two hundred and fifty acres in Lake County, Ind. He and his wife spent their lives on the Law- rence Township homestead, where he died August 5, 1859, and she October 23, 1873. Both were de- voted members of the German Lutheran Church, and in their honored lives exemplified the sincer- ity of their religious belief. The worthy couple were beloved by their neighbors and esteemed by all with whom they had acquaintance. Though they have passed away, their deeds live in honored remembrance, and the influence of their Christian characters will be for the ennobling of their pos- terity.
After the death of their father Valentine and David took the homestead of three hundred and eighty-seven acres, and now own the site of old Ft. Lawrence, where their grandfather was a soldier more than a century ago. Their farm is one of the best in the county, improved with good build- ings and supplied with modern agricultural ma- chinery. Adjoining their estate on the south lies the old Rutter Farin, owned and cultivated by their sister Lydia, who since purchasing it in 1889 has placed it under a high state of cultivation. She is an estimable lady, and shares with her brothers in the esteem of neighbors and friends. In religious belief Valentine is identified with the German Luth- eran Church, and politically he is a Republican, to which party David also belongs. The latter, soci- ally, is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
A UGUSTUS MAX. One of the prominent German-American citizens of Quaker City, is the gentleman whose biography it now becomes our duty and pleasure to write. Ile is at present engaged in the manufacture of a fine grade of cigars, which he retails at prices which at once
make his store popular. He has resided in this city since March, 1893, but in this time he has built up a fine trade, and is numbered among the well-to-do business men of the place.
Mr. Max is a native of Austria, having been born in that country July 13, 1848. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Deirl) Max, also na- tives of Austria. There the father worked in foundries, and was also employed in erecting cu- polas on many of the large buildings in the cities. Our subject was four years old when his parents undertook the journey to America, leaving their native home May 2, 1852, and arriving in Balti- more August 15, following. From Baltimore the family were conveyed to Pittsburg, where they made their home for a number of years. There Au- gustus was sent to the German Catholic schools, at- tending for a year and nine months. when his school days were ended. He then began to make his own way in the world, and his father dying soon after- ward, he was compelled to support his mother and sister, who were left with limited means. At the age of eleven years he began working in a factory in Pittsburg, his duty being to strip the tobacco from the stem. Thinking this a good business, he commenced at the bottom and worked his way up in all departments, until he was thoroughly famil- iar with the manufacture of cigars.
In 1871 Mr. Max came to Ohio and located in Barnesville, where he had charge of a factory for a period of eight years. Being offered at the end of that time inducements to move to Columbus, he changed his place of residence, and in that city was given charge of Pat Sweeney's shop for one year. In 1880 he returned to Barnesville, and re- mained there until April, 1881, engaged in work- ing at his trade. That year and month he came to Quaker City, where, until 1885, he had a super- intendency of a factory. About that time he formed a partnership with his brothers in the cigar business, which connection existed until 1892, when Augustus disposed of his interest in the bus- ness and moved to New Madison. His stay there was of short duration. and his next move found him in Newark, where he started in the business under the name of Max Bros. They continued to mannfacture cigars in that city until March of the
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following year, when our subject came again to Quaker City, and now carries on his business alone.
November 28, 1872, Mr. Max was married to Mary E., daughter of Amos and Didema Mayhew, and to them have been born nine children: Henry; Lillie M., now the wife of Otto Heinbeek; Emma L., Charles A., Earl F., Helena, Iva, Elizabeth and Lura. In politics Mr. Max is a Republican. He is held in high esteem among the business men of this city, and has the proud satisfaction of knowing that the confidence he enjoys is deserved.
OSEPH BROWN, one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of Guernsey County, owns and carries on what is known as the Hugh Wilson Farm, which is situated a mile west of Cambridge. The valuable estate numbers three hundred and fifty-five acres within its bound- aries. In politics a true-blue Republican, Mr. Brown has never aspired to hold offiee, but was elected Township Trustee, in which capacity he served for about three years. He was also for one term Treasurer of Knox Township.
Joseph Brown was born in Adams Township, Guernsey County, June 25, 1821. Ilis parents, Robert and Esther (Clemens) Brown, were both natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, and were mar- ried in the Emerald Isle. They set sail for the United States some time between the years 1800 and 1805, and after a stormy voyage of six weeks arrived on the shores of the New World. Pro- ceeding direct to this county, they entered a farm in the timber, and after living thereon for about six years sold out to Archie McDonald, and entered another tract of land. On this place they lived in- til the father's death, which occurred about 1823. Some sixteen years later the mother sold her share to Nathan Hutchinson, who also bought out the other heirs. Investing a part of the proceeds in sixty acres about two miles north of Cambridge, Mrs. Brown dwelt thereon for five years, at the end
of which time she broke up housekeeping and went to live with her eldest son, under whose roof she died December 4, 1849. Of her seven children, Samuel lived in this county all his life; Andrew was a blacksmith, whose last years were passed in Muskingum County; Robert, also a blacksmith by trade, and formerly a resident of this county, was killed by being thrown from a horse; William, a tanner, lived and died in this county, of which he was a Commissioner for some nine years; James, who left home at the age of eighteen, going to Zanesville, this state, was next heard from in Texas, when he enlisted for a year's service in the Mexi- can War, but was soon after lost track of by his relatives; Isabel became the wife of Nathaniel Meeland, and lived prior to her death for some years on the farm now owned by her brother Joseph. James Brown, to whom we have just re- ferred, enlisted in the Mexican War on the assur- ance that at the end of a year he was to have twelve hundred acres of land. He renewed his enlistment, and was promised thirteen hundred acres more, or in all twenty-five hundred acres, in addition to his monthly pay; but how the matter was adjusted has never been known by his family, and it is sup- posed he met his death in Mexico.
Joseph Brown, of this sketch, learned the tan- ner's trade in youth with his brother William. and then went to Liberty, where he started a tannery of his own in company with Thomas Drakely. They continued together for five years, after which Mr. Brown sold out his interest and next helped to erect Liberty Mill. In this building he owned a third share, which he subsequently traded for a farm of two hundred and seventy-two acres. The homestead was situated four miles from Liberty, near the Herman United Presbyterian Church. While living in that township, Mr. Brown served as Trustee for three terms. He subsequently moved upon the hill north of the Baltimore & Ohio de- pot, where he had purchased sixty acres two years previously. After selling his tannery, he bought an interest in a wholesale grocery, and two years later sold out. The proceeds he invested in the farm which he now conducts successfully.
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