USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > Portrait and biographical record of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 52
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
When ready to establish a home of his own, Mr. Bodey was married, April 8, 1861, to Miss Alice H., daughter of Francis L. and Caroline Whitney Cooper, of Philadelphia, Pa. To them five children were born, of whom the eldest, William II., is de- ceased. Ilis death, which occurred at the age of seventeen years, was the result of injuries received in his father's foundry. Carrie C., the eldest daughter, is the wife of Robert A. Lawrence;
Annie W. is at home; Charles F. is employed in his father's business; and Francis C. is also at home.
January 27, 1894, the community in which Mrs. Bodey resided was called upon to mourn her un- timely loss. She was a most estimable lady, and passed away in the meridian of womanhood. She took a deep and lively interest in the educational field, and her name is written in unfading char- acters in the schools of her native city. She was a woman of a most singularly blameless life, and commanded without effort the respect of every- body. Her disposition was amiable, her manner quiet and unobtrusive, and her decision when eir- cumstances demanded it was prompt, firm and immovable. She did nothing from impulse, but carefully considered her course, and with alnost infallible judgment came to conclusions that her conscience approved, and then nothing moved her from thein.
Mrs. Bodey was graduated from the Girls' Nor- mal School in Philadelphia in 1856. When but seventeen years of age she was granted her first certificate as assistant grammar-school teacher; and at the age of nineteen received a certificate as first assistant, ranking high in a class of sixty-five. At the age of twenty she stood third in a class of fifty, and first in a class of twenty-eight. At sub- sequent examinations when twenty-two she was granted a certificate to fill the position of Principal of the Girls' Grammar School of Philadelphia. She was an indefatigable worker, and when teach- ing gave strict attention to hier professional duties. She continued her successful career as teacher in the Philadelphia grammar schools until lier marriage, April 8, 1864. April 15, 1875, Canal Dover became her home, and here her work and life have left a lasting impress, and her memory is enshrined in the hearts of many people.
The father of our subject, who was a most prom- inent Abolitionist, was one of the agents of the "underground railroads," his duties being to furnish the carriages to convey the negroes from Norristown to Morristown. On the occasion of the Christiana riots in Pennsylvania, the slave who was the bone of contention was sent in this way to Canada, but the event left in the community such a feeling of indignation, that the United States
404
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Marshal for the distriet, appointed through the in- fluence of Thaddeus Stevens, so selected the jurors that the trial of the parties concerned in these riots ended in failure to convict and resulted in the practical nullification of the Fugitive Slave Law in Pennsylvania. Charles W., of this sketeh. is a true-blue Republican, and active in the affairs of his party. He stands immovable on what he be- lieves to be right, and under all eireumstanees has the courage of his convictions. He believes in protecting publie enterprises, and at all times con- tributes his share toward maintaining measures caleulated to be of benefit to his community. He was a member of the School Board at the time of the building of the elegant sehoolhouse, and although liberal in the expenditure of his own means, was always opposed to the extravagant use of public funds, and set his face immovably against everything that savored of favoritism or jobbery.
J ACOB PEARCII is a worthy representative of an old and respected family. Ile is a prominent eitizen and business man of Uhrichisville, where he owns extensive lum- ber-yards. He has been engaged in this calling for the past ten years, but for upwards of a quarter of a century has been numbered among the inhabi- tants of this city.
The aneestors of our subject were natives of Germany. On coming to the United States they first located in Virginia, and married into the well known families of Ball and Lawyer. A part of the family afterward went to Pennsylvania, settling in Washington County, whence they eame to Ohio in the year 1814, and cast in their lot in Carroll County. Conrad Pearch, the first of the name of whom we have definite record, married Catharine Tuchamiller, and to them were born four children, Conrad, Joseph, Hannah and John. The eldest, born August 24, 1791, died Mareh 13, 1860. Ile married Barbara Essig, who was born
March 19, 1774, and died March 4, 1849, and eight children were born of their union. John, the di- rect ancestor of our subjeet, was born March 29, 1803, and died July 16, 1887. Adam, born Septem- ber 30, 1804, died April 15, 1837. Abraham, born January 2, 1806, died November 1, 1880. He was blinded by a blast while working on the eanal at Canal Dover in 1828. Jacob, born Mareh 8, 1809, died March 7, 1848. George, born March 3, 1819, is deceased. Catharine, born June 30, 1811. died in 1894. Elizabeth, born September 4, 1813, and Joseph, June 11, 1817, are both deecased, the lat- ter dying. February 13, 1854.
John Peareh, the eldest son of Conrad and Bar- bara (Essig) Peareh, was twice married. His first union was with Elizabeth Barriek, the ceremony being performed Mareh 28, 1826. His wife was born February 11, 1801, and died January 27, 1841. They became the parents of eight children. Conrad, born January 4, 1827. is now a farmer in Carroll County, Ohio. He married Eliza Jane MeDivitt, June 21, 1849. She was born April 25, 1826. Of their five children, Margaret Ann, born April 4, 1850, married Thomas Rainsberger; Will- iam Jolin, born September 29, 1852, married Sarah Ann Albaugh; Elizabeth, born August 19, 1854, married Jacob Beamer; Winfield Seott, born No- vember 1, 1859, married Mary E. Daugherty; and Alice Advia, born July 27, 1867, became the wife of John Capes. Catharine, born November 22, 1828, lives near New Cumberland, this state, and has been an invalid since her ninth year. George. born January 18, 1830, died November 27. 1845. Ann Mary, born April 22, 1831, died September 29, 1847. John, born May 8, 1833, died August 17, 1870. Ile was married to Elmira MeNeal, De- eember 1, 1867. She was born November 3. 1840. January 22. 1869, their only child, Althea M .. was born. She became the wife of George Rice, January 4, 1887. and they have four children. Jacob Pearch, born Mareh 26, 1835. is the subject of this sketch. Elizabeth, born August 4, 1837. died March 29, 1865. Barbara, who was born May 19, 1839, married Isaac Barrick, May 5. 1860. He was born Jannary 21, 1837, and died September 18, 1879. Of their seven children. John, who was born April 4, 1861, married Julia Walker; Ethel-
i
i
Z
1
.
--------- 1 . :
i
405
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
inda, born December 24, 1862, became the wife of David Daugherty; Melissa, born April 2, 1864, married Winfield Tidrick; Melanethon, born April 1, 1866, married Etta Tressell; Abraham, born Sep- tember 3, 1868, married Jane Steese; Alzada, born January 19, 1870, married Richard Herron; and Mary E., born October 2, 1874, became the wife of Joe Ekes.
After the death of his first wife, the father of this family married her sister, Ann Mary Barrick. April 24, 1842. She was born June 5, 1814, and died October 16, 1876. They had eight children. Margaret, born April 26, 1843, died August 12. 1844. Iluldalı, born November 24, 1844, died Sep- tember 17, 1845. Luther, born July 19, 1846, mar- ried Tillie Herron, November 10, 1867. She was born September 9, 1847. Of their five children, Elva May was born August 30, 1868, and died September 21, 1868; Walter Arthur was born Jan- uary 11, 1870, and died March 2, 1873; William Charles was born September 11, 1872; L. B. was born February 13, 1875; James Ortho was born January 31, 1877. Melancthon Pearch was born Marchi 11, 1848, and married Eliza M. Beamer, September 4, 1870. She was born May 22, 1850. Five children were born to them. Loran Otto was born September 19, 1871; Mary Esther, on the 29th of March, 1874; Oliver Enfield, on the 3d of February, 1877; Harwood Mikesell, on the 9th of December, 1879, and died March 4, 1889; and Bes- sie May was born December 22, 1886, and died November 14, 1892. Allen Pearch was born June 20, 1850, and died December 21, 1891. He was married to Ann Wallace, March 31, 1871. She was born May 28, 1848. Of their five children, Ada Viola was born December 22, 1871; John Wallace, January 10, 1874; Thomas Homer, Au- gust 29, 1876; Arthur Garfield, September 12, 1878; and Ross Roy, July 20, 1886. James Pearch was born October 16, 1852, and was married to Romania Van Buskirk, June 22, 1872. She was born April 13, 1854. Their only child, Hazel Crotell, was born August 29, 1885, and died Sep- tember 20, 1888. Lovina Pearch was born March 12, 1855, and died September 11, 1889. She was married May 24, 1874, to John Herron, who was born November 9, 1851. To them were born eight
children. Myrta Loretta was born February 24, 1875, and became the wife of Niles Belknap, Decem- ber 25, 1894; Chiloe Olive was born September 4, 1876; Walter Herman, August 4. 1878; Verdes Ed- son, Angust 5, 1880; James Ross, April 29, 1882; Thomas Otes, October 14, 1884; Ila Jane, De- cember 6, 1886; and Elert Wade, February 3, 1889. Emma Pearch was born July 15, 1858, and died May 27, 1887. July 19, 1874, she became the wife of William Herron, who was born Mareli 29, 1853. Of their six children, Ores Orwood was born February 27, 1876; Rovy Delphine, June 11, 1878; Eva Bertha, September 25, 1880; Clara Elna, October 17, 1882; Luther Herbert was born Octo- ber 27, 1884, and died May 24, 1887; and Emma was born May 20, 1887, and died June 17, 1887.
Jolin Pearch, our subject's father, followed farm- ing and milling all his life. He became a resident of Carroll County in 1814. Ile it was who laid out the town of Sherrodsville in Carroll County.
Jacob Pearch enlisted in Company K, One Hun- dred and Tenth Regiment Ohio Infantry, on the 14th of November, 1862, and received an honora- ble discharge from the service, December 24, 1863. In September, 1864, he came to Tuscarawas Coun- ty and began working on the Dennison Shops. No- vember 28, 1865, he removed his family to Uhrichs- ville, where he has ever since resided. From April 8, 1872, until July 31, 1881, he was employed in the Dennison Shops. In the last-named year he engaged in earpentering for a time, and also bought and shipped live stock. Soon after, when the Monarch Coal Mine was opened, he was made superintendent, and held this position for a time. In July, 1884, he entered the lumber business. which has sinee employed his time and attention. Politically he is a supporter of the Republican party.
Jacob Pearch was married March 22, 1860, to Eliza Palmer, whose birth occurred September 10, 1840, and who was called to the silent land De- cember 13, 1884. Their eldest cluld. Manillia Maybelle, was born February 1, 1865. July 28, 1885, she became the wife of Thomas B. Ross, who was born February 5, 1854. They have had two children: Ray Ellsworth, born June 11, 1886, and who died May 7, 1892; and William Byron, born
.
;
.
3
...
1
406
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.
February 6, 1892. Reenzo Rollo Pearch was born October 22, 1866, and died January 18, 1867. Ortho Ollo, born September 24, 1868, resides in Wellsville, Ohio. December 24, 1891, he married Mary A. Kraus, who was born August 25, 1871, and they have two sons: Charles Arthur, born February 16, 1894; and Paul Jacob, born January 26, 1895. Lecta Lulu, born August 6, 1870, is un- married. Ella Elvira, born January 20, 1872, mar- ried Robert Beltz, March 11, 1891. IIe was born August 7, 1869. They have two children: Bert- ram Brock, born December 24, 1891; and Victor Verne, October 10, 1893. Cecelia Celestine was born January 22, 1874. Harry Hope, born April 5. 1875, died August 22 of the same year. Verna Valeria, born January 4, 1878, resides at home.
February 10, 1888, Jacob Pearch married Mrs. Elizabeth West, and they have two children: J. J., born January 4, 1889; and Arehie Ray, November 9,1891.
-
ALENTINE WILLS, deceased. Among all classes and in every condition of life where the struggle for a livelihood is going on, there must perforce be numerous trials and hard- ships to overcome before the ladder of fame and finaneial suecess is climbed. The early years of our subject were marked with serions disadvantages, and his success was therefore a compliment to his own exertions and ability. Ilis life truly verified the adage that "a bad beginning makes a good ending," since at the time of his decease, in 1894, he was the owner of a flourishing sawmill and the possessor of seventeen hundred acres of land in Goshen Township, Tuscarawas County.
The original of this sketch was born September 3, 1824, in Licking County, Ohio, and was the son of David and Catherine (Schuyler) Wills. The parental family included nine children, of whom Valentine was the eldest but one. David makes his home in Lebanon, Mo .; Fannie is the widow of Solomon Landis, of Defianee County. this state; Sarah married Louis Hykes; Elizabeth is deceased,
as is likewise Lucy, who was the wife of a Mr. Ilar- vey; Belinda married James Kelley, now deceased; Isaac is a resident of Phillipsburgh, Mo .; and Rob- ert died in infancy.
Valentine Wills, like other boys of that early day, carried on his studies in the district school, where he obtained a fair education. He was a lad of nine years when his parents, in 1833, came to Tusearawas County. His first work away from home was as a canal-boy, and the day after receiv- ing his pay, which consisted of notes on the State Bank, it failed, and he was thus defrauded out of his small earnings.
One year prior to attaining his majority, our subject began the operation of a brickyard in New Philadelphia. He found this line of business to be very profitable, and continued in it for a number of years, or nntil renting a sawmill. This proper- ty le later purchased, and carried on a good busi- ness until the day of his death.
In 1850 Mr. Wills began life as a farmer in Go- shen Township, on fifty-one acres of land, which he had purchased. He was very successful in this venture, as indeed he was in almost everything which he undertook, and added to this tract from time to time until he had increased it to seventeen hundred aeres. It was one of the most valuable pieces of property in the township, and Mr. Wills so managed it that he derived a handsome income from its tillage.
The lady to whom our subjeet was first married bore the name of Jerusha Everett, and to them were born two children: David, now living near New Cumberland, Ohio; and Mary. the wife of Kirkwood Arnold, of Beaver Dam, this state. May 3, 1856, he chose for his second companion Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Susan ( Misimen) Furney. This union resulted in the birth of the following five children: Charles II .; George W., who is in business in Canal Dover; Franeis M., of Goshen Township; Albert E., managing the old homestead; and Clara B.
Mr. Wills was numbered among the most sne- cessful residents of the county, and had many friends who recognized the nobility of his charac- ter and realized that he deserved to be held in the highest possible esteem, as indeed he was. Ile
3 : %
407
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
was a stanel Demoerat in politics, but never as- pired to official holding, preferring to devote his time and attention to the management of his cx- tensive interests. In his death, which occurred January 3, 1894, the county lost one of its most valued citizens.
A LPHEUS RINGER. The following sketch is of one of the best known men of Guern- sey County, who has lived here many years, and is identified prominently with the va- rious interests of the neighborhood. The family reeord is an interesting one, and we give it in full-
Alpheus Ringer was born in Shenandoah County, Va., April 22, 1825. He is a grandson of George Ringer, a native of Germany, who was brought to America when quite young by his parents. This was during Colonial times, and on the outbreak of the Revolutionary War young George joined the Continental army and fought for American inde- pendenec. On the close of hostilities he continued to make his home in his adopted country, and for many years enjoyed the blessing for which he fought.
Jacob, the father of our subject, was also born in Virginia, where he was reared to manhood on a farm which his parents owned. When old enough to choose an occupation for himself he took up farming, and throughout his entire life cultivated the soil with great success. When the war between the United States and England broke out in 1812. he enlisted and fought for the second independ- enee of America. His regiment was under the command of Gen. William Henry Harrison, and participated in many of the important and hard- fought battles of that period, among which were the battles at Ft. Meigs and Norfolk, at which lat- ter place General Ross was prevented from land- ing his soldiers.
When peace was restored the father of our sub- jeet returned to Virginia, and spent the follow-
ing three or four years in traveling within its confines. About this time he was married, and traded his farm for property in Ohio. Coming hither, he located near New Philadelphia, and after a year's residence on his estate, disposed of it to good advantage and returned to the Old Domin- ion. There he followed teaming for some six years, at the expiration of which time he again came West, this time taking up his abode in Noble County. There he purchased a valuable traet of land, and for thirty years was engaged in agricult- ural pursuits. He became one of the most influ- ential and prominent citizens of the county, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. When advanced in years he sold his prop- erty in Noble County and bought land in Ross County, upon which he was living at the time of his decease, in 1862.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Nancy Worley. She was of French extraction, her father having come to the United States with Gen- eral LaFayette, and with him east his lot with the Continental army. Her union with Jacob Ringer was blessed by the birth of eight children, of whom we make the following mention: Betsey is the widow of Samuel McVey, and is residing in Mon- roe County, this state; Lydia is deceased; Mary married John Rush, and departed this life in 1862; Alpheus, of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; Joseph died in 1867; Jacob enlisted in the Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry during the late war, and was killed upon the battlefield of Pittsburg Landing; Susan became the wife of Vineent Mor- gan, and died in 1872; Samuel, who also fought as a Union soldier, was a member of the Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and was under Sherman on his march to the sea, and on its completion marched with his regiment to Wash- ington and participated in the Grand Review.
Alpheus Ringer, our subject, was reared on his father's fine estate, where he received thorough training in all the details connected with its man- agement, and during dull seasons of farm work attended the distriet school. He was very ambi- tious to gain a good education, and being studious and making the best of his hmited opportunities, he beeame well informed in all the branches taught.
408
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
At the age of nineteen years he started out in life for himself. Ile had the youthful curiosity to go to Zanesville to witness the execution of Solomon Shoemaker, a homieide, and so deep was the im- pression then made upon him of the wickedness which predominates in man's nature, that death alone can remove it.
A twelvemonth later Mr. Ringer went to the city of Cincinnati, and obtained a position as clerk on a boat bound for New Orleans to dispose of its cargo of pork. This trip shaped his future life. While there he visited the old battlefield on which General Jackson fought, and stored much useful information gained from this historical city. He plied the river for some two years, and was thus given the opportunity of witnessing the hor- rible treatment to which the slaves were subjected during those times. Thus early in life he became imbued with Abolition principles. The imparting of his knowledge of southern abuses on his return home was the signal for a complete change of sentiment by his entire family, and during the war which followed they were cnabled in many ways to aid the Union cause.
January 13, 1848, Mr. Ringer was united in mar- riage with Miss Margaret Stoneburner, a native of Loudoun County, Va. The young couple at once took up their abode in Noble County on rented land, and for three years followed agricultural pursuits with fair suceess. They then came to Guernsey County, where our subject purchased a farm near Georgetown. This he sold after one year's residence upon it, and became the possessor of a fine property in Knox Township. Here he was living when the news that Ft. Sumter had been fired upon flew like wildfire over the country. Ilis patriotism was aroused, and, like all good citizens of the North, he was indignant at the en- croachments of the Confederates upon the country over which floated the Stars and Stripes, for which his father and grandfather had fought. lle at Once volunteered his services, and in August, 1861, enlisted in Company G, Sixty-second Ohio Infant- ry, for three years. The regiment was in camp at Zanesville when they were ordered to Cumberland. Md., and there joined the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Ringer participated in some of the noted bat-
tles of the Civil War, among which were Cherry Run, Hancock, Martinsburg, Manchester, Winehes- ter, Ft. Republie, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Suffolk, Black water. Charleston (S. C.) and Ft. Wagoner. At the last-named place he was wounded, and on account of other disabilities was compelled to leave the service, although having been recommended for promotion as a commissioned officer. He was at that time Sergeant of his company.
Mr. Ringer was honorably discharged in Decem- ber, 1863, and on returning home again took up the peaceful pursuits of farm life as soon as his health was restored. In 1865 he sold the farm before men- tioned, and bought the estate which he now owns and occupies in Adams Township. This comprises eighty acres, admirably improved, and the eye of the passer-by is at once attracted to the set of neat and substantial buildings which adorns the place. Mr. Ringer has been very successful in his life work, and is one of the progressive and represen- tative farmers of this section.
As a matter of course, our subject is a stanch Re- publican in politics, and takes great interest in the success of his party. Ile has been prominently before the people of this county as Trustee and As- sessor of his township. and has filled many of the minor offices with satisfaction to all concerned. Ile is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and throughout the neighbor- hood is held in high esteem.
To Mr. and Mrs. Alpheus Ringer there has been granted a family of twelve children, of whom Ja- eob, the eldest of the household. is a wealthy farmer of this eounty, and is also a teacher of con- siderable note. lle is a man of fine education, having graduated at Delaware (Ohio) College and the college at Muskingum. Sarah, the next in order of birth, became the wife of Robert Rice. and died in Adams Township, Guernsey County, in 1884. J. Sylvester is also deceased. Thomas B. is a very talented musician, and is engaged in teaching musie in the public schools of Cambridge: he, too, is a graduate of Muskingum College. Jo- seph and Alice died while our subject was in the army. John W., now a practicing physician of Byesville, Guernsey County, completed his literary education in the Muskingum College, and received
:
:
409
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
his diploma to practice from the Michigan Uni- versity at Ann Arbor, where he studied for three years. Alphieus W., who was also carrying on his medical studies in the Ann Arbor College, where he graduated, died there a few days afterward, and before liis diploma reached him. Hannah, the wife of Samuel Work. is residing in Newark, this state; she is likewise a college graduate, and has received a musical education. Charles E., a stu- dent of Muskingum College, graduated as a chem- ist and is keeping a drug store at Byesville. Etta M., now Mrs. William Camp, also gained her edu- cation in the Muskingum College; and Claud R. is at home with his parents. As has been seen, our subject takes great interest in the cause of eduea- tion, and gave his children the best advantages for gaining a thorough knowledge of books. He has carved out his own career, and as a self-made man can be held up to the present generation as an ex- ample of what can be accomplished in this coun- try by pluck, honesty and perseverance.
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.