The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 100

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 100

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troops, September 20, 1861, in Company E, Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infan- try; he received his discharge at the expiration of time of service, October 18. 1864, at Villanow, Ga. His service was as remarkable for his escape from danger as his brother's was for receiving a mortal wound in his first action. During the three years and one month, he never was excused from duty on ac. count of sickness. He was under fire in battles and skirmishes fourteen times, and was at his post at all times, and though his clothes were cut with the rebels' balls twice, he never received the slightest wound. His company went into the battle of Stone River with forty-two men; four were killed on the field, three mortally wounded, two missing (never heard from), eleven were wounded and eleven escaped, out of whom there were only four whose cloth. ing was not cut with the balls of the enemy. He was afterward engaged at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face Mountain, Res- aca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and at Lovejoy's Station. Mr. Welch is now in the prime of life, a modest farmer of Mill Township, and a Republican. He married Miss Rachel E. Shelley, of Hopedale, Harrison Co., Ohio, January 30, 1866. His family consists of two boys-Charles B., born June 20, 1868, and James M., born November 11, 1869. Josiah Welch (deceased) was Second Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry (State Militia). In the fall of 1864, he entered Jefferson College, Washington County, Penn., and graduated in August, 1868. He then spent two years at the Princeton Theological Seminary, and finished his course at the Union Theological Seminary, New York City, the following year. He was licensed to preach at Annapolis, Ohio, by the Steubenville Presbytery, April 26, 1870. In the fall of 1871, he entered the home mission service, and was sent to Salt Lake City to organize a church, a field encompassed with difficul. ties, the Mormons having almost undisputed control in ecclesiastical as well as civil affairs. He finally met with success, and in the fall of 1874 the new church was finished, at a cost (including the lot on which it was built) of $32, 000. He was married, October 14, 1875, to Miss Emma, daughter of Prof. Coyner, of the Salt Lake Collegiate Institution. In the spring of 1876, he was a dele. gate to the General Assembly at Brooklyn, and he and his wife left Salt Lake City in March to go East. When he reached Brooklyn, he was taken ill of Bright's disease, gradually growing worse, and in August he returned to Uhrichsville. The day after his return home, his wife was taken ill, and died eight days afterward. He then returned to Brooklyn, to have his disease treated by Dr. Searle, remaining until the following January, when he again returned to Uh- richsville, where he died March 18, 1877.

GEORGE WELCH, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Uhrichsville, was born in West Virginia September 22, 1833, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Maxwell) Welch. (See sketch of Robert Welch, deceased.) The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, and educated at the common schools. He owns 180 acres of land in this township, on which he has lived since eleven years old. September 5, 1861, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Rob- ert Hanna. This union resulted in four boys and one girl. It is a singular fact that the children, for the last three generations of this family, have been four boys and one girl. The names of our subject's children are Harvey J., Robert S., Mary A., Oliver B. and Edward M. Mrs. Welch died June 13, 1871. For his second wife he married, December 15, 1882, Ellen Hanna, sis- ter of his first wife. Mrs. Welch is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Republican. Mr. Welch is successful in business; in stock- raising, he makes a specialty of Spanish Merino sheep, keeping on hand an average of 150 head. The mother of Mr. Welch is still living, and resides with him.

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WILLIAM WELCH, farmer, P. O. Uhrichsville, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, February 10, 1820. He is a son of George and Joanna (Price) Welch, natives respectively of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the latter of German lineage. The former was reared to the Quaker faith, and came in 1824 to this county, where he followed farming. He had five children, three now living. William, our subject, received his education at the common schools, and for one term attended the New Hagerstown Academy. He chose the oc- cupation of farming, rented land, and by his honest toil and industry suc- ceeded in accumulating 2913 acres of land on Section 29, which includes the home farm of 154 acres. He was married in 1844 to Elizabeth, daughter of William Barkley, who was an old settler of this county. He emigrated from Pennsylvania to this county in 1831, and settled in Rush Township. He was a native of Ireland. his wife of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Welch have two children- George B., who was a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio National Guards, during the civil war, and is now married, farming in this township; and Andrew J., married, living on a farm in Mill Township. Mrs. Welch is a member of the Disciple and Mr. Welch of the Presbyterian Church. He has been a member of the School Board. In politics, he is a Republican.

GEORGE BARKLEY WELCH, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Uhrichs- ville, was born on Section 22, on the farm where he now resides, in Mill Town- ship. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Barkley) Welch, whose sketch is also given in this work. Our subject was the oldest of a family of four chil. . dren, and received such an education as could be obtained in his native county, and also attended New Hagerstown Academy. He was reared to farming, and has always been engaged in that occupation. His farm is well stocked, he having 100 head of sheep, twenty head of fine cattle, etc., to which he devotes most of his time. He was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty. first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company E. under Capt. Loffer Cables, serving out his time. In 1866, he was united in mar- riage with Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Agnes (Baker) Cox. Mrs. Welch was born in Harrison County, Ohio. The six children born to this union are Elnora, Addison, Alma, Louetta, Rutherford and Jessie. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.

JOHN WELCH, farmer, P O. Tracy, was born in Uhrichsville, Ohio, Au- gust 10, 1832, and is a son o John and Mary (Uhrich) Welch. The latter is a daughter of John Uhrich, Sr., of Mill Township. The former was a native of Maryland, born in 1808, and came to Tuscarawas County with his parents in 1809. He was a merchant and dealer in wheat, and once the owner of the land where Dennison now stands, and is still the owner of twenty-six acres in- side the corporation of that town. He was married three times. For his first wife he married Mary Uhrich, who bore him three children-Jacob U., a farmer in Mill Township; Sarah, wife of John Carper, a resident of California, and John our subject. Mrs. Welch died in 1835, and our subject's father subse- quently married Susan B. Buckey, and by her had the following-named chil- dren-William, killed at the battle of Perryville, while a member of the Ohio Light Artillery; Abner, an engineer on the railroad in Illinois; Ralph D., a prominent railroad man, General Superintendent for a Western railroad company, Charles M., railroad man in the West; Mary (deceased); and Susan A., now attending school in the West. By his third wife Mr. Welch did not have any children. The subject of this sketch was reared in Uhrichsville; re - ceived his education in Granville College and Uhrichsville High School, and when nineteen years of age went to California, where he remained till 1858. He was mining and teaming. and after securing a good start returned home

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and engaged in farming. He is now the owner of 130 acres of valuable land; has lately sold a part of his farm. He was married, in 1858, to Virginia, daughter of Robert Dawson, her father was of Irish, and her mother of Eng- lish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Welch have their religious connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the former has been Steward for twenty- three years. He was elected Township Trustee, but would not accept the office. In politics, he is a Republican. He is a farmer, and devotes much of his time to the raising of fine stock; deals in the finer breeds of horses, and has raised some very fast pacers. He raised "Kittie Patchin " (time, 2:20), "Kittie D." (time, 2:22), "Billy Scott," (time, 2:20) and "Dun Carroll " (time, 2:30). "Kittie D" sold for $7,000.

H. WESTHAFER, farmer, stock-raiser and wool-grower, P. O. Tracy, was born in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, September 12, 1807. His parents, Conrad and Christine (Rody) Westhafer, were both born in Lancaster County, Penn., and were of German descent. The former was a farmer and weaver during the whole of his life. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, in 1829, with Susanna, daughter of Joseph Harmon, a farmer in Tuscarawas County. She is of German ancestry. Seven children were born to this union -- Eli (a prominent farmer of Mill Township), Susanna (widow of John Tracy), Selena (wife of Peleg Wardell), Lorena (wife of Joseph Brown, a farmer in Nebraska), W. H .. Edward (married, a farmer in Rush Township), and Sephen C. (mar- ried, a farmer of this county). W. H., our subject's second son, was born in this county December 17, 1842. He received his education in Newport Schools; was brought up on a farm, and has since continued that occupation. He has been twice married. In 1862, was united with Mary Flickenger, a native of this county, and of German descent, by which union there were born two children-Elmer Elsworth and Mary Malinda. His wife died in 1868, and, in 1870, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Houk, a farmer and Commissioner of this county. Mr. Westhafer has had three children by his second wife-Bertha, Philip H. and Willie. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is a temperance man, and a strong Prohibitionist. He owns 118 acres of well-improved land in Mill Township, where his resi- dence is located, and also ninety-five acres of good land in Rush Township. H. Westhafer, our subject, started in life by working on the canal, and with the assistance of his faithful wife, and by strict economy, has accumulated a good competency. On one occasion he bought forty acres of land for $50. He since added, little by little, till at one time he owned 500 acres. He and his wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been Steward, and is now Class Leader and Trustee. Mrs. Westhafer died in 1867. Our subject, in politics, is a Democrat.

ELI WESTHAFER, farmer, P. O. Tracy, was born in Rush Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, June 4, 1832. He is a son of Henry and Susanna (Harman) Westhafer, the former born in this county, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, both of German ancestry. Our subject's grandfather came to l'uscarawas County in 1803, and settled in Gnadenhutten. Eli was the oldest in a family of seven children, and received an education at the common and subscription schools. He was brought up on a farm, where he remained until twenty-seven years of age, when, in 1860, he went to Newport, and embarked in a general store, which he carried on for eighteen years. He was successful in business, and bought out the pottery of T. A. Packer, who is now a promi- nent resident of Uhrichsville. Our subject carried on an extensive business in the pottery for about four years; then sold out and bought a farm of 245 acres of choice land in this township. The farmhouse is located on Section 33. The land contains one of the best springs in the State. It passes through the milk-

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house, and furnishes water for the stock. In 1856, Mr. Westhafer was mar- ried to Mary J., daughter of Charles Worbs, and a native of Ohio. Six chil- dren were the issue of this union, viz .: James B. (married, a farmer in Mill Township), Henry W., Rufus D., Charles E., Tecumseh and Winfield Scott. Mr. and Mrs. Westhafer hold memberships in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Westhafer is a School Director, and in politics he is a Democrat.

J. C. WILKINS, lumberman and contractor for railroad timber, Uhrichs- ville, is a brother of Hon. Wilkins, and a native of the Buckeye State. He was born November 29, 1844, in Marysville, Union County, and received his educa- tion in the graded school in the same place. He chose and followed for several years merchandising as an occupation, clerking in a dry goods store in Marys- ville. In 1870, he came to Uhrichsville, and opened in the same business (dry goods) in company with his brother, continuing with success until 1879. since which time he has engaged in his present business. Our subject was united in marriage, 1873, in Putnam County, Ohio, with Nanie A., daughter of Rev. H. S. Bradley, of the Central Ohio Conference. This union has been blessed with but one child-Eugene. Mr. Wilkins is a Democrat in politics. and has been financially successful. Mrs. Wilkins is a consistent Christian, and they are among Uhrichsville's best citizens.

HON. BERIAH WILKINS, present Congressman from the Sixteenth Dis- trict of Ohio, Uhrichsville, was born in Union County, Ohio, July 10, 1846. He is a son of A. F. and H. J. (Stuart) Wilkins, both natives of New York, and of Scotch and Irish descent. His father was a surveyor and civil engineer, and one of the early settlers of Union County; for many years he was proprietor of the hotel at Marysville, the county seat of Union County, Ohio. Beriah received a common school education in the graded school, and, at the age of eleven, he entered the list of newsboys in Marysville, and often sat up after night blacking the gentlemen's boots at his father's hotel, earning many dol- lars in this way. At the age of fourteen he became a clerk in a store, remain- ing two years. When sixteen years of age, he formed a partnership with John C. Hanover, in the hardware and stove trade, under the firm name of Hanover & Wilkins, the former remaining in Cincinnati, and our subject at- tending to the store. In 1864, the partnership was dissolved, the firm selling out. September, 1865, he, with his brother James C., and A. J. Sterling as a silent partner, engaged in the dry goods business in Marysville, each of the brothers borrowing of their father the sum of $1,500, which they paid back in two years. In 1869, Mr. Wilkins sold his interest in the store and came to Uhrichsville, where, with the company of A. J. Sterling, he organized the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank (now known as the Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank), of this place, Mr. Sterling becoming President, and Mr. Wilkins, Cashier, which positions they held several years. In 1879, Mr. Wilkins sold his interest to W. B. Thompson, and was elected the same year to the Ohio State Senate. In politics, he is a Democrat. Up to this time his energies have been devoted to his business, and already his financial career is a success. He is the owner of 500 acres of valuable land near Uhrichsville. In the public enterprises of this place he has been very active, helping materially to build up the town. He has served as a member of the Town Council and of the Board of Education of Uhrichsville. In 1882, he was chosen as standard bearer of his party in the Sixteenth District Congressional contest against A. B. Clark, and was elected by a large majority, running largely ahead of his ticket. In October, 1870, Mr. Wilkins was united in marriage with Miss Emma. daughter of John Robinson, a pioneer of Union County and a leading citizen.

G. W. WOODBORNE, dentist, Uhrichsville, was born in Carroll County. Ohio, July 11, 1843, and is a son of E. S. and Ann (Roudebush) Woodborne,

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the former a native of England, and the latter of Pennsylvania, and of Ger- man and Holland Dutch descent. The former was Sheriff of Harrison County, Ohio, for two terms, and is among the leading citizens there. Our subject received his education at the graded schools of Cadiz, Ohio, and during the rebellion, enlisted, in 1862, in the army and served for three months, re-enlist- ing in 1863 in the independent cavalry, which was afterward called the Thir- teenth Cavalry, Company B. He was Third Duty Sergeant. On July 30, 1864, he received at Petersburg a gunshot wound in the head, fracturing the skull and causing a piece to come out. The flesh then formed a gristle, which acts as a protection. He also received a slight wound in the leg. After the war, he went to Harrison County, Ohio; was elected County Recorder, and served six years in that capacity. He was subsequently Clerk of the village of Scio for one term, also was Deputy Sheriff during his father's last term; was appointed by Judge Bostwick. He commenced the study of dentistry in Cadiz, while he was Recorder, and in 1868 entered the office of Dr. J. W. Scott, to study. He was admitted to practice by the State Board of Dental Examiners, at Columbus, Ohio; also took a medical course of two years in the office of Dr. Snider, and commenced practice in Harrison County, Ohio, where he continued for three years. In January, 1878, he removed to Uhrichs- ville, and opened his present rooms, where he enjoys a leading practice in the town, and is meeting with good success. In 1869, he was married to Julia, daughter of Dr. J. W. Scott, his former preceptor, a prominent dentist at Cadiz. This union has been blessed with one child-Edwin S. Dr. Wood- borne is a member of the G. A. R .; in politics is a Republican; is also a member of the Town Council.

T. R. WOODBORNE, dealer in stoves and tinware, Dennison, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 12, 1846, and is a son of E. S. and Ann (Raude- bush) Woodborne, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, the former of England, who came to America when about eight years old. By occupation he was a blacksmith. He served at one time two terms as High Sheriff of Harrison County, of which he was a pioneer and citizen. His three children are resi- dents of Tuscarawas County, T. R being the youngest. The latter received his education in the district schools of his township, and also attended Scio College. He chose the occupation of a tinner. In 1863, he enlisted in de- fense of his country in Company F, Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the rebellion. He was with Sherman in his grand march to the sea, and participated in some of the hot engagements un- der his valorous commander. He came to Uhrichsville in 1869; clerked for his brother for six years; then removed to Dennison, where he embarked in his present venture, in which he has been successful. He was married, in 1873, . to Josette, daughter of Joseph Cresap. She was a native of the Sunny South. Mr. and Mrs. Woodborne have two children-Beulah and Beryl. Mrs. Wood- borne is a member of the Presbyterian Church. - Her husband, in politics, is a Republican. He is a member of the Town Council, and also serves as Town- ship Trustee.

SYLVANUS WRIGHT, farmer, P. O. Uhrichsville, was born in Monroe Township, Harrison Co., Ohio, in 1839. His father, Sylvanus Wright, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., in 1806, and died in 1874. He was of English and German extraction, by occupation a farmer, and settled in Ohio at an early day. Our subject's mother is also a native of New York, born December 10, 1801, and is still hale and hearty, able to perform her house- work, and to work in the garden. Her maiden name was Desire Hayes. Their family consisted of one son and two daughters, namely, Sylvanus, our subject; Emerella, wife of James I. Livingston, farmer; and Samantha, widow

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of Thomas Cox, who died in the army. Our subject was married, May 12. 1859, to Sarah, daughter of Job Gatchell. She was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1839, and is the third child of a family of eighteen. Mr. Wright has a family of twelve children, their names as follows: Mary E., born Feb- ruary 11, 1860, wife of William Simpson, carpenter in Dennison, Ohio; Re- becca J., June 15, 1861, wife of William West, farmer in Harrison County. Obio; Rachel A., October 8, 1862; David E., June 10, 1864; Milo H., No. vember 20, 1865; Rosellie, April 6, 1867; James A., November 22, 1869; Will- iam E., July 28, 1871; Ora C., March 11, 1873; Addie F., October 22, 1874; John I., October 22, 1876, and Oliver B., November 22, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the Disciple Church, in which the former is Deacon. and Superintendent of the Sabbath School. In politics, he is a Republican. and is at present serving as School Director. During the late civil war, he was a member of the Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company H, and erved nine months.

THOMAS WRIGHT, Railroad Agent for the Pan Handle Company, Den- nison, was born in Ireland March, 1847, and is a son of David and B. J. (Kanney) Wright. Our subject came to America when a mere lad, and re- ceived his education in the common schools of New Brighton, Penn., where he worked in the railroad shops and learned the blacksmith's trade. He came to Dennison in 1866, and worked at his trade until 1880, when he was ap- pointed Freight and Ticket Agent for the P., C. & St. L. R. R. He has been a member of the Town Council of Dennison for three years, and Treasurer of the School Board for nine years. He was married, in 1867, to Katherine, a daughter of James Carmody; she is a native of Connecticut, and of Irish descent. To this union were born the following children-Mary, Elizabeth, James, David, Thomas and Katherine. Mr. Wright is the owner of a neat and substantial residence in Dennison. He is a Democrat in politics, and in business has been generally successful.

GEORGE M. WYNE. Few men have worked or been in more places than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Baltimore, Md., December 7, 1816, and is a son of Jacob and Ann (Cook), the former a native of New York, of German descent, the latter a native of New Jersey, and of English descent. The former was a cooper by trade. Our subject was educated at Baltimore, Md., and chose the occupation of machinist, serving the regular apprentice. ship. He worked in Virginia six months; was in Baltimore for one summer; thence went to Washington, D. C., and worked in the navy yards six months, again working in Baltimore for three years; then in Philadelphia, Penn., for two years; thence to Havana, Cuba; from there to New Orleans, after which .he returned to Baltimore, and remained seven years. He then obtained a position as engineer on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, after which he returned to Baltimore; and worked at his trade till 1861; he then went on the railroad as engineer for a short time; thence to Richmond, Va., from there to North Carolina, then to South Carolina, returning to Baltimore again. He was always able to secure good paying positions. On leaving Baltimore, he went to the Bahama Islands; thence to Havana, Cuba, and then back to Balti- more, Md. He has made three trips to Cuba. After his return to Baltimore, he went to Pennsylvania, where he was Engineer; then back to Baltimore; thence to Wheeling, Va .; finally coming to Dennison, Ohio, and commenced work for the Pan Handle Railroad Company, where he has remained a longer period than in any other place. He has been successful, financially, and is the owner of a comfortable residence in Dennison. In politics, he is a mem- ber of the National Party. He is serving his third year as member of Den- nison Town Council. He and wife are members of the Episcopal Church, of

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which he is Senior Warden and Treasurer. He was married, in 1848, to Mary Kerkham, by whom there has been a family of four children-Anna E., May C., Clara V. and Alice E.

SAMUEL YANT, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Uhrichsville, was born in Monroe Township, Carroll Co., Ohio, March 29, 1832. He is a son of Sam- uel and Susanna (Runyan) Yant, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Dutch de- scent. The former was a life-long farmer. Our subject's grandfather, John Yant, served seven years in the Revolutionary war; was engaged in one battle where the company numbered 114 men, of whom only twelve remained at the close of the engagement, who only saved themselves by swimming across a stream. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, receiving a common school education, and chose the occupation of farming, which he has since continued with success. He worked land to secure a start, and is now owner of a well-improved farm of eighty-three acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation, due to his own unaided exertions. He also deals in stock. The maternal grandparents of our subject were very early settlers of this county. Reuben Runyan, his grandfather, was one of Col. Williams' sol- diers, and took part in the Indian massacre at Gnadenhutten. He was also in the war of 1812. Our subject was married, March 4, 1854, to Eliza Jane Heavilen, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. Eight children were born to this union, viz. : Lucinda V., Anna G. (deceased), Martha J., Minnie B., H. F., J. W., T. S. M. and E. H. Mr. and Mrs. Yant were members of the M. P. Church. Mrs. Yant died in 1871. Our subject is a Democrat, is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which society he has taken all the degrees.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 100

Author: Warner, Beers & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1017

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017