The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 104

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

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JOSEPH SHEPHERD, farmer and stock raiser and dealer, P. O. Post Boy, is a native of Belmont County, Ohio, where he was born May 25, 1820. He is a son of Nathan and Amelia Ann (Fresh) Shepherd, the former a native of North Caro- lina, of English extraction, died in 1861, aged seventy-one years; the latter, a native of Maryland, of German lineage, died about the year 1859, at about the same age as her husband. They moved to Ohio in 1800. Our subject was mar- ried, March 8, 1848, to Elizabeth Mardis, born near Steubenville, Jefferson Co., Ohio, of Scotch and Irish descent. She is a daughter of William and Frances Mardis. The result of this union is a family of ten children, viz .: Rufus H .; William ; Catherine J., deceased ; Emma, deceased ; James ; Anna A .; Joseph ; an infant, deceased ; Maggie and Frank. Five are married and have families.

R. L. SHOEMAKER, manufacturer of bee-hives and all kinds of apiarian supplies, Newcomerstown, was born in Newcomerstown January 12, 1851, and is a son of George and Margaret (Gardner) Shoemaker, both natives of Ohio, the mother of English descent. Our subject was married, March 10, 1878, to Alice Wortsbough, a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, and a daughter of Harvey and Melissa (Laniger) Wortsbough, both of whom are living. The former is a farmer. and the latter is a native of Coshocton County, Ohio. To this union have been born two children-Ella Beatrice; born August 16, 1881, and Arsola, born Novem- ber 20, 1882. Mr. Shoemaker is the oldest of a family of nine children, seven boys and two girls, eight living, viz., R. L., Violet, Carl E., Joseph, Ida C., Frank (deceased), Alvin, Marion and George W. Our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias in Newcomerstown.

GARRATT B. SMITH, merchant, Newcomerstown, Ohio, was born December 31, 1826, at Columbus, Ohio, and was educated in the public schools of that city.

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His father's name was Anson Smith, and his mother's name was Triphena Smith. His parents had six children, of whom he is the second. His father's death occurred when our subject was only twelve years old, which threw him upon his own resources in early life, and taught him self-reliance, perseverance and indus- try. In 1844, he began mercantile life as a clerk at Roscoe, on the Ohio Canal, in Coshocton County, Ohio. In 1847, he located in Newcomerstown, and in 1854 married Elmira Nugen, eldest daughter of Col. R. H. Nugen, of the same place. Eight children have been born of this union, viz., Virginia, wife of J. Foster Wil- kin ; Marcia M. (deceased). wife of David A. Raiff; Robert H., Sarah N., Chris- tina, Howard, Jessie K. and Elmira (deceased). While Mr. Smith was a young clerk at Roscoe, Col. Nugen, then Superintendent of the Ohio Canal, took notice of his skill and sagacity in the management of business, and induced him to come to Newcomerstown and assume the control of his commercial interests at that point Afterward, he became Col. Nugen's partner in merchandising and in the construction of public works. In 1863-64-65, they built the greater part of the Pan Handle Railroad, Mr. Smith having immediate supervision of construction, and they received the favorable commendation of the press for their energy and wise and vigorous management. Since that time Mr. Smith has given his atten- tion chiefly to his business of merchandising and farming at Newcomerstown. For twelve years, Mr. Smith was a member of the Newcomerstown Board of Education, and nine years President of the Board. He was elected to the Ohio Legislature in 1869, and re-elected in 1871. While sitting in the latter body, he was an active member of the Committee on Insurance, which framed the pres- ent insurance laws of the State, and devised and established the Insurance Bureau and the office of Commissioner of Insurance. Mr. Smith is emphatically a self- made business man. While diligent in business, he has kept himself informed on all living questions. In commercial matters, he has a wise judgment and has a clear and comprehensive understanding of the history and theories of finance, insurance, tariff and kindred subjects. He is a man of reasonable, but firm con- victions ; is no justifier of the follies, weakness or deceits of men; is a keen ob- server of motives and character ; is bold to attack error and merciless to expose fraud and vice for any just purpose, but is also full of that human kindness which makes brothers of us all, and judges the conduct and opinions of men charitably. Although purely a business man, Mr. Smith has not selfishly or narrowly devoted his time and talents to one idea or purpose. In local, county and State affairs,.he has been a public servant as much as was consistent with public and private duty. but never for his own glory or aggrandizement He never sought an office, and his transactions, whether in public or private life, have never been tainted with even the suspicion of corruption.

ALVIN W. SPERLING, telegraph operator on the Pan Handle Railroad, New- comerstown, was born December 24, 1854, and brought up in Port Washington. this county. He is a twin brother of Allen, a Clerk in Port Washington, and a son of Abraham and Catherine (Voorhees) Sperling, natives of New Brunswick, N. J., and early settlers of Port Washington. The former was a shoe-maker and butcher, and died May 3, 1876. They were the parents of ten children, six boys and four girls, two boys deceased. The twin brothers are next to the youngest. Mr. A. W. Sperling was married, in September, 1882, to Mrs. Anna McIntire, a native of Newcomerstown. Our subject has been in the employ of the Pan Handle Railway since 1875. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Newcomers- town, Lodge No. 102, having passed the chairs.

DAVID STARKER, farmer, P. O. Newcomerstown, was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., February 5, 1812, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Neigh- bor) Starker. He moved to Coshocton County, Ohio, at the age of three years. Was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was mar- ried, February 27, 1842. to Eliza Roff, born in New Jersey September 12, 1811. died March 9, 1871. His second marriage took place February 5. 1872, with

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Christa Ann Tufford, deceased June 3, 1880. This lady was born November 9, 1836. Our subject was one of a family of four children. He has been a resident of this county since 1855. His father was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1852, aged seventy-two years ; and his mother died when our subject was but four years old. Mr. Starker is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns a residence in Newcomerstown. He had one brother and three sisters, two living.

CYRUS S. STOCKER, farmer, P. O. Newcomerstown, was born in this county March 31, 1835, and is a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Stauffer) Stocker, natives of Pennsylvania The former was born in 1809, died in 1875 ; the latter was born October 9, 1812, died March 23, 1874. They were married in 1831, and were the parents of twelve children, seven boys and five girls. The parents of Eliza- beth (Stauffer) Stocker were Andrew and Maria Stauffer. She was twice married. Our subject was married September 10, 1857, to Margaret Low, born in Germany September 25, 1834, and a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Bender) Low, also natives of Germany. By our subject's union there were nine children, five boys and four girls, viz., an infant, still-born, August 25, 1868 ; Louisa E., born No- vember 4, 1859 ; Rosanna, born November 10, 1861 ; an infant, deceased, born November 14, 1864 ; Cyrus Solomon, born June 10, 1866 ; Ira Grant, born Feb ruary 4, 1869 ; George G., born December 14, 1871 ; Harry O., born May 22 1875 ; and Maggie May, born February 20, 1879. Our subject's father was a farmer, and he and his wife are buried in Gnadenhutten, Clay Township. Mr. Stocker owns 164 acres of land in Section 19, on which he has lived since 1872. In 1878, he had his residence destroyed by fire. He has, however, been successful financially. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, in which he occupies a prominent position, having acted as Steward, Superin- tendent of Sabbath School, and Secretary. He is a useful citizen in the com- munity.

IRA F. STOCKER, farmer, P. O. Newcomerstown, is a native of this county, born in Salem Township July 20, 1848, and is a brother of Cyrus S. (whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work), and a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Stauffer) Stocker, who were natives of Northampton County, Penn. Our subject's father was born in 1809, and married in 1831. His wife was born October 9, 1812. To this union were born twelve children, seven boys and five girls, nine living, of whom Ira F. is the sixth. Our subject's mother was twice married ; so also has been our subject. First on August 2, 1870, to Mary E. Harris, born June 22, 1852, died September 7, 1880. By this union there is one child. Mrs. Stocker was the daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Harris) Harris. Mr. Stocker's next marriage occurred September 13, 1881, with Ella J. Black, a native of Guernsey County, born December 6, 1852. She is a daughter of Zachariah Black. To this union there is one child, John Harvey, born July 13, 1882. Our subject's paternal grandfather was named Andrew. Mr. Stocker owns eighty-four and three-fourths acres of land in Section 12, is a good finance manager, and has managed, by his industry and economy, to improve his land. He is a sociable, enterprising man, and a valuable citizen, respected by all who know him.

JACOB TUFFORD, retired farmer, P. O. Newcomerstown, was born October 2, 1806, in Morris County, N. J., and is a son (the only surviving member of a family of six) of John and Ann Tufford. He emigrated to this county at the age of ten years, and was married, April 29, 1830, to Mary Catherine Flock, a native of New Jersey, born December 29, 1810. She was a daughter of John and Margaret Flock. Our subject is the father of eleven children, five boys and six girls, three now living-John, Andrew, and Elizabeth, wife of James Loder. He has also eleven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His wife died Jan- uary 27, 1847, and is buried in Newcomerstown, where his parents also lie. Mr. Tufford has been a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church for fifty years, and has acted as Class Leader and Steward. He owns seventy-three acres of land in Oxford Township, and has known this county from the time it was a wilderness.

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SAMUEL TYHURST, of the firm of Wiandt & Tyhurst, millers, Newcomers- town, is a native of Huntingdon County, Penn., where he was born June 27, 1842. He is a son of Robert and Slena (West) Tyhurst. He emigrated to Licking County, Ohio, at the age of seven years, and remained there for twenty years ; thence went to Muskingum County. He was there married, September 1, 1869, to Clara Wackford, born in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, April 3, 1842. and a daughter of William and Emily Wackford. To this union have been born two children-Essie, born November 13, 1870, and Daisy, born December 4, 1872, both in Muskingum County, Ohio. Mr. Tyhurst has been a resident of Newcom- erstown for about three years, and has been in the milling business since he was ten years old. He was educated in the high school at Newark, Licking County. He was a member of the Ninety-fifth Regiment, Company E, and served for upward of three years. He has acted as Mayor of Dresden, Ohio, and is a mem- ber of the Council, also of the School Board.

ISRAEL B. VOGENITZ, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Newcomerstown. was born January 24, 1835, in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Penn., and emi- grated to this county in 1838. He is a son of Andrew and Louisa (Clewell) Voge- nitz, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Prussian, the latter of French descent. Mr. Vogenitz, Sr., died in 1850, aged fifty years. By occupation he was a tailor, and followed that trade in Newcomerstown from 1837 until he died. His widow died in 1872, aged seventy years. They were Christian people, and were reared in the Moravian faith. Our subject was married, August 24, 1859, to Elizabeth Nugen, born in 1840 in Newcomerstown, and a daughter of Col. R. H. and Sarah (Hoglan) Nugen. Mrs. Vogenitz died July 27, 1882. Our subject was the sixth child and fifth son of a family of eight children, six boys and two girls. The three living are Israel B., Oliver A. and Albert. He has acted as member of the Council three terms, and has also been Township Treasurer. He is a great stu- dent of nature, and possesses a fine library. He is owner of 125 acres of land in Oxford Township, near the town, and has been successful in mercantile business, which he has carried on for twenty years. He has been a strong temperance man all his life.

ROBERT WATSON (deceased), late farmer in Adams Township, Coshocton County, and owner of a farm in Salem Township. Tuscarawas County, was born in Ireland February 15, 1790, died February 26, 1877. He emigrated to Wash- ington County, Penn., in the year 1815, and there married Agnes Munce Novem- ber 29, 1821. To this union were born ten children, seven girls and three boys- John, deceased ; Margaret, wife of James Lyons ; Mary, wife of Richard Chap- man (deceased); Martha, wife of Alex Loveless ; Eliza, wife of Samuel Daugerty ; Nancy; Sarah (deceased), Jane; Robert and William. Robert is in Iowa and Will- iam in California ; are all married except Nancy, who has been a resident of New- comerstown for two years. Our subject had two brothers in the war of the re- bellion-Robert, in the Second Virginia, Company G, Ewing's Battery ; William, in the Twenty-fourth Ohio, Company K. Agnes, wife of the late Robert Watson, our subject, died February 5, 1874.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Newcomerstown, was born October 1, 1824, in North Wales, and is a son of Evan and Mary (Milton) Williams. He emigrated, in 1855, to Guernsey County, Ohio, where he remained for two years, then went to Coshocton County for seven years, thence to this county. On May 28, 1847, he was married to Adeliza Hamer, born in Wales April 16, 1823, and a daughter of Daniel and Jane Hamer. To this union nine children were born, five boys and four girls. Those living are Evans M., David L. and Jane E. Those deceased are David, William, Mary, Adeliza and two in- fants. Mr. Williams owns eighty acres of land. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He has acted as Trustee of the township, also as School Di- rector. He was educated at the common schools ; is a successful farmer and stock-raiser, and a useful and respected member of the community.

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OXFORD TOWNSHIP.

JOHN E. WOOD, section foreman Marietta Railway, Newcomerstown, was born in the county of Sussex, England, September 17, 1850, and is a son of Anthony and Ann (Halsey) Wood, residents of Sussex, England. The former was born in 1826, the latter in 1820. He emigrated to Ohio in 1871, and married in Newcomerstown February 12, 1882. Mr. Wood has been a resident of Newcom- erstown about two years, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Newcomers- town. He is the second in a family of four children. His wife's parents were early settlers in this county. Her father, who is deceased, was a miller, and was the father of four children, Mrs. Wood being the eldest child.

WICK W. WOOD, editor and proprietor of The Index, Newcomerstown, was born in Greenville, Mercer Co., Penn., December 1, 1858, and is a son of Capt. W. W. W. Wood, of Company G, One Hundreth and Forty-fifth Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, and Nancy (George) Wood, the former a banker and the latter a daughter of Clinton George, of Scotch and English extraction. Wick W. Wood was married, September 5, 1880, to Tade Clinefelter, a grand-daughter of Gen. Robert Kile, of Mercer, Penn., and a daughter of George and Elizabeth Clinefel- ter, of Newcastle, Penn. To this union two children were born, both deceased. Mr. Wood was formerly connected with the New Castle Daily and Weekly News, as advertising representative and solicitor.

CHRISTIAN ZIMMER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Newcomerstown, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born October 8, 1818. He emigrated to this county with his parents when he was eighteen years old. His parents were Philip and Catherine (Cline) Zimmer. The former was born January 14, 1785, died June 10, 1877, aged ninety-two years seven months and fourteen days. The latter died in 1866, aged seventy-six years. They are buried in Buck Township, this county. Our subject was married, April 17, 1845, to Catherine Showalter, deceased, born April 16, 1826, in Sugar Creek Township, this county and State, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth Showalter. She died November 18, 1838. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of this county. Marrying a second time, in 1840, Mr. Zimmer chose Christina Smelzy, born August 5, 1823, died De- cember 6, 1853. To this union four children were born, viz .: Lucinda, Amelia, Henry and John. The latter died January 19, 1873, aged seventeen years four months and twenty-eight days. Mr. Zimmer was married a third time ; on this occa- sion, April 25, 1860, to Eliza Fisher, born in this county, January 3, 1835, and a daughter of Jonathan and Hester (Levean) Fisher. To this union have been born eight children, seven living, viz .: Susan E., Albert, Clara A., Manetta, Wilmina May, Francis H., Laura and Artha. Two of the children are married-Lucinda. wife of William Regula, they have three children-Fred, Eda and Albert ; and Henry, married to Elizabeth Hammond, by whom he has one child, Arthur. Mr. Zimmer owns 100 acres of land in Oxford Township.

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PERRY TOWNSHIP.

BETHEL BERKSHIRE, farmer, P. O. Gilmore, was born in Perry Town- ship, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, June 4, 1847, and is a son of Robert and Asenith (Meadley) Berkshire. Robert Berkshire was a native of Maryland, born in October, 1795, and was thrice married, first to Leatita Scritchfield, among whose children are now living Henry, Nancy, Anson, Israel and Joseph. His second marriage was in 1829, to Asenith Meadley, of which union the sur- viving children are Leatita, Francis R., Lucretita, Mary A. and Bethel. Asenith died on June 16, 1863, and Mr. Berkshire married Isabella Spencer, relict of the late Samuel Spencer, of Belmont County, Ohio, but had no chil- dren by this union. He died on April 16, 1880, and his widow in June. 1881. He was a farmer, a sterling pioneer citizen, having filled some of the most important township offices, and at his death owned 126 acres of land, part of which he had patented from Congress. During the course of his long and useful life, he never was sued or had a suit in any of the courts of the land. He was for many years Class Leader in the West Union Methodist Epis- copal Church. Seven of his sons served in the war of the rebellion, viz .. An- son, Israel, Joseph, R. L., F. R., Eleazar and Bethel. Eleazar died in hos- pital at Knoxville, Tenn., January 31, 1864. He had in all twenty children, seven by his first wife, and thirteen by the second, thirteen of whom lived to be men and women (some of them have never had children). He came to this county in 1832, and died on the farm he first entered.

FREDERIC CAPPEL, farmer, P. O. Gilmore, was born in Clay Town- ship, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, August 10, 1853. He is a son of Jacob Cappel, a native of Germany, who married, in 1847, Miss Mary Elizabeth Miller, a native of Prussia, and came to America in 1852, settling in Clay Township, Ohio. Their children number eight, of whom Peter died on January 1, 1883, and Charles, Jacob, Frederick, Adam, Lewis Adams, Mary, Elizabeth and Julius are now living. Mr. Jacob Cappel, Sr., still resides in Clay Township, at the age of sixty-one years. He has followed farming since coming to this country, previous to which he was a musician in the orchestras of the German and other Continental theaters. Ele is now a prosperous farmer, owning 140 acres of excellent farm land in Clay Township. His wife is also living, and is fifty-eight years of age. The subject of this sketch was married, October 22, 1874, to Miss Eliza A., daughter of James and Isabella (McCoy) Donahey, of Perry Township. By this union there is one child, Alvin J. B., born Novem- ber 30, 1877. Mr. Cappel is by trade a shoe-maker, but for the past four years has chiefly pursued farming, and now owns eighty acres of fine land, all under a superior state of cultivation. Although comparatively a young man, he has been for five terms elected Constable of his township. In politics, he is a Democrat.

JOHN CARPENTER, farmer, P. O. Gilmore, was born in Ohio, on Jann- ary 16, 1823, and is a son of William and Mary Ann (Stewart) Carpenter, both natives of Pennsylvania. His parents came to this State early in the present century. Their family numbered eight, of whom Edward died a soldier in the war of the rebellion, and John, Jane, Andrew, Eliza, James, George and Catherine are still living. William Carpenter was a hardy pioneer in the early days of Ohio, and came to Perry Township in 1824. At that period the

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township was little better than a wilderness, and abounded in wolves, deer, bears and other game. He, however, soon made him a homestead from the wild forest, and by energy, pluck and economy gained a substantial compe- tency, becoming, eventually, a prominent citizen of Perry Township. He was all his life a farmer, and for many years was elected Supervisor in his district. He died in August, 1863, aged sixty-six years. His widow is still living in Holmes County, Ohio, at the age of eighty-seven years. John Carpenter, our subject, was married, on September 25, 1845, to Miss Juliana, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Anderson) Gray, natives of Pennsylvania. To this union have been born four children-Amanda J., born on March 10, 1847, died March 20, 1852; Mary Elizabeth, born July 11, 1849; Hannah Louisa, born June 1, 1851; and George W., born October 31, 1860. With the exception of three years which were devoted to a saw mill enterprise, Mr. Carpenter has always followed farming, and he has sound views on all matters pertaining to agriculture. He believes in systematic work. The regular rotation of crops, and a liberal use of manure and fertilizers, instead of the soil-impoverishing system practiced (as he says) by too many of the self-styled farmers of this State in general, and Perry Township in particular. A critical examination of his methods and their effect upon his own farm, which is one of the best in the county, will demonstrate these facts. The farm is well stocked, comprising 262 acres, upon which are erected good farm buildings, and is situated about two miles from the village of Gilmore. George W. Carpenter resides with his father, and is the owner of seventy acres adjoining the home farm.

JACOB H. CLANTZ, farmer, P. O. Cadwallader, was born in Perry Town- ship, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, February 28, 1841. His father, Charles Clantz, was born October 10, 1786, and in 1825 was married to Mary Ann C. Andes, born February 28, 1801, both being natives of Frederick County, Md. To this marriage were born eight children, of whom John Andes is deceased, and Mary Elizabeth, Catharine, Susanna C., Charles F., Greenberry W., Andrew J. and Jacob H. still survive. The father of our subject was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving under Gen. Andrew Jackson at New Orleans, and participating in the most important events of that famous General's campaigns. For this serv- ice he received a land bounty from the Government, and since the passage of the pension act of 1869 was the recipient of a pension granted to survivors of that war. By trade, he was a tailor, and eventually, becoming interested in a flouring-mill enterprise, mastered that trade also. On his advent to Perry Township, in 1827, he took up eighty acres of Government land, but finding his lack of experience as a pioneer agriculturist likely to militate against his success, he again resorted to the needle, and made clothing for the settlers, who in turn remunerated him by clearing up his land. He made the first suit of clothes in the township, and many of his neighbors were fitted out in their wedding toggery in those days by this old pioneer tailor. He continued at his trade until incapacitated by old age and infirmities, and died January 26, 1875, his faithful partner following him November 1, 1877. He was a son of Charles Clantz, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and was a hero of many thrilling adventures and hair-breadth escapes in following the fort- unes of the patriot army. The subject of this sketch was married, September 21, 1865, to Mary Ellen, daughter of Jonathan and Margaret (Gardner) Meek. natives of Pennsylvania. This union has been blessed with six children; their names and dates of birth are as follows: Annie Elizabeth, September 14, 1866: Margaret M. and Catharine N., October 6, 1867; Mary Victoria, January 2, 1870; Laura Ellen, May 7, 1875; Hubert Halcyon, November 29, 1881. Mr. Clantz is a successful farmer, owning a well stocked and well cultivated farm of 200 acres, upon which he has erected farm buildings of a superior order. He has

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 104

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

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