The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 114

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 114

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MARSHALL SMILEY, son of James Smiley, farmer, P. O. Barr's Mills, was born January 11, 1838, on the farm on which he now lives, and was here brought up, obtaining his education in the common schools of the township and performing the ordinary duties of a farmer's boy. He has traveled through various parts of this State and Indiana. He remains at home and takes the lead in carrying on the farm. He supports the Democratic party in politics, and always aims to vote for a good man.

GEORGE SMITH, merchant, Shanesville, was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, in 1836, and came with his parents to Holmes County, Ohio, in 1843. He secured his education in this country, and in 1858 was married to Barbara Seip, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, and died in 1861. On February

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4, 1869, he was united in marriage with Sarah Armibryst, by which union there have been five children, of whom two are living-Mary E. and William A. When Mr. Smith was nineteen years of age, he engaged in teaching, which vocation he followed for five years, and was subsequently, for several years, employed in selling machinery and agricultural implements. In 1870, he bought a store in Farmerstown, Ohio, which he carried on for twelve years. In 1882, he purchased half interest in the firm he is now a member of, the firm name being Yoder & Smith. He also owns a farm of 136 acres of im- proved land, located near Shanesville. He is a member of the Omish Mennon- ite Church; in politics supports the Democratic ticket. He has been industri- ous aud successful in life, and is educated in both English and German. He is a public-spirited man, always encouraging the intellectual and moral im- provement of the community where he resides.

JOHN SMITH, tinner, Shanesville, was born in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, in 1840, and came to America, with his father's family, when a young lad. The family settled in Stark County, Ohio, where he received his education. In 1862, he enlisted in the Federal army, in the Tenth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Cavalry; his divison was commanded in turn by Gens. Upton and Wilson. He served three years in the active campaigns through Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and the surrounding country, and was in several closely contested fights. He was slightly wounded in the left leg at Iuka, Miss. He served bravely and well; of the 1,000 men who enlisted, not more than 380 were mustered out at the close of the war. On his return to Ohio, he completed his trade with his father. In March, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Ruffcenacht, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. To this union were born seven children, viz. : Ella, Caroline, Edward, Albert, Anna, Minnie and Clara. In 1866, Mr. Smith established a tin-shop and stove store in Shanesville, and has since been engaged in that business. He has a first-class trade, extending into the surrounding country, and is an upright, reliable business man. In politics, he is a Democrat, and is a mem- her of the German Reformed Church.

JOHN P. STEITZ, restaurant and saloon-keeper, Shanesville, was born, June 24, 1855, in Dover Township, this county and State. His parents, Will- iam and Margaret Steitz, now live in Auburn Township. Our subject was brought up on a farm, and at the age of sixteen years learned the saddler's trade with John Myers, at New Philadelphia, Ohio. In 1877, he established a shop in Ragersville, carrying it on for five years. He was united in mar- riage, April 10, 1879, with Miss Phebe Eckert, of Bucks Township. The two children born to this union are Clara May and Minnie. Mr. Steitz estab- lished, March 1, 1883, the restaurant and bar which he now carries on in Shanesville. He keeps a first-class, orderly house, and has a pool rocm at- tached. He has been industrious and successful in life, and is known as an enterprising and reliable business man. He is a Democrat in politics, and during his residence in Ragersville was elected Clerk of Auburn Township.

P. H. STRAUSS. proprietor of saloon, Shanesville, was born May 27, 1835, in Rhine-Bavaria, Germany, and is a son of Christian and Caroline (Oden- walt) Strauss. His father and both of his grandfathers were teachers in Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. Strauss came to America in 1859, and the latter died in Shanesville in 1860, followed by Mr. Strauss two years after, in Miami Coun- ty, Ind. Our subject was brought up as a teacher, receiving a good German education in the fatherland; he also acquired a thorough English education, mostly by private study since coming to America in 1855. He has taught sev- eral terms in Ohio and Indiana. He was married to Miss Barbara Gerhart in Miami County, Ind. They have had four children, viz., Andrew, Elizabeth

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(deceased), Ferdinand and Clara. Mr. Strauss returned to Shanesville in 1871, and kept a saloon and restaurant for eleven years, when he sold out and carried on a retail clothing store, after which he resumed his former line of business; he also carries on a custom tailor shop in the second story of his building. He is a Democrat in politics; has been Township Clerk for five years. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church, in which he is Trustee and Treasurer.

JOSIAH TETERS, teacher, Barr's Mills, was born November 18, 1843, in Westmoreland County, Penn., and is a son of Daniel and Leah (Stough) Teters, whose biographies appear elsewhere in this volume. He came to this county with his father's family in 1853, and here received the principal part of his education. In June, 1863, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twen- ty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. A. E. Burnside, and took part in several engage- ments. He left a good record as a faithful soldier, and received honorable discharge at Cleveland in 1864. In that year he joined an expedition to Chat- tanooga, Tenn., where he helped to put up a Government rolling-mill. He returned in 1865, and adopted the profession of teaching, which he has since followed, and has taught eighteen terms, of which seventeen were in four dis- tricts near home. He has made a record as a thorough English scholar and a faithful teacher. He is at present a clerk for S. P. Miller. Mr. Teters was united in marriage, in September, 1868, to Amanda Winkelpleck, of Sugar Creek Township, and by her had one child, deceased in infancy. Mrs. Teters departed this life in June, 1869; she belonged to the Lutheran Church, and was a favored and honored member. In September, 1871, Mr. Teters married Miss Mary A., daughter of Christian Strome. The results of this union have been five children, viz., Mandilla M., Elizabeth E., Benjamin F., Walter M. and Thomas M. Mr. Teters is a Democrat in politics, and, with his wife, is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is one of the public-spirited and influ- ential citizens of Sugar Creek Township, and has a pleasant home with ten acres of land at Barr's Mills.

DAVID THOMAS, farmer, P. O. Shanesville, was born in Dover Town- ship, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, March 30, 1814, and is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Baker) Thomas, natives of Bedford County, Penn. His parents came to this county in 1809, and took up a fifteen years' lease on a 150-acre tract in Dover Township. Here the father died in 1821, followed by the wid- ow in 1843. Mr. Thomas served in the war of 1812, and was one of the forty men who pursued some Indians from Bedford County, Penn., to this county, to recover two stolen children. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and obtained his education under the difficulties of those early times. In 1836, he was united in marriage with Nancy Fetter, who was born in Sugar Creek Township, this county and State, on the farm our subject now occupies. She departed this life January 6, 1877; at the time of her decease she weighed 340 pounds, and her mother at one time was 400 pounds in weight. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, in the kindness of their hearts, raised the following-named chil- dren -Jacob Thomas, taken at five months of age, now in Williams Coun- ty, Ohio; George Putt, taken when twelve years old, now in Iowa; John Mor- ganthaler (see his biography); Louis Bucher, taken when seven years of age; Catherine Lawder, at six years of age, now wife of D. Patterson; Eva Putt, wife of John Morganthaler; and Barbara Morganthaler, taken when eighteen months old, now wife of F. Stutzman. Mr. Thomas formed a second marriage with Mrs. Agnes Butcher, relict of the late Peter Butcher; she was an old play- mate of his. In 1833, while he was on his way to the house of Henry Cramer, near Bolivar, Ohio, he met a little girl, Agnes, in his path, and playfully put-

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ting her on his shoulder, he carried her to the house. By her first union she had five children-Frank Butcher, of Zoar Station, Ohio; Jacob Butcher, of Massillon, Ohio; Mrs. Clara Morris, of Dover, Ohio; and Maggie and Mary Butcher, still with her. Mr. Thomas has given a very liberal start to the chil. dren he has reared, and still retains a good farm of 147 acres, which he has made by his own efforts. He is a powerful man, having been able in his early manhood to make 310 rails a day. He has now with him Daniel Snider, whom he has adopted.

STEPHEN TROYER, farmer, P. O. Walnut Creek, Holmes Co., Ohio, was born February 22, 1816, in that part of Coshocton County which is now Holmes County, and is a son of .Jacob Troyer, born in 1763, and Mary (Win- gard) Troyer. They were natives of Somerset County, Penn., and came to Holmes County in 1814. They entered land from the Government, and settled in the wilderness, enduring many hardships in rescuing this county from the wilder- ness. Of their large family, only four are now living, viz., Jonas, of McLean Co., Ill .; Joseph, in Southwestern Indiana; Sarah, wife of John Ash, of Mi- ami County, Ind .; and Stephen. The father and mother, who passed away many years ago, were honest pioneer people, rendering valuable services to this county, and were members of the Omish Church. Our subject was raised on his father's farm, and obtained his education both in English and German in the limited schools of the home district. He has also devoted some time to private study. He was married in 1840, to Caroline Burkey, born in Mercer County, Penn., and a resident of Holmes County, Ohio. To this union were born nine children, four surviving-William, living in Holmes County; Cynthia, wife of John Figert, of Nebraska; Amelia, wife of William McGinn, of Mercer County, Penn .; and Lucy, wife of Albert Read, of Kansas. Mr. Troyer commenced on 160 acres of Western Reserve School Land, and went to work to develop a home. In 1848, he moved to Winesburg, and kept hotel there for eight years, and then bought a farm and returned to this county. Mrs. Troyer departed this life in 1859. She was a faithful wife and a kind, indulgent mother. At the same time, the two oldest sons died. Mr. Troyer afterward, January 4, 1861, married Miss Susanna Heui, a native of Holmes County. They have six children living-George D., Marietta, Elmer, Allen, Hiram and Albert. In September, 1878, Mr. Troyer purchased and moved to the place which he now occupies in this township. He has had a large experi- ence, extending over thirty years, in auctioneering at public sales, which he has followed in the intervals of his regular business. In politics, he has been a life-long Democrat, having cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren.

LEVI D. TROYER, druggist, Shanesville, was born April 20, 1846, in Holmes County, Ohio, where his father, Daniel Troyer, lived and died. Our sub- ject was reared on his father's farm and educated at the schools of the home district. He was united in marriage, February 9, 1865, to Sevilla Hochstet- ler, who was also born in Holmes County, and to them have been born four children, of whom three are living, viz., Emma, Mary A. and Daniel. After his marriage, Mr. Troyer engaged in farming, making it his chief occupation for fourteen years, during which time he did some traveling, visiting the States of Indiana, Missouri and Alabama. He finally settled in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and in 1879, engaged in his present business as druggist in part. nership with Dr. A. T. Miller; in about five months, Mr. Jacob Burkey pur- chased Dr. Miller's interest, and the firm is now known as Troyer & Burkey. They have, perhaps, the largest stock of drugs and general drug notions in Tuscarawas County, and have a large custom in both town and county, secured by fair ealing and courteous treatment of their patrons. Mr. Troyer is a member of the Mennonite Church, and, in politics, is a supporter of the

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Democratic party. He is an upright, honorable citizen, and always encour- ages the intellectual and moral improvement of the community where he re- sides.

WILLIAM LAFAYETTE WALLICK, livery-man and music dealer, Shanesville, was born September 10, 1848, in Wayne Township, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, and is a son of Isaac and Nancy Wallick, both natives of Tuscara- was County; the former died December 2, 1882, the latter is still living. Our subject was brought up on the farm and received his education in the common schools of the township. When seventeen years of age, he went to Mansfield, Ohio, to complete his musical course. He began life as an instructor in vocal and instrumental music, and also dealer in musical instruments, locating in Shanesville. He was united in marriage, February 18, 1866, with Miss Nancy Ellen Johnson, who came from Pennsylvania to Wayne County, this State, at a very early date. Mr. Johnson is now deceased, but his widow is still liv- ing on the home place. Mr. and Mrs. Wallick are the parents of six children, viz., Ermina, William A., Jacob O., Louis C., Loudon I. and Adrian L. Since 1882, Mr. Wallick has been carrying on the only livery establishment in the town of Shanesville. He and his wife and daughter are members of the En- glish Lutheran Church. They are advocates of the temperance cause, and are giving their children good educational advantages; also musical, and an excel- lent home training. Mr. Wallick is a first-class musician, and one of the finest vocalists in Ohio. He and his amiable accomplished wife are raising & very promising family.

REUBEN WALTER, farmer, P. O. Barr's Mills, was born in Sugar Creek Township, where he now resides, October 26, 1817, and is a son of John and Mary (Showalter) Walter. They came to this county from Penn- sylvania in 1815, and located in this place. Of their children, eight in all, the following are living: John; Barbara, wife of George Richardson; Reuben; and Polly, widow of Henry Acker (deceased). Our subject married Miss Mary A. Wade April 9, 1840, and by her he has had eight children-Franklin, Amanda (deceased), Artelisa, Oarda (deceased), Charles U., Albert, Harvey N. and George. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Walter is a Democrat and reliable citizen, and owns a farm of 228 acres. Through his well-known capabilities, he has placed himself in a high position in the community, and is much esteemed as a useful and honorable citizen.

JESSE WINKELPLECK, farmer, P. O. Shanesville, was born in Sugar Creek Township, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, in 1820, and is a son of Christian and Mary M. Winkelpleck. His parents were born in Westmoreland County, Penn., and came to this county in 1807. Mr. Winkelpleck entered land and commenced clearing for a farm. When the war of 1812 broke out, he left his family, consisting of his wife and two small children, at home. His wife, living on the highway between New Philadelphia and Millersburg, then opened a traveler's inn, and, charging at the rate of one shilling per meal, she managed to save enough money to buy a quarter section of Government land. Mr. and Mrs. Winkelpleck died at the advanced ages of eighty-three and eighty-five years respectively. They were industrious pioneer people, and rendered valuable services in the development of this county from the wilder- ness. They reared a family of fifteen children, of whom our subject is the ninth son. He was brought up on his father's farm, and obtained an educa- tion. according to the limited opportunities of those early days. In 1845, he was married to Miss Mary A. Harper, of Dover Township. He learned the trade of miller and followed it for four years in this and Coshocton Counties, building two mills. He then purchased part of the old home farm, where he has since resided. He has also been engaged in selling machinery for Ault-

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man & Co., of Canton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Winkelpleck have two children- Malinda, wife of Thomas Richardson, and Cornelius, living at home. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Lutheran Church. He has been prominent in public affairs in the township, and takes a deep interest in public education and Sabbath schools. He is always in readiness in mak- ing addresses to the public and Sabbath schools, and is considered the orator of Sugar Creek Township.

JOSIAH WINKELPLECK, farmer, P. O. Shanesville, was born Febru- ary 22, 1839, in this township, and is a son of Simon and Barbara (Deis) Winkelpleck; the former is a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Lower Rhine, then a part of France, but now of Germany. Her family left when she was sixteen years old, because of Bonaparte's conquest of the country. Mr. and Mrs. Winkelpleck did much valuable service in the settling of this county. The former died in 1871, in Daviess County, Ind., where the widow still lives. Our subject was raised on a farm, and by private reading, which he has added to his school course, he has become a man of wide information. In early manhood he spent some months in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where he became acquainted with James A. Garfield, about whom he made the predic- tion that he would some day be President of the United States. History has proven the soundness of his judgment. On March 2, 1862, he married Elmira Barclay, whose father. Adam Barclay, was a native of Pennsylvania, but a resident of Shanesville. They have four children-Anna I., Emma H., Cletis M. and Oliver W. In 1863, the family moved to their present farm, where they have a good home, with excellent farm buildings. They are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Winkelpleck takes an interest in the im- provement of live stock, and has introduced on his farm, at great expense, some full-blooded, thoroughbred animals, representing the short-horn cattle, etc. In politics, he supports the Democratic party.

JOSEPH YODER, farmer, P. O. Shanesville, was born, 1825, in this town- ship, and is a son of Daniel and Barbara Yoder. They came from Somerset County, Peun., in 1814, bringing with them their old grand parents John and Magdalena Yoder. They settled in the wilderness, and lived under a tree two weeks, until their cabin was built. They have all passed to their final rest, and lie buried on the farm now occupied by our subject. They were members of the Omish Church. Of their fourteen children, nine are living, viz .: Elias, in Missouri; Valentine, Simon, Magdalena, Armicker, Susannah Hochstetler, Frances Hochstetler, and Jonas, all in Indiana; Catherine Horrisberger, of Holmes County, Ohio; and Israel, of Wayne County, Ohio. Our subject was raised on a farm, receiving a German and English education in the schools of the township. He married, in 1848, Miss Susanna Hochstetler, a native of Germany, but a resident of Holmes County, Ohio. In 1852, he bought the old Yoder homestead, and has here a fine estate of 376 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have fourteen children, viz. : Mary A. (wife of Daniel Miller), Lydia (wife of Jacob Miller), Sarah (wife of Joseph Slabaugh, of Indiana), Susanna (wife of Daniel Coblentz), Albert B., Levi, Joseph J., Emma, David, Noah, Jonas, Amanda, Catherine and Robert S. The family are members of the Omish Church, and in politics Mr. Yoder is a Democrat.

REV. JOHN GEORGE ZAHNER, D. D., Shanesville, was born in Wit- temberg, Germany, December 21, 1820. His parents died in the mother country. He received his education, classical and theological, in the city of Basel, Switzerland, and emigrated to the United States in October, 1845. After studying one year in the Theological Seminary at Mercersburg, Penn., and receiving a license to preach, he came to Shanesville in December, 1846. He was united in marriage, August 30, 1847, with Miss Wilhelmina Cap-

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pel, a native of Darmstadt, Germany, but at that time a resident of Pennsyl- vania. To this union have been born ten children, their names as follows: Louis, a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in Bloomsburg, Penn. ; Robert, an attorney at law, Cincinnati; Augustus, a merchant in Abilene, Kan .; William, druggist, New Philadelphia, Ohio; Mary, wife of John Doerschuk, Shanesville, Ohio; Louisa, wife of James Clair, Bloomville, Ohio; Charlotte, wife of Silas Belknap, Bolivar, Ohio; Emma, wife of Rev. M. Noll, Ragers- ville, Ohio; Clara A., teacher, living at home; and Minnie. In 1867, the de- gree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on Dr. Zahner, by the Faculty of Heidelberg College, of Tiffin, Ohio. He is one of the early pioneers in the cause of the German Reformed Church in Tuscarawas County. He has, in his ministerial labors, served in turn the charges at Shanesville, Ragersville, New Philadelphia, Trenton, Stone Creek and several other congregations in the counties of Holmes and Coshocton. His original field has, by the growth of the membership, been divided into six charges, each of which now number from two to three congregations. During the late rebellion, he was very ac- tive as Chairman of several committees to raise volunteers and funds for the federal cause. He will long be remembered for his patriotic discharge of duty in this work. He was appointed County Examiner October 1, 1868, and by re-appointment has held that important office ever since. He has been a faithful and devoted minister in the cause of Christianity, as well as a patri- otic and useful citizen. In all his life's work he has been greatly assisted by the earnest help and gentle influence of his worthy wife. They have reared a large family of children, who have gone out in the world to fill important positions of honor and trust.

UNION TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM ANDERSON, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Uhrichsville, is a native of Ireland, born in May, 1813. He was educated at the common schools, learned farming and shoe-making, and at the age of twenty-four years he went to Cadiz, Harrison County. When thirty years old, he was united in marriage with Susan, daughter of William Shipton, of Irish descent; she was born in 1817; died December 20, 1872, the mother of a family of five chil- dren, four living-William J., John, Thomas S. (deceased), Mary E. and George M. Thomas (deceased) was the third child, born in November, 1853; he was fireman for three years on the Pan Handle road, and was killed in an accident at Burgettstown, Penn., October 25, 1880. Our subject owns 1044 acres of land, and has lived in this county since 1863. He has been a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church since he was sixteen years of age. John An- derson, the second son, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, October 25, 1851. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the district schools. On September 23, 1880, he was married to Sarissa H. Magill, born in Washington County, Penn. The result of this union has been one child, Laura, born August 23, 1881. Mr. Anderson spent four years, from 1873 to 1878, in the Western States, traveling and prospecting.

DAVID BALDWIN, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Uhrichsville, was born in Union Township May 4, 1838, and is a son of Rees and Elizabeth Baldwin. His father was of English and Scotch descent, a native of Maryland, born June 10, 1807, and died July 24, 1883. He came to Tuscarawas County in

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1882, having entered land the previous year. He was a blacksmith and farmer, and had a family of eight children, four boys and four girls, our sub- ject being the second son and fourth child. David was raised on a farm and secured a common school education, and March 4, 1864, was married to Drusilla Arnold. She was born in Union Township March 17, 1842, and is a daughter of Solomon and Barbara (Stonebrook) Arnold (both deceased), of German extraction. They were pioneers of this county, having entered land in Union Township in 1823, the family living under a tree until a cabin could be built. Uhrichsville was then called Waterford, and contained only four houses. The father was a farmer and carpenter. They were the parents of eleven children, seven girls and four boys, Mrs. Baldwin being the tenth child. Mrs. Baldwin's mother was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1800, and was twice married, her first husband, Solomon Arnold, being a native of Jefferson County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have two children- Benjamin (born August 21, 1866), and Minnie Jane (born February 27, 1874). During the late war, our subject enlisted September 19, 1861, in the Fifty- first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company G, and served in the Army of the Cumberland and the Department of the Southwest. Was discharged October 3, 1865. In politics, he is a Republican, and, with his wife, a member of the M. E. Church. He owns 105 acres of land, secured by his own industry, hav. ing left home when twenty-one years old with less than $1 in his pocket. He is a carpenter, and built his own residence in 1873 .. David Baldwin's grand- father, William Baldwin, was born in the State of Virginia in 1783. He moved to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1810, when David's father was three years old, and moved to Tuscarawas in 1832. David Baldwin's mother's mother, Acenath Herrn, was born in 1790, in the State of Maryland.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 114

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

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