The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 121

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 121

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JOHN M. MILLER, farmer, P. O. Gilmore, was born in Washington County, Penn., October 25, 1823. He emigrated to this county from Guernsey County, with his parents, and settled on his present farm. He was twenty- three years old when he was married to Miss Rebecca A., daughter of Thomas and Sarah Myers. They have had ten children, three of them dying in infancy. Those now living are as follows: Nancy, married and living on the farm ad- joining her father's; Sarah, living at home; Anthony, married to Martha Mor- ris, and living on the home farm; Maria M., wife of Samuel Dunlap, of Perry Township; Thomas C., married to Miss Sadie Merchant, who also lives on the home farm; Ida L. and Elmer B., living at home. Mr. Miller and family are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. He has been successful in bus- iness, having cleared a farm of 314 acres, with good buildings on the same.

REUBEN M. MORRIS, farmer, P. O. Gilmore, was born in Washington Township, of this county, June 30, 1838, son of Peyton and Martha Morris. His father is one of the oldest persons of this township, and is the oldest pio- neer. He came to this county in 1820, and married Martha Lanning in 1824. The old gentleman traded a horse for the first 100 acres of land he owned. which was situated in Washington Township. The patent to said land was signed by John Quincy Adams, then President of the United States. The first Methodist preaching was held in his log house in 1843. . Our subject's mother

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died in 1861, and is buried in this township. Reuben lived at home until the year 1861, when he enlisted in the Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He afterward became a veteran. He fought for his country until the war was over. He was in the battles of Inka, Mission Ridge, Romes Farm, and participated in the sieges of Corinth and Vicksburg, also in Sherman's march to the sea, be- sides several other minor engagements. He was wounded in the left ear at Jackson, Miss. Was honorably discharged in 1865. He was married, March 29, 1866, to Levina, daughter of Joseph McCollough, of this township. This union was blessed with four children, all living at present-Joseph S., Otis P., Earnest and Mable F. Mr. Morris has made farming his business since the war. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been very successful in life, is the owner of 220 acres of land, well-improved, with fine buildings on the same, having built a fine residence on the home farm, in 1880. He keeps a very fine stock of sheep and horses.

BENJAMIN MURPHY, farmer, P. O. Albany, Ohio, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, June 31, 1818, son of John W. and Sydney Murphy, who came to this county in 1838. Both father and mother died in Washington Town- ship, and are buried near the Hartwood Church. Benjamin was married Feb- ruary 28, 1839, to Mary, daughter of Charles and Martha Robinson, who came to this county at an earlier date than the Murphys. Mr. B. Murphy and wife are parents of fourteen children, five of whom are dead. Those living are as follows: Thomas J., born May 10, 1841; Charles W., born May 8, 1846; Lemuel C., born March 2, 1849; Josiah M., born March 26, 1851; Amanda E., born April 18, 1853; James A., born January 12, 1855; Albert C., born March 26, 1859; Lucia M., born May 2, 1861; and Phebe E., born May 6, 1864. Mrs. Murphy, Thomas J., Lemuel C. and Phebe E. are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Thomas J. is a member of the Masonic Lodge, and Charles W. of the I. O. O. F. The children are all well educated, and four of the boys have taught school. Thomas A. has been Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk, and is now a Trustee. Our subject is owner of 250 acres of land, about 140 head of sheep, and a large amount of other stock.

JOHN MURPHY, farmer, P. O. Albany, was born March 14, 1822, in Belmont County, Ohio. He is a son of John W. and Sydney Murphy, who came to this county in 1838, when our subject was sixteen years of age, and settled on the farm on which John now lives, which was a perfect wilderness at that time. John has spent almost his entire life in clearing the land. Himself, brothers and sons together own about 1,500 acres of land, in Wash- ington Township; nearly all of which is improved. Mr. Murphy married, Eliza Swaney, February 8, 1849. She was born, October, 1828, in Harrison County, and is a daughter of William Swaney. They are the parents of seven children living, and one dead, as follows: Lloyd, born November 4, 1849; Adeline, born September 20, 1851; William, born May 14, 1853; Syd- ney, born August 6,, 1855, wife of John A. Taylor; Philip P., born September 27, 1857; John W., born February 12, 1860; and Margaret J., born Septem- ber 18, 1862, wife of George W. Cappel. Their youngest child was born June 14, 1865, and died April 16, 1871. The children each have a good ed- ucation; Lloyd, the oldest, has been teaching school since he was eighteen. William S. is a minister of the M. P. Church. Mr. Murphy and family (with the exception of Philip) are members of the M. P. Church. He has held each of the township offices at different times. He takes great pride in his stock, which is principally sheep, having at this time about 200 head of fine sheep.

JOSIAH MURPHY, farmer, P. O. Albany, was born July 2, 1829, in Guernsey County, Ohio, son of John W. and Sydney Murphy, who came to

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this county in 1838, when our subject was a boy. At that time there was nothing better to live in than a log hut. Several large tobacco houses, some of which were forty feet high, dotted the country here and there in that county. Tobacco was about the only thing that would bring money then, and was more extensively cultivated than at present. Josiah attended school about three months a year, during the winter season, which was a much better chance than his companions received. He was married, November 20, 1852, to Elizabeth, daughter of George and Ruth Chadwell, early settlers of this county. Four children were given them, all of whom are living, viz .: Brice B., George W., Mary E., now the wife of Adam Copple, and Lanie M. Mrs. Murphy departed this life May 15, 1866, and is buried near Hartwood Church. Mr. Murphy married his second wife, Mrs. Mary A. Porks, widowed wife of George W. Porks, April 9, 1868. To this couple, three children were given -- Josiah J., Elizabeth F. and Ingabee P. Our subject was elected Treasurer of this county, in 1873, and served two terms. He is now cultivating his farm, which consists of 320 acres, well-improved. He deals in Spanish Me- rino sheep quite extensively. He is one of the most thrifty farmers and so- ciable men of this county, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife are members of the M. P. Church.

LEMUEL C. MURPHY, farmer and teacher, P. O. Gilmore, was born in Washington Township March 2, 1849. He is the son of Benjamin and Mary Murphy. His father came to this county in 1836, when the country was almost a wilderness. Lemuel received a good common school education, and has taught eight terms of school. When he was twenty years of age, he went out West, and spent two years there. He then returned home, and has been living in this place since. He was married, October 8, 1874, to Cordelia A., daughter of John and Mary Browning, also early settlers of this county. Three children have been born to this union-Lillie May, Mary E. and Eliza C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are members of the M. P. Church. Mr. Murphy has been quite successful in business, now owning 100 acres of well- improved land, besides considerable stock ..

WILLIAM R. NICHOLS, farmer, P. O. Port Washington, Ohio, was born December 4, 1822, in Pennsylvania, son of George Nichols, now living in Noble County, Ohio, who moved to this county with his family in 1848. The northwestern corner of Washington Township was then a wilderness, with plenty of deer roaming through the forests. William was married, October 26, 1847, to Sarah Fares, of Belmont County. They have had eight chil . dren, tive of whom are living. Two of the deceased died in infancy; and Mary, wife of L. D. Dix, died February 25, 1882. Those living are Han nah, M., wife of Harmon Bond; Sarah H., wife of Calvin Carr; Ellen S., wife of Morgan Bond; Francis C., and Emma Z. The entire family are members of the church. Mr. Nichols has been prosperous in business, now owning 100 acres of well-improved land. He makes the raising of fine sheep a specialty, of which he now owns about sixty head.

MOSES PROCTOR, school teacher and farmer, P. O. Gilmore, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, August 15, 1835. He is a son of William and Elizabeth Proctor; is of English descent, and a self-made man. In 1855, he attended New Hagerstown Academy; in 1856, Madison College, and in 1857 he attended Oberlin College. He enlisted, January 7, 1862, in the Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in 1864 was promoted to Assistant Marshal of Freedmen. He was honorably discharged at Vicksburg. January 16, 1865. After the war, he taught school and worked on the farm until 1876, when he visited Philadelphia and New York. He married Emeline, daughter of Brice and Rachel Cochran, of this county. Two children have blessed this

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union- May and Clarence, both of whom are living. Our subject owns eighty acres of improved land, and has been moderately successful in business. He is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. Lodges at Port Washington. His wife is a member of the Disciple Church.

McKINZIE YOUNG, farmer, P. O. Gilmore, was born in Perry Township, March 14, 1843, son of McKinzie and Sarah Young, who came to this county over fifty years ago, from Harrison County, Ohio. Our subject lived at home un- til he was drafted to serve nine months in the army. He enlisted in the Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at the expiration of ten months was honorably discharged. He went to Iowa in 1864, and was afterward drafted again in Ohio. He enlisted the second time, in the Seventy-eighth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. He served in the army until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged. During his army life, he received physical injuries which can never be cured. He was married to Nancy Miller February 20, 1866. She is the daughter of John and Rebecca Miller, who are old settlers here. This union has brought forth five children, all of whom are living- Denton, born March 29, 1867; Jesse C., born October 18, 1868; Alonzo M., born July 23, 1870; Ellie L., born August 11, 1872; and Anthony O., born September 19, 1874. Mr. Young has secured, through his own exertions, a little home of tifty-three acres in this township. He was School Director for several terms, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the most en- terprising men of Washington Township. He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in the State of Georgia, in 1864.

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ANDREW AX. farmer, P. O. Beach City, was born May 24, 1840, in Wayne Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He is a son of William and Barbara (Barkey) Ax, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Tuscurawas County at an early day. (See sketch of Isaac Ax.) Our subject was married, December 6, 1866, to Miss Clarissa Reed. Her parents are William and Su- Ban (Wyandt) Reed, residents of Stark County, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Ax has been born a family of five children, namely, Harvey, William, Francis, Isa May and Arthur. During the civil war, Mr. Ax volunteered in the Nine- teenth Regiment Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably dis. charged on September 26, 1865, having served as a private for four years. He owns 137 acres of fine fertile land, and is looked upon as one of the leading eitizens of Wayne Township.

ISAAC AX, farmer, P. O. Beach City, Stark County, Ohio, was born Octo- ber 5, 1841, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. His parents, William and Barbara (Barkey) Ax, were natives of Pennsylvania and came to this county in 1812, settling on a farm. The former was also engaged in gunsmithing to some extent. Of their family of five children, three are now living, viz., Eliza, wife of Jonathan Reece, Andrew and Isaac. After the death of Barbara, William married Elizabeth Keller, by whom he had two children-Mary Ann, wife of George Manson, of Wayne County, Ohio, and William Eli. Our subject was married to Miss Anna, daughter of Henry and Eliza (Stonebrook) Ax. The three children born to this union are Benjamin Franklin, deceased, Luella Tamzen and William Henry. The family are members of the Christian

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Church. Mr. Ax enlisted, in August, 1862, in the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, engaged in a skirmish near Covington, Ky., and marched through Kentucky, across the Cumberland Mountains, to Knoxville, Tenn. The regiment, inclosed by Burnside's entire force, was besieged. Af- ter the siege was raised, it advanced toward Atlanta, Ga .; going over contested ground from Buzzard's Roost to Atlanta, they were engaged with the enemy in numerous skirmishes and general engagements. After the fall of Atlanta, it marched, right about-face, toward Nashville, Tenn., and encountered Hood at Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. After Hood's defeat at Nash . ville, the regiment was transferred to the Eastern Department. It sailed from Alexandria, Va., via Fort Monroe, to Fort Fisher, N. C .; occupied Wilming- ton, N. C .; advanced to Greensboro, N. C., via Raleigh, and relieved Joe Johnston's army from duty and gua ding munitions of war. Our subject was mustered out of the United States service and returned to Cleveland, where he was mustered out of the State service. He returned home, August 29, 1865, after serving two years and ten months. At the close of his service, he was twenty-three years and eight months old. He owns 143 acres of well-improved land, with good farm buildings, and is a well-known citizen of Wayne Town- ship.

JOHN HENRY BENFER, farmer, P. O. Dundee, was born in this town- ship August 26, 1839. He is the son of Henry and Margaret (Knappenberger) Benfer, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Pennsylvania. Their family consisted of four children-Sarah A. (wife of Robert Price), Rev. Elias Ran - son, John Henry and Mary Catherine (wife of James W. Stout). Our subject was married to Miss Rachel Johnson October 6, 1863, and to them were born ten children, viz., Ulysses Grant (deceased), Thomas Jefferson (deceased), Mary Clarinda, Elsa, Andesa, James Pomeroy, Judge Amos, Clifford Thurman, William Francis and Elca Grace. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Benfer has held the offices of Township Trustee and Justice of the Peace, and is serving his second term as County Commis- sioner. He was a volunteer during the late rebellion in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was a brave soldier, but being taken sick he was discharged for physical disability. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Benfer owns a well-improved farm of 150 acres, with splendid buildings thereon, secured by his own industry.

JOHN BOWERS, farmer, P. O. Dundee, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1840, and is a son of John and Susan (Gardner) Bowers. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and settled near Mount Eaton, Ohio, at an early day, spending there the remainder of their lives. They reared a large family of children, eight of whom are now living, viz., Joseph, Samuel, Jacob, Susan (wife of John Pircel), Lydia (wife of John Bair), John, Henry and Levi. John Bowers was married to Catherine, daughter of Samuel and Maria (Ma- lone) Boyd. Mrs. Bowers died April 30, 1883. Their family numbered three children, viz., Clara Ellen (deceased), Icadora and Louis Lonnear. The fam- ily are members of the Church of God. Mr. Bowers was a volunteer during the late war, enlisting in the Twenty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and proved himself a brave soldier; after a service of about one year, he re- ceived an honorable discharge. He owns ninety-one acres of well-cultivated land. on which are erected good farm buildings.

DAVID BRADLEY, miller, Dundee, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn .. October 10, 1810. His parents, Jeremiah and Mary (Lute) Bradley, were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. They came to Ohio and settled in Harrison County, where Jeremiah died; his widow then removed to Brown County, Ind., where she died September 8, 1882, aged ninety-five

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years. Their family numbered six children, viz., David, Mary (wife of John Cook. deceased), Joseph Levi, Maria (deceased) and Susanna (wife of George Shawbaugh). April 13, 1846, our subject was married to Mary Morgan, in this county, on the farm where they now reside. The result of this union has been one child, Francis Marian, who is married, and resides on the farm with his parents. Mr. Bradley worked at the carpenter's trade until about 1863. He purchased the flouring-mill which he is now operating, and has always been successful in business, having accumulated a large amount of property, including a farm of 120 acres, besides his mills. He is one of the old pio- neers, and has done much for the advancement of the county.

RICHARD BURRELL, farmer, P. O. Dundee, was born in this county January 23. 1815. His parents, Richard and Ruhama (Wode) Burrell, were natives of Maryland, and catue to Tuscarawas County in 1806, and to Wayne Township about the year 1811. They had a family of nine children, of whom only two survive, Richard and John, the latter a resident of Richland County, Ohio. Richard, our subject, was married, October 20, 1836, to Sarah, daugh- ter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Masters) Lewis, natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio in an early day, and settled in this county in 1833, the father engaging in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Burrell are the parents of eleven chil- dren, six of whom are living-Joseph Lewis, Richard Wareham, Jeremiah, Charles Peter, Frances Marion and Alcid. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Burrell died June 13, 1883. Mr. Burrell has now retired from business; he has been successful in life, and has acquired 300 acres of land, which he has divided among his children. He has been an active worker in the advancement of education, and in the settlement of the county generally.

CHRISTIAN FELLER, farmer, P. O. Dundee, is a native of Switzerland, born November 27, 1835, and is a son of Samuel and Barbara (Newenswander) Feller, the latter of whom died in Switzerland. They had three children- Christian, John, and Anna (deceased). Our subiect came to this country in 1855 (five years after his father), and settled in this county, where he, Chris- tian. engaged in farming. His father died in 1864. Christian was married, March 14, 1867, to Maggie Olmstead, the results of which union have been a family of five children -- William Otto, Franklin Frederick, Austin Henry, Ellsworth Edward and Sue Allie. The family are members of the German Reformed Church. Mrs. Feller was born, March 20, 1844, in Wayne Town- ship, this county, and is the daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Ricksecker) Olm- stead. Her father died in 1874. Mr. Feller has served his township as District Clerk and Supervisor for a number of terms. During the late civil war, he enlisted in the Nineteenth Regiment Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infan- try, and served in the Army of the Cumberland until the fall of 1865. He was sunstruck in August, 1865, near Green Lake, Tex .; was very sick then for about five weeks, and ever since he has suffered much from the severe heat of the sun. He has been breeding fine short-horn cattle, and by the assistance of his faithful wife has secured a fine farm of sixty (well-improved) acres of land.

CHRISTIAN GRABER, cheese manufacturer, P. O. Dundee, is a native of Switzerland, born May 2, 1841, and is a son of Ulrich and Magdalina (Rufend) Graber. His parents reared a family of four children-John, Frederick, Mary Ann, wife of Solomon Bowman, and Christian, all of whom came to America, the parents remaining in their native country where they died. Our subject married Miss Susanna, daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Myers) Boss, natives of Switzerland, where they lived to the close of their lives. To this union have been born three children-Susanna, Christian and

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Louis. The family are members of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Graber has been engaged in the cheese business for about twelve years, and manufactures on a large scale, making about 250 cheeses per season. He came to this county in April, 1881, and settled in Wayne Township.

GODFREY HOERGER, farmer, P. O. Wilmot, is a native of Germany, born April 6, 1820, and is a son of Godfrey and Elizabeth (Didman) Hoerger, who came to America in 1834, and settled in Holmes County, Ohio, the former engaging in farming. They are both deceased. They were the parents of three children-Henry (deceased), Godfrey (our subject), and Hellen (deceased), our subject being the only living descendant of the family in America. On March 30, 1847, he married Hellen Hostetler, to which union was born a family of twelve children, viz., Louisa (wife of Christian Graber), Paulina (wife of Nicholas Stilgenbaugh), Rosa, William, Charles, Frederick Emma, Sophia. Caroline, Edward, Ferdinand and Godfrey. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Hoerger owns a fine farm of ninety-one acres, on which are erected excellent farm buildings. Hellen was the daughter of Frederick and Magdalina (Bush) Hostetler, natives of Germany, who came to America and settled at Winesburg, Holmes County, Ohio, where the father engaged in the pottery business.

CALEB JONES, farmer, P. O. Dundee, was born in Austintown, Trum- bull Co., Ohio, July 26, 1817. He is a son of Caleb and Nancy (Barkhammer) Jones, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Trumbull County, Ohio, thence moved to Holmes County, where they died. Caleb Jones, Sr., was a farmer by occupation. Of the large family of twelve children, two have survived, Caleb and Nathan, the latter of whom lives in Kansas. Caleb received his education from the common schools of this vicinity, and in 1850 was married to Rebecca Lonnon; she is a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Ammon) Lon- non. Of the family of eight children born to this union, five are living, viz., Beriah, Edward John, Mary Vietta (wife of Clinton L. Sliffe), Nathan, Kettis. The deceased are Sarah (wife of William Burkholder), La Fayette and Thomas Elmer. The family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Jones owns a fine farm, consisting of 500 acres, all well-improved land, with good farm buildings erected thereon.

CASPER LEHNER, farmer, P. O. Dundee, was born in Germany Septem- ber 4, 1815, and is a son of Boston and Dortha (May) Lehner, also natives of Germany. He is a member of a family of four children-Barbara (deceased), Casper, Dortha and George. He came to America in 1840 and settled in Winesburg, Holmes Co., Ohio, where he lived for a few years, subsequently coming to this county and purchasing the farm on which he now resides. On June 20, 1840, he was united in marriage with Mary Frederickna Henry, which union has been blessed with a family of eight children, viz., Mary (wife of Andrew Gering), Katie (wife of Leonard Wencher), Johr, George, Rosanna (wife of Louis Arnold), Barbara (wife of Rev. Earnest Deringer), Paulina (wife of Rev. Jacob Huffman) and William. The family attend the Lutheran Church. Mr. Lehner has a fine farm of 110 acres of well cultivated land, one of the best in the county. He has always taken an active part in the advance- ment of the county, especially in the erection of churches and schoolhouses.

MICHAEL LILLICH, farmer, P. O. Dundee, was born in Wurtemberg, Ger. many, May 13, 1833, and is a son of Andrew and Mary Barbara (Horlocher) Lillich, both of whom died in Germany. They had a family of five children- George; Catherine, wife of Christopher Lenz; Michael; Barbara, wife of Frederick Velkest, and Andrew. Our subject came to America June 8, 1853, and worked on farms in this county as a hired hand, until he had accumulated enough money to purchase a farm. He was married, January 23, 1855, to Mrs. Magdalena

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Graber, a daughter of Ulrich and Magdalena (Buehler) Kempf, natives of Switzerland. Her parents came to America in 1834, and settled in Wayne County, Ohio; thence came to this county, where they died. Mrs. Lillich's former husband, Ulrich Graber, died soon after their marriage. By this union were three children-Jacob, deceased; Christian and Sophia, both married. Mr. and Mrs. Lillich are the parents of six children-Henriette, Louisa. wife of Henry Sigrist; Fernando, deceased; Mary Jane, Michael Franz and Fernando Daniel. The family are members of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Lillich is a Democrat in politics, but is no radical. He has held the of. fice of Township Treasurer for several terms. He owns 122 acres of good land, with splendid buildings, and is an esteemed citizen.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 121

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

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