The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 76

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 76

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JOHN FREY, farmer, residing on the Rehobeth road, in Goshen Township, was born in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, July 20, 1825. His father, Christian Frey, came to America in 1848, and first located on Pike Run. He subsequently bought seventy acres of land of Jesse Landes, and ninety acres of David Kitch, on which farm he resided until his death, March 13, 1867. He married Anna Barth, also a native of Switzerland. They came to America with five children, only two of whom are now living. Mrs. Frey died on the same day of the month, 1872, just five years after her husband's death, and at the same age. The subject of this notice has always lived on the home farm and been en- gaged in farming. He bought out the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead (160 acres in all), but has sold some of the land, and now owns only eighty-seven acres. This is leased to his brother Frederick, who also re- sides on the farm. Mr. Frey is Democratic in politics, but never held office. His brother Frederick married Annie Trachsel, a native of Switzerland. They have eight children-Anna, Emma, Clara, Minnie, Frederick, Edward, Ida and

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Cora. Mr. Frey and brother and wife are members of the German Reformed Church of New Philadelphia.

ENOCH FRIBLEY, Postmaster of New Philadelphia, was born in " Old Town Valley," York Township, May 27, 1847. His grandfather, Jacob Fribley, was a native of Northumberland County, Penn., and located in York Township in 1818. He married Elizabeth Woods, and they were the parents of twelve children. The eldest of this large family was John Fribley, father of our subject, who lived on a farm adjoining the old homestead until his death in 1865, aged fifty-four years. He married Mary, daughter of Gen. Butt, of York Township, and their union was blessed with nine children, four living. Mrs. Fribley resides on the home farm in York Township. Our subject lived on the farm till fifteen years of age. Then came to New Philadelphia, and clerked in the " old mill store " a short while. In 1863, when but sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was the youngest " boy" in the regiment. Six of the " Fribley boys " were soldiers in this strife, and four gave up their lives that the Union might be spared. The remaining one (other than our subject) is James Fribley, now of Baxter Springs, Kan. After the war, Mr. Fribley went to Illinois, but two years later returned here and clerked for A. T. Raiff for ten years. On March 19, 1879, he was appointed to his present posi. tion by President Hayes, and February 15, 1883, was re-appointed by President Arthur. Mr. Fribley is connected with the Masonic fraternity, Andrew Crawford Post, No. 6. G. A. R., and is Republican in politics. He is also local correspondent of several city dailies. He was married, in 1868, to Ara, daughter of A. T. Raiff. They have one child, Mary Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Fribley are members of the M. E. Church of New Philadelphia. Mr, Fribley enjoys the reputation of having one of the best conducted post offices in the State. He is assisted in his official duties by E. Sargent, Jr.

JOSEPH FURNEY (deceased) was a native of Maryland, and removed to Guernsey County, Ohio, with his parents when quite small. His father was a farmer by occupation, and lived in Guernsey County till his death. Our subject lived there till 1856, when he came to Tuscarawas County, and bought 884 acres of land in Goshen Township, near the Tuscarawas River, and afterward added fourteen acres to his first purchase. He lived there till his death, which occurred in November, 1882, at the ripe age of seventy-nine years and eight months. He was twice married. His first wife was Susan Miskimen, a native of Ohio, of Irish descent. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom are living. His second wife was Eliza Starker, also a native of Ohio. She was the mother of six children, four living. She departed this life in July, 1876, aged fifty-six years. Perry C. Knisely, who now owns the Furney farm, was born in Fairfield Township May 5, 1852. He is a son of Joseph Knisely, at present a farmer of Dover Town- ship, and Jane Slutts, also a native of Fairfield Township. He was reared in this county, and during the summers has been engaged in farming, while the winters for the past ten or twelve years have been spent in teaching school. He was a resident of New Philadelphia until January, 1881, when he bought his present farm. He was married, January 20, 1876, to Jennie R., daughter of Joseph Fur- ney. They have two children-Jesse Clyde and Walter Ralph. Mrs. Knisely is a member of the Plains M. E. Church. Mr. Knisely is a Republican.

JOHN C. GENTSCH (deceased) was born in Canton Thurgau, Switzerland, September 26, 1805. His ancestry was of the Saxon race, and emigrated to Swit- zerland early in the sixteenth century. In 1831, he emigrated to America and lo- cated in Cleveland, where he married Wilhelmina C. H. Baker. About the year 1838, he came to New Philadelphia, keeping, until his death in 1854, the Union House. the stopping place of nearly all the emigrants who came into this county. He was a Mason, a stanch Democrat, and a member of the Lutheran Church for many years. His widow died in January, 1880, aged sixty-seven years. They had four sons-Charles, Daniel Conrad, Ferdinand Henry and George T. Gentsch, and

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two daughters-Wilhelmina and Carrie Anna Gentsch. George graduated as a pharmaceutical chemist at Michigan University, and in medicine at the University of Wooster in Cleveland, of which he was for a time Professor of Chemistry and Toxicology. He attended lectures at the University of Vienna; traveled extensively through Germany, and died of apoplexy, induced by diphtheria, in Chicago, March 5, 1880, aged twenty-nine years. Charles is a practicing physician of Cleveland. He is a graduate of Georgetown Medical Col- lege, D. C., and served four years in the Army of the Cumberland, during the late civil war. F. H., a physician of Chicago, graduated at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and served eight years in the navy; he also gradu- ated in the Medical Department of the University of Wooster. D. C. Gentsch, dealer in drugs, books and wall paper, New Philadelphia, was born in this city November 18, 1844. In early life he was deputy in the Probate office under Judges Patrick and Brown; he was in the grocery and family supply business at Cincinnati for a year, and in 1872, with his brother George, engaged in the drug trade at New Philadelphia. In 1876, he graduated at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. In 1879, Gentsch Brothers sold out and went to Chicago, engag- ing in the manufacture of chemicals and oils at 38 East Kinzie street. After his brother's death, D. C. removed to Cleveland, and a year later returned to New Philadelphia, purchasing the drug business of J. D. Lautzenheiser. He has an extensive trade. Mr. Gentsch is connected with Bethesda Encampment, No. 39, I. O. O. F., and also with Lodge 107, and assisted in organizing Equity Lodge, No. 73, Knights of Pythias. He was married, January 18, 1872, to Elizabeth H., daughter of Dr. R. Powleson, of New Philadelphia. They have three children- Frank F., Wilhemina H. and an infant daughter.

G. W. GOUDY, Sheriff of Tuscarawas County, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 16, 1835, son of William and Sarah (Bates) Goudy, the former a native of Wayne County, the latter of Pennsylvania. William Goudy was a miller by trade, and died April 16, 1837; his wife died December 27, 1860. G. W., is one of nine children, seven of whom are yet living. He was raised on the farm and in the mill, which his brothers carried on after his father's death. The subject of this notice has ever since been engaged in milling until his election to his present office in 1881. He now owns the Ragersville Mill in connection with his son, M. B., under firm name of Goudy & Son. Mr. Goudy was married, August 16, 1854, to Sabina Zortman, a native of Wayne County. They have eight chil- dren, all of whom are living, except Willie-Martin B., Peter W., Mary V., wife of Isaac Sweihart, of Auburn Township; Alfred C., a physician of Strasburg ; Frank E., Deputy Sheriff; Charley L. and Alta E. Mr. Goudy is a member of the Baptist Church.

JOHN R. GRAFF, gardener, P. O. New Philadelphia, was born in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, in 1818, where he was reared and married. The lady of his choice was Elizabeth Hana. Seven children were born to them, of whom three are living-Frederick, Elizabeth and Anna. In 1851, our subject came to Amer- ica, and to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, at his present home in Lockport. Here he has lived ever since, and reared his family. Mrs. Graff departed this life in 1855. Our subject's two daughters live with him, tenderly caring for him in his old age.

FREDERICK GRAFF, merchant, Blake's Mills, New Philadelphia, was born January 1, 1844, in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland. His parents, James R. and Elizabeth Graff, came to this country, and landed in this place, then called Lockport, in April, 1851. Here our subject was reared, and received his educa- tion. In January, 1865, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eighty- fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in defense of his adopted country until the close of the war. After returning from the service, Mr. Graff engaged in business as a merchant in Lockport, Ohio, having for his partner one Frederick J. Graff, to whom he sold out in 1872. He then formed a copartner-

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ship with Simon H. Darst. (See sketch of Graff & Darst). Our subject was mar- ried, October 2, 1873, to Mary Warner, a native of this township, who bore him five children-Walter C., Frederick, Clarence, Hermann and Hattie. Mr. and Mrs. Graff are members of the German Reformed Church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias ; has held the office of Trustee of Goshen Township ; in politics, is a Democrat.

GRAFF & DARST, Blake's Mills, is a firm doing an extensive dry goods, grocery and general mercantile business at the old stand occupied in former years by C. Coppersmith. Graff & Darst have always on hand a full and well-selected stock of goods, and enjoy a growing trade. The firm also carry on an extensive coal mine at New Castle, two miles below Blake's Mills, on the Ohio Canal, where they employ from eight to ten men. They ship three boat- loads of coal per week.

WILLIAM B. GRAY (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania June 18, 1807, and was a son of George K. and Elizabeth B. Gray, the former of Irish and the latter of German descent. They migrated from Westmoreland County, Penn., to Ohio in 1814. They were the parents of ten children, of whom only two survive, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Fowler. Our subject came with his parents to New Phil- adelphia, remaining with them until he went to learn the carpenter's trade. He then went to Wheeling, W. Va., where he worked at his trade for a time; then re- turned to New Philadelphia and opened a shop of his own. He was twice mar- ried, first on June 12, 1832, to Hannah Baltzy, born October 31, 1810, died April 2, 1844 ; five children were born to this union. Mr. Gray then married, Decem- ber 10, 1846, Sarah Catherine Shaffer, born November 9, 1824, who bore him twelve children, and died August 29, 1875. Our subject was the father of follow- ing children, with dates of births and deaths : George James, March 20, 1833, died May 3, 1855 ; Elizabeth, April 29, 1836, died August 16, 1837; John Will- iam, February 3, 1839, died June 4, 1862 ; Lucinda, September 2, 1840; Oliver A., August 17, 1847 ; Etelia Susan, July 9, 1849, died September 4, 1850; Sarah Jane, June 28, 1851, died August 28, 1851 ; Delia Ann, September 13, 1852, died June 28, 1854; James Beers, March 12, 1856 ; Mary Louisa, February 27, 1858 ; Martha Ellen, December 30, 1859, died February 5, 1862 ; Elmer Frank- lin, August 25, 1861 ; Edward Aughe, March 15, 1863, died September 2, 1863; Maggie Virginia, July 24, 1864 ; Emma Alice, August 17, 1869. Oliver A. was married to Martha Keller, and James B. to Anna M. Deamitt. Our subject fol- lowed farming after leaving New Philadelphia till his death. He died August 6, 1883, aged seventy-six, leaving 320 acres of land and an interest in the Gray property in New Philadelphia. Mr. Gray was a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran Church for nearly fifty years.

JAMES CLIFFORD GRIMES, retired physician, New Philadelphia, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, October 4, 1818. His father, William Grimes, was born in Washington County, Penn., and was a farmer by occupation. In 1806, he located in Belmont County, Ohio, where he lived and died about thirty- eight years ago, aged sixty-four years. He married Mary Scott, a native of Scot- land, who became the mother of eleven children, only four of whom are living. Mrs. Grimes died six years previous to her husband. She was a relative of Robert Fulton, the first and celebrated steam navigator, and who was the recipient of a gold medal granted by Congress as a memorial to his surviving relatives. On one side of the medal is the likeness of Robert Fulton ; on the other a representa- tion of a steamboat ascending the Hudson River. The medal is still retained in the family. Our subject was reared in Belmont County, Ohio, two miles north of St. Clairsville, obtaining but a limited education in early life. He intended learn- ing the machinist trade with his brother Robert Fulton Grimes, but gave up the idea, and in 1844 commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. S. Scott, of Steu- benville, remaining with him in the office over three years. He commenced prac- tice with his preceptor at Steubenville, and subsequently located in Little York,

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Jefferson County. He was there married on Sunday, April 30, 1848, by the Rev. George S. Holmes, pastor of the M. E. Church, to Anna V. Johnston, of Steuben- ville. He then went to Pomeroy, Meigs Co., Ohio, and there located for practice. Soon after, he returned to visit friends at Steubenville, was taken sick, and suf- fered an almost fatal attack of typhoid fever. On September 4, 1848, he located on a farm in Perry Township, this county, assumed management of the same, and practiced till 1866. Then retiring from active life, he removed to New Philadel- phia, where he has since resided. He owns 271 acres of land in Perry Township, and some valuable city property. Was formerly an Abolitionist, and is now a conservative Republican. Was formerly and is now a member of New Philadel- phia Board of Education ; also of Stillwater Medical Society. He is the parent of seven children-six daughters and one son, six of whom are living.

JOSHUA P. GRIMM, livery, New Philadelphia, was born in this city April 22, 1839. His father, Solomon Grimm, emigrated when nine years of age, about 1818, with his parents, John and Margaret Grimm, from Washington County, Penn., to a farm in Old Town Valley. Solomon was one of seven children, five boys and two girls, four of whom are living. He was reared on the farm, acquired the blacksmith's trade, clerked, was engaged in staging for many years, and later has followed the livery business. He married Mary Iler, by whom he had nine children, six of whom survive, three in this county, two in Pittsburgh, Penn., and one in Lorain, Ohio. Joshua P. was reared in New Philadelphia, attended school in the old market house, kept a livery in Uhrichsville awhile, and has followed various avocations. He was with his father in the livery business, but four years ago he established a business for himself and has since met with fine success. He enlisted, August 8, 1862, in Company K, Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving five months. He was wounded and honorably discharged. In May, 1864, he entered the field again, in the One Hundred and Sixty-first, and served four months. He is a member of Andrew Crawford Post, G. A. R. In November, 1870, he was married to Elizabeth Goodwin, a native of Little York, Jefferson County, Ohio, and of Quaker descent. Of their two children, Frank B. is living.

CHARLES F. GRINNELL, weighmaster Brock Hill Mine, Pike Run, was born in Tioga County, Penn., March 22, 1853. His father, Edward Grinnell, was also a native of the Keystone State, and was engaged in the lumber business. He went to Kansas about three years ago. He married Catherine Kimball, who died in 1867. She was the mother of seven children, our subject the only one in this county ; one brother, James, is Superintendent of the Garfield and Camp Creek coal mines of Stark County, Ohio. Charles F. was raised in his native State, and in early life assisted his father in the lumber business. In 1873, he came to Pike Run, and commenced work " on the outside" of Mine No. 1. He then accepted position of weighmaster ; held that two years, then went to Camp Creek Shaft, Stark County, Ohio, but a year later resumed present position, which he has since held. Mr. Grinnell is Chancellor Commander of La Belle Lodge, No. 160, K. of P., of Barnhill ; member of the Plains Methodist Episcopal Church, and Superintend- ent of its Sunday school. He was married, January 4, 1876, to Ellen, daughter of John McClelland. They had three children-May, Lulu and Ollie. Wife died February 1, 1881, and Mr. Grinnell was again married, August 28, 1882, to Jane McClelland, a sister of his first wife. Mrs. Grinnell is also a member of the Plains Church. Mr. Grinnell is a Republican in politics, and has served as Di- rector of School District No. 4, of Goshen Township.

ADOLPH HAFENBRAK, brewer, residing at Blake's Mills, P. O. New Phil- adelphia, was born August 14, 1846, in Wurtemberg, Germany, where he obtained his education and learned his trade. In 1871, he came to America, and after staying eight months in Pittsburgh, Penn., went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he re- sided five years. Here he was united in marriage, May 23, 1876, with Mrs. Julia Graab, also a native of Wurtemberg. She had four children by her former mar- riage-George, Henry, Anna and Matilda. By her union with Mr. Hafenbrak

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there have been born two children-Ernst K. and Julius. She died July 16, 1882, a faithful wife and kind mother. She was a member of the Lutheran Church, of which denomination her husband is also an adherent. Our subject possesses a handsome residence, next to that of his partner in business, Michael Seibold, South Broadway street. These are the finest residences in the town of Blake's Mills. Mr. Hafenbrak is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a Democrat in politics.

MICHAEL HAMMEL, farmer on Beaver Dam road, was born at Chambers- burg, Penn., in 1809. His father, Daniel Hammel, was a native of the same town, and removed to New Philadelphia in 1811. He was a wheelwright by trade, but kept " Hammel's Tavern " in the then small village, from 1812 to 1814, with the picture of George Washington painted on the tavern sign. In 1817, he removed to Indiana, where he subsequently died. He married Amelia Collins, a native of Gettysburg, Penn., who removed to Beaver Dam with her parents about 1818. She lived there till her death. She died in 1877, aged eighty-one years. She was the mother of nine children, only three living. Our subject was reared in New Philadelphia, and in early life was a carpenter. He went to Pittsburgh and worked at ship carpentering and boat building, and subsequently carried on the latter in this and Stark County for some years. During the war, he worked on Government vessels at Cincinnati and Nashport. He bought 100 acres of his present farm, but has lately sold fifty acres. Mr. Hammel jis a Republican ; has been Supervisor and School Director ; is also a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and has served as Superintendent of Sabbath School. In 1832, he married Lucinda Albright, a native of Pennsylvania. There are six children living-Charles, a resident of California ; Mary E., wife of Mr. Crites, residing near Lima, Allen County, Ohio ; David, a miner in Carroll County, Ohio ; Joseph, a farmer in Illinois ; Elizabeth, wife of David Brock, of Allen County, Ohio ; and Ann, wife of James Ray, of Fairfield Township. Wife died in 1864, and Mr. Hammel was again married in 1870 to Mary Garabrant, a native of Goshen Town- ship. They have four children-Eleanor, Perry, Sarah and Rush. Mrs. Hammel is a member of the United Brethren Church.

PETER W. HIMES, retired, residence New Philadelphia, was born in York County, Penn., June 13, 1811. He was reared in his native place, and in 1835 came to Wayne County, Ohio, and the following year located in New Philadelphia. He started the first drug store in the then small village, and continued in the business until 1861. In the latter year, he was made sutler of the Fifty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served some time. He has always been Democratic in politics, and was Postmaster of New Philadelphia under Presidents Pierce and Buchanan. In 1872, he was elected Recorder of Tuscarawas County, and served in that position until 1879. He married Mary A. Ditto, a native of Shippensburg, Penn. They had seven children, four living. Mrs. Himes departed this life February 10, 1878.

JOHN A. HIMES, abstracter of titles, Notary Public, conveyancer, real estate and collection agency, office opposite court house on Broadway street, is a native of New Philadelphia, and there remained till the war broke out. He then went to Nashville, Tenn., and clerked in the post office for three years ; thence, in 1865, to St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed as collector for Platt & Thornburgh, wholesale paints and oils, and in same position for other firms till 1872. He then commenced making an abstract of titles of Tuscarawas County, and has since continued in the business, with good success ; is the only abstracter of titles in the county. Mr. Himes was made a Notary Public in 1874, under Gov. William Allen. He is a member of New Philadelphia Lodge, No. 107, I. O. O. F., and at present its Noble Grand. Has always been a Democrat, and is Secretary of the Democratic County Central Committee.

A. R. HOLMES, Auditor of Tuscarawas County, New Philadelphia, was born near Georgetown, Harrison County, February 6, 1841. His parents, Asa and Mary (McCoy) Holmes, are both natives of that county also, and both still reside

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on the old homestead, near the spot where the former was born in 1806. Asa Holmes was the son of one of the foremost pioneers of Harrison County, and by occupation has been a life-long farmer. A. R. Holmes is one of a yet unbroken family of ten children. He was reared on the farm, attending district school till the age of eighteen, and was then for two years a student at Franklin College, New Athens, Ohio. Another year was passed in attending school at New Rich- mond, Jefferson County, and August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Fifty- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained in service almost three years, receiving an honorable discharge as Orderly Sergeant June 5, 1865. The ensuing winter he taught school, and in March, 1866, came to Uhrichsville and engaged in the hardware trade, which was continued until 1870. Mr. Holmes then disposed of his establishment, and entered the grocery and provision business, in which he remained until his election in 1877 as County Auditor, his second term, in which official position he is now serving. Mr. Holmes is a member of Andrew Crawford Post, G. A. R. He was married April 2, 1867, to Mary E. Malone, a native of Uhrichsville. This union has been blessed with three children-James T., Mary A. and Ella May, all living. Mrs. Holmes is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

SOLOMON HOOVER (deceased) was born June 20, 1805, in Harbaugh's Valley, near Emmittsburg, Frederick County, Md. He was baptized in the Mo- ravian Church, near his birthplace, by Rev. John F. Bleck, and was catechised, confirmed and received into the Moravian Church at Gnadenhutten in 1828, by Rev. Samuel R. Huebner. Our subject came to Ohio in 1826, having passed over the Alleghany Mountains, and most of the route to Steubenville on horseback. Shortly after his arrival at Gnadenhutten, he had strong inclinations to connect himself with the corps of civil engineers than locating the Ohio Canal, but was persuaded by friends to remain in the town. Here he was married, November 1, 1832, to Miss Sarah E. Winsch, daughter of Jacob Winsch, one of the earliest settlers of the county. She died August 18, 1834, in the twenty-seventh year of her age. No children survived her. On the 10th day of June, 1835, Mr. Hoover was again united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Everett, also a descendant of one of the oldest settlers of this county. Shortly after his second marriage, our subject removed to Lockport, in this county, and engaged in mercantile business, first as a clerk for Peter Williams, and afterward on his own account. In the great financial crash of 1837, he was forced to go under. Abandoning the store, he began the building of the first patent sausage machines ever made in the county, and, in the spring of 1841, he left Lockport and returned to Gnadenhutten, where he was alternately engaged in the building of machines, the making of shoes (the trade of his early life), and teaching the village school. In the spring of 1852, he removed to New Philadelphia, where he began the business of land surveying, which he had previously taken up and followed in Gnadenhutten. In the fall of 1854, he was elected County Surveyor. He was afterward elected a Justice of the Peace of Goshen Township, in which capacity he was engaged at the time of his death, which took place suddenly on Saturday afternoon, March 5, 1870, in his office on the southwest corner of the public square in New Philadelphia. He was aged sixty-four years eight months and thirteen days. His widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoover, still resides with her son, Oliver H., in New Philadelphia. Their children were Oliver H., Lucy I., Eugene and Joseph E., the first and last of whom are still living.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 76

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

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