The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 78

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 78

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MAJ. C. H. MATHEWS, of Mathews, Elliott & Co., publishers Ohio Democrat, New Philadelphia, was born at Bristol, England, November 3, 1819. His geneal- ogy can be traced back to Admiral Mathews of the British Navy, in 1600. He is a lineal descendant of Theobald Mathews, known in both hemispheres as the " Apostle of Temperance." His father, Joseph Mathews, was also a native of Bristol, England, and the publisher of the first Bristol directory. Our subject entered the office of his father when but ten years of age, and in June, 1833, came to the United States. He received a common school education, and in 1837 en- tered the office of the Stark County Democrat, at Canton, Ohio, remaining a few years. In May, 1841, he came to New Philadelphia, and has been connected with the Ohio Democrat since its foundation. He has been largely instrumental in · making this paper one of the leading Democratic journals of Eastern Ohio. He

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entertains progressive ideas on religion, is a Democrat in politics, and has voted for Van Buren, Polk, Cass, Pierce, Buchanan, Douglas, Mcclellan, Seymour, Gree- ley, Tilden and Hancock, as Presidential candidates. In 1853, he was elected Sheriff of Tuscarawas County. In 1855, he was re-nominated for Sheriff, and, al- though he ran 200 votes ahead of his ticket, he was defeated by the Know-Noth- ings, with the whole Democratic ticket that year. - In November, 1861, he volun- teered in the army, was commissioned Captain of Company B, in the Eightieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was engaged in the battles of Iuka and Corinth, Miss .; was commissioned Major by Gov. Tod in December, 1862, and after a year and a half's service, resigned his commission in January, 1863. The Major has paid considerable attention to the drama, especially in amateur theatri- cals, and is a fine elocutionist. In August, 1849, he married Miss Priscilla Case- beer, by whom he has three children-Sarah, Edwin and Priscilla. Mrs. Mathews died January 16, 1857, in her twenty-ninth year. In July, 1866, Maj. Mathews married Miss Lizzie Grim, by whom he has two children-William and Adelia. All his children are living at this time.

F. C. MILLAR, a pioneer druggist of New Philadelphia, was born in Lancas- ter County, Penn., June 28, 1826. His father, Jacob Millar, a native of the same county, was a manufacturer of woolen goods, and married Barbara Porter, who came from North Ireland to America in 1817 or 1818. She died in 1829, and Ja- cob Millar married, for his second wife, Henrietta Kryder, by whom he bad two children, both living. F. C., one of three children by his father's first marriage, remained at home till ten years of age, when his father's failure in business obliged him to work for himself. He acquired the cigar-maker's trade, and remained at the old home till sixteen years old. He was quite an adept at music, and gave instruction in the art until the age of twenty-two, when he came to Dover, Ohio, where he clerked for a time, then became station agent at the con- struction of the C. &. P. R. R .; he was afterward toll collector of the Ohio Canal. In 1858, he removed to New Philadelphia, and became a partner in the drug store of Hazlett & Millar, which was afterward owned for thirteen years by O'Donnell & Millar. Mr. Millar then sold his interest to the senior partner, and opened a new store in partnership with his son. He is a member of the Dover Mora- vian Church, of the Royal Arcanum, is a stanch Republican, and for six years was member of the New Philadelphia Board of Education. Mr. Millar was mar- ried, August 23, 1853, to Lydia Bear, a native of Dover, and a member of the Lutheran Church. They have but one child, William H., in partnership with his father. He is married to Kate Rosemond, and has one child-Frankie.

JACOB MILLER, dealer in groceries, etc., North Broadway, New Philadel- phia, was born in Southwestern Germany November 18, 1831, and came to Amer- ica in 1854. He and a brother bought 114 acres of land near Phillipsburg, Jef- ferson Township. Our subject resided there till 1859, and then went to Lock No. 7, where he clerked till 1862. In that year he came to New Philadelphia, and embarked in his present business in a frame building on present site of City Block. In 1868, be bought half of his present building, and moved into it in 1869. In 1876, he purchased the south half, and has since occupied both lower rooms. In 1863, when Morgan made his raid through Ohio, Mr. Miller joined a volunteer company, and in 1864, when Gov. Brough called out the troops, enlisted for 100 days in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-first Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and served five months, chiefly in the Shenandoah Valley of Vir- ginia. Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics ; is a member of the New Philadel- phia Board of Education ; was formerly connected with the I. O. O. F. fraternity. He was married, January 6, 1866, to Barbara Schoch, a native of Germany, but reared in this country. Of their three children, two are living-Ida C. and Karl T.

MAJ. THOMAS MOORE, retired, New Philadelphia, was born in Lycoming County, Penn., April 21, 1812, son of Burris and Mary (White) Moore, both natives of Northampton County, Penn. They came to Ohio in the fall of 1825, and set-

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tled in Guernsey County. Two years later, they removed to Port Washington, this county, where Mrs. Moore died in 1831. Mr. Moore subsequently went West, and died in Iowa at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The subject of this sketch was a clerk in early life, and worked on the Ohio Canal at $10 per month. He taught school at Port Washington, and in the spring of 1847 removed to New Philadelphia, having purchased the Exchange Hotel, and was its genial landlord for four years. He had previously engaged in the same business at Port Wash- ington, and in Philadelphia, Penn. For ten years he followed mercantile pursuits at New Philadelphia, and also dealt in live stock. In connection with Charles H. Mitchener (now deceased) he established the Peoples' Deposit Bank of New Philadelphia. He once served as Postmaster of Johnsville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, and was a Director of the C., T. V. & W. (now C., L. & W.) R. R., from its inception until completion. He was one of the original six lessees of the Public Works of Ohio, by an act of the Legislature, and is the only survivor. Of later years, Mr. Moore has retired from active life, although he yet personally superin- tends the work on his beautiful farm of 120 acres, located between New Philadel- phia and Dover. He is also the owner of extensive coal mines at New Castle. He is a member and a Trustee of the Baptist Church of New Philadelphia, and in politics is Republican. He has been a member of the Board of Education and of the Village Council. He was married, October 29, 1835, to Nancy, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Dixon. They have had a family of four sons and five daugh- ters, of whom but two, twin daughters, are now living. The third son, Thomas Edson Moore, in connection with Mr. Riches, an engraver of superior merit, pub- lished at Columbus, Ohio, " Moore's Melodies and American Poems," one of the finest illustrated volumes ever issued in America. He afterward went to New York City and established the Illustrated Weekly, increasing its circulation in nine months from 1,000 to 45,000 copies. His laborious efforts overtaxed his strength ; a sud- den illness ensued, from the effects of which he died June 25, 1875, at the early age of twenty-nine years. His remains were brought from New York and interred in the beautiful cemetery at New Philadelphia, Ohio.

HENRY MOSHER, farmer and brick-maker, P. O. New Philadelphia, was born in Albany County, N. Y., June 20, 1811, and is a son of George and Juda Mosher, natives of New York, where the former died. The widow and family then moved to Goshen Township, where she married Robert Copeland. (Both are now deceased.) She was the mother of eight children, five of whom are living. Our subject was united in marriage in New York, October 22, 1834, with Susan, born in Albany, N. Y., April 5, 1812, daughter of Francis and Margaret Delong, and in 1837 came to Ohio, where he purchased the farm that he now lives on. This farm our subject and family cleared, and it is now among the finest farms on the Phil- adelphia plains. Mrs. Mosher died September 16. 1880. To this union were born seven children, of whom five survive, viz .: George F., married to Louisa Brown, formerly McGregor ; Alven ; Henry P., married to Susan Fenny ; Margaret, wife of David Watkins ; Mary, wife of Edwin Bourquin, deceased ; Missouri E. and an infant. Our subject owns 100 acres of highly-cultivated land, and is both farmer and brick-maker. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1853 ; has filled the office of Trustee of the township, also Infirmary Direc- tor of Tuscarawas County for two terms. Politically, he is a Democrat.

J. W. MORGAN, proprietor of the " Miners' Home," Barnhill, Ohio, was born in Wales February 2, 1842. His parents, John and Mary (Thomas) Morgan, both died in Wales. He was reared in his native land and dug coal in Wales for twelve years. He then came to America, and for some years was engaged in mining in various parts of the United States. In June, 1882, he came to Barn- hill and purchased the saloon stock and trade of Benjamin Beans. He has named his resort the " Miners' Home," and enjoys the best trade, in his line of business, in the village, and is meeting with fine success. Mr. Morgan also runs a boarding house in connection with the saloon. He is Democratic in politics. He was

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married in Indiana, in 1872, to Jane Richardson, a native of Wales. Of the four children given them, three are living-Louisa, John J. and Edward T.

J. T. O'DONNELL, attorney at law, New Philadelphia, was born in Mill Township, this county, November 9, 1849. His father, Thomas O'Donnell, a farmer of that township, married Miss S. C. Heller, daughter of John Heller, also of Mill Township. Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O'Donnell, five are now living. J. T. was reared on the farm until seventeen years of age, attending school at Hopedale and at New Hagerstown Academy, both in Harrison County. He taught school for five consecutive years, after which he read law for two years in the office of Judge Hance, of New Philadelphia, and was admitted to the bar. He at once became the law partner of his preceptor, under the firm name of Hance & O'Donnell. This partnership was dissolved in the fall of 1881, in consequence of the election of the senior member of the firm to the Common Pleas bench. Since then, Mr. O'Donnell has practiced alone and has met with marked success. He is Republican in politics, and is a member of the New Phil- adelphia Lodge of Masons. He was married, October 10, 1878, to Miss M. R. Kilgore, a native of Salem Township. Their only child, a son, is deceased. Mrs. O'Donnell is a member of the Lutheran Church.

JUDGE JAMES PATRICK was born in Belfast, Ireland, on the 6th of August, 1872, died January 23, 1883. His parents were Scotch-Irish, and his father was a highly respected merchant in that city. At the age of twenty-four, he emigrated to the United States. Being a printer by profession, he was for several years connected with the Aurora in Philadelphia, then published by Col. Duane. In the summer of 1819, be settled in New Philadelphia, where he estab- lished the Tuscarawas Chronicle, the first paper ever published in the county. His paper was conducted with marked ability, had a large circulation and was the leading newspaper in Eastern Ohio. He held many offices of public trust, was County Recorder, County Auditor, Government Land Agent, and served seven years as Common Pleas Judge. In 1846, he transferred his printing office to his eldest son and retired to private life. In early life, Judge Patrick was married to Catharine Westfall, daughter of Maj. Westfall, a Revolutionary officer, who served during the entire struggle for American independence, and was wounded at the storming of Stony Point, under the command of Gen. Anthony Wayne. Judge Patrick was called to mourn the death of his wife on the 1st of January, 1833, and he so cherished her in memory that he never remarried, but remained a wid- ower over fifty years. In all the relations of life, Judge Patrick was a highly es- teemed citizen. He was kind to the poor, and in the sixty-three years of his resi- dence in New Philadelphia never commenced a law-suit, and left behind him a character of unblemished integrity. His was a well cultivated mind, with long habits of reading and study. He spent the evening of his life pleasantly in the companionship of his books and friends. All the children of Judge Patrick, three sons and three daughters, survive him. His eldest son, Andrew Patrick, studied law, was admitted to practice in 1845, and in the spring of 1846 became editor and proprietor of the Advocate, which he edited and published with great political adroitness, keeping his party in the ascendancy in the county until July, 1865, when he disposed of his printing office, retired from editorial life, and engaged in the banking business, in which he was very successful. In 1872, he was elected President of the Citizens' National Bank, and occupied that position until Janu- ary, 1879, when he declined a re election as President and retired from the active control of the bank. His second son, James Patrick, Jr., is a lawyer, standing high in the legal profession. He served the people as Public Prosecutor for sev- eral years, and for many years was a Director and Attorney of the Citizens' Na- tional Bank. In 1876, he was elected Common Pleas Judge, and served five years, discharging the duties devolving upon him with marked ability and impar- tiality. His third son, Abraham W. Patrick, is also a lawyer by profession, in which he has for twenty years held an eminent position and enjoyed a large and

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lucrative practice. He served four years as Public Prosecutor of the county, served one year as Probate Judge and declined a unanimous re-nomination, which was equivalent to an election. He also represented the people of his dis- trict in the State Senate, where he had the reputation of being an able debater and leading member. His eldest daughter was married to the late David McFar- lane, of New Philadelphia, who departed this life in February, 1852. His second daughter, Anne, was married to Judge James Moffit, of New Philadelphia, who died May 1, 1877. His third daughter, Catherine, is married to Hon. Joseph Medill, editor and proprietor of the Chicago Tribune.

DR. R. POWLESON, retired physician, New Philadelphia, was born in New Jersey October 28, 1811, son of Isaac and Ann (Parrott) Powleson, both natives of New Jersey. Isaac Powleson was a shoe-maker by trade, and died September 2, 1821. His wife survived until February, 1877, when she passed away at the age of eighty-seven years. The subject of this sketch came to Ohio in 1830, taught school two years in Jefferson County, then resided four years in Belmont County. In the fall of 1836, he came to New Philadelphia, opened a small drug store, and, having read medicine at Bridgeport, commenced the practice of medicine. Three years later, he abandoned the drug business and remained an active practitioner until about six or seven years ago. He is the oldest physician in the county in point. of practice, and has ridden twice as many miles as any physician in the county for the period of thirty years. In politics, the Doctor has been strongly Whig and Republican. For over five years, he was Postmaster of New Philadelphia during President Lincoln's administrations. He was married, June 8, 1832, to Elizabeth Church, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio. Six children were the fruits of this marriage, but two of whom are now living. Mrs. Powleson died De- cember 14, 1844, and the Doctor was re-united in marriage, December 24, 1845, with Mrs. Celinda (Neighbor) Seaton. One daughter was born to them. By her former marriage Mrs. Celinda Powleson had two children.

A. T. RAIFF, retired merchant, New Philadelphia, was born in London, Ohio, May 4, 1824, the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Korn) Raiff. Alexander, his father, was a native of Germany and a physician by profession. He came to America about 1818, read medicine at New York and Philadelphia, and about 1820 came to Tuscarawas County. Shortly afterward, he removed to Darbyville, and thence to London, Ohio, where he died in 1827, his wife preceding him to the grave one year. Of their five children, three are living. The subject of this sketch was reared in Holmes County, where in early life he learned the blacksmith trade. He came to New Philadelphia in 1846, and for twelve years carried on his trade and manufactured wagons and carriages. Then for three years.was en- gaged in the livery business, and for one and a half years he was landlord of the Exchange Hotel. Mr. Raiff then entered the hardware trade, and conducted it successfully for about twenty years, disposing of his establishment in February, 1882, to Custer, Roberts & Fribley. In politics, Mr. Raiff is Democratic. He was married, November 25, 1847, to Miss B. C. Baltzly. They have had six children, five of whom survive. Mrs. Raiff is a member of the English Lutheran Church.

P. H. READ, druggist, New Philadelphia, was born in this city June 10, 1855. His father, Hon. John B. Read, is a native of Downingtown, Penn., and came to this county about 1830 or 1835. He located in New Philadelphia, and taught school for some time. He subsequently went to California, and engaged in mining and mercantile pursuits until about 1849, when he returned to Tuscarawas County, and has since resided on his farm near the city, in Goshen Township. He is Democratic in politics, and was the first Democrat elected to the State Legislature from this county, who changed the Democratic vote to what it is to-day. He was re-elected by an increased majority, serving two terms. He married Rebecca Hammel, who gave him ten children, seven of whom are living. P. H. Read was reared in New Philadelphia, and in 1873 entered Otterbein University at Wester-

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ville, Ohio, graduating from there in 1878. In early life, he worked at the black- smith trade, but on coming back from college purchased the drug stock and trade of Alexander Moore, and has since conducted a successful business. Mr. Read is also Democratic in politics. He was married, May 27, 1880, to Ida Keller, a native of Trenton, in this county. They have two daughters-Evangeline and Carrie. Mrs. Read is a member of Sharon Moravian Church of Trenton, Ohio.

JAMES A. D. RICHARDS, attorney at law, New Philadelphia, was born at Boston, Mass., March 22, 1845, son of John D. and Margaret (Morrow) Richards. John D. Richards was a native and a merchant of Boston, He died August 15, 1847, aged thirty-four years. His wife was a native of Augusta, Me., and subse- quently to the death of Mr. Richards married Col. Bennett Brittin, and now re- sides at Scotch Plains, N. J. James A. D. is one of two children ; the other, a sister, is deceased. He passed his early life at Boston, and there received a good education. Coming to Tuscarawas County in 1862, he taught school in various townships, and at Lockport for three years ; then read law, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1867. He first commenced practice with D. W. Stambaugh for a short time, and then became the partner of J. Lee Webster, now a leading lawyer of Omaha, Neb. This partnership was continued two years. Afterward another was formed with F. Douthitt, and maintained about one year. Since that time, Mr. Richards has practiced alone, and now enjoys one of the best practices in the county. He is a member of Masonic Lodge and Chapter and the K. of P. Lodge at new Philadelphia. He was President of the Board of Education dur- ing the construction of the present fine school building. In politics, he is Demo- cratic. Mr. Richards has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah A. Bucher, a native of this county. But one child of this marriage survives, a daughter, Frances A. His second marriage was to Nancy D. Wilkin, a native of Washing- ton County, Penn. She was reared in her native State, and removed with her par- ents to Coshocton, Ohio, and had the benefits of a liberal education. She read medicine for two years with Dr. J. D. Otis, of New Philadelphia, and graduated at the Medical Department of Wooster University, Cleveland, Ohio. Commencing a practice at New Philadelphia, two years later, she attended a course of lectures at the Polyclinic Institute, New York City. She then resumed practice at New Philadelphia, which is quite extensive and proportionately remunerative. She is the only lady physician in this portion of the State. For the past year she has been Secretary of the Tuscarawas County Medical Society.

JAMES M. ROMIG, merchant and Postmaster, Barnhill, was born in Mill Township March 2, 1853. His parents are Abraham and Susan (Warren) Romig. The former is a native of Pennsylvania, and came to this county when quite young. He is a tailor by trade, but of late years has been engaged in farming, and now resides in this township. Our subject is one of ten children, and was reared in Mill, Warwick and Goshen Townships. He assisted his father on the farm until twenty-two years of age. In 1877, he bought out the mercantile stock of James McDavey, of Barnhill, and has since continued the business with fair success. He is a strong Republican, and in September, 1882, was appointed by Postmaster General Howe to his present position. He was formerly connected with New Philadelphia Lodge, No. 73, K. of P., but is now a member of La Belle Lodge, No. 160, K. of P., of Barnhill. He was married. September 22, 1881, to Adella Marty, a native of this county. They have one daughter, Netta C. Mrs. Romig is a member of the Plains M. E. Church of this township.

SAMUEL RUFER, blacksmith, and Commissioner of Tuscarawas County, was born in Switzerland February 18, 1834. His father, Stephen Rufer, came to America in 1843, locating in York Township, this county, where he farmed until his death in 1868. He married Magdalena Fuhrer, who died in this county in 1844. They had eleven children, five living, and three in this county. Our sub- ject was the fifth child of this large family, and only received a fair education by his own individual efforts. At eighteen years of age, he came to New Philadelphia

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and learned the blacksmith trade with Jacob Young. He has since followed that trade, working seventeen years in Lockport, and is considered one of the best blacksmiths in the county. He makes a specialty of dressing mill picks ; is well known all over the county, and has been successful in business. Mr. Rufer is a stanch Democrat ; was Trustee of Goshen Township for five years, and in the fall of 1882 was elected to his present position for a term of three years. He is a member of Shoenbrun Lodge, No. 430, I. O. O. F., of New Philadelphia. He was married, on Christmas of 1857, to Rose Reidenbach, a native of Tusca- rawas County, of Swiss parentage. Five children have been born to them, only two living-Ida and Laura. Minnie, Charlie and Augustus are deceased. Mr. Rufer and family are members of the German Reformed Church.

DAVID RUMMELL, a well known citizen of this county and township, is a native of New Philadelphia, where he was born December 26, 1816. His father, George Rummell, was probably a native of Little York, Washington Co., Penn., and came to this county when a young man. He was a carpenter by trade, and located in New Philadelphia, where he lived till his death, and erected many of the substantial frame residences of the embryo city. He died in 1827 or 1828, aged about forty years. He married Catherine Stiffler, a native of Pennsylvania, who accompanied her father, George Stiffler, to New Philadelphia in 1802. George Rummell and wife had seven children, all living. Mrs. Rummell subsequently married Jacob Walters, and bore him two children. Mrs. Walters died in the West, about 1863, aged about sixty-eight years. David Rummell was reared in New Philadelphia, and early learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for nineteen years. In 1850, he purchased 100 acres of his present farm (now con- sisting of 306 acres), where he has since resided-a period of thirty-three years. He is a member of the Democratic party, and has served as Director of Shoen- brun School District No. 8. He was married, in 1842, to Catherine Casebeer, a native of this county. They had two children-Alvin, married Sarah Young, and resides in Waynesburg, Ohio ; and Martha A., widowed wife of D. Baltzly (de- ceased). Mrs. Rummell died in 1846, and in 1848 Mr. Rummell married her sister, Rosanna Casebeer, who is the mother of eight children, seven living- George (married Ellen Romig, and is farming in this township), John (married Maggie E. Frew, and is also farming in Goshen Township), Luther (at home), Mary, Annetta, Elizabeth and Walter W. Jacob is deceased. Mr. Rummell, wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New Philadelphia.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 78

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

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