The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 83

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 83

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ISAAC N. DEARDORFF, merchant, Dover, was born in Dover, Ohio, January 21, 1821, and is the second son of Christian Deardorff, whose sketch is also given in this work. When sixteen years of age, Isaac was sent to Bal- timore, Md., to be instructed in mercantile business with C. D. & J. Slingluff, wholesale grocers, one year. He was afterward employed by Slingluff & Steven- son in the dry goods trade as chief clerk and book-keeper four years, and five years · later left Baltimore for his home, going by way of the sea to Boston, the trip occupying thirteen days. During the years of 1843 and 1844, he was em-

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ployed in bringing to a final settlement the mercantile firm of Abraham Blick- ensderfer and Christian Deardorff, and from 1845 to 1846 was engaged in mer- chandising and milling with his two brothers, Jesse and George. He visited the centennial at Philadelphia in 1876, and received there a certificate of award and diploma for an improved smoke stove for smoking meat. While at Balti- more, he heard lectures from ex-President John Quincy Adams and Elihu Bur- ritt, and escorted the remains of President William Henry Harrison through the city in 1841. Mr. Deardorff relinquished the active pursuits of life in 1848, and is living in retirement at the old family home in this city. He was the home companion of his mother until her death in 1876. He was for many years a member of the Baptist Church, and is at present a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Deardorff numbers among the oldest living born settlers of Tuscarawas County, and as a business man and a citizen is highly esteemed and respected.

GEORGE B. DEARDORFF, hardware merchant, Dover, was born in Dover, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, January 29, 1823, and is the third son of Chris- tian and Margaret (Butt) Deardorff, who came to this county in 1806. They raised a family of eight children, of whom one died in infancy, and six are yet living-Jesse S., Isaac N., George B., Upton C., Mary C. (wife of Thomas Mccullough, of Massillon, Ohio) and Joseph B. Our subject received a lim- ited education such as the schools of those early times afforded. When a boy he was sent to Berlin, Holmes Co., Ohio, to clerk in a store, Joel Hall & Co., of which Deardorff and Slingluff were the company. Here he remained about eighteen months, returning as a clerk for Butt, Burnett & Co., and attended school at intervals. In 1846, he owned a part interest in the firm of J. S. & I. N. Deardorff, his brothers, but withdrew from the concern in 1848 or 1849, and engaged in the dry goods trade until 1852, when he sold out and engaged in farming near Dover. Here he remained in hard work for twelve years, when he returned to the town and opened in the hardware trade in 1871, and has since been continuously and successfully engaged in that business. Mr. Deardorff was married, in 1846, to Miss Hannah E. Barrick, a native of Fred- erick County, Md., by which union eight children have been born, of whom six are living-Clara (widow of B. Croxton), Willie C., Ida M., Frank G., Minnie B. and Nina E. Mr. Deardorff is a member and Trustee of the Lu- theran Church, and is an old and respected pioneer and citizen.

UPTON C. DEARDORFF, salt manufacturer, Dover, was born in Dover, Ohio, in 1827, and is the fourth living son of Christian Deardorff, whose his- tory appears in this work. He was reared on the homestead and followed farming until the organization of the Dover Salt Company, which was incor- porated in 1869, since which time he has devoted his attention to the manu- facture of salt. He was married in Dover, in 1852, to Miss Mary C., daughter of John Hildt, of this city, where she was born. This union has produced nine children, five of whom are living-Edward C., Carrie B., Mary F., Ber- tha E. and Theodore H. Mr. Deardorff retains a portion of the original pur- chase of land made by his father, and, aside from his business, lives a quiet life in the seclusion of his home. He has filled various local offices of trust, but has never mingled in the political arena of life. He is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was one of the principal organizers of the Tuscarawas Agricultural Society, serving as its President for several years. In the early days, he dealt extensively in sheep-raising as a specialty, but of late has given his time to his business. His name is eminent among the es- teemed and respected families, and as a citizen he is honored and respected.

CHRISTIAN DEIS, wholesale grocer, Dover, is a member of the firm of Deis & Fertig, which succeeded the original firm of C. Deis in September,

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1878. It is the only wholesale house of the kind in this county, and the firm carry a stock of $20,000, enjoying a lucrative trade. Christian Deis was born in Dover Township, this county and State, in 1843, and is the eldest son of John H. and Saloma Deis, the latter a daughter of John Arnold. John Deis was a settler of this county in 1840, and followed farming until his retirement from business, taking up his residence in Dover. They raised a fam- ily of ten children, five of whom are residents of this county. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm until eighteen years of age, when, in 1861, he joined the ranks of the Union army as a private in Company E, Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the three years' service. the company joining the Western army. He participated in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Jackson and Mission Ridge, some other smaller engagements, and siege of Vicksburg, Miss. Serving through the call, he re-enlisted in the Eightieth Ohio Volunteer In fantry, and joined the army at Huntsville, Ala. He took part in the siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, thence went to Washington through the grand review, and after further service at Little Rock, Ark, was discharged in August, 1865. During his military career, he received promotions to the First and Second Lieutenancy, and to the Captaincy of the company, in which latter rank he was mustered out. Re- turning to peaceful pursuits, he engaged in farming for five years, after which he formed a partnership relation with his brother Philip in the hardware trade, and continued until he opened his grocery store. He was united in marriage, in 1865, to Miss Rosanna, daughter of John Harbold, a pioneer family, and a native of this county. Of the children born to this union, four are living, viz. : Clara, Charles H., Calvin and Adelaide. The family are connected with the German Lutheran Church, and Mr. Deis numbers among the stanch and reliable business men of Dover.

REV. H. B. DUES, rector St. Joseph's Church, Dover, was born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, February 5, 1850. His parents, Henry B. and Catharine (Wehri) Dues, were natives of Prussia, who came to the United States in 1843, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. Here Mr. Dues became engaged at his trade, cabinet-making, which he followed to the close of his life, May 16, 1882. The widow and mother resides with her son, our subject, at his home in Dover, Ohio. They were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. The subject of this sketch, at an early age, entered the Holy Trinity Parochial Schools at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he applied himself to his studies for three years, and then for three years more was at St. Anthony's Parochial School of Cincinnati. He subsequently began an ap- prenticeship at type-setting and printing, and after finishing his trade in the fifteenth year of his age, entered upon the completion of his education in St. Mary's Seminary at Cincinnati. He there applied himself assiduously until twenty-one years of age, concluding in the classics and philosophy. He then took a course in theology under the preceptorship of Bishop Rosecrans in the Aloysius Seminary at Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained priest by Bishop Rosecrans, at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Columbus, Ohio, May 30, 1874. He celebrated his first mass where he had received his first holy communion, in St. Anthony's Church, Cincinnati, and was appointed assistant rector of St. Peter's Church at Steubenville, Ohio, in 1874. This position he filled ac- ceptably for two years, when he was made rector of the same church for six months, attending missions at Hammondsville and Mingo Junction, Ohio. On January 11, 1877, he was appointed rector of St. Joseph's Church at Dover, Ohio, to which position he has since devoted his time, making hosts of warm and sincere friends from among all classes and creeds of the people. He holds missions in St. Stephen's Church, Bolivar, Ohio; St. Peter's Church

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of the Hessian Hills, near Strasburg and St. Patrick's Church at Mineral Point, all in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The first and last named churches he erected. The increasing labors of his ministerial duties necessitating an 88- sistant, P. J. Weissenberger was appointed to fill that position in January, 1883.

SAMUEL FERTIG, collector, Dover, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., February 15, 1812, and is the second child of Samuel and Susan (Numiller) Fertig, natives of the same county, and of German ancestry. Samuel Fertig, Sr., came with his family to the West in 1817, and settled in Bethlehem Township, Stark Co., Ohio, where he entered land and resided until 1825, when he removed to Sugar Creek Township, Tuscarawas County. Ten years after, he returned to Stark County and settled in Franklin Township, remov- ing in 1838 to Whitley County, Ind., where he died in the same year. He was a farmer, and left a wife and seven children, five boys and two girls, who went to Iroquois County, Ill., settling on a farm, where the widow died in September, 1846. Of the children, six are living, viz .: Henry, residing in Arkansas; David, Marshall County, Ind .; John, Adair County, Iowa; Eliza- beth, the eldest child, the widow of S. Barnhouse, and a resident of Hunting- ton County, Ind .; (his younger sister, Maria, died in Wells County, Ind., in 1856, where her family still remain); George W., the youngest son, a resident and farmer of St. Paul, Minn., and Samuel, the subject of this sketch. Sam- uel came to this county with his parents, and in 1826 located in Dover Town- ship, and was employed in attendance on a toll bridge crossing the Tuscarawas River. He subsequently learned tailoring at Shanesville, after which he re- turned to Dover and followed his calling for five years. His eyesight becoming injured from his trade, he engaged in boating on the Ohio Canal about three seasons, and in 1837 embarked in the grocery business in Dover, succeeding A. G. Phillips, one of the first grocery houses in the city. This business he has since continuously followed, having a leading wholesale gro- cery, and is at this time (1883) connected with the firm of Deis & Fertig, the largest wholesale grocery in the county. He is also engaged largely in com- mission, forwarding and grain dealing, which was a large business in the early days. He was appointed Collector of Tolls of the Ohio Canal in 1859, and has continuously filled that position, more for the employment of his spare time than from necessity. In connection with his office, he keeps on hand a stock of groceries for the accommodation of his boatmen. Mr. Fertig had but limited opportunities for education, and at an early age began alone the struggle of life. By natural elements of energy, frugality and per- severance, he has made every moment fruitful, and is now able to enjoy his well-earned reward. He was often selected to accept nominations for various county offices, all of which he respectfully declined." He did, however, run in 1875 for County Treasurer, on the Republican ticket, but the county having been for years strongly Democratic he was naturally defeated. He has always taken an active interest in political affairs, and during the war gave liber- ally of his means and influence to crush the rebellion. His eldest son, Zach- ary 'T., enlisted in 1863 in the One Hundred and Twenty ninth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and after promotion in the ranks of the company died from ex. posure at Cumberland Gap December 2, 1863. After entering the service, he was appointed a naval cadet at Annapolis, Md., but from choice gave his service to his country's flag. Mr. Fertig was married, in Dover, in 1844, to Miss Mary, daughter of Capt. Wilson Elliott, a brother of the late Com. Elliott, of the navy. To this union eight children have been born, three of whom have survived-Anna E., George E. (who represents his father's interest in the firm of Deis & Fertig) and Grace. The deceased are Hattie, a promis- ing daughter who died when seventeen years of age; Henry C., who was

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drowned in the canal when six years old, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Fertig has liberally supported all public improvements conducive to the growth and interest of the city. He is grateful that he has been spared to witness such progress and prosperity, as well as to behold the county where he passed his life grow up from an unbroken forest to cultivated, productive scenes. Mr. Fertig has attended as a delegate many judicial and State conventions. In fact, it became so customary that scarcely a conven - tion, State or Judiciary, was held but Samuel Fertig's name was selected as a delegate. As a worthy pioneer of Tuscarawas County his life is commemo- rated in the pages of this work, he being a well-known and esteemed citizen.

HOSEA FISHER, farmer, P. O. Canal Dover, was born in Beaver County, Penn., in 1828, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Kurtz) Fisher, the former of Buden, the latter of Wittenberg, Germany. The subject of this sketch was married, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1861, to Miss Amanda, daughter of Andrew D. Swihart, and a native of this county. Of the ten children born to this union, seven have survived, viz .: Edward E., Maggie, Charles, Mary, Cora, Harvey and Frederick. Mr. Fisher resides on the home- stead farm, consisting of 168} acres, embracing some of the finest land in the county. He is a man of a genial and social nature, a lover of home, and although living a quiet and unostentatious life he is widely and favorably known.

PETER GROSS, wagon manufacturer, Dover, established business in this city in 1856, occupying an old building on his present premises, and to which he has built a large and commodious manufactory. This ground he subse- quently purchased, and on the adjoining lot erected his residence. He has a large and lucrative trade, and is one of the active business men of the city. Mr. Gross is a native of Prussia, where he was born in 1831, embarking in 1852 for this country, and coming direct from New York to Dover, where he landed on June 16. He was married in 1857 to Miss Margaret Zeigle, a native of Hessen, Germany, and a daughter of Adam Zeigle, of this county. Six children born to this union are all living, their names as follows: Mary, Maggie, Anna, Lizzie, Freddie and John. Mr. Gross is serving his fifth term in the City Council, being the oldest of the city fathers at present; he has also filled other offices for eight terms. He is a trustee of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, of which he is a member.

ADAM HAAS, farmer, P. O. Canal Dover, was born January 6, 1831, in Baden, Germany, and is a son of Adam and Catharine Haas, with whom, when six years old, he emigrated to America by way of Havre and New York, com- ing to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, after a voyage of sixty-two days, where his parents died. In his youth our subject learned shoe-making, which trade he followed for about twenty-three years. On July 1, 1856, he married Elizabeth Martin, born October 17, 1834, in Germany, and a daughter of Adam and Mary Martin, with whom she came to America when two years of age. To them have been born nine children-Mary, Henry, Elizabeth, Margaret, Clara, Daniel, Emma, Lydia and Ida. In the spring of 1868, he settled where he now lives, in Dover Township. He owns eighty-one acres of land in a good state of cultivation. Both Mr. and Mrs. Haas are members of the German Lutheran Church. He is a self-made man, having earned all he possesses by hard work. He has served as Trustee of Franklin Township, where he lived eight years.

ANANIAS HARPER, farmer, P. O. Canal Dover, is a grandson of James Harper, who was born in Sharpsburg, Md., and was among the distin- guished pioneers of Tuscarawas County, where he passed his life. His son, Seth Harper, was a native of this county, and was married to Susan Stocks- dale. He was a carpenter by trade, and lost his life in 1872, by falling from

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the cupola of a church upon which he was working. The widow and mother died in May, 1883. The subject of this sketch is the only living child of this union, and was born on the homestead in 1854, and has always lived there. This farm his father purchased in 1854. It consisted of 130 acres. Seth Harper bore the reputation of being one of the best carpenters in the county, and as a citizen and a neighbor was beloved and esteemed. His only son, our subject, has remained in single life, and has yet many years before him in which to make his mark in the world.

JAMES HARPER, JR., farmer, P. O. Canal Dover, was born on the home- stead farm, in Dover Township, this county and State, in 1818, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Smith) Harper, both natives of Maryland. His parents came to this county and settled on the present farm, being among the earliest pilgrims. Mr. Harper entered eighty acres of what was then but a wilderness, and here the parents lived to the close of their years. They raised a family of nine children, five of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was mar- ried in this county to Miss Martha, daughter of Elisha and Rebecca Stocks- dale, of this county. The children born to this union are eight in number, all living, viz .: Susanna, Lydia, Mary A., Melinda, Jesse, James, Martha and Elizabeth. James Harper, Sr., was a Major in the war 1812. Our subject is one of the oldest born residents, and in his walk through life has held the es- teem of all who have learned to know him.

J. A. HOSTETLER, attorney and Mayor, Dover, was born in Mifflin County, Penn., in 1846, and is the eldest child of Adam and Catharine (Hartzler) Hostetler, both of the same county. When one year old, his par- ents moved to Lawrence County, Penn., then to this county in 1859, and set- tled near Shanesville. Here Adam Hostetler followed farming until 1867, when he removed to Hickory County, Mo., and is still a resident of that place. He was a soldier in the late rebellion, serving in the ranks of Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after a service of two years was discharged on account of disability. He was the parent of seven children, all of whom are living. The subject of this sketch acquired a primary education in the select schools of his day, and subsequently went to Allegheny County, Penn., for his collegiate studies. On his return he be- gan the study of law in the office of J. A. D. Richards, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and in 1870 entered the law department, Ann Arbor University, Mich., graduating in the class of 1872. The same year he was admitted to the bar of this county, and began the practice of his profession in Dover in the spring of 1873. He has since attended closely to his business, and is acquiring a large and successful practice. He has served on the School Board for three years, and was elected to his present position as Mayor in the spring of 1882. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and has always shown a spirit of enterprise in the growth and development of Dover. In 1872, he was mar- ried in this county to Miss Kizzie E., daughter of James Smily, of a pioneer family. The two children, Maud S. and Harry H., born to this union, are both living. Mr. Hostetler is a member of the I. O. O. F., of the Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias.

JOHN J. JURGENS, Principal of the Catholic School, Dover, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1847, and is a son of John C. and Charlotte (Groen- inger) Jurgens, both natives of Germany and residents of Baltimore. The subject of this sketch acquired his early education in Baltimore, where he was a graduate of Calvert Hall College, in the class of 1862. He was also thor- oughly educated in music, and became a teacher of same prior to his coming to the West. He came to Ohio in August, 1865, to fill the position he now occupies, where he has since been continuously engaged. He was married in DD

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Dover July 5, 1870, to Miss Mary C., daughter of Valentine Montag, a pioneer of Tuscarawas County. She was born in Dover and died August 1, 1883, aged thirty-seven years two months and twenty days. The results of this union have been five children, of whom four are living-Benhard, Mary, Henry and Joseph. Mr. Jurgens has filled the office of Township and City Clerk several terms, and served on the City Council for one term. He has been organist of the St. Joseph Catholic Church since his connection with the school, and ranks among the enterprising and esteemed citizens.

W. H. KEPLINGER, farmer, P. O. Winfield, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and is a son of J. H. Keplinger, who was born in Jefferson County, Va., in 1819. The latter was a son of Joseph and Catharine (Snyder) Keplinger, both natives of Maryland, who came to this county in 1832 and settled in Dover Township, where they lived to a good old age. They were parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living. John H. Keplinger resided on the homestead until he was married, in 1838, to Miss Catherine Knappenger, a native of this county, and daughter of Philip and Mary (Bacon) Knappenger, natives of Westmoreland County, Penn. Her parents were pioneers in 1811 to Franklin County, Ohio, where they both died. The father of our subject settled here in 1854, and soon after became engaged in mercantile trade, which he pursued until 1877, when he retired from the active pursuits of life. He was appointed Postmaster of Winfield in 1856 by Aaron V. Brown, of Tennessee, under the administration of Buchanan, and still re- mains in that position. He has been Notary Public, many years Justice of the Peace and has also filled various other offices of trust. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of Winfield, and is an esteemed and respected pioneer and citizen. His living children are Mary E. and William H. The subject of this sketch resided at home until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Com- pany E, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the three years' service. He participated in the battles of Martinsburg, Locust Grove and after the invasion of Pennsylvania fought in all the battles with the Army of the Potomac and through the memorable struggle of the Wilder- ness. He was wounded at Spottsylvania Court House May 12, 1864, and was confined in the hospital at Washington, D. C. Four months later, he rejoined the regiment in the field, and on the 19th of September, at the battle of Opequon Creek, near Winchester, he received a wound from a minie rifle ball in the leg, midway between knee and ankle, breaking lower bone of leg, from which he has never recovered. He was transferred from the hospital at Balti- more, Md., to Columbus, and discharged for physical disability. In 1865, he was married to Miss Selecta Haley, who was born in this county. The four children born to this issue are all living, viz. : Homer E., Arthur S., Minnie M. and Ruby G. Mr. Keplinger owns a fine farm of 167 acres in Dover Township, and is a useful citizen.

JOSEPH KNISELY, farmer, P. O. New Philadelphia, was born in Goshen Township, near New Philadelphia, Ohio, in 1820. His grandfather, John Knisely, was a native of Pennsylvania, and in 1803 settled on the site of Now Philadelphia. He purchased a tract of land consisting of 4,000 acres, of God- frey Haga, and laid out the town of New Philadelphia, erecting the first cabin. He, with George Stifler, came together, and were probably the origi- nal settlers of the city. His wife's name was Mary, and they raised a family of ten children, six boys and four girls, all deceased. The maternal grand- parent of our subject, Philip Idski, purchased a tract of 400 acres of land in Coshocton County, Ohio, and was owner of considerable land in New Philadel- phia, of which he sold twenty-five or more lots. There he erected a large lou house and barn, and dug a well, which is yet in public use. He was a native

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of Baltimore, and came to the county in about 1800. Jacob Knisely, the father of our subject, was born in Bedford County, Penn .. and came with the family to this county. His wife's name was Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Etskin, a commissary in the war of 1812, who died in 1811. Jacob Knisely was a Sher- iff of the county some years, and also served as Coroner, and was Quartermas- ter in the department of the army during the war of 1812. He settled north of New Philadelphia, and was proprietor of a hotel situated where Gentst's dry goods store now is. He was filling the office of Sheriff when he died in 1833. He was the father of nine children, four of whom are living, viz., Elias, the eldest, residing on the homestead; Joseph, Maria and William, of New York City. The subject of this sketch was brought up on the homestead, where he lived until 1847, and then purchased a farm in Fairfield Township, where he resided for sixteen years. In 1865, he bought his present estate, consisting of 206 acres, which was off the Butt & Housefeld tract. He was married in this township in 1846, to Jane, daughter of William Sluts, and a native of Fairfield Township. Her father was a pioneer of the county and a volunteer of the war of 1812. To this union twelve children have been born- six sons and six daughters, of whom there are eleven living, viz., William, a teacher in Wapello County, Iowa; John, resident of Mansfield, Ohio; and Jacob, Perry, James and George in this county; Debby J., wife of James Laughead, of Oregon; Anna, wife of William Dickey; Alice, wife of Willie Jose. Colum- bus, Ohio; Maggie E. and Birdie at home. Mr. Knisely served as Assessor, Supervisor and School Director for ten consecutive years. He numbers among the oldest born settlers of the county.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 83

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

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