The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 86

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 86

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in Dover Township, Tuscarawas County. Abraham was a Mennonite preacher, and held divine service throughout the various settlements in the country. Here they together passed the remainder of their life's journey, attaining old and respected ages. They raised a family of five sons and four daughters, three of whom are living, viz., Jacob, Sarah (wife of John Rupert) and Anna (wife of John Buzzard, of Elkhart County, Ind.). The subject of this sketch was born on the homestead farm, and is among the oldest living born settlers of the county; he has always resided on the home of his father's selection. He was married in this county, September 15, 1839, to Miss Barbara, daughter of David Miller, of Holmes County, Ohio, and a native of Pennsylvania Eight children have blessed this union, four of whom are living, their names as follows: David M., John, Barbara and Mary. Mr. Welty is connected with the Mennonite Church, and ranks among the distinguished pioneers of the county. .

VALENTINE WENZ, farmer and manufacturer, P. O. Canal Dover, was born in Germany February 11, 1840, and is a son of Louis and Caroline (de- ceased) Wenz. He emigrated with his parents to America when three years old, and by way of New York came to Sugar Creek Township, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio. His parents resided here three years, removing thence to Coshoc- ton County, where they remained until the decease of Mrs. Wenz. They had nine children, of whom five are living, viz., Louis, Frederick, Caroline, Phœba and our subject, who is the youngest. Valentine received a fair education, and when sixteen years old learned carpentering, which he followed for about ten years. He then pursued business in the lumber trade for sixteen years, after which, about the spring of 1879, he began farming on the land where he now resides. He owns ninety acres of finely cultivated land, and has also a half interest in the Standard Fire Brick Company. He was married, March 18, 1868, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth Weaver, of Dover Township. By this union he has had four children, three of whom are living -Charles, Clara and Lyda. Mr. Wenz is an ardent member of the German Lutheran Church, and has served as Marshal of Dover for six years.

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FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP.

CHARLES H. EHLERS, merchant, Postmaster, express agent and agent of the C. & P. Railroad, 'Zoar Station, was born March 24, 1839, at Zoar. He is the son of William G. and Catharine Ehlers, natives of Germany, who emi- grated to America and became members of the Society of Separatists of Zoar. Our subject was raised here and was married, in November, 1861, to Jacobina Ackermann, also a member of the society. Seven children have been born to them-Catharine, Louisa, William, Carolina, Charles, Alfred and Jacob. Mr. Ehlers took charge of the branch store of the society at Zoar Station in 1862, and was appointed railroad agent the same year. In 1863, he received the appointment of Postmaster. He is Republican in politics, and one of the leading business men of the Zoar Society.

LEWIS GECKELER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Zoar Station, was born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, December 22, 1828. He emigrated to America in 1850, and settled in Tuscarawas County. Three years later, he married Ann Grove, a native of this county. Of their eleven children, ten are living-William, John G., Lewis, Emma, Frederick, Louisa, George, Margaret A., Charles and Henry. Mrs. Geckeler died April 8, 1872. She had been a member of the Lutherau Church and a good wife and kind mother. For his second wife, Mr. Geckeler married her sister, Emeline Grove. One child-Mary Malvina -has been born to them. Mr. Geckeler has been industrious and successful in life, as his tine farm of 240 acres amply proves. Its value is enhanced by a splendid residence and other good buildings upon it. He also owns a valuable farm of 146 acres in . Stark County. Mr. Geckeler takes great interest in raising fine stock, and has many domestic animals of valuable breeds upon the premises. He is a Democrat and has served his township as Trustee and Treasurer, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. Fairfield Township has no more upright citizen nor more reliable business man than Lewis Geckeler.

HUGH KELLY, farmer and proprietor of iron mine, P. O. New Phila- delphia, was born March 6, 1815, in St. John, New Brunswick, the second child of a family of ten children. His mother, Jerusha Kelly, was accident- ally drowned in the Bay of Fundy in 1835. His father, James More Kelly, was a merchant, ship-builder, lumber dealer and proprietor of vessels plying on the Atlantic. Hugh was united in marriage, December 4, 1835, with Rosanne Steeves, also a native of the province. They emigrated to Ohio in 1836, and after living for six years in Harrison County came to this county and town- ship. Ten children have been born unto them-Catharine, wife of John Minnis; Margaret, wife of Andrew Van Buskirk, of Allen County; Mary, widow of Albert Boyd; William, of Lockport; James, who was killed while in service in 1865; Henry, deceased, and John, Ellen, Thomas and Harvey, at home. Mr. Kelly's farm is underlaid with a vein of blackband iron ore. He has opened a mine and operated it profitably for several years. He is a Re- publican; has held various township offices, and is esteemed an upright, reliable and influential citizen. Himself and wife are members of the German Baptist Church.

WILLIAM IRA KENNEDY, farmer, P. O. New Cumberland, was born November 5, 1845, in Warren Township, this county, and is a son of William

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R. Kennedy. He was raised on his father's farm, and obtained his education first in the schools of this township and afterward in the Hagerstown Acad- emy. He was united in marriage, February 11, 1868, with Amelia H. Leg- gett, daughter of Joshua and Jane (Guthrie) Leggett, of Goshen Township. Their family numbers five children, viz., Olive M., James Barton, Frank A., Joshua Laird and Clifton Ira. After living in Carroll County three years, Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy came to Tuscarawas County, and settled on the farm which they now occupy in Fairfield Township. They have acquired an ex- cellent farm of 245 acres of well-improved land. They are members of the Presbyterian Church at New Cumberland. In politics, Mr. Kennedy is a Democrat.

JOSEPH KOLLAR, farmer, P. O. Zoar Station, was born near Steubenville November 5,1809. His parents, George and Susan(Koons) Kollar, natives of York County, Penn., emigrated to Ohio in 1802, and raised sufficient corn on leased land to enter 320 acres of land in Fairfield Township, where Joseph now re- sides. Their family consists of seven children-Jacob, Andrew, George, Adam, Margaret Catherine, Michael and Joseph. When they first came, three days were required to make a trip for salt or to mill. Salt then cost $15 a bar- . rel, and a large pad or cushion must be made to protect the horse's back from the brine, as the salt would be very wet. The first election in Fairfield Town- ship was held at the house of George Kollar. He was a Lutheran. Joseph was married, September 5, 1831, to Phobe Slutts, and of their eight children but three are now living-Deborah, near Lima; Susan, in Kansas City, Mo .; and John, at home; all are married. Joseph Kollar resides on the old home- stead, which is one of the finest farms in Fairfield Township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

NATHAN W. LEGGETT, farmer, P. O. New Cumberland, was born in Warren Township, this county, June 22, 1846, son of William and Rachel (Belch) Leggett, who were industrious, well-esteemed pioneers of the county. William Leggett was a native of Tuscarawas County, his wife of Jefferson County. Nathan W. was raised on his father's farm, and adopted his avoca- tion. He was married, June 27, 1871, to Ann E. McKee, born February 3, 1849, and the daughter of John L. and Melinda (McCartney) McKee. Of the six children of Mr. and Mrs. Leggett, only one, Rachel Melinda, is now liv- ing. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. For a short time they resided in Fauquier County, Va Assisted by his wife, Mr. Leggett has acquired a finely improved farm of eighty acres, underlaid with rich and valuable deposits of coal. He supports the principles of the Republican party.

JOHN McCREERY, farmer, P. O. Zoar Station, was born August 7, 1822. His father, John McCreery, was born July 22, 1769, and died April 29, 1857; his mother, Margaret (Slutts) McCreery, was born November 28. 1788, and died June 15, 1877. They were married about 1809, and to them were born ten children, four of whom are living. As narrated in the history of Warren Township, John McCreery, Sr., was one of the foremost pioneers of this coun- ty. He first settled in Warren, and built a " corn-cracker " on One Leg Creek, which could be reached only by a narrow path, through which the settlers brought their grain on horseback. He took a great deal of pork by canoe to Zanesville, and there sold it. Salt was hauled from over the mountains, and Mrs. McCreery made all the wearing apparel for the family. John, the sub- ject of this sketch, was raised in his father's pioneer home in Fairfield Town- ship. He was married, August 30, 1865, to Mary Wise, daughter of Jacob and Ann Wise. The family of Mr. and Mrs. McCreery consists of seven children- Amanda A., Margaret A., Diana May, William, Mary A., Alma B. and John N. Garfield.

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NATHAN MCCREERY, farmer, P. O. Zoar Station, was born in this town- ship, July 10, 1827. His father, John McCreery, was a native of Virginia, and of Irish descent; his mother, Margaret (Slutts) McCreery, of Maryland, and of German extraction. John McCreery, in his young day, living in Pennsyl- vania. built flat-boats, bought up produce and boated it to New Orleans. He made seven trips to New Orleans, and five times returned afoot, a distance of 500 miles through the wilderness, without seeing a white family. He was & powerful man, physically, and stood six feet in height. One day on a wharf, a bystander remarked that it would take a stout man to carry a ship anchor ly- ing close by. John McCreery overheard it and offered to wager that he could find a man who would carry it 100 yards, provided that two men would place it on his shoulders, and two remove it afterward. Looking at his strong physique the bet was not accepted. Mr. McCreery, stepping astride of it, raised it and swung it backward and forward several times. The anchor weighed 600 pounds. John McCreery was a Presbyterian, his wife a Methodist. Nathan was married, February 20, 1855, to Margaret Scarlett, of Jefferson County. She died May 8, 1881, and on the following October 9, Mr. McCreery married Ellen Frose, by whom he has one child -Margaret Luella. He is a Methodist, and has been class leader for twenty five years.

JOHN MINNIS, farmer, P. O. New Cumberland, was born October 25, ' 1828, in Allegheny County, Penn., and is a son of Hugh and Eleanor Minnis. They moved to Tuscarawas County in 1836, and entered land there. They died many years ago. They raised a large family, of whom five are now living, viz., James, living in Putman County, Ohio; William, of this township; Wilson, also of this township; Eleanor, wife of Daniel Smith, of New Cumberland; and John. Our subject was united in marriage in February, 1855, with Catherine Kelly, daughter of Hugh Kelly, of this township. To them have been born five children, of whom four are living, viz., Melissa, Caroline, A. Lincoln and Elvaretta. They settled on the old Minnis homestead, and have been living there ever since. Mr. Minnis acquired a fine property of 114 acres of well-im. proved land. He is, in politics, a Republican; has been Assessor and Treas- urer of this township.

DAVID SHIVELY, farmer, P. O. New Cumberland, was born in Portage County July 28, 1843, and when twelve years old removed with his parents, George and Mary Shively, to Columbiana County, where his mother died De- cember 27, 1882, and where his father still resides. David was raised on his father's farm, and enlisted August 25, 1862, in the One Hundred and Fif- teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served faithfully three years, during which time his regiment lost one-fourth of its entire number. He was married, October 28, 1869, to Miss Sarah Crissman, who was born January 5, 1851, in this township, the daughter of Frederick and Martha (Reed) Crissman. Her father died September 30, 1852. He had been an enterprising and highly es- teemed young farmer. Her mother, Mrs. Martha Crissman, has since married Wilson Minnis. To Mr. and Mrs. David Shively three children have been born-Laura, Isaac Monroe and Frank. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Shively purchased and moved to the farm upon which he now resides, a well-improved place of eighty acres. He is a lover of learning, and finds time to become deeply versed in the natural sciences. He has been industrious and success- ful in life, supports the principles of the Republican party, and, with his wife, is a member of the German Baptist Church.

MRS. ANN SLUTTS, Zoar Station, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 28, 1842, the daughter of Martin L. and Catherine Frommer. Her father died in 1843, and in 1850, Ann, in company with her widowed mother, crossed the Atlantic and came direct to Tuscarawas County. She was raised

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in this township, and here received her education. She was united in mar- riage, August 27, 1863, with Samuel Slutts, the son of John Slutts, a pioneer of Fairfield Township. The young couple began life on a farm near Zoar Sta- tion, where two children, Flora R. and Elmer S., were born to them. Mr. Slutts departed this life January 11, 1866. He had been an affectionate and faithful husband, and a kind father, an industrious and influential citizen, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Slutts still resides upon the home property, which was divided into town lots by Samuel and Worthington Slutts. She is an active member of the Methodist Church.

WILLIAM STIFFLER, farmer, P. O. New Philadelphia, was born Octo- ber 19, 1830, in Gosben Township. His parents, David and Lydia Stiffler, natives of Pennsylvania, were amongst the foremost pioneers of this county, and raised to maturity six of their seven children. The education of William was limited to the meager advantages afforded in the backwoods. He was married, September 3, 1857, to Susan E. Wanbaugh, of Goshen Township, and their union was blessed with five children-Addison C., Theresa J. (wife of Frank Tressell, of Warren Township), C. Wilmer, Oliver C. and Thomas. By his own efforts, assisted by the good management of his wife, Mr. Stiffler has acquired a good home of 308 acres. He takes especial interest in the culture and care of stock. In politics, he is Democratic, and he has held the offices of Township Treasurer and Trustee. Himself and wife are members of the Lu- theran Church.

BEZALEEL WALTZ, farmer, P. O. New Philadelphia, was born in Mary- land in 1808. When three years old, he came with his parents to Tuscarawas County, and has since resided within its limits. The settlements at the time of his arrival were few and widely separated. Wild animals were abundant, and afforded food for the pioneer. Bezaleel was raised on the farm, and ac- quired and followed the cooper trade for some years in his early life. He made the first flour barrel that was shipped on the canal from Zoar to Cleve- land. He was married, December 22, 1832, to Catharine Deibert, daughter of John Deibert, of Goshen Township. Five of their eight children are now living-Lavina, wife of Jeremiah Weaver, of Allen County; Samuel D .; Al- vin, of New Cumberland; Sarah Ellen, wife of Mr. Popham, of New Cumber- land; and Catharine J., wife of George Gooderding. Mr. Waltz entered land, and, aided by his wife, developed it into a fine farm. He is a Republican. and has held various township offices, including those of Trustee, Treasurer. Clerk and Justice of the Peace. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. They are upright, respected people, and are enjoying a quiet, peaceful old age in the home they have occupied for fifty years.

GEORGE WEAVER, farmer, P. O. New Philadelphia, was born August 30, 1836, in Fairfield Township. He is the son of John and Providence Weaver, natives of Maryland, who emigrated to Tuscarawas County, and here developed for themselves a home. Of their twelve children, but three survive -Henry, of Indiana; Nancy, widow of Benjamin Brown, also of Indiana; and George, our subject, who was raised in this township, and was married, Au- gust 1, 1861, to Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Waltz. Their marriage has been blessed with five children-Lydia A., Sarah J., Melissa, Cora and George. Mr. Weaver, by his well-directed labor, has acquired a farm of 105 acres of well-improved land. His political faith is in the Democratic party, and in religious belief he affiliates with the Lutheran denomination.

JOHN WISE, SR., farmer, P. O. Zoar Station, was born in Switzerland January 20, 1841. He emigrated to America about 1850, with his father, Jacob Wise, who raised a family of seven children. John was reared on a farm, and received a good education. He was married, October 20, 1866, to

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Eustina Strobel, of Sandy Township. Seven children have been born to them, viz. : Emma, Henry, Daniel, Mary, Charles, Edward and Amanda. Mr. Wise has gained a fine farm of 167 acres through industry and perseverance, and is interested in fine stock, of which he has excellent specimens on his place. His political principles are Democratic. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, his wife of the Catholic Church.

JAMES B. WRIGHT, farmer, P. O. New Philadelphia, was born Decem- ber 13, 1820, in Jefferson County. His parents, Samuel C. and Mary Wright; emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and afterward, about 1825, to this coun- ty. James B. was reared a farmer's lad, and obtained the education possible in those days. He was married, May 13, 1843, to Ann Ickus. Their eight children were Robert, who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness; Martha, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of John Newport; Winfield S .; Tabitha, wife of John Beans, of Sandy Township; Dillie, wife of George Lamb, of Mineral Point; John; Henrietta, wife of John Hodley, of Canton; and Sherman. Mrs. Wright died January 5, 1878. Mr. Wright married, for a second wife, Alice Lehman, a native of Switzerland, and a resident of Goshen Township. Their two children are James B. and Charles B. Mr. Wright owns a well-improved farm of 142 acres. He is a Republican, and for several terms has been a Trustee of his township.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

LEONARD W. BAIR, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Strasburg, was born in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, April 13, 1840. His father, John F. Bair, was born in Pennsylvania in 1812, and came to Ohio when two years of age. Our subject's mother was Louisa Keplinger, a native of Virginia, born in 1815, and died on October 4, 1875, aged sixty years two months and twenty-five days. The subject of this sketch is a member of a family of eight children, of whom he is the second. He was brought up in Wayne County, Ohio, uutil twenty- two years old; he has resided in this county for ten years. On August 8, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Veronica, daughter of Frederick and Sevilla (Myers) Snider, who early settled near Bolivar, Ohio. She was born in Franklin Township, this county and State, November 23, 1846 ; her parents were natives of Georgia, and are both deceased. Her mother was born on July 2, 1813, and died on March 18, 1880; her father was born on April 9, 1801, died March 16, 1882. To Mr. and Mrs. Bair have been born five sons and two daughters-John F., Reuben A., Sarah S., William H. and Benjamin F. (twins), Mary E. and Leon- ard F. During the rebellion, Mr. Bair enlisted August 8, 1862, in the Eighty- ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company A, and was discharged in the fall of 1865. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, where he has been Class Leader and Steward for the past year. Their parents were also members of the church. Mr. Bair owns 115 acres of valuable land in Franklin Township, and is a successful farmer and stock-raiser. For two years he has been Trustee of his township, and for nearly a year has been School Di- rector.

ELIAS R. BENFER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Strasburg, was born on the farm he now occupies in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, February 4, 1834. His father, Henry, was a son of John Henry Benfer, who entered the homestead on which our subject is residing ; subsequently moved to Wayne Township, where he died March, 1874. Margaret Benfer, our subject's mother, was a daughter of Philip Knappenberger, a pioneer of Tuscarawas County, and

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was of German and Irish origin ; John Benfer was of German extraction. The subject of this sketch is the second child of a family of four, all of whom are living. He was married, April 22, 1858. to Caroline, daughter of Samuel and Maria (Malone) Boyd. She was born in Wayne Township, this county and State, February 13, 1837; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and were of En- glish and Irish descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Benfer have been born six children- F. J., J. H., E. R., R. L., Cora L. and Mary E. J. H. Benfer entered a farm on Mud Run, Warwick Township, where our subject's father was born in 1809. Mr. Benfer owns 185 acres of land, and has also one-fourth interest in a tract of forty- five acres, all in Franklin Township. He taught his first school at the age of twenty, and at twenty-one went to school at Oberlin. during one summer, and again taught school the following winter. In April. 1856, he went . to Hagersville Seminary, Ashland County, where he remained two years. After marriage, he taught school for two years, and in 1861, moved to Roanoke, Ind., where, in com - pany with one F. Reefy, he established the Roanoke Seminary. In 1863, he re- turned to Ohio to superintend his father's farm in Wayne Township, remaining one year; then bought mill property and farm from P. Knappenberger, in Frank- lin Township, this county, and remained with his brother, J. H., two years; then sold out and moved to Dundee, and sold dry goods for three years. when he bought a half-interest in the farm on which he at present resides, from M. C. Stoutt, inheriting the other half. He was instrumental in establishing the Central High School, Strasburg, Franklin Township, in 1830. Politically, Mr. Benfer is a Democrat. In 1877, he was defeated by the saloon element of the county in running for State Senatorship In religion, our subject is a Methodist, and has acted as local minister for that denomination for the past fifteen years.

G. W. BENSON, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Winfield, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, April 28, 1837. His parents, William and Clarissa (Ball) Benson, are both deceased. His mother died February 22, 1879, at the age of about sev- enty years. Our subject is the seventh child and fifth son of a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, all of whom have survived except one. On April 2, 1857, he was married to Miss Kesiah, daughter of Jeremiah and Providence (Whiticanach) Burris. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1834, and is of German extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Benson have been blessed with a family of six sons, viz .: William H., born in September, 1857; Benjamin F., born January 12, 1859; John A., born November 1, 1860; Vachiel W., born January 23, 1862; George W., born September 28, 1864; Elmer E., born December 17, 1867. Will- iam H. is a partner with his father, who has been a huckster for about fifteen years. Mr. Benson owns 1584 acres of well-improved land, and in business has been generally successful. His parents were among the noble pioneers of Ohio, his father emigrating from his native State of Virginia at an early day.

JOHN BORDER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Strasburg, was born in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, February 24, 1837. His father, Chris- topher Border, was a native of Germany, born in 1800; his mother, also a native of Germany, was Rosanna Clipser. They were the parents of three sons and eight daughters, nine of whom are living. Our subject is the oldest son and fifth child. Christopher Borders was a farmer, and came to this township in 1828; died in 1856, followed by his widow in 1867. Our subject owns and resides on the home farm where his father died. It is about two miles from the farm that his father cleared, but was owned by him at the time of his death. It is located in Section 23, Range 3, Franklin Township, and is well cultivated ; said to have the oldest orchard in the township. On May 17, 1863, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Shutt, daughter of an old pioneer of this county. . She was born on February 25, 1844, and has reared a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, viz .: Daniel C., Mary Clarissa, Harvey A., Maggie J. and Edwin F. Mr. Border and his wife are members of the English Lutheran Church. He is & worthy citizen of Franklin Township.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 86

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

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