The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 90

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

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JACOB PALMER, farmer, P. O. Bolivar, was born May 19, 1827, son of Charles and Susan (Fisher) Palmer, who emigrated from Pennsylvania and settled near Sandyville in the autumn of 1830, and one and a half years later came to the farm now occupied by Jacob. It is pleasantly located on an ele- vation, and the grounds are now beautified by the labor of its owner with flowers and shrubbery. The country was then quite new, only a clearing and log cabin here and there Everything was made of wood, even the nails. Charles Palmer was a member of the United Brethren Church. He had only a limited education, but gave his children all the advantages the times afford- ed. The Testament and United States spelling book were the principal books used. Jacob Palmer, the subject of this sketch, was one of six children, tive of whom are now living. He was married, December 2, 1849, to Barbara A. Shue, one of two children, she having a sister Margaret, and a native of Ohio. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Palmer are Philip C., Principal of the Sparta Normal School; Lucy A. and Sarah Melissa, also a teacher. Mr. Palmer is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Republican.

J. W. PFEIFFER, teacher, Bolivar, was born in Prussia March 14, 1849, son of Henry and Margaret (Laux) Pfeiffer, who emigrated to America in 1853, and settled in Dover, Ohio. His family consisted of the following chil- dren: Frederick (at home), Charles (married to Catherine, daughter of Francis

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Baker), Lewis (who died young), and John W. (the subject of this sketch), who was married April 4, 1878, to Emma Morris, of Harrison County, Ohio. They have two children -- Daisy Mary and Brook. Mr. Pfeiffer attended school at the Dover Union Schools, and finished his education at Hopedale Normal College. He was then teacher in the first department of the Zoar Union School, and is now Principal of the Bolivar Public Schools, having held the position for four years. He is a successful teacher. Mr. Pfeiffer has in his possession an Indian tomahawk of ancient date and English pattern, found in a hollow tree in this township.

THE POTSCHNER FAMILY. Carl Gottfried was born in Riesa, King. dom of Saxony, Germany, January 9, 1793. His parents, John Gottfried (a butcher by profession) and Hanna C. (Hauplin) Potschner, died when he was quite young, and he was raised by his grandparents, who were owners of a water-mill in Riesa. From 1806 to 1808, he learned the shoe maker's trade with John G. Ahligen, and after that he went to traveling as "jour." In 1814 or 1815, he went to Freienwalde, on the Oder River, Brandenburg Province, Prussia, where he worked at his trade; united with the Evangelisch Church there, and, October 15, 1818, married Louisa F., the only daughter of John C. Mechelke, born February 25, 1796, at the same place. He worked at his tra le here until his death, which occurred February 8, 1873, his wife dying several years earlier (June 6, 1858). They raised a family of six children- Carl Frederick (deceased), August, Caroline (deceased), Henriette, Maria and Ernst. The survivors reside at their birthplace, except August, who lives in Christian County, Ill. All the male members, since Carl Gottfried, were and are practical shoe-makers. Carl Frederick Potschner, the oldest son of Carl Gottfried Potschner, was born November 18, 1819, reared in the Evangelisch Church, learned his father's trade, and in the spring of 1847 emigrated to America. He worked at his trade in Buffalo, N. Y., for two years; then en- gaged in the service of the American Tract Society of New York City as col- porteur, and was sent to Ohio in the fall of 1849. For nine years he labored in Wayne, Stark, Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties, traveling afoot, and carry - ing his books in a large hand trunk. The first two years he made Bolivar his home, residing with Henry Stallman. He married Rosina Catharine. oldest daughter of Cristoph Bader, October 8, 1852, and settled near Navarre, Stark County. In the spring of 1859, he removed to near Dover, Tuscarawas County, and resumed his trade. In the spring of 1862, he removed to Hunt- ington County, Ind., where he died of dropsy, February 15, 1866, after an ill- ness of two years. The widow returned to Ohio, and is now living at Stras- burg, Tuscarawas County. The children are Charles (who died when quite young), William Peter, Caroline Louisa, Emilie, Maria Sopl.ia, Rosina Wil- helmina and John Henry. All are now living in this county except Emilie, wife of Edwin Kryder, who resides at Napoleon, Ohio. (Carl F. was a Dem- ocrat in politics. ) William Peter Potschner, son of Carl F., was born Sep- tember 15, 1854, in Stark County. He was married, April 23, 1878, to Cath- arine, oldest daughter of Henry Vogt, a native of Hesse. Cassel, Germany. Their children are Charles H. (born August 21, 1879), Stella L. (born Febru- ary 27, 1881), and Annie Mary (born January 28, 1883). Mr. Potschner is engaged in the boot and shoe trade at Bolivar, and does an extensive business. He is a member of the Evangelical Church, and in politics is Republican.

JOHN RAMSEY, Bolivar, is the youngest of a family of four boys and one girl. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in March, 1830. His father, James Ramsey, died in March, 1832. His mother, whose maiden name was Lavey Huston, having the deepest interest in the welfare of her family, disposed of her property, and in 1842 emigrated to America, settling with her

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family on a farm three miles west of Bolivar, where she died in 1856, leaving her daughter Margaret and two oldest sons, James and Christopher, occupants of the farm. William, the third son, read medicine with Drs. Bennett & Hodge, and located at Delta, Fulton County, Ohio, in 1852, where he still re- sides. The youngest son and subject of this sketch learned the saddler's trade at Bolivar, where in 1852 he opened for himself a shop, continuing in the business to the present time. By close attention, he has made his business & success. He still holds an interest in the shop, but devotes much time to busi- ness outside. In January, 1863, he was married to Angeline, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Crisman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Maryland. Their children are James M. (born November 26, 1863), and Sarah Belle (born October 25, 1869). Mr. Ramsey is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; in politics, is a Republican. He is of tall stature, and one of Bolivar's substantial citizens.

CHARLES RENNER, hotel proprietor, Bolivar, was born in Germany, on the Rhine, November 2, 1845, son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Kuntz) Ren- ner, who emigrated to America in 1855 and settled in Lawrence Township, where Frederick purchased twenty acres of land from David Yant. His fam- ily consisted of seven sons and one daughter; seven are living, and all except one reside in this township. Charles was married, November 1, 1866, to Mary Sophia, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Albright, natives of Germany. Eight children were born to Charles and Mary S. Renner-Frederick W., Eliz- abeth M., Clara S., Charles J., Laney A., Edward P., Julia A. and one who died in infancy. Mr. Renner has served in the militia as First Lieutenant. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Lutheran Church, and in politics a Democrat. He was formerly a butcher, but for the past year has been proprietor of the American Hotel at Bolivar.

JOHN ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Bolivar, was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1815, son of George and Jane (Mckinney) Robinson, who settled in Lawrence Township in 1818. Mrs. Robinson died in 1819, leaving her hus- band with five children-George, Elizabeth, Anthony, Margaret and John Mr. Robinson spent a great deal of time showing new comers unoccupied lands, and the family experienced the privations incident to pioneer times. John Robinson, our subject, was married, September 9, 1841, to Mary Hayden, daughter of David Hayden, a native of Connecticut and resident of Trumbull County. They have had six children; of these, David and Albert are married and reside in this county; Alma, wife of Andy Peffer, resides in Noble County; John Wesley, a painter by trade, and Lucy are at home; Jane, wife of Charles Rex, resides in East Liverpool, Columbiana Co., Ohio. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Methodist Church. He has been School and Township Trustee. In politics, he is a Republican. Commencing life empty-handed, through his industry and perseverance he now owns a fine farm of 140 acres, besides considerable property in Bolivar.

DAVID ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Bolivar, was born August 13, 1842, son of John and Mary (Hayden) Robinson, of Bolivar. He enlisted as a pri- vate in Company K, Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry for three years. An order was shortly after issued, calling for three volunteers from each company to serve with the regulars. Mr. Robinson stepped forward, and was assigned to Battery H, Fifth Regulars. He was engaged at Stone River and at Chicka- mauga, where he narrowly escaped death. They were completely surrounded by the enemy, and each man had to cut his own way out. While many were bayoneted and killed by his side, Private Robinson succeeded in breaking through the lines. He also participated at Mission Ridge, and was afterward sent to Nashville, where he was honorably discharged. He returned home in

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October, 1864. He was married, May 21, 1865, to Louisa, daughter of Peter French. Their children were five, of whom four survive-Lyman P., Abigail A., William A. and James G. Mr. Robinson is now managing one of his father's farms. He is a Republican, affable and genial in disposition and of good physique. Albert, his brother, manages the other farm, and was mar- ried, March 16, 1871, to Eliza A., daughter of George Harmon. They also have five children, of whom four are living, viz .: William H., Charles W., Bertie A. and John W.

JOHN G. RUOF, a Trustee of the Society of Separatists, Zoar, was born September 29, 1806, son of John and Catherine Ruof, of Wurtemberg, Germany. His father died there, and in 1817, his mother and her family emigrated with the colony of Separatists to America. They landed at Philadelphia August 14, 1817, and came to this township the same year. John G. was married, in 1839, to Catherine Zimmerman. They have four children, all living, viz .: Christena, John, Obed and Selma. Mr. Ruof was elected a Trustee of the Zoar Society in 1859, and still serves as such.

J. J. SHUTZ, merchant, Bolivar, was born October 21, 1835, in Massillon, Stark County. He is a son of Jacob and Hedwig (Lebold) Shutz, who emi- grated to America from Germany in 1832. The school days of our subject were spent in this township, and he received a good common school education. He was married July 6, 1856, to Margaret Martin, daughter of Andrew Martin, a native of Ireland, and their family consists of seven children, viz .: Mary, John F., William T., Upton E., Lillie, Seled and Dot. Mr. Shutz is a member of the Democratic party. He has been engaged in the hardware trade at Bolivar for five years, and keeps on hand a general stock of supplies, such as the pub. lic require, and competes successfully with the stores of neighboring larger towns.

"] GEORGE SHUTZ, saloon and restaurant proprietor, Bolivar, was born October 27, 1840, son of Jacob and Hedwig (Lebold) Shutz, natives of Ger- many. Mr. Shutz passed his boyhood days in this township, and received a good common school education. He was married June 12, 1861, to Belinda, daughter of James Bolender, a native of England. Four children were born to them, only two of whom, George Elmer and Laura Bell, are living.' Mr. Shutz is proprietor of a saloon, restaurant and billiard table, and his political views accord with the Democratic party.

WILLIAM SMITH, teacher and newspaper correspondent, Bolivar, was born July 29, 1831, in Lawrence Township, son of Milton and Catherine (Fash- baugh) Smith. Milton Smith was born in Orange County, N. Y., April 14, 1801. He was a carpenter, and came to Ohio in 1821, working at his trade in Goshen Township. John Funston, the only murderer executed in this county, was his apprentice. Young Funston possessed a violent temper, and had frequent altercations with his father. The latter, in a rage, once threat- ened to shoot his son, and pursued him through the woods, with that avowed purpose. Mr. Smith, chancing to pass by, prevailed on the irate father to permit the son to work for him. He did not remain a great while, however. Milton Smith was a delegate to the national convention, which nominated Gen. Harrison for the Presidency. He was also County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace for many years. He was a favorite Squire with the youth who wished the nuptial knot tied, for he invariably refused a fee, and usually gave the newly wedded pair a dinner or supper, and sometimes kept them all night. A youthful couple, both barefooted, once arrived at his house with matrimonial intent, and when the young man produced the license, for which he had walked twelve miles and back, the Squire discovered a material error, and told him he must have it corrected before the ceremony could proceed.

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The disappointed swain ruefully said he could not make that trip again, and was about to abandon his purpose, but Squire Smith, in compassion for the tearful maiden, induced him to saddle one of the horses, and make the jour- ney on horseback. Mr. Smith had been thrice married, first to Mrs. Sarah Spangler, who lived but a short time afterward. His second wife, whom he married in 1824, was Catherine Fashbaugh. Of their six children three sur- vive-Mahala, widow of Robert Baker; Polly, widow of William Neighbor, and William. Mrs. Catherine Smith died in 1835, and, in 1836, Mr. Smith married Melinda Ann Ayres. Three of their five children are living-Mary Jane, wife of William Welch, living near Canton; Elizabeth, wife of Isaiah Kline, of Bolivar; and Harrison, of Sandy Township. William, the subject of this sketch, was married in April, 1857, to Mary Jane, daughter of Judge William B. Brown, of New Philadelphia. Three of their five children are liv- ing-Dwight M., Guiametta and Earl. Mr. Smith has been Postmaster of Bolivar, and Assessor of the township. He took the census of the township in 1880; is a gentleman of pleasing address, and a Republican in politics. He is a Royal Arch Mason; is now, and has been for years, Worshipful Master of Caldwell Lodge, No. 330.

THOMAS SWANK, farmer, P. O. Bolivar, was born June 10, 1816, the only survivor of the ten children of Christian and Elizabeth (Felters) Swank, who emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania, and in 1810 settled in Stark County, Ohio. Christian Swank was drafted into the service in the war of 1812, and was at Fort Finley. He lived to the age of eighty-seven years, and was one of that hardy race of pioneers who, with ax and plowshare, commenced the improvement of the country. Thomas was married, March 5, 1841, to Margaret, daughter of George Robinson, of this township. Of their eight children, four are living, viz., Wesley, Teresa; Elmira Melinda and Ellen M., all of whom are married. Wesley was born August 20, 1845, and was mar- ried, August 18, 1864, to Mary Spoonhauer; their two children are Mary E. and Junietta C. Teresa was married to Winfield Scott Swank, a second cousin, son of John and Rachel (Steelsmith) Swank, who came to Sandy Township from Pennsylvania; two of their five children are living-Silas A. and Eva A. Thomas Swank is a Republican in politics, and a good citizen. His own educational advantages were limited, but he has given his children good op. portunities. To each of them he has given a farm, and has sufficient reserved to supply his own wants.

DANIEL TOMER, farmer, P. O. Bolivar, was born in this township March 29, 1829, son of John and Nancy (Mack) Tomer. John Tomer was born in July, 1798, in Butler County, Penn., the only son of three children. In 1809, he emigrated with his father's family to Pike Township, Stark Coun- ty. His marriage to Nancy, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Mock, occurred August 24, 1825. Nancy was born June 2, 1806, in Bedford County, Penn .; she was one of twelve children, and came with her parents to this township in 1817. The children of John and Nancy Tomer are as follows: Julia Ann, Phebe, Daniel, Mary, David, Lydia A. (deceased), Eva A., Albert (deceased) and George (deceased). Daniel was married, November 11, 1851, to Maria, daughter of Henry Giblor, natives of Pennsylvania. Their seven children are Mary Ellen, Olive Emma, John Henry, Lillie, James V., Charles Grant and Albert. Mary Ellen is the wife of Henry Fisher, and Olive Emma of Charles App. Mr. Tomer is a successful farmer, and resides near the village of Bolivar. He is a member of the Dunkard Church, and affiliates with the Republican party.

DAVID TOMER, farmer, P. O. Bolivar, was born December 30, 1833, son of John and Nancy (Mack) Tomer. He was married, March 10, 1859, to

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Nancy, daughter of Henry Burkholder, of Stark County. His children are three in number-William, Charles and Mary, all at home. Mr. Tomer owns the old home farm of his father, on which may yet be seen the foundation logs of his grandfather's, David Tomer's, cabin. Near by stood the first mill in the township, built by his grandfather Mack, who was a natural mechanic, and could make all kinds of furniture and machinery, a valuable accomplishment for those times. Mr. Tomer is a Republican politically. He is well situated in life, and is among the best citizens of the township.

FREDERICK WEBER, proprietor of planing-mill, Bolivar, was born September 6, 1846, in Wurtemberg, Germany, son of Lewis and Dorothea (Stiefel) Weber, of whose seven children Frederick was the first one of three brothers who emigrated to America. He was married, January 5, 1872, to Susan M., daughter of John Buehler. They have been blessed with seven children, five of whom are now living, viz., Esther, Lewis, Frederick, Chris. tian and Matilda. Mr. Weber is the proprietor of the first planing-mill and lumber yard in Bolivar. He has been engaged in the business for eight years, and keeps on hand a general line of lumber and building supplies.

DAVID YANT, retired farmer, Bolivar, was born near Braddock's Field, Allegheny County, Penn., April 14, 1813. His father, Abraham Yant, his grandfather, Phillip Yant, and his mother, Catherine Shook, were born near Easton, Northampton Co., Penn., to which place Melchior "Ient" (so he spelt his name) emigrated at an early day from Switzerland. The Yant and Shook families both emigrated to Western Pennsylvania about the year 1795, and settled in Allegheny County, where Abraham Yant and Catharine Shook were married in the year 1806, and their three children-Anthony, Magdalene and David-were born. In September, 1814, the family, composed of the grand- father, the parents, and their three children, removed to the homestead now occupied by David Yant, near the mouth of Sandy, in Stark County, Ohio, David then being eighteen months old. Here in the wild woods, where there were neither roads, schools nor churches, and on a level with other early settlers, he labored to aid, as he was able, to clear up and improve the country, and make the wilderness blossom as the rose, and highly productive as it is to-day, shar- ing in time the advantages of a common school education, which he so far im- proved by diligence and hard study as to enable him practice land surveying. At the age of nineteen his active labors on the farm were suspended in con- sequence of the development of chronic rheumatism. He started in the prod- uce and commission business at Bolivar, with a capital of twenty Spanish quarter dollars. In 1834, having in a measure regained his health, he, in part- nership with his brother, went to Zanesville on foot, and entered 116 acres of land at Government price. The land is now occupied in part by Eakin Black in Lawrence Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. By the aid of some float- ing capital, he purchased fifty acres of land of Christian Harnish, the present site of Yant's addition to the village of Bolivar. The price paid was $10 per acre, and by various other purchases and improvements depending chiefly upon the resources of the soil and hard labor, his efforts were measureably successful. In March, 1841, he was married to Miss Matilda Boyce, of the vicinity of Wellsville, Ohio, and moved on the farm at present occupied by Isaiah Kline, and in accordance with the early Christian instruction of their pious parents, they united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which commun- ion he was ordained a local minister, which relation he still sustains. After years of toil, hardships in prosperity and adversity, at the allotted three score and ten, for himself and his companion he can truly say, "The lines have fallen to us in pleasant places; we have a goodly heritage." A residence is being erected in the village preparatory to leaving the old homestead, with

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its many blessed and hallowed associations, for a temporary home in the vil- lage.

LEWIS ZIMMERMAN, postmaster of the Zoar Society, was born Jann- ary 11, 1858, son of Christian and Louisa (Birk) Zimmerman, the former a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, the latter of Zoar, Ohio. Christian Zim- merman emigrated with the colony of Separatists to this township in 1817. Their three children are Lydia, Lewis and Carl. Lydia, now Mrs. Manz, is living in Allegheny City, Penn., and has two children-Frederick and Lilly. Carl resides at Zoar, is married to Bertha Straub, and has two children-Lydia and Arthur. Lewis is an intelligent, affable young man, and holds the posi- tion of Postmaster at Zoar. His grandfather was one of the early trustees of the society, succeeded by Jacob Ackerman, one of the present trustees.

JOHN C. ZUTAVERN, farmer, P. O. Bolivar, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1811, son of Conrad and Maria (Schwinley) Zutavern, who emigrated to Ohio in 1810. They sailed down the Rhine, and at the end of the voyage, landed at Baltimore, thence coming by wagon to Ohio. For a month the family halted at Pittsburgh, while Conrad proceeded afoot and purchased the land on Sugar Run, where Charles Weaver now lives. In those days, they manufact- ured their own clothing and furniture. The family of Conrad Zutavern consisted of eight children. John C., our subject, was married, March 13, 1834, to Anna Mock. Of their ten children, the following survive: Lucinda L .; Maria Z., Mrs. Catherine H. Heckler, of Williams County; William H .; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Fencer; and George C., of Johnson County, Neb. Mr. Zutavern resides two and a half miles from Bolivar, on one of the best farms in the county. He owns the largest brick house in the township, and the farm is stocked and equipped in keeping. In politics, Mr. Zutavern is Democratic. He had 115 grandchildren and great- grandchildren, of whom 100 are living. Of his sixty-one nieces and nephews fifty-one survive.

MILL TOWNSHIP.

S. H. ADAMS, hardware merchant, Uhrichsville, was born in Hagerstown, Md., July 15, 1817, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Condone) Adams. His parents were both natives of Maryland, and were of German descent; his father was a potter, and carried on the business in Maryland, where he died in 1823. Our subject was the youngest of five children, and was reared in Hagerstown. He attended the academy at New Hagerstown, Ohio, one year. He chose the trade of a tinner as his occupation, and, after working at it seven years, went into business for himself in 1853, in Uhrichsville. In 1870, he opened on Third street, where he is now doing a successful business in hardware. He was united in marriage, in 1837, with Mary A. O'Neal, born in Newfoundland in 1820, of Irish parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been for nearly half a century members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the former has held the offices of Trustee, Class-leader and Sabbath School Superintendent. He was also on the Building Committee of the church. He is a Royal Arch Mason. In politics, is a Republican. He has been Township Trustee. Finan- cially, Mr. Adams has been successful; he owns his residence and his business house, and is an enterprising, reliable business man.

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WILLIAMM. ADRIAN, blacksmith, P. O. Uhrichsville, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, October 30, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Sarena (Richard) Adrian, both of German extraction, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. The former was a tiller of the soil all his life. Our sub- ject lived on a farm until nineteen years of age, when he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade, and then opened a shop, which he carried on for about two and a half years, including 1860 and 1861. He afterward went to Scio, Ohio, where he remained for one year; thence went to Cadiz, where he lived until called home by the illness of his father, who died soon after. He then went to work in Steubenville, Ohio, for the Pan Handle Railroad; from there went to Wellsville, Ohio, where he remained for two years; then came to Uhrichsville, and in 1867 was employed by the Pan Handle Railroad, where he is still working at his trade. He was married, in 1867, to Agnes, daughter of John Sterling, and a native of Uhrichsville. Her parents were natives of Ireland, and were among the earliest settlers of Uhrichsville. The two children born to this union are Maggie Sterling and Jessie Bowen. Mr. Adrian and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which the former has been Trustee for years. He also has been Corporation Treasurer of Uhrichsville. In politics, he is a Republican.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 90

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

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