The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 91

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 91

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

R. C. ANDERSON, merchant on Grant street, Dennison, Ohio. This en- terprising young business man was born in Port Washington, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, November 13, 1855, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Anderson) Anderson. His parents are both natives of Ohio, and of Scotch descent. His father learned cabinet-making, but followed farming in the latter part of his life, and was very successful; at present he resides on a farm in Salem Township. R. C. Anderson was the third of a family of five children, and re- ceived his education at Port Washington in the graded schools, going to school in the winter and farming in the summer. He was always a very energetic, wide-awake boy, always doing something, if not for himself, for others. He commenced life by farming for three years. In 1875, he came to Dennison, and was employed in the store with E. E. Sweitzer, his brother-in-law, soon learning his present business. In 1878, he took a third interest in the store, which he continued until 1879, when he bought a half interest, and the firm carried on the business until 1881, when Mr. Sweitzer retired and Mr. Ander- son has since conducted the business alone. He carries a stock worth about $7,000, employs three clerks, and is considered a first-class business man. Thus you see the farmer boy of 1872 is the merchant of 1882.

S. W. ANDREAS, farmer, contractor and coal and lumber shipper for the railroad, P. O. Uhrichsville, was born on the farm where he now resides, Mill Township, November 24, 1825. His father, John Andreas, was an early pio- neer of Tuscarawas County; was born in Northampton County, Penn., in 1789, and emigrated to this county in 1817 He was a boot and shoe maker by trade, also carried on a farm, and died December 26, 1857. . Our subject's mother's maiden name was Catherine Uhrich, the youngest daughter of Michael Uhrich. The latter was the progenitor of the Uhrich family in this county, and was born in Dauphin County, Penn., August 7, 1751. He emigrated from Penn- sylvania to what is now Uhrichsville, in 1804, and bought of one Rathbone a tract of 1,500 acres of land, for which he paid $3,000. Our subject holds the deed of purchase. The land includes the site of Uhrichsville and Dennison, and was known as Muskingum County. Our subject was the oldest child of a family of four children, viz., S. W .; Hannah, wife of William Jeffers, farmer, grocer and miller; John, deceased; and Catherine, wife of William Ely, a farmer of this township. S. W. was reared on a farm (which occupation bas formed his chief employment through life). He attended the log schoolhouse

Digitized by Google

797

MILL TOWNSHIP.

of his native county. He also deals largely in coal and lumber. He operates what is known as the Andreas Coal Bank, giving employment to twenty-five men. For some years he was extensively engaged in the coal business with Wilkins & Brother. He also contracts and furnishes lumber for railroad works. He owned 180 acres of good land, and lately sold eighty of it. Mr. Andreas was married, February 15, 1846, to Emily Banister, of Uhrichsville, a daugh- ter of Edward and Amelia (Crabtree) Banister. She is a native of Maryland and of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Andreas have the following-named children: Mary Ellen, born November, 14, 1846, married October 29, 1864, to John Bruner; Hannah M., born July 18, 1849, married January 21, 1870, to Henry Kinghorn; and Amelia C., born December 14, 1853, and married on May 25, 1871, to Oscar Coves. In August, 1863, Mrs. Andreas was instantly killed by a stroke of lightning, in her home, during a storm. For his second companion, Mr. Andreas married Mary, daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Enterline) Bitelen, and a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. Mrs. Andreas is a member of the Presbyterian, and Mr. Andreas of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he is a Republican. He has been a member of the School Board for fourteen years.

JOHN W. ANSELL was born in Perry County, State of Ohio, December 22, 1841, and is a son of Michael and Lydia Ansell, who were born in Virginia, of German descent. His father was a carpenter, and followed that business all his life. Mr. Ansell received a common school education in the town of Somerset. He enlisted in the army during the late rebellion, and served in Company H, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, three years and one month. He was in several battles, the most notable being the charge on Fort Wagner, Morris Island, near Charleston. He was honorably discharged in October, 1864, returned home and remained about four months, and again enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the end of the war. He then engaged in farming. He was married to Miss Minerva J., daughter of Elijah Miller, of Uniontown, Ohio, a Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and a very worthy Chris. tian man. One child was born to this union, a daughter, deceased at two years of age. Mr. Ansell moved to Uhrichsville, Tuscarawas County, in 1869, and was employed by the 'P. C. & St. L. R. R., in which service he has re- mained ever since. He has been yard dispatcher at Dennison for the past ten years. He is an Elder and Trustee in the Presbyterian Church; his wife is a very efficient Sunday school teacher and earnest worker in the Women's For. eign Missionary cause.

MILTON ARMSTRONG, retired wagon-maker, P. O. Tracy, was born in Allegheny Co., Penn., Dec. 27, 1826, is a son of William and Elizabeth Mc- Cuchin (Adair) Armstrong, natives of Ireland. They came to America and set- tled in Pennsylvania in 1808. The former was a stone and brick mason. They raised a family of eight children, Milton being the eighth child. Our subject received his education at the common schools and chose the occupation of wagon-making, serving an apprenticeship of three and one half years in Rush Township. He came to this county in 1844, and worked at his trade un- til 1883. He first carried on a shop on Crooked Creek, within three miles of Newport, and now owns one in the village of Newport. He has made the business a success, and is the owner of a small farm in Mill Township, be- sides the shop and his residence, and eleven lots in Newport. He was mar- ried in 1851 to Mary, daughter of Henry Grake, of Dutch origin. This union has been blessed with eight children, their names as follows: Henry D., married, a railroad man; William J., married, a wagon and carriage maker, is working in his father's old stand; Mary Elizabeth, Ross W., M. T., David

Digitized by Google

- 798

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

M., Virginia B. and Nannie G. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the former has been Class Leader and Assistant Superintendent of the Sabbath School. He is also the Bible class teacher in Newport. In politics, he votes with the prohibition party at present.

A. BARGER, squire and superintending farmer, P. O. Tracy, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 29, 1816, and is a son of A. V. and Jane (Milli- ken) Barger, natives of Pennsylvania, of German and English extraction. The former was a farmer, and on coming to Ohio settled in Harrison County, where he raised a family of six children. Our subject, who was fourth in the family, was reared on a farm, and received his education at Franklin College, with the prospect of becoming a Presbyterian minister, but within three months of graduation, ill health, brought on by overwork and hard study, compelled him to relinquish his studies and return home. After regaining his health, he began teaching, and also devoted himself to the study of law, merely from habit of study, not intending to make it a profession, which he continued to follow for four years. He has had many cases before him as Squire in Harrison and Tuscarawas Counties, and has been very successful in that capacity, although not regularly admitted to the bar. He has also been largely engaged in buying and selling real estate. He owns 400 acres of well- improved land in Harrison, Belmont and Tuscarawas Counties. Our subject has been three times married, first in 1837, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Lafferty, a farmer. She was born in Harrison County, and was of Irish de- scent, and died in 1854. In 1857, he took, for his second wife, Sarah, daughter of James Roberts. She was also a native of Harrison County, and of Irish extraction. By this union two children were born-Emma V., wife of James B. Westhaffer, a prominent farmer in Mill Township; and Mary J., wife of James Fredenburr, a farmer and stock-dealer in this township. In 1861, he took for his third wife Sophiah, daughter of Joseph Phillips. She was also a native of Harrison County, and died in 1876. By this union five chil- dren were born-Elmer E., Maggie E., Flora B., Anna Laura and Jemima E., all of whom are unmarried. Mr. Barger was Sheriff, in 1854, of Harrison County, where he was a resident before coming to this county, and served two terms. He was Justice of the Peace, Township Clerk and Trustee for many years in Harrison, Guernsey and Tuscarawas Counties. In politics, he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and encampment.

L. O. BEAMER, Postmaster and express agent, Newport Village, P. O. Tracy, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, February 2, 1832. He is a son of Jacob B. and Esther (McMaughim) Beamer, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively, both of German descent. The former is a wealthy, influential farmer of Monroe Township, Carroll County. Our subject is the sixth child of a family of thirteen, and was reared on a farm until be was twenty years of age. In 1862, during the war, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F. His army record is an eventful one, filled with accounts of suffering and danger. Seven times he was wounded, losing an arm, shot in the head and side, losing ten pieces of bone from his ribs; all of which wounds were received in four battles. He fought in eighteen bat- tles, and was a brave soldier. He was honorably discharged, and returned home in 1864. He dealt in stock three years; then embarked in mercantile busi- ness, which he is now following. He was joined in marriage, May 6, 1866, with Elizabeth E., daughter of Rev. Joseph Rutter, a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. She is a native of Ohio, born in Carroll County. This union was blessed with one child-Jennie E. Mr. and Mrs. Beamer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Beamer resides in New- port, where he is an influential citizen.

Digitized by Google

799

MILL TOWNSHIP.

GEORGE BECK, jeweler, Uhrichsville, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, September 30, 1847. His parents, Henry and Mary Ann (Thompson) Beck, were both natives of Ohio. His father was a tailor by trade. The sub- ject of this sketch received a common school education, and at the early age of thirteen commenced to learn the jeweler's trade, which he has pursued ever since. Coming to Uhrichsville in 1866, he opened a jewelry store. He carries an extensive stock, and has been very successful in the business. His polite and gentlemanly demeanor has secured for him a large class of customers in this vicinity. Mr. Beck was united in marriage, in 1874, with Miss Ella McGee, a native of this county. But one child has blessed this union- Lottie B. Mr. Beck is a Republican in politics, and was elected Treasurer of Mill Town- ship in 1883. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is one of Ubrichsville's best citizens.

JOHN H. BELL, merchant, Grant street, Dennison, was born in Wil- mot, Stark County. Ohio, January 26, 1859, and is a son of W. H. and Mary E. (Weimer) Bell, of Scotch and German descent, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Ohio. W. H. Bell is a natural, born mechanic, and a proficient workman. He moved from Maryland to Ohio, when sixteen years of age, and is now fifty-three years old. He is a prominent citizen of Dennison. He and wife were blessed with two children, viz. : C. W., a fire- man on the Pan Handle Railroad, and John H., our subject. The latter re- ceived his education in the common schools of Stark County, Ohio, and also at the academy in New Hagerstown, Carroll Co., Ohio. Choosing the occupa- tion of a merchant, he clerked in a general store, in Harrison County, Ohio, and in Pana, Ill. He came to Dennison in 1882, and started in business with W. B. Penn, continuing until July, 1882, when he bought Mr. Penu's interest and has since carried on the business (general store) himself, up to September, 1883, when he again formed a partnership in mercantile busi- ness with W. B. Penn, and they built a new room, corner of Grant and Third streets, Dennison, and added a large stock of goods, with Mr. Bell as man- ager. In politics, he is a Republican. He is a member of the United Pres- byterian Church.

THOMAS R. BENNER, retired farmer, P. O. Uhrichsville, was born in Center County, Penn., September 10, 1803, and is a son of Philip and Ruthy (Roberts) Benner, both natives of Pennsylvania, the latter of Welsh descent. The former was brought up a Quaker, and was an iron-master of iron works-one of the oldest in his part of the country. Our subject was the seventh of a family of eight children, four boys and four girls, and re- ceived an education at the common schools. He worked at nail cutting with his father until he was thirty years of age, and then came to Ohio, settling in Mill Township, where he has lived for over a half century. He was pro- prietor of a saw-mill, and manufactured woolens in Uhrichsville for ten years, and afterward took up farming, purchasing, in this township, 600 acres of land, which is now known as the Bent farm. In 1828, he was married to Mar- tha Thompson Robert, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, and is of Irish descent. The twelve children born to this union are Philip K. (de- ceased), a conductor on the Pan Handle Railroad, killed in a collision Octo- ber 2, 1868; Elizabeth, wife of Alex Patterson, who owns a coal mine in Pittsburgh, Penn .; Mary, wife of Charles Minnich, a merchant in Trenton, Ohio; Robert, married, a farmer in Warwick Township; Ellen, wife of George Croniner, who farms on her father's land; and five children who died in in- fancy. Mrs. Benner died on February 8, 1850; she was a member of the Lutheran Church. In 1860, Mr. Benner married Rachel C., daughter of Jesse Lewis, but no children have blessed this union. In politics, be is a Demo-

Digitized by Google

800

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

crat, and was Treasurer of Mill Township for ten years, during which time he never once asked for any compensation. He has also served as School Di- rector. He is the owner of 175 acres of land. His father was a teamster for Gen. George Washington, who always called the former "General," which title he ever afterward bore.

SAMPSON BROOKS, stone and brick mason, Dennison, was born in North Wales in 1833 and emigrated to America in 1857. He located in Penn- sylvania and worked in the coal mines for some time. He had worked for seven years at the mason's trade. After leaving Pennsylvania, he went South, where he worked at his trade for several years. He had charge of some im- portant works in Maryland, and superintended the building of the Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel, which is two and one-half miles long. He has often taken large contracts, completing them satisfactorily. He has had reverses as well as successes in business. When he came to Dennison, he was not worth $1, but is now worth several thousands; he is the owner of four houses and lots in Dennison. He is considered a leading man in his line; has erected some of the best buildings in Dennison, one of which he at present occupies as his residence. He was married, in 1863, to Grace Ownes, a native of North Wales. This union has been blessed with nine children, eight of whom are now living; their names are as follows: David D., Thomas D., Sampson, Margret, Sarah, James, Emma, John, and Harry (deceased). Mrs. Brooks is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Brooks is a Democrat.

DAVID BROWN, farmer, P. O. Uhrichsville, was born in New Athens, Harrison County, Ohio, October 16, 1835, and is a son of John and Sarah (Davis) Brown. His parents were natives of Ohio, and were both of Irish descent; the former was a fuller and carder by trade, at which, with farming, he worked in Harrison County during his life-time. Our subject was the sev- enth son of a family of thirteen children, eight boys and five girls, and lived on his father's farm until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he engaged in farming on his own account. He came to this county in 1863, settling in Mill Township, where he owns a good farm of ninety-three acres. He is the owner of some houses and lots and other property. Our subject was married. in 1863, to Rosena Fisher, who died in 1864. The one child-E. E. - born to this union is married and resides in Uhrichsville. Mr. David Brown married a second time, Rachel Roberts. The names of their five children are as fol- lows: Sarah E. (deceased), Ida and Emma (twins), James R. and Carrie A. Mrs. Brown is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject came to Uhrichsville in 1872, bought a lot, on which he built a neat residence, and has carried on a butcher shop for ten years. He has been an Assessor in Mill Township and Councilman in Uhrichsville; he is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, a Sir Knight Templar, and in politics he is a Republican. He is a man of few words; he has been successful in business.

JOHN BRUNNER, farmer and coal-miner, P. O. Uhrichsville, was born in Switzerland November 4, 1839, and emigrated with his parents, John and Elizabeth (Berner) Brunner, in 1852. They settled in Trenton, Ohio, the same year, where the father followed farming. Our subject was educated at the common schools, and, being reared on a farm, naturally followed that oc- cupation; he is also a coal-miner. He enlisted, in the late war-September 17, 1861-in the Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company A, under Capt. Bretelson, who was afterward Colonel of the Eightieth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry. Our subject served until September 17, 1864, just three years to a day. He was in the fierce battle of Stone River, and was appointed, in January, 1863, Wardmaster in the officers' hospital, No. 17, serving in that

Digitized by Google

801

MILL TOWNSHIP.

capacity for eight months. He was then detailed as one of the guards of the Engineer Corps and served six months. On his return from the war, he was united in marriage with Mary Ellen, daughter of S. W. Andreas, and a native of Mill Township. They have had five children, viz., Charles H., Frank, John, Wesley S. and Mary E. Mr. Brunner is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., of the subordinate lodge and encampment.

THOMAS B. BUKEY, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Tracy, was born in this county February 10, 1841, and is a son of Joseph and Turessie (Brock) Bukey, of Irish and German extraction. The former was born in Ohio County, W. Va., and the latter near Uhrichsville, Ohio. The former was a tiller of the soil during his whole life-time, and came to this county in 1835, settling in Rush Township, where he still resides. He had a family of twelve chil- dren, of whom nine are living. His brother-John-was in the Sixth Ohio Battery during the late war, enlisting in 1862, and served to the close. Our subject received his education at the Crab-Tree Schoolhouse and at the Uhrichs- ville graded schools. Being reared on a farm, he naturally chose farming for his occupation. He afterward engaged in the livery business in Uhrichs- ville, where he remained for three years. In 1862, he enlisted during the late war in Company K, Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was dis- charged at the close of the rebellion. He participated in the battles of Perry- ville, Chickamauga and several others. He was united in marriage, in 1865, with Mary J. Caldwell. She is a daughter of John Caldwell, a resident of Uhrichsville. To this union six children were born, viz., Estella, Elizabeth, Jessie B., Moody, Charles and Mabel. Mr. and Mrs. Bukey are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he was Class-Leader for some time in New- port, Ohio. He owns sixty-six acres of land and belongs to the class of sub- stantial farmers of Mill Township.

JOHN CALDWELL, Uhrichsville, was born in Ohio County, W. Va., April 26, 1816, and is a son of Robert and Rebecca (Terrell) Caldwell, both natives of that State, the former being of Scotch and the latter of Irish descent. His father was a miller by trade, but later in life became a farmer. The subject of this sketch, with his father, emigrated, in 1836, to Harrison County, Ohio, and bought a 160-acre farm, and our subject has since pursued farming. At present he owns 152 acres of good land in Harrison County, Ohio. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Swan) Granville, who is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-seven. Mrs. Caldwell's parents are both natives of Maryland, and came to Ohio at an early date, settling in Jeffer- son County. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living -- Mary Jane, wife of Thomas Bukey, a farmer in this county; Robert, a farmer in Missouri, who was a member, during the war, of the Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1862; Isabella, wife of William Logan, of Uhrichsville, Ohio, a carpenter and contractor on railroad work; Sarah E., wife of Prof. Chriset, President of a college, and Superin- tendent of Public Schools of the Territory of Dakota; Maggie A., wife of Rev. H. R. McDamell, a Presbyterian minister, located at Columbus Grove, Ohio; Ruth A., now the wife of O. K. Black, a druggist of Harrison County, Ohio; Adaline, wife of T. A. Atto, a prominent merchant of Harrison County, Ohio.

REV. FRANCIS J. CAMPBELL, pastor of Catholic Church. Dennison, was born in Columbus, Ohio, January 29, 1850, and is a son of Nicholas and Mary (Collins) Campbell. The former was a native of Dublin, and the latter of County Meath, Ireland. His father was a stone-cutter by trade; came to America in 1849, and settled in Columbus, Ohio, where he carried on his trade till he died in 1877. He worked on all the public works at Columbus, Ohio. They had two children, Francis and Fannie, who died when she was nine

Digitized by Google

802

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

years old. Our subject went to school in Columbus, then attended the St. Thomas Preparatory Seminary, Bardstown, Ky. He then went to Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati, for two years. Bishop Rosecrans was trans- ferred to Columbus in 1867, and brought our subject with him. He sent him to Paris, France, one year, where he went to college (Petite Seminaire de Notre Dame des Champs). He then attended the American College at Rome, Italy, where he spent four years. He returned home, on account of his health failing him. In January, 1873, he went to St. Aloysius Seminary at Colum- bus, to prepare for ordination. He was ordained in December, 1873. In the beginning of 1874, he was assigned to the cathedral in Columbus. Here-

mained there but a short time, when he was transferred to Athens, Ohio, where he had a charge that was very large. After remaining a year, his health again failed, and he returned to Columbus and took charge of the cathedral for two years; from there he was sent to Lancaster, where he remained two years; from there to Marietta, for one year, and finally to Dennison, in November. 1879. His visiting district extends to Gould's Station, from there to New- comerstown, making sixty miles of railroad which he has to travel over. He is a thorough gentleman, a man of fine address, and is highly respected by the citizens of Dennison. He is doing much good in the cause of his church.

ROBERT CAPLES, SR. (deceased), was amongst the earliest settlers of Tuscarawas County, born in Baltimore County, Md., December 29, 1792, eldest son of William and Elizabeth (Green) Caples, of German and English extraction. They emigrated to Tuscarawas County and settled where Newport now stands, October, 1806. Robert soon became a favorite among the In- dians, and learned their language, and became an expert hunter, killing many wild animals. He served in the war of 1812 as drummer, and was subse- quently pensioned. He was an Associate Judge at New Philadelphia. He lived on his farm of 200 acres for forty-six years, and died in 1881 at the age of eighty-eight years and nine months. He was free-hearted and jovial, full of energy. He was a radical Republican; was always content to live in a log cabin, and owed no man for the last thirty years of his life. Mr. Caples was twice married. His first wife was Eleanor, daughter of James Tracy, Sr., by which union he had two children- Elizabeth, deceased at age of fifty-five years, wife of Hon. B. H. Brock, of Kansas, and Joseph, who died at an early age. Mrs. Caples died of consumption. Our subject took for his second com- panion, July 28, 1824, Nancy, born January 6, 1805, daughter of Joshua and Hannah (Walton) Davis. The former emigrated from Northampton County, Penn., settling in Tuscarawas County in 1814; died in Rush Township. Six children were born to this union-Laffer S .; Dorcas, wife of John Roth, a farmer of Martin County, Ind. (they have two children, Robert C. and Omer H.); Ira D. (married Nettie Fields; lives in Martin County, Ind .; is a school teacher and Justice of the Peace); Joseph (married Mary J. Armstrong, of Scotch-Irish descent). Mr. Caples is a farmer and dealer in lumber. They have nine children-Willie L., Harry A., Sandy S., Bertie E., Rolla, Mollie V., Anna M., Jake and an infant not named. Joseph was born March 24, 1837; enlisted in the late war in Company A, Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was discharged in two years for disability ; Nancy E., (married Israel A. Haines, a farmer and saddler; have four children-Frank, Addison, Emmet and Alice). Laffer S. Caples was born in Mill, then known as Dorman, Town- ship, November 16, 1825, received a common school education, after which he taught school in Edwards County, Ill., Martin County. Ind., and Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He now lives in Rush Township. owns ninety acres of valua- ble land, and is engaged in stock-raising. In 1864, he organized Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Vulunteer Infantry, serving as its Captain

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 91

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

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