Coshocton County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1909 (part 16 of 19)

Mr. Magruder in establishing a home of his own chose as a helpmate Miss Hattie E. Westlake, whom he wedded on the 4th of July, 1871. She is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Henderson) Westlake, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children: Charles C.; Gertrude E., the wife of O. H. Botts; George Dwight; Albert Ray; and Lula B.

Mr. Magruder's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the men and measures of the republican party. He is a man of excellent principles, devoted to the welfare and happiness of his wife and children, while as a citizen he is most highly esteemed, for he regards the advancement and promotion of the community a matter in which the public at large should take an interest and just pride, and this is what Mr. Magruder does.

Theophilus B. Tidball

A well improved farm of one hundred and thirteen acres situated in Bedford township, Coshocton county, is the home of Theophilus B. Tidball, who was born in Jefferson county, this state, June 24, 1832. He is an adopted son of John C. and Nancy (Hunter) Tidball, the former born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania.

In early life the father engaged in the practice of medicine and was also a minister of the Presbyterian church, being thus engaged in Belmont county, Ohio. He later studied law and was admitted to the bar, while farming also claimed a part of his time and attention. In 1848 he took up his abode in Coshocton county, and during the Civil war went to Vicksburg to visit a son who was ill, and while there contracted a disease, which resulted in his death. He was a man of great energy and enterprise and made a success of everything he undertook. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Hunter, was born in Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, her parents locating there before the town was yet laid out. Her brother, James Hunter, was the first male child born where Steubenville now stands. When Mrs. Tidball was but sixteen years old she rode on horseback from Steubenville to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and purchased a comb, which is still in possession of our subject. By her marriage she became the mother of two sons and a daughter: Odessa Almira, who was born in Jefferson county and died at the home of our subject; Nicholas, who was a captain in the Civil war

Theophilus B. Tidball was carefully reared by his foster parents and was given good educational advantages, pursuing his studies in the schools of Belmont and Coshocton counties. He remained at home until 1858, or until he had reached the age of twenty-six years, when he came to Bedford township, and for a time was employed as a farm hand by the month. In early life he also drove stock to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Carefully saving his earnings he eventually felt justified in purchasing land and now owns one hundred and thirteen acres in Bedford township, which has been placed under a high state of cultivation, while good buildings also add to the attractive appearance of the property. He also owns real estate in Coshocton. Mr. Tidball gives his time to general farming and each year adds to his financial resources, owing to the large crops which his land produces.

Mr. Tidball established a home of his own by his marriage in Uhrichsville to Miss Amanda Barnes, a daughter of Charles S. Barnes, who was probate judge of Coshocton county one term. After a happy married life covering a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Tidball were separated by the death of the latter, August 1, 1907, her remains being interred in Bedford cemetery. ' Mr. Tidball endorses the principles and policy of the republican platform and has served as township treasurer and school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is trustee. His strong and salient characteristics are such as have endeared him to all who come within the close circle of his friendship, while wherever he is known he is respected and honored.

Mrs. Clara Johnson

The lady whose name introduces this record possesses excellent business ability, for she manages her extensive landed holdings, embracing six hundred and fifty-five acres situated in Lafayette township. The farm on which she now makes her home was also the place of her birth, which occurred June 22, 1840. Her paternal grandfather was an officer and soldier in the Revolution. Her parents, Henry and Clarinda (Burt) Johnson, were both natives of Orange county, New York, whence they came to Coshocton county in 1836.

The father purchased the farm on which his daughter now makes her home, consisting of two hundred acres of rich and valuable land in Lafayette township. He erected the house in 1837 and this is still standing as one of the old landmarks of this section of the state. The father gave his political support to the democratic party and filled a number of township offices, while he served as the first postmaster of West Lafayette. He was honored and respected wherever known, and his example in whatever relation of life he was found stands as an object lesson to those who come after him and though he has long since passed from this life he is still remembered by many in this section of the state. His death occurred August 27, 1879. The wife and mother was a highly educated lady and was a personal friend of Horace Greeley in New York city and was a sister of Judge Burt, who is widely known in Coshocton county. She died February 5, 1873. She was the mother of three children: Sarah A., deceased; Susan K., the widow of William McCoy, of Jackson township, this county; and Mrs. Johnson, of this review.

The last named -was given a,common-school education and was reared on the home farm and from early childhood was trained in the duties of the household. She was married August 8, 1860, when a young lady of twenty years, to Cyrus Lewis but is now a widow and has resumed her maiden name. Her marriage was blessed with two sons. Harvey Johnson Lewis was graduated from the Ohio State University and is now a civil engineer, located at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The younger son, Thomas K. Lewis, who was born February 11, 1870, was also graduated from the Ohio State University at Columbus and is now a professor in that institution.

Mrs. Johnson is today the owner of six hundred and fifty-five acres, of which two hundred acres are in the home place situated in Lafayette township. She is engaged in raising and breeding shorthorn cattle, Black Top Merino sheep and Norman horses and she also raises Poland China hogs. She displays excellent ability in the management of her extensive interests and has accumulated quite a handsome fortune. She takes great pleasure in the collection of antique relics and now has in her possession an old-fashioned sideboard which belonged to a great-grandfather and she also has some silver spoons which were made by her great-grandfather from the knee buckles which he wore when an officer in the Revolutionary war. There are also to be found hanging on her wall oil paintings of her father and mother which are now over eighty years old. Although Mrs. Johnson has acquired wealth she does not hoard it selfishly but is generous in her helpfulness to the needy and charitable toward every good cause. She has many friends in Coshocton county, where her entire life has been passed and all who know her have for her none but words of praise and commendation.

W. C. McCurdy, a successful agriculturist of Bedford township, was born in this township on the 23d of October, 1849, his parents being John and Naney (Adams) McCurdy. The father, who was also a native of this county, followed agricultural pursuits in early life but later became a stockdealer and bought a great many government horses during the Civil war. In his undertakings he met with a goodly measure of success and was widely recognized as a representative and worthy citizen. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. In the year 1871 he was called to his final rest and his remains were interred at West Bedford. Mrs. Me- Curdy was born, reared and married in Coshocton county and passed away in 1855, being also buried at West Bedford. Unto John and Nancy (Adams) McCurdy were born three children, namely: W. C., of this review; Margaret Jane and Rachel Pauline, both of whom are deceased. Following the death of his first wife Mr. McCurdy was again married, his second union being with Nancy Norris, by whom he had five children, as follows: Charles, who has passed away; Mary, a resident of Kansas; Edward and Effie, twins, the former an agriculturist of Kansas, while the latter is the wife of Charles Spang, of New Castle township; and John, who also follows farming in the Sunflower state. The mother of these children passed away in 1903 and lies buried in the West Bedford cemetery.

W. C. McCurdy supplemented his district-school education by a course in the West Bedford high school and remained under the parental roof, assisting in the work of the home farm, until the death of his father. He then took up general agricultural pursuits on his own account in Bedford and Washington townships and now owns one hundred and _ seventy-five acres of ridge land, all well improved and tillable. In addition to the cultivation of the fields he also raises sheep to some extent and, as the result of his unremitting industry and capable management, has gained a gratifying measure of prosperity in his undertakings.

In 1874 Mr. McCurdy was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Job, of Coshocton county, by whom he had three children, namely: Otis and Otto, twins, the former dying in infancy and the latter in the year 1897; and John Frederick, who is now connected with the Coshocton County Telephone Company.

In his political views Mr. McCurdy is a stanch republican and has served as trustee, as a member of the school board and in various other township offices. His wife is a devoted and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and, like her husband, has the warm esteem of a large circle of friends throughout the community. Having resided in this county throughout his entire life, Mr. McCurdy has been a witness of the wonderful transformation that has occurred here during the last half century, changing the wild and unsettled region into a highly civilized and prosperous commonwealth.

Samuel McCullough has found in the rich fertile soil of Coshocton county ample scope for his activities, and in the years that have come and gone has accumulated a valuable property, comprising three hundred and eighty-five acres of land in Jackson township, while he also owns a valuable tract of land in Medina county, this state, which is now being operated by his son-in-law, Jay Norris. Mr. McCullough was born in this township, December 17, 1848, a son of David and Martha (Williams) McCullough, representatives of two of the early pioneer families of the county. Both the

McCullough and Williams families came here with no means but they possessed the courage, industry and enterprise so characteristic of the pioneer settlers and in addition to making comfortable homes they were active factors in shaping the history of this section of the state.

Samuel McCullough, of whom we write, acquired a limited education, being permitted to attend school for only a few short weeks during the winter, and this only when his services were not needed on the home farm, for throughout the greater portion of the year he assisted in the arduous labor incident to life in a new and unsettled country. When he started out in life to face its stern responsibilities and activities he chose the work to which he had been reared and as the years have passed he has prospered in his undertakings and is today the owner of three hundred and eighty-five acres of rich and valuable land, situated in Jackson township, and he also owns a tract of seventy-five acres in Medina county. He is also engaged in raising stock, much of his acreage being used for pasturage. He is a very successful man and deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in the business world.

Mr. McCullough was married October 17, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Kirker, a daughter of William and Ellen Kirker, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia. Both came to Coshocton county with their parents at an early day, so that they were practically reared here. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCullough was blessed with three children: Melvina, the wife of Grant Frye, a farmer of Jackson township; Oliver D., who operates his father's land in Jackson township; and Martha, the wife of Jay Norris, also a resident of Medina county, this state. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 3d of May, 1906, and thus the community lost one of its highly esteemed women, while the household mourns the loss of a loving wife and mother.

Mr. McCullough casts his vote for the men of the democratic party and is deeply interested in the growth and success of the party. He is a member of the Baptist church. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is able to take life in comparative ease, leaving the more arduous labors to others, while he gives supervision to his farming and stock-raising interests.

Frank Corbin Hay

When an individual passes from the scene of earthly activities the question is never asked, ""How much of worldly goods has he acquired?" but rather '""What use has he made of his opportunities and what characteristics has he manifested in his relations with his fellowmen?" While fortune favored Frank Corbin Hay in placing him above want and in fact relieving him of the necessity of indefatigable labor for the acquirement of a livelihood, those who are familiar with his life history know that in the management of his property and invested interests he displayed good business ability and was moreover ever straightforward and honorable in every business transaction. Moreover such were his individual characteristics that his friendship was most highly prized and to those to whom he once gave his friendship he was ever most true and loyal. His death therefore was a matter of sincere sorrow to his fellow townsmen.

Born in Coshocton, January 6, 1861, at the family home on Chestnut street, he was a son of Robert and Mary (Corbin) Hay, the former a most distinguished and successful citizen of this part of the state. The son pursued his early education in the district and public schools of Coshocton and afterward matriculated in the Gambier Military School at Gambier, Ohio. Upon attaining his majority he inherited a handsome estate left him by his father. He was never in active business. His investments were extensive and were well placed, yielding him a gratifying annual return. His commercial paper included considerable stock in the Commercial National Bank, of which he was one of the directors.

In 1882 Mr. Hay was married to Miss Ida C. Munn, whose acquaintance he formed while a pupil in the grammar schools of this city. She was born in Keene, Coshocton county, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Yant) Munn, both of whom were natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. Her father, who followed agricultural pursuits during the greater part of his life, died in 1896. Mrs. Hay attended the public schools of Coshocton, completing the high-school course, and was married soon afterward. Theirs was a most happy married life, owing to a congeniality of tastes and interests which rendered theirs largely an ideal companionship. They had one daughter, Marie, who is now a young lady.

Mr. Hay was most devoted to the welfare of his wife and child, finding his greatest pleasure in ministering to their comfort and happiness. He belonged to Coshocton Lodge, No. 376, B. P. O. E., and also to the Knights of Pythias lodge. In politics he was a prominent and active republican, being keenly interested in the questions and issues that divided the two great parties, but he never sought nor desired the honors nor emoluments of public office as a reward for party fealty. He died very suddenly November 3, 1901, at the comparatively early age of forty years. He was a generous man but of retiring and unassuming disposition, entirely free from ostentation or display. He held friendship inviolable and he made true worth the only test of friendship. To those who came within the closer circle of his acquaintance he was most loyal and his consideration for the interests and feelings of others was always one of his predominant characteristics.

For more than two decades Sampson McNeal has been engaged in the mercantile business in Spring Mountain and is therefore classed among the prominent business men of this village. He is a native son of Coshocton county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Bethlehem township, Decem- ber 4, 1838, a son of Thomas and Amanda (Felton) McNeal. The father's people came originally from Pennsylvania and it is possible that his birth occurred in the Keystone state. He followed farming as a life work and after coming to Coshocton county he engaged in farming in both Bethlehem and Clark townships. He was a democrat in his political views. His death occurred in 1840. The mother, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, survived for a long period and died in 1906. Their family numbered six children: Archibald and Elizabeth, both of whom have passed away; Louise, the wife of Andrew M. Guillen, a retired merchant of Killbuck, Ohio; Sampson, of this review; Isaac, who was killed in the battle of Chickamauga, while serving in the Civil war; and Israel McCoy.

Sampson McNeal acquired his education in the district schools of Clark township and in Spring Mountain Academy. He spent his boyhood and youth on the home place and at the age of twenty years engaged in teaching school, following this occupation for two years. On the expiration of that time he enlisted for service in the Civil war, in April, 1861, for three months' service. At the end of that time he reenlisted in September for three years. He took part in the battles of Dobbin's Ferry, Stone River, Chickamauga and at the latter place was taken prisoner, being incarcerated for fifteen months in prison, this time being spent in Libby prison, the prisoners at Macon, Savannah, Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina, and the latter place he made his escape. He enlisted as a private but was discharged January 20, 1865, with the rank of second lieutenant.

Following his discharge from the army Mr. McNeal returned to Coshocton county and for one year farmed in Monroe township. He then spent one year in Illinois but returned once more to Coshocton county and farmed for three years. Subsequently he was employed in a tannery for four years and in 1887 engaged in the mercantile business in Spring Mountain, where he has since been an active factor in business circles. He carries a large and complete stock of general merchandise and his patronage is quite extensive, for he studies the tastes and demands of his customers, and this in addition to his reasonable prices has brought him success. The business is conducted under the firm name of McNeal & Company, the building in which they are located being owned by the firm. Mr. McNeal has also acted as postmaster of the village for the past seventeen years, during which time he has performed his duties in a capable and businesslike manner.

Mr. McNeal was married in 1869 to Miss Mary Drake, a resident of Monroe township. Their union has been blessed with seven children, as follows: Winfield; Lottie V., the wife of W. J. Krownapple, who is associated in business with Mr. McNeal; Pearl, the wife of Lewis Grassbaugh, a farmer and educator of Tiverton township; Kinsel, a mechanic of Akron; Mattie, at home; C. D., who is engaged in the cigar and news business in Zanesville; and Carrie, also at home. The wife and mother passed away in 1887.

Mr. McNeal gives his political support to the republican party. He is a Mason, belonging to the lodge at Warsaw, of which he is the present secretary. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership with the Grand Army of the Republic at Warsaw, belong- ing to Newton Stanton Post. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. McNeal has spent his entire life in Coshocton county, with the exception of his absence during the Civil war, and he is therefore well and favorably known to our readers. He has ever taken a deep interest in the welfare of his community and no man of this section of the state is held in higher esteem.

John Gottlieb Kline

John Gottlieb Kline} proprietor of the Standen Hotel of Coshocton, was born November 16, 1850, in Wheeling, West Virginia, before the division of the state. His father, Andrew Kline, was one of the early German residents of that locality, settling at Wheeling in 1849. He left Germany, his native land, in company with Carl Schurz and others, following the unsuccessful uprising in that year which resulted in so many stalwart citizens of Germany leaving their country. Andrew Kline engaged in the dairy business for many years and, meeting with success in the undertaking, at length retired from active life in 1875, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He married Anestina Kramer, also a native of Germany, leaving that country with Mr. Kline in 1849. His death occurred in 1880, while his wife survived until 1895.

John G. Kline pursued his education in the public schools of his native city, continuing his studies through successive grades until he reached the high school. He then started out in business life and was apprenticed to learn the trade of a tinsmith and copper and sheet iron worker. After being employed by others for some time, in 1874 he began business on his own account at No. 519 Main street in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he remained as an active factor in trade circles until 1890, when on account of the introduction of machine made goods he withdrew from that business and established a cafe, which he conducted until 1893. In that year he took charge of St. Charles Hotel at the corner of Fourteenth and Water streets in Wheeling, conducting the hostelry for three years. On selling out in 1896 he removed to Elm Grove, West Virginia, where he took charge of the Stone House. On disposing of his business there he became a resident of Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, and for one year was proprietor of the Arcade Hotel. He next came to Coshocton and purchased the Standen Hotel, of which he is still the proprietor. It is one of the prominent hostelries of the county and, managed along modern progressive lines, well merits the patronage which is accorded it.

In 1879 Mr. Kline was married to Miss Mary E. Meyers, of Wheeling, West Virginia. Their children are: Harry A., who was born in 1881 and is now engaged in the confectionery business ini Cleveland, Ohio; Charles Chester, who was born in 1883 and is in Whecling, West Virginia; and Nellie Marie, who was born in 1893 and is a pupil in the Coshocton public schools.

Mr. Kline, while residing in Wheeling, was very prominent in political circles as a stalwart advocate of republican principles and was frequently nis party's candidate for office, but failed of election because of the normal democratic majority. He was at one time a member of the Goff Guards of West Virginia, a well known military organization of that state. He is a charter member of Ohio Valley Lodge, No. 31, K. P., of Wheeling, and also joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles there. He was reared in the faith of St. John's German Lutheran church, of which his father was one of the organizers. Since his removal to Coshocton, Mr. Kline has not figured so prominently in political or fraternal circles. He is, however, a member of the Coshocton Driving Association, which has free matinee races at the fair grounds, and is an ardent admirer of a fine horse, owning several animals which give excellent promise of future development. He has also attained considerable celebrity as a '38' player, being a champion in this county of the game, which requires great skill and practice. He is a genial man, whose friends delight in his companionship because of his cordial disposition, his unfailing good humor and his hearty enthusiasiam for the various interests with which he associates himself. Coshocton regards him as a valued addition to the ranks of her business men and under his control the Standen House is kept up to a high standard.

William Sherman Hootman

For twenty-one years a representative of public education in Ohio William Sherman Hootman is now occupying the position of principal of the Walnut street school in Coshocton. He has thus served for five years, and throughout the entire period of his school work he has been actuated by that ideal, which should be the purpose of every instructor, to make his work a basis for character development and for business success - in other words, a preparation for life's responsible duties.

Mr. Hootman was born November 12, 1868, at Plainfield, Ohio. His father, Henry J. Hootman, a farmer by occupation, was born December 9, 1824, and died July 29, 1899. He wedded Mary Ferguson, whose birth occurred February 11, 1833, and who is still living in Plainfield, Ohio. Spending his boyhood under the parental roof of the home farm, William S. Hootman attended the district schools and completed a course in the village high school at Plainfield. He has since taken work in the Chicago University, through the university extension system, and also at Ypsilanti, Michigan. Since completing his high school course in 1887 he has devoted his life to educational work in connection with the public schools of Ohio, teaching first in the district schools and in 1892 securing a village school. In 1900 he removed to Coshocton and has since been a factor in the educational progress of this city. In 1902 he was elected principal of the Sycamore street school, and in 1903 was promoted to the Walnut street school, of which he has now been the principal for more than five years. He has ever worked toward higher standards and more effective methods in teaching, and is inspiring both teachers and pupils with much of his own zeal and enthusiasm for the work.

On the 24th of December, 1895, Mr. Hootman was married to Miss Olivia May Wells, a daughter of Aaron D. and Anna A. Wells, of Plainfield, Ohio. While interested in those questions that are of vital importance to the locality, the state and the nation, as features in the world's progress, Mr. Hootman has never sought nor held political office. His social nature finds expression in his membership in Coshocton Lodge, No. 96, A. F. & A. M. and he is a charter member of the Wranglers, - men's literary club of Coshocton.

C.-M. Hart

C. M. Hart has made good use of his opportunities and today is classed among the representative and substantial citizens of Coshocton county, owning one hundred acres of land in Oxford township; which has been his home since 1900. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, January 17, 1858, a son of Leonard and-Elizabeth (Stocker) Hart, who were likewise natives of Tuscarawas county but both are now deceased. The father passed away July 24, 1863, while the mother surviving for a long period passed away June 3, 1901. Their family numbered eleven children, as follows: Elizabeth, the wife of John Moomaw, of Tuscarawas county; Sarah L., deceased; George, who is also deceased; Joseph M., also of Tuscarawas county; Leonard, who makes his home in that county; Benjamin F., a resident of Linn county, Towa; C. M., of this review; Laura, the wife of Henry Elwood, of Tuscarawas county; James M., a resident of that county; Henry M., deceased; and one who died in infancy.

C. M. Hart pursued his studies in the common schools and remained at home until the time of his marriage, when at the age of twenty-nine years he wedded Miss Clara N. Marlatt, their marriage being celebrated September 26, 1887. Mrs. Hart was born in Oxford township, a daughter of John and Mary (Wagner) Marlatt, both natives of Coshocton county. Their family numbered ten children, as follows: William H., Agnes and Samuel, all of whom have departed this life; Olive A., the wife of M. Davis, of New Comerstown, Ohio; George W., a resident of Linton township; Jane M., deceased, who married Sam Windt; Louisa, the wife of Philip Sheets, of Tuscarawas county; Clara N., now Mrs. Hart; Sadie, the wife of R. Shryock, of Tuscarawas county; and Flora, who has passed away. The father departed this life on the 23d of September, 1890, and the mother, surviving for about ten years, was called to her final rest July 28, 1900.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hart began their domestic life upon a tract of rented land in Tuscarawas county, which Mr. Hart operated for about two years. In the meantime, through his labors and careful management, as well as the assistance of his estimable wife, he managed to save asum of money sufficient to invest in a farm, becoming the owner of eighty acres, which he operated for seven years. He then disposed of that property and coming to Coshocton county, purchased one hundred acres located in Oxford township, which has since been his home. He has improved the place with good buildings, has tiled and fenced the land and everything about the place is kept in a neat and thrifty condition, indicating the progressive methods of the owner.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hart has been blessed with eight children: Vannie and Lawrence E., who are now high-school students; Ethel E., Nellie M., Harry C., Russell D. and Lloyd, all of whom are still under the parental roof; and Leo, who has passed away.

Mr. Hart gives his political support to the democratic party but has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his private business affairs. He is a member of the Grange. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable and those who know him personally have for him warm regard, while his estimable wife shares with him in the esteem in which he is uniformly held.

George Wiggins

George Wiggins was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Coshocton county but is now living retired in a comfortable home in West Lafayette, although he still retains possession of one hundred acres of land in Lafayette township. Throughout his career of continued and far-reaching usefulness his duties have been performed with the greatest care, and business interests have been so managed as to win him the confidence of the public and the prosperity which should always attend honorable effort.

Mr. Wiggins was born in Lafayette township, March 138, 1836, on the same farm and in the same house in which the birth of his father, Thomas M. Wiggins, occurred. His grandfather came to Coshocton county from Virginia more than a century ago and entered land from the government, on which he erected a log cabin and it was in this crude dwelling that the birth of both our subject and his father occurred. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Miller, and was likewise a native of Coshocton county. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children: Sarah, the widow of Jacob Hammersly, of West Lafayette, who is mentioned on another page of this work; Hannah and Almira, both of whom have passed away; William, a resident of Lancaster county, Ohio; Thomas, of West Lafayette; George, of this review; and Jennie, deceased.

George Wiggins was reared to agricultural pursuits, giving his father the benefit of his services on the home farm until he had reached the age of twenty-two years. He then started out in life on his own account by operating rented land for one year. It was about this time that he was married to Miss Mary Cochran, who was born in Coshocton county, a daughter of

Mr. And Mrs. George Wiggins

Jacob and Lizzie Cochran, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon the old Wiggins' homestead, which they rented for several years. During this time, through the well directed labors and careful management of Mr. Wiggins and the assistance of his estimable wife, he managed to save a sum sufficient to enable him to invest in one hundred acres of land situated in Lafayette township, of which he is still the owner. For many years he carried on farming on this tract but he is now living retired in a beautiful home in West Lafayette, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins was blessed with nine children, of whom two are deceased. The record is as follows: Anderson, a resident of Coshocton; Jacob T., deceased; George M., Jr., a resident of Canton, Ohio; John W., who makes his home in Jefferson county, this state; Asa, of Cleveland; William, of Coshocton county; Amanda, the wife of George Maxwell, also of this county; Clara, the wife of Harry Howland, also of Coshocton county; and one who died in infancy. The wife and mother died November 13, 1903, and was laid to rest in West Lafayette cemetery.

Mr. Wiggins is an adherent of the democratic party, to which he, has always given stalwart*support. He served as township trustee for six terms but otherwise has filled no public office. He has now passed the seventysecond milestone on life's journey and having spent the entire time in Coshocton county, no man is more familiar with its history or of events which have left their impress upon its annals and no man of this section of the state is held in more uniform respect and regard than is he of whom we write.

Thomas McConnell is now practically living retired from active business life but for many years was a factor in the agricultural development of Coshocton county. While he has put aside business cares, he is by no means an idle man but gives his time to the furtherance of interests which are for the benefit of his fellow citizens or promote the welfare of the county at large. His birth occurred July 9, 1848, in Bethlehem township, Coshocton county, in a log cabin situated in the woods on the first farm his father owned. This place was four and a half miles from Coshocton and a mile from the Walhonding river, which at that time was called the White Woman river, deriving its name from the tragic experience of a white woman, who, being pursued by the Indians, jumped from rock to rock into this river, drowning herself rather than suffer capture by the red men. The rocks are known to this day as the White Woman Rocks and stand in the edge of the stream, Mr. McConnell] visiting them a number of times, for they are within a mile and a half of his birthplace. His parents were Matthew and Mary Jane McConnell, who at an early day in the development of the county became connected with its agricultural interests. They were earnest Christian people, holding

The surroundings of Thomas McConnell in his early youth were largely those of the typical pioneer settlement. Many tracts of land were being cultivated for the first time and the scarcity of settlers in the district accounted for the fact that its school privileges were very limited. Mr. McConnell largely acquired his education in subscription schools, where the session extended over the three winter months. The little schoolhouses were built of logs, were heated by an old drum stove, were floored with puncheons, while the seats were constructed of the same material. The writing desk consisted of planks resting on wooden pins. The teacher maintained order with the aid of a hickory or beech switch and maintaining discipline after this fashion was regarded as much a part of the teacher's duty as to instruct the pupils in the 'three r's."' School was in session each alternate Saturday, while on the other Saturdays the fathers of the pupils met at the schoolhouse with oxen and axes for the purpose of stocking up with fire-wood, the boys hauling the wood, while their fathers cut it, part of them cutting in the woods and the others at the schoolhouse, it being their aim to secure a sufficient supply to last for two weeks. This had to be done regularly or there was no school.

In the fall of 1860 the first frame school building was erected in the district where Mr. McConnell acquired his education and he spent about half the winter as a student in that schoolhouse, which was the only time that he attended a frame school.

In the spring of 1861 the country became involved in Civil war and President Lincoln issued his call for seventy-five thousand men. John Me- Connell, two years older than his brother Thomas, went to the front in response to the first call. As Thomas McConnell had not reached the required age at the time of the second call, he ran away from home and joined Company K of the Thirty-second Ohio Infantry, which had been raised in Coshocton county and camped in the Coshocton fair grounds for three weeks. He was with the company there for a number of days but before the command left for the front his father visited the camp and took him home, as he was not then seventeen years of age. On the 15th of September of the same year, however, Mr. McConnell again ran away from home and went to Camp Meigs at New Philadelphia, where he joined Company I of the Fiftyfirst Ohio Infantry. He served for a little more than three years with that regiment, which throughout the entire time was attached to the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in all of the hard marches and the hotly contested engagements in which his company took part, including the Buell campaign, which lasted for twenty-seven days, the troops having scarcely anything to eat and very little water to drink during that time. Mr. McConnell participated in the battles of Stone River, Perryville, Peach Tree Creek, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and the Atlanta campaign. The last engagement in which he took part was at Jonesboro, thirtyfive miles below Atlanta, where his messmate was injured. He afterward returned under General Thomas and was mustered out in December, 1864. Although he was often in the thickest of the fight, his comrades fall- ing all around him, he was never wounded and he said that he could always run too fast to be captured. As a soldier, however, he was faithful and loyal, displaying valor equal to that of many a veteran of twice his years.

After the expiration of his term of service Mr. McConnell returned to his father's home in 1864 and for a year worked on the farm. On the 25th of January, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Miller and they remained with his parents until March of that year, when they went to Cass county, Indiana, where Mrs. McConnell owned an interest in three hundred and twenty acres of land on the Wabash river. During that summer Mr. McConnell raised eighty acres of corn. In the fall both he and his wife became ill with typhoid fever and approached near to death's door. His parents went to Indiana to care for them and as soon as Mrs. McConnell was able to travel she accompanied her husband's parents back to Ohio, while her husband and his brother John remained to gather and sell the crop. When this was done he made his way to the old homestead farm on which his birth had occurred. Later he bought one hundred and twenty-two acres of land within a mile and a half of his father's old home and including the site of the little schoolhouse in which he attained his education. There he carried on farming with excellent success for many years or until 1903, when his wife suffered a stroke of paralysis and they removed to Coshocton, where they lived for two years before her death. Mrs. McConnell was a consistent and devoted member of the Keene Presbyterian church, with which she united at the age of twenty-seven years. In her family she was a devoted wife and mother and her loss is most deeply felt. Four children were born unto them: Mina, Edward R., Matthew A. and Virginia, all of whom are now comfortably situated in life.

In the fall of 1905 Mr. McConnell went to southern California and spent three and a half months with an old friend, Charles A. Westervelt and family, at Alhambra near Los Angeles. He then started up the coast for San Francisco on the 1st of April and, stopping at different points along the line, reached San Jose, a city of thirty-six thousand inhabitants, the morning before the great earthquake. The city was largely destroyed, the house in which Mr. McConnell was stopping being shaken to pieces. In the disaster he received a cut on one of his feet and was otherwise injured. As soon as possible, however, he made his way to Coshocton, where he has since resided. He has been prominent and active in community affairs and in 1871 was elected a member of the board of agriculture of Coshocton county. He has held various offices in this organization, which has the best county fairs in Ohio. For twenty-four years he was its track manager, was president and vice president for several terms, is still a member of the board and also a member of its executive committee. He belongs to Coshocton Lodge, No. 96, A. F. & A. M., and has been a chapter Mason since 1868. He also belongs to the Grand Army Post, in which he has filled several offices. Throughout his life his loyalty to his country has remained unshaken and he displays the same fidelity to the stars and stripes that characterized him when he was on southern battlefields. Interested in all that pertains to the general welfare, he devotes his time largely to the good of his city and his fellow- men. For sixty-five years he has been a witness of the changes which have occurred in Coshocton county and few men are more thoroughly familiar with its history. He represents one of its old pioneer families and from pioneer times down to the present has been a loyal supporter of all that works for its development.

Samuel E. Bell

Among those who have achieved prominence as men of marked ability and substantial worth in Coshocton county, the subject of this sketch, Samuel E. Bell, occupies a prominent position. He is one of the wealthiest landowners of New Castle township, owning and operating three hundred and eighty acres and he occupies one of the finest homes in this section of the state. Mr. Bell was born in Licking county, Ohio, October 10, 1857, a son of Benjamin and Mary (Moore) Bell. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and was brought to Ohio when four years of age by his parents, James and Elizabeth (Hays) Bell, the family home being established in the southwestern part of Knox county, where James Bell lived and died.

The father, Benjamin Bell, was reared in Knox county and was a farmer and local preacher. He was devoted to the cause and did all in his power to promote the moral welfare of this section of the state. He was instrumental in founding the Bell church which stands on the line between Knox and Licking counties. His death occurred in 1884 and thus the community lost one of its most honored and revered pioneer citizens. The mother was a native of the Keystone state and died in Knox county in 1860. Her father died in Polk county, Ohio, at the extreme old age of one hundred and eight years, being the oldest man in the county at the time of his death. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Bell numbered eleven children: William, deceased; Morgan, who is engaged in farming in Licking county; Elisha and Elias, twins, both of whom are deceased; Amelia, who has also departed this life; Isaac, a farmer and lumberman of California; Charles, a stationary engineer, living in Warsaw, Indiana; Lillie, deceased; Samuel E., of this review; one who died in infancy; and Clara, also deceased.

Samuel E. Bell acquired his education in the Utica Normal school. After completing his education he engaged in teaching for several years but in 1897 abandoned the profession and took up farming, which has been his occupation to the present time. He is today the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land, being numbered among the wealthiest landowners of New Castle township. When he came into possession of this property the only house on the place was an old log cabin. This has since been replaced by a modern country residence, which is supplied with all conveniences and accessories for the comfort of the inmates and is considered one of the finest homes in this section of the state. Mr. Bell has also made many other improvements on the place and is here engaged in general farming. He follows modern ideas and methods of agriculture and uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors, so that he is meeting with excellent success. He is also a stockholder in the Coshocton County Telephone Company.

Mr. Bell established a home of his own by his marriage in 1883 to Miss Della G. Hagans, a daughter of Samuel Hagans. Their marriage has been blessed with four children: Gertrude, the wife of Charles Hefflefinger, a farmer of Knox county, Ohio; Charles B., who is engaged in teaching in New Castle and is at home; Clifford R., who is pursuing a law course in the Ohio State University; and Ada M., still under the parental roof.

Mr. Bell's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the republican party. He and his family are members of the Disciples church at Walhonding and Mr. Bell has served as elder and class leader of the church and as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is devoted to the church and has accomplished much in the upbuilding of his fellowmen. He is a man of ripe scholarship and high attainments and to those whose good fortune it is to know him intimately, his companionship, friendship and counsel are appreciated and helpful. In his every day life he reflects the true Christian character and in his treatment of his neighbors and friends he follows the principles of the Golden Rule.

Samuel B. Magness

Samuel B. Magness is an enterprising and progressive farmer of Linton township, owning sixty acres, which constitutes a part of the old Magness homestead. He is a native of Linton township, born September 21, 1848, a son of James and Rebecca (Platt) Magness, the former a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, born in 1820, while the mother claimed Linton township, Coshocton county, as the place of her birth, the year being 1828. The father was a teacher and followed that profession for over forty years. Their union was blessed with eight children: Lorenzo, deceased; Elizabeth J., the wife of Samuel Vansickle, of Coshocton county; Walter S., who has departed this life; Samuel B., of this review; Nancy R., deceased; Missouri, the wife of George Denzer, of Coshocton; Civita, the wife of C. H. Hiatt, of Knox county; and Sarah A., who has also departed this life. The mother died January 18, 1878, and the father survived for a long period, his death occurring June 9, 1905.

Samuel B. Magness received his education through the medium of the common schools and was reared on the home farm, remaining with his father until he had attained the age of thirty-one years, at which time he established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Effa J. Wiggins, who was likewise a native of Linton township, born February 8, 1862, one of seven children born of the marriage of Tunis and Lucinda (Riggs) Wiggins. The father was born in Linton township and the mother in West Virginia but both have now departed this life.

Following his marriage Samuel B. Magness rented a part of the old homestead farm, which he operated for eight years. He then purchased the property but has since sold a portion of it to his son-in-law, and now retains possession of but sixty acres situated in Linton township. Here he is engaged in general farming and through his well directed labors and careful management is meeting with a fair measure of success.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Magness has been blessed with two daughters: Civita, the wife of Frank Shurtz, of Linton township; and Rebecca J., who is a graduate of the Plainfield high school and is at home. Mr. Magness gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill some public offices, having served as supervisor and as school director. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church.

Not only has Mr. Magness seen Coshocton county grow from a wild country with only a few white inhabitants to a rich agricultural country, containing thousands of good homes and acres of growing towns, inhabited by an industrious, prosperous and enlightened people, but he has participated in and assisted in the slow persistent work of development which was necessary to produce a change, which is so complete that it has come to be popularly referred to as magical.

Edwin C. Gleason

Among those who have achieved prominence as men of marked ability and substantial worth in Roscoe, Edwin C. Gleason occupies a prominent position as a member of the firm of Adams & Gleason, who operate a planingmill in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and all kinds of building material and also deal in lumber. He was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, September 14, 1845, a son of Alanson and Sarah (Collar) Gleason, both of whom were of New England parentage and came to Ohio during the period of its early development. The father was a wheelwright by trade and was a landowner. , ;

Edwin C. Gleason pursued his studies in the public schools of his native county and during his youth and early manhood was employed in various ways. When he was yet a young man he received the appointment of postmaster at Harpersfield, Ashtabula county, serving in that capacity for ten years, a part of this time being subsequent to his removal from the county. While he served in that official position he was also engaged in the boot and shoe business in Harpersfield and in this undertaking met with good success. Later he spent one year as a traveling salesman and in 1871 took up his abode in Coshocton county, where he has made his home continuously since. In 1871 the Roscoe Planing Mill Company was organized and Mr.. Gleason became an active factor in its operation. Two years later, in 1873, this company was succeeded by Adams & Gleason, the partner being Edward W. Adams. They deal in lumber and manufacture sash, doors, blinds and all kinds of building material and the firm has become one of the most important productive industries in this part of the state. Mr. Gleason is now owner and proprietor of the Gleason Lumber Company.

He was married in November, 1869, to Miss Dorothea A. Adams, a daughter of John Q. and Lavina (Walker) Adams and a direct descendant of the noted Adams family of Massachusetts. Prior to her marriage she was a teacher in the public schools, commencing at the age of sixteen years in Keene township, while later she taught in the village of Keene. Mr. Gleason has been called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away September 17, 1908. This union was blessed with a son and daughter: John M., now a prosperous glass manufacturer of Morgantown, West Virginia; and Maud A., the wife of Hugh Finlay, of Coshocton.

Mr. Gleason is a member of the Coshocton lodge of Masons and his political views accord with the republican party. He has served on the village council of Roscoe and assisted in organizing the first council. He has been a loyal citizen in the support of every measure calculated to benefit the village and promote its rapid and substantial development.

Henry H. Miller

Henry H. Miller, who carries on general farming on his tract of land of one hundred and seventy acres in White Eyes township, was born in Bucks township, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, January 14, 1869, his parents being C. W. and Catharine (Daum) Miller. They were natives of Germany and, emigrating to the United States in an early day, located in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where they purchased land. The father's demise occurred in 1881, while the mother passed away in Coshocton county in 1901. Their family numbered five children, namely: Philp, living in Bucks township, Tuscarawas county; Catharine, the wife of Charles Huff, of Coshocton county; Adam C., deceased; Lewis, who passed away at the age of thirty years; and Henry H., of this review.

Henry H. Miller supplemented his early education by a course of study at Ada College and when nineteen years of age began teaching school, being thus successfully engaged for eight years. Being married at the end of that time, he then purchased the Henderson farm of one hundred and seventy acres in White Eyes township, Coshocton county, which he still owns and occupies. In the conduct of his general farming interests he has met with gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity and is widely recognized as one of the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of the community.

On February 1, 1894, Mr. Miller was joined in wedlock to Miss Hattie Henderson, whose birth occurred in White Eyes township, December 12, 1870, her parents being B. F. and Malinda (Norman) Henderson, who were also natives of this county. The father was drowned in the Tuscarawas river in the year 1884, and the mother was called to her final rest in 1905, Their family numbered five children. Unto our subject and his wife have

In his political views Mr. Miller is a stalwart democrat and has served as school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a stanch champion. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Fresno and is likewise identified with the Grange. Both he and his wife are devoted and helpful members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Fresno, Ohio, and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth and of upright, honorable lives.

John L. Shaw

John L. Shaw is well known as a Jeading building contractor and as the president of the Coshocton Wall Plaster & Cement Company. Born in Jackson township his natal day was August 8, 1866. His parents, Jesse and Mary (Wright) Shaw, were also natives of Jackson township, and the Shaw family was one of the oldest in this part of the state, the paternal grandfather, James Shaw, having come to Coshocton county as a boy with his parents, who were among the earliest settlers here. The family home was established on what is now known as the old Blooming Grove farm, which has ever since remained in possession of the family and is now owned by Lewis Shaw, an uncle of our subject. Jesse Shaw devoted his life to farming until about 1900, when he removed to Coshocton and is now hving retired, enjoying a well earned rest, the fruits of his farm toil bringing to him the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.

Spending his boyhood days as a farm lad John L. Shaw attended the district schools and in the summer seasons worked in the fields. He early became his father's assistant in carrying on the home farm and continued in active connection with general agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1891 when, thinking to find other business more congenial, he left the plow and apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade. He possessed natural ability in handling tools and has considerable genius in mechanical lines. He had soon become an expert workman and after remaining in the employ of others for two years he engaged in contracting and building on his own account. He was successful from the start and during the past eight years has erected more than one hundred of the better class of houses in Coshocton. He also built the Christian church, the Methodist Protestant and the United Brethren churches, while various fine residences of the city stand as monuments to his skill and handiwork. In 1903 the Coshocton Wall Plaster & Cement Company was organized and two years later Mr. Shaw became identified with it, while on the Ist of March, 1908, he was chosen to the presidency. He thus passed on to a position of executive control and in all of his business career he has shown marked ability in handling men and in so directing their efforts as to secure the best possible results. He has a modern planing-mill and a wood-working factory well equipped with all of the machinery needed in this line and his various interests are in a way corelated so that one promotes the growth and success of the other.

In 1892 Mr. Shaw was married to Miss Margaret Ophelia Wright, a daughter of the Rev. J. W. Wright, of Willowbrook. They hold membership in the Christian church, of which Mr. Shaw is a trustee and treasurer. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but even if he desired office his business interests make too extensive demand upon his time and energies to allow him opportunity for active political work. Possessing broad, enlightened and liberal-minded views, his has been an active career in which he has accomplished important and far-reaching results, contributing in no small degree to the expansion and material growth of the city from which he himself has also derived substantial benefit.

John R. Severens

The name of Severens has long been a prominent one in the agricultural life of Coshocton county and John R. Severens is accounted one of the enterprising farmers of this section of the state. He operates the home place, comprising two hundred and seventy-three acres of valuable and well improved land situated in Jefferson township. He was born on a farm in this township, December 28, 1854, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Petit) Severens. The father was born in Virginia in 1811 and was only three years of age when brought to Ohio, the family locating on a farm in Wayne county where the city of Wooster is now located. Four years later they came to Coshocton county, the family home being established in Jefferson township, and there the father carried on farming throughout his entire business career, his death occurring September 19, 1889, when he had reached the age of seventy-six. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania but was married in the Buckeye state. She, too, is deceased, her death occurring in 1896.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Severens was blessed with ten children, namely: Mary Jane, deceased; Ezekiel, a farmer of Monroe township; Daniel, who follows farming in Montana; Elizabeth, who became the wife of J. R. Willis, who died in California, since which time she has made her home with our subject; James, who formerly served as treasurer of Coshocton county and now makes his home in Coshocton; Lavina, who is with our subject; John R., of this review; Joseph, a retired farmer of Warsaw; Flora, who also makes her home with our subject; and Ida, deceased.

John R. Severens was reared on the home farm, helping his father in the duties of plowing, planting and harvesting during the summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his studies in the district schools of Jefferson township. He remained at home until the death of the parents, since which time he has managed the homestead property. This comprises two hundred and seventy-three acres of valuable and well improved land, situated in Jefferson township, and here he is engaged in general farming

Mr. Severens gives his political support to the men and measures of the democratic party and has served as trustee of Jefferson township and has also filled other minor offices. His fraternal relations are with the Patrons of Industry. Having spent his entire life on the home farm it has been made dear to him through the associations of his early boyhood and youth as well as through the experiences of later life. He is a representative of our best type of American manhood and chivalry. His life has been one of continuous activity and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Coshocton county.

George M. Stillinger

George M. Stillinger, who is numbered among the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Coshocton county, owns and operates a well improved tract of eighty acres, located in Tiverton township. He is a native of this township, born October 8, 1865, a son of J. P. and Rebecca (Conner) Stillinger. The paternal grandfather, John Stillinger, was a native of Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany. He was a soldier in that country for nine years. He later emigrated to the United States and located in Pennsylvania, where he followed farming for some time. He subsequently removed to Knox county, Ohio, and engaged in farming there until the time of his death. The father, J. P. Stillinger, was also born in Hesse-Darmstadt and was a year old when brought by his parents to the new world. He was practically reared in Knox county, Ohio, and was married there, after which he removed with his wife to Coshocton county and followed farming until six years ago, since which time he has lived retired in Tiverton. The mother, however, is deceased, her death occurring in February, 1902. The family of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Stillinger numbered twelve children, of whom six grew to mature years: Mrs. Jennie P. Merrdith, who is a widow and makes her home with her father; Hattie, the wife of William Cooper, a farmer of Tiverton township; Susanna, the wife of William A. Williams, of Walhonding; Emily E., the wife of George Humphrey, a carpenter of Fertile, Iowa; George M., of this review; Benjamin Franklin, on the home place.

George M. Stillinger was educated in the district schools of Tiverton township. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, when he chése as his work the occupation to which he had been reared and began farming on his own account in Tiverton township. He now owns eighty acres of well improved and tillable land, which is devoted to the raising of grains. Although Mr. Stillinger has been in ill health for many years he is able to give supervision to his farm work and with the assistance of his sons carries on a successful business.

Mr. Stillinger was married in 1886 to Miss Mary L. Buchanan, of Tiverton township. Her father, William Buchanan, was a lieutenant in the Civil war. His birth occurred in Holmes county, while his death occurred in Adair county, Missouri. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Church, was a representative of one of the very earliest families in Coshocton county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stillinger has been blessed with three children: William C., who at the age of twenty-one years is engaged in teaching; Philip L., fourteen years of age, at home; and Ina P., who is twelve years old.

Mr. Stillinger has been a life-long democrat and has held the office of assessor and constable of Tiverton township and he was elected treasurer of Coshocton county in 1908 on the democratic ticket. Both he and his wife are members of the Disciples church, while his fraternal relations are with the Patrons of Husbandry. He is a public-spirited citizen, interested in the welfare of his county and home locality. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of highest commendation.

Jerry Allison Compton

The name of this gentleman is synonymous with the music trade in Coshocton, for the house of which he is the head is the oldest enterprise of this character in the city operating without change of management. Aside from dealing in musical instruments and merchandise he is also the president of the Boston Piano Company. He was born in Jackson township, this county, January 10, 1850, and is descended from English ancestry, the family being established in America by two brothers who arrived about 1700, one becoming a resident of Virginia and the other of Maryland.

Elisha Compton, the father of J. A. Compton, was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, and has reached the very advanced age of ninety-two years. He was one of a family of thirteen children and resided in the Old Dominion until fifteen years of age when he cast in his lot with the pioneer residents of Jackson township, Coshocton county. He took up his abode on a farm and followed general agricultural pursuits until fifty years of age. He worked diligently and persistently in the development and cultivation of his fields and his labors brought him gratifying success. For some time he has lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest, making his home near Roscoe. He married Miss Hulda A. Hays, whose father, Jeremiah Hays, was one of the early sheriffs of the county. Mrs. Compton was born in Virginia township, Coshocton county, and spent her entire life here, passing away in October, 1881.

At the usual age Jerry A. Compton began his education in the district schools and afterward continued his studies in the schools of Roscoe prior to entering the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware, Ohio, where he devoted two and a half years to the work of a literary course. In 1872, soon after putting aside his text-books, he became connected with the music trade in Coshocton as a dealer in pianos, organs and musical merchandise of all kinds, his store being located at No. 220 Main street. From the beginning he enjoyed a good trade, which has grown with the development of the city, for his honorable methods and reasonable prices have insured to him the support of the public. In the fall of 1902 he assisted in organizing the Boston Piano Company, of which he has since been the president. This has been a prosperous concern, owning a large manufacturing plant, which turns out a very excellent quality of pianos. In addition to serving as chief executive officer of the company, Mr. Compton is likewise its treasurer and one of its directors. His.business integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career and his success is based upon his diligence and perseverance.

On the 26th of October, 1881, Mr. Compton was married to Miss Minnie J. Barron, of Dresden, Ohio, and they have one son, Fred Barron, who was born in March, 1887, and is now attending the Ohio Wesleyan College.

Mr. Compton votes with the republican party and has served as a member of the city council but has cared little for political preferment, although he ever keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is an automobile enthusiast and finds his chief source of recreation in his car. From early manhood he has figured in commercial circles in Coshocton, where he has gradually worked his way upward until he stands today not only as the oldest but also the foremost representative of the music trade of the city. Personally fond of music, and with discriminating taste in this line, he is able to be of much assistance to his patrons in their selection of musical instruments or compositions. There has been no esoteric phase in his entire career, for the methods he has employed are such as will bear the keenest investigation, it being only through his close application and indefatigable energy that he has won his present place in the foremost ranks of the merchants of Coshocton.

Colonel Pren Metham

Colonel Pren Metham, who throughout a long period was identified with agricultural pursuits in Coshocton county, is now living retired on a valuable farm comprising three hundred acres. He was born on this farm, April 5, 1830. His paternal grandfather was captain in the British navy and his ancestors were in the war of the Revolution. The father, Pren Metham, was born in London, England, and when a youth of nine years he ran away from home, crossing the Atlantic to America. For seven years after his arrival here he followed the sea and afterward located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he learned the baker's trade. He removed from the latter city to Warsaw, Ohio, in 1820, and purchased five hundred and sixtyfive acres of land on the river, a part of which constitutes our subject's present homestead farm. He was an old line whig and at one time was one of six in Jefferson township. His religion was that of the Episcopal church. His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza Bowman, and was born near Trenton, New Jersey, her father being proprietor of a hotel, and while thus en- gaged he entertained Washington, Burgoyne and many other notable men of Revolutionary fame. The mother passed away in 1863. She had six children, Henry, Williams, Pren, Eliza Ann, Josephine and Caroline, all of whom have departed this life with the exception of our subject and Eliza Ann.

Pren Metham, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the district schools of Jefferson township and in the West Bedford high school. He remained under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he entered the service, being first commissiond second lieutenant and United States mustering officer, but before the expiration of a month he had raised a company, which became Company F, Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and of which he was commissioned captain. Later he was promoted to the rank of major and still later was commissioned lieutenant colonel and afterward colonel of the same regiment. He was with General Grant all through the Vicksburg campaign; was in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, and the campaigns leading up to it; and was in Sherman's campaign against Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He was also in the Atlanta campaign and was with Sherman on the march to the sea and up through South and North Carolina, being present at the surrender of Richmond. For three years and seven months he was at the front, having overstayed his time of enlistment, and he made for himself a most creditable military record. On his way home he stopped at Washington, D. C., and was at the Ford Theater when President Lincoln was assassinated, being the first man on the stage after the fatal shot was fired and was within six or.eight feet of Wilkes Booth, whom he could have captured if he had had his side arms with him that night.

Following the close of hostilities, Colonel Metham returned to his home in Coshocton county and throughout a long period was engaged in carrying on general agricultural pursuits, but for the past few years has lived retired from farming, although he still retains his residence on his fine farm of three hundred acres, situated in Jefferson township, on which ha has erected a fine modern residence.

On the 7th of September, 1854, Colonel Metham chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, Miss Sarah A. Proudfit, a resident of Ashland, Ohio, the wedding ceremony being performed by the Rey. Austin Coleman. Their marriage has been blessed with eight children: Alora, who was born June 13, 1855, was married August 7, 1877, to William A. Cate, after which they located in Lake City, Florida, where Mr. Cate was dean of the old university of that state. Austin, who was born April 13, 1857, wedded Louisa Campbell, and is a carpenter, making his home on_ his father's farm. Lincoln was born November 5, 1860, and died September 21, 1884. John Pren Stanton wedded Miss Cora Darling, March 22, 1885, and they reside in Warsaw. Luella Mabel was born September 21, 1873. Ella is the wife of George Cate, superintendent of a packing house in Atlanta, Georgia. Edna Gertrude, who was born February 16, 1876, is the wife of Edwin O. Rodehaver, a resident of Nellie Ohio. Mary Edith, who was born January 4, 1879, died on the 7th of that month.

Colonel Metham was in early life identified with the whig party, but upon the organization of the new republican party he joined its ranks. He has held some township offices. He is a Mason, being a charter member of Warsaw lodge, and he is also identified with Newton Stanton Post G. A. R., while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Colonel Metham has now passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey and the rest which he is enjoying is well merited. He has spent his entire life in Coshocton county and therefore few men have more intimate knowledge of its history or of events which have left their impress upon its annals.

The subject of this review is a self-made man who, without any extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the outset of his career, has battled earnestly and energetically and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune, being now the owner of three hundred and eighty-five acres of land in Virginia township, so that he is now numbered among its most substantial citizens.

Mr. McCoy is a native of this state, born May 21, 1837, in Dresden, Muskingum county, a son of Willis and Hannah (Smales) McCoy. The father came with his parents to Ohio when a young lad, their former home being in the Keystone state. The mother was a native of England and was quite young at the time of the emigration of the family to the United States, the voyage across the Atlantic requiring nine weeks. Willis McCoy was a farmer and met death by accident when the son Thomas was a lad of eight years, he being the eldest of four children. His two younger brothers enlisted in 1861 for service in the Civil war but although our subject desired to go to the front, it was necessary that he remain home and assist in the support of his: mother.

Thomas McCoy started out to make 'his own way in the world when a mere lad, being employed at farm labor. His earnings were given toward the support of his widowed mother and other members of the family so that when he reached his majority he had only a few clothes and a capital of three dollars. About that time a family by the name of Smith were preparing to make the overland journey to Illinois and Mr. McCoy was engaged to drive one of the teams. After a journey covering seven weeks he reached Richland county, that state, where he remained until 1860, when he onee more returned to Coshocton county to cast his presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He then engaged in farm work in Washington township until 1868, at which time he established a home of his own by his marriage to. Miss Sarah Norris, a daughter of George and Susanna (Croy) Norris, who lived in the same neighborhood as our subject.

Following his marriage Mr. McCoy began farming on his own account on a small tract of land which he had purchased and to this he has added as the years have gone by until he is now the owner of three hundred and eighty-five acres situated in Virginia township. A portion of this is bottom land and is very productive. His farm is improved with a good country residence and substantial barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and everything about the place presents a neat and thrifty appearance, indicating the progressive methods of the owner. In addition to carrying on general farming on an extensive scale Mr. McCoy is also engaged in raising stock and is assisted in his work by his sons. He also gives a portion of his time to bridge building and to threshing during the harvest seasons and in this connection is widely and favorably known in various sections of the county.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCoy has been blessed with seven children: Ella, now the wife of Wood Davis; John; Charles; Howard; Joseph; Calvin; and Anna, the wife of Robert English. Mr. McCoy is a republican in his political views and affiliations and is proud of the fact that he cast a vote for Lincoln. He deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in the financial world, for it has been worthily won. Over his record falls no shadow of wrong, for he has been most loyal to the ties of friendship and citizenship, and his history well deserves a place in this volume.

Joseph A. Cochran

Joseph A. Cochran, who is a retired agriculturist of West Lafayette, was born in Lafayette township, Coshocton county, Ohio, August 29, 1839, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Myers) Cochran, the former a native of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent. The year 1833 witnessed their arrival in Lafayette township, Coshocton county. Here the father purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres and after clearing a small place on which he erected a log cabin, he cut the timber from the rest of the land and was thereafter successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until the time of his death in 1849. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, namely: John M., of West Lafayette, Ohio; Maria J., who is a widow residing in West Lafayette, her husband, John Elston, having died when crossing the Gulf of Mexico while serving in the army; Catherine, the wife of D. Baker, of Plainfield, Ohio; Amanda, who is the wife of Edward Wiggins and makes her home in Lafayette township; Mary, deceased; Joseph A., of this review; Sarah, the widow of Willis Kinner, residing in West Lafayette, Ohio; and Eliza and Rebecca, also living in West Lafayette, Ohio.

Joseph A. Cochran was reared to the pursuits of the farm and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was but ten years of age when he lost his father. On the 16th of April, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company D, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but after four months was honorably discharged and returned home. He then took up the work of farming and at the time of his mother's death purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead, in the cultivation of which he was successfully en- gaged until the time of his retirement in 1900. Removing to West Lafayette, he erected an attractive and commodious residence and has since enjoyed the life of ease which is the reward of his well directed labor and capable management in former years. His holdings likewise include one hundred and twenty-five acres of rich and valuable land, and he is well known and highly esteemed as a substantial and enterprising citizen of his native county.

In 1863 Mr. Cochran was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Miller, whose birth occurred in Lafayette township, August 1, 1843, her parents being Isaac W. and Sarah (Morgan) Miller. Her father was born December 10, 1814, and in 1837 wedded Miss Sarah Morgan, who passed away in 1866. In 1869 he was again married, his second union being with Miss M. J. Cochran, and he was called to his final rest on the 30th of December, 1873. His family numbered five children as follows: Morgan, deceased; Mrs. Cochran ; Mrs. Harriet Cluett, of Missouri; Mrs. Rila Anhault, residing in Coshocton, Ohio; and Warren, also of Coshocton, Ohio. Unto our subject and his wife have been born eight children, namely: Hattie, the wife of J. 1. Ward, of Toledo, Ohio; Jennie, the wife of Rey. J. M. Lockhart, a Baptist minister of Cincinnati, Ohio; Samuel, living in New Comerstown, Ohio; Perry, who resides on the home farm; Everett, of Toledo; William, a resident of Dunbridge, Ohio; Jessie of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Sadie, at home.

In his political views Mr. Cochran is a democrat and has taken an active and prominent part in the local work of the party, his fellow townsmen calling him to various positions of public trust and responsibility. For fifteen years he served as township treasurer and for a period of sixteen years also acted as school treasurer, ever discharging his official duties in prompt and capable manner. For six years he likewise served as county infirmary director. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership with the Grand Army of the Republic, and both he and his wife are identified with the Baptist church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. Having spent their entire lives in this county, they are well and favorably known here and have gained the warm regard and esteem of all with whom they have come in contact.

William J. Crawford

The well improved and highly cultivated farm, containing one hundred and sixty-three acres situated in Pike township, where William J. Crawford now makes his home, was likewise the place of his birth, which occurred January 10, 1868. His paternal grandfather, John Crawford, was a native of Ireland, and a farmer by occupation. His wife bore the maiden name of Rebecca McCann. The parents of our subject, John W. and Sarah M. (Anderson) Crawford, were farming people of Coshocton county.

William J. Crawford, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to the pursuits of farm life, assisting his father in the work of the home farm from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. He began his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, this learning being supplemented by study in the Hanover high school preparatory to entering Hiram College, where he spent one year. On the expiration of that period he engaged in teaching in the district schools for four years, after which he resumed farming pursuits and stock-raising. He is now the owner of a fine farm property, comprising one hundred and sixtythree acres, located in Pike townhsip, and in addition to raising the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate, ha gives much of his time and attention to raising stock and poultry, making a specialty of the latter branch. He keeps only the best' grade of fowls, including Barred, White, Buff Plymouth Rock, Rose and Single Comb Rhode Island Red, Rose and Single Comb Brown Leghorn chickens, and Pekin ducks. He ships fowls and eggs all over the United States and Canada, and has thus gained a wide reputation as a breeder of fine poultry.

Mr. Crawford was married April 9, 1896, the lady of his choice being Miss Eva M. Somerville, a daughter of Asnu and Catherine (Smith) Somerville, natives, of Licking county, Ohio. Their union has been blessed with four children: Ray E., Lena, Grace and Dorothy.

Politically Mr. Crawford is a democrat, but aside from serving as a member of the school board has filled no public office, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his private business affairs, in which he is meeting with good success. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Disciples church. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed in the community in which they make their home, while in business circles, Mr. Crawford is known for his straightforward methods and honesty of purpose.

Henry Rees

Henry Rees, who owns and operates a well improved and valuable tract of land comprising eighty acres, situated on section 7, Tiverton township, is numbered among the old settlers of Coshocton county. He is a native of the Buckeye state, born in Brownhelm, Lorain county, April 1, 1838, a son of John Rees and a brother of Warnet Rees, who is mentioned on another page of this work. Henry Rees pursued his studies in the common schools of Walhonding, Coshocton county, and remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty years, when he went west. After stopping in Illinois for a few days, he proceeded to Kansas City, Kansas, and drove a team conveying passengers into the territory around that city. He then went to Clay county, Kansas, where he spent a brief period, subsequent. to which time he spent six weeks in Jackson county, that state, and a short time in Leavenworth, where he engaged in haying and driving a team. After spending about a year, performing various tasks, in the Sunflower state, he returned to Coshocton county in the spring of 1861 and was employed by the day at farm labor. In the winter of 1862-3 he was employed by Samuel Wheeler at splitting rails and up to the first of February split seven thousand rails. He was considered an expert in this line of work, being able to split as many rails in one day as the average man could do in two days.

On the 14th of May, 1864, Mr. Rees was drafted for service in the Civil war, but at that time hired a substitute, paying him three hundred dollars. On the 7th of March, 1865, however, Mr. Rees enrolled his name as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served one year, or until the close of hostilities. He enlisted at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, March 22, 1865, and later went into camp at Charleston, Virginia, remaining there until the 5th of April. On the 7th of that month he went into camp at Stephenson Station, remaining there until the 21st of the month. From that place the regiment removed to Fairfax, whence they made their way to Alexandria, reaching the latter place July 22d. Mr. Rees was then sent to Fairfax Courthouse to do guard duty, whence he was returned to Alexandria and discharged, being mustered out at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio. He proceeded home by way of Baltimore, arriving here on Christmas eve of 1865.

Prior to his service in the war, Mr. Rees had been married, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Cly, their wedding being celebrated August 10, 1862. Mrs. Rees was born March 16, 1842, and at the time of her marriage was living in Tiverton township. Following his return from the war Mr. Rees located on the farm which he now owns, having bought this tract in 1860. He developed and improved his land, set out fruit trees, erected good buildings and now has one of the finest barns in Tiverton township. Throughout a long period he has carried on general farming and has been very successful in his undertakings. In early life he also engaged in the sale of sewing machines and musical instruments for fifteen years and in this way accumulated quite a sum of money. He now has in his possession an old violin which he purchased in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1858, bearing the inscription, "Nicolaus Amateus fecit cremonia au no 1793."

Mr. Rees formerly gave his political support to the democratic party, but of late years has supported the men and measures of the republican party. He served as road supervisor for one term. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Trinity Evangelical church at Dutch Run. His success is well merited for it has come to him through his own energy and well directed labor, and throughout the community in which he has so long lived and labored he is highly esteemed.

Martin G. Hack

A gradual rise from a humble clerkship to the position of secretary and treasurer of the Ransom Dry Goods Company has been attained in the ae of Martin G. Hack by the most intense activity and effort intelligently applied. Born in Roscoe, Ohio, April 7, 1848, he is descended from Garman ancestry, his parents being Peter and Rosalena (Adams) Hack, coming from

Germany, their native country, in early life. Their marriage was celebrated in Roscoe, where they lived for many years. In early manhood, Peter Hack learned the tailor's trade and was identified with the merchant tailoring business in Roscoe and Coshocton for forty years. Interruption to his business career came when, in response to the country's call for aid to crush out the rebellion in the south, he joined the Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served as captain of Company G throughout the period of hostilities, making a most creditable military record, for he fearlessly faced the enemy on many battlefields and inspired his men with his own valor. While he usually voted with the republican party, he was yet liberal in his views, never being bitterly partisan in his connections. He became a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge in Coshocton, and held membership in the Knights of Pythias. His activity in various lines made him a citizen of worth and his death was deeply regretted by his friends.

Martin G. Hack attended the common schools in his boyhood days, but his opportunities were somewhat limited owing to the fact that his father joined the army, which made it necessary that he leave school.in order to assist in the support of the family. His father had been made postmaster of Roseoe about the time of the outbreak of the Civil war and the son assumed the duties at the postoffice, where he remained until he joined the army and enlisted in response to the call for hundred-day men, becoming a drummer boy when fifteen years of age.

After the restoration of peace Mr. Hack went to Columbus where for one year he served as clerk in a hotel. He then returnd to Roscoe and secured a position in the mercantile establishment of Le Retilley, McClintock & Company, with whom he continued for four years and with their successor for two years. During this period he gained comprehensive knowledge of the business and worked his way upward through successive promotions. He entered upon an independent venture when, in 1871, he formed a partnership with C. F. Burns and engaged in merchandising at Canal Lewisville, where he continued for four years. He next acquired an interest in the mercantile business of Mr. Burns in Roscoe, and for a number of years was prominently connected with commercial pursuits in that town. In 1896, however, he severed his connections with Roscoe in order to give his undivided attention to his Coshocton mercantile interests, having some years before become connected with the Ransom Dry Goods Company. For twelve years he has now concentrated his energies upon the upbuilding and development of this business, and is today secretary and treasurer of the company, which owns and controls one of the most modern and up-to-date dry-goods establishments in this part of the state.

In 1876 Mr. Hack was married to Miss Alice Burns, of Roscoe, and unto them were born five children, of whom four are living: Burns R., who is a commercial salesman for a New York shoe house and resides in Coshocton; Rosa, the wife of John M. Gleason, of Morgantown, West Virginia; and Mattie and Florence, at home.

K. T. In politics he is an earnest republican and while in Roscoe served as township treasurer for years. Although that town is a democratic stronghold, be could not be defeated by the candidates of the opposition, for his personal popularity and the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen assured his election. One of the strong and salient characteristics in the life record of Mr. Hack is his fidelity to any trust reposed in him, and in all of his relations to the public, whether as an official or as a business man, he has been found thoroughly reliable. Moreover, the fact that his life has been honorable and worthy of public regard is indicated in that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood.

John R. Dawson

John R. Dawson is an enterprising, progressive and prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Jackson township, owning and operating one hundred and eighty-two acres of rich and valuable land, from which he derives a good annual return. Mr. Dawson was born in Virginia township, January 21, 1855, a son of Marcus and Elizabeth (Norris) Dawson. The father was born in Virginia, coming to Coshocton county with his parents in the year 1831, so that the name of Dawson is an old and prominent one in this section of the Buckeye state. The father was a farmer and passed away in January, 1883, but the mother died during the early boyhood of the son John R.

John R. Dawson was reared on the home farm, his services being given to the operation of the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn, while during the few short winter months he pursued his studies in the district schools, wherein ha mastered the common branches of English learning. He has made farming his life work and today is the owner of a valuable tract of land, consisting on one hundred and eighty-two acres in Jackson township. He has prospered in his undertakings and is deserving of all the praise which is implied in the term, a self-made man.