(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 800 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. of Elks. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, the Moore family having been Presbyterians from earliest records. Probably no man in Ohio has a wider acquaintance among business men than Mr. Moore. For a period of twenty-five years he has traveled to all parts of the state in the capacity of state agent for the insurance company mentioned above, and, owing to his jovial disposition and his genteel demeanor, he is always a most welcome guest wherever he goes. He is a man of sterling integrity and has a high sense of honor. He is now living practically retired, giving only supervision to his general insurance business. He retains an active interest in public matters and the growth and development of his home city, where he has been a prominent factor for so many years. He is a man of fine intellectual attainments, sterling integrity and an optimist by nature. CARSON B. DAVIS. While yet young in years, Carson B. Davis has proved that a large measure of success can be achieved within a short period of time if the proper methods are employed and close application made. He comes from one of the good old families of Guernsey county, his birth having occurred in Cambridge township, on January 9, 1870, the old Davis homestead being two miles east of Cambridge on the old National road. He is the son of John W. and Mary A. (Able) Davis. The father was a native of Muskingum county and the mother of Guernsey county. The elder DaviS came to this county in 1835, and during the early part of his life he was engaged in farming and for thirty years later was in the livery business in Cambridge. He was a man of fine personal qualities and of high integrity. His death occurred in February, 1900, his widow having survived him until May, 1903. Her father, William Abel, was a prominent man in the county, and, although a strong Democrat, he was elected treasurer of Guernsey county, a Republican stronghold. Carson B. Davis was educated in the public schools of Cambridge and as a young man he was employed in the county surveyor's office under O. M. Hoge during several years while he was city engineer and by private study fitted himself for a civil engineer, In 1902 he was employed as chief engineer, by the company that constructed the Cambridge and Byesville car line. was with this company while the line was being constructed and continued in its employ until 1908. Then he was elected county surveyor of Guernsey county, his record while in the service of the construction company having attracted GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 801 widespread attention to him, and he became known as one of the most efficient civil engineers in this section of the state. He made such a splendid record as a public official that he was re-elected for a second term as county surveyor in November, 1910. Being an expert in his line, his services are in great demand. He is also resident engineer for the state highway department and now has supervision of the state work in the county, and is giving eminent satisfaction in this connection. Politically, Mr. Davis is a Republican and is always active in public matters, believing it to be the duty of all good citizens to take an active interest in public affairs and see that the best men are placed in the public offices. Mr. Davis was married on November 17, 1903, to Etta M.. McCollum, daughter of James and Asenia ( Johnston) McCollum, well known in the farming community of Center township. This union has been without issue. The Davis residence, a comfortable and neatly kept one, is at No. 730 Gomber avenue, Cambridge. Mr. Davis is a member of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also the Eagles. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and are active in church work. They are popular among a wide circle of friends here and wherever they are known. JOHN W. CALE. One of the honored veterans of the great war of the Rebellion who efficiently served his country during its dark days in the sixties is John W. Cale, of Lore City, Guernsey county, a man who has served his country well, both in times of war and times of peace, and. who has long ranked among the leading business men and influential citizens of the locality. Mr, Cale was born on April 17, 1843, in Jackson township, Guernsey county, Ohio, the son of George and Margaret (Wilson) Cale. The father was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, and came to Guernsey county with his parents, George and Rachel (Cross) Cale, when the son, George, father of the subject of this sketch, was only eight years old, in 1824, and entered government land and began the work of clearing the lands and erecting a home in the forests, with but little other company than Indians and wild game. They were of the hardy pioneer stock and became prominent in the affairs of the times. George Cale, the father. grew into sturdy manhood, and followed the vocation of his father, a farmer. He prospered and became a 802 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. large land owner and sheep raiser, one of the first extensive sheep raisers in the county. When he began sheep raising and for years afterward, the sheep pens and sheds were adjacent to the home, so that the wolves might be kept away from the sheep at night. He was always a Republican, different from all his ancestry, and was strong in the faith of the doctrines of the party, being of an old Virginia family. He was prominent in the affairs of the community and foremost in all movements calculated to advance the best interests of all the people. He was a man of little education, and, realizing the lack of it, he was careful in the education of the children of his family. He had but two children, a son, John W., the subject of this sketch, and Margaret, now Mrs. John R. Secrest, a farmer of Johnson county, Kansas, and a member of a prominent pioneer family of Guernsey county, Ohio, The father, George Cale, in addition to general farming and sheep- raising, was also an extensive tobacco grower, his farm products being hauled to Zanesville for market. He was a prosperous man along all lines, his large land holdings developed fine veins of coal underneath, and his coal royalties made him a prosperous man. His wife, Margaret Wilson, was of Scotch-Irish descent and was born a few months after her parents, James and Margaret Wilson, came to America and settled in Guernsey county, Ohio, where they ever after resided. The Cales are of Revolutionary stock. The great-grandfather, who was also George Cale, was a Revolutionary soldier, and his son, John, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a soldier in the war of 1812. George Cale, the father of the subject, died on June 16, 1907, at the age of ninety-four years, his wife having preceded him by almost twenty-five years, her death occurring in July, 1887, and both are buried in the Senecaville cemetery. At the time of the father's death he had held to his lands longer than any person then living in Guernsey county. John W. Cale spent the years of his childhood and youth on his father's farm and attended the district schools. He early manifested a fondness for trading and commercial pursuits. He attended the Cambridge high school for two years, preparing himself for teaching, and at the age of twenty-one he began teaching school in the home district school. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Seventy-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1863. The regiment was later consolidated with the Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served in the Army of the Cumberland and saw hard service covering a period of fourteen months. Mr. Cale Was married December 28, 1865, to Harriet J. Rose, daughter GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 803 of Abraham and Eliza (WellS) Rose. To this union were born five children, all sons: George William, deceased; Abraham F., deceased; Ralph A., deceased; Charles H., a physician in Belmont county, Ohio, and an infant son who died when only four days old. When married Mr. Cale was teaching school and during his teaching period taught in all one hundred and twenty months and all of this in three districts, hiS home district, Byesville and Hartford. During his time of teaching he attended the summer terms of Muskingum College, of New Concord, Ohio, and graduated in 1871 in the classical course. While teaching he studied theology and was admitted to the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal church. For four years he gave his entire time to the ministry and was connected with Stafford circuit in Monroe county, Ohio. He 'was later connected with the Methodist Protestant church and from 1889 for several years he occupied the pulpit at Stockport and Zanesville, Ohio. He has always been a very busy man, as his little son once explained by saying : "Father teaches school five days in the week, coon hunts at night, buys wool and sheep on Saturday and preaches on Sunday." On October 1, 1876, Mr. Cale was made the Baltimore & Ohio railroad agent at Campbell station, now Lore City, and in this position he served the company for twenty-nine years. His son, George William, was connected with him in this duty and died in the service of the company. In addition to all these duties, Mr. Cale was extensively engaged in shipping sheep. He shipped sheep from Vermont and Ohio into the Western states as far west as Oregon. He has been a raiser and breeder of fine stock of all kinds, cattle, horses and sheep, and a breeder of thoroughbred stock. He has been an extensive buyer and shipper of stock, from thirty to fifty cars annually, and buys wool every season extensively and ships sometimes as much as two hundred thousand pounds a year. His stock has always been prize winners at the county, district and state fairs, where exhibited. Mr. Cale is a Republican in politics and always has been active in affairs, never holding any office, but always working in the party ranks. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He has been for years active in all wool growers' associations and has for thirty years been a member of the Wool Growers' Association. He is now president of the Tri-State Wool Growers' Association, and no man has been more active in the work of these associations. He has become the owner of land amounting to about three hundred acres in Wills, Center and Jackson townships, and a modern home in Lore City, where he lives. He is a man of positive convictions and always a man of his word. His broad views and charitable disposition, as well as his liberality, make him beloved by all who know him. A man of wide acquaintance 804 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. and business activities and wherever known he has a reputation for integrity and square dealing in all of his transactions. Mrs. Cale is a woman of fine instinct and broad, charitable character, active in all good works in which the community in which she lives iS interested. Always devoted to her family and her home, she has also found time to minister to the needs and wants of those less fortunate. The Cale home in Lore City has always been prominent in the social life of the community and well known for its genuine, yet unostentatious hospitality. DANIEL L. RANKIN, D. D. S. One of the leading and best known dentists of Cambridge and Guernsey county is Dr. Daniel L. Rankin, who is a representative of a fine old family and himself a gentleman of such worthy attributes as to inspire the confidence and admiration of all whom he meets. He was born on July 1, 1871, at Sago, Muskingum county, Ohio. He is the son of Oliver and Ann M. (Trace) Rankin. Both parents were natives of Muskingum county and were members of pioneer families. The Rankins are of Sc0tch descent, and grandfather James Rankin came to America when a child. and grandfather David Trace emigrated to the United States when about twelve years of age. Both families were farmers. Grandfather James Rankin entered forty acres of land on October 5, 1835, the deed being signed by Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, and this deed is now in possession of Daniel L. Rankin, the grandson. Grandfather Daniel Trace also entered government land. Both families proSpered and became extensive land owners. They began life in the new country with practically nothing and they became prominent factors in the life and progress of the community and prominent in public affairs. Both grandfathers were Abolitionists and active in the affairs of the "underground railroad," for the protection of runaway slaves. Many such found food and shelter under their roofs. The father, Oliver Rankin, was a blacksmith at Sago, Ohio, and a land owner and farmer, always active in the affairs of his community. He is a Republican and he is a veteran of the Civil war, having served as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mathias Trace, uncle of the subject, was captain of the above mentioned company. Oliver Rankin, the father, is still living on the home farm near Sago, at the age of seventy-seven years, and is still hale and hearty. The mother of the subject died in October, 1909, at GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 805 the age of seventy-four years. The family are members of the United Presbyterian church and devout church people. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Rankin the following children : Mary, deceased; Margaret, now Mrs. Martin W. Young, of Ewing, Nebraska; James A., deceased; Susan, deceased; Clara is living at home; Nora, deceased; Daniel L., of this review ; Charles, of Knox township, this county; William, of Sago, Ohio; Clovis M., of Norwich, Ohio. Daniel L. Rankin lived on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, assisting in the farm work, and his early education was obtained in the district schools of his native community and at McCorkle College. He went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, when twenty-one years old and clerked in a furniture store for six years. He then entered the Ohio Medical University at Columbus. Ohio, to study dentistry and was graduated from that institution with a fine record in June, 1899. He began the practice of dentistry in the fall of 1899 at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and the following year he went to Fairmount, West Virginia, where he remained one year, and in the spring of 1901 he came to Cambridge, Ohio, and has practiced here continuously ever since, having an extensive and lucrative practice all the while, his patients being of the best people in the county. He has a neat and thoroughly equipped office. Doctor Rankin was married on October 24, 1907, to Rebecca Alice LePage, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Smith) LePage. Her parents were at one time residents of Guernsey county. but they moved to Wisconsin later in life and died there, the daughter being left an orphan when a mere child. This was a pioneer family in Guernsey county, having c0me here from the isle of Guernsey, off the north coast of France. To Doctor and Mrs. Rankin have been born a son and a daughter, Oliver and Elizabeth Ann. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Rankin was a popular and progressive teacher in the district schools, the Byesville public schools and the schools of Cambridge for several years. She is a refined, well educated and cultured woman. Politically, Doctor Rankin is a Republican and is active in party matters. He is a member of the county central committee, and treasurer of the Republican executive committee, and he is a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions. In November, 1909, he was elected by popular vote president of the city council and vice-mayor of the city. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason and a member of Cambridge Commandery No. 47, Knights Templar, of which he is a past commander, also a member of the Scioto Consistory at Columbus, Ohio. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen 806 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. of America and of Cambridge Lodge No. 718, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and are active in church work, Their home is at No. 712 North Seventh street, which iS the best residence district of the city, and the Rankin home is among the best in the city. JACOB NICHOLSON. No resident of Guernsey county is better kn0wn or more highly honored, nor is any one more entitled to representation in a history embodying the careers of the leading citizens of this locality than Jacob Nich0lson, who was born in what is now Noble county, Ohio, on December 15, 1833, the son of Simon arid Rachael (Larrick) Nicholson. The mother was born in Virginia on February 17, 1812, and she came to Noble county, probably in 1820. She was the daughter of Jacob Larrick and was one of a family of twelve children, who lived to an average of over eighty years. Simon Nicholson was born in Pennsylvania in 1809. He was the son of Thomas and Margaret (Mahon) Nicholson. The Nicholson family came to Noble county between 1809 and 1812 and located in Buffalo township, near the Guernsey county line. There Thomas Nicholson died in 1812, and he is buried there. Simon Nicholson Was one of a family of nine children, namely : Andrew lived and died near Sarahsville, Noble county ; John lived in Buffalo township, Noble county ; Simeon lived in Seneca township, Noble county; Thomas also lived in Buffalo township; Isabella married Isaac Millhone; Martha married Lambert Newton ; Margaret married Jacob Secrest, of Noble county; Mary and Eleanor both died in girlhood ; Simon married Rachael Larrick; John married Elizabeth Larrick, sister of the former's wife ; Thomas married Margaret Larrick, half-sister of Rachael and Mary. Simon Nicholson followed farming in Noble county. He and his wife became the parents of six children, namely : Jacob, of this review ; Margaret Ann, deceased, who had married James Williams; Catherine, deceased, had married Lambert Millhone; Mary Elizabeth married John Cale, deceased, and she lives one mile west of Byesville; Thomas lives in Kansas, and Benjamin lives in Byesville. Rachel Nicholson died about 1847. Simon Nicholson then married Mrs. Nancy (McLaughlin) Vorhies, widow of E. I. Vorhies. Six children were born to that marriage, namely: William lives at Stop 7. near Byesville; Rachael is the wife of Daniel Orr, a retired farmer at Byes- GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 807 ville; Jane. deceased, was the wife of Joseph Spade; Fannie married Samuel Coyle and lives at Akron; Rose is the wife of David Dixon, a contractor and builder who lives in Byesville ; Simon, the youngest of the six children, lived in Bvesville until his death. The Nicholsons have been Methodists back as far as we know anything of them and they have nearly all been members of the church. Simon Nicholson lived in Noble county until about 1853, then traded for three hundred and twenty acres of land near Hartford, where he resided until about 1873 or 1874, then sold part of his farm to his son, Jacob, and the balance to others, and bought a farm northwest of Byesville, where Stop 7 is now located, and there he lived until his death, in 1878, at the age of sixty-nine years. Jacob Nicholson was married on September 2, 1857, to Mary Jane Cramblett, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Lukens) Cramblett. She was born in Noble county, but when two years old her father moved two miles west of what is now Derwent, where he engaged in farming and stock feeding. He kept large pastures for passing drovers who were constantly driving thousands of herds of livestock to Baltimore, passing this way. There Mrs. Nicholson grew to maturity and lived until her marriage, after which she and Jacob Nicholson went to his farm. They became the parents of six children, namely : Ida Samantha, widow of Luke Thompson, and the mother of Prof. Bert M. Thompson. whose sketch appears herein ; Eli Elmer, who lives in Buffalo township, Noble county. married Sarah Shriver and they had two children, a girl and a boy ; the mother died and lie married Josephine Bershon, by which union two children have also been born, a son and a daughter, Edna, who married Ebenezer Johnson, and they have one son, John Nicholson, who lives in the southeast edge of Byesville, has a personal sketch in this work : Ulysses Grant and Tecumseh Sherman are twins; the former lives at Hartford on a farm, and weighs coal at the mines; he owns a good farm, and he was married to Etta Secrest, and they have four children living and one dead ; Tecumseh Sherman, who lives in Derwent, Married Matilda Bess, of Marietta, and they have two children ; he is boss weighman at the Derwent mine, and is also the owner of a farm. Hobart Moody Nicholson, who is a clergyman in the Lutheran church, now located near Mansfield, Ohio, married Bertha Keckley and they have four children living and one deceased. Through her maternal grandfather, Mrs. Nicholson is descended from John Lukens, the architect of old Independence Hall. at Philadelphia, "the cradle of American liberty." John Lukens was a native of Holland, who came to America in the latter part of the seventeenth century, and here he became an intimate friend and associate of David Rittenhouse. John Lukens' 808 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. son, Jacob Lukens, left Philadelphia in 1780 and located in Little York county, Pennsylvania. He became the father of Eli Lukens, who was born in 1783. In 1804 the latter married Julianne Tollinger, who was of Holland parentage. They became the parents of the following children : Naomi, Jacob, George, Elizabeth, Eli, Alexander and Nathaniel. Of these, Elizabeth was born near Baltimore, Maryland, and while a girl in her teens the family moved to Deersville, Harrison county, Ohio, where both the parents died. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson lived west of Derwent, in Noble county, until 1887, when they moved to where the village of Derwent is now located, and the town has since grown up partly on his ground. He has two houses in this place, also a store building. He and his wife were both reared Methodists, but in 1861 they joined the Lutheran church and have continued in the same ever since. On September 2, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson celebrated their golden wedding; it was a notable event in this neighborhood, one hundred guests being present. Both are still living, hale and hearty. Mrs. Nicholson is remarkably well preserved and does not look to be much over fifty, being strong, cheerful, genial and industrious. They are a remarkable couple whom everybody highly respects and honors. This is a happy family ; the children, having been reared in a most genial and wholesome home atmosphere, have never given their parents any trouble and are living honorable lives, their parents being justly proud of them. JAMES W. SECREST. Among Valley township's worthy families are the Secrests, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work, so for the present the biographer confines his remarks to one of the best known of this old and honored household, James W. Secrest, who was born near Hartford, Guernsey county, in 1867. He is the son of William Secrest and wife, of the same locality, whose sketch appears herein. Their son, James W., grew to maturity on the home farm, on which he worked when old enough, remaining under his parental roof until he married, having alternated farm work with schooling in the district schools. In 1894 he led to the altar Lizzie Mary Laughlin, daughter of James and Mary (Secrest) Laughlin. See sketch of James Laughlin. She was born near Pleasant Grove, in the east part of Noble county, and when she was GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 809 about seven years old her parents moved to Pleasant City, later moving to one mile east of that town, where she attended school and lived until her marriage. Since his marriage Mr. Secrest has followed coal mining for the most part. He has also had a farm in partnership with his brother, George M. Secrest, the place consisting of two hundred and twenty-eight acres of excellent land, which they kept in a high state of cultivation and did well with. Mr. Secrest built his present cozy home, just east of Hartford, in 1895, It is a substantial and pleasant place, and he and his wife are known to be people of hospitality to their wide circle of friends who delight to gather at their home and pass many sunny hours of pleasure. Their union has been blessed by three children, namely: Clyde died when six months old; Hattie was born November 30, 1899; the youngest was a boy who died in early infancy. Fraternally, Mr. Secrest is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Pleasant City, this county, and he and his wife belong to the Lutheran church at Hartford, standing high in the congregation there and being faithful in their support of the same, JOHN LOGAN NICHOLSON. Success has been achieved by John Logan Nicholson not because fate or influential relatives or friends were kind to him, but because he has worked for it along legitimate lines, and has not permitted any obstacle to down him, believing in such time tried maxims as "A dead fish can go down stream, but it takes a live one to go up.'si He comes of an old and highly honored family, the reputation of which he has endeavored to keep untarnished. Mr. Nicholson was born in Valley township, Guernsey county, Ohio, on July 24, 1863, on the day that Morgan’s raiders were in this vicinity, having passed within one-half mile of the Union forces here, and some of them came to the Nicholson home and traded horses. He is the son of Jacob Nicholson, whose sketch appears herein. When John L. Nicholson was about seven years of age, his parents moved into the north edge of Noble township, a mile south of Pleasant City, and the family lived there about twelve years, and from there they moved just south of Byesville, then two years later to the present site of Dement, and lived there two years, the father engaging in farming and stock raising. On November 26, 1888, he came to Byesville and formed a partnership in the meat business with his uncle, William Nich- 810 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. olson. He was in the retail business thirteen years, having bought out his uncle's interest a year and a half after starting business, In the fall of 1893 he was appointed postmaster of Byesville, which place he held over four years, giving the utmost satisfaction to all concerned, during which time he also continued the meat business,—in fact, continuing that business until November 26, 1901, 'when he entered the hardware business under the firm name of Nicholson & Secrest, and continued for two years. Then he sold out and started a wholesale meat business. It has been his custom for years to buy most of the stock near home, at least the best grades offered for sale, and he makes regular trips t0 Chicago, buying cattle and hogs by the car load, which he ships to Byesville, and slaughters them on his farm northeast of the city. He does a very extensive business and has a wide reputation in the meat line. Mr. Nicholson is the owner of a very desirable and valuable farm of one hundred and ninety acres of land adjoining Byesville on the east. In 1904 he assisted in organizing the Cambridge & Byesville Driving Park Association, which has since been changed to the Guernsey Valley Fair Company, having been reorganized in 1909. At the time of the reorganization Mr. Nicholson was made president of the association, and its large success has been due for the most part to his judicious management. He is also a director in the Noble Brick Works at Glenwood, Noble county, where paving bricks are manufactured. He is successful in whatever he turns his attention to, being a man of good business ability, executive talent and indomitable energy, and the honorable methods he has ever employed in his dealings with the business world have resulted in gaining and retaining the confidence and good will of all. Politically, Mr. Nicholson is a Democrat, and he takes an active part in the party councils, attends all the county conventions, also those of the state, and is very active in these gatherings, always making his influence felt for the good of the party and his locality. He is at present a member of the county board of elections. He was trustee of the township for seven years and township clerk for two years, and he has always performed his public duties in a manner that reflected credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. On October 22, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Nicholson and Alice N. Rogers, the talented and genial daughter 0f George and Sarah Rogers. She was born and reared near Trail Run in Jackson township, where her people were always influential. This union has resulted in the birth of two children, Wilbur Harold and Dwight R. The former is in his junior year at Scio College, taking the philosophical course. GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 811 On July 17, 1894, occurred the death of Mrs. Nicholson. She had been a member of the Methodist Protestant church, while Mr. Nicholson had been a Lutheran, but after their marriage they both united with the Methodist Episcopal church. On April 2, 1896, Mr. Nicholson was married to Nannie M. Trott, daughter of Benjamin G. and Eliza Jane (Martelle) Trott. She was born in Center township, but moved to Byesville when about twelve years old and there she grew to maturity. She is a sister of Elza D. Trott, county clerk, who is represented in this work. Two children have been born to this second union, Ila Martelle and Jacob Edwin. Mrs. Nicholson is a woman of many admirable attributes and she is like her husband in that she has a wide circle of warm friends. Mrs, Nicholson was for eight years a teacher in the schools of Hartford, Pleasant City and Byesville. Mr. Nicholson is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having joined this 0rder twenty-one years ago ; he has also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd FellowS for many years. JOHN M. COMBS. Although a young man, John M. Combs, successful druggist of Byes- vibe, Guernsey county, has succeeded in establishing an envied reputation in industrial and social circles of Jackson township, for he has shown that he is a very capable business man and that his character is above reproach, having at all times sought to maintain the high standard of honor set by his progenitors, who have been well known in this county since the pioneer days. Mr. Combs was born near Winterset, this county, on October 16, 1882, and he is the son of James G. and Allie J. (McColley) Combs, who are given proper mention in a separate sketch in this volume. John M. Combs grew to maturity on the home farm, which he began working when a mere lad and where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He attended the neighboring schools and later took a course in the Ohio Northern College, graduating from the department of pharmacy, in 1903. He made an excellent record here, and, thus well equipped, he went into the drug business at Cumberland, but something over three years later he removed to Columbus, continuing in the same business. On June 1, 1908, he came to Byesville and lie and his father entered the drug business together and they have continued with great success, having one 0f the best equipped 812 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. and most attractive drug stores in this locality and they have been well patronized from the first. Mr. Combs was married on March 28, 1907, to Hulda Webber, of Columbus, Ohio, where her people are well and favorably known, she being the daughter of William and Fannie Webber, Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Combs, Herbert Haydon and John William. Fraternally, Mr. Combs is a Knight Templar in the Masonic York rite, and he has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish rite of that order. He and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian church, and are prominent in the social life of the community. JOSEPH KOREN. A large part of the population of Byesville and the mining regions of Guernsey county are Slays from Austria. As a rule, they are a good class of citizens, industrious and law-abiding; they build their own homes and are examples of thrift and industry, and, while retaining a certain affection for the mother country, they are very loyal to our institutions and to the Stars and Stripes. One of the best known and one of the most successful—in fact, a leader—of this large class of our citizens, is Joseph K0ren, proprietor of the flour mill at Byesville, Jackson township, and a man of excellent characteristics of head and heart. Mr. Koren was born in the county of Zemplen, Austria, in 1876, and he is the son of John and Mary (Gacy) Koren. He grew to maturity on a farm in his native country and attended school there, remaining in Austria engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1898 'when he emigrated to America, landing in New York, but soon thereafter came on to Braddock, Pennsylvania. There he found employment in the steel plant, and remained there one year, then went to the coke regions of Pennsylvania. He was married in 1899 to Margaret Petrus, also a native of Austria, having been born in the county of Zemplen, the daughter of George and Julia (Hric) Petrus. She had come to this country only a short time previous to her marriage, but they were acquainted in the old country. Her brother had married Mr. Koren's sister, the two families were thus well acquainted. After his marriage Mr. Koren remained in the coke fields of Pennsylvania two years, or until 1901, having been employed in the coal mines. Upon the date mentioned he came to Guernsey county and took a position in GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 813 the Black Top mines, remaining there nearly five years, and from there he moved to Byesville, where he now resides. He built a neat and comfortable home on Fifth street and went into the grocery business. He did very well at this, but sold out a year later and bought a half interest in the Byesville Milling Company. On July 28, 1910, he bought out his partners and is now sole owner of the mill, which is one of the best and most popular in this and adjoining counties, its superior products being eagerly sought after. He understands thoroughly the management of this business and, owing to hiS honest and straightforward methods and his desire to please and treat fairly his customers, he has built up a large and rapidly growing patronage. Thrift, diligence, sound judgment and economy have marked him as a man of prudence and business ability. Besides his mill, Mr. Koren is a director in the Byesville Loan and Building Company. His is an unusual record and a very praiseworthy one. He came from a foreign land, speaking a strange language and without means, and he worked as a miner until he could save enough with which to go into business ; he has advanced continuously until he is now one of the successful and prominent citizens of Byesville. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Koren, Mary, Mike, Joseph and Emil. Mr. Koren is a member of the First Slavak Catholic Union, he and his family all belonging to the Catholic church. MATTHIAS C. ANDERSON. Among the honored veterans of the Civil war living at Byesville, Guernsey county, is Matthias C. Anderson. There is much that is commendable in his life record, for he has been found true to duty in every relation, whether of a public or private character, and while energy and unbending industry have been salient features of his business career, he is equally well known for his uprightness and the honorable methods he has always followed and for his loyalty to every trust reposed in him. Mr. Anderson was born in Richland township, not far from Lore City, Ohio, April 28, 1837. He is the son of John and Hannah (White) Anderson. The mother, who was born in Belmont county, was a daughter of John White and wife. John Anderson was b0rn near White Haven, England. He worked in a canvas factory in boyhood in England, then became a sailor, and was in the English navy, and near the close of the war he deserted the English warship off the shore at Charleston, South Carolina, with three companions, rowed ashore and ran away into 814 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. Virginia, traveled at night and hid during the clay, until convinced that they were safe. He went on to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he got a place weaving with an old Irishman. The runaway sailors had a novel way of choosing their route of travel. They set up a stick at cross roads and which ever way it fell two out of three times they went in that direction. Mr. Anderson stayed in Beaver county several years, and then came down the Ohio river with people en route to Kentucky and left them at Wheeling. He came to Belmont county, Ohio, and went to weaving with a man named James White, whose niece, Hannah White, he married. He then set up an establishment of his own for weaving, had a loom, a swift and quill and wheel, along with the other things needed for the work. Hannah White's father was from Maryland and her mother was German. Her wedding dress was calico at one dollar a yard. Before the National pike was built, Mr. Anderson and wife emigrated to GuernSey county in wagons, driving his sheep. Guernsey county was woods and swamps then. A sheep got swamped, the father tried to get it out and fell hack into the mud himself. His wife had been so opposed to coming that she thoroughly enjoyed his discomfiture. He bought a farm of eighty acres, in Richland township, a few years later, when it was all in woods, buying the land from Jack Barrett, an old hunter. Deer and wild turkey were very plentiful then. He counted eleven deer at one time in a wheat field. John and Hannah Anderson had two children born in Belmont county, the others being born in Guernsey county. One died in infancy, the others were : Sarah, James, Katherine, John, William, Thomas, Mary, Amanda and Matthias. Mary is living on the old homestead and she and Matthias, of this review, are the only survivors of this large family. John Anderson bought eighty acres of land and eventually had one hundred and sixty acres. He kept on weaving, lived all the balance of his life on the farm in Guernsey county, and became a good farmer later in life, though ignorant of it in early life. He and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, he having been converted at Senecaville after he was married. His mother belonged to the Church of England. Matthias C. Anderson, who grew up on the home farm, was the youngest of the family. At the age of fourteen he was put to plowing and worked hard at this and general farm work. On January 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and was in the Army of the Cumberland. He was fortunately never wounded nor taken prisoner, but at Pittsburg Landing he took the fever and was in the hospital about a month at GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 815 St. Louis. He was hurt by a falling horse at Clifton, Tennessee, before the spell of fever. He was discharged, because of disability, the last of December, 1862, or first of January, 1863. He stayed at home, disabled by ill health, nearly a year, unable to work, but when he got stronger he farmed for his father, who was getting old. On October 25, 1866, Mr. Anderson married Catherine E. Rogers, daughter of Lawson W. and Alice A. (McGaw) Rogers. After his marriage Mr. Anderson stayed a year on his father's farm, then bought a farm two miles south of Byesville, in Jackson township, in the spring of 1868. They lived there until 1904, then moved to Byesville, where they now reside and live a retired life. He subsequently bought fifty-one and one-half acres, now owning in all one hundred and thirty-one and one-half acres. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. The first, Hannah Alice, died in infancy. Two daughters and two sons grew to maturity, namely : Charles Melvin, who resides in Byesville; Orthello L., who lives in Columbus, Ohio, and has a jewelry store there, married Mary Engle; Minnie J. married Benson Larrick, and lives at Ava, Noble county, where he is in the grocery business; she has two sons, Benson Melvin and Dwight 0.; Floral L., who is at home with her parents in Byesville, is a woman of much thrift and business ability. The whole family are members of the Methodist Protestant church. Lawson A. Rogers and wife, parents of Mrs. Anderson, lived in Hartford county. Maryland, and were married there. In October, 1842, they came to Guernsey county, Ohio. and settled in Jackson township about four miles southeast of Byesville, not far from Hartford. There they bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, most of which was in the woods. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson still have eighty acres of the original farm. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers: Sarah J., George F., Lawson H., Catherine E., Mary M., Roland J. and Lucinda S. Sarah Jane is dead. Lawson H. Rogers enlisted in the army, on August 18, 1862, in Company H, One Hundred Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in the Army of the Potomac and took part in the battle of Winchester and many others. He was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, was taken to Richmond, then to Lynchburg, Virginia, and died a prisoner of war. His left limb was amputated before his death. He is buried at Lynchburg, Virginia. George F., who lived two miles south of Byesville, was a farmer and he died in 1908. Mary M. is the wife of John L. Bruner, 0f Cambridge, whose sketch appears elsewhere in these pages. Roland James died February 28, 1905, in the old home neighborhood, south of Byesville. Lucinda S. is 816 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. the wife of Joseph F. Bruner, brother of John L. Bruner, and lives in Richland township, on a farm. Lawson Rogers and wife lived the rest of their lives on the old home in this county. Both belonged to the Methodist Protestant church. When Mr. Anderson’s mother first came here, nearly a hundred years ago, she planted an apple tree that still bears fruit, It was grafted and for a time bore four kinds of apples. Their old country home was a beautiful place, not fancy but well kept, with many beautiful rose bushes and orchards and well kept lawns. There remains about one hundred and sixty-eight acres in the old homestead. The family are plain and substantial citizens, thoroughly reliable, industrious and thrifty, praiseworthy citizens, esteemed and honored by all who know them. ALBERT E. PITT. One of the successful and deserving young men of Cambridge, Guernsey county, and a scion of an excellent and highly honored old family is Albert E. Pitt. He has labored persistently along legitimate lines in order to advance himself and has never depended upon anyone for assistance, preferring to hew his own way to success. Mr. Pitt was born December 4, 1879, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and is the son of Edward D. and Margaret ( Jarvis) Pitt, both born in England, where they grew to maturity, Were educated and married, soon afterward coming to America. Mr. Pitt was a direct descendant of the famous Sir William Pitt. Having learned the trade of iron worker in his native country, Edward D. Pitt followed the same after coming to America, being employed in the iron mills at Pittsburg. In 1886 he moved his family to New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he worked in the iron mills until 1890 when he moved to Cambridge at the opening of the Cambridge Sheet Steel Company and he was one of the first heaters employed in this mill. He was very skilled in his line. His death occurred in November, 1909; his widow is still living. The elder Pitt was an extensive traveler and, being a close observer, he was a well informed man and took much more than a passing interest in the affairs of his county, desiring to see better conditions for all classes. He was a firm believer in the republican form of government and he was an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, in its caucuses, conventions, etc., but he was not an officer seeker himself. He was also active in labor organizations, GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 817 in fact, every movement having for its object the betterment of the laboring classes and the general good. Albert E. Pitt was educated in the public schools of New Philadelphia and when seventeen years of age he entered the iron mills of that city as an apprentice, learning the trade of rougher. When the foundry was moved to Cambridge he came here and was employed in the mills here and has since resided at this place. Mr. Pitt was married on November 26, 1900, to Minnie May Williams, daughter of Charles and Catherine (Tregoweth) Williams, of Youngstown, Ohio. Mr. Williams was a brick contractor. For the past ten years he has been in the Klondyke gold field in Alaska. His family still reside in Youngstown. Mr. and Mrs. Pitt have no family. Since their marriage Mr. Pitt was employed in the mills of Cambridge until the summer of 1909, since which time he has been employed at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, in the iron mills there, but he still resides in Cambridge where he has a very comfortable home. He is an expert in his special line of work and his services are in demand wherever there is an iron mill. Politically, Mr. Pitt is a Republican and he has long been active in the affairs of the party, his first presidential vote being cast for Roosevelt in 1904, baying missed his vote for McKinley in 1900 by just one month. He has frequently been a delegate to county, district and state conventions. On June 28, 1910, his party nominated him for state senator in the eighteenth and nineteenth senatorial district of Ohio. His candidacy was univerSally regarded as a most fortunate one, owing to his general popularity with the party and his recognized ability and genuine Worth and his public spirit. He is well qualified for any public trust that might be reposed in him, since his integrity and sincerity cannot be questioned. Like his honored father before him, he haS always been active in labor organizations and has always stood ready to do what he could in bettering the condition of the lab0ring classes. He is a member of the Iron and Steel Workers Union and has filled several offices of the association. He was active in the organization of the Trades and Labor Assembly of Guernsey county and served for two terms as president of that organization. He has always been active in every movement calculated to promote the interests of labor. He was legislative representative of the Ohio Federation. of Labor in the seventy-eighth General Assembly of Ohio. He very worthily aspires to the position occupied by his father, who was recognized as a world wide friend of organized labor. He was presented with a very handsome loving cup by the Amalgamated ASsociation or Iron and Steel Workers of Etouria, England. 818 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. The father's family consisted of Harry E. Pitt, of Cambridge; Albert E., of this review; William E., of Pittsburg, and M. Emmiluine, a labor evangelist who is also engaged in newspaper work in Pittsburg. In 1907 the father returned from Cambridge to PittSburg to reSide, having retired from mill work, and his death occurred in the latter city, among his early friends and asSociates and where he had been a great factor in many public movements. Albert E. Pitt is a worthy son of a worthy sire. He and hiS wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in church work. Mrs. Pitt is a cultured and refined woman. Mr. Pitt is a nephew of Rev. Henry Pitt, vicar of St. Mary Magdalene's church at Surrey Square, London, England. Rev. Henry being a brother of Edward D. Pitt, father of the subject. This is indeed a most distinguished family. A deceased Sister of Albert E. Pitt, Queen E., who died in August, 1904, at the family home in Pittsburg, was a great Sunday school worker in the Baptist church and was a teacher of English among the Chinese in the city of Pittsburg, and a young woman greatly admired and beloved for her many commendable qualities of head and heart. CHARLES MELVIN ANDERSON. A popular and succesSful merchant of Byesville and one of the progressive and public spirited citizens of Guernsey county is CharleS Melvin Anderson, a man who is deserving of the confidence which all classes repoSe in him and of the large success which is today his, for he has lived a very industrious and honorable life and has sought to keep untarnished the excellent family name which has been known here for several generations. His birth occurred in Jackson township, this county, on October 12, 1868, and he is the son of Matthias C. Anderson and wife, who are fully mentioned in another sketch in this work. Young Anderson grew to maturity on the home farm and there began working when a mere boy, attending the district schools during the winter months. He later took a term in the Byesville high school under Prof. John A. Bliss. While a young man he did quite a large amount of agency work, taking orders for tea and other commodities. His mind was always commercially inclined and he very early evinced marked innate ability in the mercantile field. He began working in a general Store at Trail Run, in Jackson township, for O. E. and Caleb Trinner. He then went with Moss Brothers & Rigby, with whom he remained until they sold out to the Wills Creek Supply Company. GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 819 In October, 1899, Mr. Anderson came to Byesville and started in business for himself, buying a gents' furnishing establishment of J. E. Addison & Company, and he at once put in a stock of shoes and clothing, taking as a partner in business his brother, O. L. Anderson. They enjoyed a liberal patronage from the first, being men of hustle and true business ability. In 1903 Charles M. purchased the interest of his brother, O. L. Anderson, going to Columbus, where he opened a jewelry store. On September 22, 1904, the store adjoining that of the subject was entirely destroyed by fire, including contentS. Only a five-thousand-dollar insurance was carried on a twelve-thousand-dollar stock of goods. After the fire Mr. Anderson bought a half interest in the lot where his store was located and he and L. S. Resoner built the large cement block building in which the store is now located at Depot and Seneca streets, Byesville. Mr. Anderson's was the first stock of clothing in Byesville and was the only stock for many years, and, although it has since withstood a great deal of competition, it iS still growing and does a very large business, having a prestige second to none. On April 8, 1905, the new building was finished and Mr. Anderson took J. E. Booth into partnership with him. In the fall of 1907 he bought Mr. Booth's interest. In the summer of 1903 Mr. Resoner sold his interest in the building to John Carnes, of Cambridge, and he is still part owner of the same with Mr. Anderson. Besides his large clothing store, Mr. Anderson has other interests, being regarded as one of the leading business men of the county. He has an interest in the Hall Gas Engine Works and in the Citizens five, ten and twenty-five-cent store at Cambridge. Mr. Anderson has been a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias for about twenty years. On October I, 1902, Mr. Anderson was married to Nancy Adeline Coulter, a lady of culture and refinement and the representative of an excellent and influential old family. She was born at Cutler, Washington county, Ohio, and is the daughter of Isaac B. and Esther C. (Goddard) Coulter. Her father was for many years prominently engaged in business at Cutler, and when Mrs. Anderson was fifteen years of age she went into her father's Store. He disposed of his business, retaining, however, the dry goods department of his store, which he moved to Byesville, locating three doors from Mr. Anderson'S place of business. The daughter took charge of the store, which was the first exclusively dry goods store in Byesville, and it was while she was conducting the store that she and Mr. Anderson met. Her parents still reside at Cutler, her old home. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs_ Anderson, named as follows: Mary A., Harry C., Esther E., Ida M. and Bertha L. 820 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson belong to the Methodist Protestant church, and they are both prominent in the social life of this community and have a host of warm personal friends Like the rest of his family, Mr. Anderson is a diligent, honest, straightforward, genial and genteel business man, who makes a success of whatever he turns his attention to, and he has so conducted his business that he has the confidence and good will of all classes. He is a man of broad charity and kind impulses and always ready to do his full share in promoting the general good of his community. JAMES ARTHUR PRYOR. Biographies should not be published unless there is something in the life and character of the individual worthy of emulation or imitation by others under like circumstances—certainly not for self-aggrandizement ; but sufficient has been drawn from the life history of James Arthur Pryor, a well established and progressive business man of Byesville, to show that there is something in the inner life of this man worthy of more than incidental mention. He began life practically at the bottom of the ladder, but he has climbed to the top with no help but a brave heart, industrious hands and an intelligent brain, and he is a splendid example of what may be accomplished in this country by thrift and perseverance, even under discouraging circumstances. He is a very affable gentleman, keen, far-sighted, energetic and he is held in highest esteem. Mr. Pryor was born July 27, 1878, at Waterford, Ohio, and is the son of James Alexander and Arminta (Davis) Pryor. When he was Six weeks old his mother died and the father afterwards remarried, and James A. was left with his sister at Waterford, in Washington county, Ohio, moving to Ava at the age of four years. He lived with her until nine years old, then went to Waterford to live with another sister, with whom he remained about two years, after which he spent two years with his brother, Walter Pryor, at Chandlersville, then spent a year with E. A. Atchison, at Spratt, Ohio, on a farm, as all his boyhood had been spent. At the age of thirteen he worked for his hoard and clothes for a time, then went to Pleasant City with a sister and attended school there. A year later he went to work for R. 0. Knott, at Pleasant City, for the salary of six dollars a month and boarded himself, in a clothing and gents' furnishings store. He was with Mr. Knott for two years and nine months, at the expiration of which time he went to Macksburg and GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 821 was overseer of a hotel, known as the Hamilton house. Sickness compelled him to relinquish that position, much to the regret of everyone there, and he returned to hiS Sister at Pleasant City, where he worked in the general store of C. J. Kinsey for three years, clerking. At the age of twenty-one he was married to Carrie B. Scholl, of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, the daughter of Charles and Emma (Unger) Scholl. Her mother was a daughter of Josiah Unger, who was a leader in the Civil war. The next venture made by Mr. Pryor was to borrow one hundred dollars of one Isaac Secrest, of Pleasant City, giving hiS note therefor, and bought with this samples of merchandise, from which he took orders, and filled them. InSide of six months he had paid off the note. He continued in that way for one year, then opened a Small store at Pleasant City in a room fifteen by thirty-one feet in size. In 1903 Mr. Pryor moved to ByeSville, Ohio, and there bought a lot and built a store on Sixth street, of that town. He carried on merchandising at this place for about two years, at the end of which time, with undaunted courage, he sold his little St0re and took over the property of "The Big Store," owned by T. F. Slay. It was really a big store, and it seemed to some that it was ridiculous for him to think of buying it with his limited means. Nothing daunted, however, he went to E. F. Meek, who, though not a personal friend nor relative of Mr. Pryor, endorsed his notes for three thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars, due in nine and eighteen months. By energy and close application to business he persevered and the notes were paid off in less than sixty days. He worked like a man possessed, which is certainly great evidence of his thrift and tact. In February, 1908, Mr. Pryor was involved in a deal in options for coal land. His partner withdrew because of lack of capital to carry it through, leaving on Mr. Pryor the burden of the whole deal. In this he again showed his ability as a financier, by landing the deal in leSs than three days, in a way most pleasing and gratifying to himself. He left the deal in the hands of good, reliable and financially responsible people to continue the development of one of the best blocks of coal in Guernsey county. He next consummated a deal for buying the C. S. Gager Dry Goods Company's store in Byesville. He then bought the lot where his new store is now located on Depot street, one of the best sites in Byesville, and erected the brick building he now occupies, which ranks among the finest in Byesville. September 24, 1908, the building was completed and the store in its new quarters ready for business. The store occupies two floors, each thirty-five by one hundred and twenty feet, without a pier or a post, as large a clear floor space as can be found in any store in this county. In 1908 and 1909 he bought and sold ninety-four 822 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. different pieces of real estate, in Byesville. In 1910 he completed another handsome brick business block, adjoining the one occupied by his store, the new one being occupied by Eberle & McCormick's furniture store, and Beckett & Peter's pool room, both establishments being of high grade and a credit to the city. Besides the deals above mentioned, Mr. Pryor has been interested in many other enterprises. Mr. Pryor also owns several good business locations in Byesville, all on paved streets and well kept up. His home is one of the modern and attractive ones of Byesville. He Seeks good property as the basis of his investments. In addition to his other business ventures, he has an establishment at Byesville, where he sells buggies, wagons and farming implements. On October 5, 1910, he purchased his old stand opposite his large drygoods store, which he sold to the firm of Gaskill & Froelich, general store, three and one-half years ago, where he has an extensive and growing trade. This, in connection with his other mercantile interests, is probably the largest business of the kind in Guernsey county. Mr. and Mrs. Pryor have one little daughter, Pauline, a bright, winsome child. Mr. Pryor is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Pleasant City and the Knights of Pythias at Byesville. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and his wife to the German Lutheran church. JAMES G. COMBS. From small beginnings James G, Combs, well known citizen of Byesville, Guernsey county, has gradually attained a prominence in this locality which entitles him to be regarded as one of our progressive citizens and therefore worthy to rank among them in a biogaphical compendium of the nature of the one at hand. Mr. Combs waS born near Winterset, Guernsey county, Ohio, in June, 1855, and he is the son of William and Delilah (Kimble) Combs. The father was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1820 and he there grew to maturity and received his education, coming to Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1838. He followed farming and here he was married to Delilah Kimble, a native of Jefferson township, this county. She Was the daughter of Adam and Mary (Huffman) Kimble, the father a pioneer here, having taken up land from the government. Their family consisted of four children : George W., who lives near Winterset ; Martin, deceased; James G., of this review, and Mary Catherine, wife of George Lanning, who is engineer of the rolling GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 823 mills at Cambridge. William CombS and wife lived near Winterset until about 1900, then moved to Cambridge and lived with the daughter, Mrs. Lanning. The death of William CombS occurred in March, 1910, and he was buried on Easter Sunday. He would have been ninety years of age the 16th of the following May. He was a grand old man whom everyone respected and admired, becoming a man of good standing in his community. He was for many years school director and trustee of his township two or three terms. He was a deacon in the Baptist church for many years, holding this office at the time of his death. He was a good and useful man in his community. The death of Mrs. William Combs occurred in August, 1906. She was a woman of many praiseworthy characteristics, like her husband. James G. Combs grew to Maturity on the farm near Winterset, and he devoted his attention to farming, also worked a great deal at the carpenter's trade. He was married on April 4, 1878, to Allie J. McColley, daughter of William and Sarah (Saviers) McColley. She waS born and reared near Antrim, this county. Her father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, and there he grew to maturity, locating in Antrim about 1841 ; her mother was born in MadiSon township, this county. Her grandfather, John Saviers, came here at an early date and took up government land and figured prominently in the early history of this locality. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Combs continued to live on the farm in their neighborhood until November, 1908, when they moved to Byesville, where they still reside, but still retain their farm near Winterset, where he farms and keeps stock. Like his honored father before him, he has taken the part of a broad-minded citizen in local affairs. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Baptist church, while his wife belongs to the Presbyterian church. They have three sons and two daughters : William Delno is a dentist and is located at Kenton, Ohio; Harry L. is in the Adams Express office in Columbus; John is in the drug business with his father in Byesville; Kittie May and Pearl are both in Byesville and assist in the drug store, which is a neat and model one and where a large trade is carried on at all times. Fraternally, Mr. Combs is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. When Adam Kimble and John Saviers came to this county they both located near where the town of Winterset is now. It was the virgin forest, through which Indians and wild beasts roamed. These gentlemen located on adjoining farms, which they purchased direct from the government. They were great hunters and found deer and other game abundant. They found a white deer which they protected from other hunters, making a pet of it. 824 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. Like their fellow pioneers, they built log cabins in the woods, and they were molested by the wolves, which kept up their howlings by night. They spun flax and made their own cl0thing, Some of which the Subject still remembers. Grandmother Kimble had a loom and did her own weaving. ERASTUS F. MEEK. The Meek family is eminently deserving of representation in a work of the province of the one at hand, for many reasons too obvious for specific mention, as will be seen from a perusal of the following paragraphs, and one of the best known members of the present generation is Erastus F. Meek, of Byesville, who was born on the site of this city on July 13, 1844. The major part of his life has been spent in this vicinity, so that the history of Byesville and his own record are, in a way, one and the same. He is the youngest son of Jacob and Hannah (Hastings) Meek, who came to what is now Byesville as early as 1831, the land then being in primitive woods. The ancestry of the Meek family is traceable by the genealogist back through nearly three centuries, to Guy Meek and others of this family who were of Welsh descent; but they came t0 America from Shrewsberry, England, with Charles Calvert, the third Lord Baltimore, and received a grant of land in Maryland, between 1661 and 1670. Guy Meek was the father of Isaac, and he in turn also had a son Isaac, and the latter also named one of his Sons Isaac. The third Isaac Meek was born in Annapolis, province of Maryland, on October 14, 1746, and his death occurred on his farm near Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, December 12, 1840, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. He married Mary Robinson and eleven children were born to them, of whom the fourth was Joshua, who became the father of Jacob, and Jacob was the father of Erastus F. Meek. Isaac Meek, the great-grandfather of the subject, was a prominent man in his clay. He settled in Brooks county, West Virginia, about 1770. The region was known at that time as WeSt Augusta, Virginia, and was later incorporated in Ohio county and later was a part of Brooks county. During his residence there and while the territory was known as Ohio county, he was, for a number of terms, a. member of the county court. In 1778 he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Virginia militia. He took an active part in the Indian wars of his day and, according to family tradition, he was with John McCulloch in his gallant clash to the rescue of Fort Henry in 1777, and accompanied the expedition of General Broadhead into Ohio in GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 825 1781. At the formation of Brooks county in 1796 he became a member of the first county court of that county. In 1798 or 1799 he moved to Jefferson county, Ohio. and settled on Short creek near the present town of Mt. Pleasant. He was elected a member of the first Legislature of Ohio in 1803, and was a prominent factor in the political and religious circles of Jefferson county. He helped found the Holmes meeting-house, the first Methodist church in Ohio. HiS fourth son, Joshua, was born at Buffalo Creek, Ohio county, Virginia, on March 20, 1773, married Elizabeth Hedge, daughter of Silas Hedge, their wedding occurring in Brooks county, Virginia, on October 31, 1797, and his death occurred at Byesville, Ohio, on September 4, 184.7, his widow surviving him until November 2, 1862. Her brother. Joseph Hedge, was in the war of 1812 and was killed by the Indians. Eleven children were born to Joshua and Elizabeth Meek, namely : Joseph, Mary, Margaret, Love Pumphrey, Elizabeth, Ruth, Isaac, Susan, Jacob, Solomon and Rebecca. Their son, Jacob Meek, was born in 1810, and about 1831 he married Hannah Hastings, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, and was the daughter of James and Martha (Black) Hastings. The parents of James Hastings came from Ireland. Soon after their marriage Jacob Meek and wife came to where Byesville now stands, and there bought one hundred acres, contained in Military Lot No. 1, that ran west from what is now Depot street, south of Main street, paying the sum of four hundred dollars for the same. It was nearly all covered with woods, only a small part having been cleared and on the land was a log cabin. Later he bought Military Lot No. 16, one hundred acres, west of and adjoining the first tract, for which he paid seven hundred dollars. Still later he bought Military Lot No. 3, of one hundred acres, also adjoining and twenty-five acres off of Military Lot No. 2, at what is now the southwest corner of Main and Depot streets in Byesville. He also had a large farm in Jefferson county, to which he removed in 1847, remaining there six years, then returning to Byesville. He also owned a number of other tracts of land at different times in Guernsey county. He was industrious and an excellent manager, was a strong Republican, well known in both Jefferson and Guernsey counties. His death occurred in 1859, his widow surviving until 1877. Erastus F. Meek, the immediate subject of this review, grew to maturity on his father's farms and assisted with the farm work until the Civil war. On August 8, 1862, when only eighteen years of age, he enlisted at Mt. Zion church in Company .B, Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Fourth Army Corps, as a private and was promoted to corporal. He was on special duty as orderly at General Wagoner's headquarters about nine months, from July, 826 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. 1863. While in Kentucky in 1862 he had typhoid fever and waS left by the roadside. He was taken to a private houSe by Robert Butler, a civilian, and was ill three months. He rejoined hiS regiment at Stone river. He was in the battles of Perrysville, MisSionary Ridge, Charleston, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, New Hope Church, the first and second battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Lavergne, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville and was in many skirmishes; after much hard service and a record of which anyone should be proud, he was honorably diScharged on June 1d, 1865. Three of his brothers were also in the war, Joseph, Joshua and James. On March 16, 1867, Mr. Meek married Jane Wilson, daughter of John C. and Mary Ann (Burt) Wilson. She was born and reared near Byesville, and during her girlhood lived a few years in Iowa. Her father was a native of this county and was a cousin of Henry H. Wilson, whose sketch appears herein. The Wilson family was of Irish descent and was well known in Guernsey county. After his marriage Mr. Meek continued farming until 1889. From that date until 1893 he was postmaster of Byesville. He performed his duty in a most faithful and conscientious manner, so well, in fact, that Postmaster-General Wanamaker wrote him a letter of thanks. After that he was notary public and engaged in the real estate business in Byesville, which he continued successfully until the latter part of 1908. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Meek, of whom only four are living, namely : James H. died when three months old ; Louie B. was the wife of Dr. A. B. Clark and they resided at Joplin, Missouri ; her death occurred on November 22, 1891 ; Jacob Homer died on December 8, 1893, from an injury received in the mines ; Melinda died when four years old; Hannah M. is the wife of E. D. Corrin and lives at Colorado Springs, Colorado ; Blanche I. is the wife of Charles Albert Orr; the seventh child, an infant daughter, died of whooping cough; Leroy W., who is a dentist at Soda Springs, Idaho, married Emma Doty, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Bessie E. is the wife of Harry Heed and lives in Byesville ; Vera Zoe died when ten months old. The mother of these children died on November 7, 1908. She was a member of the Protestant Methodist church, of which Mr. Meek is also a member. He is now living in Byesville looking after his real estate interests. Politically, he is a Republican, and he was township assessor for four years. He was also justice of the peace at Byesville and was trustee of Jackson township for six years, also township clerk for six years. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a charter member GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 827 of David Kimball Post, No. 662, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was post commander. He was a member of the Byesville city council for six years, and was a member and Secretary of the Guernsey county soldiers relief commisSion for two yearS, resigning on August I, 1907, when he went to Colorado for his health. It iS Safe to say that Mr. Meek is 0ne of the most highly esteemed men in the vicinity of Byesville, and thiS is as it Should be, considering hiS exemplary life. WILLIAM S. STAGE. Among the well known residents of ByeSville is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, who has always taken his full Share in the activities of the neighborhood, and who is the descendant of a family of pioneers and soldiers long identified with the interests 0f Guernsey county, in which some of the members were among the early settlers, and whose share in its history has been such that this volume would be incomplete without their mention. William S. Stage was born in Center township, Guernsey county, Ohio, on March 10, 1865, the son of William M. and Isabel (Arbuckle) Stage. William M. Stage was born in Center township, and was the son of John and Elizabeth Stage. His parents came from New York state, in the early part of the last century, and settled in Center township. Among their children were John, who died young, and five daughters. William M. was the only son who lived to maturity. After the death of his first wife, he married Elizabeth Foy, by whom he was the father of six children, Cornelius, Jacob, George, James, Samuel and Phoebe. William M. Stage grew up in Center township. During the Civil war he was a soldier in Company G, Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service over two years, taking part, among other campaigns, in Sherman's march to the sea. He married Isabel Arbuckle, a daughter of James A. Arbuckle and a sister 0f Alexander Arbuckle, whose sketch see. Some time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stage moved to Jackson township and lived there the rest of their lives, until his death, on March 26, 1882, and hers on April 4, 1908. Their children were Joseph, Freeman. Lucy, Cephas, William S., Thomas and Marion. Mr. Stage was a farmer during the greater part of hiS life, and successful. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion a Baptist, a member of Mt. Zion church. He was a man esteemed and respected by his neighbors. 828 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. William S. Stage grew up on his father's farm, and farmed during the early portion of his life. He was married on November 19, 1881, to Mary E. Galbraith, who was born and reared in Spencer township, near Cumberland, and is the daughter of Henry P. and Frances E. (Evans) Galbraith. After marriage, William S. Stage lived on a Jackson township farm for some time, and also worked in the mines. Then he moved to a farm in Spencer township, where he lived for about a year. Selling this, he removed to Byesville, and for three years carried mail on a rural route. In 1906 he went into the livery business in Byesville, and has since continued this very successfully and profitably. M r. Stage was born and bred a Republican, and haS been active in township. and county politics. He served one term as trustee of Jackson township, and is now serving as a member of the school board of the Byesville school district, and takeS his share in the work of the party organization, being one of the workers on whom hiS party can always rely. Mr. and Mrs.. Stage are the parents of three children, Hazel, Emma, Herschel Marion and Frances Isabel, all at home. Both are members of the Mt. Zion Baptist church. Mr. Stage is known to many people in his region of the county, has many friends, gained by his geniality and agreeability of nature, and has never been known to refuse to a friend anything in reason. H. P. Galbraith, father of Mrs. Stage, was born on a farm in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and was the son of William and Margaret Galbraith. In his boyhood, his parents moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, where he grew to manhood, his occupation being that of a farmer. On February 21, 1859, he was married to Frances E. Evans, of Guernsey county, Ohio. They lived in Pennsylvania a year, then came to Guernsey county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Frances E. Evans was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, and when a small child she came with her parents to Guernsey county, Ohio. Her parents purchased a farm near Claysville, Westland township, where she grew to womanhood. She was for some years a teacher in the country schools. She was the daughter of A. and Frances E. Evans, whose six children were Alcinda, Elizabeth, Frances, John, William and Mortimore. Her paternal grandparents came from Wales, and her mother's people were slave-holders at the time of the Civil war. To H. P. and Frances Galbraith were born seven children, namely : William, Ellsworth, Idella, Mary, Charles, Viola and Calvin. Mr. and Mrs. Galbraith were members of the Bethel Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Galbraith died at the home of her 'daughter, Mrs. Stage, in Byesville, September 20, 1907, and was buried at the old Zion cemetery, near Claysville. Mr. Galbraith, who now makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Stage, is of Scotch-Irish GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 829 descent. He was drafted during the latter part of the Civil war and served one hundred days at Gallipolis under Captain Coleman. He was eighty-six years old on November 22, 1910. REV. EBENEZER FINLEY THOMPSON. It would indeed be quite imposSible to give even an approximate review of the great good done in the locality of which this history treats by the Rev. Ebenezer Finley Thompson, long since a pilgrim to the "city not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," for, during a long and laborious career, he sought to spread the gospel of peace and service among his fellow men, and aid them iri any way possible, deeming it his mission in this sinful, benighted, evil-cursed world to expend his energy and devote much effort in making thoSe better and happier with whom his lot was cast, consequently his light will continue to shine among them, growing brighter "unto the perfect day." As a preacher he was earnest, forceful, logical and often truly eloquent. Reverend Thompson was born December 25, 1807, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, near New Salem, the son of Judge William and Elizabeth (Finley) Thompson. The Thompsons and Finleys are of Scotch-Irish descent. Jacob Thompson, the great-grandfather of the subject, was the first Thompson coming to America a few years later than 1700, and landed at Battumon. His wife was Ann Downard. He was a farmer. His son, James, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1758, in Maryland, and married Mary Jackson, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. Some years later the family went to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in farming. His son, William, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1783, and was married to Elizabeth Finley, who are the Parents of the subject. There were in the family of William Thompson the following children : Ebenezer Finley, of this review ; James, who became a lawyer ; Jane, who became Mrs. Rev. George Richey ; William; Harriet J. and Elizabeth J. Evans. William Thompson came with his family to what is now Guernsey county, Ohio, in August, 1810, and settled in Possum valley. A few years later he bought land two miles east of Senecaville and built a grist mill, one of the very earliest of its time. He was a large land owner and was active in the affairs of the new country. A few years following this he bought lands upon which a large part of Senecaville is now built, owning about three hun- 830 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO dred acres in this one piece of land. He was a very prominent man, served as a member of the Ohio Legislature, and also as county judge. He died from cholera in June, 1833, and is buried beside his father and mother, in the cemetery at Senecaville. He died in the prime of life and in the most active years of his life, aged forty-nine years. His widow died in 1860 and iS also buried at Senecaville. His son, Ebenezer F., was at the time of his father's death engaged in the mercantile business and continued in this for some years in connection with his brothers. Soon after his father's death he became converted and decided to enter the ministry. He closed out his business and prepared for a college course. He had accumulated considerable property prior to this time. He had attended the public schools of Senecaville and prepared for the ministry at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and at Ohio University at Athens, Ohio, and, finishing his education, was ordained by the Cumberland Presbyterian church and immediately began his ministerial work in Guernsey county. Reverend Thompson was married May 20, 1845, to Louisa Halley, daughter of Edward and Mary (Wartenbee) Halley, of near Byesville, Guernsey county. Mr. Halley was of English descent and both the Halleys and Wartenbees were large land owners and mill operators from Wheeling to Zanesville. To Reverend and Mrs. Thompson were born three daughters and two sons : Mary E., who is Mrs. James Kaho, of Senecaville; Nellie T., now MrS. Robert P. Burns, of Senecaville; Hattie L., now Mrs. Jacob S. Mowery, of the state of Oregon ; William H., of Senecaville; and Ebenezer D., of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Thompson spent the entire years of his ministry in Guernsey county and vicinity. His health was Such that he was not capable of constant work and he retired to his farm near Senecaville. He was a Republican in politics and a man very active in public affairs, a public-spirited citizen and every effort calculated to improve conditions and uplift the people had his hearty support. He was a splendid man, highly respected and a man of wide influence. His death occurred on January 21, 1884, his widow surviving until December 27, 1903, and both are buried in the Senecaville cemetery. The daughter, Nellie T., was married July 25, 1876, to Robert P. Burns, of Jacksonville, Greene county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Burns lived in Senecaville, Mr. Burns being a traveling salesman. To Mr. and Mrs. Burns the following children were born : Halley A. is married and resides in Senecaville : Arthur married and liveS in Senecaville; Mary A., now Mrs. Raymond Lowry. of Senecaville ; Robert, at home. GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 831 Mr. and Mrs. Burns were both music teachers and each of the children have very marked musical ability and have musical educations. Mr. Burns passed to his rest July 28, 1895, and is buried in the Senecaville cemetery. WILLIAM. M. MOSER. One of the honored veteranS of the great war of the Rebellion is William M. Moser, of Richland township, a man who, like a true patriot, gave up the pleasureS of his own fireside and the emoluments of business and unselfishly went forth to defend the old flag. He has lived to see and take part in the great development of Guernsey county, having always been a hard worker and ready to do his full share in furthering all laudable local interests. Mr. Moser was born September 9, 1839, in Richland township, Guernsey county, Ohio, on a farm three miles northwest of Senecaville, the son of John and Sarah (Anderson) Moser. The father was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Belmont county, Ohio. The father came to Richland township, as a young man, about 1833, and bought a farm in the woodland and owned it until his death, the farm where his son was born. The father was married in 1837 and engaged in farming all his life, becoming a large land owner and prosperous. He was a large stock raiser and feeder and was always active in public matters, being especially interested in good schools and good roads. He served as a member of the school board and in various township offices. He raised a family of eight children, who were : William M., the subject of this sketch; James H., on a farm in Richland township; John C., deceased ; Amanda, now Mrs. Elijah Millhone, of Byesville; Mary E. is single; Sarah E., now Mrs. William T. Gibson, of Pasadena, California ; Julia A., now Mrs. P. A. Walker, of Columbus, Ohio; Mathias C., deceased. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church and devout church people. The father died October 30, 1876, and his widow died in July, 1893. Both are buried in the cemetery at Senecaville. William M. Moser spent his youth on his father'S farm and remained with the parents until his father's death and then with his mother as long as she lived. He obtained his education in the district schools of the township. Mr. Moser has been always a farmer and has prospered. Has large land holdings, besides several pieces of town property. Mr. Moser enlisted in the army on February 2, 1862, as a member of Company B, First Ohio Cavalry, and served about two years, when he was discharged for disability. He was 832 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. in the Army of the Cumberland and participated in many engagementS, being at the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, and Perryville, Kentucky, and various other fierce battles. His health was broken by the service and he has never been a robust man since. He has always been identified with farming and stock raising. In 1888 he moved to Senecaville from the farm, but kept his farm and coal land interests actively in hand until about three years ago, when he gave up much of this active work and has been living a retired life. He is a Republican in politics and has been active in public affairs. He has served as mayor of Senecaville and on the school board for ten years, is always interested in education and progress and always in the forefront of all movements calculated to advance the best interests of the people. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and an ardent church and Sunday School worker, a most excellent woman. Mr. Moser is a most excellent citizen and few men have the confidence and respect of the people to the extent that he has. ANDREW MOORE. Among the truly valued and interesting characters of early days in Guernsey county were the two Andrew Moores—father and son. This memoir will treat especially of the son, who was the father-in-law of Col. C. P. B. Sarchet, of Cambridge. The father, Andrew Moore, Sr., was descended from Scotch-Welsh ancestry, who settled at an early day in New Castle county, Delaware. The first American ancestor of this family established a "smithy", blacksmith shop, near New Castle, which trade was handed down from father to son. It was there that Andrew, Sr., learned the trade. At his majority he married Elizabeth Bines, by whom nine children were born : Robert B., William, James B., Andrew,. Thomas, Jacob, Maria, Harriet and Eliza. Soon after his marriage he removed to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where Gen. Robert B. Moore, late of California, and William Moore, of this county, were born. About 1797 he removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where James B. Moore, of Cambridge, was born. Still following the western tide of emigration, the year 1803 found him located at Wellsburg, West Virginia, where Andrew was born, February 12th of that year. Mr. Moore the following year removed to Newellstown, Belmont county, Ohio, and in April, 1806, settled near 'what was then called "Smithton" (now the Lost GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 833 town), and after the formation of Guernsey county it was called Frankford on the Zane Trace, or old Wheeling road, and there 0pened up what became a notable place, Moore'S Tavern, known far and near for itS good cheer and hospitality. To the hotel was attached the "smithy," where glowed brightly the blacksmith'S forge and sounded the ringing anvil. Here young Andrew spent his youthful days as the son of a pioneer backwoodsman, doing such labor on the farm and about the tavern as one of his years could do. He was apprenticed to learn the trade of a tanner, when sixteen years of age, to a Mr. Erskine, at St. Clairsville. When he had served his time and secured his freedom suit, three months' schooling and his Bible, the last item in the agreement, he set out for the East, where he spent several years in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Wilmington as a "jour" tanner. He was unsuccessful in his efforts and returned to his father's place and in 1826 was united in marriage to Margaret Bines, by which union he had one son, Robert B. Moore. He commenced to work with his team on the National road, then being constructed, and during the time there engaged obtained sufficient money with which to purchase one hundred acres of land in the Salt creek valley, west of Middleton. After the completion of that great highway in 1829 he opened a tavern in Middleton, which he owned until the death of his first wife. In 1834 he married, for his second wife, Elizabeth Riggs, and removed to the farm. By this marriage he had three children, Mrs. C. P. B. Sarchet, Maj. James W. Moore and Mrs. Henry L. Twining, all of Guernsey county and all present at his funeral. During the time of his keeping tavern, Mr. Moore was largely engaged in driving horses, cattle and hogs, with his brothers, and made many trips over the far-away mountains. He thus formed a large acquaintance and knew and was known by all the leading drovers over the National pike. About 1845 he commenced wagoning west from Wheeling, with the old fashioned white-covered broad tread wagon, removing again to Middletown, and in 1848 to Cambridge, purchasing the old homestead of Gen. Robert B. Moore and a part of the old Chapman farm. He continued in the business of wagoning, through cold and heat, year in and year out, until the completion of the Central Ohio railroad in 1854, when he began to haul coal from his own farm to Cambridge and was thus engaged until about 1870, when he felt old age creeping on. Worn out with the life 0f exposure, he retired and spent the remainder of his days an almost helpless invalid, with his children, enjoying the confidence and respect of the entire community. He departed this life at the home of his s0n-in-law, C. P. B. 834 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. Sarchet, of Cambridge, Thursday, September 2, 1880, aged seventy-seven years and six months, and waS laid to rest in the Cambridge cemetery, where repose so many of the old pioneers. JAMES L. DILLEY. Among the native-born residents of the vicinity of Senecaville, Richland township, Guernsey county, who have reached a well merited SucceSS there must be included the name of JameS L. Dilley, for, having applied himself in a most asSiduous manner to whatever he undertook, he haS been largely rewarded. No man is better known in this section of the county than he, and his career has a double interest when it is learned that he is one of the honored veterans of the great civil conflict of nearly a half century ago, having gone forth, like the patriotic Spartan of old, to do or die for his country on many a sanguinary field of combat. James L. Dilley was born March 24, 1841, in Cambridge, Ohio, the son of Valentine J. and Amanda W. (Hutchison) Dilley. The father was born in Richland township, and the grandfather, Joseph Dilley, came to Guernsey county from New Jersey with the early pioneerS. Both grandfather and father were farmers. The father was also a shoemaker and conducted a shop at Cambridge for a number of yearS and in 1845 moved to Senecaville, where he conducted a shop for some years, but later engaged in farming in different parts of the county and eventually returned to Senecaville, where he died in June, 1886, and his widow on April 8, 1906. He was a Republican in politics and active in public affairs, but not an office seeker, though he served as a member of the first town council of Senecaville and also aS assessor of Richland township. He was a man of sterling character and integrity. The parents had a family of twelve children : James L., the subject of this sketch; Richard H., of Cambridge ; Susan, deceased; Joseph, of DuncanS Falls, Muskingum county, Ohio; Mary Ann, deceased; Caroline E., now Mrs. John W. James, of Maxburg, Washington county, Ohio; Minerva U., now Mrs. Richard Lowry, of Senecaville; Harriet, deceased; Amanda, now Mrs. James Nelson, of Senecaville; William, deceased; Ephraim, deceased; Sarah Frances, deceased. James L. Dilley, who waS the third in order of birth, grew up in Senecaville and obtained his education in the public schoolS. In 1858 the family moved to Cumberland, Guernsey county, and from there to Maxburg, Wash- GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 835 ington county. There, on October 26, 1861, he enliSted in Company G, Sixty- second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years' service in the Army of the Potomac, during the Civil war. He served three years and on January 1, 1864, he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment for another three years, or during the war. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out on July 15, 1865, Serving almost continuously for four years. His regiment was mostly with the Army of the Potomac and he participated in twenty-six battles, the Sixty-second Regiment being always on duty and on the firing line. On April 6, 1865, just three days before General Lee's surrender, Mr. Dilley waS wounded in the right thigh in the battle of High Bridge, Virginia, having passed through without any serious injury up to that time. His limb was amputated and was so injured that an artificial limb was impossible. He had a splendid record. After the close of the war Mr. Dilley returned home. His parents were living in Maxburg, Washington county, Ohio, where he engaged in the mercantile business with his brother, Richard H. Dilley. He was in busineSs there for about four years. He was married September 4, 1868, to Clara A. Miller, daughter of Samuel and Charlotte N. (Goodwell) Miller, of Maxburg, Ohio. To this union were born the following children : Sarah Francis, deceased; Joseph, deceased ; William, of Caldwell, Ohio, and Lillie, deceased; Samuel, of Senecaville; Inez, deceased; James A., of Senecaville; Helen, deceased; Mildred, at home. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Dilley lived in Maxburg for about one year, when they removed to Duncansis Falls, Muskingum county, where he was engaged in the jewelry business for nine years. In 1880 he moved to Senecaville and engaged in the jewelry businesS until 1908, when he retired from active business. Mr. Dilley is a Republican in politics and alwayS has been an active party man. He has served as assessor of Aurelias township, in Washington county, for two years. He has served as a member of the town council of Senecaville for twenty years, and is now president of the same. He has served as a member of the Republican county central committee for years and has been a delegate to county, district and state conventions. He is now a member of the Guernsey county soldiers' relief board. He is a member of the Buchanan Post No. 541, Grand Army of the Republic, and has been commander of the post and is now adjutant. He has been a delegate to the state encampment and is active in all work of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Dilley 836 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. is an adherent of that church and a liberal supporter of the church. He iS also a member of the Senecaville board of education, iS a man of high standing and a splendid citizen in every respect. WILLIAM P. EVANS. In all the various lines of business which have received the attention of William P. Evans he has shown remarkable aptitude and has been uniformly successful in each, being a man of inherent business ability and of pleasing address, so that his dealing with the general public is made easy and he holds high rank among the leading business men of Cambridge and Guernsey county. Mr. Evans was born on March 30, 1859, to Nantytlo, South Wales, and is the son of Evan and Sarah (Jones) Evans. The father was a carpenter and died when the Son was a mere lad, and the latter went to work in a rolling mill. He waS only seven years of age when his father died and, having to hustle for himself, his early schooling was meager, but this deficiency has been overcome in later years by miscellaneous reading and home study. He worked in the iron mills of his native town until 1878, when he was nineteen years of age, then emigrated to America, first locating at Niles, Ohio, where he worked in the iron mills, remaining there until April, 1883, when he moved to New Philadelphia, where he found employment in the iron mills as a shearer. He lived in that city until 1891, when he came to Cambridge and was one of the first employes in the Cambridge Iron & Steel Company's mills, when it first became an industry, and he has been with the same mill ever since and has continued at the same job, which is evidence of his reliability and skill,—in fact, he is regarded as an expert in his line. Mr. Evans was married on March 27, 1880, to Ann EvanS, daughter of Reece and Jane (Roberts) Evans, of Hubbard, Ohio, her father being a coal miner and a native of Wales. He has been deceased about thirty years, but his widow still survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Evans four children have been born, namely : Ann, now Mrs. William E. Westbrook, of Newark, Ohio; William lives at home; Evan R. is also a member of the family circle; both these sons work in the mill with their father ; and Susan, who is also at home. Mr. Evans has a very comfortable dwelling in Cambridge and also a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres in Jefferson township, where he spends his vacations with his family and where he contemplates retiring at-an GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 837 early date, giving up mill work and taking life a little easier, for forty-five years in the mill entitles him to a little reSpite. It is his intention to make this a model farm and to make a specialty of high-grade livestock. Politically, Mr. Evans is a Republican and he has always been active in party affairs. While a resident of New Philadelphia he served aS constable, and while there he was injured by an explosion in the mill and was incapacitated for work for a full year. During the months of convalescence he attended a normal school, taught by John P. Kuntz, in the basement of the court house, this being his first and only schooling, and he made wonderful progress during those months. He was at that time very poor and had a wife and one child. John M. Custer, a cousin of the famouS General Custer, made it possible for Mr. EvanS to attend school and live comfortably at the same time, he thus owing the former a debt of gratitude and reverence which he has never felt that he could adequately repay, although the financial part of the debt was long ago settled. Mr, Evans is a member of the New Philadelphia lodge of Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Episcopal church and his wife belongs to the Baptist church. He is a man of strong convictions and sturdy integrity and his word is his bond. As a friend, he is a strong advocate and as an opponent he iS fair but unrelenting. He enjoys travel and has just recently returned from an extended western trip. He visited relatives in Seattle whom he had not seen for forty yearS, Since leaving Wales. He has never visited his native country and has become thoroughly Americanized and a strong supporter of our government. While regretting his own lack of educational advantages, he is giving his children every opportunity in that line. NATHANIEL LEPAGE. Having been born and reared in Guernsey county, and having spent his very active and useful life here, it is doubtful if any man in this locality is better or more favorably known than Nathaniel Lepage, of Senecaville, Richland township. Honesty and fair dealing have been his watchwords, and these twin virtueS have been personified in his active life, so that he has always enjoyed the friendship and respect of his neighbors and wide circle of acquaintances. Born April 7, 1841, in Cambridge townShip, this county, on a farm, he is the Son of Thomas and Rachel (Sarchet) Lepage. Both par- 838 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. ents are natives of the isle of Guernsey, and came to America as young people. Father Lepage was an orphan, but the mother came with her parents in the year 1809, and they were active in the pioneer life of the locality. The father was a farmer of Cambridge township, and a large land owner and was a prosperous man. He was a devout churchman and one of the founders of the Methodist Protestant church in Cambridge and an active member in its affairs. He was a Whig in politics until the formation of the Republican party, when he became a Republican. Always interested in public affairs, but never an office seeker, he devoted his time to his stock raising interests. He died in 1879, his wife dying a number of years prior, in 1845, and both are buried in a private family burying ground on the home farm, two miles north of Cambridge. In the parents' family were nine children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and four of whom are now living: Adam, of Cambridge ; Mary Jane, now Mrs. John Campbell, of Cambridge ; Nathaniel, the subject of this sketch; Cornelius, of Cambridge. Those now dead are Peter, Martha, Cyrus, Thomas and Rachel. Nathaniel Lepage spent his childhood and youth on the home farm, and was educated in the country district Schools of the time in a log school house. He remained on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he began the trade of a firmer with Samuel Burges, of Cambridge. After learning his trade he came to Senecaville, in 1860, and established himself in the tinware and hardware business, which he continued until 1890, when he retired from the business and became postmaster at Senecaville under appointment by President Benjamin Harrison. He served four years, when he was succeeded by a Democrat during the second term of President Cleveland. He was reappointed in 1897 by President McKinley and served continuously until August 22, 1910, when he resigned on account of ill health. He is a Republican in politics and has been active in party matters. Has served as a member of the Republican county central committee, and was a frequent delegate to county and district conventions. He served as mayor of Senecaville for two terms and a member of the town council on several occasions, also as a member of the Senecaville board of education for a number of years. He is a member of the Senecaville Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all the chairs in both lodges at two different times, and was a charter member of both lodges in Senecaville. Mr. Lepage was married on October 10, 1862, to Lovina Leisure, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Leisure, of Senecaville, the father being dead before the daughter's marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Lepage were born two children, Lillie May, now Mrs. L. K. Thompson, of Brooklyn, New York, GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 839 and another child who died in infancy. The wife and mother died AuguSt 13, 1865. Mr. Lepage's second marriage took place on October 18, 1867, to Mary E. Rose, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Ann Rose, of Senecaville. To this union were born : Charles, of Senecaville; Leona, now Mrs. John W. Chester, of Nashville, Tennessee ; Thomas F., of Guernsey county; William B., of Hartford, Guernsey county ; Cora, now Mrs. Elmer Smith, of Lafayette, Colorado; Mary, deceased. The wife and mother died in June, 1877. Mr. Lepage's third marriage was solemnized on December 10, 1879, to Mary E. Mackvicker, daughter of Alexander and Martha Mackvicker, of Noble county. To this union no children have been born. Mrs. Lepage died on August 10, 1907. Mr. Lepage and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he has always been active in church and Sunday School work, and for forty-eight years has been a Sunday school teacher. He is a man of high character and enviable reputation. He has always been a public- spirited citizen, and all movements that have for their object the betterment of conditions and the uplift of mankind find in Mr. Lepage a willing and active supporter. He is now enjoying a retired life after many years of activity and push. WILLIAM HAMMOND BLAIR. The history of the loyal Sons and representative citizens of Guernsey county would not be complete should the name that heads this review be omitted. When the fierce fire of the rebellion was raging throughout the Southland, threatening to destroy the Union, he responded with patriotic fervor to the call of volunteers, and in some of the bloodiest battles for which that great war was noted, proved his loyalty to the government he loved so well. During the subsequent years, up to the time of his death, he was remembered among the honored and reSpected citizens of his community. In official positions and private life alike he proved himself every inch a man, standing "four square to every wind that blows," and he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character. William Hammond Blair, a veteran of the Civil war, and for many years city marshal, and later chief of police of Cambridge, died at his home on South Sixth street, Saturday evening, October 22, 1910, about seven-fifteen o'clock, the cause of death being heart trouble, with which he had been afflicted for some years. The funeral services were held at the residence of the family Monday afternoon, October 24, 1910, at two o'clock, conducted by 840 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. Rev. R. M. Elliott, pastor of the Second United Presbyterian church, and the interment was made in Northwo0d cemetery. The services were under the auspices of Cambridge Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was a charter member, and six members of the post, his comrades during life time, acted as his pallbearers. Mr. Blair was the son of William and Mary (Hammond) Blair and was born in Adams township, Guernsey county, July 22, 1837. His paternal grandfather, Alexander Blair, and his wife, Susan Long, came from county Donegal, Ireland, to America about the year 1801 and settled in Brooks county, Virginia (now West Virginia). After living there a few years, they came to Guernsey county and settled in what is now Cambridge township, on the farm now owned by John Barnes. Alexander Blair was a native of Ireland and his wife of Scotland. Their oldest child, Alexander, was born in Ireland in 1798. He married Isabel Nicholson and after their marriage they settled in Meigs county, Ohio. William Blair (father of the subject) married Mary Hammond and they lived in Adams township, this county. Mary married David Hammond and their children were as follows : James, who married Helen Caither and resided near Elkton, Kentucky ; David married Mary Blair and they resided in this county ; John married Elizabeth Scott and they resided in Adams township, this county ; William married Matilda Parke and they resided in Adams township; Mary married William Blair, of Adams township ; Jane became the wife of Samuel Achison and they located in Muskingum county, where she still resides, at the age of ninety-four years; Ann married David Dew and lived in Muskingum county ; Sarah married Thomas Ford and lived in this county. The Hammonds settled in Guernsey county in 1818. William Hammond, in company with his brothers, John, Robert and David, came to this country from county Tyrone, Ireland, sometime prior to the Revolutionary war. They settled in the valley near the Susquehanna river, marked off their claims and opened up some ground for cultivation, but the Indians scared them away and they settled near Hickory, Pennsylvania. John Hammond enlisted in the war and was wounded in the battle of Bunker Hill. William was too young to enliSt, but boated provisions for General Wayne and his army. William married Mary Wier, who had come with her parents from Scotland and settled near Hickory, their marriage occurring about the year 1796. He was a reed-maker by trade, and he and his wife eventually resided in Guernsey county. Mattie married JameS Gilkinson and they settled in Illinois. Susan was married twice, her first husband being William McKee, after whose death she married John Herbert, and they GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 841 lived in Knox township, this county. Alexander Blair was by trade a stonemason. His son, William, was a school teacher and also worked at the stonemason'S trade. William H. Blair, the immediate subject of this review, Secured an education in the country schools, and at an early age took up the work of a carpenter. He was married to Elizabeth Mason, daughter of William and Sarah (Forsythe) Mason, October 4, 1860, and to them were born the following eight children, four sons and four daughters, one of the latter, May, dying when but seven years old, as the result of being kicked by a horse; Mrs. Joseph Barr, of Cambridge; Frank C., of Cambridge; Allie, at home; William M., of Martins Ferry ; Mrs. F. E. Geyer, of Cambridge; Alex, of Newport, Kentucky; May, deceased; and Charles, of Cambridge. These children, with the mother, survive. The Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry perhaps saw as much hard fighting as any other regiment, and Company H had the reputation of being in a greater number of hard-fought battles than any other company in the regiment. Mr. Blair took part in about thirty-seven regular battles, in addition to many skirmishes too numerous to mention or keep track of. After his final discharge from the army, at the close of the war, Mr. Blair returned to his wife and again took up business as a carpenter. With his family, he moved from Adams township to Cambridge, about 1891. A stanch Republican, Mr. Blair immediately took an active interest in municipal politics, and shortly after coming to the city was elected city marshal. He served as marshal under Mayors John Longsworth, A. M. Baxter and J. W. Smallwood. During the latter's term of office the office of city marshal was done away with and the position was made appointive, under the title of chief of police. After serving as city marshal and chief of police for eight years and eight months Mr. Blair resigned January 1, 1906, and after that time lived a retired life. He still, however, took a keen interest in politics. During the last few years, Mr. Blair suffered with heart trouble, which was the cause of his giving up active work. Two weeks prior to his death he suffered an attack, and it was feared then that it would end in death. However, he recovered and made the remark that he did not think he could live through another attack. On Saturday afternoon of the day he died, Mr. Blair complained of being ill, but after eating supper went out in front of the house. Later he was joined by Mrs. Blair, who advised him to return to the house, which he did, but his condition waS so much worse that the family physician was sent for. However, it was too late and death was then but a question of a short time. 842 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. On October 4, 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Blair celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, when all of their children were present, and the occasion was one of unusual enjoyment for the father, who was so soon to be summoned from earthly labors. Mr. Blair was a man of sterling worth and qualities of character and was held in the highest esteem throughout the county, where he enjoyed an extensive acquaintance. He was always on the right side of every question affecting the best interests of his fellows, and his death was a distinct loss to the community. ORLANDO R. TAYLOR. A name that is well known in Valley township, Guernsey county, standing for upright manhood and clean citizenship, is that of Orlando R. Taylor, who was born in Hartford, this township, June 16, 1858, the descendant of an excellent and highly respected family, being the son of William and Sarah (Hall) Taylor. The father was born in the same community, as was also the mother. William Taylor devoted most of his life to farming pursuits, but during his last years he was not very actively engaged in agriculture. He was a man whom everyone respects, his life having been above reproach. In his family are six children, named as follows : Orlando R., of this review ; Ida, wife of David E. H. Elwee, lives at Westerville, Ohio; Naomi is the wife of James Laughlin and lives at Pleasant City, this county; Lizzie is the wife of James H. Warren and lives in Cambridge ; Jemima married G. S. Larrick and lives about five miles south of Pleasant City, in Noble county; Charley lives at Linden Heights, north of Columbus, Ohio. The death of the father of these children occurred on September 11, 1909, having survived his wife nine years, she having answered the summons on September 24, 1900. From about 1879 they had lived in Pleasant City, although Mr. Taylor continued farming until within a few years of his death. Orlando R. Taylor grew to maturity on the home farm, near Pleasant City, which he worked when old enough, and he attended the common schools there. Since 1879 he has lived at Pleasant City, but he attended the normal school at Cambridge, and later took a course at Scio College, preparing himself for a teacher, which profession he followed with marked success for fifteen or sixteen years, his services being in great demand owing to the fact that he was exceptionally well equipped for hiS work and also because of the fact that he was an entertainer as well as an instructor in the school room, GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 843 being popular with both pupils and patrons, and keeping abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to his work. He taught in Pleasant City and other schools in Guernsey county and four years in Muskingum county. But tiring of the school room, Mr. Taylor took up fire insurance, and later established an agency and did a very gratifying business in this line. He became notary public and was also township clerk, and is Still serving as clerk of the school board of Valley township, and also as clerk of the board of education of Pleasant City. As a public servant he has ever given the utmost satisfaction, discharging his duties in a very conscientious and able manner. He has recently engaged in life insurance, which he now makes his chief business. Mr. Taylor was married on August 4, 1888, to Alice Moore, a lady of many estimable traits, the daughter of Thomas I. and Margaret (Gander) Moore. She was born, reared and educated in the southeastern part of Guernsey county. One child was born to this union, who died in infancy. Mr. Taylor's popularity and his eminent fitness for positions of public trust led his friends to elect him mayor of Pleasant City, but he did not want the office and resigned after six months' service. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is easily one of the leading citizens of Pleasant City and this part of the county, although being a man of conservative tastes, he does not court such distinction. JOHN S. MOORHEAD. Devoted to the noble and humane work of teaching, John S. Moorhead, of Senecaville, Richland township, Guernsey county, has made his influence felt in the school life of this locality, occupying as he does a prominent place in his profession and standing high in the esteem of all classes, his services being in great demand and his personality of such a genteel nature as to render him popular with patrons and pupils everywhere. Mr. Moorhead was born February I I, 1862, in Senecaville, Ohio,. and is the son of Jonathan and Mary A. Moorhead. The father was born in Guernsey county and the mother in Virginia. The Moorheads were also Virginians and were a prominent and influential pioneer family and active in the early development of the county. The father was a farmer and pioneer brick manufacturer, making most of the brick of which the early brick buildings of 844 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. Senecaville were built. He was also a farmer, but had his residence in Senecaville. He was a Republican in politics and an ardent party man, but never an office seeker, but always well informed and positive in his convictions. He and his family were connected with the Methodist Episcopal church and he was a great lover of nature and probably the best botanist in this section of the state, being an authority on flowers, plants and trees. He died April I, 1903, and his wife on August 23, 1894, and both are buried in the cemetery in Senecaville. These parents had a family of five sons and three daughters who grew to manhood and womanhood : George A., of Senecaville; Langdon, of Cambridge; John S., the subject of this sketch ; Jacob C., of Cambridge ; Emma, now Mrs. Sherman Cale, of New Concord; Rosetta, now Mrs. J. E. Malone, of New Concord. John S. Moorhead grew up in Senecaville, and was educated in the Senecaville public Schools, since which time he attended various normal schools, preparing to teach, and is therefore well equipped for his life work. Mr. Moorhead was married October 30, 1883, to May Belle Breidenthal, daughter of Henry and Linnie (Leisure) Breidenthal, of Senecaville. This family came from Pennsylvania to Guernsey county, Mr. Breidenthal being a shoemaker and a Republican, active in politics and all public matters and a great reader, being well informed. Both parents are now living and reside in Pleasant City. To Mr. and Mrs. Moorhead have been born two sons and four daughters : Byron, Bright, Linnie, Mary A., Gertrude and Virginia. Byron, the eldest son, is a student in the Northwestern University at Ada, Ohio, and the others are students in the Senecaville schools, except the two youngest. After leaving school Mr. Moorhead was engaged with the C. W. & N. Y. railroad as agent at Senecaville, his brother, George A., being superintendent of the road when it was first built. Mr. Moorhead had a brother also engaged in the railroad tie business, having a contract with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad to furnish forty thousand ties each year. He was with the railroad company as agent for about ten years, but in 1894 he left the company and engaged in school teaching and has been teaching ever since. For five years he taught in the Senecaville schools and the remainder of the time in the country district schools of the county and is a progressive and popular teacher. He is a Republican in politics and has served as a member of the town council for twelve years and was elected mayor of the village in 1909 and prior to this had served two terms as mayor, making six years in all. He is a public-spirited, progressive citizen in all matters. He is a member of the Eastern Ohio and Guernsey County Teachers' associations and is secretary of the township branch of the Ohio Teachers' Reading Circle. He and GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 845 his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and active in the church and Sunday school work, having served five years as superintendent of the Sunday school and is Sunday School chorister. Mrs. Moorhead is an active worker in the different church societies and is a refined and cultured w0man, devoted to her home and family, and the Moorhead home is prominent in the social life of the community. Few men have the spirit of civic improvement as Mr. Moorhead and his influence is always along lines calculated to bring about conditions resulting in the greatest good to the greatest number, good, practical education for the young and a high plane of morals for the elders. He is a man of high ideals, who is able to point out the way that they may be obtained and maintained. The Moorhead home is one of the most hospitable and attractive in Senecaville. EDWARD LYNCH. The name of Edward Lynch, a well known citizen of Senecaville, Richland township, Guernsey county, has long been synonymous with improvement and progress, for he believes in employing modern methods in all phases of our complex existence, and as a result he has been very successful in whatever he has turned his attention to and has done much toward the general uplift of his community. Mr. Lynch is the able and popular superintendent of the Cleveland mine of the Morris Coal Company. He was born on September 3, 1866, in Lawrence county, Ohio, near Vesuvius Station, and is the son of Edward and Anna Belle (Bickenington) Lynch. The father worked in the coal mines of Lawrence county and was a player of the violin of local note and furnished music for the country dances. The father died in 1908 and his wife in 1871. The son grew up in the mining districts and attended the district schools of the township. At ten years of age he went to work in the mines with his father and worked at mining in Lawrence county until 1885, when he went to New Straitsville, Ohio, and worked in the coal mines of that locality. He was at New Straitsville for seven years, when he went to Jacksonville, Athens county, and worked in the mines for five years, and in 1897 he was made superintendent of Mine No. 24, of the Crescent Coal Company, near Jacksonville. In a short time the Crescent Coal Company was reorganized, becoming the Northern Fuel Company. Mr. Lynch was with this company as superintendent of Mine No, 24 for thirteen years. He then went to Mine No. 846 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. 21, near Shawnee, for the Sunday Creek Coal Company as superintendent, where he remained for six months, when he was transferred to Mine No. 10 of the same company, near Gloucester, Athens county, where he remained for a short time, and then went to Arkansas as superintendent of three mines operated by a company in that state. He only remained about five months, the climate not agreeing with him. He then returned to Sugar Creek, Athens county, and was superintendent of Mine No. 211, for the Continental Coal Company. He was with this company only a short time when the Sunday Creek Coal Company took over the Colonial Coal Company properties and Mr. Lynch was transformed to Chauncey, Athens county, as superintendent of the new mine for the same company. He waS only at Chauncey a short time when he Was transferred back to his former position at Sugar Creek. He was with the Continental and Sunday Creek companies for three years. In February, 1909, he came to his present position with the Morris Coal Company as superintendent of the mine at Senecaville. This is one of the largest mines in Guernsey county, with an output of about thirteen hundred tons daily and employing more than two hundred people. It is a modern equipped mine in every way, and Mr. Lynch is an expert mine superintendent, learning the business from the beginning to the important p0sition he now occupies. He has seen the business grow from the crude methods of forty years ago to the present thoroughly equipped mines and methods. He has learned it all in the school of experience and is a thorough man in every respect. Mr. Lynch was married November 26, 1889, to Anna Call, of New Straitsville, daughter of Edward and Mary (Sweney) Call, Mr. Call being a miner in the New Straitsville mines. To this union six children have been born : Anna Belle, Edward, Frank, John, Charles and Harry, all at home. Mr. Lynch is a Democrat in politics and has been always interested in public matters and active in public affairs. He has served as school director in the different localities where he has lived and has always been interested in education. The Lynch family are of the Catholic faith. Mr. Lynch is a splendid type of a self-made man, going into the mines with his father at the age of ten, beginning the work at the very bottom. He has learned the business step by step and learned it thoroughly, until he reached the position of mine superintendent, solely by his energy and ability and true worth. He is a man of splendid character, a good man in every sense, both in his calling and in the affairs of men. Progressive in his ideas, he is a valuable citizen in any community in which he may live. His wife is equally capable in her sphere, which GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 847 in devotion to her home and family. The eldest child, a daughter, assists her mother in the home, one son works in the mine with his father and the other boys are yet in school. OBEDIAH E. TRENNER. Among the successful and progressive agriculturists and stock men of this locality is Obediah E. Trenner, who was born about a half mile northwest of Derwent, in Valley township, on June 4, 1858, the son of Noah and Caroline (Rose) Trenner. The father was born on the same farm as his son, the subject, so the Trenner family has been a prominent one in this community from the pioneer days. The paternal grandfather was Henry Trenner, Jr., he being the son of Henry, Sr., and Elizabeth (Secrest) Trenner. Henry Trenner, Jr., was born in Virginia in 1790, and emigrated to Ohio with his parents in the fall of 1818, when this country was undeveloped and the home of wild animals. They settled in what is now Valley township, near Derwent, buying a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and there they made the family home, spending the rest of their days there. Soon after hiS arrival here in the fall of 1818, Henry Trenner, Jr., married Sarah Frye, who was born in Virginia in 18130, the daughter of John Frye and wife. Eight children were born to them, namely : John F., Isaiah and Noah, all deceased; William, living at Carthage, Missouri; Benjamin, of Jackson township, this county, whose record, appearing in thiS book, gives interesting information of the Trenner family from their first arrival in America; Caleb lives in Valley township; Henry lives in the state of Washington; one child died in in fancy. Henry Trenner and wife were members of the Lutheran church at Hartford for many years, and they attended services held in various dwellings of the county many years, before a church house was built. Noah Trenner grew up on the old home farm, where his grandparents settled in 1818, and he lived there all his life, following farming. He married Caroline Rose, daughter of Robinson and Elizabeth (Moser) Rose. She grew to maturity near Hartford. Her father's family is descended from Sir Robert Rose, of England. Several generations ago the Moser family came to the United States from the isle of Guernsey, and settled near Senecaville, this county. To Noah Trenner and wife four children were born, two of whom died in infancy; those living are, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Robins, wife of Henry C. Robins, of Westerville, Ohio, and Obediah E., of this review. 848 - GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO. Noah Trenner Was a successful farmer, having followed this vocation all his life, owning two hundred acres of good land. He was a Democrat and held several minor public offices. He and his wife both belonged to the Lutheran church at Hartford, and he was an officer in the church for several years. His death occurred in 1895, and that of his wife in 1900. Obediah E. Trenner, of this review, lived on the home farm until he was twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, then entered the mercantile business at Hartford, later opening a store at Trail Run which he managed six months, later discontinuing his store at Hartford. He was the first postmaster at Robins, serving two termS of about four years each. About 1893 he built a new store at Pleasant City and put in an excellent stock of goods, continuing at the same time his store at Trail Run, selling out at the latter place about 1900. He continued business at Pleasant City until the fall of 1906, when he sold out. Since then he has been l0oking after his farm and dealing in the stock business. He has a splendidly improved place of one hundred and thirty-one acres in the locality 'where he was born, and he has brought the place up to a high state of cultivation. He has a neat home and substantial outbuildings and he devotes considerable attention to stock raising. He was very successful as a merchant and always enjoyed a very liberal patronage wherever he had a store, for the people had every confidence in his good intentions. Mr. Trenner was married in June, 1899, to Ella Umstot, of Washington, Guernsey county, the daughter of Jacob S. and Sarah Jane (McGaw) Umstot, her parents being old residents of this county and highly respected. Fraternally, Mr. Trenner belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Dyson Lodge, also Foster Encampment, both at Pleasant City. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church at that place, and he has been an officer in the church for the past seven years, and is also active in Sunday school work, being treasurer and teacher. ELIAS D. STONE. The name 0f Elias D. Stone is synonymous with progress and improvement in the vicinity of Dement, Ohio, for he is a man who believes in keeping abreast of the times in every respect and doing well whatever he has in hand, and this characteristic has resulted in a fair measure of success to Mr. Stone and his family. He was born in Spencer township, Guernsey county, GUERNSEY COUNTY, OHIO - 849 Ohio, and is the son of Marshall and Louisa (Patterson) Stone. Both parents were born in Pennsylvania, and both these families came to Guernsey county in the pioneer days and here prospered and became influential. The father of the subject was a Republican, and while he was always deeply interested in public affairs, he was not active. He waS a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred on January 13, 1886; his widow, a woman of beautiful Christian characteristics, still surviveS, now advanced in years, having reached the age of eighty-two. She lives on the home farm in Spencer township. Elias D. Stone spent his youth on his father's farm and engaged in the general work on the place, attending the district schools during the winter months, later attending Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, Indiana, one year, and later spent one year at Northwestern University at Ada, Ohio, being compelled to leave college on account of poor health. He had been engaged in the lumber business prior to attending college, and he returned to this line of business in order to get outdoor work. He operated mills and bought and shipped lumber extensively and became well known as a lumber dealer. In 1899 he established a planing mill at Derwent, this county, and successfully operated the same for a period of nine years, selling out in 1908. Since then he has been engaged in farming or superintending his farming interests, which are extensive. He has been very successful in all business affairs. Politically, Mr. Stone is a Republican and he has been an active party worker for some time. He has frequently been a delegate to county, district and state conventi0ns. In 1908 he was nominated and elected a member of the board of c0unty commissioners and he is now president of the board and is doing a very commendable work in this capacity, He was renominated for the same office in 1910 and elected for another two years. Some important road improvements have been undertaken and completed during his tenure of office. He has the reputati0n of being a splendid official, with a view to economy and strict integrity in public matters. He has also served as a member of the board of education in Derwent. Fraternally, he belongs to the Pleasant City lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Stone has been twice married, first on May 31, 1894, to Luella Hawes, daughter of John B. and Elizabeth Hawes, of Valley township. a prominent family there; Mrs. Stone lived less than one year, dying on April 1. 1895. His second marriage was solemnized on April 4, 1901, to Alcy Rhinehart, daughter of James and Louisa (Finney) Rhinehart, of Westland township, Guernsey county, Mr. Rhinehart being a prominent and successful