HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY - 975 the left hip joint at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, and soon after returned home. As soon as able he reported at the Government Medical Board at Columbus, and was sent to the hospital at Covington, Ky., where he remained until January, 1864, when he received his discharge and returned home to Logan. In 1866 he was appointed collector for the Hocking Valley Canal Company, and still retains that office. From 1866 till 1878 he was engaged in the grocery business. In 1878 he sold out and opened the Logan House, of which he was proprietor until 1880 when he opened his present store. He carries a stock of $1,500 of general merchandise. MI. Miller was married to Miss Lucinda Rathburne, Oct. 9, 1865. She was born in Logan, daughter of James E. Rathburne. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had three children—Mary M., Lucinda and Georgia. The mother died Dec. 3, 1875; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Miller married Mrs. Cerepta Davis, Sept. 21, 1881. . She was born in Vinton County, Ohio, Sept. '16, 1852, daughter of Harrison and Mary Wilkinson. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one daughter—Bessie E. Mr. Miller is a member of the Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 262, I. 0. 0. F. and has passed the chairs in the subordinate encampment and the encampment. Is also a member of Logan Lodge, No. 119, K. of P., and of the G. A. R. In politics Mr. Miller is a Republican. He has been elected Township Clerk and member of the City Council and still retains the latter office. He is one of the leading merchants and business men of Logan. He was the third son of a family of six daughters and four sons. His parents were Alexander and Harmeon (James) Miller. His father was born near the line between Canada and New York. He was a schoolteacher and hotel man. He died in 1854. His wife was born in Jackson, Ohio, a daughter of one of the oldest settlers of Jackson County, and is still living in Jackson County. She is a member of the Protestant Methodist church. William McAboy Montgomery, grocer and restauranter, is the son of William and Eliza (Claxton) Montgomery, and was born at Logan, Nov. 28, 1835, still residing in the house where he was born. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to Raymond Belt to learn the trade of molder, serving nearly three years, and in the spring of 1854 he went to Fredericktown, Ohio, working at his trade till October of the following year, when he returned to Logan. In November, 1855, he became associated with his brother John in the grocery trade, under the firm name of Mont- 976 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. gomery Bros. In May, 1857, his brother retired from the firm, and, with the exception of one year that he engaged in farming, he has ever since carried on the business at the same stand. On April 12. 1857, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Rolston, of Hocking County. They have been blessed with ten children, eight of whom are living, viz.: Fanny Josephine, Charles Porter, Katy Eliza, Edward E., Mary Eliza, J ulia Winforce, and Clarence and Clara (twins). In May, 1864, Mr. Montgomery went out with Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment, Ohio National Guards, as a private and served on guard duty in the fortifications at Washington, D. C., until September of the same year, when he was discharged on the expiration of his term of service. Meredith Darlington Moore, junior member of the firm of Collins & Moore, was born in Newark, Ohio, July 19, 1842, the eldest of four children of Wm. M. and Eveline (Darlington) Moore. He was reared in his native town, receiving a common-school education. When twenty years of age he was employed as bookkeeper for Peter Hayden, proprietor of the Haydenville Coal Works, for whom he worked till 1867, when he came to Logan and formed a partnership with Jesse L. Collins. From 1875 till 1880 Mr. Moore was City Clerk of Logan. Sept. 24, 1877, he married Mary C., daughter of Jesse L. Collins. They have one child—William C. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Methodist church. He is an Odd Fellow, a member of Hockhocking Lodge, No. 262, of which he is Past Grand, and of Mineral Encampment, No. 91, of which he is Past Chief Patriarch. Robert Motherwell, superintendent of the Motherwell Iron and Steel Company's works, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, Nov. 5, 1845, a son of Alexander and Jane Motherwell. When seventeen years of age he emigrated to America, landing in Portland, Me., April 26, 1863, remaining there till 1866. While in Scotland he learned the trade of a heavy blacksmith, and after coming to America, while in Portland, was employed in the Casco Bay Forge Works, on Government work. In 1866 he went to Pittsburg, Pa., and worked in the Reese, Graft & Buyers Rolling Mills till 1868, when he removed to Lancaster, Ohio, and with his brothers James and William founded the Motherwell Bros. Shovel and Spade Works. In 1881 he and his brother James came to Logan and founded the Motherwell Iron and Steel Works. Jan. 18, 1870, Mr. Motherwell married Louise Rich, of Lancaster, Ohio.? They have six children—Hattie, Alice, Jennie, Lola, Grace and Mary. HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY - 977 Mr. and Mrs. Motherwell are members' of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, of Lancaster. He is a Master Mason, a member of the lodge in Lancaster. Alfred C. Murphy, farmer, son of William and Mary A. (Friesner) Murphy, was born in Falls Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, Sept. 23, 1853. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming for himself on his father's farm. In 1830 he removed to the farm where he now resides, adjoining Good Hope and Marion townships. March 18, 1880, he married Mary E., daughter of Henry and Mary E. (Warthman) Hansel, of Falls ;Township. Himself and wife are members of the United Brethren church. Lloyd Myers., general insurance agent, Logan, was born at Plymouth, Washington Co., Ohio, March 21, 1840, a son of Dr. Jacob L. and Rhoda (Case) Myers. When he was twelve years of age his parents removed to Lancaster, Ohio, and from there in 1854 to Logan. He was educated in the common schools, and when fourteen began to work in the steam flouring mill at Logan, packing flour. In 1857 he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and in March, 1861, started a shop of his own in Logan, but the following September closed his shop and enlisted in Company D, Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, and served till Jan. 2, 1865. He with his regiment participated in the battles of Wildcat, Mill Springs, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah and many other hard-fought battles. After his return home he was employed in the machine shops of Raymond Belt till the fall of 1868, when he formed a partnership with C. Kuqua and F. H. Chidester in the manufacture of wagons and carriages and blacksmithing, remaining with them till 1871. From that time till 1880 he was in business alone. . He then sold out and became established in his present business. May 10, 1860, he married Susan Gibson, of Logan, who died Feb. 5, 1866, leaving one child—Charles 0. Nov. 30, 1870, he married Mrs. M. A. Pryor. They had two children—Ada 0. and Mary Bertha. Mrs. Myers died March 14, 1877. Mr. Myers is a member of the Methodist church. He is a Master, Royal Arch and Council Mason. He has been Master of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, since 1878, and is King of Logan Chapter, No. 75, and Conductor of Hockhocking Council, No. 39. He is a member of James K. Rochester Post, No. 140, G. A. R. - 62 - 978 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Prof. David J. Newman, Principal of the Gore schools, was born Aug. 6, 1842, in Morgan County, Ohio, and is the son of David Newman, a native of Maryland, residing near Malta, Morgan County. Our subject was educated at the High School at McConnelsville, Ohio, and in the fall of 1863 began teaching in Morgan County. He taught there three years, and in 18 67 came to Perry County, Ohio, teaching near New Lexington three years. In 1870 he was appointed Principal of the Straitsville school, which position he held for seven years. He has been Principal of the Gore schools for the last three years, and as an instructor Mr. Newman has been eminently successful. In September, 1863, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Thornton L. Nickerson. They have a family of three children whose names are—Ida M.,. Oscar S. and Howard L. Mr. Newman is a member of the I. O. O. F. society. Azariah, Nixon, farmer, son of Isaac and Sarah (Sherlock) Nixon, was born near Maxville, Perry Co., Ohio, Jan. 15, 1838. He lived there with his parents until nineteen years of age, when he began teaching school and taught sixteen terms. In 1867 he purchased a farm in Perry County. In 1870 he sold his farm and removed to Falls Township, Hocking County, and purchased the farm where he now resides. He was Trustee of Falls Township for the years 1879, 1880 and 1881. Oct. 9, 1862, he married Mary,A., daughter of Joseph D, and Susan A. (Reyner) Woodruff, of Perry County, Ohio. They have three children—Amnia A., Susan A. and William H., all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon are members of the Old School Baptist church. John T. Nutter, residing on section 26, was born in Green Township, this county, Sept. 14, 1835. He is a son of John Nutter, of Green Township. He removed with his father to Wells County, Ind., from whence he returned in'1845, where he has since resided with the exception of two years spent in Perry County, Ohio. During his life he has followed the occupation of a farmer and dealer in real estate most of the time, but for the past four years has mined ore. He owns 353 acres of land. At one time he owned over 1,300 acres, besides a one-sixteenth interest in 6,004 acres on Snow Fork in Ward Township. He was married June 11, 1857, to Clarissa, daughter of Jacob Whetstone, of Perry County, Ohio. They have had eleven children, ten still living—Jacob H., Mary. E., Robert, John, Clara, Charles, Julia, Richard, Emmit and Elmer. Mr. Nutter has served the township as Constable for some time, and also as Township Trustee a few years. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 979 Thomas Smom Nutter was born in Harrison County, W. Va., Sept. 4,1839, a son of Jesse H. G., and Mary (McWhorter) Nutter, both residents of Logan. His grandfather, Colonel Thomas C. Nutter, was an officer in the war of 1812. His grandfather, Thomas McWhorter, died in 1816, from disease contracted in that war. A great-uncle, John McWhorter, and another, Charles Nutter, were also soldiers in that war. In the late war of the Rebellion Mr. Nutter, his father, brother and several relatives, were in the war for the Union. In January, 1843, Mr. Nutter's parents came to Ohio and settled in, Adelphi, Ross County, and in the spring of 1845 settled in what is now Perry Township, Hocking County. In 1850 they went to Pickaway County, and after a residence there of two years returned to Virginia, and settled twelve miles north of Glenville, in Gilmer County. In the spring of 1861, just at the breaking out of the Rebellion, they removed to the adjoining county, Ritchie. At this time Mr. Nutter was at work in the oil regions of Burning Springs, Wirt County, and almost in a day after the firing on Fort Sumter the works were deserted, and because they belonged to Northern men were destroyed before the close of the war and have never been rebuilt. Early in May, 1861, Mr. Nutter returned home, and, with others of his neighbors, armed himself against the depredations of small bands of rebel guerrillas from the more southern counties, who were frequently prowling through the neighborhood. In August Mr. Nutter engaged to drive a team for General Rosecrans's army, then at Clarksburg. He accompanied them to Sutton, Big Birch River, and was with them at the battle of Carnifax Ferry, Sept. 10. Oct. 10 he was discharged from the service as a teamster, sick, and without a cent of money, and 200 miles from ,home. He arrived at home a week later, by begging his way, having never received any pay for his services thus far. Feb. 6, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Tenth West Virginia Volunteers, and on the organization of the company was elected Orderly Sergeant. His regiment was in active service from that time till the close of the war. At the battle of Winchester, July 24, 1864, he was wounded in the left hip, from which forty-two pieces of bone were removed. February, 1865, he rejoined his regiment, and March 22 was commissioned First Lieutenant, and assigned to the command of Company H. He was at the surrender of the city of Richmond, and was discharged Aug. 21, 1865. The following September he settled in Harrisburg, Franklin Co., Ohio, where he resided till February, 1872. engaged 980 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. in photography. Dec. 20 he removed to South Perry, Hocking County in May 1873, to Gibisonville; in July, to Millville, and Sept. 15, to Logan, where he still resides. Mr. Nutter has been somewhat of a local politician, newspaper writer and correspondent. He was at one time one of the editors of the Hooking Valley Gazette. He was then a very radical Republican, but is now somewhat conservative, voting, as he says, " a badly scratched ticket." He has been twice married, having by his first marriage one son—Walter Bruce, who was born ;rune 9, 1869. May 2, 1878, he married Annetta Mitchel, of Nelsonville, Athens Co., Ohio. They have three children—Mary, born April 7, 1879; Jesse Mitchell, Sept. 22, 1880, and Garfield Blaine, July 22, 1882. Mr. Nutter is a member of James K. Rochester Post, No. 140, G. A. R., and now holds the office of Senior Vice-Commander. Parley Phelps, of Oreville, Falls-Gore, was born near Cross enville, Perry Co., Ohio, June 7, 1813, a sod of Renodyne Phelps, also a native of Perry County. Our subject's Grandfather Phelps was a very early settler in Perry County, where Renodyne was born in 1807. Mr. Phelps served as a soldier in the late war in Company D, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, and participated in the battles of. Stone River, Chickamauga, Pittsburg Landing, Perryville, Ky., Hoover's Gap, Tenn,, and Mineral Springs, Ky. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Chickamauga,, where he was kept nine days on the battle-field, then paroled. He came to Camp Chase, and was' exchanged the following May. After the war he prepared himself for a teacher, and taught sixteen months, when, 1 in 1870, he engaged in the mercantile business in Old Gore; removed the store to New Gore in 1871, and to Oreville in 1872, where he has since resided, and carries on a good business. He was married Dec. 14, 1871, to Margaret T., daughter of :John Nutter, of Green Township. They have four children—Cora E., Hester C., Maud M. and Samuel N. William Edgar Pleukharpe, Assistant Secretary of the Motherwell Iron and Steel Works, was born in Falls Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, Dec. 25, 1854, a son of Daniel and Hannah A. (North) Pleukharpe. When he was sixteen years of age his parents moved to Logan. He attended the common schools till eighteen years of age, when he took a commercial course in the Zanesville Business College, graduating in 1873. In 1874 he was employed as clerk in the grocery store of H. C. Smith, remaining with him till 1877. He was then employed as weighmaster and, bookkeeper for Culver HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 981 Stalter, dealers in lime and limestone, till 1879. In the fall of the latter year he was employed as manager and bookkeeper in the store of the Winona Iron Company, remaining there till December, 1881. He then went to Columbus and engaged in the grocery business till January, 1883, when he sold out and accepted his present position. Nov. 15, 1882, Mr. Pleukharpe married Margaret Boles, of Perry County, Ohio. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of Logan. Maynard Pond, son of Erastus and Sarepta (Stanton) Pond, was born at Rushville, N. Y., Sept. 15, 1837. He was educated in the public schools of his native place till 18.'i3, when he left home and came to Logan, where he was employed by his father, a contractor on the Scioto & Hocking Valley Railroad, until the following year. He then attended the Ohio University at Athens, Ohio, one year, and in 1855 returned to Logan, where he was variously employed till 1860. In that year he took the contract to carry the United States mail from Portsmouth, Ohio, to Guyandotte, W. Va., making his home at Ironton, Ohio. He remained in the mail service until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted in the Union service, under Captain John S. George, in an independent company of cavalry, known as Company A. At the expiration of his term of service he, in October, 1861, re-enlisted in Company H, Fifth Regiment, Ohio. Volunteer Cavalry, to serve three years, and during his whole service he was Orderly Sergeant of his company. He participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and a number of cavalry skirmishes, in the last of which he was injured by his horse falling on him, after which he was in the hospital at various places till Aug. 26, 1862, when he was discharged for disability. He then returned to Logan, but soon after went to Eau Claire, Wis., where he was engaged in lumbering and farming till 1879, when he again took up his residence in Logan, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. In March, 1860, he married Miss Janet Anderson, of Logan, by whom he has had eight children, viz.: Hattie, Myron S., Willis M., Charles A., Sarah E., Frank B., Fanny S. and Florence A. Mr. Pond and wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church. Aaron Aikin Price, contractor and builder, Logan, was born in McConnelsville, Morgan Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1837, the third of four sons of William P. and Sarah (Hanesworth) Price. When an infant his parents came to Hocking County, settling in Washington Township. When lie was scion years of age his father died. He 982 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. remained with his mother till twelve years of age, and then went to live with a married sister in the same neighborhood, making his home with her till seventeen years of age. He worked in Pickaway and Hocking counties the next two years, and when nineteen began to learn the carpenter's trade of Samuel Price (a cousin), working with him till 1860. In the spring of that year he went to Putnam County, Mo., thence to Wisconsin, returning to Morgan County, Ohio,. the following fall. In June, 1863, lie enlisted in Company I, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, for three years. He had been drafted in 1862, but was rejected on account of a crippled arm. He was in the Army of the Cumberland in Kentucky and Tennessee, and was promoted to Corporal. He was discharged Aug. 2, 1865, and returned to Hocking County to his mother's farm. The following October his mother died. He remained on the farm and worked at his trade till the spring of 1867 when he went to Deerfield Township, Morgan County, and worked with Samuel Price till the following fall. They then went to McConnelsville and worked in a sash and door factory till 1870, when he came to Logan. He has had the contract for building Band's Iron Works, Thomas's Iron Works, Craft's Iron Works, the furnaces of the Hocking Iron Company and many of the substantial build ings and bridges in Hocking County. June 10, 1858, he married Minerva E. Remsen, of Tridelphia, Morgan County. They have had four children—William P., Mary Elizabeth, Walter Cassius and Sarah Violet. The latter died in November, 1869, aged six years. Mr. and Mrs. Price are members of the Methodist church. He is a Master and Royal Arch Mason, a member of the lodge and chapter at Logan. Francis S. Pursell, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Lacock) Pursell, was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, Aug. 13, 1846. He was educated in the public schools of Portsmouth, graduating from the same in 1866. He had been through part of the war with a brother, who was a soldier, but, being too young, was not enlisted, although making several attempts. He saw active service, but never engaged in the same. He studied law with Judge A. C. Thompson in 1866–'68; was admitted to the bar in Portsmouth in 1868, and entered into partnership with Judge Martin C. Crain. He remained in practice with him one year, and then entered the office of Judge A. C. Thompson, then Probate Judge of Scioto County, remaining two years, after which he practiced alone until 1872. Mr. Pursell was married in 1872 to Alma C. Wright, of Logan, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 983 sister of Judge Silas H. Wright, of Lancaster. He opened a law office in Logan in 1872, and practiced about six months, when other business took all his attention. He owned and ran the drug store now owned by Reber & Co., in Logan, from December, 1872, to March, 1881, when he sold out to the present owners. He started the Hocking Valley Gazette, in connection with Mr. Brook, in February, 1877, and has been editor and publisher of the same up to the present time. He was appointed by Governor Bishop one of the Trustees of the Athens Insane Asylum, remaining such through Governor Bishop's administration. John E. Rauch, dealer in and manufacturer of boots and shoes, at Logan, is the son of John B. and Mary Anna (Schilling) Rauch. He is a native of Baden, Germany, being born there Dec. 28, 1832. He attended the public schools of his native town, but his mother dying when he was ten years old caused their home to be broken up and he was sent to work. He emigrated to America at the age of seventeen, and went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he apprenticed himself to learn the shoemaker's trade, at which he served three years.. He then worked for an uncle in Carroll until 1854, when he came to Lancaster, Ohio, where lie worked a short time. In 1855 he came to Logan and worked as foreman and salesman in the shop of John W. Work for ten years. In 1865 he established his present business. He was married April 15, 1857, to Miss Louisa Kern, of Logan, by whom he has had seven children—Mary C., John F. (working in his father's shop), George H., William J., Clara J., Ernest P., Edward T. He is a member of St. John the Evangelist's Catholic Church, of Logan, and his wife of the Lutheran Evangelical St. Matthew's Church, of Logan. Ferdinand Frederic Rempel was born in Bielefeld, Westphalia, Prussia, June 20, 1824. He is the youngest son of Hieronymous F. Rempel, who was an estimable literary gentleman and rector of the college of Bielefeld. The subject of this sketch came to this country with his brother-in-law, Sporleder, when he was but ten years of age. Locating near Lancaster, Ohio, he was employed for a while by his relative in a laboratory. Captain August Witte taught him the English language, and by an exercise of that energy and perseverance which has so characteristically marked his conduct, he soon became a ready English scholar. Subsequently removing to Columbus, Ohio, he became a teacher of the English, instructing the children of Baron Von Rashchkauw. He remained here but a short time when he returned to Lancaster, where he was 984 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. employed in the Wholesale grocery store of P. J. Boving. After one year he was placed in charge of a branch establishment at Logan, Ohio, his present home. At the age of nineteen he purchased this branch store, and enlarging it to a hart of general traffic, has made it the foundation of his fortune. From the time Mr. Rempel first entered Logan until the present day, he has been one of the most active and enterprising business men of the place, taking the lead, or at least a prominent part, in almost every important business enterprise. He has lent a helping hand to every legitimate industry which gave promise of energy and thrift, and ranks as a "man of affairs," not only prominently in his county and community, but as one of the leading men of the State. Frugal, sober, energetic and sagacious, his judgment is seldom at fault and his decisions are not often reversed by the logic of events. With keen foresight he has avoided the pitfalls into which impracticable men have fallen. On the other hand, with comprehensive intelligence, he has followed up those financial leads which commended themselves to his judgment and, as the sequel has shown, succeeded where most men have failed. But these ends have been reached only by great energy and indomitable perseverance. Colonel Rempel is possessed of splendid natural powers of both body and mind. In build and movement, as well as attainments, lie is a marked man, and would be readily selected from a large number of men as one upon whom is stamped the indelible impress of courage, sagacity and executive ability. His business has not been confined to mercantile pursuits, but he has invested wherever his judgment approved, being, perhaps, the largest single holder of zeal estate in the Hocking Valley. In 1850 he returned to the old country to visit his relatives and friends, spending a year in Prussia, France and England. In 1855 he established the Hocking Valley stage-coach line, conducting the enterprise with great profit until 1868, when the building of the Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad supplied its place. This line became one of the most extensive in the State, requiring the employment of many agents and assistants. The work was thoroughly systematized and conducted on strict business principles. The veteran stage manager, John Borland, was his efficient Superintendent, and it is said that the thirteen years that the line was in existence, with an average of 200 miles per day of travel, there never occurred a serious accident. At the breaking out of the Rebellion Colonel Rempel was immersed in business. From an article which appeared in HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 985 the hocking Sentinel, of the date of July 5, 1860, we learn that he was the mail contractor and proprietor of the coach line from Lancaster to Pameroy, owned and conducted the " American House," now Rempel House; also a drug store and livery comprising ninety-eight horses, omnibuses, carriages, etc., and a blacksmith and repair shop. He also was extensively engaged in market gardening; was agent for the AEtna Insurance Company; was engaged in the foreign shipping business, and had many other active interests. It is also added that he is " a remarkable man, and is one of the most public-spirited individuals we have ever seen." Colonel Rempel was then a Democrat, but comprehending the perils of the hour, he severed his connection with that organization, and allied himself with the new Republican party. In 1861 he entered the list as a candidate for the State Legislature and came within five votes of election, although the regular Democratic majority in Hocking County was about 700. When the crisis came and the call to arms resounded through the land, Colonel Rempel went to the front. Accepting the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, he was made Post Commander at Camp Chase about the 5th of December, 1861. About two months thereafter, the Fifty-eighth was mobilized with General Thayer's brigade, General Lew Wallace's division, and, on Feb. 13, Lieutenant-Colonel Rempel led it into the important battle of Fort Donelson. Although hurried from the peaceful pursuits of life into the immediate presence of " grim visaged war," Colonel Rempel proved to be an intrepid soldier, and when a furious assault was made upon his troops in this action, it was met with firmness, and resulted in the enemy being hulled back into his entrenchments. On the day following he was the first with his regiment to enter on the right of the rebel batteries and received the surrender of the Confederate artillery officers. Subsequently his regiment took part in the sanguinary conflict of Shiloh and a number of other engagements. On account of Colonel Rempel's pre-eminent capacity to transact business and manage both men and affairs he was made Provost-Marshal of the army at Pittsburg Landing. In this capacity he became intimately acquainted with many of the officers of that army and it was here that he first met General Garfield. For his bravery and soldierly conduct Colonel Rempel received the highest encomiums from his superior officers, and be it said to his credit also, that he always retained the confidence And esteem of the officers and soldiers who served under him. A soldier of the regiment writes 986 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. that Lieutenant-Colonel Rempel " covered himself with glory," and he also speaks in the most glowing terms of his care and consideration for his men. Generals Strickland, Wallace and Thayer, also, have borne witness to the soldierly qualities of our subject. We quote the following letters : OMAHA, NEB., Nov. 17, 1870. President Grant, DEAR SIR: —Colonel Ferdinand F. Rempel served in my command in the late war as Lieutenant-Colonel of the fifty-eighth Ohio infantry. He was a gallant soldier and a faithful officer. He especially distinguished himself in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh by his courage and gallantry. Very truly yours, JOHN M. THAYER. OFFICE OF U. S. ATT'Y, DIET. OF NEB. OMAHA, Oct. 17, 1870. General U S. Grant, President of the U. S., Washington D. C.; I was personally present at Donelson and Shiloh, and a witness of the gallantry of Colonel Rempel, and fully concur in the words of commendation written above by Senator Thayer. Respectfully, S. A. STRICKLAND, A. A. G. and Late Col. 50th, Reg., O. V. I. Colonel Rempel held the office of Provost Marshal until August, 1862, when he resigned his commission. His motive for so doing having been impugned by indiscriminating persons, it may be proper to state that at that time he was reduced to a skeleton, his business which he had left in splendid condition was badly demoralized, and the system then in vogue of boosting" foreign adventurers was repugnant to his sense of honor. In consequence he retired from the more active service but was appointed, at the request of leading men of all parties, to the position of Provost Marshal of Hocking County. This position he held until the close of the war, giving great satisfaction in the performance of the trying duties of the office. He has also held the offices of District Revenue Inspector, Deputy United States Marshal and Postmaster of Logan, all of which positions he filled with high credit. When he resigned the latter office, the Hocking Sentinel, which has always opposed him, politically, gave him the following high meed of praise : HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 987 " Colonel Rempel is the best local Postmaster in Ohio. He has given us a complete postal service throughout this county, and of his management of the Logan office no man has ever had occasion to complain. It has been a matter of personal pride with him to improve our postal facilities and make his office a model of correctness and accommodation. In these things the Colonel has succeeded. All must admit that his office has been managed to the entire satisfaction of the public, and if Mr. Hayes shall stand by the policy he enunciates in his Inaugural, we do not see upon what pretext a change of postmasters can be made here. "If Tilden had been permitted to take the office to which he was honestly and fairly elected, we should have insisted on-Mr. Rempel stepping down and out. But as it is, since we must have a Republican in the office, give us a man of brains to fight, a man who is a leader and strong representative—one worthy of Democratic opposition, and a man with capacity to attend to his business, and with responsibility to the public for his political and official conduct. We are for Rempel." Since the war closed, Colonel Rempel has engaged in business with redoubled energy, giving his attention more especially to real estate. He has thereby greatly added to his property and landed interests, and has by the erection of many new residences and business blocks in Logan during the past two or three years made that one of the most thriving towns in Southeastern Ohio. The Opera House, which he built in 1871, appeared to be greatly in advance of the place, but the rapid growth and increase in population during the past few years has demonstrated his wisdom in anticipating it. New streets have been opened up by his single-handed enterprise and long lines of new homes have sprung into existence as if by magic. He has been the great business genius of Logan, and in his career has been manifested to an eminent degree the results, not of mere chance, but of the exercise of consummate business capacity and lofty commercial integrity. The Logan Republican speaks of his enterprise, as follows : " In this respect, Colonel F. F. Rempel has proved a benefit to our town which can not be over estimated. From the magnificent Opera House, down to the humblest cottage, he has prepared the way for our rapid growth and set an example which should be imitated by other citizens of wealth in our community. During the past summer and fall he has erected thirty dwelling houses, distributing among our mechanics and laboring men about $45,000. 988 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. This, of itself, has been a great help, and has not only kept the wolf from the door of many but has enabled them to enjoy the substantials and luxuries of life. As a benefactor to our town he is without a. rival, and his continued prosperity is evidence that our people appreciate him as a citizen and business man." On this point we also quote the Hocking Sentinel, that journal paying him the following deserved compliment : " Colonel Rempel is, in business, the leading man of Logan, and one of the most prominent, public-spirited men of the Hocking Valley. We do not like him in politics and always train our heaviest guns on him during a campaign because he is the real strong enemy we have to fight. But in business matters, Colonel Rempel never allows his politics to control his judgment but is always found foremost in every enterprise looking to the advancement of Logan, and the business interests of this valley. Colonel Rempel is one of our heaviest tax-payers and also one of our largest property holders. His wealth is not in non-productive and non-taxable bonds, but in real estate and active business of our town and county." When R. M. Bishop was Governor of Ohio he appointed Colonel Rempel a Director of the Athens Asylum. This place, like all others to which he was called, was worthily filled. He accepted the trust as a public duty and discharged the obligation which it imposed with conscientious care and fidelity. In the summer of 1881 the subject of these memoirs went to Washington to consult- with an eminent medical specialist with regard to his health and at the same time absolve himself from the cares of business. While there he paid his respects to President Garfield and was offered the Consulate of St. Galle, Switzerland. This was a great temptation but he was compelled on account of heavy, unsettled interests to decline. Some of the papers said that he " turned up his nose" at the suggestion, but this is not strictly true, the Colonel regarding the offer as a high compliment. The Baltimore American gave the event the following notice: A COMPLIMENT TO COLONEL REMPEL. " President Garfield tendered the appointment of Consul to the important consulate at St. Galle, Switzerland, to Colonel Ferdinand, F. Rempel, of Logan, Ohio, but the Colonel was constrained to decline the same, owing to his personal affairs being of such a char. acter and importance to make it impossible for him to accept the HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 989 compliment tendered to him so kindly by the President. Colonel Rempel is known as a leading German and an enterprising business man in Ohio." This was given a turn, generally, by the press of the country, it being considered an anomaly at that time for an Ohio man to refuse anything, especially an office. We add the Cincinnati Enquirer's suggestion: " LET HIM BE BANISHED. "It is in order for the recording angel to take his pen in hand and, in gilt letters, record the fact that another Ohio man has declined an office. His name is Colonel F. F. Rempel. He hails from Logan. He has been here for a number of days. To-day, in company with Representative Neal, he called upon the President, and was tendered the important Consulship of St. Galle, Switzerland. Owing to the condition of his extensive private business, which would prevent a prolonged residence abroad, he was compelled to decline it." Of late years our subject has been withdrawing more and more from public affairs and has been applying himself the more closely in planning new business campaigns, resulting in the improvement and upbuilding of his adopted city—Logan, the Queen of the Valley. The Hocking Sentinel but echoes the general voice of the people when it affirms that " because of his conspicuous prominence, he is usually the shining mark at which all envious darts are aimed. He is an eagle at which daws can peck." Recently he has become interested among other things in the Logan Gas Company, and has put that enterprise on a solid foundation. We quote from an article recently prepared by Captain Wm. M. Bowen on his management of this business, as copied from the columns of the Hocking Sentinel. "In the summer of 1882 Colonel F. F. Rempel purchased largely of the stock, and immediately proceeded to affix all modern improvements to the already successful works, and is to-day one of the principal owners, and President of the Corporation. Now we are all acquainted with F. F. Rempel. We know that where energy, perseverance and indomitable industry are necessary to make an undertaking successful, we can find all these qualities in the Colonel. We know that he merits regard in our community for his expansive comprehension of the value of real estate in this city, for his indefatigable building and beautifying propensity. Coming, 990 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. as he did, from the Kingdom of Prussia. when a mere lad, settling in our midst forty years ago without capital, except the qualifications of a thorough, energetic business man, and with Excelsior inscribed upon his banner, his movement has ever been onward and upward, and to-day we find him by far the largest real estate owner in our city, able to count his possessions by hundreds of thousands of dollars." In conclusion we will add that Colonel Rempel is faithful to his obligations and prompt to offer assistance in time of need. He never goes back on a friend or fails to remember an enemy, and the hundreds who have received help and encouragement at his hands will ever remember him with gratitude. Bolowar C. Reber, druggist, Logan, was born in Pleasant Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, June 20, 1855. He was reared on his father's farm, and attended the Pleasant Township Seminary until twenty, when he went to Newark, Ohio, and studied pharmacy with Dr. James Campbell two years, after which he took charge of the drug store of Isaac B. Bounds, at Newark, for eighteen months; then went to Ironton, Ohio, and was in the employ of Kerker, Otten & Co., wholesale and retail druggists, for one year; then opened a store of his own in Logan, Ohio, under firm name of Reber & Co. Mandus B. Reber, real-estate broker, Logan, was born in Pleasant Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, July 31, 1852. He remained on his father's farm attending school until eighteen, when he traveled in Illinois, Missouri and California until twenty. He then returned home to Ohio, and soon after went to West Virginia and ,organized a coal company, and engaged in mining one year. In 1874 –'75 was in Pittsburg, Pa. In 1876 he represented the interests of several of the large land-holders in the Kanawha Valley, W. Va., at the Centennial. In 1877 and 1878 he was engaged in the real-estate business at Columbus, Ohio. Since that time he has been located in Logan. He still has an interest in the Kanawha coal and timber lands, and owns several farms in Southeastern Kansas, and also lands in Northwestern Arkansas. He has been in every State in the Union except Texas. He is a son of Elias Reber, who was born in 1822, and Esther (Myers) Reber. They had a family of five children—M. B., subject of this sketch, B. C., druggist, of Logan, Ohio; R. H., on the farm with his father; Ella M., residing with her brother, M. B., and Essie S. The family are of German and Scotch descent. The Reber family came HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 991 to the United States in 1620, and settled in Ohio in 1802. The first Reber was Zebulun Reber, who was a Prussian-German, and was banished to England on account of his political views. He came to the United States in 1620, and located in Massachusetts. Francis M. Rhoads, farmer, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Byers) Rhoads, was born in Palls Township, Hocking County, Dec. 1, 1853, and lived with his parents until manhood. He received a common-school education. At twenty-one years of age he began working for his father for wages. When twenty-five years of age he purchased the farm where he resides (known as the Confer farm) and removed there in April, 1879, and has been engaged in farming to present time. April 2, 1879, he married Alice C., daughter of Craven W. and Barbara (Hazelton) Clowe, of Falls Township. They have one child, a daughter—Marcia Elma. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads are members of the United Brethren church. Jacob Rhoads, farmer, third son of Jacob and Nancy (Byerly) Rhoads, was born on section 21, Falls Township, Hocking County, Sept. 27, 1828. After arriving at manhood he farmed on his father's farm for an interest until 1853,when his father gave him 100 acres of land as his share of the estate, the farm where he now resides. He has purchased land adjoining since then and now has a good farm. March 27, 1851, he married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Caroline (Lemon) Byers, of Falls Township. They have had nine children, four sons and two daughters now living—Francis M., Wilbur R., Charlie V., John P., Mary E. and Lydia C. Amos A. died at the age of two years; Alvin W., aged one year; Elmer G., aged five years. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads are members of the United Brethren church. David Michael Risley, an old resident of Logan, was born at Zanesville, Ohio, Oct. 10, 1819. He is the eldest of four sons of Amos and Margaret (Oyster) Risley. When eight years old he went to Uniontown, living there till eighteen years of age. He received a -very limited education, and in his boyhood learned the carpenter's trade. He came to Logan in the spring of 1837 and worked at his trade one year with Tunis Butin, after which he became associated with him as a partner for one year, when he became a contractor and builder, in which business he has ever since been engaged. He has erected many of the business blocks, churches, mills and public buildings at Logan, Nelsonville and Haydenville, and in the country throughout Hocking County. Mr. Risley began life empty-handed, but through economy and perse- 992 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. vering industry he has accumulated considerable property in Logan. On Oct. 10, 1841, he was married to Miss Rachel Tannehill, of Logan. They are the parents of eight children, viz.: George, an employe in the shop of the Logan Manufacturing Comp my; Mary, wife of Samuel Crow, of Logan; John; Emma, wife of Edward Roads, of Nelsonville; William, engaged with his father as a carpenter; Annie, wife of Reuben Spurier, of Logan; Laura, wife of Levi McDowell, of Nelsonville, and Harry Grant. Mr. Risley and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for twenty years. He is a member of Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 262, I. 0. 0. F., and of Mineral Encampment, No. 91, I. 0. 0. F., and has held all the offices except those of Noble Grand and Worthy Patriarch. John Byerly Roads, farmer, son of Jacob and Nancy (Byerly) Roads, was born in Logan, Hocking Co., Ohio, March 19, 1821. His parents removed, when he was an infant, to section 21, Falls Township, and settled and cleared a farm. He lived there with them until manhood, working on the farm and attending the common school. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming with his father for an interest in the products and remained with him until twenty-five years of age. His father then gave him a farm on section 30, where he settled April 20, 1847. He has purchased adjoining lands since then, and has been engaged in improving lands and farming to the present time. He is a Master Mason, member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M., Logan, Ohio. Sept. 18, 1845, he married Catharine, daughter of Anthony and Catharine (Sheatenhelm) Eckhart, of Falls Township. They have had four children, only one living—Susan, wife of John Krinn, of Laurel Township. Joseph died at the age of thirteen years; Mill and F. in infancy, and Lovina C. at the age of twenty-nine years. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Joseph Watson Rochester, of John Rochester & Sons, merchants, Logan, was born in London, England, Oct. 11, 1818, a son of Jahn and Mary Ann (Gladle) Rochester. When he was three years of age his parents came to America and settled on the Courtold farm, a mile east of Nelsonville, Athens Co., Ohio, and in 1828 came to Logan. His educational advantages were meager, but he made the best of what he had and obtained a good business education. When about fifteen years of age he went to Lancaster to learn the trade of a fuller and weaver, serving six years in the woolen mills of Ring & Rice. He then returned to Logan and entered the store HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 993 of his father as clerk. He and his brother John afterward became associated with, his father in the business, the firm name being John Rochester & Sons. Their father died in 1875, but they still retain the old firm name. In connection with his mercantile business Mr. Rochester is a stockholder in the Logan Manufacturing Company, the Logan Brick Manufacturing Company, and the First Bank of Logan. He has spent an active business life and has ever been awake to the interests of Logan. He has served twelve years as a member of the Board of Education, and on the City Council four years. Mr. Rochester has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Harriet Claxton, who died leaving three children—Addie, Thomas W. and Charles E. April 28, 1849, he married Mrs. Harriet Martin, daughter of 'Jacob Embich, of Lancaster, and widow of Samuel Martin, by whom she had one child—Jennie Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Rochester have six children—John P., Mary Ann (wife of William Butin), Clara E. (wife of Albert Stiers), Joseph H., Emma H. and Eva W. (twins, the former the wife of William Hanson). Mrs. Rochester became a member of the English Lutheran church when eighteen years of age, but after her marriage to Mr. Rochester in 1849, joined the Presbyterian church. Mr. Rochester is a Master, Royal Arch, Council and Knight Templar Mason and a member of the lodge, chapter, and council at Logan, and the commandery at Lancaster. John Jenkins Rodeheaver, son of George and Lourana (Jenkins) Rodeheaver, was born near Brandonville, W. Va., Nov. 27, 18::;8. He was reared on the home farm till he was twenty-three years of age, and attended the subscription schools two months during each year, from his seventh year till his majority. In 1862 he was employed as a teamster by the Government, and served as such in the United States army till December, 1863, when he enlisted in Company E, Sixth Regiment,West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry, to serve three years. He went out as a Corporal, but was soon after promoted to Sergeant and then to Orderly Sergeant, and was so mustered out May 1, 1866, at Wheeling, W. Va., while on duty with his regiment at New Creek, W. Va. Nov. 28, 1864, they were captured and held as prisoners until March 1, 1865, when they were paroled. lie was soon after exchanged at Columbus, Ohio, when his regiment was ordered to Washington, and was detailed on special duty to search for the assassin Wilkes Booth. In the following June they were sent on duty to Nebraska and Colorado, and detailed as guards for the stage route between Cotton Wood - 63 - 994 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Springs and Denver City, when he participated in several skirmishes with the Indians. After his discharge he went to the oil wells, in W. Va., where he was employed some six months. in the spring of 1868 he came to Ohio, settling in Starr Township, Hocking County, and engaging in farming until the spring of 1874. He was Township Trustee of Starr Township for several years. In 1874 he rented his farm and removed to Logan, being employed as a clerk in the grange store until the spring of 1878, after which he engaged in saw-milling at Hamilton County, Tenn., for eighteen months. He then returned to Logan and formed a partnership with E. B. Comly in the grocery business which was discontinued in 1882. He then engaged in saw-milling again in Tennessee until January, 1883, he taking the contract to supply the K. & 0. R. R. with ties and lumber. In January, 1883, he again returned to Logan and engaged in his present grocery trade. March 8, 1860, he was married to Miss Mary J. Conner, by whom he has had five children, all deceased. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he having belonged to that denomination since his seventeenth year. He is an Odd Fellow and member of Hocking Valley, Lodge No. 262, and of Mineral Encampment, No. 91, of Logan. He is a Past Grand. Charles Rose, clothier and merchant tailor, James Block, Logan, established his present business in 1866. He was born in Offenbach, A. G., Prussia, Germany, Oct. 23, 1842. When fourteen years of age he came alone to America, landed in New York, and located at Cleveland, Ohio, and clerked in the wholesale cloth house of Koch, Levy & Co., until 1864. He then traveled in Michigan and Ohio a couple of years, then came to Logan and established his present business. He began with limited means, but by honest dealing and close application to business has established a fine business. He occupies a building SO x 22 feet, and carries a full and complete stock of fine domestic and imported suiting and gents' furnishing goods. He also has a tailoring department and makes a specialty of making fine dress suits, etc. He carries a stock of $15,000. Mr. Rose is a son of Moses and Sara (Levy) Rose. His father was a stock-dealer, a native of Prussia, and is still living, in the seventy-second year of age. His mother was born in Baden and died in September, 1878. They had a family of six sons and five daughters. Charles, subject of our sketch, was the third son. Mr. Rose married Flora .Murphy at Logan, Nov. 20, 1873. She was born in Pomeroy, Ohio, a daughter of John A. and Sarah J. HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 995 Murphy. Mr. and Mrs. Rose have four children—Harry, Frank, Bessie and Mabel. Mr. Rose is a Mason and a member of Blue Lodge, Logan Chapter, and of Logan Council. In politics he is a Democrat and cast his first and last Republican vote for Lincoln in 1864. Charles William Schwenke, freight and ticket agent of the C. , H. V. & T. R. R. Company at Logan, is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Later) Schwenke. He was born at Sugar Grove, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Sept. 28, 1858. He was educated at the public schools of his native place till he was sixteen. When fifteen years of age he learned telegraphy in the railroad office at Sugar Grove, attending school at the same time. On leaving home he went to Lancaster, Ohio, where he was employed as special operator two years, when he was sent to Columbus and employed in the dispatcher's office another year, after which he took charge of the telegraph office at the South Depot at Columbus. In July, 1879, he went to Logan, obtaining his present position as freight and ticket agent. He was married April 21, 1880, to Miss Mattie, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Davis) Strawn, of Logan. They are the parents of one child—Clarence Henry. Mr. Schwenke is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Logan. John Shaw, farmer, eldest son of Jonathan and Susan (Higdon) Shaw, was born in Montgomery County, Md., March 20, 1807, When he was four years of age his father died, and his mother with her three children lived with her father until John, the subject of this sketch, was thirteen years of age. She then removed to Frederick City, Frederick Co., Md., and apprenticed him to Conrad Brothers to learn the coloring and weaving trade. He attended school at odd times and was taught some at night by his employers, and thus received a limited common school education. He served at his trade until twenty-one years of age, and continued working for the firm until twenty-four years of age for wages. In November, 1831, removed to Perry County, Ohio, and purchased a farm. In 1836 he sold his farm and purchased wild lands in Falls Township, Hocking County, and opened a farm. Five years later he again sold out and purchased wild lands, and opened the farm where he now resides. He has served as Trustee of Falls Township seven years, and as Commissioner of Hocking County nine years. May 1, 1830, he married Harriet, daughter of John and Sarah (Conrod) Sponseller, of Frederick City, Md. They have 996 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. seven sons—John A., of Green Township ; 'Charles F., of Illinois; Robert H., of Minnesota; James J. and Jonathan R., of Falls Township ; George H. and Jacob F., of Laurel Township. A daughter, Sarah A., wife of John Clark, died Sept. 28, 1864, aged thirty-one years. His wife died Nov. 7, 1873, aged sixty-six years. She was a member of the English Lutheran church. April 1, 1878, he married Mrs. Mary A., widow of Ozias Barnes, and daughter of Daniel and Jane (Sibley) Lemon, of Hocking County. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Henry Richard Snyder, editor and proprietor of the Logan Republican, was born in Hopewell Township, Perry County, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1853, a son of Abraham and Mary M. (Stover) Snyder. He was reared in his native county, being educated in the common schools and, the Academy at Madison, graduating from that institution in 1875. He afterward took a year's course in the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. In 1873 he began teaching and taught at irregular intervals, when not attending school, till 1877. In the summer of 1879 he assisted on the editorial work on the New Lexington Tribune and afterward worked on that paper at intervals till March, 1881, when he came to Logan and became the proprietor of the Logan Republican. May 10, 1881, Mr. Snyder married Minerva Burgess, of Madison Township, Perry Co., Ohio. They have one child—Herbert Ray. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Logan. He is a member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M. Noah W. Starr, residing on section 34, Falls-Gore, was born here, Feb. 9, 1840. He was reared a farmer, which avocation he has always followed. He was educated at the common schools.* In 1877 he married Nannie J., daughter of Ellison Miers, of Ward Township. They ha 7e one child—Harry K. Mr. Starr owns 435 acres of valuable land. The Straitsville branch of the Hocking Valley Railroad passes through it. His mother lives with him in her eighty-fifth year. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Moses Starr, father of our subject, was a native of West Virginia, and came to this county about 1816 and settled on the old homestead where his son Noah still lives. His first wife, Sarah Webb, bore him eight children, five of whom are still living—Benjamin, Elizabeth, Thomas, Harriet and Moses. His second wife was Sarah Beveridge, a native of Loudoun County, Va., our subject be: ing the only child of this union. Mrs. Starr's first husband was Craven Clowe. They were blessed with five children—John, HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 997 Charles (deceased), Elijah, Mary and Craven. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and John, Elijah and Craven Clowe were in the war of the Rebellion, Craven being Captain of Company 0, Sixty-second Ohio Infantry. Moses Starr died in October, 1870, aged over eighty years. Isaac Stiers, pork-packer and dealer in wool, Logan, was born Near Adamsville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, Jan. 7, 1817, the second of four sons of Joseph and Sarah (Southerland) Stiers. He was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. In his younger days he taught school, but after becoming of age, in 1838, he was employed as a clerk in the store of Dr. J. Cone, Adamsville, remaining with him five years. In 1844 he became associated with D. Ross in the mercantile business, the firm name being Ross & Stiers. In 1846 he bought Mr. Ross's interest and carried on the business alone ten years. In 1854 he was elected Treasurer of Muskingum County. In 1856, on account of losing heavily by the bankruptcy of parties to whom he had made a large shipment the previous year, he was obliged to suspend business. In the winter of 1856 he again began to teach school, and taught during the winter months till 1860. In September, 1860, he was employed in the mill office of Beaumont & Hollingsworth, at Zanesville, Ohio, and superintended the buying and handling of grain for them five years. In 1865 he became proprietor of the Putnam Mills at Zanesville, remaining in the milling and grain business two years. In 1867 he, with Solomon Shroyer, engaged in the general produce business under the firm name of Stiers & Shroyer. In 1869 he retired from the firm and engaged in the mercantile business. In the spring of 1870 he was burnt out, losing his store and dwelling and saving only a few of his goods, and was the second time obliged to commence again at the beginning. In January, 1871, he came to Logan and was employed as superintendent of the grange store. In the winter of 1870 he began to pack pork on a small scale and deal in wool on commission. His business has increased yearly till he now has a large packing establishment, purchased in 1878. In the winter of 1882-'83 he killed 1,200 hogs. He handles annually 100,000 pounds of wool. July 10, 1842, Mr. Stiers married Sidney T. Frame, of Adamsville. They have two children—Isaac Newton, of Zanesville, and Joseph A., of the firm of Tritsch & Stiers, Logan. Mr. and Mrs. Stiers are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Logan, of which he is a Trustee. He is a member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. &A. M. 998 - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. J. Albert Stiers was born in Adamsville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, J sly 20, 1854. When one year old he removed with his parents to Sonora, and remained there until 1860, when the family removed to Zanesville, and when eighteen he began to learn the trade of sash and blind making, working at it two and a half years. In 1873 he came to Logan and followed his trade six months, then opened and ran a feed store for one year, when he began to clerk in the grange store, and in August, 1879, he formed his present partnership with B. K. Tritsch. Mr. Stiers is a son of Isaac and Sidney T. (Frame) Stiers. His father is a dealer in wool, pork and provisions at Logan. His parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have had a family of four children, two living—I. .N ., traveling for a dry-goods house in Philadelphia, and J. A., subject of our sketch. J. A. Stiers was married to Clara Rochester, March 23, 1877. She was born in Logan, Ohio, daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Embich) Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Stiers are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have two children—Sidney H. and Joseph A. Mr. Stiers is a member of the I. O. O. F., Mineral Encampment, No. 91; Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 262, at Logan. John Wendell Strentz, superintendent of the Logan Manufacturing Company, was born in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, April 14, 1838. His father died when he was nine years of age, and he was early thrown on his own resources. When he was eighteen years of age he went to work for Isaac Groff, to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He then worked for him as a journeyman one year, and in 1860 went to Cincinnati, remaining there a year. He returned to Lancaster and worked for Mr. Groff till August, 1862, when he enlisted' in Company I, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, for three years, and was discharged at Washington, D. C., June 28, 1865. He was in the battle of Stone River, where he was wounded. In July, 1863, he was left by his regiment in the hospital at Manchester; he was soon after removed to Tullahoma, Tenn., and was in the hospital there a month, when, convalescing, he was sent to Nashville. He remained there three weeks and was then sent to Louisville, Ky., remaining there two months, after which he was transferred to Company G, Seventh Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, and sent to Cincinnati on guard duty. In June, 1864, he was sent to Washington, and remained on guard duty till his discharge. He went out as Fourth Sergeant, and after his transfer to the reserve corps was promoted to Orderly HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - 999 Sergeant. He was at Washington at the time. President Lincoln was assassinated, and his company was detailed as guard to Vice-President Johnson. After his discharge he returned to Lancaster and resumed contracting and building. In September, 1872, he came to Logan and worked as a mechanic till February, 1879, when he was employed in his present position. In April, 1882, he was elected Councilman of Logan. Nov. 2, 1865, he was married to Lou P. Ford, of Lancaster. They have three children—Estella, William and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Strentz are members of the Methodist church. He is a member of Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 262, and Hockliocking Encampment, No. 28, I. 0. 0. F.; Logan Lodge, No. 19, K. of P., and James K. Rochester Post, No. 140, G. A. R. He represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias in May, 1883. Joel Beckwith Stiers, bookkeeper and clerk for W. R. Calkins, hardware merchant of Straitsville, Ohio, was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 17, 1827, a. son of Henry and Eunice (Short) Stiers. When he was eighteen years of age he came to Logan and served an apprenticeship of three years with L. Hutchins to learn the saddler and harness maker's trade. He worked as a journeyman till 1860, when he was elected Clerk of Falls Township, serving by re-election till 1868. He was then elected Auditor of Hocking County, serving two terms of two years each. In 1874 he went to Sullivan and engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods two years. He then went to Larned, Kas., and engaged in farming and keeping hotel till 1880, when he returned to Logan, and was employed as Clerk in the Auditor's office during 1880–'81, and since then has held his present position. He was married June 20, 1848, to Martha Brown, of Logan, who died Oct. 2, 1869, leaving five children, four now living--William O., Frances, Emma and Carrie. Margaret Ellen died in 1879, aged twenty-nine years. June 20, 1872, he married Mrs. Maria Clark, of Logan. They have two children—Justine Blanch and Charles 0. Mr. Stiers is a Master and Royal Arch Mason. and has served as Senior and Junior Warden. Samuel Stivison, farmer, third son of Barnabas and Eve (Mathias) Stivison, was born near Logan, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1823. He was but five years of age when his father died. He then lived with friends two years, and at seven years of age was bound to Martin Goss, Sr., and lived with him until sixteen years of age, working on a farm and attending the common schools. When