600 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. county, Ohio. The remainder of the family are at home. George Varner, our subject, received a fair common-school education, and early in life became familiar with agricultural pursuits, which occupation he expects to make his life's calling. In politics he is a republican. George Vickers is an old soldier citizen who, after fighting for his country three years in the great Civil war, returned home to follow the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. His grandfather was a farmer in Loudoun county, Va., and there passed from life. Six of his children came to Muskingum county, Ohio at the time of the building of the Ohio canal and all of them settled in this county with the exception of Tolivar, who located in the southwestern part of Coshocton county. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. The remaining children of the family were Charles, William, Samuel, Betsey and Malinda. Samuel. Vickers was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Loudoun county, Va., in 1815, but received limited educational advantages in his youth and was a young man of twenty-two or twenty-three years of age when he came to Ohio. He first resided on the Ohio canal and was married to Caroline Romine, daughter of Elijah and Loran (Riley) Romine, the former of whom came from Loudoun county, Va., at the same time as the Vickers and settled on a farm in the southwest part of Coshocton county, his family at that time being nearly all grown. His children were Edward, Stephen, Moses, Caroline and Susan. Mr. Romine died at the age of seventy in Bartholomew county, Ind., to which place he removed in 1845, becoming a farmer in good circumstances. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Vickers became the parents of ten children: Mary A., Louisa,. George, Stephen, Elizabeth, Samuel, Huldah, Malinda, Emma and Maria. After settling in Muskingum county, Mr. Vickers worked for the Ohio Canal company as lock-tender, and until his death, which occurred at the age of fifty years, he was a hard-working, industrious and useful citizen. George Vickers, his son, was born February 8, 1839, at Adams Mills this county and obtained a limited education in the common schools. He early learned the duties of farm life and his youth was passed in the monotonous duties of life on a farm. When twenty-three years of age he responded to the call of President Lincoln for 300,000 men and enlisted in Company F, Ninety-seventh regiment, Ohio Volunteer infantry as a private and took part in the battles of Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862; Stone River, Tenn., December 31, 1862; Chattanooga, November 23-5, 1863; Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863; Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., May 5-9, 1864; Dalton, August 14-16, 1864; Resaca, May 13-16, 1864; Adairville, May 17-18, 1864; Dallas, May 25 to June 4, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain June 27, 1864; special assault of Kenesaw Mountain, June 22, 1864; Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864; siege of Atlanta, Ga., from July 28, to September 2, 1864; Jonesboro, August 31, to September 1, 1864; Lovejoy Station, September, 2-6, 1864; Spring Hill, Tenn., November 29, 1864; Nashville, December 15-16, 1864, besides others of less importance. The Ninety-seventh regiment was organized at Zanesville, Ohio, September 2, 1862, and was mustered out of service at Nashville, Tenn., June 10, 1865. The companies composing the regiment were A and B, from Guernsey county ; C and D, from Morgan county; E, F, G and K, from Muskingum county, and I and H, from Coshocton county. The regiment left Zanesville September 7, 1862, for the front and was disbanded at Columbus, June 15, 1865. The entire loss in killed, wounded and missing was 577. June 22, 1864, eight companies numbering 192 men, lost between 3:30 and 4 o'clock, 103 men, the greatest loss of any regiment in the army in so short a space of time. This is the record of the famous Ninety-seventh regiment which, in addition to the above, took part in skirmishes too numerous to mention. Mr. Vickers was in all these battles with the exception of Stone River, at that time being sick with fever in Hospital No. 2, at Nashville, where he was kept only two months. The brigadier-general was George D. Wagner, the colonel John Q. Lane, then of Zanesville, now a lawyer of Philadelphia. The regiment has held seven reunions, all of which were well attended, 160 being present at the last, which was held at Coshocton July 3, 1891. The regimental flag was captured by the confederates at Franklin, Tenn., and was returned to the regiment by them in 1884, a delegation of the regiment that captured it, delivering it. Mr. Vickers was a good soldier and endured the hardships and privations and dangers of the soldier's life with courage and fortitude. His children may well feel proud of his gallant record, which is untarnished. January 15, 1.868, he was married to Miss Sarah A. McKee, daughter of William and Maria (Vickers) McKee, the former of whom was of Irish descent. His father, Patrick McKee, came. from Ireland and settled in Coshocton county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. McKee one child was born, Sarah, who became the wife of Mr. Vickers. Her mother died when she was an infant of eighteen months and her father took for his second wife Margaret Gault, which union resulted in the birth of seven children: Maria, Elsie, Milton, Kate, William, Belle and Amy. Mr. McKee was a farmer of Coshocton county, but sold out and moved to Missouri, where he died in 1872 at the age of forty-five years. He was a member of the Baptist church and was honorable HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 601 and upright. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Vickers: Elmer G. ; Alva W., who died at the age of ten years; Lena M. ; Melvin Z. ; Huldah B.; Eura M., died in infancy; Mabel F.; George B., and H. Virgil. After his marriage Mr. Vickers resided for one year in Washington township, Coshocton county, but in 1870 came to Jackson township of this county and since 1874 has been a resident of his present farm, which consists of 1.51 acres. Mr. Vickers is a republican politically and is a charter member of Griffe post, of the G. A. R. of Frazeysburg. He is a member of the Regular Baptist church and his wife is a Methodist. He has always been a patron of education, and for twelve years has been a school director of Frazeysburg. By industry and hard work he has made a good home for his family and has given his children good advantages. He stands high as a citizen, being honest and conscientious in all his acts. As a soldier he was not afraid to face rebel bullets on many a hard-fought battlefield, and by his name should be written the words, " well done." Among the successful farmers of Adams township, Ohio, whose merits are such as to entitle him to representation in the present work, is George H. Vinsel, Adamsville, Muskingum county. John Vinsel, his grandfather, was a prosperous farmer of Loudoun county, Va., and of German descent. He married Miss Huff, also of German descent, and the following children were born to them: John, Adam, Philip, George, Solomon, Kate, Polly, Eva and Susan. He lived to the age of sixty-five years, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and a member of the Lutheran church. John Vinsel Jr., his son and the father of George H., was born in Loudoun county, Va., and was a blacksmith by trade. He married Mary Foley, and this union was blessed with six children: Harriett, Eliza, Matilda, John H., Thomas W. and George H. The father died at the age of fifty years both himself and wife being members of the Lutheran church. George H. Vinsel was born in Loudoun county, Va., August 24, 1824, was reared as a farmer and received a common-school education. He came to Ohio at the age of twenty-five years and married in Adams township, August 22, 1850, Elizabeth R. Wenner, born March 9, 1832, and the daughter of Solomon and Malinda (Wertz) Wenner. Her father was born in Loudoun county, Va., came to Muskingum county and married in Salem township, settling at Fultonham, ten miles from Zanesville. Here he worked at his trade of carpenter and cabinet maker, and came to Adams township in 1836, bought the farm now occupied by our subject and here passed the remainder of his days. Himself and wife were members of the Lutheran church, in which he was Sunday school superintendent for many years. He was an old line whig in politics. They were the parents of three children: Peter F. (died in infancy), Mary C and Elizabeth R. Mr. Wenner lived to be fifty years of age and died in 1851. After his marriage George H. Vinsel settled on the farm upon which he now resides. He was always very industrious, and when he came to this township had saved up $500. He continued to save until he bought the old Wenner homestead and has added to it until he now owns 240 acres of as good land as there is in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Vinsel are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Vinsel is a democrat politically, has held the offices of township trustee, and treasurer, and has been a member of the school board. He is in favor of good roads and has been road supervisor for some time. To himself and wife were born eleven children: Solomon F. was born July 23, 1851, married Mary M. Bainter (they have five children; he is a farmer in Adams township); John W. was born August 28, 1853, married Maggie Stewart (he is a carpenter of Adams township and they have two children); Mary M. was born October 22, 1855, and is the wife of Samuel Hanks, a farmer of Adams township; William Kirk was born May 17, 1858, and died February 10, 1868; Martha A. was born April 17, 1.860, is the wife of Henry Buker of Monroe township and has three children; Albert R. was born August 24, 1862, married Etta Davis (he is a carpenter and they have one child); Curtis 0. was born June 14, 1865, married Lillie M. Jackson, daughter of Dr. Jackson, of Zanesville (he is a carpenter of Zanesville); Valley A. was born October 1.8, 1867, and married Spencer Jordan, a farmer of Adams township (they have one child); George T. was born December 4, 1870; Alvy A. was born August 23, 1873; and Bertha V. was born July 26, 1876. Mr. Vinsel gave all his children good educations, and George is now attending school at Lebanon. He has taught four terms of school and is a young man of ability. Mr. Vinsel can justly be termed one of the leading citizens of this county, as he has done all in his power for the advancement and good of of the community. Thomas Waddle, a prosperous farmer residing on eighty-five acres of excellent land in section 11, Union township, Muskingum county, Ohio, is a native of the Emerald Isle, born in County Armaugh, Ireland, on May 29, 1836. His parents, John and Mary (Best) Waddle, were natives also of that country and there their nuptials were celebrated. Their children, eight in number, were born there and named as follows: Robert, Sarah, John, Thomas and Martha (twins), Mary A., Margaret and William. John Waddle, father of these children, came to the United States in 1850, settled on a farm in Union township, and the following 602 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. year sent to the land of his birth for his family. He made his home in Muskingum county for about eleven years and then moved to Illinois, where he followed farming until his death in 1864. He was a good farmer and accumulated considerable property. Mrs. Waddle died in the same state in the same year. Of their children only one besides our subject is now living, Mary A., who is now Mrs. Malone, of New Concord. Thomas Waddle attended school in Ireland until coming to the United States and was then in the district schools of Union township for some time. When about sixteen years of age he began his life's work as a tiller of the soil and has followed that occupation up to the present time. He was married in 1857, to Miss Mary E. Stewart, a native of Union township, Muskingum county, born May 12, 1838, and the daughter of John and Jane (Chambers) Stewart, being one of six children who are named in the order of their births as follows: Robert, Thomas, Margaret J., William, James C. and Mary E. Mr. Stewart was born in Baltimore, Md., and moved to Muskingum county at an early day, about 1830. The mother died about 1841, when Mrs. Waddle was about three years old, and the latter was reared by James Wilson, with whom she remained until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Waddle were born ten children: Robert S., who died at the age of fourteen days; Maggie J., died at the age of twenty-three years; Martha A., died at the age of twenty-one years; John, Samuel C., James W., Joseph E., Lemuel A., the last five all at home; Mary L., died at the age of three years and Emily B. died at the age of six months. After marriage Mr. Waddle settled in Union township, and in 1864 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth regiment, in the 100 days' service. In 1865 he and family settled on the farm where they now live and here they have made their home since. Mr. Waddle engaged in general farming. All are members of the U. P. church and are interested in all good work. Mr. Waddle is a republican in politics and his sons also advocate the principles of that party. He has held a number of local offices and is held in high esteem in the county. Mrs. Waddle's brothers and sisters are scattered. The father died in Muskingum county. Her mother, who was a native of Washington county, Penn., was of German descent. Of the children Robert resides in Perry township, this county; James resides in Union township; Margaret J.. now Mrs. Stewart, resides in Benton county, Iowa; Thomas died in New York state and William is mining in Idaho. Samuel Wade, freight and passenger agent for the Columbus, Shawnee & Hocking railroad, at Zanesville, Ohio, is a native of England, born in Halifax, Yorkshire county, November 10, 1843. He was educated in the common schools of his native county. On the 5th day of May, 1872, he landed in New York city, but went from there to the Pine Tree state where he spent the summer. In September of that year he came to Zanesville, Ohio, where he has since resided. He worked as a common laborer for a short time and in February 1874 he commenced working for the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley railroad, handling freight on the platform. He was subsequently promoted to check clerk and bill clerk and was with that company up to September, 1888. He then went to work for Thomas Drake & Company, lumber merchants, as their collector, and after remaining with them for one year, accepted a position as traveling salesman for the Dillon Soap company, at Zanesville, being on the road for this company about a year. Going back to Thomas Drake & Co., he remained with them until January 27, 1890, at which time he accepted a position as contracting freight and passenger agent for the C. S. & H. R. R. and June 1 he was promoted to his present position, which he fills in a very satisfactory manner. Mr. Wade was married on the 30th of November, 1870, to Miss Martha Ann Drake, and their union has been blessed by the birth of four living children: Emma J., John H., Sarah E. and Samuel J. Mr. Wade is a member of Amity lodge No. 5, A. F. & A. M.. and in politics he is a stanch republican. Among those of German birth now residing in Muskingum county stands the name of Philip Wahl, Adamsville, Ohio, who is prominently identified with the farming and stockraising interests of the county. He was born in Alsace county, Germany, June 20, 1829, and was left fatherless when but four years of age. His mother, with her family, came to America and settled in Madison township, Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1840. She had three sons: Fredrick, now in Iowa; Laurance also in Iowa. and Philip who is the only one now in this county. She bought eighty acres of land, for which she paid $700, and there resided for some time. She subsequently went to live with one of her sons, near Boone, Iowa, and there her death occurred in 1868. Philip Wahl received his primary education in his native country and finished his education in this county. He started out when eighteen years of age to learn the harness maker's trade and this he followed for about ten years. In 1851 he married Miss Margaret Lapp, daughter of Henry and Magdaline (Zimmer) Lapp. Mr. and Mrs. Lapp were natives of Germany and after coming to this country they bought land in Adams township, Muskingum county, Ohio, where the father successfully tilled the soil. They were the parents of the following children: Michael, Elizabeth, Mar- HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 603 garet, Catherine, Louisa, Soloman, Henry, Abner and Mary. Three died when young. Mr. Lapp died in 1882, but his wife previous to this, in 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Wahl have been born ten children: Louisa A., now Mrs. Strohecker; Martha L.; Dorothy J. (Mrs. Hanks) died July, 1880; Mary E., now Mrs. T. J. Keyes; Martin L. ; Emma S., now Mrs. Samuel Keys; Carrie M. ; Harvey N. ; Charles; and Alice, now Mrs. Trittipo. Mr. Wahl and family hold membership in the Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Wahl is a democrat. He has held a number of township offices, takes a deep interest in all public enterprises, and is a public-spirited citizen. He has been unusually successful in tilling the soil, owns 300 acres of good land, and is one of the substantial men of the county. He resides about four and a half miles from Adamsville, and is the only one of the Wahl family residing in the county. Dr. G. W. W. Walker is an eminent medical practitioner, who has practiced his profession in the town of Roseville, Muskingum county, Ohio, for the past fourteen years. He was reared and educated in this neighborhood and was the only son of a family of seven children born to the union of G. W. Walker and wife. G. W. Walker was born in Maryland in 1808, a son of Elisha Walker. The Walkers are an old family of New York. Elisha came to this county at an early day and settled near Zanesville on a good farm about 1822. He resided in the county until his death. He was born about 1763, and lived to be about eighty-five or ninety years of age. He reared a large family and G. W. was one of the younger children. Elisha had married twice and G. W. was one of the second marriage. Of his twelve children only one is now living., Mrs. Eliza Thrush, of Missouri. G. W. Walker, the father of our subject, came with his parents to Muskingum county, where he grew to maturity, married and settled on a farm. Here be lived until his death in January, 1892. In 1832 he married Mahala Brown, a daughter of Benjamin Brown, born in 1814 in Virginia. Her father settled near Zanesville many years ago, later moved to Morgan county, and lived there until his death in 1864, his wife, Nancy Davis, dying in 1870. Mrs. Walker was the mother of seven children, and died in 1885. The children were: George (subject.); Martha, now Mrs. White of Roseville; Jennie, now Mrs. Sagle of Roseville; Mary, Mrs. Poe of Roseville; Lizzie, the widow of Dixon Tharp of Zanesville; Etta, now Mrs. Hoover, living near Roseville; Frances, now Mrs. Myers of Roseville. The parents of this family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father was prominent in politics and held many offices of trust. Dr. George W. W. Walker was born on the old home of his father in this township in 1847. Here he attended the district schools and later the Cincinnati Medical college, from which he graduated in 1875. He located at Fairfield county for one year and in 1878 established his practice in Roseville and has won for himself an enviable reputation as a physician. In 1876 he married Zillah Stoneham, a native of Beavertown, Morgan county, Ohio, and the daughter of Michell and Magdaline (Wilson) Stoneham. Mrs. Walker was born in 1855 and is the mother of one child, Dwight M. The Doctor is a member of the National Medical association and the County Medical association, .and an Odd Fellow of long standing, since 1868. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and F. & A. M. Himself and wife are members of the Christian church. The father of Robert Waters, Otsego, Ohio, William Waters, was born in Wales, coming to this country when a lad. He was a farmer and married Nancy Ashwell, of Virginia. He settled in the Shenandoah valley, four miles above Harper's ferry, on what is now known as the Shieler farm, where he lived until his death at the age of fifty-two years. He was the father of ten children: Richard A., William, James, Polly and Robert are those who lived to be grown and all reared families except James, who died in Virginia. Mr. Waters was a substantial farmer and a member of the Methodist church and was respected by all who knew him. Robert Waters, his youngest child, was born February 12, 1813, received a limited common-school education and was left an orphan by the death of his father at the age of eleven years. He lived in Virginia with his eldest brother, Richard A., until he was fourteen years of age and then came to Ohio with this brother in 1827. Richard A. was a married man with three children, studied medicine and became a physician and settled in Monroe township on a farm in 1828. Young Robert worked at farm work until he became a man, and April 28, 1834, married Sophronia Richardson, daughter of Jesse Richardson and his wife Lydia. Jesse Richardson was an old Revolutionary soldier from the state of Connecticut, who settled in Monroe township on the farm now occupied by our subject. To Robert Waters and wife were born four children: Jerome H. (born April 13, 1835), William C. (born September 20, 1842), Philancy (born February 4, 1838), and Robert Marshall (born June 23, 1845). After his marriage, Mr. Waters settled on the old Richardson homestead, where he has since lived. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church and he has been class-leader and trustee. In politics he is a republican and was a strong Union man during the war. He sent three sons to the Civil war—Jerome H. was in the 100 days' service in the Shenandoah valley. 604 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. William C. was in Company F., Seventy-eighth Regular Ohio Volunteer infantry, and served all through the war, was in many battles and was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He is now a physician at Adamsville, Ohio. Robert M. was in Company —, Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer infantry, served nine months and was in many battles, the last being Nashville. Mr. Waters is much respected by the people and has been road Supervisor. He has taken an active interest in having good schools and was a member of the school board for many years. He gave his children all good common school educations. His first wife died, and May 28, 1848, he married Julia R. Barnard, daughter of Jason and Jane (Holcomb) Barnard. To them have been born six children, all lived to be grown: Sarah (born March 29, 1849, was married and died at the age of forty years), Wesley A. (born August 16, 1855), Charles L., (born June 8, 1859), Louisa J. (born April 8, 1857), Emma E. (born January 15, 1862), and Decatur A. (born July 20, 1863). Jason Barnard was of English parents, born in Connecticut, where he married Jane Holcomb and lived near Hartford. They were the parents of seven children who lived to be grown: Julia R., Jason A., Louisa M., Lucy M., Electa L., Celia A. and Fidelia J. Jason Barnard came to Monroe township about 1824 and settled on a farm. He lived to the advanced age of seventy-eight years and died in this township. Mr. Waters is a man who has always lived a correct moral life, has been a good citizen, and is respected by all who know him. He has been the father of eleven children. The Waters' family descend from Ohio's old pioneer stock of sturdy and brave frontiermen, without whom no country could become civilized and the fatherland of a prosperous and peaceful race of people such as Ohio can boast of to-day. Jerome H. Waters married Louisa Barnard, daughter of Jason Barnard. He is a farmer in Monroe township. John W. Watson, hotel proprietor, Trinway, Ohio. There is nothing adds so much to the prestige of a town in the estimation of a stranger as first-class hotel accommodations. First in Trinway is the well-known house kept by Mr. Watson. This gentleman is a native of the Buckeye State, his birth occurring in Coshocton county, Perry township, on the 14th of January, 1844, and his parents, John W. and Elizabeth (Bingard) Watson, were natives of the Old Dominion. The father was drowned in Wakatomaka creek in 1854, and the mother received her final summons in 1872. John W. Watson became familiar with the tedious routine of farm life at an early age, and when sixteen years of age he began learning the shoemaker's trade at West Carlisle, Ohio, following this for seven years. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-Second Ohio Volunteer infantry, and served for three years, or during the war. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness and was discharged in 1864. He began working at his trade at Frazeysburg, and also ran a hotel at that place. In 1886 he came to Trinway and opened the Union hotel, which he has conducted in a successful and creditable manner ever since. He was married in 1876 to Miss Maggie McCann, a native of Frazeysburg, and to them have been born two interesting children—Harry and Frank. Mr. Watson is a pleasant, agreeable man, and is naturally suited and adapted to his present business. In politics he is a democrat, and is a member of the G. A. R., Cass post. He is also a member of the A. F. & A. M., Dresden lodge No. 103. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church. Richard Wells, one of the representative citizens of Muskingum county, Ohio, was born in Loudoun county, Va., on the 30th of August, 1823, and was but little over two years of age when his parents settled in Ohio; consequently his recollections are all of the Buckeye state. He received the rudiments of an education in the subscription schools of that day. His father, who was a first-rate cabinet maker and carpenter, died when our subject was but fourteen years of age, and the latter began to familiarize himself with the use of tools, soon becoming a competent and proficient workman. Many of the best residences in his locality and the Bethel church were built by him. He followed his trade in connection with farming, and has been successful. During the time he devoted himself exclusively to his trade he rented his land, but of late years he has paid more attention to his farm, which at present comprises 190 acres, all well improved. He does not aspire to office, but he has held the office of postmaster at Brush Creek for a number of years, and has held other local positions. Mr. Wells was married on the 27th of November, 1845, to Miss Aphelia M., daughter of John W. Bear, who was familiarly known as the "Buckeye Blacksmith." After his marriage Mr. Wells settled on the old Wells homestead, purchased the interests of the other heirs, and here he has since resided. To his marriage were born ten children: John R.; James; Louisa, wife of James Pletcher; Hampton (deceased), Clayton; Clara, widow of Willis McCoid; David F.; Emma C.; William E., and Cora A. Hampton and Clayton became teachers, and the former afterward attended the Muskingum college at New Concord, Ohio. Mr. Wells and wife are members of the Baptist church, with which they have been connected for many years, and they are active workers in the same. In politics he has been a stanch republican. Mr. Wells' father, Troy HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 605 Wells (deceased), was one of the old settlers of Muskingum county, settling in Brush Creek township on the farm where his son Richard now lives in 1826. He was a native of Fairfax county, Va., born July 29, 1796, and was married in his native state in 1822 to Miss Lucinda, daughter of Jeremiah and Minnie (Weeks) Hampton. She was born on the 29th of March, 1806. Following his marriage Mr. Wells, with his young wife, started for the Ohio country in wagons, and as they could only make slow progress through the rough and unsettled country, they were three weeks in making the journey. He first purchased thirty acres of land, all in the woods, built a little log cabin, and thus began life. He cleared his small place, added to it from time to time until he owned 275 acres, and was very successful and prosperous. There his death occurred on the 12th of June, 1837, at the age of forty-one years. He was a carpenter by trade, a skilled workman, and constructed many articles of furniture for the neighbors and others. His marriage was blessed by the birth of six children: Richard; Isaac (deceased); Maria (deceased); Ann; Stephen, and David. Mrs. Wells was married again on the 23d of January, 1844, to James Crane, who was born July 12, 1803, and who probably settled in the county at an early period. After marriage Mr. Crane settled on the Wells homestead and subsequently located on Duncan run, where he died on the 8th of July, 1862, at the age of fifty-nine years. Three children were born to this union: Henry, born No- vember 22, 1844; enlisted in Company A, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer infantry, in 1861, and died in a hospital near New York in 1862. Susan C., wife of James Woodruff and Aphelia Ann, wife of William Smith. Mr. Wells was a member of the Baptist church and Mr. Crane was an accepted member of the same. Mrs. Crane is also a member of the same denomination, with which she has been connected, many years. Although eighty-five years of age, she is well preserved, and sprightly, her mind is clear and active, and she recounts the events of the past in an intelligent, interesting manner. Richard Wells' father-in-law, John W. Bear, was the founder of that name in Ohio. He was born in Maryland, was married in Belmont county, Ohio, to Miss Mary C. Turner, and subsequently removed to Muskingum county. He was a blacksmith by trade. He was an intelligent and brainy man, and took an active interest in political affairs, serving by appointment Indian agent at Upper Sandusky to the Wyandott Indians. Subsequently he was a custom officer in the revenue department at Philadelphia. He was a speaker of much force, eloquent and persuasive, and was a great temperance worker. He was the father of but one child, now Mrs. Wells. In politics he was a democrat until 1839, when he became a whig. He died on the 12th of February, 1880. Mrs. Bear is living at the age of eighty-one, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which her husband also held membership. James E. Wharton was born in the township in which he is now residing, February 26, 1857, his parents, John B. W. and Margaret (Prior) Wharton, having been born in this county also, the father's birth occurring in 1819. In his early youth he was apprenticed to a Mr. Bryant to learn blacksmithing, which occupied his time and attention until he was twenty years of age. He then worked for a short time for a Mr. Crover, but later opened a shop at Elizabethtown, in which place he met and married Miss Prior. He afterward moved to Cooperstown, where he conducted a blacksmith and wagon shop, but still later moved to Hopewell, and in 1882 to Zanesville. Five children were born to their union, three of whom are living, but they were left motherless when the subject of this sketch was quite a small boy. He attended the common schools near his home, and remained with and assisted his father in his business until he was twenty years of age. He then concluded to learn the trade of a blacksmith himself, and in connection with W. W. Sloop, he purchased and conducted a shop for about four years. Succeeding this he worked for a Mr. Elmore for one year, then became an employe in the Zanesville Steel works, where he remained for about four years. In 1887 he came to Mr. Sterling, and after conducting a shop of his own for one year he became associated with Mr. Ehman, and so has continued to the present time. On the 27th of April, 1887, he was married to Miss Ella Shipplett, who was born in Hopewell township, Muskingum county, July 4, 1858, a daughter of Nelson and Ann (Hughes) Shipplett. Mr. and Mrs. Wharton are Methodists, and he was formerly a democrat politically but is now a prohibitionist. Joseph Wigton, deceased, father of Samuel Wigton, was numbered among the many citizens of foreign birth who emigrated to this country, and who by their industry and good management became wealthy and influential members of society. He was born in Ireland, from which country he emigrated when a young man. He first came to Perry county, Ohio, and there followed his trade, that of tailor, which he had learned in his native country, for some time. From there he went to Fultonham, Muskingum county, Ohio (then called Uniontown), and there carried on his trade for some time. He entered a quarter section of land adjoining Roseville, located on it, and immediately began making improvements. The farm was principally in the woods, but in a short time vast improvements had been made, and here Mr. 606 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. Wigton made his permanent home. His death occurred in 1859 when eighty years of age. He came to this country alone, and what he made in the way of this world's goods was the result of his indomitable energy and superior management. He was married near Rushville, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Porter, who bore him eight children: William (deceased), John (deceased), Mary (deceased), Jane (still living), James (deceased), Nancy (deceased), Samuel and Carson P. The mother of these children died in 1831, when about forty years of age. She held membership in the Presbyterian church. Mr. Wigton's second marriage was to Miss Margaret Rose, who bore him one child, Martha, who resides in this county. Mr. Wigton was also a member of the Presbyterian church, having joined the same a number of years preceding his death. A. sister of his, Catherine, came to the United States, married James Downey, and settled in Perry county. Another sister, Hannah, married a Perkins, and still another, Martha, settled in Pennsylvania. A brother, William, located in Franklin county, Ohio. Samuel Wigton, subject of this sketch, and son of Joseph and Sarah (Porter) Wigton, was born near Roseville, Ohio, in 1822, and obtained but a limited education in the subscription schools. He remained under the parental roof, until twenty-six or twenty-seven years of age, and in 1849 he was married to Miss Amanda J. Crooks. He and wife then settled on a farm adjoining the home place, and there remained for three years when they located on the farm where they now reside. In this vicinity they have made their home, and Mr. Wigton has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. Their union' was blessed by the birth of two children, only one now living: John William; the one deceased was Joseph Wallace. Mrs. Wigton died in 1889, when sixty-one years of age. She was an exemplary Christian, and a worthy member of the Lutheran church of Roseville, in which Mr. Wigton was a deacon for many years, and in which he is elder at the present time. Politically he is a democrat. Among the most respected citizens of Muskingum county, is Ira Wilcox, Dresden, Ohio. His grandfather, James Wilcox, was of English descent and among the early settlers of Maine. His father was a sea captain and opposed his son's coming West with the colony. James left without the consent of his parents and never communicated with them. Some years later he was attending a trial in Philadelphia, when he met a lawyer, who noticing the name Wilcox, inquired about his family and found that Mr. Wilcox was his uncle. After this letters passed between the families but Mr. Wilcox never returned. James Wilcox, had but little education, but the family were all well educated. He was but a boy of seventeen years when he joined the colony of adventurers and settlers bound for the great West and the then backwoods of Ohio. This was in the year 1796-97. Young Wilcox came with the party to Marietta, Ohio, and after a short residence there came to Muskingum county and leased land on Wakatomaka creek near Dresden. He married Rebecca Campbell from Virginia, and to them were born eleven children: George (died young), Charles, William, John, Jesse, Mary, James and Rebecca (twins), Emily, Zebida and Sarah. James Wilcox lived but a few years on the Wakatomaka creek and then moved to the Wells creek in Adams township. He was the first settler in this part of the township. He was a devout member of the German Baptist church and his house was the home of the worthy pioneer preachers of the gospel when sojourning in the wilderness. He was for a short time a soldier in the War of 1812 and died in his eighty-eighth year. John Wilcox, his son and the father of our subject, was born in 1812, on Wills creek in Adams township. He was educated in the rough schools of the pioneer and learned to work on the farm and in the timber. He remained at home until he married when about forty- four years of age in September, 1852, Sarah A. Crumbaker, daughter of John and Catherine (Kalor) Crum-baker. John Crumbaker was from Loudoun county, Va., of German descent and a farmer and wagon maker by trade. He had ten children : Jonas K., Maria D., John, Johannah, Sarah A., William A., Elizabeth E., Amanda C., Andrew Jackson and Oliver J. He came to Ohio, settling on a farm in Adams township in 1829. Here he spent the rest of his days and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Jacob Kalor, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. John Wilcox, was a German school teacher and came to this country as a soldier with the Hessian soldiers at the time of the Revolution. He was one of the early school teachers of Loudoun county, Va. After his marriage John Wilcox settled on the old homestead, where he lived all his life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox were members of the Methodist church, and they were the parents of four children: Ira, Alice (died at the age of twenty-four years), James M. (died an infant), and John W. (died when six years of age). John Wilcox died, but his widow, Sarah A. Wilcox is yet living. She was born March 21, 1820, is a devout Christian and a member of the Methodist church. Ira Wilcox, their son, was born April 21, 1853, in the old homestead on Wills creek, received a common school education and learned the blacksmith' s trade closing an apprenticeship of two and a half years with William Rollers, of Coshocton county, when but twenty-two years of age. He then married, September 13, 1874, Josephine Smith, daughter of HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 607 Finley and Elizabeth (Hawk) Smith. To them was born one child, Nora E. Mrs. Wilcox died after a marriage of four years and Mr. Wilcox married April 17, 1883, Charity E. Knoff, daughter of John and Mary J. Knoff. Mr. Wilcox followed his trade of blacksmith mostly in Wills Creek until 1888, but the last few years managed his business, as he could do little work on account of ill health. He went into the hotel business in 1889, ran the Grand Hotel at Dresden one year and since that time the White House, which is a large hotel, well managed, containing thirty rooms and a spacious dining room, good beds and a liberal table at very reasonable prices. Socially Mr. Wilcox is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., Wakatomaka lodge No. 186, and a republican in politics. By his second marriage Mr. Wilcox has two children: Bernice A. and Alice. Daniel G. Willey, treasurer of Muskingum county, Ohio, is fitted by nature as well as by training for the responsible position he fills, for he is methodical in all his habits, is extremely painstaking, and is without doubt energetic. He was born in Hopewell township of this county May 22, 1845, of which section his people have been residents since 1801, at which time Curtis Willey immigrated with his wife and one child from Pennsylvania, at which time Hopewell township was a complete and unbroken wilderness. Curtis Willey was a native of Delaware but at an early age he was taken to Pennsylvania where he was reared and married to Margaret Colvin, and with her moved to Muskingum county, Ohio, of which region they were among the very foremost settlers. Zanesville did not then exist, and the land whereon it is now located was a swamp. Mr. Willey was offered the land upon which the courthouse and jail now stands for his gun, but considering it a very poor bargain refused to accept. He and his wife resided in Hopewell township until their deaths at the ages of ninety-five and eighty-eight years respectively, after a happy married life of seventy years. Three sons and three daughters were born to them, the third child being Jesse G., who was born upon the old homestead in this county in 1811. They endured the privations of pioneer life and had to ride twelve miles to mill on horseback through the thicket. Their nearest neighbors were Indians and the wild animals—the primitive owners and inhabitants of the wilderness. About 1836 Jessie G. Willey was united in marriage with Catherine Griffith, a native of Licking county, Ohio, whose birth occurred near the town of Brownsville, in 1818. She was the daughter of early settlers, Daniel and Sarah Griffith. The young couple at once took up their residence in Hopewell township on an unimproved farm, upon which they erected a little log cabin and set to work to make a home for themselves. There they enjoyed the primitive advantages of early times and resided until 1877, when they removed to a farm on the National road, about three miles west of Zanesville, where Mr. Willey died in February, 1883. He had always taken an active interest in the advancement of the county and was a man whom all respected. His widow still survives him and makes her home with her children. Although she has attained the age of seventy-three years she is well and active. She bore her husband four sons and three daughters, of whom only three are now living, as follows: Sarah H., wife of John Shaefer, residing on the old home farm in Hopewell township; Daniel G., the subject of this sketch, and Edward M. Daniel G. was the fourth child and eldest son in his parents' family, was born in the double log house on the old home place and there grew to maturity. During his boyhood he attended the little log schoolhouse with its slab benches and single slab desk around the side of the room, which was heated by a large fireplace which was supplied with wood cut by the scholars from the surrounding forest. At the age of eighteen years he entered 'Muskingum college at New Concord where he remained two and one-half years. He then returned home and remained with his parents until his father's death, having assumed during the last few years of his life the general supervision of the place. He continued to make his home with his mother for a number of years and looked after her interests in a manner eminently worthy of commendation. In 1883 he was elected on the democratic ticket to the position of county treasurer and at the end of two years was renominated for the position by his party, but was defeated by the opposing candidate. In 1887 he was again made the candidate for the position and was elected, the duties of which position he is still discharging. He has made a beau ideal public officer, and his services are highly appreciated by all. January 25, 1888, he was married to Miss Dola Butler, a native of the county and a daughter of Samuel C. and Sarah C. Butler, by whom he has one daughter, Kittie Florence. Mr. Wiley is a member of the Phoenix lodge of the Knights of Pythias at Zanesville, and was one of 295 charter members. Mr. Willey's grandmother was a devotee of relics, and the family have in their possession many curiosities, among which is a pair of silken slippers, at least 150 years old, which were worn by her grandmother on her wedding day; also her own wedding shoes. James F. Williams, farmer, Dresden, Ohio. Farming has been Mr. Williams' principal occupation, and the energetic and wideawake manner in which he has taken advantage of all methods and ideas tending to the enhanced value of his prop- 608 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.. erty, has had a great deal to do with obtaining the competence he now enjoys. Mr. Williams was born in Falls township, Muskingum county, January 23, 1837; was fairly educated in the common schools, and early in life became thoroughly posted on all agricultural subjects. He comes of one of the old pioneer families of this county, his grandfather, Jesse Williams, who was a native of the Old Dominion, having settled here when there was but one cabin in Zanesville. This must have been about 1798, when the country was a vast wilderness. He was a young and single man when he came to this state and he was married to Miss Sarah Cullins. [See sketch of Henry Cuillus.] To this union were born eight children: Annie, Rebecca, Lucinda, Noah, Isaac, Thomas, Finley and Elijah. Mr. Williams died at the age of eighty years, a Methodist in his religious belief. He was an honorable, upright citizen, and an excellent example of the old pioneer settlers. Elijah Williams, son of the above and father of our subject, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, and received his education in the pioneer schools. He married Miss Phoebe Martin and to them were born three children: Ann, Susan, Minena, Jesse, John and James F. The father settled in Falls township, and was an industrious, hard-working farmer. His son, James F., selected as his companion in life Miss Phoebe A. Blunt, daughter of James and Hannah (Cordray) Blunt. Mr. Blunt was also one of the pioneer settlers of Muskingum county, Ohio, coming here but a short time after Jesse Williams, and from the same state. He married in this county Elizabeth Cullins, sister of John Cullins, who was the father of Henry. To this marriage were born ten children: George, James, Thomas, Edith, Susan, Mary, Jane, Eliza, Martha, and Sarah. His first wife died and Mr. Blunt took for his second wife Miss Hannah Cordray, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (De Witte) Cordray, the parents pioneer settlers of Muskingum township. By this marriage Mr. Blunt became the father of three children : Joannah, Isabel and Phoebe. Mr. Blunt resided all his life in Muskingum township, and was a substantial farmer, owning 400 acres of land, besides considerable real estate in Iowa and Kansas. He served faithfully in the War of 1812 and was present at Hull's surrender. After marriage James F. Williams settled on his present farm, and is prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the county. To his marriage have been born nine living children: James E., John D., Noah, Sylvester, Charles, Senior, Laura B., Iva M. and Georgie. Mr. Williams has sent his children to good schools, and has ever taken an interest in educational matters, having been a member of the board of education for a number of years. In politics he is a republican. His brother, Jesse, was a soldier in the Civil war in an Ohio regiment, was captured in a skirmish, and starved to death in Andersonville prison. John D., the second son, married Ella Brandon, and is on the home farm. The Williams family descended in all its lines from the original pioneers of Muskingum county, the Williams, Cullins, Blunts and Cordrays. Prof. John A. Williams, a prominent educator of Muskingum county, Ohio, is principal of the Roseville graded schools. He was born at Briston, Perry county, in 1852, and is the son of Dr. Terry K. Williams, an old settler of the state, coming here from Virginia when he was about eighteen years of age. He settled in Zanesville, and married Rachel Jennings, a native of Frederick county, Va. The Jennings family came to Muskingum county many years ago. The Doctor taught school in this neighborhood, later studied medicine in the Columbia Medical college, commenced to practice at B , and later came to Roseville, where he died in 1860. He was among the prominent practicing physicians of this and Perry counties. His wife is still living, and was a daughter of Daniel Jennings. They were the parents of three children: William C., a noted physician of Newtonville, this county (he died at the age of thirty-seven years, and his family now reside near Fultonham); Columbus L., living in Roseville, enlisted in Company G, Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer infantry for three months, and later reenlisted in Company G, Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer infantry, and was elected captain (he was in Sherman's campaign, and served during the rest of the war); and John A. (our subject). The parents were members of the Presbyterian church, and before the war the father was a democrat, but later became a republican. John A. Williams was reared in this county, and attended school at New Lexington and at New London National college. He took charge of the Vernon county schools at Thornville, Perry county, and has been in the schools of Roseville for ten years. He was city editor for a paper in 1883-85, and ably discharged his duties. He is very well known as one of the most thorough and popular educators of the county, and took charge of the graded schools of Roseville in 1890. Prof. Williams married the daughter of William Dunn [see sketch,] and they have a family of five children: H. 0., Arthur 0., John W., Merle and Nellie. The family are members of the Presbyterian church. The Professor has always taken a great interest in public matters, and has held many offices of trust, both in the town and county, among which may be mentioned: township clerk, village clerk, justice of the peace, and was a member of the county board of education, which all shows that his superior education and intellect are appreciated. HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 609 Thomas Williams has been a resident of Muskingum county, Ohio, all his life, and has spent a life time in pursuing the noble vocation of agriculture, having learned this occupation during his youth. His life has not been without adventure or self-denying experiences, yet success has attended him both in material affairs and in the esteem which has been accorded him by those among whom he has so long made his home. He was born in the city of Zanesville, Ohio, near where the courthouse now stands, in 1811, and after starting out to fight life's battles for himself he was married to Miss Wisecaver. After her death, about 1860, he was married to Mrs. Jane Handle, widow of Nicholas Handle, and the daughter of Amos Vernon, who settled in the southeast part of the county at an early day and followed farming. To Thomas Williams and wife were born six children: George, Ruth, Ephraim, Mary, Grant and Flora. Four of the children—three sons and a daughter—are married and reside in Muskingum county, Ohio. Mr. Williams is still living and resides on a farm in the southeast part of the county. His children are all married and reside in Muskingum county. Ephraim, who is residing on a farm in Madison township, is well known throughout the county as one of the honest, enterprising young agriculturists of the same. He was married in 1885 to Miss Anna King, daughter of Rev. J. P. King, a Methodist Protestant minister. She was born in Guernsey county, Ohio. Four interesting children have been the fruits of this union: Ray C., Ralph K., Myrl and Roland. Ephraim Williams resides on a farm owned by George Copland, and has been with that gentleman for the past five years. In politics he advocates the principles of the republican party. He and wife are members of the Prospect Methodist Protestant church of Madison township. William S. Williams, farmer, Adamsville, Ohio. This old settler and much respected citizen was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, May 31, 1817, to the union of Jesse and Lucy (Denison) Williams, who were among the first settlers of the county. Jesse Williams was born in Connecticut, but came to Muskingum county in 1806 and settled on the farm in Salem township. He married Miss Denison at Zanesville, and to them a family of ten children were born, only two now living. Mr. Williams was one of the pioneers of the county, and one of its most. prominent and substantial farmers, having accumulated a large amount of property at the time of his death, which occurred in the town of Adamsville, Salem township, in 1862. He and wife were active members of the Baptist church, and took a prominent part in educational and religious enterprises, as well as in all enterprises for the good of the county. He was an honest, hard-working man, and by his industry became one of the most successful farmers of his day. In politics he voted with the republican party. Mrs. Williams died on the farm owned by our subject in 1839. She was the daughter of William and Anna (Stock) Denison, who were among the early settlers of Salem township, and who were among the largest land owners in the township, or probably in the county, owning about 1,500 acres in one tract. This land is still owned by the Denison family. William S. Williams was reared to the arduous duties of the farm on the property he now owns, which has on it some of the improvements made by his father in 1806. The schools of that day were few and far between, and as a consequence Mr. Williams received but a limited education. He was married in 1837 to Miss Mary Williams, who was born June 7, 1811, and who is now the oldest lady in Salem township. She was the daughter of Steven and Sarah (Bond) Williams, who were of Highland township, Muskingum county. She was about two years of age when her parents moved to this county, and here they followed agricultural pursuits until receiving their final summons, the mother dying in 1863, at the age of seventy-five, and the father in 1867, at the age of eighty-five years. Both were members of the Baptist church, and he was a republican in politics. They were the parents of seven children, nearly all of whom are now deceased. Mary, subject's wife, was reared on a farm in Highland township, and after her marriage came to live in Salem township, where she has remained ever since. She has borne her husband these children: Henry H. (who was born in 1841, and died in 1869), John (in 1849), Jared C. (in 1852), and George W. (in 1855). Mr. Williams and family hold membership in the Baptist church. Like his father, Mr. Williams is an ardent supporter of the principles of the republican party. He has been successful as an agriculturist, and is now the owner of one of the best farms in Muskingum county. Honest and upright, he is well respected by all. Zachariah Wilson, the grandfather of Fredrick Wilson, Otsego, Ohio,' was of Irish descent and born in Pennsylvania. He married Lorena Chaneth and they were the parents of nine children: Jeremiah, Isaac, Edward, Joseph, James, Hannah, Sallie, Batsy and Lorena. Mr. Wilson moved to Ohio and settled among the pioneers of Guernsey county about 1813-15, when that county was a wilderness. He lived in Wills township, was a weaver by trade and died suddenly when about fifty years of age. Mrs. Wilson was a member of the Methodist church. Jeremiah Wilson, their son, and the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette county, Penn., and was a boy when his parents brought him to the Ohio wilderness. He learned farming and 610 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. married Elizabeth Slaughter, daughter of Fred Slaughter, from Virginia, of Dutch descent and early settlers of Guernsey county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born twelve children. The following lived to maturity: Fredrick, Zachariah, John, Mary, Joseph, Jesse, Robert, James and Margaret. After marriage Mr. Wilson settled in Wills township, Guernsey county, where he lived until 1846, when he moved to Knox towship of the same county, and settled on a farm of 160 acres. He was a substantial farmer and a hard-working, industrious man in his day. Both himself and wife were members of the Baptist church. Fredrick Wilson, his son, was born March 19, 1822, reared on his father's farm, and received a common-school education. He married Adelina Jones, daughter of Ashbell and Sarah (Williams) Jones. Mr. Jones was from Bucks county, Penn., descending from Welsh stock. His father, Ashbell Sr., was from Wales, a soldier in the Revolutionary war and had one son, Abner, in the War of 1812. Ashbell Jones Jr., came to Ohio in 1842 and settled in Muskingum county, near Adamsville. He was the father of seven children who lived to maturity: Eleanor, John, Adelina, Rachel, Enos, Sarah M. and Cyrenius. Mr. Jones lived to the great age of eighty-three years, and died on his farm in Knox township, Guernsey county, Ohio. He was a deacon in the Baptist church, a man whose judgment was respected and held the office of justice of the peace and was constable for many years. In politics he is a democrat. His wife lived to be eighty-five years of age. Fredrick Wilson, after marriage, settled in Guernsey county and lived one and one-half years on the old Wilson home place. In 1852 he bought his present farm and by industry added to it until he now owns 135 acres. He cleared the most of this from the woods by hard work and made a home. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born five children: Dr. Thomas R. (married Charity C. Buker, daughter of Alpha Buker. [See sketch of Decatur Buker.] He resides in Bloomfield, Coshocton county, where he has practiced medicine for fifteen years. He has two children), Sarah E. (died of scarlet fever at six years of age); Ashbell (died of scarlet fever at four years of age); James A., married Emma J. Hutchinson (he is a farmer of Guernsey county, Ohio, on the old Jones farm. They have one child); and Martha A. (who resides at home). Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are devout members of the Baptist church. Mr. Wilson has been township assessor and treasurer, takes a great interest in educational matters and has served his township on the school board for many years. He is a public-spirited man, in favor of good roads and has also served as supervisor. In fact Mr. Wilson takes an interest in all good enterprises and has contributed largely of his means to support his church. One of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Muskingum county, who has been prominently connected with its history for many years, is James C. Wilson, farmer of New Concord, Ohio. He was born in Union township, this county, on the 23d of January, 1815, and was the fourth in order of birth of twelve children born to James Wilson who was born in Allegheny county, Penn., on the Youghoigheny river, March 15, 1783. The latter was the fourth child resulting from the marriage of Robert and Catherine (Conner) Wilson. Robert Wilson was a native of Berks county, Penn., born about 1750, and was one of the pioneers of western Pennsylvania, participating in several fights with the Indians. He died in that state at a good old age. He was a well-to-do farmer and at the time of his death owned 350 acres of land. His family consisted of seven children: Elizabeth, who married John Reasoner, of Guernsey county; Polly, wife of John McKinney, also of Guernsey county; Jane, who married William Findley, of Pennsylvania, Alle-. gheny county; Margaret, who married William McClure, of Allegheny county, Penn. ; one died young; Joseph (deceased) was one of the early settlers of Guernsey county, but later moved to Indiana, where he passed away; and James, the father of our subject. James Wilson was about twenty-three years of age when he moved to Muskingum county, and up to that time he had been reared on a farm in Allegheny county, Penn. He came here in 1806, on horseback, and was four days in making the journey. He bought land at $1.25 per acre. in the woods, in section 11, erected a cabin and resided there, alone, for two years. He was married in the summer of 1808 and went back home in winter. His first wife was Mary Findley, a native of Pennsyl vania, and the daughter of Judge David Findley. The fruits of this union were two children, Robert and David. The former was born in October, 1809, and is now a farmer of Rich Hill township, while the latter married Miss Margaret McMurray and moved to Iowa, where his death occurred in 1860. Mrs. Wilson died in 1811 and the following year Mr. Wilson took for his second wife Miss Mary Cumings, a native of Greene county, Penn., born in 1792, and one of seven children, four daughters and three sons born to James and Margaret Cumings, who were originally from Greene county, Penn., but who settled in Union township, Muskingum county, in 1808. The children were named as follows: Mary, Susan, Jane, Margaret, John, Samuel and David, all now deceased. The mother of these children died in 1829 and the father in 1835. There were no physicians in this part of the county at that early period and Grandma Cumings attended the birth of over a thousand children. To Mr. and HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 611 Mrs. Wilson were born ten children who are named as follows : John C., died in this township in 1889; James C. (subject); Catherine, died when thirty-four years of age; Margaret A., died in 1887; Joseph, died when six years of age, and the remainder died in infancy. The mother of these children was born in Greene county, Penn. in 1792, and came to this county when about sixteen years of age. She and her husband lived happily together for fifty years, he dying in 1862 and she in 1875. Both were worthy members of the U. P. church, and he was a whig and republican in politics. His son, James C. Wilson, subject of this sketch, was born on the farm that his father had purchased from the government and received his early education in the subscription schools of the day, and attended the Pleasant Hill school. When twenty-one years of age he began working for himself and one year later he was married to Miss Susan McCormack, a native of Rockbridge county, Va., born in 1818, and the daughter of Robert McCormack. She died in this county in 1851. Two .years later Mr. Wilson married Samantha Huston, a native of Union township, born in 1832, and the daughter of William and Sarah Huston. She died in 1857, leaving two sons, William and Cumings, the former dying at the age of five years and the latter living on the old ____ place. He is married and has four children. In 1858 Mr. Wilson took for his third wife Miss Angeline Elsea whose birth occurred in this county in 1825. Five children were the result of this union: Louis D., a merchant of Norwich; Mary, at home; Samuel Elmer, a farmer, is married and has three children; Charles, a clerk in New York city, is in the employ of the American Insurance company at a salary of $1,500 per year, and Frank is at home farming. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are connected with the M. E. church, although the Wilson family were formerly all United Presbyterians. Formerly a whig in politics he later affiliated with the democratic party and is now for the best man. He has held office in this county for the past fifty years, and has been one of the leading members of his church. He and his children own 418 acres of land in this township and 480 in Clay county, Neb., and he is prominently identified with the agricultural and stockraising affairs of the county. He has one of the finest, and best improved farms in the county, and everything about the place indicates the owner to be a man of thrift and energy. He also has over 100 stands of bees, and is interested in this pursuit. His eldest son by his second marriage, John Cumings Wilson, was born on the old homestead June 26, 1856, and his life was divided in youth in attending the district school and in assisting on the farm. In 1878 he married Miss Alice C. Richey, a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, born July 11, 1859, and one of a large family of children born to William and Elizabeth (Henderson) Richey. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of four daughters, Angie, Jennie, Lillie and Mary. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the U. P. church. Mr. Wilson is interested in politics and votes with the democratic party. He has a farm of 138 acres, which he owns in partnership with his half brother, Elmer, and in connection with his farming interests he is engaged quite extensively in stockraising, making a specialty of short horncattle. He is a public spirited young man, and is interested in all movements for the upholding of the county. Samuel E. Wilson, the third child born to James C. Wilson's third marriage, was born in this county on the 8th of June, 1863, and here reached manhood and received his education. When twenty-two years of age he started to farm on the Lorimer farm and there continued two years, when he moved to his present property. He was married to Miss Jennie Watson, a native of Westland township, Guernsey county, Ohio, born on the 6th of March, 1869, and the daughter of John C. and Mary E. (Dilley) Watson, the father a native of Washington county, Penn., and the mother of Cumberland, Guernsey county. Mr. and Mrs. Watson were the parents of these children: Mary A., William, Jennie (wife of Mr. Wison), John, Frank and Essie. The father of these children was a farmer and moved to Muskingum county shortly after the birth of Jennie. His death occurred May 11, 1881. He and family held membership in the U. P. church and he was a republican in politics. Samuel E. Wilson's marriage resulted in the birth of three children: James C., John C. and Florence. Like his father Mr. Wilson is a democrat and a public-spirited man. He carried on the farm for his father. James R. Wilson is a resident of Union township, Muskingum county, Ohio, living within two miles of New Concord. He was born in Salt Creek township, this county, in 1843, January 7, the fifth child of Robert and Elizabeth (Jamison) Wilson. The father was a son of James Wilson, who will be represented in the sketch of James C. Wilson. Robert Wilson was born in 1809, on the farm settled by his father in Union township, one mile south of New Concord, and was reared to farm life. He attended the school of Fox Creek district and was a school teacher in this county in his early life. He married Miss Elizabeth Jamison and this union was blessed with six children: Mary, Margaret W., Joseph F., John J., James R. and Jesse W. Mary died in early childhood. Margaret W., now Mrs. Samuel Caldwell, lives at Morning Sun, Iowa. Joseph F. was a soldier in Company F, Seventy- 612 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. eighth Ohio Volunteer infantry. He enlisted in December, 1861 as a private in Company B, and was transferred to Company F, promoted to sergeant and took a part in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. During the two days' march from Shiloh to Corinth he was taken sick and only lived a few days. He was a very bright young soldier and loved by all his company. He was educated at Muskingum college and would have graduated soon had the war not broken out. He taught school several winters, and was known as one of the best young teachers of the county. John J. died after the war. He was a soldier in the Seventy-eighth Ohio, Company A., having enlisted in 1861 as a private and served to the end of the war, working hard for his country. After the close of the war he went to Iowa and married Maggie Wilson. His health failing, they went to Colorado, but returned to Iowa where he died, leaving a wife and two sons: Miller and Lincoln. James R. (our subject) and Jesse W., now living in New Concord. He was a soldier in Company A, Seventy-eighth Ohio regiment, having joined the army at Vicksburg in 1863 and serving to the close of the war. He married Miss Emery. They have eight children. Our subject's mother died when he was but four years of age, and his father married Sarah McNaughten, daughter of Neal and (Robeson) McNaughten. Three children were born of this union: William N., living in Rich Hill township and married. Eunice E., married Joseph Hallenbeck of Hillsdale, Michigan, and Robert, living at home. The father is still living in Rich Hill township, a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder, taking great interest in all church work. James R. Wilson was educated in this county, and attended school in this and Rich Hill townships. When the war broke out he enlisted in Company A, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer infantry, in November, 1861, and took part in the battles at Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Holly Springs, Vicksburg and Champion's Hill. He was taken prisoner at Vicksburg and sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he was exchanged and rejoined his regiment at Vicksburg. After that he was in the raid from Vicksburg to Meridian and return ; after which he returned home on veteran furlough. On returning with the regiment he engaged in the Georgia campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta. In the battle of Atlanta he was wounded in the shoulder, the ball never having been removed. His last battle was at Kingston, N. C., under General Cox and during the time of Sherman's march to the sea he was with Thomas at Nashville, not being able on account of wounds to accompany his regiment under General Sherman on his march to the sea. Toward the close of the war he was promoted to sergeant. After the war he came home, engaged in farming and on November 18, 1866, married Jennie E. Thompson of Peters Creek. She was the daughter of Gordon and Eliza (Walker) Thompson, of Irish descent, and born in Guernsey county, Ohio, one of a family of five children: Jennie E., David G., (now a minister of the Reformed Presbyterian church of southern Illinois), John W. of (Guernsey county), Sarah A., (now Mrs. J. C. Palmer of Cambridge), and James C., (living in Illinois). The mother of this family is now living in Cambridge with Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Palmer, her husband having died some years ago. Mrs. Wilson was educated at the college of New Concord and later was a teacher in Guernsey county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of seven children: Clarence M., now teaching in Kansas; Joseph F., now of Olantha, Kas., farming; Bessie G., at home; Finley NI., attending college at New Concord; John W., helping on the home farm; Robert, at home; Eva, at Cambridge. May 31, 1882, Mrs. W ilson died, a devout member of the Reformed Presbyterian church. In 1885 Mr. Wilson took for his second wife Nanie A. Dew, a native of Monroe township, and the daughter of Thomas and Jane (Wallace) Dew. The Dew family were originally from Pennsylvania, but the parents are now living in New Concord. To this union was born one child, Edna M. Her mother died when she was but two years of age. She was also a teacher and a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, to which she devoted much of her time. -Mr. Wilson holds a membership in the same church and gives liberally of his means and time to its work. He has a well-improved farm of ninety-three acres, which he bought about twelve years ago and devotes his time to farming and stockraising. Simeon M. Winn, the prosecuting attorney for Muskingum county, Ohio, is well fitted for the position, he is now filling, for besides possessing a thorough knowledge of all legal technicalities, he has the ability to express himself in easy style and forcible language, which has the effect of convincing judge, jury and audience. He was born in Salem township, in the county in which he is now residing near Adamsville, January 27, 1862. His father, Dolphin Winn, was born in Loudoun county, Va., in 1810, and when thirteen years of age came to Ohio and settled on what is now known as the " old field farm " in Perry township, this county, which was called such from the fact that it was the first land to be cleared in the township. William Winn, the paternal grandfather was one of the pioneers of this section and the hardships which he and his family were compelled to endure, were of a most discouraging description, but they conquered the many difficulties that strewed their pathway and eventually became well-to-do. Dolphin HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 613 Winn received the limited advantages that fell to the lot of the pioneer boy, but made the most of his opportunities and became a well-informed man. In March, 1837, he married Catherine Jordan, a daughter of Caleb Jordan and a native of Baltimore, Md., where she was born March 16, 1817. She came to this section of the country when eleven years of age and immediately after her marriage she and her husband located on a farm in Perry township where they resided until the spring of 1855, when they moved to Salem township where Dolphin Winn died September 19, 1885. His widow continues to reside on the home place and for one of her advanced years is very active and capable. Of a family of eight sons and six daughters born to them, five sons and three daughters are still living, of whom Simeon M. is the youngest. His youthful days were devoted to the monotonous duties of the farm and in attending the district schools and the graded school at Adamsville, and in October, 1882, he began teaching school, to which honorable calling he devoted about three years. In the meantime he had begun the study of law and in July, 1884, he came to Zanesville and began to thoroughly fit himself for the practice of the noble science of law under the able tutelage of Frank H. Southard, after which, in 1885, he entered Zanesville college, took a complete course and once more resumed his studies. On October 5, 1886, he was admitted to the bar of Ohio, and in November of the same year he opened an office in Zanesville. and sprung at once into prominence as one of the leading attorneys of the county. His ability was recognized in November, 1887, by his election on the democrat ticket to the position of prosecuting attorney for Muskingum county and in 1890 he was the unanimous choice of his party, being nominated by acclamation, and was eventually re-elected to the office. He is a past officer of Zanesville lodge No. 114, of the B. P. O. E., is a member of Mechanic's lodge No. 235, of the I. 0. 0. F., and is a charter member of Phoenix lodge No. 388, of the K. of P. September 19, 1888, he was married to Miss Julia Menefee, a native of Muskingum county, daughter of Thomas and Lizzie (Duvall) Menefee. Mr. and Mrs. Winn reside in Zanesville, to the social circles of which city they are prominent acquisitions. Mrs. Winn is quite skillful with the brush and many beautiful oil and crayon works adorn her home. She has given lessons in both. Mr. Winn has acquired a prominence in his profession quite flattering for one so young in years, and in the murder trial of Ohio vs. Elizabeth Hannold, charged with infanticide, he managed the case with skill, discretion and ability. The trial occupied a week and after a deliberation of twenty-one hours the jury returned with a verdict of acquittal. Dr. O. M. Wiseman, physician and surgeon, Zanesville, Ohio. In Morgan county, Ohio, on the 30th of August, 1860, there was born to the union of Overton B. and Eliza (Osborn) Wiseman, a son, to whom they gave the initials of 0. M. The parents were natives of Muskingum county, Ohio, but the paternal grandfather, Michael Wiseman, was born on the Cheat river, Penn. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and held an honorable discharge. He came to the Buckeye state about 1815, located in Muskingum county, and there followed agricultural pursuits, until his death. The father of our subject was born in 1817 and also followed the occupation of a farmer. He removed to Morgan county, Ohio, many years ago, and now lives retired. To his marriage were born eight children, six of whom are living: George, Lorena, Charlotte, wife of Frank Ralston, near Cincinnati; Mayna, Dr. 0. M. and Charles. The Doctor was reared in his native county, received his education in the public schools, and the first money that he ever earned for himself was obtained by hoeing corn when nine years of age, for which he received 50 cents per day. Forty cents of this money he spent for a Bible, and this he has since kept and treasured. When he was ten years of age he worked in Cochran's cigar factory in summer and attended school in winter, earning money enough to buy all his own clothing and school books. In June, 1880, he came to Zanesville and canvassed the town for religious pictures, but later engaged with the Brown Manufacturing company. In 1886 he began the study of medicine, and in the fall of that year went to Columbus, where he took his first course at Starling Medical college, from which he graduated in the spring of 1890. Dr. J. S. Haldeman was his preceptor. Dr. Wiseman certainly deserves great credit for his push and energy. He is in every sense of the term a self-made man. He has ever been economical but not miserly, and is ever ready to assist all in distress, not only professionally, but with money. He is building up a paying practice and has many warm friends. He is a member of the P. 0. S. of A. and Kights of Macabees. He was twice elected president of the first named order. He was married in the fall of 1881 to Miss Carrie M. Carter, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, and the fruits of this union have been two children: Audrey Lee and Paul. Clarence C. Mrs. Wiseman is a member of the Presbyterian church. One of the prominent residents of Union township, Muskingum county, Ohio, is Charles S. Wylie, residing on a farm about two miles from New Concord, born November 14, 1843, in Rich Hill township. He was the son of Thomas and Ann R. (Starrett) Wylie. The father was born in Union township in 1821 on the farm now owned 614 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. by Wilson White. He was the son of Moses Wylie and wife (formerly a Miss Young, whose father was a Revolutionary soldier), and one of ten children—five sons and five daughters: Samuel, Moses, Oliver, Thomas, John, Mary, Flora, Elizabeth, Margaret and Sarah Jane. Moses Wylie settled in Ohio about 1803. His father was a man of some wealth and sent his son John, with money to take up land in this county, which is now occupied by the White, Jamison and McCloud families. The tract of land settled by Moses was 253 acres just northwest of New Concord. He was a very successful farmer, a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, and died in 1852. His son Thomas, and the father of Charles S., was reared in this neighborhood and attended Fox creek district school. Here he married and moved to a rented farm in Rich Hill township, where he farmed five years, then bought seventy acres of land and upon it built a log house and barn. It was unimproved at the time and he set to work and soon had a good farm well cultivated. In 1880 he left this neighborhood and moved to Fair Grove, Tuscola county, Mich. He has retired from business and is living with his son. He is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church and in politics a prohibitionist. He has ever been an active church worker and has held many offices in the same. His wife, formerly Ann R. Starrett, was the daughter of Joseph and Ann Starrett of South Carolina. Joseph moved to Pennsylvania and there married and moved to Rich Hill township. He was the father of fifteen children; Charles, an infant, Samuel, James, John, George, Ann R., Hannah, Elizabeth, Jennie, 'Mary, Margaret, Sarah, Nancy and Elleanor. Our subject's mother was reared and educated in Rich Hill township and died in Union township in 1878. She was the mother of seven living children: Charles, the eldest; Hannah J., who died at the age of fourteen; Sarah, who died in Michigan about 1886; James R., is living at Coultersville, Ill., a minister of the Reformed Presbyterian church and was educated at the Muskingum college and Theological seminary at Allegheny city, Penn. He is a man of family; Anna M., now Mrs. Mills, living ing in Ohio; Margaret E., died in 1882 in Michigan; and Joseph S., a miller of Fairgrove, Mich., and married. She had been for years a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church and greatly devoted to church work. Charles S., her son and our subject, was reared on the farm where he now lives since he was four years of age. He attended Fox creek district school and when he was twenty years of age enlisted in Company A, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer infantry, taking part in the following battles: Vicksburg, Brush Mountain, seige of Atlanta and many others. In the last named battle he was taken sick and sent home. Later he rejoined his regiment and took part in the battle of Bennettsville, when he was again taken sick and received his discharge at Fort Schuyler, N. Y. He was injured in the foot, for which he received a pension. After the war he went to work in a sawmill, and in 1870 married Caroline W. Haynes, daughter of Abraham and Casander (Wartenbee) Haynes, born in Union township, July 31, 1850. The Haynes family are early settlers of this county. Mrs. Wylie was one of a family of eight children: Harriet. John, Elizabeth, Agnes, Abraham D., Caroline W. and Selina A. (twins), and Mary Catharine. All but Elizabeth and Mary Catharine are living. Mr. and Mrs. Wylie are the parents of eight children: Frank F. (an infant), Alva A., Roxana R., Harry H., Minnie M., Dora I. and Mary 0. The children are all at home, and Mr. Wylie is doing all in his power to give them good educations. He and his family are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church, in which he is interested as well as in school matters. Politically his sympathies are with the prohibition party. He has a farm of seventy acres on which he is raising stock, but gives most of his attention to fruit growing, in which he has been very successful. William M. Wylie, a farmer residing near Frazeysburg, Ohio, is descended from Welsh ancestors. At a remote period his lineal progenitor emigrated to Scotland and finally to Ireland, living for some time in each country. Three brothers of this family came to America a short time after the close of the Revolutionary war —William, Joseph and John, the former of whom was the grandfather of the subject of our sketch. He came to this country about 1790 and was a pioneer settler of Muskingum county. He married Rebecca McClung, daughter of a soldier who was killed in the War of 1812, and to them the following children were born: William, John, Joseph, Rebecca, Isabella, Sarah, Eliza and Martha. Mr. Wylie located in Hopewell township, cleared a fine tract of land and made a good home for his family, and although of small stature he was hard-working, resolute and persevering. He built one of the first brick houses in that part of the country and became a substantial farmer. He endured all the vicissitudes and privations of pioneer life, but he always attended strictly to his own affairs, and this, no doubt, was the secret of his success. He died in 1853 at the age of eighty years, a devout member of the Reformed Presbyterian church at the time of his death. His son Joseph was born on the original homestead in March, 1810, and although reared in the early life of a frontiersman, took much interest in obtaining an education and was first an attendant at the old log schoolhouse near his home, afterward entering college at Granville, and, as HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 615 was the custom in those days, worked his way on a farm. In this way he was enabled to attend college several terms and thus gained a good education, becoming an especially accomplished Latin scholar and a good mathematician. He taught at an early day in Zanesville and then in Muskingum township, and many of his early days were spent in this manner. In 1836 he married Nancy Brown, a daughter of David and Margaret (Motier) Brown, near Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, the former of whom came from Pennsylvania to Ohio about 1800, being one of the early teamsters across the Allegheny. His children are as follows: William, Elizabeth, Jane, Margaret, Martha, Sarah ,Nancy, Annie, Euphemia, Mary, and three that died in childhood, in all twelve daughters and one son. Mr. Brown was a leading man of his day, was a strong Jacksonian democrat, and was a personal friend of old Gen. Ewing and the Shermans. He held the office of county commissioner, was a soldier in the War of 1812, was a substantial farmer, and lived to the ripe old age of ninety-one years. Joseph Wylie, the father of William M. Wylie, whose name heads this sketch, became the father of six children: William M., Annie M., Martha J., David B., Rebecca E. and Joseph H., all of whom were born in Muskingum township on a farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wylie were members of the Reformed Presbyterian church. Mr. Wylie was cut off in his prime by pneumunia, having been a successful farmer and one of the most capable educators of the county. William M. Wylie was born January 11, 1837, and received a practical education in the common district school, later attending Dresden High school. He followed teaching for about ten years, one year in Frazeysburg and three in his own district, and it may be said that in this respect he was his father's equal. February 28, 1866, he was married to Ella Dunlap, daughter of William and Eleanor (Rennison) Dunlap, the former of whom came from Ireland in 1818 and settled on the farm now occupied by Mr. Wylie, in 1828. He first, however, worked as a weaver in Philadelphia. He married in his native land and became the father of ten children: Robert, John, James, William, Mary A., Jane, Margaret, Ella, and two that died in childhood. Mr. Dunlap cleared his farm from the heavy timber and by hard work succeeded in making a comfortable home for his family. He was a stone mason also, and helped to build the lochs on the Ohio canal. He was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, and died at the age of seventy-five years. He was a straightforward man, well known for his kindness of heart and generosity. William M. Wylie and his wife are the parents of four children: Maggie E., Zonetta, Idella and Elmer J. After his marriage Mr. Wylie purchased his present farm from the heirs of his father-in-law and here has since made his home. He has always taken much interest in educational affairs and for twelve years has been a school director. When the country needed his services he enlisted as a private in Company I, Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer infantry, and served one year. He was in the Atlanta campaign and in that most famous raid in history—Sherman's march to the sea. He was in the siege of Savannah, Bentonville, and was at the grand review at Washington, D. C. He was then honorably discharged and returned home. Mr. and Mrs. Wylie are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church and he has held the office of deacon and has been ruling elder in the same for many years. He is a prosperous and entirely self-made man. Although he began life with nothing he educated himself and accumulated a handsome property. He has a fine fruit farm and one year shipped 2,500 bushels of peaches and this year 1,200 bushels, all of which was fine budded fruit. He also has excellent apples and pears. His home is a beautiful and comfortable one, and here taste, refinement and hospitality reign supreme. Mr. Wylie ranks as a man of undoubted integrity and good business ability. His children are receiving the advantages that only wealth can procure, and are making the most of their opportunities, promising to become a comfort and solace to their parents in the waning years of their lives. Frederick Wolford, grandfather of Michael Wolford, farmer, Frazeysburg, Ohio, was a Pennsylvania German. He married Miss Elizabeth Caskner, and they moved to Ohio, settling in Coshocton county, Washington township, sometime prior to the War of 1812. He was the father of four sons: Godfrey, John, Jeremiah, and Daniel. Mr. Wolford died in Washington township. He was a good hunter, and depended largely upon his skill as a marksman to supply his family with meat. At that early period there were plenty of deer, bears, wild turkeys, and other game. He trained his sons to be good marksmen, and kept the family supplied with buck-skins, from which the hardy pioneers made much of their clothing. His wife lived to be ninety years of age. Daniel Wolford his son, was born March 4, 1811, and received a common-school education. He became familiar with the duties of the farm at an early age, and when grown, married Miss Stacy Slaughter, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Slaughter. [See sketch of Samuel Dunn.] To Mr. and Mrs. Wolford were born eleven children: Jeremiah, Samuel, Sarah E., Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Margaret, Michael, William H., Frederick, Mary C., and one who died when a babe. After marriage Mr. Wolford settled in Washington township, resided there a short time and then moved to the 616 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. Auglaize river, in western Ohio. After a residence there of a few years he returned to Jackson township, Ohio, and settled on Samuel Slaughter's farm, where he remained a few years. Although he resided on several different farms he spent the principal part of his time in Jackson township. He died at Eaton, Ohio, at the age of fifty-seven years, while on his way to Indiana. He was a member of. the Christian church, and in politics was a stanch republican. He was an honorable upright citizen, sober, and industrious, and was a loving father and husband. He was a trustee of Jackson township for several years. He left eight children and all are yet living. Michael Wolford was born September 20, 1845, in Jackson township, and received but a limited education in the common schools. He assisted his father on the farm, and on the 12th of March, 1868, when twenty-three years of age, he married Miss Mary A. Chaney, daughter of Emanuel and Margaret (Ashcraft) Chaney. Mr. Chaney was of a Maryland family that was among the early settlers of Coshocton county. He reared a family of six children: Martin, Martha, Mary A., Elizabeth, Jonathan, and Lodema. Mr. Chaney was a successful farmer, and died at the age of seventy-five years. His father, Joseph Chaney, brought the family from Maryland to Ohio, at an early day. Michael Wolford settled on a farm in Jackson township and resided there until 1884, when he bought his present farm consisting of 217 acres, in Jackson township. When but nineteen years of age, or in 1864, young Wolford enlisted in Company F, Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer infantry, and served until November, 1865. While at Columbus, Ohio, he was taken very sick and for three months was unfit for duty. At that time there came an order for all recruits to be sent to the front, and Mr. Wolford was sent to Cincinnati, there he remained only one day when he took the boat for Louisville, Ky. From there he went to Nashville, Tenn., where he was captured by a guard and kept one week, when he was sent to Cleveland, Tenn. There he remained two weeks, was sent to Knoxville, Tenn., and as they were building a fort he was put to work, working eight hours a day. This did not suit him very well as he would much rather have been in the thickest of the fight, so he made up his mind to try and find Gen. Sherman and his troops. He received a pass from the commanding officer, took the first train and went South, got along very nicely until' he reached the headquarters at Rocky Face, Ga. When he left the train he could hear the musket sound. He started for the regiment on foot, which he found ready for battle, and the first person he met was his brother. His brother told him he could not march with so heavy a knapsack, so relieved him of almost all of his things. They started for Resaca, Ga., and after two days' fight they went to Adairsville. After a hard-fought battle they marched two or three days and then were allowed to rest a few days. Mr. Wolford was then put on guard duty; that is to guard the regiment's baggage that was sent back to Bridgeport, Ala. and remained there until the fall of Atlanta, Ga. Later he was with Gen. Thomas, and was in some very sharp engagements with Gen. Hood at Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. From the Ninety-seventh Ohio regiment Mr. Wolford was transferred to the Twenty-sixth Ohio regiment, and with them started for Texas. It was a very hard trip for him as he was sick at the time the regiment started. They first went to Cairo, Ill., and from there down the Mississippi river to New Orleans. He was sick for one month and unable to be on duty. They then took the steamer for Indianola, Tex., and were on the Gulf of Mexico for six days and nights, and after landing had twelve miles to go to camp. Mr. Wolford was again taken very sick and the physician said there was no hope, he could not live until morning. After two months' severe illness he had improved enough to start for home, but through his illness was reduced in weight from 200 pounds to eighty pounds. He was honorably discharged in November, 1865, and was one of the soldiers of Jackson township who saw actual battle and faced the enemy in many hard-fought battles. Mr. Wolford is a self-made man and began with nothing. He assisted his father financially, and was in the service of his country, and has been very prosperous. To his marriage were born three living children: Howard A., Lyndon J., and George E. Mr. Wolford is an industrious, upright citizen, a man of excellent judgment, and is surrounded by a host of warm friends. In politics he is a strong republican. David Woodruff (deceased) was a native of Cumberland county, N. J., born November 12, 1773, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Muskingum county, coming here as early as 1813. He was the son of David and Hannah Woodruff, and the grandson of David Woodruff who was a native of England and who passed his entire life there. David Woodruff Jr. (father of subject), was also born in England and was the founder of the Woodruff family in America. The subject of this sketch, David Woodruff third, was married in his native state to Miss Deborah Mulford, on March 9, 1800. She was a native of New Jersey, born January 27, 1776. They resided in their native state until 1813 and then with their children, three in number, emigrated to Ohio, making the journey in wagons. After arriving Mr. Woodruff leased land near Stovertown and there resided HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 617 until about 1819, when he entered eighty acres of school land, the same on which his son, David fourth, now resides. He built a cabin, began clearing and improving his farm, and here he and wife passed the remainder of their days, he dying on March 23, 1844, and she on December 13, 1858. He had previously been married twice, first to Lavina Dare, who died without issue. To his second marriage was born one child, N. F., whose birth occurred on October 16, 1798. To his third union, to Miss Deborah Mulford, were born nine children; Stephen, born August 12, 1801 was drowned in Brush creek in 1822; Hannah, widow of Ichabod Randolph, was born September 21, 1803, resides in Illinois; Gemala, born March 13, 1805, died in childhood; Noah (deceased), was born January 13, 1807; Rachel (deceased), was born February 2, 1809; Phoeba (deceased), born January 23, 1811; David, born February 1, 1813; Julius (deceased), was born June 18, 1816; and Lavina (deceased), born March 11, 1819. In making their journey from New Jersey to Ohio, and after they had reached Zanesville on the way to Brush creek, a commotion appeared in the brush and a number of the men, including Mr. Woodruff, loosened their dogs, which immediately pounced upon and killed a bear on the spot where the Market house now stands. Mr. Woodruff and his dogs subsequently killed a bear where the Lutheran church of this township now stands. David Woodruff, third, whose name heads this sketch, was a man of some educational attainments, taught the first school in the township, and was its clerk for many years. His son, David Woodruff fourth, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a babe in his mother's arms when the family settled in the wilds of Muskingum county. He has seen the entire development of the country from its primitive state to its present prosperous condition. In the subscription schools then in vogue he learned to read and write and cipher in the few parts of terms he attended. He remained with his father until the age of twenty-one, when on June 12, 1834, he was wedded to Miss Mary Barker, a native of Perry county, Ohio, born February 22, 1814, and the daughter of John and Mary (Chamberlain) Barker. Mr. Barker and family came from New York to Perry county, Ohio, in 1809, bringing their household goods in wagons. After his marriage Mr. Woodruff settled in Brush Creek township, and after the death of his father removed to the old homestead, where he has since made his home. For thirty-one years he served in the capacity of school director, which evinces .the interest he has always taken in educational matters. To Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff have been born eleven children: Stephen (deceased), Calvin, Philena, Tamson (deceased), James, Mary, Nancy E., Charles, Eliza (deceased), Sarah L., and an infant unnamed. Three of these children, Stephen, Mary and Charles, were school teachers and all have good English educations. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff are acceptable members of the Baptist church with which they have been connected since July 4, 1853. The Woodruff family have not been wanting in patriotism, as three of the sons responded to the call of their country in its hour of need and fought with great bravery until the country was wrested from the clutch of traitors and the flag again waved over an undivided people. Stephen and Calvin enlisted in October, 1861, in Company A, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer infantry, but were soon after transferred to the front, in the army of the Potomac, and later served under Gen. Gilmore. They were in the battle of Winchester, March 23, 1862, and then in numerous small engagements until the battle of Fort Waggener where Calvin was wounded by a piece of shell. Stephen died in the hospital at Washington, May 30, 1862. Calvin veteranized at Hilton Head, S. C., returned with the army to Alexandria in 1864, thence to Yorktown, from there to Bermuda Hundred, served under Butler in his siege of Petersburg, and then with the army crossed the James river and participated in the numerous engagements before Richmond in the fall of 1864. He took part in the pursuit of Gen. Lee's army which was forced to capitulate on April 9, 1865. Calvin was taken prisoner at Farmville and was robbed of. his clothes, watch and valuables by the confederates. A few days later he was retaken. He enlisted as a private, passed the successive grades and was commissioned first lieutenant in 1864. He was discharged May 15, 1865. James Woodruff enlisted February 23, 1864 in Company A, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer infantry, and joined the regiment at the front soon after enlistment. He participated in all the battles in which the regiment engaged and was made corporal in 1864. In August, 1865, the Sixty-second regiment was consolidated with the Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteer infantry. On December 12, 1865, James was discharged. Calvin settled in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he served two terms as sheriff of Mahaska county. James resides in Columbus, Ohio. He was married on December 16, 1866, to Miss Susan C. Crane, daughter of James Crane, of whom mention is made in this volume. To them have been born six children: Charles Edwin (deceased), Willard Warner, Willis Warren, Stephen Raymond, Mary Lucinda, and an infant deceased. In 1888 Mr. Woodruff removed to Columbus, Ohio. He is a member of the Moxahala lodge No. 144, I. 0. 0. F., Patriotic Order Sons of America, No. 43, Knights of Pythias 129, of Birmingham, Iowa, and the National Union at Columbus, Ohio. Benoni Yaw; farmer and stockraiser, New 618 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. Concord, Ohio. In tracing the genealogy of the Yaw family we find that the first emigrant to this country was Lawrence Yaw, who was born in Germany, and who came to America in the early part of the eighteenth century, making a settlement in New Jersey, where he probably reared a large family. Among the children was John Yaw, Sr., who married Miss Elizabeth Teeple, and reared a large family, his children being named as follows: Sallie, married a Mr. Bradberry, and lived to be one hundred and three years of age, (she was known in the neighborhood as Aunt Sally Brad-berry); Susan, married a Mr. Hineline; John Jr., who died about 1882, when eighty-five years of age, and who was the father of Oliver Yaw [see sketch]; William, father of subject; Polly, who died in New Concord, was twice married, her first husband being Mr. Smoch (later she married a Mr. Chambers); Elizabeth, married a Mr. Smith and moved to Illinois; and Peter, who died in Kentucky or Tennessee. The father of this family reared his children in New Jersey, and about 1813 he settled on a farm where Bluford Yaw now lives, in this county. He took up and also bought land and became one of the prominent men of his locality. He served through the Revolutionary war, and died in this township in 1836, when over ninety years of age. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and his wife, who was also a member of that church, died in 1840. Of their children only John Jr., William and Mary made permanent homes in this county. The balance died in other states and we now find the Yaw family in almost every state in the Union. William Yaw, father of Benoni Yaw, was born in New Jersey, and there grew to manhood. He came with his father to this county, but ventured from there to Indiana, and later still to Kentucky. He was married in the former state to Miss Margaret Johnson, and a family of seven children was the result; only five of whom reached mature years: Benoni (subject), Laney, married John Smock, a resident of this township, and died in 1887, leav ing two children, Bluford, a farmer of this town ship; Milton, a farmer of this township, married and reared a large family, nearly all the children now living in the county. He died in 1870, and Naoma, died about 1863. William Yaw and wife located in Muskingum county in 1834 on a farm settled by the family in 1815, and there remained until the former's death in 1885, when ninety-four years of age. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. In politics he was at one time a whig, but later he cast his vote with the democratic party. Industrious and thoroughgoing, he became a prosperous farmer and was universally respected for his many excellent qualities. His wife was a native of Tennessee, and was a cousin of Dick Johnson who killed Tecumseh, the Indian chief. She died about 1869, and was a member of the Presbyterian church for about thirty years of her life. Benoni Yaw, subject of this sketch, was born in Washington county, Ind., April 22, 1823, and when a child came to this county with his parents. His early scholastic advantages were in the common schools of the neighborhood, and when twenty-four years of age he branched out for himself. He married Miss Anna Dixon, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Dixon, of Guernsey county, Ohio, and a native of that county, born in 1822. To this union were born four children: Maggie, who died when ten years of age; Anna, is the wife of Jamas Bayier, of Shawnee, Perry county, Ohio, who is a railroad man; B. D. Yaw married and engaged in business in New Lexington, Perry county, this state; and Merron S., resides a home, and for the past twelve years has been permanently engaged in the breeding of fine road horses, being the owner of some good registered stock. Mrs. Yaw died in 1862, in full communion with the Presbyterian church, in which she was one of the active members. She was a good, Christian woman. Mr. Yaw was married to his second wife, Mrs. Kate Ewitt, in 1864. Her maiden name was Cherry, and she was the daughter of James T. and Melvina (Mitchell) Cherry. Mr. Cherry was a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, born in 1813, and he was the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Thompson) Cherry. His grandfather, Rufus Cherry, was of Irish descent, and was probably the first of his name to establish the Cherry family in that county. Of his children Nathaniel is the only one of whom any record is kept. The latter was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., and by his marriage to Miss Thompson became the father of nine sons and three daughters: James, Thomas, William, John, Harvey, Nathaniel, Smith, Elias, Mary, Eliza, Emma, and a son who died in infancy. He was married the second time and three children were born to this union: Joseph, Ella and Anna. Nathaniel Cherry moved to Muskingum county at an early date, and settled in Columbus, Ohio, where he reared his family. He died while on a visit West, when eighty years of age. His second wife was Miss Kate Ewing, who is now living. Mr. Cherry was a prominent man in the county. and was a great hunter in his day, being one of the best shots of the community. James Cherry, the eldest of his children, and the father of Mrs. Yaw, was born in this county, as before mentioned, and he attended the early schools of the township. On the 27th of February, 184, when twenty years of age, he married Miss Melvina Mitchell, who bore him three children: Kate E., now Mrs. Yaw; Robert M. was a resident of Florida, where he died about six months ago, and he has one child, HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 619 Edward; and James N., married, resides in Keokuk, Iowa. Mr. Cherry was a member of the Presbyterian church, and died May 30, 1856. He was a democrat in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Jackson. Early in life he was a cabinet maker, but later he engaged in the nursery business near Zanesville, and carried this on for some time. He was postmaster for two years at Putnam and later moved to the farm where he spent the remainder of his days as a farmer and nurseryman. He was an active politician in county affairs. H's wife, who is still living, was born in Zanesville, in 1812, when the town was first started, and she was the daughter of Dr. Robert Mitchell, and grand-daughter of George Mitchell, who came from Scotland and settled in Westmoreland county, Penn. Dr. Robert Mitchell studied medicine and after marriage he came at once to Zanesville where he was one of the first physicians. In 1834 he was elected to congress. He served as brigadier-general in the War of 1812. His death occurred in 1848. He was the father of thirteen children. His wife died in 1864. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and Dr. Mitchell was a democrat in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Yaw are the parents of four children: James H., who is at home; William E., married, and at home; Edward L., who is in the livery business at New Concord; and Fred C., who died when four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Yaw hold membership in the M. E. church, and he and his sons affiliate with the democratic party. Mr. Yaw is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Norwich Malta lodge No. 108, and is a Chapter Royal Arch Mason He has held office in the lodge and has been a member since 1850. He is at present engaged in farming and s ockraising, owns some fine thoroughbred Jersey cattle, all registered stock. He is also raising some fine standard horses. Mrs. Yaw was born in 1840, and by her first union became the mother of these children: Henry, Enna L., Charles H., L. U. and Pollock. Bluford Yaw, farmer and stockraiser, New Concord, Ohio, was the third son born to the union of William and Margaret (Johnson) Yaw [see sketch of Benoni Yaw], his birth occurring in Indiana on the 11th of July, 1833, and when but a baby his parents took him to Muskingum county, Ohio, where he has resided all his days on the farm taken up by his grandfather, John Yaw. He attended the district schools of the neighborhood, and when twenty-one years of age he engaged in farming on the place where he now lives. He owns the farm of sixty acres owned by his father and grandfather before him, and is one of the successful and prosperous tillers of the soil in the community. He was married in 1874 to Miss Hester A. Galager, a native of this township, born near Norwich on the 6th of February, 1842, and the daughter of John and Sarah (Williamson) Galager, natives of Pennsylvania and Germany respectively. John Galager was born in 1812 and when only six weeks old was brought by, his parents, Peter and Mary (Ghirt) Galager, to this county. They settled on a farm owned by John, and there the parents passed the remainder of their days. They had been members of the Presbyterian church for sixty years. Their children, eight in number, were named as follows: Elizabeth, James, Rachel, Jane, Hettie, Hannah, Mary and John. All are now deceased. The father was a weaver by trade but owned land and carried on farming. John Galager was a life long member of the Presbyterian church, and in his political views was for many years a democrat, but later advocated the principles of the republican party. He was a wealthy farmer and followed that occupation until his death in 1885. He married Miss Williamson when about twenty-two years old. She was the daughter of Abraham and Barbara Williamson, of German and Irish birth respectively. After coming to this country her parents first settled in Virginia and the father served in the War of 1812. To them were born eleven children: Ralph, Catherine, Abraham, Jacob, James, Newton, Henry, William, Mary, Sarah and John. Of these only one is now living, William, who is a resident of Taylorville, this county. Mr. Yaw's mother-in-law was the eighth in order of birth of the above mentioned children. Abraham Williamson and wife were with the Methodist Episcopal church and are both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Galager were born six children: Martha J., who is a resident of this county and township; Mary E., died when only three months old; Barbara, is the wife of William Self, of this county; Hester, wife of subject; James W., a resident of Norwich ; and John, who is living in this state. The mother of these children was born in 1813 and died in 1852. she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal and the father a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Yaw are the parents of four children: Barbara A., born on the 22d of March, 1875, married C. Hammond, and is now residing at home; John L., born November 10, 1876, and is at home; James W., born April 3, 1878, at home; and Hettie I., born September 8, 1880, at home. Mr. Yaw is a member of the Methodist Episcopal and his wife a member of the Baptist church, both being great church workers. Mr. Yaw is a democrat in his political views. He is a man of public spirit, and has liberally sustained all public enterprises. Oliver P. Yaw, a prominent farmer of Union township, Mush ingum county, Ohio, was born on the farm where he now lives on the 19th of Septein- 620 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY. ber, 1843, and was the youngest in order of birth of ten children born to John and Joanna (Brown) Yaw, the father a native of New Jersey, born in 1796, and the latter of New York state, born in 1802. [For sketch of the paternal graedfather, William Yaw, see biography of Benoni Yaw.] John Yaw came with his father to Muskingum county at an early date, and the latter took up the farm on which Oliver is now living. He was married in 1823 to Miss Brown, and resided on his farm until his death on the 8th of October, 1884. He was a quiet, unassuming man, and was well respected by all. In his religious views he was with the Presbyterian church of New Concord, and in politics he voted with the republican party. All worthy enterprises received his hearty support, especially when relating to education or religion, and he was universally liked. Mrs. Yaw resided in Perry county with her parents until nearly grown. She died on the 1st of January, 1877. Their family, consisting of ten children, seven of whom are living, are named as follows: Lawrence, a resident of Terre Haute, Ind. ; William, resides in New Plymouth, Vinton county, Ohio (he was an ensign of the Thiry-first Ohio Volunteer infantry, and served over three years. He was twice wounded, first struck by a minie-ball and later a portion of one ear was shot off. He was a brave and faithful soldier and saw some hard service); Margaret, died at the age of twelve years; Joseph died when two years of age; Hannah J., is now the widow of William Pierce of Westmoreland county, Penn. ; Elizabeth, wife of George Bailey, of Lovington, Moultrie county, Ill.; David R., is now a resident of Pittsburg, Penn. ; (he was a soldier in the Seventy-eighth Ohio infantry and served eighteen months, participating in some of the prominent engagements, viz. : Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and was with Sherman to the sea); Rebecca C., the wife of Robert Daine, resides in Emporia, Kas. ; Mary was the wife of Alexander Smith, died in 1889 when fifty years of age, and Oliver P., the subject of this sketch. The latter's early life was passed in assisting on the farm, and he received his education in the schools of the neighborhood. When eighteen years of age he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-eighth Ohio infantry, and was attached to the Seventeenth Army corps, serving three years and eleven days as a private. Some of his principal engagements were Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson (Tenn.), Raymond, Champion's Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Meridian, Big Shanty, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman to the sea. He was honorably discharged at Beaufort, S. C., returned to Muskingum county, and is now a pensioner to a small amount. After returning to that county he settled with his father, who was getting along in years, and assisted him in farming the place. Mr. Yaw was married in October, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth .J. Harrison, who was born in Putnam county, W. Va., on the 12th of August, 1851, and is a daughter of John W. and Elizabeth S. (Kirkpatrick) Harrison. Mrs. Yaw was one of ten children, seven now living, born to the above worthy couple, who emigrated from West Virginia to Indiana, and settled in Carroll county, where they received their final summons, the father dying in 1870 and the mother in 1877. Of their children, John L. ran away from home and enlisted in the army when but fourteen years of age; Margaret, Elizabeth, Mary C., Edith J. M., Virginia A. and James Mc. Mrs. Yaw was educated in Indiana, and was there married to Mr. Yaw. Since that time they have lived on their present farm. To their marriage were born four children: Nora M., wife of Frank McCormac, resides in Putnam, this county; Elizabeth J., at home; John H., at home, and Frederick L., also at home. The family are associated with the M. E. church. Mr. Yaw is a democrat in politics, and has held a number of the local offices. He is a careful and progressive farmer, and has acquired his possessions by honest work and good management. It is a satisfaction to say that such a man stands high socially and in a business way. He owns 100 acres of land and is engaged in general farming. ERRATUM. --On page 272. Chapter XXV should be Chapter XX.