BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
PAST AND PRESENT
OF THE
CITY OF ZANESVILLE
AND
MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO
By J. Hope Sutor together with
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
of many of its Leading and Prominent Citizens and Illustrious Dead.
ILLUSTRATED
Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
1905
< CLICK HERE to RETURN
to LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES & HISTORIES >
J. W. Baker |
JEROME W. BAKER,
the president of the People's Banking Company, of Frazeysburg, who
is also connected with mercantile and other business interests of
the town, was born in Dresden, Muskingum county, Dec. 13, 1855.
His father, William Baker, was a native of New Jersey and
after reaching adult age married Miss
Sarah A. Walker, a daughter of Squire Walker, one of
the early and influential citizens of Dresden, who served as justice
of the peace there. In his political views he was originally a
whig and later a republican. His daughter, Mrs.
Baker, was born in Dresden and in February, 1905, celebrated her
eighty-fourth birthday. William Baker, coming to
Ohio when a young man, located in Dresden where he engaged in the
hardware business and he was also interested in the iron industry of
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was a man just and generous in his
business relations, being never known to take advantage of the
necessities of his fellow men in any trade transaction. He
died at the age of fifty-eight years. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Baker were born five children: Sarah H., the wife of
David McNaught, a farmer of Jackson township; Mrs.
Anna McOuigg, of Muskingum township; Melvina, wife
of William McNaught, a farmer of Jackson township; Albert,
who is engaged in blacksmithing in Frazeysburg; and Jerome W.
The father was a republican, interested in the growth and success of
the party, and he advocated and supported all progressive measures.
In all life’s relations he was true to his duty, while his
reliability in business, loyalty in citizenship and devotion to his
family won him the respect of all with whom he came in contact.
Jerome W. Baker attended the public schools of
Dresden and spent a part of his boyhood days on the home farm, but
later he engaged in clerking for Herbert Smallwood of
Dresden, with whom he remained for a year and a half. He
clerked for I. W. Ewing for three years and in 1875, with a
small capital, began business on his own account in a little
building in Frazeysburg which has since been destroyed by fire.
In 1885 he purchased his present building on State street, a
two-story structure, twenty-five by seventy-five feet, with
basement. Here he has been very successful as a merchant,
building up the largest business of its kind in the town. He
has studied to please the tastes of a general public and has made
his purchases of stock accordingly. Reasonable prices and
straightforward methods have also been elements in his success and
his prosperity in commercial fields has made possible his investment
in other lines of business which have contributed to the general
welfare as well as to his individual financial returns. In 1902 the
People’s Banking Company of Frazeysburg was organized, Mr. Baker
being one of tne original incorporators. He was elected a
director and the vice president of the company, with J. G.
Hamilton as president and Samuel Frazier as
cashier, while J. M. Frazier and T. L. Bennett, in
addition to the officers, constituted the board of directors. In
1903 the bank was re-organized, with the following officers: J.
W. Baker, president; 'I'. L. Bennett, vice president; and
Samuel Frazier, cashier. These gentlemen, together with
James Frazier, F. Fleming and Samuel Parks are
directors. The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand
dollars and the deposits amount to one hundred thousand. The
bank inaugurated a safe, conservative policy that has awakened
public confidence and in consequence a liberal public support is
assured. Mr. Baker is also a stockholder in the old
Citizens Bank of Zanesville; a director and stockholder in the
Roseville Pottery Company of Zanesville; and the owner of
considerable real estate in Frazeysburg.
Mr. Baker has been married twice. He
wedded Mary A. Patton, who died leaving a daughter, Inez.
Later he married Miss Bessie Mendenhall, a native of Jackson
township and a daughter of R. P. Mendenhall, a prominent
retired farmer of the county. There are two children by this
marriage: Roy E. and Walter J.
Mr. Baker votes with the republican party
and has served as a member of the council of Frazeysburg and also on
the school board. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and is
interested in the material, social, intellectual and moral progress
of the town and county to the extent that he gives tangible aid to
every movement for the general good. His life is another
illustration of the fact that prosperous and prominent merchants
come from humble clerkships and that in the individual and his
inherent force of character, not in his environment, lies the secret
of success.
Source: Past and Present of the City
of Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S.
J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 388 |
W. H. Ball |
JUDGE WILLIAM R. BALL
Source: Past and Present of the City of
Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 578 |
 |
SOLOMON S. BAUGHMAN
Source: Past and Present of the City
of Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S.
J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page |
|
|
JACOB I. BELL. In
taking up the personal history of Jacob I. Bell we present to
our readers the life record of a representative of one of the old
pioneer families of Muskingum county. He was born Sept. 30,
1833, in Adams township, his parents being William and Rachel (Gaumer)
Bell, while his grandparents were John and Rachel (Stillwell)
Bell. John Bell was descended from
Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry and removed from Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, to Ohio, settling on a farm in Adams township now
owned by G. R. Bell. His wife, also a native of
Pennsylvania, was of Scotch lineage. They became the parents
of ten children, Elizabeth, Haley, John J., Mary
A., William, Nancy, Catherine, Sarah, James and Amy.
Mr. Bell purchased land from the original settler on
which was a small clearing. Later he added to the original
eighty acres an equal amount in Adams township and also bought
eighty acres in Hocking county, and throughout his entire life he
followed general farming, being a man of marked industry,
perseverance, and diligence. His educational privileges in
youth were very limited but he made the most his opportunities as
the years passed by. He held membership in the Fairview
Methodist church, while his wife belonged to the Baptist church in
Adamsville. Politically he was an old-line whig and his death
occurred when he was seventy-eight years of age.
William Bell, father of Jacob T. Bell,
was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Feb. 9, 1809, and
came with the family to Adams township when a young man, traveling
westward by wagon. As a companion and helpmate for life's
journey he chose Rachel Gaumer, a daughter of Jacob
and Elizabeth (Sturtz) Gaumer. Following
his marriage Mr. Bell took up his abode on the land
now owned by Mrs. John R. Bell, his daughter-in-law. He
entered eighty acres from the government and at once commenced its
cultivation and improvement. As his financial resources
increased he added to his property from time to time until he was
the owner of eight hundred and thirteen acres, of which six hundred
and forty acres was in one tract and all was in Adams township with
the exception of fifty-three acres in Monroe township. His
political views accorded with republican principles and he was a
stanch advocate of the Union cause in the Civil war. He died
Jan. 30, 1876, at the age of sixty-seven years. Both he and
his wife were members of the Lutheran church. In their family were
seven children, of whom two died in infancy, while the others are:
George W., Jacob T., Elizabeth C.. John R. and Jared C.
Jacob I. Bell attended the common schools near
his home and in the summer worked in the fields, assisting in the
operation of the old home place until twenty-five years of age, when
he removed to the farm upon which he now resides. He owns two
hundred acres of land that is rich and arable and is conveniently
situated about five and a half miles from Adamsville. Although
he is now more than seventy years of age he is still active in the
control of this property and is also associated in business with his
son. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, having
good grades of cattle, horses and hogs upon his place.
It was on the 9th of November, 1858, that Mr.
Bell was united in marriage to Leah C. Hanks, who was
born Nov. 2 , 1831. a daughter of Jerry Hanks.
Her father was a farmer by occupation, was born in Virginia and
became a resident of Adams township, Muskingum county, when it was a
pioneer district, which he aided in reclaiming for the use of the
white men. Mr. and Mrs. Bell had five children:
Teresa A., who was born Septemebr 7, 1859. is living at
home. Harvey A., who was born Apr. 2, 1862, wedded
Mary Gosser and lives at Wills Creek. Albert,
who was born Mar. 26, 1864, was married Dec. 25, 1888, to Rose
Edwards and died Jan. 7, 1896. M. T., born Aug.
31, 1858, married Anna Ermine and lives in Monroe
township. Willard E., born May 14, 1873, is at home.
The wife and mother died June 18, 1881, and her death was not only
deeply regretted by her immediate family but by her many friends.
Mr. Bell votes with the democracy,
keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day and
that he has the confidence and trust of his fellow townsmen is
indicated by the fact that they retained him in the office of
township trustee for twelve years. He is also a member of the
Grange and he and his family hold membership in the Methodist
church. There have been no startling events in the life history of
Mr. Bell though in his entire career he has shown the
traits of character which constitutes a good citizen, a reliable
business man and a devoted husband and father.
Source: Past and Present of the City of
Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 505 |
|
|
JARED C. BELL, who not
only successfully carries on agricultural interests, but also
contributes to the intellectual and moral development of the
community by his active support of schools and churches, was born
July 13, 1841, in Adams township and represents one of the oldest
and most honored pioneer families of the county. His parents
were William and Rachel (Gaumer) Bell. His grandfather,
John Bell, was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry and
removed from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, following
the occupation of farming in both states. He married Miss
Rachel Stillwell, a native of Pennsylvania and of
Scotch lineage. With his family he came to Muskingum county,
settling on a farm in Adams township. He purchased his land
from the original settler and although there was a small clearing on
the place the greater part of the work of development and
improvement fell to Mr. Bell. His original
purchase comprised eighty acres and he also bought eighty acres on
Wills creek, in Adams township, and eighty acres in Hocking county,
Ohio, thus making judicious investment of his means until his
property holdings were valuable and extensive. He lived to be
seventy-eight years of age and through many years was a devoted
member of the Fairview Methodist church, while his wife was a
consistent and loyal member of the Baptist church at Adamsville.
In politics he was a whig and he lived a quiet, unassuming life, but
was widely recognized as a man of unfaltering industry and of
upright character. His education was limited to instruction in
reading, writing and arithmetic, but he made the most of his
opportunities and as a farmer won a creditable prosperity. In
the family were ten children: Elizabeth, Haley,
John J., Mary A., William, Nancy,
Catherine, Sarah, James and Amy.
William Bell, son of John Bell,
was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Feb. 9, 1809, and
when a young man came to Muskingum county with his father. The
trip was made in one of the old-fashioned wagons common at that day.
He had acquired a common school education and had been trained in
all of the work of the farm. In this county he wedded
Rachel Gaumer, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Sturtz) Gaumer, her father being a great-uncle of the Hon.
Daniel H. Gaumer, of Zanesville. Following his marriage
William Bell settled on a farm now owned and occupied by
his daughter-in-law, Mrs. John R. Bell. He entered
eighty acres of land from the government and brought to bear his
energy and activity in the development and improvement of this
place. He was careful in expenditures, economical and
industrious, giving his entire attention to his business interests
without active co-operation in political work and as the years
passed he won creditable success. From time to time he
purchased more land until he had six hundred and forty acres in one
tract and in another farm had one hundred and seventy-three acres,
so that his landed possessions aggregated eight hundred and thirteen
acres, all in Adams township with the exception of fifty-three acres
in Monroe township. Both he and his wife held membership in
the Lutheran church and he voted with the republican party and was a
most stalwart advocate of the Union cause during the Civil war.
He died Jan. 30, 1876, at the age of sixty-seven years and is still
survived by his wife, who is yet a hale and hearty woman, although
now ninety-four years of age. Her mind is clear and bright and
she is remarkably well preserved for one of her years. She
makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth
Minnick, in Highland township. In the family were seven
children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being:
George W., Jacob I., Elizabeth C., John R. and Jared C.
Jared C. Bell acquired his education in the
Young America school and resided at home until 1862, when he took up
his abode on the farm which he now occupies. He afterward
removed to another part of this place and later took possession of
his present residence, which was erected under his supervision.
He has always engaged in farming and to some extent has worked at
the carpenter’s trade. In his youth he also received
instruction in vocal music and to some extent has given instruction
in that art. He has always been a great lover of music and has
played several instruments, including the fife, the drum and the
organ. He now owns and operates two hundred acres of rich and
productive land on sections 19 and 21, Adams township, and carries
on general farming and stock-raising, working the land himself and
also raising cattle and sheep. The farm is well improved,
being equipped with all modern conveniences, and the splendid
appearance of the place is indicative of the careful supervision of
a progressive owner.
Mr. Bell was married Oct. 30, 1862, to
Martha Jane Caldwell, who was born in Guernsey
county, Mar. 27, 1842, a daughter of Mrs. Nancy (Hartman)
Caldwell. Her father was a merchant and lived near
Cumberland. Mr. and Mrs. Bell became the parents of six
children, of whom all but one are yet living: S. Leonard,
born March 11, 1864, was married Sept. 5, 1889, to Gertrude
Keepers and resides at Scio, Ohio. They have four sons,
Carl Leonard, Ralph Chester, William
Jared and Kennon Maurice. S. Leonard
Bell is instructor in a conservatory of music in Scio. At
a very early age he displayed a marked fondness for and considerable
talent in music. He began playing in public at the age of
eight years and accepted a position as church organist when twelve
years of age. Since beginning his musical studies he has
always been an earnest and untiring student and has received
instruction from some of the greatest musicians and teachers of the
world, having attended a number of the leading colleges and
universities and receiving the degree of Doctor of Music. He
seems to possess natural ability as a teacher as well as a musician
and he is well known in musical circles, being a member of the Ohio
Music Teachers’ Association and the National Music Teachers'
Association. Lender his instruction some of the best
pianists of the country have studied. Adam H. Bell, born June
8, 1866, was married Dec. 31, 1902, to Anna E. Wilcox, and
resides in Conesville, Ohio. William H., born April 16, 1869,
was graduated in plain and ornamental penmanship in Smithville,
Ohio, and afterward completed a business course in Topeka. Kansas.
He also spent one term in McCormick College, in Muskingum county,
where he taught penmanship, and he is now bookkeeper of the Chicago,
Rock Island & Gulf Island Railroad Company at Fort Worth, Texas.
He was married Jan. 2, 1898, to Nettie Spencer, who
died Sept. 10, 1900, leaving one child, Firman Merrill,
born Sept. 11, 1873, who was a student in Scio College for one term
and afterward went to Iowa, where he engaged in teaching for several
terms. He afterward became a student in the medical college at
St. Joseph, Missouri, was graduated with second honors in his class
and is now practicing in Grant, Nebraska. Everett C. Bell,
born May 21, 1878, was graduated in penmanship at the Wooster
College of Penmanship and is now teaching writing. He lives at
home. Lemert H. Bell, born May 21, 1878, died on the
26th of the same month.
Mr. Bell’s views on the temperance
question are indicated by his allegiance to the prohibition party.
He has been treasurer of his township for two years, was road
supervisor and has been judge and clerk of elections. He is a
member of the Grange and he and his wife are earnest and
zealous members of the Fairview Methodist Episcopal church and their
sons are also identified with the same denomination. Mr.
Bell is greatly interested in educational and religious work,
is a most liberal supporter of the church and contributed generously
toward the new house of worship at Fairview. Formerly he was
identified with the Lutheran church at Adamsville. His life
has ever been upright and honorable and both he and his wife are
held in high regard by many friends. They reside about four
and a half miles northeast of Adamsville, where they have a fine
home and valuable farm.
Source: Past and Present of the City of Zanesville, and
Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing
Co. - 1905 - Page 454 |
George H. Bimple |
GEORGE H. BIMPLE
Source: Past and Present of the City of Zanesville, and
Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing
Co. - 1905 - Page 298 |
Peter Black |
PETER BLACK was born
Oct. 6, 1819, in Ramelton County, Donegal, Ireland, and was
second son of a family of ten sons and two daughters. He was
educated in the parish schools for eight or ten yers and was
a natural student, but his father was exacting and had a private
tutor when the school was closed.
Mr. Black came to America in 1840, landing at
Philadelphia, and journeyed to Pittsburg by stage and, with an elder
brother, clerked and saved money, and in 1843 they decided they
could embark in business on personal account. The brother was
so favorably impressed with Zanesville upon his arrival that he
determined to locate here, and a stock of goods was procured and
shipped to the "Black Brothers." Peter came as
the representative of the firm and rented a small room in a
two-story brick on the site of the Equitable Building Company's
offices, 508 Mabank, in street, where the enterprise prospered and
was soon moved to the corner room now occupied by the Commercial
National at Fifth and Main, where it remained a few years.
About
1850 the firm purchased a row of small bricks on the north side of
Main street, between Sixth street and Sewer alley, as their business
place. About two years later the partnership was dissolved and
each operated on personal account, and Peter opened a
wholesale department in a room on the site of George R. Fox’s
store, with the retail trade in the room on the west, a connection
being- made by arches.
In 1859 a partnership was formed with Alexander
Grant, a brother-in-law and resident of Springfield, and a
retail business opened at the southeast corner of Main and Third
streets, under the name of Alexander Grant & Company,
the upper store being continued under the firm name of P. Black
& Company. In 1861-2 the Music Hall Block was completed
and in 1863 P. Black & Company moved the wholesale trade to
it, and a partnership with another brother was formed, and a store
opened in the Star Block, at northeast corner of Main and Third
streets, as P. & J. Black, but soon after was associated with
S. S. Black and Alexander Grant, as P. Black &
Company in the Music Hall Block.
He formed the First National Bank and was its first
president, a position he retained upon the consolidation with it of
the Muskingum National Bank. In 1877, in conjunction with
Dr. W. A. Graham, another brother-in-law, he erected the
Clarendon Hotel, and his last business efforts were in connection
with that structure, in which he took great pride. He was around the
building Saturday, July 6, 1878, looking into details and seemingly
was in his usual good health, and went home about 4 p. m.; at supper
he declined to eat, as he was not feeling well and went to his room
for rest. Dr. C. C. Hildreth called and prescribed for
indigestion and left about 11 p. m. Mr. Black
rested uneasily until 4 a. m., when he expressed a more satisfactory
feeling and the opinion he would be better in the morning at 5 a. m.
he slept and when the physician called at 7 a. m. and learned he was
asleep, directed him to be undisturbed and to be given coffee upon
awaking. The wife and daughter soon after entered the room and
found that life was extinct.
The funeral was conducted July 10, by Dr.
Hoge, who had married him in 1851 to Miss Dorothy Van
Hamm, daughter of Dr. John Van Hamm and
granddaughter of General Isaac
Van Hamm.
The casket was borne from his late home, at the northwest corner of
Seventh and Market, by his brothers and brothers-in-law; the court
house bell was tolled during the period of the passage of the
cortege through the city, all business houses on Main street and
upon the route of the procession to Woodlawn were closed until 6 p.
m. and the First National Bank and Clarendon buildings were heavily
draped.
Source: Past and Present of the City of
Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 237 |
Thos. S.Black |
CAPTAIN THOMAS S. BLACK
Source: Past and Present of the City of Zanesville, and
Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing
Co. - 1905 - Page 582 |
Mr. & Mrs.
W. H. Blaney |
WILLIAM H. BLANEY.
Everywhere in our land are found men who have worked their own way
upward from humble beginnings to leadership in the commerce, the
great productive industries, the management of financial affairs and
in controlling the veins and arteries of the traffic and exchanges
of the country. Prominent among the self-made men of Ohio is
William H. Blaney, a man honored, respected and esteemed
wherever known, and most of all, where he is best known. He is
now controlling extensive mining interests and is also the owner of
valuable real estate in Muskingum county. He was born Nov. 28,
1858, in Meigs county, Ohio, his parents being Justice and Anna
(Cope) Blaney. The father was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, and was a potter by trade, being engaged in the
manufacture of what was called red ware. He came to Ohio in
1856 and continued to engage to some extent in business as a potter,
manufacturing small pieces of ware by hand. He wedded Anna
Cope, a daughter of Joseph Cope, who was a minister of
the Society of Friends or Quakers. The family resided in
Pennsylvania, and none of the representatives of the family save
Mrs. Blaney came to Ohio. Unto the parents of our subject
were born eight children; Edith L., who is the wife of
Robert Butcher, of Gloucester, Ohio, and the mother of twelve
children: Joseph C., who has been married twice and has
three children and makes his home at Rose Farm; Sarah, who
died at the age of forty-two years; John, deceased, who
married Nellie Doran, by whom he had one child;
William, of this review Mary, who became the wife of
Frank Judwin, a resident of Arkansas, and is the mother
of two children; Mrs. Emma Tidwick, of Covington, Kentucky,
who has two daughters; and Isaac, living in Steubenville,
Ohio.
William H. Blaney was only fourteen years of age
at the time of his father’s death. He continued to make his
home with his mother until twenty-five years of age. He
afterward married Laura Leasure, who has passed away.
There were six children by that marriage: Frank L., born Nov.
27, 1884; Blanch, born Nov. 23, 1886; Elsie J., June
20, 1889; Lena, July 20, 1892; Ivol B., Sept. 20,
1894; and Merle L., Sept. 25, 1897. For his second wife
Mr. Blaney chose Jennie Prescott, a
daughter of Robert Prescott, who was born in Ohio, and
was a son of Robert Prescott, Sr., a native of
Ireland.
Mr. Blaney is a self-made man in the
truest sense of that term. His educational privileges were
limited and he had no financial assistance vet through his own labor
and perseverance he has risen unaided from a humble position to one
of affluence. He entered upon his business career as a coal
miner, working with pick and shovel, and after he had saved five
hundred dollars from his earnings he embarked in mercantile
pursuits, but within a few years he found himself two thousand
dollars in debt. He then returned to the mine, where he again
resumed work, being thus engaged until he had paid each creditor one
hundred cents on the dollar. When this was accomplished he
embarked in the coal business on his own account, leasing a mine
which others could not make pay. He gave seventy-five dollars
for this lease and this proved his starting point upon the upward
grade. After working the mine for some time he disposed of it
at a good profit, having himself taken out sixty carloads of coal.
That he has prospered in his undertakings is indicated by the
property holdings which he now has. He won twenty-five acres
of land and a fine residence in Cannelville, and he also has about
twenty-seven houses which he rents and which bring him a very
gratifying income. He has extensive investments in mining
properties and is now the president of the Walnut Hill Mining
Company, which is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and of
which J. P. Comminskey, of Detroit, is treasurer. This
mine has just been equipped with machinery and employs between
seventy-five and one hundred men, working eight-hour shifts.
Mr. Blaney has just put in an electric light plant in
order to light the mine and has recently closed a contract with the
city of Cannelville to furnish city lights. He also owns stock
to the amount of ten thousand dollars in the Duncan Run Coal
Company, which is capitalized for sixty thousand dollars. He
is general manager of this mine, which employs about forty men, and
he is also sole owner of the business conducted under the name of
the Winchester Coal Company and employs about twenty men in the
operation of the Oak Knob mine. He also owns and operates the
Red Raven mines, employing ten men. The capacity of his mine
at Walnut Hill is about four hundred tons per day. This is a
part of vein No. 6, while Red Raven and the Duncan Run mines are on
vein No. 7. Mr. Blaney certainly deserves great
credit for the success he has achieved in his present position,
which is in marked contrast to his surroundings in early youth. He
has walked to the mine many a day in early life barefooted over
frozen ground, but success has attended his labors and to-day he is
one of the most prosperous residents of Muskingum county. He
has never had a strike at any of his mines and in fact has the
warmest attachment and regard of his men for whom he ever has a kind
word. He is always considerate and just in his treatment of
others and moreover he has the ability that qualities him for
leadership. His men knowing that they will ever receive fair
treatment at his hands, give him their full respect and best
services. He thoroughly understands every little detail
connected with the mining business and is thus able to personally
direct the labors of those who serve under him. His knowledge
also enables him to know that each day his mine is being operated
with profit and that the following day’s labor will also be one of
gain.
Mr. Blaney is a devoted and loyal member
of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to Roseville lodge,
A. F. & A. M., and also Lexington chapter, R. A. M. In his political
views he is a republican and has been honored with several local
offices, serving as mayor and alderman of Cannelville, as postmaster
at Dillon, as school director, justice of the peace and marshal.
In his business career he has promulgated and followed financial
methods that have made his excellent success possible. He
believes that the world should go forward and has done his full
share toward moving it in that direction. He has always been
willing to devote his wealth and energies to feasible undertakings
that would increase the prosperity of his city and add to the
comfort of its inhabitants. His life has been a success.
He has accumulated a comfortable fortune and has used only such
means as would bear the closest scrutiny. Personally he is
sociable, ever willing to accord to any one the courtesy of an
interview. Although a man of wealth he is unostentatious in a
marked degree and in this age, when anarchistic and socialistic
doctrines are inflaming the masses, the demeanor and actions of such
men as he do more to quench the fire of envy and malice than all
other means combined. His acts have during his life been such
as to distinctively entitle him to a place in this publication, and
although his career has not been filled with thrilling incidents,
probably no biography in this volume can serve as a better
illustration to young men of the power of industry, honesty and
integrity in insuring success.
Source: Past and
Present of the City of Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio -
Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 476 |
|
|
LOUIS E. BRELSFORD
Source: Past and Present of the City of
Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 239 |
U. H. Brown |
BROWN MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
Among the great productive industries which
have been important factors in the upbuilding of Zanesville and
which have contributed in large measure to its prosperity and
progress, the Brown Maufacturing Company deserves special
mention. For nearly thirty years it has given employment to
hundreds of men and has sent hundreds of thousands of wagons and
agricultural implements into every state and territory. The
works are located in the block between North Seventh and Eighth
streets, along the Baltimore & Ohio and Pennsylvania Railways.
As the business has increased additions have been made to the plant
until there are now twenty-eight brick buildings, with an aggregate
floor space of more than six acres, in which are employed more than
four hundred and twenty men, many of whom have been with the firm
since its foundation. Here are made one and two-horse wagons,
harrows, single and double shovel plows, one and two-horse
cultivators, and in fact every implement for taking care of corn
after it has been planted. From the time when the first wagon
left the shop no pains have been spared and no detail neglected
which would add to the durability or effectiveness of the product of
the works. The choicest materials have been used, and as a
result their vehicles and implements have gained a reputation as
broad as the land for a combination of strength with a minimum of
weight and an ease in operation which can not be equaled anywhere.
This is the great consideration from the buyer’s point of view and
it is, and has always been, the aim of the management to make an
article which will meet all the requirements of the user, with the
fewest, if any, objectionable features.
The capital stock of this company, together with the
surplus foots up half a million dollars. Their output at
present is about five thousand wagons and fifty thousand implements
per year. The weekly pay-roll amounts to from one hundred and
fifty thousand to one hundred and eighty thousand dollars annually,
which goes directly into the pockets of citizens of Zanesville.
Every department of the works is running full at present, and the
demand for their products was never better from the south and west
and particularly from Texas, owing largely to the rapid settlement
of all the available agricultural territory and immense crops that
are being raised by the farmers.
The Brown Manufacturing Company was established in 1873
by W. P. Brown, O. C. Ong, James Herdman and others.
Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Ong died in the ’80s and Mr.
Herdman in 1901. Each have maintained a continuous
relation to the business from its inception. Since the death
of Mr. Herdman the affairs of the company have been conducted
by the following named officers: John Hoge, president; U.
H. Brown, treasurer and general manager; N. H. Moore,
secretary; and J. B. Ford, assistant manager and
superintendent. U. H. Brown is a nephew of the founder
of this enterprise, W. P. Brown, whose name was given to the
industry. From his youth he has been familiar with the
business in all its details and has been largely instrumental in
making it what it is to-day - one of the best known wagon and
cultivator manufactories in the United States.
Source: Past and Present of the City of
Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 632 |
|
|
GEORGE W. BROWN.
The business interests of Roseville find a worthy representative in
George W. Brown, who is conducting a grocery store in harmony
with modern ideas of enterprise and commercial progress and also
with the highest commercial ethics. He was born in this place, Nov.
3, 1861, and is a son of James Brown, an old and
prominent resident of Roseville, who was born in Ohio, Jan. 15,
1821, upon the present site of the city of Steubenville. His
great-grandfather, William Brown, and his grandfather,
Joseph Brown, were both natives of Delaware and the
latter served in the war of 1812. He married Miss Ann Kelly,
a native of Delaware and a daughter of James Kelly, of
the same state. Joseph Brown came with his
father to Ohio in 1820 and located in Piqua county near what is now
the city of Steubenville, where he followed farming until 1824, when
he brought his family to Newton township, Muskingum county, here
spending his remaining days. He reached the advanced age of
eighty-four years and was long classed with the honored and
representative pioneer settlers who contributed in large measure to
the improvement of the county. In politics he was a whig,
interested in political questions and in all that pertained to the
public welfare. The living members of his family are: William,
who is now living in Michigan at the age of eighty-nine years;
James; Joseph, a resident of Clay township, Muskingum
county; and Isaac and Jacob, both of whom are living
in Nebraska.
James Brown never attended school because
in pioneer districts the public school system had not been
instituted but he educated himself, reading the books that he could
obtain, and he added largely to his knowledge through observation
and experience. Possessing an observing eye and retentive
memory he became well informed for one who had no greater
opportunities. He was reared upon his father’s farm and in
1836 he went to Fultonham, where he worked in a mill. The year
1844 witnessed his arrival in Roseville, at which time he had a
capital of fifty dollars, which he invested in a stock of
merchandise, opening a store here. He continued business until
1885, long figuring as one of the leading and enterprising merchants
of the town. For the past twelve years he has been engaged in
the furniture business, his stock of goods occupying a building two
stories in height. He carries a carefully selected line of
furniture such as is demanded by the varied tastes and his earnest
desire to please his patrons, combined with his reliable business
methods, has brought him success. In addition to his store he
owns three residence properties in Roseville and also two farms,
comprising two hundred and fifty-four acres of land. All that
he possesses has come to him as a reward of earnest persistent
labor, capable management and strict integrity in his business
affairs. In politics he has long been a republican and in
religious faith is a Methodist, taking an active part in church
work. He was united in marriage to Miss Lucy
Sowers, a native of this county and a daughter of George
Sowers. He has six living children: David,
Mrs. Sadie McCoy, John, Mrs. Maggie
Stombach, Joseph and George W.
In taking up the personal history of George W. Brown
we present to our readers the life record of a worthy representative
of an honored pioneer family, who, like his father and grandfather
has been an active factor in business life and has been a
public-spirited citizen, ever found as the champion of progressive
measures for the general good. His education was acquired in
the public schools of Roseville and he entered upon his business
career as an employe in a tannery in 1879. In 1880 he accepted
a clerkship and was thus largely connected with commercial pursuits
until 1890, when he embarked in the grocery business on his own
account and. has since conducted his store, the neat and tasteful
arrangement of which, together with his straightforward business
dealing, has brought him a patronage which is very desirable.
Mr. Brown was united in marriage to
Miss Flora Briggs, whose birth occurred in Perry county,
Ohio, and their union has been blessed with four children: Ada,
Ray, Josephine and Emmet. Mr.
Brown gives his political allegiance to the republican party and
socially is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.
Source: Past and Present of the City of
Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 484 |
|
|
GEN. R. B. BROWN.
R. B. Brown is a native of New Concord, Muskingum county,
where he was born Oct. 2, 1844. His ancestry was Scotch-Irish
and the strength of the Scottish sentiment is evinced in the name
given him at baptism: Robert Burns. The Irish
blood asserted itself when President Lincoln called for
volunteers, in April, 1861, and on the 17th of the month, the first
dav of the recruiting, he volunteered but was rejected on account of
his youth, hut August 9, ensuing, was accepted and mustered into
Company A. 15th Ohio Infantry, for three years. In February,
1864, he re-enlisted, as a veteran, and was mustered out Dec. 27,
1865, after a service of nearly four years and five months. He
participated in all the battles and skirmishes in which his regiment
was engaged except at Nashville, at which time he was in the
hospital with a wound received July 23, 1864, in front of Atlanta.
His political enemies have permitted a wrong to be done a good
soldier by referring to this wound, which was in the heel, and by
merely stating the fact have allowed improper inferences to be
drawn. At the time the injury was received he was lying, with
the command, in the trenches and under fire. Nov. 25, 1863,
upon the crest of Mission Ridge, he captured the color bearer and
the colors of the Ninth Mississippi Regiment, for which he was
awarded a congressional medal of honor.
In March, 1866, he entered Eastman’s Business College,
at Poughkeepsie, New York, and graduated after a six months’ course,
and for the succeeding four years taught school in Minnesota, in the
meantime preparing himself for the bar, but in 1873 he became city
editor of the Zanesville Courier and has maintained his connection
since, being at the present time secretary, treasurer and business
manager of the corporation, and is an active member of the
associations of the dailies and newspapers of the state.
Mr. Brown is an enthusiastic member of
the Grand Army of the Republic and has been post commander of
Hazlett post several times, and it was mainly by his untiring
efforts that the Ohio Soldiers’ and Sailors' Home at Sandusky was
established. He was the first trustee appointed, served twelve
years and resigned in 1898. At the twentieth annual encampment
of the Department of the Ohio G. A. R., held at Akron in 1885, he
was elected department commander and served fifteen months and is a
life member of the national encampment of that order. The
title “General," which is frequently given to him, comes from his G.
A. R. badge as a past department commander. The badge is the
shoulder strap of a major general, and in the society's circles the
wearer ranks as a general and is so addressed by the comrades.
The application outside by members was taken up by those who did not
understand the significance and the public has applied the title as
a sobriquet.
The only public office held by Mr. Brown
was the mayoralty of New Concord, which he exercised for five months
in filling the unexpired term of the elected mayor, who died, and
which was given him by the village council.
Mr. Brown is an enthuisiasitc
republican and his pen and tongue are freely and vigorously employed
on behalf of the party; his ancestral blood tells in each but as a
speaker he usually gives it rein and he strikes at every head in
sight, without apology for the force or effect of the blow. In
religion he is an orthodox Presbyterian, of Covenanter stock, but
somewhat tempered by intercourse with equally good men of other
beliefs. Aside from his G. A. R. affiliations his only
fraternal connections are with the Odd Fellows, of which he is a
member in both lodge and encampment branches.
Source: Past and Present of the City of
Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 545 |
Dr. E. C. Brush |
EDMUND CONE BRUSH, A. M., M. D.
Source: Past and Present of the City of
Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 586 |
NOTES:
|
