Source:
Centennial History of Coshocton  County, Ohio
By Wm Bahmer
Vols. I & II
Illustrated
- Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
1909

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	ANDREW J. RANDLES has gained a wide reputation as one of the most extensive stock breeders and raisers of Coshocton county and is also a representative of one of the early pioneer families of this part of the Buckeye state.  Mr. Randles was born in Jackson township, Jan. 30, 1937, a son of John and Mary (Gellen) Randles.  The father was a man of wonderful courage, energy and perseverance and became a prosperous farmer.       Andrew J. Randles, whose name introduces this review, pursued his studies in one of the old time log schoolhouses of Coshocton county, his advantages in this direction being rather meager, owing partly to the unsettled condition of the country and partly to the fact that his services were needed on the home farm. He established a home of his own ,when on William and Eliza Pearce, residents of Coshocton county.      Following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm and in addition to carrying on general agricultural pursuits Mr. Randles also gave his time to railroad construction and to stock buying, slapping to the Pittsburg and other eastern markets.  In each line of activity he was successful.  During the Civil war he bought horses for the government and in the spring of 864 enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for one hundred days' service. When his term had expired he resumed his former lines of business and also became a breeder of fine stock and today enjoys a reputation for being the best stockman in this section of the state.     Mr. Randles gives his political support to the republican party and although he has frequently been urged to become a candidate for important county positions he has never consented to do so, feeling that his time is fully occupied with his varied business interests.  His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Richard Lanning Post, G. A. R.  During his lifetime he has performed many acts of charity and it is said of him that during the Civil war no soldier's family ever needed assistance that it was not generously rendered by Mr. Randles, although he always performed such deeds without ostentation or publicity. Through the exercise of his dominant powers - ambition, energy and industry - he has worked his way up and is now classed among the prosperous stockmen of Coshocton county. Source: Centennial History of Coshocton County, Ohio - Vol. II - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1909 - Page 182
	CHARLES REMICK RANDLES, who for about twelve years has been continuously in public office in Coshocton county was elected county auditor in November, 1904.  His previous faithful services in other positions gave promise of what he would do when elected to this position, and his fellow citizens have found him a capable competent and conscientious public service.  He was born in Bethlehem township, this county, on the 27th of November, 1859, a son of Enoch and Louisa (Milligan) Randles, the former a native of Jackson township and the latter of Keene township, both being representatives of old families of Coshocton county.  The father was reared and spent his entire life in this county, where for many years he engaged in farming, owning two hundred and five acres of land in Bethlehem township.  He transformed his place into rich fields, and annually gathered good harvests.  He voted with the democratic party, but was never an aspirant for office, although he served for several years as township trustee and as assessor of his township.  He preferred, however, that others should hold office and always used his aid and influence toward that end.  His death occurred when he was in his seventy-first year.      As a boy and youth Charles Remick Randles worked and played upon the home farm or spent his time acquiring an education.  He attended the district schools, the Warsaw high school, the Hopedale Normal School and the North Western Ohio Normal College, at Ada, Ohio, where he remained as a student for three years.  At the age of seventeen years he began teaching, and was thus identified with educational work in Coshocton county for fourteen years.  In the summer of 1882 he was employed in the salesroom of the Columbus Buggy Company, but otherwise he engaged mostly in teaching, until 1891, when he turned his attention to the livery business in Coshocton.  After three years spent in that way he sold his interests in 1894 and entered the auditor's office under Newton Speckman, there serving for two years.  He next accepted the position in the county treasurer's office under James D. Severns with whom he continued for a year and a half when W. H. Williams was elected county treasurer and Mr. Randles acted as deputy for four years.  In 1904 Mr. Randles was nominated and elected to the office of county auditor, entering upon the discharge of his duties in October, 1905.  He has since filled the position, and the affairs of the office are now carefully managed, everything being done according to the most progressive system.  He gives stalwart support support to the democratic party, for he believes that its principles constitute the first elements of good government.      In 1885 occurred the marriage of Mr. Randles and Miss Melissa A. Stewart, of Bethlehem township.  They have seven children: Clarence O., Emmet E., Clara E., Guy S., Margaret L., Royal and George M.  The second son is now deceased and the eldest son is a student in the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, Ohio, while the younger members of the family are still at home.  Mr. Randles is a member of the Fidelity Lodge, No. 135, K. P. and also belongs to the Munificent Order of Camels.  He is well known in the county, and is popular not only with the members of the democratic party, but also with those who represent the opposition.  He possesses a social genial nature, and wins friends wherever he goes. Source: Centennial History of Coshocton County, Ohio - Vol. II - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1909 - Page 68
	FREDERICK REINHART is the owner of a well cultivated farm of ninety-nine acres in Adams township and this property is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry, for he started out empty-handed.  He was born in Jefferson township, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Jan. 8, 1862, his parents being Jacob and Sophia (Baker) Reinhart, both of whom were natives of Germany.  They came to America in 1845, settling in Tuscarawas county, where for a year the father engaged in teaching school.  He then turned his attention to farming and later purchased land.  He died June 20, 1875, at the age of sixty-seven years, while his widow is still living in Tuscarawas county at the age of sixty-seven.  They were the parents of nine children: Frederick, of this review; Philip H., a resident of Cambridge, Ohio; William, of Tuscarawas county; Mary E., the wife of William Kearns of Tuscarawas county; Christopher likewise living in Tuscarawas county; Louise, the wife of George Heflinger of Tuscarawas county; Caroline, the wife of Ed Wagner, of Tuscarawas county; Emma who makes her home in Baltimore, Maryland; and George, of Portage county, Ohio.      Working on the home farm through his boyhood days, Frederick Reinhart gained practical knowledge of the business which now claims his attention.  He continued to assist his father until twenty years of age, after which he worked as a farm hand for one year and later devoted a year to carpentering.  On the expiration of that period he was married, in 1884, to Miss Samantha Norris, who was born in Coshocton county in 1864, a daughter of Wesley and Matilda Norris, both of whom are now deceased.  Their family numbered nine children.  Following his marriage Mr. Reinhart turned his attention to farming on his own account but, not having capital with which to purchase a farm, he rented land for twelve years.  In that time, however, he saved a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase his present property, comprising a tract of land of ninety-nine acres in Adams township.  This is a neat and well improved farm, carefully cultivated and displaying in its attractive appearance the energy and diligence of the owner.      The home of Mr. and Mrs. Reinhart has been blessed with three children: Cora B., the wife of Clifford Emerson, of Lafayette township; and Ada L., and Bessie, who are at home.  Mr. Reinhart and his family are members of the Methodist Protestant church, and are actively interested in its work.  Politically he is a democrat and at the present writing is serving as county commissioner for a second term, while for two terms he has also filled the position of assessor.  He belongs to Grange No. 1514 at Orange, Ohio, and is interested in all that pertains to the agricultural development of the county, nor does he withhold his support from those movements which are calculated to promote general progress and improvement. Source: Centennial History of Coshocton County, Ohio - Vol. I - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1909 - Page 388
George Ringwalt	GEORGE RINGWALT.  On the 12th of November, 1904, there occurred an event which caused general mourning in the city of New Castle - the death of George Ringwalt, one of its most prominent and highly esteemed citizens.  He was born in this city, Oct. 22, 1835, and was therefore at the time of his death sixty-nine years of age.  His parents, Isaac and Catherine (McDaniel) Ringwalt, came from Maryland to Coshocton county.  The son acquired but a limited education, for from the early age of twelve yeas he had to provide for his own support.  At that time he secured employment in a store and worked in that way for a number of years.  In this way he accumulated a sum of money that enabled him to invest in a stock of merchandise and open an enterprise on his own account in New Castle.  In this connection he bought and sold stock and also became the owner of valuable farm lands, owning two hundred acres situated in New Castle township and above five hundred in the county.  He was a very successful business man, and in his dealings commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom he was associated.  He erected a magnificent home in New Castle, this being equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories for the comfort of the inmates and it was here that his death occurred.      Mr. Ringwalt was married twice.  He was first married Dec. 24, 1857, to Miss Adeline Henderson, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Daniel Lambert, of New Castle.  By this union there was born one son, William who follows farming and makes his home in the village of New Castle.  The wife and mother died in 1869 and in 1872 Mr. Ringwalt was again married, his second union being with Leora Lewis, who still survives.  This union was blessed with four children: Edwin, who died in infancy; Charles, who was born in 1878 and is with his mother; Bertha, the wife of Ira Barrett, who follows farming one mile from New Castle; and Harry, who was born in 1889 and is at home.  Mrs. Ringwalt was born in New Castle in 1849, a daughter of Edwin and Elizabeth (McVey) Lewis, who were natives of Muskingum county, Ohio.  The father was a merchant and miller and died in 1850.  The mother survived for a long period and departed this life in 1893, their remains being interred in the cemetery at New Castle.  Mrs. Ringwalt still owns two hundred acres of land, from which she derives a good rental and she owns the beautiful home which was left her by her husband and here with her two sons she makes her home, being surrounded by a host of warm and admiring friends, for she is a gentle, kindly, thoughtful woman, charitable in her treatment of all with whom she is associated, and her many excellent traits of character endear her to all with whom she comes in contact.      Mr. Ringwalt gave his political support to the republican party and his widow also belongs.  A feeling of sadness spread throughout the community when his death was announced, but while those who knew him remain his memory will be cherished, not so much on account of the splendid success which he achieved in business but because of his life of helpfulness, of good cheer, of broad sympathy and his deep interest in the labors for the benefit of his fellowmen. Source: Centennial History of Coshocton County, Ohio - Vol. I - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1909 - Page 246 NOTE: CLICK HERE for pictures of the Ringwalt home as it is now. ALSO NOTE:  CLICK HERE for some burials
	WILLIAM ROBERTS.  One who is connected with the rich mineral resources of Coshocton county is William Roberts, who operates a coal mine, whereby he is meeting with success.  Mr. Roberts was born Sept. 20, 1858, in Jefferson township, Coshocton county, a son of John and Anna Roberts.  The father was also engaged in the mining of coal.  William Roberts received his education through the medium of the country schools and during the period of his boyhood and youth assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and the mines, which has always been his work.  From 1882 until 1884 he worked in the mines at Nelsonville, this state, and in the latter year returned to Coshocton county, where he was employed at his labor by others for some time but now owns a mine, which he is operating, and his sales amount to a large figure annually.      On the 20th of December, 1882, Mr. Roberts established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Georgia Brown.  This union has been blessed with four children, three sons and one daughter:  Edward Charles, Frank and Jennie, all of whom are under the parental roof.  The eldest son is a student in Northwestern University of the class of 909.  The family occupy an attractive home in Pleasant Valley and its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.      Mr. Roberts gives his political support to the republican party.  He is not in the sense of office seeking a man in public life, yet he has exerted an immeasurable influence in the city of his residence.  He has, however, served as a member of the township board of education.  His fraternal relations are with Coshocton Lodge, No. 44, I. O. O. F., while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Protestant church.  A man of broad and comprehensive rather than radical.  The people of Coshocton look upon him as an exemplary man, one in whom the public has confidence. Source: Centennial History of Coshocton County, Ohio - Vol. II - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1909 - Page 396
John J. Rose	JOHN JACKSON ROSE.  It is seldom that the news of death causes such uniform regret as was felt in Coshocton and this county when it was announced that the life record of John Jackson Rose was ended.  This could only be said of a man whose many good qualities and sterling worth, whose genial manner and kindly disposition had made him popular.  He was for a number of years associated with the commercial interests of the city and his salient traits as a merchant constituted a most commendable feature in his career.  There were, however, many other elements in his life that made him worthy the regard and good will of those with whom he came in contact and his life history cannot fail to prove of interest of the readers of this volume.  Born in Roscoe, Nov. 19, 1850, he died in Coshocton, May 22, 1907, at the age of fifty-seven years.      He came of French ancestry fortified with old Virginia blue blood.  His father, Daniel Rose, was a manufacturer, furniture dealer and undertaker.  His birth occurred at Zanesville, Ohio, to which place his parents had recently removed from the Isle of Guernsey, France.  He married Alcinda G. Ricketts, who was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, and accompanied her parents, Anthony and Henrietta Ricketts, to Ohio when six years of age, the family fording the Ohio river at Steubenville.  Thus in both the paternal and maternal lines J. J. Rose was descended from pioneer families of this state.  His paternal grandfather built the first foundry and machine shop in Coshocton county at the end of the Roscoe bridge, and from that time representatives of the name have figured prominently in connection with the industrial and commercial interests of the locality.  The death of Daniel Rose occurred Apr. 28, 1888, when he was sixty-three years of age, while his wife passed away Jan. 7, 1888, at the age of fifty-nine years.      Reared in his native village, J. J. Rose pursued his education in the public schools until he completed the high-school course by graduation.  He was a close and earnest student and always a well read man, keeping in touch with the questions and issues of the day, while at the same time he was continually broadening his knowledge of business matters and conditions.  Soon after putting aside his text-books he was apprenticed to the plasterer's trade and became a journeyman.  Eventually he began contracting on his own account and, meeting with good success in that undertaking, was thus enabled to enter commercial circles as a furniture dealer and undertaker in partnership with his father.  The business relation between them was established in 1876 and was so continued until the death of the senior partner in 1888.  John J. Rose then became so proprietor.  This was one of the leading establishments of the kind in the city.  The firm enjoyed an extensive and growing patronage because of the straightforward business methods they pursued and the excellent line of goods which they carried.  Mr. Rose would never countenance the employment of any business methods that would not bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.  His path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes, nor would be allow any set of his to prove a stumbling block in the business career of another who was working diligently and honorably to secure success.  A careful review of the business diligently and honorably to secure success.  A careful review and not in his environment nor circumstances, are the possibilities of success and, knowing this, he closely applied himself to his work and in the course of time established an enterprise which is one of the leading commercial concerns of Coshocton.      Mr. Rose was married twice.  One the 5th of January, 1876, he wedded Miss Weltha L. Ransom, who died leaving a daughter, now Mrs. Charlotte Herbig.  The mother passed away Feb. 17, 1892, and on the 8th of September, 1896, Mr. Rose wedded Miss Linnie M. Sims, who still survives, together with their little daughter, Phyllis Kathryn, born 21, 1898,      Mr. Rose gave his political support tot he republican party with which he became identified in attaining his majority.  He was in full sympathy with its principles and worked for their adoption but he never sought office as a reward for his party loyalty.  He, however, served as a delegate to several state convention and one occasion was an alternate to the republican national convention.  He was well known for his active and helpful interest in fraternal matters, holding membership with the Knights of Pythias, while in Masonry he had attained the Knight Templar degree, being the first member of the commandery at Coshocton who departed this life.  He was also a member of the Sons of Veterans and all these organizations followed his remains to their last resting place.  Although he did not hold membership with any church, he was in hearty sympathy with religious work and contributed to its support attending the services of the Presbyterian church with his wife.      When death claimed him one of the local publications said:  "Mr. Rose was a self-made man, who raised himself to comparative affluence by his own industry and integrity.  Life was not an easy path for him but he smiled and laughed along the way and the burdens grew lighter.  There was no better known figure on the streets of Coshocton, no one who was more welcome in a little informal gathering of business men.  He always had his viewpoint on public questions and men knew his opinions and respected them.  Every one recognized that he was sincere in what he believed and wile he never failed to give strong and sturdy expression to his views if the occasion demanded, his friends and those who came within the closer circle of his acquaintance knew him as a most tender-hearted man.  No one came to him for help or counsel in vain and his words of sympathy cheered many a man in facing difficulties.  Outspoken and emphatic in his words, firm in his convictions and unswerving in carrying out his own ideas, when the day came at last he was notified to lay aside the worries of his life, as all men must some day, nobody could harbor anything but the most heartfelt good will for this man, who had the courage as few men have to speak his thoughts and fight to the last ditch for what his inner nature prompted him to support."      The funeral of Mr. Rose was one of the largest ever seen in Coshocton.  Knights Templar, Knights of Pythias and Sons of Veterans, to the number of nearly three hundred and fifty, marched in solemn procession to the cemetery where the interment was made, and more than these, there came many other friends who had known him in the varied relations of life and had learned to honor and respect him.  He was faithful to those to whom he gave his friendship, was loyal in his citizenship and true to every trust, but his best traits of character were reserved for his own home and fireside and there it is that his loss will be most deeply felt.  However, he left his impress for good upon the community, while his history form no unimportant chapter in the annals of Coshocton during the latter years of the nineteenth and the opening years of the twentieth century. Source: Centennial History of Coshocton County, Ohio - Vol. II - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1909 - Page 20
`	PROSPER ROYER, who since 1901 has lived retired in Coshocton, was formerly identified for a long period with the agricultural interests of the county, owning and cultivating an excellent tract of land which constituted one of the fine farms of the locality.  Although born across the water, Coshocton has no citizen more loyal to its interests and welfare than Prosper Royer, whose birth occurred in France, Jan. 29, 1835.  His parents were Nicholas and Ann (Yergo) Royer, who came to the United States in 1844, settling on a farm in Muskingum county, Ohio, near Sonora.  There the father purchased a farm on which he and his family lived for six years, when he disposed of that property and in 1850 came to Coshocton, investing here in a tract of land of eighty acres in Franklin township near Frews Mill.  Subsequently he bought an adjoining tract of eighty acres and upon the farm which he there cultivated and improved he and his wife spent their remaining days and when called from this life were laid to rest in the old cemetery of the neighborhood, a part of the land for this cemetery having been donated by Mr. Royer.      As a farm boy Prosper Royer was roared, working in the summer months at the labors of the farm, while in the winter seasons he attended the district schools.  In early manhood he was married and for two years thereafter resided on the old homestead but on the expiration of that period removed to the old John Hershman farm, winch he cultivated as a renter for three years.  In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings until his diligence and forty acres adjoining the Hershman farm.  He lived there for three years industry brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm of and then purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty-nine acres, on which he made his home for three decades.  As time passed he converted the soil into rich and productive fields that annually yielded him large harvests.  He also added good buildings and modern improvements to his place, using the improvements to his place, using the latest machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and employing such progressive methods as have made the work of the farm much more remunerative than it was even a quarter of a century ago.  As time passed his labors secured for him a handsome competence and in 1901 he removed to Coshocton, where he has since resided, the fruit of his former toil being sufficient to enable him to enjoy a well earned re.st without further recourse to business cares.      On the 2d of July, 186l. Mr. Royer was married to Miss Mary Trenor, of West Lafayette, a daughter of Maurice Trenor, who came to Coshocton county from Ireland, his native country.  Mr. and Mrs. Royer were the parents of seven children, of whom three are living:  Mary. the wife of Samuel Siegrist, of Coshocton; William H., of Coshocton, Ohio; and Prosper C., manager of the Postal Telegraph Company of Coshocton.      In his political views Mr. Royer is a democrat, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles and purposes of the party.  Both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church.  He has now passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten and in fact has reached the seventy-third milestone on life's journey.  His business activity through many years well entitles him to the rest which he is now enjoying and he deserves mention among the representative residents of his adopted county. Source: Centennial History of Coshocton County, Ohio - Vol. II - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1909 - Page 356
	PROSPER C. ROYER, manager for the Postal Telegraph Company at Coshocton, where he is also engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, was born in Franklin township, Coshocton county, Oct. 10, 1875, a son of Prosper and Mary (Trenor) Royer, who was mentioned elsewhere in this volume.  The interests of the home farm where his until he reached his seventeenth year.  He had in the meantime been trained in the work of the fields and had received his mental discipline in the country schools.  He came to Coshocton at the age of sixteen and fro that time on has been dependent entirely upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved is attributable to his persistent and earnest labor.  He was first employed as messenger boy in the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company and he also took up the study of telegraphy, mastering the key sufficiently in the short period of six months to enable him to accept a position at the end of that time with the railroad company at Walhonding.  He remained there for a little less than a year, after which he returned to Coshocton to take charge of the Western Union office, which he had entered as a messenger boy less than a year and a half before.  This position was given him on trial and his work was so satisfactory that he remained in charge of the Coshocton office for six years.  He then resigned and went to Cleveland in the employ of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company, but after a year spent in that city again came to Coshocton, where for two or three years he was engaged in the grocery business on his own account.  He had so ably represented the Postal Telegraph Cable Company, however, that the corporation again sought his services, soliciting him to take charge of the Coshocton office.  Late in 1900 he entered upon his duties in that position and has since thus served.  During these years he has also been prominently connected with the real-estate and insurance business in Coshocton, employing an assistant to aid him in the conduct of his interests in this regard.  He has negotiated many important realty transfers, has written a large amount of insurance and in fact has controlled a successful business of this character.      In 1897 occurred the marriage of Mr. Royer and Miss Mary Bachmann, whose father was formerly a contractor and stonemason of Coshocton, but is now deceased.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Royer were born four children, of whom three are living:  Joseph P., Albert and Leo E.      In his political views Mr. Royer is a democrat where national issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot.  He is a communicant of the Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus.  His business career has been marked by steady progress as the result of the thoroughness with which he accomplishes anything that he undertakes.  His views are sound in relation to insurance and real-estate business and few men are better informed concerning the properties on the market or their correct values. Source: Centennial History of Coshocton County, Ohio - Vol. II - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1909 - Page 341

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