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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Guernsey County, Ohio
by Col. Cyrus P. B. Sarchet
- Illustrated -
Vols. I & 2.
B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana -
1911
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JAMES G. BAIR. One
of the most prominent and influential business men of Cambridge4
and one of Guernsey county's most highly honored and
representative citizens is James G. Bair, the worthy
scion of one of the old and distinguished pioneer families of
this section of the Buckeye state. He has always been very
active in business affairs and scrupulously honest in all his
relations with his fellow men and leaving no stone unturned
whereby he might benefit his own condition as well as that of
the public in general consequently he has won and retained the
universal esteem of all classes, who repose in him the utmost
confidence.
Mr. Bair was born Dec. 27, 1853, in Freemont
township, Harrison county, Ohio, the son of Peter and Eliza
A. (Dougherty) Bair. His grandfather, John Bair,
came with his family from Maryland about 1830, and settled in
Harrison county, Ohio. He was a farmer and large land
owner and one of the founders of Pleasant Hill church, one of
the early and influential churches of that section of Ohio, of
the Methodist Protestant faith. He spent the remainder of
his life in that community and was widely influential and well
known. His son, Peter, the father of the
subject of this sketch, grew up in that community, and was one
of nine children, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood.
Peter Bair was a farmer and prosperous man and prominent
in the affairs of the community. In 1870 he moved to
Murray, Clark County, Iowa, where he still resides and is
engaged in farming. In the family of his parents were five
sons and three daughters: George, Julia A., Margaret,
John, Reuben, Peter, of Murray, Iowa; Mary, now
Mrs. David Owens, of Harrison county; and James, all
of whom are deceased but Peter, of Murray, Iowa, and
Mary of Harrison county, Ohio. The father and mother
are both living, the former eighty-four years and the latter
seventy-seven years of age.
Peter and Eliza (Dougherty) Bair had a family of
three sons: John Henry died in infancy; James G.,
and Albert, who died at the age of twenty-five years.
James G. Bair spent his childhood and youth
until he was sixteen years old on the farm, and obtained his
education in the country district school. When nineteen
years of age he began teaching school and taught for two years,
then, at the age of twenty-one years, he entered the drug store
of Dr. J. T. McPherson, of Fairview, in Guernsey county,
as a clerk, and was with Doctor McPherson for three
years, and in spring of 1876 he went to Freeport and engaged in
general work. In the fall of 1876 the mother and two sons,
Albert and James G, moved to the Doctor McPherson farm,
one mile west of Cambridge, where the subject engaged in farm
work for two years. He then moved into Cambridge and was
in the sewing machine business for one year. In 1880 he
removed to Freeport and engaged in the drug and hardware
business as clerk for B. H. Black, where he remained six
years. In 1884 he engaged again in the seeing machine
business in Freeport, and in March, 1889, he returned to
Cambridge and engaged in the furniture business with James
Criswell, his father-in-law.
Mr. Bair was married July 12, 1883, by the
Rev. W. V. Milligan, to Nancy O. Criswell, daughter
of James and Nancy (White) Criswell, of Cambridge.
To this union no children were born.
The firm of Criswell & Bair continued in the
furniture and undertaking business for three years, when Mr.
Criswell withdrew and Mr. Bair continued the business
until January, 1908, when the J. G. Bair Furniture
Company was organized, with Mr. Bair as president of the
company, and took over the business of J. G. Bair.
The company occupies a large three-story brick building,
admirably adapted to the business, built by Mr. Bair in
1905-6, on Wheeling avenue, where he was in business and which
he yet owns and where the company still continues in business.
IN addition to his extensive business interests, Mr. Blair
is president of the Guernsey Building & Loan Company, which does
a large business.
Mr. Bair has been actively connected with
various enterprises of this city and in other localities.
He is connected with the Cambridge Improvement Company, the
Cambridge Chautauqua Company, and various other business
companies and associations. He is a director of the
Cambridge Savings Bank Company.
Mr. Bair was brought up as a Democrat, but in
1884 became a Prohibitionist and affiliated with that party for
some years and is now an independent voter, votes for the men
and measures of any party that nearest meets his views and
estimates of what men in public life should be. He has
never been an office seeker, but always interested in all
movements and measures, calculated to uplift mankind. He
and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church and
have been for many years. Mr. Bair is a trustee and
a Sunday school worker. He is a thirty-second degree Mason
and all of intermediate degrees, being prominent in the
following bodies: Cambridge Lodge No. 66, Free and
Accepted Masons; Cambridge Chapter No. 53, Royal Arch Masons;
Guernsey Council No. 74, Royal and Select Masters; Cambridge
Commandery No. 47, Knights Templar; Cambridge Chapter, Rose
Croix, eighteenth degree; Scioto Consistory, thirty-second
degree; Aladdin Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine; Guernsey Chapter No. 211, Order of the Eastern
Star; Lodge No. 301, Independent Order of Odd Fellows: Rebekah
Lodge No. 876; Cambridge Lodge No. 53, Knights of Pythias; Lodge
No. 128, Pythian Sisters.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B.
Sarchet - Illustrated - Vol. I. B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 505 |
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JOHN W. BARNES. Prominent
among the pioneers of Guernsey county were forbears of John
W. Barnes, who now resides near Cambridge. His
mother's grandfather, Stephen Stiles, came with his
family from Virginia early in the nineteenth century, and this
was the first white family to settle in what is now Jefferson
township. Two houses then stood where Cambridge City is;
Indians and wild animals were plentiful in the dense forest that
covered the country, and part of pioneer Stiles' task was to
roll up and burn magnificent timber that, if now standing, would
make his descendants rich. His son, Andrew Stiles,
became a large land holder, owning at one time about one
thousand two hundred acres, and he gave to each of his children,
as they were married, 160 acres. The grandfather on the
other side of the house. Abraham Barnes, was a land
owner in Virginia and Pennsylvania. He was a big-hearted,
liberal German. His son, Francis, the father of
John W., owned land in Guernsey county and also owned and
operated the Barnes grist mill, which was bought from the
Oldhams. The Oldhams were the original
settlers of Wills creek valley, and upon Wills creek this mill
was built in1828. From the Oldhams it passed
through several hands until 1865, when it was bought by
Francis Barnes and his brother, Abraham, who operated
it jointly until 1870, when Francis bought his brother's
interest and continued as owner and operator. It has been
known as Barnes' mill since 1865. Francis
Barnes died in 1888, his widow died in February of 1892, and
both are buried in Center cemetery. At the settlement of
the father's estate, in 1890, the sons, John W. and
Francis A., became the owners of the mill, they having
operated it from the time of the father's death. From 1828
to the present time this mill has been an important business
center in the Wills creek valley. The first power mill in
Guernsey county, it kept pace with the progress of the times.
From the old-fashioned buhrstone it changed to the roller
process, and in 1892 it was thoroughly renovated and modernized
in all its departments. The original mill burned down
in 1834. It was rebuilt in 1840, and this plant, after
doing duty for sixty years, was succeeded in 1900 by another
building on the opposite side of the creek, into which the old
machinery was removed. The present mill has both water and
steam power. It is as modern in its equipment as any in
the county, and has a capacity of fifty barrels of four and two
hundred and fifty bushels of feed daily.
The children of Francis and Mary A. (Stiles) Barnes
are: Abraham A., of Cambridge; Mary C., now
Mrs. Thomas Moore, of Cambridge township; John W.,
the subject of this sketch; Andrew S., of Cambridge;
Cora D. and Francis A. Those deceased were:
Sarah I., Dolly, Joseph W. and Alva A.
John W. Barnes, the third of these children, was
born July 3, 1855, in Jefferson township, Guernsey county, Ohio.
His early childhood was spent on the farm, but when he was ten
years old the family removed to the mill property, where he has
since resided. He attended the district schools a few
months each year until he was fifteen, after which his time and
energy were all taken up with the mill work. On Aug. 24,
1901, he was married to Ella A. Thomas, daughter of
Jesse and Lavina G. (Tolbert) Thomas of Guernsey county.
No children have been born to them.
Mr. Barnes is a Republican in politics.
For many years he was an active party worker, and still retains
a keen interest in public and party matters. He is a
member of the Cambridge Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and both he
and Mrs. Barnes are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. The Barnes brothers, John W. and Francis
A., in addition to their milling interests, have a farm of
one hundred and seventy acres in the Wills creek valley, near
the mill. John A., has also landed interests of
considerable importance in other states. The Wills creek
valley about Barnes' mill is a beautiful stretch of
country, and the locality with the old mill buildings as a
center have many interesting traditions of early life.
Both the brothers are excellent business men and both stand high
in the estimation of the community.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B. Sarchet - Illustrated - Vol. I.
B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 670 |
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JAMES R. BARR. The name of
James R. Barr has been so indissolubly associated with
progress in and about the city of Cambridge that no lengthy
enconium would be required to acquaint the readers of this
history of his activities and accomplishments. Suffice it
to say, in passing to the specific facts in his life history,
that his has been a very active and successful career because he
has worked along lines that never fail to result in good.
He was born in Cambridge township, Guernsey county, on April 15,
1854, on a farm three miles north of Cambridge, and is the son
of Samuel C. and Mary (Dunning) Barr, both born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, from which they came to
Guernsey county, Ohio, as young people, became acquainted after
coming here and were married. Grandfather James Barr
and his wife, Sarah (Clemens) Barr, were born in Ireland
and came to America about 1816 and first settled in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, having journeyed from Philadelphia, where
they landed, to their place of settlement in a one-horse
dump-cart, which contained all their worldly goods, some members
of the family walking James Barr, the grandfather, was a
linen weaver in Ireland and he followed weaving after he came to
America, having his spinning wheel and his loom in his home.
His son, Samuel C., father of James R. of this
review, after coming to Guernsey county in 1838, bought a farm
of one hundred and sixty acres of timber which he began
clearing. He prospered, in due course of time acquiring
six hundred acres of land, and he was an extensive sheep raiser
and wool grower. He was a Republican in politics, always
active in public affairs, and he filled numerous local township
offices and was always highly respected for his honesty and
sterling worth. He and his family were United
Presbyterians and devoted church people. The death of
Samuel C. Barr occurred on Feb. 7, 1902, and his widow died
on Jan. 22, 1908, and both are buried in the Cambridge South
cemetery. Their family consisted of ten children, one
dying in infancy; the others, who are living, are: James R.,
of this review; Jemima, who married George D. Willis,
of Cambridge; John M., of the state of Washington;
Joseph E., of Cambridge; Sarah now Mrs. Elmer
Hague, of Cambridge; Mary married William Norris,
of Cambridge; Williaml L. of Cambridge; Samuel C.,
of Cambridge; Myrtle married Arthur Watson.
James R. Barr, who spent his youth on his father's
farm, was educated in the country district schools and select
schools, and he took a course in the department of pharmacy in
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Prior to going to
Ann Arbor he taught school for several years in the rural
schools of Guernsey county. In 1880 he engaged in the drug
business in Cambridge, but only for one year. Being a
Republican in politics and active in party and public affairs,
in 1881 he was nominated by his party as candidate for clerk of
courts of Guernsey county and was elected. He served two
terms of three years each of a manner that met with hearty
approval of his constituents. He also served six years as
a member of the Cambridge board of education, and for two years
he was a member of the city council; he was mayor of the city of
Cambridge from 1890 to 1894, during which time he made a record
that was worthy of the highest commendation. He has been a
member of the state central committee for three years, chairman
of the Republican county committee for two years and he was a
delegate to the Republican national convention that met in St.
Louis, in June, 1896, that nominated William McKinley for
President. He was appointed postmaster of Cambridge by
President McKinley in June, 1897, taking office on July 1,
1897, and he served by re-appointment until Feb. 4, 1910,
making, according to consensus of opinion, one of the best
postmasters the city ever had. He is regarded as a leader
in local politics and public affairs and is loyal to the best
interests of this community at all times. Since leaving
the postoffice he has been engaged in the real estate business
and is enjoying a very good business.
Mr. Barr was married on April 7, 1880, to
Adrianna Ferguson, daughter of Hiram C. and Amanda
(Baldridge) Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson was a prominent
farmer of Cambridge township, living retired during the latter
part of his life in the city of Cambridge. He was a
prominent, influential and highly respected man. He was a
Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian church, as were all
his family. Mr. Ferguson's death occurred on July
3, 1885, and his wife passed away on February 10, 1900.
Both are buried in the South Cemetery at Cambridge. Their
family consisted of six children, all daughters, namely:
Alice married Robert McConkey, of Cambridge township;
Mary married N. J. Hutcheson, of Cambridge;
Jemima is a teacher in the Cambridge schools;
Adrianna married James R. Barr, of Cambridge; May,
now Mrs. J. Marshall Brown, of Cambridge; Carrie
is living at home in Cambridge.
To Mr. and Mrs. Barr four daughters have been
born, namely: Vera married J. I. Wilson, of
Cambridge; Ada married Jesse Slingluff, of
Cambridge; Fay and Eva are living at home.
The Barr residence, a modern and neatly kept one, is
located at No. 237
North Tenth street, Cambridge, in one of the best residence
districts. Mrs. Barr and her four daughters are all
graduateds of the Cambridge high school, and prior to her
marriage Mrs. Barr was a prominent and progressive
teacher of this county.
Fraternally, Mr. Barr is a member of Cambridge
Lodge No. 66, Free and Accepted Masons; Cambridge Commandery No.
47, Knights Templar; is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging
to the Cincinnati Consistory. Mr. Barr and family
are members of the Presbyterian church and are active in church
and Sunday school work.
For a time Mr. Barr was interested in newspaper
work in this city. Being a loyal party man he has always
been active in Republican politics, not only in his home city
and county, but in the state. He is faithful to party
principles and loyal to his friends. For years he has been
a recognized party leader and is always ready to make his
position known on any issue. He is a very pleasant man to
know and is in every way worthy of the high esteem in which he
is held.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B.
Sarchet - Illustrated - Vol. I. B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 926
SHARON WICK's NOTE: I found the possible 237 North 10th
Street, Cambridge, OH - There was no visible number on it
but the house next door was 235 North 10th Street.
Please
correct me if I am wrong. |
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JOHN C. BECKETT.
The name of John C. Beckett, having long stood for
enterprise and right living, clean politics and altruism in its
highest sense, is too familiar to the people of Cambridge and
Guernsey county to need any introduction here, consequently the
following paragraphs will deal in a plain, matter-of-fact manner
with his useful and very active career.
Mr. Beckett was born on Aug. 21, 1842, in Monroe
county, Ohio, on a farm near Woodsfield. He is the son of
George N. and Margaret (Clingan) Beckett.
The father was a native of Smith Ferry, Jefferson county, Ohio,
and the mother was born in Monroe county, Ohio. Her
parents, John and Mary Clingan, came from Ireland when
young, and John Clingan and Mary Armstrong were
married soon afterward. Grandfather Clingan was a
Methodist minister and was interested in the work of spreading
the gospel in the West with the noted Peter Cartwright,
and they became among the most influential of the pioneer
preachers. John Clingan was one of the first men to
preach in Cambridge, probably preaching the second sermon in the
then struggling village. The father, George N. Beckett,
a farmer and prominent stockman and wool buyer for many years,
was prominent in public life, and he served as adjutant-general
of the Ohio militia in the early years of the state's history,
probably about 1812. He was an active abolitionist and active in
the operations of the "underground railroad." He was an
exemplary citizen in every respect. In 1865 Mr. Beckett
with his family, moved to Guernsey county, locating at Fairview
and engaged in the general mercantile business until 1879, his
son, John C., of this review, being associated with him.
He resided in Fairview until 1880, when he moved with his wife
to Barnesville, Belmont county, where they remained until 1885,
when they moved to Cambridge. Mr. Beckett's death
occurred in July, 1893, his widow surviving until February,
1900. Both are buried in the Cambridge cemetery.
John C. Beckett grew to maturity on the home
farm in Monroe county and attended the common schools, later the
normal school at Woodsfield, taught by an Englishman, John
Moore, a former professor in one of the universities of
England. Later Mr. Beckett took a commercial course
at the Pittsburg Commercial College. He remained on the
home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he went
into the mercantile business at Jerusalem, Monroe county, where
he continued for some time, then went to Fairview in the same
line of business with his father, which they continued, as
already stated, until 1879, in which year he was elected auditor
of Guernsey, county on the Republican ticket. He assumed
the duties of his office in November, 1880, and served two
terms, or six years. In 1887 he was made cashier of the
Central National Bank of Cambridge, where he remained two and
one-half years, when he resigned. He then engaged in the
mercantile business with John Boyd under the firm name of
Boyd & Beckett, in a room where the present elegant
Central Bank building is located. He was engaged at that
stand for four years. He then became interested in
promoting the Cambridge Iron and Steel Company, the first
industry established in Cambridge of any importance.
Mr. Beckett donated the land for the location of the plant
and he was stockholder and secretary of the company at its
organization. He continued in this position until he sold
his stock in the company, when, with others, he promoted and
built the Morton Tin Plate Company, this being the second tin
plate mill built in Ohio. Mr. Beckett became the
secretary of this company at its organization and later became
manager of the sales department in addition to his duties as
secretary, continuing thus in his active position until the plat
was sold to the American Tin Plate Company, which later became a
part of the United States Steel Company. The Cambridge
mill was the last mill in the United States to sell to the
American Tin Plate Company, which took over all the operating
mills of the country. This mill was successfully operated
from the beginning, making a particular high grade of tin plat
of special brand, which brand and quality is still continued by
the United States Steel Company, its superior quality being
universally recognized. It is but just to Mr. Beckett
to say here that no small part of the large success and prestige
of this plant was due to his wife counsel and judicious
management. After leaving the mill he invested in real
estate, both farm lands and city property, and he was interested
in various enterprises until 1907, when he moved to Wharton
county, Texas, which place is now his legal residence. He
has very extensive land interests in the Lone Star state and is
extensively interested in rice culture, but he is now beginning
to diversify his line of farm products. He is located in
the best part of the rice belt of Texas, largely on account of
their inexhaustible shallow water and superior drainage.
Mr. Beckett has become a genuine Texas booster.
On Mar. 16, 1870, Mr. Beckett married
Rebecca C. Talbott, daughter of William A. and
Rebecca (Davenport) Talbott, of Barnesville, Ohio, both
parents being Virginians. The father of Mrs. Talbott,
Judge Davenport, was a pioneer merchant of Barnesville.
William A. Talbott was also a life-long merchant of
Barnesville and a highly respected citizen. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Talbott have been dead several years. They
never lived in Guernsey county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Beckett two children were born:
George A., who married and is living with his father in
Texas, assisting with the general farming, and Emma who
married Thomas E. Amos, business manager of The Daily
Jeffersonian at Cambridge, Ohio.
Mr. Beckett has always been a Republican and is
active in public affairs. Prior to being elected auditor
of Guernsey county he held various township offices in Oxford
township, where he lived prior to coming to Cambridge in 1880,
and he has been active as a member of the Republican county
central and executive committees, and a frequent delegate to
county, district and state conventions, and he has always been
regarded as a safe counselor and advisor. He is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Cambridge and he and
his family members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and
are active in church work. No man stands higher or has a
cleaner business and official record than Mr. Beckett,
and he is known throughout the state as a public spirited
citizen of unusual ability and fine traits. while not at
present a legal resident of Guernsey county, his interest in the
county has remained unabated. He will always retain a warm
place in his heart for old Guernsey county, where he was active
in business and public affairs for so many years, and the people
of his county likewise retain for Mr. Beckett and his
family an equal esteem and always welcome them back most
heartily.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B.
Sarchet - Illustrated - Vol. I. B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 477 |
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JOHN S. BERRY. A list of
Guernsey county’s prominent families would certainly be
incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of
John S. Berry, a popular and efficient public official and
representative citizen, for his life has been one of usefulness
and honor, resulting in good to everyone with whom he has had
dealings, whether in business, public or social life. His
career is exemplary in every respect, and he has always
supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and
benefit humanity, while his own moral worth is deserving of the
highest commendation.
Mr. Berry was born on Sept. 24,
1866. in Kimbolton, Liberty township, this county. He is
the son of William T. and Caroline J. (Sloan) Berry, both
parents natives of Guernsey county. The Berry
family is of Irish descent, the ancestry coming from Ireland
to America in a very early day. The Sloans came
here from a German settlement in Pennsylvania. The father was a
school teacher in the schools of Guernsey county for many years
and he was one of the county school examiners for some time.
He was a man of high character and intelligence. His death
occurred in August, 1892; his widow still survives.
John S. Berry was educated in the schools of
Kimbolton and at the age of fourteen years he left home for the
purpose of learning telegraphy in the Guernsey offices of the
Cleveland & Marietta railroad, near the north line of Guernsey
county. He learned this business and for eight years was
railroad agent and telegraph operator at different stations
along the Cleveland & Marietta railroad. He then came to
Cambridge and for two years he was a trick dispatcher at the
Cleveland & Marietta shops in Cambridge. He was then chief
dispatcher and train master for the road mentioned above, which
service terminated in 1898. He then entered the postal
service as a letter carrier when free mail delivery was
established in Cambridge. After remaining in this service
eight years, he resigned in 1907 to become deputy sheriff under
Sheriff H. K. Moore. In 1910 he was nominated for
sheriff by the Republicans of Guernsey county, and his candidacy
was looked upon with general favor from the first, everyone
predicting his election in the following November, owing to his
general popularity with all classes, regardless of party
alignment. He has a remarkable record as an efficient
officer while serving as deputy sheriff. He has gone into
fourteen states for men under indictment and has never failed in
landing his man. Seven men out of eight who broke jail
during his term were recaptured by him. He also claims the
distinction of making the first arrest under the “search and
seizure” clause of the present Rose local option law at Pleasant
City, Guernsey county, in which two carloads of liquor were
taken in charge. The parties to whom the same were
consigned were arrested and heavily fined. He has shown
himself at all times to be a very courageous officer, always
willing to do his duty and serve the people to the very best of
his ability. He bas always has the courage of his
convictions, and, when he knows he is right, goes ahead despite
obstacles. He is a Republican in politics and always
active in party affairs. Prior to entering the postal
service he was a member of the city council, resigning his seat
in the same for the purpose of entering the postal service.
Mr. Berry was twice married, first, on
Oct. 30, 1899, to Helen B. Whitcraft, daughter of
James P. and Edith Whitcraft, of Cambridge, Ohio. To
this union two children were born, Edith B. and James
A., both of whom are living. Their mother passed to
her rest on Sept. 3, 1896. The second marriage of Mr.
Berry was solemnized on Apr. 25, 1900, to Christine B.
Wyrick, the youngest daughter of John L. and Christina (
Brady) Wyrick, of Washington. Wills township,
Guernsey county. This union has been without issue.
Mr. Berry is a member of Cambridge Lodge No. 53,
Knights of Pythias, and the Uniform Rank of this order, and he
is past chancellor of the same. He belongs to Cambridge
Camp No. 3542, Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a
member of the National Sheriffs' Association. He and his
wife belong to the First Episcopal church, having been allied
with the same since childhood and they are active in church and
Sunday school work. They are prominent and influential in
their community, being highly esteemed by all who know them.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B. Sarchet - Illustrated - Vol. I.
B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 909 |
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OSCAR J. BERRY.
The present sketch is concerned with a man who has been during
his lifetime active in the affairs of Kimbolton, and, though
young in years, he has made himself known as one of the
aggressive and enterprising citizens of the community.
Oscar J. Berry was born in Kimbolton, Liberty township,
Guernsey county, Ohio, on Mar. 9, 1869, the son of William T.
and Caroline (Sloan) Berry, and a brother of John S.
Berry, whose name appears in another part of this work.
From his boyhood Mr. Perry has been a hustler. As
soon as he was old enough to work he began earning money at
whatever he could find to do, and during the winter months
attended the public schools of Kimbolton. At sixteen years
of age he began teaching school in the district schools of
Guernsey county, and for twelve years was one of the popular and
progressive teachers of the county. Following this he
served for six years as a deputy inspector in the state dairy
and food commissioner's department, and was a faithful and
efficient officer. In politics he is a Republican, and has
been active in party matters, serving as a member of the
Republican county central committee, and frequently as a
delegate to county, district and state conventions. He ahs
been a member of the village council, and is now the village
clerk.
In 1904 Mr. Berry was appointed postmaster at
Kimbolton, and after serving two years resigned to take
employment with the O'Gara Coal Company, of Chicago, operating
in the Guernsey and Noble county coal fields, as pay-roll clerk,
a position of much responsibility, which he has ably filled.
On his resignation as postmaster, his wife was appointed his
successor, and she still holds the position.
Mr. Berry was married on Apr. 23, 1889, to
Ida Schrophart, of Kimbolton, and to this union one son has
been born, Paul V., a graduate of the Kimbolton high
school in 1910, and now a teacher in the county schools.
Mr. Berry and his family are members of the Methodist
church and are prominent in the social life of their community.
Mr. Berry is an active, public-spirited citizen, always
favoring whatever is for the betterment of conditions. He
is a broad-viewed, companionable man, whom it is a pleasure and
a benefit to know.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B. Sarchet - Illustrated - Vol. I.
B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 758 |
| |
ARCHIBALD BLACK.
From the far-famed and beautiful land of Bruce and
Burns, the bluebell and the heather, from which so many of
our sterling emigrants have come, Archibald L. Black,
well known in mining circles in the vicinity of Trial Run,
Jackson Township, Guernsey county, has migrated and become a
loyal and popular citizen, for in his makeup are many of the
strong and admirable traits of the typical Scotchman. His
birth occurred on July 17, 1865, in Ayreshire, Scotland, and he
was brought to our shores when eight years old. He is the
some of James and Agnes Black. The family had
previously resided in America, before 1860. Five uncles of
the subject on the paternal side, fought in the Union army
during the Civil War. The oldest, Capt. George Black,
was killed in battle. James Black took care of the
families of the five brothers. Four of them died during
the war, only one returning home. Three of them had
previously been in the British Army, one having served in the
West Indies. In 1861, the father, James Black, took
the family back to Scotland. The family were all
goldsmiths and glass-cutters and some of them lost their money
in the banks during the war. The family returned to the
United States about 1873 and located at Mansfield, now Carnegie,
near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where James Black had lived
before the Civil War. He owned a large portion of the land
on which the town of Carnegie stands. He lost heavily
during the panic of 1873, also in 1883, when the banks in
Pittsburg failed, - in fact he was financially ruined, losing
all his property. He was a man of excellent business
ability and and accumulated a large competency. He and his
wife died in Illinois.
Archibald L. Black is one of a family of nine
children, seven boys and two girls. As the boys became of
proper age they began supporting themselves by working out, the
subject going into the mines first when only eleven years old.
This training was somewhat hard for the youngsters, but made men
out of them and taught them many valuable lessons that have been
of much subsequent value to them. Archibald L. has
followed mining all his life. He worked in various
localities, part of the time in the West. He was married
in 1885 to Mary Hanson, of Pittsburg, daughter of
William and Elizabeth Hanson, and to this union three
children were born, Alfred William, Agnes Irene and
Eva Mary.
Mr. Black moved to Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1908.
He had been superintendent of mines in various places for nearly
twenty years before coming here, especially in the vicinity of
Pittsburg, which is still the family home, many of the Blacks
still living there. He was brought here for the purpose of
assuming the duties of superintendent of Trail Run mine No. 2,
in the southeastern part of Jackson township. He now has
under his control two hundred and sixty men, whom he handles in
such a manner as to get the greatest results and at the same
time retain their good will. He is well abreast of the
times in all matters pertaining to his line of work, and is a
man of much ability and commendable traits.
Politically, Mr. Black is a Republican and takes
an active interest in party affairs, though he is no office
seeker. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, at Madrid, New Mexico, the subordinate lodge and the
encampment at Santa Fe, having been superintendent of a mine
there four years. He is also a member of the Knights of
Pythias at Byesville, and he belonged to a lodge at Pittsburg
for about twenty years. He is also a member of the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Connellsville,
Pennsylvania, and he and Mrs. Black belong to the
Presbyterian church.
Mr. Black's record as a mine superintendent is
second to none and proves that he is a man of much native
ability. He was the youngest mine superintendent the Santa
Fe had, having become superintendent there before he was
twenty-five years of age.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B. Sarchet - Illustrated - Vol. I. B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 787 |
| |
WILLIAM HAMMOND BLAIR.
The history of the loyal sons and representative citizens of
Guernsey county would not be complete should the name that heads
this review be omitted. When the fierce fire of the
rebellion was raging throughout the Southland, threatening to
destroy the Union, he responded with patriotic fervor to the
call of volunteers, and in some of the bloodiest battles for
which that great war was noted, proved his loyalty to the
government he loved so well. During the subsequent years,
up to the time of his death, he was remembered among the honored
and respected citizens of his community. In official
positions and private life alike he proved himself every inch a
man, standing "four square to every wind that blows," and he is
eminently entitled to representation in a work of his character.
William Hammond Blair, a veteran of the Civil
war, and for many years city marshal, and later chief of police
of Cambridge, died at his home on South Sixth street, Saturday
evening, Oct. 22, 1910, about seven-fifteen o'clock, the cause
of death being heart trouble, with which he had been afflicted
for some years. The funeral services were held at the
residence of the family Monday afternoon, Oct. 24, 1910, at two
o'clock, conducted by Rev. R. M. Elliott, pastor of the
Second United Presbyterian church, and the interment was made in
Northwood cemetery. the services were under the auspices
of Cambridge Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was a
charter member, and six members of the post, his comrades during
life time, acted as his pallbearers.
Mr. Blair was the son of William and Mary
(Hammond) Blair and was born in Adams township, Guernsey
county, July 22, 1837. His paternal grandfather,
Alexander Blair, and his wife, Susan Long came from
county Donegal, Ireland to America about the year 1801 and
settled in Brooks county, Virginia (now West Virginia).
After living there a few years, and came to Guernsey county and
settled in what is now Cambridge township, on the farm now owned
by John Barnes. Alexander Blair was a native
of Ireland and his wife of Scotland. Their oldest child,
Alexander, was born in Ireland in 1798. He married
Isabel Nicholson and after their marriage they settled in
Meigs county, Ohio. William Blair (father of the
subject) married Mary Hammond and they lived in Adams
township, this county. Mary married David
Hammond and their children were as follows: James,
who married Helen Caither and resided near Elkton,
Kentucky; David married Mary Blair and they
resided in this county; John married Elizabeth Scott
and they resided in Adams township, this county; William
married Matilda Parke and they resided in Adams township;
Mary married William Blair, of Adams township;
Jane became the wife of Samuel Atchison and they
located in Muskingum county, where she still resides, at the age
of ninety-four years; Ann married David Dew and
lived in Muskingum county; Sarah married
Thomas Ford and lived in this county.
The Hammonds settled in Guernsey
county in 1818. William Hammond, in company with his
brothers, John, Robert, and David, came to this
country from county Tyrone, Ireland, sometime prior to the
Revolutionary war. They settled in the valley near the
Susquehanna River, marked off their claims and opened up some
ground for cultivation, but the Indians scared them away and
they settled near Hickory, Pennsylvania.
James Hammond enlisted in the war and was
wounded in the battle of Bunker Hill. William was
too young to enlist, but boated provisions for General Wayne
and his army. William married Mary Wier,
who had come with her parents from Scotland and settled near
Hickory, their marriage occurring about the year 1796. He
was a reed-maker by trade, and he and his wife eventually
resided in Guernsey county. Mattie married James
Gilkinson and they settled in Illinois. Susan
was married twice, her first husband being William McKee,
after whose death she married John Herbert, and they
lived in Knox township, this county. Alexander Blair
was by trade a stonemason. His son, William, was a
school teacher and also worked at the stone-mason's trade.
William H. Blair, the immediate subject of this
review, secured an education in the country schools, and at an
early age took up the work of a carpenter. He was married
to Elizabeth Mason, daughter of William and Sarah
(Forsythe) Mason, Oct. 4, 1860, and to them were born the
following eight children, four sons and four daughters, one of
the latter, May, dying when but seven years old, as the
result of being kicked by a horse; Mrs. Joseph Barr, of
Cambridge; Frank C., of Cambridge; Allie, at home;
William M., of Martins Ferry; Mrs. F. E. Geyer, of
Cambridge; Alex, of Newport, Kentucky; May,
deceased; and Charles, of Cambridge. These
children, with the mother, survive.
The Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry perhaps saw
as much hard fighting as any other regiment, and Company H had
the reputation of being in a greater number of hard-fought
battles, in addition to many skirmishes too numerous to mention
or keep track of.
After his final discharge from the army, at the close
of the war, Mr. Blair returned to his wife and again took
up business as a carpenter. With his family he moved from
Adams township to Cambridge, about 1891. A stanch
Republican, Mr. Blair immediately took an active interest
in municipal politics, and shortly after coming to the city was
elected city marshal. He served as marshal under
Mayors John Longsworth, A. M. Baxter and J. W. Smallwood.
During the latter's term of office the office of city marshal
was done away with and the position was made appointive, under
the title of chief of police. After serving as city
marshal and chief of police for eight years and eight months
Mr. Blair resigned Jan. 1, 1906, and after that time lived a
retired life. He still, however, took a keen interest in
politics.
During the last few years, Mr. Blair suffered
with heart trouble, which was the cause of his giving up active
work. Two weeks prior to his death he suffered an attack,
and it was feared then that it would end in death.
However, he recovered and made the remark that he did not think
he could live through another attack. On Saturday
afternoon of the day he died. Mr. Blair complained
of being ill, but after eating supper went out in front of the
house. Later he was joined by Mrs. Blair, who
advised him to return to the house, which he did, but his
condition was so much worse that the family physician was sent
for. However, it was too late and death was then but a
question of a short time.
On Oct. 4, 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Blair celebrated
their golden wedding anniversary, when all of their children
were present, and the occasion was one of unusual enjoyment for
the father, who was so soon to be summoned from earthly labors.
Mr. Blair was a man of sterling
worth and qualities of character and was held in the highest
esteem throughout the county, where he enjoyed an extensive
acquaintance. He was always on teh right side of every
question affecting the bets interests of his fellows, and his
death was a distinct loss to the community.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col.
Cyrus P. B. Sarchet - Illustrated - Vols. I & 2. - B. F.
Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 839 |
| |
THOMAS AUSTIN BONNELL.
Precedence among any one of the several professional lines to
whose following both pre-eminent and mediocre ability has been
given, can be attained by no side-path, but must be gained by
earnest, heroic work; it must be the result of subjective native
talent, supplemented by closest application, and a breadth of
intellectuality that will render possible the ready and
practical use of mere theoretical knowledge. Among the
large number who essay the achievement of preferment and honor,
the percentage of failures is far in excess of that of
successes, a fact that supplies direct proof of statements
already expressed.
Success has attended the efforts of Thomas Austin
Bonnell, one of the best known of the younger members of the
Guernsey county bar, because he has been endowed by nature with
the qualities that win and also because he has worked
assiduously along his chosen line of endeavor. He was born
on Jan. 1, 1875, on a farm in Madison township, this county, and
he is the representative of one of the excellent old families of
Guernsey county, being the son of Thomas C. and Jennie (Boyd)
Bonnell, both also natives of this county. The father
grew to maturity and was educated in his native community and
became a progressive farmer. When the Civil war was in
progress he enlisted in the Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry and served two years until the close of the war, seeing
some hard service. He was a Republican in politics and
took much interest in public affairs. He served Madison
township several years as a member of the board of trustees.
Thomas A. Bonnell remained on the home farm with
his parents until he was eighteen years of age and assisted with
the general work on the place, attending the country district
schools in the wintertime. He applied himself very
assiduously to his studies and began teaching at the age
mentioned above. He followed this during the winter months
and attended college through the summer until he had prepared
himself for some profession. He selected the law, and
became a student in the office of Rosemond & Bell, of
Cambridge, finishing his course under Judge J. A. Troette,
of this city, and he was admitted to the bar in January, 1906.
He has retained his interest in educational matters and is
active in all efforts to promote and advance the cause of
education. He is at present one of the county school
examiners and resides at Cambridge, where he practices his
profession, and he has built up a very large and rapidly growing
clientele. As an attorney he is painstaking, accurate,
cautious, deeply versed in jurisprudence and he is an earnest,
logical and forceful speaker before a jury and his uniform
courtesy to the court and his opponents wins the respect and
admiration of all concerned.
Politically, Mr. Bonnell is a Republican and he
takes an abiding interest in public matters, especially such as
will promote the best interests of the people of Guernsey
county. In May, 1910, he was nominated by his party as
their candidate for representative in the Ohio Legislature,
being successful at the election held in November, 1910, and his
candidacy was regarded as a most fortunate one not only by his
constituents but by supporters of other parties, his peculiar
fitness in every respect for this important public trust being
universally recognized.
Mr. Bonnell was married on Sept. 6, 1899, to
Aurelia Wirick, daughter of Jacob C. and Elizabeth
(Shipley) Wirick, of Madison township, Guernsey county.
These parents are both natives of this county and are both
living, being regarded as among the well established and highly
honored pioneer people of the locality. Mr. Wirick
was one of the brave band of "fortyniners" who crossed the great
western plains in 1849 to the gold fields of California, and he
was successful in that venture. He is now one of the
prosperous and progressive farmers of Madison township. He
was one of the men of the buckeye state who offered their
services to the Union during the Civil war. Politically,
he is a Republican. Mrs. Bonnell is a lady of
refinement and many estimable traits of character. She is
the mother of one son, Rollo W.
Mr. Bonnell is popular with the masses, being a man
of unquestioned character and ability. He is well versed
in the law, a close student and is fast coming to the front not
only in his profession but in all things that make for high
grade citizenship.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B.
Sarchet - Illustrated - Vol. I. B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 482 |
| |
DANIEL E. BRADEN, of
Cambridge township, was born Feb. 21, 1849, in Center township,
on what is known as Mud run. His parents were Elijah
and Mary (Van Kirk) Braden. His maternal grandfather,
William Van Kirk, became a resident of Coshocton county,
Ohio, in the early days of the nineteenth century, and later in
life was a coal operator in that county, where he died many
years ago. The Braden family contributed its full
quota to the country's defense during the Civil war.
Elijah, the father, when fifty-three years old, enlisted as
a member of Company H, Twelfth Regiment Ohio Cavalry, and served
till the close of the war. Three of the sons also
enlisted. Ezekiel was in Company A, First
Ohio Cavalry, being the second man to enlist in the company.
William V. entered a Pennsylvania regiment and was killed
June 2, 1862, at the battle of Fair Oaks. James was
in an Ohio regiment. The father, albeit a militant
supporter of the administration during the war, was a Democrat
in politics all his life. He died June 7, 1872, his widow
on Mar. 17, 1877, and both are buried in Center cemetery.
Both were lifelong members of the Baptist church, of Center.
In the family were five sons and two daughters; Eliza Ann,
now widow of Ezekiel Patterson; Ezekiel, a farmer of
Shelby county, Illinois; James, living at Cambridge;
Nancy J., now Mrs. J. R. Black, of Cambridge
township; Daniel E. and Jonathan, of Byesville.
Daniel E. Braden was brought up on the farm and
attended the country district schools. During the war,
when his father and brothers were at the front, the care of the
farm and of the family devolved upon him. After the war he
made his home with William and Mrs. Scott, of Cambridge
township, assuming the management of their farm after Mr.
Scott became to infirm to do so. He remained with them until
he was married Nov. 27, 1889, to Maggie Reed, daughter of
the late John and Ellen (Broom) Reed, who resided on the
farm where Mr. Braden and family now live. Mrs.
Braden's maternal grandfather, Rev. Hugh Broom, came
from Scotland and was a Baptist minister who was well known all
over southern Ohio. In 1832 he built a house of dressed
stone, which is now in excellent condition and the home of the
Braden family. John Reed, Mrs. Braden's
father, was a farmer, and met his death in a runaway accident,
Dec. 9, 1875. His widow died in 1888. They were the
parents of two children, Maggie, now Mrs. Braden
and H. B. Reed, a farmer of Cambridge township. The
Bradens have two children, William R. and Mary H.,
both of whom are at home. Mr. Braden has one
hundred and sixty acres of fine land and engages in general
farming. A Democrat in politics, he is well informed and
always interested in public affairs. He and his family are
members of the Baptist church, of Center, where he has been a
deacon for fully thirty years. He is a member of Rock Hill
Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and has been active in its
affairs. He is an advocate of public improvements in so
far as they serve the public good and advance morals, and is a
worker for the advancement of the temperance cause. He is
a progressive, prosperous farmer, a good citizen and a good
neighbor.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B.
Sarchet - Illustrated - Vol. I. B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 899 |
| |
WILLIAM N. BRADFORD.
It is interesting to note from the beginning the growth and
development of a community, to note the lines along which
progress has been made and to take cognizance of those whose
industry and leadership in the work of advancement have rendered
possible the present prosperity of the locality under
consideration. One of the citizens of Cambridge who
deserves specific mention along this line is Dr. William N.
Bradford, who holds high rank among the leading medical men
of eastern Ohio and who is one of the representative citizens of
Guernsey county. He was born Feb. 14, 1867, in Highland
township, Muskingum county, Ohio. He is the son of
Harvey N. and Eliza Jane (Noble) Bradford. The father
was a native of Muskingum county and the mother was born in
Ireland, from which country she came to America with her parents
when only four years of age, settling first in Canada, and a few
years later, in 1848, they came to Muskingum county, Ohio, and
here the parents spent the remainder of their lives.
Henry Noble was a shoemaker and a most worthy
citizen, who established a good home and was successful in his
business life. Grandfather John Bradford
came with his parents from Virginia about 1804 and settled in
the woods when the Indians were still inhabitants of Highland
township, Muskingum county, Ohio, and he became well known among
the pioneers there. The great-grandfather, also
named John Bradford, entered government land and
cleared it for agricultural purposes, becoming prosperous and
influential in the early pioneer days. The Bradfords
trace their ancestry back to William Bradford, one
of the “Mayflower” Pilgrims, coming from a distinguished English
family. Harvey N. Bradford was a farmer in Highland
township, Muskingum county, this state, all his life being spent
there. He was a man of quiet disposition, deeply
interested and informed in public matters but taking no active
part in public affairs, preferring to devote his time to his
farm; he was one of the estimable gentlemen of the old school
and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was a
Democrat in politics, and for many years he and his wife were
devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His
death occurred in August, 1903, and his wife died on May 30,
1887; buried in the Bethel church cemetery in Highland township,
Muskingum county. They were the parents of eight children,
five sons and three daughters, namely: Dr. Andrew A.,
a practicing physician at Bremen, Ohio; Henry H. is a
lawyer in Columbus, Ohio; William N., of this review;
Etta May, deceased; Clara M. is single and is living
in Columbus, Ohio; Amaziah B. is farming in Edgar county,
Illinois; Calvin R. is an iron worker in Zanesville,
Ohio; Mattie C. married Edgar H. Baker, an
attorney of Zanesville.
William N. Bradford, of this review, was reared
on the home farm and he attended the district schools.
When fourteen years of age he began work as a farm hand for a
neighbor at four dollars per month and board and worked thus for
six months in the summer and attended school during the winter.
He later spent two years at McKorkle College at
Bloomfield, Muskingum county, and when only eighteen years of
age he obtained a certificate to teach school, but did not do
so. After leaving college, he was married, on Jan. 1,
1891, to Mary L. Hutcheson, daughter of William and
Eunice (Ramsey) Hutcheson, of Knox township, Guernsey
county, Ohio. The father was a farmer and this family were
pioneers here, well known and well established. Both
parents are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Bradford
one child, Winona J., has been born, and is a student in
the Cambridge public schools. After his marriage Mr.
Bradford farmed in Knox township, this county, for two
years, during which time he began the study of medicine with
Dr. J. Ira Bradford, of Otsego, Muskingum county, this
state, these gentlemen being cousins. After two years of
farming and study, the subject entered Columbus Medical College
at Columbus, Ohio, and the following year he entered the medical
department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and was
graduated therefrom in 1893 with the degree of Doctor of
Medicine. Thus well equipped for his life work, he
immediately began practice in Otsego with his preceptor. Dr.
J. Ira Bradford, and he remained there one year, then went
to Indian Camp, in Guernsey county, where he remained two years,
coming to Cambridge in 1896 and he has practiced here ever
since, building up a large and lucrative practice and taking
rank among the leading medical men of the county. In 1904
he took a post-graduate course in surgery in the University of
Louisville, and he has been unusually successful as a surgeon in
connection with his regular general practice.
Politically, the Doctor is a Democrat and while always
interested he has never been in any sense an office seeker.
In 1905 he was nominated against his wishes as the Democratic
candidate for mayor of Cambridge, and, although the city is
overwhelmingly Republican, he was elected and assumed the office
Jan. 1, 1906. So successful was his administration that he
was renominated for a second term, in 1907, and again elected,
serving with the utmost satisfaction to all concerned until Jan.
1, 1910, having refused to he a candidate for a third term.
He was mayor in fact as well as in name and his administration
stands indorsed by good citizens of all parties. It was a
strong administration for good government and law enforcement.
The Doctor is a member of the Masonic order and also
belongs to the Cambridge Commandery; he belongs to Cambridge
Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the
Encampment; he is a member of Cambridge Lodge No. 448,
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his wife
belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs.
Bradford is a most estimable woman, devoted to her family
and home. The Bradford residence, an
attractive and neatly kept one, is located at No. 132 East
Eighth street, and the Doctor’s office is at No. 123 West Eighth
street.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B.
Sarchet - Illustrated - Vol. I. B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 654 |
| |
JOHN BLAIR BRATTON.
A well known and representative citizen of Cambridge is John
Blair Bratton, city councilman and a man highly respected by
all, having maintained a reputation for square dealing with his
fellowmen and being public spirited and upright in all his
relations with the world as well as in private life. He
was born in Cambridge township, Guernsey county, in 1861, and he
is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Blair) Bratton.
A complete sketch of these parents will be found on another page
of this work.
John B. Bratton spent his early boyhood on the
home farm and when very young assisted with the work during crop
seasons. At the age of fifteen years he took up coal
mining, which he followed three or four years, then went to the
city of Newark, Ohio, and learned the machinist's trade.
In the month of December, 1889, he came to Cambridge and started
in as assistant chief engineer at the American Sheet and Tin
Plate Company. About two years later he was promoted to be
chief engineer, which important position he held with entire
satisfaction for a period of seven years, then became a shearman
in the same plant, which position he has held ever since to the
utmost satisfaction of his employers being an expert in this
particular line of work. He has always believed in doing
well whatever was worth doing at all, and this has, no doubt,
been very largely responsible for his success in life.
Mr. Bratton is a loyal Republican in political
matters, and he has long taken an active interest in local
affairs. In the fall of 1908 he was elected to the city
council of Cambridge, and he is now serving his second term in
that body, being a very faithful exponent of the people's rights
and very careful to look after the general interests of this
city in every way. He keeps well posted on current affairs
and is a man of ability and is eminently trustworthy.
Fraternally, Mr. Bratton belongs to the Improved
Order of Red Men, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the
Fraternal Order of Owls.
Mr. Bratton was married in 1883 to Martha
Warren, daughter of John and Eliza Warren; she was
born and reared in Cambridge township. This union has
resulted in the birth of five children, namely: James
Francis; Walter died in April, 1907, when twenty years of
age; Hazel; Warren and Olive are twins.
James Francis Bratton was educated in the home
schools and when he reached maturity he married Julia Weyler,
and they have three children, John Wesley, Walter and
Gladys Elizabeth. James Francis Bratton is a machinist
by trade, and a very skilled one, and is at present filling the
position of shearman in the same plant in which his father is
employed.
The other children are all at home with their parents.
Hazel Bratton is stenographer and bookkeeper in the
office of the director of safety in Cambridge, and she is very
apt and rapid in her work. Mr. Bratton is
attached to his home and family and provides well for their
comfort.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col.
Cyrus P. B. Sarchet - Illustrated - Vols. I & 2. - B. F.
Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 770 |
| |
J. MARSHALL BROWN.
The reputation of J. Marshal Brown, well known implement and
real estate dealer of Cambridge, has been that of a man who is
imbued with modern twentieth century methods in both business
and public life, and whose relations with his fellow men in a
social way have ever been wholesome, so that he is in every
respect deserving of the high esteem which is accorded him by
all classes. He is the representative of one of the old
and highly honored families of Guernsey county.
Mr. Brown was born May 1, 1855, on a farm in
Liberty township, Guernsey county, Ohio, the son of
Joseph and Margaret (Frame) Brown. His father was
the son of William Brown, who came from Ireland
in ten early pioneer days and settled in Adams township, but
died a few years after coming to this locality. His son,
Joseph, the father of the subject, grew up
under conditions requiring self-denial and industry. When
grown to manhood he learned the tanner's trade with his brother,
William, who operated a tannery at Claysville.
This brother was a man of large business operations and active
in public matters, serving as county commissioner for nine
years. Joseph, after learning the
tanner's trade, built the Liberty mill, on Wills creek in
Liberty township, one of the early mills of the locality, and
operated the grist mill and sawmill for some years.
Associated with him in this business was Joseph McClarey,
and William Frame, his brother-in-law.
After leaving the mill he owned a farm and farmed in Liberty
township for a few years, when he bought a tannery in Cambridge,
which he operated for a few years prior to and during the Civil
war. About 1870 he sold his tannery and bought a farm one
mile west of Cambridge to which he moved and where he spent the
remainder of his life. He died in October, 1890, and his
wife still survives at the age of eighty-eight years.
Mr. Brown was a Republican of the old school,
while his wife was a Democrat of the same old school. He
was not an office seeker and, though always interested in public
affairs, never held public office. He and his family were
members of the United Presbyterian church, and he was a devout
churchman and always in his place on the Sabbath day, and active
in all church work. In the father's family were five sons,
one of whom died in infancy. Those living are:
William C., of Columbus; Samuel M., a
farmer, living on the home farm; J. Marshall,
the subject of this sketch; Joseph E., of
Columbus.
J. Marshall Brown
spent his childhood and youth on his father's farm and
was educated in the public schools of Cambridge. He was
married on Sept. 30, 1885, to May Ferguson,
daughter of Hiram C. and Amanda (Baldridge) Ferguson,
a prominent family of Cambridge Township. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Ferguson are deceased.
To this
union have been born three children: Margaret T.,
at home; Homer, deceased, and Amanda, deceased.
Until the spring of 1901 Mr. Brown
was engaged in farming one and one-half miles west of Cambridge
and was engaged in general farming, stock raising, etc., in
which he was very successful. He handled all kinds of
stock, and was an extensive operator, as were his father and
brother.
In 1901 he sold his farm
and became a resident of Cambridge, and has been engaged in the
buggy, wagon and farm machinery business. He also deals in
real estate, both farm and city property, and is a business man
of wide experience and successful operation. In 1904, he,
with M. W. Hutchison, added the Brown &
Hutchison addition to the city of Cambridge on the
north side, now the best residence section of the city.
He has been a large and successful operator in the real estate
business and has been in the forefront of Cambridge's
advancement and growth.
Mr.
Brown is a Republican in politics and has always been
an active party worker. He has served as a member of both
the county and central executive committees, also served as city
councilman at large for six years, and in 1910 was nominated by
the Republicans of Guernsey county for member of the county
infirmary board, and elected to this office. He is always
active in every movement calculated to benefit and build up the
county and city. He is a member of the Cambridge lodge of
Elks. He and his family are members of the Second United
Presbyterian church of Cambridge, and he was a member of the
building committee when the new church was built a few years
ago. The Brown home, at No. 1021 Beatty avenue, is in a
desirable residence section of the city. Mrs.
Brown is a woman devoted to her home and family, and
she and her daughter, Margaret, are prominent
in the social life of the city.
Source: History of
Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B. Sarchet - Illustrated
- Vols. I & 2. - B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis,
Indiana - 1911 - Page 550 |
| |
TURNER G. BROWN.
Although Turner G. Brown has long since taken up his abode "i
the windowless palaces of rest," his influence still pervades
the lives of those with whom he came into contact, for he was a
man whom to know was to admire and respect, and he will not be
forgotten by those who had occasion to journey with him on
life's royal road. He grew up in this county from the
pioneer days to its subsequent development and he played well
his part in the same. He was born in October, 1838, in
Londonderry township, Guernsey county, Ohio, and his death
occurred on June 291, 1905, in Cambridge, in the sixty-seventh
year of his age. He was the son of Judge Turner G.
and Prudence (Colvin) Brown. His paternal
grandfather was the founder of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, from
which place the family came to Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1817,
and, as intimated above, became prominent and influential in the
affairs of the early pioneers. The father, Judge
Turner G. Brown, was an extensive and owner and a judge
of the circuit court for many years. He was a man of
superior intellectual attainments, naturally broad-minded, and
his judgment and advice were often sought in various perplexing
problems that confronted the pioneers and he very frequently
assisted in adjusting all kinds of matters and solving their
questions of difference. In addition to his large land
interests and his judicial duties, he was actively interested in
numerous business enterprises of his time, and a natural
promoter and organizer, and he was very successful in whatever
he turned his attention to.
Turner
G. Brown, Jr., grew to maturity amid such activities
and he participated in the work on the farm and in other varied
interests of his father as he grew to young manhood. He
was educated in the public schools of his native vicinity, and
for a time attended Athens College. He continued to reside
on the farm until his marriage, on January 5, 1871, to
Rhoda M. Brown, daughter of Barnard D. and
Maria (Denning) Brown; although of the same name, they
were in no way related. Bernard D. Brown
came to Guernsey county in 1828 from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
and he became one of the most active and widely known men here,
for many years prominent in business circles. He was
extensively engaged in farming, milling and merchandising and
was decidedly a man of affairs, high standing and popular with
all classes.
After his marriage,
Mr. Brown became a resident of Cambridge. He was
engaged in various business enterprises, and at the same time
maintained a fine farm about one mile north of Cambridge.
For several years he was superintendent of the Norris Coal
Company's mines. He was a Republican in politics and
wielded a potent influence in local party affairs. He was
progressive in all that the term implies, in all phases of
citizenship, and was highly respected and honored for his clean,
upright life and genuine worth. He believed in clean
politics and that public officials should be selected with a
view of purifying public office as well as ably representing the
people.
The Browns
were of the Quaker faith and the subject adhered to the tenets
of his fathers. His wife, who still survives, is an
earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, a great
charity worker and a woman who has a host of warm friends and
has done a great deal of good in this vicinity. For several
years prior to his death, Mr. Brown was
president of the Law and Order League, which stood for law
enforcement, and probably more to his efforts than to those of
anyone else has been established that high regard for law and
order that now so prevails in Cambridge and Guernsey county as
to make this locality a leader in the march of civilization.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col.
Cyrus P. B. Sarchet - Illustrated - Vols. I & 2. - B. F.
Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page
889 |
| |
WILLIAM H. BROWN. When
an individual applies himself to his chosen vocation with the
fidelity that has characterized the labors of William
H. Brown, well known citizen of Fairview and
Oxford township, Guernsey county, he is eminently deserving of
the large success that he can today claim his own, for it seems
to be a law of nature that success comes to the deserving.
Mr. Brown was born Aug. 6, 1867, on a farm in
Wills township, Guernsey county, Ohio, the son of James
H. and Josephine (Wilkin) Brown. Both parents
were born in Guernsey county, and the mother is still living on
their farm in Belmont county, Ohio, near Fairview and the
Guernsey county line. The Brown ancestry
are of Scotch-Irish descent, the great grandfather,
George Brown, coming to America in 1810 and entered
land in Oxford township, Guernsey county. His son,
Joseph, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch,
was then only eight years of age. The Browns
were farmers in those early pioneer days, when neighbors were
few and the forests filled with all kinds of wild animals and
game and the Indians were even yet disputing the title to the
lands, and when heroic characters were necessary. These
pioneers possessed all the necessary characteristics of the
early frontiersman. James H. Brown,
the father of the subject of this sketch, after growing to young
manhood on the farm, engaged in the mercantile business in
Middleton six miles west of Fairview on the National pike and
business in Middleton, six miles west of Fairview on the
National pike, and at that time a busy commercial point.
During this time he was married and soon after the Civil war
opened he enlisted in the army as a member of Company A,
Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving through the war
in the Army of the Cumberland, his regiment participating in
most of the battles of that army. Twice he was wounded and
his wife obtained permission from the government to go to the
army hospital and nurse her husband, and where she remained for
some time doing general hospital work.
After returning from the army Mr. Brown
returned to Oxford township and engaged in farming, where he
remained until 1882, when he sold his farm in Oxford township
and purchased his present farm in Belmont county, adjoining
Fairview, and where he died Oct. 30, 1910, an honored and
respected citizen. He and his wife have two sons and three
daughters as follows: Hattie; William H.,
the subject of this sketch; Kearney B., who has
served in the regular army and seen service in the Philippines,
and who is now located in St. Louis, Missouri; Mary M.,
now Mrs. F. A. Kupfer, of Scio, Ohio; and Myrta
I., an elocution teacher in the Statesville Female
College at Statesville, North Carolina.
William H. Brown spent his childhood and youth
on the home farm, assisting in the general farm work and
attended the country schools. He later attended Ohio
University at Athens. Leaving college, he read law in the
office of Hon. Charles Townsend, an eminent
attorney of Athens, and was admitted to the bar Mar. 4, 1894.
He began the practice, remaining for a time offices both in
Fairview and Cambridge, but in 1900 he was appointed deputy
probate judge of Guernsey county, and after two years in the
probate office, returned to the practice, maintaining his office
in Fairview. He is a Republican in politics, as were all
his ancestry, and an active participant in party affairs.
He has served and is now a member of the Republican county
central committee and has served as a delegate to county,
district and state conventions, and also as a member of the
county election board. Has been mayor of Fairview and
justice of the peace of Oxford township, which office he is now
filling.
Mr. Brown
was married Oct. 4, 1898, to Augusta Rodocker,
daughter of Capt. M. D. and Mary (Plattenburg)
Rodocker, of Fairview. The Brown home is one of
the most pretentious in the town of Fairview and is prominent in
the social life of the community.
Mr.
and Mrs. Brown are members of the Methodist church and
active in church and Sunday school work. Mr. Brown
is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and
venerable consul of the Fairview camp.
Mr. Brown may also be very properly termed a
farmer, as in recent years he has conducted his father's home
farm, and is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and
in addition to his profession and official duties is a
thoroughly competent and up-to-date farmer.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B. Sarchet -
Illustrated - Vols. I & 2. - B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 648 |
| |
DAVID S. BURT.
In placing the name of David S. Burt in the front rank of
the business men of Guernsey county simple justice is done a
biographical fact, universally recognized throughout this and
adjoining counties by men at all familiar with his history.
A man of judgment, sound discretion and business ability of a
high order, he has managed with tactful success important
enterprises and so impressed his individuality upon the
community as to gain recognition among its leading citizens and
public spirited men of affairs. He was born
northwest of Byesville, in this county, where the present golf
grounds are located, in 1856, and he is the son of Eli and
Nancy (Smith) Burt. The Burt famih’ was a large and
prominent one. The first one of whom there is any record
in Guernsey county was Luther Burt, who was a
native of the isle of Jersey, prior or during the year 1810.
His children were John, David, Luther,
William, Daniel, Polly, Nancy, Eliza
and Asenath. Daniel married Catherine
Waller, probably from Virginia. After their
marriage Daniel and wife lived a short distance northwest
of Byesville. He was a farmer all his life and owned
probably three hundred acres of land. In his family were
three sons and six daughters, one of the latter dying in
infancy: the former were John, Eli and William.
Eli married Nancy Smith, daughter of
Peter and Catherine (Ridingheur) Smith. She was born
and reared near Washington, Ohio. Her parents came from
Washington county, Pennsylvania, but her mother was reared in
Westmoreland county, that state. Nine months after their
marriage Eli Burt and wife went to live on his
farm northwest of Byesville. He first bought seventy-five
acres, and paid for it by dint of hard work. Later he
added more from time to time until he had six hundred acres and
he became very prosperous. They also owned property in
Byesville and in Cambridge. Their family consisted of
eight children, namely: John Perry died in the
army when twenty years of age; Sarah Catherine
died when twenty years old; Nancy Lizzy died when
thirteen years of age; Roland died when nearly eight
years of age; those living are Jennie, who married
William Nicholson; William Burt lives
in Cambridge; David lives in Byesville; Rhoda
Ann is the wife of J. A. Hoopman, whose sketch
appears in this work.
David S. Burt, of this review, lived on the farm
northwest of Byesville until he was twenty-two years old.
When a young man he went to Cambridge and took up the study of
dentistry with Doctors Jefferson and Cooper; after
remaining with them eight months he returned to the farm near
Byesville and moved to Byesville when only six houses were in
the town. It was in 1880 that he came here and this has
been his home ever since, having lived here at a longer
continuous period than any other person. After moving to
near Byesville he ran a blacksmith shop for about a year, from
1877 to 1878. On Jan. 1, 1879, h married Lucinda A.
Hoopman, daughter of Elijah Hoopman and sister of
J. A. Hoopman. After their marriage they lived on the
farm one year, then, in 1880, moved into Byesville, where he has
lived ever since. He lived on the farm the year he ran the
blacksmith shop. In the latter part of 1880 he began in
the livery business in Byesville, having started the first
livery barn here. After conducting the same for one year
he sold out to Lennie Fetters, then ran a saw-mill
one year near Byesville. He maintained his residence in
Byesville, although he built a sales barn in Baltimore,
Maryland. Later he opened a similar sales stable in
Cleveland, Ohio, then took charge of the Cleveland mail service
and had thirteen wagons, running from the postoffice to trains
and boats. After two years he resigned this position to
become postmaster at Byesville, the duties of which he
discharged in a very faithful manner for a period of nine years.
In 1904 he built the Burt block, the largest block in Byesville,
which is assessed for taxation for over twenty-three thousand
dollars. He is also interested in several coal mines,
oning all the coal and one-fourth interest in the equipment
of the Cambridge Valley coal mine. He built the glass
plant in Cambridge in 1903. In 1902 he built the brick and
tile plant in the northwestern part of Byesville. He also
built the big brick school house on Sixth street. He limit
the rolling mill at Cambridge, also the pottery plant at
Cambridge and the rolling mill at Marietta, also a glass plant
at Pleasant City. He built so many houses in Byesville
that he has earned the sobriquet of “The Father of
Byesville.” He is also an extensive contractor on public
works, contracting and building roads. He and his sons
maintain a large mule barn at Byesville and one at Zanesville.
They buy and sell annually hundreds of horses, mules and ponies,
the two latter classes of stock for the coal mines, and this
firm supplies a large per cent, of mules and ponies used in the
mines of southeastern Ohio, selling probably in all one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars worth annually, many sales being made
over the telephone, the purchasers not seeing the stock until
delivered, probably one-half being sold in this manner.
Mr. Burt enjoys a unique reputation in this respect.
His reputation for honest dealing and his known superior
judgment of livestock is such that those desiring to purchase
are willing to order by telephone or mail, knowing that they
will not be taken advantage of, and no dissatisfaction has ever
arisen. He is a very potent factor in the business and
iiolitical life of Guernsey county; although an unassuming man
and always very busy, yet he takes an abiding interest in public
matters. Being the owner of the plant of the Guernsey
Times, at Cambridge, he uses the same to encourage clean
politics and the general good of this community.
Mr. and Mrs. Burt have four sons and two
daughters, namely: Walter is in charge of the barn at
Zanesville; Bertha married Charles Shryer
and lives in Byesville; Roy married Daisy
Borton, who has charge of the mule barn at Byesville;
Charles L. is at home and assists his father in his
business; William married Grace Rose,
daughter of Doctor Rowles, of Cambridge; he is an
electrician and lives at Byesville; Beulah, the youngest
daughter, is living at home with her parents.
Fraternally, Mr. Burt belongs to the blue
lodge, chapter and commandery, being prominent in Masonic
circles.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B. Sarchet -
Illustrated - Vols. I & 2. - B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 728 |
| |
JOHN M. BURT.
Coal mining bears a large part in the history of Guernsey
county, and the present review is concerned with one of the
ablest of the young men in mining circles, who has made his way
from the bottom to the superintendency of a mine, and has in so
doing overcome many difficulties and in many ways showed his
worth.
John M. Burt was born at Lonaconing, Allegany
county, Maryland, on Jan. 2, 1880, the son of John and Sarah
(Morris) Burt. John Burt was born in
Landwickshire, Scotland, in 1850, the son of Peter and
Jeanie (Malcom ) Burt. Peter
Burt came to America in 1869, and engaged in Maryland in
mining, which had been his occupation all his life. For
generations back, as far as can be traced, the family have been
miners. John Burt went to work in the mines
when only ten years old, and when John M. was twelve he
went into the mines to help his father. On Apr. 16, 1903,
the family moved to Gloucester, Ohio, here they lived until June
25, 1896, when they removed to Pleasant City, Guernsey county,
where they now reside. John Burt some years ago
quit mining, ran a restaurant five years, then went into the
grocery business, which he still continues, and in which he has
been successful. He owns several pieces of property in
Pleasant City.
John M. Burt continued mining at Pleasant City.
At the age of sixteen he started driving mules in the mines,
then went back to loading for a time, after which he returned to
mule driving. At Walhonding mine he rode a dilly
trip for about two years, then ran a motor for twenty months,
again rode the dilly trip for six months, then was made inside
boss and boss driver at the old Walhonding mine, and
remained in that capacity for two years. In May, 1908, the
superintendent of the Walhonding mine was taken to Trail
Run mine No. 2, and John M. Burt was put in as
superintendent to finish working out the mine, and when that
mine was worked out, was sent to the Opperman mine, on
Aug. 11, 1908, as under boss. Only five days later the
superintendent left, and Mr. Burt was put in as
superintendent, left suddenly to take charge, with no boss
driver or any one with any authority as assistant, but in a
short time had things going smoothly. When he came the
force was putting out only four hundred fifty tons per day, but
before long he had them getting out six hundred tons. For
nearly six months he did without a boss driver, taking most of
the detail work himself, and having to meet with many unusual
difficulties that would have caused serious concern to an old
hand in the position. Since his installation he has
continued as superintendent successfully, working nearly two
hundred men under his direction.
On July 25, 1899, Mr. Burt was married to
Lacy Odessa Larrick, the daughter of
Jesse and Mary Viola Larrick.
The Larrick family is a pioneer family of Guernsey
and Noble counties. To this marriage was born one son, John
Burt, on Feb. 13, 1902.
Mr. Burt is a member of the Odd Fellows
and of the Knights of Pythias at Pleasant City. He owes
his success to these facts: In any position he has held he
has done his best for his employer's interest; he has always
been willing to assume responsibility when necessary for the
interest of the company; and he is not a mere driver, but is
reasonable and receives the loyal co-operation of his men.
Source: History of Guernsey County, Ohio by Col. Cyrus P. B. Sarchet -
Illustrated - Vols. I & 2. - B. F. Bowden & Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana - 1911 - Page 762 |
|
