Biographies

Source: 
History of Morgan County, Ohio
with
Portraits and Biographical Sketches
of some of its
Pioneers and Prominent Men.
By Charles Robertson, M. D.
 - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co.
1886

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CHARLES A. BAIRD, a native of Perry County, now a resident of Zanesville, read law in McConnelsville under Colonel Pond; went to California, returned and practiced in Morgan County a few years.  He is regarded as a good lawyer. Source:  Chapter XV - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 267 Luther D. Barker LUTHER DANA BARKER.  Luther D. Barker, one of the early settlers and pioneer merchants of McConnelsville, was born near Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, Dec. 14, 1794.  Reared amid the influences of this typical New England town, he developed in early life those distinguishing traits of New England character - thrift, industry and enterprise.  At the age of twenty-seven he married Miss Maria, daughter of Jonathan Devol, and for a short time they lived in Newport, Washington County, where Mr. Barker was engaged in farming.  The life of a farmer was not congenial, and in 1825 he came to McConnelsville and began merchandising, which avocation he followed during the remainder or his life; for a few years, however, he was also engaged in the manufacture of salt, owning the works below Malta, near the dam.  He was classed among the prominent and successful business men of that period and was quite an extensive trader for those times.  It was not, however, as a business man that Mr. Barker attained his greatest success.  While his business interests were never neglected, all matters of public import received due consideration.  In politics he was a whig, and he always took an active interest in the exciting political contests of the olden times and yet was remarkably free from that demagogism so unseemly in the citizen of a republic.      Mr. Barker was a most pronounced temperance advocate and one of the earliest pioneers in the cause.  He was the leading spirit in the first temperance convention held in McConnelsville in 1834, and from that time he identified himself with every temperance movement and was always ready to forward the interests of this great reformation by any means within his power.      No biography of Mr. Barker would be complete without prominent reference to his labors as a Christian.  He aided in laying the substructure of religion in the infant village, and no sooner was he established in business than he began to work for the organization of a church of his faith.  His efforts were rewarded in the erection and dedication of the Baptist church of McConnelsville in 1832.  Like other pioneer churches it had a struggling existence, and during all its vicissitudes he bore the larger part of its financial burdens and gave to it his most active energies until his health gave way from a stroke of paralysis in the spring of 1843.  Although a wreck physically and mentally, yet the same spirit was manifest, and he was as zealous as when in possession of his health and faculties.  He died Mar. 31, 1845, in the fifty-first year of his age.  From a sketch of his life, prepared by a gentleman who knew him intimately for years, we make the following extract:  “Mr. Barker was one of our most distinguished citizens, prompt, honest and benevolent.  If he had an enemy it was based on political prejudice.”  He was the father of six children, four of whom survived him— Charles L., who became his successor in business and one of the prominent citizens of the county; Rev. J. Henry, the present efficient superintendent of the Children’s Home; Ann Maria, wife of Rev. S. G. Dawson, one of the prominent Baptist ministers of the State, and Mrs. Alfred Wilkin, now residing in Toledo, Ohio. Source:  Chapter XV - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 326 Samuel A. Barker DR. SAMUEL AUGUSTUS BARKER was the first physician who permanently located in McConnelsville, and for many years was one of the most prominent citizens of the town and county.  He was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1795, and was the son of Samuel A. Barker, an officer in the revolutionary war.  The subject of this notice received a classical education, read medicine in Poughkeepsie, and graduated from a medical college in New York city.  During the war of 1812 he served for a time as surgeon.  After the close of the war he came West, first stopping at Williamsburg, opposite Marietta, where he engaged in teaching for a short time; thence he came, in 1818, to the infant town of McConnelsville, where he continued teaching until the increase of his medical practice compelled him to abandon the work.  His talents attracted general attention and he soon became prominent in local politics and in county affairs.  His name is stamped on nearly all the initial events in the history of McConnelsville.  He was the first county auditor in 1819-21; the first clerk of court, 1819-24; sheriff, 1825-29, and the first postmaster.  He represented the county in the legislature two terms, 1829-30, 1830-31, where he was regarded as one of the leaders of his party.  In 1832 he was appointed by President Jackson register of the land office at Zanesville.  In 1843 he was the democratic candidate for representative in congress, but defeated as his party was not then on the winning side.  He came to McConnelsville a single man and made his home with Mr. Pinkerton.  In 1822 he married Eliza B. Shugert, who is still living, and is one of the few surviving early settlers of McConnelsville.  Mrs. Barker is a most estimable lady, highly respected by a very extensive circle of acquaintances.  She was born in Washington, Pa., Mar. 20, 1805.  She has a vivid recollection of a pioneer experiences and of her journey to the west.  When a young girl she came to Marietta with her widowed mother, taking passage on a flat bottomed boat, loaded with apples and flour and bound for New Orleans.  After a short stay in Marietta she went to Zanesville, thence to McConnelsville, where she made her home with her sister, the wife of Jacob Adams.      Dr. Barker was a gentleman of the old school, of dignified appearance and courtly manners.  He was a man of marked social qualities, a warm friend and very popular among both old and young.  Some ideal of the esteem in which he was held may be formed from the record of the various offices filled by him.  In all the relations of life, whether public or private, he was upright and honest, doing his part faithfully and well.  He was successful in his medical practice and stood high professionally.  He died in McConnelsville May 12, 1852.  He was a democrat in politics and a Presbyterian in religious belief. Source:  Chapter XVI - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 271   W. T. BASCOM came from Vermont.  He was a cousin of V. Rich and practiced law in partnership with him.  He was afterward in Columbus and there edited the Ohio State Journal several years.  He moved to Mount Vernon, Ohio, and died there a few years ago. Source:  Chapter XV - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 265   BARCLAY & BERRY was the name of a law firm in McConnelsville about 1862-63.  Charles R. Barclay had practiced at Beverly for six or seven years, and had served as prosecuting attorney of Washington County.  James L. Berry was admitted to the bar in Morgan County.  He was mayor of McConnelsville in 1863.  Soon after the two went west and Barclay settled in Missouri. Source:  Chapter XV - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 265   JOHN C. BENNETT.   In 1827, in a lengthy announcement of superior professional attainments, Doctor John Cook Bennett informed the public (in the first number of the Morgan Sentinel that he had "it in contemplation to practice Physic and Surgery, with all its collateral branches, in McConnellsville and vicinity."  The advertisement was accompanied with a certificate from a prominent M. D. of his good character, and "that the religious impressions he had received will add a virtue to every act of his life."  In addition to the eminent professional acquirements he claimed his "religious impressions" gave him the right to another title, and he wrote "Rev. Doctor John Cook Bennett," and occasionally, when not otherwise engaged, gave practical exhibitions of his theological eloquence.  But a Malta critic whispers, you have the Rev. Doctor in the wrong pew.  Not so; he only gave McConnelsville the benefit of his varied talent for five or six months, when he domiciled his family in the Redman House, and after a time took passage for Nauvoo, bearing the title of Major-General of the Mormon legion.  The resident physicians, after the exit of Adams and Bennett, are given in the list of members of the Morgan County Medical Society.  In the order of residence was Dr. Grimmell, Dr. Shock, Dr. Dover, Dr. John Ewing, Dr. Woods, Dr. Rusk and Dr. Bingham.  Dr. Rusk still resides in the village.* Source: History of Morgan County, Ohio - publ. 1886 - Page 277 * Written by Prof. J. M. Rusk, Malta   G. W. BERRY was born in Athens County, Ohio, Aug. 27, 1852, and came to Morgan County with his parents when a child.  He passed his boyhood on a farm, and taught school several years.  He read law under Pond and Foulke; was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1879, and has since practiced in the courts of Morgan County.  He was in partnership with A. W. Stewart for a time, and from April, 1882, a member of the law firm of McElhiney & Berry.  He is at present associated with F. F. Metcalf under the firm name of Metcalf & Berry. Source:  Chapter XV - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 268   TAYLOR J. BINGHAM, M. D., was born in Penn Township, Morgan County, Nov. 19 1849.  He was reared on a farm and received an academical education.  He read medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. L. S. Holcomb, of Pennsville.  For a number of years lie taught school, at the same time pursuing his medical studies, and in this way obtained money to enable him to pursue his medical education.  He graduated from the Columbus Medical College in January, 1880, and established himself at Malta.  This practice became so large that he was unable to attend to its demands, and in 1881 he removed to McConnelsville, where he has since been engaged in the drug business in partnership with Dr. Ewing.  Dr. Bingham was married in 1873 to Mary Parsons, of Union Township, whose grandfather, George Parsons, was one of the pioneers of the county.  He is a member of the Morgan County Medical Society, of which he is acting president; also, vice-president of the District Medical Society, composed of the physicians of Morgan, Muskingum, Guernsey, Perry, Licking and Belmont Counties.  In May, 1886, the Doctor was appointed a member of the board of pension examiners for Morgan County.  He is a contributor to the following medical periodicals: New York Medical Recorder, Therapeutical Gazette and the Medical Age. Source:  Chapter XVI - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 275   SMITH BRANSON, M. D., No physician, perhaps, is better or more favorably known in the southwester part of Morgan County that Dr. Smith Branson, of Chesterfield.  Born in 1822 in Belmont County, Ohio, he received a common school and academic education, through alike in character and kind.  In 1841 he removed with his parents from  Belmont to Washington County, Ohio, remaining there until 1847, when be went to Chesterfield and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. George Michener, one of the pioneer physicians of that section of the county.  His course of reading was to some extent enterrupted by other duties devolving on him, and it was not until 1852 that he graduated with honors at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio.  Immediately following his graduation he returned to Chesterfield and at once entered upon active practice.  From the outset his professional qualifications were recognized, and he at once entered upon a lucrative practice that has continued to grow with each succeeding year.  The doctor was a leading member of  “The Washington, Morgan and Athens Medical Society ” from its formation to its dissolution, and for some years was a member of the State and National Medical Association.  In October, 1845, Dr. Branson was married to Miss Eliza Van Law.  Three children were born to them, of whom two daughters, both married, are still living.  Lelia E., married to Reece Larkin, Esq., is a resident of Bennett, Nebraska, and Eleanor is the wife of Dr. N. Wright, a practicing physician at Mountville, Morgan County, Ohio.  In 1853, Dr. Branson was a candidate for representative from Morgan County on the free-soil ticket.  Upon the organization of the prohibition party he became one of its most active and influential members, receiving successively the nomination for State senator from the 14th district, member of the State constitutional convention from Morgan County, and member of congress from the 15th district.  Although his party has always been in the minority the doctor has not lost faith in its principles, and next to his chosen profession it has received the best thoughts of a cultured intellect. Source:  Chapter XVI - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 285 Obadiah Brokaw OBADIAH BROKAW was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1822, and came to Morgan County, Ohio, in 1828, with his father, who settled near Neelysville.  In 1830 he removed to the Muskingum river near Big Ludlow where he lived two years, and then moved back into the wilderness where he remained two years, and in 1834 removed to the Brokaw Hill, one mile east of Hooksburg.  During the ensuing four years he assisted in clearing two farms.  He then concluded to learn a trade and chose that of blacksmith with the intention of making edge tools, at that time a very important industry.  To this he gave his constant attention and soon rose to the first place among his tradesmen.  His ambition and industry have held this place with easy mastery.  In 1841 he came to Hooksburg and engaged in the mixed business of blacksmithing and salt making during the spring, summer and autumn, and in winter went flatboating to New Orleans.  He often said his "deepest pleasure was sitting with his morning pipe on deck of a broad-horn and watching the sun rise out of the water."      He married Czarina Fletcher, April 23, 1844.  This estimable lady still sheds the sunlight of domestic bliss and genial grace of his hearth and home.  The typical housewife of the pioneer, she blends the unbought grace of cultured life with the solid comforts and accomplishments of her pleasant and beautiful home.  As her name implies, she is an empress.  Her realm is her home and she governs it with regal grace, dignity and wisdom.  Six children, four boys and two girls are the fruits of this happy union.      In 1846 Mr. Brokaw established his own shop in Hooksburg which he carried on for twenty years, farming at same time.  His perfect mastery of his business secured him a large patronage while the systematic and thorough manner in which he performed his agricultural labors soon earned for him the position of "best farmer in the valley."      In 1865 he sold out at Hooksburg and removed to the Block House farm on Big Bottom where he still resides.  For eight and forty years this Son of Vulcan has been a pillar of industry and usefulness, and during this time the almost daily ring of his anvil has said to his neighbors, "Obe is at home."  His industry and prudence have secured a competence which, with rare judgment, he knows how to enjoy.  He is still a veritable son of toil, and as of yore insists on seeing the sun rise.  In the enjoyment of the happiness and pleasures of a sunny home which their own hands have made, this amiable couple glide smoothly on in the current of time gracing their way with hospitality, generosity and charity to all. Source: History of Morgan County, Ohio - publ. 1886 - Page 425   EUGENE J. BROWN, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Oct. 4, 1849, but came to Morgan County with his parents when a child.  He was educated at the University of Michigan and at the Columbia Law School, Washington city, graduating from the last-named institution in1872.  He began the practice of law in Zanesville, whence he removed to McConnelsville in 1876.  He has held the office of Mayor of the village, is a republican and takes an active part in politics. Source:  Chapter XV - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 267   JOSHUA H. BROWN, M. D., is the oldest resident physician of McConnelsville.  He was born of Quaker parentage, in Belmont, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1883.  His parents were Joseph and Lydia (Hoge) Brown, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Virginia.  The subject of this notice, after receiving a common school education, read medicine under the tuition of Dr. Nathan Johnson, of Belmont, and in 1848 graduated from the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio.  In 1850 he came to McConnelsville, where he has since resided.  He is a successful physician and a worthy citizen.  Dr. Brown was married in 1838 to Elizabeth A. Grove, of Belmont, Ohio, and is the father of three children - William A., Joseph E. and Eugene J.  William A. and Joseph E. are physicians and Eugene J. a lawyer.  Dr. W. A. Brown was a surgeon in the army in the late war.  Dr. Joseph E. Brown studied medicine with his father and is associated with him in practice.  He is a graduate of the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati. Source:  Chapter XV - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 276 John Buck JOHN BUCK.   John Buck was born in Virginia, Mar. 18,1799.  His father, Anthony Buck, was of Irish birth, and came to this country soon after the Revolutionary War.  In 1801 the family, consisting of two sons and three daughters, moved to Washington County, Pa., where the father and the mother died at advanced ages.  The early life of John Buck was one of trials such as might have discouraged a less enterprising and courageous spirit.  The family were poor, and when a mere boy John was obliged to depend upon his own resources.  For a time he worked upon a farm and later was apprenticed to a sickle and scythe-maker to learn the trade.  After completing his term of indenture he again engaged in farm labor, and afterward in any kind of honest labor that would bring him fair wages.  For a time he drove a stage on the National Turnpike, and later was engaged in building and repairing culverts and bridges on this great thorough fare.  The latter employment was his initial effort in a business that afterward became quite profitable to himself and others.      In 1836 Mr. Buck came to Luke Chute.  Previous to his removal he had been in partnership with a gentleman named Lyne, a contractor.  The Muskingum River improvement was then being inaugurated, and Mr. Buck, in company with Lyne and Wolf, took contracts for the construction of locks and dams at Lowell, Luke Chute and Taylorsville.  This work was completed in about five years, after which Buck and Lyne built the Lowell Mills, which they operated successfully for many years.  Mr. Buck then settled upon the farm now owned by John Buck, Jr., where he continued to reside until his death, Feb. 24, 1877.      Mr. Buck possessed sound judgment, a strong and active mind and an energetic will.  Foreseeing that land upon the river would become valuable after the improvement, he purchased a large tract which included some of the very best land in the township.  He devoted himself to agriculture with the same diligence and care that had characterized him in other pursuits, and became one of the most prominent and successful farmers of the county.  Surrounded by his family and friends he passed the later years of his life in the peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of his industry.  No man was better known in the county or more highly esteemed.  He was charitable, liberal and public spirited.  In religious belief he was a Presbyterian.      Mr. Buck was twice married—first in 1828 to Miss Jane Wier, of Pennsylvania.  Of this marriage, three children were born—Thomas, Samuel W. and Margaret. Mrs. Buck died Oct. 13, 1834.  In 1839 Mr. Buck married Miss Esther Hunter, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., June 21, 1811.  By the second marriage he had three children—Jane (Tucker), Hettie, wife of Thomas Muse, of Windsor Township, and John, who resides on the old homestead. Source:  Chapter XXI - Windsor Twp. - History of Morgan County, Ohio with Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. By Charles Robertson, M. D.  - Published Chicago: L. H. Watkins & Co. 1886 - Page 418

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