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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
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WELCOME TO
Fairfield County, Ohio
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BIOGRAPHIES
HENRY BALTHASER.
Like many of the valued citizens of Fairfield county,
Henry Balthaser came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, taking
up his abode in Fairfield county at an early day. He
now resides in Clear Creek township, where he owns and
occupies ninety-one acres of rich farm land just south of
the village of Amanda. He was born in Berks county,
Pennsylvania, October 13, 1832, and is a representative of
one of the old families of that locality. His paternal
grandfather, Henry Balthaser, lived and died in Berks
county, being a well known farmer and prominent man there.
The father of the subject, Henry Balthaser, was
born in Berks county, learning the carpenter's trade and
following that vocation throughout his residence of
Pennsylvania, and after coming to Fairfield county he
engaged in the operation of a sawmill and also devoted a
portion of his time to agricultural pursuits. For a
number of years he continued the manufacture of lumber.
He put all of the improvements upon his farm and there made
a good home for himself and family, living at that place
until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-two years
of age. He passed away on the anniversary of his
birth, which occurred on the 22d of January, 1803. He
held membership in the Lutheran church and his life was
permeated by honorable principles and Christian teachings.
In politics he was a Democrat but he never aspired to
office, preferring that his attention should be given to his
business interests, in which he prospered. He was an
advocate of all that tended to improve the community along
social, intellectual and moral lines. His worth as a
citizen was widely recognized. He married Sarah
Warner, who was also born in Berks county, Pennsylvania,
and there lived until coming to Ohio with her husband.
Both were members of the Lutheran church. Mrs.
Balthaser survived her husband but a short time, passing
away on the old homestead, June 25, 1886. She was the
mother of eight children, five of whom are now living, the
subject of this review being the second in order of birth.
In taking up the personal history of Henry Balthaser,
whose name introduces this record, we present to our readers
the life record of one who is widely and favorably known.
He has always lived upon the home farm in Clear Creek
township and many of the improvements there are the visible
evidence of his life of industry and earnest toil. H
has erected a new and modern residence which is an
attractive feature in the landscape and other equipments
upon the farm have been secured through his efforts.
He has always engaged in the cultivation of the soil and to
some extent has carried on stock raising and as the years
have passed his labors have annually added something to his
income until now he is one of the substantial and well-to-do
citizens of the community.
In 1857 Mr. Balthaser was united in marriage to
Miss Susanna Kessler, who was born in Pickaway
county, Ohio, a daughter of Michael and Eliza Ann (Shabbel)
Kessler. Her father was a carpenter by trade, and
removing to Clear Creek township, Fairfield county, carried
on work along that line for a number of years. He
afterward became a resident of Illinois where he died at an
advanced age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Balthaser have
been born twelve children, of whom eleven are now living.
Theodore, who resides in Amanda, was employed as
engineer in the grain elevator. He married Nettie
Crites, and their children are - Ollie, Eva, and
Adolph. Elizabeth is the wife of David Barr,
a farmer of Amanda township and they have two children -
Bertie and Mary. Peter resides in Columbus,
Ohio, where he is employed as a street car conductor.
He married Effie Griffith and they have five children
- Rome, Merril, Ruth, May and Fred. Joseph
resides in Amanda township where he follows farming.
He wedded Etta Weimer. Ella is the
wife of John Sultz, a resident farmer of Fairfield
county. Annie is the wife of John Campbell,
of Madison township, and they have one son, Raymond.
Frank is employed on the farm of Mr. Campbell.
He married Mattie Hamby, who died two years ago.
Charles resides in Amanda, Ohio, and is operating the
home farm for his father. He married Ella Shaeffer.
Chancy resides in Amanda township and is employed on
the railroad. He married Anna Thomas. Harry
is living at home. Welby is a
minister the United Brethren church, now located in Athens
county, Ohio. He wedded Miss Dixon. Fanny
died at the age of nineteen years. All of the children
were born in Clear Creek township and educated in the
schools here. The family is one of prominence in the
community, the various members occupying creditable
positions and in social circles, enjoying high regard by
reason of their sterling worth. From the age of six
years down to the present time Henry Balthaser has
made his home in Fairfield county and the history of pioneer
life is therefore familiar to him through actual experience,
and as the years have passed, as a valued citizen he has
borne his part in the work of public progress and
improvement. His labors too in the business world have
been effective and have brought to him creditable process,
making him one of he prosperous and well-to-do farmer of
Clear Creek township.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901) |
JASPER J. BARNETT, who
is living a retired lie, has in former years been actively
associated with agricultural and mercantile interests in
Fairfield county, and was also numbered among the soldiers
that Ohio sent to the front at the time of the Civil war.
He was born in Madison township, Perry county, Ohio, April
28, 1833, and is a son of Solomon and Nancy (Upton)
Barnett. The father was born in Washington county,
Maryland, and the mother was also a native of that locality.
After arriving at years of maturity they were married and
soon afterward came to Ohio, settling on a farm in Perry
county, where they were numbered among the prosperous
agriculturists of the community. In 1844 they removed
to Clear Creek township, Fairfield county, where the father
spent his remaining days, passing away there in 1875.
His wife survived him and afterward removed to the village
of Amanda, taking up her residence with our subject, where
she died in 1884. In the family were eight children.
The following reached years of maturity: Jemima,
Margaret, Jasper J., Jane, Robert and Lewis.
In his political affiliations the father was a Democrat and
both he and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Jasper J. Barnett spent the first twelve years
of his life on the home farm in Perry county and during that
period attended the district schools, while later he
continued his education in the public schools of Drinkle and
in Kingston Academy, of Kingston, Ohio. He then began
teaching in the public schools and followed that profession
for fourteen years, proving his capability as an educator by
the clear and ready manner in which he imparted to others
the knowledge he had acquired and by the way in which he
maintained discipline. On abandoning that profession,
he turned his attention to farming. In May, 1864, he
enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Captain E.
Griffith. Soon afterward Mr. Barnett was
commissioned first lieutenant and was ordered to Baltimore,
Maryland, where he did garrison duty for one hundred days,
at the expiration of which period he received an honorable
discharge in September, 1864.
Returning to Fairfield County, Mr. Barnett
engaged in farming and stock raising and also devoted his
attention to school teaching for two years. In 1867 he
purchased his father's old homestead, thus becoming the
owner of two hundred acres of land, to the further
development and cultivation of which he devoted his energies
with untiring activity until 1882. His labors made his
place one of the desirable farms of the county, his
enterprise and capable management being manifest in the neat
and thrifty appearance of the farm. At length he put
aside business cares and in 1882 removed to the village of
Amanda, where he established a harness store, but later he
disposed of that enterprise and is now living retired.
It was in the year 1865 that Mr. Barnett was
united in marriage to Miss Mary Bussard, of Fairfield
county, a daughter of Daniel and Rhoda (Seidener) Bussard.
Her grandparents were pioneers of Maryland, having settled
there in colonial days. The parents of Mrs. Barnett
were both natives of Maryland and from that state removed to
Fairfield county, Ohio, the Bussards being very early
settlers of this portion of the state. Mrs. Barnett
was born in Fairfield county, November 5, 1839, and by her
marriage became the mother of two children, but Cora E.
died in her twelfth year. The surviving daughter is
Jennie A.
Mr. Barnett is a stanch advocate of Republican
principles, having supported the party since attaining his
majority. He also belongs to Tarlton Lodge, No. 218.
I. O. O. F., and was once a member of McPherson Post,
G. A. R. Since 1849 he has been an acceptable member
of the Methodist Episcopal church and has always been
loyal to its teachings and active in its work, doing
everything in his power to extend the influence and promote
the growth of the church. Mrs. Barnett is
also an active member of the same church, with which she
united in girlhood days.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901) |
WILLIAM BARR. For
almost one-third of a century William Barr has
resided upon his present farm and is a representative of one
of the honored pioneer families of the county, his
grandfather having come to this portion of the state when
Lancaster contained but two houses. Through all the
intervening years the Barr family have been
well known factors in the work of public progress and
improvement. and their labors have resulted largely to the
benefit of the community. Thomas Barr, the
paternal grandfather. was a native of Ireland, and after
leaving that country for the United States he took up his
abode in Ohio, making his home on the present site of
Lancaster, which at that time was a mere hamlet, containing
two houses and giving little promise of future development
and greatness. Throughout the years of his active life
Thomas Barr carried on agricultural pursuits. The
land which came into his possession was wild and unimproved,
but his unremitting diligence was the means of transforming
it into an excellent property. He reached the extreme old
age of ninety-seven years and left to his family not only a
handsome competence but also the priceless heritage of an
untarnished name.
Thomas Barr, the father of our subject, was
reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, sharing with
the family of all hardships and toils as well as many trials
incident to the settlement of a new district which is cut
off from the comforts of civilization by long stretches of
forest or of plain. He was born in Fairfield county on the
old homestead in Amanda township. and with the exception of
one year spent upon a farm in Clear Creek township, he never
left the township in which he was born. He was a cooper by
.trade and followed that pursuit for eight years. After his
marriage and during the greater part of his life his
undivided attention was given to agricultural pursuits and
to the raising of stock. He became the owner of four hundred
acres of valuable land, part of which was in Pickaway
county. His industry was manifest by his unremitting
attention to his fields and as the years passed his land
became very rich, attractive and valuable. For twelve years
he filled the office of township treasurer and was county
commissioners for six years, discharging his duties with
marked promptness, ability arid honor. He voted with the
Democratic party and it was upon that ticket that he was
chosen to positions of political preferment. His religious
faith was indicated by his membership in the Baptist church.
He died at the age of eighty-four years in the village of
Amanda, where for a number, of years he had lived retired.
In early life he had wedded Hannah Myers, and
her death occurred when she was seventy-eight years of age.
She was a native of Pennsylvania and when about ten years of
age was brought by her parents to Ohio, the family making a
settlement above Cedar Hill, in Amanda township. Mrs.
Barr became the mother of thirteen children, of whom
the subject of this review was the third in the order of
birth. Seven of that number are still living. The father was
one of the greatest marksmen ever in this country. His
record is seven centers, in succession, which record was
never broken by an offhand, open^sight shooter at forty
yards.
William Barr, whose name introduces this record,
was born on the 5th of March, 1838, on the old farm
homestead in Amanda township. In retrospect one can see him
as a little farmer boy making his way to the district school
of the neighborhood or assisting in the work of the field
and meadow as his strength permitted. He continued upon the
old homestead until after his marriage, when he started out
in life independently, renting a farm in Amanda township.
There he remained for five years, on the expiration of which
time he purchased his present property in Amanda township
and for thirty-two years has made his home thereon. Within
the boundaries of his home are comprised one hundred and
fifty-two and one-half acres of rich land. In addition to
the cultivation of the crops best adapted to this climate he
is engaged in' raising stock. He has made all the
improvements upon the place, including the erection of a
substantial farm house and other buildings.
It was in the year 1862 that Mr. Barr led
to the marriage altar Miss Margaret Greiner,
the wedding being celebrated near Lancaster. The lady was a
daughter of Henry F. and Mary Ann (Gorman) Greiner.
Her father was a native of Germany and when only three years
of age was brought to the new World by his parents, who
first located in Pennsylvania, but afterward removed from
the Keystone state to Ohio and became a resident of
Lancaster. The father of Mrs. Barr was a stone
cutter by trade, following that pursuit for a number of
years. He afterward engaged in teaching in the public
schools of Lancaster. He died at the comparatively early age
of thirty-nine years. The home of our subject and his wife
was blessed with ten children: Clara is living with
her parents. Frank S., who owns and operates sixty
acres of land in Amanda township, adjoining his father's
farm, married Cora Belle Williamson, a daughter of
Henry Williamson, of Lancaster, and they have
three children : Alvin, Ruth and Floyd. George
resides above Cedar Hill. Amanda township, where he is
engaged in the tilling of the soil. He married Alice
Peters, a daughter of the Rev. Robert Peters,
a minister of the Baptist church, now in Pickaway county.
Their children are Emil, Lester, Robert and
Albert. Mary, the fourth member of the family, died at
the age of twenty-nine years. Nora is at home.
Nellie died at the age of three years. Florence
is the wife of John Solt, of Pickaway county,
where he follows farming, and they have one child, Harry.
Fannie, Harry and Frederick are still
under the parental roof. All of the children were born in
Amanda township and pursued their education in the public
schools of that locality. On May 30, 1902, Mrs.
Barr was called to the home beyond. She was an earnest
Christian, woman and was a loyal member of the Presbyterian
church of Amanda.
Mr. Barr exercises the right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the Democracy, but the
honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him;
yet as a citizen he is deeply interested in everything
pertaining to the general good. He belongs to the
Presbyterian church of Amanda, and for ten or twelve years
has served as one of its deacons. His personal
characteristics are such as to win for him the friendship
and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
His life has-ever been honorable and upright.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901) |
CLIFF O. BEALS, who is
engaged in the practice of law in Pickering and is numbered
among the native sons of Fairfield county, his birth having
occurred on the 15th of August, 1871, is a son of W. G.
and Nancy (Bethel) Beals. His grandfather,
George Beals, came to Ohio about seventy-five years ago,
taking up his residence in Violet township. He served
his country as a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war and
became an active factor in the substantial development of
this part of the state. In his family were four
children: Enoch, Wood, Amanda and William
G., but the only one now living is William G. Beals,
father of our subject. He has made his home in
this county for three-quarters of a century, having taken up
his abode, at the time of his arrival, in Violet township,
but at the present time he is a resident of Pickerington.
On reaching Ohio he located in Licking county, and during
seventeen years he was in the gold fields of California.
By trade he was a blacksmith, but during much of his active
life he followed farming in Violet township. At the
present time he is living retired in the enjoyment of a
well-merited rest. He was united in marriage to
Nancy Bethel, a daughter of John Bethel, who was
a native of Virginia, where he spent his entire life.
He was one of a family of eight children and was reared by
Jonathan Edwards. Unto William G. and Nancy
Beals were born ten children, nine of whom are yet
living, namely: Merrill, Sadie, George, Meta and
Mary (twins), John, Cliff O., Alva and Nellie. Harry
died at the age of eighteen years, the result of an
accident.
Cliff O. Beals, whose name introduces this
record, pursued his early education in the district schools
of Violet township and later continued his studies in the
Reynoldsburg high school, in which he was graduated.
He then entered the Normal University at Ada, Ohio, taking a
scientific course in 1892-3. He is not only a
self-made man but is a self-educated man, for at an early
age he began to earn his own living and he worked for his
board during his school life. He also did abstracting
during his course in Ada and thus provided for the expenses
of his college education. Subsequently he engaged in
teaching school in the country for five years and in the
meantime pursued the study of law, being admitted to the bar
of Ohio on the 1st of March, 1894. He then began
practice in Pickerington, where he has since been located,
and has met with gratifying success, having been connected
with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of
the locality.
In August, 1897, Mr. Beals was united in
marriage to Miss Laura Painter, a daughter of J.
S. and Ellen Painter, of Canal Winchester.
Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the
Improved Order of Red Men and of the Woodmen of the World.
For six years he has served as justice of the peace, and in
his political views is a Republican, taking an active part
in the work of the party, serving at the present time as a
member of the executive and of the central committee.
He is a young man, of large force of character, of laudable
ambition and strong mentality, and these qualities have
already gained for him creditable success and will doubtless
win for him still greater success in the future.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901) |
FRANK J. BOVING,
who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, he
resided upon his present farm since birth. He was born
on the 17th of January, 1851, and is a son of George
William Boving, a native of Bremen, Germany, born May 5,
1800. He had three brothers and one sister, all of
whom have now passed away. In the year 1848, he
emigrated to Fairfield county, Ohio, locating on a farm now
owned by his son, Frank J., in Bloom township.
There was some timber upon the place and Mr. Boving,
was characteristic energy, began to clear and develop the
land. He had been educated in his native city and at
the age of sixteen was placed in charged of a large farm in
the capacity of superintendent, so that his broad experience
enabled him to successfully carry on agricultural pursuits
on his own account. He was twice married. In
1833 he wedded Sophia Pfleging and until them were
born four children, all of whom are now deceased. The
mother passed away in 1847 and in 1849 Mr. Boving was
again married, his second union being with Amalia Paran,
of Woolfsanger, Germany, the ceremony being celebrated in
Lancaster, Ohio. Four children were born of this
marriage, but two of the number are deceased, Harry R.,
a jeweler of Lancaster, being the younger of the living
sons. The father died May 25, 1890, after a long
residence in Fairfield county, during which time he won many
friends by reason of his upright character.
In the district schools of Fairfield township, Frank
J. Boving pursued his education and his business
training was received upon the home farm, where he early
became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to
the lot of the agriculturist. In 1879 he was united in
marriage to Dora Schaer, a daughter of August
Schaer, who came from Hanover, Germany, to the United
States. In 1844 he took up his abode in Bloom
township, Fairfield county, where he lived until
seventy-four years of age, passing away in 1886. His
wife, who bore the maiden name of Augusta Fromme,
died in 1890 at the age of sixty-two years. They were
the parents of six children, all of whom are yet living,
namely: Ida, the wife of Justus Gromme,
of Lancaster; Mrs. Boving; Edward G., who is living
in Bloom township; Frank G., of Violet township;
Mrs. Antonia Alspach of Columbus; and Amelia, a
resident of Carroll. The father was a well educated man and
an extensive reader, keeping well informed on all the issues
and questions of the day. He held membership in the Lutheran
church, was always one of its officers and for a long time
served as its treasurer. He was a popular citizen owing to
'his genial disposition and reliability in all the walks of
life.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Boving was blessed
with three children, but August, their first born,
his natal day being September 3, 1880, died in infancy. The
others are Antonia, born November 22, 1886, and Louis
Walter, born August 7, 1890. The parents hold
membership in the Zion Evangelical church, of which Mr.
Boving is serving as treasurer. They contribute
liberally to its support and are well known people of the
community, having many friends throughout Fairfield county.
In his business undertakings Mr. Boving has
met with creditable and deserved success. He has realized
that industry is the foundation of all prosperity and with
unremitting diligence he has carried on his farm work.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901) |
CAPTAIN OLIVER B. BRANDT.
Man is never called upon to make a greater sacrifice
than when he puts aside all business and personal relations,
severs family ties and goes forth in defense of his country
or of a people to face danger and perhaps death upon the
field of battle, yet many thousands of the nation's bravest
sons manifested their loyalty to the Union cause when the
south attempted to set at naught the power of the national
government in 1861. Captain Brandt was among
those who joined the northern army and faithfully did he
follow the call of duty wherever it led', his bravery and
meritorious conduct winning him! promotion until a captain's
commission was conferred upon him. He is now numbered among
the farmers and stock raisers of Fairfield county, his home
being on section 6, Greenfield township.
Captain Brandt was born March 26, 1838, in
this county. His father, Adam Brandt, was born
near Carlisle,, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1800, a son of
David Brandt, also a native of the Keystone
state. When a youth of twelve years Adam Brandt
was brought by his parents to Ohio, the family settling in
Fairfield county in 1812, and as they were in limited
financial circumstances he was early forced to earn his own
livelihood and began learning the shoemaker's trade. Soon
after attaining his majority he secured a small stock of
men's heavy boots and with this started to the fields where
a gang of workmen were employed in constructing a canal.
There his small stock was quickly sold and with the money
thus obtained he purchased more leather and began making a
new supply of boots, so that he deserves to be known as a
pioneer boot and shoe manufacturer of this county. This was
the foundation of his successful career. As he had a ready
sale for these products of his labor he soon secured a
surplus and this money he invested in one hundred and sixty
acres of land, covered with a dense grove of timber. He then
hired some men to clear the ground and prepare it for the
plow. Among the stumps he planted apple, peach, pear and
cherry trees and in a few years his place was known as the
Fruit Ridge farm. He had one of the finest orchards of this
part of the state and it yielded abundantly.
In 1806 there had come to Lancaster a family whose
religious views had led them to liberate their slaves and
for this they were ostracized by their neighbors in
Virginia. On this account they decided to seek a home in the
free west and thus the Cooper family was established in
Lancaster. The father was a saddler by trade and lish a
harness business in Fairfield county. it is claimed he was
the first man to estab- About 1819 his
daughter, Rebecca Cooper, became the wife of
Adam Brandt and unto them, as the years
passed, were born seventeen children, nine sons and eight
daughters, of whom fourteen reached years of maturity, while
nine are still living. The hereditary strain in the family
was manifested in the grandsons, for six of them were
enrolled among the soldiers of the Union army fighting for
the suppression of slavery, which the grandfather had
opposed so many years before. The sons of Adam who
wore the blue were Henry C., who died in February,
1895; Jonathan C., who is still living at the age of
seventy-four years; Isaac, who resides in California,
aged seventy-one; Oliver B., of this sketch;.
William J.; and Wesley L., who resides in
Mitchellville, Iowa, aged sixty years. Three of the
daughters also married soldiers of the Civil war, namely:
Catherine, born in 1S20, married Samuel Radabaugh
and resides in Minnesota; Elizabeth, born in 1827,
married Samuel Apt and resides in Kansas; and Rebecca,
born in 1835, married S. S. Wiest and resides
in Baltimore, Ohio. Thus this family was represented by-nine
loyal men who fought for the starry banner and the cause it
represented. Of these William J. Brandt died in the
service February 13, 1862, aged twenty-one; Jackson H.,
another son, died November 25, 1867. The other daughters
were as follows: Martha, born September 10, 1833, is
now the widow of Jacob Weaver and is a.
resident of Oklahoma Territory; Harriet, born
December 25, 1836, is the wife of N. S. Ebright, of
Carroll, Ohio; Many M., born December 8, 1839, is the
widow of Joseph Morley, and a resident of
Kansas: and Emaliza, born December 31, 1846, died in
1878. Certainly Adam Brandt had cause to be
proud of his posterity. In his farming operations he
prospered. The Fruit Ridge farm, which he developed in the
midst of the wilderness, became one of the most flourishing
fruit farms in all this section of the country and its owner
was honored and respected for his many good qualities. He
lived to a ripe old age, being seventy-four years when
killed June 24, 1874, by falling from a tree. Mrs.
Brandt died April 18, 1870, at the age of sixty-eight
years.
Captain Oliver B. Brandt, whose name introduces
this record, worked upon the home farm and under his
father's direction until twenty-one years of age and when
Abraham Lincoln issued his first call for
seventy-five thousand men to serve for three months,
thinking that the war would be over at that time, Oliver
Brandt was among the first to be enrolled among the
members of Company A, Seventeenth Ohio Infantry. On the
expiration of term of enlistment, the regiment was
reorganized and he became a member of Company F, with which
he served for three years. From time to time he was promoted
through the various ranks until in recognition of his loyal
patriotism and military skill, he was commissioned captain.
He participated in sixteen pitched battles and twelve
skirmishes, and seven bullets pierced his clothing, while
his sword was shot in two at the hilt in the battle of
Chickamauga. On the second day of the engagement, while he
was in command of the color company, a shell burst in their
midst, killing and wounding many of his comrades. The enemy
taking advantage of the havoc and confusion again charged in
the column before they could rally, capturing Captain
Brandt and many of his men. As a prisoner of war he
was sent to Libby prison and later to Macon, Georgia. He was
one of the Union soldiers to be sent to Charleston, South
Carolina, the Confederates thinking if they placed many
Union prisoners in that city that the Union forces would not
attempt its destruction and would cease shelling the tower
for fear of killing their own unfortunate comrades, thus
placing them under the fire of their own guns. It was
fortunate that Captain Brandt had a strong
constitution to withstand all the hardships and horrors of
prison life. He managed, however, to keep in good health and
was never on the sick list or had the aid of a physician or
surgeon from the time he responded to President
Lincoln's call until receiving his honorable discharge
in July, 1865. His is certainly a creditable military record
of which he has every reason to be proud. He was always
found at his post of duty, which was often in the thickest
of the fight, and he never hesitated or wavered in obeying a
command and by his own bravery he inspired many of his
company to like deeds of bravery and heroism.
Not long after his return home in March, 1866,
Captain Brandt was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth Holmes, a daughter of George W. Holmes,
a farmer of Greenfield township. Six children have been born
of this marriage, three sons and three daughters, namely:
Nancy O., born in 1866, is now the wife of McClellan
Martens, a hardware dealer of Lancaster; Ida K.,
born in 1868, resides at home; James M. born in 1870,
married Dessa Lamb, a daughter of Hon.
George Lamb, and resides in Fostoria, Ohio, where he is
engaged in the agricultural implement business; Lulu,
born in 1872, is with her parents; Harry H., born in
1874, is engaged in teaching school; and George W.,
born in 1877, assists his father in the management of the
home farm. Captain Brandt has resided upon
this place since his marriage and his home is made pleasant
through the talent of his daughters, who have inherited
their paternal grandfathers musical ability and love of
flowers. The Brandt family is one that is highly
esteemed in Fairfield county, and to his duties of
citizenship the Captain is as true and loyal today as when
he followed the starry banner of the nation through the
south. In politics he is a strong Republican; for thirty
years has been an active worker for his party's interests;
was chairman of the Republican county committee in 1890-2;
and is now a member of the Republican central committee.
He served as school director twenty-one years and in 1898
was in Columbus as a committee to look after the interests
of the Carroll schools. Fraternally he is a prominent
member of Ezra B. Ricketts Post, No. 426, G. A. R.,
of Carroll, of which he is past commander and is now
adjutant.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901) |
ENOCH BRIGHT. When
travel by team, and wagon, on horseback or by means of the
waterways of the country—long before the era of
railroads—the Bright family was established in Fairfield
county. The paternal grandparents of our subject were
John and Anna Maria (Leiss) Bright, and the
former was a son of David Bright, who was born
in the year 1710. He entered land from the government in
Berks county, Pennsylvania, and the property is still in the
possession of his descendants. He lived and died in Berks
county, followed the occupation of farmings throughout the
years of his active business career. He was the father of
eight children, including John Bright, the
grandfather of our subject. The latter came to Fairfield
county in the early years of the nineteenth century. Much of
the land was still in possession of the government and he
entered a claim on sections 29 and 30 in Liberty township,
after which he returned to Pennsylvania, where he died. He
had a son, David, who, coming to Fairfield county,
Ohio, spent his last days in Greenfield township.
John Bright, Jr., the father of cur subject, was
born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on the 9th of January,
1787. Somewhere between 1808 and 1812 he came to Ohio,
settling upon the land which had been purchased by his
father. He made a journey on horseback over roads that were
scarcely more than Indian trails in places. After a time he
returned to Pennsylvania. where he was married, bringing his
wife with him to his new home upon the western frontier.
They took up their abode in Liberty township, spending the
remainder of their days within its borders, honored and
respected pioneer people, actively connected' with fanning
interests of Ohio. John Bright, the
father of our subject, was drafted for service in the war of
1812, but furnished a substitute, feeling that his first
duty was to his family and that he must prepare for their
comfort and welfare before aught else. He built a gristmill
and also a sawmill upon his farm upon the banks of the
Poplar creek. He cleared many acres of land, placed splendid
improvements upon his property and developed one of the best
farms in the township. As his capital increased he added to
his property until at the time of his death, which occurred
in the year 1853, he was the owner of seventeen hundred
acres of land, nearly all of which lay in Fairfield county.
He deserved great credit for what he accomplished, owing his
prosperity entirely to his well directed and indefatigable
efforts. He was united in marriage to Hannah
Clauer, who proved to him a faithful companion and
helpmate for a number of years, but was then called to her
final rest, leaving four children, who reached years of
maturity, although all are now deceased. These were Mary,
who became the wife of John Swartz; Hester,
the wife of Alexander Miller; Susanna,
the wife of Daniel Langwell; and Peter.
After the death of his first wife John Bright
was again married, his second union being with Elizabeth
Myers, and unto them) were born three children, the
eldest being Enoch, of this review. The others are
Hannah, the widow of Henry Langwell, and
John, who resides in Baltimore, Ohio. The parents
were members of the Evangelical church, were deeply
interested in its work and contributed in no small measure
to the growth and upbuilding of the church. Oftentimes camp
meetings were held upon their farm and Mr. Bright
was one of the most liberal contributors to the cause of
Christianity in this locality. His political support was
given to the Democracy, and though his business affairs made
heavy demands upon his time, he always found opportunity to
faithfully discharge his duties of citizenship and
co-operate in all movements for the general good.
Enoch Bright, who is an honored
representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of
the county, was born in Liberty township upon a farm which
he yet owns, January 3, 1830. He is now living retired,
however, and his home is in Baltimore. He pursued his
education in one of the old time log school houses commonly
seen upon the frontier, but his advantages in that direction
were somewhat meager, for at an early age he found it
necessary to assist his father in the work of the home farm
and in the operation of the saw and grist mills. He early
learned the value of industry, enterprise and economy in the
active affairs of life and the lessons gained in early youth
proved of value to him as the years passed. He remained at
home until twenty' years of age, at which time he was given
two hundred and fourteen acres of land by his father and
began fanning on his own account. As. a companion and
helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Bright
chose Miss Louisa Yager, the marriage being
celebrated July 25, 1852, when he was twenty-two years of
age. She is a native of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and
during her early girlhood she was brought to Fairfield
county by her parents. The voting couple began their
domestic life upon the farm which had been given them and as
time passed the land was cultivated and improved and placed
under a high state of cultivation. There the family lived
for nearly half a century, but in the spring of 1902 removed
to Baltimore, where Mr. Bright now makes his
home in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, the fruits of
his former toil supplying him with all the necessaries and
many of the comforts and luxuries of life. He was a very
industrious and energetic agriculturist and his farm in its
neat and thrifty appearance always indicated his careful
supervision. He erected there a nice home, good barns and
outbuildings and everything about the place was kept in
excellent condition.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bright was blessed with
eleven children, eight of whom reached years of maturity:
Mahala is the wife of David Alt, of
Baltimore, and they have two children, Maude and
Burl; Ida is the wife of A. Hansberger, by
whom she has two children, Dolly and Beulah;
Tillman G., who resides upon his father's farm and is
married and. has four children, Maude, Nolla,
Floyd and Julia; Mildred E. resides in
Union county, Ohio; Elmer is a resident of Lancaster;
Harley H. is living in Liberty township on the old
homestead; Dolly is at home with her father;
Minnie is. the wife of Elmer Bailey and
they have two children, Mary and Martha.
Mr. and Mrs. Bright were members of the United
Evangelical church for many years, and Mrs. Bright
died in that faith on the 17th of February, 1901, her
remains being interred in the old family burying ground near
her husband's farm. Mr. Bright has ever been
faithful as a citizen and loyal to the best interests of the
county, state and nation, manifesting his fidelity to his
country during the time of the Civil war, enlisting in May,
1864, as a member of the One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment
of Ohio Volunteers, being mustered in at Zanesville. After
the expiration of his three months term he was mustered out
at the same place September 7. He is now a member of Cupp
Post, G. A. R., of Baltimore. While his life has been
quietly passed. unmarked by many events Of exciting
interest, he has always been found as one of who has due
regard for the obligations of citizenship and to the duty
which he owes to his fellow mien. During his long residence
in Fairfield county, covering the period of his entire life,
he has continually added to the circle of his friends by
reason of his sterling worth.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901) |
HOWARD
A. BROWN, M. D. Dr. Howard A. Brown has for
twenty-seven years engaged in the practice of medicine in
Carroll and throughout this period has enjoyed the
confidence and good will of the public and has received a
liberal patronage in the line of his chosen vocation.
He was born Mar. 15, 1854, in Sugar Grove, Fairfield county,
a son of Dr. Robert H. and Lucinda (Armstrong) Brown.
The father was also a native of this state, having been born
in Perry county, and was a physician. In 1847 and 1848
he attended lectures at what is now the Starling Medical
College of Columbus but at that time was called the
Willoughby Medical College. For many years he engaged
in practice at Sugar Grove with excellent success and there
died in November, 1860, at the age of forty years, leaving a
widow and four children. Emma J., the eldest,
is the wife of James H. Foster, a veteran of the
Civil war, who now resides in Sugar Grove. Robert
F., a farmer, served as auditor of Fairfield county and
is now filling the position of deputy auditor.
Prudence a. is the wife of H. M. Jackson of
Lancaster. The fourth member of the family is the
Doctor, whose name introduces this review. The mother
of these children was a daughter of John and Prudence
(Sweeny) Armstrong, the former a native of Pennsylvania
and a son of John Armstrong, who came to this
country from England in colonial days. The
Armstrong family trace their ancestry back to the early
wars of England, at which time the name was Fairchild,
and according to tradition it was changed in the following
manner. During the battle of the King became unhorsed
a Fairchild lifted him up and seated him on his own
horse, for which service the King changed the name to
Armstrong. Little is known of John Armstrong,
the progenitor of the family in America, save that he
settled in Pennsylvania. His son, John Jr., was
one of the "forty-niners" who went to California during the
gold excitement in that state. He made his home in
Roseville, Muskingum county, Ohio, where he engaged in the
pottery business, and there died. It was in that
county that his daughter, Mrs. Brown, was born.
After the death of her first husband she became the wife of
Jesse Stuckey, a resident farmer of Sugar Grove, and
unto them was born one son, John J. Stukey, who is
engaged in the practice of dentistry in Lancaster.
At the usual age Dr. Brown, of this review,
began his education in the district schools and after
acquiring a good knowledge of the literary branches of
learning he began preparation for the profession which
he wished to make his life work by entering the office of
Dr. D. N. Kinsman, of Columbus, with whom he studied one
year. He then entered the Starling Medical College,
where he completed a regular course and was graduated with
the degree of M. D. in 1875. During this period he
remained in the office of Dr. Kinsman. For a
few months he engaged in practice at his old home and then
came to Carroll, where he has successfully followed his
profession for twenty-seven years. He was not long in
demonstrating his ability to successfully cope with disease
and from the beginning he has enjoyed a good practice, his
skill and ability ranking him among the foremost members of
the profession in this county. He not only has a
liberal patronage in Carroll but is frequently called to
distant places throughout the state in consultation over
critical cases.
On the 16th of Dec., 1875, Dr. Brown was united
in marriage to Emma E., daughter of Ephraim Ackers,
who was elected to the position of auditor of Fairfield
county but died before the expiration of his term of office.
Unto the Doctor and his wife have been born two sons but
Robert H. died at the age of eight years.
Archie Ackers Brown, born Dec. 31, 1877, is now being
carefully educated and it is hoped that he will eventually
be the third Dr. Brown of Fairfield county.
Our subject has spent his entire life in this county
and wherever he is known is liked and is held in the highest
regard. Where he is best known as a physician he
sustains an enviable reputation not only because of his
comprehensive knowledge but of his close adherence to the
strict professional ethics. His fellow townsmen
entertain for him warm esteem and the circle of his friends
is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
The Doctor is examiner for the following life insurance
companies: Mutual Life of New York; Pennsylvania
Mutual; John Hancock; Fidelity; Union Central and Modern
Woodmen. He was also representative to the grand
lodges of Masons and Knights of Pythias of Ohio.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901 - Page 271) |
OBED BROWN.
For forty-one years Obed Brown has resided in
Fairfield county and for sixteen years has filled the office
of township trustee, which indicates the unmistakable honor,
confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.
He was born in Pickaway county on the 4th of May, 1843, his
parents being Elisha and Hannah (Etherton) Brown.
His father was also born in Pickaway county and throughout
the years of his active business career devoted his time to
farm work, in which he prospered as the years passed.
He closely applied himself to his duties, and through his
capable management and unremitting diligence met with
gratifying success. He voted with the Democracy and
though he never cared for official preferment was a
public-spirited man and endorsed all measures and movements
for the general good. He died at the home of our
subject in 1901 at the age of eighty-six years, his birth
having occurred in 1815. His wife was also born in
Pickaway county and died about thirteen years before her
husband's demise. By her marriage she became the
mother of seven children, five of whom are yet living,
Obed Brown, the subject of this review, being the third
in order of birth.
Upon the old farm homestead where he first opened his
eyes to the light of day Obed Brown was reared until
his had attained the age of eighteen years, when he came to
Fairfield county. In the meantime he had acquired a
good English education in the common schools and had become
familiar with farm work, and has never desired to change his
occupation. Upon arriving in Fairfield county in 1861
he located in Amanda township upon a tract of land which he
cultivated for a time, then purchased his present farm of
eighty acres. It has been his home continuously since,
and its neat and thrifty appearance is an indication of his
thorough understanding of farming methods and his earnest
desire to make his property an attractive and valuable one.
The year 1869 was the one in which was celebrated the
marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Caroline Crites, a
daughter of Samuel Crites, one of the early settlers
of Fairfield county. His birth occurred in Berks
county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and he afterward became a
prominent farmer of the Buckeye state, his thorough worth
winning for him the esteem of all with whom he was
associated.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been
blessed with five children: Alice is the wife
of Edson Groce, a farmer living in Walnut township,
Pickaway county. Maggie is the wife of
Joseph Bitler, a resident farmer of Amanda township.
They have one child, Lauren O. Bitler. Etta
died at the age of five years. Bertha is the
wife of John A. Bowman a resident farmer of Clear
Creek township. Emmitt resides upon the old
home place and assists his father in the cultivation of the
fields. Mr. Brown believes that the principles
of the Democracy are best calculated to promote good
government in state and nation, and therefore endorses the
men and measures of that party. He is at present
serving as township trustee, having filled the office for
the past sixteen years. No higher testimonial of
capable service could be given than this.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901 - Page 300) |
WILLIAM L. BUCHANAN, of
Baltimore, Ohio, was born in Walnut township, Fairfield
county, on the 3rd of July, 1850, and is a son of William
and Catherine (Huffman) Buchanan,
the former a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, while the
latter was born near Baltimore, Maryland. The paternal
grandfather and the great-grandfather both bore the name of
William and the family is of Scotch-Irish descent.
The father of our subject was a shoemaker by trade and
followed that occupation in connection with farming and the
manufacture of brick, and later engaged in the hotel
business in Pleasantville, Ohio, in 1853 and died in 1854.
An old brick church near the Indian fort, in Perry county,
was built of brick which came from his kilns. He died when
he was forty-four years of age, his wife living for some
years after. In their family were eleven children, of whom
three are yet living. Sarah became the wife of M.
W. Mock, and both are now deceased. Catherine is
the deceased wife of Thomas Irick. James K.
was living in: Texas at the time of the Civil war and when
about fifteen years of age was drafted for service in the
rebel army. He and two companions crossed the bay in an old
molasses-box and thus made their way to the north. James
is now deceased. George W., who-resides in
Pleasantville, was for years engaged in the hotel business
there, but is now retired. He served in the Union army as a
member of the Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry. Mary A. is
the wife of L. L. Norris and resides in Thurston.
William L. is the next in the family. Darlington
is deceased and the youngest died in infancy. The mother of
this family was an active member of the Methodist Protestant
church. The father gave his political support to the
Democracy and was at one time deputy sheriff of the county.
He became a charter member of Pleasantville Lodge, No. 163,
I. O. O. F., and passed all of its chairs. He was a
self-made man and one who deserved great credit for what he
accomplished. He was not only industrious and energetic, but
his business methods were also such as to commend him to his
fellow men.
William L. Buchanan attended the public schools
of Pleasantville, and at the age of fourteen began making
his own way in the world. When he was twenty years of age he
commenced conducting a hotel at Pleasantville.
As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr.
Buchanan chose Miss Clara Lamb, the
wedding being celebrated September 26, 1872. The lady was a
native of Walnut township and a daughter of Jacob and
Anna Lamb. One child was born of this marriage,
Claude Lamb, who is now secretary for the Twin City
Paper Company, at Baltimore. He was born January 14, 1874.
On the 30th of October, of the same year, the wife and
mother passed away and was laid to rest in the cemetery at
Pleasantville. For his second wife Mr. Buchanan
chose Miss Clara Elnora Fink, a
native of Pleasant township and a daughter of William and
Mary Fink, both of whom are now deceased. Her mother
died when she was only three years of age. By that marriage
there were three children: Anna May. now
deceased, Frank W., who is employed as a clerk in the
Kirk House at Zanesville, and Thomas Whitney,
deceased. The mother of these children died May 3, 1889, and
the father afterward married Cassie May Ketner, a
native of Walnut township and a daughter of Benjamin
and Elizabeth Ketner, both of whom are
still living. This wedding was celebrated October 19, 1890,
and has been blessed with two children—Russell K. and
Clara Ruth. On the 24th of March, 1894, Mr.
Buchanan removed to Baltimore, where he purchased a
hotel and has since conducted business there, being the
popular and genial host of the Baltimore House, which is
receiving a liberal patronage and is a popular resort with
the traveling public. In his political views Mr.
Buchanan is a Democrat. Socially he is quite prominent.
He belongs to Fairfield Lodge, No. 163, I. O. O. F., which
he joined on the 5th of May, 1877, at Pleasantville. On. the
28th of June, 1880, he became a member of Walnut Valley
Encampment, No. 218, and is now a past patriarch. He also
belongs to Canton Ivanhoe, No. 10, at Lancaster, and is
quartermaster sergeant of the Fifth Regiment. He is a
charter member of the Rebecca lodge known as Chico Lodge,
No. 196. Of this his second wife was a charter member and
his present wife is also a member. Mr. Buchanan
was a charter member and one who filed the application for
the establishment of White Arrow Lodge, Knights of Pythias,
No. 341, at Pleasantville. on the 21st of May, 1889, and for
three years he has been its representative to the grand
lodge. He is also a charter member of Baltimore Lodge,
Knights of Pythias. No. 673, and for three years was its
representative to the grand lodge. He is likewise a charter
member of Chickasaw Tribe, No. 100, I. O. R. M., at
Thurston, Ohio. He is a man who has gained a wide
acquaintance throughout this county and possesses the
qualities which render him a capable and successful hotel
main. He gives close and earnest attention to the needs of
his guests, looks after their comfort and convenience and by
his genial, social manner he has gained a large circle of
friends, not only of this community, but amid the traveling
public.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901) |
JOHN T. BUSBY.
The life history of Judge John Theodore Busby is that
of one who is a high type of our American manhood -
straight-forward and enterprising, and in public office
placing the good of the community before
self-aggrandizement. For almost forty years he was
continuously in public office and over the record of his
official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion
of evil. There is particular satisfaction in reverting
to his history, for his mind bears the impress of the
historic pioneer days. He was born in the village of
Royalton, Fairfield county, on the 25th of September, 1827,
and on the paternal side is of Irish descent and on the
maternal of German lineage. His great-grandfather,
John Busby, was a native of Ireland and married Miss
Mary Stevens, a native of Scotland. He became the
founder of the family in America, as well as the first
representative of the name in this county. By trade he
was a carpenter and carried on business along that line
throughout his entire life in order to provide for his
family. His death occurred in the village of Royalton
in the year 1819.
Samuel S. Busby, the father of our subject, was
born on Royalton, January 28, 1798, - before the admission
of Ohio into the Union. He was a machinist and farmer
and was a representative and valued citizen of the community
in pioneer times. After arriving at years of maturity
he first married Catherine Trone, in 1819, and after
her death married Ann Maria Fetters, who was born in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania and came to Fairfield county,
Ohio, with her parents, John and Elizabeth (Dabler)
Fetters, when a child. It was in the year 1803
that her parents emigrated westward and cast in their lot
with the first settlers of this portion of the state.
Their first home was built of logs with a mud and stick
chimney and the furnishings were of a most primitive
character, but pioneer conditions were eventually placed by
the comforts and conveniences of an older civilization and
the pioneer families of which the Judge is a representative
became possessed of good homes and valuable farms. His
father died in this county in 1835 and his mother passed
away in 1832, leaving three children: John T.,
of this review; George W., a minister of the Lutheran
church; and Elizabeth, who died in childhood.
Mr. Busby was again married, his third wife being
Rachel Fetters.
The Judge was enabled to secure such educational
discipline as was afforded by the public schools of an early
day and later he attended a private school, while subsequent
to that period he became a student in Lancaster, under the
instruction of Professor Good. When he had
completed his education he began working at the cabinet
maker's trade, which he learned under the direction of
Henry Schultz, and was thus associated with the
improvement of Lancaster. After his marriage he
settled on a farm in Pleasant township, Fairfield county,
and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he
followed successfully for many years. His enterprise
and diligence enabled him to gradually advance to the plane
of affluence and he is now accounted one of the substantial
citizens of the county, having acquired a handsome
competence, which now permits him to retire from active
business life.
In the years of his early manhood Mr. Busby
sought a companion and helpmate for the journey of life and
was happily married to Miss Lavina Smetters, of
Fairfield county, a daughter of George and Susan Smetters,
honored pioneer people of this county. As the years
passed eleven children were added to the household:
Clara, the wife of James Robinson; Mary A.,
the wife of James Smith, of Walnut township;
Samuel F., of Columbus, Ohio; Charles G., a
farmer; James W., an operator for the Ohio Central
Railroad Company; Susan M., at home; Lavina J.,
the deceased wife of Mathias Miller; John T.,
who acted as his father's deputy in the office of county
treasurer, but is now deceased; Cora A., the wife of
S. A. Krepps, an insurance agent of Columbus;
Myrtle Belle, at home; and Sarah L., a clerk in
Lancaster County Bank. The wife and mother passed to
the home beyond in 1896.
The Judge is an unfaltering adherent of the Democracy,
endorsing the principles advocated by Jefferson. In
early manhood he was elected justice of the peace and filled
that position for twenty-five consecutive years, during
which time a number of cases which he tried were appealed,
but in on instance was his decision ever reversed.
During this time he acquired a very thorough knowledge of
common law. He afterward accepted the position of
deputy county treasurer and served for four years under
H. A. Martens and for a similar period under Michael
Hickle. Previous to that time he was for four
years trustee of the infirmary and was one of its directors
for three years. In 1884 he was elected probate judge
of Fairfield county and received nineteen hundred votes -
the largest number given to any man on the ticket. He
assumed the duties of the office in February, 1885, for a
term of three years, and in 1887 was re-elected to the same
office, in which he served until February, 1891, covering
six years, in which his fairness, impartiality and
capability won him high commendation, as when a justice his
decisions were never reversed. Such has been his
official career - the account thereof being as an open book
bearing the closest investigation and scrutiny.
For some time Judge Busby was president of the
Fairfield County Agricultural Society and his belongs to
Charity Lodge, No. 7, I. O. O. F., in which he passed all
the chairs. During the Civil war the Judge assisted in
organizing a company of militia, of which he was captain.
He was twice called out during the Morgan raid, but never
was in an engagement, as Morgan soon retreated. He is
a member and trustee of the Methodist church and his
influence has ever been on the side of right and progress.
He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's
journey, but still maintains an active interest in this
native county. He has attained to a position of
prominence in the county in which he was born and reared and
in which he has retained his residence to the present time,
being now one of the revered and venerable pioneers of the
community.
(Source: Biographical Record of Fairfield & Perry
Counties, Ohio - 1901) |
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