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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Stark County:
with an outline sketch of
Ohio
Chicago: Baskin & Battey,
1881
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Lake Twp. -
JEMIMA GAFF;
Greentown; is the widow of Samuel Smith, who was a
native of Franklin Co., Pa., where his childhood was passed.
In 1826 he came to Ohio, settling in Stark Co., where he
engaged in the tannery business, which business he
successfully conducted for several years. Mr. Smith
was a prominent man of Stark Co., and had held many offices
of trust and confidence, which he never betrayed, and by his
industry and economy had accumulated a handsome fortune.
He died in 1866, aged 64 years. His widow, the
above-named lady, was born in Armstrong Co., Pa., May 4,
1805, and is the only surviving one in a family of fourteen
children, born to James and Elizabeth Gaff, who were
natives of Westm_reland Co., Pa., where James Gaff
was engaged in farming. He located in Armstrong Co.
for a short time, and in 1807 he came across the mountains
to Ohio, settling in Plain Tp., Stark Co. and was among the
first settlers of the township, and experienced many dangers
and hardships at that early day. He remained a
resident of Plain Tp., up to the time of his death.
Mrs. Smith still lives in Greentown, being left in good
circumstances. She enjoys life, and is a pleasure to
the people among whom she lives. She is the mother of
four children - Matilda, wife of J. A. Borst;
L. E., W. S. and D. G.
Source: History of Stark County:
with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin &
Battey, 1881 - Page 939 |
City of Alliance -
JOHN G. GARRISON,
editor and proprietor of the Alliance Standard;
Alliance; was born in Powhattan, Belmont Co., Ohio, Feb. 22,
1855. He is the second son of a family of six children
of James W. and Amanda Garrison. His father was
for many years engaged in printing in Pittsburg and
Cincinnati. In 1859 he came to Alliance where he
became prominently identified with the newspaper interests.
When nine years old young Garrison entered the
printing business under the supervision of his father, who
was an experienced and practical printer he thus acquired a
thorough knowledge of the business which added to his
natural taste he became master of his chosen profession at
the age of 15. At this time, partly on account of ill
health and force of circumstances he accepted a clerkship in
the store of E. H. Brosius, which he retained for six
years, making for himself a creditable record for ability
and faithfulness. While thus engaged he continued
private study to better fit himself for newspaper work.
In 1876 he was elected Township Clerk and served one year,
declining a second nomination. Shortly after, himself
and partner leased the Alliance Monitor, but on
account of his partner's conduct, and to him unknown
embarrassment of the concern, he suffered pecuniary loss.
He then leased the job office of the Review for eight
months during which time he settled satisfactorily and in
full with the creditor and subscribers of the Monitor
which suspended when Mr. Garrison severed his
connection with it. He then became manager of the
Independent Age, and in 1878, at the solicitation of
various citizens he opened a job printing office, and before
his outfit was unboxed he had received unsolicited orders
for two months work. In 1880 he purchased the fixtures
of the Independent Age, and established the Alliance
Standard. Starting for himself at the age of
fifteen he struggled against financial embarrassment and ill
health, being also of frail physique, but by a manly and
independent course, marked by industry, faithfulness and
honesty, he gained the confidence and respect of the
community, and gathered around him a host of friends.
His early experience has made him a thorough and practical
printer. The "Garrison Steam Printing House" has
attained a high reputation for the neatness and superior
quality of its work. June 28, 1880, he married
Nettie S., daughter of Asbury and Mary P. A. Reno,
of Rochester, Penn. He is united with the M. E.
Church, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.
Source: History of Stark County:
with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin &
Battey, 1881 - Page 725 |
Bethlehem Twp. -
ALEX GARVER, druggist, Navarre; was
born in the village of Navarre, Ohio, Feb. 24, 1839; he is a
son of John W. and Elizabeth (Weisbroad) Garver, the
former being a native of Baden, Germany, and the latter of
Berne, Switzerland. The father was a carpenter by
trade, and, when a young man, went to Switzerland to obtain
more work, and while there married our subject's mother.
He resided in this beautiful little republic until about
1834, when, seeing thousands of his countrymen flocking
Westward, he determined to cross the Atlantic with his
family, to that new El Dorado that was draining Europe of
all its freedom-loving people; he located in Navarre, Ohio,
on his arrival in the United States, and for a time found
employment on the Ohio Canal; for many years preceding his
death, he worked at his trade, and at one time, while
building a dam across the Tuscarawas River, was severely
injured by an accident. Previous to the breaking-out
of our great civil war, Mr. Garver advocated the
Democratic cause, but, when he saw Republicans adhering with
fidelity to the Union, his views changed, and he became a
Republican, and as such remained until his death. He
was an honest, upright citizen, and a man highly esteemed by
all who knew him; his death occurred Oct. 28, 1879; his
widow still survives him, and resides in Navarre.
Alex Garver is one in a family of eleven children, nine
of whom are yet living; when 12 years of age, he began
working in a hotel in his native village, but, at the end of
three years, discontinued this and entered the employ of
Dr. Leeper as clerk in his drug store; at the end of six
years, he purchased the stock of his employer, and has ever
since continued the business. Jan. 1, 1861, he was
united in marriage with Miss Chrissie Stahl, and to
their union were born three children - Laura G.,
Milton S. and Cora B.; the last named is dead.
Mrs. Garver was born in Navarre, Ohio, May 9, 1842.
In 1860, Mr. Garver was appointed Postmaster at
Navarre, a position he has since held, with the exception of
a short time during President Johnson's
administration; he has held various town and township
offices; is a stanch Republican in politics, and a
successful business man.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline
sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 -
Page 985 |
City of Alliance -
FRANK W. GASKELL,
grocer; Alliance; was born where he now resides, Jan. 28,
1858. His father, William Gaskill, was a native
of Ohio, and learned the carpenter's trade, and was
prominently engaged contracting and building in this
vicinity at an early date. He married Catharine
McDungan, who came here from Ireland with a sister, in
1849. Mr. Gaskill died in 1860, leaving a widow
and four small children, viz. - Ellen, Ava, now
Mrs. John W. Bowden, Frank W. and Anna. Frank
W. got a fair education in the Alliance public schools,
and when eighteen years of age conceived the idea of opening
a grocery at the residence located in the old part of the
town known as Freedom, and although he had nothing to begin
with, he was trusted for some goods, and begun on a very
small scale, being industrious and of good business
qualifications he has built up an admirable and profitable
trade. Every effort has been met with success, and
since he has begun business he has purchased the interests
of the other heirs in the old homestead. His mother,
widow Gaskill, married James Hunter, for her
second husband, by whom she has one son.
Source: History of Stark County:
with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin &
Battey, 1881 - Page 725 |
City of Alliance -
P. J. GAUME, dry goods merchant.
Alliance; was born near Louisville, Stark Co., Ohio, in
April, 1844; the son of Louis and Josephine (Faivre)
Gaume, who were natives of France, and emigrated to the
United States about 1835. Five of their eight children
are still living. Mrs. Gaume died in 1856, and
Mr. Gaume married a second wife. The boyhood of
our subject was spent on the farm until about 20 years of
age, when he went to Ft. Wayne, Ind., and clerked there two
years in the dry goods business. At the expiration of
that time he returned home, and accepted a position as clerk
with the Haines Bros., which he retaind four years,
and gained for himself a desirable record for industry and
faithfulness. When he severed his connection with the
Haines Bros., he engaged with the firm of King,
Weekert & Warren, where he remained about six years.
He married Miss Nancy R. Haines, Sept. 9, 1873, and
they have one child, Harry H. He remained two
years with Mr. King, subsequent to some changes in
the firm, and when King & Co., removed to Paris,
Mr. Gaume began business for himself, and by economy and
adaptability and the help of Mrs. Gaume, who was also
familiar with that line of business in her brother's
establishment, out of a limited capital they have built up a
good and prosperous trade.
Source: History of Stark County:
with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin &
Battey, 1881 - Page 725 |
Paris Twp. -
G.
J. GESZNER, farmer; P. O. Robertsville; was born Nov.
3, 1837, in Cincinnati, O.; a son of George L. and
Catharine (Weirman) Geszner, natives of Prussia; sailed
for the United States in 1818; and his father continued his
trade as baker in Philadelphia. In 1836 they removed
to Cincinnati; his parents returned to Philadelphia, and
after a short residence removed to Stark Co. in 1847, and
purchased 142 acres. George L. Geszner died in
1865, leaving the estate to the subject of this sketch and
Elizabeth wife of Valentine Mong.
The farm being willed to George, he has improved it
with a fine residence where he enjoys the felicities of
single life. In politics Mr. Geszner votes the
Democratic ticket. He is a member of the Lutheran
Church at Robertsville and a strong supporter of the same
financially.
Source: History of Stark County: with an
outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey,
1881 - Page 868 |
City of Alliance -
CURTIS GODDARD,
manufacturer of the "Right Speedy" Corn Sheller; Alliance;
was born in Hartford Co., Conn., July 22, 1823. His
parents were Joab and Martha Goddard, both natives of
Connecticut. They reared two children to maturity, viz
- Curtis and Rollin H. The father was a
blacksmith by trade, but finally turned his attention to
farming. When Curtis was about eight weeks old,
the family moved to Ohio, and located at Windsor, Ashtabula
Co., where they remained about a year, when they removed to
Deerfield, Portage Co., where they remained about five
years, and from thence went to Edinburgh, where the old
folks died many years ago. In youth, Curtis
assisted his father at the blacksmith's trade, but when he
grew to manhood he diverged to the carpenter's and joiner's
trade, which he followed some time. In 1849 he
returned to his native State, and engaged in the Collin's
Ax Factory, of Collinsville, Conn., for some time, and
thence went to Pine Meadow, and worked there about a year
and a half in Chapin's Tool Factory, and then
returned to the old homestead in Edinburgh, O., where he
farmed several years. He married Miss S. P. Jones,
daughter of Thos. Jones, of Portage Co. They
have two children - Minnie S., now Mrs. C. B.
Haines, and Clarence A. Mr. Goddard is of
an inventive turn of mind, and has secured various patents,
among which we mention a machine for turning bedstead pins,
which was extensively used while the cording method was in
use, also a clothes line holder. In 1869 he came to
Alliance, and engaged occasionally at joiners' work,
erecting a good residence for himself. In 1875 he
began work on his "Right Speedy" corn sheller, which was
patented 1877, since which was patented 1877, since which
time he has devoted his attention to manufacturing,
producing about 8,000 shellers annually, which are sold all
over the United States, and some in Europe, principally in
Bulgaria, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. July 31,
1879, the Italian government granted to Mr. Goddard a
diploma and silver medal, demonstrating the favor with which
this inexpensive sheller was met. Considering the
utility and trifling expense to the purchaser as well as its
durability, we doubt if its equal has ever been offered to
the public.
Source: History of Stark County:
with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin &
Battey, 1881 - Page 725 |
Bethlehem Twp.
-
JOSEPH GOEPFERT, Navarre. This
gentleman was born in Alsace, France, in 1821; he is one of
a family of four children born to John and Mary (Hartman)
Goepfert. when Joseph was a small boy, his
father died, and in 1835 the mother, with the family, came
to the United States. They stopped for about a year in
New York, and then came to Ohio and located in Stark
County. The family were in limited circumstances, and
for some years endured numerous privations and hardships.
The mother died in 1862; he was a woman of great executive
ability, a kind and loving mother and a consistent
Christian. Joseph, during his youth, received
but little education; as he grew older, he saw the need of
an education, and, by applying himself to his studies at odd
times, acquired quite a good education. When about 19
years of age, he began working on the Ohio Canal, in the
employ of the State; he remained in the employ of the State
some eighteen years, his services being highly prized; few
men have done more honest work for the State than Mr.
Goepfert, and few have the confidence of the people to a
greater extent. He was married, in 1842, to Miss
Margaret Armstrong, who was born in Tuscarawas Co.,
Ohio, June 10, 1816; five children were born to this union -
Joseph, Matilda and Melissa, living; John
and Mary, deceased. Mrs. Goepfert died
in 1880. Mr. Goepfert was married to Mrs.
Mary Halterman July 5, 1881; she was born in Tuscarawas
Co., Ohio, in 1825. Mr. Goepfert began life as
a poor boy, and is, in the fullest sense of the word, a
self-made man; he owns 109 acres of well-improved land; he
is a Democrat in politics, and has held positions of honor
and trust in Bethlehem Township. The county would be
much better off had it more such men as Mr. Goepfert.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline
sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 -
Page 986 |
Osnaburg Twp. -
WILLIAM BERRY
GOODIN, deceased, whose
residence was in Osnaburg Tp., Stark Co., was born in
Fayette Co., Penn., June 26, 1814. He came to Ohio
with his parents when 2 years of age, settling in Wayne
County, near Mt. Eaton. The day following their
arrival, the neighbors, five in number, all then living in
the township, met together, cut down the trees and built a
cabin, the family moving in the second day, living and
lodging in it without a door for over a week - while the
woods around was full of wild animals. Often in the
night time was the mother awakened by the bowling of wolves,
when she would reach out to ascertain if there children were
all there. Mr. Goodin's youth was filled with
incidents common to frontier life. His educational
opportunities were extremely limited. At the age of
18, he began teaming for his father from Wooster to
Pittsburgh. At 25, his father fitted him out with a
five-horse team, to do for himself. At the age of 27
he married Joanna Springer, of New Lisbon, Ohio, and
soon after purchased and settled upon a farm in Osnaburg Tp.,
Stark Co., thought he continued teaming to and from
Pittsburgh some years after. For two seasons he ran a
canal boat from Massillon to Cleveland, and was popular with
freighters as he was reliable and trustworthy. In
1852, he abandoned freighting and retired upon his farm,
giving his entire attention to his family and farm. In
character, he was honest, humane and charitable. If he
had an enemy, it was not known. Though not a member of
the church, he was a strict observer of the Sabbath Day.
During our civil war he was a strong supporter of the Union
cause and an active agent for the Townships of Osnaburg and
Paris in procuring substitutes for the draft. After an
illness of one week, he died July 22, 1878 - aged 64 years
and 26 days. His wife survived him, with seven out of
a family of nine children. Two a son and a daughter,
died in infancy. Four of the remaining seven are
married. One son resides in Huntington Co., Ind.
The others in Stark County. He had sixteen
grand-children.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline
sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 -
Page 1012 |
Bethlehem Twp.
-
WILLIAM C. GRANT, Navarre; was born in
Washington Co., Penn., Feb. 23, 1818; he is one in a family
of fourteen born to Joseph and Margaret (Crawford) Grant;
Joseph Grant, his father, was a native of New Jersey,
from which State he removed with his parents when about 2
years old; during the spring of 1833, he came to Stark Co.,
Ohio, locating in Sugar Creek Township, where he began
farming, and where he resided until his death, on the 7th of
December, 1864, aged 76 years; his widow died May 6, 1879.
Mr. Grant was a sober, hard-working man, and an
exemplary citizen; he started in life poor, but showed
sufficient business sagacity to leave 400 acres of land at
his death. Up to Van Buren's administration, he was a
Democrat, but from that time to his death he voted with the
Whigs and Republicans. He was a man of sound judgment,
with a deep sense of honor and uprightness. William
C. Grant was reared upon a farm, receiving a
common-school education. At the age of 23, he
commenced clerking in a store in Navarre, at which he
continued about a hear; he then commenced the life of a
drover, buying horses, cattle and sheep, and then driving
them across the country to Philadelphia, Harrisburg and
Lancaster, where he would dispose of his property at a
handsome profit; he continued in this for some fifteen
years, during which time he had saved sufficient amount of
his earnings to invest in real estate at different times,
until he now has 1,300 acres of land, 465 of which are in
Stark County, 380 acres in Knox Co., Ohio, and the rest near
Lansing, Mich. For the past twenty years, he has
farmed, raised stock and dealt in real estate. He was
united in marriage with Miss Ruth Johnson Apr. 16,
1850, and to them were born six children - James J.,
Edward L., Horace S., Della, William V., and Mary I.,
deceased. Mr. Grant is a Republican in politics,
but has steadily refused to take an active part, as he
wished to confine his attention to his farm. He is a
progressive and enterprising citizen, and one of the best
farmers and citizen of Bethlehem Township.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline
sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 -
Page 986 |
City of Alliance -
E. WILSON GRAY,
banker; Alliance; was born in Salem, Ohio, Apr. 20, 1825.
He was the only son and fourth child born to William and
Edith (Glover) Gray, in a family of seven children.
the latter was a native of New Jersey, and the former of
Pennsylvania, where they were married, and moved into Ohio
at any early date. His parents were farmers, and in
those pursuits Mr. Gray's boyhood was spent.
Subsequent to his mother's death, his father traded off the
farm, and entered into the mercantile business in Limaville,
this county. At this time Mr. Gray was about 15
years of age, and had received some knowledge of the
elementary branches taught in the common schools of that
time. His opportunities for obtaining a thorough
education were very limited, as he was taken into the store
of his father at that time, and continued there for five
years, when he began to read medicine with Dr. Day,
who was also a merchant of Limaville, and with whom Mr.
Gray remaind in his study three years. At the
expiration of this time he was employed by Dr. Day in
the capacity of clerk, where he remained about one year;
thence to Deerfield, in same capacity for about six months,
when he returned to Limaville and opened a store of general
merchandise on his own account in 1848 and conducted it
until 1851. He removed to Deerfield again, and in
partnership with Isaac Wilson, opened a store there,
with several changes in the firm. Mr. Gray
continued in the mercantile business until 1868, when he
came to Alliance and entered into partnership with a. W.
Coates, in the manufacture of horse hay-rakes, which
continued until 1874. while he was yet engaged in the
manufacturing business, he was also interested in the firm
of Griener, Steel & Co., bankers, and on withdrawing
from the firm of Coates, Gray & Co., was formed the
present partnership of Lamborn & Gray, in 1875.
He married Juliette Clark, Oct. 10, 1849; her father,
Richard Clark and family, came from Massachusetts.
By this union one child was born, Helen F., who died
in childhood. Mr. Gray is an active member of
the following secret societies, viz: Masonic, I. O. O. F.,
Knights of Honor, and American Legion of Honor. On May
6, 1881, Mrs. Gray departed this life in her 71st
year.
Source: History of Stark County:
with an outline sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin &
Battey, 1881 - Page 726 |
Onasburg Twp. -
REV. JOHN M. GRETHER, Osnaburg.
Out of the numerous congregations in the village of Osnaburg
there is at present only one resident minister, the Rev.
John M. Grether, of the Reformed Church of the United
States, born in Niederweilder, Grand Duchy Baden-Baden,
Germany, Dec. 22, 1828, his parents being John J. and
Catharine (Eberhart) Grether. His father died in
1841 when John M. was but 12 years of age. He
received a thorough common-school education in the German
Schools. After his 14th year, he continued his course
of study in a religious direction, laboring in vacations for
a number of years with his relatives, in the bakery
business. June 21, 1847, Mr. G., with his
mother and their family of eight children, sailed from Havre
for America, arriving Aug. 2. They moved first to
Canton, Ohio. Mr. G. engaged himself in the
bakery and confectionery business at Akron, O. Tiring
of this, he began a course of medicine under Dr. John
Weimer of that city, completing his medical education in
the Cleveland Medical College. Practiced three years
at Wooster. A severe type of diphtheria breaking out
at New Philadelphia, Dr. G. was called to that
locality to treat the disease among the Germans. He
continued his practice in this place very successfully four
yeas. The last two years he served as County Physician
at the Infirmary. The many scenes of suffering and
dying incident to the medical profession, called forth the
more serious part of Mr. Grether's nature, and he
took up a course of theological reading during hi last year
of medical practice, and even before he was ordained
minister, he was called to various fields of church labor by
the ministry of the Reformed Church. In 1862 - 63 he
took a special course in theology, being ordained as
minister of the holy gospel in 1863. His appointment
by the Synod was for Medina and Ashland Counties, serving
three congregations and establishing a fourth at Ashland.
In 1867 was sent to Warren, Ohio, where he labored for six
years. During his administration he lifted the entire
debt of $1,800 from the small congregation of Youngstown.
In 1873, Mr. G. was called to Hartville, Stark Co.,
serving the three congregations of Hartville, Randolph and
Limaville. In the spring of 1877 he began his pastoral
labors in Osnaburg, serving at present three congregations,
besides the village one at Strasburg, which he organized
Mar. 16, 1879. The St. Martin's, east of Osnaburg, is
the third congregation. They have a communicant
membership of 230. Mr. G. was deprived of his
first wife Mar. 5, 1854. Dec. 17, 1854, he was
remarried. This union was blessed with ten children,
six sons and four daughters, all living - Frank, the
eldest, is in his 26th year; at present is minister
and tutor in the Mission College, Franklin, Wis.; William
is in the same school; Emma is wife of J. J.
Broumbach; Louisa, the second daughter, is teaching;
John, Amanda, Anna, Frederick, Alfred and George.
Mr. Grether stands high among his people, and is an
earnest laborer among them, in all branches of
ecclesiastical labor, constantly holding extra services
through the week.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline
sketch of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 -
Page 841 |
Washington Twp.
-
JACOB GROSSMAN, farmer and
school-teacher; P. O. Paris; born in Carroll County June 9,
1844; son of Christian and Elizabeth (Waldhart) Grossman
who were born in the Canton of Berne, in Switzerland; they
emigrated to America in 1834 and settled in Carroll County,
where Christian died in February, 1864; his wife died
in April, 1877; they were the parents of ten children; five
are dead; the balance are now residents of Stark County,
viz.: Lucinda, now Mrs. Nicholas Zintsmaster,
of Navarre; Margaret, now Mrs. Daniel Black,
near Onasburg; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jacob Snyder,
of Onasburg; Catharine, now Mrs. Christian
Schweisberger, of Nimishillen Township; and Jacob
Grossman, subject of this sketch, who was for
twenty-eight years a resident of Carroll County; he received
a common-school education, and at the age of 17 commenced to
teach school, and he has taught every winter since that
time, or for twenty winter terms. During the civil
war, he was a member of the Ohio National Guards, and as
such was called into active service for 126 days, serving in
the 157th Regiment, under Col. McCook. In 1864,
he purchased 80 acres in Carroll County, and farmed this
until he removed to Washington Township, where he now owns a
fine farm of 77 acres. He was married, Oct. 3,
1865, to Miss Elizabeth Foltz, daughter of
Valentine Foltz; by her he is the father of five
children, viz., Flora Alice, John Edward, Martha
Elizabeth, Emma Melinda and Ida Cordelia.
Politically, he is a Republican, and has served as trustee
in Brown Twp., Carroll Co., he is now Secretary of the
Washington and Paris Township Insurance Company, and was
instrumental in securing the incorporation of this
association; he is a member of the Reformed Church, and
connected with the congregation of Paris, of which society
he is Secretary; has been a Sunday-school worker ever since
he was 15, and has occupied the position of Superintendent
of the Paris Sunday School ever since he removed to
Washington Township.
Source: History of Stark County: with an outline sketch
of Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, 1881 - Page 1001 |
NOTES:
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