Muskingum County OH

Slave Narrative of Ben Brown

Interviewer: Albert I Dugan Person Interviewed: Ben Brown Location: Keen St., Zanesville, Ohio Age: 100 Occupation: Railroad worker Yes suh I wuz a slave in Vaginyah, Alvamaul (Albermarle) county an’ I didn’t have any good life, I’m tellin’ you dat! It wuz a tough life. I don’t know how old I am, dey never told me down dere, but the folks here say I’m a hunderd yeah old an’ I spect dats about right. My fathah’s name wuz Jack Brown and’ my mammy’s Nellie Brown. Dey wuz six of us chillun, one sistah Hannah an’ three brothers, Jim, Harrison, an’ … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William F. Riley

William F. Riley, is a well known banker of Topeka but he laid the foundation of his prosperity as a farmer and stock raiser in Wabaunsee County. He had been a resident of the state since 1883, and his family is one that had performed its full share of services in the development of the Sunnflower Commonwealth during the last thirty-three years. Born in Muskingum County, Ohio, January 10, 1871, William F. Riley is the youngest of eight children. His parents were John and Christiann (McDonald) Riley. During his residence in Ohio his father followed sheep raising and farming. On … Read more

Biography of Robert A. Lovitt

Robert A. Lovitt. As president of the Saline County Bar Association, Robert A. Lovitt’s professional status with his brethren may be judged, but his reputation in business, politics, social life and on the lecture platform extends all over the state. He had been a valued resident of Salina since August 5, 1876. Robert A. Lovitt was born in his father’s primitive log cabin in Muskingum County, Ohio, October 10, 1851. His parents were Evan J. and Leah (Stamats) Lovitt, he of English ancestry and she of German revolutionary stock. The father of Mr. Lovitt was born in New Jersey, was … Read more

Biography of Judge James Neal McGee

Judge James Neal McGee, now in his third consecutive term as probate judge of Rice County, was one of the early settlers in the county and had lived here continuously for almost forty years. Judge McGee had that depth of character which is due to a long and diversified experience in practical affairs and in dealings with men. All these qualifications he had brought to his present position, where he had been instrumental in the delicate adjustment of human relationships and of property matters such as come before the probate tribunal. Judge McGee was born near Mount Zion in Muskingum … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Geyer

George Geyer, farmer; P.O. Kansas; born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, May 8, 1832, where he followed farming until 1857, when he removed to East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., Ill.. and located upon the old Donica farm, where he commenced farming with a capital of 825 cash and a team only partly paid for; he immediately went to work making improvements, which he continued until January, 1863, when he sold his improvements for $500, and purchased his present place, where he has since lived; his first purchase upon his present place was for 111 acres, upon which he made a payment … Read more

Blue Rock Baptist Cemetery, Blue Rock Township, Muskingum County Ohio

Junction of Roads 79 and 226 ALEXANDER Robert, 1837 – 1912 Margaret, 1833 – 1922 Dorcas A., 1872 – 1892 Mary C., 1867 – 1876 Leslie W., 1870 – 1946 ALLISON John T., 1846 – 1928 Mary P., 1859 – 1936 Infant dau., d. 3 Aug. 1898 Thomas I, d. 20 Aug. 1900, ae. 2 mos., 25 days ANDERS David, 1869 – ____ Loudema, 1867 – 1951 APPERSON Margaret J., b. 18 Nov. 1830, d. 22 May 1902 F. H., b. 24 Aug. 1828 Eli M., 1862 – 1914 Thedosia, 1872 – 1909 Infant son, 1897 – 1897 ARGO Merinda … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Ricketts

William Ricketts, land agent and conveyancer, Charleston; was born in Alleghany Co., Md., March 3, 1813; his father, Joshua Ricketts was of an old Maryland family in Colonial days; his mother was Sarah Taylor, a daughter of John Taylor, of Connecticut, who was a soldier of the Revolution, and was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill and afterward at the battle of Brandywine; Mr. Ricketts’ parents removed, in 1813, to Zanesville, Ohio; he is the seventh in age of a family of thirteen; he was raised on a farm. He was first married Sept. 11, 1834, in Putnam, Ohio, … Read more

Biography of Judge Nathan Baker

Judge Nathan Baker, of Santa Ana, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, March 10, 1817. His parents, Nathan and Mary (Blizzard) Baker, both natives of Virginia, had three sons and two daughters. The subject of this sketch, the youngest and only one living, started west at the age of eighteen years, stopping first in Washington County, Iowa, and then in Lee County, same State, where he followed farming until 1849. In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate by that county, and at the close of his first term he resigned in order to come to California. He came … Read more

Through Ohio And Kentucky

Sunday, Oct. 18.–Myself and friend proceeded on our journey. We arrived at Siers, a distance of thirty miles, at dusk, much relieved by the change from our horses to the wagon. The roads were muddy, the weather drizzly and the country hilly. Buildings indifferent. The land very fertile and black. Trees uncommonly tall. Passed the little village of Cadis. In this country a tavern, a store, a smith shop and two or three cabins make a town. Passed ten or fifteen travelers. Great contrast between the quality of the land from Chambersburg to Pittsburg, and that which we have already … Read more

Biography of John H. Moorehead

J. H. Moorehead came to Ida County in June, 1856. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, September 21, 1808. He was a son of Thomas Moorehead who was of Scotch ancestry. He had been engaged in shipping flour down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. In 1854, Mr. Moorehead came to Iowa City, Iowa, where he remained until 1856, when he and his family came to Ida County. He took an active part in all public affairs and assisted in the upbuilding of the county. He had been a man of business for many years and shouldered the … Read more

Genealogy of Linzie Otis Stoneburner

Linzie O., son of John M. and Margaret Stoneburner, continued living on a farm near Herrick. On the 25 April 1901 he married Ella Alice Miller, daughter of Benedict and Lucie Spockwell Miller. Linzie and Ella had a family of four children. In January of 1931, “about 40 neighbors and friends gathered at the home of L. O. Stoneburner and family to spend the evening. Following are the names of those present: Charles McKittrick and wife; Hubert Smart and family; Ellis Corley and wife; Arthur Salmons and family; Mrs. Lamora Manuel and children; Lawrence Stoneburner and family; Dorothy Campbell; John … Read more

Biography of Thomas J. Reynolds

Thomas J. Reynolds. The “Poot of the Wakarusa” was the title bestowed upon that beloved old pioneer of that section, Thomas J. Reynolds. He was a man better versed in the arts and skill of the woodsman, the plainsman, the humter, the miner and the pioneer than making poetry, but there was a fine spirit dwelling in his nature, and it found expression in such a way as to bring him the title above noted. He arrived in Kansas in 1854 and pre-empted land near where Wakarusa now stands. Thomas J. Reynolds was a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, born in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Walter Kelley

Kelley, Samuel Walter; physician, surgeon; born, Adamsville, Muskingum County, O., Sept. 15, 1855; son of Walter and Selina Catherine (Kaemmerer) Kelley; preparatory education, public schools, Zanesville, O., and St. Joseph, Mich.; M. D., Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 1884; also studied in hospitals in London; married Amelia Kemmerlein, of Wooster, O., July 2, 1884; chief dept. of diseases of children, Polyclinic, Western Reserve University, 1886-1893; prof. diseases of children, Cleveland College Physicians and surgeons (Med. Dept. Ohio Wesleyan University), since 1893; pediatrist City and St. Luke’s hospitals; pediatrist and orthopedist St. Clair Hospital; surgeon-in-chief Holy Cross Home for Crippled and Invalid … Read more

Biography of Isaac W. Hazelett, M. D.

Isaac W. Hazelett, M. D., one of the longest in practice in San Bernardino, and a leading member of the medical profession in this county, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 6, 1855; was reared from infancy till seventeen years of age at Zanesville, Ohio, and received his early education in the public schools of that city and in the Ohio Wesleyan University. He prosecuted his medical studies in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating therefrom in March 1879, having been resident house physician in the hospital for a year previous. After graduation he spent two years in the hospital, … Read more

Biography of Lemuel L. Hambelton

In the course of the compilation of the history of Union and Wallowa counties we seldom are favored with the privilege of writing the career of a more worthy citizen and stanch and noble man than at the present time, while we attempt to outline the life of the capable and respected gentleman whose name is at the head of this article. Mr. Hambelton is one of the true pioneers of the country: has always labored for the development and advancement of the same: he is a capable and intelligent citizen, displaying loyalty and patriotism in commendable degree: he has … Read more

Biography of William Dozier

William Dozier, architect and builder, Mattoon; was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Sept. 12, 1836; his grandfather came from Pennsylvania to Ohio as early as 1810, and settled in Muskingum Co., when that section of country was a wilderness; his father was then a lad of some 8 or 9 summers; through want of opportunity, the education of his father was not extended beyond spelling, he never having read a day in school; he was a man, however, of good native ability, and, through his own exertions, obtained a fair education; he served nine years as Justice of the Peace; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sherman W. Roberts

Sherman W. Roberts, farmer; P. O. Oakland; born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Jan. 11, 1852; he attended school here until 9 years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., in September, 1860 (his father at that time purchasing upward of two hundred acres upon Sec. 6, where he still resides); he attended school here during the winter and assisted his father farming in the summer, until he attained his majority; he then engaged in farming a part of his father’s farm on shares for three years, when he bought … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Roberts

Thomas Roberts, farmer; P. O. Oakland; was born in Loudoun Co., Va., Oct. 12, 1802, where he lived and engaged in farming until 1830, when he emigrated to Muskingum Co., Ohio, and engaged in farming until 1860, at which date he removed to Illinois and located upon his present place in East Oakland Tp., Coles Co., where he has since lived and followed farming. He married Feb. 7, 1828, to Alice Mock; she was born in Virginia Nov. 8, 1808; they have nine children now living, having lost three by death; the names of the living are Mary E. (now … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Emmet J. Strong

Strong, Emmet J.; hardware; born, Huntsburg, O., Jan. 31, 1862; son of Lyman and Ludia Curtis Strong; educated, public schools and Austinburg; married, June 7, 1893, Lenora Goodwin; issue; two sons, Lester, 17, and Stuart, 9; in 1893, organized The Curtiss Steel Roofing Co., located at Niles, O.; in 1900, reorganized and enlarged the business, moving to Zanesville, O., building a sheet and steel mill, operating under the name of The Muskingum Valley Steel Co.; in 1902, sold out in the above company, and came to Cleveland, purchasing an interest in the J. M. and L. A. Osborn Co.; connected … Read more

Biography of Hon. Miles C. Moore

HON. MILES C. MOORE. – The gentleman whose name gives title to this brief memoir was born April 17, 1845, in the little village of Rix Mills, Muskingum County, Ohio, where his well known and widely respected parents resided. When he was twelve years of age, the family removed to Wisconsin, where for six years he attended school at Bronson Institute, a seat of learning conducted under the auspices of the Methodist church. Inspired with a spirit of adventure, through a perusal of the explorations of Bonneville, Frémont and others, and desiring to better his fortune, he resolved to brave … Read more