MEIGS COUNTY OHIO - BIOS: Chester Township (Hardesty's published 1883) [1] *************************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. *************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Merry Anne Pierson tfsengnr@worldnet.att.net May 31, 1999 *************************************************************************** Biographies from the Personal History section of Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia, (1883),HH Hardesty & Co. Publishers, Chicago and Toledo. Chester Township:( first installment) John Q. Adams: was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, February 21, 1833 , and came to Meigs county when he was three years of age, and has since then made his home in this county.Here he was married, September 11, 1869, Rebecca Sibert on that date becoming his wife. They have two daughters, Emma, born 1 April 1871, and Jennie S. , born 28 January, 1880. By a former marriage, entered upon October 21, 1855, with Emeline Peoples, John Q. Adams became the father of : Marcus A., born 11 August , 1856, who lives in this county; Ida M., May 21, 1858, resides with her father; Joseph E., March 1 , 1860, lives in this county; Addison, January 26, 1862 and William P., 3 October 1865, live at home. The first wife of Mr. Adams was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, 26 April 1836, a daughter of Robert and Anna E. (Palmer) Peoples, and she died 22 July 1867. John and Elizabeth (Johnson) Adams, parents of John Q., settled in Meigs county in 1836, and the mother died here in 1869. John Adams is also deceased, his death occurring in the county in November, 1879. N. D. and Louisa (Johnson) Sybarite, also came to Meigs county in 1836, and here their daughter Rebecca was born, 14 February, 1850. Mrs. Sybarite died on the 15th of November, 1867. John Q. Adams served 100 days in the war of 1861, in the 140th Ohio National Guards. two of his present wife's brothers, Abraham and Peter Sibert, were soldiers in that war, and Peter died in the service. John Q. Adams is proprietor of the Adam's grist and saw mills, and is doing a large and profitable business, also engaging in the buying of wheat and other grain. He may be addressed at Keno, Meigs county, Ohio. Henry Betz, Jr.: is a native of Germany, born at Hesse-Darmstadt, September 11, 1824, and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Glitsh, was born in the same country and the same province, July 25, 1828. Their marriage was consummated in Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1850, and their children are ten, eight living and two deceased, with the following record: William, born April 17,1851, died 21 may 1853; Charley, 29 April 1853; Ellen (Shatz), 5 August , 1855; Sophia (Raush), March 9, 1858; Elizabeth (Ihle), September 15,1859; Louisa (holder), December 5, 1861 - these five living in homes of their own in Meigs county; Mary . April 22, 1864, lives at home; George W., March 18, 1867, died July 18, 1868; Margaretta, September 3, 1869, and Lodemia, April 14, 1872, who live at home. John and Julia (Betz) Glitsh, parents of Mrs. Mary Betz, died in Germany, the former in 1870, and the latter, 29 June 1846. The parents of henry Betz, jr. , henry and Mary Betz, also died in Germany, his mother in 1837 , at the age of 43 years, and his father in 1870, at the age of 81 years. Henry Betz, jr., left Germany in 1849, landed in New York, went thence to Pennsylvania , and lived there seven years. He then came to Meigs county, and for two years lived in Pomeroy, settling in Chester township in 1856. He sold the first farm he owned in this township, and then bought the one he now owns and cultivates, and on which he has lived for 16 years. During the 1861 war he participated in the Morgan raid. He has been three years supervisor in Chester township, and twelve years school director. Minersville, Meigs county, Ohio , is his post office address. Presley S. Brown: one of the farming residents of Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio, settled here in 1856. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, September 17, 1838, a son of John R. and Mary (Beck) Brown. his marriage was consummated in Meigs county, December 30, 1868, and his wife is Margaret R., daughter of James C. and Hannah (Toland) Moore. They settled in Meigs county in 1838, and their daughter was born, December 31, 1838. Five children gladden the home of Mr. and Mrs. Presley S. Brown, born as follows: James H., January 9, 1870; Ella E., September 17, 1871; Hannah G., June 11, 1874; Anson H., August 23 , 1876; William P., July 20,1879. During the war of the Rebellion, Presley S. Brown enlisted, in October 1861, in the 63rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C., and served until honorably discharged, October 12, 1864. He was in all the engagements of his regiment; was once made prisoner , and lay in Andersonville prison two months, until exchanged. He receives his mail at Bashan, Meigs county, Ohio. George Buck: was born in Steuben county, New York, October 2, 1830, a son of William and Jerusha (Rose) Buck. His mother died in 1857, and his father is now residing in Wisconsin, at the age of 83. In Athens county, Ohio, May 27, 1852, George Buck and Ara A Becker were joined in wedlock, and in 1859, they made their home in Meigs county. They have seven children with the following record: Addie R. (Parker), born July 7, 1853, lives in Meigs county; Zernua L., (Blakenship), October 10, 1854, lives in this county; Clara A., March 27, 1856, lives at home; Flora T., (Hawley) , resides in Meigs county; Warren, July 18, 1859, lives in Meigs county; James P., September 22 , 1861, lives in Adair county, Missouri; Effie, July 5, 1870, lives at home. Mrs. Buck was born in Athens county, this State, May 3, 1833, and her parents were James and Louisa (Worthen) Becker. They came to Meigs county in 1876, and her father died in this county in 1879. She had seven brothers in the war of 1861: James S., William W., Seldon C., Rufus W., E. Wesley, Wallace G., Jehiel C.. All were faithful soldiers and served through the war unharmed. George Buck enlisted in the same war, in October , 1861, in the 7th Ohio Battery, and served three years. His brother Hiram was in the same command. Mr. Buck is serving his second term as justice of the peace, and is a prosperous farmer of Chester township, receiving his mail at Keno, Meigs county, Ohio. Andrew Byrne, jr.: was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1818, and his parents were Andrew Byrne, sr., who died in Cincinnati, in 1822, and Rosanna (Ringwood) Byrne, who died in 1832, in Cincinnati, with the cholera. At the age of nine years, Andrew Byrne, jr., came to Sutton township, Meigs county, Ohio, and made his home with an uncle, William Carleton. They moved to Bedford township, where he continued with his uncle until 21 years of age. He then hired out to the Pomeroy Coal Company, and worked three years as a hand on a flat boat, and then five years as pilot for the same company. After that he was pilot on steamboats for the same company fifteen years, and then went back to farming , on account of poor health. Farming has ever since been his occupation. December 15, 1855, in this county he married Lucinda Laubner, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 3, 1832. her parents died in Meigs county, where they settled in 1839. John Laubner, sr., her father, died in October, 1867, aged 76, and her mother, whose maiden name was Margaret E. Bitterman, died June 23, 1857, aged 63 years and three months. Her brother, Andrew Laubner, was a soldier of the 1861 war, serving three years in the 1st West Virginia Cavalry, then reenlisting as a veteran in the same regiment. While on his way back to duty he was injured in a railroad accident, losing the use of his right hand. Andre Byrne, jr., has held the office of school director in Chester township for three terms. His post office address in Pomeroy, Meigs county, Ohio. A. W. Cawdery: is the owner of 510 acres of land in Meigs county, lying in Chester and Olive townships, where he is profitably engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was born in Athens county, Ohio, October 29, 1841, a son of Nelson E. and Levina (Eckhart) Cawdery. His mother was born in Germany, April 7, 1818, and his father was born in May, 1818 and died when A.W. was twelve years of age. The present wife of A.W.Cawdery is Callie, daughter of Thomas and Olive (Branch) parker, and she was born in Meigs county, July 2, 1857. They have two little ones, Evanellie, born April 9, 1880 and the baby, born October 7 , 1882. Their marriage was consummated in Chester township, January 30, 1879. The first marriage of Mr. Cawdery was with Sarah E. Bell, who died of consumption, December 14 , 1871. They were married August 15, 1867 , and their children were Carrie Bell and Emma J., both of whom now live at home with their father. March 10, 1872 , A.W.Cawdery was again married and his second wife was Mary A. Bell, born July 11, 1845, who died April 23 , 1878. The children of this marriage were: George W., born August 7, 1875, and Leah L., born 14 February, 1877, both of them now living at home. During the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Cawdery enlisted in the 63rd Ohio Infantry, Company C, for three years. The date of his enlistment was 25 October, 1861, and after an honorable discharge, he reenlisted in the 18th Ohio Infantry, Company I. he was in battle at new Madrid, Island No. 10, Hamburg, Iuka, Corinth, Hatches Run, and all the engagements from Chattanooga to Atlanta , Georgia, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged. His address is Keno, Meigs county, Ohio. Edward W. Craig: born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, February 20, 1846, became a resident of Meigs county, Ohio, in 1853. In this county, at Long Bottom, April 23, 1872, he was untied in marriage with Eliza M. Coleman, and the years that have followed their union have given them three sons, born as here named: William E., October 14, 1873; Elmer C., August 24, 1878; Marion B., December 17, 1879, all living at home. Eliza M., wife of Edward W. Craig, was born in the place where her marriage subsequently took place, and the date of her birth was February 6, 1847. Her parents, now deceased, were William and Harriet (Williams) Coleman, both natives of Meigs county, and highly esteemed residents here during their lifetime. William Craig , father of Edward W., was born in Dunmurray, Ireland, June 3, 1803, and the mother of Edward W. was Lydia C Brickell, born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1813. Mr. and Mrs. William Craig came to Meigs county in 1853, and here he died April 15, 1881. Edward W. Craig has been three terms township clerk, in 1875, 1876 and 1881, and is the present incumbent of the office. he is largely and prosperously engaged in the mercantile business, in Chester, Meigs county, Ohio, where he may be addressed. Jacob Dorst: is a native of Germany, born near Strausburg, May 4, 1836, and coming to Meigs county, Ohio, with his parents when he was just one year of age. his father, henry Dorst, still living, was born in 1811, and his mother Margaret (well) Dorst, was born in 1813. In Chester township, this county, November 20, 1858, the marriage was consummated of Jacob Dorst and Lovisa Hoyt, and of their union two children were born: Sarah Ella, February 23, 1861 and Arthur Henry, May 8, 1868; both live at home with their parents. Lovisa, wife of Mr. Dorst, was born in Meigs county, July 13, 1836, and her parents are Cyrill and Eliza (Rice) Hoyt, the father a native of New Hampshire. Henry, brother of Jacob Dorst, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in 1861 in the 7th Ohio Battery, and on expiration of his time reenlisting in the same company. He was promoted to first lieutenant, served until the close of the war, participated in many hard fought battles , and received an honorable discharge. Cyrill Hoyt, brother of Mrs. Dorst, was in the same war, enlisting in a Kansas regiment, and dying in the service. Jacob Dorst has by his own industry and application become the owner of a fine farm in Chester township, and is actively interested in the welfare of the United Brethren Church, who worship near his place, and with whom he is connected in church labors. He may be addressed at Chester, Meigs county, Ohio. George Frecker: born in Baden, Germany, April 23, 1832, was a son of Bernhard and Gerthrut (Sawter) Frecker, both of whom died in Germany, the latter in 1864, and the former, May 6, 1880. In 1851, George Frecker came from Germany to New York, and went to Buffalo, where he remained three years. He then went to Cincinnati, from there to Ashland , Kentucky, and from there to Meigs county, Ohio, settling in this county in 1855. In 1863, he bought his farm of 105 acres in Chester township, and in the following year removed his family to the farm. He has since purchased two more farms of 160 acres, all lying in Chester township. November 22, 1855, he married in this county, Margaretta Genheimer, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 12, 1835. Her parents, Henry and Mary (Schlagel) Genheimer, came to Meigs county in 1837. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Frecker are: Maria (Yoacham), born October 6, 1857, lives in Pomeroy, this county; Barbara (Mora), October 2, 1859, lives in this county; Henry, October 12, 1861; Sophia, December 5, 1863; Susanna K., March 11, 1866; Margaretta, March 21, 1868, died April 24, 1869; John G., February 9, 1870; William K., March 4, 1872; Lena E., December 9, 1874; Charley D., April 11, 1877; George E., June 15, 1881. All the living children except the two oldest are at home. George Frecker and two of his brothers, Mathias and William, were soldiers of the Union during the war of the 1861, the two former in the army, and the latter in the navy. George Frecker has been school director three terms , was land appraiser in 1880, and three terms township trustee. His address is Minersville, Meigs county, Ohio. Edward Frisbie: son of Nathaniel and Frances (Geroleman) Frisbie was born in 1857, in Chester, Meigs county, Ohio. His father was born September 19, 1803 , at Salisbury, Connecticut, and moved with his parents to Albany, New York, about 1810. At one time the father of Nathaniel Frisbie owned the ground on which the city of Cleveland, Ohio, now stands.March 1, 1823, at Richmondville, Schoharie county, New York, Nathaniel Frisbie married Frances Geroleman, who was born in New York City, January 17, 1812, and in 1834 the young couple settled in Meigs county, which was ever after their home. here eleven children were born to them, of whom seven are still living. One son died in the service of his country, in 1864, a member of the Ohio national Guards. The oldest living son resides in Cincinnati, and is the inventor of the "Puppet Valve" which is becoming very popular as a decided improvement over all other valves in use. Nathaniel Frisbie was in the war of the Rebellion, a member of the 63rd Ohio Infantry. He enlisted November 30, 1861, and after nine months service was discharged on account of rheumatism contracted in the service. Edward Frisbie is a prosperous young farmer, and may be addressed at Chester, Meigs county, Ohio. Abram Grove: born in Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio , is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Will) Grove. His birth was on the 19th of October, 1859, and he is now following the profession of teaching. he has taught six terms in two years, and to these duties has added the labors of a student, devoting himself to the acquisition of knowledge with the assistance of a well stocked library. With knowledge and ambition combined, he has a promising future before him. The father of Abram Grove was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1839, and his parents were Samuel and Elizabeth (Campbell) Grove. Samuel Grove, the elder, war born in Holland, January 17, 1780, and emigrated to America when a child, settling in Pennsylvania, where, in later years he married. His wife was born in Ireland, July 2, 1794. Samuel, father of Abram, has made his home in Meigs county since the year of his birth, and the mother of Abram was born in this county. The father enlisted in the war of 1861, in the 63rd Ohio Infantry, and served until he was discharged for disability. Chester, Meigs county, Ohio, is the post office address of Abram Grove.