MEIGS COUNTY OHIO - BIOS: Chester Township (Hardesty's published 1883) [3] *************************************************************************** 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 *************************************************************************** Chester Township Part 3 Hardesty's biographies. John Franklin Roecher: was born in Allegheny City, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1841, and took up his residence in Meigs county, Ohio, in 1858. here he was married, in 1863, Magdalena Rasp becoming his wife. Their children are nine: Minnie, born 1 April , 1864; Emily Margaret, November 30, 1865; Bertha Elizabeth, October 19, 1867; Charles Albert, September 3, 1869; Lucy Margaret, December 2, 1871; Anna Maria, April 13, 1874; Magdalena, march 9, 1877; William Arthur, April 16, 1879; John Emmett, June 10, 1881. Minnie resides in Mason county, West Virginia, and the other children in Chester, Ohio. John Casper and Elizabeth (Limberger) Roecher, the parents of the subject of this sketch, emigrated from Germany and settled in the State of Pennsylvania in 1831. His wife's parents, John and Margaretta E. (Kantz) rasp, came to the county in 1834.During the war of 1861 John F. Roecher saw service in the Union army.He is now acting as school director for Chester township, to which office he was elected, in 1880, for a term of three years.He is the proprietor and manager of a harness shop and undertaker's establishment in Chester, and should be addressed at Chester, Meigs county, Ohio. John W. Rose: was born on Independence Day, in the year 1836, in Washington county, Ohio.When he was ten years of age, his parents, Cyrenus and Julia A. (Newland) Rose, settled in Meigs county, and here has ever since been his home. His mother died in August, 1857. In Meigs county, July 3, 1862, John W. Rose and Sarah J. McKim were untied in marriage , and their ten children have the following record: William S. born July 8, 1866; Charles M., May 22, 1868; Lewis L., December 27, 1870; Mary V., February 13, 1872; Elza A., and Esta E., March 14, 1874; John K., December 25, 1875; Clara E., and Carry E., January 4, 1879; Frank W., July 14, 1882 - all live at home. James and Emeline (green) McKim are the parents of Mrs. Rose, and her birth was in this county, the date August 22, 1843. Her parents became residents here in 1832, and her mother's death was in April, 1873. John Rose was a soldier in the 1861 war, enlisting August 13, 1862, in the 116th Ohio Infantry, and serving until the close of the war. He had three brothers in the same war, Asa, Daniel, and Andrew Rose. John W. Rose is a successful farmer of Chester township, and may be addressed at the post office of Long Bottom, Meigs county, Ohio. John B. Schuler- born in Bavaria, Germany, November 1, 1835, was a son of John and Anna M. (Deal) Schuler. They came to Meigs county in 1839, and here the father died in May, 1879, and the mother in May, 1880. In Pomeroy, Meigs county, June 6, 1856, John B. Schuler was wedded with Eva Smith and they have had seven children: John G., born December 22, 1856; Frederick J., August 20, 1859; Leonard, December 31, 1860; Julius G., February 13, 1862, died August 13, 1864; Elizabeth J., May 11, 1864; Joseph, January 12, 1869; Edward, February 9, 1871, died May 6, 1871. Eva, wife of Mr. Schuler, was born in Baden Germany, November 25, 1837, and Thomas and Christina (Willhauer) Smith were her parents. Both died in Germany, her father in 1844, and her mother in 1852. John Schuler, father of John B., came to this country a poor man, but by industry and business ability accumulated a comfortable competence. The son inherits his father's ability, and is a successful business man. John B. Schuler began life for himself at the age of 21 by working in a coal mine, which occupation he followed for a number of years.He then followed steam boating four years, by which time he had saved enough to buy 100 acres of land. He bought in Jackson county, in 1868, and in 1870 sold there and bought 160 acres in Chester township. The next year he embarked in the lumber business in Mason county, West Virginia, and there he made $ 12,000, which he used in buying 202 more acres of land and improving his farm property. He now owns and occupies an elegant residence erected by himself, and carries on his farm and saw mill, said to be the best in southern Ohio, in which the machinery cost $4,000. His address is Chester, Meigs county, Ohio. George Shiblear: son of Eli and Rebecca (Calahan) Shiblear, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, September 6, 1827. In Chester township he is the owner of a fine farm, and in its cultivation and his trade of a cooper his time is employed. He has served his township as school director two terms, and in other official capacities. July 6, 1848, in this State and county were spoken the words which joined his life with that of Elizabeth Merritt, and the years that followed witnessed the birth of their seven children, whose genealogical record is: William M., born August 3, 1849, lives in Meigs county; John P., January 5, 1851, lives in this county; Marietta (Walker), February 9, 1855; Henrietta (Kriselmeier) , July 6, 1858, lives in Meigs county; Eli M., November 1, 1865, lives at home; Cynthia R., October 6, 1863, died March 6, 1880; Florence G., October 18, 1865, lives at home. Eli, father of George Shiblear, was born in Meigs county, in 1806, and his death was in the county, in December, 1878. Rebecca (Calahan) Shiblear, mother of George, died in March, 1877. The wife of George Shiblear was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, January 30, 1827, and came with her parents, Reuben and Cynthia (Person) Merritt, to Meigs county in 1838. her mother died in September, 1853, and her father died February 1, 1861. George Shiblear's post office address is Chester, Meigs county, Ohio. David C Smith- was born in Meigs county, Ohio, March 6, 1839, and in this county, in Chester township, he is proprietor and manager of the Chester flouring and saw mills, where he id always ready to attend to the wants of his host of customers. his parents were James Adam and Sarah (Curtis) Smith, his mother born in this township, March 12, 1816, dying September 24, 1871; and his father, born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1810, now making his home with D.C. Smith, hale and hearty at the age of 72 years. The grandfather of D.C.Smith was Stephen Smith , born in Sussex county, New Jersey, may 6, 1771, who came to Meigs county in 1823, and here died March 24, 1841. His wife, who was Mary Smith, born in the place of his nativity, and on the 18th of June, 1773, died in Meigs county, August 23, 1858. James A. Smith. between 1844 and 1856, erected three mills in the northwest corner of Chester township, on the same site. May 30, 1867, in Chester township, David C. Smith and Sarah Knight were united in marriage, and their children, all living at home, are: James Augustus, born March 29, 1869; Benjamin Knight, July 9, 1872; David Eugene, April 26, 1874; Charles Ernest, December 11, 1882; Alban Davies, September 10, 1879; Della Blanche, September 22, 1882. Sarah, wife of Mr. Smith, was born in Chester township, daughter of Benjamin and Dolly Anne (Newell) Knight. Her birth was on the 14th of July, 1843. Her father was born in Garland, Maine, March 8 , 1806, and settled in Meigs county in 1817. Her mother, born in Hinsdale, Massachusetts, February 23, 1807, has lived in Ohio since she was three years old. During the 1861 war, David C. Smith was in active service of the Union Army, Company A, 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, from December 1863, till the close of war. His post office address is Chester, Meigs county, Ohio. Hiram Smith- was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1825, became a resident of Meigs county, Ohio, in 1846. His first marriage was with Letitia A., daughter of John and Mary (Carson) McKenzie. They were married May 16, 1850, and she died March 8, 1855, leaving three children: John F., born March 7, 1851, died in Nebraska, may 16,1873; Hannah J. (Frank),born April 25, 1852, lives in this county; Josiah M., September 16, 1854, lives at home. Jane C. McKenzie, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1822, a sister of the first wife of Hiram Smith, was united with him in marriage in Meigs county, March 20, 1856. They have three children: Mary L., born December 28, 1856, lives at home; Laura H. (Olinger), October 16, 1858, lives in Meigs county; Lorenzo T., August 24, 1862, lives at home. The parents of Mrs. Smith settled in Meigs county in 1836, and her father died January 24, 1869, her mother died December 6, 1856. Francis A. and Hannah (Rogers) Smith were the parents of Hiram Smith. They became residents in Meigs county in 1845, and here died. Francis Smith died September 22, 1850 and his widow died march 31 , 1869. Reule Smith, brother of Hiram, served through the war of 1861, a member of the 116th Ohio Infantry. Hiram Smith is the owner of a good farm in Chester township, and is the oldest postmaster, in point of service, in this county. He was appointed by President Buchanan, and continues to hold the office, at Bashan, Meigs county, Ohio. Spencer E. Stout - was born in Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio, June 4, 1837, a son of Abner and Polly (Steadman) Stout. The father was born June 17, 1804, and died in 1875; the mother was born June 16,1805, and died may 30, 1882. In Orange township, this county, July 12, 1860, Spencer E. Stout was untied in marriage with Hannah Gilbreth, and their children are eight, born as follows: Nettie, September 16, 1861; Alice M., February 5, 1863; Linnie M., November 8, 1864; Elbert S., May 29, 1868; Gustine S., August 1, 1875; Abner C., April 17, 1877; Anna H., August 7, 1878; Elmer M., May 3, 1880. All are living at home, and Alice M. is in attendance upon the Chester high school. Hannah, wife of Mr. Stout, was born in Salisbury township, Meigs county, October 8, 1842, and her parents were Stewart and Alice (Alexander) Gilbreth. Her father, born in Washington county , Pennsylvania, in 1812, and her mother born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, have lived in Meigs county since 1840. He is now 70 years of age , and she is 65. Myron S. and George P. Stout, brothers of Spencer E., were soldiers in the Union army during the 1861 war. Thomas C. Gilbreth, brother of Mrs. Stout, died in his country's service, at New Madrid, Missouri, in 1861. Spencer E. Stout is engaged in the cultivation of the soil, his farm lying in Chester township. His post office address is Chester, Meigs county, Ohio. B.T. Trussell- born in Merrimack county, New Hampshire, April 9, 1838, cast his fortune with the people of Meigs county, Ohio, in 1842. His parents, Amos and Laura (Jewett) Trussell, came with him to Meigs county, and are deceased. His father died June 17, 1862, and his mother's death was on the 29th of June, 1879. B.T.Trussell enlisted September 20, 1861, in the 18th Ohio Infantry, and was discharged for disability after two years' faithful service. he had five brothers in the same war, Otis G., Amos D., Lorenzo J., Hamilton J., and Edgar D. The first three returned home in safety, and with honorable discharges, the fourth died, and Edgar D., while on his way home, was burned to death, with many other brave soldiers, in the burning of the steamship General Lyons. The present wife of B.T.Trussell, whom he married in Meigs county, November 4, 1869, was Lucinda E. Waterman, born in Athens county, this State, December 9, 1842. They have two children, both living at home, who were born: Lester E., July 30, 1871; Sumner J., October 9, 1873. The parents of Mrs. Trussell were David B. and Maria (Eckart) Waterman. He father died March 9, 1851, and he mother died January 24, 1873. Her mother was born in Stuttgart, Germany, and her mother's father, Jacob Eckart, was a soldier under the great Napoleon. September 25, 1866, B.T. Trussell married Margaret B. Miller, who was born December 24, 1842, and died September 17, 1867, leaving one son, William T., born July 1, 1867, died September 1, 1879. B.T. Trussell is an extensive farmer in Chester township, and has served as township trustee, 1872-3. His post office address is Bashan, Meigs county, Ohio. Oliver R. Walker- was born in Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio, May 3, 1817, and here married march 23, 1845. Emily S. Weldon, who was born in this township, one -half mile from where her husband's farm is, became his wife. her birth was on the 4th of July, 1820, and her parents were Richard and Sally (Steadman) Weldon. Her mother came to the county in 1796, and her father's death was in 1830, near Columbus , Ohio. Obadiah and Cassandra (Halsey) Walker were the father and mother of Oliver R. Walker. The father came from Washington to Meigs county in 1804, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Chester township. Oliver R. Walker and three of his brothers were Federal soldiers during the war between the States. Ansel, the oldest, enlisted in the 36th Ohio Infantry, and served two years; Obadiah, jr., enlisted in the 7th Ohio Battery, and was promoted to second lieutenant. He was afterward Captain and then major of a colored regiment, and served three years. Vincent A. and Oliver R. enlisted in 1863 in the 140th Ohio Infantry, and were mustered out at Gallipolis, Ohio. All did a soldier's duty, and received honorable discharge. Francis Weldon, uncle of Mrs. Walker, was a soldier in the 1812 war. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have two daughters: Eva S., born December 13, 1846, and Carrie B., born January 29, 1849. Carrie married David L. Geyer, of Pomeroy, this county, September 12, 1872, and they have four children: Edith M., Fordise C., Frances C. and Arthur N. Eva was many years a teacher, and is now at home with her parents, the comfort of their old age. Mr. Walker has a good farm, with his post office address at Chester, Meigs county, Ohio. James Edward Watkins- was born in Mason county, West Virginia, October 21, 1824, and came to Meigs county, Ohio, when his parents settled here in 1832.Andrew Watkins was his father, and his mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Weldon, was born February 21, 1790, and is still living with her son, the subject of this sketch. Although now 93 years old, and the oldest person in this township, she can read all the papers, knit, and go about the house as lively as when she was forty years younger. In Meigs county, February 4, 1850, James E. Watkins wedded Electa Halsey, who was born in this county, January 10, 1824. her parents, now deceased, were Jacob and Laura (Hecox) Halsey. She had two brothers, Enos and Barklay, who did honorable service in the war for the maintenance of the Union. James E. Watkins and his brother Andrew H. served in the same war, members of the 140th Ohio National Guards, and his father was a soldier in the 1812 war. Laura Amanda, only child of Mr. and Mrs., Watkins, was born June 7, 1852, and married, December 23, 1875, Andrew D. Heaton becoming her husband. They have two children: James E., born in 1876, and Jennie L., born in 1879. James E. Watkins has always taken great interest in township and school matters, and has faithfully served as township trustee. He owns 275 acres of good land, and is a farmer and stock - raiser in Chester township. His post office address is Chester, Meigs county, Ohio Fredrick Weber- son of Philip and maria D. (Jacobs) Weber, was born in Germany, province of Hesse-Darmstadt, January 20, 1835, and has lived in Meigs county, Ohio, since 1853. In this county, November 18, 1859, he was united in marriage with Susanna Dorst, and their children were born: Fredrick, August 21, 1860, died 4 August 1861; Elizabeth and Maria, May 11, 1862, Maria Died July 30, 1863; Philip J., January 5, 1864; John, July 14, 1866; Susanna M., August 18, 1869; Henry F., March 6, 1871; William E., November 29, 1873; Emma S., January 3, 1876; Ada C., March 10, 1878; Laura B., December 27, 1881- all living children are with their parents on the home farm in Chester township, which Frederick Weber bought twenty years ago, and a large part of which he has cleared. The date of Mr. Weber's emigration to this country was 1853, and he landed in New York, going thence to Pennsylvania, where he was fifteen months employed in a rolling mill. He then moved to Pomeroy, Ohio, and was three years in the salt works there, then gave his attention to farming the land he had purchased in Chester township. Henry and Margaretta (Wells) Dorst, who came to Meigs county in 1837, are the parents of Susanna, wife of Fredrick Weber, and she was born in this county, April 25, 1838. She had a brother Henry Dorst, who served through the war of 1861, and received honorable discharge with rank as lieutenant. The address of Fredrick Weber is Keno, Meigs county, Ohio. Philip Weber , Sr..- born in the province of Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, march 17, 1828, emigrated to America in 1853, working first in Pennsylvania, and then coming to Meigs county, where , in Pomeroy, he engaged in the cooper and salt business. In 1858, having by industry and economy accumulated sufficient means, he bought his present excellent farm in Chester township. His parents were Philip and maria D. (Jacobs) Weber, his father dying July 29, 1882. In Pomeroy, in November, 1856, the marriage ceremony was performed which joined in one the lives of Philip Weber and Cathrina Schreiber, and the children of their union were ten: Philip, jr., born October 7, 1857; henry, October 8, 1859; George, February 13, 1862, died in September, 1864; Mary, September 17, 1863; Cathrina, march 26, 1866; Anna, February 25, 1868; jacob, July 23, 1870; Elizabeth, December 5, 1874; Charley, October 10, 1877 , died in January, 1979' Peter A., August 11, 1879 - the living children are all at home. The wife of Mr. Weber was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 13, 1835, and the record of her parents will be found in the sketch of her brother, G. F. Schreiber, elsewhere given in this township record. Philip Weber, sr.., held the office of school director in this township twelve years, 1868-80. He may be addressed at Keno, Meigs county, Ohio. Moses Will- son of Michael and Sarah (Rousch{sic}) Will, was born in Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio, Christmas Day, 1820. Susan, daughter of William and Mary (Barton) Heaton, was born in Maryland, May 14, 1826. In Chester township, in October , 1844, Moses Will and Susan Heaton were united in marriage and their children are thirteen, with the following record: Joseph J., born August 3, 1845, lives in Bedford township, this county; Mary E., February 18, 1847, lives in Orange township, this county; Sarah C., February 4, 1849, died December 19,1854; Emma C., July 30, 1852, lives at home; Charles M., April 29, 1854, lives at home; Granville, June 9, 1856, lives in Chester township; George W., March 2, 1858, lives at home; Florence, March 3, 1860, lives in Clifton , West Virginia; Ethel, January 30, 1862; Viola M., November 27,1863; Susan M., January 5, 1866; Willie, October 3, 1869; Ella, June 1, 1872 - the five last named are living at home. Moses Will was five years first lieutenant of Company B, 15th Ohio National Guards, during the days of the Rebellion, receiving honorable discharge May 1. 1866. His oldest son, Joseph, served in the 1861 war, three years in the 2nd Ohio Heavy Artillery, receiving discharge at the close of the war. A brother of Mrs. Will was in the same army, and was wounded at Atlanta , Georgia, and died in the hospital at that place, leaving a wife and one child to mourn his death. Moses Will has always been identified with the interests of Chester township, and for three successive years was township assessor. His occupation is farming and stock - raising, and his address is Chester, Meigs county, Ohio. Dawson D. Wilson- son of William and Jane (Win ) Wilson, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, Christmas Day, 1828, and came to Meigs county with his parents when they settled here in 1838. October 31, 1861, he enlisted in the 63rd Ohio Infantry, and served until December 31, 1863, when he reenlisted as a veteran volunteer in the same regiment, remaining until the close of the war. July 4, 1864, he was wounded in the arm and leg in an engagement before Atlanta , Georgia. In Meigs county, January 23, 1870, Dawson D. Wilson and Louisa Jones were joined in matrimonial bands, and five children now brighten the home of their union. They were born: Mary A., June 15, 1871; Letitia B., March 9, 1873; William A., June 11, 1877; Edwin M., January 6, 1878; Rose A., April 3, 1880. Louisa, wife of Mr. Wilson, was born in Meigs county, May 29, 1854, and was a daughter of Wesley and Charlotte (McKnight) Jones, who became residents of Meigs county in 1852. Her father died in October, 1860, and her mother's death was on the 27th of December, 1869. The father of Mr. Wilson died March 17,1879, and his mother died October 26, 1881. William Wilson was a soldier of the 1812 war, and his father, Edward Wilson, was a soldier of the war of 1776. William Wilson was a pioneer settler in this county, and Fort Wilson, on Shade river, bears his name. Dawson D. Wilson is a farmer and carpenter residing in Chester township, and in this township has served as supervisor two years , and school director nine years. He is to be addressed at Bashan. Meigs county, Ohio. George Wolf - a prosperous farmer of Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio, was born in this county, November 16, 1845. Here he was married September 24, 1865, Louisa Geyer becoming his wife. Their children are seven: Anna C., born June 14, 1866; George W., September 9, 1868; Charles E., July 1, 1871; Emma C., January 7, 1874; John A., August 25, 1877; Franklin W., February 9, 1879; Ella L., December 22, 1881. Charles E. was born in West Virginia; the other children in Meigs county, Ohio; all live at home. The wife of Mr. Wolf was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, December 31, 1846, a daughter of John and Anna M. (Keck) Geyer. Her parents died in Meigs county, the father June 17, 1880, and the mother on the 22nd of August, 1879. Her brother, John Geyer, served in the 1861 war, as first lieutenant in the Ist West Virginia Calvary, and then recruited a company, of which he was made captain. He was wounded in the hand, and disabled for service, and for his injury now receives a pension. Her brother Samuel was 100 days in the Ohio National Guards. For the record of Mr. Wolf's parents, see the sketch following this one. George Wolf was school director in Chester township six years, 1875-1881, and three terms road supervisor. He receives his mail at Minersville, Meigs county, Ohio. Henry Wolf, Jr.- one of the farming residents of Chester township, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, September 22, 1842. His parents were henry Wolf, sr., and Anna M. (Massar) Wolf, and they took up their residence in Meigs county in 1838. here the mother died, in November ,1873. Mary, daughter of John and Anna M. (Keck) Geyer, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, March 9, 1841 and became the wife of Henry Wolf, jr., in this county, on the 26th of October, 1861. They have six children, all living at home, and born in the following order: Henry, May 20, 1864; Mary, may 15, 1866; William E., December 27, 1870; Clara F., September 17, 1876; Arthur E., August 22, 1878; Ida E., March 14, 1882. The family record of Mrs. Wolf's parents, and the war record of her brothers will be found in the sketch preceding this one. She is the sister of the wife of George Wolf, and their husbands are brothers. henry Wolf, jr., has held the office of school director of Chester township for six consecutive years. He may be addressed at Pomeroy, Meigs county, Ohio. Edwin Worthen -was born and married in Meigs county, Ohio, and in this county, in Chester township, is engaged in farming. His birth was on the 3rd of February, 1839, and his marriage was consummated January 2, 1859. Mary, daughter of James and Sarah (Morrow) McCain, who on that date became his wife, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1838, and came to Meigs county with her parents, when they settled here in 1856. the children of Mr. and Mrs. Worthen were born: Elmer L., June 28, 1860; Francis M., march 2, 1863; Dermot, may 15, 1865, died October 5, 1865; Hattie M., July 2, 1868 - all the living children are at home. William Worthen, father of Edwin, came to Meigs county when he was seven years old, with his parents, and lived in this county until his death, November 28, 1878. His wife, whose maiden name was Polly Johnson, is now living with the subject of this sketch at the age of 70 years. James L. and Samuel McCain, brother of Mrs. Worthen, served through the entire war of 1861; both were wounded in one battle, but recovered. Edwin Worthen has acceptably filled the office of school director in his township. He may be addressed at Keno, Meigs county, Ohio. William Zehm - a farmer and machinist in Chester township. Meigs county, Ohio, was born in Germany, in the Kingdom of Prussia, November 23, 1826. he left Germany in 1849, and went to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, after landing in New York. In Lancaster county he worked by the day's work on a farm one year, and then at Reading was employed in some railroad machine shops, until he removed to Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio. In 1861, with his family, he settled here, buying 50 acres of land, to which he has since added 167 acres. His farm is all improved land, and under cultivation. At reading, Pennsylvania, march 30, 1854, William Zehm was united in marriage with Catherine Weber, and they have five children, born: Anna, September 8, 1855; William F., December 6, 1857; Frederick W., November 7, 1861; Charley G., December 13, 1863; Henry E., February 25, 1871. Anna makes her home in Meigs county, the other children live with their parents. Charley G., and Julia A. (Brehmisch) Zehm, both still living in Germany, are the parents of William Zehm. His wife's parents were Philip and Maria D. (Jacobs) Weber, of whom mention is elsewhere made in this township history. William Zehm receives his mail at Keno, Meigs county, Ohio.