The Handel Family

Francis M. Handel in Biographical Record of Muskingum County, Ohio

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

FRANCIS M. HANDEL.

Francis M. Handel, following the occupation of farming in Salem township, was born in this township, May 1, 1854, his parents being Nich- olas and Jane (Vernon) Handel. The father was born in Salem township, near Adamsville, and was a son of John Handel. The grandfather was of German lineage and for a time resided near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whence he came to Ohio, casting in his lot with the pioneer set- tlers of Muskingum county. He married Miss Sarah Bowers, a representative of one of the early families of this county, living in Perry township. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of land known as the. Davis farm and was successfully engaged in farming for a number of years. LTnto him and his wife were born the fol- lowing named: Nicholas; Catherine, the wife of Tonas Vernon; Charlotte, the wife of Oliver Vernon; jane, who married John Conway; Nancy, who wedded Thomas Whitcraft ; Sarah, the wife of Frank Whitcraft and the only one of the Handel family of that generation now liv- ing ; and George, deceased. It will be seen that Nicholas Handel was the eldest. He acquired his education in his native township and became a well informed man, keeping in touch with modern progress through reading and investigation. In 1852 he married Miss Jane Vernon, and they be- came the parents of two children, Francis M. and Louisa, the latter the wife of Solomon Huffman, a farmer of Washington township. Mr. Handel owned a small farm and grocery store near Adamsville and was quite successful in his busi-

ness pursuits. He died July 26, 1856, and his remains were interred in the Bowers cemetery, at Sonora, Ohio.

Amos Vernon, the maternal grandfather of Francis M. Flandel, was also a pioneer settler of the county. He married Ruth Hague, and they took up their abode on what is now known as the Howard Robinson farm in Washington township. He entered from the government one : hundred and sixtv acres of land which is now the property of his daughter, Mrs. Phoebe I Evans. He was quite famous as a shot and greatl v enjoyed hunting the deer and other wild animals which roamed through the forests at that early day. The Indians were also quite numer- ous and every evidence of pioneer life was here seen. In his family were eleven children, five of whom are now deceased. The others are well- to-do and prosperous people. Josiah, the eldest member of the family, was drafted for service in the Civil war but not wishing to enter the army L he ran away and has never been beard from since. | Asa, becoming a member of the Union Army, j was wounded, after which he returned home and : died within a short time. Nicholas V., likewise | a soldier, becoming ill, returned home and, soon after passing away, was laid to rest in the Bowers f cemetery, at Sonora, Ohio. Ephraim, who was an invalid during the greater part of his life, al- j wavs remained on the old homestead and died j there. Oliver is a successful farmer, living near Sonora. Phoebe is the wife of Andrew Evans [ and lives on the old homestead. Lucinda makes j her home with her sister, Mrs. Evans. Allen is a resident of Iowa. Jane became the wife of Nicholas Handel and lives in Salem township, 9 near the Stony Point schoolhouse. Jonas A. is F a wealthy farmer, residing in Madison township \ ■ and he has children who are residents of Zanes- ville. Mrs. Mary M. Reasoner makes her home j in Iowa.

Francis M. Handel was born, reared and edu- ' cated in Salem township. He received good school privileges and was thus well equipped ; for the practical duties of life. He also received ample training in farm labor and throughout his I business career has carried on agricultural pur- j suits. As a companion and helpmate for life's ; journey he chose Sarah Redman. She has a I sister, Mrs. Maggie Taylor, who is living in Salem township, and a brother, William Redman, • who is a successful carpenter living in Salem township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Handel have been born two sons, William Arthur, who was educa- ted in Adamsville and New Concord, is a suc- cessful teacher now in charge of the Stony Point school. Walter Virgil, who was educated in the home school at Stony Point, now resides with his father on the home farm. He is a breeder of fine sheep and is a successful agriculturist.

Mr. and Mrs. Handel and their son reside upon a farm ten miles from the courthouse in Zanesville, and his entire life has been one of ac- tivity and enterprise whereby he has gained a very gratifying success, so that he is now one of the prosperous agriculturist of his community. While yet quite young he joined the Salem Methodist Episcopal church and he and his fam- ily are consistent members of tbe church and active workers both in the church and Sunday- school, Mr. Handel acting as superintendent of the school for a number of years. In politics he and his sons are republicans and are public-spir- ited citizens of that community. Through his business ability and fidelity Mr. Handel com- mands the respect and esteem of his community and of those with whom he has become ac- quainted wherever he has gone. In whatever relation of life we find him he is an honorable gentleman whose worth well merits the high re- gard which is uniformly given him.

Source: Biographical Record of Muskingum County, Ohio. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.