My Genealogy Hound

Benjamin D. Muzzy, the popular and efficient postmaster of Carlisle, and also a merchant, was born in Noble County, Ohio, in 1855, his father, Jeremiah D. Muzzy, a native of the same county, having been born in 1831. He was a son of Thomas N. Muzzy, of Massachusetts nativity. The latter emigrated to Ohio among the early settlers, and had to cut his way from the Military Road to where he entered his land. He was a musician in the War of 1812, and died at the age of ninety-seven years, in 1884. He was a farmer by occupation, and a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was noted for his steady habits, neither using intoxicating liquor nor tobacco. He was a Whig, and later a Republican, and though not actively engaged in the late war, he helped to organize several companies. He also had some interests in a railroad company, and took an active part in all enterprises to develop the country. He reared a family of twelve children, of whom Jeremiah, the father of our subject, was the next to the youngest. Jeremiah D. enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, in Company H, in 1862, in which he served until the Spring of 1864, when he was discharged on account of disability. Then he returned home and died in August of that year, having been an active member of the Baptist Church. He was married to Mary A. Thomas, originally from Wales, who came to this country with her parents when an infant. Her father and mother, Evan and Elinor Thomas, settled first in Pennsylvania and two or three years later moved to Ohio. Evan Thomas was a physician, and followed his profession in this country until his death, which occurred in 1844, at the age of fifty. After the death of Mr. Muzzy, Mrs. Muzzy and the children moved to Arkansas, in 1869, locating in Little Rock. Three years later they came to Grange Prairie, and settled in Carlisle, where she has since lived. She is the mother of seven children, five of whom are now living: Louisa (deceased), Benjamin D. (the subject of this sketch), Ada (deceased, who was the wife of George T. Sonton, of Carlisle), Orlan T., Louis E., Fred. T. and Jed E. Mrs. Muzzy lives with her son, Benjamin D., and is an active member of the Baptist Church, of which she was one of the founders in Carlisle, the church being organized in 1875. Benjamin D. was only fifteen years of age when he removed to Arkansas with his mother, and was educated in Little Rock, and in 1879 took a commercial course at Louisville, Ky. He then returned to Carlisle and engaged in the mercantile business, and was appointed postmaster of this place, which office he held until 1886, being reappointed in July, 1889. Mr. Muzzy’s wife was formerly Lizzie Reiff, daughter of Dr. T. J. Reiff, whose biography appears in this work. They are the parents of three children, two now living: Daisy, Gem (deceased), and an infant daughter not named. Mr. Muzzy is a member of the K. of H., and is one of the leading politicians of Carlisle, being an active Republican; he has held all the local offices in the place, from mayor down. It is unnecessary to add that he is a highly respected citizen and a leading man of this place.