KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 525 John C. Harris was educated in the public schools of his native community and at Newcastle, and he went to school two years in Greene county, Indiana. When a young man he took up carpentering and farming, buying forty acres in Jackson township, which he later sold and bought fifteen acres. He now owns about forty-five acres in and around Bladensburg, also forty acres in Clay township. He farms in a general way and handles some good stock. For about twenty years he ran a nursery on his fifteen-acre farm, handling all kinds of fruit trees, and he became widely known in this connection. He made a special study of horticultural subjects and was very successful as a nurseryman, enjoying a large business. Politically, Mr. Harris is a Democrat, and while he takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs, he is not a seeker after public honors. He has served his community as road supervisor. He and his wife are members of the Disciples church, and he belongs to the Patrons of Industry. Mr. Harris was married on August 31, 188o, to Hattie Larason, a native of Knox county and the daughter of Thomas and Melinda Larason, old settlers here, he having come to Knox county from New Jersey, the father accompanying his parents, James and Elizabeth Larason, when he was one year old. Here the parents established a comfortable home and spent the rest of their lives here. The mother of Mrs. Harris was a native of Muskingum county, Ohio. Eleven children were born to Thomas Larason and wife, six of whom are living, two daughters and four sons. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Harris, Odessa, who married Lloyd Hall, and Ethel, who lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of two children, Zelpha and John Thomas. WILLIAM McCOY MITCHELL. One of the farmers of Butler township, Knox county, who believes in adopting twentieth-century methods and in having system in whatever he attempts to do is William McCoy Mitchell, a public-spirited citizen who withholds his co-operation from no movement which is intended to promote public improvement. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illustrates his steadfastness of purpose, and because of his many commendable characteristics he enjoys the good will and the friendship of his neighbors and acquaintances over the county. 526 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. Mitchell was born in Allen county, Ohio, November 20, 1864. He is the son of William Ottawa Carter Mitchell and Sarah Ellen (Boyer) Mitchell. The paternal grandparents, Jonathan Mitchell and wife, were early settlers in Allen and Logan counties, having come from Virginia in the early forties, and they both died in Allen county. The maternal grandfather was a native of Scotland, from which country he emigrated to America years ago, changing his name to Boyer from the original in order to escape military service. He finally married and came to Allen county, Ohio, where he sent the balance of his life. The mother of the subject was born in Allen county, Ohio, in 1839, and the father of William M. Mitchell was born in Virginia in 1832. When a small boy he came to Ohio with his parents, and located in either Allen or Logan counties, and there he was married, in Allen county, and continued to reside there eight or nine years, and then, in 1872, moved to Millwood, Knox county, and engaged in milling until 188o, then moved to the Giffin farm o' one hundred and sixty acres in Butler and Union townships, and there hi:; death occurred on February 19, 1905. His wife is still living. In connection with his farming, Mr. Mitchell also ran a country store in the same building as his residence until it burned in 1900. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he took an active part in public affairs He was one of the prime movers in establishing the Millwood special district and he served on the school board there. He joined the Presbyterian church early in life and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal, which he later joined. William M. Mitchell received his .education in the public schools of Millwood and he was reared on the home farm and when a boy worked on the farm and in the mill. As a young man he followed school teaching for about five years very successfully, then went to farming, operating his mother-in-law's farm of thirty acres. ,In 1910 he purchased forty-seven acres of the old home place, although he has continued to live on the first place he selected as a permanent home. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock man, being widely known as a breeder of Poland. China hogs. He has a good home and his place is well improved. Politically, Mr. Mitchell is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Grange and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Mitchell was married in 1885 to Rose Ellen Harbaugh, who was born on the farm where she still lives, and here she grew' to womanhood and received her education in the common schools. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah H, Harbaugh, the former of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and the latter of Knox county, Ohio, The father died before the wife of KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 527 the subject was born. The mother is still living. They had but one child, Rose Ellen, wife of Mr. Mitchell. To the subject and wife one son has been born, William Fletcher, a machinist by trade, who is living at home. WALTER C. RILEY. One of the worthy native sons of Milford township, Knox county, who has been content to spend his life right here at home, knowing that no better locality than this could be found in which to exercise the talent of general farming, is Walter C. Riley. a man who, however, would have succeeded in whatever community he cast his lot, for combined in him are traits of character that never fail to win when properly applied, such as persistency, indefatigable energy and honesty of purpose. Mr. Riley was born in this township on February 16, 1867. He is the son of James and Catherine (Shearer) Riley. His paternal grandparents, William and Catherine Riley. were natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they grew up and were married and from there they emigrated to Ohio very early, locating in Ashland county, where they operated a good farm and reared their family, which consisted of eleven children, one of whom is now living. The maternal grandparents of the subject, Peter and Eliza (Young) Shearer, were also early settlers in Knox county, he having been born in Richland county. Ohio. in 1811, and she in Pennsylvania, from which state she came with her parents to this county when five years of age, John Young and wife being early farmers here. Peter Shearer was a physician and practiced many years in Richland and Ashland counties, and he finally went to California as a physician for a prospecting company and there his death occurred while in the service of the company. James and Catherine Riley. parents of the subject, were natives of Ashland county, Ohio, his birth having occurred in 1832 and hers in 1839. There they grew to maturity, were educated and married. He received a fairly good education and for some time taught school, but farming was his principal occupation. He moved to Iowa county, Iowa, also spent two and one-half years in Missouri, engaged in school teaching and farming. returning to Ohio in 1862. locating in Knox county, and here resumed teaching school and farming. making a pronounced success of both. He became owner of one hundred and fifty acres of land in Milford township 528 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. and had a good home there and was influential in the affairs of the community. Politically, he was a Democrat, but not an aspirant for public office. He and his wife belonged to the Disciples church. His death occurred in 1873 and the mother remarried, her last husband being James Scott, who also is deceased. The mother of the subject is still living. Walter C. Riley was reared on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work about the place during the summer months when old enough. He received his education in the district schools of Milford township, in the Pleasant Hill school. He turned his attention to farming for a livelihood early in life and first rented land for about eighteen months, then in 1905 bought sixteen acres on which he built a comfortable house and since then he has added to his original purchase until he now owns ninety-one acres of excellent land on which he makes a good living and which he has greatly improved, being one of the desirable little farms of Milford township. In connection with general farming he keeps some good live stock of various grades. Politically, Mr. Riley is a Democrat, and he takes more than a passing interest in public affairs, yet is no public man. He belongs to the Disciples church, and fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grange. Mr. Riley was married in 1888 to Lillian B. Jackson, a native of Milford township, this county, where she grew up and received her education. She is the daughter of Van and Orlean ( Jackson) Jackson, one of the old and highly respected families of this pact of the county. Four children have been born to the subject and wife, named as follows : Relna Ray married Miss Edna Bell, and they have one child, Marguerite; Rowena; Opal and Otia are twins. WILLIAM PENN. Eighty-five years have dissolved in the mists of time, the most remarkable epoch in all the history of the race of mankind, since the venerable and honored William Penn, farmer of Middlebury township, Knox county, first saw the light of day. Heaven has bounteously lengthened out his life until he has seen the crowning glory of this, the most wonderful age in all the aeons of time, rewarding him with an unusual span of years as the result of virtuous and consistent living in his youth and years of his early manhood. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 529 Now in the golden Indian summer of his life, surrounded by comfort and plenty as a result of his earlier years of industry and frugality, Mr. Penn can take a retrospective glance down the corridors of the relentless and irrevocable past and feel that his has been a useful, successful and happy life, a life which has not been devoid of obstacle and whose rose has held many a thorn; but with indomitable courage he pressed onward toward the distant goal; a life of sunshine and shadow, of victory and defeat, but nobly lived and worthily rewarded as such lives always are by the Giver of all that is good. He comes down to us from the pioneer days when customs, manners, the face of the country, the people, everything was different. William Penn was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, April 8, 1826. He is the son of John and Mary (Chamblin) Penn. The paternal grandfather, William Penn, was a native of England, from which country he emigrated to America in a very early clay and settled in Maryland, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. The maternal grandfather was a native of New England and he moved to Virginia in an early clay. John Penn, father of the subject, was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, within six miles of the city of Baltimore, in i800, in which year the mother, Mary Chamblin, was also born, probably in Loudoun county, Virginia. When a young man the father moved to Virginia and located about a mile from Harper's Ferry, having first married and lived a while in Loudoun county. He was a cooper by trade, which he followed for a period of thirty years. In 1834 he moved to Ohio and located in Richland county, a mile north of Waterford, where he continued to follow his trade for ten or twelve years. finally turning his attention to farming, and became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres. Politically, he was a Democrat, but never aspired to public offices, living a quiet retired life. His family consisted of eleven children, of whom five are still living, William, of this review, being the second in order of birth. The father was a member of the Methodist church. His first wife, mother of the subject. dying on April 1, 1844, he subsequently married Anzy Dyer. His death occurred in May. 1879. William Penn was educated in the district schools of his day. his opportunities being none too extensive, but he has since made up for this lack through miscellaneous home study and contact With the business world. When eight years old he accompanied his parents to Ohio and here grew to manhood. He learned the cooper's trade under his father and followed this in connection with farming. When a young man he cleared a great deal of timber, and the country being new he found plenty of hard work in develop- 530 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. ing the farm. He was married in 1853 to Ruth V. Clarke, a native of Knox county and the daughter of William and Abigal (Owen ) Clarke, who came here in pioneer times from Vermont. After his marriage the subject farmed exclusively and he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres and his wife owns eighty acres in Middlebury township. He has built his dwelling, his barn, in fact, has made all the modern improvements seen on the place today, and has kept it under a high state of cultivation, carrying on general farming and stock raising in a very successful manner. He has made a specialty of raising Percheron horses. He is now living retired, leaving the management of his place to his son and son-in-law. In early life Mr. Penn was a Democrat and he helped elect three Democratic Presidents, but when the Republican party was organized he allied himself with this party, but for the past thirty 'ears he has been a strong Prohibitionist, doing all in his power to further the work of the same in his community. For six years he served as justice of the peace and for an equal number of years was a notary public. As a public servant he always performed his duties most conscientiously and with eminent satisfaction to the people. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he having been a member since 1844 and she since 1854. Mrs. Penn, who is seventy-eight years old, is active and enjoys comparatively good health. The subject had three brothers in the Civil war, but he was not in the army. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Penn, namely : Chloe E. is the wife of John Whitney, and they have two children, 'William Milton Whitney, a graduate of the Ohio State University, law department, now practicing under the firm name of Skeal & Whitney, of Seattle, 'Washington ; he was also graduated from Wesleyan Ohio University and was a soldier in the Spanish-American war. His brother, Carl C. Whitney, lives at Frederick-town, this county. William C. Penn, the subject's second child, married Mary Graham and they have one daughter, Edna, who is yet single. The subject has one great-grandchild. JAMES E, GRAY, M, D. The practice of medicine entails perhaps more trying situations than that of any other profession, and those who succeed in this line are deserving of the highest credit, for they must not only be well versed in the science, KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 531 but must possess personal qualities that win the confidence and respect of the public. A case in question is that of Dr. James E. Gray, of North Liberty, Knox county, one of the best known and most successful physicians of a locality long noted for the high order of its medical talent, for his reputation extends throughout the locality of which this history treats. The qualities that have made him eminent in his chosen vocation are proper intellectual training, thorough professional knowledge and a utilization of the various attributes essential to success. Doctor Gray was born in Holmes county, Ohio, September 30, 1864. He is the son of George \V. and Harriet J. (Quillan) Gray, the father born in Killbuck township, Holmes county, on March 8, 1837, and the mother was born in Harrison county, Ohio, February 8, 1844. The paternal grandparents were George and Mary Gray, who were natives of Maryland, the grandmother dying when young of an injury. George Gray came from Maryland to Holmes county, Ohio, and here became the owner of two farms, each of One hundred and sixty acres. The maternal grandparents, James and Elizabeth Quillan, were natives of Harrison county, this state, both born in 1818 ; his death occurred in 1907, while her death occurred in 1905. The Doctor's father grew up in Holmes county, Ohio, and was educated in the district schools there and he has always lived in Mechanic township, that county, being still engaged in farming there, owning an excellent place. He is a plasterer. by trade. He and his wife are members of the Free Methodist church. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George W. Gray, eight sons and three daughters, namely : Dr. James E.. of this review, is the oldest: Mrs. Amnia Leibensburger. of Oklahoma: Charles R. is living in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio : Mrs. Alverna Ryan and Mrs. Fannie Heddin also live at Cuyahoga Falls: Walter C. lives on a farm in Killbuck township, Holmes county, Ohio ; Clyde is a plasterer, living at Akron, Ohio ; Noble lives at Enid. Oklahoma; Chloe is living in Cuyahoga Falls; Floyd and Don are the youngest of the family. Dr. James E. Gray first attended Gray's Ridge district school in Mechanic township, Holmes county. Ohio, then attended the high school at Millersburg. Then he taught school for a period of fifteen years in the district schools near his home, having begun to teach when only seventeen years old. He met with success as a teacher and his services were in great demand in the rural schools of Holmes county. During the last few years of his teaching he did the preliminary work for a medical course, studying under Doctor Quittard at Killbuck, Ohio. He then took a two years' course at the Starling Medi- 532 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. cal College at Columbus, Ohio, then spent two years at the Illinois Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1898. having made an excellent record for scholarship. He then practiced for one year in Chicago with a specialist in gynechology, then located at Danville, Knox county, Ohio, remaining there two and one-half years, then in February, 19m, he came to North Liberty, where he has continued in the successful practice of his profession to the present time, building up an extensive and ever growing practice, covering a wide range of territory. He has taken a very high rank among his compeers in this part of Ohio, in the medical fraternity, and, having ever been a student, he has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession. Doctor Gray and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and liberal supporters of the same. Fraternally, he is a member of the Maccabees. He belongs to the county and state medical associations, taking much interest in each. The Doctor's domestic life began on July 28, 1889. when he was united in marriage with Estella Gray, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, near Glenmont, on June I 1, 1867. She is the daughter of Henry B. and Rachael Gray. the father a farmer near Glenmont. He and his wife were natives of northern Pennsylvania. Five children have been born to Doctor and Mrs. Gray, namely : Sylvia. born June 24, 1890; Walter H., born September 1892; Dow, born December 3, 1893 ; Frances, born April 3, 1895 ; James. born December 5, 1897. HARRY C. YOUNG. One of Butler township's most progressive farmers and stock men is Harry C. Young, not that he farms on as extensive a scale as some of his neighbors, but he is not surpassed when it comes to scientific methods, thus he reaps fitting rewards for his toil from year to year, and he is a man of such correct habits of everyday life that he has always enjoyed the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come into contact. Mr. Young was born in Newcastle township, Coshocton county, Ohio, August 24, 1880. He received a common school education and was reared on the home farm. He began life for himself by working on rented land, which he continued to do for several years, then in 1907, he bought a farm of one hundred and twelve acres in Butler township, Knox county, upon which he KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 533 moved in the fall of that year and here he has since resided, adding valuable improvements to his place from year to year and while yet young becoming very well established. Politically, he is independent and he and his wife belong to the Baptist church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Grange and the Maccabees. Mr. Young was married on February 12, 1903, to Ennis Sheldon, a native of Coshocton county, born May 27, 1881, and the daughter of Peter and Florence (Holt) Sheldon, both natives of that county, and each representatives of pioneer families there. To Mr. and Mrs. Young two children have been born, namely : One that died in infancy and Ralph Dbnald. Peter Sheldon was born in 1855 and his wife, Florence Holt, was born in 1859. Six children were born to them, namely : Harvey, deceased ; Ennis, Lena, deceased; Walker, Lottie and Roy. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Young were William and Hester (Smith) Sheldon, natives of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandparents, -Joseph and Elizabeth (Workman) Holt, were also natives of Pennsylvania. Mary Holt, the great-grandmother, lived to be about ninety-three years of age. The death of Peter Sheldon, mentioned above, occurred in 1897, and Mrs. Sheldon re-married, her second husband being W. P. Root, and two sons were born to them. Marion and Burgess. She and her second husband are both living at this writing. Harry C. Young is the son of Barney and Elenora (Fry) Young. The paternal grandparents, Barnhart and Barbara (Frey) Young, were born in Germany and probably came to America while yet single and located in Coshocton county, Ohio. Mr. Young was a distiller, but he devoted his attention principally to farming after coming to America, becoming the owner of one hundred and twenty acres. He had a large family, several of whom died young. These parents spent the rest of their lives in that county. The maternal grandparents, Peter and Elenora (Branstool ) Fry, also lived in Coshocton county, whither he had come when a young man from Germany and took up farming, becoming an extensive land owner, holding about one thousand acres in Coshocton county. There he reared his family and he and wife both died there. The father of the subject was born in Coshocton county in 1854 and the mother was born there on March 24. 186o, and there they were reared and married. He took up farming and threshing and became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres. His family consisted of four children, namely : Harry C., of this sketch ; Nelvin, Gladys and Clyde. Politically, Mr. Young was a Democrat. but he never sought office. 534 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. He lived a quiet home life. He was a member of the German Evangelical church. His death occurred on April II, 1910. His widow survives, living on the home place in Coshocton county. FRED L. SINGREY, M. D. Proper intellectual discipline, thorough professional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success have made Dr. Fred L. Singrey, of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, eminent in his chosen calling while yet a young man, and he stands today among the scholarly and enterprising physicians and surgeons in a community long distinguished for the high order of its medical talent. Doctor Singrey was born November 5, 1876, in Perry township, Morrow county, Ohio, and he is the son of David and Charlotte (Boner) Sin-grey, who became well established there, for the father was a physician and was prominent in Morrow county for many years. His death occurred in 1895 and his widow now makes her home with her son, Fred L., of this review. Doctor Singrey was educated in the country schools of Morrow county, later attended the high school at Johnsville, Ohio, in his native county, graduating from that institution with the class of 1892, after which he taught school two years in Richland county, but not finding the work of teaching entirely to his liking and having long entertained a laudable ambition to take up the study of medicine he entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, in 1895, made a splendid record and was graduated from that institution on April 14, 1898, being president of a class of one hundred and two. In May, 1898, he located at Amity, Pike township, Knox county, for the practice of his profession and remained there for eight years, during which he enjoyed a very extensive and lucrative practice, but seeking a wider field for the exercise of his talents, he came to Mt. Vernon in the fall of 1906, opened an office and has remained here to the present time, having been successful from the start, his reputation having preceded him. Doctor Singrey was married May 19, 1906, to Mina Belle Mix, daughter of John and Anna (Blue) Mix, substantial farmers of Brown township, Knox county. This union has resulted in the birth of a daughter, Sylva G. Singrey. Politically, the Doctor is a Democrat and in 1900 he was elected coroner of Knox county and served one term very satisfactorily. He has KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 535 never been very active in politics or an office seeker. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he affiliates with the same, Doctor Singrey is a man of robust constitution and imposing presence, a genial and companionable gentleman with a faculty of making friends easily and he has won a wide circle of friends since locating in Mt. Vernon. Mrs. Singrey is an intelligent and cultured lady who takes a delight in home life and their pleasant dwelling at No, 115 East Chestnut street shows that it is managed with rare taste and industry, and she is popular with the best social circles of the community, The Doctor has kept well abreast of the times in his profession, and his office, both for general practice and surgery, is modern and thoroughly equipped with every instrument and appliance for speedy and successful work, and he ranks high among his professional brethren as well as the general public, WILLIAM CALVIN LONEY, In this rushing, workaday age we have little time, it seems, for anything outside of our chosen vocations and avocations, but yet we cannot well help observing the conditions- . of life around us, and there is little that interests one more than to observe how differently men begin and continue the duties of life. Some commence in hesitation and seem to hesitate at every obstacle they encounter. Others begin boldly, hut after a time show, by some defect in execution, that they have not properly mastered their tasks. Still others commence with steady grasp of the situation, and show by their subsequent accomplishments that they have compassed the problem of life. To the last class success always comes and they are the men to leave behind them good names and large properties honorably won in life's struggle. Their descendants are left to reap the harvests of good actions. Among such active and enterprising people of Knox county are the Loneys, of whom William Calvin Loney, of Pike township, is a very worthy representative. He was born in this township on August 17, 1886, and he is the son of John Alva and Sylvia (Hibbitts) Loney. The paternal grandparents, John Calvin and Mary (Ridenour) Loney, were well known here in the pioneer epoch, he having been born in Pike township, this county, and she in Hagerstown, Maryland. She came here very early with her parents and here grew to womanhood and was married, she and her husband still living here, (35) 536 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. being now advanced in years. The maternal grandparents, William and Arvilla (Brown) Hibbitts, were also early residents of Knox county. She was born in New York in 183o and when a mere child came to Ohio and was reared in Knox county. Mr. Hibbitts came to this county when a young man. He was a soldier in the Civil war. a private in the Sixtvfifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he was killed in battle in 1864. He was a cabinet-maker and undertaker by trade. His family consisted of three children, two of whom are living. The parents of the subject were both natives of Knox county and here they grew to maturity, received their schooling in the common schools and were married. The father started life as a traveling salesman when only sixteen years of age and he is still on the road. being one of the best known and most successful commercial travelers in this part of the country. He is now past fifty years of age. in politics he is a Democrat. and fraternally a member of the Maccabees. His wife belongs to the Methodist church. They are the parents of three children. James Earl, William Calvin, of this sketch, and Royal Dwight. William C. Loney was educated in the public schools of Pike township and when twenty-three years of age he entered the mercantile business, buying out a stock, and he has continued this business to the present time, meeting with much success all along, building up a large and growing trade, now carrying a stock valued at about thirty-five hundred dollars. He has a neat, well arranged and attractive store, and always carries a large. up-to-date and carefully selected stock of goods. and his hundreds of patrons are always treated with every courtesy and consideration and the fact that many of them have been his constant patrons since he first began business is evidence that they have received just treatment. His trade extends over a large radius of territory. He carries a general line of merchandise at all seasons. Politically, Mr. Loney is a Republican, but he finds little time from his large business affairs to take any part in public matters. He takes an abiding interest in whatever tends to promote the welfare of the community and, personally, is an obliging, genial and industrious gentleman whose character has ever been above reproach. Mr. Loney was married on August 17, 19̊9, to Sylvia L. Gray, a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and the daughter of Dr. James E. Gray, who for ten years has practiced medicine in this locality. One daughter has been born to the subject and wife, namely : Sylvia Marguerite. For a fuller ancestry of the subject of this review, the reader is referred to the sketch of John Calvin Loney. appearing on another page of this work. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 537 JOHN CALVIN LONEY. We are carried back to the pioneer days when we contemplate the life history of John Calvin Loney, one of the honored citizens of Pike township, who needs no introduction to our readers, for he has spent his long and useful life in this locality. taking no little part nor mere passing interest in the transformation of the same. One could not spend an hour better, if one is interested in the history of the early days here, than to listen to his interesting and instructive reminiscences, for he has always been a keen observer and has therefore seen and noted things as they are and he has an excellent memory, so that. covering a period of over three score years, we may look through an inverted horoscope. as it were, as the events of those decades troop before us in review. He has not only led a life of industry. but one of honor, keeping singularly free from all besmirching agents the bright escutcheon of the family name, and therefore those who know him best are glad to honor him now that the twilight of age is gathering around. Mr. Loney was born in Pike township, this county, on January 29, 1835. He is the son of John and Eliza ( Kirkpatrick) Loney. The paternal grandparents. John Loney and wife, were natives of Harrison county, Ohio, their parents having been early settlers there from Virginia. They came to Knox county in a very early day and the grandmother was killed here by being thrown from a horse. Both are buried in this county. The grandfather of the subject was a shoemaker by trade, and he had saved six hundred dollars with which he established himself here, having spent the first winter near Mt. Vernon and entered land from the government for himself, his father-in-law and children. The maternal grandparents of the subject. Hugh and Ann (Morrow) Kirkpatrick, were natives of Harper county. Maryland, his birth having occurred on June 1. 1772. and her birth occurred on December 19. 1793. They came to Ohio in the early pioneer days and located first in Harrison county, then in Knox county, where they entered government land, which they developed into a farm on which they spent the balance of their lives. John Loney, father of the subject, was born March 12, 1805, in Harrison county, Ohio. and his wife. Eliza Kirkpatrick, was born in the same county on November 1, 1804, and there they grew to maturity and were married on October 1. 1829. The father devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian church. Their family consisted of six children, two of whom are living at this writing. namely : John Calvin, of this review, and Mrs. Margaret Ann 538 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Ridenour. John Loney, the father of the subject, came to Knox county prior to his marriage, entered land in Pike township, then returned to Harrison county and there married, after which he came back to Knox county and established his home, becoming one of the large landowners here, owning five or six hundred acres, and he was one of the substantial and influential men of his day. His death occurred on October 5, 1891, at an advanced age, his wife having preceded him to the grave on November 3, 1868. He was twice married, his last wife being Arvilla Hibbitts. John C. Loney, of this review, was reared on the home farm where, when of proper age, he assisted with the general work, and he received his education in the common schools of his community. Early in life he took up farming for a livelihood and this has been his life work. He began by renting a farm in order to get a start, then purchased land, and prospering through close application and good management, he added to his holdings until he became owner of over six hundred acres, which he farmed on a large scale. He raised various grades of live stock, and, laying by a competency, he gave away his large landed interests to his children, now owning only thirty acres on the outskirts of the town of North Liberty, and is now living practically retired from all activities, enjoying a well-earned respite. Politically, Mr. Loney is a Democrat, but he has always preferred to devote his attention to his family and business interests, leaving the cares of office to others. His wife is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Loney was married on December 13, 1855, to Mary Ridenour, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Bean) Ridenour, a highly respected old family of this county, having come here about 1852 from Hagerstown, Maryland. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Loney, named as follows : William Clarence, John Alva, Daniel W., Anna Alberta, Alice Belle, Bernice and Lizzie; two infants died unnamed. Personally, Mr. Loney is a man whom to know is to respect and admire for his many estimable characteristics. DESAULT B. KIRK. The following is a brief sketch of the life of one who, by close application to business, has achieved marked success in the world's affairs and risen to an honorable position among the enterprising men of the city with which his interests are identified. It is a plain record, rendered remarkable by no KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 539 strange or mysterious adventure, no wonderful and lucky accident and no tragic situation. Mr. Kirk is one of those estimable characters whose integrity and strong personality must force them into an admirable notoriety which their modesty never seeks, who command the respect of their contemporaries and their posterity and leave the impress of their individuality upon the age in which they live. He is the scion of one of the worthiest and most prominent old families of this section of the Buckeye state, and his course has ever been such as to keep untarnished the bright escutcheon of the honored family name. Desault B. Kirk, president of the New Knox National Bank and one of Mt. Vernon's prominent business men and loyal citizens, was born September 21, 1846, in this city, the son of Robert C. and Eleanor (Hogg) Kirk, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The subject of this review attended the public schools of Mt. Vernon, and was later graduated from Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio, with the class of 1869. He then entered Howard Law School where he made a splendid record and from which he graduated with the class of 1872. Soon afterwards he located at Toledo, Ohio, for the practice of his profession, remaining there two years, being a member of the firm of Scribner, Hurd & Kirk. Returning to Mt. Vernon in 1875, he formed a partnership with Alfred R. McIntire under the firm name of McIntire & Kirk, which continued until 1882, in which year he practically gave up the practice of law and entered the firm of C. & G. Cooper- & Company, one of the pioneer engine manufacturing concerns of the state. In 1905 the company incorporated under the name of the C. & G. Cooper Company, of which Mr. Kirk became treasurer, which position he still holds, and the large and rapidly growing business of this firm has been due in no small degree to his able management of his department and his judicious counsel. In addition to his connection with this company, Mr. Kirk has various other interests of considerable magnitude. For years he has been connected with the Mt. Vernon Gas Company and is now its president and is managing its affairs in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the stockholders. In 1877 he became connected with the Knox County National Bank as a director, this bank being the successor to the first bank established in Mt. Vernon. Before 'becoming a national bank under the congressional act authorizing national banks it was the Knox County State Bank. and at the expiration of its first charter as the Knox County National Bank under its new charter it became the New Knox National Bank, still bearing this title. Mr. Kirk later became vice-president of 540 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. the bank, and in 1907 became its president, which position he still holds and the duties of which he is discharging in an able and praiseworthy manner. It is perhaps as a banker that Mr. Kirk's talents are the most pronounced and in which he has performed a very extensive service to the people of this community, being able to foresee with remarkable accuracy the outcome of present situations and transactions, and at all times conservative and painstaking, keeping fully abreast of the modern methods of banking. He has long wielded a poterit influence in the financial circles in this locality. Mr. Kirk also has valuable city properties and other real estate holdings. He has been very successful in whatever he has turned his attention to, and as a lawyer he was rapidly winning his laurels and becoming recognized as one of the painstaking, energetic and able advocates of the local bar, and no doubt had he continued in the legal profession he would have become one of the eminent attorneys of this section of the state. Mr. Kirk was married on May 20. 1873, to Mae C. Cooper, a lady of talent and culture, and the daughter of Charles and Isabella (Weaver) Cooper, a very prominent Mt. Vernon family and very actively connected with its industrial development and growth for many years. Four children have blessed this union, namely : Isabella married Benjamin Ames, of Mt. Vernon; Eleanor H. married John G. Ames. who is a professor in the Illinois College at Jacksonville, Illinois; Robert C. married and is in business in Los Angeles, California ; Charles C. is married and is in business in Chicago. Mr. Kirk proved his patriotism by enlisting in defense of the National Union during the Civil war for the one-hundred-day service in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he very faithfully served his term of enlistment during the closing months of the struggle. He has always been a Republican of the "stand pat" order, and while he has never found time to take as active a part as he would like to or cared to seek the honors of public office, he has kept well informed on current issues and has always readily supported such measures as had for their object the general advancement of his city, county and state as well as the nation. He is a member of the Masonic order, a Knight Templar and a Shriner. He belongs to the Joe Hooker Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his family are members of the Episcopal church, of which he has been vestryman for a period of thirty-five years and senior warden for many years. He has long been active and prominent in church and benevolent work. "Elmwood," the beautiful, commodious home of the Kirks, is a most delightful spot and has long been the center of much of the social life of, the community. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 541 Personally, Mr. Kirk is a very pleasant, genteel gentleman, kind, affable and straightforward in all his business transactions, honest and unassuming, consequently he is popular with a wide circle of acquaintances and friends. L. C. STILLWELL. L. C. Stillwell, of Mt. Vernon, occupies a conspicuous place among the leading professional men of Knox county and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. His record demonstrates that where there is a will there is a way and that obstacles to success may be overcome by courage and self-reliance. His career has been a very active and strenuous one and has been fraught with much good to his fellow men and his example is cordially commended to the youth of the land whose life work is yet a matter for future years to determine, for his record forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when one's plans are wisely laid and one's actions governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals. L. C. Stillwell was born at Waterford, this county, February 4, 1868, and he is the son of Francis Marion and Catherine ( Schell) Stillwell. The mother was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, and when a small child came to this section of Ohio her father was of French and her mother of German blood. Francis M. Stillwell was born in Perry township. Morrow county, Ohio. of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His mother was well educated in German. She and her husband now live a retired life on a small farm near Marengo, Morrow county, Ohio, having devoted their lives to agricultural pursuits. The father is of a very long lived family. He is the son of Joseph and the grandson of Obediah and Sarah Stillwell, who came from Bedford, Pennsylvania, to Knox county, Ohio. in a very early day. when a few cabins constituted the present city of Mt. Vernon. At that time Joseph Stillwell was about ten years old. They made the long trip in old-fashioned wagons and the woods was so dense and roads so few that they were compelled to cut their way through the forests a greater part of the way. They began life in typical pioneer fashion, entering one hundred and sixty acres from the government. which they cleared and developed into a good farm, near 'Waterford, now called Leverings, and there the old folks spent the balance of their lives. Sarah Stillwell reached the remarkable age of one hundred three years. six months and nineteen days. She was very hale and active in her old age and possessed all her faculties until she reached her one hundred and 542 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. second birthday. A brother of Obediah was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and captain of a Virginia company. L. C. Stillwell, of this review, lived on a farm until he was about eighteen years of age, assisting with the general work about the place and attending the common schools (luring the winter months at Waterford and later at Mt. Vernon, after which he read law with W. M. Koons, of the latter place. He then entered a law school at Cleveland, where he made a splendid record and from which institution he was graduated and he was admitted to the bar in June, 1891, to practice in the Ohio state courts. He was admitted to practice in the United States courts in October, 1894. Thus \veil equipped for his chosen vocation, he began practice at Fredericktown, Ohio, in 1891, and there he was not only successful in the practice of law, but he also soon became prominent in public affairs. He served two terms as mayor of Fredericktown, and after that he was city solicitor of Fredericktown for some time. In the fall of 1903 he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney of Knox county and held the office three years. In the spring of 1904 he moved to Mt. Vernon and took up his residence in East High street, and has since been engaged in the general practice of law ; his popularity having preceded him, he has been successful from the first and now enjoys a large and ever growing clientele. He keeps fully abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to his profession and is painstaking, accurate, ever vigilant of his client's interests and in the trial of cases he has no superiors at the local bar. Mr. Stillwell has been identified with a number of corporations of Mt. Vernon. He is local counsel for the Pittsburg Plate Glass Company, general counsel for the Upham Gas Company in the states of Ohio, Indiana and Virginia. He is also general counsel for the Knox County Glass Company of Mt. Vernon, the Zeig Manufacturing Company, the Levering Brothers Mill & Elevating Company, also a number of other companies and institutions, making corporation practice a specialty and as a corporation lawyer he has no superiors and few equals in this part of the United States, his able work in this connection having attracted wide attention from time to time and bringing his name conspicuously before the general public. Politically, Mr. Stillwell is a Republican and he is an Episcopalian in religious belief. He has always been loyal to his party and as a public servant acquitted himself in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents and the general public. On November 21, 1891, Mr. Stillwell was united in marriage with Gertrude Blair, a lady of talent and culture, who was born and reared at Lexing- KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 543 ton, Ohio, but her ancestors were old residents of Mt, Vernon. Her great-grandfather, James Martin, donated the grounds of the original tract of land for the present- cemetery of Mt. Vernon. He married Mary Warden, a member of one of the earliest pioneer families of Mt. Vernon. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and he is buried in the cemetery for which he gave the land. James Blair, father of Mrs. Stillwell, was a soldier in the Civil war in an Ohio regiment. He now resides at Lexington, this state. He married Amanda King, brother of D. L. King, who served two years in the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Stillwell have been born one son and two daughters : Wendell, born November 20, 1893 ; Mandeline, born January I, 1895; Ruth R., born June 28, 1896. Fraternally, Mr. Stillwell is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his family attend the Episcopal church of Mt. Vernon. Personally, Mr. Stillwell is a gentleman of pleasing address, genial, obliging and a good mixer. By virtue of the offices and positions with the public and large corporations we must conclude that he holds a high position of honor and trust among his fellow countrymen else he would not have been called upon to fill such places, which usually go to men of sound moral and business principles. COL. WILLIAM C. COOPER. William C. Cooper, among the eminent lawyers, brave soldiers and congressmen from Ohio. was one of Knox county's honored sons. He came of good old American-born ancestors on his father's side and of sturdy Scotch-Irish on the maternal side. He was the son of Thompson Cooper and the grandson of Daniel Cooper, both of whom were natives of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and who settled in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1806. Daniel Cooper entered the army in the war of 1812, holding the rank of captain. Thompson Cooper, the subject's father, came here when a mere boy, hence was reared among the scenes of true pioneer life in the wilds of this county. He served during his useful life as a justice of the peace for thirty and more years and was mayor of Mt. Vernon eight years. Col. William C. Cooper, of whom this more especially treats, received a public school education and attended the Mt. Vernon Academy. It was early 544 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. in life that he had an ambition to become a lawyer and commenced the study of law with Joseph W. Vance and James Smith, Jr. He was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-two years and soon formed a law partnership with his preceptor, Mr. Vance, this relation continuing until the death of Mr. Vance, who was killed in battle during the Civil war. The law firm closed its office and both entered the Union army, Mr. Vance as colonel and in command of his regiment when killed, Mr. Cooper was among the first to enlist in defense of his country's flag, becoming a first lieutenant in Company B, Fourth Ohio Infantry. He re-enlisted in 1864 and returned as colonel of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, with which he participated in the great Petersburg campaign. At the conclusion of his second term Mr. Cooper returned home and resumed the practice of law. He became a member of the firm of Cooper, Porter & Mitchell. His diligence and faithfulness toward his clients was noted as exceptional. He was in every way a thorough lawyer—an honor to the bar of Ohio and Knox county. Politically, Colonel Cooper was a Republican; he seldom asked for an office, but was ever ready to aid the party of his choice and his council was frequently sought by those high up in office. Prior to the Civil war he had held the office of prosecuting attorney for four years. In 186o he was elected mayor of Mt. Vernon, serving two consecutive terms. In 1871 he was chosen to represent his district in the Legislature and at the close of his term declined the position again. He was six years president of the board of education at Mt. Vernon and five years advocate-general of the state of Ohio. These are the only civil offices held by him until he was elected to the forty-ninth Congress in 1884. He was elected again in 1886 and 1888. As a. debater on the floor and as a wise counselor in the various committee rooms, he was exceptionally strong and popular, being not only able, but very useful, just at that time in the halls of Congress. During his first term the bill providing for the order of succession in the office of President was passed and he was a member of the committee in charge of the bill. His argument along this line was masterly and logical. He was also influential on the committees on elections, on territories, on banking and on currency. He managed several campaigns as chairman of the Republican state central committee and was the representative of the Republican party in Ohio in the national committee from 1876 to 1884, during the period of the greatest contention in the party, and was a delegate to the national conventions in 1872 and 1880. In January, 1864, Colonel Cooper was married to Eliza Russell, daughter of pioneer Dr. John W. Russell, a physician of more than ordinary skill, KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 545 who for sixty years practiced medicine in Mt. Vernon. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cooper. Colonel Cooper's army relations naturally brought him in close touch with the Grand Army of the Republic after the end of the civil strife and he twice represented his state in the national encampment of this soldier fraternity. His citizenship was ever characterized by unswerving loyalty to the best interests of city, county, state and nation, and by mastery of every subject upon which his actions could have direct or indirect bearing: socially, he was most popular and he knew how to win and hold friendship. Professionally, he was most talented and prominent, his comprehensive understanding of the principles of jurisprudence, combined with his logic and power of argument, rendering him one of the most able members of the Ohio bar. Such is the record of one who for more than seventy years was an honored citizen of Mt. Vernon. On August 29, 1902, as the autumn of that year was just being ushered in, his soul took its flight from earth and his remains are buried in Mound View cemetery, Mt. Vernon, which city had always been his home. His family monument marks the resting place of a man who had always performed every known duty to his fellow man, and been loyal to the country in which he lived and labored so many years. FRANK CARTER LARIMORE, M. D. There is no class to whom greater gratitude is due from the world at large than the self-sacrificing, sympathetic, noble-minded men whose life work is the alleviation of suffering and the ministering of comfort to the afflicted to the end that the span of human existence may be lengthened and a great degree of satisfaction enjoyed during the remainder of their earthly sojourn. There is no standard by which their beneficent influence can be measured: their helpfulness is limited only by the extent of their knowledge and skill, while their power goes hand in hand with the wonderful laws of nature that spring from the very source of life itself. Among the physicians and surgeons of Knox county who have risen to eminence in their chosen field of endeavor is Dr., Frank Carter Larimore, of Mt. Vernon, whose career has been that of a broad-minded, conscientious worker in the sphere to which his life and energies have been devoted and whose profound knowledge of his profession has won for him a leading place among the most distinguished medical men of his day and generation in this section of the Buckeye state. 546 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Doctor Larimore was born on April 12, 1846, on North High street, Columbus, Ohio. He is the son of Robert and Susan A. (Dodridge) Larimore. The father, a native of Hampshire county, Virginia, emigrated to Ohio in the early clays and he was a contractor engaged in the construction of the Ohio canal. Later he superintended the stone quarries from which the stone was taken for the construction of the present state house at Columbus. He was later superintendent of the Woodbridge estate, manufacturers of charcoal, pig iron and other industries in southern Ohio. His death occurred in Chillicothe, this state, in 1856. His wife was the daughter of Joseph Dodridge, of Wellsburg, West Virginia, who was an Episcopalian minister and who supplied the first Episcopalian church west of the Alleghany mountains. He was graduated from Rush Medical College at Philadelphia and his diploma bears the signature of Dr. Benjamin Rush, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The mother of the subject died in Mt. Vernon. These parents were each married three times. The subject was one of four children, two of whom are now living, the other being Mrs. Lucy Wells Campbell, of San Francisco. Doctor Larimore was the son of poor parents and after his father's death he was entrusted to the care of an uncle, Thomas Larimore, and his son, Capt. Henry Larimore, of near Lock, Knox county, both of whom were very solicitous of the subject's welfare and gave him every opportunity. He attended the country schools and worked on the farm, receiving the best of training and discipline under the gentlemen mentioned above. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he served very faithfully in the Western army, being wounded at Pittsburg Landing, April 7, 1862, in the knee and both hands by a cannon ball, which at the same time wounded William Barrible and William Philo, the former dying by the side of Mr. Larimore in a hospital bed at Mound City, Illinois. 'William Philo is still living, being a prominent business man at Akron, Ohio. As soon as he was able, the subject returned home and in time recovered from his wounds and again enlisted, becoming fifth sergeant of Company B, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving four months under General Butler on the Appomattox river, fourteen miles from Richmond. He was, according to his comrades, a very gallant soldier and never shirked his duty, however hazardous. After the war young Larimore returned to Ohio and attended the public schools at Utica and he taught school in his home district for two winters. His uncle decided that the subject would not make a good farmer on account of his wounds and insisted that he take up the study of medicine, which he ac- KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 547 cordingly did in the office of Drs. Matthew Thompson and Smith on -March 20, 1865, in Mt, Vernon. He took his first course of lectures at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1866 and 1867. After the death of Dr. Matthew Thompson, on June 19, 1867, the subject became a student under Dr. John W. Russell, Sr., remaining in his office one year. He attended his last course of lectures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, from which he was graduated on March 29, 1869. Thus exceptionally well equipped for his life work, he began practicing medicine and surgery in June, 1869, and the same year he became a member of the Knox County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Society. In June, 1872, he joined the American Medical Association at its annual session in Philadelphia and sailed for Europe a few days later to make a study of hospital conditions of that country. He remained abroad one year, taking a six-months post-graduate course of instruction at Vienna, in order to further equip himself for his work. Returning to America in June, 1873, he resumed practice in Mt. Vernon and here he has since remained as a general practitioner and surgeon, making a specialty of surgery and winning a wide reputation for his skill and uniform success in both, enjoying a large and ever growing patronage and taking a very high rank among his professional brethren throughout the state who recognize him as having few peers and no superiors. He has always been a student and has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession. A new incentive to excel in surgery was brought about by attending lectures and operations of Dr. Joseph Lister, the father of aseptic surgery, in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1872. He has met with remarkable success in this line. Doctor Larimore has been a member of every local and district organization in this section and has been honored by the highest positions in each of them. In 1896 he was elected president of the Ohio State Medical Society, and he presided with rare ability at the annual meeting held in Cleveland in May, 1897. He was the first to practice the new surgery in this section and the first to use the hypodermic syringe and to use cocaine as a local anesthetic. The Doctor is a writer of no mean ability on medical subjects and he has been a frequent contributor to medical journals on various subjects of medicine and surgery, and he enjoys the well deserved distinction of having performed more surgical operations than any surgeon, dead or living, in Knox county. Doctor Larimore was married on December 30, 1875, to Mary Frances Odbert, (laughter of Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (Hughes) Odbert, a prominent Mt. Vernon family, their daughter being well educated and a lady of 548 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. culture and refinement. This union has been graced by the birth of three daughters, namely : Elizabeth, who married William H. McKinley, of Cambridge, Pennsylvania; Mary is deceased; Harriet is at home. In his political relations Doctor Larimore has always been loyal to the Republican party and active and influential in public matters. He has been a member of the United States pension examining board ever since its creation in 1884: he has served as a member of the Mt. Vernon board of education and as city councilman. Fraternally. he belongs to the Masonic order and is also a member of Joe Hooker Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Union Veteran Legion. He and his family are members of the Baptist church and have always been active in church and Sunday school work and actively identified with the interests of the church. The Doctor was for years superintendent of the Sunday school. He has an attractive, commodious and modernly furnished home at No. 206 North Main street, which is a favorite gathering place for the many friends of the family which has long been prominent in the social life of the community. Doctor Larimore built the first apartment house in the city in 1895 at the southwest corner of Main and Chestnut streets, where his well equipped and tasty offices are maintained. In 1904 he redeemed one of the most forbidding- sites in Mt. Vernon by the erection of a modern, up-to-date building, the Union block. He has always been alert to the city's best interest and has supported all movements having as their object the general improvement of the city and community. He is the owner of much valuable city property. In the years 1907 and 1908 the hold of Doctor Larimore on life was frail and precarious, a serious ailment attacking him which necessitated three severe abdominal operations, the last one, performed on August 4, 1908, proving successful and completely restoring him to health. The Doctor has traveled extensively both in Europe and the United States, and, being a keep observer, with well developed perceptive faculties, he has been greatly benefited in this manner, and is an intelligent talker on any topic, an obliging, genial, charitable and cultured gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet. ROBERT C. KIRK. Although Robert C. Kirk has long been sleeping the sleep of the just, he is still remembered by most of the citizens of Knox county who knew him "in life's morning march when the bosom is young" and who were influenced by him to make the most of life and the opportunities that came to them, for KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 549 he is described as a man of many sterling qualities of head and heart, honest, energetic, kind, noble and patriotic. He gained a conspicuous position in public life and, having ably performed his tasks, became one of the distinguished men of the Buckeye state of a past generation, Mr. Kirk was born February 26, 1821, at Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania. His father, Eli Kirk, was a farmer and his death occurred in 1838, the mother surviving until she reached the age of eighty-two years. Robert C. Kirk attended the district schools and later the Ohio University at Athens. Upon leaving college he entered the office of Dr. William Hamilton at Mt. Pleasant to study medicine and later he attended the medical department of the old university at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated, whereupon he went to Fulton county, Illinois, where he began the practice of his profession. In 1843 he returned to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and abandoned medicine for the mercantile life. In the spring of 1844 he engaged in the dry goods business in Mt. Vernon with T. W. Rogers, which partnership continued until the death of Mr. Rogers. He then formed a partnership in the same business with his father-in-law, John Hogg, which continued until 1853, when the firm sold out. In 1857 he went to Winona, Minnesota, and engaged in the real estate business with his brother, returning to Mt. Vernon in 1858, which remained his residence until his death. He had been very successful both as a physician and as a merchant and proved himself to be a strong, energetic and capable man of affairs. Mr. Kirk was always a stanch Republican in politics and always active in party affairs and a man of strong character and convictions. In 1856 he was elected to the Ohio state Senate and served one term with distinction to himself and with satisfaction to his constituents. In 1859 he was elected lieutenant-governor of Ohio, and in 1862 President Lincoln appointed him minister to the Argentine republic and during his residence at Buenos Ayres he successfully settled all the old claims due American citizens, amounting to over four hundred thousand dollars. These claims originated in 1814 and were abandoned by former ministers. Over nineteen thousand dollars was sent from Buenos Ayres to Mr. Bellows, president of the United States Sanitary Commission, for the benefit of our soldiers during the Civil war, during Mr. Kirk's residence there as minister. After a most praiseworthy tenure of office there for four :years, he resigned in 1866 and returned to Mt. Vernon, Ohio. In 1869 he was appointed by President Grant to the same position, which he held until 1871, when he again resigned and in January, 1872, he returned to his home in Mt. Vernon. In February, 1875, he received from