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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 401


furnishing ample shelter to grain and stock, while the fields give evidence of the careful supervision bestowed upon them by the owner. As the years passed Mr. Green prospered in his undertakings and became one of the successful agriculturists of the community. About five years prior to his death he turned the management of the farm over to his son William and his remaining days were passed in well earned rest.


On the 28th of August, 1862, at Amesville, Virginia, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Taylor, who was born in Rappahannock, Virginia, November 18, 1843, a daughter of George and Elmira (Green) Taylor, who spent their entire lives on a Virginia farm. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Green was blessed with nine children, but they lost their first-born, Alice, at the age of a year and a half. Anna Virginia and Anna Lee were twins. The former became the wife of Charles Langle, of Harrison township, while the latter is the deceased wife of Rufus Buxton. Amanda C. is the wife of William Hanna of Pataskala. Armitta Frances is the wife of Charles Lenington, living near Jersey, this county. William F. wedded Gettie Roby and resides on the home farm in Harrison township. He is one of the enterprising agriculturists of the community and has erected a substantial residence on his father's farm and has also purchased sixty-five acres adjoining the home place. He operates both farms and is conducting an extensive dairy business, keeping Holstein cows for this purpose. Ella A. Green, the seventh member of the family, became the wife of Theopholus Langle and was killed by lightning, leaving a son and (laughter. Jessie, a graduate from Bliss College of Columbus, was appointed the first teacher of the Bliss Commercial College of Newark when the home school at Columbus, established a branch in. Licking county. She is now office manager for the Clinchfield Coal Mining Company at Dante, Russell county, Virginia. Pearl is the wife of Ross Wilson, telegraph operator at Outville, Ohio.


The death of the husband and father occurred on the 29th of April, 1902, and on the 1st of May he was laid to rest in a beautiful lot in Pataskala cemetery. In 1866 he had united with the Christian Union church at Cherry Valley and his entire life was an exponent of his religious faith. He was devoted to his family and their welfare, faithful in his friendship and true to every relation of life, so that the community felt great sorrow when he passed away, knowing that they had sustained a heavy loss.


MORGAN EVANS.


Morgan Evans, who was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Newark township, was born in South Wales, November 27, 1831, and departed this life here on the farm to which he had devoted his energies, January 18, 1901. In 1833, at the age of two years, he was brought to the new world by his parents, John J. and Sarah Evans, in company with his brothers, John T. and David, and his sisters, Hannah, Margaret, Mary, Jane and Eleanor. One son, Thomas, was born in this township. On arriving in this country his father repaired to the state of Ohio and settled three miles north of Granville, in Granville town-


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ship, this county, where he remained for one year, plying his trade as a blacksmith and wagonmaker. On the expiration of that period he removed to Newark town ship, where he bought a farm which he cultivated, at the same time continuing to work at his trade in association with his sons, who built a blacksmith shop near the old spring and engaged in farming and blacksmithing until their father's death. The farm originally embraced one hundred and ten acres of woodland, an to this tract seventy-five acres were added, so that the farm in all embraces on hundred and eighty-five acres, which upon Mr. Evans' death was inherited by his children and subsequently purchased from the heirs by his sons, Morgan an Thomas, Morgan later buying out the interest of Thomas, who in 1880 went to Kansas, where he died, and Morgan remained in management of the farm unt his death.


On July 2, 1853, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Ann Frances Thomas who was born in South Wales, May 1, 1835, and came to the Welsh Hills her with her parents, Owen and Catharine Thomas, when five years of age. She departed this life on the old homestead, January 12, 1901, having preceded h husband into eternity by six days. Their children were : George J., who was born July 23, 1854, and who remains at home, engaging in the labors of the farm Sarah J., who is the widow of William Jones, and also resides at the old homestead; Elias E.,-who is forty-four years of age, and assists in cultivating the farm Lina M., who was born September 20, 1871, and departed this life October 2 1897; Alice C., who passed into eternity May 8, 1897, at the age of twenty three years; and Annie Lou, wife of J. C. Stock, of this township. George an Elias Evans now own and manage the old home farm, which embraces one hundred and seventy acres, and is situated about four miles west of the courthouse, on th Sharon valley road.

Mr. Evans was known throughout the township as an ardent church worked long holding membership in the Newark Presbyterian church. He was particularly active in behalf of the cause of temperance, labored earnestly all his life putting before the people the evils incident to the liquor traffic, and endeavored far as possible to influence all with whom he curie in contact to assert themselves on the side of the temperance movement and become active in trying to effect to abolition of the saloon. In politics lie was a stanch republican and always gave hi support to that party. Mr. Evans' high moral character and noble aims won hi the respect of all who knew him, and when he was called out of this life to partici pate in the joys of the life beyond the township lost one of its most substantial characters and useful citizens.


EVAN THOMAS.


The life record of Evan Thomas is that of a man who depended upon industry and perseverance for success. He early learned that those qualities will gain advancement, and though he started out in life empty-handed, he worked diligently and persistently, and was in possession of a valuable and profitable farm at the time of his demise. His life record covered seventy-two years. He was born at New Quay, Cardiganshire, South Wales, January 26, 1825, and was a son of


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Christmas and Margaret Thomas. In 1842, when he was seventeen years of age, the family crossed the briny deep and made their way direct to Welsh Hills, in Granville township, Licking county, Ohio, where the parents spent their remaining days. Their children were : Mary, who died of cholera in Newark, and was interred at night in the Welsh Hills cemetery; Mrs. Hannah Morris, deceased; Evan, of this review; James, who served in the Mexican war; John, who died in childhood; Thomas, deceased, formerly a farmer of Washington county, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Evans, deceased; and David, living in Newton township.


As indicated, Evan Thomas spent his youthful days in the land of his nativity and then came with his parents to the new world, where he assisted in the arduous task of developing a farm. Starting out in life for himself, he sought employment as a farm hand and was thus busily engaged until his labors and economy brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm of his own. He became the possessor of one hundred and six acres of land in Granville township, and his efforts transformed the fields into a fertile tract, which annually brought forth good harvests. He labored diligently and persistently until his death, which occurred May 24, 1897.


Mr. Thomas was twice married. In 1857 he wedded Frances Jones, a native of Wales, and unto them was born a daughter, Mary, who died when about thirty years of age. For his second wife he chose Mary E. Rees, who was born in South Wales, February 5, 1842, and the same year was brought to St. Albans township, Licking county, by her parents, Thomas B. and Margaret (Richard) Rees, who spent their last days in Newark. They had two children, Mrs. Thomas and Richard, and the latter died in the Civil war. Mrs. Thomas has spent her entire life in this county.


Mr. Richard Rees was a member of Company D, Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and made a creditable military record. Mr. Thomas gave his political allegiance to the democracy, and held membership in the Baptist church, his life being in harmony with his principles, while his sterling qualities of manhood at all times won for him the honor and good will of those with whom he was associated.


E. M. BAUGHER.


E. M. Baugher, a factor in financial circles, being now the president of the Home Building Association Company and a director of the People's National Bank, early learned to discriminate between the essential and the unessential to determine that which was of value and to discard all that was of little worth in the accomplishment of the work which lay before him. To this quality Mr. Baugher owes his success and as the years have passed he has gone on and on winning new conquests in the business world until he today occupies a position of prominence among the enterprising and successful men of Newark. A native of Perryton, Ohio, Mr. Baugher was born March 8, 1868. He was twenty years of age when he came to Newark to accept the position of bookkeeper for the Home Building Association Company with which he has since been connected.


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He acted as bookkeeper until January, 1890, when he was elected secretary and director of the company, thus continuing until January, 1908, when he was chosen to the presidency and is now the chief executive officer of a concern that has constituted an important element in the improvement of the city. Having made a close study of financial problems, Mr. Baugher's well known ability in this line led to his election a s director of the People's National Bank of Newark and he was formerly its vice president. This bank was consolidated with the Franklin Bank Company, forming the Franklin National Bank, of which he is a director. His broad experience and thoroughness enable him to speak authoritatively upon many matters .of importance in financial circles.


On the 6th of November, 1901, Mr. Baugher was married to Miss Dorothy Hutchings, a native of Kansas City, Kansas. They were prominent in the social circles of the city, and Mr. Baugher is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic fraternity. He has attained high rank as a Mason and is now a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Sinking Fund Commission and is interested in everything that pertains to general progress and importance in Newark. He is numbered among the public-spirited citizens and as a business man has been conspicuous among his associates not only for his success, but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods. In everything he has been eminently practical, and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings, but also in social and private life.




JOSEPH T. SWISHER.


For more than three quarters of a century the Swisher family, which is of German extraction, has been identified with the agricultural interests of Lima township. His grandfather, Philip Swisher, who was born near Berlin, Germany, March 8, 1776, in early childhood went with his father, Nicholas Swisher, to Virginia, where the latter spent the remainder of his life. In 1827 Philip Swisher left Virginia with a two-horse wagon, and coming to Licking county located on one hundred and sixty acres of land which he bought from the government and which he and his sons cleared and made ready for cultivation. He was a typical German, gifted with all the sterling characteristics of his race, particularly that of industry, and he soon had the forests cut down and the land producing abundant harvests. He was well known for his honesty and morality and having been a man of high, Christian character he was regular in his attendance upon the services of the Lutheran church. In Virginia he was united in marriage to Katharine Baughman, who passed away on this farm in 1849, in her seventy-fourth year. She held membership in the Presbyterian church. Among their children were : Magdalene, who became the wife of Isaac Thorp; Katharine, wife of Jacob Wagy ; Rebecca, who wedded Nicholas Merrill; Wedlena, who became the wife of Samuel Wilkins; Mary Anne, who passed away in her sixtieth year; Joseph, who wedded Dorothy Houser; Isaac, who was united in marriage with Amanda Dennison; and Philip.


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The parents of Joseph T. Swisher were Philip and Cassandra (Hughes) Swisher, his birth having occurred in Hardy county, Virginia, February 27, 1817, while his wife was born in Jefferson township, Franklin county, Ohio, March 21, 1820. She was a daughter of John and Mary (Wayne). Hughes, the former of Welsh descent. The latter was a cousin of the distinguished General Wayne. They were both natives . of -Maryland, where they were married. They afterward came to Ohio on horseback about the time of the outbreak of the war of 1812, bringing with them their two children who were carried in the two ends of a sack which had been opened in the center and was thrown over the horse's back, with one of the children on each side. Their daughter, Cassandra, was born after their arrival in Ohio and in this state married Philip Swisher. They spent their married lives on the original farm entered by his father on which he carried on agriculture all his days. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a supporter of the democrat is party, and although he never saw active service he was first lieutenant in the state militia during the Mexican war. Mr. Swisher passed to his eternal rest in Lima township, April 21, 1851, his wife, who departed this life in Etna township, having survived him by fifty-six years, her death having occurred March 7, 1907; at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Among their children were: Joseph T.; Ann M., who wedded Samuel Meeks, both being deceased; Melissa J., the wife of William Wells, residing in Pataskala; William C., who served in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and wedded Mattie Pitzer, their home being three miles south of Newark ; Margaret R., who became the wife of John H. Egolf, of Etna; Mary E., deceased, who is survived by her husband, La Fay.ette Mason; and Laura, deceased, who was the wife of F. B. Seiler.


Joseph T. Swisher was reared on the farm where he was born, and which was originally entered by his grandfather and there under his father's direction acquired a knowledge of farming and at the same time obtained his education in the district schools. Upon the death of his father, in 1851, he assumed the management of the farm and remained there until he was married. He then followed agricultural pursuits for himself on a farm containing fifty-two acres, located a mile and a quarter north of Summit Station. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain John W. Wiseman, and served until April, of 1863, when he was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, owing to disability caused by an accident. He served in General Sherman's Army of the West and was on the march most of the time, and in Mississippi he was injured and was compelled to use crutches for four months. On one occasion he was hit in the leg by a spent ball while doing picket duty, but the impact was not such as to cause serious trouble. After the war he returned home and at once resumed general farming, but in late years he has given up active life to some extent, owing to his advanced age.


On March 6, 1862, Mr. Swisher wedded Eliza A. Donovan, whose birth occurred near Brownsville, Ohio, August 15, 1839, and who departed this life July 18, 1903. She was a daughter of Robert and Emily J. (Hanley) Donovan. her father having been a native of Maryland, while her mother was born in this state, and both parents departed this life in this township. They reared the following family : Eliza J.; Joseph W., who resides near Reynoldsburg, this state;


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Thomas, a resident of Columbus, Ohio ; John, deceased; Frank, who lives in Reynoldsburg; and John, who resides in Lima township To Mr. and Mrs. Swisher have been born two children : Martha J. is the wife of William H. Cashdollar, residing in this township with their children, Elma J., Estella, Irene Elnora, and Carrie Elsie. William T., of Lima township, wedded Miss Mary B. Stover, by whom he has one son, Earl B., and three daughters, Bertha May, Ethel Nora and Carrie Lorea. Besides their own children they have reared Katherine Mary Mason, a daughter of Mr. Swisher's sister, Mary E., whom they have had since she was five days old.


Politically Mr. Swisher is an independent democrat who has taken quite an interest in local affairs. For a number of terms he served as justice of the peace, trustee and assessor, and was a member of the school board for twenty years. In fact he has held all the offices under the township government. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Pataskala and belongs to Lodge No. 404, A. F. & A. M.; Jersey Lodge No. 523, I. O. O. F.; and Baird Post, G. A. R. For many years he was an active factor in the affairs of the local Grange until the organization was disbanded. Mr. Swisher is well known throughout the township as an industrious and upright citizen and has always enjoyed the confidence and respect of his neighbors.


MRS. SARAH J JONES.


Mrs. Sarah J. (Evans) Jones, widow of William Jones, who was an extensive land proprietor and agriculturist of this township, was born here in 1856, a daughter of Morgan and Ann Frances (Thomas) Evans, natives of Wales, who entered into rest in January, 1901, within six days of each other. Mrs. Jones was one of a family of six children, the others being : George G. and Elias E., both agriculturists of this place; Lina M., who was born September 20, 1871, and departed this life October 23, 1897; Alice C., who passed into eternity May 8, 1897, at the age of twenty-three years; and Annie Lou, the wife of J. C. Stock, of this township. The Evans family was for many years identified with the educational work of the district, Mrs. Jones having for a number of terms taught the neighboring school, over which her mother and two sisters also presided at different times. George and Elias Evans now own and manage the old home farm, which embraces one hundred and seventy acres of land, located about four miles west of the courthouse, on the Sharon valley road.


In January, 1883, Mrs. Jones became the wife of William Jones, a native of this place, born April 6, 1848, and a son of Evan and Ann (Jenkins) Jones, who came to this country from Wales, settling in Newark township, where they reared a family of nine children. His mother departed this life in 1881, his father surviving until the year 1887. Mr. Jones followed farming and stock-raising all his life, and his thrifty management of his business brought him prosperity, enabling him to accumulate a large and valuable tract of land, which he kept under a high state of cultivation until death terminated his useful career as a progressive farmer and considerate husband. His business affairs were of the most substantial char-


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acter, and aside from his valuable farm he also left in the city of Newark nine acres of real estate, now in the possession of his widow, who makes her home with her brothers on the farm.


One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, William J., Jr., who has entered into rest. Politically Mr. Jones was a democrat, profoundly convinced of the feasibility of the principles of his party to make prosperous and permanent the nation's commercial, industrial and financial systems, and was ever loyal to his party candidates. Although he never desired to hold office, and always shrunk from the idea of participating in public affairs in an official capacity, yet he was public-spirited, favoring movements designed to promote the good of the community. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His widow is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Newark, and her faithful adherence to the principles of her faith as a Christian, and her love for the church and solicitation and endeavor for the reign of righteousness on the earth, are strongly indicative of her noble purpose and excellent character.


ROBERT W. HOWARD.


Robert W. Howard, successfully practicing at the Newark bar, is a self-made man who, without any extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the outset of his career, has battled earnestly and energetically, and by. indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward and is today numbered among the leading lawyers of Newark. He has used every opportunity that has led him up to the goal for which he has striven, and become recognized not only as a strong and forceful attorney but also as a leader and molder of public opinions. At the present writing he is representing his district in the state legislature, and that his course has the endorsement of his party is indicated by the fact that he is now serving his second term.


Mr. Howard is a native of Jacksontown, Licking county, his birth having there occurred on the 30th of September, 1867. His father, Jonas M. Howard, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennaylvania, and in 1859 arrived in Licking county, Ohio, and established his home in Jacksontown, where he engaged in mechanical pursuits. He was married in 1861 to Miss Margaret Wylie, a native of Jacksontown, of Irish descent The father died in 1902, at the age of sixty-seven years, but the mother still survives.


The public school system of his native town afforded Robert W. Howard his early educational privileges, and, passing through consecutive grades, he at length completed the high school course. He afterward attended the Ohio Wesleyan -University, and thus gained a good literary knowledge to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning. From boyhood he was desirous of becoming a member of the bar, and with this end in view he worked diligently and perseveringly in different lines of labor to gain money that would enable him to prosecute this plan, realizing that broad general knowledge should supersede his preparation for the bar. Eventually he commenced the study


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of law with Judge John W. Swartz and Judge D. A. Allen, of Newark, as his preceptors, and continued reading law until he had gained comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, enabling him to successfully pass the examination for admission to the bar on the 11th of March, 1897. From the 17th day of March of that year he continued practice in the office where he had started. Gradually he has worked his w ay upward in his chosen profession, and his logical grasp of facts and principles of law applicable thereto has been a potent element in his success. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school for five years, being thus connected with the schools of Licking county for three years and with Franklin schools for two years, but his professional work of this character was regarded by him merely as a step toward the bar, keeping in mind always his early formed purpose of one day becoming an attorney.


Mr. Howard has always been active in democratic circles, and is a stalwart supporter of the principles of the party. He served as clerk in the department of state, supervisor of election for five years, and he has been chairman of the democratic county committee. He was elected to fill out an unexpired term in the state legislature for Licking county and that he received his party's endorsement is indicated by the Tact that he was again nominated for the office, was reelected and served on several of the important house committees.


On the 11th of March, 1903, was celebrated the marriage of Robert W. Howard to Miss Bertha Rachael Watkins, a native of Granville township, this county, and a daughter of David Watkins, an old and respected farmer of this locality. Mrs. Howard is a graduate of Denison University and is an artist of much more than ordinary ability. By her marriage she has become the mother of one daughter, Mary Margaret, born August 24, 1904. The parents hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Howard belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His life has been one of continuous activity to which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and his ability is manifested in the large and distinctively represented clientage which is today his. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of Licking county and at all I imes he has sought to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its welfare and development.




ORA J. GREEN.


For more than a century the ancestors of Ora J. Green have been associated with the agricultural interests of this county, his paternal grandfather, Richard Green, and his wife, whose family name was Davis, having come to Ohio from Maryland in the early days, and also his maternal grandparents, Jacob and Phoebe Swisher, who were born December 7, 1778, and April, 1781, respectively. They were natives of Maryland, where they were united in marriage January 1, 1805, and they reared the following family : Abraham, who was united in marriage with Hannah Wilkins, March 9, 1826; Isaac, who was twice wedded, first to Sarah Crollins, June 27, 1830, and after her death to Sarah Woodruffee, on September


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15, 1831; Anna, who became the wife of William Kirk on March 19, 1829; and Mary. The parents of Ora J. Green were Benjamin and, Mary (Swisher) Green. The father's birth occurred in Licking township, this county, in May, 1814, and there he spent the greater part of his life, passing away September 25, 1895. The mother was born in 1810 on the same farm on which occurred the nativity of her husband, and which her father entered about the year 1800. Benjamin Green was a local preacher and well known throughout this part of the state for his usefulness in the ministry, while his wife was also a devoted Christian and both were instrumental in doing much toward heightening the moral and spiritual tone of the community. Their children were Phoebe Ann, widow of Thomas Hillman, residing in Licking township; Sarah, wife of J. P. Swisher, of Hebron; Rowena, the wife of George Dillon Dickens, of Licking township; Richard, who departed this life in Louisville, Kentucky, May 11, 1869, in his twenty-sixth year; Illa, the wife of John Hand, of California; and Ora J.


Ora J. Green was born in Licking township November 6, 1846, and during his boyhood days on the home farm he worked in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. He also availed himself of the educational advantages offered by the district schools, attending the Brombeck school, which is one of the old-time schools of the county and is still standing on the Newark road. After putting aside his text-books he gave his undivided attention to the work of the fields and for sixty-one years remained on his farm, cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate and also engaging in stock-raising. His farm lies in Licking township and contains three hundred acres which he brought under a high state of cultivation. He also made many substantial improvements on the place, including a comfortable residence and substantial barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He likewise secured the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and thus year after year carried on general agricultural pursuits until a recent date when he retired and removed to Hebron to enjoy a well earned rest.


On March 21, 1871, Mr. Green wedded Mary J. Pound, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah J. (Carr) Pound, natives of Orange county, New York, who came to this county in 1848, settling in Mary Ann township, where they spent their remaining days on the farm on which they located. The mother departed this life March 17, 1904. To them were born ten children, of whom two died in infancy. The ,others are as follows : Joseph, who resides in Newton township; Samuel, deceased ; Henry, a resident of Orange county, New York; Edson, who lives in Newton township; Mary J.; Sarah E., who became the wife of Benjamin Colwell, of Orange county, New York, where they died; Isabelle, the deceased wife of Albert Lock, who is a resident of Newton township; and Frances Ellen, who is the wife of Lee Atherton, of Delaware, and has an adopted daughter, Dora, whom they took when she was three years of age and who is now the wife of Harry Mussel-man, of Licking township, and the mother of one child, Mary Green Musselman, who is now attending school in Hebron.


Mr. Green is a stanch advocate of the cause of temperance and a strong opponent of the liquor traffic. Because of this he gives his unfaltering support to the prohibition party and, noting the rapid growth of temperance sentiment at the present time, he believes that the date is not far distant when the manufacture


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and sale of liquor will be Largely diminished. For the past thirty years he h been an active member of t he Methodist Episcopal church, regularly attending its services and closely following its teachings. His life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and characterized by many sterling traits so that in every respect he measures up to the full standard of honorable manhood.


E. G. YOWELL, M. D.


Dr. E. G. Yowell, engaged in the practice of medicine, was born in Licking township, Licking county, July 12, 1878. His father, Franklin Yowell, a native of Virginia, came to Licking county when a young man.old was a representative of an Old Virginia family and following his removal to this state was identified with general agricultural pursuits for many years. He married Miss Mary Grove, also a native of Virginia, who is still living, but Franklin Yowell passed away at the age of 58 years.


Dr. Yowell pursued s education in the country schools, was graduate from the Jacksontown high school and also attended normal school at Granville and Delaware. Taking up the study of medicine he continued his preparation for the profession until he graduated from the Ohio Medical University in 1901. Indeed, he has always remained as a student of the science of medicine, carrying his research far and wide into the realms of scientific knowledge and investigation. Following his graduation he commenced practice in Newark, where he has since remained, and a good patronage is accorded him, showing the public confidence in his skill and ability. He is very careful and accurate in the diagnosis of his cases and his judgment is seldom, if ever, at fault in determining the outcome of disease. He is a member of the County Medical Society and in more specific fraternal lines is connected with the Eagles and Home Guards. A young man of attractive social qualities as well as professional skill, he is populaasth his fellow townsmen and hlas a large circle of warm friends.


GEORGE F. FRANKLIN.


George F. Franklin for many years has been prominent in the business circles of Newark, Ohio. Now in his eightieth year, after a long season of active and profitable service in the upbuilding of the interests of the community, he is now spending hi remaining days in retirement. His straightforward business methods, his amiable disposition, together with his extraordinary ability, have given him a high reputation in the commercial circles of the city, winning him a host of warm friends, and according him unusual popularity. He is a man of fine parts, and, in addition to a pleasing personality, possesses those traits and qualities which leave a lasting and agreeable impression upon all with whom he comes in contact. He has always been upright and just in his dealings, and, during his long commercial career, has been successful in not only placing himself in comfortable


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circumstances but also in contributing much to the welfare of the community. He Novemberin Westbury, England; November 19, 1828, While his father, Edward Franklin, was a native of London, who migrated to New York city in the year 1831, and thence to Newark, Ohio, in 1837. In 1843 he founded the Franklin Bank, now known as the Franklin National Bank. His training in the banking business began early in life, for when a boy in his native land he was employed in a banking institution operated by an uncle. He continued in that enterprise until the time f his death, which occurred i n 1858, while his wife, Mary Hooper Franklin, a descendant of a celebrated family by the name of Hooper, passed into the life beyond in 1876.


George F. Franklin received his preliminary education in the public schools of Newark, Ohio, and was then placed in charge of a private tutor, and subsequently took a four years' course of study in Central College, Ohio. After completing his education he assumed a clerkship in his father's bank, remaining in the employ of his parent until he had become familiar with the various phases of banking, when he went to Marion, Ohio, where he was engind as teller and bookkeeper in• a similar institution. There he remained for five years, then resigned to become cashier of Colonel May's Bank at Rensselaer, Indiana. This position he held for several years. Severing his relations with the concern, he returned to the bank in Marion, Ohio, in which he had been formerly employed, and therewith remained until 1877, when he resigned his position and started in the fire insurance business. In the new venture, aided by the financial experience he had acquired in his long years of service in the banks, he became quite successful. He was well known throughout the community, and rapidly gained an extensive patronage. In is business he represented all of the best insurance companies in the United States, and in 1890, after a long and uninterrupted career of useful endeavor, he retired, and was succeeded by his son, Hooper Franklin, who is now in charge of the business.


In 1856 Mr. Franklin wedded Harriet V. Beerbower, who departed this life in 1881. In 1882 he was united in marriage to Georgiana Wilson, daughter of Dr. John N. Wilson, a pioneer physician of Newark, Ohio. Dr. Wilson was born in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, while his wife, Sabra W. (Newton) Wilson, was a native of Massachusetts. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Franklin by the first marriage were the following children : Hooper and George Franklin, who are now conducting their father's insurance business, and Florence Franklin, now the wife of W. H. Anderson. Mr. Franklin is a member of the Episcopal church.


JOHN H. WATKINS.


John H. Watkins, a substantial farmer of Newark township and who in many ways has rendered valuable service to the community, was born here November 7, 1850, a son of John and Helen (Daniels) Watkins, natives of Cardiganshire, North Wales, who were brought to the new world in childhood. Mr. Watkins was accompanied to this country by his brothers and for many years worked as a mill-stone cutter, but later took up farming, which he followed until he departed this life on January 1, 1860 His wife emigrated to this country


416 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


with her parents, and after her marriage lived in this township with her husband until she passed away on December 27, 1850. Their family consisted of Morris, who resides in Alexandria. St. Albans township; Mary A., who lives with her husband, Richard Beeny, in St. Louisville, Ohio; and John H., who was but seven weeks of age when his mother passed to her eternal rest. Upon her death Mr.. Watkins remarried and ha6 three children by his second wife.


When John H. Watkins was but a few weeks old he was placed in the home of Peter Holler, to whom was bound until twenty-one years of age and under whose supervision he was reared and nurtured. Mr. Holler, being a good man, gave the child every possible advantage at his command, making it possible for him not only to regularly attend the common schools but also to pursue a course of study at Denison University. When Mr. Watkins reached the age of maturity he did not leave the home in which he had been reared, but remained with Mr. Holler and his wife, who had treated him with exceptional kindness, and out of consideration for them in their old days he took charge of the farm continued they lost their son, and continued managing it and contributing to their comfort until they departed this life. Upon the death of Mr. and Mrs. Holler Mr. Watkins inherited the farm, which consists of seventy-five acres, on which he has since remained, devoting his time to raising general crops and to breeding stock.


In 1874 Mr. Watkins was united in marriage to Elizabeth J. English, a native of this township, where her birth occurred March 31, 1850, and a daughter of Nathaniel and Rachel (B elphrey) English, natives of this county, in which they lived all their days and reared a family of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have one son, Guy, chief inspector of the telephone plant at Urbana. He wedded Ethel Barker, and they have two children, Nina E. and Guy Herbert. His political allegiance Mr. Watkins gives to the democratic party and has served as township assessor and also as president of the board of education for several years. He is. a man of excellent traits of character and through his industry and aggressiveness has not only attavined his own present prosperity but has contributed to the general improvement of the township in which he has so long resided.




GEORGE L. SWARTZ.


George L. Swartz, who is a worthy representative of the German element which has been instrumental in doing so much in agricultural lines for this and other states, owns and operates a large farm near Thornville, this county. His birth occurred in Licking county, December 25, 1856. His grandfather, John Swartz, a grape grower in Germany, came to this country at an early date, bringing with him a number of grapevines, and settled in Perry county, where for a number of years he operated an extensive vineyard. Among his children was Joseph Swartz, who was born in Lorraine, which was then a province of Germany, and was brought to this country by his parents when he was in his sixth year, locating with them in Perry county, where he was reared and united in marriage, subsequently removing to this county where he followed the occupation of farming until his death, his remains having been interred in Mount Calvary cemetery,


HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 419


at Newark. His religious convictions were on the side of Roman Catholicism and in politics he always gave his vote to the democratic party. A good man, favorably spoken of for his honesty, sobriety, and industry, he was well liked and respected by all who knew him. His wife was Lydia Trovinger, a native of Perry county, where they were married. She departed this life in Newark and was buried beside her husband in the Mount Calvary cemetery. She reared seven children, namely: John, deceased ; Marion, who is in the grocery business at Newark; George L.; Sarah, deceased; Mary, deceased ; Alice, wife of William Young, who is associated with the Consumers Brewery, of Newark, as bookkeeper; and Laura, who became the wife of W. J. Koos, bookkeeper for William Herdman & Company, of Columbus, Ohio.


George L. Swartz had the advantage of an excellent education. Having received his preliminary training in the district schools of Licking township, he subsequently spent two years in the schools of Newark, and had completed three years' study in St. Mary's College, at Dayton, Ohio, when his health failed, compelling him to return home, where he has since been engaged in farming. He owns three hundred acres of land, the entire tract being under cultivation and provided with a fine dwelling house and all necessary outbuildings, and here he engages in general farming and stock raising. He is in every sense a self-made man, the present prosperity with which he is surrounded being due to his unremitting energy, business ability and careful management, and particularly to the scientific study he gives to the various departments of agriculture.


On December 27, 1877, Mr. Swartz wedded Miss Rebecca B. Coffman, a native of this county, by whom he has six children, namely : Lulu, A. W., Susie, Carl, Mildred and Mary, all residing at home. The elder son operates one of his father's farms. Mr. Swartz votes the democratic ticket, the policies of that party appealing to him as fundamentally correct and wise, and although he does not want public office himself, yet, desirous of aiding his party to attain success, he is always campaigning and ready during campaigns to use his vote and influence on behalf of its candidates. B is fellow townsmen elected him to office and for six years he has served efficiently as a trustee of the township. He belongs to St. Francis de Sales parish of Newark, and being a man who always endeavors to act in obedience to a high standard of morals, his character is above reproach and he is one of the township's representative sons.


WILLIAM HOLLER.


William Holler, who for many years has been identified with the agricultural interests of Newark township and who descends from an old Virginia family, the members of which followed farming in that state and came here at an early date, was bo in Madison township, October :l3, 1838, and, with the exception of few years, has spent his entire life here. His grandfathers spent their lives on farms in the vicinity of Newark. The paternal grandparents, Henry and Katharine (Helsley) Holler, were natives of Virginia and among their children was Henry Holler, Jr., the father of our subject, whose birth occurred in the Shenandoah


420 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


valley of Virginia. When four years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Licking county and on attaining man's estate he wedded Miss Katharine Showman, a native of Maryland, who likewise came to this county with her parents at an early day. Her birth occurred on the farm on which the battle of Antietam took place and which was owned by her father, Jacob Showman. Her mother died of cholera in 1834. Henry Holler, Jr., departed this life in Newark in 1886, when he had attained the age of seventy-nine years, while his wife was called to her final rest at the age of sixty-seven years.


William Holler was one of eleven children, three of whom survive, one child, Hiram, having lost his life while serving with the First Iowa Cavalry during the Civil war. After acquiring his education in the district schools of his native township, Mr. Holler remained on the old home farm for a time and in 1854 removed with his parents to Newark township. On the 18th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with Captain David Thomas, and participated in all of the engagements of his regiment, including Richmond, Kentucky; Jackson, Mississippi; the siege of Vicksburg; Tupelo, Mississippi; Spanish Fort, Alabama; and Nashville, Tennessee. In Richmond, Kentucky, he was taken prisoner, but was not detained long before being exchanged. Upon receiving his honorable discharge on August 14, 1865, after he had served throughout the entire war, he returned home and resumed the pursuit of agriculture, which he has since followed without intermission. His farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land and is provided with barns, outbuildings and machinery, with all conveniences required to carry on its cultivation by modern methods, and in addition to producing general grain crops he has given considerable attention to raising stock. His residence, which is three miles north of the courthouse on the Mount Vernon road, is an elegant brick building, which was constructed in 1836 by General Thomas Wilson, who was commanding officer of the state militia, and in which he resided for a number of years. The grave of John Sparks, who was a guide and scout for the Lewis and Clark expedition, is on Mr. Holler's farm, marked by a thin sandstone slab and is looked upon by the citizens of the community as an old landmark.


On February 15, 1866, Mr. Holler wedded Mary Channel], who was born near Utica, this county, on March 8, 1842, and departed this life on December 4, 1904, after having passed all her days in Licking county. She was a daughter of Aaron Channell, who was captain of Company E, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war and served from the year 1861 until 1864 and in June, of the latter year, lost his life in the battle of Cloyd Mountain, Virginia, of which state he was a native. Mr. Channell was among the early settlers of Licking county, to which he came with his parents when a lad. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grandfather in the colonial army.


Mr. and Mrs. Holler have two sons : Edward, a farmer of Utica, this county; and William, of Newark. In politics Mr. Holler has always given his support to the republican party because, after studiously deliberating upon the value of its principles, he long ago became convinced that they contained the secret of our nation's financial worth and, are best suited to produce permanent prosperity. His religious convictions become apparent upon knowing that he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Newark, with which he has been affiliated for


HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 421


many years and of which he has always been. a liberal supporter. He is a comrade of Newark Lemert Post, No. 71, G. A. R. Mr. Holler is a man who is widely known throughout the county for his honesty and straightforwardness, and, as well, for his upright life, and stands in high respect among the citizens of the township.


ROBERT JOHN OWEN.


Robert John Owen, following the occupation of farming as a life work, was born May 31, 1844, on the farm which is now his home and which is pleasantly located on Burg street, about three miles north of Granville. He is a representative of that valued class of Welsh-American citizens who have done so much toward developing and upbuilding this portion of the state. His parents, John R. and Ann (Jones) Owen, were both natives of the north of Wales, born in Montgomeryshire. The father's birth occurred in 1811, while the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day in 1816. John R. Owen was a young man of about twenty-one years when, in 1832, he crossed the Atlantic to New York. After working there for six years he returned to Wales and brought his parents and his future wife and her parents to the United States. He then worked for three years longer in New York and in 1841 came to Licking county, Ohio. In the meantime he had carefully saved his earnings until his capital was sufficient to enable him to purchase fifty acres of land and a horse and he traded his watch for a wagon. From time to time he added to his property as his financial resources increased until his holdings aggregated about five hundred acres. He had one hundred and seventy-five acres in the home place, one hundred and fifty-five acres adjoining, one hundred and forty-four acres in Newark township and twenty-two acres in McKean township. His landed interests were the visible evidence of his life of well directed thrift, industry and careful management. He could justly be called a self-made man, deserving all the praise that that term implies. He had started out empty handed on coming to America and had worked in a distillery in Waterville, New York, and also as a farm hand, but he was imbued with the laudable desire to achieve success and make a comfortable living for his family and as the years passed by his carefully directed labors gained for him a place among the substantial citizens of the county. After becoming a naturalized American citizen, he stanchly supported the republican party, believing its principles were most conducive to good government. He was also a member of the Welsh Calvanistic Methodist church and served as one of the elders at Granville. His life was upright and honorable, winning for him the favorable regard of all with whom he came in contact. He died in Newark township in 1882, while his wife reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years, dying in 1904. Their family numbered four children : Robert J., of this review; David, who is living in the same neighborhood; Thomas D., who is represented elsewhere in this volume; and Dr. John J. Owen, a practicing physician of Philadelphia.


On the old home farm Robert J. Owen was reared and hag always resided here with the exception of two or three years passed in Newark township. He owns and occupies the old home place of one hundred and seventy-five acres and


422 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


devotes his energies to general farming and stock-raising. He knew that labor was the source of success and had been trained to habits of diligence, enterprise and business integrity. As the years have gone by he has carefully managed his farming interests and is now meeting, with success in the cultivation of his crops and also in raising stock.


On the 17th of February, 1870, Mr. Owen was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harries, who was born in Carmarthen, Wales, February 27, 1849, and during her infancy was brought to America by her parents, the Rev. David and Margaret (Lewis) Harries, also natives of Wales. In their family were seven daughters and one son. The father was a Presbyterian minister and his last charge was in Chicago, where he remained for eighteen years. During that time lie was instrumental in erecting a beautiful house of worship known as Hebron church.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Owen have been born five children, of whom three are living: John Charles, who is with the Central Ohio Paper Company of Columbus; David Harries, teller in the Commercial National Bank of Columbus; and Robert Dwight, a student in the Ohio State. University. Those deceased are Robert Wellelyn and Margaret Annette. T he family attend the Presbyterian church of Granville, of which Mr. and Mrs. Owen are members, and Mr. Owen is an elder. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the principles of the republican party, but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty, preferring ever to give his undivided attention to his business interests, which, capably conducted, have brought him signal success.




PHILIP KRUMM.


Philip Krumm, a prosperous farmer of Lima township, whose family for many generations has followed the same pursuit in this part of the state, was born in Mifflin township, Franklin county, Ohio, March 31, 1842, a son of Martin and Mary Krumm, both of whom were natives of the fatherland. His father, accompanied by his second wife and seven children, after seventy-seven days voyage, landed in America in the year 1832, the journey being anything but agreeable, since in those days passengers were required to carry their own edibles and drinking water, and consequently they were obliged to suffer the pangs of hunger and the little food afforded them was obviously unsavory. In all he had fourteen sons and four daughters, seven sons and three daughters being by his second wife, and of these four sons and one daughter survive and a half brother is also living. Of his four sons three, Joseph, Harmon and Philip, were in the one hundred days' service during the Civil war, and the fourth, Louis, served three years in the Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. John and Gottleib, half brothers, were among the "forty-niners" who during the gold excitement went to California where they successfully followed mining for a number of years. The elder Mr. Krumm departed this life in Franklin county, Ohio, in the year 1864, when seventy-seven years of age, and his wife survived him by twenty-five years, passing away March 2, 1889.


HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 425


In the district school of Mifflin township, Franklin county, where his parents located on coming to America, Philip Krumm received his education, and upon completing his studies remained on the old home farm, engaged in the active pursuit of agriculture until he was twenty-four years of age, when he came to this county with his brother-in-law, Henry Geiseck, with whom he engaged in farming until he was united in marriage. He then pursued the occupation independently until a few years ago, when he retired. His farm consists of seventy acres located on the Lima and Etna township line and is highly improved land, equipped with the best modern machinery and provided with a comfortable residence, barns, outbuildings and all the requirements for conducting a general farming business. During his career as an agriculturist Mr. Krumm gave his undivided attention to the enterprise and 'pursued the occupation industriously and perseveringly, and from year to year his harvests were of pecuniary advantage and enabled him to establish himself in comfortable circumstances so that in the evening of life he might enjoy the fruits of his long years of labor. Although he is in his sixty-seventh year he is not contented with living a life of inactivity, and while he has given up farm duties he utilizes a great deal of his time in selling fencing.


On November 23, 1865, Mr. Krumm was united in marriage with Susannah Young, who was born in this township about a mile and a half south of Summit Station, on May 24, 1848, and has resided here all her life. She was a daughter of Mathias and Susannah (Lurany) Young, her father having been a native of Maryland, where his birth occurred in June, 1814, and her mother of Fairfield county, Ohio, where she was born in the year 1822. With his parents Mr. Young came to Fairfield county prior to his marriage, and was one of the number who cut the timber for the new part of the old state reservoir. In Fairfield county he was married, in April, 1839, and one year later he located on a farm in this township where he resided until his death in January, 1889, his wife departing this life five years later.. Their farm consisted of two hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, in addition to which they owned other large tracts of land which they also devoted to agriculture, the seventy acres now under cultivation by Mr. Krumm being a portion of the two hundred and fifty acre farm. Susannah Young was one of seven children, the others being Daniel and Richard, deceased; Manesay Howard, of Columbus ; Lafayette, of Pataskala; Franklin, who died in infancy ; and David, of Columbus. Daniel enlisted in Company I, Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war, and his brother Richard, who enlisted in the nine months' service in the Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, also enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for three years.


Mr. and Mrs. Krumm were blessed with the following children: Minnie Connell, of Summit Station; Frank, of this township ; Lowell, who died in infancy; Etta Ealy, of Columbus ; Clara McPeek, of Portage county; James, who died in infancy ; Ada Belknap, of Columbus; Arthur, at home; Florence Brown, of Columbus; and Harvey, who resides at home. Mr. Krumm votes with the republican party, to which he has always given his support. As to his religious faith, he is liberal and, being a man of great sympathy and kindness and one who wishes the best for humanity at large, he is affiliated with the Uni-


426 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


versalist church, at the services of which he is a faithful worshiper. As heretofore mentioned, he served in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the one hundred days' service, and was honorably discharged at Camp Chase. August 20, 1864. Aside from being an industrious and enterprising man, Mr. Krumm is also one of excellent traits of character and moral force, and being honorable and just in all his dealings he is held in high respect by the citizens of the community.


HOWELL RICHARDS.


Howell Richards, who has devoted his entire life to general farming and is now cultivating a tract of eighty-one acres in Granville township, was born in Newark township, Licking county, May 22, 1858. He is the oldest of a family of eleven children, ten of whom are now living, his parents being Thomas and Rachael (Jones) Richards, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. No event occurred to vary the usual routine of farm life for him in his youthful days. His time was divided between the work of the fields, the duties of the school room and the pleasures of the playground, and he remained with his parents up to the time of his marriage, receiving practical training in all of the work that falls to the lot of the agriculturist.


It was on the 5th of March, 1885, that Mr. Richards was joined in wedlock to Miss Ida B. Cramer, who was born on the farm on which they now reside, January 9, 1863, her parents heing Thomas H. and Sarah (Harris) Cramer. Her father was born on the same farm in March, 1831, and here passed away in June, 1883, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife, a native of Newton township, now resides near Fredonia, this county. The homestead, which is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Richards, has been in possession of the Cramer family since 1803 Thomas II. Cramer was the possessor of a large estate, including several farms, that aggregated about live hundred acres of rich and valuable land, and in addition to tilling the soil he operated threshing machines and also was the owner of saw mills. He was classed with the representative and prominent business men of the community and was very successful in all of his business ventures. He represented one of the oldest pioneer families of the county, his father, William Cramer, having spent his entire life here, a fact which indicates that the family was founded here at an early period, when Indian occupancy had scarcely given way to the settlement of the white people. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cramer there were six children : Ida B., now Mrs. Richards; Margaret A., the wife of Joshua Hankison, a resident farmer of Newton township; William, living in Newark; Rebecca, the wife of George M. Jones of Newark; Charles D., of Granville township; and Nellie G., the wife of George Hartman, living with her mother near Fredonia.


At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Richards established their home on their present farm. Mr. Richards purchased eighty-one acres of his father-in-law's estate and has since given his undivided attention to the development of his place on which he has made many modern improvements, transforming it into


HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 427


a valuable and attractive farm. He also conducted a dairy for seven years, selling milk in Granville. For about ten years Mr. Richards operated a threshing machine, but was finally obliged to abandon it on account of his health. He now gives his attention, however, to general farming and stock-raising, and has been agent for a fertilizer for several years.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Richards were born three children: Nora Belle, born August 14, 1886; Irene, January 27, 1888; and Grover C., on the 7th of August, 1892. The family attend the Presbyterian church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Richards has been a lifelong advocate of democratic principles and never fails to support his views by his ballot at the time of election. He has served as a school official, being a member of the township board of education for a number of years. He is public spirited and his efforts in behalf of general improvement have been tangible factors in the county's development and upbuilding. He is well known in this part of the state, where his entire life has been passed and where he has an extensive circle of warm friends.


DAVID O. EVANS.


David O. Evans, who throughout his entire life has been connected with the farming interests of this county, was born four miles north of Granville, on Burgh street, October 7, 1862, a son of David. and Mary (Thomas) Evans, his father having been born in Cardiganshire, South Wales, on February 22, 1820, and departed this life on the 20th of August, 1864. By his parents, John J. and Sarah Evans, he was brought to the United States in 1833 in company with his brothers, John T. and Morgan, and his sisters, Hannah, Margaret, Mary, Jane and Eleanor. One brother, Thomas, was born in this township. On arriving in this country his father repaired to the state of Ohio and settled three miles north of Granville, in Granville township, this county, where he remained for one year plying his trade as a blacksmith and wagonmaker, and at the expiration of that period removed to Newark township, where he bought a farm which he cultivated, at the same time continuing to work at his trade in association with his sons, who built a blacksmith shop near the old spring and engaged in farming and blacksmithing until their father's death. The farm originally embraced one hundred and ten acres of woodland, and to This tract seventy-five acres were added, so that the farm in all embraced one hundred and eighty-five acres, which, upon Mr. Evans' death, was inherited by his children.


When two years of age David 0. Evans was brought by his parents to a farm in Newark township and in April, 1866, his father having passed away, he removed with his mother to another farm in Newark township. On this property he has since resided and has given his time and energies to its development and improvement, as he has cultivated the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. His farm originally contained fifty acres, but later he sold one acre to the township for the erection of the Sharon valley schoolhouse. This farm he purchased from his mother in 1890. Shortly after making the purchase he remodeled the old house, and after the barn had been destroyed by fire in 1895 he built his


428 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


present modern barn. In addition to engaging in general farming, producing large crops of hay and grain, he makes a specialty of stock-raising and devotes his attention to that line, particularly to road and draught horses, in the breeding of which his long experience has made him a recognized authority. Aside from breeding and feeding stock. he buys and sells a great deal and keeps a boarding stable, in which he has on hand on an average of twelve to sixteen head of horses. Mr. Evans' farm is not large as far as the acreage is concerned, but every inch of ground is put into use and is under cultivation, and by his progressive methods of husbandry he makes his few acres yield him as much as many farms containing twice that amount.


On October 8, 1890, Mr. Evans wedded Katharine Thomas, who is a native of Lima township, where her birth occurred August 12, 1862, and a daughter of Robert J. and Mary (Chadwick) Thomas, her father having been born in Granville township, this county, on May 28, 1830. He now resides in Lima township, this county. His grandfather was among the early settlers of the Welsh hills, where he bought one thousand acres of land, most of which he had under cultivation, and he carried on his back the first bushel of wheat produced in that township to the mill in Zanesville. Mr. and Mrs. Evans reared the following children: Mary L., who was born January 5, 1892, and departed this life three years later; Robert Ellis, born March 6, 1895; Louis N., born August 26, 1896; and Charles Chadwick, whose birth occurred November 30, 1902. In politics Mr. Evans has always given his allegiance to the republican party because a studious examination of its principles has long since convinced him that they are fully and entirely adequate to maintain the permanent peace and financial surety of the nation. While he is not an office seeker and may not be termed an active politician, yet, during campaigns he is ambitious to note the success of his party, and uses his vote and influence to securing the election of its candidates. Amid the pressure of his farm duties and other business affairs he never loses sight of his religious obligations, in the observance of which he is ever faithful, and with his wife and family he attends divine services in the Plymouth Congregational church of Newark. He has always appreciated the worth and nobility of an upright life and has always endeavored to so live that he might be of benefit to his fellow. men and to this end he is highly respected by his fellow townsmen and is numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.




JOSEPH PARK DECROW.


Joseph Park Decrow, who for many years has been identified with the agricultural interests of Bennington township, this county, was born in the dwelling in which he now resides on March 19, 1848, a descendant of an English family who settled in the New England states prior to the eighteenth century. The Decrows were a seafaring people and ship-carpenters, the great-grandfather and grandfather having followed that occupation in England. They continued to ply that craft after coming to the new world, settling in the state of Maine. Joseph Park Decrow possesses a relic which was handed down by his ancestors and which


HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 431


he highly prizes, not because of its, intrinsic worth but by reason of the fact that it is indicative of the partisanship of the male members of his family. It is a ship-carpenter's axe made in Sheffield, England, in the year 1740, and is of a quality of steel which can scarcely be duplicated in this age.


The parents of Joseph P. Decrow, Sr., father of the subject of this review, were born in Lincolnville, Maine, and were united in marriage on December 3, 1832, at a place called Brooks Corners, Bennington township, the town having taken its name after Mrs. Decrow's father, situated not far from where Joseph Park Decrow, Jr., now resides.


Joseph P. Decrow, Sr.; came to Licking county, in 1830 and made the journey by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo, New York, thence by lake to Cleveland, Ohio, from which place he went via the Ohio canal to Newark. Two years previous Delilah Brooks, who later became his wife, made the trip to this county with her parents, the entire party coming in wagons and bringing with them all of their household effects and belongings. Early in life Mr. Decrow had learned the ship-carpenter's trade, but was ambitious to become a seafaring man and consequently went as mate on a coast trading vessel. After he had followed the sea for a few years he became a captain, plying his trade for a number of years, during which time he suffered shipwreck off Cape Hatteras, thereby losing his cargo and the members of his crew, barely escaping death himself. This accident did not make him averse to the high seas, however, and he continued coast trading until he suffered a like experience off the shores of Virginia, after which he decided to abandon that business and to settle inland.


About this time he married Delilah Brooks, the exact date being December 3, 1832. She taught school in an old log cabin schoolhouse which was located in the woods not far from where she now resides. The country was practically a wilderness then being thickly covered with forests and from the little log dwelling of her parents to the .school building was something over two miles of dense forest. However, in order to assure her safe transit to the school and home again a number of trees were so placed as to mark the pathway and thus prevent her from becoming lost in the forest. Mr. Decrow met his wife in the state of Maine, and it was not long after he had given up the sea before they were united in marriage and settled on a farm in Bennington township. He purchased the land now cultivated by his son for one dollar and a half an acre, and from time to time added to the original purchase until the tract amounted to something over eight hundred acres. When the couple started housekeeping it was in a small log cabin sparsely furnished, their table being formed by pegs driven into the wall upon which a board was placed. The other furniture was as primitive, consisting simply of chairs of a kind seldom seen in these days, then known as peg legs. For some time they dwelt in this humble home until Mr. Decrow, through his knowledge of carpentering, planned and built the house in which his son was born and now lives. As to arrangement and architectural design, it will compare favorably with modern residences and, although it has been standing for sixty-five years, it is in excellent condition, thus showing the careful and substantial workmanship of Mr. Decrow. Among his family were eight children, three of whom attained maturity, namely : Dr. Marion G., deceased, formerly of Newark, Ohio; John Brooks, of Valparaiso, Indiana ; and Joseph Park, our subject.


432 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


When a mere boy, Joseph Park Decrow assisted his father in the duties of the farm and in clearing off land preparatory to cultivation, in the meantime completing a course of study in the district schools. He continued to assist his father for some time and then went to Newark, where he was employed for about three years. Later he completed a business course at Iron City Commercial College, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and upon his graduation was engaged as bookkeeper for a steamboat supply house, remaining in this position for one year when he was compelled to resign owing to ill health. He then returned to the farm and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.


On December 21. 1882, he was united in marriage to Louise K. Simmons, a daughter of John and Mary (Wise) Simmons, a prominent family of Bennington township, and to this union was born one son, Rolla, now assisting his father on the farm. They live in the old Decrow homestead, where Joseph Park Decrow was born and where he has practically spent his entire life. The farm consists of four hundred acres of highly improved land, all under cultivation, well stocked and managed as a successful business enterprise should be. Aside from attending to the affairs of his business, Mr. Decrow has found time to serve the township in a number of useful offices, having been road supervisor and also a member of the school board. In politics he gives his support to the republican party and, although he does not take active interest in politics, he has officiated as a member of the election board, and is intelligently conversant on all party matters. He belongs to the local Grange, in the affairs of which he actively participates, and is a man of noble purpose and excellent qualities of character, thus winning the confidence and respect of the entire community, where his reputation is unsullied and of which he is a valuable citizen.


AARON ZARTMAN.


Aaron Zartman, deceased, who for many years followed agricultural pursuits and stock raising in Newark township, was born here, November 29, 1847, and descended from a family the members of which for many generations have been citizens of the United States, his great-great-great-grandfather, Alexander Zartman, having come from Germany in 1728, locating in Brickerville, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where the great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather were also born and spent their lives in the pursuit of agriculture. His grandfather, Alexander Zartman, a native of Pennsylvania, married Salome Koble. At an early day Andrew Zartman removed to Perry county, this state, where he devoted his energies to farming, and departed this life. The maternal grandparents, Adam and Eve (Fidler) Klingler, also natives of the Keystone state, spent most of their lives in Perry county, Ohio, where they owned large tracts of land devoted to general farming and stock raising.


Joshua Zartman, father of the subject of this review, was a native of Perry county, this state, born near Somerset. At an early day he located here with his wife, Lydia Klingler, and followed the gunsmith's trade, at the same time operating a small farm. Later he removed with his wife to the town of Newark,



HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 433


where they entered into rest. He followed his trade to within three days of his death. He reared a family of eight' children, namely : Alexander, who passed away in his ninth year; Adam, who departed this life when fourteen years of age; Jacob who died in his thirty-fifth year , Joshua, who resides in this township; Aaron; David, a pharmacist of Butler, Ohio; Elizabeth, the wife of D. E. Stephens, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Mary Magdalene, the wife of Rev. J. D. Neff, of the Reformed church of Hartville, this state.


In the district schools Aaron Zartman acquired his education, and at the age of nine years removed with his parents to the residence where he spent the rest of his life, with the exception of one year spent in McKean. His farm was located two miles southwest of the courthouse, on the Ohio canal, his premises being particularly valuable by reason of the fact that upon the place is a fine sugar grove. Here during his active career Mr. Zartman engaged in general farming, together with stock-raising. He was interested in natural gas production, his farm being in the natural gas belt and containing two flowing wells. A few years ago he retired from the active duties of the farm and lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his long years of earnest labor. He rented his land, but resided on the farm until his death.


On November 29, 1871, Mr. Zartman was united in marriage to Ida Jones, a native of Newark township, born May 10, 1849, and a daughter of Evan and Ann (Jenkins) Jones, natives of Wales. Her father, who was a blacksmith by trade and who followed that occupation in connection with farming, passed away in Newark township. To Mr. and Mrs. Zartman were born : two children who died in infancy and a daughter, Lydia, the wife of Michael Sachs, a merchant tailor of Newark. Politically Mr. Zartman did not affiliate with any particular party, preferring rather to remain independent. He reserved the right to vote for the man rather than for the party, and as a consequence marked his ballot for such candidates as, in his opinion, were best qualified to serve in the offices they sought. His long' life of activity was eminently useful, both in contributing to his own prosperity and the community at large, in which he was held in high respect, being numbered among its representative citizens. He died January 18, 1909.


W. L. SMITH.


W. L. Smith, president and general manager of the Simpson Heater Company, has for eighteen years been connected with this business, during which time he has made steady progress, working his way upward from a humble position until he is now the chief executive officer, with a controlling voice in matters of vital importance to the concern. He is recognized as a strong and forceful business man, wisely using his opportunities and coordinating forces until he produces a harmonious whole.


Mr. Smith is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Knox county on the 13th of June, 1870. His father, James B. Smith, was born in Virginia and came to Knox husinessn 1866. There he carried on business as a contractor and


434 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


builder until 1884, when he removed to Newark and has since been identified with building operations in this city. He married Julia Scott, a native of Licking county, and a daughter of William and Eliza (Cawley) Scott, pioneer residents of this county.


The public schools afforded to W. L. Smith the educational privileges which he enjoyed and which fitted him for the responsibilities of life. After putting aside his text-books he turned his attention to the foundry business, in which he has since been engaged. He has thoroughly mastered every task that has devolved upon him, has become familiar with the trade in every department and is thus able, in a position of executive control, to carefully direct the labors of those who serve under him and produce the best results for the development of the business. For eighteen years he has been with the Simpson Heater Company, his merit and ability recommending him for successive promotions until in 1906, following the death of Mr. Simpson, he was elected president and general manager. This is one of the old firms and extensive industrial enterprises of the city. The business was originally carried on under the name of the Thomas Simpson Foundry for many years, when it was reorganized as the Simpson Heater Company.


In 1902 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Cora Simpson, a daughter of the late Thomas Simpson, a native of England, who came to Newark and here established the business which now bears his name. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both widely and favorably known in this part of the state, and their home is the center of a cultured society circle. He is a most enterprising business man, alert and energetic, conducting his affairs in keeping with the modern business spirit, and brooking no obstacle that can be overcome by determined and honorable effort. His labors have brought him gratifying success, and as the head of the Simpson Heater Company he is contributing as well to the material progress and upbuilding of Newark.




CHARLES AARON PENCE.


Charles Aaron Pence has been spoken of as the most popular man in the town of Hebron. This is due to the fact that in the midst of a very busy life he has always found time for those courtesies which are so agreeable to the recipient from the fact that they are the external indication of a kindly spirit and unfeigned interest. Mr. Pence occupies a position in the foremost rank of business men, controlling extensive and important interests. Tireless energy, keen perception and a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday common sense, are his chief characteristics and have constituted the basis of his prosperity. Thus well known as a prominent, prosperous and popular citizen of Hebron, his history cannot fail to prove of great interest to many of our readers.


Mr. Pence was born March 10, 1871, on a farm two and a half miles north of Hebron in Union township. His father was Samuel Aaron Pence, his grandfather, Aaron Pence, and his great-grandfather, David Pence. The last named was a native of Virginia and in 1803 became a resident of Fairfield county, Ohio, where


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he died. There he reared a large family and several of his children almost reached the century mark. His son, Aaron Pence, was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1800 and therefore was only about three years of age when brought by his parents to Ohio, the family home being established at Pleasantville. They were about ten days in making the trip from Zanesville, Ohio, to their objective point in Fairfield county, for no roads had been laid out and they had to cut their way through the forest. David Pence purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land at that time but afterward made additional purchases. For three or four weeks the family continued to live in the moving wagon, at the end of which time David Pence had completed a little cabin home. Indians were far more numerous in the state than the white settlers, for only here and there, principally along the banks of the rivers, had settlement been made. Wild animals were numerous and wild game of all kinds was to be had in abundance. The little homes were heated by fireplaces, over which hung the kettle suspended from the crane. It was amid such pioneer surroundings that Aaron Pence, the grandfather of our subject, was reared and as his years increased he aided more and more largely in the arduous task of developing a new farm. About 1835 he came to Licking county and built the Taylor barn on the Newark and Hebron road. He established his home upon a farm on the Granville road, two and a half miles north of Hebron, and there he continued to spend his remaining days, passing away at the age of eighty-four and a half years. He possessed much natural mechanical ingenuity, could cut stone, lay brick, do carpenter work, hew logs, make coffins and in fact do almost anything in a mechanical line. These qualities were very essential in the pioneers who, remote from the older centers of civilization, had to depend entirely upon their own labors for all that they wished done, as it was almost impossible in those days to secure help, for every one was intent upon the task of establishing a home and developing a place for himself. In his early manhood Aaron Pence wedded Maria Hand, who was born in Union township on the Granville and Hebron road, on a farm of one hundred and forty acres, which later became the home and property of her husband. She died on this farm in 1 879 at the age of sixty-five years. She was a daughter of Samuel and Charlotte Hand, natives of Virginia, who in 1805 arrived in Licking county and established their home on the farm where Samuel Aaron Pence now resides. Two years prior to this time Samuel Hand had visited the county and from the government had purchased about eleven hundred acres of land, including the seventy-acre tract which is now the property of Samuel A. Pence and which has never passed out of possession of the family. Samuel Hand cleared a large portion of his extensive purchase and he and his family shared in all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. They had driven across the country with horse teams and a pony and after reaching their destination their wagon afforded them shelter for about three months. In the meantime Mr. Hand had hewed logs and built a cabin. His possessions consisted of little more than two sheep, two hogs, three hens and one rooster, which he had brought with him. The woods were so dense that they had to clear a space large enough on which to build the cabin and in this work Mr. Hand was assisted by a neighbor, Mr. Lichlitner. Other residents of the .neighborhood were Mr. Pratt, Mr. Stone and Mr. Taylor, who also aided in building the cabin. The nearest neighbor was two miles away and the nearest market and postoffice were at Zanesville, twenty-five miles distant. There was plenty game of all kinds and the red men were numerous in


438 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


the neighborhood. At one time there were about five hundred Indians encampe near the Hand home, owing to the fact that there was a fine spring on his place from which they secured water. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hand were born eight children : Samuel, James, William, Stephen, John, Maria, Lottie Ann and Eliza.


Samuel Aaron Pence, father of Charles Aaron Pence, was born near Pleasantville, Fairfield county, Ohio, October 12, 1837, and when he was three years of age his parents removed to the farm upon which he has since resided, it having now been his home for al most seventy years. It is a tract of seventy acres on the Granville road, two and a half miles north of Hebron. In addition to agricultural pursuits Samuel A. Pence joined Ambrose Smith in conducting a general mercantile store in Hebron for a year and a half but farming has been his real life work and in the cultivation of his fields he has met with good success. In politics he has been a life-Long democrat, casting his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. He has served as both school and road officer and has always been active and influential in affairs of the community, for it is well known that he has always labored for matters of progress and improvement. In 1868 he wedded Mary Ashton, who was born in Granville, Ohio, October 14, 1836, and has always resided in this county. Her parents, Joseph and Harriet (Larimore) Ashton, were natives of Virginia and came to Licking county with their respective parents in pioneer times. The death of Mr. Ashton occurred in 1854 when he was forty-five years of age, while Mrs. Ashton long survived and died June 23, 1894, at the age of eighty-five years, eight months and thirteen days. Their family numbered the following children, namely : Louisa; Harrison; Mrs. Mary Pence; Stephen; Harriet; Joseph; Frances and Frederick, twins; and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Pence now reside north of Hebron on the old home place, which has been in possession of representatives of the name since it was secured as a claim from the government.


Charles Aaron Pence, an only child, spent the first seven years of his life on the farm where his birth occurred. At the end of that time his grandmother Pence died and his parents removed a quarter of a mile south, where they are now living. Upon that place Charles A. Pence continued to make his home until May, 1902, when he came to Hebron. He had for some years before, however, been identified with commercial interests in the county. In 1891 he began business as a dealer in hay and grain and for over seventeen years extensively and successfully carried on operations alone. On the expiration of that period he admitted C. A. Swisher to a partnership under the firm style of Pence & Swisher and in 1908 they handled over two thousand carloads of hay and grain, buying all over the county and from other dealers. Their shipments in the past year were valued at over two hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars. They conduct the most extensive business of the kind in this portion of the state and make a specialty of dealing in hay. They also conduct a branch business at Millersport, Ohio, where they have an elevator and warerooms. They have an elevator, warerooms and two large hay barns in Hebron, furnishing a capacity for the storage of two hundred carloads of hay, while their elevator has a capacity of about ten thousand bushels of grain. Mr. Pence began baling hay seventeen years ago and has devoted his time and attention to his hay and grain business since. While the extent and importance of their trade relations in this connection place them in a foremost position in the ranks of the leading and successful business men of the county, Mr. Pence is also known in


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other associations. He is particularly prominent as a representative of financial interests, having been the founder and organizer of the Hebron Bank Company in 1903, since which time he has acted as its president. His business interests have enjoyed gradual growth and development until they have reached mammoth proportions, constituting a source of large profit.


On the 24th of May, 1891, Mr. Pence was married to Miss Anna Warden, a native of this township and a daughter of Charles and Lillian (Granger) Warden, both of whom reside in Granville township. The former is a son of Hiram Warden, of Newark. Mr. and Mrs. Pence have a daughter, Ruth R. The parents are members of the Licking Baptist church and Mr. Pence is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Hebron Lodge, No. 116, A. F. & A. M., to the Chapter, Council and Commandery at Newark and to Scioto Consistory at Columbus, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Mystic Shrine. He votes with the democracy and for the past three years has been president of the village council of Hebron. He is interested in all that pertains to the general welfare and opposed to everything that indicates a maladministration of public affairs. His life has been indeed a busy and useful one and his various interests have brought him into important relations with the public. Moreover he deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, for when he started out in life on his own account his cash capital consisted of but twenty dollars. He bought a hay press for two hundred and fifty dollars, going in debt for all of it. It was the first full circle horse press in this part of the county. ln those days he would receive from two to three dollars per ton for baling hay. When he bought he had to buy where he could get credit until he got a start. Though the beginning was difficult, he was careful in his business, made judicious investments and therefore suffered no losses. As time passed prosperity attended him and he now ranks among the most prominent business men of this part of the state. In all that he does he is found reliable and upright and through his close conformity to a high standard of commercial ethics enjoys the fullest confidence and respect of his fellowmen. Moreover he is a genial, cordial, courteous gentleman and these qualities have rendered him popular. It is safe to say that no man in the community has more warm and stalwart friends than has Charles A. Pence, now an honored representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of the county.


REES R. JONES.


Rees R. Jones, through the faithful performance of each day's duty and the improvement of opportunity, has made steady progress in the business world, and has gained that measure of success which always follows honorable effort intelligently applied. His entire life has been passed in Licking county, and that his record has ever been a commendable one is indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time. His birth occurred in Mary Ann township on the 15th of July, 1856. His father, John R. Jones, came from the little country of Wales, which has furnished to America a fearless, sturdy band of citizens who have been charac-


440 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


terized by reliability in business affairs and loyalty in citizenship. Landing in the United States in June, 1844, he came by canal boat to Newark, and for three years lived in the city, after which he took up his abode upon a tract of land in Mary Ann township and began farming. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of his adopted country, joining the Seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry. He was captured while on active duty and, while still at the front, became ill with typhoid fever and died in the service, when but forty-two years of age. Ere leaving his native land he had married Rachel Davis, also a native of Wales, and unto them were born six children, of whom the eldest and youngest are now deceased.


Rees R. Jones pursued his education in the country schools, but his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited, owing to the fact of his father's early death, which made it necessary that he and his brothers aid in carrying on the home farm. His youth was a period of earnest and unremitting toil, as he carried on the task of plowing, planting and harvesting and the innumerable duties which constitute the life of the agriculturist. He continued to engage in farm work until twenty-two years of age, when he came to Newark and began clerking in a clothing store. That he was diligent and reliable is indicated in the fact that he remained in the service of D. Ambach for seven years. In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings, and when he felt that his experience and capital justified his embarkation in business on his own account he established a grocery store, which he conducted for two years. On the expiration of that period he became engaged in the clothing business with John H. Moore, but after eighteen months withdrew from that line to accept the appointment of superintendent of the county infirmary. He filled the position for four years and again came to Newark, where he engaged in the coal business. About that time he was elected infirmary director and acted in that capacity for three years. He then turned his attention to real estate and fire insurance, in which lines he still continues, writing a large amount of insurance annually, while at the same time he negotiates many important realty transfers. He also derives a substantial income from a good farm of one hundred and seven acres which he owns in Union township. In October, 1887, Mr. Jones was married to Miss K. E. Turney, a native of Franklin county, and they have one daughter now living, Rachel Louise, but lost three children in infancy. Mr. Jones holds membership relations with the Modern Woodmen, the Eagles and the Maccabees. He has always given his political support to the democratic party and has served as city treasurer and also as alderman-at-large. His official duties have ever been discharged with promptness and fidelity, and in all of life's relations he has commanded the respect of his fellowmen by reason of the fact that he has held to high standards in business and has been most loyal to the ties of friendship and citizenship.




FREDERICK TYLER.


Frederick Tyler, whose high principles, strict integrity and business ability made him one of the Foremost citizens of Monroe township, Licking county, was born in Gloucestershire, England, March 19, 1850, a son of Wickham N. and Louisa (Hayes) Tyler. The mother died in England and the father afterward


HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 443


came to the new world. The son acquired his education in the parish schools of his native country and in 1870 joined his father who two years before had arrived in the United States. The family home was established in Granville, Ohio, where they remained for a short time and then removed to Johnstown. Wickham N. Tyler was a harness maker by trade and for many years engaged continuously in business in Johnstown.


His son, Frederick Tyler, learned the trade with his father and was engaged in the business in Johnstown for a quarter o e a century, establishing a reputation for superior goods and absolutely fair dealing. As a tribute to the honesty of the people of the locality he stated that although doing a very large credit business he practically never lost a dollar by bad accounts. This statement at the same time indicates. something of the careful business methods of Mr. Tyler and the fact that his own fair dealing brought a return in kind from his patrons. He figured prominently for twenty-five years in the commercial circles of Johnstown and then retired from merchandising to engage in farming and stock-raising. He also conducted a dairy for about twenty years and at the time of. his death was the owner of an excellent and well equipped farm in Monroe township.


On the 29th of April, 1873, Mr. Tyler was united in marriage to Miss Jane Peck, a daughter of Israel H. and Violet ( Smith) Peck. They were among the pioneer families of the county, the Pecks coming to Licking county from Nova Scotia in 1815, at which time they purchased land near Johnstown which still remains in possession of their direct descendants. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler became the parents of seven children : Clara M., now the wife of Clyde Moore Ross, cashier of the Citizens Bank ; Fannie, the wife of Forest B. Lillie, of Guthrie, Oklahoma ; Bessie, the wife of Dr. L. L. Cramer ; Blanche; who is the wife of William Harding; Fred H.; John ; and Joseph. The sons are still at home on the farm.


In his political views Mr. Tyler was a stalwart republican and took a lively interest in the questions of local and national government. He was a member of the town council and of the board of education for a number of years. He was a charter member of White Cross Lodge, No. 308, K. P., and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The death of Mr. Tyler occurred January 10, 1909. One of the local papers, in speaking of his demise, said : "Sadness again spread over our city and community when it was learned that Frederick Tyler, one of our most highly respected and noble citizens, had died. Mr. Tyler was possessed with a strong memory, was well read in American and English literature, and his noble traits of character and ability caused even the most skilled in business life to court his counsel and advice. His, indeed, has been a useful life, his force of character and prudent counsel have guarded many against the dangers that line the path of life. All through life he was a man of fixed principles and of the strictest integrity, a man whose word was never doubted or honor questioned,—true to himself, true to his loved ones and true to his God. Beautiful as the slow drooping mellow autumn of a rich glorious summer, nature has fulfilled her work and he is followed to the grave with a blessing, beloved by all. His toils are ended, the warfare finished, his battle -won, his crown of glory gained. Sweet is the eternal rest to the way-worn and weary. He was a most companionable man and his deep knowledge of current events always made him a welcome visitor. As a


444 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


citizen he was ever deeply interested in all that would tend to the welfare of our community and was always found on the right side. He was honest, honorable and conscientious in all his dealings with his fellowmen. As a husband and father he was affectionate and kind, finding his greatest pleasure in his home with `wife and bairns.' His love of the beautiful in nature was a passion and the green fields, the bright sunshine, the blue sky, the floating clouds, the wayside flower, the waving fields of grain, the sweet song of the birds spoke a language to him that but few comprehend."


CHARLES W. VAN TASSELL.


Charles W. Van Tassell, who is well known throughout Newark township as a substantial farmer and valuable citizen, was born, July 30, 1861, in Richland township, Fairfield county, Ohio, where he resided until the year 1888, when he located in Licking county and hired out as a farm hand and since that time time, through persevering efforts and careful management, has succeeded in amassing sufficient means with which to purchase the farm he now owns and cultivates. His parents, Andrew and Mary (Layman) Van Tassell, were natives of this state and in the year 1890 came to this county, where he followed shoemaking in connection with farming and where both departed this life, after rearing three sons and six daughters, Charles W. being the oldest child.


During his boyhood days Charles W. Van Tassell worked on his father's farm during the summer months and in the winter season attended the district schools, thus acquiring his education. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-seven years of age, at which time he settled in this county, where he secured employment on a farm and for a period of four years worked for wages. After his marriage in the year 1893 he rented a farm of his mother-in-law, Mrs. John T. Evans, on which he remained actively engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, also paying some attention to stock-raising until five years ago. He then purchased his present farm, containing sixty-two acres, located on Mount Vernon road, two miles north of the courthouse, the property being highly improved and equipped with a comfortable residence, together with a capacious barn, outbuildings and all the machinery requisite to successfully carry on his work. Mr. Van Tassell raises a great deal of hay, together with various grain crops, and gives some attention to stock-breeding and has some fine specimens of hogs and cattle.


His wife, Margaret E. (Evans) Van Tassell, who was born in this township in 1863, was a daughter of John T. and Ann (Williams) Evans, natives of South Wales. Mr. Evans was born in Cardiganshire, December 22, 1817, and was one of nine children. In company with his parents, John and Sarah Evans, he came to Licking county i a the year 1833, settling in Sharon Valley, where he departed this life on September 3, 1882. He followed farming all his life and owned one hundred and sixty-eight acres in Licking county and two hundred acres in Fairfield county, all of which he kept under cultivation. He made a specialty of breeding shorthorn cattle in connection with producing a general line of crops. He was a blacksmith by trade and followed that occupation during his younger


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life, giving it up, however, to devote his time to agriculture. Mr. Evans was a republican in politics, and belonged to the Welsh Calvanistic Methodist church, in which he was an active worker, especially along temperance lines. John T. Evans married Ann Williams, who was born February 12, 1823, and came here in August, 1832, with her parents, William and Sarah Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Evans reared the following children: William, Sarah L. and Thomas, all of whom are deceased ; Anna J., who wedded Rev. D. A. Evans, of Wayland, Ohio; Elenor, deceased, who was the wife of M. R. Jones; Morgan H., of Delphos, Iowa ; William A., deceased; Jemima E., who wedded Glenn Wallace, of Utica, Ohio; Mary H. and Alice, deceased ; and Margaret E.



Mr. and Mrs. Van Tassell are the parents of : Oscar K., Frances Gladys and Mary Ann. In politics Mr. Van Tassell has always been affiliated with the democratic party, the principles of which he has thoroughly studied and considers in every respect adequate to subserve the highest interests of the country and effect its financial prosperity and permanent peace. Consequently he is ever ready to do all he can to assist the candidates of the party in securing the offices they seek. He has served the township in a number of useful offices and is now a member of the school board. Among the social organizations with which he is connected is the Tribe of Ben Hur. He is a member of the Plymouth Congregational church of Newark, in which he is an active worker, and is a man of excellent traits of character, endeavoring always to live an exemplary life.


C. A. HATCH, M. D.


Licking county draws her citizenship from all parts of the country. Among the worthy residents that New England has furnished, Dr. C. A. Hatch is numbered. He was born in Milford, New Hampshire, his natal day being July 7, 1852. His father, Charles G. Hatch, was a native of Massachusetts, and when a young man removed to New Hampshire. He married Elizabeth Blanchard, whose father was of French birth, and left France for the United States during the Huguenot troubles. He possessed considerable wealth, and sailed from his native land in his own vessel. Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Hatch began their domestic life in Milford, New Hampshire, where he conducted business as a dealer in carriages until the time of his death, which occurred August 12, 1901, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife still survives.


Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, Dr. Hatch was a pupil of the public schools, and there continued his education until he was graduated from the high school of Milford. He afterward matriculated in Dartmouth College, where he pursued a classical course that was completed by his graduation in 1875. He afterward attended medical lectures in the Dartmouth Medical College and also pursued a course of lectures in the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, being graduated therefrom in March, 1877.


Immediately afterward Dr. Hatch came to Newark, believing that this city would prove a profitable field for professional labor. Here he has since remained in continuous practice within one hundred feet of his present location. He bought


446 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.


land here and erected the building in which he now has his office. His attention is given to the general practice of medicine and surgery, and his broad knowledge and wide experience well qualify him for the responsible and arduous duties which fall to the lot of the physician. He belongs to the Licking County Medical Society, the State Medical. Society and the American Medical Association, and aside from his practice he has been a director and president of the Home Building Association.


On the 18th of June, 1878, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Hatch and Miss Annie Grace Barrows, a native of Newark, and a daughter of Dr. Albert Barrows, who was born in Vermont, and for over forty years practiced medicine in this city, where he died in 1903. Dr. and Mrs. Hatch have had two sons. The older, Clark B., is now a physician of Newark, specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He was graduated from Doane Academy, 'of Granville, Denison University and the Ohio Medical University, and has pursued a special course of study in New York and Philadelphia. He spent one year in the Protestant Hospital, and in his practice has attained excellent success, particularly in the line of his specialty. November 17, 1908, Dr. Clark B. Hatch was married to Goldneita Moe Green, of Johnstown, Ohio, a member of one of the representative families of Licking county, her grandfather, George Green, being one of the founders of Johnstown. The younger son, Albert B., died when but five years of age.


Dr. Hatch is a prominent Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter, council and commandery. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. At one time he belonged to the city council, but the demands of his profession leave him little time for active participation in public affairs. He is, however, interested in every plan of improvement for the benefit of the city, and these never seek his aid in vain. He is loyal in friendship, straightforward in business relations and at all times and under all circumstances is loyal to truth, justice and right.




M. W. SWISHER.


The life record of M. W. Swisher is the history of one who has wisely used his opportunities and has gradually worked his way upward in the business world until he is now numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Mary Ann township. His birth occurred in Hardy county, West Virginia, September 30, 1830, his parents being Henry and Sarah (Huffman) Swisher, who were also natives of that county, in which they spent their entire lives.


The subject of this review was reared in Hardy county and his educational opportunities were limited to those offered by the common schools. When seventeen years of age he began working at the carpenter's trade, serving a two-years' apprenticeship without practically any remuneration. He followed his trade in his native county until 1856, when he went to Missouri in company with his wife, having been married in October of that year to Miss Melinda V. Miller After a period of three years spent in Missouri, during which time he followed both farming and carpentering, he made his way to Muskingum county, Ohio, arriving there in the


HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 449


year 1860, with his wife and baby and five dollars in money. At the end of eighteen months he came to Licking county, in 1862, settling on a farm two miles from Newark, and worked at his trade at that place for eight years, walking to the city each morning and walking home again in the evening. As the years have gone by, however, his financial condition has changed decidedly as the result of his own efforts, and as his sons have attained manhood he has been able to give to each of them a farm. His first purchase of land comprised thirty-five acres on Lover's Lane, Newark township. He made this purchase when he came to the county. The place lies just outside the city limits of Newark and for eighteen years he there made his home, after which he bought twenty-five acres adjoining. He also bought ninety-six acres in Licking township and in 1880 he removed to Franklin township, where he had purchased one hundred and twelve acres. In 1895, however, he took up his abode in Licking township, on a place of one hundred acres, which he had purchased there and it remained his home for seven years. He next bought ninety-two and a half acres in Mary Ann township and removed to his present location. His farm here is a well developed property, indicating in its neat and thrifty appearance careful supervision and practical, progressive methods. He has labored earnestly and persistently to achieve the success which he now enjoys and in all his business career his integrity has stood as an unquestioned fact.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swisher were born two children : Joseph M., deceased; Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of J. C. Anderson, of Newark. His first wife died in 1875 and he married his present wife in 1876. Her name was Susan Wilkin, and this union was blessed with two children : John W., a resident of Mary Ann township; and Ida M., the wife of F. H. Wilkin, a resident of Franklin township In 1872 Mr. Swisher changed his political allegiance which up to that time had been given to the republican party. Since then lie has been a prohibitionist, for he is a stanch advocate of the temperance cause and believes it to be one of the paramount issues before the people today. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and his life in all its relations has been honorable and upright, gaining for him the respect of his fellowmen. In his business he has made substantial progress. He is of a conservative nature, utilizing his opportunities to good advantage and whenever he has made changes in his place of residence he has always built up a good property, adding to the farm that he occupies the modern improvements and accessories known at the present day.


WILLIAM N. FULTON.


Macaulay has said that the history or a country is best told in the lives of its people, and certainly the record of William N. Fulton forms an important chapter in the annals of Newark, for he has promoted and controlled various business interests which have contributed to the substantial upbuilding of the city. A man of great natural ability, his success from the beginning of his residence here has been uniform and rapid and his advancement is attributable to the fact that he has noted and improved opportunities that others have passed by heedlessly, being quick to appreciate that which is worth while and equally quick in discarding that which is non-essential.