KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 625 union resulted in the birth of three children, Burchard Blaine, of this sketch; Luella Lester and Thomas Ludlow, all of whom live in Union township on the old home farm. The father was married a second time, March 23, 1893, to Rachel Alice Wheeler. of West Bedford, Coshocton county, Ohio. who is still living. Leo Ferenbaugh was widely known and held in the highest esteem by all. He was a man of strong convictions and unimpeachable honesty, far-seeing business ability and a safe counselor. He was always active in questions that pertained to his community, liberal with his time and money for the promotion of moral causes. He held various public positions, such as a member of the board of education. Burchard B. Ferenbaugh, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, and he attended the district schools when a boy, later the Danville high school and then the State University at Columbus for two years. He had long entertained an ambition to enter the legal profession and with this end in view he \vent to the Law School of the University of Chicago, where he made an excellent record and from which institution he was graduated in 1907. Before going to college he taught school three years in the public schools of Gambier. After being admitted to the bar he located in Chicago, where he remained one year. and upon the death of his father he returned to the old home for the purpose of managing the farm and here he has since remained, successfully carrying on the work inaugurated by the elder Ferenbaugh. this place having been in the family's possession ever since the grandfather. Fidela Ferenbaugh. secured it upon his arrival from the old country in 1830. and they intend keeping it in the family. Although the subject has been kept busy looking after the farm, he has found time to continue the practice of the law and has enjoyed a good business in this line and has taken a high place at the Knox county bar, haying met with uniform success as a counselor and advocate He has continued his studies and has kept well abreast of the times in his profession. He has shown a profound knowledge of jurisprudence and is a careful, conscientious and painstaking worker. sparing no pains to secure what is right for his client. Politically, he is a Democrat and has always been active in public matters and a frequent delegate to party conventions. Fraternally, he is a Mason, belonging to Antioc Lodge at Danville. Mr. Ferenbaugh has never married. He possesses a social nature and kindly attitude to those about him, and has won the. respect and confidence of everyone. He has been very successful, being known as a careful business man and one whose integrity of purpose is beyond question. He is a very busy man and but few moments pass that do not see him busily engaged with the affairs of life. 626 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. JACOB MITCHAEL BRYANT. It will always be a badge of honor in this country to have it known that a person's father, or even his uncle, enlisted in the service of the country when the great rebellion broke out, to assist in saving the Union and to eradicate slavery from our soil. Just as to this day we boast that our grandfather or great-grandfather fought in the Revolution to gain independence, or carried a musket in the war of 1812 to protect our rights on the ocean, so the descendants of the gallant soldiers who fought during the Rebellion to save the honor of the Stars and Stripes will boast through the coming centuries of the bravery and self-sacrifice of their fathers or other relatives. And this is as it should be. Slavery was wrong. and although the war was for the salvation of the Union, it was made the medium at a later stage to free the slaves and wipe from our flag the last vestige of reproach. It is a pleasure to write of the career of Jacob Mitchael Bryant, well known citizen of Fredericktown. Knox county, who was one of the "boys in blue" who went forth to die on the field or in the no less dreadful fever camp, if need be, for the salvation of the country. Mr. Bryant was born in Wayne township, this county, on October 18. 1837, on a farm four miles southwest of Fredericktown. He is the son of William and Mariah L. Bryant ; the father came from New Jersey in 1804 and the mother's people from Virginia some years later. Grandfather James Bryant was a large landowner and was active in the affairs of the early pioneers. The father of the subject devoted his life to farming and he stood high with the people of his community. Jacob M. Bryant has spent all his life on the old home farm and here he still resides, having kept the old place under a high state of improvement and cultivation. He received his education in the country district schools. He was married in January, 1867, to Jennie Dickey, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Dickey, a highly respected Wayne township family, both parents having died a number of years ago. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bryant. William P., who is married and is living at home, assisting his father with the management of the place. which consists of two hundred acres of as good land as the township can boast, and which has been so skillfully managed as to retain its original fertility. In connection with general farming Mr. Bryant has long been widely known as a dealer in fine horses for the eastern market and no small part of his annual income is derived from this source. He has always been a lover of a good horse and no better judge of horses could be found in KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 627 his locality. Young Bryant is also something of a horseman and takes much interest in this phase of their work. They buy in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa as well as Ohio, and bring them here. They formerly handled road horses principally, but since automobiles have become so generally used, they now handle only draft horses. Although they are well known in the eastern markets, the Bryants sell principally at home; owing to the superior quality of their stock they never fail to bring fancy prices when offered for sale. Most of the horses not sold here go to New York, where they are used for heavy trucks. They have been in this business for many years and are widely known as a result of the same. The Arbuckle coffee people have taken many of their horses, as well as other large concerns. Both father and son are Republicans, and while they take an abiding interest in public affairs they have never sought office. Mr. Bryant belongs to the Wayne Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. His commodious, imposing and modernly appointed home is one of the most attractive in the county, and everything about the Bryant place indicates thrift. prosperity and good management. Mr. Bryant was but a boy at the commencement of the great war between the states, but in the fall of 186i he enlisted in Company A. Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served very faithfully for a period of three years in the Army of the Cumberland and he saw much hard service and took part in many hard-fought engagements. His time had expired when Sherman made his march to the sea, so he did not accompany his regiment on this campaign. He was taken prisoner at Lafayette, Tennessee, but was soon afterwards paroled and was sent home. Personally, Mr. Bryant and his son are men of integrity, honest, genial and obliging, and they have the good will and respect of their many acquaintances. STEPHEN W. SEVITS. The backbone of this country is made up of the families which have made their homes ; who are alive to the best interests of the community in which they reside; who are so honest that it is no trouble for their neighbors to know it, and who attend to their own business, being too busy to bother themselves about the affairs of others; who work on steadily from day to day, taking the sunshine with the storm and who rear a self-respecting, law-abiding family to a comfortable home and an honest life. Such people are always 628 - KNOX COUNTY. OHIO. welcome in any country and in any community. They are wealth producers, and Knox county. Ohio, has been blessed with many such, among which is the Sevits family, of which the subject of this review is a worthy representative. Stephen W. Sevits was born on March 7, 1869, in Tiverton township, Coshocton county, Ohio, and he is the son of William and Jane (Workman) Sevits, and he is a brother of Irven Sevits, whose sketch appears in another part of this work. For a full history of this family the reader is referred to that sketch. Suffice it to say here that the family of the subject on both sides of the house were influential and highly respected in their communities. Stephen W. Sevits was reared on a farm where he spent his youth, engaged, during the crop seasons, at work in the fields and in the winter time he attended the public schools of Tiverton township, also the schools of. Mt. Vernon and the Danville Academy. thus becoming well educated. He was married on December 31, 1891. to Matilla Conkle. daughter of William and Sarah (Roof) Conkle, a well known family of Union township, and to the subject and wife five children were born, namely : William Howard is a student in the Danville high school Bernard is deceased: May. Ruth. Orice Pearl. Following his marriage the subject engaged in farming in Union township, this county, for two and one-half years. then engaged in the mercantile business at Cavallo, Coshocton county, for two years, after which he went to Zuck. Butler township, Knox county, and there continued merchandising for two years. In the fall of 1898 he gave up the store business, although he had met with a fair measure of success in the Same, and turned his attention once more to farming and stock raising. also breeding thoroughbred Delaine sheep. In March, 1905, he bought his present farm in Union township, three miles southeast of Danville, and here he has since resided, making a success of both general farming and stock raising, especially with his sheep, which he raises for breeding purposes, and his flocks, being the very finest of their kind in the country, attract widespread attention and find a very ready market. There are no better in the state. Some ewe fleece will weigh twenty-six pounds and some ram fleece as high as thirty-four pounds. These thoroughbred animals are shipped to all parts of the state and to other states, wherever breeders desire high grade stock, Mr. Sevits' reputation being much more than statewide. The greater part of his farm is devoted to grazing and sheep raising; blue grass pasture and alfalfa hay are his ideal feed. His place consists of one hundred and thirty acres. He has a commodious, modern home in the midst of attractive surroundings, and he has numerous convenient outbuild- KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 629 ings, large barns and stock sheds, for the proper care of his stock during the winter season. Politically, Mr. Sevits is a Republican, but prior to the year 1903 he was a Democrat. He has always been interested and active in public affairs, but he has never been an office seeker. He and his family belong to the Disciples church and have always been active in church work and in the support of the church. The death of the subject's wife ancf mother of his children occurred on June 23, 1909, and burial was made in the Workman cemetery at Danville. Mr. Sevits is a gentleman whose high sense of honor and genial bearing render him popular with his friends and acquaintances. He is public-spirited and withholds his support from no movement calculated to be of general good to the public. He is especially interested in good schools, and has given his children excellent educational advantages, with the result that they are well equipped for life's duties. LEE DIAL. He whose career is now taken under consideration and to whom the reader's attention is respectfully directed is numbered among the progressive and successful young citizens of the vicinity of Gambier. Knox county, of which he has been a resident all his life, while he has gained prosperity through his own honest efforts in connection with the development of the natural resources and the subsequent prosperity. Because of his industry, his honesty and public-spirit and his loyalty to all movements looking to the general good of the locality long honored by the residence of the Dial family, he has won the esteem of all who know him. Lee Dial was born on September 19, 1869, on a farm one mile southeast of Gambier, Ohio, and here his home has always been. He is the son of Tames and Catherine (Lauderbaugh) Dial. a prominent old family of Knox county, a complete sketch of whom is to be found on another page of this work under the caption. James Dial. Lee Dial grew to manhood on the home farm and when old enough assisted with the general work about the place, receiving his education in the public schools of Gambier. When a lad he began learning the milling business in the old Dial mill on the Kokosing river, near the Dial home, of which 630 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. his father was part owner at the time. He was under the tutelage of Jacob South, who was head miller. This was one of the earliest mills built in this locality, and the subject has been connected with the same ever since, through its various ownerships and operations. It was formerly equipped with the old-fashioned buhr-process and in 1888 the Kenyon Milling Company, composed of W. S. Wing, H. C. Wing and Jacob Snider, came into possession and equipped it with the new roller process and all modern machinery. It then became necessary for Mr. Dial to learn the milling business over again, which he did under Jacob Snider, who was a practical and expert roller mill operator. In 1902 Mr. Dial, with his brother, Richard P. Dial, bought the mill property and operated as Dial Brothers until 191o, when Lee Dial became sole owner, buying his brother's interest and has since operated it with much success. This mill is one of the landmarks in this county and is known to everyone for miles around, its patrons coming from remote sections of the adjacent territory. It was first established in 1824, but it is vet a modern mill in every particular, with a capacity of seventy-five barrels of flour per day. It is still run by water-power. (Many maintain that flour ground by a water-mill is the best made.) It is a great grain trading center for the farmers of this part of the county and it is busy every working day in the year. In 1909, because of his expert knowledge of streams and construction, Mr. Dial was appointed by the commissioners of Knox county inspector of bridge construction, some very important and expensive bridge work then being done. After serving only a short time he found that his private affairs demanded his attention, so he resigned and was succeeded by his brother, Richard P. Dial, whose interest in the milling business the subject purchased. Politically, Lee Dial is a Republican and has long been active in public matters. For a number of years he has served as a member of the Republican county central committee, also on the township board of elections, and he has been a frequent delegate to party conventions. He has been a trustee of College township since 1902 and is one of the progressive citizens of the county. He is a member of Kokosing Tribe No. 235, Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. Dial has never married. He makes his home with his parents, who reside near the mill property. He is very fond of outdoor sports and is a recognized crack trap shot. He is also much interested in base ball and is a popular umpire with the Kenyon College students and students of other colleges. He likes a good story and is a most enjoyable companion, being genial, a good mixer and a man of many worthy characteristics, yet plain and unassuming. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 631 WILLIAM ALLEN SILCOTT. If there is one thing which distinguishes the American business man over those of any other country it is the faculty with which any and all occupations are readily taken up by him and made successful. In the older countries it was customary for the son to follow the father's pursuit. It is in such countries as the United States that full swing can be given to the energies of the individual. A man may choose any business or profession he desires, and he is limited only by competition. He must meet the skill of others and give as good service as they, or he will not secure the positions. Such adaptation to any work has been forcibly illustrated in the life of William A. Silcott, whose interesting career shows that he has turned his hand to many things. He is a well known citizen of Mt. Vernon. where the major part of his life has been spent. Mr. Silcott was born on Sunday, January 7, 1849, in the northeast corner of Ripley township, Holmes county, Ohio, the son of a highly esteemed old family there who were engaged in agricultural pursuits. There he grew to maturity, assisted in the general work of the farm and attended the common schools of Ripley and Monroe townships until the fall of 1864, when he accompanied his parents to Pike township, Knox county, where the family settled, and there the subject attended two winter terms of school, later attending the Mt. Vernon high school for a term in 1866. when Peter Hayes was principal. For some time Mr. Silcott drove a horse and wagon over the country selling tinware from Fredericktown. He then secured employment as printer's "devil" and typo and worked in this capacity in various printing offices. In the spring of 187o he obtained a muscle position as janitor with Probate Judge Charles E. Critchfield, and later as "hired hand- or substitute clerk for other offices, from time to time until February. 1882, when he became clerk of courts, which position he held six years in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. Since them he has traveled extensively, his territory being confined to Ohio for a period of twenty years to this date. aside from collection trips in Wisconsin and Nebraska previously, of four and six months each. He made two visits to New York city during the Bryan-McKinley campaign of 1896. but on a political mission. In 1867 he made a two months' trip to Indiana and Iowa. visiting also Chicago and Mississippi river towns, clown to St. Louis. thence southwest to Texas county, Missouri, and returned to St. Louis. where he saw his first prize fighter. like McCool. just after his victory over Aaron Jones (11) 632 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. at Cincinnati. He then went to Indiana and later to Dayton, Ohio, where he attended the state fair, then to Columbus for the first time, then home from a seventy-seven days' trip. In 1877 he went to Chicago, Kansas City and Indian Territory, returning home in August during the great railroad strike, as a result of which he was compelled to walk a part of the way. At present, owing to age of sixty-three, Mr. Silcott is more or less on the retired list, though in good health. He devotes his time to abstracting land titles and making collections. He reads considerable of history, politics and current events. Of the former he has written much about Ohio, having visited every county of the state from two to a dozen or more times. Has some historical and statistical typewritten manuscript for posterity to peruse in the future. Mr. Silcott has been married and has but one child, a single daughter, and but few relatives. He has been an attendant at Sunday schools and churches from boyhood and vet for want of the moving spirit, is not a member. He has been a member of but one lodge, in early days, the duties and exercises of which are not to his nature and liking. In politics he has always been a Democrat, though not hoop tight. DAVID W. STRUBLE. One of the most noteworthy facts connected with country life in the United States is the easy manner in which ich a vocation may be varied or wholly changed. General Grant, in his memoirs, expressed his surprise and gratification at the easy manner in which his soldiers could carry on all phases of the art of war from their own knowledge of the various trades. They could print a newspaper, build a bridge, cook a meal of victuals to perfection, conduct a flouring mill or saw mill, and in fact could do anything he wanted done. It is the custom in the armies of Europe to take with them on their war campaigns special artificers to do the specific duty or service likely to be required. The truth is that the average soldier of the army of the United States is higher up in the scale of intelligence and improvement than his European brother. He knows more and hence can accomplish more. This fact has been well exemplified in the career of David W. Struble, of Fredericktown, Knox county, both in his army life and his private affairs, for he has ever seemed capable of doing whatever was required of him. Skill like his and that of his honored father before him, while often met with, is not altogether common. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 633 Mr. Struble was born on April a), 1841, in Fredericktown, Ohio, and he is the son of John D. and Mary (Headley) Struble, who grew up in New Jersey and were married there in 1822, from which state they emigrated in covered wagons of the pioneer type to Fredericktown, this county, in 1832, being among the early settlers, their trip over the woody mountains being tedious and somewhat dangerous. The father was a blacksmith in New Jersey, and after he came to Ohio he followed blacksmithing, milling, farming and merchandising, being always a very busy man of affairs, and he met with reasonable success in whatever line he turned his attention to and was influential in the community in the early days. Politically, he was a Democrat, but he was not an aspirant for office or leadership. He and his wife were members of the Baptist church. His death occurred on May 21, 1875, at the age of eighty-two years, his widow surviving until April 4, 1889, reaching the age of eighty-six years. Both are buried in Fredericktown cemetery. The son, David W., has spent all his life in Fredericktown with the exception of the years he was in the army during the Civil war. He was educated in the public schools here and when a boy assisted his father with the work on the farm. He enlisted in defense of the Union on August 5, 1861, in Company A, Second New York Volunteer Cavalry, having gone to New Jersey on a visit and enlisted from there. He served very faithfully, according to his comrades, in the Army of Virginia, seeing considerable hard service, participating in many important engagements, but he was never wounded or taken prisoner. For meritorious conduct he was commissioned a corporal. He was discharged on September 14. 1864, having served a little more than three years. After his discharge he returned to Fredericktown and resumed farming. He also engaged in the mercantile business and the livery business with his brother Daniel for about two years. Following this he engaged in the drug business alone, which he conducted for several years. For a number of years he was in the produce business, also handled general merchandise, and finally dealt in boots and shoes exclusively. His business life has been marked with uniform success. Politically, Mr. Struble is a Democrat, and during President Cleveland's second administration lit was postmaster at Fredericktown, serving four years. He has also acted as census enumerator. Since leaving the postoffice he has been living a retired life, giving some attention to chicken raising by modern methods. Mr. Struble was married on May 10, 1866, to Anna E. Cummings, daughter of James and Christena (McMillen) Cummings, a well known 634 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. family of Fredericktown. They have one daughter, Christena, who is living at home. The subject is a member of the Masons at Fredericktown, also the chapter at Mt. Vernon: he belongs to the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. In his father's family there were nine children, only three of whom are living, Daniel, a prominent banker and real estate owner at Fredericktown ; William. at Cincinnati, and David W. of this review. The Struble family has been prominent in the development of this community for the past eighty years, as intimated at the beginning of this sketch. and they yet control large interests and are active in the business and civic affairs of the county—in fact, few names are more prominently associated with the financial interests and material progress of this locality. They have ever sought to do their full duty in all the relations of life and have tried to keep the honor of the family name untarnished. HARRY S. BUNN Conspicuous among the representative business men and public-spirited citizens of Mt. Vernon, Knox, county, is Harry S. Bunn. who has spent most of his life in his home community, where he has made his influence felt for good, as has his father before him, the history of the Bunn family being closely interwoven with that of the county for many decades. whose efforts have always been for the advancement of the same as well as for the social and moral uplift. He has led a well regulated life, thereby gaining the respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens, and he is therefore eminently eligible for representation in a biographical work of a scope intended in the present volume. Mr. Bunn was born in the city of Mt. Vernon on August 4, 1870. He is the son of Ogden S. and Ella (Crandall) Bunn, the father a native of Mt. Vernon also. The Bunn family is of English origin, and they came to Knox county from New Jersey in the pioneer days. The Crandall were also an early pioneer family and both prominent in the early development of the same, living to see its wonderful growth from the primeval woods to one of the foremost sections of the Buckeye state. Ogden S. Bunn was a well known painter and decorator contractor, as was also his father, the paternal grandfather of the subject. in fact, the Minns have long been known as a family of skilled painters and decorators. The KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 635 father was a soldier in the Civil war and he had an enviable record as a defender of the national union. His death occurred in 1875, his widow surviving until 189o. The father was a Republican in politics and an intelligent and highly respected citizen. Harry S. Bunn, of this review, spent his childhood and early youth in Mt. Vernon and here he attended the public school, receiving a fairly good education, which has later in life been supplemented with a wide range of miscellaneous reading. In the year 188o Ile and his mother moved to Emporia, Kansas, where they made their home for a period. of three years, when they moved to Kansas City. His mother died in Kansas City in 189o. He there began the trade of painter and decorator, following thus in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him. In 1893 he moved to Chicago and there remained during the Columbian Exposition, probably the greatest world's fair ever held. He returned to Mt. Vernon in 1894. Here the subject worked at his trade with his uncle, G. W. Bunn, and the latter's son until they \vent out of business in 1907, in which year the subject embarked in business for himself and he has since continued alone. Having won a wide reputaion as a skilled painter and decorator, his services have been in great demand and he is kept constantly busy. He does general contracting in this line and frequently handles some big jobs, his work always being not only adroitly but conscientiously done, so that he has the confidence and good will of all, his work taking him to many surrounding towns as well as Mt. Vernon. Mr. Bunn was married on June 25, 1897, to Flora Lease, daughter of William and Mary (Allen) Lease, a highly respected Mt. Vernon family. which originally came from Newcastle, Coshocton county, Ohio. This union has resulted in the birth of one son, George. Politically. Mr. Bunn is a Republican and, while he takes a good citizen's interest in public affairs, he has never been an office seeker. FRANK L. BENNETT. In placing Frank L. Bennett, well known hardware dealer of Mt. Vernon, in the front rank of Knox county business men, simple justice is clone to a biographical fact, recognized throughout this locality by those at all familiar with his history. A man of rare judgment. sound discretion, keen discernment and business ability of a high order, he has managed with tact- 636 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. ful success important enterprises and so impressed his individuality upon the community as to gain recognition among its leading citizens and representative men of affairs. Mr. Bennett was born April 17, 1864, in Groveport, Franklin county, Ohio, and he is the son of Thomas B. and Anna J. (Patterson) Bennett, both natives of Ohio, the father devoting his life to farming in Franklin county. never becoming a resident of Knox county they are both now deceased. Frank L. Bennett lived on the home farm until he was fourteen years of age, and there attended the district schools, then went to Springfield, Ohio, entering the shops of William H. Whiteley, remaining there six years: he then went to Columbus, Ohio, and for four years was in the employ of the Columbus Buggy Company, then after having become very proficient as a mechanic, he went to Galloway. Franklin county. and took charge of the carriage shop of Edward Courtright, and remained there five years, giving his usual high-grade service. He came to Mt. Vernon in 1896 and engaged in the hardware business with A. B. Henderson. under the firm name of Henderson & Bennett. In December, 1901, he sold his interest and in February, 1902. engaged in business for himself at No. 314 South Main street, where he built up a very satisfactory trade and remained until March. 1911, when he moved to more commodious quarters at No. 307 South Main street. He has a neat and attractive store, in which is tastily arranged a large, choice and carefully selected stock of all kinds of hardware, farm implements, tools, plumbers' supplies and builders' supplies, except lumber. He carries on a very extensive and lucrative trade, which is constantly growing. his customers coming from all over the county, for they here find goods of excellent quality, reasonable prices and honest and courteous treatment. Mr. Bennett is a stockholder in the Mt. Vernon Ice Company, and as a business man he has been very successful. Politically, he is a Republican and is always active for reforms and improved conditions whenever possible. He has never sought office, but has taken an interest in public matters, regarding it as every man's duty to vote and uphold what he believes to be right. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the encampment and the Knights of Pythias, being treasurer of the encampment and the Odd Fellows. Mr. Bennett was united in marriage on March 22, 1890, to Anna D. Martin, daughter of Dariah and Margaret (Webb) Martin, of Troy, Miami county, Ohio. Both parents are deceased. The modern, pleasant and neatly kept home of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, on East Hamtramck street, has been blessed by the birth of one child, an interesting daughter, bearing the name Bernice, who is still a member of the family circle. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 637 Mrs. Bennett belongs to the Baptist church, while Mr. Bennett affiliates with the same, being a liberal supporter and a regular attendant, but not a member. Since coming to Knox county he has won a vast circle of friends among whom he intends spending the balance of his days. LESTER L. WILLIAMS, M. D. The county of Knox numbers among its citizens many skillful physicians, lawyers of state repute, well known manufacturers and business men of much more than local reputation, and she is not lacking in men who have achieved distinction in almost all callings requiring intellectual abilities of a high order, and she is proud of them, as she should be. Among the first class mentioned Dr. Lester L. Williams, of Mt. Vernon, occupies a conspicuous place. Doctor Williams was born on January 15, 1858, near Croton, Licking county, Ohio, on a farm, and he is the son of John \V. and. Sarah (Scott) Williams, both parents being of Scotch descent, the father having been born in Ohio and the mother in Pennsylvania. About 1869 the family moved to Milford township, Knox county, where the father engaged in farming and also followed threshing grain for many years he became well established there and was a man whom everybody respected his death occurred in 1882, after which the widow and family moved to Mt. Vernon. where the widow and mother passed to her rest in 1905. Doctor Williams spent his youth on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work when not attending the district schools. After coming to Mt. Vernon he attended the city schools and the high school for a time, but did not graduate. Having long cherished a strong desire to study medicine, he entered the office of Doctor Robinson, a prominent physician of Mt. Vernon. In 1879 he took the course at the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. where he made a splendid record and from which he was graduated in 1882. Soon afterwards he located at Reedtown, a village in Seneca county, Ohio, for the practice of his profession, and he remained about eight years, building up a very satisfactory and lucrative practice, when, seeking a broader field for the exercise of his talents and desiring to return home, Ile came back to Mt. Vernon upon the death of his old preceptor. Doctor Robinson, and here established himself in the practice with his residence and office at the corner of Gay and Gambier streets. at which location 638 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO he has remained to the present time, haying built up a very large general practice and few men in the profession in this section of Ohio stand higher than he, in the estimation and confidence of the people. He keeps well advised on the newest discoveries in the medical world and he is frequently called in consultation with other physicians on important cases throughout this locality. Politically, the Doctor is a Republican, but, while active and interested in public matters, he has never been an office seeker. preferring to devote his undivided attention to his profession. Being deeply interested in educational matters, he served nine years as a member of the board of education at Mt. Vernon. He is a member of the Masonic order and active in lodge work, being a member of the Knights Templar and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. WILLIAM MILD. Prominent in the business life of Knox county and as a citizen whose influence extends throughout the locality. the name of William Mild. of Mt. Vernon. stands out conspicuously. Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality. and in all his enterprises and undertakings actuated by noble motives and high resolves, his success and achievement but represent the result of fit utilization of innate talent in directing effort along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way. Mr. Mild was born Tune 11, 1859, in Cincinnati. Ohio, and he is the son of Christian and Fredrica (Rettig) both natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to America as young people, first settling in St. Louis, Missouri, where they were married. The father proved his loyalty to his adopted country by serving through both the Mexican and Civil wars. serving in a very faithful manner in the latter for three and a half years in the Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer nfantry. He was a baker by trade and followed that line of endeavor for many years in the city of Cincinnati, later moving to Hamilton. Ohio, and there he and his wife both died and are buried there. William Mild was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati and at College Hill. When a young man he learned steam engineering' and was a stationary engineer for ten years in Cincinnati. He then moved to Hamilton. Ohio, where he was, for three years. engaged in the galvanized iron business. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 639 which he sold out and became an employe of the Niles Tool Works in that city. He traveled for them through the South and East, establishing machinery, remaining with that firm five or six years, then went with the H. C. Frick Company of Pittsburg, selling ice plant machinery and remained with them eight years, traveling through the Southern and Eastern states. Upon leaving this concern he engaged with the Platt Iron Works of Dayton, Ohio, manufacturers of ice plant machinery, as supplemental of the ice machinery department of their works and he remained with them until 1900, when. owing to ill health, he returned to Hamilton and was retired from business two years. He had given the above named firms, all well known throughout the United States, eminent satisfaction in every respect and he stood high with the officials of the same. In 1902 he came to Mt. Vernon and bought the Quail flour mill, known as the Mt. Vernon Milling Company, which he operated for one year, then sold out and built the Mt. Vernon Ice and Cold Storage Company's plant, of which he was a large stockholder and manager. and he has continued to the present time. Under his able and judicious management the plant has been very successful and has grown rapidly and a large and ever increasing business is carried on. The plant has a capacity of twenty tons per day and has been operated to its full capacity from the first. The plant is modern in every detail and substantial, equipped with the best and latest designed machinery. Mr. Mild gives his undivided attention to the business, and he has the good will and confidence of the business men throughout the locality owing to his courtesy and his honorable methods in all relations of life. Politically, Mr. Mild is a Republican and, while he is not an office seeker. he keeps well informed on public matters and is interested in his party's welfare. He is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 140, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Mild and his associates, in connection with their ice plant, conduct an extensive coal business. handling all kinds of domestic and steam coals and they have a very large trade in the same. They ship large quantities of their ice to other places. their output being beyond the consumption of Mt. Vernon. The domestic life of Mr. Mild began on January 16, 1872, when he was united in marriage with Louisa Klinkle, a lady of culture and education, the (laughter of George and Elizabeth (Imhoof) Klinkle, a prominent family of Hamilton. Ohio. They are the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters. namely : Charles L., of Mt. Vernon: William E.. of Dayton: Edwin G.. of Mt. Vernon Alvin and Irvin. also of Mt. Vernon : the daugh- 640 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. ters are Lena, who is at home ; Emma married Timothy Osborn, and they live at Mt. Vernon ; Clara is a member of the family circle. The pleasant and attractive home of the Milds is at No. 110 East Chestnut street, in one of the best residence districts in the city. Mr. Mild is an energetic business man of wide experience and of great capacity, which enable him to quickly grasp a situation and make the most of an opportunity. He is a pleasant, kind and obliging gentleman who makes friends readily. WILLIAM McGEE. The record of William McGee, of Mt. Vernon, Knox county. is that of a man who has worked his way from a modest beginning up to a position of considerable prominence by his efforts, which have been practically unaided, which fact renders him the more worthy of the praise that is freely accorded him by his fellow men. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the notably systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence and esteem of all who have formed his acquaintance, and in looking over the list of Knox county's business men who have succeeded in their life work, especially those whose place of residence is in the picturesque city of Mt. Vernon, the biographer deems none more worthy of representation in a work of this nature than that of the gentleman whose name appears above. , Mr. McGee was born on January 20, 1847, in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. He is the son of John and Catherine (McCutchin) McGee. who came from Edinburgh, Scotland, to Nova Scotia, after a tedious voyage in an old-time sailing vessel, landing on the shores of the western hemisphere on June 29, 1845. The father was a linen weaver by trade in the old country, but after coming to Canada he engaged in farming. His death occurred on July 1, 1880, his widow surviving until in August, 1892. They never came down to the States. William McGee, of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm and there he assisted with the general work. He had little opportunity to obtain an education, but, a student by nature, he became self-educated, his parents, who were fairly well educated, assisting him. When he grew to young manhood he was employed in the lumber camps and quarries of Canada. In 1875 he came to the United States, first settling at Manchester, New Hampshire, and worked in the lumber camps during the winter months. In the KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 641 spring of 1876 he went to Barre, the great granite country of Vermont. The granite industry was then in its infancy and Mr. McGee became one of the pioneer developers of that great business, which grew to such magnitude as to overshadow all other industries of the commonwealth, giving it the. sobriquet of the "Granite state." He went into the quarries with a determination to learn all there was to be known about granite formations and its susceptibility of being worked, remaining there for some time. He then went into the manufacturing department and learned the cutting and designing end of the business, becoming very proficient in this line. He engaged in business for himself with both a quarry and a factory and became thoroughly identified with the industry. In 1904, on account of climatic conditions, he sold his interests in Vermont and came west, locating in the month of April, 1905, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and opened a factory on South Main street. On November 6th of that year he lost his plant by fire. every dollar's worth of property he had in the world going up in flames. But, nothing daunted, the sterling mettle of his Scotch ancestry (he having inherited many of their sterling attributes) asserted itself ; he was not to be thwarted by a seemingly untoward circumstance, although his stock of granite, machinery, horse, wagonseverything—was gone. so he forged ahead, and, haying in the few months of his residence here won the good will and confidence of the people, he was encouraged to go to work with a will to win. and they made it possible for him to re-establish himself in business. He accordingly opened a new shop and factory on North Main street, near Mound View cemetery, and his business grew rapidly from the first, and he prospered to such an extent that after eighteen months he found it necessary to find a new location, one convenient to the railroad for better shipping facilities and be accordingly moved to West Gambier street on the Baltimore & Ohio and the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus railroads. There is no better equipped granite monument plant in the state, and it is the present intention of the subject to make it one of the best in the United States. He has installed all modern machinery and devices for rapid and skilled work. He has everything under a superb system and understands the business from the quarries to the designing, manufacturing and selling. Many of his up-to-date granite-working machines are of his own designing. His firm is known as the McGee-Starr Granite Company, of which William McGee is president ; Charles Colville. vice-president : Walter Starr. secretary and treasurer ; H. Robinson, manager. The following are also members of the company : Dr. Robert Colville. Charles Colville, John Colville, of Pittsburg: and A. D. Stokes. This is a strong company of representative men. 642 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO Only the most proficient artisans and most adroit granite workers are employed by the firm, hence the superior grade of the work turned out by this company. The granite is obtained in the rough from the quarries, the original designs being closely followed and the cutting, polishing and lettering is all done in the home shop. The business of the company covers a wide area, the well known high-grade quality of the work done here bringing the company orders from all over Ohio, and from New York. Pennsylvania. Tndiana and as far \vest as Nebraska. William McGee was married on October 12, 1892, to Elizabeth Patterson, a member of an English family of the province of Quebec. Canada. This family later moved to Barre, Vermont. To Mr. and Mrs. McGee four children have been born. two sons and two daughters, namely : Naomi. Muth, William and Herold. all living at home. Fraternally, Mr. McGee is a member of the Masonic order and the independent Order of Odd Fellows, and while living in Canada he belonged to the Orangemen. Politically, he is a Republican and a loyal supporter of our government and institutions. Religiously, he and his family belong to the Presbyterian church and they are active in the work of the same. The family home is at No. 716 North Main street. Mr. McGee is a man of fine characteristics. Born and reared in an humble but honorable and industrious family. he is a man of fortitude, courage and self-reliance. an obliging, friendly gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet. EDWARD C. BEGGS. D. D. S Among the earliest men whose professional skill, enterprise and depth of character have gained a prominent place in the community and the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens is Dr. Edward C. Beggs, man of decided views and laudable ambition, his influence having ever made for the advancement of society and the general public and in the vocation to which his energies are devoted, he ranks among the leading- dentists of Knox county and this section of the Buckeye state. Doctor Beggs, who for a number of years has successfully practiced his profession at Mt. Vernon, is a native of Vinton, Gallia county. Ohio, and he is the son of George W. and Taphena (McMillin) Beggs, both natives of Ohio, and both of Scotch and English descent, their progenitors haying come to America in the sixteenth century. The father was a newspaper man and he KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 643 edited and published a newspaper in Gallipolis and Vinton, Ohio, and Charleston, West Virginia, and became well known to the newspaper fraternity. He served in the Civil war, in Company B, Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted in 1861 and he served as a private until the close of the war. He was wounded during a skirmish while on picket duty on Gauly mountain. West Virginia. He saw much hard service, participating in forty-eight battles and skirmishes, some ranking as the greatest of the war, and he was a very faithful soldier through it all. Returning from the army, he resumed newspaper work. His death occurred in April, 1877, his wife having preceded him to the grave in May. 1875: they are buried in the cemetery at Vinton, Gallia county. Dr. Edward C. Beggs, of this review, grew up in a newspaper environment and he was educated in the public schools of Gallia county, Ohio, also attended Ewington Academy there, later attending the Lebanon Normal College at Lebanon. this state, from which he was graduated in 1888. Then he began life for himself by clerking in a hardware store in Jackson, Ohio. where he remained three years. He then began the study of dentistry with Dr. J. W. Jackson, of Jackson, Ohio, then entered the Ohio College of Dental Surgery at Cincinnati. from which he was graduated in 1892 with an excellent record. Soon afterwards he located in the city of Columbus and worked at the dental office of Houghton & Price for three years. In November, 1894, he came to Mr. Vernon and opened an office and has been successfully engaged in the practice here ever since, maintaining a well equipped and neatly arranged office in the Columbia building for the past fourteen years. Everything in his office is thoroughly up-to-date, for he has been a close student and has kept abreast of the times in everything pertaining to his profession. and he has been very successful, his patients coming from all parts of the country and numbering many hundreds. Doctor Beggs was married on March 6, [895, to Martha Newvahner. (laughter of Henry and Mary (Pryor) Newvahner, of Jackson, Ohio. Her parents came from Germany and they are both deceased. To the Doctor and wife four children have been born. namely : Mary T., John E. and Martha Jane, all living at home: Ida May, the second child, is deceased. Politically, Doctor Beggs is a Republican and he has been active in public matters for some time. He has served in the city council and as a member of the Republican county committee and has been a frequent delegate to district, county and state conventions, where he never failed to make his influence felt for the good of the party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masons. the Knights of Pythias. the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He 644 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. has filled the chairs in the local Masonic order and he was a lieutenant in the Uniform Rank of the Knights of Pythias. The family home is in South Vernon, just outside of the corporation: they have a beautiful and pleasant dwelling in the midst of a splendid grove and own six acres of valuable ground there. The trees are of natural growth and the lawns are well kept. This was the home of General Coxey while Ile resided in Mt. Vernon. and it is a fine old place. one of the most desirable, in fact, in the county. Doctor Beggs is a member of the Christian church and his wife belongs to the Presbyterian church, and they have long been active in church and Sunday school work. Mrs. Beggs is a musician of ability, talented both as a vocalist and pianist, and she is a member of the local musical club and is popular with the best society of the city, as it also the Doctor. The daughter Mary is also popular in musical circles: as are also all the children. Doctor Beggs is a member of the Ohio State, also the Knox County Dental Societies, being secretary and treasurer of the latter. ALMANZA R. SIPE. This utilitarian age has been especially prolific in men of action, clear-brained men of high resolves and noble purposes. who give character and stability to the communities honored by their citizenship, and whose influence and leadership are easily discernible in the various enterprises that have added so greatly to the high reputation which Knox county enjoys among her sister counties of the great Buckeye commonwealth. Conspicuous among this class of men whose place of residence is in Mt. Vernon is Almanza R. Sipe, the well known and progressive merchant to a brief outline of whose long, industrious and interesting career the biographer is pleased to address himself. Mr. Sipe was born on December 6, 1846, at Shelby, Richland county, Ohio, the son of Daniel and Florilla (Rogers) Sipe, both natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Adams county and the mother in Luzerne. They spent their childhood in the Keystone state, but left there when young and were married in Ohio. The father was a merchant tailor in Shelby, Ohio, where he spent his life after coming to this state, he and his wife both being deceased at this writing. The son, Almanza R., spent his youth in his native town and was educated in the Shelby public schools. Upon leaving high school he entered the KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 645 tailoring establishment of his father and learned the trade, and remained in business with his father until in September, 1878, when he came to Mt. Vernon and was here employed by James Rogers in the tailoring business for about four years. In 1882 he formed the firm of A. R. Sipe & Company. his partner being John M. Ewalt. They continued successfully until 1887, when Mr. Sipe bought Mr. Ewalt's interest and continued in business as A. R. Sipe until 1903. when he took William H. White as partner, the firm becoming Sipe & White and so continues to the present time. In 1887, when Mr. Sipe began managing his business alone, he added men's furnishings to his line and in 1903 a stock of hats and caps were added. Mr. Sipe has been longer in the merchant tailoring business than any man in Mt. Vernon and he has been very successful, having enjoyed a liberal patronage all the while, and being highly skilled in the work and honest in all his dealings with his fellow men he has had no trouble in retaining his customers and in winning their good will and friendship. His place of business is at No. 135 South Main street, where he has been since 1904, a modern store in every respect, neatly kept. well arranged. equipped with every modern convenience and always fully stocked with goods which have been most carefully selected, and he commands the best trade of the community. In addition to his tailoring business and men's furnishings, Mr. Sipe has been connected with other lines of business. He is a stockholder and director of the Reeves Engineering Company, manufacturers of gas engines, which is doing an extensive and rapidly growing business. He is also a- director in the Home Building and Loan Company and has always been interested and active in all movements that have for their object the advancement of Mt. Vernon, with which city he became very much enamored the first day of his arrival and his faith in the place has continued to grow, for he believes in the city and her people and has done his full share in supporting her interests whenever occasion presented itself. Mr. Sipe was married on May 25. 1869, to Helen Virginia Stimmell, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Snyder) Stimmell, a highly respected family of Shelby, Ohio. Mrs. Sipe was called to her rest on November 26, 1900. This union was without issue. In September, 1902, Mr. Sipe was married to Carrie McMillin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John F. McMillin, well known family of Martinsburg, in an early day. The father was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, was taken prisoner and died in Libby prison a few months before the birth of his daughter, Carrie. Politically, Mr. Sipe is a Republican, and while he is always interested and well informed on public matters he has never been an office seeker, but he has ever done his full share in promoting public interests, being active and 646 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. liberal in his support of all enterprises for the public good in the vicinity where he has lived so long and the interests of which he has had at heart. Mr. Sipe became a member of the Masonic order in 1868 at Shelby. Ohio, and still retains his membership. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a member of the board of stewards for a number of years, and he has long been an active Sunday school worker, having been superintendent and he has been a teacher in the school for a number of years. The pleasant and substantial family home is at No. 306 North Main street. THURMAN L. ELEY, M. D. It is with a great degree of satisfaction that reference is made to the life of one whose career has been characterized by untiring perseverance, who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor, or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to the young men whose fortunes are still matters for the future to determine. For a number of years Doctor Eley has directed his efforts toward the goal of success in Knox county and his patient continuance has been very. adequately rewarded. Dr. Thurman L. Eley, of Mt. Vernon, was born August 30. 1869, in Harrison township, Knox county, Ohio, and he has spent his life in his native community, his boyhood home standing two miles east of Gambier. He is the son of Peter W. and Martha J. (Barcus) Elev, both of whom were born and reared in Knox county, where they still reside, being now advanced in years, having devoted their lives to farming on the old homestead east of Gambier. They have been prominent in Harrison township for a half century and have a host of friends there. The son. Thurman L., grew up on the home farm, which he worked when a boy and in the winter attended the country district schools. later attending the high school at Gambier and also at Martinsburg. He then began teaching in the district schools of Harrison township and continued successfully for three years. In 1890 he and his older brother, Carey B. Eley, went to Kansas City, Kansas, and there they were in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company and there Carey B. succumbed to an. attack of typhoid fever. Thurman L. returned to Ohio with the body and here he remained and took up the study of medicine under Dr. j. F. Shrantz. of KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 647 Martinsburg, Knox county, in whose office he remained one year, then entered the Indiana Medical College, at Indianapolis, where he took a three years' course, making an excellent record and graduating in March, 1894. He soon afterwards located in Martinsburg, where he remained a year, and in 1896 he came to Mt. Vernon, where he has since remained. He was successful from the first and has enjoyed a very lucrative patronage with the city and county, having been very successful as a general practitioner and keeping fully abreast of the times in everything pertaining to his profession. He is an eclectic in the practice and the only one in Mt. Vernon. Doctor Eley was married on September 19, 1894, to Lura E. Smith, daughter of William J. and Susanna (Baker) Smith, of Pleasant township, this county, she having been reared and educated near Gambier, where her family have long been well known and highly respected. Mr. Smith was a native of New Jersey, where he spent his early life, coming to Knox county, Ohio, in an early day and engaged in farming here, where his death occurred in 1904; his widow survives. One son, Forest W., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eley. Politically, the Doctor is a Democrat and, while he is always interested in the success of his party, he is not active. He has served as a member of the city board of health, resigning after several years of faithful service. He is a member of the Knox County Medical Society and of the Ohio and National Medical Associations. He and his family are members of the Gay Street Methodist Episcopal church, the Doctor being a member of the official board and active in church and Sunday school work. The Doctor's home and office is at No. 202 East Front street, Mt. Vernon. He has an excellently equipped office, everything up-to-date and, being a man of fine attainments and pleasing address, he is always kept busy. haying the confidence and good Neill of all classes. JUDSON VINCENT. The biographies of the representative men of a county bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to arouse the pride of their family and of the community and it is a source of regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such men, in the ranks of whom may be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, teachers, as well as lawyers, physicians, bankers and members of other vocations and professions. Judson Vincent, of Mt. Vernon, is distinctively one (42) 648 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. of the representative citizens of Knox county, and as such has made his influence felt among his fellow men and earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the province of the one at hand. Mr. Vincent was born May 23, 1859, in Howard township, Knox county, Ohio, and he is the son of Alexander N. and Mary J. (Buchanan) Vincent, both natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. but who early in life moved to Knox county. Ohio. Grandfather Alexander Vincent came to Knox county with his family in 1837 and settled in Howard township, where he engaged in farming and was influential among the pioneers there. Alexander N. Vincent, his son and the father of the subject, was also a farmer, and in 1868 he moved to Brown township, Knox county, where he purchased a farm on which he prospered through general farming and extensive dealing in live stock. He became well known throughout the county and, like his father, he was a man whose character was above reproach. He was, a Republican, but not active in party affairs. His death occurred in March, 1904, having been preceded to the grave by his wife in October, 1896, and they are both buried in Jelloway cemetery, Howard township. Judson Vincent grew to maturity on the home farm, where he worked diligently during his boyhood. attending the common schools during the winter months. Applying himself closely to his text-books, he was enabled to begin teaching in the district schools when nineteen years old. During vacations he attended a special school in Danville, Knox county, and he afterwards taught in the graded schools of the county, giving eminent satisfaction as an instructor and his services were in great demand. Mr. Vincent has always been interested in politics and public affairs, and he is a Republican of the old school. In 1892 he was appointed deputy county treasurer under S. G. Dowds, serving four years, and at the expiration of Mr. Dowds' term of office, Mr. 'Vincent was elected county treasurer at a time when the county was Democratic, and he served four years. After his term of office had expired he engaged in the mercantile business in Mt. Vernon, purchasing the interest of John M. Myers in the firm of Myers & Laudenbaugh, and six months later also purchased the interest of Mr. Hugh Laudenbaugh. He was so engaged for four years, or until 1905, during which time he was elected. to the city council, and under the new municipal code, in 1902, he was elected a member of the board of public service, serving two terms and an extended term, in all about five years. In June, 1904, he was appointed a member of the board of managers of the Ohio State Reformatory at Mansfield, by Governor Herrick, and he performed his duties KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 649 so faithfully and acceptably, as he had done in all his positions of public trust, that he was re-appointed to this position in 1908 by Governor Harris for a full term of six years and served until August 20, 1911, at which time the Ohio state board of administration took over all the institutions of the state. He has served as a member and as chairman of the Knox county Republican committee and has frequently been a delegate to county, district and state conventions, where he made his influence felt for the good of his party in whose councils he has always been prominent. During the years he has been connected with the development of the gas and oil interests of Knox county. He is also a stockholder and director in the Knox Lumber & Coal Company, and has always been active in promoting the general interests of Mt. Vernon and community. Fraternally, Mr. Vincent is a member of Mt. Zion Lodge No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons, and Timon Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Vincent was married on January I, 1884, to Jennie M. Dowds, daughter of Samuel Newell and Eliza A. (Popham) Dowds, of Pike township, Knox county, one of the pioneer families of the county. To this union four children were born, namely : Mabel, Dwight D., Ethel and Lucile, all at home. The son is connected with the Cooper Engine Company, of Mt. Vernon. as bookkeeper. All are graduates of the Mt. Vernon high school except the youngest, who is still a student. Mr. Vincent affiliates with the Disciples church, but his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in its affairs. The family home is a pleasant and attractive one, situated at No. 724 East High street, Mt. Vernon, and this household is prominent in the best social life of the city and county. ALVA A. DOWDS. The best history of a community or state is the one that deals most with the lives and activities of its people, especially of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have forged to the front and placed themselves where they deserve the title of progressive men. In this brief review will be found the record of one who has outstripped, the less active plodders on the highway of life and achieved a career surpassed by few of his contemporaries, a career of marked success in the mercantile world, and a name which all who know him delight to honor owing to his upright life and habits of thrift and industry.