KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 875 infested by wild animals, numerous and ferocious, and the scarcely less wild but more savage red men, was the Braddock family, of whom the subject of this biography is a worthy descendant, he having long been an actor in the great drama which witnessed the passing of the old and the introduction of new conditions in this locality and here he has been content to spend his life and direct his energies in wresting from a resisting nature the substance wherewith to keep aglow the spark of material life. Mr. Braddock was born on July 9, 1844, 0n a farm six miles north of Mt. Vernon. He is the son of John and Margaret (Durbin) Braddock, both born in Knox county, where they grew up and were married, each representing early families who settled here in the woods and carved homes from the wilderness. The father of the subject devoted his life to farming and handling live stock, being for years an extensive shipper of horses and cattle. He was active in local public affairs and a man of upright character. His death was caused from the kick of a horse. He was survived several years by his wife. Levi S. Braddock grew up on the home farm in Marion township and when but a boy he learned the meaning of hard work, and assisted his father about the place. During the winter months he attended the public schools in his district. He has devoted his life to general farming and to live stock. having long been a well known importer of Belgian and Percheron draft horses. He has been to Europe three times for the purpose of purchasing Percheron horses. He is generally conceded to have the finest bred horses in Knox county : and. owing to the superior quality of the same, his fine stock is much admired by all interested in such. No better judge df a horse could be found in this section of the state than he, and he keeps well up with the times in all matters pertaining to this line of endeavor. He has also been a breeder of Holstein cattle for many years and his herds are the best to be found—as good as any in the state, and better than most. He has done much to improve the breed of both horses and cattle in eastern Ohio, and his fine stock are shipped to various parts of the state. Mr. Braddock has been twice married, first, in December, 1866, to Elizabeth Brumbaugh. daughter of Daniel and Mary Brumbaugh. By this union two children were born, one of whom died in infancy : the other, Stella, now the wife of Robert Hinken, lives on the old Braddock farm in Morris township. The wife and mother passed away in June, 1883. On December 1. 1884, Mr. Braddock was married to Emma Reeder. daughter of Wilson and Eliza (Haynes) Reeder. To this union four children were born, namely : Minnie married Dwight Dean. o f Wayne township. this county : Allen is 876 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. living at home ; Bessie married Charles Simpkins and they live near Utica, Ohio ; Irene has remained at home. In the spring of 1903 Mr. Braddock left the farm and moved to Mt. Vernon and here. in the suburbs, he has since resided, having a commodious and substantial home, modernly furnished, and he has a large: up-to-date and convenient barn for his fine stock. He has been very successful in a business way and is one of the strong, progressive men of the county. Politically, Mr. Braddock is a Democrat, but he has never been an office seeker, though interested deeply in local public affairs. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of the Morris Township Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in church work. The Braddock daughters were all educated in the Mt. Vernon high school and the family is prominent in the social life of the community. ADAM STITZLEIN. It seems to be true, generally speaking, that success in this life comes to the deserving, and it also seems to be true that we get out of life just about what we put into it. The individual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to it can not be enlisted with his successful contemporaries. He that falls heir to a large fortune and increases its value is successful in proportion to the amount he adds to his possessions. But the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by correct principles, forges ahead and at length reaches a position of honor among his fellow citizens, achieves success such as representatives of the two former classes can neither understand nor appreciate. To a considerable extent Adam Stitzlein, well known merchant of Greersville, Knox county, is a creditable representative of the class last named, a class which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country and added to the stability of our government and its institutions. Adam Stitzlein was born in Holmes county, Ohio, April 5, 1860. He is the son of John G. and Mary Barbara (Strang) Stitzlein, both born in Germany, in which country they grew up and were married; and there the father engaged in farming. He emigrated with his family, about the year 1850, to Holmes county, Ohio. Here the father purchased a farm of forty acres, and, prospering, later added to it, until he had an excellent place KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 877 and a good home. He and his wife belonged to the German Lutheran church. They were the parents of ten children, an equal number of sons and daughters, of whom Adam, of this sketch, was the youngest. Adam Stitzlein was educated in the common schools of Greer district, and later the Mansfield Business College. Early in life he selected the field of merchandising for his life labors, and, in order to learn the ins and outs of the business, he sought and secured employment in the general store of a Mr. Lyburg, in Buckeye City, this county, for a short time. Then, in January. 1887, he and his brother, John George Stitzlein, formed a partnership in a general merchandising store in Greersville. this county. In 1890 Mr. W. Hyatt purchased the interest of the subject's brother and remained in partnership with Adam Stitzlein until 1898, when they dissolved partnership. and since then the subject has continued the •store alone. He has increased the stock, carrying a fine selection of up-to-date goods, carefully selected; in fact, his is generally recognized as the leading general store in Greersville. He enjoys a large and constantly growing trade with the surrounding country, many of his customers coming many miles, for here they know they always receive courteous consideration. His stock is tastily displayed and everything is under a superb system. Mr. Stitzlein is a Democrat and takes the interest of a public-spirited citizen in local affairs. He has served very ably and acceptably as township clerk for four terms, then as township treasurer. He is a member of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Stitzlein was married on April 28, 1892, to Carrie Zylers, who was born at Nashville. Holmes county, Ohio, January 1, 1865. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth Zylers, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Holmes county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Stitzlein five children have been born, namely : Claud Jones, Gus H., Glen C., Paul C. and Freddie Kenneth. WILLIAM T. BUXTON. It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only those who have diligently sought her favors are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the life history of William T. Buxton, well known commercial traveler and 878 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Knox county land owner, it is plainly seen that the success which he has achieyed and the property which he enjoys have been .won by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained him the high esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Buxton was born August 3, 1864, in Newcastle township. Coshocton county. Ohio. He is the son of Noah W. and Candace C. Buxton, both natives of Coshocton county, Ohio. The father came to Miller township. Knox county, with his parents in 1835 and here engaged in farming:- later he engaged extensively as a contracting bridge builder, becoming widely known in this section of the state in this connection and he was a very successful business man and highly respected citizen. He lived in various places and later returned to Coshocton county, finally came back to Mt. Vernon, where his death occurred in October. 1907. His widow is living in Columbus. Ohio. They were the parents of three daughters and one son. namely : William T.. of this review; Olive, who married William C. Mills, of Columbus Mamie is deceased; Gertrude lives in Columbus. William T. Buxton was reared in the family home and received his education in the common schools, later attended the normal school at Utica, Ohio, then entered the Ohio State University at Columbus. When seventeen years of age he became a commercial traveler with Reed, Jones & Company. shoe dealers of Columbus. Prior to this he was a tobacco salesman for two years. He has been a shoe salesman ever since, traveling largely the Southern states, Ohio and Indiana. In 1910 he engaged with Isaac Prouty & Company, of Boston, Massachusetts. one of the oldest shoe firms in the United States. Mr. Buxton's territory is in Ohio and Indiana, and he has met with .continued success from the first, having unusual natural ability as a salesman, having ever been held in high esteem by his employers. and he is one of the best known shoe salesmen in the middle West and Southern states. Mr. Buxton has long maintained his home in Mt. Vernon. moving from Columbus to Mt. Vernon in 1895. He is the owner of a well improyed and productive farm of two hundred acres three and one-half miles west of Mt. Vernon, one of the finest and most desirable farms in this community, and his suburban home, just north of Mt. Vernon, is modern and attractive, and is presided over with rare grace by an accomplished lady, known in her maidenhood as Laura Conkle, whom Mr. Buxton married on August 2, 1886. She is the daughter of John and Charlotte (Hammond) Conkle, a fine old pioneer family of Knox county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Buxton, namely.: Lorin W.. of Mt. Vernon: Carita L. and Frederick John, who liye at home. as KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 879 Politically, Mr. Buxton is a Democrat, but he has never been active in party affairs, though he has kept well informed and is always interested in public matters. He is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and a charter member of the United Commercial Travelers Association, Columbus Council No. T. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. JOHN FRANK WARD. This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, the bright sunshine and the refreshing rains, and, applying his own hands and skill to nature's gifts, he creates grain, hay, live stock, etc., all of which are absolute necessities to the inhabitants of the world. The commercial world has come to recognize his importance and has surrounded him with many conveniences not thought of a century or even a half century ago. The inventor has given him the self-binder, the riding plow, the steam thresher and many other labor-saving devices. And the farmer has not been slow to take advantage of the improvements thus invented and offered. Among the up-to-date farmers of Miller township. Knox county, is John Frank Ward. Mr. Ward was born on the farm where he now lives, four miles southwest of Mt. Vernon. on September 22. 1861. He is the son of Rufus and Ellen (Rowley) Ward, both parents natives of Vermont. from which state they emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, when quite young. Grandfather Rufus Ward brought his family here by ox team, making the long journey overland. Here the father of the subject engaged successfully in farming, becoming one of the large land owners of his community and he was an influential and highly respected citizen. Politically, he was a Republican and active in party affairs. He was justice of the peace for many years in Miller township, and in 1870 he was land appraiser in that township, having received every vote but one for that office, which is evidence of his high standing in his community. His death occurred in T879, his wife having preceded him to the grave some two years previously. To Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Ward nine children were born, namely : Laura, who married Newton Chambers, of Mt. Vernon: Mary married Douglas Braker, of Mt. Vernon: Emma married Alonzo Chapman, he being now deceased : Lavina married Oscar Vance, of Miller township: Cornelia married 880 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Jacob Minnick, of Paola, Kansas; Rose married J. O. Hall, of Brandon. this county ; Rufus D., who is deceased, married Jennie Hildreth ; John Frank, of this sketch; Fred Lincoln lives in Miller township. John F. Ward was reared on the home farm and there worked when a boy during the crop season, attending the district schools in the winter time. and he has practically spent his life on the homestead. He worked for his father until he was married, on December 25. 1882, to May Miller, daughter of Calvin and Elizabeth (McClelland) Miller, a prominent pioneer family of this county. Mrs. Ward passed away in October, 1883, and Mr. Ward was subsequently married to Nellie Chrisman, daughter of Reuben and Mary (Dripps) Chrisman, of Miller township. both parents still living. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ward. named as follows : Mary C., Mabel F.. Rosa M., Fred Russell and John Chester. The death of the wife and mother occurred in December, 1906. Mr. Ward has spent his life engaged in general farming and stock raising pursuits and feeding all kinds of live stock. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of excellent land in Miller township. which he has kept well improved and under an excellent state of cultivation. He has a modern, well furnished and attractive home, good barns and up-to-date farming machinery. Politically, Mr. Ward is a Republican and he has been active in party affairs since attaining his majority. He has served as justice of the peace for six years, being still incumbent of that office, and he has also served as township assessor and township trustee. In all public offices which he has honored he has served the people most faithfully and well, gaining their esteem and hearty approbation. In 1897 he was elected a member of the county infirmary board and served two terms or six years. He has also served his township as a member of the Republican county central committee and he has been a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions. He is a member of Sycamore Valley Lodge No. 553, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he has filled all the chairs in the same. He also belongs to Tyman Lodge No. 45, Knights of Pythias, of Mt. Vernon, and the Clinton Grange. Patrons of Husbandry. He and his family belong to the Brandon Methodist church and they have long been active in church and Sunday school work. He favors all movements looking to the betterment of his locality in any way and is one of the highly respected and valuable citizens of his township. His work in promoting the modern methods of farming is especially commendable. He is a member of the board of directors of the Knox County Agricultural Society and as such is active and influential in its affairs. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 881 JOSEPH H. COLLOPY. It will be found upon examination that the person who lives the quietest and most uneventful life, one that is free, on the one hand, from too great a degree of toil, and free, on the other, from nervous excitement, such as falls to the lot of the dwellers in the cities, will live the longest span on this earth. It seems that all persons are given at the outset of their lives only about so much vitality, and if they squander it before they reach maturity, or if they dissipate it too fast at any stage of their careers, it means a premature death. Like a candle. they burn out too fast and are left nothing but a wick, black and unsightly. But the quiet and steady life is what counts. Such a person has great reserve of vital force which he can call into action at any emergency and is thus enabled to make a better showing in a crisis than the person who is ready to fall to pieces at the least excitement. Joseph H. Collopy, one of the best known citizens of the eastern part of Knox county, has had the wisdom to save his best powers for suitable occasions, having lived a well regulated life, so that, now the evening shadows of life have gathered about him, he is still hale and hearty. He conies down to us from. the pioneer period and it is interesting to hear him tell of the great transformation that has taken place in this locality since his boyhood days, for he has been an interesting spectator to it all. Mr. Collopy was born on December 1, 1834. on the same farm in Union township where he now lives, three miles east of Danville. He is the son of Jacob and Delilah (Sapp) Collopy, both natives of Maryland, from which state they came with their parents to Union township when quite young, and here they grew to maturity and were married, they having grown up amid the wilderness when settlers were few and hardships many. Grandfather Timothy Collopy moved here with his family about 1804 and the Sapp family also came that year, 1804. The Indians still held sway over this country and all manner of wild beasts were encountered. Settlements were few and far remote from each other, but these hardy people never shrank from either hardship or danger and they persevered until they had established good homes here. Both these families entered large tracts of land from the government, Grandfather George Sapp having been especially a large land owner and one of the substantial men of his day, but they were both influential citizens. Jacob Collopy. father of the subject of this sketch, was a prosperous farmer and at one time owned seventeen hundred acres, and in connection with farming on a large scale he was also an extensive stock man, and was long prominent in the affairs of the community. His family con- 882 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. sisted of nine children, three of whom are now living: Joseph H., of this sketch; Delilah. who married John R. Banburg. of Danville; Mary W. married August Gaum; she lives in Danville, Kansas, her husband being deceased. The following are the deceased children of the Collopy family : Timothy W., Jonathan A . Sarah C., George E.. Levi F.. and the youngest of all, Sarah C., there being two children who bore this name in the Sapp family. The death of the father occurred in January. 1890, his wife haying preceded him to the grave nearly thirty years, dying in May, 1861. The father was a Democrat in politics and was active in the affairs of Union township. and he filled various offrces of his township at various times. He was a Catholic in his church faith. He was a man of sterling characteristics and admired for his integrity and industry. Joseph H. Collopy was reared on the home farm and there he assisted in the general work in his boyhood as soon as of proper age He received such education as the country schools afforded at that period and here he has always lived and followed agricultural pursuits. He has been twice married, first, on February 17, 1871, to Jennie Durbin. claughter of Bassil and Abigail (Bickingham ) Durbin. of Howard township. this county, a prominent pioneer family here. This union resulted in the birth of two children: Rose E.. who married Julius Smith, living on the home farm, and a child that died in infancy, unnamed. The death of the wife and mother occurred in January. 1882. The second marriage of the subject was solemnized on February 18, 1885. with Mrs. Eliza Porter, daughter of Oliver and Maretta (Fields) Baker, a highly respected family of Jefferson township; her father is still living, the mother being deceased. One son was born of this second marriage. Joseph L. who has remained single and is living at home and assists in the management of the farm. After his first marriage Joseph H. Collopy settled on the farm where he has resided continuously to the present time, owning five hundred and twenty acres of fine fertile land, mostly in Union township, and here he has long been regarded as one of the county's substantial and progressive general farmers and extensive stock raisers and shippers, handling all kinds of live stock. He has kept the old homestead under a high state of improvement and cultivation, and has been quick to adopt the newest and best methods of farming and his efforts have been crowned with abundant success all along the line. He has a commodious, convenient and modernly appointed and furnished home, one of the attractive places of the eastern part of the county, and large, well arranged outbuildings and such modern farming machinery as his needs require. Large stables and sheds have been erected for sheltering KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 883 his stock and the proper care of his herds at all times. He has been yery successful in a business way through the exercise of sound judgment, right principles and honest methods He is a director in the Commercial and Savings Bank at Buckeye City. Mr. Collopy is a Democrat in his political affiliations and since reaching maturity he has been active in public affairs and his counsel is frequently sought by candidates and party leaders. He has been a member of the town ship board of education for many years and is now chairman of the board, having held the post for a number of years ; he has also served as township trustee for many years and on several occasions has been real estate appraiser of Union township and has filled various other local offices, always to the satisfaction of the people. He is public spirited and his support may always be depended upon in furthering any movement having as its object the general upbuilding of the community ; he is an especial advocate of better schools, good roads and substantial bridges and public buildings, and he has been instrumental in securing some important road changes, one in particular, the road east from Danville to Brinkhaven, which crossed the railroad twice at dangerous points. His efforts secured the change in the road by which it does not cross the railroad tracks at all. He and his family are members of the Catholic church, though his wife worships with the Methodist congregation. The Collopys have long been prominent in the social affairs of the community, and none are more widely known or more highly respected. WILLIAM P. PELKER. Theories look well on paper and have a mellifluous sound when proclaimed from the platform, but in the present rushing age the value of things is tested by the stern rule of experience ; it is the practical man who makes his influence felt and whose services and discourses are largely sought. The present is essentially an age of progress and in every line of activity the man of practical ideas is in evidence. The world of industry owes him a debt beyond estimate, and to him is due the credit of bringing to humanity privileges and blessings which simply hinted at a half century ago would have been regarded as utterly impossible. But times have changed and the world has moved on and the wild dreams and vague chimeras of yesterday have become the familiar facts of today. One of the citizens of Knox county who has believed in keeping fully abreast of the times and has therefore been re- 884 - KNOX COUNTY. OHIO. warded by a competency and at the same time has been of much benefit to his community in a general way is William P. Pelker, who, after a successful life on the farm, is now living in honorable retirement in the village of Centerburg. Mr. Pelker was born on June 10, 1852, in Franklin county, Virginia, of an excellent old Southern family, many of whose winning traits he seems to have inherited. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Lunsden) Pelker, both natives of Virginia. Grandfather Peter Felker was born in England, where he spent his earlier years, finally emigrating to America, settling in Virginia during the colonial period, and he served as a soldier in the Reyolutionary war with the colonists. The Lunsdens were Scotch people. The father of the subject was a farmer and large land owner and slaveholder, and four of his sons served in the Confederate army.; they were the subject's older brothers. The parents spent their lives in Franklin county, Virginia, where they were well known and highly esteemed. William P. Pelker, of this sketch, spent his youth on the home farm in the Old Dominion, and there he received his education in the public schools and at Rocky Mount, the county seat of Franklin county. Remaining in his native state until August, 1871, he came to Knox county, Ohio, and clerked in the dry goods store of David Meade, a merchant of Mt. Vernon. remaining with him one year. In 1873 he went to Niles, Michigan. and attended the Niles Normal School, preparing himself for a teacher. and for three years he followed teaching with much success in Berrien county, Michigan. In the fall of 1875 he returned to Knox county and made his home in Center-burg, and taught in the district schools for four terms. On December 26, 1876, he was married to May Bebolt, daughter of William T. and Sarah ( Hollister) Bebolt, a pioneer and very prominent family here. Her grandfather, Absalom Bebolt, was the first white settler in the locality, near what is now the town of Centerburg, having come to this section from Pennsylvania. The family is yet well known and influential here, through his descendants. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pelker, namely : Tullis A. lives in Santiago, California: Virginia married Harry Bell, a banker of Centerburg; Blanche, who married Ray B. Bishop, of Centerburg, died in November, 190; John G. lives in San Diego, California. After his marriage Mr. Pelker engaged in farming, which he continued to follow with much success in Hilliar township, becoming prosperous and a large land owner through his close application and good management, carrying on general farming and stock raising and trading. He studied the rota- KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 885 tion of crops, the qualities of soils, climatic conditions and was an advocate of up-to-date methods, so his efforts were annually rewarded by good crops. He has long been regarded as an authority on agricultural questions. In 1902 he moved from the farm to Centerburg and has since lived a retired life, though he has continued to superintend his farm, which he has brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement. He has a commodious and modernly furnished home. Mr. Pelker has always been a Democrat and has long been active in public matters, keeping well informed on the current topics of the day. He has served as a member of the Democratic county committee and is prominent in its councils. He has filled various local offices and has been a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions. He has always been regarded as a strong factor either for or against any public issue. He was a one time the candidate of his party for the state Legislature. He and his family are members of the Baptist church and they have long been actiye in church and Sunday school work, Mr. Pelker having been a leader in the latter for many years. He is a man of broad intelligence, liberal education and wide experience and because of his public spirit and exemplary habits he is held in high esteem by all who know him. This family is prominent in the social life of the community. BURR A. WYANT. "Agriculture is the noblest of all alchemy," says a distinguished writer, "for it turns earth and even refuse into gold and confers upon its cultivator the additional reward of health." This oldest of human vocations, and noblest of them all, has been honored by the successful career of Burr A. Wyant, one of the up-to-date tillers of the soil in Pleasant township, Knox county, where he has improved a good farm and at the same time has won the confidence and respect of his neighbors and acquaintances by his upright life in all its relations, for he believes in the old aphorism. "Live and let live." Mr. Wyant was born on a farm in Morrow county, Ohio, and is the son of Augustus R. and Sarah Jane (South) Wyant. The father was born in one of the Western Reserve counties and the mother in Indiana, near Ft. Wayne. Both parents were young when they came to Ohio and here they were married and became yery well established in life. The father died on February 3. 1894. and the mother is still living. The elder Wyant was a 886 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. farmer all his life. He belonged to the .Methodist Episcopal church and was an upright man. His family consisted of five children, namely : Burr A , of this review ; Frank C., of Monroe township; Ida P. married Clinton C. Marvin ; John married and is living in Pleasant township ; the oldest child of the family died in infancy. Burr A. Wyant spent his youth on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work and he received such education as was possible in the district schools. In 1870 the family moved from Morrow county to Pleasant township, Knox county, where the father purchased the Herford mill, which he operated in connection with farming for five years. The subject was married on June 6, 1900, to Angie E. Stinemetz, claughter of Alva and Mary (Smith) Stinemetz, and to this union five children have been born, namely : Herbert C., Paul R., Theodore L., Mary E. and Burr A., Jr. Mr. Wyant was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, having enlisted in Company L, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he very ably performed the task as duty sergeant. The regiment was sent to Porto Rico and served throughout the war, about nine months. He left the service in January, 1899. Since his marriage Mr. Wyant has been engaged in general farming and stock raising in Pleasant township, five miles southeast of Mt. Vernon, and he has met with a fair measure of success from year to year. Politically, Mr. Wyant is a Republican and has long been active in party affairs. He has served as a member of the Republican county central committee, and has also been a member of the board of education and a frequent delegate to county and district conventions, where he has always made his influence felt for the good of the party. In 1893 and 1894 he served as assessor of Pleasant township. In 1909 he was elected a member of the township board of trustees, on which he served for two years. He has proven himself to be an able, conscientious and faithful public servant and worthy of most any office within the gift of the people. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and they are highly respected throughout the community. EDWARD C. LIMBAUGH, D. V. M. It takes a great deal of courage and persistency to succeed at anything in this day and age when competition is so fierce on every hand, and this is especially true in regard to the professions. much more so in the twentieth century than formerly, for in the early days of our history every professional KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 887 man seemed to be sorely needed in all localities; there were few of them, most of the population being engaged in agricultural pursuits or in other ways opening up the country ; but now the innumerable colleges and technical institutions and special schools to be found in every state are turning thousands of trained professional men from their halls annually, and so if they would succeed they must be men of sterling qualities, right principles and the possessors of dogged tenacity, else they will be relegated to the rear to make room for some more courageous spirit. Dr. Edward C. Limbaugh, the well known and successful veterinary surgeon of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, is one of those tactful, earliest and forceful characters who believes in fighting until the goal is attained. First he made a success as a school teacher, then turned his attention to the profession which he now honors and soon had won a high place in the ranks of the leading representatives of the same in the Buckeye state. Doctor Limbaugh was born January .26 , 1878 in Holmes county, Ohio, near Millersburg, and he is the son of Christian and Catherine (Seltzer) Limbaugh. The father has devoted his life to farming and has ever devoted his life to the good of the community. He still resides in Holmes county, his wife having died in July, 1910. Edward C. Limbaugh spent his childhood and youth on the home farm and there assisted with the work during the crop season and attended the district schools in the winter time until he was seventeen years of age, when he began teaching in the schools of Holmes county, which he followed for six Years, during which time his services were in great demand. for he pleased both pupil and patron. in the fall of 1902 he entered the Ohio State University, taking the course in veterinary medicine and surgery. making a splendid record and graduating on June 2 1 , 1906 with the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. On August 1st of that year he opened on office in Mt. Vernon for the practice of his profession and he has remained here ever since, being successful from the first and building up a very extensive and lucrative practice, which has ever been on the increase, the stock owners all over the county regarding him as one of the most proficient men in his line in this section of the state. Doctor Limbaugh was married on March 24, 1908. to Ina G. Kidd, daughter of John and Marie (Brillhart) Kidd, of Holmesville. Holmes county, Ohio. Doctor Limbaugh is a Democrat, but is not active in party affairs, nor an office seeker. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees at Mt. Vernon, and he belongs to the English Evangelical church, while his wife is a member of the Disciples of Christ and both are earnest church people. (57) 888 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. The Doctor's residence and veterinary hospital is at No. 106 West Vine street. His hospital is ample and well arranged and is equipped with every convenience and modern apparatus for the care of animals needing such attention. Personally, he is a good mixer, a genial and honorable gentleman, successful in whatever he undertakes and he is popular with all who have occasion to know or have dealings with him. ERNEST C. TULLOSS. A farmer can be dishonorable as well as any other business man or he can be as honorable; he can misrepresent his grain, his stock, his hay and his apples, and can secure a buyer by such misrepresentations, but when he is found out it is much harder for him to live down the odium than it is for the merchant or other business man to do the same. The latter can much more easily sell out and go where he is not known than the farmer, for it seems harder for the farmer to make changes without injuring himself financially. So the descendants of the farmer must remain, or at least usually do so, and take the results of their father's misdeeds, while on the other hand the second and third generations are often helped to a greater extent than they can realize by the prestige established in their communities in former days by their ancestors. One of the farmers of Morgan township. Knox county, who can see nothing but good results flowing from the life work of his parents is the subject of this sketch. They were persons of the highest respectability and of unusual intelligence, and their influence was very strong for upright living and steady industry while they lived. Mr. Tulloss was born on January 29, 1865, on the farm where he has always lived, in the southern part of Knox county. Ohio. He is the son of Rodham and Elizabeth (Harris) Tulloss. He was reared on the home farm and when of proper age he assisted with the general work there, and in the winter time attended the public schools of his district. On January 2, 1894, he was united in marriage with Laura L. Martin, daughter of Calvin and Isabelle (Runyan) Martin, a highly respected family of Richland county, Ohio. To the subject two sons and one daughter have been born, namely : Raymond R., Dale M. and Laura Isabelle. Ernest C. Tulloss lived with his uncle, R. S. Tulloss, from the age of ten to twenty-one, and after his marriage he came to the home farm and here he has resided ever since, owning one hundred and sixty acres of as good land KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 889 as the township affords, which he has kept well improved and under a fine state of cultivation, carrying on general farming and stock raising of all kinds, handling only the best breeds, and he has been extensively engaged in the dairy business, making a success of whateyer he has turned his attention to. He has built an attractive, large modern home, equipped with furnace heat. gas light and running water. Everything about his place denotes good management. Politically. Mr. Tulloss is a Democrat, and while he has long been active in public affairs he is not especially active, though he has served his community as justice of the peace for a period of nine years in an able and satisfactory manlier, and for a number of years he has been a member of the local school board, and has done much for the improvement of the schools of the township. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias at Utica, and he and his family belong to the Disciples church, and he is an elder and trustee in the church and is active in church and Sunday school work. ISAAC STERLING JOHNSON. The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted residence therein. The Johnson family, of which Isaac Sterling Johnson, one of the most enterprising of Clinton township's younger- generation of farmers and stock men, is a very creditable representative, has been numbered with the honored citizens of Knox county since the pioneer period. They have been known as people of well defined purpose, never failing to carry to successful completion any work or enterprise to which their energies have been directed. Beginning life in a new country and under many unfavorable auspices, the elder Johnsons let nothing deter them, and before the lapse of many years became well established, having developed excellent farms and played well their roles in the general life of the community. aiding in every way possible to advance the material, civic and moral welfare of the same. Many of the sterling characteristics of the progenitors of the subject seem to have outcropped in him, hence his success and his popularity as a citizen. Isaac S. Johnson was born August 29, 1884, on the home farm, one mile south of Mt. Vernon. He is the son of Isaac and Isabelle C. (Davis) Johnson, both natives of Knox county, where they grew up, received their education and married. The Johnson family originally came to Knox county 890 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO from Virginia, and the Davises hailed from Pennsylvania. here both families, through hard work and honest dealings, became well established and v el 1 known. The father of the subject was a prosperous farmer and a large land owner, at one time owning fully twelve hundred acres of fine land. He farmed on an extensive scale and raised stock in large numbers, which he fed for the market. He took a prominent part in all movements to better local conditions. Politically, he was a Democrat, but never an office seeker. Ile was an active member of Clinton Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, being a charter member of the same, and always active in the same. His death occurred in October. 1893. His widow survives and makes her home in M t. Vernon. Three children were born to OIr. and Mrs. Isaac Johnson, namely : Alice married Ralph Jewell. of Fredericktown, this county: Isaac S.. of this sketch. and Harold C., who is associated with his brother in the management of the estate. The son, Isaac S. Johnson, was reared on the home farm and when but a boy assisted with the work there, and he has always been a farmer. He received his education in the district schools and later attended Pennsylvania Military College at Chester, Pennsylvania, later taking a course in agriculture at the Ohio State University at Columbus. Thus exceptionally well equipped for his life work, he returned home and took up the development of the home farm. He has met with great success as a general farmer and has kept well abreast of the times in agricultural matters, being a student of soils, grain and their relations with clip ate and crop rotation. He is a breeder of all kinds of live stock. The entire twelve hundred acres has remained in the family. and it has been so adroitly managed that it has increased in value and productiveness, rather than depreciated. This land embraces some of the best soil in the county. Mr. Johnson is a progressive farmer in all that the term implies and is a very large producer of crops and live stock. On December 12, 1909, the marriage of Isaac S. Johnson and Louise Garver took place. She is tbe daughter of Theodore L. and Celia ( Lee) Garver, a prominent family of Bellville, Richland county. Ohio. One winsome daughter, Alice Elizabeth, has been born to the subject and wife. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic order, a member of the Mt. Vernon lodge and the council. He also belongs to Clinton Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and is active in the work of the Grange. The Johnson home is one of the most commodious and substantial in the county, having modern conveniences. Surrounding this are large, convenient barns and outbuildings: in fact. everything about the place denotes KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 891 thrift and prosperity., and that a gentleman of excellent taste has its management in hand. The family has long been prominent in the social life of the community. Politically, the subject is a Republican, but he has not been an active partisan or an office seeker, preferring to devote his exclusive attention to his large landed estate and his fine live stock. He is a genial, obliging and likable gentleman. whom to know is to accord every respect. JAMES M. BROWN. Knox county figures as one of the most attractive. progressive and prosperous divisions of the northeastern part of the great Buckeye state, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material advancement of this section. One of the well known agriculturists and public-spirited citizens, whose fine landed estate in Morgan township is admired by all, is James M. Brown. His enterprise has been crowned by success, as the result of rightly applied principles which never fail in their ultimate effect when coupled with integrity, uprightness and a congenial disposition, as they have been done in his case, judging from the high standing of Mr. Brown among his fellow citizens whose undivided esteem he has won and retained. Mr. Brown was born on October 9, 1869, on the farm where he still resides and where he has spent his life, two miles northeast of Morgan Center. Knox county. He is the son of James S. and Christene (Chipps) Brown. The father was also born on this farm, while the mother was born in Chester township, now a part of Morrow county. Grandfather Jonathan Brown was born in New Jersey, May 22, 1800. His parents dying when he was young, he was bound out to Abraham Day, a farmer. In 1816 these two gentlemen came to Ohio, Mr. Brown remaining in Mr. Day's service until he was twenty-one years of age, then went to work for himself, his first employment being making rails at twenty-five cents per one hundred, which money he used for -the purpose of buying clothes. Soon afterwards he was United in marriage with Mary Larson, daughter of Sylvester Larson. a pioneer .of Knox county. She had fifty acres of land and this was the beginning of Mr. Brown's future success. Later he purchased lands one and one-half miles northeast of Morgan Center and with the aid of his sons this was cleared for farming. His death occurred on November 16, 1879. his wife having died on December 5. 1867. at the age of sixty-four years, and both are buried in Owl Creek Baptist 892 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. church cemetery, near the family home. Their family consisted of nine children, namely : Thomas R., Josel F., James S.; Anna Eliza married Samuel Clutter ; Jonathan H.; Mary J. married Leander Buxton; Phoebe S. married Thomas Bodle, and James S.. father of the subject of this sketch ; two died in infancy. James S. Brown, father of the subject, was born on September 7, 1831. and his death occurred on June 27, 1910. He grew to manhood on the home farm and receiyed such education as he could in the old-time schools of his community. Upon reaching manhood he married Catherine Chipp, who was born January 5, 1831, and died November 8, 1867. and both are buried in Owl Creek Baptist church cemetery. They were the parents of two children, namely: William X., of New Albany. Ohio, and James M., of this review. The father became the owner of over two hundred acres of good land, which he farmed on an extensive scale. Politically, he was a Democrat until 1860. when he espoused Republican principles and ever afterwards voted the Republican ticket. While he was always interested in public matters, he was never an office seeker and never held office. He was a man of strong convictions and great moral and physical courage. After the death of his first wife. he married Catherine Stockdale, daughter of William Stockdale, who was born on June 14, 1868, which union was without issue. This wife died on August 13, 1905, and she was buried in Owl Creek cemetery. James M. Brown, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He was married on October 24, 1888, to Virginia Arrington: daughter of William J. and Minerva (Wigington) Arrington, both born in Franklin county, Virginia, where they grew up and were married. They came to Knox county in 1869. The father-was a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil war and he was twice wounded. After coming to Knox county he engaged in farming and is still living near Morgan Center in Morgan township. His wife died on February II, 1885, and is buried in Owl Creek cemetery. Three children have been born to the subject and wife, namely : Joseph S.. married and living in Harrison township. this county : Harry W. lives at home; Bertie May also lives at home. Mr. Brown has lived since his marriage on the farm where he was born and reared and is engaged in general farming and stock raising and feeding all kinds of live stock, making a specialty of sheep. For a number of years he was with the Logan Gas Company, also the Homer Gas Company in various capacities, but later he gaye his entire attention to his fine farm and his liye stock and he has met with large success in both. His farm lies in the Knox county gas belt and on it are several producing wells. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 893 Politically, Mr. Brown is a Republican and he keeps well posted on current events, taking an interest in the welfare of his community, though he has never been an office seeker or office holder, with the exception of serying as a member of the district school board. He is a member of the Masonic order of Mt. Vernon and he and his son, Harry A., belong to the Knights of the Maccabees. He is also a member of the Morgan Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, with his wife and son. being a charter member. He and his family belong to the Owl Creek Baptist church, and they are prominent in the social life of the locality. SCOTT DUDGEON. There is no positive rule for acliieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out before him it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. One of the farmers of Clay township, Knox county, who seems to have been endowed by nature. with the power of discrimination and foresight to a large degree is Scott Dudgeon, who was born on December I, 1879, on the farm where he now lives, in fact, where he has always lived. three miles northeast of Martinsburg, the son of Timothy and Lovey (Campbell) Dudgeon. the father born in Auglaize county, Ohio, and the mother in Knox county. this state They grew up in their respective communities and received their education in the common schools. Grandfather Charles Dudgeon came with his family to this locality in the pioneer period and engaged in farming in Clay township. settling the place where the subject now lives, which he redeemed from the wilderness through hard work, and here he became very well established. This land was first entered from the government 1w the father of Margaret Elliott. wife of Charles Dudgeon. and the land has been in the possession of the family ever since., The father of the subject devoted his life to farming and became one of the substantial and influential men of his community, a large landowner, his home place comprising about three hundred and seventy acres, and for many years he was one of the extensive general farmers and stock raisers of his township. Politically, he 894 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. was a Democrat, but never held office or took a very active interest in public affairs. His death occurred in February, 190. His widow survives. These parents had two sons, Christopher. who married and is located on a part of the home farm, and Scott. of this review. Scott Dudgeon was reared on the home farm, where he began working when but a boy. and during the winter months he attended the country district schools. He was married on November 28. 1904, to Eva Horn, daughter of George and Malissa (Dudgeon) Horn, of Harrison, this county. Her parents are both living and are highly regarded. One son has been born to the subject and wife. George Timothy Dudgeon. named for both his grandfathers. Mr. Dudgeon has been on the home farm ever since his marriage, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, and feeding live stock for the market. Politically, he is a Democrat, but is not an active partisan nor an office seeker. He is a member of the Bladensburg Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He has so lived as to keep unbesmirched the good names of his forebears. CHARLES W. BLACKBURN. The. most elaborate history is necessarily an abridgment, the historian being compelled to select his facts and materials from a multitude of details. In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident, and vet in summing up the career of any man the writer needs touch only those salient points which give the keynote of the character. but eliminating much that is superfluous. Thus in giying the life record of the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch sufficient will be said to show that he is one of the worthy young agriculturists of the locality of which this history treats, owning a good farm in Clay township, Knox county. Charles W. Blackburn was born on January 29, 1872, in Martinsburg, Ohio. He is the son of William and Cynthia (Phillips) Blackburn, both natives of Ohio, the father born in Carroll county and the mother in Jefferson county. They grew up in their respective communities and received their education in the common schools. They were married before coming to Knox county, about 1869, and settled in Martinsburg. The father spent his life successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. Politically, he was a Democrat, and while always interested in public affairs, never took an active part in politics, nor sought office, though he filled several township offices His death occurred on April 2, 1905. His widow still survives. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 895 Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Blackburn, three of whom grew to maturity. Charles W., of this sketch, being the youngest of the family ; Edwin lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Vada, who has remained single, lives with her mother in the eastern part of Clay township. Charles W. Blackburn was reared on the home farm where he assisted with the general work when he became of proper age and in the winter time he attended the country district schools, also those at Martinsburg, graduating from the latter in 1892, having made an excellent record there. He then taught school for three years in the Clay township schools. also those of Harrison township. Mr. Blackburn has been twice married, first on September 20. 1893. to Mary E. Taylor. daughter of John and Louisa (Fry) Taylor, of near Bladensburg. Her death occurred on April 15, 1906. Two daughters were born to this union, Pearl and Ada. On June 18, 1907, Mr. Blackburn was again married to Mrs. Arabell (Hancock) Darling, daughter of John R. and Elizabeth (Bradfield) Hancock of Clay township. These parents are both deceased. By the first marriage of Mrs. Blackburn four children were born, Gertrude, John, Loren and Nancy. When the subject was first married he rented the farm where he now resides, one and one-half miles north of Martinsburg, where he lived until he moved to Martinsburg, and lived there for a period of two years, when he bought the farm that he previously rented and again took up husbandry, and he has since remained there. He has seventy-five acres of well improyed and well cultivated land. He has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of sheep and horses, being a breeder of thoroughbred sheep. the famous Delaine breed, which, owing to their superior quality. are eagerly sought after. His horses are the Norman stock, favorites for draft animals. Politically, Mr. Blackburn is a Democrat and he has always been active in public affairs. He has been a member of the Democratic county central committee, from Clay township. and a delegate to various party conventions. He has served as township clerk for three terms. He has been a member of the township board of education and is now clerk of the board. As a public servant he has been most faithful in the performance of his every duty, and has won the approval of all by his judicious course. Fraternally, he is a member of Martinsburg Lodge No. 778. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is district deputy for Knox county. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have long been actiye in church and Sunday school work. He is a progressive citizen and favors public improvements in so far as they contribute to the general public good. 896 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. WARREN FARMER. The occupation of farming. to which Warren Farmer. of the vicinity of Danville, Knox county, has applied his time and attention since reaching his majority, is the oldest business pursuit of mankind and the one in which he will ever be the most independent. Of course when this is said reference is made to civilized man, because hunting and fishing were the primitive pursuits before he reached the civilized state. Since the evolutionists have sought to show that man conies from a man-monkey that lived in the last geological epoch. and that the said monkey in turn came from a still lower form of primates, and so on back to protoplasm, the superiority of one person by reason of birth over another has been almost wholly given up. In other words, as mankind came from the same source, whether it be monkey or something else, it is not for one plan to brag about coming from a higher source than his neighbor. So the farmer today stands just as high in the scale of being and civic life as the business or professional man. In addition, the agriculturist is far more independent. If he is out of debt, has his land improved and a good home, he can laugh at panics and periods of tight markets. Thus is situated the subject of this brief biography. Warren Farmer was born in Union township, Knox county, and here he was reared on the farm where he worked when but a lad and he was educated in the schools of his community, and he has been content to live in the same to the present time. His birth occurred on May 12, 1864, and he is the son of Doty and Hettie (Giffin) Farmer, a highly respected family who spent their lives on a farm here, the father dying in May, 1892, the mother still living. These parents were each married before from their union three children were born, namely : Warren. of this review ; Dora, who has remained single, and Walter B., who lives in Union township. Warren Farmer has never assumed the responsibilities of the married state, his mother being his housekeeper. He has always engaged in farming. In 1911 he came to his present excellent farm one mile east of Danville, where he has seventy-five and one-half acres of well improved and productive land, on which stands an attractive modern home, built of cement blocks. He also has an up-to-date barn and such other buildings and farming machinery as his needs require. He pays much attention to the raising of liye stock of all kinds, especially hogs. There is a thick vein of grayel and cement sand on his farm which is a source of very considerable revenue, and he has been yery successful in a business way since taking charge of his present place. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 897 Politically. Mr. Farmer is a Republican, but has never been active in public matters and has never sought office, though he manifests a good citizen's interest in the affairs of his county and state. He is progressive in all that the term implies, believing in modern methods in eyerything, and personally he is a very genial and companionable gentleman. ROBERT NEIDERHAUSER. Whenever an emigrant crosses the ocean from Europe to America it means that soonor or later many others will follow him, because he will write of his success here, Which is sure to come to him. and his former friends, profiting by his example, will take his advice and come oyer also, to seek new homes upon our free soil. Thus it is that one emigrant brings many others. Every country of Europe thus contributes to our growth. and the people who come over are the most adventurous. independent, self-reliant and liberty-loving. Thus it is that we have for more than a century drained all Europe of its best blood and the result has been to stimulate our growth and develop us almost beyond calculation. Every branch of industry has left this inyigorating impulse and has responded with a firmer and more enduring growth. It was some such circumstances that brought the family represented by the subject of this sketch to the locality of which this history treats; however, the subject was born in this country, being an excellent type of the second generation of the Swiss in America. Robert Neiderhauser, farmer of Union township, Knox county, was born in Richland township. Holmes county. Ohio, on October 18, 1863. He is the son of Jacob and Catherine (Fehndrich) Neiderhauser, both born in Switzerland. from which country they came to America as young people, the father being twenty-one years old and he made the trip with two brothers, coming direct to Holmes county, beginning his life there as a railroad construction hand. The mother of the subject came with her parents about the same time. her family coming direct from Switzerland to Holmes county, Ohio. and here the parents of the subject of this sketch were married. The father worked as a farm hand until his marriage, when he engaged in farming for himself, renting land for some time, and in 1865 he bought his first farm, which consisted' of two hundred and thirteen acres in Union township, where his son Robert now lives, two miles south of Brinkhaven. He had only five hundred dollars and he agreed to pay for it the sum of eight thousand 898 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. dollars. He set to work with all his might to pay this sum, immediately moving to the place and there he met with continued success. Adding to his original holdings from time to time, he finally became the owner of six hundred and thirteen acres. He farmed on a large scale and was also an extensive stock dealer, buyer and shipper, and he became one of the substantial and well-known men of his township, influential in the affairs of the same. His death occurred in 1906. His widow still survives. To these parents nine children were born, one of whom died in infancy. Those who survived were named as follows : Robert, of this review ; Samuel J. is deceased ; Caroline married J. D. Grill, of Brinkhaven Lovey, deceased, was the wife of William F. Sapp, of Brinkhaven ; Edward F. lives on the old home farm ; Cora A. married George Smith. of Dillonvale, Ohio: William lives at Brinkhaven ; Avis has remained single. The father of these children was a Democrat, but he never sought public office, though he took considerable interest in public matters. He was a member of the Evangelical Reformed Lutheran church. He was highly regarded by all who knew him, a man of exemplary habits and generous impulses. Robert Neiderhauser, of this review, was reared on the home farm and when old enough he was put to work in the fields, attending the country district schools in the winter time, and he remained at home until he was married, in October, 1888, to Edith McMillin, daughter J f Ephraim and Elizabeth (Cline) McMillin, of Union township. To the subject and wife one child has been born. Elizabeth, who lives at home. Mr. Neiderhauser has always lived on a part of the home place which he has kept well improved and well ell cultivated and has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser, having one hundred and twenty acres of good land which he has been at work on since his marriage It lies in the rich valley of the Mohican river. While he raises stock of all grades, only the best find a place on his farm, and in view of this fact they are eagerly sought after by the purchaser. Politically, the subject is a Democrat and he has always been active in political matters. He has served as a member of the township board of education for a period of fourteen years, during which time he has been of great aid in advancing the schools of this district. For several years he was president of the board, and he has always been a friend of education. In 1903 he Was nominated by the party for county commissioner, but he was defeated with the rest of the ticket in the Republican landslide of that year. He has served on local committees and as a frequent delegate to party con- KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 899 ventions, in all of which he has made his influence felt for the good of the community and the party. In religious matters he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Brinkhaven. He is a public-spirited man and is highly regarded by all who know him. AVERY WHEATON. In this country of ours it is necessary that some people should follow the occupation of farming, some store-keeping, some lumbering, milling, medicine, etc. All are necessary to each other and form parts and parcels of the great body of society. There was a time when each family was almost wholly self-sustaining, when the mother made the garments and the father produced the food, grinding his own corn and hewing out the timbers for his home, but this old order of things has been done away with by advanced methods more in accord with our progress and institutions. The farmer can not get along without the merchant in his town, under the new order of things, and each has to have the products of the mills. The store-keeper can not get along without the farmer, the miller and the lumberman to buy his goods. We are all mutually dependent and each is required to fill his position. One of the best known farmers, saw-mill and lumbermen in Knox county is Avery Wheaton; of Danville. a man who believes in performing his part well in this complex civilization of ours, creating as little inharmony as possible, "live and let live" being one of the aphorisms which he advocates. Mr. Wheaton was born on November 14, 1851, in. Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, the son of Charles M. and Rosanna (Uhl) Wheaton, both natives of Ohio, where they grew up. were educated and married and here. after getting a good foothold in the business world, the father was called to his reward, young in years. dying at the age of thirty-five. The mother of the subject, a woman of strong personality, still lives, now being advanced in old age. The father was a carpenter by profession and said to have been a very skilled workman. The Wheatons are of English origin. while the Uhls are of German extraction. Avery Wheaton. of this sketch, was reared on the farm of his grandfather, William Uhl, and when but a small boy was put to work in the fields during the crop season, attending the district schools in Holmes county in the winter time. When eighteen years of age he came to Knox county and 900 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. found employment as a farm hand with Jacob Ross, a prominent and prosperous citizen, and Mr. Wheaton remained in his employ, farming and handling stock for a period of five and one-half years, before his marriage, which occurred on December 14, 1872, to Laura Miller. daughter of Vincent and Margaret (Stillinger) Miller, an influential and highly respected pioneer family of Union township. Two daughters and three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton. the daughters being deceased ; the sons are George W.. Jacob and Ira, all living in Union township, this county, all married and prosperous farmers and highly respected citizens. For several years after the subject's marriage he continued to reside with Mr. Ross and also engaged in the saw-mill and timber business, having continued in the portable saw-mill business ever since, and he is one of the most extensive timber operators in Knox county. and is still engaged in this line of business. He bas been very successful in this line of endeavor, also farming, and he has acquired a fine farm of two hundred acres three miles southeast of Danville, which he has kept well improved and Weil cultivated. which has been managed by his sons as they grew to manhood. Here stock raising has been carried on with general farming. Politically, Mr. Wheaton is a Democrat and he has long taken an active part in the affairs of his party and in public matters in general. but he has never been an office seeker. He and his family are members of the Dunkard church. JOHN A. REED. M. D. Among the young professional men of sterling attributes of character who have impressed their personality upon the community of their residence and have shown themselyes to be worthy of the trust and confidence that has been reposed in them, mention must not be omitted of Dr. John A. Reed. of Jelloway, Brown township, Knox county. He would win his way in any locality where fate might place him, for he has sound judgment, coupled with great energy and profound education along his chosen line of endeavor, together with professional tact and upright principles, all of which make for success wherever and whenever they are rightly and persistently applied. He is fast winning success and friends by the exercise of these principles. Doctor Reed was born on July 3, 1880, in Holmes county, near Brink-haven, Ohio. He is the son of John and Sarah (Orbison) Reed, the father KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 901 born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Virginia. They came to Ohio as young people and here established their home. The father served during the Civil war as a member of Company C, Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and both of the Doctor's grandfathers were also in the Civil war; the paternal grandfather, William Reed, was in a Pennsylvania regiment and was killed in the first day's fight at Gettysburg. Grandfather Orbison was a member of Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he gave his life for his country in the battle of Corinth, Mississippi. The father, John Reed, served four years in the Army of the Potomac, saw much hard service, took part in many of the greatest battles of the the greatest war of history and proved to be a most faithful soldier. He was never wounded, but he was taken prisoner and confined at Libby prison for a time. He was with Grant at Lee's surrender and later was in the Grand Review at Washington after peace had been declared. After he was honorably discharged from the service he returned to Ohio and was connected with the construction of the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus railroad. He settled in Holmes county and there was married. In 1886 the family moved to Brinkhaven, where the father followed his trade of carpenter until his death. on December 21, 1891. His widow still lives. John Reed was a Republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His family consisted of five sons and three daughters, namely : William F. is farming in Jefferson township; Ella married Henry H. P. Parks, of Massillon: Clara married Harry Laflin. of Coshocton: John A.. of this sketch: George is a dental student; Dallas is farming in Jefferson township; Celia is the widow of Ogden Barrett. of Cleveland: Harry W. is a physician at St. Luke's hospital. Cleveland. Dr. John A. Reed was educated in the public schools of Brinkhaven. Later was a student at the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home at Xenia. Ohio. from which he was graduated in 1896. He was graduated with the class of 1898 from the high school of Brinkhayen, and in the fall of 1899, having long contemplated entering the medical profession, he entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, where he made an excellent record and from which institution he was graduated in 1903. Thus well equipped for his life's work, he located at Jelloway, Knox county, on September 15th of that year and here he has remained to' the present day. haying built up a large and growing, practice with the surrounding country. He keeps well abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to his profession and he has been very successful as a general practitioner. Doctor Reed was married on September 19. 1907, to Millie Gladys 902 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Zimmerman, daughter of Luzine P. and Ella (Applegate) Zimmerman, of Columbus, Ohio. One son has graced this union, born September 15, 1909. Fraternally, Doctor Reed is a member of .Masonic Lodge No. 546 of Danville. Politically, he is a Republican and he has always been active in public affairs. He has served as a member of the Republican county executive committee and has been a frequent delegate to party conventions. in which he has ever made his influence felt for the good of his community and the party. He has been health officer in both Brown and Jefferson townships, eight years in the former and three years in the latter. In the fall of 190 he was elected coroner of Knox county and is now serving his first term. In all these positions of public trust he has performed his duties in a most able and conscientious manner. In addition to his professional duties, he oversees a farm of one hundred acres which he owns in this vicinity, which he keeps well improved and in a high state of cultivation. He also owns valuable property in Brinkhaven and Jellovay. He and his wife are members, of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are prominent in the social life of the community. ALVERDO A. GEITGEY. The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored by inherited wealth. or the assistance of influential friends. but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life and is well and favorably known throughout this section of the Buckeye state as a result of the industrious life he has lived here, being a sterling product of the old log cabin days which has produced so many of the leading Americans of today, in all walks of life. He has won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come into contact and has been a most potent factor in the development of Union township, Knox county, and vicinity during the past decade. Mr. Geitgey has ever been loyal to his convictions of right and has discharged his duties as neighbor and citizen with the object in view of making the country better and his friends happier. Blessed with an abundance of worldly wealth, all of which has been acquired by his own unaided efforts, he has not been selfish : on the contrary, his benefactions have been many, while his liberality and philanthropy have been felt not only in his own locality but. in. other places Where he has prosecuted worthy enterprises. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 903 Alverdo A. Geitgey, a leading and well-known citizen of Buckeye City, this county, was born on July 24. 1864, on a farm in Wayne county, Ohio, in the log cabin home of his parents, John and Ann (Smith) Geitgey, both natives of Wayne county., where they grew up, were educated and married, in fact. spent their entire lives in that county. The father was a farmer, stock buyer and shipper. and was an industrious and fairly successful business man and a highly respected citizen. He is now deceased, but his widow, a woman of gracious personality, still lives, being now advanced in years. Alverdo A. Geitgey was reared on the farm where he began working in the fields when but a small lad, and he was educated in the district schools of his home, later in life supplementing the rudments of learning he there received by actual contact with the business world and by miscellaneous home reading, being now a well-informed man on all topics, public, business or social. He was fourteen years of age when his father died, and he then began hustling for himself, after spending two years at home with his mother. These early experiences, though hard, were good in the way of discipline and doubtless contributed largely to his success in subsequent years. At the age of sixteen he went to Huntington, Indiana, with an uncle who was engaged in the hotel business, filling, for a time, the position of clerk. He then went to Harper county, Kansas, with a view of locating, growing up in a new country of the West and there establishing himself in business, but not liking the country as well as he had anticipated, he returned to his home in Wayne county, Ohio, and started. a huckster wagon, which he conducted for two and one-half years, during which he got a good start in life. He started in this business with one hundred and twenty-seven dollars, which he had received from his father's estate. With this sum he purchased a team and small stock of goods with which to equip his wagon. He had to go in debt, the amount he had not being sufficient to pay for the outfit. By good management he had cleared the sum of two thousand and two hundred dollars at the end of two and one-half years. He then went to Findlay., Ohio. and there engaged in business, among other things as a railroad ticket broker, being a member of the American Ticket Brokers Association for some time. After trying a number of other lines of endeavor, he finally turned his attention to the oil and gas business, operating in the Wayne county fields. His first ventures were not successful and he lost nearly all of his former earnings, about all he had left being a second-hand drilling outfit, for which he had traded the odds and ends of what he had left from his former business ventures. But not being made of the material which bends easily, and nothing daunted, he went after business, continuing to operate in Wayne county and various parts (58) 904 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO of the country, and while thus engaged he located the oil pool near Lodi, Ohio, making considerable money from this field. Soon afterwards he came to Knox county,—about 1901,—being the first operator in the gas fields of the eastern part of the county, drilling the first wells there, and from them supplied Danville, Buckeye City and Brinkhaven with natural gas and thus started a boom in this section of the state, which has resulted in continued progress. Later disposing of his holdings in the eastern part of Knox county, he has since been operating in various parts of the country. However, he has invested the major portion of his capital in Florida lands owning twelve thousand and seven hundred acres in a fertile section of the "Land of Flowers," which investment has proved very successful, resulting in large profits. and his energies are now centered in deyeloping his lands there. He contemplates an extensive pecan farm, which will doubtless be productive of very large profits. His permanent home, however, is in Buckeye City, Ohio, where he has a commodious, attractive, modern and, indeed, mansion-like home, the finest private residence in Knox county. It is modern in all its appointments and elegantly furnished, and here old-time hospitality and good cheer ever prevails, so that this beautiful home and its superb surroundings is the mecca for the many friends of the family, which is prominent in the social life of the county. Mr. Geitgey is also interested in other large real estate holdings, and he is a pushing, progressive, prosperous man of affairs, a credit to the locality honored by his citizenship. Mr. Geitgey has been twice married, first to Ella Fluhart, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Thomas) Fluhart, of Fredericksburg. Wayne county, Ohio, this union having resulted in the birth of three children, namely : Chauncey, deceased; Nellie is now a student at Wooster University., Wooster, Ohio: Grace is attending the high school at Danville. The wife and mother pass, ing to her rest early in life, Mr. Geitgey was subsequently married on November 27, 1902, to Lucy M. Shrimplin, daughter of Osborne and Adelia (Greer) Shrimplin, of Buckeye City, Ohio, and this union has been graced by the birth of two children, John O. and Kathryn. Politically, Mr. Geitgey is a Democrat; howeyer, is not a biased partisan, believing in good men for all public positions, irrespective of political alignment, and while he has eyer taken an abiding interest in the affairs of his township and county, gladly supporting such measures as made for the general good of the same, he has neyer sought public preference or office of any kind, being content with the management of his individual affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order at Danville and the Wooster lodge of the Knights of Pythias, and he and his family are members and liberal KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 905 supporters of the Church of Christ at Danville, he being an elder in the same, and active in church and Sunday school work. Personally, Mr. Geitgey is a man of pleasing presence, genial in deportment, charitable and a cultured, broad-minded gentleman—in short, a typical representative of the enterprising, successful, virile, self-made men who have done so much to develop the resources of the great middle West and advance all its interests, and, being a man of exemplary habits, his career might be profitably emulated by the youth of the land whose destinies are yet matters for future years to determine. MILTON P. MARTIN. One of the remaining links in the chain that connects the present age to a period long buried in the mists of the past in this history of the city of Mt. Vernon is Milton P. Martin, now living in honorable retirement after a long and successful life in his native locality, spent principally in farming and sawmilling. He has been a witness of wonderful transformations in his home country, has seen the virgin forests felled by the woodsmen and the raw prairie sod upturned by the plowman, log cabins give way to pretentious homes, and villages spring up on every hand. He has kept untarnished the honored name of the family, well-known in Knox county for a century, his sterling grandfather having braved the wilderness here in the early period of the nineteenth century, when Indians were numerous and hostile and ferocious wild beasts roamed where now are waving fields of grain and the happy homes of men. The members of the Martin family haye not been merely spectators to this change in the face of nature, but they have been active in the work of development, each playing well his role in the drama of civilization as staged in local arena, and no family within the borders of this county is more deserving of representation in a volume of the province of the one at hand. Mr. Martin was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, on November 9, 1844, and is the son of George R. and Agnes P. (Shipley) Martin. George Martin. the great-grandfather of the subject, moved with his family to Knox county in the year 1811. from Pennsylvania. He located at the foot of Main street, Mt. Vernon, and for some time followed the carpenter's trade. He lived only a few years after coming to his county. His oldest son and child, Jacob, the grandfather of the subject. then became the head of the family. 906 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. He, too, was a carpenter by trade. to which he added cabinet-making. He also following undertaking. His family lived on what is now the corner of Main and Front streets, his shop being located on Front street. Jacob Martin married Ann Adams, daughter of John Adams, who came from Virginia in 1817 and settled in Morrow township, Knox county, where he engaged in farming. The brothers and sisters of Jacob Martin were: Joseph. George, Elizabeth, Mary and Nellie, all of whom are now deceased. The following children were born to Jacob Martin and wife : George. Samuel, John, Frank. Joseph, Albert, Ellen, Martha and Clara. Albert, the youngest son, and Clara and Ellen are still living. George R. Martin, the oldest son in his father's family, was one of the pioneer sawmill and lumber men of Knox county, having been engaged in this business here from 1854 to 1890, during which period he became widely known as a progressive and successful business man. His mill, which was the first steam saw-mill in the locality, was located at the junction of the Martinsburg and Granville road in South Vernon. It was originally built by C. P. Buckingham and bought by Mr. Martin, and during all the years from 1854 to 1890 he operated a mill upon this same site. His death occurred in June, 1899, his widow surviving until in February, 1905. The father of the subject was a Republican.' His father was an original abolitionist, and being of Scotch-Irish descent, both the Martin and Adams families having come from northern Ireland, were Presbyterians. George R. Martin was much interested in public affairs and while he always supported whatever measures that had as their object the general good, he was not an office holder or seeker of public favors. He was a man of intelligence and progressive ideas and stalwart integrity. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George R. Martin, namely : Milton P., of this sketch; Ida is deceased; Frank A. lives in Richwood, Ohio: Alice is the widow of John Higbie; Jessie V. married Jesse B. Lafever, of Mt. Vernon; Harry lives in New Castle, Indiana; Luella married Hugh Green and lives in Harrison township, this county; George P. is deceased; one child died in infancy. Milton P. Martin, of this review, grew up in Mt. Vernon and when old enough worked in his father's mill. He was educated in the Mt. Vernon public schools. He has been twice married, first, On February 20, 1869, to Susanna Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William 0. Johnson, of Mt. Vernon. To this union two children were born, Mary. E., now the wife of Dr. H. W. Pyle, and Fred J., of Clinton township, this county. The wife and mother was called to her rest on April I, 1875. In October, 1887, Mr. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 907 Martin was married to Alice Page, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Page, of Delaware county, Ohio. To this union one daughter was born, Marguerite P., who is living at home. The death of the second wife occurred on October 1, 1896. In 1874 Mr. Martin left the sawmill business and moved to his farm in Clinton township and there engaged successfully in farming for a period of twenty-six years, until 1900, when he moved to the old family home near the site of the sawmill, where his father was an important factor for so many years and where some member of the Martin family has resided for a period of one hundred years. The subject is now living a retired life with his daughter. enjoying the fruits of his former years of toil and endeavor. Politically, he is a Republican and has always been more or less active in public affairs, but he has never been an office seeker, though he served for years as a member of the township board of education. During the Civil war he enlisted. in January, 1864, in Company M, Third Regiment Ohio Infantry, and was with Sherman's army in General Thomas' diyision and he saw active service through the Atlanta campaign and other activities, in all of which he acquitted himself as an excellent and faithful soldier, never shrinking from duty, no matter how arduous or dangerous, according to his comrades. He was wounded in the battle of Lovejoy near Atlanta on August 19, 1864. He was mustered out of service on August 4, 1865, at Macon, Georgia. He is a member of Joe Hooker Post, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has long been active, and in 1911 he represented the post at the state encampment. He is a public-spirited citizen and a worthy descendant of Knox county pioneers.