(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 750 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. ist in charge of the extension work of the horticultural department of the Ohio Experiment Station of Wooster, with headquarters at Newark. Mr. Ballou was born in Franklin township, Licking county, on the 3d of July, 1869, and is a son of Charles E. and Mary J. (Keenen) Ballou. The family is descended from one Maturin Ballou, who was a co-proprietor with Roger Williams, the colonial founder of Rhode Island in his Providence plantations. Genealogical researches show that he was a remote descendant of a Norman chieftain who, in 1066, went from France to England with William the Conqueror. This ancestor, "one Guinebond was probably a marshal in the army of William of Normandy and took part in the decisive battle of Hastings, resulting in the fusion of Norman civilization with that of the Anglo-Saxon race. It has been established with considerable certainty that Maturin Ballou was the younger son of a younger son of a good family in Devonshire, England, and was probably born between the years 1610 and 1620. Like all the unendowed offshoots of feudal nobility, he had to seek his own fortune and in the '40s in the seventeenth century emigrated to America. The Ballou family in this country numbers among its members many eminent men. The mother of James A. Garfield was a Ballou and the Taft family is also of the same ancestry. Aurelius Ballou, grandfather of our subject, was born in Chandlersville, Muskingum county, Ohio, January 18, 1818, and was a man of fine mental endowments, whose researches were conducted broadly on many subjects. His natural ability and taste tended toward an intellectual life but unfortunate circumstances prevented a liberal education although he became a broad reader and was not unknown as a writer. For a time he studied for the medical profession and then took up teaching, while he was identified with educational work for several years. About 1853 he became a resident of Licking county, Ohio, settling at the base of Flint ridge in Franklin township where, after years of work, he secured a home of eighty acres on which he lived until his death June 5, 1905. He filled many local positions of responsibility and was a consistent Christian man, who had the respect and esteem of all. On the 8th of September, 1839, in Brookfield, Ohio, he married Sarah Bacon, who was born near Cumberland, Ohio, February 20, 1821, and died June 17, 1903, at the age of eighty-two years. Charles E. Ballou is the only survivor of their family of four children. He was educated in the district schools and, because of his father's invalid condition, remained at home to care for his parents and continued the management of the home farm until he retired from active life and removed to Newark in November, 1904, building here a comfortable home. He was married October 11, 1868, to Mary Keenen, of Hopewell township, a daughter of John and Amanda (Ellis) Keenen, both now deceased. Frank H. Ballou, their only child, was reared on the home farm and acquired a common-school education. As early as his fourteenth year he became intensely interested in horticulture. He first took up vegetable growing and, as he studied, extended his efforts to the growing and care of plants, gradually drifting into the study of the culture and improvement of small fruits. A further step in advance was his work in connection with the cultivation of orchards and as the years went by he delved deeper and deeper into the science of fruit culture, developed the Dale View Fruit Gardens, and became a writer on horticultural subjects for various journals. His labors were conducted along scientific lines, based upon broad study and practical experience and he displayed much of the spirit of the initiative also HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 751 in his undertakings. His work brought him under the notice of the State Board of Agriculture and, in 1900, he was called to take charge of the horticultural exhibit at the State Fair in Columbus, of which he has been superintendent for eight years. In this capacity he came into touch with the officials of the Ohio Experiment Station and, in 1904, was called to Wooster, Ohio, where he remained four years as assistant horticulturist in charge of the orchards, small fruits and vegetables at that institution. In that capacity he served until the spring of 1908, since which time he has been connected with the station as assistant horticulturist, in charge of horticultural extension work, and secretary of the Ohio State Horticultural Society, with headquarters at Newark. Here he is conducting test work and plant breeding on his own and his father's farms and is producing splendid results that have, through the medium of his many published bulletins of the Experiment Station, made him well known among not only the horticulturists of the state but also of the entire country. In 1889 Mr. Ballou was married to Miss Clara McPherson, a daughter of John R. McPherson, now deceased, and they have two children, Nellie and Ava. In politics Mr. Ballou is a stalwart republican and both he and his wife are members of the East Main Street Methodist Episcopal church. His chosen life work has been not only a source of revenue to himself but of benefit to all mankind, in that he has wrought out new truths concerning horticultural interests, resulting in a production of better varieties and a knowledge concerning breeding and improvement of fruits and vegetables. BRYANT L. HAWKE. One of the leading and well known representatives of financial interests in Licking county is Bryant L. Hawke, who since the organization of the Hebron Bank Company in 1903 has been cashier of the bank. He was born in St. Louisville, this county, February 25, 1870, and is a representative of an old Virginian family. His grandfather, Alfred Hawke, was born in Virginia and early in the nineteenth century came to Licking county, settling in Eden township, where he developed a farm and made his home until his death. He married Hester Matticks, who was a native of Pennsylvania and of Dutch and English descent, while the Hawkes were of English lineage with a strain of Scotch blood. The first representatives in this country settled in the Old Dominion at an early period in the colonization of America. It was upon the home farm in Eden township that Alfrew Hawke reared his family of twelve children. At the same time he was busily engaged in the work of developing a farm and contributed to the progress and prosperity of the community as the district was transformed from a wilderness into one of the thickly populated and well improved sections of the state. His son, Joseph Hawke, was born in Eden township, June 4, 1836, and has spent his entire life in this county, giving his attention to general farming and also dealing in timber. He has always been a quiet home man, very exemplary in his habits, never using liquor nor profanity and at all times conforming his life to high moral standards. He married Sophronia; Smith, a daughter of Nicholas Gassaway 752 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. Smith, who was a native of Virginia and took up his abode in Mary Ann township, this county, at a very early day. He married Sidney A. Sperry, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, and was of Virginian parentage. They had a large family of twelve children and the father died when forty-two years of age. The family included Mrs. Hawke, who was born in this county. By her marriage she became the mother of twelve children, of whom four died in infancy. The others are : Bryant L.; Inez, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Alma, a teacher in the schools of Utica, Ohio ; May, a teacher in the schools of Newark ; Sylvia, who formerly engaged in teaching but is now at home ; Ezra, a civil engineer; Melville, an electrical worker at Hebron; and Mildred, a student in Denison University. Reared in the village of St. Louisville, Bryant L. Hawke devoted much of his time in his youthful days to the mastery of the branches of learning taught in the public schools. He afterward entered the Hanover high school, from which he was graduated in the class of 1892. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for eleven years, beginning at the age of twenty and in that field of labor he proved competent, capable and successful. He was also employed in the county treasurer's office for a year and a half prior to his connection with the Hebron Bank Company, which was organized in 1903. At that time he came to the village, where he has since remained and as cashier of the bank has opened its doors every morning He is proving a popular officer, courteous in his treatment of the patrons of the bank and at the same time most loyal to the interests of the stockholders. On the 6th of September, 1908, Mr. Hawke was united in marriage with Miss Adrian L. Taylor, a daughter of M. F. Taylor, a successful agriculturist of Thurston, Fairfield county, Ohio. Socially Mr. Hawke is connected with Pataskala Lodge, No. 404, A. F. & A. M., and with Warren Chapter, R. A. M., of Newark, and Bigelow Council, R. & S. M., of Newark. He likewise belongs to Altamaha Lodge, No. 296, K. P., of Granville and to Hebron Camp, M. W. A. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is popular with a large circle of friends because his life is well spent and because he has the strength of character to accomplish in the business world what he undertakes. SANFORD T. BUCKLAND. Sanford T. Buckland, who pursues general agriculture and stock raising in Union township, this county, was born at his present place of residence October 5, 1857, a son of Nelson and Eliza (Winters) Buckland. His grandfather was Thomas Buckland, a native of England, who, with his wife, came to this county at an early date and located on a tract of land covered with forest, upon which they erected a log cabin and subsequently cleared and put under cultivation. One of his children was Nelson, who was only twelve years of age when his father came to this county. For a number of years he engaged in the sawmill business, subsequently devoting his attention to farming, being one of the few in this part of the country who owned and operated a carding machine. His first wife was Honor Wells, a native of this county, by whom he had three children, namely : Miche, HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 753 deceased, who was the wife of William Banatta ; Byron S.; and Nelson Richard. Their mother having died in 1839, he wedded Miss Eliza Winters, by whom he had five children, namely : Sarah, who became the wife of William Palmer, residing near Wagram, this county ; Clara, who, with her husband, Richard Van Dorn, resides in Newark, Ohio; John, who wedded Anna McMillan, and lives in Granville; Sanford T., the subject of this sketch; and Laura, who married Charles Burner and lives in Baltimore, Maryland. The father entered into rest in the year 1888, while the mother died in 1900. The district schools of this county afforded Sanford T. Buckland his preliminary educational advantages, and upon completing his studies therein he pursued a three-years' course in the Newark high school, after which he returned to his father's farm. From that time up to the present he has been engaged in farming and stock raising, and has met with great success in his chosen calling. He owns an elegant tract of land of one hundred acres, a portion of the seven hundred acres constituting the old homestead, and his place, called "Beechwood Spring Farm," deriving its name from the fact that there is a spring and three stalwart beech trees near his residence, is one of the finest in this part of the county. He has made a careful study of soils and has been able to maintain their nutritive properties and has therefore been very successful, both as to the quantity and quality of his products. He also devotes considerable attention to stock raising, and breeds from thoroughbred cattle and sheep. In 1882 Mr. Buckland wedded Miss May Henderson, a native of Perry county, born November 15, 1861, who when five years of age came to this county with her parents, James and Rebecca (Myers) Henderson. Her father was a native of Perry county and her mother of this county, and they died here at the age of seventy and fifty-eight years respectively. Out of a family of seven children born to James and Rebecca Henderson five lived to maturity. To Mr. and Mrs. Buckland have been born : Ralph, who departed this life in his seventeenth year when he was a student at the Newark high school; and Paul and Lois, who reside with their parents. Mr. Buckland has been a life-long republican and takes great pride in the fact that since casting his first vote he has never been induced to withdraw his loyalty from its candidates. He is a member of the Licking Baptist church, and is a man who has always taken considerable interest in the welfare of the community, and is always ready and willing to support whatever measures are designed for its betterment. Being a man of high moral character whose life has always been dominated by a noble purpose, he well deserves the respect of his neighbors, which he has always enjoyed. WILLIAM E. HOLMES, M. D. Dr. William E. Holmes, who has been engaged in the general practice of medicine in Brownsville for many years and who is recognized by the members of the medical fraternity as a man of deep learning and a physician of sound judgment, was born in Brownsville, October 13, 1855, a son of William T. and Sarah E. (Shuey) Holmes. His father was born in Farquhar county, Virginia, February 754 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. 22, 1820, and at an early date came to this county, where he remained for a short time `and then settled in Muskingum county. For many years he engaged in contracting and building, which business he followed for some time and then traded in general merchandise, later becoming employed as the agent for the Singer Manufacturing Company. In the year 1855 he removed to Brownsville, where he departed this life June 16, 1895, and was interred in the cemetery at this place. In politics he was a stanch democrat and always gave his political support to that party. He was a man of acknowledged integrity, fair and just in all of his business transactions, a consistent Christian and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was born in Baltimore, Maryland, October 16, 1825, and with her people removed to Muskingum county, where she was united in marriage. She died February 24, 1907, in Bowling Green township, and was laid to rest in Brownsville cemetery. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Almeda, who married Thomas T. Peyton, of Terre Haute, Indiana, where he is the proprietor of a large hotel; Sarah E., widow of Adam R. Brown, who passed away in Newark; Mary T., who departed this life in 1878; Lemuel W., who is in the mercantile business here; Lucy A., widow of the late Dr. H. Decrow and a resident of Newark, Ohio; Maggie, wife of John W. Green, a merchant of Columbus, Ohio; Nathaniel, who is connected with the White Sewing Machine Company, of Columbus; and Dr. W. E. Holmes. The Holmes family originally came from England and the grandfather, Nathaniel Holmes, served throughout the Mexican war. In the common schools of Brownsville, Dr. Holmes acquired his preliminary education and later pursued a course of study in a preparatory institution at Lebanon, Ohio. Upon graduating he taught school for a period of ten years, three of which he spent in Brownsville, two at Normal, Illinois, and five in the schools of Bowling Green township. He then commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of J. B. Humphry, of this place and subsequently entered the medical department of the Ohio State College, in Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in the year 1884. He immediately began the practice of his profession in his native town, in which he has since remained. He is a man of wide learning, being versed in all branches of materia medica and surgery and, enjoying an enviable reputation among the members of the fraternity for his scholarship, is appealed to as an authority on many subjects pertaining to the practice. He is a deep and investigating student who takes pride in his profession and has kept abreast of the times in the findings of science and is acknowledged to be one of the most skillful and proficient physicians in the county. Dr. Holmes is one of the most faithful and enterprising men engaged in his profession and during the twenty-four years he has been practicing medicine in this place he has never laid aside his duties for even a day for the purpose of enjoying an outing. He is a man who is inspired with the noble purpose of helping mankind and it is his greatest joy to be continually active in relieving human suffering and in aiding his fellowmen to regain and preserve health. His long years of service have not only won him the respect of the entire community but have also enabled him to place himself in comfortable circumstances. He owns three elegant residences in this place and in addition one hundred and forty-four acres of fine farm land in Bowling Green township. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, of Brownsville, Ohio, in which he has passed through all of the chairs and is now treasurer. HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 755 In politics he gives his support to the democratic party and for a period of four years served the township in the office of treasurer. The doctor is a member of the Presbyterian church. In all the various phases of life he measures up to the full standard of manhood, enjoying the trust and confidence of the general public and the good will of his brethren of the medical fraternity by reason of his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics. BENJAMIN GREEN. Benjamin Green, of Monroe township, the oldest living representative of one of the largest and first white families settling in this locality, was born July 26, 1832, a son of Rignel and Sarah (Williamson) Green, the former having come to what is now Monroe township in the year 1808. The family originally came from Virginia and located in what is now Fairfield county. The Greens were large landowners who extensively carried on general farming and stock-raising and contributed largely toward improving the conditions of the part of the state where they resided. Of a family of nine children Benjamin Green is the only surviving member. He was reared on his father's farm, was trained to habits of industry and economy and was surrounded by Christian influences which greatly aided him in his after life. His father was a strict churchman, for many years a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, and was instrumental by his pulpit ministrations and visits in exerting a marked influence for good on the community. His son was therefore brought up in the nurture of an excellent Christian home. While a boy he attended the district school which was conducted in a little log cabin in the neighborhood, there acquiring his education. He remained at home until his marriage, when he settled down in this township where he has always lived, six years later purchasing the farm he now cultivates. Mr. Green's place consists of two hundred and sixty-four acres of land, all of which is highly improved and under cultivation. He has made a study of the nature of the soil, in its adaptation to the production of various kinds of grain and from year to year has succeeded in deriving bountiful harvests. In addition to raising large quantities of hay, wheat, corn and oats, he devotes considerable attention to stock-breeding and keeps on hand many head of the fine cattle which he feeds and puts into marketable condition. His farm bears every evidence of care and thrift and manifests the interest and enterprise of its owner. It is provided with an elegant and comfortable residence, has commodious barns and outbuildings, which are in good condition, and in fact is equipped with every modern convenience for carrying on farming and stock-raising by the most progressive methods. On April 24, 1856, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Clouse, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dague) Clouse, and they are now parents of the following children : Granville W., deceased; Flora D., who became the wife of Charles Williamson, a farmer in Jersey township; Harry P., of Johnstown, Monroe township ; Mary E., deceased; Missouri, wife of Willard Clouse, who is 756 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. engaged in farming in Indiana ; Horton, deceased; Helen E., wife of Joel Fitzwater ; Hattie, now Mrs. Milton Day; and Benjamin Wallace, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Green have lived a long and happy life together, two years ago celebrating their golden wedding, and now in their advanced years are still in the enjoyment of good health. In politics Mr. Green allies himself with the republican party, voting that ticket since 1856 when he cast his ballot for General Fremont, who was then candidate for president. Since then he has been loyal to the party, a stanch supporter of its principles and has always exerted his influence for its success. In the affairs of the township he has always taken a lively interest and throughout his life has strongly agitated public improvements with special emphasis on good roads and an excellent public-school system. For two years he served the township as trustee and for many years as road supervisor, having also been an efficient member of the school board. He has always been dutiful in carrying out his religious obligations and for many years has been a zealous supporter of the United Brethren church in which he is a trustee and of which he has been a member for upwards of forty years. The church building, which is within a few rods of his house, was erected chiefly through his instrumentality and the congregation, of which he was one of the organizers, depends on him to a great extent for its maintenance. Mr. Green is a man of unquestioned integrity, while his excellent qualities, refinement and culture having won him the respect of the entire community. Although he had but few educational advantages in institutions of learning, he has always been a student and through his reading has become thoroughly acquainted with a wide range of subjects. Perhaps no citizen is held in greater respect than he nor has any contributed more to the material, moral and social benefit of the township. ROYAL BRUCE. General agriculture and stock-raising occupy the time and attention of Royal Bruce, who operates a farm of many acres of highly cultivated land in Burlington township. On this place he was born November 1, 1859, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Robison) Bruce, his father having emigrated from Wales to the new world when three years of age in company with his parents. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Bruce, was a native of England and at the age of fifteen years came to America, where she remained until she departed this life, May 28, 1898, having survived her husband by fifteen years. They reared a family of two children, one of whom is Royal Bruce, the other, John, being deceased. Royal Bruce remained in the parental domicile until he was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Montgomery, April 6, 1882. She was born in this county, October 30, 1859, daughter of Samuel and Mary Montgomery, both of whom were born in this county. Her mother passed away August 27, 1894, and her father, January 7, 1904. Mrs. Bruce was the youngest of a family of ten children. After his marriage Mr. Bruce purchased a farm containing one hundred acres in Burlington township on which he lived for a- period of seventeen years and then moved on the farm which he now has under cultivation. It contains two HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 757 hundred and seventy-five acres which he has greatly improved and which constitutes one of the fine farms of the county. Aside from cultivating all kinds of grain he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, at which he has been very successful. He uses modern machinery in the cultivation of his land and his place is equipped with every convenience for profitably carrying on his chosen occupation. Mr. Bruce is one of the most successful farmers in the county and it has been through his enterprise and capable management that he has come into possession of the many acres he now owns, while through his unwearied efforts he has put his land in such condition as to be classed with the finest in the county for agricultural purposes. He had the advantage of only a common-school education and otherwise had but little on which to depend in order to secure success in life. However, he was a man of sound judgment and one naturally gifted with the power to manage affairs and, with these qualifications at his command, he went to work, tilling the soil, realizing that out of the ground comes all wealth. He soon discovered that the incessant application of his energy was not in vain and now is proprietor of one of the finest and best paying farms in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce are the parents of the following children : Thomas S.; R. R., who is married and resides in Burlington township ; Nina B.; Lena L., a teacher in the public schools ; Mary E., a milliner ; John H.; Myrtle L.; and Louise E. Mr. Bruce and his wife are faithful to their religious obligations and are ardent supporters of the Christian church. In politics Mr. Bruce is a supporter of the republican party inasmuch as it is his candid opinion that only in so far as the government is controlled by its principles will the country be assured of permanent prosperity. Consequently he not only rejoices in the successes of the party but does all he can through his vote and influence during campaigns to aid in the election of its candidates to office. Highly respected throughout the community as an honest, upright and straightforward man, it has been largely due to these qualities that he has reached his present status of prosperity. HERBERT E. WINSLOW. Herbert E. Winslow, a man of considerable learning, who for many years has been identified with the agricultural and stock-raising interests in Hartford township, was born April 28, 1856, on the farm where he now resides, and is a son of Horace and Mary Rice (Henry) Winslow, both of whom were natives of Rutland county, Vermont, where they were united in marriage, coming to this county in early life. Their journey was long and arduous. They came by canal from Cleveland, arriving in Newark on the 5th of July, 1841, when the town was in an uproar of celebration (since the 4th of July fell on Sunday), and from that place they were transported to Croton by a colored man who took them in a wagon over the road cut through the forests. In that town they were met by William Winslow, a younger brother, who had preceded them to this place some six years before and who was engaged in the mercantile business. Upon arriving in this county Horace Winslow decided to engage in farming, and in September, 1841, 758 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY purchased the farm where his son Herbert now resides and which has been in possession of the family ever since. In that day the entire tract of land was covered with timber but through the activity of Mr. Winslow the greater portion of it was soon hewn down. During the fall of the same year the land was plowed and sown with wheat. Upon his farm in 1860 Mr. Winslow erected a frame residence in which he and his wife spent their remaining days, the father passing away November 20, 1893, and his wife, October 28, 1898. Mr. Winslow was a man of strong intelligence and force of character, thoroughly informed on all public questions, and was said to have been a great power in debate, especially in political arguments. He was an abolitionist and later a republican, his wide reading and studious habits well qualifying him to defend any position he took on public questions, including religion and social economy. He attained success in a high degree and was highly respected by all who knew him. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Winslow were born seven children : Mary, who became the wife of Henry Edgerton, of Allegan, Michigan; George, an agriculturist of Barry county, Michigan; Hattie; Wesley, deceased; Herbert E., Ada and Ida, twins, Ida being now the wife of Gilbert Larkin, of Newark. Herbert E. Winslow has spent his life on the old homestead upon which occurred his birth. He was educated in the district schools, at the same time being attentive to the duties of the farm, and under the instruction of his father becoming proficient in all departments of business. He had full charge of the affairs of the farm for some years before his father departed this life and in 1899 bought the land and is now residing here with sister Hattie. This is considered one of the finest farms in the county and the long years of careful cultivation have adapted it to the raising of the best crops. Mr. Winslow is a republican in politics and, being a man of high moral character, he upholds all that is highest and best in both public and private life. He is a member of Croton Lodge, K. P., meeting in Trenton; Grange, 998, of Delaware county, and the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a trustee and steward. The church organization to which he belongs was liberally supported by his father, who was one of its founders and who attended its services when the congregation met in a log schoolhouse, while later the Winslow family were instrumental in securing the present frame building. Mr. Winslow is a great reader, and being a lover of the best literature he has accumulated quite a large library. He also subscribes to many of the best monthly and weekly publications and upon the whole is one of the best informed men of the township. He is in every respect worthy of the confidence of the people and is looked upon as one of the most substantial men in the county. SIMON ODELL SMOKE. Simon Odell Smoke was born on the farm he now cultivates in Etna township, Licking county, October 26, 1864. He descends from a family the members of which were among the pioneers of this part of the state, his grandfather, Dennis Smoke, having settled here at an early date. He engaged in the pursuit of agricul- HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 759 ture and reared the following family : Isaac, John, Henry, Mrs. Betsy Ann Showers, Mrs. Margaret Mazelin, Mrs. Jane Brock, Mrs. Maria Brock, Dennis, Jacob and Mrs. Kate Goode. Isaac Smoke, father of the subject of this review, was horn March 19, 1826, on a farm located three-quarters of a mile north of the one on which his son now resides, and remained there until six years ago, when he and his wife went to Columbus where they are now living in retirement. Mrs. Smoke bore the maiden name of Mary Jane Griffith, and was born in Fairfield county in 1838, on a farm located five miles southwest of the present home of her son, Simon Odell, where she remained until she was married. In their family were three children, namely : Emma, widow of Adam Minehart, of Columbus; Etta, wife of Martin Poff, of Shepard, Ohio ; and Simon Odell. The last named has always resided on his present farm, and here during his boyhood days he became familiar with the work of the fields under the supervision of his father, at the same time availing himself of the advantages offered by the district schools. After completing his studies he settled down on the old homestead, where he has since been engaged in general farming. He tills two hundred and sixty-seven acres of land which is located on the county line and separated by the public highway, fifty acres being in Fairfield county. This tract originally belonged to his parents, from whom he made the purchase. In addition to having an elegant brick residence which was erected by his father in 1875, Mr. Smoke has a fine barn which he built himself and substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. His farm is provided with every convenience to enable him to pursue his occupation by modern methods. Aside from producing general crops he makes a specialty of the dairy business, and at present has thirty fine milch cows and for some time has been carrying on a lucrative trade in dairy products in the markets of Columbus. On February 14, 1886, Mr. Smoke wedded Miss Mary Rickley, a native of this township where her birth occurred September 1, 1867, and a daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Hagy) Rickley, both of whom reside here. To Mr. and Mrs. Smoke have been born ten children : Grover, who lives in Columbus; Walter, Oliver, Myrtle, Ora, Helen, Irma, Carl, Earl and Elmer. In politics Mr. Smoke has always been a republican and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to St. Jacobs German Reformed church, of Germantown. He is a man of noble traits of character, of industry and enterprise, and these qualities have always enabled him to stand high in the respect and confidence of the community. SAMUEL J. PARR. Samuel J. Parr, a prosperous and well known farmer of Franklin township, a member of a family that for more than a century has been identified with the agricultural interests of Licking county, was born in Franklin township, October 10, 1851. His parents were George D. and Leanah (Hisey) Parr, the former being a native of this county where his birth occurred on September 3, 1818. Here he was reared and educated and engaged in tilling the soil until he departed 760 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. this life in the year 1898, at the ripe old age of eighty years. He was considered one of the substantial and representative citizens of the county, was recognized as a leader in politics on the democratic side and served the community in a number of township offices. His wife was a native of Shenandoah county, Virginia, where she was born in the year 1821, and when a girl removed to this county, where she was united in marriage and where she passed away on September 29, 1898, and was laid to rest beside her husband, who passed away in the same year. She came to this county with her father, Jonathan Hisey, who was one of the early settlers of the community, having located here in the year 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Parr had the following children : Jonathan, deceased ; Elizabeth, wife of T. E. Osborn, a retired farmer of Newton ; and Samuel J. In the old-time log schoolhouse Samuel J. Parr acquired his education and then remained on the home farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he located on a farm in Franklin township, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits. His farm embraces one hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, the soil being rich and very productive. When he took hold of this tract it was practically undeveloped and without any buildings but Mr. Parr at once industriously applied himself to the task of development and has since improved the property with an excellent residence and the necessary outbuildings and modern machinery so that his farm is now as fine a piece of land for agricultural purposes as there is in the county. In addition to producing hay and the various kinds of grain, Mr. Parr makes a specialty of breeding and feeding Chester White hogs and he has as fine stock in that line as can be procured. Mr. Parr, on May 7, 1874, wedded Miss Sybilla C. Motherspaugh, a native of Franklin township, and a daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann (Swisher) Motherspaugh, who were also born in Franklin township, their births occurring in 1825 and 1830 respectively. Both passed away in the year 1889, on their farm in Franklin township near the Lutheran church, which is now occupied by their son. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parr have been born the following children : William C. and Orville G., deceased ; Bessie, wife of Charles Tavener, a farmer of Franklin township ; and Maud. In politics Mr. Parr has always been associated with the democratic party and for several years served as township trustee. He is a member of the agricultural board of Newark and in Masonry of the blue lodge, chapter and consistory. He is also affiliated with Rowland Lodge, No. 305, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Parr is a man of acknowledged integrity and one of the enterprising and representative men of the community. It has been through his own exertions and careful management that he has attained to his present position of independence and prosperity. MILTON L. MONTGOMERY. Milton L. Montgomery, one of the pioneer agriculturists of Perry township, this county, who for upwards of three-quarters of a century has been actively engaged in tilling the soil and is now living a retired life in the enjoyment of the fruits of his long season of honest and earnest toil, was born here March 30, HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 763 1828, a son of Henry and Mary (Grimes) Montgomery, his father having been a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, where his birth occurred January 8, 1790. With other members of the family Henry Montgomery landed in America in 1803, locating in Augusta county, Virginia, where he remained until his marriage with Miss Mary Grimes, who was born there. Removing to Licking county, he located in this township, where he lived in the active pursuit of agriculture and stock-raising until he departed this life. He was among the early pioneers of this county and was numbered among those who hewed down the forests and transformed the rough and arid acres into the vast expanse of fertile fields which today make the state known throughout the country for its fruitfulness. For sixty-four years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having united with that organization in the year 1807. Among his children were : Margaret, Wesley G., James S., Catherine, Nancy, William W., Sarah Ann, John H., Milton L. and Samuel H. The boyhood days of Milton L. Montgomery were spent upon his father's farm, where he engaged in the daily routine of agricultural life during the summer season and in the winter attended the district school, where he obtained the rudiments of an education, for at that time the school system in the county was far from its present state of development and offered few advantages of anything like what would approach a complete course of training, but with this Mr. Montgomery was obliged to be satisfied, and he remained on the home farm until he was united in marriage, at which period of his life he left home and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. When he located upon this land it was in a raw condition, most of it being covered with timber and the remaining portion in a rough and undeveloped state and it was only by hard work, perseverance and patience that he succeeded in putting it into shape for cultivation. His first dwelling house was a small log cabin, having a clapboard roof, puncheon floors and the usual latch string upon the door. In this he lived for two years. Subsequently he erected a frame dwelling house which he vacated after fourteen years and constructed an elegant brick residence, consisting of thirteen rooms, which is considered one of the finest residences in Perry township. He owns three hundred acres of land, all of which is, highly cultivated and on which he has made many improvements. The farm is provided with every convenience with which to carry on the work to the greatest advantage. While Mr. Montgomery has always paid attention to producing general crops he is engaged especially in raising and feeding stock and during his career he has shipped large quantities of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs throughout this and adjoining states. He was united in marriage to Miss Matilda J. Fleming, a native of this township, where her birth occurred August 26, 1833, and a daughter of T. D. and Rebecca (Hall) Fleming, both of whom were natives of this county, where they spent their days and departed this life. To this union have been born three children, namely : Quinn, the eldest, living in Perry township ; Emma I., widow of John Wintermute; and Anna R., deceased. The mother died in March, 1909. Mr. Montgomery is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which 1-.e has been affiliated for over fifty years, and in which for over forty years he was a leading factor in all departments of the work. His long life in this township has been one beyond reproach and now in his declining years, surrounded by the 764 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. prosperity the fruits of his days of activity he can now look back upon a well spent life and forward without fear, knowing assuredly that for his goodness, the interest he has taken in spreading the gospel of his Master and the exemplary life he has spent in the community, there can await nothing short of a glorious hum ortality. ADAM EMSWILER. Among the worthy citizens and substantial agriculturists of Etna township, is Adam Emswiler, whose influence has been felt not only in local public affairs but also in the part he has taken to develop the natural resources of the township and enhance its best interests. He has spent his entire life on the farm in Etna township on which his birth occurred March 12, 1855, and is a son of William Emswiler. He was a son of George and Frances (Corbin) Emswiler, natives of old Virginia, who in 1837 came to this county, where they spent their remaining days and reared the following children : William, John, Joseph, Elizabeth, Katherine, Frances and Susan. William Emswiler was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, January 6, 1818, and came to Licking county with his parents in 1837, making the journey by means of wagon and on horseback and locating on a farm adjoining the one now cultivated by the subject of this review. Here he spent his remaining days, having entered into rest November 25, 1889. When he came to this county he was practically without capital and upon his arrival secured employment as a farm hand at thirty-five cents per day, but, having been a man of health and vigor and naturally endowed with business ability, he gradually bettered his circumstances until at the time of his death he owned seven hundred and eighty acres of the finest land in this township and also had a section in Marion county, Kansas, on both of which tracts he pursued general farming and stock-raising, feeding all of his own stock and driving his herds to market. He did not care for public or social life, preferring rather to live in the quietude of his home circle. Consequently he was not affiliated with any fraternal organizations nor did he interest himself in political affairs, the only public life in which he took an interest being that of the church and he was a faithful attendant on the services of the United Brethren denomination. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Goss, was a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, born in November, 1828, and a daughter of George and Barbara Goss. She remained at home until her marriage and during her latter years resided with her son William of Etna township, in whose home she departed this life July 2, 1900. She reared a family of ten children, five of whom lived to maturity, namely : Maggie, deceased, who was the wife of J. O. Snyder ; Lida, who lives with her husband, James O. Prior, in Etna township; Adam; and John and William, agriculturists of Etna township. Adam Emswiler's educational advantages were those afforded by the neighboring schools and upon completing his studies he remained upon the home farm. Here he has since resided and acquired quite a reputation as a breeder of horses and hogs. His farm embraces three hundred and twelve acres and aside from this tract of land he also owns another farm containing seventy-one acres in Lima township, both of which properties are highly improved and cultivated. The home HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 765 farm is widely known throughout the state by reason of the fact that when the pike was built in the early days there was located on it a tavern, which transacted an immense business and which accommodated the entire volume of travel from the east to points farther west. While Mr. Emswiler produces general crops his specialty is stock-raising and he buys and feeds stock of all kinds, having at present on hand sixteen head of high grade horses, one hundred head of hogs and thirty head of cattle, shipping at least two carloads of cattle annually. His stock farm is the equal of any in this part of the state and, having had a wide experience in the breeding of the various animals, he is recognized as an authority, particularly on horses and cattle. On May 21, 1890, Mr. Emswiler wedded Lizzie D. Seever, a daughter of George W. and Caroline (Eversal) Seever, both of whom spent their entire lives in Fairfield county, where they reared five children, namely : Charles M., a resident of Baltimore, Ohio ; David M., who lives near Millersport, Ohio; George C. and Bertie, who also reside near Millersport ; and Lizzie P., who was born near that place. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Emswiler are Owen H., Byron S., Lee E., Zoa B., Mary C. and Delmas D. While Mr. Emswiler is not an active politician he has always been loyal to the republican party and uses his influence in behalf of the election of its candidates. He has served for the past ten years as a school director and for several terms as a road supervisor. His business relations have always been conducted on the basis of honesty and his general demeanor being such as to command the confidence and respect of his neighbors he merits a place among the township's worthy citizens. IRA E. KELSEY. Ira E. Kelsey, deceased, who for many years was numbered among the most prominent, prosperous and leading business men of Licking county, was born in Newport, New Hampshire, in 1816, a son of Ezekiel and Mary (Goodwin) Kelsey, who were natives of the old Granite state. The former at one time had extensive interests there, owning five hundred acres of land in New Hampshire. Later he became a planter in the south. His family numbered four children but Ira E. Kelsey was the only one who lived to marry, the others being Dr. Willard Kelsey, Harriet A. and Mary A. In the state of his nativity Ira E. Kelsey remained until 1837, when, at the age of twenty-one years, he came alone to Ohio, which was then the "far west." Necessity rendered it imperative that he secure immediate employment and he worked east of Newark and in the vicinity of Hebron. He also engaged in teaching in the country schools' for about ten years, as his own intelllectual development qualified him for this work. He also clerked in warehouses in this county when the canal was the main artery of trade here. At the time of the Mexican war he joined Captain Duncan's Licking Rangers and served at the front in defense of the interests of this country. After the war he established himself in business as a merchant but later the fertility of his resource enabled him to extend his efforts into various lines and at different times he handled lumber, grain and 766 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. other commodities and in the management of his interests met with well merited prosperity. After the close of the Civil war, about 1867, a man from Zanesville erected the second tile factory in the state of Ohio and after it had been in operation for nine months Mr. Kelsey, with a partner, purchased this tile factory, which he conducted until his death. He withdrew from mercantile fields in 1870 and concentrated his energies upon industrial interests. The title which he manufactured was of such excellence that it brought to him a wide reputation in that line and his trade extended throughout the United States, while some shipments were made to Mexico. His business became one of the most important and extensive productive concerns of the county and he ranked with the leading business men. In public affairs he was also prominent and his efforts constituted a factor in the substantial growth and development of this part of the state. He became one of the charter members of the Disciple church of Hebron and the influence of his life was always on the side of justice, truth and advancement. He was an active Mason, being in sympathy with the basic principles of the order, and was a stalwart republican and on the party ticket was elected to a number of village offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Kelsey chose Miss Sarah Marsh, who was born in Herkimer county, New York, in 1829, and in 1832 was brought to Ohio by her parents, Lyman and Laura (Mayhew) Marsh, who were natives of the Empire state. They had four children when they came to Ohio and four were born here. They located at Hebron and Mrs. Kelsey remained throughout the rest of her days a resident of this village, her death occurring in May, 1908. By her marriage she became the mother of three children: Isadore, the wife of Captain J. T. Millhouse, of Hebron; Milton, who is mentioned on another page of this work; and Mary, the wife of Lemuel Baumgardner, living near Hebron in Union township. There were also two children who died in infancy. ROBERT B. ALSDORF. For almost the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten has Robert B. Alsdorf been a resident of this county. Great changes have occurred during this period. At the time of his arrival here in his early childhood there were still many log cabins in the county, the native forest trees were in places uncut and while the work of improvement was being steadily carried forward, there was a vast amount to be done ere the county would take on its present evidence of an advanced and progressive civilization. Many changes have been made in the manner of living and in the way that business is conducted. In his youthful days the old time farm machinery was yet in vogue and it is within his memory when the modern riding plow, thresher, cultivator and mowing machine were introduced. In his home community he has borne an active part in the work of general improvement and has long figured here as an influential citizen. The birth of Mr. Alsdorf occurred in Schenectady county, New York, July 26, 1837. The ancestry is traced back to Lawrence Alsdorf, who came to America in 1760 from the north of Germany, near Hol- HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 767 land, and settled on the Hudson, near Newburg, New York. He served under General Washington in the Revolutionary war and came of a family of patriots that rendered much assistance to the new republic. After the war he took up his abode on a farm in Schenectady county, New York, where he died at the age of ninety years. He held membership in the Presbyterian .church and donated land for the site of the church and cemetery. He was married twice and both wives preceded him in death: He left two sons, Sylvester and Seaman. Sylvester Alsdorf was a soldier of the war of 1812. He married Lydia Brown of Saratoga county, New York, and later followed farming near Schenectady. He and his wife were Presbyterians in belief although identified with the Methodist church for a number of years while living at Clifton Park. In politics he was a democrat in early life, but afterward became independent, supporting for office only the men best qualified for the 'services required. He died at the Glenville homestead, in New York, at the age of more than four score and ten years while his wife passed away only a few months previous. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom attained adult age : Sarah, who became the wife of John Huffman and died at Glenville, New York; Jacob, a farmer who died in Schenectady county, New York; Elias T., who passed away in the same county; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Nelson Cole and died in Saratoga county, New York; Maria, who wedded William Hayes and died in Saratoga county, New York; Valentine, a farmer and grain dealer, who died in Utica, Ohio, in 1861; Lawrence, who died at Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1897, and William Alsdorf, who died at Utica in 1899. William Alsdorf, son of Sylvester Alsdorf, was born in Schenectady county, New York, September 17, 1814—spent his early years on the home farm and acquired his education in the pioneer schoolhouses of that day. He married Sarah Reed, a native of Ireland, who had come to America from County Donegal in 1834, in company with her widowed mother, Mrs. Susanna Buchanan Reed, three sisters and a brother, John Reed. Her father, James Reed, died in County Donegal, where he spent his entire life. Sarah Reed was born in 1815 and in 1836 became the wife of William Alsdorf. In 1839 they removed to Licking county, Ohio, in company with Valentine and Susanna (Reed) Alsdorf, the latter a sister of Mrs. Sarah Alsdorf. The journey was made by way of the Erie canal, Lake Erie and the Ohio canal. William Alsdorf settled on a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Washington township and, after living for five years in a log cabin, erected a substantial residence which is still standing. He also built a sawmill which he operated for about eight years. For a time he was in partnership with his brother-in-law, John Reed, but eventually purchased his interests. In 1858 he decided to remove his family to Utica and, on the death of his brother, Valentine, in the spring of 1861, took charge of the warehouse and elevator business on a lease. A year later he bought the property and conducted a general grain and livestock business, also acting as station master for the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Railroad, which later passed into the control of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. His youngest son, Wylie C., succeeded him in the railroad business, while his three elder sons, Robert B., John R. and William A., took charge of the shipping business, which they conducted under the firm name of Alsdorf Brothers, for more than thirty years. 768 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. Mr. and Mrs. William Alsdorf were parents of eight children, seven of whom lived to maturity, Robert being the eldest. The others are : John Reed, of Johnstown, Ohio; Fannie C., who became the wife of Levi Knowlton and died in Utica in 1900; Charlotte Collin, who married William McClelland and died in Utica in 1869 ; William A., who is associated with his brother, Robert, in the grain business and who, in 1887, married Lilian Miller, at Utica; Wylie, who married Emma D. Moore in 1881 and is station agent at Utica; and Nannie, wife of Frank R. Simmons, of Erie, Pennsylvania. The father, William Alsdorf, was a man of strong temperance views and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, as are their immediate descendants. He served as president of the Licking County Agricultural Society for many years, laid the present racing track on the grounds, was a member of the board fourteen years and did much for the advancement of its work. He lost his wife November 1, 1894, when she was seventy-nine years of age and he died in 1899, aged eighty-five years, greatly honored and respected by all because of his sterling integrity of character, excellent judgment and upright principles. Robert B. Alsdorf was a little child of but three years when brought by his parents to Ohio in 1839. The family home was established on a farm about two miles south of Utica on Lake Fork, the father having there one hundred and fifty acres of land, which he cultivated, and also a sawmill, operated by him for a number of years. Robert B. Alsdorf there remained until about twenty years of age, when the family removed to Utica, the father afterward purchasing the warehouse and conducting the warehouse and the railroad station until he turned over the business to his sons; Robert B., John R. and William A., taking charge of the shipping business while Wylie C. became station master. Robert B. Alsdorf has remained in Utica since 1858 and since his marriage has lived continuously in one house. He engaged in the grain business with his brothers here, buying and shipping grain, stock and wool. The three brothers, Robert B., John R. and William A., were partners in business for about thirty years, when John R. withdrew and is now a business man of Johnstown. A few years later the other two brothers divided their interests, William A. continuing to deal in wool and grain while Mr. Alsdorf, of this review, took as his share the real-estate interests of their business. He has continued, however, with his brother, William, in the hay trade and their sales return to them a gratifying annual income. As an operator in real estate he has handled considerable valuable property and has enjoyed well-merited success. He now owns sixty-two acres of land near the town of Utica, upon which the first gas well in the vicinity was sunk. He likewise has a nice residence property in the town, and other valuable property. In 1864 Robert B. Alsdorf enlisted in the one hundred days' service and was mustered out with the rank of sergeant, after having served four months in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry. He was also one of the "squirrel hunters," who aided the state in 1861. He participated in two engagements, in which a number of his comrades were taken prisoners and sent to Andersonville prison. On the 30th of January, 1868, at Utica, Mr. Alsdorf was married to Miss Al lie R. Stevens, who was born in Utica, Ohio, January 3, 1848, a daughter of James S. and Julia (Penn) Stevens. The father was born at Utica, August 25, HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 769 1821. His parents, Uzziel and Almary (Bacon) Stevens, came to Utica in the early ,part of the nineteenth century from New York state. They had five sons and a daughter : John, who died in California; Lemuel, of Utica; Uzziel, of Mount Vernon, Ohio ; Elijah, of Logansport, Indiana; James S., who died at Mansfield, Ohio ; and Maria, who became the wife of E. McConnell and after his death married the Rev. Samuel Collins, of Pittsburg, where she later passed away. James Smith Stevens, father of Mrs. Alsdorf, was born at Utica in 1821 and was married November 2, 1843, in Utica, Ohio, to Miss Julia Ann Penn. The ancestry of the Penn family is traced back to Joseph Penn, who was born in 1781 in Anne Arundel county, Maryland, to which place his parents had emigrated from England early in the century. They were the possessors of a large estate. Their family numbered six children, of whom. Joseph was the eldest. Having arrived at mature years he married Rachel Jones, and with their two children, Rebecca and William, they arrived in Licking county in November, 1811, as members of a party of twenty-five adults, including his brother, Joshua, and four sisters, Rachel, Sallie, Mary and Margaret Penn, with their families. The second wedding ceremony performed in Washington township was a double one when two if Mr. Penn's sisters were married--Mary, to Joshua Barry, and Margaret, to Elijah Ryan. Mrs. Rachel Penn's brothers, Erasmus and Lemuel Jones, came from Maryland to Ohio in 1813 and settled on farms near Utica. Joseph and Rachel Penn had ten children, of whom two died in infancy. The others were as follows : Rebecca, born in Maryland in 1808, became the wife of Henry Marriott and removed to. Union county, Ohio. William, born in Maryland in 1810, and Joshua, in Utica, both lived to an advanced age and died on the old homestead. Mary, born in 1818, died at the age of fourteen. Julia Ann, born in 1820, married James S. Stevens and passed away on, the 12th of April, 1909. Rachel, born in 1823, and Marion Barry, born in 1826, never married but devoted their lives to the care of their aged mother and blind brother, William. Eliza, born in 1831, became the wife of William Gourley and died at their home near Utica.. Joseph Penn, the father of this family, died in 1859 while his wife passed away in 1873, aged eighty-six years. She was the last survivor of the colony of twenty-five persons who emigrated to Ohio over the mountains from Maryland in 1811. Joseph Penn was a man of sterling integrity and strong Christian principles. His sympathies went out to the friendless and the suffering and his house was one of the underground stations, where escaping slaves were given aid and sent on their way northward. He was noted for his judicial fairness and was often called upon to settle neighborhood disputes. He and his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and a memorial window has been recently placed in the new church to their memory by their only living daughter, Mrs. Julia A. Stevens. As stated, James Smith Stevens and Julia Penn were married at Utica November 2, 1843, and soon afterward removed to Roundhead, Ohio, where their eldest daughter,. Maria, was born in 1844, her death occurring in Utica in 1847. Their second daughter, Louise, born in Roundhead in 1846, is the wife of Charles Augustus Berlt, of Utica. Allie R., born in Utica in 1848, is now Mrs. Alsdorf. Clara Ellen died in Utica in 1869, at the age of twenty years. George Walter was born in Utica in 1851. Ida May, born in 1854, married Oscar Cary Mehurin, 770 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. of Newark, Ohio, now deceased. James Penn, born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1857, died in Utica in 1860. Of this family, George W. Stevens has attained to more than local fame, being now president of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway System. In February, 1864, he entered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio at Utica as messenger boy and later became agent's clerk and operator. In 1870 he entered the service of the Pittsburg, Columbus, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway, acting as agent, later as train dispatcher's assistant and then train dispatcher. In 1873 he became dispatcher for the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Company, was later chief dispatcher and then was made superintendent of the Ohio & Indiana division, while two years later he became superintendent of the eastern division of the same road. The excellent executive ability which he displayed resulted in his being made assistant general superintendent of the Wabash Road in 1887. On January 1, 1890, he was appointed general superintendent of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad and in July, 1891, became general manager. He stands today as one of the foremost representatives of railway interests in the country, having since January, 1900, been president of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. He has been greatly interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, promoting it through personal means and influence as well as by securing the powerful influence of the road in the establishment of no less than eight organizations, the management of the road paying the salaries of the association secretaries at these points, realizing the great benefits accruing in many ways from this work for their employes. George W. Stevens married Miss Virginia Wilson, of Logansport, Indiana, in 1881, and they have four children. The mother died at their country home, Virginia Manor, near Glasgow, Virginia, in August, 1904. James S. Stevens, the father of this family, died in Mansfield, Ohio, January 24, 1859, aged thirty-seven and a half years a brief life surely, but one of great honor among his fellowmen because of his genial, kindly ways ; unselfish practice of the golden rule, and earnest Christian character which made him universally liked and respected by all. His loss was mourned not only by his family and many friends at Utica, Mansfield and elsewhere, but also by the Methodist Sabbath school of Mansfield, of which he was superintendent, and which testified their appreciation of his worth by marching in a body to the station when the train conveyed his remains to Utica for burial. He was the organizer of the First Methodist Episcopal church Sabbath school in Utica, was its first superintendent and was ever active in the work o f the church. Following her husband's death, Mrs. Stevens remained in Utica until she, too, was called to the home beyond. On the 26th of March, 1909, she celebrated her eighty-ninth birthday at Utica, in company with three of her children and two grandchildren. The dinner was served on President Steven's private car, which had been brought here for that purpose. One week later, however, she was taken ill and died at her home on the 12th of April, crowned with years and honored by all. She was laid to rest, with the loved ones gone before, on April 14, 1909, in the beautiful village cemetery. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Alsdorf has been blessed by the presence of six sons and one daughter : Fannie Louise, who died of diphtheria in 1880, when about three years of age; Albert S., who also fell a victim to that dread disease and passed away in 1879, when a little over five years old ; Frederick C., who is engaged in important copper mining transactions in Arizona; Percy R., who is HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 771 proprietor of the Standard assaying office of Central City, Colorado; Robert Clyde, who is employed as draughtsman with the Standard Steel Car Works of Butler, Pennsylvania ; Arthur K., clerk at the Baltimore & Ohio station at Utica; and George W., who is in his second year at the Ohio State University. Such in brief is the life history of Robert B. Alsdorf, who for seventy years has lived in this county and is widely and favorably known. For more than forty years he and his wife have been members of the Presbyterian church and its teachings have constituted the guide and rule of his life. He has ever been an honorable, upright man and no history of Utica would be complete without the record of his life. WILLIAM K. SCHWENK. William K. Schwenk, who deals extensively in stock, making a specialty of dairy cows, is a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Zieglerville, April 28, 1874. He comes of an old family of that county and the town of Schwenkville was named in their honor. His parents were Franklin and Hannah (Krause) Schwenk, natives of Montgomery county, where Mrs. Schwenk departed this life February 2, 1887, her husband now residing in Schwenkville. He has been engaged in raising and dealing in stock all his life, and his son, William K., acts as buyer and ships the stock to his father, who makes the sales. He exclusively controls the trade of that town and disposes on an average of six cars of dairy cows per week. He is an expert in judging that class of stock, having followed the occupation since he was twelve years of age. He reared the following children, namely : Elizabeth May, widow of William Bard, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; Aaron, of Norristown, that state; Frank, of Zieglerville, Pennsylvania; Susan, who resides in Pennsylvania; Hannah, deceased; and William K. Until he was thirteen years of age William K. Schwenk remained at home, in the meantime acquiring his education at the district schools, and then found employment on a farm, where he remained until he was twenty-one years old, at which age, in the year 1896, he went to Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, where he engaged in buying dairy cows. During the fall of the same year he came to Etna where he followed the same work during the summer season, spending the winters in his native county in the Keystone state until his marriage, when he located permanently in Etna. Since then in addition to farming he has continued to deal in stock on a large scale, buying and selling cows, horses, hogs and sheep, with especial attention given to dairy cows, and is the largest stock-buyer in this section of the county. He ships in the neighborhood of five hundred head of dairy cows annually, together with a great deal of poultry, particularly during the holiday season, and last Thanksgiving he disposed of a carload and also one at Christmas time. His horses are of the best breeds and every spring he ships two carloads or more to various parts of the country. He also handles fine cattle which he keeps in excellent condition. Mr. Schwenk spares neither time nor money in securing and caring for his stock, and consequently is known in many states as a promi- 772 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. nent dealer in horses and cattle. He owns a farm of fifty acres situated one-half mile north of Etna on the Etna road, which he keeps under cultivation, and a home in the village, and in addition to his general farming and stock-raising interests he is a stockholder in the telephone, gas, and oil company, and severa I other prominent enterprises. Mr. Schwenk was united in marriage with Miss Mary Amanda Flake, who was born in New Jersey, January 22, 1882, and went to Pennsylvania with her father, there remaining until her marriage. She is a daughter of Joseph and Anna (Deyer) Flake. The mother departed this life in 1886, in her native state—New Jersey—and the father now resides in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Schwenk have two children, namely : Eva, who was born December 23, 1902; and Frank, whose birth occurred June 1, 1906. Mr. Schwenk gives his support to the republican party and although he is not an active politician he uses his vote and influence during campaigns to further its interests. He is numbered among the enterprising business men of the community and is held in high respect for his industry and straightforwardness in transactions. FREDERICK G. RICKLY. Switzerland, land of the towering Alps, has given many worthy and industrious citizens to this country and among them are Jacob and Katherine (Garber) Rickly, who were natives of Canton Berne, Switzerland, where they were born in the year 1796 and 1799, respectively. There they were united in marriage and on September 1, 1834, started for this country with three children, two of whom died on the voyage. They located in Baltimore, Fairfield county, Ohio, subsequently removing to a farm near Kirkersville, where he spent the remainder of his life in the pursuit of agriculture on thirty acres of land. Jacob Rickly departed this life in 1872 while his wife lived to be ninety-four years of age and entered into rest March 16, 1893, while living at the residence of her son in Kirkersville. They had nine children, namely : Mary and Jacob, who died in infancy while enroute to this country from their native land; Emanuel, who was born in Switzerland and passed away here in his sixtieth year ; Jacob, a resident of Kirkersville; John, who lives in Wood county, Ohio; Frederick G.; Mary, wife of Joseph Wells, of Missouri; Elizabeth, widow of A. Kemple, of Wood county, Ohio ; and Caroline, deceased wife of Abram Frideger. Frederick G. Rickly was born on a farm one mile west of Kirkersville, on the National pike, in Etna township, November 20, 1839, and here he always resided, engaging in general farming and stock-raising. His boyhood days were largely spent in the work of the fields and during the winter seasons he attended the district schools, where he acquired his education. He resided on the home farm with his parents until his marriage when he purchased a farm containing twenty-eight acres which he cultivated for twelve years, subsequently disposing of it and purchasing his present farm, which embraces fifty acres and lies-, east of St. Jacob's Reformed church. It is a highly improved tract of land, provided with, substantial buildings, most of which he erected, and here he pursued general farming, engaging HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 773 to some extent in stock-raising. His farm is well cared for and Mr. Rickly, being a practical agriculturist, making such study of his soil as enables him to advantageously place his crops, he has from year to year gleaned from his fields harvests far in excess of those reaped from farms of a greater acreage. During the Civil war Mr. Rickly answered his country's call to arms and in -1864 enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Hancock and, serving with the one-hundred-day men, was stationed on guard duty at Harper's Ferry. In 1866 Mr. Rickly wedded Sarah Hagy, a native of Etna, Ohio, where her birth occurred on December 24, 1844, and where she had always resided. She is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Miller) Hagy, and a sister of Squire S. E. Hagy, a noted capitalist of this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Rickly have been born seven children, namely : Mary Katherine, whose birth occurred September 1, 1867, and who is the wife of Simon Smoke; Josephine L., born March 25, 1869, the wife of Charles Heimberger, of Etna township; Edward H., whose birth occurred August 29, 1871, and who resides with his wife, Edna (Rugg) Rickly, in Reynoldsburg; Emma F., born. November 16, 1885, the wife of Peter Myers; William J., of Outville, Ohio, born March 29, 1882; Charles A., born February 16, 1885; and Roy Rex, whose birth occurred March 17, 1892. Mr. Rickly has been a republican in politics all his life and since he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln has never seen cause to swerve from his party since he believes its principles to be in every sense adequate to maintain the permanent prosperity of the nation. He is a public-spirited man who has taken quite an interest in local affairs, having served in a number of township offices, among which are those of road supervisor and constable. He has also been a school director. He belongs to Baird Post, G. A. R., of Pataskala and is a member of St. Jacob's Reformed church, in which for many years he has been an elder. Mr. Rickly is a worthy representative of the citizenship of the county and his industry and upright character have stood him well in the battle of life and won him the respect and confidence of his neighbors. SAMUEL S. DEVENNEY. Samuel S. Devenney, engaged in general farming and the raising of shorthorn cattle, was born on the farm he now cultivates in McKean township, January 23, 1846. Here his family have been identified with the farming interests of this vicinity for the past eighty-five years. His father, John P. Devenney, was a native of Orange county, Virginia, where his birth occurred March 11, 1808, and his mother, Mrs. D. B. (Sheldon) Devenney, was a native of Southampton, Massachusetts, where she was born August 27, 1809. Mrs. Devenney came to this county in 1827 with her mother and Mr. Devenney located here in the year 1831. In this township the couple became acquainted and were united in bonds of matrimony in the year 1834. He was a tanner by occupation but after he left his native state he did not follow his trade but took up farming and in 1835 bought a tract of land here, which he cultivated and upon which he resided until the year 1842, when he disposed of the property and purchased the farm on which 774 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. Samuel S. Devenney now lives. The father departed this life in the year 1895 and his wife one year later, and they were both laid to rest in Granville cemetery. They were the parents of the following children : Warner C., of Granville, Ohio; Emma A., wife of John M. Robison, of the same place; Helen; and Samuel S. The last named acquired his education in the district schools here, pursuing his studies at intervals in connection with his farm duties. After leaving school he remained on the home farm and after the death of his father assumed the entire management. This farm embraces two hundred and twenty-seven acres of highly improved land and has also upon it two producing gas wells. Aside from this tract he also owns sixty acres in Granville township and seventy-five acres in Liberty township, both of which constitute valuable farms and are under cultivation. He engages in general farming and also makes a specialty of stock-raising, particularly shorthorn cattle and sheep. His premises are provided with every means for the successful pursuit of agriculture and his fields are made especially productive by the use of modern methods of fertilizing and a full line of modern farm machinery. He is recognized as one of the most substantial and prosperous farmers in the district. Mr. Devenney gives his political support to the republican party and while he does not reach out after the preferment of office yet he does what he can to secure the election of its candidates. He has allied himself with this party because, after candid deliberation, he has come to the conclusion that its principles are fully adequate and necessary in order to insure the financial balance and permanent peace of the commonwealth. He belongs to Center Star Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M., and takes pride in recalling the fact that his father and grandfather were also prominent members of the Masonic order. JOHN W. BRETZ. John W. Bretz, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Union township, Licking county, was born February 14, 1848, in Pleasant township, Fairfield county, Ohio, on a farm entered by his great-grandfather, John Bretz, in 1808, the latter having come from Germany in 1732 when eight years of age, locating with his parents and a brother, Jacob, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He removed from there to Pleasant township, Fairfield county, where he purchased a quarter section of land for each of his twelve heirs, all of whom located upon their allotments. In recent years, however, their descendants have left their original tracts and migrated to different parts of Seneca and Wyandot counties, in this state. Among his children was Henry, the last born, who operated the home farm upon which he departed this life in his seventy-sixth year, and he had one son, John, the father of the subject of this review, who inherited the homestead and engaged in general agriculture until his death which occurred in 1853. John Bretz, Sr., wedded Dina Musselman, a native of Pleasant township, Fairfield county, where she spent her entire life, and was a daughter of Jacob and Dinah Musselman. She departed this life in her sixty-sixth year. She was the mother of five daughters and six sons, among the latter being John W. HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 775 John W. Bretz was but five years of age when his father died. He remained upon the home farm for forty years, in the meantime taking an active part in agricultural life. During his boyhood-days, availing himself of the educational advantages of the district schools and, being then married, he came to Union township, and located upon the farm he now cultivates, which contains one hundred and twenty-two acres of land. This finely cultivated farm is a mile and a half west of Hebron and it is here he engages in general farming and stock raising. The property is highly improved, provided with two excellent dwelling houses, a substantial barn and other outbuildings and, recently, he constructed a substantial cottage, which is now occupied by a tenant. On April 25, 1876, Mr. Bretz wedded Christina Augusta Roads, whose birth occurred on the farm on which they now live, October 20, 1853, and here she has since resided with the exception of twelve years spent in Fairfield county. Her great-grandfather, John Roads, was born in 1760, and lived to the age of sixty-five. His son, Abraham, born in Virginia, in 1787, removed to Ohio with his wife, Anna (Beaver) Roads, in 1810, settling upon the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, and here they departed this life in 1836 and 1866, respectively, he having been forty-nine years of age while his wife was in her seventy-ninth year. They reared a family of eight children, among whom was Joseph Roads, who was born in 1815 and wedded Nancy Moore, April 26, 1838, her birth having occurred December 9, 1818. They reared a family of seven daughters and one son, the latter having departed this life in his sixth year, while all of the former lived to be married and reared families. Joseph Roads entered into rest here June 8, 1900, and his wife on July 17, seven years later. Mr. and Mrs. Bretz are now living on the farm which they own and which her ancestors settled upon over a century ago, the primitive conditions which surrounded the premises in her great-grandfather's time having long since disappeared and the last of the old landmarks, a log cabin, in which Mrs. Bretz' father was born and reared, having been removed several years ago and supplanted by an elegant residence in which the couple now reside. Mr. Bretz is a democrat in politics and belongs to the Old-School Baptists, both he and his wife being members of the Hebron church of that denomination, in which Mr. Bretz has for a number of years officiated as deacon. He is a substantial farmer, industrious and enterprising and his straightforward life and the part he takes in the welfare of the community justly merits him the respect and confidence in which he is held by his fellow citizens. JOHN C. NEEL. John C. Neel, who for many years has been connected with the farming interests of Union township and is one of the most prominent men in its financial circles, descends from a family, the members of which for over a century have been associated with the agricultural and stock raising enterprise of this state. His grandfather, James Neel, was a native of Pennsylvania and came from Lancaster county in 1803, to a town of that name in Fairfield county, this state, where for a number of years he plied his trade as a bricklayer and many residences and 776 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. other buildings are now standing as evidences of his workmanship. Later he removed to Perry county, where he engaged in farming until he departed this life in the year 1835. He was left an orphan at an early age and tradition has it that his parents, who were early settlers in the Keystone state, were there massacred by the Indians. He was united in marriage three times and in all had a family of eighteen children. The maternal grandparents were pioneers of Walnut township, Fairfield county, and the subject of this review remembers hearing his grandmother relate the hardships endured while making a trip on horseback from that county to the state of Pennsylvania. John C. Neel was born on the old homestead in this township, near his present farm, on February 16, 1850, and was a son of Jonathan and Nancy H. (Cherry) Neel, his father having been a native of Thorn township, Perry county, where he was born January 14, 1819, and his mother of Walnut township and during their infancy both lost their parents. In the year 1844 soon after they were united in marriage, they located here and spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Neel passed away in 1894, having survived his wife by twelve years, her death having occurred in February, 1882. He was one of the most prosperous farmers of this vicinity and tilled about three hundred acres of land upon which he had made all necessary improvements and, at the same time being a man who took a deep interest in public affairs, he served in the office of township trustee for a number of years. Being dutiful in the fulfillment of his religious obligations, he attended divine services at the Methodist Episcopal church, later affiliating himself with the Church of Christ, and was well known for his Christian conduct and integrity. In his family were four children, namely : Martha A., who passed away in her sixteenth year ; John C.; Leroy, who departed this life in 1881, leaving a widow and two sons; and Albert R., who entered into rest in 1903 and is survived by his widow and two daughters living in Hebron. The district schools of this township afforded John C. Neel his preliminary education and subsequently he completed a scientific course at the Fairfield Union Academy, upon being graduated from which he became principal of the Hebron schools, in all having devoted twelve years to the profession. Giving up this early vocation he has since devoted his time and energy to farming. He has two hundred acres of land, all of which is thoroughly underlaid by a system of tile drainage, is under a high state of cultivation and on a portion of which there is a fine growth of timber. The attention to which he has given his farm has won it the reputation of being one of the most desirable in the county, particularly on account of its execellent drainage. Aside from engaging in general agriculture he also takes considerable interest in stock-raising, in which he does a fair shipping business throughout the state. He is also interested in other enterprises and is one of the original stock-holders of the Hebron Bank Company, of which he has been vice president since its organization. On November 30, 1876, he wedded Susan Witmer, a native of Thorn township, Perry county, where her birth occurred December 7, 1856, and where she resided until the time of her marriage. She was a daughter of Solomon and Ann (Ritter) Witmer, her father being a native of that county, while her mother was born in the Keystone state. To Mr. and Mrs. Neel have been born three children, namely : Elmer D. and Florence L., who reside with their parents; and Nellie HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 777 G., who became the wife of O. O. Rutledge, now residing in Newark, the couple having one child, Lillian F. The principles of the democratic party have always strongly appealed to Mr. Neel as embodying those policies the observance of which will maintain the nation's institutions untarnished by the inhospitable hand of imperialism, and which will perpetuate that full measure of individual liberty to obtain which our forefathers sacrificed their lives in order that they might found a free government, under which personal rights would be respected and ambition sustained by worthy competition, which is the life of trade, the means of distributing wealth and hence, of enabling all to participate in the blessings of prosperity. Consequently, he has always been loyal to his party, and during elections is always ready with his vote and influence to secure the election of its candidates. Being as faithful to the performance of his religious obligations as in the care of his business interests he regularly attends divine services at the church of that denomination of Christians known as the Disciples of Christ, with which he has been affiliated for thirty-six years and of which he is a trustee. Mr. Neel is well known throughout the township, not' only as an industrious citizen but also as a man of upright character, whose aim has always been to do what he could, not only to better the financial conditions of the community but also to contribute to its moral and spiritual uplift and, therefore, he is a valuable asset to the township and enjoys the respect and confidence of his neighbors. WILLIAM C. MONTGOMERY. William C. Montgomery, residing in Johnstown, owns and operates a good farm in Liberty township. He is also numbered among the veterans of the Civil war that Licking county furnished to the Union. He was born in Liberty township, March 23, 1840, a son of Samuel and Mary (Seymour) Montgomery, who were natives of this county, their ancestors having come from the state of Virginia at an early day. The father followed agricultural pursuits all his life and was a man of acknowledged integrity and sterling qualities of character, who exerted a wide influence for good throughout the county. On his father's farm William C. Montgomery was reared, assisting in the general farm work during the summer and acquiring his education at the district schools in the winter season. Remaining at home until the outbreak of the Civil war, at the call of President Lincoln for troops, he enlisted in Company B, Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on October 31, 1861, and served with his regiment throughout all the engagements in which it participated. He was present at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Chickasaw, Jacksonville, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. During his military career he was advanced to color sergeant, commanded the color guard, and at the battle of Ringgold, Georgia, on November 27, 1863, while carrying the company's flag, he was shot through the right arm and in that engagement the fire was so turned upon the color guard that seven of the eight men were severely wounded within a few moments after the battle commenced. Mr. Montgomery's wound was so serious that the field surgeons were compelled to amputate his right arm at the shoulder. 778 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. When able to leave the hospital he was furloughed and the government carried him on its payroll until the expiration of his three years' enlistment, when he was mustered out with his regiment and given an honorable discharge. A tribute to his bravery and meritorious service in the shape of a gold medal suitably engraved is very highly prized by Mr. Montgomery and it was presented to him by the surviving officers and members of his regiment at the close of the war. After leaving the army he engaged in general merchandising at Wharton, Wyandotte county, Ohio, where he remained for one year and then returned to Liberty township, where he engaged in farming. In 1896 he removed to Johnstown, where he makes his residence, at the same time, however, continuing to operate his farm, on which he engages in the production of general crops and pays some attention to stock-raising. In agricultural pursuits he has met with splendid success and from year to year his crops have been such that he is now in comfortable circumstances. On November 29, 1864, Mr. Montgomery was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Rhodeback, a daughter of Joseph S. and Mary Ann (Willard) Rhodeback, both parents having come to Licking county from Pennsylvania in 1836, where the father for many years was a prominent agriculturist. To this union were born three children : Orin E., a well known farmer and stock-raiser of this township; Alberta M., who became the wife of John Crouse; and Louis B., who remains at home and assists his father in the duties of the farm. Mr. Montgomery gives his political support to the republican party to which he has always been loyal. He was assessor of this township for eight successive years and for a long period was an efficient member of the, school board. He is not affiliated with any secret societies or fraternal organizations, nor has he allied himself with any church body, but, notwithstanding, he is always willing to lend support to any movement which, to any degree, might promote the public good. He is a zealous advocate of public improvement, especially good roads and superior school systems, and is always ready to further any measure for betterment in this direction. Acknowledged to be one of the most substantial citizens of the township, he is well liked by all who know him and his social qualities have won him the respect and confidence of his many friends. ANTHONY HUNTER. Among the well known and progressive citizens of Franklin, who spent long years in the active pursuit of agriculture and after having lived an exemplary life passed into the world of beyond was Anthony Hunter, who departed this life at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. He was one of the oldest and most widely known farmers of this county and moreover possessed many noble traits of character. He, indeed, lived a well spent life and will long be remembered by those who knew him. He was a native of Ireland and when twenty years of age emigrated to this country, and settled in New York city. There he remained for a period of five years when he came to this county, where he spent his remaining days in industriously pursuing his farm duties. HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 779 Mr. Hunter was one of a family, of six children, namely : Angeline, Isaac, Mary Jane and Jonathon, all of whom are deceased; and Sarah Anne. When he was still in babyhood he lost his mother and was reared by an uncle and an aunt. With them he remained until he came to the new world, locating in New York city where, after having spent five years, he returned to Ireland with the intention of remaining there, but finally again longed for the liberty of American shores. Returning to the United States, he located in Licking county, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty-nine acres which he held under cultivation until the time of his death. On October 13, 1866, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage with Miss Samantha Eddington, a native of this county and daughter of A. and Mary (Oshol) Eddington. Her grandfathers were both soldiers in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary war and lost their lives during engagements. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter became parents of the following children : Matilda and Ella, deceased; Anthony; James, who is united in marriage to Miss Irene Vernillion and has one child, Evelyn; Mantle; and Frank, who is an agriculturist of Franklin township. Mr. Hunter left one farm containing one hundred and thirty-nine acres and another embracing one hundred and fourteen acres. The latter is in Franklin township and is under cultivation by his sons, Frank and James, who do a general farming business with special attention given to sheep-raising. Both farms are highly improved and beside having upon them comfortable residences they are equipped with buildings, machinery and every convenience requisite to make farming a paying proposition under modern methods. In politics Mr. Hunter always gave his allegiance to the republican party by reason of the fact that after studiously investigating its principles he concluded that they were in every particular best suited to establish and maintain the nation's financial integrity and assure its prosperity. Throughout his life he was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and, having been a consistent Christian and an exemplary character, his passing out of this life in March, 1902, was to him but the entering through the door way of that higher and grander existence in which he had placed his faith and hope. The memory of his beautiful character, aglow with love, sympathy and kindness, will long be cherished by those who knew him. HOWARD E. GRIFFITH. Howard E. Griffith, a farmer of McKean township whose enterprise is bringing him increasing prosperity, is now- cultivating a farm which was settled by his ancestors more than a century ago. He was born here October 10, 1845, son of William R. and Margaret (Jones) Griffith. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, located in this county in the year 1810 and resided here until his death in 1890, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He came to this state in its pioneer days and when he took hold of the property which his son is now cultivating, and which is as fine a piece of land for farming purposes as exists in the township, it presented a far different appearance than it wears today. Timber broke the view, and thick undergrowth prevented free passage, and upon the whole the land was 780 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY in an unkempt and rough condition. It was only by hard and incessant labor that he succeeded in converting it into the tillable fields which he left as an inheritance to his son. His wife, a native of Wales, came to this county with her parents at a very early date and lived here until her death, which occurred in 1902. She had three children : Francis, deceased; Maria, wife of George Hankinson, of this county; and Howard E. Until he had attained the age of eighteen years Howard E. Griffith remained under the parental roof, during which time he attended the district schools and assisted his father in the work of the farm. About that time the Civil war broke out and he enlisted in Company D, Twenty Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as a private for one year, under General Steele, and was then honorably discharged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, at which time he returned to this county and settled on a farm. Leaving his duties as an agriculturist for a time he pursued a course of study in Denison College, and after having completed the course he spent four terms teaching school. Upon the death of his father he inherited the old homestead to which he returned and to which he has since been devoting his, labors. The farm embraces seventy acres of rich soil, which by constant improvement is in the best possible condition for raising various kinds of grain. He has his place equipped with all kinds of machinery and every convenience necessary to make his work a paying proposition. On January 21, 1873, Mr. Griffith wedded Miss Malinda J. Carris, a native of New York, who went to Lorain county, Ohio, at an early date. Her parents, who are both deceased, reared a family of four children besides Mrs. Griffith. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are the parents of the following children : Paul, Maud, Gertrude, Herbert, Guy Leona and Stella. Leona is a graduate of the Granville high school and now a school teacher. Mr. Griffith is a supporter of the republican party, to the principles of which he has given careful study. He has rendered valuable services to the township as school director, in which office he officiated for several terms. Mr. Griffith is a Master Mason, a man of high moral character and is known throughout the county for his honesty and straightforwardness, as well as for his enterprise and industry. While his wife is an adherent of the Baptist church he is not allied with any particular religious body, but molding his life on the principles of Free Masonry, his is rather a religion of conduct. F. WALTER SMITH. F. Walter Smith, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Monroe township, who has rendered many useful public services and whose industry and perseverance have made him one of the substantial men of the community, is a native of Jersey township, Licking county, where his birth occurred January 23, 1856. Here he has spent the greater part of his life actively engaged in tilling the soil and raising stock in which, owing to his diligence and good management, he has met with splendid success and has accumulated sufficient means with which not only to assure his own comfort but also to be a beneficial factor in the general worth of the community. His parents are Joseph and Mary (Gregory) Smith, his father HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 781 being a son of Captain John B. Smith, a man of considerable wealth and influence and who came to this county from the state of Virginia at a very early day. Joseph Smith is a carpenter by trade and this occupation he followed for some time after locating here but eventually gave up his trade and turned his attention to agriculture. For many years he has followed this pursuit in connection with stock-raising and is well known throughout the township as an enterprising farmer and a man of strict honesty and character worth. On his father's farm F. Walter Smith spent his boyhood and youth, in the meantime acquiring his education in the district schools of his native township, where he remained until he was twenty-three years of age, when he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Miller, daughter of Washington and Catherine (Cramer) Miller, of Monroe township. After his marriage he continued farming in Jersey township for twelve years, thence removing to Franklin county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for three years, at the expiration of which time he removed to Monroe township and settled on the farm he is now cultivating. His land is in excellent condition and since he took possession he has added many improvements including fences, barns and outbuildings, which have greatly enhanced the value of the property. His soil is very productive and Mr. Smith cultivates it by the most modern methods, so that from year to year he harvests large crops of hay, grain and other products. In addition to carrying on general farming he pays some attention to stock-raising and has a number of head of fine horses, sheep and cattle. He is a progressive farmer and through his industry and perseverance he keeps his tract of land, which consists of one hundred and twenty acres, in a high state of cultivation and endeavors through modern methods to make it produce its maximum yield, in which he has thus far been successful and throughout the township is recognized as among those who thoroughly understand the various phases of the enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have eight children: Cecil, deceased, born January 13, 1882; Floyd, whose birth occurred on January 7, 1884; Roxie, who was born July 11, 1886, and became the wife of Lester Piper ; Pearl, born January 4, 1888; Gale, who entered this life November 12, 1890; Dean, born February 12, 1895 ; Virgil, born June 5, two years later ; and Arthur, the youngest child, whose birth occurred January 26, 1899. Mr. Smith is prominent in the affairs of Jersey township and served several years as a member of the school board and also as road supervisor. He gives his support to the republican party and is active during campaigns in order to secure the election of its candidates. Fraternally he is connected with Johnstown Lodge, K. P. GILBERT A. CLIFTON. Gilbert A. Clifton, who in his younger days was one of the most extensive stock breeders and dealers in Licking county, and who is at present engaged in that enterprise in connection with general farming in Etna township, was a native of Thornville, Perry county, Ohio, where he was born December 15, 1846, a son of James and Mary (Foster) Clifton, his father being a native of Cleveland, Ohio, 782 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. and his mother of Thornville, both of whom passed away in Etna township, where they spent their declining years with their son, Gilbert A. The father was a saddler by trade and followed that occupation for many years in Thornville. They had two sons : Oliver P. and Gilbert A. Gilbert A. Clifton remained under the parental roof, in the meantime acquiring his education at the district school, until fifteen years of age, when he enlisted, in the year 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but after three months his parents had him recalled because of his youth. He gave up ambition for military honors for a while but later during the same year he again enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was a second time taken out of the ranks at Camp Mingo, after having been a soldier but one month. However, his ardor to carry the musket and assist in sustaining the honor of his country was by no means cooled by these reverses and a third time he enlisted during the same year in Company A, of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, under Captain James Sims, and served until the close of the war. In addition to taking part in the siege of Nashville, Rousan's raid and the Atlanta campaign, he was detailed as a scout under General Kilpatrick, with whom he served in Georgia, the Carolinas and at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C., and was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, in Columbus, in September, 1865. Upon returning to Perry county, he pursued a course of study in Pleasantville Academy and in the academy at Lebanon, Ohio, and then completed a scientific course in Granville College, after which he spent two years teaching school at Pickerington, Ohio, and five years in the schools of Etna. He then gave up this vocation and bought a farm, on which he began stock-raising, and in this enterprise became known throughout every state in the Union. He engaged in breeding and raising all kinds of cattle and at one time bought two thousand Texas ponies, which he sold in various parts of the country. He engaged in stock-raising on a large scale until two years ago when, upon losing his son, he curtailed his business and is now carrying on general farming, dealing but little in livestock. At one time he owned and cultivated over four hundred acres but, meeting with adversity, he was forced to sell off all but that which he now has under cultivation. Mr. Clifton was united in marriage to Almeda Grable, a native of Etna township and daughter of Jonathan and Nancy Essex Grable. They had one child, Allen Benton, who passed away in 1906, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving his widow, Mrs. Lula (Egolf) Clifton, and two children, Charles and Margaret. On January 11, 1908, Mr. Clifton wedded Mary S. Parks, a native of this county and a daughter of James and Elizabeth Parks, natives of this county. Mrs. Parks departed this life in Indianapolis, Indiana, while her husband still survives and resides at Clifton, that state. Of their family of eight children, all are living but one. As to his political convictions Mr. Clifton is a democrat, the only time he withdrew his vote from that party being to vote for the late William McKinley. For nine years he was school examiner of the county, for six years county commissioner, and has also served as township clerk, assessor and trustee. He belongs to Lodge No. 404, A. F. & A. M., at Pataskala, being also a member of the chapter and commandery at Newark and the Scottish Rite, at Columbus, Ohio. He is HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 783 likewise a member of the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Clifton, beside being an enterprising business man, of keen foresight and judgment, is also possessed of those high qualities of character which uphold religious thought and make for righteousness and is a stanch supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church, at the services of which he is a faithful worshiper. His career has in every respect been successful and, having made excellent use of his youthful energy and ability, he can now peacefully enjoy the fruits of his many years of activity. JOHN KLINCK. John Klinck, a progressive farmer and extensive land owner of Union township, this county, was born in Buffalo, New York, September 13, 1843, having come to the state of Ohio with his parents during the fall of that year, locating in Carroll, Fairfield county. His parents were John G. and Julianne Dorothy (Ulmer) Klinck, natives of Wittenberg, Germany, who left their native land shortly after they had been married and came to Buffalo, New York, where they remained but a brief period when they pursued their journey by canal to Millersport and thence to Carroll, Fairfield county, where Mr. Klinck was employed as lock tender until the death of his wife, which occurred October 9, 1846. He was again united in marriage and with his wife located in this township, where he pursued agriculture and stock-raising until he departed this life. John Klinck was but seven years of age when he was brought by his father and stepmother to this place, prior to his father's second marriage having been bound out, here and in the district schools he acquired his education, in the meantime learning the art of husbandry on his father's farm, upon which he has since remained. He owns one hundred and fifty-one acres of land, eighty acres of which is part of his father's original estate, and here he engages in general farming and stock-raising, and during his career as an agriculturist he has met with such success as to have enabled him to amass considerable means and property. He is an extensive landed proprietor in the city of Columbus, where he owns a number of valuable lots. While he has not made a specialty of any particular line he deals to some extent in stock-raising, in which he has been quite a buyer and shipper. He is of a mechanical turn-of-mind and this has greatly benefited him in his farm work, as his adroitness has enabled him to repair his own machinery and keep it in excellent condition, and as well to make many articles which have been useful about the farm. On March 9, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Olive Alvernon Ricketts, a native' of Fairfield county, whose birth occurred near Pickerington on March 15, 1854, and a daughter of William S. and Eliza (Harmon) Ricketts. In their family were six children, namely : James H., who resides in Millersport, Fairfield county; Emma T., wife of Dallas Jeffries, the couple living in Mercer county; Olive Alverson; Bruce, who departed this life in his thirty-first year; Ida, who became the wife of Perry Klinck, a half brother of John Klinck; and Mabel E., wife of L. H. Soliday, of Franklin county. To Mr. and Mrs. Klinck 784 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. have been born : Eliza Fay, wife of Perry Van Trovinger, the couple residing in Crestline, this state; William J., at home; Roy C., who wedded Mary Kagy, the couple living in Newark, this state; Page T., who departed this life in his twelfth year; Carl E., who also resides with his parents; Emma Grace, who became the wife of Raymond Cunningham, the couple residing in Newark, this state; Hazel Dell, who passed away in infancy ; and Ira M. and Pearl H., who live with their parents. Mr. Klinck also has five grand-children. The principles of the democratic party, in the opinion of Mr. Klinck, embody those policies the observance of which will maintain the nation's institutions untarnished by the tyranny of imperialism, and perpetuate that full measure of individual liberty for which our forefathers sacrificed their lives to the end that they might establish a free government under the laws of which individual rights would be regarded inviolable and ambition sustained by healthy competition, which gives impetus to industry, trade and commerce, distributes wealth and enables all to participate in the blessings of prosperity, and consequently, he has always been an ardent supporter of democracy and has done all in his power during elections to put into office the candidates of his party. He has always manifested a deep interest in local affairs and has served efficiently in a number of minor offices, and being a man of excellent moral character and one who is recognized throughout the township for his industry and aggressiveness, he is accounted among the community's most highly respected and representative citizens. RICHARD S. SIGLER. Among the representative citizens and agriculturists of Franklin township is Richard S. Sigler, who for a number of years followed the occupation of wagon-making, previous to taking up farm work. He is of sturdy German extraction and the name was originally Zigler but .in course of time was changed to its present form. The Sigler family have been residents of this county for many years and in fact were among its early pioneers, the paternal grandfather, John Sigler, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, having located here when a young man. When he came to these parts the region presented a radically different appearance from what it does today. There were no farms ready for cultivation, the entire territory being in timber land and strewn with underbrush. However, Mr. Sigler, being of that sturdy German type which has done so much to develop the farming regions of this country, was undaunted before the difficulties which confronted him and after hard labor, reinforced with patience and perseverance, he succeeded in clearing off the land and putting it in condition for cultivation. He spent his entire life in this section, where he was finally laid to rest. The parents of Richard S. Sigler were Jacob and Jane A. (Inlerv) Sigler. The nativity of his father occurred in Franklin township, where he lived throughout his entire life with the exception of five years spent in Boone county, Iowa. He engaged in general farming and through his enterprise and industry became one of the most successful agriculturists in the vicinity and established a wide reputation for honesty and straightforward dealing. Throughout the entire county the Siglers have been HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 785 noted for their integrity and incessant business activity and have been numbered among the most progressive citizens of the community. The members of the family were not only diligent and ambitious to succeed but also possessed many laudable traits of character and sought, by modest and temperate lives, to exert the highest possible moral influence in the community. Jacob Sigler met with an accident by a falling limb which caused his death in the year 1874 -and his remains were interred in the Ellis Chapel cemetery in this township. The accident occurred when he was entering a camp-meeting ground, where it was his intention to engage in religious services. His wife was a native of Ohio, spending most of her life in Licking county. When quite young she accompanied her parents to Franklin township, this county, and here remained until her death in 1883, when she was interred in Ellis Chapel cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Sigler had the following children : Jessie, deceased; Lavina, wife of William Waldorf, who is a farmer of Boone county, Iowa; John, deceased; Emma, widow of David Griffith; and Richard S. Richard S. Sigler, who was born in Franklin township, January 16, 1836, acquired his education in the old log schoolhouse, which is still retained in the memory of those of his day and, having completed the course of study there, he remained on the home farm, engaging in its daily tasks until he was twenty-four years of age. He then gave up agriculture for a while and served an apprenticeship as a wagon-maker and, after becoming a journeyman, he followed the occupation for a period of twenty years, and then returned to the occupation of farming: He owns one hundred and sixty-five acres of land, all of which is highly-improved and in a fine condition for cultivation. Here he has, together with his residence, all the necessary buildings and machinery required to make agriculture a paying proposition and to conduct it along modern methods.' He engages in general farming and at the same time takes some interest in the breeding of fine cattle, especially Jersey cows. On December 18, 1862, Mr. Sigler was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Irwin, who was born on the farm on which she now resides. Her parents were James B. and Mary (Swern) Irwin. Her father, a native of Maryland, came to this county with his people when he was three years of age and remained here until he departed this life in 1873, when his remains were interred in Pleasant cemetery, Madison township. Mrs. Sigler's grandfather was also a native of Maryland, where he passed away in the year 1861. Her mother was a native of Virginia, who came to Licking county with her people, pursuing the long and tiresome journey in wagons. In this county she was married and passed away on March 1, 1890. She had the following children : Elizabeth; Caroline, deceased ; George W., who resides near Alexander, Ohio; and John P., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sigler had a family of four children : James F., who is a professor in a polytechnic school located in Fort Worth, Texas; J. E., who is a farmer and butcher, near Newark; Orren E., at home; and Rose Mary, deceased. Mr. Sigler is of a religious turn of mind and deems it the first and noblest duty of man to acknowledge his allegiance to God upon all occasions and in every walk of life, and consequently he has ever been enthusiastic in religious work and has always endeavored to live an exemplary life and do all in his power to promote the spiritual welfare of the community. He is a consistent Christian and a faithful member of the Methodist Protestant church, in which for a number of 786 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. years he served as superintendent of the Sunday school and as steward and trustee. He is a man whose religion is not one of word alone but chiefly one of deed and in his long and useful life has abundantly manifested his practical belief in the scriptural teaching, "Faith without works is dead." In politics Mr. Sigler gives his support to the democratic party. For a period of twenty years he has served as township clerk and has also served as township trustee and member of the school board. He is affiliated with the Red Men. An enterprising, industrious and honorable life and stable qualities of character have won him the respect and esteem of all who know him. PERRY KLINCK. Perry Klinck, who was born and reared on the farm which he now cultivates in Union township, this county, descended from a family the members of which for over a century have been identified with the agricultural and stock-raising interests of the state of Ohio. His maternal grandmother, Lea Tumbleson, was a native of the Keystone state and went to Fairfield county .in 1790 when she was nine years of age, making the long and tedious journey on a pack-saddle, and with her parents located about one mile from Carroll. Their nearest mill and trading point in those days was at Zanesville, which was about fifty miles from their farm. She wedded Edward Wisely, a native of the place in which they located, his birth having occurred September 20, 1782. He spent his entire life on the farm on which he was born and married, and his death took place July 20, 1833, the illness with which he was afflicted being cholera, his daughter-in-law having been taken with the same malady. At the time of his death he was a foreman in the construction of the Ohio canal, then under way. In his family were ten daughters and four sons, and at his death the entire family was left to be supported by his widow. The children with one exception lived to maturity, the last-born dying when but three years of age. The remaining ones were all united in marriage, excepting one, who passed away shortly before the day on which her contemplated marriage was to take place and was buried in her wedding garments. Although their mother could neither read nor write she transacted the affairs of a large farm and kept her children around her until her death, which occurred July 14, 1866, when she was past the age of seventy-six years. Perry Klinck was born on his present farm February 15, 1855, a son of John G. and Mary (Wisely) Klinck His father was a native of Wittenberg, Germany, where his birth occurred April 29, 1812, he having been the oldest of nine children and the first to come to the new world, but was subsequently joined by two brothers and one sister. He had twice been united in marriage, his first marriage having occurred in his native land to Julianne Dorothy Ulmer, on March 2, 1840, and immediately afterward they left the fatherland for America, settling near Carroll, Fairfield county, this state, where she departed this life October 9, 1846, when in her twenty-seventh year, leaving four children, namely : Caroline, who passed away on this farm October 23, 1861, when eighteen years of age, shortly before the day set for her marriage and she was laid to rest in her wedding clothes; HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 787 John, who cultivates part of the old home farm in this township; Edward, who departed this life, leaving his widow and four children; and Jacob, deceased. Mr. Klinck's second wife, Mary Wisely, was born in Carroll, Fairfield county, this state, March 31, 1812, and entered into rest October 16, 1876, leaving her husband and one child, Perry. She had been twice united in marriage, the first time to a cousin, William Patterson Wisely, in February, 1833, who passed away August 21, 1834. She was the fourth-born among fifteen children, and among her brothers and sisters who came to this country from Germany were : Matthew, who passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana; Thomas, who departed this life in Winchester, that state; and Caroline, who became the wife of J. C. Smith, the builder of the state house at Indianapolis, Indiana. J. C. Smith still lives, but his wife died in 1906. The elder Mr. Klinck purchased. the farm now owned by his son, Perry, in 1848, and resided there all his life, with the exception of three years spent on the adjoining farm, which was the property of his mother-in-law. At the time of his death he owned three hundred and twenty-five acres of highly-improved land, to which he had given much attention and brought to a high state of cultivation. He was well-known throughout the county as an aggressive citizen and also for his upright life, and held membership in the Presbyterian church at Kirkerville. Perry Klinck was reared on his father's farm and under his instructions became familiar with the art of farming, and in the meantime attended the district schools where he acquired his education. Upon completing his studies he still remained under the parental roof engaging in general agriculture, and upon the death of his father inherited his interest and has since devoted his time to general farming and stock-raising. Of the original farm he owns and cultivates one hundred and ten acres, all of which is highly improved and provided with excellent buildings, including a modern home, which he built in 1877, and also a substantial barn and outbuildings. Mr. Klinck has always aimed at conducting his farming business upon modern principles and, consequently, he is a student of soils and has been quite successful in the adaptation of his crops whereby he has been remunerated by abundant yields of the various grains. The farm is one of the best-kept in the community, everything about the premises indicating thrift and progress, and as regards his live-stock, while he does not engage in breeding on a large scale has a number of as fine specimens of cattle and sheep as can be produced in the township. On July 3, 1878, he wedded Ida M. Ricketts, a native of Liberty township, Fairfield county, where her birth occurred January 26, 1863. She was a daughter of William S. and Eliza Harmon Ricketts, her father having been born in Pickerington, Fairfield county, Ohio, and her mother in Orangeville, Pennsylvania, both having departed this life in Liberty township, Fairfield county, having reared a family of four daughters and two sons. To Mr. and Mrs. Klinck have been born two daughters. Vera Myrtle, whose birth occurred May 21, 1883, became the wife of Spurgeon H. Applegate, of Grayson, Virginia, a son of the Rev. G. W. and Mary Lucretia (de Bord) Applegate, of Charleston, West Virginia. Rev. and Mrs. Applegate are now residing in Newark, the former being pastor of the Woodside Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Spurgeon H. Applegate likewise make their home in Newark, Ohio, and have one child, Mabel Maxine, who was born in Newark, June 14, 1908. Mabel Alvernan, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 788 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. Klinck, was born November 1, 1889, and resides with her parents. Believing that the principles of the republican party are the results of years of practical experience in the management of the nation's affairs and represent the political wisdom of the country's most economical thinkers and able statesmen, and that their worth is evident in the impetus their adoption has given to commerce and industry, advancing the nation's interests and developing its natural resources to the welfare of the individual and of the country at large, Mr Klinck has always voted the republican ticket and has been loyal to these principles of the party. He belongs to a lodge of the Masonic order meeting at Millersport, and has been a member of a lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, meeting at Kirkersville, since January 1, 1876. Mr. Klinck is a man who always finds time for the fulfillment of his religious obligations, which he considers of the greatest import in life, and attends divine services at the Fletchers Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal church, in Fairfield county, and is very active in the affairs of the several departments of the congregation. He is favorably known throughout the community as a man not only inspired with an aggressive spirit, but also as one who has always looked toward the moral and spiritual side of life, and hence, his conduct has always been such as to give him high standing in the community, as a man of moral worth and integrity. WILLIS F. TAYLOR. Willis F. Taylor is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and eighteen acres of rich and arable land, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. It indicates in its excellent appearance the careful supervision of the owner, who in all of his farm work is practical and progressive, utilizing means that lead to desirable results. A native son of the county, he was born in Burlington township, November 22, 1848, his parents being William and Mary J. (Foster) Taylor. The father was a native of Iowa but when a young man came to Ohio and died in 1898. The mother's people lived for many years in Liberty township, casting in their lot with the early settlers who aided in reclaiming that district for the uses of civilization. Mrs. Taylor died when her son Willis was but eleven years of age and the family was somewhat broken up. He had no special advantages or privileges to aid him in early life, yet learned lessons of value concerning industry and perseverance. He secured a liberal education in the country schools and when old enough to earn his own living found employment at farm work. He was thus engaged until he started in farm life on his own account. He has always carried on general agricultural pursuits and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. He is a truly self-made man and one who deserves much credit for what he has undertaken and accomplished. On the 11th of September, 1872, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Kasson, a daughter of Royal and Charlotte (Butt) Kasson. Her father died in July, 1908, but her mother is still living. He was the owner of much country property and improved real estate, a man of extensive business HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 789 interests and of wide influence. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Taylor has been born a son, Ben K., who now has had several years of experience as representative of extensive paint manufacturers of the Pacific coast and in China and Japan. He is now, however, associated with his father in the management of the farming and stock-raising interests. The Taylor farm consists of two hundred and eighteen acres of valuable and productive land, which is well improved and has been brought under a high state of cultivation. Substantial buildings have been erected and all modern equipments have been secured that constitute an element in the successful cultivation of the farm or in its general improvement. In the fall of 1908 Mr. Taylor retired and removed to Johnstown, purchasing a handsome residence, where the Taylor family now live. Willis F. Taylor is, moreover, well known as a valued citizen of the community. He has for eight years acceptably served as a trustee of Monroe township and does all in his power to promote the welfare of his native county. Socially he is connected with Johnstown Lodge, K. P., and in politics is a democrat, believing firmly in the principles of the party. A man of distinctive character and high standing in the community, his opinions carry weight and his influence is an element in the welfare and development of this part of the state. GEORGE W. GRIFFITH General agriculture and stock-raising have for many years engaged the attention of George W. Griffith of McKean township, whose birth occurred on the farm on which he now resides, September 28, 1847. He has spent his entire life on the place which for many years he has cultivated and is one of the oldest and most highly respected agriculturists in the county. His parents were John H. and Ann (Jones) Griffith. His father, a native of the Keystone state, came to this county in 1810 and at an auction sale bought the farm on which his son George W. now resides, the land having been sold for non-payment of taxes. In that, day the property was far from being in a fit state for cultivation as it was thickly covered with timber and undergrowth, much energy and hard labor being required to remove this before any of the land could be utilized for farming purposes. The first work which fell to the lot of John H. Griffith upon gaining possession of the land was that of constructing a small log cabin in which he lived for a number of years. On this farm he resided until 1849 and during the year when hundreds were travelling to California in search for gold he too became inspired with the idea that he might derive his fortune by mining, and repaired to that state, making the trip across the plains with an ox-team. However his hopes were never realized for in a few months after he had landed he took sick and departed this life in the year 1850. His wife lived in this county until she died in October, 1888. In their family were two children, Albert, deceased, and George W. On his father's farm George W. Griffith was reared and the country at that time being sparsely settled he obviously received little education since the district school 'during his boyhood was far from being as adequate to serve educational needs as it is today. However, it later fell to his lot to attend the college at Gran- 790 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY vine. He remained at home until he was of age when he bought the old home and its surrounding one hundred acres, on which he has since been engaged in general agriculture, making a specialty of raising and feeding sheep. In this he has been quite successful and has done a large shipping business to various portions of Ohio and adjoining states. On December 30, 1874, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Miss Ella Woodard, a native of Granville, Ohio, where her birth occurred January 17, 1852, and a daughter of Joseph and Sophia (Bowman) Woodard, both of whom were born in that place and have departed this life. Mrs. Griffith is one of a family of seven children and has four children : Alice, who became the wife of Howard Butcher, of this county; Josephine, the wife of Ross Cheek, of Columbus, Ohio; Arthur ; and Myrtle M., who was graduated from the Granville high school and was married to Emery Hankinson April 7, 1909. Mr. Griffith is a member of that denomination known as the Disciples of Christ, while his wife and children are members of the Baptist church. He has always merited the respect and confidence of his neighbors and is in every respect one of the township's representative citizens. JONATHAN H. EGOLF. Jonathan H. Egolf was a veteran of the Civil war, who for many years engaged in general merchandising in Etna township but for a period of nine years prior to his death, which occurred February 1, 1908, lived in retirement, confining his activity chiefly to looking after his farms and financial interests. He was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1832, and located in Licking county fifty-seven years ago. His parents, John and Mary (Horner) Egolf, spent their lives in the Keystone state, where they had three daughters and five sons, who attained the age of maturity. Jonathan Egolf, the first born, acquired his education in the district schools of his native county and when twenty years of age came to Etna, Ohio, where he was employed as a clerk in a general store, the proprietor of which was Charles Elliott. He remained there until July, 1863, when he enlisted in Company E, Fifth Regiment of the Ohio National Guards, later joining Company D, Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as sergeant until the close of the war, when he returned to Etna and engaged in general merchandising, which he followed greatly to his pecuniary advantage until the year 1891, when he disposed of the business to his son Harry H. and practically lived a retired life, doing little else than supervising his invested interests and looking after the affairs of his farms, one of which contains one hundred and thirty acres and adjoins Etna village and the other one hundred and sixty acres, in White county, Indiana. After selling his general store he opened a carriage and harness store and although he was not actively engaged in its management he held his interest until his death. Aside from owning many acres of farm land he also owned much town property, including the store building now used for the carriage and harness enterprise and the business premises and home occupied by his son. HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 791 On October 30, 1856, Mr. Egolf was united in marriage to Sarah Shirey, a native of the Keystone state who passed away April 21, 1866, leaving her husband and the following children: Mary B., wife of J. D. Kilner, of Columbus, Ohio, by whom she has one son, Arthur D.; Harry H., the present postmaster of Etna, who has one son, Paul; and Ella, who departed this life in infancy. His second marriage was to Rebecca Manger, in May, 1865, and she departed this life June 28, 1869. Mr. Egolf was then married, April 12, 1870, to Margaret R. Swisher, a native .of Lima township, where her birth occurred September 11, 1847, and where she remained until fourteen years of age, when she removed to Columbus and lived until her 'marriage. She was a daughter of Philip and Cassandra (Hughes) Swisher, whose ancestry is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The children of the third marriage are : J. Farris, of Springfield, Ohio ; Lula May, widow of A. Benton Clifton, who has two children, Charles E. and Margaret N.; and Charles F., of Cincinnati, who wedded Lena Eyer. Mr. Egolf was originally an adherent of the Lutheran faith but, upon locating in Etna, he became affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church in which he was an active worker. He was superintendent of the Sunday school for over twenty-five years and was a member of the building committee of the church which provided for and pushed to completion the present edifice. He was also a charter member of Evergreen lodge, I. O. O. F. For thirty years he served as postmaster of Etna and was treasurer of the school board and instrumental in securing the new school edifice. He was in every sense a man of excellent traits and qualities, profoundly religious, and his useful and exemplary life has left an impress upon the community which will give him an abiding place in the annals of the township. GEORGE W. BEALL. George W. Beall, who has large farming interests in Newark township, this county; was born in Franklin township, August 5, 1869, a son of William N. and Mary A. (Wells) Beall. The father, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, came to this county with his family at an early date, locating in Hopewell township, where he bought two hundred acres of land which prosperity enabled him to increase from year to year until its annual harvests in the course of time enabled him to accumulate his present fortune. He has now retired from active business and resides with his wife at No. 202 West Locust street, Newark. Mr. Beall was twice wedded, first to Miss Harriett Campbell by whom he had eight children, and following the death of their mother Mr. Beall in Steubenville, Ohio, wedded Miss Mary A. Wells, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, by whom he has had two children, Maggie M., who became the wife of A. E. Hoskinson, of Chatham, Ohio; and George W. During his boyhood days George W. Beall was employed upon his father's farm, in the meantime availing himself of the educational advantages of the neighboring school. Remaining at home with his father until the latter retired from active life, he then assumed the management of the farm, upon which he 792 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY has since carried on general agricultural pursuits with the exception of eight years, the most of which time he was engaged in the farming implement business. He has always controlled the land in Franklin township, and besides this controls four hundred and fifteen acres of land, two hundred and thirteen acres of which is the property of his wife. While he pays considerable attention to the raising of general crops, he makes a specialty of stock-raising and feeding In 1893 Mr. Beall wedded Miss Mary Pearl Hirst, of Franklin township, to which union have been born four children, namely : Florence, Roy Arthur, Winona and John Rolla, all of whom reside at home, the oldest child being a pupil at St. Marys school at Columbus, Ohio. Politically Mr. Beall is loyal to the democratic party .and being interested also to some extent in local politics he is now serving as a director of the school board. He belongs to Newark Lodge, No. 13, K. of P., and in company with his wife attends divine worship at the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Beall is one of the most prosperous farmers in this part of the township and his influence has been widely felt in upbuilding the business interests of the community. R. F. TYLER. R. F. Tyler, who devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising in St. Albans township, was born on the farm he now has under cultivation, on September 15, 1858, a son of Foster and Martha (Alward) Tyler, his father being a native of Essex, Vermont, where his birth occurred July 5, 1820, and his mother of Lima township, this county, where she was born on January 20, 1826. Mr. Tyler was a son of Colonel George and Esther (Joslyn) Tyler. The former, a highly respected citizen of the community, departed this life in February, 1862, at the age of ninety-three years, while his wife passed away at the age of sixty-nine. In company with his parents Foster Tyler came to this county in October, locating in Granville. In the year 1840 he removed to a farm on Locust Street road, where he spent his remaining days, his death having occurred on February 9, 1892. His home farm consisted of one hundred and eighty-five acres, while in all, throughout the county, he owned four hundred acres and in addition possessed about the same number of acres in Washington and Wright counties, Iowa. In connection with general farming Mr. Tyler paid a great deal of attention to stock-raising. For many years he was an active democrat and a member of the township board of education. Mrs. Tyler, wife of Foster Tyler, was a daughter of Samuel D. and Maria (Buckland) Alward and the mother of the following children : Emma E., deceased, wife of Alfred D. Osborn; Lyman B., deceased; Ella, wife of Dr. George L. Garner, of Lansing, Michigan; and R. F. After acquiring his education in the district schools R. F. Tyler devoted his time to agricultural pursuits on the farm where he has always resided, being the oldest continuous resident on Locust Street road. He has spent his entire life in cultivating his place, which consists of two hundred and ninety-five acres, located one and three-fourths miles west of Alexandria, the property being known as HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 793 Hickory Grove farm, on account of its hickory trees, a dozen or more of which surround his elegant eleven-room dwelling, which he built in the year 1893. In addition to this farm Mr. Tyler possesses one hundred acres adjoining the corporation limits of Pataskala, Lima township, where a tenant operates an extensive dairy business in partnership with Mr: Tyler, and seventy-seven acres known as the Big Spring Farm, north of Granville. The dairy business and horse-raising demand most of Mr. Tyler's attention and he has bred some excellent specimens of the animal for draft purposes, while at the same time he gives attention to hay and general grain crops. On April 10, 1883, Mr. Tyler wedded Phoebe A. Jones, a daughter of Edward Jones, who was born February 2, 1863, and departed this life November 20, 1896, leaving her husband and three children, namely : Edward A., Foster and Ruby. On August 9, 1898, Mr. Tyler was united in marriage to Anna Jones, a second cousin of his former wife. She was born September 15, 1860, at Welsh Hills, Granville township, and was a daughter of Hiram D. and Elizabeth (Jones) Jones, natives of Oneida county, New York, where he was born December 25, 1829, and his wife, June 13, 1833. Both her parents were of Welsh extraction and located near Granville in 1837. Hiram Jones was a son of David R. and Susanna (Thomas) Jones, and departed this life in the year 1873 and Elizabeth Jones was a daughter of David and Gwenn Jones, and passed away April 23, 1896. Mr. Tyler votes the democratic ticket and for several years has served as a member of the township board of education. He is a member of the Farmers Institute, in which he is deeply interested, and has officiated for two terms as president of that organization in Alexandria. He is attentive to his religious obligations and is a member of the Baptist church of Alexandria, of which organization he is a trustee. Mr. Tyler is a man of high moral character, considering foremost his religious duties and is held in high respect, both on account of his industry and exemplary life. GEORGE HANKINSON George Hankinson, an enterprising and successful agriculturist residing in McKean township, was born in Perry county, Ohio, December 26, 1844, his parents being Simeon and Susanna (Collingham) Hankinson, natives of New Jersey. The year 1836 witnessed their removal to Perry county, Ohio, and in 1854 they came to Licking county, here residing until the time of their demise. Unto this worthy couple were born eleven children, namely : Margaret, who is a resident of this county; Samuel, of Newton township; William, who is deceased; George, of this review ; Joseph, who also makes his home in Licking county; Mary E., David and. Simeon, all of whom have passed away; Josiah, of this county; John, living in Perry county, Ohio; and Titus, a resident of McKean township. George Hankinson obtained a good, practical education in the public schools and remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age, when he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company C, Tenth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, with which he served for eighteen months. He accompanied Sherman on the 794 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY celebrated march to the sea and also participated in a number of hotly contested engagements, being a brave and valiant defender of the cause which he espoused. After being honorably discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, he returned to Licking county and remained at home until the time of his marriage, in 1869, when he secured employment as a farm hand and was thus busily engaged for sixteen years. His wife then inherited a farm of seventy acres in McKean township, in the cultivation of which he has since been successfully engaged, the fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. As before stated, Mr. Hankinson was married in 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Maria L. Griffith, whose birth occurred in McKean township, March 10, 1844, her parents being William R. and Margaret (Jones) Griffith. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother, who was born in Wales, was but a small child when she accompanied her parents on their emigration to the -United States. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith, both of whom are now deceased, reared a family of three children. Our subject and his wife have no children of their own but adopted a daughter, Florence, who, with her husband, F. L. Courson, now resides on Mr. Hankinson's farm. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hankinson has given his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as school director for six terms, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in G. A. B. Post, No. 704, and both be and his wife belong to the Christian church, in the work of which he is actively and helpfully interested, having served both as deacon and trustee. For more than a half century he has been a resident of this county and his fellow townsmen know that his life record has been characterized by fidelity to duty and by honor in all his relations with his fellowmen. HARRY H. EGOLF. Harry H. Egolf, postmaster of Etna, has contributed extensively to the commercial interests of this place and is one of its enterprising and progressive citizens. He was born in Etna June 28, 1864, and he has always resided here. He was a son of Jonathan H. and Sarah (Shirey) Egolf, the former, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume, having been a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Having located in Etna township when a young man, possessed of neither money nor influence, by his excellent business ability he became one of the leading business men and constructed several of the largest buildings. For many years he was engaged in the general merchandise business, in which he continued until a few years before he departed this life, his death occurring February 1, 1908. He had been united in marriage three times, his first marriage having been with Sarah Shirey, on October 30, 1856. She was a native of the Keystone state, passed away April 21, 1866, leaving the following children : Mary B., who is the wife of J. D. Kilner, of Columbus, Ohio, and has one son, Arthur D.; Harry H.,  HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 795 of this review; and Ella, who departed this life in infancy. His second marriage was to Rebecca Manger, in May, 1865, and she departed this life June 28, 1869. Mr. Egolf was then united in marriage, on April 12, 1870, to Margaret R. Swisher, a native of Lima township, where her birth occurred September 11, 1847, and where she remained until fourteen years of age, when she removed to Columbus and lived until her marriage. She was a daughter of Philip and Cassandra (Hughes) Swisher, whose ancestry is mentioned on another page of this work. The children of this marriage were : J. Farris, of Springfield, Ohio; Lula May, who is the widow of A. Benton Clifton, and has two children, Charles E. and Margaret N. and Charles F., of Cincinnati, who wedded Lena Eyer. In the public schools of this township Harry H. Egolf received his education and, upon the completion of his studies, he undertook the cultivation of a farm owned by his father and followed agricultural pursuits for several years and then was employed in his father's stare. While in that position he displayed keen enterprise and business judgment and, in 1901 when his father retired from active commercial life, he bought out his interest and for the past twelve years has been in charge of the enterprise. He carries a full line of merchandise in which he is an extensive dealer and, since assuming the management of affairs he has, by his persevering efforts, so increased the volume of business that his establishment is now one of the largest of the kind in the county. In addition to managing his mercantile interests, he has also been the agent for the Ohio Electric Railroad Company since it was constructed. Mr. Egolf was united in marriage to Hattie Warner, a native of this township and a daughter of Anson and Catherine (Levill) Warner. They have one son, Paul W., whose birth occurred here September 21, 1889. As a man of affairs, who is a power in the business life of the community, Mr. Egolf's merits are widely acknowledged, his excellent traits of character and straightforwardness having gained him great popularity, making him the choice of the people to officiate in the responsible capacity of, postmaster for the past ten years. He is not affiliated with any secret or social organizations since his pressing business affairs require his undivided attention. CAPTAIN JOSEPH T. REYNOLDS. Captain Joseph T. Reynolds, who made a brilliant record during the Civil war, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Lima township, this county, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1832, a son of Amos and Anne (Moore) Reynolds, his mother's birth having occurred on the Atlantic ocean while her parents were on the way from Ireland to the new world. In the city of Philadelphia she resided until she was married and her death occurred in Reynoldsburg, this state, in 1846, when she was in her thirty-fifth year. Her brother, Rev. James Moore, was a prominent Methodist Episcopal clergyman in Philadelphia. Amos Reynolds was a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and passed away in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, in 1861, being at that time about sixty-three years of age. While in his native state he was employed on the railroad, 796 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. doing construction work, but after he had come to :Ohio he applied himself to farming and continued that pursuit the remainder of his days. He was twice united in marriage, the second time to Christiana Neiswander, and in all reared a family of eight children, six of whom were by his first wife : Joseph T.; Mary Howard, deceased; James M., deceased; Mrs. Amanda McCray, of Kendallville, Indiana; John, of Laclede county, Missouri, who served in the Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, having enlisted in Franklin county, this state; Mrs. Lettie Johnson, deceased; Mrs. Lydia Chamberlin, deceased; and Mrs. Ella Rinker, who resides in Newark. Joseph T. Reynolds, in 1837, removed with his parents to Reynoldsburg, Franklin county, this state, and resided there with them until 1856, in the meantime acquiring his education in the district schools. During that year he went to California, via the Isthmus, and remained in the Golden State for three years, excepting about seven months spent on a tour through the British possessions, on which he traveled as far north as the Fraser river. While in California he spent his time in gold-mining and prospecting, at both of which he made quite a success, and in the fall of the year 1860 he returned to Franklin county. When the call came for troops to enlist in the fight for the maintenance of the Union, he joined Company F, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, under Captain Cupp, September 25, 1861, and served in the Army of the West. He took part in the famous battle of Shiloh, and served under General Rosecrans throughout the campaign which terminated with the battle of Chickamauga and that of Missionary Ridge. Later he participated in the Atlanta campaign under General Sherman, and was in the Wilson raid after the capture of Atlanta. When Mr. Reynolds enlisted at Camp Chase he was detailed as a private but on account of his bravery during the service he was finally promoted to the rank of captain and during the last ten months of his service commanded Company M, of his regiment. He was mustered out on September 27, 1865, at Hilton Head, South Carolina, after a continuous service of four years and three days. During his military career the Captain witnessed much hard fighting, and on several occasions was commissioned to perform very dangerous tasks. On Sunday night before the battle of Shiloh he was asleep in his tent at Columbia, Tennessee, and about ten o'clock at night Captain Cupp awoke him and informed him that he had a despatch to be delivered to General Grant, who was located ninety miles up the Tennessee river, and that he wished him to carry the message. Captain Reynolds at once got himself ready for duty and, being instructed by his commanding officer to pick out a man to go with him and to select excellent horses, he attended to this and in a few minutes the two were in the saddle and ready to make the long and precarious journey. The last words which Colonel Smith delivered to them as they headed their horses up the Tennessee river were : "You are expected to deliver that message to General. Grant's headquarters or leave your dead bodies on the road." They started off on the trip with these words in mind and with the firm resolve to reach the headquarters of the commanding general at all hazards, and about ten o'clock the next morning they arrived at their destination, much the worse for the rough ride, were called into the presence of General Grant, delivered their message and were personally complimented by him for the task they had undertaken and the speed with which they had accomplished it. They were in peril all along the line HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 797 from sharpshooters and almost all the way they traveled within fifty miles of the rebel pickets and passed through the enemy's line. It was considered a very hazardous ride, and at every moment the chances were against them, but both being brave-hearted and resolute they did not cower under the impending dangers but hastened onward as fast as their steeds could carry them, delivered their message and returned in safety to their own regiment. After the war Captain Reynolds resided for about fifteen years in the neighborhood of Reynoldsburg, engaged in farming, and twenty-five years ago removed to Etna township, this county, where he remained for five years, at the termination of which time he secured his present farm, consisting of ninety-four acres. He has since been engaged in general farming and also carries on stock-raising on a small scale. In March, 1866, Captain Reynolds wedded Amanda Myers, who was born in Lima township, October 9, 1840, a daughter of John and Nancy (Warner) Myers, her father a native of this county, where he departed this life, and her mother of Fairfield county, but passed away in Franklin county. Her father, Henry Warner, was originally from Virginia and was among the early pioneers of Ohio, locating at Leroy. Mrs. Reynolds is one of a family of six children, namely : Mrs. Mahala Scott; Mrs. Rebecca Bird, of Allen county; Amanda; Caroline, who departed this life in her seventeenth year; Henry, deceased; and Augustus, who died while serving in the Civil war, having enlisted from Franklin county in the Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds : James M., clerk of the courts, of Columbus, Ohio; Homer and Jessie, twins, the former residing with his parents and the latter living in Newark, with a brother ; Nellie, who lives at home; Zettie, who also resides with her parents; and Alvah, a widower residing in Newark, with his daughters, Pansy and Dorothy. The principles of the republican party have always appealed to Mr. Reynolds as embodying those policies best suited to give impetus to commerce and industry and subserve in the highest measure the nation's financial standing. Consequently he has always been loyal to his party and during election times has always given his vote and influence toward placing its candidates in office. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and attends divine worship at the Methodist Episcopal church of Pataskala. He is a progressive agriculturist and in citizenship is as true and loyal to local and national interests as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields. ELLA M. TRIPPIER. The Trippier family has long been represented in Licking county, and Miss Trippier, who is now conducting a general store in the village of St. Louisville, is a native of this county. Her parents were Joseph and Sarah Trippier, the former born in Portage, Ohio, and the latter in Licking county. The father came to the latter county at an early date and both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives here, Mrs. Trippier passing away in March, 1890, while Mr. Trippier's 798 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. death occurred in 1899. In their family were seven children: Adaline, now the wife of James Brush, of this county; Miss Ella NI. Trippier, whose name introduces this review; Tina,. the wife of John W. Miller, of Wood county, Ohio; Christopher, also living in Licking county ; Clemma, the wife of L. C. Franks, of Columbus, Franklin county; Roxa, who lives with her sister Ella; and Lawrence, who died, aged one year and four months. Miss Trippier has always resided in Licking county, was educated in the public schools and is now well-known in connection with the business interests of St. Louisville, where she is conducting a well-appointed general store, carrying a large and carefully selected line of goods, so that her annual sales amount to between six and eight thousand dollars. She capably manages her interests and is a lady of widely acknowledged business ability. She holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and has many friends in the community who esteem her greatly for her many good traits of heart and mind. FRANK C. OSBURN. Frank C. Osburn, well known throughout Newark township, as a breeder of fine stock, particularly of hogs and Jersey cattle, was born in Franklin township, August 17, 1870, and descends from a family identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the state for more than a century, his grandfather, Lee Osburn, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, having come to this county in 1828, locating in Franklin township on the farm on which the father of F. C. Osburn now resides, and later removing to Licking township, where he departed this life. Among his children was William R., Osburn, who was born in Franklin township on his father's farm, w1882 he resided until the year 1889, during which year he removed to the farm on which his son, Frank C., now resides and on which he remained for fifteen years. At the expiration of that time he returned to the old Osburn homestead, where he now lives. He has followed general farming all his life in connection with stock-raising, in both of which he is Very successful. His wife who bore the maiden name of Anna E. Shannon, is a native of Madison township, this county, where she was united in marriage. She has become the mother of eight children, namely : Alice; Henry L., an agriculturist of Madison township ; Frank C.; T. S., deceased; G. R.; W. C., a machinist residing in Licking township; Nellie R., wife of Pearl Schurtle, of Bowling Green township ; and Anna. The district schools of Franklin township afforded Frank C. Osburn his education and he remained on the home farm until he was twenty-nine years of age, in the meantime having made himself familiar with the work of the fields and stock-raising, particularly the latter. Leaving hoMe he purchased his present farm, which consists of seventy-five. acres of land, and here he has an excellent house and his farm is provided with the full round of buildings, all of a substantial character. He engages in producing a general line of crops but makes a specialty of breeding stock, Jersey and Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep. HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY - 799 He keeps on hand an average of sixty head of Poland China hogs, all of which are thoroughbreds, among them being Ohio Chief and Highland Lad, the former being a son of old Chief Perfection, the king of Polands, while Highland Lad is a grandson of Chief Perfection and was bred from Ohio Chief by Link Gukins, of Disko, Indiana, one of the largest stock breeders in the United States. Mr. Osburn is quite well known as a breeder of Jersey cattle and owns Exile of St. Lambert, sired by old Exile. He has paid more attention to stock breeding than to any other department of his farm work and his experience in this line of work has made him a recognized authority throughout the county. He belongs to the National Poland China Register and the American Jersey Cattle Club. In 1900 Mr. Osburn wedded Miss Ora S. Boring, a. resident of Franklin township, by whom he has had one daughter, Mary Margaret, who is four years of age. Politically Mr. Osburn does not ally himself with any particular party inasmuch as he has not yet found the principles of any cult on the whole meeting with his approval, and consequently he takes an independent stand, casting his vote for such candidates for political office as he adjudges possessed of personal qualities and political ability which in his judgment will enable them to perform the duties of public office to the best advantage of the commonwealth. In local matters he has taken considerable interest and has been called upon by his fellow townsmen to perform the duties of road supervisor. He does not allow the pressure of business affairs to monopolize the time he should devote to his religious obligations. He and his wife are faithful members of St. Johns Lutheran church, of which he is an elder. `Mr. Osburn is one of the most prosperous agriculturists of this part of the county, taking great pride in his farm and also in his home, which he has equipped with every convenience for comfort including a telephone. Upright in all his dealings and maintaining a position above reproach, he is held in high esteem by his neighbors and is accounted among the worthy citizens of the community. WILLIAM CHEEK. William Cheek, a practical, progressive farmer of Monroe township and a public-spirited citizen, was born July 20, 1849, in Jersey township, Licking county, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Smith) Cheek, who came to Ohio from the state of Virginia when young people. The father was a farmer by occupation and devoted his life to tilling the soil for the benefit of his family. William Cheek was reared upon the old homestead farm and through the winter months attended the district schools of the township, while in the periods of vacation he worked in the fields. Practical training well qualified him for the same line of work when he attained manhood and lessons of thrift, economy and integrity were early impressed upon his mind. Following his marriage he began farming for himself in Monroe township and carried on general agricultural pursuits, also dealing in live stock, until 1887, when the family removed to Columbus, Ohio, where Mr. Cheek engaged in real-estate business. He remained a resident of the capital city six years, or until 1893, when he removed to the farm in Monroe