(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 600 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY and seventy acres from the virgin forest and where he continued to reside during the remainder of his life. In his native state was solemnized his marriage to Miss Amelia Knowles, and of their ten children three were born in Connecticut and seven in Knox county, Ohio. Half of the number survive at the present day and are as follows : George L., residing at Mt. Vernon, Ohio ; Sarah V., wife of Ira D. Hunt, of Columbus, Ohio ; Emeline C., widow of J. R. Milligan, of Mt. Vernon ; Charles G., of Mt. Vernon, Ohio ; and Benjamin C., the immediate subject of this review. Captain Benjamin C Smith was reared and educated in Knox county, Ohio, and his early schooling consisted of such advantages as were afforded in the schools of the locality and period. He continued to reside at the parental home, where he assisted in the work and management of the farm, until the inception of the Civil war. On the 14th of October, 1861, fired by boyish enthusiasm, he enlisted as a member of Company A., Third West Virginia Cavalry, under Lieutenant S. B. Conger. At the time of his enlistment all the Ohio cavalries were filled, this fact accounting for his membership in a West Virginia regiment. He was mustered into service at Wheeling, West Virginia, and the first engagement in which he participated was at Cross Keys. He was assigned to General Freemont's body guard and the next important conflict in which he saw service of an active character was at the second battle of Bull Run. After the reorganization of the cavalry by Major General Hooker, Captain Smith was a member of that department of the United States army until the close of the war. His first military office was that of quartermaster sergeant, to which office he was appointed by the regimental commander, and in February, 1862, he was commissioned second lieutenant of 'his company and continued in that position for two years, at the expiration of which he was made first lieutenant. Late in 1864 he was promoted to the rank of captain of the company and as such figured prominently in many of the most important conflicts marking the progress of the war. During the battle of Gettysburg he was under the command of General Beauford and his regiment received the first fire, nine of his men being captured on the morning of the battle. The monument at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, known as the West Virginia Cavalry, was placed and dedicated under the direction of Captain Smith, about the year 1887. He was one of the officers under General Custer, of whom he was a personal friend, at the Grand Review, at Washington D. C., at the close of the war. During his lieutenancy he was, brigade quartermaster and at the close of the rebellion he was mustered out of service at Wheeling, West Virginia, on the 30th of June, 1865. After being assigned to the command of General Custer, he participated in all the leading battles of the Virginia campaign, never being wounded in battle and never being taken prisoner. When peace had again been established, Captain Smith re- HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 601 turned to his old home in Knox county, where was solemnized his marriage on February 15, 1865. After that important event he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in his native county and subsequently he purchased a stock of merchandise at Brandon and continued to be idenitfied with the mercantile business for a period of two years, at the expiration of which, in 1872, he removed to Milford township, Knox county, where he purchased a fine farm. He sold that eventually and returned to the old homestead, where he remained for three years and then at the end of that period took up his residence in Delaware City, where he was located for two years. He came to Sparta, Ohio; and retired from active business life. Captain Smith's chosen lady was Miss Maria A. Mathias, of Delaware, Ohio. She was a daughter of John and Anne (Graham) Mathias, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to the fine old Buckeye state of the Union in the early pioneer days. Captain and Mrs. Smith became the parents of four children, namely : Ida, born .February 7. 1867, who is the wife of Sumner Pierce, a clerk in the post office at Mt. Vernon; Harry A., born August 3, 1868, is a merchant at Canton, Illinois ; Jessie C., born February 13, 1870, is the wife of Hays Wilson, of Knox county, this state ; and Ethel B., born July 23, 1876, is now Mrs. Pitt Struble, of Chesterville, Ohio. Mrs. Smith was summoned to the life eternal on the 17th of November, 1909. She was a woman of most gracious refinement and was ever a potent influence for good in the home. In politics Captain Smith is non-partisan, giving his support to men and measures meeting with the approval of his judgment, regardless of party issues. He has been incumbent of various important township offices, in all of which he has acquitted himself most creditably. He is a very prominent lodge man in Ohio, being connected with the time-honored Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias of Sparta, Ohio, and the Grand Army of the Republic. In the Knights of Pythias he has been a representative in the grand lodge of the state and on the 18th of December, 1910, he was commissioned aide-de-camp of the Union Veteran Legion of Columbus. Captain Smith is a loyal and public-spirited citizen and he stands to-day among the self-made men of Morrow county, whose life histories awaken for them the admiration and respect of all who know them. WALTER C. BENNETT, M. D.—Of all the professions that of medicine gives the widest scope for keen, scientific analysis, practical, skill, sympathy and broad judgment of human nature. Physical and soul-ills are so mingled in the mortal temperament that it requires the deepest student, the keenest diplomat and the Christian, in the truest and broadest sense of the word, to determine a course of treatment, a method of conduct, which shall effect Vol. 11-8 602 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY an alleviation, to say nothing of a cure, of the sufferings which are brought to him by all sorts and conditions of men, women and children. The pioneer physician had his hardships of a rugged, wearing nature, which he met with the fortitude of the hero, but the more modern brother of the profession, in the more complex state of society, has as great difficulties with which to contend, far more varied and quite, different in character. The human ills with which he has to deal are far more difficult of diagnosis than if living were more simple, and with the great strides made in medical and surgical methods, with the rapid progress which is of almost daily movement, the physician of to-day must also be a man of iron constitution to keep abreast of the complicated theory and practice of his profession. It is generally admitted by those who have given thought to the subject that the physician who has entered active professional work any time within the last quarter of the nineteenth century and earned and retained a high standing could have grandly succeeded in any other field calling for ability and true manhood. Dr. Walter C. Bennett, of Mount. Gilead, Morrow county, justly falls in this honored class of American citizens, and he has the additional distinction of having achieved prominence in judicial and civic life. Born in Cardington township, that county, September 16, 1853, he is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bovey) Bennett, his father being a sturdy Ohio farmer, than whom there are no better in the country. The son received his early education in the common schools near his home. Subsequently he pursued a course in the Cardington High School, and went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he completed his professional education in 1877, receiving his degree of M. D. in the latter year and locating for practice at Iberia. He thus continued for nearly twenty years, and in 1896 the general confidence with which he had inspired the community at large found official expression in his election to the office of probate judge. His personal popularity is strikingly evident in the fact that he is the only Democrat who ever served a second term in that position. For a time he was also a member of the United States Tension Board, an appointive position which he filled until he resigned on account of taking the office of probate judge. Upon retiring from the probate judgeship, in 1903, Dr. Bennett resumed the practice of medicine and surgery at Mount Gilead, to which place he had moved to discharge his offiical duties. Since that year he has been alone identified with the profession which he loves and in which he is a leader, and his numerous patients are all his warm and admiring friends. His professional fraternalism connects him with the County, State and American Medical Societies; in the Masonic Order he has advanced to the Mystic Shrine, being a member of Mt. Gilead Lodge, No. 206, F. and A. M., Mt. Gilead Chapter, R. A. M., Marion Council, No. 22, R. and HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 603 S. M., Morrow Commandery, No. 36, K. T. and Aladdin Temple of Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Bennett and his family reside in a comfortable home on West High street, in which centers not only a happy domestic circle but which is the nucleus of a widely-extended and elevating sociability. His wife, formerly Miss Belle Reed, is a daughter of William Reed and a matron of charming and strong character ; a faithful Christian mother to eight, children. The three married daughters are : Mary E., wife of Carl Beebe ; Aura, widow of George Smiley; and Helen, who married C. Q. Carlisle, of Saginaw, Michigan. Those living at home are Margaret, Reed, Elizabeth and Edith, and four of the children—Aura, Helen, Edith and Elizabeth—graduated from the Mt., Gilead High. School. The Doctor and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. JOHN W. EVANS.—The thriving, industrious and prosperous agriculturists of Morrow county have no more worthy representative than John W. Evans, who stands high among the business-like men who are so ably conducting the farming interests of Chester and Harmony townships. He comes of substantial Welsh stock, his parents, John and Mary (Jones) Evans, having emigrated from Wales to this country in 1840. Taking up land in Harmony township, Morrow county, Ohio, John Evans devoted his energies to the clearing and improving of a homestead. Industrious and energetic, he made good progress in his pioneer labors, working with energy throughout each year. Misfortune, however, overtook him in early life, the falling of a large tree which he was cutting for fuel in his sugar camp injuring him so seriously as to cause his death, April 10, 1845. The accident was witnessed by his son, John W. Evans, who was then a mere lad. His widow, with her four children, survived him, there being two boys, John W. and Thomas, and two girls, Mary and Anna. Thomas died in 1848, aged three years. John W. Evans, with his two sisters, was educated in the district schools of Harmony township, and as soon as old enough to work found employment, his wages amounting to a dollar a week, a sum which he proudly gave to his mother to assist in paying the family expenses. Both Mr. Evans and his sisters obtained an excellent knowledge of books, and became teachers in the public schools. Mr. Evans taught two terms in his home district, and likewise taught in Delaware county, and at Bethel, being eminently successful in his pedagogical labors. Among his pupils in Bethel was B. T. Jinkins, who was afterwards one of Morrow county's successful and popular educators, and Rilla Harris, who became distinguished throughout this part of the state as a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Many years ago, at the time of General Bragg's threatened invasion of Ohio, Mr. Evans went with the Ohio Volunteer Militia 604 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY to Cincinnati, the troops furnishing their own blankets and firearms. This military demonstration was known as the "squirrel hunt," obtaining its name on account of the brief time the squad was out and for the variety of guns carried by the men. Forty years later, in. 1910, Mr. Evans received from the government of Ohio the sum of thirteen dollars for his service at that time, it being a soldier's regular monthly pay. After his marriage Mr. Evans made his first purchase of land, buying sixty-four acres, which he managed to such good purpose that he subsequently added to his possessions, becoming an extensive landholder and a successful farmer. He has since sold at different times, at one sale disposing of seventy-five acres, and at another fifty acres, and finally selling a tract of twenty-five acres, his present farm containing one hundred and fifteen acres of rich and productive land. Mr. Evans married, in 1868, Viola Marsh, of Delaware county, a daughter of Alexander and Catherine (Evans) Marsh, and into their household ten children have been born, namely : Ida May, deceased; Mary Catherine, deceased, was the wife of D. D. Ulrey ; Stella P., wife of John West ; Alexander married Delilah Mystel Herrod; John married Chloe James ; Alfred married Maud Brown ; Blanche, wife of Dayton Kirby ; Nellie, wife of Charles Hoy Gardner; Olive, wife of John W. Bowen; and Cecil, who is unmarried, resides with his parents. Politically Mr. Evans is an earnest adherent of the, Democratic patry. He is active in public affairs, and has filled various offices of responsibility and trust. He was assesor of Harmony .township while residing there ; has been assessor of Chester township three terms; for twelve years he was justice of the peace; he has also served as township trustee ;and is at the present time a member of the township board of education. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Evans are valued members of the Chester Baptist church, or Chester township, in which he has served as deacon for many years. The father and mother of Mr. Evans came from the little country of Wales in 1840, in a sailing vessel and landed in New York city, the voyage across the Atlantic ocean covering six weeks duration. CHARLES A. RUHLEN, D. D. S., has been engaged in the work of dental surgery at Mount Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, since 1900, and in the field of his chosen profession he is a skilled and scientific worker. He is one of the most prominent Masons and Pythian Knights in this section of the Buckeye state and in the Republican party is chairman of the county executive committee in 1911. Dr. Charles A. Ruhlen was born in Union county, Ohio, on the 2nd of August, 1877, and is a son of Samuel H. and Susan (Dort) Ruhlen, both of whom are living in retirement on their Splendid farm in Madison county, this state. The father was a HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 605 gallant soldier in the Civil war, having served for four years in that sanguinary struggle—four months in the Ohio volunteer infantry and the remainder of the time in the Ohio cavalry. After the close of the war he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Madison county, Ohio, and there is recognized as a most successful and public-spirited citizen. In the public schools of his native place Dr. Ruhlen received his early educational discipline, which he later supplemented with a course in the New California High School, in which he was graduated in 1895. Thereafter he worked on his father's farm for some two years, at the expiration of which, in 1897, he was matriculated in the Ohio Medical University, at Columbus, Ohio, that institution being now a part of the Sterling, Ohio, Medical College, in the dental department of which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1900, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Immediately after his graduation, in the spring of 1900, he located at Mount Gilead, where he has built up a large and lucrative patronage and gained distinctive prestige as one of the leading dentists in Morrow county. On the 24th of December, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Ruhlen to Miss Ethel Iden, of Caledonia, Ohio. To this union have been born two children—Ruth, whose birth occurred on the 23rd of August, 1903 ; and Roscoe, born September 17, 1910. Dr. and Mrs. Ruhlen are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is one of the officers and a teacher in the Sunday school. Both are popular factors in the best social circles of Mount Gilead and their attractive home is recognized as a center of refinement and most gracious hospitality. Fraternally Dr: Ruhlen is affiliated with Charles Hull Lodge, No. 195, Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor and past representative in the. Grand Lodge of the state. He is also connected with Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 206, Free and Accepted Masons; Gilead Chapter, No. 59, Royal Arch Masons ; Marion Council, No. 22, Royal and Select Masters ; and Marion Cornmandery, No. 36, Knights Templars. He and his wife are valued and appreciative members of the adjunct Masonic organization, the Order of the Eastern Star. In the Modern Woodmen of America Dr. Ruhlen holds membership in Camp No. 3575, and in the sons of Veterans he is a member of Lemuel H. Breese Camp No. 64. Politically he has ever been aligned as a stanch supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and at the present time he is chairman of the county executive committee. As a citizen Dr. Ruhlen has ever adhered strictly to the highest principles of honesty and integrity and in all measures advanced for the general welfare he has taken a prominent part. He is a man of high ideals and fair and honorable business methods and no citizen in the town commands a higher degree of popular confidence and esteem than does he. 606 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY FLORENCE R. WHITE, M. D.—To few women has it been given to achieve such noteworthy success as that gained by Dr. Florence R. White, who is engaged in the active practice of her profession at Cardington, Morrow county, Ohio. For nearly a quarter of a century she has been identified with the medical profession and the years have told the story of a successful career due to the possession of innate talent and acquired ability along the line of one of the most important professions to which one may devote his energies—the alleviation of pain and suffering and the restoration of health, which is man's most cherished and priceless possession This is an age of progress in all lines of achievement and Dr. White has kept abreast of the advancement that has revolutionized methods of medical practice, rendering the efforts of physicians of much more avail in warding off the inroads of disease than they were even at the time when she entered upon her professional career. Dr. Florence R. (Smith) White was born in Marion county, Ohio, on the 17th of November, 1861, and is a daughter of Seneca A. and Nancy E. (West) Smith, both of whom were likewise born in the fine old Buckeye state, the former at Westfield, Marion county, and the latter at West Rushville, Fairfield county. Mr. Smith was born on the 5th of October, 1836, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and the date of Mrs. Smith's birth was October 13, 1839, her ancestors being of English extraction. Mr. and Mrs: Smith were married on the 10th of October, 1858, and began housekeeping in a log cabin which he had prepared on sixty acres of heavily wooded land in Marion county. There they continued to reside until 1876, when Mr. Smith disposed of his farm and removed to Westfield township, Morrow county, where he resided for one year, at the expiration of which he established his home in Lincoln township, this county, in order to obtain better educational advantages for his children. There they have resided during the long intervening years and they became the parents of seven children four sons and three daughters, concerning whom the following brief record is here incorporated: Claremont R. is a master mechanic and resides in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana ; Dr. White, of this review, is the next in order of birth; Charles W. is a farmer and dairyman in Whatcom county, Washington; James S. is engaged in agricultural pursuits on the old home farm; D.aisy A., .who is unmarried, is a seamstress at Laramie, Wyoming ; Arthur A. is a resident of American Falls, Idaho, where he is a member of the Fall Creek Sheep Company; and Imogene A. is a nurse and maintains her home at Los Angeles, California. She was graduated from the Lakeside Hospital Training School for Nurses at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1896. Dr. Florence White received an excellent common school education in her early youth and after attending the high school at Cardington she taught school for one term in Morrow county, 607 - BLANK 608 - "SPRINGDALE" RESIDENCE OF MR & MRS S. A. SMITH 609 - FLORENCE SMITH WHITE 610 - BLANK HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 611 Ohio. In 1881 she began reading medicine under the able preceptorship of Dr. M. M. Sheble, at Ashley, Ohio, and one year later she was matriculated in the Cleveland Homoeopathic Hospital College of Medicine, at Cleveland, Ohio, in which excellent institution she was graduated as a member of the class of 1884, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. One month after her graduation she entered upon the active practice of her profession at Carding-ton and here she has built up a large and representative patronage, soon gaining recognition as an able and alert physician. In 1891 she journeyed to Europe, where she pursued post-graduate work in. Germany and Austria. Since her return her success has been of most unequivocal order and she holds a high place in the confidence and esteem of her fellow citizens as a woman of refinement and ability. In connection with her work she is a valued and appreciative member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy and the Ohio Homeopathic Medical Society, and she is a stockholder in the Ohio Sanitarium Company at Marion Ohio. She has served as a member of the board of education for a number of years and she manifests a deep and abiding interest in all matters tending to advance the general welfare of the community. She has some valuable real estate holdings in Cardington and the same are highly improved. Her religious faith is in harmony with the tenets of the Protestant Episcopal church and she is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. On the 1st of May, 1892, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. White to Theodoric S. White, a native son of Cardington, Ohio, the date of his birth being October 3, 1854. He was a prominent lawyer in Morrow county during his life time and gave efficient service as prosecuting attorney of the county for a number of years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a Mason of high standing. In his political convictions he was ever a stalwart Republican and he was active in the local councils of the party. He was summoned to the life eternal on the 5th of April, 1905, and his death was a cause for deep grief to his fellow citizens. He lived a life of usefulness such as few men know. God-fearing, law-abiding, progressive, his life was as truly that of a Christian gentleman as any man's can well be. Unwaveringly he did the right as he interpreted it and he ever held a high place in the regard of his fellow men. Mr. and Mrs. White had no children. Dr. Florence White; is a cultured- lady and her library comprises about one thousand volumes of medical and choice standard literature. Her surgical department is complete as to instruments and operating chair, and she has her own laboratory of medicines, fresh, and of the latest compounds. LAWRENCE A. BARRY, a teacher of the Black Bird School, Franklin township, Morrow county, Ohio, is one of the promising 612 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY young men of the township in which he lives, and belongs to one of its highly respected families. He was born in Union county, Ohio, September 5, 1886, a son of E. E. and Emily J. Barry, and grandson of Y. P. and Hannah Barry, all farmers. His grandparents lived to ripe old age, and died in the same year, 1902. E. E. Barry was born near Cardington, Ohio, August 28, 1851. Until he was twenty-one years of age he worked on his father's farm. Then he bought forty acres of land near Carding-ton, where he lived eight years, after which he sold out and moved to Union county and settled on a farm two miles from Marysville. After five years spent in Union county he went to Van Wert county, this state, which was his home for six years. In 1892 he moved over into Indiana and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Martin county, where the family home was maintained until 1898. Then they came back to Ohio, and for a year and a half lived within Morrow county with Mrs. Long, Mrs. Barry's mother, after which he bought a farm in Harmony township. His first purchase there was fifty-two and a half acres, to which in 1904 he added by an additional purchase of forty-two and a half acres, making a tract of ninety-five acres, where he and his family have since resided. In August, 1880, E. E. Barry and Emily J. Long, daughter of John Long, were united in marriage, and the children born of this union are as follows : Della Berringer, Marion, Ohio ; Lillie Earl, Cardington ; John, Rochester, New York; Lawrence A., whose name introduces this sketch ; Hannah, Columbus, Ohio ; and Hazel and Lottie, at home. Mrs. Barry was born March 30, 1856. Lawrence A. Barry is a graduate of the Cardington High School, received a certificate to teach in 1909, and is now teaching his second school. WALTER H. RAMEY.—Among the able representatives of the great basic art of agriculture in Gilead township, Morrow county, Ohio, is Walter H. Ramey, who has figured prominently in public affairs in this township and who owns some valuable real estate in. Mount Gilead. He was born in South Bloomfield township, Morrow county, Ohio, on the 6th of August, 1862, a son of John W. and Catherine (Kile) Ramey, the former of whom was born near Jersey, Licking county, Ohio, and the latter of whom claims South Bloomfield township, Morrow county, as the place of her birth. Mr. Ramey's grandparents, Peter Kile and wife, were among the first settlers of South Bloomfield township, locating when the Indians were natives and their first home was a log house. He was a carpenter by trade and erected the first house in Frederick-town. The Kiles entered the land from the government and the deed is yet held in the family. John W. Ramey was born on the 25th of February, 1827, and his wife on the 12th of February, 1832. Their marriage was solemnized on the 15th of August, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Barney commenced housekeeping at Mount Liberty, HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 613 Knox county, Ohio, where he worked at his trade, that of a shoemaker. In 1852 they removed to Clark street, now South Bloomfield, where he was identified with the work of his trade until 1859, In which year he purchased a farm in the vicinity of the village of South Bloomfield, where they continued to reside until the 1st of September, 1882. In that year he bought a farm located one and a half miles northwest of Mount Gilead, where he has continued to maintain his home during the long intervening years to me present time. He began life with practically nothing except persistency 'of purpose and a determination to succeed and to-day he is worth no less than fifty thousand dollars, all of which he accumulated through personal labor and thrift. Mrs. Ramey is still living and has now attained to the venerable age of seventy-eight years, while her husband is eighty-three years of age. They became the parents of two children : Charley W., who is engaged in farming in Marion county, Ohio, and Walter. H., the immediate subject of this review. Walter H. Ramey received his preliminary educational training in the common schools of his native township and in the graded schools of Sparta, Ohio. Later he supplemented this discipline by a course of study in the Northern Indiana Normal University at Valparaiso, Indiana, and after leaving that institution he was engaged in teaching school for a period of two years. Thereafter he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in this county, where he devotes his attention to diversified agriculture and the raising of high grade stock.' In politics he accords a stalwart allegiance to the principles and policies of the Republican party, in the local councils of which he has taken a most active part. He has been township assessor of Gilead township on three different occasions and has served as assistant surveyor of Morrow county for some four years. He has considerable property in Mount Gilead and in all his financial ventures has met with the most gratifying success. Mr. Ramey is a man of influence in Morrow county, where his business ability and genial kindliness of disposition have gained him the high regard of his fellow men. On the 22nd of September, 1885, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ramey to Miss Kate Wieland, who was born at Mount Gilead on the 24th of May, 1863, a daughter of George and Mary Wieland. She was graduated in the Mount Gilead high school as a member of the class of 1882 and prior to her marriage was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Morrow county for three years. To this union have been born five children : Wesley Merle, born on the 29th of July, 1886 ; Edith G., born on the 14th of March, 1888, and for three years a successful teacher in Morrow county, was summoned to the life eternal on the 31st of October, 1910 ; Helen Josie, born November 20, 1889, is a trained nurse at Columbus, Ohio ; Hazel D., born April 18, 1893, was graduated in the Mount Gilead high school at the age of fifteen years ; and Catherine Ruth, born May 614 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY 5, 1895, died on the 25th of December, 1895. On May 11, 1891, Mrs. Ramey also passed away. She was a valued member of the Universalist church at Mt. Gilead, Ohio. ALEXANDER PEARL, distinguished as one of the oldest native-born citizens of Bloomfield township, Morrow county, is an honored representative of the brave and courageous men who boldly pushed their way to the western frontier in the early part of the last century, and by sturdy pioneer labor established homes for themselves and their descendants in this vicinity. Since the days of his boyhood wonderful changes in the face of the country have been wrought, and in the development of its varied resources he has taken an active part, at the same time accumulating for himself a competency. He was born January 6, 1837, in Morrow county, his birth occurring in Bloomfield township. His father, William Pearl, was born, bred and educated in, Maryland. After his marriage with Nancy Doty, a Maryland girl, he came with his bride to Morrow county, Ohio, locating in Bloomfield township, not far from Chesterville township, where members of the Doty family were then well established. The long trip was made with ox teams, the way being marked in many places only by blazed trees. Taking up sixty-three acres of timbered land, be cleared and improved a good farm, and a few years later erected the first frame house in the township. On that homestead his ten children were born and reared, eight sons and two daughters completing their household, as follows : Peter, Alexander, the special subject of this brief sketch ; Jackson, deceased ; William, Jim, Isaac, deceased, Oliver, George, Jane, and Ellen. William Pearl was a zealous supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and a prominent member of the Christian church. In common with the sons of the neighboring farmers, Alexander Pearl obtained his early education in the district schools, attending the long winter terms, but assisting on the farm during seed time and harvest. Beginning life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, his first important step was to take unto himself a wife. He then embarked in agricultural pursuits, and by means of untiring industry, combined with skill and practical judgment, found himself, are many years, proprietor of a highly-improved and productive homestead of eighty-three acres, with a good set of farm buildings. In his political relations Mr. Pearl is a sound Democrat, and has served as trustee of Chesterville township. Religiously he is an active member of the Advent church at Sparta. Mr. Pearl married, in 1858, Lovinia Dupy, who was born in Bloomfield township, Morrow county, on a farm on which her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Denina) Dupy, located on coming to Ohio from the Empire state. Of this union five children were born, namely: James, deceased ; Joseph; Malinda ; Alfaretta ; and Kelley, deceased. Since the death of Mrs. Pearl, which occurred HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 615 in 1905, Mr. Pearl has resided with his son Joseph, who was born June 4, 1875, and is now actively and prosperously engaged agricultural pursuits. His daughter, Malinda Pearl, born February 25, 1880, also makes her home with her brother Joseph. VICTOR E. BROWN, who figures as one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of Franklin township, Morrow county, Ohio, was born in the township in which he now lives October 20, 1869, a son of Edmund W. and Lurana Brown. When he was five years old the family home was moved to Knox county, Ohio, where he was reared and received his early education. Later he attended school elsewhere, including Bryant & Strattan's Business College at Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he graduated when he was twenty. Then for a time he was employed as bookkeeper. Duty called him from the office back to the farm, and he took charge of the property consisting of three hundred and sixty acres in Franklin township, Morrow county, and one hundred and seventy-seven acres in Knox county, which was in jeopardy from designing relatives. The farm in Knox county is jointly owned by him and his sister, Lillie Hill, his step-mother having a life interest in it. The Levering farm has been the cause of litigation, the widow claiming the right to dispose of it and the step-son finding it necessary to bring suit in order to defend his title to it. Thus far Mr. Brown has been successful in his legal proceedings. The case is now pending in the supreme court. Mr. Brown's father died at the age of sixty-eight years ; his mother, at the age of forty-five. As a farmer and stock raiser, Mr. Brown has proved himself a success. He keeps high grade stock, among which are registered jersey cattle, and he takes a pride in keeping his premises in first class condition. Like many of the up-to-date farmers of today he has an automobile, and thereby to a certain extent eliminates distances and makes farm life far different from what it was a few years ago. On August 11, 1892, Victor E. Brown and Sadie McConnell were united in marriage. Mrs. Brown, also a native of Ohio, was born at Berlin, in Holmes county, November 27, 1870, a daughter of John Smith McConnell and wife, Elizabeth, nee Stucky. Mr. McConnell when six years of age accompanied his mother and sister on their removal from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Knox county, Ohio, where he was reared and where he still owns a fine farm. He is now eighty years of age and lives at Fredericktown. In the early days he was a well known stock dealer, buying and driving large herds of cattle across the country to the eastern markets. At one time, it is recorded, he and his large herd came in contact with General Lee's army near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. By making a long detour, however, he proceeded and delivered his herd in safety at its destination. He and his wife met and were married at Bedford Pennsylvania. Mrs. Brown was reared and 616 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY educated at Fredericktown and is a graduate of the schools of that place. Her elder brother, Samuel, has a large ranch in Custer county, Nebraska, and her brother William is an attorney at law in Buffalo, New York, while her only sister, Elizabeth, is a high school teacher in Seattle, Washington. Their mother departed this life in 1887, at the age of forty-five years, and is interred in Frederick-town Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children: Lurana June, born June 23, 1893, and Edmund McConnell, born September 7, 1895, both students in the Fredericktown High School. Mr. Brown has filled various local offices, including those of township trustee and member of the school board, having served five years as treasurer of the board. THADDEUS E. BUCK.—For fully a decade Thaddeus E. Buck served as county surveyor of Morrow county, and during that period his efficiency and fidelity as a public official and patriotic citizen won him a high place in popular confidence and esteem. Mr. Buck is a civil engineer by profession, as was his father before him, and he is a man whose progressive ideas and actions have done much to advance the general welfare of the community in which he resides. He was born in Lincoln township, this county, on the 18th of April, 1865, and is a son of John Theodore and Martha A. (Nichols) Buck, the former of whom is deceased and the latter, residing with her son at Mount Gilead. Concerning the business career and ancestry of the father, the following brief data are taken from an article published at the time of his death, and whose phraseology is substantially retained "John Theodore Buck, son of Edmund and Anna (Hubbell) Buck, was born May 24, 1832, in Lincoln township, Delaware (now Morrow) county, Ohio, and died at Mount Gilead, November 24, 1907, aged seventy-five years and six months. His father, Edmund Buck, who was a native of Connecticut, came to Peru township in 1813, and after his marriage settled (1817) on the farm where John T. Buck always lived until a month prior to his demise. The ancestry on the father's side is traced back to Emanuel Buck, who emigrated from England to America in 1647, locating in Wethersfield, Connecticut. His mother, Anna Hubbell Buck, was a native of New York and a descendant of Richard Hubbell, who also came from England to this country about 1647 and settled in Connecticut. John Theodore Buck spent his early life working upon the farm and his education was received in the district schools, Mount Hesper Seminary and the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, in which latter institution he gave special attention to the subject of civil engineering. He taught school during the winters of 1854, 1855 and 1862. In 1857 he was appointed deputy county surveyor of Morrow county under Thomas Sharp, and he served in that capacity until 1859, when he was elected to the office of county surveyor on the Republican ticket. 617 - THADDEUS E. BUCK 618 - BLANK HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 619 His ability for serving the people as surveyor was shown by the fact that he was six times elected to that office, his tenure covering a period of twenty years. He was engaged in the work of his chosen profession for nearly fifty years. He was a member of the Ohio Society of Surveyors and Civil Engineers, of which he was president for a time, and he served the county as notary public from the year 1870 until his death. In 1863 he was commissioned first lieutenant of the Ohio Militia and was subsequently promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel of the First Regiment. He was a member of Cardington Lodge, No. 59, Royal Arch Masons, and Marion Commandery, No. 36, Knights Templars. "On the 19th of November, 1863, Mr. Buck was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Nichols, a daughter of Washington and Mary (James) Nichols. To this union five children have been born, four of whom are living : Thaddeus E., the immediate subject of this review ; Arthur H., a physician of Delaware ; Annie M., who died in 1871 ; Katherine M. Bartlett, who resides at Ashley, Ohio ; and Ralph W., a professor of chemistry in the schools of Dayton, Ohio. "Mr. Buck was a man of great moral worth and integrity of character. He was strictly temperate in his habits and generous to all. He was always interested in the general welfare of the community in which he lived and he ever did all in his power for its promotion. He believed in the future, stated that he had nothing to fear and died peacefully and without a struggle. He is survived by a sister, wife, three sons, a daughter and a host of relatives and friends who mourn his departure." Martha A. (Nichols) Buck, mother of him to whom this article is dedicated, was born in Morrow county on the 5th of July, 1844, a daughter of Washington and Mary (James) Nichols. She was reared and educated in this county and in her girlhood was a student at Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio. Her ancestry was of English extraction. She is a devout member of the Baptist church at Mount Gilead and is connected with the Women's Christian Temperance Union, in which she is an ardent worker. She is a woman of most gracious sincerity and kindliness and is deeply beloved by all who have come within the sphere of her gentle influence. Thaddeus Eugene Buck, of this sketch, was reared to maturity on the home farm in Lincoln township, and after completing the curriculum of the district schools he attended and was graduated from the Cardington High School as a member of the class of 1883. Three years later he entered the Ohio State University, in which he pursued a special course in Civil engineering. He is a self-made man in the most significant sense of the word, having nobly overcome many obstacles which seriously beset his pathway. He was a most devoted son during his father's extended illness and since the latter 's death has been most attentive to the wants of 620 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY his mother. In early life he was a popular and successful teacher in Morrow county, teaching altogether some fourteen terms. In politics he is a true-blue Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison. He has been selected as a delegate to the county Republican conventions and has been of material service to the cause of his party in different ways. Mr. Buck has devoted most of his attention to his work as a civil engineer. From earliest youth, when he used to accompany his father on his surveying trips, he has been deeply interested in engineering. When the office of surveyor of Morrow county was vacated by the sudden death of 0. L. R. French in April, 1896, Mr. Buck was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of the deceased. In the following November he was elected to the office for the regular term, receiving the largest majority of any successful candidate on the county ticket. He was elected as his own successor to that office in 1899, and again in 1902, each time leading his ticket in the majority by which he was chosen. Altogether, he served ten and a half years as county surveyor, and at the close of this long and honorable tenure of office he was appointed deputy under David Underwood, which position he still holds. In 1899 Mr. Buck secured the contract for making the decennial maps for the land appraisers, and in 1901 published a complete atlas of Morrow county, which was well mapped and edited and received a ready sale from an appreciative public. In 1909-10 he assisted in remapping the county for the land appraisers. In connection with his duties as county surveyor he made a survey of a proposed electric railroad from Marion through Mount. Gilead to Mount Vernon. He has made surveys in adjoining counties and has been called upon to design and superintend the construction of bridges, plat cemeteries and lay out and build streets, sewers and pike roads, etc. At the present time he holds the appointment of resident engineer for the building of pike roads under the State Highway department. He has in his possession all the private field notes of his father, representing the accumulated labors of nearly fifty years, and he has in his private keeping one of the most complete collections of land titles in the county. In all of his individual work he has been eminently successful, the same being due to perseverance and close application to even the minutest detail or the matter in hand. Further, he is a man of good business ability, broad information and kindly human sympathy, and therefore holds a high place in the friendship and esteem of his fellows. Fraternally Mr. Buck is a member of. Charles H. Hull Lodge, No. 195, Knights of Pythias, at Mount Gilead ; Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 169, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Sunnyside Rebekah Lodge, No. 352, same order and place. His mother is also affiliated with the last named organization. Mr. Buck is an active member of the Ohio Engineering Society. His religious faith connects him with the Baptist church, having joined the HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 621 society at Fulton when it was organized, in the spring of 1888. For several years he was clerk of the church at that place, as well as superintendent of the Sunday school, but when he moved to Mount Gilead he transferred his membership to the First Baptist church of that village and soon afterward was chosen a member of its board of trustees for a period of five years. In his youth Mr. Buck was carefully trained by a good mother, and he has never departed from the paths of his early teaching, his exemplary life being a fine example, lesson and incentive. In 1897 Mr. Buck purchased the farm upon which the grandfather settled and upon which his father, as well as himself was born. He takes much pride in keeping it in good condition and hopes to make it a model farm. Mr. Buck always made this his home until after his marriage, moving to Mount Gilead, his present residence; in the spring of 1906. On the 28th of June, 1905, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Buck to Miss Ida A. Gordon, who was a daughter of H. Elmer and Elizabeth Gordon and who was born in South Bloomfield township, Morrow county, on the 7th of December, 1876. She was a great-granddaughter of William Gaylord Gordon, who was born in Manchester, England, September 17, 1772, and who came to America in 1805. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and his death occurred on the 2nd of June, 1882, at the patriarchal age of one hundred and nine years, eight months and fifteen days. Mrs. Buck 's early schooling was obtained at Center Corners and subsequently she attended the Chesterville schools. For five years prior to her marriage she was engaged in teaching school, in which line of work she was eminently successful. She possessed a wonderfully sweet disposition and her inherent kindliness of spirit won her many warm and devoted friends, who deeply mourned her death, September 25, 1907. Concerning her the following extract is here reproduced, from an article dedicated to her memory shortly after her decease. "She was a loving and dutiful wife, and tried in every way to make a happy home for her husband. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge at Chesterville, Ohio. At the age of eighteen years she joined the Methodist Episcopal church at Salem, Knox county, of which she was a consistent member, and she lived and trusted in the faith of a future life. To know her was to love and admire her womanly traits of character. She had a smile and a kind word for everyone, as is suggested by a favorite quotation of hers, which is as follows: "'The inner half of every cloud Has a bright and silver lining; I therefore turn my clouds about And always wear them inside out To show their pretty lining.'" 622 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY "In commenting on the above quotation, she said : 'I think it is our duty to be as cheerful as we can, and always look on the silvery, side of the cloud. I try to make my friends happy and the world better for having lived in it.' She told her husband a short time before her death that if she should not live it would be all right, for it would be only a while until they should meet again. The funeral was held at her residence in Mount Gilead and her remains are interred at River Cliff. She leaves a husband, mother, father, two brothers and a host of friends and relatives who deeply mourn her seemingly untimely departure." THOMAS J. ROOD.—The prosperity which this great American commonwealth enjoys is due largely to the industry, thrift and progressive spirit of its people. Among the foremost families of Morrow county and its vicinity it is a matter of the greatest pleasure to record the name of Rood. He whose name initiates this review has gained recognition as one of the substantial agriculturists and stockmen of the region of Fredericktown, Ohio. By his labors, his earnest cooperation in all matters projected for the general welfare and his sterling integrity and worth he has succeeded in winning a high place for himself in the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Thomas J. Rood was born on a farm near Fredericktown, Ohio, on the 24th of August, 1876, and he is a son of Madison and Sarah A. (Wertz) Rood, both of whom were born and reared in the fine old Buckeye state of the Union. Madison Rood was born on the 31st of July, 1819, near Fredericktown, of parents whom were natives of Pennsylvania. As a young man he settled on the land that now comprises the old Rood homestead and associated with him in the early pioneer days were his two brothers, Harrison and Samuel, and a sister, Cynthia.. At that time this section of Ohio was practically all virgin forest but the young men industriously set to work to make a clearing on which to erect a somewhat crude log cabin. Forming a partnership, they purchased a tract of one hundred acres of wild land, paying for it with their wages of fifty cents per day. Sister Cynthia kept house for her brothers while they worked energetically early and late, away from home during the day time and clearing off their land at night. In those early days there were but few bridges across the swift, cold streams, and frequently on their way to work the Rood Brothers were obliged to remove their shoes and wade barefooted through the icy water. The hardships they endured and the energy manifested to redeem from the wilds a home for themselves were truly surprising. After a number of years passed together the brothers dissolved partnership, Harrison taking the land which had been newly purchased, the same being now owned by Joe Wilson, while Madison and Samuel remained at the old homestead. Later in life HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 623 life Harrison drove back into the old neighborhood to visit his daughter, Mrs. Duane Swetland, to whose home had come the first heir. On his return he was stricken with paralysis and in passing the old home his faithful horse turned into the familiar road, going up to the door with his unconscious master in the buggy. He died almost immediately and was buried from the old home then occupied by Madison Rood and his family. Madison Rood married Miss Sarah A. Wertz, a daughter of George. and Amanda Wertz and a native of Ohio, her birth having occurred on the 25th of December, 1838. Mrs. Rood proved a most worthy and efficient helpmeet to her honored husband; she was industrious and practical, working out-of-doors as well as within and frequently assisting her husband in burning log heaps until the hour of midnight. Madison Rood was a very powerful man, and as proof of his endurance it is said that he once chopped into slabs in one day, seven cords of wood for a neighbor, Iden V. Ball. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rood, Noah came into the world on the 1st of May, 1861 ; Amanda was born on the 22nd of June, 1869; and Thomas J., on the 24th of August, 1876. Noah married Miss Alice N. Melick on the 22nd of November, 1882. She is a daughter of Noah and Margaret Melick, and she and her husband are the fond parents of four daughters: Virginia, Sarah, Forest and Tinsel. Amanda became the wife of William Shineberry on the 25th of September, 1885, and she was called to eternal rest on the 22nd of February, 1908. Thomas J. Rood was reared to the invigorating influences of the old homestead farm, in the work and management of which he' early began to assist his father. He received his preliminary educational training in the neighboring country schools and after attaining to years of Maturity began to work the old home farm on his own responsibility. He was married, on the 12th of January; 1895, to Miss Lecta G. Pipes, the only daughter of Morgan and Ella Pipes. Mrs. Thomas J. Rood attended school in this vicinity and one of her old instructors was Uteridge Cole, now a practicing physician at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Pipes have no children of their own except Mrs. T. J. Rood, but they have one foster son, Ray Horn, whom they took in infancy and raised to manhood. The industry of Madison Rood and his wife was rewarded with a fine property. From time to time they added to their original estate until eventually they owned some six hundred and seventy-eight acres of fine farming and stock land. When the sons married they settled down on the old homestead, Noah building a fine residence for himself and Thomas J. occuying a part of his father's large house. With the passage of time failing health necessitated the parents giving up the farm duties and, consigning the management of the estate to the sons, they moved to Sparta. They resided in that place for a period of eight years, during which time their children supplied them with every possible comfort Vol. II-9 624 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY and relieved them of every care. Samuel and Cynthia lived with Madison Rood and his wife at Sparta until their respective deaths and Madison himself died there on the 10th of February, 1908. Mrs. Rood survived her honored and cherished husband for about one year, her demise having occurred at the old homestead, whither she- had gone after the death of her life companion, on the 22nd February, 1909. By reason of their intense energy and unflinching courage they made of success not an accident but a logical result and they were everywhere honored and respected by their fellow citizens. The sons industriously taking up the lines of work laid down by their parents, their fine buildings and well tilled fields give ample proof of their practical business ability and energy as up-to-date farmers. Thomas J. Rood's farm comprises three hundred and twenty-five acres of splendid land upon which he recently erected a new barn, fifty-two by seventy feet in lateral dimensions. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J Rood have one son and one daughter, Dell and Marie, both of whom are enrolled as pupils in 'the Washington district school. In his political convictions Mr. Rood was formerly a stanch advocate of the principles and policies promulgated by the Democratic party, but of recent years he has maintained an independent attitude, preferring to give his support to men and measures meeting with the full approval of his judgment rather than follow along strictly partisan lines. He firmly believes that the man who will do the best for his constituency is the man worthy of his support and exercises his right of franchise accordingly. In their religious affiliations Mr. and Mrs. Rood attend the Hedding Chapel Methodist Episcopal church, to whose charities they are most liberal contributors and of which Mrs. Rood is a devout member. Throughout the entire community in which they reside the Rood family are accorded the unqualified confidence and esteem of their fellow citizens and it may be said truly that the list of their friends is coincident with that of their acquaintances. GEORGE L. CLARK is a representative of the Logan Gas Company of Mount Gilead, Ohio, and as such maintains his business headquarters at Mount Gilead, where he has resided since 1902. His financial interests in this section of the fine old Buckeye state are of varied order and he is prominent in Ohio Masonry. Mr. Clark was born at Warren, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of April, 1859, and is a son of James and Mary E. (Stevens) Clark, both of whom are still living. The father, James Clark, a prominent lumberman and a leading citizen of Warren, Pennsylvania, was born in Scotland December 23, 1831, and is a son of James and Jane McPherson Clark, and a grandson of William Clark. James Clark, grandfather of him whose name initiates this review, was born in Scot- HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 625 land in 1800. His early life was devoted to lumbering and farming. He came to America in 1846 and settled in Glade township, Warren county, Pennsylvania, on a farm now occupied by his son Alexander Clark. Upon locating in this county Mr. Clark devoted his entire time to farming, the vast tracts of available territory proving highly tempting. He was married in Scotland to Jane McPherson, a native of that country, and they became the parents of six children, one daughter and five sons, named Isabella Kitchen, deceased ; James, father of George L. ; John, now a resident of Warren, Pennsylvania ; Alexander, who lives on the old farm in Glade township, Warren county ; Lewis, who died in 1878 ; and William, who died in 1874. The mother of this family died in 1880 and her devoted husband followed her to the other shore in 1883, aged eighty-three years. They were faithful members of the Presbyterian church. James Clark received his early mental training in the schools of his native country and came with his parents to the United States in the year 1846. At the age of eighteen he took up the trade of a millwright and followed the vocation for a few years, but gradually was drawn toward lumbering pursuits. He built the. Warren Saw and Planing Mills, located on the large island, in the year 1864, and operated them until 1892, when he sold out to Newmaker and Reed. In 1881 the mills were destroyed by fire, but Mr. Clark was not to be undone by the fire fiend and before the smoking ruins had cooled he had plans prepared for new mills, which he erected and had in operation within the year. He enjoyed great success, the mills being one of Warren's most important industries while under the Clark management, and it continued as a flourishing enterprise under the new firm. In 1858 Mr. Clark wedded Mary E. Stevens, daughter of S. G. Stevens, of Warren, Pennsylvania, and their union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, equally divided as to sons and daughters and as follows in name : George L., Jessie I., Lucy A., Edward A., Frederick C., Annie M., Archie J., and Ethel E. The eldest son, George L, is the subject of this review ; Jessie I. married W. R. Johnson, of Falconer, New York, and has one son, R. C., Lucy A., is the wife of J. W. Richards and resides in Warren, Pennsylvania; Edward A. married Addie Horigan, daughter of Thomas Horigan, and they also reside in Warren, their only son being named James A.; Fred C. and Annie M. are at home ; Archie J., married Maud Graham, daughter of Jesse Graham, of Warren, and they are the parents of one son, Byron G.; Ethel E. is the wife of Carl T. Campbell, a resident of Sisterville, West Virginia, and the mother of a son, James T. James Clark is a valued and progressive citizen and ever first and foremost in any enterprise calculated to promote the welfare of his adopted town. He has been a director of the Warren Savings Bank since its organization and the only one now living of its 626 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY first directors. He has also served on its discount committee continuously since the organization of the bank and he is vice president of the Warren and Chautauqua Gas Company and one of its board of directors. George L. Clark was reared and educated in the town of Warren, Pennsylvania, to whose graded schools he is indebted for his preliminary training. At the age of seventeen years he became interested in the gas and oil business and continued to be identified with it until 1882, was then in the lumber business until 1892, when he assumed the position of superintendent of the lines and towns of the Warren-Chautauqua Gas Company, at Warren, Pennsylvania, being thus engaged for some seven years and nine months. He has been in the employ of the Logan Gas Company since June 23, 1902. He was with that concern at Warren, Pennsylvania, for a period of seven years and nine months and for the past eight years has been agent for the Logan Gas Company at Mount Gilead. He holds considerable stock in the gas company and is the owner of fine residence property in Mount Gilead. In politics he accords an uncompromising allegiance to the cause of the Republican party and though he has never manifested aught of desire for the honors or emoluments of political office he is ever ready to do all in his power to advance the general good of the community. Fraternally he is affiliated with Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 206, Free and Accepted Masons, and for three years was its high priest; Gilead Chapter, No. 59, Royal Arch Masons ; and Marion Commandery, No. 36, Knights Templars. He is a member of the high priesthood of Ohio. Mr. Clark married on June 30, 1886, at Garland, Warren county, Pennsylvania, Sadie E. Wilson, who died at Jamestown, New York, in 1902. On August 19, 1902, at Saint Francis De Sales church, Newark, Ohio, he married Miss Adelia Igo, who was born at Grafton, West Virginia, and reared at Newark, Licking county, Ohio. To this union has been born one child, George L. Clark, Jr., whose birth occurred on the 2nd of October, 1906, at Mount Gilead, Ohio. He was baptized at Blessed Sacrament church at Newark, Ohio, in March, 1908. WINFIELD S. STANLEY.-A prominent citizen of Cardington and one whose varied business interests have added materially to the progress and development of Morrow county, Ohio, is Winfield S. Stanley, who was born at Harriette, Wexford county, Michigan, on the 4th of July, 1880, He is a son of J. Z. Stanley, who is engaged both in agricultural pursuits and the hardware business in the old Wolverine state, and the maiden name of his mother was Ida A. Fox. Mr. and Mrs. J. Z. Stanley became the parents of four children, three of whom are now living. Mrs. Charles Radford resides in Danville, Michigan ; A. J. Stanley is a resident of Harriette, Michigan ; and Winfield S. Stanley is the subject of this sketch, HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 627 Winfield S. Stanley was reared to the invigorating discipline of the home farm, in the primitive log cabin which represented the early home of his parents. He attended the district schools of Wexford county until he had attained to the age of eight years, after which he was a student in the graded schools of Harriette until his sixteenth year, at which time he began a course of study in a business college at Ypsilanti, Michigan. In this institution he was graduated in the stenographic and bookkeeping department and thereafter he entered the employ of The Modle Hoop and Stave Company, of Milan Michigan, in the capacity of stenographer and bookkeeper for two years at Milan and for one year at New London, Ohio. In 1902 he became manager for the above company, and continued to be thus engaged for a period of two years. In 1904 he decided to launch out in the business world on his own account and he accordingly organized The Ohio Stave Company, locating the plant at Marysville, Union county, Ohio. In 1906 he removed the plant to Cardington, Ohio, where a large and flourishing business has been built up. The company was incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio in 1904, with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars and its official corps is as follows: W. S. Weston, president; J. G. Reynolds, vice president ; and W. S. Stanley, secretary, treasurer and manager. This concern manufactures hoops and lumber and its finely equipped plant is a credit to the industrial world of Morrow county. Mr. Stanley is aligned as a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party and though he has never manifested aught of ambition for public office of any description he is ever on the alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all measures and enterprises advanced for the general welfare of the community. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the time-honored Masonic Order, in which he holds membership in Milan Lodge, No. 323, Free and Accepted Masons. Both he and his wife are popular factors in the best social circles of their home city. At New London, Ohio, in the year 1903, Mr. Stanley was united in marriage to Miss Iva M. Doud, who was born and reared at Brownhelm, Ohio. They have three children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here entered : Maxine, April 4, 1905; Geraldine, July 2, 1909; and Norman J., February 16, 1911. Mrs. W. S. Stanley is a graduate of the high school of Ottawa. Ohio, and is a member of the Mildred Chapter, No. 85, O. E. S., of which she is conductress. FRANK HOLT, who is successfully engaged in the great basic art of agriculture in Peru township, Morrow county, Ohio, was born in Cumberland county, Illinois, on the 27th of December, 1864, and is a son of Evan and Hattie (Leonard) Holt, both of whom are deceased. Evan Holt was a son of John H. and Mahala Holt and his birth occurred in Chester township, this county, on the 21st of 628 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY June, 1839. John H. Holt was born on the 11th of May, 1808, and his wife was born on the 10th of October, 1807. They were the parents of thirteen children. John Holt was a son of Evan and Chanty Holt, the latter of whom were the great-grandparents of him to whom this sketch is dedicated, the respective dates of their births being June 9, 1764, and September 14, 1764. John Holt, grandfather of the subject of this review, was a pioneer in Chester township, Morrow county, and he was a farmer by occupation, having reclaimed a fine farm from the virgin wilderness. Evan Holt became the father of four children, two of whom are living in 1911; Frank Holt, the immediate subject of this review ; and Emma, who is the wife of Harry. Fleming, of Delaware county, Ohio. Frank Holt was a child of but two years of age at the time of his parents' removal from Illinois to Delaware county, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm and where he attended the public schools until he. had attained to the age of eighteen years. At that time he left home and began to work in a machine shop at Delaware, Ohio, where he was employed by the day and where he continued to be employed for some three years, during which time he saved about four hundred and fifty dollars. In 1890 he rented a farm in Morrow county, where he cared for his aged father, assisted by sister Emma, until his death, which occurred November 4, 1904. Thereafter he entered into a partnership alliance with Orson A. Lee in the agricultural line of enterprise, in which they built up a fine business and cleared considerable money. In April, 1901 Mr. Holt again turned his energies to farming and in that year purchased the fine estate of sixty-six and two-thirds acres of land on which he now resides. This is one of the best improved farms in Peru township, and in connection with diversified agriculture M. Holt is deeply interested in the raising and marketing of high-grade stock, his specialties being cattle and sheep. In 1897 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Holt to Miss Effie Adams, who was born, in Delaware county on the 25th of August, 1873, a daughter of Augustus Adams. She was reared to maturity on the home farm and was educated in the district schools and in the Galena High School, in which she was graduated as a member of the class of 1890. For six years she was a popular and successful teacher in the public schools in Delaware county and for one year she taught in Morrow county. To Mr. and Mrs. Holt have been born three children, namely : Homer, whose birth occurred on the 27th of April, 1904; Nancy, born November 19, 1907 ; and Atlee, born October 14, 1910. Mr. Holt is aligned as a stalwart supporter of the Democratic party in his political proclivities and for several terms he was incumbent of the office of township assessor. In 1910 he served as land appraiser of Peru township and he has ever shown a deep interest in all matters relating to higher education in this section, 629 - BLANK 630 - JAMES W. SEXTON AND SARAH F. SEXTON HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 631 being at the present time, in 1911, a director on the school board. Mr. and Mrs. Holt as citizens are accorded a high degree of popular confidence and esteem in this community. JAMES W. SEXTON.—Though a native of England, this honored citizen of Canaan township has been a resident of Morrow county from his childhood days and here he has won independence and definite prosperity through his active association with agricultural pursuits, with which he is still identified He resides on his fine farm of ninety acres one-half mile east of the village of Denmark, but the active management of the place now rests largely in the hands of his only son, though he himself has by no means sought sybaritic ease and inactivity, as he is still a man of marked physical and mental vitality, keeping in touch with modern affairs and maintaining a more or less active association with the work and management of the home farm. His life has been one of consecutive industry along productive lines of enterprise, and such men are never content to nullify in a personal way the old adage that "It is better to wear out than to rust out." Mr. Sexton has shown as insistent loyalty to American customs and institutions as could the most patriotic native son of our American republic, and this was significantly shown in his valiant and faithful service as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war. He has guided his course on a lofty plane of integrity and honor and thus has ever been accorded the unqualified respect and confidence of his fellow men. James W. Sexton was born in Lincolnshire, England, on the 1st of October, 1847, and is a scion of stanch old families of the "right little, tight little isle." He is a son of Robert and Mary A. (Bothamley) Sexton,- both of whom were likewise natives of Lincolnshire, where the father was an agriculturist and where he died when the subject of this review, the only child, was but one year old. In 1854, when he was about seven years pld, James W. Sexton came with his widowed mother to America and in June of that year they established their home in Marion county, Ohio. Shortly afterward the mother became the wife of John. Tweddle and they removed to .the village of Denmark, Morrow county, and here the mother continued to reside until her death, at the age of fifty-four years. James W. Sexton was reared to maturity in Morrow county, and is indebted to its common schools for his early educational training. He was about fourteen years old at the initiation of the Civil war and as soon as he was eligible for military service he gave patent evidence of his intrinsic loyalty, as, on the 14th of July, 1863, about three months prior to his sixteenth birthday anniversary, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Fifth Independent Batallion of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. This command was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and his principal service was in the states of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Mr. Sexton 632 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY received an honorable discharge at the expiration of six. months and promptly reenlisted, as a member of Company D, Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he saw active and arduous service in the Army of the Independent Organizations, and with which he .participated in a number of spirited engagements, including a large number of important battles marking the progress of the great conflict. He took part in the battles of Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Franklin, Nashville and Atlanta and in the ever memorable Atlanta campaign, after which he accompanied General Sherman's forces on the historic march to the sea. He continued with his regiment until some time after the final surrender. He was mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, on the 18th of December, 1865, and received his honorable discharge, at Columbus, Ohio, on the 2nd of January, 1866. His military service was -marked by fidelity and gallantry and will ever reflect honor upon his name. After the termination of his service as a soldier of the Union Mr. Sexton returned to Morrow county and turned his attention to agriculture pursuits, with which he has continued to be identified through the long intervening years and through which he has gained definite success. He has owned and resided upon his present farm since 1884 and upon the same has made the best of improvements, the while he has proved an energetic and resourceful exponent of the great basic industry of agriculture and stock growing. From the time of attaining to his legal majority and consequent right of franchise Mr. Sexton has given a stalwart support to the cause of the Republican party, and he has served four years as trustee of his township, though never manifesting any marked ambition for public office. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church in the neighboring village of Denmark, where he is also affiliated with Daniel Linder Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is past commander ; and with Denmark Lodge, No. 760, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand. On the 5th of December, 1867, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sexton to Miss Sarah F. Worden, who was born and reared in Morrow county, and concerning the family history adequate data may, be found in the sketch of the career of her brother, Samuel R. Worden, on other pages of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Sexton have two children: Addie, who was born August 5, 1872, is the wife of John A. Oberdier, a prosperous blacksmith of Canaan township ; and Richard E., who was born January 9, 1875, remains at the parental home and has the general supervision of the farm. HARRY B. CAMPBELL, D. D. S.—A native son of the fine old Buckeye state and a .citizen who holds a secure vantage ground in popular confidence and esteem is Dr. Harry B. Campbell, who was born in Lincoln township, Morrow county, Ohio, on the 3rd of HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 633 March, 1878. He is a son of Andrew and Ada F. (Farlee) Campbell, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio Andrew Campbell is a prosperous farmer in Cardington township and he and Mrs. Campbell are the parents of four children, of which number the Doctor is the eldest. Blanche is the wife of F. A. Moore, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio ; Frank an electro plater ; and Marie, in school. Dr. Harry B. Campbell grew up on the old farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father. His preliminary educational training was gained in the district schools and this discipline was later effectively supplemented by an independent course in the Cardington High School. Thereafter he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until 1905, when he was matriculated in the Ohio Medical College at Columbus, in the dental department of which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1908, duly receiving his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Immediately after his graduation he opened an office in the Kreis block, and he now controls a large and representative patronage. A thorough technical training along the line of his chosen work, together with innate ability, makes him one of the leading dentists in this county. In a professional way the Doctor is affiliated with various medical organizations of representative character. He is a valued and appreciative member of Carding-ton Lodge, No. 384, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Cardington Lodge, No. 194, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is a past grand. In politics he is a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and he and his wife are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, .in the different departments of whose work they have been most active factors. In the year 1909 was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Campbell to Miss Virginia Ireland, a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Maxwell) Ireland, representative citizens of Cardington. The father was identified with agricultural pursuits during the major portion of his active business career and he is now living virtually retired in the enjoyment of former years of earnest toil and endeavor. Mrs. Campbell was reared and educated in Morrow county and she is a woman of most gracious personality. Dr. and Mrs. Campbell have no children. HENRY C. HAIR.—Without any financial support whatever and only his own pluck and perseverance to back him, Henry C. Hair assumed the active responsibilities of life as a clerk in a grocery store and meat market. By degrees he worked his way upward and after becoming thoroughly familiar with the business of general merchandising he launched out in that line of enterprise on his own account. ,He is now one of the most prominent merchants at Johnsville, Morrow county, Ohio, where he is accorded the unquali- 634- HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY fled confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens and where he has figured prominently in local affairs. Henry C. Hair is a native son of Morrow county, his birth having occurred in Congress township on the 20th of September, 1868. He is a son of Noble C. and Angeline (Harriman) Hair, the former of whom was born in Knox county and who was summoned to eternal rest in Delaware county, Ohio, in the year 1872.' He was identified with farming and later as a wagon maker during his active career and he was highly esteemed as a man of worth and ability during his life time. He married Miss Angeline Harriman, who was born near Williamsport, Morrow county, then Knox county, in May, 1837, and who is now living with her son, Henry C., of this notice. Mr. and Mrs. Noble C. Hair became the parents of but one son, the immediate subject of this review. Henry C. Hair was reared to adult age in Pulaskiville, Ohio, to the public schools of which place he is indebted for his early educational training. He attended school until he had attained to the age of nineteen years, at which time he accepted a position as a clerk in a grocery store and meat market at Chesterville, this county. Subsequently he was employed in a store at Pulaskiville, Ohio, where he remained for a period of thirteen years, at the expiration of which he purchased the store from his employer and conducted it with marked success until October, 1908. In the year last mentioned he disposed of his stock and removed to Chesterville, where he continued to reside for one year. In October, 1909, he bought the general store of Lafe Gates & Son at Johnsville, to the operation of which well equipped concern he has since devoted his entire time and attention. Long association with mercantile affairs has made him a man of broad information along this particular line of business and through his well directed endeavors he has made of success not an accident but a logical result. On the 12th of February, 1890, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Hair to Miss Hattie M. Burns, who was born at Chesterville, Ohio, and who is a daughter of Ross Burns, of that place. She was born on the 25th of October, 1868, and was afforded an excellent common school education in her youth. For a number of years prior to her marriage she was a popular and successful teacher in Morrow county schools. She is a woman of fine intellect and liberal ideas, is popular in the best social circles of the community and is active in church and charitable work. Mr. and Mrs. Hair have no children. In a fraternal way Mr. Hair is affiliated with Chesterville Lodge, No. 238, Free and Accepted Masons ; and Chester Lodge, No. 204, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious faith is in harmony with the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church of which he and his wife are devoted members. In his political allegiance he is aligned as a. stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party. He is not an office seeker but in his own private life he HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 635 has so conducted himself as to gain recognition as a loyal and public spirited citizen, one who is ever on the alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all measures and enterprises advanced for progress and development. He is strictly speaking a self made man and his present substantial business is the outcome of earnestly applied effort and impregnable integrity. WILSON G. LEFEVER, manager of the Van Scoy Chemical Company, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, was born on his father's farm in Canaan township, Morrow county, Ohio, in November, 1860, and is still the owner of the old home place. His father, George Lefever, a native of Ohio county, Virginia, born in 1816, came over into this state about 1828 and took up his residence here, and here he lived for many years, dealing in stock and carrying on farming operations until he acquired an estate of considerable proportions. He died at Edison, Ohio, in 1886. His wife, Catherine (Moody) Lefever, born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, died in 1906. Of the nine children born to them, six are living at this writing, namely : Wilson G., whose name introduces this sketch; Frank, of Edison, Ohio ; M. Bruce, of Mt. Gilead, Ohio ; Margaret, wife of M. W. Shaw, of Marion, Ohio ; Clark, of Colorado ; and Ella G., of Marion, Ohio. Wilson G. Lefever in his youth attended district school. He remained on the farm until he was twenty years of age, when he took a course in the Ada Normal College, now the Northwestern University, at Ada, Ohio, after which he engaged in teaching in his native county. From teaching he soon turned to a business life. He spent between four and five years at Edison, Ohio, as bookkeeper and afterward assistant agent in the railroad office. Then he resumed farming, and for fourteen years operated the old home place, a fine farm containing over two hundred acres, and which, as above stated, he still owns. At the end of this time he rented the farm and returned to Edison. There he helped to organize the Citizens Banking Company, of which he is still a stock holder. He was assistant cashier of this bank for four years, after which, in the same capacity, he became identified with the Morrow County National Bank, and was connected with that institution until he resigned his position in order to accept the management of the Van Scoy Chemical Company, manufacturers of flavoring extracts, spices, perfumes, baking powder, etc.; and under his management the volume of business has doubled. Mr. Lefever married Miss Flora L. Haverstott, of Marion, Ohio, and they have three children : Earl W., an art student at Evanston; Illinois ; Blanche L., a teacher in the public schools of Mt. Gilead ; and Francis E. Politically Mr. Lefever is a Democrat, and fraternally, a Knight of Pythias, having membership in Charles H. Hull Lodge, K. of P. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 636 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY EDWARD COE.—An active, enterprising and progressive agriculturist of Morrow county, Edward Coe is the proprietor of a well kept and well appointed farm in South Bloomfield township, which has been his abiding place the greater part of his life. In addition to managing his farm most successfully, he owns and operates throughout the harvesting season a threshing machine, an industry in which he has been engaged for many years. He was born July 21, 1855, in Bloomfield township, a son of Edward Coe, Sr. Edward Coe, Sr., a native of England, came to the United States with his parents, who settled first in New York state, but later came to Ohio, and from here proceeded westward to Iowa, where they remained permanently. Edward Coe, Sr., a painter by trade, remained in Morrow county, and after following his trade for some time, bought a farm in Bloomfield township, and there resided until his death, about 1862. He was twice married. By his first wife he had three children, Ann, Ellen and William. He married for his second wife Elizabeth Ebersole, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of John D. and Mary Ebersole, and they became the parents of three children, namely : Edward, the special subject of this sketch, Albert and Elbridge. He was a stanch Republican in politics, and a trustworthy member of the Christian church at Sparta. His second wife survived him, passing away in 1883. Residing on the parental homestead of one hundred and thirty acres until his marriage, Edward Coe assisted in its management as soon as old enough to work. He subsequently invested his money in land, and is now the owner of a fine farm of ninety acres, which he is managing most successfully, the greater part of it being under good cultivation, while the improvements are of a practical and substantial character. Early in his career Mr. Coe purchased a threshing outfit, with which he has since traveled extensively in this section of Morrow county throughout the threshing season, his services being ever in demand at that time, and for thirty-three years has not missed a day's labor with his machine, a record scarcely to be equaled in this or in surrounding states. Mr. Coe married January 2, 1869, Viola Roberts, who was born February 10, 1852, in South Bloomfield township, a daughter of W. S. Roberts and granddaughter of Solomon and Mary (Coleman) Roberts, pioneer settlers of Ohio. W. S. Roberts learned the carpenter's trade when young, but later bought land in Bloomfield township, Morrow county, and was engaged in the cultivation of the soil until his death, February 5, 1905. He was an active worker in the Democratic ranks, and for several terms served on the township board. While working at his trade he assisted in building the public school house at Sparta. Mr. Roberts's wife, whose maiden name was Lydia. A. Swetland, survived him, passing away in November, 1910. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Coe, namely : HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 637 Ploy M. and Minnie A. Floy M., born August 18, 1882, married Earl Hicks, of South Bloomfield, and later became a resident of Fredericktown, Ohio. They have two sons Lawrence E. and Maurice Coe. Minnie A., born February 10, 1885, is' the wife of Jasper Meiser, of Sparta, and has one son, Herbert. Mr. Coe is Independent in politics, voting as his conscience dictates, regardless of party affiliations, and has served several years as a member of the local school board. Fraternally he is a member of Sparta Lodge, No. 268, I. O. O. F., in which he has held all of the chairs. "Since this biography was written, Mr. Whitney died at his home August 20, 1911" Editor. AMZA A. WHITNEY.—A prominent and influential citizen of Mt. Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, and one whose contribution to the commercial and industrial affairs of this section of the fine old Buckeye state has been of most important order, is Amza A. Whitney, who is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred in South Bloomfield township on the 18th of January, 1852. He is a scion of an old New England family early established in the state of Connecticut, whence his grandfather, Samuel Whitney, immigrated to Morrow county, Ohio, about the year 1845. Samuel Whitney later removed to Delaware county, this state, where he was engaged in farming as a vocation and where his death occurred. Amza A. Whitney's parents, Lyman B. and Elizabeth Ann (Vail) Whitney, resided in the city of Columbus, Ohio, for a time and in that place occurred the death of the father in 1852, at which time the subject of this review was a child of but eleven months of age. Mrs. Whitney was a daughter of Benjamin T. and Mary A. Vail, who kept a country tavern in the southern part of Morrow county, the same being known as Vail's Cross roads or Vail's Tavern. She died at Mt. Gilead in 1872. Amza A. Whitney attended the public schools of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, until he had attained to the age of sixteen years, at which time he began to clerk in a dry goods store at Sparta, where he was in the employ of his uncle for one year. Thereafter he was connected with the same line of enterprise at Mt. Vernon for a period of ten years, at the expiration of which he returned to Sparta, where he purchased the store from his uncle, which he conducted with most gratifying success for the ensuing ten years. In 1889 he was elected auditor of Morrow county, as a Democrat, the county being strongly Republican. He assumed the responsibilities of his office in October, 1890, and served for a period of three years, at the expiration of which he was elected to that office as his own successor, serving for another term of three years. In 1891 he became one of the organizers of the Mt. Gilead Dry Goods Company, of which he was made president. After retiring from the office of county auditor he became general manager of the dry goods concern, of which he later became sole owner, the firm being known under the name of A. A. Whitney & Sons and consisting of the following members: Amza A. Whitney, of this sketch, Allen 638 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY B. Whitney, Clarence C. Whitney and Horace W. Whitney. Aside from his mercantile business Mr. Whitney has other financial interests of broad scope and importance. He is one of the directors in the National Bank of Morrow county, at Mt. Gilead ; is president and was one of the organizers of the Morrow County Telephone Company was also one of the organizers of the Electric Light & Water Power Plant of Mt. Gilead, in which he is a stock holder and a director; and is a director in the Galion, Ohio, Telephone Company. In 1909 he was appointed by Governor Harmon as one of the trustees of the Ohio State Sanatarium at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in which capacity he is serving at the present time, in 1911. He is also a stock holder in the Marengo Bank of Morrow county, in the Commercial Bank, at Galion, Ohio, and in the. Commercial Bank at Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Mr. Whitney has been twice married, his first union having been with Miss Mary V. Henderson, who was the mother of his three sons, mentioned above. Mrs. Whitney was summoned to the life-eternal in 1885, and in 1888 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Whitney to Miss Ella E. Henderson, a sister of his first wife. No children have been born to the latter union. In his political convictions Mr. Whitney is aligned as a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and while he has not been an active participant in politics he has been on the alert to do all in his power to advance the general welfare of the community. In the time-honored Masonic order he has passed through the circle of Scottish Rite Masonry, having attained to the Thirty-second Degree. He is also a valued member of Aladdin Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, besides which he holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the various departments of whose work they have been active factors. The three sons of Mr. Whitney were all afforded excellent educational advantages in their youth, having been graduated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, with the degrees of Bachelors of Arts. CHARLES W. EMERSON.—Morrow county has been particularly fortunate in the possession of many progressive and honored citizens, whose lives have added greatly to the high place it occupies as one of the foremost sections of the fine old Buckeye state. High on the roll of successful and sterling agriculturists stands the name of Charles W. Emerson, whose good farm of one hundred and ten acres of arable land is located on the Chesterville and Sparta road, some one and one half miles distant from Chesterville, Ohio. In Knox county, Ohio, on the 5th of March, 1856, occurred the birth of Charles W. Emerson, who is a son of James and Mary (Ink) Emerson, the former of whom was born and reared in the old commonwealth of Virginia and the latter of whom was a native HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 639 of New York. Mrs. Mary (Ink) Emerson immigrated to Ohio with her parents when she was but six years of age, the trip across the country from the old Empire state having been made in a wagon. James Emerson was long engaged in farming and stock raising in this state and he was summoned to the life eternal in the year 1865; his wife is yet living. They were the parents of three children, all boys, of whom Charles W. was the second in order of birth. Monroe and Arthur Emerson are both identified with agricultural operations in Morrow county and of recent years Arthur has devoted a great deal of time to engineering work, being at the present time engineer of the hoop factory at Cardington Charles W. Emerson attended the district schools of his home county until he had received an excellent common school education and subsequently he was a student in the Waterford Academy in Knox county, Ohio. After his marriage, in 1880, he established the family home on the Lanning estate, on which they have continued to reside to the present day. This estate or farm consists of one hundred and ten acres of excellent land on the Chesterville and Sparta road, and by reason of ith substantial buildings and general air of thrift and prosperity it is recognized as one of the good farms in this district. Commencing with youthful zeal to improve and beautify their home, Mr. and Mrs. Emerson worked with industry and perseverance and their toil has been amply rewarded, for now they are passing the years of their lives in full enjoyment of the fruits of former labors. On the 7th of April, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Emerson to Miss Emma M. Long, of Harmony township, Morrow county. She is a daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Westbrook) Long and was the youngest in order of birth in a family of nine children, whose names are here entered, George, Will, Henry, Elizabeth, Ann, Maria, Olive, Etura and Emma. To Mr. and Mrs. Emerson were born four children, one of whom, Maude, died in infancy. Clarence, Ralph and Guy were reared to adult age under the invigorating influences of the old home farm and after completing the curriculum of the district schools of their birth place they attended the high school at Chesterville, in which Clarence and Ralph have been graduated with honors and .in which Guy, who is now sixteen years of age, is a member of the class of 1911. Clarence attended Delaware College for a period of three years, at the expiration of which he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he is now manager for the firm of Cussings & Fearn, a large hardware concern in that city. Commencing at the bottom of the ladder as a mere clerk he has from time to time been advanced until he now holds the responsible position of superintendent in his particular department. Ralph is employed as solicitor for the same firm and during the past two terms has attended the night sessions of the business college of the Young Men's Christian Association. In 1910 Ralph was united in marriage to Miss Effie Greno, one of the popular and attractive young women of Columbus. 640 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY In all affairs of national import Mr. Emerson endorses the cause of the Democratic party but in local matters he maintains an independent attitude, preferring to give his support to men and measures meeting with the approval of his judgment rather than to vote along strictly partisan lines. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson have always manifested a deep and sincere interest in every public work that means an uplift to the community. For over twenty years he has served as a member of the school board. Mrs. Emerson is an honored member of the Chester Baptist church and an enthusiastic Sunday School worker. She has been superintendent of the Sunday School for over five years and at the last Sunday School conference was elected for a sixth year. in 1910 she was delegate to the Ohio Sunday School Convention, held at Cleveland, and she has been elected as delegate to the state convention to be held at Dayton in June, 1911. She is a very- ardent worker in behalf of all religious and charitable matters and is deeply beloved by all who have come within the sphere of her, gracious influence. In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Emerson is a valued and appreciative member of the Chesterville Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The name of Emerson is one highly esteemed in this community and it stands for everything that tends to promote progress and development. ARMONDO L. MUNK, manager of the Mt. Gilead Floral Company, with greenhouses at the corner of Bank and Pleasant streets, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, has been a resident of this place since 1904. Mr. Munk was born at Lindsey, Sandusky county, Ohio, February 16, 1881, a son of the Rev. John W. and Mary E. (Reinhold) Munk. His father being an Evangelical minister, whose work took him from place to place, Armondo L. Munk's education was carried forward in different towns and cities of Ohio. He is a graduate of the Roscoe High School and also of a commercial school of Columbus, and he spent some time engaged in the study of law. He did not, however, engage in legal practice, but turned his attention to other lines of work, at first to railroading and afterwards to the greenhouse business. He started a greenhouse at Mt. Gilead in 1904, in which his father and brother were interested. The latter died, and his father sold his share, and Armondo L. now has full charge of the business as manager, which, under his able management, is in a flourishing condition. Mr. Munk resides with his family on North street. He married November 28, 1906, Miss Adah Dale White, and they have one daughter, Helen V., born in September, 1907. While Mr. Munk votes the Republican ticket and is always prompt in his duty at the polls, he has otherwise never been active in politics. Fraternally he is identified with Charles H. Hull Lodge, No. 195, K. of P., and his religious creed is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. 641 - BLANK 642 - RRESIDENCE OF MR AND MRS. WILLIAM A. LEVERING THE MAPLE ROW STOCK FATM HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 643 WILLIAM A. LEVERING —It is the lot of some men to be born great, while others have to achieve greatness, and to this latter Hass belongs William A. Levering, of Westfield township, who has in truth been the architect of his own fortune. Beginning life for himself a poor boy, he has labored with untiring energy, and by a diligent use of- his faculties and opportunities has steadily worked his way upward to a place of affluence and influence, proving himself a useful and worthy citizen. He was born in Westfield township, Morrow county, May 9, 1865, a son of Samuel Levering. His paternal grandfather, 'Nathan Levering, a native of France, emigrated first to Germany, and a few years later crossed the Atlantic, coming to the United States in search of a home: Locating in Ohio, he first owned land in what is now Franklin township, Morrow county. On the first day of August, 1837, he entered two hundred acres of land in Westfield township, Morrow county, the land being then a dense wilderness, through which wild beasts roamed at will and Indians held sway, neither having fled before the advancing Steps of civilization. This tract of land he afterwards presented to his son Samuel and one of his daughters, and they partly cleared and settled it. Nathan Levering continued his residence in Franklin township, where he had title to. twelve hundred acres of land. He was a noted trader, and accumulated considerable wealth in his operations. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Kearney, three sons and four daughters were born and reared, as follows : Samuel, father of William A., Daniel, Washington, Elizabeth, Martha, Mary J., and Sarah Ann. Samuel Levering was born in 1842 in Morrow county, Ohio, and here spent his brief life of twenty-four years, dying in 1866. He married Catherine Henry, and to them two children were born, namely : William A. and Mary, the latter the wife of Joseph A. Utter, of Missouri. Brought up in Morrow county, William A. Levering attended the district schools until sixteen years old, obtaining a practical education. Left fatherless when a small child, he began working by the month during the summer seasons for Washington Fleming, while during the long winter terms of school he continued his studies, working for his board mornings and evenings. Beginning then to work regularly for wages, his wages were at first six dollars a month and later eight dollars a month, a sum which he had no trouble in spending for necessary expenses. On attaining his majority, Mr. Levering was given two thousand, one hundred and forty dollars and the ensuing four years was engaged in farming on rented land. Unfortunate in his ventures he lost one half of his money, and moved to Paulding county, Ohio, where he first purchased forty acres of land. Subsequently disposing of that, Mr. Levering bought a farm of eighty acres in the same locality, and one year later added by purchase another forty Vol. 644 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY acres of land to his farm. Selling the whole one hundred and twenty acres in that county, he came to Westfield township and invested in one hundred and twenty acres of land. Selling that at an advantage, Mr. Levering then purchased his present farm, which contains two hundred and eight acres of fine land, located two and one half miles from Cardington, along the line of the "Big Four" Railroad. Mr. Levering has made improvements of value on the place, including among others the erection of a commodious barn, seventy-two by forty feet, with an ell thirty feet by forty feet, it being one of the largest and most modernly constructed barns in Morrow county. As a general farmer, feeder and stock 'raiser, Mr. Levering is meeting with undisputed success, his estate being one of the best in its appointments and equipments of any in the vicinity, bearing visible evidence to the passer by of his skill, ability and wise management. Mr. Levering married, October 14, 1886, Elmora Ocker, who was born April 4, 1865, in Cardington township, Morrow county, a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Silvers) Ocker, natives of Ohio. Five children brightened the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Levering, namely: Ralph, born October 16, 1887, died September 11, 1888; Nina, born May 16, 1890, was educated in the district schools ; Mabel, born April 29, 1892, passed the Boxwell Examination and died April 29, 1908; William D., born January 29, 1894; and Fanchon, born November 6, 1895. Although supporting the principles of the Democratic party at the polls, Mr. Levering has never taken an active part in politics, his time and attention having been devoted to the management of his private interests. The estate of Mr. and Mrs. Levering is known as "The Maple Row Stock Farm." Mr. Levering has one of the old parchment deeds, executed under the hand and seal of President Martin Van Buren, this being the eighth deed found in Morrow county by the biographer. FRANK H. MILLER, a retired farmer of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, owns and occupies a comfortable home near the corporation line, the lawn and garden comprising a two acre tract, an ideal location for a retired farmer. Mr. Miller was born in Summit county, Ohio, September 1, 1854, a son of Dr. J. C. and Abigail (Jobe) Miller and grandson of Allen Miller, who originally came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio and made settlement here among the pioneers of the Western Reserve. J. C. Miller, M. D., spent his life engaged in the practice of his profession, in Medina and Morrow counties, where he was well known and highly respected. He died at Iberia, Morrow county, October 31, 1893. He and his wife were the parents of two children, Frank H. and F. L., the latter a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. Frank H. Miller spent his boyhood days in Medina county and there received his early education. Then he entered what HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 645 was at that time called the Ohio Central College, at Iberia, where he graduated with the degree of B. S. in 1882, a classmate of Warren G. Harding. After his graduation he accepted a position as superintendent of schools at Sparta, Ohio, and subsequently he was principal of the college from which he graduated, filling this position from 1884 to the time the college was purchased by the state of Ohio for the Working Home for Blind. After this he farmed and taught school for a number of years. In November, 1900, he moved to Mt. Gilead, where he has since lived retired. Mr. Miller married Miss Irene Rule, of West Point, Morrow county, Ohio, born May 13, 1861, and to them have been given three children : Abbie. L., born May 25, 1884, is the wife of Harry M. Mitchell, of near Quincy, Ohio ; Arthur R., who died in infancy; Raymond Guy, born March 8, 1891, graduated from the Mt. Gilead high school in June, 1909, and is now a freshman in the University of Granville, Ohio. Mrs. Miller owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washinton township, this county. Mr. Miller is one of the prominent members of the First Baptist church of Mt. Gilead, and at this writing is superintendent of its Sunday school. While he has always voted the Republican ticket, he has never been active in politics. JOSEPH S. DENMAN.—The growth and prosperity of our country is largely due, to that class of sturdy manhood and womanhood whose lives of industry, honesty and thrift have merited for them the honored position of "Builders of our Commonwealth." Prominent among this class we find the name of Denman. Joseph S. Denman, farmer and stockman, was born on the 22nd of December, 1844, the place of his nativity being Morrow, Ohio. He is a son of Joseph L. and Anna M. (Wright) Denman, both of whom were born and reared in the old Buckeye state. The name Denman originated from a term given them by the English, who called them "Dane men" because they came from Denmark. They trace their ancestry back as far as the year 1620, at which time John Denman and Judith Stoughton, the latter of England, were married. The son of this worthy couple, by name John, sailed in the ship Dorset, via the Bermudas, to America in 1635. His destination was Boston, where Israel and Thomas Stoughton, brothers of Judith, resided. John Denman 1, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was the original progenitor of the Denman family in America and he became the father of three sons, John Philip and William. John II went to Long Island and there purchased land of the Indians, near Newton, Queen's county, Long Island, in 1662. He married Mary Gannaugh, of Long Island, and they had three daughters and four sons, namely : Martha, Mary and Elizabeth, and William, Philip, Thomas and John III. John III wedded Mary Williams ; Philip II married Mary Crane ; and William III married Prudence of Springfield, New Jersey. 646 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY In a family of six children—four sons and two daughters, Joseph Denman was the second in order of birth and of the number William died in infancy; Daniel is a minister in the Missionary Baptist church at Oak Park, Illinois ; and the others were David, Suzanna and Lavonia. In his youth Joseph attended the district school at Fairfield, Ohio, and later he was graduated in the high school at Chesterville. He fitted himself for teaching and proved very popular and successful in that line of enterprise. He was very well known as a good disciplinarian and was always in demand by the school boards, having devoted fully twenty years to pedagogic work. He was united in marriage, April 8, 1867, to Miss Anna E. Thomas, a daughter of David and Elizabeth Thomas, of Chester township, Morrow county, Ohio. She was born on the 31st of July, 1848, and was the fourth in order of birth in a family of seven children, namely: Enoch, Zacharia, James, John, Orlando, Mary J. and Anna E. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Denman resided for one year at Galion, Ohio, but they had been residents of Chester township twenty years ere they moved to Galion, from which they went to Roanoke, Virginia, in which place they retained their home for a period of sixteen years. In 1902 Mr. Denman returned to Ohio and at the request of his sons purchased the old Denman homestead, which has been in the possession of the Denman family for one hundred and five years in succession. Mr. Denman has an old family Bible which was published in 1802. The Denman estate, comprised of one hundred and fifty acres of most arable land, is eligibly located southeast of Chesterville and affords a fine proof of intelligent application and practical industry. The son William recently installed an air pressure water system in the basement of the house, thus supplying both the house and barn with an abundance of flowing spring water. The fine substantial buildings located in the midst of well cultivated fields lend an air of thrift and prosperity to the place, which are in harmony with the practical industry of the owner. Mr. Denman during his active career has devoted most 'of his time to diversified agriculture and the raising of high-grade stock but now he confines his endeavors to a general supervision of the farm, his sons attending to the more arduous duties thereof. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Denman became the parents of eight children : Josephine, Ludlow, Susie. (deceased), Bertha, Allie, Arthur, Earl and William. Bertha and Allie are both married and they reside in Virginia; Arthur married Miss Susie Boner and they .maintain their home in Trumbull county, Ohio ; Earl married Miss Mamie Truesdale and resides at Fredericktown, Ohio, where he is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, and they have four sons, Clarence, Joseph, James and Robert ; William was united in marriage on the 5th of October, 1909, to Miss Aleta Weaver, of Sparta, Ohio. Mrs. William Denman is an accomplished and an HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 647 unusually attractive young /woman and her gracious personality makes her exceedingly popular in the best social activities of the community. She was afforded an excellent education in her girlhood days and for a time was a decidedly successful student in the Art School at Cleveland, where she became very adept in landscape and china painting. She is a daughter of Henry and Minerva (Modie) Weaver, of Sparta. Henry Weaver was an eminently successful business man during his life time and in addition to -a number of other important enterprises he was the owner of the Tile Works at Sparta. He was a member of the Ohio State bar and engaged in the practice of law and for many years was notary public. Being of sterling character and a man of the strictest honor, he was frequently retained as counsel by those whose cause demanded justice ; he never countenanced an unjust cause. He and his wife are residents of Fredericktown, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver had two children, Aleta, who is now Mrs. William Denman ; and Claude, who married Miss Emma Parker, a trained nurse in the city of Philadelphia. They now reside in Westchester, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. William Denman reside at the old Denman homestead with the subject of this review. Joseph S. Denman and his wife are devout members of the Pisgah old school Baptist church and they are also members of the Grange. They are substantial and popular citizens in this section of the state, where they are held in high regard by all with whom they have come in contact. They have ever endeavored to instill into the minds of their children those principles of honor and those ideals which are so essential in this twentieth century citizenship. SOLOMON P. STULL.—Clear-headed, enterprising and progressive, Solomon P. Stull is numbered among the prosperous business men of Troy township, and, with his keen conception of the needs of each community as regards road making and repairing, care of county buildings and property, and the thousand other matters pertaining to the public welfare of Morrow county, he is amply qualified for the responsible position, which he is now filling; as county commissioner of Morrow county. He was born March 12, 1860, in Clarion county, Pennsylvania. His father, Frederick Stull, was born in the same state, in the year 1830. His mother, Mary (Sheckley) Stull, was also a native of the Keystone state. In the year of 1866 the Stull family came to Ohio. After locating at Steam Corners, Frederick purchased a saw mill, which he operated successfully for many years. Solomon started to school, where he learned to be thoughtful and studious, his education being limited to the elementary subjects. After some years of schooling he became engaged in the lumber business. His father then bought a tile plant, and he and his son carried on a large 648 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY business under the firm name of Stull & Company. After Solomon became older his father sold his interest in the lumber and tile business to his son P. F. Stull. This changed the firm name to S. P. Stull & Brother. On the 8th day of September, 1887, Mr. Stull was united in marriage to Anna E. Rummel, the oldest daughter of Peter Rummel. She was born on the 3rd of October, 1863. Her father was born in Germany, where he lived but four years when he and his parents came to the United States. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stull, namely : Rolly H., dying at the early age of one year and two months ; Laura E., a graduate of the Troy township high school, has taught one term of school; Belva E., who was also a graduate of the same school; Leland S., a schoolboy ; Bessie M. and Lucy L., who are still going to school. The father died shortly after his son's marriage, aged sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. Stull are among the active and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is now a steward. He has served as superintendent of its Sunday school and also has been a teacher of the several junior classes. When the new church edifice was erected he was a member of its building committee. Mr. Stull has acquired a considerable property in addition to his manufacturing interests. He owns a farm of forty-seven acres in Troy township. A straightforward Republican in politics, Mr. Stull is popular with all political parties, as was shown in the year 1908, when, after having served two terms as clerk of Troy township, he was elected county commissioner, being the only Republican commissioner elected in that year. As G. F. Stull then moved to Mansfield, Solomon bought, his interest in the milling and tiling plants, and has since been sole proprietor of both industries. On the 20th day of September, 1909, assuming the responsibilities of his position, he labored so efficiently for the good of the general public as far as his office was concerned that at the expiration of his term, on November 8, 1910, he was reelected to the same office, and is serving with characteristic ability. He is energetic, industrious and honest, having a quick eye for business. He is a kind husband, a loving father, and a good neighbor. CLEMENT L. V. HARROD.—Belonging to a family whose name has long been known in the annals of Central Ohio, Clement L. V. Harrod is numbered among the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of Morrow county, his fine and well-tilled farm being pleasantly located in South Bloomfield township. He is a native and to the "manner born," his birth having here occurred September 29, 1863. His father, Jesse B. Harrod, was a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Ulrey) Harrod, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Knox county, Ohio, soon after their marriage, and took up three hundred acres of government land near Gambier, and there spent the remainder of their years. Michael Harrod HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 649 was a man of much force of character, honest and upright, and was very prominent in the early history of that section of the state, being a leading Democrat. Jesse B. Harrod was born November 16, 1824, on the home farm in Knox county, being one of a family of sixteen children, fifteen of whom grew to years of maturity. He obtained a practical education in the pioneer schools, and as a boy and youth became familiar with the many branches of agriculture. Beginning his career at the age of twenty years, he taught school until the breaking out of the Mexican war, when he enlisted as a soldier and served in the army for two years. Returning home at the close of the conflict, he married and began housekeeping in a humble log cabin in Knox county. He met with such encouraging success in his labors that in 1850 he bought one 'hundred and sixty acres of land in Morrow county, and .was thereafter prosperously employed in general farming until his death, in 1892. True to the political faith in which he was reared, he was a sound Democrat, and in addition to holding various township offices and serving on the school board, had the honor of being a member of the only Democratic board of Morrow county. The maiden name of the wife of, Jesse B. Harrod was Delilah Horn. She was born February 25, 1830, in Knox county, Ohio, a daughter of Peter Horn, who was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry, but was brought up in Knox county, Ohio, where he subsequently took up two hundred acres of government land, on which he lived until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-four years. Peter Horn married Nancy Porter, who was born in Vermont, of excellent New England stock, and came with her parents to Knox county, Ohio, when a girl. The union of Jesse B. and Delilah (Horn) Harrod was blessed by the birth of ten children, as follows : Peter, Annie, deceased; Mitchell, Michael, deceased ; Emma, Mary, Eli, Clement L. V., Martha, and George. The mother, who was a devout member of the Primitive Baptist church, passed to the life beyond March 4, 1902. After the death of his father, in 1892, Clement L. V. Harrod, who had always remained a member of the parental household, assumed the entire management of the home farm, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits as long as his mother lived. At her death the farm was sold, and he moved to Sparta. Continuing, however, in his free and independent calling, Mr. Harrod has since been profitably engaged in farming and stock-raising and dealing. An extensive and successful breeder of thorough-bred stock, including registered horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, he is prominently identified with that branch of industry, and somewhat recently sold an eighteen-months old colt for four hundred dollars. Mr. Harrod has likewise for a number of years carried on a large and remunerative business as a dealer in produce, buying and shipping all farm productions.