Pike Township (part 10 of 20)
Part 10 of 20 of the account of this township in History Knox County, Ohio, published 1881. 15,984 words, covering 4 settlements. Source changes inside the text are labelled at the exact paragraph where the next book begins.
Contents
1 sectionThe section headings the book prints inside this chapter, on this part. Each one jumps to where it begins.
Parts
20 pagesThe source prints this as one continuous account. It is split here so no single page grows too heavy to load; the text runs straight on across the parts and nothing is omitted.
The chapter
15,984 wordsReproduced complete and unedited from History Knox County, Ohio, published 1881. The text is machine-read from scans, so expect recognition errors: misspelled names, dropped words, and stray characters. Nothing has been corrected, because correcting a proper name invents one. The headings below are the books' own; source changes are labelled in place.
HYLER, COLUMBUS D. (deceased), born in Morrow county in 1830, and was married in 1852 to Ann Lefever, who was born in this county. They had one daughter - Alice, born in 1853. Mr. Hyler died in 1877. Alice died in 1875. Mr. Hyler was postmaster of Fredericktown for about five years: He was elected justice of the peace for two terms; also mayor of Fredericktown. He was one of the leading and enterprising citizens of his day. He was engaged in the late war as second lieutenant; served out his time of enlistment, and received an honorable discharge. I
IRVINE, JAMES C., deceased. - Mr. Irvine was born in Tomika, western Pennsylvania, July 12, 1807, and died in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He came to Mt. Vernon in 1810, where he has since resided. He began life as a printer in the office of the Ofzo Register, published here. In the year 1835 he commenced business on Main street, continuing therein until 1861, when he responded to the first call for troops to suppress the late Rebellion, and to Mr. Irvine belongs the honor of organizing the first company of soldiers in Knox county. As captain of company A, he went out with Colonel Lorin Andrews, in the Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry. On account of his then somewhat advanced age, Mr. Irvine did not reenlist. After the expiration of three months - the term designated in the first call - he resumed his business, in which occupation he continued until quite recently.
At the date of his death, Mr. Irvine represented his ward in the common council of this city, to which position he was elected in the spring of 1880, and which body took fitting cognizance ofhis demise. An evidence of the high esteem in which deceased's sound judgment, integrity and thorough business capacity were held, may be found in the fact that he had been appointed almost innumerable times as a member of the city board of equalization.
Martha N. Irvine, his wife, was born on the twenty-second of February, 1803, at Salem, New York. She came to Knox county at an early date with her father, Bartholomew Bartlett, and settled at Clinton, just north of this city. She was married in Mt. Vernon to Mr. Irvine in 1829. They had by this union six children, five of whom survive them - three daughters and two sons - Mrs, M. J. Becker, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Mrs. C. F. Baldwin, and Martha Irvine, of this city. Mr. Clarke Irvine, of Oregon, Missouri, and Mr. Jefferson Irvine of this city.
Mr. Irvine died Friday evening, January 28, 1880, after a very short illness. He was to have been buried the following Tuesday, but on that day his wife, who had most sincerely mourned his loss, was also called home, and the burial of one became the burial of both, who had so long been united in life.
IRVINE, WILLIAM, farmer, post office, Fredericktown; ~ was born in Ireland in 1837, and emigrated to America with his parents in 1840. They located in Knox county. He was married in 1860 to Emeline Braddock, who was born in this county in 1840. They have two sons - Ellsworth, born in 1862, and who is attending school at Ada; and John R., born in 1864. Mr. Irvine is engaged in buying and selling stock, and is one of the enterprising farmers of this township.
IRVINE, CLARK, Mt. Vernon, attorney at law, was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 1, 1840. His parents were both born in Ohio - his father in Trumbull county, and his mother in Knox county. His mother's maiden name was Matilda Blair, daughter of James Blair, esq., and Hannah Waddle, both from the State of Maryland. His father, Clark Irvine, was of Scotch- Irish extraction, and the son of Thomas Irvine, who was born near the old town of Enniskillen, Ireland, and Tabitha Meredith Clark, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania. His father came to Knox county in 1811, was a lawyer by profession, and held the office of prosecuting attorney for one term, being elected in 1850.
The subject of this sketch studied law with his father, after whom he was named, and was 'admitted to practice in 1869. He was nominated by the Democratic party for the office of prosecuting attorney, and elected, in 1874, and was reelected in 1876. Mr. Irvine was nominated as the Democratic candidate for the lower house of the State legislature in 1879, but was defeated at the general election in the fall of that year. He has represented Knox county as a delegate to the Democratic State conventions. At the State convention held in Cleveland in 1880, Mr. Irvine was elected a member of the State central committee, representing the Ninth Congressional district on the committee, and also secretary of the Democratic State executive committee.
IRVINE, ROBERT L., -farmer and dealer in stock, post office, Fredericktown, was born in Ireland in 1839. His parents emigrated to America when he®was an infant, and located in Knox county. He was married in 1860 to Lavina Nixon, who was born in 1837. They have four children - Edith, William, George, and Jessie.
IRWIN, GEORGE A., farmer, post office, Mt. Vernon, was born in this township in 1844, and was married in 1867 to Nettie Johnson, who was born in this township in 1849. They have one son, Walter, who was born in 1868.
Mr. Irwin was a soldier in the late war, a member of company I, Twentieth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. He was in seventeen engagements, was taken prisoner in July, 1864, at Atlanta, Georgia, was at Andersonville, Florence, Millen, and Savannah, and was honorably discharged.
IRWIN, ISAAC, Morris township, farmer, post office, Mt. Vernon, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, and was brought to Ohio by his parents at the age of six months. He was married in 1832 to Nancy McCracken, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. They had six children: Emily, deceased; Harriet, Elsie, Gillman, George, Angeline, deceased. Emily was married to Elisha Lewis. They reside in Middlebury township. Mr. Lewis died in Middlebyry. Harriet was married to George Merrin. - They had four children: Emily, Nannie M., Lina Maud, and Tacie Merrin.
Isaac Irwin's father, George, was born in New Jersey, and came to Pennsylvania when he was young. He was married to Martha Norcross, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio in 1810, and settled in Chester township, formerly Knox county. They remained there five years, then located on C. C. Ball'sfarm. They died in Berlin township.
ISRAEL, SAMUEL, attorney, Mt. Vernon. Mr. Israel was born in Bedford, Winchester county, New York, October 8, 1810. In 1814 his parents went to New York city, where he remained till 1830. In the spring of that year Mr. Israel came to Mt. Vernon, which has been his home since. During the next winter he was married to Elizabeth Harper, of Muskingum county. They became the parents of seven children, six of whom are still living.
He afterwards was Mr. Mr. Israel has continued the practice of law since his admission with the exception of about six years, from the spring of 186g till the winter of 1875, during which time he was engaged with the late Hon. Rollin C. Hurd in the construction of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad.
ISENBERG, PHILIP, farmer, Berlin township, post office, Shaler's Mills, was born in Maryland in 1803. His parents moved to Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. Hecame to Ohio in 1835, located in Knox county, and was married in 1838, to Sarah Burkholder, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. They had eight children: Jacob, born in 1840; Elizabeth, 1842; Catharine and George, (twins), 1845; Margaret, 1849; Leroy and Lorain, (twins), 1852. Mr. Isenberg settled on the farm where he now resides in 1841. He cleared up and improved the most of this farm; has been a man of good habits, and is one of the pioneers.
JACKSON, ZIBA, Morris township, deceased, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, February 2, 1777, and married Phebe Lyon, who was born in Morris county, New Jersey, February 17, 1782. 'They had seven children: Aaron C., Nathaniel M., Benjamin L., Abbey C., Shalon, Eli, and Isaac. :
Ziba Jackson emigrated to Knox county in 1807, and settled in Wayne township when it was allin a state of nature. In 1814 he commenced clearing, and in the fall of the same year built a cabin and moved tothis township. He was an officer in the War of 1812; rendered faithful service, and' received an honorable discharge.
JACKSON, MRS. HAMUTAL, Liberty township, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1810, and is the youngest child of Hanson and Mary Ann Hobbs, zee Shipley. May 20, 1829, she was married to Elijah Jackson, of Washington county, Pennsylvania. They remained in Pennsylvania until about 1835, when they came to Liberty township and purchased a part of the Hogg section, which was entirely covered with forest. They had the usual experience of early settlers, and succeeded in clearing the farm and making a pleasant home, though they started in life poor. They had a family of eight children, two daughters and six sons, all of whom are living and doing well in life.
Mary E., wife of George Scott, resides in Fredericktown; Samuel H., resides in Mt. Vernon; Free Gift, farmer in Morrow county; Leonard Wesley, carriage manufacturer, Lima, Ohio; David S., farmer in Liberty township; Henry A., farmer in Crawford county, Ohio; John R., miller; Adelia E., married William H. Easterday. He is now deceased. They had one child, a daughter - Willie Belle.
Mr. Jackson died March, 1879. The sons of this family are all tradesmen but one, Henry A., who is a prosperous farmer, Mrs. Jackson is spending the evening. of her life cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Easterday.
Mr. Jackson's second wife was Sarah Jane Converse, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, July 20, 1834. Mr. Jackson has been justice of the peace in this township twenty-one years, and is one of its leading citizens. He owns one of the finest farms in the township, and is a member of one of the pioneer families.
JACKSON, OLIVER, Hilliar township, farmer, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1825. His parents came to Ohio about 1837, and settled in Milford township, where they lived and died on the farm, on which they settled, which was entirely covered with forest tr2es when they first lived on it. Here the subject of this notice spent his youth, and was married to Miss Ellen Pritchard August 28, 1851. Her parents were Welsh, and emigrated to the city of New York, where Mrs. Jackson was born, and where they both died. They had a family of two children: Elizabeth J. and George N. Elizabeth is married to Hiram W. Frost.
JACKSON, JOHN, one of the leading farmers of Liberty township, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November, 1826. His parents, George and Elizabeth Jackson were farmers. Mrs. Jackson died while in Pennsylvania. They had fourteen children, all of whom grew up, and seven of whom are yet living.
He (George Jackson) married Mary Hobbs, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. In 1834 they came to Milford township, where they spent their days. They had five children, all grew up, four of whom are living. The Jackson family are good farmers, and industrious and respectable citizens. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and has always made farming his occupation, in connection with it raising stock quite extensively. Mr. Jackson began life on a seventy-five acre tract of land which was covered with timber. He had but little aid, but by his perseverance and economy has made for himself a competence, owning considerable land. In 1853 he married Mrs. Susan Ann Jackson, daughter of John and Nancy Litzenberg. They have two children, viz: Edward and Ellen A.
JACKSON, I. M. V. B., farmer, Milford township, was born in Milford township, March 4, 1836, and is the son of George and Mary Jackson, wee Hobbs. Mr. Jackson was born on the farm where his father settled in September, 1835, and has remained there ever since. He was married to Miss Rachel O. Jackson October 28, 1858, and they have three children - William H., Theodora A., and Lillie Bell.
The history of the Jackson family wiJl be found in the biography of John Jackson, of Liberty township. Mr. Jackson is an industrious farmer, and one of the substantial citizens of the township.
ford township, January 15, 1846,*and is the son of George W. and Sarah A. Jackson, zee Riley, now residents of Licking county. He was' reared on a farm, attended the common schools, and a term of twelve months at the Harrison university, at Granville, Ohio. He has followed teaching during the winter for sixteen terms, thirteen of which were in his native township. In 1873 he was elected a justice of the peace, which office he still holds. He is a man of good judgement, a leading and influential citizen of the community, pleasant and social in his manners, well informed, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the county. He was martied to Miss Cynthia Dowell in 1871. They had three children, two of whom are living.
JACOBS ALONZO, a son of Rev. S. T. L. Jacobs, was born in Gambier, Knox county, September 15, 1846. In 1861 he commenced working at the shoemaking trade in Gambier with D. S. Snyder, and served as an apprentice over two years. In August, 1863, he enlisted in company I, Second Ohio volunteer heavy artillery, and served until the close of the war. In 1865 he returned to Gambier and began working at his trade, continuing as journeyman until 1868, when he commenced the business of manufacturing boots and shoes, and has been actively engaged at that since that time. He is prepared to manufacture anything in the line of boots and shoes. In 1871 he began dealing in ready-made boots and shoes, and keeps constantly on hand everything in his line of business needed in a country village.
JAMES, E. C., is a native of Delaware, Delaware county, Ohio, and was born January 18, 1856; was educated at the public schools of Delaware, and took a course at a commerciaj school. He learned telegraphy when thirteen years of age and has since followed it. Was located at the Delaware office, then Lewis Centre, Westerville, Howard, then was promoted to car accountant and operator at the general office of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad in Mt. Vernon, where he served four years. February 7, 1877, he married Miss Ida P. Miller of Mt. Vernon. February 1, 1878, took charge of the Western Union telegraph office, where he is still engaged. Since he took charge the business has increased largely.
JACKSON, EDWARD, Liberty township, farmer, was born in Liberty township, May ro, 1859, and is the son of John and Susan Jackson, of whom mention is made elsewhere. He was married on the farm his parents now live on, is an industrious farmer, and a worthy young man_ February 12, 1880, he was married to Miss Caroline Robertson, daughter of Jesse P. Rebertson, whose biography appears in this work.
JENKINS, DAVID, Wayne township, farmer, post office, Mt. Vernon, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, came to Knox county in 1828 with his parents, and was married in 1857 to Margaret Huntsberry, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1837. They have the following children: David L., born tn April, 1859; James H,, August 28, 1861; Emmitt L. F., October 7, 1863; Georgiana, April 23, 1867; Byron H., August 17, 1870.
JENNINGS, REUBEN, Hilliar township, carpenter, Centreburgh, Ohio, was born in what is now Hilliar township, February 5, 1814. He is the oldest man now in the township, who was born in it. He is the third child of Joseph and Rebecca
Jennings, zee Hinton. They were born, reared, and married in Monongalia county, Virginia. In about 1803 they came to where Zanesville now stands, where they remained until 1811, when they came to what is now Hilliar township, settling on a tract of land southwest of the present village of Centreburgh. He kept a hotel, or tavern, as it was called in those days, for a number of years. 'They had a family of eight children, six of whom are yet living. His wife dying, he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he died, in 1862, at an advanced age. Thus in brief is the outline sketch of two of Knox county's first settlers - pioneers who saw the forest when unbroken, and who lived to see much of it disappear before the hardy stroke of the early settler.
The subject of this notice remained at home until he learned the carpenter's trade. He has erected about seven hundred buildings, most of which are in Knox county. Mr. Jennings is a quiet and estimable citizen. He has the esteem of all who know him, and by his industry and steady habits has done much for the community. Of him it can be said that he has not lived in vain. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Mariah Murphy, to whom he was mairied in 1837. They had two children: Charles M., of whom we have spoken, and Alice Lenora, wife of Calvin Shaffer, farmer, who resides in Crawford county, Kansas. His second marriage was to Rebecca C. Conkey.
JENNINGS, C. M., Hilliar township, of the firm of Jennings & Faiaba, dealers in hardware, stoves, and tinware, Centreburgh, was born in the village, December 8, 1844. He attended the village schools, and when about seventeen years of age, enlisted in company F, Sixty-fifth regiment Ohio volunteers, November, 1861, for three years. His regiment belonged to the Fourth corps, Third brigade, Second division, Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, and Chicamauga, where he was wounded by a musket ball in the thigh. The following day he was taken prisoner and parolled on the field. From September, 1863, to May, 1864, he was a parolled prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio. He was declared exchanged at Camp Chase, and in May, 1864, he joined his regiment at Chattanooga. He participated in the Atlanta campaign, and the fights of Spring Hill, Columbia, and Franklin, besides many skirmishes. He was mustered out of service with the regiment December 14, 1864, after serving his country faithfully and honestly for over three eventful years. After his return from the army he worked for the Government at Columbus, for about six years, and then returned to his native town, where he engaged in the grocery business for some time.
January, 1873, he formed a partnership with M. Faraba in a general store and to this they added the stove and tinware stock of another store doing business in the village. They have since added a full line of hardware, and are doing a good business. Mr. Jennings was appointed postmaster October 25, 1875, and makes a very efficient and satisfactory officer. He is quiet in his manner, and has the confidence of the public and the esteem of those who know him best. He started in life without the aid of a dollar, but by his industry and integrity he has so established himself that his complete success is assured He was married to Miss Emily A. Hames, of Columbus, Ohio, February, 1871. They had two children, a daughter and son, the latter having died.
education in our public schools. His business engagements were with Mark Curtis two years, with J]. Sperry & Co., fourteen years, two years of which he had an interest in the cassimere department. In 1873, in company with John S. Ringwalt, they established the house of Ringwalt & Jennings. Jennings remained in the firm until January, 1880, when he purchased the stock in trade of C. Peterman & Son, and commenced business for himself with a stock of abont eight thousand five hundred dollars. He has been doing a good and increasing business. He now carries a stock of about twelve thousand dollars, consistof a full line of stapleand fancy goods. His sales average about fifty thousand dollars per annum.
JOHNSON, NICHOLAS, of Pike township, was one among the oldest citizens, as to age, if not as to residence. He was born in Rocklin county, New York, 1784. At the age of twenty he went to Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, and learned his trade with an Englishman named Daniel Large. In 1823 he built the first locomotive engine ever run in the United States. In 1834 he moved to Columbiana county, Ohio, and followed farming for two years; he then went to Salem and started a foundry. In 1842 Mr. Johnson moved to Knox county. In 1845 he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. In the year 1860 he moved back to this county where he lived up to the time of his death in 1880, Mr. Johnson had four children - three girls and one boy, all living.
JOHNSON, WILLIAM (deceased), was born in New Jersey, February 16, 1756, and was a man noted for his great piety and intelligence. He was an officer in the Revolutionary war. He married Miss Sarah Douglas a short time after the war closed; came to Knox county in 1810, and settled near Mt Vernon. At the commencement of the War of 1812 he was considered one of the wealthiest farmers of Knox county. He served several years as justice of the peace, and was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church, and the pioneer preacher, Rev. James Scott, frequently held meetings at his residence. When the War of 1812 commenced he, with three of his sons, enlisted, William being a captain. He returned in safety and moved to Richland county after the conclusion of the war. He resided there but a few years, till his death occurred. All of his sons are dead. A granddaughter, Mrs. Jane Crocraft, is still living in Lexington, Richland county, Ohio, at an advanced age.
JOHNSON, NATHANIEL (deceased), a native of Hampshire.county, Virginia, was born April 11, 1783. In 1806 he married Isabella Adams, who was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, August 22, 1778. They settled in same county, remained until 1812, when they emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, located for a short time near Mount Vernon, then moved on the old Applegate farm; remained there a few years, and in 1817 they moved on the Cooper farm, where they lived until 1832, when he purchased and moved on the farm in Clinton township now known as the Johnson homestead, two and one-half miles southwest of Mt. Vernon, where he passed the remainder of his days. Mr. Johnson followed farming as his vocation. March 2, 1832 his wife deceased, and he survived her until 1868, when he died, aged eighty-seven years and six months, highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He was the father of eight children - Thomas A. Rebecca and Elizabeth (twins), William O., Lucinda, James and Susan (twins), and Isaac. Thomas A., Lucinda, and Susan have died.
November 10, 1837, he married Miss Lucinda Sawyer, of Noble county, Iudiana, but formerly of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; she was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, January 12, 1814, and was a daughter of John Sawyer, who was among the early settlers of Mt. Vernon, and carried on the first blacksmith shop in the county-seat. He remained in Knox county until 1834, when he sold his property and moved to Noble county, Indiana. «
Shortly after the marriage of Mr. Johnson they settled in Noble county, Indiana, where they lived until 1844, when they removed to Knox county, Ohio. He purchased and moved on the Mike Sockman farm in Wayne township, remained there until 1852, when he purchased and moved into the old Joe Kinney property, where his wife died January 3, 1854. His uldest daughter, Elizabeth, has been his housekeeper since the death of his wife. In 1855 he purchased the farm on which he is now living, completed the erection of his present residence and moved into it in 1857. He is the father of four children: Elizabeth, Williarn H., Susannah, and Parker T. Susannah deceased April 1, 1875. He has followed farming and stock raising as his avocation.
JOHNSON, JAMES, farmer, third son of Nathaniel Johnson, deceased, was born in Knox county, Ohio, August 27, 1816. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade, and followed that in connection with farming for about fifteen years, but farming, stock raising, and dealing in stock has been his principal vocation.
In 184g he married Miss Mary J. Morton, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1849, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Morton. He purchased and moved on a part of the old home farm in Clinton township, remained until 1860, when he erected and moved into his present residence, two miles south of Mt. Vernon, on the Columbus road. They reared a family of five children: Emeline, Margaret B., Martha E., Laura, and Clara L., all living.
JOHNSON, ISAAC, farmer, youngest son of Nathaniel and Isabella Johnson, was born in Clinton township, Knox county, Ohio, December 20, 1818. He was reared a farmer, and has made farming, stock raising, dealing, and shipping his business. At present he owns several farms in Clinton township, and is one of the leading farmers in the township.
On the eighteenth day of November he married Miss Bell C. Davis, of Clinton township, daughter of George and Margaret Davis, nee Morton. They settled on the farm where they are aow living, one and one half miles from Mt. Vernon. on the Granville road.
Ohio with his parents, in February, 1814, and located in this township. He was married in 1844 to Elizabeth Burke, who was born in Maryland and came to Ohio in 1834. They had a family of five children, of whom three are living, viz: Abigail, George, aad James.
Mr. Johnson is among the very earliest settlers of this county. He has been a justice of the peace nine years in this township; has also been one of the leading men, and has always been ready to promote every good work and cause.
JOHNSON, JOSEPH, Miller township, farmer, was born in Knox county, August 31, 1811. His father was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1775, and married Rebecca Baker, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, about 1802. She was born March 3, 1778. Her father was a Revolutionary soldier and served under General Morgan. John Johnson, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a soldier of 1812. They emigrated to Ohio in 1806, and settled in the town of Clinton, this county, He was probably the first carpenter in the county. He resided there about three years when he purchased a quarter section of land where he lived until he moved with his son, Joseph Johnson. His wife died in 1835, and he died in 1839. They had a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters. Thomas, William, Margaret, John, Isaac, and Mary Jane have died. Joseph, Sarah Ann, married to James Dean, and Samuel, are still living. Mr. Johnson was raised to work early and late, assisting his father on the farm. When twentyone years of age he left the parental roof to seek his fortune.
His early training fitted him to successfully battle with the problem of economy. He worked until he had two hundred dollars to pay ona farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, which he purchased for one thousand two hundred dollars, paying the two hundred dollars in hand, and agreed to pay the balance, one thousand dollars, in two annual payments of five hundred dollars each.: This land was entirely covered with timber. The problem was how to make that amount. He set to work, and during the winter cleared ten acres of land, put five acres in tobacco, three acres in corn, and two in oats and potatoes. Out of the tobacco he made his payment. The following winter he cleared more land, planted nine acres in tobacco, and
Mr.. Johnson is a man of strong individuality, and retains his mental faculties with a clearness seldom seen in a man of his age. He is social and pleasant in his habits, and makes all fee] at home who cail upon him.
November 6, 1834, he married Mary Cosner, daughter of Philip Cosner, of Morris township. They had eleven children, all of whom are living, viz: Samuel, Dorothy, married David Neible; Martin V., James Scott, John C.; Sarah J. married Henry Martin; Willliams, Joseph; Mary married Jacob Yoakum; Ann V., Emma and William M. All the Johnson's sonsin-law and daughters-in-law are living. They, with their children and the Johnson family, number thirty-six individuals. There never has beena death in the family which, perhaps, has no equals in Ohio,
JOHNSON, ISAAC N., deceased, was born May 23, 1814, on his father's farm in Morris township. He was reared on the farm, and at the age of thirty he married Eliza Dripps, daugter of John Dripps, esq., of Licking county. He reareda family of eight children, as follows: Thomas Jefferson, Morgan, Scott,
In 1842 Mr. Johnson purchased of C. P. Buckingham eighty acres of landin Morris .township, near the old homestead, and in 1853 engaged in fruit growing, which he made a success, having about thirty acres planted in fruit trees of all kinds adapted to this latitude. He was an industrious and liberal man, and after a life of usefulness departed July 29, 1878, and was buried in Union Chapel cemetery.
JOHNSON, H. P., editor, is a son of Rev. Johnson, Methodist Episcopal clergyman, a member of the North Ohio conference. H. P. was born in Ohio and attended the Delaware college; prepared himself himself for the editorship. He purchased the Fredericktown "vee Press September 24, 1880, succeeding Mc. F. Edwards. He is conducting the paper with ability and success.
JOHNSON, ELIJAH, Fredericktown, stonecutter, was born in Tennessee in 1841, came to Ohio in 1863, and was married to Hannah Jackson, who was born in Virginia. They have five children: Samuel, William, Kate, Loa, and Dwight.
JONES, GENERAL G. A., superintendent of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad, Mt. Vernon. General Jones was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April rr, 1812. In 1813 his father emigrated to Washington county, same State, and located at Claysville and West Alexander, where the subject of this sketch resided till 1834, when he came to Mt. Vernon. At West Alexander he engaged in purchasing produce and buying wool. At Claysville he had charge of a general store for Mr. George Wilson.
After his arrival here he engaged in merchandizing and dealing in produce and wool, in which he continued till 1850, when he gave up that business. In 1850 he was appointed United States marshal by President Zachary Taylor for the district of Ohio. He superintended the census of Ohio that year, holding the position for four years. Hethen, in connection with John H. Winterbothan, engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements, employing the convict labor at Fort Madison. In this business he was employed* about eleven years. He then spent about seven years in prospecting, and visited several of the most important mining regions of the United States and the oil fields. .
JONES, ELIAS O., Wayne township, farmer, post office, Fredericktown, born in this township, July 20, 1838, and was married March 23, 1870, to Amanda Clarke, who was born in Holmes county, Jannary 8.1848. Theirchildren are: Ada C,, born February 21, 1871; Amanda M., October ro, 1872, Eura, September 19, 1874; Carrie M., April 21, 1877, and Jennie A., April 10, 1879.
KAHN, D. & CO., clothing and furnishing goods, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. This firm was formerly. known as Hexter & Weineaman, afterwards as J. H. Hexter, and then succeedéd by the present firm of D. Kahn °& Co. Mr. Kahn, the senior partner, is of the well known firm of Kahn, Halhan & Co., of Cincinnati, wholesale dealers ip clothing, cloths, etc. Mr. Ne C._Levi, the junior member of the firm, is a native of Philadelphia, and recently a citizen of Dayton, Ohio. The firm is carrying a stock of three thousand to four thousand dollars, consisting: of ready-made clothing, hats, caps, and furnishing goods. They occupy the corner room in the well known Ward block, corner Main and Vine streets, and is known as ''The Lucky Clothing House.'' This establishment was organized in April, 1879, and the stock in trade purchased by the present firm in January, 1880,
The following are married: Corydon Karr married June 23, 1853, Margaret S. Powell. They reside in Buffalo, New York. James A. married Martha Dunham, and is living in Chicago, Mlinois. Elizabeth married Henry Mohler. John E. married Anna Baughman; Aaron L. married May Carr, and lives in Greenfield, Iowa. Joseph S. married Ellen M. Patton, and lives in Nebraska. Deliah Karr married Peter P. Laughlin. They reside in Buffalo, New York. Charles F. Karr married Olive M. Weirick, April 15, 1879, adn is living in Bellville, Ohio.
Mr. John Karr has been constantly engaged in working at the shoe trade in this place more than fifty years, and is yet so engaged, having reared a large family, and is yet hale and vigorous.
KARRIGER, GEORGE, retired, Berlin township, post office, Fredericktown, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1811, and married Elizabeth Haines, who was born in 1809. They had the following children, namely: Ester A., Lydia A., Cordelia, John H., Rebecca, and George W. The deceased members are John H., who died in 1857; and Mrs. Elizabeth Karriger in 1879. Her parents emigrated to Ohio when she was an infant. The Karriger family located in: this county in the woods. On the northwest corner of the Ellicott section they built a cabin and commenced clearing and improving their farm. They are living on the old homestead. Mr. Karriger has resided here seventy years.
His father, John, was born in the east in 1755; married Margaret Frederoff, and had a family of thirteen children. He was a soldier in the Revolution and died in Knox county in 1846. Mrs. Karriger died in 1850.
_KARRIGER, GEORGE W., Berlin township, farmer, post office, Fredericktown; was born in this township in 1850, and was married in 1872 to Abbie Foote, who was born in this county. They have two children - Lottie B., born in 1873, and
KELLAM, SAMUEL M., Middlebury township, farmer, post office, Fredericktown, was born in Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio, December 8, 1821, and was maried March D, 1843, to Elizabeth Stilley, who was born in Knox county, January 4, 1823. They had one son, JamesS., born January 30, 1844, and died August 11, 1858. Elizabeth Kellam died in Decmber, 1847.
Mr. Kellam subsequently married Nancy Gardner, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, December 11, 1825. They had three children, viz: Viola L., born September 19, 1849; Edwin B., January 14, 1851; and Eva E., October 11, 1853. Mrs. Nancy Kellam died June 25, 1854. Viola L. died July 17, 1850. Eva E. died February 3, 1854.
Mr. Kellam married for his third wife Margaret Cassell, who was born January 13, 1830, in Carroll county, Maryland. They have one son - Charlie E. Kellam - born October 24, 1863.
George I. Kellam was born September 5, 1849. Hewasa son of George H. Kellam, who died when George I. was an infant. He was reared and educated by Samuel M. Kellam, and resides in Lafayette, Indiana.
Edwin B. Kellam now resides in Aftan, Union county, Iowa, and is engaged in farming. Mr. Kellam moved with his parents to Delaware county, Ohio, in December, 1839, and there cleared up and improved a farm.
Samuel M. learned the carpenter and joiner trade in that county, and came to Knox county in 1841. He continued to work at his trade in Fredericktown until March, 1870, when he purchased a farm in Middlebury township, and has since resided there.
KELLER, CHRISTIAN, produce dealer, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, a native of this State, was born near Lancaster, Fairfield county, April 19, 1819, and in 1828 his father came to this county where he resided until his death. C. Keller has resided within the limits of this county since 1828. He received such an education as the subscription schools of that day afforded, and by dilience and energy he acquired a good English education. His first business engagement was with the firm of J. A. Sherman & Co., where in appreciation of his faithfulness and abilities he was retained eight years. He then engaged in the dry goods and produce business, which he conducted with success for seven years, after which he sold out the dry goods and engaged in the grocery, butter and eggs and produce business, which he carried on about eighteen years and during which he did business .
to the amount of over two million dollars. He quit the retail grocery trade about eleven years ago, and he now sells all his groceries out of the wagons. He keeps an average of fifteen two-horse wagons on the road and furnishes employment to about twenty-five men, nearly all of whom have families. He ships about five thousand barrels of eggs and about ten thousand packages of butter per year, and in a good fruit season he ships about four thousand barrels of dried apples for export trade. His business is on an increase of about ten per cent. He was married in November, 1848, to Miss Julia A. White, who was a native of Vermant. They had one child, a daughter, who died when about twelve years old.
KELLER, HENRY, Pike township, farmer, post office, North Liberty; born in Knox county in 1829, and was married in 1850 to Elizabeth Grubb, who was born in Bedford county,
Mr. Keeler owns a good farm with all the modern improvements. He is a minister of the German Baptist church, and officiates at the Owl Creek church of Berlin township, and his labors are highly appreciated.
KELLEY, FRANK, of the firm of J. P. Kelley, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, son of Andrew Kelley, who was one of the pioneer hardware merchants of Knox county. He engaged in the hardware business in Mt. Vernon in 1844, in which he continued until 1870, with the exception of eighteen months. In 1870 his son, John P. Kelley, took charge of the business, and conducted it until 1879, when he went west and engaged in business there, his brother Frank remaining to close out the business here, with a view of changing the stock to that of agricultural implements, in which business he expects to engage on his own account, and in which he will be sure to succeed, as he is a young man of character, energy, and ability, and makes friends of all with whom he comes in contact. He was born February 17, 1854, and is one of a family of eight children, four of whom are living.
The hardware business, as conducted by Kelley & Sons, has been a success, and they carried a stock of about six thousand dollars, consisting of foreign and domestic hardware, etc., and is the oldest existing firm in this line in the city.
KELLEY, J. A., was born May 1, 1851, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, received a common education at the public schools, after which he learned the trade of carriage smithing, at which he worked four years; for the next few years he was engaged in various ways. In 1878 he established his present business, which consists of staple and fancy groceries, and: all kinds of wines, brandies, ale, beer, and choice liquors generally. He was married July 29, 1877, to Miss Lovina E., daughter of Frederick Weber, of 'Mt. Vernon.
KELSER, JOHN (deceased), was married to Mary Drake, who was born in Holmes county in 1838. They had two sons, John W. was born in 1863 (he is now residing with his grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Drake); Philip S. was born in 186s.
David Drake was married to Margaret Freshwater, who was born in Brook county, Virginia. They had eight children, Nancy, Martha, Mary, Sarah E., Normanda, William, and infant. William Freshwater (deceased), was a native of Virginia; he was married to Nancy Chain, who was born in Pennsylvania. They had eight children, William, Reuben, Margaret, Mary, Fanny, Sarah, Nancy and George. Mr. Freshwater came to Knox county in 1818, and settled in Union township; he afterwards moved to Holmes county and died in that county.
KENDER, ISAIAH, landlord, Union township, post office, Danville, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, October 5, 1835. He remained there nntil 1848, when he came to Knox county, and settled in Jefferson township with his father. In 1865 he married S. E. Myers, who was born April 28, 1838. They settled in Brown township, Knox county, on a farm which he still In 1878 he moved to Rosstown and bought the Union He has three
Isaiah Kender enlisted in the Eighty-second Ohio volunteer infantry in 1861, and went to the war from this district. They landed first in Virginia, and were organized in the Eleventh corps under General Siegel, and was with him in four battles.
In the battle of Red Tree Creek he was wounded and had to have his arm amputated. Shortly after he recovered from this injury he was made a prisoner and taken to Andersonville, where he laid five months before he was exchanged. Five months after he was exchanged he was discharged from the service and came home, where he has remained ever since.
KENYON MILLS, College township, Gaines & Dial proprietors. These mills are located in college township, on Owl creek, one mile southeast of Gambier. The grist-mill was erected in about 1840, by the late Daniel S. Norton, and the saw-mill was erected shortly afterwards by thesame party. The grist-mill contains three run of buhrs, aud has power to grind three hundred bushels of wheat per day. The saw-mill is capable of sawing two thousand five hundred feet of lumber per day.
KERR, JOHN (deceased), was born in Pennsylvania. His wife was a Miss Sarah Chambers, a native of Ireland. He emigrated with his family to the great Northwest Territory, and settled in what is now Franklin county, Ohio, and remained there several years. In 1803 Mr. Kerr and family moved on the Sullivan tract of land, some four thousand acres lying in and around what is now Fredericktown. Mr. Sullivan was then a resident of Franklinton, Franklin county, and knowing Mr. Kerr to be a man of sterling integrity and moral worth, gave him fifty acres of land, including a mill site, if he would settle upon it and build a mill there. The offer was accepted. In 1807 the town of Fredericktown was laid out by Mr. Kerr on the fifty acres thus donated.
In the fall of 1807 he constructed a dam, raised a little log house, and set one run of stone to grinding, or ''cracking corn." After laying out the town Mr. Kerr purchased four hundred and fifty acres around it. The town was surveyed by W. Y. Farquhar, and named Frederick, in honor of Frederick, Maryland. Mr. Kerr remained there until 1812, when he moved to what is now Nashport, Muskingum county, and kept tavern in that place for some two years. He then sold his property to Mr. Nash, the proprietor of Nashport, and returned to Knox county, and located in Pleasant township, on the farm now owned by Robert Miller, esq., formerly treasurer of Knox county.
In 1819 Mr. Kerr erected the brick residence now occupied by Mr. Robert Miller. He remained on his mill property and followed farming and milling as his vocation until 1837. During that year he emigrated to the Plat purchase, in the western part of Missouri, where he died. The exact date of his death is not now remembered. He had six childred by his union with Miss Chambers, viz: Martha, Jane, Benjamin, Thomas, Dorcas, and Chambers. Only two of the number are now living, Benjamin and Thomas.
After the decease of his wife, which occurred on the twentysecond of August, 1811, at Fredericktown, he married Miss Anna Wells, of Nashport, Muskingum: county, who bore him four daughters: Amanda, Sarah, Emily, and Mary, all of whom deceased in Missouri.
three years. During his term of service the township of Pleasant was laid off and organized, and he gave it the name the township now bears.
KERR, BENJAMIN, farmer, of pleasant township, post office, Mt. Vernon, is the oldest son and third ehild of John and Sarah Kerr, both now deceased, was born on the west bank of the Scioto river, in what is now Franklinton, Franklin county, Ohio, April 14, 1800. In 1803 he came with his parents to Knox county, and they located at Fredericktown. He remained with his parents until 1827. He assisted in the erection of the Kerr, or now Miller, grist-mill, in 1815, and the present residence of Mr. Miller, in 1819.. In about 1826 he sank the first well on the public square, in Gambier, for Bishop Chase.
October 30, 1827, he married Miss Rosa Elliott, daughter of William and Elizabeth Elliott, zee Eaton, who came to Knox county in 1815. Miss Elliott was born in Pennsylvania, September 22, 1806. After the marriage of Mr. Kerr he settled on the homestead farm in Pleasant township, and remained there until 1838, when he sold the mill property, purchased and moved on the farm where he is now living, in the same township, adjoining the mill property.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kerr resulted in a family of seven children - Sarah A., John B., William E., Eliza J., Chambers, Wilson S., and Rose E. Rose E, has been a sufferer from infancy - from spinal disease. For nearly forty years she has been confined to her chair, and has never walked a step in all that long period of time. John B. and Eliza J. are dead. John B. died at Helena, Arkansas, in 1862, while serving his country in the war of the Rebellion. He was captain of his company.
Mr. Kerr is still living on his Pleasant township farm, and enjoying remarkable health for a man of his age - four score years. Milling and farming have been his principal avocations.
KERR, JOHN, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania. He moved to Ohio and settled in Franklin county. In 1803 he moved to Fredericktown, this county. In 1807 he laid out the town and erected a mill there, one of the first in the county. In 1812 Mr. Kerr moved to Nashport, Muskingum county, and remained there about two years, and then returned to Knox county and settled on a farm in Pleasant township. In 1815 he built the mill'on his farm now known as the Robert Miller mill. In 1837 he removed to Missouri, where he died. His son, Thomas, was born in Fredericktown in 1803, and is supposed to be the oldest man, native born, now living in the county.
KERR, DAVID B., farmer, Pleasant township, son of James and Mary Kerr, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, February 17, 1845. His father, James Kerr, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and was brought to Knox county by his parents in 1808, where he grew to manhood. In 1824 he married Miss Hannah Baskens, of this county. - They settled in Morrow county, Ohio, and reared a family of five children - four sons and one daughter.
Mrs. Kerr died in 1838. He was then united in marriage with Mary Barnes, of Morrow county, by whom he had eight children - seven sons and one daughter. He died Decembe& 6, 1867. His companion is still living.
David B. Kerr, son of the foregoing, was brought up on a farm and has made farming his vocation. October 18, 1866, he married Hannah Bebout, of this county, daughter of Enoch and Eliza Bebout. They settled on a farm in Clay township, this county; remained two years, then moved on his father's home farm in Morrow county. In 1870 they returned to Knox county, purchased and moved ona farm in Pleasant township known as the Scott-Miller farm. In 1880 he sold the Miller farm, purchased and moved on the Enoch Bebout farm, where they are now living. They have three daughters.
KERR, JAMES, deceased, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and came to Knox county in 1808 with his parents. In 1824 he married Miss Hannah Baskens, of this county, and removed to Morrow county. He died in 1867.
KEYS, JOHN, Liberty township, farmer, born in lancastershire, Englapd, December, 1856. His father, John Keys, was born in Canada, and taken to England when about two years old. He learned the shoemaking trade, and married Sarah Clements in England. They had ten'children, seven of whom are living.
In 1868 the family emigrated to Connecticut, and remained until 1875, when they came to Ohio. Mrs. Keys died in May, 1880. Mr. Keys is a worthy young man, and a good farmer.
KEYES, LEROY, Middlebury township, farmer, post office, Levering, born in this county in 1846, and was married in 1869, to Ida Ailbery, who was born in Licking county in 1844. 'They have three children, viz: Ella, born July 22, 1871; Myrta, May 7, 1876, and Robert, February 19, 1878.
KICK, GODFREY, Brown township, farmer, post office, Jelloway, son of Godfrey and Catharine Kick, was born in France April 23, 1822, and was brought to America by his parents when a boy, his father locating in Canton, Stark county, where they remained a short time, and then moved to
December 6, 1845, he married Mary Wolf, daughter of John Wolf, born in France November tro, 1826. After his marriage he purchased a farm of eighty-five acres in Brown township, Knox county, southwest of Jelloway, about one mile, where he moved, and has since remained, and reared his family. Their marriage resulted in eleven children: Mary A., Daniel, John, William, Priscilla, Henry, Adaline, Matilda, Frederick, Amelia, and David A., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Kick are members of the German Lutheran church of Brown township.
KIME, JOSEPH, Fredericktown, farmer, was born in Stark county, Ohio, September 22, 1830; came to Knox county in 1842, and was married in 1858 to Hannah R. Filmer, who was born in Knox county. They have two children - George and Ida.
Joseph Kime was a soldier in the late war, being a member of company A, Twentieth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. He veteranized at Vicksburgh, Mississippi, and was in the service for about four years. He received two honorable discharges, and was never sick or from duty for one day.
KIMMEL, WILLIAM, Fredericktown, was born in Carroll county, Ohio; was married to Louisa Welch, who was born in Stark county, Ohio. They have one daughter, Jessie, who was born in Fredericktown, Ohio. Mr. Kimmel is engaged as a travelling salesman.
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and came to Ohio in 1812. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom have died. Mrs. Welch is now living with her daughter in Fredericktown, Ohio,
Olive Shafer was born in Stark county. Her parents died when she was quite young. She has been reared by Mrs. Kimmel, and is still making her home there.
KING, WILLIAM 1L., Mt. Vernon, was born in 1816, at Milton, Middlesex county, New Jersey, where he lived until 1830, when he came with his parents to Newark, Ohio, where they remained about one year, then moving to Granville, where they remained but a short time, when they returned to Newark. Mr. King came to Mt. Vernon about 1834, and learned the hatters' trade with his brother-in-law, S J.,Voorhees, served four years, and then formed a partnership with Mr. Voorhees for one year, after which he engaged in business by himself, and conducted it successfully until 1874, when he sold his business to Mr. Baldwin and retired from the trade. He learned his trade under the old process, when all work was done by hand, and the styles changed once in about seven years, but the times changed and Mr. King made his business change to suit the times.
KINNEY, G. W., Berlin township, post office, Fredericktown, was born in Knox county in 1842, married in 1868 tc Jeannette Sharp, who was bornin Scotland in 1850. They have two children: James, born in 1868; Bryant, in 1877. Mr. Kinney was a soldier in the late war, a member of company G, One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. He was in the service for about three years, and was honorably discharged. After going through with his regiment in all the skirmishes and battles, he stands conspicuous among the loyal soldiers of Knox county.
KINSEY, C. R., Fredericktown, miller, was born in Millwood Knox county, January 14, 1854; married in 1875 to P. N. Blystone, who was born in Illinois. .They have one son - Morris M., born in 1877. Mr. Kinsey moved to Fredericktown in
KIRBY, NATHAN, Middlebury township, farmer, born in Knox county, October 23, 1823, and was married January 3, 1845, to Isabella Burk, who was born in Fredericktown, Maryland, February 13, 1825, and came to Ohio at the age of ten years. They have the following family of children: Henrietta, born April 14, 1849; Winfield, born February 16, 1852; Adilla, born January 18, 1855; Dayton, born August 20, 1851. Henrietta was married to David Cusner. Winfield married Samantha Hair, now residents of Middlebury township. Mr. Kirby has always been 4 citizen of this township, and is one of its active and energetic men.
KIRBY, ABNER 4., farmer, post office, Fredericktown, was born in this county in 1840; he was married in 1866 to Chloe A: Beans, who was borh in Richland county in 1848. They have four sons and three daughters - W. B., Etta M., Frank E., Zoa R., W. S., Estelle, and infant son. Mr. Kirby is engaged as an auctioneer, is becoming popular in this busines, and is meeting with success. He was a soldier - a member of company K - Ohio voiunteer infantry; and he was engaged for four years.
at Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio. Both his parents were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a Quaker and farmer. and died in 1838. His mother died at the age of eighty-two. Robert, in his early boyhood, attended district school in his native place, and afterwards became a student in Franklin college, at Athens, Ohio. After leaving college he commerced the study of medicine under the instructions of Dr. William Hamilton, at Mt. Pleasant. After a time spent in this preliminary study, he entered the old university at Philadelphia, where he attended lectures until he was twenty years of age. After attending the course he removed to Fulton county, Illinois, where he began professional practice. In the fall of 1843 he returned to Ohio, and abandoned the practice of his profession. In the spring of 1844 he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Mt. Vernon, forming a partnership with T. W. Rogers in the dry goods business. The association ended with the death of Mr. Rogers. He then formed a partnership in the same business with Mr. John Hogg, his father-in-law, which continued until 1853, when the firm sold out. In 1857 he went to Winona, Minnesota, and was associated with his brother as dealers in real estate. He returned to Ohio in 1858, and has remained there ever since, except when holding official positions abroad. In 1856 he was elected a member of the Ohio State senate, and served in that body one term. In 1859 he was elected lieutenant governor of the State. He served two years. In 1862 he received from President Lincoln the appointment of Minister to the Argentine Republic. During his official residence at Buenos Ayres he was successful in settling all the old claims due to American citizens, amounting to over four hundred thousand dollars; these claims originated in 1814, and were abandoned by our former ministers. Over nineteen thousand dollars were sent from Buenos Ayres to Mr. Bellows, president of the United States Sanitary commission, for the benefit of our soldiers, during Mr. Kirk's residence there. This position he held until 1866, when he resigned and returned to Ohio, In 1869 he was reappointed by President Grant to the same position, but resigned again in 1871, returning home in January, 1872. In February, 1875, he received from President Grant the appointment of collector of internal revenue of the Thirteenth Ohio district, at Mt. Vernon, and that position he held until Congress consolidated the revenue districts, and the office at Mt. Vernon was removed to Columbus, Ohio. He was married December 11, 1843, to Eleanor Hogg, daughter of John Hogg, and niece of William Hogg, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania. They had four children, viz: John, who was a member of the Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, served during the war of the Rebellion, and died in Mt. Vernon in January, 1873, aged twenty-nine years; Desault was an attorney at Mt. Vernon; Plimpton and William H., twins.
KIRK PATRICK, WILLIAM A., farmer, post office, North Liberty, born in Pike township, Knox county, in 1845, on the farm where he now resides. He was married in 1870, to Ella Daniels, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1851. They have four children: William W. was born in 1871; Francis E., in 1874; Emma, in 1876; Morilla M., in 1878. Mr. Kirkpatrick is a farmer. He has filled the office of assessor of this township with credit to himself.and entire satisfaction to the public.
KIRKPATRICK, JOHN WALLACE, deceased; he was born in Knox county, and was married to Sarah A. Dunmire. They had six children: Jacob A., Mollie, Edward L., George,
KNERR, AMOS, Pike township, farmer, post office, North Liberty, born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, and was married in 1835, to Catharine Snyder, who was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. They have eight children living, viz: Eliza, John, Mary, William Henry, Malinda, Sophrona, and Alice Amanda. The following have deceased, viz: Sarab, Cyrus, and Catharine Lucinda.
Mr. Knerr came to Ohio in April, 1838, and first located in Wayne county, and remained there nine years. From there he removed to Stark county, and remained six years. In 1853 he came to Knox county, and located in Pike township, and at present owns a well improved farm.
KNERR, HENRY, farmer, Pike township, post office, North Liberty, born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1845, and was married in 1868 to Julian Cayhoe, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania. They have three children: Bertie Viola, born in 1868; Nora Ellen, in 1872; Charlie, in 1875. Mr. Knerr came to Pike township, Knox county, in 1872, and is a farmer.
KNOX COUNTY SAVINGS BANK, North Main street, near public square. This bank is one of the solid monetary institutions of this county, and as such is recognized by the best business men wherever it is known. It was organized under the banking laws of the State of Ohio, in 1873, witha capital of fifty thousand dollars, and a surplus of four thousand three hundred dollars. Its present officers are, Jared Sperry, president; S. H. Israel, cashier, and C. W. Pyle, assistant cashier. Its directors are, Jared Sperry, General G. A. Jones, John D. Thompson, Samuel Israel, O. M. Arnold, Thomas Odbert, Alexander Cassil, and S. H. Israel.
There has not_been a sale of stock in this bank since it was organized, and it does a straight general banking business. Its officers are amongst the most respected and wealthy gentlemen of the county, and are all of marked and well known business integrity and ability; consequently, this is one of the safe and reliable organizations of the county, and everything in the banking line will receive prompt and faithful attention. Parties in any part of the county, or elsewhere, having business to transact in the banking line, can have the same promptly attended to by sending instructions to this bank.
KOHL, JACOB, Wayne township, farmer, post office, Fredericktown, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 20, 7850, and was married April 24, 1879, to Flora McMahon, who was born in Knox county in 1856. Mr. Kohl is a farmer by occupation, and is an active and energetic man. He came to Knox county in 1855 with his parents.
KOONS, COLLIN W., engineer of fire steamer, Mt. Vernon, Mr. Koons was born in Marion county, Ohio, August 17, 1846, where he resided until 1849, when his parents came to Mt. Vernon. He received his education in the public schools of this city. When of suitable age he commenced learning the moulding business with the firm of C. P. Buckingham & Co. After completing his trade he went to Fredericktown and engaged with Davis Rankins, with whom he worked until the year 1864, when he enlisted in company B (Captain Larimore), One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio
National guards (Colonel Cooper), in which he served one hundred days. After his return home he enlisted in company K, Ohio sharp-shooters, in which he served until after the close of the war, and was honorably discharged August 17, 1865. He was one of the five men who ventured into Petersburgh, Virginia, at the time of the evacuation and hoisted the United States flag on the city hall. This daring feat was performed before daylight of the morning of April 2, 1865. He also, in trading with the enemy, distributed circulars issued by General Butler offering inducements to the enemy to desert. These circulars were the means of many of the enemy coming into our lines. After his discharge from the army he entered the service of John Cooper & Co. and had charge of the moulding department where he remained until 1875, when the shop temporarily closed business. In the winter of 1875 he took charge of the steam fire engine of the Mt. Vernon fire department, which position he fills with acceptance. :
KOONS, WILLIAM MCKEE, attorney, Mt. Vernon, was born in Marion county, Ohio, June 9, 1850. He is the son of George M. and Elizabeth Koons, zee Wilson, who about a year after the birth of William, came to Mt. Vernon, where Mr. Koons died in 1867. His wife still survives him.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of seven children. He was educated at the schools of Mt. Vernon, May, 1864, learned the trade of machinist at the shops of C. & G. Cooper, of Mt. Vernon; remained four years and then took up drafting under J. C. Debes, where he remained nine months. He was then offered and accepted the foremanship of Duval's machine works at Zanesville, Ohio, and remained four years. While there he read law during his leisure hours, and then attended law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan. September, 1871, he was appointed by the council of Mt. Vernon as engineer of the fire department, and while there finished his course of reading under William McClelland, esq., and was admitted to the bar, July 7, 1874. He remained in the fire department until January, 1875, when he began practice with D. C. Montgomery, esq., with whom he remained abouta year. In' April, 1876, he was elected city solicitor, and reelected in 1878, and resigned in 1880. In the fall of 1879 he was elected to the lower house of the Ohio legislature. Mr. Koons is a good lawyer and has a good practice. He married Miss Ella R. Steinmates in October, 1876. They have two children, viz: May A., and William.
KOONSMAN, ABRAM, Liberty township, farmer, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1821. His father, George Koonsman, was born in 1789, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. About 1810 he married Catharine Bowser, who was born in 1784. By trade Mr. Koonsman was a shoemaker, and Mrs. Koonsman a weaver. They remained in Pennsylvania until about 1827, when they emigrated to Ohio, coming by wagon, bringing with them their family and some household articles, together with some cattle, which they drove. They settled in Liberty township, on a tract of land covered with timber, which, with the aid of the family, he cleared up and made for himself a comfortable home.
Mr. Koonsman died in 1854, and his wife died in 1864. They had a family of eight children, four of whom are living, viz: John, born in 1814, is a justice of the peace and resides on the farm, having his office at the farm residence; Sarah B., born in 1817, is also living on the farm; Ann K., born in 1819, resides on the old homestead.
Ann Dalrymple in 1858. They had a family of three children, viz: George, born April 6, 1859, died December 9, 1863; James Albert, born November 5, 1861; Maggie Jane, born February 21, 1864. This family has the esteem and respect of the community for their honesty and industry.
KOST, JOHN, deceased, Monroe township, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, was born in 1796. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that business as his principal vocation through his life.
In 1815 he married Miss Elizabeth Wolf, of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, born in 1799. In April, 1832, they left their native county with a family of eight children, and a fine horse team for Ohio. After a wearisome journey of five weeks over the mountains, they reached Mt. Vernon on the tenth day of May, where they remained about three weeks, during which time he erected a cabin on his land in Monroe township, which he had purchased of a Revolutionary soldier before leaving Cumberland county. About the last of May he moved his family into the cabin on his land. The farm is now known as the ''Big Spring farm," located in the northwest corner of Monroe township, and is owned by his son, Jacob Kost.
He lived in his cabin about two years and six months, and died on the sixteenth of December, 1834, leaving his companion with ten children to her care, in their forest home, viz; Samuel, John, Abraham, Jacob, Mary A., Margaret, Eliza, - William, George W. and David L., all of whom are living, except Samuel and Mary A.
KOST, JACOB, son of the aforesaid John and Elizabeth Kost, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, December 16, 1822, came with his parents to this county in 1832, and located on the farm where he is now living in Monroe township.
In 1850 he returned to his native county in Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Mary Kost, born in December, 1831; daughter of George Kost. They returned to Ohio shortly after their marriage, and settled on the old farm, where they have since resided. They reared three children - two daughters and one son.
He has one of the best improved farms in Monroe township. His residence is one among the best in the township. He has followed farming and stock-raising as his vocation.
KULB, GEORGE, Middlebury township, carriage painter, post office, Fredericktown, born in Knox county, August 18, 1846, and married July 16, 1868, to Annie Burket; who was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1846. They have the following children, viz: Eliza A. (deceased), born June 28, 1869; Louisa J., July 315, 1871; Joseph M., May 1, 1874; infant (deceased), July 11, 1876.
Mr. Kublb is a practical painter and a skilful mechanic. He is now engaged asa buggy painter in Waterford, where he does all kinds of work in that line.
KUNKEL, SAMUEL, Mount Vernon, attorney and recorder, was born in Pike township, October 11, 1850, and is the son of Martin and Leah Kunkel, zee Keller, natives of Pennsylvania, and whose biographies appear in another part of this work.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and attended the common schools, and in 1869 he completed a commercial course at Iron City college, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He at- tended the National Normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, and also attended school at Worthington, Ohio. He taught school a number of times and was successful. In 1876 he commenced reading law with General Morgan, of Mt. Vernon. In 1877 he was nominated for the office of recorder by the Democratic convention, and was elected the ensuing election.
In 1880 he was again nominated, and after a close contest was elected, being one of three who ran ahead of the ticket. He finished his course of law while attending to the duties of his office, and in 1879 was admitted to practice. He is an efficient
LAFEVER, WILLIAM, deceased, was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1788. By trade he was a cooper, and followed coopering as his vocation in connection with farming, making the latter his principal business. He married Miss Mary Price, of Pennsylvania. In 1810 they emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, and located near Fredericktown, where they lived until 1822, when he purchased and moved on a farm near Martinsburgh, same county; remained there ten years, and in 1832 he purchased and moved on a farm now owned by his son, Thomas P. Lafever, on the Brandon road, about three miles from Mt. Vernon. They lived on this farm about six years, when he purchased and moved on the old Sawyer farm in same township, adjoining his old farm on the north, where they remained a few years, retaining his other farms. He bought and moved on the farm now owned by Isaac Sperry, on the Newark road. They lived on this farm four years, he then sold it and purchased and moved to a farm near Martinsburgh; remained there about five years. His last purchase was the property now owned and occupied by his son, Thomas P., on the Newark road, about three-fourths of a milefrom Mt. Vernon. Here his wife died in 1864, and he passed the remainder of his days among his children, living with one awhile and then with another. He deceased in 1870, age eighty-two years.
They reared a family of thirteen children, viz.: John, Darcus, Thomas P., Isaac, James, Mimard, Samuel, Wiley, Abram, Sprague, Margaret, Rebecca, and Chambers. Four of whom (John, Isaac, James, and Rebecca,) are dead.
LAFEVER, THOMAS P., farmer,. second son of the aforesaid William and Mary Lafever, was born near Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, September 2, 1812. He was reared a farmer, and has followed farming as his principal vocation through life. In 1840 he married Miss Eliza Beam, daughter of John and Mary Beam. They settled in Clinton on a rented farm; remained on rented land until 1842, when he purchased his father's old home farm in Clinton township, on which he lived until 1878, when he rented the farm to his son Calvin and moved on the property where he is now living a retired life, near Mt. Vernon. They had five children - Emeline, Mernt, William S., John, and Calvin, all now living.
LAFEVER, WINARD, farmer, fifth son of William and Mary Lafever, was born near Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, April 12, 1815. He was brought up on a farm, and has made farming his principal vocation. _
April 22, 1841, he married Miss Emily J. Blake, born in Knox county, Ohio, March 3, 1820, daughter of William and Hannah Blake, deceased. They settled on the farm now owned by William Shineberry, in Clinton township. They lived on three different farms in Clinton township until 1854, when he
LAFEVER, WILLIAM, 'Wayne township, farmer, post office, Fredericktown, born in this township in 1830, and was married in 1864 to Mary Lafever, who was born in this township in 1856. They have oneson, Frederick Earl, born in 1874. His father, John Lafever, was born in Pennsylvania in 1809, and was married to Deliah Herod, who was born in 1808. Their children were William, Isaac, Molancy, Morgan, and Eli who enlisted in the late war, in the One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and was killed at the battle on Kennesaw Mountain. His body was left on southern soil. Mr. John Lafever was one of the early settlers and pioneers of this county.
LAFEVER, M. H., Fredericktown, salesman, was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1847, and was married in 1868 to Eunice They have one son, John C., born in 1871. Mr. Lafever is engaged as salesman with the firm of Hill & Hagerty, dealers in hardware and furniture. He has always been identified with this company, and has resided in Fredericktown for a period of five years.
LAFEVER, THOMPSON, Middlebury township, farmer, post office, Levering, born in Knox county, August 28, 1848, and was married to Helen Wilkins, who was born in 1837, in this county. They had the following family: Ella, Emma L., James F., Olive May, and Oliver (twins, deceased), Anna Bell, and Charlie Gay. Miss Ella Lafever was married to Clinton Ewers, who was born in this county. They have one son, Guy L., born July 3, 1879. )
LAHMAN, GEORGE (retired), Morris township, post office, Mt. Vernon, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1810, came to Ohio in 1820, and was married in 1834 to Hannah Weyner, who was born in 1810, in New York, and came to Ohio when a child. They had seven children, viz: Lewis W., William (deceased), Augustus (deceased), Robert, Mary, Sarah, and George. Augustus volunteered in the late war, and was a member of company A, Sixty-fifth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Stone River. Forty-one days after he was wounded he died, after a severe and painful suffering.
LAHMON, ABNER, deceased, Monroe township, son of William and Elizabeth Lahmon, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1818. In 1827 he came with his parents to Knox county, who located in Morris township, about two miles south of Fredericktown. They lived in three different townships in this county. In 1839 they moved to Monroe township, where they passed the remainder of their days.
Mr. Lahmon made farming his principal vocation through life. In 1839 he married Miss Elizabeth Lutz, daughter of Jacob and Susannah Lutz, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and came to this county with her parents in 1835, and located on the farm now known as the Lahmon Mill farm, located in Monroe township. Mr. and Mrs. Lahmon settled on the Lahmon Mill farm, where he died March 4, 1879. His companion is still living on the home farm. They reared a family of four children: Elizabeth, John, Mary A., and William.
John C. Levering
LAHMON, WILLIAM, son of the aforesaid Abner Lahmon, was born in Monroe township, this county, on the farm where he is now living, August 8, 1850. At the age of fifteen years he commenced working at the milling business in the Lahmon mills, where he has since been engaged in that business. At present he operates the Lahmon mills.
November 2, 1872, he married Miss Margaret E. Bowman, of Knox county, daughter of Daniel Bowman. They settled on the Mill farm, -where they are now living. They have three children, two sons and one daughter.
LAMBERT, D. W., is a native of Ohio; was born October 16, 1838; received an academical education, and shortly after entered the banking house of Russel, Sturges & Co. as a clerk. When the bank was reorganized, in 1862, he was promoted to assistant cashier, in which capacity he still remains.
LAMSON, GEORGE J., Miller township, carpenter, post office, Brandon, was born in Milford township, October 29, 1830, and is the son of Rhoda and Nathan Lamson, of whom mention is made in the biographies of Milford township.
Mr. Lamson spent his youth on the farm of Milford township, and has followed the trade of carpentering for a number of years, commencing to work at it at an early age, and isa good workman. He has always lived in Knox county, excepting about one year and a half while in Missouri, and some six months at Government work in Nashvilie, Tennessee. He was married to Miss Emma E. Lockwood, May 20, 1855, who was came to Ohio about 1833 or 1834, with her parents, Reuben and Catharine Lockwood, who had a family of fifteen children, three of whom are living.
Mr. Lamson remained in Milford township until 1867, when he moved to Brandon, where he has since resided. They had two children, one who died in infancy; the other is Lillian E., who married Thomas Thatcher.
LANE, W. C., Morris township, farmer, post office, Fredericktown, was born in Berlin township, this county, March 10, 1862. He is now a resident of Morris township, and is engaged in farming.
LANGFORD, DUDLEY, deceased, was born in Rhode Island in 1775. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and followed that as his principal vocation. He emigrated to Virginia with a Mr. Avery, for the purpose of building that gentleman a house, intending to return to Rhode Island. By the time he had the house completed he concluded to remain in Virginia and work at his trade. In 1798 he married Miss Rebecca Slotts, born in Virginia in 1782, They settled in Virginia, where they lived ten years, and in 1808, he, with wife and family, migrated to Butler township, Knox county, where he continued working at his trade in the summer, and manufactured chairs, spinning-wheels and reels during the winter. In 1818 he leased and moved ona piece of land in Howard township, agreeing to clear so many acres and have the use of the land cleared for four years, aS a compensation for his labor, but death called him away May 18, 1821, prior to the completion of his contract, leaving his wife with ten children to provide for in their forest home, viz: Isaac, Lydia, Lucinda, Nancy, Polley, Julia, Susan, Rebecca, Rachel, and Dudley C. The widow and children finished the contract, and lived on the land until the expiration of the lease. The mother being possessed of energy, managed to keep her children together until they were all able to take care of themselves. In 1835, when her youngest son, Dudley C., was but fourteen years of age, she was taken sick with inflammatory rheumatism. By this time her children had all martied and left her except the two youngest - Rachel and Dudley C. - who took care of and supported her during her ten long years of sickness. She died August 28, 1845, and all of the children are now deceased except [Lucinda and Dudley C.
LANGFORD, DUDLEY C., farmer, Union township, the youngest son of Dudley and Rebecca Langford, deceased, was born in this county, May 21, 1821. He married Mary Robinson Februrry 27, 1845, who was born in Union township, Knox county, October 5, 1821. She was a daughter of William and Sarah Robinson. They settled in Howard, Knox county, lived two years, and in 1847 they moved to Coshocton county, remained there fourteen years, and in 1861 he purchased and moved on the farm where they are now living, in Union township, one mile south of Danville. He has made farming and stock raising his vocation, and owns one among the best farms in Union township, containing about six hundred and eleven acres. They reared a family of seven children - four sons and three daughters.
LARASON, THOMAS (deceased), was born in Chester county, New Jersey, August 27, 1814, and emigrated with his father, James Larason, the following year to Licking county, Ohio. He was married to Malinda Ciaig. They have had eleven children, viz: Emily, Eunice, Lucinda, James, Oliver, Harriet, Abraham E., Luman, Leonard, Melinda Jane, and one that died in infancy.
Oliver Larason was married to Williametta Mercer. They have had three children - LEdwin, born July 24, 1873; Laura, November 22, 1874; Sylva, July 11, 1876.
LARIMORE FRANK C., physician, Mt. Vernon, was born in Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, April 12, 1846. His father was a merchant and canal contractor. He died when Frank was about ten years of age. He came to Knox county to live with his uncle, Thomas Larimore, of Milford township, who was a prominent man in the county. He went to school in the winter and in summer worked on the farm. In 1861 he enlisted in company G, Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry. He was wounded at Pittsburgh Landing, April 7, 1862, by a shell, and in consequence of his wound he was discharged in September, 1862. The following spring he went to school at Utica, Licking county, Ohio, and taught school during the winter of 1863-64, during the summer attending school. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted in company B, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio National guards, and was appointed third sergeant. March 20, 1865, he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Thompson & Smith. He read eighteen months, and then attended the first course of lectures at Ann Arbor for six months, and then returned to Mt. Vernon and read six months with his old preceptors, Drs. Thompson & Smith. On the death of Dr. Thompson he went to read with Dr. Russell. He then attended his second and last course at Bellevue Hospital Medical college, in which he graduated March, 1869. He commenced practicing in Mt. Vernon and practiced three years. In May, 1872, he went to Europe for the purpose of seeing the hospitals. He visited the hospitals of Dublin and Belfast, Ireland; Glasgow and I¢dinburgh, Scotland; London, Paris and Berlin. He spent six months in Vienna, Austria, under the instructions of private tea¢hers, in medicine and surgery. After leaving Austria he came through Italy, Switzerland, thence to Paris and London, Liverpool, and thence home. He returned to Mt. Vernon after an absence of thirteen months, and opened the office he now occupies. He was tendered and accepted the chair of lecturer of minor surgery in the Columbus Medical college in the fall of 1876. He was promoted to professor of the same subject in 1879, which position he still holds.
Dr. Larimore became a member of the Knox County. Medical society in 1869, and a member of the Ohio State Medical society in 1870, and a member of the American Medical association in 1872. During 1877 and 1878 he was president of the Knox County Medical society - two years. :
LARIMORE, HENRY, Milford township, a leading farmer of Milford, was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 30, 1833, His father, Thomas Larimore, a native of Hampshire county, Virginia, came to Ohio about 1820, and remained for awhile near Zanesville. He then returned to Virginia, where he remained for some time, and again came to Ohio, and was engaged on the Ohio canal. He married Jemima Johnston, zee Huddleston, by whom he had four children: James, Hester, Sarah. and the subject of this notice, who was the oldest child. Of these, James has deceased.
About 1834 he purchased the farm on which Henry now resides, and moved upon it the same year. He was a leading citizen; was infirmary director six years, and filled the office with credit. He died on this farm February, 1867, aged sixty-six years. His wife survived him until January, 1880, when she died at the age of about seventy-three years.
Henry Larimore resided on this farm and continues to reside on it. He enlisted in company G, twentieth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was mustered into service September 27, 1861. He served about one year; was at the taking of Fort Donelson, but the company did not participate. He was in the engagement at Middleburgh, Tennessee. He was discharged by the War department to take a commission in the Seventysixth, but the regiment being subsequently officered, he did not serve in it. He remained at home on the farm until May, 1864, when he was commissioned captain of company B, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment Ohio National guard, and served during the term. Upon his return home he resumed farming.
In 1879 he was nominated for county treasurer, by the Republican convention of Knox county, but defeated at the election, with most of his ticket. Mr. Larimore is one of the leading men of the township, and is esteemed for his uprightness of character and high moral principles.
LARIMORE, ISAAC P., Hilliar township, post office, Centreburgh, is one of the leading farmers of Knox county. He was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, March 10, 1821. His parents were farmers, and he remained on the farm assisting his father until 1844, and then settled in Milford township, Knox county, Ohio. He worked by the month until November 16, 1845, when he was married to Miss Mary Manconya, born May 1, 1829, the daughter of Joseph Manconya, of Milford township. He engaged in farming and remained in Milford township untii 1875, when he moved to his present home near Centreburgh, where he has since resided. He has been engaged in raising fine short-horn cattle, and has an enviable reputation in that line.
Mr. Larimore did not have the advantages of a liberal education, but he acquired the ordinary branches, and keeps well informed upon the current events. He is comprehensive and liberal in his views, is a good reasoner, and weighs a subject in a logical manner. He is a consistent member of the Christian Union denomination and a leading member, and is esteemed - for his moral rectitude and for his enthusiasm for any cause which he espouses.
As a result of his marriage they had eleven children, six of whom are living, viz: Joseph; Emma, who married Marion Selby; Ettie, James, William, and Rose.
LEE, JOH N, proprietor of grocery and restaurant, east side of North Main street. Mr. Lee is a native of the county of Galway, Ireland, where he was born in the year 1852, and in the year 1870 he emigrated to America and located in Mt. Vernon, where he made his first business engagement as salesman with George B. Potwin, in the produce business. He remained in this capacity until 1876, when he established himself in the grocery and restaurant business, in which he still continues. He carries a full stock of staple and fancy groceries and confectioneries, also a first-class stock of restaurant goods, consisting of brandies, wines, gins, beer, and ales, of the best American brands, also imported wines and brandies. -He carries a stock of about two thousand dollars, and he does a business of about seven hundred to eight hundred dollars per month, and up to the present his business has increased about twenty per cent.
LEEDY, REV. SAMUEL A., German Baptist, post office, Shalers Mills. He was bornin Morrison's cove, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1816. He came to Ohio in 1829, and located in Knox county. He was married in 1838, to Elizabeth Bostater, who was born in Washington county, Maryland, in 1815, and came to Ohio with her parents in 1836. They had twelve children; Simon, Susannah, Isaac, Elizabeth, Joshua, Elijah, two infant daughters (twins), Emanuel, Martha, Rufus, and Ezra. Joshua died November 24, 1849; twin daughter, August 14, 1848; Emanuel, February 27, 1854; Martha, March 2, 1854.
Mr. Leedy is a descendant of Abraham Leedy. Mr. Leedy located in Berlin township in the fall of 1838, and since has been a citizen of this township. He joined the German Baptist church or Dunkards, at the age of twenty-three years. Mr. Leedy was elected deacon in the church in about 1825; served in this capacity until 1854; he was then appointed ministerin that church. He has since been a faithful and liberal advocate for the principles of the church, but always charitable with and for the opinions of others. His zeal in the work has characterized his labors. He is still laboring to raise the standard of the church as a faithful embassador of the Cross.
His occupation has been farming; in this he has been industrious and active, always keeping up with the progress of the times. He owns the farm formerly known as the Long farm. He has retired from farming, and his sons are now farming the place.
Mr. Leedy has been a man of remarkable constitution, and is still in enjoyment of reasonable good health. Mr. and Mrs. Leedy are now living alone. Their children are all married, and have left the parental roof.
Simon Leedy was married to Elizabeth Martin, of Richland county. They reside in Cedar county, Missouri, post office, Monta Valla, Vernon county, Missouri.
LEEDY, DAVID A., Pike township, farmer, post office, North Liberty, born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, Novem. ber 23, 1821, came to Ohio with his parents when eight years old, and located in Knox county. In 1847 he was married to Susannah Grubb, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1827. They had the following children: Daniel, born December 4, 1849; an infant daughter (deceased); Mary A., born July-22, 1853; Elizabeth, March 26, 1857; Martha, August 24, 1868; and Charles M., April 18, 1873. Daniel Leedy died December 9, 1870. Mr. Leedy owns an improved farm with good buildings, located near North Liberty. He is a model farmer, and has assisted in improving and raising this county to its present standard, both socially and religiously. He has been a member of the German Baptist church for twenty-two years, being a member of the congregation that worships in the Berlin chapel.
LEMLEY, WILLIAM (deceased), Pike township, born in Richland county in 1848, and was married in 1867, to Mary Ellen Simpkins, who was born in Monroe township in 1851. They have three children - Clara J., born in 1868; James G., born in 1871; and William A., born in 1872. William Lemley wa$ one of the victims of the sad collision that occurred in Richland county during the State fair at Mansfield in 1872. He was wounded on Thursday and died on Saturday. This was a sad bereavement to the family. After the death of her husband Mrs. Lemley moved to North Liberty, where she still lives.
LEONARD, ZIBA, Clay township, retired. He was born August 28, 1798, in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and removed to Clinton township in 1803, arriving November 14th. He came with the Pennsylvania colony, who setttled in what is known as then Ten Mile Settlement. The names of his companions will be found elsewhere in this work. At his advent into Knox county, Mr. Leonard was but a few months past his fifth birthday. He is one of the few now living who came into the county as early as 1803. His mind is strong and active, and his memory is well stored with reminiscences of the almost forgotten past.
In 1796 William Leonard, grandfather of Ziba, came out from Pennsylvania, and bought a large tract of land south of Mt. Vernon. The farm of Hon. Columbus Delano lies in the northeast corner of the tract. Mr. William Leonard atfterwards gave the land to his children.
Mr. Leonard's father was a frequent sufferer on account of the depredations committed on his flock of sheep by wild animals; sometimes the wolves would come under the house and help themselves to the best of the flock. For about two years all the meat used in the Leonard family was procured in the forest; but as game was so abtndant, it was no trouble to obtain a sufficiency for the family larder. One of Mr. Leonard's brothers shot three deer without moving out of his tracks.
The nearest mill was at Zanesville, and until a hand-mill was procured, all the corn necessary for the family use had to be taken there to be ground.
The first wedding in Knox county was that of Mr. Leonard's sisters, in the winter of 1804 - -Amariah Watson and Sarah Leonard, and Daniel Dimmock and Rachel Leonard. The parties were united at the same time. A justice of the peace from Lancaster, Fairfield county, performed the ceiemony, there being no justice or minister nearer than that place.
The first death of any white person in Knox county occurred the next day after the arrival of the Leonard family, November 15, 1803, being a little daughter of Mr. Ziba Leonard's sister, Nancy Baxter, aged about eighteen months. The second death occurred in the spring of 1805, being that of Mr. Wil liam Leonard, grandfather of Ziba, and called the patriarch of the colony.
For several years after the settlement of fhe Leonard family in Knox county, on each returning winter, a tribe of Delaware Indians camped on Mr. Leonard's farm.
For some months there was no preaching in the neighborhood; but on each Sabbath day and Thursday nights, prayermeetings were held at his father's house.
The first sermon ever delivered in Knox county was preached at the house of his father by the Rev. James Scott, a Presbyterian minister, about the year 1804.
Mr. Ziba Leonard was married in 1819 to Mrs. Jane Beam. Five children were born to them, viz; Eleazer, Amos, Benoni, Malvina, and Martha - all alive except Benoni and Martha.
Mr. Leonard served several years as captain of the militia, and was also justice of the peace, constable, and township clerk of Morgan township several years. He moved into Clay township in 1831. Mr. Leonard has been a farmer and carpenter, working some forty years at the latter trade, having built nearly all the dwelling houses and other buildings in the village of Martinsburgh.
Mr. Leonard was originally a Jackson Democrat, afterwards Whig, then Abolitionist, and then a Republican, having acted with the latter party ever since its organization, until the past two years, when he has acted with the Prohibition party. Although Mr. Leonard drank of the first whiskey ever distilled in Knox county, he is an ardent temperance man, and firmly believes that no one that drinks whiskey, or chews tobacco will ever be admitted to heaven. ;
He has been a member of the Presbyterian church in Martinsburgh over fifty years, and is a firm believer in ''the Westminster confession of faith." He has been sexton of the Presbyterian church many years; has attended over five hundred funerals in Martinsburgh, and has been noted for his acts of charity to the sick and afflicted.
Mr. Leonard has often seen the eccentric Johnny Appleseed, and on being shown a picture of him, given in this history, recognized it immediately as being a very accurate likeness.
Mr. Leonard had some very bitter experience in connection with the failure of the celebrated Owl Creek bank, of Mt. Vernon. His father, who died in 1814, had willed him one hundred acres of vaiuable land lying north of the village of Lexington, Richland county. This land was lost to him by the failure the bank. He has also lost several thousand dollars by oing
Mr. Leonard remembers the first tree cut on the site of Mt. Vernon, and is well-informed relative to its first settlement. The first court was held in a small log cabin which stood exactly on the site of the soldiers' monument. He remembers well the Butlers, Walkers, Pattersons, Clicks, Wallaces, Pyles, Millers, et al., of the first settlers of the village.
'Mr. Leonard taught the first school in Clay township, then called Morgan. The first school taught in Knox county was taught by his cousin, Silas Brown, in Clinton township.
LEONARD, E. B., Pike township, farmer, post office, Democracy; born in Morgan township in 1819. He was married in 1839 to Elizabeth Walker, who was born in Union county in 1820. 'They have three children, Ziba, born in 1840; Rebecca, in 1843; Elnora, in 1849. Mr. Leonard came to Pike township in 1838. He owns a well improved farm. He is a member of a pioneer family and is now numbered among the pioneers.
Provenance
Text from History Knox County, Ohio, published 1881, in the public domain in the United States and digitised by the Internet Archive. The settlements listed against this township are matched by point-in-polygon test of each Geographic Names Information System coordinate against the Census Bureau's county subdivision boundary, not by name.