USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
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STATE
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
OF THE
CITY OF NEWARK
AND
LICKING COUNTY OHIO
BY E. M. P. BRISTER
ILLUSTRATED
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VOLUME II
CHICAGO-COLUMBUS: THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO. 1909
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APR 1 7 1948
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CHARLES W. SEWARD
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BIOGRAPHICAL
HON. CHARLES W. SEWARD.
Hon. Charles W. Seward, formerly probate judge and now serving for the second term as judge of the common pleas court of Licking county, is a prominent representative of the bar of this section of the state. Devotedly attached to his profession, systematic and methodical in habit, sober and discreet in judgment, calm in temper, diligent in research, conscientious in the discharge of every duty, courteous and kind in demeanor, and inflexibly just on all occasions, these qualities have enabled Judge Seward to take high rank among those who have won judicial honors or have practiced before the courts of central Ohio.
He is one of the native sons of the county that has honored him with judicial preferment, for his birth occurred in Perry township, April 13, 1850, his parents being James E. and Harriet (Davis) Seward. The father was a native of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and about 1822 became a resident of Licking county, Ohio, establishing his home on a farm in Perry township. His purchase was a small tract of land which was partially improved, and with characteristic energy he began its further improvement and development, continuing there to till the soil until his life's labors were ended in death in 1872. He was a tanner by trade and carried on that business in connection with agricultural pursuits, until after the Civil war, but did not find it a profitable undertaking and hence gave it up, concentrating his energies upon his agricultural interests. He was twice married, his second union being with Harriet Davis, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, who is also deceased.
The life record of Judge Seward is another proof of the statement that the great majority of successful professional men have spent their youths amid the environments of the farm. He was reared to the work of the fields and acquired his preliminary education in the district schools. He learned the tanner's trade with his father and continued with him until his death. In 1870 he engaged in teaching school and the following year turned his attention to mercantile pursuits at Perryton, Licking county, in connection with his brothers, John F. and James A. Seward. He remained in that partnership until 1882 and the venture proved a profitable one, the firm not only gaining an extensive trade but also enjoying an
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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
unassailable reputation as a prominent factor in commercial circles. In the winter of 1875-6, however, Judge Seward began attending law lectures at the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor and also pursued his reading of law during his leisure hours at home. While in college he was a member of the same class as Judge Taggart, now on the circuit bench. In 1877 he went to Marshalltown, Iowa, and read law in the office of Brown & Binford, being admitted to the bar at that place in 1878.
Returning to Ohio, Judge Seward was admitted to the bar at Columbus in 1879, and the same year opened an office for practice in Newark, since which time he has made steady progress in his profession. In 1882 he was elected by the board of directors of the Home Building Association Company as their attorney and con- tinued in that position until elected probate judge in 1893. He thus served for four years, or until February 9, 1897, when he resumed the private practice of law. An earnest manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and an ability to accurately apply its principles, made him one of the effective and suc- cessful advocates in the courts and a growing clientage was accorded him. How- ever, he was again called to judicial service, when, in the fall of 1901, he was elected common pleas judge for a term of five years, and in 1906 was re-elected, so that he is the present incumbent. He has never been an office seeker, his honors in that direction having been forced upon him by his party, and his personal popu- larity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens are indicated by the fact that he was the only republican on the ticket elected in the year 1901.
In September, 1887, Judge Seward was married to Miss Anna G. Stacel, of Newark. They have an extensive circle of friends here and are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Judge Seward is a valued representative of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. He is also a member of the Licking County Bar Association and is now serving as its secretary. His business career since putting aside his text-books at an early age has been marked by continuous progress. He is conscientious in the discharge of his duties, and his spirit of loyalty, added to his comprehensive knowl- edge of the law, has made him an official of merit whose ability was attested by public opinion in his re-election for a second term.
PERRY PECK.
Perry Peck is the owner of one of the fine farms of Licking county, having one hundred acres of valuable land in Harrison township about three miles from Pataskala. Upon his place he has all modern equipments known to the model farm of the twentieth century and here he is extensively engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of American Merino sheep, Jersey cows and Duroc Jersey Red hogs. His business interests. most carefully conducted, are proving to him a profitable source of revenue.
Mr. Peck was born in Union township, this county, May 2, 1854. His paternal grandparents were Solomon and Elizabeth (Nutt) Peck, in whose family were eight children, including Dexter Peck, whose birth occurred at Topsham, Vermont, April 25, 1833. He was only five years of age when he accompanied his parents
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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
on their removal to Ohio, the family home being established in Harlem township, Delaware county. There amid pioneer conditions he was reared to manhood, but when a young man came to Licking county and spent his remaining days in agri- cultural pursuits in Union and Harrison townships. He wedded Miss Comfort Parkerson, who was born in Etna township, Licking county, and was a daughter of John and Mary (Slack) Parkerson. Her father's birth occurred in Sawley, England, July 25, 1793, while his wife was born in Pennsylvania about 1796. With his parents, John and Anna Parkerson, he crossed the Atlantic to Connecticut about 1800 and on leaving New England became a resident of Zanesville, Ohio,
where his marriage was celebrated. He served his adopted country as a soldier of the war of 1812, holding the rank of colonel. Following his marriage in Zanes- ville he removed to Licking county and for some time resided in Etna township but his last days were passed in Kirkersville, this county, where he died when about eighty years of age. His wife passed away in 1874. John Parkerson, the grand- father of Mr. Peck, was one of a family of seven children, namely : Martha, John, Samuel, Ann, William, Thomas and Edward.
Following his marriage Dexter Peck established his home on a farm in this county and throughout his remaining days devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in Union and Harrison townships. In his chosen life work he met with gratifying success and at one time was the owner of about three hundred acres of rich and productive land, but divided this with his children. He died upon the home farm on the day following the seventieth anniversary of his birth, while his wife died in 1886 at the age of fifty-two years. He was a member of the Kirkersville Baptist church and in early life gave his political allegiance to the democracy, while later he became a supporter of the republican party. Unto him and his wife were born six children: Perry, of this review; W. F., deceased; Willis R., living in Lima township; Mary J., who has passed away; Anna V., the wife of Charles Camp, of St. Albans township; and Loren B., of Harrison township.
In taking up the personal history of Perry Peck we present to our readers the life record of one who has long been widely and favorably known in this part of Licking county, having for more than a half century made his home in Harrison township. He was only three years old when his parents removed to a farm in this township and within its borders he has since remained, his youthful days being largely devoted to farm work in assisting his father. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and his training in the work of the fields well qualified him to take charge of farming interests on his own account at the time of his marriage. He has remained upon his present farm since October, 1874, and has here an excellent tract of land of one hundred acres, pleasantly situated about three miles from Pataskala and six miles from Granville. When he took possession there was upon the place a little one-story house containing four rooms and the farm was surrounded by a rail fence. There were no trees in the yard and the place was in a somewhat dilapidated condition, but with characteristic energy he began to till the soil and improve the farm and it is today one of the fine properties of Harrison township. In 1885 he erected a commodious residence containing nine rooms. He has also built all the necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, has an excellent granary and three good barns. He has also placed one thousand rods of tile upon the farm and has set out fruit of all
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kinds. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has been extensively and successfully engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of American Merino sheep of the best Vermont blood. He has won various premiums on his sheep when exhibiting at fairs, has now about one hundred and twenty-five head and in the spring of 1908, from six head which he bought in Vermont, he sheared one hundred and thirty-five pounds of wool, this being taken from five ewes and one ram. He likewise owns a fine herd of Jersey cows, also raises Duroc Jersey Red hogs and White Plymouth Rock chickens. He keeps always on hand stock of high grade, having some of the best blooded stock to be found in this part of the state.
In the year 1874, when but twenty years of age, Mr. Peck laid the foundation for a pleasant home life in his marriage to Miss Mary C. Williams, who was born in Liberty township, this county, November 4, 1854, a daughter of John and Mary (McArney) Iliff, the former a native of Perry county, Ohio. The mother died when her daughter Mary was but three months old and she was then adopted by Charles Williams and took his name. John Iliff was a son of James Iliff, a native of Pennsylvania, who became one of the carly settlers of Perry county, Ohio. Mary McArney was the daughter of the Rev. John A. MeArney, a Methodist preacher. Mrs. Peck had one brother, James Iliff, and a sister, Mattie Iliff, both now deceased. Her father married a second time, had six children by that union and died in Nebraska. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peck were born three sons: Charles D., who died at the age of one year, one month and one day; Addis Iliff, who died at the age of seventeen years; and a son who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Peck has always been a stalwart republican and for seven years served as township trustee, while he has also filled the offices of road supervisor and school director. He belongs to the Wesleyan Methodist church. and takes an active and helpful interest in its work, contributing generously to its support and doing all in his power to further its growth and upbuilding. Honorable and upright, manly and sincere, his life record commends him to the confidence and good will of all who know him.
W. A. LOVETT.
W. A. Lovett, working energetically and persistently to attain that success which is the legitimate goal of all business industry, is now conducting a laundry in Newark. He was born October 30, 1837. in Mansfield, Ohio, a son of John W. and Lydia (Gray) Lovett, both of whom were natives of New York. Following their marriage, they removed to Ohio in 1835, settling in Richland county among its early residents, for the work of improvement was still in its primitive stages when they took up their home there. The father followed the occupation of farming in that county until his death in 1854, the mother surviving until 1857.
W. A. Lovett was educated in the public schools of Richland county and in the Vermillion Institute, after which he devoted two years to teaching. He then went to New York on a visit, and the smoke of Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away when he joined the army, becoming a member of one of the first
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W. A. LOVETT
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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
companies raised-Company H of the Twenty-eighth New York infantry. With this command he went to the front, taking part in a number of hotly contested engagements, until 1862, when he was wounded at the battle of Cedar Mountain and his health was so shattered that he was honorably discharged in 1863, his term of service having expired.
Returning to Ohio, Mr. Lovett was employed in various lines of business until 1864, when he was appointed postmaster of Upper Sandusky by President Lincoln, but he would not endorse President Johnson's policy, and was relieved in 1866. He continued a resident of Upper Sandusky until 1869, when he went to Illinois, where he engaged in the insurance business, continuing in that state for several years. In 1880 he again became a resident of Mansfield, Ohio, where he conducted a shirt manufacturing business for some time. Later he carried on the same line of business in Galion, Ohio, and in 1884 removed to Newark, locating at the. corner of Fourth and Church streets, where he is now conducting a laundry business, being proprietor of the Newark Steam Laundry, the oldest and best enterprise of this kind in the city. High class work, promptness and reliability have always been features of this undertaking, and they constitute the foundation on which he has builded his success.
In 1863, Mr. Lovett was married to Miss Louisa J. Smith, a native of Greene county, and they have one daughter, Emma, now the wife of G. W. Shartle. Mr. Lovett is a member of the Lemert Post, G. A. R., and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He is a member of the Second Presbyterian church, and a most highly respected citizen, his honorable principles gaining for him the good will of all. He is prominent in local republican circles, has been chairman of the executive committee, and at all times is as true and loyal to his country in matters of citizenship as when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields.
CHRISTOPHER R. STARK.
There are some names that are inseparably interwoven with the history of Licking county. The Stark family, from the period of earliest development, has been represented here, and the work which they have done in promoting general progress and improvement has given them the right to be classed among the most prominent and valued citizens in this part of the state. Christopher R. Stark, always loyal in his citizenship, made farming his life work, and continued an honored representative of agricultural interests to the time of his death. He was born February 9, 1825, on a farm two and a half miles west of Granville on the Worthington road, where he lived until called to the home beyond. He was a son of Joshua and Silence (Rose) Stark. The father was born in New London county, Connecticut, November 9, 1788, and was the older son in a family of two sons and seven daughters. In his youthful days he assisted his father in the farm work, also in the operation of a grist-mill and woolen factory which his father owned. Liberal educational advantages were afforded him, and he supplemented his early training by a course in Brown university. When the country became involved for the second time in war with England, he joined the American army and as
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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
an officer in a company led the defense of New London, Connecticut, when an attack was made upon that town. In consideration of his services, his family received a land warrant from the government for one hundred and sixty acres of land. Attracted by the growing west, for such Ohio was in those days, Joshua Stark left his old home in 1817 and with a one-horse wagon traveled toward what was then called New Connecticut, or the Western Reserve. On the way, however, he formed the acquaintance of George Case, who induced Mr. Stark to join him in a trip to Licking county, and eventually they reached Granville. They here formed a partnership for the manufacture of brick, which was in great demand for building operations. For three years the business was successfully conducted, and then Mr. Stark turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, locating on a farm two and a half miles west of the village of Granville. There a few years later he purchased one hundred acres of land, and afterward an additional tract of one hundred and seventy acres, and in time this place became the property of his son Christopher, whose name introduces this review.
On the 22d of November, 1821, Joshua Stark was married to Silence Rose, of Granville, a daughter of Deacon Lemuel and Axa Rose, who came to Ohio in 1805 with the Granville company from Granville, Connecticut. Their daughter Silence was born September 4, 1295, and by her marriage became the mother of three children : L. Barlow, born July 1, 1823; Christopher R., born February 9, 1825; and Olive, born June 20, 1828. The death of the father occurred June 29, 1858, and the mother passed away December 27, 1861. Mr. Stark was honest, frugal and industrious, and was loyal in his friendships. His wife was a devoted Christian woman.
On the home farm, amid the conditions of pioneer life, Christopher R. Stark was reared, and always resided upon this place save for nine years which he spent in California, crossing the plains to the Pacific coast in 1849, attracted by the discovery of gold in that state. He acted as captain of a company of thirty-two men who left Licking county for the far west, and day after day they traveled on, until the days lengthened into weeks and the weeks into months, ere they were gladdened by the sight of the green valleys of California. At first Mr. Stark engaged in mining, but soon came to the opinion that he would find more profitable labor in other fields, and ran a pack-train of mules, carrying provisions into the mountains for the miners. In 1858 he returned by way of the isthmus route and spent the remainder of his days on a farm. He was the owner of two hundred and seventy acres of rich and valuable land, which was devoted to the cultivation of such cereals as are best adapted to soil and climate. He also gave time to raising short-horned cattle. and became known as one of the prominent cattlemen of this part of the state. He always kept stock of the highest grade, had a fine herd of Durhams, and won various premiums by his exhibitions at the county and state fairs. On his place he made all modern improvements and erected a good dwelling and substantial outbuildings, while the latest improved machinery was used to facilitate the work of the fields.
On the 12th of March, 1860, Mr. Stark was married to Miss Mary Partridge, who was born in Granville township in 1827. Her father, Ebenezer Partridge, was born in Burlington, Vermont. May 18, 1802; while her mother, who bore the maiden name of Lucretia Rice, was born in Westford, Vermont. in 1808. In the spring of 1834 they became residents of Granville, where their remaining days
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were passed. Mrs. Partridge died March 21, 1849, and Mr. Partridge afterward married Marietta Hamilton, of Canaan, New York. His death occurred Novem- ber 1, 1873. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stark were born three children: Charles, who died September 17, 1887, at the age of twenty-one years; Joshua, who is living on the old home place; and William, who is also occupying a part of the old home- stead. He married Cenith Prior and they have three children: Mary Esther, James L .. , and John C. Joshua Stark is the owner of valuable farming property lying in two townships. He is a worthy successor of his honored father in his farming and stock-raising interests, and is recognized as a man of good business ability, of unsullied integrity in all trade transactions, and of capable management in all of his affairs. On October 28, 1908, Joshua Stark was married to Minnie B. Sinnett, a daughter of Eugene and Harriet (Twining) Sinnett, natives of Gran- ville township. Mr. Sinnett was a farmer of Granville township. His death occurred in the fall of 1884. His widow still survives and lives in Granville. Mrs. Stark was the only child. Eugene Sinnett's parents, Alansen and Julia (Webster) Sinnett, were born in Massachusetts and Vermont, and numbered among the carly settlers of Lieking county. He later removed to Rock Island, Illinois, where his death occurred in 1886. Mrs. Eugene Sinnett's parents were Merrick and Corinthia (Clark) Twining. Mrs. Sinnett was a cousin of Daniel Webster. Both Mr. and Mrs. Twining were pioneers of Granville township.
In his political views Christopher R. Stark was a stalwart republican. He took great interest in the affairs of the community, served as township trustee, and held other local offices. He also purchased the first lot in the Granville cem- etery. At the time of the civil war he served as one of the squirrel-hunters and protected the interests of the community against the invasion of the southern troops. Death claimed him on the 6th of September, 1908, while his wife passed away in 1899. They were both people of the highest personal worth, who had done their full share toward promoting the progress and upbuilding of the county. Mr. Stark stood at all times for advancement, and his labors were particularly effective in promoting agricultural interests. He was a member of the Granville Farmers' Club, and while he never spoke at length before that body, the ideas which he did express were terse and to the point. He was modest in the expression of his opinions, and yet his ideas were always recognized as of value, for he was a close observer and his deductions were logical and reasonable. He made good use of his time and opportunities, and his well-directed life won for him the unqualified respect of all who knew him.
GEORGE DUNCAN HEISEY.
George Duncan Heisey, postmaster of Newark, and also connected with other business interests of importance in the city, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1882. He is a son of August H. and Susan N. (Duncan) Heisey, who were also natives of Pittsburg. The father is one of the prominent representa- tives of industrial and commercial activity in Newark, being president of the firm of A. H. Heisey & Company, manufacturers of fine table glassware.
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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
In his youth George D. Heisey was afforded liberal educational privileges, pursuing his studies in Lehigh University, at South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He put aside his text-books in 1898 in order to return to Newark as manager of the glass works, which had been established here by his father, and continued to capably fill that position until the fall of 1907, when he became ill with typhoid fever which incapacitated him for business for several months. He has displayed keen discernment in control of intricate business problems and has manifested a spirit of enterprise in all he has undertaken. He regards no position as final, believing always in the opportunity for further improvement and laboring ever toward reaching a higher standard. He is treasurer of A. H. Heisey & Company, incorporated, and interested in A. H. Heisey & Company, the Newark Heat and Light Company and the Newark Drilling Company. In 1904 he was appointed postmaster of Newark by President Roosevelt at the solicitation of Congressman M. L. Smyser, for whose election he was largely responsible, laboring earnestly to secure the success of Mr. Smyser, who is the only republican ever elected to congress from this district. Mr. Heisey brought to his official duties the same spirit of determination and energy which characterized him in his control of business affairs, and the duties of the office have been capably administered. He belongs to the Tau Nu Epsilon and is well known in the social circles of Newark, his friends being almost as many as his acquaintances. In all he does he is actuated by a spirit of determination and enterprise that enables him to overcome difficulties and obstacles and press continuously forward to the goal. In matters of citizenship he is public-spirited and cooperates in many movements for the general good.
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