USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 18
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ISRAEL REES.
Israel Rees, who descends from a well known Welsh family, is now living a retired life in Hebron, although for many years he engaged in farming and stock- raising. He was born in Union township, January 7, 1835, his grandfather, Theophilus Rees, in company with Thomas Phillips, both of whom were men of means, having come from Carmarthenshire, South Wales, to the new world, sailing on the ship Amphion, April 1, 1795, and arriving in the United States nine weeks later, bringing with them a number of their neighbors who promised to reimburse them for paying their fare as soon as they earned the money in America. They located in Big Valley, Chester county, Pennsylvania, where there was a Welsh
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ISRAEL REES
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settlement, but they remained there only a short time when they repaired to Beulah, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. There Messrs. Rees and Phillips remained until 1801, when they purchased two thousand acres of land from Sampson Davis, a Welshman of Philadelphia, in what is now the northeast quarter of Granville township, this county, and during the same year Mr. Rees sent his son John to erect a cabin on the property and to clear a portion of it for cultivation, so that the members of the family should be able to sustain themselves upon their arrival, and the following year they settled upon their purchase, which was known as the Welsh Hills. Of this colony Theophilus Rees was the founder and pro- moter. He was a scholar and a man of acknowledged integrity, whose labors were of great benefit to his countrymen. After the coming of the Granville colony in 1805 he, having a knowledge of the English language, worshiped in the church established by the colony until the organization of the Welsh Hills church in 1808.
Among the children of Theophilus Rees were Martha, Elizabeth, Theophilus, Samuel, Mary and John, all of whom were born in South Wales. John Rees, who was the father of our subject, wedded Barbara Roads, and they had the following children: Katherine and Theophilus, deceased; Elizabeth, who became the wife of James Black, of this township; John, a resident of Kansas; Mary, deceased wife of William Cunningham, deceased; Israel; Jane, deceased; and Maud, who became the wife of Calvin Grove, but both are deceased. Their father's birth occurred December 7, 1785, and he departed this life in September, 1842, while his wife passed away in December, 1846. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was taken prisoner under General Hull.
Israel Rees spent his early life in this county, where he acquired his educa- tion in the district schools, and when thirteen years of age went away, remaining for five years, at the termination of which period he returned, locating in Union township where he engaged in general farming, making a specialty of sheep-rais- ing and wool-growing until the year 1904, when he went to Hebron, where he built an elegant home in which he is now residing in retirement. He owns a two hundred acre farm and another containing two hundred and forty-five acres in Union township, both of which are highly improved and under cultivation. Mr. Rees has given every attention necessary to make the property desirable and his farms are among the finest in the county.
On November 15, 1857, Mr. Rees wedded Elizabeth Stoolfire, a native of the Keystone state, born July 10, 1836, and a daughter of Jacob and Isabel (Rodgers) Stoolfire. To this union were born five children. Stanley, the eldest, now de- ceased, wedded Augusta Friend, daughter of Charles and Alcinda (Mills) Friend, and had one son, Leroy Tenney, who is teller for the Newark Trust Company; Frederick Waldo passed away in infancy; Clara resides at home; Sherman, resid- ing on the old home place, wedded Mabel Moore, a daughter of J. W. and Mar- garet Somerville Moore, and they have two children, Barbara Kathryn and Ellis Moore; Leonard, who is a machinist for the Panhandle Railroad Company, resides in Logansport, Indiana. Mrs. Rees departed this life February 17, 1898, and on September 24, 1903, Mr. Rees wedded Lorena Stoolfire, also a daughter of Jacob and Isabel (Rodgers) Stoolfire, her father having come here from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, her mother also having been a native of that
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state, both of whom settled in Union township. Mr. Rees and his children, and one grandchild, Leroy Tenney Rees, were born in the old brick house which belonged to his mother and which had been erected at an early date on the home place. Mr. Rees has always been a stanch supporter of the republican party, being an able advocate of its principles, and since casting his first vote he has always been loyal to its candidates and used his influence in securing their election. He is not affiliated with any societies or fraternal organizations, his business affairs having always demanded his undivided attention, but being a man who considers his religious obligations of the highest import he has always been prominent in Christian work and is affiliated with that body of people known as the Disciples of Christ, because he believes in the restoration of primitive Christianity and is con- vinced that the church to which he belongs is working to that end. His long life has been one of uprightness, his industry and enterprise having not only contrib- uted to his own prosperity but also to that of the community, and he is favorably known as one of the townships most worthy characters and representative citizens.
THEODORE G. BAKER.
In a history of Licking county it is imperative that mention be made of Theo- dore G. Baker and the family which he represents. Although now living retired, he was for many years closely, actively and successfully associated with agricul- tural interests and wool growing, his carefully directed labors bringing to him the gratifying measure of success which now enables him to enjoy the comforts and luxuries of life without recourse to further labor. He was born on a farm a mile south of Granville, September 10, 1844, a son of Colonel D. M. and Lydia B. (Gaylord) Baker. The paternal grandfather, Captain Daniel Baker, was born in Enfield, Connecticut, October 8, 1763, and won his title by service as a commander of a military company in his native state. In early life he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner and followed that pursuit for some time. On the 2d of April, 1778, he married Jerusha Parsons, who was born in Enfield, April 7, 1767, and they became parents of four children: Jerusha, born August 6, 1789; Fanny, who was born May 1, 1792; Sophia, who was born December 13, 1793, and died December 14, 1862; and Daniel M., born February 23, 1805. In the year 1806 Captain Baker made the trip westward on horseback, fording the streams, for there were no bridges at that time. He joined the Massachusetts colony which had located here the previous year and soon afterward invested in four hundred acres of land in Granville township, which he began to cultivate and improve. In 1810 he brought his family and thereafter was closely associated with the substantial development and improvement of the county. He was the original owner of the University Hill, and cleared off the land now occupied by the Upper Seminary buildings. He was prominent in community affairs, served as justice of the peace for several years, and was also township trustee and postmaster. About 1820 he erected a frame dwelling. a mile and a half southwest of Granville, afterward the residence of his son and grandson. Upon that farm he passed away December 19, 1836, while his wife died October 19, 1846. They were both consistent and faithful
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members of the Baptist church, and Captain Baker was regarded as a prominent and influential citizen of the community, his labors constituting an important feature in the growth and progress of this part of the state. His oldest daughter, Jerusha, taught the first school in St. Albans township and for many years followed that profession. She died March 1, 1848.
The youngest of the family, Colonel Daniel M. Baker, was born in Massachu- setts, February 23, 1805, and he was therefore five years of age when, in 1810, he accompanied his parents to Licking county, where his remaining years were. passed, his death occurring September 24, 1883. When the family reached their destination they unloaded their household goods on the present site of the Congre- gational church. At that time there were only two frame buildings in the village of Granville. Here, amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life, in a district where there were few advantages but much hard labor, Colonel Baker was reared. When fourteen years of age he became a drummer in a military company and at sixteen joined the company as a private, being promoted through various ranks until he became captain, and at the age of eighteen was placed upon the staff of General Jonathan Taylor, where he remained for three years. At the time of the Wolverine difficulty Mr. Baker was made colonel of the Second Regiment, Fourth Brigade, Ohio Volunteer Militia. Throughout his business career he was occupied with farming and sheep raising and became a prominent representative of these lines. On the 29th of November, 1829, he married Lydia Gaylord, a daughter of Theodore and Dorothy (Benham) Gaylord, by whom he had three sons and seven daughters. The mother of our subject was born in Vermont, December 26, 1806, and died in this county December 23, 1853, at the age of forty-seven years. By her marriage she had the following children : Dorothy, who was born September 21, 1827, died May 2, 1832; Almena, born September 22, 1828, died in May, 1881; Lorenzo, who was born November 4, 1830, died August 24, 1851; Dorothy, born September 15, 1832, died in 1903; Anna, born March 14, 1835; Parsons W., born November 23, 1836, died in 1864; Lydia, born March 19, 1839; Martha, born May 29, 1841, died in 1905; Ellen A., who was born December 3, 1842, died November 19, 1848; and Theodore, born September 10, 1844. After the death of his first wife Colonel Baker married Mrs. Charlotte R. Morrison on November 24, 1855. She was a daughter of Colonel Prescott and Lydia Varnum, of Dracut, Massachusetts, and was one of a family of nineteen children. Unto this marriage was born a daughter, Mary J., on the 3d of May, 1857. Colonel Baker was a member of the Granville Presbyterian church and was president of the Granville Farmers Club. Deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, he gave hearty cooperation to many movements for the public good, and his death was regarded as a personal bereavement by all who knew him when, in 1883, he was called to his final rest.
Theodore G. Baker, whose name introduces this review, spent his youthful days on the old home farm a mile south of Granville, and as the years passed by he aided more and more largely in developing the fields. His farm comprises three hundred acres of rich and productive land and he was associated with his father in its development and management until the latter's death in 1883. Much of the farm was then sold, but Mr. Baker, of this review, still retains fifty acres. He and his father dealt extensively in sheep and handled large quantities of wool. Their business interests were carefully conducted and their unfaltering energy
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constituted a source of gratifying success. Mr. Baker, of this review, continued to reside upon the farm until 1901, when he established his home in Granville, where he now resides, and from this point gives his supervision to his agricultural interests.
On the 1st of January, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Baker and Miss Lucy S. Page, who was born in Granville township, September 12, 1848, a daughter of Lucius D. and Mary (McDonald) Page, the former a native of Gran- ville and the latter of Vermont. Mr. Page spent most of his life on a farm in this county, but in 1891 went to California, where he died in 1903. Mrs. Page, who had come to Licking county from Canada with her parents during her early girlhood, died in this county in 1882. The Page family was founded in New England at an early day and Nathaniel Page, the grandfather of Mrs. Baker, came from Massachusetts and cast his lot among the early settlers of this part of the state.
In local political ranks Mr. Baker has been quite prominent. Throughout his entire life he has given his support to the republican party and its principles and for seven years has served as township trustee. Since coming to Granville Mr. Baker has been elected to and served one term in the village council, and in Jan- uary, 1909, was appointed justice of the peace by Governor Harris, to fill out an unexpired term. A helpful and active member of the Presbyterian church, he has served as one of its trustees for the past nine years and as secretary of the board. When twenty-one years of age he was made a Mason, becoming a member of Center Star Lodge, No. 11, F. & A. M., of Granville. He is also a charter member of Altamaha Lodge, No. 246, K. P., of Granville. He is well known as a gentleman of genial manner and cordial address, of good business ability and pro- gressive spirit, and the salient qualities of his manhood have ever been such as to win for him the high regard of those with whom he has been associated.
WORTHINGTON R. GEIGER.
Worthington R. Geiger, who is numbered among the alert, energetic and capable agriculturists of Union township, Licking county, where he was born May 14, 1849, is a member of a family which for many generations has been associated with the agricultural and stock-raising interests of this part of the state, his grandparents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Houdeshell) Geiger, having come from Virginia with their parents in childhood and located in Fairfield county. There they were married and reared four sons and four daughters, all of whom attained the age of maturity. Among the sons was David Geiger, whose birth occurred in Fairfield county, near Pleasantville. He married Nancy Roads, a daughter of Abram and Annie (Beaver) Roads, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Geiger was a native of Union township, where she spent her entire life and passed away in August, 1903, in her seventy-eighth year, having survived her husband twenty- nine years, his death having occurred May 14, 1874, when he was fifty-two years of age. Mr. Geiger followed farming here all his days and at his death left three hundred acres of excellent land. In their family were ten children, namely :
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MR. AND MRS. W. R. GEIGER
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Jacob Melville, who passed away in his twelfth year; Emily N., wife of Louis Ruffner, both of whom are residents of Fairfield county; Worthington R .; Clara M., who wedded David House, of Hebron; Peter H., who also resides in that place; Jesse E., of Union township; David M., who makes his home in Hebron; Lucy Melcina, a resident of Newark; Rhoda A., who lives with her husband, D. E. Stewart, in Newark; and Theophilus S., an agriculturist of Union township.
Worthington R. Geiger, who has always resided in Union township, excepting one year which he spent in Walnut township, Fairfield county, was reared under the parental roof and became familiar with the several departments of farm life during his boyhood days. He acquired his education in the district schools and remained on the home place until his marriage, at which period of his life he began to farm independently and in 1874 purchased the tracts of land he now has under cultivation, consisting in all of four hundred acres, fifty acres of which was of the original plot owned by his father. Most of his land he tills himself, renting the remainder. He has always engaged in general farming, also paying some attention to stock-raising, and his place, provided with substantial buildings, and properly fenced and cared for, forms one of the attractive features of the landscape.
In 1872 Mr. Geiger was united in marriage to Melissa Beaver, a native of Union township and a daughter of Isaac and Jane (Armstrong) Beaver. After the death of his first wife he wedded, in 1878, Lida Ruffner, who was born near Johnstown, this county, February 7, 1856, and was reared in Fairfield county. She was one of the nine children of Jacob and Liza (Copeland) Ruffner, natives of Fairfield county, Mr. Ruffner being a son of Jacob, who was a son of John Ruffner, a native of Virginia, who passed away in Fairfield county in his ninety- fifth year. He settled in that county, near Rushville, and the large spreading elm there under which he tented in 1805 while he was building his log cabin is still standing. One of his sons lost his life soon after locating there while felling a tree. To Mr. and Mrs. Geiger have been born the following children: Daisy Florence, who is the wife of D. C. Smith, of Union township, and has one son, William Windell; and Everett W., M. Stanley, Armada and Lulu F., all of whom reside at home; Ethel and Edith, twins; Adrian; David Bryan and Marjorie Lucille. Politically Mr. Geiger has always been a democrat. He takes considerable interest in local affairs and has served by appointment as treasurer of the town- ship. He belongs to the Masonic order and also to the Eastern Star, and his enterprising spirit and upright character have always enabled him to stand well in the esteem of his neighbors.
FRANK E. HARRISON.
Frank E. Harrison, prominent in the industrial affairs of Jersey, is a member of the firm of Harrison Brothers & Company, carriage and wagon manufacturers, who has contributed largely toward the public improvements of the vicinity. He was born here on December 19, 1860. The Harrison family originally came from England in 1628 and settled in Connecticut, later removing to New Jersey and
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thence to Jersey township, Licking county, Ohio, in 1844, here becoming very prom- inent. The grandfather, Stephen Harrison, who wedded Martha Condit, engaged in wagon-making and in 1844 established the business which is now in the hands of his grandsons. His son, George C. Harrison, was born in Orange, New Jersey, and was united in marriage to Eleanor G. Marsh, her parents, Edwin and Elizabeth (Thompson) Marsh, coming from Madison, New Jersey, to Ohio about May, 1833, and locating in Jersey township, where they became well known and respected citi- zens. Both the Harrison and Marsh families had made the journey over the moun- tains in wagons, their respective trips being attended with many hardships and thrilling experiences.
Stephen W. Harrison, formerly a member of the firm of Harrison & Brother and an uncle of Frank E. and Benson M. Harrison, was born in Orange, New Jer- sey, and in 1844 accompanied his parents on their removal to Jersey township, Licking county. In his youthful years he attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and learned the trade of carriage-making under the direction of his father. Stephen W. Harrison married Emma L. Crane, a native of Jersey township, whose parents were born in New Jersey. By this union there are four children : Edwin, Alice, Mary Ethel and Herbert. In the fall of 1908, Stephen W. Harrison returned to New Jersey with his family and has since resided there.
On the death of their father George C. Harrison and his brother, Stephen W., continued the carriage and wagon-making business which the father had established, changing the firm style to Harrison & Brother, and in course of time added to the enterprise cabinet-making and undertaking, which branch of the business they gave up in 1891. They engaged in the manufacture of coffins, for which they had a large sale. These were made by hand and of walnut lumber.
Upon the death of George C. Harrison on April 30, 1904, having survived his first wife by thirty-seven years, his interest in the business fell to his sons, Frank E. and Benson M., who still conduct the wagon and carriage-making enterprise under the name of Ilarrison Brothers & Company, which style was adopted in the fall of 1908, when Stephen W. Harrison retired from the firm.
The firm of Harrison Brothers & Company build carriages, buggies, surreys, phaetons and spring wagons, all of which are high grade vehicles, celebrated for their durability and superior workmanship. The Harrison vehicle is known through- out the country and all these years has sustained the reputation of being one of the best on the market.
Frank E. Harrison, after acquiring his education in the village schools of this township, entered his father's wagon-shop, where he learned the trade of wagon- making and, having become a journeyman, he remained at the occupation until the death of his father, when he acquired an interest in the present firm. He is a skilled mechanic, familiar with every phase of the business and through his aggressiveness and industry the enterprise is gradually assuming greater proportions.
Mr. Harrison is largely and influentially interested in the affairs of the com- munity and has been treasurer of the township for three terms, clerk for two terms and for a number of years officiated on the school board. He belongs to Jersey Lodge, No. 543, I. O. O. F., being financial secretary of the same, and to Jersey Grange, No. 1628, Patrons of Husbandry, of which he is secretary. As to his religious convictions he is very liberal. Believing in the impartial attitude of the Sovereign of the universe toward His creatures and being of the opinion that he
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will ultimately preserve the general good of mankind in its entirety, he is a member of the Universalist church. A stanch republican in politics, he has always given his support to that party and is active during campaigns in endeavoring to secure the election of its candidates to the offices they seek. He is a strong agitator of public improvements and is especially active in securing good roads and public school advantages.
On May 10, 1883, Mr. Harrison wedded Miss Elizabeth M. Merrill, daughter of Oliver P. and Jerusha (Beem) Merrill, a prominent family in these parts. Mr. Merrill followed farming for many years but recently retired from active life and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor. To this union were born the following chil- dren : Rose E., who became the wife of Leo F. Farber, a prominent agriculturist of Plain township, Franklin county; Twilight M .; and Edith M. The two eldest daughters for some time were popular and successful teachers in the county and the younger daughter is a pupil in the Jersey schools. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are well known for their social qualities and their hospitable home is a neighborhood center for their many friends to gather and pass pleasant evenings.
BENSON M. HARRISON.
Benson M. Harrison, a brother of Frank E., and who is associated with him in the firm of Harrison Brothers & Company, is a native of this place, his birth having occurred on November 17, 1863. He also served his apprenticeship with his father after acquiring his education in the village schools and has since been connected with the wagon and carriage-making enterprise. Like his brother, it is his desire and ambition to see the community grow and he is always ready to further any movement for its advancement and development. He belongs to Jersey Lodge, No. 523, I. O. O. F .; Jersey Grange, No. 1628, Patrons of Husbandry ; has been a member of the school board for a number of years, of which body he is now presi- dent, and is greatly interested along educational lines. On October 4, 1888, he was married to Miss Florida F. Orr, whose parents, Silas and Henrietta (Meyers) Orr, descend from prominent families of Bowling Green township but now reside in St. Albans township. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have one daughter, Gladys I., a pupil in the Jersey schools. Mrs. Harrison was at one time a popular school teacher. The Harrison brothers are energetic and enterprising men and through their aggressive spirit have not only largely contributed to their own financial interests, but also to the general improvement of the community in which they conduct their enterprise.
G. W. SMITH, M. D.
The qualities demanded of the successful physician are not different from those which are required in other business or professional lines: the same analysis, the same alertness, and the same watchful spirit and keen discrimination are neces- sary in all avenues of honorable activities where success would be attained. The
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application of these qualities only is different, but the result in all cases is the same-success and progress. Possessing all the requisite qualities of the able physician, Dr. Smith has become well known as a practitioner of medicine and surgery in Newark. He was born in Randolph county, West Virginia, June 23, 1868. His father, Isaac Smith, was also a native of that state and a representative of one of its old families. He devoted his life to the occupation of farming and was accidentally killed in February, 1908, when sixty-four years of age. He mar- ried Chlorinda Carr, also a native of West Virginia, in which state she still resides.
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