USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 19
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It was in the place of his nativity that Dr. Smith began his education as a public school student, and later he taught school for four years prior to taking up the study of medicine. After spending one term in the University of Maryland and three terms in the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1904, he commenced practice in West Virginia. He had already, in 1898, passed the required examination before the West Virginia State Medical Board and had done successful work in the line of his profession, but, desiring further training for this field of labor, had resumed his studies in Cincinnati, and, following his graduation there, came to Newark, where he has since remained in active practice. In 1906 he supplemented his previous medical knowledge by a post-graduate course in diseases of women and in surgery, at the Chicago Poly- clinic. He belongs to the Ohio Eclectic Medical Association, and is doing good work in his professional service.
In July, 1902, Dr. Smith was married to Miss Emma Florence Stir, a native of Pike county, Ohio, and a daughter of Aaron and Nancy N. (Culp) Stir. The father was born in Germany, while the mother was born in Jackson county, Ohio, of German parentage. Mrs. Smith is associated with her husband in his profes- sional labors, being a member of the medical fraternity. She is a graduate of the Laura Memorial Women's Medical College, completing the course there in 1901, while in 1904 she was graduated from the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Institute. She is a member of the West Virginia Medical Association and the Ohio Eclectic Medical Association. Through their joint labors Dr. Smith and his wife are accom- plishing an excellent work in professional lines, the knowledge and effort of the one stimulating and encouraging the work of the other. In his fraternal relations Dr. G. W. Smith is a Knight of Pythias. He has had little opportunity for active participation in public affairs, preferring always to give his attention to his specific duties, and at no time neglecting the work that devolves upon him in his efforts to assist his fellowmen in regaining health.
WILLIAM KNELLER.
William Kneller, a retired agriculturist of Union township, Licking county, is a native of Boone township, Fairfield county, where his birth occurred December 9, 1845, and where he resided until 1894, when he came to his present location. His parents were John Philip and Katherine (Siegler) Kneller, natives of Wittenberg, Germany, who in 1830 emigrated from the fatherland to Baltimore, Maryland. Both resided there for a brief period and then went to Lancaster, Ohio, where they were united in marriage, shortly after which they settled in Bern
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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM KNELLER
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township, where Mr. Kneller followed farming until he departed this life. His wife then removed to Illinois and took up her residence with one of her children with whom she remained until she entered into rest. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that occupation in connection with the cultivation of a farm containing one hundred and eighty-five acres. In their family were ten children, five of whom survive.
William Kneller spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Fairfield county, assisting in the duties of the farm and at the same time acquiring his education in German under the instruction of his father. He remained at home, helping to cultivate the farm until March, 1894, when he came to Union township and purchased three hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated for a period of five years and then bought an adjoining farm containing one hundred and twenty acres, to which, within the next five years, he added one hundred and five acres, his farms in all including five hundred and forty-five acres of excellent land, all of which is improved and under a high state of cultivation. Each farm is provided with a substantial brick house. In addition to his landed possessions in Licking county he also owns two farms in Fairfield county, one containing one hundred and sixty acres and the other seventy-five acres, which he sold prior to locating here. The dwelling in which he lives was built in the year 1876 and one of the other brick residences was an old landmark, having been constructed in the year 1827. In addition to these buildings he also has a substantial barn, seventy-two by forty feet, which he has thoroughly remodeled and which is one of the roomiest as well as one of the best in the township. Mr. Kneller has been and is distinctively a man of affairs and his interests constitute an important factor in the business activity of the community. Among other enterprises in which he has been interested was that of threshing and he possessed a valuable machine for that purpose which he recently disposed of. He has now practically retired from active life, doing little outside work, devoting his time principally to looking after his business interests, while his farm is being operated on shares by his children.
On May 28, 1868, Mr. Kneller wedded Wilhelmina Baumann, a native of Hocking county, Ohio, where her birth occurred October 9, 1842, and a daughter of Louis and Emma H. (Kull) Baumann, both of whom were natives of Germany, where they were united in marriage, coming to this country in the year 1830, when the parents of Mr. Kneller also crossed the Atlantic. Mr. Baumann departed this life in Hocking county, while his widow resides with Mr. Kneller. In the Baumann family were seven sons and three daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Kneller have been born seven children: Tobias, the eldest, died in infancy. Caroline is the wife of Henry Gochenbach. John Philip resides at home. Louis married Belle Black, by whom he had one child, Celia Belle, who resides on the farm with her grandparents and, having lost his first wife, he was again united in marriage and now resides on the farm adjoining that of his father. Charles is married and farms in the same neighborhood with his father. Edward and William A. are both at home.
Mr. Kneller has always taken great pride in the German language inasmuch as he received his education in that tongue and almost exclusively uses it at home and consequently his children are well versed therein. He takes a deep interest
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in religious work and is an active member of the German Lutheran church, in the affairs of which he is quite prominent, being a member of the board of trustees. He is a man who has always endeavored to live in such a way as to command the respect of his fellow citizens and his straightforward life has merited the confidence of the entire community.
NATHAN C. FLEMING.
Nathan C. Fleming is one of the most extensive land owners of Licking county, owning nearly seven hundred acres of land in Hanover township and two hundred in Perry township. He is classed with the progressive farmers, utilizing every means for advancement along the lines of honorable business, and his success places him today in the foremost rank among the prosperous agriculturists of the county. His life record began at Frazeysburg, Muskingum county, Ohio, August 7, 1836, his parents being John and Hannah (Carter) Fleming, who were also natives of Muskingum county, their respective parents having located there during a very early period in its settlement. Mr. and Mrs. John Fleming became the parents of seven children, of whom five are still living: Nathan (., of this review ; James M., a resident of Newark; Charles W., residing on the home farm in Frazeysburg ; Catherine, the widow of William Stump, residing in Columbus; and Alice V., the widow of W. M. Lane, of Zanesville.
In 1853, after completing his education in the common schools. Nathan C. .
. Fleming became a student in Denison University, at Granville, there pursuing a business course. Following his graduation he devoted three years to merchandising at Irville, Muskingum county, after which he engaged in teaching school for a year. Ambitious to obtain a higher education for himself, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware in 1861, pursuing a classical course in that institution until May, 1862, when, with ninety-nine other students, he left the university to offer his aid to the country, then engaged in civil war. IIe enlisted as a member of the Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry, being the first to volunteer, and his comrades following his example, they organized Company E of that regiment. The president of the school, Rev. Frederick Merrick, followed them to Camp Chase and implored them to finish their college course, but the spirit of patriotism was strong within them, and they continued under the nation's starry banner. The Eighty-fourth became a part of General Wool's division, and the youthful volun- teers served from May until the following October, when they were honorably dis- charged.
Following his return home in May, 1863, Mr. Fleming was married to Miss Clara C. Vandenbark. He was afterward called out on the Morgan raid, and followed that general up to the time of his capture. In the fall of 1863 he took up his abode upon the farm which has since been his home. On the 17th of March, 1864, he suffered the dual loss of his young wife and an infant child, who were interred in the same coffin ; and on the 28th of February, 1866, Mr. Fleming was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary J. Van Voorhis, a daughter of the Hon. Daniel Van Voorhis, of Muskingum county. Her father was a member
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of the twenty-seventh Ohio constitutional convention, and also represented his county in the state legislature for two terms. He was thus closely associated with the law-making interests of the commonwealth, and left the impress of his indi- viduality upon many of the measures which found their way to the statute books of the state. Mrs. Fleming is also a sister of the Hon. Henry Clay Van Voorhis, who was elected to represent his district in congress. He has also been prominent in financial circles as president of the Citizens' National Bank of 'Zanesville. Another brother, S. F. Van Voorhis, engaged in farming, makes his home in Newark, and is a director of the Building & Loan Association there. Still another brother, F. Z. Van Voorhis, of Zanesville, is extensively engaged in farming, and in the breeding of road and standard-bred horses. A sister, Sarah, is the wife of Joshua G. Stump, who is living in Dresden, Ohio. The oldest son, John R. Van Voorhis, married Miss Lucy Frazer, of Glens Falls, New York, but both are now deceased. Their only surviving child, Blanche M., is a graduate of the Gran- ville Female Seminary. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fleming was blessed with five children: Clarence V., residing in Madison township, this county; Hallie E., deceased ; Daniel V., engaged in railroad construction at Hoboken, New Jersey ; Lottie L., the wife of Dr. D. M. Miller, of Newark; and Mary R., at home.
In his political views Mr. Fleming is a republican, and his support of the party has been that of a loyal, public-spirited citizen, who believes that its principles are most conducive to good government. The cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion during the eighteen years he has served as a member of the school board. For the most of that time he was treasurer of the board. He also filled the office of township clerk and township trustee for a number of years, and in all of these positions has been prompt and capable in the discharge of his duties. He was at one time a member of the Masonic fraternity, and held several offices in this lodge, but is not connected with the order at the present time. While a student at Delaware he became a member of the Beta Theta Pi. As the years have gone by he has given splendid proof of his business ability and executive force in winning the success which he now enjoys. As his financial resources have increased he has made judicious investments in property, and is today one of the extensive land owners of the county, and has also been identified with industrial interests, being formerly vice president of the Hanover Pressed Brick Company. His home is one of the beautiful modern farm residences of the county, and every- thing about the place is indicative of his careful supervision and his practical, progressive ideas.
CHARLES W. HENDRICKS.
Charles W. Hendricks, residing on his well improved and valuable farm of ninety acres in Newark township, was born in Marion county, Ohio, January 11, 1836, his parents being Benjamin M. and Ann (Gray) Hendricks. The grand- father, James Hendricks, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Licking county, Ohio, in 1802, when the Indians were much more numerous than the white set- tiers. His son, Benjamin M. Hendricks, the father of our subject, was the first
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white child born in this county, opening his eyes to the light of day on the 1st of January, 1803. His demise occurred in 1881, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1865. Their family numbered eight children, namely: James T., deceased; Catharine, who makes her home in Newark township, having attained the age of eighty years; Basil M., a resident of Newark, Ohio; Berlinda, the wife of Thomas Smedley, of Portage county, Ohio; Margaret and Rachel, both of whom have passed away; Mary, who is the widow of John R. Williams and now resides with her brother, Charles W., of this review.
The last named obtained a common-school education, pursuing his studies during the period of the year when his labors were not required on the home farm. He remained with his father until forty-five years of age, or until the latter's death, in 1881. His landed holdings now embrace ninety acres of land in Newark town- ship, in the cultivation of which he has gained a gratifying and well deserved measure of prosperity, the fields annually yielding golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
On the 16th of July, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hendricks and Miss Mary Ann Holler, who was born in Newark township, Licking county, in 1833, a daughter of Samuel and Julia Holler. Mrs. Hendricks, who was one of a family of eight children, passed away in October, 1903, her remains being interred in Cedar Hill cemetery. Her demise was deeply regretted, not only by the members of her immediate family, but also by many who had learned to esteem and love her throughout the long period of her residence here. Unto our subject and his wife were born two children: Benjamin M., a graduate of Denison University, who has taught school for several years, is a resident of Newark, Ohio. Their daughter, Julia, is deceased.
In his political views Mr. Hendricks is a democrat and has served as school director for six years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart cham- pion. He has now passed the psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, and receives the veneration and respect which should always be accorded one who has traveled thus far on life's journey and whose career has ever been upright and honorable.
JESSE EDSON O. GEIGER.
Jesse Edson O. Geiger, who was born March 23, 1857, on the farm he now cultivates in Union township, located a mile and a half west of Hebron, is a son of David and Nancy (Roads) Geiger. The family has for many years been identified with the farming interests of this section of the state, his grandparents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Houdeshell) Geiger, having come from Virginia with their parents and located in Fairfield county in childhood. In this state they were married and reared four sons and four daughters, all of whom attained adult age. Among the sons was David Geiger, whose birth occurred in Fairfield county, near Pleasantville, Ohio. He wedded Nancy Roads, a daughter of Abram and Annie (Beaver) Roads, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Geiger was a native of this township, where she spent her entire life and passed away in August, 1903,
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J. E. O. GEIGER
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in her seventy-eighth year, having survived her husband by twenty-nine years, his death having occurred on 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 : Jacob Melville, who passed away in his twelfth year; Emily N., wife of Louis Ruffner, of Fairfield county ; Worthington R., an agriculturist of Union township; Clara M., who wedded David House, of Hebron; Peter H., who also resides in that place; Jesse E. O .; David M., who makes his home in Hebron; Lucy Melcina, a resident of Newark; Rhoda A., the wife of D. E. Stewart, of Newark; and Theophilus S., an agriculturist of Union township.
Jesse Edson O. Geiger has spent his entire life in the house in which he was born and from which, during his boyhood days, he went in the winter season to the Luray school, where he acquired his education. After completing his studies he remained on the home place where he has since resided engaging in general farming and stock-raising on ninety-seven acres of arable land, including seventy- seven acres which originally belonged to the old homestead. Mr. Geiger remained single in order to take care of his mother, who departed this life August 16, 1903, and on November 22, of that year, he wedded Marium Elma Hoskinson, who was born in Franklin township, this county, March 3, 1863, a daughter of James and Mary (Lampton) Hoskinson. Her father was born in this county June 3, 1823, and his wife in Shenandoah, Virginia, on June 14, 1823, the latter having come to Ohio when five years of age with her parents, who settled near Zanesville, Muskingum county, subsequently removing to this county, where she taught school until the date of her marriage. She departed this life September 3, 1891, her husband, who survived her by four years, dying July 18, 1895. They spent their lives as farming people and reared two daughters, namely: Marium Elma; and Mary C., wife of Jesse B. Vermillion, of Union township. Mr. Hoskinson had two sons and three daughters by a former marriage, the latter, however, being deceased.
The democratic party has always elicited the support of Mr. Geiger, who having given considerable study to the several political cults believes the principles embodied in democracy to represent the original thought of our forefathers with respect to a free government. Although he manifests considerable interest in local affairs he has never held public office, but being industrious and enterprising and always ready to further every measure having for its object the welfare of the community he is numbered among the township's valued citizens and is accorded the respect and confidence of his neighbors.
J. P. H. STEDEM, M. D.
J. P. H. Stedem, M. D., well deserves classification among the self-made men, for at the outset of his career he was confronted with many obstacles. It is a well- known fact, however, that it is only under the pressure of adversity and the stimu- lus of opposition that the best and strongest in men is brought out and developed, and it was, perhaps, his lack of early advantages that made Dr. Stedem labor all
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the harder to attain the position which has now come to him. He entered, too, upon a professional career in which advancement depends entirely upon individual merit, and his close study and unremitting industry have formed the rounds of the ladder on which he has climbed to affluence.
Dr. Stedem was born in Logan, Hocking county, Ohio, May 2, 1858. His father, Anton Stedem, a native of Nuremberg, Germany, left that country during the troublous political times of 1848 and crossed the Atlantic to Canada, remaining in the southern part of the dominion for a year. He then became a resident of Lancaster, Ohio, and afterward removed to Logan, where he continued to reside until his death. He became identified with the business interests of that city as proprietor of a meat market, and continued in active trade until his death on the 21st of April, 1874, when he was forty-seven years of age. In early manhood he had wedded Anna Katherina Recktenwald, who was born in the valley of Moselle, in the Prussian Rhine province of Germany. The childhood homes of Mr. and Mrs. Stedem were only twenty miles apart, but they did not become acquainted until they met in Logan, Ohio. Mrs. Stedem arrived in that city in 1854 and their marriage was celebrated in 1856. She long survived her husband, and died August 5, 1908, in Lancaster, Ohio, when seventy-six years of age.
Dr. Stedem was one of a family of eight children, having four brothers and three sisters, all yet living with the exception of one brother and one sister. At the usual age he entered the public schools, and eventually became a pupil of the high school in Logan, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1874. He also attended a private German school and taught in the public schools of Logan and the sur- rounding country for ten years. He was a youth of sixteen at the time of his father's death, and, as he inherited no patrimony, was obliged to engage in teaching school in order to provide for his own support and for the support of the family, for he was the eldest child. The burden thus laid upon his young shoulders was a heavy one, but he bore it uncomplainingly, and throughout his entire life has met every duty with the same resolute and determined spirit, showing good cheer even in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties. After teaching school for a time he turned his attention to the drug business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in partnership with his brother, Fred William Edward Stedem. His interest in the practice of medicine quickly followed, and, determining to make it his life work, he matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College, from which he was grad- uated in the class of 1888. He afterward spent fifteen months as an interne in St. Agnes Hospital, and thus put his theoretical training to the practical test, gaining the broad expansion which comes in hospital work. He was thus well equipped for the duties of a private practice when he removed to Newark in 1889 and opened an office on South Third street. He is now located in the Newark Trust Building, where he has a well equipped office, supplied with many modern appliances that are of assistance to the physician in his humanitarian service for his fellowmen. He keeps in touch with the world's work along lines of medical and surgical practice through his membership in the Licking County and Ohio State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association.
On the 12th of January, 1892, Dr. Stedem was married to Miss Elizabeth Brennan, a native of Newark, and a daughter of Edward Brennan. They have one son, Edwin Joseph, born May 29, 1896. They also lost a daughter, Leah, who was born July 14, 1894, and died on the 14th of August of the same year. Dr.
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Stedem belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He displays many sterling characteristics of his German ancestry, including the persistency of purpose that has enabled him to accomplish what he has undertaken. His work in professional lines has been attended with gratifying success, and his practice has steadily grown in volume and importance.
ROLLIN R. LUSK.
The enterprising town of Utica finds a worthy representative of its business interests in Rollin R. Lusk, who is successfully conducting a jewelry store and is well known in the community for his enterprise and commercial probity. He is one of the native sons of the town, born November 14, 1859. He represents one of the old families of the county. His grandfather, Thomas Lusk, who was born in Pennsylvania about 1802, came to Licking county at an early day and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were reclaiming the district for the uses of the white race. He was a tanner and currier by trade and followed those pursuits for many years, his labors bringing to him well merited success. He married Eliza- beth Dunlap, who was born in 1808, and for many years they traveled life's journey happily together. Thomas Lusk was killed, however, in Newark in 1872, by the cars, while on his way to his brother's funeral. His widow survived him for a number of years and died when more than eighty-two years of age. He was a stalwart republican in politics from the organization of the party, being prompted to join its ranks from the fact that it was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, and he was strongly opposed to that institution. He held membership in the Reformed Presbyterian church. The family of Thomas Lusk numbered seven children: Samuel G .; Orilla, of Newark; Mary, James and Emma, all deceased; William, living in Newark; and Hattie, who has passed away.
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