Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 20

Author: E. M. P. Brister
Publication date: 1909
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 913

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Samuel Gibson Lusk, father of our subject, was born in Utica, November 24, 1833. As he grew in years and strength he assisted his father and became inter- ested with him in business. On the 13th of May, 1864, he was mustered into the United States army for one hundred days' service, becoming a member of Company G, One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio Infantry. He did garrison duty in the defense of Washington until August 31, 1864, when the regiment was mustered out. Before going to the war he had been connected with his father in the tanning business, but as that pursuit no longer proved profitable, Mr. Lusk, after his return from the war, took up the stonemason's trade. On the 4th of January, 1883, while attempting to pick the cap from a loaded shell with a knife, the shell exploded and the knife was driven into his forehead, causing his death nine days later. His political allegiance was stanchly given to the republican party and he was regarded throughout the community as a man of the highest respectability, whose sterling worth made him a valued citizen. It was in 1858 that he married Miss Amelia Jane Platt, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, July 5, 1834, a daughter of Paul P. Platt, who was a native of New Jersey, and removed westward to Knox county at an early day. Mrs. Lusk still survives her husband and is a member of the Christian church who enjoys the warm regard and friendship of all

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who know her, because of her many beautiful characteristics. She is now living in Utica. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel G. Lusk were born three children: Rollin R .; Alice, who married J. J. Hennessy and lives in Youngstown, Ohio; and Mamie, who died in infancy.

Rollin R. Lusk has spent the greater part of his life in Utica and at the usual age began his education in the public schools, pursuing his studies to the age of sixteen years, when he started out in the business world as a clerk in a grocery store. Subsequently he was employed in a drug store and in 1878 began learning the jeweler's trade in Utica. He was for a time employed in the same capacity in Coshocton, Ohio, and in 1883-4 was in Plain City, in the jewelry business. Since that time he has remained continuously in Utica, where he now owns and conducts a well appointed jewelry store, carrying a large and carefully selected line of goods. In his mercantile efforts he receives a liberal patronage, and aside from his activity in this line he is a stockholder in the Utica Gas Com- pany and also in the Licking glass factory and the North American Gas & Oil Company of Newark. His business judgment is sound and reliable, and he has learned to correctly value his own powers, to determine his limitations and to understand and utilize his opportunities. In this way he is making steady progress and his business interests have brought him the capital that ranks him among the substantial citizens of the county.

In November, 1898, Mr. Lusk was united in marriage to Miss Margaret McClellan, a native of Washington township, Licking county, and a daughter of J. B. and Susan (Belt) MeCiellan, also natives of this county. The father died September 24, 1907, at the age of sixty-eight years, while the mother is still living in Utica.

Mr. Lusk exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and he gives his aid and influence to further its success, yet he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He belongs to Utica Lodge. No. 555, K. P., which he joined on its organization, and for twenty- six years he has been an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity. The principles which have characterized his life have made him a valued citizen, and his record constitutes an integral chapter in the history of his native town.

JAMES LONG.

The pursuit of agriculture, as well as other vocations in life, requires the efforts and abilities of strong men, and perhaps no county has had more of the right class of energetic characters to develop the natural resources of this part of the state than Licking county. Among those deserving mention is James Long, who has large farming interests in Licking and Union townships. He was born in Thornville, Perry county, August 23, 1865, a son of Jacob and Jane (McCleery) Long, his father having been a native of that place where he followed farming all his life, entering into rest in the year 1903. He was a straightforward, substantial farmer, whose political convictions were always on the side of the democratic party, and who held membership in the Lutheran church, in the affairs of which

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JAMES LONG

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he took an active interest. The mother of our subject was a native of Fairfield county, and first married James Wilson, by whom she had two children-Charles and Allie. She afterward married Jacob Long in Perry county, where she departed this life. There were four children of the second marriage, namely: Emma, who became the wife of William H. Irvin, who is connected with Polk & Company, of St. Paul and Minneapolis; James; Ella, who became the wife of William Foster, a Thornville grocer; and John, also with Polk & Company, of St. Paul, Minnesota.

James Long was given the advantage of a good education, receiving his pre- liminary training in the district schools, later attending the Thornville high school. He returned to the home farm, where he remained until he was twenty- five years of age, at which period of his career he began to farm for himself in Perry county, where he remained until 1890, when he removed to this county where he has since resided. He has an excellent farm containing one hundred and sixty-one acres of land, and every improvement in the line of building and fencing upon the premises Mr. Long made himself, and in addition to having a substantial barn he also is the owner of a magnificent residence which is built after a modern type of architecture and is equipped with every convenience with which to make home life comfortable. Here he engages in general agriculture, his crops being of the finest quality owing to the attention he gives the soil, while at the same time he enters into stock-raising on a small scale, keeping on hand only thoroughbred stock.

In 1890 Mr. Long wedded Miss Annie M. Christ, by whom he has two chil- dren, Angus and Edith. A democrat in politics, Mr. Long is a strong advocate of maintaining the original character of the nation's institutions and also of a low tariff system by which a more healthy competition in trade and commerce may be established, and thereby wealth and prosperity be more equally distributed. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and upon its services, in company with his wife, he is a regular attendant. Industrious and enterprising, always endeav- oring to do what he can to add to his own interests and to those of the community as well, he merits a place among the worthy citizens of the township.

DANIEL M. SHEPARDSON.

Daniel M. Shepardson has passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey and has always lived in Licking county, his birth having occurred February 2, 1825, on a farm which he yet owns near the north line of Granville township, and which is operated under his supervision. His parents were Daniel and Pru- dence (Morse) Shepardson. The father was born in Middletown, Vermont, Sep- tember 27, 1787, and the mother in Dublin, New Hampshire, September 19, 1784. They were married in the Green Mountain state and in the fall of 1813 started for Ohio, with Licking county as their objective point, driving a team of horses from Fairfax, Vermont. Their journey ended, they settled on the farm which is now the property of Daniel M. Shepardson and which then contained ninety acres. It was a tract of wild and unimproved land, and in the midst of the green woods

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Daniel Shepardson built a little cabin and began placing the farm under cultiva- tion, clearing away the trees and stumps in order to cultivate the fields and develop the property. There he spent the remainder of his days and his labors were mani- fest in the improved appearance of his place. A brick dwelling which still stands on the farm was built by him in 1829. There he and his wife spent their remaining days, the death of the father occurring November 24, 1866, while the mother passed away on the 25th of March, 1835. He was an energetic, industrious man and took charge of the construction of three-fourths of a mile of the canal east of Newark, in 1825, acting as superintendent of construction. A few years later he was identified with the building of Granville .College, now Denison University. He had charge of the erection of the two first buildings, situated a mile and a half out in the country. Not only did he figure prominently in the early business development of the county, but was also a factor in the political, social and moral progress of the community. He was a factor in the organization of the First Baptist church and served as one of its deacons until his demise. His political allegiance was originally given the whig party, and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party and served as township trustee and in other township offices. He was also a member of the board of trustees of Granville Col- lege. Unto him and his wife were born eight children: Lucetta, the wife of David Woods; Perrin, who married Elvira Miller; Abagail, the wife of Gardner Woods; Harriett, the wife of Niram Pruden; Nancy, who died unmarried; Elvira, the wife of Rev. D. D. Walden, who is now living at South Haven, Michigan, at the age of ninety-two years; Daniel, who died at the age of two years; and Daniel M., who is the only one now living.

The boyhood days of Daniel M. Shepardson were passed in the usual manner of farm lads of the locality. He shared with the family in all of the difficulties and trials of pioneer life and aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm. As the years passed he continued to carry on agricultural pursuits and his labors brought him rich harvests for which he found a ready sale on the market. He continued to reside upon the farm until 1879, and since that time has given to it his general supervision. In 1879 he built his present home in Granville and has since occupied it, being now most comfortably located in the village.

On November 8, 1848, occurred the marriage of Daniel M. Shepardson and Miss Abbie L. Durant, who was born in Springfield, Vermont, October 1, 1827, and with her parents, Jotham and Lucy (Chilson) Durant, natives of the Green Mountain state, came to Ohio in 1842. They settled at Croton, in Hartford town- ship, and Mr. and Mrs. Shepardson were married there. For a long period they traveled life's journey happily together, but were separated in the death of Mrs. Shepardson, May 14, 1894, her demise being the occasion of deep and widespread regret to her family and many friends. Unto this marriage have been born two daughters: Esmah C., who was born in January, 1850, became the wife of the Rev. Alfred Orcutt, a Baptist clergyman, who died in Minnesota. She and her four children are now living with her father. Lucy P., born in October, 1856, is the wife of M. P. Ashbrook, of Granville, and they have had eleven children, six of whom are living.

A lifelong member of the Baptist church, Mr. Shepardson served as chairman of the building committee at the time of the erection of its present house of wor- ship. He was also chairman of the building committee of Burton Hall and of

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King Hall, two of the buildings of Shepardson College, in Granville. In 1863 he became a member of the board of trustees of Denison University, and so con- tinued until a recent date, when he resigned. He has served as a deacon in the Baptist church since the '60s and has been a member of the board of trustees most of the time. His first presidential vote was cast for Zachary Taylor and on the organization of the republican party he became one of its supporters and has since been most loyal in his advocacy of its principles. Few have resided for so long a period in the county as has Mr. Shepardson, who for eighty-four years has been a witness of its growth and progress. He has seen the building of the railroads, the introduction of the telegraph and telephone and the transformation of farm life through the invention of improved farm machinery. He can remember a time when many of the rural homes were log cabins and when much of the land was still covered with the native forest growth. Cooking, too, at that carly day, was done over the fireplace, and the spinning wheel and the tallow candle were features of almost every home. ITis memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and he relates many interesting incidents of the early days. He is now one of the venerable and honored citizens of the county, and well deserves a place on the pages of its history.

WILLIAM M. SHERMAN.

William M. Sherman, one of the best known farmers of Licking county, has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits here for almost thirty-five years. A native of Muskingum county, Ohio, he was born October 14, 1840, a son of John and Mary (Miller) Sherman, both natives of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. The father, having learned the miller's trade in his native place, came to Ohio in early manhood and located in Hanover, Licking county, where he engaged in the milling industry, with which he was identified for forty-five years, or until his death, which occurred in 1853, at Dillons Falls, Muskingum county, where he had removed with his family.

William M. Sherman was reared under the paternal roof, and pursued his education in the district schools until the spring of 1853, when, following his father's death, he removed to Licking county and took up his abode with Samuel B. Mckinney, in whose home he remained until he reached manhood. Upon attaining his majority he assumed the responsibility of providing for his own support and, in the spring of 1861, he went to work for Esquire Smith, receiving in return for his labors ten dollars per month, with the understanding that should his services prove satisfactory to his employer his salary would be increased to twelve and a half dollars per month. That he found favor in the eyes of his employer is manifest in the fact that he soon received the advanced salary and remained with Esquire Smith for eight years, at the end of which time he was receiving twenty-five dollars per month. Upon severing his connections with Esquire Smith, Mr. Sherman entered the employ of William R. Seymour, who subsequently became his father-in-law. In 1864 he made his first investment in real estate, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of wild, uncultivated land

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in Van Wert county, Ohio. That this investment was a good one is manifest in the fact that a short time after purchasing the property he sold it for twice what he paid for it. Later, in 1874, he removed to his present home in Licking county and rented a farm of sixty-one acres, which he cultivated for two years, when, in 1876, he purchased the place and has since added to his holdings until his farm now consists of eighty-two acres. Mr. Sherman has greatly improved his farm, erecting substantial buildings and bringing the fields under a fine state of culti- vation.

In June, 1896, Mr. Sherman was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Sey- mour, a daughter of William R. Seymour, of Licking county. Her paternal grand- father, Thomas Seymour, came to Licking county in 1803, from Virginia, settling in Madison township, where he held a government land grant of one thousand acres. Mr. Sherman is democratic in politics, and although he served one term as trustee of Madison township, he has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his time and attention to his agricultural interests. Mr. Sherman and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church, and well known throughout the community, while Mr. Sherman is one of the most prominent agriculturists of his locality.

JOHN E. RUFFNER.

John E. Ruffner has throughout his entire life engaged in general agricul- tural pursuits and stock-raising on the farm he now cultivates in Union township, Licking county, and on which he was born June 8, 1833, the family being among the pioneers of this part of the state, his grandfather, John A. Ruffner, a native of Virginia, locating at an early date in Fairfield county, where he owned and cleared large tracts of land. He departed this life there at the advanced age of ninety-five years. John and Mary (Roads) Ruffner, the parents of John E. Ruff- ner, were natives of Page county, Virginia, the father's birth having occurred March 3, 1785, and his death in this county in 1863, when he was in his seventy- eighth year. John Ruffner went with his parents to Fairfield county, where he remained for a few years, and about 1818 came to Licking county, where he spent the remainder of his days on his farm. He owned three hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which at the time he staked his claims was timber-land but subsequently he cleared off most of the tract and put it under cultivation, at the same time erecting substantial buildings. His first dwelling house was a log cabin, which he afterwards replaced by a more modern home. In his family were two children: David, who died August 11, 1888, in his sixty-ninth year; and John E., the subject of this sketch.

John E. Ruffner was reared to farm life under the supervision of his father and when not busy with the work of the fields he attended the district school-a characteristic structure of that pioneer period, being equipped with slab benches and other primitive furnishings. After putting aside his text-books he settled down to the pursuit of husbandry on the old home farm, where he has since resided. ITis farm contains two hundred and twelve acres of valuable land situ-

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MR. AND MRS. JOHN E. RUFFNER

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ated on the Newark road, eight miles south of Newark, in Union township, and Mr. Ruffner, being a progressive agriculturist, has always given sufficient attention to the soil to preserve its nutritive elements and consequently his land is highly productive. Aside from engaging in general farming he also raises stock of all kinds, particularly cattle and sheep, his long experience in this department of work making him familiar with every phase of the situation and in his earlier days he transacted a large buying and shipping business in this line. IIis farm is well kept and in every particular is indicative of the thrift and progressive spirit of its owner.

In 1862 Mr. Ruffner was united in marriage to Amanda Dennis, a native of Fauquier county, Virginia, where her birth occurred June 14, 1831. Her par- ents, James and Frances (Kendall) Dennis, natives of that state, located in Lick- ing township, this county, about the year 1835, and here departed this life. In their family were eight children: Julia, widow of Brady Bosman; Amanda; Joel and Patrick, deceased; Octavia, the wife of Miles Joseph; Rhoda, who resides in Johnstown, this county; Fidelia, widow of William Frush; and Wilson, who resides in Union township. The last two are twins. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ruffner, namely: Ella, born May 30, 1864, became the wife of Dudley Taylor, and died leaving a daughter, Beulah; Charles, born December 13, 1865, manages the home farm, upon which he resides with his wife, Caroline Hand, and three children, Burrell, Mabel and Mary. Mr. Ruffner has always voted on the side of the democratic party to whose candidates he has ever been loyal but while he is deeply interested in the success of his party he has never desired to hold public office, preferring rather to live quietly within his home circle. He has belonged to the Licking Baptist church since 1876 and has been treasurer of that organization for the past thirty years. A man whose daily life and conversation have always been indicative of Christian ideals, he well deserves the high measure of respect he now enjoys as a worthy citizen of the township.

JOHN LARIMORE.

John Larimore, who is now living a retired life after many years of labor on his farm in Union township, this county, was born there October 2, 1831, a son of James and Anna Eliza (DeWald) Larimore, his father having been a native of Virginia and his mother of Maryland, both settling in this county about the year 1827. The father departed this life April 20, 1874, and she April 5, 1887. In their family were Daniel, Louisa, John, Sarah Ann, Scienda, James and Caroline, all of whom are deceased except the latter and John.

In this township John Larimore has spent his entire life, remaining on his father's farm during his boyhood days and youth, in the meantime learning the art of husbandry and acquiring his education at the district schools, subsequently pursuing a course of study at the old academy. He remained upon the home place until he was twenty-two years of age, at which period of his life, desiring to be independent and self-supporting, he rented a farm, which he tilled for nine years,

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and in 1863 purchased his present farm, which contains one hundred and seventy- two and one-half acres, on which he engaged in general agriculture and stock rais- ing, making sheep his specialty until he retired from active life in the spring of 1907. He has since resided in Granville, where he owns a two-story dwelling house.

On November 9, 1854, Mr. Larimore wedded Hannah Minerva Lane, a daugh- ter of Richard and Elizabeth (Horne) Lane, natives of this state, the father's birth having occurred February 14, 1812, and his death January 8, 1892. The mother, the day and year of whose birth were identical with those of her husband, departed this life December 20, 1891, both being interred in Granville. Her mother's maternal grandparents came here from Virginia in 1806 and purchased a farm near Union Station, which Mr. Lane subsequently purchased from the heirs and deeded to his daughter, Mrs. Larimore. The grandfather passed away before Mrs. Larimore's birth, and the grandmother in the year 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Larimore were born thirteen children, namely: Clara and Elma Elizabeth, deceased; Caroline May, wife of John Black, of this county; William Gerry, of Union Station, this county ; George Lane, who resides in Oklahoma City; Richard Clement, who lives in Winfield, Kansas; Blanche, wife of Sherman White, the couple residing in Bucyrus, Ohio; Fanny Fern, widow of Emmett Perry, Mrs. Perry residing in Delaware, Ohio; Bruce Lee, a resident of Georgia ; Jessie, widow of Asa H. Brown, Mrs. Brown residing at home; James H., deceased; one who died in infancy; and Frederick Buxton, who resides in Port Washington, Ohio. The democratic party has always received the support of Mr. Larimore, who is an able advocate of its principles, being convinced, both by study and observation, that the principles of the demo- cratic platform alone sustain the original import of our institutions and favor that degree of individual liberty for which our forefathers, with much self sacrifice and self denial, contended victoriously. He is therefore active in support of the candi- dates of his party, and uses whatever influence he may be able to exercise during campaigns to bring the strength of the tenets of his platform before the people in their behalf. Although Mr. Larimore has been a very busy man, crowded by the affairs of his extensive interests, he has never lost sight of his religious duties and has always been a zealous Christian, holding membership in the Licking Baptist church, and being a man whose many years of activity have been marked by honesty and an endeavor to do good in the world. He has always entertained the confidence of his neighbors and been numbered among the representative citizens of the township.

D. E. CHISM.

D. E. Chism, who for the past twenty-seven years has been identified with the farming interests of Granville township, is a native of Walnut township, Fairfield county, Ohio, where his birth occurred March 21, 1840, and where he resided, engag- ing in agricultural pursuits, until he took possession of his present farm. He is a man possessed of an aggressive spirit who for many years was employed as a farm hand and then rented the property he cultivated and finally, through his industry and perseverance, reinforced by practical economy, gradually rose in the financial

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world until he had accumulated sufficient means with which to purchase the excel- lent tract of land he now owns. His parents were Franklin and Elizabeth (Geiger) Chism, natives of Virginia and Fairfield county, Ohio, respectively. In 1854 the father settled in the state of Ohio, where he was united in marriage. He departed this life when eighty-two years of age. During his life he engaged for a period of eight years hauling whiskey for J. M. Ashbrook's distillery, and for fourteen years was employed as a stage driver before the days of railroads. Upon giving up this occupation he commenced farming, in which he continued until he departed this life. Of six sons and one daughter born to this union, D. E. Chism was the oldest.

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Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 20

Author: E. M. P. Brister Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Number of Pages: 913

Author: E. M. P. Brister
Publication date: 1909
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 913