Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 21

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

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The maternal grandfather, David Geiger, was a native of Pennsylvania and early in life removed to Fairfield county, of which he was a pioneer. Upon his arrival there the region was in a primitive state and presented a far different appear- ance from that of today. There were no broad and arable fields and only here and there was a cabin to be seen and as little land had been cleared for cultivation the country was almost devoid of buildings, which are now seen in great profusion throughout that county. Dense forests covered the land and the early settler, instead of entering it with the plow and harrow, came with the ax, prepared for hard work and obviously inspired with an aggressive spirit, knowing that only through patience and perseverance could the trees be hewn down, the stumps up- rooted and the land put into condition for cultivation, but Mr. Geiger was a pro- gressive man and, being equal to the emergency, he soon converted the tract of land which he purchased into arable fields, from which he derived bountiful harvests. In addition to his agricultural interests he also owned and conducted a distillery which was located on his farm. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Hawdey- shell, a native of the Keystone state, who accompanied him to Fairfield county, where they spent their lives.

On their farm which occupied a part of the present site of Pleasantville, occurred the nativity of D. E. Chism. In the district schools of his native township he acquired his education and then remained on the home farm, actively engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, until the year 1889, when he removed to Licking township, where he followed farming for ten years, at the expiration of which time he came to this township and bought a farm containing one hundred and fifty-four acres. Upon leaving the home farm at twenty-two years of age he rented a tract of land, and meeting with splendid success by the year 1899 he had accumulated suffi- cient means to enable him to buy the property he now has under cultivation. Of the one hundred and fifty-four acre plot, which he first purchased, he subsequently disposed of thirty-six acres and has since been engaged in general farming and stock breeding on the remainder. Before he settled down to agricultural life Mr. Chism was employed for five years as superintendent on the Lancaster and New Salem pike, in Fairfield county and remained in this position until the work was completed.

On January 14, 1863, Mr. Chism wedded Samantha Pence, of Rush Creek township, Fairfield county, where her birth occurred November 28, 1838. Her parents were David and Catharine (Grove) Pence, who were natives of Virginia, and among the first settlers of that county, but who subsequently removed to Lick- ing county. Her grandfather, John Grove, early in life settled in this county and built a round-log cabin in the woods, three miles south of Newark. Her father was twice united in marriage and by his first wife had ten children and by his second four children, of whom she was one, the members of the entire family having lived

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to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Chism are the parents of: Oliver, of Centerville, this county; Ida, who resides in Columbus, Ohio; Viola, wife of Clyde Bowman, of Newark; Annie, who became the wife of Jesse Grove, of that place; George W., who resides in this township; Fannie, who wedded Perry Carlyle, the couple residing on his father's farm; Estella, wife of Ernest King, of this place; Mamie Abi and Beulah, who reside at home. Two children passed away in infancy.

Mr. Chism has always given his allegiance to the democratic party in national issues and, being of the opinion after due deliberation that its principles are funda- mental to the financial life and permanent prosperity of the nation, he is enthusiastic during campaigns and is ready with his vote and influence to secure the election of its candidates. In his political views he has deviated radically from those of his people, who were originally whigs and upon the dissolution of that party naturally contributed their support to the republican party. He has contributed much to the welfare of the communities in which he has resided and for two years served as assessor of Pleasant township, Fairfield county. All his life he has been an active man, of industrious habits and upright character, and his general demeanor has been such as to make him a substantial and representative citizen.

MARGARET M. (O'BANNON) WARNER.

Mrs. Margaret M. Warner, widow of C. K. Warner, who for many years was prominent in the agricultural and business circles of Washington township, was born in the house in which she now resides, February 17, 1836. For over a century her people have been tillers of the soil in this region, who came here when the entire country was in a primitive condition, thickly covered with timber, and when they were one of a very few families scattered throughout the county. Her parents were Presley O. and Mary M. (Taylor) O'Bannon, her father having been born here November 11, 1807, and her mother also, in the year 1811. Upon coming to this region he took up extensive claims and cleared off several hundred acres, which he put in a fit shape for cultivation. The old log house, which he built upon coming to this part of the county, is still standing and occupied by his daughter. Mr. O'Bannon was an influential man in the county and was known within a wide radius of his home as a minister of the Lutheran church, having served in that station for a period of eighteen years, ministering to many of the small congregations then scattered throughout this and adjoining counties. Upon his death, which occurred September 13, 1880, he left one thousand acres of the finest farming land in the country. His wife passed into eternity September 18, 1881. They were the parents of the following children, namely: William P., a resident of St. Louisville; Margaret M .; and Elizabeth, Catherine, Jennie and Ellen, deceased.

In her twentieth year occurred her marriage to C. K. Warner, whose birth occurred in Knox county, this state, in the year 1828 and who throughout his life followed general agriculture and stock raising and owned one hundred and ten acres of land, which he had highly improved and made one of the most desirable farms in the county. He was a republican in politics. active during

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HOME OF MARGARET M. WARNER

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campaigns in securing the election of the candidates of his party, and served the township in many useful offices. To this union were born: C. K., Jr., who resides in Mexico; Frank M., a resident of this township; Presley N., who lives in Utica, this state; W. C .; and Ralph M.

Since her husband departed this life Mrs. Warner has operated the farm and has since enlarged her interests to one hundred and sixty-seven acres, which she keeps under cultivation and on which, aside from producing general grain crops, she makes a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle. She is a noble Christian character and belongs to the Lutheran church, in which she is an active worker and to which she is a large contributor.

WILLIAM M. CLEM.

The well directed labors of William M. Clem have resulted in the acquirement of a fine farm consisting of two hundred and three acres, located in Licking town- ship, Licking county. He comes of an old southern family, his birth having occurred in Shenandoah county, Virginia, November 25, 1866. He is of German extraction, but representatives of the name through several generations have lived in Shenandoah county, his paternal grandfather, Simon Clem, having there been born and reared. He followed farming as a life work. The father of our subject, Isaiah Clem, was born and reared on his father's farm in Shenandoah county, and after reaching years of maturity wedded Miss Isabel Shuff. When starting out in life on his own account he, too, engaged in general agricultural pursuits, to which he still devotes his attention. At the time of the Civil war the father enlisted for service in the Confederate army, with which he served for two years. He was made a prisoner at Brandy Station and was also for a short time held as a prisoner at Washington, D. C. After his release he remained in the north until the close of hostilities and then returned to his native state, where he resumed his work as a farmer. He still survives and makes his home in Virginia. The wife and mother, who was likewise born and reared in Shenandoah county, also sur- vives. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children, all of whom are living, namely: Lydia, the wife of Joseph Clem, a market gardener of Page county, Virginia ; Maggie, the wife of Bradley Collin, also a farmer of that county ; Mary Jane, the wife of W. F. Marston, who is a railway mail clerk, with head- quarters at Woodstock, Virginia; William M., of this review; Ella, at home; Luther, who is engaged in farming near Apellton, in Licking county; Walter, who is employed as a railway mail clerk, with headquarters at Manassas, Virginia; and Guy, who is engaged in teaching in Page county, Virginia.

William M. Clem, whose name introduces this review, spent the period of his boyhood and youth on the old homestead farm in Virginia and during the winter months pursued his education in the common schools. He remained on the home farm until he reached the age of twenty years, and then, believing that other pur- suits would prove more congenial, he secured employment as clerk in a store, being thus engaged for one year. He then came to Ohio and, settling in Knox county, worked for a time by the month as a farm hand. Later, in Licking county, he

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rented land for three years, after which he returned to Knox county, but five years ago returned once more to Licking county and purchased his present farm of two hundred and three acres, all of which is well improved. Mr. Clem gives his time and attention to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and each year gathers rich harvests as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon the fields. His success, too, is richly merited, for it has come to him through earnest, indefatigable labor, since he started out in life in the humble capacity of a farm hand and today is numbered among the substantial citizens of Licking county.

On the 24th of November, 1890, Mr. Clem was united in marriage to Miss Ida O. Weaver, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, and by her marriage she became the mother of three children: Belle, who is attending school; Kirby and Helen, all at home.

Mr. Clem gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party, and while residing in Knox county filled some township offices. He is a member of the Lutheran church, while Mrs. Clem belongs to the Christian church. They are people of the highest respectability and worth in their community and in business circles Mr. Clem has won a reputation for honorable and straightforward dealing.

WILLIAM P. NEIBARGER.

An attractive and well improved property comprising one hundred and seven- teen acres, situated in Madison township, and known as the Rural Dale Farm, is the home of William P. Neibarger, who is engaged in dairying and farming. He is a native son of Madison township, born on the old Neibarger homestead, January 5, 1846, his parents being William and Mary (Tebo) Neibarger, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The former came to Licking county with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Neibarger, when he was a lad. They first settled on a farm which Jacob Neibarger rented near Bowling Green, but later he purchased a tract of land at the junction of the two branches of Clay Lick, where he erected and operated a sawmill for several years, this being the first sawmill to operate in this section of the country. There he spent his remaining days and after his death his farm was divided among his three sons, John, David and William. The latter con- tinued farming on the old home place and made that his home until the time of his death, which occurred in 1880, when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-three years. He was a democrat in his political views and affiliations and was a man of influence in the community in which he so long made his home. His wife was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Protestant church.

William P. Neibarger was reared in much the usual manner of farm lads, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors of the home place, assisting his father in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn, while in the winter months he pursued his education in the common schools. After reaching maturity he continued the work to which he had been reared and, subsequent to his father's death, sold his interest in the home place and also disposed of one hundred and sixty acres of land which he owned in Indiana, and with his capital invested in his present property, consist-

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ing of one hundred and seventeen acres, known as the Rural Dale Farm. He is engaged in general husbandry and for the past ten years has given much of his time and attention to the dairy business, being assisted in his various duties by his son. In the latter branch of business he is meeting with gratifying success, his products finding a ready sale on the market, where they demand a good price, and his fields, too, which are in a good state of cultivation, also yield rich harvests, so that Mr. Neibarger is numbered among the substantial citizens of Licking county. He was in former years engaged in the cultivation of flowers, but for the past few years has not carried this on as a business.

Mr. Neibarger was married November 18, 1869, to Miss Martha A. Wolfe, who was born in Franklin township, this county, a daughter of John Wolfe, who is likewise a native of Franklin township, his father, George Wolfe, having come to Licking county from Pennsylvania at an early day. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Neibarger has been blessed with nine children, of whom eight survive, namely : Mary, the wife of Webster Drunn, of Newton township; Charles O., at home; Henry Curtis, who is a farmer and dairyman of Madison township; Jennie Florence, the wife of William H. Roe, a resident of Vanatta, this county; Arthur, who is also engaged in farming and dairying in Madison township; Anna, the wife of Charles Roe, of Licking county; James, a machinist of Mount Vernon; and Blanche, the wife of Jeff Long, of Newark.

Following in the political footsteps of his father, Mr. Neibarger gives his sup- port to the democracy. He has served as township supervisor and was likewise for several years a member of the school board. He is identified with the Patrons of Husbandry, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Chris- tian Union church, of which his wife is also a member. He is not in the sense of office seeking a man in public life and yet he exerts his influence in the community where he has always made his home. He finds his greatest social enjoyment at his own fireside, where he delights to entertain his friends and all who know him have for him high regard.

J. G. BOWER, M. D.

Dr. J. G. Bower is engaged in the general practice of medicine in Newark, but yet specializes to some extent in surgical work, and his ability in that line has given him more than local repute. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was born October 20, 1863, of the marriage of Samuel H. Bower and Susan Pontius, both of whom were natives of Germany and died in Philadelphia during the infancy of their son. Dr. Bower was then reared by a German family of Philadelphia to the age of eleven years, when he started out into the world to make his own living, from which time forward he has depended upon his own resources and his judgment to tell him what was best to be done. In his efforts to secure a living he has traveled extensively and engaged in various occupations, but all the time has been actuated by a desire to work his way upward, and at length became imbued with the de- termination to enter professional circles. To this end he took up the study of medicine in 1887 and was graduated from the Starling Medical College, at Colum- bus, in 1895. Immediately afterward he opened an office in Newark, where he has since remained, and in the fourteen years of his practice has made steady advance-

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ment on lines demanding strong intellectuality, close application and sound judg- ment. On coming to this city he located in the west end when it was sparsely set- tled, but he has witnessed its rapid and substantial development and throughout the years has done a good, general practice, at the same time giving much atten- tion to surgery, for which he is well fitted. His office is now equipped with many fine instruments and appliances for surgical work and he possesses moreover a com- prehensive and accurate knowledge of anatomy, understanding fully the component parts of the human body, their functions, and the onslaughts made upon them by disease. Moreover he is cool in emergencies and combines a gentle touch with a steady hand-qualities which are absolutely essential in successful surgery. He was for ten years surgeon to the Wehrle Stove Company, the largest enterprise of this kind in the world. He is a member of the Licking County and Ohio State Medical Societies, and the American Medical Association.

In 1905 Dr. Bower was married to Miss Clara O. Hall, a native of Ohio. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and has been an extensive traveler, visiting many parts of Europe, Australia, and South America, from which countries he has brought back many interesting curios. He speaks a number of languages. His mind is enriched with many interesting incidents of his travels and he is an entertaining talker, his friends finding him a most congenial and com- panionable gentleman.

DANIEL SHAW.

Daniel Shaw is a worthy representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Licking county and for many years has been identified with the agri- cultural life of Madison township, having made his home on a well improved farm of two hundred acres but he has rented his farm and taken up his abode in Newark, where he expects to spend his remaining days in well earned rest. Mr. Shaw is a native son of the township in which he has always made his home, his birth having here occurred in an old log cabin, October 2, 1849. His paternal grand- parents, Zachariah and Marian Shaw, both natives of Virginia, removed to Licking county in a very early day, establishing their home on a farm in Clay Lick. Their death here occurred and their remains are buried in Bowling Green cemetery. Their family included William Shaw, who became the father of our subject. He was also born in Madison township in 1822 and was here reared and educated. He remained under the parental roof until 1850, when starting out in life on his own account, he accompanied his two brothers, Urias and Andrew, to Jasper county, Illinois, hoping to find that a favorable location, but not being pleased with the country, after three weeks they returned to Licking county and purchased two hundred acres of land, known as the Shawnee land in Madison township. Although during his lifetime he made several changes in his place of residence he always remained in Madison township, and in connection with farming he also engaged in the butchering business, whereby he acquired a handsome competency. He was a democrat in his political belief and while wholly in sympathy with the northern cause, during the Civil war when the sentiment between the north and south was at its height, Mr. Shaw made an expression which was misconstrued by some of his enemies and he was threatened with violence, narrowly escaping

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DANIEL SHAW

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death in his meat market in Newark. He wedded Miss Mary Ann Stump and to them were born five children all of whom survive, namely: Catherine, the wife of Alva Tinkle, of Newark; Matilda, the wife of William Mossman, of Madison township; John W., also of Newark; Marietta, the wife of Robert Warman, also of that city; and Daniel, of this review. Both parents were consistent and faithful members of the Christian Union church. They are now deceased, the father passing away in 1898, when he had reached the advanced age of seventy-six years, while his wife survived him only about six months.

Daniel Shaw, the youngest member of the father's family, spent the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, and during the winter seasons he pursued his education in the district schools. He was early trained to the duties and labors of the home farm and continued to assist his father until he had reached the age of thirty years, when he established a home of his own by his marriage, and subsequently engaged in general agricultural pursuits on his own account. Ile purchased from his father the home farm comprising seventy acres, which he operated for about five years, during which time, through his capable management and well directed labors, he acquired a competency that enabled him to add to his possessions thirty acres, while still later he purchased one hundred acres adjoining, so that he now owns two hundred acres all in one body. The land is in a highly productive state, while good buildings add to the value, as well as to the attractive- ness of the farm. Mr. Shaw has long been active in agricultural pursuits but has removed to Newark, where on four acres of ground he has erected a nice modern home, in which he expects to spend his declining years.

Mr. Shaw was married March 11, 1880, the lady of his choice being Miss Angeline Wiley, a resident of Hanover township, Licking county. Their union has been blessed with five children : Etta May, the wife of George A. Pigg, of Madison township, who is mentioned on another page of this work; Daniel Bert, at home; Mary Eva Kirk, also at home; while two died in infancy.

A democrat in principle and practice, Mr. Shaw has served one term as town- ship trustee, while both he and his estimable wife are devoted members of the Christian Union church, of which he is serving as elder and trustee. Having spent his entire life in Madison township he is well known and highly esteemed, for in his relations with his fellowmen and in his treatment of his neighbors he has never lost sight of the principle of the Golden Rule.

PHILIP M. BRILL.

Character and ability will come to the front anywhere. In youth and man- hood many an individual has been buffeted by fortune, while almost insurmountable obstacles have strewn his path. Perseverance, however, has cleared them away and the man has gone on to success, winning the respect and good will of all who have witnessed his struggles and victories. Such is the record of Philip M. Brill, county recorder for Licking county, who may justly be called a self-made man, for he deserves all of the praise that term implies. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, February 1, 1850, his parents being David and Catharine ( Mulinex) Brill.

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The father was a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, coming to Ohio in 1824 and settling in Guernsey county. He was the youngest of a family of twelve children. The ancestors of Philip M. Brill were all farming people, and both families number several representatives among the Union soldiers of the Civil war. David Brill continued his residence in Ohio up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1859.

Philip M. Brill was then nine years of age. Ile was reared on the old home- stead farm and attended the district schools, but through private reading, study and research and through experience and observation he added greatly to his knowledge, becoming a well informed man, and for twenty-seven years he engaged in teaching through the winter seasons, proving a capable educator. As his father left the family in limited financial circumstances, Mr. Brill was compelled to sup- plement his farm labors through the summer months by teaching in the winter in order to support the family. For seven years in his early life he worked as a farm hand by the month, having a hard struggle to earn a livelihood, but persevered until he had gained a substantial financial footing. While living in his native county he served as assessor.

In 1890 Mr. Brill removed to Licking county, taking up his abode on a farm in Hanover township, two miles from Black Hand. With characteristic energy he began the development and further improvement of that property, which he still owns, and which returns to him a good rental. His fellow townsmen have recognized his worth and ability and called him to public office. While living in Hanover township he served as justice of the peace and was also assessor. In the fall of 1904 he was elected on the republican ticket to the office of county recorder for a term of four years. He has made an efficient officer, carefully systematizing his work, and in the discharge of his duties he has displayed the utmost fidelity as well as promptness and capability.

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Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 21

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