Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 22

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

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On the 28th of September, 1878, Mr. Brill was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Bolton, a native of Noble county, Ohio, and they have four children : Othel, Florence, Ethel and Ada. Mr. Brill belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Woodmen Camp. He has been closely allied with the soldiers' and sailors' reunions of Black Hand and is interested in many measures of public moment. It is only under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of opposition that the best and strongest in man is brought out and developed, and the hardships and privations which Mr. Brill had to endure, in his youthful days, gave rise to a strong, stalwart manhood that makes him one of the worthy and valued residents of Newark and Licking county.

MRS. PHEBE A. (WILLIAMS) DANIELS.

Mrs. Phebe A. (Williams) Daniels, the widow of Charles H. Daniels, was born in Newark township, Licking county, Ohio, August 31, 1857, her parents being William and Mary (Evans) Williams, he of South and she of North Wales. In 1832 the mother accompanied her parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being established in Licking county, Ohio. William Williams, the father of Mrs. Daniels, was an agriculturist by occupation and both

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he and his wife died on the home farm, his demise occurring October 16, 1885, while Mrs. Williams was called to her final rest in April, 1882. Unto this worthy couple were born six children, namely : Evan T., a resident of Wyandot county, Ohio; Zachariah J., living in Rhode Island; Margaret S., deceased; Sarah J., of Newark, Ohio; Mrs. Daniels; and Susan E., who has also passed away.

On the 24th of September, 1885, Phebe A. Williams gave her hand in mar- riage to Charles H. Daniels, whose birth occurred in Licking county, April 24, 1857, his parents being Edward and Lucy (Thomas) Daniels, the former a native of North Wales and the latter of Licking county, Ohio. Edward and Lucy (Thomas) Daniels reared a family of eight children and made their home in this county until called to the home beyond, the mother's demise occurring in 1904. Unto Charles H. and Phebe A. (Williams) Daniels were born two children: William Harold, whose natal day was September 30, 1886, and who died Septem- ber 16, 1887; and Edward Williams, born May 25, 1895.

In his political views Mr. Daniels was a stalwart republican and capably served in the office of supervisor for several years. He was a Modern Woodman of America of Newark and an Odd Fellow of Granville. His death occurred on the 20th of March, 1901, and his remains were interred in Cedar Hill cemetery, the county thus being called upon to mourn the loss of one of its worthy native sons and substantial citizens. Mrs. Daniels is now the owner of one hundred and eighty-five acres of rich and valuable land in Newark township, a fine resi- dence at No. 237 Central avenue and two lots on Craig avenue. Throughout her entire life, or for more than a half century, she has now been a resident of this county, and is therefore largely familiar with its annals from a pioneer period down to the present time, while the many excellent traits of character which she has displayed have made the circle of her friends almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintances.

MADISON MELICK.

Madison Melick, one of the prosperous and well-known agriculturists of Bur- lington township, where he owns a highly improved and valuable farm of three hundred and sixty-three acres, was born in Jackson township, Knox county, Ohio, on the 27th of September, 1843. His parents, Jonas and Imas (Jones) Melick, were natives of Pennsylvania and Crawford county, Ohio, respectively. The father, who participated in the war of 1812, with the rank of major, made his way westward to Knox county at an early day and there spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the venerable age of eighty-three years. When he arrived in this part of the state the district was still to a large extent wild and unimproved, numerous bears and deer roamed through the woods, and all the privations and hardships of pioneer life were to be met.

Madison Melick was reared under the parental roof and obtained a limited education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses, with puncheon floor, slab benches and other primitive furnishings. When nineteen years of age he went with a Mr. Miller to Illinois, taking a flock of sheep to that state and there remaining during

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the corn husking season. He then accompanied Mr. Miller to Iowa, where he spent the winter. His father, who had been married four times, his last wife being a native of Perry county, Ohio, had become paralyzed, and Madison Melick was called home to look after his interests. He remained with his father throughout that summer and was then married and located with his bride on the old homestead farm in Jackson township. In the fall of 1874, however, he came to Licking county, Ohio, purchasing one hundred and forty-six acres in Burlington township, while a few years later he bought ninety-six acres adjoining his original purchase on the east. In 1891 he bought another farm of one hundred and nineteen acres adjoining and took up his abode thereon in the spring of 1892. His three farms are all in one body and now comprise three hundred and sixty-three acres of some of the most valuable and productive land to be found in the county. The fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them, and in the conduct of his agricultural interests he has met with a measure of success that entitles him to representation with the substantial and influential citizens of his community.

Mr. Melick has been married twice. In 1865 he wedded Miss Valetta Drake, of P'erry county, Ohio, by whom he had two children: Mrs. George Beaver, of Knox county, Ohio; and Gus, a resident of Mount Vernon, Ohio. For his second wife Mr. Melick chose Miss Mary Larue, of Burlington township, Licking county, and by this marriage there were also born two children, namely: J. Frank, who assists his father in the operation of the home farm; and David M., who likewise carries on agricultural pursuits on one of his father's farms. Mrs. Mary Melick was called to her final rest in March, 1901, and her death was deeply and sincerely mourned, not only by her immediate family but also by the many friends whom she had won.

In his political views Mr. Melick is a stalwart republican. Having spent almost his entire life in this part of the state, he is widely and favorably known here, and has been a valuable assistant in much of the progress and development that has been made in the line of agricultural pursuits.

JAMES OLIVER PRYOR.

James Oliver Pryor, whose birth occurred in Glencoe, Belmont county, Ohio, July 8, 1850, came to Etna township, Licking county, more than thirty years ago. His parents were Albert and Matilda (Meeks) Pryor, his father having been a native of Maryland while his mother was born in Belmont county, Ohio. They located in Licking county, settling on a farm in Harrison township, where Mr. Pryor engaged in general agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death, in December, 1896, when he was eighty-eight years of age. His wife, still surviving, lives upon the home farm. They reared a family of eight sons and three daughters, James Oliver Pryor having been the second child born.

Shortly after James Oliver Pryor was born, his parents removed to Center- ville, Belmont county, Ohio, where his father transacted a general merchandise business in connection with farming, and there his son was reared until he was

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J. O. PRYOR AND FAMILY

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fifteen years of age, in the meantime working upon his father's farm and avail- ing himself of the educational opportunities afforded by the neighboring schools. The family next removed to Monroe county where his father purchased a tract of land on which his son James Oliver Pryor resided until he was united in marriage, in the meantime hiring out with neighboring farmers. In 1879 he removed to this county where he was employed as a farm hand until his mar- riage. He then rented a farm which he tilled for a period of five years, at the termination of which period he and his wife located on the farm where they have resided for the past twenty-three years. The farm which originally embraced sixty-five acres he has since increased to one hundred and forty-five acres, the property being located one mile west of Etna on the National Pike and Electric Line, and here he carries on general farming together with stock-raising. Pro- vided with new and substantial buildings, its fences in excellent repair and the soil in the best condition, this farm is as desirable a piece of land as exists in this part of the county. In his ventures Mr. Pryor has been very successful and aside from his farming interests he has launched out farther in the commercial world and is a stock-holder in the Kirkersville Bank and also in the Farmers Telephone Company of Pataskala.

On March 9, 1872, Mr. Pryor wedded Belle McLeary, a native of Monroe county, who passed away six years later. She had three children, namely: Anto Genella, who became the wife of Homer Lamp, residing in Denver, Colorado; Luna, who entered into rest in her ninth year; and McLeary, who went to South Africa with a transport carrying horses during the Boer war, and who now resides in St. Louis, Missouri. The second marriage of Mr. Pryor occurred Feb- ruary 19, 1882, and was to Louisa Katharine Emswiler, who was born here November 28, 1854, a daughter of William Harrison and Susan (Goss) Ems- wiler, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. To this union were born: Verna, who passed away in her fourth year; Lottie E., who died in infancy; Daisy, who lives with her parents; Ethel Florence, whose death occurred when she was in her third year; and Otto, who lives at home.

Mr. Pryor is a republican in politics and has never deviated in his loyalty to his party since casting his first vote and, being a man who has given consid- erable study to the merits of the platforms of the several political cults, he is decided in his leaning toward the principles of republicanism and during cam- paigns his influence is widely felt in his efforts to secure the election of the can- didates of his party. He belongs to Etna Grange and the Methodist Episcopal church, and his honesty and straightforwardness together with his enterprise, include him among the township's worthy citizens. .

J. W. BARKER, M. D.

J. W. Barker, M. D., capably and successfully practicing medicine in Newark since 1891, comes to Ohio from Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Armstrong county, of the latter state, September 1, 1873. His father, Edward Barker, was also a native of that county and followed the occupation of farming as a life work, but died in 1875 when his son, Dr. Barker, an only child, was but

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two years of age. The mother bore the maiden name of Martha Adams and was also born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. She still survives and is now living in Newark with her son, who thus repays her in filial love and devotion for the care and attention which she gave to him in his youthful years. Dr. Barker was a pupil in the schools of Grove City, and other places in Pennsylvania. He received no inheritance from his father, but in his childhood days determined to become a physician, which was his father's wish. He was reared by Dr. Pettigrew, of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and this may have had something to do with shaping his life work. Through the summer months he was employed in different ways and in the winter seasons attended school. He carefully saved his earnings and worked hard to fit himself for the profession. After preliminary reading he used his earnings to pay the expenses of a college course, and began studying in the Baltimore Medical College, from which he was graduated April 21, 1898. He then began practice in Mineral City, Ohio, where he remained until 1901, when he came to Newark and located in the western section of the city, where he has since lived.

In 1897 Dr. Barker was married to Miss Bertha F. Devereaux, who was born in Maryland and is of French descent. The doctor and his wife have an extensive circle of warm friends in their section of the city. They are members of the Presbyterian church and Dr. Barker also belongs to the Licking County and Ohio State Medical Societies. He has given his attention to general practice in which he has been very successful, for he displays keen discernment in diagnosing his cases and is seldom, if ever, at fault in predicting the outcome of disease. He is also correct in his application of remedial agencies, and while slow to discard the old and time-tried methods of practice, the value of which has been proven in the passing years, he is also quick to adopt new methods which his judgment sanctions as elements in the progress of professional labor.

J. G. FREDERICK.

Among the honored veterans that Licking county sent to the Union army for service in the Civil war J. G. Frederick is numbered. The country owes to her soldiers a debt of gratitude which can never be paid and especially to those who made great sacrifice to aid in the preservation of the Union. Mr. Frederick is well known in the county, for his entire life has here been passed. He was born in Newton township, October 22, 1836, a son of John and Nancy (Fry) Frederick, natives of Virginia. Coming to Ohio about 1820, they settled in Newton town- ship, Licking county, and here resided until the death of the mother. The follow- ing year the family removed to Iowa, where the father passed away. In their family were seven children, six of whom reached adult age.

J. G. Frederick, the fifth in order of birth, was a lad of ten years when his parents left Licking county and went to Ottawa, Illinois. Two years later he accompanied his father to Hamilton county, Iowa, where they remained for two years and then returned to Ohio, settling near Chatham. In 1857, when about twenty-one years of age, J. G. Frederick went to Canton, Illinois, and there

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remained until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when in August, 1862, he enlisted in Fulton county, Illinois, as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry. With his command he went to the front and participated in the skirmish at Black River, Mississippi, and in the battle of Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863. There he lost his left arm and was also wounded in the hip. His injuries necessitated his remaining in the hospital until February, 1865, when because of his wounds he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Licking county, Ohio, with a most creditable military record, but had made a great sacrifice in order to preserve the Union.

Shortly after his return home he was married to Miss Nellie M. Philipps, the wedding being celebrated May 20, 1865. She was born in Mckean township in 1844, a daughter of Samuel and Susannah (Riley) Philipps. Her father came to this county at the age of two years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick has been blessed with four children, namely: Arthur, who is still with his parents; Ada, who died at the age of thirty years; Nellie, the wife of E. E. Weiser, a resident of Cleveland ; and Susannah, who died when but three years of age.

Soon after their marriage, in the fall of 1865, Mr. Frederick removed with his young wife to Illinois, where he resided until 1877, when he returned to his native county. For many years he followed the painter's trade. At the present time he owns and occupies a little farm of twelve acres just outside the city limits of Granville. He is a member of Lima Post, No. 71, G. A. R., and thus main- tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He also belongs to the Granville Baptist church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and while in Illinois he held some minor township offices, the duties of which he discharged in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. He has now passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey and an honorable record has won him the respect and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.

JACOB VANDENBARK, SR.

Jacob Vandenbark, Sr., has followed agricultural pursuits as a life work and for many years has been identified with farming in Hanover township, although he has recently sold to his son the old home farm. He is a native of Ohio, born September 27, 1832, a son of Gersham and Mary (Baird) Vandenbark, both natives of New Jersey, whence in their childhood days they removed with their respective parents to Muskingum county. The father there grew to mature years and was married to Miss Baird. He made farming his life work and died in Muskingum county at the age of fifty-eight years. The wife and mother died when seventy-three years of age.

Jacob Vandenbark was reared in Muskingum county and acquired his edu- cation in one of the old time log schoolhouses near his father's home, the methods of instruction being quite as primitive as the building. He assisted his father on the home farm until he had attained his majority, when, in 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Helen Virginia Bealmear, a daughter of Dr. Thomas Beal-

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mear, of Muskingum county. In the spring following his marriage Mr. Vanden- bark and his bride came to Lieking county and located on his present farm in Hanover township, this tract having been given him by his father. It embraced one hundred and thirty-eight acres and the only improvement on the place was a little log house, in which the young couple began their domestic life. Five years later this pioneer home was replaced by a fine frame residence, which at that time was one of the finest in this section of the country. As the years have passed Mr. Vandenbark has prospered and has remained active in agricultural circles to the present time. IIe recently sold the home farm to his son. His success has been gained through the most straightforward and honorable methods and is therefore well deserved.

Mr. and Mrs. Vandenbark became the parents of ten children, of whom nine still survive: Flora, the wife of 'Z. H. McKnight of Licking county; Mrs. Ollie Myers, a widow residing in Columbus; Emma, the wife of Jasper Siler, of Mas- sillon, Ohio; Thomas B., of Granville, this state; Ella, the wife of William Smart, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacob, Jr., who married Catherine Huffman and owns the old home farm; Mattie, the wife of E. P. Stone, of IIanover; Carrie, the wife of Frank Richards, of IIanover township; and Blanche, the wife of Austin Howe, also of this township. After a happy married life of forty-five years, Mr. and Mrs. Vandenbark were separated by the death of the latter and her remains were interred in Hanover cemetery.

Mr. Vandenbark has supported the men and measures of the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is well known as a pioneer of the county and as a most industrious and useful man, whose probity is an unquestioned element in his career. In daily life he is genial and affable and his friends speak of him in terms of highest praise and commendation.

ISAAC NEWTON McMILLEN.

Isaac Newton McMillen devotes his time and energies to the further improve- ment and development of a farm of two hundred and twelve acres, situated on the township line between Union and Granville townships. It is only about five miles from Newark on the county road and there Mr. McMillen carries on general farming and stock raising, for many years making a specialty of sheep raising. He was born in Newark township, north of the city of Newark, May 14, 1834, a son of Andrew McMillen, whose birth occurred in Washington county, Pennsylavnia, February 14, 1788. In the year 1808 he came to Licking county with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James McMillen. The former was a son of William and Margaret McMillen, and William McMillen was a native of Scotland. The birth of James McMillen occurred in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1758, and there he resided for a time, from whence he went to Wellsburg, West Virginia, where he operated a tavern and dry goods store. In 1808 he went to Ohio and purchased a farm west of Newark, on which he erected a large distillery. He afterward went to Muskingum county in 1814 and there his death occurred in 1821. During the first night which he spent in Licking county, he and his family camped on the

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MR. AND MRS. ISAAC N. McMILLEN

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present site of the courthouse. He married Jane Bell, a daughter of George and Mary Bell and by this marriage there were born ten children, Andrew, George, William, James, Isaac, Theodocius, Mary, Diver, William and James. The first of the name of William died in early childhood.

An interesting episode in the early life of Andrew McMillen reads as follows: One day Andrew and some other boys waded across the Ohio river to the Ohio side to get some paw-paws. On their return they heard a gun fired and after reaching the shore learned that a man had been killed by an Indian on the site they had but lately quitted. He was killed and scalped, the Indian escaping. It was supposed the Indians were trying to capture one of the boys.

Arriving at years of maturity Andrew McMillen was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wilson, a native of Shenandoah county, Virginia, and a daughter of Archibald and Nancy (Newman) Wilson, who were also natives of the Old Dominion and came to this state in 1802. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Andrew MeMillen spent the remainder of their lives here and he was recognized as one of the prominent and influential farmers who owned two hundred and eighty- six acres in the home place and was engaged extensively in stock raising in addition to cultivating the fields. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and his life was characterized by principles that neither sought nor required dis- guise. His political allegiance was given to the whig party and at one time he was a candidate on that ticket for the legislature. He stood always for reform, improve- ment, for justice, truth and right and his name was honored wherever he was known. In his family were eleven children: James, a physician and surgeon, practicing in Newark; Archibald, a farmer and stock dealer; George V., who also follows farming; John W., who owns a large farm and also engages in raising and selling stock; William, who devotes his attention to the same pursuit ; Benjamin F., well known as a representative of farming interests in this county ; Henrietta, the wife of Wesley Belt, who is a local preacher and farmer; Dorothy, the wife of Miles Marple; David P. and A. B., twins; and Isaac Newton of this review.

The last named was only a young lad when his parents removed to the farm on which he now resides. Here he has lived continuously since, save for a short time which he spent in Granville in order to give his children better educational advantages. He has two hundred and twelve acres which formerly constituted a part of his father's estate, lying on the township line between Union and Granville townships and bordering the county road five miles from Newark. It is a pleasant situation and enables the family to enjoy all the advantages of town life and at the same time the freedom of rural life. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and the farm is a splendidly improved property, giving evidence in its neat appearance of the supervision and practical methods of the owner. Stock raising has been an important feature of his business and for a number of years he engaged quite extensively in raising sheep.

On the 8th of June, 1858, Mr. McMillen laid the foundation for a happy home life in his marriage to Miss Martha Jane Showman, a daughter of John and Mary (Swick) Showman, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. McMillen was born in 1838 and passed away in 1900, her death being deeply regretted by many friends. In the family were six children: Archa Bell, a resident farmer

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of Newark township; Andrew M., who follows farming in Granville township; Annie, the wife of Jano Buckland, of Granville; Mary E., at home; Dorothy, the wife of George Piper, of Granville; and Martha, the wife of Elmer Griffiths, who is professor in a college at Liberty, Missouri. Martha engaged in teaching for a number of years before her marriage.

Mr. McMillen exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and is interested in all that pertains to the moral progress of the community. He has now reached the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey and in looking back over the past he can see that there have been few wasted opportunities and few leisure moments. His life has indeed been a busy, active and useful one and furnishes an example which might well be followed by those who wish to win honorable success and at the same time enjoy the merited confidence and good will of their fellowmen.

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Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 22

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