Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 23

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

USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 23

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RICHARD L. TANEYHILL.

Richard L. Taneyhill, attorney at law, of Newark, was born at Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, February 16, 1875, and is a son of Richard W. and Matilda (Robertson) Taneyhill, both of whom are natives of Holmes county. The father has been probate judge of that county for thirty years and is still the incumbent of that office. He was also clerk of the court for seven years and was a captain in the Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which rank he served throughout the entire war. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and in numerous other notable engagements and his entire life has been characterized by the same patriotic spirit and loyalty to his country that marked his course when he followed the stars and stripes on southern battlefields.

Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools, Richard L. Taneyhill eventually became a high-school student and was graduated with the class of 1894. Determining upon the practice of law as his life work, he then matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated in 1897 with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He also spent one year in pursuing a special course in Columbian College at Washington, D. C. In 1899 he was admitted to practice in the Ohio courts and in January, 1900, opened an office in Newark, where he has since remained. He has comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental principles of law, but in his practice makes a specialty of com- mercial law, and has displayed marked ability in this department of jurisprudence. In addition to the care of legal interests on behalf of his clients he also publishes a rating book for Licking and Richland counties, known as the Blue Book. He is likewise the secretary of the Ohio Collectors' Association. He belongs to the Licking County Bar Association and his fellow practitioners recognize his ability and class him with the representative lawyers of the city.

On the 25th of May, 1905, Mr. Taneyhill was married to Miss Irene S. Duer, of Millersburg, and they have one son, Richard D., born December 15, 1906. Mrs. Taneyhill is a daughter of E. J. Duer of Millersburg, an attorney, who has been

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prominent in the public life of his community, serving as mayor, as postmaster and in other positions of public trust. His daughter, Miss Taneyhill, is a graduate of the Millersburg high school and of the School of Applied Design for Women, a well known art school in New York city. She displays artistic ability that would soon take her beyond the ranks of the amateurs if she desired to enter the pro- fession. Both Mr. and Mrs. Taneyhill have many friends in Newark and their home is the center of a cultured society circle.

AARON PARK HILLBRANT.

Aaron Park Hillbrant, a worthy citizen and prosperous farmer of Union township, whose family for upwards of a century has been tilling the soil in this county, was born here December 5, 1847. His paternal grandfather, Henry, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1762, came here at a time when there were but two or three families in this part of the township, and settled near the away in his ninety-fourth year. He took up a claim covering something over six- teen hundred acres, all of which was woodland, a portion of which he cleared and present home of his grandson, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing put under cultivation. In his family were six sons and four daughters, some of whom were born in Virginia, and a number of whom were united in marriage and reared families, among them having been Aaron Hillbrant, whose birth occurred here on October 7, 1808, where he spent his entire life in the pursuit of agricul- ture, entering into rest November 3, 1879. He was an extensive land owner, having possessed five hundred acres in this township, together with one farm in Illinois, his first purchase here having been one hundred acres of timber land which he cleared off and put under cultivation and provided with substantial buildings. For five years he was employed on the Ohio canal, receiving seven dollars a month for the first three years, eight dollars per month for the fourth year, and nine dollars per month for the fifth year. Giving up this occupation, he returned to farming, and was so successful in tilling the soil as to have been able not only to increase his acreage ten times over his original purchase but also to amass con- siderable means. He wedded Isabella Huddleston, a native of Hampshire county, Virginia (now West Virginia), in November, 1811, a daughter of Henry and Mary Huddleston, who were early settlers of this place, and to this union were born eleven children, four of whom survive, namely: Lucy, who became the wife of George C. Wilcox, the couple living in Kansas; Henry, a resident of Granville township; Aaron Park, whose name heads this review; and Thomas P., who resides here. His wife having passed away in 1864, Mr. IIillbrant was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Kagy Walton, by whom he had one son, W. H., who resides in Kansas.

On the home farm with his parents Aaron Park Hillbrant remained until he was united in marriage, in the meantime assisting his father in the daily routine of agricultural life, and, during the short winter terms, acquiring his education in the neighboring schools. At that period of his life, desirous of entering the world for himself, he purchased a farm one mile north of the old homestead, where he

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has since been following the occupation to which he was born and reared. His farm consists of one hundred acres of rich and highly cultivated soil, and is part of the original Hillbrant estate upon which his father and grandfather had lived, and, being provided with buildings of the most substantial character, and neatly fenced, the premises present the appearance of thrift and industry, and no better or more productive farm exists in this part of the county. Hay and wheat, together with other grains, are produced in large quantities by Mr. Hillbrant, who also pays some attention to stock raising, breeding cattle and sheep from the highest grade of registered specimens.

On April 15, 1868, he wedded Alice Owens, a native of Granville township, this county, where her birth occurred April 20, 1851, and a daughter of John and Mary A. (Jones) Owens, natives of Wales, both of whom passed away here where they had spent the greater portion of their lives and reared a family of six children, all of whom grew to maturity. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hill- brant are: Charles A., who resides at home; Orie E., a widower with one child, Emma, both of whom reside with his parents: Alice J., who became the wife of Charles Richards, of Granville township, the couple having one daughter, Alice; John A., who lives with his parents; and Bertha E., who lives with her husband, John Showman, in Granville township. Mr. Hillbrant has always had unquestion- ing faith in the possibilities of the principles of the democratic party as regards the general welfare of the nation, and hence he is an enthusiastic advocate of the tenets of his party, and during campaigns his influence is deeply felt on behalf of its candidates. Aside from national and state affairs, he takes quite an interest in local matters and has served as road commissioner and as a member of the school board. For the past eight years he has been a member of the Licking Baptist church, although he has attended the divine services of that institution since boy- hood. Being a man of high moral purpose, whose daily conduct is thoroughly in keeping with the teachings of his religion, he enjoys an excellent reputation among his neighbors, and is one of the valued citizens of the township.

FRANK P. WRIGHT.

Frank P. Wright, a life-long resident and a native son of Monroe township, where for many years, in connection with general agriculture, he has been engaged in sheep breeding, in which connection he is widely known throughout the state, was born May 19, 1861. upon the farm where he now resides. His parents were James and Effie (Willison) Wright, his father having spent the greater portion of his life in Licking county, where he owned many acres of land on which he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He came here in the early days and was known throughout the county as one of the men through whose energies this part of the state was transformed from thick woodlands and undeveloped tracts to its present fertile and fruitful fields.

Frank P. Wright was reared under the parental roof and in the neighboring schools acquired his education, in the meantime assisting his father in the daily routine of agricultural life. Upon the death of his parents he fell heir to the old

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MR. AND MRS. FRANK P. WRIGHT

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homestead and its surrounding acreage. The farm is one of the finest in the vicinity and has long since been provided with every convenience by which agricul- ture may be carried on by modern methods. It includes two hundred acres of excellent and well located land, the quality of its soil being unexcelled in the county, and from year to year, under favorable conditions, it yields large harvests. Mr. Wright carries on stock-raising to some extent and has a number of head of graded cattle and sheep, making a specialty of breeding the latter, many of which he has shipped throughout the adjoining states. He pays particular attention to raising Delaine sheep and has won the reputation of being among the foremost sheep breeders in the state.

On November 10, 1887, Mr. Wright wedded Miss Alma Wells, a daughter of Alfred and Ellen (Follett) Wells, her father being a well known farmer in Hartford township. They have since been living together in happy companion- ship, assisting each other in bearing life's burdens. Mr. Wright is a republican in politics and, having given a thorough study to the principles of his party, he is an able advocate of their merits. During campaigns he is influential in present- ing his side of a question to the end of securing votes to place the party candidates in office. Imbued with public-spirit, he is a hearty advocate of improvements, par- ticularly good roads, and is always ready to further any movement which in his judgment will tend toward the general welfare of the community. He belongs to Johnstown Lodge, K. P., and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of which he has been a trustee for several years and in addition is one of its most liberal supporters. He is in every sense an exemplary character, honest, upright and progressive, and is highly esteemed throughout the county.

MRS. ROSE A. (McDONELL) SMITH.

Mrs. Rose A. (McDonell) Smith, the widow of Patrick Smith, is well known in Newark, where she has a wide and favorable acquaintance. She was born in Ireland at the Castle Blaney estate, and came to America when sixteen years of age, becoming a resident of New Jersey. A year later she removed to Newark, Ohio, where she has since resided. She is a daughter of Michael and Mary McDonell, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Her father was a shoemaker by trade and followed that occupation throughout his entire life. He was indus- trious, energetic and reliable and whatever success he enjoyed was attributable to his own labors. He passed away in March, 1888, while his wife survived until March 23, 1908, and died at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. In the family of this worthy couple were ten children: Mrs. Smith, of this review; Elizabeth, the wife of John McKenna, of Newark, Ohio; Esther, who is the widow of Benjamin Nichols and makes her home in Newark; Patrick, also a resident of Newark, Ohio; and six who are deceased.

Rose A. McDonell, spending her girlhood days under the parental roof, left her father's home for a home of her own when on the 28th of December, 1857, she gave her hand in marriage to Patrick Smith, a native of County Down, Ireland. He came to the United States when eighteen years of age and first

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settled in the state of New York, whence he removed westward in 1853, establish- ing his home in Ohio. He was afterward roadmaster for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad for ten years and then turned his attention to the lumber business, organizing the Smith Lumber Company of Newark and establishing a lumberyard, which he successfully conducted until his death. He carried a large stock of lumber and builders' supplies and had a liberal patronage. His business methods were ever straightforward and reliable and he secured a liberal patronage that enabled him to leave a comfortable competence to his family when death claimed him.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born ten children : William H., a resident of Newark, Ohio; Fannie A., at home; James P., deceased; Frank M., who also makes his home in Newark, Ohio: Catherine E., the wife of A. C. Davis, of Newark, Ohio; Rose J., who has passed away; Olive, a graduate of St. Mary's Academy; Bessie, deceased : and two who have likewise passed away.

The death of the husband and father occurred April 16, 1894, and thus Newark lost one of its representative, reliable and honored business men. He had long figured prominently in its commercial circles and his worth had gained for him the warm friendship of those with whom he came in contact.

Mrs. Smith is now the vice president of the lumber business, which has been incorporated under the name of P. Smith Sons Lumber Company of Newark. The estate also embraces a large lumberyard in Columbus, conducted under the name of the South Side Lumber Company, and two large lumber mills in Tennessee. Through close attention to business, careful management and well directed investment the interests of the company have been increased three-fold since the death of the husband and father. In addition to her interest in the estate, Mrs. Smith owns a fine residence at No. 128 Fifth street in Newark. She and her family are communicants of the Catholic church, to which Mr. Smith also belonged. The family figures prominently in connection with commercial and industrial interests in Newark, possessing and controlling extensive business interests which constitute a feature in the development of the city as well as a source of substantial revenue for the owners.

MOSES GOODRICH.

Although Moses Goodrich has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he is still active in the management of his business interests and has given his life to general farming and stock-raising, while the production of potatoes is now a special feature of his farm. He has long lived in this part of the state and his life in its various phases is familiar to his fellowmen and has gained him the high position which he occupies in public regard. His birth occurred January 14, 1836, on his present home farm, three-quarters of a mile north of Main street. in the village of Granville, on the Mount Vernon road. IIe is a grandson of Stephen Goodrich, who spent his entire life in Connecticut and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. The father, Stephen Goodrich, Jr., was born in Simsbury, Hartford county, Connecticut, in December, 1790, and came to Ohio in the fall of 1812, traveling on foot. He was accom-

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panied by a companion and they carried a little package of clothes on their back. Licking county was their objective point and on reaching their destination Stephen Goodrich located on the farm which is now the home of his son Moses. He first bought one hundred acres of land, later invested in another tract of fifty acres and also received one hundred acres from his father, but sold half of that. He thus left at his death a valuable farm property of two hundred acres, which is now in possession of his son Moses and he had other property in Union township, which was inherited by his son George. With characteristic energy Stephen Goodrich began to clear the land and placed most of it under cultivation himself. At the time of his arrival a small tract had been developed and an orchard had been set out. He served for a short time in the war of 1812, but, with the excep- tion of this interruption, his entire life was given to general agricultural pursuits and he transformed his farm property in Licking county into valuable and pro- ductive fields, from which he annually gathered rich harvests. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and, as he was a fine reader, he was fre- quently called upon to read sermons in the absence of a pastor. His political allegiance was given to the whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party, for his sympathies were in accord with its principles. He married Sarah Powell, who was born in Pennsylvania about 1802 and came to Granville about 1809, with her parents, the Rev. Thomas and Mrs. Powell, who were natives of Wales. Her father was a minister of the Baptist church. Mrs. Goodrich continued to reside in this county until her death, which occurred when she had reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Goodrich were born nine children, six of whom reached years of maturity: Stephen, who died in California; George, living at Valley Falls, Kansas; Mrs. Lydia J. Green, a widow residing in Granville, who with her hus- band, the Rev. David Green, went as missionaries to Ning-po, China, where they spent ten years, during which time two of their children were born; Moses, of this review ; Mrs. Hannah Hillyer, deceased ; and Mrs. Laura G. French, who has also passed away.

The youthful days of Moses Goodrich were quietly passed. He worked in the fields during the summer months and in the winter season attended the public schools, remaining in the vicinity of Granville until twenty-six years of age. The Civil war having begun, on the 20th of August, 1862, he responded to the coun- try's call for troops, becoming a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thir- teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain and Marietta, Georgia, and was with Sherman from the beginning of the Atlanta campaign until the close of the war, participating during that time in the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina. Thus he was often in the thickest of the fight and again was stationed on the lonely picket line, while at different times he participated in the long hard marches and rigorous campaigns that made the lot of the Union soldier a most arduous one. On the 6th of July, 1865, he was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, having in the meantime participated in every skirmish and battle with his command.

Mr. Goodrich then returned home and resumed general farming. His father died in August, 1865, and he then took charge of the home farm, which he has since owned and cultivated. It is a tract of productive and valuable land of two hundred acres and here he cultivates the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate

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and also raises considerable stock. For the past five years he has likewise made a specialty of cultivating potatoes and gathers a large crop of the tubers annually. This is proving a profitable source of income and indicates his wisdom in thus cultivating his land.

On the 23d of November, 1868, Mr. Goodrich was married to Miss Helen S. Humphrey, who was born February 7, 1837, and died July 30, 1905. She was a daughter of Mathew and Lucilda (Barber) Humphrey and was a graduate of the seminary at North Granville, New York. She afterward engaged in teaching English, French, drawing and painting in the seminary at Granville and the Solomon Sanford School at Cleveland, Ohio. During her childhood days her parents resided at Granville for several years, but afterward returned to Wyoming county, New York, where she was married. She was a lady of many attractive qualities and her many excellent traits of heart and mind endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. The children of this marriage are: Albert D., who married Carrie E. Deitrick and is living in Oakland, California; and Robert R., at home. He married Lydia Wilson of Newark and they have two children, Raymond R. and Herman D. The two grandchildren are the fourth generation of the Goodrich family to have lived in the present home.

In his political views Mr. Goodrich has long been a stalwart republican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. For seventeen years he served as trustee of the township, his long continuance in the office indi- cating in unmistakable terms his fidelity to duty and his genuine worth. The family attend the Presbyterian church and Mr. Goodrich is a member of the Grand Army post, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army com- rades. He is as true and loyal to his country today as when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields. In all of his business connections, too, he has been reliable, straightforward and active, and his capable management has placed him with the representative farmers of the locality.

JOSEPH COMISFORD.

Among those who have met with success in agricultural lines is Joseph Comis- ford, who is well known in Union township, Licking county, where he was born and has always resided, engaged in general farming on the land he now has under cultivation. His parents were Paris P. and Rosa (Gifford) Comisford, natives of the north of Ireland, who on the day after their marriage set sail for the new world, locating in New York, where they spent two years, at the termination of which period they came to Newark, Ohio, where they continued their residence for about two years. They then located on this farm on October 15, 1850, and here spent their remaining days, Mr. Comisford departing this life May 27, 1880, in his sixty-third year, while his wife, who lived to be seventy-three years of age, passed away in 1893. They reared a family of eight children, namely: Andrew T., deceased ; Mrs. Katharine Malay, deceased ; Mary Green, of Licking township; Mrs. Ellen Haynes, deceased ; Henry, who lives in Hebron, Ohio; Joseph; and Margaret Hickey and Clary Davey, both of whom have passed away.

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JOSEPH COMISFORD

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On his present farm Joseph Comisford was reared and here under the direc- tion of his father he became familiar with the work of tilling the fields. During the winter months he attended the district schools and also pursued his education in Hebron. After completing his studies he continued to till the soil of the old home place, where he has since resided. His farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres, five acres of which is within the corporation limits of Hebron, his farm lying north of the village on the refugee line. In all of his business affairs Mr. Comisford is practical and, in his management of his farming interests, displays sound judgment and keen sagacity. He has studied the nature of the soil, prac- ticed the rotation of crops and has been quite successful in carrying on the farm work. He raises the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate and in addition he also raises some stock, keeping on hand a number of head of fine cattle, sheep and hogs. Aside from his agricultural interests he is concerned in other enter- prises. He was one of the original promoters of the Hebron Banking Company and has been a director since its organization.

In his political views Mr. Comisford is independent, never regarding party lines in casting his ballot but considering only the capability of the candidate. He has led a life of intense and well directed energy and has, therefore, accom- plished substantial results in his business affairs. Moreover he is thoroughly reli- able, his commercial integrity standing as an unquestioned fact in his life.

MRS. SARAH J. (WALTERS) EVANS.

The lady whose name introduces this review was born in Lieking county, Ohio, August 3, 1835, her parents being Robert and Hannah (Evans) Walters, who were natives of North and South Wales respectively, and in early life accom- panied their respective parents on their emigration to the United States, both locating in Oneida, New York. Subsequently they came to Licking county, Ohio, and here spent the remainder of their lives. Robert Walters, the father of Mrs. Evans, who was a carpenter by trade, walked to Columbus and was employed there during the construction of the state house. Unto him and his wife were born four children, namely : Owen, deceased; Mrs. Evans; and two who died in infancy.

On the 17th of March, 1863, Sarah J. Walters gave her hand in marriage to . Thomas Evans, a native of South Wales and a son of John and Sarah Evans. At an early day he crossed the briny deep to the United States and throughout his active business career was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. His family numbered thirteen children, as follows: Hannah, the wife of E. M. Jones, of Granville, Ohio; John, of Newark; Owen, of Granville; Sarah, the wife of F. B. Keller, of Newark township; Robert W., at home; Margaret, who has passed away ; Thomas, likewise at home; four who died in infancy; Mary, the wife of Perry S. Kelley, of Newark township; and Anna, who is also still under the parental roof.

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Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 23

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