Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 24

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 24

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Politically Mr. Evans was a stanch republican, but had no desire for the honors or emoluments of office. On the 24th of May, 1907, he was called to his final rest, his demise being deeply mourned by his wife and children, as well as

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by the extensive circle of friends he had made during the many years of his resi- dence in this county. Mrs. Evans now owns four houses and lots in Newark, Ohio, and is one of the venerable and highly respected ladies of Licking county, where she has spent her entire life. Her mind forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and she relates many interesting inci- dents of early pioneer days, when the settlers experienced all of the hardships and privations of life in a sparsely inhabited and undeveloped district. Like ber hus- band, she has gained a large circle of warm friends, who esteem her highly for her many good traits of heart and mind.

WILLIAM WORDSWORTH GARD.

Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Newark than William Wordsworth Gard, for, although he has resided here for but a comparatively brief period, he figures prominently in business circles as the cashier of the Park National Bank and has, moreover, attractive personal qualities which have gained for him a rapidly growing circle of friends. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, May 3, 1876, a son of Daniel Hosmer and Ella E. (Rider) Gard, natives of Ohio and Massachusetts respectively. The father filled the respon- sible and arduous position of telegraph operator for General Thomas in the Civil war, remaining with him in that capacity until hostilities were brought to an end. He was one of the early telegraph operators of the country and, in 1866, went to Columbus, Ohio, where he erected the telegraph lines for the Hocking Valley railroad, with which company he was associated for twenty-seven years, becoming its superintendent of telegraph. He also installed the lines for the Western Union Telegraph Company in Columbus and has been prominently iden- tified with the promotion of the telegraphic systems of this part of the country. Ile was connected with an event which attracted wide spread attention in rail- road circles and in which he displayed marked enterprise and discernment. He went from the Hocking Valley railroad to the Missouri Pacific, which he and J. S. Leeds represented as traffic managers. Together they went to San Francisco to fight the Southern Pacific, continuing the opposition until they got a right of way into the city, previously the Southern Pacific having had exclusive control under republican administration. Messrs. Gard and Leeds then organized two steamship lines, one from San Francisco to Panama and one from Panama to New York, for the purpose of carrying freight at cheaper rates than the railroads. His work in this connection won the approval not only of the specific road which he represented but of others as well who were glad to see the domination of the Southern Pacific broken in its selfish control of a western terminal point.

After many years' active connection with the railroad and telegraphic inter- ests, Mr. Gard is now living retired in Columbus. William Wordsworth Gard was educated in the schools of the capital city and in the University of California, at Berkeley, where he spent three years, during which time he was a resident of Alameda, California. He then returned to Columbus and entered upon his banking career as messenger of the Ohio National Bank. His ability, worth and fidelity

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led to his promotion until he became loan and discount teller, resigning that posi- tion in February, 1905, to assist in the organization of the Lincoln Savings Bank of Columbus, which he opened for business, acting as its cashier for one year. On the expiration of that period he resigned to become cashier of the Licking County Bank & Trust Company of Newark, with which he remained until June 1, 1907. Again he resigned, this time to organize the Guardian Savings & Trust Company of Newark, which was converted into the Park National Bank July 6, 1908. This institution has a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars and a surplus of ten thousand dollars and is starting under very favorable circum- stances, having already a volume of business which is gratifying. The company has erected a new and magnificent bank building, supplied with every modern equipment and constituting one of the features of architectural adornment in the city. The officers are A. G. Wyeth, president; A. R. Lindorf, vice president; and William W. Gard, cashier. Mr. Gard is widely known in banking circles and has been very successful in the organization of a number of paying banking insti- tutions. He thoroughly understands the business in every detail and his work has constituted a valuable element in business development.

On the 16th of June, 1908, Mr. Gard was married to Miss Mabel Phillips of Newark. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a past grand chancellor of Junia lodge, I. O. O. F., of Columbus, a thirty-second degree Mason and a noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, for he traces his ancestry back to those who were patriots of the Continental army, while others of the name have served in the different wars in which the country has been engaged, Mr. Gard of this review becoming a first sergeant of Battery H, Ohio Volunteers in the Spanish-American war. Interested in all matters of general progress, his attention, however, is chiefly given to his business duties, which are capably conducted. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose and a genius for devising the right thing at the right time, are numbered among his salient characteristics, and while he has advanced his own interests he also belongs to that class of representative American men who promote the general prosperity in enhancing their individual success.

CARL E. EVANS, M. D.

Carl E. Evans is one of the younger members of the medical fraternity of Licking county, yet his years do not seem a bar to his success, for he has been accorded a patronage that many an older physician might well envy. He was born in this city August 9, 1879, and represents one of the old families of the county, his father, John Q. Evans, being a native of Granville township. His grandfather, David Evans, came from Wales about 1840 and took up his abode in this country, following the occupation of farming here. His son, John Q. Evans, was educated in Denison University and afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits in Newark, being associated with the commercial life and upbuilding of the city until his death, which occurred in 1885 when he was thirty-eight years of age. He wedded Maria Jones, a native of Granville township, Licking county, and a

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daughter of John Jones, who was likewise born in the little rock-ribbed country of Wales, whence he made his way to the United States and settled in Licking county when it was still a frontier district. He was a stone mason by trade and did work on the construction of some of the principal buildings in Newark.

As boy and youth Dr. Evans remained in this city, mastering the different branches of learning taught in the successive grades of the public schools until he was graduated from the high school in 1898. He entered upon his business career as an employe in the Roe Emerson clothing store, spending some time there while still in school. He also worked for that firm during the periods of vacation when a college student, and in that way earned the money which enabled him to prose- cute his education. Believing that he would find the practice of medicine con- genial and profitable he took up the study when eighteen years of age, but it was long prior to this time that he had determined to make it his life work. In 1903 he was graduated from the Ohio Medical University, and in May of the same year opened his office in Newark, where he has since remained in general practice. That his fellow citizens regard his work worthy of a liberal patronage is indicated by the gratifying success that he has attained. IIe is now the family physician in many households here, and in addition to his private practice is serving on the medical staff of the Newark Hospital. His membership relations in professional lines are with the county, state and national medical associations.

In February, 1904, Dr. Evans was married to Miss Edna V. Frederick, a native of Coshocton county and a daughter of Robert C. Frederick, who for many years was a merchant in Johnstown, Licking county, but is now deceased. Dr. Evans belongs to Acme Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and to the Masonic chapter and council. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen and other societies, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. His popularity results from his good will, his genial manner, and his friendly spirit. He has always lived in Newark, and his upright life is attested by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those with whom he has been acquainted from his boyhood days to the present time.

ISAAC W. BRIGGS.

Isaac W. Briggs, who resides a half-mile south of Snyder's Crossing in Etna township, is now conducting a first class dairy and is meeting with excellent sue- cess. Ile has a fine herd of Jersey cows and also raises considerable stock. He was born in St. Albans township. November 25, 1860. a son of Richard and Sarah (Owens) Briggs. His father was born in Stratfordshire, Great Bridge, England. March 28, 1815, and came to the new world with his wife and two sons, settling in Granville, this county, in 1848. His wife was a native of Wales, where her birth occurred in 1816, and she departed this life on their farm in this county, August 12. 1887, her husband having survived her by sixteen years, his death occurring November 4, 1903. 1850 when the gold excitement was enthusing the people of the country and they were crossing the plains by hundreds enroute for California, he repaired to that state by way of the Isthmus and spent three years

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RICHARD BRIGGS

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there mining, at the expiration of that time returning to Granville where he passed the remainder of his days in the pursuit of agriculture. Prior to this he was a furnace man, working in blast furnaces. He possessed over three hundred acres of land which was divided into three farms, one of them containing one hundred and seventy-two acres; another ninety-five acres; and the third fifty-nine and one-half acres, all of which were located in Lima township. He was very successful in the various departments of agriculture and was well known through- out the county as a stock breeder. His political support was given to the democ- racy and he was a worthy man and most highly respected citizen. In his family were eight children, namely: Sarah, who departed this life in Wales when fourteen years of age; Mary, who died in infancy in Wales; Richard, who served in Company D, Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, his death having occurred June 12, 1908; John, deceased, who was a soldier in Company D, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and lost his life during the Civil war in 1863; Edward J., who resides in this township; Joseph, who died in April, 1905, leaving his widow and three children, Harry, William and Daisy; David, who departed this life in 1876 in his fifteenth year; and Isaac W.

Isaac W. Briggs went with his parents when five years of age to a farm in Lima township, which he cultivated for some years. During his boyhood days he made himself familiar with the various departments of agriculture under the instruction of his father and also acquired his education in the district schools. His farm consisted of eighty-six acres, and while it is not large every foot of ground was under cultivation. Considerable attention having been given to the soil, its properties were conserved and its yielding power as a whole was greater than that of many farms which contain a larger number of acres. General farm- ing commanded his attention and at the same time he was interested in stock- raising, buying and breeding the best specimens, which he shipped to near-by markets. In February, 1909, he sold his place in Lima township and removed to Etna township, where he is now engaged extensively and profitably in the dairy business, having a fine herd of Jersey cows. He also successfully carries on general farming.

In 1888 he wedded Miss Lily B. Puffer, a native of Union township, where her birth occurred April 22, 1870, and a daughter of George W. and Alice (Myer) Puffer, natives of this county. Her father served in the Civil war in the Seven- teeth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was born in Union township, near Hebron, on January 11, 1845, and resided in the county until a few years ago when he took up residence in the Soldiers' Home, at Sandusky, this state. Prior to the Civil war he engaged in farming, and at the opening of that conflict, in 1861, he enlisted from this county in Company D, Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, and served for eight months. At the conclusion of his military service he returned to his farm and continued the pursuit of agriculture, dealing extensively in stock of all kinds until he retired two years ago. He is a stanch democrat, being a firm believer in the free trade policies of the platform of his party, the principles of which he deems entirely adequate to preserve the integrity of the free institutions of the nation and the liberty of its people. He has always voted the democratic ticket, and during campaigns does what he can to enable the can-

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didates of his party to obtain the offices they seek. As to his religious convic- tions, he holds membership with that denomination known as the Disciples of Christ, because he believes in the restoration of apostolic Christianity which knows no creed but the Bible and which acknowledges but one faith, one Lord and one baptism. His parents were Elhanen and Jemima (Price) Puffer, his father having been a native of Vermont and his mother of Virginia, and the Puffer and Price families were among the early settlers of this county. At one time Elhanen Puffer owned a large farm near the reservoir where he carried on agriculture until his death, which occurred when he was still a young man. His widow afterward wedded George Baumgardner. By her first husband she had three children, Jacob, George W. and Elhanen, and by her second husband seven children, namely : Sarah, Anna, John, Mary, Lemuel, Henry and Eliza. George W. Puffer was united in marriage to Alice Myer, whose birth occurred in Plain township, Franklin county, in 1848, and who now resides in Kirkersville. She was a daughter of Thomas and Jane ( Morrison) Myer, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of New Jersey. They were among the early settlers of this part of Ohio. In their family were six children, namely : Calista, Alice, Uri, Sabra, Nancy and Celia. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Puffer had nine children, namely : Elhanen, who resides near Hebron, this state; Lily B .; Hilton, who died in his fourth year; William, who lives in Kirkersville; John, who resides near lebron; Mima, who departed this life in infancy; Maude, wife of Nelson Palmer, residing at Summit Station: Clara, who became the wife of Linzy Car- lisle, of Ilebron ; and Georgie, the wife of Willis Barcus, of Columbus, Ohio.

The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Briggs: Sarah Alice, who became the wife of Harry E. Butts, living in St. Albans township; Mary Ellen, who departed this life in infancy : Ruth Lee; John ; Georgia May; Walter D .; and Harley Nelson. Mr. Briggs is highly respected throughout the com- munity, always conducting himself in such a manner as to deserve the confidence of his neighbors, and being industrious and enterprising and a man who takes considerable interest in the welfare of those around him, and at the same time whose thrift and industry has given him considerable prosperity, he is among the township's most substantial and representative citizens.

WILLIAM C. HALL.

William C. Hall lives on the farm where his parents settled alnost three- quarters of a century ago. They were Thomas G. and Ann (Crosley) Hall, both of whom were natives of England. The father was born in Staffordshire, in 1813; came to this country in 1840 and settled in Licking county, Ohio. In 1842 he purchased a tract of land, which was mostly covered with timber, located in Newark township on the Granville road, two miles west of Newark. In 1847 Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Ann Crosley, who came with her parents from England in 1832, locating in Newark, New Jersey, and in 1840 moved to Granville, Ohio. Thomas G. Hall and his wife immediately settled on the farm where they spent the remainder of their lives. To this union were born three sons and three

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daughters, two of the latter having passed away in infancy, while the third daugh- ter, Ella, departed this life in her sixteenth year. The three sons still survive, namely: Edward, who lives on his farm near Galena, Delaware county, Ohio; William C., who lives on the old home farm; and Frank D., a druggist of Newark, Ohio. Thomas G. died in 1871, while his wife passed away in 1906.

W. C. Hall was united in marriage to Martha J. McMillen, daughter of John W. McMillen, of Newark township. To this union was born one daughter, Mary C. Mr. Hall and his family are Presbyterians, being members of the Second Presbyterian church of Newark. The principles of the Republican party have always appealed to Mr. Hall as advocating the best policies by which the permanent prosperity of the nation might be best established and maintained, and its finan- cial status placed upon a firm foundation, and consequently he gives his vote to the candidates of his party.

CARL NORPELL.

Professional circles in Newark find a worthy representative in Carl Norpell, one of the native sons of the city, who is now practicing law here, with a large and distinctively representative clientage. He was born April 6, 1862, a son of Conrad and Mary Louise (Pfaff) Norpell, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Switzerland. The father's birth occurred in Baden, and in September, 1849, he arrived in the United States, for the opportunities which he had heard were offered in America proved so attractive that he resolved to try his fortunes in this country. He never had occasion to regret his determination to emigrate to the new world. Taking up his abode in Licking county he became identified with its industrial interests and worked at his trade until seventy-eight years of age. He became superintendent of the New Jersey Zinc Works, and filled that position until he reached the designated age, when he retired from active business life and returned to Lieking county, in 1897, here remaining until his death, which occurred in July, 1906, when he was eighty-seven years of age. For three decades he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1876.

Carl Norpell was only two years of age when the family came to Newark, and was educated in public and private schools of this city. He then determined to engage in the practice of law as a life work, and in 1875 entered the office of Judge Buckinghom, who directed his reading until his admission to the bar in 1877. He afterward remained in the judge's office until 1897, but has since practiced alone. His ability as a lawyer is widely acknowledged for he is careful and thorough in the preparation of his cases and presents them with a clearness and force that leaves no doubt as to the correctness of his position or of his under- standing of the legal principles applicable to the points in litigation

In 1885 Mr. Norpell was married to Miss Adeline M. Bradley, a native of Bay City, Michigan, and they have four children: Max B., Louise, Jerome Buckingham, and Helen. They also lost one child in infancy. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are loyal to its teachings and earnest in their advocacy of that faith. In politics Mr. Norpell is a republican,

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active in the work of the party, which has benefited by his labors and counsels. He has served as one of the aldermen of the city and is now one of the trustees for the school for the deaf, having been appointed by Governor Nash and reap- pointed by Governor Herrick and again by Governor Harris. His public service is characterized by unfaltering devotion to duty, while his loyalty to his client's interests is proverbial and this, combined with his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, makes him one of the successful members of the Newark bar.

FRED C. EVANS.

Fred C. Evans, whose real-estate operations have been directly beneficial to the city in its substantial upbuilding and improvement, belongs to that class of men who owe their success directly to their own labors. By perseverance, deter- mination and honorable effort he has overcome the obstacles that always pave the path to prosperity and has gone on and on in his business career until he is now controlling extensive and profitable operations in real-estate lines.

Mr. Evans is a native of Perry township, born on the 5th of June, 1866. His father, Captain Zebulon P. Evans, was a native of the same township where his grandfather, John Evans, settled on coming to the county. He was a native of Wales and with his parents crossed the Atlantic to the new world, residing for a short time in Muskingum county, Ohio, after which removal was made to Licking county. The family were farming people and were closely identified with the substantial agricultural development of this part of the state. Zebulon P. Evans was here reared to farm life when Licking county was a frontier dis- trict. He became a member of Company A, Seventy-sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers at the time of the Civil war, serving from 1861 until the close of hos- tilities. ITis loyalty and meritorious conduct on the field of battle won him pro- motion to the rank of captain and his valor and bravery inspired his men to equal tasks of courage. When the war was over he returned home and afterward mar- ried Miss Julia Lemert, also a native of Perry township and a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county, Lemert Post, G. A. R., being named in honor of the family. Following their marriage Captain and Mrs. Evans took up their abode on the farm in Perry township, where Captain Evans died in 1871.

Fred C. Evans was educated in the country schools and in Curry Institute, Pittsburg. He was also graduated from the normal school at Defiance, Ohio, and thus with good mental training entered upon his business career, serving for six months as a clerk in the employ of William A. Kenast of Defiance, Ohio. He afterward located on the home farm, which he operated for his mother until 1890, when he came to Newark and secured a clerkship with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. After two and a half years spent in that capacity, he engaged in the real-estate business and has since been engaged in the purchase and sale of property and in speculative building. In 1905 he added the plumbing and plumbing supply business, and thus in various lines is closely associated with

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CAPTAIN Z. P. EVANS

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FRED C. EVANS

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the commercial and industrial activity of the city. His efforts have not only been a source of gratifying revenue to himself but have also constituted an important feature in the city's growth and upbuilding. He has opened up three additions, including the Fred C. Evans first addition on the west end; a second addition, at the corner of Church and Eighth streets, of what was the old Flory homestead ; and a third addition of what was formerly the Charles G. Penney property. Mr. Evans has negotiated many important realty transfers and in addition to handling property he has erected a number of residences, thus transforming unsightly vacancies into well improved property.

On the 2d of October, 1901, Mr. Evans was married to Miss Velma Virginia Trembley, a native of Indiana. They are prominent socially and are numbered among the consistent members of the Second Presbyterian church. Mr. Evans has contributed generously to the support of the church and takes an active inter- est in religious work, being now treasurer and vice president of the Newark Young Men's Christion Association. He is also a director of the Board of Trade where he has given his aid and influence toward securing locations of various indus- trial concerns in Newark, thus contributing to the welfare of the city. Socially he is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Newark Lodge No. 97 and the Commandery. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. His life is exemplary in all respects and he is a supporter of those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of highest commendation.

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Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 24

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