Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 25

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

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JOSEPH MESSENGER.

A long residence and an upright life well entitled Joseph Messenger to promi- nent and honorable mention in the history of Licking county. His birth occurred in this county September 2, 1825, and throughout his entire life he remained within its borders, neglectful of no duties of citizenship, while in all his private relations he manifested the sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. His parents were Campbell and Charlotte (Wilcox) Messenger, who arrived in this county in 1805, with the colony from Granville, Massachusetts. Campbell Messenger had made the trip with his parents, who settled north of the village of Granville. His father, David Messenger, had served as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding the colonists in their struggle for independence. On the home farm Campbell Messenger remained until after the outbreak of the war of 1812, when he, too, joined the army and aided in defending American liberties against the second attack of the English. He was one of a family of seven children : David, Campbell, Grove, Forest, Cynthia, Harriet and Hannah. Grove, who was a member of General Hull's army at the time of his surrender, was never heard of after that. He had previously married an aunt of General McPherson and they had two sons, Frederick and William, both now deceased. All four of the brothers were serving in the American army

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under Hull at the time of his surrender. Having arrived at years of maturity, Campbell Messenger devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits and remained a factor in the progress and development of the county during its carly formative period and also in the epoch of its later advancement. He wedded Charlotte Wilcox and their children were Cynthia, Joseph, Martha and Madison. The last named was killed in the battle of Chickamauga.

Reared to the occupation of farming, Joseph Messenger early became familiar with the arduous task of developing and cultivating a new tract of land. He was yet a young man when he learned the cooper's and carpenter's trades and after working in mechanical lines for a time he turned his attention to farming, cultivating a rich tract of land. He worked diligently and persistently to improve his property and made it one of the valuable farms of the community, having two hundred and twenty acres which he brought under a state of rich fertility.

Joseph Messenger was united in marriage to Miss Martha Alward, who was born in this county July 23, 1829. For many years they traveled life's journey together, but Mrs. Messenger still survives her husband and now resides on the home farm in Union township with her sons. Her birth occurred in Harrison township and her parents were Ezra and Rosalinda (Williams) Alward, who were natives of New Jersey and were married in Jersey, Licking county, Ohio. Mr. Alward had come to this county with his parents in 1815, while his future wife arrived in 1816. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Messenger were born five children: John, now living in St. Albans township; George, who is living on the home place in Union township; Mrs. Nettic Fisher, deceased; Alice, the widow of Frank M. Alward; and Frank, who is living on the home farm with his mother in Union township. The death of the husband and father occurred September 21, 1900. HIe had for almost seventy-five years been a resident of the county and was classed with its worthy and respected citizens and honored for his genuine worth and his upright principles. He was never known to take advantage of the necessities of another in any business transaction and in all matters of citizenship his influence was found on the side of substantial improvement. He voted with the republican party and held a number of minor offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He was a member of the Granville Presbyterian church during the greater part of his life and lived in close harmony with its teachings.

FRANK M. ALWARD,

who married Alice, daughter of Joseph Messenger, was born May 18, 1846, on the farm where his widow now resides. His parents were James A. and Katherine (Doty) Alward. The former was born near Morristown, New Jersey. December 8, 1808, and in 1815 was brought by his parents to this county, the family home being established in Granville on the Columbus road near Pataskala. On the 21st of February, 1836, James A. Alward wedded Mary Nichol, but she lived only a short time. On the 9th of June, 1839, he wedded Katharine Doty and removed to the old home farm in Union township, upon which he spent his remaining days, passing away here after a residence of forty-seven years upon the place. He was a man of good business ability, of keen

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discrimination and unfaltering enterprise and as the years passed he prospered in his undertakings, becoming the owner of between seven and eight hundred acres of valuable land, which at the time it came into his possession was a forest tract, but his labors transformed it into rich and productive fields. In 1837 he became a member of the Granville Presbyterian church, with which he was asso- ciated until his death as one of its devoted and faithful members. His wife passed away about 1886, at the age of seventy-four years. In their family were four sons and six daughters, of whom two sons and four daughters are now living.

On the home farm Frank M. Alward spent his entire life, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He had one hundred and ninety acres of land that responded readily to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it. It was a part of the old family homestead, which originally contained five hundred acres. Year after year he tilled his fields and tended his stock and in all of his business affairs displayed the sound judgment which brought him a creditable and gratifying measure of prosperity.

On the 28th of October, 1896, Mr. Alward was married to Miss Alice Messenger, who was born in Union township, July 13, 1859. Unto them was born a son, James Francis, now eleven years of age. The death of Mr. Alward occurred January 25, 1901, and occasioned deep and widespread regret through- out the county and came as an irreparable loss to his family. In politics he had always been a democrat and had held some local offices, in which he had ever been most faithful. He belonged to the Presbyterian church of Granville and had builded for himself an upright, honorable character that made his worth widely acknowledged. He was progressive in citizenship and loyal in friendship, but his best traits of character were ever reserved for his own home and fireside.

HI. LORENZO SIMPSON.

HI. Lorenzo Simpson is the owner of a fine farm property comprising ninety acres, and in addition to his operation of this place he is also employed as agent at Weiant Station by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company. He is a native son of the Buckeye state, born in Muskingum county, November 11, 1869, a son of Henry Clay and Amanda (Riekner) Simpson, both of whom were natives of Licking county. With the exception of a residence of about eight years in Muskingum county, their entire lives were passed in this county and the father followed agricultural pursuits in Hanover township to the time of his death, which occurred in 1881, while the mother, who survived for a long period, passed to her final reward in 1901.

II. Lorenzo Simpson spent the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and was quite young when brought by his parents to Licking county, so that practically his entire life has here been spent. He acquired his education in the public schools, studying for one term in the Granville school. For six years he was telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania railroad. Then he took up the study of veterinary surgery and after his graduation followed the profession for six years and still gives some attention to the same, although for the past nine

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years his time has been largely taken up with his duties as telegraph operator at Weiant Station. He is also the owner of a good farm of ninety acres, situated in Madison township, which he operates. While he leads a very busy life, finding few leisure hours, he yet enjoys rest and recreation in the duties which occupy his time in connection with the farm after the completion of his work at the keys.

Mr. Simpson was married June 24, 1890, to Miss Georgia Ellis, a daughter of George Ellis, now deceased. Their marriage has been blessed with two sons: Stanley, now a high-school student in Newark; and Loren, who attends the preparatory school of that city.

Mr. Simpson's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the republican party and he served as assessor of Madison township for two terms, while at the present time he is the efficient township treasurer. He is a valued member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He possesses marked business ability and firm purpose and in this lies the secret of his present prosperity.

JACOB KUHNS.

Jacob Kuhns, who is numbered among the prosperous and progressive agricul- turists of Union township, Licking county, and who is a veteran of the Civil war, was born in Walnut township, Fairfield county, Ohio, February 18, 1832, and is a son of George and Katherine (Smith) Kuhns. His father and mother were natives of Maryland, the former of Hagarstown, the latter of Baltimore, and in that state they were reared and married. To Fairfield county they came about the year 1825 and there spent the remainder of their lives. George Kuhns was a shoemaker and although at one time he owned a good farm he left it to follow his trade and continued the occupation of shocmaking until his death. In their family were eight children: John, who has not been heard from since going west; James, deceased; William; George; Jacob; Rebecca; Elizabeth; and one who died in infancy.

The greater portion of his life Jacob Kuhns spent in his native county where he aided in tilling the fields and in the district school acquired his education. After the Civil war broke out he enlisted, in December, 1861, in Company F, First Ohio Cavalry, under Captain Valentine Cupp and took part in twenty-eight regular engagements. He remained throughout the war with the same regiment as fourth sergeant and was honorably discharged after the battle of Jonesboro, having served three years and two months, the muster out taking place at Columbia, Tennessee.

Returning to Fairfield county, Mr. Kuhns remained there until thirty-two years ago when he came to Union township, where he engaged for fifteen years in brick-making, which enterprise he finally gave up and bought a farm. This was his first experience in farming but nevertheless he has been quite successful and has become well known as a stock breeder, dealing in hogs and sheep. His place is located near Luray on the pike and is known as the Cunningham farm. His home is as fine a residence as there is in the township. Mr. Kubns devotes

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MR. AND MRS. JACOB KUHNS

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his attention principally to the raising of grain, while at the same time he takes some interest in stock breeding. His life as an agriculturist has been attended with prosperity, and he now owns three hundred and twenty-one acres of good land in Licking county. The home farm comprises one hundred and fifty-one acres, and he is also the possessor of a one hundred and thirty acre tract in close proximity to the home place, and forty acres of pasture land some little distance to the north. Among other interests with which he is identified is the Hebron Banking Company, of which he is a stockholder.

On January 29, 1868, Kuhns wedded Mrs. Tabitha Gill Lamb, widow of Peter Lamb, and a native of Fairfield county, born August 29, 1831. She was a daughter of Nicholas and Mary Lamb, and by her first marriage she had two children, Peter, deceased, and Ida. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kuhns are: Della, who is the wife of Marshall Embrey, who assists her father on the farm, and they have three children, Helen, Raymond and Nicholas G .; Lillian, who became the wife of Mack Pugh, and they have six children-Sarah, Frederick, Edward, Mary, Tabitha and Jacob, the family residing on a farm owned by her father; and Thomas, who completes the family.

Mr. Kuhns has been a lifelong democrat and although he has never aspired to public office he is thoroughly convinced of the wisdom and utility of the principles of his party and always supports its candidates. He maintains fraternal relations with his old army comrades through his connection with Newark Post, G. A. R. He is favorably known throughout the community for the part he has taken in developing its interests and, being prominent in agricultural circles and straightforward in all his dealings, he is not only a substantial but also a representative citizen of the township.

JOHN F. WILLIAMS.

Since the spring of 1858 John F. Williams has resided on the farm in Hanover township, which is now his home. The neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision and untiring labor. On the 29th of May, 1833, he was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, a son of John R. and Elizabeth (Fowler) Williams, the former a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Coshocton county. In 1807 John R. Williams came to Ohio with his parents, Richard and Elizabeth Williams, being at that time but five years of age. The family home was established on a farm in Coshocton county, where he was reared to manhood, and then determining to follow as his life work the occu- pation to which he had been reared, he took up farming on his own account, and employed it as a source of livelihood throughout his remaining days. He was, however, a natural mechanic and could do anything with tools. In the earlier days he did much work in cabinet making and millwrighting. His early political allegiance was given to the democratic party, but its radical views, during the days of political unrest and revolution at the time of the Civil war, cut him off. from the democratic party and he became one of the active members of the newly organized republican party, and thereafter stanchly advocated its principles and

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gave to it loyal support. He was, however, never ambitious for office, preferring to do his public service as a private citizen. He cooperated in many movements for the public good, and his influence was always on the side of right and improve- ment. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church in early manhood, but on the organization of the Methodist Protestant church gave the weight of his influ- ence to the new organization, and was one of the active supporters of the church and Sabbath school work for many years. He also took an advanced stand in the temperance question, and was one of the first to advocate abolishing the whiskey jug from the harvest field. Others claimed that he could not secure workers if he did, but he proved otherwise, for he soon had all of the best help he wanted. His life was at all times honorable and upright, and his influence was on the side of justice, truth, reform and progress. He lived to the venerable age of eighty- five years, while his wife lived to the very advanced age of ninety-three years, spending her last days in the home of one of her sons at Columbus. Her father, Richard Fowler, was a native of Maryland, and became one of the early settlers of Coshocton county, Ohio. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and as he was always known as Captain Fowler, it is presumed that he held a captain's commission during his military service.

John F. Williams was reared on the home farm and acquired his education in the common schools, and also at West Bedford Academy. He engaged in teaching three terms of school, but during the greater part of his life has given his undi- vided attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1855, when but twenty-three years of age, he was nominated and elected to the office of county recorder of Coshocton county, as a candidate of the republican party which had been organized only the preceding year, and it was not until the following year that the general organiza- tion was consummated. Between his nomination and the election he was married and began his domestic life in Coshocton. In the spring of 1858, however, he purchased two hundred and twelve acres of his present farm in Licking county, and in April of that year resigned his office to remove to his new home. He is still known as "the man who resigned a county office in Coshocton county." He has continued to reside on his farm for more than half a century, and has been very successful in his agricultural enterprises, being today one of the substantial men of Hanover township. He has kept abreast of the work of advancement as manifest in agricultural lines, using the latest improved machinery and the most modern methods for carrying on farm work.

On the 11th of September, 1855, Mr. Williams was joined in wedlock to Miss Amelia Ann Sidle, a daughter of Cornelius Sidle, a prominent farmer of Muskingum county. Of this marriage were born four children, of whom three are still living, namely : Jessie Louise, the widow of William Montgomery, of Emporia, Kansas ; Rebecca S., the wife of John F. Powell, a farmer of Coshocton county ; and John C., who is assisting in managing the home farm.

In politics Mr. Williams is still a stanch republican, having never swerved in his allegiance to the party and its principles. He served for seven years as a member of the school board, but has never been actuated in his party fidelity by desire for public office. On the contrary he has preferred to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, and in the capable control of his farming inter- ests has met with signal success. He is an active member of the Methodist Prot-

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estant church and is one of the church trustees. He was secretary of the Licking County Sabbath School Association for many years, being president of the same organization for a short time. He has made it a point to attend all the conven- tions of this association. His name is an honored one throughout the county for in all business and social relations he has been true to every manly principle.

THOMAS D. OWENS.

Thomas D. Owens, who owns and operates a large farm in Newark township, this county, and is a descendant of that excellent type of Welsh character which has done so much in the direction of uplifting the moral tone of our civilization and developing our commercial enterprises, was born in Granville township, April 17, 1848, a son of John R. and Ann (Jones) Owens, natives of Wales, who entered into rest here at the ages of seventy-one and eighty-seven years, respect- ively, Mr. Owens having departed this life in 1881, his wife surviving until the year 1904. At the age of twenty-one years he left his native land for the United States, landing in New York city, where for a period of ten years he was employed, and, having been a man of modest habits, he saved the greater portion of his earnings, and in course of time had accumulated sufficient means with which to purchase a farm, and, upon coming to Granville township, this county, he bought fifty acres of land, which he kept under cultivation all his life. In his family were four sons, namely: Robert, who resides on the home place in Gran- ville township; David, who also lives there; John, a practicing physician of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania; and Thomas D.

Thomas D. Owens was reared on the old homestead, acquiring his knowledge of the art of agriculture under the supervision of his father and his education in the district schools, and under the parental roof he remained until about thirty- seven years ago, when he located on the farm he now cultivates in this township, where he has since resided. His farm originally consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, in the harvests of which he met with such splendid success as to enable him recently to add an additional one hundred and seventy acres to his farm, the entire tract being provided with all necessary improvements by way of buildings and fencing, and here, while he carries on general farming and stock raising to some extent, he makes a specialty of the dairy business, which is perhaps the most lucrative department of the enterprise.

In January. 1882, Mr. Owens wedded Hannah Jones, a native of this town- ship. and a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Evans) Jones, and to this union have been born four children, namely: Richard, Wilfred, Mary and Elizabeth, all of whom reside with their parents. Mr. Owens devotes his entire attention to his various farming interests, in which he evidences considerable pride, and con- sequently he has not found time to devote to secret orders or fraternal organiza- tions, preferring rather to devote what little leisure he can afford to the enjoyment of domestic life. His theology is stoutly Calvinistic, believing the articles of the Westminster Confession of Faith to be a correct interpretation of the teachings of the Old and New Testaments, and he is a faithful member of the Second Presby-

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terian church, in which for a number of years he has performed the duties of an elder. Mr. Owens' daily conduct being in keeping with the tenets of his faith, he is a good and worthy citizen, and deserves the respect and confidence which have always been extended to him by the citizens of the township.

WILLIAM AUGUSTUS CASTLE.

Although William Augustus Castle is now eighty-five years of age he is still an active factor in business affairs, giving general supervision to his farming and stock-raising interests. A life of well directed activity has brought him creditable success and has gained for him an enviable position in the regard of friends and neighbors. He was born in Jericho, Vermont, July 26, 1824, a son of Augustus and Almira (Lane) Castle, who were likewise natives of the Green Mountain state, the father's birth having occurred July 9, 1791, while the mother was born on the 9th of March, 1795. They were married October 31, 1816, and remained residents of New England for about fourteen years thereafter, when they came to Ohio with their family. William A. Castle was then a little lad of six years. It was in the winter of 1830 and they traveled by sleigh seven hundred and fifty miles to Ashtabula county, Ohio. When they had reached that point on their journey they found it impossible to proceed by sleigh because there was no longer snow and for six months they remained in Ashtabula county, where the father rented land and raised a crop, but in the fall of the same year continued on his way to Lieking county. During the first winter he rented a house on a farm ad- joining the old homestead but in the spring of 1831 settled upon the farm, which has since been the property of the Castle family and the home of our subject to the present time. It was all heavy timber land save that about six acres had been cleared. The farm embraced one hundred twelve and a half acres of land, which the father and brother of William A. Castle cleared and cultivated until they trans- formed it into rich and productive fields. The family numbered eight children. Sarah Celestial became the wife of Richard Hooper and the mother of O. C. Hooper, now manager and editor of the Columbus Dispatch. Emily became the wife of William Cornell and removed to Oregon, where her death occurred. Orlando, now deceased, was for thirty years a professor in Shurtleff College at Upper Alton, Illinois. William A. was the next of the family. Eunice Aurelia became the wife of Holly Austin and died at Madison, Indiana. Judson died in Kansas at the age of eighteen years, while on his way to Oregon. Ellen M. became the wife of James Rankin and both died in Minneapolis, leaving a son, Rev. James A. Rankin, a Congregational preacher. Alonzo died at Saratoga Springs, New York, when a year and a half old. The father of this family served as a soldier in the war of 1812, doing duty as a private in northern New York. He died March 22, 1880, being almost a nonagenarian. IIe had long survived his wife, who passed away August 7, 1864.

Although but six years of age at the time the family left New England and started for Ohio, William A. Castle yet remembers many incidents of that jour- ney and also of the pioneer life which followed their settlement in Licking county.

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He passed through all of the experiences, hardships and trials incident to the estab- lishment of a home on the frontier and as his years and strength increased assisted more and more largely in the work of the farm. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school for nine years and was an able educator, contributing in sub- stantial measure to the early intellectual progress of this community. He attended Denison University, then Granville College, and was for two years a teacher in the public schools of Zanesville, Ohio, and for two years a teacher in Shurtleff College in Illinois with his brother. A man of strong intellectuality, he has always read broadly, thinks deeply and is well informed concerning important events and questions of the day. In spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime and is a man of remarkable vitality for one of his years. After devoting some years to teaching school he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of an excellent farm of eighty-one acres a half mile north of Alexandria in Liberty township. He has made a specialty of sheep raising and this branch of his business has always proved to him a profitable source of income.

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Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 25

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