Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 3

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 3

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

In 1896 Mr. Barrick was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 9th of May of that year. On the 28th of July, 1898, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Ella Rowe, of Franklin township, Licking county, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Irwin) Rowe, who were also natives of the same township. Her father is now deceased but the mother yet survives and is living in Newark. There have been two children born of the second marriage, Charles David and Irene May, twins, but the former died when only thirteen months old. Mr. and Mrs. Barrick have many warm friends in the community, occupying an enviable position in the regard of those who know them. Mr. Barrick is a repub- lican in politics but has never been an office seeker, although for seventeen years he served continuously as a trustee of Madison township, being called to this position by his fellow citizens who have recognized the value and worth of his services. He is one of the representative men of the county, well deserving of mention in this volume.

FRANCIS P. KENNEDY.

Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in commercial and financial circles in Licking county than does Francis P. Kennedy, the president of the Newark Trust Company. This is due not alone to the success he has achieved, although the result of his labors entitles him to distinction, but also to the honorable, straightforward business methods he has ever followed. He possesses much of the initiative spirit in that he has formulated new plans and has carried them forward to successful completion. He readily recognizes the possibilities for combining forces so as to produce the desired results, and throughout his entire business career he has displayed a strict conformity to commercial ethics that has gained him the highest respect.

Mr. Kennedy is yet a young man, his birth having occurred in Wheeling, West Virginia, July 3, 1872, his parents being Patrick and Angela (Hallisy) Kennedy, the former a native of Claine, a village located near Dublin, Ireland, and the latter of Coshocton county, Ohio. Coming to America in 1847, the father located in Wheeling, West Virginia, and for about fifty years successfully conducted business as a dry-goods merchant, retiring in 1893. He is now enjoying the well earned rest and fruits of his former toil on his fine estate located near Elm Grove, a suburb of Wheeling, West Virginia. His property holdings are extensive and he is also interested in the large steel mills of that city.

Francis P. Kennedy was well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties by a liberal education. He pursued his studies at Holy Cross College of Worcester, Massachusetts, St. Michael's College of Toronto, Canada, from which institution he graduated in the classical course in 1894, and Georgetown University at Washington, D. C., where he pursued a law course, being graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law in 1897. The following year he was admitted to the bar at Columbus and entered upon active practice in Newark, remaining an active member of the legal profession here for six years. His knowledge of law has been of much value to him since he turned his attention to other lines of business.

Digitized by Google

- -

FRANCIS P. KENNEDY

Digitized by Google

Google

Digitized by

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

Ile stands today as one of the prominent representatives of business activities in Newark, possessing a strong purpose and undaunted enterprise which have led him into active relations with important undertakings. In 1903, in association with the late Timothy O. Donovan and other representative business men, he organized the Newark Trust Company, which is now the largest bank in Licking county, or this part of the state. For two years he served as its vice president and was then elected president in the place of the first president of the company, the late Timothy O. Donovan, who resigned from the office on account of failing health. As president he has bent his energies toward administrative direction and executive control with the result that the business has developed rapidly along substantial lines and now takes second place to no institution of the kind in this part of the state. Mr. Kennedy superintended the construction of the magnificent office building erected in 1906-07 by the Newark Trust Company. It largely stands as a monument to his progressive spirit and determination and no city of similar size in the United States can boast of a structure of such size, architectural beauty and magnificence.

Aside from his interest in the Newark Trust Company Mr. Kennedy is a director and treasurer of the American Tribune, a director and treasurer of the Sherwood Improvement Company, a director of the Licking Light and Power Company, a director of the Arcade Realty Company, director of the Midland Mutual Life Insurance Company of Columbus, director of the South Side Lumber Company of Columbus, a director of the Newark Board of Trade and of other enterprises which have benefited by his sound judgment and keen sagacity.

On the 30th of January, 1902, Mr. Kennedy was married to Miss Grace Frances Fleek, a daughter of the late John S. Fleek, of Newark, and they have two children, Angela, five years of age; and Francis P., a year old. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy occupy a prominent position in the social circles of the city and Mr. Kennedy is interested in all that pertains to municipal progress and to substantial improvement in Newark. He is preeminently a man of affairs and one who is wielding a wide influence. He has utilized his native talents to the best advantage, has recognized and improved opportunities others have passed by heedlessly and by concentrated and continued effort has reached the enviable position which he today occupies in financial circles in central Ohio.

JAMES ALBERT STALTER.

James Albert Stalter, well known throughout Licking county as a stock-raiser, particularly as a breeder of Poland-China hogs and Ayrshire cattle, his place being known as the Maple Grove stock farm, was born in Etna township, August 15, 1862, in the home in which he now resides. His grandparents, John and Magdalena (Knitle) Stalter, the former a native of Pennsylvania, removed from Fairfield county to Allen county, Ohio, where he purchased two hundred acres of land, one- half of which was covered with excellent timber. There he followed farming and there both departed this life. In their family were nine children: Delilah, Israel, Mary, George W., Katherine, Sarah, Samuel, Rebecca, and John.

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

George W. Stalter, father of J. A. Stalter, was born in Fairfield county, December 24, 1831, and remained on his father's farm in Allen county until he was twenty-six years of age. On February 18, 1858, he wedded Lydia Blouser, a native of Fairfield county, where she was born December 26, 1837, the Blouser family having gone to Fairfield county from Virginia at an early day. Her parents, Daniel and Phoebe (Grimm) Blouser, came to Etna township about the year 1845, where they entered a tract of land and pursued agriculture until they entered into rest. To Mr. and Mrs. Stalter have been born : Phoebe Ann, who died in infancy ; James Albert, of this review; Delilah Katherine, who was born here January 23, 1865, and entered into rest October 28, 1867; Adeline, who departed this life in her third year ; and John William Henry, whose birth occurred June 22, 1870.

In the district schools of this township James A. Stalter acquired his education and resided with his parents until he was united in marriage, soon after which he came to his present home, which is owned by his father and contains one hundred and seventy acres of land situated on the National pike one-half mile west of Etna. Here he pursues general agriculture, making stock-raising a specialty, breeding hogs, cattle and horses, having at present one of the finest herds of thoroughbred Poland-China hogs in the county, and also a herd of Ayrshire cattle which cannot be surpassed in the state, while his horses are also high-bred registered stock. His knowledge of the stock business he acquired from his father, who is recognized as an authority in this line, and his son, having also devoted his entire life to the same business, has an experience in the breeding of hogs, cattle and horses which enables him to bring his stock to the highest point of perfection.

On September 9, 1886, Mr. Stalter wedded Mary Ermine Long, a native of Reynoldsburg, Franklin county, where she was born August 31, 1866. She is a daughter of James Harrison and Minerva (Grubbs) Long, who now reside in Columbus, Ohio, and with them she resided until she was united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Stalter have the following children : Carrie Acleava ; William Albert; Harold L .; George Harrison; Alma, who passed away in infancy; and Pauline Edith. Mr. Stalter belongs to Pataskala Lodge No. 404, A. F. & A. M., and Ever- green Lodge No. 238, I. O. O. F., of Etna, and in company with the members of his family he attends divine services at the Methodist Episcopal church. He is favorably known throughout the township for his enterprise and the interest he takes in local affairs, and his daily life and business methods are such as to enable him to stand high in the community, of which he is a substantial representative.

DAVID H. PIGG.

David H. Pigg, a prosperous and well-known citizen of Licking county, now living retired in Newark, was born on the old family homestead in Madison town- ship, this county, on the 22d of June, 1847. His parents, George and Jane (Knox) Pigg, were both natives of Cumberland county, England, where they were reared and upon reaching American shores made their way to Licking county, Ohio, and married. Six months after their wedding they set sail for the United States locating on a farm in Madison township in 1834. The father first rented what is

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

now known as the Wilson property, but, meeting with success in his operations, he was eventually justified in making a purchase of land, and at the time of his death had accumulated two hundred acres of valuable farming property. He and his wife were devoted and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the father dying in that faith, September 16, 1862, when he was sixty-three years of age; while his wife, surviving for about two decades, passed away in 1882, at the age of seventy- three. They were well-known pioneers of the county, highly respected in the locality where they resided for so long a period. They had a family of four sons: Charles A., who resides in Madison township; William, who also makes his home in that township; George T., a successful agriculturist of Madison township; and David H., of this review.

The last named was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his common school education by a course of study in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, this state. Subsequently he began reading law in the office of Smythe & Sprague, of Newark, and finished the prescribed course of study, but never applied for admission to the bar. He then received his share of the family estate, which was divided about this time, and determined to devote his time and energies to an agricultural career, remaining on the farm until the year 1887. During this period he served for twenty-five years as justice of the peace, his decisions being ever strictly fair and impartial. In 1887 he came to Newark, and five years later was elected to the office of justice of the peace, in which he capably served for six years. On the expiration of that period he was appointed a member of the board of county commissioners, when the law came into effect extending the term of office from two to three years. At the end of that time he was regularly elected to the office, and three years later was reelected, so that his term of service covered alto- gether seven years. Since retiring from the position, he has lived in Newark, in the enjoyment of well-earned rest, and is widely recognized as one of the most substantial, respected and public-spirited citizens of the community.

In 1876 Mr. Pigg was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Avery, a daughter of James Avery, one of the pioneer settlers of Newark. They now have three children, namely : Mary K., at home; Harry, who is employed in the interurban express service; and Helen, who is now attending Denison University.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Pigg has supported the men and measures of the democracy and is a stalwart advocate of its principles. He is a worthy representative of an esteemed pioneer family of Licking county and is widely and favorably known within its borders, his entire life having here been usefully and honorably spent.

DAVID H. EMSWELLER.

David H. Emsweller, a prominent factor in the official and business life of Homer, is now conducting a general mercantile establishment. In all that he does he is imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progress that enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He was born in Indiana, December 15, 1864, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Keys) Emsweller, of whose family of six children all are yet living. The parents were natives of Rock-

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

ingham county, Virginia, where they were reared, educated and married, and on seeking a home elsewhere they went to Indiana, where they resided for a short time. In 1866 they came to Homer, Licking county, where they have resided since. The father is a plasterer by trade, and, though now in his seventy-sixth year, is still an active man who to some extent yet follows his business. His wife, now in her seventy-eighth year, is also active, both physically and mentally, and they are one of the interesting couples of the earlier generation in this county. Mr. Emsweller gives his political support to the democracy and has served in some of the township offices, the duties of which he capably and efficiently discharged. For the past eight years he has filled the position of constable. His wife is a member of the Baptist church.

David H. Emsweller, reared in his parents' home, is indebted to the public school system for his educational opportunities. In his youth he assisted his father, and thus learned the plasterer's trade, at which he continued to work until 1906. In that year he turned his attention to general merchandising, and now conducts a well-appointed store in Homer, carrying a good stock, with which he meets the demands of the trade. In 1904 his wife made application for the position of post- mistress of Homer, and the appointment was obtained with practically no opposition.

On the 10th of January, 1889, Mr. Emsweller was married to Miss Sadie E. Harrington, a daughter of Joseph Harrington, of Morgan township, Knox county, Ohio. They have become parents of a daughter and a son: Hazel Dell, now the wife of Harry Stratton, of Lancaster, Ohio; and Harry Leo, who is attending the Bliss business college, of Newark. Mr. Emsweller is a member of Burlington Lodge No. 551, Knights of Pythias. His wife holds membership in the Baptist church, and labored most earnestly, effectively and untiringly toward securing the erection of the new house of worship in Homer. They are both highly esteemed, having a wide acquaintance, and they enjoy the warm friendship of a great majority of those with whom they have been brought in contact.

ADAM FLEEK.

The commercial history of Newark would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make personal and extended reference to Adam Fleek, who was one of the early business men of this city and the promoter of interests which still constitute a factor in commercial development and prosperity here. He was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, now Mineral county, West Virginia, on the 11th of March, 1803, and was one of a family of eighteen children, all of whom reached adult age. His boyhood and youth were passed at the place of his nativity and in April, 1826, he arrived in Newark, being then a young man of twenty- three years. IIe believed that the growing west-for such this section of the country was then regarded-offered better opportunities than the older settled districts of the east, and accordingly he came to Ohio. For more than a half century he was a resident of Newark, and by reason of his constantly expanding powers he figured prominently in the business development of the city. He first engaged in hauling stone for the old aqueduct at the building of the Ohio canal-

Digitized by Google

JOHN S. FLEEK

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

ADAM FLEEK

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

an important public project at that time, for waterways constituted the means of transportation, as the railroads were not yet a factor in the public life of the country. Mr. Fleek afterward turned his attention to the milling business under the firm name of Fleek & Harrison, establishing a mill which stood at the end of Church street, on the site now occupied by the Montgomery mill. He was also associated with the conduct of a packet line on the canal between Newark and Cleveland, thus becoming associated with shipping interests. His importance as a factor in business affairs constantly increased, for he recognized and improved opportunities and stood as an example of that progressive spirit which has con- stantly promoted the growth and development of the city. During his long con- tinued residence in Newark he aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for its present substantial growth. His career was characterized by industry, energy and enterprise, and he also displayed great tact and shrewdness in the control of business affairs. Few, if any, of the residents of Licking county at his day had greater success in the management of business interests. Though very decided in his opinions on religious questions, as he was on all interests of general moment that claimed public consideration, he yet held his views in a spirit of toleration and not in narrow, contracted bigotry. His membership was with the Second Presbyterian church of Newark, and he contributed largely toward the erection of its attractive house of worship. He married Alla Lord Sherwood, a daughter of Robert Sherwood, who, in 1807, purchased the site where the Sherwood Hotel now stands and became one of the men of distinction in this part of the state. The · death of Adam Fleek occurred August 20, 1877, and the year thus chronicled the loss of one of the most valued citizens and business men of Newark. His life was so active and so far-reaching in its results that he left an indelible impression of his individuality upon the history of the community. There were two daughters of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Fleek : Martha, the deceased wife of Virgil H. Wright, organizer of the First National Bank of Newark; and Mary Elizabeth, the wife of Matthew Newkirk. The daughters and their husbands, however, have all passed away. The youngest son of the family was William Henry Fleek, who enlisted for service in the Union army while a student at Marietta College. He was taken prisoner at Harpers Ferry by the troops under Stonewall Jackson, and after being exchanged returned home. He then took up the study of law, but died here before his admission to the bar.

John Sherwood Fleek, son of Adam and Alla Lord (Sherwood) Fleek, was born in Newark in 1837, attended the public schools and entered business life here. In 1861, when a young man of twenty-four years, he became connected with mercantile interests and was thus associated up to the time of his death. In that year he established a wholesale grocery house, organizing the business along safe, substantial lines, and promoting its growth in succeeding years by his careful management and executive ability. He formed his plans readily, was determined in their execution, and based his business principles and actions upon rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity. He carried on the business successfully for twenty-three years, or until his death, which occurred in 1883. In early man- hood he had married Martha Grace Lang, and unto them were born five children, but George William, the eldest, is now dead. The second son, Henry Sherwood married Miss Fannie Moore, and they have one child, John Sherwood. Alice

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

Graham married William C. Miller, the secretary and treasurer of the Licking County Bank. Grace Frances is the wife of Francis P. Kennedy, president of the Newark Trust Company, and John Lang is deceased.

Upon the death of the father the wholesale grocery house which he established and conducted along lines leading to excellent results, became the property of his son, Henry S. Fleek, and two associates, Henry C. Strong and William W. Neal. The firm name of Fleek, Strong & Company was assumed and the enterprise was thus conducted until 1893, when the present firm of Fleek & Neal was formed. The house has ever remained one of the foremost commercial institutions of the city, its policy being such as to commend it at all times to the confidence of the business public. Absolute fairness is maintained toward employes as well as patrons, and the former know that faithfulness and merit will be rewarded by promotion as opportunity offers. The house has ever sustained an unassailable reputation for commercial integrity and has long been recognized as one of the foremost commercial enterprises of this part of the state.

HAMLIN S. MONTGOMERY.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Licking county without becoming cognizant of the fact that the Montgomery family for an entire century has been associated with the development and progress of this part of the state, bearing an active and helpful part in the work of general improve- ment. Hamlin S. Montgomery is one of the substantial farmers of Perry town- ship, and one of the honored and venerable citizens, for he has attained the age of seventy-nine years. He was born June 15, 1830, in the house which is still his home, it being one of the old landmarks of the county. His parents were Henry and Mary (Grimes) Montgomery, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Virginia. The only brother of our subject is Milton Montgomery, now living in Perry township. The father was born in 1790, and when a lad of ten years was brought by his parents to the United States, the family home being established in Virginia, where he was reared to the age of twenty years. At that time he was married, and in 1810, immediately following his marriage, he came to Licking county. It was still a frontier district in which much of the land was unculti- vated, while in many lines of work, progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun. The city of Newark was but a small town, and several of the thriving towns and villages of the county had not yet sprung into existence. Mr. Mont- gomery settled on Bowling Green, in Madison township, and afterward removed to Perry township, where his later years were passed. He was always interested in the progress of the community, and lent his aid and influence for its substantial development, and the work which he instituted has been carried on by the subject of this review, who at all times has been interested in general improvement.

Among the oldest of Licking county's native sons, Hamlin S. Montgomery was reared on the home farm, and early assumed the arduous task of developing the new fields. He acquired his education in the pioneer log schoolhouse, with its slab benches and puncheon floor. Only a few branches of learning were taught,

Digitized by Google

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

but Mr. Montgomery became proficient enough in his studies to take up the profes- sion of teaching, and for four winters he taught in the district schools, working in the summer months on the farm. He early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, and continued to aid in the work of the home place until the death of his father, when the farm, comprising one hundred and five acres, was inherited by him. He thereafter continued to make the place his home, and he remains a resident to the present time. He owns two hundred acres of rich and productive land in St. Albans township, and two hundred acres in Hanover township, having three hundred and ten acres in the home farm. IIis landed possessions, therefore, are quite large, and everything about his place is indicative of the careful supervision of an owner whose ideas are progressive and efforts practical. Industry has always been the watchword of Mr. Montgomery, and because of this he has prospered and is today one of the substantial agriculturists of the county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 3

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