USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 32
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watchful interests of its patrons and its broad, generous treatment of matters affecting the public welfare, will win for it future prosperity. Newark has many things upon which to congratulate herself, and many foundations upon which to build in the future, but none of these excel in substantial elements the one she has in the Newark Trust Company, which is exerting every effort to advance the interests of the city."
STEPHEN D. PRIEST.
Stephen D. Priest, numbered among the practical, progressive and enterpris- ing farmers of Hanover township, was born in Perry township, Licking county, September 29, 1835. He has therefore passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey, and with him the years have been characterized by unfaltering diligence and unflagging perseverance. It has thus been through his own efforts that he has won his success, gaining a place among the substantial farmers of his com- munity. His parents, Sanford and Sabitha (Holmes) Priest, were natives of Virginia. The father was born in 1801, and in 1813 accompanied his parents on their removal westward to Ohio, their home being established in Muskingum county. The mother's birth occurred in 1807, and the Holmes family removed to Muskingum county about the time of the arrival there of the Priest family. Thus in the same neighborhood Sanford Priest and Sabitha Holmes were reared, and on attaining adult age they were married in 1829. They located in Hopewell township, Muskingum county, where they remained until 1834, and then came to Licking county, establishing their home in Perry township on a farm where the father resided for more than a half a century. He became one of the best known and most highly respected agriculturists of the community, and his fellow towns- men evidenced their appreciation of his genuine worth and loyalty and citizen- ship by retaining him in the office of justice of the peace for twenty-one years. He resigned in later life on account of advanced age. Throughout the period of his incumbency he discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity, "winning golden honors from the hearts of the people." His life was at all times actuated by high and honorable principles, and he was ever regarded as a man of sterling character. He was for years an elder in the Disciple church, and those who knew him respected him for his fidelity to every manly principle. He died January 25, 1885, while his wife passed away June 18, 1889.
On the home farm Stephen D. Priest spent his boyhood and youth. The dwelling of the family was built of logs, and his education was acquired in one of the old-time log schoolhouses, with a fireplace extending on one entire side of the room. The building was equipped with slab benches, and the writing desks were made of a board supported on pins driven into the logs around the room. There was a puncheon floor and tiny windows, and there was little taught beyond the three R's, although some instruction was given in grammar and geography. The mother spun and wove all of the material for clothing, and the father and sons worked in the fields, converting the wild prairie into richly cultivated tracts of land. Mr. Priest remained at home until about twenty-five years of age, and
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in the spring of 1861 he and his brother, Artemus W. Priest, purchased a farm in Perry township to which they removed. There they began their career as independent farmers. For two years they operated this place conjointly, and the brother then withdrew and Mr. Priest took over the farm and assumed their joint obligations. His financial burdens were very heavy at that time, for, added to the sum necessary for the purchase of the farm and the money needed in its devel- opment, he also had to make payment in order to meet the draft which was made during the period of the Civil war. At times it almost seemed impossible to bear the load that he was carrying, but he persevered and with grim determination and energy continued his labors until, in the course of time, the difficulties and obstacles were overcome, and he made considerable progress on the highroad to prosperity. In 1879 he removed to a farm in Madison township and engaged in the dairy business. At that time he had an indebtedness of four thousand dol- lars, but his characteristic energy enabled him to continue where many a man of less resolute purpose would have given up. In 1886 he purchased at the assignee sale of the Leonard Strump farm one hundred and twenty-seven and a half acres of land, and four years later he purchased at sheriff's sale one hundred and sixty- one acres of the William Barrick farm, upon which he now resides. He removed to this in 1894 and is now numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Hanover township, owning two hundred and seventy-one acres of rich and pro- ductive land in his home place. He has added modern improvements and equip- ment, has new machinery, well kept fences, and substantial buildings, and his farm in all of its departments indicates the careful supervision of a practical, progressive owner.
On the 29th of November, 1863, Mr. Priest was married to Miss Jane Porter, of Fallsburg township, Licking county, and unto them were born three children, but only one is now living, Homer C., who is operating his father's farm. On the 21st of May, 1891, the wife and mother died, and on the 15th of January, 1894, Mr. Priest wedded Miss Rebecca Porter, a cousin of his former wife. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and for one term he served as township trustee, but otherwise has neither held nor desired public office, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. While he has con- fronted many difficulties as the years have gone by, he has displayed that unabating energy which will in time overcome seemingly unsurmountable obstacles, and he is today numbered among the prosperous agriculturists of the community, who deserves the respect, good will and confidence of his fellowmen by reason of the honorable principles he has ever followed in his business.
CHARLES H. KIBLER.
Charles H. Kibler was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, on the 11th day of February, 1827. At the age of about five years the family moved to Hillsboro, Ohio, where he was reared. Having been admitted to the bar, he came to Newark in 1851, where he has since lived.
In October, 1861, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He raised a company of that regiment, called Com-
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Charles H. Kübler
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pany D, and in January, 1862, was commissioned captain of that company. He served as captain until September, 1863, when he was appointed by President Lin- coln as assistant adjutant general, with the rank of captain, and was assigned to the First Brigade of the First Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, under General W. T. Sherman as corps commander. He continued in the service until August 1, 1864. During his connection with the army he took part in the impor- tant engagements of Fort Dolenson, Shiloh and the siege of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold and in the Atlanta campaign.
On the 21st of February, 1854, Mr. Kibler was united in marriage to Mary E., daughter of Dr. Benjamin W. Brice, for many years a physician of Newark. Four children were born unto them: Annie K. Neal, the wife of William W. Neal; Edward, an attorney of Newark; Charles, who is engaged in business in Denver, Colorado; and Frank, in business at Salt Lake City, Utah. Mrs. Kibler died August 9, 1896.
Since August, 1864, Mr. Kibler has been actively engaged in the practice of law and his name for years has appeared in connection with all the important litigation and legal business of the county of Licking. He has never sought political preferment, though he has occupied a number of local offices. In 1857-8 he was mayor of Newark. In 1895 he was elected as one of the judges of the circuit court in the fifth circuit of Ohio and served as such for about fifteen months. In 1907 he retired from the law, after more than a half century of active practice, and now, at the age of eighty-two years, is still living in the enjoyment of fair health.
DAVID WATKINS.
David Watkins, devoting his time and energies to the development and improvement of a farm of one hundred acres in Granville township, was born at Goose Pond, near Newark, in Newark township, January 18, 1854. In February, 1858, his parents removed to the farm in Granville township, upon which he has since resided. His father, John Watkins, a native of the north of Wales, arrived in this county about 1845. , He made millstones as a trade, but because of ill health abandoned that work and turned his attention to farming. As stated, he removed from the farm in Newark township to the old homestead in Granville township in February, 1858. In the previous year he had purchased the property from Joseph Weeks, who had become the owner of that place in 1815. The father died in 1860 and his son David, in 1876, bought out the other heirs and it has since been in the possession of our subject. John Watkins was twice married and by the first union had three children. After losing his first wife he wedded Rachael Richards, who was born in South Wales, September 15, 1829, and died in 1873. She came to the United States about 1852, located in Licking county and was married in Newark. The death of John Watkins occurred in 1860, when he was forty-five years of age, and his wife afterward married again and had one child by that union. The father's children by his first wife were: Mary Ann, the wife of Richard Beeny, of Newton township; Watkin Maurice, of Alexandria : and John Hubert, a twin brother of Watkin Maurice and a resident of Newark township.
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Unto John and Rachael (Richards) Watkins there were born five children : Elizabeth, the wife of Humphrey Jones, of Newark; David; Richard, who was a twin brother of David and died at the age of thirteen months; Richard, the second of the name, also deceased; and Emma, the wife of David Evans of Newark. After losing her first husband the mother of this family became the wife of Joseph Hynus and they had one child, Mary, now the deceased wife of Albert Sikes.
Brought to his present home at the age of four years, David Watkins was here reared and early became familiar with the tasks of developing the fields and harvesting the crops. He pursued his education in the public schools and when not busy with his text-books gave his attention to farm work. When his educa- tion was completed he concentrated his energies upon this line of work and now carries on general farming and stock-raising, but makes a specialty of marketing fruit and vegetables, his products being of high grade and flavor, so that he finds a ready sale.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Watkins was married in June, 1874, to Miss Mary Davis, who was born in Newark, September 15, 1853, and is a daughter of Joshua Davis. Her parents were natives of South Wales and were married there. Upon coming to the United States they settled in Newark and died when their daughter was quite young. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have been born six children : Anna, the wife of Fred Hobart, of Granville township; Bertha, the wife of R. W. Howard, of Newark; Effie, the wife of Stanley Nethers, of Newton township; John David, who died at the age of eleven years; Bessie, a teacher, at home; and Richard W., who is also teaching and lives with his parents.
Mr. Watkins gives his political support to the republican party for he deems its principles most conducive to good government. For twelve years he served as a director of schools and for six years, from 1894 until 1900, as township trustee. Fraternally he is connected with Myrtle lodge, I. O. O. F., of Granville, and belongs to the Welsh Congregational church of that village. His influence is always on the side of improvement, reform and progress and he finds time to assist in public improvement, although he is busily occupied with his farm inter- ests. His place is the site of one of the ancient earthworks of the prehistoric race that occupied this section of the country. This mound seems to partake somewhat of the nature of a fort, with a ditch on the outside, and is a source of interest to all lovers of ethnology and history.
JOSHUA DEAN SIMKINS.
Joshua Dean Simkins has been superintendent of the schools of Newark since 1904, and in his life work in professional lines has embodied the spirit of Kant who said that, "The object of education is to train each individual to reach the highest perfection possible for him." The ideals which he has held before teachers and pupils have prompted them to renewed effort, bringing gratifying results. Professor Simkins was born in Fallsburg, Licking county, Ohio, March 29, 1856, a son of Benoni and Mary Ellen (Marriott) Simkins, natives of Pennsyvania and
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Licking county, Ohio, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Dennis Simkins, came from Pennsylvania to this county about 1838 and settled on a farm near Fallsburg, where he spent his remaining days. The maternal grandfather, Joshua Marriott, came from New Jersey to Licking county about 1820 and also took up his abode on a farm which he converted into rich and productive fields. Both families were pioneers of the county and met the usual hardships and difficulties that most people experience in the early days when the wilderness is being con- verted into a habitable and attractive region.
Benoni Simkins was reared to the occupation of the farm amid the wild scenes and environments of frontier life, and after attaining his majority con- tinued to carry on general agricultural pursuits for a number of years. He also learned and followed the blacksmith's trade, but is now living retired, having dis- posed of his farm, while he makes his home in Newark. His life has been one of intense and well directed activity and thus he gained the substantial reward of labor, which enables him at the present time to enjoy a well-earned rest.
Professor Simkins, whose name introduces this review, spent his youth on the old homestead, working in the fields through the summer seasons and then as fall approached resuming his education as a district school pupil. Later he at- tended the Martinsburg Academy for a time, and eventually was graduated from the National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. His professional training was received in the Iowa State University, at Iowa City, where he won the Bachelor of Law degree upon his graduation with the class of 1881. The Master's degree was conferred upon him by the Ohio University, at Athens, Ohio, in 1904, being a recognition of his scholarly attain- ments and successful labors as an educator. In 1881 he was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Iowa and the United States circuit and district courts for that state. He has never practiced law, however, but the training for the profession, developing analytical ability and the power of logical, discriminating thought, has been of marked benefit to him in other professional labors.
For five years Professor Simkins was a teacher in the country schools of Licking county, receiving eighteen dollars per month in compensation for his services when he first took up this work. His salary was raised each term, how- ever, and on leaving the rural schools he taught in the Newcastle schools, in Coshocton county, Ohio, for two years-1882 and 1883. In the latter year he accepted a call as superintendent of schools at Centerburg, Knox county, Ohio, at a salary of sixty-five dollars per month, and there remained for five years, during which time his salary was increased to one hundred dollars per month. While thus engaged he organized the high school. He has always been interested in promoting the work, which has claimed his attention and in introducing higher standards, not only in methods of instruction but in the labor by the pupils also. In 1889 he went to St. Marys, Auglaize county, Ohio, as superintendent of schools at a salary of one thousand dollars per year, which, however, was increased to eighteen hundred dollars per year. He remained in that position for fifteen years and under his guidance the schools made rapid and substantial progress. He was reelected for two years more, but resigned the position to come to Newark in 1904 as superintendent of the schools of this city, where he has since remained. He has reorganized the school system here, promoting the work in accordance with the modern ideals of teaching, and now has under his control about one hundred
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and eight teachers in all the different grades, with a total attendance of about four thousand pupils. He has made a great many changes in the educational system here and the high school has doubled its attendance under his administra- tion. He has the ability to stimulate the interest of his pupils in the work and is always studying out new plans and methods which would prove of practical utility in furthering the interests of the schools. He stands today as one of the most prominent and capable educators of central Ohio, his constantly expanding powers having brought him to an enviable position in educational circles. He has been city, county and state school examiner. At present writing he is presi- dent of the Central Ohio Teachers' association, one of the largest in the United States, and chairman of the executive committee of the Ohio State Teachers' asso- ciation. In 1880 he was nominated by the democratic party for state school com- missioner, but failed of election with the rest of his ticket.
On the 3d of July, 1883, Professor Simkins was married to Miss Pauline Brown, a native of West Bedford, Coshocton county, Ohio, and they have two sons, Howard Dana and Don Carlton. Mrs. Simkins is noted as being one of the best readers of central Ohio, is, moreover, a lover of music and art, and dis- plays much ability in those directions, having already painted over three hundred pictures. Politically, Professor Simkins is a democrat and in his religious faith he and his wife are Methodists. A visit to his library and a chat with him in his pleasant home give at once an indication of his scholarly attainments and broad general knowledge. Advancement has been the keynote of his life work, and while instructing others he has made steady progress in intellectual fields, so that association with him means expansion and elevation.
GEORGE W. STALTER.
George W. Stalter, one of the wealthiest farmers of Etna township, his enter- prise and industry having added considerably to the agricultural and financial worth of this part of the county, is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, where his birth occurred December 24, 1831, his parents having been John and Magdalena (Knitle) Stalter. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, removed to Allen county, Ohio, when his son George was about six years of age. There the father purchased two hundred acres of land, one-half of which was covered with excellent timber, and upon that place he pursued general agriculture until he departed this life. His wife has also passed away. In their family were nine children, namely: Delilah, Israel, Mary, George W., Katherine, Sarah, Samuel, Rebecca, and John.
The farm upon which George W. Stalter spent his boyhood days was located about six miles west of Lima, Ohio, and on the home place he assisted his father in the daily routine of agricultural life, in the meantime availing himself of the educational advantages afforded by the neighboring schools. He remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-six years of age when he came to this township, where he has since resided, cultivating one hundred and thirty-eight acres of land located on the National pike, two and one-half miles west of Etna. He also owns a sixty-five acre farm about a half mile west of that place; another containing
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GEORGE W. SALTER AND FAMILY
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seventy-one and a half acres and one containing thirty acres, both situated about a half mile north of Etna; and still another containing ninety-seven and a half acres which lies about one-fourth mile south of Wagram. The entire tract of land which he has under cultivation, embracing some four hundred acres, is all in this township. Mr. Stalter had little of this world's goods when he started out in life and his prosperity is due to the persevering efforts and careful management of himself and wife. By practical economy and industry they have, from year to year, laid by means which enabled them to gradually increase their acreage and thereby add to their prosperity. General farming and stock raising have always commanded the attention of Mr. Stalter and he has been so successful that now in his latter days he can afford to retire from active life and enjoy the comforts of his long season of honest toil.
On February 18, 1858, Mr. Stalter wedded Lydia Blauser, a native of Fair- field county, Ohio, where she was born December 26, 1837, and a daughter of Daniel and Phoebe (Grimm) Blauser, who, about the year 1845, came to this township, where they entered a tract of land and pursued agricultural pursuits until they entered into rest, the Blauser family having come to Fairfield county, from Virginia, at an early day. To Mr. and Mrs. Stalter have been born : Phoebe Ann, who died in infancy; James Albert, whose birth occurred here August 15, 1862; Delilah Katherine, who was born here January 23, 1865, and entered into rest October 28, two years later; Adeline, who departed this life in her third year; John William Henry, whose birth occurred June 22, 1870, and who manages the home farm, his wife being Florence H. (Weaver) Stalter, a daughter of Absalom Weaver, of Fairfield county, the couple having three daugh- ters : Lottie Laura, Lydia Mary and Lucretia Florence; and a daughter who passed away in infancy.
The democratic party has always commanded the allegiance of Mr. Stalter, and since casting his first vote he has always been stanch in his support of its candidates. In local affairs he has always taken a deep interest, favoring all measures devised for the general improvement of the community, and for several years served efficiently as a member of the school board. His long life has always been in obedience to the dictates of a high standard of morals and his upright life and conversation together with his industry and enterprise have always enabled him to win the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.
DR. D. H. MILLER, SR.
Dependent entirely upon his own resources from the age of twelve years, Dr. Miller early learned the valuable lessons of life and when but a boy he realized the fact that any obstacle can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort, and it has been through that means that he has gradually worked his way upward until he stands today among the prominent and honored citizens and successful medical practitioners of Newark. His birth occurred in Perry township, Licking county, October 14, 1855, and he represents one of the old families of the state. His paternal grandparents removed from Pennsylvania to Muskingum county at an
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early date and there spent the remainder of their lives, the grandfather, George Miller, passing away at the very venerable age of ninety-six years. In early man- hood he had married Miss Infield, an English woman, and she reached the extreme old age of ninety-four years.
Their son, Joseph Miller, was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania March 27, 1809, and in 1827, when a young man of eighteen years, came to Licking county, although he had previously accompanied his parents on their removal to Mus- kingum county. He was a blacksmith by trade and engaged in shoeing horses from the age of sixteen to the age of seventy-eight years. He then retired from active business life and died in 1891 at the age of 83 years. He married Elizabeth Custer, who was born at Deerfield, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with her parents when two years of age. The Custers were of German descent, the founder of the family in America being Paul Custer. The grandfather married Sarah Ball, a sister of Mary Ball, the mother of George Washington. The great grand- father was George Custer and his son, Jacob Custer, was the grandfather of Dr. Miller. The latter's daughter, Elizabeth Custer, who became Mrs. Joseph Miller, was born May 9, 1813, and died November 2, 1888. She was an own cousin of General Custer of Indian war fame. Her father, Jacob Custer, came to Licking county in the latter part of the eighteenth century, arriving March 13, 1782. He was accidentally killed when fifty-one years of age, while his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Letherman) Custer, survived for some time.
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