USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 35
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The death of the husband and father occurred on the 29th of April, 1902, and on the 1st of May he was laid to rest in a beautiful lot in Pataskala cemetery. In 1866 he had united with the Christian Union church at Cherry Valley and his entire life was an exponent of his religious faith. He was devoted to his family and their welfare, faithful in his friendship and true to every relation of life, so that the community felt great sorrow when he passed away, knowing that they had sustained a heavy loss.
MORGAN EVANS.
Morgan Evans, who was for many years identified with the agricultural inter- ests of Newark township, was born in South Wales, November 27, 1831, and departed this life here on the farm to which he had devoted his energies, January 18, 1901. In 1833, at the age of two years, he was brought to the new world by his parents, John J. and Sarah Evans, in company with his brothers, John T. and David, and his sisters, Hannah, Margaret, Mary, Jane and Eleanor. One son, Thomas, was born in this township. On arriving in this country his father repaired to the state of Ohio and settled three miles north of Granville, in Granville town-
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ship, this county, where he remained for one year, plying his trade as a blacksmith and wagonmaker. On the expiration of that period he removed to Newark town- ship, where he bought a farm which he cultivated, at the same time continuing to work at his trade in association with his sons, who built a blacksmith shop near the old spring and engaged in farming and blacksmithing until their father's death. The farm originally embraced one hundred and ten acres of woodland, and to this tract seventy-five acres were added, so that the farm in all embraces one hundred and eighty-five acres, which upon Mr. Evans' death was inherited by his children and subsequently purchased from the heirs by his sons, Morgan and Thomas, Morgan later buying out the interest of Thomas, who in 1880 went to Kansas, where he died, and Morgan remained in management of the farm until his death.
On July 2, 1853, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Ann Frances Thomas, who was born in South Wales, May 1, 1835, and came to the Welsh Hills here with her parents, Owen and Catharine Thomas, when five years of age. She departed this life on the old homestead, January 12, 1901, having preceded her husband into eternity by six days. Their children were: George J., who was born July 23, 1854, and who remains at home, engaging in the labors of the farm; Sarah J., who is the widow of William Jones, and also resides at the old home- stead; Elias E., who is forty-four years of age, and assists in cultivating the farm; Lina M., who was born September 20, 1871, and departed this life October 23, 1897; Alice C., who passed into eternity May 8, 1897, at the age of twenty- three years; and Annie Lou, wife of J. C. Stock, of this township. George and Elias Evans now own and manage the old home farm, which embraces one hundred and seventy acres, and is situated about four miles west of the courthouse, on the Sharon valley road.
Mr. Evans was known throughout the township as an ardent church worker, long holding membership in the Newark Presbyterian church. He was particu- larly active in behalf of the cause of temperance, labored earnestly all his life in putting before the people the evils incident to the liquor traffic, and endeavored as far as possible to influence all with whom he came in contact to assert themselves on the side of the temperance movement and become active in trying to effect the abolition of the saloon. In politics he was a stanch republican and always gave his support to that party. Mr. Evans' high moral character and noble aims won him the respect of all who knew him, and when he was called out of this life to partici- pate in the joys of the life beyond the township lost one of its most substantial characters and useful citizens.
EVAN THOMAS.
The life record of Evan Thomas is that of a man who depended upon industry and perseverance for success. He early learned that those qualities will gain advancement, and though he started out in life empty-handed, he worked diligently and persistently, and was in possession of a valuable and profitable farm at the time of his demise. His life record covered seventy-two years. He was born at New Quay. Cardiganshire, South Wales, January 26, 1825, and was a son of
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Christmas and Margaret Thomas. In 1842, when he was seventeen years of age, the family crossed the briny deep and made their way direct to Welsh Hills, in Granville township, Licking county, Ohio, where the parents spent their remaining days. Their children were: Mary, who died of cholera in Newark, and was interred at night in the Welsh Hills cemetery; Mrs. Hannah Morris, deceased ; Evan, of this review; James, who served in the Mexican war; John, who died in childhood; Thomas, deceased, formerly a farmer of Washington county, lowa; Mrs. Sarah Evans, deceased ; and David, living in Newton township.
As indicated, Evan Thomas spent his youthful days in the land of his nativity and then came with his parents to the new world, where he assisted in the arduous task of developing a farm. Starting out in life for himself, he sought employment as a farm hand and was thus busily engaged until his labors and economy brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm of his own. He became the possessor of one hundred and six acres of land in Granville township, and his efforts transformed the fields into a fertile tract, which annually brought forth good harvests. He labored diligently and persistently until his death, which occurred May 24, 1897.
Mr. Thomas was twice married. In 1857 he welded Frances Jones, a native of Wales, and unto them was born a daughter, Mary, who died when about thirty years of age. For his second wife he chose Mary E. Rees, who was born in South Wales, February 5, 1842, and the same year was brought to St. Albans township, Licking county, by her parents, Thomas B. and Margaret (Richard) Rees, who spent their last days in Newark. They had two children, Mrs. Thomas and Rich- ard, and the latter died in the Civil war. Mrs. Thomas has spent her entire life in this county.
Mr. Richard Rees was a member of Company D, Twenty-second Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and made a creditable military record. Mr. Thomas gave his polit- ical allegiance to the democracy, and held membership in the Baptist church, his life being in harmony with his principles, while his sterling qualities of manhood at all times won for him the honor and good will of those with whom he was associated.
E. M. BAUGHER.
E. M. Baugher, a factor in financial circles, being now the president of the Home Building Association Company and a director of the People's National Bank, early learned to discriminate between the essential and the unessential- to determine that which was of value and to discard all that was of little worth in the accomplishment of the work which lay before him. To this quality Mr. Baugher owes his success and as the years have passed he has gone on and on winning new conquests in the business world until he today occupies a position of prominence among the enterprising and successful men of Newark. A native of Perryton, Ohio, Mr. Baugher was born March 8, 1868. He was twenty years of age when he came to Newark to accept the position of bookkeeper for the Home Building Association Company with which he has since been connected.
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He acted as bookkeeper until January, 1890, when he was elected secretary and director of the company, thus continuing until January, 1908, when he was chosen to the presidency and is now the chief executive officer of a concern that has constituted an important element in the improvement of the city. Having made a close study of financial problems, Mr. Baugher's well known ability in this line led to his election as director of the People's National Bank of Newark and he was formerly its vice president. This bank was consolidated with the Franklin Bank Company, forming the Franklin National Bank, of which he is a director. His broad experience and thoroughness enable him to speak authoritatively upon many matters of importance in financial circles.
On the 6th of November, 1901, Mr. Baugher was married to Miss Dorothy Hutchings, a native of Kansas City, Kansas. They were prominent in the social circles of the city, and Mr. Baugher is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic fraternity. He has attained high rank as a Mason and is now a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Sinking Fund Commission and is interested in everything that pertains to general progress and importance in Newark. He is numbered among the public-spirited citizens and as a business man has been con- spicuous among his associates not only for his success, but for his probity, fair- ness and honorable methods. In everything he has been eminently practical, and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings, but also in social and private life.
JOSEPH T. SWISHER.
For more than three quarters of a century the Swisher family, which is of German extraction, has been identified with the agricultural interests of Lima township. His grandfather, Philip Swisher, who was born near Berlin, Germany, March 8, 1776, in early childhood went with his father, Nicholas Swisher, to Virginia, where the latter spent the remainder of his life. In 1827 Philip Swisher left Virginia with a two-horse wagon, and coming to Licking county located on one hundred and sixty acres of land which he bought from the govern- ment and which he and his sons cleared and made ready for cultivation. He was a typical German, gifted with all the sterling characteristics of his race, particu- larly that of industry, and he soon had the forests cut down and the land pro- ducing abundant harvests. He was well known for his honesty and morality and having been a man of high, Christian character he was regular in his attendance upon the services of the Lutheran church. In Virginia he was united in marriage to Katharine Baughman, who passed away on this farm in 1849, in her seventy- fourth year. She held membership in the Presbyterian church. Among their children were: Magdalene, who became the wife of Isaac Thorp; Katharine, wife of Jacob Wagy; Rebecca, who wedded Nicholas Merrill; Wedlena, who became the wife of Samuel Wilkins; Mary Anne, who passed away in her sixtieth year ; Joseph, who wedded Dorothy Houser; Isaac, who was united in marriage with Amanda Dennison; and Philip.
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J. T. SWISHER
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The parents of Joseph T. Swisher were Philip and Cassandra (Hughes) Swisher, his birth having occurred in Hardy county, Virginia, February 27, 1817, while his wife was born in Jefferson township, Franklin county, Ohio, March 21, 1820. She was a daughter of John and Mary (Wayne) Hughes, the former of Welsh descent. The latter was a cousin of the distinguished General Wayne. They were both natives of Maryland, where they were married. They afterward came to Ohio on horseback about the time of the outbreak of the war of 1812, bringing with them their two children who were carried in the two ends of a sack which had been opened in the center and was thrown over the horse's back, with one of the children on each side. Their daughter, Cassandra, was born after their arrival in Ohio and in this state married Philip Swisher. They spent their married lives on the original farm entered by his father on which he car- ried on agriculture all his days. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a supporter of the democratic party, and although he never saw active service he was first lieutenant in the state militia during the Mexican war. Mr. Swisher passed to his eternal rest in Lima township, April 21, 1851, his wife, who departed this life in Etna township, having survived him by fifty-six years, her death having occurred March 7, 1907, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Among their children were: Joseph T .; Ann M., who wedded Samuel Meeks, both being deceased; Melissa J., the wife of William Wells, residing in Pataskala; William C., who served in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and wedded Mattie Pitzer, their home being three miles south of Newark; Margaret R., who became the wife of John II. Egolf, of Etna; Mary E., deceased, who is survived by her husband, La Fayette Mason ; and Laura, deceased, who was the wife of F. B. Seiler.
Joseph T. Swisher was reared on the farm where he was born, and which was originally entered by his grandfather and there under his father's direction acquired a knowledge of farming and at the same time obtained his education in the district schools. Upon the death of his father, in 1851, he assumed the man- agement of the farm and remained there until he was married. He then followed agricultural pursuits for himself on a farm containing fifty-two acres, located a mile and a quarter north of Summit Station. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain John W. Wiseman, and served until April, of 1863, when he was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, owing to disability caused by an accident. He served in General Sherman's Army of the West and was on the march most of the time, and in Mississippi he was injured and was compelled to use crutches for four months. On one occasion he was hit in the leg by a spent ball while doing picket duty, but the impact was not such as to cause serious trouble. After the war he returned home and at once resumed general farming, but in late years he has given up active life to some extent, owing to his advanced age.
On March 6, 1862, Mr. Swisher wedded Eliza A. Donovan, whose birth occurred near Brownsville, Ohio, August 15, 1839, and who departed this life July 18, 1903. She was a daughter of Robert and Emily J. (Hanley) Donovan. her father having been a native of Maryland, while her mother was born in this state, and both parents departed this life in this township. They reared the following family: Eliza J .; Joseph W., who resides near Reynoldsburg, this state;
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Thomas, a resident of Columbus, Ohio; John, deceased; Frank, who lives in Reynoldsburg; and John, who resides in Lima township. To Mr. and Mrs. Swisher have been born two children: Martha J. is the wife of William H. Cashdollar, residing in this township with their children, Elma J., Estella, Irene Elnora, and Carrie Elsie. William T., of Lima township, wedded Miss Mary B. Stover, by whom he has one son, Earl B., and three daughters, Bertha May, Ethel Nora and Carrie Lorea. Besides their own children they have reared Kath- erine Mary Mason, a daughter of Mr. Swisher's sister, Mary E., whom they have had since she was five days old.
Politically Mr. Swisher is an independent democrat who has taken quite an interest in local affairs. For a number of terms he served as justice of the peace, trustee and assessor, and was a member of the school board for twenty years. In fact he has held all the offices under the township government. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Pataskala and belongs to Lodge No. 404, A. F. & A. M .; Jersey Lodge No. 523, I. O. O. F .; and Baird Post, G. A. R. For many years he was an active factor in the affairs of the local Grange until the organization was disbanded. Mr. Swisher is well known throughout the township as an industrious and upright citizen and has always enjoyed the confidence and respect of his neighbors.
MRS. SARAH J. JONES.
Mrs. Sarah J. (Evans) Jones, widow of William Jones, who was an extensive land proprietor and agriculturist of this township, was born here in 1856, a daugh- ter of Morgan and Ann Frances (Thomas) Evans, natives of Wales, who entered into rest in January, 1901, within six days of each other. Mrs. Jones was one of a family of six children, the others being: George G. and Elias E., both agricul- turists of this place; Lina M., who was born September 20, 1871, and departed this life October 23, 1897; Alice C., who passed into eternity May 8, 1897, at the age of twenty-three years; and Annie Lou, the wife of J. C. Stock, of this town- ship. The Evans family was for many years identified with the educational work of the district, Mrs. Jones having for a number of terms taught the neighboring school, over which her mother and two sisters also presided at different times. George and Elias Evans now own and manage the old home farm, which embraces one hundred and seventy acres of land, located about four miles west of the court- house, on the Sharon valley road.
In January, 1883, Mrs. Jones became the wife of William Jones, a native of this place, born April 6, 1848, and a son of Evan and Ann (Jenkins) Jones, who came to this country from Wales, settling in Newark township, where they reared a family of nine children. His mother departed this life in 1881, his father sur- viving until the year 1887. Mr. Jones followed farming and stock-raising all his life, and his thrifty management of his business brought him prosperity, enabling him to accumulate a large and valuable tract of land, which he kept under a high state of cultivation until death terminated his useful career as a progressive farmer and considerate husband. His business affairs were of the most substantial char-
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acter, and aside from his valuable farm he also left in the city of Newark nine acres of real estate, now in the possession of his widow, who makes her home with her brothers on the farm.
One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, William J., Jr., who has entered into rest. Politically Mr. Jones was a democrat, profoundly convinced of the feasibility of the principles of his party to make prosperous and permanent the nation's commercial, industrial and financial systems, and was ever loyal to his party candidates. Although he never desired to hold office, and always shrunk from the idea of participating in public affairs in an official capacity, yet he was public-spirited, favoring movements designed to promote the good of the com- munity. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His widow is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Newark, and her faithful adherence to the principles of her faith as a Christian, and her love for the church and solicitation and endeavor for the reign of righteousness on the earth, are strongly indicative of her noble purpose and excellent character.
ROBERT W. HOWARD.
Robert W. Howard, successfully practicing at the Newark bar, is a self-made man who, without any extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the outset of his career, has battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward and is today numbered among the leading lawyers of Newark. He has used every opportunity that has led him up to the goal for which he has striven, and become recognized not only as a strong and forceful attorney but also as a leader and molder of public opinions. At the present writing he is representing his district in the state legislature, and that his course has the endorsement of his party is indicated by the fact that he is now serving his second term.
Mr. Howard is a native of Jacksontown, Licking county, his birth having there occurred on the 30th of September, 1867. His father, Jonas M. Howard, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and in 1859 arrived in Licking county, Ohio, and established his home in Jacksontown, where he engaged in mechanical pursuits. He was married in 1861 to Miss Margaret Wylie, a native of Jacksontown, of Irish descent. The father died in 1902, at the age of sixty- seven years, but the mother still survives.
The public school system of his native town afforded Robert W. Howard his early educational privileges, and, passing through consecutive grades, he at length completed the high school course. He afterward attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, and thus gained a good literary knowledge to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning. From boyhood he was desirous of becoming a member of the bar, and with this end in view he worked diligently and perseveringly in different lines of labor to gain money that would enable him to prosecute this plan, realizing that broad general knowledge should supersede his preparation for the bar. Eventually he commenced the study
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of law with Judge John W. Swartz and Judge D. A. Allen, of Newark, as his pre- ceptors, and continued reading law until he had gained comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, enabling him to successfully pass the examination for admission to the bar on the 11th of March, 1897. From the 17th day of March of that year he continued practice in the office where he had started. Gradually he has worked his way upward in his chosen profession, and his logical grasp of facts and principles of law applicable thereto has been a potent element in his success. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school for five years, being thus connected with the schools of Licking county for three years and with Frank- lin schools for two years, but his professional work of this character was regarded by him merely as a step toward the bar, keeping in mind always his early formed purpose of one day becoming an attorney.
Mr. Howard has always been active in democratic circles, and is a stalwart supporter of the principles of the party. He served as clerk in the department of state, supervisor of election for five years, and he has been chairman of the democratic county committee. He was elected to fill out an unexpired term in the state legislature for Licking county and that he received his party's endorsement is indicated by the fact that he was again nominated for the office, was reelected and served on several of the important house committees.
On the 11th of March, 1903, was celebrated the marriage of Robert W. IToward to Miss Bertha Rachael Watkins, a native of Granville township, this county, and a daughter of David Watkins, an old and respected farmer of this locality. Mrs. Howard is a graduate of Denison University and is an artist of much more than ordinary ability. By her marriage she has become the mother of one daughter, Mary Margaret, born August 24, 1904. The parents hold mem- bership in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Howard belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His life has been one of continuous activity to which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and his ability is manifested in the large and distinctively represented clientage which is today his. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of Licking county and at all times he has sought to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its welfare and development.
ORA J. GREEN.
For more than a century the ancestors of Ora J. Green have been associated with the agricultural interests of this county, his paternal grandfather, Richard Green, and his wife, whose family name was Davis, having come to Ohio from Maryland in the early days, and also his maternal grandparents, Jacob and Phoebe Swisher, who were born December 2, 1778, and April, 1781, respectively. They were natives of Maryland, where they were united in marriage January 1, 1805. and they reared the following family: Abraham, who was united in marriage with Hannah Wilkins, March 9, 1826: Isaac, who was twice wedded, first to Sarah Crollins, June 27, 1830, and after her death to Sarah Woodruffee, on September
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MR. AND MRS. ORA J. GREEN
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15, 1831; Anna, who became the wife of William Kirk on March 19, 1829; and Mary. The parents of Ora J. Green were Benjamin and Mary (Swisher) Green. The father's birth occurred in Licking township, this county, in May, 1814, and there he spent the greater part of his life, passing away September 25, 1895. The mother was born in 1810 on the same farm on which occurred the nativity of her husband, and which her father entered about the year 1800. Benjamin Green was a local preacher and well known throughout this part of the state for his useful- ness in the ministry, while his wife was also a devoted Christian and both were instrumental in doing much toward heightening the moral and spiritual tone of the community. Their children were Phoebe Ann, widow of Thomas Hillman, residing in Licking township; Sarah, wife of J. P. Swisher, of Hebron; Rowena, the wife of George Dillon Dickens, of Licking township; Richard, who departed this life in Louisville, Kentucky, May 11, 1869, in his twenty-sixth year; Illa, the wife of John Hand, of California; and Ora J.
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