USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 37
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MR. AND MRS. PHILIP KRUMM
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In the district school of Mifflin township, Franklin county, where his parents located on coming to America, Philip Krumm received his education, and upon completing his studies remained on the old home farm, engaged in the active pur- suit of agriculture until he was twenty-four years of age, when he came to this county with his brother-in-law, Henry Geiseck, with whom he engaged in farming until he was united in marriage. He then pursued the occupation independently until a few years ago, when he retired. His farm consists of seventy acres located on the Lima and Etna township line and is highly improved land, equipped with the best modern machinery and provided with a comfortable residence, barns, outbuildings and all the requirements for conducting a general farming business. During his career as an agriculturist Mr. Krumm gave his undivided attention to the enterprise and pursued the occupation industriously and per- severingly, and from year to year his harvests were of pecuniary advantage and enabled him to establish himself in comfortable circumstances so that in the evening of life he might enjoy the fruits of his long years of labor. Although he is in his sixty-seventh year he is not contented with living a life of inactivity, and while he has given up farm duties he utilizes a great deal of his time in selling fencing.
On November 23, 1865, Mr. Krumm was united in marriage with Susannah Young, who was born in this township about a mile and a half south of Summit Station, on May 24, 1848, and has resided here all her life. She was a daughter of Mathias and Susannah (Lurany) Young, her father having been a native of Maryland, where his birth occurred in June, 1814, and her mother of Fairfield county, Ohio, where she was born in the year 1822. With his parents Mr. Young came to Fairfield county prior to his marriage, and was one of the number who cut the timber for the new part of the old state reservoir. In Fairfield county he was married, in April, 1839, and one year later he located on a farm in this township where he resided until his death in January, 1889, his wife departing this life five years later. Their farm consisted of two hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, in addition to which they owned other large tracts of land which they also devoted to agriculture, the seventy acres now under cultivation by Mr. Krumm being a portion of the two hundred and fifty acre farm. Susan- nah Young was one of seven children, the others being Daniel and Richard, deceased; Manesay Howard, of Columbus; Lafayette, of Pataskala; Franklin, who died in infancy; and David, of Columbus. Daniel enlisted in Company I, Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war, and his brother Richard, who enlisted in the nine months' service in the Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, also enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Krumm were blessed with the following children: Minnie Connell, of Summit Station; Frank, of this township; Lowell, who died in infancy ; Etta Ealy, of Columbus; Clara McPeek, of Portage county; James, who died in infancy; Ada Belknap, of Columbus; Arthur, at home; Florence Brown, of Columbus; and Harvey, who resides at home. Mr. Krumm votes with the republican party, to which he has always given his support. As to his religious faith, he is liberal and, being a man of great sympathy and kindness and one who wishes the best for humanity at large, he is affiliated with the Uni-
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versalist church, at the services of which he is a faithful worshiper. As hereto- fore mentioned, he served in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the one hundred days' service, and was honorably dis- charged at Camp Chase, August 20, 1864. Aside from being an industrious and enterprising man, Mr. Krumm is also one of excellent traits of character and moral force, and being honorable and just in all his dealings he is held in high respect by the citizens of the community.
HOWELL RICHARDS.
Howell Richards, who has devoted his entire life to general farming and is now cultivating a tract of eighty-one acres in Granville township, was born in Newark township, Licking county, May 22, 1858. He is the oldest of a family of eleven children, ten of whom are now living, his parents being Thomas and Rachael (Jones) Richards, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. No event occurred to vary the usual routine of farm life for him in his youthful days. Ilis time was divided between the work of the fields, the duties of the school room and the pleasures of the playground, and he remained with his parents up to the time of his marriage, receiving practical training in all of the work that falls to the lot of the agriculturist.
It was on the 5th of March, 1885, that Mr. Richards was joined in wedlock to Miss Ida B. Cramer, who was born on the farm on which they now reside, January 9, 1863, her parents being Thomas H. and Sarah ( Harris) Cramer. Her father was born on the same farm in March, 1831, and here passed away in June, 1883, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife, a native of Newton township, now resides near Fredonia, this county. The homestead, which is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Richards, has been in possession of the Cramer family since 1803 Thomas H. Cramer was the possessor of a large estate, including several farms. that aggregated about five hundred acres of rich and valuable land, and in addi- tion to tilling the soil he operated threshing machines and also was the owner of saw mills. He was classed with the representative and prominent business men of the community and was very successful in all of his business ventures. He rep- resented one of the oldest pioneer families of the county, his father, William Cramer, having spent his entire life here, a fact which indicates that the family was founded here at an early period, when Indian occupancy had scarcely given way to the settlement of the white people. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cramer there were six children : Ida B., now Mrs. Richards; Margaret A., the wife of Joshua Hankison, a resident farmer of Newton township; William, living in Newark; Rebecca, the wife of George M. Jones of Newark; Charles D., of Granville township: and Nellie G., the wife of George Hartman, living with her mother near Fredonia.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Richards established their home on their present farm. Mr. Richards purchased eighty-one acres of his father-in- law's estate and has since given his undivided attention to the development of his place on which he has made many modern improvements, transforming it into
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a valuable and attractive faim. He also conducted a dairy for seven years, selling milk in Granville. For about ten years Mr. Richards operated a threshing machine, but was finally obliged to abandon it on account of his health. He now gives his attention, however, to general farming and stock-raising, and has been agent for a fertilizer for several years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Richards were born three children: Nora Belle, born August 14, 1886; Irene, January 27, 1888; and Grover C., on the 7th of August, 1892. The family attend the Presbyterian church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Richards has been a lifelong advocate of democratic principles and never fails to support his views by his ballot at the time of election. He has served as a school official, being a member of the township board of education for a number of years. He is public spirited and his efforts in behalf of general improvement have been tangible factors in the county's development and upbuild- ing. He is well known in this part of the state, where his entire life has been passed and where he has an extensive circle of warm friends.
DAVID O. EVANS.
David O. Evans, who throughout his entire life has been connected with the farming interests of this county, was born four miles north of Granville, on Burgh street, October ?, 1862, a son of David and Mary (Thomas) Evans, his father having been born in Cardiganshire, South Wales, on February 22, 1820, and departed this life on the 20th of August, 1864. By his parents, John J. and Sarah Evans, he was brought to the United States in 1833 in company with his brothers, John T. and Morgan, and his sisters, Hannah, Margaret, Mary, Jane and Eleanor. One brother, 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 township, this county, where he remained for one year plying his trade as a blacksmith and wagonmaker, and at the expiration of that period removed to Newark township. where he bought a farm which he cul- tivated, 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 traet seventy-five acres were added, so that the farm in all embraced one hundred and eighty-five acres, which, upon Mr. Evans' death, was inherited by his children.
When two years of age David O. Evans was brought by his parents to a farm in Newark township and in April, 1866, his father having passed away, he removed with his mother to another farm in Newark township. On this prop- erty he has since resided and has given his time and energies to its development and improvement, as he has cultivated the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. His farm originally contained fifty acres, but later he sold one acre to the town- ship for the erection of the Sharon valley schoolhouse. This farm he purchased from his mother in 1890. Shortly after making the purchase he remodeled the old house, and after the barn had been destroyed by fire in 1895 he built his
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present modern barn. In addition to engaging in general farming, producing se crops of hay and grain, he makes a specialty of stock-raising and devotes 1 his attention to that line, particularly to road and draught horses, in the breeding of which his long experience has made him a recognized authority. Aside from breeding and feeding stock he buys and sells a great deal and keeps a boarding stable, in which he has on hand on an average of twelve to sixteen head of horses. Mr. Evans' farm is not large as far as the acreage is concerned, but every inch of ground is put into use and is under cultivation, and by his progressive methods of husbandry he makes his few acres yield him as much as many farms containing twice that amount.
On October 8, 1890, Mr. Evans wedded Katharine Thomas, who is a native of Lima township, where her birth occurred August 12, 1862, and a daughter of Robert J. and Mary (Chadwick) Thomas, her father having been born in Granville township, this county, on May 28, 1830. He now resides in Lima township, this county. His grandfather was among the early settlers of the Welsh hills, where he bought one thousand acres of land, most of which he had under cultivation, and he carried on his back the first bushel of wheat produced in that township to the mill in Zanesville. Mr. and Mrs. Evans reared the following children: Mary L., who was born January 5, 1892, and departed this life three years later ; Robert Ellis, born March 6, 1895; Louis N., born August 26, 1896; and Charles Chadwick, whose birth occurred November 30, 1902. In politics Mr. Evans has always given his allegiance to the republican party because a studious examination of its principles has long since convinced him that they are fully and entirely adequate to maintain the permanent peace and financial surety of the nation. While he is not an office seeker and may not be termed an active politician, yet during campaigns he is ambitious to note the success of his party, and uses his vote and influence to securing the election of its candidates. Amid the pressure 'of his farm duties and other business affairs he never loses sight of his religious obligations, in the observance of which he is ever faithful, and with his wife and family he attends divine services in the Plymouth Congregational church of Newark. He has alawys appreciated the worth and nobility of an upright life and has always endeavored to so live that he might be of benefit to his fellow- men and to this end he is highly respected by his fellow townsmen and is numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
JOSEPH PARK DECROW.
Joseph Park Decrow, who for many years has been identified with the agri- cultural interests of Bennington township, this county, was born in the dwelling in which he now resides on March 19, 1848, a descendant of an English family who settled in the New England states prior to the eighteenth century. The Decrows were a seafaring people and ship-carpenters, the great-grandfather and grandfather having followed that occupation in England. They continued to ply that craft after coming to the new world, settling in the state of Maine. Joseph Park Decrow possesses a relic which was handed down by his ancestors and which
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JOSEPH PARK DECROW
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he highly prizes, not because of its intrinsic worth but by reason of the fact that it is indicative of the partisanship of the male members of his family. 1. is a ship- carpenter's axe made in Sheffield, England, in the year 1740, and is of a quality of steel which can scarcely be duplicated in this age.
The parents of Joseph P. Decrow, Sr., father of the subject of this review, were born in Lincolnville, Maine, and were united in marriage on December 3, 1832, at a place called Brooks Corners, Bennington township, the town having taken its name after Mrs. Decrow's father, situated not far from where Joseph Park Decrow, Jr., now resides.
Joseph P. Decrow, Sr., came to Licking county, in 1830 and made the jour- ney by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo, New York, thence by lake to Cleveland, Ohio, from which place he went via the Ohio canal to Newark. Two years pre- vious Delilah Brooks, who later became his wife, made the trip to this county with her parents, the entire party coming in wagons and bringing with them all of their household effects and belongings. Early in life Mr. Decrow had learned the ship-carpenter's trade, but was ambitious to become a seafaring man and con- sequently went as mate on a coast trading vessel. After he had followed the sea for a few years he became a captain, plying his trade for a number of years, during which time he suffered shipwreck off Cape Hatteras, thereby losing his cargo and the members of his crew, barely escaping death himself. This accident did not make him averse to the high seas, however, and he continued coast trading until he suffered a like experience off the shores of Virginia, after which he decided to abandon that business and to settle inland.
About this time he married Delilah Brooks, the exact date being December 3, 1832. She taught school in an old log cabin schoolhouse which was located in the woods not far from where she now resides. The country was practically a wilderness then being thickly covered with forests and from the little log dwelling of her parents to the school building was something over two miles of dense forest. However, in order to assure her safe transit to the school and home again a num- ber of trees were so placed as to mark the pathway and thus prevent her from becoming lost in the forest .. Mr. Decrow met his wife in the state of Maine, and it was not long after he had given up the sea before they were united in marriage and settled on a farm in Bennington township. He purchased the land now cul- tivated by his son for one dollar and a half an acre, and from time to time added to the original purchase until the tract amounted to something over eight hun- dred acres. When the couple started housekeeping it was in a small log cabin sparsely furnished, their table being formed by pegs driven into the wall upon which a board was placed. The other furniture was as primitive, consisting sim- ply of chairs of a kind seldom seen in these days, then known as peg legs. For some time they dwelt in this humble home until Mr. Decrow, through his knowl- edge of carpentering, planned and built the house in which his son was born and now lives. As to arrangement and architectural design, it will compare favorably with modern residences and, although it has been standing for sixty-five years, it is in excellent condition, thus showing the careful and substantial workmanship of Mr. Decrow. Among his family were eight children, three of whom attained maturity, namely: Dr. Marion G., deceased, formerly of Newark, Ohio; John Brooks, of Valparaiso, Indiana; and Joseph Park, our subject.
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When a mere boy, Joseph Park Decrow assisted his father in the duties of the farm and in clearing off land preparatory to cultivation, in the meantime com- pleting a course of study in the district schools. He continued to assist his father for some time and then went to Newark, where he was employed for about three years. Later he completed a business course at Iron City Commercial College, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and upon his graduation was engaged as bookkeeper for a steamboat supply house, remaining in this position for one year when he was compelled to resign owing to ill health. He then returned to the farm and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.
On December 21, 1882, he was united in marriage to Louise K. Simmons, a daughter of John and Mary (Wise) Simmons, a prominent family of Bennington township, and to this union was born one son, Rolla, now assisting his father on the farm. They live in the old Decrow homestead, where Joseph Park Decrow was born and where he has practically spent his entire life. The farm consists of four hundred acres of highly improved land, all under cultivation, well stocked and managed as a successful business enterprise should be. Aside from attending to the affairs of his business, Mr. Decrow has found time to serve the township in a number of useful offices, having been road supervisor and also a member of the school board. In politics he gives his support to the republican party and, although he does not take active interest in politics, he has officiated as a member of the election board, and is intelligently conversant on all party matters. He belongs to the local Grange, in the affairs of which he actively participates, and is a man of noble purpose and excellent qualities of character, thus winning the confidence and respect of the entire community, where his reputation is unsullied and of which he is a valuable citizen.
AARON ZARTMAN.
Aaron Zartman, deceased, who for many years followed agricultural pursuits and stock raising in Newark township, was born here, November 29, 1847, and descended from a family the members of which for many generations have been citizens of the United States, his great-great-great-grandfather, Alexander Zart- man, having come from Germany in 1728, locating in Brickerville, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where the great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather were also born and spent their lives in the pursuit of agriculture. His grand- father, Alexander Zartman, a native of Pennsylvania, married Salome Koble. At an early day Andrew Zartman removed to Perry county, this state, where he devoted his energies to farming, and departed this life. The maternal grand- parents, Adam and Eve (Fidler) Klingler, also natives of the Keystone state, spent most of their lives in Perry county, Ohio, where they owned large tracts of land devoted to general farming and stock raising.
Joshua Zartman, father of the subject of this review, was a native of Perry county, this state, born near Somerset. At an early day he located here with his wife, Lydia Klingler, and followed the gunsmith's trade, at the same time oper- ating a small farm. Later he removed with his wife to the town of Newark,
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where they entered into rest. He followed his trade to within three days of his death. He reared a family of eight children, namely: Alexander, who passed away in his ninth year; Adam, who departed this life when fourteen years of age; Jacob, who died in his thirty-fifth year; Joshua, who resides in this town- ship; Aaron; David, a pharmacist of Butler, Ohio; Elizabeth, the wife of D. E. Stephens, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Mary Magdalene, the wife of Rev. J. D. Neff, of the Reformed church of Hartville, this state.
In the district schools Aaron Zartman acquired his education, and at the age of nine years removed with his parents to the residence where he spent the rest of his life, with the exception of one year spent in McKean. His farm was located two miles southwest of the courthouse, on the Ohio canal, his premises being particu- larly valuable by reason of the fact that upon the place is a fine sugar grove. Here during his active career Mr. Zartman engaged in general farming, together with stock-raising. He was interested in natural gas production, his farm being in the natural gas belt and containing two flowing wells. A few years ago he retired from the active duties of the farm and lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his long years of earnest labor. He rented his land, but resided on the farm until his death.
On November 29, 1871, Mr. Zartman was united in marriage to Ida Jones, a native of Newark township, born May 10, 1849, and a daughter of Evan and Ann (Jenkins) Jones, natives of Wales. Her father, who was a blacksmith by trade and who followed that occupation in connection with farming, passed away in Newark township. To Mr. and Mrs. Zartman were born: two children who died in infancy and a daughter, Lydia, the wife of Michael Sachs, a merchant tailor of Newark. Politically Mr. Zartman did not affiliate with any particular party, preferring rather to remain independent. He reserved the right to vote for the man rather than for the party, and as a consequence marked his ballot for such candidates as, in his opinion, were best qualified to serve in the offices they sought. His long life of activity was eminently useful, both in contributing to his own prosperity and the community at large, in which he was held in high respect, being numbered among its representative citizens. He died January 18, 1909.
W. L. SMITH.
W. L. Smith, president and general manager of the Simpson Heater Com- pany, has for eighteen years been connected with this business, during which time he has made steady progress, working his way upward from a humble position until he is now the chief executive officer, with a controlling voice in matters of vital importance to the concern. He is recognized as a strong and forceful busi- ness man, wisely using his opportunities and coordinating forces until he produces a harmonious whole.
Mr. Smith is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Knox county on the 13th of June, 1870. His father, James. B. Smith, was born in Virginia and came to Knox county in 1866. There he carried on business as a contractor and
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builder until 1884, when he removed to Newark and has since been identified with building operations in this city. He married Julia Scott, a native of Licking county, and a daughter of William and Eliza (Cawley) Scott, pioneer residents of this county.
The public schools afforded to W. L. Smith the educational privileges which he enjoyed and which fitted him for the responsibilities of life. After putting aside his text-books he turned his attention to the foundry business, in which he has since been engaged. He has thoroughly mastered every task that has devolved upon him, has become familiar with the trade in every department and is thus able, in a position of exceutive control, to carefully direct the labors of those who serve under him and produce the best results for the development of the business. For eighteen years he has been with the Simpson Heater Company, his merit and ability recommending him for successive promotions until in 1906, following the death of Mr. Simpson, he was elected president and general manager. This is one of the old firms and extensive industrial enterprises of the city. The business was originally carried on under the name of the Thomas Simpson Foundry for many years, when it was reorganized as the Simpson Heater Company.
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