Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 40

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 40

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

457

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

ples of the republican party. A man of advanced thought and liberal ideas, he stood for progress and improvement, and thus quick to take up new ideas which he believed were valuable factors in the world's advancement.

His son, Dr. Henry L. Sook, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and was a young lad at the time of the removal of the family to Ohio. He, too, became a homeopathic physician and spent the last years of his life in practice in Cuyahoga county. He was everywhere spoken of as a good man, his upright life as well as his professional skill gaining him the warm regard and confidence of those who knew him. He wedded Mary Powell, who was a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, and of Welsh descent.

Dr. Oliver P. Sook pursued his education in Steubenville, Ohio, and took up the study of medicine when seventeen years of age, but in 1864, when twenty years of age, he joined the army in defense of the Union cause. After being mus- tered out at the close of the war he turned his attention to various business pur- suits wherewith he occupied his times and energies for five years. He then resumed preparation for the medical profession and was graduated from the Cleve- land Medical College, a homeopathic school, in 1871. The previous year, however, he commenced practice in Newark, where he has since remained, and his ability has made him the peer of the prominent representatives of the profession in this part of the state. He holds membership with the Franklin County Homeopathic Medical Society and has been a close and discriminating student of the science of medicine, so that his labors have been practical forces in the professional work of Newark.

In 1864 Dr. Sook was married to Miss Lois A. Abbott, a native of Cohoes, New York. They have four children : Joseph Rollin, who is a graduate of the Cleveland Medical College, and has also studied in New York and Chicago, being now a successful specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, at Newark; Gertrude R., at home; Mary, the wife of William D. Sauters, of Cleveland; and Helen Olive, now Mrs. Dean, of Cleveland.

Dr. Sook, like his father and grandfather, has endorsed the principles of the Swedenborgian church. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and gives his political support to the republican party, but has neither time nor inclination for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his pro- fessional duties. He holds to a high standard of professional ethics and in the daily round of his calls his cheerful, hopeful words constitute an element in suc- cessful practice as well as does his scientific skill in administering various remedies.

THOMAS MCKEAN THOMPSON.

The name of Thomas Mckean Thompson is associated with the very begin- nings of Licking county's history, and since that time representatives of the name have been active, progressive and loyal citizens of this part of the state, contributing in substantial measure to its growth and progress. Mr. Thompson was born November 30, 1769, in the state of Delaware. This was five years before the opening of the Revolutionary war, and throughout his life he retained vivid recollections of the discussions of the important events of those days. He was

Digitized by Google

458

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

a son of John and Dorothea (McKean) Thompson, who were married in Phila- delphia in October, 1758. In their family were six children: Robert, Elizabeth, Ann Dorothea, John, Thomas Mckean and William. The subject of this review was the next to the youngest.

He acquired his education throughout the period of strife and subsequently studied law at Wilmington, whence he went to Philadelphia, where he engaged in practice. Becoming a prominent factor in shaping the destinies of the new com- monwealth, he was elected secretary of state of Pennsylvania, and removed to Reading, then the capital. His uncle, Governor Thomas Mckean, who was one of the signers of the Declaration, went to live with him in that city. Following his retirement from office he removed westward to Steubenville, Ohio, where he resided for a number of years, and then came to Granville, where he lived for a long period, although his last days were spent in Marysville, Ohio, where he died Sep- tember 15, 1855. He had first visited this county about 1800, and had located a tract of five thousand acres in the southwestern part of Mckean township, which was so named in his honor. In 1816 he removed to this tract with his family and about 1830 sold the property to Cornelius Devinney. Subsequently he located on a farm two miles north of Granville, on Burg road, where his grandchildren now reside.

Thomas MeKean Thompson was a young man of twenty-eight years when, on the 15th of August, 1798, he wedded Alletta Waters Halstead. Their children were: Robert McKean; Elizabeth Halstead; Ann Dorothea, who became the wife of the Rev. Jacob Little, who for forty years was pastor of the Presbyterian church of Granville; John Elbert; Thomas Mckean; and William McKennan. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Joanna Willett Halstead, a sister of his first wife, and there were three children by that union: Alletta Willett, Susan Mary and Harriett Matilda.

William McKennan Thompson, the youngest son of Thomas McKean Thomp- son, was born in Steubenville, Ohio, July 14, 1812, and in 1816 came to Granville with his parents, spending the remainder of his life in this county on the Burg street farm. He died at his home, two miles north of Granville, in 1883, after having devoted his time and attention throughout his entire life to the occupation of farming. He had one hundred acres of land here and also one hundred acres in McKean township, and through his energy and diligence he brought his fields into a state of rich fertility and gathered therefrom gratifying annual harvests. In all his business affairs he was reliable and enterprising, and thus his success was well merited.

It was on the 18th of October, 1813, that Mr. Thompson married Miss Sarah E. Dilley, who was born in Orange county, Virginia, in 1821, and died on the Burg street farm, at the age of sixty-nine years. She was a daughter of Richard and Mary (Dwinney) Dilley, also natives of the Old Dominion. The father died in that state and the mother afterward married Deacon Shepardson. In 1832 Miss Sarah E. Dilley came to this county with her grandfather, Cornelius Dwin- ney. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. William MeKennan Thompson there were born seven children. Alice, the eldest, is the widow of A. I. Kidder, and resides on the old home place on Burg street. Mr. Kidder was a native of Massachusetts and spent much of his life there as a manufacturer of furniture. His last two years, however, were passed in Granville and on the old Thompson homestead on

Digitized by Google

---

459

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

Burg street. It is to his widow, Mrs. Kidder, that we are indebted for the mate- rial concerning her ancestry, constituting one of the important chapters in the history of this county. The other members of the family are: Arthur Dwinney, a farmer of Granville township, on the Columbus road; Mary Elizabeth, living on the home farm on Burg street; Walter Lowrie, who operates the home farm; Dr. James D. Thompson, of Granville; William McKennan, also living in Gran- ville; and Anna Halstead, the wife of William W. Geach.

JAMES E. THOMAS.

The industrial interests of Newark find a worthy representative in James E. Thomas, who for more than four decades has conducted a foundry business in this city. From a small beginning it has grown to an extensive enterprise, and Mr. Thomas has derived that measure of success which is the well merited reward of his earnest and unremitting labor. A native of Cornwall, England, he was born May 12, 1828, and his parents, John and Eleanor Eva Thomas, were also natives of Cornwall, where both the father and mother spent their entire lives.

'The parents were in limited financial circumstances, and because of this condition James E. Thomas had practically no educational advantages in early life. He went to work when but nine years of age, being employed in a foundry, and since that time has continued in the same line of business. His youth was a period of unceasing toil, and he early learned that there is no royal road to wealth, but that success must be gained by persistent, indefatigable effort. Think- ing that better opportunities might be obtained in the new world, he came to the United States in 1849 and worked hard and faithfully in several places, always continuing in the foundry business. Sober, industrious, energetic and, moreover, possessed of laudable ambition, he made the most of his opportunities, hoping for the time when he would one day be able to engage in business on his own account.

Mr. Thomas arrived in Newark on the 4th of July, 1855, and became man- ager for the Newark Machine Company, with which he was connected until the outbreak of the Civil war, when the company passed out of existence, and he went to Pittsburg, where he remained for four years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Newark, and in 1867 established a small foundry. Success came to the new undertaking from the beginning, although the growth of the business has been gradual. As the years have passed he has added to his original plant until he now has an extensive and well equipped foundry, constituting one of the impor- tant business concerns of the city. It has been developed along safe, substantial lines and in accordance with modern ideas of trade.

In 1852 Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Emily Lusby, a native of England. They have ten children, all living. Mr. Thomas is prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. His political support has long been given to the republican party and for one term he served as a member of the city council, but has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking. He belongs to the Second Presbyterian church and his life has ever been an hon- orable, upright one. Nature is kindly to those who do not abuse her laws, and

Digitized by Google

460

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

thus Mr. Thomas has reached the age of eighty years, a vigorous, well preserved man, who daily visits his office and superintends his business affairs. He has made many trips back to Cornwall, but while he has sincere love for the land of his birth, he is in far greater degree attached to the home of his adoption, America, believing there is no place like "the land of the free."

HENRY C. CASE.

Henry C. Case, a substantial farmer and representative citizen of Granville, Harrison township, whose ancestors have been tillers of the soil in this county for more than a century, was born here in the home in which he now resides, October 7, 1838, a son of Philo and Mariette (Page) Case, his father, who was born in the state of Massachusetts, having come to Granville, Ohio, with the Granville colony in 1808. He located in Granville township, but spent the greater part of his life in Harrison township, where he followed agricultural pursuits and departed this life at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His wife, who passed away here in 1890, when eighty-three years old, was a daughter of Nathaniel and Phoebe Page, natives of Vermont, her father having died here at the age of ninety-two years and her mother at about the same age. They were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Luray Ann Carter, living with her brother Henry; and Mrs. Clarissa Stine, Frederick, Mrs. Adelia Evans, Emily and Mrs. Julia Snyder, all deceased; and Henry C.

In the district schools of this township Henry C. Case acquired his education and worked on his father's farm until August 12, 1862, when he enlisted in Com- pany D, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain M. M. Munsen. After serving three years he was honorably discharged in July, 1865. During his military career he was fortunate in maintaining good health, thereby avoiding the inconvenience of confinement in hospitals, and was with his company in all of the engagements in which it participated, among which were Chicka- mauga, Peach Tree Creek, Bentonville and siege of Atlanta. He also took part in the Atlanta campaign and was with General Sherman in his march to the sea, and at the close of the war he took part in the grand review at Washington, D. C. After receiving his discharge he returned to his farm where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He cultivates one hundred and seventy-five acres, which is located in this township, while his home is at Five Corners and, in addition to general farming, he devotes considerable attention to stock breeding, making a specialty of raising sheep, of which he has as fine specimens as there are in the township.

In 1871 he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Page, his cousin, a native of Union township, where her birth occurred September 5, 1842. She is a daughter of Lafayette and Rebecca (Price) Page, who came to this county with their respective parents, the former from Maryland and the latter from Vermont. Both Mr. and Mrs. Page died in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Case are the parents of two sons. Delbert P., born on the home farm August 20, 1873, wedded Mary E. Griffith, daughter of W. W. Griffith. The wife departed this life in August, 1902, leaving

Digitized by Google

MR. AND MRS. H. C. CASE

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

463

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

a daughter, Ruth M., who, with her father, resides with Mr. Case. Charles L., the second son, born on the home farm September 6, 1883, was united in marriage to Elizabeth Cossal and resides with his wife and one child, Mary, in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Case gives his allegiance to the republican party and for a period of six years served the township as a trustee, and belongs to Beard post, No. 653, G. A. R .. at Pataskala. He has made wise use of his younger days and now in his seventy-first year enjoys the fruits of his industry and perseverance.

HON. DANIEL VAN VOORHIS.

The nineteenth century had scarcely entered upon its second decade when Hon. Daniel Van Voorhis became a resident of this part of the state, where he continued to make his home until almost the closing years of the century. He was therefore a witness of the greater part of Ohio's growth and progress. He saw its forests cut down, its streams bridged and its fields cultivated, while in all lines of agricultural, commercial and industrial progress, in intellectual and moral advancement, the work of improvement was carried steadily forward. He was much interested in all that the county accomplished and, more than that, he bore his full share in the work. He was born November 25, 1806, in Carroll township, Washington county, Pennsylvania, and in his early boyhood days accompanied his parents, John and Sarah Van Voorhis, to Muskingum county, Ohio, the family home being established in a log cabin near Nashport, Muskingum county, in April, 1812. John Van Voorhis was a native of Burlington county, New Jersey, born during the period of the Revolutionary war, and when five years of age was taken by his parents to Washington county, Pennsylvania, their home being located three miles west of Monongahela City. In 1805, having two large crops of wheat, for which there was no home market, he had it ground, and on a flat- boat which he built started on the 5th of April for New Orleans with a cargo of flour. He disposed of a part of this while en route, for eight dollars per barrel, and finally reached his destination on the 22d of May, selling both his flour and his boat in the Crescent City, where he celebrated the 4th of July of that year. He then sailed for New York, reaching home on the 28th of August, 1805. On the 12th of December of the same year he wedded Sarah Fry and continued to make his home in Washington county, Pennsylvania, until he started with his family for Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1812. At the time of his death John Van Voorhis was the oldest inhabitant of Licking township and one of the oldest in the county.

Daniel Van Voorhis, the eldest son of John and Sarah Van Voorhis, started to school soon after the arrival of the family in the vicinity of Nashport, the little temple of learning being a log building. The seats were made of split logs, the flat sides being shaved with a drawing-knife, while wooden pins were inserted into auger holes and served as legs for the bench. The floor was made of puncheons and in one end of the room was a large fireplace. School was conducted on the subscription plan, each scholar paying two dollars and a half, and there were about twenty-five in attendance. It was under such difficulties that Daniel Van

Digitized by Google

464

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

Voorhis acquired his education, but his training at farm labor was not meager, and he worked upon his father's farm until about twenty-five years of age. The Ohio canal had then been finished, and he engaged in boating on the canal during a part of the summer of 1831. He did not find the work congenial, however, and in the fall of that year he concluded to open a general store at Nashport. His father agreed that if he would hew the framing timber, haul the logs, have the necessary lumber sawed and quarry the stone for the cellar wall he would furnish the money necessary for the erection of the building and would lend his son all the money he had, which amounted to about eight hundred dollars. The building was completed on the 14th of the following April, and with two hundred dollars of his own and eight hundred dollars borrowed from his father, Daniel Van Voor- his started on horseback for Washington county, Pennsylvania. There he bor- rowed five hundred dollars from an uncle, and with this sum went to Pittsburg, where he purchased a stock of goods, which he shipped to Nashport by water, and in May opened his store. In April, 1838, he admitted Abel Randall to a partner- ship, and this relation continued until November, 1843, when they sold out to John W. Thompson.

At that date Mr. Van Voorhis resumed farming, purchasing a large tract of land, and successfully carrying on general agricultural pursuits until April, 1877, when he rented his place and retired from active business cares, thus crowning a youth of labor with an age of ease. After his retirement he made his home in Newark until called to his final rest. His business activity and enterprise had been such that he became one of the substantial citizens of the community, while the integrity of his business methods none questioned.

Moreover, Mr. Van Voorhis figured prominently in other public relations. In October, 1859, he was elected to the Ohio legislature from Muskingum county, on the republican ticket, and served during the sessions of 1860 and 1861. He was a strong supporter of the measures proposed in aid of the government and voted for the bill providing two million dollars to be used in putting down the rebellion. In April, 1873, his fellow townsmen again called him to an important public position by making him a member of the convention which was called to frame a new constitution. The constitution adopted by the convention, however, was not ratified by the people. Mr. Van Voorhis at all times stood loyally for what he believed to be right, and neither fear nor favor could swerve him from a course which his judgment sanctioned.

On the 24th of January, 1834, occurred the marriage of Mr. Van Voorhis and Miss Jane Roberts, a daughter of John and Barbara Roberts, of Falls town- ship. Seven children were born unto them, all of whom reached adult age, while six are still living, John having been accidentally killed at Nashport several years ago. Those who survive are: Mrs. J. G. Stump, of Drenden; Mrs. N. C. Fleming, of Hanover ; Mrs. T. M. Taylor and S. F. Van Voorhis, of Newark ; Hon. H. C. Van Voorhis; and Fuller Van Voorhis. The wife and mother died April 11, 1871, while Mr. Van Voorhis survived for more than twenty-two years, passing away on the 3d of June, 1893.

A devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, Mr. Van Voorhis attended the Market Street Baptist church in Janesville, and after his removal to Newark he attended the Baptist church. He was a stalwart cham- pion of intellectual and moral progress and gave valued aid to many movements

Digitized by Google

465

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

along those lines. His friendship for the American Bible Society, Kenyon Col- lege, the Ohio Wesleyan University and the Denison University was frequently evi- denced in substantial aid. To this work he devoted over ten thousand dollars. His business life was characterized by unfaltering perseverance and the wise utiliza- tion of every opportunity that came to him. Thus as the years passed he acquired substantial property interests that brought him a good income. His integrity was ever above question, and in his life he manifested all the sterling traits of an upright, honorable manhood, so that he left to his family an example well worthy of emulation and a memory that remain as a blessed benediction to all who knew him.

SAMUEL KINNEY.

Samuel Kinney, a prominent agriculturist of Newark township, who, through hard and persevering labor, has acquired his present excellent farm, was born in Warren county, New Jersey, November 6, 1842, a son of Jacob and Hester (An- drews) Kinney, both of whom were natives of that state, his father having come to Licking county in 1865, and followed the pursuit of agriculture in this town- ship until he departed this life, in 1873, his wife surviving him by six years. The family traces its ancestry back to colonial days, and his grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, under George Washington. Samuel Kinney was one of a family of eight children, namely: Sarah and Susan, deceased; Margaret, wife of Captain Stedman, of Union township, this county; Barbara, widow of Benjamin Gould, of Indiana; Louise; Emma, who is united in marriage to Hugh Herrick, of Indiana; Lucy, deceased; and Samuel.

In the district schools Samuel Kinney acquired his education and remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, and then learned the miller's trade, at which he worked for three years, but, his health becoming impaired, he was com- pelled to give up the occupation, upon which he returned to farming. In 1863 he removed to this county, where he hired as a farm hand for one year, at the expiration of which he returned to his native state, where he remained several months, and, in company with his father, came to Licking county, where for a period of fifteen years he worked at agriculture for wages. During that period he had laid by most of his earnings and, being ambitious to pursue life inde- pendently, he rented the farm on which he is now located, and by persevering labor within ten years made it a paying proposition and amassed sufficient means to become its owner. It consists of sixty-five acres, which by his own exertions he has highly improved with a comfortable dwelling, barns, outbuildings and machin- ery, until it is at present as fine a farm as exists in the township. Aside from producing hay and general grain crops, he takes considerable interest in stock- raising, and owns a number of head of the finest breeds.

In 1865 Mr. Kinney wedded Miss Elizabeth Allison, a native of this county, whose parents are deceased, and to the couple were born one son, William J., of this township, and one daughter, Elizabeth, deceased. His wife departed this life in 1867, and in 1881 Mr. Kinney was united in marriage to Miss Rachael Keller,

Digitized by Google

466

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

a native of this township, born in 1847, and a daughter of Henry and Anna (Henton) Keller, who reared a family of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney are the parents of: Earl D., Anna Pearl, and Clarence R., all of whom are at home. In politics Mr. Kinney gives his allegiance to the democratic party, and for several years has served the township as a useful member of the school board. He is faithful in observing his religious obligations, and he and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Kinney is a man whose upright life and straightforward dealing have won him the respect of the citizens of the township, and it has been on the strength of his own resources and careful man- agement that he has placed himself in his present comfortable circumstances.

BURTON CAIN.

Burton Cain, well known in commercial circles at Outville, where he conducts a large hay and grain business, descends from a family which for upwards of a century has been identified with the agricultural interests of this county, his grand- father, William Cain, having come here from Ireland at an early date, locating on the farm on which his grandson, Burton, was born. He passed away there at the advanced age of eighty-two years, after having reared the following children; John, Andrew, Isaac, William, Joseph and two daughters.

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 40

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