USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 43
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Samuel F. Van Voorhis spent the days of his boyhood and youth on the home farm, there continuing until 1865, when he came to Newark. From early boyhood he had assisted in the labors of the fields as his years and strength per- mitted, and when crops were harvested in the autumn he entered the public schools and therein acquired a good education to serve as the basis for his business success. In the year 1867 he was married, and located on a farm three miles west of the city, his place comprising three hundred and sixty-five acres of rich and productive land, which he still owns. He at first bought two hundred and thirty- five acres, while his wife inherited from her father fifty-seven acres, and Mr. Van Voorhis later purchased an additional tract of seventy acres. For ten years he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits and then erected his present beautiful residence at No. 141 West Main street in Newark, in 1877, removing into it on the tenth anniversary of his marriage. Here he has now lived for more than thirty-one years. From time to time he has made judicious investment in other property and is now the owner of considerable realty in Newark, from which he derives a substantial annual income. During his resi- dence here he has been well known as a capitalist, while his activity in financial circles has constituted an element in the business progress and development of the city. He was one of the incorporators of the Security Building & Loan Com- pany, which was merged into the Newark Trust Company, of which Mr. Van Voorhis remains a director to the present time. His cooperation has been eagerly sought for the benefit of many public interests as well as in business lines. His opinions always carry weight and his example is a forceful factor in many instances. For fifteen years he has been a member of the Board of Trade, active in its work for the commercial and industrial development of the city. He has also been a director of the Licking County Agricultural Society for a number of years and was its treasurer for several years. No movement or measure calculated to benefit the community in material lines, to promote its charitable work or to advance its intellectual or moral progress seeks his aid in vain. In politics he has always been a stalwart republican, active in the local ranks of the party, and yet the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. His interest in educational affairs is indicated in the efficient work he has done as a member of the board of trustees of Denison University for about twenty years. As a member of the Baptist church he has contributed generously to its support and been connected with its various activities leading to its growth and the exten- sion of its influence. He has been a deacon of the church for thirty years or longer, is serving on its finance committee, and in August, 1908, was elected moderator of the Scioto Baptist Association. He gives freely to organized chari- ties and also to private benevolent work. He was a trustee of the Licking County Children's Home for many years and was chosen one of its first trustees, serving for a number of years.
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Mr. Van Voorhis laid the foundation for a happy home life in his marriage on the 10th of September, 1867, to Miss Mary E. Fulton, who was born in Newark township, February 12, 1846, and is a daughter of John M. and Rebecca (Young) Fulton, both of whom were natives of this county. The father died in 1875, but the mother is still living in Newark at the age of eighty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Van Voorhis are the parents of four children: Mabel, the wife of T. E. Brown, of Newark; Helen, who died at the age of five years; J. Fulton, a gradu- ate of Denison University, of the class of 1905, and now engaged in the hardware business at Granville as a member of the firm of Jones & Van Voorhis; and R. Clay, who completed a course in Denison University by graduation with the class of 1906. Such, in brief, is the life history of S. F. Van Voorhis, one of the valued citizens of his native state. He holds friendship inviolable and, as true worth may always win his regard, he has a very extensive circle of friends, his life demonstrating the truth voiced by Ralph Waldo Emerson, that "the way to win a friend is to be one." No plan or movement for the benefit of the city along lines of progress and improvement seeks his aid in vain. The public work that he has done has largely been of a nature that has brought no pecuniary reward and yet has made demand upon his time, his thought and his energies. Opportu- nities that others have passed by heedlessly he has noted and improved to the bet- terment of the city. He is extremely modest and unostentatious in manner, but all who know him speak of him in terms of praise.
JOSEPIL ATKINSON.
Joseph Atkinson, prominent for many years as a farmer, stock breeder and banker, in Harrison township, is descendant of a family that came to the United States from England in the sixteenth century and numbers among its illustrious representatives Nathan Hale, the famous patriot of colonial days, who said : "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." On the farm on which he now resides, located one-half mile south of Pataskala, Joseph Atkinson was born January 23, 1839, a son of Peabody and Marinda (Elliott) Atkinson, the father having been a native of Boscowen, New Hampshire, born in 1804, and the mother of Canterbury, New Hampshire. Peabody Atkinson came to Licking county in 1830, in company with Abraham Miller and William and Joseph Baird, and in partnership with them purchased twenty-four hundred acres of land at five dollars per acre from William Hogg, who had secured the property from the government. Mr. Atkinson owned one-third of the entire tract, or eight hundred acres, one-half of which he cleared off and put under cultivation. On this farm he spent his entire life, except three years, and built a sawmill on the south fork of Licking creek, near where stands the home of Joseph Atkinson. This mill, which was operated until the year 1865, assisted greatly in the development of the country. While he en- gaged in general farming, producing large quantities of hay and grain, he made a specialty of raising sheep and dealt extensively in shipping wool, which he sent to various parts of the country. He sold off much of his property but owned four hundred and sixty-five acres of the original tract and seventy-five acres on the Co-
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MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH ATKINSON
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lumbus road at the time of his death, which was due to injuries sustained by a fall while sacking wool. He was prominent in church work and was elder of the Presbyterian church with which he was affiliated. In politics he was a whig and later a republican, and his son Joseph recalls with interest accompanying him to the polls in the year 1852, when the father cast his vote for Winfield Scott, who was then a candidate for president of the United States. In 1831 Mr. Atkinson returned to New Hampshire, where he was united in marriage, and the same year brought his bride here and located on a farm of sixteen hundred acres near Hebron, where he remained for three years and then located on the farm which he bought in this township. His wife, a daughter of Samuel Elliott, departed this life in 1866. They reared the following family: Mary, who wedded a second cousin, William E. Atkinson, both of whom are deceased ; George J., deceased, who for many years was an attorney at Columbus, Ohio, and who served throughout the Civil war in the same company with his brother, Joseph, after which te took up the study of law with Governor Denison; Samuel Peabody, who is in the marble business in Cham- paign, Illinois; and Joseph.
In the district schools of this township Joseph Atkinson acquired his early education, and afterwards attended Denison University. He then actively engaged in agricultural pursuits on his father's farm and has since resided there, having under cultivation something over four hundred acres, located in the southwest corner of Harrison township on the creek road, his property being known as the Woolworth Farm. The farm is well improved, being provided with a comfortable residence, barns, outbuildings, and the machinery necessary for successfully pursu- ing his work. For many years Mr. Atkinson, in association with his father, en- gaged in general farming, and also made a specialty of sheep raising and carrying on an extensive wool enterprise. However, since the death of his father Mr. Atkin- son has considerably curtailed his interests, now devoting his time to general farm- ing and stock-raising on a small scale and in addition carries on a dairy business and ships his products to Columbus, Ohio. Aside from caring for the interests of his farm he is concerned in a number of financial enterprises, and has been presi- dent of the People's Bank of Pataskala since its organization, was president of the Pataskala Banking Company for fourteen years and is also a stockholder in the Millersport Bank, the institutions with which he is connected being in high finan- cial standing throughout the state.
In 1872 Mr. Atkinson wedded Julia Ewing, a daughter of Dr. James Ewing, her birth having occurred in Hebron, Ohio, in 1849, and the couple reared the fol- lowing family : Charles, who resides in Pataskala with his wife, formerly Miss Amy Coons; Florence, who wedded George Newkirk, of Detroit, Michigan; Frank Pea- body, a physician of Millersport, Ohio, who was united in marriage to Miss Farice Klink ; Joseph Bernard, who wedded Miss Grace Sutherland and manages the farm for his father; Harry C., a chemist of Columbus, Ohio; James E .; and Carlton C., a graduate of Wooster University.
Mr. Atkinson has been a lifelong republican, voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and has since been loyal in his support of the presidential candidates of his party. In this county he has been very prominent in political circles and received nomina- tions at various times for county offices but, his party being in the minority, he has never been successful in securing election. He has also served as delegate to a number of state conventions. In 1864 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred
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Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as second lieutenant under Captain Beard, and was honorably discharged five months later. He is now a member of Baird Post No. 653, G. A. R., of Pataskala. Mr. Atkinson belongs to the Presbyterian church, of which for many years he has been a faithful member and of which he is now an elder. He is a man of high moral character, enjoying the respect of the entire community and, having industriously applied himself during his younger days, he is now in a position which enables him to leisurely enjoy somewhat of life's comforts after a long life of unremitting energy and honest endeavor.
HENRY GIESECK.
In a history of the agricultural development of Licking county mention should be made of Henry Gieseck, who, for many years, was closely associated with the farming interests of Lima township and was also known as a practical and progressive agriculturist. He was born in the district of Hildesheim, Hanover, Germany, November 25, 1829, and his life record covered the inter- vening years to the 5th of August, 1888, when he passed away in Arkansas. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent in the fatherland and then, hearing favorable reports concerning the business conditions and opportunities in the new world, he sailed for the United States, landing on American shores on the 2d of June, 1852. He was entirely without capital but he possessed a stout heart and willing hands and with these to serve as a ground work for success he continued steadily on, year after year, until he laid the foundation for a comfortable fortune. He was employed as a section boss on the Central Ohio Railroad, at Columbus, at the time he was married. He wedded Fredericka Krumm, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, November 3, 1836, and is a daughter of Martin and Mary (Younger) Krumm, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume, in connection with the sketch of Philip Krumm.
For some time after his marriage Mr. Gieseck continued to work on the rail- road and was road master when he finally severed his connection with railroad interests. He carefully saved his earnings as the years passed until his capital was sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm and in March, 1863, he brought his family to the place in Lima township upon which his widow now resides. It is pleasantly and conveniently located about a mile and a half north of Wagram. He first bought ninety acres and with characteristic energy began its development and improvement. As the years passed he added to this until he was the owner of about five hundred acres of rich and productive land, which responded readily to the care and labor he bestowed upon it. He built a fine brick dwelling in 1874 and from time to time added other substantial buildings, until his farm was well equipped with all the barns and outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. He used the latest improved machinery in tilling his fields and everything about his place indicated his progressive spirit and practical methods. A part of the home place was timber land when he took possession of it and he had a saw mill built, cut down the trees and sawed up the timber. He also at one time had a tile factory on his farm and operated it for a number of years.
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He also superintended the work of furnishing timber to the railroad, cut out ties for the building and repair of the road and also wood for the engines, for at that day such fuel was used in the locomotives. He lived a life of intense and well- directed activity, working earnestly year after year to provide a comfortable living for his family, until he became one of the substantial agriculturalists and suc- cessful business men of Licking county. Prior to his death he divided his land among his children. In the latter years of his life he purchased a large tract of timber land in Arkansas and with his son, Charles, went to that place. They took with them a saw mill outfit, it being the father's idea to set his son up in business there. They arrived in Arkansas in October, 1887, and on the 5th of August, 1888, the father passed away, while on the 18th of January, 1889, the son, Charles, died, being at that time twenty-four years of age, his birth having occurred on the 24th of February, 1865.
Mr. and Mrs. Gieseck were the parents of six children: William Henry, who died leaving a wife and six children; David L., who passed away leaving a wife and two children; Franklin J., who died leaving a wife and nine children ; Christiana, the wife of Ross Robinett, of Lima township, by whom she has four children ; Henrietta Josephine, the wife of Doss Wickliff of Lima township, by whom she has four children; Charles, who died in Arkansas.
Mrs. Gieseck retains the old home, which her husband erected, together with forty acres of land surrounding it. Mr. Gieseck took an active interest in local politics and held a number of the township offices, giving his political support to the republican party. He was reared in the Lutheran church and was always a man of upright principles, who never infringed on the privileges of others nor was known to take advantage of another in business transactions. He is yet remembered by many who knew him and who valued his friendship while he was still an active factor in the affairs of life.
FRANK C. BARTHOLOMEW.
Frank C. Bartholomew, passenger agent for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Newark, was born July 20, 1871, in the city where he still resides, his parents being Lewis D. and Cornelia (Smucker) Bartholomew. The father was born near Lancaster, Ohio, and in his boyhood days came to this county with his father, Charles Bartholomew, who settled in Newark when it was a small and unimportant town, while the surrounding country gave every evidence of being a frontier district. Entering the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Com- pany, L. D. Bartholomew gradually worked his way upward, and for thirty-two years remained as a trusted employe, occupying the position of passenger agent here at the time of his death, which occurred July 7, 1899. His wife was born in Newark, and was a daughter of Andrew Smucker, a pioneer settler and a member of a very prominent family. She died May 3, 1902.
While spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, Frank C. Barthol- omew pursued his education in the graded and high schools of Newark. He then entered the Baltimore & Ohio railroad service as assistant passenger agent under
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his father, whom he succeeded at the latter's death, having now filled the position for ten years. His connection with railroad service throughout his entire business career indicates in unmistakable terms his trustworthiness and fidelity.
Mr. Bartholomew is the secretary of the Licking Oil & Gas Company, treas- urer of the Central Railway Club and a prominent member of the order. He also belongs to Acme Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Pleasantly situated in his home life, he was married August 6, 1902, to Miss Gertrude Goldsborough, a native of Bradford, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of J. R. Goldsborough, who came to Newark to organize the Newark Iron & Steel Company. He was well known among the oil people of Pennsylvania and was a prominent business man. Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew have two chil- dren: Thomas Hayward, boin May 31, 1906, and William West, December 1, 1907. The parents are Episcopalians in their religious faith and are well known socially in Newark, having a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance. Mr. Bartholomew has proved a popular and efficient officer in railroad circles and has gained high regard by reason of his uniform courtesy and obliging spirit.
GEORGE E. GARLINGHOUSE.
George E. Garlinghouse is a prominent representative of the farming and stock-raising interests of Monroe township. His success, especially in the raising of fine stock, has largely made him an authority on the questions pertaining thereto and he is justly classed with the prominent agriculturists of the community. A native of the state of lowa, he was born June 4, 1858, of the marriage of William and Elizabeth (Huff) Garlinghouse. In 1862 his father joined the Oregon emi- grants and in the same year the mother removed with her family to Delaware county, Ohio, where she remained.
George E. Garlinghouse in his boyhood days engaged in such work as he could find to do, mainly assisting in the labors of the farm. He secured his educa- tion in the district schools and in the school of experience has learned many valu- able and practical lessons. On the 3d of July, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Callie Knorr, a daughter of Christian and Rose (Brown) Knorr, who came to Ohio from Germany when young people and settled in Delaware county, this state, where the father engaged in general farming. Three children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Garlinghouse: Florence, now the wife of Ray Adams, a resident of Columbus; Glen and Rose E., who are at home.
Following his marriage Mr. Garlinghouse engaged in farming in Delaware county until 1885, when he purchased the farm upon which he now lives in Mon- raising, making a specialty of fine draft horses. His reputation as a breeder of roe township, Licking county. Here he has since devoted his time and energies to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also to stock- this class is more than local. In 1901 he gained wide reputation by entering a yearling French draft mare in the general sweepstakes class at the Ohio State Fair. This class was open to all breeds and ages-any animal could be entered- but among a large number of entries the yearling French draft mare of Mr. Gar-
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GEORGE E. GARLINGHOUSE
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linghouse won first prize. Subsequently the same animal took six other prizes in the general sweep-stakes contest. Mr. Garlinghouse has also bred and raised other high-grade horses and the sales of his stock have brought him a most gratifying income. In all of his business affairs he is energetic, determined and reliable, and moreover, he has a genius for devising the right thing at the right time, joined to every-day common-sense, which is too often a factor lacking in the busi- ness development of man.
Always a progressive man, Mr. Garlinghouse has been an advocate of good roads and other public improvements. He was the first man in Licking county to circulate a petition for the improvement of roads under the law of 1900. This petition asked for the improvement of Sunbury and Johnstown road, better known as "the Garlinghouse pike," and the same is now under construction and will be completed within the year 1909. It is a graded road, with crushed lime stone dressing, and is a fine specimen of road building. Mr. Garlinghouse is now acting as superintendent of construction under appointment of the county commissioners and the county surveyor. He has, furthermore, been a member of the school board for several years and the cause of education has found in him a helpful and stalwart champion. He is now serving his second term as township trustee and in all public positions is found loyal to the trust reposed in him, his record being a most commendable one. He is a member of the Johnstown lodge K. P., gives his political allegiance to the democracy, belongs to the Methodist church and is an active and influential citizen in every way.
EARLY REMINISCENCES OF HENRY A. MONTGOMERY.
Collected and written by Nelle Montgomery Johnson during the winter of 1908 for her own gratification and published in the Licking County History at the request of Judge Brister.
My earliest recollection is of being told to stand on a mound of earth in front of my father's house and halloo my loudest for Adams for the benefit of some of our neighbors, who were on their way to vote for Andrew Jackson. This was in the fall of 1828; John Quincy Adams was a candidate for a second term as presi- dent of the United States, and it was the first election in which a decided spirit of partizanship was shown-the whig and the democratic parties becoming distinct political bodies at that time.
As an older boy, I was greatly interested in and made every effort to be present on "muster" days. The men of each township formed themselves into companies, officers were chosen, and on the appointed days they came together to drill. County musters were called when all the townships joined their forces, making, as it seemed to my boyish fancy, a most imposing sight. I recollect, also, seeing a state muster which was held in that portion of Newark west of North Fifth street and north of West Church, all a common at that time.
It was on one of these muster days that, as I stood about with my boyish companions, I saw a coin in the dust. It proved to be a silver piece. I considered
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myself lucky and at once decided I should go to an animal show that was soon to come to Newark. Thinking to put my money in a safe place, I pushed it between the logs of our spring house. On the day of the show, it was necessary for brother Charlie to use the ax in order to recover it for me. The show grounds were at that time where now stands the Hotel Sherwood.
A log school house, near my birthplace, the Reid farm on the Mary Ann Furnace road, was the first school to enroll me among its student body. The general make-up of this crude structure was in keeping with the rugged times. The windows were of greased paper, the seats were heavy, hewn slabs of wood; holes were bored into the log beneath the greased paper windows and in these holes large wooden pegs were inserted with slightly downward slant, while on these pegs other slabs were laid, which served as a place for the practice of writing, to which a large portion of the time was given, good penmanship being a much coveted accomplishment. Pens, at that time, were manufactured from the quills of the goose, the ink was a home manufacture of maple bark boiled with gun powder. Red ink was as easily made by extracting the juice from the pokeberry.
I studied arithmetic and geography and spelling from a Webster spelling book. I first learned to read from a little primer, then my reading was from the New Testament almost entirely. When somewhat older I had a book called the "Columbian Orator," which was a compilation of extracts from the speeches of the prominent patriots of the revolutionary period.
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