Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 45

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 45

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).

On another occasion I got off a train from Pittsburg, where I had just sold stock to the amount of twenty-five hundred dollars, all of which amount I had with me. Money was not trusted in banks nor checks accepted freely at that time. I had come through on a fast train, and it was only after much persuasion that the conductor consented to slow up at Black Run. He followed me to the plat- form and told me when to jump. The station waiting-room was closed, as it was nearly midnight, so I started immediately up the lane toward the Bald Hills. I had walked but a short distance-a few rods possibly-when a man slid down from the fence, upon which he had been sitting, and walked along with me. I managed to keep a step or two behind him, hoping that when the foot of the hill was reached he would take the cross road, but much to my disappointment he continued up the hill. The thought occurred to me that he must have his accom- plices. I had no weapon other than a stout stick, but I was on the alert and assured myself that I was equal to him. When we reached the top of the hill, much to my relief, he turned off into a little lane which I afterwards learned led to his home. He had been sitting with a sick neighbor and was on his way home when, seeing the train coming as he reached the track, he waited to see it pass.

It was at the time of the numerous Blackburn robberies. I was returning from Frazeyburg on horseback. I had been there counting election ballots, and it was nearly twelve o'clock when I started for home. I had quite a little money with me at that time. As I came up a hill, wooded on either side, the mare I was riding stopped with a snort, and I, peering ahead, saw in the bushes at the side of the road what looked to be three men in their shirt sleeves. I debated in my mind whether or not it would be best to turn back, but knowing my horse, and that it could be depended upon for swiftness, I decided to dash by; so, tightening

Digitized by Google

508

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

the rein, I gave her a hard cut with the whip, which sent her forward like a flash -to find my fright had been occasioned by a cow so striped that, as she lay among the bushes, I saw in her my three highwaymen.

In September, 1862, I was one of four to enlist from Elizabethtown at Gov- ernor Tod's call for protection for the borders of the state of Ohio. Fletcher Seward, Clay Lemert and my brother-in-law, Thomas Lemert, made up the num- ber. Having already three brothers-in-law in the service, our going took the only remaining menfolk in Margaret Lemert's family. The word was brought to us in the afternoon. We at once set to work molding bullets, making haversacks and preparing three days' rations, and were on our way to Newark before the break of the next day. John Follett, a younger brother of Judge Follett, and later a successful attorney in Cincinnati, was made our captain and organized the com- pany. We went to Covington, Kentucky, where we stayed two weeks. Earthworks were thrown up and preparations made to meet the rebel general, Kirby Smith. The guns we used were not the regulation guns provided for the army, but the lighter hunting rifle such as might be found in every family. On account of our guns and the fact that it was the squirrel season, we were called the "Squirrel Hunters." The governor recognized these services by issuing lithographed dis- charges to which were appended his signature and the seal of the state.

In May, 1864, my company, H, of the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was called out to serve for one hundred days. We went to Baltimore, where we were detailed to guard Patterson Park hospital, containing four or five thousand sick, wounded and convalescent soldiers, dividing the time between that station and a fort on the Fredric road to Baltimore.

My leaving home at that time of the year left the management of the summer work of the farm for my wife and Mr. Tracy, a trusty man past middle life. We had six children at this time. Edward, the oldest, was fourteen, and so filled with the war spirit that it took much argument to convince him that he was much more useful at home than at the front. My wife proved her generalship in my absence. Twenty acres of new ground, plowed before my going, were planted in corn. To do this the ten-months-old baby was placed in the shade of a tree and amused by the small children, while those who could lent a hand to help their mother, Tracy and the hired girl to plant and cover the corn. The sheep washing and shearing was accomplished, wool reaching a profitable figure that summer, bringing ninety-nine cents a pound.

I have had a natural inclination-a craving, I might say-to read. While I was in the store at Elizabethtown I read Rollins' Ancient History. During the winters on the farm, when I was much of the time in the house, I read and reread Gibbon's Rome, Macaulay's History of England, Thier's History of the French Revolution, Plutarch's Lives, the writings of Josephus, Thackeray, Dickens and various works of fiction as they came to my hand.

The growth of this country, the inventions and improvements that have been made during my period of observation, are wonderful indeed. I well remember my first sight of a cradle in the wheat field. Up to that time the grain was cut with a sickle. After our men had watched the working of the cradle for some time, they returned to their sickles, saying that a cradle might do well on the hillside or in light grain. The cradle soon succeeded the sickle, while the reaper

Digitized by Google

509

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

and binder and other more complicated machinery have replaced the cradle-such has been the story of improvements and invention in every line of industry.

WILLIAM S. LOYD.

William S. Loyd, well known as a representative of the farming interests of Granville township, was born in the city of Newark, Ohio, February 18, 1855. Like many of the valued residents of the community, he is of Welsh lineage, his parents, Robert and Mary (Davis) Loyd, having been natives of the north and south of Wales, respectively. In her girlhood days the mother came with her parents to the United States, the family home being established in Alexandria, this county, where she was reared. Robert Loyd was thirty-five years of age when he came to Licking county, and, locating in Newark, he turned his attention to the teaming business, while later he became a farmer. His death occurred in Newark, August 25, 1893, when eighty-one years of age, while his wife passed away in the county seat, in October, 1863. They were parents of six children : Elizabeth, now living in Newark; Thomas D. and Mary J., who reside with their sister Elizabeth; William S., of this review; John D., of Alexandria; and Persis Hammond, also a resident of this county.

William S. Loyd was reared in Newark and in this city he remained until nineteen years of age, when he came to Granville township, where he has since made his home. Following his marriage he purchased his present farm, compris- ing one hundred and twenty-six acres on Columbus road, adjoining the corporation limits of the village of Granville. Here he has erected a fine dwelling a large and substantial barn, and made every modern improvement, and the Crystal Spring Farm, by which name the place is known, is one of the valuable and attractive farm properties of the county, proving one of the most interesting features of the landscape. Everything about the farm is kept in good condition and an air of neatness and thrift pervades the place.

In 1881 Mr. Loyd was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Powell, who was born in Granville township, in 1856, and is a daughter of Rev. John and Mary (George) Powell, the former a native of Wales, and a minister of the Welsh Con- gregational church. Mrs. Powell was born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 10, 1823. Rev. Powell died in October, 1856, and his wife died in 1894. Rev. Powell came to the United States when a young man and located in Licking county. He was actively engaged in the ministry from the time of his arrival until his death. Rev. and Mrs. Powell were the parents of five children: William R .; Rees S .; Rachel M .; Mary A. and Mrs. Loyd. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Loyd has been blessed with three children : William Franklin, John Ernest and Mary Edna, all yet under the parental roof, the family circle being unbroken by the hand of death.

In his political views Mr. Loyd is an earnest republican, believing that the basic elements of the party are essential to good government. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he takes an active and helpful interest, serving now as steward and as a member of the finance committee. He is never neglectful of his duties of citizenship, and is interested in all that pertains

Digitized by Google

510

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

to the material, intellectual and moral progress of the community. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way, for he started out in life empty-handed and has worked upward until he is now numbered among the leading and prominent farmers of the county.

JOHN LEWIS MILLER.

John Lewis Miller, deceased, who devoted his attention to farming and stock- raising in Etna township, and who was highly respected for his useful and indus- trious life, was born one mile east of Wagram, December 5, 1856, on the farm on which he died April 29, 1902, after having spent his entire life in this township. Ilis parents were Isaac and Sarah ( Knepper) Miller. His father, who was a native of the Shenandoah valley of Virginia, came to this township when he was twenty- one years of age in company with his brother Alexander and settled in the woods in a one-room log cabin of the primitive type, having a clapboard roof with poles laid upon it to keep the boards from being dislodged. At that time only about one acre of the farm on which they located had been cleared and consequently its cultiva- tion did not afford them sufficient sustenance but fortunately there was plenty of wild game, particularly turkeys and deer, so that they had an abundance of sub- stantial food. However, little by little they cut away the forests and in course of time transformed the once thickly wooded tract into fertile fields from which they have since reaped many a bountiful harvest. Of the original tract Isaac Miller re- tained one hundred and sixty acres, the remainder reverting to his brother's widow. He endured many privations and was compelled to be content with very few of life's comforts during his early career. Many a time he cradled wheat for fifty cents a day which instead of being paid to him in coin was delivered in fat bacon at five cents a pound, but by hard work and perseverance he gradually bettered his con- dition until at his death he left considerable means and a fine farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, provided with an elegant residence and substantial barn and other buildings. He was a strong supporter of the democratic party and for forty years voted no other ticket. His religious convictions were in accord with the teachings of the United Brethren church, of which both he and his wife were members and in the work of which they were leading factors.

Shortly after arriving in this township Isaac Miller was united in marriage to Sarah Knepper, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, April 15, 1816. He died January 7, 1887, and she entered into rest, January 8, 1892. She was a daughter of Jacob Knepper, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who at an early date came to this part of the state and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land for each of his fourteen children, the claims having been taken up in Licking and adjoining counties. Mr. and Mrs. Miller reared a family of thir- teen children, two of whom died in infancy, the names of the remaining ones being : Alexander: Henry : Jacob, a veteran of the Civil war, who served two years : John Lewis: Sarah Ault : Mary: Lucinda ; Andrew, a veteran of the Civil war : George; John : and William.

On the home farm John Lewis Miller was reared, working in the fields under the supervision of his father and during the winter season acquiring his education in the district schools. After completing his studies he remained on the old home-

Digitized by Google

MR. AND MRS. JOHN L. MILLER

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

513

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

stead, actively engaged in farming, until he departed this life. The farm con- tains ninety-six acres-a part of the original tract of one hundred and sixty acres belonging to his father-and here in addition to providing for himself and family he also took care of his parents during their declining years until they entered into rest. Mr. Miller was considered one of the most careful and prosperous farmers in this vicinity, taking great pride in the appearance of his premises and was always solicitous to keep his buildings and fences in repair so that his farm indi- cated the thrift and enterprise of its owner. He made stock the principal feature of his farm and in this was very successful. Since his death his family have en- gaged in running a dairy, keeping for this purpose nine cows, all registered stock.

On December 11, 1884, Mr. Miller wedded Hester A. Miller, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, where her birth occurred July 6, 1863, and where she re- sided until she was united in marriage. Her parents were Peter and Katherine Miller, the former a native of Fairfield county, now residing in Pickerington, and the latter, who is deceased, a native of Belmont county, Ohio. They reared a family of ten children, seven of whom survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born : Orpha, wife of Howard Cooper, living at Pataskala ; Edgar Allen, who received a teacher's certificate when he was fourteen years of age, taking charge of classes at the age of sixteen years and now a student at the Ohio State University, in Colum- bus; May, who teaches in the home schools; Stanley and Guy, pupils in the high school; Hazel, Raymond, Walter, Russell and Lester and Chester, twins, all in school.

Mr. Miller was on the democratic side in politics and took an active interest in the educational affairs of the township, having served for many years as a mem- ber of the board of education. He was frequently called upon to become a candi- date for a number of local offices but he repeatedly declined. In everything pur- posed for the good of the community he took an interest and having been a pro- gressive man he was in favor of the promotion of all measures which in any way would add to the general welfare of the township. Aside from having been identi- fied with an organization for the promotion of farming interests he was also a strong supporter of the Evangelical church to which he was a liberal contributor. He was a man of excellent character and of modest habits and his relations in the home, as husband and father and in the world, as an associate and business man, commended him to the highest respect and confidence of all who knew him.

LEVI WILLIAM ROLEY.

Levi William Roley is the owner of Highland Home, one of the finest farms of Granville township, comprising one hundred and ten acres of arable and valu- able land. It is equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences and in its midst stands a large and beautiful residence. The appearance of the place indi- cates careful and practical supervision on the part of the owner who, in all of his life work, has so directed his labors as to win honorable and gratifying success.

Mr. Roley is one of Licking county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Franklin township May 28, 1850. His parents were Jesse and Elizabeth (Christ) Roley. The father, a native of Virginia, was born in 1825 and in 1830

Digitized by Google

514

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

was brought to Ohio by his parents, Thomas and Hannah (Hitt) Roley, who located in Perry county near Thornville, and after a few years came to Licking township, Licking county. Here Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Roley spent their remain- ing days and there they reared their family, numbering six children : William, John, Lewis, Mary, Jane and Jesse. The last named spent almost his entire life in this county and also followed the occupation of farming, finding it a congenial and profitable pursuit. He did not seek to figure in public life, but all who knew him respected him for his genuine worth and unassailable business integrity. His death occurred in Licking township in 1878. His wife was born in that township in 1830, a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Lones) Christ, who were natives of Pennsylvania and became pioneer residents of Licking township. Mrs. Roley still survives and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. B. M. Irwin. whose husband is postmaster of Jacksontown. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Roley were born five children : Levi W .; Mary, the wife of John Stotler, of Licking township; ing county ; and Ida, the wife of Joseph Tavender, of Hebron, Union township.

Rebecca, the wife of B. M. Irwin ; Hannah, the wife of Dr. G. W. Berry, of Hock-

Levi William Roley spent the first eleven years of his life at Amsterdam where he was born, and in 1861 his parents removed to Union township, locating south of Hebron, where he lived until twenty-six years of age. He was then married on the 5th of September, 1876, to Miss Clara A. Bounds, who was born in Licking township August 18, 1858, a daughter of George and Lavina (DeBolt) Bounds, the former a native of this county and the latter of Lasalle county, Illinois. For many years they resided on a farm a mile west of Jacksontown and there they passed away. They had three children: Mrs. Roley; Nelson, who is living on the old homestead in Licking township; and Harry, a practicing physician of Carroll, Fairfield county, Ohio.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Roley established their home in Licking township, where he carried on farming until about two years ago. He there owned and cultivated two farms, one of sixty-six acres and the other of sixty-two acres. He sold that property in 1906 and came to his present farm in Granville township. It is a beautiful and attractive property known as Highland Ilome. ITis residence stands one thousand one hundred and six feet above sea level. It is a commodious dwelling of thirteen rooms, built in modern style of architecture, and supplied with all modern conveniences. The house is piped for natural gas, which is furnished by the Columbus Natural Gas Company and the Ohio Natural Gas Company, and there is also a gas well upon this farm. There are three bank barns and the buildings are situated on a large hill in the midst of fine old trees, the house commanding a splendid view of the surrounding hills and valleys, and is one of the most attractive country residences of Licking county. It is pleasantly and conveniently situated only a mile and a half from Granville on the Columbus road. Here Mr. Roley carries on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of dairying until about a year ago, when he sold his interest in that business.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Roley has been blessed with three children : Clarence E., of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who is married and has one child, Doris: Oese: and Flossie, both at home. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church of Granville and Mr. Roley gives his political allegiance to the democratic

Digitized by Google

515

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

party. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is thus able to support his position by intelligent argument. He does not seek political preferment, however, and on the contrary gives undivided attention to his business affairs which, capably conducted, have brought to him a gratifying measure of success and he is classed today with the most prominent farmers of the county.

WILLIAM REES.

While a country boy may not have advantages along educational lines equal to those of a lad raised in the city, he has opportunities which are ultimately of greater worth than the learning of the schools and that enable him to lay a foundation upon which to build a successful career. Reared amid the peace and quiet of nature, with his thoughts undisturbed by the din of busy business cen- ters, and with a broad and free expanse above and about him, and at the same time pursuing an avocation requiring patience and perseverance, he is given to thoughtfulness by which he develops the better qualities of his nature and brings forth his latent possibilities.

William Rees, who was reared amid rural surroundings and who, having availed himself of his opportunities is now one of the most successful and pros- perous agriculturists in Lima township, was born in Reynoldsburg, Franklin county, Ohio, November 21, 1846. His paternal grandparents were Thomas and Margaret (Bonham) Rees, natives of the Keystone state, where they were mar- ried. They came to this county at a very early date and located near Newark, where they remained for awhile and then removed to Franklin county, settling on a farm. Mr. Rees was employed as a boss during the construction of the Ohio canal and while acting in that capacity met with an accident which caused his death. He was a veteran of the war of 1812. His children were: John, Jacob, William, Eli, Bonham, Mrs. Jane Reed, Mrs. Ann Sinsebaugh, Mrs. Sarah Ashbrook, and Elizabeth.

John and Hannah (Child) Rees were the parents of William Rees. The latter was a native of Bristol, England, where she was born in 1814, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Fry) Child, who came to Lima township, Licking county, in 1830. They were the parents of the following children: Stephen, Daniel, Sarah, Hannah, Ann, Caroline, and Mercy. Mr. Rees was born at Smiths Mills, Newark township, this county, May 15, 1812, and when sixteen years of age went to Lancaster, Ohio, where he learned the saddler's trade, serving his appenticeship, and then removed to Reynoldsburg, Ohio, where he continued as a saddler for a few years and then followed general merchandising until 1855, when he removed to Illinois, remaining two years. In 1858 he bought the farm in this township on which he lived until the time of his death, September 12, 1902. His wife passed away in 1883. In politics he was a whig and then a republican, and was always active during political campaigns. He was a strong anti-slavery man and did all in his power to aid the movement which finally terminated in the abolition of slavery. He was a man of high moral qualities and a member of the Congregational church. John and IIannah Rees were the

Digitized by Google

516

HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.

parents of the following: Edmund and Ann are deceased. John H., of Colum- bus, is married and has one child. He served four years in the Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. William is the next of the family. Charles is deceased; and Amanda is the wife of R. P. Alward, of Newark, and has three children.

In the district schools William Rees received his education and at the age of nine years his family removed from Franklin county to Carlinville, Illinois, where his father conducted a general store for a time but in 1857 returned to the farm, on which William Rees has since resided. Here when he started he had a farm containing fifty-three acres upon which he labored arduously, paying strict attention to his business, and he met with such splendid success that his accu- mulations enabled him to increase his tillable land to three hundred and six acres, which includes three farms: the home farm of one hundred and eleven acres; another tract of one hundred and thirty acres, located a half mile north of the home place; and a sixty-five acre farm situated one half mile south. Mr. Rees cultivates the entire acreage, all of which is highly improved, his farms being thoroughly equipped with buildings, machinery and all conveniences neces- sary to successfully prosecute the farm work. The old home farm is notable by reason of the fact that upon it stands the oldest frame school building in district No. 1, of this township, the edifice being close to the rear of Mr. Rees's residence. The building was of great age at the time his family located there in 1858, and it was used for school purposes for several years after that time, when it was finally abandoned and a new structure was erected in another section of the district.

Aside from general farming Mr. Rees pays particular attention to stock- raising, his stock consisting principally of Delane sheep and Poland China hogs. His enterprise and progressiveness have been well rewarded and he is now not only in comfortable circumstances but is prominent in the financial circles of the county, being a stock holder in the People's Bank of Pataskala. Until the year 1896 he gave his political allegiance to the republican party, but later shifted his support to the democratic party in order to vote for the Hon. W. J. Bryan, but of late years he has taken the stand of an independent and now casts his vote irrespective of party ties for the man whom he thinks best qualified to serve the interests of the commonwealth in the office he seeks. He is a prominent member of Pataskala Lodge No. 404, A. F. & A. M.

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 45

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