USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 51
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ALONZO BEEM.
Alonzo Beem, who has always resided in this county, engaged in farming pursuits, was born in Lima township, March 11, 1844, and his ancestors were early settlers of this part of the country, his paternal grandparents having been William and Katharine (Rhodes) Beem, the grandfather 'having come from Maryland to this township with his parents. He was among the early settlers of this part of the state and here reared fourteen children. The maternal grand- parents of Alonzo Beem were John and Fannie (Brown) Myer, while his parents were George W. and Margaret (Myer) Beem, both of whom were natives of Jersey township, this county, the former born November 17, 1820, and his wife on July 25, 1825. There both resided until they were united in marriage, November 17, 1842, at which time they located on a farm in Lima township. where they spent their remaining days, Mr. Beem departing this life November 14, 1895, and his wife entering into rest June 25, 1854. He was known through- out the county as a prominent stock-raiser, and particularly as a cattle breeder, and at the time of his death he owned a farm embracing three hundred acres. In his family were five children : Alonzo; Minerva, who passed away in her twen- tieth year ; George W., who died in infancy; Albert, who resides at Summit Sta- tion, this township; and John M. After the death of his first wife Mr. Beem wedded her sister, Julia Ann Myer, by whom he had one child, Alice D., who wedded Daniel H. Whitehead, and lives in Wichita, Kansas. His third marriage, which occurred March 18, 1858, was with Elizabeth Tharp, by whom he had three children : Sarah A. Headley, of Franklin county; Rosa L. Prior, deceased : and Ida E. Foster.
Alonzo Beem was educated in the district schools and reared on the home farm. Upon his marriage, in 1865, desiring to become independent in life. he pur- chased his present farm, where he has since been devoting his time and energy to raising general produce and to stock-breeding. His home farm embraces sev- enty acres of rich and productive land, and his place is provided with all modern improvements and conveniences with which to pursue his work. Aside from this farm he owns one containing one hundred and sixty acres in Phillips county. Kansas, which he also has under cultivation and which he has possessed for the past twenty years. He has been quite successful in all his undertakings and aside from his farming interests he is connected with a number of other enterprises. including the People's Bank of Pataskala, of which he is a stockholder.
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MR. AND MRS. ALONZO BEEM
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On October 10, 1865, Mr. Beem wedded Miss Mary Looker, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, where she was born May 22, 1844, having come here in the fall of 1854 with her parents, John and Mary (Looker) Looker, both of whom were natives of that state where his nativity occurred March 25, 1806, and that of his wife on February 12, 1812. Both died in this township-in Feb- . ruary, 1874, and February 25, 1882, respectively. They were of English extrac- tion and related as third cousins. In their family were seven children, namely : Mrs. Katharine Wolcott, William, Rachel Ann, Thomas, and Margaret, all deceased ; Mrs. Mary Becm ; and John, who resides in Kentucky.
Mr. Beem's political views have always been on the side of the democratic party, and believing firmly in the wisdom of its policies he has always been enthusiastic during campaigns to secure the election of the candidates of his party, since in his opinion the principles of the democratic party embody those policies which alone can preserve the dignity of the nation's free institutions and so dis- tribute wealth as to enable each individual to stand an equal showing in trade, commerce and industry. In local affairs he has taken considerable interest and for twelve years was township trustee, also serving as road supervisor and a mem- ber of the school board. He has always been industrious and enterprising and these qualities have not only enabled him to attain prosperity but also to do much toward developing the natural resources of the community. He is well spoken of by all who know him and enjoys the respect and confidence of his neighbors.
ROBERT B. STONE.
General agriculture and stock-raising have for a number of years claimed the attention of R. B. Stone of Newton township, Licking county, whose birth occurred in Orange county, New York, December 26, 1839. He was a son of Uriah and Mary (Dodge) Stone, both natives of the state of New Jersey, his father, who was a well known blacksmith, having departed this life in New York, where he had been plying his craft. In his family were ten children, namely: Harriett, who became the wife of Jacob Dunning, now residing in New York ; Charles, also residing there ; Clara, wife of Emery De Kay ; R. B .; and six children who are deceased. Those who have passed away are: Elizabeth, who became the wife of David Carr; Mary A., who wedded George Hills; Sarah, the deceased wife of William O'Neil; James; Dolly, who was the wife of Edson Pound; and Angeline, who became the wife of George Barrett.
The common schools of his native place afforded R. B. Stone his education and upon completing his studies he was apprenticed to a blacksmith, with whom he learned his trade and, having become a proficient and skilled horseshoer, he fol- lowed that occupation in the county of his nativity until twenty-five years of age. In 1865 he came to Licking county, Ohio, and throughout the succeeding six years successfully followed his trade but subsequently became identified with general farming and stock-raising pursuits and has thus been connected with the agricul- tural interests of this county to the present time. In 1868 he bought the ninety-four acre farm belong to his brother-in-law, Archibald Lock, afterward adding to this
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tract by additional purchase until the property now comprises two hundred and five acres. of rich and productive land. This is one of the finest and best-kept farms in the county, the many substantial improvements thereon indicating the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. While he raises large quantities of hay, wheat, oats and other grains, he pays particular attention to stock-raising, making a spe- cialty of horses, keeping on hand only the finest breeds. Everything about his farm is indicative of thrift and progress and, aside from having a fine residence, the farm is also equipped with commodious barns, outbuildings, machinery and other con- veniences with which to carry on the pursuit of agriculture by modern methods.
In November, 1865, Mr. Stone was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lock, who was born November 25, 1842, on the farm which he is now cultivating. Her parents were William and Mary Lock, her father having been a native of Virginia and her mother of the Keystone state. He came to this county at an early day and located on the property which Mr. Stone now owns. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone were born : Nettie, deceased wife of Albert McMillen; Frank, at home; Clara, wife of Samuel P. Elliott : Grace, wife of Stanley Montgomery ; and Edith. Mr. Stone's political views are in accord with the principles of the democratic party to which he has always been loyal and, being a man of excellent ability, he has been chosen to serve in many township offices. He has served as trustee for twenty-five years and also for a number of years as school director. Among the fraternal organizations with which he is affiliated is Lodge No. 464, A. F. & A. M., at Wilkins, in which he is an active worker and has passed through most of the chairs. Faithful to his religious obligations as well as to other duties he, with his wife, attends the Meth- odist Episcopal church, of which they are liberal supporters. Mr. Stone is not only an enterprising and industrious man but also an upright citizen and enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire community.
EDMUND BESSE.
Throughout his entire life a resolute purpose and firm determination have enabled Edmund Besse to accomplish what he has undertaken and in all of his business career there has been no esoteric phase. On the contrary his entire record has been characterized by uprightness and straightforward dealing and he is now largely living retired with a handsome competence acquired by his well directed labors in former years. Indolence and idleness, however, are utterly foreign to his nature and he vet devotes himself to some extent to business affairs, although he now has leisure for the enjoyment of such interests as bring him pleasure, rest and recreation. Mr. Besse is a native of Lima township, this county, his birth having occurred June 5, 1842. upon the home farm of his parents, Samuel B. and Sarah (Child) Besse. The father was born in Maine March 17. 1802, while the mother's birth occurred near Bangor, England, on the 4th of August, 1812. She came to Licking county as a young lady with her parents and her mother purchased one hundred acres of land near Columbia Center, which is now a part of her farm. Samuel B. Besse also arrived in Licking county in his youthful days, coming to Ohio with his parents. Samue! and Rebecca Besse. the former a native of Maine.
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born April 19, 1772, while the latter was born December 17, 1773. Following their removal westward they remained residents of this county until their life's labors were ended in death. Their children were Alden, John, Andrew, Samuel B., Henry, Sophia, Sally, Mary, James M. and Rebecca. Reared to the occupation of farming, Sammuel B. Besse, the father of our subject, continued to engage in that pursuit throughout his entire life, with the exception of a short time during which he drove a stage, and became known as one of the representative and progressive agricul- turists of the community. He died here July 30, 1857, while his wife long survived him, passing away March 19, 1875. Their family numbered five children, Alden, Clarissa, Edmund, John and Sarah Ann.
Edmund Besse remained upon the home farm until 1866 save that in the mean- time he rendered valiant aid to his country by active service on southern battle fields. On the second of May, 1864, when twenty-one years of age, he enlisted in the Union army and was assigned to duty with Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Baird. His term of enlist- ment was for one hundred days and in September, 1864, he was honorably dis- charged. He then continued to operate the home farm for his widowed mother for several years. On the 24th of November, 1867, he was married and for a year there- after lived upon the old homestead.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Besse chose Miss Maggie Farthingham, who was born in Hebron, Ohio, October 9, 1838. She lost both her parents when only three years of age and the family scattered among strangers. She was a daughter of Edmond and Elizabeth Farthingham, pioneer residents of Licking county, who came to Ohio from Middletown, Pennsylvania. Their family numbered four children, James, Eliza, Edmond and Mrs. Besse. As stated, Mr. and Mrs. Besse began their domestic life on the old homestead farm and for a year Mr. Besse turned his attention to the butchering business and for five years engaged in hauling meat to Columbus. Later he established a general store at Columbia Center and continued the business for fifteen years with creditable and gratifying success. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode on a farm near Columbia Center and carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1906, when he removed to Sum- mit Station and built his present home which he has since occupied. He is now largely living retired here although to some extent he assists his son in the store and also conducts a coal business. His life has been one of intense and well-directed activity and his prosperity has resulted entirely from his own efforts.
In his political views Mr. Besse has always been a republican, giving stalwart support to the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and has always been the party of reform and progress. He has never sought nor desired office and yet in matters of citizenship he has always been pro- gressive, supporting many measures for the public good. Unto him and his wife have been born two children, but the younger, Harry, who was born October 16, 1870, died April 2, 1871.
The surviving child, Samuel B. Besse, is now well known as a merchant and postmaster at Summit Station. He was born in Lima township, July 15, 1868, and has resided in this township throughout his entire life save for one year spent in Plain City. Since the 1st of February, 1893, he has been postmaster and merchant, conducting a general store in which he carries a large and carefully selected line of goods to meet the varied demands of the general trade. On the 4th of September,
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1890, he wedded Miss Sarah E. Boner, a native of this county, and a daughter of William and Sarah ( Holler) Boner. Unto them have been born five children : Gloriz., Samuel B., Byron E., Julia M. and Welmond, who died in infancy. Samuel B. Besse is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Summit Station and is interested in all that pertains to the moral, intellectual, political and material wel- fare of the community. He has served on the board of education and during his incumbency in the office the township high school was built at Summit Station. Progressive, alert and determined, he accomplishes what he undertakes and in mat- ters of citizenship as well as in business is extremely practical. His well directed activity is being crowned with success and as a representative citizen of this part of the county we present his record to our readers.
DR. SAFETY S. RICHARDS.
Among the members of the medical fraternity who are highly respected for their services in Lima township is Dr. Safety S. Richards, who for many years has been in the active practice of his profession in Summit Station. He was born in St. Albans township, this county, December 15, 1851, and was a grandson of Andrew and Rebecca Richards, natives of the state of Maryland, who passed away in this county, and who were the parents of twelve children, Mrs. Richards on four occa- sions having given birth to twins. All the children lived beyond maturity and were exceptional for their strength and stature, Ephraim Richards weighing two hundred and twenty-five pounds and his twin brother in the neighborhood of two hundred pounds. The parents of Dr. Richards were Ephraim and Margaret (Lusk) Rich- ards, the father being a native of Baltimore county, Maryland, where his birth occurred in 1812, and the mother of Fairfield county, Ohio, where she was born in 1818. With his parents Ephraim Richards came to this county in 1820 and located near Linnville, in Bowling Green township, where he followed farming and stock- raising for many years. During the war he had five hundred head of sheep for which he received one dollar and five cents per pound. His death occurred in St. Albans, in 1896, his wife departing this life eighteen months later, in the year 1898. Ephraim and Margaret Richards were the parents of the following children : Samuel, a veteran of the Civil war, who served in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and who passed away in 1862; Harvey, who met death on his fiftieth birthday while participating in a barn raising; Patrick, who resides in Jersey township; Mrs. Cordelia Whitehead, deceased; Mrs. Savella Buxton, de- ceased ; and Dr. S. S. Richards.
In the district schools of his native township the Doctor acquired his prelim- inary education and after completing a course in the Pataskala high school he began the study of medicine, in 1876, at the Columbus Medical College, from which insti- tution he was graduated in 1829. Through the subsequent ten years he engaged in the practice of his profession at Outville, this county. At the expiration of this period he entered Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, Illinois, where he took a special course and was graduated in the year 1890, after which he became a physi- cian in a hospital. Upon the termination of his services there he located in Jersey township, where he practiced medicine until 1904 but during that year, owing to
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ill health, was compelled to leave his profession for several months, which he spent on a farm until he had recuperated. He then located at Summit Station, where he has since been practicing and has acquired a gratifying patronage.
On January 1, 1879, Dr. Richards wedded Miss Mary E. Steen, who was born April 25, 1852, in Columbiana, Ohio, a daughter of W. D. and Rebecca (Gearhart) Steen. Her father, a native of this state, departed this life in Cincinnati, and her mother, of New Jersey, passed away in Mahoning county, Ohio, leaving four sons and two daughters. Dr. and Mrs. Richards are parents of the following children : Clifford, deceased ; Perry Herbert, who was born in 1881 and resides in Reynolds- burg, Franklin county, with his wife, Ethel (Rodebaugh) Richards, and one child, Delores L .; Clarence Ralph, who was born in 1883 and resides with his wife, Laura (Sayre) Richards, at Summit Station ; and Eva B.
The Doctor is a member of the County, State and American Medical Societies, and also belongs to Center Lodge, No. 326, A. F. & A. M., of Johnstown ; Jersey Lodge, No. 523, I. O. O. F .; Euterpean Lodge, No. 471, Daughters of Rebekah ; Cedar Camp, No. 227, M. W. A., of Newark ; Daisy Camp, No. 2574, Royal Neigh- bors of America ; and Derthick Grange, at Summit Station. From the year 1880 to the year 1890 he officiated as infirmary physician, this being the longest period of service in that capacity of any member of the medical profession. In politics the Doctor is a democrat and being profoundly impressed with the fundamental nature of the principles of that party, and believing them to contain the secret of the country's financial welfare, he uses his vote and influence during campaigns to aid its candidates in securing office. His religious convictions become apparent upon mention of the fact that he holds membership with the Disciples of Christ. He is a man of scholarly attainments and studious habits and is in every way qualified for the vocation he follows, his long years of practice in this township serving as a witness to his usefulness as well as to his popularity as a physician.
NOAH E. HARRIS.
Among the energetic and respected farmers of Liberty township, Licking county, who have made a specialty of stock-raising, perhaps none is better known than Noah E. Harris, who has attained a wide reputation throughout this and adjoining states as a breeder of thoroughbred Poland hogs. He made the breeding of this class of animals a salient feature when he first started in business and he is now a recognized authority. He was a son of Andrew J. and Mary A. (Oldacre) Harris, his parents having been natives of Mary Ann township. His father de- parted this life in May of the year 1905 and his mother on February 9, of the same year, both having passed away in Liberty township. The former was among the early settlers in this part of the state and it fell to him as one among many to clear off the land and put it into a fit state for cultivation. He lived here all his days, actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, and always sustained a worthy reputation for industry, enterprise and nobility of character.
On his father's farm Noah E. Harris was reared and in his boyhood days pur- sued the general routine of agricultural life and acquired his education in the district schools during the few months of the winter season. His educational advantages.
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were few but, although he did not have the greater opportunities afforded by learn- ing, yet, he possessed enterprise, perseverance and patience, which are of greater worth and which have stood him well in the battle of life and enabled him to fight off discouragements and from year to year draw forth from the soil its harvests and finally attain to his present prosperous condition. Having completed his studies he remained on the home farm for thirty years, during which time he acquired a thor- ough knowledge of the various departments of the work, and in the year 1885 pur- chased the farm on which he is now located and on which he has since engaged in the production of general crops and stock-raising, giving special attention to breed- ing the highest grade of registered thoroughbred Poland hogs.
On October 11, 1882, Mr. Harris wedded Miss Carrie E. Snyder, a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Philbrook) Snyder, and to this union were born Essie M., who became the wife of John V. Simmons ; and Hazel E., who lives with her parents. Mr. Harris is among the intelligent, practical and enterprising citizens of the com- munity and has always manifested such characteristics as to win him the friend- ship of his neighbors and to cause him to be numbered among the county's repre- sentative men.
JACOB O. HARRIS.
Jacob O. Harris, who since 1897 has capably served in the position of post- master at Utica, was born in Burlington township, Licking county, April 15. 1846, his parents being Elza P. and Sarah A. (Hanger) Harris, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Knox county, Ohio. Mr. Harris traces his ancestry back to an old Virginia family.
About thirty miles from Winchester, Virginia, near the head of Lost River. stands the town of Woodstock, which became famous during the late war for the defeat of Early, by Sheridan's Cavalry, and known thereafter as "The Woodstock Races." Here on the 14th of January, 1776, was born William Harris, and on the 10th of May following was born Hannah Pugh. On the 23d of June, 1803. these young people were united in marriage. Here were born three children, Esther in 1804, Jesse in 1806 and Elza in 1808, Esther dying at the age of one and one-half years. Elza dying in October, 1862, while the date of Jesse's death is unknown. In 1809 this brave young mother, after shedding bitter tears over the mound which covered the first born little daughter, with her spinning wheel and what provisions she could pack, mounted her horse, carrying one child, while the father cared for the other, and the cooking utensils, started out to carve a new home for themselves in the wilderness. They traveled for over three hundred miles through the almost unbroken forest, resolutely following the "Star of Empire" until they arrived at what was known thereafter as the Harris home- stead, in January, 1810, having endured hardships of which we can have no con- ception. Here were born Alfred in June. 1810, who died at the age of fifteen : William Harvey, born January 12. 1813, died December 5, 1904. aged ninety-one years and ten months: Amos, next, in 1815, then Daniel in 1818. who has been dead some thirty years, and Mary A .. born 1821, who lived but three years. The
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aged mother, born before the Declaration of Independence, lived almost long enough to hear the joy bells ring out for the nation's hundredth birthday. With the death of Amos Harris April 25, 1907, at Croton, Licking county, the last link is broken which united two generations covering a space of one hundred and thirty-one years. They lived their lives, they lived them well and have earned their meed of rest.
Elza P. Harris accompanied his parents on their removal to Licking county, Ohio, in 1810 and purchased the farm on which the birth of his son, Jacob O., occurred. He was successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits through- out his active business career and his demise occurred in 1862, while his wife sur- vived him for a number of years, being called to her final rest in 1884. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, namely: one who died in infancy; Jacob O., of this review ; E. M., a resident of Utica; A. J., who is deceased; Mary E., also living in Utica; Harriet E., the wife of J. B. Haden, of Mount Gilead, Ohio; Rebecca, the wife of Joseph Martin, deceased; and two who passed away in infancy.
Jacob O. Harris acquired a common-school education and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he farmed a por- tion of the homestead on shares for about fifteen years and on the expiration of that period took up his abode in Utica, where he has since resided. On his arrival in the town he took up the trade of carpentering, with which he was connected until 1897, in which year he received the appointment of postmaster under Presi- dent MeKinley and has held the position to the present time, ever discharging his duties in a prompt and efficient manner. He is a stockholder in the Licking Win- dow Glass Factory and is likewise the owner of some fine residences in Utica. Public-spirited, progressive and enterprising, he is well known and highly esteemed as a representative and substantial citizen of his native county.
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