USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 52
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A stanch republican, Mr. Harris has taken an active and helpful interest in the local work of the party, his fellow-townsmen calling him to various positions of trust and responsibility. He has served for three years as constable, was on the city board for two years and in 1890 acted as census enumerator of Wash- ington township. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Chris- tian church. The name of Harris has now figured prominently in the annals of this county for almost a century and he whose name introduces this review is a worthy scion of his race, having ever borne an unassailable reputation for loyal citizenship, as well as unquestioned integrity and honor.
REV. CHARLES H. A. WATTERSON.
Rev. Charles H. A. Watterson. pastor of the church of the Blessed Sacrament at Newark, was born in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, a son of William and Eliza- beth (Cummins) Watterson. His carly education was acquired in the parochial schools, while later he attended St. Charles College near Ellicott City, Maryland, also Mount St. Mary's College and Seminary at Emmitsburg, Maryland. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1894 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by his uncle, the
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late Rt. Re. John A. Watterson, Bishop of Columbus. His first pastoral charge was that of assistant pastor of St. Joseph's Cathedral, in Columbus, where he offi- ciated for six years. He was then made pastor at Cambridge, Ohio, presiding over the church there for three years, after which he was transferred to his present charge at Newark, becoming pastor of the church of the Blessed Sacrament. He organized the parish here and built a handsome combination parochial school and church, the grounds, buildings and furnishings costing in round numbers about forty thousand dollars. He is doing an extensive work here in building up the Catholic interests of the community, and is popular among all classes, being well known and highly esteemed in Newark as one whose labors are proving an element in the moral prog- ress of the city.
ELI HULL.
No history of Licking county would be considered complete were there failure to make extended mention of Eli Hull, who has now passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, but is yet an active factor in the world's work in various lines of activity. All through his life he has been a most progressive man, hesitating not to take a forward step when his judgment has indicated that it would be a wise one. He has been the pioneer in many works of substantial improvement and progress here and has done much toward shaping the policy and molding the destiny of the county, especially along lines of its business development. He was born in Hopewell township, Licking county, December 16, 1828, his parents being Samuel Benton and Elizabeth (Sain) Hull, natives of Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland, respectively. The Hull family in America is descended from three brothers of the family who came to the United States while this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. They settled in New England and two of the brothers remained in that part of the country, while the third member made his way later to Virginia, and it is from him that this branch of the family descended. The city of Hull, England, was founded by the ancestors of our subject. In the year 1807 Elizabeth Sain, then a young lady, left Maryland with her father, mother and the other members of the family for the frontier country of Ohio. They had heard reports of a very rich district in this state-a location four miles cast of Thornville, in what is now Perry county. Already quite a settlement had been established there and block houses had been built to guard the settlers against Indian attack. When Mr. and Mrs. Sain left their Maryland home with their family, the latter rode one horse and her daughter, afterward Mrs. Hull, rode another, the two women carrying the smaller children on the horses with them. The father and the older sons walked the entire distance, crossing the Alleghany mountains, to their new home in Ohio. The journey of six hundred and fifty miles was made by following a blazed trail, for at that time there were no wagon roads through the virgin forests. In 1808 Samuel Benton Hull, also hearing of this rich country, turned his face westward and joined the Ohio settlement. Here he formed the acquaint- ance of Elizabeth Sain and in 1810 they were united in marriage, beginning their
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domestic life upon the frontier amid pioneer environments. They had no money with which to buy supplies and indeed there was little coin or currency in the entire district, everything being barter and exchange. A trading post at Zanesville furnished the supplies for the community and the merchants took in exchange cattle, hogs, wheat or whatever the purchaser had to offer. Prices for farm products were low, but all merchandise sold at a high rate, calico being worth fifty cents a yard, while wheat was quoted at but twenty-five cents per bushel. The first dress which Mr. Hull ever purchased for his young wife was secured at Zanesville at the rate of two bushels of wheat for one yard of calico. The first money of consequence which he received was obtained with the gathering and sale of ginseng, which then grew in abundance here. Later the settlers cultivated and raised tobacco, which was then dried in a kiln and transported by wagon to Baltimore, whence it was exported to Germany and there used in coloring fine silks. All live stock had to be driven across the country to Baltimore, Maryland, until the completion of the Ohio canal, when much of it was shipped by water, this being regarded as a quicker and safer means of transportation.
In the year 1814 Samuel B. Hull removed with his family to Licking county and continued to make it his home until within three years of his death, when he became a resident of Columbus, Ohio, where he passed away in 1880 at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1856 at the age of sixty years. In early life he was a democrat and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson and again voted for him at the time of his second election. Subsequently he became a stalwart whig and later a freesoiler, while on the organization of the republican party to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks and continued one of its advocates until his demise. He was a man of much intelligent ability and took an active and helpful part in promoting educational interests. He believed in employing competent teachers and maintaining good schools and labored earnestly for that purpose even in pioneer times. He was a man of much influence in his locality and his opinions carried weight among his fellow citizens. He always labored for progress and advancement and stood for improvement ahead of many men of his day.
Eli Hull was reared at home amid frontier surroundings, pursuing his education in a log schoolhouse, such as was typical of the time. He studied his lessons while seated on slab benches in a little room in which light was admitted through greased paper windows. There was an immense fireplace in one end of the room and the methods of instruction were quite primitive. There were no text-books, the younger scholars using a sheet of paper on which was printed the alphabet and this was pasted on a small paddle. Because of his own lack of education, the father desired that his children should have good opportunities in that direction and taught them reading, writing and the four rules of arithmetic, and all through his life Eli Hull has remained a student, learning in the school of experience and gaining many points of practical knowledge as the years have gone on. At fifteen years of age he was proficient enough to teach a country school and followed the profession for four months at fifteen dollars per month, boarding with his father. The following winter he went to Delaware, Ohio, where he attended the Ohio Wesleyan University for six months. He boarded himself, paid his tuition, bought his books, met all other expenses during that
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period out of sixty dollars that he had received for his four months' teaching. The following winter he received sixteen dollars per month for a four months' term of school and again he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he remained for another term. He continued teaching during the greater part of the time for eight years, but believing that there was more money to be made in other fields of business, he turned his attention to farming and also took up the manufacture of stoneware. In 1853 he removed to Newark and engaged in the real-estate business, with which he has been prominently identified for the past fifty-five years. He platted and laid out fifty-two acres on West Main street in 1890 and has handled much valuable property and negotiated many important realty transfers. In the meantime he had also extended his efforts to other fields of labor. In 1856 he developed the industry of extracting oil from cannel coal mined by him on his property on Flint ridge in this county. He was the first man in the world to extract oil from coal and was in a fair way to make a fortune when the great Pennsylvania oil fields were discovered. In 1887 he began mining bituminous coal at Shawnee in the Hocking district and he was the first man in the world to develop his mine, take out coal and haul it from the mines by the aid of electricity. He has recently erected one of the finest business blocks in Newark-a building containing six stores and erected entirely of reinforced con- crete. This is the first structure of the kind in Newark. All these things will show that Mr. Hull has ever been in the van of progress, being a leader in many movements wherein others have followed. His financial success is justly merited, for it has come to him as a reward of earnest, persistent labor and his utilization of opportunities that others have passed by heedlessly.
In 1849 Mr. Hull was united in marriage to Miss Jemima Neal, a daughter of Captain John and Mary Neal, of Perry county, Ohio. They have three children : Fannie M., the wife of Louis F. Carl, of Newark; Laura M., the wife of W. W. Wehrle, also of Newark; and Joshua M., at home.
In his political views Mr. Hull has long been a stalwart republican, and prior to the organization of the party, which he aided in founding, he was one of the original abolitionists, opposing the cause of slavery at a time when it was very unpopular, if not hazardous, to do so. Ile has long been a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life record well entitles him to the high regard and good will of all who have known him through a busy. active and useful life. covering more than eight decades.
BRUCE E. MONTGOMERY.
Bruce E. Montgomery, who is one of the best known stock men in Liberty town- ship, and descends from a pioneer family of Licking county, was born December 28. 1856. His grandparents, William and Margaret (Grimes) Montgomery, settled in this county during their younger days and were among others through whose efforts the crude soil was first broken and the region was converted into the fruitful fields which appear on all sides today. The grandfather was one of the pioneer stock dealers of the west, made the first shipment of horses from this portion of the west
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and besides was the owner of vast tracts of land in this state. Samuel and Mary (Seymour) Montgomery were the parents of the subject of this review, and the father for many years was well known as a stock dealer here, and was considered one of the finest cattle buyers in the western part of the country. He possessed over two hundred acres of land and during his day was a man of considerable promi- nence and influence.
Bruce Montgomery, who was one of a family of ten children, all of whom settled in this county and five of whom are still living, remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-four years of age, in the meantime acquiring his education in the district school. After he was united in marriage he settled on a portion of his father's home farm, where he now resides, being actively engaged in general farming and making a specialty of breeding registered Shropshire sheep, which he raises for breeding purposes, specimens of which he has sold in every township in the county and in almost every county in the state, having also shipped quite a number to various portions of adjoining states. In this line of business he is one of the most successful men in the county, his long experience making him an acknowledged authority on the various breeds of sheep.
On September 23, 1888, Mr. Montgomery was united in marriage to Miss Ada Saxton, a daughter of Charles and Anna (Robinson) Saxton. Her father's people came from England and her mother came from Staffordshire, England, with her parents in 1807, being at that time but two years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Mont- gomery was born one son, D. Ralph, who, on October 25, 1906, wedded Miss Esther Albery, a daughter of Seth Albery of Jersey township, the couple residing with his father.
Mr. Montgomery is a republican in politics and both he and his son take an active interest in party affairs and for many years he has served the township effi- ciently as a member of the school board. Mr. Montgomery is a member of Johns- town Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and his son belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are faithful to their religious obligations and are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the most intelligent and enterprising men of the vicinity and always lends his cooperation to any movement which will tend toward the public good, while his excellent qualities of character give him high standing as a citizen of the township.
REV. MICHAEL SCHLEIFFER.
Rev. Michael Schleifer, who for twenty-two years was the efficient pastor of the St. Johns German Evangelical church, of Newark, Ohio, from which he retired to private life in 1906, was born in Alsace, Germany, October 5, 1858, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Pfeifer) Schleiffer, who spent their lives in that province, where they departed this life. Rev. Schleiffer is the youngest of a family of seven children, six of whom remained in their native land.
In his native land Rev. Schleiffer received his preliminary education at the common schools and was then entered as a student in the theological seminary at Basel, Switzerland, where he completed a divinity course and, upon his graduation in the year 1881, came to the new world and located in Coshocton county, Ohio,
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where for a period of three years he ministered to the church of his denomination. Resigning the pastorate there in 1884, he came to this place to take charge of St. Johns German Evangelical church, to the congregation of which he ministered until the year 1906. when after a useful and successful pastorate of twenty-two years he resigned his charge and retired to private life.
In 1882 Rev. Schleiffer was united in marriage to Louise Guyaz, a native of Russia, where her parents for seven years lived with a Russian count and, when their daughter was about four years of age, removed to the German province. Rev. and Mrs. Schleiffer are the parents of: Martha, wife of A. Priest, of Mansfield. Ohio; Carl, of this township; Frieda, who wedded Rev. Beckmeyer, of Van Wert county, Ohio; and Paul, Louisa, Theophil, Lydia, Olga, Oscar and Ruth, all of whom are at home. Rev. Schleiffer's first child was born in Coshocton county and his other children are natives of this place.
Since his retirement Rev. Schleiffer purchased the Smart homestead. on Forry street, his residence being an elegant brick structure surrounded by beautiful grounds and located in the suburbs. During his career as a clergyman in the city he has always kept the higher traits and qualities of Christian character in evidence and has contributed largely not only to the moral and spiritual growth of the con- gregation to which he ministered but his influence has also made a lasting impres- sion upon the community. Although he has retired from the ministry vet he is always willing and ready to continue his Christian work and serves as a supply when needed in the pulpits of Newark, Columbus and other nearby places. His long years of activity as pastor of the Newark congregation tell better than words of the beneficial nature of his services and of the esteem in which he is held by the members of the church whose pulpit he has filled and also by the residents of the community.
WILLIAM FREDERICK WULFHOOP.
Licking county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied its public offices, for in the great majority of cases they have been citizens of busi- ness ability and of notable devotion to the general good. Classed with these is William Frederick Wulfhoop, now city auditor, clerk of the council and clerk of public safety in the city of Newark. His birth here occurred on the 22d of October, 1825, his parents being Henry and Mary (Oster) Wulfhoop. the former a native of Hanover, Germany, and the latter of Wurtemburg, Germany. The father was born June 21, 1829. and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1849, on his arri- val in this country, he located in New York city, where he was employed in various ways for seven years. In 1856 he came to Newark and some time later went into partnership with his brother-in-law. William Vogelmeier. in the brick manufactur- ing business. This plant was reorganized and converted into a modern plant, thor- oughly equipped with the latest modern machinery in 1905. It is today operated by three sons of Mr. Vogelmeier. Henry Wulfhoop withdrew from the business in 1823. and turned his attention to the grocery trade in the present location of the grocery store owned by William Vogelmeter. Jr. There be conducted a successful
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business until 1891, when he sold out and retired from active life, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well carned rest. He was a democrat in his political faith, and a Lutheran in his religious belief. He not only belonged to the church, but was also a charter member of the Druids, was a charter member of the German Benevolent Society, and a charter member of the German Insurance Society of Newark. One of the progressive German citizens, he made his influence felt in the early business history of the city, and in large measure contributed to its sub- stantial growth and improvement, so that when in January, 1904, he was called to his final rest, the county mourned the loss of one of its representative and valued residents. His wife, who was born in 1833, came to America in 1853 with her parents and their family. They did not tarry in the east but made their way at once to Newark by way of the old canal from Cleveland. Her father, Christopher Oster, was killed on the railroad crossing in this city in 1875. Mrs. Wulfhoop is still living, and makes her home at No. 43 Clinton street, where the family has resided since the father's retirement from active life.
No event of especial importance occurred to vary the routine of life for William Frederick Wulfhoop in his boyhood days. He attended the public schools and divided his time between the pleasures of the playground and various duties assigned him by his parents. After leaving high school at Newark he became a student in Professor Beeney's Business College, and in 1893 entered the county re- corder's office as deputy county recorder, in which position he capably served for six years. In 1900 he was elected constable of the city of Newark and the township, and in 1903 was reelected to the office. On the expiration of that term he engaged in the cigar business, but a year later sold out to Ott Vogelmeier. Again he was called to public office in 1907 when he was elected by the city council to the position of clerk, and was also selected for the clerkship in connection with the board of public safety. On March 27, 1909, after an illness of two weeks Frank T. Maurath, city auditor, died. The mayor, Herbert Atherton, appointed William F. Wulfhoop to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Maurath, and he is now actively engaged in the duties of that office. He is now acting in these capacities, is systematically and methodically discharging the duties of these offices, and at all times is prompt and reliable.
Mr. Wulfhoop is a member of the German Benevolent Society and likewise belongs to Minnewa Tribe, No. 52, I. O. R. M. He is also connected with Newark Lodge No. 391, B. P. O. E., Licking Aerie No. 387, F. O. E. He also belongs to St. John's Lutheran church, in which he is serving as trustee. The community rec- ognize in him one of the leading and progressive men of Newark, well deserving of mention in this volume.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS.
Samuel Williams, who for many years has been reaping bountiful harvests from his farm in Newton township, this county, was born in Newton township October 22, 1847, a son of Ewen and Nancy ( Prigg) Williams. His father, a native of Wales, came to the new world with his parents when he was seven years old, locating in this county where he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and stock-
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raising. In his family were six children, namely: Mary, who became the wife of John Ashelman, who resides in Newark; Samuel ; James, who lives in this county ; John A., of Newark, Ohio; Hiram and Albert, both deceased. Their father de- parted this life in the year 1886, having survived his wife by three years.
On the home farm Samuel Williams was reared, engaging in agricultural pur- suits during the summer and in the winter attending the district schools where he acquired his education. Remaining under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, he then hired out as a farm hand for two years, one of which he spent in Crawford county, Illinois. After his marriage he rented a farm for ten years, during which time he met with splendid success and from year to year his harvests were such as to enable him to lay by sufficient means with which to purchase one hundred and fifty acres, the tract of land he now cultivates, in Newton township. In addition to raising large quantities of hay and grain he engages to some extent in stock-raising and keeps on hand a number of head of the finest breeds of cattle, sheep and hogs.
Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hendricks, a native of West Virginia, and one of a family of eight children. To this union have been born four children, namely : Rose, wife of Clyde Montgomery, of this county ; Nannie, deceased ; Harry, who resides in Licking county ; and Oran, who is deceased. Mrs. Williams departed this life August 12, 1888, leaving her husband and two children to mourn her loss and to perpetuate the blessed remembrance of her usefulness and motherly kindness.
In politics Mr. Williams is a democrat and while he does not take an active interest in public affairs yet he keeps abreast of the times as to the paramount issues before the country and is always ready with his vote and influence at the polls to endeavor to secure the election of the candidates of his party. He has served the township in a number of useful offices, including that of school director, in which capacity he has officiated for two terms. Although Mr. Williams is not affiliated with any particular church body he is always ready to assist in the promotion of religious movements and is charitable toward all church organizations. He is a man of high moral character, having the entire respect and confidence of his neighbors.
ADDIS L. WILLISON.
Farm life offers advantages for a useful and successful career peculiar to itself and naturally preserves and cultivates a state of contentment, which is for the most part not in the possession of those who are born and reared amid the bustle and activ- ity of urban existence. While the lad, who has spent his boyhood days at the plow and in performing the general duties incumbent upon one engaged in agriculture may not be familiar with the general run of city life yet for this he is all the better off since his mind is kept free from the manifold temptations and evils common to crowded centers and is on the other hand given to a thoughtfulness which usually concentrates itself upon the high and noble in human character and develops a manhood which to one's self is ultimately far more satisfactory than city life, with
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its sham and allurements, can offer. There is scarcely any doubt of the fact that rural life is in every sense the most elevating and as well independent and indeed after all he, who has been reared amidst its freedom and has spent his life in tilling the soil and turning it into wealth, is to be envied for the peace and happiness with which he is continually surrounded and as well for the industry and perseverance which must needs be manifest in his daily tasks. Agriculture has always been the pursuit of Addis L. Willison of Liberty township, whose birth occurred on August 14, 1851, in Hartford township. In general farming and stock-raising he has met with splendid success and is recognized as one of the most substantial and pros- perous men in the community.
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