Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 55

Author: E. M. P. Brister
Publication date: 1909
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 913

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Joseph Bentley Sutton was born in 1814 and died September 8, 1892, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Davis. On April 11, 1836, he married Sarah Ann Arthur, who was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, and emigrated with her parents to Ohio, settling on the old National road near Amsterdam in this county. She was one of six daughters, a profoundly religious woman of Presby- terian belief and always one most zealous for the welfare of her family and home. Joseph Bentley Sutton was a man of indomitable courage, a leader in all things pertaining to the development and advancement of the community in which he lived. He never held office aside from that pertaining to the school and town- ship, but his judgment and fearless execution of the plans he believed to be just and for the best of all concerned made him a most prominent and useful man. He was much interested in the preservation of peace and order in the community during the troublous times of the "early days" and was held in terror by all evil doers. IIe did much to promote and assisted materially in the construction of the old plank road extending south from Newark, Ohio, to Jacksontown. In 1841 he was commissioned by Thomas Corwin, then governor of Ohio, captain of the Seventh Company, First Regiment of Cavalry, Second Brigade, Fourth Division in the Ohio Militia. To Joseph Bentley Sutton and Sarah Ann (Arthur) Sutton were born seven children, namely; Phoebe Ellen, Susan Amanda, and Benja-

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min, all dead; Keziah Hellen, now Mrs. Joseph Davis; Alva Arthur, a contractor of Medway, Ohio; Thomas Franklin, a farmer and stock-raiser of this county; and Edward Augustus, engaged in the produce and exchange business in Colum- bus, Ohio.

Mrs. Joseph Davis was born in the old Sutton homestead a few miles south of Newark, Ohio, now the property of Mr. Charles Bader and sisters. She was the oldest of seven children and much of her early life was spent in the assistant care of the home and younger members of the family. She attended the township school at the Lloyd schoolhouse and later the city high school in Newark, Ohio. In 1858 she was married to Mr. Joseph Davis and they began their early house- keeping on a portion of the tract of land now included in their splendid farm of five hundred acres. The family consists of three sons, all grown to manhood. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Primitive Baptist church, a most worthy and highly respected woman, sympathetic, kind and generous,-that type of womanhood por- trayed in the ideal wife and mother.

EZEKIEL W. ALBERY.

Ezekiel W. Albery, a veteran of the Civil war, who is well known as an agri- culturist in Lima township, was born in Jefferson township, Franklin county, a half mile west of his present home, February 28, 1832. ITis grandfather, John Albery, was born in this country of English lineage and at the age of sixteen years, as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, participated in the siege against Cornwallis. The parents of E. W. Albery were Peter and Esther (Brown) Albery, the father a native of Allegany county, Maryland, where his birth occurred in October, 1796, and the mother of Columbiana, Pennsylvania, where she was born September 2, 1798. They were united in marriage near Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, and about 1827 went to Jefferson township, Franklin county, this state, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father passing away in his eighty-first year and the mother at the age of eighty-seven. He had one hundred acres of land which he cleared and brought under a high state of cultivation, spending his life in the pursuit of agriculture. In their family were ten children, namely : Mary, who wedded Jesse Baughman: Annie, wife of William Lotta; Esther, who became the wife of Aaron E. Woodruff: John, who died in his tenth year; Herman B., who resides in Columbus, Ohio: Henry M., of Jefferson town- ship; Ezekiel ; Thomas W., deceased; B. M., of New Albany, Franklin county; and Jerusha, wife of Matthew Cherry.

Ezekiel W. Albery spent his boyhood days on his father's farm where he assisted in the general routine of agricultural life, at the same time acquiring his education in the district schools. Remaining on the home place until the year 1860, he then went to Miami county, Indiana, working there on a farm by the month until May 4, 1864, when he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the one hundred days' service, under Captain Joseph R. Silvers. He was discharged September 2, 1864, and subse- quently enlisted again in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Vol-

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unteer Infantry, being honorably discharged in September, 1865. During his military career and under his first enlistment he marched three times across the state of Kentucky and while serving under his second enlistment he was for the greater part of the time on guard duty near Nashville, Tennessee. After the war he returned to Indiana, where he remained for two years and then came to Lick- ing county, where he worked on a farm by the month until he was married. At that period of his life he purchased his present farm which contains thirty-three acres and is located on the Columbus and Granville road, two miles west of Jersey. For a few years he engaged in the sawmill business but subsequently gave up the enterprise and has since been devoting his attention to general farming.

In 1870 Mr. Albery was united in marriage to Juliana Foster, who was born in England, November 23, 1838. When she was two years of age her parents, George and Mary (Thomas) Foster, started for America, but Mrs. Foster passed away on board ship while enroute. The family settled near Johnstown and Mr. Foster carried on farming in this county until his death. By his first wife he had two daughters: Mrs. Sarah Gosnel, of Concord, this county; and Juliana. He married again and to that union ten children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Albery have two daughters. Carrie Elvie is the wife of George Hewitt, of Jersey township, and they have eight children, namely: Samuel C., Charles, Mary, John, Jennie, Robert, Ethel and Albert Edwin. Mary Josephine is the wife of Adelbert Mentzer, who resided in St. Albans township, and their children are Eva May, Bertha T., Roe A. and Herman A.

Mr. Albery has always been devoted to the republican party and through his long years of observation and experience as to the merits of the various political parties he sees in the principles of the republican platform those policies which to his mind are adequate to develop the country's natural resources and conse- quently has used both his vote and influence toward the election of its candidates. He has always taken an interest in local affairs and has served as school director and also as township road supervisor. He belongs to the Methodist church and measures up to the full standard of manhood in all requirements.

ABEL JOB WILSON.

Abel Job Wilson is prominent in the financial circles of Washington town- ship, as president of the First National Bank of Utica. This is one of the sub- stantial financial institutions of Licking county and in fact of the state, its deposits averaging nearly five hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Wilson was born on a farm in Washington township, Licking county, April 21, 1840, and descends from a family, the members of which have exerted a telling influence on the busi- ness interests of the county. In the year 1805 his grandfather, David Wilson, removed from Virginia to this state, intending to make it his permanent home, and he entered one thousand acres of land near Newark and about two hundred acres in Washington township. On his way back to Virginia to get his family he contracted an illness which caused his death, but later the family came to this state and settled on the land he had purchased.

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A. J. WILSON

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Among his children was Abel Wilson, father of the subject of this review, who was born in Hardy county, Virginia, and was a child at the time the family settled in this county. Here he participated as a pioneer in clearing away the forests and putting the soil into condition for cultivation. Upon attaining man- hood he located upon land formerly belonging to his father, built a log cabin: and engaged in farming and stock-raising. Being a man of indomitable will and energy, success followed him and he became owner of a tract of valuable and highly cultivated land of four hundred acres, and in addition to raising general crops he was one of the largest wool growers in the county. Before the Civil war he cooperated with the underground railroad which was used to assist negroes in making their escape from slavery into liberty. IIe was a strong Union man and when the republican party was organized he became one of its stanch sup- porters and served in a number of county offices on the republican ticket.

Abel Wilson, Sr., was united in marriage to Mary, daughter of Daniel Forrey, one of this county's earliest settlers. She was born in Pennsylvania, in 1799, and departed this life in 1893, when ninety-four years old, having survived her husband by twenty-three years. They reared the following children : Jerusha, who was united in marriage to P. W. Sperry, formerly connected with Wilson's Bank; Nancy, who became the wife of Frank Knowlton, of Marion, Iowa; Eliza, who wedded Benjamin Bowman, also of that place; Jesse, who resides in Utica; Mary, widow of W. P. Dale, who departed this life in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in July, 1893; and Abel Job.

Upon the home farm Abel Job Wilson was reared and there assisted in the general duties of agricultural life, at the same time acquiring his education in the district schools. Upon attaining his majority, he removed to Utica, where hie engaged in farming and in speculating in various lines until he finally became interested in the banking business. Later he became associated with P. W. Sperry and Jesse Wilson and organized what was known as Wilson's Bank in Utica in 1871, the three continuing in partnership until 1887 when Jesse Wilson dis- solved his relations with the institution and two years later P. W. Sperry with- drew, leaving Abel Job Wilson as sole proprietor. Between the years 1871 and 1890 this was the only banking house in the city and having always conducted a safe and successful business it enjoys the confidence of the people to an extent which gives the institution the reputation of being one of the most substantial in the state. It is now known as the First National Bank of Utica.

In September, 1879, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Mary E., daughter of John and Elizabeth Clark, of Utica, and to this union have been born: Mary Elizabeth, Genevieve and Wilbur. In politics he is a republican and while he has not been solicitous to hold public office his services have been sought by his fellow citizens, with whose requests he has complied and rendered the city useful services. In the year 1894 he completed his second term as mayor of the city, his adminis- tration in that office having been marked by sagacity and executive ability. From time to time he has been offered a number of political preferments but the pres- sure of his business affairs demanding his almost undivided attention he has not been able to find time to devote to outside matters. However, he is in favor of any movement which in any way may tend toward the welfare of the community and he may always be relied upon to support measures calculated to be of benefit to

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the people. Utica owes much of its present development to his efforts as many noted reforms have been introduced by him and he has been an influential factor in promoting its material resources. Mr. Wilson is an extensive real-estate owner in the city, possessing four of the largest business blocks, together with other town property, and also several of the largest farms in the county, one of which con- tains five hundred acres. He is thus interested in general agriculture and stock- raising. Moreover he owns one of the finest residences in the county and upon the whole he is one of the largest contributors toward the general welfare of the city. Mr. Wilson's character is beyond reproach and his business life having been one of straightforwardness and honesty, he stands high in the respect of all who know him, and as a substantial banker and business man he has an excellent reputation throughout the state.

WILLIAM J. THARP.

The soil of Licking county has furnished many a man his fortune and among those who for a number of years have been reaping the benefits of bountiful har- vests is William J. Tharp, whose birth occurred May 17, 1856, on his present farm in Lima township, where he has always resided. His ancestors have for several gen- erations been identified with the agricultural interests of this region. His paternal grandparents, Isaac and Madlen (Swisher) Tharp, were natives of Hampshire county, West Virginia. Having come here at an early date Isaac Tharp entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, the entire tract at that time being thickly covered with timber, and after clearing off a portion and erecting a log cabin, he returned to his native state, where he was united in marriage. With his bride he came back to this place and they were the third family who settled in the district. The remain- der of their lives they spent on this farm, which is now in possession of a nephew, I. R. Tharp. In their family were eight children : John, Philip, Joseph, Elizabeth, who became the wife of G. W. Beem ; Katherine, who wedded James Banner ; Annie, deceased ; and two who died in infancy.

On January 2, 1848, Philip Tharp, who was born in Lima township, was united in marriage to Mary Swigert, a native of Reading, Pennsylvania, who, when eighteen years of age, came to this state with her parents, Samuel and Susan (Schaffer) Swigert, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state and who passed away here. Mr. Tharp departed this life July 19, 1906, at the age of seventy-nine years, three months and ten days, having survived his wife by but a few months, she having passed away January 19, 1905, at the age of seventy-nine years, eight months and three days. In their family were two children : George W., a resident of Houston, Texas, and William J.

On the farm on which he now resides William J. Tharp has thus far spent his life and here under the supervision of his father he became familiar with the various departments of farm work and during his boyhood days acquired his education in the district schools. His farm, which in every respect equals that of any in this region, contains one hundred and seventy-one acres, ninety-three acres of the tract belonging to the original farm cultivated by his father. The place is provided with all modern improvements, its fencing being substantial and in excellent condition,

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while the buildings are in good repair. Hay and the various grains are produced in large quantities by Mr. Tharp but stock-raising is his specialty and he makes a feature of breeding thoroughbred Berkshire hogs and, having been in this business for the past thirty years, he has established the reputation of a recognized authority. He deals only in registered stock and keeps on hand on an average of one hundred head of cattle and sheep.

On March 15, 1879, Mr. Tharp wedded Abbie J. Headley, a native of this township, where she was born January 29, 1856, and the daughter of Lemuel and Mary (Clouse) Headley. Her mother was born in New Albany, Franklin county, February 6, 1828, and is now residing in Jersey township, while her father, who is deceased, was born in the latter township, April 10, 1827. They reared five chil- dren, namely : Alice, who became the wife of J. S. Carrico, of Alexandria, this county ; Abbie J., Lena, and Cyrus C., who reside in Jersey township; and Lewis, who lost his life in an accident, December 25, 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. Tharp have been born two children: Barton P., who married Myrtle Davenport, and resides with his parents; and Ora L., who also lives at home.

Mr. Tharp is a democrat in politics and is loyal to that party in national and state elections and although he has never desired to officiate in public office he is sufficiently interested in the issues of the day to keep well informed and also to use his vote and influence during campaigns to aid the candidates of his party to secure the offices they seek. Being industrious and aggressive and at the same time a man of upright character Mr. Tharp has not only won prosperity but has also promoted the welfare of the community.

SIDNEY B. LEVINGSTON.

Sidney B. Levingston is an efficient and highly respected member of the board of public service of Newark. He has contributed much toward the better- ment of the community in which he resides both as a business man and public servant. He was born in Eden township, Ohio, October 5, 1854. His father, Bradley B. Levingston, was also a native of Licking county. For many years he was the proprietor of a tavern and store in the same county. He was highly esteemed and very popular throughout the community and for many years served as township supervisor. He was born in 1821 and passed away in 1897. The mother of the subject, Ellen (Copper) Levingston, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, coming to Licking county, Ohio, when a young woman. She departed this life December 23, 1901, having attained the ripe age of eighty-two years.

Sidney B. Levingston, when he had attained the required age, was enrolled as a pupil in the common schools of his birthplace. Leaving school before having completed his course of study he was employed for a while in the vicinity of his birthplace, and then removed to Mary Ann township where among other positions he served as constable. Later he removed to Newark, Ohio, where in 1888 he engaged in the livery business and continued in that until 1903. At that time he disposed of his business interests and was elected a member of the board of

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public service. Having served in this capacity for two years and eight months he again engaged in the livery business in which he remained until March, 1907. Being a second time elected a member of the board of public service he gave up the livery business and is now devoting his entire time to the duties of his official position.

In March, 1890, Mr. Levingston was united in marriage with Melissa Cochran, who passed away November, 18, 1906. Beside being a member of the German Benevolent Society Mr. Levingston is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Red Men, the Eagles and Modern Woodmen.

SAMUEL J. PETERS.

Samuel J. Peters, a prosperous farmer of Lima township, this county, who in connection with the tilling of the soil operates a small dairy, is a native son of Licking county, his birth having occurred in Lima township, December 22, 1845. He represents a family whose members have been identified with the agricultural interests of this state for many years. His paternal grandparents, Samuel and Caroline Pennelia (Peters) Peters, natives of Virginia, settled at an early date in Franklin county, where he departed this life when seventy years of age, his wife having lived to the age of eighty-six. They had eight children, namely: John; Samuel; Rev. Tunis, an old-school Baptist clergyman; Simeon ; Harvey; Rev. Jonathan, who was also a Baptist clergyman; Joseph, who died in infancy; and Pennelia. The maternal grandparents of Samuel J. Peters were Theodrie and Martha (Burdick) Warthen, natives of Virginia, who settled in Harrison township, this county, at an early date, and in whose family were seven children.

The parents of Samuel J. Peters were Simeon and Susan (Warthen ) Peters. The father spent the greater part of his life on a farm in this township where he successfully followed farming and stock raising, and at his death, which occurred in 1887, when he was in his seventieth year, left considerable property. Among his children were: George W .. who resides here; Samuel J .; Albion, an agricul- turist of Jersey township; and Caroline, the deceased wife of Silas Longstreth.

Samuel J. Peters spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, his time being divided between the work of the fields and the acquirement of an education in the public schools. He was trained to habits of industry, carly becoming familiar with the task of plowing, planting and harvesting and with all the work incident to the cultivation and care of the crops. He remained with his parents until after he was married, at which period of his life he took up farming independently on one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which he has highly improved and which in every respect is an ideal farm. In his dairy business he has been espe- cially successful and while he keeps on hand only ten head of cattle for that pur- pose they are of the very best breeds and his dairy products, being of the highest quality, have won him a remunerative patronage. Aside from this business he raises hay, wheat and oats, and having given considerable study to the nature of soils he has been successful in producing harvests on his small farm which from year to year have far exceeded those produced on farms containing a greater num-

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ber of acres. Prosperity has attended him throughout his career and he is not only the owner of this excellent farm, but of considerable valuable property in Pataskala, where he possesses eight desirable building lots.

On August 30, 1866, Mr. Peters wedded Rosilla Moreland, who was born February 16, 1848, and has always resided on the farm which is now her home with the exception of two years, which were spent in the same neighborhood. She was a daughter of Nimrod and Sarah ( Moon) Moreland, the former a native of Virginia and his wife of Fairfield county. Mr. Moreland came here with his parents when he was ten years of age and resided here until his death, which occurred in 1888, when he was eighty years of age, having survived his wife by eight years, her death having occurred in 1881, when she was in her sixty-ninth year. In their family were nine children, three of whom departed this life in infancy, the others being: Mary Headley, of Indiana: Sarah Ann, deceased; Han- nah Bessie, deceased; Martha; Rosetta; and William, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Peters have been born four children. Cora, the eldest, is the wife of Arthur Sprinkel, of Montgomery, Alabama, and they have two children, Marie and Ruth. Walter, who owns and operates one hundred acres in this township, was united in marriage to Miss Laura Wolcott and they have three children, Burdell, Marvin and Ruby. Minnie is the wife of John W. Keyser and with their four children, Dale, Samuel, Mata, and Wilmer, they reside on a farm in Lima township. Addie is the wife of Tilden Mazelin, an agriculturist of Etna township.

Mr. Peters' political affiliations have always been with the democratic party and although he has never aspired to hold public office he is a stanch advocate of the principles of his party and is a leading factor during campaigns in endeavoring to secure the election of its candidates. He is favorably known throughout the township, and his life has been such as to merit the respect and confidence of all with whom he associates.

HENRY B. KOONTZ.

Henry B. Koontz, a retired farmer residing in Newton township, was born in Washington county, Maryland, February 18, 1827, his parents being John and Susan (Bowman) Koontz, who were also natives of Maryland. In 1833 they made the journey westward and took up their abode in Licking county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father purchased land and carried on agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest in 1846, the county mourning the loss of one of its worthy and respected pioneer settlers. Unto him and his wife had been born ten children, namely: Maria, deceased; Henry B., of this review ; Solomon, John, Catherine and Elizabeth, all of whom have passed away ; Sarah, who is the widow of Beach Harris and makes her home in St. Louisville; Ellen, the wife of Calvin Harris, of St. Louisville; Eliza, deceased, and one who died in infancy.

Henry B. Koontz acquired a common-school education and when nineteen years of age started out in life on his own account by renting a farm, in the opera- tion of which he was engaged for two years. He then purchased a farm of one

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hundred and three acres. He added to this and now has one hundred and sixty acres in Newton township, on which he has since resided and, as the years have passed, has met with a gratifying and well-merited measure of prosperity in the careful conduct of his agricultural interests. He is now, however, living retired. having attained the venerable age of eighty-two years, and is widely and favorably known throughout the county in which he has spent practically his entire life.

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Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 55

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