USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 58
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
ORLANDO B. YOUNG.
Orlando B. Young, one of the substantial, well known and enterprising citi- zens of Newark township, is the owner of a valuable tract of land of seventy-eight acres, known as the Spruce Lawn farm, and is successfully engaged in the conduct of an extensive dairy. His birth occurred on the 9th of April, 1855, about a mile and a half from his present place of residence. His paternal grandfather, William C. Young, who was a native of Kentucky, lost his mother when three years of age and was then reared by his grandfather, the father having married a second time and taken up his residence in Virginia. About the year 1812 William C. Young came to Licking county, Ohio, settled on a farm in sight of the then village of Newark, and here spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the age of forty- five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Coffman, was born in Virginia and in 1811, prior to the arrival of her future husband, came to this county on horseback. The following year she returned to her native state, was married and then accompanied her husband on his removal to this county. On account of the early demise of her husband and the necessity of providing for her children,
Digitized by Google
630
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
she was employed at tailoring, thus meeting the expenses of the household. Her death occurred in Licking township, in her eighty-fourth year. The record of her children is as follows: Arbelia Brubaker, Rebecca Fulton, Sarah Narcissus Kinney, Eleanor Kinney, Jane Moody, David B. and William and Willis, twins. All lived to maturity and reared families of their own. David and Angeline (Coffman) Young. the parents of Orlando B. Young, were both natives of Newark township and spent their entire lives on a farm here. Their family numbered four children, namely : Mary, who died in infancy; Olive Moore, who died, leaving one daughter, Fannie; Orlando B., of this review ; and William Joseph, a resident of MePherson, Kansas.
Orlando B. Young was still in his first year when brought by his parents to McKean township and subsequently was taken to Madison township, where he re- sided between the ages of four and sixteen years. At that time he lost his parents, both his father and mother and likewise a sister dying of typhoid fever within four weeks. Subsequently he spent two years in Newark, on the expiration of which period he came to Newark township, here remaining until twenty-four years of age. HIe then resided for a year in Kirkersville and during the succeeding four years lived in Fairfield county. In 1883 he was married and took up his abode on his present farm, which was the property of his father-in-law. The place, which com- prises seventy-eight acres and is known as the Spruce Lawn farm, is situated two and three-fourths miles southwest of the courthouse on the Cherry Valley road. Here Mr. Young conducts an extensive dairy, owning about forty head of cows and is meeting with excellent success in his undertakings. The farm buildings are all commodious and substantial and Mr. Young resides in a brick dwelling which was erected by his father-in-law in 1866.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Young chose Miss Mattie Fulton, the only daughter of Robert and Jane ( Keeran) Fulton, who were natives of Virginia and came to Newark in 1826. The paternal grandparents were Robert and Jane (Lilley) Fulton, the former being a native of Ireland and the latter of Irish parentage. They settled in Newark township, on what is now Gran- ville street, and spent the remainder of their lives in this vicinity. The grand- father bought a portion of the old homestead in 1838 and following his demise his son Robert, the father of Mrs. Young, purchased the interest of the other heirs in the property and made his home thereon until called to his final rest. Robert Ful- ton, Sr., lived to a venerable age and reared a family of three sons and three daugh- ters. Robert Fulton, Jr., had also attained an advanced age, being in his eighty- seventh year when he passed away, and in his family were two sons and a daughter, namely : John W., a resident of Granville township; William L., of Kansas; and Mrs. Young. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Young have been born the following children : Laurel, the wife of Clyde Doughty, the couple residing on a portion of her father's farm : Helen, the wife of R. A. Belt, of Granville township; Hazel and Ada, who are at home; and Robert and Dorothy, deceased.
In his political views Mr. Young is a stalwart democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Fifth Street Baptist church, of Newark, with which he has been affiliated since 1866, taking an active and helpful interest in mission work. He likewise belongs to Cedar Camp, No. 4227, M. W. A., of New- ark, having been its standard bearer for the past six years, and is also identified with Newark Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, being an active worker in the last
Digitized by Google
631
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
named organization. He is one of the charter members of the Licking County Patrons Mutual Fire Insurance Association, which was organized in 1902, at which time he was elected its secretary and is still serving in that position. He is widely recognized as a representative citizen and worthy native son of the county and has fully sustained the honorable record and untarnished name of his grandfather and father, whose labors were a substantial factor in the agricultural development of this portion of the state.
:
RAY MeWILLIAMS.
Ray MeWilliams, who owns and operates a well improved farm of eighty acres situated in Newton township, was born in Knox county, Ohio, August 18, 1859, and is a representative of an old and prominent pioneer family of that sec- tion of the state. The MeWilliams family was founded in Ohio by William Mc- Williams, who was a native of Ireland, but came to the Buckeye state from Vir- ginia in 1818. He had a family of five sons and one daughter and in Knox county entered a quarter section of land for each of them. Three of the sons spent almost their entire lives on the land which had thus been entered from the government. William McWilliams laid out in town lots the ground north of Utica street, in what was known as Williamsburg, but was later called Martinsburg. His son, John McWilliams, the grandfather of our subject, was a little lad of five or six years at the time the family removed from Virginia, his native state, to Knox county, Ohio. He there grew to years of maturity and was married to Lydia Fer- guson, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Her death occurred in 18:6, while John McWilliams, surviving a few years, died in 1882. Their family included George S. MeWilliams, the father of our subject. He was born in Knox county and wedded Miss Martha E. Rice, who was likewise a native of that county. Numbered in the family were four children, namely : James A .. a resident of Newark : Ray. of this review ; Anna, also living in Newark : and Carrie, de- ceased. The father died in 1895 but the mother still survives and makes her home in Newark.
Ray MeWilliams, the immediate subject of this article, was reared on a farm and pursued his education in the common schools. He remained under the roof- tree of his parents until he attained his majority, during which time he gave his father the benefit of his services and at that period in his life established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Catherine Bricker, who was born in Licking county in 1858, a daughter of HEfram and Malissa Bricker, mentioned in connec- tion with the sketch of David Bricker on another page of this work.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. MeWilliams began domestic life upon a rented farm, operated by him for two years. Subsequently, he purchased one hundred and six acres in Washington township, on which he made his home for twenty-three years. He then disposed of that property and invested his money in eighty acres, situated in Newton township, where he now makes his home. The place i- improved with good buildings and in addition to general farming Mr. Mc Williams raises stock. making more of a specialty of the latter branch of busi- ness, in which he is meeting with success.
Digitized by Google
632
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams has been blessed with six children : Otta B., the wife of Harry Tippet, of Homer, by whom she has one son, Stanley Ray; Orra, at home; Nellie, the wife of Arthur Oldacher, a resident of Knox county, this state, by whom she has four children, Juanita, Bernice, Jack and Louis K .; Elsa, Reed, and Clarence H., all still under the parental roof.
Mr. McWilliams has always given stalwart support to the men and measures of democracy and at the present writing is serving as trustee of the township, while for two terms he has served on the school board. He is a member of Utica Lodge, No. 777, I. O. O. F. Both he and his wife are members of the Disciples church. Having overcome the obstacles and difficulties in his path in earlier life, Mr. McWilliams is now achieving a prosperity of which he has every reason to be proud and both he and his estimable wife are held in high regard by their many friends.
ISAAC GRUBB.
Isaac Grubb, who is a farmer and breeder of fine stock in Bennington town- ship, this county, was born in Pike township, Knox county, Ohio, June 7, 1851, a son of Daniel H. and Elizabeth (Brumbaugh) Grubb. The father was a tanner by trade but in his latter years he devoted his attention to agriculture, being well known throughout the county as an industrious and enterprising farmer. He departed this life in the spring of 1885, surviving his wife by thirteen years, and his excellent qualities of character together with his exemplary life will long preserve his memory in the hearts of those among whom he lived.
When a boy Isaac Grubb attended the district school of his native township, in the meantime engaging in the various duties of the farm, and when he had completed his studies there he was given the advantage of a course in Perryville Academy and also of one year's training in the university at Ashland, Ohio. Immediately upon leaving school he adopted teaching as a profession which he successfully followed for seven years in Knox county, during which time he won an enviable reputation as a progressive educator. After he was united in mar- riage he left the school room and for a period of two years engaged in agricultural pursuits in his native township, at the expiration of which time, in 1884, he went into the general merchandising business in North Liberty, Knox county. He continued in that enterprise for fourteen years, during which time he had acquired an extensive patronage and in connection with his other business carried on under- taking to some extent. He was also postmaster during this entire period. In 1898 he exchanged his business for a farm in Bennington township, where he has since resided. He owns two hundred and twenty-five acres of highly improved land, provided with a comfortable dwelling, commodious barns, outbuildings and all necessary conveniences of a modern and model farm, and in addition has added to the worth of his place by an excellent system of drainage. He is one of the most progressive agriculturists in the township, always alert for new and better methods and, having made a study of soils and crop rotation, he has been so successful in planting his fields as to derive the maximum yield per acre. He
Digitized by Google
MR. AND MRS. ISAAC GRUBB
Digitized by
Digitized by Google
635
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
is largely interested in stock-raising, making a specialty of registered Delaine sheep, which he uses for breeding purposes, and he engages in shipping stock to different parts of this state and also to Pennsylvania and Virginia. In addition to sheep-raising he also takes an interest in breeding draft horses, cattle and hogs. Everything on his farm is of the best and it presents the appearance of thrift and enterprise.
On March 21, 1882, he wedded Miss Alice Bechtel, daughter of David S. and Salome (Kagarice) Bechtel, whose parents descend from prominent families of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. Her father, a farmer of Blair county, Pennsyl- vania, died November 17, 1908, while her mother departed this life March 5, 1875. To Mr. and Mrs. Grubb have been born six children, namely : Homer D., a practicing dentist in Bellaire, Ohio; Orva C., who assists his father on the farm; David B., a student at the Ohio University in Athens: Adin A .; Paul E .; and Lulu F., at home.
In politics Mr. Grubb is a democrat while his five sons are divided on the question, one being a republican, three following in the footsteps of their father and one being a stanch adherent of the prohibition party. He has served the township for a number of years as an efficient member of the school board. Both he and his wife are strong supporters of the public school system, ready to pro- mote any movement which will enhance the educational advantages of the com- munity and spread general knowledge. Both are fond of literature and in addi- tion to being supplied with standard works they have all the current literature and patronize the various magazine publications. Mr. Grubb and the members of his family hold membership in the Brethren church of which he is a liberal supporter. Any one entering the Grubb home would readily observe that it is the dwelling-place of highly cultured and refined people, proof of which is every- where in evidence.
JAMES R. FITZGIBBON.
James R. Fitzgibbon. numbered among the forceful and capable members of the Licking county bar, is now serving as prosecuting attorney and that he is making excellent record in office is indicated in the fact of his reelection in 1905. A native of Newark, he was born December 25, 1820, his parents being William P. and Rose (McKernan) Fitzgibbon, the former a native of County Clair and the mother, of County Antrim, Ireland. About 1852 they came to America, settling in Licking county, Ohic. The father followed various business pursuits for a number of years, remaining a resident of this city until his death. His wife still survives.
James R. Fitzgibbon was reared in the city of Newark and pursued his educa- tion in the parochial and public schools, while later he entered Notre Dame Uni- versity and on the completion of the literary course was graduated in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Letters. In preparation for a professional career, for he had decided upon the practice of law as his life work, he entered the law school of the Ohio State University at Columbus, and was graduated in June. 1894.
Digitized by Google
636
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
Immediately afterward he was admitted to the bar and began practice in Newark where he since continued. Earnest effort, close application and the exercise of his native talents have won him prestige as a lawyer and his practice is extensive and of an important character. His preparation of cases is characterized by wide re- search and provident care. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitation of the question at issue. He has gone beyond and compassed every con- tingeney, providing not alone for the expected but also for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. His professional ability was recognized in his nomination and election to the office of prosecuting attorney of Licking county in 1902, and public endorsement of his course was further given him in his reelection in 1905.
On the 26th of June, 1901, Mr. Fitzgibbon was married to Miss Florence E. Fulton of Newark and they had two children, William F. and James R. Mr. Fitzgibbon is a stalwart democrat in politics, always taking an intense interest in the work of his party and doing his share toward promoting its success. He has made many campaign addresses and is strong in argument and logical in his appeals to the intelligence of those who exercise the right of franchise.
WILLIAM SHERMAN NEEDHAM.
William Sherman Needham, editor of the Pataskala Standard, a newspaper well known throughout the state, is a native of Lancaster, Fairfield county, where his birth occurred March 25, 1865, and is a son of Esra M. and Lydia B. (Wright ) Needham. ITis father, a native of Vermont, followed merchant tailoring until his death in 1895, when he was seventy-three years of age. His mother, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, and now living with her son William, is a daughter of Edwin Wright, who was well known in newspaper circles in that place, where he was connected with the Gazette and the Eagle. To Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Needham were born seven children, namely: Ella, the wife of W. B. Hahen, of Newark, Ohio; Frank A., a merchant tailor of Utica, Ohio; Harry W., who resides in Columbus, Ohio, and is a conductor on the street railway; Charles F., a proof reader on the Ohio State Journal; William Sherman; and two deceased.
William Sherman Needham resided in his birthplace until he was six years of age, his parents then locating in New Lexington, Ohio, where he attended school until 1873, during which year he removed to Millersport, Ohio, and then to Etna, Ohio, and in 1879 with his parents came to Pataskala, where he completed his education. He afterward learned the tailoring trade with Mead & Youmans and to perfect himself in this line of business, in 1886 went to Columbus, where he spent some time learning the art of cutting. Subsequently he went to New York city, where in 1890 he was graduated from Mitchell's Cutting School and then. returning to this state, he located in Utica, this county, and opened up a tailor shop in partnership with his brother, Harry W., the firm being known as Needham Brothers. After conducting the enterprise for three years he disposed of his in- terests to another brother and in 1903 returned to Pataskala and bought the Patas- kala Standard. a well known and influential newspaper in this part of the state. It had always been his desire to engage in the newspaper business and when a boy
Digitized by Google
637
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
of sixteen years he contributed a number of articles to a Columbus daily paper, this kind of work becoming natural to him, his grandfather having been well known in newspaper circles. The Pataskala Standard is republican in politics and since Mr. Needham has become its proprietor and editor he has gradually extended its influence and it is now accepted as one of the strongest republican political organs, as well as a reliable medium of current events.
In 1890 Mr. Needham wedded Carrie D. Mead of Pataskala, a daughter of W. H. Mead, Sr. She departed this life in 1899, leaving her husband and three sons : William S., Harold M. and Donald O. Mr. Needham's politics are evident from the fact that he is proprietor of a republican newspaper and while he has not been an office seeker he was honored, in 1897, by being appointed postmaster of Pataskala, the duties of which office he has since been performing. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. A man whose influence as an editor and citizen is on the side of right, he contributes to the best of his ability to the general good of the community through the columns of his paper, and in other ways, he de- serves the confidence and respect entertained for him by his fellow citizens.
W. L. PHILLIPS.
W. L. Phillips, who owns and operates a valuable and well improved farm of two hundred and seventy-three acres in Perry township, is a native of Licking county, Ohio, his birth having here occurred on the 6th of June, 1857. His par- ents, William and Elizabeth (Smith) Phillips, were natives of New York and Ohio respectively. The mother was called to her final rest in January, 1887, when fifty-seven years of age, and was survived by her husband for only a brief period, his demise occurring six months later. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, namely: Hannah, Martha, Walter, Albert and Mason D., all of whom have passed away; Mary, who makes her home in Newark, Ohio; Charles F., who is also deceased; W. L., of this review; and Frank, a resident of Perry township.
W. L. Phillips attended the common schools during the period of his boyhood and youth and when he had attained his majority rented his father's farm, which he successfully operated for fifteen years. At the end of that time, by dint of close economy and good management, he had succeeded in acquiring capital sufficient to enable him to purchase his present place of two hundred and seventy-three acres in Perry township, in the cultivation of which he has since been engaged. The many substantial improvements which are today seen on the property stand as monuments to his enterprise and thrift and he is moreover widely recognized as one of the prosperous and energetic agriculturists of the community.
In 1878 Mr. Phillips was united in marriage to Miss Ella Farrell, a daughter of Wesley and Lucinda Farrell, whose family numbered seven children. The death of Mr. Farrell occurred in August, 1895, but his widow still survives and makes her home in this county, having attained the age of eighty-three years. Unto our subject and his wife have been born two children : Orville M., at home; and Wen- dell A. D., of Columbus, Ohio.
In his political views Mr. Phillips is a stanch republican and has taken an active and helpful interest in public affairs, having served as treasurer for one term and as trustee for eight years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership
Digitized by Google
638
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
in the Disciple church, with which his wife is also identified. A resident of Lick- ing county throughout his entire life, he is widely and favorably known here and has moreover witnessed the wonderful growth and development that has charac- terized this section of the country during the last half century.
JOIIN A. KECKLEY.
John A. Keckley has been engaged in general farming pursuits in Burlington township, Licking county, practically all his life, and through his unremitting energy and careful management has derived sufficient remuneration from his years of patient toil to enable him to enjoy a season of pleasure and comfort during his declining years. On the farm where he now resides his birth occurred March 19, 1832, since which time he has always lived in this county and from boyhood con- tinued his labors as an agriculturist. His parents were John and Christine ( Beck- enbaugh) Keckley, the mother a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and the father of West Virginia. He came to this county in the year 1821, at which time he bought an extensive tract of land with a view to engaging in farming. The land, however, was far from being in a fit state of cultivation since at that time the country was in a primitive condition and the broad acres, which in season are covered with waving grain, were then in a wild state, covered with timber and under- bush. Upon locating in this region his first work was the erection of a log cabin to give shelter to himself and family. Immediately he set to work clearing off the land with a view to using it for general agricultural purposes. This was obviously not an easy task but Mr. Keckley, being a man inured to hardship and ready for toil, as were all the pioneers of those days, was undaunted in the presence of difli- culties, and by incessant labor finally succeeded in hewing out the timber and undergrowth, grubbing up the stumps, and eventually placing the land he had purchased in a fit condition to be worked by plow and harrow and planted in grain. Here he labored arduously improving his land until the year 1825, when in felling a tree he met with an accident which caused his death. His wife survived him eighteen years. To this union there were eight children: V. S., a resident of Kansas: John A. ; and six deceased.
On the old home place, assisting in the performance of the farm duties during the summer season and attending the district school during the winter, John .A. Keckley remained until he was nineteen years of age, when he left the employ of his father and engaged in work on a nearby farm for a period of one year. After this short service he rented a farm and began agricultural pursuits independently and carried on the occupation successfully for four years. During this time he was incessant in his toil and, being ambitious, put forth every effort in order to turn his labor into profit. His efforts were not in vain, and at the expiration of this period he had sufficient means to purchase the farm which he is now culti- vating. It embraces one hundred and eleven acres of land. all of which is tillable and is yielding large crops under the careful management and studied methods of the owner. The many years he has been following farming here have witnessed his unremitting energy and now, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. he may enjoy the leisure and comfort which are his just due.
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.