USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 62
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loyal to the principles which it inculcates. Straightforward and reliable under all circumstances and in every condition, those who know him entertain for him the warmest regard and he is especially deserving of mention from the fact that he is one of the pioneer residents and native sons of the county.
ANDERSON T. SPEER, M. D.
Anderson T. Speer, M. D., is a much respected citizen because of his advocacy of those things which tend to municipal progress and honor, because of his alle- giance to high principles in private life, and because of his well known skill and ability in his profession. Licking county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Jersey township April 4, 1842. He is a son of Timothy Gould Speer, who was born in Newark, New Jersey, and was connected with the well known Gould family. About 1836 he removed westward to Ohio, proceeding to Cleveland and thence to Licking county by canal. He was a shoemaker by trade but after arriving in central Ohio he turned his attention to farming in Jersey township, following that pursuit for several years. At length tiring of his work in agricultural lines he resumed his original vocation and followed it throughout the remainder of his active connection with business interests. He was born in the year 1800, and passed away in 1889. His wife, who was of Scotch descent, bore the maiden name of Mary Anderson, and was a daughter of Captain Anderson. Her father was at one time a wealthy man but lost much money by running the blockade during the war between France and England. While still residing in the east the marriage of Timothy Gould Speer and Mary Anderson was celebrated, but soon afterward they sought a home in the west. The mother passed away in Lick- ing county at the age of eighty-six years. Two brothers and two sisters of Dr. Speer are still living in this county, namely: George, Dennis, Mrs. Julia Hedrick and Mrs. Mary Nichols.
In early boyhood a pupil in the county schools, Dr. Speer afterward enjoyed the advantage of instruction in the Newark high school, from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1860. He then entered the drug store of Dr. J. N. Wilson, of Newark, commencing the study of medicine there, after which he attended the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, while later he was graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati in the class of 1866. He located for practice at Newark, where he has remained continuously since, covering a period of forty-three years. He has seen the growth of the town from a place of five thousand inhabi- tants. Today it has increased six fold and Dr. Speer's practice has grown propor- tionately. He has never ceased to remain a close and discriminating student of medical literature and has thus kept abreast with the advancement that is being continuously made by the profession. His knowledge of medicine and drugs is comprehensive and exact and he is very careful in the diagnosis of his cases, so that his efforts have been attended with excellent success. He belongs to the county, state, and national medical associations, and in 1881 was a delegate from the Ohio State Medical Society to the International Medical Congress in London. He had the honor of being chosen the first president of the Licking County Medical Society.
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and is now a member of the United States pension examining board, having served also during the administration of president Harrison. He has been health officer of the city and throughout his entire life has been imbued with a helpful spirit that has prompted his best professional efforts, even when he knew no remuneration might be expected for his services.
In 1873 Dr. Speer was married to Miss Frances Impey. Her father was of English descent, born in Ireland, and was an officer in the British army; his wife. a Miss Stevenson, was an Irish lady of distinction and great beauty. Her mother was Frances Stanbery, daughter of the Hon. William Stanbery, one of the most brilliant lawyers of the state. Mrs. Speer's brother, Captain Robert E. Impey. is a retired officer of the United States navy. Her sister Mrs. Cecelia Woods, is the widow of Major General Charles R. Woods, of the United States army. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Speer were born three sons and two daughters: Roderick Impey, who is auditor for the Western Gas Construction Company, at Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Anna Louise, the wife of George E. Graeser, of Newark; Ruth Arlington, the wife of Dr. Corkwell, of Newark; Julian Stanbery, who is a student in the Carnegie Technical School at Pittsburg, studying to become an electrical engineer; and Douglas, who died at the age of two years.
Dr. Speer gives his political allegiance to the republican party, never swerving in support of its principles. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1862, when he joined Newark Lodge No. 97, A. F. & A. M. He has taken all of the degrees up to the thirty-third, has been master of the local lodge for three years and high priest of the chapter. He belongs also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the Episcopal church. His life has been so hon- orable in its purposes, so varied and helpful in its activities, as to gain for him classification with the most honored and prominent residents of this part of the state.
WESLEY BUSH.
Wesley Bush, who carries on general farming in Monroe township. is a representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of the county. Ile was born in this county June 7, 1815. his parents being Noah and Eliza (Longwell) Bush. His paternal grandfather came to Licking county from Virginia in the carly days, when all this section was a vast wilderness, and cast in his lot with the pioneers who were establishing their homes amid the forests and were soon to make a vast transformation in the appearance of the community. The Longwells were of Irish descent. When Noah Bush and Eliza Longwell were married they established their home on land adjoining the farm where the son now resides. Their household furniture was all made by Mr. Bush, who cut the timber from the surrounding forests. Logs were split, holes bored and pegs inserted and thus tables and stools were made, while beds were constructed in the same rude manner. The cooking was done in the open fire-place and the furnishings of the little home were very meager and primitive in character, yet happy hours were passed in the little cabin, notwithstanding the fact that they
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were widely separated from neighbors and wolves were often heard howling around the house at night. Money was very scarce and in order to secure a little needed cash Noah Bush sought and obtained employment at Newark, which was then a little town. IIe was employed on some excavation work, wheeling dirt for twenty- five cents per day, which was of twelve hours' duration. He walked from his home to Newark, a distance of about twenty miles, every Monday morning in time to go to work and back home again Saturday evening after the week's work was done, carrying with him a salary of a dollar and a half in compensation for his earnest and arduous toil. He carried on the task of clearing his own farm and it was gradually freed from the timber and converted into productive and arable fields. As the years passed and he prospered in his undertakings, Noah Bush made further investment in property and became an extensive landowner and prosperous farmer.
Wesley Bush was thus reared in an atmosphere of toil and enterprise and lessons of industry and economy were early impressed upon his mind. IIe assisted in the general work of the farm and procured such education as was obtainable in the district schools of the township. On the 4th of July, 1868, he married Miss Amanda Heckathorn, a daughter of Henry and Lydia (Fowler) Heckathorn. Unto this marriage have been born eleven children: Harvey; Ottis, who is deceased; Dessie, now the wife of Ora Cramer; Sylvia, the wife of Wesley Barrack; Lee; Ida ; Roe; Perry; Pearl ; and Sadie. One died in infancy.
Since his marriage Mr. Bush has lived in the same locality of his present farm home. He has always been engaged in farming and stock-raising and has ever maintained a high standard of citizenship, enjoying the confidence and uniform respect of his neighbors. His farm presents an attractive appearance, for he is diligent and energetic and desires to keep in touch with the spirit of progress and improvement. In politics he is a republican and is always interested in com- munity affairs, giving stalwart support to many measures for the general good. His entire life has been passed in this county, so that for sixty-four years he has witnessed its progress and improvement and at all times rejoices in what has been accomplished along lines of substantial development.
J. D. ROUSE, M. D.
Dr. J. D. Rouse, who for more than thirty years has been numbered among the able and successful representatives of the medical fraternity of St. Louisville, was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 18, 1852. His parents, Sylvester G. and Isabelle (Lyon) Rouse, natives of Guernsey county and Belmont county, Ohio, respectively, are both deceased. They had two sons, namely: William L., a gradu- ate of the medical college of Ohio at Cincinnati, now a practicing physician of Greene county, and J. D., of this review.
When sixteen years of age Dr. Rouse began teaching school and was thus suc- cessfully engaged in educational labors for two years. Determining upon the prac- tice of medicine as a life work, he began reading to that end in Martinsburg, Ohio, and in 1875 was graduated from the medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio. IIe at
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once located for practice at Homer, where he remained a year and, subsequently, followed his profession at Paintersville, Greene county, for a similar period. His next removal was to St. Louisville, where he has since remained and as the years have passed has enjoyed a profitable and steadily increasing patronage, which has come to him in recognition of his skill and ability as a medical practitioner.
In 1868 Dr. Rouse was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Searle Williams, a native of Licking county and a daughter of Edwin and Catherine Williams, whose family numbered eight children. The father has passed away but the mother still resides at Homer, and has attained the age of eighty years. Unto our subject and his wife have been born two children: Rose (., a graduate of the high school at St. Louisville, who has been engaged in teaching for nine years; and Edwin S., a druggist of Cincinnati and a graduate of St. Louisville high school and Ohio Northern university.
In addition to his office and residence Dr. Rouse likewise owns two lots in St. Louisville, and a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres in Knox county. He is widely recognized as a most substantial and progressive citizen and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community where he has labored in his professional capacity for more than three decades. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Newark, and the craft finds in him a most worthy exemplar. Dr. Rouse is a member of the American Medical Association and the Ohio State and Licking County Medical societies.
CHARLES SNARE.
For a number of years Charles Snare has been engaged in the grocery and butchering business in Homer, and his industry has enabled him to meet with splendid success. He now possesses considerable means, all of which he has accumu- lated by his own energy and incessant application to business. In every respect he is a man who has made his own way in the world, having initiated himself into commercial life at the age of eighteen years, at which time he was without either influence or money and has since succeeded in amassing a comfortable fortune. Hle was born in Burlington township, Licking county, August 31, 1862, son of John and Margaret (Plummer) Snare, his parents being natives of MeKean township. He is one of a family of four children, the others being: Frank, deceased; C'lara, wife of George Frease, who resides in Mckean township; and Nannie, deceased. His parents are still living and although both have attained to a ripe old age they still retain a remarkable degree of health and vigor and, being among the early pioneers of this part of the state. they are conversant with many interesting inci- dents and important events of its carly history.
Charles Snare, after having acquired his education at the district schools. in the meantime engaging with his father in the labors of the farm, left his parental home when eighteen years of age and started out in the world to work for himself. For a period of two years he engaged as a farm hand and then rented a farm which he cultivated successfully for a period of six years. During this time by close attention to work he succeeded in gaining considerable means. Finally he gave up agricultural pursuits and for a period of one year worked by the day and then invested his money in the butcher business at Homer. He made quite a success of
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this enterprise and conducted it for six years when he disposed of the business and spent one year in Utica, after which, upon again returning to Homer, he established himself in the butcher business in connection with which he introduced grocery lines in the year 1901. He is still carrying on both lines of trade and his earnest labor and constant effort to please his customers have enabled him to acquire an extensive patronage. Mr. Snare is a man of excellent business qualifications and, being patient and persevering, he is conducting his business to good advantage. In addition to other real-estate interests he is the owner of two residences. When he started out in life he had little education and, being without money or influence, he was compelled to fall back entirely upon his own resources, which indeed was all the better for him as it developed those latent possibilities for pursuing a suc- cessful business career which otherwise may never have been brought to the surface. He is a man of good judgment and excellent executive abilities, by which he has been able to gain the reputation of being one of the most substantial and prosperous citizens of the community.
In the year 1887 Mr. Snare was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wagner, a native of Burlington township and a daughter of Martin and Cynthia ( Kettle) Wagner, her father having departed this life, while her mother still survives and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Snare. The latter is one of a family of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Snare are the parents of one son, Ira E., who is a student at high school, and one daughter, Verne E., who is at home. One child passed away in infancy. In politics Mr. Snare is a democrat and has always pinned his faith in the principles of the party. For two terms he filled the office of township assessor and is now performing the duties of treasurer. Among the fraternal organizations with which he is affiliated is Lodge No. 555, Knights of Pythias, at Homer. Mr. and Mrs. Snare hold uppermost their religious obligations and are consistent members of the Presbyterian church.
I. N. PALMER, M. D.
The friends of Dr. I. N. Palmer-and they are many-would regard this his- tory as incomplete were there failure to make reference to Dr. Palmer as one of the able members of the medical fraternity in Newark where he has engaged in practice continuously since 1894, enjoying during this time a constantly growing patronage as he has given proof of his ability to cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to check the ravages of disease and restore health. He was born in Fallsbury township, Licking county, July 18, 1859. His father, Samuel Palmer, was a native of the same locality while his grandfather, John Palmer, came to Ohio from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and settled near Brownsville. There he engaged in farming in pioneer times and amid the wild scenes and environment of frontier life Samuel Palmer was reared. He early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist and throughout his entire life carried on the work of tilling the soil. At the time of the Civil war, however, he joined the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Regiment of Volunteer Infantry and went to the front but was captured at
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South Mountain and sent to Andersonville where he died in prison in 1864 when thirty-three years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Porter, was born in Fallsbury township and was a daughter of John Porter, one of the earliest settlers of that locality. He devoted his life to farming and lived to be eighty-five years of age, spending his last days on the old homestead farm which he had entered from the government on his arrival in Ohio. His daughter Mrs. Palmer, reached the age of forty-seven years, passing away in 1880.
Dr. Palmer was educated in the district schools and in early manhood engaged in teaching, following the profession in Licking county until 1882 while later he devoted eight years to the same profession in Butler and Warren counties. By this time, however, he cherished the idea of some day becoming a member of the medical fraternity and at length saw the fulfillment of his hope when he gave up teaching in Trenton, Ohio, and entered upon the study of medicine in the Pulte Medical College at Cincinnati. There he was graduated in 1892 after which he opened an office in Wyoming, Ohio, but in 1894 removed to Newark where he has since re- mained. He has been engaged in general practice and is well versed in all of the departments of medical science. His ability is being constantly augmented by his continued reading, experience and investigation and he now has an extensive pat- ronage while for four years he has also been physician to the Children's Home. He is a member and vice president of the Licking County Medical Society, and is also a member of the Ohio State Medical Society and the National Medical Asso- ciation.
In 1882 Dr. Palmer was united in marriage to Miss Ola B. Legge, a daughter of Louis Legge, of Newark and one of the pioneer residents of the county. They now have one son, Dorwin L. The parents are members of the Second Presbyterian church and their lives are in harmony with their profession. Dr. Palmer has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1882 when he joined the order at Bladons- burg. He is now a member of the lodge at Newark, also of the chapter and the commandery, while in the Scottish Rite he has taken the degrees of the consistory. Since 1894 he has been a member of Rowland Lodge, No. 305, K. P. and he like- wise belongs to the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and to other fraternal societies. He possesses a genial manner and kindly spirit that have gained him many friends and everywhere he is known he is held in warm regard.
W. F. VANATTA.
W. F. Vanatta, who is now successfully engaged in merchandising in the vil- lage of Vanatta, in partnership with his son Thomas A., was born in Newton town- ship, October 26, 1843, his parents being Jerry S. and Eleanor (MeDaniel) Van- afta, natives of New Jersey. In the year 1833 they made their way to this county. the father purchasing the farm which is now the property of our subject. He was a stalwart democrat in his political views and took an active and helpful interest in public affairs but did not desire office as a reward for party fealty. When he passed away in June. 1852, the county mourned the loss of one of the most re- spected and honored early settlers as well as public-spirited citizens. His wife. surviving him for a long period, was called to her final rest in 1895. Their family
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numbered seven children, namely: Amanda, the wife of A. M. Stewart, of New- ark; Anna, the deceased wife of James Almond: A. J. and A. R., who have also passed away; Abigail, the wife of L. Huffman, of Newark; W. F., of this review ; and D. M., who is likewise deceased.
In his early youth W. F. Vanatta attended the common schools in the acquire- ment of an education and when but twelve years of age began learning the black- smith's trade, in which line of activity he was successfully engaged until 1903. He then turned his attention to mercantile pursuits and established a store in Van- atta, which he has since conducted, his well-selected line of goods, reasonable prices and earnest desire to please his customers bringing to him a liberal and profitable patronage. He likewise owns a well-improved farm of one hundred and nine and a half acres, in Newton township, as well as an attractive and commodious resi- dence in Vanatta, and is widely recognized as a representative merchant and sub- stantial citizen of his native county.
There is likewise a creditable military chapter in the life record of Mr. Van- atta, for in 1864 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. under Captain Johnson, for one hundred days' service. He participated in a number of hotly contested engagements and proved a brave and loyal soldier. stanchly defending the Union in the darkest hour of our country's history.
In 1865 Mr. Vanatta was united in marriage to Miss Virginia F. Duer, a native of Muskingum county. Ohio, and a daughter of James and Jane (Folton) Dewar. Three children were born unto her parents and both the father and mother are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vanatta have been born eight chil- dren, as follows: Leona M., the wife of David Jones, of Newark ; Burr N., who has passed away : James D., a resident of Pennsylvania ; Thomas, at home ; Lula, the wife of Otis Stone. of Newark; Aaron, who makes his home in Newark : Clara, the wife of Fred Scarborough, of Newark, and Guy, who is deceased.
Mr. Vanatta gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy but has no desire for the honors nor emoluments of office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. His wife is a devoted and faithful member of the Lutheran church. Movements and measures for the gen- eral good receive his endorsement and support and in the community where he has spent his entire life he has a circle of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
P. H. COSNER, M. D.
Dr. P. H. Cosner, devoting his time and energy to the practice of medicine and surgery, his extensive patronage being the best evidence of his capability in these lines, was born in Fredericktown, Ohio, March 7, 1870. His father, David Cosner, was a native of Maryland and went to Fredericktown with his father, David C'osner, Sr. For many years the doctor's father was identified with mercantile in- terests in Fredericktown and was a leading and influential resident of the locality. He died in 1888 at the age of forty-nine years and is still survived by his wife, Mrs. Henrietta (Kirby) Cosner, who is a native of Ohio.
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Dr. Cosner was a pupil in the public schools of Knox county, Ohio, and at- tained his literary education in Oberlin College, after which he entered the Balti- more Medical College at Baltimore, Maryland. Completing the full course in that institution he was graduated with the class of 1896, and for a short time remained in practice in that city. He afterward came to Ohio and for eight years followed his chosen profession in Bladensburg, Knox county. In 1904 he removed to Newark where he has since remained. He has taken two post-graduate courses in the Baltimore Medical College, and is continually striving toward a higher standard in his professional work for he realizes fully the responsibilities that devolve upon him as a physician and is giving to his patients the benefit of broad knowledge. The analytical trend of his mind, too, is an element in his success, enabling him to understand the case, its causes and the possibilities for relief.
In 1891 Dr. Cosner was married to Miss Olive Young, a native of Gambier, Ohio, and a daughter of James Young. They have one son, William L., born May 19, 1895, who is the life and light of the household. Dr. Cosner is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen Camp. In those organizations he has gained many friends and won the warm personal regard of those with whom business and social relations have brought him in contact during his residence in Newark.
LEE S. LAKE.
Lee S. Lake, who for many years has been prominent in republican circles and at the same time has been identified with agricultural and stock-raising interests of this county, was born in Franklin township, June 3, 1846, a son of Willis Lake, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, and a descendant of Sir William Lake, field marshal under Oliver Cromwell. Willis Lake came to Ohio during boyhood and lived the remainder of his days actively engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. His wife, Nancy (Shipps) Lake, was a native of the Keystone state and of that sturdy class of Americans known as Pennsylvania Germans.
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