Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 64

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

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meadow. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school for eight years, and displayed good ability in impressing upon his pupils the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1900 he came to Newark and has since been deputy clerk of the court, now filling the position for eight years. In the summer of 1908 he was nominated as the candidate of the democratic party for the office of clerk of the court, without opposition, for which position his previous experience and excellent work in the office of deputy well qualified him, and he was elected by an unusually large majority.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Larason was married December 23. 1896, to Miss Bertha Harter, of Jacksontown, Ohio. They have one son living, Merrill, and a daughter deceased. Mr. Larason is a member of Hebron lodge No. 363 I. O. O. F., lodge No. 97 A. F. & A. M. and the Woodmen's Camp. He stands as an excellent type of the young man who realizes that there is no royal road to wealth or success, but appreciates fully that close application and unfaltering energy will win advancement. Through the exercise of these qualities he has worked his way upward and the record which he has made in office is a most commendable one. His good qualities are pronounced, and his friends are many, his social nature and genial spirit making him popular with those with whom he comes in contact.

JOHN B. HODGES.

John B. Hodges is today the oldest business man in Johnstown in years of continuous connection with its commercial and industrial interests. For thirty- two years he has put forth his efforts here for the attainment of a comfortable competence and has thus figured prominently in the business development of the city. He is today the owner of a well equipped planing mill and lumberyard, dealing extensively in building materials of all kinds. His life record is another proof of the fact that persistency of purpose and the wise use of every opportunity that comes are the chief features in honorable business advancement. He was born September 30, 1850, in Miller township, Knox county, Ohio, his parents being George H. and Catharine (Phinney) Hodges. The parents were both of New England origin, the father being a native of Massachusetts, while the mother's birth occurred in Vermont. They both came to Ohio with their respect- ive parents when quite young and George II. Hodges in his youthful days learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for some time in connection with such other work as a new country afforded. Later, however, he entered land in Knox county and began farming, turning the first furrows upon his place and carrying on the work of general improvement for some years. In 1858 the family removed to McHenry county, Illinois, where they remained for nearly two years, Mr. Hodges giving his energies to general agricultural pursuits there. They then returned to Ohio and the mother died the same year.

John B. Hodges was the eldest of four children, three sons and a daughter. These children remained in Ohio with families by whom they were employed. while the father returned to Illinois, where he engaged in dealing in horses and other live stock for several years. In 1869, however, he returned to Homer, Lick-

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J. B. HODGES

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ing county, Ohio, where be established a sawmill. He was married again, his second union being with Julia A. Jones, a daughter of Nelson and Mary Jones of Licking county. For many years he was well known as an industrious and reliable citizen here, enjoying the good will of many friends.

Owing to his mother's death John B. Hodges was early thrown upon his own resources and in his youth experienced hardships and difficulties which do not usually fall to the lot of young boys. For two years he engaged in the saw- mill business with his father and after the latter's return to Ohio, and then gave his attention to teaching school, which profession he followed for six years, being employed for two years of that time in Homer. His course has been marked by continuous progress, the result of constantly expanding business powers and broadening experience. He was married on the 25th of December, 1876, to Miss Mary Ellen Keckley, a daughter of Harvey and Harriet (Jones) Keckley, and also a teacher in the Homer schools. She died May 30, 1885.

Because of failing health Mr. Hodges gave up school teaching and again turned his attention to the manufacture of lumber, establishing a sawmill in 1877. Mr. Hodges was associated with W. H. Hardy when he came to Johns- town, under the firm name of Hardy & Hodges, buying a sawmill. The partner- ship continued until 1890, when he bought out his partner's interests. The fol- lowing year expectation ran high here in regard to railroad building and the sawmill was removed to Johnstown, but the railroad did not materialize at that time and for two years the mill, which was a portable one, was moved from place to place. When the railroad finally came in 1881, the sawmill was again located in Johnstown and contracts entered into with the railroad construction con- tractors for large quantities of timber for bridges and other purposes. Mr. Hodges is a man of enterprise, push and determination, and the business grew. As he prospered in the operation of his sawmill he also extended the scope of his activities by becoming owner of a lumberyard and also a coal yard. About this time he likewise conducted a grist mill for two years in connection with his other interests which they had leased. Johnstown was proving a good business town and he decided to locate permanently. He therefore bought land and erected a sta- tionary sawmill, put in railway switches to give him good shipping facilities and prepared to still further enlarge his business. The grist mill was disposed of and his entire energies were concentrated upon the operation of the sawmill and the handling of its products. A stock of lumber of all kinds was added, together with building materials and soon a planing mill was built and the business was increased to include dressed lumber, sash, doors, blinds and all materials neces- sary for the construction of a building. Mr. Hodges was the first man to engage in this line of business in Johnstown and is the only man in business here today that has remained in active connection with industrial and commercial circles for thirty-two years. He is the pioneer in his line and not one of his contem- poraries of three decades ago now remain in active business. There is not a house in Johnstown for which Mr. Hodges has not furnished the material to build or to remodel and many of them he has contracted to build and finish. As the years have passed he has met with gratifying prosperity, owing to his straight- forward business methods, his close application and his unfaltering spirit of enter- prise. From the beginning he has continued in the same line, only increasing

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his business in its scope and capacity. He furnishes everything that enters into the construction of a building, even to the glass, hardware and paints and he is thoroughly conversant with the trade in every department. He is justly accounted one of Licking county's most energetic and progressive business men, who care- fully formulates his plans, and is determined in their execution and overcomes obstacles and difficulties by energetic, persistent and honorable effort.

Mr. Hodges was married the second time, September 22, 1886, to Miss Mary II. Trowbridge of Chesterville, Morrow county, Ohio, a daughter of Eliphalet A. and Angaline Trowbridge, the oldest of a family of ten children, six boys and four girls, all of whom are living except one boy who died in infancy. She was born near Appleton, Ohio, January 25, 1859, and went with her parents in carly childhood to Utica where they resided until her fourteenth year when the family moved to a farm near Chesterville, Ohio, where she lived until her marriage. Mr. Trowbridge was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in 1862 in Com- pany A, First Ohio Cavalry, in which company he served faithfully until the close of the war. ITe died January 31, 1899, in Chesterville, Ohio, while his widow still survives, living with her children in Fredericktown, Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. John B. Hodges have two children, a son and a daughter. The son, Holland C., was for several years a prominent educator, and at the age of twenty-three years held a life certificate. He has now given up teaching. however, and is editor of the Observer, at Prairie Depot, Ohio. He married Miss Augusta Phillips of Sycamore, Wood county, Ohio. The daughter, Harriet Beat- rice, is bookkeeper in her father's office and is a capable business woman.

Mr. Hodges is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, at Johnstown, and is foremost in many good works. He is particularly active in support of the temperance movement and is the recognized local leader in temperance organiza- tions and campaigns. His political allegiance is unfalteringly given to the repub- lican party and he is active in every thing that has for its object the public good. Every movement relating to the welfare of his city awakens his interest and in many cases receives his carnest endorsement. His judgment in public matters is held in high esteem and he has served as a member of the village council. At the present time he is a member of the board of public service. He has also acted for several terms as a member of the board of education. Progress and patriotism might well be termed the keynote of his character and have been mani- fest in his social and public relations as well as in his business affairs.

HECTOR DEAN ASHBROOK.

Hector Dean Ashbrook is numbered among the prosperous business men of Pataskala, where he engages in the hay and grain trade and at the same time in buying and shipping live stock, his enterprise being of such proportions as to make him a leading factor in the commercial life of the community. Johnstown, Ohio, is his birthplace and there he entered this life November 27, 1876. In 1810 his great-grandfather, Eli Ashbrook, settled in this part of the county, where he pur- sued general agriculture, at the same time ministering as a clergyman of the old

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school Baptist church to nearby congregations. On the farm upon which he located he spent his remaining days. In his family were fourteen children, including Hiram Ashbrook, who was born near Johnstown and wedded Sarah Ann Jewett, a native of that place. In 1876 they removed to Pataskala, where, through his in- dustry and enterprise he became the owner of a valuable tract of land of three hun- dred acres on which he spent his remaining days, dying in September, 1879, in his fifty-ninth year, while his widow survived him by thirteen years, passing away Janu- ary 20, 1893, in her seventy-second year. In their family were seven children, namely : Albert, who died when seven years of age; Hiram Munson; Mrs. Helen ('lark, who lives in Marshalltown, Iowa; Omer D., who also resides there; Alice, deceased ; Minnie D)., a resident of Marshalltown ; and David Guy, deceased.

Hiram Munson Ashbrook, father of the subject of this review, was reared near Johnstown, where his birth occurred May 18, 1850. There during his boyhood days he engaged in the duties of the farm, during the winter season availing him- self of the educational advantages of the neighboring schools. After completing his studies he still continued farming pursuits and became a well known stock-dealer of this part of the county, his business having reached such proportions that in 1890 he had one thousand dollars worth of stock, at the same time carrying on an exten- sive wool-buying business and dealing largely in grain. He also became owner of the old original claim of his father. He passed away in December, 1891, and is survived by his widow, born September 20, 1849, who still resides in the old home- stead. She is a daughter of William Bishop, who came from New Jersey to this county in 1826, when eight years of age in company with his parents, his father having departed this life shortly after his arrival. He now lives near Johnstown, where he still retains a measure of health and vigor in his ninetieth year. To his daughter, Anna M., who wedded Hiram Ashbrook, were born seven children : Perry M .; Charles Albert, an agriculturist near Johnstown, who died in March, 1908, leaving a widow and five children; Hector Dean; Mary Alice, who became the wife of J. Clyde Montgomery and passed away February 2, 1896, leaving one child; Abbie Estelle, who died December 28, 1905; Byron W., who lives on a farm near Johnstown; and Alva H., a railroad brakeman residing in Columbus, Ohio.

Hector Dean Ashbrook resided on the home farm until he was twenty-two years of age, during his boyhood days attending the village schools of Johnstown, where he acquired his preliminary education and subsequently completed a three years' course of study in Doane Academy at Granville. He next engaged in the hay and grain business at Alexandria, with his brother Perry Munson Ashbrook, with whom he remained for two years, the firm being known as Ashbrook Brothers, and in 1901 the partnership was dissolved and he established himself in the same busi- ness in Pataskala and since inaugurating the venture his volume of trade has so increased that in 1908 his receipts amounted to something over fifty thousand dol- lars. He does an extensive shipping business in hay, grain, seeds and farm prod- ucts, doing a large business here and in Johnstown, at both places having large warehouses, which he always keeps well stocked, in readiness to supply the demands of his constantly increasing trade.

On November 22, 1904, Mr. Ashbrook wedded Georgiana Spelman, a native of St. Albans township and the daughter of Henry and Emma (Van Ness) Spelman, her father being deceased while her mother resides in Alexandria. This union has been blessed with three children : Ross, whose birth occurred September 4, 1905; and

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twins, Louis Munson and Laura Belle, born March 14, 1909. Mr. Ashbrook is a strong supporter of the republican party, the principles of which his experience has taught him are in the highest measure adequate and serviceable to place the finances of the country upon a solid basis and to maintain the nation's permanent peace and, while he is not an active politician and does not aspire to public preferment, he is sufficiently interested in the affairs of his party to use not only his vote but also his influence during campaigns to secure the election of its candidates. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, in which he is an active worker. In all matters of citizenship he is public-spirited, giving loyal support to measures vital to the gen- eral welfare, while his business activity has placed him among the leading and repre- sentative men of the community.

WILLIAM W. SPELLMAN.

William W. Spellman is now living retired in Granville but for a considerable period was closely identified with agricultural interests and through his unfaltering labor and well directed energy won the prosperity that now enables him to put aside the more active and ardent cares of business life. He was born August 23, 1840, in St. Albans township, his parents being George and Jane (Lansing) Spellman. His paternal grandparents were Thomas and Miriam (Clark) Spellman, the former a son of Timothy Spellman, who arrived in Licking county in 1805 with the colony that came from Granville, Massachusetts, and founded the village of Granville. Ohio. Thus for more than a century the family has figured in public life and busi- ness interests of this part of the state, and the name has ever been a synonym for progress and improvement as manifest in individual affairs and in public interests. The father of our subject was killed in a sawmill in St. Albans township in 1855. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Spellman were born six children : William W .; Mary, the wife of Israel Wilson, of Granville; Ellen Jane, who departed this life in 1866: Susan, the wife of Howard M. Sedgwick ; Anna Louisa, the wife of Cyrus Wilson : and Georgiana, the wife of Charles McMillan of Iowa.

In the district schools William W. Spellman acquired his early education and later had the opportunity of attending Denison University, where he pursued his studies from 1858 until 1861. He afterward engaged in teaching for a term but the country became involved in the Civil war and the spirit of patriotism con- strained him to offer his services to the government and put aside business and personal interests. Therefore on the 3d of September, 1861, he enlisted and was assigned to duty with Company D, Twenty-second Ohio Infantry. He served with that command for eleven months and was then discharged because of disability.

Following his return home, Mr. Spellman resumed the profession of teaching. which he followed for two years and then rented a farm, which he cultivated for two years. In the meantime he had become owner of a little place here and selling it, removed to Illinois in 1865, following both farming and teaching in that state. HIe continued a resident of Illinois for seven years and in 1822 returned to Licking county, where he resumed agricultural life. He was again engaged in teaching from 1876 until 1882, after which he purchased a truck farm, which he carried on with growing success for twenty-five years, or until 1907. In that year he retired

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from active business life, for his labors in previous years had brought him a sub- stantial competence sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He is now living in Granville, where he has a comfortable home and his rest is well merited.

Mr. Spellman has been married twice. In 1862 he wedded Miss Laura War- tenbe, who died ten years later, leaving four children: George, who resides in ('leveland ; Lorinda ; Alma, the wife of Rev. William Keis; and Clarence, living in New Mexico. In 1883 Mr. Spellman was again married, his second union being with Miss Jane A. Griffith, a daughter of Griffith W. and Anna (Weeks) Griffith, both of whom were natives of the state of New York and came to Ohio in 1814. Their family numbered four children: Ann M., the wife of Charles Barrett, a resident of Licking county ; Jane A., now Mrs. Spellman ; Mary E., deceased; and William W., of Granville.

In his political views Mr. Spellman has always been a stanch republican, inter- ested in the growth and success of the party, for he believes its platform contains the best elements of good government. He belongs to the Baptist church at Gran- ville and his life is in harmony with his professions. In all of his business dealings he has been straightforward and in every relation of life in which he has been found he has been true to honorable manly principles.

THOMAS ALGEO.

Thomas Algeo, deceased, was for a long period an active and honorable repre- sentative of the farming interests of Licking county. He was widely known as an energetic and active representative of agricultural life and in his business dealings was ever found reliable and trustworthy. His birth occurred in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1831, his parents being Robert and Sarah (Cockins) Algeo. The father spent his entire life in Pennsylvania but the mother afterward came to Ohio and passed her last days in this state, living among her children. In the family were four sons and three daughters: John, Elizabeth, Vincent, Margaret, Sarah and Robert, twins, and Thomas.

The last named spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the state of his nativity and pursued his education in the public schools there. When fourteen years of age he began learning the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed until he took up his abode upon the farm that is now the property of his widow. He was only a year old when his father died and at an early age was thrown upon his own resources and made his way in the world unaided from that time until his death, so that whatever success he achieved or enjoyed was attributable entirely to his energy and perseverance. He made several visits to Ohio in his youthful days to see his relatives in Muskingum and Guernsey counties and when about twenty years of age he joined his brothers, John, Vincent and Robert. in this state, the last named being a physician who for many years practiced medicine in Kirkersville, Ohio. On coming to Ohio Thomas Algeo secured a tract of land and for nearly a half century remained on the farm which he developed and improved. He began with only ninety-one acres of land but prospered in his undertakings and later purchased

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three other farms for his children. He always retained possession of his original ninety-one acres and at his death left this to his widow. His brother John was the first of the family to come to Licking county, at which time he bought two hundred acres of timberland and subsequently he sold one hundred acres of this to Thomas Algeo. John Algco also established and operated a sawmill and admitted his brother Thomas to a partnership so that for a number of years they operated the sawmill together. In his farm work Mr. Algco of this review made a specialty of raising sheep and always had good flocks upon his place. He was energetic and persevering and manifested a progressive spirit in all that he undertook to do.

On the 28th of February, 1856, Mr. Algeo was married to Miss Margaret Jane Moore, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 9, 1831, and came to Licking county, when about twenty years of age with her parents, Thomas and Mary (Elliott ) Moore. The mother was a native of Ireland and was brought to the new world when ten years of age. The father was born in this country of Irish parent- age and their last days were spent on their farm on the Columbus road in Harrison township. They had five children : John, now deceased ; Mrs. Katharine Patten; Mrs. Algeo : James and Robert, who are both deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Algeo were born three children : Robert, who married Nora Thomas and is now living in Harrison township near his mother's home; Flora, who died at the age of twenty- five years : and Thomas Elton, who wedded Armina Belle Thomas, and has also a farm near his mother's place. He has one son, Charles.

In his political views Thomas Algeo was a stalwart republican but never sought office as a reward for party fealty. During the greater part of his life he held membership in the Christian church, which he joined in early manhood. His re- ligious faith was a guiding principle throughout all his years and as an upright and honorable man, he was known to his fellow townsmen, who appreciated his sterling worth and gave to him high esteem.

ROBERT J. THOMAS.

Robert J. Thomas, who all his life has been connected with the farming in- terests of Licking county and now owns a large farm in Lima township, descends from a family whose members were among the early settlers of this region. his pa- ternal grandparents having been David and Mary (Reese) Thomas, natives of Wales, who came to this country at an early date, here spending the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Thomas was a daughter of Theophilus Reese, who in company with Samuel Phillips purchased two thousand acres of land in the Welsh hills, where they established a Welsh colony and induced emigration to that place from their native country. Among the children of David Thomas was Samuel Thomas, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1800 and who was united in marriage with Kath- arine Jones, a native of Montgomeryshire, Wales, born in 1:99. When a young woman, she came to Licking county and her death occurred on a farm in Harrison township in 1865. In 1802 when he was in his second year Samuel Thomas was brought to the Welsh hills by his parents and was living with his son-in-law, near Johnstown, this county, when he departed this life, July 18, 1822. He owned about

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two hundred and fifty acres of land in Harrison township, upon which he put all the improvements, and there he spent his life in general farming and stock-raising. In his family were seven children, namely: Jerusha, who wedded George Avery, both now deceased; Maria, deceased, wife of William Jones; Ellis, who resides in Alexandria ; Robert J .; Ann, who wedded Andrew Hicks, both of whom are de- ceased, she having departed this life at the home of her brother, Robert J., in Sep- tember, 1905; Charles, and Edwin, who have passed away.

Robert J. Thomas was born in the Welsh hills, Granville township, this county, May 28, 1830, and five years later removed to Harrison township with his parents and there spent his boyhood days on the farm, in the meantime acquiring his edu- cation at the district schools. He remained at home until his marriage, and, on April 1, 1859, he bought the farm he now owns in Lima township, where he has since resided. His farm consists of one hundred and fifty-two acres, situated one mile north of Pataskala on the Harrison township line. It is known as the "Syca- more Grove Farm," and its rich soil makes it one of the most desirable pieces of property in the township for farming purposes. Here he has the latest improved machinery and equipments with which to carry on his work according to modern methods. The first residence in which he lived was one of a gothic type of archi- tecture and upon its destruction by fire he built his present dwelling in 1891, which is considered as fine a residence as there is in the vicinity. In addition to engaging in general farming Mr. Thomas has also paid considerable attention to stock-raising and in his time has raised many head of sheep and cattle which he shipped to various parts of the state.

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Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, Part 64

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