USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 66
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HOME OF MORGAN FAUSETT.
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success, his sales far exceeding those of any of his competitors. In six months' time he disposed of over two hundred thousand dollars worth of property. In 1896 he suffered a twenty-two thousand dollar loss by fire and then returned to Knox county, Ohio, and for two years engaged in the grocery business at Mount Zion. On the expiration of that period, in 1898, he removed to Newark, where for eight years he conducted a boarding house. During the years that have come and gone he has carefully managed his business affairs and to some extent retrieved his losses, so that in 1906 he found himself in possession of a capital sufficient to invest in one hundred acres of land in Madison township, whereon he has since made his home. He carries on general farming and in his undertakings is meeting with a full measure of success, for his fields annually yield good crops of grain, for which he finds a ready sale on the market.
In 1864 Mr. Fausett was united in marriage to Miss Lydia C. Wolf, a resident of Knox county, and their marriage has been blessed with nine children, of whom two are deceased, the surviving members being : Linza L., of Knox county ; Lilly, the wife of White Elliott, also of Knox county; Frank M., who makes his home in Newark; Cleveland, at home; Lola, the wife of Charles Dover, a resident of Coshocton, this state; Anna, the wife of Ed Harris, a resident of Newark; and Cora, the wife of Atwood Hilliard, also of this city.
A democrat in principle and practice, Mr. Fausett is a public-spirited citizen, ever ready to assist in any worthy movement calculated to benefit the community. Having spent the greater part of his life in Knox and Licking counties, he is well known in both sections and commands the esteem of all with whom he is brought into contact.
GEORGE U. WELLS.
George U. Wells, who is meeting with splendid success in general farming and stock-raising in Harrison township, was born March 17, 1868, on the old homestead, which he now occupies and which is located on the line between this and Etna town- ship, one mile west of Kirkersville. His paternal grandparents were George and Mary (Essex) Wells. The grandfather applied himself to agricultural pursuits on this farm, at the same time cultivating a tract of land of thirty acres located near the Disciple church on York street, making his residence on the latter. He was a man highly revered for his excellent Christian character, was a deep Bible student and affiliated himself with that denomination of Christians known as Dis- ciples of Christ, because he deemed the interpretation of the scriptures by that organization the best expression of Christian truth and also by reason of the fact that in his opinion the Disciple church was truly apostolic, its requirements for church membership being identical with those prescribed by the great Teacher.
Henry Wells, father of George U. Wells, was born in Harrison township, spent his entire life on a farm and died May 2, 1907, in his sixty-first year. In politics he was a republican, thoroughly conversant with the political issues of the day, but while he interested himself in the successes of his party he was never an aspirant for public office, contenting himself with using his vote and influence during cam- paigns in order to secure the election of its candidates. His wife, who bore the
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maiden name of Susan Kellenbarger and whose birth occurred in Etna township, May 20, 1846, still survives in excellent health. They had seven children, namely : George U .; Amelia, the wife of Vincent Algeo of Etna township; Louis, of Colum- bus, Ohio; Harvey, who departed this life in his twenty-ninth year, a widower; Samantha, the wife of Freeman Rostoffer, of Columbus, Ohio; Clida, the wife of Professor Rell Nichols, of Pataskala ; and Joseph, who resides on the old homestead.
On the farm he now has under cultivation George U. Wells was reared, partici- pating in the experiences common to the country lad during his boyhood days, in the summer months assisting his father in agricultural duties and in the winter attending the district schools. After completing his studies he settled down to a life of husbandry and has since resided here with the exception of three years de- voted to agricultural pursuits on a farm located four miles north of his present one. He owns two hundred and ten acres of his father's original estate, eighty-five acres of which is in Etna township, although the entire tract of land is in one body, sep- arated by the township line. General farming engages his attention and the soil, well cared for is very productive, his crops of hay and various cereals being of the best quality. He also engages in stock-raising, breeding sheep and cattle. He always handles thoroughbred stock, and his business is remunerative.
On June 9, 1888, Mr. Wells wedded Ida Bell Gamble, a native of Fairfield county, born August 30, 1870, and a daughter of Leonard and Mary (Shiddigger) Gamble, residents of East Outville. They have one daughter, Vera, who resides with her parents. Mr. Wells' political views are on the side of the republican party, being a stanch believer in its principles which in his opinion advocate those policies upon which depends the general financial and commercial prosperity of the nation, and during campaigns he is always loyal to his party candidates. He is a man whose progressive spirit has not only enabled him to surround himself with prosperity but his energies have also been felt in the community where he is highly respected, entertaining the confidence of his neighbors and being numbered among the honored and representative agriculturists.
S. D. LYONS.
S. D. Lyons, who has held the position of postmaster at Vanatta for seventeen years and is still the efficient incumbent of that office, is also the owner of a general mercantile store at that place and is widely recognized as one of the county's most substantial and public-spirited citizens. He was born in Licking county, April 24, 1858, his parents being James L. and Eleanor (Francis) Lyons. The father, whose birth occurred in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1822, accompanied his parents on their removal to this county in 1825 and still makes his home in Washington town-
ship, being now numbered among the venerable and respected early settlers of this portion of the state. His wife, a native of Harrison county, Ohio, was called to her final rest on the 16th of August, 1900. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, as follows: Mary A., the wife of J. R. Donahey, of Licking county: William F., deceased : Sarah, the wife of G. W. Merriott, of this county ; S. D., of this review: Esther, the wife of F. E. Elliott, of Martinsburg: Ida, who has also passed away : J. F., a resident of Newark ; and Wilbur J., living in Knox county.
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S. D. Lyons supplemented his preliminary education by a course at the normal school at Utica and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He was then engaged in the operation of rented land for six years and on the expiration of that period wedded Miss Emma Pound, whose demise occurred in December, 1886. Afterward he made his home with his father until he was again married, in 1891, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Litzen- berg, widow of William Litzenberg. Mrs. Lyons, whose birth occurred in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1859, has one daughter by her former marriage-Ethel, the wife of Frank Stewart.
In his political views Mr. Lyons is a stalwart republican and has served as township clerk, while at present he is filling the position of postmaster at Vanatta, which office he has held for seventeen years. He is also the well-known proprietor of a general mercantile establishment in Vanatta and in addition to his store build- ing he owns one of the finest residences in the town. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 850, at St. Louisville, in which he has filled all of the chairs. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Lutheran church. His worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged and in his business and official life he has shown how forceful are the qualities of diligence and perse- verance when supplemented by sound judgment. His prosperity is due to these sterling traits of character and in all of his undertakings he has been so straight- forward that his name is largely a synonym for business integrity to those who know him. Having been a resident of this county throughout his entire life, cov- ering a half-century, he has been a witness of the greater part of its growth and development, and his conduct has been at all times so exemplary that the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
CHARLES C. FORRY.
Charles C. Forry is a successful member of the Newark bar. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients, and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases have brought him a large business and have secured for him many verdicts favorable to his clients. Born in Newark on the 31st of August, 1868, he is a son of Harmon and Lydia A. (Slife) Forry, both of whom were natives of Licking county. His great-grandfather, Daniel Forry was one of the pioneers of this county, arriving here about 1807, only a few years after Ohio was admitted into the Union that constituted the newly created republic. He pur- chased a tract of land from the original owner, and the Wehrle plant now occupies a portion of this farm. It was also at an carly period in the history of the county that Henry Slife, the maternal grandfather, came from Pennsylvania in the '30s and established his home in Licking county, purchasing land in Liberty township whereon he gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits.
Harmon Forry, the father of our subject, was reared to the occupation of farming and in connection with the work of tilling the soil he became a brick manu- facturer, owning and operating a brick yard in Licking county for a number of
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years. He afterward became a resident of Texas, where the latter part of his life was spent. He died in 1902. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the Union cause and enlisted as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Thirty Fifth Ohio National Guard. He was captured and spent several months in Andersonville prison, and also in the Florence prison and other places where the Union soldiers were confined by their southern captors. He was captured at Martinsburg, Vir- ginia, during Early's raid and about eight months later was released. He long survived his wife, who died in Newark in 1880.
Charles C. Forry is indebted to the public school system of Newark for the early educational advantages which he enjoyed and, mastering the work of the suc- cessive grades he was at length graduated from the high school in the class of 1886. He then entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in preparation for the practice of law and was graduated from the law department in 1889, at which time he won his professional degree. The following year he was admitted to practice in the courts of Texas and for six years followed his profession in Vernon, that state. In 1895, however, he returned to Newark, and in January, 1896, was ad- mitted to practice in the courts of Ohio, since which time he has given unremitting attention to his professional duties.
Mr. Forry is a member of the Licking County Bar Association and aside from his professional connections he has business interests as the secretary and treasurer of the Hanover Red Pressed Brick Company. Socially, he is connected with the Masons and with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is unfalteringly given to the republican party and for one term he was justice of the peace, while in the spring of 1903 he was elected mayor of Newark. His official record is commendable, showing marked fidelity to duty and a progressive spirit in the discharge of all tasks relative to municipal progress and advancement.
N. M. BROWN.
N. M. Brown, proprietor of a large livery and sales stable at Pataskala, is a native of Somerset, Perry county. Ohio, born May 7, 1853, a son of William and Jane (McNaughton ) Brown, natives of Perry and Fairfield counties, respectively, the mother's death occurring when her son, N. M. Brown, was an infant, while the father lived to the age of fifty-four years. He spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits and was prominent in local affairs, having officiated as probate judge of Perry county for a few terms, conducting the duties of that responsible post in a manner forcefully evidencing his executive ability. He was prominent in Masonic circles and an ardent adherent of the Presbyterian faith, being a zealous Christian whose daily life reflected the qualities of that character to whom he anchored his hope. His family numbered six children: Owen W., captain of Company B, Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who answered the first call to arms at the outbreak of the Civil war and now resides in Perry county : Thomas, deceased, a veteran of the Civil war, who served four years in the regular army: N. M .: Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Ream : Rebecca Jane. deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Barr: and Mary, who died in childhood.
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Being left an orphan when he was still a lad, which compelled him to make his home with his sister and other relatives, and while engaged in agricultural work, he availed himself of the educational opportunities of the district schools, remaining in the neighborhood of his birthplace until he was twenty-one years of age, at which period of his life he removed to a farm of his own near Thorn- ville, Perry county. This he cultivated for one year and then sold. Upon coming to this county, he purchased a farm containing two hundred acres, located north of Newark in Newark township, and there he tilled the soil until he was married, when he sold his property and located in the town of Newark, where he estab- lished himself in the livery business, and also dealt in horses. He continued in this business for three years, at the termination of which time he removed to Alexandria, St. Albans township, living with his wife's people and managing their farm about two years. He next removed to Pataskala in 1882 and founded the business in which he is now engaged. He has a large sales stable, in which he feeds and boards horses, his barn being located on Jefferson street and measuring fifty by two hundred feet, being the largest used for the purpose in the city and here, in addition to taking care of animals for others, he keeps some of the very finest horses for hire and sale. He owns an excellent dwelling house on Main street, of modern style of architecture and supplied with every convenience, and also two residences which he rents, also still retaining possession of his farm of two hundred acres in St. Albans township. He is an enterprising business man, whose careful management has enabled him to surround himself with the pros- perity he now enjoys, all of which is the result of his own economy and exertions.
In 1879 Mr. Brown wedded Miss Sarah Palmer, a native of this county and a daughter of Samuel and Harriet (Haston) Palmer, also natives of Licking county, his wife having passed away in July, 1903. Mr. Brown is a republican in politics and while he does not desire public office he takes an interest in the successes of his party and is on hand during campaigns with his vote and influence to secure the election of its candidates. He belongs to Lodge No. 404, A. F. & A. M., of Patas- kala and to the commandery, chapter and council at Newark, being also affiliated with the Scottish Rite Masons at Columbus, Ohio, and with the Shriners of the same city. Mr. Brown's financial relations have always been transacted on the basis of justice and honesty and both as a citizen and business man he has always been accorded the respect and confidence of the community.
JOSEPH RHINEHART MOSER.
Joseph Rhinehart Moser, who has charge of the sand cutting department of the Wehrle Stove Works at Newark, is well known in industrial circles and equally well known in political circles, having for several years served efficiently as a mem- ber of the city council. He has always remained a resident of Newark, his native city. He was born January 10, 1872, and is a son of John G. Moser. Spending his boyhood under the parental roof, he was sent as a pupil to the public schools and passing through consecutive grades eventually became a high-school student. As early as his fourteenth year, however, he apprenticed himself to the molder's
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trade and for nine years was employed as a molder in the Moser & Wehrle Stove Works. During that time he gained comprehensive knowledge of the business and broad practical experience, and was then given charge of the foundry department and for ten years was assistant superintendent of the plant. Since the reorganiza- tion of the business he has had charge of the sand cutting department and has under his employ twenty workmen. When he entered the foundry he was the twenty- seventh man whose name was placed on their payroll. When he took charge of the shop he had eighty-seven molders under his direction and when he left there in 1905 he was in control of over eight hundred workmen. In 1902 the business was reorganized and Mr. Moser continued under the new regime, taking charge of his present department in the mills in 1905. Throughout his entire business experi- ence he has been connected with this industry and no higher testimonial of faith- fulness and efficiency could be given than his long connection with the plant. He stands as a prominent representative of the industrial life of the city and has long enjoyed in the fullest extent the confidence of those with whom he has been asso- ciated. As he has prospered in his undertakings he has made judicious invest- ments in property and is now the owner of four residences in Newark, seventeen city lots and a fifth interest in the old Moser home.
In politics Mr. Moser has always been an carnest democrat and has served for three successive terms on the city council, during one term being the only democrat elected in the county at that time. Fraternally he is connected with Newark Lodge, No. 391, B. P. O. E .; Licking Aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; Roland Lodge of the Knights of Pythias; the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khoras- san ; and Cedar Camp, M. W. A., and Independent Order of Foresters.
On the 23d of October, 1890, Mr. Moser was married to Miss Ida Brubaker, a daughter of P. W. and Matilda W. Brubaker, the former proprietor of a feed store in Newark. There is one child by this marriage, Walter, who is attending Bliss Business College. Mr. Moser is one of the representative men of Newark, esteemed by many friends, respected by his business colleagues and held in high regard by all with whom he has come in contact in every relation of life. He has ever been loyal to the trust reposed in him and while a member of the city council he did effective service in support of many movements for the general good.
WILLIAM H. MONTGOMERY.
For more than a century the Montgomery family has been associated with the agricultural interests of Licking county, Henry Montgomery, grandfather of William Henry, having settled in Madison township about the year 1810. He was born in Goutmore, in the County of Tyrone, Ireland, January 8, 1790. and there he was reared under the rigid discipline of the Presbyterian church. He carly acquired the art of reading and at the age of eight years had perused Cook's Voyage Around the World. while before he reached manhood the contents of Charles Rolands' Ancient History, a compact review of the rise, splendor and fall of bygone civilization, were a part of his knowledge, nor did this satiate his thirst for learning and information for when still a young man he made himself familiar with the annals of many nations and also took an interest in general literature as repre-
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sented by the standard authors of his day. On May 3, 1803, his parents and entire family set sail from Londonderry, Ireland, enroute for America and, upon arriving on the shores of the new world, they were transferred to a river packet and pursued their course by the Delaware river to Wilmington, from which place they repaired by wagon to Pennsylvania, in which state they stopped at the home of a relative by the name of James Summerville. Two months later Mr. Montgomery's mother passed away and her remains were interred in a cemetery which was located a few miles east of Lancaster. He then went to Augusta county, Virginia, and rented a small farm near Staunton, Greenbriar county, where he remained for a few years and in 1810 started from that place for Ohio, making the journey for one hundred miles along the mountain path and finally came to the home of Felix and Katherine Grimes, where resided the young woman, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grimes, who was to become his wife. Arrangements were soon made for the happy event and on September 2?, 1810, the ceremony was performed and the next day he and his bride started on their wedding tour on horseback, carrying with them all their household effects, such as cooking utensils and bedding, and also driving four cows. Finally they located in Madison township, this county, where they remained for two years when Mr. Montgomery and his brother William, in com- pany with their father, purchased one hundred acres of land in Bowling Green township, about five miles cast of Newark, but after a few years' residence there he sold his interest to William and purchased one hundred and five acres of land in Perry township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1870. His wife, whose birth occurred in Bath county, Virginia, in 1784, departed this life October 14, 1865.
Among his children the third in order of birth was James S. Montgomery, whose birth occurred near Hanover, this county, April 27, 1815, and whose boy- hood was spent at the home of his parents, who gave him the advantage of an excel- lent education, having had him enrolled for several years as a student at a private educational institution. On September 9, 1841, he wedded Sarah E. Waddell, who was born November 16, 1816, a daughter of James Waddell and his second wife, who departed this life on March 4, 1896, and October 28, 1900, respectively. Mr. Montgomery and his wife settled on a farm in St. Albans township, this county, on December 31, 1841, and the first night slept in a log cabin located on the opposite side of the road from their farm, its roof being in such bad condition that they received the full benefit of the wintry blasts and in the morning when they awoke were as completely covered with snow as though they had made their bed on the outside. In that day the entire region was practically a wilderness, the trees being uncut so that not a particle of land was in condition for cultivation. The tract which Mr. Montgomery purchased, covering over two hundred acres, was completely overgrown with heavy timber and it fell to him to cut it away in order to transform the land into tillable fields. He was inured to hardship and inspired with an ag- gressive spirit and success followed every move until finally he became one of the most extensive landowners and prosperous farmers in the vicinity. During his latter years he lived in retirement, enjoying the comforts of his country home, and on September 9, 1891, he and his wife celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniver- sary. He was favorably known throughout the county as a man of sterling char- acter, whose industry and enterprise had largely contributed toward developing the natural resources of this part of the state. He was a zealous Christian and
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when a youth united with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was an enthusiastic worker until called to the life beyond. In his family were four chil- dren, namely: Kate, deceased, who was born January 12, 1844, and became the wife of Griff Rosebraugh, who is also deceased ; William Henry; Mary, born August 30. 1856, and residing in Newark, Ohio; and James Eddie, who was born November 24, 1858, and wedded Nellie K. Campbell. They resided in Newark, where her death occurred July 12, 1905, and he died February 13, 1909.
William Henry Montgomery was born in St. Albans township, Licking county, about one-fourth of a mile cast of where he now resides, on July 28, 1848, and there he remained until he was twenty-seven years of age, in the meantime assisting his father in the duties of the farm and acquiring his preliminary education at the district school, while subsequently he completed a course of study at the Ohio Wes- leyan University, in Delaware, Ohio. He paid a visit to Harrison township and though he had previously planned to locate in the far west, upon coming to the township to assist a neighbor in cradling wheat, he was favorably impressed with the country and, upon communicating the fact to his father, the latter induced him to give up his idea of a westward trip and to invest in land here. He purchased the farm in 1872 immediately upon leaving school and three years prior to the date of his marriage. The farm consists of one hundred and twenty-five acres situated in the northwest corner of Harrison township and the rich and highly cultivated soil produces the best crops. A double log cabin stood upon the place when he made the purchase but the year in which he was married Mr. Montgomery tore it down and built a small cottage, which in 1892 he remodeled and enlarged into his present two-story, twelve-room residence, at a cost of three thousand dollars. The farm is provided with an excellent barn, forty-two by sixty-four fect, which he constructed in 1882, at an expense of fourteen hundred dollars, and which is as roomy and as fine a structure of the kind as exists in the county. Among other improvements he installed a thorough system of drainage which cost him upwards of one thousand dollars so that as far as concerns irrigation his farm is the equal of any in the state. He carries on general agriculture and stock-raising, making a specialty of sheep-breeding, and has had on hand as many as six hundred head of sheep at one time while he was in partnership with his father. He also has made quite a specialty of shorthorn cattle for which he has quite a reputation throughout the country. In addition to his general farming interests Mr. Mont- gomery has also taken up other enterprises and for the past sixteen years has been writing fire insurance and now represents the Phoenix Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut, and the German-American and Ohio Farmers Insurance Companies.
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