USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 67
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On October 14, 1875, Mr. Montgomery was united in marriage to Anna B. Cooley, a native of Homer, Ohio, where her birth occurred April 30, 1854, and a daughter of Timothy H. and Mary L. (Youmans) Cooley, her father having been born in Granville, April 9, 1827, and her mother in Knowlton, New Jersey, March 15, 1831. Her mother came here with her parents when she was three months old and departed this life October 5, 1904, at the residence of her son-in-law, with whom she had spent the last fourteen years of her life. She was the daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Loder) Youmans. Timothy H. Cooley departed this life at his home in Pataskala, July 10, 1891. He came to Harrison township in 1854, eight years previous to his death, and during that time had been living in retire-
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ment in Pataskala. He had been a tanner until he located in Harrison township but there he engaged in farming and followed that occupation the remainder of his active days. His parents were Dr. John B. and Bethia (Linnell) Cooley, who came with the Granville colony from Granville, Massachusetts, to Granville, Ohio, in 1805. Ilis wife had been married before to Rev. Timothy Harris, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Granville, and after her marriage with Dr. John B. Cooley they located in Homer, where he practiced medicine for some time. Later they took up their residence with their son, Timothy H. Cooley, where she departed this life.
Mr. and Mrs. William Montgomery have three children. Bertha C. departed this life in infancy ; Orville Cooley, whose birth occurred November 15, 1881, and is now instructor in physics in the high school at Los Angeles, California, was edu- cated at the Pataskala high school and Denison University from which he was graduated in the class of 1904. Lela B., born July 3, 1886, was graduated from the high school in Pataskala and from Denison University in the class of 1908 and is new preceptress and teacher of German and English in Sac City Institute, Sac City, Iowa.
Mr. Montgomery has been influential in local affairs and .particularly instru- mental in establishing a school law, through the action of the legislature, which has been beneficial not only to the schools of this township but also to those through- out this and other counties, the cause for the framing of such a law having arisen out of a difficulty which occurred between Mr. Montgomery as a member of the school board and the county authorities. In 1896 he was prepared to send his son to Pataskala high school, at which time he was a member of the Harrison township board of education and he made a proposition to that body providing for the tempo- rary suspension of the district school, the school funds which were used to support that institution to be employed in conveying the pupils of District No. 8 to Patas- kala high school. The board granted the request and a wagon was provided and the pupils were transferred. A few weeks after the plan had been in operation a petition was circulated asking the discontinuance of the wagon service and the replacing of the district school teachers but, the movement meeting with failure, the question was carried to the county commissioner who ordered the board of edu- cation to replace the teachers. That body, refusing to act in obedience to the order and determined that its plans should not be frustrated, still continued the wagon service and in the winter of 1896-7 Mr. Montgomery went to Columbus and advised with the committee on education in the house of representatives and begged of its members to change the law governing common schools and to frame an amendment to permit a board of education in any township to temporarily suspend school in its district and use the money to provide transportation for its pupils to the nearest high school. The bill was placed before the house in the morning and by a special act was passed and submitted to the senate by a committee, the latter body approv- ing of the bill which at once became a law. Mr. Montgomery returned home with the law in his pocket after he had spent but two days at the capital city. The bill is known as No. 133, amending section No. 3921 of revised statutes. The law has been employed by many communities and has proved of invaluable benefit through- out the state.
Mr. Montgomery, a life long republican, is a strong and able advocate of the principles of his party and is enthusiastic during campaigns to secure the election
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of its candidates. He has also figured prominently in local affairs and for a period of six years served efficiently as justice of the peace. He belongs to Pataskala Lodge, No. 404, A. F. & A. M., having united with the order in 1822. He is a past master, has held the chair of senior deacon for nine consecutive years, for one year officiated as junior warden and for twelve years served in the station of wor- shipful master, having also represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the state for the same period of time. He belongs to Pataskala Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled the various chairs and of which he is now past noble grand. In com- pany with his wife he is a member of the Eastern Star of Pataskala, both being charter members of that organization, his wife having officiated as chaplain since its institution. Mr. Montgomery and all the members of his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church of Pataskala, with which he united in 1881 and in which he has served as steward. He is a man whose high character and genial dis- position, together with his broad mindedness and business ability, have gained him great influence throughout the county and, being an upright, straightforward man, he is favorably spoken of wherever he is known throughout the county and state.
CHARLES N. WELLS.
Charles N. Wells, one of the younger men who are devoting their lives to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising in Harrison township, was born September 17, 1877, on the farm on which he now resides and which is located three-quarters of a mile north of Kirkersville, a son of Reason and Adaline (Cain) Wells, both of whom were natives of this county, his father's birth having occurred September 20, 1818, and his mother's on March 11, 1834. They departed this life July 4. 1891, and March 31, 1888, respectively. The father followed farming and stock- breeding and he owned about eight hundred aeres of tillable land, all of which is located in this county. At the time of his death he was a man of considerable means, most of which he earned by raising sheep and wool. He was considered an authority throughout the country on the breeding and raising of sheep. He took a profound interest in public affairs and had always given his support to the republican party, the principles of which he ably advocated, and during elec- tions he regularly used his vote and influence in order to secure the election of the candidates of his party to the offices they sought. In his family were nine children, namely: Mary Ellen, wife of J. R. Channell, of Harrison township : George Elmer, who is in the milling business at Pataskala: Minnie J., who became the wife of James Jacobs, of Kirkersville: Carry May, wife of James S. White, residing on a farm in Etna township: Mattie E., wife of George Harris. an agriculturist of Union township: Addie, whose birth occurred in 1869 and who departed this life in 1893: Laura J., who is the widow of Joseph Welch. and resides in New Mexico: Reason L .. of Columbus, Ohio: and Charles N.
On his father's farm Charles N. Wells was reared and was early set to work in the performance of the duties of agriculture. in the meantime attending the district schools where he acquired his education. After completing his studies he remained upon the home farm, where he has since been actively carrying on
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general agricultural pursuits, stock-raising and dairying. His place is known as the "Eagle Glen" farm. He has one hundred and fifty-three acres of land, all of which is highly improved, a considerable portion being excellent grazing land, and he bears the reputation of conducting one of the finest dairies in the county. He has as fine a herd of milch cows as there are in the county, keeping on hand all the time about twenty head, to which he gives the utmost attention and, having made a special study of this class of animals and of the best methods for carrying on the dairy business together with the care of his cattle, he had brought his kine to a high state of perfection and he cannot be excelled for his several dairy products, most of which he ships to Columbus, Ohio, where he has a large and lucrative trade. Among other modern improvements which he has made upon his farm is that of a magnificent dwelling, his old home having been destroyed by fire while he was on the way to be married. His barn is also of the most modern type and the other outbuildings are substantial. His farm, which is a part of that originally belonging to his father, is one of the finest and most desirable in the county and bears every evidence of thrift and progress.
On April 4, 1901, Mr. Wells was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Mable Walker, who was born in Harrison township, April 1, 1881, and is a daughter of William H. and Belle (Mason) Walker, who reside in Kirkersville. To Mr. and Mrs. Wells has been born one child, Rheabelle, who was born September 25, 1905. In politics Mr. Wells follows in the footsteps of his father and loyally supports the republican party. Among the fraternal organizations with which he is affiliated are the Red Men and Gleaners. He is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, having enlisted in this county in Company K, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served at Camps Axline, Bushnell, Alger and Meade. Mr. Wells is a young man of remarkable energy and enterprise and at the same time one of noble character, his upright life meriting him the confidence and respect of the entire community of which he is numbered among the representative citizens.
DAVID A. THOMAS.
David A. Thomas, who for more than a third of a century has been continu- ously and successfully connected with the agricultural interests of Licking county, was born in Wales on the 20th of October, 1835. His parents, Christmas and Mar- garet Thomas, also natives of Wales, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1842 and were three months on the water. They took up their abode in Granville township. The father, who was an agriculturist by occupation, made his home in this county throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in 1873, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1880. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children but David A. is the only surviving member of the family. His brother James was in the Mexican war and died with cholera in 1849.
David A. Thomas supplemented his preliminary education by a college course at Denison University and following his graduation in 1859, he took up the pro- fession of teaching, meeting with success during his fifteen years' connection with that line of activity. In 1820 he purchased his present place of one hundred and
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forty-five acres in Newton township and moved here into a log cabin in 1871. He made improvements thereon and has since been engaged in the work of general farming. The neat and thrifty appearance of the place is indicative of the careful supervision of the owner, whose methods are at once practical and progressive. His industry has ever been one of the salient characteristics and has been the measure of his success.
December 9, 1869, Mr. Thomas was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary King, whose birth occurred in Newark township October 28, 1840, her parents being John and Elizabeth King, the latter a granddaughter of James King, one of the early settlers in this county and a millwright by trade, whose family numbered seven children. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, namely: Gilbert J., of this county ; Hilda E., deceased ; and Elmer E. and Hamer I., both at home.
In his political views Mr. Thomas is a stalwart democrat but has never sought nor desired the honors or emoluments of office. He is a member of the Grange and is widely and favorably known throughout the county, whose growth and devel- opment he has witnessed during the past two-thirds of a century. The facts which have shaped its history are largely familiar to him and he has rejoiced in what has been accomplished for the improvement of this part of the state along moral, intel- lectual and material lines.
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CHARLES E. HOOVER.
Charles E. Hoover, the owner of a highly improved and valuable farm of one hundred acres in Newton township, was born in Newark, January 28, 1844, his parents being Charles and Mary ( Franklin) Hoover. The paternal grand- father participated in the Revolutionary war, and his wife lived to attain the age of one hundred and one years, her demise occurring in Newark. Charles Hoover, the father of our subject, whose birth occurred in Virginia, November 30, 1780, became one of the first settlers of this county. He successfully conducted a lum- beryard in Newark, where he made his home for forty years, passing away in this county in 1866. His wife, who was born in England, June 16, 1819, was a girl of twelve years when she accompanied her parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being established in Licking county. Unto Charles and Mary ( Franklin ) Hoover were born four children, namely: Charles E .. of this sketch : one who died in infancy; Mary, the wife of George T. Nash, of Newark: and Olivia, the deceased wife of George W. Rugg, of Newark.
Though but a young man of eighteen years at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Charles E. Hoover, with patriotic ardor, enlisted as a member of Company A. Captain Thayer, Tenth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, under General Kil- patrick. His service, covering a period of three years, included participation in the battle of Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and various other hotly contested engagements. At Resaca. Georgia, on the 14th of May, 1864, he was shot in the right forearm, the bullet passing through his elbow and across the back. After being honorably discharged from the army he returned to this county and remained
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at home until the time of his father's death. Subsequently he wedded Miss Ada Bracket, a native of Licking county, by whom he had two children: Florence, the wife of Oscar Osborn, of this county; and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Ada Hoover passed away in 1874 and afterward Mr. Hoover was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary L. Swartz, of this county, by whom he likewise has had two children: Charles, a graduate of the commercial college, who has been engaged in teaching for several years; and Eura, at home, who has been well educated in music.
Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Hoover bought a faim, on which he made his home for six years, then sold the property and purchased his present farm, of one hundred acres, in Newton township. In connection with the work of the fields he makes a specialty of raising hogs and cattle and his business interests are so carefully managed that annually his sales of grain and stock return to him a good financial reward for his labor.
In his political views Mr. Hoover is a democrat and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and fidelity, have called him to various positions of public trust and responsibility. He has served as township clerk for ten years, has been justice of the peace for a similar period and has always acted as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church, in which he has held the office of Sunday school superintendent fourteen years. His business interests have been carefully conducted, his duties of citizenship capably performed and at all times he has been true to the obligations and responsibilities devolving upon him in every relation of life, making him one of the worthy and much respected citizens of his native county. Moreover, he is a representative of a family that has figured prominently in the annals of this county, from the earliest period of its settlement, and whose labors contributed in substantial measure to the growth and upbuilding of the community in pioncer times. He is a member of the G. A. R. of Newark. He was sergeant from the time he left for the front until wounded and quartermaster sergeant after he was wounded. He was trans- ferred to Company One Hundred and Eleven, Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, of the United States Army, and was in command of his company at Columbus when discharged September 23, 1865.
H. P. SMITH.
II. P. Smith, who is now among the enterprising and substantial agriculturists of Newton township, and who has gained considerable prominence in politics, and also as a member of the Masonic order, is a native of Mckean township, where his birth occurred September 9, 1855. He was a son of George W. and Lydia (Piles) Smith, the former a native of the Keystone state and the latter of this county. They had thirteen children, namely: William H., of Oak township; B. F., who resides in Knox county ; Andrew J., a resident of MeKean township; Mary, wife of Samuel Wagner, who lives in Nebraska; Martha, who was united in marriage with William Howell, of Missouri; John W., George W. and Asa, all of whom are de-
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ceased; H. P., of this review; Richard G., who resides in Missouri; Sivila, the widow of M. W. Willard; Emily, the deceased wife of Frank Lock ; and Charles L., who resides in Mckean township. Mr. Smith departed this life August 20, 1893, and his wife three months later, on October 24, of the same year.
In the district school H. P. Smith pursued his studies, in the meantime en- gaging with his father in performing the labors of the farm. After putting aside his text-books he followed farming on the old home place until he was twenty-four years of age, when he united in marriage with Miss Nancy Welsh, a native of Perry county, where she was born October 29, 1853, and a daughter of Henry and Jo- hanna (Post) Welsh, her father a native of Maryland and her mother of Perry county. They had a family of twelve children, and both have departed this life. Immediately following his marriage Mr. Smith left the old homestead and rented a farm which he cultivated for a period of ten years, during which time he met with signal success and acquired sufficient means to purchase the farm upon which he now lives in Newton township. He possesses sixty acres of land and since acquir- ing the property he has devoted his entire time to its cultivation and has so im- proved his acreage, with all the buildings, machinery, and other conveniences requi- site to carry on general farming that his place is now one of the finest in the township.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith had one daughter, Viola May, whose birth occurred Sep- tember 1, 1889, and who departed this life in March, 1895. Mr. Smith is affiliated with the Lutheran church of Vanatta, Ohio, and, being a man of high moral char- acter, he is very observant of his religious duties. To the democratic party he has always given his political support. He is a prominent member of Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M., at Fredonia. Mr. Smith is industrious and enterprising and his patience and perseverance, reenforced by hard work and careful management, main- tain him in his present prosperity.
WILLIAM C. MILLER.
Imbued with the progressive spirit which has given America a position as one of the commercial forces of the world, William C. Miller has, through individual effort, worked his way steadily upward until he is a prominent figure in commercial and financial circles in Newark. He devotes much of his attention to his duties as secretary and treasurer of the Licking County Bank & Trust Company, but has other important business interests as well and in the successful management and control of these has also contributed to the general prosperity and business develop- ment of the city. He is a native son of Newark, born December 3, 1868, his parents being George and Louisa (Flory) Miller, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. The father came to the United States about the year 1850 and settled in Dresden, Muskingum county, Ohio. Following the Civil war he removed to Licking county and took up his abode in Newark, becoming a prominent resident of this locality. He served as county treasurer for two years and always gave his support to those measures and movements which were calculated to promote the general welfare and upbuilding of the country. For a number of years he conducted business as proprietor of a meat market, but is now engaged in farming. At the
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time of the Civil war he gave evidence of his unfaltering loyalty to his country, serving for four years as a sergeant in one of the Pennsylvania Light Artillery companies. He took part in several hotly contested battles and in one engagement was wounded.
The public-school system of Newark afforded William C. Miller his educational advantages, and passing through the consecutive grades he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1886. He then became deputy county treasurer and filled the position for nearly twelve years and then resigned that he might give military aid to his country, raising a battery for service in the Spanish-American war and going out with the rank of captain. With his command he reported at Chickamauga Park, Georgia, and was in camp there for about eight months, waiting for orders to move to the front, but his services were not needed.
Returning to Newark Mr. Miller engaged in the furniture business, in which he continued for three years. He then organized the Powers-Miller Company, of which he became secretary and treasurer and later became its president, the company today owning a department store which is one of the leading commercial enterprises of the city. On the 1st of June, 1907, he was elected the vice president of the Licking County Bank & Trust Company, and later to active management of the bank as secretary and treasurer. He is a director and secretary of the Licking Light & Power Company. He is also a director of the Tribune Publishing Company, Sherwood Improvement Company, and of the Newark Base Ball Club. In business affairs he shows keen discernment, resulting in a ready and accurate solution of intricate business problems. Moreover he possesses a determined spirit that enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes and the business methods which he has employed will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
On the 27th of June, 1897, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Alice G. Fleek, a daughter of John Fleek, deceased, and they have two daughters and one son, Martha Grace, Virginia and John F.
Mr. Miller belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias, and in these different organizations numbers many friends who entertain for him warm regard. His entire life having been passed in this community, it is well known that no fortunate environment or circumstance aided him at the outset of his career, but through the utilization of his innate talents, through determined and unfaltering energy and industry that never flags, he has gained the prominent position which he now occupies in connection with the business interests of Newark.
COLONEL JOHN L. CLEM.
There is no man of his years who can claim such a military record as consti- tutes the life history of Colonel John L. Clem. He was undoubtedly the youngest drummer boy in the Civil war and the youngest to carry a musket in defense of the Union. He has since given his life to military interests of his country and is now stationed at Forth Worth, Texas. The story of his exploits in the Civil war constitutes a most interesting chapter in the annals of that strife. For a long time
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he was known as "Little Johnny Clem, the Drummer Boy of Chickamauga." His invincible spirit and soldierly qualities were notable even in a day of brilliant achievements made by distinguished officers and the gallant rank and file of the army. He was born in Newark, Ohio, August 15, 1851, and as the years have passed various mentions have been made of him in historic and other publications relating to the Civil war period.
There was nothing particularly remarkable in his early youth, which was spent in the usual manner of lads of that locality and period. However, a martial spirit was early manifest in him and he was greatly interested in the discussions which preceded the outbreak of the Civil war. In May, 1861, soon after the inauguration of hostilities in the south, when yet not ten years of age, he offered his services as a drummer to Captain MeDougal, of the Third Ohio Regiment which was then posted in his native town, but on account of his size and age he was rejected. The regiment was on its way to the front and boarded a train for Cincinnati. Undaunted by the refusal which he had received, the little lad made his way to the train and there offered himself to the Twenty-second Michigan Regiment, but its officers also declined to muster him in on account of his youth. His persevering spirit, however, at length prevailed, and because of his determination to go to the front he was allowed to accompany the regiment in all of its subse- quent movements and the beat of his drum was often the inspiring sound that awakened the lagging energies and dormant patriotism of tired and wearied soldiers. Although so young in years, he never faltered in the performance of the duties assigned him and in fact set a splendid example to many an older soldier. At length his soldierly spirit so won the confidence and admiration of the officers of the regiment that in June or July, 1862, he was enlisted at Covington, Kentucky, as a drummer and afterward to regular duty as a soldier.
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