USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 77
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have been born: Eliza Fay, wife of Perry Van Trovinger, the couple residing in Crestline, this state; William J., at home; Roy C., who wedded Mary Kagy. the couple living in Newark, this state; Page T., who departed this life in his twelfth year; Carl E., who also resides with his parents: Emma Grace, who became the wife of Raymond Cunningham, the couple residing in Newark. this state; Hazel Dell, who passed away in infancy; and Ira M. and Pearl H .. who live with their parents. Mr. Klinck also has five grand-children. The principles of the democratic party, in the opinion of Mr. Klinek, embody those policies the observance of which will maintain the nation's institutions untarnished by the tyranny of imperialism, and perpetuate that full measure of individual liberty for which our forefathers sacrificed their lives to the end that they might establish a free government under the laws of which individual rights would be regarded inviolable and ambition sustained by healthy competition, which gives impetus to industry, trade and commerce, distributes wealth and enables all to participate in the blessings of prosperity, and consequently, he has always been an ardent sup- porter of democracy and has done all in his power during elections to put into office the candidates of his party. He has always manifested a deep interest in local affairs and has served efficiently in a number of minor offices, and being a man of excellent moral character and one who is recognized throughout the town- ship for his industry and aggressiveness, he is accounted among the community's most highly respected and representative citizens.
RICHARD S. SIGLER.
Among the representative citizens and agriculturists of Franklin township is Richard S. Sigler, who for a number of years followed the occupation of wagon- making, previous to taking up farm work. He is of sturdy German extraction and the name was originally Zigler but in course of time was changed to its present form. The Sigler family have been residents of this county for many years and in fact were among its early pioneers, the paternal grandfather, John Sigler. who was born in Loudoun county. Virginia, having located here when a young man. When he came to these parts the region presented a radically different appearance from what it does today. There were no farms ready for cultivation. the entire territory being in timber land and strewn with underbrush. However, Mr. Sigler, being of that sturdy German type which has done so much to develop the farming regions of this country. was undaunted before the difficulties which confronted him and after hard labor, reinforced with patience and perseverance, he succeeded in clearing off the land and putting it in condition for cultivation. He spent his entire life in this section. where he was finally laid to rest. The parents of Richard S. Sigler were Jacob and Jane A. (Inlerv) Sigler. The nativity of his father occurred in Franklin township, where he lived throughout his entire life with the exception of five years spent in Boone county, Iowa. He engaged in general farm- ing and through his enterprise and industry became one of the most successful agriculturists in the vicinity and established a wide reputation for honesty and straightforward dealing. Throughout the entire county the Siglers have been
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noted for their integrity and incessant business activity and have been numbered among the most progressive citizens of the community. The members of the family were not only diligent and ambitious to succeed but also possessed many laudable traits of character and sought, by modest and temperate lives, to exert the highest possible moral influence in the community. Jacob Sigler met with an accident by a falling limb which caused his death in the year 1874 and his remains were interred in the Ellis Chapel cemetery in this township. The accident occurred when he was entering a camp-meeting ground, where it was his intention to engage in religious services. His wife was a native of Ohio, spending most of her life in Licking county. When quite young she accompanied her parents to Franklin township, this county, and here remained until her death in 1883, when she was interred in Ellis Chapel cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Sigler had the following children : Jessie, deceased ; Lavina, wife of William Waldorf, who is a farmer of Boone county, Iowa : John, deceased : Emma, widow of David Griffith ; and Richard S.
Richard S. Sigler, who was born in Franklin township, January 16, 1836, acquired his education in the old log schoolhouse, which is still retained in the memory of those of his day and, having completed the course of study there, he remained on the home farm, engaging in its daily tasks until he was twenty-four years of age. He then gave up agriculture for a while and served an apprentice- ship as a wagon-maker and, after becoming a journeyman, he followed the occupa- tion for a period of twenty years, and then returned to the occupation of farming. He owns one hundred and sixty-five acres of land, all of which is highly-improved and in a fine condition for cultivation. Here he has, together with his residence, all the necessary buildings and machinery required to make agriculture a paying proposition and to conduct it along modern methods. He engages in general farming and at the same time takes some interest in the breeding of fine cattle, especially Jersey cows.
On December 18, 1862, Mr. Sigler was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Irwin, who was born on the farm on which she now resides. Her parents were James B. and Mary (Swern) Irwin. Her father, a native of Maryland, came to this county with his people when he was three years of age and remained here until he departed this life in 1873, when his remains were interred in Pleasant cemetery, Madison township. Mrs. Sigler's grandfather was also a native of Maryland, where he passed away in the year 1861. Her mother was a native of Virginia, who came to Licking county with her people, pursuing the long and tiresome journey in wagons. In this county she was married and passed away on March 1, 1890. She had the following children: Elizabeth: Caroline, deceased : George W., who resides near Alexander, Ohio; and John P., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sigler had a family of four children : James F., who is a professor in a polytechnic school located in Fort Worth, Texas: J. E., who is a farmer and butcher, near Newark ; Orren E., at home: and Rose Mary, deceased.
Mr. Sigler is of a religious turn of mind and deems it the first and noblest duty of man to acknowledge his allegiance to God upon all occasions and in every walk of life, and consequently he has ever been enthusiastic in religious work and has always endeavored to live an exemplary life and do all in his power to pro- mote the spiritual welfare of the community. He is a consistent Christian and a faithful member of the Methodist Protestant church, in which for a number of
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years he served as superintendent of the Sunday school and as steward and trustec. He is a man whose religion is not one of word alone but chiefly one of deed and in his long and useful life has abundantly manifested his practical belief in the scriptural teaching, "Faith without works is dead." In politics Mr. Sigler gives his support to the democratic party. For a period of twenty years he has served as township clerk and has also served as township trustee and member of the school board. He is affiliated with the Red Men. An enterprising, industrious and honorable life and stable qualities of character have won him the respect and esteem of all who know him.
PERRY KLINCK.
Perry Klinck, who was born and reared on the farm which he now cultivates in Union township, this county, descended from a family the members of which for over a century have been identified with the agricultural and stock-raising interests of the state of Ohio. His maternal grandmother, Lea Tumbleson, was a native of the Keystone state and went to Fairfield county in 1790 when she was nine years of age, making the long and tedious journey on a pack-saddle, and with her parents located about one mile from Carroll. Their nearest mill and trading point in those days was at Zanesville, which was about fifty miles from their farm. She wedded Edward Wisely, a native of the place in which they located, his birth having occurred September 20, 1782. He spent his entire life on the farm on which he was born and married, and his death took place July 20, 1833, the illness with which he was afflicted being cholera, his daughter-in-law having been taken with the same malady. At the time of his death he was a fore- man in the construction of the Ohio canal, then under way. In his family were ten daughters and four sons, and at his death the entire family was left to be sup- ported by his widow. The children with one exception lived to maturity, the last-born dying when but three years of age. The remaining ones were all united in marriage, excepting one, who passed away shortly before the day on which her contemplated marriage was to take place and was buried in her wedding gar- ments. Although their mother could neither read nor write she transacted the affairs of a large farm and kept her children around her until her death, which occurred July 14, 1866, when she was past the age of seventy-six years.
Perry Klinck was born on his present farm February 15, 1855, a son of John G. and Mary (Wisely ) Klinck. His father was a native of Wittenberg, Germany, where his birth occurred April 29, 1812, he having been the oldest of nine children and the first to come to the new world, but was subsequently joined by two brothers and one sister. He had twice been united in marriage, his first marriage having occurred in his native land to Julianne Dorothy Ulmer, on March 2, 1840, and immediately afterward they left the fatherland for America, settling near Carroll, Fairfield county, this state, where she departed this life October 9, 1846, when in her twenty-seventh year, leaving four children, namely: Caroline, who passed away on this farm October 23, 1861, when eighteen years of age, shortly before the day set for her marriage and she was laid to rest in her wedding clothes:
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John, who cultivates part of the old home farm in this township; Edward, who departed this life, leaving. his widow and four children; and Jacob, deceased. Mr. Klinck's second wife, Mary Wisely, was born in Carroll, Fairfield county, this state, March 31, 1812, and entered into rest October 16, 1876, leaving her husband and one child, Perry. She had been twice united in marriage, the first time to a cousin, William Patterson Wisely, in February, 1833, who passed away August 21, 1834. She was the fourth-born among fifteen children, and among her brothers and sisters who came to this country from Germany were: Matthew, who passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana; Thomas, who departed this life in Winchester, that state; and Caroline, who became the wife of J. C. Smith, the builder of the state house at Indianapolis, Indiana. J. C. Smith still lives, but his wife died in 1906. The elder Mr. Klinck purchased the farm now owned by his son, Perry, in 1848, and resided there all his life, with the exception of three years spent on the adjoining farm, which was the property of his mother-in-law. At the time of his death he owned three hundred and twenty-five acres of highly-improved land, to which he had given much attention and brought to a high state of cultivation. He was well-known throughout the county as an aggressive citizen and also for his upright life, and held membership in the Presbyterian church at Kirkerville.
Perry Klinck was reared on his father's farm and under his instructions became familiar with the art of farming, and in the meantime attended the dis- trict schools where he acquired his education. Upon completing his studies he still remained under the parental roof engaging in general agriculture, and upon the death of his father inherited his interest and has since devoted his time to general farming and stock-raising. Of the original farm he owns and cultivates one hun- dred and ten acres, all of which is highly improved and provided with excellent buildings, including a modern home, which he built in 1877, and also a substantial barn and outbuildings. Mr. Klinck has always aimed at conducting his farming business upon modern principles and, consequently, he is a student of soils and has been quite successful in the adaptation of his crops whereby he has been remunerated by abundant yields of the various grains. The farm is one of the best- kept in the community, everything about the premises indicating thrift and prog- ress, and as regards his live-stock, while he does not engage in breeding on a large scale has a number of as fine specimens of cattle and sheep as can be produced in the township.
On July 3, 1878, he wedded Ida M. Ricketts, a native of Liberty township, Fairfield county, where her birth occurred January 26, 1863. She was a daughter of William S. and Eliza Harmon Ricketts, her father having been born in Picker- ington, Fairfield county, Ohio, and her mother in Orangeville, Pennsylvania, both having departed this life in Liberty township, Fairfield county, having reared a family of four daughters and two sons. To Mr. and Mrs. Klinck have been born two daughters. Vera Myrtle, whose birth occurred May 21, 1883, became the wife of Spurgeon H. Applegate, of Grayson, Virginia, a son of the Rev. G. W. and Mary Lucretia (de Bord) Applegate, of Charleston, West Virginia. Rev. and Mrs. Applegate are now residing in Newark, the former being pastor of the Wood- side Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Spurgeon H. Applegate likewise make their home in Newark, Ohio, and have one child, Mabel Maxine, who was born in Newark, June 14, 1908. Mabel Alvernan, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
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Klinck, was born November 1, 1889, and resides with her parents. Believing that the principles of the republican party are the results of years of practical experi- ence in the management of the nation's affairs and represent the political wisdom of the country's most economical thinkers and able statesmen, and that their worth is evident in the impetus their adoption has given to commerce and industry. advancing the nation's interests and developing its natural resources to the welfare of the individual and of the country at large, Mr. Klinck has always voted the republican ticket and has been loyal to these principles of the party. He belongs to a lodge of the Masonic order meeting at Millersport, and has been a member of a lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, meeting at Kirkersville, since January 1, 1876. Mr. Klinck is a man who always finds time for the fulfillment of his religious obligations, which he considers of the greatest import in life, and attends divine services at the Fletchers Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal church, in Fairfield county, and is very active in the affairs of the several departments of the congregation. IIe is favorably known throughout the community as a man not only inspired with an aggressive spirit, but also as one who has always looked toward the moral and spiritual side of life, and hence, his conduct has always been such as to give him high standing in the community, as a man of moral worth and integrity.
WILLIS F. TAYLOR.
Willis F. Taylor is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and eight- een acres of rich and arable land, well improved and under a high state of culti- vation. It indicates in its excellent appearance the careful supervision of the owner, who in all of his farm work is practical and progressive, utilizing means that lead to desirable results. A native son of the county, he was born in Bur- lington township, November 22, 1848, his parents being William and Mary J. (Foster) Taylor. The father was a native of Iowa but when a young man came to Ohio and died in 1898. The mother's people lived for many years in Liberty township, casting in their lot with the early settlers who aided in reclaiming that district for the uses of civilization. Mrs. Taylor died when her son Willis was but eleven years of age and the family was somewhat broken up. He had no special advantages or privileges to aid him in early life, yet learned lessons of value concerning industry and perseverance. He secured a liberal education in the country schools and when old enough to earn his own living found employ- ment at farm work. He was thus engaged until he started in farm life on his own account. He has always carried on general agricultural pursuits and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. He is a truly self-made man and one who deserves much credit for what he has undertaken and accomplished.
On the 11th of September, 1872. Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Kasson, a daughter of Royal and Charlotte (Butt) Kasson. Her father died in July, 1908, but her mother is still living. IIe was the owner of much country property and improved real estate, a man of extensive business
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interests and of wide influence. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Taylor has been born a son, Ben K., who now has had several years of experience as representative of extensive paint manufacturers of the Pacific coast and in China and Japan. He is now, however, associated with his father in the management of the farming and stock- raising interests. The Taylor farm consists of two hundred and eighteen acres of valuable and productive land, which is well improved and has been brought under a high state of cultivation. Substantial buildings have been erected and all modern equipments have been secured that constitute an element in the suc- cessful cultivation of the farm or in its general improvement. In the fall of 1908 Mr. Taylor retired and removed to Johnstown, purchasing a handsome resi- dence, where the Taylor family now live.
Willis F. Taylor is, moreover, well known as a valued citizen of the com- munity. He has for eight years acceptably served as a trustee of Monroe town- ship and does all in his power to promote the welfare of his native county. Socially he is connected with Johnstown Lodge, K. P., and in politics is a democrat, believ- ing firmly in the principles of the party. A man of distinctive character and high standing in the community, his opinions carry weight and his influence is an ele- ment in the welfare and development of this part of the state.
GEORGE W. GRIFFITH.
General agriculture and stock-raising have for many years engaged the atten- tion of George W. Griffith of MeKean township, whose birth occurred on the farm on which he now resides, September 28, 1847. He has spent his entire life on the place which for many years he has cultivated and is one of the oldest and most highly respected agriculturists in the county. His parents were John H. and Ann (Jones) Griffith. His father, a native of the Keystone state, came to this county in 1810 and at an auction sale bought the farm on which his son George W. now resides, the land having been sold for non-payment of taxes. In that day the property was far from being in a fit state for cultivation as it was thickly covered with timber and undergrowth, much energy and hard labor being required to remove this before any of the land could be utilized for farming purposes. The first work which fell to the lot of John H. Griffith upon gaining possession of the land was that of constructing a small log cabin in which he lived for a number of years. On this farm he resided until 1849 and during the year when hundreds were travelling to California in sarch for gold he too became inspired with the idea that he might derive his fortune by mining, and repaired to that state, mak- ing the trip across the plains with an ox-team. However his hopes were never realized for in a few months after he had landed he took sick and departed this life in the year 1850. His wife lived in this county until she died in October, 1888. In their family were two children, Albert, deceased, and George W.
On his father's farm George W. Griffith was reared and the country at that time being sparsely settled he obviously received little education since the district school during his boyhood was far from being as adequate to serve educational needs as it is today. However, it later fell to his lot to attend the college at Gran-
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ville. He remained at home until he was of age when he bought the old home and its surrounding one hundred acres, on which he has since been engaged in general agriculture, making a specialty of raising and feeding sheep. In this he has been quite successful and has done a large shipping business to various por- tions of Ohio and adjoining states.
On December 30, 1874, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Miss Ella Woodard, a native of Granville, Ohio, where her birth occurred January 17. 1852. and a daughter of Joseph and Sophia (Bowman) Woodard, both of whom were born in that place and have departed this life. Mrs. Griffith is one of a family of seven children and has four children : Alice, who became the wife of Howard Butcher, of this county; Josephine, the wife of Ross Cheek, of Columbus, Ohio; Arthur; and Myrtle M., who was graduated from the Granville high school and was married to Emery Hankinson April 7, 1909. Mr. Griffith is a member of that denomination known as the Disciples of Christ, while his wife and children are members of the Baptist church. He has always merited the respect and confi- dence of his neighbors and is in every respect one of the township's representative citizens.
JONATHAN H. EGOLF.
Jonathan H. Egolf was a veteran of the Civil war, who for many years engaged in general merchandising in Etna township but for a period of nine years prior to his death, which occurred February 1, 1908, lived in retirement, confining his activity chiefly to looking after his farms and financial interests. He was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1832, and located in Licking county fifty-seven years ago. His parents, John and Mary (Horner) Egolf, spent their lives in the Keystone state, where they had three daughters and five sons, who attained the age of maturity.
Jonathan Egolf, the first born, acquired his education in the district schools of his native county and when twenty years of age came to Etna, Ohio, where he was employed as a clerk in a general store, the proprietor of which was Charles Elliott. He remained there until July, 1863, when he enlisted in Company E. Fifth Regiment of the Ohio National Guards, later joining Company D, Eighty- eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as sergeant until the close of the war. when he returned to Etna and engaged in general merchandising. which he followed greatly to his pecuniary advantage until the year 1891, when he dis- posed of the business to his son Harry H. and practically lived a retired life, doing little else than supervising his invested interests and looking after the affairs of his farms, one of which contains one hundred and thirty acres and adjoins Etna village and the other one hundred and sixty acres, in White county, Indiana. After selling his general store he opened a carriage and harness store and although he was not actively engaged in its management he held his interest until his death. Aside from owning many acres of farm land he also owned much town property. including the store building now used for the carriage and harness enterprise and the business premises and home occupied by his son.
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On October 30, 1856, Mr. Egolf was united in marriage to Sarah Shirey, a native of the Keystone state who passed away April 21, 1866, leaving her husband and the following children : Mary B., wife of J. D. Kilner, of Columbus, Ohio, by whom she has one son, Arthur D .; Harry H., the present postmaster of Etna, who has one son, Paul; and Ella, who departed this life in infancy. His second mar- riage was to Rebecca Manger, in May, 1865, and she departed this life June 28, 1869. Mr. Egolf was then married, April 12, 1870, to Margaret R. Swisher, a native of Lima township, where her birth occurred September 11, 1847, and where she remained until fourteen years of age, when she removed to Columbus and lived until her marriage. She was a daughter of Philip and Cassandra (Hughes) Swisher, whose ancestry is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The children of the third marriage are: J. Farris, of Springfield, Ohio; Lula May, widow of A. Benton Clifton, who has two children, Charles E. and Margaret N .; and Charles F., of Cincinnati, who wedded Lena Eyer.
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