USA > Ohio > Licking County > Newark > Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio > Part 85
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
JOHN T. GILLESPIE.
John T. Gillespie, whose well directed and unremitting activity in former years now enables him to live retired in Brownsville, in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, was born in Harford county, Maryland, on the 16th of December, 1827, his parents being William and Sarah (Heap) Gillespie. The paternal grandfather, John Gillespie, whose birth occurred near Cork, Ireland, was there married and about 1785 emigrated to the United States, subsequently becoming a planter and slave-owner of Maryland. On the paternal side the ances- try can be traced back to the House of Stuart of England. William Gillespie, the father of our subject, was a native of Harford county, Maryland, was there reared and on attaining man's estate took up farming as a life work. In 1833 he came to Ohio, arriving at MeConnelsville, Morgan county, on the 16th of November of that year. There he continued to reside until 1844, when he located near Rose- ville, in Clay township, Muskingum county, where he made his home until 1847. In that year he came to Licking county, locating on the property in Brownsville where his son, John T. Gillespie, now resides and there remaining until he passed away in September, 1881. His remains were interred in the Brownsville cemetery, as were also those of his wife, whom he had married in Maryland, she being a native of that state. Unto this worthy couple were born six children, namely : John T., of this review ; Mary E., the widow of William Dilts; Sarah J. and Margaret E., both of whom are deceased; and two who died in infancy.
As a student in the academy at McConnelsville, John T. Gillespie acquired a good education and subsequently taught school for one term in Morgan county, one term in Muskingum county and, after coming to Brownsville, taught for a similar period in the schools here. He then turned his attention to coopering, being identified with that line of activity for several years, and then followed mer-
Digitized by Google
846
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
chandising a number of years, meeting with a gratifying and well merited measure of success in his undertakings. Subsequently he was engaged in buying and ship- ping produce but eventually retired, having accumulated a competence sufficient to enable him to spend his remaining days in comfort and ease, without further recourse to business activity. He owns an attractive and commodious residence in Brownsville, as well as forty-five acres of valuable land in Hopewell township, and is interested in real estate in Brownsville and Bowling Green township, being numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community. On November 12, 1846, Mr. Gillespie was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Risen, of Morgan county, by whom he had six children, as follows: William T., whose whereabouts are unknown; Sarah E., the wife of James Uffner, of Browns- ville, Ohio; Eva A., the wife of David R. Mealick, of Blackford county, Indiana ; and three who have passed away.
In his political affiliation Mr. Gillespie was originally a whig, then a repub- lican and finally became a supporter of the democracy, whose candidates and principles he upholds at state and national elections but votes independently on local questions. Between the periods 1871 and 1899 he served twenty-one years as justice of the peace and it is worthy of note that during his long term of office he did not have a decision overruled by the higher court, which speaks in strong terms of his legal knowledge and ability as well as of his sense of justice and his executive powers. He is a strong anti-saloon man and has always worked strenu- ously in order to abolish the liquor traffic and thereby relieve humanity of the cause of the greater portion of its poverty, sickness and misery. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In religious faith he is a Universalist, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. He has a very wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the county in which he has now so long resided, being highly esteemed by all who know him as one of its venerable and honored citizens.
THOMAS F. COULTER.
Thomas F. Coulter, a contractor of Newark, has won a prominent place in the industrial circles of the community. Besides being interested in an extensive contracting trade he is also the president of the Coulter-Mckay Realty Company. Ambitious and of an aggressive spirit, he is an industrious man and it has been through his keen business discernment and perseverance that he has become head of a profitable enterprise. He was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1873. Cyrus Coulter, his father, was also a native of Pennsylvania and for many years was engaged in the contracting and roofing business. Mary Coulter, mother of the subject, was also a native of the Keystone state.
Thomas F. Coulter, who was one of a family of four children, obtained his education in the common schools of his native city. Being anxious to get out in the business world for himself and being ambitious to learn a trade, he appren- ticed to his father and learned the roofing and contracting business. Under the supervision of his father, who was a skilled mechanic, he progressed rapidly and
Digitized by Google
8-17
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
soon became a skilled artisan and master of all details of the business. Leaving his native city in 1905 he came to Newark, where he began business for himself. Since then he has applied himself diligently to his work and has succeeded in de- veloping an extensive trade. He is acknowledged to be one of the most proficient men in his line of business in the city and is accounted one of the leading con- tractors.
Mr. Coulter was united in marriage with Miss Ethel Gill, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. They have one child, Clyde T., who was born in Newark, Ohio, three years ago. Mr. Coulter is deeply interested in religious work of the First Presbyterian church, of which he is a member and also one of its trustees. He is a member and director of the Newark Young Men's Christian Association, in which he is very popular, and is connected with the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Coulter gives his support to the republican party but is not active in politics beyond exert- ing his influence in securing the election of honorable men to public office.
JOSEPH C. HANBY.
It was in June, 1893, that Joseph C. Hanby purchased the farm of one hun- dred and forty-eight acres in Union township, on which he now resides. In the intervening sixteen years he has given his undivided attention to its cultivation and has brought the fields into a state of rich fertility. He follows modern methods in all his farm work and his labors are bringing him a substantial and gratifying annual income. Mr. Hanby is a native of Perry county, Ohio, his birth having occurred near Thornville in 1860. His parents were William and Amanda (Overholt) Hanby, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Knox county, Ohio. Mr. Hanby was a son of John and Sarah (Abbott) Hanby, who were among the pioneer residents of Perry county, journeying thither in wagons, for it was long prior to the era of railroad building. John Hanby was not per- mitted to enjoy his new home any length of time, for he died soon after reaching his destination. The members of his family were William, Samuel, George, Martha and Elizabeth A., and two who died in childhood, one being drowned in a well, while the other was killed by lightning. Of this family William Hanby was the eldest, and brought to Perry county in early childhood, he was there reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. As stated, he wedded Amanda Overholt. Their last years, however, were spent in Perry county, and they were well known farm- ing people, whose lives closely adhered to high standards and won for them the respect and confidence of those with whom they were associated. Their family numbered nine children, seven sons and two daughters, of whom one son and one daughter are deceased. The family record is as follows: John Jefferson, now living in Van Wert county; Sarah Ann, who became the wife of Jesse Mechling and died in Van Wert, Ohio; Joseph C. of this review; Alma F., the wife of William Fallars, of Van Wert county; Lincoln E., who died in Van Wert, leav- ing a widow and one child; William G., of Allen county, Ohio; B. F., who is living on a part of the home farm in Perry county; Alta B., also living on the homestead farm; and David Webster, of Perry county. The father owned in
Digitized by Google
848
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
Perry county a tract of rich land of one hundred and seventy-six acres and also another farm of eighty acres and in his business affairs met with good success, owing to his capable management and well directed thrift. He started in life empty-handed and in fact was dependent upon his own resources from an early age. Gradually he worked his way upward, however, carefully utilizing his business opportunities until his labors brought him to a place among the sub- stantial and prosperous farmers of his community. He voted with the republican party but manifested only a citizen's interest in political affairs. He and his family are all members of the Methodist church.
On the old homestead farm in Perry county, Joseph C. Hanby was reared, remaining there with his parents until twenty-three years of age, during which time he assisted in the farm work. He aided in the task of plowing, planting and harvesting and when the duties of the fields were largely over for the year, he attended the public schools of the neighborhood. On leaving home he went to Van Wert county, where he engaged in farming for eighteen months and in 1885 arrived in Licking county. Here he invested in land, purchasing a farm of sixty acres, which he cultivated for about eight years and then in June, 1893, sold that property and bought his present farm comprising one hundred and forty-eight acres of rich and productive land in Union township. He has here made many improvements and the farm is well equipped with modern conveniences and acces- sories. In addition to tilling the soil he also raises stock and both branches of his business are proving remunerative.
Just before coming to this county, Mr. Hanby was married in Perry county, in 1884, to Miss Laura A. Goodin, who was born in that county in 1869, a daugh- ter of Asa and Sarah Ellen (Miller) Goodin, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hanby has been blessed with two children, a son and a daughter. Hollis G., who was born in Perry county, married Ethel Tavner, and they have one child. He occupies a part of his father's farm, which he is carefully cultivating. The daughter, Lulu B. was married to T. E. Jones, December 6, 1908.
In his political views Mr. Hanby is a republican but the honors and emolu- ments of office have no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to devote his attention to his business affairs, in which he has met signal success. The Methodist Episcopal church of Hebron numbers him among its valued representa- tives and it is well known that his influence can always be counted upon on the side of justice, truth and general improvement.
T. J. BLINE.
T. J. Bline, who has long been numbered among the progressive and pros- perous agriculturists of Newton township, was born in Lieking county, Ohio, on the 4th of May, 1847. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth ( Frederick) Bline. natives of Virginia, came to Licking county in 1829. For thirteen years the father was engaged in the operation of rented land and in 1843 purchased a farm. on which he made his home until his demise, which occurred April 9, 1888. He
Digitized by Google
849
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
was widely recognized as a most worthy and respected pioneer settler of this county and one whose labors proved an important element in its agricultural develop- ment. His wife was called to her final rest in the year 1887. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, namely : Mary A., deceased; John W., a resident of Crawford county, Illinois; Sophia, who has also passed away; David and A. J., residing in Licking county ; T. J., of this review ; Rebecca, the wife of Samuel Hawkinson, of Licking county ; Jacob, who likewise makes his home in this county ; Elizabeth, the wife of A. J. Swisher, of Licking county; and one who died in infancy.
T. J. Bline obtained his education in the common schools and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. In 1872 he purchased his pres- ent farm in Newton township and as the years have gone by he has placed many substantial improvements thereon, so that it is now lacking in none of the con- veniences and accessories of a model farming property of the twentieth century. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has been very successful, owing to his untiring labor and sound business judgment, and he is well known as a progressive and enterprising citizen of his native county.
Mr. Bline has been married twice. At the age of twenty-eight years he wedded Miss Eleanor King, a daughter of John King, of Licking county. By this union there were seven children: Bertha, the wife of Bud Brown, of this county ; Clyde, a resident of Newark, Ohio; Frances G., the wife of Charles Osborne, of Licking county; Blanche, at home; Cora, the wife of Stanley Wright, of Newark, Ohio; Pearl, also yet at home; and Calvin P., who is deceased. Mrs. Eleanor Bline passed away in 1896 and in 1900 Mr. Bline was again married, his second union being with Mary J. Runnels, the widow of Orlando Runnels, of Licking county. Mrs. Bline is also a native of this county, her birth having occurred in 1840.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Bline has given his political allegiance to the democracy and has served his fellow townsmen in the position of township trustee and also as a member of the school board. He is likewise identified with the Grange. Both he and his wife are widely and favor- ably known throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives, possessing those commendable traits of character which in every land and clime awaken admiration and respect.
ARTHUR WYETH.
Arthur Wyeth, a prosperous farmer and highly respected citizen of Liberty township, was born in this county February 16, 1866, a son of Stillman S. and Elizabeth (Wright) Wyeth, his father having come to Lieking county from Mas- sachusetts with his parents, David and Sallie Wyeth, in the year 1838, locating in this township, where he departed this life April 1, 1891, leaving a widow. Both father and grandfather were substantial farmers of this county and men whose sterling qualities made them representative and influential citizens.
Digitized by Google
850
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
On his father's farm Arthur Wyeth spent his boyhood days and in the district schools of the township acquired his preliminary education subsequently pursuing a course of study in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, completing the sophomore year. Later he taught in the schools of this county for five winter terms and was employed on his father's farm during the summer months. He was regarded as one of the progressive teachers of the county. In the year 1890 he took the civil service examination for appointment in the railway mail service and made the third highest grade in a large class of applicants, being soon after assigned to a position. He remained in the service for two years but resigned upon the death of his father to take charge of his farm and other business inter- ests. He has since followed general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of breeding sheep. Mr. Wyeth has extensive land interests and his farm bears evidence of excellent care, being highly improved and equipped with all con- veniences by which to pursue the occupation by the most modern and progressive methods.
Mr. Wyeth has been twice united in marriage. His first union occurred October 24, 1888, with Miss Allie Butt, daughter of Wilson and Mary ( Kasson) Butt. She departed this life in April, 1895, leaving her husband and two chil- dren : Cleo D. and Claude S. On December 30, 1897, he was married to Miss Jennie M. Jackson, daughter of Burr D. and Adah (Arnold) Jackson of this county and to this union were born two children, Pauline and Esther. Mr. Wyeth has always given his political support to the republican party and is active in its affairs as a member of the county committee and county election board. He has served as delegate both to the county, district and state conventions and has on several occasions been urged to become a candidate for office. He takes a profound interest in church work and is recording steward of the circuit and also a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal church in which he is class leader and has been superintendent of the Sunday school. Aside from being a progressive and enterprising citizen Mr. Wyeth is a man of high moral and spiritual ambi- tions, whose upright and straightforward life exerts a telling influence among those with whom he associates and which makes him one whom it is a pleasure to meet, both in the ordinary affairs of the world and in a social way in his home, which he strives to make ideal and the center of happiness and hospitality.
JOHN HENRY CRIST.
John Henry Crist, who for many years has been following general farming and stock-raising in Thornville, Perry county, Ohio, was born on the farm on which he now resides January 18, 1844. He is a representative of a family long identified with the farming interests of this part of the state. His grandfather, W. P. C. Crist, was a weaver who came to the United States about the time of the Revolutionary war and enlisted under General Washington and served through-
Digitized by Google
851
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
out the conflict. When he came to Perry county, this state, he had three hundred dollars of government script which, it is related, he became weary of looking at and burnt it. He was united in marriage in Pennsylvania to Miss Butts, with whom he came to the above named county, where he spent his remaining days in the pursuit of agriculture. Among his children was Frederick Crist, the father of the subject of this review, whose birth occurred in the Keystone state and who accompanied his father to Perry county when he was in his seventh year. There he remained until his marriage. In 1827, he purchased the farm on which his son John now resides. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and politically allied himself with the democratic party, having been well known throughout the district for his advocacy of its principles. His wife was a native of Fairfield county and at her death, which occurred in this county, her remains were interred in Perry county. Mrs. Crist was well known throughout the vicinity for her high moral character and Christian zeal and for the part she took in the affairs of the Lutheran church, where she regularly attended divine services. She was the mother of eight children, namely: Levi, deccased ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jesse A. Roolie, upon whose death she was united in marriage to David Griffith, the couple now residing at Jacksontown, this state; Mary Ann, deceased ; George Washington, deceased ; John Jackson, deceased; Solomon, an agriculturist of Hebron, this state; Rebecca, wife of S. O. Hendren; and John Henry.
The district schools of Licking township afforded John Henry Crist his pre- Jiminary education and later he pursued a course of study at Pleasantville, Ohio, after completing which he taught school for one year and then returned to the home farm where he has since been engaged in general agriculture. He owns one hundred and two and a quarter acres of land. upon which he has erected fine buildings including a dwelling house, substantial barn and outbuildings, and his farm, having received all necessary attention particularly as to the care of its soil, is one of the finest in the county. Mixed husbandry is pursued by Mr. Crist and he also engages to some extent in stock-raising.
In 1885 Mr. Crist was united in marriage to Florence Cherry, of this county, by whom he has had five children, namely; Stanley Frederick, at home; Anna Louisa ; William Franklin ; John Bryant, deceased ; and Claude Cherry. The democratic party has always commanded the vote and influence of Mr. Crist who has always taken quite an interest in local politics, having served for several years as trustee of the township and at the same time having done much toward promot- ing measures having for their object a better school system and better roads. He is an active member of the Lutheran church, upon the services of which he is a regular attendant.
H. W. CONGER.
On the 1st of January, 1908, H. W. Conger came into possession, through purchase, of his present fine farm property, consisting of two hundred and fifty acres, located in Perry township, Licking county, and here he gives the greater part of his time and attention to raising fine grades of stock, although he carries on general farming to some extent. Mr. Conger was born in McLean county, Illinois, November 9, 1857, a son of Elias J. and Harriet Marinda (Miller) Con-
Digitized by Google
852
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
ger, both of whom were natives of Licking county, their respective parents removing here from Pennsylvania. Elias J. Conger and Harriet M. Miller were here reared and married and three or four children were added to the household ere they made a removal to McLean county, Illinois. After spending several years in the latter place they returned to Licking county, believing it to be a more healthful climate, as the land in McLean county was very swampy. They then spent the remainder of their lives in Licking county, the father here passing away on the 8th of October, 1871. He was a stanch democrat in his political belief but was never active as an office holder. Following the death of the husband and father, the mother afterward married a man by the name of Jonathan Frost, who died six years later. She then became the wife of George Lacey and survived his death for about twleve years, her demise occurring in 1906.
H. W. Conger was a little lad of eight years when his parents removed from McLean county, Illinois, to Licking county, so that he was practically reared in the latter place. He was but fourteen years old when his father's death occurred and until his mother married again he was the main support of the family. How- ever, following her marriage the son was given his time and he then worked as a farm hand, being thus employed for twelve years. As an indication of his thrift it is said that he was paid a higher wage than any other farm hand in this section of the county. In 1880, when a young man of twenty-three years, he, with several others, purchased what proved to be a worthless tax title on land in Pound county, Kentucky. The land was heavily timbered and after Mr. Conger learned of the invalidity of his title, he immediately set to work to clear a portion of the land of the timber, which he shipped and in this way recovered the full amount of money which he had invested, he being the only one of the investors who recovered their money.
In 1882 Mr. Conger established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Leora Barcroft, a native of Knox county, Ohio. Following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm, which Mr. Conger rented for seven years. He worked earnestly and persistently in the cultivation of his farm, and, carefully saving his earnings, was eventually enabled to purchase sixty-five acres of land, adjoining the tract which he now owns. To this place he removed and there spent his time in its cultivation during the succeeding four years, sub- sequent to which time he disposed of his farm and removed to Zanesville, Ohio. where he lived for eighteen months, his time being given to the conduct of a wholesale meat establishment. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his business there and removed to Newark and for four years engaged in buying butcher cattle for the firm of Miller & Howell. He then became one of five men who organized the Howell Provision Company, of which Mr. Conger was elected vice president. For five years he was identified with this firm but on the 1st of January, 1908, severed his connection therewith and purchased his present farm. comprising two hundred and fifty acres located in Perry township. This is a well improved property on which stands a comfortable country residence, while substantial barns and outbuildings furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. Mr. Conger has here given a portion of his time to general farming but his farm is heavily stocked and he expects in the near future to give his time exclusively to raising and shipping stock, in which he is already meeting with excellent success. ITis long experience in buying stock has given him excellent knowledge of the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.