Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 95

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 95

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).

The birthplace of Wesley Z. Evans was in a house which then stood where now the Ma- sonic Temple structure stands. He attended the Delaware schools, completed the High School course and spent two years in the Ohio Wesleyan University. For one year he was employed as a clerk at Cleveland, and then assisted his father in conducting a general hardware business, which he purchased in 1876. He continued the hardware and stove business and added plumbing and roofing to his other lines, and for seventeen years he led the trade in the lines mentioned. In 1893. Mr. Evans sold out to R. J. Pumphrey. but he is still interested in the property on which the business is located. Hle then turned his attention to the manufacturing of tile and for some six years was secretary of and a director in the Delaware Clay Manufacturing Com- pany. He built up what is known as the Un- ion Grocery Company, and from 1899 until 1905, he was engaged in a successful grocery

business. In 1901, Mr. Evans established the Delaware Creamery, for the manufacture of butter and condensed milk. This is the only condensing plant in Delaware County. The business is a large one and constantly increas- ing. During 1907 a business of $75.000 was done and prospects are bright for a great in- crease in the current year.

Mr. Evans married Ida Loveridge, who is a daughter of Philip Loveridge, of Knox County. Ohio, and they have had four chil- dren, namely: Harold, who died aged four and one-half years ; Adelaide, who was a grad- uate in igo7, at the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity; Paul, who is a member of the class of 1910 at the University, and Harriet. Mr. Evans and family belong to the Williams Street Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 18, F. & AA. MI., and of Olentangy Lodge, No. 53, Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand.

HE BANK OF ASHLEY was es- tablished in 1884 with a capital stock of $15,000 by C. F. Sperry and C. Wornstaff. proprietors. The Bank has been situated at its present loca- tion since its founding, the building having been built at that time, and the business houses of the village which were a considerable dis- tance from it then, have since gradually built on both sides until now the Bank is in the business center.

Charles Fremont Sperry, who was born February 17, 1858, in Knox County, Ohio, is a son of Peter W. and Jerusha ( Wilson ) Sperry, both of whom came of old families from Pennsylvania. His father was a native of Knox County, Ohio, and there followed farming for some years, when he moved to Utica, Ohio, and established a private bank, which he conducted successfully for many years. The last few years of his life were spent in retirement in the enjoyment of a well earned rest after years of unceasing activity. His widow, who still survives him, continues a resident of Utica, Ohio.

Charles F. Sperry was 16 years old when

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his parents moved to Utica, Ohio, and there his primary education was supplemented by a course at the Utica High School after which he attended Duff Business College of Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Sperry has never engaged in any other business than banking and was for seven years in the bank with his father at Utica, after which he came to Ash- ley, and in 1884 established in partnership with his brother-in-law. C. Wornstaff, the present Bank of Ashley, and has attained an enviable reputation in this community as a ca- pable and successful business man.

On September 23. 1880, Mr. Sperry was united in marriage with Mame B. Chapman, of Licking County, and a daughter of Sidney A. and Eliza ( Fuller) Chapman, the latter of whom is living at the advanced age of 78 years. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sperry, namely: Edwin Ray, who is bookkeeper in the Bank of Ashley, married Dawn Sherman, and they have one son, Ed- win: Teressa E., wife of W. A. Barnes, lives in Cleveland: Arthur Leon, is a senior in the Law Department of the Ohio State Univer- sity : Earl Chapman, is engaged in the grocery store of his brother-in-law. in Cleveland ; Grace Marguerite ; and Robert Theodore.

Politically, Mr. Sperry is a Republican and has served as corporation treasurer for several terms and is the present incumbent of that of- fice.

RANKLIN ELLIOTT SMITHI, a representative citizen of Orange Township, where he is engaged in operating a farm of 175 acres, giving the main part of his attention dairying, was born in Delaware County, Ohio. December 3. 1861, and is a son of Ilorace F. and Maria ( Elliott) Smith.

The family to which Mr. Smith belongs was established in Orange Township. Dela- ware County, by his grandfather, Benjamin Smith, who came here at an early day from Syracuse, New York. He was a carpenter by

trade but he purchased the present farm in order to provide independence for his family, settling in the green woods and courageously. with his faithful wife, taking up the burden of pioneer hardship. Horace F. Smith accom- panied his father to Delaware County, where he still lives. To his marriage with Maria Elliott, two sons were born: Franklin El- liott and Lewis MI. The latter was born July 9. 1864, and is a farmer in Orange Township. He married Minnie Slain and they have three children. The father married ( second) Mrs. Elizabeth Skeels, widow of Henry Skeels. During the Civil War he served in the Ninety- sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Franklin Elliott Smith was reared on the home farm on which he still resides and he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He has found dairying a profitable branch of the business and keeps from 17 to 25 head of cows. Ile raises enough produce to feed all his stock.

In 1885 Mr. Smith married Anna With- row, who is a daughter of Henry and Nancy ( Thornburg ) Withrow. She was born and reared in Orange Township, her parents hav- ing come here from Morrow County, and her mother still survives. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had three children: Lila, who is de- ceased: Josie, who married Frank Holt, re- siding at Columbus, have one daughter, Flor- ence : and Mamie, residing at home. In 1886, Mr. Smith came to the present farm to make his permanent home and here he has continu- ously lived for the past 21 years. The house, with the exception of a dining-room. which has since been added, is the same as when his grandfather built it.

In politics, Mr. Smith is a Democrat and is serving his third term on that ticket as town- ship trustee. AAlthough the township is nor- mally two to one Republican, Mr. Smith's popularity was shown at the last election for trustee by his receiving two votes to one of his opponent. In 1905. he served as a delegate to the State convention that nominated Gover- nor Pattison and he has been a delegate to every county convention, with one exception.

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

since 1896. Ile is a member of the benefi-

P LATT H. PERRY, residing on his farm of 175 acres, in Thompson Township, all of which he has under cultivation, was born in Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, Oc- tober 20. 1869, and is a son of Albert T. and Laura .A. ( Irving ) Perry.

Henry Perry, the paternal grandfather of Platt H., was born in Wales and accompanied his parents to Radnor Township. Delaware County, when the country was still covered with forests and wolves and other wild ani- mals were almost the only other live things in the wilderness. When he grew to manhood he married Martha Lavender, who was probably born in Thompson Township, and they had a family of several children. He subsequently removed to Thompson Township and later to Bokes Creek Township, in Logan County. where he lived during the last 25 years of his life, his death taking place in July, 1889, at the age of 63 years.

Albert T. Perry was born in Union County, Ohio, August 18. 1846. and died Au- gust 25, 1906. U'ntil within a year before his death he resided in Leesburg Township, Un- ion County, but the last year of his life was passed at Marion. Ile left an estate aggregating nearly 400 acres of land. During the Civil War he saw service as a member of, Company G. One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Ile married a daughter of William Irving, of Thompson Township, who settled in Delaware County at an early day, and she is still living. The three surviving children are: Platt H. : Roland P., residing at Marion; and William, who man- ages the home place in Union County. The late Albert T. Perry was a man of fine char- acter and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. Politically he was a Republican.

Platt H. Perry attended the country ciary order of the Maccabees and carries a one , schools through boyhood and remained on the thousand-dollar policy in that organization. homestead farm until his marriage, shortly after which he moved to Logan County, where engaged in farming for two years. In the spring of 1893 he came to Thompson Town- ship, settling on his farm, where he has since been engaged in growing wheat. corn. oats and hay and in raising horses, cattle. sheep and hogs. He is considered one of the suc- cessful agriculturists of this section.

On March 16, 1889, Mr. Perry was mar- ried to Mary Della Hupp, who is a daughter of Henry Hupp, residing in Claybourn Town- ship. Union County, and they have two chil- dren : Jennie E. and Ora V. Both Mr. and Mrs. Perry are social by nature and he is a member of Magnetic Springs Lodge, No. 380, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chan- cellor and has been a representative to the Grand Lodge, while she is a member of the Pythian Sisters and holds the office of past most excellent chief.

ORRINGTON CLINE, a member of the Board of Education of Marl- borough Township, residing on his valuable farm of 132 acres, which is situated on the east branch of the Olentangy River, was born March 17, 1866. in Marlborough Township. Delaware County. Ohio, and is a son of Samuel D. and Lucinda J. ( Schultz) Cline.

Samuel D. Cline was born also in Marl- borough Township and was a son of Henry Cline and a grandson of Henry Cline, and great-grandson of Conrad Cline. the latter of whom was a Revolutionary soldier. Henry Cline. Sr .. served in the War of 1812. He was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied his father to Kentucky. thence to Pickaway County, Ohio, and thence to Delaware County. Samuel D. Cline lived in Marlbor- ough Township from 1833 until 1869, during his active years having engaged in the manu- facture of woolen goods, having his factory

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situated on the Olentangy River. Later he removed his mill to Cardington, Morrow County. Ohio, where he had better facilities and was able to carry on a more extensive bus- iness. lle died there in 1876. He married Lucinda J. Schultz and all of their children survive: Wellington, Corringten and Arling- ton, the latter of whom now resides in Marion County, while Wellington resides in Delaware County. Samuel D. Cline was a Democrat.

Corrington Cline was four years old when his father moved to Cardington and he lived there until the death of his father, when he was nine years of age. He then accompanied other members of the family to Marion County, where they all lived for a time, and later to Marlborough Township, where he has resided ever since. His main occupation has been farming and his excellent property shows the care and attention devoted to its develop- ment.

On March 22. 1888, Mr. Cline was mar- ried to Elizabeth Hauck, who was born in Marlborough Township, and is a daughter of Peter Hauck, of Delaware County, and they have six children : Erwin C., Orrin I., Toura. Annita, Lela and Erma. Mr. Cline has reason to take a great deal of pride in his family of bright, attractive children. Erwin Ç. gradu- ated from the Ashley High School in 1903. in a class of 20. bearing off all the honors, although then but 13 years of age, subse- quently graduating from the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, with egnal credit. He took a course in the classics at the Uni- versity, graduating with the highest honors in June, 1907, and is now assistant superintend- ent of the Covington. Tennessee, schools. He has a high testimonial from President Welch of the O. W. C. Corrington Cline has served as justice of the peace and has held other of- fices, taking the most interest in those identi- fied with educational work. He has been of- ficially connected with the Elm Tree School for a number of years. lle is a stanch Demo- crat in his political views, and for 11 years served as township committeeman. lle belongs to Ashley Lodge. No. 421. Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs.

ATHAN MARBLE, one of the well known and highly esteemed resi- cents of Sunbury, Delaware County, Ohio, who is now living retired after a long and useful life, was born No- vember 29. 1829. in Belmont County, Ohio, and is a son of Ephraim and Leanna ( Davi- son ) Marble.

Nathan Marble, grandfather of Nathan. came from Brownsville, Pennsylvania, on the Monongahela River, and settled at Rising Sun, Indiana, where both he and wife died well advanced in years. Mr. Marble culti- vated a large tract of land near Rising Sun.

Ephraim Marble, father of Nathan, was a native of Pennsylvania, where in young manhood he engaged as a millwright. He came to Ohio at a very early day, and settled near Wooster. Wayne County, where his father had purchased 640 acres of land for him, but the Indians and wild animals were so troublesome that the pioneers deemed it wise to return to Pennsylvania. Later. however. they returned to Ohio, settling near Byesville. in Guernsey County, where Mr. Marble pur- chased 80 acres of land, and here the remain- der of his life was spent, partly in agricultural pursuits and partly as a miller, in the employ of Joshua Bye. Being a millwright Mr. Mar- ble built a boat, which he loaded with flour and piloted it to Dresden, on the Muskingum River. in 1838. While on the trip he con- tracted typhus fever, and, although a powerful man physically, this disease caused his death in the prime of life. His wife survived until 1892. when she died at a very old age. Both be- longed to the Society of Friends. Mrs. Mar- ble's parents came from Pennsylvania to Ohio at a very early day, and settled in Belmont County, where her father purchased land. Here both parents spent the remainder of their lives, Mrs. Davidson being aged over 100 years at the time of her death. To Ephraim Marble and his wife the following children were born: Reese. Nathan, Talitha. Chris- tine, Sarah Ann, Esther and Mary Ann.

Nathan Marble spent his schooldays at Byesville, and came to Sunbury, Ohio, in 1845. In his youth he learned the cabinet-

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

making trade, which he followed for many years. On October 14, 1863. he enlisted in the First Regiment, United States Volunteer Engineers, Captain William Lawrence, and served until June 9. 1865, when he was hon- orably discharged and mustered out. The most of his service was at Chattanooga, Ten- nessee, where he saw Jefferson Davis as a prisoner, and at various times he was engaged in the sharp skirmishing which took place there. On his return from the war Mr. Mar- ble resumed his business of cabinetmaking and undertaking, and continued until recent years. when he retired from active life.

On June 1, 1852, Mr. Marble was mar- ried to Louisa Kempton, who was a daughter of Henry and Louisa ( Wright ) Kempton. natives of Maine, and to this union there were born eight children, as follows: Lewa D., Mattie Jane, Fannie F., Hannah Jane, Wright, and three who died in infancy. Lewa D. married ( first ) Henry Peck of Sunbury. by whom she had three children, married ( sec- ond) her first husband's half-brother, Clinton N. Peck, and they had one son, and married ( third ) Thomas L. Dorman, and now resides in Morrow County. Oregon. Mattie Jane married Charles Crego, by whom she has a daughter, Bertha, and lives in Sunbury. Fan- nie F. married Norman Patrick. of Sunbury, and they have two children. AArmond and Christian. Hannah Jane married Charles Wormell, of Trenton Township, Delaware County, and they have eight children, Pearl. Wright, Edwin, Fannie, Irene, Stanley, Reese and Velinas. Wright Marble married a lady in Indianapolis, and makes his home in Birin- ingham, Alabama. The mother of these chil- dren died April 3. 1877, aged 44 years, 13 days, in the faith of the Christian Church. Mr. Marble was married ( second ) to Jose- phine Warner, and they had one child, Mary Maud, who died aged 20 years. Mrs. Marble, who was born December 10, 1837, and was a daughter of William Warner, a half-brother of General Robert E. Lee, died August 29, 1880, in the faith of the Methodist Church. Vir. Marble was married ( third) to Cathi- erine Little, who is a daughter of John Little. Mr. Marble is a member of the Baptist

Church. Mr. Marble is a 32d degree Scot- tish Rite Mason, and also belongs to L. A. Myers Post No. 287, G. A. R., of which he was adjutant for one term. In political mat- ters he is a Republican and for a time served in the Sunbury city council.

RANK E. WHIPPLE, cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank Company of Ashley and one of the most promi- nent citizens of that village, was born four miles southeast of Ashley, in Peru Township, in what was then Delaware, now Morrow, County. He was born Novem- ber 6, 1853, on the old family homestead where his grandfather. Reuben Whipple, settled in 1818. Reuben Whipple came from Rhode Island with his family at that time, but had previously been here to secure a location and. had 140 acres of land wholly uncleared. He first made a clearing for a log cabin, and then set about converting his land into tillable. shape. He was a hardy pioneer and became one of the most prosperous farmers in the township. He was a carpenter and mechanical genius and erected a house and barn on his place, which were unexcelled in that vicinity for many years. These buildings were built on a more substantial plan than those of modern type and are still in service on the farm in good re- pair. He had a carpenter shop on his place, and followed his trade for some years. He married Sally Cook, and of their children, one was Noah Whipple, father of Frank E.

Noah Whipple was born in Rhode Island, July 7. 1811, and was seven years old when the family moved west to Ohio. Throughout his active career he farmed the home place, but moved to Ashley with his son Frank E. in 1895. lle resided here until a short time be- fore his death, which took place in Massillon, Ohio, in January, 1900, while visiting a (laughter. His wife's maiden name was Mar- garet Elliott, and she was born in Virginia. Iler father, Archibald Elliott, came from Vir- ginia and first settled in Blendon Township, Franklin County, moving subsequently to Eden Station, Delaware County. Mrs. Whip-

DAVID BEVAN

MRS. ELIZA D. BEVAN

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ple died November 5. 1895. Of seven chil- dren born of their union five are living, as fol- lows: Phoebe ( Kohler), of Ashley; Ella ( Wallace ), a widow residing in Ashley: J. C. who resides near Leonardsburg: Frank E. : and Flora ( Benedict), who lives in Massillon, Ohio.

Frank E. Whipple was reared on the home farm and although a well-informed and broad- guaged man, his educational training was lim- ited to the common schools. £ He followed farming until his connection with the bank be- gan, although he had moved to Ashley in 1895. He added to the home place, and still owns 180 acres of it, and also has a valuable farm of 135 acres adjoining the corporation on the east. He recently erected a fine two- story pressed brick building in the business centre of Ashley, with two store rooms on the main floor, and a hall for Knights of Pyth- ias above. Mr. Whipple was the first pres- ident of the Farmers Savings Bank Company. of which he was one of the promotors and in- corporators, and served as such until January I, 1907, since which time he has been cashier. A careful, capable business man, his success has been uninterrupted. He is a man of pub- lie spirit and has done much to advance and develop the interests of Ashley.

On October 15, 1885, Mr. Whipple was united in marriage with Nettie Slack, who was born in Oxford Township, and is a daughter of Nathaniel Slack. They have a (laughter, Pearl, who married Harley Dennis, of Ashley, on June 6, 1907.

Politically, Mr. Whipple is a Republican and served as a member of the School Board for seven years. He is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias and the F. & . 1. 11. of Ashley.

AVID BEVAN, one of the leading C citizens and most successful agricul- turists of Delaware Township, Dela- ware County, Ohio, who is now living retired, was born April 20. 1829, in Breconshire. South Wales, and is a son of Da- vid and Margaret ( Lewis) Bevan.

David Bevan, Sr., who was also a native of Breconshire, South Wales, came from that country to America in 1842 with his wife and six children, and located in Delaware Town- ship, Delaware County, Ohio, where his wife's sister and her four children lived. Mr. Bevan settled in a little log cabin on a fifty-acre tract just north of where his son David now lives, and here commenced clearing the heavily tim- bered land. In a few years the family had a well improved farm, and Mr. Bevan prospered to such an extent that at the time of his death, May 23, 1879, he was the owner of 400 acres of land. He was a man of great energy and ambition, but was prudent and economical. He was also engaged for a number of years in rais- ing and dealing in cattle and sheep. Mr. Bevan was married to Margaret Lewis, who died in 1863, having been the mother of six children : Margaret, who died single; James, who is also deceased ; William, who lives in Scioto Town- ship: David; Charles, who is deceased; and Dinah, who resides with her brother William. William Bevan served three years and two months in the 121st Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, during the Civil War, and par- ticipated in all the actions of his regiment.

David Bevan went to school in his native country, and when thirteen years of age came with the family to America. He remained on the home farm until twenty-seven years old. when he began operating on his own account on the 106-acre, farm on which he now re- sides, and where he continued actively in ag- ricultural pursuits until 1899; but he con- tinned to deal in cattle, sheep and hogs, in which occupation he had been engaged for many years, until the fall of 1906. Mr. Bevan is the owner of 800 acres of land, most of which is being cultivated by tenant farmers. He is one of Delaware Township's best known men, and has the honor and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.

Mr. Bevan was married to Eliza Davis. who was born in Wales, December 16. 1829. and who came to this country with her par- ents when two and a half years okl. Four children came to brighten the home life of Mr. and Mrs. Bevan, as follows: Margaret Clara, - born May 25. 1857, and residing at home ;

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David Willard, born September 22. 1859, who died March 29, 1906; Elizabeth Emma, born June 6, 1864, who died April 13, 1887; and Edward James, born March 21, 1867, and re- siding at home. Mr. Bevan and wife belong to the Congregational Church, in which he has Leen a deacon for many years.

AYLOR DONOVON. a substantial citizen and self-made man of Dela- ware County, Ohio, who owns and operates a farm of 184 acres in Marl- borough Township, was born No- vember 24, 1850. in Chester County. Pennsyl- vania. and is a son of John and Elizabeth ( Wagonseller ) Donovon, natives of Pennsyl- vania.

In 1859 Taylor Donovon was brought by his parents from his native place to Delaware County, Ohio, where his father established himself in the butchering business, an occupa- tion which he followed until a short time prior to his death in 1865. Taylor Donovon learned the butchering business with his father, and in 1873 engaged therein on Main Street, Del- aware. where he remained until 1880, and in that year removed to Montgomery County, Towa, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits for twelve years. Mr. Donovon then re- moved to Sunbury, Ohio, where he spent nearly twelve years, and in 1903 he removed to his present property, one of Marlborough Township's best farms. Mr. Donovon en- gages in a general line of farming and stock- raising. His efforts have met with success and he is placed with the solid, substantial men of his township.

On December 25, 1881, Mr. Donovon was married to Ida C. Mason, who was born March 19, 1861, in Montgomery County, lowa, and is a daughter of Parley J. and Su- san C. ( Bean) Mason, who were natives of New Hampshire and carly settlers of Mont- gomery County, lowa. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Donovon: James, residing in Marlborough Township; George, residing at Sunbury, Ohio; Nellie M., Blanche

and Joseph. Mr. Donovon is a Democrat in his political views, and while a resident of Sunbury served as a member of the Town Council. He has always been interested in educational movements, and has been found in the front rank of all enterprises calculated to be of benefit to his township.

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 95

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 926

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926