USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 60
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called Jan Bastiaensen only, dropping his surname of Kortryk-much difficulty was experienced in tracing the early history of this family in Holland. It was found, how- ever, that the full and correct name was always made use of in signing or making out legal documents and on church records, owing to which circumstance a correct ac- count was finally obtained.
Descending a generation in the present family line, we come to Cornelis Jansen (or "the son of Jan"), who emigrated with his father, Jan Bastiaensen, and who was born in 1645, at Beest, Gelderland. In 1665 he married Metje, daughter of Bastiaen Elys- sen and widow of Claes Teunisz van Apple- dorn, a lady who, after Jansen's early death in 1689, proved her ability both to manage his business and enhance his estate, the use of which, under his will, dated Feb. 25th of that year, she was to enjoy until her death or re-marriage. Having been a trooper, he gave his eldest son Johannes (John) "the best horse and the best saddle and the best boots, and the best pistols and holsters and carbine and cutlas." He must have been his favorite child, for, over and above his share of the estate, he left him "the lot of land at Joshem Pieters, to-wit, the lot by the great gate." He left four children, be- sides Johannes-above named .- who were as follows: Laurens; Aefie, who married Jonas Lewis, an Englishman, in 1688 (be- coming a widow, she married Marcus Tie- baut in 1698) ; and Annetie, who married Adrian Quackenbos. The widow was usu- ally called Metje Cornelius, sometimes Metje Jansen, and sometimes Metje Bas- tiaen (from her father). She drew from the common lands in the several divisions, a considerable acreage, but in her title papers it was always Metje Kortright. In the last years of the XVII century the name
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of Kortryk was so far anglicised as to be homestead on Harlem Lane, which at his spelled and pronounced Kortright, and we can find no one of the family who was known as Kortryk after the year A. D. 1700.
Though Johannes Cornelis Kortright (John Cornelius) is not in the direct line of descent under present consideration, we will here state briefly that he was born in 1673 and in 1701 married Wyntie, daughter of Cornelis Dyckman. He died in 1711 and in 1717 his widow became the second wife of Zacharias Sickels. Johannes left three children, namely : Metje, who married John Bussing ; Nicholas, and Jannetie, who mar- ried Johannes Van Wyck. Nicholas be- came constable of the town in 1729 and afterwards collector. In 1731 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Eide van Huyse, of Bloomingdale. On the death of his uncle Laurens, in 1726, the Kortright lands were divided, his portion being 101 acres, He accumulated considerable other real estate and at his death in 1751 he left a large estate. He had two sons and one daughter, viz: John, born in 1732; Nicholas, born in 1743, and Frances, born in 1741, who mar- ried John Norris, a peruke (wig) maker. Nicholas, a sailmaker, owned property in New York and was a vestryman of Trinity church from 1787 to 1792. He died in 1820, leaving children, two of whom were Nicho- las and James, but of his immediate family we can learn but little.
Laurens Cornelis Kortright, son of Cor- nelis and grandson of Jan or John Bastiaen- sen, was born in 1681 and is the third an- cestor in direct line to the subject of our sketch. He was married in 1703 to Helena, the daughter of Capt. Johannes Benson, but soon becoming a widower, he married, about 1708, Margaret, the daughter of Arent Bussing. Laurens served as con- stable in 1708-9. He succeeded to the
death fell in the division to his widow, Mar- garet (called Grieta), together with other lands, leaving her quite a landed estate. The old homestead descended to her son Lawrence (the Laurens anglicised).
Laurens Kortright's children by his first wife were Cornelius and Elizabeth (she married Gilbert Garrison, of New York, in 1753) ; and, by his second wife, Aaron, Law- rence, Eve (who married Adolph Benson), Mattie (who married Abraham Myer), and Susannah (who married Aaron Myer).
Lawrence was the last of the name to hold the old homestead; he was never married and died in 1761. After his death the home- stead, which was located on what is now 6th Avenue, its north corner touching 110th street, New York City, became the subject of litigation, which was begun by one Val- entine Nutter and was only terminated near the close of the century, when a compromise was effected between the parties.
Aaron Kortright, son of Laurens, mar- ried Margaret, daughter of John Dela- mater. He also became a large land owner, and, having secured 241 acres of land in Orange county, he moved thither and re- sided there to the end of his life. Many of his descendants are now living in western New York and Pennsylvania.
Cornelius Kortright, eldest son of Lau- rens Cornelius, was born in 1704. He mar- ried Hester, daughter of John Cannon, of New York, and had six children-Law- rence, John, Cornelius, Maria, Helena and Elizabeth, of whom the last mentioned be- came the wife of Hon. James Monroe, third President of the United States. Lawrence was a wealthy and prominent merchant and one of the founders of the Chamber of Commerce in 1768.
John Kortright, son of Laurens and
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brother of Lawrence, was the next direct ancestor in the branch of the family we are considering. When a young man he be- came an agriculturist. He served thro' the Revolutionary war and was sometimes known as Capt. John. His wife in maiden- hood was Margaret Denmark, of whom we have no further information.
The next in line of descent was John's son, Abraham van Kortright (or Court- right, according to the modern spelling of the name), was also a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. He married Effa Drake, who was a native of the south of Scotland, and their family consisted of five children- three sons and two daughters,-John, Abraham van, Jesse D., Margaret and Christiana. Margaret became the wife of Walter McFarland and Christiana married a Mr. Wheeler. In the year 1801 or 1802, Abraham moved with his family to Ohio. They came over the mountains from North- umberland county, Penn. (their former home), in two two-horse wagons, bringing with them such household goods as they could not well dispense with ; and they also brought a cow. On their way they re- mained over night at Lancaster, which was then but a small village. They put up at the "Tavern," a two-story hewed log house (regarded then as a very imposing struct- ure), immediately in the rear of which was a stout stockade, where the horses, wagons, cow and other property were enclosed for the night, secure from the depredations of wild animals.
The next morning the Courtright fam- ily bade adieu to the tavern and started in northwesterly course. They plodded
a along, covering, as they supposed, about fifteen miles. Night coming on, and the locality pleasing them, they camped for the night, as was usual (and necessary), one are now living.
of the male members of the family doing guard duty. The next morning the sun shone brightly, the landscape was so invit- ing and the locality being about what they were looking for, they determined to locate right there, and they did so. A log cabin was erected without delay, and they were now at their own home in the "Northwest Territory." The farm upon which the cabin was built has been owned by, and has been the home of some members of the Courtright family from that day to this.
At the time of this migration Abraham van Courtright, or, as otherwise, called Abraham van Camp (or van Compen) Courtright, was about 54 years of age. He was born June 4, 1749 (elsewhere stated as July 8, 1748), and his migration to Ohio is said to have occurred in 1802. The place where he and his family stopped was near what is known as the Betzer church, and they purchased this property partly from the government, which had at that time a land office at Chillicothe, and partly at second-hand. During the fall and winter of that year they prepared it for occupa- tion in the following spring. The land has now been owned in the family for 110 years.
Abraham van Courtright was a strong man intellectually and as such was known far and wide. For several years from 1806 lie served as a justice of the peace. His death occurred June 12, 1825. John was the eldest of his children and was married when he came to this country. He was a man of strong mind, great physical en- durance and great business tact, and he be- came one of the largest land owners in this section. He continued in business up to the time of his death, when he had attained a green old age. Many of his descendants
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Jesse laid out the village of Greencastle. He left but few descendants.
Abram van (son of Abraham van) and grandfather of Silas W Kortright, was not a man of great physical strength, but was a careful, shrewd business man, very care- ful about his dress and also about his busi- ness. He was married to Elizabeth McFar- land in 1809. The McFarlands came from Dauphon county, Penn., in 1798, and lo- cated near the old Hocking bridge. They were of Scotch-Irish descent, which race has furnished at least six Presidents to the United States besides many other remark- able men. The McFarland family con- sisted of six sons and one daughter, all of whom were brought up in the above men- tioned vicinity.
The Courtright family were undoubtedly the founders of Presbyterianism in this sec- tion ; the church at Greencastle owes its existence to this family, and probably the church at Lithopolis also. The grandfather of our subject was one of the building com- mittee that built the church at Greencastle and gave liberally of his means towards its erection. Before its dedication, however, he was called away by Death, on the 29th of January, 1862. His wife survived him eight years, passing away in 1870.
Zephaniah Courtright, son of Abraham van Courtright, was born on the family homestead in Bloom township. He resided all his life on the same farm, on which also he died when in his 78th year. He was engaged both in farming and stock raising, feeding cattle for the market, which, indeed, was his main business. He married Saralı Williamson, who was also a native of Bloom township, and they had a family of eight children, six of whom are now living, namely: Silas W. of Greenfield township. whose name appears at the head of this
article; Elizabeth, widow of Andrew Mus- ser, late of Lancaster (was one time treas- urer of Fairfield county, serving four years ; also served as president of the Fairfield County Agricultural Society, his widow now residing in Lancaster) ; Effie, wife of R. V. Allen, of Lancaster, O .; Felicia, wife of H. J Knisley, of Lancaster; Abram V. and Mary, both residents of Bloom town- ship, this county. The father, Zephaniah Courtright, was a useful and active citizen and a member of the Republican party.
Silas W. Courtright, proprietor of the Pomona Dairy, was born on his father's farm in Bloom township, Fairfield county, Ohio, July 17, 1846. He was educated at Pleasantville Academy and at Blooming- burg Academy, in Fayette county, Ohio, and has been a reader and student all his life, being a man well informed upon gen- eral topics and keeping in close touch with current events. In his youth he received a good agricultural training, and as a dairy- man, agriculturist and fruit grower has been eminently successful. His dairy is one of the best known in Fairfield county. He has 18 cows all of a good breed and operates a regular milk route in Lancaster. His main farm consists of 120 acres and he has 18 additional acres in the vicinity, mak- ing 138 acres all told. His property is in excellent condition, the land being highly cultivated-such of it as is devoted to rais- ing crops, at least. He has a large orchard, in which he raises various kinds of apples, and also devotes ten acres to raising other kinds of fruit, in which line of industry he has been very successful. Mr. Courtright belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry at Carroll. Ohio, and like his father, is a mem- ber of the Republican party. He takes a warm interest in educational matters and is at present serving as a member of the
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school board of Greenfield twp., having held that position for several years. Enterpris- ing and public spirited, he is a good busi- ness man, and enjoys the confidence of the entire community.
He was married June 15, 1882, to Miss Jennie Trimble, of Greenfield township, daughter of Thomas Trimble, who died when his daughter, now Mrs. Courtright, was a mere child. Of the five children born to this union, three survive, namely: Mary and Fay, twins, residing at home ; and Effie L., who is a student at Ohio University at Athens, Ohio.
FRANK P. ATKINSON, M. D., phy- sician and surgeon, who has been estab- lished professionally at Millersport, O., since July, 1903, and is in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice, was born on the old home farm near Pataskala, Licking County, O., April 1, 1877, and is a son of Joseph and Julia (Ewing) Atkinson.
Joseph Atkinson was born also in Lick- ing County, where he still resides on the old farm on which his father, Samuel Atkin- son settled when he came to Ohio from New Hampshire. Samuel Atkinson was a farmer and wool grower and spent the larger part of his life in Licking County. Joseph Atkinson married Julia Ewing, who was a daughter of Dr. James Ewing, who was a well known physician at Hebron, O. To the above marriage seven children were born, namely: Charles, who lives at Patas- kala; Florence, who is the wife of George Newkirk, of Detroit, Mich .; Frank P .; and Joseph B., Harry, James and Carlton, all of whom live in Licking County.
Frank P. Atkinson was reared in Lick- ing County and in 1895 was creditably grad- uated from the Pataskala High School. He continued his education in Wooster
University, where he was graduted in 1900 with the degree of A. B. During the Span- ish-American War he was connected with the hospital corps for eight months, at Camp Alger, Camp Meade and Camp Mc- Kenzie, completing his senior year at Wooster after the war was over. In 1900 he entered the Ohio Medical University at Columbus and from that well known in- stitution was graduated in the spring of 1903. He came then to Millersport, where, for a short time he was associated in prac- tice with Dr. T. W. LeCrone and has been alone since the death of the latter. In 1907 he opened his present office and in 19II erected his handsome residence near it. He was one of the organizers of the Millers- port Bank Company and one of the first board of directors but subsequently sold his stock.
On December 2, 1907, Dr. Atkinson was married to Miss Fairice Klinck, a daughter of the late Edward and Emma (Messmore) Klinck. He belongs to the Fairfield County and the Ohio State Medical Socie- ties and is identified with the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, all at Millersport. Politically he is a Republican. Dr. and Mrs. Atkinson attend the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
HARRY E. STRICKLER, who is a well known citizen and successful farmer of Clear Creek Township, resides on his ex- cellent farm of 100 acres and owns a second farm containing 82 acres, which lies in Madison Township. He was born in the latter township, January 16, 1875, and is a son of John Nelson and Emma (Eversole) Strickler.
The parents of Mr. Strickler were born in Madison Township, their respective fathers, Isaac Strickler and Charles D.
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Eversole, having been carly settlers in Fair- field County. John Nelson Strickler was a farmer all his active life and was a mem- ber of the Reformed church. His death occurred in 1899. He married Emma Ever- sole, who survives and lives at Lancaster, O. They had three children: Harry E .; Grace, who is the wife of G. M. Trimmer; and Roy H.
After completing the common school course, Harry E. Strickler entered a com- mercial college at Tiffin, O., and afterward settled down to an agricultural life. In 1897 he bought his present home farm from David Cunningham and has kept up the improvements and has carried on agricult- ural operations along the most improved lines.
In 1896 Mr. Strickler was married to Miss Alice Kern, who is one of the follow- ing family born to her parents, William T. and Mary ( Whitehurst) Kern: Albert, Harry, Harley, Ralph, Laura, Helen, Alice and Grace. Laura, who is deceased was the wife of Edward Clendenen. Helen is the wife of Emmett Shaeffer. Mr. and Mrs. Strickler have two children-Ross Nelson, and Malinda Catherine. They attend the Reformed church. In politics Mr. Strickler is nominally a Democrat but he is an in- telligent, thinking, well informed man and does not permit party ties to influence his judgment.
CARY ADEN SWISHER, dealer in hay and grain at Millersport, where he operates a grain elevator, is one of the substantial business men of this part of the county, where he is well known and respected. He was born in Licking County. O., February 28, 1864, a son of John P. and Sarah (Green) Swisher.
John P. Swisher was also a native of
Licking County, being the son of Joseph Swisher, a pioneer settler there, whose chil- dren, in addition to John P. (who was the fourth-born) were: Rhoda, widow of Ira Graeham; Saralı, widow of O. F. Wil- son ; Nancy, widow of John Whitehead; Stephen, Sinnett and Mary. John P. Swisher, who spent his active years in farming, died in Licking County Novem- ber 30, 1909, at the age of 72 years. His wife Sarah, was born near Newark, O., a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Swisher) Green, now resides with her daughter Mary, who is the wife of George Stenson, of Hebron, O.
Carey Aden Swisher, the only son and eldest born of his parents' two children, grew to manhood on the home farm in Lick- ing County. His people were in comfort- able circumstances and he was afforded good educational opportunities, enjoying two years of university training at Dela- ware, Ohio and one year at Granville, O. His first business position was that of book- keeper for Kibber's Stove Foundry at New- ark, O., where he remained for 18 months, after which he settled on a farm in Licking County that had been a gift from his father. He operated that farm for 15 years and is still its owner. It contains 129 acres of productive land and lies in an excellent situation
In 1901 Mr. Swisher entered into partner- ship in his present line of business with C. A. Pence, who had previously been in the grain business at Hebron and owned an elevator there. In 1907 they erected the elevator at Millersport. of which Mr. Swisher is now the proprietor. The busi- ness was carried on successfully until Jan- uary 22, 1912, when the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Swisher retaining the plant and business at Millers-
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port and Mr. Pence returning to Hebron, where the latter has resumed his former interests. Mr. Swisher is a wide awake business man, honest, energetic and pro- gressive-such a man, in fact, as makes a good citizen wherever he is found. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Hebron and to the Chapter and Council at Newark, O. In politics he is a Democrat.
On October 20, 1886, he married Miss Florence Stoolfire, a daughter of Charles and Emily (Sprague) Stoolfire, of Newark, O., and they have a daughter, Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and take a helpful interest in its various activities. They are well known and popular in Millersport society.
PETER HEWETSON, M. D., both as man and physician, has been known and respected in Fairfield County, O., for many years, came to Amanda in 1858 and this place has been his continuous home ever since, his longest period of absence being three years spent in the Union army dur- ing the Civil War. He was born in Wig- ton, Scotland, October 25, 1832, and was an infant when his parents came to the United States.
Joseph Hewetson, father of Dr. Hewet- son, was a graduate of the University of Edinboro and practiced medicine in his na- tive country. He suffered from inflamma- tory rheumatism to such an extent that he decided to change his occupation and as a result, moved with his family to America and for the first few months after landing, was located at Pittsburg, Pa. He then took his family to Canonsburg, where he left them some six months while seeking a
favorable location, finally settling on a farm in Ohio. For some years he devoted himself exclusively to agriculture, includ- ing the raising of sheep, during this time successfully concealing the fact that he was a professional man. A new threshing ma- chine, a revelation to the people of that day, was brought into the vicinity and Dr. Hewetson, with others, went to see it in operation. An elderly man in cleaning up about the strange machine, inadvertently had his arm caught and before it could be stopped he was badly injured. All of Dr. Hewetson's professional skill was awake and after tying up the arm in order to pre- vent the flow of blood, he sent home for his surgical instruments and when they came, successfully amputated the arm, an opera- tion little known or resorted to in this sec- tion, at that time. From that occasion on he was practically forced to resume practice and subsequently rented his farm and de- voted himself once more to professional work. In 1850, however, he was forced to retire entirely from activity of any kind, on account of heart affection, and the death of this able, kind and worthy man occurred five years later. His widow survived him for two years. Her maiden name was Isa- bella Hannah and she was born in Wigton, Scotland. The following children were born to them: John, deceased, who was a physician and surgeon at Amanda, O .; Peter; Walter, deceased, who was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of the 15th O. Vol. Inf .; Mary Isabella, who makes her home with her brothers; Alexander H., de- ceased, who also was a medical practitioner at St. Clairsville; Joseph E., who lost his life in the battle of Shiloh, during the Civil War, falling by the side of his brother Wal- ter, who vainly tried to preserve his life;
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Thomas L., deceased, who also was a phy- sician at St. Clairsville ; and a babe that died at birth.
Peter Hewetson was reared in Belmont County, O., and obtained his medical train- ing in the Ohio Medical College at Cincin- nati, receiving his degree, and then located at St. Clairsville. In 1858 he entered into practice at Amanda, as mentioned above and when the Civil War broke out was in the midst of a large and lucrative practice. This did not deter him, however, from his patriotic course. He recruited Co. I., 43d O. Vol. Inf., in which he was commissioned a lieutenant in December, 1861, and re- mained in the service for three years. He was with his regiment in the Army of the Tennessee when it took part in many bat- tles. He was at New Madrid, Mo., at Fort Pillow and Iuka, all through the Atlanta campaign and at the battle of Jonesboro. He was honorably discharged in December, 1864, and returned to Amanda where his subsequent useful life has been spent. He has always been active in those essentials demanded of good citizenship and is highly regarded by his neighbors and fellow citi- zens, to whom he has been intimately known for so many years.
In 1867 Dr. Hewetson was married to Miss Effie A. Dum, who was born at Logan, O., a daughter of Samuel Dum, who was the builder of what is known as the Falls Mills at Logan, and later of a mill at Aman- da, operating the latter for some years. One daughter and four sons still survive of his children: Mrs. Hewetson: Israel, who lives in Tennessee : William J., who is one of the best known educators of Fairfield County, for fifteen years being a professor in Crawfis Institute, and now a resident of Madison Township ; and Thomas, who lives in Clear Creek Township. Dr. and Mrs.
Hewetson have had the following children : Minnie, who is a teacher in the Boys Indus- trial School; Mary B., who is an instructor in music in the Amanda and Ashville pub- lic schools ; Joseph Edgar, who is associated with his father in the practice of medicine at Amanda; and William L., who follows farming in Clear Creek Township. He married Nora Neigh and they have one son, Joseph. Dr. Peter Hewetson is a member of Amanda Lodge, F. & A. M. and also of the Odd Fellows at Amanda. In his churchly relation he is a Presbyterian and is an elder. In his earlier years he was an enthusiastic Democrat and was active in promoting party success but was never an office seeker.
GEORGE S. GRIFFITHS, a representa- tive citizen of Clear Creek Township, where he owns a well cultivated farm of fifty acres, was born in Amanda Township, Novem- ber 5. 1855. and is a son of William and Priscilla (Welshamer) Griffiths.
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