USA > Ohio > Knox County > History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present > Part 110
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Mrs. Ashton was the mother of ten children, four sons and six daughters. One of her daughters, the wife of William Tathwell, died a few years since in this city. Two of the four sons are dead. Two of her children reside in London, Eng- land; one in another part of England; one in the city of New York; one in Gambier, Ohio; one in Georgia, and Philip, her oldest son, in Mt. Vernon. The last named was born in Eng- land in the year 1802, and is now past his seventy-eighth year, and with his daughter, Mrs. Eliza Cooper, and her husband, have been interested in caring for their recently deceased rela- tive during the last eight years of the closing part of her history, which to her was a memorable one, for those eight years were spent in darkness, her sight having failed her. She was recon- ciled to the loss, and waited patiently for the great and final change to come. She was baptized and confirmed in the Church of England in early life, and lived the life of an earnest Christian woman.
ATHERTON, JOHN, Pike township; farmer; post office, Democracy; born in Pike township in 1836, and was married in 1858, to Mary Ann Spry, who was born in Monroe township in 1834. They had seven children: William W., born in 1857; Sarah, in 1859; Mary Ellen deceased; Julia, born in 1863; Mar- garet Alice, in 1866; Merinda Jane deceased, and Hallie May, born in 1873. Mr. Atherton has always resided in this town- ship. He has been engaged in running a threshing machine for about thirty years. He is also a farmer. His father, An- drew Atherton, deceased, was born in Vermont. He was married to Sarah Sargeant, who was born in Pennsylvania. They had two children: John and an infant (decased). Andrew Atherton and wife both died in this county.
ATWOOD, HARRISON, Mt. Vernon, was born December 22, 18r5, in Plymouth county, Massachusetts, where he re-
mained until twenty years of age, when he went with William Wright, of New York, to Mobile, Alabama, to clerk in the Starr hotel owned by Mr. Wright. He remained there about four years, and witnessed the great fire and yellow fever scourges of 1839. After leaving Mobile, he located in Orleans county, Vermont, on a farm where he remained about twelve years, then moving to Trumbull county, Ohio, and settled in Bristol in the mercantile trade, in which he remained but a short time, and then engaged in real estate business, speculating in western lands for twelve years. He came to Mt. Vernon in 1865, and went into the office of B. Grant, internal revenue assessor, where he remained a short time; then going to Cleveland, he entered the employ of N. O. Fauster, a queensware merchant, for whom he was general manager for over two years, when he returned to Mt. Vernon, and engaged in the boot and shoe trade with B. Grant under the firm name of B. Grant & Co. In 1867 Mr. Grant sold his interest in the business to Mr. Bow- land, and the firm name was changed to Atwood & Bowland, which association continued for about four years, when he sold his interest to his partner. He then established his son in the boot and shoe business at Canton, Ohio, under the firm name of H. W. Atwood & Co., who are now doing a good business. Mr. Atwood employs his time in the real estate business. He was married in October, 1838, to Miss Washburn, and has reared a family of four children, all of whom are living. Mrs. Atwood died in May, 1862.
AUTEN, HENRY M., Berlin township, farmer, post office Fredericktown, born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1816, came to Ohio in the Spring of 1836, and was married in Knox county in 1863, to Matilda Fink, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio. They have the following children: Sarah Ann, married to John C. Williams, living in Crawford county. Ohio, Thomas B., Louisa Jane, and Rebecca. Mrs. Auten died in Knox county Jannary 23, 1854. Mr. Auten subsequently mar- ried mary Ann Wood, who was born in Knox county, Ohio. They had one son, Charlie H., who still remains at home. Mrs. Mary Ann Auten died in Knox county in 1862. Mr. Auten's third marriage was to Sarah Jane Masteller, who was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1825. Mr. Henry Anten has been a resident of Knox county, most of the time in Berlin town- ship.
AUTEN, WILLIAM A., Berlin township, farmer, post office Fredericktown, born in Pike township, this county, in 1846, and was married in 1874 to Ida M. Steele, who was born in Wayne county in 1855. They have two children-Gracie R., born in 1876, and Emery C., in 1879.
His father, Jacob C. Auten, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and was married in 1837 to Rebecca Col- ley, who was born in the same county in 1817. They had eleven children-Henry C., Alexander C., Mary E., Sarah L., Jacob W., William A., John S., Elmina M., Rebecca R., Emma L., and James F. The deceased members are Henry C., Sarah L., and James F. Mr. Auten emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1838, located in this township, and has since been a resident. He learned the carpenter trade when a young man, and that has been his principal occupation. He owns a good farm in this township, and is one of its enterprising citizens.
AUTEN, J. W., Berlin township, farmer, post office Freder- icktown, was born in Berlin township in 1844, and was married to Mary Pealer, who was born in Columbia county, Pennsylva- nia, in 1849. They had three children, viz, Myrtle Belle, Anna
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
E., and George W. Mrs. Auten died in 1875, and he was married to Caroline Love. They had one child, Robert. Mrs. Caroline Auten died in March, 1880.
AUTEN, THOMAS B., Berlin township, farmer, post office Fredericktown, born in Liberty township, this county, Septem- ber 12, 1847, and was married October 11, 1877, to Lucretia L. Foote, who was born in this township September 12, 1858. They have one daughter, Eva Dell, who was born April 4, 1879. Mr. Auten came to this township with his parents at the age of four years, and has since lived here.
AUTEN, HENRY, deceased. He was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1837. His parents emi- grated to Ohio when he was a child. He was married in 1864 to Mary J. Hasbin, who was born in Guernsey county, August 17, 1842. They had one son, Bryant E., born December 4, 1867. Mr. Auten died April 6, 1870. He was a worthy mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
AUSTIN, B. D., Fredericktown, ticket agent, was born in Knox county in 1857. He is now engaged at the Baltimore & Ohio railroad office at Fredericktown.
AXTELL, J. M., Fredericktown, dealer in groceries and country produce of all kind, was born in this county September 12, 1832, and was married in 1857 to Almira J. Hellis, who was born in this county August 20, 1835, and died February 6, 1880. They had one daughter, Eliza Bell, who was born May 9, 1859, and died August 12, 1859. Mr. Axtell established his business in 1879. He is a practical business man, having been identi- fied with business interests for many years in this county. Com- bined with experience he has superior qualifications, and is fully prepared to meet all competition. All who wish anything in his line will do well to give him a call.
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BAILE, URIAH, farmer, Middlebury township, post office, Fredericktown; born in Frederick county, Maryland, October II, 1812; came to Ohio in 1845, and was married July 15, 1838, to Susanna Nicodemas, who was born June 26, 1816; they have the following children, viz .: Sarah E., born September 1, 1839; Abraham O., March 3, 1842; Augustus E., February 25, 1844; Emory R. September 7, 1845; Charles W., July 1, 1848; Martha C., November 18, 1851; Bascom C., September 21, 1854; Mor- gan, April 27, 1856; and Eugene E., July 1, 1860. The follow- ing have deceased: Sarah E., died August 22, 1840; Charles W., June 26, 1851; Abraham O., February 3, 1863. Abraham was a soldier of the late war, a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. His death oc- curred from sickness contracted in the army. Augustus and Emory R. reside in Louisville, Kentucky. Martha was married to Albert Tobin, and lives in Republican county, Kansas. Bas- com C. was married to Deborah Zolman; they reside in Morrow county, Ohio. Mr, Baile owns a well improved farm with ex- cellent buildings.
BAILEY, WILLIAM R., farmer, Jefferson township, post office, Jelloway; son of John R. and Mary A. Bailey, born in Jef- ferson township, Knox county, November 10, 1846. He was educated by his parents, and on the twenty-third of March, 1869, at the age of twenty-three years, he married Miss Lucy E. Whitney, third daughter of Ebenezer J., and Sarah A. Whitney, born in Brown township, Knox county, June 5, 1844. After his marriage he located on a farm in Jefferson
township, owned by J. R. Bailey, his father, two and a quar- ter miles east of Jelloway, where he now resides. He has made farming a specialty all his life. He is now holding the office of trustee in said township. . Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of four children, viz .: William A., born January 12, 1871; Whitney J., June 5, 1872; Herry C., February 10, 1875; Oliver E., July 5, 1879; all of whom are living. Mrs. Bailey is a consistent member of Wesley chapel, of Jefferson township. .
BAKER, JAMES W., farmer and stock-raiser, Jefferson township, post office Greersville, son of Philip and Sarah Baker; born in Jefferson township, Knox county, December 7, 1841; was raised by his parents, and received a common-school edu- cation. Soon after he arrived at the age of twenty-one years he purchased a portion of the home place, where he now resides, and is the owner of four hundred and seventy-five acres of land-three hundred and seventy-five acres in the home place. Mr. Baker has held quite a number of township offices viz: Clerk, assessor, and land appraiser, and is now justice of the peace. He was also census enumerator for 1880.
BAKER, PHILIP, (deceased), Jefferson township; born in Pennsylvania, September 22, 1794. In 1808 he was brought to Ohio by his parents, who located near Danville, Knox county, where he was married July 19, 1821, to Miss Sarah Butler, a daughter of John Butler, born in Virginia, March 20, 1800. After his marriage he located in Jefferson township, one mile north of Greersville, on the farm now owned by James W., his son, where he raised his family, consisting of ten children, viz : Allen R., born July 6, 1822; Druzilla, August 5, 1824; Hester, April 29, 1826; Oliver, April 1, 1828; John, September 4, 1832; infant, a girl, June 22, 1834; Caroline, December 26, 1835; infant, a girl, September 19, 1838; Jackson, August 27, 1839; James W., December 7, 1841; four of whom, namely, Oliver, James W., Hester, and Caroline, are still living.
BAKER BROTHERS, druggists, Mt. Vernon. George R. and S. L. Baker, sons of Samuel Baker, were born near Union- town, Muskingum county, and devoted the early years of life in working on their father's farm. George R. enlisted in the Ninth Ohio cavalry, and was in the service during the war, serving part of the time in the capacity of hospital steward. After his return from the army he engaged in the drug business at Tarlton, in which he continued until he came to Mt. Vernon. S. L. Baker enlisted in the Ohio National guard, and after the close of the war engaged in general mercantile business in Adamsville, in which he continued until he came to Mt. Vernon.
In 1874 they formed a partnership, and have ever since been doing business under the firm name of Baker Brothers. They carry a stock of from five to six thousand dollars, consisting of pure drugs, chemicals, toilet articles, and fancy goods.
BALCOM, ELISHA S., Gambier, retired, was born in Rhode Island on the third day of June, 1803. In 1824 he engaged in the mercantile business as clerk, and continued about two years. In 1826 he was engaged by Stanley Mann, in the counting room of his factory, and remained with him one year. In 1827 he commenced working at the cabinetmaking business, which he followed as his vocation about five years. In 1832 he engaged in farming, and continued in that business about twenty years. In 1852 he worked in a boot and shoe factory about four or five months, and then moved to Vermont, where he spent three years as clerk in an iron manufactory. In 1855 he emigrated to Ohio and located in Gambier, this county, where he at once
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
commenced work again at his trade as cabinetmaker, and con- tinued in the business until 1877, when he retired from business and is living a quiet life in Gambier.
He has been married twice; first in 1829, to Miss Lydia Jill- son, of Cumberland county, Rhode Island, who was born Janu- ary 13, 1808. Their union resulted in two children-one son and one daughter.
Mrs. Balcom died November 25, 1832. His little daughter died a few months prior to the death of its mother, and the son died a few months after. The death of his wife and two chil- dren occurred within the space of nine months' time.
Mr. Balcom consummated marriage with Miss Clarissa Blake, December 1, 1833, born June 3, 1806.
They remained in Vermont until 1855, when they emigrated to Gambier, this county, where she deceased November 8, 1879. Their union resulted in one son, Roger, who graduated at Ken- yon college, and is now engaged as an Episcopal minister at Norwalk, Ohio.
BALDWIN, JOSEPH L., attorney and counsellor at law, Fredericktown, Ohio.
BALL, DAVID, (deceased). He was a native of Essex county, New Jersey, a descendant of Timothy Ball, born in 1756, and came to Ohio in 1803; purchased a military section of land (one thousand acres), of Lemuel Cobb, for three shillings per :. cre. He came to Ohio in company with a Mr. Douglass on horseback and landed at Zansville. The only road from Zanesville to Sandusky was was an Indian trail. He met and conversed with the chief of the Wyandot Indians, and asked him if he would allow his boys to come here; he answered, "yes, if they behave themselves."
David Ball was married January 12, 1779, to Mary Baldwin. They had four sons, Hiram, Cyrus, Zenas and Timothy. Zenas Ball was born November 15, 1792, and was married March 16, 1820, to Sarah Taylor, who was born May 24, 1796. They had two sons, Aaron T., born December 19, 1820, and David, born July 5, 1829, and died June 25, 1830.
Zenas Ball came to Ohio in 1819, and made arrangements to have some land cleared, on the farm where his son, Aaron T., now resides. He was a soldier in the war of 18r2, serving over three months.
Mr. Ball was a strong advocate for the cause of temperance, and had the first log rolling in the neighborhood where they dispensed with strong drink. Several of the neighbors be- came offended and returned home without supper, but Mr. Ball was temperance all the same.
The first Sabbath-school organized in Morris township was at his house, superintended by his sister Lydia, who was a great worker in church, and a poineer missionary. She is yet living and resides in Newark, New Jersey, aged ninety years. There were two married women who learned to read at this Sabbath- school.
BALL, AARON T,, farmer, post office, Fredericktown,-He was born in Morris township, December 19, 1820, and has al- ways resided here, on the same farm where he was born; he was married in 1846 to Miss Sydney Ann Clay, who was born at Newmarket, Frederick county, Maryland, April 2, 1820. They have nine children, all living and enjoying good health, viz: Webster C., Nellie S., Nettie A., Walter L., Anna M., Julia Z., Oliver T., Willard E. and F. Grant.
Aaron T. received a liberal education, attended the Martins- burgh academy, after which he attended Mt. Vernon academy,
taught by Professor R. R. Sloan. After completing his educa- tion he engaged in teaching for five terms. Mr. Ball and family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been identified with the Republican party since its organization.
Webster C. resides in Cleveland, Ohio, and is engaged in the wholesale and retail jewelry business at No. 233 Superior street. He was married October 15, 1879, to Miss Florence 1. Young, of Kenton, Ohio. They have one son, Sidney, born September 19, 1880.
Walter L. resides in Cleveland, is reading law, and expects to engage in that profession.
Nellie S. and Nettie A. have been engaged in teaching-the latter instrumental music.
Mr. Aaron T. Ball has always resided in this township, is a farmer by occupation, and owns a well improved farm, which was owned and improved by his father. His father, Zenas Ball, (deceased), was born in Essex county, New Jersey, November 15, 1792, and was married March 19, 1819, to Sarah Taylor, who was born May 24, 1796. They had two children: Aaron born December 19, 1820; David, born July 5, 1829 (died June 29, 1830.
Mr. Zenas Ball died October 3, 1860. Mrs. Sarah Ball died March 30, 1860.
BALL, UZZIEL, Morris township (deceased), was born May 8, 1790, in Morris county, New Jersey, and was married No- vember 9, 1816, to Peninah Lyon, who was born January 10, 1797, in Morris county, New Jersey. She was a daughter of Simeon Lyon. Mr. Ball came to Knox county in 1814. Mrs. Ball came with her parents in 1806. They had the following children : Martha, Amanda, Eliza, Mahlon, Susan, Albert Judson. The following are dead: Amanda, Eliza, Mahlon. Uzziel Ball died in Morris township, Knox county. Mr. Bal was justice of the peace of Morris township about fourteen years ago. He was a worthy member of the Baptist church, and has done much for the general improvement of this county. He
was an honest and upright man, through his industry, economy and frugality he acquired considerable property.
Mrs. Ball has a clear recollection of pioneer life. She remem- bers quite distinctly of seeing Johnny Appleseed, also many Indians, and well understood their ancient customs. She re- members about the forts or block-houses, into which they would flee for refuge in time of danger. She also remembers the first Methodist, Baptist and Episcopal churches of this county.
BALL, ANDREW J., Morris township, farmer, post office, Mt. Vernon; born in Morris township, this county, in 1832, and was married in 1858, to Rebecca McFadden, who was born in Mt. Vernon, in 1831. They had six children: Henry, born January 19, 1860; Elmer E., October 16, 1861; William C., August 19, 1863; Minnie Blanche, July 13, 1865; Charles, Sep- tember 5, 1867; Ida May, January 7, 1869; Fred. Cliffton, August 25, 1870; and May Frances, February 5, 1874. The following are deceased: Elmer E., Charlie, lda May, and William C.
Andrew J. Ball is the son of Silas Ball, who was born March 15, 1795, in New Jersey, and was married August 12, 1819, to Ann Broadwell, who was born in New Jersey, June 20, 1801. They had six children, viz: Elizabeth, born September 30' 1820; Sarah J., November 19, 1824; William B., February 16, 1826; Lydia A., August 25, 1827; Louisa M., December 10, 1829; Andrew J., February 20, 1832; Harriet N., September 9, 1835; and Alfred P., September 30, 1844.
THoto
Zenas Ball
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Silas Ball died January 8, 1864; Mrs. Ann Ball died June 3, 1873; William B. died August 1, 1826; Harriet N. died De- cember 2, 1839; and Lydia, April 30, 1862.
John Ball, father of Silas, was born February 14, 1746, and had the following children: John, Uzziel, David, Daniel, Silas, Elias and Mahlon.
The Ball family were among the first settlers of Knox county.
BECHTEL, SIMON, farmer, post office, Shaler's Mills, was born in Berlin township in 1854, he was married in 1871, to Mary Ellen Swank, who was born in Pike township in 1856; they have one son living; Dora, born in 1878, and Sylvia B. (deceased). Dr. Bechtel has always been identified with this township; he is a model farmer.
BALL, SCHUYLER C., Wayne township, farmer, post office Fredericktown ; born in Knox county in 1840, and was married in 1865 to Diana Ink, who was born in Knox county in 1839. They have one daughter, Stella, who was born in Sep- tember 1869.
Mr. Ball has always resided in this county, farming being his chief occupation. His parents are pioneers of this county.
BALL, THOMAS J., Fredericktown, brickmaker ; was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1840. He came to Ohio with his parents in 1850, and was married in 1866 to Margaret Braw- ner, who was born in the same county in 1844. They have one daughter, Effiie May, who was born in 1867.
Mr. Ball is engaged in burning brick, and supplies the brick that are used for building purposes in Fredericktown, owning the only brick yard in this vicinity. He was a soldier in the late war, being a member of company B, Ninety-sixth regiment O. V. I. under Colonel Vance, and continued in the service for three years, participating in the engagements at Arkansa Post, Vicksburgh, Jackson, Mississippi, Sabine Cross Roads, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, Fort Morgan, Fort Gaines, Fort Spanish, and Mobile and was honorably discharged.
BANBURY, RICHARD, deceased, Jefferson township; was born in Devonshire, England. in 1791. He married Miss Mary Cornish in 1814, who was born in Devonshire, England in 1795. He, with his wife and four children emigrated to America in 1832, and located in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio. His first purchase of land was from William Starner, June 26, 1832. The farm is now owned by his three sons, Charles, Rich- ard and John C. By the new township line that was run a few years since, the farm is now in Union township. He lived on the same farm and followed farming and stock raising as his vocation until his death. Mr. Banbury and wife raised a family of six children, four born in England, viz: Charles, Mary A., Elizabeth and Richard. Two were born in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, John C. and Hannah. All are living, married and have families.
Mr. Banbury was father of six children, grandfather of forty- two children, and great-grandfather of forty-two children. He departed this life in 1875, aged eighty-four years. His com- panion survived until July 3, 1877, when she died, aged eighty- one years.
BANBURY, CHARLES, Jefferson township, farmer, post office, Danville, oldest son of the aforesaid Richard Banbury, was born in Devonshire, England, October 17, 1815. He emigrated with his parents to America in 1832, who located in Jefferson township, Knox county, September 16, 1841. He married Miss Barbara Robeson, born in Union township, Knox county, Ohio,
January 18, 1819, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Robeson. They settled in Jefferson township on a forty acre tract of land, where they lived a few years, when Mr. Banbury purchased and moved on a seventy acre lot of land in the same township, re- maining five years.
In 1853 he purchased and moved on the farm where he is now living. He has made farming and stock raising liis vocation. They raised a family of nine children, viz .: Sarah A., Solomon, John R., Mary E., Richard, Martin F., Martha F., Charles F., and Albert L. All are living. Solomon served three years and three month in the civil war. He enlisted in company A, Sixty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, in October, 1861, and was honorably discharged in January, 1865.
TANBURY, JOHN C., Jefferson township, farmer, post office, Danville, son of Richard and Mary Barnbury, was born in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, October 11, 1832. He lived with his parents, in said township, until 1852, when he married Miss Eliza Caldwell, who was born in Germany in the year 1831, and emigrated to America in the year 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Banbury became the father and mother of twelve children, all of whom yet survive. Mr. Banbury is now living about one mile north of where he was born.
BANNING, JAMES S., Morris township, deceased, was a son of the Rev. Anthony Banning, who emigrated from Con- nellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1800. In 1822 he returned to his native town, where he found the little girl, Eliza A. Blackstone (with whom he had played when a child at the foot of the mountain, on the banks of the river), grown to be a beautiful and accomplished woman. Mr. Ban- ning, then only twenty-two years of age, wooed and won the heart of his early playmate, then only seventeen years of age. The were married on the morning of March 12, 1822. The same day they started on horseback for their new home in Mt. Vernon, distant more than two hundred miles. It was a novel wedding trip, far different indeed from the modern bridal trips. It was eight days' hard horseback riding, across a new country, with such entertainment as the country tavern afforded in that early day; but it was bravely performed by this delicate and re- fined lady, who, with her true and noble husband, journeyed to their new home, where they lived a life of usefulness.
James S. Banning was a native of Connellsvill, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He came to Mt. Vernon in 1812, and resided in that vicinity until his death. In former years he car- ried on the mercantile business, but latterly he attended to farming and milling, a short distance north of Mt. Vernon. He was a useful and enterprising citizen, a kind and peaceful neigh- bor, and an affectionate husband and father. His death oc- curred at an early hour Wednesday May 22, 1867, at his resi- dence near Mt. Vernon.
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