History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 138

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096

USA > Ohio > Knox County > History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present > Part 138

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In 1820 Nicholas Headington, from Baltimore county, Mary- land, located in Pike township. James, the eldest, who has since gained considerable celebrity as an auctioneer, married Ruth Hardesty, of the same township, in 1835. The family were among the earliest pioneers on Dry creek, and were from Virginia, near Wheeling. She proved a model wife and a good mother. Mr. Headington started in " the free for all " Octo- ber 10, 1842, in the unsubdued forests of Delaware county. Six months later his father moved to Centerburgh and engaged successively in staging. grocery and hotel, until 1854, when finding himself with a family of five children, among them three sons with sufficient muscle to perform farm labor, purchased and moved on a farm one mile from the village where the old folks are still at home.

Thus, for the first eleven years of his life, Mr. Headington had the benefit of all the opportunities usually afforded by vil- lages for the moral training of boys. From this period he per- formed farm labor, and during the winters attended the district school and Centerburgh union school unti! 1863 when he passed from parental authority and entered the "go as you please." He served in the quartermaster's department at Nashville dur- ing the campaign of 1864.

During the winters of 1864-5 and 1865-66, and the spring of 1866, he taught school at Newport, Indiana, farming the inter- vening summer. Returned home and taught the following winter at Warsaw, Indiana. During the summer and fall of 1867 he rode the prairies of central Iowa, engaged in fire insur- ance. The following winter he attended Holbrook's celebrated National Normal school, Lebanon, Ohio. For a year and a half he had figured as principal in an enterprise that would not pay cash dividends, but absorbed all his remaining resources so care- fully husbanded for educational purposes. He was compelled to leave school and returned to Iowa in March, 1868. It was the dark hour. The outlook was not flattering. A fielder in the pools, he reengaged in insurance with increased efforts, and in August, one week before the beginning of the schoo year at Lebanon, he had regained his entire loss-six hundred dollars. After one day's visit .at home he reached the school for roll call, entering the junior class of seventy members. His first address before the class appeared in a public journal, which

gave him a high reputation as a writer and speaker, which was maintained during the course. He was assigned the highest position upon the programme, and the significant subject, "De- bating an Element of Mental Discipline," for his graduating oration. He maintained his record. On the stage, at the close of his performance, he received the congratulations of the prin- cipal, and most of the faculty and members of the class; an honor never before accorded to one of the graduates of this school.

Mr. Headington taught the Centreburgh school during the winter of 1869-70, and spent the summer and fall of 1870 at Warsaw, Indiana, and Union county, Ohio, teaching at the latter place. He took charge of the schools at Centreburgh again during the winter of 1870 and spring of 1871, and during the summer assisted in atlassing Knox county. From Novem- ber, 1871, he taught six months at Monticello, Illinois, and one day and a half from the close of this engagement was working on the atlas of Columbus and Franklin counties. He continued here until the winter, when he took charge of the Bridgeport schools. Before their close he was employed as chief engineer of an atlas corps located at Bucyrus, Ohio, beginning in the spring of 1873 and serving until the winter, when he began business for himself as principal of the Champaign County Atlas company, which work was delivered in the winter of 1874. There being no available territory Mr. Headington continued in the business as an employe of an eastern company, operating in Athens county until the summer of 1875, when he received the nomination for surveyor at the Democratic county conven- tion of Knox. Tired of being a child of the world this nomi- nation was quite acceptable. He was elected by three hundred majority, and reelected in 1878 by seven hundred majority.

He filled the position of county school examiner one term. He is a trader in real estate. In politics he is a Democrat. It is but just to say that Mr. Headington is self-made; it might relieve other powers of accountability. This sketch, as far as it goes, is literally true; yet there is much unwritten, but those who know Mr. Headington best will have no difficulty in draw- ing upon their imaginations to supply the omissions.

HEATHCOT, JOHN H., retired farmer, Liberty township. was born in the county of Cheshire, England, August 23, 1790. His father was a farmer and manufacturer of cloths. The sub- ject of this notice, when quite young, was put at the same trade. He remained in England until about 1821, when he emigrated to the United States, working at his trade in Con- necticut and Pennsylvania, until 1834, when he came to Ohio and purchased a farm on Granny's creek. He remained in Ohio until 1839, when he went to York county, Pennsylvania, and worked at his trade until 1844, when he again came to Ohio and traded his first farm for the one on which he now resides, in Liberty township. Mr. Heathcot is a man of fine physical form. His mind is clear for a man of his age; he is a good citizen and has the esteem of the community. He was married to Miss Mary Chandler, a native of New Castle, Delaware, about 1824. She died April 24, 1880, aged eighty years. They had a family of three children, viz: Matthew, who resides in Morrison, Illinois; Alice A., wife of Thomas J. Stone, Sioux City, Iowa, and Elizabeth, widow of Samuel Tarr. She has one son, John W., who married Emma Barton, November 13, 1879, and resides on the farm.

HENEGAN, JOHN, born in Scotland, in the year 1833, died in Olathe, Kansas, September 19, 1877, aged forty-four years.

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The subject of this sketch, with his father's family, came to Mt. Vernon in 1853, and resided here until his death.

For nearly two years Mr. Henegan was confined more or less to his house by disease beyond a physician's healing art. A short time prior to his death he visited Olathe to close up some business in that place. He lived to finish that business, and then passed away from earth as calmly and as quietly as a child slumbering the sleep of innocence, During the last few days of life he named many of his Mt. Vernon friends, wishing they were with him to soothe and cheer him in his declining mo- ments, the end of which he knew was fast approaching.

From early youth Mr. Henegan devoted himself to railroad- ing. The last of such work was on the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railway, to the interest of which many years of his life were devoted.

In 1867, in company with his father, he took the contract of constructing a canal around the Des Moines rapids, one of the greatest undertakings of the kind in America. Other hands have just completed this great work.

In the fall of 1874 he commenced work upon the new infirm- ary building, and brought it nearly to completion. This build- ing is the most substantial of the kind in the State, and an honor to the county, and also to the State.

At the age of sixteen years, the subject of this sketch, with his father and mother, together with the rest of their family, left Glasgow, Scotland, September 16, 1849-Liverpool, England, September 18th, and arrived at New Orleans, United States of America, on the twentieth day of December following; thus the voyage, between the port of departure and the port of disem- barkation, appears to have been thirteen weeks and four days in duration. To vary the interest, and to add to the perils of those "who go down to the sea in ships," the vessel, upon whose deck the lives and fortunes of the hardy emigrants were placed, was cast away in a storm, and thrown upon the shores of an island now called Concon, situated near the barren coast of Yucatan, Central America. The passengers and crew were detained twenty-eight days upon that desert island.

During their forced residence upon the island, the passengers and crew, imitating the people of the country in which most of them were seeking a new home, organized a government and made laws for their own protection, and unanimously elected Mr. William Henegan the first governor of the State of Con- con, Central America. The necessity of this organization was soon apparent

The island of Concon, for its favorable and safe harbors, was one of the favorite rendevous of the piratical vessels making those waters their cruising grounds. One of those sea rovers passing the island, the captain seeing the wrecked ship of the emigrants, determined to take position, and rob it of all the rig- ging and stores left upon it, (the passengers and crew, while waiting for rescue, living in tents upon the shore).

To allay suspicion, the pirates also landed, and pitched their tents a short disstance from the shipwreck, as though they wished to rest awhile from their bloody and murderous career. One of the crew of the wrecked ship, wandering over the island one day, being weary from his long and difficult tramp, threw himself down behind some rocks and fell asleep. How long he had remained in that unconscious state he knew not. He was finally awakened by hearing voices in conversation, apparently immediately above him. Listening for awhile, he gathered enough of their conversation to convince him that the voices belonged to some of the crew of the piratical vessel, and that

the rascals were detailing to themselves their plans for attacking the unfortunate voyagers and sacking the wrecked vessel. After the departure of the loquacious pirates, the sailor made his way to his own camp, and detailed the plot of the pirates to Gov- ernor Henegan.

After a consultation with his council, the governor formed his plans for retaliation, which were to capture the pirate vessel, and put to sea with his little colony. This was "carrying the war into Africa," with a vengeance, yet, under the circumstan- ces, was perfectly justifiable.

The governor's plans were well laid, and would have been successfully carried out, had not one of the passengers betrayed the governor's plans to the pirate chief. The pirates immedi- ately struck their tents and began their retreat to their boats, and thence to their vessel. In the melee that ensued, the pirate captain was wounded so severely as to compel his crew to take him upon their shoulders. In this condition, with their help- less captain, the pirates reached their boats and made for their vessel. When upon her deck, they hoisted sails and put out to sea, leaving the shipwrecked in possession of their diminutive republic.

HENDRICK, LYMAN, tanner, Fredericktown, was born in Sunbury, Delaware county, December 19, 1819; was married to Rhoda Runnian, who was born in Knox county, in 1827. They had one daughter, Mary I., who was born in 1862. Miss Rhoda Hendrick died in this county. Mr. Hendrick was after- wards married to Mary Hodges, daughter of Joshua Hodges.

Joshua Hodges was born in Massachusetts April 2, 1780, and married Sophia Jones, who was born in Connecticut April 25, 1786. They had the following family, viz: Hiram Chapman, born in 1812; Harrison G., born in 1815; Julia, born in 1817; Clinton, born in 1819; Levi, born in 1821; Eliza, born in 1823; Mary, born in 1825; Harry, born in 1827, and Sarah, in 1829. Mr. Hodges came to Knox county in 1837, and died in Mt. Vernon, in 1864. Mrs. Sophia Hodges died in Morris town- ship, this county, in 1871.

The mother of Joshua Hodges (whose maiden name was Phebe Chapman) was a sister of Jonathan Chapman, generally called "Johnny Appleseed."

HENRY, DANIEL, carpenter, Union township; post office, Gann, was born in Pennsylvania March 25, 1834, and came to Knox county in 1858, and settled in Jefferson township. He enlisted in company B, Ninety-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry; went to the south in 1862, and returned at the expira- tion of his time, in 1865. In 1875 he was married to Miss Grear. They had one child that died in infancy.

HENWOOD, JOHN, deceased, Monroe township, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was born February 22, 1800; married Miss Jane Taylor in 1825, of samne county, born in 1798. They settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and remained until 1840, then emigrated to Ohio and located in Monroe township, this county, on the farm now owned by their son, John Henwood, jr., where they passed the remainder of their days. He deceased August, 1870. His companion survived him until August, 1874.

They reared a family of six children-Mary A., John, Samuel C., Flora J., Taylor, and Amanda, all living except Samuel C., who enlisted in the fall of 1861, in company A, Sixty-fifth regi- ment Ohio volunteer infantry, served two years as a private, and was then promoted to second lieutenant, which position he filled until he fell a victim to the enemy's bullets, at the battle

Daniel to Grubb

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of Chattanooga, on the seventeenth day of September, 1864.

HERDMAN, FRANK, Fredericktown, blacksmith, was born in Utica, New York, in 1845, and came to Ohio in 1870. He was married to Mary E. Cochran, who was born in Knox county. They have three children viz: Isabella, born in 1874; Harry, in 1877; and Frank, in 1879.

Mr. Herdman learned the blacksmith trade in Detroit, Mich- igan, and is now engaged in doing custom work. He is a first- class mechanic, accommodating and obliging. All who wish work in his line will do well to give him a call.

HESKITT, BENJAMIN F., deceased, was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church from 1856 till his death, Janu- ary 4, 1863. He was captain in the Fifty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Stone River, and lived but two days. Rev. Heskett was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, February 2, 1823, and was married September 17, 1857, to Miss Almira V. Chandler, of Martinsburgh. One son, Stan- ley F., was the issue of this marriage.

HESS, MICHAEL, Berlin township; retired; post office, Shalers Mills, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and married in 1837, to Elizabeth Hare, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1819. They had ten children: David, born in 1838; Lewis, in 1841; Israel, in 1843; Catharine L., in 1845; Jacob C., in 1848; Wilson S., in 1850; John S., in 1853; Ezra J., in 1855; Francis M., in 1858, and James P., in 1859. The deceased members are Jacob C., Ezra J. and James P. The following are married: David Hess, married to Mary McDaniels, now deceased, and resides in Floyd county, Iowa; Lewis Hess, married to Harriet Mishey; Israel Hess, married to Isabella Welker; Catharine Hess, married to George Ankney, deceased.

Mr. Hess emigrated from Pennsylvania to Berlin township, Knox county, in 1839, and purchased a farm from Alfred Hamp- ton. He remained upon the farm over eleven years. In 1850 he purchased a part of the Ellicott farm of G. Shafer, and re- mained there till 1879, when he moved to Ankneytown. Mr. Hess was elected infirmary director in Knox county in 1875, and reelected in 1878, an office that he filled with credit to him- self and satisfaction to the public. He was elected justice of the peace in Berlin township for one term, al.d positively re- fused to accept the second term. Mrs. Hess is a member of the German Baptist church.

HESS, DAVID, Union township; farmer; post office, Gann, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. In 1837 he came to Jefferson county Ohio, and lived there until 1842, when he removed to Knox county, Ohio, where he still remains. The same year he commenced to erect a grist-mill in Howard township, and he was six years building it, doing all the work himself. At this time he sold the mill, and moved to Millwood; remained there two and a half years, and came to his present farm in 1850. In April, 1829, he was married to Miss M. E. Clingar, who lived with him until 1877, when she died, leaving him ten children. They are all married except Elizabeth, who stays with her father. Milling and building mills is his business.

HESS, REV. MARTIN L., itinerant minister, Jefferson township, son of Henry and Prudence Hess, born January 30, 1830, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, was brought to Knox county, by his parents, in the spring of 1847, who located in Jefferson township, where he received his education. At the age of twenty-five he took a five years' theological course.

During that time he was ordained for the ministry by the United Brethren in Christ, and has labored twenty-five years. On the twenty-fifth day of September, 1866, he united in marriage with Miss Elender Kelley, born in Holmes county, October 18, 1837. After his marriage he remained in Holmes county about three years, when he removed to Jefferson township, Knox county, where he remained one year. He then moved to Coshocton county, remaining there two years. After making a journey to the west he located in Jefferson township, Knox county, on the old homestead formerly owned by his father, two miles east of Jelloway; there he has since remained, engaged in the ministry.

HESS, J. T., M. D., Mt. Vernon, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1830. His parents were born and married in the same county, and emigrated to Ohio with a family of four children, in May, 1830. His father settled in Jefferson township, Knox county. He was educated at the common and select schools in Mt. Vernon. Dr. Hess read medicine with Dr. Shannon and Professor Smith, of Phila- delphia. He attended the University of Pennsylvania in Phila- delphia, and graduated in the spring of 1857. He first prac- ticed in Bloomfield, Morrow county, Ohio, and a short time in Fredericktown. August 14, 1862, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Ninety-sixth O. V. I., served one year with the Thirteenth regulars, General Sherman's regiment, when he was commissioned surgeon and assigned to the Ninety-sixth Ohio, Colonel Vance's regiment. He was in charge of the United States hospital at Fort Gaines during the summer of 1863. April, 1864, he was taken prisoner at Sabine Cross Roads, and was held three months, until June, and then took charge of the hos- pital at Carrollton, Louisiana. He returned to his regiment and was with it until the close of the war. He was division surgeon from early in the spring of 1865 until the close of the war. He amputated hundreds of limbs. On his return he took up the practice of medicine in Delaware, Ohio, where he remained until the spring of 1877, when he took up his residence in Mt. Vernon. He married Miss Sophia C. Colwill August 19, 1850. She is the daughter of William Colwill, deceased. She was born in England, near London, October 12, 1830. They had three children, Emma D., wife of E. C. Emley, of Centreburgh, an infant and Agnes I.

HESS, MICHAEL W., Wayne township, farmer, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1832, came to Ohio at the age of five years, and was married in 1860 to Agnes C. Deakins, who was born in Brown township, January 6, 1842. They had the following children: Alice A., born August 29, 1861; James W., April 12, 1863; Martha J., October 4, 1866; Louella, January 3, 1869; Florence M., January 6, 1872; John R., December 9, 1875; and Freddie C., May 6, 1879. Mrs. Hess died May Ir, 1879.

HESS, FRANK P., was born October ro, 1834, in Jackson township, Knox county, Ohio. He was married to Maria Melick, daughter of Danicl Melick, an old pioneer of Jackson township, on the third of April, 1856. Mrs. Hess was born in Jackson township January 1, 1833. They have had five chil- dren, viz; Evaline, born April 17, 1859, and who died November 16, 1876; Mary B., born February 14, 1859; Thomas Jefferson, born January 28, 1862; Isodore J., born May 3, 1864; and Laura Iona, born June 15, 1867.

Mr. Hess is a justice of the peace of Clay township, and re- sides in the village of Bladensburgh.

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

HESS, GEORGE W., Hilliar township, foreman of the Cleveland, Columbus & Mt. Vernon railroad, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, March 14, 1842. When he was five years of age his parents, David and Mary E. Hess, came to Knox county, Ohio, and settled in Howard township, where Mr. Hess built a mill on the Little Jelloway, which is yet standing. The subject of this sketch learned the milling trade with his father.

In May, 186r, he enlisted in company F, Sixteenth Ohio vol- unteer infantry, three months' service. Shortly after his return from the three months' service he enlisted in company I, Ohio volunteer infantry, (September, 1861,) for three years, and participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, and Chickamauga, after which he veteranized, and was in the battles of Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Siege of At- lanta, Franklin, and Nashville, besides numerous skirmishes. During the Atlanta campaign he was under fire for sixty-three consecutive days. He was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, October 19, 1865, having served his country four years and three months.

The following year after his return he went west and was with a surveying party for mail service. In 1872 he was engaged on the railroad, and in June, 1878, he was given section number nineteen. He is held in esteem by all who know him, and is an efficient and trusty fireman.

He was married to Miss Mary E. Sapp, daughter of Robert Sapp, of Union township, Knox county, December 20, 1863. They had three children, two of whom are living-Thomas C. and Charles E.

HESS, LEWIS, Berlin township, farmer, post office, Sha- ler's Mills, born in Knox county in 1851, was married in 1863 to Harriet Mishey, who was born in Pike township, this county. They have three children-Olie W., born in 1864, Ida E., in 1868, and J. Clifford C., in i871. Mr. and Mrs. Hess are both members of pioneer families.

HESS, HENRY, farmer, post office, Shaler's Mills .- He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1823. In 1839 he came to Ohio, and located in Berlin township. In 1844 he was married to Sarah Frederick, who was born in Ohio in 1824. They had six children. Isaac was born in 1845, Amanda, in 1849, Eli, in 1851, Jacob, in 1853, Martha, in 1858, and Sarah A., in 186r. Mrs. Sarah Hess died with cancer, in 1876; was buried in Owl Creek cemetery. She was a worthy member of the German Baptist church. Mr. Hess located on the farm where he now resides, and which he owns, in 1854. He is a prominent and official member of the German Baptist church. His sons are liberally educated. Eli is teaching vocal music. Jacob is engaged as salesman in the Gregor store.

HESS, GEORGE, Pike township, farmer, post office, Democ- racy, was born in this county, Union township, in 1851, and was married in 1876 to Emeline Gressling, who was born in Wayne county in 1850. Mr. Hess is engaged in farming in this township. He is an enterprising and good citizen.

HILDRETH, EPAPHRODITUS, Miller township, a pio- neer of Miller township, is a son of William and Ruth Hildreth, of whom mention is made in biography of Arnold Hildreth. He was born August 5, 1808, in Hartford county, Connecticut; came with his parents, in 1814, to Ohio, and in 1817 came to Miller township, where his youth was spent, and where he has resided ever since, being engaged in farming. He now lives,

and for more than three score years has lived, at the old home .. stead. He is a man of social habits, strong convictions and honesty of purpose.

June 9, 1832, he was married to Miss Emeline Eddie, a na- tive of Connecticut, who was born November 9, 1808. They had one son, Albert E., born April 12, 1834. Mrs. Hildreth died December 18, 1874. Albert was reared on the old home- stead, educated at the common schools, and is one of the sub- stantial men of the township. April 20, 1853, he married Miss Jennie, daughter of Samuel Cake. They have one son, viz: Frank E., born April 19, 1868, who is an intellectual, promising boy.

HILDRETH, ARNOLD W. (pioneer), Miller township, was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, December 27, 1803. His parents, William and Ruth Hildreth, came to Zanesville in 1814, and remained there until 1817, when they came to Miller township, where Mr. Hildreth had previously become owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in the northwest part of the township. When Mr. Hildreth came to Ohio he had a family of five sons, viz: John, William, Samuel, (who have deceased), Epaphroditus, and Arnold. The parents died on the old home- stead.

The subject of this notice was reared on a farm and had the advantages of such schools as the district afforded. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Mary Beardsley, daughter of William Beardsley, a pioneer of Milford township. They had nine children, viz: Angeline, Alfred B., Platt G., Wells A., Hellen, Emeline, William, Henry, and Harrison. He con- tracted a second marriage with Miss Amanda Stanton, who be- came the mother of two children, viz: Charles R., and Jennie. Mr. Hildreth is a good citizen and a man of general intelligence. He still resides on the old homestead, where sixty-three years ago his parents located.

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History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 138

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co. Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096