History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 142

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

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Martha N. Irvine, his wife, was born on the twenty-second of February, 1803, at Salem, New York. She came to Knox county at an early date with her father, Bartholomew Bartlett, and settled at Clinton, just north of this city. She was married in Mt. Vernon to Mr. Irvine in 1829. They had by this union six children, five of whom survive them-three daughters and two sons-Mrs. M. J. Becker, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Mrs. C. F. Baldwin, and Martha Irvine, of this city. Mr. Clarke Irvine, of Oregon, Missouri, and Mr. Jefferson Irvine of this city.

Mr. Irvine died Friday evening, January 28, 1880, after a very short illness. He was to have been buried the following Tuesday, but on that day his wife, who had most sincerely mourned his loss, was also called home, and the burial of one became the burial of both, who had so long been united in life.

IRVINE, WILLIAM, farmer, post office, Fredericktown; was born in Ireland in 1837, and emigrated to America with his parents in 1840. They located in Knox county. He was mar- ried in 1860 to Emeline Braddock, who was born in this county in 1840. They have two sons-Ellsworth, born in 1862, and who is attending school at Ada; and John R., born in 1864. Mr. Irvine is engaged in buying and selling stock, and is one of the enterprising farmers of this township.

IRVINE, CLARK, Mt. Vernon, attorney at law, was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 1, 1840. His parents were both born in Ohio-his father in Trumbull county, and his mother in Knox county. His mother's maiden name was Matilda Blair, daughter of James Blair, esq., and Hannah Waddle, both from the State of Maryland. His father, Clark Irvine, was of Scotch- Irish extraction, and the son of Thomas Irvine, who was born

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

near the old town of Enniskillen, Ireland, and Tabitha Meredith Clark, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania. His father came to Knox county in 1811, was a lawyer by profession, and held the office of prosecuting attorney for one term, being elected in 1850.

The subject of this sketch studied law with his father, after whom he was named, and was admitted to practice in 1869. He was nominated by the Democratic party for the office of prose- cuting attorney, and elected, in 1874, and was reelected in 1876. Mr. Irvine was nominated as the Democratic candidate for the lower house of the State legislature in 1879, but was defeated at the general election in the fall of that year. He has represented Knox county as a delegate to the Democratic State conventions. At the State convention held in Cleveland in 1880, Mr. Irvine was elected a member of the State central committee, represent- ing the Ninth Congressional district on the committee, and also secretary of the Democratic State executive committee.

IRVINE, ROBERT L., farmer and dealer in stock, post office, Fredericktown, was born in Ireland in 1839. His parents emigrated to America when he was an infant, and located in Knox county. He was married in 1860 to Lavina Nixon, who was born in 1837. They have four children-Edith, William, George, and Jessie.

Mr. Irvine is engaged in buying, selling, and shipping stock, and is also one of the enterprising farmers of Morris township.

IRWIN, GEORGE A., farmer, post office, Mt. Vernon, was born in this township in 1844, and was married in 1867 to Net- tie Johnson, who was born in this township in 1849. They have one son, Walter, who was born in 1868.

Mr. Irwin was a soldier in the late war, a member of company I, Twentieth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. He was in seventeen engagements, was taken prisoner in July, 1864, at At- lanta, Georgia, was at Andersonville, Florence, Millen, and Savannah, and was honorably discharged.

IRWIN, ISAAC, Morris township, farmer, post office, Mt. Vernon, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, and was brought to Ohio by his parents at the age of six months. He was married in 1832 to Nancy McCracken, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. They had six children: Emily, deceased; Harriet, Elsie, Gillman, George, Angeline, deceased. Emily was married to Elisha Lewis. They reside in Middlebury township. Mr. Lewis died in Middlebury. Har- riet was married to George Merrin. They had four children: Emily, Nannie M., Lina Maud, and Tacie Merrin.

Isaac Irwin's father, George, was born in New Jersey, and came to Pennsylvania when he was young. He was married to Martha Norcross, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio in 1810, and settled in Chester township, formerly Knox county. They remained there five years, then located on C. C. Ball's farm. They died in Berlin township.

ISRAEL, SAMUEL, attorney, Mt. Vernon. Mr. Israel was born in Bedford, Winchester county, New York, October 8, 1810. In 1814 his parents went to New York city, where he remained till 1830. In the spring of that ycar Mr. Israel came to Mt. Vernon, which has been his home since. During the next winter he was married to Elizabeth Harper, of Muskingum county. They became the parents of seven children, six of whom are still living.

Mr. Israel read law in the office of Hon. Columbus Delano,

and was admitted to practice in 1840. He afterwards was Mr. Delano's partner a number of years. Mr. Israel has continued the practice of law since his admission with the exception of about six years, from the spring of 1869 till the winter of 1875, during which time he was engaged with the late Hon. Rollin C. Hurd in the construction of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Co- lumbus railroad.

ISENBERG, PHILIP, farmer, Berlin township, post office, Shaler's Mills, was born in Maryland in 1803. His parents moved to Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. He came to Ohio in 1835, located in Knox county, and was married in 1838, to Sarah Burkholder, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. They had eight children: Jacob, born in 1840; Elizabeth, 1842; Catharine and George, (twins), 1845; Margaret, 1849; Leroy and Lorain, (twins), 1852. Mr. Isenberg settled on the farm where he now resides in 1841. He cleared up and improved the most of this farm; has been a man of good habits, and is one of the pioneers.

His son, Jacob, was married to Louisa Murphy, and moved to Michigan, where he died in 1869.

JACKSON, ZIBA, Morris township, deceased, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, February 2, 1777, and married Phebe Lyon, who was born in Morris county, New Jersey, February 17, 1782. They had seven children: Aaron C., Nathaniel M., Benjamin L., Abbey C., Shalon, Eli, and Isaac.

Ziba Jackson died September 27, 1848, in Morris township. Mrs. Phebe Jackson died July 11, 1836, in this township.

Ziba Jackson emigrated to Knox county in 1807, and settled in Wayne township when it was all in a state of nature. In 1814 he commenced clearing, and in the fall of the same year built a cabin and moved to this township. He was an officer in the War of 1812; rendered faithful service, and received an honorable discharge.

JACKSON, MRS. HAMUTAL, Liberty township, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1810, and is the youngest child of Hanson and Mary Ann Hobbs, nee Ship- ley. May 20, 1829, she was married to Elijah Jackson, of Washington county, Pennsylvania. They remained in Penn- sylvania until about 1835, when they came to Liberty township and purchased a part of the Hogg section, which was entirely covered with forest. They had the usual experience of early settlers, and succeeded in clearing the farm and making a pleasant home, though they started in life poor. They had a family of eight children, two daughters and six sons, all of whom are living and doing well in life.

Mary E., wife of George Scott, resides in Fredericktown; Samuel H., resides in Mt. Vernon; Free Gift, farmer in Morrow county; Leonard Wesley, carriage manufacturer, Lima, Ohio; David S., farmer in Liberty township; Henry A., farmer in Crawford county, Ohio; John R., miller; Adelia E., married William H. Easterday. He is now deceased. They had orie child, a daughter-Willie Belle.

Mr. Jackson died March, 1879. The sons of this family are all tradesmen but one, Henry A., who is a prosperous farmer, Mrs. Jackson is spending the evening of her life cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Easterday.

JACKSON, ISAAC L., Morris township; farmer; post office, Mt. Vernon, was born in Morris township, March 25,

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

r823, on the farm where he now resides, and was married in April, 1848. His children are as follows; Mary E., born Au- gust 17, 1849; Sarah E., April 12, 1852; George F., November 30, 1853; Nancy S., September 15, 1856; Albert M., February II, 1859; Amanda A .; December 15, 1863, and Eva B., Febru- ary 24, 1867.

Mrs. Sarah Ann Jackson, his wife, died January 17, 1877. Albert M. Jackson was thrown from a horse, and killed September 5, 1878.

Mr. Jackson's second wife was Sarah Jane Converse, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, July 20, 1834. Mr. Jack- son has been justice of the peace in this township twenty-one years, and is one of its leading citizens. He owns one of the finest farms in the township, and is a member of one of the pioneer families.

JACKSON, OLIVER, Hilliar township, farmer, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1825. His parents came to Ohio about 1837, and settled in Milford township, where they lived and died on the farm, on which they settled, which was entirely covered with forest trees when they first lived on it. Here the subject of this notice spent his youth, and was married to Miss Ellen Pritchard August 28, 1851. Her parents were Welsh, and emigrated to the city of New York, where Mrs. Jackson was born, and where they both died. They had a family of two children: Elizabeth J. and George N. Elizabeth is married to Hiram W. Frost.

Mr. Jackson has a pleasant and beautiful home. He is a good farmer, and has the confidence of the community.

JACKSON, JOHN, one of the leading farmers of Liberty township, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, No- vember, 1826. His parents, George and Elizabeth Jackson were farmers. Mrs. Jackson died while in Pennsylvania. They had fourteen children, all of whom grew up, and seven of whom are yet living.

He (George Jackson) married Mary Hobbs, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. In 1834 they came to Milford township, where they spent their days. They had five children, all grew up, four of whom are living. The Jackson family are good farmers, and industrious and respectable citizens. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and has always made farming his occupation, in connection with it raising stock quite extensively. Mr. Jackson began life on a seventy-five acre tract of land which was covered with timber. He had but little aid, but by his perseverance and economy has made for himself a competence, owning considerable land. In 1853 he married Mrs. Susan Ann Jackson, daughter of John and Nancy Litzenberg. They have two children, viz: Edward and Ellen A.

Mr. Jackson moved to his present home in 1848.

JACKSON, I. M. V. B., farmer, Milford township, was born in Milford township, March 4, 1836, and is the son of George and Mary Jackson, nee Hobbs. Mr. Jackson was born on the farm where his father settled in September, 1835, and has remained there ever since. He was married to Miss Rachel O. Jackson October 28, 1858, and they have three children- William H., Theodora A., and Lillie Bell.

The history of the Jackson family will be found in the biog- raphy of John Jackson, of Liberty township. Mr. Jackson is an industrious farmer, and one of the substantial citizens of the township.

JACKSON, BROWN K., justice of the peace, farmer, and eacher, Milford township, post office, Lock, was born in Mil-

ford township, January 15, 1846, and is the son of George W. and Sarah A. Jackson, nee Riley, now residents of Licking county. He was reared on a farm, attended the common schools, and a term of twelve months at the Harrison univer- sity, at Granville, Ohio. He has followed teaching during the winter for sixteen terms, thirteen of which were in his native township. In 1873 he was elected-a justice of the peace, which office he still holds. He is a man of good judgement, a lead- ing and influential citizen of the community, pleasant and social in his manners, well informed, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the county. He was married to Miss Cynthia Dowell in 1871. They had three children, two of whom are living.

JACOBS ALONZO, a son of Rev. S. T. L. Jacobs, was born in Gambier, Knox county, September 15, 1846. In 186r he commenced working at the shoemaking trade in Gambier with D. S. Snyder, and served as an apprentice over two years. In August, 1863, he enlisted in company I, Second Ohio volunteer heavy artillery, and served until the close of the war. In 1865 he returned to Gambier and began working at his trade, con- tinuing as journeyman until 1868, when he commenced the busi- ness of manufacturing boots and shoes, and has been actively engaged at that since that time. He is prepared to manufac- ture anything in the line of boots and shoes. In 1871 he began dealing in ready-made boots and shoes, and keeps constantly on hand everything in his line of business needed in a country village.

JAMES, E. C., is a native of Delaware, Delaware county, Ohio, and was born January 18, 1856; was educated at the pub- lic schools of Delaware, and took a course at a commercial school. He learned telegraphy when thirteen years of age and has since followed it. Was located at the Delaware office, then Lewis Centre, Westerville, Howard, then was promoted to car accountant and operator at the general office of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad in Mt. Vernon, where he served four years. February 7, 1877, he married Miss Ida P. Miller of Mt. Vernon. February 1, 1878, took charge of the Western Union telegraph office, where he is still engaged. Since he took charge the business has increased largely.

JACKSON, EDWARD, Liberty township, farmer, was born in Liberty township, May 10, 1859, and is the son of John and Susan Jackson, of whom mention is made elsewhere. He was married on the farm his parents now live on, is an industrious farmer, and a worthy young man February 12, 1880, he was married to Miss Caroline Robertson, daughter of Jesse P. Reb- ertson, whose biography appears in this work.

JENKINS, DAVID, Wayne township, farmer, post office, Mt. Vernon, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, came to Knox county in 1828 with his parents, and was married in 1857 to Margaret Huntsberry, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1837. They have the following children: David L., born tn April, 1859; James H,, August 28, 1861; Emmitt L. F., October 7, 1863; Georgiana, April 23, 1867; Byron H., August 17, 1870.

Mr. Jenkins has been engaged in farming in this county over twenty-five years, and is one of the active men of this township.

JENNINGS, REUBEN, Hilliar township, carpenter, Cen- treburgh, Ohio, was born in what is now Hilliar township, Feb- ruary 5, 1814. He is the oldest man now in the township, who was born in it. He is the third child of Joseph and Rebecca

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Jennings, nee Hinton. They were born, reared, and married in Monongalia county, Virginia. In about 1803 they came to where Zanesville now stands, where they remained until 1811, when they came to what is now Hilliar township, settling on a tract of land southwest of the present village of Centreburgh. He kept a hotel, or tavern, as it was called in those days, for a number of years. They had a family of eight children, six of whom are yet living. His wife dying, he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he died, in 1862, at an advanced age. Thus in brief is the outline sketch of two of Knox county's first settlers -pioneers who saw the forest when unbroken, and who lived to see much of it disappear before the hardy stroke of the early settler.

The subject of this notice remained at home until he learned the carpenter's trade. He has erected about seven hundred buildings, most of which are in Knox county. Mr. Jennings is a quiet and estimable citizen. He has the esteem of all who know him, and by his industry and steady habits has done much for the community. Of him it can be said that he has not lived in vain. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Mariah Murphy, to whom he was married in 1837. They had two children: Charles M., of whom we have spoken, and Alice Lenora, wife of Calvin Shaffer, farmer, who resides in Crawford county, Kansas. His second marriage was to Rebecca C. Conkey.

JENNINGS, C. M., Hilliar township, of the firm of Jen- nings & Faiaba, dealers in hardware, stoves, and tinware, Cen- treburgh, was born in the village, December 8, 1844. He at- tended the village schools, and when about seventeen years of age, enlisted in company F, Sixty-fifth regiment Ohio volun- teers, November, 186r, for three years. His regiment belonged to the Fourth corps, Third brigade, Second division, Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, and Chicamauga, where he was wounded by a musket ball in the thigh. The following day he was taken prisoner and parolled on the field. From September, 1863, to May, 1864, he was a parolled prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio. He was declared exchanged at Camp Chase, and in May, 1864, he joined his regiment at Chattanooga. He participated in the Atlanta campaign, and the fights of Spring Hill, Columbia, and Franklin, besides many skirmishes. He was mustered out of service with the regiment December 14, 1864, after serving his country faithfully and honestly for over three eventful years. After his return from the army he worked for the Government at Columbus, for about six years, and then returned to his native town, where he engaged in the grocery business for some time.

January, 1873, he formed a partnership with M. Faraba in a general store and to this they added the stove and tinware stock of another store doing business in the village. They have since added a full line of hardware, and are doing a good busi- ness. Mr. Jennings was appointed postmaster October 25, 1875, and makes a very efficient and satisfactory officer. He is quiet in his manner, and has the confidence of the public and the esteem of those who know him best. He started in life without the aid of a dollar, but by his industry and integrity he has so established himself that his complete success is assured He was married to Miss Emily A. Hames, of Columbus, Ohio, February, 1871. They had two children, a daughter and son, the latter having died.

JENNINGS, HENRY W., dry goods merchant, Mt. Ver- non, was born in the city of Mt. Vernon, and received his

education in our public schools. His business engagements were with Mark Curtis two years, with J. Sperry & Co., fourteen years, two years of which he had an interest in the cassimere department. In 1873, in company with John S. Ringwalt, they established the house of Ringwalt & Jennings. Jennings re- mained in the firm until January, 1880, when he purchased the stock in trade of C. Peterman & Son, and commenced business for himself with a stock of abont eight thousand five hundred dollars. He has been doing a good and increasing business. He now carries a stock of about twelve thousand dollars, consist- of a full line of staple and fancy goods. His sales average about fifty thousand dollars per annum.

JOHNSON, NICHOLAS, of Pike township, was one among the oldest citizens, as to age, if not as to residence. He was born in Rocklin county, New York, 1784. At the age of twenty he went to Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, and learned his trade with an Englishman named Daniel Large. In 1823 he built the first locomotive engine ever run in the United States. In 1834 he moved to Columbiana county, Ohio, and followed farming for two years; he then went to Salem and started a foundry. In 1842 Mr. Johnson moved to Knox county. In 1845 he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. In the year 1860 he moved back to this county where he lived up to the time of his death in 1880. Mr. Johnson had four children-three girls and one boy, all living.

JOHNSON, WILLIAM (deceased), was born in New Jersey, February 16, 1756, and was a man noted for his great piety and intelligence. He was an officer in the Revolutionary war. He married Miss Sarah-Douglas a short time after the war closed; came to Knox county in 1810, and settled near Mt Vernon. At the commencement of the War of 1812 he was considered one of the wealthiest farmers of Knox county. He served several years as justice of the peace, and was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church, and the pioneer preacher, Rev. James Scott, frequently held meetings at his residence. When the War of 1812 commenced he, with three of his sons, enlisted, William being a captain. He returned in safety and moved to Richland county after the conclusion of the war. He resided there but a few years, till his death occurred. All of his sons are dead. A granddaughter, Mrs. Jane Crocraft, is still living in Lexington, Richland county, Ohio, at an advanced age.

JOHNSON, NATHANIEL (deceased), a native of Hamp- shire county, Virginia, was born April 11, 1783. In 1806 he married Isabella Adams, who was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, August 22, 1778. They settled in same county, re- mained until 1812, when they emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, located for a short time near Mount Vernon, then moved on the old Applegate farm; remained there a few years and in 1817 they moved on the Cooper farm, where they lived until 1832, when he purchased and moved on the farm in Clinton township now known as the Johnson homestead, two and one-half miles southwest of Mt. Vernon, where he passed the remainder of his days. Mr. Johnson followed farming as his vocation. March 2, 1832 his wife deceased, and he survived her until 1868, when he died, aged eighty-seven years and six months, highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He was the father of eight children-Thomas A. Rebecca and Elizabeth (twins), William O., Lucinda, James and Susan (twins), and Isaac. Thomas A., Lucinda, and Susan have died.

JOHNSON, WILLIAM O., farmer, second son of Nathan- iel and Isabella Johnson, was born in Ohio, June 25, 1812.

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

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November ro, 1837, he married Miss Lucinda Sawyer, of Noble county, Iudiana, but formerly of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; she was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, January 12. 1814, and was a daughter of John Sawyer, who was among the early settlers of Mt. Vernon, and carried on the first blacksmith shop in the county-seat. He remained in Knox county until 1834, when he sold his property and moved to Noble county, Indiana.

Shortly after the marriage of Mr. Johnson they settled in Noble county, Indiana, where they lived until 1844, when they removed to Knox county, Ohio. He purchased and moved on the Mike Sockman farm in Wayne township, remained there until 1852, when he purchased and moved into the old Joe Kinney property, where his wife died January 3, 1854. His oldest daughter, Elizabeth, has been his housekeeper since the death of his wife. In 1855 he purchased the farm on which he is now living, completed the erection of his present residence and moved into it in 1857. He is the father of four children: Elizabeth, William H., Susannah, and Parker T. Susannah deceased April 1, 1875. He has followed farming and stock raising as his avocation.

JOHNSON, JAMES, farmer, third son of Nathaniel John- son, deceased, was born in Knox county, Ohio, August 27, 1816. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade, and followed that in connection with farming for about fifteen years, but farming, stock raising, and dealing in stock has been his principal voca- tion.

- In 1843 he married Miss Mary J. Morton, born in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, in 1829, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Morton. He purchased and moved on a part of the old home farm in Clinton township, remained until 1860, when he erected and moved into his present residence, two miles south of Mt. Vernon, on the Columbus road. They reared a family of five children: Emeline, Margaret B., Martha E., Laura, and Clara L., all living.

JOHNSON, ISAAC, farmer, youngest son of Nathaniel and Isabella Johnson, was born in Clinton township, Knox county, Ohio, December 20, 18r8. He was reared a farmer, and has made farming, stock raising, dealing, and shipping his busi- ness. At present he owns several farms in Clinton township, and is one of the leading farmers in the township.

On the eighteenth day of November he married Miss Bell C. Davis, of Clinton township, daughter of George and Margaret Davis, nee Morton. They settled on the farm where they are now living, one and one half miles from Mt. Vernon. on the Granville road.

JOHNSON, JOHN (deceased), Morris township, was born in this, Knox, county in 18ro, was married in 1835, to Priscilla Montgomery, who was born in 18rg. They had the following children: Elizabeth, born in 1837; Joseph M., in 1840; David A., in 1842; Samantha, in 1844; John T., in 1846; Hannah A., in 1849; Ida, in 1852; Charles D., in 1855; and Mary and Jane (twins), in 1858.

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History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 142

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