History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 150

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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McMILLEN, SILAS, deceased, Jefferson township, third son of Joseph McMillen, was born in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, July 15, 1818. His father was one of the pioneer settlers of Jefferson township, and entered the farm now owned by the heirs of Silas McMillen, where he made improvements and passed his remaining days. He reared a family of six chil- dren, viz: Hamilton, John, Silas, Ellen, Margaret, and Jane, all married and have families except Margaret, who was mar- ried but had no children. Only two of the above named chil- dren are now living: Hamilton and Ellen.

Mr. McMillen married Elizabeth Hicks, October 17, 1852. She was born in England August 3, 1834, emigrated to America in 1835 with her parents, Andrew and Mariah Hicks, who set- tied in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, on the McMil- len farm, where his wife and children are now living. They reared a family of four children, viz: Alice M., Lorin H., How- ard R., and George S., who died September 21, 1879.

MCNABB, JOHN, Fredericktown, landlord, was born March 5, 1824, in Coshocton, Ohio, was married in 1849 to Su- . san Adams, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1829. They have nine children: Theodius, Jo- seph, Laura, William, Dora, Florida, Edgar, Georgia, and James.

Mr. McNabb came to Howard, in this county, in 1879, and engaged in the hotel business. In 1880 he took charge of the Commercial house in Fredericktown, and is at present doing a successful and profitable business.

McNAMARA, FRANCIS, Jefferson township, farmer, post office, Danville, was born in county Clare, Ireland, in 1798. In 1850 he emigrated to America, locating in Rochester, New York, where he remained about one year, then moved to Holi- daysburgh, Pennsylvania, where he and three of his brothers took a contract on a railroad, which they completed in about two years. In 1838 he went to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and took a contract for building several miles of the National road. His last contract was near West Alexandria, Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Christina Weber in 1835.

Mrs. McNamara was born in Germany in 1812. They set- tled in Brownsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, remaining until in 1840, when they came to Knox county, Ohio, and lo- cated in Jefferson township, on the farm where they are now living.

Since his settlement in Jefferson township he has made clear- ing, farming and stock raising, his vocation. They have had a family of nine children, viz: William, John G., Margaret A., Mary, Francis K., Barbara, Bridget, Matthew, and George G. Barbara and Bridget are dead.

Mr. McNamara is living now at the age of eighty-two years, enjoying good health.

McNARE, ISAIAH, Fredericktown, cabinet-maker, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, and came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1847. In 1852 he was married to Mary Sergeant, who was born in Knox county in 1833. They had four children, viz: Ida, Anna, Chancey H., and Mary Blanche.

Mrs. Mary McNare died in Fredericktown in 1867. 'Mr. Mc- Nare was afterwards married to Mary E. Reed, who was born in Virginia. They have had three children-Frederick N., Rosa, and Nellie:

Mr. McNare learned the cabinet business when a young man, and is now engaged with Hill & Hagerty in the manufacture of furniture. He is an excellent mechanic, and has resided in this place since 1847.

McWILLIAMS, CHARLES ELLIOTT (deceased), was born July 4, 1836, in Clay township, and always resided here. Was married to Angeline C. Marriott, June 12, 1856, by John Stevenson, esq. They had seven children-Samuel W. (de- ceased); born March 28, 1857; Hugh M., June 20, 1858; Frank- lin B., May 22, 1860; Laura Bell, December 4, 1861; John R. (deceased), March 29, 1864; Mary A., June 16, 1866; Lilian E., July 17, 1868.

Mr. McWilliams was a farmer and stock dealer during his lifetime. He was a member and elder of the Presbyterian church of Martinsburgh at the time of his death, and was a much respected citizen. He died July 10, 1875.

McWILLIAMS, JOHN, farmer, a native of Ohio county, Virginia, was born January 31, 1797, removed to Belmont county, Ohio, in 1802, and to Knox county in 1818. He was married September 11, 1817, to Lydia Ferguson. They had nine children, viz: James, William, Mary Ann, Hugh, Phebe, Tohn, George S., Sarah Jane, and Charles. All are dead but William, Phebe, and George S.

Mr. McWilliams was treasurer of Clay township several

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

years. Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams were members of the Pres- byterian church for many years, he being deacon forty-one years. He resided on his farm one mile east of Martinsburgh fifty-eight years. He now resides in the village.

MAGERS, NATHAN, North Sandusky street .- Mr. Ma- gers is a native of Montgomery county, Maryland, where he was born August 19, 1793, and when about thirteen years old came with his brother-in-law and located in this county, on land adjoining the present town of Gambier, in the year 1806. He commenced life here by assisting the pioneer settlers in clearing up land and in making rails, which he followed about fourteen years. On September 1, 1812, he went out to guard the fron- tier, where he witnessed many exciting scenes of that eventful war. He assisted in the taking of the Greentown Indians, and took an active part in the trying events that took place in this and Richland counties. In 1813 he went out to Sandusky, where he served twenty-one days, and in the fall of the same year he was called to Delaware, where he was a short time. He has witnessed all the changes this county has undergone, from the wild and unbroken forest populated by wild and hostile tribes of Indians, ferocious panthers, wolves, and bears, with deer as plentiful as the sheep of to-day, to its present state of civiliza- tion, densely populated with a refined and educated Christian people, where on every hand the eye is greeted with highly cul- tivated farms, teeming with their crops and stocks, beautiful towns and villages, extensive manufactories and business em- poriums, interspersed with churches of all denominations and institutions of learning of all kinds.

In the year 1820 he commenced farming, which he followed about seven years. He then engaged in the hotel business at Danville and Millwood, which he followed about two years, after which he engaged in the milling business, running a saw- mill and grist-mill, during which, in consequence of bailing cer- tain parties, he lost all he had earned up to that time, so that he was obliged to commence life anew. He then came to Mt. Ver- non and engaged in the brick business, which he followed, in connection with farming, for about ten years.

He was married in the year 1820 to Keziah Barkus, by whom he had five children, one of whom is living-Calvin.

Mrs. Magers died in 1854, aud he married his second wife, Mrs. Mary Berk (Bell), who was born in 1792, and came to Ohio when quite young, consequently she is one of the early pioneers of the State, and has passed through hardships that would be incredible to the women of to-day. We give space to one incident. In those days they had to manufacture all their wearing apparel from the raw material-first spin, then weave, then cut and make it up for wear. She had no place to put up her loom, her brothers were out in the War of 1812, and she, feeling that all depended on her, shouldered her axe and went to the woods and cut logs for a cabin to weave in. When she had them ready she called in some of the nearest neighbors to raise the building, after which she completed it and set up her loom to make cloth for the family. Such was the indomitable energy of some of the pioneer mothers of our county and State.

MAGERS, CALVIN, city marshal of Mt. Vernon, is a son of Nathan Magers, one of the earliest pioneers of the county. He was born in this county -, and when about eight years old his parents came to Mt. Vernon, where he received his education. He was engaged in various ways until 1863, when he was elected to the office of city marshal, which position he has filled, with the exception of two and a half years, until

the present. Ile was appointed and served as United States deputy marshal in the Northern district for five years, after which he was appointed to the same office in the Southern dis- trict in 1880, and in which office he still remains. The above facts are sufficient evidence of his faithfulness and abilities as an officer.

MAGERS, ELIAS, Monroe township, deceased, was born in Maryland in 1806, and while yet an infant was brought to Ohio with his parents, who died when he was ten years old, after which Elias made his home among strangers. He was married to Mary Lybarger, who was born in Pennsylvania. , They had six children, viz .: Susannah, Lewis (deceased), Ly- man, Martha J., Lucinda E., and Nathan A. Mrs. Mary Ma- gers died in 1854. Mr. Magers married Christina Scoles, who was born in Pike township in 1830. They had one daughter, Clara I., who is living with her mother. Mr. Magers has been identified with this county since 1810. He was reared a Catho- lic, but when he reached maturity joined the Methodist Episco- pal church. He was a very prominent and consistent member of the Pike church.

MAGERS, LYMAN, Mt. Vernon, farmer, was born in How- ard township in 1837, married to Louisa H. Lambert, daughter of Rev. Daniel Lambert, of this county. She was born in Utica, Licking county, in 1835. They had six children, viz .: William S., Romyne A., Daniel M., Alice A., Blanche E., and Mary E. Miss Alice A. departed this life November 17, 1880, having assurances of a blessed immortality. Mr. Magers is one of the official members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Pike township. He was a soldier in the late war-a member of the Ohio National guard-served out the time of his enlistment and was honorably discharged.

MAGILL, S. W., Howard township, mechanic, post office, Howard, was born in Pittsburgh, April 13, 1836. He enlisted in the late war, in 1861, in company A, Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry for three months, then re-enlisted for three years; served one and one-half years, and was transferred at Harper's Ferry to battery C, Fourth volunteer artillery. He served till the close of the war; was in nineteen different battles, and only received two slight wounds. February 22, 1865, he was married to Miss Emily Rawly. She was born in Union county, Ohio, September 28, 1843. Then he lived in Mt. Vernon for a time, then in Millwood, in Mt. Holly, and then moved to Howard, where he has since remained, working at his trade and farming. He had eight children-Litta, born August 18, 1866; Lettice, April 18, 1868; Charles, July 27, 1870; Samuel, Sep. tember 6, 1872; Frank, June 11, 1874; Curtis, July 9, 1876 Emily, April 12, 1878; Mary, April 16, 1880. Lettice died Jan- uary 9, 1875, aged seven years, seven months and two days.

MAGILL, ALEXANDER, farmer, Milford township, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1824. About nine years after his parents removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1838, when they moved to Monroe county, Ohio, where they settled. They had nine children, five sons and four daughters.

At about nineteen years of age he learned the tanning trade, which he followed for about ten years. In 1855 he came to Knox county, and resided in Harrison and Monroe townships until 1879, when he purchased in Milford township and moved there. His parents are both dead. He married Miss Elizabeth Willoughby, April 23, 1846, who was born February 8, 1827, in

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Danville. They had one child, who died in infancy, but have an adopted son (Theodore Magill). Mr. Magill is a good citi- zen and also a good farmer. The father of Mrs. Magill (Henry Willoughby) lives with her. He was born in Oxfordshire, near Oxford, England, October 3, 1790. He spent ten years of his life in the English army, three years in marine service, and seven years with the land forces, and passed through many exciting scenes. He was in the English campaign in Spain, and has been in all parts of the world. In 1812 he served against the United States. He was discharged from the Thirty- seventh English regiment, January 21, 1816, and the same month came to the United States. His regiment was in Canada. In 1819 he came to Knox county and has resided here ever since. He helped to build Kenyon college, and was well known over the county. He was three times married and by one of his wives (Mariah Furness) he had eleven children, seven of whom are living.

MAHAFFEY, C. M., Pike township, physician, post office, North Liberty, born in Mt. Vernon, Knox county, in 1854, and was educated in the Mt. Vernon public schools; studied medi- cine with Dr. J. C. Gordon, of Mt. Vernon, and attended lectures at the Cleveland Medical college. He engaged in the practice of medicine in Brownsville in company with Dr. Hyatt, and continued about eighteen months. From there he went to Mt. Vernon, remained there some time, and came to North Liberty in 1879.

The doctor has established quite an extensive practice; is meeting with good success, and is now classed with one of the leading physicians of this county.

Mr. Mahaffey was married in 1877 to Ida A. Corey, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1856. They had one infant daughter, deceased.

MANN, CLAYTON J., Middlebury township, carpenter, post office, Fredericktown, born in Morrow county in 1854, and was married in 1875 to Lurella Caywood, who was born in this township in 1856. They have one son-Earl Mann, born in 1877.

Mr. Mann is engaged at the carpenter trade, and is a practi- cal and skilful workman.

MARPLE, HIRAM B., Fredericktown, painter, was born in 1830 in Virginia, and came to Ohio in 1841. He was married to Sarah Phipps, who was born in Morrow county in 1834. They have the following children: Lura, born in 1857; Elroy, deceased; Frank, in 1839; Lincoln, in x860; McClellan, in 1862; Maca, in 1866; Mary, in 1857; Will, in 1869; Gertrude, in 1871; Annias C., in 1873; Birdie, deceased; Ivanna, in 1877.

Mr. Marple has been a citizen of Fredericktown for about twenty-seven years. He was a soldier in the late war, and a member of the Ohio National guards; served out the time of his enlistment, and received an honorable discharge.

MARRIOTT, MRS. JUDI ANN, Hilliar township, was born in Licking county May 21, 1823. She was the third child of Abraham and Margaret Plumner, who died in Licking county.

The subject of this notice was married to Elisha Marriott in 1845, and about three years after moved to Hilliar township, and settled on the farm on which Mrs. Marriott still resides, and where Mr. Marriott died in June, 1879. They had a family of nine children, six daughters and three sons, seven of whom are living, viz: Mary, married to Harvey Hupp; Jerusha,

married to Richard A. Hall; Margaret, Plumner, Jonathan, Ellen, and Lydia.

Mrs. Marriott is a lady well and favorably known in the com- inunity.

MARSH, EBER, deceased, Monroe township, a native of . Vermont, born on the twenty-seventh day of February, 1801, was a carpenter by trade, and followed carpentering as his vocation through life. In 1826 he married Miss Sophia Jackson, of Vermont, born June 17, 1807. They settled in Franklin county, New York, and remained about eleven years. In 1837 they emigrated to Knox county, located in Mt. Vernon, and remained two years. They then moved to Monroe town- ship, and located on H. H. Young's farm, where they lived about two years, during which time he erected the residence now occupied by his widow and son, Eber P. Marsh, into which they moved in March, 1841. This served him as an abode until he deceased January 17, 1876. His companion is still living on the home farm, where she has resided since 1841. The farm is now owned by their son, Eber P. Marsh.

They reared a family of eight children, viz: Eber P., Louisa S., Lewis J., Eri C., Mary C., Hollis L., Sarah J., and Orlinda O. All are living except Eri C. and Hollis L., who were killed in the war of 1861. Eri C. enlisted in the Second Wisconsin regiment, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness on the fifth day of May, 1864. He was a veteran at the time of his death. Hollis L. enlisted in the Sixty-fifth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, and was wounded at the battle of Stone River, which caused his death in a few days. Eber P. and Lewis J., each served about four months in the same wal ...

MARSH, A. M., RICHARD BLACKMORE, superinten- dent public schools, Mt. Vernon, was born August 2, 1835. His father, Moses Marsh, was born in the city of Boston, in 1800, and his mother, Hannah Blackmore Marsh, in Truro, Nova Scotia, in 1820. The subject of this sketch was named for a distant ancestor, Sir Richard Blackmore, a distinguished physician, and a poet of some reputation, who lived in the lat- ter part of the seventeenth century. His early life was spent in New England, from which he removed to Gambier, Ohio, in the winter of 1856, and entered the Kenyon grammar school, then under the charge of Professor H. D. Lathrop. He was poor and friendless, and had a wife and one child dependent upon him for support, which rendered his struggle for an education difficult. His design was to study for the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church. His vacations and half holidays were spent in building fences, putting in glass, and painting for the college. Parts of his fences are yet standing in Gambier. "When he had acquired sufficient education to teach, his spare time was employed in assisting students who had to make extra exertion to overtake classes in branches in which they were found deficient.

Mr. Marsh was a good student, intelligent and industrious to a remarkable extent. In 1861 he was appointed tutor in Ken- yon grammar school, at a salary of five hundred dollars per year. His success as a teacher and disciplinarian was so marked that he was advised by the bishop and faculty of Ken- yon college to devote his life to teaching, and to relinquish his intention of entering the ministry.

In 1862, Professor Lathrop resigning, he was appointed prin- cipal of Kenyon grammar school, and became a member of the faculty of Kenyon college. The school at this time was small in numbers, the last year having only seventeen students, but

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

three of whom expected to return. By energy and popularity he succeeded in building up the school to nearly a hundred in number. Notwithstanding his arduous labors and incessant teaching, he continued his college studies and graduated with his class in 1863. He continued as head teacher of the gram- mar school, kept up the reputation and numbers, and had for years been making a salary of two thousand two hundred dol- .lars, but at the close of the school year, 1867, not being satis- fied with the appointment of J. Kent Stone to the presidency of the college, and foreseeing a struggle between the High and the Low church party, in which the former, with whom he had no sympathy, was likely to gain the ascendency, he accepted an invitation to superintend the schools of Mt. Vernon at a salary of one thousand five hundred dollars and house rent, which po- sition, at the same salary, he has continued to hold.

In 1866 he received the degree of A. M. in course from Kenyon college. In 1879 he received a life certificate from the State board of examiners.

Mr. Marsh is an ardent and enthusiastic mason, and was for many years master of Mount Zion lodge, high priest of Clinton chapter, and is at present eminent commander of Clinton com- mandery Knight Templars. He has devoted some time to the special study of elocution, and has lectured at institutes and normal schools in many counties of the State, and has spent a large part of the Sabbaths of the year in preaching for no pecuniary consideration.

Testimonials from distinguished educators, and froin the press of the State, amply manifest the high esteem in which Professor Marsh is held both as an educator and as an elo- cutionist. A few of these testimonials will suffice :

Professor J. J. Burns, superintendent public schools, speak- ing of the teacherss' institute, held at Barnesville, Ohio, in August, 1874, says :

"The institute just closed was most successful in number and enthusiasm, and in the interest aroused in the good cause among the citizens. These good results are largely due to the earnest and efficient services of R. B. Marsh, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, who, in public and private, has continually labored to sow that seed which must bear fruit in many school-rooms of the county. Professor Marsh's public readings were admirable ; fully satisfying the large expectations of his very large audience."

Professor John Ogden, associate principal Ohio Central normal school, Worthington, Ohio, says :

"It was my pleasure to be associated, as colaborer, with Professor R. B. Marsh, superintendent of public instruction, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, during the recent session of the Stark county teachers' institute, the largest, perhaps, ever held in the State; and it has seldom been my fortune to meet a more carnest and able lecturer. His special subject is elocution, for which he has a rare gift. His evening entertainments, in which he renders some of the most difficult and entertaining pieces, are inimit- able. I recommend him to all teachers' institutes and literary associations."

The fifth resolution of the Belmont county teachers' institute reads as follows:

"That a vote of thanks be tendered to Professor Marsh for the masterly manner in which he conducted the elocutionary and reading department, for those ennobling impressions which will not only benefit teachers in life, but go with them through eternity."

The Canton Repository: "The institute was very fortunate in securing three such splendid lecturers as Professors Harvy,

Ogden and Marsh. Each in his way is without a superior. This evening Professor Marsh will deliver a lecture on elocu- tion, with recitations, in the Opera House. He has more power and ability in this line than any man we know in Ohio. It will be a rare treat.

"November 6th-One of the best houses that ever assembled in Canton greeted Professor Marsh at the Opera House on Thursday evening last. He is thoroughly educated and drilled on the subject of elocution. His voice has great compass and power, and his ability to give it the proper tones for deep feel- ing, or for gay humor, is perfect. In serious, sympathetic pieces he drew tears from many eyes, while in humorous pieces he often convulsed the house with laughter. Pro- fessor Marsh has made many friends by his visit to Canton, who will be happy to greet him at future meetings of our teachers' institute."

The following is from Colonel D. F. DeWolf and signed also by Hon. Thomas W. Harvey : "Having worked in a teachers' institute with Professor R. B. Marsh, I take great pleasure in saying that his course of lessons in elocution and reading has been highly entertaining and instructive-indeed, one of the most useful and pleasant courses on this subject that I have ever witnessed in an institute."

Similar tributes might be quoted from the public press at Barnesville, Mansfield, Mt. Gilead, Marysville, Circleville, Co- shocton, Marietta, New Philadelphia, Tiffin, and at other cities in the State, but the few quoted will suffice to show the high esteem in which the Professor is held throughout the State.

MARING, JACOB, retired, post office, Fredericktown; was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1800, came to Knox county in 1832, first locating in Fredericktown and engaged in the mercantile business about sixteen years. In 1848 he pur- chased a farm in Berlin township and has since been a resident here, engaged in farming and dealing in and raising stock. He was elected a member of the Legislature in 1854, which place he filled with credit. He was married in 1833 to Harriet Headley, who was born in Morris county, New Jersey, in 1808. They had ten children, viz: William L., Sarah E., Joseph H., John C., Theodore P., Mary H. (deceased), Ella H., Ann A., Jacob E., and L. W. Mr. Maring is now one of the oldest living settlers of this county. In 1880 he drove the horses to the reaper during the entire harvest.

MARTIN, JACOB, deceased, born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1782, and was brought to Knox county, Ohio, by his parents, George and Sarah Martin, in 1811, who located in Mt. Vernon where his father deceased in 1812; Jacob Martin married Miss Ann Adams about 1813, born in Win- chester, Virginia, about the year 1800. They settled in Mt. Vernon, where he died in July, 1870, aged seventy-eight years. His companion is still surviving him at the age of eighty years, and is living in Mt. Vernon where they first settled. He was a cabinet-maker and joiner by trade, and carried on the business in Mt. Vernon for many years. They reared a family of eleven children, viz: George R., Sarah A., Samuel S., John M., Jacob, Benjamin F., Ellen, Joseph, Martha, Albert, and Clara, four of whom died, viz: Sarah A., Jacob, Benjamin F., and Joseph.

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History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 150

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