History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 167

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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He was married June 24, 1880, to Miss Laura Richert, a neighbor's daughter, and at present is residing with his mother, on the home farm in Brown township.

SCHOLES, ALLEN, Brown township, was born July 9, 1850, in Ashland county, Ohio. His parents' names were John and Lucy L. Scholes. He was reared by his parents, with whom he lived until he was twenty-five years of age. He re- moved with his parents from Ashland county. to Brown town- ship, Knox county, two miles south of Jelloway, April 4, 1865. Farming is his chief occupation, but he teaches part of the year. In the spring of 1874, he and his father bought one hundred acres of land adjoining the homestead, Allen taking one-half of it.

He was married, at the age of twenty-five years, to Mary C. Nyhart, of Jefferson township, Knox county, and immediately moved on his farm, where he still resides. This marriage re- sulted in three births, viz: Lola M., Charles F., and John E.

He has been clerk of Brown township, for the last five years. In the fall of 1879 he was elected land appraiser of the town- ship without any opposition; he was also census enumerator for Brown township for 1880.

796

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

SCOLES, GEORGE W., Gambier, a native of Knox county, Ohio, and son of Henry and Jemima Scoles, was born in Clay township, near Martinsburgh, April 15, 1826. His father, a na- tive of Ohio, was born February 17, 1799, and came to this county in an early day, where he died about the year 1828. His mother, Jemima Scoles, was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, born January 24, 1799, and emigrated to this county about 1820, where she married Henry Scoles and reared four children, viz: George W., Keziah A., Jackson, and Aman- da, and died March 6, 1875, aged seventy-six years.

Mr. G. W. Scoles married Miss Martha A. Thompson March 12, 1848, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Thompson, who was born . Greene county Pennsylvania, in April, 1827. They settled in Harrison township, this county, and remained until 1852, when they moved on a farm in College township, where he engaged . arming and followed that as his vocation until in 1879, when he moved to Gambier and engaged in hotel keeping, which is th-ir present business.

. OLLS GEOR _ H., P.k. township, farmer, post office, Mt. Vernon, born in this township in 1840, and was married in r866 to Rebecca J. Leonard, who was born in this township in 1843. They have two children-Ida Belle, born in 1869, and Alva L., born in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Scoles are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has held and filled prominent positions in the church, also township offices. He owns a farm and is one of the active farmers of Pike town- ship

SCOLES, JAMES, L., Fredericktown, photographer, was born in this county in 1843, and was married April 18, 1872, to Ella J. Hunter, who was born in this county in 1848. They have two sons-L. Guy, born November 7, 1875; Carl Brook, May 19, 1878. Mr. Scoles learned photographing in Mt. Vernon, and engaged in that busines in New London, Ohio. In 1873 his property was all destroyed by fire, after which he came to Fredericktown and engaged in the same business. His well ar- ranged and furnished rooms are located over W. B. Cox's shoe store. He is a first class artist, and is building up a paying business.

SCOLES, JOHN T., blacksmith, post office, Mt. Vernon .- Ile was born in Pike township in 1844. In 1868 he was married to Nancy Gower who was born in this county in 1847. They have three children Amy L born June 15, 1869; Rebecca A., April 13, 1874; and Etta Edith August 10, 1877, and died Au- gust 15, 1879. Mr. Scoles has been engaged working at the blacksmith trade. He is a good mechanic and is doing an ex- tensive custom trade.

SCOTT, REV. JAMES, Mt. Vernon, the pioneer Presby- terian minister of this county and section of the State, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the twenty-second day of February, 1773. His father, Josiah Scott, and family came to western Pennsylvania in 1781, and settled on lands which are now the eastern suburbs of the town of Washington, the present site of the "United College of Washington and Jefferson." In early youth he united with the Presbyterian church under the ministry of Rev. Dr. McMillen. Some time after this, his convictions of duty led to the preparation for the Gospel ministry. After completing his preparatory studies, he entered Jefferson college, and graduated in 1805. Having com- pleted his theological studies under the direction of Dr. Mc- Millen, he came to this section of Ohio in the year 1807.

For the first two or three years he was associated with the Rev. Dr. McCurdy in the superintendency of an Indian school and mission at Upper Sandusky, spending, however, a majority of his time in travelling from that place to Newark, and preach- ing to settlements on the route.

On the third day of July, 1810, he was united in marriage by the Rev. George Van Eman, to Miss Jane Wilson, daughter of Captain Archibald Wilson, of Newark, Ohio. Soon after his marriage, he removed to the then village of Clinton in Morris township. In 1828 he removed to Mt. Vernon, and in 1829, to the house on Wooster avenue, still occupied by a portion of his family.

For several years previous to the year 1828, he had the charge as pastor of the churches at Fredericktown, Clinton (now Mt. Vernon), and Martinsburgh. From that time until about 1842 or 1843, he gave his whole time to the church at Mt. Vernon, when he resigned the charge, still however, continuing to preach at different places, until some ten days previous to his death, which occurred on the eighteenth day of September, A. D. 1850.

Mr. Scott, as a man, was remarkable for his evenness of dis- position. His most intimate acquaintance never saw him give way to anger or passion.

Rev. Mr. Hervey, of Martinsburgh, long his associate and intimate friend, thus portrays him as a public teacher: "As a preacher of the Gospel he was remarkably earnest and sincere. He caused his hearers to feel, because he felt. With him a text was not merely a motto for a sermon (as is the tendency of certain tastes), but it was the brick and mortar of the super- structure, and its adornment also, and while he understood and presented the doctrines of the bible, and peculiarities of that scheme of theology which he held forth as the ground of the sinner's hope, he had acquired the rare excellency (not often attained), of preaching doctrinal truth in a practical and experi- mental manner. In his private duties, and in the graces of his own soul, he leaves a high example. The consistency of his daily life, in connection with his unfeigned piety, produced such an impression, not only upon the church but upon the men of the world, that the remark was frequently made that if he failed to reach Heaven it would be useless for others to try. His knowledge of the bible was so complete, consequent upon a faithful perusal of its sacred pages, and his wonderfully reten- tive memory, that he could give invariably the chapter and al- most always the verse of any important text it contains."

One distinguished trait of his, it would be well for ministers in these days to imitate. He made it a point always to be in the pulpit when his congregation had a right to expect him. Possessed of a good, natural constitution, he was known to fail but once to fulfill his Sabbath engagements by sickness dur- ing the whole course of his ministerial life.

His remains now rest by the side of his wife, who died in August, 1862, having survived him nearly twelve years. They repose in the cemetery overlooking from the north the city of Mt. Vernon, and the church he so long and faithfully served in the cause of his Master.

Unto James Scott and his wife Jane, seven children were born, viz: Josiah Wilson, who died when about three years of age; Abraham C., now an eminent physician, and residing at Bladensburgh; Ann V., Margaret J., Mary; James Foster, who went as a soldier in the Mexican war, and died in that country in 1847, and Felicia, who married William Tulloss. Mr. Tulloss died in 1866.

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

SCOTT, A. C .- Among the old citizens of Jackson town- ship, is Dr. A. C. Scott, who is a native of the county and was born near the village of Clinton, in Morris township, March 13, 1817. His father was the Rev. James Scott, the first Pres- byterian minister of the county. He attended the school in his boyhood at Clinton and Mt. Vernon, and was a pupil at the first session of the old Martinsburgh academy, after which he spent one year at Washington college, Pennsylvania. On his return from thence he studied medicine in Mt. Vernon with Dr. J. N. Burr as his preceptor. He commenced the practice of his profession at Centreburgh, in-Hilliar township, in April, 1840; was married to Miss Hannah Denny, of Jackson town- ship, on the twenty-fourth day of June of the same year. He has four sons, the oldest of them, Dr. J. Foster Scott, resides at Sarcoxie, Jasper county, Missouri; William B. and A. C. Scott, jr., are farmers and reside in the vicinity of Bladens- burgh, and Dr. John W. Scott, who is associated in the prac- tice of medicine with his father. His two daughters are Violette and Lizzie. Dr. Scott became a citizen of Bladensburgh in October, 1841.

SCOTT, BALDWIN BANE, Mt. Vernon, a rising physi- cian, was born in Knox county, Ohio, November 10, 1846. His father, Thomas E., is of direct Scotch descent. He came from Culpeper county, Virginia. His mother is of English origin. Her parents came from Brainbridge, Connecticut.

The subject of this notice learned the trade of millwright with his father, and in the winter season taught school. He commenced to read medicine in the spring of 1872 with Drs. J. W. and Isaac W. Russell. He attended his first course of lectures at the Michigan university in 1874-5, and the winter of 1875-6, at the Medical Department of the Wooster university at Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated in the spring of 1876, and the same summer commenced the practice, in which he has been successful. He graduated perfect in his class-one hundred. He was married to Miss Lunetta E. Kost, March 14, 1869, by whom he has had two sons-Walter K., born April 19, 1870, and Edwin J., born May 10, 1872-one of whom is living. He is secretary of the Knox County Medical society. He was elected one of the board of censors of the Medical Department of the University of Wooster, located at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1876, and again in 1881.

SCOTT, JAMES, Milford township, farmer, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1818. His father was a native of Maryland, and his mother of Pennsylvania. Her maiden name was Jane Fitch. They were married in Greene county, Pennsylvania. He came to Ohio in 1837, bring- ing with him three children, leaving James in Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1841.

They bought land in Bloomfield township, Knox county (now Morrow county), where Mr. Scott died. His wife survives him at an advanced age. Two of the children are yet living-James and George.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm. When about eighteen years old he learned the cooper trade, and worked more or less at that business for fifteen years.

In 1347 he purchased a tract of fifty-one acres of land and a twenty-one acre tract, which was entirely covered with forest. He cleared up this land, and has resided in Milford township for the last thirty-three years, being engaged in farming.

He was elected infirmary director, serving three years to the satisfaction of the public. He was president of the Hartford

Agricultural society, and now is one of the directors. He has held most of the township offices, is a prudent, careful business man and farmer, and has the esteem of the public.

He was married to Miss Sarah Horn in 1838, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, by whom he had five chil- dren, viz: Sarah Jane (married to John Williams), Priscilla (married to Thomas P. Fadely), Corbin T., James L., and Chinsworth, a promising boy of nineteen who was killed by a collision on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Independence, Richland county, in 1872. His wife died May, 1879.

SCOTT, JOSEPH, Wayne township, farmer, post office, Fredericktown, born in England, in 1833, came to Richland county, in 1849, and to this county in 1855. He was married in 1856, to Louisa Ball, who was born in this county, in 1829. They have been residents of Wayne township since 1873. Mr. Scott was formerly engaged in working on the railroad, and filled different prominent positions for twenty-two years. He settled on a farm in Wayne township, and is one of the leading farmers of this county.

SEARL, OTIS, Wayne township, farmer, post office, Fred- ericktown, born in New York, in 1818, came to Ohio in 1847, and was married in 1849, to Amelia Livingston, who was born in New York.

He owns a well improved farm with excellent buildings and is one among the best farmers in the township. He is enter- prising and always ready to assist in every good cause and work.

SEILER, SIMON, Fredericktown, butcher, born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1845, came to Ohio with his parents in childhood, they locating in Plymouth, Richland county, Ohio. He wa's married in 1867, to Edessa Cuykendall, who was born in Ohio, in 1848.

Mr. Seiler in company with Dorr Cuykendall owned the Fredericktown mill, and they were engaged in operating it until 1874, when it was burned. They erected a new mill in 1875, sold out to S. S. Tuttle & Co .; then engaged in butchering in 1879. He is a member of the firm of B. F. Seiler & Co.

SEILER, B. F., meat market. He was born in Plymouth, Huron county, in 1848; he was married in Richland county in 1871 to Delphine Brumback, who was born in Huron county. They have two children. Mildreth J. was born in 1873, and Carl in 1880.

Mr. Seiler learned the harness trade and worked at that busi- ness for five years, after which he engaged in the painting trade for nine years, then engaged in the butchering business in Fredericktown, where he is a member of the firm of B. F. Seiler & Co. They are doing quite an extensive trade.

SELBY, JOHN, Hilliar township, farmer, was born in Rich- land county, Ohio, December 11, 1817. His father, James, was born in Maryland, and served in the War of 1812. Soon after the war he came to Richland county settling in Perry township. He was married to Miss Elsie Dally, by whom he had eight children; six are living, the subject of this being the oldest child. He came to Hilliar township about 1840, and worked for his uncle, John Dally, on a farm. His first purchase was a tract of land of ninety acres where he now resides. He has since purchased a number of other tracts, and is one of the substantial farmers in Hilliar township. He started in life without the aid of a dollar, but by his industry and perseverance he has attained a competency. He is a good farmer, a good

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

citizen, and has the esteem of the community. He was married to Miss Rebecca Debolt, by whom he had eight children, one daughter and seven sons, all doing well.

SELBY, SOLOMON, farmer, Middlebury township, post office, Levering; born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1815; came to Knox county in the spring of 1820, and was married in 1844 to Margaret Yates, who was born in Virginia in 18r6.

His father, Caleb Selby was born in Maryland in the year 1783. He was one of the pioneers of this county, and died in Morrow county about 1858. His wife, Nancy Selby, died in Morrow county in - 853.

SELLERS, JOHN, farmer, Morgan township, was born in Greene county Per svivan ., in June, 1795. His parents be- longed to the farmer class, being industrious and well-to-do people.

The subject of this sketch was "ne of ten children, only two of whom are now '!ving. He spent his youth on the farm with .. s parents attend .. suu . scho; as were taught in the county i a tract of two hundred Mit deres vila din morgan township, and in the fall of 1323 Mr. Sellers came to this land and erected a cabin and then -¿ turned to Pennsylvania, where he remained until the spring of 1824, when he emigrated to his new home with his family. He worked during the summer of 1824 in subduing the forest -the whole tract being heavily timbered.

In the spring of 1825, the noted " Burlington storm" swept over M. Sellers' new home, levelling most of the timber. This was discouraging to him as he was bitterly hemmed in by an almost impenetrable jungle of fallen timber. But what he supposed was a misfortune proved a blessing-from the fact that the fallen timber dried so, that the following year fire did the work of the axeman and the logroller.

Mr. Sellers, by his industry, prospered, and soon had a good farnı, and in the course of time was enabled to purchase more and, until he is now the largest land owner in the township, and among the largest in the county. His success and integrity of character soon made him a leader, and he has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the township and county.

In politics Mr. Sellers is a Democrat of the Jackson type. In 1850 his party nominated and eleeted him a member of the Constitutional convention of Ohio.

Mr. Sellers is of benevolent impulses, and through his many acts of chanty is known as "the poor man's friend." He never ... Js any one away without supplying their wants. In religion : is a Universalist.

He was three times married. His first wife was Nancy Mitchell, a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, to whom he "vas married before coming to Ohio. They had twelve chil- dren, five of whom are living: Elizabeth, wife of William Hamilton; Levi, an influential farmer of Morgan township; George MI., in Illinois; Mary A., wife of James Elliott, who resides in Texas; and Maria. His second wife was Miss Honey, who died without issue. His present wife was Mrs. Charlotte Rapp, nee Taylor. They have four children, viz: James B., Rufus P., C. L. Vallandigham, and Mitchell.

SELLERS, JABOB, farmer, Morgan township, was born in Morgan township, March 2, 1816. His father, Jacob Sellers, came to Morgan township in 1808 and purchased quite a large tract of land. He was a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania. s wife was Mary Beam, a native of Virginia. They had a family of eleven children, viz: William, Susan (wife of James

Honey), Sarah (wife of John Clutter), Isaac, David, John, Jack- son, and Mary (wife of Joseph Bolwine). The above are de- ceased. The living are Christian, Jacob, and George.

Jacob Sellers, sr., was born in 1785, came to Knox county in 1808, and died in 1846. His wife was born December 18, 1790, and died August 6, 1878. When this couple came to Morgan township they lived in what is called a camp, and while living there built a small cabin on the site of the buildings now owned by John Penick. The farm was entirely covered with forest, which he cleared off and became one of the good farmers of that section.

The subject of this sketchwas reared on the old homestead and has always resided on a part of it. He married Miss Cyn- thia Carmon, and they have a family of four children, viz: Ida M. born May 1, 1859; Delphos S., April 22, 186r; James M., June 12, 1863 (died September 20, 1863); and Jesse H., June 7, 1870.

SELLERS, LEVI, Morgan township, farmer, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1823. He is the son of John Sellers, of Morgan township, of whom mention is made. His father shortly after the birth of Levi came to Morgan town- ship, and settled here. Mr. Sellers spent his youth on the farm, and when old enough assisted in clearing it up. His education was such as the common schools afforded. He remained with his father until he was about twenty-five years of age. In Octo- ber, 1848, he married Miss Cassandra McLain, daughter of 'Squire Charles S. McLain, of Morgan township. Shortly after his marriage he moved to his present home, where they have re- sided ever since. Mr. Sellers is one of the well-to-do and influ- ential farmers of old Morgan, and is highly esteemed. He is the father of seven children, viz: Charles W., William H., Ella F., wife of H. B. Hughes, of Clay township; George W., Lizzie M., Jennie M., and Anna L.

SELLERS, GEORGE, Morgan township, farmer, born in Morgan township, May 8, 1824. He is the son of Jacob Sel- lers, sr., of whom mention is made in the biography of Jacob Sellers, jr. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and has always followed farming as his occupation. He resides on a part of the original tract his father purchased when first settling in Ohio.

On March II, 1847, he married Miss Adaline Hughes (daugh- ter of Jonathan Hughes, a pioneer of Licking county), who was born December 7, 1829. They had a family of eight children, viz: One who died in infancy; Orcelia L., wife of John Old- aker; Zilpah C., wife of Aaron Channel; George H., Jacob O., Rosa D., Mary F., wife of Lewis Hall, and Cora Ettie. Mr. Sellers is a good farmer and citizen.

SELLERS, WILLIAM H., Morgan township, farmer, born October 5, 1850. He is the son of Levi and Cassandra Sellers, of whom mention is made. He was reared on his father's farm, educated at the common schools, and Dennison university, Granville, Ohio. He is a rising young farmer, intelligent and industrious.

He was married August 8, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth J. Camp- bell, daughter of James Campbell, of Morgan township. They have one child, Gertrude, born March 22, 1880.

SELLERS, JAMES B., Morgan township, farmer, born in Morgan township, March 26, 1858, son of John sellers, of same township, and of whom mention is made elsewhere, was reared on a farm, and has continued farming ever since. He attended common schools and about a year at an academy.

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

He was married to Miss Grizzilda Beney daughter of Willian Beney, of Clay township. on December 6, 187; They have oce child, John William.

SELLS. EMANUEL, Urion township, farmer post office Millwood, born in 1824. in Fayette county Pennsylvania, came to Ohio when ten years old, remained for a time in Ashland. and then moved to Knox county in 1848. In :861 be enlisted in the Forty-third regiment, company K. Ohio volunteer in- fantry. He was through a large number of the southern States. and was in several battles and skirmishes. He served his time and received honorable discharge. He then settled on his farm. where he still remains.

In 1867 be was married to Miss Marion Persons. Their chi- dren are William, General Logan, Matthew Charles, and Elmer.

SEMPLE, WILLIAM FINLEY, surgeon dentist, Mt. Ver- con, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1832 He is the Erst child of Alexander W. and Mary F. Sempie, rue Finley who, at the time of ber marriage resided at Steubenvile, Olio. The parents removed to Steubenville, where the subject of this sketch spent his youth. His father being a dentist, be commenced the profession at an early age In 1856 be came to Fredericktown. this county, and opened rooms. where he prac- ticed his profession umtl. 1868, and :ben located in Mt. Vernon, where he has ever since practiced his profession with eminent success. In December 1870. he was examined by the State board, who were appointed under the laws of Ohio. He was not compelled to be examined, but submitted to an eramina- tion as he was desirous of having their certificate; be bas a large and lucrative practice; he is regarded as a proficient and expert dentist. He was married to Miss Abbie Young, of Freder- icktown. September. 185g. U'nto them were bom three children, caro of whom are living.

SEVERNS, JAMES, retired farmer, Brown township. a son of Joseph and Mary Severs, was born in Cosidocton county Ohio, on the tenth day of February. : 805. His mother de- ceased when he was a boy of about nine summers. In ISI: be was brought to Knox county, Ohio, by his father and step- mother his father having married again who located near Milwood, remained one year, then moved back to Coshocton county and located near New Castle, where they lived about two years. In 1820 he purchased four hundred acres of Military Land from Columbus Delano, in Brown township. this county. or which he made improvements and moved his family the same year, where he remained and followed farming as bis vocation until his death, at the good old age of about eighty-eight years.

At the time of his settiemes: in Brown township there was but one cabin between his residence and Danville: neighbors were few and far apart. Their nearest gris :- mil was one know as the Shrimplin mil, Dear Millwood. The red man was his friend and often called to see bam; wild anima's were abundant; the forests were full of game of all kinds; he was known as a great hunter and a good marksman. He was mamied :wics. and was the father of twenty-two children, all of whom are now deceased. except James, by his ars: marrage, who is now liv- ing on a part of the old home farm, and two sous and coe daughter by his second wife.

james Severas, the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer and has made farming his vocation through life and has lived on the same farm since 1820, which is situated two miles west of Jelowar. Brown township. He has been married three times,

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History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 167

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