History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 106

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr.
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826

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been earnest and conscientious in his efforts to pro- tect the public treasury against the payment of fraudulent and improper claims. As a member of the committee on war claims, he has been very active and industrious in examining and reporting upon the numerous claims referred to that commit- tee. His adverse reports would already fill quite a volume, while the favorable reports submitted by him from that committee, amount to very few. He is very attentive to the interests of his constitu- ents and visits the departments almost daily in behalf of some of them. While he has not at- tempted to be a noisy member, he has been faith- ful in his attendance upon the sessions of Con- gress, and has taken diligent pains in every thing that relates to the interest of the people of his dis- trict.

AVERY, JOSEPH, railroad conductor. He was born in Newark August 24, 1842. When the war broke out, he enlisted June 21, 1861, in company H, Third Ohio volunteer infantry, and served in the army three years. He was married October 15, 1865, to Anna Shafer, who was born in Ham- burg, Germany. She came to Newark with her mother; her father came to Newark some two years previous. Her mother died shortly after ar- riving; her father is yet living in New York city. Mr. and Mrs. Avery are the parents of seven chil- dren: James Albert, Joseph, George W., Anna May, Robert L., Lulu Grace, and Eleanor C. Since the war Mr. Avery has been in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad company, and for the last seven years has been conductor.

AYERS, WILLIAM H., Newark, Ohio; carpenter. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, June 4, 1820. In youth he moved with his father's family to New Jersey, and in 1837 to Newark, Ohio. He was married to Eliza A. Search in March, 1840, who was born in New Jersey January 23, 1820. By this marriage they have eleven children: James J., William Riley, Sarah A., Charles, George, Frank, Edwin (who died an infant in 1855), Mar- tin, Adelbert E. (infant-died in 1858), and Els- worth. Mr. Ayers learned the carpenter trade early in life, which occupation he yet follows. When the war broke out, he enlisted in company E, Sixth United States cavalry, and after serving one year was discharged on account of disability. Shortly after his return home, he enlisted again and served until the close of the war. William Riley was also a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh regiment Ohio volunteer in- fantry, and served one year. Sarah A. is the wife of W. Hathway, of Newark.

ST. ALBANS TOWNSHIP.

AVERY FAMILY .- Christopher Avery, a native of Salisbury, England, came to America in the ship

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Anabella, in the year 1630, and located in Glou- cester, Massachusetts. He was ancestor to all the Avery family in America. He died March, 1679. George Avery was born in Norwich, Connecticut, and married Mary Allyn, of Groton, Connecticut. In 1801 he removed to Westfield, Massachusetts, and came to Granville with the colony in 1805. He died in August, 1806, and was interred in the old cemetery at Granville. His children were, George, Christopher, Simeon, Mary, Alfred, and Cynthia. Of these two are deceased. Christopher was killed by falling into a well, and Alfred, who died April 11, 1880, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. George Avery, jr., married Eliza Paige. He was killed by falling from a tree in Mckean township in 1832. They had a family of four children-Christopher, Harriet, George and Will- iam. Christopher was born December 10, 1818, and was married in December, 1829, to Susan Lane. She died in 1832. They had one son, W. H. Avery, who served as a captain in the late war. He married his second wife, Achsah Hayes, in May, 1835. ,She died in 1870. They had a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, Hellen, Hattie, Allen, Sylvester, Rosa, Thomas, Cora and Frank. His third wife was Cyntha Gil- bert, to whom he was married in 1875.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

ALSDORF, WILLIAM, shipping merchant, Utica .- Lawrence Alsdorf came from Holland at an early day, and settled on North river, between New York city and Albany, where Sylvester Alsdorf, the father of William Alsdorf, was born. He married Lydia Brown. They spent their lives in Schenectady and Saratoga counties, and it was in the former that William Alsdorf was born, in 1814. In 1836 he married Sarah Reed, a native of Ireland. Her father, James Reed, lived in Donegal county, Ire- land, in which place he died. His wife and chil- dren came to New York in 1834. His wife's mai- den name was Susanna Buchannon. Their daugh- ter, Sarah Reed, now Mrs. William Alsdorf, was born in 1815. Three years after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Alsdorf they came to this county and settled on a farm of one hundred and fitty acres, two miles south of Utica. For five years their home was a log cabin, after which time they erected a neat and substantial building, which is still standing. Mr. Alsdorf soon built a saw-mill, which he ran for about eight years. Mr. John Reed was a partner for some time, but sold out to Mr. Alsdorf, who remained there until the spring of 1859, when he came to Utica, and in the spring of 1861 he took charge of the ware-house, as a lease, one year after which he bought the house of his brother's heirs. He did a general shipping business in grain, live stock, etc. Mr. Alsdorf still

owns and runs a farm in addition to the railroad business, in which he is assisted by his youngest son. He has had charge of the railroad business at Utica for the last twenty years. The shipping business is continued by the three eldest sons of William Alsdorf. The firm is known as the Als- dort Brothers. Mr. and Mrs. William Alsdorf have six children living, and two dead. Five are living in Utica, while one daughter lives in Erie, Pennsylvania.

BENNINGTON TOWNSHIP. .

BENTON, THOMAS K., farmer and fine sheep- raiser, Bennington township. Born in Quincy, III- inois, in 1847; came to this county in 1875; married Miss Helena Postlewait, daughter of George Postle- wait, in March, 1875.

Mrs. Benton was born in 1846, in this county. Her father, George Postlewait, was born in Monon- gehala county, Virginia, in 1804; came to this county in 1845. He married Miss Betsey Kerr of this county. She was born in Muskingum county. Ohio, in 1808. She died in 1859. They were the parents of four children. Mr. Benton is the owner and breeder of fine sheep. He has twelve registered, and some as fine grades as can be seen in the county.

BOWMAN JOHN, farmer, Bennington township. Born in this county in 1835. His father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. His mother was born in the same county in 1807. After coming to this county they were married. They were the parents of three children: Ange line married Mr. Simpson of Illinois, and died there in 1878; Isabella married Charles Hildreth of this county, and died in 1867, and John, the subject of this sketch, was married in 1854 to Miss M. J. Lees, daughter of William Lees, of Madison town- ship. Mrs. Bowman was born in 1836, in this county. They have ten children. One, Henry C., of Appleton, is married. Mr. John Bowman deals in very fine sheep, and takes pride in his business.

BOWLING GREEN TOWNSHIP.

BOZMAN, JAMES, born in Perry county, Ohio. November 29, 1844; the son of William and Eliz Bozman. When about a year old, his father and family came to this county, residing first in Browns- ville, then Jacksontown. His father went to Calı fornia in 1850, where he soon after died. His mother subsequently married James Fairley, and Mr. Bozman lived with them on the Brubaker farm, about three miles south of Newark, till 1859, then moved with them to Marion county; remaining with them till the fall of 1862. He returned to this county, but shortly after he went again to Marion county for the purpose of attending school?

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ebruary 26, 1864, he enlisted in the Fourth Ohio fantry, company H. When the Fourth and ighth regiments were consolidated in June, 1864, : became a member of company C. As a sol- er he was engaged in some of the severest bat- es which witnessed the closing period of the war; articipating in the seven days fighting in the Wil- erness, where he was wounded on the last day, e battles of Hatcher's Run, Petersburgh, etc .; as mustered out at Jefferson, Indiana, July 13, 365; returned to this county in 1866; in 1867 ved in Hardin county; 1868-1873 in Licking ounty; then four years in Effingham, Illinois, nce when he has lived in Amsterdam. Married 1870 to Lucinda Tracy, of Linnville, and has ad four children; George Francis, Mattie, Anna Tary, and James. Of these, only one, Anna Mary, urvives.

BURGE, JOHN .- Mr. Burge was born in this town- hip June 11, 1816; the son of John and Margaret Burge, early pioneers of this county. His father 'as from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and ied when John was eight or nine years old. Mr. Burge took charge of the farm for his mother and managed it till he attained his majority. He was he sixth of nine children, and bought the home- tead from the heirs. At this early time it was only partially cleared, with rude buildings upon it. By his ceaseless industry he has brought it to the highest state of improvement, and by the purchase of an adjoining farm he now has one of the larg- est and finest places in the township. He has be- towed considerable attention to stock-feeding, in connection with general farming, and in this his success has been marked. He was married Feb- uary 26, 1837, to Lydia Richards, whose parents were early settlers in this township from Maryland. T'en children blessed the marriage, seven of whom survive at this writing: Matilda Mooney, Drucilla Clark, Arrylla Courson, Louisa Orr, Anderson, Lucinda Gutridge, and Parker. His oldest son, Theodore, died March 7, 1879, at St. Louis, Missouri, where he had been practicing law. His two sons, Anderson and Parker are farmers, the former in Licking township, the latter at home with his father.

BIXLER, GEORGE W., was born in Belmont coun- ty, Ohio, August 5, 1830. In 1836 he moved with his parents, John and Eliza, to Brownsville. There he learned the shoemaker trade with his father, and worked at the trade until 1861, when he en- listed in company C, Twenty-seventh Ohio volun- teer infantry, serving two years. Since his return he has farmed in this township. He was married in 1863 to Anna M., daughter of Emanuel Coop- erider, born May 5, 1831. His children are John,

William, George Luther, Anna Loretta and Lizzie Bell.

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP.

BURNER, D. E., cabinet-maker, and justice of the peace, was born in 1847 in this county. His father, J. H. Burner, was born in Virginia in 1818; came to this county in 1833. In 1845 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Condon, of this county, who was born in Baltimore in 1823. They are the parents of seven children. The subject of this sketch is the oldest; he was married in 1869 to Miss Hannah M. Conard, who was born in 1847 in this county. They are the parents of three children: Nathan L., Everett (deceased), and Mary E.

FALLSBURY TOWNSHIP.

BRADFIELD, JOSEPH, farmer, stock dealer and shipper; post office, Perryton. He was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1812 ; he emigrated to Ohio in 1832 in company with his mother, and settled on eighty acres of land in Pike township, about two miles west of West Car- lisle, having thirty dollars, a horse, saddle and bri- dle. He then proceeded to farm and deal in stock, being quite successful. In a few years he purchased other tracts of land adjoining, to the amount of nearly three hundred acres; also bought four hundred acres in Knox county. In 1863 he purchased his present home in Fallsbury township. Mr. Bradfield has always dealt very heavily in stock, having in 1864 nine thousand head of sheep purchased at one time before shipping. July 10, 1834, he married Nancy Horner, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1811. She died September 6, 1873, aged sixty-two years. By this union they had seven children, three sons and four daughters: Elizabeth, born April 18, 1835; Harriet, November 2, 1836; Francis M., September 21, 1839; Rebecca E., May 7, 1844, died June 10, 1872; James E., January 30, 1842; Sarah A., May 21, 1846; William E., April 13, 1850. October 6, 1874, he married Mrs. Julia L. Evans, widow of Captain J. P. Evans, of the Sev- enty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry. She is a daughter of B. Lemert, and was born . October 27, 1838. Her children by her first husband are: Fred Evans, born June 5, 1866; Herbert, March 12, 1868; Leroy, May 18, 1869, all of whom are living. Captain J. P. Evans died February 21, 1870. Mr. Bradfield and his companion are con- sistent members of the Fallsbury Christian church.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

BROWNFIELD, JACOB, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1819, and a brother to Benjamin Brownfield. He came to Licking county in 1844. He was married to Susan Brown, of

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Fayette county, October 17, 1841. By this marri- age he had the following children: Calvin, a resi- dent of Newark; Elmer, who lives in Fleatown; Elizabeth, wife of John Eskew, of Newark, and Benjamin, at present, living in Jacksontown. His wife having died, he married Rebecca Adair, daughter of George and Isabel Adair, of Guernsey county, April 27, 1854. His three children by this marriage are: Josephine, wife of Charles Moore; Liewreston W., and Francis J. Mr. Brownfield is a farmer by occupation.

BROWNFIELD, BENJAMIN, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1826, and is the son of Benjamin and Ruth Brownfield. His mar- riage to Mary J. Lawhead, the daughter of Ben- jamin and Mary Lawhead, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, occurred January 22, 1852. Leav- ing Pennsylvania in the spring of 1855, he made the place of his present residence his home, build- ing his house in the midst of a thick growth of forest trees. In 1862 he served as colonel of the home militia. He has been justice of the peace in Franklin township seventeen years. Mr. Brown- field is the present State representative from Lick- ing county. His children are: Tunic, William J., Mary A., Anna W., Joe E., and Margaret H. His occupation is farming and stock raising. His father died lately, at the age of one hundred and three years, at his home in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania.

GRANVILLE TOWNSHIP.

BAKER, CAPTAIN, father of Colonel D. M. Baker, was born in Enfield, Connecticut, October 8, 1763. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and was captain of a military company in his native State. April 2, 1778, he married Jerusha Parsons, of Enfield, born April 7, 1767, by whom he had four children, Jerusha, born August 7, 1789; Fanny, born May 1, 1792, died March I, 17 -; Sophia, born December 13, 1793, died December 14, 1862; Daniel M., born February 23, 1805. Mr. Baker joined the colony which came from Massachusetts in 1805, but came him- self in 1806, on horseback, swimming the streams. He purchased four hundred acres of land in Lick- ing county, and, in 1810, brought on his family, as already noticed. He was the original owner of the University hill, and cleared off the land now occupied by the Upper seminary buildings. For several years Captain Baker was justice of the peace, also, for a time, postmaster, likewise town- ship trustee. About the year 1820 Captain Baker built, one and a half miles southwest of Granville village, the frame house now occupied by his son, Colonel Baker. The captain possessed an excel- lent judgment, was very correct in nis dealings and very uniform in his disposition. He attended

closely to his business, and was an influential and highly respected citizen. He died December 19, 1836, and his wife, March 1, 1848; and both were members of the Baptist church. The oldest child, Jerusha, taught the first school in St. Albans town- ship, and was for many years a teacher. She died March 1, 1848.

BAKER, COLONEL D. M., farmer, was born in Mas- sachusetts, February 23, 1805. In the fall of 1810 his father's family came to Ohio and located in Granville, unloading their goods on the spot now oc- cupied by the Presbyterian church. There were at that time but two frame buidings in the village. November 29, 1826, he married Lydia, daughter of Theodore and Dorotha B. Gaylord. Miss Gay- lord was born in Vermont, December 26, 1806. By this union he reared eight children, viz: Al- mena, Lorenzo, Dorotha, Anna, Parsons W., Ly- dia, Martha, and Theodore. Lorenzo died August 24, 1851. Mr. Baker has given his chil- dren excellent facilities for education Almena attended school at Granville Female college, and for quite a number of years engaged in teaching. Dorotha graduated at Granville Female college. under Professor W. D. Moore, and for some twenty years was engaged as teacher in six different States. Anna was also educated at the above-mentioned school, and, like her sisters, became a teacher, in which capacity she was employed for quite a num- ber of years, five of which were spent among the Indians in Dakota. She was subsequently em- ployed as teacher in Alabama, among the freed- men. The second son, Parsons Baker, attended school at Granville college, was a teacher for a few winters, and, in October, 1859, he married Harriet Ashton. He died November 19, 1864, leaving a wife and one daughter. Lydia was educated a: Granville Female college, and taught school for a number of years. Martha received her educa- tion at the Granville Female college, and for sev- eral years was employed by the Government as a teacher among the Indians in Dakota. Theodore married Lucy Page, and now resides in this county. The death of Mrs. Colonel Baker occurred De- cember 23, 1853. She was a woman much attached to her home, took a deep interest in the education of her children, and was very agreeable in society. She was a faithful wife and an affectionate mother. His second wife was Mrs. Charlotte R. Morrison- nee Varnum-to whom he was married November 24, 1855. By this marriage he has one daughter, Mary J. Baker. She was educated at the Female college in Granville. Mr. Baker's wife deceased Jan- uary 21, 1878. His third wife was Mrs. Margaret Rose-nee Stewart-to whom he was married June 9, 1880. When fourteen years old, Colonel Baker was a drummer in a miltary company; at sixteen

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he entered the ranks as private, and soon became commander of the company, and went through the various grades of promotion until, at eighteen, he was placed upon the staff of General Jonathan Taylor, where he remained some three years. At the time of the Wolverine difficulty, Mr. Baker was made colonel of the Second regiment, Fourth brig- ade, Ohio Volunteer militia. The colonel has re- sided in this county for nearly three-quarters of a century, and both he and his wife are highly- esteemed citizens of the community. They are members of the Granville Presbyterian church. Mr. Baker is now president of Granville Farmers' club.

BAILY, REV. SILAS, D. D .- Mr Baily was, for many years, president of Denison university, Granville. He died in Paris, France, June 11, 1874, having attained to the age of three score and ten years. He was scholarly, dignified and successful in the management of the college. He had a massive intellect, and his sermons were highly appreciated by the more intelligent portion of his hearers. After leaving Granville he was connected with one or more institutions of learn- ing in the west. He was in Europe in search of health when death overtook him.

BANCROFT, JUDGE SAMUEL. -- He was born in Granville, Massachusetts, September 16, 1778; was well educated, and spent the earlier years of his manhood in teaching. In the spring of 1806, he came to Licking county, where he resided until his death, which occurred at Granville, January 27, 1870. On May 28, 1807, he married Clarissa Rose, oldest daughter of Judge Rose, this mar- riage being the first among the Granville colonists after their arrival in their western home. They lived happily together fifty years, and he survived her thirteen years.

During the great revival of 1808, he became a member of the church, and was ever after faithful in Christian duty, prompt and liberal in his con- tributions to benevolence.

In the War of 1812, he was a private soldier, and was surrendered by General Hull. He was a justice of the peace eighteen years, associate judge twenty-one years, and town clerk many years, and always faithful to public trusts.

BANCROFT, LEVI E., eldest son of Ethan and Lucy Bancroft, was born in Granville, Licking county, Ohio, May 22, 1807. His parents migrated from Granville, Massachusetts, to Granville, Licking county, Ohio, in 1805, and settled on land. near Granville village, where he deceased April 18, 1815, leaving his wife with four small children to provide for in their forest home, viz .: our subject, Levi E., Lyman, Malissa and Lucy. Levi E. is

the only one now living. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade; served his apprenticeship with Gerrard Bancroft, beginning at the age of fifteen years, he followed the business of carpenter and joiner in Granville and vicinity from 1822 to 1866, then he turned his attention to farming; continued farming as his vocation until in 1871, he sold his farm and moved to Granville, where he is now living a retired life. He married for his first wife Hannah M. Copeland, by whom he reared five children. Elizabeth, born April 10, 1832; Lucy W., born November 9, 1836; Mary M., born Sep- tember 24, 1838; Martha S., born January 3, 1842; Julia A., born March 8, 1844. All are married, have large families, and are living in Granville and vicinity. His wife deceased May 13, 1859. He married, for his second wife, Susan H. Bushnell, in 1860, daughter of Thomas and Charlotte Bushnell, with whom he is now living.

BEAN, ABNER, farmer, was born in York county, Maine, May 5, 1796. He was brought up on a farm, and has made farming and stock-growing his vocation. In 1815 he migrated from York county, Maine, to Rochester, New York State, traveling the whole distance, five hundred and fitty miles, on foot, making the journey in fourteen days. He purchased and made improvements in a piece of land in Monroe county, New York, eight miles from Rochester, which he selected for his future home. In 1820 he married Cynthia Collier, of Monroe county, New York. He had erected a cabin on his land, in which they moved, this serving them for a dwelling house, until in 1849 or 1850, he built a frame residence, in which they lived until in 1855; he, with wife and seven chil- dren, James C., Eliza C., Margaret C., Mary E., David, Edwin, and Amelia S., migrated to Licking county, Ohio, and settled on the farm where he is now living in Granville township, two and a half miles west of Granville. He owns a large and productive farm. The children are all living at this writing. His wife deceased June 3, 1868. He is still living and enjoying good health for a man of his years.

BRAGG, H. W., was born in Stafford, Connecticut, May 22, 1798. He received his education in the village where he was born. He was a hatter by trade. He migrated to Granville, Licking county, Ohio, in 1817; worked at his trade about three years, then engaged in the marble or tombstone business, which he continued in until about 1865, when he quit the business and lived a retired life. He married Amelia E. Gavitt, December 14, 1820, born December 30, 1798, daughter of the Hon. William Gavitt, who migrated from Granville, Massachusetts, and settled in Granville, Licking

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county, Ohio, in 1805. They settled in Granville, where they remained until deceased. He died June 8, 1875. His wife died August 22, 1879. 'Their union resulted in one son and one daugh- ter-George H. and Mary A.

BFAGG, GEORGE H., was born in Granville, Lick- ing county, Ohio, April 8, 1825. He was educa- ted in the Granville schools. He worked for a number of years with his father at the marble or tombstone business, then changed his vocation to that of a grocer, which he continued in until 1873, when he retired from the business. On April 1, 1866, he married Lucretia, daughter of Lloyd and Margaret Bishop, born in Zanesville, Ohio, October 24, 1843, and migrated to Gran- ville, Licking county, with her parents in 1855. They settled in Granville, where they are now living.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP.

BAIRD, AARON, post office, Toboso, son of Jo- seph and Margaret Baird, was born February 15, 1836, near Dresden, Ohio. He is by occupation a farmer, and lives in the southeast part of Hanover township. He was married to Martha Stump, the daughter of Isaac Thomas and Mary Stump, March 24, 1863. She was born September 14, 1845, in Muskingum county. By this marriage they had five children. Thomas J., born April 19, 1864; Emma R., born January 4, 1866; Mary O., born June 22, 1869; Etta V., born June 20, 1871; Edgar H., born January 23, 1876.

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History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 106

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr. Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Number of Pages: 826

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr.
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826