History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 141

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

USA > Ohio > Licking County > History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present > Part 141

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THRAPP, JAMES, farmer, post office, Utica. He was born in Virginia March 3, 1800. At the age of five his parents moved to Muskingum county, Ohio. They packed most of their goods on horse back to this county. They settled on a farm of one hundred and one acres that his father pur- chased of a Colonel Jackson. His father died in 1816, aged fifty-one years. His mother was mar- ried again, in 1819, to William Ewing. In 1821 he came to Licking county to work a farm of his brother-in-law, who was at that time the head man in the furnace at Rocky fork. He remained with him till he was married, February 14, 1822, to Isabel Evans. She was born in 1798. Her father came from Pennsylvania and settled in Newark in 1805. After his marriage he returned to Muskin- gum county and rented his step-father's farm for two years. In 1824 he bought one hundred acres of land in Hopewell township, Licking county, where he moved the first of April, 1824. This land was entirely covered with timber. He built his cabin, moving into it when it was incomplete He had no chimney built, and no loft nor door to the cabin. It snowed the first night, conse quently they suffered somewhat. The next day he hired a man to build a chimney out of stich and mud, put up a door, and lived in this shop till fall, when he daubed the cabin and got it com

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fortable for winter. He paid for this place one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and re- mained here six years, when he sold to James Hull for three dollars per acre. In the meantime he had cleared about thirty acres. He then bought one hundred acres of land in Newton township, fifteen acres cleared and fenced, and a cabin with one room and a loft, for four dollars per acre. He afterward added thirty-five acres to this tract. He built a frame house and a frame barn, planted orchards and made general improve- ments. His wife, in their early married life, spun and wove the woollen and linen goods they used. He gave land off his farm for a church, on which was erected a Methodist church in 1858, called "Newton chapel." In 1866 he sold his farm to Job Karran for thirty-five dollars per acre, moved to Utica and went in the dry goods business with his son. He remained in this business for six years, then sold his interest to Edward Hickey. Since that time he has not been engaged in any active business. He is the father of five children : John E., born November 27, 1822, is married and lives in Johnstown, and is in the dry goods busi- ness; William, born November 7, 1824, and died September 4, 1842; Naomi, born October 10, 1826, married Henry B. Oldaker, and had one son ; she died June 11, 1855; Mary Frances, born April 20, 1830, married William Oldaker, a brother of the other; she lives in Newton township, and had six children, of whom four girls are living. Filender was born April 5, 1832, and is married to Addison Sanford, and is living in Winterset, Iowa ; she had two children. Mr. Thrapp has seven great-grandchildren. The oldest is nine years old. His wife died March 27, 1852. After her death he married Sarah Tichenor, March 9, 1854. She was born August 30, 1807. She was the widow of Jonathan B. Tichenor. She had two children by her first husband. Her son is married and lives in Washington county, Kansas, and her daughter is a widow and lives in Cass county, Indiana. Mr. Thrapp is one of the pioneer members of the Methodist church in Newton township, and has been a member of this church since 1835, August Ioth. His father's house was the first preaching place between Newark and Zanesville, in Muskin- gum county.

BENNINGTON TOWNSHIP.

VANFOSSEN, I). L., farmer, born in 1835, in this county; his father, Jesse, was born in 1783, in Augusta county, Virginia. Catharine Greiner, wife of Jesse Vanfossen, was born in 1790, in the same county. They were married in 1807, and came to this county in 1811. Jesse died in 1867, and his wife in 1876. They were the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are living:

John is living in Story county, Iowa; William, liv- ing in Woodford county, Illinois; Jacob. George, and Jesse are all living in this county; Elizabeth, married to Elijah Lake, formerly of this county, but now of Story county, Iowa, and Daniel, the subject of this sketch, was married in 1855, to Miss Sarah E. Lake, daughter of Jesse Lake, of this county. She was born in this county in 1839. They are the parents of five children: Charles C. Oliver P., Jesse, Effie, and Truman D.

VAN RHODEN, CHARLES C., farmer, born in 1834, in Frederick county, Maryland; came to this county in 1855. He was married in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth M. Stout, daughter of John Stout, of this county; she was born in 1836. They are the parents of eight living children and one dead. One child, Allie, is married to Scott W. Meyers, of Knox county, and resides there.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

VERMILION, WILSON, E., was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, September 4, 1821. When fifteen years old he came to Knox county Ohio, and two years after, to Hopewell town' ship. In 1860 he moved to his present resi- dence in Franklin township. He was married December 10, 1846, to Christianna Smith, a native- of Muskingum county. Their children are: Nel- son T., born August 14, 1848; Edson O., born May 14, 1850; Jefferson, born April 10, 1852; Smith W., born September 5, 1854; Wilson E., jr., born September 1, 1856; Stephen L., born April 28, 1859; Franklin A., born March 11, 1861; Jesse B., born April 14, 1863; Perry P., born October 2, 1867; Joseph W., born September 23, 1870. The oldest two are married and reside in Hopewell township. Wilson E., lately wedded, lives at present with his father. Mr. Vermilion is a brick molder and mason, and carries on farming in connection with his trade.

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP.

VERMILLION, EDSON O., post office, Little Clay Lick; he is the son of Wilson and Christianna (Smith) Vermillion, and was born May 14, 1850, in Gratiot, Hopewell township. His father came to this county from Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1837, and settled on the Bowling Green farm, in Madison township, where he engaged in the moulding of brick for two years, after which he re- moved to Gratiot: here . he engaged in moulding and laying brick for nineteen years, when he re- moved to Little Clay Lick, where he has resided since. He was married in 1846 to Christianna Smith, the daughter of Isaac and Ruth Smith. They reared a family of twelve children, consisting of eleven sons and one daughter; all of whom are living, save one son and the daughter. The subject

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of this sketch was married July 9, 1874, to Miss Mary Vermillion, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Vermillion; she was born November 6, 1855, in Knox county. Her parents came from Virginia to Knox county, in 1834, after which they were married. They have one boy and three girls. Mr. and Mrs. Vermillion have three children: Athur B., born July 15, 1875; Irene Mabel, Jan- uary 30, 1877; Eva May, August 2, 1879. Mr. Vermillion by trade is a stone-mason and brick- layer. He works at his trade during the summer months, while in the winter he teaches school. He resides in the western part of Hopewell town- ship.

MONROE TOWNSHIP.

VARIAN, TRUMAN W., musician and music teacher, post office, Alexandria, born in Gallia county, Ohio, June 29, 1856; married October 17, 1880, to Miss Nora Graves, daughter of V. L. Graves, of Alexandria. Mr. Varian is an accom- plished musician, playing with equal skill all kinds of instruments. He has splendid success as a teacher of music, having had a wide experience in band teaching, and in othe departments of music teaching.

CITY OF NEWARK.

VANFOSSAN, PHILLIP H., was born in Wellsville, Ohio, December 5, 1854; moved with his father's family to Alliance when he was quite young. They remained there one year, then went to Wellsville, and from there to Crestline, stayed there four years, then went back to Wellsville, afterwards moved to Mansfield, then to Newark, in November, 1872. He was married June 22, 1876, to Mar- garet E. Eader, of Newark, Ohio; she was born in Baltimore, Maryland, August 9, 1854. They have one child, Ida May, born April 24, 1879. Since he lived at Newark, he has been in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad company.

VICTOR, EDWARD W., deceased, was born in Granville, September 2, 1812. He was married to Louisa A. Crawford, October 16, 1841. They had three children; Emma L., who died April II, 1857, aged fourteen years and nine months ; Byron K., born May 22, 1845; Flora F., born August 5, 1850. Mr. Victor died August 24, 1847. He followed farming until his health failed. His wife now resides in this city.

NEWTON TOWNSHIP.

VANATTA, JESSE S., deceased, was born in New Jersey, Huntington county, April 7, 1807. February 4, 1830, he married Ellen McDaniel, daughter of William and Ann McDaniel; she was born in New Jersey, Huntington county, February 15, 1809. After their marriage they remained in New Jersey till 1840, when they migrated to Ohio, locating in

Licking county, Newton township, near Vanatta station, where he purchased a farm of two hundred acres. . In connection with his farm he run a foundry in Vanatta until his death, which occurred June 29, 1852. His wife survives him, and is in her seventy-first year. They became the parents of seven children-four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living but one.

UNION TOWNSHIP.

VANKIRK B. D., farmer and blacksmith, post office, Union Station. He was born July 9, 1818, near Union Station, Union township. His father died when he was four years old, and he lived with his grandfather, Benjamin David, until he was sixteen. He learned his trade with Allen Sinnett, of Granville, Ohio, remaining with him ten years. He was married to Miss Mahala Lind, in 1841. They have had eight children, six boys and two girls; five are yet living. One of the boys died in Andersonville prison pen, during the rebellion. The oldest son was also in the service, and re- turned home with broken health. Mrs. Vankirk was born in Spring Creek township, Miami county, Ohio, in 1820, and removed to Licking county in 1823. They have resided at their present location thirty-six years, and in their declining years are blessed with the comforts of life, the result of industry and economy.

BOWLING GREEN TOWNSHIP.

WAGNER, DR. H. M .- Dr. Wagner is the son of John and Anna Wagner, and was born October 3, 1852, in Fairfield county, where he grew to man- hood. He received his education at West Rush- ville; his professional training was acquired at the Columbus Medical college, located at Columbus, Ohio, where he completed two courses of lectures, graduating from this institution in 1879. He prac- ticed fifteen months in Champaign and Ford coun- ties, Illinois. Came to Linnville, December, 1879, where he has built up a yet growing practice in medicine and surgery, paying particular attention to obstetrics. He was married December 12, 1876, to Jessie V. Baker, of Rushville, Fairfield county, Ohio.

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAMS, EDWIN, farmer, born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, in 1822; came to this county in 1842. He was married in 1850 to Miss Catha- rine Searle, of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. She was born in 1827. They are the parents of nine chil- dren: James S., John (deceased), George, Frank- lin (deceased), Mary, Clarissa, Ruth, Helen, Eliza- beth. Mr. Williams was a soldier in the Mexica war under General Taylor. He was sheriff d Licking county from 1871 to 1875. He has also held several township offices.

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WILLIAMS, J. J., farmer and school-teacher, born in 1837, in this township. His father, J. Williams, was born in 1802, in Huntingdon county. He was married in 1831 to Miss Rachel Friend, of Fairfield county. She was born in 1811, in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. They came to this county in 1833. He died in 1860. They are the parents of ten children, six of whom are living. The sub- ject of this sketch is the third child. He was married in 1863 to Miss Mary E. Wilson, of Knox county, Ohio. She was born in 1843, in this coun- ty. They are the parents of three children: Eliza- beth A., John W., William B. Mr. Williams held the office of land appraiser for the year 1880.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAMS, JONAS, was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, April 22, 1834, and moved to this county in 1836, with his parents, Fielding and Kezia Williams. He has two brothers, Redman and Ald- ridge, living, the eldest, Armstead, died in the Mexican war. Mr. Williams enlisted in company F, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, August 18, 1862. . He was engaged in the battles of Chickamauga and Nashville. In the former he was wounded, in consequence of which he was transferred to the invalid corps at Nashville, where he remained until his muster out June 30, 1865. He is a farmer.

WOLFE, JOHN, farmer, was born in Franklin town- ship September 4, 1824. His father, George Wolfe, emigrated to this county from Pennsylvania, in early life; was married in 1848, to Margaret Crawford, a native of this township, whose father, Parker Wolfe, a blacksmith, moved here in 1818, from near Baltimore, Maryland; her mother was from Washington county, Pennsylvania. After their marriage they lived fifteen years in Hopewell township, and have lived in this township since. They have four children: Martha Ann, wife of W. P. Neibarger, of Madison township; Mary Eliza- beth, Albert C. and Parker Lee.

GRANVILLE TOWNSHIP.

WELLS, EZEKIEL, was born near Hartford, Con- necticut, in 1786. He emigrated to Licking county, Ohio, with his parents, Israel and Chloe Wells, who reached Newark in the fall of 1804. Israel Wells purchased land in Granville township, on which he erected a cabin, and moved his family in 1805, where he and his companion deceased ; he in 1830, and his wife in 1833. His first pur- chase was the farm, now owned by Abner Bean. Ezekiel Wells married Mary Reed in 1815, born in 1796; daughter of William Reed. They settled in Hartford township, this county, on a farm which he had purchased some time prior to his marriage, and made improvements where they lived until

1834. They moved to Granville township where he died in 1848. His wife survived him until 1869. Their union resulted in six children: Mary A., Chloe E., Independence E., William E., Jane J. and Laura E. All are now living.

WHITE, ERASMUS, deceased, was born in Ebens- burgh, Pennsylvania, on the twenty-ninth day of May, 1804. He was, at the time of his death, seventy-six years old, lacking seventeen days. The greater part of that long life he passed in this county. In 1810 he emigrated, with his father's family, to this county, settling on what are known as the Welsh Hills, then, of course, almost a wil- derness, inhabited chiefly by wild beasts. There. were six brothers and two sisters in all in the fam- ily, subsequently, of which the subject of this sketch was the third or fourth. Only two are surviving- Mr. Joseph White, ex-county commissioner, and Mrs. Sarah Haver, a sister, who lives in the west. Mrs. Philipps, since deceased, was the other sister. Mr. Thomas White was a prominent minister of his day; Jonathan and John White were surveyors and civil engineers; and Hon. Samuel White was a very brilliant frontier orator-ranking with such men as Corwin and Clay. The Whites, with the assistance of their few neighbors, erected their log cabin on the Welsh Hills, which was destined to be their home for so long a time, on Christmas day, 1810. The deceased could doubtless remember that all-importan toccasion-but what vast and won- derful changes have taken place since then! The simple recital of the primitive frontier life that the deceased then led, in common with all the pioneers, would fill volumes. But, doubtless, with all their disadvantages they had compensations. There was a strong and hardy manhood developed then, of which we have few traces now, and of which the deceased was so vigorous an example. Mr. White, early in life, married Miss Diana Owens, a young woman of much worth, of the neighborhood, by whom he had three sons, all of whom survive him. Losing the faithful partner of his joys and sorrows, after long years of wedded life, Mr. White mar- ried. for the second and last time, Mrs. Barcus, the widow of John Barcus, esq., an old citizen of New- ark. Mr. White, for the larger portion of his life, followed the business of contracting, in which ca- pacity he was identified with the construction of numberless roads, bridges, etc., as well as engaged in several public works of a more important nature. He was a contractor on the Ohio canal, begun in 1825. Afterwards he had a contract on the old Ohio Central railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio, between Newark and Columbus. He also had a contract in the construction of a portion of the old Newark, Sandusky & Mansfield railroad, on what was known as the "old tramway." Mr. White was

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a very strong and vigorous man all his life, and his iron constitution enabled him to live through hard- ships that would have long ago crushed an or- dinary man. For a year or two he had been gradually failing, and seemed to anticipate, from various remarks made to his friends, that his end was drawing near. But the faith to which he had adhered in life, did not fail him at the approach of death. He expressed himself as ready to go whenever his time should come, and as having no fears for the future. For some weeks before his death he was confined to his bed, and was a great sufferer. He selected the minister to preach his funeral discourse-Rev. W. B. Woodbury, of the .Universalist church, as also the text-about four weeks before his death, at which time he made all arrangements for his funeral. The text was from first Timothy, second chapter, first eight verses. It was the same text that his father had selected for his own funeral long years ago. The remains were interred in the Welsh Hills burying-ground, where lie his parents, and all his family, except his brother Samuel White. His funeral was very largely at- tended by numerous relatives and friends.

WHITING, C. L., son of John and Lydia Whit- ing, was born in Columbia county, New York, May 4, 1806. He was reared a farmer, and has follow- ed farming as his vocation. He married Sophronia Hamilton, August 31, 1831, daughter of James and Waity Hamilton, born January 22, 1810. They settled in Columbia county, New York, and remained six years. In 1837, migrated to Michi- gan, remained there two years. In 1839, moved to Licking county, Ohio, purchased a farm in Gran- ville township, on which they have lived twenty-six years, and in 1865 they sold their farm and moved to Granville, where they are now living a retired life. Their union resulted in four children-one son and three daughters. Their son, George B. Whiting, enlisted in company D, Twenty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, September, 1861; served until November, 1864, his time having expried, was discharged from the service and returned home. He was educated at Denison university. He was appointed postmaster at Granville in 1866, and filled the position until April, 1879, when he gave up the office to his successor. In 1868, he com- menced dealing in books, stationary of all kinds, mouldings, wall papers. sheet music, music books, window shades, etc. He is still furnishing the people of Granville with all of the above named articles. His room is well filled with the best quality of goods; also pictures framed on short notice and in a workmanlike manner.

WILLIAMS, THOMAS D. (deceased), was born in Wales, March 9, 1803; he was a cooper by trade. Un married Hannah Jones in 1830, who was born

in Wales February 28, 1810. They migrated to America in 1832, located in Utica, New York, where he worked at his trade until, in 1836, they came to Licking county, Ohio, located on a farm on the Welsh Hills, Granville township, where he remained until his death. After his settlement ia Licking, he engaged in farming in connection with. his trade as his vocation. His marriage to Miss Jones resulted in seven chlidren, viz. : Thomas D, Morgan J., William D., Cyrus S., Ruth, Eva E .. and Mark; only four of the above named are now living. His wife deceased December 2, 1849. He married for his second wife Mary J. Davis, in 1852, who deceased May 24, 1879. He suvived her until July 5, 1880.

WOLCOTT, HORACE, was born near Marietta, Ohio, March 22, 1799. His father, Horace Wol- cott, was a noted Indian scout around Marietta during the War of 1812. He was the first sergeant- at-arms in the Ohio legislature, and held the posi- tion for a number of years. Mr. Wolcott was reared a farmer, and followed farming as his principal vo cation. In 1822 or 1823 he migrated to Granville, Licking county, Ohio. In about 1840 he purchased the Granville grist-mill, which he operated until 1862, when he sold the mill to Norton Case, and purchased the Wright tannery, at Granville, in com- pany with C. C. Hays, which he owned until 1865- He sold his interest in the tannery to his partner and W. P. Wolcott, and lived a retired life the re- mainder of his days. April 15, 1829, he married Miss Ruth R. Winchell, born in 1804, daughter of Silas Winchell, who migrated to Granville, Licking county, Ohio, in 1805 with the Granville colony, and filled a prominent position among the early settlers of Granville and vicinity. Their union re- sulted in eight children: Ruth R., born January 20, 1830; Silas E. (deceased) born March 24, 1831; Orlena (deceased), born May 27, 1834; Wi .- liam P., born March 29, 1836; Lucy, born March 26, 1839; Nancy B. (deceased), bori, May 5, 1841: Horace M., born January 14, 1844; Oliver M., bem April 21, 1850. Nancy B., deceased when very young, the others all lived to be men and women. Mr. Wolcott died January 7, 1879, aged seven- five years. When first married they settled in Gran- ville, where they passed the remainder of their days. Horace M. Wolcott, son of the above named Hor- ace and Ruth Wolcott, was born in Granville, Lick- ing county, Ohio, January 14, 1844. He is a tan- ner by trade; commenced working at the business in 1861, with his father and C. C. Hays. In 1862 he took charge of the shops for his father, the partner, Mr. Hays, having gone to the army. He operated it one year for them, and Mr. Hays re- turning home assumed control of the tannery again He continued working in the tannery, with the old

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firm, except one year which he served in the war of 1861, until in 1869 he became a partner by pur- chasing C. C. Hays' interest in the business. In 1872 he purchased William P. Wolcott's share, became the entire owner of the establishment, and has operated it up to this writing. In former years he made calf, kip, and upper leather a specialty, but at present he also dresses harness leather. May 8, 1873, he married Miss Julia A. Bancroft. They settled in Granville, where they are now liv- ing. They have one child, a son.

WOODBURY, NILES, a son of Benjamin and Ab- igail Woodbury, was born in Licking county, Ohio, Granville township, August 2, 1833. He was reared a farmer, and followed farming as his vo- cation until 1861; he then engaged in the mercan- tile business in Granville, in which business he con- tinued until he died, in 1866. He married Cath- arine Ewing, April 4, 1854, daughter of Thomas Ewing. They settled in Granville township. Their union resulted in two children, one of whom, a son, is living. Mr. Woodbury's father, Benjamin Wood- bury, was born in Bristol, Maine, November 1, 1799. He migrated to Licking county, Ohio, in 1820; married Abigail Blanchard, January 17, 1822, born in Ilesborough, Hancock county, Maine.

WRIGHT, EDWIN C., was born in Granville Mas- sachusetts, in 1805, and was brought with his father's family to Granville, Ohio, in 1810. He remained here until his death, July 11, 1875, and was always a respected and influential citizen.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP.

WALKER, BENJAMIN, post office, Clay Lick, a farmer by occupation, living in the southern and western corner of Hanover township; his parents came to this county from Muskingum, at an early day, and settled on the farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch. Here they reared a family of four children-two boys and two girls. Ben- jamin Walker was born April, 1824, in Muskingum county. He is the son of Alexander and Susan Walker. He was married February 7, 1849, to Martha Lake, the daughter of Edmond and Lydia Lake. She was born February 22, 1822, in Hope- well township. Her parents came from Virginia at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have five chil- dren-four boys and one girl: Alexander was killed by the cars on the night of March 11, 1880, at Newark, on the Pan Handle railroad; Nathan, Charley G., Samuel and Sarah Patience. Mr. Walker has always voted the Democratic ticket. His first vote was cast for James K. Polk in 1844. HARRISON TOWNSHIP.

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History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 141

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