USA > Ohio > Morrow County > History of Morrow County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Vol. II > Part 12
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years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan became the parents of four children, Edward J., of Columbus, Ohio; William P., the imme- diate subject of this review; Mary N., is the wife of Charles F. Osborn, of Lincoln township; and Hon. Walter W., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, maintains his home at Cardington.
William P. Vaughan was reared to maturity on the old home farm, where he continued to reside until he was eighteen years of age. He attended the district schools of Morrow county and in 1882 was graduated in the Union School at Cardington. For one year thereafter he was a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and in 1886 he entered the Cincinnati School of Law, in the city of Cincinnati, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1887, duly receiving his degree of Bachelor of Law. IIe initiated the practice of his profession at Carding- ton in 1888, and built up and controled a large and representative clientage until January, 1899, at which time he was proffered and accepted the position of cashier of the First National Bank of Card-
Vol. 11-7
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ington. He has been interested in the banking business during the intervening years to the present time and he is interested financially in other important enterprises in Cardington, being a stockholder and one of the directors in the Galion Telephone Com- pany. In politics he is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Republican party and though he has never been anxious for the honors or emoluments of public office he gives freely of his aid and influence in support of all measures and enterprises advanced for the general welfare of the community. In 1897 he was appointed referee in bankruptcy and he holds this office at the present time. Fraternally he has passed through the circle of York Rite Masonry, holding membership in Cardington Lodge, No. 384, Free and Accepted Masons; Cardington Chapter, No. 163, Royal Areh Masons ; Marion Council, Royal and Seleet Masters; Marion Com- mandery, No. 36, Knights Templars. He has served as master and as high priest of the Cardington Lodge and Chapter, respectively. He and his wife are devout members of the Presbyterian church at Cardington, in the various departments of whose work they have been active factors.
Mr. Vaughan was married in 1890 to Miss Stella Willits, who departed this life in 1893. From this union was born in 1893 a son, James G., who is now a student in a business college at Colum- bus, Ohio.
In 1905 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Vaughan to Miss Iva G. Hindman, who was born and reared in Washington town- ship, Morrow county, and who is a daughter of Matthew Hindman.
STEPHEN B. LYON .- Industry and ability invariably win their way to prominence. No matter how small and insignificant the beginning may be, the industrious man who exerts his talents and has the tenaeity of purpose to persist in the course good judgment dictates never fails of success. Stephen B. Lyon has been identi- fied with agricultural pursuits in South Bloomfield township, Mor- row county, Ohio, for fully three decades, and in the township has been incumbent of some important offices of public trust and responsibility.
Mr. Lyon was born on the farm in Morrow county on the 11th of Deeember, 1854, and is a son of Newton and Hannah (Louns- bury) Lyon, the former of whom was a native of the state of Ohio and the latter of whom was born in New York. The mother accom- panied her parents to Ohio when a child of but three years of age, the journey having been made overland by wagon. Location was made in the woods in Knox county on a tract of land which the father reelaimed to cultivation. Newton Lyon was a son of Smith and Sallie (Marvin) Lyon, and the former was a son of Walker and Mary Lyon who came to Ohio from Connecticut when Smith was a lad of twelve years of age. The Lyon family settled on a tract of eighty acres of land east of Bloomfield and in the early
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pioneer days they were the only white family but one, that of Peter Kile, between that place and Mt. Liberty. Mr. and Mrs. Newton Lyon became the parents of three children, of whom Stephen B. was the second in order of birth, namely, Smith W., Stephen B. and John F. The father was identified with farming during the major portion of his active business career, and he and his wife are yet living.
Stephen B. Lyon was reared to the invigorating discipline of the home farm and he early availed himself of the advantages afforded in the public schools of his native place. He also attended school for a time at Delaware, Ohio, and as a young man he spent one year in the west in prospecting. When twenty-five years of age he was married and thereafter he turned his attention to farm- ing, location being made on an estate near his present fine farm. He is engaged in general farming and in late years has become much interested in the raising of Delaine sheep, in which line of enterprise he has been eminently suecessful. He takes care of floeks numbering up to two hundred head and averages some ten pounds of wool per animal. In politics Mr. Lyon accords an un- compromising allegianee to the cause of the Republican party and in connection with public affairs he has served the county as deputy state supervisor of elections for some eight years. He has held other minor township offices and for a number of years has been a member of the school board. In their religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Lyon are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Sparta, Ohio, to whose charities and benevolences they have ever been most liberal contributors. As a citizen of sterling integrity of character and eminent reliability Mr. Lyon has frequently been called upon to settle the estates of his neighbors, among them being those of his grandfather, Colonel Brown, Joseph Conway and others. Frater- nally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Centerburg, Ohio.
On September 1, 1879, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Lyon to Miss Mary Gloyd, who was born in South Bloomfield township December 7, 1856, and who is a daughter of Morgan and Margaret (Jackson) Gloyd, the former of whom was born on the 25th of August, 1826, and the latter on the 5th of October, 1832, bothi hav- ing been natives of Connecticut, whence the respective families immigrated to Ohio in the early pioneer days, the Gloyds loeating in the vicinity of Sparta, and the Jacksons in South Bloomfield township. Morgan Gloyd passed away on the 23rd of November, 1890, and his wife died on the 28th of August, 1892. They had two children, of whom Mrs. Lyon was the second in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyon was born one ehild, Mand, whose birth oe- curred on the 27th of July, 1880, and who is now the wife of J. M. Wilson of Knox county; they have one child, Harold who is in school and bright in his studies. Maud was educated in the com- mon and high schools at Centerburg, Knox county, Ohio, having
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been graduated in the latter institution at the early age of fifteen years. After leaving school she taught for two years in South Bloomfield township.
CHRIS BITZER .- Examine the life records of self made men and it will always be found that indefatigable industry forms the basis of their success. True, there are other elements that enter in- perseverance of purpose and keen discrimination, which enable one to recognize business opportunities-but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, persistent labor. At the outset of his career Chris Bitzer recognized this fact and did not seek to gain any short or wondrous method to the goal of prosperity. He began, however, to work earnestly and diligently in order to ad- vance himself in the business world and though he started out as a factory hand he is now general manager of the Mount Gilead Lumber Company, a branch of the J. S. Peck & Son firm of Card- ington, Ohio.
Mr. Bitzer is a native son of Cardington, Morrow county, Ohio, the date of his birth being December 16, 1859, and his parents were Chris and Catherine (Mauch) Bitzer, both of whom were born and reared in Germany, whenee they eame to America in early youth, settling at Cardington, where was solemnized their marriage about the year 1855. The father was a veteran of the 'Civil war and he died at the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, Ohio, in November, 1898. His wife, who preceded him to the life eternal, died in 1888.
To the public schools of Cardington Chris Bitzer, of this review, is indebted for his early educational training. When thirteen years of age he began work in the factory of J. S. Peek & Son. There, in time, be became expert as a woodwork mechanic and eventually was made foreman, a position of which he continued in- cumbent for a period of fifteen years. When the Mount Gilead Lumber Company, a branch of the J. S. Peck & Son business was opened up at Mt. Gilead, Mr. Bitzer was transferred to this place and made its general manager, in which capacity he has served with all of ability and success for seven years, in fact, from 1904 to the present time, in 1911. In polities Mr. Bitzer is aligned as a stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party and it is interesting to note here that his first presidential vote was cast in favor of President Garfield. He is not active in politics, however, and never has been, his entire time and attention being devoted to the busi- ness in which he is engaged. Fraternally he is a member of the Charles Hull Lodge, No. 195, Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed all the ehairs except that of chancellor commander. He is also affiliated with Lodge No. 169, Knights of the Maccabees, at Cardington, and he and his wife are connected with the Pythian Sisters.
On the 23rd of May, 1889, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bitzer to Miss Addie Poland, who was born in Little Rock, Arkan-
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sas, on the 15th of December, 1870, and who is a daughter of Pro- fessor J. C. Poland and granddaughter of Samuel Poland, for many years representative citizens of Morrow eounty. Samuel Poland was the first county auditor of Morrow county. When a mere child Mrs. Bitzer's parents returned to Mt. Gilead, Ohio, where they had formerly lived, and she was reared and educated in Marion county, Ohio. She is bookkeeper for the concern of which her husband is general manager. She is a woman of rare business ability and is very prominent in the work of the Pythian Sisters. To Mr. and Mrs. Bitzer was born one ehild, Jesse J., whose natal day was June 10, 1890. He was possessed of an unusually bright intelleet and after completing the curriculum of the public schools of Mt. Gilead he went to Cincinnati, where he began study in art and music. He was not destined to remain long in this world, however, for on the 10th of November, 1907, he died from an attack of appendicitis and resulting peritonitis.
Jesse Bitzer had been a student in the Cineinnati Art Academy at Cineinnati for several months prior to his death. On the Mon- day preceding his demise he was stricken with an attack of appen- dicitis. Friends telegraphed his parents of his illness and his mother went to him Tuesday, scarcely leaving his side for a moment until his death. The only hope of recovery was through the chanee of an operation and before the father had arrived at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati the operation had been performed. The invalid rallied nicely but peritonitis developed and he passed away with great suffering on the ensuing Sunday morning. From the first he did not expect to recover and Satur- day morning he said, "Stay with me, Mamma, all the time, for this is my last day on earth." The funeral services were held at the Methodist church at Mt. Gilead and the interment was made in Cardington eemetery. Jesse Bitzer was possessed of most extra- ordinary talent along the lines of art and music and great things were expected of him. He was a lad of noble character and early manifested those traits which distinguish great personalities. His sudden death was a great blow to his devoted parents. "The sympathy of the Knights of King Arthur, the Sabbath school, his Sabbath school class, Trinity Aid Society, groups of close friends and many individuals was expressed in the mass of floral offerings sent to the desolated home."
THOMAS J. HYATT .- The Morrow connty eitizenship is fortu- nate in the possession of the Hyatt family, estimable members of society and representatives of the agricultural industry. Daniel Webster once said: "Let us never forget that the eultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man.' Man may be civilized in some degree without great progress in mannfactures and with little commerce with his distant neighbors. But without the culti- vation of the earth, he is, in all countries, a savage. Until he gives
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up the chase, and fixes himself in some place and seeks a living from the earth, he is a roaming barbarian. When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization." There is no gainsaying the truth of this and, furthermore, the farmers constitute one of the most independent and wholesome classes.
Thomas J. Hyatt, son of Elisha and Polly (Hyatt) Hyatt, was born February 2, 1836. His parents were born in Montgomery county, Maryland, and emigrated to Ohio in 1835, the year pre- vious to his birth. They settled in Liberty township, Knox county, and reared a family of seven children, six of whom were sons and one a daughter, and whose names were William, Jesse, Eli, Wash- ington, Mortimer and Mary E. Washington and Mortimer were soldiers in the Civil war, the latter dying while in the service of his country. The children attended the Liberty township district schools and remained under the parental roof tree until years of discretion had been attained, assisting their father on the farm.
At the age of thirty-three years Thomas J. Hyatt took upon himself the duties and responsibilities of married life, his union to Miss Rachel A. Bowman being celebrated March 3, 1869. Mrs. HIyatt's parents were Daniel and Mary (Shoe) Bowman, of Knox county, the former being a farmer. The young girl remained at home until her marriage and received her education in the district schools. After their marriage these estimable young people set about establishing a home for themselves, and their industry and thrift was rewarded with material success. Three children were born to share their home with them, but the only daughter died in infancy. The sons were Orin and Orley. Orin married Miss Elsie May Robinson, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that being their present place of residence. Orley is unmarried and makes his home with his parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt own a desirable tract of land north of Hedding Chapel, upon which they maintain their pleasant home. They have for many years been honored members of the Friendship Protestant Methodist church, and although removed from that . immediate neighborhood, they still prefer holding their member- ship with the church of their early choice. Mr. Hyatt's political affiliations are with the Democratic party, to which he has given his allegiance since his earliest voting days. It is the gratifying por- tion of these estimable people to be most respected where best known, and in their present home they have resided for twenty-one years-an ample test of character and worth.
AMOS J. JAGO .- Through his own persistency and well directed efforts Amos J. Jago has gradually worked his way upward in the business world until at the present time, in 1911, he is one of the trusted employes of The Dr. N. Tucker Asthma Specific Remedy Company which is conducted by Dr. N. Tucker, of Mt. Gilead.
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Mr. Jago is a native son of Mt. Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, where his birth occurred on the 9th of June, 1875. He is a son of George and Sarah E. (Cooper) Jago, both of whom are now deceased. The Cooper family was founded in Ohio by William Cooper, grandfather of the subject of this review, who came to this state as early as the year 1826. He was a wheelwright by trade and he erected the Buckeye grist mill, which he owned and operated for a number of years. George Jago was identified with the dry goods business during the major part of his active career and he was summoned to the life eternal in 1898, his cherished and devoted wife having passed away in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Jago became the parents of two children, of whom Amos was the first in order of birth. When eight years of age Amos accompanied his parents on their removal from Mt. Gilead to Delaware, in the county of the same name, Ohio, where the family home was main- tained until 1887, in which year removal was made to the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. To the public schools of Delaware and Cin- cinnati Mr. Jago, of this sketch, is indebted for his preliminary educational training, which discipline was later supplemented by a commercial course in the Michael Business College, at Delaware, Ohio. After completing his business course he was proffered and accepted a clerieal position in the office of Dr. N. Tucker, at Mt. Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, and in this establishment he has been employed for the past seventeen years. After thoroughly familiarizing himself with the business he was advanced steadily from one position of trust to another. He is a man of marked executive capacity and is known throughout the county as a man of sterling integrity and fair and honorable methods.
On June 1, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Jago to Miss Mary E. Vining, of Marengo, Ohio, where she was born and educated, being graduated in the high school at that place. To this union has been born one child, Mary E., whose birth occurred on the 29th of February, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Jago are devout members of the Presbyterian church at Mt. Gilead.
Mr. Jago is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party in his political proclivities and although he has never manifested aught of ambition for the honors or emoluments of public office of any description he is loyal and public spirited in all matters tend- ing to advance the general welfare of the community. Frater- nally he has passed through the circle of York Rite Masonry, hold- ing membership in Mt. Gilead Lodge, No. 206, Free and Accepted Masons; Mt. Gilead Chapter, No. 59, Royal Arch Masons; Marion Council, No. 22, Royal and Select Masters; and Marion Com- mandery, No. 36, Knights Templars. In the Royal Arch Masons
he is secretary of the local chapter. Although still a young man Mr. Jago has gained a noteworthy success in the business world of this section of Morrow county. He has through his own exertions attained an honorable position and marked prestige among the
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representative business men of Mt. Gilead and with signal consis- tency it may be said that he is the architect of his own fortunes and one whose success amply justifies the application of the somewhat hackneyed but most expressive title-a self made man.
THE TAYLOR FAMILY .- Among the many worthy families who have taken an active part in the improvement and npbuilding of Morrow county, Ohio, we are pleased to record the honored name of Taylor, representatives of which are descendants of Robert and Rachel (Scott) Taylor, both of whom were born and reared in the state of Pennsylvania. From the old Keystone commonwealth Mr. and Mrs. Robert Taylor moved to West Virginia, whence they later immigrated to Morrow county, Ohio, bringing with them a family of twelve children-eight sons and four danghters. The names of the above mentioned children are here entered in respee- tive order of birth: William, Snsan, Jane, Alexander, Robert, Joseph, Josiah, Mary, Sammy, Rachel, John and Scott. Location was made on the fine old homestead farm ever since occupied by Robert Taylor's descendants. Mr. Taylor was a miller by oceupa- tion and he was identified with that line of enterprise for a period of twenty-seven years, in addition to which he was also interested in farming. Many needed improvements on the new place were installed by the family and the farm was tilled with vigor by the numerous sons, the well cultivated fields being the best proof of their energy and industry. Robert Taylor was summoned to the life eternal in 1876, and the fond wife and mother passed into the "Great Beyond" in 1885.
The Taylor children received their educational training in the neighboring district schools and when old enough began to assist their parents in the work and management of the home farm. The old Taylor residenee has been the scene of numerous gayeties and happy gatherings as one by one the children married and the wed- dings were celebrated under the old roof tree. On these oceasions a merry company, often numbering a hundred guests, were assem- bled. William, now deceased, married Miss Martha Holdridge and became a successful miller at Sparta, where he was a deeidedly popular citizen, enjoying the esteem of a large circle of acquain- tances ; Jane, was nnited in marriage to Fleming Manville; Alexan- der wedded Harriet Babcock; Josiah married Betsy Ann Brad- field ; John wedded Caroline Pealer; and Rachel became the wife of Jason Sprague. To the last nnion was born one little danghter, Sadie, whose birth ocenrred on the 9th of July, 1884, and who came to grace the old home with the sunshine of her presenee. Sometimes the death angel visited the old home and the hearts of the good people bowed under its gloom. Two loved sisters, Mary and Susan, were laid away to rest. The four brothers, Robert, Joseph, Sammy and Seott, remained at home, Rachel faithfully acting as housekeeper. With the passage of years, the little sadie
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grew to womanhood, one of the fairest girls in the country round, her presence having been a source of keen pleasure to her uncles, who could not spoil her by their indulgence.
Sadie Sprague was united in marriage, on the 12th of April, 1906, to Roy Barr, and they maintain their home at Bloomfield. They are the fond parents of one son, Robert Clay Barr, born on the 13th of July, 1907. Mr. Barr is engaged in farming and stock raising and he is recognized as one of the prominent citizens of Bloomfield, where he is a co-operant factor in all measures projected for the good of the general welfare.
The Taylor Brothers, as they are familiarly called, have at different times served the public in various official appointments of important trust and responsibility, including the offices of town- ship trustee, assessor and treasurer, and they are referred to as members of one of Morrow county's most honored and esteemed families, being widely renowned for their hospitality and kindness. Advancing years having unfitted them for active farm duties, they recently purchased a fine, comfortable home at Sparta, where they are passing the evening of their lives in full enjoyment of the fruits of their former years of earnest toil and endeavor, leaving the care of the farm to a niece and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. John Shore. Charity in its widest and best sense has been practiced by the Taylor Brothers and their benevolence has made smooth the rough way of many a weary traveler on life's journey. By reason of their sterling integrity and moral uprightness, they are eminently well deserving of representation in this volume devoted to the history of Morrow county and her representative and public spirited citizens.
GEORGE O. COE. For some thirty years was George O. Coe engaged in the drug and hardware business at Mt. Gilead and at Edison, Morrow county, Ohio, and he is now residing on his fine farm of eighty acres in Gilead township, where he is identified with diversified agriculture and stock raising. He is a man of prominence and influence in the Republican party, in the local ranks of which he has been an active factor. Mr. Coe was born on the farm on which he now resides on the 23rd of March, 1849, and is a son of Abraham and Margaret (Nichols) Coe, both of whom were born and reared in Virginia, the former in Frederick county and the latter in Loudoun county. The father was born on the 23rd of December, 1806, and his death occurred on the 6th of October, 1893; the mother was born on the 4th of August, 1813, and she was summoned to the life eternal on the 21st of September, 1849. After the death of his first wife Abraham Coe wedded, December 28, 1851, Mrs. Joseph Sellers. No children were born to the latter union, but by his first wife Mr. Coe became the father of nine children, of whom George O. was the ninth in order of birth. Margaret (Nichols) Coe was a daughter of Nathan and
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Sarah (Thomas) Nichols, the former of whom was born November . 30, 1770, and the latter, June 13, 1782. About the year 1828 Sarah Nichols entered a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of government land in section 26, Gilead township, one quarter of which is now owned by the subject of this review and who also has the original decd of the land.
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