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 42
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his brother, Burton W. Andrews, whose interest he purchased in 1906. In connection with his splendid jewelry establishment he has an optician's department and in both these lines of enterprise his success is of most prominent order. He is also interested in a moving-picture show at Mount Gilead, which is a source of considerable revenue. Altogether he is a man of decided business sagacity and extraordinary energy, one for whom the future has bright promises.
At Mount Gilead, March 28, 1906, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Andrews to Miss Zella Livingston, who was born and educated in this county and who is a woman of intelligence and charm. She is a native daughter of Morrow county, and was born near Marengo, where she was a student in the Marengo High School and was also a student in the public schools at Fostoria, Ohio. She graduated from the Oberlin Business College in the class of 1901, and she is a valuable aid to her husband in his business. Mrs. Andrews is a member of the First Presbyterian church at Fostoria, Ohio. They are most popular factors in con- nection with the best social activities of Mount Gilead.
In politics Mr .. Andrews is a stanch Republican and he is a hard worker in connection with all matters tending to advance the general welfare of the community. He was secretary of the street fair in 1910. Fraternally he is affiliated with and is secretary of Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 206, Free and Accepted Masons.
THOMAS W. BABCOCK .- "Through struggles to triumph" seems to be the maxim which holds sway for the majority of our citizens and, though undeniably true that many a one falls ex- hausted in the conflict, a few by their inherent force of character and strong mentality rise above their environments and all which seems to hinder them until they reach the plane of affluence. Such has been the history of Thomas W. Babcock, and in his life record many useful lessons may be gleaned. Mr. Babcock re- sides at Marengo, Morrow county, Ohio, where he is recognized as a representative and influential business man of the most insistent order.
Thomas W. Babcock was born in Bennington township, Mor- row county, on the 6th of December, 1882, a son of I. A. and Mary E. (Wheeler) Babcock. The parents are both living and main- tain their home at Marengo. They became the parents of six children, namely: Ora, who is the wife of William Blair, of Mansfield, Ohio; Grace, who wedded H. S. Cruikshank, of Mount Gilead, Ohio; Lydia, who remains at the parental home; Robert D., who is a resident of Simbury, Ohio; Josephine, of Mount Gilead; and Thomas W., who is the immediate subject of this review. Mr. Babcock was reared to adult age on the home farm in Bennington township and after completing the curriculum of the district schools he attended and was gradnated in the high
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school at Marengo as a member of the class of 1897. £ For one year thereafter he was engaged in teaching school and in 1899 he turned his attention to the hay and grain business. In the latter enterprise he initiated operations with a team and wagon and a capital of fifteen dollars. With borrowed money he launched into the business world buying and selling hay and grain, and with the passage of years he built up a large and enterprising industry. At the present time, in 1911, he has offices and eon- duets business at Marengo, Ashley, Sunbury, Johnstown and Peer- less, and his annual volume of business amounts to about two hundred thousand dollars.
In the year 1907, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, was recorded the mar- riage of Mr. Babcock to Miss Bessie Groff, who was born and reared in the city of Dayton, Ohio, and who is a daughter of Michael and Minerva Groff. Mrs. Babeoek was reared and educated in her native city and she is a woman of most pleasing personality and gracious refinement. To Mr. and Mrs. Babcock has been born one daughter, whose birth occurred on the 18th of January, 1908. Mrs. Babcock is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which institution Mr. Babcock gives a loyal support ..
In polities Mr. Babcoek is aligned as a stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party, and while he has never manifested aught of ambition for the honors or emoluments of public office of any description he gives most freely of his aid and influence in sup- port of all measures and enterprises projected for the good of the general welfare. - In 1910 he was appointed guardian of the John C. Lewis estate, one of the largest estates ever taken throughlı the probate court, the bond required of him being one hundred and twelve thousand dollars. In addition to his other interests Mr .. Babcock is a stockholder in the Ohio State Life Insurance Company, of Columbus, Ohio. In a fraternal way he is affil- iated with Marengo Lodge, No. 216, Knights of Pythias, and with other organizations of a local charaeter. In view of the phen- omenal success attained in just a few years by this representative business man it is interesting to note that he started life with practically nothing except a spirit of pluck and a set determination to succeed. He has led an upright life, guided by honorable principles, and his fidelity to duty is unquestioned. He is a lecidedly progressive business man, a genial and considerate friend and an honorable Christian gentleman, who in the community where he makes his home commands the unqualified confidence and good will of all those with whom he has come in contact ..
PROFESSOR NATHAN H. BARTLETT .- The subject of this sketch was born on a farm one and one-half miles east of Mount Gilead, Ohio, January 22, 1856. Here he grew to the age of thirteen when his parents moved to a farm in North Bloomfield township, Morrow county, six miles south of Galion.
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He commenced to make a hand on the farm at the age of eleven years and continued to work in summer and go to school in winter for the usual four months until the fall of 1875, when he attended a term of school at Ohio Central College, at Iberia, Ohio, where he won the first honors in arithmetic and algebra. He then returned home and taught the winter school of four months in his own district, and in the spring of 1876 went to Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio, where he spent two years in the classical course. In the meantime he taught a winter school, in what was known as the "Colmery District" two miles south of Iberia. The winter of 1878 and 1879 he taught the Bethel School, four miles northwest of Cardington, and in March, 1879, he went to Lebanon, Ohio, to attend the spring term at the National Normal University.
After teaching and going to school by turns, he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science at this last named uni- versity, July 30, 1884, and on August 6th of that year was married to Miss Cora A. Bartlett, of Cincinnati, Ohio, also a graduate of the National Normal University. He was granted a Common School Life Certificate by the Ohio State Board of Examiners in 1890, and a High School Life Certificate in 1892.
Professor Bartlett was principal of the Germantown High School at Germantown, Ohio, from 1890 to 1892, when he was elected superintendent of schools at Mount Healthy, a suburb of Cincinnati, where he remained for nine years. At Mt. Healthy he established the high school and maintained it on a strong basis. In 1901 he removed to Winfield, Kansas, seeking a milder climate for his wife's health, and for the eight years from 1903 to 1911, he was superintendent of schools at Burden, Kansas.
At this place he changed the high school course from two to four years, and raised the school to an accredited high school which secured for his graduates admission into the State University of Kansas without examination.
Professor Bartlett is an accomplished scholar, a successful educator, is proficient in vocal music, and is a good singer. Per- haps his character can be well summed up in brief, by quoting what his patrons of Burden, Kansas, have said of him in a printed article : "He is a man of high ideals, laudable ambitions, and rich intellectual endowments. His influence has always been on the side of right, which means much when the moulding of character is considered as well as mental development."
The children are three: Helen Genevieve, now a stenographer at Los Angeles, California ; Oscar Herbert, at Beatrice, Nebraska ; and Ernest Dwight at home.
HONORABLE WILLIAM G. SHARP, Representative of the Four- teenth Congressional District of Ohio .- It is true the world over that men refer with pleasant thoughts to the places of their birth,
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and Samuel Woodworth, in that unequalled poetic gem has most beautifully expressed the thought that comes to each of us when he says
"How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood When fond recollection presents them to view."
The people who remain at the home place of one's birth and childhood feel proud of the success and achievements of a daughter or son who has gone forth and, upon entering life's duties, has "made good." Of the success of such an one the writer is proud to make a record for posterity. While Mount Gilead claims him in his earlier boyhood, Elyria elaims him in his successful eareer and maturer years. Now, however, he not only belongs to Lorain and Morrow counties, but in a political sense to Ashland, Riehland, Huron and Knox counties, whose people he represents in the high- est legislative body of the Nation ..
The subject of this sketch, William Craven Sharp, is the son of George Sharp and Mahala C. (Graves) Sharp,* and was born in Mount Gilead on the 14th day of March, 1859. The maternal grandparents, William Graves and Effee (Shaffer) Graves, came to Mount Gilead from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, in 1840, and were among the most respected and substantial eitizens of the village during their residence of more than twenty years among its people, where Mr. Graves successfully condueted a saddlery and harness business. For many years afterwards, reaching over into the beginning of a new century, these early settlers of Mount Gilead paid visits to the former happy scenes of their life and to the birthplace of their three daughters, Mahala C., Orpha and Rosa- line, all of whom are still living.
The paternal grandparents were George W. and Caroline Sharp (the latter of whom died on May 24, 1889), who came to Mount Gilead in 1851, though originally natives of the state of Maryland, in whose political affairs Mr. Sharp had been prominent. Here he became the proprietor and editor of the Democratic Mes- senger, and his son George (father of our subject) on the death of his father on September 17, 1854, assumed editorial management of that paper and continued it for several years. It was during this period that the love ties of our subjeet's mother and father were formed and welded by marriage on November 28, 1857.
After moving to Elyria with his grandparents in the early '60s, William (with his brother George, in later years a state senator in Michigan) attended the publie schools in Elyria and was graduated therefrom in 1877, and from the law department in the University of Michigan in 1881, in which latter year he was admit- ted to the bar as an attorney. Three years later he was eleeted to the office of prosecuting attorney of Lorain county as a Demo- crat-the first political event of such a nature that had occurred in that county in a half century. Having filled that position
*The writer of the above sketch was the childhood playmate, for a few months, of the subject's mother before midsummer of the year 1847. Editor.
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with credit, he soon afterward became attorney for a Southern concern, which led him into a career as a successful manufacturer. It is in this field that he has been very active for more than twenty years past, and during which time he materially assisted in building up and developing a large and prosperous iron and chemi- cal business. As a large employer of labor and as an associate with men of important affairs he has acquired a wide range of experience as a successful business man. Though he has never let any political ambition interfere with the management of his business enterprises, he has nevertheless always taken a keen and active interest in local and state politics; and, while he has affil- iated with the Democratic party, he has the reputation not only of being independent in his views, but also expressing such indepen- dence by his ballot when, in his judgment, it becomes necessary to carry them out. The same course has been followed by him since his election to the Sixty-first Congress in 1908 upon all ques- tions which involve the public good. His election to Congress in 1908 and subsequent reelection in 1910 by a plurality of nearly seven thousand in the district has made him a prominent figure in the state.
In 1895 Mr. Sharp married Miss Hallie Clough, of Elyria, from which union five children have been born. It is in his domestic relations, surrounded by his family, in one of the fine old homes of Elyria, and in the town's social affairs that he finds his chief delight.
EDWIN TAYLOR POLLOCK was born October 25th, 1870, at Mount Gilead, Ohio, and entered the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, May 20, 1887, as a naval cadet, having re- ceived the appointment from Colonel W. C. Cooper, representa- tive from the Fourteenth Congressional District. He was gradu- ated from the Naval Academy June 4, 1891, was commissioned an ensign, July 1, 1893; a lieutenant, junior grade, March 3, 1899; a lieutenant, September 9, 1899; a lieutenant-commander. Septem- ber 30, 1905 ; and a commander March 4, 1910.
He served on the U. S. S. "Lancaster," "Monocacy," "Pet- rel," and again on the "Lancaster," in 1891-1893, on the Asiatic Station, going out under sail around the Cape of Good Hope on the "Lancaster," and returning across the Pacific by mail-steamer. He was on the "New York" when she first went into commission in 1893 and for over a year thereafter, as well as during the Span- ish war, when she was Admiral Sampson's flagship; was on the "Machias" from '94 to '97, on the Asiatic Station, returning from there on the "Detroit" in 1897; was on the "Alliance," a training ship for apprentices, cruising on both sides of the Atlan- tie in 1899-1900, then on the "Dolphin" for a few months, and after a tour at the Torpedo School at Newport, Rhode Island, on the "Buffalo," en route to the Asiatie Station where he was trans-
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ferred to the "Brooklyn" 1901-2. The "Brooklyn" was then sent to Australia to represent the United States at the reception given to the Duke and Duchess of York (the present king and queen of England), on their tour around the world. After a cruise to all the ports of north China and JJapan, the "Brooklyn" returned to New York. The summers of 1903 and 1904, were spent on the "Chesapeake" (now called the "Severn,") and the summer of 1909 on the "Olympia, " and that of 1910 on the "Massachusette, " all of these summer cruises being for the instruction of midshipmen.
Commander Pollock joined the battleship "Ohio" in October, 1904, remaining until May, 1905, when he was made Equipment Officer at the Naval Station, Cavite, P. I., until January, 1906, when he was ordered back to the "Ohio" as Flag Lieutenant on the staff of Rear Admiral C. J. Train, Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Navel forces on the Asiatic Station. On the death of the Admiral in August, 1906, he accompanied the remains back to thee United States, and was on the battleship "Alabama," as navigator until August, 1907. October 1, 1910, he joined the battleship "Virginia" as Executive Officer. Of these ships, the "Lancaster," "New York," "Brooklyn," "Ohio," "Alabama," "Olympia," were flagships.
Ilis shore duty has been at the U. S. Naval Academy, 1897-99, 1902-04, in 1907 and 1910, and in 1902 a few months on the receiv- ing ship "Columbia" at the Navy Yard, New York, also occasional minor duties, as in command of the tug "Nina," the torpedo-boat "Bagley," etc., for short times. While on duty at the naval acade- my he was instructor for four years in mathematics, and three years in electrical engineering. His services at sea have taken him over two hundred thousand miles in all parts of the world, except around South America.
He was married, December 5, 1893, at Hale's Rest, Richland county, Ohio, to Beatrice Law Hale, born there July 20, 1873. She was a daughter of Hugh Brisben and Henrietta Melvina (Fox) IIale, of Richland county, Ohio. Beatrice Hale, their daughter, was born June 1, 1901, at Brooklyn, New York.
Hle is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, of the Society of Colonial Wars, of the Military Order of the Cara- bao, and has received from the government the West Indian medal for service on the New York, during the war with Spain, also the Spanish campaign, and Philippine badges, for service during those campaigns, and has a sharpshooter's medal with expert bars for rifle and revolver shooting. During the Jamestown Exposi- tion, while on the "Alabama" he was temporarily of the staff of the German Commodore who representeed the German Emperor, and some months later received from the Commodore and his staff a handsome silver cigar box, in recognition of his services.
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#THE WAR RECORD OF THE GARDNER FAMILY OF PERU TOWN- SHIP .- John Gardner, founder of one of the well known families in Morrow county, was born near Paisley, Scotland, August 4, 1756. He came to America as a soldier in the army of King George III during the latter part of the Revolution. It is a tradition in the family that he was impressed, or forced, into his Majesty's army ; but of which regiment he was a member, how long he served, or in what campaigns he took part there is no knowledge except that he was in the army of Cornwallis at the surrender of Yorkstown.
He never returned to his native land. At the close of his military servivce he settled in Virginia and soon after married Miss Nancy Musgrove of that state. Of this union there were born two sons, viz: James and Benjamin. Mr. Gardner's first wife died shortly after the birth of her second son and in due time he married Miss Rebecca Marquis, also of Virginia. To these two were born four children, viz: Robert, Sarah, Marquis and William. About the time the present seat of government was established Mr. Gardner moved to what is now the City of Washington where, in 1798, his son William was born and where his second wife died.
For the third time Mr. Gardner sought and found a wife; the last one being Mrs. Elizabeth (Grove) Thomas. The Groves were Marylanders, Elizabeth having been born at Hagerstown, that state, where her parents are buried. Mrs. Grove Thomas was a widow with two children living in Loudoun county, Vir- ginia, when she was married to John Gardner in 1801 at Leesburg, the county seat. They began their married life in Washington, D. C. It was in that city that two daughters, Rebecca and Nancy, were born. About the year 1805 Mr. Gardner removed with his family to Ohio and settled within what are now the cor- porate limits of Zanesville. Here two sons and two daughters, John Lewis, Elizabeth, Mary and Washington, were born. In 1814 Mr. Gardner removed from Zanesville to a farm one-half mile east of the village of South Woodbury, then in Delaware, but now Morrow county, Ohio. Here Fanny, the youngest child, was born in 1818, and here Mr. Gardner lived in the house which he built and in which he died on the 6th of March, 1836, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, seven months, and two days. Hle departed this life respected by all who knew him. Ile was a man of the strictest financial integrity, of unblemished moral rep- utation and of devout Christian character. Ilis wife, Elizabeth, survived him eleven years, dying May 3, 1847, aged seventy-five years. These two pioneers lie side by side in the Ebenezer, "Here We Rest," burying-ground in Bennington township, this county. Mr. Gardner gave the lot for this purpose and there now representatives of many of the carlier families find a last rest- ing place.
*Contributed by Hon. Washington Gardner of Albion Michigan.
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The Gardner homestead, east of South Woodbury, has been held by the family now for nearly one hundred years. Five successive generations have lived in the house which he built and four of the five were Gardner in name; the place being occupied until the year 1910 by direct descendants.
Of the thirteen children, of whom Mr. Gardner was the father, all but two, Sarah and Mary, the latter dying at twenty, lived to a good age. Nearly or quite all lived for a longer or shorter time in Morrow county, where many of their descendants still reside, and constitute some of our most respected and substantial present day families, while others have removed to different states where they and their descendants have made records that reflect credit upon a worthy ancestry Ministers, judges, lawyers, bank- ers, business men, and farmers are found among them. In so far as is known, not one of the descendants of John Gardner has ever been convicted of crime or ever accused of a serious offence against the law. It is, however, in the patriotic war record of the sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons of the sturdy old Scotsman that the family take most pride. In this respect it is doubtful if there is another family in the county and indeed but few any- where that can surpass or even equal it in the number of soldiers furnished or in the quality or length of service rendered the government in its time of stress. So exceptional is the well authen- ticated family record in this respect and of such historie interest that we give it in detail.
Washington Gardner, youngest son of the founder of this branch of the Gardner family in the United States, was born in 1814 at Zanesville, and was enrolled as a volunteer July 25, 1861, at Camp Chase, Ohio, and mustered into service as a member of Company G, Twenty-sixth Ohio Infantry Volunteers, to serve three years. He was discharged from the army June 17, 1862, at Camp Chase on surgeon's certificate of disability. He was the oldest of the connection in the service, being at the time of enlistment forty-seven years of age. His service was of ten months and- twenty-two days duration.
George C. Gardner was a grandson of John and Nancy (Mus- grove) Gardner and a son of Benjamin and Esther (Williams) Gardner. The records show that he was enrolled November 8, 1861, at Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and was mnstered into service the same day as a private of Company D, 65th Ohio Infantry Volunteers, to serve three years. He was appointed corporal, November 26, 1861, and was discharged as of that grade on August 30, 1862, in the field near Hillsboro, Tennessee, on surgeon's certificate of disability. September 30, 1864, he enlisted the second time and was enrolled on date named as a private in Company I, 184th Ohio Infantry Volunteers, and as such was mustered into the United States service on the first day of October, 1864. He was appointed sergeant October 5. 1864, and was mustered out with
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his company at Charlotte, North Carolina, July 26, 1865. His total length of service was one year, seven months, and eighteen days.
Nelson James Gardner, a great-grandson of John and Nancy (Musgrove) Gardner, a grandson of James and Sarah (Grove) Gardner, and a son of John and Rachel (Moccobee) Gardner, was enrolled September 21, 1861, and mustered into serviee on the same day as a private, Company B, 8th Iowa Infantry Volunteers, to serve three years. He reenlisted January 1, 1864, as a veteran volunteer in the same company and regiment ; was promoted first lieutenant, November 27, 1864 and brevet cap- tain March 26, 1865. He was mustered out April 20, 1866, having served four years, six months and twenty-nine days.
Charles H. Gardner, a younger brother of the last above named, was enrolled August 11, 1862, and mustered into service to date from same day as a private, Company D, 20th Iowa Infan- try Volunteers, to serve three years. He was mustered out of service with the company as a private July 8, 1865. His service covered a period of two years, ten months, and twenty-seven days.
Melville Gardner, a brother of the two last above named, was born April 6, 1848, and was enrolled March 28, 1865, and mustered into service on the same day as a private, Provisional Company, 9th Illinois Volunteers, to serve one year. He was transferred to Company B of the regiment, September 25, 1865, and was mus- tered out with the company as a private October 31, 1865. His service covered a period of seven months and three days. The three brothers served an aggregate of eight years, one month and nine days.
Wilbur C. Scott, great-grandson of John and Naney (Mus- grove) Gardner, grandson of James and Sarah (Grove) Gardner and a son of Thomas L. and Phoebe (Gardner) Scott, was enrolled February 25, 1864, at Davenport, Iowa, and was mustered into service February 26, 1864, as a private in Company D, 3rd Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, to serve three years and was mustered out of service with the company at Atlanta, Georgia, August 9, 1865, having served one year, five months, and fourteen days.
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