USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 10
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CHARLES B. JACKSON.
In nearly every community are individuals who by innate ability and sheer force of character rise above discouraging environments to honored places in public esteem. Such a case is that of Charles B. Jackson, well known farmer and stock raiser of Milford township, a man who has been identified with the history of Knox county all his life, during which he has striven to do his part in the material affairs of the locality, while his career as a progressive man of affairs has been synonymous with all that is upright and honorable in citizenship. He is a scion of one of the sterling pioneer families of this section of the Buckeye state, and many of their praiseworthy attributes seem to have outcropped in him.
Mr. Jackson was born in Milford township, this county, near where he still resides, on November 14, 1853 He is the son of George and Sarah (Riley) Jackson. The paternal grandparents, Abram and Sarah Jackson, natives of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1820 and located in Milford township, when the country was being re- deemed from the primeval wilderness and neighbors were few; here they bought a farm, established a good home and reared their family of three children, of whom George, father of the subject, was the youngest. He was a blacksmith by trade and a great trapper. He followed his trade until quite old. He and his wife both died here.
The maternal grandparents, William and Lucy (Arnold) Riley, were natives of Virgiia, she descended from a very early Kentucky family. He was a shoemaker by trade.
George Jackson, father of the subject, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1807, and his wife, Sarah Riley, was born in Maryland
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on October 22, 1820. They each came here when young with their parents and grew to maturity, she marrying first a Mr. Cramer, who died young, then married George Jackson. The latter devoted his life to farming and became the owner of about two hundred acres of excellent land. He was an influential man in his community. At one time he served as county com- missioner, being on the building committee during the period that the court house was constructed. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist church.
To Mr. and Mrs. George Jackson were born six sons and two daugh- ters, five of whom are living. By her first marriage one son was born.
George Jackson was captain of a company of militia in Milford town- ship about 1838 or 1840. He was a hard working farmer and led a quiet life. His death occurred in September, 1890, his wife having preceded him to the narrow house in October, 1886.
Charles B. Jackson received his education in the old brick school house, in his home district schools, and he was reared on the farm, where he worked hard when a boy. Early in life he took up farming for a livelihood, working on the home place. In May, 1876, he purchased one hundred and one acres in Milford township, on which he erected a splendid set of build- ings and made up-to-date improvements in every way and here he still re- sides, having been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, de- voting especial attention to raising sheep.
Politically, Mr. Jackson is a loyal Democrat and has long been a poten- tial factor in local affairs. He has served his township as clerk and assessor, and has been treasurer for the past two years, also township constable. As a public servant he performs his duties most ably and conscientiously, to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Since 1908 Mr. Jackson has been president of the Knox County Agri- cultural Association, and he has done much to make the same a success. He keeps well informed on agricultural topics and advocates up-to-date methods in general farming. He has always been active in bettering the condition of the farmers. He and his wife belong to the Grange, and he has held all the offices in the same. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, having passed all the chairs in the local lodge, and represented it at Cleveland and Cincinnati at state conventions.
Charles B. Jackson was married on March 23, 1876, to Melvina Ross, a native of Milford township and the daughter of Timothy and Esther Ann Ross, each representing pioneer families of this locality, in which they were both born. Grandfather Ross was from Pennsylvania.
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One son, Carroll, has been born to Charles B. Jackson and wife. He received a good education and is now a druggist at Gambier. He married Catherine Graham, daughter of N. Graham, and they have one son, Charles Graham Jackson, now four years old. Carroll Jackson served in Company L, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American war, being first corporal. He saw active service in Porto Rico. He was educated in the Mt. Vernon high school and in Ohio Northern University at Ada, from which he was graduated in pharmacy, also took a post-graduate course in the Ohio Pharmaceutical Institute.
W. L. BOTTENFIELD.
The name of W. L. Bottenfield needs no introduction to the people of Knox county, for here he has been actively engaged in agricultural affairs for many years and has taken an active part in public matters, and, being a genial, obliging gentleman, he has ever been held in high regard by those with whom he has come into contact.
Mr. Bottenfield was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1839, the son of John and Mary (Woodruff) Bottenfield. The paternal grand- parents, John and Barbara (Hammond) Bottenfield, were natives of Vir- ginia, his death having occurred on February 21, 1805. Both his parents and those of his wife came to this country from Germany in colonial days, and settled in the Old Dominion, the elder Bottenfield spending his life there, probably on a plantation, but his wife came to Ohio when this country was a wilderness and here her death occurred in August, 1850, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-three years, three months and eleven days. She and her husband were Dunkards.
The subject's maternal grandfather was a native of New York, but of English descent, and when a young man he went to New Jersey, where he married, and later moved to Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming and reared his family. In connection with farming he followed the trade of cabinet-maker. He and his wife both died in Greene county, Pennsylvania.
The father of the subject was born on April 27, 1788, in Virginia and his wife was born on April 17, 1794, in the state of New Jersey. Early in life they both moved to Pennsylvania and there were married, in Greene county. John Bottenfield was a cooper by trade, also engaged in farming. and in 1839, shortly after the birth of the subject, he moved to Milford
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township, Knox county, and bought a farm of two hundred acres there. All was a vast stretch of woods and Mr. Bottenfield was compelled even to cut a road to his land. He began life here in true pioneer fashion, clearing and improving his land and developing an excellent farm and here he reared his family of ten children, who were of great assistance to him in establishing the family home, for there was plenty of work for all. W. L., of this sketch, is the only member of this large family now surviving. Politically, John Bottenfield was a Democrat and was active and influential in the public affairs of his day, and he served in most of the township offices. He and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Being crippled, he was exempt from military service during the Civil war. These parents spent the rest of their lives in Milford township, the death of the father occurring in 1867 and that of the mother in 1870.
WV. L. Bottenfield, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, where he made himself useful during the crop seasons when he became of proper age, and he received his education in the common schools of his home dis- trict ; however, his early schooling was interrupted and he was compelled to leave the school room when twelve years of age and work steadily on the farm, having cleared a great deal of land, made rails, and performed many of the hard tasks that fell to the lot of every pioneer child. Later he man- aged the home place, and, being the youngest of the family, took care of his parents in their old age. Upon the death of his father, in 1867, he pur- chased one hundred acres of the home place, which he retained until 1871, when he sold out. Farming has been his chief life work, and he is now the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of fertile, well improved and well cultivated land in Milford township, upon which are an up-to-date set of buildings. He also owns valuable real estate in Newark, Ohio. He has lived on his present place since 1872. He has accumulated a competency through his able management of his general farming and live stock inter- ests and in 1906 he retired from active life, and his son now operates the farm. During the past five years the subject has traveled most of the time, visiting many places of interest, traveling merely for pleasure, being away from home practically ever since the death of his wife in 1906; however, two years of this time was spent as a salesman.
Politically, Mr. Bottenfield is a Democrat, and he has held several of the township offices, always ably and satisfactorily. In 1893 he made the race for county commissioner, but the whole Democratic ticket was de- feated in the Mckinley landslide. Mrs. Bottenfield was a member of the Disciples church.
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The subject was married in 1871 to Clamana L. Stevens, who was born, reared and educated in Knox county. She was the daughter of John and Emeline Stevens, old settlers and a highly respected family here. Mrs. Bottenfield was a lady of many estimable characteristics and a favorite with a wide circle of friends. She was called to her rest in 1906. One child was born to this union, Lee M., who married Jessie M. Clark, and is now farming on the homestead, as before stated.
EDMUND COAN HOWELL.
One of the leading farmers and stock men of Jackson township, Knox county, is Edmund Coan Howell, who has proven himself to be a man of sound judgment and pronounced views. While keeping himself well in- formed on current events and taking a lively interest in all public af- fairs of his township and county, yet he has never manifested a desire to exchange the quiet and contented life of a rural gentleman for the cares and vicissitudes which usually come to the man who fills official stations.
Mr. Howell was born in Washington township, Coshocton county, Ohio, October 29, 1845. He is the son of Hezekiah and Sarah Ann (Chapin) Howell. The paternal grandparents were William and Rachael Howell, natives of Virginia, who came to Coshocton county in an early day and there reared their family and spent the balance of their lives. The paternal grandparents, James and Susan (Seward) Chapin, were also early settlers of Coshocton county and there they died.
Hezekiah Howell, father of the subject, was born in 1822 and his death occurred on August 20, 1880. He came to Ohio as a child, and here he grew up and married; his wife, Sarah Ann Chapin, was born in this county and reared here. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Cosh- octon county and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Jack- son township, which Mr. Howell improved, cleared and repaired the build- ings, and added to until he became the owner of four hundred and sixty acres of valuable land and here he carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, becoming one of the substantial and influential men of his community. Politically, he was a Democrat. His family con- sisted of nine children, five of whom are now living. The death of the mother occurred on January 17, 1883, at the age of sixty-two years to the day
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Edmund C. Howell was reared on the home farm and there assisted with the general work. He received his education in the public schools of Knox county, whither he had come with his parents when a boy. With the exception of twelve and one-half years he has spent the rest of his life here. When a young man he worked by the month, then married and farmed a part of his father's land in Coshocton county. Upon the death of the father, the subject purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Coshocton county. When his mother died he bought the home place of one hundred and twenty acres in Jackson township, Knox county, a part of which lay in Licking county. Here he has since resided, having brought the land up to a high state of improvement and cultivation and put on new buildings, a com- modious residence and such other improvements as necessary. He has also added seventy-four acres to his place in Coshocton county. He has carried on general farming and stock raising, and has become widely known as a breeder of high grade cattle, sheep and good horses.
Politically, Mr. Howell is a Democrat, though he is not a biased partisan and often votes independently. He has been township trustee for six years in Coshocton county and nine years as supervisor, and he has filled about all the township offices in Jackson; as a public servant he has been most faithful in the discharge of his duty. In religious matters he belongs to the Baptist church, while his wife holds membership in the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Howell was married on January 18, 1873, to Margaret E. Horn. a native of Knox county and the daughter of Elliott and Susan ( McCom- ment) Horn, old settlers here and an excellent family. Seven children were born to this union, namely: George A. is floor walker in a department store in Cleveland; he was graduated from Granville College in 1907 : Frank O., a graduate of Oberlin Business College, lives in Columbus, where he is secretary-treasurer of the Ohio Grocery Association; Walter F., a graduate of Carlisle high school, is teaching in Louisville, Licking county, Ohio: Charles W., who was graduated in 1911 from Grinnell College, is engaged in government survey work at Paulding, Ohio; Ray is a student at Oberlin and will graduate from the Granville Academy; Ross, who spent two years at Granville, is still a student ; Grace is teaching school at Vanatta. Licking county. All these children have taught school four years, except Grace, who is teaching her first term, and Walter F., who has taught ten years, all most satisfactorily.
Mr. Howell's first wife passed away on March 16, 1904, and on August 15, 1907, he was married to Mrs. Emma B. Edmiston, nee Blue, the daughter of a well known local family. This union has been without issue.
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SIMON B. FISH.
Longfellow said, "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well and doing well whatever you do, without any thought of fame." Illustrative of this sentiment has been the life of Simon B. Fish, farmer of Butler township, Knox county, for he has tended strictly to his own affairs, pushed forward when the way was beset by obstacles and has succeeded in establishing a comfortable home. By his amiable disposition and genuine worth he has gained for himself a warm place in the hearts of his many friends in the eastern part of the county where he has long main- tained his residence.
Mr. Fish was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 28, 1863. He is the son of Frederick and Keziah (Crawford) Fish. His paternal grand- parents, Frederick and Margaret Fish, were natives of Pennsylvania and they came to Ohio very early, settling in Coshocton county, entering land there which they improved and on which they spent the remainder of their lives. The maternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary Crawford, came from Maryland to Coshocton county, Ohio, in early times and there they spent the balance of their lives.
The parents of the subject were both born in Coshocton county, there grew to maturity, received their education in the common schools and there were married. From there they moved to Muskingum county, but in 1865 or the year following they established their home in Knox county, Mr. Fish becoming the owner of a good farm of one hundred and eight acres. Politi- cally, he was a Democrat, and he and his wife belonged to the Disciples church. Their family consisted of nine children, three of whom are de- ceased, six still living.
Simon B. Fish grew up on the home farm and was educated in the public schools of Jackson township. He worked by the month at farming for a year, then rented land a year, after which he bought twenty acres in Butler township and to this he has added forty acres, now having an ex- cellent and well kept farm of sixty acres, on which he has built a cozy and substantial dwelling, good barn and other outbuildings, and here he has carried on general farming and stock raising successfully.
Politically, Mr. Fish is an independent voter, and he belongs to the Patrons of Industry.
On October 8, 1881, Mr. Fish was united in marriage with Angie Woods, daughter of John Woods and wife, old settlers in this county. One daughter was born to this union, Retta, now the wife of Otis Olerg.
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Mr. Fish's first wife died and on March 8, 1897, he was united in mar- riage with Amanda B. Vincent, daughter of Alexander M. and Mary Jane (Buchanan) Vincent, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew up and were married, and shortly afterwards they came to Ohio, in 1854, locating in Knox county ; here Mr. Vincent engaged in the live stock busi- ness, buying and shipping, later turning his attention to farming. His death occurred in 1902, his wife having died in 1894. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living, namely: Elizabeth, Amanda B., Jud- son and Mark.
FRANCIS WYLIE CAMPBELL.
It is generally considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation and that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praises of the his- torian or the cheers and the appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is great in all things and very few are great in many things. Some, by a lucky stroke, achieve lasting fame, who before that had no reputation beyond the limits of their neighborhoods. It is not a history of the lucky stroke which benefits humanity most, but the long study and effort which made the lucky stroke possible. It is the preliminary work, the method, that serves as a guide for the success of others. Among the farmers of Morgan township who have achieved success along steady lines of action is Francis W. Campbell.
Mr. Campbell was born on January 15, 1861, in Washington township, Licking county, Ohio, and is the son of William and Sarah (Fishbaugh) Campbell. The Campbells came from Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, and were therefore among the early pioneers of this locality, Grandfather John Campbell having come with his family and entered land from the gov- ernment, the farm still being in possession of the family. This country was a wilderness at that time, the home of Indians and all kinds of wild kindreds of fur and feather. Hardships were many and luxuries few, but he was a man of strong characteristics, courage and fortitude and he suc- ceeded in establishing a good home, first erecting a log cabin and making a little clearing. The family celebrated the centennial anniversary of their coming to Ohio in 1910. The father of the subject died in May, 1910. his wife having preceded him to the grave on October 1, 1905. These par- ents never lived in Knox county.
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Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Campbell, namely : Robert J., living on the home farm in Licking county; Ensley S., of Miller township, Knox county ; Francis W., of this sketch; Laura B. married A. H. Robrahn, of Sandusky, Ohio; William S. Campbell, who lives on the home farm in Licking county, Ohio.
Francis W. Campbell was reared on the home farm, where he worked when a boy. He received his education in the public schools of Utica, and he remained on the home farm until his marriage, on June 7, 1893, to Thedocia E. Tulloss, who was born in 1867, the daughter of Rodham and Elizabeth (Harris) Tulloss, a prominent Knox county family, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The subject and wife have one daughter, Edith L., born June 2, 1901, now a student in the public schools.
The subject and wife first began housekeeping on the John Campbell homestead in Miller township, Knox county, later moving to their present farm, two miles northwest of Utica in Morgan township. This is one of the finest farms in this locality, and it comprises over three hundred acres, is well improved and under a high state of cultivation, and here Mr. Camp- bell carries on general farming and stock raising in a most successful man- ner, and he feeds all kinds of live stock, making a specialty of cattle. He has rotated his crops, applied fertilizer and "clovered" his land until it has more than retained its original fertility. He and his family are members of the Covenanter church and he is an elder in the same and has always been active in church and Sunday school work. He has a fine home, in fact, one of the most attractive country homes in the county, and it is known to the many friends of the family as a place of hospitality and good cheer, the family being prominent in all circles in which they choose to move.
GEORGE S. HAMILTON.
Among those who have met with a large measure of success in the active duties of life in Knox county is George S. Hamilton, owner of an excellent farmstead in the vicinity of Mt. Vernon. He comes of a splendid family, who have always been strong advocates of right living and indus- trious habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. Throughout his career Mr. Hamilton has pursued the even tenor of his way in the quiet and unostentatious manner which never courts publicity, attending strictly to his own affairs, doing the
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right as he sees and understands the right and keeping his conscience void of offense toward his Creator and his fellow men.
Mr. Hamilton was born on February 16, 1860, on a farm five miles north of Utica, where he has always lived. He is the son of William and Elizabeth ( Sellers ) Hamilton, the father a native of Harrison county, Ohio, born on November 26, 1822. The mother was born in Greene county, Pennsyl- vania, July 15, 1817. William Hamilton came to Knox county in 1846 with his brother John and they settled on the Martinsburg road in Morgan town- ship, where he bought one hundred and eighty acres, later buying a farm where the subject now lives. He became a large land owner and prosperous farmer, and was influential in the affairs of his community. John Sellers, the maternal grandfather, came with his family from Greene county, Penn- sylvania, about 1820 and settled on land in Morgan township, when the country was new and sparsely settled, establishing his home near Owl creek, where he spent the remainder of his life, and here William Hamilton and Elizabeth Sellers were married. They became the parents of five children, namely : John, born October 24, 1848, died April 2, 1853; Craig, born January 5, 1851, and died April 4, 1851 ; William M., born February 15, 1854, lives in Kansas ; Edwin F., born August 8, 1856, lives in Mt. Vernon ; George S., of this review. The death of the father occurred on May 17, 1908, and the mother on April 18, 1910. Both are buried in Owl Creek cemetery, near the old family homestead. The father was a Republican and for many years was active in public affairs and filled various township offices. and he was land appraiser for some time; he was frequently urged to accept county offices, but always declined. He was a man of affairs, with advanced ideas, and was highly regarded by all. He and his wife were members of the Owl Creek Baptist church and were devout church people.
George S. Hamilton was reared on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work during the crop seasons as soon as he reached the proper age. and during the winter months he attended the common schools of his home community. He later entered Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he made a good record. Returning home, he worked on the farm until his marriage, on February 15, 1900, to Alice M. McMa- han, daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Jolly) McMahan, of Pleasant township, Knox county. This union has resulted in the birth of three children, namely : Ruth, born January 5, 1902; Georgia Louise and Martha Leone, twins, born February 16, 1904.
Since his marriage Mr. Hamilton has lived on the farm where he now resides, and he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock
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raiser and feeding live stock of various grades. He has kept the place under a high state of improvement and cultivation. For a number of years prior to and after his marriage he was extensively engaged in stock shipping. His fine farm comprises three hundred and eleven acres of as fertile land as the county affords, and he is regarded as a progressive and scientific farmer. He has a commodious home and substantial outbuildings and such improved types of farming machinery as his needs require. Mr. Hamilton has been very successful in a financial way and besides his farm he is largely inter- ested in a number of business enterprises.
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