USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
Doctor Beck was born July 28, 1879, two miles east of Mt. Vernon and is the representative of an excellent old family of this county, being the son of James C. and Elizabeth (Fox) Beck. The father was born in Gaston county, Michigan, and the mother in Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio. James C. Beck came to Knox county, Ohio, with his parents in 1855 and as a young man learned the carpenter's trade, becoming one of the leading car- penters and contractors in this locality, many of the substantial business houses and dwellings of the county standing as monuments to his skill as an architect. He married Elizabeth Fox in 1876. Politically, he was a Demo- crat and was past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He helped organize the local lodge; he was the first presiding officer of the car- penter's union of Mt. Vernon and was active in many local matters. He moved to Mt. Vernon about 1880, where he spent the balance of his life, actively engaged as a contractor. His death occurred on July 10, 1906; his widow, five sons and one daughter survive; the children are Melvin, of Fred- ericktown; Charles A., Mary L .; Harry C. is married and lives in Mt. Ver- non; Earl C. and George F., all of Mt. Vernon.
Dr. Charles A. Beck was educated in the Mt. Vernon public schools, graduating from the high school in 1900. He then entered the dental de- partment of the Ohio State University at Columbus, where he made an ex- cellent record, graduating with the class of 1903 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Immediately after his graduation he opened an office at No. 14 South Main street, Mt. Vernon, for the practice of his profession and he has been in the same location ever since. He has a thoroughly equipped office, all instruments and office supplies known to modern dentistry
654
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
being at his command. He has been very successful and now enjoys a very lucrative and extensive practice with the city and surrounding country. He owns several pieces of valuable real estate and is among Mt. Vernon's most substantial young men. He is a past master of Mt. Zion Lodge No. 9. Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of the Knights Templar, and is very active in lodge circles. He has been recording secretary of Quindaro Lodge No. 316, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, for eight years and is still in that office. He is also a member of the Homestead Club, composed of young men of Mt. Vernon. Politically, he is a Democrat and takes an active interest in public affairs. In 1908 he was elected a member of the Mt. Vernon board of education for a term of four years, being the first Democrat ever elected a member of that board.
Doctor Beck was married on June 30, 1909, to Faith Willison, daughter of William B. and Alberta (Green) Willison, of Croton, Ohio, a highly re- spected family there. The Doctor and wife are earnest members of the Con- gregational church and active in church and Sunday school work; they have a pleasant and neatly kept home at No. 304 North Gay street, and they are both popular with the best social circle of the city.
ISABELLE B. NIXON, M. D.
From the remote age of Pericles, when Aspasia and the poetess Sappho startled the world by a display of brilliancy of intellect that had never been known before that period and has never been equalled, women have been playing a more important role in the drama of civilization, though for cen- turies their progress was indeed slow. It has been during only the past few decades that they have proven themselves capable of filling almost any posi- tion and doing about everything that men do. They have become factors in the political world and are holding some of the highest offices within the gift of the people; in literature, they have long ranked among the top-notchers, each succeeding year bringing out their names among the "best sellers;" on the stage they have been leaders throughout the world for a long time ; and in the realm of the sciences they have displayed remarkable tact and made help- ful experiments and discoveries ; they have invaded the professions and women lawyers, dentists, doctors, etc., are to be found in almost every great me- tropolis. This, of course, is confined more to America than any where else on our planet, for here everybody is given a "fighting chance" at everything.
655
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
In the above class Mt. Vernon, Ohio, has a most creditable and worthy representative and the medical profession an advocate of which it may well be proud in the person of Isabelle B. Nixon, one of the best known and most popular of Knox county women. She was born in Lima, Allen county, this state, and is the daughter of Michael and Clara (Beaty) Nixon, both parents natives of Ohio, the father's birth occurring in Holmes county and the mother first saw the light of day in Morrow county. For a time Mr. Nixon was landlord of the Lima hotel in Lima, and in 1877 the family came to Mt. Vernon and the father engaged in the dry goods business, in which he remained for a period of thirty years, retiring to private life in April, 1910. He built up an extensive patronage and was one of the best known merchants in the county, and he is a highly respected and well known citizen of Mt. Vernon, whose interests he has never hesitated to promote.
John Beaty, the subject's maternal grandfather, was a pioneer of this state, coming here from Washington county, Pennsylvania. He was a man of unusual industry, courage and fortitude, and he became influential in the affairs of Knox county, which he served as treasurer for four years. He was also engaged in the mercantile business and was a land owner of con- siderable proportions. He was widely known and highly respected. In politics he was a Republican and in church affairs was a devoted Congrega- tionalist and was one of the founders of the church in Mt. Vernon.
Michael Nixon, mentioned above, was a loyal Democrat, but he had no aspirations to be a public man and never held office. He is also a Congre- gationalist and active in church work and a liberal supporter of the same. He has only one child, Isabelle Beaty Nixon, the immediate subject of this sketch. She was educated in the public schools of Mt. Vernon, from which she was graduated with the class of 1893, after which she entered the Cleve- land Homeopathic Medical College, where she made a splendid record and was graduated with a class of fifty-one in 1899, she being the honor member of the class. After her graduation she took a rest of six months, then opened an office in Mt. Vernon for the practice of her profession, and remained here two and one-half years, having a splendid start; but, desiring a broader field for the exercise of her talents, she then went to the city of Cleveland, and there, for nineteen months, she had charge of the children at the "infant's rest," remaining in the Lake City two and one-half years, during which time she took a course of special work, covering a period of twenty-two months. Then she returned to Mt. Vernon, where she opened on office and where she has since remained and has been very successfully engaged in practice. She makes a specialty of the ailments of children and women and she has met
.
656
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
with pronounced success, building up an extensive and ever-growing practice and gaining the confidence and good will of the public. She is an indefatiga- ble student and keeps thoroughly up-to-date in all phases of the profession, in which she ranks high and has an honored standing. Her office and resi- dence is at No. 403 East First street. It is remarkable that after a practice of twelve years she has signed only three death certificates. She is a member of the Congregational church and an active church worker. She belongs to the Woman's Christian Association and the Mt. Vernon Humane Society, her parents also both belonging to the latter.
The Doctor is a woman of broad intelligence and liberal education, thoroughly trained in her profession, takes an active interest in all move- ments calculated to uplift her sex and, being of a pleasing, genial and at- tractive address, she is popular with a wide circle of friends and admirers.
WILLIAM A. BOUNDS.
There are no citizens of Knox county who are more highly respected and whose genuine worth is more widely recognized than that of William A. Bounds, president of the Knox Mutual Insurance Company of Mt. Vernon. . who, although advanced in years, is active and hale as the result of a life of clean living and pure thinking. His worthy career has been such that the younger generation in the locality of which this history treats can emulate it with profit to themselves and their fellow men, owing to the fact that his life has been successful from a material standpoint and singularly free from all that would deteriorate from the highest standards of living and he has shown what the life of a good citizen should be socially and in the sphere of material business as well as a patriotic supporter of those movements having for their aim the general good and upbuilding of the country.
Mr. Bounds is the scion of a sterling old Southern family, he himself having been born in Brooke county. Virginia, January 28, 1828. and he is the son of James and Rachael (Browning) Bounds, who came to Ohio in 1840 and settled in Licking county, where they spent the rest of their lives, the father being a carpenter by trade, and he was well known and highly re- spected in his community which he helped develop in those early days.
William A. Bounds obtained a very limited education in the public schools of his native locality, and when fourteen years of age he began learn- ing the carpenter's trade under his father and he has followed the same all his
657
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
life, being a very skilled workman, so that his services have ever been in great demand.
On May 3, 1849, Mr. Bounds was married to Mary Jane Simmons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tilman Simmons, of Homer, Licking county. Ohio. In October, 1849, Mr. Bounds brought his young wife to Mt. Vernon, Knox county, and began working at the carpenter's trade and contracting. and thus for over sixty years he has been identified with the growth of this city, having erected many of the best and most important public buildings, busi- ness blocks, machine shops, concrete buildings, besides many of the most sub- stantial and attractive residences of this city and surrounding country and cities, which will long stand as monuments to his skill as an architect, which is second to none. He is one of the directors of the Knox Mutual Insurance Company and, as above indicated, is now president of the company, which was organized in 1836 and has long been doing a most successful insurance business all over the state of Ohio. Its recent rapid growth in importance and popularity has been due to the able and judicious management of Mr. Bounds.
Politically, the subject is a Republican and he has long been active in public matters, his services having been especially effective in the campaign of 1884, when James G. Blaine was the Republican presidential candidate. At that time Mt. Vernon had the banner Blaine and Logan club, Mr. Bounds having been prominent in its organization and general work of the club. Blaine's defeat was a sore disappointment to him. He served in the city council for three terms; he was fire chief for fifteen years and a member of the fire department for twenty-five years. He served as a member of the board of health for three terms and as a member of the board of public ser- vice for three terms. In all positions of public trust he performed his duties in a most satisfactory manner. Although he never sought office, offices sought him and he always responded to the public duty. He has been a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias lodge since 1876.
One daughter, Eva, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bounds; she married N. W. Allen, a carpenter, who was at one time sheriff of Knox county.
The wife of Mr. Bounds passed away on May 27, 1910, after traversing the royal road of life with him for sixty years, sharing his joys and sor- rows, his victories and defeats, at all times proving to be a most helpful and genial companion. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for fifty-two years and a women of strong Christian faith. The religion of Mr. Bounds is founded upon the Golden Rule and his life has been characterized by carrying its sublime precept into his every-day affairs.
658
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
The family home, a large, pleasant dwelling, is at No. 119 East Burgess street, where he has lived since May 3, 1852, the anniversary of his wedding, and he has lived here continuously ever since. The impress that he has left upon this community will continue to bear fruit throughout the generations 10 come.
AMAZIAH H. SIMMONS.
It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legiti- mate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer, she never courts the loafer, and only those who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of Amaziah H. Simmons, well known colored man of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high respect of those with whom he has come into contact.
Mr. Simmons was born August 2, 1860, in Morgan county, Ohio, the son of Jonathan P. and Rhoda (Jones) Simmons. This family moved to Mt. Vernon in 1870 and have since resided here, the parents now being deceased. Their family consisted of five children, one dying in infancy ; Jemima J., now Mrs. Charles Jackson, of Youngstown, Ohio; Rilla J. is deceased; Samuel J. lives in Mt. Vernon, and Amaziah H., of this review.
The subject received his education in the public schools of Mt. Vernon and he spent one year in the high school. When ten years of age he went into the family of Morgan Rowe, a lawyer of Mt. Vernon, with whom he lived two years, then went to the home of Mrs. Robert Thompson, where he remained a year. In the spring of 1874 he went to live with Dr. F. C. Lari- more and remained there for over six years, during which time he attended the public schools, and, being a diligent student, he made the eight years' grades to the high school in six years. Following this he found employment with John Denney, proprietor of the Curtis House, as night clerk and here he remained one winter. In the spring of 1881 he went to live with Frank L. Fairchild as a houseman for the summer, when he was taken sick, which caused him to give up his place and he was sick all winter. During the summer of 1882 he worked at whatever he could get to do. In the spring of 1883 he went with the firm of Armstrong & Miller, grocers, driving a de- livery wagon for them for ten years. In the spring of 1893 he engaged in
659
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
the restaurant business for himself at No. 6 South Main street, Mt. Vernon, which he continued three years. In 1896 he sold his restaurant and engaged in the fish and poultry business for three years, when he sold out and entered the employ of Mrs. Gen. George W. Morgan, remaining with her six years. Since 1905 he has been engaged in looking after his real estate holdings, which are extensive ; he has also engaged in handling real estate for others. He has been very successful in his real estate investments and has accumu- lated considerable property and is now one of the financially solid men of his city. This has been done through his individual efforts in the face of all kinds of discouragements, but he has been persistent and has managed well.
Politically, Mr. Simmons is a Republican, but has never been active in the ranks. He is a member of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, also the Knights of Pythias and the Household of Ruth. He has filled all the chairs in these lodges and has been representative to the grand lodges. In 1892 he was the representative to the biannual movable committee of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, which met in Washington, D. C. He has represented the Knights of Pythias lodge in the grand lodge. He has long been an active lodge worker and stands high in fraternal circles.
Mr. Simmons was married on July 23, 1883, to Sarah J. Ramsey, of Mt. Vernon, who passed to her rest on October 16, 1907, without issue. He is a member of the African Methodist Episcopal church and is a member of the church's official board. He has been superintendent of the Sunday school for fifteen years, and has been an ardent church and Sunday school worker. He has a modern, well furnished residence at No. 110 East Front street. He is a man of whom his race may well be proud, and he has done a great deal of good for his people in this vicinity.
LEGRAND BRITTON.
Wherever Legrand Britton, farmer and stock man of Howard town- ship, Knox county, is known his word is as good as his bond, and his reputa- tion for truth and veracity has never been impeached. It is such men as he that give stability and character to a community and, although their names may not adorn national or state history, their deeds cause them to be num- bered among the best citizens in the true sense of the word; they are worthy because humble, for greatness consists largely of humility. He has not de- pended upon the labor of others to place him where he is, but has worked
660
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
diligently all his life, earning his bread by the sweat of his brow and led an upright career, so that he has the respect of his neighbors and friends.
Mr. Britton was born on August 28, 1856, on the farm in Howard town- ship, this county. where he has spent practically all his life. He is the son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Critchfield) Britton, the father a native of Millwood, this county, being the first child born in the village of Millwood, and he was the first postmaster of the same. Grandfather James Britton came from Maryland to Knox county in a very early day and he built the first house in Millwood. He was a blacksmith by trade. The log cabin home which he built there still stands. He lived there until about 1840, when he moved to Iowa, making the overland trip in a "prairie-schooner." camping along the way. He was a typical pioneer and when civilization crowded too close around him he sought a new country, spending his last years in Iowa, dying there in 1878.
Lewis Britton, father of the subject, maintained a store in Millwood for a number of years, later moving to Mt. Vernon, where he was in business many years. In 1876 he was elected treasurer of Knox county, serving one term. While in business in Mt. Vernon he lived on his farm in Howard township, three miles west of Howard, and there he spent the latter years of his life in retirement, his death occurring on September 28, 1901, his wife preceding him on April 17, 1897, and both are buried in Pleasant Valley cemetery. His wife, Elizabeth Critchfield, was a member of an early pioneer family, prominent in the affairs of the township. The farm where the subject lives was entered from the government by her father. Isaac Critchfield, who came from Pennsylvania very early, and who here became prominent and prosperous. The farm has remained in possession of the family to the present time.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Britton, namely : Le- grand, of this sketch ; Samuel H., a physician of Marion: Eva, who married James Berry, of Howard township; Nannie, now Mrs. Columbus D. Mc- Cullough, of Elyria, Ohio.
Legrand Britton was reared on the home farm and educated in the country district schools, and he remained with his parents until his marriage, on August 24. 1876, to Ella Critchfield, daughter of Harris and Sarah Jane (McCarty) Critchfield, and to this union four children have been born, namely : Lewis H., a physician of Marion, Ohio; Bertha, who married James Mitchell, of Marion; Tamsey is deceased; Carl H. is married and is at home.
Mr. Britton farmed on the home place for some time and in 1883 he engaged in the general mercantile and grain business with George W. Mc-
661
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Nabb in Howard for two years. In 1885 he moved to Marion county, Ohio, and there engaged in the general mercantile business and was postmaster at Adelaide, that county, for some time. He remained in Marion county about eight years and in 1895 he returned to the home farm in Howard township, where he was born and here he has since remained, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, his fine farm consisting of over one hun- dred acres of well improved land and he has a good home.
Politically, Mr. Britton is a Democrat and he has been active in public matters since reaching maturity. For a number of years he served as a member of the Democratic county central committee as chairman and has been a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions. He served as trustee of Howard township for thirteen years in succession prior to mov- ing to Marion county, resigning when he left the county, and he proved to be a most faithful official. He has been township assessor for four years and was land appraiser of Howard township in 1910. He has served as a mem- ber of the township board of education for a number of years, being presi- dent of the board. In the fall of 1910 he was elected a member of the county board of commissioners, and he took office on September 18, 1911, and is discharging the duties of the same in a very able and conscientious manner. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Howard and he was trustee of the church for some years. He has been an active church and Sunday school worker, and is a public-spirited, broad- minded man who believes in progress and right living.
HOMER C. SMITH.
The present age is essentially utilitarian and in the life of every suc- cessful man carries a lesson which, told in contemporary narrative, is pro- ductive of much good in shaping the destiny of others. There is, therefore, a due measure of satisfaction in presenting, even in brief resume, the life and achievements of such men, and in preparing the following history of the suc- cessful young business man of Centerburg whose name initiates this para- graph, it is with the hope that it may prove not only interesting and instruc- tive, but also serve as an incentive to those who contemplate a business career. Mr. Smith possesses concentration of purpose and energy that laughs at re- straint, excellent judgment and the executive ability that makes everything undertaken accomplish the purpose for which intended.
-
662
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Mr. Smith was born in Centerburg, this county, on October 5, 1877. He is the son of William and Esther ( Hopkins) Smith, both natives of Greene county, Pennsylvania, where they grew up, were educated and married, com- ing to Bloomfield, Morrow county, Ohio, in 1867, where they remained until 1875, when they moved to Centerburg, where Mr. Smith engaged in the grain business and afterward the clothing business until his death, on April 16, 1896. He did a large business and was one of the leading men of the community, well known and highly respected. Politically, he was a Republi- can and for years was active in local political affairs. He filled the office of mayor of Centerburg in a most commendable manner and for some time was a member of the town council, also of the board of education. Fraternally, he belonged to Bloomfield Lodge No. 422, Free and Accepted Masons, and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and superintendent of the Sunday school for a period of twenty-two years. He was a devout man and active in church affairs, and a man of unquestioned integrity. During the Civil war he proved his loyalty to the Union and made a faithful soldier in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry. His widow survives, making her home at Centerburg.
Homer C. Smith, of this sketch, was reared in Centerburg-in fact, has always lived here. He was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the local high school in 1894. Following his graduation he engaged in the grocery business from 1894 until 1907, enjoying an excellent trade with the town and surrounding country. He next turned his attention to the shoe and the produce business, the latter growing to large proportions. In Jan- uary, 1911, he established the Arch City Produce Company at Columbus for the purpose of handling butter and eggs to jobbers, and it proved to be most successful from the first, an extensive trade soon being established. He still maintains his shoe store in Centerburg, which is one of the best known in the county, customers from a wide radius coming here. for they always find a large, up-to-date and carefully selected stock and courteous and obliging clerks. The very best shoes are handled and this splendid store would do credit to a town much larger than Centerburg.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.