USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 28
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Ellsworth W. Breece spent his childhood and youth in Fredericktown and was educated in the public schools there, graduating from the high school in 1885. After leaving school he worked with his father at the painting and decorating business, and on January 1, 1889, he secured employ- ment with the Bell Telephone Company as inspector, his first work being done in Mt. Vernon. Five months later he went to Mansfield, thence, a month later, to Lancaster as manager for this company. We find him nine months later at Newark as manager of the same company and there he remained four years. In 1894 he was appointed superintendent of cable construction for the Bell Telephone Company for the states of Ohio Indiana and Illinois, which position he held with his usual success for three years, all the while perfecting himself in every detail of the business. He then gave up his position with the Bell people and returned to Fredericktown and followed his trade as painter and decorator. On September 15, 1898. he engaged with the Mt. Vernon Telephone Company as an inspector. He has filled every position up to that of superintendent, to which he was appointed in October, 1900, the duties of which he has discharged in such an able, conscientious and faithful manner as to reflect much credit upon him- self and to the entire satisfaction of officials, stockholders and directors as well as the public, proving by his high grade service that he not only under- stands every phase of the business, but also that he desires to so direct its affairs that the system will be of the greatest power in the upbuilding of the community.
The Mt. Vernon Telephone Company commenced business on July I. 1895, and it has since had a steady growth. When Mr. Breece became super- intendent the firm had only three hundred and forty subscribers. They had the Mt. Vernon exchange and one at Fredericktown with eighteen telephones. Under Mr. Breece's management the business of the company has grown to forty-five hundred telephones with eight exchanges, with long distance con-
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nections to all points north, south, east and west. In 1907 the company erected the splendid three-story brick building for the accommodation of business and exchange in Mt. Vernon, the entire building being occupied by the company's offices, exchanges, supplies, and in the rear of the building are the stables for the horses and wagons of the company. Every modern appliance and equipment for the highest possible efficiency has been installed. The record of calls shows that a service of an average of three seconds has been made, this probably not being surpassed by any exchange in the state. To Mr. Breece more than to anyone else is due this remarkable development of the company and its splendid service. The people at Mt. Vernon and Knox county heartily indorse Mr. Breece and his telephone company. The subject does not give his entire attention to this business now that it has been firmly established and in good shape. He is heavily interested in the R. G. Brock & Company's meat market at No. 18 North Main street. He has been interested in the oil and gas development in Knox county, being one of the promotors and stockholders of the Ankenytown Oil and Gas Company. He has met with large success in a financial way, due to his individual efforts.
Mr. Breece was married on January 30, 1887, to Esta M. Phillips, daughter of Jacob and Mariah (Painter) Phillips, a highly esteemed family of Utica, Licking county, Ohio. This union has resulted in the birth of three sons and three daughters, namely: Dema married Ralph G. Brock, who is in the meat business with Mr. Breece; Edson lives in Mt. Vernon; John, Robert and Marie are all attending school; Helen is the youngest child.
Fraternally, Mr. Breece is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the National Union, and Henry Ban- ning Camp, Sons of Veterans, he being eligible for membership in the latter by virtue of the fact that his father, Edgar J. Breece, was a soldier in the Federal army during the Civil war, having enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served with much credit until the close of the war, in the Army of the Potomac, participating in many of the greatest battles of the war. The subject regards his membership in the Sons of Veterans as a high privilege and is much inter- ested and active in the work of the local camp, being past commander of the same. Politically, he is a Republican, having long taken much interest in party matters. He has served both as secretary and treasurer of the Republican county executive committee and as a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions, in all of which he has made his influence felt for the good of his community and the party. He affiliates with the Metho- dist church, of which his wife is a member. He has a pleasant, modern
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and attractive home at No. 122 North Mckenzie street. Personally. he is a pleasant, genial and obliging gentleman whom everybody likes and whom it is a pleasure to know.
WILLIAM LANE ROBINSON.
While yet a young man, William Lane Robinson, of Mt. Vernon. has achieved a splendid record at the Knox county bar, having brought the qualifications and forces of a drilled, disciplined and well-nigh brilliant intel- lect, to the active practice of the law, when he entered upon its complex duties and responsibilities. He has not entered the ranks unarmed or ill equipped, to be worsted in an unequal contest with the grim old veterans of the local bar. His force and effectiveness is strongly emphasized in his preparation of cases and in his arguments to the jury, quickly grasping their minds by the compass of his own. The calm and masterly manner in which he dis- posed of the preliminary considerations is a reminder of the experienced gen- eral, quietly arranging his forces and preparing to press down in overwhelming force upon a weak point. His manner becomes aroused, his action animated. In the careful work of preparation, the minute construction of sentences and marshaling of arguments, he is not surpassed by any of the younger attorneys of this section of the Buckeye commonwealth.
Mr. Robinson was born in Mt. Vernon, this county, on April 15, 1880. the son of William S. and Mary E. (Lane) Robinson, the father born in Messingham, Lincolnshire, England, and the mother in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, this family being an old and honored one here. Oren Lane, his great-grand- father, came to this county from Noble county in 1826 and became prominent among the pioneers : he originally came from Connecticut. He established a good home a short distant west of the present town of Gambier, and devoted much of his life to school teaching. During vacations he assisted in build- ing old Kenyon College, and threw out the first shovelful of dirt there. He was a personal friend of Bishop Chase, who was instrumental in inducing him to come to this county. The early records of the Lane family show that three brothers emigrated to America from England in 1630, and ever since they have been leaders in whatever community they have located. Oren Lane, mentioned above, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He is buried in the college cemetery back of Ross hall at Kenyon College. His son, James A. Lane, was a soldier in the Civil war. He was a brick and stone mason and built several of the large smokestacks for the big manufacturing concerns of Mt. Vernon.
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In 1884 the parents of Willam L. Robinson took him to California, where they lived until 1887, then moved back to Mt. Vernon, and here the boy grew up and attended the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1898. The next four years he attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he made an excellent record and from which institution he was graduated in 1902. Soon afterwards he earnestly took up the study of law in the office of Cooper & Moore, of Mt. Vernon. In 1903 he entered the law department of Harvard University and was graduated with a very creditable record in 1906. Following his graduation, he was admitted to the bar in Ohio, then spent a few months in the office of Waight & Moore. In April, 1907, he opened an office and began the practice of his profession in Mt. Vernon and has remained here to the present time. building up a very satisfactory and ever-growing clientage.
Mr. Robinson was married on September 12, 1910, to Lora A. Howe, daughter of William and Harriet A. (Lester) Howe. She was born and reared at Tuscola, Illinois, her grandparents having been the first settlers in Douglas county.
Mr. Robinson is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, also the Phi Beta Kappa society. He belongs to the Methodist Espicopal church, while his wife is affiliated with the Presbyterian. Politically he is a stanch Republican. He is a well educated, cultured and refined gentleman, and the future no doubt holds much in store for him.
SCOTT D. KERR.
There is a great deal in being born under a good eye-one that watches and guards off the error and folly that overtake so many young men. The father and the mother who are able to infuse into their children the spirit of the Spartans-the spirit that can meet any fate and make the most of the world-will see their children grow to years of maturity with excellent habits and splendid principles and see them become exemplary citizens. Scott D. Kerr, one of Jackson township's able tillers of the soil, was fortunate in having an excellent father and mother, honest, high-minded and solicitous of the welfare of their family and kind to their neighbors, and the result of their pains in rearing their children is seen today in the wholesome lives of their offspring, thus bearing out the admonition of Holy Writ, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
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Mr. Kerr was born about one-half mile from his present home in Jack- son township, Knox county, on May 27, 1860. He is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Holmes) Kerr, and the grandson of Joseph and Elizabeth Kerr, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Knox county very early and settled in Jackson township where they developed a good farm and spent the balance of their lives, Mr. Kerr having entered land from the government when the country was new and neighbors were the exception rather than the rule. The subject's maternal grandparents, Charles and Sarah (Swahlen) Holmes, were also natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Coshocton county, Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives.
The father of the subject was born in Knox county and the mother first saw the light of day near Spring Mountain, Coshocton county. They were married here and spent their active lives on a farm, Mr. Kerr finally becoming the owner of two hundred and fifty acres, and one of the progres- sive agriculturists of his community. He lived a quiet and retired life, devoting his attention to his farm and family. He met with misfortune by losing an eye, which was struck by a flying chip, and nearly went blind as a result of it. He was always highly esteemed by those who knew him well, for he was a man of fine character. His death occurred on June 16, 1869.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Kerr, four of whom are still living, four having died in infancy, and a daughter died on February 25, 1909.
Scott D. Kerr was reared on his father's farm and there assisted with the general work in his boyhood. He was educated in the Front Royal school house. He began farming for himself by renting the home place for five years, then bought thirty-three and one-third acres, in addition to his own share, later adding thirty-nine acres, then bought seventy-five acres, his mother's interest (the mother having died on January 10, 1894), and he is now the owner of about one hundred and eighty-three acres of excellent land in Jackson township, which he has kept well cultivated and well improved, and where he carries on general farming and stock raising success- fully, making a specialty of short horn cattle, Merino sheep and Poland- China hogs. He has a splendid set of buildings on his place and, in fact, everything is in shipshape, showing that a gentleman of industry and good taste as well has its management in hand.
Politically. Mr. Kerr is a Democrat, and he takes much interest in public affairs. He and his wife are members of the Dennis church.
Mr. Kerr was married in January, 1883, to Alpha Hall, a native of Knox county and the daughter of Jehu and Phoebe Hall, both born in this county,
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also, and the paternal grandparents, Elijah and Matilda Hall, were also old settlers here. The maternal grandparents, Abijah and Eliza McLean, were natives of Greene county, Pennsylvania, spending their childhood in the vicin- ity of Rice's Landing. Both families moved here in early days and here the parents of Mrs. Kerr became very comfortably established. The father was a tailor, and his death occurred on July 24, 1865 ; the mother died on August 16, 1896.
One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Kerr, namely: Ada Lee, who married M. N. Ross, on December 27, 1905 : they live in Jackson. township, Knox county, and are the parents of two daughters, Pauline Elizabeth and Helen Thelma.
WILLIAM F. SEMPLE, D. D. S.
Concentration of purpose and persistently applied energy rarely fail of success in the accomplishment of any task, however great, and in tracing the career of Dr. William F. Semple, a well-known dentist of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, it is plainly seen that these things have been the secret of his rise to a prominent position in the professional world and in winning the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. More- over, he possesses genuine love for his work and regards it as a privilege to carry comfort and aid to the suffering.
Doctor Semple was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in the town of Canonsburg. He is the son of Alexander W. and Mary (Finley) Semple. These parents moved to Steubenville, Ohio, when their son, Will- iam F., was only a child, and there the father practiced his profession of dentistry and there he and his wife spent the rest of their lives.
Doctor Semple was educated in the public schools of Steubenville and Grove Academy, of Steubenville, under Dr. John W. Scott. After leaving the academy he began the study of dentistry in his father's office and he remained with his father until 1858. At that time there were no dental colleges, but in 1868 he appeared before the Ohio state board of dental examiners, stood a satisfactory examination, and has a diploma that he is very proud of. In 1858 he came to Fredericktown, Knox county, and opened an office there. In 1867 he came to Mt. Vernon and opened an office and here he has been continuously engaged in practice to the present day, enjoying a liberal patronage from all over this locality. In point of years of practice he is now the oldest practicing dentist in Mt. Vernon and has been one of the
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most successful, keeping fully abreast of advancing methods and ever remain- ing a close student of all that pertains to his profession, known all over Knox county as a skilled practitioner and he has always enjoyed a wide clientage. He has a well arranged office equipped with the most modern and best im- proved instruments and appliances known to the profession. His office is located at Vine and South Main streets.
Doctor Semple was married in September, 1859, to Abbie Young. daughter of Nathaniel M. and Belinda (Shurr) Young, a well known family of Fredericktown, Knox county, and to this union three children have been born, one of whom died in infancy; Jennie married William C. McFadden, of Fargo, North Dakota, where he is president of the Commercial Bank; Carl Y., who lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is president of the Citizens State Bank at Coalgate, that state, and he is engaged in business in Oklahoma City.
Politically, Doctor Semple is a Republican and while always interested in public matters, he has never been an office seeker. He has been a member of the Masonic order for more than fifty years. He and his wife belong to St. Paul's Episcopal church and have always been active in church work. Personally, he is a polished, genial, broad-minded and companionable gentle- man.
In 1905 Doctor Semple formed a partnership with Albert W. Crumley for the practice of dentistry. A sketch of Dr. Crumley appears on another page of this work.
ALBERT W. CRUMLEY, D. D. S.
One of the skilled and popular practitioners of dental surgery in Mt. Vernon, Knox county, is Dr. Albert W. Crumley, in partnership with Dr. William F. Semple, whose record is elsewhere set forth in this history. The former is a man of such industry, adroitness and integrity as to render him popular with the masses and with the esteem and confidence of all concerned. He has succeeded despite the obstacles encountered on life's rough highway, and has never permitted adverse circumstances in any relation of life to dampen his ardor in material things or turn him into a misanthrope or cynic.
Doctor Crumley was born on May 3. 1858, near Cooperdale, Coshocton county, Ohio, and is the son of Samuel and Catherine ( Stevens) Crumley, The father was a carpenter by trade and was known as a very skilled work- man. In 1874 the family moved to Mt. Vernon where the father has since
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been engaged as a carpenter and a contractor, having been fairly successful in a business way, and here he and his wife still reside.
Doctor Crumley was educated in the district schools of Coshocton county, and when the family moved to Mt. Vernon, he entered the office of his uncle, Dr. Robert Stevens, for the purpose of studying dentistry and he remained with his uncle until Doctor Stevens left Mt. Vernon for Lima, Ohio. The subject was then, in 1880, employed in the office of Dr. William F. Semple, mentioned above, remaining in the capacity of assistant until 1895, when these two gentlemen formed a partnership, which has continued most successfully to the present time, this firm becoming one of the best known and most successful in this section of the country. The subject has kept thoroughly abreast of the best methods and appliances known to the profession.
Doctor Crumley was married on May 3, 1893, to Lillian Scott, daugh- ter of J. Foster and Frances (Elliott) Scott, a highly respected family. To the Doctor and wife one daughter, Ellen K., has been born.
Doctor Crumley in his fraternal relations is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 140, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and religiously he affiliates with the Presbyterian church, of which his wife and daughter are members. He is a Republican in politics, but has never taken an active interest in public affairs. He is a very pleasant gentleman to meet and his reputation for honesty has remained unassailed.
CASSIUS B. MOREE.
Berlin township, Knox county, can claim many progressive agriculturists, but it is doubtful if Cassius B. Moree is surpassed by any of them, as only a cursory glance at his well tilled, well improved farmstead will show, for he has always believed it wise to do thoroughly whatever was worth attempting at all, and he was never known to go at his tasks half-heartedly, neither has he depended upon others to either lay his plans or execute them. His life has been led along conservative lines and modulated according to the Golden Rule, so that he has always had the respect of his fellow men.
Mr. Moree was born in Richland county, Ohio, May 31, 1864. He is the son of Christopher and Maria (Leedy) Moree. The paternal grandparents, Rudolph and Ann ( Biederman) Moree, were natives of Switzerland, and in 1826 the family came to America, and after leaving his family at Lancaster
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the grandfather came on foot to Richland county, Ohio, and there bought one hundred and sixty acres, which he cleared and improved, brought his family here as soon as he had prepared a shelter for them, and here he spent the balance of his life. Upon coming to America he sailed from Havre, France, the voyage requiring fifty days in an old-fashioned sailing vessel. The mater- nal grandparents, Samuel and Catherine (Lett) Leedy, were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, and they came to Ohio and located in Richland county, near Ankenytown, and he got land in both counties, and there he and his wife spent the balance of their lives.
The father was born in Switzerland on February 9, 1823, and he came to America as a child with his parents and located at Lancaster, Ohio, and later moved to Richland county where he was reared and married. The mother of the subject was born in Richland county, Ohio, on February 26, 1826, and there was reared, educated and married. The father was a cabinetmaker and was a skilled workman. Later in life he worked at the carpenter's trade and in the furniture business and he made coffins. He moved to Knox county about 1873 and here spent the rest of his life. Politically, he was a Republi- can, but was not an office seeker. He and his wife belonged to the Brethren church.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Moree, all living at this writing. The father's death occurred on May 9. 1908; the mother survives.
Cassius B. Moree was educated in the public schools and when a boy he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for two years, and he was employed as bridge carpenter for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Com- pany. In 1873 he and his father bought twenty-five acres and since then he has added to his place until he now has ninety-nine acres in partnership with his brother and he has enjoyed a very comfortable income as a general farmer and stock raiser.
Politically, Mr. Moree is a Republican. He belongs to the Progressive church, while his wife is a member of the Disciples church. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias for about twenty-one years.
Mr. Moore was married on October 7, 1895. to Verda May Izer, who was born May 27, 1871, in Richland county, Ohio. She is the daughter of Joseph and Susan Izer. The father was killed by falling off a straw-stack. and the mother died on January 19, 1906. Mr. Izer was born in Maryland and his wife in Pennsylvania. They were married in the latter state. Mr. Izer devoted his life to farming and owned ninety acres at the time of his death. He came to Ohio about 1866 and settled in Richland county and there
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spent the rest of his life. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living. The mother was a member of the Disciples church.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morse, namely: Mazie May died when seven months old; Reta is a student in the home schools; Grace died when seven months old ; Glenn is a school boy ; Hobart, Goldie Fay and Bessie Alverna.
FRANK M. COCHRAN.
There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path. Frank M. Cochran, well known business and real estate man of Mt. Vernon. Knox county, seems to be one who has had the ability and initiative to seize the right opportunity at the right time and triumph over obstacles where less courageous spirits would have yielded and gone under.
Mr. Cochran was born December 21, 1856, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and he has been content to make this his home, believing that no better place could be found for the exercise of his talents. He is the son of William and La- vila (Young) Cochran, each representing fine old pioneer families. The mother was one of a family of eleven daughters and four sons. The father was a plasterer by trade, which he plied successfully in Mt. Vernon and sur- rounding country for many years, or during his active life, his death occurring in 1899, his wife having preceded him to the grave about fifteen years.
Frank M. Cochran attended the public schools of Mt. Vernon when a boy, but when only twelve years of age he left school to return no more and entered the business world. He began carrying a hod for the plasterers un- der his father and later learned the plasterer's trade and when sixteen years of age was earning three dollars per day. He followed this trade with un- varying success until about 1900. Being skilled in his chosen line of endeavor and honest in all his dealings with his fellow men, his services were in great demand. He followed the line of contracting plasterer from the time he reached his majority until the year last mentioned, when he turned his atten- tion to the real estate business. He plastered many of the best business blocks, public buildings and private residences in this locality. He has bought and sold a great number of farms and city property since engaging in the real estate business, and it is safe to say that no man in this vicinity is better in- formed on the value of local real estate. He has a pleasant and substantial
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