USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 29
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home and at No. 106 South Main street he has a well arranged and neatly- kept office.
Politically, Mr. Cochran is a Republican and has always been deeply in- terested in public affairs, but has never been an office seeker or holder. He is a member of the American Insurance Union.
Mr. Cochran was married twice, first in 1877 to Alice Church, daughter of Ball and Margaret Church of Mt. Vernon, which union resulted in the birth of one son, Walter, who makes his home in this city. The wife and mother passed to her rest in 1881, and in 1883 Mr. Cochran was married to Clara S. Dunlap, daughter of William and Martha Dunlap, of Knox county. To this union one daughter. Martha Virginia, was born ; she is now a student in the Mt. Vernon schools.
Mr. Cochran and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. This family is highly respected throughout the city and vicinity.
PETER J. PARKER.
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 opportunities that come in his path. This seems to have been done by Peter J. Parker, the present able and popular sheriff of Knox county, a man who has long figured more or less conspicuously in business and public life in Mt. Vernon, and who, for many reasons, is eminently entitled to specific mention in the history of his section of the Buckeye state, not the least of which is the fact that he is the worthy representative of a sterling old pioneer family whose excellent repu- tation he has ever sought to keep untarnished.
Mr. Parker was born May 2. 1867, at Gambier, College township, Knox county. He is the son of Peter and Mary ( Esterbrook) Parker, both born in England, having emigrated to America when young, the mother with her parents at the age of eight years, the father being twenty-one years of age when he came, unaccompanied. He first permanently settled at Gambier, Ohio, was married in that place and spent the remainder of his life there. By trade he was a stone mason and stone cutter and contracted stone bridge work. He was a man of exemplary character and could claim a very wide circle of friends throughout the county. His death occurred in January, 1910; his widow still resides in Gambier, where she has a pleasant home.
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The son, Peter J. Parker, spent his childhood and youth at Gambier where he attended the public schools. When a young man he learned telegraphy in the railroad office at Gambier, and his first employment was in November, 1888, as agent and operator at Condit, Delaware county, Ohio, for the Cleve- land, Akron & Columbus Railroad Company, remaining there until April II, 1890, when he went to Warsaw, Coshocton county, as agent and operator, re- maining at Warsaw until August, 1892, when he became the agent of the Adams Express Company at Mt. Vernon, filling this position with his usual pronounced success and general satisfaction until November 1, 1895, when he went to Brink Haven, Knox county, as agent for the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus railroad and remained in Brink Haven until August, 1907, when he gave up the railroad position and entered the Brink Haven Banking Com- pany as cashier, which he held in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders, other officials and all concerned until December 1, 1908. Having always been active in political affairs, he had made the race for sheriff of Knox county that year and had been elected at the polls in November, consequently gave up his position with the bank in order to assume his duties as sheriff, which he did in January, 1909. He handled its affairs with such consummate skill and fairness and proved to be such a popular official that his constituents gladly returned him to this office in the November election of 1910 and he entered upon his second term as sheriff on January 2, 1911, and is now discharging the duties of the same in a manner that has elicited the hearty approval of all concerned, irre- spective of party alignment.
Politically, Mr. Parker is a Democrat and has always been regarded as a reliable party man. While a resident at Brink Haven he served as village clerk for two years. In whatever position as public servant he has been called upon to fill he has been found to be obliging, courteous, capable, ever painstaking and alert to serve the people in the best possible manner.
Mr. Parker was married on September 27, 1900, to Ida McDonnold. the accomplished daughter of and Isabelle (Winslow) McDonnold. a highly respected family of Brink Haven. This union has resulted in the birth of one son, Thurston Parker.
Fraternally, Mr. Parker is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was reared and baptized an Episcopalian and he adheres to that faith, though not a member of the church. Mrs. Parker belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
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CHARLES W. HAYES.
. In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career on the part of a business or a professional man there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter ; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, with little other means than a clear head, true heart and a determined will, directed and controlled by high ideals, surmounts the common obstacles of life and gains the heights of even mediocre success and also the esteem of his fellow men. Such a one is found in the person of Charles W. Hayes, one of the best known and most successful educators of Knox county, Ohio. He is now county clerk.
Mr. Hayes was born October 20, 1873, in Morrow county, Ohio, the son of Jacob and Matilda (Lauderbaugh) Hayes, both natives of Knox county, Ohio, where they grew to maturity, were educated and married. After their marriage they moved to Morrow county, later moved to Morgan township, Knox county, where they now reside on a farm, being very com- fortably established. They have lived on the farm all their lives. Jacob Hayes is a Democrat and has been more or less active in public matters, hav- ing filled the office of township trustee, township treasurer, township clerk and he was justice of the peace for a period of eighteen years in Morgan township, this county, and in Harmony township, Morrow county. In 1870 he was real estate appraiser in Harmony township, Morrow county, and in 1880 and 1890 he was real estate appraiser in Morgan township, Knox county. He is a man of exemplary character and is thoroughly informed upon all public questions, and at the age of eighty-five years he is still hale and hearty and active for a man of his years. He is living on the farm en- tered from the government by his father, James B. Hayes, who came to Knox county with the early pioneers from Greene county, Pennsylvania. The farm has remained in the family ever since. His grandfather, the great- grandfather of the subject, came from Ireland to America in early colonial days and was married in Philadelphia on April 4, 1759, and later moved to Greene county, Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his life. Jacob Hayes is a member of the Universalist church and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
The son, Charles W. Hayes, spent his childhood and youth until eighteen years of age on the home farm, assisting with the general work about the place, attending the country district schools. He then entered the Martins-
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burg high school, from which he was graduated in 1894. Following this he attended the Northwestern University at Ada, Ohio, and the Central Normal College at Danville, Ohio. While attending the two latter he taught school at intervals, and after leaving school he continued to teach for twelve years in all, in the district schools of Knox county and the Bran- don village schools. Being universally recognized as an able, painstaking, up-to-date instructor, his services have been very satisfactory and in great demand and he ranks as second to none of his contemporary teachers in this locality. He has always been a close student and in the school room is both an instructor and entertainer and is popular with both pupils and patrons.
Politically, Mr. Hayes is a Democrat and a man thoroughly informed on public questions. While a resident of Miller township, Knox county, he served as township treasurer for two terms. In 1906 he gave up teaching and on September 12th of that year he entered the office of the county clerk as deputy and in that capacity he made such a favorable impression on the public that in the fall of 1910 he was elected county clerk, both com- mon pleas and circuit, and entered upon his duties August 7, 1911.
Mr. Hayes was married on August 30, 1900, to Hattie E. Squires, daughter of Timothy and Emma (Evans) Squires. Her father is a promi- nent farmer of Miller township, this county, where he and his wife are highly respected.
No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 555, of Utica, Ohio; Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 170, Knights of Maccabees, and Clinton Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He is also a member of the Order of Owls, Mt. Vernon Nest. He belongs to the Christian church, while his wife affiliates with the Baptists. The family home is in South Vernon. Mr. Hays is regarded as a progressive, honest, public-spirited citizen and is regarded as one of the best clerks the county has ever had.
CHARLES L. BERMONT.
A man who is eminently deserving of a place in this work is Charles L. Bermont, the present able and popular clerk of the courts of Knox county, partly because he is the representative of an excellent old family, and partly because of his pronounced success in life in the face of obstacles and diffi-
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culties that would have made many another man falter in despair; but with rare fortitude and courage he has pressed forward with his face set toward the end of the rainbow, permitting nothing to deflect or thwart him in his course, which has been such as to gain not only material success, but, what is of more importance, the good will and confidence of his fellow men who have been pleased to entrust to his guidance the affairs of important public office, and in every instance he has more than met their fullest expectations.
Mr. Bermont was born December 30, 1877, in Richland county, near Lexington, Ohio, and he is the son of Daniel and Retta (Riley ) Bermont, the father a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Delaware county, Ohio. Daniel Bermont devoted his life to farming and in 1890 he moved to Wayne township, Knox county. His death occurred on March 15, 1905; his widow still survives and makes her home in Frederick- town.
The son, Charles L. Bermont, spent his youth on the farm, assisting in the general work and he attended the country district schools, latter grad- uating from the high school at Fredericktown in 1897. In March of that year he met with a railroad accident at Fredericktown, in which he lost his left arm, but after recovering he completed the high school course and was graduated with his class. He was a good student and prepared himself for teaching, which he followed successfully in the district schools of Knox county for seven years, being regarded as a capable and progressive educa- tor. The accident by which he lost his arm changed his whole course, though it did not daunt him. He had intended devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits, being greatly interested in farming and the oppor- tunities it offered.
Mr. Bermont is a Democrat in politics, as was also his father, and he has always taken an active part in public matters. In 1899 he was elected corporation clerk of Fredericktown, and, although that town is a Republi- can stronghold, he was elected mayor there in 1902, and he enjoyed the distinction of being the youngest mayor in the state up to that time. He served one term and an extension under the law, making three years in all. He did much for the permanent good of that town and won the hearty ap- proval of all, irrespective of party alignment. In the fall of 1905 he was elected clerk of the courts of Knox county and he filled this responsible po- sition so ably that he was re-elected for a second term in the fall of 1908, his term expiring August 7, 1911, serving in that capacity in a manner that elicited the hearty approval of all concerned, being regarded as one of the best clerks the county ever had, being not only a competent, but courteous
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and obliging public servant. For a number of years he has been a law stu- dent in the office of L. C. Stilwell, ex-prosecuting attorney of Knox county, and it is his intention to be admitted to the bar, whereupon he will enter the active practice in Mt. Vernon. Eminent success no doubt awaits him in this field.
Mr. Bermont was married on October 25, 1905, to Zada M. Studor, daughter of J. B. and Ada ( Rinehart) Studor, of Fredericktown, Ohio. Both parents are still living and are highly respected in their neighborhood. One daughter, Sarah, now four years old, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bermont. Religiously, Mr. Bermont belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is a member of the Baptist church. They have a pleasant home at No. 507 North Main street.
Mr. Bermont is a splendid and popular young man, courteous and obliging ; being widely and favorably known throughout Knox county, he is held in high esteem.
ALFRED R. McINTIRE.
Rising above the heads of the masses are many men of sterling worth and value, who, by sheer perseverance and pluck, have conquered fortune and by their own unaided efforts have risen from the ranks of the common- place to positions of eminence in the professional world, and at the same time have commanded the trust and respect of those with whom they have been thrown in contact. Among the earnest men of a past generation in Knox county whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excited the admiration of their contemporaries was the late Alfred R. Mc- Intire, of Mt. Vernon. He was widely recognized as one of the leading lawyers and public men of this locality . and in his death the community suffered a distinct loss.
Mr. McIntire was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on July 14, 1840. the son of John McIntire and wife, who came to Knox county, Ohio, when their son, Alfred R., of this review, was twelve years of age, and here they became well established on a farm and the elder McIntire was prominent in the early affairs of the county, having been justice of the peace for many years. His son, Alfred R., was reared to manhood on the home farm, which he worked during the summer months when he became of proper age. He received a limited schooling in the old-time log cabin school houses in his district, but he was a diligent student and he prepared himself for a teacher,
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which profession he followed in different districts of the county for some time. Later he attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and was a student there when the Civil war broke out, and he threw down his text-books and enlisted in defense of the national union as a member of the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and he saw considerable hard service. including the siege of Vicksburg. While his regiment was encamped in the swamps of that vicinity he fell seriously ill and was discharged for physical disability and returned home. After recovering he re-enlisted and again entered the army as first lieutenant of Company B, One Hundred and Forty- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he served until the close of the war, being advanced to the rank of captain for meritorious service and he led his company in a gallant manner, winning the hearty approval of his su- perior officers. After the war he returned to the Ohio Wesleyan University and finished his course, graduating in 1866. Ex-Senator Foraker was a student at the university at the same time and the two were members of the same college fraternity, the Phi Kappa Psi. After leaving college he was superintendent of the public schools at Fredericktown for two years and at the same time he was reading law, and in the fall of 1869 he took the law examination and was admitted to the bar. He began practice in Mt. Vernon, where he was an honored member of the profession until his death, in September, 1903. He was, for a time, a partner of Hon. Rollin C. Hurd, which partnership continued until the death of Mr. Hurd in 1874. He then became a partner of Desault B. Kirk, which partnership was terminated in 1882, when Mr. Kirk gave up active practice and became associated with the Cooper Foundry and Machine Company. Mr. McIntire then practiced alone until 1901, when his son Rollin R. (mentioned in a separate sketch in this work) became associated with him, under the firm name of McIntire & McIntire. He easily ranked among the leading lawyers of his day and generation in this section of the Buckeye state.
Mr. McIntire was decidedly a man of affairs. He was active in the organization of the original Mt. Vernon Bridge Company and was the first vice-president of the same. He was also greatly interested in the Ohio Archeological Society and gave the work and efforts of the society much time and helpful attention. He was a Republican in politics until the last years of his life. He was active in party and public affairs and was one of the prominent public men of the state. He was a candidate for state senator several times in a strong Democratic district, and was, of course, defeated. In 1898 and 1900 he was the candidate for supreme judge on the Union Reform ticket. He was a man of strong convictions and stead-
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fast purpose, honest and popular with the masses. Fraternally, he was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he was a regular attendant of the Presbyterian church, of which his wife and family were members. He had been reared in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. McIntire was married on October 25, 1869, to Helen Richards, daughter of Daniel and Clarissa Richards, an excellent old pioneer family. She was born in Fredericktown, Ohio, and her death occurred on February 14, 1910, having survived her husband eight years. Two children were born to this union, Rollin R., mentioned above, and Alfred Heber, editor and manager of the Electric Journal, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
WILLIAM A. HOSACK.
The career of William A. Hosack at the Knox county bar has been emphasized by persistent industry, strict attention to business, unswerving integrity, the closest application and study, and a degree of care, prudence and promptitude in the disposition of responsibilities intrusted to him, worthy of imitation. Punctuality he observes as a professional maxim. With him appointments once made become debts. He always aims to do things at the right time; and thus, it is punctuality by which men testify their personal respect for those whom they are called upon to meet in affairs of business.
Mr. Hosack was born April 30, 1874, in Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, the son of Cyrus and Honor Abiah (Foote) Hosack, both natives of this county, and they spent their entire lives in Fredericktown and vi- cinity. The father was a prominent physician and was also actively identi- fied with various industries and business enterprises of Fredericktown. He was distinctively a man of affairs and took a conspicuous part in all enter- prises and movements that had in view the advancement of the community. He was always regarded as a man of unshrinking integrity, strict honesty. technical in his definitions of morality and unbending in his fidelity to them. His life was a busy and useful one. His death occurred in 1889 and he was preceded to the grave by his wife in 1880. They are buried in the cemetery at Fredericktown.
The son, William A. Hosack, spent his childhood and youth in Fred- ericktown and he attended the public schools there, and later he studied two years at the University of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio, being a member of the
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class of 1897. after which he entered Adelbert College at Cleveland. In May, 1897, he began the study of law in the offices of Col. W. C. Cooper, of Mt. Vernon, and he was admitted to the bar on examination in December, 1900. Early in 1901 he opened an office in the McDermot building, Mt. Vernon, for the practice of his profession and he has been successfully en- gaged in the same here ever since, enjoying a large and ever growing cli- entele and figuring very conspicuously in all the local courts. He practices in all the courts of the state and in the United States district courts. He is known to be an industrious, painstaking, studious attorney, ever vigilant of the interests of his clients. He not only has the reputation of doing things, but of doing them well. In June, 1908, he moved his office from the McDermot building to the First National Bank building, where he is now located, having a neat suite of offices, well supplied with up-to-date law books.
Politically, Mr. Hosack is a Republican and he maintains a keen in- terest in public affairs, being well informed on all issues, and in discussions is well able to defend and maintain his position. He very acceptably filled the office of city clerk during 1900 and 1902.
Mr. Hosack was one of the promoters of the Citizens Building and Loan Association and he has been its secretary since its organization in 1907. It is regarded as one of the solid and successful financial institutions of Mt. Vernon.
On August 21, 1902, Mr. Hosack was united in marriage with N. Lucile Parrott, the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Benton Parrott, a highly respected family of Mt. Vernon, and this union has resulted in the birth of three children, Elizabeth, Cyrus and Margerite. The family home, at No. 800 East Gambier street, is a pleasant one, in a de- lightful suburban section of the city.
JAMES L. LEONARD.
In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only en- clure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but
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in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and wise economy, he has at- tained a comfortable station in life, making his influence felt for good in Knox county, where he has long maintained his home, and because of the honorable career he has known here, and also because he has filled worthily positions of public trust, he is eminently worthy of a place in this book.
James L. Leonard, the present able and popular city solicitor of Mt. Vernon, was born October 29, 1860, in Columbiana county, Ohio, the son of Abner E. and Rebecca ( Fitzsimmons) Leonard, both parents natives of Colum- biana county, Ohio, later in life moving to Coshocton county, this state, locating near Spring Mountain in 1872 and engaged in farming, which he made his life work. The family moved from there to Holmes county, Ohio, in 1889, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in September, 1905, having been preceded to the grave in January of that year by his wife. They were highly respected people and industrious throughout their lives.
The son, James L. Leonard, was reared on the farm and he assisted with the general work on the home place when a boy and in the winter months he attended the common schools, later attended Northwestern Uni- versity at Ada, Ohio, where he made a splendid record and from which in- stitution he was graduated in 1890, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Before entering the university he had begun teaching, and in order to se- cure funds to gain a higher education he practiced alternating a year of teaching with one in the university. While teaching in Millersburg he be- gan reading law in the office of Judge Maxwell & Sharp of that city. The year following he entered the law department of the Ohio State University at Columbus, from which he was graduated in June, 1893, and the same year he opened an office at Mt. Vernon and has been here ever since, having enjoyed a large and gradually increasing clientele and taking a high rank among the attorneys of the county, figuring conspicuously in the local courts for eighteen years. He is regarded as an able, careful. conscientious and energetic lawyer who ever has at heart the interests of his clients and who has remarkable success in the trial of cases.
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