USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 31
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Seven sons and six daughters constituted the large family of William Wilson and wife, and they are all still living except the oldest daughter, Elizabeth J., who became the wife of Alex White; Anna M. married Lewis McCurdy, of Bloomfield; Joseph R. lives in Fredericktown; Wesley Hayes, of Wayne township: William E. lives in Sparta ; John Milton, of this sketch ; Emma Alice, wife of William Brown, of Centerburg; Oliver D., of Center- burg; Richard B., of Wayne township: Clara M. married Samuel Myers, of Barberton, Ohio; Bertha married Clint Braydon, of Akron, Ohio; Hattie married Ray Carnes, of Newark.
John M. Wilson was reared on the home farm and there helped with the general work when a boy, attending the district schools in the winter time, in fact, he remained at home until his marriage, on June 3, 1899, to Maud Lyon, daughter of Stephen B. and Mary (Gloyd) Lyon, of Morrow county, Ohio. To this union one son has been born, Harold Newton.
Since his marriage the subject has lived on the farm five miles south- west of Fredericktown, which place consists of two hundred acres of fine land, well improved and under a fine state of cultivation, and in connection with general farming he has for eighteen years been a breeder of thorough- bred Delaine sheep, raising the best for breeding purposes. He has achieved a wide reputation as a result of his fine stock, having from time to time sent his sheep all over the country, and, owing to the superior quality of his animals, they find a very ready sale, and many of them are exported to for- eign countries. He took second prize among sixteen exhibitors of Delaine (46)
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sheep at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904-in fact, he won second prize in all exhibits. His flocks will average three hundred from which to draw his sales to breeders.
Mr. Wilson is a member and one of the directors of the Delaine- Merino Record Association, a national organization of breeders, and he has always taken an active interest in its deliberations. He has exhibited at the Ohio state fair every year for twenty-five years, and in former years he has been an exhibitor at various state fairs, and has always been a prize winner from his first exhibits. He is universally regarded as one of the foremost breeders of his breeds in this section of the state. In addition to his large sheep business, he farms on an extensive scale and in a scientific manner and he is regarded as one of the most desirable farmers in Knox county. The picturesque family home stands on an elevation, commanding a fine view of Mile Run valley.
Politically, Mr. Wilson is a Republican and he is always interested in public matters, but he is not an office seeker. He is now one of the members of the Wayne township board of education. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to Wayne Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He stands high in the various circles of the county and is a man whom everybody likes and respects, for his integrity, industry and obliging nature.
GEORGE L. MARPLE.
Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record. By a few general observations may be conveyed an idea of the high standing of George L. Marple, of Fredericktown, Knox county, as a journalist and citizen. Nature seems to have endowed him with an unusual fidelity of expression and his wonderfully facile pen has interested thousands of readers. He has been content to spend his life in his native locality whose interests he has ever had at heart and sought to promulgate whenever opportunity afforded, and his career has been such as to win the con- fidence and esteem of all who know him.
Mr. Marple was born on July 17, 1861, in Fredericktown, Ohio, and he is the son of Ananias C. and Mary E. (Edwards) Marple, the father a native of Pike township, this county. The Edwards family originally came from Frederick county, Maryland, they and the Marples both being pioneers
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of this section of the Buckeye state and they have been more or less prom- inent in the affairs of Knox and adjacent counties for several generations. They crossed the Alleghanies from the east in old-fashioned covered wagons in true first settler style, the region lying west of the mountains at that time being largely a wilderness. Ananias C. Marple was a cooper by trade, also a brick maker and he made the brick for the Methodist Episcopal church in Fredericktown and here he spent most of his life. He was a Republican in politics and was active in public matters. He took an especial interest in school work and served on the local board of education for a period of fifteen years, and he was marshal of the town for several years. He was always an active member of the Methodist church, as was also his wife. They are both still living in Fredericktown, being now advanced in age, but hale and hearty. They are highly respected by a wide circle of friends and are truly a fine old pioneer couple, honest, industrious and hospitable.
The son, George L., of this review, grew up in Fredericktown and at- tended the public schools and was graduated from the high school here in 1880. When he had finished school he turned his attention to the newspaper field and began work in the office of the Free Press, learning the printer's trade, which he mastered in due course of time. He then worked in the office of the Semi-Weekly Tribune in Mt. Vernon for a year and a half. Returning to Fredericktown, he learned the painter's and paper-hanger's trades, which he has since followed, with much success, but he has kept in touch with the newspaper world, and for the past twenty years has been the Fredericktown correspondent of the Mt. Vernon Republican-News, daily and semi-weekly. also the. Cleveland Leader. He has a keen news instinct and never lets the grass grow under his feet.
Mr. Marple was married in September, 1892, to Alice Elben, daughter of Mrs. Mary (Deal) Elben, of Utica, Licking county, Ohio. To this union three children have been born, namely: Marguerite, now seventeen years old ; Donald is fifteen years old, and Anna is now seven years of age.
Politically, Mr. Marple is a Republican and he has long been active in public matters. He has served as a member of the county election board. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a member of the official board. He is president of the Brotherhood, also presi- dent of the Beers Bible class, of the Methodist church, of which there are now ninety members, this being one of the celebrated Bible classes of the state. Mr. Marple is a man of exemplary character and of progressive ideas and he fills a useful niche in the structure of local affairs, religious, educa- tional, civic and material.
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CHARLES M. HILDRETH.
The gentleman of whom the biographer writes in the following para- graphs is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Knox county, Ohio, and for many years has been actively identified with the varied inter- ests of his community. His well directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business interests and his sound judgment have brought to him prosperity, and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished by the man of energy and ambition, who is not afraid to work and has the perseverance to continue his labors, even in the face of seemingly discouraging circumstances.
Charles M. Hildreth, of Fredericktown, was born October 15, 1847, in Mt. Vernon, this county, and he is the son of John and Caroline (Eddy) Hildreth, the father born in Knox county, Ohio, and the mother in Erie county, Ohio. The father, long a prominent contractor and carpenter, was an important factor in the building of Mt. Vernon. He was a man of high standing and clean character. Politically, he was a Republican and was always active and interested in whatever was for the betterment of local conditions. He was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of Company A. One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he ren- dered very efficient service for the Union. He was a member of the Baptist church. His death occurred in August, 1872, his widow surviving many years, having died in July, 1898. They are both buried in the cemetery at Mt. Vernon.
The son, Charles M., spent his childhood and youth in Mt. Vernon and attended the public schools here. When fourteen years of age he began clerking in the store of John Eichelberger, with whom he remained about three years. During the four years following he clerked for W. C. Sapp, then was in the employ of J. E. Woodbridge as clerk for a period of thirteen years, or until Mr. Woodbridge's death, giving each of these gentlemen high grade and eminently satisfactory service and in the meantime mastering every phase of the mercantile business.
On October 31, 1877, Mr. Hildreth was united in marriage with Marian E. Tuttle, daughter of Samuel E. and Mary (Beach) Tuttle, of Frederick- town, a highly honored family of this vicinity. Mr. Tuttle came from Con- necticut in 1842, and a few years later married Mary Beach. He was a man of great activity and for years was engaged in the mercantile business, also the grain, wool and produce business ; later in life he conducted a private bank in Fredericktown. He met with a large measure of success in whatever he
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turned his attention to. A man active in business and public affairs and highly regarded in the community, he is deserving of a permanent place in his county's history. His death occurred in August, 1907, his wife having preceded him to the grave in September, 1899: they are both buried in the cemetery at Fredericktown.
Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth have no family. After their marriage they took up their residence in Fredericktown and Mr. Hildreth began conducting a grain, wool and seed business, in which he has since continued, his trade ever increasing, and he is now one of the largest dealers in this line in this section of the state. His wool purchases have run from one hundred and eighty thousand to three hundred thousand pounds annually and his grain business has also been very extensive. For some time he owned and successfully op- erated the Fredericktown Roller Process Flour Mill, having recently leased the mill to other parties.
Mr. Hildreth has for many years been an active and important factor in the business affairs of Knox county. He has also been active and influen- tial in public affairs, being a loyal supporter of the Republican party. While a resident of Mt. Vernon he was a member of the city council, at one time being president of the same. For a period of fourteen years he served as councilman in Fredericktown, and for four years he was postmaster here under President Harrison. In 1910 he was real estate appraiser for Fred- ericktown and he raised the valuation from one hundred thirty-four thousand and four hundred dollars to six hundred and forty-four thousand dollars. His valuations were so equitable that there was scarcely a protest from prop- erty owners because of advanced valuations. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. They are both favorities in the best social circles of the county.
LOUIS B. ACKERMAN.
The gentleman to a review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed is among the favorably known and representa- tive citizens of Knox county. He has by his indomitable enterprise and pro- gressive methods contributed in a material way to the advancement of his locality during the course of a long and honorable career and has been fairly successful in his business enterprises, having been a man of energy, sound judgment and honesty of purpose, and is thus well deserving of mention in this volume.
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Louis B. Ackerman, well known business man of Fredericktown and a worthy representative of one of our sterling pioneer families, was born on August 17, 1839. in Middlebury township, this county. He is the son of John and Ida (Cook) Ackerman, the father born in Bedford county, Penn- sylvania, from which he came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1811, with his par- ents. John and Amy (Barton) Ackerman, the father having come with his relatives to this county, first in 1810, looked over the country and returned to Bedford county, Pennsylvania, then came back to Knox county with his family in 1811, making the overland trip in wagons. They settled in the dense woods and there erected a cabin and began clearing the ground. This country was then the abiding place of Indians and numerous species of wild game. The elder Ackerman entered one hundred and sixty acres from the government, later acquiring more land, all of which he improved and became one of the well-to-do pioneers and was prominent in the affairs of the com- munity, and here the grandfather, John Ackerman, spent the remainder of his life. His son, John, father of the subject, spent his entire life on the same farm. He is remembered as a hard-working, honest, retiring man, who was satisfied with home life. He was a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church. He lived an upright life and was highly regarded. He was born on November 15, 1805, and his death occurred on September 3, 1873. His wife, Ida Cook, was born on March 8, 1807, and died December 23, 1862, and they are both buried in the Baptist cemetery, near Waterford, Knox county.
The son, Louis B. Ackerman, of this review, spent his childhood and youth on the farm and attended the district schools. When fifteen years old he went to Chesterville Academy in Morrow county, Ohio, for two years. Later he attended the high school at Fredericktown for two years. After this he taught in the district and village schools of Knox county for twenty years, with intervals between, in which he worked on the home farm. He was very successful in his school work and became one of the most popular educators of this section of the country. In 1878 he located in Fredericktown with the intention of making it his permanent home and here engaged in the general insurance business. He became a notary public and met with much success in his new field from the first. This was the first general insurance office established in Fredericktown. Mr. Ackerman has occupied his present office in the Struble block for the past twenty-seven years, during which time he has built up a large and ever-growing business, also in real estate, deeds and mortgages. He has also drawn wills and settled estates. His two sons. William A., now cashier of the New Knox National Bank at Mt. Vernon.
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and Charles E., cashier of the bank of Daniel Struble & Son at Frederick- town, were for years and are yet associated with their father in this business.
Mr. Ackerman was married on September 20, 1871, to Sarah E. Cook. daughter of Asa C. and Margaret (Forsythe) Cook, of Wayne county, Ohio, and to this union six children were born, those besides the two sons men- tioned above being : Ida C., who married John W. Mckinney, a farmer of Middlebury township; Ernest V. is a practicing physician of Fredericktown ; Edith E. married Ralph Heskett, a farmer of Morrow county, Ohio; Louis H. is teller in the New Knox National Bank of Mt. Vernon.
Politically, Mr. Ackerman is a Democrat and has long been more or less active in public matters. In earlier life he was a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions. He has served as mayor of Fred- ericktown and on the local board of education, being clerk of the same for many years. He has always been actively interested in educational matters. He is a member of Thrall Lodge No. 170. Free and Accepted Masons, at Fredericktown, and the chapter and the commandery at Mt. Vernon. He has served in all the chairs of these orders. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having filled all the chairs in these also. He has always been active and prominent in fraternal circles. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, Mr. Ackerman being an elder in the same, occupying this position for many years and he has long been active in church and Sunday school work. He has been superintendent and a teacher for many years in the Sunday school.
The family home is on West Sandusky street, believed by many to be the most desirable residence district of the city. Mr. Ackerman finds rec- reation in his garden, among his chickens, cows and horse. He is an honor- able, neighborly and pleasant gentleman whose friends are limited only by the bounds of his acquaintance.
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WILLIAM T. LEATHERMAN.
Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the type of William T. Leatherman, well known business man of Centerburg, Hilliar township, Knox county, is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the com- munity, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration that gives character and stability
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to the body politic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and respected abroad. In the broad light in which things of good report ever invite, the name and character of Mr. Leatherman stand revealed and secure, and though of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon his life work.
Mr. Leatherman was born on June 26, 1858, on a farm in Allen county, Ohio. He is the son of J. L. B. and Adelia ( Weatheral) Leatherman, the father a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Richland county, Ohio, her birth having occurred on November 8, 1837, and her death on December 20, 1910. The father is still living and is active in the affairs of life, making his home at Herod, Ohio, a town which he had the honor of founding. He has long been actively engaged in various branches of business and he has been very successful as a business man. He has also farmed a great deal, and he has been active in public affairs. He is a large land owner in Allen county, and for many years he has been a large wool and stock buyer and also engaged in mercantile pursuits. Politically. he is a Republican and is prominent in the affairs and councils of his party. He has served as justice of the peace for thirty years and is still in office. He is also mayor of Herod.
William T. Leatherman, of this sketch, spent his youth on the farm and attended the country district schools. At a very early age he began buying wool and stock with his father, soon becoming an expert in both lines of trade, remaining actively engaged in both in his native county until 1899, when he moved to Cardington, Morrow county, Ohio, and engaged in the hoop manufacturing business, and there he remained until 1901, when he moved his factory to Mt. Gilead, Morrow county, which he operated until 1903, in which year he came to Centerburg, Knox county, and established a factory for the manufacture of both hoops and staves on a large scale. When in full operation he employs about forty men and his products go into almost every state in the Union, with also a heavy export trade to England, France, Germany and Italy. His plant is thoroughly equipped with every device of modern pattern to facilitate his work and only skilled artisans are employed. He also continues to deal some in wool and live stock, and he has a fine farm of two hundred and eighty-three acres five miles north of Centerburg, just over the Morrow county line, which he supervises, carrying on general farm- ing and stock raising, mostly horses and sheep. He keeps his place under a high state of improvement and cultivation and it ranks well with the leading farmsteads of the county in every respect. He has erected in Centerburg, at
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large cost, one of the finest barns, with offices and teamster's quarters, in central Ohio. He also has interest in similar hoop and stove factories in San- dusky, Ohio. He is a stockholder in the Centerburg Savings Bank and other corporations and he is and has been a very busy man of affairs, possessing keen discernment and wise foresight which enables him to conduct large affairs and foresee with remarkable accuracy the future outcome of a present transaction. He has a modern and beautiful home.
Mr. Leatherman was married first on December 21, 1871, to Alice May Thompson, daughter of Henry and Catherine ( McGinnis) Thompson, of Ada, Ohio, and to this union five children have been born, namely : Bert E. is married and is a practicing physician in Toledo, Ohio; Mertie Blanche mar- ried William Kentz, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Jesse B. is married and is living in Granville, Ohio; Grace T. married David Perry, of Croton, Ohio; Adelia M. married Joseph Robb, of London, Ohio. The wife and mother passed to her rest on August 2, 1894, and on January 15, 1896, Mr. Leather- man was united in marriage with Isabelle Turner, daughter of John and Har- riet (Brown) Turner, of Auglaize county, Ohio. This union has been with- out issue.
Politically, Mr. Leatherman is a Republican and while a resident of Allen county he was active in party affairs, but has never been an office seeker. He served as a member of the Republican county central and execu- tive committees and was a frequent delegate to county, district and state con- ventions. His wife is a Baptist, but Mr. Leatherman belongs to no man- made creed or society, being an independent thinker, but broad-minded, lib- eral and progressive in all that the terms imply and always interested in the development of his town and county. He is a pleasant gentleman to know, unassuming, genial, obliging and of the highest integrity.
DILLMAN C. OBERHOLTZER.
The biographies of the representative men of a county bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to arouse the pride of their family and of the community and it is a source of regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such men, in the ranks of whom may be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, teachers, as well as lawyers, physicians, bankers and members of other voca- tions and professions. Dillman C. Oberholtzer, well known jeweler and opti-
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cian of Centerburg, Knox county, is distinctively one of the leading citizens of Hilliar township, and as such has made his influence felt among his fellow men and earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume.
Mr. Oberholtzer was born May 23. 1860, in Holmes county, Ohio, on a farm near Nashville. He is the son of Abram O. and Rebecca (Tidball) Oberholtzer, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. The father spent his early life engaged in agricultural pursuits, later in the hardware business in Centerburg, continuing the latter for a period of twenty- six years, during which time he enjoyed a large trade with the surrounding country and became one of the substantial and influential men of the country. In 1907 he retired from business and is now enjoying the fruits of his long years of endeavor ; his wife passed away on May 14, 1891.
Mr. and Mrs. Abram O. Oberholtzer became the parents of five children, two of whom are living, Dillman C., of this sketch, and David \., of Loraine, Ohio.
Dillman C. Oberholtzer spent his early boyhood on the farm, remaining there until he was nine years old. While the family was living at Water- ford, Knox county, he attended public schools there, then entered West- minster Academy at that place. The family came to Centerburg in 1879 and here he has since resided. Soon after locating here he took up the jewelry business and this he has continued to the present time, his being still the only store of this kind in Centerburg. He carries a large, up-to-date and carefully selected stock and his customers come from remote parts of this vicinity, many of them having patronized him since he first established himself here. which is a criterion of his honesty and fairness to his patrons. He does all kinds of repair work in a skillful manner and this has been one of the largest departments of his business. He also maintains a finely equipped optical de- partment, with all modern appliances and he has won a wide reputation as a successful optician, having for years made a careful study of this science and obtained a degree of optometry.
Mr. Oberholtzer was married on May 21, 1885, to Alice Smith, daugh- ter of William and Esther A. ( Hopkins) Smith, a highly respected family. To this union two children were born, a son and a daughter, Grace and Charles O., the latter being married and is associated with his father in busi- ness.
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