USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 38
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takes a great interest in agricultural fairs, and he is a member of the board of directors and active in its operations; in fact, no small part of its success has been due to his efforts.
Politically, Mr. Sevits is a Republican and he has long been active and influential in public matters. He has served as a member of the township board of education, being still a member. In the fall of 1911 he was elected one of the trustees of Union township. He is always among the foremost of those who advocate progressive measures in all things. He belongs to the Danville Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, being a charter member of the Grange. Religiously, he belongs to the Baptist church, and his wife and children are members of the Disciples church of Danville. He is a trustee and a liberal supporter of the church in which he holds membership; in fact, the entire family is active in church and Sunday school work. and is promi- nent in the social life of the neighborhood.
JOSEPH McMILLAN.
Among the successful farmers and stock men of Union township and a descendant of one of the sterling pioneer families of Knox county is Joseph McMillan. Having grown up on a farm and handled stock all his life, he is familiar with that class of husbandry. It requires something more than carelessness to select the best animals in any herd and to rear them in such a manner that the best points will be brought out and emphasized. As the best stock brings the best price, the most skillful farmers make it an object to raise the higher grades, knowing that the market will be the better for a given effort and outlay. All these important points are borne in mind by all good stock raisers. Then there are the questions of feeding, watering, salt- ing, stables and the best time of marketing the animals. It is true that the best farmers study the market quotations of stock in the principal cities, and by so doing very often receive the reward of their watchfulness in a much more satisfactory price for their products. This is true of the grain pro- ducers, as well as those of the yards. One of the farmers and stock men of this locality who thus manages to get the best stock and the best prices is Mr. McMillan.
The subject of this sketch was born on March 17, 1862, on a farm in Union township, this county, and he has always lived in this vicinity. He is the son of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Cline) McMillan, the father born
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July 18, 1829, on the same farm where the subject was born. The mother's birth occurred on June 23, 1833, in the state of New York. Grandfather Ephraim McMillan came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1806, and settled on the farm where his son, Ephriam, father of the subject, was born, lived and died, and here he began life as a pioneer, when the country was a wilderness and Indians and all kinds of wild game were in abundance. Here he built a log cabin, made a clearing and by dint of hard work had a good home and a good farm. He underwent the hardships and privations incident to the life of a first settler. He became prominent in the county and was highly regarded. His wife was known in her maiden- hood as Matilda Winteringer, representing another pioneer family, of about 1810. These families were active in business, public and church and school affairs. They were the organizers of the Presbyterian church in Millwood.
Elizabeth Cline, mother of the subject, was of German descent, her family having first settled in the state of New York, and from there came to Union township, Knox county, in 1840. The subject's father became well-to-do here, and was one of the large land owners of this locality, and was a great sheep raiser. He was a Republican in politics and was always active in pub- lic affairs. He filled the various township offices, and was a member of the Presbyterian church. His death occurred on May 24, 1903, at an advanced age. His widow still lives on the old home farm. They were the parents of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters, eleven of whom are living, ยท namely : Matilda, who has remained single; Angeline is also unmarried ; Sarah C. married Alexander H. Parmenter, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Robert lives in Union township; Columbus Delano died March 15, 1910; Joseph, of this review ; Edith married Robert Neiderhouser, of Union township; Emma married Harry C. Whitney in Union township; Salora married Samuel Neiderhouser, of Union township: Alice is single; George lives in Union township; Ida married C. B. Workman, of Buckeye City.
Joseph McMillan was reared on the home farm and was educated in the common schools of his township. He remained with his parents on the home farm until he was married, on June 23, 1887, to Ida J. Workman, daughter of Hiram B. and Isabelle ( Parmenter) Workman, a well known family of Union township, whither they came from Coshocton county, this state.
After his marriage the subject farmed for one year on the home farm, then moved to his present farm, two miles southeast, in Union township, and here he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. He makes a specialty of thoroughbred Delaine sheep, and has a great repu-
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tation throughout this part of the state for his fine animals. No better judge of live stock could be found in Knox county, and he takes a delight in handling them. His farm consists of one hundred and seventeen acres. well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has a modern home, large barns and stock sheds and is well fixed to carry on his business in a modern manner.
Three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McMillan, namely : Chester E., who is a graduate of the Danville high school, is now a student in Ken- yon College ; Arthur H. and Ralph W. are students in the local high school.
Politically, the subject is a Republican, and he has been township trustee for six years. In 1910 he was land appraiser in his township As a public servant he has been most faithful in the performance of his duty. He and his family are members of the Disciples church, and he has long been active in church and Sunday school work, as are also the members of his family. They are well known and stand high in the social circles of this part of the county.
JOHN H. BONE.
One of the evidences of the excellent opportunities for a livelihood and for a pleasant place to reside furnished by Knox county is the noticeable fact that so many of her present day citizens were born here and have spent their lives within her borders. No other country has been alluring enough to induce them to leave it, for they seem to have early been impressed with the fact that none other offered better, if as good, opportunities as were within their grasp right at their own thresholds. One of these worthy citi- zens is John H. Bone, a successful agriculturist and stock man of Pleasant township, who was formerly one of the county's best known educators. In all the relations of life he has proven himself to be a man of progressive ideas and correct principles, and he has always enjoyed the confidence and friendship of a wide acquaintance.
Mr. Bone was born on January 15, 1859, in Miller township, this county, and he is the son of Moses C. and Martha ( White) Bone, the father a native of Cornwall, England, his birth having occurred there on May II, 1833. He was the son of John and Mary Ann (Colwell) Bone. Moses C. Bone grew to maturity in his native land and emigrated to America when twenty-one years of age, first settling in Gambier, Knox county, Ohio, where he worked at his trade of wagon-maker. From there he went to Lock, Ohio.
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Two years later he moved to Miller township, this county, and engaged in farming, and there he still lives, his wife having died March 16, 1906, aged sixty-seven years, four months and seven days. He has been very successful here, and is a large land holder, being regarded as one of the foremost farmers of the county. He keeps his land well improved and tilled in the most up-to-date manner. There were nine children in his family, namely : John H., of this review, is the eldest ; Lovilla C., born August 6, 1860; Bur- nello M., born February 29, 1864, died December 29, 1875: Mary Jane, born August 11, 1866; Frank E., born July 23, 1868; Alta A., born April 29, 1871 : Charles C., born April 17. 1873; Anna Delle, born February 12, 1875; Martha A., born September 20, 1878.
The father of these children is a Democrat and is always keenly inter- ested in public matters. He served six years as a member of the board of county infirmary directors. He is a member of the Christian church at Fair- view. He has always borne an exemplary reputation, and is a whole-souled, strong-minded gentleman whom to know is to admire.
The son, John H., of this sketch, spent his childhood and youth on the home farm and attended the country district schools, later went to the normal school at Utica, Ohio: also went to school at Lebanon, this state. He was a diligent searcher after knowledge and became well educated. He began his career as a teacher, which profession he followed with ever- increasing success for a period of eight years.
Mr. Bone has been twice married, first on May 9, 1883. to Elizabeth Berger, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Berger, of Knox county. Nine children were born to this union, namely: J. Milton is mar- ried and lives in Wayne township: Ethel E. married Leonard F. Dennison, of Utica : Jessie E. and Mary B. are both teachers ; Lucy E., John G., Ralph L., Helen S. and Gladys E. are deceased. The wife and mother passed to her rest on July 19, 1902.
Mr. Bone's second marriage was solemnized on February 23, 1905. to Viola I. Martin, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth ( Miller) Martin, of Crawford county, Ohio. One child, Goldeth M., born to this union, died in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Bone lived three years on a farm belonging to his father, in Miller township. He then bought his present farm in Pleasant township and moved thereto. Here he has been very successful as a gen- eral farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of handling sheep. He keeps his place well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He is one of the leading citizens of his township in every respect. Politically, he
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is a Democrat and takes an abiding interest in public affairs and is thor- oughly informed on current topics. He has served as township trustee, township treasurer and as a member of the local school board. He has been a valued friend to education and is an avowed temperance man Fraternally, he is a member of Pleasant Grange No. 677, Patrons of Husbandry, and he has been active in the affairs of the grange. He is a member of the Fair- view Christian church, having been affiliated with the same since he was about fifteen years of age. He is a member of the official church board and is active in church and Sunday school work. He is a man of fine mind and instincts, and always stands stanchly for what he believes to be right and what will make for the general good.
WILLIAM HAYES MITCHELL.
At this point we are permitted to touch upon the life history of one who, if for no other reason, merits recognition of his lifelong residence in Milford township and a representative of one of the sterling old families of Knox county. But superadded to this circumstances are others which render the appearance of this biography within these pages all the more consistent, for he attained a position of prominence in connection with the business activities of his community, and was honored as one of the upright, genial and reliable citizens, his home life being the center of a cordial hospitality.
William Hayes Mitchell was born in Milford township. this county, January 3, 1854, the son of Almon Mitchell and wife, a well known family of this county, a complete sketch of whom is to be found on another page of this work.
William H. Mitchell was educated in the township schools and reared on the home farm. In 1872 he was married, and then entered the mercantile business with his father-in-law at Lock, continuing the business alone after the death of his partner. He remained in this life of endeavor in all about thirty-seven years. His father-in-law had begun the business in 1854 and the family still conduct the store.
Politically, Mr. Mitchell was a Republican and served as township treas- urer for a period of nineteen years, this certainly being evidence of his good standing in his locality, and he made a most faithful and efficient public servant. Both he and Mrs. Mitchell belonged to the Congregational church at Lock. Fraternally, he belongs to the Centerburg lodge of Free and Ac-
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. cepted Masons ; he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at the same place.
Mr. Mitchell was married in 1872 to Ida Hildreth, who was born in Lock, this county, on September 2, 1856. She is the daughter of Washing- ton and Harriet Hildreth. The father was born in New York and the mother in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1836. The father came to Ohio with his parents when a boy, but he lived with the Delano family for a number of years. He was the son of Minor and Nancy Hildreth, of New York. She died young and his father re-married. Mrs. Mitchell's mother, who was born in Delaware county, later moved to Brandon, Knox county, thence to Lock, where her death occurred.
Washington Hildreth was a merchant, having begun his career at Brandon in 1853, coming to Lock a year later, and he enjoyed a liberal trade there. In early life he taught school, later he clerked and then went into business for himself, and was successful all along the line. He was a public- spirited citizen and influential in his community, a man of exemplary habits and many warm friends. For about thirty years he served as postmaster at the town of Lock, giving eminent satisfaction to the department and to the people. Mr. Mitchell, the subject of this sketch, followed him as the in- cumbent of that office. The death of Mr. Hildreth occurred in Janu- ary, 1902.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, named as follows : Winnifred Estelle, wife of Eugene Cornell; Minnie Belle, wife of C. C. Jackson; Hattie May, who lives at home; Anna Laura, who died in infancy ; Arthur Hildreth married Mabel E. Hess, both of whom were graduated from the Mt. Vernon high school in 1905; Laurence Washington, who mar- ried Mildred McManus, is managing the store ; Almon Maurice is a student in the Mt. Vernon high school. William H. Mitchell died January 30, 1910, after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and three sons.
ELMER J. BROWN.
The great task of clearing the land of its timber in early years can scarcely be realized by the people of today. Not a crop could be sown nor an orchard tree planted until the large trees, the patriarchs of the forest primeval, had been cut down and removed with fire or with a team of oxen or horses. Even then the stumps were a great hindrance, and it is doubtful
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if so much as a half crop could be raised until they had been gotten rid of in some manner. The amount of hard labor required to remove the timber seems almost incredible. It was a task that seemed never to end, and all members of the family were required to assist early and late and at all sea- sons of the year. The ancestors of Elmer J. Brown had their full share of this work, for they invaded Knox county when it was still wild and the home of the Indian and various species of wild beasts; but they were men of ster- ling traits and never permitted obstacles to thwart them in their purposes. undergoing the hardships and privations incident to the life of a first settler in such a wilderness without a murmur and here carving out good farms and did their full share in the early development of the county, and their descendants have carried on most admirably the work that they inaugurated here.
Elmer J. Brown was born on October 20, 1865, in Wayne township, this county, and spent most of his life in Monroe and Pleasant townships. He is the son of Joseph and Anna (Scott) Brown, both also natives of this county. Grandfather William Brown came from Maryland to this county in the early pioneer days, where he established his home. The father of the subject was born and grew up to manhood in Monroe township, and he spent his life here engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1890, when he went to Effingham county, Illinois, and there engaged in farming. The mother of the subject died when he was a small boy. A brother of the subject, Harry M., is a dentist in Elwood, Indiana, and a sister, Mary E., is a professional nurse in Indianapolis, Indiana, the subject having been third in order of birth in this family.
Elmer J. Brown spent his youth on the farm, and he attended the district schools and later the Northern University at Ada, Ohio, taking the teacher's course. Thus well prepared for his chosen profession, he taught for a period of fifteen years in the public schools of Knox county, and became one of the leading educators of the county, his services being in great demand. His teaching was principally in Monroe and Pleasant townships. He also en- gaged some in farming during that period.
Mr. Brown was married on June 6, 1891, to Jennie C. Sellers, daughter of Frank and Frances (Durbin) Sellers, of Knox county, and this union has resulted in the brith of five sons, namely: Sterl C., a graduate of the Gam- bier high school of the class of 1910. He has prepared himself for a teacher. Ray, who is attending high school at Gambier; Paul C., Carl S. and Lloyd.
Mr. Brown has lived on a farm since his marriage, and in 1897 he gave up teaching and devoted his exclusive attention to general farming, making
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a specialty of raising potatoes and chickens, making a great success with both. He has sixty-two acres of finely improved and productive land. He farms on the "intensive" plan, and employs the most advanced methods in all his work.
Politically, Mr. Brown is a Democrat and a member of the school board in Pleasant township. He has been a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a trustee and steward in the church and active in church and Sunday school work. Personally, he is a broad-minded, well educated and obliging gentleman, indorsing all movements having as their object the general improvement of his locality along all lines.
ISAIAH H. FRIZZELL.
One of the best known contractors of Knox county is Isaiah H. Frizzell, of Fredericktown, who, during the many years that he has honored this locality by his residence, has shown himself to be a gentleman of exemplary habits, public spirit and industry; who has, while advancing his own inter- ests, done much toward promulgating the civic, industrial and moral tone of the vicinity. He is a thoroughly practical business man, which fact, coupled with his undoubted ability to seize an opportunity readily and make the most of it, contains the secret of his success.
Mr. Frizzell was born on January 22, 1855, in Franklin township, Mor- row county, Ohio. He is the son of William H. and Catherine ( Hutchison) Frizzell, both natives of Virginia, the father born in Loudoun county and the mother in Fauquier county. They grew up in the Old Dominion and were married there. About 1846 they made the trip over the mountains in wagons to Ohio, settling on a farm in Middlebury township, Knox county, moving to Morrow county, this state, in a later year, where he spent the remainder of his life, successfully engaged in farming. He enlisted in the Union army early in the Civil war, but before he could be mustered into service he was attacked by typhoid fever and died on March 2, 1862. His widow survived thirty-six years, dying in June, 1896.
John Follin, maternal great-grandfather of the subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and the father of thirty children, some of whom lived until comparatively recent years. He was a Virginia slaveholder. His remains were originally buried in the cemetery at Vienna, Virginia, later being removed to Arlington cemetery at Washington, D. C.
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Isaiah H. Frizzell spent his youth on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work on the place, attending the district schools in the winter time, following farming until he was nineteen years old. Having long fostered an ambition to be a builder, he began the carpenter's trade, when he attained the age mentioned, in Morrow county, later coming to Knox county on various jobs, soon building up an extensive business. He built most of the best residences and farm buildings in the northern section of Knox county, doing a vast amount of work in Fredericktown. So much of his work being in Knox county, he moved to Fredericktown in 1891, and here he has since resided. In January, 1892, he turned his attention to the hardware business, in which he met with equally encouraging success, in Fredericktown, becoming a partner of Henry Cassell, who had previously been in this line of business for a number of years. Mr. Frizzell continued successfully in the hardware business until 1909, having built up a large and ever-growing trade with the surrounding country and carrying a large and up-to-date stock of goods. Retiring from this line of endeavor in the year 1909, he resumed contracting and building, which he still continues.
Mr. Frizzell was married on September 26, 1877, to Ida T. Ackerman, daughter of Morgan and Julia (Reed) Ackerman, of Knox county, in Mid- dlebury township, where Mr. Ackerman engaged in farming. He and his wife are both now deceased.
One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Frizzell, also three daughters, all living, named as follows: Maynard, of Mt. Gilead, Ohio; Alice married Orin C. Buckmaster, of Fredericktown; Grace married Karl R. Coyner, of Mt. Vernon ; Ida married Frank Dalrymple, chief clerk of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Fredericktown.
Politically, Mr. Frizzell has always been a Republican and has long been active in party affairs. His first presidential vote was for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, and he has been voting the Republican ticket ever since. For many years he served on the board of education in Morrow county, prior to coming to Fredericktown, and since coming here he has served on the board of education, having always been interested in educational matters. He has served as a member of the Republican county central committee and has been 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. Fraternally, he is a Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he has filled many of the offices in these orders. He belongs to the Presbyterian church. He has discharged his every duty in an official capacity in an able and conscientious manner that has won the confidence and esteem of all concerned.
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Mrs. Frizzell was called to her rest on March 15, 1891, and the subject now makes his home with his younger daughter, Mrs. Dalrymple, of Fred- ericktown.
GEORGE W. BENNETT.
He to whom this sketch is dedicated is a member of one of the honored old families of Knox county, and he has personally lived up to the full ten- sion of the primitive days when the march of civilization was carried on admirably by the sterling band of settlers from the East, so that there is particular interest attached to his career, while he stands today as one of the representative citizens of the vicinity of Gambier, for his life has been one of hard work, which has resulted in the development of a good farm which he owns and which yields him a comfortable living. While giving his chief attention to his business affairs, as do the majority of men, Mr. Bennett finds time and opportunity to take an interest in matters pertaining to the progress and growth of his county, and to mingle with his friends, enlarging the circle of his acquaintance and broadening his mind through the inter- change of thought with others.
Mr. Bennett was born on October 27, 1855, on a farm in Monroe town- ship, one mile north of Gambier, Ohio, and he has been content to spend his life in his native vicinity. He is the son of John and Eliza (Conley) Bennett, the father a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, while the mother was born in Ireland, from which country she emigrated to America when young in years. Grandfather Thomas Bennett came with his family to Mon- roe township, Knox county, in 1828, when the country was practically a vast forest and neighbors were few. He came from Jefferson county, this state, and settled in the woods, building here a log cabin and starting a little clearing, and, step by step, forged to the front. The father of the subject also devoted his life to farming. He was a man of upright character and was highly respected in his neighborhood. His death occurred in October, 1893, his widow surviving until November 2, 1907; they are both buried in the cemetery at Gambier.
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