USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 41
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ready market when offered for sale, and they are known to be great wool producers. His home is one of the most attractive in Hilliar township.
Mr. Beil is a thoroughly progressive man in all that the term implies, adopting whatever measures, through investigation, prove to be the best. Politically, he is a Democrat, but is not a partisan, being an independent voter, supporting candidates and measures instead of parties. He has never been an office seeker. Fraternally, he is a member of the Centerburg Knights of Pythias lodge.
JOHN F. WOODRUFF.
It is always a great comfort and gratification to descendants to be able to affirm that their parents, and, in fact, all of their ancestors were people of exemplary habits and always lived respectable and honorable lives. On the contrary, what a strange sensation a high and excellent man must have to know that his father was always considered by his neighbors and friends as a man of low and mean instincts and of dishonorable practices. The par- ents of John F. Woodruff and their ancestors led such sterling lives that it seems nothing but good results have flown from their life works and they have left behind them inheritances of good deeds and honorable characters such as their descendants may be proud of, their influence having been very strong for upright living in the home and public life, and they were persons of intelligence and steady industry.
Mr. Woodruff was born on September 25, 1863, on a farm four miles east of Utica, in Washington township, Licking county, Ohio. He is the son of Calvin and Emiline (Cox) Woodruff, both born in Clay township, this county, each representing excellent pioneer families. Here they grew up, received their education in the early schools of their community and were married and here they have spent their lives engaged in agricultural pursuits, the father still living, making his home in Eden township, Licking county, having left Clay township, Knox county, in 1862. His wife also survives. Four sons have been born to them, namely : John F., of this review ; Hiram C. lives in Cleveland : William W. lives with his parents; Andrew J. is cleceased.
John F. Woodruff was reared on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work when of proper age. He received his education in the public schools and the high school at Martinsburg, and the Utica Acad- emy. He lived with his parents until his marriage, on December 31, 1891,
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to Laura Moody, daughter of Elisha W. and Allie (Jewell ) Moody. The father is now living at Centerburg, this county. Four children have been born to the subject and wife, named as follows: Allie, Emma. Harry G. ( deceased) and John J.
After his marriage Mr. Woodruff located in Washington township. Licking county, and in 1896 he moved to Martinsburg, and there maintained his home until the spring of 1898 when he moved to his present farm in Morgan township, which consists of three hundred and sixty-seven acres. which comprises as good land as this part of the county can boast, and which has received his careful, painstaking attention until it now ranks with the best farms in the locality, being under a high state of improvement and culti- vation, and here he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser and feeder. He has a pleasant home and large, convenient barns and other buildings, and is well established in every respect.
Mr. Woodruff is a Democrat and has always been active in party mat- ters, a friend of education, an advocate of good roads and of everything that contributes to a country's betterment. He has ably served as township trus- tee and as a member of the board of education for ten years. He is a mem- ber of the Democratic 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 the community and the party. Fra- ternally, he belongs to the Morgan Grange No. 829, Patrons of Husbandry, and is active in its affairs. He and his family are members of the Disciples church, having long been active in church and Sunday school work, and they stand high in all circles in the community.
HENRY GRUBB.
This venerable native son of Knox county is one of the few remaining links in the chain that connects the present age to a period long buried in the mists of the past, and he has been a witness to the development of this local- ity from the virgin forests to its present prosperous condition as one of Ohio's most advanced and enlightened counties. Homes and villages have sprung up on every hand since his father, the first Grubb to make his advent in this section, cast his lot here eighty-two years ago. Since then forests have disappeared before the axe wielded by the strong arm of the woodsman ; farms, with fertile, well-tilled fields, fine orchards, comfortable homes, im-
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posing public buildings and all the adjuncts of civilization, have taken the place of the tangled wilderness which sheltered numerous beasts of prey and, at no very remote period, the painted savage. The music of traffic, mingled with the notes of ceaseless industry, make melody where once the solitudes were broken at intervals by the scream of the ferocious wild animal or dis- turbed by the symphony of the breeze, the dirge of the winter storm, or the blasts of the summer tornado. It is interesting to hear the subject recall reminiscences of early days in Knox county and to note the steps in her advancement in which he played no inconspicuous part in his community. for he was always ready to do his full share in the march of civilization as here inaugurated by the sturdy first settlers.
Henry Grubb, well known farmer of Monroe township, was born in Pike township, this county, on December 4, 1834, and here he has been content to spend his long and useful life. He is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Broombaugh) Grubb, who came from Hagerstown, Maryland, about 1830, driving in an old-fashioned covered wagon through the defiles of the Alleghany mountains into the wilderness to the westward. They located in Pike township, this county, here built a log cabin, began clearing a place in the woods and, in due course of time, had a good home and a productive farm, in connection with which the father operated a tannery for a number of years. He became one of the substantial and influential men of his town- ship, taking an active interest in public affairs, and here he spent the remain- der of his life, died and is buried here.
Henry Grubb grew up on the home farm, which he helped develop from the woods when he became of proper age. He knew the meaning of hard work when quite young and he took to farming naturally, making this voca- tion his life work. He received such education as the early times afforded in the district schools here. He worked on his father's farm until his mar- riage, on November 27, 1856, to Mary Ann Jeffries, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Beck) Jeffries, an early pioneer family of German origin, her parents having settled first in Stark county, later moving to Knox. Jacob Jeffries was a soldier in the Civil war.
Four children were born to the subject and wife, namely: J. Wilson lives in Monroe township: Celestia A. is at home : Charles M. lives at Center- burg, this county ; Daniel B. lives in Mt. Vernon.
After his marriage Mr. Grubb lived two years in Pike township, then moved to Morris township where he lived seventeen years, then came to Monroe township and bought a farm five miles northeast of Mt. Vernon. He has one hundred and seventeen acres of excellent land which he has
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brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation where he has carried on general farming and stock raising in a manner that has brought substantial rewards from year to year.
Mr. Grubb has always been a Democrat politically, but never an office seeker, although interested in public matters; however, he served as township trustee for several years and as a member of the township school board. He and his family are members of the German Baptist church.
In addition to general farming, Mr. Grubb has been extensively en- gaged as a horse raiser and a breeder of fine horses, especially ; however, he has raised all kinds of live stock, there being few better judges of stock in this county. He is an especial admirer of good horses.
Mr. Grubb is a man of old-fashioned ideas regarding hospitality and strict honesty and he is therefore worthy of the high respect in which he is held throughout the county.
WILLIAM LEGRAND GORSUCH.
Among the progressive farmers and representative men of Jackson township, Knox county, deserving of special mention in a historical work of this nature is William Legrand Gorsuch, one of the connecting links with the pioneer epoch and one of the county's worthy native sons, a man who has lived a life of industry and well defined purpose, and while laboring for his individual advancement he has not neglected to assist in the general upbuild- ing of the community.
Mr. Gorsuch was born in this county on February 18, 1847. He is the son of William and Mary (Dudgeon) Gorsuch. The paternal grand- father was a native of Scotland, and it is probable that his wife was a Scotch woman. They came to Knox county, Ohio, very early and located in Har- rison township and there the father of the subject was born. The maternal grandparents, Simon and Nancy (Elliott) Dudgeon, were also of foreign blood, he having been a native of Ireland, and it is believed that she was a native of the Emerald Isle also. Early in life Mr. Dudgeon emigrated to New York, and he was married in Pennsylvania. About 1814 they moved to Knox county, Ohio, when this country was a wilderness and neighbors were few, and here he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, and developed a good farm in Harrison township, where he spent the rest of his life, becoming one of the large land owners of his day.
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the possessor of about seven hundred and twenty acres. He was one of the influential men of the county in its early history. Many of his descend- ants still live in Harrison township about the old homestead. There the mother of the subject was born, in fact, lived and died in the same house that heard her earliest infant cry. The parents of Mr. Gorsuch were reared in Harrison township and there attended school and were married. Mr. Gorsuch was a successful farmer, and he died early in life. He had but one child, a son, William Legrand, of this review.
After his father's death the mother married Moses Schooler, by whom two children were born, Elliott and Minerva Schooler, the latter being now the wife of a Mr. Davis. The mother of the subject continued to live at the old home until her death, on December 9, 1902, lacking a few days of being seventy-five years old.
William L. Gorsuch was reared on the home farm and he received his education in the old log school house of his district. He remained under his parental roof-tree until he was twenty-one years of age, when, in. 1869, he went to Iowa where he made his home for a period of twenty-five years, working three years on a farm and twenty-two years at the carpenter's trade. being a very skilled workman. He returned to Ohio and was married, in June, 1895, to Mary Laughery, a woman of Irish descent, the daughter of James and Ruann (Meeks) Laughery, old settlers of Knox county, of which he was a native and she was born in Muskingum county.
The wife of Mr. Gorsuch was one of a family of six children, two of whom are deceased, she having been the fourth in order of birth ; those living _ are: James, of Harrison township; Mrs. Elizabeth Melick, now a widow, lives in Jackson township; Mary, wife of Mr. Gorsuch of this sketch; Mrs. Nancy Ann Robinson, who lives in Coshocton county. The union of the subject and wife has been without issue.
Mr. Gorsuch is a Socialist in his political faith, and he was the only supporter of this party in his township for two years. While living in Iowa he served two terms as assessor, in Ringgold county. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Iowa. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Gorsuch bought a farm in 1904 of thirty-seven and one-half acres. To this he has added thirty-four acres, all in Jackson township. He also owns a house and lot in Clay township. He is a general farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of sheep, cattle and Berkshire hogs. His land is well improved and he has a very valuable farm and a good home.
KNOX COUNTY. OIIIO.
OSCAR RANSOM.
It is interesting to note from the beginning the growth and development of a community, to note the lines along which progress has been made and to take cognizance of those whose industry and leadership in the work of advancement have rendered possible the present prosperity of the locality under consideration. Oscar Ransom, well known contractor and builder of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, is one of those strong, sturdy individuals who has contributed largely to the material welfare of the city and community in which he has spent his life, being a progressive and public spirited citizen in all that the terms imply, and for a number of years he has been a potent factor in promoting its progress along all lines, consequently his name well deserves a place in the record of the county's representative citizens.
Mr. Ransom was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, June 9, 1849, the son of Henry and Ellen ( Upfold) Ransom, both born in England, from which country they came with their parents when young to Gambier, Knox county, Ohio. The father was a mason contractor and after his marriage came to Mt. Vernon and followed his trade in this and surrounding towns during his active life. He superintended the construction of the present court house and during his years of activity built many of the best business blocks and residences in this and surrounding counties. He was a man of fine business qualities and strong character. Many matters were referred to him, owing to his remarkable faculty for remembering facts and dates. His death oc- curred on October 19, 1895, his widow surviving until in April, 1903; both are buried in Mound View cemetery, Mt. Vernon. In their family were four sons. three of whom learned the trade and followed the calling of their father.
Oscar Ransom, of this review, grew up amid these environments, so he took quite naturally to his vocation. He attended the Mt. Vernon public schools, but when sufficiently advanced to enter the high school, he left his books to become a producer for the family. His first employment was as a clerk in the dry goods store of Mark Curtis, with whom he remained four years, but he turned from this line of endeavor to take up the trade of mason under his father, and he soon became an expert workman, and in the spring of 1878 he engaged in the business for himself and has since continued as a contractor, having erected many of the factories, business buildings and private residences in this and surrounding counties and towns. He did the first job of brick street paving in Mt. Vernon and he built the first public sewer in the city. In the spring of 1907 he added to his business a full line of building supplies such as wooden mantels, tiling of all kinds, grates and
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ornamental work, many of them being of his own designing, and he is the only person in the city handling such a line, his place of business being at No. 105 West Gambier street. In his stock can be found most extensive and high class equipment for fine homes and buildings in general of any house in this part of the country. He has been very successful as a business man accumulating a competency through hard work and good management.
Mr. Ransom was married on August 10, 1870, to Mary E. Plummer. daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Walters) Plummer, of Mt. Vernon. Her father has been deceased for several years, but the mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Ransom four sons have been born, one of whom died in early youth from an injury received while coasting with a sled. Those living are : Harry, who is married and lives in Mt. Vernon; Rolland J. is single and lives at home ; Charles Edward is married and lives in Canton, Ohio. These children were all educated in the Mt. Vernon public schools and when old enough learned the trade of brick mason and have been associated with their father in business.
Mr. Ransom has always been a Republican in politics and while always interested in public affairs and well informed on matters of political and general import he has never sought office. He has an attractive and sub- stantial home at No. 513 East Chestnut street, one of the best residence sections of the city. The house is modern in all its appointments and is well furnished and known as a place of hospitality to the many friends of the family. Four generations of the Ransom family have learned the mason trade in Mt. Vernon.
FRED C. BISHOP.
One of the well known business men of Centerburg, Knox county, is Fred C. Bishop, a man of sound judgment and far-seeing in what he under- takes and without an exception every enterprise to which he has addressed himself has resulted in success. He possesses concentration of purpose and a tireless energy, keen foresight and the rare executive ability that over- comes all restraint and accomplishes the purposes for which intended. To these qualities may be added scrupulous integrity, honesty and uprightness in all dealings with his fellow men and an honor in keeping with the ethics of business life, while behind all and controlling all are the commendable principles embodied in the Golden Rule, without which no man, how great his wealth and however distinguished his name, can be truly successful.
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Mr. Bishop was born in Centerburg, this county, on January 3, 1878. He is the son of Charles L. and Addie ( Harmer) Bishop, both born in Knox county, each representing excellent old pioneer families and here they grew to maturity, received their education and married, and they are still living, making their home in Centerburg. The elder Bishop devoted the earlier years of his life to farming, but in 1876 he moved to Centerburg and en- gaged in the lumber and milling business, handling all kinds of builders' supplies, also coal, enjoying a large trade and managing these lines success- fully until 1897, when he was succeeded by his son, Fred C., of this review. After that the father engaged in various pursuits for some time, but is now living retired.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Bishop, two sons and one daughter, namely: Fred C., of this sketch; Harry C., who is engaged in mining in Colorado, and Ethel, who married Guy Hulse, of Galion, Ohio. The Harmer family have long been prominent in business and public affairs of Hilliar township, this county, he being one of the prom- inent men of this part of the county.
Fred C. Bishop, of this review, has spent his entire life in Centerburg, and here he received his education in the public schools, and was graduated from the high school in 1894. He immediately went into the flouring mill of his father, which the latter was operating in addition to his lumber yard. In 1898 the son purchased the lumber business of John Jeppesen, who had purchased the same only two years previously from the subject's father, and since 1898 Fred C. has continued to operate the business, to which he has since added cement block manufacturing, the latter having assumed large proportions. His is the only lumber and builders' supply concern in Centerburg, and he enjoys a large and constantly growing business. He handles everything in the building line except hardware.
Mr. Bishop was married on May 28, 1902, to Frances W. Waldorf, daughter of William and Eva (Messmore) Waldorf, a highly esteemed family of Centerburg. Mr. Waldorf is still living, but his wife died when their daughter, Frances W., was a child. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, a son and a daughter, Dorothy, aged eight, and Dallas, now three years old.
Politically. Mr. Bishop is a Republican, but although always interested in public affairs, he has never been active. Fraternally, he is a member of Bloomfield Lodge No. 422, Free and Accepted Masons, being past master of the same. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. he being a member of the building committee of the same, and he has
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been one of the principal factors in securing the fine new church edifice, which this congregation is now erecting. He is also a member of the official board of the church, and is active in church and Sunday school work.
Mr. Bishop is a public-spirited, industrious, obliging and genial gentle- man whom it is a pleasure to meet.
HARVEY SYLER.
In the township in which he has lived the best part of his life, Harvey Syler, well known grain dealer of Ankenytown, Knox county, is favorably looked upon as an upright citizen and as an industrious business man whose success is well deserved, for he realized early in life that the goal of pros- perity is never reached by the indolent and slothful, by the man who sits idly by waiting for something to turn up, but that if he was to do anything worth while he would be compelled, Don Quixote-like, to get out and stir up something for himself, so, deciding upon a legitimate course of action. he has never waited or hesitated and thus while yet young in years he has secured a solid footing in the world of business, with bright prospects for the future, being in partnership with his brother, Ross Syler, under the firm name of Syler Brothers.
Harvey Syler was born in Geauga county, Ohio, August 30, 1886. He is the son of Harvey and Josephine (Luke) Syler, both of whom were born in Ohio. Here they were married and began life on the farm, Mr. Syler be- coming an extensive stock buyer, and in 1910 he moved his family to Ankeny- town, where he still resides, having a very pleasant home here. He is still engaged in buying and shipping live stock.
Eight children have been born to Harvey Syler, Sr., and wife, all of whom are living, Harvey of this review being the eighth in order of birth. Politically, the father is a Republican, and his wife belongs to the German Reformed church.
Harvey Syler, of this review, was educated in the public schools of Walnut Creek and in Wooster College, attending the latter several years. He started in life for himself by engaging in the warehouse business in Sugar Creek for one year, then, in 1907, he came to Ankenytown and built an elevator here which he has continued to operate successfully to the present time, enjoying a large and constantly growing business in partnership with his brother, Ross, as stated in a preceding paragraph; the latter, however,
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operates the elevator at Climax, Ohio, which he and the subject purchased on October 1, 1911, and they also do a large business in that vicinity, buying and shipping all kinds of grain.
Harvey Syler has remained unmarried. Ross Syler was married in 1907 to Edith Spahr, a native of Tuscarawas county.
Politically, the subject is a Republican and in religous matters he belongs to the United Brethren church.
JOHN BROWN.
It is the pride of the inhabitants of this country that when the great Civil war closed all the vast army of citizen soldiery quietly laid down their arms and returned to the pursuits of peace. It was predicted by the govern- ments of Europe, not only that the country would be divided. but that after the war an enormous army would be kept up and a military dictator- ship be established on the fragments of perhaps every state Foreign na- tions did not understand the spirit of the people of this country, that is, the spirit of the people in all of the free states. They could not under- stand how we had come to love the name of liberty and be willing to sacri- fice blood and treasure to save a country founded upon the rock of freedom. In view of these misguided ideas, the most of the foreign nations stood ready to pounce upon the fragments when the smoke of war had rolled away. But they beheld a splendid spectacle instead : they saw the great armies melt away, saw a reunited country in which liberty was a fact as well as a name. and saw the soldiers return to their farms, mills, shops and various other vocations.
One of the gallant boys in blue thus to return was John Brown, for many years a well known farmer of Wayne township, Knox county. He was born on June 17. 1844. on Jamaica Island, near Falmouth. His parents were Andrew and Catherine (Dexter) Brown, the father of Scotch blood and the mother of English descent, her father having been Captain William Dexter, of the English army. The subject's father went to Jamaica as a young man, having been employed there by an English company, and while there he was married and for many years engaged in operating a plantation. In January, 1855, he came to the United States with his family, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, from there proceeding to Wayne township. Knox county, some friends having preceded them to this locality from Jamaica.
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