USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 45
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untarnished the honored family name which has been a familiar sound in this locality from the pioneer period.
Mr. Shellenbarger was born on July 13, 1875, in Howard township. Knox county. He is the son of James J. and Mary E. ( Workman) Shel- lenbarger, both parents born in the eastern part of this county. The father was a farmer. At the beginning of the Civil war he was one of the first to enlist. He served his country faithfully for four years, during which time he was engaged in nineteen battles and was wounded three times. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged, afterwards engaging in farming for many years, during which he laid by a competency and- is now leading a retired life in Mt. Vernon, his wife having died on January 19, 1904. They were the parents of seven sons and two daughters, namely : Frank, who lives in Wayne township; James C., who was sheriff of Knox county and was shot while performing his official duties; Nora married David Horn, of Wayne township; Wilson G. lives in Columbus: Jarvis H. lives in Mt. Vernon; Harry N., of this review : Florence married Howard Brock, of Mt. Vernon; Charles B. is associated with the subject of this sketch; William H. lives in Mt. Vernon.
Harry N. Shellenbarger was brought up on the farm and was edu- cated in the country district schools. From the time he was seventeen years old he worked at farming for the farmers of the home community. On August 27, 1898, he was united in marriage with Faye Fuller, daughter of George and Jane (Peardon) Fuller, of Centerburg. Knox county, a well known and influential family here. To the subject and wife one child, a daughter, Madge, was born September 7, 1899.
After his marriage, Mr. Shellenbarger went to Columbus, Ohio, and was engaged with the Columbus Street Car Company for a year, when he was injured in a wreck and was incapacitated for work for two years. He then returned to Knox county and engaged in farming and dairying, which he has continued with ever-increasing success to the present time. In April, 19II, he moved to his present location two miles south of Mt. Vernon, where he is engaged in general farming. He handles Holstein and Jersey cattle for dairy purposes. He is a large handler of dairy products, understanding well every phase of this business and he is well equipped in every way for con- ducting a modern, sanitary and successful dairy.
Politically, Mr. Shellenbarger is a Republican and he is an active worker in the ranks, but he has never been an office seeker. He is an intelligent, progressive farmer and citizen and stands high in the estimation of his neighbors and acquaintances, being an excellent example of a self-made man.
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who, by his own industry, frugality and integrity has climbed up from the foot of the ladder to a commanding position in his county and is in every respect deserving of his success.
A sketch of Charles B. Shellenbarger, brother of the subject, and as- sociated with him in business, will be found on another page of this work.
LLOYD ODELL MIZER.
The qualities of an individual that make for success in this life do not have to be of transcendent character to enable him to accomplish important undertakings. It is more the way he does it and the skill he employs in grasping the opportunities presented, than to any remarkable qualities pos- sessed by him. One of the successful young business men of Bladensburg, Knox county, who has won a definite goal in life as a result of his close ap- plication and good management, rather than to inherited ability or the assist- ance of influential friends is Lloyd Odell Mizer, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on August 3. 1873. He is the son of Alfred L. and Mary (Clarnahan) Mizer, both natives of Coshocton county and each represent- ing pioneer families of that locality. There they grew to maturity, received such education as the early schools afforded and were married. The father has devoted his life principally to farming, having come to Jackson town- ship. Knox county, in 1882, where he has since resided, becoming the owner of an excellent farm, and where he is successfully engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising. For a fuller history of the parents of the immediate subject of this sketch the reader is referred to the record of Alfred L. Mizer, appearing on another page of this work:
Lloyd O. Mizer grew up on his father's farm where he helped with the general work when of proper age, and he received his education in the public schools of Holmes county, later attending the Stricker school in Knox coun- ty, also the schools of Bladensburg, having moved to this county with his parents in 1882.
Mr. Mizer engaged in the manufacture of cheese in northern Ohio and Michigan for a period of ten years, and he then moved to Newcastle and started a general store, where he remained two years and ten months, then, in the fall of 1908, he came to Bladensburg and resumed merchandising in partnership with Mr. Rine, who later sold out to Mr. Hull. and here the subject has remained, having built up a large and growing trade with the
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town and surrounding country. He has always carried a carefully selected stock of goods and treated his many customers with every consideration, winning thereby their friendship as well as their good will.
In politics, Mr. Mizer is independent. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are members of the Disciples church.
Mr. Mizer was married in Swanton, to Estella Smith, a native of Fulton county, and the daughter of Gilbert Smith, a resident of Swanton. The mother's people were residents of Michigan. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mizer, namely: Lawrence, Lenore and Gilbert.
ALFRED L. MIZER.
It is very often found in this country that our captains of industry, leaders in statesmanship and other vocations and avocations possess no higher ability than thousands of other citizens. They have simply taken better advantage of their circumstances than their fellows. And this truth runs through every occupation. The agriculturist who rises above his neigh- boring tillers of the soil does so because he has found out how to rise above the surroundings and conditions which hold others down. Such a farmer is Alfred L. Mizer, of Jackson township, and for thirty years one of the honored citizens of southeastern Knox county.
Mr. Mizer was born in Crawford township, Coshocton county, Ohio, August 4, 1847. He is the son of John and Julia Ann . (Leathrow) Mizer. His paternal grandparents, Jacob and - (Faucler) Mizer, were natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew to maturity, received their education in the old-time schools, and were married. From there they came to Coshocton county, Ohio, very early, and entered government land, which they improved into a good farm, which is still in possession of the Mizer family, and there they both spent the rest of their lives. The paternal great- grand father was also named Jacob. The maternal grandparents. John Leathrow and wife, were natives of Pennsylvania, from which state they came to Ohio in one of the old-fashioned English four-horse wagons, and located in Mill Creek township, Coshocton county, and there they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. Leathrow was twice married.
John and Julia Ann Mizer, parents of the subject, were born in Coshoc- ton county. this state, he in 1817 and she in 1822, and there they grew up, were educated and married. The father devoted his life to farming, enter- ing government land during the administration of Andrew Jackson. He
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also owned other land there. He finally moved to Monroe township, Coshoc- ton county, where he became the owner of one hundred and twenty-eight acres at his death in 1891. Politically, he was a Democrat, but was never an office holder. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Their family consisted of five children, three of whom are living, namely : Jacob S., of Fulton county ; John E., of Butler township. Knox county ; and Alfred L., of this sketch. The latter was too young to serve in the Civil war, but the other two sons were soldiers in the Union army.
The mother of the subject died in 1850, and the father remarried, but the second union was without issue.
Alfred L. Mizer was reared on the one farm and received his educa- tion in the public schools. He has devoted his life to farming, first renting awhile, and in 1876 he bought twenty acres in Holmes county, and he lived there until 1882, when he moved to Jackson township. Knox county, where he bought eighty acres. To this he later added another eighty, and he still owns the one hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under excellent improvements and has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has built here a fine dwelling, substantial barn and other buildings.
Politically, Mr. Mizer is a Republican, but he has lately been an inde- pendent voter. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Mizer was married on February 16, 1873. to Mary M. Carnahan, a native of Coshocton county and the daughter of Adam and Harriet ( Smith ) Carnahan, who were old settlers there, from Virginia, Mr. Carnahan hav- ing been a slave-holder before the Civil war. His death occurred in Coshoc- ton county, and his wife died at the home of the subject in 1891, at the advanced age of ninety years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Mizer nine children have been born, named as follows : Lloyd: Odell, a sketch of whom appears in. this work; Laura, Cyrus F., Hattie, Howard, Roy, Everett, Alice M. and James Elmer.
ISAAC LEEDY.
No state has sent so many of its enterprising native sons to Knox county as Pennsylvania. This may have been due partly to the fact that the two states lie in close proximity; but the reason for their coming here is of little consequence -- the fact that they have come within our borders, cast
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their lot with us and assisted in developing the material, civic and moral conditions here is the main question, for they have almost without excep- tion been men of sterling characteristics, courageous, patient, enduring and honorable, so that we are greatly indebted to them.
One of this worthy band in Isaac Leedy, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1827, the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Zook) Leedy. The paternal grandfather, Abraham Leedy, was probably a native of Switzerland and he came to America very early, locating in York, Pennsylvania, according to family tradition, and there he spent the balance of his life. Samuel Leedy, brother of Abraham, settled in Virginia, and established the Virginia branch of this family which for generations has figured more or less prominently in the affairs of the section of the Old Dominion where they have resided. It is believed that the maternal grand- parents of the subject were natives of Switzerland, from which country they emigrated to America and were early settlers in Pennsylvania.
Abraham Leedy, father of the subject, was born in Pennsylvania, April 5, 1789, and there also occurred the birth of the subject's mother, on March 25. 1791. They were married on February 23, 1812. The father devoted his life to farming and in September, 1829, he moved to Ohio, and entered government land in Berlin township; there he built his cabin in the woods, began clearing and in due course of time had a good farm, with the help of his nine sons. He became the owner of five hundred or six hundred acres, probably four hundred acres of which were in one tract, and he was one of of the substantial and progressive farmers and influential citizens of that part of the county, and there he spent the rest of his life, dying on March 8, 1860, his widow surviving until January 24, 1864. They were members of the old Dunkard church and were devout people. Mr. Leedy was exempted from draft in the Civil war owing to his advanced age. Politically, he was a Democrat, but, preferring a quiet life, he never sought public office. though he once served as supervisor. His family consisted of nine sons and two daughters, only two of whom are living in 1912, Isaac, of this sketch, and a sister, Susanna, who was married first to David Garber, and lastly to Dr. Stephen Dyer ; she now lives with her daughter. The father is remembered as a very hospitable, charitable and public spirited man whom to know was to respect and admire. He was always good to the poor, never turning any one away from his door who needed help.
Isaac Leedy was educated in the common schools of Berlin township and reared on the home farm, where he worked hard during the summer time when growing to manhood, thus grew up amid pioneer conditions and has lived to see the wonderful development of the country, taking no little
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part in the transformation of the same. He worked for his father for several years without pay, and when twenty-four years old he married, and thereupon rented the home farm in partnership with his brothers. When his brother Jacob moved away, the subject took over the entire farm. Now the father, getting advanced in years, desired to dispose of most of his land, having too much to look after easily, so on an appointed day all the sons and daughters met and divided up the place in a manner that was satisfactory all around, making ample provision for the old folks. In this manner the subject got his real start in life, and he has never done anything but follow agricultural pursuits, and through his industry and good management he accumulated one of the finest farms in the township and a competency. Recently he retired from the active duties of life and is now living in honorable retire- ment, enjoying the fruits of his former years of labor. His place consists of over two hundred and forty acres and is well improved and has always been under a high state of cultivation. Following his father's example, he gave each of his children two thousand dollars, thus giving them a good start in life.
Politically, Mr. Leedy was a Democrat up to 1884, when he became a Prohibitionist and has been active in the ranks of the same. He is a member of the Grange and he and his wife are members of the Disciples church.
Mr. Leedy was married on December 25. 1881, to Nancy Rostater, who was born on September 30, 1828, and to this union ten children were born, named as follows: Elias, deceased ; William, the third child, died in infancy ; Elizabeth : Martha is deceased; Caleb, Hannah, Emily and Joshua are de- ceased ; Susanna.
The wife and mother passed to her rest on March 4, 1866, and on October 23. 1866, Mr. Leedy was united in marriage with Lovina Wolfe, who was born on March 16, 1838. To this second union seven children were born, namely : Minerva: Noah is deceased; Normanda A. is deceased ; she was a twin of Mary E. ; the next child died in infancy ; Samuel A. and Verdia A.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DELONG.
One of the best known tillers of the soil in Butler township, Knox county, one of her worthy native sons and one of the connecting links between the pioneer epoch and the present is Benjamin Franklin Delong. He has seen the growth of this locality and has played well his part in the same, never hesitating in his support of all material, civic and moral movements that
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were fostered for the general good of the locality, and he has led such an exemplary life that he has won the respect of all who know him, being some- what old-fashioned in his ideas of sterling honesty and in following the Golden Rule.
Mr. Delong was born in Knox county, Ohio, on August 21, 1839, and is the son of John and Mary Ann (Schultz) Delong. His maternal grand- parents were Jacob and (Shafer) Delong, he a native of Pennsyl- vania, from which state he came to Knox county and entered government land, two or three hundred acres, and here became well established.
The father of the subject was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, and the mother in Pennsylvania, from which state she came to Knox county when a child, here grew to womanhood and was married.
John Delong also entered land from the government, and when a boy he worked on the canal for some time and assisted in building Kenyon Col- lege, but after his marriage he took up farming for a livelihood and owned a good farm of one hundred and forty acres at the time of his death, which occurred in the early fifties. The mother's death occurred about 1899, having reached an advanced age. They were the parents of eight children, an equal number of sons and daughters, of whom two sons and two daughters are now living.
Benjamin F. Delong was reared on the home farm and when very young made a hand in the fields during crop seasons, and in the brief winter months he received such education as he could in the schools of his day. He took up farming for his life work, and after renting awhile bought a farm of one hundred acres in Butler township about 1880, and in 1889 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in that township. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser and has a very comfortable home.
Politically, Mr. Delong is a Republican, and he has been more or less active in public affairs. He has held a number of the local offices, such as township trustee, always with satisfaction to the people. He belongs to the Grange, and was formerly a member of the Disciples church, in which his wife still holds membership.
Mr. Delong was married on January 18, 1866, to Katherine Ealy, a native of Knox county and the daughter of Benjamin and Maria (Stotts) Ealy, old settlers here from Pennsylvania, he having come in pioneer times as a child with his parents and here he grew to manhood. The mother was born in Knox county and here grew to maturity and they were married here and began life on the farm, finally becoming owners of several hundred acres of good land. They had ten children, five of whom are living, namely : Louis,
(55)
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Joseph, Katherine ( wife of Mr. Delong of this sketch), Maria, Benjamin, of Delaware county, Ohio. Mr. Ealy was a strong Democrat and always active in public affairs.
The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Delong were Peter and Polly ( Horn) Ealy, and her maternal grandparents were Joseph Statts and wife, of Irish (lescent.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Delong, namely: Zora Ellen, wife of Marion Cullison, Louis B., and Mary, wife of Dan C. McLar- nan.
CHARLES H. BEACH.
Having been identified with the general advancement of the southeastern part of Knox county all his life, Charles H. Beach is entitled to special men- tion in a work of this nature. He has attained gratifying results as a reconi- pense for the industry he has expended in connection with the development of the resources of one of the most favored localities of the Buckeye state, owning one of the most productive landed estates in Jackson township.
Mr. Beach was born in Harrison township, Knox county, August 6. 1854. He is the son of Thomas and Margaret Jane ( Moore) Beach, both natives of Pennsylvania, from which state they came to Ohio while still single and they were married in Coshocton county. Later they moved to Knox county and here became the owner of a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He devoted his life to farming and he lived a quiet, home life, giving his time and attention exclusively to his farm and his family. Through hard work and the exercise of such principles as always win. he be- came very comfortably established.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Beach, all of whom are living. The death of the father occurred in 1905 and the mother died about 1891.
Charles H. Beach grew up on the home farm and there made himself use- ful in his boyhood days. He received his education in the public schools of Harrison township. He earned his first money by working by the month. which he continued on various farms for about six years. He was economical and in time had a fair start, so in 1891 he bought seventy-two acres of good land in Jackson township and here he has been carrying on general farming and stock raising to the present time, and is constantly improving his place. He has a good home, his buildings being in good condition, having been re- modeled from time to time.
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Mr. Beach is a Republican in politics, but he has never aspired to public life or sought office. However, he has twice been supervisor of roads in his community.
Mr. Beach was married in 1883 to Mary Ann Horn, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Horn, one of the early families of Harrison township, this county, where Mrs. Beach's grandparents, Joseph and Susan Horn, settled about 1810, thus for over a century the name Horn has been a familiar one in this locality. They originally lived in Pennsylvania. The maternal grand- parents, George and Mary Adrian, were also natives of Pennsylvania and very early settlers in Knox county. The parents of Mrs. Beach were born, reared and married in Knox county and here Mr. Horn became the owner of about four hundred acres of good land and ranked as one of the substantial farmers of the community. His death occurred on October 9, 1910, having survived his wife over a quarter of a century, she having died on March 10, 1883. Mrs. Beach is one of a family of ten children, all of whom are living.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beach, named as follows : Curtis lives in South Dakota ; Beatrice, Sadie, Clifford, Ida, Hattie and Elmer Leroy.
GEORGE ALLEN.
In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship George Allen, a venerable tiller of the soil in Jackson township, Knox county, is a notable example and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community. His career has been characterized by duty faithfully performed and by industry, thrift and wisely directed efforts he has acquired a comfort- able share of this world's goods, besides earning a reputation which has never been clouded by the commission of a single unworthy act. His experiences through his long life have indeed been varied, not infrequently interesting and sometimes exciting. He grew up amid pioneer conditions, where weaklings could not well thrive, where it took courage and perseverance, and he was one of the sturdy band that crossed the great plains of the West during the Cali- fornia gold fever days. He is a man of many commendable virtues.
Mr. Allen was born in Monroe county, Ohio, March 24, 1831. He is the son of Elias and Mary (McClarnan) Allen, the father a native of Vir- ginia. The paternal grandfather moved to Monroe county, Ohio, in a very early day. He was a farmer and he entered school land there, which he de- veloped and on which he raised his eleven children. His family consisted of twelve children, one of whom died in early life. The Allen family moved to
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Knox county in 1832 and settled in Butler township and there became well established on a farm.
George Allen, of this sketch, grew up on the home farm and when but a lad he went to work in the fields, clearing timber, breaking new ground and helping with the general work. He received such education as he could in the old-time log school house near his boyhood home, and in early life he took up farming for a livelihood. In 1852 he joined the tide of fortune hunters and drove overland to California, the trip requiring ninety days, and he met with a fair measure of success in the gold fields, returning to Ohio four years later with about fourteen hundred dollars. He talks very interestingly of his experiences in the Pacific coast country. A few years after his return to his native state he bought the original homestead of his father, one hundred and sixty acres in Butler township, and this he has kept well improved and under a fine state of cultivation, carrying on general farming and stock rais- ing. During the Civil war he went to Illinois, where he bought and sold live stock. After his marriage he bought out his father-in-law, one hundred and sixty acres, also in Butler township, Knox county. Then he bought land in Jackson township, and has been buying and adding to it from time to time until he is now the owner of about seven hundred acres of valuable land, all of which he keeps well improved, and he has long carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, and is one of the substantial and progressive agriculturists of the southeastern part of the county. He raises and prepares for market cattle, sheep and hogs. He leaves the active man- agement of his place to his sons, merely overseeing his affairs in a general way. He has accumulated a competency through his industry and good man- agement.
Politically, Mr. Allen is independent, preferring to vote for the candidate best qualified for the office sought rather than for the party. He has always supported any measure looking to the general upbuilding of his community and his influence has been salutary.
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