USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 47
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The mother of the subject was born in Maryland about 1817 and when ten years old she came to Licking county, Ohio, with an uncle and here she was reared. The father was born in 1815 in Licking county and was reared there and married. He devoted his life to farming and became the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and ninety-four acres. They were the parents of six children, of whom J. W., of this review, was the second in order of birth and the only one living. Politically. Stephen Callihan was a Whig in early life, later a Republican and Abolitionist. He removed to Knox county in 1854 and here spent the remainder of his life, dying on March 29, 1878; his wife survived until July 4, 1890. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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J. W. Callihan was reared on the farm and when but a boy he knew what hard work meant. He received such education as he could in the rural schools of his district, and for ten winters he taught school in a most satis- factory manner, working on the farm in the summer months. At the com- mencement of the Civil war he attended Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware for one term. He finally purchased eighty acres in Milford township, and, having prospered through close application and good management, he added to his original holdings until he is now the owner of five hundred acres of valuable and desirable land in this township, which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation, in fact, it ranks with the best landed estates in southwestern Knox county, and here he carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He has a large, attractive and cozy home, and everything about his place denotes thrift, prosperity and the exercise of good taste.
Politically, Mr. Callihan is a Republican, and he has been more or less active in public affairs. He has served as township clerk, trustee and other offices.
Mr. Callihan has never married; his niece, Florence Collins, keeps house for him. She is the daughter of Sabra Callihan, wife of Austin Collins. Her mother died on July 2, 1911, and her father died a number of years ago.
STANLEY A. LAYMAN.
One of the enterprising young agriculturists of Knox county is Stanley A. Layman, of Pike township, a man who is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished because he has relied solely upon himself. not depending upon inherited wealth or influential friends, for he had neither ; but well knowing that success comes to the deserving, after all, and that our lives are practically what we make them, he started out bravely and has not permitted obstacles to thwart him in his course. He has not only won mater- ial success at an early age, but at the same time has won and retained the re- spect and good will of his associates and acquaintances.
Mr. Layman was born in Pike township, this county, on February 12, 1881. He grew up in his native locality and has always made his home in the county of Knox. He received his educational training in the schools of North Liberty. When fourteen years of age he began working by the month on a farm, continuing thus until 1900.
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Believing that railroading held special charms for him, at least held more excitement than the prosaic life of a farmer, he sought and secured employ- ment on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad in 1900, working as fireman, for which he seemed to have special adaptation, and he bid fair to rise rapidly in the service of the company, but after remaining in this line of endeavor for thirteen months, he quit the road and turned his attention to threshing and baling hay and straw. During two summers he did painting and carpenter work.
In December, 1911, Mr. Layman formed a partnership with A. R. Beal in the general merchandise business and is still thus engaged. They carry a well selected stock of goods such as meet the needs and wants of the average farmer and they are building up a large and ever-growing trade with the peo- ple of Pike township. They bought out J. M. Lewis, who had managed a store here for some time.
Mr. Layman was married on January 25, 1911, to Elizabeth Belle Van- Wye, a daughter of Burr and Emily VanWye, a highly respected and well known family of this township, where they have long been engaged in farm- ing. Here Mrs. Layman grew to womanhood and received her education. Mr. Layman and wife are members of the Methodist church.
WILLIAM H. LEEDY.
One of the enterprising business men of Knox county is William H. Leedy, of Ankenytown, one of our worthy young native sons whose labors have been directed to successful ends in the land of his forbears, with which he has ever been quite contented. He has led a quiet life and his integrity has always been unassailable. He is one of the representative men of his community, with no ambition for anything but the sphere of a private citi- zen, and his many friends bear willing testimony to his amiable qualities and sterling characteristics.
Mr. Leedy was born at Ankenytown, Ohio, on March 10, 1873. He is the son of Joseph A. and Elizabeth ( Keiser) Leedy, the father born in Penn- sylvania in 1825, and the mother in Richland, near Mansfield. Ohio, in 1834. When five years old, in 1830, Joseph A. Leedy was brought by his parents to Knox county, Ohio, and located at Ankenytown, where he grew to manhood and married in that vicinity, and there he took up farming for a livelihood ; and, prospering through hard work and close application, he became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, and was for years re-
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garded as one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of his community. He led a retiring life, devoting his attention to his farm and family, mani- festing little interest in public affairs. His family consisted of eleven chil- dren, of whom William H., of this sketch, was the tenth in order of birth. They are all grown, married and have families of their own. The death of the father occurred in 1902 and the mother died in 1906.
William H. Leedy, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, where he assisted with the work during his boyhood days, and attended the district schools near his home. Early in life he began farming, which he continued successfully until 1901, when he entered the mercantile business at Ankeny- town, near the station, having bought a stock of goods there. He started off successfully in his new field, but subsequently sold out, and in 1906 built a store house, eighteen by forty feet, and here he has since conducted a gen- eral store, carrying a large and carefully selected stock of goods, and has enjoyed an ever-increasing trade, his customers coming from a wide radius of territory in this part of the county.
. Politically, Mr. Leedy is a Democrat and has been more or less active in party affairs. He has served his township as assessor and treasurer in an able and praiseworthy manner. Fraternally, he belongs to the Maccabees, and in religious matters he and his wife are members of the Brethren church.
Mr. Leedy was married on January 27, 1901, to Belle Guthrie, a native of Ankenytown, having been born just south of here, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education She is the daughter of John and Rachael Guthrie, the father a native of Pike township, Knox county.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Leedy, named as fol- lows: Florence, Robert, John.
HARRY CLIFFORD BANBURY.
One of the native sons of Knox county who gives much promise of a successful career in the business world is Harry Clifford Banbury, of Green- ville, a young man who has by close application and special study prepared himself for a useful career along industrial lines and who couples with an innate tact and sagacity a stability of character and loftiness of purpose which insure for him good things in the years to come.
Mr. Banbury was born in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, two miles north of Danville, January 19, 1881, and is the son of John C. and Eliza (Caldwell) Banbury. His paternal grandparents, Richard Banbury
(56)
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and wife, were natives of England, from which country they emigrated to America in an early day, locating about two and one-half miles from Dan- ville, Ohio, where they engaged in farming, owning a good place in Union township, on which they spent their last days. The maternal grandparents were also natives of England, emigrating to Knox county, Ohio, at the same time as did the Banbury family. They established themselves near Mt. Vernon, where they spent the balance of their lives.
John C. Banbury, father of the subject, was born in England in 1832. and there the mother's birth occurred in 1836. They came to America with their parents while yet single and were married in Knox county. The father was a farmer and later in life took up stock buying. During the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Federal army, but was not permitted to go to the front, remaining in the Home Guards. He continued to live in Jefferson township and engaged in buying live stock, and at his home there he spent the balance of his days. He was always interested in public affairs and he served as justice of the peace for several years. Politically, he was a Repub- lien and more or less active in party affairs. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred in 1894, and the mother died in 1901. They were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, and eleven of them are living in 1912.
Harry C. Banbury was educated in the public schools and in the Danville high school. He spent two years in the Ohio State Business College, where he made an excellent record and from which he was graduated in 1900. He started out on his business career with his brother, C. V. Banbury, in the warehouse and grain business at Greenville, this partnership lasting one year. After this the subject went to Santa Ana and there engaged successfully in the grocery business for two years. Then for a period of seven years he was employed by the well known River Brothers, commission merchants of Los Angeles, California, giving them the utmost satisfaction and handling the duties assigned him in a most capable and praiseworthy manner. On June 1, 1911, Mr. Banbury returned to Greersville, Ohio, and is now in the employ of his brother.
Politically, Mr. Banbury is a Republican, but has not been especially active in public matters. Religiously, he belongs to the Dunkard church.
Mr. Banbury was married in 1902 to Hazel Dell Workman, a native of Knox county and the daughter of Barnett and Louise Workman, a promi- nent old family of this county. Here Mrs. Banbury grew to womannood and received her educational training in the local schools. Three children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: Nellie Lucile, Ramona Dell and Barnetta Louise.
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BURGESS E. SAPP.
It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, hear his views on public questions, observe the operations of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization, and are therefore competent to judge of his merits and his demerits. After a long course of years of such observations, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know of his worth. In this connection it is not too much to say that Burgess E. Sapp, a well-known and prominent attorney of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, is leading an honorable. industrious and useful life and that he enjoys the confidence of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
Mr. Sapp was born December 27, 1872, in Brinkhaven, this county, the son of William H. and Kamitt ( Bailey) Sapp, the former a native of Knox county and the latter of Coshocton county, Ohio, the Sapps being among the early pioneer families here and influential in the affairs of the early days. William J. Sapp devoted his life to farming, and in politics he was a Repub- lican and active in public affairs. About twenty years ago he and his wife left the farm and moved to Mt. Vernon, where they still reside, having been retired since then. The elder Sapp is a man of strong personality and exem- plary character and he and his wife have a host of warm personal friends throughout the county.
The son, Burgess E. Sapp, spent his youth on the home farm and at- tended the district schools, later the Loudenville public schools, from which he was graduated in 1889. Then he entered Baldwin University at Berea. Ohio, which he left during his second year and began teaching school in the district schools of the state, and he was the first township superintendent in Ashland county under the Boxwell law and later he was superintendent of the schools of Brinkhaven for two years. He was a very successful and progressive teacher and his services were in great demand, for he gave emi- nent satisfaction both to pupil and patron. Had he continued in that vocation he would doubtless have become one of the leading educators of the state, but the legal profession had long had its attractions for him and he entered the offices of Joseph C. Devin of Mt. Vernon, where he pursued Blackstone and other standard legal writers for six months, then entered the law office of Col. William C. Cooper and Frank Moore, remaining with that firm until he was admitted to the bar in October, 1898. He immediately began the
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practice of law in Mt. Vernon where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice, taking his place in the front rank of local attorneys, keeping well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession. He is earnest, painstaking and vigilant of his client's interests and in the trial of cases is persistent, careful and courteous to the court and his opponents.
Politically, Mr. Sapp is a Republican and while he has been active in party affairs he has never sought office, though he was city clerk during the years 1903 and 1904. He has served as a member of the Republican county committee and has been a frequent delegate to county, district and state con- ventions. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
Mr. Sapp was married on May 16, 1899, to Jennette Ruth Neal, daugh- ter of Hugh and Eva (Beum) Neal, of Mt. Vernon. Mr. Neal is a Demo- crat and he has served as clerk of the courts of Knox county for two terms of six years. He is still active in public affairs and is prominent in local affairs and stands high in all circles. Mr. Sapp and wife have had no children. The family home is at No. 711 East High street, in one of the best residence districts of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Sapp are members of the Disciples church and active in the work of the same; they are both prominent in the best social life of the community.
LEVI S. BRADDOCK.
That period of the nineteenth century embracing the first half was char- acterized by the emigration of the pioneer element which made the great state of Ohio largely what it is today. These newcomers were heroic, sin- cere and, in the main, upright people, such as constitute the strength of the commonwealth. It scarcely appears probable that in the future of the world another such period can occur; or, indeed, any period when such a solid phalanx of strong-minded, strong-armed men and noble, self-sacrificing women will take possession of a new country. The period to which refer- ence is made, therefore, can not be too much or too well written up, and the only way to do justice to such a subject is to record the lives of those who led the van of civilzation and founded the institutions which today are the pride and boast of a great state and a strong and virile people. Among those who came to Knox county when the county was in its primitive wildness.
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infested by wild animals, numerous and ferocious, and the scarcely less wild but more savage red men, was the Braddock family, of whom the subject of this biography is a worthy descendant, he having long been an actor in the great drama which witnessed the passing of the old and the introduction of new conditions in this locality and here he has been content to spend his life and direct his energies in wresting from a resisting nature the substance wherewith to keep aglow the spark of material life.
Mr. Braddock was born on July 9, 1844, on a farm six miles north of Mt. Vernon. He is the son of John and Margaret (Durbin) Braddock, both born in Knox county, where they grew up and were married, each repre- senting early families who settled here in the woods and carved homes from the wilderness. The father of the subject devoted his life to farming and handling live stock, being for years an extensive shipper of horses and cattle. He was active in local public affairs and a man of upright character. His death was caused from the kick of a horse. He was survived several years by his wife.
Levi S. Braddock grew up on the home farm in Marion township and when but a boy he learned the meaning of hard work, and assisted his father about the place. During the winter months he attended the public schools in his district. He has devoted his life to general farming and to live stock. having long been a well known importer of Belgian and Percheron draft horses. He has been to Europe three times for the purpose of purchasing Percheron horses. He is generally conceded to have the finest bred horses in Knox county ; and, owing to the superior quality of the same, his fine stock is much admired by all interested in such. No better judge of a horse could be found in this section of the state than he, and he keeps well up with the times in all matters pertaining to this line of endeavor. He has also been a breeder of Holstein cattle for many years and his herds are the best to be found-as good as any in the state, and better than most. He has done much to improve the breed of both horses and cattle in eastern Ohio, and his fine stock are shipped to various parts of the state.
Mr. Braddock has been twice married, first, in December, 1866, to Eliza- beth Brumbaugh, daughter of Daniel and Mary Brumbaugh. By this union two children were born, one of whom died in infancy; the other, Stella, now the wife of Robert Hinken, lives on the old Braddock farm in Morris township. The wife and mother passed away in June, 1883. On December 3, 1884, Mr. Braddock was married to Emma Reeder, daughter of Wilson and Eliza (Haynes) Reeder. To this union four children were born, namely : Minnie married Dwight Dean, of Wayne township, this county; Allen is
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living at home ; Bessie married Charles Simpkins and they live near Utica, Ohio; Irene has remained at home.
In the spring of 1903 Mr. Braddock left the farm and moved to Mt. Vernon and here, in the suburbs, he has since resided, having a commodious and substantial home, modernly furnished, and he has a large up-to-date and convenient barn for his fine stock. He has been very successful in a business way and is one of the strong, progressive men of the county.
Politically. Mr. Braddock is a Democrat, but he has never been an office seeker. though interested deeply in local public affairs. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of the Mor- ris Township Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in church work. The Brad- dock daughters were all educated in the Mt. Vernon high school and the family is prominent in the social life of the community.
ADAM STITZLEIN.
It seems to be true, generally speaking, that success in this life comes to the deserving, and it also seems to be true that we get out of life just about what we put into it. The individual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to it can not be enlisted with his successful contemporaries. He that falls heir to a large fortune and increases its value is successful in pro- portion to the amount he adds to his possessions. But the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by correct principles, forges ahead and at length reaches a position of honor among his fellow citi- zens, achieves success such as representatives of the two former classes can neither understand nor appreciate. To a considerable extent Adam Stitz- lein, well known merchant of Greersville, Knox county, is a creditable rep- resentative of the class last named, a class which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country and added to the stability of our government and its institutions.
Adam Stitzlein was born in Holmes county, Ohio, April 5, 1860. He is the son of John G. and Mary Barbara (Strang) Stitzlein, both born in Ger- many, in which country they grew up and were married, and there the father engaged in farming. He emigrated with his family, about the year 1850, to Holmes county, Ohio. Here the father purchased a farm of forty acres, and, prospering, later added to it, until he had an excellent place
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and a good home. He and his wife belonged to the German Lutheran churchi. They were the parents of ten children, an equal number of sons and daugh- ters, of whom Adam, of this sketch, was the youngest.
Adam Stitzlein was educated in the common schools of Greer district. and later the Mansfield Business College. Early in life he selected the field of merchandising for his life labors, and, in order to learn the ins and outs of the business, he sought and secured employment in the general store of a Mr. Lyburg, in Buckeye City, this county, for a short time. Then, in Janu- ary, 1887, he and his brother. John George Stitzlein, formed a partnership in a general merchandising store in Greersville, this county. In 1890 Mr. W. Hyatt purchased the interest of the subject's brother and remained in partnership with Adam Stitzlein until 1898, when they dissolved partnership, and since then the subject has continued the store alone. He has increased the stock, carrying a fine selection of up-to-date goods, carefully selected; in fact, his is generally recognized as the leading general store in Greersville. He enjoys a large and constantly growing trade with the surrounding coun- try, many of his customers coming many miles, for here they know they always receive courteous consideration. His stock is tastily displayed and everything is under a superb system.
Mr. Stitzlein is a Democrat and takes the interest of a public-spirited citizen in local affairs. He has served very ably and acceptably as township clerk for four terms, then as township treasurer. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Stitzlein was married on April 28, 1892, to Carrie Zylers, who was born at Nashville. Holmes county, Ohio, January 1, 1865. She is the daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Zylers, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Holmes county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Stitzlein five children have been born, namely : Claud Jones, Gus H., Glen C., Paul C. and Freddie Kenneth.
WILLIAM T. BUXTON.
It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only those who have diligently sought her favors are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the life history of William T. Buxton, well known commercial traveler and
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Knox county land owner, it is plainly seen that the success which he has achieved and the property which he enjoys have been won by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained him the high esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Buxton was born August 3, 1864, in Newcastle township, Coshocton county, Ohio. He is the son of Noah W. and Candace C. Buxton, both natives of Coshocton county, Ohio. The father came to Miller township, Knox county, with his parents in 1835 and here engaged in farming ; later he en- gaged extensively as a contracting bridge builder, becoming widely known in this section of the state in this connection and he was a very successful busi- ness man and highly respected citizen. He lived in various places and later returned to Coshocton county, finally came back to Mt. Vernon, where his death occurred in October, 1907. His widow is living in Columbus, Ohio. They were the parents of three daughters and one son, namely: William T., of this review; Olive, who married William C. Mills, of Columbus : Mamie is deceased; Gertrude lives in Columbus.
William T. Buxton was reared in the family home and received his edu- cation in the common schools, later attended the normal school at Utica, Ohio, then entered the Ohio State University at Columbus. When seventeen years of age he became a commercial traveler with Reed, Jones & Company, ยท shoe dealers of Columbus. Prior to this he was a tobacco salesman for two years. He has been a shoe salesman ever since, traveling largely the South- ern states, Ohio and Indiana. In 1910 he engaged with Isaac Prouty & Com- pany, of Boston, Massachusetts, one of the oldest shoe firms in the United States. Mr. Buxton's territory is in Ohio and Indiana, and he has met with continued success from the first, having unusual natural ability as a sales- man, having ever been held in high esteem by his employers. and he is one of the best known shoe salesmen in the middle West and Southern states.
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