USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 48
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Mr. Buxton has long maintained his home in Mt. Vernon. moving from Columbus to Mt. Vernon in 1895. He is the owner of a well improved and productive farm of two hundred acres three and one-half miles west of Mt. Vernon, one of the finest and most desirable farms in this community, and his suburban home, just north of Mt. Vernon, is modern and attractive, and is presided over with rare grace by an accomplished lady, known in her maidenhood as Laura Conkle, whom Mr. Buxton married on August 2, 1886. She is the daughter of John and Charlotte (Hammond) Conkle, a fine old pioneer family of Knox county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Buxton, namely: Lorin W., of Mt. Vernon; Carita L. and Frederick John, who live at home.
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Politically, Mr. Buxton is a Democrat, but he has never been active in party affairs, though he has kept well informed and is always interested in public matters. He is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and a charter member of the United Commercial Trav- elers Association, Columbus Council No. I. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOHN FRANK WARD.
This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, the bright sunshine and the refreshing rains, and, applying his own hands and skill to nature's gifts, he creates grain, hay, live stock, etc., all of which are absolute necessities to the inhabitants of the world. The com- mercial world has come to recognize his importance and has surrounded him with many conveniences not thought of a century or even a half century ago. The inventor has given him the self-binder, the riding plow, the steam thresher and many other labor-saving devices. And the farmer has not been slow to take advantage of the improvements thus invented and offered. Among the up-to-date farmers of Miller township, Knox county, is John Frank Ward.
Mr. Ward was born on the farm where he now lives, four miles south- west of Mt. Vernon, on September 22, 1861. He is the son of Rufus and Ellen (Rowley) Ward, both parents natives of Vermont, from which state they emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, when quite young. Grandfather Rufus Ward brought his family here by ox team, making the long journey overland. Here the father of the subject engaged successfully in farming, becoming one of the large land owners of his community and he was an influential and highly respected citizen. Politically, he was a Republican and active in party affairs. He was justice of the peace for many years in Miller township, and in 1870 he was land appraiser in that township, having received every vote but one for that office, which is evidence of his high standing in his com- munity. His death occurred in 1879, his wife having preceded him to the grave some two years previously.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Ward nine children were born, namely : Laura, who married Newton Chambers, of Mt. Vernon; Mary married Douglas Braker, of Mt. Vernon; Emma married Alonzo Chapman, he being now deceased ; Lavina married Oscar Vance, of Miller township; Cornelia married
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Jacob Minnick, of Paola, Kansas; Rose married J. Q. Hall, of Brandon. this county ; Rufus D., who is deceased, married Jennie Hildreth ; John Frank. of this sketch; Fred Lincoln lives in Miller township.
John F. Ward was reared on the home farm and there worked when a boy during the crop season, attending the district schools in the winter time, and he has practically spent his life on the homestead. He worked for his father until he was married, on December 25, 1882, to May Miller, daughter of Calvin and Elizabeth ( McClelland) Miller, a prominent pioneer family of this county. Mrs. Ward passed away in October, 1883, and Mr. Ward was subsequently married to Nellie Chrisman, daughter of Reuben and Mary (Dripps) Chrisman, of Miller township, both parents still living.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ward, named as follows: Mary C., Mabel F., Rosa M., Fred Russell and John Chester. The death of the wife and mother occurred in December, 1906.
Mr. Ward has spent his life engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing pursuits and feeding all kinds of live stock. He is the owner of one hun- dred and twenty acres of excellent land in Miller township, which he has kept well improved and under an excellent state of cultivation. He has a modern, well furnished and attractive home, good barns and up-to-date farming ma- chinery.
Politically, Mr. Ward is a Republican and he has been active in party affairs since attaining his majority. He has served as justice of the peace for six years, being still incumbent of that office, and he has also served as town- ship assessor and township trustee. In all public offices which he has honored he has served the people most faithfully and well, gaining their esteem and hearty approbation. In 1897 he was elected a member of the county infirmary board and served two terms or six years. He has also served his township as a member of the Republican county central committee and he has been a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions. He is a member of Sycamore Valley Lodge No. 553, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he has filled all the chairs in the same. He also belongs to Tyman Lodge No. 45. Knights of Pythias, of Mt. Vernon, and the Clinton Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He and his family belong to the Brandon Methodist church and they have long been active in church and Sunday school work. He favors all movements looking to the betterment of his locality in any way and is one of the highly respected and valuable citizens of his township. His work in pro- moting the modern methods of farming is especially commendable. He is a member of the board of directors of the Knox County Agricultural Society and as such is active and influential in its affairs.
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JOSEPH H. COLLOPY.
It will be found upon examination that the person who lives the quietest and most uneventful life, one that is free, on the one hand, from too great a degree of toil, and free, on the other, from nervous excitement, such as falls to the lot of the dwellers in the cities, will live the longest span on this earth. It seems that all persons are given at the outset of their lives only about so much vitality, and if they squander it before they reach maturity, or if they dissipate it too fast at any stage of their careers, it means a premature death. Like a candle, they burn out too fast and are left nothing but a wick, black and unsightly. But the quiet and steady life is what counts. Such a person has great reserve of vital force which he can call into action at any emer- gency and is thus enabled to make a better showing in a crisis than the per- son who is ready to fall to pieces at the least excitement. Joseph H. Collopy, one of the best known citizens of the eastern part of Knox county, has had the wisdom to save his best powers for suitable occasions, having lived a well regulated life, so that, now the evening shadows of life have gathered about him, he is still hale and hearty. He comes down to us from the pioneer period and it is interesting to hear him tell of the great transformation that has taken place in this locality since his boyhood days, for he has been an interesting spectator to it all.
Mr. Collopy was born on December 1, 1834, on the same farm in Union township where he now lives, three miles east of Danville. He is the son of Jacob and Delilah (Sapp) Collopy, both natives of Maryland, from which state they came with their parents to Union township when quite young, and here they grew to maturity and were married, they having grown up amid the wilderness when settlers were few and hardships many. Grandfather Timothy Collopy moved here with his family about 1804 and the Sapp family also came that year, 1804. The Indians still held sway over this country and all manner of wild beasts were encountered. Settlements were few and far remote from each other, but these hardy people never shrank from either hardship or danger and they persevered until they had established good homes here. Both these families entered large tracts of land from the gov- ernment, Grandfather George Sapp having been especially a large land owner and one of the substantial men of his day, but they were both influential citizens. Jacob Collopy, father of the subject of this sketch, was a prosper- ous farmer and at one time owned seventeen hundred acres, and in con- nection with farming on a large scale he was also an extensive stock man, and was long prominent in the affairs of the community. His family con-
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sisted of nine children, three of whom are now living: Joseph H., of this sketch : Delilah, who married John R. Banburg, of Danville; Mary W. mar- ried August Gaum; she lives in Danville, Kansas, her husband being de- ceased. The following are the deceased children of the Collopy family : Timothy W., Jonathan A , Sarah C., George E., Levi F., and the youngest of all, Sarah C., there being two children who bore this name in the Sapp family. The death of the father occurred in January, 1890, his wife having preceded him to the grave nearly thirty years, dying in May. 1861. The father was a Democrat in politics and was active in the affairs of Union township, and he filled various offices of his township at various times. He was a Catholic in his church faith. He was a man of sterling characteristics and admired for his integrity and industry.
Joseph H. Collopy was reared on the home farm and there he assisted in the general work in his boyhood as soon as of proper age He received such education as the country schools afforded at that period and here he has always lived and followed agricultural pursuits. He has been twice mar- ried, first. on February 17. 1871, to Jennie Durbin, daughter of Bassil and Abigail ( Bickingham) Durbin, of Howard township, this county, a prominent pioneer family here. This union resulted in the birth of two children: Rose E., who married Julius Smith, living on the home farm, and a child that died in infancy, unnamed. The death of the wife and mother occurred in January, 1882. The second marriage of the subject was solemnized on Feb- ruary 18, 1885. with Mrs. Eliza Porter, daughter of Oliver and Maretta (Fields) Baker, a highly respected family of Jefferson township: her father is still living, the mother being deceased. One son was born of this second marriage, Joseph L., who has remained single and is living at home and assists in the management of the farm.
. After his first marriage Joseph H. Collopy settled on the farm where he has resided continuously to the present time, owning five hundred and twenty acres of fine fertile land, mostly in Union township, and here he has long been regarded as one of the county's substantial and progressive general farmers and extensive stock raisers and shippers, handling all kinds of live stock. He has kept the old homestead under a high state of improvement and cultivation, and has been quick to adopt the newest and best methods of farming and his efforts have been crowned with abundant success all along the line. He has a commodious, convenient and modernly appointed and furnished home, one of the attractive places of the eastern part of the county, and large. well arranged outbuildings and such modern farming machinery as his needs require. Large stables and sheds have been erected for sheltering
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his stock and the proper care of his herds at all times. He has been very successful in a business way through the exercise of sound judgment, right principles and honest methods. He is a director in the Commercial and Savings Bank at Buckeye City.
Mr. Collopy is a Democrat in his political affiliations and since reaching maturity he has been active in public affairs and his counsel is frequently sought by candidates and party leaders. He has been a member of the town- ship board of education for many years and is now chairman of the board, having held the post for a number of years ; he has also served as township trustee for many years and on several occasions has been real estate appraiser of Union township and has filled various other local offices, always to the satisfaction of the people. He is public spirited and his support may always be depended upon in furthering any movement having as its object the gen- eral upbuilding of the community ; he is an especial advocate of better schools, good roads and substantial bridges and public buildings, and he has been instrumental in securing some important road changes, one in particular, the road east from Danville to Brinkhaven, which crossed the railroad twice at dangerous points. His efforts secured the change in the road by which it does not cross the railroad tracks at all. He and his family are members of the Catholic church, though his wife worships with the Methodist congre- gation. The Collopys have long been prominent in the social affairs of the community, and none are more widely known or more highly respected.
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WILLIAM P. PELKER.
Theories look well on paper and have a mellifluous sound when pro- claimed from the platform, but in the present rushing age the value of things is tested by the stern rule of experience ; it is the practical man who makes his influence felt and whose services and discourses are largely sought. The present is essentially an age of progress and in every line of activity the man of practical ideas is in evidence. The world of industry owes him a debt beyond estimate, and to him is due the credit of bringing to humanity privileges and blessings which simply hinted at a half century ago would have been regarded as utterly impossible. But times have changed and the world has moved on and the wild dreams and vague chimeras of yesterday have become the familiar facts of today. One of the citizens of Knox county who has believed in keeping fully abreast of the times and has therefore been re-
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warded by a competency and at the same time has been of much benefit to his community in a general way is William P. Pelker, who, after a success- ful life on the farm, is now living in honorable retirement in the village of Centerburg.
Mr. Pelker was born on June 10, 1852, in Franklin county, Virginia, of an excellent old Southern family, many of whose winning traits he seems to have inherited. He is the son of John and Elizabeth ( Lunsden) Pelker, both natives of Virginia. Grandfather Peter Pelker was born in England, where he spent his earlier years, finally emigrating to America, settling in Virginia during the colonial period, and he served as a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war with the colonists. The Lunsdens were Scotch people. The father of the subject was a farmer and large land owner and slaveholder. and four of his sons served in the Confederate army; they were the sub- ject's older brothers. The parents spent their lives in Franklin county, Vir- ginia, where they were well known and highly esteemed.
William P. Pelker, of this sketch, spent his youth on the home farm in the Old Dominion, and there he received his education in the public schools and at Rocky Mount, the county seat of Franklin county. Remaining in his native state until August. 1871, he came to Knox county, Ohio, and clerked in the dry goods store of David Meade, a merchant of Mt. Vernon, remain- ing with him one year. In 1873 he went to Niles, Michigan, and attended the Niles Normal School, preparing himself for a teacher, and for three years he followed teaching with much success in Berrien county, Michigan. In the fall of 1875 he returned to Knox county and made his home in Center- burg, and taught in the district schools for four terms. On December 26. 1876, he was married to May Bebolt, daughter of William T. and Sarah ( Hollister) Bebolt, a pioneer and very prominent family here. Her grand- father, Absalom Bebolt, was the first white settler in the locality, near what is now the town of Centerburg, having come to this section from Pennsyl- vania. The family is yet well known and influential here, through his de- scendants.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pelker, namely: Tullis A. lives in Santiago, California : Virginia married Harry Bell, a banker of Centerburg ; Blanche, who married Ray B. Bishop, of Centerburg, died in November, 1910: John G. lives in San Diego, California.
After his marriage Mr. Pelker engaged in farming, which he continued to follow with much success in Hilliar township, becoming prosperous and a large land owner through his close application and good management, carry- ing on general farming and stock raising and trading. He studied the rota-
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tion of crops, the qualities of soils, climatic conditions and was an advocate of up-to-date methods, so his efforts were annually rewarded by good crops. He has long been regarded as an authority on agricultural questions. In 1902 he moved from the farm to Centerburg and has since lived a retired life, though he has continued to superintend his farm, which he has brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement. He has a commodious and modernly furnished home.
Mr. Pelker has always been a Democrat and has long been active in public matters, keeping well informed on the current topics of the day. He has served as a member of the Democratic county committee and is promi- nent in its councils. He has filled various local offices and has been a fre- quent delegate to county, district and state conventions. He has always been regarded as a strong factor either for or against any public issue. He was a one time the candidate of his party for the state Legislature He and his family are members of the Baptist church and they have long been active in church and Sunday school work, Mr. Pelker having been a leader in the latter for many years. He is a man of broad intelligence, liberal education and wide experience and because of his public spirit and exemplary habits he is held in high esteem by all who know him. This family is prominent in the social life of the community.
BURR A. WYANT.
"Agriculture is the noblest of all alchemy," says a distinguished writer, "for it turns earth and even refuse into gold and confers upon its cultivator the additional reward of health." This oldest of human vocations, and noblest of them all, has been honored by the successful career of Burr A. Wyant, one of the up-to-date tillers of the soil in Pleasant township, Knox county, where he has improved a good farm and at the same time has won the confidence and respect of his neighbors and acquaintances by his upright life in all its relations, for he believes in the old aphorism, "Live and let live."
Mr. Wyant was born on a farm in Morrow county, Ohio, and is the son of Augustus R. and Sarah Jane (South) Wyant. The father was born in one of the Western Reserve counties and the mother in Indiana, near Ft. Wayne. Both parents were young when they came to Ohio and here they were married and became very well established in life. The father died on February 3, 1894, and the mother is still living. The elder Wyant was a
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farmer all his life. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and was an upright man. His family consisted of five children, namely : Burr A., of this review ; Frank C., of Monroe township; Ida P. married Clinton C. Mar- vin ; John married and is living in Pleasant township; the oldest child of the family died in infancy.
Burr A. Wyant spent his youth on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work and he received such education as was possible in the district schools. In 1870 the family moved from Morrow county to Pleasant town- ship. Knox county, where the father purchased the Herford mill, which he operated in connection with farming for five years.
The subject was married on June 6, 1900, to Angie E. Stinemetz, daugh- ter of Alva and Mary (Smith) Stinemetz, and to this union five children have been born, namely : Herbert C., Paul R., Theodore L., Mary E. and Burr A., Jr.
Mr. Wyant was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, having enlisted in Company L, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he very ably performed the task as duty sergeant. The regiment was sent to Porto Rico and served throughout the war, about nine months. He left the service in January, 1899.
Since his marriage Mr. Wyant has been engaged in general farming and stock raising in Pleasant township, five miles southeast of Mt. Vernon, and he has met with a fair measure of success from year to year.
Politically, Mr. Wyant is a Republican and has long been active in party affairs. He has served as a member of the Republican county central commit- tee, and has also been a member of the board of education and a frequent delegate to county and district conventions, where he has always made his influence felt for the good of the party. In 1893 and 1894 he served as assessor of Pleasant township. In 1909 he was elected a member of the township board of trustees, on which he served for two years. He has proven himself to be an able, conscientious and faithful public servant and worthy of most any office within the gift of the people. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and they are highly respected throughout the community.
EDWARD C. LIMBAUGH, D. V. M.
It takes a great deal of courage and persistency to succeed at anything in this day and age when competition is so fierce on every hand, and this is especially true in regard to the professions, much more so in the twentieth century than formerly. for in the early days of our history every professional
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man seemed to be sorely needed in all localities; there were few of them, miost of the population being engaged in agricultural pursuits or in other ways opening up the country ; but now the innumerable colleges and technical in- stitutions and special schools to be found in every state are turning thousands of trained professional men from their halls annually, and so if they would succeed they must be men of sterling qualities, right principles and the pos- sessors of dogged tenacity, else they will be relegated to the rear to make room for some more courageous spirit. Dr. Edward C. Limbaugh, the well known and successful veterinary surgeon of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, is one of those tactful, earnest and forceful characters who believes in fighting until the goal is attained. First he made a success as a school teacher, then turned his attention to the profession which he now honors and soon had won a high place in the ranks of the leading representatives of the same in the Buckeye state.
Doctor Limbaugh was born January 26, 1878, in Holmes county, Ohio, near Millersburg, and he is the son of Christian and Catherine (Seltzer ) Lim- baugh. The father has devoted his life to farming and has ever devoted his life to the good of the community. He still resides in Holmes county, his wife having died in July, 1910.
Edward C. Limbaugh spent his childhood and youth on the home farm and there assisted with the work during the crop season and attended the district schools in the winter time until he was seventeen years of age, when he began teaching in the schools of Holmes county, which he followed for six years, during which time his services were in great demand, for he pleased both pupil and patron. In the fall of 1902 he entered the Ohio State Uni- versity, taking the course in veterinary medicine and surgery, making a splen- did record and graduating on June 21, 1906, with the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. On August Ist of that year he opened on office in Mt. Vernon for the practice of his profession and he has remained here ever since, being successful from the first and building up a very extensive and lucrative practice, which has ever been on the increase, the stock owners all over the county regarding him as one of the most proficient men in his line in this section of the state.
Doctor Limbaugh was married on March 24, 1908, to Ina G. Kidd, daughter of John and Marie ( Brillhart) Kidd, of Holmesville, Holmes county, Ohio. Doctor Limbaugh is a Democrat, but is not active in party affairs, nor an office seeker. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees at Mt. Vernon, and he belongs to the English Evangelical church, while his wife is a ยท member of the Disciples of Christ and both are earnest church people.
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The Doctor's residence and veterinary hospital is at No. 106 West Vine street. His hospital is ample and well arranged and is equipped with every convenience and modern apparatus for the care of animals needing such at- tention. Personally, he is a good mixer, a genial and honorable gentleman. successful in whatever he undertakes and he is popular with all who have occa- sion to know or have dealings with him.
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