USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 49
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ERNEST C. TULLOSS.
A farmer can be dishonorable as well as any other business man or he can be as honorable ; he can misrepresent his grain, his stock, his hay and his apples, and can secure a buyer by such misrepresentations, but when he is found out it is much harder for him to live down the odium than it is for the merchant or other business man to do the same. The latter can much more easily sell out and go where he is not known than the farmer, for it seems harder for the farmer to make changes without injuring himself financially. So the descendants of the farmer must remain, or at least usually do so, and take the results of their father's misdeeds, while on the other hand the second and third generations are often helped to a greater extent than they can realize by the prestige established in their communities in former days by their ancestors. One of the farmers of Morgan township. Knox county, who can see nothing but good results flowing from the life work of his parents is the subject of this sketch. They were persons of the highest respectability and of unusual intelligence, and their influence was very strong for upright living and steady industry while they lived.
Mr. Tulloss was born on January 29. 1865, on the farm where he has always lived, in the southern part of Knox county. Ohio. He is the son of Rodham and Elizabeth ( Harris) Tulloss. He was reared on the home farm and when of proper age he assisted with the general work there, and in the winter time attended the public schools of his district. On January 2, 1894. he was united in marriage with Laura L. Martin, daughter of Calvin and Isa- belle (Runyan) Martin, a highly respected family of Richland county, Ohio. To the subject two sons and one daughter have been born, namely: Raymond R., Dale M. and Laura Isabelle.
Ernest C. Tulloss lived with his uncle, R. S. Tulloss, from the age of ten to twenty-one, and after his marriage he came to the home farm and here he has resided ever since, owning one hundred and sixty acres of as good land
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as the township affords, which he has kept well improved and under a fine state of cultivation, carrying on general farming and stock raising of all kinds, handling only the best breeds, and he has been extensively engaged in the dairy business, making a success of whatever he has turned his attention to. He has built an attractive, large modern home, equipped with furnace heat. gas light and running water. Everything about his place denotes good man- agement.
Politically, Mr. Tulloss is a Democrat, and while he has long been active in public affairs he is not especially active, though he has served his commun- ity as justice of the peace for a period of nine years in an able and satisfactory manner, and for a number of years he has been a member of the local school board, and has done much for the improvement of the schools of the town- ship. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias at Utica, and he and his family belong to the Disciples church, and he is an elder and trustee in the church and is active in church and Sunday school work.
ISAAC STERLING JOHNSON.
The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted residence therein. The Johnson family, of which Isaac Sterling Johnson, one of the most enterprising of Clinton township's younger generation of farmers and stock men, is a very creditable representative, has been numbered with the honored citizens of Knox county since the pioneer period. They have been known as people of well defined purpose, never failing to carry to successful completion any work or enter- prise to which their energies have been directed. Beginning life in a new country and under many unfavorable auspices, the elder Johnsons let nothing deter them, and before the lapse of many years became well established, hav- ing developed excellent farms and played well their roles in the general life of the community, aiding in every way possible to advance the material, civic and moral welfare of the same. Many of the sterling characteristics of the progenitors of the subject seem to have outcropped in him, hence his success and his popularity as a citizen.
Isaac S. Johnson was born August 29, 1884, on the home farm, one mile south of Mt. Vernon. He is the son of Isaac and Isabelle C. ( Davis) John- son, both natives of Knox county, where they grew up, received their educa- tion and married. The Johnson family originally came to Knox county
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from Virginia, and the Davises hailed from Pennsylvania. Here both fam- ilies, through hard work and honest dealings, became well established and well known. The father of the subject was a prosperous farmer and a large land owner, at one time owning fully twelve hundred acres of fine land. He farmed on an extensive scale and raised stock in large numbers, which he fed for the market. He took a prominent part in all movements to better local conditions. Politically, he was a Democrat, but never an office seeker. He was an active member of Clinton Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, being a charter member of the same, and always active in the same. His death occurred in October, 1893. His widow survives and makes her home in Mt. Vernon.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Johnson, namely : Alice married Ralph Jewell, of Fredericktown, this county; Isaac S., of this sketch, and Harold C., who is associated with his brother in the management of the estate.
The son, Isaac S. Johnson, was reared on the home farm and when but a boy assisted with the work there, and he has always been a farmer. He received his education in the district schools and later attended Pennsylvania Military College at Chester, Pennsylvania, later taking a course in agricul- ture at the Ohio State University at Columbus. Thus exceptionally well equipped for his life work, he returned home and took up the development of the home farm. He has met with great success as a general farmer and has kept well abreast of the times in agricultural matters, being a student of soils, grain and their relations with climate and crop rotation. He is a breeder of all kinds of live stock. The entire twelve hundred acres has remained in the family, and it has been so adroitly managed that it has increased in value and productiveness, rather than depreciated. This land embraces some of the best soil in the county. Mr. Johnson is a progressive farmer in all that the term implies and is a very large producer of crops and live stock.
On December 12, 1909, the marriage of Isaac S. Johnson and Louise Garver took place. She is the daughter of Theodore L. and Celia (Lee) Garver, a prominent family of Bellville, Richland county, Ohio. One win- some daughter. Alice Elizabeth, has been born to the subject and wife.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic order, a member of the Mt. Vernon lodge and the council. He also belongs to Clinton Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and is active in the work of the Grange.
The Johnson home is one of the most commodious and substantial in the county, having modern conveniences. Surrounding this are large, con- venient barns and outbuildings; in fact, everything about the place denotes
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thrift and prosperity, and that a gentleman of excellent taste has its manage- ment in hand. The family has long been prominent in the social life of the community. Politically, the subject is a Republican, but he has not been an active partisan or an office seeker, preferring to devote his exclusive attention to his large landed estate and his fine live stock. He is a genial, obliging and likable gentleman, whom to know is to accord every respect.
JAMES M. BROWN.
Knox county figures as one of the most attractive, progressive and pros- perous divisions of the northeastern part of the great Buckeye state, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material advancement of this section. One of the well known agriculturists and public- spirited citizens, whose fine landed estate in Morgan township is admired by all, is James M. Brown. His enterprise has been crowned by success, as the result of rightly applied principles which never fail in their ultimate effect when coupled with integrity, uprightness and a congenial disposition, as they have been done in his case, judging from the high standing of Mr. Brown among his fellow citizens whose undivided esteem he has won and retained.
Mr. Brown was born on October 9, 1869, on the farm where he still re- sides and where he has spent his life, two miles northeast of Morgan Center. Knox county. He is the son of James S. and Christene (Chipps) Brown. The father was also born on this farm, while the mother was born in Chester township, now a part of Morrow county. Grandfather Jonathan Brown was born in New Jersey, May 22, 1800. His parents dying when he was young, he was bound out to Abraham Day, a farmer. In 1816 these two gentlemen came to Ohio, Mr. Brown remaining in Mr. Day's service until he was twenty- one years of age, then went to work for himself, his first employment being making rails at twenty-five cents per one hundred, which money he used for the purpose of buying clothes. Soon afterwards he was united in marriage with Mary Larson, daughter of Sylvester Larson, a pioneer of Knox county. She had fifty acres of land and this was the beginning of Mr. Brown's future success. Later he purchased lands one and one-half miles northeast of Mor- gan Center and with the aid of his sons this was cleared for farming. His death occurred on November 16, 1879, his wife having died on December 5. 1867, at the age of sixty-four years, and both are buried in Owl Creek Baptist
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church cemetery, near the family home. Their family consisted of nine chil- dren, namely : Thomas R., Josel F., James S .; Anna Eliza married Samuel Clutter : Jonathan H. ; Mary J. married Leander Buxton; Phoebe S. married Thomas Bodle, and James S., father of the subject of this sketch ; two died in in fancy.
James S. Brown, father of the subject, was born on September 7, 1831, and his death occurred on June 27. 1910. He grew to manhood on the home farm and received such education as he could in the old-time schools of his community. Upon reaching manhood he married Catherine Chipp, who was born January 5. 1831, and died November 8, 1867, and both are buried in Owl Creek Baptist church cemetery. They were the parents of two children, namely : William X., of New Albany, Ohio, and James M., of this review. The father became the owner of over two hundred acres of good land, which he farmed on an extensive scale. Politically, he was a Democrat until 1860, when he espoused Republican principles and ever afterwards voted the Re- publican ticket. While he was always interested in public matters, he was never an office seeker and never held office. He was a man of strong convic- tions and great moral and physical courage. After the death of his first wife. he married Catherine Stockdale, daughter of William Stockdale, who was born on June 14, 1868, which union was without issue. This wife died on August 13, 1905, and she was buried in Owl Creek cemetery.
James M. Brown, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He was married on October 24, 1888, to Virginia Arrington, daughter of William J. and Minerva (Wigington) Arrington, both born in Franklin county, Virginia, where they grew up and were married. They came to Knox county in 1869. The father was a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil war and he was twice wounded. After coming to Knox county he engaged in farming and is still living near Morgan Center in Morgan township. His wife died on February II, 1885, and is buried in Owl Creek cemetery.
Three children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: Joseph S., married and living in Harrison township, this county: Harry W. lives at home : Bertie May also lives at home.
Mr. Brown has lived since his marriage on the farm where he was born and reared and is engaged in general farming and stock raising and feeding all kinds of live stock, making a specialty of sheep. For a number of years he was with the Logan Gas Company, also the Homer Gas Company in various capacities, but later he gave his entire attention to his fine farm and his live stock and he has met with large success in both. His farm lies in the Knox county gas belt and on it are several producing wells.
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Politically, Mr. Brown is a Republican and he keeps well posted on cur- rent events, taking an interest in the welfare of his community, though he has never been an office seeker or office holder, with the exception of serving as a member of the district school board. He is a member of the Masonic order of Mt. Vernon and he and his son, Harry A., belong to the Knights of the Maccabees. He is also a member of the Morgan Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry, with his wife and son, being a charter member. He and his family belong to the Owl Creek Baptist church, and they are prominent in the social life of the locality.
SCOTT DUDGEON.
There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out before him it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race.
One of the farmers of Clay township, Knox county, who seems to have been endowed by nature with the power of discrimination and foresight to a large degree is Scott Dudgeon, who was born on December 1, 1879, on the farm where he now lives, in fact, where he has always lived, three miles northeast of Martinsburg, the son of Timothy and Lovey (Campbell) Dud- geon, the father born in Auglaize county, Ohio, and the mother in Knox county, this state. They grew up in their respective communities and re- ceived their education in the common schools. Grandfather Charles Dudgeon came with his family to this locality in the pioneer period and engaged in farming in Clay township, settling the place where the subject now lives. . which he redeemed from the wilderness through hard work, and here he be- came very well established. This land was first entered from the government by the father of Margaret Elliott, wife of Charles Dudgeon. and the land has been in the possession of the family ever since. The father of the sub- ject devoted his life to farming and became one of the substantial and influ- ential men of his community, a large landowner, his home place comprising about three hundred and seventy acres, and for many years he was one of the extensive general farmers and stock raisers of his township. Politically, he
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was a Democrat, but never held office or took a very active interest in public affairs. His death occurred in February, 1910. His widow survives. These parents had two sons, Christopher, who married and is located on a part of the home farm, and Scott, of this review.
Scott Dudgeon was reared on the home farm, where he began working when but a boy, and during the winter months he attended the country dis- trict schools. He was married on November 28, 1904, to Eva Horn, daugh- ter of George and Malissa ( Dudgeon) Horn, of Harrison, this county. Her parents are both living and are highly regarded. One son has been born to the subject and wife, George Timothy Dudgeon, named for both his grand- fathers.
Mr. Dudgeon has been on the home farm ever since his marriage, suc- cessfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, and feeding live stock for the market. Politically, he is a Democrat, but is not an active partisan nor an office seeker. He is a member of the Bladensburg Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He has so lived as to keep unbesmirched the good names of his forebears.
CHARLES W. BLACKBURN.
The most elaborate history is necessarily an abridgment, the historian being compelled to select his facts and materials from a multitude of details. In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident, and yet in summing up the career of any man the writer needs touch only those salient points which give the keynote of the character, but eliminating much that is superfluous. Thus in giving the life record of the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch sufficient will be said to show that he is one of the worthy young agriculturists of the locality of which this history treats, own- ing a good farm in Clay township, Knox county.
Charles W. Blackburn was born on January 29, 1872, in Martinsburg, Ohio. He is the son of William and Cynthia (Phillips) Blackburn, both natives of Ohio, the father born in Carroll county and the mother in Jeffer- son county. They grew up in their respective communities and received their education in the common schools. They were married before coming to Knox county, about 1869, and settled in Martinsburg. The father spent his life successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. Politically, he was a Democrat, and while always interested in public affairs, never took an active part in politics, nor sought office, though he filled several township offices His death occurred on April 2, 1905. His widow still survives.
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Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Blackburn, three of whom grew to maturity, Charles W., of this sketch, being the youngest of the family; Edwin lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Vada, who has remained single, lives with her mother in the eastern part of Clay township.
Charles W. Blackburn was reared on the home farm where he assisted with the general work when he became of proper age and in the winter time he attended the country district schools, also those at Martinsburg, graduat- ing from the latter in 1892, having made an excellent record there. He then taught school for three years in the Clay township schools. also those of Harrison township.
Mr. Blackburn has been twice married, first on September 20, 1893, to Mary E. Taylor, daughter of John and Louisa (Fry) Taylor, of near Bladensburg. Her death occurred on April 15, 1906. Two daughters were born to this union, Pearl and Ada. On June 18, 1907, Mr. Blackburn was again married to Mrs. Arabell (Hancock) Darling, daughter of John R. and Elizabeth (Bradfield) Hancock of Clay township. These parents are both deceased. By the first marriage of Mrs. Blackburn four children were born, Gertrude, John, Loren and Nancy.
When the subject was first married he rented the farm where he now resides, one and one-half miles north of Martinsburg, where he lived until he moved to Martinsburg, and lived there for a period of two years, when he bought the farm that he previously rented and again took up husbandry, and he has since remained there. He has seventy-five acres of well im- proved and well cultivated land. He has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of sheep and horses, being a breeder of thoroughbred sheep, the famous Delaine breed, which, owing to their su- perior quality, are eagerly sought after. His horses are the Norman stock, favorites for draft animals.
Politically, Mr. Blackburn is a Democrat and he has always been active in public affairs. He has been a member of the Democratic county central committee, from Clay township, and a delegate to various party conventions. He has served as township clerk for three terms. He has been a member of the township board of education and is now clerk of the board. As a public servant he has been most faithful in the performance of his every duty, and has won the approval of all by his judicious course. Fraternally, he is a member of Martinsburg Lodge No. 778, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is district deputy for Knox county. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have long been active in church and Sun- day school work. He is a progressive citizen and favors public improvements in so far as they contribute to the general public good.
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WARREN FARMER.
The occupation of farming, to which Warren Farmer, of the vicinity of Danville, Knox county, has applied his time and attention since reaching his majority, is the oldest business pursuit of mankind and the one in which he will ever be the most independent. Of course when this is said reference is made to civilized man, because hunting and fishing were the primitive pur- suits before he reached the civilized state. Since the evolutionists have sought to show that man comes from a man-monkey that lived in the last geological epoch, and that the said monkey in turn came from a still lower form of primates, and so on back to protoplasm, the superiority of one person by reason of birth over another has been almost wholly given up. In other words, as mankind came from the same source, whether it be monkey or something else, it is not for one man to brag about coming from a higher source than his neighbor. So the farmer today stands just as high in the scale of being and civic life as the business or professional man. In addi- tion, the agriculturist is far more independent. If he is out of debt, has his land improved and a good home, he can laugh at panics and periods of tight markets. Thus is situated the subject of this brief biography.
Warren Farmer was born in Union township, Knox county, and here he was reared on the farm where he worked when but a lad and he was edu- cated in the schools of his community, and he has been content to live in the same to the present time. His birth occurred on May 12, 1864, and he is the son of Doty and Hettie (Giffin ) Farmer, a highly respected family who spent their lives on a farm here, the father dying in May, 1892, the mother still liv- ing. These parents were each married before : from their union three children were born, namely : Warren, of this review ; Dora, who has remained single. and Walter B., who lives in Union township.
Warren Farmer has never assumed the responsibilities of the married state. his mother being his housekeeper. He has always engaged in farming. In I911 he came to his present excellent farm one mile east of Danville, where he has seventy-five and one-half acres of well improved and productive land, on which stands an attractive modern home, built of cement blocks. He also has an up-to-date barn and such other buildings and farming ma- chinery as his needs require. He pays much attention to the raising of live stock of all kinds, especially hogs. There is a thick vein of gravel and cement sand on his farm which is a source of very considerable revenue, and he has been very successful in a business way since taking charge of his present place.
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Politically, Mr. Farmer is a Republican, but has never been active in public matters and has never sought office, though he manifests a good cit- izen's interest in the affairs of his county and state. He is progressive in all that the term implies, believing in modern methods in everything, and per- sonally he is a very genial and companionable gentleman.
ROBERT NEIDERHAUSER.
Whenever an emigrant crosses the ocean from Europe to America it means that soonor or later many others will follow him, because he will write of his success here, which is sure to come to him, and his former friends, profiting by his example, will take his advice and come over also, to seek new homes upon our free soil. Thus it is that one emigrant brings many others. Every country of Europe thus contributes to our growth, and the people who come over are the most adventurous, independent, self-reliant and liberty- loving. Thus it is that we have for more than a century drained all Europe of its best blood and the result has been to stimulate our growth and develop us almost beyond calculation. Every branch of industry has left this invigorat- ing impulse and has responded with a firmer and more enduring growth. It was some such circumstances that brought the family represented by the sub- ject of this sketch to the locality of which this history treats: however, the subject was born in this country, being an excellent type of the second gen- eration of the Swiss in America.
Robert Neiderhauser, farmer of Union township, Knox county, was born in Richland township, Holmes county, Ohio, on October 18, 1863. He is the son of Jacob and Catherine ( Fehndrich) Neiderhauser, both born in Switzerland, from which country they came to America as young people, the father being twenty-one years old and he made the trip with two brothers. coming direct to Holmes county, beginning his life there as a railroad con- struction hand. The mother of the subject came with her parents about the same time, her family coming direct from Switzerland to Holmes county. Ohio, and here the parents of the subject of this sketch were married. The father worked as a farm hand until his marriage, when he engaged in farm- ing for himself, renting land for some time, and in 1865 he bought his first farm, which consisted of two hundred and thirteen acres in Union township, where his son Robert now lives, two miles south of Brinkhaven. He had only five hundred dollars and he agreed to pay for it the sum of eight thousand
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