USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 5
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years one of the leading business men of Knox county and the present efficient and popular postmaster of Mt. Vernon, whose name is so intimately associ- ated with the material and civic interests of the locality where he has spent his life, his upright career and wholesome moral influence making him popu- lar with all classes, irrespective of party alignment.
Mr. Dowds was born on July 18, 1865, on a farm near Amity, Pike township, Knox county, Ohio. He is the son of Elijah W. and Mary E. (Barber) Dowds, the father born in West Virginia and the mother in Knox county, Ohio. Elijah Dowds came to this county when a young man, fol- lowing the death of his father in West Virginia, when the country was only partly developed, his mother having accompanied him, and they settled in Monroe township, in the woods, having bought land, which he began clear- ing, and, by hard work and good management, he had a good farm and a comfortable home in due course of time. They underwent the hardships inci- dent to the lives of early settlers, meeting the struggle commendably and cour- ageously. The Barber family came from Pennsylvania and settled in Pike township, Knox county, and here Elijah Dowds and Mary E. Barber were married. The elder Dowds became one of the prosperous farmers of the township and a large landowner and prominent in local affairs. He was a man of exemplary character and was highly regarded. His death occurred in May, 1878, when his son, Sheridan G., of this sketch, was fourteen years old. His widow survives. She was born on November 3, 1833, being twenty- seven years the junior of her husband, who was born in 1806. They were the parents of seven sons, namely : Wilson B., deceased : Joseph S., deceased ; John H., of Los Angeles, California : Sheridan G., of this sketch : Charles C., of Mt. Vernon; Cornelius K. is farming in Pike township, this county ; Alva A., of Mt. Vernon.
Sheridan G. Dowds was reared on the home farm, where he worked when of proper age during the crop season, attending the country district schools in the winter months. He remained at home on the farm until his marriage, on February 18, 1888, to Aurilla D. Black, daughter of Dr. J. L. and Dors J. (Sapp) Black, an excellent family of Amity; Mr. Black is de- ceased, but Mrs. Black is still living.
Two sons and two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dowds, namely : Robert E. is a student at Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio; Edwin D. is a medical student: Vivian is a student at the Ohio Wes- leyan University ; Marjorie E. is at home with her parents.
After his marriage Mr. Dowds engaged in the general mercantile busi- ness at Democracy, Pike township, this county, which he continued there
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until 1891, when he was elected treasurer of Knox county and moved to Mt. Vernon, holding this office during two terms, being regarded as an effi- cient and faithful public servant. He then went to Chesterville, Morrow county, this state, where he resumed merchandising, maintaining a store there four years, when his store was burned, after which he returned to Mt. Vernon, in 1900, and here engaged in the wholesale grocery business under the firm name of J. Hildreth & Company, continuing with his usual success until 1905, when Mr. Hildreth died and the Kelser-Dowds Company was formed, wholesale grocers, as a corporation and they have continued in business to the present time, enjoying a large patronage throughout this section of the state, carrying a large and carefully selected line of staple and fancy groceries, shipping large consignments of goods to surrounding towns and taking a high rank in the local business world.
Politically, Mr. Dowds is an uncompromising Republican and he has always been prominent in public affairs and a local party leader. In 1905 he was elected to the state Legislature as representative from Knox county and he served one term in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and won the hearty approval of his constituents. He made his influence felt for the good of his community and the state in general and won the respect and admiration of his colleagues. He assisted in the election of Mark Hanna to the United States Senate. In 1908 he was appointed postmaster at Mt. Vernon and has discharged the duties of the same to the present time in a highly satisfactory manner to the people and the department. He has been a frequent delegate to party conventions and has been a member of county and district committees and prominent in the councils of his party.
Fraternally, Mr. Dowds belongs to the Masonic order, and is a mem- ber of the commandery and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and he is active in fraternal affairs. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a faithful supporter of the same. The family takes a leading part in the social life of the community.
JOHN TAYLOR SMITH.
It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has won a definite goal in life, whose record has been such as to com- mand the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such in brief is the record of John Taylor Smith, farmer of College township, Knox county, an honest,
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whole-souled gentleman who has tried to lead a life of sobriety and upright- ness, one that would give offense to no one, laboring not only for his own advancement and that of his immediate family, but also for the improvement of the entire community whose interests he has long had at heart. Although he hails from the old Oriole state, the major part of his active career has been spent in the vicinity of which this history treats.
Mr. Smith was born in Washington county, Maryland, on November 26, 1846. He is the son of Joseph B. and Mary ( Brewer) Smith, who grew up and were married in the Eastern states and came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1861, with their family, and settled on a farm in Pleasant township and here became very well established Politically, the father was a Republican, but was not active in public affairs, though always interested. His death occurred in February, 1869, when he was fifty-two years old, his widow surviving many years, her death having occurred in 1901 at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. Their family consisted of nine children, five of whom are now living, namely: John T., of this sketch; Mary, who married Alva Steinmetz, he being now deceased; Elizabeth has remained single; Dan- iel B. lives in Mt. Vernon ; Matilda married Edward Kring, of Mt. Vernon.
John T. Smith, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where, as soon as old enough, he was put to work in the fields. During the winter months he attended the district schools. He was married on January 28, 1880, to Mary J. Boyd, daughter of Hugh and Jane (McLean) Boyd, of Clay township. Knox county. Three children have been born to the subject and wife, namely : J. Boyd ; Grace L. is deceased; Joseph Charles is also de- ceased. The living child is married and is making his home with his father, assisting with the general work on the farm.
After his marriage John T. Smith began farming in Pleasant township, this county, where he remained ten years, then moved to College township in 1890, locating on the farm where he still resides, and which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation. In connection with gen- eral farming he makes a specialty of raising sheep, keeping large herds, which, owing to their excellent quality, bring good prices. He has been suc- cessful in the wool business and for twenty-five years he engaged in saw- milling in Pleasant township. He has been very successful in a business way and now has a good farm, a pleasant home and a fair competency.
Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican and he has been active in public affairs. He has been township trustee and school director for several years. He was elected county commissioner in 1901 and he served two terms or seven years. He has always discharged his duties very acceptably and effi-
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ciently in all public positions. He has been a frequent delegate to district and county conventions, and is an influential and well known citizen in this part of the county. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mt. Vernon Lodge, also the Pleasant Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, being a charter member of No. 677, of the latter. He has been an active member and officer in the Grange. He and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder and an active worker in the church and Sunday school.
STEPHEN B. DODD.
The gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a much greater degree of success than many of his contemporaries, who started out together "in life's morning march when the bosom is young." By a straightforward and commendable course Mr. Dodd has made his way to a respectable position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of Martinsburg and the southern part of Knox county, as an enterprising, progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate.
Stephen B. Dodd was born on July 8, 1847, on a farm in Clay town- ship, one mile east of Martinsburg. He is the son of Stephen Baldwin Dodd and Sarah Ann (Sinkey) Dodd, both natives of Washington county, Penn- sylvania, from which they each came with their parents to Knox county, Ohio, when children and here they grew to maturity, received their educa- tional training in the common schools and were married. Rev. Thaddeus Dodd, grandfather of the subject, came here with his family in an early day and the Sinkey family were also early settlers. The paternal grandfather was a man of much influence in the Presbyterian church and he did much good in his ministerial work wherever he went in the early days. His son. Stephen B. Dodd, father of the subject, was a physician and practiced his profession at Martinsburg for many years. He became one of the best known doctors in the county in his day. He studied medicine after he was married, later attending the Cincinnati Medical College. He was a physician of the old school and, although some of his methods were somewhat heroic, he was very successful. He had four sons : Abraham, who was born March 1, 1843, was a medical student when he died February 16, 1864; Stephen B., of this review ; Alfred M., born March 29, 1851, is a traveling salesman and resides in Columbus, Ohio; James F., born July 21, 1858, lives in Delaware, Ohio, and is also a traveling salesman.
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The Dodd family is of English origin. Daniel Dodd, the first member of the family in America, was born in England and he came to the United States in early years as the sole representative of his family and his death occurred at Bradford, Connecticut, in 1665. He had four sons, Daniel, Ebenezer, Stephen and Samuel. The subject of this sketch is a descendant of Stephen Dodd, who was a Presbyterian minister, and the professions have been represented by each succeeding generation. The Christian name, Stephen, has been adopted by succeeding members of the family to the sub- ject. There is no representative at present in Knox county of the family of Abraham Sinkey. This family was related to President James Buchanan, also Robert Fulton, the great inventor. The death of Grandfather Sinkey occurred on June 20, 1841, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife sur- vived until February II, 1872, reaching the advanced age of ninety-eight years. The grandparents on both sides of the house of the subject were buried in the Martinsburg cemetery. Grandfather Sinkey served in the army during the Indian wars.
Dr. Stephen B. Dodd was born on June 10, 1820, and he died on June 30, 1863, his widow surviving until May 13, 1891, when seventy-two years old, having been born on March 20, 1818. They spent practically their entire lives in Clay township, Knox county, having come here in 1823, and they saw the county develop from a wilderness to one of the foremost sec- tions of the Buckeye state, and took no small part in the same, being indus- trious and highly honored people.
Stephen B. Dodd, of this sketch, worked some on the farm in his boy- hood and he received his education in the public schools of Martinsburg. He was married on April 22, 1875, to Mariah E. McClelland, daughter of Henry and Vasti (Woodruff ) McClelland. Her father came from Pennsylvania when a small boy, his father having emigrated here with the early pioneers and settled in Licking county, Ohio, where Mrs. Dodd's father grew to man- hood, and this family has been prominent in this section ever since. Mr. Mc- Clelland died in July, 1908, and his wife on March 20, 1901.
Mr. and Mrs. Dodd are the parents of three sons and three daughters, namely: Abraham Nelson, born September 16, 1876, lives in Newark, Ohio; Alfred M., born March 5, 1878, lives in Utica ; Lena L., born August 28, 1879, married Mark Edmond, of Licking county ; Blanche B., January 14, 1881, married Clyde Berger, of Martinsburg; Ida M., May 19, 1883, died August 5, 1889; William H., born March 9, 1887, lives at Utica; Ethel E., born May 28, 1889, married Ray Layman, of Licking county.
After his marriage Mr. Dodd settled in Martinsburg and engaged in
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the mercantile business for several years ; since then he has followed various pursuits, always with success. He is a man of industry and applies himself closely to whatever he has in hand. He has long maintained a saw mill and feed mill in Martinsburg, and has also been engaged in water-well drilling for a number of years. In connection with these interests, he looks after his farm, a half mile south of Martinsburg. He has been a busy man of affairs and has established a commodious and pleasant home.
Politically, Mr. Dodd is a Republican and is a loyal supporter of his party's principles, in fact, has long been regarded as a local leader, his counsel being frequently sought by candidates. He supports such measures as make for the general upbuilding of the community. At one time he very ably represented Clay township as a member of the Republican county central committee and he has been a frequent delegate to conventions of his party. He has been a member of the Martinsburg school board and has held various other local offices. He is a member of the township election board.
Fraternally, Mr. Dodd belongs to the Masonic order, having been a Mason for more than thirty years. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a class leader in the same and has long been active in church and Sunday school work. Mrs. Dodd is a worthy member of the various church societies.
The Dodds have long been prominent in the circles in which they have been pleased to move, their influence having always been strong in the gen- eral upbuilding of the community of their residence.
GEORGE E. HOOK.
Devoting his energies to agriculture, George E. Hook, of the vicinity of Martinsburg, enjoys distinctive prestige as one of the most enterprising and progressive of our younger generation of farmers. He is one of the large land owners of Clay township, of which he is a native and where he has been content to spend his life, having wisely decided that no better opportunities were to be found by a man of his bent than right here in this nature-favored section of the great Buckeye state. In point of general improvements his fertile fields and substantial buildings are not surpassed in his neighborhood. With not an abundance of capital, but with a liberal endowment of self- reliance, a clear brain, a strong will and a determined purpose, Mr. Hook has overcome many obstacles and discouraging circumstances and has gradually
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forged to the front in the chosen arena of his endeavor while yet "in life's morning march when the bosom is young." As a citizen he has sought to be a supporter of such movements as are calculated to make for the general improvement of the community in which he resides, and he has kept untar- nished the honored name of his forebears, the family having been well known and highly esteemed here for over a half century.
Mr. Hook was born in Pleasant township, Knox county, June 7, 1874, on a farm. He is the son of Thomas and Ella ( Bell) Hook, the father born in Kirkersville, Licking county, Ohio, September 4, 1847, and the mother was born near Utica, that county. They both came to Knox county as young people and were married here, first settling on a farm near Hunt's Station, and they became well established through industry and close application. The father is still living, his wife having died on May 8, 1888. Two sons were born to these parents, George E., of this review, and Charles, who lives in Licking county.
The Hook family has been a prominent one in Clay township, and there the grandparents, Ezra and Jane ( Hunt) Hook, are still living, with their son, Thomas, father of the subject.
George E. Hook was reared on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work and he was educated in the country district schools and the Martinsburg high school. He was married on September 29, 1894, to Zona McCamment, daughter of George and Adeline ( Wolf) McCamment, of Clay township. Both parents are now deceased. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hook, namely : Ella, Jay and Alice.
Mr. Hook has been very successful in a business way and, by frugality, indomitable energy and straightforward dealings with his fellow men, he has become one of the substantial young farmers of the township, being the owner of a fertile, well improved and well-kept farm of four hundred acres, lying two and one-half miles southeast of Martinsburg. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale and he feeds large number's of live stock for the market, no small part of his annual income being de- rived from this source.
Politically, Mr. Hook is a Republican and he has taken a good citizen's interest in the affairs of his township and county. He has served as town- ship trustee for a period of ten years consecutively, which is certainly a criter- ion of his high standing among his neighbors. He is also a member of the township board of education and has always been known as a man of pro- gressive ideas. He is an advocate of public improvements of all kinds- good roads, better schools and public buildings, in fact, everything that tends to uplift the people.
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CHRIS E. DUDGEON.
It is a well authenticated fact that success comes not as the caprice of chance, but as the legitimate result of well applied energy, unflagging deter- mination and perseverance in a course of action once decided upon by the individual. Only those who diligently seek the goddess Fortuna, find her; she was never known to smile upon the idler. The subject of this sketch clearly understood this fact early in life when he was casting about for a legitimate and promising line to follow, and in tracing his life history it is plainly seen that the prosperity he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities, and it is also his personal worth which has gained for him the good standing among his fellow citizens in Clay township, where he owns a valua- ble farm.
Mr. Dudgeon is the scion of one of the sterling pioneer families of Knox county, and he was born here on September 7, 1875, on the farm where he still lives. He is the son of Timothy and Lovey (Campbell) Dudgeon, the father born in Auglaize county, Ohio, and the mother in Knox county, and here they have devoted their lives to farming, the father becoming one of the large landowners and substantial citizens of Clay township, and he carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, his home farm of three hundred and seventy acres comprising some of the best land in the county. He led a quiet life, and although he was a strong Democrat he never held office. His death occurred in February, 1910. His widow sur- vives. Two children were born to them, Scott, of this review, and Christo- pher, who is married and living on a part of the homestead. This land was first entered from the government by the father of Margaret Elliott, wife of Charles Dudgeon, grandfather of the subject, the elder Dudgeon having moved his family to Clay township in pioneer days.
Mr. Dudgeon was reared on the home farm and assisted with the gen- eral work there during his boyhood and he attended the country district schools. He was married on February 16, 1898, to Margaret Ely, daughter of Homer and Dorcas (Veatch) Ely, of Harrison township. These parents are both deceased. They were highly esteemed people in their community. The father devoted his life to farming and established a good home. Two daughters have been born to the subject and wife, Ruth and Grace.
Since his marriage Mr. Dudgeon has lived on one hundred and forty acres, a part of the old home farm, which he has kept well improved and well cultivated and has so skillfully rotated his crops and employed the best of the modern methods of farming that the land has not been depleted in
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strength, retaining its original fertility. In connection with general farming he raises various kinds of live stock, of excellent grades. He has been a Democrat since reaching maturity, but has never been a public man. He is a member of the township board of elections, having held this position for eight years. In his faternal relations he belongs to the Bladensburg Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.
CORWIN D. MOREY.
Among the honored veterans of the greatest war in all history and one of the respected citizens of Milford township, Knox county, who, for many reasons, are entitled to specific mention in this history is Corwin D. Morey. All honor is due the brave boys in blue who, when slavery and treason was rife in the land and the very foundations of the Union threatened, laid aside personal consideration, forsook home and fireside, the field or the mart, and went to the bloody arena in the Southland, gallantly offering their services and their lives, if need be, in order that "the government for the people and by the people might not perish from the earth," in the language of the great martyred leader of that period.
Mr. Morey was born in Milford township, this county, November 26, 1846. He is the son of Joseph and Rhoda (Dailey ) Morey. The father was born in Vermont in 1800 and the mother was born in Virginia in 1810. The father came to Ohio when but a boy and the mother was also a child when she arrived in this county. Here they grew to maturity and were married and began life on a farm which they became owners of and had a good home. Two children were born to them, Rosa T., and Corwin D., of this sketch. The father was a Republican and was active in the affairs of his township, though he never sought office. He belonged to the Congregational church, while she belonged to the Disciples church. They had both been married be- fore, and he had three children by his first wife and she three by her first husband. The death of Joseph Morey occurred in 1880 and the mother of the subject died about 1900.
Corwin D. Morey was educated in the public schools of Milford town- ship and he was reared on the home farm. He took up farming early in life. and after the war he rented his father's place, in Milford township, later pur- chasing it, seventy acres, and put good buildings on the same and here made a success as a general farmer and has made this his home to the present time. He has kept the old place well improved and well cultivated so that it has retained its original fertility.
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When the Civil war began Mr. Morey wanted to enlist, but was not old enough to bear arms, so he waited patiently and finally, on May 4, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and served with much credit one hundred days or until September 4th of the same year, in the Army of the Potomac, in front of Petersburg. He re-enlisted on January 27. 1865. in the Sixth Independent Company of Ohio Sharpshooters, serving with the Army of the Cumberland till the close of the war.
Mr. Morey was married in 1872 to Sarah L. Bishop, a native of Knox county, and the daughter of Arnold Bishop, one of the three brothers who first settled here, and Mrs. Morey here grew to womanhood and received her education.
To the subject and wife five children have been born, namely: Roy C .. who married Kitten Brazil, was a soldier in Company L, Fourth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, in the Spanish-American war, seeing service with the army in Porto Rico: Ethel L .. is the wife of Clarence Coe : Pearl C. was next in order of birth : Raymond B. is in the marine service of the United States and is at present located at Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Madge E. is the wife of Melvin Fry.
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