USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 12
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Cornwall, England, in 1812, and she now makes her home with her son, Simon A., having reached her ninetieth year. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, seven of whom are now living, namely : John T., a prominent farmer of Monroe township; Charles, of Knox county ; Simon A., the subject of this review; Mary, the wife of Augustus Barker, of Boone county, Iowa; Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Hall, a farmer of Pleasant township, Knox county ; Emma, the wife of Ross Pumphrey, of Clay township, Knox county; and Fannie, the wife of Dr. A. D. Welker, of Gambier.
Simon Augustus Colwill acquired his early education in the common schools of Knox county, with a preparatory course at Harcourt grammar school, and his studies were completed in Kenyon College, of Gam- bier, Ohio. In 1876 he entered the school- room as an instructor, following that pro- fession for six years during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he was employed in the work of the fields. In 1880 he assumed charge of the old home place, which he farmed on shares until his father's death, and he then conducted the same for his mother. In 1889 he purchased a tract of thirty-seven and a half acres ad- joining the homestead on the east, and he has since carried on the work of both places. His efforts along the line of his chosen vo- cation have been attended with a high de- gree of success, and he is now classed among the leading and representative agri- culturists of the township.
The marriage of Mr. Colwill was cele- brated on the 2d of October, 1882, when Miss Emma McKee became his wife. She is a native daughter of Knox county, and
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her father, Charles McKee, is a prominent farmer of Harrison township. The union of our subject and wife has ben blessed with five children,-Pearl B., who is attend- ing the high school at Gambier; Everett, who is also a student in that city ; Ernest, at home; Harold, deceased; and Burton, at home. The Republican party receives Mr. Colwill's active support and co-operation, and for about eight years he has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a firm friend. His religious preference is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church, while his wife is identified with the Christian church.
STEPHEN CRAIG.
Numbered among the veterans of the Civil war is Stephen Craig, one of the na- tive sons of Knox county and a representa- tive of one of its old and honored pioneer families. His birth occurred September 27, 1831, on the farm on which he now resides, his parents being Jonathan and Polly (Kiser) Craig, whose family numbered eight children, although only two are now living, the brother of our subject being James S. Craig, who also lives in Monroe township. The father was born in New Hampshire about 1780, and there spent his youth, learning the shoemaker's trade during that period. About 1805 he emigrated west- ward, and when he had reached Knox coun- ty, Ohio, took up his abode in the Stilly set- tlement, one mile west of Mount Vernon, in Clinton township. There he purchased fifty acres of land, and in connection with farm- ing worked at his trade, doing considerable
in that line for the pioneer settlers who were far removed from the manufactories of the east. In 1816 he sold his first property and purchased a quarter-section of land where his son Stephen is now living. Taking up his residence there, he continued to superin- tend the cultivation of his land until death ended his labors in 1850, when he was sev- enty years of age. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, and was the first coroner ever elected in Knox county, being chosen for that office when there were only forty votes polled in the entire county. In politics he was a stanch Whig, and of the Christian church he was an active and zealous mem- ber, his life being in harmony with its teach- ings. His wife was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1793. Her father was a native of Germany and was the son of a wealthy miller there. When he was refused permission to come to this country he ran away from home and crossed the broad At- lantic, taking up his abode in Virginia, where he followed the trade of milling. When the colonists aroused by the oppres- sive taxation of England resolved to sever all connection with the British crown, he joined the American army and fought for the independence of the colonies. His death occurred in Virginia in 1810, after which his widow, with her son John and her daughter, Mrs. Craig, came to Knox county, settling in Mount Vernon. From that time forward Mrs. Craig was a resident of this locality, and here her death occurred in Jan- uary, 1886, when she was more than ninety- two years of age.
It is only through imagination that we can realize the conditions which existed in Knox county at the time of the boyhood of
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of our subject, for great changes have oc- curred since then transforming this region into beautiful homes and farms, thriving villages and enterprising cities. It was in a log schoolhouse that he pursued his educa- tion, while his training at farm labor was received in the fields on the home farm, where he began work almost as soon as he was old enough to reach the plow handles. He was only nineteen years of age at his father's death, after which he and his broth- ers conducted the place, but when the Civil war was inaugurated his patriotic spirit was aroused, and putting aside all personal con- siderations he entered his country's service, enlisting on the Ioth of October, 1861, as a member of Company A, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which became a part of Sherman's Brigade and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. When the com- pany was organized Mr. Craig was ap- pointed sergeant. In July, 1862, he was dis- charged on account of illness, but in 1864 he re-enlisted in response to the call for men to serve one hundred days, and became a member of Company F, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged in September of that year, by reason of the expiration of his term.
Returning to his home, Mr. Craig re- sumed work upon the farm, and as his finan- cial resources permitted he purchased the in- terests of the other heirs in the home place until, in 1875, he became sole owner. He has since continued its cultivation and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place in- dicates his careful supervision. In his work he is uniformly successful, and the many improvements upon his farm add to its value and attractive appearance.
On the 12th of December, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Craig and Mrs. Caroline Quinn, nee Young, the widow of Thompson Quinn. She was born in Geauga county, Ohio, a daughter of Reese C. Young, who came to Knox county in 1839. Mr. Craig is an earnest advocate of Republican principles, and on that ticket in 1880 was elected county commissioner of Knox county. In 1883 he was an unsuc- cessful candidate. In 1886, however, he was a second time elected, so that his in- cumbency in that office covered six years. He is a member of Monroe Grange, Patrons of Husbandry and of Joe Hooker Post, No. 21, G. A. R., and is as true and loyal to his country in times of peace as when, robed in the blue uniform of the army, he followed his country's flag on southern battlefields.
THOMAS S. PHILLIPS.
One of the widely known and esteemed residents of Wayne township, Knox county, is Thomas S. Phillips. He was born on the farm on which he now resides, on the 27th of January, 1835, a son of Richard and Sarah (Denna) Phillips. The father was born in Sussex, England, about 1800, and was there reared and educated. During his boyhood days he studied navigation, and for some time thereafter followed a sailor's life. He was married in his native land, and in 182I came with his bride to the United States, locating in Clinton, Knox county, where he worked at farm labor for a time and later opened and operated a distillery. In later years he purchased the farm on
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which our subject now resides, and there he remained until within eight years of his death, when he removed to Mount Vernon. He was a stanch Republican in his polit- ical views, and was an active and worthy member of the Episcopal church, having been one of the founders and active spirits in the erection of the house of worship at Mount Vernon, while for a number of years he held office therein. His wife departed this life in 1866. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phil- lips were born ten children, four of whom still survive, namely : Benjamin W., a farmer of Wayne township, this county; Thomas S., of this review ; William A., of Paulding county, Ohio; and Richard W., of Wayne township, Knox county.
Thomas S. Phillips has spent nearly his entire life on the farm on which he now resides, and during his youth he enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by the common schools of his locality. In 1856 he went by the water route to California, where he followed mining for a short time, and was then engaged in the commission business and in freighting into the mining districts. In 1863, after seven years spent in the Golden state, he returned to his old Ohio home on a visit, but he was persuaded by his friends and relatives to remain in Knox county, and accordingly he pur- chased the old home farm on which he was born and reared and which was endeared to him through recollections of his boy- hood days. Here he is engaged in general farming, and for the past few years has also operated a thresher, meeting with a high degree of success in both branches of his business. In 1890 Mr. Phillips returned on a visit to California.
His marriage was celebrated in 1864,
when Miss Elizabeth Bonner became his wife. They became the parents of four chil- dren, only one of whom is living, Charles M. Mrs. Phillips has also answered the summons to the home beyond, passing away in 1876. For his present wife our subject chose Miss Emma Ewalt. The Republican party receives Mr. Phillips' hearty support and co-operation, and for three years he served as trustee of his township, refusing longer to continue in office, although he has often been solicited to accept the nomina- tion for county commissioner. Religiously he is a worthy and acceptable member of the Episcopal church.
MARTIN J. HORN.
Washington county, Pennsylvania, fur- nished many pioneers to Ohio, and they were men of the highest character and abil- ity and their descendants are leaders in vari- ous communities at the present time. The old Pennsylvania family of Horn is repre- sented in Harrison township, Knox county, and perhaps no one who bears the name is better known than Martin J. Horn, long a successful farmer and who is now living in well earned retirement.
Martin J. Horn was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1822, a son of John Horn, who was born in the same county, within six miles of the seat of jus- tice, in 1799. John Horn was reared to be a farmer and miller, and on his farm of three hundred and forty-five acres he owned a mill. He was in all sense a man of suc- cess and prominence. He was a Whig and Republican and an active and liberally help-
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ful member of the Baptist church. Martin Horn, father of John Horn and grandfa- ther of Martin J. Horn, was born on the same farm in Washington county which was the birthplace of John Horn, and he lived to be eighty-four years old. Hartman Horn, father of Martin Horn and great- grandfather of Martin J. Horn, was born in Germany, and was an early settler in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased public land and was in his time a well known farmer.
John Horn married Mary Gantz, who was born at Ten Mile Creek, Washington county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1799, and she died in 1866. John Gantz, her father, who was a farmer, miller and distiller, was a native of Germany, as was also his wife. He achieved success in bis time and lo- cality as a man of affairs. John and Mary (Gantz) Horn had children as follows: Martin J., the first born, is the immediate subject of this sketch. Mary Ann is dead. George lives on the old family homestead in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Mar- garet is dead. Jacob died in the service of his country in the Civil war. Elizabeth, who is the widow of James Price, lives in California. Hugh is engaged in farming in Henry county, Iowa. Hannah lives in Iowa. John is dead. William owns and lives on a part of the old Horn property in Penn- sylvania. Maria is the wife of George Coogle, of Washington county, Pennsyl- vania. Isaac is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Moultrie county, Illinois.
The subject of this sketch was reared at the old family home of Horn in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, as a farmer and miller, but eventually engaged in team- ing between Wheeling, West Virginia;
Cumberland, Maryland; Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania; and other points with six-horse teams, of which from time to time he owned several. He came to Knox county in 1847 and began farming in Harrison township. In May, 1848, in Butler township, he was married to Miss Sarah Eley, who was also born there, a daughter of Michael and Cath- arine Eley. They were early settlers in that part of the county. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Horn brought his wife to the farm on which he now lives, and where he had "bached" it for a time. He has been successful in his business affairs, and at one time owned four hundred acres of excel- lent land. He is regarded not only as a progressive farmer but as an influential citi- zen. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion he affiliates with the Christian church. His wife, who died July 16, 1891, bore him four children,-Mary R., who is now Mrs. Jacob Black, and lives with her father ; and Hugh, John and Eley, all of whom live in Harrison township, near their father. Mr. Horn has given or sold to each of his children on favorable terms a good farm, and they have all entered upon active life with excellent prospects.
BENJAMIN AMES.
That the plentitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life is to be con- sidered a most grateful and beneficial de- privation, for where ambition is satisfied and every ultimate aim realized-if such is pos- sible-there must follow individual apathy. Effort will cease, accomplishment be pros- trate and creative talent waste its energies in supine inactivity. The men who have
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pushed forward the wheels of progress have been those to whom satiety lay ever in the future, and they have labored consecutively and have not failed to find in each transition stage incentive for further effort. Although in his youth Mr. Ames did not meet that laborious struggle which falls to the lot of many men who later win success, his energy and resolution has not been less marked than theirs, and in the successful control of vari- ous business interests of magnitude he has displayed marked business ability.
Mr. Ames was born in the family home on High street, Mount Vernon, in 1870, a son of the Rev. John G. and Elizabeth (De- lano) Ames. The former, a native of Ver- mont, devoted many years of his life to the work of the ministry as a representative of the Episcopal clergy, but is now living re- tired in Washington, D. C. He married a daughter of the Hon. Columbus Delano, one of the most distinguished lawyers and citizens that Ohio has produced. Their son, Benjamin Ames, pursued his education in the public schools and in the Columbian Preparatory School in Washington, D. C., and afterward matriculated in Princeton University, in which institution he was grad- uated in 1892. He then took charge of the estate and affairs of his maternal grandfa- ther, capably controlling the extensive busi- ness associated therewith. He is now the president of the Republican Publishing Com- pany and the Mount Vernon Milling Com- pany, and is a director of the First Na- tional Bank of Mount Vernon. He is also carrying on extensive farming interests in this county, and he resides at his beautiful country seat, Lakehome, in Clinton town- ship.
In 1896 was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Ames and Miss Isabel Kirk, a daugh- ter of D. B. Kirk, of Mount Vernon, who is treasurer of the C. O. Cooper Company. They now have two children, Kirk Delano and Elizabeth Delano. Fraternally Mr. Ames is a Mason, and has taken all of the degrees of the York rite, while of the Mys- tic Shrine he is likewise a representative. He holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and in politics he is quite promi- nent, being a stanch advocate of Republican principles and a member and treasurer of the county committee. He does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party and actively co-op- erates in many movements and measures calculated to advance the material and in- tellectual interests of his native county. In his business affairs he displays marked abil- ity in not only planning but in successfully directing important enterprises, and his un- assailable reputation in commercial and in- dustrial circles has gained for him a fore- most position among the leading citizens of Knox county, although he is yet a young man.
REV. ISAAC LEEDY.
From an early period in the development and improvement of Knox county Rev. Isaac Leedy has resided within its bor- ders and has had marked influence upon its material and moral development. He is the minister of the Brethren church in Berlin township and is a man of no restricted influence, his labors having had marked benefit in uplifting moral standards. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1827,
Isaac Leedy.
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and traces his ancestry back to the land of the Alps, for his great-great-grandfather, Abraham Leedy, came from Switzerland to America, taking up his abode in the Key- stone state. The grandfather, who bore the same name, was supposed to be a native of Pennsylvania and there he spent his entire life. The father of our subject was the fourth Abraham Leedy and was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1787. After arriving at years of ma- turity he married Elizabeth Zook, who was born in Bedford county March 26, 1791. The wedding was celebrated February 23, 1812, and they became the parents of eleven children, nine sons and two daughters, namely: John, Cath- erine, Samuel, Jacob, Abraham, David, Daniel and Joseph, all of whom have passed away; Isaac, of this review; Susanna, the widow of S. P. Dyer; and Aaron, who lives in Richland county. In 1829 the parents removed with their family to Knox county, locating in Berlin township, near the present site of Ankenytown, which was built upon the land that Mr. Leedy owned. He died March 8, 1860, in the seventy-third year of his age. He was a member of the Dunkard church and his earnest Christian life was an example well worthy of emulation. His wife passed away June 24, 1865, in her sev- enty-seventh year.
Isaac Leedy, whose name introduces this review, was only about two years old when brought by his parents to Knox county in the year 1829. His environments were those of the frontier and with the family he experienced hardship and trials incident to pioneer life, also enjoying pleasures which are otherwise unknown save in frontier settlements. He began his education in a
little log school house which stood on the present site of Ankenytown. He was an earnest and thorough student and has al- ways been a deep thinker and close reasoner. At the age of eighteen he put aside all his text-books in order to give his entire atten- tion to the work of the home farm.
As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Leedy chose Miss Nancy Bostater, the wedding being celebrated De- cember 25, 1851. She was born in Mary- land September 30, 1828, a daughter of Jacob and Susanna Bostater, who came to Knox county during her early girlhood. They were the parents of ten children and when the mother died, on the 4th of March, 1866, at the age of thirty-eight years, she left a little babe only four days old. The other children of the family are: Elias, who was born October 10, 1852, and died December 26, of the same year; William, who was born December 15, 1853, and is deceased; an infant daughter deceased ; Eliz- abeth, who was born October 15, 1856, and is the wife of C. D. Martin, of Berlin town- ship; Martha, who was born October 28, 1857, and died January 6, 1858; Caleb, who was born November 21, 1858, and is now a farmer of Berlin township; Hannah, who was born January 1, 1861, and is the wife of Charles O. Miller, of Berlin; Emily, who was born June 17, 1863, and died March 3, 1865; Joshua, who was born September 12, 1864, and died March 7, 1865 ; and Susanna, who was born March 1, 1866, a babe at her mother's death, and is the wife of B. C. Debolt, of Berlin township. After the death of his first wife Mr. Leedy was again married, on the 23d of October, 1866, his second union being with Miss Lovina Wolfe, who was born in this county
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March 16, 1838, a daughter of John and Margaret Wolfe. Seven children were born of this union: Minerva, who was born October 27, 1867, and is the wife of J. C. Hess, of Ankenytown; Noah, who was born October 2, 1870, and died May 16, 1873; Mary E., who was born December 5, 1872, and is the wife of Fred Merrin, justice of the peace in Morris township; Normanda, who was born June II, 1875, and died November 20, 1879; a son who was born April 15, 1878, and died unnamed; Samuel Alva, who was born July 14, 1879, and is at home; and Verda A., who was born April 8, 1882, and is still under the parental roof.
After his first marriage Rev. Leedy lo- cated on the old homestead and lived in the upper story of the old milk house, which was a log building. In 1865 he removed to what was known as the old Trayer farm, and made his home thereon until 1885, when he moved to his present place of residence in Berlin township. He has erected all of the buildings upon this place and he also constructed buildings upon the Trayer farm, including the house and barn. In his farm work he is systematic, persevering and in- dustrious, and thus has become the pos- sessor of a desirable property, but in the midst of his business cares he has found time to devote to the work of the ministry. In the spring of 1859 he was called to the ministry of the Brethren church, and at once began to equip himself for the work, up- held in all his labors by his strong faith and unwavering purpose to exercise his talents for the benefit of the Master's cause. Rev. Samuel Leedy, a brother of our subject, was a minister of the Dunkard church at An- kenytown, but taught views more nearly in
accord with the New Testament in observ- ance of some of the ordinances, which re- sulted in his own disfellowship being ac- companied by Isaac and several others. A new society was organized in 1859, gener- ally known as "Leedyites," of which the two brothers were the principal ministers. Others who held similar views soon joined them, and several societies were organized in western Ohio and in Indiana. For upwards of twenty-four years Isaac Leedy continued as pastor of the local society, in the mean- time giving a great deal of attention to the propagating of the faith. Much dissatis- faction developed among those who had remained in fellowship with the old church and steps were taken to again unite the three branches of the church. At a conference held in Dayton, Ohio, in 1883, the "Leedy- ites," the Progressive Brethren and the Congregational Brethren affected a consoli- dation.
Not long after this event Rev. Samuel Leedy removed to Vernon county, Missouri, where he organized a society at Montevallo, of which he became pastor, so remaining un- til his death, on November 17, 1889, in his seventy-fourth year. His son, Rev. Simon Leedy, succeeded him, and so remains. Since retiring from active pastoral work Rev. Isaac Leedy has continued occasional work in the cause of the Master, his chosen field being mainly of an evangelical nature, and his services are also widely sought to officiate at marriage and funeral services. Reared under the strictest rules of the old Tunker society, he accepted all the teach- ings and observances as authorized by the Gospels until he united with the church. He soon began careful investigation and study and became a deep and careful Bible
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student. He has since seldom taken things for granted, but has demanded substantial proof for support of any propositions. He has held to that principle in his own preach- ing, presenting only such arguments as were substantiated by abundant testimony. With no pretensions at elegance or finished ora- tory, he possesses such pleasing address, combined with forceful and vigorous lan- guage, that few men have exerted more in- fluence in Christian growth and development of the community, and his work has resulted in great good. He resides upon his farm in Berlin township, comprising seventy-seven acres. At one time he had a quarter section of land, but he has rendered substantial as- sistance to his children. He has served as township trustee and was school director for a number of years but refused other local po- sitions. His life has been one ever actuated by the strictest fidelity to duty and in the work of the church his labors have been of wide spread benefit. His straightforward principles and genuine worth have made his example well worthy of emulation and thus to know Rev. Leedy is to honor and respect him.
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