USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 14
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Mr. Lepley was a member of his father's household until he was twenty-three years old. He was married November 14, 1869, to Lydia Shellman, a native of Wayne coun- ty, Ohio, who was brought to Knox county at the age of three years by her parents, William and Susan (Freeman) Shellman, early settlers in Wayne county. Mrs. Lep- ley's mother died at the age of sixty; her father died two years ago. They had two sons and three daughters, of whom she was the fourth in order of nativity. After his marriage Mr. Lepley located on the farm on which he now lives, building upon it a log house, which was his home until he could replace it with a better one. His present comfortable residence was built in 1894. His farm consists of one hundred and fifty- six and one-half acres and is devoted to gen- eral farming and the raising of cattle and hogs. Mr. Lepley was reared in the Demo- cratic faith, and has since majority voted the Democratic ticket persistently and con- sistently. His influence in local political af- fairs is recognized by his fellow townsmen, whom he served six years in the office of constable, and he has filled other local of-
fices of trust and responsibility. He is a member of the Mount Zion Lutheran church, in which he has been called to imporant of- ficial positions.
Marvin and Lydia (Shellman) Lepley have had born to them three children : Ella, who died unmarried at the age of twenty- five years, and Charles and Dessie, who are members of their parents' household. The family are well known not only thoughout the township, but in more remote parts of the county, and the name is everywhere re- spected. Mr. Lepley's career has been one which has demonstrated the value of hon- esty, integrity and perseverance to one who would succeed in life, and those who know him best know that his success is well de- served.
CLINTON M. RICE.
Clinton M. Rice, one of the representa- tive citizens and leading attorneys of Knox county, is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Brown town- ship, Knox county, November 7, 1857, and is a worthy representative of a prominent old family of the Keystone state. His pater- nal grandfather was born, reared and mar- ried in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, but his death occurred in Knox county, Ohio, to which place he had removed in an early day. He was a farmer and blacksmith by occupa- tion. Ephraim Rice, the father of our sub- ject, was a native of Bedford county, Penn- sylvania, but in 1829 he came to this state, locating on a farm in Union township, Knox county. He afterward took up his abode in Brown township, and there his death oc- curred at the age of sixty-two years. He
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was a Democrat in his political views, and for many years served as township trustee, while for twenty-two years he was a mem- ber of the school board. A sincere Chris- tian gentleman, he long held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. The moth- er of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary M. Porter, and she was born on the same farm which our subject claims as the place of his nativity. She still survives her husband, and has now reached the age of sixty-seven years. Her father, John Porter, was a native of Maryland, but he early be- came a resident of the Buckeye state, and for many years was recognized as one of the foremost citizens of Knox county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born seven chil- dren, four sons and three daughters, all of whom make their home in this county and are an honor to an honored family name.
Clinton M. Rice, the immediate subject of this review, attended the district schools of Brown township in his early life, while later he became a student in the Danville Normal School, and his education was com- pleted in Kenyon College. For twelve years after leaving the schoolroom as a pupil he followed the profession of teaching in Knox county. He is a ripe scholar and assiduous student, and his work as a teacher was at- tended with a high degree of success. Dur- ing this time Mr. Rice also pursued the study of law, and in 1888 he was admitted to the bar at Mount Vernon. In the same year he came to Danville and at once entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, his worth and ability soon becoming recog- nized, and he now enjoys a large and con- stantly growing clientage. For ten years he was engaged in the banking business in com- pany with Mr. Wolfe, but he then retired
from that industry in order to give his en- tire time to his large law practice. During his residence in Danville he has also become an important factor in the public life of the town, and has served his fellow townsmen in many positions of honor and trust. He has been a member of the school board since 1888, and in Brown township, in 1882, he was elected a justice of the peace, receiving every vote cast in the township for that of- fice.
On the 4th of November, 1886, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Rice and Miss Osena M. Gillmore, a native of Knox coun- ty and a daughter of Francis and M. J. (Loney) Gillmore, prominent early settlers of this county. A daughter has come to brighten and bless the home of our subject and wife, Mary C., who is the light and life of the household. Mr. Rice is a worthy and acceptable member of the Masonic or- der, holding membership in Danville Lodge, No. 546, F. & A. M., and is also a member of the Maccabees. Religiously he is a prom- inent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically he is identified with the Democracy. He stands on the side of progress, advancement and civilization, fa- voring education, religion, law and order, and whatever makes for the good of the people as individuals and as communities.
CALVIN WEBSTER BECKLEY.
In reveiwing this history of Calvin Webster Beckley one is reminded of the words of a great New York financier, "If you're not a success don't blame the times you live in, don't blame the place you oc-
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
cupy, don't blame the circumstances with which you are surrounded-lay the blame where it belongs-to yourself. If you want success you must pay the price." Realizing the truth of this, Mr. Beckley has paid the price-which is willingness to work, con- tinued effort and indefatigable energy, and thus he come to be classed among the sub- stantial agriculturists of his native county.
He is a native of Clinton township, born March 4, 1860, his parents being Josiah and Elizabeth (Veach) Beckley. His paternal grandfather, George Beckley, was a native of Pennsylvania and wedded Nancy Watson, who was born in Maryland. Soon after- ward they emigrated westward, settling near East Union, Ohio, and subsequently they re- moved to Pleasant township, Knox county, where the grandfather died at the age of eighty-eight years, having been born in 1804, while his wife, who was born in 1803, reached the very advanced age of ninety-two years. Their son, Josiah Beckley, the fa- ther of our subject, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, and there remained until sev- enteen years of age, spending the days of his childhood and youth upon the home farm. He was then married to Elizabeth Veach, and with his bride came to Knox county, where he lived until his life's laborsi were ended in death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beck- ley were born twelve children, namely : Cal- vin; Lorin Edgar; William L .; Louisa El- len, the deceased wife of Douglas Wilson ; Sarah Ann, who married Milton Stricker ; George W .; Nancy L., deceased; Mamie; Grace, who passed away; Mina Bell, the wife of Frank Woods; Daisy M .; and Ellis J. The father died in 1894, but the mother is still living on the old homestead in Jack- son township. She was born in Harrison
township and her entire life has been passed in Knox county.
Under the parental roof Calvin W. Beck- ley was reared. During his minority his parents lived first in Pleasant and then in Jackson township, and in the common schools near his home he pursued his educa- tion, pursuing his studies through the win- ter months until nineteen years of age, when he left the schoolroom in order to give his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. From the time that he was old enough to handle the plow he has worked to a greater or less extent in the fields, and his labors have resulted in bringing to him a good an- nual income. He now cultivates a good tract of land. The well tilled fields surround sub- stantial, improvements, including good out- buildings and a comfortable residence.
On the 5th of February, 1889, occurred the marriage of Mr. Beckley and Miss Anna F. Miller, a daughter of Charles H. and Sarah Ann (Cavin) Miller, and a grand- daughter of Jonathan Miller, a native of Maryland. Mrs. Beckley was born in Mount Vernon March 24, 1863, and represents one of the early families of the county. Two children grace the union of our subject and his wife: Warner Miller, who was born August 16, 1890, and Robert J. C., born February 16, 1899. Mr. Beckley and his family attend the services of the Disciples' church, of which both are members. His political views are in harmony with the prin- ciples of the Democracy, and in 1896 he was elected as one of the trustee of Morris town- ship, serving continuously in this capacity up to the present time to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is one of the best posted men on county affairs in Knox coun- ty, and is a public-spirited man, giving his
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
aid and co-operation to all measures for the general good. He has gained many friends in this part of the state and therefore his history cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers.
MICHAEL WANDER.
Michael Wander, a prominent early set- tler and farmer of Knox county, was born in Alsace, France, now a province of Germany, on the 14th of February, 1829, a son of Benjamin and Margaret (Oswald) Wander, natives of the same province, but of Ger- man origin. In 1829, soon after the birth of our subject, they left their French home and crossed the broad Atlantic to the United States, locating in Yates county, New York. In 1837 they removed from that locality to Knox county, Ohio, a settlement being made in Jefferson township, where the father passed away at the age of sixty-two years. The mother reached the ripe old age of eighty-four years. This worthy couple be- came the parents of seven children, five of whom were born in France, and three of the family died before the removal to the new world. Only three of the seven chil- dren are now living: Michael ; Benjamin, of Danville; and George, of Perrysville, Ash- land County, Ohio. Frederick died in Owen county, Indiana, at the age of sixty-two years.
Michael Wander, the eldest son and the fourth child in order of birth, was only about four months old when he was brought by his parents to America, and when he was eight years of age he accompanied them on their removal to Knox county, Ohio. Dur-
ing his youth he enjoyed but limited educa- tional advantages, and he was first taught the German language, having been a lad of thirteen years when he first began to learn to speak and write English. He assisted his father in the fields during the day, and in the evenings he would devote his time to study, using every opportunity to secure an education. He remained with his parents until his marriage, when twenty-six years of age, after which he located on a farm in Jefferson township, secured by the assist- ance of his father, where he remained until his removal to Union township, in 1883, purchasing the farm which he now owns. His home place, adjoining the village of Danville, consists of one hundred and four- teen acres of excellent land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and im- proved with many and valuable improve- ments, and there he is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising. He also owns a tract of fifty-eight acres in Jefferson town- ship. At one time his landed possessions consisted of five hundred and ninety acres, but he has since divided his land among his children.
On the 13th of May, 1855, Mr. Wander was united in marriage to Catherine Stillin- ger, by whom he had five children,-John B., Susana, Charlie, Mary and Peter. The last named died when seven years of age. The wife and mother was also called to her final rest after a married life of about fifteen years, and after her death Mr. Wander mar- ried Mrs. Sarah (Baltner) Arnholt, the widow of George Arnholt, and by her mar- riage with our subject she became the mother of one son, Edwin. She died after a com- panionship with her husband of seventeen years. For his third wife Mr. Wander chose
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Miss Catherine Maple, of Berlin, Holmes county, Ohio, their wedding being cele- brated November 29, 1892. They also have one son, Clinton, seven years of age. Our subject cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln in 1860, but he is independent in his political views, voting for the men whom he regards as best qualified for public positions. He served as trustee of Union and Jefferson township, was treasurer of the latter town- ship, and was there elected to the office of justice of the peace, but this occurring just at the time of his removal to Union town- ship he therefore could not accept the honor. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as a trus- tee. The family occupy a pleasant and com- modious residence, where their hospitality is · enjoyed by their many friends. Their home is one of the most desirable in this part of Knox county.
JOSEPH F. BLUBAUGH.
This well and favorably known citizen of Danville is extensively engaged in the timber business. He was born in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, September 22, 1852. His grandfather, John Blubaugh, was one of the early pioneers of this coun- ty, having located in this section when it was inhabited principally by Indians and wild animals. Benjamin Blubaugh, his son and the father of our subject, claimed Penn- sylvania as the state of his nativity, but when a boy he came with his parents to Ohio, securing the eighty acres of land which our subject now owns. He spent most of his life upon this farm. In Knox coun- ty, in 1835, he was united in marriage to
Shortell Heckler, a native of Hamburg, Germany, but when a child she came to Knox county. This worthy couple became the parents of nine children, all of whom grew to years of maturity and are still living. 1
Joseph F. Blubaugh, the fifth child and third son in order of birth in the above fam- ily, was reared to farm life in Jefferson township, Knox county, and he received an excellent common-school education in his lo- cality. For twenty years after leaving the schoolroom as a pupil he followed the teach- er's profession, and with the exception of three terms spent in Holmes county, Ohio, he taught continuously in Knox county. Throughout this period, however, he worked in the fields during the summer months. In 1882 he went to Harper county, Kansas, where lie purchased a farm, but one year later he sold his possessions there and re- turned to the place of his nativity, where he resumed his farming and teaching. In 1892 he abandoned the work of the schoolroom, and from that time until 1899 he gave his undivided time and attention to the work of the farm. In the latter year, however, he took up his abode in Danville and engaged in the timber business, buying and shipping timber to Buffalo and Cleveland. As a busi- ness man he is practical and progressive, and his efforts in his chosen endeavor are bringing to him handsome financial returns.
The marriage of Mr. Blubaugh;was cele- brated in 1875, when Lillias J. Smith be- came his wife. She is a daughter of Henry and Rebecca Smith, prominent residents of Jefferson township, Knox county. Unto this union have been born four children,- Edwin Guy, a popular and successful teach- er ; Elna Varonica, at home; Estella; and
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Ida. On questions of national importance Mr. Blubaugh' casts his ballot in favor of the Democracy. For ten years he held the office of justice of the peace in Jefferson township, but on his removal to Danville he resigned that position, and in 1901 he was again elected to the office, being the present incumbent. For many years he has served as a school director, the cause of ed- ucation ever finding in him a warm and faithful friend. The family are prominent and active members of St. Luke's Catholic church, Mr. Blubaugh having been one of the builders of that church in Danville, and the stone used in its erection was secured from his land. He has long served as a steward of the church, and has ever taken an active part in promoting its progress and upbuilding.
ALEXANDER CASSIL.
For more than two-thirds of a century Colonel Alexander Cassil has resided in Knox county and during the greater part of the period since he attained his majority he has been in the public service. His record is one characterized by unfaltering al- legiance to duty and his fidelity and trust- worthiness have at all times gained him the confidence and respect of his fellow men. When the Union was imperilled by Rebel- lion in the south he was among those who stood in defense of the starry banner and the cause it represented and at all times he has been a loyal and patriotic citizen.
The Colonel is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, where his birth oc- curred in 1825, his parents being John and Nancy (Welsh) Cassil. On the paternal side the family is of Irish lineage, Alexander
Cassil, the grandfather of our subject, hav- ing been a native of county Armagh, Ire- land, whence he emigrated to America, and when the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression he joined the American forces and aided in winning inde- pendence for this republic. His son, John Cassil, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and thus in the various important wars of the country the Cassil family has always been represented by patriotic defenders of the right. In 1834 Jolın Cassil brought his fam- ily to Knox county, Ohio, locating in How- ard township, where he developed and cul- tivated a farm, upon which he lived until his death, in 1847, when he was seventy-four years of age. His wife passed away in 1869, at the age of eighty-five. They were con- sistent Christian people, Mr. Cassil belong- ing to the Presbyterian church, his wife to the Disciple church. She was a daughter of Robert Welsh and was of Scotch descent. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children: William, who served as township treasurer, and died in Millwood, this county, in 1867; Mary, who was the wife of John McIlroy, of Howard town- ship, and died at the age of eighty-five years ; John, who died in Howard township, in 1868; Nancy, who married Nelson Critch- field and died in Ringgold county, Iowa, near Mount Ayr, at the age of eighty-one; James, who is living in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of eighty-six; Robert, a farmer of Howard township, Knox county, now eighty-four years of age; Esther, who be- came the wife of Nathaniel Critchfield, of Howard township, this county, and died at the age of seventy-nine years; and Alexan- der, of this review, who is the youngest of the family.
ALEXANDER CASSIL.
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
When only nine years of age Colonel Cassil was brought by his parents to Knox county, where he has since resided. His youth was spent upon the home farm and his education was acquired in the common schools and in the Sloan Academy, in Mount Vernon. He studied civil engineering and surveying and became quite proficient in those branches but remained upon the farm until the country became involved in civil war. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the south and when a blow was struck against the Union he of- fered his services in its defense and raised Company A of the Sixty-fifth Ohio Infan- try, of which he was commissioned captain. He served in that capacity until 1862, when he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel of his regiment, acting in that capac- ity until wounds sustained at the battle of Stone River forced him to resign in March, 1863. During his service as lieutenant col- onel he had entire command of the regiment, while Colonel C. H. Harper was in com- mand of the brigade. In the battle of Stone River his horse was shot and fell upon him. He participated in the engagements at Shi- loh, Perryville and other battles and his own bravery and loyalty inspired his men to deeds of valor.
On leaving the service Colonel Cassil re- turned to his home and in 1864 was elected county auditor of Knox county, serving for two terms, or until 1868. He then went into railroad work as a civil engineer on the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad, but later was again called to public office, being elected county auditor in 1875 and again in 1877, so that he served until 1880, covering altogether four terms' service in that posi- tion. From 1880 until 1885 he was asso-
ciated with his son, Austin, in the book bus- iness in Mount Vernon and from 1885 un- til 1890 he followed his profession. He was then appointed city engineer of Mount Vernon and has since occupied that posi- tion, covering an incumbency of eleven years.
In 1850 Mr. Cassil was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Jane Vincent, who died in 1859, leaving two children: Austin A., an attorney-at-law of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, who has a daughter, Mary Cassil, now in Mount Vernon; and W. R., who died in Mount Vernon in 1881, at the age of twen- ty-three years. In 1874 the Colonel was again married, his second union being with Miss Jennie E. Hunter, a daughter of Sam- uel Hunter, of Wayne county, Ohio. Their children are Harvey H. and Hurd Alexan- der. The former is now legal and statistical clerk in the office of the state school com- missioner, with headquarters in Columbus, Ohio; while Hurd A. is a civil engineer in the employ of the Pere Marquette Railroad Company, at Saginaw, Michigan. He mar- ried Miss Mabel Putt, of Mount Vernon, and they have one son, Armond H.
The Colonel belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is a prominent Mason, having taken the various degrees of the York rite, while in the Scottish rite he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is a past master of the lodge, past high priest of the chapter, past illustrious master of the council and eminent commander of the commandery. He also is identified with the Knights of Honor, and since twenty-five years of age he has been a member of the Disciple church. His life has been a busy and useful one and in the public offices which he has been called upon to fulfill he has ren-
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
dered efficient and faithful service, therein showing himself as loyal to his country as when he wore the soldier's suit of blue upon the battlefields of the south.
GEORGE SAPP.
George Sapp, a member of an honored pioneer family of the Buckeye state, was born on the farm on which he now resides on the Ioth of April, 1826. His grandfa- ther, George Sapp, was a native of Mary- land, but became one of the early pioneers of Knox county. He built the first Cath- olic church in Union township, also donat- ing the ground upon which it was erected and the St. Luke's cemetery lot. The church was a small one-room log building. He reached the eighty-fifth milestone on the journey of life, and throughout his long and useful career he so lived as to win and retain the respect and esteem of his fellow men. Levi Sapp, his son and the father of our subject, also claimed Maryland as the state of his nativity, but when a babe he was brought by his parents to this state, his mother, who made the journey on horseback, carrying him in a sack, while the father walked and led the horse. He was reared to the quiet pursuits of the farm, and his marriage was celebrated in Somerset, Ohio, to which place he rode on horseback, and after his marriage he located on the farm on which his son George now resides, where he made his home for a number of years. In 1882 he removed to Mount Vernon, and there spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of seventy-one years. He, too, was a prominent member of St. Luke's
Catholic church. The lady who became his wife bore the name of Mary Colopy. Her father, Timothy Colopy, came to this coun- try from Ireland and her mother from Ger- many, and they became prominent early set- tlers of Knox county, their deaths occurring in Mount Vernon, where they had resided for many years. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Sapp was blessed with ten children, eight of whom still survive, the eldest child in or- der of birth being Sarah, the wife of Dr. Bradfield, of Danville; another daughter, Lucinda, resides in Union township, and is the widow of John Durbin.
George Sapp, the second child and eld- est son in the above family, has spent his entire life in Knox county, and during his youth he attended a log schoolhouse, which was furnished with slab seats and desks. Since his marriage he has engaged in farm- ing the old Sapp homestead, which consists of two hundred and seventy acres of land, all of which is under an excellent state of cultivation and improved with good and sub- stantial buildings, everything about the place indicating the supervision of a thrifty and progressive owner. In matters of national interest he gives an intelligent support to the Democracy, but at local election he votes for the men whom he regards as best qual- ified to fill positions of public trust and re- sponsibility.
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