USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 18
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On the 27th of January, 1877, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Cog- gins, a daughter of Jonathan and Louisa (Marquind) Coggins, by whom he had two children: Sarah, who married Royal Bartlett, and Hattie, the wife of Elcer Sli- ger. The mother died in 1882 and Mr. Kerr was again married, his second union being with Miss Hattie Hogle, a daughter of Langdon and Amanda (Disney) Hogle. Four children grace this union: Bunyan, Helen, Hazel and Dewitt, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Many years ago Mr. Kerr became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being initiated into Mount Vernon Lodge, but later he transferred his member- ship to Fredericktown Lodge, with which he is now connected. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Democracy, and in 1900 he was elected trustee of Morris township, in which
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capacity he is now serving. He is one of the best-known men of his community and enjoys the unqualified regard of his fellow citizens. He is straightforward and reliable in business, faithful in public office and meets his fraternal obligations with con- scientious earnestness. Industry is the foun- dation upon which he has secured a success which now classes him among the substantial citizens of this portion of Knox county.
LURESTON WILLARD DENNIS.
L. W. Dennis is associated with both the industrial and agricultural interests of Berlin township, where he is now following carpentering and farming. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 12, 1862. and is one of ten children born to William H. and Lydia (Perkins) Dennis. His fa- ther was a native of Maryland and when young became a resident of Washington county, Ohio, where he was reared and ed- ucated. There he learned the millwright's trade, which he followed through much of his active life. At the age of eighteen years he was married to Miss Perkins, who was born in Ohio. Both died in Guernsey coun- ty, and of their children one died in in- fancy, while nine reached mature years.
Abram Dennis, the father of William was a native of New Jersey, and in 1865 came to Knox county, Ohio, where he died in 1874, aged eighty-two years. His four children were William H., Martha, Laura and Philip H. Martha was never married, and her death occurred when she was about fifty years of age. She had been a teacher for some years, ever taking a deep interest in education, and much of her life was de-
voted to those she loved. Laura also has never married, and although well advanced in years she is still living with her nephew, whose tender years were passed under her personal direction. Philip is a retired citi- zen of Maumee, Ohio, and his daughter Ella is now and has been for nearly twenty years our subject's housekeeper.
The parents of Lureston W. Dennis, of this review, passed from life but a few weeks apart, and soon after their death he became a member of his grandfather's fam- ily in Knox county, being then but a lad of four years. When he was twelve years of age his grandfather also died, and he was then carefully trained by his two aunts, but the future they planned for him was somewhat changed by the death of the elder aunt, who passed away about one year after her father's death. She had decided that he should have a thorough collegiate training, an idea which was abandoned when she was taken from the family. Inheriting a natural tendency toward mechanics, Mr. Dennis learned the carpenter's trade, an occupation to which much of his energy has since been devoted, though he also looks after the work of the farm. Ever maintaining a full appre- ciation for those whose love had done so much for him, he resolved to assume the re- sponsibilities of caring for them when age had made him their natural protector.
In his social relations Mr. Dennis is a member of Theall Lodge, No. 170, F. & A. MI., at Fredericktown, also of Clinton Chap- ter, R. A. M., and Clinton Commandery, both of Mount Vernon, and of the Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Cincinnati. He devotes considerable at- tention to lodge work, and attends the state and national conclaves of Knight Templars.
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
PROFESSOR EDWARD CLOSE BEN- SON, D. D., LL. D.
The name above is that of one who has long been identified with education in Knox county, Ohio, and who in his work year by year has exemplified all those abilities and attainments which have made educators hon- ored in all parts of our country. Professor Edward C. Benson was born in Thorne, Yorkshire, England, April 26, 1823, a son of John Benson, a barrister, who was in turn the son of a barrister. Soon after the birth of the subject of this sketch, John Ben- son moved to a country residence, and in 1832 he brought his family to the United States, settling at Peoria, Illinois. He was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun, and his wife, nce Harriet Coupland, started to return to England, but at New York sick- ened and died and was buried in old Trinity churchyard.
In 1840 Edward C. Benson entered Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. After the completion of his freshman course he taught one term of public school and then went to the parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he became a private tutor JOSEPH LEEDY. in the families of large planters. In 1846 he entered Kenyon College, at Gambier, in Throughout his active business career Joseph Leedy was prominently connected with the agricultural interest of Berlin township and as an honorable business man and public-spirited citizen he was widely known in Knox county, commanding uni- form respect by his sterling worth. accordance with plans long held, in which institution he was duly graduated in 1849 with the degree of A. B. and as the valedic- torian of his class. In 1850-51 he was Latin tutor in his alma mater and during this time began his theological studies in Baxley Hall and in 1853 was ordained a deacon by Mr. Leedy was born in Pennsylvania, December 5, 1825, a son of Abram and Eliz- abeth (Zook) Leedy, who with their family emigrated westward to Ohio when our sub- Bishop McIlvaine. Rev. Dr. Alfred Blake established Harcourt School in 1851, in connection with whom E. C. Benson labored successfully for sixteen years. In 1867 he . ject was but four years old. They located
was, without solicitation or knowledge on his part, elected a member of the faculty of Kenyon College, at Gambier, in which he has served as Professor of Latin and lan- guage and literature. Filling this chair with honor for thirty-one years, owing to ill- health he resigned and was made professor emeritus.
September 26, 1854, Professor Benson was married to Miss Sarah White, daughter of Mardenbro White, who came to Gam- bier with Bishop McIlvaine from Brooklyn, New York, in 1832, and had charge of the college store, and who in 1843 was elected agent and treasurer of the college, a position he filled almost continuously until his deatlı in 1882.
Politically Mr. Benson has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the Re- publican party. His labors for the advance- ment of the cause of education have been unceasing and always effectual, he ever be- ing in the van in every movement intended to promote mental, moral and spiritual growth.
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on a farm on which Ankenytown has since been built, and there the little son grew and developed into manhood, pursuing his edu- cation in the district schools, while in the summer months he gained practical experi- ence in farming from work in the fields. He was thus well prepared to carry on agricul- tural pursuits on his own account when he married and began life for himself. He be- came the owner of a valuable property, the well tilled fields annually returning to him golden harvests. Upon the place were seen substantial barns and outbuildings, good grades of stock, the latest improved machin- ery and well kept fences which divided the place into fields of convenient size. Every- thing about the place indicated the supervi- sion of a progressive owner.
On the 5th of October, 1854, Mr. Leedy married Miss Elizabeth Keiser, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, May 12, 1834, daughter of Jacob Keiser, who was a native of the Keystone state and became one of the early settlers of Richland county. He wedded Elizabeth Worst and they became the parents of twelve children, of whom Mrs. Leedy was the sixth in order of birth. Her girlhood days were spent in the county of her nativity and she was trained to the duties of the household. At their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Leedy took up their abode upon the farm which is now the home of the widow, and eleven children were there born unto them: Nancy, the wife of Seth Con- rad; George; Sylvester; Josephus; Caleb; Dennis; Sada, the wife of C. V. Humph- rey ; Cerelda, the wife of W. H. Cocanour ; Lenora, the wife of John Fry ; William; and Cora May, the wife of V. A. Merrin. All are married and the family circle yet re- mains unbroken as far as the children are
concerned, but the husband and father was called away, leaving behind him a large cir- cle of sorrowing friends as well as his im- mediate family, among whom his place can never be filled.
Mr. Leedy was very reliable in all busi- ness transactions, and his honesty, as well as his industry and perseverance, was a salient feature in his career. His success as a farmer enabled him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. In his political views he was a Democrat, but never aspired to office. He held membership in the Progressive Brethren church and his wife also belongs there. She is still living upon the home farm, which comprises three hundred acres of the rich land of Knox county. The family is one of prominence in the community and well deserves mention among the representative citizens of this portion of Ohio.
CAPTAIN HENRY CLAY HARRIS.
The well known farmer of Miller town- ship, Knox county, Ohio, whose name is above has an enviable record as a soldier and as a judicial officer, and his standing as a citizen is deservedly high. Therefore some account of his creditable career is ab- solutely necessary to the completeness of this work.
Henry Clay Harris, son of Emor and Sarah (Sweet ) Harris, was born in the house in which he now lives, one of the oldest brick residences in the county, September 29, 1832, and it may be said that he practically has had no business except farming during all his active years. His father, Emor Har-
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ris, was born in Rhode Island, in 1792, and early connected himself with the minute men of his day and locality, who were ever ready to act instantly in defense of our then young nation. The fact that there is no record that he was ever called into active service does not dim the luster of his patriotic inten- tions. He emigrated to Ohio in 1816 and located on land now owned by H. Grant Harris, which he secured as military land. He was a man of influence in the com- munity. He married, in 1813 Miss Sarah Sweet, who bore him eight children: Caro- line born in Rhode Island; and Emor B .; Sarah, May, Bessie, Lydia, Emily and Henry Clay, born in Ohio .. Of this family of chil- dren only Emor B., of Red Oak, Iowa, Car- oline of Galena, Delaware county, Ohio, and Henry Clay are living. Sarah (Sweet) Harris was a daughter of Philip and An- fillis (Brown) Sweet, natives of Rhode Is- land, and her father was a soldier in the war for independence.
The subject of this sketch is a charter member of Syramore Valley Lodge, No. 553, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,: and, having passed all its chairs, is one of its honored past noble grands. He has been once elected treasurer of Miller township and has by successive re-election filled the office of justice of the peace for four suc- cessive terms. His military career began early in 1864, when he recruited a company for the United States' service in Pleasant and Miller townships, which became Com- pany C, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and of which he was elected captain at its organia- tion, May 13, 1864. The organization was mustered into the service at Camp Chase, Columbus, and at once left for Fort Lyon
and was under fire almost daily in Grant's line advancing on Richmond until it was mustered out at Camp Chase in September, 1864. He is a member of Fry Post, No. 706.
When twenty-four years of age Captain Harris married Miss Dorcas Gates, who has borne him four children: Mary W., Cyrus G., Carrie A. and Grant. Mary W. mar- ried A. E. Lockwood and died in 1891. Carrie A. died in 1893, unmarried. Cyrus G. is a teacher of Brandon. Grant Harris was born April 21, 1867, and was married December 7, 1892, to Miss Ella Barker, a daughter of George W. and Rachal (Moody) Barker, of Brandon. Five years ago he bought his father's old homestead, which was secured by his grandfather in 1816. It comprises sixty-seven acres and devoted to general farming. Is a Repub- licar in his political views. On his twenty- first birthday he was made an Odd Fellow, and has passed the chairs of Sycamore Lodge, and Lyman lodge of Rebeccas was organized under his jurisdiction as Noble Grand.
LYMAN W. ARMENTROUT, M. D.
Dr. Lyman Wright Armentrout, who is successfully engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Mount Vernon, where he located in 1887, was born in Pike township, Knox county, September 14, 1844, and traces his ancestry back to Germany, where occurred the birth of Henry Armentrout, his great- grandfather. Leaving Germany he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and took up his abode in Virginia. When the Revolu- tionary war was inaugurated he espoused
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the cause of the colonies and fought for the freedom of the American people. Philip Armentrout, the grandfather of the Doctor, was born in the Old Dominion and after ar- riving at years of maturity wedded Mary Fluke, also a native of that state and of Holland lineage. Emigrating westward they settled upon a farm in Pike township, Knox county, Ohio, where the wife died at the age of fifty years, while Philip Armen- trout passed away in 1859, at the advanced age of eighty-five. Among their children was Simon Armentrout, the Doctor's father. He was born in Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, in 1810, and was brought to this county by his parents when only seven years of age. Amid the wild scenes of frontier life he was reared and upon the home farm he early became familiar with all the duties incident to the life of the agriculturist. He married Rachel Phillips, whose paternal grandfather was a native of England and sailed thence to the United States, taking up his abode in Maryland. He married a Miss Frizzel and among their children was William Phillips, the father of Mrs. Ar- mentrout. He was about eleven years of age when with his parents he removed from Maryland to Cadiz, Ohio. He was married in Knox county to Miss Polly Walker, who also came from Maryland.
Unto the Doctor's parents were born the following children: William, a resident of Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio; George W., a resident farmer of Shelbyville, Mis- souri; Simon, who resides near Valparaiso, Indiana; Olive, wife of Cyrus Hunter, of Pike township, Knox county; Samantha, the wife of George Mahaffy, formerly of Knox county, but now of Shelbyville, Mis- souri; and Lucinda, the wife of John Mc-
Ginley, who was at one time a resident of Knox county but is now living near Val- paraiso, Indiana.
Dr. Armentrout, the other member of this family, was reared upon his father's farm in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period, his time being devoted to the work of the fields, to the duties of the school room and the pleasures of the playground. After leaving the common schools he deter- mined to make the practice of medicine his life work and continued his education in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, for a time, completing his professional prepara- tion in the Detroit Medical College, in which he was graduated in 1871. He then located for practice in Belleville, Richland county, Ohio, where he remained until 1882, when he took up his abode upon a farm in this county, remaining there until 1887, when he removed to Mount Vernon. Since his graduation he has given his attention entirely to his professional duties with the result that he is well qualified for his work and receives a large and lucrative patronage.
The Doctor married Miss Maria Tulloss, a daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Tulloss, of Morgan township, who has devoted much of his life to the work of the ministry as a preacher of the Baptist church. He was born in this county. Dr. and Mrs. Armen- trout now have two children, L. Vance and Lina. The son is a graduate of the high school of Mount Vernon and spent two years in the Ohio State University. In 1898 he enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war in Company L, Fourth Ohio Regiment, which company was formed in Mount Ver- non, and saw service in Porto Rico. He is now reading law in the office of Judge Wait, of Mount Vernon.
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
In his political views the Doctor is a Democrat, but has never aspired to public office. Socially he is connected with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. Not only in Mount Vernon but in the adjoining country the Doctor is known as a skillful physician and surgeon, one who has given years of thought and painstaking preparation to his profession and who is thoroughly qualified for his practice. Na- ture endowed him with the qualities neces- sary for success as a practitioner, for he is sympathetic, patient and thoughtful, and in the hour of extremity cool and courageous. Though his practice engrosses much of his attention he still finds time to keep posted upon the practical details in the improve- ments of the science and avail himself of every development in remedial agencies, thus maintaining his place among the leading physicians and surgeons of his native county.
JAMES McGINLEY.
Throughout his entire life James McGin- ley has resided in Knox county, and his career has been honorable and straightfor- ward, a fact which is indicated by the friend- ship which is accorded him by those who have known him from early youth. He lives on section 19, Pike township, and it was upon this farm that he was born Jan- uary 16, 1846. His father, Robert McGin- ley, was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born in 1804. The ancestry is traced back to the Emerald Isle for the great-grandfather of our subject, Robert Mc-
Ginley, was a native of that land and after crossing the broad Atlantic and residing for some time in the east, he became one of the pioneer settlers of Knox county. His son, Samuel McGinley, the grandfather of our subject, spent his entire life in Pennsyl- vania. When a young man Robert McGin- ley came to this county and was here mar- ried in 1827 to Eve Lindsey. Her mother bore the maiden name of Reed and her father was a colonel under General Washington in the Revolutionary War. He was a most valiant officer, and on the 8th of October, 1901, in commemoration of his able services, a monument was unveiled to him at Morris- town, Pennsylvania. Mrs. McGinley was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was brought by her parents to this coun- ty when only six years of age. Her birth occurred in 1806. The parents of our sub- ject located upon the farm where James Mc- Ginley now resides, the tract of land having been entered from the government by Rob- ert Strain. There the father engaged in farming throughout his remaining days. His death occurred in 1867, while his wife, who long survived him, passed away at the age of eighty-six years. She was a daugh- ter of Jacob Lindsey, a native of the Key- stone state, who on casting his lot with the early settlers of Knox county established his home in Pike township, where Mrs. McGin- ley was reared. By her marriage she be- came the mother of ten children, three daughters and seven sons, of whom all but one reached mature years. One son died at the age of fourteen years.
In taking up the personal history of James McGinley we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Knox county. He was
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the youngest of ten children in his parents' family, and was reared upon the farm where he still resides. In the midst of his farm duties he was allowed time in which to at- tend the district schools, and thus he became familiar with the work of the fields and with the English branches of learning, which fitted him to cope with the practical and re- sponsible duties of life. After his marriage he brought his bride to the old homestead, where he has since engaged in general farm- ing. Here he owns ninety-four acres of good land, and in connection with the culti- vation of cereals best adapted to this climate he is extensively and successfully engaged in the breeding and raising of draft horses.
On the 27th of December, 1867, Mr. Mc- Ginley wedded Elizabeth Braddock, a daugh- ter of Joshua and Margaret (Durbin) Brad- dock, who were early settlers in Knox coun- ty, and who has had a family of seven chil- dren, Mrs. McGinley being the fourth in order of birth. She was born in Morris township, October 30, 1846, and by her mar- riage she has become the mother of four children, namely: Kit Estella, of Freder- icktown; Walter, who is engaged in the provision business in Fredericktown; Pearl, who is the wife of Howard Huntsberger, a teacher of the same place, and Rollin B., who is teaching in the home district school. Mr. McGinley and his fam- ily occupy a prominent position in social circles and he has been honored with public offices, serving both as trustee of the town- ship and as justice of the peace, occupying the latter position for nine years. He was also nominee at one time for sheriff on the Democrat ticket. Socially he is identified with Barthollow Lodge, No. 692, I. O. O. F., which he joined on its organization and
in which he has filled all the offices, taking an active part in its work and exemplify- ing in his life its helpful and beneficent prin- ciples. He also is identified with North Liberty Tent, No. 256, K. O. T. M. In pub- lic and private life his many estimable char- acteristics have gained for him the confi- dence, regard and friendship of his fellow men, and as one of the leading and influen- tial citizens of Pike township he well de- serves mention in the history of his native county.
SAMUEL T. VANNATTA. ·
Samuel T. Vannatta, who is extensively engaged in the garden seed business, was born in New Jersey in 1835. His maternal grandfather came to this state from War- ren county, New Jersey, where he became a wealthy and influential citizen, and his death occurred in Miller township, Knox county, in 1863, at the age of eighty-nine years. His father was a Revolutionary hero. Peter Vannatta, the father of our subject, was born in Warren county, New Jersey, and his death occurred in 1836. One of his brothers, Aaron Vannatta, left home and was never heard from afterward, and his sister, Mrs. Philip Case, is a resident of New Jersey. Her husband is the oldest commission merchant in New York city, be- ing now eighty-two years of age, but he still attends to his business interests. The mother of our subject was called to her final rest in 1882, having reached the seventy- third milestone on the journey of life. She was an active worker in the Christian church and was loved and honored for her many noble characteristics.
I It Vannatta
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Samuel T. Vannatta, the immediate subject of this review, came with his mother to this locality in 1841, locating on a farm in Miller township, and the educational ad- vantages which he enjoyed in his youth. were those afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood. After laying aside his text-books preparatory to embarking on an active business career he engaged in farming on land belonging to his grand- father, Philip Weller, and after remaining there for a time he removed to the farm pur- chased by himself and mother. In 1895 he abandoned the tilling of the soil and removed to South Vernon, Clinton township. In 1888 he was elected one of the county com- missioners, having been re-elected to that position in 1892, and during both terms lie served as president of the board. While fill- ing that responsible position he was instru- mental in securing the erection of the via- duct at the foot of Main street, and many other needed improvements were added during his incumbency. For nine years he served as trustee of Miller township and for one term was land appraiser and for two terms appraiser of personal property. Although he does not engage actively in farm labor, Mr. Vannatta is a large land owner, having five hundred acres in Miller township, which is improved with excellent buildings and is under a fine state of cultivation, and also has a farm in Monroe township. In addi- tion to this valuable property he owns resi- dence property in South Vernon, Dayton and Findlay.
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