USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 20
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ROBERT A. KNOX.
Among the most competent and success- ful educators of central Ohio is Robert A. Knox, who for a number of years has been an active representative of the schools of Fredericktown. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, December 10, 1856, and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Jarvis) Knox. On the paternal side he is of Scotch and Spanish descent. His grandparents, John and Mary (Bitner) Knox, were both natives of Center, county, Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Holmes county, Ohio, at an early day, the former bringing with him seventy-five dollars with which he purchased eighty acres of land. Locating thereon he devoted his remaining days to its cultivation, making additional purchases un- til he was the owner of eight hundred acres of land, he and his wife winning for them- selves a place among the representative pio-
neers of the community. Their son, Chris- tian Knox, was born in Holmes county, in February, 1829, and there grew to man- hood, assisting in the cultivation of the fields from a youthful age. In 1853 he was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Jarvis, a daughter of Jolin Jarvis and a granddaughter of John Jarvis. The latter was of English descent and fought for the cause of liberty in the Revolutionary war, while the former de- fended his country's rights in the War of 1812. He was a native of Virginia and was a farmer by occupation.
Mr. and Mrs. Knox resided in Holmes county until 1865, when they came to this county, settling upon a farm of one hun- dred and eighty acres in Morris township. As his financial resources increased he added to his property until he became the owner. of three hundred and seventy-three acres of valuable land, but seventy-seven acres of this now belongs to our subject. He is an enterprising farmer whose long connection with this department of labor lias well quali- fied him for successfully carrying on this work. During the Civil war he was a strong anti-slavery man and took an active part in raising funds for the prosecution of hos- tilities which were to result in the establish- ment of the Union upon a firmer basis than ever before. He now votes with the Democ- racy and has served as trustee of his town- ship. He belongs to the Christian church, and is a man of genuine worth of character. His wife is also living and like her husband enjoys the warm regard of many friends. They had but two children, Robert A., of this review ; and Martha, the wife of Joseph Hall, of Berlin township.
Mr. Knox of this review was surrounded by the invigorating influence of nature in his
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
youth for he was reared upon the farm and the free, untrammeled life brought to him a vigorous physique. His preliminary edu- cation, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by study in the high school of Fredericktown and by one term's attendance at the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity, at Delaware, Ohio. In 1876 he began teaching in the district schools and was thus engaged for ten years, when he ac- cepted a position as teacher in the grammar room of the schools of Fredericktown, and has since served in this capacity, his labors proving highly satisfactory to the citizens of the place as well as to the pupils. He is particularly thorough in his instruction and requires good work from his pupils, realiz- ing that in their school days they are laying in habits and knowledge, the foundation for, the success or failure of their later lives, so that he endeavors to equip them well for subsequent duties.
In June, 1880, he wedded Miss Effie C. Irwin, a native of Berlin township and a daughter of George Irwin, now deceased. She also was a teacher for some years. He is a member of the Christian Church, his wife of the Presbyterian Church, and in his political views he is a stalwart Democrat. Their home is celebrated for its gracious hospitality and they are welcomed into the circles of society where worth and intelli- gence are the passports.
S. B. POTTER, M. D.
To minister to the sick and suffering, to carry cheer, sympathy and aid to those in pain and affliction-can a nobler field of use- fulness be found ? Perhaps no one can quite
fill the place of the Christian physician as he goes from home to home in a com- munity, carrying with him an atmos- phere of strength, helpfulness and hope. The loved and venerated family physician in many a household in Fredericktown and the surrounding country is Dr. S. B. Potter, who has attained distinction and wide- spread celebrity for his skill and research during the forty-eight years of his practice here, and who is a valued member of several medical associations.
The Doctor was born in South Bloom- field, Morrow county, November 7, 1828, one of the thirteen children of Lemuel and Anna (Terry) Potter. His grandfather, Jeremiah Potter, was a native of Rhode Island, and at the time the colonists at- tempted to throw off the yoke of British op- pression he joined the ranks of the Amer- ican army, and with his sons, Jeremiah and Fisher, rendered valiant service for the cause of liberty. He married a Miss Wind- sor and for many years they resided in Rhode Island, but in 1781, after the war was practically ended, they removed to Herkimer county, New York, where they spent their remaining days.
Among their children was Lemuel Pot- ter, the Doctor's father. He was born in Rhode Island in 1776-the year in which the Declaration of Independence was writ- ten. When the country became engaged in a second war with England in 1812, he be- came a captain in the American army, and was stationed at Sackett's Harbor. In Herki- mer county he was married to Miss Anna Terry, and in 1814 they started for Ohio, spending one year in the town of Clinton, Knox county, after which they removed to Sparta. There the mother's death occurred
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
in 1849, and in 1862 the father removed to a farm three miles south of Frederick- town, where he died in 1860. He made farming his life occupation and acquired a comfortable competence. In politics he was a Democrat, and socially he was connected with the Masonic fraternity. He belonged to the Baptist church, in which he held of- fice for a number of years, and he was ever a man of the highest respectability. Of his thirteen children, four yet survive: T. R., who is a practicing physician of Oletha, Kan- sas; J. W., a resident of Licking county, Ohio; Samantha J., the widow of Seaman Wright, of Wayne township; and the Doc- tor, who is the youngest.
Dr. Potter, of this review, was reared in his parents' home, and in the common schools began his education, which was con- tinued in Corlett's Academy in Frederick- town, and in Norwalk College. The ele- mental strength of his character was early manifest in the fact that he paid his own way through college. He began teaching at the age of twenty and thus he laid the foun- dation for his later advancement in profes- sional life. In 1850 he began reading med- icine with his brother, Dr. T. R. Potter, and in the winter season he taught school in or- der to meet his expenses. In the fall of 1852 he entered the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1854, and in the same spring he opened an office in Fredericktown, where for forty- eight years he has continuously engaged in practice, his patronage being large and lucrative. An innate desire to do liis best, to reachi perfection as near as possible, has ever been manifest in his professional ca- reer, making him a student of the books and magazines that set forth the discoveries
made each year and giving the advanced thought and improved methods which have led to the present proficiency and skill of medical practitioners. In 1872 he took a post-graduate course in Jefferson Medical College.
On the Ist of April, 1855, Dr. Potter married Miss Ellen B. Leonard, a native of Knox county and a daughter of Hon. Byron Leonard, who was at one time the repre- sentative from his district in the state legis- lature and later was warden of the state penitentiary. He was a very influential and prominent citizen and was widely and fa- vorably known. His wife bore the maiden name of Abbie Lewis. For sixteen years Dr. Potter and his wife lived happily to- gether and were then separated by the hand of death, the wife being called to the home beyond. She left two children: Anna, the wife of T. W. Galleher, chief freight agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, at Baltimore, Maryland; and Nellie A., at home. In 1872 the Doctor was again mar- ried, his second union being with Mrs. Delia M. Burns, the widow of Dr. Alfred Burns and a daughter of Dr. A. W. Sweatland. Her death occurred January 27, 1901.
Dr. Potter has always exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Democracy. For eighteen years he served as a member of the school board, and the cause of education found in him a warm friend, ever ready to advance the in- terests of the schools. Other than this ile has always refused public office. Socially he is identified with Wayne Lodge, No. 303, K. of P., and in the line of his profession with the Northern Ohio Medical Associa- tion and the American Medical Association. He belongs to the Baptist church, and for a
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number of years has held office therein. His life has been one of the greatest usefulness to his fellow men, and has been characterized by unflagging devotion to his professional duty. He has the strictest regard for the ethics of the profession, and as a man and citizen his life is above reproach.
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URIAH C. WORKMAN.
This prominent citizen of Buckeye City, Union township, Knox county, Ohio, is a reputable and successful undertaker and fur- niture dealer, and has served his townsmen ably as mayor and in other official capacities. He was born in Howard township, Knox county, November 18, 1851, a son of James Workman, who was born in Union town- ship, Knox county, Ohio, March 26, 1828, and married there.
Joseph Workman, father of James and grandfather of Uriah Workman, was born in Maryland and came to Knox county about 1813 and located in Union township, where he owned a tract of land which embraced the present site of Buckeye City. He died in 1852, and is buried in the Workman cem- etery, which is on sections 6 and 7. Union township. He was of German descent, and his first American ancestor was one of three brothers who came early from Germany to Maryland. Four settlers of the name came to Union township about 1813, two broth- ers named Stephen and Joseph and two brothers of another family named David and Abraham. Joseph and Stephen remained in Union township, David went to Howard township, Knox county. and Abraham set- tled finally in Coshocton county, Ohio.
James Workman, son of Joseph Workman, married Mary A. Rolston, a native of Har- rison township, Knox county, Ohio, whose parents came from Virginia. She died in 1874. Rev. James Workman is living in Brown township, Knox county. They had five sons and a daughter, all of whom grew up, married and had children. Frank, the youngest, was accidentally killed. Silas H. and J. C. live in Berlin township, Knox county. Alonzo R. lives in Brown town- ship, Knox county. Alice married A. Helser and lives in Brown township.
The subject of this sketch, the eldest of his father's family, was only a year old when his parents settled in Brown township, where he was reared and educated in public schools. His educational proficiency was so satisfac- tory that he was early in life employed to teach two terms of school in Brown town- ship. He remained under his father's roof until September 21, 1873; he married Bar- bara Workman, daughter of Stephen and granddaughter of David Workman, who has been referred to as a pioneer. Mrs. Work- man was born, reared and educated in How- ard township, Knox county.
After his marriage Mr. Workman lo- cated in Brown township, where he remained three years, devoting himself to farming. He removed thence to Pike township, where he bought a farm, on which he lived three years or until he came to Buckeye City, then known as Roseville, and embarked in the hardware trade, in which he continued suc- cessfully for twenty years. Eventually he bought out an old established undertaking business, which he conducted in connection with his hardware store until two years ago, when he disposed of his hardware interest and put in a line of furniture. In 1892 he
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took lessons in embalming and holds a di- ploma as an expert in that art. His trade is large and lucrative and as a business man he enjoys the confidence of the entire com- munity. During the first administration of President Cleveland he filled the office of postmaster. He was elected mayor of Buck- eye City in 1894 and by re-election has held the office continuously since. He has been called to other important local offices, and has filled them all with ability, discretion and the strictest integrity. Politicallly he is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist church, in which his father is a minister and in which his grand- father Workman was also a minister. His son, Clifford A. Workman, born July 7, 1882, assists him in his business and is a young man of much ability and promise.
FRANCIS M. STILLWELL.
Francis Marion Stillwell, who is engaged in the livery business in Fredericktown, was for many years engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Knox county, and is widely and fa- vorably known. He is one of Ohio's native sons, his birth having occurred in Perry township, Morrow county, on the 27th of January, 1836. He represents one of the oldest families of this state. His paternal grandfather, Obediah Stillwell, came to Ohio from Virginia and entered land from the government. He then gave his attention to its improvement and developed a good farm. He died April 8, 1850, while his wife, Mrs. Sarah (Warford) Stillwell, lived to the age of one hundred and two years, six months and nineteen days. She was a highly
respected woman and was widely known in Knox county.
Their son, Joseph Stillwell, was born in Virginia, and with his parents came to the Buckeye state when fourteen years of age. Here he was reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer life, and to farm work he always devoted his energies. As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Mrs. Mary (Markey) Wilhelm, who was born near Baltimore, Maryland, and in early womanhood married a Mr. Jacob Wilhelm. After his death she became the wife of Jo- seph Stillwell, and unto them were born five children: Melvina, Jeremiah, Jacob, Elias and Francis Marion.
The last named pursued his education in the district school near his home, where he mastered the common branches of English learning. His training at farm work was not meager, for at an early age he began work in his father's fields and assisted there from the time of spring planting until crops were harvested in the autumn, but this ex- perience proved of value to him when he began farming on his own account. He fol- lowed that pursuit for many years, and suc- cessfully tilled the soil, his labors bringing to him good harvests. In the spring of 1901, however, he abandoned farming and locat- ing in Fredericktown established a livery stable, which he is now successfully conduct- ing. .
On the 24th of January, 1855, Mr. Still- well was united in marriage to Miss Cath- erine Shell, a daughter of Christian and Margaret (Weaver) Shell, who came to America from Wurtemberg, Germany. Eight children have been born unto our sub- ject and his wife: John V .; Wilbert E .; Sarah; Lot C .; Herma, now deceased ;
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Obie; Maggie C .; and Effie, deceased. Of this family, Lot C. is now a successful at- torney. He was educated in the common schools, in the Mount Vernon high school and then engaged in teaching for three years. In the meantime he read law at home under the direction of the Hon. W. M. Koons, and was admitted to practice in 1891, while in 1899 he was licensed to practice in the United States courts. He had become a very capable lawyer, and has a distinctively repre- sentative clientage. He was married No- vember 21, 1891, to Miss Gertrude Blair, and they now have three interesting chil- dren, Wendall, Madeline and Ruth. Mr. Stillwell, of this review, having spent his entire life in Ohio and much of it in Knox county, is widely known, and his upright manhood has gained for him uniform re- gard.
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AARON DOUGLASS BEERS.
The well known Knox county, Ohio, farmer and Odd Fellow whose name appears above, and who is a resident of Frederick- town, Wayne township, was born at that place May 15, 1852, a son of Joseph and Jane (Douglass) Beers. He was educated in the high schools and early in life gave attention to agriculture, to which he has de- voted all his active years. He is a mem- ber of Ellicott Lodge, No. 267, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is one of its past grands, having filled all its official chairs. He is a member also of Knox Encampment, No. 211, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past chief patriarch. In re- ligion he affiliates with the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he is active and
efficient. He is a citizen of recognized influ- ence, which is always exerted in behalf of the best interests of his township and county.
Joseph Beers, father of Aaron Douglass Beers, was born in Wayne township, Decem- ber 15, 18II, a son of Jabez and Mary (Loveridge) Beers. After acquiring a lim- ited education in the common schools he be- gan at the age of eighteen years an ap- prenticeship to the mason's trade at Mount Vernon, Ohio, and he was employed as a brick mason and plasterer the most of his life. He purchased the present farm in 1864, and in 1879 erected the present residence and resided here till his death, October 30, 1890. He had survived his wife, who died June 3, 1881. He early identified himself with the Presbyterian church, in which he was called to fill several important offices. He married Miss Jane Douglass on Decem- ber 14, 1841, and about two years later built the house in which he lived for thirty-six years or until coming to the one in which A. D. Beers now resides. They had two sons, Theodore Leroy and Aaron Douglass Beers. Theodore Leroy Beers became a dentist and began the practice of his pro- fession at Hudsonville, Illinois, whence he removed to ,Vincennes, Indiana . Later he lived at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and he is now located at Los Angeles, California.
Jabez Beers, father of Joseph Beers and grandfather of Aaron Douglass Beers, was born in New Jersey, March 25, 1781. He married Mary Loveridge November 3, 1803, and in 1805 they located in Morris town- ship, Knox county, Ohio. Mrs. Beers, who was born November 13, 1782, bore her hus- band six children, who were named as fol- lows: Sarah, Samuel Smith, William Love-
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
ridge, Joseph, George O. and Mary, all of whom are dead. Aaron Douglass and John, a son of Samuel and a resident of Clinton township, are the only representatives of the family left in Knox county.
Aaron Douglass Beers married Rebecca Cook, June 17, 1884, and their only child is a daughter, Stella, a high school student. Rebecca (Cook) Beers died just eighteen months after her marriage, on December 17, 1885. She was a daughter of William Cook, of Middlebury township, Knox coun- ty, Ohio, where she was born. February 22, 1894, Mr. Beers was married to Miss Jessie Burnett, daughter of Robert and Helen Bur- nett, and they have one daughter, Helen Jane, a child of six years. Mr. Beers owns one hundred acres of land just outside the corporation of Fredericktown, and this was a part of his father's homestead. Here he has resided since the age of twelve years, and the work of the farm has devolved upon him from boyhood. He has here made such im- provements as are needed on an up-to-date farm, and is directing his attention princi- pally to general farming, also giving some attention to the line of sheep-raising.
OSCAR RICE.
Oscar Rice, who follows farming on sec- tion II, Brown township, Knox county, was born in Jefferson township, near the village of Greensville, on the 28th of July, 1851, a son of Frederick Rice, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1822. The latter's father, Isaac Rice, claimed Maryland as the state of his nativity. Soon after his marriage he removed to the Key-
stone state, and in 1829 he took up his abode in Knox county, Ohio, entering a farm in Jefferson township, where he spent his re- maining days, passing away at the age of fifty-five years. On that place his son Fred- erick was reared from the age of seven years, and he was there married to Nancy Jane Withrow, a daughter of the Hon. James Withrow, who came to this locality from Carroll county, Ohio. During the year 1840 he represented his district in the legislature and was a very prominent and influential citizen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rice passed away in Jefferson township, the father dying in 1875, and the mother survived until 1879. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are now living, namely: Oscar, the subject of this review; C. F., whose sketch will be found on another page of this vol- ume ; and Charles P. and Byron L., who are engaged in the implement business at Greensville, Ohio.
Oscar Rice was reared and educated in the place of his nativity, and after attaining his eighteenth year he began the profession of teaching, following that occupation until 1895, during which time he taught in both Indiana and Ohio. However, he followed his profession principally in Jefferson town- ship, and in the task of instructing the young along lines of metal advancement his efforts proved very effective. Since abandoning the teacher's profession Mr. Rice has devoted his time and attention to his farming and stock- raising interests, in which he is meeting with an equally high degree of success.
In 1887 he was united in marriage to Sa- rah Young, a native of Knox county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Mary Young. Mr. Rice gives his political support to the Democracy, and on its ticket he was elected
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to the position of assessor of Brown town- ship. He is kind and benevolent, charitable in his opinions of others, yet firm and positive in his convictions, and in the lo- cality in which he has so long made his home he lias a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
CLAY D. MARTIN.
Clay D. Martin, who is engaged in gen- eral farming in Berlin township, was born in Fayette county, Missouri, November 24, 1865, and is the youngest of the three chil- dren of John A. and Elizabeth (Lloyd) Martin. The father was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and removing to Missouri there engaged in farming. His wife was a native of Kentucky, and there spent her girl- hood days. She was afforded excellent ed- ucational privileges and was graduated from Louisville College. She belonged to a very prominent family of that state and was a lady of marked culture and refinement. She died in Kansas when about sixty-eight years of age. In the family were two sons and a daughter, the latter being Laura, the wife of Sterling Curry, a farmer of Vernon coun- ty, Missouri.
Mr. Martin, of this review, was reared in the west and imbibed the progressive spirit which has led to the wonderful development of that portion of the country. His youth was passed in Missouri and Kansas, and his education was acquired in the Montevallo schools in Vernon county, Missouri. In 1889 he came to Ohio, making his way direct to Berlin township, Knox county. Here he has a small farm and is successfully en- gaged in the cultivation of the cereals best
adapted to this climate. In summer the green fields give promise of golden harvests and the neat and thrifty air which pervades the place indicates the careful supervision of the owner.
On the 28th of April, 1887, in Missouri, Mr. Martin led to the marriage altar Miss Elizabeth Leedy, a daughter of Rev. Isaac and Nancy ( Bostater) Leedy. Their union has been blessed with four living children : Cora, Pearl, Ollie and Martha. They also lost one child in infancy. They have a pleas- ant home in Berlin township and delight to entertain their many friends. They hold membership in the Brethren church, and Mr. Martin belongs to the Grange. He has al- ways been a Democrat, and on that ticket he was elected township trustee in 1901. There have been no exciting chapters in his life history, but his career illustrates what can be accomplished through determination and strong purpose. Depending on his own re- sources he has gained a place among the substantial and leading young farmers of his adopted county.
J. CALVIN LONEY.
The reward of a well spent life is an honorable retirement from labor, and it is meet that after years of industry and strightforward dealing one should enjoy rest from business cares. This has been vouch- safed to Mr. Loney, who is now located in North Liberty, but who through a long pe- riod was identified with farming interests in Pike township. He was born in this town- ship January 29, 1835, and is a representa- tive of one of the oldest families of Vir-
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