USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 25
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GEORGE T. MURPHY.
George T. Murphy, who is engaged in the insurance business in Batemantown, is an honored veteran of the Civil war and has been a prominent factor in public affairs, holding several official positions, in which he manifested the same loyalty to duty and
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the right that characterized his army life when he followed the starry banner of the nation upon southern battlefields. He is numbered among Knox county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Middle- bury township, April 7, 1844. His grand- father, Abner Murphy, was born in Penn- sylvania, and at a very early epoch in the development of central Ohio located in Mid- dlebury township, his home being in the midst of the vernal forest. There he cleared a tract of land, developed a good farm and reared his family of ten children, all of whom reached adult age. Only one, how- ever, is now living, Enos, of Middlebury township. The fifth of the family was Bazil Murphy, the father of our subject. He was born in the Keystone state in 1812 and with his parents came to Knox county in his boyhood. He was reared and mar- ried in Middlebury township and located on a farm within its borders, devoting his en- tire life to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this climate. His political views in early life were in accord with the prin- ciples of the Whig party, and when new issues arose before the people he became a Republican. He was a helpful and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church and held the offices of steward and class- leader. The greater part of his life was passed in Middlebury township, and he died in 1896, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. In early manhood he had married Abigal Johnson, a native of Middlebury township and a daughter of James Johnson, a pioneer settler here. Among his children Mrs. Murphy was the fourth in order of birth. and her childhood days were passed in her native township. She is still living and is now in her eighty-seventh year.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Murphy were born four sons and four daughters: Samantha, the wife of William Burkholder; Albert and Sarah, both deceased ; Elmer, deceased ; Lu- cretia, the widow of Samuel Poorman, of Middlebury township: James F., of Mid- dlebury township; George, of this review; and Ella, the widow of Frank Thompson, of Middlebury township.
George T. Murphy began his education in the district schools and later continued his education in Fredericktown. At the age of eighteen, his patriotic spirit thor- oughly aroused, he offered his services to the government, and in 1862 donned the blue uniform as a member of Company A, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serv- ing for three years. He participated in many important engagements, including the battles of Raymond, Vicksburg, Champion Hill and the siege of Vicksburg. In the win- ter of 1863-4 he was with his command at Meridian and then returned to Vicksburg, and in March, 1864, went home on a fur- lough. On the expiration of his leave of absence he joined the Army of the Cumber- land, participated in the Atlanta campaign and was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, which proved that the Confederate strength was almost ex- pended. After the capture of Savannah he participated in the Carolina campaign, proceeded to Washington, and when the victorious hosts were marshalled in Wash- ington, he, too, participated in the grand review, the most celebrated military page- ant ever seen on the western hemisphere. On the 15th of June, 1865, he was honor- ably discharged in Columbus, and with a most creditable military record returned to his home.
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Mr. Murphy then resumed his education and for two years was a student in Fred- ericktown, after which he engaged in teach- ing for a year. He has been honored with public office, being appointed by President Harrison storekeeper and gauger for what is known as the Lost Run distillery, serving in that capacity for four years. In 1896 he was elected county commissioner and filled
that position for a similar period. He is now engaged in the insurance business in Batemantown, in company with C. C. Jack- son, ex-county recorder of Mount Vernon, and represents a number of the old reliable companies.
In 1868 Mr. Murphy was married to Miss Alice Van Buskirk, and unto them have been born two children: Lillie, the wife of William Alguire; and Inez, the wife of Otho McCarron. After the death of his first wife Mr. Murphy wedded Sarah Lynde, a native of Middlebury township and a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Fowler) Lynde, who had seven children, Mrs. Mur- phy being the third. Her father was a na- tive of Vermont, her mother of Connecti- cut. Mr. Murphy is identified with a num- ber of fraternal orders, belonging to Fred- ericktown Lodge, F. & A. M., and to Jacob Young Post, No. 192, G. A. R., of Fred- ericktown. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican and is deeply inter- ested in the success of his party and in all measures pertaining to the public good. i
COL. ISAAC P. LARIMORE.
Colonel Isaac P. Larimore is one of the old settlers of Hilliar township, where for many years he has engaged in farming. He
was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, now West Virginia, March 10, 1821, and is of Irish lineage, for his grandfather, James Larimore, was a native of the Emer- ald Isle and when a young man crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Hampshire county, where he became acquainted with and married Susan Brown, a Ger- man lady. Among their children was James Larimore, Jr., also a native of Hampshire county, where he spent his entire life. He was educated in its schools, reared within its border, pursued his business career there, and when death claimed him he was still a resident of the county, being then about seventy years of age. In his political affiliations he was an old-line Whig, and in religious faith was a Presbyterian. At all times he was firm in support of his con- victions, and his many excellent character- istics commended him to the respect and trust of all with whom he came in contact. He married Naomi Wolverton, a native of New Jersey, who became a resident of Hampshire county, West Virginia, when only three years old, there spending her re- maining days. Her father was Joe Wolver- ton, of New Jersey. Unto the parents of our subject were born fourteen children, of whom he was the second son and seventh child. Of the family of seven sons and seven daughters but five daughters and two sons reached mature years.
Isaac P. Larimore spent the first twenty- three years of his life in the county of his nativity and then determined to try his for- tune in the west. With all his earthly pos- sessions in a small parcel, he traveled on horseback through forests and over moun- tains, and on the night of November 17, 1844, slept for the first time in Knox county,
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where he was destined to spend so many years, his residence here covering almost six decades.
For a year Mr. Larimore worked by the month as a farm hand and then married Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Black) Mantonya. Her father was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, while her mother's birth occurred in what is now Hampshire county, West Virginia. Mrs. Larimore, their only child, was born in Licking county, Ohio, May 1, 1829, but from the age of five years was reared in Knox county amid primitive surroundings and pioneer conditions. She attended a log school house and was trained in all the work of the household, so that she was well quali- fied to take charge of a home of her own. Mr. and Mrs. Larimore began their domes- tic life upon a farm in Milford township, where they lived from 1844 until 1875, when they came to their present home in Hilliar township. Here Mr. Larimore owns two hundred and sixteen acres of rich land, arable and productive. Through a long period he engaged in its cultivation, but he is now living retired, the income from his farm, together with the comfort- able competence he acquired in former years, being amply sufficient to supply him with all the necessities and many of the lux- uries of life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Larimore were born eleven children, of whom five are living: Joseph; Harriet, the wife of Elmer Hol- lister ; James; William; and Rose, who married Frank Sutton. Among those who have passed away three died in infancy; Sarah died at the age of fifteen years ; Vir- ginia departed this life at the age of twenty-
one; and Emma died at the age of twenty- seven. Mr. Larimore and his family attend the Methodist church, of which he has been a member for fifty years and a local min- ister nearly all that time. He has also been a life-long Democrat in his political affili- ations and has held a number of local offices. He was a member of the agricultural board of the county for ten years, and took an ac- tive part in advancing its interests and its influence. He was a member of the Hart- ford Central Agricultural Society for thir- ty-five years, wrote its constitution and was its president and vice-president through a long period, while for nearly twenty years he served as its marshal. He has done every- thing in his power to promote the welfare of the farmer and to introduce improved meth- ods which will lead to better results. He formerly took an active interest in military affairs, his popularity as the fair marshal causing him to be selected as colonel in the Ohio State Militia, his commission being signed by the old war governor Todd. Progress and advancement have ever been watchwords with him, and in all lines of life with which he has been connected he has sought improvement both for himself and others. No man in the community has done more to promote agricultural interests, and his fellow townsmen recognize his worth and, honor him for what he has accom- plished.
HARMON J. DEBOLT. 1
Harmon J. Debolt is one of the exten- sive land owners of Knox county, his pos- sessions aggregating three hundred and
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ninety-six acres, constituting one of the finest farms in this portion of the state. It is supplied with all modern conveniences and the well-tilled fields annually return a golden tribute for the care and labor be- stowed upon them by our subject who is ac- counted a most progressive and enterpris- ing farmer.
It was upon this farm in Hilliar town- ship that Mr. Debolt was born on the 9th of April, 1857, and since pioneer times in this portion of Ohio the family history has been interwoven with the annals of Knox county, for Absolom Debolt, the grand- father of our subject, purchased this farm from the government. He performed the arduous task of reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civilization and succeeded in making it a very productive and desirable tract. William T. Debolt, the father of our subject, was born in Newark, Licking coun- ty, Ohio, and was a youth of nine years when he came to Knox county. Here he assisted in the work of clearing the land and cultivating the fields, and throughout his remaining days he resided upon the old family homestead and in Centerburg, suc- cessfully carrying on agricultural pursuits after he had attained to man's estate. He married Sarah Hollister, a native of Knox county, who died when about fifty-six years of age. Their only daughter, Mary E., is now the wife of W. B. Pelter, of Center- burg.
Harmon J. Debolt pursued his education in the district schools, and in the fields he assisted in planting crops and caring for them through the months of summer, while in the autumn he aided in garnering the harvests. He has never left the old home- stead, which is now his property, and to-day
he has one of the best farms in this part of the state, supplied with all modern access- ories and conveniences. In connection with the raising of the cereals best adapted to this climate he also engaged in raising and feed- ing stock, and this branch of his business adds materially to his income.
In 1878 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Debolt and Miss Emma Dally, a daughter of Ephraim Dally. They now have four children-Clarence L., William, Ephraim and Lelia, all of whom are yet un- der the parental roof. The friends of the family in this community are many and the hospitality of the best homes is extended to them. Mr. Debolt votes with the Democ- racy, but while he warmly endorses its prin- ciples he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He holds member- ship with Centerburg Lodge, No. 228, K. P., and not only enjoys the regard of his brethren of that fraternity but of the ma- jority of those with whom business or so- cial relations have brought him in contact. -
JOHN RANDOLPH LONG.
At the time when the nation was in- volved in Civil war John R. Long joined the northern army and proved himself a loyal and devoted soldier. He is numbered among the early settlers of Knox county and is a representative citizen of Hilliar township. His birth occurred in Milford township, Knox county, March 29, 1844, and he is a representative of one of the old families of this state. His grandfather, Solomon Long, came from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and it was in the Keystone state that Rollins Long, the father of our subject, was
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born. He was only about two years of age when his parents emigrated westward, tak- ing up their abode near Newark. He was reared and educated in Bennington town- ship, Licking county, and after arriving at years of maturity was married in Knox county to Miss Elizabetli Conaway, a native of this county, whither her parents came from Maryland, being numbered among the early settlers here. Mr. and Mrs. Long be- gan their domestic life in Milford township and throughout his business career he car- ried on farming. His death occurred in Hilliar township in his seventy-ninth year, and his wife lived to be about sixty years of age. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom reached years of maturity.
The second child was the subject of this review, and under the parental roof he spent his youthful days. Although but a boy when the Civil war was in progress, he re- sponded to his country's call in 1864 for aid and enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Infantry, with which he served for four months. Return- ing to his home, he resumed farm work, and in 1869 he made preparations for a home of his own by his marriage to Rachel E. Wenger, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Levi and Abbey (Harrison) Wenger. She spent her girl- hood days in her native county and there ob- tained a common-school education. Two children have been born of this union: Rensselaer, who attended the Kenyon Col- lege and graduated at the Union Christian College at Merom, Indiana, in 1896, is a minister of the Christian church, and preached three years in Michigan and is now serving the church at Utica and Sparta, Ohio. He married Maud Hoover, of Mich-
igan, and they have a little daughter, Mar- guerite. Carrie E. is the wife of Bliss Wil- lis, of Centerburg, and they have one son, Elmo Lee.
Mr. and Mrs. Long reside in Hilliar township, which has been their place of abode since 1880. He has one hundred and one acres of excellent land, and as the soil usually returns rich harvests he is annually adding to his income and is accounted one of the prosperous farmers of the commun- ity. In his political views he is a Populist. Religiously he is identified with the Chris- tian church at Centerburg. Firm in his con- victions, he earnestly espouses the cause which he believes to be right and just, and at all times merits the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
W. O. PHILLIPS, M. D.
In tracing the career of the successful physician it is usually found that he pos- sesses certain marked characteristics in ad- dition to having a thorough knowledge of the healing art and good financial ability. There must be a ready sympathy and a power of entering into the feelings of others, united to that self-poise and conscious strength which naturally emanates from a strong, self-reliant nature. Dr. Phillips is fortunate in being gifted with many of the qualities of the successful physician, and his cheery, helpful optimism is a source of hope and comfort in many a home shadowed by sickness and suffering. He is now the old- est resident physician of Centerburg, where since 1883 he has followed his pro- fession.
The Doctor was born in Morrow county,
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Ohio, September 8, 1855. His grandfa- ther, W. O. Phillips, for whom he was named, was a native of Pennsylvania and be- came one of the early settlers of Knox coun- ty. His son, James S. Phillips, the Doc- tor's father, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and accompanied his parents on their emigration westward. After ar- riving at years of maturity he married Miss Rebecca Ewalt, a daughter of Richard Ewalt, one of the honored pioneers of Knox county, who took up his abode in Hilliar township, where his daughter was born. Mr. Phillips died in 1868, at the age of forty-five years. Of his three children the Doctor is the eldest. The only daughter died in infancy and R. D. Phillips is now a resident of the state of Washington.
Dr. Phillips was only about four years of age when he became a resident of Knox county, and in 1863 he took up his abode in Centerburg. He pursued his early educa- tion in the schools of Mount Liberty and Liberty township, and later became a student in the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. For six years he engaged in teaching in the district schools of Centerburg and vicinity, but this was only a means to an end-a step which made possible his desire to fit himself for the medical profession. In 1879 he be- came a student in the office of Dr. B. F. Jackson, of Chesterville, Ohio, and was graduated in the Cleveland Homeopathic College, in February, 1883. In June of the same year he opened his office in Center- burg, where he has since remained and to- day he is the oldest physician in years of continuous connection with the town. His skill was early manifest in the desirable re- sults which followed his ministrations and in consequence his patronage constantly
grew until the demands made for his pro- fessional aid leave him little leisure time. The Doctor is also identified with the busi- ness interests of the town as treasurer of the Building & Loan Association.
In May, 1878, occurred the marriage of Dr. Phillips and Miss S. A. McCracken, a daughter of S. S. and Antoinette ( Ayres ). McCracken. She was born in Chesterville, Ohio, September 19, 1857, and in its schools acquired her education. She is a lady of culture and refinement and presides with gracious hospitality over her pleasant home. By this marriage five children have been born, but the eldest died in infancy and the third, Karl W., died in October, 1895, at the age of nine years. The others are Clarence D., Hulah May and Harry S. M. The Doctor is a very prominent Repub- lican and has served as delegate to various conventions. He takes an active interest in . political work, does all in his power to pro- mote the growth and insure the success of his party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He is president of the board of pension examiners of Knox county and for thirteen years was a member of the board of education of Centerburg, retiring from that office in 1890. He endorses every measure which he believes will pro- mote the intellectual, material, social and moral advancement of the community and his efforts in this direction have not been without result. He is an active and con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is an exemplary representative of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities. The qualities of an upright manhood are his and added to his profes- sional skill make him one of the most valua- ble citizens of Centerburg. The success to
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which the Doctor has attained has come only as the result of adhering tenaciously to a well thought-out course, and by the exercise of indomitable determinations of the will, supplemented by willing hand and active brain. The lesson of self-reliance was early learned, whatever honor in the profession or standing in business circles he now holds coming as the result of the intrinsic quali- ties of the boy developed to mature ripeness in the man.
SAMUEL ORLIN GANTT, M. D.
Although Dr. Gantt has been engaged in' the practice of medicine in Centerburg for only the brief period of three years he is already enjoying a large business, which is indicative of the confidence and trust re- posed in him by the public. He was born in Hilliar township September 14, 1861, and is a son of Stephen H. and Emily (Barker) Gantt. His father was born in Virginia in 1818, and in 1836 accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, the journey being made across the mountains, through the forests and over the plains with teams in the primitive style of the times, for no railroads had then been built. Mr. Gantt was first married in Mount Vernon to Miss Eliza Loveridge, and they became the par- ents of six children. The mother died about 1857 and Mr. Gantt was again married, in 1859, his second union being with Miss Em- ily Barker, a native of England, who was brought to America by her parents when only two years old. The family located in Gambier, Knox county, where she was reared, and in Hilliar township she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Gantt. His death
occurred in 1896, but the mother of our sub- ject is still living. They had five children.
Dr. Gantt is the oldest son and second child of the second marriage and in his par- ents' home he was surrounded by a refining influence and taught the value of industry and perseverance in the busy affairs of life. In the district schools he obtained his pre- liminary education, which was supplemented by study in the Utica Normal School. For a time after completing his school course he engaged in farming, but preferring a profes- sional career he began the study of medicine with Dr. B. F. Humber in 1887. Later he matriculated in the medical department of the Western Reserve University, at Cleve- land, Ohio, and was graduated from the Starling Medical College, in Columbus, with the class of 1890. He then located for prac- tice in Martinsburg, where he remained for nine years, and in 1899 he came to Center- burg, where his ability as a physician and surgeon has enabled him to quickly gain a large and lucrative practice.
September 13, 1883, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Emma Teagar- den, a native of Milford and a daughter of D. L. and Lucy (Jennings) Teagarden, who had two daughter, Mrs. Gantt being the el- der. Three sons and a daughter have been born unto the Doctor and his wife; Dale B., Edith M., Orlin Lowell and Stephen Bryant. In his political views the Doctor is an in- flexible Republican, unfaltering in his ad- vocacy of the principles in which he believes so strongly. For some time he has served as a member of the school board and is now acting as its clerk. His entire life has been spent in Knox county and his business has been of such a nature as to gain to him a wide acquaintance, while the sterling traits
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of his character have won from among them many warm friends. His practice extends into adjoining counties and he may well be classed among the leading physicians and surgeons of the locality.
STANTON E. DEELEY, M. D.
Dr. Stanton E. Deeley, one of the well- known and successful physicians of Mount Vernon, located here in 1897, and has ever since been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. A native of the city of Sandusky, Ohio, he was there reared, receiving his elementary education in its pub- lic schools. He is a son of Benjamin E. Deeley, who was also born and reared in Sandusky and has there spent his entire life, having reached the sixtieth milestone on the journey of life. He is a well-known and active citizen of that city, and was formerly engaged in contracting but is now living re- tired, enjoying the rest which he so richly deserves. The grandfather of our subject, William Deeley, came to this country from London, England, and in the '40s he located in Sandusky, Ohio, where he also became a prominent and influential citizen. He there spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the venerable age of eighty-nine years. He established the first fish house in that city, and became very prominent in that line of trade. Sandusky has now the largest fish house in the world, owned by Booth, of Chi- cago. Mr. Deeley also established a fish house in Toledo, Ohio. The mother of our subject, who was a native of Erie county, Ohio, bore the maiden name of Jennie Steen, and was a daughter of Robert Steen, who was the first public school teacher in Erie
county. He came from the north of Ireland and was a member of a prominent and in- fluential family of that locality.
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