USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 26
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Stanton E. Deeley, whose name intro- duces this review, has for a number of years been recognized as one of the leading mem- bers of the medical fraternity in Knox coun- ty, having attained high distinction in the line of his chosen calling. He was a student in the Cleveland University of Medicine and Surgery, graduating in that institution with the class of 1896, and in the following year he located in Mount Vernon, where he has achieved an enviable success and won the favorable criticism of his professional breth- ren as well as of the public. He has made a specialty of the practice of surgery. For a number of years Dr. Deeley served as physi- cian and surgeon in the Huron Street Hos- pital, at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was asso- ciated with many of the eminent medical practitioners of that city, and for two years he was associated in practice with H. F. Beggar, of Cleveland. His knowledge of the medical science is comprehensive and ac- curate, for he has always been a close student of the profession and has kept in touch with the progress and improvement which mark its advancement at present. His life has been characterized by devotion to every duty and he commands the respect and confidence of all.
JOHN JEPPESEN.
What splendid success has been won by men of foreign birth, as, taking advantage of the excellent opportunity furnished in this land where "labor is king" and where merit and industry form the high road to fortune,
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they have steadily worked their way upward and have gained rich reward for their toil. Such is the history of Mr. Jeppesen, who is now proprietor of the Centerburg Creamery and whose investments in business interests and real estate here have been quite exten- sive and profitable.
A native of Denmark, he was born July 19, 1855, and was reared in that kingdom which, though small, has played an import- ant part in the world's history. After at- tending the common schools he continued his education in the Abe high school and in the agricultural schools at Seaholt. Later he became overseer on a large estate, occu- pying that position for four years at Win- tersburg, and for a year and a half he was the manager of another estate at Boerumup. For eighteen months he engaged in military service, holding the rank of corporal, his army life covering portions of the year 1878 and 1879 at Copenhagen.
Mr. Jeppesen then engaged in the cream- ery business in his native land until, believ- ing that he could better his financial condi- tion in America, he sailed for the new world, arriving at New York on the 3d of June, 1890. Proceeding westward to Chicago he there remained for some time, working for a dollar and a half per day. He was first employed in Kirk's Soap Factory and in the spring of 1891 he took a position as but- ter maker in the employ of the Fox River Butter Company, at Oswego, Illinois, with whom he remained until the following fall. when he returned to Chicago, forming a business connection with the firm of Davis & Rankin. He was employed by them to op- erate creameries in different parts of the country, one in Indiana, one in Iowa and a third in Centerburg, taking charge in
1892. He continued to conduct the last in the interest of the firm for five years, and on the Ist of November, 1900, he purchased the plant, which he has since conducted with excellent success. He has a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the business, keeps informed concerning the latest im- provements in this line and adopts all that he believes will facilitate the business and enable him to supply his patrons with better grades of creamery products. The superior excellence of his output has secured to him a very large patronage. Much of the suc- cess of Mr. Jeppesen may be attributed to the fact of his having been the inventor and patentee of creamery machinery, such as cream separators, milk elevators, etc. The milk elevator is being manufactured by the Elgin Manufacturing Company and used in the Sharpless creameries, returning to its inventor a handsome royalty.
Mr. Jeppesen is a man of unflagging en- ergy and resourceful business ability and has extended his activities into other fields where his labors have also brought good re- sults. For a year and a half he was pro- prietor of a lumber yard and was in the im- plement business for a year. He erected a large store building occupied by Hick & Company, also the one now owned by C. L. Bishop. Thus he has been closely con- nected with the business activity of Center- burg, his labors proving of benefit to the community while also promoting his indi- vidual prosperity.
On the 26th of May, 1897. Mr. Jeppesen was united in marriage to Mildred R. Rob- inson, a daughter of John and Victoria ( Whitney ) Robinson, of Buckeye City, Ohio. Prior to her marriage she was a teacher in the high school of Centerburg for
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two years and is a lady of superior intelli- gence and culture. By her marriage she has become the mother of one son, Frederick F. N. Mr. and Mrs. Jeppesen are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to the Masonic order and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. On politi- cal questions he holds views independent of party ties and at local elections supports the man whom he thinks best qualified for office. He has been a resident of the country for lit- tle more than eleven years and what he has accomplished in this comparatively brief space of time seems almost phenomenal, for he only had five dollars when he arrived in Chicago and all that he now possesses has been won since. Brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determined purpose, through industry, perseverance, capable management and honorable dealing he has gradually added to his financial resources until he is now one of the substantial citizens of Centerburg.
REV. JOSEPH T. WORKMAN.
Rev. Joseph T. Workman is a minister of the German Baptist church and is also identified with the farming interests of Knox county. He is numbered among its native sons, for his birth occurred in Brown township, on the 15th of October, 1847. His father was also a minister of the gos- pel. He was the Rev. John J. Workman and well known in connection with Chris- tian activity in Knox county. His wife bore the maiden name of Lucretia De Witt. They maintained their home in Brown township, and under the parental roof the subject of this review was reared. He at- tended the district schools for some time
and afterward spent four and one-half months as a student in a select school. He then returned home and for some time fol- lowed the profession of teaching in the win- ter months, while in the summer season he assisted in the further development and cul- tivation of the home farm. After his mar- riage he located upon a farm, where he yet resides, and has since conducted agricult- ural pursuits, his thorough understanding of the business, combined with knowledge and perseverance, making his labors of ex- cellent financial benefit. He began his min- isterial work in 1891, and as pastor of the German Baptist church at Danville he is exercising an excellent influence over the moral development and religious welfare of his community.
On the 5th of November, 1873, Rev. Workman was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Grubb, who is the tenth in a fam- ily of twelve children born unto Daniel H. and Elizabeth (Brumbaugh) Grubb, who were early settlers of Pike township. There Mrs. Workman was born, reared and edu- cated. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children, Cora A., Eliza- beth and Walter D., all at home. The fam- ily reside upon the farm of one hundred and eleven acres in Brown township and Mr. and Mrs. Workman enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of the neighborhood. He votes with the Democracy and is interested in the welfare of the party whose principle he endorses. Every movement which he believes to be of benefit to the community receives his endorsement and his work and influence are of no restricted order. He is most earnest and zealous in behalf of the church, and by example as well as by pre- cept is extending the power of the denomi- nation which he represents.
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NOAH NYHART.
Noah Nyhart, who is engaged in farm- ing on section 7, Jefferson township, is numbered among the representatives of an early pioneer family of Knox county. Lit- tle is known concerning the ancestral his -. tory of the subject, for his grandfather died when in the service of his country in the war of 1812, at which time Jacob Nyhart, the father of Noah, was a small boy. He came from New Jersey to the Buckeye state at an early period in its development and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of this coun- ty. Jacob Nyhart was born in New Jersey, and in his youth and early manhood ex- perienced all the hardship and privation in- cident to establishing a home upon the fron- tier. Throughout his business career he was identified with the agricultural inter- ests of the community, and his last years were spent in quiet retirement from labor. He was more than ninety-one years of age when called to his final rest. He always gave his political support to the Democratic party and served as township treasurer and in other offices. He was widely and favor- ably known in the county and was a de- voted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He wedded Mary Smith, who was also a native of New Jersey and when a young lady came to Knox county. Her fa- ther, William Smith, who was also born in New Jersey, took up his abode in Licking county upon his arrival in Ohio, but sub- sequently removed to Knox county, where his last days were passed. His attention was devoted to agricultural pursuits throughout his business career. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nyhart were born nine children,
all of whom reached adult age, and six are yet living.
Noah Nyhart, the youngest of this fam- ily, was born and reared in Jefferson town- ship, his natal day being March 28, 1851. He attended the district schools near his home and when school was not in session assisted in the work of the fields and mead- ows. He remained at home until his mar- riage, which occurred in 1874, Miss Aman- da Ella Hall becoming his wife. They had two sons who reached maturity, John J. and Charles C., residents of Brown town- ship. After the death of his first wife, in 1882, Mr. Nyhart was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Kay- lor, who died June 20, 1896, leaving four daughters and a son, namely: Elizabeth, Jennie, Monna, Edna and Jesse, all of whom are at home.
At the time of his first marriage Mr. Nyhart located upon the farm where he yet resides, and has since engaged in the culti- vation of the fields and the raising of stock. He owns two hundred and seventeen and a half acres in the home farm and in Brown township he had one hundred and eighty- nine acres, which he has given to his son. He carries on his work along progressive lines, and his farm, with its rich soil, yields to him a good return for his labors. In 1884 he erected a modern two-story resi- dence, at a cost of about two thousand dol- lars, and in 1883 he built a barn, thirty-six by sixty feet. He also has another house and barn on this place, north of his own home, and the dwelling is occupied by the family of the man who is employed to assist in the farm work. In his political views Mr. Nyhart is a Republican, but while he
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keeps well informed on the issues of the day and earnestly supports his party's principles, he has never sought or desired office, his time being fully occupied with his farm work, which is bringing to him success.
GEORGE W. SHULTS.
George W. Shults is one of the direc- tors of the county infirmary of Knox county and an enterprising agriculturist who lives on section 7, Jefferson township. This was also his birthplace, and his natal day was October 8, 1846. His father, Jacob Shults, was born and reared in Pennsylvania and about 1820 left the Keystone state for Ohio, taking up his abode in Knox county. He resided for a time in Danville and then set- tled on the farm, then in woods, which is now the home of our subject. There he spent his remaining days, passing away at the venerable age of eighty-three years. He was numbered among the honored pioneers of the county, and experienced many of the hardships and trials of frontier life at the time when he assisted in reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civilization. His politi- cal allegiance was first given the Whig party and later he joined the Republican ranks. He was a member of the German Baptist church and commanded the respect of all who knew him. He had a sister, Sarah, who became Mrs. George Witt, and she also came to Knox county. Mr. Shults was twice married, having by the first union nine children. For his second wife he chose Elizabeth Coleman, and by this mar- riage there were six children, all of whom reached mature years, while five are yet living.
George W. Shults, who was the second child and son, spent his youthful day's in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period, and like most young men starting out in life for themselves, he sought a com- panion and helpmate for the journey. On the 23d of February, 1871, he was united in marriage to Melvira J. Doty, a native of Knox county, and a daughter of Lot and Nancy (Elliott) Doty. Their union has been blessed with the following named : Elmer O., .who married Ufa Nyhart, a daughter of William Nyhart; and Bertha E., who is still with her parents.
For a few years after his marriage Mr. Shults resided upon land belonging to his father-in-law, and then took up his abode on the old Shults homestead. He to-day owns in this tract ninety-six acres, and, in addition, one hundred acres in the northern part of the township. His land is well cultivated and improved, and year by year rich fields return to him a good income. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and in 1899 was elected to the im- portant position of a director of the county infirmary, which office he is still holding. For several years he was a trustee of Jeffer- son township, and in all public offices he has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. Socially he is connected with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, with the Maccabees and with the Patrons of Hus- bandry. He belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal church and has taken an active part in its work and in the Sunday-school, and has served as trustee and steward. His life has ever been actuated by honorable and manly principles and he has gained the unqualified regard and confidence of his fellow towns-
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whence he removed in 1849 to Gambier, men. He has always lived in this com- munity, and the fact that his warmest friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood is an indi- cation that his record has ever been one worthy of high commendation.
DAVID K. BLYSTON.
Of that good old Pennsylvania stock which for many generations has everywhere in America stood for patriotism and pros- perity is the prominent resident of Clay township, Knox county, Ohio, whose name is above.
David K. Blyston, who is living a life of retirement at Bladensburg, in the county and township above mentioned, was born one mile north of that village, October 10, 1838.
His grandfather, John Blyston, was born in Pennsylvania, and located in Clay township, Knox county, Ohio, in 1824. Later he removed to Jackson township, where he died in 1846. He was a wagon- maker by trade, but gave his attention largely to farming. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Frances Foster, was a daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Foster, in command of a Pennsylvania regiment in the Revolutionary war, dying in the service; and Colonel Crawford, who was burned at the stake near Upper Sandusky by Indians, was her first cousin. She died in 1861, on the old homestead in Jackson township, where they had settled in 1831.
Henry Blyston, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, March 1, 1803, and early in life
was brought to Harrison county by his par- ents. Later he returned to Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and was there married. Re- turning to Knox county, Ohio, in 1825, he located on the farm on which the subject of this sketch now lives, making a clearing in the woods, on which he built a humble log cabin. After he cleared and improved his farm he removed to Licking county, Ohio, where for some years he was engaged in milling and merchandising. In 1851, how- ever, he returned to his farm in Knox coun- ty, where he died in 1879. He was suc- cessful as a business man and prominent and popular as a citizen, and in politics was a Whig and later a Republican. He mar- ried Mary A. Ritter, who was born in Clar, ion county, Pennsylvania, in July, 18II, a daughter of Thomas Ritter, also a native of Pennsylvania, and she died in her fifty-third year. Henry and Mary A. (Rit- ter) Blyston were the parents of four sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter grew to manhood and woman- hood. David K. Blyston, the fifth of his parents' children in order of birth, is the only one of them now living. He was reared in Jackson township and educated in the common schools taught near his home. In 1862, after having established himself as a farmer, he enlisted in Company I, Eighty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, with which he saw active service in the Civil war for four months. He then en- listed in the Eighty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but that regiment was consolidated with another to form the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he was a member of Company F of that organization, with which he served two years and eight months.
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
He was made fifth sergeant of Company F, and early in 1864 he was made second lieu- tenant of Company C, and in August, 1864, first lieutenant of Company A. He had charge of an ambulance corps during a portion of the Atlanta campaign. At the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863, he was wounded in the right shoulder by a ball fired by a Confederate sharpshooter. At the fight at Franklin, Tennessee, No- vember 30, 1864, he was shot through the left lung while in command of his company, and was senior officer in line in command of his regiment. In that memorable battle, which was fought in a short time, the total Union and Confederate loss was one thou- sand seven hundred and sixty killed and about four thousand wounded. The Union loss was one hundred and eighty-eight killed and about two thousand wounded 'and taken prisoners. After remaining thirty days in Hospital No. I, at Nashville, Ten- nessee, Lieutenant Blyston rejoined his regi- ment at Strawberry Plain, East Tennessee. He afterward saw memorable service at Knoxville, Tennessee, after which he re- turned to Nashville, where he remained un- til May 1, 1865. After he was mustered out of the service he returned to his old home in Ohio.
After the war Mr. Blyston farmed until 1869, when he removed to Bladensburg, and there conducted a general store until 1881, when he retired from active business. He was a charter member of Emerson Up- dyke Post, No. 486, Grand Army of the Republic, which was named in honor of its first commander, and he has passed more years as its commander than any other of its members. He is also a member of Joe Hooker Post of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and has been active in all the work of the organization, having several times been a delegate to state encampments, and once, in 1901, a delegate to the national en- campment held at Cleveland, Ohio. He has attained prominence as a Mason, being a member of Ohio Lodge, No. 199, Free and Accepted Masons, of Bladensburg; Clinton Chapter, No. 9, Royal Arch Masons, of Mount Vernon; and Clinton Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templars, of Mount Ver- non. He was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 316, of Mount Vernon, and of the lodge of Knights of Pythias, of Bladensburg. He is an active member of the Christian church and is an elder in the Bladensburg organization of that body, in which he fills the office of sec- retary. In politics he is a Republican, and as such he has been called to several local offices, among them that of township trus- tee.
Mr. Blyston married Miss Esther A. Jacobs, November 16, 1863. Mrs. Blys- ton was a daughter of Charles and Nancy (Melton) Jacobs and was born in Pleasant township, Knox county, Ohio. She was educated in the schools near her home and is an admirable woman of the highest char- acter and of many graces and accomplish- ments, highly esteemed in a large circle of acquaintances.
WILLIAM R. BODY.
William R. Body is numbered among the native sons of Knox county, and is a progressive agriculturist whose active and well-spent life has won him success in his business career. He resides on section 17,
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Jefferson township, where he has a farm of eighty acres well cultivated and improved.
Mr. Body was born in this township, June 22, 1851. His father, Col. John Body, was a native of England and when fourteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to Canada, Knox county, Ohio. He was a shoemaker by trade and there followed that pursuit, making boots and shoes for the students in the college for about two years. On the ex- piration of that period he removed to Dan- ville, where he followed the same calling, and after three years he went to New Castle, Ohio, where he worked at shoemaking until his removal, in 1855, to the farm upon which our subject now resides. He then de- voted his energies to agricultural pursuits until, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he offered his services to the government as a defender of the Union and joined the boys in blue of Company A, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He entered the serv- ice as a private but was soon promoted to sergeant, afterward becoming second lieu- tenant, and when honorably discharged was captain of Company A. He served for three years and was ever a loyal soldier, valiantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented. Physical disability necessitated his retirement from the field, preventing him from serving until the close of hostilities, as he wished to do. He is now familiarly known as Colonel Body, and has a war record of which he has every reason to be proud, for he displayed valor on many a hotly-contested battlefield. He took part in the engagements at Stone River, Chick- amauga, Missionary Ridge and many others. He is still living in Danville, and commands the respect of all with whom he has been associated.
John Body was united in marriage to Mary Greer, who was born in Union town- ship, Knox county, and is a sister of H. H. Greer, of Mount Vernon, and of J. T. Greer, of Toledo. The family was one of promi- nence in this part of Ohio and was estab- lished in Knox county during the days of its early development. Her father, Alex- ander Greer, was born in Virginia and came to Knox county with his father, Colonel John Greer, who was born in Ireland, and who, at the time of the second war with England, espoused the cause of the Ameri- can armies, commanding a regiment in the struggle. Emigrating to Ohio, he settled in the midst of the dense forest in Jeffer- son township, Knox county, and built a log house, becoming one of the pioneers of this locality. Mrs. Body, a most estimable lady, died when about sixty-eight years of age, leaving her husband and a son and daughter to mourn her loss. The daughter is Vic- toria L., the wife of H. C. Biggs, of Dan -. ville.
William R. Body; the only son, was reared upon the farm which is now his home, and his early education was acquired in the common schools, supplemented by study in the Danville high school. He after- ward engaged in teaching in the district schools of Jefferson, Howard and Brown townships through five successive winter seasons, and in the summer months he de- voted his energies to farming. Since that time his entire attention has been given to the work of the fields, and success has at- tended his efforts, which have brought to him a comfortable competence.
In 1874 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Body and Miss Lydia A. Bradfield, a sister of Dr. C. R. Bradfield, and their
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union has been blessed with seven children, as follows: Charles A. who married Nellie Blair, and who is a railroad employe with the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Rail- road; Mary Edith, who is living at home; J. Harry and Robert, both at home; Nora, the wife of Herbert Whitney, of Brown township; James W., assisting his father on the farm; and Herbert, who resides with his parents. In his political views Mr. Body is a stanch Republican and has been honored with several local offices, including that of justice of the peace, in which he served for three years. His life has been quiet and uneventful, yet has been marked by fidelity to duty in every public and private relation. He is widely known for his sterling worth and is an estimable representative of an hon- ored pioneer family.
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