USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 28
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
with success in this line of trade, and his is one of the best equipped and leading barns of the city. As a result of his straightfor- ward dealing and close attention to his busi- ness he is now enjoying a liberal patronage, and he has not only secured a handsome competence but has materially advanced the interests of the community with which he is associated.
The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Bennett was in her maidenhood Miss Olive Long. Her father, Thomas Long, was a resident of Mount Vernon, but his death occurred many years ago. The family came originally from Pennsylvania. In his social relations Mr. Bennett is a member of Joe Hooker Post, No. 21, G. A. R., of Mount Vernon, in which he maintains pleasant re- lations with his old army comrades who wore the blue. In politics, he is a true Re- publican.
SYLVADORE JACKSON.
If there is one characteristic that stands out more strongly than others in the history of the Jackson family it is that of loyalty-a loyalty which has been manifest by active service in the different important wars of the country and by absolute fearlessness in the performance of duty. Sylvadore Jackson has this characteristic of his ancestors and in his life record there is much that indicates a most lofty patriotism. The country owes to him a debt of gratitude for what he accom- plished in its behalf, and his name should be placed high on the roll of those whose loyalty to the Union in the dark days of the Civil war resulted in active and beneficial service.
The Jackson family was founded in
America in 1625 by ancestors who came from Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania. Joseph Jackson, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in the Keystone state in 1761, and in 1775, when only fourteen years of age, ran away from his home-in the sub- urbs of Philadelphia-in order to enlist in the Continental army. He served through- out the war, giving valiant aid to the cause of freedom, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. His brothers, James and Isaac, were both officers in the American army, one serving as captain, the other as lieutenant. Joseph Jackson, many years after the freedom of the colonies had been won, emigrated westward, taking up his abode in Newark township, Licking county, Ohio, in 1805. There he spent his remain- ing days, passing away in 1818, at the age of fifty-eight years.
His son, Joseph Jackson, Jr., the father of our subject, was also a native of Pennsyl- vania, and in the war of 1812 he served his country as a member of a Virginia regiment. In 1815 he went to Licking county, taking up his abode in Newark township, where he became identified with industrial interests. He was caught in a fulling mill and was thus scalded to death in 1837, when forty-three years of age. Mrs. Jackson, who bore the maiden name of Mollie Cummins, was a na- tive of Licking county, and a daughter of Thomas Cummins, who came to this state from Union county, Pennsylvania.
Sylvadore Jackson, familiarly known as Saint Jackson, whose name introduces this review, was born in Licking county, in 1832, and there was reared to manhood, pursuing. his education in the public schools and work- ing at baker's and confectioner's trades in his youth. From 1856 until 1859 he was en-
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gaged in business in the city of Newark, but previous to this time he had rendered effec- tive service in the cause of freedom in Kan- sas. In the fall of 1855 he went to that por- tion of the country, and was allied with the "free state" men, being connected with the forces of Montgomery. He aided in driving out the border men and was twice wounded in one night-the night he rode forty miles to assist in the rescue of Lawrence. In 1856 he visited Omaha and Council Bluffs and in twelve days walked from Council Bluffs to Iowa City. He then returned home and took an active part in the Fremont cam- paign, earnestly championing the first stand- ard bearer of the new Republican party which was formed to prevent the further ex- tension of slavery. While in Kansas he had known and acted with John Brown.
In November, 1859, Mr. Jackson came to Mount Vernon and established a bakery and grocery, which he conducted for two years. He then disposed of his business and in December, 1861, went to the south, but was taken with rheumatism and for ten months lay in the hospital at Nashville be- fore he could do anything. Unable for field service he soon returned to the north where the work which he performed for the govern- ment was of the most important character. Prior to 1863 several provost marshals had been appointed for Knox county but had failed to keep down the spirit of rebellion by not arresting the deserters and rebels. At length the county became overrun with such men. In 1863 Major Hadley spent the entire day of June 17th in the streets trying to find a man who would carry dispatches to the commander in Holmes county, but the dan- ger of such a mission, owing to the presence
of many southern sympathizers, was very great, and no one would volunteer. At length the Major was told that Mr. Jackson would carry the dispatches. The whole county was picketed by the rebels, but Mr. Jackson got Major Cooper to give him a fic- titious warrant for a horse thief and he start- ed. He was stopped by two rebels but he told them he was after a horse thief and that the man was an abolitionist, so they let him pass. At length he reached his destination and delivered the messages in safety. This was reported to the government and Mr. Jackson was immediately reported provost marshal for Knox county, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He ar- rested altogether over three hundred desert- ers in this county and its borders, and no man that he was after ever got away. He was here and heard Valandingham make the speech for which he was arrested and tried. He also went on special duty a number of times to Holmes county, which was the hot- bed of copperheads in this state. Seven times he was shot at during the period of his service as provost marshal and on one occa- sion while arresting a deserter in Mount Ver- non he was so injured that he eventually lost the sight of his eyes. For thirty years he has been unable to recognize any one and for five years has been totally blind. Thus great has been the sacrifice which he made for his country, but he counted not the cost when engaged in the performance of his duty. He never wavered or faltered no mat- ter what the risks, and no greater bravery was manifest on the field of battle. On one occasion three men lay all night by the side of the road where they expected him to pass, intending to kill him, but his horse wandered
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
off into the wrong road and he was thereby saved. In 1865-66 he served as deputy sheriff.
Mr. Jackson was married in Licking county to Miss Martha Jane Smith, a daugh- ter of Daniel A. Smith, a native of Mary- land. He served in the war of 1812 and soon afterward came to Licking county, where he died in 1883, at the very venerable age of ninety-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Mitchell, passed away at the age of eighty-five. Her people came from Washington county, Penn- sylvania, to Ohio. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson was born one son, Charles Ellsworth, who is a graduate of the Cincin- nati College of Music and is now located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Such in brief is the history of one of Knox county's most honored and respected citizens,-a man who in every relation of life has been true to what he believed to be his duty, who has consci- entiously met every obligation and whose sterling worth of character has gained for him many warm friends.
FRANK WATKINS.
Frank Watkins is numbered among Ohio's native sons, his birth having occurred in Steubenville fifty-seven years ago, his pa- rents being Edwin and Eliza (Brown) Wat- kins. The former was born in England, but came to the United States many years ago, and died in Steubenville. The latter was a daughter of General Harvey Brown, of Pennsylvania, who served in the Civil war as a brave and gallant officer. Both the Watkins and Brown families were of Eng-
lish lineage. The subject of this review is a cousin of William Dean Howells, the noted American writer of fiction, whose sto- ries, representing the highest type of the realism in art, have found favor with a broader reading public than those of any other American writer. Mr. Watkins is also an uncle of Paul and Vaughn Kester, sons of his sister, Mrs. Hattie Kester. Both gen- tlemen were born in Mount Vernon and. have become distinguished in literary cir- cles. Paul Kester is the author of a most in- teresting work, The Life of the Gypsies, and also dramatized the book When Knighthood Was in Flower. He also wrote the play which is now being presented by Ada Re- han, Sweet Nell of Old Drury, and is the author of several plays used by Salvini. Vaughn Kester has recently completed and published a work entitled, The Manager of the B. & O., which promises to be very pop- ular. Both brothers attended the schools of Mount Vernon and of Cleveland, Ohio, and Vaughn Kester is now in the office of his cousin, William Dean Howells. They now reside at a beautiful home on the Po- tomac, seven miles below Washington and in the literary world they have already at- tained prominence which promises to be- come greater as the years pass by.
Mr. Watkins, of this review, spent his youthful days in Delaware county, Ohio, and was educated at the Delaware College. About 1874 he came to Mount Vernon, where he has since made his home with the exception of ten years passed in the city of Boston, and for the past twenty-nine years he has been in the employ of the Tabor Art Company, which is now located at Spring- field, Massachusetts. He was married here in 1876 to Miss Mary Blackstone Banning,
14
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youngest daughter of James S. Banning, and a grand-daughter of the Rev. Anthony Banning, one of the most distinguished citi- zens of Knox county at an early day. He became identified with the pioneer develop- ment of the state and was not only promi- nent in business but left the impress of his strong individuality for good upon the pub- lic policy of the district and had marked influence in shaping public thought and ac- tion. The Bannings have also been leaders in the social life of Mount Vernon from the earliest days and Mrs. Eliza (Blackstone) Banning, the mother of Mrs. Watkins, did much toward raising the standard of culture and refinement when in her early married life she came to Knox county, which was then just emerging from frontier conditions. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have one daughter, Lila. They are widely known in Knox county and the circle of their friends is al- most coextensive with the circle of their ac- quaintance. Mr. Watkins gives his political support to the Republican party.
GEORGE E. CANNING.
In a review of a list of those who are occupying public positions of trust in Mount Vernon appears the name of George E. Canning, who is administering the business of the post office in the same straightfor- ward and energetic manner that rendered him a prominent factor in commercial circles in this city for fifteen years. He was ap- pointed postmaster by President Mckinley in 1898 and through the intervening period he has won high encomiums from the public for his reliability and efficiency.
Mount Vernon is Mr. Canning's native city and to its public school system he is in- debted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. His father, William Canning, a native of England, is still residing in Mount Vernon and for many years was en- gaged in wheat buying, acting as general manager for the Norton Mills, but now he is living retired from business cares. He married Rebecca Stinchcomb, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of Enoch Stinch- comb, who formerly resided in Pike town- ship, Knox county, but is now deceased.
In his parents' home Mr. Canning, of this review, spent his childhood days, and after arriving at man's estate embarked in the meat market business in Mount Vernon, conducting his store for fifteen years, during which time he enjoyed a good trade. He became well known as a reliable and trust- worthy citizen and therefore received the endorsement of the majority of his fellow townsmen when he was spoken of for post- master. The appointment came in 1898, and in discharging the duties of the office he has displayed the same energetic business like methods that characterized his conduct of his store.
Mr. Canning was married in Mount Vernon to Miss Lulu Maude Gordon, a rep- resentative of one of the pioneer families of the county. Her grandfather, Silas Gordon, resided in Wayne township and was an ac- tive and influential citizen, well known throughout this portion of the state. Her father, Dr. J. C. Gordon, was a physician who located in Mount Vernon after the Civil war and practiced here for a number of years, but is now deceased. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Canning has been blessed with one son, George Edward. Our subject
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
has always been a stalwart Republican in politics and, keeping well informed on the issues of the day, is able to support his posi- tion by intelligent argument. For several years he has served on the Republican county executive committee, and his efforts have contributed largely to his party's advance- ment. He has been identified with the mili- tary interests of the state, having, at the age of twenty-one years, become a member of Company C, Seventeenth Regiment of Ohio National Guard, in which he served as sec- ond lieutenant for ten months, and at the age of twenty-two was elected captain, act- ing in that capacity until 1886, when he re- signed. He belongs to the Knights of Pyth- ias fraternity, of which he is a past chancel- lor and for several years was captain of the Uniformed Rank. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained to the rank of Knight Templar. His up- right manhood, loyal citizenship and genial nature render him a popular and valued res- ident of his native city.
HON. PATRICK A. BERRY.
Hon. Patrick Austin Berry, who is now representing Knox county for the second time in the state legislature is one of the lead- ing and influential young men of this part of the state, being a recognized leader in poli- tical circles as well as in professional ranks, for he is a well known and capable mem- ber of the bar. He was born in Howard township, this county, December 23, 1869, and on the parental side is of Irish lineage. His grandfather, James Berry, was born iii county Tipperary, Ireland, and on coming
to America located in Belmont county, Ohio. There he was married to Lucy Harding, whose people were closely connected with the Masons of the Old Dominion. Jolin Berry, the father of our subject, was born in St. Clairsville, Belmont county, Oct. II, 1824, but came with his parents to Knox county in 1836, where he has since made his ·home. He has been prominent in township affairs, serving as trustee and in other local offices, and wherever he is known commands the respect and confidence he so richly mer- its. He wedded Mary A. Critchfield, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cle- ments) Critchfield. Her father came to this
county in pioneer days and was one of the early settlers of Howard township. His father, William Critchfield, was one of the . very early pioneers who emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, from Maryland.
In taking up the personal history of Pat- rick A. Berry we present to our readers thie life record of one who is well known in this portion of Ohio, for he has always lived the greater part of his life in this locality and his worth is widely recognized. He was educated in the common schools of his native county, in the Danville Normal Acad- emy, in Bethany College, West Virginia, and in the University of Michigan, at Ann Ar- bor, graduating from the latter institution in June, 1892, with the degree of LL. B. Immediately after graduating he took up the practice of the law in Atlanta, Georgia, but at the end of five years, on account of the cli- mate, was compelled to abandon practice there. Returning to his old home, he took up the practice of his profession at Mount Ver- non where he has practiced continually since.
Mr. Berry was united in marriage Au- gust 17, 1899, to Miss Elizabeth Kirk Cam-
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eron, a daughter of Robert M. and Rachel (Mayers ) Cameron, of Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Berry hold mem- bership in the Christian church, and socially he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and Masonic fraternity. His political support is unwaveringly given the Democracy, and on its ticket he was elected to represent Knox county in the state legislature in 1899, and re-elected in 1901, although the county us- ually give a Republican majority. His elec- tion was therefore a proof of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, and neither was this confidence abused, for his course in the house was marked by conscientious fidelity to whatever he believed to be beneficial measures for the general welfare. At the bar he is continually giving evidence of in- creased power and ability as experience and study add to his knowledge and he undoubt- edly has a very successful future before him.
WILLIAM E. GRANT.
Admitted to the bar in 1888 William E. Grant has since been a member of the legal fraternity of Mount Vernon and by merit and determination has arisen to an enviable position among the members of his profes- sion in Knox county. He was born in the city which is still his home, his natal day being in 1862. The family is of Scotch lineage and was early founded in New England. Peters Grant, his great-great-grandfather, was captain of a company of the Connecti- cut militia in the Revolutionary war and with patriotic valor aided in overthrowing British supremacy on this continent. The
grandfather of our subject was Isaac Grant and his father, Benjamin Grant. The latter was born in Vermont and with a hope of bettering his financial condition in the west he emigrated to Ohio in 1854, taking up his abode in Mount Vernon, where he es- tablished a dry-goods store. In 1860 he was appointed revenue assessor for this district and for fifteen years he was deputy collector of internal revenue, resigning that position in 1875. He was very active in Republi- can circles and his long continuance in office indicated unmistakably his capable and effi- cient service. His death occurred in 1894, when he had attained the age of seventy-two years. He married Elizabeth Ann Willey, of Lancaster, Ohio, a daughter of William Willey, an early resident of that portion of the state. Our subject is now the only rep- resentative of the Grant family in the male line. His brother, Charles H. Grant, died in Mount Vernon, January 1, 1898, at the age of thirty-one years. He had completed his education in Kenyon College and for several years was engaged in the men's furn- ishings business, while for three years prior to his death he was the city editor of the Mount Vernon Republican. There is one living sister, Miss Ella Grant, a resident of this city.
At the usual age William E. Grant en- tered the public schools of his native city and later continued his studies in the Kenyon Military Academy and Kenyon College. He then began prepartion for the bar in the office of Hon. H. H. Greer and in 1888 was admitted to the bar. Immediately after- ward he opened his. office in his native city, and his career sets at naught the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in his native city,
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where he is so well known, he has continual- ly advanced, industriously pursuing a prac- tice which is yearly increasing in volume and importance.
Mr. Grant is quite prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being identified with its various bodies and with the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Knights of Pyth- ias. A social, genial manner has made him popular and his circle of friends is al- most co-extensive with the circle of his ac- quaintances.
WALTER H. AND GEORGE E. THAYER
The name of Thayer has long been as- sociated with the history of the promotion of industrial interests in Mount Vernon, and the brothers are now actively engaged in the grocery business on Sandusky street. They are native sons of this city, and during their long residence in this locality they have won and retained the friendship of all with whom they have had business or social intercourse. Their father, Alford Thayer, came to the Buckeye state from Lowell, Massachusetts, and during the Civil war he nobly served his country as a defender of the stars and stripes.
For the past two and a half years the Thayer Brothers have been engaged in the grocery business in Mount Vernon, and they now have six wagons upon the road engaged in gathering produce among the farmers of the surrounding country. They carry a large and complete line of fancy and staple grocer- ies, and the firm are progressive and enter- prising men who well merit the success which crown their efforts. Before entering
the grocery trade, however, the brothers were employed as barbers for thirteen years.
Walter H. Thayer was united in mar- riage to Miss Nellie Stanton, a daughter of James B. Stanton, one of the early pioneers, of Stanton, West Virginia. The youngest brother, George E., chose Miss Casey Pierce as a life companion. She is a native of Washington county, Ohio. The brothers are identified with the Republican party, and from 1895 until 1897 Walter H. Thayer was a member of the city council. In his social relations he is a member of the Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, while his brother is identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. The Thay- er Brothers are indeed successful business men, whose resolute purpose and determina- tion have enabled them to overcome many obstacles and work their way steadily up- ward to success, and as a result of their well directed labors and straightforward business methods they are now enjoying a large and lucrative patronage.
JOHN KIRK BAXTER.
John Kirk Baxter, superintendent of the Mount Vernon schools, is a native of West Liberty, Muscatine county, Iowa, a son of William A. Baxter, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio. The latter owned and oper- ated mills at East Rochester, at West Lib- erty, Iowa, and in many other places. His death occurred in 1889, when he had reach- ed the fifty-ninth milestone on the journey of life. His father, Harvey Baxter, was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, and the latter's father came to this
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country from the Emerald Isle. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Hannah Ball and was a daughter of James and Mary (Baum) Ball, formerly of Colum- biana county, Ohio. They afterwards re- moved to Iowa, and there they passed to their final rest. The father was a very prom- irent man in Muscatine county, Iowa, where he served as postmaster and also held other positions of honor and trust.
John Kirk Baxter, the subject of this re- view, was taken to Columbiana county, Ohio, when a child, but afterward removed to Trumbull county, and next took up his abode in Carroll county. At the early age of sixteen years he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the common schools of Carroll county and in the gram- mar schools of Malvern, that county, having also for five years served as superintendent of schools at the latter city. He subsequent- ly became a student in Hiram College, grad- uating in that institution with the class of 1890, and from that year until 1898 he served as principal of the high school of Mount Vernon. During his incumbency the school grew in attendance from one hundred and thirty-five pupils, with three teachers, to two hundred and fifty pupils, with seven teachers. A new building has also been erected, which is used exclusively for high school purposes and contains ten rooms. It also contains an auditorium, which has a seating capacity for seven hundred persons. In 1898 Mr. Baxter was appointed to the responsible position of superintendent of the Mount Vernon schools, succeeding the Hon. L. D. Bonebrake, who filled the posi- tion for nine years and is now state commis- sioner of schools. Mr. Baxter has devoted many years of his life to the task of instruct-
ing the young along lines of mental advance- ment, and in the line of his chosen profes- sion he has met with a high and well merited degree of success. He now has under his immediate supervision seven school build- ings, containing one thousand four hundred and fifty pupils and thirty-two teachers.
The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Baxter was in her maidenhood Miss Jose- phine Ross, of Malvern, Carroll county, Ohio. She is a daughter of Samuel I. Ross, a member of a prominent and honored pio- neer family of that locality who have resided here for two or three generations. Mr. Ross took a prominent part in the local affairs of his community, and was recognized as a wor- thy and representative citizen. In his social relations Mr. Baxter is a member of the Ma- sonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities, and religiously he holds membership in the Christian church, in which he is serving as an elder and is also a member of the official board.
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