USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 31
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had four children: Laura Adaline; Alson E., Annia Matilda and Effie Ellen. All are married and the first named is now deceased.
David T. Best is the next of his father's family.
Lydia E. Best was married October 19, 1880, to John McGuire and they reside on a part of the old homestead.
Ananias Best went to Clarksville, Iowa, in 1861 and after following farming with success for a number of years is now living retired on a small tract of land near the town. He was married May 31, 1863, to Catherine R. McCreary, and they have two sons, Jacob Samuel and John William, both married and living near their parents.
James Best secured a collegiate educa- tion in Waynesburg College, of Pennsyl- vania, and in 1867 was ordained a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He preached at various places for that denom- ination, but recently he became identified with the Presbyterian church. The family home is in Westerville, Ohio. He married Narcissa M. Conner, of Cumberland, Ohio, and their children are Nolan Rice, Ernst Merton and Mary Iva.
Sylvester Best, when a young man of nineteen, enlisted as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was made a cor- poral. He took part in some of the most hotly contested engagements of the Civil war and at Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864, was seriously wounded. He was sent to a hospital at Nasliville and for several months it was impossible to tell whether he would live or die, but after many weeks of suffering he finally recovered. He was mar- ried May 19, 1866, to Miss Martha Annett, and unto them were born six children : Car-
rie Bernice, who died at the age of one year ; Sylvester Robert; Jesse Taylor; Charles Sherman; an infant daughter; and Guy Spenser.
We now take up the personal history of David T. Best, whose name introduces this sketch and to whom we are indebted for the facts concerning this honored pioneer fam- ily. He was only about eight years of age when his parents came to Knox county, set- tling near Gambier. Upon the old family homestead he was reared and experienced all the hardships and trials incident to life on the frontier, but there were also many pleasures to be enjoyed, which are not known at the present time and altogether the life was a happy one. It is true he bore his share in the farm work, but this proved an excellent training for him so that when he began farming on his own account practical experience fitted him for the work.
On the 4th of January, 1855, Mr. Best was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Addleman, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and came to Knox county when about seven years of age. Her parents were John and Mehitable (Clawson) Ad- dleman. For thirty-eight years Mr. and Mrs. Best enjoyed a happy married, and then, on the 9th of January, 1893, this worthy couple were separated by the hand of death, the wife being called to the home beyond. They were the parents of three children, of whom two are living, John and Lydia Ellen, both of whom are with their father; and Wilbert Irvin, who died May 22, 1897. He had married Lydia Ross and at his death left a widow and three children, David Irvin, Gladys Leora and Minnie Florabell.
Immediately after his marriage Mr. Best
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
located on the farm where he yet lives and has since engaged in general farming and stock raising. When a boy he learned the plasterer's trade and followed it before his marriage and to some extent afterward, but his attention has been chiefly occupied with his agricultural interests. He has a quarter section of land in the home place and in addition owns a tract of one hundred and five acres known as the Merritt farm, also in Hilliar township. His systematic meth- ods, his enterprise, unflagging industry and perseverance have brought to him very grat- ifying success. In his political affiliations Mr. Best has always been a Democrat and at one time served as trustee in his township. For many years he has been a member of the Freewill Baptist church, takes an active part in its work and has filled many of its offices. His life has been in harmony with its teachings, and the sterling qualities of his character have won him the high re- gard of many friends.
LUTHER L. HYATT.
Nature seems to have intended that the closing years of life shall be a period of rest and inactivity. In youth one possesses vigor and strength and the courage that dares to undertake almost any task ; as mid- dle age comes on judgment and experience direct into safe channels the labors of younger years and make profitable the hon- est toil; then if one has carefully husbanded their resources in the evening of life there is plenty to meet the needs of man and also to supply him with many of the luxuries that go to make life worth the living and
thus a rest may be enjoyed as the fitting re- ward of the work of former years. Such has been the career of Mr. Hyatt, who was long connected with the agricultural inter- ests of Knox county and is now living re- tired in a pleasant home in Mount Vernon.
He is among the worthy citizens that Maryland has furnished to Ohio, his birth having occurred in Montgomery county, of the former state, on the 22d of May, 1823, his parents being Phillip and Rizbah Nor- wood (Watkins) Hyatt. It is said that the family was founded in America by three brothers, Meshac, Shadrach and Abdenego Hyatt. Jesse Hyatt, the grandfather of our subject, became a resident of Maryland and laid out the village of Hyattstown, which was named in his honor and from which he received large rentals during his life, while his descendants yet obtain a good income from the property which was for- merly owned by their ancestor. Jesse Hyatt married Ann Riggs, and they became the parents of five children: Elisha, Phillip, Jesse, Sarah and Caroline. Of this family Phillip Hyatt was the father of our subject. He married Rizbah N. Watkins, and unto them were born twelve children: Luther L., Ann Riggs, Susan Matilda, Phillip Hammond, Joseph Hamilton, Elizabeth Sarah, Caroline, Olive, Maria, Columbus D., Columbia and John Thomas. The last named died in the Civil war. The father, Phillip Hyatt, was a soldier of the war of 1812, enlisting from Maryland and serving until the close of hostilities, during which time he experienced many of the hardships and rigors of war. He followed farming as a life work and died in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1882.
The foundation for the education of
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Luther L. Hyatt was laid in the schools of his native county, which he attended for one year. When a lad of nine summers he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Knox county, Ohio, the family taking up their abode in Liberty township in 1832. In the old-time subscription schools here Mr. Hyatt completed his edu- cation. The school house was built of logs, the floor was constructed of puncheons, the seats were of slabs and the writing desk was formed of a long, rough board fastened to the wall and extending the entire length of the building. One entire end of the room was occupied by the fireplace, which was large enough for a big log to be rolled into it. After acquiring his primary educa- tion amid such primitive surroundings Mr. Hyatt spent one year in a select school in Mount Vernon, and in the meantime he aided in the arduous task of clearing the wild land, converting it into fields ready for cultivation and raising the first crops, which were planted among the stumps, for the roots of trees were so thick that it was im- possible to use a plow and an old straight- tooth drag was utilized in loosening the ground so that the seed could be planted. One of the first tools that Mr. Hyatt ever handled was an ax weighing four pounds, and with this he cut a great many trees while clearing the land of his father's farm. He continued to use that implement for many years, and with other primitive farm machinery aided in carrying on the farm work. Mr. Hyatt developed into a prac- tical farmer and continuously engaged in the raising of the cereals best adapted to this climate until 1881, when he retired from active business life and purchased a handsome residence on North Main street,
where he is still living. He still owns a valuable farm of one hundred and five acres of highly improved land in Wayne town- ship, the greater part of which is under cul- tivation and from which he derives annually a good income.
In March, 1853, Mr. Hyatt secured as a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Miss Malinda Smith, a daughter of Preserve Smith, and unto them were born four children : Charles Hamilton, a farmer of Wayne township; Louella, the wife of Alonzo Rock, of Canton, Ohio; Carrie Josephine, the wife of Frank McFadden, of Mount Vernon; and John, who is living in Red Lodge, Montana. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hyatt wedded Matilda Ann Walker, a daughter of William Walker. She, too, died and he married Miss Catherine Davis Wolfe, a daughter of Eli and Caroline ( Hyatt) Wolfe.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Hyatt put aside all personal consideration and in 1864, in Mount Vernon, enlisted in Com- pany A, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for one hundred days' service. He participated in several skirmishes, but was mostly engaged in guard duty, and at the close of his term was honorably discharged and mustered out at Columbus. He is now a member of Joe Hooker Post, G. A. R., of Mount Vernon, and in politics he is a stalwart Republican. He has held several township offices and in 1870 was made county infirmary director, which position he held for two terms. He has always been prominently identified with movements for the general good, co- operating heartily in advancing many such measures. Great changes have occurred since he came to the county and a wonder-
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
ful transformation has been wrought, for the wild lands have been reclaimed for pur- poses of civilization, and where once stood dense forests are now seen fields rich in golden grain. The work of progress has been carried steadily forward and no one has taken greater pride in what has been ac- complished than this honored pioneer, Luther L. Hyatt, who for seventy years has resided within the borders of Knox county.
JOSEPH ADDISON MCFARLAND.
The subject of this sketch is of Scotch- Holland ancestry, early representatives of the family of McFarland having fled from Scotland to Ireland to escape persecution in their native land and come over later in the Mayflower to America, and his mother's forefathers having been born and having lived for many generations in Holland.
Joseph A. McFarland is a son of William Scott and Anna ( Pierson) McFarland, and was born in Clay township, Knox county, Ohio, October 16, 1824. He began his edu- cation in the district schools of that town- ship, and when he was seven years old ac- companied his parents to Morgan township, settling on the farm which is now his home. After that he pursued his studies in the pub- lic school near by and at the old academy at Martinsburg. He was early instructed in the mysteries of successful farming, has been a farmer all his life except during one year, when he was a clerk in a general store in Martinsburg and now owns a home farm of one hundred and twenty-one acres in Mor- gan township and an eighty-acre farm in Clay township. While doing general farm-
ing he has devoted himself especially to the breeding of Merino sheep, being now the owner of a fine flock of one hundred and sixty-five head. Mr. McFarland's long and useful life covers much of the period of the development of the country around him, and in his early days he helped to clear land and put it under cultivation, and since then he has stood shoulder to shoulder with those who have been most active and influential in making the improvements now visible on every hand.
Mr. McFarland affiliates with the Pres- byterian church, and has been a Republican since the organization of that party. He had voted at but two presidential elections prior to 1856, and that year he voted for John C. Fremont, and he takes pride in the fact that he has voted for each successive Republican nominee since that time. Feb- ruary 10, 1858, he married Margaret H. Graham, a daughter of John and Mary ( Ross) Graham, who has borne him children as follows: Hannah Mary, who married David Harriman and lives at Newark, Ohio; Orra Jean, who is a member of her father's household; Carrie, who died in November, 1883, aged twenty-two years ; John Howard, who married Grace Pierson, who is now dead, and is a school teacher at Bank Sta- tion, Knox county ; and Emma and Libbie, residents of Martinsburg. The mother of these children died December 21, 1875, and December 25, 1876, Mr. McFarland married Mrs. Flora Morrison, daughter of Patterson P. and Nancy (Kirkpatrick) Pierson.
William Scott McFarland, father of Jo- seph Addison McFarland, was born in Am- well township, Washington county, Penn- sylvania, and in 181 1 emigrated to Ohio, set- tling in Clay township, Knox county, where
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he bought eighty acres of land, which he owned until his death in 1865. His wife, Anna Pierson, daughter of John and Sarah (Van Dyke) Pierson, survived him until 1871. They were the parents of six children, named as follows in the order of their na- tivity : John M., who died at seventy-eight years of age; Jane, who died an infant; Emily, a maiden lady ; Thomas, who died in infancy; Joseph Addison, who is the imme- diate subject of this sketch ; and Samuel, who died at the age of sixty-five. Mr. McFar- land's great-grandfather, Colonel Daniel McFarland, commanded a regiment in the colonial service in the Revolutionary war, and his maternal great-grandfather, John Pierson, also fought for American inde- pendence.
MATHEW WELSH.
For many decades Mathew Welsh has been a highly respected citizen of Knox county, and is well deserving of a place in a volume which contains the histories of the county's most substantial men. He has made an untarnished record and unspotted reputation in industrial circles, and in all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and right, justly re- garding his own self-respect as infinitely more desirable than wealth, fame or position.
Mr. Welsh was born in Lower Canada, about nine miles from Montreal, on the 2d of October, 1839. His father, Morris Welsh, was a native of Ireland, but when a young man he left the land of his birth for the new world, locating in Vermont, where he was married to Julia Dewire. Afterward
he removed with his wife to Canada, and about 1845 they came to Ohio, locating in Richland county. In the following year they took up their abode in Howard township, Knox county, and the father's death occurred in Paulding county, this state, when he had reached the age of sixty-three years. His wife died at the comparatively early age of forty-three years. She, too, was a native of the Emerald Isle. Unto this worthy couple were born six children, five sons and one daughter, namely: Edward, who laid down his life on the altar of his country, having been killed at the battle of Gettysburg; William, who is engaged in the insurance business in Mount Vernon ; Mathew, the subject of this review ; John, a retired farmer of Nebraska; Johanna, the wife of William Sapp, of Knox county ; and Morris, who is a painter of Centerburg, Ohio.
Mathew Welsh was about six years of age when he was brought by his parents to Knox county, Ohio, and in the district schools of Howard township he received his early educational privileges. He was left an orphan when eleven years old, and at that early age he was thrown upon his own resources to fight life's battles as best he could. He has indeed battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and affluence. In 1859 he crossed the plains with an ox team and cart to Pike's Peak, seven weeks and four days having been con- sumed in the journey from St. Joe to Den- ver, Colorado, and in that state he was en- gaged in mining for the following three years. In 1862 he returned to Knox county, and in the following year he offered his
243
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
services to the Union cause, enlisting in Company I, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, entering the ranks as a private. During his army service he took part in many of the important battles, and for three months served as a guard to General Scofield. Dur- ing his entire term of service he was never wounded, but at the battle of Morristown he received nine bullet holes in his clothing, one bullet having passed through his hat. For meritorious conduct on the field of bat- tle he was promoted from a private to first sergeant of his company, and at the close of hostilities, in 1865, he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, after which he returned to his old home in Knox county. After his marriage, which occurred in 1866, he located on a farm in Howard township, where he remained until 1892, and from that time until the Ist of May, 1901, he made his home upon a farm of one hun- dred and forty acres which he had purchased in Monroe township. At the latter date he retired from the active duties of the farm and located in Howard, where he is now living in quiet retirement, enjoying the fruits of former toil.
On the 14th of November, 1866, oc- curred the marriage of Mr. Welsh and Miss Eleanor Critchfield, who was born in How- ard township, Knox county, on the 15th of April, 1844, a daughter of Lewis and Mary J. (Dawson) Critchfield and a sister of Jo- seph Critchfield, whose history, together with that of the family, will be found on an- other page of this volume. Mrs. Welsh, the fourth child and eldest daughter in her parents' family, was reared and educated in the place of her nativity. By her marriage with Mr. Welsh she has become the mother of two sons,-Lewis C., who married Cora
Leonard and resides on the home farm; and Charles Francis, who married Sarah B. Brillhart, and is a prominent agriculturist of Knox county. He has one daughter, Julia May. Mr. Welsh, of this review, is. a member of Joe Hooker Post, No. 20, G. A. R., of Mount Vernon, being transferred from Leroy Baker Post at Danville, in which he had filled all the chairs, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 316, of Mount Vernon. Religiously he is a worthy member and. active worker in the Christian church at Millwood.
MARK WORKMAN.
Mark Workman, deceased, was a native. son of the Buckeye state. For many years he made his home on the farm which his widow still owns, and was successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, being an in- dustrious, enterprising and energetic man, of good business and executive ability. His birth occurred in Brown township, Knox county, on the 19th of April, 1852, and he was early inured to the labors of field and meadow, while the educational advantages which he received in his youth were those af- forded by the common schools of his locality. After putting aside his text-books as a scholar he again entered the school room as. an instructor, and for a considerable period instructed the young along lines of mental advancement. On the 27th of December, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Hays, and their union was bright- ened and blessed by the presence of one daughter, Estella, who became the wife of V. L. Horn, a prominent and successful ag-
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riculturist of Pleasant township, Knox county.
Soon after their marriage the young couple removed to the farm in Pleasant township which Mrs. Workman still owns, and here our subject was extensively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death, passing away on the IIth of April, 1885, in the faith of the Brethren or German Baptist church, of which he was a worthy and acceptable mem- ber, ever doing his full share to promote the cause of Christianity. His life was one of marked industry and enterprise, in which a resolute spirit and untiring labor enabled him to advance steadily step by step until he occupied an enviable position on the plane ·of affluence.
Mrs. Workman resided upon the farm in Pleasant township until 1889, when she re- moved to Gambier and erected the beautiful residence which she now occupies, but she still retains possession of the homestead farm, which consists of two hundred and ninety-seven acres of rich and fertile land. She still holds faith in the same religious society, and her life has been one in which many acts of kindness have gained for her the esteem and friendship of all who know her.
CHRIS SWINGLE.
Chris Swingle is numbered among the progressive farmers of Jefferson township and owns and operates one hundred and one acres on section 12, while elsewhere in the township he has another farm of one hun- ·dred and forty acres. He was born in Mus- kingum county, Ohio, February 28, 1849,
a son of John G. and Barbara (Loose) Swingle. The father was a native of Prus- sia, but came to America when twenty years of age, locating first in New York, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade: He also followed that pursuit in Canada and in Ohio. He was married in Buffalo, New York, and then removed to Canada, whence he went to Muskingum county, this state. After conducting a smithy for a time he pur- chased a farm in that county, and when he sold his property there came to Knox coun- ty in 1852. Here he purchased land in Jef- ferson township and continued to make his home therein with the exception of one year, when he was engaged at his trade in Dan- ville, Ohio, until his death, which occurred just eighteen days before the eighteenth an- niversary of his birth. He died on his third farm in Jefferson, one mile north of Brink- haven. He was reared in the Lutheran church, but became a prominent member of St. Luke's Catholic church at Danville. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Loose, was a native of Hesse, Germany, and prior to her marriage crossed the Atlantic to the new world. She lived to be seventy- eight years of age and passed away two years prior to the death of her husband. They were the parents of five children, four of whom reached mature years: Mary, wife of Enoch Spencer, is deceased; Jacob, who en- listed in the Union army and died at Mount Vernon in the service when less than six- teen years of age; Chris ; George, who owns and lives on the old homestead near Brink- haven; and one that died in infancy.
Chris Swingle, the fourth in order of birth, was but three years old when the fam- ily came to Knox county, and in Jefferson township he was reared and pursued his ed-
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
ucation, also attending the schools of Dan- ville. When nineteen years of age he en- gaged in teaching, at which he continued for eleven terms, all in this township, eight being spent in the home district; but while he was a successful and popular educator the greater part of his time and attention has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. At the time of his marriage he bought the old family homestead, where he has since re- mained. The place, comprising one hundred and one acres, is well equipped with modern improvements and accessories, with substan- tial buildings and in apearance is neat and thrifty. His attention is now wholly de- voted to the farm.
On the 13th of April, 1871, Mr. Swingle wedded Miss Florence Blubaugh, who was the seventh child and fourth daughter in the family of Benjamin and Charlotte (Heck- ler) Blubaugh. She was reared and edu- cated in Jefferson township, and for two years was a student in the school taught by Mr. Swingle, to whom she later gave her hand in marriage. They have nine living children: Agatha, the wife of Frank J. Durbin, a grocer of Mount Vernon; Bertha, an artist, who is teaching painting in the Art Institute in St. Mary's convent at Co- lumbus, Ohio; Jennie, Mary, Lucy, Katie, all at home; Eddie, who is engaged in teach- ing in the home school; George and Chris, who complete the family. They also lost one child, Rilla, who died at the age of two and a half years.
Mr. Swingle exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, and for six years he served as justice of the peace of Jefferson township, proving a most commendable official. He and his family belong to St. Luke's Cath-
olic church, of Danville, and in the commu- nity are widely and favorably known. He has been one of its stanch supporters, con- tributing liberally to the construction of the present handsome edifice.
DAVID BULYER.
A fine farm of two hundred acres on sec- tion 24, Middlebury township, is the prop- erty of David Bulyer and is the visible evi- dence of his life of industry and persever- ance. He owes his success entirely to his own efforts and his reward is well deserved. His birth occurred in Pike township, Knox county, February 4, 1838. His father, John Bulyer, was a native of Pennsylvania, born August 16, 1814, but he was reared in Pike township, this county, and throughout his business career carried on farming in order to provide for his family. He married Rachel Blakeley, who was born in Pike town- ship, September 3, 1816, belonging to one of the old families of that locality. Unto them were born two children, the daughter being Hannah, who became the wife of Rob- ert C. Sweeney, and died in 1901. The fa- ther died August 13, 1838, and the mother also passed away when quite young.
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