USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 32
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David Bulyer is thus the only surviving member of the family. He was less than a year old when his father died, after which his mother married John Wineland, and he lived with his stepfather until eleven years of age, when he began earning his own liv- ing, and since that time he has depended upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved has come as the direct result of his earnest toil. He attended
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
school, whose sessions were held in a log building, but his educational privileges were rather meager, owing to the fact that the schools were of a primitive character and that it was necessary for him to earn his own living. He worked as a farm hand in Pike township until after his marriage, which was celebrated in 1863, the lady of his choice being Amanda Reep, a native of Pennsylvania, who in her early girlhood was brought by her parents, Charles and Sarah Reep, to Knox county. Her father and mother were also natives of the Key- .stone state.
After his marriage Mr. Bulyer located at North Liberty, where he was employed on a farm by Jacob Smith for about one year. He then removed to a farm near Fred- ericktown, where he worked for one year for Moses Blackburn. He next went to the Mckinney place, and after being em- ployed by the month by William Mckinney for some time he entered the service of C. R. Hooker, on whose farm he remained for four years, engaged in packing eggs and butter. On the expiration of that period he rented a farm of Mr. Hooker, paying four hundred dollars cash rent for one year, after which he removed to Berlin township and rented a farm for two years. He then lived nine years in Wayne township, where he operated a farm on the shares, after which he removed to another farm in the same township, for which he paid a cash rental of nine hundred dollars per year for nine years. While there he was engaged in rais- ing fine horses, some of which sold as high as one thousand dollars, while others brough eight hundred and five hundred dol- lars. He did a large business in that line, and with the proceeds he purchased the farm
upon which he now resides, comprising two hundred acres of productive land, on which he has since been engaged in general farm- ing. He is recognized as one of the prac- tical, enterprising and progressive farmers of the community and annually his labors in- crease his income.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bulyer was blessed with two children. Herbert, the elder, married Nettie Silman, and they have three children-Herbert and Elmer, twins, and Homer. The daughter, Lucy, is now the wife of George Rodgers, of Chesterville, Ohio, and they have four children-Hoy, Dorothy, Dewey and Pauline. Mr. Bulyer exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, but has never aspired to office, pre- ferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with excellent success, his life record dem- onstrating that success is not a matter of genius, but may be won through earnest effort, guided by sound business judgment. His example should encourage and stimu- late others to labor earnestly that prosperity may eventually crown their toil.
PROFESSOR C. M. GRUBB.
Professor C. M. Grubb is now principal of the schools of Howard and for a number of years has been accounted one of the most acceptable and capable teachers in the coun- ty. Perhaps no public position is as dif- ficult to fill as that of the teacher. He must not only possess strong intelligence, but must be capable of imparting clearly and concisely to others the knowledge he has ac-
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
quired, must be able to maintain discipline, and moreover he has to please not one but many. The tide of public opinion must be in his favor and the individuals constituting the public all feel that the work of the teach- er, more than of any other one, is a per- sonal concern. It is therefore an indication of ability when the favorable criticism of the public is won and the words of commenda- tion expressed of Professor Grubb indicates his high standing in the public regard.
A native of Knox county, he was born in Morris township September 29, 1867. His father, Henry Grubb, was also a native of the county, born and reared in Pike town- ship, and in the common schools he pur- sued his education. He has made farming his life work and now resides in Monroe township. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Mary Ann Jeffries, was born in this county, and as she was left an orphan at an early age she was reared in the family of Daniel Brumbaugh. Mr. and Mrs. Grubb are the parents of three sons and a daugh- ter, yet living: Wilson, who engages in drilling wells in Knox county; Celestia, at home with their parents; C. M., of this re- view; and D. B., who is now studying law with the firm of Cooper & Moore, in Mount Vernon.
Professor Grubb began his education in the district schools of Monroe township and was afterward a student in the Ohio Nor- mal University, at Ada, for two and a half years. He was married, November 5, 1890, to Miss Jennie Loney, a native of Brown township and a daughter of William and Mary (McClurg) Loney. Her father was born and reared in Pike township, while her mother was a native of Westmoreland coun-
ty, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Grubb was the ninth in order of birth and the fourth daughter. She was reared and educated in her native county and attended the normal in Danville, Ohio.
For a year Professor Grubb and his wife resided in Mount Vernon, and he engaged in teaching school in the country. He then removed to a farm in Brown township and engaged in teaching through the winter months, while in the summer season he fol- lowed farming. In 1898 he removed to Howard and continued to teach in the schools of the township, being in charge of one school for seven years. In 1901 he was elected principal of the schools of the town, and is now occupying that position. There are two rooms in the school and an assistant teacher is employed. He has always suc- ceeded in raising the standard of education in every school with which he has been con- nected, and has been an active factor in the intellectual development of the several com- munities in which he has labored and wrought for the mental good of the young.
Socially the Professor is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic lodges. His religious belief con- nects him with the Christian church, of which he is a most consistent member. He is now serving as elder and is also teacher of the Bible class in the Sunday-school. In his political faith he is a stanch Democrat, has labored earnestly to insure the success and promote the growth of the party, and has served as a member of the county com- mittee. His genial manner, unfailing cour- tesy, his earnest devotion to his work and to every cause in which he believes-all these
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have made him popular and won him the warnı friendship of a large circle of ac- quaintances.
CHARLES E. CRITCHFIELD.
The subject of this review is actively connected with a profession which has im- portant bearing upon the progress and sta- ble prosperity of any section or community, and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by further- ing the ends of justice and maintaining pub- lic right. For thirty-six years he has been a member of the bar of Mount Vernon and has long maintained a foremost position among the representatives of the law in Knox county. He has been honored with judicial and legislative offices and his public and professional career have been alike above reproach.
Judge Charles Edward Critchfield is so widely known in this portion of the state that his life history can not fail to prove of interest to many of our readers. He was born in Coshocton county, near the Knox county line, November 25, 1836, and is de- scended from good old Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfather, who was of German lineage, having fought for independence in the war which gave rise to the American republic. William Critchfield, the grand- father of the Judge, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and in 1812 emi- grated to Knox county, Ohio, where his death occurred. He was one of the hon- ored pioneer settlers, who aided in laying the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of this portion of the state.
Charles Critchfield, the father of the Judge, was born in Somerset county, Penn-
sylvania, and during his early boyhood ac- companied his parents to Knox county, whence he afterward removed to Coshocton county, but when our subject was a lad of twelve years he returned with his family to this county and located upon a farm which is still in possession of his descendants. He followed agricultural pursuits throughout the greater part of his life and was an en- terprising farmer and honorable man. He married Matilda, daughter of Benjamin Butler, who, with Joseph Walker and Thomas Bell Patterson, at one time owned the town site of Mount Vernon, and laid out the town there in 1805. Mr. Butler came from Virginia to the Buckeye state. It will thus be seen that on both the patrenal and maternal sides the Judge is a representa- tive of families that have been identified with Knox county from the days of its earli- est settlement. There were but three chil- dren in his father's family and his brother is now a resident of California, the sister died at about twelve years of age.
In the public schools Judge Critchfield pursued his literary education and afterward began reading law in the office of Major William R. Sapp. In 1865 he was ad- mitted to the bar, and, opening an office in Mount Vernon, has since engaged in prac- tice. His is a nature that could never con- tent itself with mediocrity and with resolute will he set himself at the task of winning a prominent place at the bar. He knew this could only be done by close application, thorough study and absolute devotion to his clients' interests and those qualities have ever characterized his professional career. With the exception of the time when he served on the bench his practice has been of la general character and on all departments
Crutchfield
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
of the law he has comprehensive knowledge. In 1869 he was elected probate judge of Knox county for a term of three years, and that he most capably and fairly discharged his duties is indicated by the fact that he was thrice elected, thus being continued in the position for nine years, although the service was not consecutive, there being an interval of three years between his second and third terms. Other public offices have been conferred upon him. He was a mem- ber of the city council for one term and from 1893 until 1897, during President Cleveland's second administration, was post- master of Mount Vernon. He has been a life-long Democrat, and on that ticket in 1889 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature. It was during the ensuing session of the general assembly that Calvin S. Brice was elected United States Senator.
In 1862, in this county, Judge Critch- field was united in marriage to Miss Aman- da Vincent, a daughter of Alexander and Eliza (McElroy) Vincent, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, whence they came to Ohio, locating on a farm in Knox county. The Judge and his wife have two children : Charles Vincent, who is manager of the electric light and gas plant in Hillsboro, Ohio, and Nellie, at home.
The Judge has a wide acqaintance in this portion of Ohio where his entire life has been passed, and the marked strength of his character, his ability and enterprise have se- cured to him professional and political hon- ors and successes. His public career has ever been marked by fidelity to duty and in the course of several decades he has always commanded the confidence and good will of his fellow men.
WILLIAM HENRY EASTMAN, M. D.
Dr. William Henry Eastman, who is en- gaged in the practice of medicine in Lever- ing and throughout the surrounding coun- try, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, near Galion, July 3, 1863, and his father, Daniel Eastman, was born on the same farm. There he remained until 1870, when he re- moved with his family to Morrow county, where he still resides. He is engaged in farming, and has gained a comfortable com- petence through his well directed efforts. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Han- nah Vincent, was also born in Crawford county, and by her marriage she became the mother of ten children, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood.
The Doctor was about seven years old when the parents went to Morrow county, where he was reared, his youth being passed in a manner similar to that of most boys of the period. He began his education at Maple Grove, Crawford county, and after- ward attended the schools at Whetstone, in Congress township, Morrow county, and for one year was a student in the North- western Ohio Normal University, at Ada. Thus having acquired a broad general knowledge, he determined to prepare for a profession and decided upon the medical as the one which he wished to make his life work. Accordingly he entered the Starling Medical College ,at Columbus, and was grad- uated in 1892. Being thus well prepared for the work of alleviating human suffering, he at once located in Levering, where he opened an office and began practice. His patronage now comes not only from the town, but from outlying districts in Knox, Richland and Morrow counties.
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In April, 1893, was celebrated the mar- riage of Dr. Eastman and Miss Mildred Lemon, a daughter of Henry and Susan Lemon, of Galion, Ohio. She was born in Williams county, Ohio, and has become the mother of a son and daughter, Sylva and an infant. The Doctor and his wife enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in Levering and have many warm friends throughout the community. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican, deeply interested in the growth and success of his party, while fraternally he is connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees. He also belongs to the Ohio State Medical Society, and thus keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession and the improved methods which indicate the rapid progress being made by the medical fraternity.
JOHN TYLER ROBERTSON.
Although for only a brief period John T. Robertson was numbered among the sol- diers of the Civil war, he was engaged in very active service and sustained a severe wound. The same spirit of loyalty which prompted his enlistment has ever been mani- fest in the discharge of his duties of citi- zenship, and he is accounted one of the lead- ing and influential farmers of Hilliar town- ship. He is the twin brother of Henry H. Robertson, while another member of the family is Dr. A. P. Robertson, of Mount Liberty. The subject of this review was born in Washington county, New York, September 4, 1840, and was named in honor of John Tyler, while his twin brother was
given the name of Henry Harrison, called after the candidates for vice-president and president, respectively. They were about five years of age when their parents removed to Knox county, settling in Mount Liberty, and in Hilliar and Liberty townships Mr. Robertson, of this review, was reared and educated. He pursued his studies in the dis- trict schools and in an institution of learn- ing conducted by a well known teacher at Centerburg.
In 1863 occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Maria Holister, a native of Liberty township and a daughter of Har- mon Holister, one of the pioneer settlers of Knox county. They took up their abode in Mount Liberty, where they remained for a year when Mr. Robertson, feeling that his duty was toward his country, put aside all business and personal considerations and joined the "boys in blue" of Company A, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio In- fantry, as a private for one hundred days' service. The regiment was transferred to the front to take part in the siege of Petersburg, where he was under fire for seventeen days, and there he was badly wounded in the left side, while engaged in building fortifica- tions. From the effects of this injury he still suffers, but such are the fortunes of war; and the men who enter the army are called upon to make great sacrifices for country and for principle. A debt of gratitude is cer- tainly due to them, which can never be paid, but they are held in grateful remembrance by their fellow men. Mr. Robertson re- ceived an honorable discharge at Camp Chase, Ohio, and was there mustered out.
Returning to his home, he has since en- gaged in farming, and in 1869 located in Hilliar township, where he is yet living. All
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
of the improvements upon his place stand as monuments to his handiwork. He built the dwelling and the barns now upon the premises, and has otherwise developed his place of one hundred and twenty acres, which is now classed among the desirable farms of the neighborhood. By his first marriage he had one child, Ella, now the widow of Charles Beach, of Columbus, Ohio. For his second wife Mr. Robertson chose Miss Mary Hawkins, and unto them were born three children : Nina, the wife of Fred Graves, of Licking county ; Isaac L., and Fannie, who are still at home.
Mr. Robertson is a member of Debolt Post, No. 369, G. A. R., of Centerburg, and holds membership relations in the Free-Will Baptist church. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, and for eleven years he served as township trustee, while in other local offices he has capably served his fellow citizens, showing that the trust re- posed in him has been in every way merited. Whether upon the field of battle or in public or in private life his course has been such as to win for him the high esteem of many friends.
ALFRED FISH.
In past ages the history of a country was the record of wars and conquests ; to-day it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. The con- quests now made are those of mind over matter, not of man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive commercial enter-
prises. Alfred Fish is one of the strong and influential men whose lives have become an essential part of the history of Knox coun- ty. Tireless energy, keen perception, hon- esty of purpose, genius for devising and ex- ecuting the right thing at the right time, joined to every-day common sense, guided by great will power, are the chief character- istics of the man. He is now connected with many leading interests of the community, and his efforts have brought to him grati- fying success.
He was born in Octronton, Lancashire, England, on the 8th of February, 1848, a son of William and Winnifred (Parker) Fish, natives also of that locality. In his na- tive land the father served an apprentice- ship of seven years at the stone-mason's trade, and after its completion, in 1849, he crossed the broad Atlantic to New York, first working at his trade in the Empire state. He then made his way to Ohio, where he was engaged as a journeyman workman in Cleveland and Akron until the fall of 1857. In that year he received the contract to erect Ascension Hall, at Gambier,`which occupied the following two years, and he then built Bishop O'Dell's residence. After following contracting in that city for nine years Mr. Fish removed to Columbus and erected the Trinity Episcopal church, also the City Hall building, the Huntington and Hayden Bank buildings, the Deshler Bank building and many others of equal importance, and he also did much building at the state peni- tentiary. During most of this time he had his own stone quarries at different places, and also established the first stone sawmill in Columbus, which was erected in 1868, and was used for sawing stone for building pur- poses. Mr. Fish's life's labors were ended
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in death on the 13th of April, 1891, when he had reached the seventy-eighth milestone on the journey of life, and thus passed from earth one who had long borne an important part in the progress and upbuilding of his adopted state. In his business affairs he was signally successful, becoming the pos- sessor of a comfortable competence. An earnest Christian gentleman, he held mem- bership in the Episcopal church, and in his life exemplified his belief. His political sup- port was given to the Republican party. His widow is still living, and now makes her home at Gambier, being now in her seventy- ninth year. She is also a worthy member of the Episcopal church. They became the parents of seven children, as follows: Eliz- abeth, the widow of Henry Prince, of Pal- mer, Nebraska; Alfred, the subject of this review : William H., a prominent contractor and builder of Columbus, Ohio; Jennie, the wife of D. W. Harrison, an ice cream man- ufacturer of Cleveland; Winnifred, the wife of Clarence Powell, of Central City, Ne- braska ; Joseph, who died in 1866; and Mary, a resident of Gambier.
Alfred Fish enjoyed the educational ad- vantages afforded by the common schools of his locality, and when nineteen years of age he entered into partnership relations with his father and brother, the latter, William H., having been taken into the business at the age of twenty-two years. The firm then be- came known as Fish & Sons, which rela- tionship was maintained until 1888, when a stock company was formed, under the name of the Fish Stone Company, of which he was vice-president. In 1877 he removed with his family to Gambier, although he still con- tinues his business in the capacity of acting president at Columbus. In 1884 they estab-
lished the Fish Pressed Brick Company, of Columbus, in which he holds the same re- lation. The father had visited England in 1883, and there witnessed the manufacture of brick from shale, and upon his return to America he immediately began making brick from that substance, having been the first in America to manufacture shale brick, a line of manufacture now quite generally adopted. Mr. Fish has also for ten years been consid- erably interested in farming, having two good farms near Gambier, devoted to breed- ing, growing and feeding the famous Eng- lish red polled cattle. His herd of sixty head includes the best strain of this celebrated breed of cattle.
The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Fish was in her maidenhood Miss Flor- ence White. Their wedding was celebrated May 26, 1870, and the lady is a daughter of Lewis and Sarah (Dial) White. This union has been blessed with four children, namely : Carrie White, Stella Elise, Herbert William and Alfred Roger. Herbert W. is now at- tending Kenyon College, and is a graduate of Nulty Academy. All have been given the best school advantages, Carrie having taken courses in both Harcourt Place Sem- inary and Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, while Stella is a graduate of the former institution. The religious prefer- ence of our subject is indicated by his mem- bership with the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his political views he is a stanch supporter of Republican principles.
ALBERT S. KIRKPATRICK.
The desirability of Knox county as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that so many of her native sons have con -
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
tinued to make their homes within its bor- ders to the present time. Among this num- ber is Mr. Kirkpatrick, who was born on section 12, Pike township, while his home is now on section 13. His natal day was October 14, 1847, and through the inter- vening years, since arriving at the age of accountability, he has been identified with agricultural pursuits, his energetic labors winning him rank among the leading and in- fluential farmers of the community.
The family is of Scotch and Irish de- scent and was established in America at an early day in the history of colonization in the new world. The grandfather of our subject became a pioneer of Ohio and died in Harrison county. His son, Robert C. Kirkpatrick, was a native of Maryland, and removed thence to Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, where he remained until he de- cided to make Ohio his home and took up his abode in Harrison county. His next re- moval brought him to Pike township, and from the government he entered a tract of land on section 12, where he built a log cabin and began the development of a farm. He was one of the first settlers of the town- ship, and around him stretched the wild regions just as they came from the hand of nature. He married and had three sons and two daughters, all of whom reached mature years. For his second wife Mr. Kirkpatrick chose Nancy Vernon, and their union was blessed with four children who reached adult age.
A. S. Kirkpatrick was the third of the number. His early years were passed in a manner similar to that in which most boys of the period spent their time, his educa- tional privileges being those afforded by the district schools. In the summer months the
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