USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
After his marriage Mr. Elliott took his bride to the Williams farm in Berlin town- ship, where they remained for a year, going thence to Ankenytown. After residing there for five years they removed to a farm lying just across the road from the place upon which Mrs. Elliott now resides, and in 1868 took up their abode at her present home. He successfully carried on general farming and stock raising, and his capable management of his business interests, combined with un- flagging industry, enabled him to win credit- able success. From the time he started out in life independently he owed everything he had to his own labor and diligence. He was a very stanch Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the party and taking an active part in its work. Of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows at Fredericktown he was
an exemplary member and by that society his remain's were laid to rest in the Friends' cemetery. He passed away March 20, 1900, and the community mourned the loss of one of its valued citizens, his neighbors a faith- ful friend and his wife and daughters a loving husband and father. Mrs. Elliott re- sides on the homestead, where she owns two hundred and fifty-six acres of land which she rents, deriving therefrom a good income. She is a member of the Presbyterian church at Fredericktown. Her entire life has been passed in this locality, and therefore, owing to her many excellencies of character, her circle of friends is very extensive.
CHARLES C. JACKSON.
For a number of years a representative of the commercial interests of Mount Vernon, Charles C. Jackson is one of the most highly respected citizens of Knox county, and his life record forms an important chapter in the history of the county. He was born at Mount Liberty, Knox county, July 27, 1869, a son of John W. Jackson, who was born in Connecticut. When seven years of age he came with his parents to the Buckeye state, and in 1855 took up his abode in Knox county, becoming one of the influential early settlers of the locality. On coming to this state his parents first located in Knox coun- ty, but afterward removed to Marion coun- ty, and after a time spent in that locality they again took up their residence in Knox county. Their son, John W. Jackson, was a gallant soldier during the Civil war, having served for four years in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry. He was a brave and faith- ful soldier, and during his military service
262
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
was ever found true to duty and to the cause which he espoused. He married Mary Jane Weaver, of Morrow county, Ohio, and a daughter of John Line Weaver.
Charles Jackson, the subject of this re- view, received his education in the Mount Liberty public schools, and after putting aside his text-books as a scholar he again entered the schoolroom as an instructor, fol- lowing the teacher's profession for twenty- two terms in Knox county, and for eighteen terms he taught continuously in one school. It will thus be seen that he was an efficient worker in the task of instructing the young along lines of mental advancement which are the source of preparation for the responsible duties which devolve upon each individual as he puts aside the text-books to take up the work which must follow the labors of the schoolroom. In 1895 he was elected to the responsible position of county recorder, but in 1898 was defeated for that office by three votes, although he ran three hundred and eighty-three votes ahead of his ticket. In 1898 he purchased the business of the Howard Harper real-estate and insurance agency, which had been established for twen- ty years, and Mr. Jackson is now conduct- ing that enterprise with a high degree of success, being recognized as one of the lead- ing and influential real-estate, loan and in- surance men of Mount Vernon. A leading feature of Mr. Jackson's business is as the representative of the Home Insurance Com- pany of New York, for which he has ex- clusive control of Knox and adjoining coun- ties, he having seven agents who travel solely in the interests of this well-known and pop- ular company. He is also local secretary and treasurer of the Centerburg Building & Loan Association Company.
The marriage of Mr. Jackson was cele- brated in Knox county, Miss Minna B. Mitchell becoming his wife. Her father, William H. Mitchell, who is engaged in mercantile business, was born in Milford township, Knox county, his father having been among its earliest pioneers, locating here in the '30s, and he erected the first brick house in the township. In his political views our subject is a Republican, and socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Improved Order of Red Men. The business career of Mr. Jackson is one that should encourage others to press on. Earnest labor, unabating perseverance, good judgment and a laudable ambition,-these are the elements which have brought him prosperity and have made him one of the substantial business men of the county. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and in- tegrity, while his devotion to the public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere in- terest in his fellow men.
HENRY LAMBTON CURTIS.
From the earliest period in the develop- ment of Mount Vernon, Ohio, the name of Curtis has been associated with the history of the progressive old town. The excellent work instituted by the father, Henry B. Curtis, was carried forward by the son, Henry Lambton Curtis, who, faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, added new lustre to the family record.
263
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Mr. Curtis was born in Mount Vernon, May 7, 1841, a son of Henry B. and Eliza- beth (Hogg) Curtis and the youngest of their eight children. His birth occurred at the old homestead at the corner of Main and Chestnut streets, now occu- pied by the Hon. and Mrs. J. C. Devin. At the usual age he began his edu- cation in the public schools of Mount Ver- non and was for a time a student at Sloane's Academy. In 1856 he entered the Kenyon grammar school, now known as Kenyon Military Academy, where he was prepared for Kenyon College, which institution he en- tered in 1858 and at which he was gradu- ated in 1862. While in college he became a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity, in the welfare of which he was deeply inter- ested during the remainder of his life. The Civil war broke out while Mr. Curtis was yet in college and after he was graduated he enlisted, May 13, 1864, as a private in the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front. He was soon promoted to be quar- termaster sergeant, a position which he ably filled until he was mustered out of the serv- ice at the expiration of his term of enlist- ment, September 21, 1864. May 7, 1892, he was mustered into Joe Hooker Post, No. 21, Grand Army of the Republic, of Mount Vernon, of which he was a member until his death.
After his return from his service in the war Mr. Curtis entered the law office of Curtis & Scribner, and having mastered the principles of jurisprudence he was admitted to the bar in 1866. He was identified with the law firm mentioned for a number of years and after Mr. Scribner's removal to Toledo and his father's retirement from act-
ive practice he practiced independently until he formed a partnership with the Hon. J. C. Devin, which existed seven years, until the death of Henry B. Curtis, when he retired from the profession to assume charge of his father's estate. His devotion to his clients' interests was proverbial and he prepared his cases with great thoroughness and pre- cision. While practicing his profession he was never an active pleader at the bar but devoted his time and attention to office work, for which he was especially adapted and in which he was remarkably proficient.
Mr. Curtis was a man of resourceful ability and his attention was by no means confined to one line of labor. Upon the death of his father in 1885 he was elected the latter's successor as a member of the board of directors and president of the Knox National Bank and remained at the head of that sound financial institution un- til his own death twelve years later, and during that period his admirable business policy fully sustained the high reputation which the bank had always enjoyed. He was one of the alumni trustees of Kenyon College and a member of the executive com- mittee of the Kenyon Alumni Association, and was a director of the Mount Vernon Gas and Coke Company. He was a mem- ber of the various Masonic bodies of the city, and he was one of the original incor- porators of the Masonic Temple Company, serving from the time of its organization as a member of its board of trustees and as a member of its building committee, thus having much to do with the erection of the Masonic Temple.
The marriage of Mr. Curtis to Miss Lucia B. Chittenden, of Keokuk, Iowa, was celebrated October 28, 1868. Of this
264
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
union four children were born: Ada B. Curtis; Carita Belknap Curtis, who died in 1895, at the age of twenty-one years; Henry Barnes Curtis, of Mount Vernon; and Walter Chittenden Curtis, who was graduated at Kenyon College in 1901, and is now in the real-estate and insurance busi- ness at Mount Vernon. Lucia B. (Chitten- den) Curtis died in 1880, and June 10, 1885, Mr. Curtis married Elinor C. Shaw, who survives him. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Ella C. Devin.
Mr. Curtis, whose death occurred at his home, Round Hill, March 27, 1897, was prominently identified with the best inter- ests and welfare of the city and was a leader in all good works in the community. A broad-minded, public-spirited man, he ac- quired large business interests in a legiti- mate way and exerted a marked influence upon his fellow citizens. Quiet and un- ostentatious, his opinion upon many public questions was eagerly sought and had great weight. In his business relations he was scrupulously honest and in his home life he was a model husband and father; to everyone he was a polished and courteous gentleman. He was ever a loyal citizen, in- terested in the welfare of his county, state and nation, and at the time of the Civil war, as has been seen, he gave evidence of his patriotic spirit by doing a soldier's duty. He was prominently connected with church work and was a liberal supporter of religion, giving generously toward the maintenance not only of St. Paul's Episcopal church, of which he was a life-long member and for more than twenty-five years was connected with its vestry, but also to other churches of various denominations. In educational matters also he took an active part, assist-
ing not only Kenyon College but doing much in a general way to promote popular learning. It has been said of him that he never withheld his support and co-operation from any movement or measure which he believed would promote the general good, and it seems untimely that a career of such wide usefulness and helpfulness should have so soon been brought to an end; yet Mr. Curtis accomplished more in the busi- ness world and more for his fellow men than many useful men whose lives span a much longer period than his. He left to his fam- ily and friends an untarnished name which they consider not the least of their heritage from him.
HAUPHREY SHERWOOD.
Hauphrey Sherwood, whose residence is at No. 708 East Gambier avenue, Mount Vernon, is one of the oldest and has long been one of the most respected citizens of Knox county, Ohio. He was born in the town of Benson, Rutland county, Vermont, November 19, 1806, a son of Stephen and Rebecca (Meacham) Sherwood.
Stephen Sherwood, Sr., father of Ste- phen Sherwood and grandfather of Hauph- rey Sherwood, was born in England and came to America at the age of ten years with his parents and two brothers and served in the patriot army in the Revolutionary war under General Washington. He lived in Connecticut and there married Betsy Raymond, who bore him children named Stephen, Betsy, Catharine, Mary and Re- becca. Stephen and Rebecca (Meacham) Sherwood had nine children, named as fol- lows : Asa, Lyman, Reuben, Cynthia,
!
265
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Hauphrey, Salmon, Marilla, Stephen Henry and Sarah. The father of this family died at the age of thirty-nine years, when the subject of this sketch was five years old.
Hauphrey Sherwood, of this review, re- ceived but limited educational advantages. He states that he attended subscription schools to some extent, but from the time when he was a mere lad nearly all his waking hours were given over to work with the ax, the grub hoe and agricultural im- plements of different kinds. From that time forward for many years he devoted himself to farming and occasionally to other country work. November 19, 1833, his twenty-seventh birthday, he was chop- ping wood on James Martin's place. In 1834 he went back to Vermont and brought out to Ohio with him his mother and sister, who kept house for him until his marriage.
On the 20th of February, 1839, Mr. Sherwood married Miss Susan Johnson, a daughter of Nathaniel and Phoebe (Ad- ams) Johnson. His young wife died eleven months after they were married and eventu- ally he married Antoinette Wing, a daugh- ter of John and Phebe (Terrill) Wing. Again left a widower, he was married, Au- gust 23, 1877, to Miss Sarah Larrabee, daughter of Lyman and Hannah (Rose) Larrabee, who was born in Howard town- . ship, Knox county, Ohio, November 19, 1849. Mrs. Sherwood's parents came to Knox county in 1833 from Vermont. Her mother died when she was but a small child and she was raised by relatives until the age of fourteen, when she entered the family of Harrison Greer, with whom she lived until the age of sixteen years. Her father had two brothers and a sister, and the latter, while a student at Oswego College, in the
state of New York, eloped with her lover and was married.
Hauphrey Sherwood has been a life- long member of the Congregational church. As a Democrat he cast his first presidential vote for General Jackson in 1828. Later he became a Whig and then gradually de- veloped those political principles which made him a Republican when that party was organized, though he still retains the same general views as in Jackson's time. For a man of his age he possesses unusual health, and it has not been necessary for him to take any medicine during the past eight years. He is fond of out-door exer- cise and during the warmer months of the year he takes care of a large double lot surrounding his residence, the grass on which he cuts not only with a lawn mower but when occasion requires with a scythe in the old familiar way. When he began to raise a beard there were no barbers in his vicinity and he learned to shave himself and has done so regularly down to the pres- ent time; and it is worthy of remark that his hand is strong enough and true enough to do the work safely and successfully at his advanced age. He has many old friends who join the writer in the hope that he may- survive many happy years.
ALBERT WRIGHT.
Albert Wright is a well-known agri- cuturist of Knox county, and the success. which he has achieved is the merited reward of his own labors. He has worked his way steadily upward, overcoming all the diffi- culties and obstacles in his path by de- termined purpose. His resolute spirit has
17
266
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
enabled him to advance steadily, and to-day he is one of the most substantial citizens of the community, his labors having brought to him a handsome competence.
Mr. Wright is a native son of Mount Vernon, his birth having here occurred on the 9th of April, 1846. His father, William Wright, was born in Suffolk county, Eng- land, and came to America, landing in New York city, but after a few years' residence in the metropolis he made his way to Gam- bier, Ohio, coming to this state with a four- horse team. The following fall after his ar- rival here he was married to Mary Ransom, and they became the parents of twelve chil- dren, seven sons and five daughters, and eight of the family are now living. For a time after coming to the Buckeye state Mr. Wright was employed by Bishop Mc- Ilvaine, after which he came to Mount Ver- non, where he owned the first house in the city. In 1860 he leased the college land at Gambier and removed to that city, and there his death occurred in 1885, passing away in the faith of the Baptist church, of which he was a worthy and acceptable member.
Albert Wright, whose name introduces this review, was a lad of fourteen years when he came with his parents to Gambier, and for a number of years thereafter he was engaged in agricultural pursuits with his father. After the latter's death he pur- chased the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead and has ever since carried on operations at the old home place, which consists of sixty acres of fertile and well- improved land, and there he is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising. His capable management, his untiring industry and his thrift have secured to him marked
success, and he is widely known as a most enterprising and progressive agriculturist.
Mr. Wright has been twice married. First he wedded Miss Elizabeth Thorp, and they became the parents of two children, Edgar T. and Willie. For his second wife our subject chose Ella South Piper. Mr. Wright has a very wide acquaintance in this section of the state, and his honesty in all trade transactions, his reliability in dis- charging his duties of citizenship and his fidelity to the interests of private life have won him marked esteem.
JAMES W. DAVIS.
This name is one known throughout Knox county, for here Mr. Davis has passed his whole life and here his parents lived for many decades. He was born in Monroe township, June 9, 1849, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Downs) Davis. The father was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, on the 4th of April, 1800, and died on the 12th of September, 1857. He was a son of Henry and Christina (Swope) Davis. The for- mer was born in Germany, and there learned the tailor's trade, but when a young man he left the home and friends of his youth and came to the United States, lo- cating in Maryland. In later life he en- gaged in the milling business, owning flour mills on the Potomac river. In 1808 he made his way to the Buckeye state, locating in Knox county, and a short time afterward he was here joined by his wife and family, his son Jacob being then a lad of eight years, and they made the journey on horse-
267
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
back. After his arrival in Knox county Henry Davis opened a flour mill in Mount Vernon, and as the years passed by he be- came known as one of the prominent and leading business men of the county.
Jacob Davis, the father of our subject, became his father's assistant after attaining to mature years, and from that time until his twenty-seventh year he had almost en- tire charge of his father's extensive busi- ness interests. In 1827, after his marriage, he removed to Monroe township, where he was engaged in the milling business on his own account. Success abundantly rewarded his well-directed efforts and he soon took rank among the leading business men of his locality. He became the owner of three flouring-mills, a carding-mill, a woolen-fac- tory, where he was extensively engaged in the manufacture of cloth, and also became the owner of about one thousand acres of land, but the latter was taken from him through a partner's loss and by going se- curity for others. Although not a member of any religious denomination, he was a lib- eral supporter of all churches, the cause of Christianity ever finding in him a firm friend. His political support was given to the Democracy, and for many years he held township offices. Mr. Davis was married in Mount Vernon, Miss Elizabeth Downs becoming his wife. She was born in Clin- ton township, Knox county, a daughter of George and Rebecca (Thrift) Downs, both natives of the Old Dominion. After coming to the Buckeye state the father acquired considerable land in Clinton township, which is now known as the Sperry farm, and also became the owner of six hundred and forty acres in Monroe township. Mrs.
Davis was an excellent business woman, and after her husband's death she succeeded in retrieving many of his lost possessions. They became the parents of nine children, five of whom are now living, namely: Cath- erine, the wife of Silas Young, of Monroe township; Harriet, who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Young; Margaret, the wife of W. R. Young, also of Monroe township; Christiana, the wife of John Mc- Ardle, of Buckeye City, Knox county ; and James W., the subject of this review. The mother of this family passed away in death in September, 1873.
James W. Davis acquired his early edu- cation in the common schools of his locality, and afterward became a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University, entering that insti- tution with the intention of preparing him- self for a profession, but after two terms there spent he was called home on account of his brother's sickness. In accordance with the wish of his mother, he then took up the quiet duties of the farm, which has ever since claimed his time and attention. After his marriage he located on a tract of one hundred and fifty acres of his present homestead, a part of which was willed to him by his mother, and the remainder he secured by purchasing the interest of the re- maining heirs. In 1882 he also purchased the old home farm of one hundred and thir- teen acres, and in addition he owns a tract of seventy-five acres in the northeast cor- ner of Monroe township, all of which is un- der his immediate supervision. His home farm is one of the best improved in the township, and the many valuable improve- ments which now adorn the place stand as monuments to his thrift and ability. He is
268
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
very enterprising and progressive in his methods, and his well-directed efforts and unfaltering perseverance have succeeded in winning for him a handsome competence.
On the 14th of December, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Jennie Daymude, a native of Mon- roe township and a daughter of William Daymude, who was called to his final rest in 1861. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Davis has been brightened and blessed by the pres- ence of five children, four of whom still sur- vive,-Elmer, a prominent farmer of Mon- roe township; and Herman, Belle and Will- iam, at home. Mr. Davis casts his ballot in favor of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and for over twenty years he has faithfully served his township as clerk. In his social relations he is a mem- ber of Mount Zion Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., of Mount Vernon ; Clinton Chapter, No. 26, and Clinton Commandery No. 5, also of Mount Vernon ; and of the Grange, No. 874, P. of H.
JOHN COCHREN.
One of the earliest families making per- manent settlement in Knox county, Ohio, was that now worthily represented in this section of the state by the gentleman whose name forms he heading of this sketch. For many years the Cochrens have been identi- fied with the agricultural interests of this community, aiding materially in the de- velopment of the resources of this section and taking an active part in everything cal- culated to promote the welfare and happi- ness of the majority.
John Cochren was born in Mount Ver-
non, Knox county, on the 14th of Novem- ber, 1821. His father, William Cochren, was a native of the Emerald Isle, but when a small boy he crossed the briny deep to the new world. Shortly after their arrival in America his parents died, and Mr. Cochren was thus early left an orphan, a stranger in a strange land, and when but a lad he was obliged to begin the active battle of life on his own account. When a young man he came to Knox county, Ohio, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, but remov- ing to Henry county, Illinois, in 1850, he spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the age of seventy-two years. He was married in this county to Lydia Moriarity, a native of Knox county, her parents hav- ing been among the early pioneers of this locality. Her father, John, came to this state from New York. She reached the ripe old age of eighty-four years, dying in Henry county, Illinois.
John Cochren, the eldest of twelve chil- dren, and the only representative of the fam- ily in Knox county, spent his early life in the city of Mount Vernon, and on the re- moval of the family to Howard township he accompanied them hither, where he re- mained until June, 1846, when he enlisted in Company B, Second Ohio Regiment, for service in the Mexican war. His military career covered a period of one year, during which time he was promoted from a private to corporal, and he served under General Taylor and Colonel George Morgan, of Mount Vernon. He is now the sole sur- vivor of Company B living in Knox coun- ty, and only one other, George Woolford, was living at the time of Colonel Morgan's death. After the close of hostilities Mr. Cochren returned to Howard township,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.