USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 36
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On the 14th of July, 1885, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Marietta Humbert, who was born in Howard town- ship, Knox county, Ohio, but being left an orphan, was reared from a child in the home
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
of Mr. John Campbell in Butler township. She attended the public schools of the neigh- borhood and the Art School of Mount Ver- non, and was also a student in an art school in Wheeling, West Virginia. She is a most estimable and highly cultured lady, and is very proficient in the art of portrait paint- ing in oil. Rev. Snyder possesses a deep religious nature, is thoroughly earnest and sincere in all his thoughts, words and deeds, and his noble, manly life has proved an in- spiration to many of his friends and asso- ciates.
HARMON WHITE.
The name of Harmon White is deeply engraved on the pages of Knox county's history, for through many years he has been an important factor in the agricultural in- terests of this section of the state. He was born on the farm on which he now resides on the Ist of January, 1842, the eldest of eight children, six of whom grew to years of maturity, of Joseph White. The latter was a son of Thomas White, a native of Kentucky, and who after coming to the Buckeye state entered the land on which both his son and grandson were born. Thomas White there spent his entire life. For a companion on the journey of life he chose Hannah DeWitt, a native of Brown township, Knox county, where her father, Barney DeWitt, located in a very early day.
Harmon White, the immediate subject of this sketch, has also spent his entire life on the farm on which his grandfather en- tered, and in the primitive log school house of the neighborhood he received his early education. When a small boy he took his
place in the fields, and the occupation of farming has ever since claimed his entire time and attention. His place now consists of one hundred and sixty-four acres of land, and in the cultivation of this valuable tract he has met with marked success. He has steadily worked his way upward to a posi- tion of affluence, overcoming many difficul- ties and obstacles in his path and advanc- ing step by step along the tried paths of hon- orable effort until he has reached the goal of prosperity.
On the 28th of September, 1865, oc- curred the marriage of Mr. White and Miss Louisa Ganes. She is one of eight children of Thomas B. and Susana (Burkholder )' Ganes, who came from Virginia to Ohio in a very early day, locating in the woods of Brown township. Five children have been . born unto the union of our subject and wife, as follows: Dr. C. C., a graduate of the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, and now a practicing physician of Mineral City, this state; Rosa, wife of Ira M. Lybarger, of Mount Vernon; J. B. and William E., at home. Lucy, the third child, died when only two years of age. In po- litical matters Mr. White stanchly upholds. Democratic principles, and he has held many positions of honor and trust in his town- ship. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Danville.
OLIVER P. BAKER.
Oliver P. Baker, a prominent and suc- cessful farmer of section 10, Jefferson town- ship, is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Jefferson township,.
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Knox county, on the Ist of April, 1828. His father, Philip Baker, was born on a farm in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, but in an early day he came with his parents, Pe- ter and Susana Baker, to Union township, Knox county, Ohio, where the grandparents died. Philip was reared and educated in Union township, and as a life occupation he chose the tilling of the soil. He was there married to Sarah Butler, a native of Knox county and a daughter of John But- ler, who was among the early pioneers of this commonwealth, coming to this state from Kentucky, but his birth occurred in the Old Dominion. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baker were born eleven children, four of whom still survive, namely: Hester, the widow of William Denkins; Oliver P., whose name introduces this review; Caro- line, wife of A. W. Greer, whose sketch will be found on another page of this volume; and James W., a prominent farmer of But- ler township, Knox county. The mother of this family was called to her final rest at the age of seventy-seven years, but her husband survived her a number of years, dy- ing at the age of eighty-five years. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was a Democrat in his political views.
Oliver P. Baker enjoyed but limited edu- cational privileges during his youth and early manhood, as he was only permitted to attend school twenty-six days during the year, pur- suing his studies in an old log cabin school house at Greenville. When only nine years of age he took his place in the fields, and from that time to the present he has devoted his undivided attention to the work of the farm. He assisted his father in the care of the old homestead until his marriage, which occurred on the 19th of June, 1849, Miss
Elizabeth Beck becoming his wife. She was born in Brooke county, West Virginia, No- vember 16, 1833, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Seaman) Beck. In 1836 the par- ents came to Knox county, Ohio, locating in a log cabin in the woods of Jefferson town- ship, and there they spent their remaining days, the father dying at the age of forty- eight years. The mother, who was a na- tive of Brooke county, West Virginia, reached the age of seventy-three years. This worthy couple became the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, and four of the number are now living, name- ly: Frank, Elizabeth, Nancy and Samuel V. Nancy is the widow of Henry Monger. Mrs. Baker was but three years of age when she accompanied her parents on their re- moval to this state, and her home was located but three miles distant from that of her hus- band.
After his marriage Mr. Baker brought his bride to the farm which they still occupy. At that time the place consisted of two hun- dred and ten acres, but as the years passed by and success rewarded his honest toil he was enabled to add to his landed possessions until at one time he was the owner of eight hundred acres. He has since, however, di- vided this tract among his children, and has also given them three thousand dollars in money, thus ably assisting them to start on an active business career. He still retains possession of the old homestead farm of two hundred and ten acres, which contains many and valuable improvements, and his is one of the best improved and most produc- tive farms of the locality.
Nine children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Baker, namely: Susanna, the wife of Benjamin Humphrey, a promi-
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nent agriculturist of Holmes county, Ohio; Sarah, the widow of Culvin Humphrey and a resident of Brown township, Knox county ; Mary M., wife of Joseph States, of Wood county, this state; Philip, who married Alice Severns and makes his home in Brown township, Knox county; Nancy, at home; Druzilla, the wife of Wilson Rice, of Jeffer- son township; Samuel V., who married Hat- tie Workman, a daughter of Bennett Work- man; and two who died in infancy. All of the children, with the exception of the eld- est, were born on the farm on which the par- ents still reside. Mr. Baker has been a life- long Democrat, and his religious views are in harmony with the Methodist church, of which he is a worthy and consistent member.
JOHN C. GILMORE.
John C. Gilmore, who is serving as jus- tice of the peace in Berlin township, is one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of that locality. He was born in Pike town- ship February 26, 1874. His father, Will- iam J. Arnold, was a native of that town- ship and his people were among the pioneer settlers of the county. He died when his son was only two yars old, and a year later his mother, Mrs. Amanda (Gilmore) Arn- old, also passed away. She was born in Berlin township and belonged, also, to one of the pioneer families of this portion of the state.
Thus early left an orphan, the subject of this review was adopted by his grandpar- ents, Alexander and Margaret Gilmore, and to him they gave their name. He became a member of their household on the 5th of
July, 1877, and lived with them until twen- ty-one years of age, during which time he assisted in the work of field and meadow and through the winter season pursued his education in the district schools of Berlin township. When he had attained his ma- jority he started out in life for himself and as a companion and helpmate for the jour- ney he chose Miss Ella E. Grubaugh, the wedding being celebrated on the 3d of April, 1895. The lady is a native of Ash- land county, Ohio, and a daughter of James and Lydia (Stoner) Grubaugh, pioneer peo- ple of that county. Mrs. Gilmore is the eldest of their six children, three sons and three daughters, and was reared under the parental roof in the county of her nativity. Three children have been born unto our sub- ject and his wife, namely: Howard J., Jay C. and Floyd E.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Gilmore took up his residence in Mount Vernon and thence came to his present home in Berlin township, where he inherited two hundred and seventy-seven acres of land from his grandparents. He raises grain to some ex- tent but makes a specialty of stock raising and is very successful in that branch of bus- iness. He now has on his place about fifty head of cattle, one hundred head of sheep and also good hogs and horses. His sales and shipments are large and his thorough knowledge of the best methods of handling stock has made him quite prosperous in his business career.
Mr. Gilmore exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy and keeps well informed on the issues of the day so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argu- ment. On the 2d day of April, 1900, he was
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elected justice of the peace and has proved a most fair and impartial official. He was at one time a member of the Patrons of In- dustry, and is well known throughout the county as an enterprising and progressive farmer, a loyal citizen and a man of straight- forward and honorable principles.
DAVID McDANIEL.
Among the leading and progressive farm- ers in Berlin township is numbered David McDaniel, who there owns and operates a valuable tract of land of one hundred and four acres. He was born on the farm where he now lives, his natal day being September 2, 1830. His father, David McDaniel, was a native of Ireland and when a young man sought a home in America, taking up his abode in Maryland, whence he afterward came to Knox county. Here he first located in Mount Vernon, but at a later date he set- tled upon the farm which is now the home of our subject. It was then a densely wooded tract, but with characteristic energy he began to clear away the trees and put the land in condition for cultivation, so that in the course of time the fields yielded to him good harvests. He voted with the Democ- racy and was ever true to his duties of cit- izenship. His death occurred when he was seventy-eight years of age. Mrs. McDaniel, the mother of our subject, bore the maiden name of Christina Lett, and was a native of Germany, coming to the United States with' her parents. In Maryland she gave her hand in marriage to David McDaniel, and in a wagon, according to the primitive man- ner of the times, they journeyed westward
to Knox county, where she spent the rest of her life, passing away when about sev- enty-two years of age.
David McDaniel, whose name introduces this record is the youngest of this family of five sons and four daughters, all of whom, with one exception, were born in Knox county. The old homestead farm was his play ground in youth and it was there that he was prepared for the particular and re- sponsible duties of life. He has seldom been away from home, never further than Michigan, and throughout his entire life he has devoted his energies to the work of the farm. His tract of land of one hundred and four acres is under a high state of cultiva- tion, for the methods he follows are pro- gressive and fail not to bring good results.
On the 21st of October, 1852, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. McDaniel and Sarah E. Ewers, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, and was there reared and mar- ried. After thirty-eight years of happy married life she was called to the home be- yond in 1890. Of the eleven children born unto them, nine are yet living, namely : Mrs. Alice Baldwin; Lovila, deceased; Le Grand; Luella ; Charlie, deceased ; Lewis M .; Mrs. Mary E. Stahl; Frank; Mrs. Lunette Hosack; Laura; and Clarence. All were born on the old farm where Mr. McDaniel yet resides. He exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the Democratic party but has never been an aspirant after office. He is well known in Berlin township, where he is one of the oldest residents, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are num- bered among those who have been acquaint- ed with him from boyhood is an indication that his career has ever been honorable and straightforward.
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JOHN THORNTON WHITWORTH.
One of the enterprising agriculturists of Knox county is John T. Whitworth, who for many years has been identified with the interests of this locality and is ranked among the representative citizens of the community. He was born at Murfle, York- shire, England, November 27, 1841, a son of Abraham Whitworth, also a native of that country. The latter's father was a coal miner, and was killed when the son was a small boy, and his mother, Martha Whit- worth, reached the age of eighty-seven years, dying in her native land. Abraham Whitworth served a seven years' appren- ticeship at the blacksmith's trade in the land of his birth, and after his arrival in the United States, in 1842, located at Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, where he followed his chosen occupation for a number of years, working for the government and also for the steamboat trade. In 1857 he came to Knox county, Ohio, purchasing the farm on which our subject now resides, and in addition to its cultivation he also con- ducted a blacksmith shop. His life's la- bors were ended in February, 1880, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years. He was well known and active in Republican circles in his locality, and socially was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, joining the order in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
As a companion on the journey of life Mr. Whitworth chose Margaret Thornton, and she, too, was a native of England, where she was reared and educated. Her birth occurred on the 4th of March, 1820, and at Mount Vernon, on the 10th of June, 1896, after a useful and well-spent life, she
was called to the home beyond. Her father, John Thornton, was born in England, and there spent his entire life, dying in old age. Mr. and Mrs. Whitworth became the par- ents of eleven children, three of whom grew to years of maturity, our subject being the second child and eldest son in order of birth, and his two surviving sisters are: Sarah, the wife of William Welsh, of Mount Ver- non ; and Elizabeth, the wife of J. W. Hill, of Bayard, Iowa.
John T. Whitworth, of this review, was only about six months old when he was brought by his parents to the United States, the family locating in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, where he remained until his sixteenth year, and while there he learned the glass- maker's trade, following the same for three years. In 1857 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Knox county, Ohio. On the 5th of June, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company A, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and his military services covered a period of three years and two weeks. Dur- ing that time he participated in many of the hard-fought battles of the war, including those of Rich Mountain, Harrison's Land- ing, Goldsborough, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and all others in which the Army of the Potomac participated. During his service he was never wounded, but on one occasion was hit in the knee by a spent ball. Receiving an honorable discharge on the 2Ist of June, 1864, Mr. Whitworth then returned to his home in Knox county, where he took up the quiet pursuits of the farm. After his marriage he located on the homestead which he yet owns and occupies, consisting of two hundred acres of rich and fertile land, and there he is extensively en-
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gaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is industrious, persevering and dis- criminating, and the prosperity which has come to him is indeed well merited.
November 24, 1867, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Whitworth and Miss Mary Jane Critchfield. She was born June 19, 1848, in Howard township, Knox county, and has here spent her entire life. Her par- ents, Lewis and Mary (Dawson) Critch- field, were among the early settlers of this locality. A son and daughter have bright- ened and blessed the home of our subject and wife,-Abraham L., who married Cath- erine Singer, and conducts the farm; and Sarah E., at home. In political matters Mr. Whitworth gives his support to the Republican party, and in his social relations he is a member of Joe Hooker Post, G. A. R., and of the U. V. L. Encampment at Mount Vernon.
DRS. WALTER SMITH AND ROBERT PUTNAM.
For a number of years the Putnam brothers have been engaged in the practice of medicine at Brinkhaven, Knox county, Ohio, and the name is a household word in the homes of this county. Their long identi- fication with the place and their prominence here entitle them to more than a passing no- tice in a work of this character, devoted as it is to a portrayal of the lives of represen- tative men and women of the county.
Dr. Walter Smith Putnam was born in Brinkhaven, on the 23d of September, 1863. His grandfather, George Putnam, was one of the early pioneers of Knox county, and
his son, Isaac, who was descended from German ancestry on his mother's side, was born near Danville in 1825. When the time came for him to assume the active duties of life on his own account he chose the pro- fession of medicine, later graduating in the medical department of the University off Wooster, and for twenty-six years he was an able and successful physician at Brink- haven, Knox county. He was a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was a stanch Republican in his political views. He was but forty-nine years of age when his life's labors were ended in death, in 1873. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sa- rah Cunningham, was a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and she passed to her final reward when she had reached the fifty-fifth milestone on the journey of life. This worthy couple became the parents of four sons, all of whom grew to manhood,-Will- iam Henry, who has now passed away; Robert, whose history will be found in this sketch; David E., who has also been called to the home beyond; and Walter S., of this review.
The latter received his education in the schools of Millersburg and Ada, and after completing the branches of learning taught in the public schools he entered upon the study of medicine, matriculating in the medical department of the Western Reserve College. He then graduated in the class of 1887 in the medical department of the Uni- versity of Wooster, after which he entered upon the practice of medicine in Brinkhaven, in company with his brother, Dr. Robert Putnam. His professional career has been attended with marked success. His prompt- ness, his systematic nature, and his gener-
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
osity are well known factors in his makeup, and those who have known him longest es- teem him most highly. He is a prominent member of the State Medical Society. He has also attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry, having been a member of the fraternity since 1890, and he is also identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees. In political matters he is a stanch supporter of Repub- lican principles.
In 1889 Dr. Putnam was united in mar- riage to Margaret Peppard, a native of Wayne county and a daughter of Hon. W. C. and Mary Peppard. They have three sons,-Isaac Smith, George Wise and Rob- ert Bruce.
Dr. Robert Putnam is also a native son of Brinkhaven, his birth having occurred on the 24th of February, 1852. He, too, chose the profession of medicine as a life occupa- tion, and in 1872 he graduated in the medi- cal department of the University of Woos- ter, entering immediately upon the practice of his profession in Brinkhaven, in com- pany with his father, Dr. Isaac Putnam. The Putnam brothers now take rank among the leading medical practitioners of Knox county and are enjoying a large and lucra- tive patronage, which has come to them as a reward of their ability and thoroughness.
As a companion through the journey of life the Doctor chose Miss Hannah Fouch, their wedding being celebrated on the 17th of April, 1873. The lady was born in Mus- kingum county, Ohio, a daughter of James and Mary Jane (Thompson) Fouch. Three children came to bless this union, but all have passed away in death,-Roland, James and one who died in infancy. The Republi-
can party receives the Doctor's hearty sup- port and co-operation, and in his social re- lations he is a Knight Templar Mason.
GEORGE EDWIN MCKINNEY.
The farm which is now his home was also the birthplace of George E. Mckinney, who there first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 7th of October, 1844. He owns a good tract of land in Middlebury township and has always engaged in farm- ing. It is thought that George Mckinney, the grandfather of our subject, was a na- tive of Ireland. Coming to America, he es- tablished his home in Virginia and served in the war of 1812. He was one of a family of five brothers and two sisters. The latter and two of the brothers came to Ohio and aided in the pioneer development of the state. George J. Mckinney, the grandfather of our subject, spent his last days in Wayne township, Knox county, where he died at the age of eighty-four years on a farm adjoin- ing the present home of his grandson.
His son, William T. Mckinney, the fa- ther of our subject, was a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, and when fourteen years of age, in 1825, he came with his parents to Ohio, the family locating in Perry county, whence they removed to Knox county about 1830. He was married in this county to Louisa Spencer, a daughter of George Spen- cer, also one of the early settlers near Waterford, Middlebury township. He was of the Society of Friends or Quakers and came from Pennsylvania. Unto the parents of our subject were born eight children, three of whom reached mature years and are still
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living. Elizabeth, widow of Oliver Harlan, and Mary Ellen, widow of John Brollier, both near Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and Melville C., residing near Cardington, Ohio. The mother died at the age of thirty-nine years and the father afterward married Phoebe Beaty, by whom he had three children, but only one is now living,-Thomas, a resident of Wayne township. After his marriage William T. Mckinney rented a farm in Middlebury township and then became the owner of a tract of land there, securing the old home- stead in 1858, which he operated until his death, in August, 1867, when in his fifty- sixth year. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, generously gave of his means to its support and was ac- tive in promoting its cause, serving as trus- tee and class leader. His life was an upright and honorable one and his influence for good was widely felt. He was survived by his es- timable wife for thirty-three years, she dying April 18, 1900, aged seventy-five years. She had lived in Fredericktown after her husband's death.
The Mckinney family have long been numbered among the most prominent and valued citizens of Knox county and George E. Mckinney has ever worthily upheld the family record. He was reared on the farm where he now lives and in the district schools he obtained his preliminary education, which was supplemented by study in Frederick- town through four years. He then taught school for one term, but throughout his busi- ness career his attention has been chiefly given to agriculture.
On the 22d of October, 1868, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mckinney and Miss Rebecca E. Huggins, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, born January 31, 1844, a
daughter of Thomas and Nancy J. ( Moore) Huggins, natives of Pennsylvania. In Guernsey county, Ohio, however, they were married and later they came to Morrow county, settling here in 1845. The father died at the age of seventy-six, but the mother is still living with Mrs. McKinney in the eighty-first year of her age. They were the parents of five sons and three daughters, Mrs. McKinney being the third in order of birth. She was reared in Mor- row county, there remaining until her mar- riage, by which she has become the mother of three children. The eldest is Rev. Will- iamı T., who married Jessie Heffleman and resides in Erie, Michigan, where he is now pastor of the Presbyterian church. He is quite prominent in that denomination. They have two children, twins, Paul and Pauline. John M., the second of the family, married Ida C. Ackerman, by whom he has one son, George L. He is now engaged in farming in Morris township. He is a graduate of the University of Wooster, being educated for the ministry but failing health would not permit him to follow that holy calling. Ed- win H., the youngest, is now a student at the Ohio State Medical University at Co- lumbus. The children have all been given excellent educational privileges and all have been successful teachers.
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