USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 41
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
a lasting place on the scroll where are in- scribed. the names of Ohio's honored pi- oneers. Henry McVey died at the age of sixty-seven years, and his widow passed away at the venerable age of eighty-seven.
Isaac and Harriet (McVey) Wolfe be- came the parents of five children, concerning whom we enter the following brief record : Lucina M. was first married to Martin Lu- barger, and they became the parents of two sons, the elder of whom died at the age of twenty-three years, leaving a widow, while the younger son, Orley, who is an artist, re- sides with his mother at Hicksville, Defi- ance county. Seven years after the death of her first husband Mrs. Lubarger married Hugh Nelson, who died on the Ist of March, 1901, his widow having a good farm near Hicksville and a pleasant residence in the village. Peter R., the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe, is a prominent lumberman and esteemed citizen of Marshall county, Kansas, where he has resided for nearly thirty years, his father having purchased land in that locality many years ago. He has three children. Landora, the third child, is the wife of Denton Burton, of Baldwin, Kansas, who is the owner of a fine farm in that section, and they have one son and two daughters. Albert I. was the next in order of birth and is the immediate subject of this sketch. Willis M. married Jennie Smith, in July, 1889. and his death occurred in 1896. His wife now maintains her home in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Isaac Wolfe, the revered father of these children, died on the old homestead farm September 19, 1891, secure in the respect and esteem of the community where his long and useful life had been passed. He thus was not permitted to
take up his residence in his new town house. His devoted and cherished wife still resides in the attractive home in Danville, the residence having been erec- ted by her husband only a short time prior to his death, while she also retains possession of the old farm. Mr. Wolfe was a man of stanch integrity of character, was ever active in good works and a citizen of prominence in the community. He was not active in politics, but gave his support to the Democratic party. In the church Mrs. Wolfe is still an active worker and she re- tains the love of a large circle of devoted friends in the county where she has practi- cally passed the greater portion of her life. She was a liberal contributor to the erection of the new church.
Albert I. Wolfe, whose name introduces this review, was reared to agricultural pur- suits on the old homestead farm in Butler township, receiving his educational discipline in the public schools. After putting aside his text-books to assume the active duties of life on his own responsibility, he chose the vocation with which his father had been long identified-that of banking-and this has figured as his life work. He first entered a bank at Utica, Ohio, where he was em- ployed about six months, after which, in July, 1884, he associated himself with his father and brother, Willis M., in the estab- lising of a banking business in Danville. Af- ter the death of their father the two broth- ers continued to conduct the business until the death of Willis, since which time our subject has individually continued the enter- ยท prise, which is one of importance, the in- stitution standing in high favor and being known as one of the solid financial concerns
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
of the county. In addition to his extensive slumbers and soon calling many citizens on interests in the village of Danville Mr. Wolfe also owns much valuable country property, having farms in Butler, Union, Brown and Pike townships, with an aggregate area of four hundred and fifteen acres. His life has been one of industry and enterprise, and his untiring and well directed efforts have been attended with a splendid and well merited success, while he holds the confidence and respect of all who know him, in either busi- ness or social relations. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and his religious faith is that of the Christian church, in which he has served as trustee and treasurer. He is a worthy representative of one of our honored pioneer families and as a man and a citizen certainly merits the esteem and warm regard in which he is uniformly held in the county where he has passed his entire life.
In the year 1895 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wolfe to Miss Pearl V. Swigert, who was born in Millersburg, Holmes county, the daughter of H. W. and Ellen Swigert, the latter of whom died when Mrs. Wolfe was twelve years of age. Her father subsequently married Eldora Beckley, and they still reside in this county. One lit- tle daughter, Rosalie, has come to brighten and bless the home of our subject and his wife.
Probably the most exciting night ever experienced by citizens of Danville had greater interest for Mr. Wolfe than for any other resident of the place. In the early morning hours of October 15, 1901, the stillness was suddenly broken by the noise of an explosion, which was quickly succeeded by others, rousing the people from their
to the streets, when it was learned that a des- perate attempt was being made to secure the contents of the bank safe. Armed citizens soon appeared on the scene, only to be met by a fusilade from the burglars, of whom it was learned there were eight. The exchange of shots between the citizens and the guards of the robbers soon became so furious that those inside the bank found it necessary to abandon their nefarious work, though they had succeeded in blowing the doors from the safe. They had secured none of the valuable contents and now realized the imperative necessity of attempting to escape with their lives, as many men, armed with such weap- ons as were available, were pushing forward to protect the bank. The robbers beat a re- treat to the southward, one of them being ap- parently wounded and being assisted by two of his companions. Horses had been teth- ered just outside of Buckeye City, and four of the robbers took flight in one buggy, while the horses of the other four broke loose, making it necessary for each to seek safety as best he might. Horses were secured by the citizens and a ready pursuit was insti- tuted, resulting in the capture of four of the men on the following day, near Utica, about eighteen miles distant. At the ensuing trial all pleaded guilty and were given sentences varying from six and one-half to eight years. The bank safe was badly wrecked, one large piece of the same being driven completely through a thirteen-inch brick wall. Mr. Wolfe has recently installed in the bank a burglar-proof safe of Moseler's latest pat- tern, and thus the greatest possible security is assured to the funds in the care of the in- stitution.
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ROBERT CASSIL.
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One of the old and honored residents of this locality, Robert Cassil, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June 13, 1818. He is descended from good old Irish stock, his paternal grandfather having em- igrated from the Emerald Isle to this coun- try when a young man, taking up his abode in Pennsylvania, where he spent the remain- der of his life. In Washington county, that state, John Cassil, the father of our subject, was born, and he was there reared and mar- ried. In an early day, however, he came to Knox county, Ohio, locating on a farm in Howard township, where he passed away at the age of sixty-five years. While in the Keystone state he became a member of the Baptist church, and in political matters he was first a Jackson Democrat, later a Whig and after the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, having been the first man in Howard township to vote that ticket. During the war of 1812 he was a brave and loyal soldier.
For a companion on the journey of life Mr. Cassil chose Nancy Welsh, who also was born and reared in Pennsylvania. Her father was born in Wales, but when a young man he left his native land for the United States, locating in Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his days. Mrs. Cas- sil reached the age of seventy-five years, when she, too, was called to her final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Cassil became the parents of eight children, all of whom grew to years of maturity, as follows: William, who died at the age of about sixty years; Mary, who became the wife of John McElroy and died at the age of seventy-five years ; John, who
reached the sixty-fifth milestone on the jour- ney of life; Nancy, who became the wife of Nelson Critchfield and died when seventy years of age; James, a resident of Hutchin- son, Kansas, having reached the age of eighty-seven years; Robert, the subject of this review; Esther, who became the wife of Nathaniel Critchfield and died at the age of sixty-five years; and Colonel Alexander, whose history will be found on another page of this volume.
Robert Cassil, whose name forms the caption to this article, was about fifteen years of age when he came with his parents to Knox county, Ohio, and prior to his re- moval here he had attended the common schools of Washington county, Pennsyl- vania. After his arrival in this county he assisted his father in the work of the home farm during the summer months, while in the winter season he attended the primitive log school house of the neighborhood. Af- ter his father's death he and his brother, Alexander, became owners of the old home place, but after the close of the Civil war the property was divided, and by purchasing his brother's interest our subject became owner of two hundred and forty-nine acres, including the old homestead of one hun- dred acres. There for many years Mr. Cas- sil was successfully engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising, but in his later years he has deeded his land to his children and is now enjoying the rest which he so richly deserves, his many years of laborious and persistent labor having brought to him a well merited competence. For seventy years has this locality been his home, and during all these years he has so lived as to win and retain the love and respect of nearly all with
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
whom he has had business or social inter- course. In his early life he gave his political support to the Whig party, but after the Republican party was formed, to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks and has ever since been numbered among its stanchest supporters. His first presidential vote was cast for Harrison, in 1840, and he has voted for the Whig or Re- publican candidates since. For many years he served as a trustee of his township, and for a long period he has been a deacon in the Christian church, of which he is a zealous member and active worker.
The marriage of Mr. Cassil was cele- brated in March, 1844, when Miss Sally Tracy became his wife. She was a native of Knox county, Ohio, a daughter of Marion and Susanna (Welker) Tracy, and during her entire life she was never absent from this locality except on occasional short visits. Her father was from Connecticut and served as county auditor for ten years and also rep- resented his county in the legislature for twc terms. Her death occurred in 1889, at the age of sixty-five years. Five children were born unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cassil, namely: Emma J., the widow of Lyman Barker, of Monroe; John, whose history will be found below; Ella, who was a success- ful teacher prior to her marriage to A. Gardner, and who is now deceased; and two children who died in infancy. In company with Grant Simpson, who resides on the Billy Green farm on Schank's creek, Mon- roe township, Emma J. owns the old Cas- sil homestead.
John A. Cassil, a son of Robert and Sally (Tracy) Cassil, was born on the old Cassil homestead on the 14th of April, 1850. He was reared and received his education in his
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native locality, and has here spent his entire life. He makes his home on the farm ad- joining the old homestead on the east, thus relieving his father of much care and respon- sibility in his declining years. He carries on both general farming and stock raising, and in both branches of his business he is. meeting with a high degree of success. He was married February 25, 1882, to Miss Belle Humbert, a daughter of John and Su- san (Coleman) Humbert. They have five children, four daughters and one son -- James R., who was born February 26, 1884; Frances E., who was born December 1I, 1885; Ella, born June 24, 1888; Louise, born March 30, 1890; and Madge, born Jan- uary 22, 1893. Mr. Cassil is a Republican in his political views, and socially is a mem- ber of the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge, chapter, council and commandery in Mount Vernon and to the Royal Arcanum.
ALEXANDER WILLIAM GREER.
Throughout his entire life, covering a period of seventy-one years, Alexander W. Greer has resided in Knox county, and has been actively identified with its mercantile and farming interests. His birth occurred in Jefferson township February 7, 1830. The family is of Irish lineage, and the grand- father of our subject never left the Emerald Isle. His son, Robert Greer, the father of Alexander, remained in Ireland until eight- een years of age, when he came to America, accompanied by his two brothers, Richard and James, four sisters, Martha, Mary, Jane and Margaret; and his mother, who died in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio,
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
when seventy years of age. The family made their home for nearly one year in Maryland, and in 1826 all came to Knox county, where they cast in their lot with the early settlers. Richard Greer was a farmer in this neighborhood, and his death occurred when he had reached the age of sixty-seven years. James Greer owned a farm near Dan- ville and he died at about seventy years of age. Martha married James Greer, a son of Colonel John Greer. Mary married Jon- athan Totten, and afterward returned to Maryland. Jane married Arthur Greer, a son of Colonel John Greer. Margaret died at the age of thirteen years. Robert Greer, ex- pecting that the Ohio canal would be ex- tended up the Mohegan valley, secured twelve acres of the Isaac Enlow farm, and about 1840 laid out a village, which was named in his honor. There for several years he was the only merchant and his trade was very extensive, reaching several miles in each direction.
Robert Greer, the father of our subject, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, March 12, 1806. He became a very active and in- fluential citizen of the community, and served as the first clerk of Jefferson town- ship. He was also a justice of the peace for many years. After his marriage he lo- cated on what is known as the Levi Butler farm, and there lived until Alexander was about three years of age, when he removed with his family to the farm upon which our subject now resides. There he spent his re- maining days, following agricultural pur- suits until his life's labors were ended in death, March 13, 1865, when he was about fifty-nine years of age. He had a wide ac- quaintance and his upright life made him worthy of the highest regard. For many
years a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church, he took an active part in its work, doing all he could for the promotion of its welfare and influence. He was married April 16, 1829, to Miss Sarah Severn, who was born April 14, 1803, in Monongalia county, Virginia. When a child of ten years she accompanied her parents, Joseph Severn and wife, on their removal to Coshocton county, Ohio, a location being made near Newcastle. Mrs. Greer survived her hus- band, and died November II, 1869, at the age of sixty-six years.
Alexander W. Greer was their only child. He was reared on his present farm, and in a log school house pursued his education in youth, while later he continued his studies in academies at Martinsburg and at Oberlin, where he was a student in 1851. He made his home upon his father's farm until his marriage, which was celebrated May 18, 1856, Miss Caroline Baker becoming his wife. She was born in Jefferson township, this county, December 26, 1835, her parents being Philip and Sarah (Butler) Baker, who were early settlers of Knox county, coming to Ohio from Pennsylvania. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Greer was blessed with eight children: Emma, who is the wife of J. F. Beatty and who resides near the old home; Ella A., deceased; Elmer C., who married Nona Shrimplin and lives at Greers- ville; Elsworth B., deceased; Edith J., the wife of Aquilla Barnes, of Brinkhaven; Ed- win R., of Greersville, who wedded Ora Scott ; Eldon P., who spent about three years as a telegraph operator but is now assisting his father; and a daughter who died in in- fancy.
Immediately after his marriage Mr. Greer engaged in merchandising at Greers-
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
ville, and continued in this line of enterprise about twenty years, meeting with gratifying success. Disposing of his stock, he then de- voted himself to his farm, which he had con- ducted during the meantime. He owns four hundred and thirty-seven acres of land, com- pletely surrounding Greersville, so that one can not visit or leave that place without trav- eling roads passing through his farm. His life has been characterized by industry, and now he is enjoying a well earned rest, the income from his farm supplying him with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Greer formerly supported the Republican party for many years but at later presidential elections voted for the Prohibi- tion candidates. He has long been a stanch temperance man, giving his aid and influence to the advanvement of the cause. He has served as treasurer, trustee and school di- rector in his township and has been a trustee and class leader in the Wesleyan Methodist church, in the work of which he has long been actively interested.
ELIAKIM E. LOCKWOOD.
The subject of this review is one whose ancestral history touches the pioneer epoch in the annals of the Buckeye state, and its members have ever been loyal and valorous, having served their nation faithfully in times of war, and he himself has left a mil- itary record which has added new honors to the name. Eliakim Ellison Lockwood was born in Knox county, Ohio, September 2, 1838, a son of Nelson and Hannah (Lock- wood) Lockwood. The father was born in Windsor county, Vermont, but in an early
day he located in Knox county, Ohio. He was united in marriage with Hannah Lock- wood, who also was born in Windsor county, Vermont, and they became the parents of four children: Henry H., who was born September 17, 1837; Eliakim E .; Nolan P., born January 23, 1840; and Rufus R., born January 2, 1841. The eldest son, Henry H., was a soldier in the Civil war, and he was called upon to lay down his life on the altar of his country, having been killed at the bat- tle of Bolivar, Tennessee. Both he and our subject were members of the same regiment and both enlisted at the same time.
Eliakim E. Lockwood, of this review, received but limited educational advantages during his youth and early manhood, as his time was principally occupied by the duties of the farm. When the Confederate guns were turned upon Fort Sumter his patriotic spirit became. aroused, and at the age of twenty-three years he enlisted for service in the war, becoming a member of Company G, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, en- listing for three years, and on the 31st of December, 1863, he received an honorable discharge. However, he re-enlisted as a vet- eran volunteer on the same day of his dis- charge, and with his old company and regi- ment he served until July 15, 1865, when he was again discharged. During his military career he participated in many of the hard- fought battles of the war, including those of Vicksburg, Iuka, Big Shanty, Port Royal, Shiloh, Black River, Atlanta and many others. At the last named engagement he received a gunshot wound, and for six weeks thereafter was confined in the hospital at Rome, Georgia, after which he was dis- charged at the capital of his country, which he had fought so valiantly to sustain. After
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the war had closed and he had returned to his home he was again ready to enter the private walks of life, and in times of peace he has been as true to his duties of citizen- ship as when he followed the starry banner on the battlefields of the south.
Mr. Lockwood has been twice married, his first union having been with Frances A. Dean, and they became the parents of four children : Charlie, Bertha, Eva and Alice. The last named is now deceased. For his second wife our subject chose Armetha Beardsley, who was born in Knox county, a daughter of William and Dorcas (Oliney) Beardsley. The father was born in Albany, New York, September 3, 1814, and was but an infant when he was brought to Knox county, Ohio. He is now living in Topeka, Kansas, at the age of eighty-seven years. In 1901 he made a visit to his old home in Miller township, Knox county. His wife was born in Rhode Island on the 8th of June, 1817, and was called to her final rest in the fall of 1865. In their family were six children : Arminta, Armenia, Amanda, Armetha, Adora and William P. By his second marriage our subject has one son, Harry B.
JOSEPH SCOTT.
The subject of this sketch enjoys the dis- tinction not only of being a successful farmer but of having been a railroad man of much experience, and his fellow citizens of Knox county, Ohio, recognize him as a citizen of standing and influence.
Joseph Scott, a son of Joseph and Mary Ann (Walker) Scott, was born March 19,
1833, at Toxey, Lincolnshire, England. He attended the public schools there until he was sixteen years of age and then emigrated to America, locating first at Mansfield, Ohio. After devoting a year to farm work, at nine dollars a month, he began his railroad career with a construction gang and later became a section' hand on the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark railroad. He was employed by that road for fifteen years, eventually becoming a section foreman at Shelby, on the Mount Vernon and Fredericktown railroad. In 1864 he entered the employ of the Erie Railroad Company as foreman of a construction gang, and assisted in building the Silver Creek branch of that line in Medina county, Ohio, having his headquarters at Wadsworth. He was made assistant roadmaster at James- town, New York, on the division from Meadville, Pennsylvania, to Salamanca, New York, and three years later was made road master of that division. Two years after that promotion he was appointed gen- eral assistant road master of the entire road, with full charge of the Mahoning division, with headquarters at Niles, Ohio. After serving in the capacity for two years, mak- ing in all twenty-five years of railroad serv- ice, he retired from that life and purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Wayne town- ship, Knox county, Ohio, which is under a fine state of cultivation and is supplied with ample farm buildings of all kinds. Mr. Scott retired from active farm life in 1893, when he bought a fine home on the border of Fredericktown, although he still retains his farm interests.
In Morris township, on November 27. 1856, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Louisa M. Ball, a daughter of Silas and Mary (Broadwell) Ball. She was born December
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16, 1829, and died May 1, 1884. February 17, 1887, he married Miss Phoebe A. Cos- ner, a daughter of John and Phoebe (Leon- ard) Cosner. He has never been blessed with children of his own, but has reared from early childhood to manhood Charles Sloan. Mr. Scott took out naturalization papers in Richland county in 1855, thus be- coming an American citizen in all that the term implies. Politically he is a Republican.
Mr. Scott's father, Joseph Scott, died in England. Our subject afterward sent for his mother, who was born in Feltingham, England, February 22, 1800. She came to Mansfield, Ohio, where she died February 9, 1882. The children of Joseph and Mary Ann (Walker) Scott were: William, George, Joseph, Maria, Rebecca, Mary and John. The last mentioned lives in Mans- field, Ohio. Rebecca lives at Toledo Junc- tion, Ohio, and is the wife of William Brooks. Mr. Scott's father, John Cosner, was born in Hardy county, Virginia, and at the age of eight years was brought to Knox county, Ohio, by his parents, Philip and Dorothy (Coler) Cosner. Philip Cosner and his wife were of German ancestry. The former was born in Virginia and the latter in Germany, and both died in Knox county, Ohio. They had twelve children, named as follows: Henry, Jacob, Philip, Mary, John, David, Christian, Adam, Elizabeth, Isaac, George and William. Left a widower, her grandfather Cosner married Eliza Dever, who bore him two sons, James and Robert. John Cosner had three children: Lovina, deceased ; John L., who lives in Knox coun- ty, Ohio; and Phoebe A., who is the wife of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Cosner died February 16, 1901, and his wife, No- vember 17, 1900.
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