USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 43
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JOHN J. HYATT.
One of the well known and energetic cit- izens of Brown township, Knox county, is John J. Hyatt; who is extensively engaged in shipping stock and in superintending his farming and landed interests. He makes his home in Jelloway, and was born in that village August 7, 1873. His father, Dr. A. J. Hyatt, was a native of Coshocton county,
Ohio, and in his early manhood engaged in teaching school. In his leisure hours he de- voted his attention to the study of medicine and became a prominent practicing physi- cian, following his profession for thirty-five years in Jelloway. He died in 1898, and in the community his loss was deeply mourned. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order and politically with the Democracy. A self-educated man, he made the most of his opportunities through life and his merit won him advancement. He married Emma G. Gaines, who was born in Brown township, Knox county, and who still survives her husband. They became the parents of four chuldren, of whom John J. is the eldest. The others are: Dwight H., who is attending school in Ada, Ohio; Rob- ert, deceased; and Louis D., who also is a student in Ada.
John J. Hyatt, of this review, began his education in the common schools of Scio and then was matriculated in Kenyon Col- lege at Gambier, in which institution he was graduated with the class of 1896. He then took up the management of his father's busi- ness interests as administrator of his estate. He is also in partnership with N. M. Ross, in buying and shipping stock on a commis- sion basis, representing about six firms. Mr. Hyatt is a young man of excellent business ability and his efforts are permeated by a laudable ambition. In his life he manifests that same progressive spirit which has led to the wonderful development of this country and which will make him a very successful man.
In his political views he is a Democrat and is now serving as justice of the peace of Jelloway, discharging his duties in a very capable manner. He also belongs to the tent
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of the Knights of the Maccabees in his native town and has filled most of its offices. Throughout the county where his entire life has been spent, he has a wide acquaintance and is a popular young man, whose genial and cordial disposition has gained for him many friends.
DAVID L. NYHART.
For more than half a century David L. Nyhart has resided in Knox county, where he has a very wide acquaintanceship. He was born in Jefferson township, August 27, 1846, and represents an old family of Penn- sylvania, which was established in Ohio dur- ing the early part of the nineteenth century. Jacob Nyhart, his father, was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, and about 1812 accompanied his parents to Knox county, a settlement being made by the fam- ily in Harrison township, where Jacob Ny- hart was reared and married. He then lo- cated in Jefferson township, but spent the last three years of his life in Brown town- ship in the home of his youngest daughter, Mrs. Mary C. Scholes, passing away in his ninety-second year. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, took an active interest in its work and labored earn- estly for the support of Christianity among his fellow men. His political support was given to the Democracy for many years, but in his later life he espoused the cause of the Prohibition party. He was left fatherless at the age of six, and from that time forward was largely dependent upon his own re- sources, so that he deserved great credit for what he accomplished in life. He wedded
Mary Smith, a native of New Jersey, who died when more than eighty years of age. Her father, William Smith, came to Knox county at a very early day and bore his part in the development of this region. He died in Harrison township at the very vener- able age of ninety-nine years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nyhart were born nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom reached adult age; namely: John ; William ; Jacob, who died in the army; David L .; Noah ; Mrs. Margaret Hess ; Mrs. Sybil Mc- Kee; Mrs. Barbara Ann Maxwell and Mrs. Mary C. Scholes.
David L. Nyhart, the fourth son of the family, was reared in Jefferson township. where he remained until after he had at- tained his maturity. Like most young men, on starting out in life on his own account, he sought a companion for the journey and wedded Mary E. Banbury, who was born in Jefferson township, a daughter of Charles and Barbara (Robinson) Banbury, who were early settlers of Knox county, their home being in Jefferson township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nyhart have been born two daughters, Ottes Mollie and Etta Mildred. They also lost one son, Charles Orley, who died of sarcoma, at the age of seventeen years.
In 1871 Mr. Nyhart located upon the farm which is still his place of residence. Here he owns one hundred and seven acres of rich land and in addition to the cultivation of the crops best adapted to this climate, he is making a specialty of raising fine Poland China hogs. He also handles thoroughbred cattle and Delaine sheep, and this branch of his business is now extensive and profitable. He is prominent among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of his community and the
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
success which he has gained is well earned. He votes with the Republican party and is unfaltering in his allegiance to its principles. His church relationship is with the Metho- dist Episcopal denomination, and he takes an active part in church work. He has been steward, class-leader, trustee and superin- tendent of the Sunday-school, acting in the latter capacity for almost fifteen years, at .dif- ferent intervals. He has likewise been iden- tified with the educational interests of Jeffer- son, Brown and Pike townships, for during twelve years he has taught school through the winter months while in the summer his attention has been devoted to farm work. His life has been upright; his conduct straightforward and his word reliable, and thus the qualities of an honorable manhood have secured to him the confidence and friendship of those with whom he has been associated.
C. F. RICE.
C. F. Rice, who for more than six year- filled the office of county commissioner with marked ability and to the satisfaction of all concerned, is a successful and extensive farmer of Knox county, living in Jefferson township. He was born in this township, December 10, 1854, a son of Frederick and Nancy J. Rice. His childhood and youth were passed in a manner common to boys of that period, and in the district schools he ac- quired a fair knowledge of those common English branches of learning which are of such practical value in the active affairs of life.
Mr. Rice remained at home and assisted his father in the cultivation of the home
farm, and after his father's death assumed the management of the place, which he oper- ated for his mother until she, too, was called away. He is to-day the owner of four hun- dred acres of good land in Jefferson, Brown and Union townships, and his farm work is carried on along progressive lines. Every- thing about the place is kept in good repair, rotation of crops is practiced and each year the well tilled fields yield to him desirable harvests. In connection with agricultural pursuits he is also buying and selling tim- ber, annually shipping many carloads. This enterprise also adds materially to his income.
In May, 1880, Mr. Rice was married to Miss Eliza E. McKee, a native of Union township and a daughter of Charles and Sa- rah McKee, who were early settlers of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Rice began their do- mestic life upon the farm which is still their home, and the union has been blessed with one son, Earl C. They are worthy people who have many friends. In 1892, entirely unsolicited on his part, there came to him the nomination for county commissioner on the Democratic ticket. He was elected, and after three years' service in that office he was re-elected. He was also appointed to fill a vacancy of seven months, so that his incumbency in the position continued for seven months in addition to his six years' term. He has filled all the local offices, and in these, as in the county service, he won the commendation of the public by reason of his devotion to the general good. When twenty- one years of age he became a member of the Masonic fraternity and has since attained to the degree of a Knight Templar, in Clinton Commandery, No. 5, K. T. He likewise be- longs to Bartholomew Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Democracy ; to the Modern Woodmen Camp
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at Danville, and to the Knights of the Mac- cabees of Buckeye City. He is a worthy ex- ponent of the teachings of those fraternities and is a representative farmer and valued citizen, true to every trust whether of a pub- lic or private nature.
EUGENE R. LEEDY.
Eugene R. Leedy, who is engaged in general farming in Berlin township, his home being on the old state road, is num- bered among Ohio's native sons, for his birth occurred in Jefferson township, Rich- land county. The family has been one of prominence in this state from the early pio- neer days, so that one of its members scarce- ly needs an introduction to the readers of this volume. Aaron Leedy, his father, was born in Knox county, Ohio, and was the youngest child of Abraham and Elizabeth Leedy, of whom individual mention is made elsewhere in this volume, and in a large fam- ily he was the only one born in this county. He was reared and married in Berlin town- ship, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth Garber, who was born in Jefferson township, Richland county, and was a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Leedy) Garber. The parents began their domestic life in Knox county, but subsequently removed to Rich- land county, where they still reside. They had six sons and two daughters who lived to mature years, and they also lost one daughter.
Eugene R. Leedy was born on the 16th of February, 1861, and is the second son and third child in this family. No event of special importance occurred to vary the rou-
tine of farm life for him in his youth. He was educated in the common schools and early worked in the fields, assisting in the cultivation of the home farm until his mar- riage, which occurred December 11, 1884. He wedded Nancy J. Beal, who was born in Berlin township April 10, 1864, a daughter of Franklin Beal, who was born in Richland county September 28, 1839. His mother died when he was only four weeks old, and he spent his boyhood days on the farm, in the home of D. Hetrick, in Berlin township, Knox county, where he became acquainted with Miss Susan Fink, whom he married September 12, 1861. She was born in Ber -. lin township November 23, 1840, and be- came the mother of two children, a son and a daughter. Her people were among the first settlers in that township, and aided in reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civ- ilization. Franklin Beal made farming his life work, and resided upon the tract of land which constitutes our subject's present farm. His death occurred April 12, 1885. The marriage of our subject and wife has been blessed with three children,-Lulu May, Erma Elizabeth and a son who died in in- fancy. The two latter were twins.
Eugene R. Leedy, of this review, owns and resides upon a farm of fifty-one acres in Berlin township, and he is one of the wide- awake and progressive business men of this section. He follows general farming, and at the same time makes a specialty of the culti- vation of fruit and the raising of poultry, and in all branches of his business he is meeting with success, for he has studied the needs of fruits, cereals and of fowls. His opinions are largely received as authority in these matters, and that his methods are ex- cellent is shown by the splendid results which
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
attend his labors. He was reared in the faith of the Universalist church, to which his fa- ther and mother belonged and of which he is now a member. He votes the Democratic ticket when questions of national importance are involved, but at local elections casts his ballot independently. He is a strong temper- ance man in every respect, using neither liquors nor tobacco in any form, and he does all in his power to inculcate like principles among his fellow men. Three times he has served as a member of the board of educa- tion, and the schools have found in him a warm friend. He belongs to Wayne Lodge, No. 303, Knights of Pythias, of Frederick- town, and also to the Patrons of Husbandry, Bellville, and of the latter he has been sec- retary for seven years. He takes an active part in its work and does everything in his power to promote the welfare of his com- munity and advance the general good. He is now the president of the Leedy Reunion Association, which was organized in 1895, and since that time he has been filling some office in the organization. The spirit of con- tinuous activity and of progressiveness has resulted in carrying forward plans to suc- cessful completion, and it is along these lines that Mr. Leedy has become known as one of the leading representatives of agricultural interests in Knox county.
JOHN WOLFE LINDLEY.
One of the earliest families making a per- manent settlement in Knox county, Ohio, was that now worthily represented in this section of the state by the gentleman whose name forms the heading of this sketch. For
many years the Lindleys have been identified with the agricultural interests of their com- munity, aiding materially in the develop-, ment of the resources of their section and taking an active part in everything calcu -: lated to promote the welfare and happiness of the majority. The family was founded: in this country by three brothers who came from England in a very early day, two of whom settled in New Jersey and one in Pennsylvania, and from the latter branch our subject is descended.
Mahlon Lindley, his father, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1791 .. The latter's father, Joseph Lindley, died when he was but twelve years of age, and his mother afterward again married, and thus the children were early left to provide for their own support. Mr. Lindley subse- quently made his way to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he was employed as a carder and fuller, and he was there married to Miss Anna Wolfe. About 1821 they came to Knox county, purchasing the farm on which our subject now resides, which was then in its primitive condition. He first lived in a log cabin and began the task of extending the clearing of his land and placing it under cultivation. Prosperity abundantly reward- ed his well directed efforts, his farm finally becoming one of the most valuable home- steads in the locality, and in 1830 their log cabin was replaced by the present brick house, the bricks. for which were made on the farm. The water for this purpose was drawn with an old well sweep and the mor- tar was tramped by oxen. It was the second brick house erected in the county, and at that time one of the largest and most preten- tious residences. It still forms the principal part of the present dwelling, although it has
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been entirely remodeled. Here Mr. Lindley spent his remaining days, passing away in death in 1881, at the age of ninety years. His faculties were remarkably well pre- served, and his business received his per- sonal attention until the last. He was first a Whig and afterward a Republican in po- litical views, and of the Presbyterian church at Fredericktown he was a worthy and ac- ceptable member. Of the eight children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Lindley five are now liv- ing: John W., the subject of this review ; Phoebe A., widow of Columbus S. Doolittle, of Mansfield; Lucinda H., the widow of William Sims, of Urbana, Illinois; Jacob, a resident of Minonk, Illinois; and Mahlon, a practicing physician of Urbana, Illinois.
John W. Lindley was born August 20, 1826, and remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, when he became a student in the Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, in which he was graduated after a four years' course. He was a member of the class of 1850, and received the degree of A. B., while the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him three years later. Among his col- lege associates may be mentioned Rev. Dr. David Swing, also Benjamin Harrison and Rev. Dr. S. S. Laws, LL. D., late president of the Missouri State University. Rev. Rob- ert Morrison, a minister of the Presbyterian church in Missouri, was also one of his classmates, and in company with that gentle- man and four others Mr. Lindley founded, in 1848, the Phi Delta Theta Greek-letter college society, which now has a member- ship of over eleven thousand and has sixty- five chapters. Of the original founders only our subject and Rev. Robert Morrison are still living, and both are honored members at the great biennial conventions of the society.
He next entered Hagerstown Academy, in which he spent two and a half years as as- sistant to his brother, Joseph, who was its principal, and the following year he was made principal of the Poplar Grove Acad- emy, of Smyrna, Tennessee. He next re- moved to Charleston, Indiana, where he be- came the proprietor and principal of the Charleston Female Institute, in which sev- enty-five young ladies were enrolled, con- ducting the same for about five years. Dur- ing the following season he was in charge of the Paducah Female Seminary, at Paducah, Kentucky, but was obliged to leave that in- stitution after the breaking out of the Civil war, as the northern army came into the town and took possession of the seminary building as headquarters. Returning to Richmond, Ohio, he was employed for two and a half years as professor of mathematics and natural science in the Richmond College, a Presbyterian institution. He then came to his old home in Knox county, assuming the management of the farm. After his father's death Mr. Lindley purchased the old home- stead, where he has ever since followed the tilling of the soil. In all his business rela- tions he is thoroughly upright and conscien- tious, gentlemanly, considerate, and cour- teous in his personal and social contact with all mankind, and one who is an intrinsically honest man.
On the 9th of October, 1858, Mr. Lindley was united in marriage, at Richmond, Ohio, to Miss Catherine E. Shelley, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, and a daughter of Benjamin Shelley, who still makes his home in Jefferson county, having now reached the ninety-third milestone on the journey of life. He is very active both physically and men- tally, and still takes care of his own garden.
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lindley have been born six children: Amasa, at home; Joseph B., proprietor of a steam laundry at Mansfield, Ohio; Benjamin S., at home; Lulu, a popu- lar and successful teacher of domestic sci- ence at Boston, Massachusetts ; William, a shoe merchant at Fredericktown, Ohio; and Elizabeth, wife of Dr. F. M. McMurry, prin- cipal of the Teachers' College in the Colum- bia University, of New York City. The children have all been provided with excel- lent educational advantages and are an honor to the honored family name. Mr. Lindley is identified with the Republican party, and for thirty-three years served continuously in the office of justice of the peace. For the past thirty years he has been a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he has served as a ruling elder through a long period.
NORMAN M. STRONG.
The horologe of time has marked off ninety years since the Strong family, to which our subject belongs, was established in Knox county. History and tradition tell of the conditions found here at that time, -wild, unbroken forests, undrained marshes and an uncultivated wilderness. Only here and there was seen the little log cabin of the pioneer-the van guard of civilization. Block houses afforded the settlers protection from the Indians, who still lived in this portion of the state, while wild beasts roamed the forests. Courageous hearts and willing hands, however, were braving the dangers and hardships incident to life on the frontier, and of this class was numbered the grand- father and the father of our subject, who
manfully bore their part in claiming the wilderness for the white man and carrying civilization into the wild west.
The former, Darius Strong, was a na- tive of Vermont, and in 1811 arrived in Knox county, locating in what is now Mid- dlebury township, being the second man to take up his abode within its borders. He was an industrious, energetic farmer and well deserved to be classed among the hon- ored pioneers to whom the present genera- tion owes a debt of gratitude for what they accomplished in the days when Knox county was on the frontier. Rev. Truman Strong, the father of our subject was born in the town of Poultney, Vermont, and was there reared and married, coming to Ohio in 1812. He located on the farm where our subject now resides, adjoining that of his father. From the village of Fredericktown to his location he had to cut his way through the forest, so dense grew the trees. In the town was a blockhouse, in which the settlers might seek refuge in case of attack by hostile In- dians. Mr. Strong at once began to clear his land, which was secured on a soldier's claim, building thereon a little log cabin, in which he and his family lived in true pioneer style. His wife bore the maiden name of Polly Ashley, and was a native of Orwell, Vermont. Her father, Zebulon Ashley, was a native of the Green Mountain state and in 1812 came to Knox county, the same year of the emigration of his daughter and her family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Strong were born four sons and a daughter, and two of the sons grew to manhood. Norman M. Strong being the youngest and the only one now living. The father was a Universalist minister and engaged in proclaiming the gospel according to the tenets of that church
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throughout the state. During the week he worked on his farm and on Saturday, with his saddle-bags, he would mount his pacing horse and would ride for fifty miles or more to preach the gospel to his fellow men. Thus he continued until his death, and during his pastoral work he organized numerous so- cieties, while for two years he was the pas- tor of the church at Peru, Huron county. His farm adjoined the Strong homestead and consisted of one hundred acres, and there Rev. Strong spent the remainder of his life, and his remains were interred in the cemetery which Zebulon Ashley laid out on his land. This is still in use, and was formerly the popular burying ground for the old pioneers, and among those who were laid to rest there was a Mr. Dowd, a Revolution- ary soldier. Rev. Strong passed away March 7, 1870, at the age of eighty years. His wife died at the age of fifty-four, and and is buried in the same cemetery.
On the 8th of June, 1832, on the farm where he now lives, Norman Murray Strong first opened his eyes to the light of day. The old homestead also formed his play- ground iu youth and has since been the scene of his manhood's labors. He attend- ed the district schools near by and also spent two years as a student at Peru, Huron coun- ty, Ohio. About the time he started out in life for himself he chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey Miss Sarah A. Far- quhar, their marriage being celebrated on the 28th of July, 1856. The lady was born in Berlin township, a daughter of Moses and Massey (Pusey) Farquhar, who were na- tives of Maryland and came to Knox county in 1822, locating in Berlin township. Mrs. Strong was the youngest of their six chil- dren, and died March 11, 1870. She had
five children,-Wilber T., Charles F., Edwin and Franklin, twins, and Eldia; but Wilber and Eldia are the only ones now living. In July, 1875, Mr. Strong married Ruth P. Far- quhar, the sister of his first wife and the fourth in her parents' family of six children. There are no children by the second mar- riage. His son Wilber married Jessie Will- iams, a daughter of Milton and Elizabeth ( Roberts) Williams, a native of Berlin township. They have one daughter, Jessie Bell, who was born in Middlebury township and is the only grandchild of our subject.
At the time of his first marriage Mr. Strong brought his bride to the old home- stead farm, upon which he has now lived for sixty-nine years. He has always devoted his time and energies to agricultural pur- suits and now owns and operates one hun- dred acres of land, which is well improved and is neat and thrifty in appearance, in- dicating to the passer-by the careful super- vision of the owner. In addition to the rais- ing of the cereals, he is also interested in sheep-raising, and he was one of the first to introduce the fine Merino sheep into cen- tral Ohio. He has ever since maintained a deep interest in the raising of Merino sheep, and now has a paying flock.
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