USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 9
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Joseph Slocum Davis, whose name in- troduces this review, spent his youth in his parents' home and in early life assisted his father in the store. His preliminary educa- tion, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a preparatory course in Gambier, Ohio, where he began his studies in 1829. He afterward entered Kenyon College, in which he was graduated in the class of 1835, and then, having determined to make the practice of law his life work, he began reading in the law office of Benjamin S. Brown, of Mount Vernon. In 1836-37 he was a student in the Cincinnati Law School and in the latter year was admitted to the bar. He began practice in connection with Hon. Columbus Delano, but owing to a severe illness was obliged to retire after some years of practice. An analytical mind, strong reasoning powers and keen intellectu- ality made him a powerful lawyer at the Knox county bar. He became identified with journalistic interests in 1848, being the first editor of the Line Whig, which paper advocated the election of General Zachary Taylor as president. In 1850 he was ap- pointed deputy United States marshal and took the census of Knox county, while in 1849, 1850, 1851, 1866, 1868, 1870 and 1871 he was elected mayor of Mount Vernon. It is certainly an indication of his ability and the confidence re- posed in him that he was several times recalled to the office after retirement
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therefrom. His administration was ever practical and progressive. He supported all measures which he believed would prove of public benefit which were not of an extravagant nature and was always found on the side of reform and improvement. His labors proved very helpful and acceptable to the city and well did he deserve the honor of being seven times called to be the chief ex- ecutive of his city. He was twice elected probate judge of Knox county, his last term expiring in 1861. In 1864 he was appointed by President Lincoln a paymaster in the army and for a quarter of a centeury he was a member of the school board of Mount Ver- non, acting as its president for nine years. The cause of education found in him a warm friend and he did all in his power to raise the standard of intellectual attainment in the city. In 1869 the directors of the Cleve- land, Mount Vernon & Delaware Railroad Company elected him secretary and he held that position for quite a number of years.
Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Moore, of Connellsville, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of Dr. Robert Moore, who came to Ohio at an early day, but after- ward returned to Connellsville, following the failure of the Owlcreek Bank. There he soon died. His family later again came to Ohio and here his daughter became the wife of Joseph S. Davis. By the marriage were born four children: Henry, who served in the Union army during the Civil war as captain of Company H, Twentieth Ohio Regiment, afterward located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was a very prominent Mason and died January 1, 1901, at the age of sixty-four years. Mary Davis died in 1886. Rollin H. Davis, the second son, learned the jewelry business with William
Brown of Mount Vernon and afterward lo- cated in Warren, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a jewelry store until his death. The daughter, Anna Davis, is now the widow of John W. Hall, late of Columbus, Ohio, in which city he owned and edited the Industrial Union. They had two sons, Rol- lin Davis and Joseph John, who are now in business in Mount Vernon. Their mother, Mrs. John W. Hall, is now living in this city in her father's old homestead.
The death of Joseph H. Davis occurred in Mount Vernon in December, 1884, when he was seventy-two years of age and his wife passed away May 3, 1879. They ranked among the most prominent citizens of Mount Vernon. Mr. Davis was a man of firm convictions and was prompt and con- scientious in the discharge of public and pri- vate trusts. His was a sturdy American character and a stalwart patriotism and he had the strongest attachment for our free institutions and was ever willing to make any personal sacrifice for their preservation. He was of stern integrity and honesty of purpose and despised all unworthy or ques- tionable means to secure success in any un- dertaking or for any purpose or to promote his own advancement in any direction, whether political or otherwise. Not even the tongue of calumny ever uttered a word to the contrary nor did the malevolence of detraction dare to assail his good name.
RICHARD D. PURDY.
The well-known citizen of Clay township, 1 Knox county, whose name is the title of this sketch and who lives in section seven in the
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township mentioned, is one of the leading farmers in his vicinity. His homestead farm contains one hundred and twenty acres and he has already divided two hundred and thirty-four acres among his sons. He is locally prominent as a Democrat, and for nine years held the office of justice of the peace in Harrison township and was also trustee of that township. In many ways he is one of the influential men of Knox county.
Richard D. Purdy was born in Holmes county, Ohio, November 9, 1833, a son of Elijah Purdy, a native of Wayne county, Pennsylvania, who settled in Holmes coun- ty when he was eighteen years old and there married. He began life in the woods on government land which he purchased, and improved a large farm, on which he died in his seventy-second year. He was a life-long member of the old-school Baptist church and often preached the gospel to his fellow pio- neers. A Democrat in politics, he was active in local affairs and filled the office of town- ship trustee, also discharged other import- ant official duties. Ephraim Purdy, father of Elijah and grandfather of Richard D., was born and lived out his entire life in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where he was a well-to-do farmer. Clarinda Babcock, who married Elijah Purdy, and was the mother of Richard D. Purdy, was born and reared in Coshocton county, Ohio, and lived to be seventy-four years old. Her father, Richard Babcock, was a pioneer and be- came a prominent farmer in Coshocton county, where he died at about the age of sixty years. By his marriage with Miss Babcock, Elijah Purdy became the father of ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to maturity and married,
bringing to grandfather and grandmother Purdy two hundred and six descendants. The subject of this sketch was the sixth child and third son of his parents. He was reared under the parental roof and educated in the common schools, and at the age of sixteen years began a three years' appren- ticeship at the carpenter's trade and for one year thereafter worked as a journeyman carpenter.
February 8, 1854, Richard D. Purdy married Rachel Purdy, a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and a daughter of Nathaniel and Chloe (Nicholson) Purdy. Mrs. Pur- dy's parents were born and reared in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Purdy was the thirteenth in order of birth of their fam- ily of fourteen children, five sons and seven daughters of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and married. Mrs. Purdy, who was their sixth daughter, passed her girlhood in her native county. In 1854, shortly after his marriage, Mr. Purdy located at Spencer- ville, Allen county, Ohio, where he carried on a carpenter business for ten years. In June, 1864, he removed to Jefferson county, Kansas, and bought a farm near Rising Sun, where he remained for three years. During that time he was employed at four dollars per day in building railway bridges and depots on the line of the Union Pacific Railroad between its eastern ter- minus and Denver. In 1867 failing health compelled him to relinquish act- ive work as a carpenter and he sold his farm in Kansas and located in Knox county, a few miles east of Gambier, where he bought a farm and there lived un- til 1876, when he purchased and removed to his present farm in Clay township. On this farm, while continuing carpenter work
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.
in a general way, he made many improve- ments, including the erection of a good resi- dence, ample barns and out buildings. About eight years ago he practically retired from active life.
Richard D. and Rachel (Purdy) Purdy have seven children and eleven grandchil- dren. Their five sons and two daughters are here mentioned in the order of their birth: Julia Ann, who married Simon Dudgeon, of Gambier, Ohio; Clarinda V., who married Abe Morningstar, of Gambier, Ohio; Jasper M., who married Hattie Moclı- wart, of Allen county, Ohio; Emery E., who married Samantha Lepley and lives at Ches- terville, Morrow county, Ohio; John C., who married Lesta Oldaker and assists his father in the management of the home farm; Chauncey V., who married Emma Kerr and · lives in Pleasant township, Knox county; and Henry D.
THOMAS A. INKS.
The prominent citizen of Fredericktown, Ohio, whose name is above, is no less well known as a mason than as a farm- er, and he is an active member of the Presbyterian church. A son of John and Elizabeth (Selner) Inks, he was born in Clinton township, this county, No- vember 3, 1846, and was educated in the public schools in this county. He has lived in Wayne township since November 4, 1851, when his parents took up their residence there. All of his active years have been de- voted to farming, in which he has won sat- isfactory success. He has given his atten- tion to the affairs of his township and has
ably filled the office of township trustee and discharged other important obligations.
Mr. Inks was married December 22, 1875, to Araminta Pernina Lyon, and they have five children, named Edward Newton, Hattie L., John William, Mary Elizabeth and Lewis. John Inks, the father of Thomas A. Inks, was born in Shropshire, England. Emigrating to America, he locat- ed at Mount Vernon, Ohio, and became a farmer there. Elizabeth Selner, whom he married, was born in Berks county, Pennsyl- vania, and died in 1876. Araminta Pernina Lyon, who married Thomas A. Inks, was born in Wayne township, Knox county, Ohio, July 17, 1850, a daughter of William and Louisa (Keyes) Lyon. She received her education in the public schools near her childhood home and early identified herself with the Presbyterian church, of which she is an active member.
William Lyon, father of Mrs. Inks, was born in Wayne township, Knox county, Ohio, August 14, 1811, and was a life-long farmer. In religion his parents affiliated with the Methodist church and in politics he was a Democrat. He married Louisa Keyes, October 6, 1838, and she bore him seven children, all of whom are living: Newton, Marion, Mary Elizabeth, Sarah Clotilda, Araminta Pernina, Mertie Jane and Harriet R. William Lyon, the father of Mrs. Inks, was a son of Simeon Lyon, who came to Ohio from New Jersey. Simeon Lyon was born August 22, 1767, and married Hannah Serring, who was born October 14, 1772. They had eleven children, none of whom survive: Mehetabel, Abigail, Pernina, Dan- iel, Benjamin, Eliza, William, Jane, Asher, Phoebe Ann and Caroline. Simeon Lyon was a son of Ephraim Lyon, a Revolution-
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ary soldier. He (Simeon) settled in Wayne township, Knox county, Ohio, in 1806, on land purchased by his father, who always resided in New Jersey.
JOHN O. HARRIS.
In these days of up-to-date farming it is a pleasure to note the essential facts in the career of a farmer who is in some ways a leader in his class in the community in which he lives. Such a farmer is John O. Harris, of Clay township, Knox county, Ohio, who is the owner of one hundred and eight acres of land comprising his homestead and one hundred and twenty acres constituting an independent farm in Harrison township.
Mr. Harris was born in Jackson town- ship, Knox county, Ohio, March 29, 1849, a son of Samuel Harris, a native of Ohio, who was an early settler in the county. Eli- jah Harris, father of Samuel Harris and grandfather of John O. Harris, was also a pioneer in Knox county. Sarah Hill, who married Samuel Harris and became the mother of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Knox county. Samuel Harris died a the age of seventy-eight years; his wife at the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of one daughter and two sons, and our subject was the youngest of their three children.
John O. Harris was reared in Clay town- ship and educated in the common schools in his vicinity. He has become prominent as a farmer, is an active member of the Disci- ple church, and is locally influential in the Democratic party. He was married in June, 1876, to Miss Lydia Cochren, a na-
tive of Morrow county, Ohio, and a daugh- ter of John and Delia A. ( Walker) Cochren. A biographical sketch of her father appears on another page of this work. She was reared in Howard township, Knox county, and is an accomplished woman, highly es- teemed by all who know her. She has borne her husband a son and a daughter named Vincie Craig and Sallie.
JOHN WAUGH.
For many years this gentleman has been actively identified with the business interests of Knox county, and is one of its honored and highly esteemed citizens. His posses- sions have been principally acquired through his own efforts, and as the result of his con- secutive endeavor he has won a place among the substantial men of his community.
Mr. Waugh was born in Washington county, Maryland, on the 25th of December, 1816. His father died before his birth, and his mother afterward married Timothy Downing, by whom she had two children. By her first marriage she became the mother of two children also,-Lewis and John. When the latter was but six years of age he was bound out to Joseph Brown, with whom he remained for one year, and he then came to Knox county, Ohio, with Philip H. Brown, the latter purchasing a farm in Mon- roe township, and our subject remained with that gentleman until his fifteenth year. After reaching his fifteenth year Mr. Waugh went to Mount Vernon, where he entered upon a five years' apprenticeship at the tailor's trade, and during that entire time he re- ceived only his board and clothes in compen-
.
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sation for his services. After completing his apprenticeship he came to Gambier and embarked in the tailoring business on his own account, forming a partnership with a Mr. Williams, which relationship was con- tinued for seven years, and from that time until 1896 he carried on the business alone. He has ever been upright and honorable in all his dealings, his word at all times being considered as good as his bond, and his well- directed efforts have been crowned with a high degree of success. He now owns a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres in College township, Knox county; and also has a seven hundred and twenty acre tract in Story county, Iowa.
Mr. Waugh married Miss Minerva Law- rence, who was a prominent member and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in 1889. Mr. Waugh is a worthy representative of that class of citi- zens who lead quiet, industrious, honest and useful lives and constitute the best portion of a community. Wherever known he is held in high regard, and is certainly deserv- ing of honorable mention in the history of the county where almost his entire life has been passed.
WILLIAM D. BANNING.
The name of Banning has been so close- ly connected with the history of Knox coun- ty through almost a century that a mem- ber of the family needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, especially if he be as widely and favorably known as is Will- iam D. Banning, who is now living a re-
tired life in Mount Vernon. He was born in this city and is a grandson of Judge An- thony Banning, who came to the county in 1812. His father, James S. Banning was a leading and influential resident of the county for many years and died in 1867, at the age of sixty-seven. He married Eliza Blackstone, who was born in Connelsville, Lafayette county, Pennsylvania, the only daughter of James and Sarah (Rogers) Blackstone. The Blackstone family was of English lineage, and her great-great-grand- father of William Blackstone, an uncle of Governor William Blackstone, the famous author of the celebrated treatise on real es- tate law, which has become a text-book in all law colleges throughout the country. Mrs. Eliza ( Blackstone) Banning received superior educational advantages and was a lady of marked culture and refinement. She brought the first piano to Mount Vernon and took great pleasure in teaching the young people of this then pioneer town mu- sic and other accomplishments. She was one of the charter members of St. Paul's Episcopal church and her whole life was one of beneficence to her family and to the com- munity. Her influence was that of a cul- tured, refined lady, and her memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew her.
Unto James and Eliza Banning were born the following named: Sarah D. died at the age of fifty-six years; James Black- stone, who made his home in Clinton town- ship, married Miss Mary Prentiss Williams, who survives her husband, and lives in Mount Vernon; Anthony, of Banning, Pennsylvania, married Catherine Torrence, of Connelsville, that state; Priscilla became the wife of J. D. Thompson, of Mount Ver-
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM D. BANNING.
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non, but both are now deceased; William D. is the next of the family; Henry B. died in Cincinnati and his sketch is given on an- other page of this volume; Eliza is the wife of William Brown, ex-mayor of Mount Vernon; Thomas D. resides on the old homestead in Mount Vernon; and Mary is the wife of Frank Watkins.
William D. Banning, whose name intro- duces this review, spent his youth in acquir- ing his education in the public schools and in Sloan's Academy in Mount Vernon, and since putting aside his text-books he has de- voted his energies to farming and to the management of his property interests. He wedded Miss Mary Lake, of Wooster, Ohio, a daughter of Constance and Eleanor (Jones) Lake. Her father was a prominent merchant and banker at Wooster, while the Jones family were prominent in Wayne county. Her grandfather Jones was for two terms a member of congress and was a recognized leader of public thought and feel- ing. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Banning were born six children, but they lost three. Those yet living are: Priscilla, the wife of Harry Sanderson, of Mount Vernon; Anna, at home; and Lake, who is attending school. The family is one of prominence in the com- munity, enjoying the warm regard of a very large circle of friends. Their home is noted for its gracious and pleasing hospitality and its social functions are always regarded as among the most enjoyable of the season. Mr. Banning represents one of the oldest and most honored families of the county and is a worthy scion of his race, upholding the untarnished name which has ever been a synonym of loyal citizenship and upright conduct.
JOSEPH MYERS.
In Democratic circles in Knox county Joseph Myers is a recognized leader and that to a high degree he enjoys the confidence and trust of his fellow men is indicated by the fact that he is now filling the responsible position of president of the board of county commissioners. His per- sonal popularity is indicated by the fact that at the election of 1900 he ran more than two hundred and fifty votes ahead of his ticket, his support coming from many who voted for the Republican nominees for other offices. His loyal citizenship, his practical yet progressive administration of the affairs of the office and his earnest ef- forts to promote the welfare of the county- these are some of the strong characteristics of the man.
Mr. Myers was born in Liberty town- ship, Knox county, four miles west of Mount Vernon, on the 3d of May, 1844, his parents being William and Sarah (Dietrich) Myers, in whose family of four daughters. and two sons he was the youngest child and the only survivor. Upon the home farm he: was reared and his work in the fields was alternated by period of attendance at the public schools. At the age of eighten he was drafted for service in the army, enlisting as a member of Company F, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served under the command of General Rosecrans and par- ticipated in the battle of Stone River. He was drafted for nine months, but was with his comniand at the front for eleven months.
After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Myers returned home and remained on the farm until his father's death. The old
5
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home place was willed to him and his brother, Jacob, and the latter, having mar- ried and removed to another locality, our subject operated the land which they had purchased from the other heirs. Upon Jacob's death Joseph Myers purchased his interest in the property and soon after sold the entire amount and bought his father-in- law's farm of one hundred acres, in Clinton township, two miles west of Mount Vernon. There he lived for a number of years, but eventually sold the place and invested his money in one hundred and sixty-eight acres of land in Monroe township, three miles northeast of Mount Vernon, upon which he yet resides. Throughout his entire life he has carried on agricultural pursuits and his farming methods are in harmony with the advancement of the times.
Mr. Myers was united in mariage to Miss Clementine Rinehart, a native of Knox county and a daughter of Samuel Rinehart who came from New Jersey to this county with his parents in 1816. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been born seven children : Emma, who is the wife of Foster Tulloss, of Clinton township, by whom she has six children : Joseph; James; Charles; Anna; Fay and Margaret ; Samuel deceased ; Will- iam at home; Victoria, the wife of Harry Patterson, of Morris township; Mary, Me- lissa and Ralph, all yet under the parental roof.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Myers has been a supporter of the Democratic party and in 1897 was elected on that ticket to the position of a member of the board of county commissioners. He served so capa- bly that on the expiration of his three-years' term he was re-elected in 1900 by a majority of sixty-five, although a majority of two
hundred was given the head of the Repub- lican ticket. He was then chosen president of the board and is therefore at the head of the business affairs of the county, which come under the province of this board. For several terms he was trustee of Liberty township and at all times has exercised his official prerogatives in support of such measures as he believes most conducive to the public good. Mr. Myers belongs to the Methodist Protestant church, and frater- nally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership be- ing in Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 316; Co- kosing Encampment and also with the Uni- formed Rank of the Order. Few men in the county are better known, for he has always lived in Knox county, has successfully en- gaged in farming and has proved himself a worthy public officer.
DELPHOS SHERWOOD SELLERS.
The prominent farmer of Morgan town- ship, Knox county, Ohio, whose name is mentioned above, traces his lineage to old Pennsylvania stock. Christian Sellers, his great-grandfather, lived in Greene county, Pennsylvania. Jacob Sellers, a son of Chris- tian Sellers, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in that county in 1785, and came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1806, and bought three hundred acres of land in Morgan township. Returning to Pennsylvania in 1807 he married Mary Beam, and in 1808 began to carve out a home on his land. Setting up four posts, with cross poles, they were covered with bark, thus securing shelter till a log cabin could be made. With two other men he worked two whole days to place the heavy
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logs in position, only to realize the necessity for more help. Having no near neighbors to ask, he set out to see those some miles distant. Meeting "Old Tusco," chief of the Delaware Indians, he made known his plight, and the chief sent him four stalwart braves, who, "working like heroes," completed his cabin in one day. They were fed upon "cush-cush" and "dormin" for dinner, that being their expression for roast pork and corn bread. His cabin stood on the site of the present premises. His large tract of land was covered with a dense forest and he grad- ually cleared it and improved it and added to its acreage until at the time of his death he was the owner of about one thousand and five hundred acres, and was one of the prominent land-owners of Knox county. Some of his land he bought of the govern- ment for one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre, and other portions of it were origin- ally school lands. About half of his original purchase is now owned by his descendants. His possessions were included in Knox, Putnam, Allen and Licking counties.
Politically he was a Jacksonian Demo- crat, and he was a man of public spirit who had the best interests of the community at heart. He died in 1846, and his wife, who was born in Virginia, December 18, 1790, died August 6, 1878. They had eleven chil- dren, named as follows: William; Susan, who married James Honey, a native of Vir- ginia ; Sarah, who married John Clutter; Christian, Jr .; Jacob, Jr .; Isaac ; David W .; George; John; Jackson; and Mary, who married Joseph Bolwine. None of their children are living.
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