Knox County Biographies

COOPER, DANIEL N., United States Commissioner, with residence at Hamilton, Marion County, Ala, is of ante-Revolutionary stock and of Scotch-Irish extraction. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 31, 1842, the fourth in a family of six children, born to THOMPSON and REBECCA (CRAIG) COOPER. His paternal grandparents were DANIEL and ELLEN COOPER of New Jersey, the former being a relative of JOHN WITHERSPOON, of that state - a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The maternal grandparents were WILLIAM and MARY CRAIG, natives respectively of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. DANIEL M. COOPER was educated at Mount Vernon (Ohio) High school and passed his early years in the state of his birth. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Ninety-Sixth Ohio infantry, was commissioned first lieutenant of the company, and served until the close of the struggle, taking part in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, around Mobile and at Grand Couteau. He was in Buell's Army during that general's race with Bragg through Kentucky, and was finally mustered out at Mobile. In 1867 he came to Alabama and engaged in cotton planting in Lawrence County for ten years. In 1878 he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal, and filled the position four years, doing much to exterminate the "moonshiners" in western Alabama; he was then appointed United States commissioner, the office he at present holds. He is quite prominent in state politics, and has been a member of the republican state executive committee for a number of years. He was a delegate to the republican national convention at Chicago in 1888, and to the convention at Minneapolis in 1892. Mr. COOPER has not only taken an active part in politics in Alabama but has also interested himself in her material progress. He was a director in the Warrior Coalfield Railway Company, whose road was designated to penetrate one of the finest mineral regions of the state, and is very liberal in his contributions to all enterprises tending to develop the state's natural resources. He is the owner of 2,500 acres of fine land, of which 200 are under cultivation, and considerable other property. He is a thorough-going business man, full of enterprise and public spirit, which qualities have gained for him the high position he holds in the esteem of the community in which he so happily cast his lots. Source: Memorial Record of Alabama.

By Hannis Taylor, Brant & Fuller Publishers, Madison, Wis. 1893.
Transcribed and submitted by Veneta McKinney

Cora (Zent) Chew, who lives at Fredericktown, is a highly esteemed citizen of Knox County , and a member on one of the first families of Norrth Central Ohio. She was born at Palmayra , Mich. , the daughter of Sampson Weaver and Caroline (Howard) Zent.
 Sampson Weaver Zent was born two and one-half miles west of Bellville, Richland County , Ohio , Jan. 23, 1835, the son of George Zent. To George Zent and his wife were born the following children: John W., Isaac W., David W., Sampson W., Mary, married George Klatz, Mrs. Elizabeth Geddis, Mrs. Susan Goss, and Mrs. Ledema Faus.
 Sampson W. Zent went to California to seek his fortune in March, 1856. He spent ten years in California and Nevada , and made three return trips to the East. In the spring of 1869 he purchased a farm west of Fredericktown, known as the Jacob Ebersole, or Blackburn Farm, and lived there untill 1876, when he removed to Fredericktown. He bought and shipped grain in partnership with S. S. Tuttle. In 1879 Mr. Zent purchased the Dice farm, which adjoined the village. Later his farm was sold to J. B. Foote and platted and is now known as the Zent Addition. In 1906 and 1907 Mr. Zent made a fourth visit to California . He was a member of Bellville Lodge, No. 306, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, be initiated May 16, 1866. The lodge presented his with a gold medal in 1916 for continuous membership over a period of fifty years. He died Jan. 23, 1917.
 Sampson W. Zent was married in 1867 to Miss Caroline Howard of Bellville, born May 19, 1849, the daughter of G. C. and Eliza (Durbin) Howard, of Richland County . He was born in Maine , Oct. 5, 1812, and died Aug. 10, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Howard were married Dec. 29, 1846, and were the parents of the following children: 1. Caroline Zent. 2. Burr, born March 9, 1857, died Dec. 23, 1862. 3. Hoy, born Oct. 11, 1858, died April 16, 1889, and he had a son, Homer H. Howard, who lives at Mansfield . 4. Arminda, born April 12, 1863, died at Fredericktown, in 1912. By a former marriage to Betsy Walker, on Dec. 12, 1834, G. C. Howard had the following children: 1. Louisa Emeline, born Oct. 4, 1835. 2. Sarah Elizabeth, born Dec. 5, 1836. 3. Charles Albert, born Jan. 28, 1839. 4. Marcus Gilbert, born Dec. 28, 1840, died Nov. 3, 1841. 5. William Ralph, born Aug. 27, 1842, died Feb. 24, 1874. 6. Lucy Ann, born July 10, 1844, married John Smith, and lives at Bellville. Betsy ( Walker ) Howard was born Oct. 21, 1809, and died Sept. 8, 1845.
 Samuel Howard, maternal great grandfather of Cora (Zent) Chew, was born June 17, 1763. Hannah Billings, his wife, was born Nov. 6, 1766. Their children were: 1. Lucy, born June 1, 1786. 2. Abigail, born Oct. 17, 1788. 3. Betsy, born Aug. 22, 1790. 4. Hannah, born Aug. 5, 1792. 5. Isaac, born Nov. 14, 1794. 6. Samuel, born Nov. 3, 1796. 7. Judith, born April 5, 1799. 8. Annie, born June 5, 1802. 9. Johnson, born July 22, 1804. 10. Jesse B., born April 16, 1807. 11. George C., born Oct. 5, 1812.
 Cora Zent received her education in the public schools of Fredericktown and is a graduate of Fredericktown High School , class of 1885. She lives in the old Zent homestead, which was settled by her parents in 1880. She was married in 1895 to Charles Chew. To them were born two sons: 1. Howard Welker, born July 5, 1896, died Dec. 25, 1910. 2. Robert Zent, born Nov. 30, 1899, a student of Kenyon College . During the World War he served with the student Army Training Corps. He is identified with the Jersey Cereal Company, at Jeanette , Pa. He was married in 1922 to Miss. Marian Daugherty, of Jeanette, and they have two sons: Robert Zent, born Sept. 6, 1923: and Donald Daugherty, born Aug. 19, 1828. Mrs. Chew is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Fredericktown and is a member of the Hamilton Rebekah Lodge.

(Source: Duff, William A.. History of north central Ohio : embracing Richland , Ashland , Wayne , Medina , Lorain , Huron and Knox Counties . Topeka : Historical Pub. Co. , 1931). (submitted by Ida Maack Recu) 

Judge LOOFBOUROW, CHARLES FRANKLIN was born in Knox County. Ohio, on the 4th of September, 1842. He was the son of John Wade and Mary (Plumb) Loofbourow. In May, 1889, he moved to Utah. Married, March 30, 1870, to Hannah Spooner Hodgkins. He received his early education in the public schools of his native state and by private tutors in Iowa. In 1867 he moved from Ohio to Iowa and settled at Marshalltown, where for some time he taught in the schools of that place and studied law in the office of H. C. Henderson. He was admitted to the bar of Iowa at Des Moines September 17, 1872, and settled for some time at Atlantic, Cass County. On November 7, 1876, he was elected Circuit Judge of the Thirteenth District of Iowa: re-elected November 2, 1881; appointed December 24, 1883, and again elected on November 4, 1884 and served in the above capacity until December 31, 1888. In May of the following year he came to Utah and was admitted to the bar of the State on June 21, and continued in the general practice of his profession until the time of his death. On February 8, 1892, Judge Loofbourow was elected a member of the City Council of Salt Lake City, was President during his term and was one of the city's representatives on the Joint Committee which had charge of building the City and County Building in Salt Lake City. Judge Loofbourow died at his residence in Salt Lake City on the 18th of December, 1904. He was a member of the Masonic Order and in politics, a Republican. [Source: History of the bench and bar of Utah; By Interstate Press Association; Publ. 1913; Transcribed and submitted by Andrea Stawski Pack.]

SWITZER, JACOB, deceased, Berlin township, was born in Berlin township, this county, in 1836, and was married in 1857, to Alvira Hughes, who was born in Berlin township, this county, in 1839. They had four children: Hiram M., born in 1858; Clayton, in 1860; Freddie, in 1862. and Willie A., in 1865, and died January 24, 1864.

Mr. Switzer studied medicine with Dr. Ring, of Fredericktown, and attended lectures in Cleveland . He engaged in the practice of medicine in Sparta , Morrow county, and in 1836 located in Fredericktown, where he remained until the time of his death. He was a member of the Disciple church. Hiram M. was married December 29, 1880, to Miss Minnie Gibson. He has been engaged in teaching school in this county for about four years.Clayton Switzer is teaching school in district No. 4, and is a very promising young man.

TABOR, CHARLES R., Middlebury township, farmer, post office, Fredericktown, born in Rutland county, Vermont , in 1820, came to Fredericktown in 1824. and was married, in 1858, to Eliza Tooman, who was born in Pennsylvania . They have the following children: Alonzo A., born December 25, 1862; Mary J., November 22, 1860; Erie Smeadley, March 16, 1865; Charles R., Jr., March n, 1867. Mr. Tabor left this county in 1852, and settled in Cedar county, Iowa, remained there eleven years and then returned to Middlebury, and has continued to make that his home ever since. His father, Alanson Tabor, was born in New York , and came to Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio , in 1824, remained there for one year, and then moved to Berlin township, where he died at the age of eighty-three years. 

TARR, JOHN II.. was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania , February 14, 1801, and was married to Miss Hannah Price in 1824, and reared a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living. Mr. Tarr emigrated to Ohio in 1850, and settled in Liberty township, Knox county, on a farm, where he lived until 1868, when he retired from business, but still made that his home until his death, May 9, 1872. Mrs. Tarr is still living. Alexander B., the seventh member of the family was born in December, 1837; was educated at the district school, after which he followed farming until 1869. when he came to Mt. Vernon and engaged in the grocery business. In consequence of bad health, after being four yean in the business, he sold out, since which he has been engaged in various kinds of business. Alexander B. was married October 31, 1867, to Miss Maria Hyatt, by whom he has a family of three children, two sons and one daughter—Alexander P., born September 7, 1871; Rizpah N., June 21, 1876; and Philip H., June 15, 1878.

TAYLOR, ALEXANDER, farmer, Middlebury township, post office, Fredericktown, was born in Greene township, Ashland county. May 8, 1838, and was married April 13. 1862, to Elizabeth Heck, who was born near Holmes county. Ohio . March 30, 1836. They have six children: David W., born January 25, 1864; John R., November 26. 1866; Carrie B., March 10, 1868; James, March 19, 1870; Millie Maud E., August 8, 1872; and Eva M., born September 3, 1875. Mr. Taylor is a son of David Taylor, esq., of Richland county. In 1821 he settled in Greene township, now Ashland county. They first came to Monroe township and remained there till 1844, when they moved to Worthington township. Mr. D. Taylor has been commissioner of Richland county for two terms of three years. Alexander Taylor came to Middlebury township, Knox county, Ohio , April 25, 1871, and remained there till the fall of 1880, when he sold out and moved to St. Clair county, Missouri , his post office being Lowery City , St. Clair county, Missouri . Mr. Taylor has been a worthy citizen of this county.

THOMAS, DANIEL, Liberty township, farmer, born in Liberty township, July 7, 1812. His father, Jacob Thomas, was a native of Pennsylvania ; he married Betsy Kile, a native of Maryland ; he came to Ohio about 1810; they had a family of six children, viz: John, Peter, Sallie, Rosanna, Daniel and Polly. Of these John was drowned at Gains mills, on Owl creek; his father also was drowned at the same time. Jacob Thomas was a soldier of the War of 1812. The subject of this notice married Celina Sisk, a native of Virginia , born in 1818. They had four children. Henry was a member of company F. One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry; he died while in service. Mary E., wife of Cornelius McElroy, of Union township; Morgan S., farmer in Milford township; Francis M., born May 21, 1846. He married Miss Anna Belle Davis, February 27. 1879. She was born January 18, 1851, and is the daughter of John and Susannah Davis, residents of Milford township. They have one child, Walter, born September 15, 1880.

THOMPSON, FRANKLIN P. (deceased), Middlebury township.—Abner Murphy (father of Mrs. Thompson) was born in Pennsylvania , in 1777, and was married to Sarah Gattern. They had the following children: Hiram, born in 1800; Robert, in 1802; William, in 1804; Jane, in 1806; Mary, in i8r8; Eleanor, in 1810; Basil, in 1812; Rachel, in 1814; Sally, in 1817; and Elias, in 1820. Abner Murphy died in 1826, and Sarah Murphy, February 19, 1854; Sarah died August 17, 1840; Albert L., April 19, 1842; Abner E., April 19, 1849. George T. enlisted in the late war in 1862, was a member of the Ohio volunteer infantry; James F. was also in the war, a member of the Ohio National guards, and served his time of enlistment. Ella O. Murphy was married November 23, 1872, to Franklin P. Thompson, who was born in Richland county. They had the following family, viz: Ora Belle, born November 4, 1874; Alice Belle, February 5, 1876; Karloss, November 4, 1877; and Mabel, August 7, 1879. Mr, Thompson died February 13. 1879.

THOMPSON, ENOCH. Miller township, pioneer, was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, April 17, 1808. His parents, Cornelius and Rebecca Thompson, nee Baker, came to Ohio in 1809. remained one year in Licking county, and settled in the southern part of Miller township, a short distance west of the Vance settlement. Mr. Thompson died here. His widow subsequently married John Row, and died in the township. The subject of this notice has always resided in the township, except a very few years. He married Rachel Tush in 1830. who was a native ol Virginia . They had eight children, two daughters and six sons. Two died while young. The living are Virgil, Elizabeth (wife of D. W. A. Cunningham), John, Lewis, James, and Thomas. Virgil was born April 16, 1831, in Miller township. He went to Iowa in 1856, and remained about five years. He subsequently removed to Indiana and remained until 1869, when he again returned to Miller township, where he has since resided, being engaged in farming. He is successful in his undertakings and reliable in his business.

THRIFT, ABSALOM, Fredericktown, retired, is a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, came to Ohio in 1808, and was married to Amanda Brown, who was born in Charlotteville , Virginia . They had nine children. He has been longer in business here than any other person. For several years he conducted the leading dry goods trade of the place. In March, 1875, his store, building and contents were consumed by fire, by which he sustained a loss of ten thousand dollars, having no insurance. He was elected sheriff of Knox county in 1842, and reelected in 1844. He filled the office with ability and credit. While filling this position he was also deputy United States marshal, and held this position for eight years. A. B. Thrift, son of Mr. Absalom Thrift, now occupies the same store room, in which he carries on the merchant tailoring business. He is a workman of experience and skill and keeps a full line of cloths, cashmeres, suitings, vestings, gents' furnishing goods, ladies' hosiery, cuffs, collars, etc. His goods and styles will always be found up with the times, and his prices will compare favorably with any similar merchant tailor in this section of the State. He does the leading business of this section, giving employment to three experienced hands, and guaranteeing perfect fits in all cases. His store room is twenty-five by fifty-five feet in size, and located on the corner of Main and College streets. Absalom Thrift, though advanced in years, is an active business man, and takes a lively interest in all matters promising public improvement. His father, William Thrift, was born in Fairfax , Virginia , came to Ohio , Knox county, in 1808, and was one of the pioneer Baptist ministers. He preached in Licking, Coshocton, Muskingum and Knox counties, and continued his labors in the ministry until his death. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, entering it at the age of sixteen years.

UNDERWOOD, ISRAEL , Mt. Vernon . was born in Clinton county, Ohio , June 18. 1820. His parents came to this county in 1828 and located in Middlebury township near Fredericktown where he received his education. He spent several years of his life on the home farm, after which he learned the potter trade, which he followed until 1846. He then went to Fredericktown and engaged in the hotel business for one year, after which he engaged in the sale of clocks and general collecting in which he continued until 1854, when he came to Ml. Vernon, and that year was appointed deputy sheriff under Lewis Strong, in which he served two years; and in 1856 he was nominated and elected to the office of sheriff, in which he served four years and three months. He served three months in consequence of the time of the expiration of said office being changed from October 1st to January 1st. He was the first one in the county to respond to the first call for troops, enlisting in April, 1861; he was a member of company A, Ohio volunteer infantry, which was the first company organized in the county, and was assigned to the Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry. He was commissioned first lieutenant, and afterwards made regiment quartermaster, and in 1862 was promoted to captain and was detailed on General Kimball's staff as brigade commissary. In 1863. in consequence of ill health, he resigned and returned home, and in 1864 he, in company with his brother, took charge of the Main Street Exchange hotel of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he remained one year, then returned to Mt. Vernon and has since been in the employ of different railroad companies as solicitor of railroad stocks, the right of way, etc., etc.

VAIN, BENJAMIN F., Pike township, farmer, post office, Democracy, born in 1'ike township, this county, on the farm where he now resides, in 1840, and was married in 1864 to Elizabeth L. Hardesty, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1841. They had eight children—Theodore E., born in 1865; Jerusha A., in 1867; Marion Jasper, in 1868; Hannah Jane in 1869 (deceased); Millie Blanch, in 1871; Charlie A., in 18-4; William Ray, in 1876; and Earnest A., in 1878. Mr. Vain has always been identified with this county, and is a member of a pioneer family.

VANCE, DANIEL, Miller township, pioneer fanner, was born in Miller township July 14, 1813, and is the oldest man now living in the township that was born in it. His father was John Vance, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, born August 9, 1785. He married Rebecca Van Trump, a native of the same county, Virginia, in 1808. He came to Ohio in the same year in company with his father, whose name was also John, and a soldier of the Revolution. They all settled in what is now the southern part of Miller township, where John Vance, sr.. had entered two hundred acres of land, and of which John purchased sixty acres, to which he subsequently added one hundred more. He died on this farm, aged eighty-nine years. His wife died some years previous. They built the first house in the township in 1808-9. It is of hewed logs, and still stands in a good state of preservation. They had eight children, viz.: Lemuel, who was killed in the Burlington storm; Hannah, now Mrs. Houck, who was the first white child born in the township; James, who was also killed in the Burlington storm; Daniel, who had a leg fractured in the same storm; Elizabeth, wife of H. Moore of Delaware county, Ohio; Mariah, wife of William Debolt, near Richwood, Ohio; Rebecca, widow of L. C. Wright; Lucinda, now deceased, married Alex. McFarland. Mr. Daniel Vance married Miss Elizabeth Daily, January 9, 1840. She was born February 17, 1818. They had five children, viz.: Harriet (deceased); Rebecca, married J. B. Conway. John Oscar, married Miss Ward; Mary Elizabeth, who lives at home; Emma, died in infancy.

VANCE. JOSEPH W., was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania , in 1809. In the spring of 1840 he removed to Mt. Vernon . In 1842 he was admitted to the bar; he rose rapidly in his profession, and soon attained a high position as an advocate. He made a profession of religion and united with the Presbyterian church in 1846. As a Christian and church officer he was intelligent, consistent, and efficient. As a man his individuality was strongly marked. For firmness in what he thought was right, for decision of purpose and persevering energy he was remarkable. His power of will was immense. In fitting himself for his work he had many difficulties to contend with, but he did not despair. He looked at them boldly and grappled with them manfully; he persevered until mountains became plains before him. He had a keen sense of justice, and that which is always asssociated with in a man of principle, incorruptible integrity. As a citizen he was influential. He was not one of that class that simply move along with the current of public opinion; he gave character and direction to that current; he helped mould opinions. On every question that concerned the community in which he lived, or society in general, he had derided views and convictions, based upon an investigation of the subject, and on most questions he was generally in advance of the common sentiment. This was especially true on the subject of slavery. He was one of the first advocates of anti-slavery sentiments in this county. For a time he stood almost alone, and received no little obliquy and censure. But he believed himself in the right, and in that right he was strong. As a lawyer his strength lay in the force of his arguments ?n the presence of a jury. Here he won many a laurel. His ardent nature gave to his address an earnestness and fire which many times told with wonderful effect. He had the raie faculty of becoming one with his client, it mattered not who that client was. or what his circumstances in a financial point of view, of identifying himself with all that was fair and good on the side he advocated, which gave him great advantage in doubtful cases, and armed him with unusual power when right lay on his side. Entering thus so ardently into the cause he advocated, sympathizing thus warmly with his client in what there was of truth and justice in his cause, he could press his suit with that sincerity of conviction and earnestness of personal feeling which always have such great weight with men. He was a true patriot. When his country was assailed he had but one end in view, to uphold his country's honor. In August, 1862, he was commissioned Colonel of the Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and soon thereafter marched with his regiment to the front, and was under General Sherman in the first attempt to take Vicksburg. At Arkansas Post his regiment was in the thickest of the fight. It was also in the engagement at Jackson , Mississippi , and participated in the final siege and capture of Vicksburg . under General Grant. His regiment was transferred to General Banks' command, and formed a part of his army in the unfortunate Red River expedition. In the battle of Sabine Cross Roads on the eighth of April, 1864, he fell, mortally wounded. He fell at his post, heroically discharging his duty. He died in a noble cause, died the Christian patriot's death, and fills the Christian patriot's grave.

VAN HORN, WILLIAM, farmer, Union township, post office, Rosstown, was born in Virginia in 1808, and lived there until 1836, when he emigrated to Knox county, Ohio , and settled near Danville , and has remained in Union township until the present time. He married Miss Lucinda Roberson May 24. 1841, and lived in Danville three years. In 1865 he settled on his present farm. He has six children—Francina, Kouseyville, Jasper, John W., William, and Newton . The three last named have died.

VAN HORN, ]ASPER, farmer, Howard township, post office, Howard, was born in Union township September 25, 1855. He was married to Miss L. R. Howell April 9, 1879, and came to his present farm in October, 1879. His father came from Virginia in 1835, to Knox county, Ohio , and settled near Danville , where he died. Mr. Van Horn has been engaged in teaching school in winter and farming in summer.

VANNATTA, SAMUEL T., Miller township, farmer, was born in Warren county, New Jersey , September 14, 1835. He is the son of Peter and Sarah J. Vannatta,   who were natives of New Jersey . Mr. Vannatta died in New Jersey in 1836. They had two children, one of whom died in infancy, and the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Vannatta remained in New Jersey until 1840, when she came to Miller township with her father, Philip P. Weller; she and her son Samuel remained with her father until he was about twenty-four years of age, when they purchased a tract of ninety-two acres of land, and moved upon it. Mr. Vannatta, is now one of the leading farmers of the township, owning over three hundred acres of good land. He is systematic in his management, and his farm shows more than usual care. He was elected land appraiser of the township in 1879, and has filled a number of offices to the satisfaction of the people. He is a man of good judgment and considered a wise counsellor. His educational advantages were very limited; he, however, obtained a sufficient knowledge of the common branches to enable him to conduct his business. He rnarricd Miss Levina Hawkins, January 29, 1864, daughter of Isaac Hawkins, of whom mention is made elsewhere. They have three interesting children, viz: Frank A.. Charles O., and Flora Emeline.

VERNON , AARON, Morris township, farmer, post office. Fredericktown, was born in Muskingutn county, Ohio, November 19, 1809, came to Ohio in December, 1821, and was married in March, 1831, and had the following family: Jesse, born January n, 1832; }ohn, November 17, 1833; Jacob L., February 8, 1836; Isaac, January 17, 1838; Francis L., August 19, 1839; Daniel L., October 17, 1841; William Allen, July 18. 1844; Oliver B., August 6, 1846; Samantha M., January 22, 1848; Sarah E., April 28, 1852; Aaron C. G., November 17, 1854. Mrs. Elizabeth Vernon died in this county, February 19, 1878. Mr. Vernon subsequently married Mrs. Elizabeth Lambert, who was born in Greene county. Pennsylvania , in 1827. Jesse Vernon was married February u, 1852, to Sarah Brawlier, and now resides in Allen county, Ohio; John was married November 4, r855, to Rose L. Lawrence, and now lives in Linn county, Iowa; Jacob L., was married March 25, ^58, to Elizabeth Hisler, who since deceased; Sarah E. was married to Frances Brawlier, and now lives in Cardington, Ohio; Aaron C. G. was married in Allen county to Barbara Pletcher; they reside in Hancock county, Ohio; Samantha was married to Frank Brawlier. The following are deceased: Jacob L., died April 14, 1863; Frances L., died in Iowa; Isaac, June 22, 1838; William A. October 3, 1845; Oliver B., November 9, 1849; Samantha Brawlier died February 12, 1872. Mr. Vernon was here at a time when the county was covered with timber. He was quite a hunter, having in his time killed two deer with one shot, a feat not many can boast of.

VERNON, DANIEL L., Wayne township, farmer, post office, Fredericktown, born in Pike township in 1840, and married in 1860 to Sarah A. Erion, who was born in Ohio. Their children are- Florence , Alfred B., Frank E., and Ellen. They came to Wayne township in 1867, afterwards emigrated to Iowa , remained for three years, and then returned to this township. He was a soldier in the war, a member of company H, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and remained in the service until he received an honorable discharge.

VINCENT, S. M., Brown township, attorney, post office, Jelloway, a son of Robert and Jane Vincent, nee Miller, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania , on December 16, 1821. He  accompanied his parents to Ohio in 1830, they locating on Dowdy creek, in Holmes county, where they lived about eight years. In 1838 they moved to this county and located in Howard township, remaining until 1856, when they moved to Pike county, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Vincent died in September, 1863, Mr. Robert Vincent surviving his companion until February, 1865. Mr. S. M. Vincent, the subject of this sketch, is a self-educated man. In 1847 he commenced the study of law under the instructions of S. W. Shaw, attorney. In 1850 he was admitted to Ihe Knox County bar, and in 1859 he was admitted to practice in the Supreme court. At present he is located at Jelloway, Knox county, Ohio , and practices in the courts of Knox, Holmes, Ashland , and Richland counties. He is the attorney for the Home Fire Insurance company, and the Jelloway Mutual Aid Insurance company, both located at Jelloway, and does business for them in about twenty counties in the State. In 1847 he married Miss Rosanna Lybarger, born in Knox county in 1825, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Lybarger. They settled at Ashland , Ohio , and remained one year, and then returned to this county. In 1850 they moved to Jelloway, where they have since resided. They reared a family of six children: Sarah J., married B. W. McKee; Victoria, married Lyman Workman; John Fremont Vincent was born February 2, 1857, and died September 9, 1880; Martha A., married John L. Hildebrand; Jessie Q., and Lincoln are at home with their parents in Jelloway.

CRAWFORD, JOHN L. , Clerk of the Courts, Marion; born in Pleasant Tp., near Mt. Vernon, Ohio , May 29, 1830; lived in Ohio until 1854, when he came to Maine Tp., this county; engaged in farming until he was elected Clerk of the Courts in 1872; re-elected in 1874 and 1876; during his residence in Maine Tp. he held offices of Assessor, Township Clerk, and various other town and district positions; he lived on Sec. 26. Married N. Ann Graham Nov. 24, 1852; she was born in Washington Co., Penn . ; they have five children living— H. Howard , Jeff G. , Salome F. , Alice M. and Jennings R. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford , with their four eldest children, are members of the Free Will Baptist Church. [Source: The history of Linn County Iowa ; Western Historical Company; 1878;
[ transcribed by Andaleen Whitney]

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