Biographies

Source:
The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio
To Which is Added an Elaborate Compendium of National Biography
Illustrated
Publ. Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Company
1902
 

	OLIVER P. BAKER, a prominent and successful farmer of section 10, Jefferson township, is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Jefferson township, Knox county, on the 1st of April, 1828.  His father, Philip Baker, was born on a farm in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, but in an early day he came with his parents, Peter and Susana Baker, to Union township, Knox county, Ohio, where the grandparents died.  Philip was reared and educated in Union township, and as a life occupation he chose the tilling of the soil.  He was there married to Sarah Butler, a native of Knox county and a daughter of John Butler, who was among the early pioneers of this commonwealth, coming to this state from Kentucky, but his birth occurred in the Old Dominion.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baker were born eleven children, four of whom still survive, namely:  Hester, the widow of William Denkins; Oliver P., whose name introduces this review; Caroline, wife of A. W. Greer, whose sketch will be found on another page of this volume; and James W., a prominent farmer of Butler township, Knox county.  The mother of this family was called to her final rest at the age of seventy-seven years, but her husband survived her a number of years, dying at the age of eighty-five years.  He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was a Democrat in his political views.      Oliver P. Baker enjoyed but limited educational privileges during his youth and early manhood, as he was only permitted to attend school twenty-six days during the year, pur-suing his studies in an old log cabin school house at Greenville.  When only nine years of age he took his place in the fields, and from that time to the present he has devoted his undivided attention to the work of the farm.  He assisted his father in the care of the old homestead until his marriage, which occurred on the 19th of June, 1849, Miss Elizabeth Beck becoming his wife.  She was born in Brooke county, West Virginia, Nov. 16, 1833, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Seaman) Beck.  In 1836 the parents came to Knox county, Ohio, locating in a log cabin in the woods of Jefferson township, and there they spent their remaining days, the father dying at the age of forty- eight years.  The mother, who was a native of Brooke county, West Virginia, reached the age of seventy-three years.  This worthy couple became the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, and four of the number are now living, namely: Frank, Elizabeth, Nancy and Samuel V. Nancy is the widow of Henry Monger.  Mrs. Baker was but three years of age when she accompanied her parents on their removal to this state, and her home was located but three miles distant from that of her husband.      After his marriage Mr. Baker brought his bride to the farm which they still occupy.  I At that time the place consisted of two hundred and ten acres, but as the years passed by and success rewarded his honest toil he was enabled to add to his landed possessions until at one time he was the owner of eight hundred acres.  He has since, however, divided this tract among his children, and has also given them three thousand dollars in money, thus ably assisting them to start on an active business career.  He still retains possession of the old homestead farm of two hundred and ten acres, which contains many and valuable improvements, and his is one of the best improved and most productive farms of the locality.      Nine children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Baker, namely: Susanna, the wife of Benjamin Humphrey, a prominent agriculturist of Holmes county, Ohio; Sarah, the widow of Culvin Humphrey and a resident of Brown township, Knox county; Mary M., wife of Joseph States, of Wood county, this state; Philip, who married Alice Severns and makes his home in Brown township, Knox county; Nancy, at home; Druzilla, the wife of Wilson Rice, of Jefferson township; Samuel V., who married Hattie Workman, a daughter of Bennett Workman; and two who died in infancy. All of the children, with the exception of the eldest, were born on the farm on which the parents still reside.  Mr. Baker has been a life-long Democrat, and his religious views are in harmony with the Methodist church, of which he is a worthy and consistent member. Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page 277
	PROFESSER EDWARD CLOSE BENSON, D. D., LL. D.   The name above is that of one who has long identified with education in Knox county, Ohio, and who is his work year by year has exemplified all those abilities and attainments which have made educators honored in all parts of our country.  Professor Edward C. Benson was born in Thorne, Yorkshire, England, Apr. 26, 1823, a son of John Benson, a barrister, who was in turn the son of a barrister.  Soon after the birth of the subject of this sketch, John Benson moved to a country residence, and in 1832 he brought his family to the United States, settling at Peoria, Illinois.  He was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun, and his wife, nee Harriet Coupland, started to return to England, but at New York sickened and died and was buried in old Trinity churchyard.      In 1840 Edward C. Benson entered Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois.  After the completion oi his freshman course he taught one term of public school and then went to the parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he became a private tutor in the families of large planters.  In 1846 he entered Kenyon College, at Gambier, in accordance with plans long held, in which institution he was duly graduated in 1849 with the degree of A. B. and as the valedictorian of his class.  In 1850-51 he was Latin tutor in his alma mater and during this time began his theological studies in Baxley Hall and in 1853 was ordained a deacon by Bishop Mcllvaine.  Rev. Dr. Alfred Blake established Harcourt School in 1851, in connection with whom E. C. Benson labored successfully for sixteen years. In 1867 he was, without solicitation or knowledge on his part, elected a member of the faculty of Kenyon College, at Gambier, in which he has served as Professor of Latin and language and literature.  Filling this chair with honor for thirty-one years, owing to ill health he resigned and was made professor emeritus.      Sept. 26, 1854, Professor Benson was married to Miss Sarah White, daughter of Mardenbro White, who came to Gambier with Bishop Mcllvaine from Brooklyn, New York, in 1832, and had charge of the college store, and who in 1843 was elected agent and treasurer of the college, a position he filled almost continuously until his death in 1882.      Politically Mr. Benson has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the Republican party.  His labors for the advancement of the cause of education have been unceasing and always effectual, he ever being in the van in every movement intended to promote mental, moral and spiritual growth. Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page 139 NOTE:   John Benson & Harriet can be found at www.findagrave.com Memorial No. 44791689
	JOHN J. BLUBAUGH.   For more than seventy years John J. Blubaugh has been a resident of Knox county and has therefore witnessed the greater part of its growth and development.  He has seen its wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms, while commercial and industrial enterprises have been established, contributing to the growth of village and city, and churches and schools have been built indicating the intellectual and moral status of the community.  In all the work of progress Mr. Blubaugh has borne his part and is justly accounted one of the honored pioneers of the community, to whom the county owes a debt of gratitude for what he accomplished in opening up this region to civilization.      Our subject was born near Cumberland, Maryland, Jan. 10, 1828, and is of German descent, his grandfather having come from Germany to America and thus founded the family in the new world.  Benjamin Blubaugh, the father of our subject, was born, reared and married in Maryland, wedding Onora Logsdon, and in 1828 he came with his family to Knox county, locating in Brown township, upon the farm now owned by John Coleman.  He built a log cabin, made various other improvements, and after a number of years sold the farm to Samuel Durbin.  Unto Benjamin and Onora Blubaugh were born six children, of whom John J. was the youngest and the only son.  He was but seven months old when his mother died, she having lived but a few weeks after reaching this county, after which the father married Eliza Durbin, by whom he had seven children, five of whom are still living.  In his political views Benjamin Blubaugh was a Whig and afterward a Democrat, and in his community was called to serve in several local offices.  He held membership in St. Luke's Catholic church at Danville, and died in that faith when about eighty-eight years of age, his last days being spent in the home of our subject.  He was a stone mason by occupation, and helped lay the foundation for the old St. Luke's church.      John J. Blubaugh was only six months old when brought by his parents to Knox county, and here amid the wild scenes of frontier life he was reared, pursuing his education in a log schoolhouse, which was heated by an immense fireplace and lighted by greased paper windows.  The other furnishings were equally crude and the instruction was somewhat primitive in character.  His training at farm work, however, was not meager, and he assisted his father until he had attained his majority, when he started out upon an independent business career, being employed for two years by the day or by the job at hard farm work, clearing, grubbing, making rails and cradling in the harvest field.      In 1852 as a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Mary Dial, a native of this county and a representative of one of its honored pioneer families.  She is a daughter of William and Rebecca (Arnold) Dial.  They began their domestic life in Brown township, Mr. Blubaugh building a house upon part of his father's land and about forty-five years ago they came to their home in Jefferson township, where they have since lived.  Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in the midst of the forest.  Not a tree had been cut upon the place, but with characteristic energy he began to clear the farm, and soon the woodman's ax awakened the echoes of the forest.  As the trees were hewn down and the brush cleared away he began plowing and planting, and in the course of a few years had a well developed farm.  When the first home which he built was destroyed by fire, he immediately erected another one and added other modern improvements, while his successful cultivation of the fields brought to him a comfortable competence.      Unto Mr. and Mrs. Blubaugh were born eleven children, of whom three sons and four daughters are now living: Maria, the wife of James Smith, of Jefferson township; Jane, deceased; James A.; Basil; Ellen, the wife of Joseph Fritz, of Loudonville, Ashland county; Isabel, who has also passed away; William S.; Ida, wife of Joseph Harlett; Victoria, wife of Frank Sapp; Agnes, deceased; and Margaret T., who' died when about two months old.  James A. Blubaugh, who operates the home farm, married Sarah, Agnes Hess and has nine children: Anna, Rosa, Cosmos, Bernard, Julius, John, Agnes, Monica and Samuel.      In his political views Mr. Blubaugh was first a Whig, and in 1860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln, but since that time has adhered to the principles of the Democracy, save in local affairs, when he votes independently.  He and his family are members of St. Luke's Catholic church in Danville, which he liberally assisted in building, and much of the brown stone used in its construction came from his farm, and which he and his sons, James A. and William Sherman, quarried and donated.  He also donated a memorial window as well as one of the stations.  His life has been one of unfaltering industry, in which earnest labor and honesty in all business transactions has brought to him success. Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page 116
	JOSEPH F. BLUBAUGH.   This well and favorably known citizen of Danville is extensively engaged in the timber business.  He was born in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, Sept. 22, 1852.  His grandfather, John Blubaugh, was one of the early pioneers of this county, having located in this section when it was inhabited principally by Indians and wild animals.  Benjamin Blubaugh, his son and the father of our subject, claimed Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, but when a boy he came with his parents to Ohio, securing the eighty acres of land which our subject now owns.  He spent most of his life upon this farm.  In Knox county, in 1835, he was united in marriage to Shorten Heckler, a native of Hamburg, Germany, but when a child she came to Knox county.  This worthy couple became the parents of nine children, all of whom grew to years of maturity and are still living.      Joseph F. Blubaugh, the fifth child and third son in order of birth in the above family, was reared to farm life in Jefferson township, Knox county, and he received an excellent common-school education in his locality.  For twenty years after leaving the schoolroom as a pupil he followed the teacher's profession, and with the exception of three terms spent in Holmes county, Ohio, he taught continuoush' in Knox county.  Throughout this period, however, he worked in the fields during the summer months.  In 1882 he went to Harper county, Kansas, where he purchased a farm, but one year later he sold his possessions there and returned to the place of his nativity, where he resumed his farming and teaching.  In 1892 he abandoned the work of the schoolroom, and from that time until 1899 gave his undivided time and attention to the work of the farm.  In the latter year, however, he took up his abode in Danville and engaged in the timber business, buying and shipping timber to Buffalo and Cleveland.  As a business man he is practical and progressive, and his efforts in his chosen endeavor are bringing to him handsome financial returns.      The marriage of Mr. Blubaugh, was celebrated in 1875, when Lillias J. Smith became his wife.  She is a daughter of Henry and Rebecca Smith, prominent residents of Jefferson township, Knox county.  Unto this union have been born four children, — Edwin Guy, a popular and successful teacher; Elna Varonica, at home; Estella; and Ida. On questions of national importance Mr. Blubaugh' casts his ballot in favor of the Democracy.  For ten years he held the office of justice of the peace in Jefferson township, but on his removal to Danville he resigned that position, and in 1901 he was again elected to the office, being the present incumbent.  For many years he has served as a school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm and faithful friend. The family are prominent and active members of St. Luke's Catholic church, Mr. Blubaugh having been one of the builders of that church in Danville, and the stone used in its erection was secured from his land.  He has long served as a steward of the church, and has ever taken an active part in promoting its progress and upbuilding. Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page 111
	STEPHEN BLUBAUGH.   One of the prominent old pioneer families of Knox county is that of the Blubaughs, which has here been well represented for many years.  The members have ever borne their part in the upbuilding and development of this region, and have invariably been exponents of progress and liberal ideas upon all subjects.      John Blubaugh, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Germany, but when a young man he came to the United States, locating in Maryland, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in death when about fifty years of age.  He was a farmer by occupation.  Jacob Blubaugh, his son, and the father of our subject, was a native of that commonwealth, and there he made his home until 1828, when he came to Knox county, Ohio, locating on a farm in Brown township.  He, too, followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation.  About the year 1862 he took up his abode in Allen county, Indiana, where his life's labors were ended in death on July 16, 1867, when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty-four years.  For his wife he chose Onora McKenzie, who was born and reared in Maryland, and there married.  She also passed away in the Hoosier state, Nov. 7, 1866, dying at the age of seventy-eight years.  Her father, Moses McKenzie, served as a drummer boy during the Revolutionary war, and throughout that entire struggle he served under General Washington.  His father was a native of Scotland.  Mr. and Mrs. Blubaugh became the parents of fifteen children, nine of whom grew to years of maturity, and four of the family still survive, our subject being its only representative in Knox county.      Stephen Blubaugh is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred on the 20th of December, 1829, and he was reared and educated in Brown township, attending the old log school houses common in that early day.  After reaching an age suitable to engage in the active duties of life for himself he chose the vocation to which he had been reared, namely, farming, and he remained on the old home place until his marriage, which occurred Feb. 23, 1857, Miss Many C. Breckler becoming his wife.  She was born in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, Jan. 23, 1840, a daughter of Francis and Catherine (Hecker) Breckler.  The father was a native of Lorraine and a sonof Christopher, a soldier under Napoleon.  The mother was born near Berlin, Germany.  In early life they left their homes across the was celebrated in Jefferson township, Knox county.  They became the parents of six children, Mrs. Blubaugh being the eldest.  In order of birth. She is a sister of John P. Breckler, a prominent agriculturist of Howard township. Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page 357

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