In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1909) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Memorial record of Licking County, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of representative citizens of the country, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States (1894), Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, vol. II: Biographies (1909)
BAVID M. GEIGER. Among the enterprises that have contributed to the prosperity of Licking County may be mentioned the Hebron Mills, of which Mr. Geiger is the proprietor. Having served an apprenticeship to the trade, he is thoroughly familiar with every department of the business. The mill is well equipped with all modern appliances for milling, and has a complete roller process. General custom work is done for toll or cash, and Hour and feed are exchanged for grain. In connection with the plant there is a sawmill, where lumber and timber of all kinds and dimensions are prepared. Both the saw and flour mills are operated by an engine of thirty-five horse power.
A native of this county, Mr. Geiger was born in Union Township, December 5, 1859. Ilis parents, David and Nancy (Rhodes) Geiger, were born in
Ohio, the father in Fairfield County, and the mother in Licking County. Ten children were born to them, the eldest of whom died in infancy. At the present writing (1894) five sons and four daughters are living, and of these David M. is the seventh in order of birth. The father died in Union Township May 14, 1874; the mother still resides on the old homestead, which her son Jesse E. operates. Three other sons, Worthington R., l’eter II. and Theophilus S„ are residents of Union Township, and all are engaged in farming.
The boyhood days of David M. Geiger were spent upon the home farm in Union Township, and his education was acquired in the district schools. Ilis first business venture was the purchase of a meat market in Hebron, which he conducted for two years. He then became an apprentice to the miller’s trade, and upon thoroughly learning the business purchased a half-terest in the Hebron Mills. From 1885 until 1891 he was in partnership with William Rebout, whom at the latter date he bought out, and has since been sole owner and proprietor of the mill.
July 2, 1890, occurred the marriage of David M. Geiger and Miss Lillie White, the daughter of Samuel and Ella White, residents of Union Township. For about eight years prior to her marriage Mrs. Geiger was a teacher in the public schools of Hebron, and was an efficient and successful instructor. She has several brothers and sisters, one of whom, S. S., is a merchant at Union Station, and is represented elsewhere in this volume; Orilles is studying for the ministry; Mrs. Ettie Beaver resides in Jersey, Licking County; Myrtle married Cary Bebout and resides in Hebron; Lida resides with her parents.
For several years after attaining his majority Mr. G einer cast his ballot in favor of Democratic candidates and principles, but recently his political views have undergone a change, and he is now an advocate of the principles of the People’s party, which he believes to be in accord with the needs of the people. Both in the village of Hebron and throughout the surrounding country wherever known, he is regarded with the highest respect and confidence as a man of good judgment and unimpeachable integrity. A man of broad and liberal views, he is a promoter of progressive enterprises, and is ever ready to contribute his quota to the advancement of the interests of the home locality.
(@T" Tsi
/ "MNNEL BUEHLER became a resident of j: Licking County in 1854, and since that time, with the exception of two years spent in California, has made his home in Newark. His life illustrates the power of perseverance, for at the time of coming to this city he was a poor man, but through tireless activity in the face of great obstacles he has gained a position among the representative business men of the place. For some, twenty years he was engaged in the grocery business, but disposing of that enterprise in 1894, he opened a general feed store at No. 392 West Main Street, where he has since conducted a large trade as a dealer in hides, tallow, calfskins, rubber, metal, etc., and also buys and sells grain in large quantities.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Buehler was born in Norristown, September 11, 1833. and is the only son of George and Elizabeth (Cadwallader) Buehler, natives respectively of Gettysburg and Lehigh County, Pa. Ilis only sister, Mary, married John Jannsen and lives in Norristown. The father died when Tinnel was only two years old, but the mother attained a good old age, passing away when ninety-six. She had been married prior to her union with Mr. Buehler and by her first marriage had four children.
During his boyhood days Mr. Buehler resided in the county of his birth, and going thence to Bucks County, learned the trade of a blacksmith. I'he year 1854 witnessed his arrival in Newark, where for about twenty years he followed his trade. A serious accident, however, at last obliged him to abandon work at his chosen occupation. hen out hunting his right hand was blown off by the accidental discharge of a shot-gun, and he was therefore incapacitated for manual labor. lie then opened a grocery store, and until 1894 had a good trade in that line. In 18G3 lie went to California via the Isthmus, and engaging in work at his trade, accumulated considerable money. After two years in the far west he returned to Ohio by way of the Isthmus of Panama, well satisfied to spend his remaining days in the Buckeye State.
The first marriage of Mr. Buehler united him with Miss Sarah, daughter of William Brittan. This lady was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and died in Licking County February 23, 1893, after having borne her husband three children, Joanna, now the wife of John Zimmerly, of Newark; William; and Frank, Lieutenant of Police at Newark. Jn 1894 Mr. Buehler was again married, choosing as his wife Mrs. Clara (Wells) Bernard, an estimable lady, who by her former marriage has two sons, Jones and Wells.
It is worthy of note that Mr. Buehler is the oldest member of the City Council in point of years of service in that body, having represented the Seventh Ward for many years. He has officiated as President and Vice-President of the Council. In him the Democratic party in this locality has one of its most devoted and loyal supporters. Socially he is a member of the Olive Branch Lodge, I. O. O. F. For a number of years he has been identified with the First Presbyterian Church, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor, lie aided in the organization of the Newark Savings Bank, and is now a stockholder in that institution. In addition to his residence he owns considerable real estate in Newark, both improved and unimproved, and also owns a forty-acre tract just outside of the city limits.
As printed in Memorial record of Licking County, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of representative citizens of the country, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
DAVID M. GEIGER.
Among the enterprises which have been largely influential in bringing prosperity to Licking county are the Hebron Flour Mills, of which David M. and Peter H. Geiger are proprietors. He was born in Union township December 5, 1859, a son of David and Nancy (Roads) Geiger, his ancestors having for many generations been identified with the farming interests of this section of the state, his grandparents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Houdeshell) Geiger, having come from Virginia with their parents and located in Fairfield county in childhood. They reared four sons and four daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity. This number included David Geiger, whose birth occurred in Fairfield county, Ohio, near Pleasantville. He wedded Nancy Roads, a daughter of Abram and Annie (Beaver) Roads, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Geiger was a native of Licking county, where she spent her entire life and passed away in August, 1903, in her seventy-eighth year, having survived her husband twenty-nine years, his death having occurred May 14, 1874, when he was fifty-two years of age. Mr. Geiger followed farming here all his days and at his death left three hundred acres of excellent land. In their family were ten children, namely: Jacob Melville, who passed away in his twelfth year; Emily N., wife of Louis Ruffner, both of whom are residents of Fairfield county; Worthington R., an agriculturist of Union township; Clara M., who wedded David House, of Hebron; Peter H., who also resides in that place; Jesse E. O., who has extensive farming interests in Union township; David M.; Lucy Melcina, a resident of Newark; Rhoda A., who lives with her husband, D. E. Stewart, in Newark; and Theophilus S., an agriculturist of Union township.
On the home farm Mr. Geiger spent his boyhood days, occupied with the plowing, planting and harvesting from early spring until late fall and attending the neighboring schools during the short winter terms. Having acquired his education he made his first venture in the business world as a clerk in a meat market in Hebron, where he remained for two years, at the termination of which period he was apprenticed to a miller and after learning the trade purchased a half interest in the Hebron Flour Mills. From 1885 to 1891 he was in partnership with William Bebout, whose interest he subsequently purchased and became sole owner and proprietor of the enterprise but has since been joined by his brother Peter in the present firm relation. David Geiger is thoroughly familiar with the business, which is proving a successful venture. The mill is thoroughly equipped with modern appliances and has a complete roller process, the business being conducted on the general custom basis for toll or cash, and flour and feed is exchanged for grain. His excellent business judgment and careful management have enabled Mr. Geiger to greatly increase his volume of trade since he undertook full management of the concern, which is now one of the leading industries in this part of the state.
On July 2, 1890, Mr. Geiger wedded Miss Lily White, a daughter of Samuel and Ella White, natives of Union township, and the couple have since been living together in the enjoyment of domestic happiness. For about eight years, prior to her marriage Mrs. Geiger was a teacher in the public schools of Hebron, and her efficiency in that profession was widely acknowledged. Unto this marriage two children were born: Mary Lois, in March, 1897; and Mildred Ruth, in July, 1903. Mr. Geiger has given his political support to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a man of marked industry who in all his business affairs has displayed sound judgment and keen discrimination. Moreover he possesses a resolute spirit which enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
Macaulay has said that “the history of a country is best told in the lives of its people.” History is no longer a record of wars and conquests but the tale of business development, commercial, industrial and agricultural progress, and the leading men of the community are not military leaders but those who control the veins and arteries of trade and traffic. In this connection Eli A. Pratt deserves mention as one of the representative farmers of Monroe township and a member of one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families. He was born August 27, 1858, and is a member of two of the earliest, most prominent and influential famihes of Licking county. His father, John Pratt, was also born in Monroe township near Johnstown. His son Eli now resides on the farm where his father spent most of his entire life, his death occurring on the old homestead in November, 1897, at an advanced age. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Louisa Crocker and her parents were among the first settlers of this part of the state. She, too, was born in Licking county, and her last days were spent on the old homestead farm, where she had lived from the time of her marriage. It was on the 4th of August, 1905, that she departed this life and her death was deeply regretted by many who had known and loved her. The grandfather, Major Eli Pratt, came to Licking county from Pennsylvania when a young man and was among the most active and influential residents of his day in developing the county and founding the institutions which have been creditable forces in its material, intellectual and moral development. As the years passed he was actively engaged in transforming the wild land into a rich and productive farm and both he and his son, John Pratt, became large landowners and extensive farmers. In their work they were progressive as well as practical and their labors resulted in making the Pratt homestead one of the fine farms of the county.
Eli A. Pratt was reared on the old home place and found employment there, being busily engaged with the work of the fields from his early youth. When the farm work was over for the year he had the privilege of attending the country schools and he also continued his education in the schools of Johnstown. When twenty years of age he went west, imbued with a spirit which prompt many young men to leave home and learn something of life in other parts of the country. For two years he found employment with the farmers of Iowa and Illinois but, becoming convinced that there was no more desirable place of residence than Ohio, he returned to this state in December, 1879, and again engaged in farm work with his father. The lessons of diligence, industry and honesty which were early impressed upon his mind have borne fruit in later years, making him one of the prosperous and reliable agriculturists of the county.
On the 2d of August, 1885, Mr. Pratt was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hursey, daughter of Simon and Charlotte (Bateson) Hursey, of Delaware county. Following his marriage Mr. Pratt began farming for himself, upon a tract of land which he purchased in Monroe township near the Delaware county line. There year after year he tilled the fields and harvested his crops, remaining upon that place until March, 1906, when he purchased from the heirs the old home farm, where his parents had so long resided and which thus again became the Pratt family homestead. Here he is now living with his family of four children, two sons and two daughters, John R., Benjamin H., Milley L. and Charlotta Louisa.
In addition to his extensive farming interests Mr. Pratt was engaged for three years, beginning in 1891, in the hay and grain business in Johnstown, and was an extensive buyer and shipper of farm products. He has also been for some years a large stock raiser and also a dealer in stock at certain seasons of the year, buying and shipping to the markets of this and other states. His business interests have become extensive and important and have been well managed. Tireless energy, keen perception and a genius for formulating and executing well devised plans, are salient characteristics in his business career and have proven elements im a success which is as honorable as it is gratifying.
In addition to his growing and prosperous interests, Mr. Pratt has held to the opinion that public affairs demand a certain share of every man’s time and attention and he has never been tardy in performing what he considers a public duty. The work of general improvement and all movements calculated to promote the public good have ever found in him a supporter and cooperant factor. He has served the public as justice of the peace and as school director and in other public capacities and his aid in matters of general welfare is never sought in vain. He is a republican in politics and in 1900 he was census enumerator for his township. He takes an active interest in promoting the growth and securing the success of his party, while frequently he serves as a delegate to county, district and state conventions. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, his membership being in their respective lodges in Johnstown. He is emphatically a prominent man of the community and is not only active in business but has also been influential in promoting the best interests of all the people and contributing to public prosperity as well as to individual success.
As printed in Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, vol. II: Biographies (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Eli Pratt (b. 1798) Peter H. Geiger (b. 1854)
The printed record stops around 1894. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.